Toner conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique that can reduce the man-hours in maintenance work of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: In a toner conveying device comprising a first conveying unit and a second conveying unit conveying toner conveyed by the first conveying unit upward, a first screw 115 of the first conveying unit has a plurality of first projections 115a, 115b extending from a first rotation shaft toward a first inner wall surface 114 of a first conveyance path forming member 113, at different positions in the direction of rotation of the first screw 115, at an end provided with an engagement part in drive connection with a second screw 118 of the second conveying unit, and the second screw 118 has a plurality of second projections 118a, 118b extending from a second rotation shaft toward a second inner wall surface 117 of a second conveyance path forming member 116, at different positions in the direction of rotation of the second screw 118, at the end provided with the engagement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner transport device that transports toner, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the toner transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses using electrophotography, such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles, may adopt a configuration in which toner is transported from a toner storage unit to an image forming unit via a toner transport means. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which toner stored in a toner bottle disposed below the image forming unit is transported in a direction against gravity to a developing device in the image forming unit via a toner transport path extending upward from the toner bottle, incorporating airflow. Here, depending on the layout of each part of the image forming apparatus, the toner transport path may be arranged to extend across various components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-244529 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, image forming apparatuses have achieved a long lifespan by appropriately replacing functional units. In order to achieve this long lifespan, depending on the layout of each part of the image forming apparatus described above, the labor required to replace the toner transport unit may be increased. For example, the toner transport unit may be arranged to extend over a wide area including the paper feed unit, the transport unit, and the image forming unit. In such an arrangement, in order to remove the toner transport unit, a process may be required to remove each unit of the paper feed unit, the transport unit, and the image forming unit, as well as the stays that support each unit, and numerous other structures.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the number of steps in the maintenance work of an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the toner conveying device of the present invention comprises: A toner conveying device that conveys toner used in image formation, Rotatable about a first axis of rotation The first rotation axis and the 1 time The rotation axis is the helical axis line The first blade has a spiral shape. do a first transport section that includes a first screw and a first transport path forming member that forms a first transport space so as to surround the first screw, and transports the toner; Rotatable about a second axis of rotation The second rotation axis and the 2 times The rotation axis is the helical axis line The second blade has a spiral shape. do A second screw, 2 times The rotation axis is 1 time a second screw extending along a direction of a rotation axis line and drivingly connected to the first screw; and a second transport path forming member forming a second transport space so as to surround the second screw, the second transport path forming member being connected to the first transport path forming member. Engage a second transport path forming member configured to transport the toner transported by the first transport section; Carry A second conveying unit that conveys the Equipped with The first screw has an end portion on a side where an engagement portion for drivingly connecting the first screw and the second screw is provided. ,before In the direction of rotation of the first screw Each of the first rotating shafts Different positions A plurality of first protrusions provided on in There is a first protrusion extending from the first rotating shaft toward a first inner wall surface of the first transport path forming member; The second screw has an end on the side where the engagement portion is provided. ,before In the direction of rotation of the second screw Each of the second rotating shafts Different positions A plurality of second protrusions provided on the in There is a second protrusion extending from the second rotating shaft toward a second inner wall surface of the second transport path forming member; death, the first transport path forming member and the second transport path forming member are both cylindrical members, A first end portion of the first transport path forming member on the side of the engaging portion and a second end portion of the second transport path forming member on the side of the engaging portion are engaged with each other such that one enters the other. It is characterized by: In order to achieve the above object, the toner conveying device of the present invention comprises: A toner conveying device that conveys toner used in image formation, Rotatable about a first axis of rotation The first rotation axis and the 1 time The rotation axis is the helical axis line The blade has a plurality of first blades each having a spiral shape. do a first transport section that includes a first screw and a first transport path forming member that forms a first transport space so as to surround the first screw, and transports the toner; Rotatable about a second axis of rotation The second rotation axis and the 2 times The rotation axis is the helical axis line The blade has a plurality of second blade portions each having a spiral shape. do A second screw, 2 times The rotation axis is 1 time a second screw extending along a direction of a rotation axis line and drivingly connected to the first screw; and a second transport path forming member forming a second transport space so as to surround the second screw, the second transport path forming member being connected to the first transport path forming member. Engage a second transport path forming member configured to transport the toner transported by the first transport section; Carry A second conveying unit that conveys the Equipped with The first blade portions are arranged around the outer periphery of the first rotating shaft. Rotation axis line of While keeping the phase interval around the 1 time Rotation axis The first rotation axis line of The first screw and the second screw are driven by an engagement portion at an end of the first rotating shaft, and the second screw is driven by an engagement portion at an end of the first rotating shaft. The first rotation axis line of In the direction Same It is located in the same position as The second blade portions are arranged around the outer periphery of the second rotating shaft. Rotation axis line of While keeping the phase interval around the 2 times The second rotation shaft extends in a spiral shape in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and at the end portion on the side where the engagement portion is provided, each end portion is Rotation axis line of In the direction Same In the same position the law of nature, the first transport path forming member and the second transport path forming member are both cylindrical members, A first end portion of the first transport path forming member on the side of the engaging portion and a second end portion of the second transport path forming member on the side of the engaging portion are engaged with each other such that one enters the other. It is characterized by: In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using toner; a container for containing toner; a toner transport unit configured to transport toner from the container unit to the image forming unit; In an image forming apparatus comprising: The toner transport section is the toner transport device of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of steps required for maintenance of an image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toner conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner conveying device in an attached state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner conveying device in a disassembled state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner conveying device in a disassembled state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner conveying device in a disassembled state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner conveying device in a disassembled state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] Example 1 Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is placed on a horizontal installation surface, which is a normally assumed installation state, and the left-right direction on the page corresponds to the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction on the page corresponds to the up-down direction of the apparatus.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming section 6 as an image forming means, which is made up of image forming stations 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K arranged in a horizontal line, corresponding to toners (developers) of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming section 6 includes photosensitive drums 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drums 7) as image carriers, and charging devices 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K (charging devices 8) for uniformly charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 7. The image forming section 6 also includes developing devices 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K (developing devices 9) for developing the electrostatic latent images into toner images (developer images) by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent images. The image forming section 6 also includes photosensitive cleaning blades 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (photosensitive cleaning blades 10) for removing residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 7. The developing device 9 is provided with developing rollers 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K (developing rollers 11) corresponding to the respective colors, configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the respective photosensitive drums 7. The developing rollers 11 are brought into contact with and separated from each other in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, i.e., depending on whether development is required or not, thereby improving the life of the developing rollers 11. A scanner unit 12 is provided below the image forming section 6, which irradiates a laser beam based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7.

