JP6478757B2 - Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  Here, the developer container is a container for storing the developer, and is a container for storing the developer used in the image forming apparatus.

  The developing device is a developing device that has at least the developer container and a developer carrier and visualizes the electrostatic latent image with the developer.

  The process cartridge is configured such that at least the developer container, the developer carrying member, and the image carrying member are integrally formed, and can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus includes the developer container and forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper using an image forming method. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer).

  Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, an agitating and conveying member that conveys a developer accommodated in a developer container, which is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, while agitating the developer toward the developing roller. The provided arrangement is disclosed. In this document, a plurality of stirring and conveying members are used.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 2, a powder particle supporting member supported in a swingable manner and a vibration generating device that vibrates the supporting member, and by vibrating the supporting member. A conveying device for a granular material that conveys the granular material supported on the supporting member is disclosed.

JP 2002-196585 A JP 59-227618 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the stirring and transporting member can transport only the developer having the rotation radius, the bottom surface of the storage container is cross-sectioned so that the stirring and transporting member reaches all areas inside the storage container. It is necessary to configure it in an arc shape visually. Therefore, it is necessary to form a convex portion on the floor surface of the storage container where the agitating and conveying member does not reach so that the developer does not stay in a region where the agitating and conveying member does not reach. Therefore, the part of the convex part formed in this storage container becomes a dead space.

  Moreover, in the structure of patent document 2, it is necessary to ensure the space for the whole support member to rock | fluctuate, and this space becomes a dead space.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the dead space in the developer conveyance path as compared with the conventional case and to reduce the operation noise of the conveyance member that conveys the developer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention includes a frame for containing a developer, and a developer conveying direction on the bottom surface inside the frame, which is movable in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. And a biasing member that imparts a force in a direction opposite to the transport direction to the transport member. The longitudinal direction is the same as the direction intersecting the transport direction, and the biasing member has one end attached to the frame and the other end intersecting the transport direction of the transport member. The urging member is attached to the center portion, and the urging member moves toward the neutral position of the conveying member where a force moving in the conveying direction is not applied to the conveying member moved in the conveying direction. It is characterized in that a force is applied to.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame body that contains the developer, and is provided on the bottom surface inside the frame body so as to be movable in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the developer and the transport direction. And a biasing member that applies a force in the direction opposite to the transport direction to the transport member, and the longitudinal direction of the biasing member is the transport direction. The biasing member is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction so that one end is attached to the frame and the other end engages and acts on the transport member. And the biasing member applies a force to the transport member toward the neutral position of the transport member to which the force moving in the transport direction is not applied to the transport member moved in the transport direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the dead space of the developer conveyance path as compared with the conventional case, and to reduce the operation sound of the developer conveyance mechanism.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer transport mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A), (b), and (c) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the developer transport mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge to be compared according to the first embodiment. 3 is a perspective view of a developer transport mechanism that is a comparison target according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) (b) (c) is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the developer conveyance mechanism used as the comparison object which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a developer transport mechanism according to Embodiment 2. FIG. (A), (b), and (c) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the developer transport mechanism according to the second embodiment. (A), (b), and (c) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the developer transport mechanism according to the third embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on another Example. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on another Example. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge and cam member by the side of an apparatus concerning other Examples.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. In addition, the material, shape, and the like of the members once described in the following description are the same as those in the first description in the subsequent description unless otherwise described.

  In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the cartridge is the axial direction of the image carrier. Further, left and right are left or right (both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction) when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the transport direction of the recording medium. Further, the upper surface of the cartridge is a surface located above in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

[Example 1]
(Overall description of image forming apparatus)
First, an overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus 100”) will be schematically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with a cartridge B according to the first embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laser beam printer that is one form of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 (laser beam printer) includes an image forming apparatus main body A and a cartridge B that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A. A photosensitive drum 7 is arranged inside the apparatus main body A.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 irradiates the drum-shaped photosensitive drum 7 with information light based on image information from the optical system 1 as an optical unit (optical apparatus), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. To do. This electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”) to form a toner image. In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 is separated and fed one by one from the cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c that is in pressure contact therewith.

  The fed recording medium 2 is conveyed along a conveyance guide 3f1 to a transfer portion T where the photosensitive drum 7 of the cartridge B and a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit face each other. The recording medium 2 conveyed to the transfer portion T is transferred with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the transfer roller 4 to which a voltage is applied, and is conveyed to the fixing device 5 along the conveyance guide 3f2.

  The fixing device 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b. The fixing device 5 includes a fixing rotating body 5d composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a supporting body 5c. The transferred toner image is fixed by applying pressure.

  The discharge roller 3d conveys the recording medium 2 on which the toner image is fixed, and discharges it to the discharge unit 6 through the reverse conveyance path. In the present embodiment, the pickup device 3b, the pressure contact member 3c, the discharge roller 3d, and the like constitute the conveying device 3 that conveys the sheet.

(cartridge)
Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge B (process cartridge) will be schematically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 7 as an “image carrier” that carries a developer image, and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 7, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7, and a toner for cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 are used. There are cleaning means and the like.

