Developer storage body, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent leakage of developer from a developer storage body.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge (developer storage body) 3 has: a frame body 30 that stores toner (developer); a stirring bar (rotating member) 40 that is partially inserted into a hole part 33b provided in the frame body 30, and stirs or conveys the toner inside the frame body 30; and a seal member 50 that is sandwiched between the frame body 30 and the stirring bar 40 in a direction of a rotation axis Ax of the stirring bar 40. A contact surface 33a of the frame body 30 in contact with the seal member 50 is formed with a plurality of holes 33c in a circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis Ax, and has a contact area A1 (first contact area) in which a first contact part 33d is formed between the adjacent holes 33c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a developer container that contains developer, and an image forming unit and an image forming apparatus that include the developer container. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a developer container that includes a frame that contains developer and a rotating member that stirs or transports the developer within the frame (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-26934 A (see, for example, the Abstract) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional developer containers have a problem in that developer leaks from the end of the rotating member to the outside of the frame.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to suppress leakage of developer from a developer accommodating body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The developer container of the present disclosure includes a frame that contains the developer, a rotating member that is partially inserted into a hole provided in the frame and that stirs or transports the developer inside the frame, and a sealing member that is sandwiched between the frame and the rotating member in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating member. The contact surface of the frame that contacts the sealing member has a first contact region in which a plurality of holes are formed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and first contact portions are formed between adjacent holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the present disclosure, the seal member engages with a hole formed in the first contact area of ​​the contact surface of the frame, restricting the movement of the seal member, thereby maintaining constant sealing pressure between the seal member and the frame and between the seal member and the rotating member, and preventing developer leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1A is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge and a unit main body according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an image forming unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view showing an inner case, an operating lever, and a stirring bar of an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the stirring bar and a gear. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view showing a state before a stirring bar is attached to a frame of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the contact surface of the frame and its surroundings. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which a stirring bar is attached to a frame of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a seal member and its surroundings. [Figure 8] 1A is a front view showing the contact surface of the frame of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing the contact surface of the abutting portion of the support member. [Figure 9] 1A is a perspective view showing a state before a stirring bar is attached to a frame of a toner cartridge of a comparative example, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the contact surface of the frame and its surroundings. [Figure 10]1A is a perspective view showing a state in which a stirring bar is attached to a frame of a toner cartridge of a comparative example, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing a sealing member and its surroundings. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the contact surface of the opposing portion of the support member of the comparative example. [Figure 12] 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic diagrams showing examples of the shape of a hole in a frame of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10> First, a description will be given of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a printer that forms images using an electrophotographic process.

[0010] The image forming device 10 includes a medium supply section 60 that supplies a medium M such as printing paper, an image forming unit 1 that forms an image, a fixing device 70 that fixes the image on the medium M, a medium discharge section 80 that discharges the medium M, and a device housing 10A that houses these components.

[0011] The medium supply unit 60 includes a medium cassette 61 , a pickup roller 62 , a feed roller 63 , a retard roller 64 , a registration roller 65 , and a transport roller 66 .

[0012] The medium cassette 61 stores media M such as printing paper. The pickup roller 62 pulls out the media M one by one from the medium cassette 61. The feed roller 63 and the retard roller 64 separate the pulled out media M one by one and send them out to the transport path P1.

[0013] The registration rollers 65 are a pair of rollers that correct the skew of the medium M sent out to the conveying path P1 and then convey the medium M further. The conveying rollers 66 are a pair of rollers that convey the medium M to the image forming unit 1 along the conveying path P2.

[0014] The image forming unit 1 is also called an image drum unit (ID unit), a process unit, or a developing device. The image forming unit 1 has a unit main body 2 as a main body portion, and a toner cartridge 3 as a developer container.

[0015] The unit main body 2 has a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, a developing roller 14 as a developer carrier, a supply roller 15 as a supply member, a developing blade 16 as a layer regulating member, and a cleaning member 17.

[0016] The photoreceptor drum 11 is a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer on the surface of a conductive support. The photosensitive layer is a laminate of a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. The photoreceptor drum 11 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 by rotation transmitted from a drum motor (not shown).

[0017] An exposure head 13 serving as an exposure device is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 11. The exposure head 13 has an LED array in which LEDs (light-emitting diodes) serving as light-emitting elements are arranged, and a lens array, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light. The exposure head 13 is suspended and supported by a top cover 10B that covers the top of the device housing 10A.

[0018] The charging roller 12 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11. The charging roller 12 has a metal shaft (core), an elastic layer formed on the surface of the shaft, and a surface layer formed on the surface of the elastic layer. A charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 12, which uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0019] The developing roller 14 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and rotates in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 11 (the direction in which the surface moves at the contact point is the forward direction). The developing roller 14 has a metal shaft and an elastic layer formed on the surface of the shaft. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 14, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is developed with toner (developer).

[0020] Supply roller 15 is disposed so as to contact the surface of developing roller 14, and rotates in the same direction as developing roller 14 (the direction in which the surface moves in the contact area is opposite to that of developing roller 14. Supply roller 15 has a metal shaft and an elastic layer formed on the surface of the shaft.

