Stirring assembly and developer container

Abstract

According to the stirring assembly and the developer container with the stirring assembly, the developer container is used for containing the developer, the stirring assembly is used for stirring the developer, the stirring assembly comprises the supporting piece and the stirring blade installed on the supporting piece, and the length direction of the supporting piece is the longitudinal direction / the left-right direction. The stirring blade comprises a first stirring part and a second stirring part, a plurality of first units are arranged on the first stirring part at intervals, a plurality of second units are arranged on the second stirring part at intervals, and the first units and the second units are arranged in a staggered mode when observed in the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. The developer is more easily conveyed to the outside of the developer container by the first stirring part and the second stirring part, and meanwhile, the developer is not easy to remain in the developer container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a stirring component and a developer container which has the stirring component and is detachably mounted on an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] The developer container can be detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device, and the developer container includes a container body and a stirring assembly. A accommodating cavity for accommodating the developer is formed in the container body. The stirring assembly is located inside the container body and is used to stir the developer so that the developer is mixed evenly. A powder outlet is also provided on the inner wall of the container body. The stirring assembly transports the developer to the powder outlet while stirring the developer, so that the developer is supplied to the outside of the developer container through the powder outlet.

[0003] In the existing developer container, the stirring assembly is configured as a worm gear made of steel wire. The stirring assembly configured in this way, on the one hand, is prone to friction with the inner wall of the container body and makes noise. On the other hand, the powder feeding efficiency of the stirring assembly is low and developer is prone to remain in the accommodating cavity. Utility Model Content

[0004] The developer container provided by the utility model can solve at least one of the above technical problems:

[0005] A stirring assembly includes a support and a stirring blade installed on the support, the length direction of the support is the longitudinal direction / left-right direction, the stirring blade includes a first stirring part and a second stirring part, a plurality of first units are arranged at intervals on the first stirring part, and a plurality of second units are arranged at intervals on the second stirring part, and when observed in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, the first unit and the second unit are staggered.

[0006] The first stirring portion includes a first fixed end and a first movable end connected to each other, the first fixed end is supported by a support member, the first movable end is used to stir the developer, and the first unit is arranged on the first movable end; the second stirring portion includes a second fixed end and a second movable end connected to each other, the second fixed end is supported by a support member, the second movable end is used to stir the developer, and the second unit is arranged on the second movable end.

[0007] The first unit has a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the second unit has a third endpoint and a fourth endpoint, in the left-right direction, the first endpoint is located on the left side of the second endpoint, and the third endpoint is located on the left side of the fourth endpoint; the first stirring portion and the second stirring portion are projected into the same plane parallel to the left-right direction, in the plane: the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the first endpoint is the first extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the second endpoint is the second extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the third endpoint is the third extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the fourth endpoint is the fourth extension line, the first extension line does not overlap with the third extension line, and the second extension line does not overlap with the fourth extension line.

[0008] The first movable end includes a plurality of first notches and a plurality of first acting parts arranged at intervals, and the first notches and the first acting parts are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, the first notches are open to the back of the first fixed end, the first acting part is located between two adjacent first notches, and the first unit is set as the first notch; the second movable end includes a plurality of second notches and a plurality of second acting parts arranged at intervals, and the second notches and the second acting parts are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, the second notches are open to the back of the second fixed end, the second acting part is located between two adjacent second notches, the second acting part is used to stir the developer, and the second unit is set as the second notch.

[0009] The first movable end includes a plurality of first notches and a plurality of first acting parts arranged at intervals, and the first notches and the first acting parts are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, the first notches are open to the back of the first fixed end, the first acting part is located between two adjacent first notches, and the first unit is set as the first acting part; the second movable end includes a plurality of second notches and a plurality of second acting parts arranged at intervals, and the second notches and the second acting parts are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, the second notches are open to the back of the second fixed end, the second acting part is located between two adjacent second notches, the second acting part is used to stir the developer, and the second unit is set as the second acting part.

[0010] The support member includes a rotating shaft, a first component and a second component. The support member rotates around the rotating shaft along a rotating direction. In a direction intersecting the left and right directions, the first component and the second component are respectively connected to the rotating shaft. The first component is provided with a third side surface, and the second component is provided with a fourth side surface. The third side surface is used to support the first fixed end, and the fourth side surface is used to support the second fixed end.

[0011] Along the direction intersecting the left and right directions, the third side surface has a first end and a second end, the distance between the first end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a first distance, the distance between the second end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance, and the fourth side surface has a third end and a fourth end, the distance between the third end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a third distance, the distance between the fourth end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a fourth distance, and the fourth distance is smaller than the third distance.

[0012] A developer container comprises a container body and a stirring assembly. The developer container can be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus having a developer assembly and is used to supply developer to the developer assembly. The container body is used to contain the developer, and the stirring assembly is used to stir the developer.