  The cartridge B includes a drum unit 11, a developing unit 10, and a toner container 14 as a “developer container”.

  The drum unit 11 includes a drum frame 11d in which a photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported and a cleaning blade 11a and a charging roller 8 are incorporated, a removed toner storage portion 11c, and a squeeze sheet 11b.

  The developing unit 10 includes a developing frame 10f1 incorporating a developing roller 10d and a developing chamber 10i.

  The toner container 14 includes a frame body 14a and a lid portion 14d. The toner is accommodated in a toner accommodating portion 14t formed by the frame 14a and the lid portion 14d of the toner container 14. Further, a conveying member (hereinafter referred to as “conveying plate”) 14 b, a cam member 15, and an urging member 16 are disposed in the toner container 14. The developing chamber 10 i of the developing unit 10 and the toner container 14 t of the toner container 14 are communicated with each other through the opening 19 of the toner container 14.

  In the above configuration, the direction in which the toner is transported is the transport direction J1 from the toner container 14t toward the developing chamber 10i.

  An opening 19 is formed for supplying the toner stored in the toner storage portion 14t of the toner container 14 to the developing roller 10d in the transport direction J1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the lid portion 14d which is the bottom surface of the toner container 14 is set to be substantially horizontal.

  Next, the image forming process of the cartridge B will be described.

  First, the photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a voltage is applied to the charging roller 8 serving as a charging unit to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. Information light (optical image) based on image information from the optical system 1 (see FIG. 1) is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9b, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. And the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 10. The developing unit 10 is a developing device (developing means).

  The developing unit 10 rotatably supports a developing roller 10d as a “developer carrying member” that carries the developer. Along with this rotation, a toner layer imparted with triboelectric charge by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. To visualize it.

  Then, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image from the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2, and thereafter, the cleaning blade 11a fixed to the drum frame 11d by the fixing portion 11h. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off. At the same time, it is scooped by the squeeze sheet 11b and collected in the removed toner storage portion 11c. Residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by these cleaning means. Thus, the image forming process of the cartridge B is configured.

(Configuration of developer transport mechanism)
Next, the configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The developer transport mechanism 200 includes a toner container 14 (frame body 14a and lid 14d), a transport plate 14b, a cam member 15 that constitutes a vibration applying member 13, and a biasing member 16.

  First, the configuration of the toner container 14 will be described. The toner container 14 forms an outline (frame body) by the frame body 14a and the lid portion 14d. The toner container 14 has walls 14a1 located on both sides of the toner container 14 in the direction orthogonal to the toner transport direction J1. A groove 14a6 that allows the transport plate 14b to move in the toner transport direction J1 and in a direction J2 opposite to the transport direction is formed on the wall 14a1. The lid 14d serves as the bottom surface of the toner container disposed on the lower side in the gravity direction. It is formed in the position along.

  And wall 14a1 is supporting the cam member 15 mentioned later rotatably. Further, the wall 14a1 is provided with a support portion 14a4 that supports one end of an urging member 16 described later. The support portion 14a4 is a position corresponding to point symmetry about the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b that supports the other end of the biasing member in the direction intersecting the moving directions J1 and J2 of the transport plate 14b. Is arranged. The material of the toner container 14 is polystyrene (PS).

  Next, the configuration of the transport plate 14b will be described. The transport plate 14b is provided on the bottom surface inside the toner container 14 so as to be movable in a toner transport direction J1 and a direction J2 opposite to the transport direction, and transports the toner contained in the toner container 14 in a plate shape. It is a member. And the conveyance board 14b is comprised by the plate-shaped shape of thickness 1.5mm, and provided the to-be-vibrated provision part 14b1 as an effect | action part of the cam member 15 mentioned later on the upper surface of the conveyance board 14b. The vibration imparting portions 14b1 are provided on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the moving directions J1 and J2 of the transport plate 14b so as to correspond to the cam member 15 described later.

  Furthermore, a biased portion 14b3 that engages with the other end of a biasing member 16 described later and synchronizes with the movement of the biasing member 16 in the transport direction is provided on the upper surface of the transport plate 14b. The to-be-biased part 14b3 is provided in the center part of the direction which cross | intersects the moving directions J1 and J2 of a conveyance board. Polystyrene (PS) was used as the material for the transport plate 14b.

  The transport plate 14b is engaged with the groove 14a6 in a movable state on the lid portion 14d that forms the bottom surface of the toner container 14, and as a result, the transport plate 14b is disposed below the toner accommodated in the toner container 14. doing.

  With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport plate 14b is disposed in the toner container 14 so as to be movable in the transport direction J1 and the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1.

  Here, in this embodiment, the friction surface between the conveyance plate 14b and the toner container 14 and the friction surface between the conveyance plate 14b and the toner serve as a speed reduction unit.

  Further, when the conveying plate 14b is vibrated by an urging member 16 and a cam member 15, which will be described later, the wall located in the conveying direction J1 of the toner container 14 is disposed at a position not in contact with the conveying plate 14b.

