JP7519935B2 - Toner transport device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a toner transport device and an image forming device equipped with the same.

Image forming devices such as printers and copiers have an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, a developing device that uses toner to visualize the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, and a toner storage container that supplies toner to the developing device. Since toner is a consumable item, the toner storage container is detachable from the image forming device. Due to the layout of the image forming device, the toner storage container and the developing device may be placed separately. In this case, the image forming device is further provided with a toner transport device that transports toner supplied from the toner supply port of the toner storage container to the developing device.

In such a toner transport device, when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming device, or when toner is supplied from the toner supply port of the toner storage container to the toner transport device, toner may leak and scatter. The leaked toner adheres to the components inside the image forming device, including the toner storage container and the toner transport device, causing stains. If the toner that adheres to the components inside the image forming device solidifies, it can cause problems such as problems with attaching and detaching the toner storage container.

In order to reduce toner leakage, there are toner storage containers that are provided with a shutter member that opens when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming device and closes when the toner storage container is removed from the image forming device (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-115885 A

However, in conventional technology, there is still a problem in that there is room for reducing toner leakage and scattering in the toner transport device to which the toner is supplied from the toner storage container. Also, to make it easier to attach and detach the toner storage container to the image forming device, a clearance is provided between the toner storage container and the toner transport device, but there is a problem in that toner leakage and scattering occurs from this clearance.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a toner transport device that can reduce toner leakage and scattering when a toner storage container is attached to or detached from an image forming device, and when toner is supplied from the toner storage container to a toner transport device.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the toner transport device of the present invention is a toner transport device that transports toner supplied from a toner supply port of a toner storage container that is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus to a developing device, and has a toner transport section having a toner receiving port formed at one end for receiving toner from the toner supply port, and a transport section moving means for moving the toner transport section, and when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the transport section moving means moves the toner transport section in a direction approaching the toner storage container , thereby abutting the toner receiving port against the toner supply port, and the toner receiving port has a cylindrical end portion protruding so as to seamlessly surround the opening of the toner receiving port, and the toner supply port has a groove portion recessed so as to surround the opening of the toner supply port, and the toner receiving port abuts against the toner supply port in a state in which the end portion protruding so as to seamlessly surround the opening of the toner receiving port is fitted into the groove portion recessed so as to surround the opening of the toner supply port .

In the toner transport device, the transport unit moving means may move the toner transport unit in a direction approaching the toner storage container by transmitting a force received from the toner storage container to the toner transport unit when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming device.

In the toner transport device, the transport unit moving means may convert the force received from the toner storage container into a force in a direction toward the toner storage container and transmit the converted force to the toner transport unit.

In addition, in the toner transport device, when the toner storage container is removed from the image forming device, the toner receiving port may move in a direction away from the toner supply port.

In addition, in the toner transport device, when the toner storage container is removed from the image forming device, the toner transport unit may move in a direction away from the toner storage container due to its own weight.

In addition, in the toner transport device, a scattering prevention member may be provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving port to prevent the toner from scattering from the toner supply port or the toner receiving port.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it is an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner transport device.

According to the toner transport device of the present invention, when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming device, the toner receiving port, which receives toner from the toner supply port of the toner storage container, comes into contact with the toner supply port, thereby reducing the gap between the toner supply port and the toner receiving port, thereby reducing the leakage and scattering of toner.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded side view showing a toner storage container, a toner conveying device, and a developing device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a bottom view showing a part of the toner storage container with the shutter closed. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a toner conveying device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the toner transport device. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner conveying device according to the first embodiment when a toner storage container is not yet installed in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic state in which a toner receiving opening is in contact with a toner supplying opening in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic state in which a toner receiving opening is in contact with a toner supply opening in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of a toner conveying device according to a third embodiment when a toner container is not yet attached to an image forming apparatus. FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, identical parts are given the same reference numerals, and the names and functions of these parts are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of these parts are omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
-Image forming apparatus-
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded side view showing a toner storage container 7, a toner conveying device 8, and a developing device 2 in the first embodiment. In the figure, the symbol X indicates the width direction (depth direction), with the -X direction (negative X direction) being the front direction and the +X direction (positive X direction) being the rear direction. The symbol Y indicates the left-right direction Y perpendicular to the width direction X, with the -Y direction (negative Y direction) being the left direction and the +Y direction (positive Y direction) being the right direction. The symbol Z indicates the up-down direction, with the -Z direction (negative Z direction) being the down direction and the +Z direction (positive Z direction) being the up direction.

