JP6805567B2 - Filling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling device.

Patent Document 1 describes a clogging clearing device including an actuator, a mounting member, and a driving device. Then, the actuator is mounted on the narrowed portion on the bottom side of the hopper using a mounting member, and is provided so that the tip side of the metal plate comes into direct contact with the powder, and converts electrical energy into vibration energy to convert the powder into powder. It is designed to vibrate the body.

Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a hopper wall swinging means is provided in a hopper portion at the lower part of a main body container which is vertically erected with powder particles filled therein. Then, the hopper wall swinging means repeatedly applies a force for pushing the hopper wall inward and a force for pulling it outward to the tapered hopper wall inclined diagonally downward.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-20903 JP-A-2009-67400

A hole is formed at the lower end, and it has an inner peripheral surface whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, and is arranged to face the inner peripheral surface and the accommodating portion for accommodating the powder. A filling device is known that includes a moving portion that rotates in the circumferential direction to move the powder to the axis side of the rotation, and fills the powder. In the case of this filling device, even if the moving portion rotates, the powder between the moving portion and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion may stay between them.

In the present invention, it is difficult to retain the powder between the accommodating portion and the moving portion as compared with the case where the moving portion does not move the powder between the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion accommodating the powder downward. The purpose is to provide a filling device.

The filling device according to the first aspect has an inner peripheral surface in which a hole is formed at the lower end and the diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, and a storage portion for accommodating powder and the inner peripheral surface. With a moving portion that is arranged to face the inner peripheral surface and rotates in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface to move the powder toward the axis side of the rotation while moving the powder between the inner peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface downward. , Is equipped.

The filling device according to the second aspect is the filling device according to the first aspect , and the moving part is a first moving part that moves powder toward the shaft side while rotating along the circumferential direction. And, which is fixed to the first moving portion and has a lower surface whose height from the edge of the hole is lowered from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction, and lowers the powder between the inner peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface. It has a second moving portion to be moved to the side.

The filling device according to the third aspect is the filling device according to the second aspect, and the angle in the direction in which the lower surface faces the shaft is smaller than the angle of the inner peripheral surface with respect to the shaft.

The filling device according to the fourth aspect is the filling device according to the second or third aspect, and the second moving portion is a portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction and is connected to the first moving portion. It has a connecting portion and a main body portion extending upstream from the connecting portion in the rotational direction, and the width of the connecting portion is narrower than the maximum width of the main body portion.

The filling device according to the fifth aspect is the filling device according to the second or third aspect, and the second moving portion projects from the first moving portion toward the shaft side.

The filling device according to the first aspect is between the accommodating portion and the moving portion as compared with the case where the moving portion does not move the powder between the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion accommodating the powder downward. Difficult to retain powder.

The filling device according to the second and fifth aspects does not have a second moving portion for moving the powder downward between the moving portion and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion for accommodating the powder. It is difficult for the powder to stay between the accommodating portion and the moving portion.

In the filling device according to the third aspect , as compared with the case where the angle in the direction in which the lower surface of the second moving portion faces the shaft is equal to or more than the angle of the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion with respect to the shaft It is easy to move the powder between them downward.

In the filling device according to the fourth aspect , the bulk density of the powder on the shaft side of the rotation of the moving portion in the accommodating portion is increased as compared with the case where the width of the connecting portion is equal to or larger than the maximum width of the main body portion. Can be done.