  Next, the configuration of the urging member 16 will be described. The urging member 16 is an urging unit that applies a force in a direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction to the conveying plate 14b. The urging member 16 is constituted by a coil spring and is engaged with two portions of the support portion 14a4 provided on the wall 14a1 of the toner container 14 and the urged portion 14b3 provided on the conveying plate 14b. With this configuration, the longitudinal direction of the biasing member 16 is the same as the direction perpendicular to the transport direction (see FIG. 3), and the direction in which the biasing force of the biasing member 16 is generated is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction J1. Placed in.

  With the configuration described above, the transport plate 14b can be reciprocated in the movement directions J1 and J2 with the position of the transport plate 14b determined by the biasing axis of the biasing member 16 being a neutral position. The neutral position is a first position where the urging force applied by the urging member 16 in the movement directions J1 and J2 becomes zero. Here, in this embodiment, the drag force of the urging member 16 also serves as a speed reduction unit.

  Next, the configuration of the cam member 15 will be described. The cam member 15 is a moving means that contacts the transport plate 14b and moves the transport plate 14b in the transport direction J1. The cam member 15 is a rotating cam and is rotatably supported by the frame body 14a. The cam members 15 are provided on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the transport plate 14b. As shown in FIG. 4, the cam member 15 rotates to form an uneven shape that repeats action and release on the vibration imparted portion 14 b 1 provided on the transport plate 14 b in the circumferential direction of the cam member 15. ing. That is, the shape of the cam member 15 is configured to be a convex shape (contact portion) that comes into contact with the vibration imparting portion 14b1 of the transport plate 14b as the cam member 15 rotates and moves the transport plate 14b in the transport direction J1. Yes. Further, the shape of the cam member 15 is such that the conveying plate 14b reciprocates with the damping movement of the urging member 16, and the cam member 15 and the vibration imparting portion 14b1 are in a period until the reciprocating movement converges and stops. It is configured in a concave shape (non-contact portion) that does not contact.

  With the above configuration, the conveyance plate 14b can reciprocate with the rotation of the cam member 15, and until the reciprocation of the conveyance plate 14b with the damping movement of the biasing member 16 converges and stops. The cam member 15 and the vibration imparting portion 14b1 do not interfere with each other.

(Toner transport function of developer transport mechanism)
Next, the toner conveying action of the developer conveying mechanism 200 will be described.

  The cam member 15 and the biasing member 16 which are the vibration applying members 13 act on the vibration imparting portion 14b1 and the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b, respectively, so that the transport plate 14b is transported in the transport direction J1 and transport direction. A reciprocating acceleration is applied in the opposite direction J2 to vibrate.

  The cam member 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body A, and is applied to the conveying plate 14b via the vibration imparting portion 14b1 provided in the conveying plate 14b. An acceleration is applied in a direction along the conveyance direction J1. By this operation, the transport plate 14b is moved from the first position as the neutral position shown in FIG. 4A to the second position furthest away from the first position shown in FIG. 4B in the developer transport direction. Let At this time, at least a part of the toner on the transport plate 14b moves in synchronization with the transport plate 14b without sliding on the transport plate 14b.

  Thereafter, as the cam member 15 rotates, the vibration imparting portion 14 b 1 of the transport plate 14 b is detached from the cam member 15. As a result, the conveyance plate 14b is given acceleration in the direction J2 opposite to the conveyance direction J1 by the urging force of the urging member 16. By this operation, the transport plate 14b passes from the second position shown in FIG. 4B to the first position shown in FIG. 4A and moves to the third position shown in FIG. 4C. . At this time, the toner on the transport plate 14b slides on the transport plate 14b.

  Further, the urging member 16 also has a function as a speed reduction means. That is, the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b alternately receives a biasing force in the transport direction J1 and the transport direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 as a restoring force from the biasing member 16. Further, in the toner container 14, the conveying plate 14 b receives a frictional force with the toner container 14 and a drag force from the toner in the toner container 14 t, so that the vibration of the conveying plate 14 b is synchronized with the damping movement of the biasing member 16. After a while, it returns to the neutral position shown in FIG.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of a collision sound by causing the transport plate 14b to perform a dampening motion. As a result, the operation sound of the developer transport mechanism 200 can be suppressed.

  Next, the transfer plate 14b and the toner movement (toner transfer operation) on the transfer plate 14b will be described in detail.

  First, the basic operation of the developer transport mechanism 200 will be described. By the cam member 15 and the biasing member 16, the leading end portion 14b2 of the transport plate 14b has a position 14b20 shown in FIG. 4A, a position 14b21 shown in FIG. 4B, and a position 14b22 shown in FIG. It is configured to take. A position 14 b 20 shown in FIG. 4A is an initial position where the vibration imparting portion 14 b 1 of the transport plate 14 b does not contact the cam member 15. The position 14b21 shown in FIG. 4B is the position most moved in the transport direction J1, and the position 14b22 shown in FIG. 4C is the position most moved in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1.