The device body 110 of the image forming device 100 has an image forming section U, an intermediate transfer device 6, a secondary transfer roller 6a, a toner storage container 7, a toner transport device 8, a fixing device 9, a paper feed cassette 10a, a pickup roller 10b, transport rollers 11a to 11d, a registration roller 12, and a discharge section 13 (see Figures 1 and 2). The device body 110 is provided with a transport path S along which the sheet P is transported (see Figure 1).

The image forming unit U has an exposure device 1, a developing device 2, an image carrier 3, a charger 4, and a cleaning unit 5 (see Figure 1).

The exposure device 1 exposes the charged surface of the image carrier 3 according to input image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier 3 according to the image data. The exposure device 1 is equipped with optical elements such as a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam, and lenses and mirrors that guide the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror to the image carrier 3. The development device 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each image carrier 3 with toner supplied from a toner storage container 7. The image carrier 3 transports the toner image formed by the development device 2 to the intermediate transfer device 6. The charger 4 uniformly charges the surface of the image carrier 3 to a predetermined potential. For example, a contact type charger (e.g., a roller type or brush type) or a charger type charger is used as the charger 4.

The cleaning unit 5 removes and collects any toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier 3 after development and image transfer.

The toner storage container 7 stores the toner to be replenished to the developing device. The toner storage container 7 is provided above the intermediate transfer device 6 and is detachable (replaceable) from the device main body 110.

The toner transport device 8 transports the toner supplied from the toner storage container 7 to the developing device 2. The toner transport device 8 is connected to the toner storage container 7 and the developing device 2 (see FIG. 2).

The intermediate transfer device 6 is disposed above the image carrier 3, and transfers the toner images of each color formed on the image carrier 3 in a stacked state. Specifically, a transfer bias is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 61 of the intermediate transfer device 6 by the primary transfer roller 64 of the intermediate transfer device 6, and the toner image of the image carrier 3 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61. Hereinafter, the transfer of the toner images of each color formed on the image carrier 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 is referred to as "primary transfer".

The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transported to the secondary transfer roller 6a by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

The secondary transfer roller 6a is disposed at the transfer site where the sheet P and the intermediate transfer belt 61 face each other, and transfers the toner images of each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 onto the sheet P. A voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 6a to transfer the toner images of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 61 onto the sheet P, that is, a voltage of the opposite polarity (e.g., positive electrode) to the charged polarity of the toner (e.g., negative electrode). Hereinafter, the transfer of the toner images of each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 onto the sheet P is referred to as "secondary transfer".

The fixing device 9 heats and melts the toner image transferred onto the sheet P, thereby fixing the toner image onto the sheet P.

The paper feed cassette 10a is located below the device body 110 and stores the sheets P used for image formation. The pickup roller 10b pulls out the topmost recording paper (sheet P) from the stack of paper in the paper feed cassette 10a and transports it to the main transport path S1. The transport rollers 11a to 11d transport the sheet P along the transport path S. The registration rollers 12 temporarily stop the sheet P transported from the paper feed cassette 10a and align the leading edge of the sheet P. The registration rollers 12 also have the function of transporting the sheet P in a timely manner in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61.

The discharge section 13 is provided at the top of the device body 110 and is used to load and pull the sheet P with an image formed on it face down.

An original reading device 120 is provided on the top of the device main body 110. An original placement table 130 made of transparent glass is provided above the original reading device 120. An automatic original processing device 140 is attached above the original placement table 130. An image of an original is read by the original reading device 120 when the original is placed on the original placement table 130 or when the original is automatically transported to the original reading device 120 by the automatic original processing device 140.