[0013] In the stirring component and the developer container having the stirring component provided by the utility model, the stirring component includes a supporting member and a stirring blade, the stirring blade includes a first stirring portion and a second stirring portion, the first stirring portion has a plurality of first units arranged at intervals, the first unit is configured as a first notch or a first action portion located on a first movable end, the second stirring portion also has a plurality of second units arranged at intervals, the second unit is configured as a second notch or a second action portion located on a second movable end, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the left and right directions, the first unit and the second unit are staggered, and when the stirring blade is configured in this way, the developer is more easily transported to the outside of the developer container by the first action portion and the second action portion during the rotation of the stirring component, and at the same time, it is not easy for the developer to remain in the developer container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1A It is a stereoscopic diagram of the developer container involved in the utility model.

[0015] Figure 1B This is a partial component exploded view of the developer container involved in the utility model.

[0016] Figure 2A It is a stereoscopic diagram of a stirring assembly of a developer container involved in the utility model.

[0017] Figure 2B It is a plan view of a stirring assembly in a developer container according to the present invention observed from left to right.

[0018] Figure 2C It is a plan view of the stirring assembly of the developer container involved in the utility model observed along the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a support member in a stirring assembly involved in the utility model.

[0020] Figure 4A The utility model relates to a developer container along the Figure 1A The plan view after cutting along the BB direction.

[0021] Figure 4B It is a simplified schematic diagram of a support member in a stirring assembly of a developer container according to the utility model observed along the longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1A As shown, the developer container 100 can be detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device provided with a developing component and a driving force output member, the developer container 100 is used to store the developer and to supply the developer to the developing component outside the developer container 100, the developing component is rotatably provided with a developing roller for carrying the developer, after the developer container 100 is installed to the imaging device, the gravity direction of the developer container 100 is the downward direction, and the direction opposite to the gravity direction is the upward direction, the extending direction of the developer container 100 is the left-right direction, the left-right direction intersects with the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting with both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is the front-back direction.

[0024] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the developer container 100 includes a container body and a accommodating cavity 10 formed inside the container body, wherein the accommodating cavity 10 is used to accommodate the developer, and the container body includes a first shell 20 and a second shell 30 combined with each other, and the accommodating cavity 10 is formed between the first shell 20 and the second shell 30; a powder outlet 22 is provided on the first shell 20, and the developer is supplied to the developing component through the powder outlet 22.

[0025] like Figure 1B As shown, the developer container 100 also includes a driving component 60 and a stirring component 70 that are combined with each other. The driving component 60 is used to receive the driving force from the driving force output member of the imaging device to drive the stirring component 70 to rotate. The stirring component 70 is used to stir the developer so that the developer is mixed evenly. At the same time, it is also used to transport the developer toward the powder outlet 22.

[0026] like Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 As shown, the stirring assembly 70 includes a support member 71 and a stirring blade 72. The length direction of the support member 71 is the longitudinal direction / left-right direction. The support member 71 is installed on the container body. In the left-right direction, one end of the support member 71 is connected to the driving assembly 60, and the other end of the support member 71 is connected to the container body. The stirring blade 72 is installed on the support member 71 for stirring the developer and conveying the developer to the powder outlet 22.

[0027] The support member 71 includes a rotating shaft 711, a first component 712 and a second component 713. The first component 712 and the second component 713 have the same structure and are symmetrically arranged. In the direction intersecting the left and right directions, the first component 712 and the second component 713 are respectively connected to the rotating shaft 711. The first component 712 and the second component 713 are respectively located at two ends of the rotating shaft 711. The first component 712 is provided with a third side surface 715, and the second component 713 is provided with a fourth side surface 716. The third side surface 715 and the fourth side surface 716 are used to support the stirring blade 72. The rotating shaft 711 extends in the left and right directions, and the two ends of the rotating shaft 711 are supported by the first shell 20, so that the rotating shaft 711 / support member 71 is fixed on the container body, and the stirring assembly 70 / support member 71 rotates around the rotating shaft 711 along the rotation direction R to stir the developer.

[0028] like Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C , Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the third side surface 715 and the fourth side surface 716 are arranged obliquely. Specifically, the third side surface 715 has a first end 7151 and a second end 7152. Compared with the second end 7152, the first end 7151 is closer to the rotation center of the rotation axis 711. In other words, the distance between the first end 7151 and the rotation center of the rotation axis 711 is a first distance L1, and the distance between the second end 7152 and the rotation center of the rotation axis 711 is a second distance L2. The first distance L1 is smaller than the second distance L2. The fourth side surface 716 has a third end 7161 and a fourth end 7162, which are close to the third side surface 716. Compared with the third end 7161, the fourth end 7162 is closer to the rotation center of the rotating shaft 711. In other words, the distance between the third end 7161 and the rotation center of the rotating shaft 711 is a third distance L3, and the distance between the fourth end 7162 and the rotation center of the rotating shaft 711 is a fourth distance L4. The third distance L3 is greater than the fourth distance L4. Through such an arrangement, the resistance encountered by the stirring blade 72 when stirring the developer can be reduced. At the same time, the bending deformation of the stirring blade 72 is also reduced, and the stirring blade 72 is not easy to fall off from the third side surface 715 and the fourth side surface 716.