[0012] The image forming stations 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are configured as process cartridges that are detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The process cartridges are configured so that the developing device 9 equipped with the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive unit equipped with the photosensitive drum 7, the charging device 8, and the photosensitive cleaning blade 10 can be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, either individually or together.

[0013] In this embodiment, the developing device 9 has its own toner storage chamber, and the toner storage chamber is replenished with toner supplied from a supply toner container (toner cartridge) 13 serving as a storage section. Here, the device body of the image forming apparatus 1 refers to components excluding components that are detachable from the image forming apparatus 1, such as the above-mentioned process cartridge and supply toner container 13.

[0014] Meanwhile, a cassette 2 is housed in the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be removable. Recording materials 4 such as paper or sheets are housed in the cassette 2. The recording materials 4 are separated and fed one by one by the rotation of a cassette feeder 3 arranged near the leading end of the recording materials 4. The recording materials 4 are then transported downstream by registration rollers 5.

[0015] An intermediate transfer unit 16 is provided above the developing device 9. The intermediate transfer unit 16 is disposed substantially horizontally with the side facing each image forming station (image forming section) 6 (primary transfer section 20 side) facing downward. The intermediate transfer belt 18 facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable endless belt, and is stretched around a plurality of tension rollers. Primary transfer rollers 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K (primary transfer rollers 19) are disposed on the inner surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 18 as primary transfer members. Each primary transfer roller 19 is disposed at a position where it forms a primary transfer section 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K (primary transfer section 20) with each photosensitive drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. At each primary transfer section 20, a toner image is transferred from each photosensitive drum 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 19 to which a voltage is applied. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 18 and a plurality of tension rollers stretching the intermediate transfer belt 18 are disposed on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18. A unit including each primary transfer roller 19 is configured as an intermediate transfer unit 16 so as to be detachable from the main body of the apparatus.

[0016] The toner images developed at each image forming station are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 at the primary transfer unit 20, and by successively transferring each color, a toner image consisting of four colors is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, and then the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit 17.

[0017] Below the image forming section 6, between the scanner unit 12 and the cassette 2, replenishing toner containers 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K (replenishing toner containers 13) for replenishing toner to each image forming station (image forming section) 6 are disposed substantially horizontally and detachably. The replenishing toner containers 13 are also called toner replenishing cartridges and contain toner. The replenishing toner containers 13 are filled with replenishing toner corresponding to each color. The toner conveying devices 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K (toner conveying devices 14) convey the toner received from the replenishing toner containers 13 upward in accordance with the toner consumption in the image forming section 6, and supply the toner to the developing device 9. The toner conveying device 14 conveys the toner used in image formation. The toner conveying device 14 as a toner conveying section is driven by toner conveying driving devices 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K (toner conveying driving devices 15) as driving means disposed below the toner conveying device 14. The toner transport drive device 15 includes a motor as a power source for providing the driving force for driving each screw of the toner transport device 14 to the toner transport device 14 via an upstream drive gear 103 and an upper transport drive gear 112, which will be described later, and gears as a drive transmission means.

[0018] A secondary transfer roller 21, which is a secondary transfer member, contacts the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms a secondary transfer section 17 with an opposing roller via the intermediate transfer belt 18. In the secondary transfer section 17, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred onto the recording material 4. Toner that is not transferred to the recording material 4 in the secondary transfer and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is removed by a cleaning unit 22. The toner removed by the cleaning unit 22 is transported via a toner transport section 23 to a toner recovery container 24, and the toner is accumulated in the toner recovery container 24.

[0019] The recording material 4 onto which the unfixed toner image has been transferred is transported further downstream and pressurized and heated by a heating unit 25a and a pressure roller 25b of a fixing device 25, and the toner is melted, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material 4. Thereafter, the recording material 4 is transported to a pair of discharge rollers 26 and discharged onto a paper discharge tray 27. Through this series of operations, an image is formed on the surface of the recording material 4.