The image forming device 100 is configured to form multi-color and monochrome images on a sheet P in accordance with image data corresponding to a document read by the document reading device 120 or image data transmitted from an external source.

The image data handled by this image forming device 100 corresponds to a color image using the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y), or a monochrome image using a single color (e.g. black). Therefore, four of each of the developing devices 2, image carriers 3, chargers 4, cleaning units 5, toner storage containers 7, toner transport devices 8 and primary transfer rollers 64 are provided for each color.

In the image forming apparatus 100 described above, when one-sided image formation is requested, the sheet P transported from the paper feed cassette 10a is first transported to the registration rollers 12 by the transport rollers 11a in the main transport path S1. Next, the sheet P is transported to the transfer area by the registration rollers 12 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transferred onto the sheet P transported to the transfer area. The toner is then fixed onto the sheet P by the fixing device 9. The sheet P with the fixed toner image is then discharged onto the discharge section 13 via the transport rollers 11b.

The toner storage container 7 and toner transport device 8 are described in detail below.

- Toner storage container -
Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing a part of the toner container 7 with the shutter 71 closed. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3.

The toner storage container 7 has a toner supply port 70 and a shutter 71 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, four toner storage containers 7 are provided, one for each color, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and each toner storage container 7 contains toner of the corresponding color. The toner storage container 7 is inserted into the device body 110 of the image forming device 100 in the mounting direction D1 (the +X direction in this embodiment) to be mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the device body 110. The toner storage container 7 is held at a predetermined mounting position in the device body 110 by engaging with a portion of the device body 110 not shown. The toner storage container 7 is removed from the device body 110 by pulling it out in the removal direction D2 (the -X direction in this embodiment). The state in which the toner storage container 7 is not mounted in the device body 110 refers to a state in which the toner storage container 7 is not positioned at the mounting position in the device body 110.

The toner supply port 70 is provided at the +X side end of the -Z side of the toner storage container 7 (see Figures 3 and 4). The toner supply port 70 has a rectangular opening that supplies the toner stored in the toner storage container 7 to the toner transport device 8.

In this embodiment, the toner supply port 70 is recessed with a groove 701 (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the groove 701 is provided so as to surround the opening of the toner supply port 70, and has a depth of approximately 3 mm. When the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, a toner receiving port 801 formed at one end of the toner transport section 80 of the toner transport device 8 is fitted into the groove 701. In order to enable the toner storage container 7 to move in the removal direction D2 from a state in which the toner receiving port 801 is fitted into the groove 701, the width of the groove 701 is set slightly larger than the thickness of the toner receiving port 801.

The shutter 71 is provided outside the toner supply port 70 (see Figures 3 and 4). The shutter 71 opens the toner supply port 70 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, and closes the toner supply port 70 when the toner storage container 7 is removed from the device body 110. The shutter 71 is biased in the removal direction D2 (-X direction) by a biasing member (not shown) so that the shutter 71 closes the toner supply port 70 when the toner storage container 7 is removed from the device body 110.

When the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, the shutter 71 is held in a state where it interferes with a portion of the device body 110 (not shown). With the shutter 71 held in place, it is slid in the opposite direction relative to the attachment direction D1 of the toner storage container 7, thereby opening the toner supply port 70.

-Toner conveying device-
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the toner transport device 8 in the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the toner transport device 8. Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner transport device 8 in the first embodiment when the toner storage container 7 is not yet attached to the apparatus main body 110. Note that in Figs. 5 and 6, the transport section moving means 82 is omitted.
In FIG. 7, the toner container 7 is omitted.

The toner transport device 8 in this embodiment has a toner transport section 80, a scattering prevention member 81, and a transport section moving means 82 (see Figures 5 to 7). In this embodiment, four toner storage containers 7 are provided, one for each color: black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and the toner of each color is transported from the corresponding toner storage container 7 to the corresponding developing device 2 by the corresponding toner transport device 8.

