Developer container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The utility model provides a developer container and imaging equipment, the developer container comprises a carbon powder supply container, the carbon powder supply container can be detachably installed in the imaging equipment, the carbon powder supply container is internally provided with a carbon powder storage cavity, and the carbon powder supply container is also provided with a supply powder outlet communicated with the carbon powder storage cavity; the developer container further comprises a carbon powder supplementing container, the carbon powder supplementing container is located outside the imaging equipment, and a supplementing powder outlet and a supplementing powder inlet are formed in the carbon powder supplementing container; the carbon powder supply container is provided with a supply powder inlet, the supplement powder outlet is communicated with the supply powder inlet, and the supplement powder inlet is provided with a cover part capable of opening or closing the supplement powder inlet. The developer container can improve the capacity, can realize the addition of the developer without taking out the developer container, and reduces the pollution of the developer to the environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a developer container and an imaging device. Background Art

[0002] Usually, the existing powder box or powder cartridge can be detachably installed in the cartridge compartment of the imaging device, so that when the developer in the powder box or powder cartridge is consumed, the used powder box or powder cartridge can be taken out, replaced with a new one or refilled with developer, and then put into the imaging device for continued use. However, the user needs to frequently perform the operation of removing the powder box or powder cartridge, which requires certain operating ability of the user, and in the process of adding developer, the toner as the developer will contaminate the user's hands, clothes and air, thereby causing harm to the user's body. If the user is not careful in operation, it may also cause damage to the device, resulting in the imaging device being unable to continue printing. Utility Model Content

[0003] The first purpose of the utility model is to provide a developer container which has a higher capacity and can add developer without taking out the developer container, thereby reducing the environmental pollution caused by the developer.

[0004] The second object of the utility model is an imaging device using the above developer container.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned first purpose, the utility model provides a developer container, including a toner supply container, which can be detachably installed in an imaging device, a toner storage chamber is provided in the toner supply container, and a powder supply outlet connected to the toner storage chamber is also provided on the toner supply container; the developer container also includes a toner replenishing container, the toner replenishing container is located outside the imaging device, and a replenishing powder outlet and a replenishing powder inlet are provided on the toner replenishing container; the toner supply container is provided with a powder supply inlet, the replenishing powder outlet is connected to the powder supply inlet, and the replenishing powder inlet is provided with a cover component that can open or close the replenishing powder inlet.

[0006] It can be seen from the above scheme that by arranging a toner replenishing container outside the imaging device, on the one hand, the total capacity of the developer container can be greatly increased, especially for imaging devices with small cartridge space, the total capacity of the developer container can be significantly increased. On the other hand, when the developer in the powder box or powder cartridge is used up, there is no need to remove the powder box or powder cartridge from the imaging device, and the developer can be directly filled into the toner replenishing container through the powder replenishing inlet on the toner replenishing container, which can greatly improve the convenience of using and filling toner, and will not cause toner leakage, causing harm to the human body or polluting the environment.

[0007] A preferred solution is that the toner supply container is cylindrical, the powder supply inlet is arranged at the first end of the toner supply container, and the powder supply outlet is arranged at the second end of the toner supply container; a spiral protrusion arranged in a spiral shape is provided on the inner wall of the toner supply container, and the spiral protrusion transports the developer from the first end of the toner supply container to the second end of the toner supply container; the toner replenishing container is arranged at the first end of the toner supply container, and the powder replenishing inlet is arranged near the top of the toner replenishing container.

[0008] It can be seen that the internal box compartment space of the cylindrical powder cartridge is small, and the developer capacity stored in the powder cartridge is limited. By arranging a toner replenishing container outside the imaging device, the total capacity of the developer container can be increased.

[0009] A preferred solution is that a conveying component is provided in the toner replenishing container, and the conveying component conveys the developer toward the replenishing toner outlet.

[0010] It can be seen that, by providing the conveying component, the developer can be conveyed to the toner supply container more smoothly.