[0020] (Toner transport device) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the general configuration of a toner transport device 14 mounted on an image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Note that in Fig. 1, a part of the shape of the toner transport device 14 is removed in order to show the internal configuration.

[0021] The toner transport device 14 is roughly composed of an upstream transport section 100 and an upper transport section (downstream transport section) 110 disposed downstream thereof.

[0022] <Upstream conveying section 100> A supply port 101 is disposed on the upper surface of the upstream transport section 100, and toner supplied from a refill toner container 13 shown in FIG. 5 is supplied through the supply port 101 into a toner transport path formed by an upstream wall surface 104 inside the upstream transport section 100. The supplied toner is transported by the rotation of an upstream screw 105 disposed inside the upstream transport section 100 so as to be covered by the upstream wall surface 104. The upstream screw 105 is The toner transport drive device 15 transmits a rotational driving force to the movable gear 103, which rotates the movable gear 103 to transport the toner in the direction of the downstream transport section 110.

[0023] The upstream transport section 100 has a portion that forms an upstream toner transport path (horizontal toner transport path) 108, and a portion that forms part of the upstream side of a downstream toner transport path (vertical toner transport path) 109. The upstream screw 105 has a rotating shaft 105A and a blade portion 105B that is formed so as to be wound in a spiral shape around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 105A. The upstream screw 105 is provided in the toner transport path 108 that extends substantially horizontally among the transport paths formed by the upstream transport section 100, in an arrangement that extends substantially horizontally, so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 105A.

[0024] An upstream portion of toner transport path 109 formed in upstream transport section 100 has an upstream end at the end of an opening of toner transport path 108 that opens in the axial direction of rotation shaft 105A, and extends upward (against gravity) from there. That is, the transport path formed by upstream transport section 100 is formed in a substantially L-shape consisting of toner transport path 108 and upstream portion 109a of toner transport path 109.

[0025] <Upper conveying section (downstream conveying section) 110> The upper conveying section 110 forms a toner conveying path 109 that extends substantially vertically (in a direction against gravity) downstream of the toner conveying path 108. The upper conveying section 110 forms a majority 109b of the toner conveying path 109, excluding an upstream portion 109a of the toner conveying path 109 formed by the upstream conveying section 100. That is, the upstream portion 109a (vertical downward side) of the toner conveying path 109 that extends substantially vertically is formed by the upstream conveying section 100, and the downstream side 109b (vertical upward side) thereof is formed by the upper conveying section 110. That is, the toner conveying path 109 is provided across the upstream conveying section 100 and the upper conveying section 110.

[0026] The upstream transport section 100 has an opening at its upper side that opens to the toner transport path 109, and the lower end (upstream end) of the upper transport section 110 is inserted from above into the opening to be connected to the upstream transport section 100. By this connection, the toner transport path 109a of the upstream transport section 100 and the toner transport path 109b of the upper transport section 110 communicate with each other, forming a single second toner transport path 109.

[0027] The upward conveying upstream screw 115 (first screw) is rotatably provided in a position extending vertically in the toner conveying path 109, and is accommodated across the interior (109b) of the upward conveying section 110 and the interior (109a) of the upstream conveying section 100. The upward conveying downstream screw 118 (second screw) is connected to the downstream side (upper) of the toner conveying path with respect to the upward conveying upstream screw 115, is rotatably provided in a position extending vertically in the toner conveying path 109, and is accommodated in the interior (109b) of the upward conveying section 110. The most upstream part of the upward conveying section 110 is connected to the most downstream part of the upstream conveying section 100, and the toner conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction by the upstream screw 105 of the upstream conveying section 100 is conveyed in a substantially vertical direction by the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118.

[0028] The upward conveying upstream screw 115 is disposed inside the upward conveying section 110 so as to be covered (surrounded) by the upward conveying upstream wall surface 114. The upward conveying upstream screw 115 has a rotating shaft 115A as a first rotating shaft, and a blade portion 115B as a first blade portion having a spiral shape formed so as to be wound spirally around the outer periphery (outer periphery surface) of the rotating shaft 115A with the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 115A as the spiral axis. The upward conveying downstream screw 118 is disposed inside the upward conveying section 110 so as to be covered by the upward conveying downstream wall surface 117. The upward conveying downstream screw 118 has a rotating shaft 118A as a second rotating shaft, and a blade portion 115B as a first blade portion formed so as to be wound spirally around the outer periphery (outer periphery surface) of the rotating shaft 115A with the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 118A as the spiral axis. and blade portion 118B serving as a second blade portion having a spiral shape formed so as to spirally wind around the outer periphery (outer periphery surface) of rotating shaft 118A with the axis as the spiral axis.

[0029] A downstream end 115C of a rotating shaft 115A of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and an upstream end 118C of a rotating shaft 118A of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 each have an engaging portion that can engage with each other in the rotational direction. The configuration of the engaging portion will be described later.