[0021] The developing blade 16 is a blade made by bending a metal plate member, and the bent portion is pressed against the surface of the developing roller 14. The developing blade 16 regulates the thickness of the toner layer (developer layer) on the surface of the developing roller 14.

[0022] The cleaning member 17 is, for example, a resin blade or roller that is arranged to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The cleaning member 17 removes toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the transfer of a toner image, which will be described later.

[0023] A transfer roller 18 serving as a transfer unit is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The transfer roller 18 has a metal shaft and a semiconductive elastic layer formed on the surface of the shaft. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 18, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the medium M passing between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 18.

[0024] The fixing device 70 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 1 in the transport direction of the medium M. The fixing device 70 has a fixing roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The fixing roller 71 has a built-in heater such as a halogen lamp. The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the fixing roller 71 to form a fixing nip. The fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 heat and pressurize the medium M to fix the toner image to the medium M.

[0025] The medium discharge section 80 has discharge rollers 81 and 82 that transport the medium M that has passed through the fixing device 70 along the transport path P3 and discharge it from a discharge opening 83. A stacker section 84 on which the discharged medium M is placed is formed in the top cover 10B.

[0026] Furthermore, for double-sided printing, the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with a re-conveying unit 90 that turns over the medium M with the toner image fixed on its surface and conveys (re-conveys) it to the conveying rollers 66. In this case, a re-conveying path P4 branching off from the conveying path P3 and a selector 91 that switches the conveying direction are provided.

[0027] During re-conveyance, discharge rollers 81 and 82 rotate forward to draw medium M into conveyance path P3, and then reverse to send medium M out of conveyance path P3. Selector 91 guides medium M sent out from conveyance path P3 to re-conveyance path P4. Conveyance rollers 92, 93, 94, and 95 are arranged along re-conveyance path P4, and convey medium M along re-conveyance path P4. Re-conveyance path P4 merges with conveyance path P1 upstream of conveyance roller 66.

[0028] In Figure 1, the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11 is the X direction. The X direction is the axial direction of each roller in the image forming device 10 and is also the width direction of the medium M being transported. The direction of movement of the medium M as it passes through the image forming unit 1 is the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is the Z direction. Here, the Z direction is the up-down direction.

[0029] Although the image forming device 10 is configured to form a monochrome image using the image forming unit 1, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the image forming device 10 may be configured to form a color image by arranging multiple image forming units for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, etc. in the transport direction of the medium M. In this case, a transfer unit having a transfer roller and a transfer belt may be used.

[0030] <Configuration of image forming unit 1> Next, a further description will be given of the configuration of the image forming unit 1. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view showing the unit main body 2 and the toner cartridge 3 of the image forming unit 1.

[0031] 2(A), the image forming unit 1 has a unit main body 2 and a toner cartridge 3 that is detachably attached to the unit main body 2. The toner cartridge 3 has a frame 30 that contains toner as a developer, and an operating lever 35 that is provided at the end of the frame 30 in the +X direction.

[0032] The unit main body 2 is provided with a mounting portion 21 for mounting the toner cartridge 3. The mounting portion 21 has a wall portion 21b in the +X direction and a wall portion 21c in the -X direction. A rib 21a serving as a fitting portion is formed on the wall portion 21b.

[0033] 2(B) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 3 is attached to the unit main body 2. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the toner cartridge 3 is attached to the attachment portion 21 of the unit main body 2.

[0034] In this state, the rib 21a (FIG. 2(A)) of the mounting portion 21 engages with a groove (not shown) formed in the operating lever 35 of the toner cartridge 3, locking the toner cartridge 3 so that it does not come off the mounting portion 21.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire toner cartridge 3. Fig. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner supply port 31h (described later) of the toner cartridge 3 is open. Fig. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner supply port 31h of the toner cartridge 3 is closed.

[0036] 3, the toner cartridge 3 has a shape that is long in the X direction as a whole. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the toner cartridge 3 has a frame 30 that has an outer case 31 as an outer casing and an inner case 32 as an inner casing (or an opening / closing member) provided inside the outer case 31.

[0037] The outer case 31 has a substantially semi-cylindrical lower case portion 31a centered on a rotation axis Ax in the X direction, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped upper case portion 31d. A toner supply port 31h serving as a developer supply port is formed in the lower case portion 31a.

[0038] The inner case 32 has a semi-cylindrical bottom wall portion 32a centered on the rotation axis Ax, and a plurality of beams 32b (see FIG. 5(A)) provided on the opposite side of the bottom wall portion 32a (upper side in the figure) across the rotation axis Ax. The plurality of beams 32b extend to form a truss structure.

[0039] A bottom wall portion 32a of the inner case 32 is provided so as to contact the inner circumferential surface of the case lower portion 31a of the outer case 31. The inner case 32 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the case lower portion 31a of the outer case 31 by a protrusion 31g extending from the case upper portion 31d of the outer case 31. In other words, the inner case 32 is held within the outer case 31 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax.

[0040] An opening 32h corresponding to the toner supply opening 31h of the outer case 31 is formed in the bottom wall 32a of the inner case 32. As shown in Fig. 4(A), when the opening 32h of the inner case 32 and the toner supply opening 31h of the outer case 31 overlap with each other, the toner supply opening 31h is opened.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the opening 32h of the inner case 32 and the toner supply opening 31h of the outer case 31 do not overlap, the toner supply opening 31h is closed by the bottom wall portion 32a of the inner case 32.