[0029] The stirring blade 72 includes a first stirring portion 721 and a second stirring portion 722, the first stirring portion 721 is supported by the third side surface 715, and the second stirring portion 722 is supported by the fourth side surface 716, and the first stirring portion 721 and the second stirring portion 722 are both configured to be sawtooth-shaped; the first stirring portion 721 includes a first fixed end 7211 and a first movable end 7212 connected to each other, and in a direction intersecting the left and right directions, the first fixed end 7211 and the first movable end 7212 are arranged opposite to each other, the first fixed end 7211 is supported by the third side surface 715, and the first movable end 7212 is disposed opposite to each other. Used to stir the developer, specifically, the first movable end 7212 includes a plurality of first notches 723 and a plurality of first action portions 725 arranged at intervals, and the first notches 723 and the first action portions 725 are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, and the opening direction of the first notch 723 is away from the first fixed end 7211, and the first action portion 725 is located between two adjacent first notches 723. The first action portion 725 is used to stir the developer and transport the developer toward the powder outlet 22, and the first notch 723 and the first action portion 725 are both inclined toward the side where the powder outlet 22 is located.

[0030] The first movable end 7212 includes a plurality of first units arranged at intervals, and the first unit includes a first endpoint 7231 and a second endpoint 7232 . In the left-right direction, the first endpoint 7231 is located on the left side of the second endpoint 7232 .

[0031] In some embodiments, the first unit is configured as a first notch 723 .

[0032] In some embodiments, the first unit is configured as a first acting portion 725 .

[0033] The second stirring portion 722 includes a second fixed end 7221 and a second movable end 7222 that are connected to each other. In a direction intersecting the left-right direction, the second fixed end 7221 and the second movable end 7222 are arranged opposite to each other, the second fixed end 7221 is supported by the fourth side surface 716, and the second movable end 7222 is used for stirring the developer. Specifically, the second movable end 7222 includes a plurality of second notches 724 and a plurality of second action portions 727 that are arranged at intervals. Along the left-right direction, the second notches 724 and the second action portions 727 are alternately arranged, and the opening direction of the second notches 724 is away from the second fixed end 7221. The second action portion 727 is located between two adjacent second notches 724. The second action portion 727 is used for stirring the developer and conveying the developer toward the powder outlet 22. The second notches 724 and the second action portion 727 are both inclined toward the side where the powder outlet 22 is located.

[0034] The second movable end 7222 includes at least one second unit. The second unit includes a third endpoint 7241 and a fourth endpoint 7242 . In the left-right direction, the third endpoint 7241 is located on the left side of the fourth endpoint 7242 .

[0035] In some embodiments, the second unit is configured as a second notch 724 .

[0036] In some embodiments, the second unit is configured as a second acting portion 727 .

[0037] Taking the first unit closest to the left side and the second unit closest to the left side as examples, when observed in the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, the first unit and the second unit are staggered. Specifically, the first stirring part 721 and the second stirring part 722 are projected into the same plane parallel to the left-right direction. In the plane: the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the first endpoint 7231 is the first extension line A, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the second endpoint 7232 is the second extension line B, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the third endpoint 7241 is the third extension line C, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the fourth endpoint 7242 is the fourth extension line D, the first extension line A and the third extension line C do not overlap, the second extension line B and the fourth extension line D do not overlap, and in the direction intersecting the left-right direction, the first unit and the second unit are staggered. In this way, during the rotation of the stirring assembly 70, the developer is more easily transported to the powder outlet 22 by the stirring blade 72.

[0038] The stirring blade 72 is made of a flexible material, such as PET material, PP material, so that the stirring blade 72 makes less noise after rubbing against the inner walls of the first cavity 20 and the second cavity 30 of the container body. In some embodiments, only the first movable end 7212 and the second movable end 7222 of the stirring blade 72 are made of a flexible material.

[0039] like Figure 2A and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, at least one of the first member 712 and the second member 713 is further provided with a reinforcing member 73 for enhancing the strength of the supporting member 71 , and the reinforcing members 73 are regularly arranged.

[0040] Continue as Figure 2A and Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, the rotating shaft 711 is provided with an intermediate piece 718 at one of the left and right ends, and the intermediate piece 718 is used to connect with the driving component 60. The intermediate piece 718 is provided with a coupling portion 719, and the coupling portion 719 is configured as a through groove. A part of the driving component 60 can be coupled with the coupling portion 719. The developer container 100 also includes a locking piece, and the locking piece is used to fix the driving component 60 and the coupling portion 719, so that the stirring component 70 is more firmly coupled to the driving component 60, thereby making the stirring process of the stirring component 70 more stable.