It is the schematic (front view) which shows the state which the container is filled with toner by using the filling device of embodiment. It is a partial sectional view (front view) of the filling device of an embodiment. It is a partial sectional view (front view) of the filling device of an embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional view (top view) of the filling device of an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distribution of the bulk density of toner in a part of the accommodating part of the hopper which constitutes the filling apparatus of embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of an agitator, an auger, and a rotating shaft constituting the filling device of the embodiment. It is an enlarged view (partial cross-sectional view) of a part of an agitator, an auger and a rotating shaft which constitute a filling apparatus of embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional view (front view) of the filling device of the 1st comparative form. It is a simulation result (simulation result by the finite volume method) which shows the distribution of the velocity toward the lower side of the toner in the state where the agitator is rotating in the rotation direction in the accommodating part which constitutes the filling apparatus of the 1st comparative form. It is a simulation result (simulation result by the finite volume method) which shows the distribution of the velocity toward the lower side of the toner in the state where the agitator is rotating in the rotation direction in the accommodating part which constitutes the filling apparatus of embodiment. It is an enlarged view of a part of an agitator, an auger and a rotating shaft which constitute a filling apparatus of 3rd comparative form. It is an enlarged view (partial cross-sectional view) of a part of an agitator, an auger, and a rotation shaft which constitute a filling apparatus of another embodiment (1st modification). It is an enlarged view (partial sectional view) of a part of an agitator, an auger, and a rotation shaft which constitute a filling apparatus of another embodiment (second modification). It is a perspective view of a part of the filling device of another embodiment (third modification). It is a partial cross-sectional view (top view) of the filling device of another embodiment (third modification). It is an enlarged view (partial cross-sectional view) of a part of an agitator, an auger and a rotation shaft which constitute a filling apparatus of another embodiment (third modification).

≪Overview≫
Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the filling device 10 of the embodiment will be described. Next, a method of manufacturing the toner cartridge 100, which will be described later, using the filling device 10 of the embodiment will be described. Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the arrow H direction in the drawings will be described as the height direction. Further, in the following description, "upper side" means "upper side in the height direction", and "lower side" means "lower side in the height direction".

<Structure of filling device>
As an example, the filling device 10 has a function of filling the toner T used in the electrophotographic image forming device (not shown) into the cartridge main body 90 (hereinafter referred to as a container 90) of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the filling device 10 discharges the toner T from the opening at the lower end of the filling device 10 (opening 24B of the cylindrical portion 24 described later) and fills the container 90 arranged on the lower side. It has become like. Therefore, an opening 90A is formed on the upper side of the container 90. Here, the toner T is an example of powder. The toner T means an aggregate of toner particles constituting the toner T. The toner T is regarded as a consumable item in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the container 90 (toner cartridge 100) filled with the toner T is used as a replacement part for the image forming apparatus.

The filling device 10 includes a hopper 20, an auger 30, a transmission shaft 40, an agitator 50, a drive source 60, a transport device 70, a control unit 80, and a scale (not shown). (See FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

[hopper]
The hopper 20 has a housing portion 22 and a cylindrical portion 24, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

[Accommodation]
The accommodating portion 22 has a function of accommodating the toner T. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the accommodating portion 22 is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder, and openings 22A and 22B are formed at the upper end and the lower end, respectively, and the diameter gradually increases from the upper end to the lower end. It has a smaller inner peripheral surface 22C. Here, the opening 22B is an example of a hole. The toner T in the toner tank (not shown) is fed into the accommodating portion 22 from the opening 22A.

[Cylinder part]
The cylindrical portion 24 has a function as a transport path for the toner T that is sent from the accommodating portion 22 and discharged to the container 90. The cylindrical portion 24 is arranged below the accommodating portion 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The cylindrical portion 24 is a cylinder in which an opening 24A and an opening 24B are formed at the upper end and the lower end, respectively. The diameter of the opening 24B is the same as the diameter of the opening 22B of the accommodating portion 22. The cylindrical portion 24 is connected to the edge of the opening 22B of the accommodating portion 22 by the edge of the opening 24A.

The hopper 20 is configured symmetrically with respect to the axis C along the height direction.

[Ogre]
The auger 30 has a function of transporting the toner T in the cylindrical portion 24 from the upper side to the lower side. The auger 30 has a rotating shaft 32 and a spiral portion 34, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rotation shaft 32 is adapted to rotate about the axis C as the center of rotation. The spiral portion 34 is formed in a spiral shape on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 32. The direction of arrow R2 in the figure indicates the direction of rotation of the auger 30.

The auger 30 is arranged in the cylindrical portion 24 and in the accommodating portion 22. Specifically, a part of the auger 30 is arranged in the cylindrical portion 24. The remaining part of the auger 30, that is, the portion of the auger 30 protruding from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 24, is located in the lower portion of the accommodating portion 22. The auger 30 is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the hopper 20 (the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 and the inner peripheral surface 24C of the cylindrical portion 24).