[0042] 3, outer case 31 has a wall portion 31b in the +X direction and a wall portion 31c in the -X direction. Wall portion 31b of outer case 31 is formed with a cylindrical portion 31e that protrudes in the +X direction. Cylindrical portion 31e is a cylindrical portion centered on rotation axis Ax.

[0043] Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view showing the inner case 32, the operating lever 35, and the stirring bar 40 (described later) of the toner cartridge 3. Fig. 5(B) is a perspective view showing the stirring bar 40 and the gear 38 (described later).

[0044] 5(A), the inner case 32 has a cylindrical portion 32e centered on the rotation axis Ax and extending in the +X direction relative to the bottom wall portion 32a and the beams 32b. The cylindrical portion 32e of the inner case 32 is held inside the cylindrical portion 31e (FIG. 3) of the outer case 31. The cylindrical portion 32e of the inner case 32 protrudes in the +X direction from the cylindrical portion 31e of the outer case 31.

[0045] An operating lever 35 is integrally formed on the end of the cylindrical portion 32e of the inner case 32 in the +X direction. The operating lever 35 is a part that is rotated by the user and has a grip portion 35a. When the operating lever 35 is operated, the inner case 32 rotates about the rotation axis Ax, opening and closing the toner supply port 31h (FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0046] Furthermore, an annular groove 32f is formed in the cylindrical portion 32e of the inner case 32, with which the engaging portion 31f (FIG. 6A) of the outer case 31 engages. The groove 32f of the cylindrical portion 32e engages with the engaging portion 31f of the outer case 31, thereby preventing toner from leaking from the gap between the cylindrical portions 31e and 32e.

[0047] A stirring bar 40 serving as a rotating member is provided inside inner case 32. Stirring bar 40 has a stirring shaft 41 serving as an axial member extending in the X direction, a flexible stirring film 42 serving as a stirring portion attached to stirring shaft 41, and a support member 43 fixed to the +X direction end of stirring shaft 41. The central axis of stirring shaft 41 coincides with rotation axis Ax.

[0048] 5(B) is a perspective view showing the stirring bar 40 and gear 38. Ribs 41a are formed at multiple locations in the X direction on the stirring shaft 41 of the stirring bar 40. The extension direction of the ribs 41a is perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax. A support plate 41b that is long in the X direction is attached to the tip of the rib 41a.

[0049] Agitation film 42 is fixed to support plate 41b of agitation shaft 41. Agitation film 42 has an attachment portion 42b fixed to support plate 41b and an extension portion 42a bent at approximately 90 degrees relative to attachment portion 42b.

[0050] When the agitation shaft 41 of the agitation bar 40 rotates, the agitation film 42 rotates so as to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the inner case 32, agitating the toner. In addition, the support plate 41b of the agitation shaft 41 is slightly curved in the X direction so as to transport the toner toward the opening 32h formed in the center of the inner case 32 in the X direction.

[0051] The central portion 42c in the X direction of the extending portion 42a of the agitating film 42 has a longer radial length about the rotation axis Ax than the other portions. Similarly, the central portion 42d in the X direction of the mounting portion 42b of the agitating film 42 has a longer radial length than the other portions.

[0052] 5A, the central portion 42c of the extending portion 42a protrudes from the opening 32h of the inner case 32, ensuring that the toner is discharged from the opening 32h. The same applies to the central portion 42d of the mounting portion 42b.

[0053] In Figure 5(A), the agitation film 42 is shown as penetrating the inner case 32 and protruding radially outward, but in reality, the agitation film 42 is located inside the inner case 32 except for the central portions 42c and 42d.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 5(B), a gear 38 serving as a power transmission member is attached to the +X-direction end of the stirring shaft 41 of the stirring bar 40 via a support member 43. The gear 38 is located inside the operating lever 35 as shown in Fig. 5(A), and is exposed to the outside through an opening 35b formed in the operating lever 35.

[0055] Rotation from a drum gear (not shown) attached to the photosensitive drum 11 (FIG. 1) is transmitted to the gear 38. The rotation of the gear 38 is transmitted to the agitation shaft 41 via the support member 43 of the agitation bar 40, causing the agitation bar 40 to rotate about the rotation axis Ax, and as described above, the agitation film 42 rotates so as to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the inner case 32.

[0056] 6(A) is a perspective view showing a state before the stirring bar 40 is attached to the inner case 32. A wall portion 33 perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax is formed at the end portion in the +X direction of the inner case 32 (i.e., the end portion in the +X direction of the cylindrical portion 32e described above).

[0057] A hole 33b into which a part of the support member 43 of the stirring bar 40 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) is inserted is formed in the wall 33 of the inner case 32. The cross-sectional shape of the hole 33b is, for example, circular, and the center of the hole 33b coincides with the rotation axis Ax.

[0058] A contact surface 33a is formed on the −X direction surface of the wall portion 33 of the inner case 32 so as to surround the hole portion 33b. The contact surface 33a is a surface that comes into contact with a sealing member 50, which will be described later. Here, the contact surface 33a is a plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax, but is not limited to a plane.

