Image-forming device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing an operation load in a toner cartridge to be used by separating a seal member for sealing a toner exhaust port.SOLUTION: A cartridge attachable to or detachable from an image-forming device body includes: a housing section that houses a developer and has an exhaust port of the developer; an agitation member rotatably provided in the housing section; a pump provided in the housing section so as to vary the volume of the housing section; and a sealing member that has a seal section mounted to an inner wall of the housing section so as to seal the exhaust port when a cartridge is unused, and a fixed section fixed to the agitation member while the seal section is separated from the inner wall by rotation of the agitation member. A device body provides drive force for driving the agitation member and the seal section is separated from the inner wall at least partially when a cartridge is unused, and provides drive force for driving the pump to the cartridge after the exhaust port connects the inside and outside of the housing section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, in order to replenish toner (developer) consumed during image formation, there is a configuration in which a developer replenishment container containing toner is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. Patent Document 1 describes a technique of sealing a toner supply opening of a cartridge with a sealing member and peeling off the sealing member when the cartridge is in use. Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration using a pump as means for discharging toner from a toner cartridge to replenish the toner in the cartridge.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] At the initial operation of driving each part of the cartridge prior to the image forming operation, in a new cartridge, since the peeling operation of the sealing member is added, depending on the combination of the operation timings of each member and the toner storage state, the load on the motor may increase significantly. The increase in the motor load may lead to breakage of the components and the motor constituting the drive unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the operation load in a toner cartridge that uses a sealing member that seals a toner discharge port and is peeled off for use.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a device main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer, a cartridge configured to be detachable from the device main body and to be able to supply a developer to the image forming unit, and is an image forming apparatus comprising wherein the cartridge includes a storage unit that stores a developer and has a discharge port for the developer, a stirring member rotatably provided inside the storage unit, a variable volume pump provided in the storage unit so as to form a storage space for the developer in the cartridge together with the storage unit, and a seal member having a seal portion attached to the inner wall of the storage unit so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing portion fixed to the stirring member, and the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall by the rotation of the stirring member, and comprises wherein the device main body has a first driving unit that provides a first driving force for driving the stirring member to the cartridge, and a second driving unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge, in an image forming apparatus comprising the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force and the seal portion is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall and the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the storage unit when the cartridge is unused. which is characterized in that To solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a device main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer, a cartridge configured to be detachable from the device main body and to be able to supply a developer to the image forming unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: wherein the cartridge includes: a housing portion that houses a developer and has a discharge port for the developer; a stirring member rotatably provided inside the housing portion; a variable-volume pump provided in the housing portion so as to form a storage space for the developer in the cartridge together with the housing portion; a seal member having a seal portion attached to the inner wall of the housing portion so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing portion fixed to the stirring member, the seal member being such that the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall by the rotation of the stirring member; and comprising: wherein the apparatus main body includes: a first drive unit that provides a first driving force for driving the stirring member to the cartridge; a second drive unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge; in an image forming apparatus comprising: the second drive unit is characterized in that, when the cartridge is unused, after the first drive unit starts providing the first driving force, the second drive unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operating load in a toner cartridge that uses a seal member that seals the toner discharge port by peeling it off.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

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Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (Example 1) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, modes for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily and detailedly described based on examples. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

[0010] <Overall Outline of the Laser Printer> FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, the laser printer 1 is composed of a printer main body A, a process cartridge B, and a toner cartridge C. In the printer main body A as the apparatus main body, a sheet feeding unit 103, a transfer roller 104, a fixing unit 105, and a laser scanner 101 are installed. Further, the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C are detachably arranged in the printer main body A.

[0011] The configuration of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the process cartridge B. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view (the cross-section taken along line a-a in FIG. 2) showing the schematic configuration of the process cartridge B. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view (the cross-section taken along line b-b in FIG. 2) showing the second waste toner conveyance path 10b of the process cartridge B. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (the cross-section taken along line c-c in FIG. 2) showing the supply port 21c of the process cartridge B.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the process cartridge B is composed of a cleaning unit 10 (first unit) and a developing unit 15 (second unit). The cleaning unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier having a cylindrical photosensitive layer. The developing unit 15 includes a developing roller 16 as a developing means for carrying a developer (toner).

[0013] The cleaning unit 10 includes, in addition to the photosensitive drum 11, a cleaning blade 17 as a cleaning member for the photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, and a charging roller cleaner 14 as a cleaning member for the charging roller 12. Further, the cleaning unit 10 has a waste toner primary storage portion 10a and a second waste toner conveyance path 10b.

[0014] The charging roller 12 is arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and charges the photosensitive drum 11 by applying a voltage from a high-voltage power source (the high-voltage power source 204 in FIG. 18) provided in the printer main body A. Further, the charging roller 12 rotates driven by the rotating photosensitive drum 11.

[0015] The cleaning blade 17 is an elastic member arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The tip of the cleaning blade 17 elastically contacts the photosensitive drum 11, and after a sheet S as a recording material described later passes between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 104 (FIG. 12), removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 from the photosensitive drum 11. The removed toner (waste toner) is conveyed to the toner cartridge C through the second waste toner conveyance path 10b from the first waste toner conveyance path which is the waste toner primary storage portion 10a described later.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit 15 has a developing chamber 151 in which a developing roller 16 is arranged, a developer storage chamber 152 that supplies toner to the developing chamber 151, and a receiving chamber 153 that receives the toner supplied from the toner cartridge C.

[0017] The developing roller 16 carries toner as a developer carrier and supplies the toner to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 11. Then, the developing roller 16 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 using the toner.

[0018] The developing blade 18, as a regulating member, abuts against the circumferential surface of the developing roller 16 and regulates the amount of toner adhering to the circumferential surface of the developing roller 16. Further, the developing blade 18 imparts triboelectric charges to the toner carried by the developing roller 16.

[0019] The toner stored in the developer storage chamber 152 is sent out to the developing chamber 151 by the rotation of the stirring member 154 and supplied to the developing roller 16.