<Toner Transport Unit>
The toner transport unit 80 has a toner receiving port 801, an arm 802, and a cushioning material 803 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the toner transport unit 80 is formed in a tubular shape, extends along the Z direction, and is supported in a state where it is positioned in the X direction and the Y direction by a holder 80a provided around the toner transport unit 80. The toner is introduced from the toner receiving port 801 through the toner transport unit 80 into the toner transport device 8, and then discharged from a toner discharge port 8a provided at the -Z direction end of the toner transport device 8 to the developing device 2.

The toner receiving opening 801 receives toner from the toner supply port 70 of the toner storage container 7, and is formed at the +Z direction end of the toner transport unit 80 (see Figures 5 and 6). When the toner storage container 7 is not attached to the device main body 110, a clearance is secured above the toner receiving opening 801 to facilitate attachment and detachment of the toner storage container 7. In this embodiment, the toner receiving opening 801 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape so that it can be fitted into the groove portion 701 of the toner supply port 70. In addition, the toner receiving opening 801 is formed integrally with the toner transport unit 80, but is not limited thereto. For example, the toner receiving opening 801 and the toner transport unit 80 may be formed separately and connected to each other.

The arm 802 protrudes in the +Z direction from the +X side of the toner transport unit 80 (see Figures 5 and 6). When the arm 802 receives a force in the +Z direction, the toner transport unit 80 moves in the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the arm 802 is formed integrally with the toner transport unit 80, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the arm 802 may be formed separately from the toner transport unit 80 and fixed to the toner transport unit 80.

The cushion material 803 is a buffer material interposed between the toner transport unit 80 and the toner discharge port 8a. The cushion material 803 has a rectangular through hole that allows the toner to pass through, and is formed in a frame shape. The cushion material 803 prevents toner from leaking from the toner transport unit 80, and is formed of, for example, a urethane material. By providing the cushion material 803, the space between the toner transport unit 80 and the toner discharge port 8a is kept sealed even when the toner transport unit 80 is moved within the range in which it can move in the Z direction.

<Shatterproof material>
The scattering prevention member 81 is provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving port 801 and prevents toner from scattering from the toner supply port 70 or the toner receiving port 801. The scattering prevention member 81 is made of, for example, an ester-based polyurethane foam having high elasticity and appropriate hardness. The scattering prevention member 81 is fixed onto the holder 80a.

<Transportation section moving means>
The transport unit moving means 82 is provided on the +X direction side of the toner transport unit 80 (see FIG. 7 ), and when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 110, moves the toner transport unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7, thereby bringing the toner receiving opening 801 into contact with the toner supply opening 70. In this embodiment, the transport unit moving means 82 converts a force received from the toner storage container 7 into a force in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7 and transmits the converted force to the toner transport unit 80, thereby moving the toner transport unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7.

The conveying section moving means 82 has a receiving member 821 that receives a force from the toner storage container 7 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, and a transmission member 822 that transmits the force received by the receiving member 821 from the toner storage container 7 to the toner conveying section 80.

The receiving member 821 is provided on the +X-direction side of the toner storage container 7 on a portion of the device body 110 not shown so as to be slidable in the X-direction. The receiving member 821 is biased in the -X direction by a biasing member not shown so as to be held at the receiving member origin when the toner storage container 7 is not yet attached to the device body 110 (see FIG. 7). When the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, the receiving member 821 receives a force from the toner storage container 7 in the attachment direction D1 (+X direction) of the toner storage container 7 and slides in the +X direction from the receiving member origin. The sliding amount of the receiving member 821 at this time is about 15 mm. When the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, the receiving member 821 is held at a position slid in the +X direction from the receiving member origin by the force received from the toner storage container 7. The -Z-direction side end of the receiving member 821 is provided with a locked portion 821a to which the transmission member 822 is locked.

The transmission member 822 is rotatably provided around a rotation axis δ supported by a portion of the device body 110 (not shown) (see FIG. 7). A locking portion 822a that locks with a locked portion 821a of the receiving member 821 extends from the +Z direction side of the rotation axis δ, and a contact portion 822b that contacts the arm 802 of the toner transport unit 80 extends from the -X direction/-Z direction side of the rotation axis δ (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the contact portion 822b contacts the toner transport unit 80 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110, and is separated from the toner transport unit 80 when the toner storage container 7 is not attached to the device body 110.