[0059] Furthermore, an annular peripheral wall portion 33g is formed on the wall portion 33 so as to protrude in the −X direction and be centered on the rotation axis Ax. The peripheral wall portion 33g is a portion that comes into contact with an outer peripheral surface 54 of a sealing member 50, which will be described later.

[0060] The support member 43 of the stirring bar 40 has a shaft 43a that is inserted into the hole 33b in the wall 33, and a hook 43b formed on the end of the shaft 43a in the +X direction. The axial direction of the shaft 43a coincides with the rotation axis Ax. A central hole 43h is formed inside the shaft 43a, into which the tip of the stirring shaft 41 fits.

[0061] A shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 passes through a hole portion 33b in the wall portion 33, and a hook portion 43b at the tip of the shaft portion 43a fits into a fitting hole 38a formed in the center of the gear 38 (see FIG. 7(A)). The gear 38 and the support member 43 are fixed to each other by the fitting of the hook portion 43b into the fitting hole 38a.

[0062] The support member 43 also has a contact portion 44 that extends radially outward from the shaft portion 43a. Here, the contact portion 44 is formed in a plate shape, but it does not necessarily have to be plate-shaped. The contact portion 44 has a contact surface 44a that faces the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 in the direction of the rotation axis Ax (hereinafter also simply referred to as the axial direction).

[0063] The support member 43 has a plurality of engagement pieces 43c that protrude in the −X direction from the abutment portion 44. The engagement pieces 43c engage with the agitation shaft 41 in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis Ax, and rotate the support member 43 and the agitation shaft 41 (and the agitation film 42 attached thereto) integrally.

[0064] A seal member 50 is provided between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 in the axial direction. The seal member 50 is an elastic member such as sponge. The seal member 50 is preferably made of a material such as urethane resin or rubber.

[0065] The sealing member 50 is an annular member centered on the rotation axis Ax. The thickness direction of the sealing member 50 is the direction of the rotation axis Ax (i.e., the axial direction). The shaft 43a of the support member 43 of the stirring bar 40 is inserted into a hole 53 formed in the center of the sealing member 50.

[0066] Before the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 is inserted, it is desirable that the inner diameter of the hole 53 be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 43a. This allows the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 to be tightly attached to the hole 53 when the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 is inserted into the hole 53 of the seal member 50.

[0067] The sealing member 50 has a first surface 51 that contacts the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and a second surface 52 that contacts the abutment portion 44 of the support member 43. The first surface 51 and the second surface 52 are sealing surfaces that prevent toner from leaking out of the frame 30.

[0068] Fig. 6(B) is an enlarged view of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 shown in Fig. 6(A) and its surroundings. As shown in Fig. 6(B), a plurality of holes 33c are formed in the contact surface 33a in the circumferential direction. The holes 33c have a depth in the axial direction. Here, the holes 33c are groove-shaped and elongated in the circumferential direction, but are not limited to being groove-shaped.

[0069] 7(A) is a perspective view showing the state in which the stirring bar 40 is attached to the inner case 32. As shown in FIG. 7(A), the tip of the stirring shaft 41 of the stirring bar 40 fits into the central hole 43h of the support member 43, thereby fixing the stirring bar 40 to the support member 43.

[0070] As described above, the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 is inserted into the hole portion 33b of the wall portion 33. The shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 further protrudes in the +X direction from the hole portion 33b, and the hook portion 43b at the tip of the shaft portion 43a fits into the fitting hole 38a of the gear 38. The gear 38 is fixed to the support member 43 by the fitting hole 38a and the hook portion 43b fitting into each other.

[0071] A protrusion 38b protruding in the −X direction (i.e., toward the wall 33) is formed around the fitting hole 38a of the gear 38. When the hook portion 43b of the support member 43 is fitted into the fitting hole 38a of the gear 38, the protrusion 38b of the gear 38 comes into contact with the wall 33.

[0072] Fig. 7(B) is an enlarged view of the sealing member 50 and its surroundings shown in Fig. 7(A). The sealing member 50 is sandwiched between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 in the axial direction, and is held while being compressed in the axial direction.

[0073] 7(B), by compressing the seal member 50 in the axial direction, the first surface 51 of the seal member 50 comes into close contact with the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33, and the second surface 52 of the seal member 50 comes into close contact with the abutment portion 44 of the support member 43. In addition, the portion of the seal member 50 facing the hole 33c of the wall portion 33 (referred to as the intrusion portion 55) enters the inside of the hole 33c.

[0074] As described above, the central hole 53 of the seal member 50 is in close contact with the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43. The outer peripheral surface 54 of the seal member 50 is also in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 33g formed on the wall portion 33.

[0075] Fig. 8(A) is a plan view showing the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33. As shown in Fig. 8(A), a plurality of holes 33c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33. Here, the number of holes 33c is eight, but is not limited to eight and may be two or more.

[0076] The contact surface 33a has three contact areas A1, A2, and A3 in the radial direction. Of the contact areas A1, A2, and A3, contact area A2 is formed on the innermost side, and contact area A3 is formed on the outermost side. Contact area A1 is formed between contact areas A2 and A3 in the radial direction.

[0077] The contact area A1 has a length L1 in the radial direction, the contact area A2 has a length L2 in the radial direction, and the contact area A3 has a length L3 in the radial direction. Among the lengths L1, L2, and L3, the length L2 is the longest. That is, the length L2 is longer than the length L1 (L1 < L2 holds).