[Transmission axis]
The transmission shaft 40 has a function of transmitting the torque of the drive source 60 to the auger 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a part of the transmission shaft 40 is arranged in the accommodating portion 22, and the remaining part protrudes from the upper end of the accommodating portion 22. The transmission shaft 40 is connected to the drive source 60 at the upper end portion, and the rotating shaft 32 of the auger 30 is fixed at the lower end portion. The transmission shaft 40 is driven by the drive source 60 and rotates in the direction of arrow R2 to transmit torque to the auger 30.

[Agitator]
The agitator 50 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) with the axis C as the center of rotation, and moves the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 toward the axis C while inside the accommodating portion 22. It has a function of moving the toner T between the peripheral surface 22C and the peripheral surface 22C downward. Here, the agitator 50 is an example of a moving unit. Further, rotating with the axis C as the center of rotation means rotating in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22C. The agitator 50 has a support rod 52, a first blade 54, and a second blade 56, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[Support rod]
The support rod 52 has a function of supporting the first blade 54. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support rod 52 is a rod in a bent state at one position, and is arranged in the accommodating portion 22 with a part protruding from the upper end of the accommodating portion 22. .. One end of the support rod 52 is connected to the drive source 60, and the other end is connected to the first blade 54.

[First blade]
The first blade 54 has a function of moving the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 toward the shaft C side. Here, the first blade 54 is an example of the first moving portion. The first blade 54 is arranged in the accommodating portion 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, the first blade 54 is, for example, a long plate. The upper end of the first blade 54 is located below the upper end (edge of the opening 22A) of the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22, and the lower end thereof is located above the edge of the opening 22B of the inner peripheral surface 22C. In the positioned state, it faces the inner peripheral surface 22C. In other words, the first blade 54 is orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22C (direction of arrow R1) (oriental to the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22C, and is on the axis C along the inner peripheral surface 22C. It faces the inner peripheral surface 22C in a state of extending in the direction of inclination). The first blade 54 moves the toner T toward the axis C while rotating along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22C.

The plane of the first blade 54 facing the axis C side (hereinafter referred to as the plane 54A) is inclined so that the distance in the radial direction from the axis C becomes longer toward the downstream side in the rotation direction (arrow R1 direction) of the agitator 50. (See Fig. 4). Therefore, when the agitator 50 rotates, the first blade 54 moves the toner T in contact with the flat surface 54A among the toners T in the accommodating portion 22 toward the shaft C side.

As the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 is moved to the shaft C side by the first blade 54, the bulk density of the toner T is increased on the shaft C side of the inner peripheral surface 22C side in the radial direction of the accommodating portion 22. Tends to be higher. Further, as described above, the accommodating portion 22 is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder, and has an inner peripheral surface 22C whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. With the above configuration, the first blade 54 sets the bulk density of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 to be lower than the upper side in the accommodating portion 22 in the height direction of the accommodating portion 22, as shown in FIG. Is designed to be higher. Further, since the distance between the toner particles in the accommodating portion 22 is getting closer, the air in the accommodating portion 22 continues to escape from the opening 22A as the first blade 54 rotates.
In the case of the agitator 50A that does not have the second blade 56 (the first comparative form (see FIG. 8) described later), the first blade 54 causes the inside of the accommodating portion 22 in the height direction of the accommodating portion 22. The lower side is higher than the upper side of.

[Second blade]
The second blade 56 has a function of moving the toner T between the agitator 50 (the first blade 54) and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface) downward. Here, the second blade 56 is an example of the second moving portion. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6, the number of the second blades 56 of the embodiment is a plurality (two as an example), and the first blades 54 have two flat surfaces 54A. It is said to be a board fixed to. Each second blade 56 is separated from the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22. Further, the second blade 56 has a connecting portion 110 and a main body portion 120. Hereinafter, the second blade 56 will be described from an overall viewpoint and a viewpoint divided into a connecting portion 110 and a main body portion 120.