[0020] The laser printer 1 of this embodiment includes means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developer storage chamber 152 (remaining amount sensor 208 in FIG. 18). As the means for detecting the remaining amount, a conventionally known configuration such as an optical type or a capacitance type may be adopted. When the amount of toner in the developer storage chamber 152 detected by the remaining amount detecting means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge C to the process cartridge B. The toner supplied from the toner cartridge C to the process cartridge B is supplied to the developer storage chamber 152 of the developing unit 15 through the supply port 21c of the stage 21, the receiving chamber 153, and the transfer port 21d.

[0021] Although details will be described later, the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C are detachable from the printer main body A.

[0022] The operation of the laser printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0023] The photosensitive drum 11 rotationally driven by the driving force provided by the motor 215 (FIG. 18) as a drive source is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 12. After charging, the photosensitive drum 11 is exposed on its surface based on image information by the laser scanner 101, and the charges in the exposed portion are removed to form an electrostatic latent image. Toner is supplied from the developing roller 16 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 and visualized as a toner image.

[0024] On the other hand, in parallel with the formation operation of such a toner image, the sheet S is conveyed along the sheet feeding unit 103. Specifically, the feeding roller 103b rotates to start feeding the sheet S. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 104 in synchronization with the timing of forming the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11. When the sheet S passes through the nip portion, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 to the sheet S as an unfixed image by applying a bias to the transfer roller 104 by the high-voltage power supply 204 (FIG. 18) of the printer main body A.

[0025] Thereafter, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 105. When the sheet S conveyed to the fixing unit 105 passes through the fixing unit 105, the unfixed image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image has been fixed is further conveyed by the sheet feeding unit 103 and discharged onto the discharge tray 106 and stacked.

[0026] <Outline of Process Cartridge B> With reference to FIGS. 3, 9(a), 9(b), 10(a), and 10(b), the configuration of the process cartridge B in this embodiment will be described in detail. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are exploded perspective views of the process cartridge B. FIG. 10(a) is a schematic side view showing the contact state of the developing unit 15 with respect to the photosensitive drum 11 in the process cartridge B. FIG. 10(b) is a schematic side view showing the separated state of the developing unit 15 with respect to the photosensitive drum 11 in the process cartridge B. is a schematic side view showing the separated state of the developing unit 15 with respect to the photosensitive drum 11 in the process cartridge B.

[0027] As described above, the cleaning unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, and a cleaning blade 17. Similarly, the developing unit 15 includes a developing roller 16, a developing blade 18, a developing chamber 151, a storage chamber 152, and a receiving chamber 153.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the cleaning unit 10 is composed of a cleaning frame body 20 which is a part of the cartridge frame body 75, a stay 21, and a side cover 7. The cleaning frame body 20 supports the cleaning blade 17, the charging roller 12, and the charging roller cleaner 14. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the photosensitive drum 11 is rotatably supported by a drum pin 22 attached to the cleaning frame body 20 on one side and a photosensitive drum support portion 7b provided on the side cover 7 on the opposite side.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), bearing members 4 and 5 are arranged at the axial ends of the developing roller 16. The developing unit 15 is pivotally coupled to and supported by the cleaning unit 10 so as to be rotatable about a rocking axis 8 defined by a straight line including support shafts 8a and 8b. The rocking axis 8 is arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axis 11b of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the cylindrical portion 5a of the bearing member 5, which is a part of the cartridge frame 75, is supported by a cylindrical hole portion 7a provided in the side cover 7, which is a part of the cartridge frame 75 of the cleaning unit 10. The support shaft 8a is defined by the common axis of the cylindrical hole portion 7a of the side cover 7 and the cylindrical portion 5a of the bearing member 5. Also, a developing coupling 155 as a drive input member for receiving drive from the printer main body A is provided at the center of rotation of the cylindrical portion 5a of the bearing member 5.

[0031] Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the pin 6 is inserted so as to straddle the cylindrical hole portion 20a of the cleaning frame 20 of the cleaning unit 10 and the cylindrical hole 4a of the bearing member 4. The support shaft 8b is defined by the common axis of the pin 6 and the cylindrical hole 4a of the bearing member 4. The support shaft 8a and the support shaft 8b are arranged substantially coaxially, and the rocking axis 8 is defined by a straight line including the support shaft 8a and the support shaft 8b as described above.

[0032] As described above, the developing unit 15 is pivotally supported with respect to the cleaning unit 10 so as to be rotatable about the rocking axis 8. The developing unit 15 is urged toward the photosensitive drum 11 of the cleaning unit 10 by pressure springs 19a and 19b, which are elastic members, and the developing roller 16 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the contact / separation operation of the developing unit 15 with respect to the cleaning unit 10 will be described. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams in which the illustration of the side cover 7 is omitted to show the separation mechanism 100 of the printer main body A.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the bearing member 5 is provided with a protruding portion 5b. As shown in FIG. 10(a), when the protruding portion 5b is at a position where it does not contact the separation mechanism 100, the developing roller 16 contacts the photosensitive drum 11 by the biasing forces of the pressure springs 19a and 19b. The relative position between the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing roller 16 (or the position of the developing unit) in this state becomes the image forming position for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the developing roller 16.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the separation mechanism 100 provided in the printer main body A swings about the swing shaft 100a and contacts the protruding portion 5b. When the protruding portion 5b receives a force from the separation mechanism 100, the developing unit 15 rotates in the direction of arrow R2 about the rotation axis 8 as the rotation center. This causes the developing roller 16 to separate from the photosensitive drum 11 against the biasing forces of the pressure springs 19a and 19b. The relative position between the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing roller 16 (or the position of the developing unit) in this state becomes the non-image forming position retracted from the image forming position.