[0011] A further solution is that the conveying component includes a powder feeding screw and a driving component, the powder feeding screw is rotatably supported on the toner replenishing container, and the driving component drives the powder feeding screw to rotate; or the conveying component includes a powder feeding screw, the first end of the powder feeding screw is rotatably supported on the toner replenishing container, the second end of the powder feeding screw is connected to the toner supply container, and the rotating axis of the powder feeding screw is coaxially arranged with the rotating axis of the toner supply container.

[0012] It can be seen that the powder feeding screw can be driven to rotate by a driving member, or the powder feeding screw can be driven to rotate by the rotation of the carbon powder supply container, thereby improving the powder feeding efficiency.

[0013] To achieve the second objective, the utility model provides an imaging device, including a device body and the developer container.

[0014] A preferred solution is that the number of developer containers is more than two, the toner supply containers in each developer container are arranged in parallel, and each toner replenishing container is located on the same side of the developer container.

[0015] It can be seen that, for a color printer, each toner cartridge (ie, toner supply container) can be provided with a toner replenishing container.

[0016] A preferred solution is that the device body is provided with an installation bin, a door cover and an installation trigger switch, and the door cover is installed at the opening of the installation bin; the door cover includes a fixed cover component and a movable cover component, and the movable cover component is movably connected to the device body and can be switched between an open position and a closed position; the fixed cover component is fixedly connected to the device body, and the toner replenishing container is arranged on the outer wall of the fixed cover component, and a connecting port is opened on the fixed cover component, and the replenishing powder outlet is connected with the powder supply inlet through the connecting port; the installation trigger switch is arranged on the side wall of the device body facing the door cover and opposite to the movable cover component, and when the movable cover component moves to the closed position, the movable cover component triggers the installation trigger switch.

[0017] It can be seen that by dividing the door cover into two parts, one part is fixedly connected to the device body to achieve stable support for the toner replenishing container, and the other part is hinged to the device body to trigger the installation trigger switch by closing the movable cover part, so that the imaging device is ready for printing.

[0018] A preferred solution is that the device body is provided with an installation bin, a door cover and an installation trigger switch, the door cover is installed at the opening of the installation bin and is movably connected to the device body; a clearance groove is provided on the door cover, and the clearance groove is arranged opposite to the carbon powder supply container. When the door cover is in a closed state, the carbon powder replenishment container passes through the clearance groove from the outside of the door cover, and the powder replenishment outlet is connected to the powder supply inlet; the installation trigger switch is arranged on the side wall of the device body facing the door cover, and when the door cover moves to the closed position, the door cover triggers the installation trigger switch.

[0019] It can be seen that by providing a clearance slot on the door cover, the toner supply container is exposed, the toner replenishment container is directly fixed on the device body, and the installation trigger switch is triggered by closing the door cover, so that the imaging device is ready for printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the imaging device of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural exploded view of the first embodiment of the imaging device of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the developer container and the door cover of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the imaging device of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0025] Figure 6It is a structural diagram of the second embodiment of the imaging device of the utility model.

[0026] Figure 7 1 is an exploded view of the structure of the second embodiment of the imaging device of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Developer container and image forming apparatus first embodiment

[0029] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes an apparatus main body 11 and a developer container 12. The number of developer containers 12 is four, each developer container 12 includes a toner supply container 13 and a toner replenishing container 14, the toner supply containers 13 in each developer container 12 are arranged in parallel, and each toner supply container 13 can be detachably installed in the apparatus main body 11, and each toner replenishing container 14 is located on the same side of the developer container 12 and outside the apparatus main body 11.