[0078] The above-described hole 33c is formed in the contact area A1. That is, the first contact area where the hole 33c is formed on the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 is the contact area A1.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 8(A), the hole 33c is formed in the contact area A1. Among the contact area A1, between the holes 33c adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, a contact portion 33d as the first contact portion that contacts the seal member 50 is formed.

[0080] The rotation direction of the stirring bar 40 (that is, the rotation direction of the gear 38) is referred to as the rotation direction R. The hole 33c has a first end face C1 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the gear 38, a second end face C2 on the upstream side in the rotation direction, a third end face C3 on the inner peripheral side, and a fourth end face C4 on the outer peripheral side.

[0081] When the gear 38 (FIG. 7(B)) rotates in the rotation direction R, the support member 43 (FIG. 7(B)) fixed to the gear 38 also rotates in the same direction, and the contact portion 44 (FIG. 7(B)), which is a part of the support member 43, also rotates in the same direction. Therefore, the seal member 50 (FIG. 7(B)) that adheres to the contact portion 44 also tries to rotate in the rotation direction R.

[0082] At this time, the first end face C1 of the hole 33c of the wall portion 33 receives a force from the insertion portion 55 of the seal member 50 in the rotation direction R, and restricts the movement (rotation) of the seal member 50 in the rotation direction R. Therefore, the first end face C1 is also referred to as a receiving surface (or an opposing surface, a restricting surface).

[0083] FIG. 8(B) is a plan view showing the contact surface 44a of the contact portion 44 of the support member 43. As shown in FIG. 8(B), the contact surface 44a of the contact portion 44 of the support member 43 is a smooth surface, and no holes or irregularities are formed.

[0084] That is, it is desirable that the contact surface 44a of the contact portion 44 of the support member 43 be in close contact with the second surface 52 (FIG. 7(B)) of the seal member 50, while the frictional force between the contact surface 44a and the second surface 52 is as small as possible.

[0085] It is desirable that the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 does not have holes or irregularities in order to minimize the frictional force with the seal member 50, but it does not necessarily have to be flat and may be, for example, a gently curved surface.

[0086] In the toner cartridge 3 of this embodiment, even if the seal member 50 tries to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 38, the rotation of the seal member 50 is restricted by the hole 33c formed in the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33.

[0087] Therefore, the sealing pressure between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the first surface 51 of the sealing member 50, and the sealing pressure between the second surface 52 of the sealing member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 can be maintained constant, thereby suppressing toner leakage to the outside of the frame body 30 (outer case 31 and inner case 32).

[0088] <Operation of image forming device> Next, the operation (printing process) of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. When the control unit of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print command and print data from a host device, it starts the printing process based on the print job included in the print command.

[0089] When the printing process starts, the pickup roller 62 and feed roller 63 of the medium supply unit 60 rotate to send the media M from the medium cassette 61 one by one to the conveying path P1. Then, the registration roller 65 and the conveying roller 66 convey the media M to the image forming unit 1 along the conveying path P2.

[0090] In the image forming unit 1, a charging voltage, a developing voltage, and a supply voltage are applied to the charging roller 12, the developing roller 14, and the supply roller 15, respectively. In addition, the photosensitive drum 11, the developing roller 14, and the supply roller 15 rotate.

[0091] The charging roller 12 rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11, and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The exposure head 13 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to light, forming an electrostatic latent image.

[0092] The unit main body 2 stores toner supplied from a toner cartridge 3. The toner is supplied to the developing roller 14 by a supply roller 15. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 14 is formed into a thin layer by a developing blade 16.

[0093] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed by the toner on the developing roller 14 to become a toner image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the medium M passing between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 18 by a transfer voltage applied to the transfer roller 18. The medium M to which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 70.

[0094] In the fixing device 70, a fixing nip is formed between a fixing roller 71 heated to a predetermined fixing temperature and a pressure roller 72. The medium M is heated and pressurized in the fixing nip between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72, and the toner image is fixed to the medium M. The medium M with the fixed toner image is discharged from a discharge port 83 by discharge rollers 81 and 82 and stacked on a stacker unit 84.

[0095] In the above printing operation, the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11 is transmitted via a gear train to a gear 38 (FIG. 5B) of the toner cartridge 3. When the gear 38 rotates, the stirring bar 40 fixed to the gear 38 rotates around the rotation axis Ax.

[0096] As the stirring bar 40 rotates, the stirring film 42 stirs the toner in the frame 30 (outer case 31 and inner case 32) and transports it toward the opening 32h of the inner case 32. As a result, the toner in the frame 30 of the toner cartridge 3 is supplied from the toner supply port 31h into the unit main body 2 and used to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0097] When the amount of toner remaining in the image forming unit 1 becomes less than the specified amount, the user replaces the toner cartridge 3. In this case, the operating lever 35 shown in FIG. 2B is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B. The rotation of the operating lever 35 rotates the inner case 32, and the bottom wall portion 32a of the inner case 32 closes the toner supply port 31h of the outer case 31, as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0098] Furthermore, as the operating lever 35 rotates as described above, the engagement between a groove (not shown) in the operating lever 35 and the rib 21a (FIG. 2A) of the unit body 2 is released. In this state, the toner cartridge 3 is removed from the mounting portion 21 of the unit body 2 by lifting the unit body 2 as shown by the arrow b in FIG.