<Overall perspective>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second blade 56 is inclined so that the height from the edge of the opening 22B is low from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50. It is fixed to the first blade 54. In other words, the second blade 56 has a lower surface (hereinafter referred to as a lower surface 56A; see FIG. 2) in which the height from the edge of the opening 22B is lowered from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50. (Hereinafter referred to as the first requirement).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, assuming that the angle in the direction in which the lower surface 56A faces the axis C is the angle θ1 and the angle of the inner peripheral surface 22C with respect to the axis C (the angle in the extended direction of the first blade 54) is the angle θ2. , The angle θ1 is smaller than the angle θ2 (hereinafter, referred to as the second requirement).

Since the second blade 56 has the above-mentioned first and second requirements, when the agitator 50 rotates in the rotation direction, the second blade 56 has the lower surface of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22. The toner T that has come into contact with the 56A is moved downward. Along with this, the second blade 56 is adapted to move the toner T between the first blade 54 and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface) downward. As the second blade 56 moves the toner T in contact with the lower surface 56A downward, the toner T between the first blade 54 and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface 22C) is moved downward. The mechanism of causing is explained in the explanation of the action.

<Viewpoint divided into connecting part and main body part>
As described above, the second blade 56 has a connecting portion 110 and a main body portion 120. Here, the alternate long and short dash line LN of the second blade 56 in FIG. 6 indicates the boundary between the connecting portion 110 and the main body portion 120. However, since the connecting portion 110 and the main body portion 120 in the embodiment are integrally configured as an example, the alternate long and short dash line LN is a virtual line.

The connecting portion 110 is a portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50 and is a portion connected to the first blade 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 110 is a triangular portion as an example when viewed from the plate thickness direction, and the width in the radial direction increases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50. Is placed in.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main body portion 120 is a portion extending from the connecting portion 110 to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50. The main body 120 is a hexagonal portion as an example when viewed from the plate thickness direction. Specifically, the main body portion 120 has a shape in which portions including two corners on the inner peripheral surface 22C side of the accommodating portion 22 are obliquely cut from a rectangular plate. The maximum width L1 of the main body 120 is wider than the width L2 of the connecting portion 110. From another point of view, the width of the connecting portion 110 is narrower than the maximum width L1 of the main body portion 120.

[Drive source]
The drive source 60 has a function of rotating the transmission shaft 40 and the agitator 50 with the shaft C as the center of rotation.

[Transport equipment]
The transport device 70 has a function of transporting the container 90 in the direction of arrow R3 when manufacturing the toner cartridge 100 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 70 has a belt 70A on which the container 90 is placed and for transporting the container 90. The transport device 70 of the embodiment is, for example, a belt conveyor type device.

[Scale]
The scale has a function of measuring the mass of the container 90 filled with the toner T during the manufacture of the toner cartridge 100. The scale is below the belt 70A and is located at position B (see FIG. 1).

[Control unit]
The control unit 80 has a function of controlling components and the like constituting the filling device 10 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100. The drive source for driving the auger 30 described above is an example of the above-mentioned components, but a specific description thereof will be given together with a description of a method for manufacturing the toner cartridge 100.

The above is the description of the configuration of the filling device 10 of the embodiment.

<Manufacturing method of cartridge using filling device>
Next, a method of manufacturing the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. The manufacturing method includes a placement step, a transportation step, and a filling step.

[Placement process]
First, an operator arranges a plurality of containers 90 in a row at equal intervals along the moving direction of the belt 70A at a predetermined position on the belt 70A of the transport device 70 (see FIG. 1). Then, the placement process is completed.

[Transport process]
Next, the control unit 80 operates the transport device 70. Specifically, the control unit 80 views the container 90 arranged at the position A on the belt 70A on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 24 of the hopper 20 and the axis of the opening 90A is the axis C when viewed from the height direction. Transport to position B overlapping the above (see FIG. 1). Then, the transportation process is completed.