[0030] The toner supply container 13 is cylindrical, and a toner storage chamber 131 is provided in the toner supply container 13. A supply powder outlet 132 connected to the toner storage chamber 131 is also provided on the toner supply container 13. A supplementary powder outlet 142 and a supplementary powder inlet 141 are provided on the toner replenishing container 14. The toner supply container 13 is also provided with a supply powder inlet 133, and the supplementary powder outlet 142 is connected to the supply powder inlet 133. The supplementary powder inlet 141 is provided with a cover part 143 capable of opening or closing the supplementary powder inlet 141, and the supplementary powder inlet 141 is provided near the top of the toner replenishing container 14.

[0031] See also Figures 3 to 5 The powder supply inlet 133 is arranged at the first end of the toner supply container 13, the powder supply outlet 132 is arranged at the second end of the toner supply container 13, a spiral protrusion 134 is arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the toner supply container 13 in a spiral shape, and the spiral protrusion 134 transports the developer from the first end of the toner supply container 13 to the second end of the toner supply container 13, and the toner replenishing container 14 is arranged at the first end of the toner supply container 13. A gear part 135 is arranged at the second end of the toner supply container 13, and the gear part 135 is arranged coaxially with the toner supply container 13. The gear part 135 is used to receive the rotational driving force transmitted by the driving mechanism in the imaging device, and the driving mechanism drives the gear part 135 to rotate, thereby driving the toner supply container 13 to rotate.

[0032] A conveying component 15 is provided in the toner replenishing container 14, and the conveying component 15 conveys the developer toward the replenishing powder outlet 142. The arrangement of the conveying component 15 enables the developer to be more smoothly conveyed into the toner supply container 13. The conveying component 15 includes a powder feeding screw 151, a first end of which is rotatably supported on the toner replenishing container 14, a second end of which is connected to the toner supply container 13 and is engaged in the circumferential upper limit, the powder feeding screw 151 and the toner supply container 13 can be fixedly connected by means of a buckle or the like, the rotation of the toner supply container 13 can drive the powder feeding screw 151 to rotate, and then the powder feeding screw 151 can convey the developer toward the replenishing powder outlet 142, and the rotating shaft of the powder feeding screw 151 is coaxially arranged with the rotating shaft of the toner supply container 13.

[0033] The device body 11 is provided with an installation bin 111, a door cover 112 and an installation trigger switch 113. The door cover 112 is installed at the opening 110 of the installation bin 111. The door cover 112 includes a fixed cover component 1121 and a movable cover component 1122. The movable cover component 1122 is movably connected to the device body 11 and can be switched between an open position and a closed position. The fixed cover component 1121 is fixedly connected to the device body 11. The toner replenishing container 14 is arranged on the outer wall of the fixed cover component 1121. Specifically, a support plate 1124 is arranged on the outer wall of the fixed cover component 1121. The toner replenishing container 14 is placed on the support plate 1124. A connecting port 1123 is provided on the fixed cover component 1121. The replenishing powder outlet 142 is connected to the powder supply inlet 133 through the connecting port 1123. The installation trigger switch 113 is disposed on the side wall of the device body 11 facing the door cover 112 and opposite to the movable cover component 1122 . When the movable cover component 1122 moves to the closed position, the movable cover component 1122 triggers the installation trigger switch 113 .

[0034] An observation window 144 is provided on the side wall of the toner replenishing container 14 on the side away from the toner supply container 13. The observation window 144 is made of transparent material and extends in the vertical direction, so that the user can intuitively see the remaining amount of developer inside the toner replenishing container 14. When the developer inside the toner replenishing container 14 is exhausted, the user does not need to shut down the imaging device, and can open the powder replenishing port 141 to add developer. There is no need to disassemble the toner supply container 13, etc., which is convenient for the user to add powder.

[0035] The refitting method of the image forming apparatus includes a door cover refitting step, a developer container refitting step and an assembling step.

[0036] The door cover modification steps include: first, disassembling the original door cover 112 , then dividing the original door cover 112 into a fixed cover part 1121 and a movable cover part 1122 , and opening a communication port 1123 on the fixed cover part 1121 .