  At this time, the conveying plate 14b is operated by the cam member 15 and the biasing member 16 at the maximum acceleration a1 in the conveying direction J1 and at the maximum acceleration a2 in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1. The maximum acceleration a2 of the conveying plate 14b is set to an acceleration at which the toner on the conveying plate 14b slides on the conveying plate 14b by adjusting the urging force of the urging member 16. Next, the maximum acceleration a1 of the conveying plate 14b is set to be smaller than the above-described maximum acceleration a2 by adjusting the rotation speed of the cam member 15.

  Next, conditions for the toner on the transport plate to slide on the transport plate will be described. Here, the static friction coefficient of the conveyance plate 14b and the toner is μ0, the gravitational acceleration is g, and the product of the static friction coefficient μ0 and the gravitational acceleration g is μ0g. Then, the condition that the toner on the transport plate slides on the transport plate is set to an acceleration that causes the transport plate 14b to move at an acceleration μ0 g or more with the toner on the transport plate 14b.

  Next, the following (Example 1), (Example 2), and (Example 3) regarding the relationship between the maximum acceleration a1, the maximum acceleration a2, and the relationship between μ0g, which is the product of the static friction coefficient μ0 and the gravitational acceleration g, and toner transportability are as follows. It explains using.

(Example 1) Acceleration setting condition for enabling toner conveyance The acceleration is set to μ0 g <a1 <a2, and the conveyance plate 14b is moved in the movement directions J1 and J2 with the maximum accelerations a1 and a2. In this case, when the transport plate 14b is moved in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1, the toner sliding on the transport plate 14b relatively moves on the transport plate 14b in the transport direction J1. That is, the toner on the transport plate 14b moves on the transport plate 14b in both the J1 direction and the J2 direction. In this case, since a1 <a2 is set, the relative movement distance of the toner as viewed from the conveyance plate 14b (the distance that the toner slides on the conveyance plate) is larger than that when the conveyance plate 14b is moved in the conveyance direction J1. It is easy to set the length to be longer when moved in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1. Therefore, when the acceleration is set as described above, the toner on the transport plate 14b can be easily moved in the transport direction J1 by repeatedly applying the acceleration to the transport plate 14b.

(Example 2) Acceleration setting condition for increasing toner conveyance amount compared with Example 1 The acceleration is set to a1 <μ0g <a2, and the conveyance plate 14b is moved in the conveyance direction J1. In this case, the toner does not move relative to the transport plate 14b in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 due to the maximum acceleration a1 smaller than μ0 g. Then, the acceleration is set to a1 <μ0g <a2, and the transport plate 14b is moved in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1. In this case, the toner relatively moves in the transport direction J1 on the transport plate 14b with the maximum acceleration a2 larger than μ0 g. That is, even if the trajectory of the transport plate 14b moving in one reciprocation is exactly the same as in Example 1, if the acceleration is set appropriately, the amount of toner transported in the transport direction J1 in one reciprocation can be increased.

(Example 3) Acceleration setting condition in which toner cannot be transported On the other hand, when the maximum acceleration a2 is set to a2 <μ0g, the toner does not slide on the transport plate, so the toner is not transported. That is, in the present invention, when the transport plate 14b moves in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1, the transport plate 14b sets the maximum acceleration a2 so that the toner slides on the transport plate 14b (μ0g < a2) Necessary.

  The above-described static friction coefficient μ0 between the conveyance plate 14b and the toner is expressed as μ0 = the angle θ formed between the horizontal plane and the conveyance plate 14b when the toner slides when the toner is placed on the conveyance plate 14b and the conveyance plate 14b is inclined. It is calculated from tan θ.

  At this time, the toner on the transport plate 14b slides down from the transport plate 14b due to the slip generated at the interface between the transport plate 14b and the toner and the slip generated at the interface between the toner and the toner.

  That is, the toner slipping relative to the vibrating transport plate 14b is not limited to the slippage of the transport plate 14b and the toner generated at the interface between the transport plate 14b and the toner. This includes slipping.

  Through the steps described above, the toner on the transport plate 14b is transported in the transport direction J1 when the transport plate 14b repeats vibrations in the movement directions J1 and J2 by the cam member 15 and the biasing member 16 as the vibration applying member 13. .

  Here, the frequency of the force applied to the vibration imparting portion 14b1 of the conveying plate 14b by the rotation of the cam member 15 is 20 Hz, and the moving distance of the leading end portion 14b2 that is the difference between the position 14b21 of the leading end portion 14b2 of the conveying plate 14b and the initial position 14b20. L1 was selected to be about 1.5 mm. Further, the moving distance L2 of the leading end portion 14b2 that is the difference between the position 14b22 of the leading end portion 14b2 of the conveying plate 14b and the initial position 14b20 is set to be a value smaller than the moving distance L1. The moving distance L2 is changed by the weight of the toner remaining in the toner accommodating portion 14t and the resistance received from the urging member 16 when the conveying plate 14b moves in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1, and is smaller than the moving distance L1. Set to be

  Further, the urging force in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1 received by the urged portion 14b3 of the conveying plate 14b from the urging member 16 was selected to be about 200 gf / mm, and the toner weight was about 100 g.

  Here, although the material of the conveyance board 14b illustrated polystyrene (PS), it is not limited to this. The material of the conveying plate 14b can be appropriately configured by a general plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ABS resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), for example. .