[0099] When installing a new toner cartridge 3 in the unit body 2, the toner cartridge 3 is attached to the installation portion 21 of the unit body 2 as shown by arrow a in Fig. 2(A). Then, the operating lever 35 is rotated in the direction shown by arrow A in Fig. 2(B). The rotation of the operating lever 35 rotates the inner case 32, and as shown in Fig. 4(A), the opening 32h of the inner case 32 and the toner supply port 31h of the outer case 31 overlap with each other, opening the toner supply port 31h.

[0100] Furthermore, as the operating lever 35 rotates as described above, the rib 21a of the unit body 2 engages with the groove of the operating lever 35, locking the toner cartridge 3 to the unit body 2. This allows toner to be supplied from the toner cartridge 3 to the unit body 2.

[0101] <effect> The operation of the first embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example. Figure 9(A) is a perspective view showing the state before the stirring bar 40 is attached to the inner case 32 of the toner cartridge of the comparative example. Figure 9(B) is an enlarged view of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 shown in Figure 9(A) and its surroundings. For ease of explanation, the components of the toner cartridge of the comparative example will be described using the same reference numerals as the components of the toner cartridge 3 of the first embodiment.

[0102] Fig. 10(A) is a perspective view showing the state in which the stirring bar 40 is attached to the inner case 32 of the toner cartridge of the comparative example. Fig. 10(B) is an enlarged view of the sealing member 50 and its surroundings shown in Fig. 10(A). Fig. 11 is a front view showing the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 of the toner cartridge of the comparative example.

[0103] 9(A), (B) and 11, in the toner cartridge of the comparative example, no hole 33c is formed in the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33. In other respects, the toner cartridge of the comparative example is configured similarly to the toner cartridge 3 of the first embodiment.

[0104] As shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), when the shaft portion 43a of the support member 43 is inserted into the hole portion 33b of the wall portion 33 and the hook portion 43b is fitted into the mating hole 38a of the gear 38, the first surface 51 of the sealing member 50 comes into close contact with the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33, and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 comes into close contact with the second surface 52 of the sealing member 50.

[0105] In the comparative example toner cartridge, when the stirring bar 40 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 38, the frictional force between the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 of the support member 43 and the second surface 52 of the sealing member 50 may cause the sealing member 50 to rotate in the same direction as the gear 38.

[0106] Rotation of the seal member 50 may cause deformation of the seal member 50. In addition, the sealing pressure between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the first surface 51 of the seal member 50 may decrease, and the sealing pressure between the second surface 52 of the seal member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 may also decrease.

[0107] As a result, there is a possibility that toner may leak outside the frame body 30 of the toner cartridge, passing between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the first surface 51 of the sealing member 50, and between the second surface 52 of the sealing member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44.

[0108] In order to prevent such toner leakage, it is conceivable to reduce the frictional force between the second surface 52 of the seal member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the abutting portion 44, but it is difficult to accurately control the frictional force.

[0109] In contrast, in the toner cartridge 3 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), even if the stirring bar 40 rotates and the sealing member 50 attempts to rotate due to the frictional force between the contact surface 44a of the abutment portion 44 and the second surface 52 of the sealing member 50, the rotation of the sealing member 50 is restricted by the hole 33c formed in the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33.

[0110] This prevents deformation of the seal member 50, and also keeps constant the sealing pressure between the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 and the first surface 51 of the seal member 50, and the sealing pressure between the second surface 52 of the seal member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the abutting portion 44. As a result, toner leakage to the outside of the frame 30 of the toner cartridge 3 can be suppressed.

[0111] 8A, of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33, the contact area A1 (first contact area) where the hole 33c is formed acts to restrict the movement of the seal member 50. The contact area A2 (second contact area) of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 acts to restrict the passage of toner, i.e., acts to seal the toner. In addition, the contact area A3 (third contact area) of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 also acts to seal the toner.

[0112] The contact area A1 (first contact area) where the hole 33c is formed is located radially outward of the contact area A2 (second contact area) that enhances the sealing performance, and the radial length L2 of the contact area A2 is longer than the radial length L1 of the contact area A1, so that even if the seal member 50 enters the hole 33c and bends, the sealing performance in the second contact area can be ensured, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing toner leakage.

[0113] As described above, the radial length L2 of the contact area A2 (second contact area) is longer than the radial length L1 of the contact area A1 (first contact area). Furthermore, the radial length L2 of the contact area A2 (second contact area) is preferably 2 mm or more, for example, 2.38 mm.

[0114] To maximize the toner sealing performance, it is most desirable that the radial length L2 of the contact area A2 (second contact area) be longer than the radial length L1 of the contact area A1 (first contact area) and be 2 mm or more.

[0115] However, this is not limited to the above example, and the toner sealing performance can be improved if the radial length L2 of the contact area A2 (second contact area) is longer than the radial length L1 of the contact area A1 (first contact area) or is 2 mm or more.

[0116] 8(A), the holes 33c may extend to the contact area A3 (third contact area). Alternatively, the holes may be formed only in the radially innermost contact area A2 of the contact surface 33a of the wall portion 33 (in this case, the contact area A2 becomes the first contact area).