[Filling process]
Next, the control unit 80 drives the drive source 60 to rotate the agitator 50 and the auger 30 with the axis C as the center of rotation (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

As the agitator 50 rotates, the toner T accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 moves to the shaft C side. Further, as the auger 30 rotates, the toner T accommodated in the lower side of the accommodating portion 22 and the toner T between the spiral portions 34 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the auger 30 protruding into the accommodating portion 22 , Move from the inside of the accommodating portion 22 into the inside of the cylindrical portion 24. As described above, as the agitator 50 rotates, the toner T on the inner peripheral surface 22C side moves to the shaft C side, and further, the toner T moved to the shaft C side moves into the cylindrical portion 24 as the auger 30 rotates. Move to.

The toner T that has moved into the cylindrical portion 24 is conveyed downward by the rotation of the auger 30 to reach the opening 24B, and then is pushed by the toner T on the upper side and discharged from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 24. Further, the toner T discharged from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 24 falls downward due to its own weight and is filled in the container 90 arranged at the position B. Then, when the amount of toner T filled in the container 90 reaches a predetermined amount, the control unit 80 stops driving the drive source and stops the rotation of the auger 30. As a result, the filling process is completed. The control unit 80 determines that the amount has reached a predetermined amount based on the measured value of the mass of the container 90 measured by the scale (not shown).

In the method for manufacturing the toner cartridge 100 of the embodiment, after the step of filling the toner T into one container 90, the control unit 80 sets the container 90 filled with the toner T by the transport device 70 in the direction of arrow R3 from the position B. Transport to the side and transport another container 90 to position B. Then, in the method of manufacturing the toner cartridge 100, the transportation step and the filling step are alternately performed, and the toner T is filled into all the containers 90 arranged at the predetermined positions of the belt 70A, and finally the toner is filled. The container 90 filled with T is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the belt 70A and ends. A lid (not shown) is attached to the portion of the container 90 filled with the toner T in which the opening 90A is formed in another step to form the toner cartridge 100.

The above is the description of the method of manufacturing the cartridge of the embodiment.

<Action>
Next, the actions of the embodiments (first, second, and third actions) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First action]
The first action is that the agitator 50 of the embodiment has a function of moving the toner T between the agitator 50 and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface) downward as the agitator 50 rotates. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described in comparison with the first comparative embodiment. In the first comparative embodiment, when the same parts and the like as those of the filling device 10 of the embodiment are used, the reference numerals of the parts and the like will be used as they are even if they are not shown.

The agitator 50A (see FIG. 8) of the first comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the agitator 50 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment except that it does not have the second blade 56. Further, the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the filling device 10 of the embodiment except for the above points.

In the case of the first comparative mode, as the agitator 50A rotates, the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 that comes into contact with the flat surface 54A of the first blade 54 moves to the shaft C side. The toner T that has moved to the axis C side of the accommodating portion 22 is sent from the inside of the accommodating portion 22 into the cylindrical portion 24 as the auger 30 rotates. By such a mechanism, the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 moves in the hopper 20 and is discharged from the opening 24B of the cylindrical portion 24.

By the way, the flat surface 54A of the first blade 54 does not pass between the agitator 50A (the first blade 54) and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface 22C) as the agitator 50A rotates. Therefore, in the case of the first comparative mode, the toner T between the agitator 50A (first blade 54) and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface 22C) tends to stay between them.

Also in the case of the embodiment, as the agitator 50 rotates, the toner T in contact with the flat surface 54A of the first blade 54 moves to the axis C side. However, in the case of the embodiment, of the toner T that has moved to the shaft C side, the toner T that has come into contact with the lower surface 56A of the second blade 56 moves downward by being pushed by the second blade 56. Further, as described above, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end (see FIGS. 2 and 3). With the above configuration, the toner T between the first blade 54 and the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 is pushed by the toner T moving downward by the second blade 56 and along the inner peripheral surface 22C. It is presumed that it will move downward. It is presumed that the mechanism by which the toner T between the first blade 54 and the inner peripheral surface 22C moves downward as the second blade 56 moves the toner T downward is as described above.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows the simulation result by the finite volume method of the velocity distribution toward the lower side of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 in the state where the agitator 50A is rotating in the rotation direction in the first comparative mode. There is. Further, FIG. 10 shows the simulation result by the finite volume method of the velocity distribution toward the lower side of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 in the state where the agitator 50 is rotating in the rotation direction in the embodiment. Comparing FIGS. 9 and 10, in the case of the embodiment, the speed toward the lower side of the toner T is higher than in the case of the comparative embodiment (see the region AR surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 9 and 10). Extends from the shaft C side to the agitator 50 side. Then, in the case of the embodiment, the speed toward the lower side of the toner T in the region AR is higher than in the case of the comparative embodiment, so that the toner T in the region AR causes the first blade 54 and the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22. It is presumed that the toner T between the toner T and the toner T can be easily moved downward.

Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the embodiment, the accommodating portion 22 and the agitator are compared with the case where the agitator 50A does not move the toner T between the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 accommodating the toner T downward. It is difficult to retain the toner T between 50 and 50 (in the meantime).

The filling device 10 of the embodiment has a second blade having a lower surface 56A, which has a function of moving the toner T between the agitator 50 and the accommodating portion 22 (inner peripheral surface) as the agitator 50 rotates. It is realized by providing 56.

Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the embodiment, when the agitator 50A does not have the second blade 56 for moving the toner T between the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 accommodating the toner T downward. It is difficult to retain the toner T between the accommodating portion 22 and the agitator 50 (between the two).

[Second action]
The second action is that the angle θ1 in the direction in which the lower surface 56A faces the axis C is smaller than the angle θ2 of the inner peripheral surface 22C with respect to the axis C (the second requirement described above). Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described in comparison with the second comparative embodiment in which the embodiment is assumed below. In the second comparative embodiment, when a component or the like similar to that of the filling device 10 of the embodiment is used, the reference numerals of the component or the like will be used as they are without drawing.

The second blade 56 of the second comparative form is fixed to the plane 54A along a direction orthogonal to the plane 54A of the first blade 54 (not shown). In other words, in the case of the second comparative mode, the angle of the lower surface 56A with respect to the axis C in the direction is equivalent to the angle θ2 (see FIG. 7). The agitator (not shown) of the second comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the agitator 50 of the embodiment (see FIG. 2) except that the angle of the direction in which the lower surface 56A of the second blade 56 faces the axis C is an angle θ2. Has been done. Further, the filling device (not shown) of the second comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the filling device 10 of the embodiment except for the above points. Since the agitator (not shown) of the second comparative form has the second blade 56, the filling device of the second comparative form exerts the above-mentioned first action. That is, the filling device of the second comparative form belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

In the case of the second comparative embodiment, the toner T in contact with the lower surface 56A of the second blade 56 is likely to be pressed in the direction along the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22.

On the other hand, in the case of the embodiment, the angle θ1 in the direction in which the lower surface 56A faces the axis C is smaller than the angle θ2 of the inner peripheral surface 22C with respect to the axis C (see FIG. 7). Therefore, in the case of the embodiment, as compared with the case of the second comparative embodiment, the toner T in contact with the lower surface 56A pushes the toner T between the first blade 54 and the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22, and the inner peripheral surface is pushed. It is easy to move it downward along 22C.

Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the embodiment, the angle in the direction in which the lower surface 56A of the second blade 56 faces the shaft C is equal to or greater than the angle of the inner peripheral surface 22C of the accommodating portion 22 with respect to the shaft C. , The toner T between the accommodating portion 22 and the first blade 54 can be easily moved downward.

[Third action]
The third action is that the width L2 of the connecting portion 110 is narrower than the maximum width L1 of the main body portion 120. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described in comparison with the third comparative embodiment in which the embodiment is assumed below. In the third comparative embodiment, when a component or the like similar to that of the filling device 10 of the embodiment is used, the reference numerals of the component or the like will be used as they are without drawing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second blade 56B of the third comparative form has a connecting portion 110B and a main body portion 120B. Further, the connecting portion 110B is rectangular when viewed from the plate thickness direction. The width L2 of the connecting portion 110B and the width L1 of the main body portion 120B are equivalent to each other. The second blade 56B (agitator 50B) of the third comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the second blade 56 (agitator 50) of the embodiment except for the above points. Further, the filling device 10B of the third comparative embodiment has the same configuration as the filling device 10 of the embodiment except that the second blade 56B is provided instead of the second blade 56. That is, the filling device 10B of the third comparative form belongs to the technical scope of the present invention because it exerts the above-mentioned first and second actions. Here, the agitator 50B is an example of a moving portion. The second blade 56B is an example of the second moving portion.