[0030] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the toner transport device 14 in an assembled state, where (a) is a plan view of the toner transport device 14 seen from above, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner transport device 14 taken along the line AA in (a). That is, Fig. 2 shows a state in which the engagement portions of the upward transport upstream screw 115 and the upward transport downstream screw 118 are engaged with each other, and the upward transport upstream member 113 and the upward transport downstream member 116 are connected to form a single toner transport path that transports toner vertically upward.

[0031] The upward transport upstream screw 115 is rotationally driven by a rotational driving force transmitted from the toner transport drive device 15 to the upward transport drive gear 112. The upward transport upstream screw 115 transports the toner in the opposite direction to the gravity direction in the upstream transport path 109A (first toner transport path) of the toner transport path 109 as the first transport space (first transport section). The upward transport downstream screw 118 is rotationally driven about the rotation axis of the rotation shaft 108A by the rotational driving force transmitted from the rotating upward transport upstream screw 115 via the above-mentioned engagement section. The upward transport downstream screw 118 transports the toner transported by the upward transport upstream screw 115 further in the opposite direction to the gravity direction in the downstream transport path 109B (second toner transport path) of the toner transport path 109 as the second transport space (second transport section).

[0032] The toner transported in the direction opposite to gravity by the upward transport upstream screw 115 and the upward transport downstream screw 118 is further transported horizontally by the discharge screw 126 in the horizontal transport section 120. Then, the toner is discharged from the upward transport section 110 to the outside of the transport section through the discharge port 111 (see FIG. 1). The toner discharged to the outside of the transport section is replenished to the developing device 9 shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the toner transport device 14 in an exploded state, where (a) is a plan view of the toner transport device 14 as seen from above, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner transport device 14 taken along the line AA in (a). That is, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the engagement between the upward transport upstream screw 115 and the upward transport downstream screw 118 is released, and the connection between the upward transport upstream member 113 and the upward transport downstream member 116 is also released.

[0034] A cylindrical engagement portion 114b is provided on the outer periphery of the opening 113A of the upper transport upstream member 113, the engagement portion 114b being enlarged in diameter and extending upward from the upper transport upstream wall surface 114. The engagement portion 114b is configured in a concave shape surrounding the outer periphery of the lower end portion of the upper transport downstream member 116 including the opening 116A. That is, the upper transport upstream wall surface 114 has an inner wall surface 114a with an enlarged diameter at the engagement portion 114b. A cylindrical end portion (second cylindrical end portion) 117a of the lower end of the upper transport downstream member 116 fits into the inner wall surface 114a, so that the upper transport upstream wall surface 114 and the upper transport downstream wall surface 117 form a continuous inner wall surface that defines a single toner transport path. When the upper conveying upstream member 113 and the upper conveying downstream member 116 are connected, the annular downstream end (tip) 114c of the cylindrical engaging portion 114b abuts against a flange portion 117b provided on the outer surface of the upper conveying downstream member 116. In addition, the annular upstream end (tip) 117c of the cylindrical end (second cylindrical end) 117a at the lower end of the upper conveying downstream member 116 abuts against the enlarged diameter step surface of the engaging portion 114b on the upper conveying upstream wall surface 114 of the upper conveying downstream member 116. As a result, the axial (vertical) difference between the upper conveying upstream member 113 and the upper conveying downstream member 116 is ) position is determined.

[0035] The engaging portion 114b provided on the upper transport upstream member 113 forms a wide storage space (toner receiving portion) above the engaging portion side end (upper end) 115C of the upper transport upstream screw 115 to receive toner spilling from the opening 116A of the upper transport downstream member 116. In addition, the engaging portion 114b is concave so as to extend further upstream than the upstream end 117c of the upper transport downstream wall surface 117 and cover a part of the outer periphery of the upper transport downstream member 116 when the upper transport upstream member 113 and the upper transport downstream member 116 are connected. The engaging portion 114b engages with the outer periphery of the lower end of the upper transport downstream member 116 including the opening 116A so as to surround the outer periphery, thereby improving the connectivity between the upper transport upstream member 113 and the upper transport downstream member 116. In this way, in the second embodiment, the space between the downstream end 114c of the upward transport upstream wall surface 114 and the downstream blade end 115a of the upward transport upstream screw 115 is enlarged, so that more toner can be held.

[0036] 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the engagement portion of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 and the configuration of a regulating portion described later, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of both screws, (b) is a view seen from the arrow B in (a), and (c) is a view seen from the arrow C in (a). FIG. 4 shows a state in which the engagement between the two screws is released (a state in which the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 are separated in the axial direction). The downstream end 115C (first end on the first opening side) of the rotating shaft 115A of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upstream end 118C (second end on the second opening side) of the rotating shaft 118A of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 each have a concave-convex portion that can engage with each other. The uneven portion includes a drive transmission surface 115c1 as a first engagement surface provided at the downstream end 115C, and a drive transmission surface 118c1 as a second engagement surface provided at the upstream end 118C. These drive transmission surfaces extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft and in the radial direction are configured to be able to abut against each other in the rotation direction of the screw on the outer diameter side of the uneven portion, thereby enabling the transmission of the rotational driving force. The uneven portion of this embodiment is configured such that the upstream end 118C has a convex portion 118c2 that is convex in the axial direction, and the downstream end 115C has a concave portion 115c2 that is concave in the axial direction and into which the convex portion 118c2 can be fitted. At the upstream end 118C, the drive transmission surface 118c1 is provided on the outer periphery of the convex portion 118c2, and at the downstream end 115C, the drive transmission surface 115c1 is provided on the outer periphery of the concave portion 115c2. In addition, at the tip side of each of the downstream end 115C and the upstream end 118C, inclined guide surfaces 115c3 and 118c3 are provided so that they can form an engagement state while aligning the rotation axis and the phase of the rotation direction between the screws by sliding against each other in the rotation direction (while eliminating the misalignment of the rotation axis and the phase misalignment). Note that the upstream end 118C is provided with another drive transmission surface facing the drive transmission surface 118c1, and the downstream end 115C is also provided with another drive transmission surface facing the drive transmission surface 115c1 (not shown), and these are also configured to abut against each other in the rotation direction. Note that the configuration of the engagement portion is not particularly limited, and the configuration described here is merely an example.