[0117] 12A, 12B, and 12C are schematic diagrams showing examples of the shape of the hole 33c formed in the contact surface 33a. In the example shown in Fig. 12A, the first end face C1 (receiving surface) of the hole 33c extends in the radial direction centered on the rotation axis Ax.

[0118] When the first end face C1 of the hole 33c extends radially, the first end face C1 can most strongly suppress movement of the insertion portion 55 (Figure 7(B)) of the sealing member 50 in the rotational direction R, thereby most effectively restricting the movement of the sealing member 50.

[0119] However, as shown in Figure 12(B), the extension direction of the first end face C1 of the hole 33c may be a direction other than the radial direction centered on the rotation axis Ax, and in this case, the effect of restricting the movement of the seal member 50 can also be obtained.

[0120] 12(C), the first end face C1 of the hole 33c may be formed by two end face portions C11, C12, and the boundary portion D between them may be formed so as to be located most downstream in the rotation direction R.

[0121] In the above explanation, the toner cartridge 3 has been described as an example of a developer container, but the developer container is not limited to the toner cartridge 3 and may be any container in which toner (developer) is contained inside a frame and a sealing member is provided. For example, the developer container may be the unit main body 2 of the image forming unit 1, or a belt unit including a transfer belt.

[0122] Furthermore, the part of the stirring bar 40 that comes into contact with the sealing member 50 is not limited to the abutting portion 44 of the support member 43, but may be another part of the stirring bar 40. For example, the abutting portion with the sealing member 50 may be provided on the stirring shaft 41.

[0123] Furthermore, the rotating member of the developer accommodating body is not limited to the stirring bar 40, but may be any member that stirs or transports toner. Furthermore, the stirring bar 40 is not limited to one having the stirring shaft 41, the stirring film 42, and the support member 43. For example, the stirring shaft 41 and the support member 43 may be integrally formed.

[0124] Although the example in which the contact surface 33a with the seal member 50 is formed on the wall portion 33 of the inner case 32 has been described, the contact surface may be formed on another member. For example, the contact surface may be formed on the outer case 31.

[0125] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes frame 30 that accommodates developer, stirring bar 40 (rotating member) that stirs or transports the developer inside frame 30, and seal member 50 that is sandwiched between frame 30 and stirring bar 40 in the direction of rotation axis Ax. Contact surface 33a of frame 30 that contacts seal member 50 has a plurality of holes 33c formed in the circumferential direction, and has contact area A1 (first contact area) in which contact portions 33d (first contact portions) are formed between adjacent holes 33c.

[0126] With this configuration, the movement (rotation) of the seal member 50 can be regulated by the hole 33c formed in the contact area A1 (first contact area) of the contact surface 33a of the frame 30. This maintains the sealing pressure between the contact surface 33a of the frame 30 and the seal member 50, as well as the contact state between the seal member 50 and the contact surface 44a of the stirring bar 40, and prevents toner from leaking outside the frame 30 of the toner cartridge 3.

[0127] Furthermore, the contact surface 33a of the frame body 30 has a contact area A2 (second contact area) formed as an approximately flat surface in a region different from the contact area A1 (first contact area) in the radial direction, and therefore, contact between the second contact area of ​​the contact surface 33a and the sealing member 50 can enhance the effect of restricting toner leakage (sealing effect).

[0128] Furthermore, since the contact area A2 (second contact area) is located radially inward of the contact area A1 (first contact area), the effect of restricting the movement of the seal member 50 in the contact area A1 can be enhanced, and the toner sealing effect in the contact area A2 can be enhanced.

[0129] Furthermore, since a portion of the seal member 50 (the insertion portion 55) is inserted into at least one of the holes 33c, the portion of the seal member 50 engages with the hole 33c, thereby enhancing the effect of restricting the movement of the seal member 50.

[0130] Furthermore, at least one of the multiple holes 33c in the contact surface 33a has a first end face C1 that serves as a receiving portion that receives force from a part of the sealing member 50 (insertion portion 55) in the rotational direction of the stirring bar 40, thereby further enhancing the effect of restricting the movement of the sealing member 50.

[0131] Furthermore, the first end surface C1 (receiving surface) of the hole 33c is an edge extending in the radial direction about the rotation axis Ax, and therefore the effect of restricting the movement of the seal member 50 can be maximized.

[0132] Although the preferred embodiments have been specifically described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made.

[0133] The image forming apparatuses according to the embodiments can be used as, for example, printers, copiers, facsimiles, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals), and the like.