[0036] When the separation mechanism 100 returns from the position in FIG. 10(b) (separation position, non-image forming position) to the position in FIG. 10(a) which is the original position (contact position, image forming position), the separation mechanism 100 separates from the protruding portion 5b. Then, due to the biasing forces of the pressure spring 19a and the pressure spring 19b, the developing roller 16 contacts the photosensitive drum 11 again. That is, the separation mechanism 100 can switch the position of the developing unit between the contact position (image forming position) and the separation position (non-image forming position). Thereby, the posture of the developing unit 15 in the process cartridge B can be switched between the contact position and the separation position with respect to the photosensitive drum 11. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the toner and the unnecessary toner consumption during non-image formation.

[0037] <Overview of Toner Cartridge C> With reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 11(a), and 11(b), the toner cartridge C will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the outline of the toner cartridge C. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the a-a section of FIG. 6) showing the toner supply unit 30 of the toner cartridge C. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view (taken along the b-b section of FIG. 6) showing the waste toner container 40 of the toner cartridge C. FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are exploded perspective views of the toner cartridge C.

[0038] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge C is defined as the longitudinal direction (arrow Y). The longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the horizontal direction (arrow X) and the vertical direction (arrow Z) shown in FIG. 7. Also, the general term for the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is defined as the short-side direction.

[0039] <Toner Supply Unit> As shown in FIG. 6, the toner cartridge C has a toner supply unit 30 that supplies toner to the process cartridge B and a waste toner container 40 that collects waste toner from the process cartridge B.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11(a), and 11(b), the toner supply unit 30 has a supply unit frame body 31 and a supply unit lid 32, and a toner container 30a is formed by the supply unit frame body 31 and the supply unit lid 32. The supply unit frame body 31 has a toner discharge port 31a. The toner stored in the toner container 30a is discharged from the toner container 30a through the toner discharge port 31a. The toner discharged from the toner discharge port 31a is supplied to the process cartridge B. A shutter member 34 is provided outside the supply unit frame body 31. The shutter member 34 is configured to open and close the toner discharge port 31a in conjunction with the installation of the toner cartridge C.

[0041] In the toner container 30a, a toner container screw member (hereinafter referred to as a screw member) 35 and a toner container agitation and conveyance member (hereinafter referred to as an agitation member) 36 are provided.

[0042] The screw member 35 is a conveying member for conveying the toner in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage section 30a toward the toner discharge port 31a. The screw member 35 has a rotating shaft and a blade portion extending in a spiral shape on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft. The blade portion of the screw member 35 is configured to be capable of forming a toner flow in which the toner around the blade portion moves in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage section 30a by the rotation of the screw member 35.

[0043] The stirring member 36 is a conveying member for conveying the toner toward the screw member 35. The stirring member 36 has a rotating shaft 36a and a stirring portion 36b which is a flexible sheet-like member. The rotating shaft 36a rotates along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner storage portion 30a. The agitator 36b is configured to be rotatable around the axis. One end of the agitator 36b is attached to the surface of the rotary shaft 36a along the rotary axis, over substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage section 30a. The other end (free end) of the agitator 36, which is the opposite side to the one end (fixed end), contacts the inner wall surfaces of the supply unit frame 31 and the supply unit lid 32 that form the toner storage section 30a. The agitator 36b moves around the rotary axis of the rotary shaft 36a by the rotation of the rotary shaft 36a, while the end (free end) away from the fixed part fixed to the rotary shaft 36a is in sliding contact with the inner wall surfaces of the supply unit frame 31 and the supply unit lid 32 that form the toner storage section 30a. As a result, the toner in the toner storage section 30a is pushed toward the area of ​​the toner storage section 30a where the screw member 35 is arranged. The toner transported to the toner discharge port 31a by the stirring and transporting action of the screw member 35 and the stirring member 36 is discharged from the toner discharge port 31a by the volume change of the pump 37a. The pump 37a is provided integrally with the toner storage portion 30a so as to form a toner storage space (more specifically, a discharge chamber 81) in the toner cartridge C together with the toner storage portion 30a.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11(a), a pump unit 37 is provided in the toner cartridge C. The pump unit 37 includes a pump 37a, a cam 37b, and a link arm 37c. The pump 37a is configured to be variable in volume by expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). The cam 37b is arranged coaxially rotatable with respect to the pump 37a. The link arm 37c is linearly guided in the longitudinal direction by the rotation of the cam 37b to expand and contract the pump 37a in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] The inside of the toner storage portion 30a is partitioned so that a storage chamber 30b in which the stirring member 36 is disposed and a discharge chamber 81 in which a toner discharge port 31a is provided communicate with each other. The partition portion that partitions the storage chamber 30b and the discharge chamber 81 includes a partition portion 313 shown in Fig. 15 and the like.

[0046] The screw member 35 is configured to be able to form a toner flow in which the toner moves from the storage chamber 30b to the discharge chamber 81 by rotating in the forward rotation direction during the image forming operation. The toner in the storage chamber 30b is conveyed toward the screw member 35 by the rotation of the stirring member 36, and is conveyed from the storage chamber 30b toward the discharge chamber 81 by the rotation of the screw member 35. At the same time, the toner inside the discharge chamber 81 is discharged from the toner discharge port 31a due to the volume change of the discharge chamber 81 caused by the expansion and contraction of the pump 37a. The toner discharged from the toner discharge port 31a is supplied to the receiving chamber 153 of the process cartridge B.

[0047] <Waste Toner Storage Unit> As shown in Fig. 8, the waste toner storage portion 40 includes a waste toner inlet 42 for receiving waste toner from the process cartridge B, and a waste toner storage container 41 as a second storage container for storing the waste toner received from the waste toner inlet 42.