[0037] <Assembly and Disassembly of the Toner Conveying Device 14> 2, 3, and 4, the manner in which the toner conveying device 14 is assembled and disassembled during service (maintenance), etc., and the regulating parts provided on the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 will be described.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, upper transport section 110 has a structure in which downstream-side upstream transport member 113 as a first transport path forming member constituting a first toner transport section, and downstream-side downstream transport member 116 as a second transport path forming member constituting a second toner transport section are connected in a separable manner. That is, upper transport section 110 is composed of a first toner transport section and a second toner transport section. One of the reasons for this is that upper transport section 110 needs to have an elongated structure, and therefore needs to be manufactured in sections due to mold restrictions. That is, elongated members can be manufactured using a single molding die. There is a limit to the possible length. Specifically, in the toner conveying device of this embodiment, various members forming the conveying path are made of resin, and general resin parts are manufactured by injection molding. General resin parts are manufactured by injection molding, but the metal mold used in injection molding requires mold strength in consideration of mass production. For resin parts with a long and thin cylindrical shape, the mold strength decreases, so it is necessary to make the cylinder thicker or shorter. Since the cylinder cannot be made thicker in the configuration of this embodiment, it is necessary to divide it into multiple components, mold each separately using multiple molding dies, and connect the divided components to form one long and thin member. This is because it is necessary to arrange the upper conveying part 110 across the scanner stay (exposure device support part of the device main body) 12f that supports the scanner unit 12 from below to above. As described above, the upper conveying upstream screw 115 arranged inside the upper conveying upstream member 113 and the upper conveying downstream screw 118 arranged inside the upper conveying downstream member 116 are integrally engaged and can be driven and interlocked.

[0039] The downstream-side upstream transport member 113 is provided with an opening 113A (first opening) that opens upward at the downstream end of the toner transport path 119A. The downstream-side downstream transport member 116 is provided with an opening 116A that opens downward at the upstream end of the toner transport path 119B. The downstream-side upstream transport member 113 and the downstream-side downstream transport member 116 are configured to be connectable to each other so that the openings 113A and 116A are connected to each other and the toner transport path 119A and the toner transport path 119B form a single toner transport path 119.

[0040] By dividing the upper conveying section 110 in this manner, the upper conveying downstream member 116 can be disassembled (disconnected) to the upper part of the scanner stay 12f, and the upper conveying upstream member 113 and the upstream conveying section 100 can be disassembled (disconnected) to the lower part of the scanner stay 12f. Note that the downstream end portion of the upper conveying upstream member 113, which is a part of the member, protrudes above the scanner stay 12f, but most of it is disposed below the scanner stay 12f. In other words, service replacement (maintenance work) of the toner conveying device 14 is possible without removing the scanner stay 12f.

[0041] Here, when the toner conveying device 14 is changed from the disassembled state shown in Fig. 3 to the assembled state shown in Fig. 2, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of poor engagement between the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118. The main cause of poor engagement is misalignment between the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118. That is, when engaged, the rotation axis of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the rotation axis of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 need to be approximately aligned, but if they are misaligned, the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 may not be able to engage with each other.

[0042] The upper conveying upstream screw 115 has an upstream end, which is the lower end, assembled and fixed by the upper conveying drive gear 112, etc. In contrast, the downstream end 115C, which is the upper end, is in a free state without support when not engaged with the upstream end 118C of the upper conveying downstream screw 118. In other words, the upper conveying upstream screw 115 has a swinging configuration in which the free upper end is likely to wobble relative to the fixed lower end, and the engagement portion with the upper conveying downstream screw 118 is likely to become misaligned.

[0043] The upper end or downstream end of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 is engaged with the discharge screw 126 in the horizontal conveying section 120, and is connected to and fixed in position. In contrast, the lower end or upstream end 118C is in a free, unsupported state when not engaged with the downstream end 115C of the upward conveying upstream screw 115. In other words, the upward conveying downstream screw 118 has a tendency to wobble at its free lower end relative to the fixed upper end. This configuration makes it easy for the engagement portion with the upward transport upstream screw 115 to become misaligned.

[0044] In order to prevent the above-mentioned misalignment, in this embodiment, the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 are each provided with a regulating portion (protruding portion) for preventing misalignment.