In the case of the third comparative embodiment, as in the case of the embodiment, as the toner T on the inner peripheral surface 22C side continues to move toward the shaft C side while the first blade 54 rotates, the air in the accommodating portion 22 becomes , Continues to exit through the opening 22A (upper side). On the other hand, the second blade 56B, which rotates together with the first blade 54, becomes a resistance of air moving to the opening 22A (upper side). That is, in the case of the third comparative form, the second blade 56B interferes with the function of the first blade 54.

By the way, in the case of the embodiment, as described above, as the toner T on the inner peripheral surface 22C side continues to move toward the shaft C side while the first blade 54 rotates, the first blade 54 in the accommodating portion 22 passes through. The air in the portion to be removed continues to escape from the opening 22A (upper side). Then, also in the case of the embodiment, the second blade 56 becomes a resistance of the air moving to the opening 22A (upper side). However, unlike the case of the third comparative embodiment (see FIG. 11), the width L2 of the connecting portion 110 of the second blade 56 of the embodiment is narrower than the maximum width L1 of the main body portion 120 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the connecting portion 110 of the embodiment has a smaller resistance to the air moving to the opening 22A (upper side) than the connecting portion 110B of the third comparative embodiment. That is, in the case of the embodiment, the connecting portion 110 (second blade 56) is less likely to interfere with the function of the first blade 54 as compared with the case of the third comparative embodiment. In other words, in the embodiment, it can be said that the first blade 54 and the second blade 56 are more likely to exhibit their respective functions as compared with the third comparative embodiment.

Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the embodiment, the bulk density of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 can be increased as compared with the case where the width L2 of the connecting portion 110 is equal to or more than the width L1 of the main body portion 120. it can.

The above is the description of the operation of the embodiment.

As described above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the technical scope of the present invention also includes the following forms.

In the embodiment, an example of the powder has been described as toner T. However, the powder does not have to be toner T. For example, the powder used in the filling device of the embodiment may be a powder used for chemicals, foods, industrial materials and other uses. That is, the filling device of the embodiment may be used for filling powders used for chemicals, foods, industrial materials and other uses.

The shape of the second blade 56 described in the embodiment (see FIG. 6) is an example, and the shape of the second blade 56 is the embodiment if the toner T in contact with the lower surface 56A can be moved downward. It may have a different shape from. For example, when viewed from the plate thickness direction, the shape may be circular, polygonal, or other as a whole.

Further, in the embodiment, the lower surface 56A of the second blade 56 has been described as being flat. However, the lower surface 56A does not have to be flat as long as it has a function of moving the contacted toner T downward. For example, the lower surface 56A may be a curved surface. Further, the lower surface 56A may be a composite surface of a flat surface and a curved surface.

Further, in the embodiment, it has been described that the number of the second blades 56 is two. However, the number of the second blades does not have to be two as long as it has a function of moving the toner T downward with the rotation of the agitator 50. For example, the number of the second blades 56 may be one or three or more.

Further, in the embodiment, the agitator 50 is configured to include the first blade 54 and the second blade 56, and the second blade 56 has a function of moving the toner T downward as the agitator 50 rotates. It was explained as. However, the agitator does not have to include the second blade 56 as long as it has a function of moving the toner T downward with the rotation of the agitator. For example, a notch (not shown) may be formed on the flat surface 54A of the first blade 54, and the toner T may be moved downward by the surface forming the notch.

Further, in the embodiment, it has been described that the two second blades 56 are fixed to the plane 54A of the first blade 54 at an angle θ1. However, if each of the second blades 56 can move the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 downward, the angle of each of the second blades 56 may be different. For example, as in the first modification shown in FIG. 12, the angle θ1 of the second blade 56 fixed to the lower side is set to the angle θ1A, and the angle θ1 of the second blade 56 fixed to the upper side is set to the angle θ1B. (<Angle θ1A) may be set. In the case of the first modification, it is effective in that the toner T contained in the upper side of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 can be moved to the lower side as compared with the embodiment.