[0048] The waste toner container 41 is formed by a waste toner storage section frame 41a having a waste toner storage section 40a and a waste toner cover 41b. The waste toner cover 41b is provided with a waste toner inlet 42 for receiving waste toner collected from the process cartridge. The waste toner cover 41b has a waste toner shutter member 43 for opening and closing the waste toner inlet 42. The waste toner shutter member 43 is opened and closed in the direction of arrow R3 in FIG. 8 in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge C to and from the printer main body A.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11(a), inside the waste toner storage section 40, there are a partition member 46, a first waste toner storage screw 44 as a waste toner transport member for transporting the waste toner in the waste toner storage section 40a, and a second waste toner storage screw 45. The partition member 46 partitions the space inside the waste toner storage section 40 into a plurality of storage sections (40a1, 40a2). The first waste toner storage screw 44 transports the waste toner that has fallen from the waste toner inlet 42 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge C. The second waste toner storage screw 45 obtains drive from the first waste toner storage screw 44 and transports the waste toner transported by the first waste toner storage screw 44 obliquely upward. The first waste toner storage screw 44 rotates about a rotation axis 44a parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge C. The second waste toner storage screw 45 rotates about a rotation axis 45a extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the toner cartridge C.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the driving force input from the aforementioned agitation drive input gear 38 is transmitted via the agitation member 36 to a non-driving side gear 38a provided on the non-driving side of the toner supply section 30. Then, the driving force is transmitted from the non-driving side gear 38a via the waste toner storage section gear train 47 to drive the first waste toner storage screw 44. A driving side toner cartridge side cover 50 is attached to the toner supply section 30 side, and a non-driving side toner cartridge side cover 60 is attached to the waste toner storage section 40 side, respectively.

[0051] With the above configuration, the agitation drive input gear 38 can be driven even when the pump screw drive input gear 39 is not being driven. That is, even when the toner supply unit 30 is not supplying toner to the process cartridge B, the first waste toner storage screw 44 and the second waste toner storage screw 45 in the waste toner storage unit 40 can be driven to maintain a state where waste toner can be recovered.

[0052] Also, since the drive input from the printer main body A can be provided at one end of the toner cartridge C, the gear train of the printer main body A can be simplified. Further, by using the agitation member 36 to transmit the drive from one end to the other end of the supply frame body 32a, the drive can be transmitted to the waste toner storage unit 40 without increasing the number of components for drive transmission. As a result, while suppressing an increase in the size of the toner cartridge C and the photosensitive drum 11 of the printer main body A in the axial direction of rotation by the drive means of the toner cartridge C, waste toner can be stored in the toner cartridge C.

[0053] <Drive Configuration of Toner Supply Unit> The drive configuration of the toner supply unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 11(a), 11(b), 13, 14, and 15. FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 show the arrangement of the pump unit of the toner cartridge. FIG. 13 is a top view, FIG. 14 is a side view, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), 13, 14, and 15, the toner supply unit 30 includes an agitation drive input gear 38 and a pump screw drive input gear 39. The agitation drive input gear 38 has a cartridge-side coupling 381 and is an agitation drive input portion that receives a driving force for driving the agitation member 36 from the printer main body A. The pump screw drive input gear 39 has a cartridge-side coupling 391 and is a pump drive input portion that receives a driving force for driving the pump unit 37 and the screw member 35 from the printer main body A. The agitation drive input gear 38 and the pump screw drive input gear 39 are arranged on one longitudinal end side of the toner cartridge C.

[0055] Adjacent to the agitation drive input gear 38, an agitation gear 38b for transmitting a rotational driving force to the agitation member 36 is provided coaxially with the agitation member 36. The agitation gear 38b receives the driving force from the agitation drive input gear 38 and rotates the agitation member 36 in the R1 direction in FIG. 7, thereby agitating the toner in the toner storage portion 30a and conveying the toner toward the screw member 35.

[0056]

[0056] Adjacent to the pump-screw drive input gear 39, a cam drive gear 39a that rotates upon receiving the driving force from the pump-screw drive input gear 39 is provided. Adjacent to the cam drive gear 39a, a cam gear 39b that rotates upon receiving the driving force from the cam drive gear 39a is provided. Since the cam gear 39b is integrally formed with the cam 37b, the link arm 37c is linearly guided in the longitudinal direction as the pump-screw drive input gear 39 rotates. With this configuration, by rotationally driving the cam gear 39b, the pump can be expanded and contracted. Adjacent to the cam gear 39b, a toner storage portion screw drive gear 39c for transmitting a rotational driving force to the screw member 35 is provided coaxially with the screw member 35.

[0057]

[0057] On the other hand, the printer main body A is provided with an agitation drive unit 206 (first drive unit) for driving the agitation drive input gear 38 and a pump drive unit 207 (second drive unit) for driving the pump-screw drive input gear 39, respectively (FIG. 18).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13, in the mounting portion of the toner cartridge C in the printer main body A, a main body side coupling 181 which is a part of the agitation drive unit 206 and a main body side coupling 191 which is a part of the pump drive unit 207 are provided. When the toner cartridge C is mounted on the printer main body A, the cartridge side coupling 381 of the toner cartridge C engages with the main body side coupling 181, and the driving force of the motor 215 (FIG. 18) provided in the printer main body A can be input to the agitation drive input gear 38. That is, the main body side coupling 181 constitutes a part of the first drive unit that provides the toner cartridge C with a driving force (first driving force) for driving the agitation member 36.

[0059] Similarly, when the toner cartridge C is mounted on the printer main body A, the cartridge side coupling 391 of the toner cartridge C engages with the main body side coupling 191, and the motor driving force of the printer main body A can be input to the pump screw drive input gear 39. That is, the main body side coupling 191 constitutes a part of the second drive unit that provides the toner cartridge C with a driving force (second driving force) for driving the screw member 35 and the pump unit 37.

[0060] In FIG. 13, the cartridge side coupling 381 and the main body side coupling 181, which constitute a part of the drive train for driving the agitation member 36, are shown in a state of being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] The toner storage section screw drive gear 39c receives the driving force from the cam gear 39b and rotates the screw member 35, thereby conveying the toner in the toner storage section 30a in the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow L2 in FIG. 13) toward the toner discharge port 31a. That is, the conveying action of moving the toner by the blade portions of the screw member 35 in the longitudinal direction toward the toner discharge port 31a occurs when the pump screw drive input gear 39 rotates forward.