(About the configuration that generates a collision sound)
As a comparison object (comparative example) with the configuration of the first embodiment illustrated using FIGS. 2 to 4, the configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 that generates a collision sound will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. To do.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the urging member 16 has a direction in which the expansion / contraction direction (longitudinal direction) intersects the moving direction of the transport plate 14b (more specifically, orthogonal to the moving direction). In the direction to be). On the other hand, in the configuration of this comparative example, as shown in FIG. 6, the urging member 16 has the same expansion / contraction direction (longitudinal direction) as the moving direction of the conveying plate 14b (the opposite direction J2 to the conveying direction J1). It is arranged to be in the direction. The transport plate 14b is provided with a biased portion 14b3 for receiving a biasing force from the biasing member 16 in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1. A support portion 14 a 4 for supporting the urging member 16 is provided on the wall 14 a 1 of the toner container 14.

  The transport plate 14b is provided with a positioning portion 14b4 for restricting movement in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1, and the positioning portion 14b4 is brought into contact with the cam member 15 so as to be parallel to the transport direction J1. The neutral position (first position) is determined.

  Further, the cam member 15 and the conveyance plate 14b are configured so that the rotating cam member 15 provided in the toner container 14 acts on the vibration imparting portion 14b1 provided on the conveyance plate 14b.

  The cam member 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body A, and is applied to the conveying plate 14b via the vibration imparting portion 14b1 provided in the conveying plate 14b. An acceleration is applied in a direction along the conveyance direction J1. By this operation, the transport plate 14b is moved from the first position as the neutral position shown in FIG. 7A to the second position farthest from the first position shown in FIG. 7B in the developer transport direction. Move.

  Thereafter, the vibration imparting portion 14b1 of the transport plate 14b is detached from the cam member 15, and the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b is accelerated in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 16. . By this operation, the transport plate 14b moves from the second position shown in FIG. 7B to the first position shown in FIG. 7C. At this time, the movement of the conveying plate 14b in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1 is regulated by bringing the positioning portion 14b4 of the conveying plate 14b into contact with the cam member 15. That is, the comparative example has a configuration in which the transport plate 14b cannot pass through the first position (neutral position) when moving from the second position in the direction opposite to the developer transport direction. Here, a collision sound is generated when the positioning portion 14b4 of the conveying plate 14b comes into contact with the cam member 15. The collision sound generated at this time increases as the urging force of the urging member 16 in the direction J2 opposite to the conveyance direction J1 increases, and increases as the amount of toner in the toner container 14t of the toner container 14 decreases.

  As described above, in the developer transport mechanism 200 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a collision sound is generated during operation, and thus the operation sound of the developer transport mechanism 200 is increased. Further, even when the positioning portion 14b of the transport plate 14b is brought into contact with the toner container 14 and the movement of the transport plate 14b in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J2 is restricted, a collision sound is generated similarly. The operation sound of the agent transport mechanism 200 increases.

  According to the present embodiment, the dead space in the developer conveyance path can be reduced as compared with the prior art, and the operation sound of the developer conveyance mechanism can be suppressed.

[Example 2]
A configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. Since the other configuration except the configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used, and the description is omitted here. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

(Description of configuration)
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a cam member 15 that is a vibration applying member 13 and an urging member 16 are provided, and the compression direction of the urging member 16 is disposed substantially parallel to the transport direction J1. That is, the longitudinal direction of the urging member 16 is the same as the conveyance direction of the conveyance plate 14b. The urging member 16 is a compression spring and is located on the downstream side of the transport direction J1 of the transport plate 14b so as to engage and act on the transport plate 14b. The transport plate 14b is provided with a biased portion 14b3 for contacting the other end of the biasing member 16 and receiving a biasing force in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 from the biasing member 16. One end of the urging member 16 is attached to the frame body 14a, and a urged portion 14a3 for receiving an urging force in the transport direction J1 from the urging member 16 is provided. Here, both end portions of the urging member 16 are engaged with the urged portion 14b3 of the conveying plate 14b and the urged portion 14a3 of the frame 14a.

  The conveying plate 14 b is provided with a vibration imparting portion 14 b 1 as an acted portion of the cam member 15. The free length of the urging member 16 is set to a substantially free length in a state where the cam member 15 is not in contact with the vibration imparting portion 14b1.

  By configuring in this way, a transport in which a force that moves in the transport direction J1 does not act on the transport plate 14b without providing a positioning part that restricts the movement of the transport plate 14b in the direction opposite to the transport direction. It is set so that the position of the plate 14b is determined. The position of the transport plate 14b set here is a neutral position (first position) where the biasing force applied by the biasing member 16 in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 is zero.

(Description of action)
The cam member 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body A, and is applied to the conveying plate 14b via the vibration imparting portion 14b1 provided in the conveying plate 14b. An acceleration is applied in a direction along the conveyance direction J1. By this operation, the transport plate 14b is moved from the first position shown in FIG. 10A to the second position farthest from the first position shown in FIG. 10B in the developer transport direction. As the conveying plate 14b moves in the conveying direction J1, the urging member 16 is compressed between the urged portion 14b3 and the urged portion 14a3, and the conveying plate 14b is attached in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1. Power is generated.