Further, in the embodiment, the two second blades 56 have been described as having the same size. However, as long as each of the second blades 56 can move the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 downward, the shape, size, and the like of each of the second blades 56 may be different. For example, as in the second modification shown in FIG. 13, the width of the second blade 56 fixed to the lower side is defined as the width L1A, and the width 2L1A of the second blade 56 fixed to the upper side (width L1A). It may be twice as wide and have twice as much area). In the case of the second modification, it is effective in that the toner T contained in the upper side of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 can be moved to the lower side as compared with the embodiment.

Further, in the embodiment and the first and second modified examples, the second blade 56 has been described as an example of the second moving portion. However, if the accommodating portion 22 has a function of moving the powder downward as the accommodating portion 22 rotates in the circumferential direction, an example of the second moving portion is the second blade of the embodiment and the first and second modifications. It does not have to be 56. For example, as in the third modification shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the rib 56C may be used instead of the second blade 56. Here, the rib 56C projects from the plane 54A of the first blade 54 toward the shaft C side. Further, the rib 56C has a lower surface 56C1 whose height from the edge of the opening 22B of the accommodating portion 22 decreases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50 (direction of arrow R1). That is, the rib 56C of the present modification satisfies the first requirement in the embodiment. Further, the angle θ1 that the lower surface 56A1 faces with respect to the axis C is smaller than the angle θ2 that is the angle of the inner peripheral surface 22C with respect to the axis C (the angle in the extending direction of the first blade 54). That is, the rib 56C of the present modification satisfies the second requirement in the embodiment. In addition, this modification has the same configuration as the case of the embodiment except for the above points. From the above description, it can be said that the rib 56C of the present modification exhibits the first and second actions described in the actions of the embodiment.

Further, in the embodiment, it has been described that the second blade 56 has a connecting portion 110 and a main body portion 120, and the lower surface of the connecting portion 110 constitutes a part of the lower surface 56A. However, if the lower surface of the main body 120 has a lower height from the edge of the opening 22B from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the agitator 50, the lower surface of the connecting portion 110 is from the downstream side in the rotation direction. The height from the edge of the opening 22B does not have to be lowered over the upstream side.

10 Filling device 10B Filling device 22 Accommodating part 22B Opening (example of hole)
22C inner peripheral surface 50 agitator (example of moving part)
50B agitator (example of moving part)
54 First blade (an example of the first moving part)
56 Second blade (an example of the second moving part)
56A Lower surface 56B Second blade (example of second moving part)
56C rib (an example of the second moving part)
56C1 Bottom surface 110 Connecting part 110B Connecting part 120 Main body part 120B Main body part C Axis L1 Maximum width of main body part L2 Width of connecting part T Toner (example of powder)

Claims (4)

An accommodating portion that has a hole formed at the lower end and has an inner peripheral surface in which the diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, and accommodates powder.
It is arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface, and while rotating in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface to move the powder toward the axis of rotation, the powder between the inner peripheral surface is moved downward. Moving part and
Equipped with a,
The moving part
A plate-shaped member arranged so as to face the inner peripheral surface, and a first moving portion that moves powder toward the shaft side while rotating along the circumferential direction.
It has a lower surface that is fixed to the plate surface of the first moving portion and whose height from the edge of the hole is lowered from the downstream side to the upstream side in the rotation direction, and the powder between the inner peripheral surface and the powder is. The second moving part to move downward and
Has a filling device. The angle in the direction in which the lower surface faces the axis is smaller than the angle of the inner peripheral surface with respect to the axis.
The filling device according to claim 1. The second moving portion includes a connecting portion that is a portion on the downstream side in the rotational direction and is connected to the first moving portion, and a main body portion that extends from the connecting portion to the upstream side in the rotational direction. And
The width of the connecting portion is narrower than the maximum width of the main body portion.
The filling device according to claim 1 or 2 . The second moving portion projects from the first moving portion toward the shaft side.
The filling device according to claim 1 or 2 .