[0062] <Sealing member> Using FIGS. 7, 16, 17(a) to 17(d), the configuration of the seal member 80 will be described. FIG. 16 is a detailed view showing the heat welding portion of the seal member 80, and FIGS. 17(a) to 17(d) are schematic cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge C showing the peeling process of the seal member 80.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17(a), one end portion of the seal member 80 is heat welded with a peelable strength around the toner discharge port 31a on the inner wall surfaces of the supply frame 31 and the supply lid 32 that form the toner storage portion 30a, and seals the toner discharge port 31a in an openable manner. The heat welding portion 82 is the welding portion at one end of the seal member 80, has a hexagonal shape, and forms a seal portion together with the portion inside the welding portion 82 in the seal member 80. Since peeling starts from the vertices of the hexagon, the welding area at the peeling start point is small, and peeling can be performed with a smaller force.

[0064] The other end of the seal member 80 is fixed as a fixed portion to the shaft 36a of the stirring member 36 that is rotationally driven by means such as heat welding. Here, the seal member 80 is folded back near the toner discharge port 31a and peeled from the side farthest from the other end. By doing so, the seal member 80 can be peeled with a small force. Also, the seal member 80 uses a laminate of polyester, low-density polyethylene, and a polyethylene-based sealant. Here, other materials having similar characteristics may be used for the material of the seal member 80.

[0065] In this embodiment, heat welding is used for the fixing method between the other end of the seal member 80 and the shaft 36a of the stirring member 36, but this is not the only limit, and it is also possible by means such as adhesion, double-sided tape, and engagement of holes and protrusions.

[0066] <Control Configuration> Using FIG. 18, the control configuration of the laser printer 1 will be described. FIG. 18 is a control block diagram of the laser printer 1.

[0067] The control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 which is a central element for performing arithmetic processing, memories 202 such as ROM and RAM which are storage means, an input / output I / F 203 for inputting and outputting information with peripheral devices, etc. The detection results of sensors, arithmetic results, etc. are stored in the RAM, and control programs, data tables obtained in advance, etc. are stored in the ROM.

[0068] The control unit 200 is a control means for comprehensively controlling the operation of the laser printer 1, and each control target in the laser printer 1 is connected via the input / output I / F 203. The control unit 200 controls the exchange of various electrical information signals, the driving timing, etc., and is in charge of flowchart processing and the like described later.

[0069] The motor drive unit 205 refers to a drive configuration including a motor as a drive source and a drive train for transmitting the driving force of the motor to each part of the image forming unit 210. The motor is a drive source for rotationally driving each member included in the image forming unit 210 such as the laser scanner 101, the photosensitive drum 11, and the developing roller 16, and operates based on a control signal from the control unit 200.

[0070] The motor drive unit 205 includes an agitation drive unit 206 and a pump drive unit 207. The agitation drive unit 206 is a drive unit for driving the agitation member 36. The agitation drive unit 206 includes a main body side coupling 181 that engages with a cartridge side coupling 381 of the toner cartridge C as a drive unit configuration on the printer main body A side (first drive unit) (FIG. 13). The pump drive unit 207 is a drive unit for driving the screw member 35 and the pump unit 37. The pump drive unit 207 includes a main body side coupling 191 that engages with a cartridge side coupling 391 of the toner cartridge C as a drive unit configuration on the printer main body A side (FIG. 13).

[0071] The high-voltage power supply 204 is a power supply for applying a high voltage to the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, the developing roller 16, the transfer roller 104, the fixing unit 105, etc.

[0072] Also, data communication is performed between the control unit 200 and the memory 90 via the memory communication unit 209. The control unit 200, the memory 90, the memory communication unit 209, etc. constitute a new product detection means for detecting whether the toner cartridge C is new (unused).

[0073] Here, a new product means the initial state before use. Or, it means a state where the toner contained in the toner cartridge C has not been used yet. Also, when the control unit 200 determines whether the toner cartridge C mounted on the printer main body A is in the initial state, it is not limited to the form of reading the usage history of the memory (storage element) 90 and making a determination based on the read information. For example, a mechanical flag protruding from the toner cartridge C is provided. And when the toner cartridge C is first mounted on the printer main body A, the mechanical flag abuts on a predetermined part of the main body and retracts, and thereafter does not protrude. In this way, the control unit 200 may detect the retracted state of the mechanical flag and determine the initial state. In this case, once the mechanical flag retracts inside the cartridge, the control unit 200 cannot cross the photosensor, so it can be determined that the mounted toner cartridge C is not in the initial state.

[0074] In addition, a remaining amount sensor 208 for detecting whether the remaining amount of the toner contained in the developer storage chamber 152 of the process cartridge B is equal to or less than a predetermined amount is connected to the control unit 200. <Initial Sequence> Using FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and 17, the peeling operation of the seal member 80 will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation flow in the initial sequence in this embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 17(a) shows the state of the toner cartridge C before being mounted on the printer main body A (unused state), and the toner discharge port 31a is sealed with the seal member 80.

[0076] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, a memory 90 is attached to the toner cartridge C. When the toner cartridge C is mounted on the printer main body A, a reading device (not shown) provided in the printer main body A comes into contact with the memory 90 (memory element), and the information stored in the memory 90 can be read (S1001 in FIG. 1).

[0077] At this time, when a new toner cartridge C is detected from the information stored in the memory 90, an initial sequence is executed (S1002: Yes in FIG. 1). Here, the initial sequence is a sequence for peeling the seal member 80 from the toner discharge port 31a of the toner cartridge C to enable stable toner discharge. Such an initial sequence is executed as part of the initial operation performed prior to the image forming operation for forming an image on the recording material when the cartridge is new (unused). If the toner cartridge C is not new, the initial sequence is not executed (S1002: No in FIG. 1).