[0045] 3, the upward conveying upstream screw 115 is provided with an upward conveying upstream screw first regulating portion 115a at a downstream end 115C, which is an end on the side where an engagement portion with the upward conveying downstream screw 118 is provided, as a first regulating portion (convex portion), and an upward conveying upstream screw second regulating portion 115b at a position opposite to the upward conveying upstream screw 115. On the other hand, the upward conveying downstream screw 118 is also provided with an upward conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a at an upstream end 118C, which is an end on the side where an engagement portion with the upward conveying upstream screw 115 is provided, as a second regulating portion (convex portion), and an upward conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b at a position opposite to the upward conveying downstream screw 115. When the upward conveying upstream screw 115 is changed in position so that the position of the central axis (rotation axis) is deviated from the original position due to, for example, a wobble occurring at the downstream end 115C, at least one of the upward conveying upstream screw first regulating portion 115a and the upward conveying upstream screw second regulating portion 115b abuts against the upward conveying upstream wall surface 114. When the upward conveying downstream screw 118 is changed in position so that the position of the central axis (rotation axis) is deviated from the original position due to, for example, a wobble occurring at the upstream end 118C, at least one of the upward conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upward conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b abuts against the upward conveying downstream wall surface 117. Due to the abutment of each regulating portion with the toner conveying path forming wall surface, the center misalignment between the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 is suppressed to a range in which the engagement of both screws is not hindered. Therefore, it is possible to suppress occurrence of poor engagement between the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 caused by misalignment.

[0046] The regulating portion will be described in more detail. The first upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115a and the second upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115b are provided at positions (different positions in the rotation direction of the upward conveying upstream screw 115) that are substantially opposite in circumferential phase (phase around the axis) with respect to the downstream end portion 115C. The first upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115a and the second upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115b are protruding portions (first protruding portions) provided so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface near the downstream end portion 115C of the rotating shaft 115A in a substantially radial direction centered on the axis of the rotating shaft 115A. The first upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115a and the second upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115b extend in the radial direction toward the upward conveying upstream wall surface 114 as the first inner wall surface, and extend toward the tip of the downstream end portion 115C along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 115A. In particular, the first upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115a is provided so as to protrude from the downstream end of the spirally extending blade portion 115B along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 115A integrally with the blade portion 115B. The second upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115b is provided so as to extend along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 115A from a position 180 degrees ahead (upstream) of the downstream end on the spiral conveying surface of the blade portion 115B. The radial height of the first upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115a and the second upward conveying upstream screw regulating portion 115b from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 115A is approximately the same as the outermost diameter of the blade portion 115B.

[0047] In addition, the upward conveying upstream screw first regulating portion 115a and the upward conveying upstream screw second regulating portion 115b are arranged so as to overlap with the above-mentioned concave-convex engagement portions of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0048] The upward conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upward conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b are also The upper conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upper conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b are configured in the same manner as the upper conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 115b. That is, the upper conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upper conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b are provided at positions (different positions in the rotation direction of the upper conveying downstream screw 118) that are substantially opposite in circumferential phase to each other across the axis of the upstream end 118C with respect to the upstream end 118C. The upper conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upper conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b are protruding portions (second protruding portions) that are provided so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface near the upstream end 118C of the rotating shaft 118A in a substantially radial direction centered on the axis of the rotating shaft 118A. The upper conveying downstream screw first regulating portion 118a and the upper conveying downstream screw second regulating portion 118b extend in the radial direction toward the upper conveying upstream wall surface 117 as the second inner wall surface, and extend along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 118A toward the tip of the upstream end 118C. In particular, the first upward conveying downstream screw regulating portion 118a is provided so as to protrude from the upstream end of the spirally extending blade portion 118B along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 118A integrally with the blade portion 118B. The second upward conveying downstream screw regulating portion 118b is provided so as to extend along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 118A from a position 180 degrees downstream of the upstream end on the back side of the spiral conveying surface of the blade portion 118B. The radial height of the first upward conveying downstream screw regulating portion 118a and the second upward conveying downstream screw regulating portion 118b from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 118A is approximately the same as the outermost diameter of the blade portion 118B.

[0049] As described above, the multiple regulating parts provided on each screw are provided at positions that are approximately 180 degrees different from each other in the screw circumferential direction with the axial direction as the center. Assuming that the inner wall surface forming the conveying path surrounds the outer periphery of the screw in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, by providing the regulating parts at two locations with a phase difference of 180 degrees, a sufficient misalignment suppression effect can be expected. That is, among the radial directions centered on the rotation axis of the screw, the direction passing through the two regulating parts and the screw rotation axis is the direction in which the outer diameter width is the largest in the outer shape of the screw when viewed in the rotation axis direction. Even if the end of the screw is displaced in that direction due to wobbling, or even if it is displaced in a direction at an angle to that direction, the movement of the end will be toward an area narrower than the outermost diameter width of the screw on the inner wall surface forming the conveying path. Therefore, when the end of the screw is wobbling, at least one of the two regulating parts will abut against the inner wall surface forming the conveying path. However, the number of regulating parts is not limited to two, and three or more may be appropriately arranged.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of engagement failure between the upward transport upstream screw 115 and the upward transport downstream screw 118 caused by misalignment. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability of replacing the toner transport unit. In addition, since the long and narrow toner transport path can be divided and configured by engaging multiple transport parts, it is possible to realize a long and narrow toner transport unit without being affected by the constraints of mold manufacturing.