  Thereafter, the vibration imparting portion 14b1 of the transport plate 14b is detached from the cam member 15, and the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b is accelerated in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 16. The Then, the transport plate 14b moves from the second position shown in FIG. 10 (b) to the position shown in FIG. 10 (c) through the first position shown in FIG. 10 (a).

  At this time, the urging member 16 functions as a tension spring that exerts a drag force that returns the conveying plate 14b from the position shown in FIG. 10C to the first position shown in FIG. As a result, the conveying plate 14b alternately receives urging forces in both the conveying direction J1 and the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1 as restoring force from the urging member 16, and vibrates in the moving directions J1 and J2. In the toner container 14, the conveying plate 14 b receives frictional force with the toner container 14, drag from the toner in the toner container 14 t, and internal loss due to expansion and contraction of the urging member. The vibration attenuates and eventually returns to the neutral position shown in FIG.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the above-described embodiments, the dead space in the developer transport path can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, and the operation sound of the developer transport mechanism can be suppressed.

Example 3
The configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the other configuration except the configuration of the developer transport mechanism 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used, and the description is omitted here. In the third embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

(Description of configuration)
As shown in FIG. 11A, a cam member 15, which is a vibration applying member 13, a biasing member 16a, and a biasing member 16b are provided, and the compression direction of the biasing member 16a is biased substantially parallel to the transport direction J1. The compression direction of the member 16b is arranged substantially parallel to the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1. That is, the longitudinal direction of the urging member 16 is the same as the conveyance direction of the conveyance plate 14b. The urging members 16a and 16b are compression springs, and are positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction J1 of the transport plate 14b so as to engage and act on the transport plate 14b. Specifically, the urging member 16a, which is the first urging member, is in contact with the downstream side of the urged portion 14b3 in the conveyance direction J1 (the urged portion 14b31 described later) of the urged portion 14b3, thereby conveying the plate 14b. Acts to apply a force in a direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1. The biasing member 16b, which is the second biasing member, has its other end in contact with the upstream side in the transport direction J1 of the biased portion 14b3 (a biased portion 14b32 described later) and the transport plate 14b in the transport direction. It acts to apply the force of J1.

  The conveying plate 14b has a biased portion 14b3 as an actuated portion that acts by contacting the other end of the biasing members 16a and 16b. The biased portion 14b3 included in the transport plate 14b has a biased portion 14b31 for receiving a biasing force in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 from the biasing member 16a on the downstream side in the transport direction J1. . Further, the biased portion 14b3 of the transport plate 14b has a biased portion 14b32 for receiving a biasing force in the transport direction J1 from the biasing member 16b on the upstream side in the transport direction J1.

  And the frame 14a is provided with the to-be-biased part which attaches one edge part of the said urging | biasing member 16a, 16b. Specifically, the frame 14a receives a biased portion 14a31 for receiving a biasing force in the transport direction J1 from the biasing member 16a, and a bias for a biasing force J2 in the direction opposite to the transport direction J1 from the biasing member 16b. A biased portion 14a32 is provided. Here, one end of the biasing member 16a is fixed to the biased portion 14a31 of the frame body 14a, and one end of the biasing member 16b is fixed to the biased portion 14a32 of the frame body 14a. Yes.

  The conveying plate 14b is provided with a vibration imparting portion 14b1 as a working portion of the cam member 15. The vibration imparting portions 14b1 are provided on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the transport plate 14b, as in the above-described embodiment. Further, the urging member 16a and the urging member 16b have the above-mentioned free length with a length that does not contact the urged portion 14b31 and the urged portion 14b32 in a state where the cam member 15 is not in contact with the vibration applied portion 14b1. Set.

  By configuring in this way, a transport in which a force that moves in the transport direction J1 does not act on the transport plate 14b without providing a positioning part that restricts the movement of the transport plate 14b in the direction opposite to the transport direction. It is set so that the position of the plate 14b is determined. The position of the transport plate 14b set here is a neutral position (first position) at which the biasing force applied in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 by the biasing members 16a and 16b becomes zero.

(Description of action)
The cam member 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body A, and is applied to the conveyance plate 14b via a vibration imparting portion 14b1 provided in the conveyance plate 14b. An acceleration is applied in a direction along the conveyance direction J1. By this operation, the transport plate 14b is moved from the first position as the neutral position shown in FIG. 11A to the second position farthest from the first position shown in FIG. 11B in the developer transport direction. Move. As the conveying plate 14b moves in the conveying direction J1, the urging member 16a is compressed between the urged portion 14a31 and the urged portion 14b31, and the urging force in the direction J2 opposite to the conveying direction J1 is applied to the conveying plate 14b. Will occur.

  Thereafter, as the cam member 15 rotates, the vibration imparting portion 14 b 1 of the transport plate 14 b is detached from the cam member 15. As a result, the biased portion 14b31 of the transport plate 14b is given acceleration in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 16a. By this operation, the transport plate 14b moves from the second position shown in FIG. 11 (b) to the position shown in FIG. 11 (c) through the first position shown in FIG. 11 (a).