[0078] In the initial sequence, first, the stirring member 154 (FIGS. 3 to 5) of the printer main body A is rotationally driven in the forward rotation driving direction to rotate the stirring drive input gear 38 (FIG. 14) and the stirring gear 38b (FIG. 14) in the forward rotation (S1003 in FIG. 1). Then, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the stirring member 36 rotates in the R1 direction, the seal member 80 starts to be wound around the shaft 36a from the other end, and a pulling force acting in the direction of arrow S1 is applied to the seal member 80. Due to the action of this pulling force, one end of the seal member 80 welded to the inner wall of the toner storage portion 30a of the toner cartridge C to seal the toner discharge port 31a starts to peel off to the right side (in the direction of arrow S1) in the figure. When the shaft 36a further rotates, after passing through the state shown in FIG. 17(c), the seal member 80 is completely peeled off from around the toner discharge port 31a as shown in the state of FIG. 17(d), and the toner discharge port 31a is opened. After the toner discharge port 31a is opened, the driving of the stirring drive unit 206 (FIG. 18) of the printer main body A is stopped (S1004 in FIG. 1).

[0079] In the new toner cartridge C, due to vibrations during logistics or the like, the toner may be locally compacted in the toner storage section 30a, and the load for rotating the stirring member 36 may become higher than normal. Therefore, the rotation speed of the stirring drive unit 206 during the initial sequence is set slower than during the replenishment operation, thereby reducing the load on the motor. The driving force provided from the printer main body A to the toner cartridge C when the seal member 80 is peeled off is a driving force that makes the rotation speed of the stirring member 36 slower than the driving force provided from the printer main body A to the toner cartridge C during the toner supply operation during the image forming operation. The driving force provided from the printer main body A to the toner cartridge C when the seal member 80 is peeled off becomes a driving force that makes the rotation speed of the stirring member 36 slower than the driving force provided from the printer main body A to the toner cartridge C during the toner supply operation during the image forming operation.

[0080] After the seal member 80 is peeled off and the stirring drive unit 206 of the printer main body A stops providing the driving force to the stirring member 36, the pump drive unit 207 (FIG. 18) of the printer main body A is rotationally driven in the reverse direction (second rotation direction) to the normal rotation driving direction (first rotation direction) (S1005 in FIG. 1). As a result, the pump screw drive input gear 39, the cam drive gear 39a, the cam gear 39b, and the toner storage section screw drive gear 39c are rotated in the reverse direction. When the cam gear 39b rotates in the reverse direction, the pump 37a is also driven to perform an expansion and contraction operation. At this time, since the seal member 80 around the toner discharge port 31a has already been peeled off, the toner around the toner discharge port 31a is discharged from the toner discharge port 31a.

[0081] Here, compared with the state where the toner discharge port 31a is blocked by the seal member 80, by peeling off the seal member 80 in advance, the internal pressure fluctuation of the toner storage section 30a can be suppressed, so that the driving load of the pump 37a can be reduced.

[0082] Also, simultaneously with the pump operation, the screw member 35 rotates in the direction of arrow M (FIG. 15), so that the toner in the toner discharge chamber 81 (FIG. 17(a)) is conveyed in the direction of the toner storage chamber 30b (direction of arrow S3 in FIG. 15). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner in the toner discharge chamber 81 from becoming compacted.

[0083] For example, in the initial sequence, if the pump drive unit 207 of the printer main body A is driven in the forward rotation instead of the reverse rotation, depending on the configuration of the toner storage unit of the toner cartridge, the following concerns are assumed. That is, if toner exists inside the toner discharge chamber 81 at the start of the execution of the initial sequence, more toner will be added there by the screw member 35. Then, the toner density inside the toner discharge chamber 81 will increase, and there is a possibility that the pump 37a cannot discharge the toner to the outside.

[0084] Also, the pump 37a is set in an extended state (an extended state that expands the volume of the toner storage unit 30a or the toner discharge chamber 81) at the time of assembly, and the toner cartridge C is shipped. Then, at the start of the operation of the initial sequence, the pump 37a is compressed from the extended state. By this operation, the toner inside the toner discharge chamber 81 is discharged through the toner discharge port 31a, thereby suppressing the intrusion of toner into the pump 37a when it extends from the compressed state next.

[0085] After that, after the drive of the pump drive unit 207 of the printer main body A is stopped (S1006 in FIG. 1), the completion of the initial sequence is recorded in the memory 90 of the toner cartridge C (S1007 in FIG. 1), and the initial sequence is completed.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that prevents damage to components and the motor due to an increase in the motor load during pump operation in a new toner cartridge and miniaturizes the motor.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like after the seal peeling operation is configured to be performed in reverse rotation. From the perspective of maximizing the suppression of the motor load increase, such a configuration is most preferable. However, for example, in the case of a configuration where there is little concern about a local increase in toner density in the toner storage portion configuration of the toner cartridge, the pump unit 37 and the like may be driven in forward rotation. That is, by controlling the stirring and conveying operation of the toner in the toner storage portion to be performed at a timing that does not overlap with the seal peeling operation, an increase in the motor load can be suppressed.

[0088] Also, in the above embodiment, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like after the seal peeling operation is configured to start after stopping the provision of the driving force to the stirring drive input gear 38. From the perspective of maximizing the suppression of the motor load increase, such a configuration is most preferable. However, for example, when it is sufficient to suppress the torque increase during the seal peeling operation, after the seal member 80 is peeled off, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like may be started without stopping the provision of the driving force to the stirring drive input gear 38.

[0089] Also, in the above embodiment, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like is configured to start after the seal member 80 is completely peeled off, but it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, if at least a part of the toner discharge port 31a is opened, the sealing state of the toner storage portion 30a by the seal member 80 is released (the toner storage portion 30a becomes a state communicable with the outside of the toner cartridge C), and the increase in the motor load is significantly suppressed. Therefore, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like may be configured to start after the seal peeling operation is started and the complete sealing state of the seal member 80 is released (at least a part of the toner discharge port 31a is opened), but before the seal peeling operation is completed. That is, after the welded portion 82 of the seal member 80 is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall surface of the supply frame body 31 and the toner discharge port 31a is in a state of communicating the inside and the outside of the toner storage portion 30a, the drive of the pump unit 37 and the like may be started.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the driving of the pump unit 37 and the like is performed during the initial sequence when the toner cartridge C is new. However, the driving of the pump unit 37 and the like may be performed for the first time during the toner replenishment operation after the execution of the initial sequence.