[0037] The developer container modification steps include: first, opening a powder supply inlet 133 and a clamping portion for fixing the powder feeding screw 151 on the original toner supply container. Next, adding a toner replenishing container 14.

[0038] The assembly steps include: first, installing the fixed cover component 1121 on the device body 11, and the communication port 1123 corresponds to and communicates with the corresponding powder supply inlet 133. Next, installing the toner replenishment container 14 on the device body 11, and the powder replenishment outlet 142 of the toner replenishment container 14 corresponds to and communicates with the corresponding communication port 1123, and at the same time, the powder feeding screw 151 is engaged and fixed with the toner supply container 13. Then, installing the movable cover component 1122 on the device body 11.

[0039] As can be seen from the above, by arranging a toner replenishing container on the outside of the imaging device, on the one hand, the total capacity of the developer container can be greatly increased, especially for imaging devices with small box compartment space, the total capacity of the developer container can be significantly increased. On the other hand, when the developer in the powder box or powder cartridge is used up, there is no need to remove the powder box or powder cartridge from the imaging device, and the developer can be directly filled into the interior of the toner replenishing container through the powder replenishing inlet on the toner replenishing container. This can greatly improve the convenience of using and filling toner, and will not cause toner leakage, causing harm to the human body or polluting the environment. By dividing the door cover into two parts, one part is fixedly connected to the device body to achieve stable support for the toner replenishing container, and the other part is hinged to the device body, so that the installation trigger switch can be triggered by closing the movable cover part, so that the imaging device is ready for printing.

[0040] Developer container and image forming apparatus second embodiment

[0041] As a description of the second embodiment of the developer container and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, only the differences from the first embodiment of the developer container and the image forming apparatus described above will be described below.

[0042] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, a clearance groove 2121 is provided on the door cover 212, and the clearance groove 2121 is arranged opposite to the toner supply container 23. When the door cover 212 is in a closed state, the toner supply container 24 passes through the clearance groove 2121 from the outside of the door cover 212, and the toner supply outlet (not shown) docks with the toner supply inlet 233. The installation trigger switch 213 is arranged on the side wall of the device body 21 facing the door cover 212. When the door cover 212 moves to the closed position, the door cover 212 triggers the installation trigger switch 213.

[0043] The refitting method of the image forming apparatus includes a door cover refitting step, a developer container refitting step and an assembling step.

[0044] The door cover modification steps include: first, dismantling the original door cover. Then, opening a clearance groove 2121 on the original door cover to form a new door cover 212.

[0045] The developer container modification steps include: first, opening a powder supply inlet 233 and a clamping portion for fixing a powder feeding screw on the original toner supply container. Next, adding a toner supplement container 24.

[0046] The assembly steps include: first, installing the toner replenishment container 24 on the device body 21, docking the replenishment outlet of the toner replenishment container 24 with the corresponding supply inlet 233, and at the same time, the powder feeding screw is engaged and fixed with the toner supply container 23, and the toner replenishment container 24 is fixed to the device body 21. Next, the door cover 212 is installed on the device body 21.

[0047] As can be seen from the above, by providing a clearance slot on the door cover, the toner supply container is exposed, the toner replenishment container is directly fixed on the device body, and the installation trigger switch is triggered by closing the door cover, so that the imaging device is ready for printing.

[0048] Other embodiments of developer container and image forming apparatus

[0049] The transport component may not be provided in the toner replenishing container. The bottom wall of the toner replenishing container may be tilted toward the replenishing powder outlet. In this way, the bottom wall is tilted from top to bottom from far away from the replenishing powder outlet to close to the replenishing powder outlet, so that the developer can flow to the replenishing powder outlet under the action of its own gravity.

[0050] The conveying component may also include a powder feeding screw and a driving member, wherein the driving member includes a motor, which is installed outside the carbon powder replenishing container and drives the powder feeding screw to rotate.

[0051] The number of developer containers may be one or more than two.