[0041] [Beneficial Effects]

[0042] Compared with the prior art, the developer container 100 provided by the present invention has a stirring assembly 70 including a support member 71 and a stirring blade 72. The stirring blade 72 is mounted on the support member 71 and is used to stir the developer and transport the developer to the powder outlet 22. The stirring blade 72 includes a first stirring portion 721 and a second stirring portion 722. The first stirring portion 721 has a plurality of first units arranged at intervals. The first unit is arranged to be a first notch 723 or a first action portion 725 located on the first movable end 7212. The first action portion 725 is located between two adjacent first notches 723. between; the second stirring portion 722 also has a plurality of second units arranged at intervals, the second unit is arranged to be a second notch 724 or a second action portion 727 located on the second movable end 7222, and the second action portion 727 is located between two adjacent second notches 724; observed in a direction perpendicular to the left and right directions, the first unit and the second unit are staggered, and when the stirring blade 72 is arranged in this way, the developer is more easily transported to the powder outlet 22 by the first action portion 725 and the second action portion 727 during the rotation of the stirring assembly 70, and at the same time, it is not easy for the developer to remain in the accommodating chamber 10.

Claims

1. A stirring assembly, comprising a support and a stirring blade mounted on the support, wherein the length direction of the support is the longitudinal direction / left-right direction, and is characterized in that: The stirring blade includes a first stirring part and a second stirring part. The first stirring part is provided with a plurality of first units at intervals. The second stirring part is provided with a plurality of second units at intervals. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, the first units and the second units are staggered.

2. The stirring assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first stirring portion includes a first fixed end and a first movable end connected to each other, the first fixed end is supported by a supporting member, the first movable end is used to stir the developer, and the first unit is arranged on the first movable end; The second stirring portion includes a second fixed end and a second movable end connected to each other, the second fixed end is supported by the supporting member, the second movable end is used to stir the developer, and the second unit is disposed on the second movable end.

3. The stirring assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first unit has a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the second unit has a third endpoint and a fourth endpoint, in the left-right direction, the first endpoint is located on the left side of the second endpoint, and the third endpoint is located on the left side of the fourth endpoint; The first stirring section and the second stirring section are projected onto the same plane parallel to the left-right direction, wherein: the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the first endpoint is the first extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the second endpoint is the second extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the third endpoint is the third extension line, the straight line perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the fourth endpoint is the fourth extension line, the first extension line does not overlap with the third extension line, and the second extension line does not overlap with the fourth extension line.

4. The stirring assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first movable end includes a plurality of first notches and a plurality of first action parts arranged at intervals, the first notches and the first action parts are arranged alternately along the left-right direction, the first notches are opened away from the first fixed end, the first action part is located between two adjacent first notches, and the first unit is set as the first notch; The second movable end includes a plurality of second notches and a plurality of second action parts arranged at intervals. The second notches and the second action parts are alternately arranged along the left and right directions. The second notches are open toward the second fixed end. The second action part is located between two adjacent second notches. The second action part is used to stir the developer. The second unit is set to the second notch.

5. The stirring assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first movable end includes a plurality of first notches and a plurality of first action parts arranged at intervals, the first notches and the first action parts are arranged alternately along the left-right direction, the first notches are opened away from the first fixed end, the first action part is located between two adjacent first notches, and the first unit is set as the first action part; The second movable end includes a plurality of second notches and a plurality of second action parts arranged at intervals. The second notches and the second action parts are alternately arranged along the left and right directions. The second notches are open toward the second fixed end. The second action part is located between two adjacent second notches. The second action part is used to stir the developer. The second unit is set as the second action part.

6. The stirring assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The support member includes a rotating shaft, a first component and a second component. The support member rotates around the rotating shaft along a rotating direction. In a direction intersecting the left and right directions, the first component and the second component are respectively connected to the rotating shaft. The first component is provided with a third side surface, and the second component is provided with a fourth side surface. The third side surface is used to support the first fixed end, and the fourth side surface is used to support the second fixed end.

7. The stirring assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: Along the direction intersecting the left and right directions, the third side surface has a first end and a second end, the distance between the first end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a first distance, the distance between the second end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance, and the fourth side surface has a third end and a fourth end, the distance between the third end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a third distance, the distance between the fourth end and the rotation center of the rotation axis is a fourth distance, and the fourth distance is smaller than the third distance.

8. A developer container, comprising a container body and a stirring assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The developer container is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus having a developing assembly and is used to supply the developer to the developing assembly, the container body is used to contain the developer, and the stirring assembly is used to stir the developer.

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