[0134] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a frame that accommodates a developer; a rotating member, a part of which is inserted into a hole formed in the frame, for stirring or transporting the developer inside the frame; a seal member sandwiched between the frame and the rotary member in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary member; and The contact surface of the frame that contacts the seal member is A first contact region is formed in which a plurality of holes are formed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and a first contact portion is formed between adjacent holes. A developer container characterized by: (Appendix 2) The contact surface of the frame body is a second contact area formed in a substantially flat plane in a region different from the first contact area in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis; 2. The developer container according to claim 1, (Appendix 3) The second contact area is provided radially inward of the first contact area. 3. The developer container according to claim 2, (Appendix 4) A length L1 of the first contact region in the radial direction is shorter than a length L2 of the second contact region in the radial direction. 4. The developer container according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 5) A portion of the sealing member extends into at least one of the plurality of holes. 5. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container comprises: (Appendix 6) At least one of the plurality of holes has a receiving surface that receives a force from the portion of the seal member in the rotational direction of the rotary member. 6. The developer accommodating body according to claim 5, (Appendix 7) The receiving surface extends in a radial direction about the rotation axis. 7. The developer container according to claim 6, (Appendix 8) The rotating member is a shaft member rotatable around the rotation axis; a support member that supports the shaft member and is inserted into the hole; and The support member has a contact portion that sandwiches the seal member between itself and the frame. 8. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container comprises: (Appendix 9) a power transmission member that transmits power to the rotating member, the power transmission member being disposed outside the frame; The rotating member has a second fitting portion that fits into the first fitting portion of the power transmission member. 9. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: (Appendix 10) a frame that accommodates a developer; a rotating member, a part of which is inserted into a hole formed in the frame, for stirring or transporting the developer inside the frame; a seal member sandwiched between the frame and the rotary member in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary member; and The contact surface of the frame that contacts the seal member is a first contact region in which a plurality of holes are formed in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and a first contact portion is formed between adjacent holes, and which restricts movement of the seal member relative to the frame; a second contact area formed in a region different from the first contact area in a radial direction around the rotation axis and sealing the developer; A developer container comprising: (Appendix 11) A developer accommodating body according to any one of appendixes 1 to 10; a unit main body to which the developer container is attached, The unit body is an image carrier; a developer carrier that carries a developer and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; a supply member that supplies developer to the developer carrier; An image forming unit comprising: (Appendix 12) an image forming unit according to Supplementary Note 11; a transfer section that transfers the developer image formed by the image forming unit onto a medium; a fixing unit that fixes the developer image transferred onto the medium to the medium; An image forming apparatus comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming unit, 2 unit main body, 3 toner cartridge (developer container), 10 image forming device, 11 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 12 charging roller (charging member), 13 exposure head (exposure device), 14 developing roller (developer carrier), 15 supply roller (supply member), 18 transfer roller (transfer member), 21 mounting portion, 30 frame, 31 outer case, 31a bottom, 31h toner supply port, 32 inner case, 32a bottom wall, 32h opening, 33 wall, 33a contact surface, 33b hole, 33c hole, 33g peripheral wall, 35 operation lever, 38 gear (driving member), 38a mating hole (first mating portion), 40 Stirring bar (rotating member), 41 stirring shaft (shaft portion), 42 stirring film (stirring portion), 43 support member, 43a shaft portion (insertion portion), 43b hook portion (second fitting portion), 44 abutment portion, 44a contact surface, 50 sealing member, 51 first surface, 52 second surface, 53 hole portion, 54 outer periphery, 60 media supply portion, 70 fixing device, 80 media discharge portion, Ax rotating shaft, C1 first edge (abutment surface), M media.

Claims

1. a frame that accommodates a developer; a rotating member, a part of which is inserted into a hole formed in the frame, for stirring or transporting the developer inside the frame; a seal member sandwiched between the frame and the rotary member in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary member; and The contact surface of the frame that contacts the seal member is A first contact region is formed in which a plurality of holes are formed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and a first contact portion is formed between adjacent holes. A developer container characterized by:

2. The contact surface of the frame body is a second contact area formed in a substantially flat plane in a region different from the first contact area in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis; 2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

3. The second contact area is provided radially inward of the first contact area.

3. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

4. A length L1 of the first contact region in the radial direction is shorter than a length L2 of the second contact region in the radial direction.

4. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

5. A portion of the sealing member extends into at least one of the plurality of holes.

4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for storing developer.

6. At least one of the plurality of holes has a receiving surface that receives a force from the portion of the seal member in the rotational direction of the rotary member.

6. The developer container according to claim 5, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

7. The receiving surface extends in a radial direction about the rotation axis.

7. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

8. The rotating member is a shaft member rotatable around the rotation axis; a support member that supports the shaft member and is inserted into the hole; and The support member has a contact portion that sandwiches the seal member between itself and the frame.

4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for storing developer.

9. a power transmission member that transmits power to the rotating member, the power transmission member being disposed outside the frame; The rotating member has a second fitting portion that fits into the first fitting portion of the power transmission member.

4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for storing developer.

10. a frame that accommodates a developer; a rotating member, a part of which is inserted into a hole formed in the frame, for stirring or transporting the developer inside the frame; a seal member sandwiched between the frame and the rotary member in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary member; and The contact surface of the frame that contacts the seal member is a first contact region in which a plurality of holes are formed in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and a first contact portion is formed between adjacent holes, and which restricts movement of the seal member relative to the frame; a second contact area formed in a region different from the first contact area in a radial direction around the rotation axis, the second contact area sealing the developer; A developer container comprising:

11. The developer container according to claim 1 , a unit main body to which the developer container is attached, The unit body is an image carrier; a developer carrier that carries a developer and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; a supply member that supplies developer to the developer carrier; An image forming unit comprising:

12. The image forming unit according to claim 11; a transfer section that transfers the developer image formed by the image forming unit onto a medium; a fixing unit that fixes the developer image transferred onto the medium to the medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images