[0051] In this embodiment, the toner transport path 119 (rotation shafts 115A, 118A of the screws 115, 118) is configured to extend vertically, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, even in a configuration in which the toner transport path 119 extends in a direction slightly inclined from the vertical direction or in a horizontal direction, the occurrence of misalignment is expected to be an issue, as in this embodiment, and the misalignment prevention mechanism of the present invention can be suitably applied.

[0052] Furthermore, the toner transport device of the present invention can be used to transport waste toner such as transfer residual toner, in addition to transporting new toner as in the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case, the powder to be transported may include not only waste toner but also powder such as paper dust generated from recording materials, etc., but the main object to be transported is waste toner. Therefore, with the same configuration as in the above embodiment, it is possible to efficiently transport the powder to be transported, as in the above embodiment.

[0053] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows a disassembled state of the toner conveying device 14 according to the second embodiment during service (maintenance). Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the engagement portion and the regulating portion of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of both screws, (b) is a view seen from the arrow B in (a), and (c) is a view seen from the arrow A in (a). In addition, in the configuration of the image forming apparatus and the toner conveying device according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations common to the apparatus configuration according to the first embodiment, and the repeated description will be omitted. Matters in the second embodiment that are not particularly described here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0054] While each screw in Example 1 has one helical blade, the screw in Example 2 has multiple helical blades. That is, in Example 2, the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 each have two blades that extend helically in the axial direction while maintaining a constant phase interval around the axis of the screw rotation shaft, and the end of each blade functions in the same way as the regulating portion (protruding portion) in Example 1. In Example 2, as in Example 1, it is possible to suppress the misalignment of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118, and toner conveyance can be stabilized.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 7, the upward conveying upstream screw 115 has a first blade portion 115B1 and a second blade portion 115B2 as a plurality of first blade portions that extend helically around the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 115A with a phase difference of 180 degrees around the axis of the rotating shaft 115A (while maintaining a phase difference of 180 degrees). The downstream end portion 115d1 of the first blade portion 115B1 and the downstream end portion 115d2 of the second blade portion 115B2 are out of phase with each other by approximately 180 degrees around the axis of the rotating shaft 115A. These end portions 115d1 and 115d2 perform the same function as the first regulating portion of the first embodiment.

[0056] Similarly, the upward conveying downstream screw 118 has a first blade portion 118B1 and a second blade portion 118B2 as a plurality of second blade portions that extend helically around the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 118A with a phase difference of 180 degrees around the axis of the rotating shaft 118A (while maintaining a phase difference of 180 degrees). The upstream end portion 118d1 of the first blade portion 118B1 and the upstream end portion 118d2 of the second blade portion 118B2 are out of phase with each other by approximately 180 degrees around the axis of the rotating shaft 118A. These end portions 118d1 and 118d2 perform the same function as the second regulating portion of the first embodiment.

[0057] In this embodiment, when the downstream end 115D of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upstream end 118D of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 are engaged with each other, the blades provided on each screw are connected to form one (one blade). That is, the downstream end 115d1 of the first blade 115B1 of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upstream end 118d1 of the first blade 118B1 of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 abut against each other around the axis to form one blade. Also, the downstream end 115d2 of the second blade 115B2 of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upstream end 118d2 of the second blade 118B2 of the upward conveying downstream screw 118 abut against each other around the axis to form yet another blade.

[0058] The terminal ends 115d1, 115d2 and the terminal ends 118d1, 118d2 are arranged to overlap with the above-mentioned concave-convex engagement portions of the upward conveying upstream screw 115 and the upward conveying downstream screw 118 in the axial direction. Furthermore, the end faces of the terminal ends 115d1, 115d2 and the terminal ends 118d1, 118d2 (end faces extending in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of each rotation shaft and in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis) are configured to form the same plane as the drive transmission surface 115c1 and the drive transmission surface 118c1 at the engagement portion, respectively. It has been made.

[0059] By adopting such a configuration, the engagement state between the upward transport upstream screw 115 and the upward transport downstream screw 118 can be further stabilized, and the toner transport performance can be further improved.

[0060] In this embodiment, the configuration in which two blade portions are provided is exemplified, but three or more blade portions may be provided.

[0061] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the circumferential phase of the drive transmission surfaces 115c1, 118c1, which are the circumferential abutment surfaces at the engagement portion between the upward conveying upstream screw and the upward conveying downstream screw, is configured to be provided at two locations at 180 degree intervals on the same surface. For example, it may be configured to provide three locations at 120 degree intervals or four locations at 90 degree intervals. In this case, it is preferable to set the phase interval between the first regulating parts 115a, 115b and the second regulating parts 118a, 118b, and the arrangement of the downstream end parts 115d1, 115d2 and the upstream end parts 118d1, 118d2, respectively, according to the engagement portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 14... toner conveying device, 100... upstream conveying section, 104... upstream wall surface, 105... upstream screw, 110... upper conveying section, 113... upper conveying upstream member, 114... upper conveying upstream wall surface, 114a... inner wall surface, 115... upper conveying upstream screw, 115a... upper conveying upstream screw first regulating section, 115b... upper conveying upstream screw second regulating section, 116... upper conveying downstream member, 117... upper conveying downstream wall surface, 117a... cylindrical end portion, 118... upper conveying downstream screw, 118a... upper conveying downstream screw first regulating section, 118b... upper conveying downstream screw second regulating section