[0052] In addition, the number of toner supply containers may be more than two, and the number of toner replenishment containers may be one. One of the toner supply containers is filled with black developer, and the other toner supply containers are filled with other colors such as cyan, magenta and yellow. Since the consumption of black developer is usually large, the toner replenishment container may be connected only to the toner supply container filled with black developer. Alternatively, the number of toner replenishment containers is also more than two, and the number of toner replenishment containers is less than the toner supply container.

[0053] The shape, size and capacity of the toner replenishing container can be changed as needed.

[0054] The toner replenishing container may not be provided with an observation window, and the monitoring of the developer remaining amount can be achieved by providing a remaining amount monitor inside the toner replenishing container or inside the toner supply container.

[0055] The above changes can also achieve the purpose of the utility model.

[0056] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developer container, comprising a toner supply container, the toner supply container being detachably mounted in a device body of an imaging device, the toner supply container being provided with a toner storage cavity, and the toner supply container being provided with a toner supply outlet communicating with the toner storage cavity; Features: The developer container also includes a toner replenishing container, the toner replenishing container is located outside the device body, and the toner replenishing container is provided with a replenishing toner outlet and a replenishing toner inlet; The toner supply container is provided with a powder supply inlet, the powder replenishment outlet is communicated with the powder supply inlet, and the powder replenishment inlet is provided with a cover component capable of opening or closing the powder replenishment inlet.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The toner supply container is cylindrical, the toner supply inlet is arranged at a first end of the toner supply container, and the toner supply outlet is arranged at a second end of the toner supply container; The inner peripheral wall of the toner supply container is provided with a spiral protrusion which is arranged to protrude in a spiral shape, and the spiral protrusion transports the developer from the first end of the toner supply container to the second end of the toner supply container; The toner replenishing container is arranged at the first end of the toner supplying container, and the toner replenishing inlet is arranged close to the top of the toner replenishing container.

3. The developer container according to claim 2, characterized in that: A conveying component is arranged in the toner replenishing container, and the conveying component conveys the developer toward the replenishing toner outlet.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conveying component includes a powder feeding screw and a driving member, wherein the powder feeding screw is rotatably supported on the toner replenishing container, and the driving member drives the powder feeding screw to rotate; or The conveying component includes a powder feeding screw, a first end of which is rotatably supported on the toner replenishing container, a second end of which is connected to the toner supply container, and a rotating shaft of the powder feeding screw is coaxially arranged with a rotating shaft of the toner supply container.

5. An imaging device, characterized in that The developer container comprises an apparatus main body and the developer container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of the developer containers is more than two, the toner supply containers in each of the developer containers are arranged in parallel, and each of the toner replenishing containers is located on the same side of the developer container.

7. The imaging device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The device body is provided with an installation compartment, a door cover and an installation trigger switch, and the door cover is installed at the opening of the installation compartment; The door cover comprises a fixed cover component and a movable cover component, wherein the movable cover component is movably connected to the device body and can be switched between an open position and a closed position; The fixed cover component is fixedly connected to the device body, the toner supply container is arranged on the outer wall of the fixed cover component, and a connecting port is provided on the fixed cover component, and the toner supply outlet is connected with the toner supply inlet through the connecting port; The installation trigger switch is arranged on the side wall of the equipment body facing the door cover and opposite to the movable cover component. When the movable cover component moves to the closed position, the movable cover component triggers the installation trigger switch.

8. The imaging device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The device body is provided with an installation bin, a door cover and an installation trigger switch, wherein the door cover is installed at the opening of the installation bin and is movably connected to the device body; The door cover is provided with a clearance groove, which is arranged opposite to the toner supply container. When the door cover is in a closed state, after the toner replenishment container passes through the clearance groove from the outside of the door cover, the replenishment powder outlet is docked with the supply powder inlet; The installation trigger switch is arranged on the side wall of the device body facing the door cover, and when the door cover moves to the closed position, the door cover triggers the installation trigger switch.

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