In this embodiment, the transmission member 822 is formed by a kick spring, but of course this is not limited to this and may be formed by, for example, a leaf spring, or may be formed from resin or die casting.

The movement of the toner transport unit 80 by the transport unit moving means 82 is performed as follows. First, by mounting the toner storage container 7 to the device main body 110, the receiving member 821 receives a force in the mounting direction D1 (+X direction) and slides in the +X direction. As the receiving member 821 slides in the +X direction, the locking portion 822a locked to the locked portion 821a of the receiving member 821 moves in the +X direction. Since the movement of the locking portion 822a in the +X direction includes a component in the R1 direction in the rotation direction of the rotation axis δ, the movement of the locking portion 822a in the +X direction rotates the transmission member 822 in the R1 direction around the rotation axis δ. As the transmission member 822 rotates in the R1 direction, the contact portion 822b comes into contact with the arm 802 of the toner transport unit 80 in the R1 direction. Since the contact of the contact portion 822b with the arm 802 in the R1 direction includes a component in the +Z direction, the arm 802 receives a force from the contact portion 822b in the +Z direction. As the arm 802 receives the force in the +Z direction, the toner transport portion 80 is moved in the +Z direction. The amount of movement of the toner transport portion 80 at this time is about 3 mm. In short, the transport portion moving means 82 converts the force received from the toner storage container 7 in the mounting direction D1 (+X direction) when the toner storage container 7 is mounted to the device main body 110 into a force in the +Z direction, that is, a force in the direction toward the toner storage container 7, and transmits the force in the +Z direction to the toner transport portion 80, thereby moving the toner transport portion 80 in the direction toward the toner storage container 7.

When the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device main body 110, the transport unit moving means 82 is maintained in a state in which it receives force from the toner storage container 7 and acts on the toner transport unit 80. The toner transport unit 80 is maintained in a state in which it has been moved in the +Z direction by the action of the transport unit moving means 82.

Next, we will explain the behavior of the toner receiving opening 801 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to or detached from the device main body 110.

<About the behavior of the toner receiving port>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state in which the toner receiving port 801 is in contact with the toner supply port 70 in the first embodiment.

First, we will explain the behavior of the toner receiving opening 801 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device main body 110.

As the toner storage container 7 is installed in the device body 110 in the installation direction D1 (+X direction), the shutter 71 slides relatively in the -X direction and the toner supply port 70 is opened. The transport unit moving means 82 transmits the force received from the toner storage container 7 to the toner transport unit 80, thereby moving the toner transport unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7.

As the toner transport section 80 is moved by the transport section moving means 82 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7, the toner receiving port 801 formed at the end of the +Z direction side of the toner transport section 80 is moved in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7 and abuts against the toner supply port 70 of the toner storage container 7. At this time, the end of the toner receiving port 801 protrudes approximately 2 mm from the outer surface of the scattering prevention member 81.