  By passing through the first position shown in FIG. 11A, the urging member 16b functions as a speed reducing member that decelerates the movement of the transport plate 14b in the direction J2 opposite to the transport direction J1. That is, the biased portion 14b32 of the transport plate 14b receives a biasing force in the transport direction J1 as a force for decelerating the transport plate 14b from the biasing member 16b. Further, in the toner container 14, the conveying plate 14b receives a frictional force with the toner container 14 and a drag force from the toner in the toner accommodating portion 14t, so that the vibration of the conveying plate 14b is attenuated, and finally, FIG. Return to the neutral position shown.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the urging member 16b illustrated in FIG. 11 is illustrated as the deceleration member, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, in order to decelerate the movement of the transport plate 14b in the direction J2 opposite to the developer transport direction J1, the shock absorbing member 21 is disposed as a deceleration member so as to contact the end of the transport plate 14b as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, it is good also as a structure which has arrange | positioned the friction sliding member 22 so that the upper surface of the conveyance board 14b may be contacted as a deceleration member. The material of the shock absorbing member 21 and the friction sliding member 22 is made of an elastomer or the like.

  Further, when the conveying plate 14b moves in the direction J2 opposite to the developer conveying direction J1, it is set so that a certain amount or more of toner is present in the toner accommodating portion 14t, and the drag received by the conveying plate 14b from the toner is used as a deceleration unit. It can also be applied when used.

  Further, the speed reducing means described above may be used when the transport plate 14b stops between the second position and the first position when the transport plate 14b moves in the direction J2 opposite to the developer transport direction J1, or from the second position. Even when the vehicle stops after passing through the first position, it can be suitably applied.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the generation of collision noise by causing the conveying plate 14b to perform a dampening motion. As a result, the operation sound of the developer transport mechanism 200 can be suppressed.

[Other Examples]
In Example 1, the case of the rotating cam member 15 and the biasing member 16 was illustrated as the vibration imparting member 13. In the second embodiment, the case of the rotating cam member 15 and the urging member 16 is illustrated. In the third embodiment, the rotating cam member 15 and the urging member 16a, and the urging member 16b, the shock absorbing member 21 and the friction sliding member 22 as the speed reducing means are illustrated. However, it is needless to say that the vibration imparting member is not limited to these methods, and includes a configuration that performs the same function. In particular, the urging member is configured to apply force to the transport plate toward the neutral position of the transport plate on which the force moving in the transport direction does not act on the transport plate moved in the transport direction. Any other configuration may be used.

  In the first to third embodiments, the toner container 14 has the lid portion 14d that is substantially horizontal when mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention is limited to this. There is no need. For example, the present invention can be suitably applied when the lid portion 14d and the transport plate 14b of the toner container 14 are inclined in the transport direction with respect to the horizontal. Specifically, in the vibration configuration of the conveyance plate 14b illustrated in Example 1, the toner on the conveyance plate 14b can be conveyed in the conveyance direction J1 when the inclination angle of the conveyance plate 14b is 10 °. Further, when the inclination angle of the conveying plate 14b is in the downward direction, the toner can be conveyed even at an angle equal to or smaller than the repose angle of the toner, without being limited to the angle. That is, the inclination angle of the conveyance direction of the conveyance plate 14b in the conveyance configuration of the present invention can be applied within a range of 10 degrees or less in the upward direction and 90 degrees in the downward direction.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the frame body 14a and the lid portion 14d are configured as separate members is illustrated as a frame body that accommodates toner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the frame body 14a and the lid portion 14d may be configured integrally. Further, the developing frame body 10f1 and the lid portion 14d may be configured integrally, or the developing frame body 10f1 and the frame body 14a may be configured integrally.

  Further, in Examples 1 to 3, the cartridge B is configured to form a single color image. However, it may be a cartridge in which a plurality of developing means (developing devices) are provided to form a multi-color image (for example, a two-color image, a three-color image, or a full color).

  In the first to third embodiments, the toner conveyance example has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the toner conveyance in the cleaner unit that collects the transfer residual toner. Needless to say, the present invention is applicable not only to the cartridge B but also to a toner container of a developer container such as a toner cartridge for containing toner, and a developing device having the developer container and a developer carrier.

  The frequency at which the conveying plate 14b vibrates by the vibration applying member 13 is 5 to 100 Hz. Further, the inclination angle of the conveying plate 14b allows the toner to be conveyed to the opening 19 even if the rising angle is less than 10 °, and can be conveyed to the opening 19 even if the falling angle is 60 ° or less.

  Further, the transport plate 14b in the above-described embodiment includes a substantially plate-shaped transport member such as a lattice.

  Moreover, in Example 1 thru | or Example 3, it did not describe including an elastic body with respect to the conveyance board 14b. However, the present invention can also be suitably applied when the transport plate 14b is formed of an elastic body that maintains a substantially plate shape capable of transporting toner.