[0091] The disclosure of the embodiment of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) An apparatus main body including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer, A cartridge configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body and to be able to supply a developer to the image forming unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: The cartridge includes: A housing unit that houses a developer and has a discharge port for the developer, An agitation member rotatably provided inside the housing unit, A volume-variable pump provided in the housing unit so as to form a developer storage space in the cartridge together with the housing unit, A seal member having a seal portion attached to the inner wall of the housing unit so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing portion fixed to the agitation member, wherein the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall by the rotation of the agitation member, Comprising: The apparatus main body includes: A first driving unit that provides a first driving force for driving the agitation member to the cartridge, A second driving unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge, In an image forming apparatus comprising: The second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force and the seal portion is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall, and the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the housing unit when the cartridge is unused. An image forming apparatus characterized by this. (Configuration 2) The second driving unit performs an initial operation prior to an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. When the cartridge is unused, the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force, causing the seal portion to be at least partially peeled off from the inner wall. After the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the housing portion, the second driving force is provided to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. In the operation, when the cartridge is unused, after the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force and the seal portion is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall, and after the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the housing portion, the second driving force is provided to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1 described above. (Configuration 3) When the cartridge is unused, the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge and the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that. (Configuration 4) When the cartridge is unused, the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge and the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall, and after the first driving unit stops providing the first driving force to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that. (Configuration 5) The first driving force provided to the cartridge when peeling the seal portion from the inner wall is a driving force with a slower rotational speed of the stirring member than the first driving force provided to the cartridge in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that. (Configuration 6) The inside of the housing portion is partitioned so that a housing chamber in which the stirring member is disposed and a discharge chamber in which the discharge port is provided can communicate with each other. The cartridge is a screw member rotatably provided inside the housing portion, and is configured to be able to form a flow of developer that moves from the housing chamber to the discharge chamber by rotating in a first rotation direction in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. The cartridge further includes a screw member. The second driving force is a driving force for driving the screw member together with the pump, In the case where the cartridge is unused, the second driving force provided to the cartridge is a driving force for rotating the screw member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5. The image forming apparatus according to the configuration described. (Configuration 7) The pump is provided in the housing so as to communicate with the discharge chamber, and in the case where the cartridge is unused, it is in an extended state in which the volume of the housing is expanded, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6. The image forming apparatus according to the configuration described. (Configuration 8) The supply operation in which the cartridge supplies the developer to the image forming unit is performed by the first driving unit providing the first driving force to the cartridge and the second driving unit providing the second driving force to the cartridge. Thus, the developer in the storage chamber is conveyed toward the screw member by the rotation of the stirring member, the developer is conveyed from the storage chamber toward the discharge chamber by the rotation of the screw member, and the developer inside the discharge chamber is discharged from the discharge port by the volume change of the discharge chamber by the pump. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that it is performed. (Configuration 9) The supply operation is performed when the amount of the developer accommodated in the image forming unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount during the image forming operation, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8. The image forming apparatus according to the configuration described. (Configuration 10) The stirring member has a rotating shaft and a fixing portion fixed to the rotating shaft, and is a stirring portion that is a flexible sheet-like member whose end portion away from the fixing portion contacts the inner wall of the housing, The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that it has. (Configuration 11) The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 10, wherein the cartridge further includes a memory for storing information on whether the cartridge is unused. (Configuration 12) An apparatus main body including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer, A cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body and is configured to supply a developer to the image forming unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: wherein the cartridge includes a housing portion that houses a developer and has a discharge port for the developer, a stirring member rotatably provided inside the housing portion, a variable volume pump provided in the housing portion so as to form a developer storage space in the cartridge together with the housing portion, a seal member having a seal portion attached to the inner wall of the housing portion so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing portion fixed to the stirring member, the seal member being such that the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall by rotation of the stirring member, and comprising: wherein the apparatus main body includes a first drive unit that provides a first driving force for driving the stirring member to the cartridge, a second drive unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge, in an image forming apparatus comprising: the second drive unit is characterized in that, when the cartridge is unused, after the first drive unit starts providing the first driving force, the second drive unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge. (Configuration 13) The interior of the housing portion is partitioned such that a housing chamber in which the stirring member is disposed and a discharge chamber in which the discharge port is provided communicate with each other, The cartridge further includes a screw member rotatably provided inside the accommodating portion, and is configured to form a flow of developer that moves from the accommodating chamber to the discharge chamber by rotating in a first rotation direction in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. The second driving force is a driving force that drives the screw member together with the pump. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12, wherein when the cartridge is unused, the second driving force provided to the cartridge is a driving force that rotates the screw member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. (Configuration 14) The pump is provided in the accommodating portion so as to communicate with the discharge chamber, and in a state where the cartridge is unused, is in an extended state in which the volume of the accommodating portion is expanded, according to the image forming apparatus of configuration 12 or 13. (Configuration 15) In the supply operation in which the cartridge supplies the developer to the image forming portion, the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge, and the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge, so that the developer in the accommodating chamber is conveyed toward the screw member by the rotation of the stirring member, and the developer is conveyed from the accommodating chamber toward the discharge chamber by the rotation of the screw member, and the developer inside the discharge chamber is discharged from the discharge port by a change in the volume of the discharge chamber by the pump. This is performed, and the image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 12 to 14 is characterized. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 12 to 14, wherein the supply operation is performed when the amount of the developer accommodated in the image forming portion becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount in the image forming operation. (Configuration 16) The supply operation is performed when the amount of the developer accommodated in the image forming portion becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount in the image forming operation, according to the image forming apparatus of any one of configurations 12 to 15. (Configuration 17) The stirring member a rotating shaft, A stirring part, which is a flexible sheet-like member having a fixing part to be fixed to the rotating shaft, and an end part side away from the fixing part contacts the inner wall of the accommodating part. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 12 to 16, characterized by having .