The toner receiving opening 801 has an end that fits into the groove 701 of the toner supply port 70, and abuts against the toner supply port 70 at the abutment portion Q (see FIG. 8). The abutment of the toner receiving opening 801 against the toner supply port 70 reduces the gap between the toner supply port 70 and the toner receiving opening 801. This reduces toner leakage and scattering when the toner storage container 7 is attached to or detached from the device main body 110, and when the toner storage container 7 supplies toner to the toner transport device 8.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, a transport unit moving means 82 is provided to move the toner transport unit 80. The transport unit moving means 82 moves the toner transport unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7, thereby bringing the toner receiving port 801 into contact with the toner supply port 70. The toner receiving port 801 is brought into contact with the toner supply port 70 by the movement of the toner transport unit 80 by the transport unit moving means 82. This has the effect of realizing a structure in which the toner receiving port 801 comes into contact with the toner supply port 70 with a simple structure that utilizes the movement of the toner transport unit 80, at one end of which the toner receiving port 801 is formed.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the conveying section moving means 82 transmits the force received from the toner storage container 7 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110 to the toner conveying section 80, thereby moving the toner conveying section 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7. This has the effect of effectively utilizing the force exerted by the toner storage container 7 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device body 110 to bring the toner receiving opening 801 into contact with the toner supply opening 70.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the transport unit moving means 82 converts the force received from the toner storage container 7 in the mounting direction D1 (+X direction) into a force in the direction toward the toner storage container 7 (+Z direction) and transmits the force in the +Z direction to the toner transport unit 80, thereby moving the toner transport unit 80 in the direction toward the toner storage container 7. This has the effect of efficiently using the force from the toner storage container 7 to move the toner transport unit 80, even if the direction of the force received by the transport unit moving means 82 due to the mounting of the toner storage container 7 is different from the direction toward the toner storage container 7.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, a scattering prevention member 81 is provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving port 801 to prevent toner from scattering from the toner supply port 70 or the toner receiving port 801. When the toner receiving port 801 is in contact with the toner supply port 70, the contact portion Q between the toner receiving port 801 and the toner supply port 70 is shielded from the outside of the toner storage container 7 and the toner transport device 8 by the scattering prevention member 81. This has the effect of preventing toner from scattering outside the toner storage container 7 and the toner transport device 8 even if toner leaks from the toner supply port 70 or the toner receiving port 801.

In addition, in this embodiment, the toner receiving port 801 abuts against the toner supply port 70 with the end of the toner receiving port 801 fitted into the groove 701 recessed in the toner supply port 70. As described above, the abutment portion Q between the toner receiving port 801 and the toner supply port 70 is located at the back of the groove 701 of the toner supply port 70. In other words, the abutment portion Q is located inside the outer surface of the toner storage container 7. As a result, the distance from the abutment portion Q to the outside of the toner storage container 7 is longer than when the abutment portion Q is located on the outer surface of the toner storage container 7. Therefore, even if toner leaks from the toner supply port 70 or the toner receiving port 801, the scattering of toner outside the toner storage container 7 and the toner conveying device 8 is suppressed.

Next, we will explain the behavior of the toner receiving opening 801 when the toner storage container 7 is removed from the device main body 110.

As the toner storage container 7 is removed from the device body 110 in the -X direction, the toner storage container 7 is not attached to the device body 110, and the receiving member 821 slides in the -X direction and returns to the receiving member origin (see FIG. 7). As the receiving member 821 slides in the -X direction, the locking portion 822a that is locked to the locked portion 821a of the receiving member 821 moves in the -X direction. Since the movement of the locking portion 822a in the -X direction includes a component in the R2 direction in the rotation direction of the rotation axis δ, the movement of the locking portion 822a in the -X direction rotates the transmission member 822 in the R2 direction around the rotation axis δ. As the transmission member 822 rotates in the R2 direction, the contact portion 822b moves away from the arm 802 of the toner transport unit 80 in the R2 direction. When the transmission member 822 separates from the toner transport unit 80, the load of the transport unit moving means 82 on the toner transport unit 80 in the +Z direction is eliminated, and the toner transport unit 80 moves in the -Z direction, that is, away from the toner supply port 70, due to its own weight. When the toner transport unit 80 moves in the direction away from the toner storage container 7 due to its own weight, the toner receiving port 801 formed at the end of the toner transport unit 80 in the +Z direction moves in the direction away from the toner storage container 7. As a result, the toner storage container 7 is not in contact with the toner transport device 8, which makes it easier to remove the toner storage container 7 from the device main body 110. In addition, a simple structure that utilizes the weight of the toner transport unit 80 can be used to realize a structure in which the toner transport unit 80 moves in the direction away from the toner storage container 7.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state in which the toner receiving opening 801 is in contact with the toner supply opening 70 in the second embodiment.