  As described above, according to any of the configurations of the first to third embodiments, the dead space inside the toner container 10a is reduced, and the toner conveyance performance inside the toner container 10a is improved. The operating noise of the developer transport mechanism is reduced. That is, the toner in the toner container 14 extending in the horizontal direction is transported to the opening 19 by the transport plate 14b, so that the toner can be stably supplied to the developing roller 10d and the operation sound of the developer transport mechanism can be suppressed. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the cartridge B is provided with the cam member 15 that contacts the transport plate 14b and moves the transport plate 14b in the transport direction J1 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a configuration may be employed in which a cam member 15 that contacts the transport plate 14 b and moves the transport plate 14 b in the transport direction J <b> 1 is provided on the image forming apparatus 100 side. 14 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, members having equivalent functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a process cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, a photosensitive drum and a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as process units that act on the photosensitive drum are integrated. An example of a process cartridge is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the photosensitive drum, a process cartridge that integrally includes any one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit may be used.

  In the above-described embodiments, the process cartridge including the photosensitive drum and the process means acting on the photosensitive drum is illustrated as the cartridge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The cartridge may be, for example, a cartridge that does not include a photosensitive drum and that is configured so that at least a developer container and a developer carrying member are integrally formed and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiments, the printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, or another image forming apparatus such as a multi-function machine combining these functions. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a developer container used in these image forming apparatuses.

B ... cartridge J1 ... transport direction J2 ... direction opposite to transport direction 7 ... photosensitive drum 10 ... developing unit 10d ... developing roller 13 ... vibration applying member 14 ... toner container 14a ... frame bodies 14a3, 14a31, 14a32 ... energized Part 14a4 ... Supporting part 14b ... Conveying plate 14b1 ... Vibration imparting parts 14b3, 14b31, 14b32 ... Biased part 14d ... Cover part 14t ... Toner storage part 15 ... Cam members 16, 16a, 16b ... Biasing member 100 ... Image Forming device 200 ... Developer transport mechanism

Claims (15)

A frame housing the developer;
A conveying member that is provided on the bottom surface inside the frame so as to be movable in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the developer and the conveying direction, and that conveys the developer contained in the frame;
An urging member for applying a force in a direction opposite to the conveying direction to the conveying member,
The longitudinal direction of the urging member is the same as the direction intersecting the transport direction,
The biasing member has one end attached to the frame body, the other end attached to a central portion in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transport member, and the bias member in the transport direction A developer container, wherein a force is applied to the transport member toward a neutral position of the transport member to which a force that moves in the transport direction is not applied to the transport member that has moved to the position. A frame housing the developer;
A conveying member that is provided on the bottom surface inside the frame so as to be movable in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the developer and the conveying direction, and that conveys the developer contained in the frame;
An urging member for applying a force in a direction opposite to the conveying direction to the conveying member,
The longitudinal direction of the biasing member is the same as the transport direction,
The biasing member has one end attached to the frame and the other end positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction so as to engage and act on the transport member, and the bias The member applies force to the transport member toward the neutral position of the transport member to which the force moving in the transport direction is not applied to the transport member moved in the transport direction. Developer container.   The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the urging member is provided on both sides in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and the other end is attached to the transport member.   3. The urging member is provided on both sides in a direction intersecting with the transport direction, and the other end portion is in contact with the transport member and acts to apply a force to the transport member. The developer container according to 1. The transport member has an actuated portion that acts by contacting the biasing member;
The biasing member is a first biasing member that acts so that the other end of the biasing member contacts the downstream side of the acting part in the transport direction and applies a force in a direction opposite to the transport direction to the transport member. A biasing member, and a second biasing member that acts so that the other end portion contacts the upstream side of the acting portion in the transport direction and applies a force in the transport direction to the transport member. The developer container according to claim 4. The transport member has an actuated portion that acts by contacting the biasing member;
The biasing member acts such that the other end contacts the downstream side of the acting part in the transport direction and applies a force in the direction opposite to the transport direction to the transport member;
5. The development according to claim 4, further comprising a deceleration member that decelerates the movement of the conveyance member in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction on the upstream side of the conveyance direction with respect to the acting part. Agent container.   The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the deceleration member is an impact absorbing member provided so as to contact an upstream end of the transport member in the transport direction.   The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the speed reduction member is a friction sliding member provided so as to be in contact with an upper surface of the transport member.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the direction intersecting the transport direction is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring.   A contact portion that contacts the transport member and a non-contact portion that does not contact, and is rotatably supported by the frame, and the contact portion contacts the transport member to bring the transport member in the transport direction. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein a cam member to be moved is provided in the developer container.   12. A developing device comprising: the developer container according to claim 1; and a developer carrying member that carries the developer.   A process comprising the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a developer carrier that carries a developer, and an image carrier that carries a developer image. cartridge.   A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a developing device according to claim 12, and a process cartridge according to claim 13 are provided. Image forming apparatus.   A contact portion that contacts the transport member and a non-contact portion that does not contact, and is rotatably supported by the frame, and the contact portion contacts the transport member to bring the transport member in the transport direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a cam member to be moved is provided in the image forming apparatus.

Images