Explanation of reference numerals

[0092] A... Printer main body, B... Process cartridge, C... Toner cartridge, S... Sheet, 1... Laser printer, 30... Toner supply part, 30a... Toner accommodating part, 31... Supply part frame body, 31a... Toner discharge port, 31b... Toner discharge chamber, 32... Supply part lid, 35... Toner accommodating part screw member, 36... Toner accommodating part stirring and conveying member, 37... Pump unit, 38... Stirring input gear, 38b... Stirring gear, 39... Pump-screw input gear, 39a... Cam drive gear, 39b... Cam gear, 39c... Toner accommodating part screw drive gear, 80... Seal member, 81... Toner discharge chamber, 82... Heat welding part, 90... Memory

Claims

1. An apparatus main body including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer; A cartridge configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body and to be able to supply a developer to the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: The cartridge includes: A storage unit that stores a developer and has a discharge port for the developer; A stirring member rotatably provided inside the storage unit; A variable-volume pump provided in the storage unit so as to form a storage space for the developer in the cartridge together with the storage unit; A seal member having a seal portion attached to the inner wall of the storage unit so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing portion fixed to the stirring member, wherein the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall by the rotation of the stirring member; Comprising: The apparatus main body includes: A first driving unit that provides a first driving force for driving the stirring member to the cartridge; A second driving unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge; In an image forming apparatus comprising: The second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force and the seal portion is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall, and the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the storage unit when the cartridge is unused. The image forming apparatus is characterized by this.

2. In the initial operation that is performed prior to the image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material, when the cartridge is unused, the second driving unit starts providing the first driving force by the first driving unit and the seal portion is at least partially peeled off from the inner wall, and the discharge port communicates the inside and the outside of the storage unit. After that, the second driving force is provided to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. When the cartridge is unused, the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge and the seal portion is peeled off from the inner wall. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

4. The second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge after the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge to peel the sealing portion from the inner wall when the cartridge is unused, and after the first driving unit stops providing the first driving force to the cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The first driving force provided to the cartridge when peeling the sealing portion from the inner wall is a driving force at which the rotational speed of the stirring member is slower than the first driving force provided to the cartridge in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The inside of the accommodating portion is partitioned so that an accommodating chamber in which the stirring member is disposed and a discharging chamber provided with the discharge port communicate with each other. The cartridge is a screw member rotatably provided inside the accommodating portion, and in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material, the developer Further includes a screw member configured to be able to form a flow of the developer that moves from the accommodating chamber to the discharging chamber by rotating in a first rotation direction. The second driving force is a driving force that drives the screw member together with the pump. The second driving force provided to the cartridge when the cartridge is unused is a driving force that rotates the screw member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The pump is provided in the accommodating portion so as to communicate with the discharging chamber, and when the cartridge is unused, is in an extended state in which the volume of the accommodating portion is expanded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The supply operation in which the cartridge supplies the developer to the image forming unit is performed by the first driving unit providing the first driving force to the cartridge and the second driving unit providing the second driving force to the cartridge, so that the developer in the storage chamber is conveyed toward the screw member by the rotation of the stirring member, the developer is conveyed from the storage chamber toward the discharge chamber by the rotation of the screw member, and the developer inside the discharge chamber is discharged from the discharge port by the volume change of the discharge chamber by the pump. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it is performed.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the supply operation is performed when the amount of the developer accommodated in the image forming unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount in the image forming operation.

10. The stirring member has a rotating shaft, a stirring part which is a flexible sheet-like member having a fixing part fixed to the rotating shaft, and an end part side away from the fixing part contacts the inner wall of the accommodating part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it has.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge further includes a memory for storing information on whether the cartridge is unused.

12. An apparatus main body including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using a developer, a cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body and is configured to be able to supply a developer to the image forming unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: The cartridge has a storage part that stores a developer and has a discharge port for the developer, a stirring member rotatably provided inside the storage part, a volume-variable pump provided in the storage part so as to form a storage space for the developer in the cartridge together with the storage part, a seal member having a seal part attached to the inner wall of the storage part so as to seal the discharge port when the cartridge is unused, and a fixing part fixed to the stirring member, and the seal part is peeled off from the inner wall by the rotation of the stirring member. Comprising The apparatus main body has a first driving unit that provides a first driving force for driving the stirring member to the cartridge, a second driving unit that provides a second driving force for driving the pump to the cartridge, In an image forming apparatus comprising The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when the cartridge is unused, after the first driving unit starts providing the first driving force, the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge.

13. The interior of the housing portion is partitioned such that a housing chamber in which the stirring member is disposed and a discharge chamber in which the discharge port is provided communicate with each other. The cartridge is a screw member rotatably provided inside the housing portion, and is configured to be able to form a flow of developer that moves from the housing chamber to the discharge chamber by rotating in a first rotation direction in an image forming operation of forming an image on a recording material. The cartridge further includes a screw member. The second driving force is a driving force that drives the screw member together with the pump. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, when the cartridge is unused, the second driving force provided to the cartridge is a driving force that rotates the screw member in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

14. The pump is provided in the housing portion so as to communicate with the discharge chamber, and when the cartridge is unused, the housing portion is in an extended state in which the volume of the housing portion is expanded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. In the supply operation in which the cartridge supplies developer to the image forming unit, the first driving unit provides the first driving force to the cartridge, and the second driving unit provides the second driving force to the cartridge. As a result, the developer in the housing chamber is conveyed toward the screw member by the rotation of the stirring member, the developer is conveyed from the housing chamber toward the discharge chamber by the rotation of the screw member, and the developer inside the discharge chamber is discharged from the discharge port due to the volume change of the discharge chamber by the pump. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the supply operation is performed in this manner.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the supply operation is performed when the amount of developer accommodated in the image forming unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount during the image forming operation.

17. The stirring member has a rotation shaft and a stirring portion that is a flexible sheet-like member having a fixing portion fixed to the rotation shaft, and an end portion side away from the fixing portion contacts the inner wall of the housing portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized by having

Images