The toner supply port 70 in the second embodiment is a rectangular opening provided at the +X side end of the -Z side of the toner storage container 7. In the second embodiment, the contact portion Q between the toner receiving opening 801 and the toner supply port 70 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device main body 110 is located on the surface of the -Z side of the toner storage container 7 (see FIG. 9).

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the toner receiving port 801 abuts against the toner supply port 70, thereby reducing the gap between the toner supply port 70 and the toner receiving port 801.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner transport device 8 in the third embodiment when the toner container 7 is not yet attached to the apparatus main body 110. As shown in FIG.

The transmission member 822 of the transport unit moving means 82 in the third embodiment is integrally molded by aluminum die casting, and is formed in a dogleg shape (see FIG. 10). A rotating shaft δ supported by a portion of the device body 110 (not shown) is provided at the bent portion of the transmission member 822. A locking portion 822a that locks with a locked portion 821a of the receiving member 821 is provided at the +Z direction side end of the transmission member 822, and a contact portion 822b that contacts the arm 802 of the toner transport unit 80 is provided at the -X direction/-Z direction side end of the transmission member 822 (see FIG. 10).

In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the conveying unit moving means 82 moves the toner conveying unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7, thereby bringing the toner receiving port 801 into contact with the toner supply port 70. The conveying unit moving means 82 also moves the toner conveying unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7 by transmitting the force received from the toner storage container 7 when the toner storage container 7 is attached to the device main body 110 to the toner conveying unit 80. Furthermore, the conveying unit moving means 82 converts the force received from the toner storage container 7 in the attachment direction D1 (+X direction) into a force in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7 (+Z direction), and transmits the force in the +Z direction to the toner conveying unit 80, thereby moving the toner conveying unit 80 in a direction approaching the toner storage container 7.

The above embodiments and examples are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be a basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above embodiments and examples, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

100 Image forming apparatus 110 Apparatus main body 2 Developing device 7 Toner storage container 70 Toner supply port 701 Groove portion 71 Shutter 8 Toner transport device 80 Toner transport portion 801 Toner receiving port 802 Arm 81 Anti-scattering member 82 Transport portion moving means 821 Receiving member 822 Transmission member δ Rotation axis Q Contact portion

Claims (7)

A toner conveying device that conveys toner supplied from a toner supply port of a toner storage container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus to a developing device,
a toner transport section having a toner receiving port formed at one end thereof for receiving toner from the toner supply port;
a conveying unit moving means for moving the toner conveying unit,
the conveying unit moving means moves the toner conveying unit in a direction approaching the toner storage container when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming apparatus, thereby bringing the toner receiving opening into contact with the toner supply opening ;
The toner receiving port has a cylindrical end portion protruding therefrom so as to surround the opening of the toner receiving port without interruption,
a groove is formed in the toner supply port so as to surround the periphery of the opening of the toner supply port;
A toner transport device characterized in that the toner receiving port abuts against the toner supply port with the end portion, which is protruded so as to seamlessly surround the periphery of the opening of the toner receiving port, fitted into the groove portion, which is recessed so as to surround the periphery of the opening of the toner supply port . 2. The toner transport device according to claim 1,
a toner transport unit moving means for moving the toner transport unit in a direction approaching the toner storage container by transmitting a force received from the toner storage container to the toner transport unit when the toner storage container is attached to the image forming apparatus. 3. The toner transport device according to claim 2,
a toner transport unit that transports the toner from the toner container to the toner container; a toner transport unit that transports the toner from the toner container to the toner container; 4. The toner conveying device according to claim 1,
4. A toner transport device comprising: a toner receiving opening that moves in a direction away from the toner supply opening when the toner storage container is removed from the image forming apparatus; 5. The toner transport device according to claim 4,
4. A toner transport device comprising: a toner transport unit that moves by its own weight in a direction away from the toner container when the toner container is removed from the image forming apparatus. 6. The toner transport device according to claim 1,
a toner conveying device provided with a scattering prevention member on an outer periphery of the toner receiving port, the scattering prevention member preventing the toner from scattering from the toner supply port or the toner receiving port; 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner transport device according to claim 1 .

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