Claims

1. A toner conveying device that conveys toner used in image formation, a first conveying section that conveys the toner, the first conveying section including: a first screw having a first rotation shaft that is rotatable around a first rotation axis and a first blade portion that is spirally shaped with the first rotation axis as a spiral axis; and a first conveying path forming member that forms a first conveying space so as to surround the first screw; a second screw having a second rotation shaft rotatable about a second rotation axis and a second blade portion having a helical shape with the second rotation axis as a helical axis, the second rotation axis extending along the direction of the first rotation axis and being drivingly connected to the first screw; and a second transport path forming member forming a second transport space surrounding the second screw, the second transport path forming member being engaged with the first transport path forming member, and a second transport section that transports the toner transported by the first transport section; Equipped with the first screw has a plurality of first protrusions provided at different positions on the first rotating shaft in a rotation direction of the first screw at an end portion on a side where an engagement portion is provided to drively connect the first screw and the second screw, the plurality of first protrusions extending from the first rotating shaft toward a first inner wall surface of the first transport path forming member, the second screw has a plurality of second protrusions provided at different positions on the second rotation shaft in a rotation direction of the second screw at an end portion on the side where the engagement portion is provided, the plurality of second protrusions extending from the second rotation shaft toward a second inner wall surface of the second transport path forming member, the first transport path forming member and the second transport path forming member are both cylindrical members, A toner transport device characterized in that a first end portion of the first transport path forming member on the side of the engagement portion and a second end portion of the second transport path forming member on the side of the engagement portion are engaged so that one enters the other.

2. the plurality of first protrusions include two first protrusions extending toward the first inner wall surface from positions that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other around the first rotation axis, 2. The toner conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second protrusions include two second protrusions each extending toward the second inner wall surface from positions that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other around the second axis of rotation.

3. a radial height of the first protrusion from the first rotation shaft is equal to a radial height of the first blade from the first rotation shaft, 3. The toner transport device according to claim 1, wherein a radial height of the second protrusion from the second rotation shaft is the same as a radial height of the second blade from the second rotation shaft.

4. The first protrusions each extend in a substantially radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the first rotating shaft, 4. The toner transport device according to claim 1, wherein each of the second protrusions extends in a substantially radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the second rotary shaft.

5. 5. The toner transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion extends from the spiral transport surface of the first blade portion along the direction of the first rotation axis.

6. The plurality of second protrusions include a second protrusion provided at a terminal end of the second blade portion on a side of the second screw where the engagement portion is provided; a second protrusion extending from a back side of the spiral conveying surface of the second blade portion toward the engagement portion along the axial direction of the second rotating shaft; 6. The toner transport device according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The first rotation axis is a recessed portion recessed in an axial direction at a tip end in a direction of the first rotation axis on a side facing the second rotation shaft; a first engagement surface extending along a radial direction and in a direction parallel to the first rotation axis on an outer diameter side of the recess; having The second rotation axis is a protruding portion protruding in a direction of the second rotation axis at a tip end of a side facing the first rotation shaft in a direction of the second rotation axis, the protruding portion being engageable with the recessed portion; a second engagement surface extending along a radial direction and in a direction parallel to the second axis of rotation on an outer diameter side of the protrusion and capable of abutting against the first engagement surface in a circumferential direction around the second axis of rotation; 7. The toner transport device according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. 8. The toner transport device according to claim 7, wherein the first protrusion, the recess, and the first engagement surface overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first rotation axis.

9. The second conveying section is configured such that the second rotation axis extends upward, 2 . The toner transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the second end of the second transport path forming member is recessed inside the first inner wall surface of the first end of the first transport path forming member.

10. A toner conveying device that conveys toner used in image formation, a first screw having a first rotation shaft rotatable about a first rotation axis and a plurality of first blades having a spiral shape with the first rotation axis as a spiral axis; and a first transport path forming member forming a first transport space so as to surround the first screw, Department and a second screw having a second rotation shaft rotatable around a second rotation axis and a plurality of second blades having a spiral shape with the second rotation axis as a spiral axis, the second rotation axis extending along the direction of the first rotation axis and being drivingly connected to the first screw; and a second transport path forming member forming a second transport space surrounding the second screw, the second transport path forming member being engaged with the first transport path forming member, and a second transport section that transports the toner transported by the first transport section; Equipped with the first blade portions extend helically around an outer periphery of the first rotating shaft in a direction of the first rotational axis of the first rotating shaft while maintaining a constant phase interval between each of the first blade portions around the first rotational axis, and each of the first blade portions has an end portion at the same position in the direction of the first rotational axis of the first rotating shaft at an end portion on a side where an engagement portion is provided to drive and connect the first screw and the second screw, the second blade portions extend helically around an outer periphery of the second rotation shaft in an axial direction of the second rotation shaft while maintaining a constant phase interval between each other around the second rotation axis, and at an end portion on a side where the engagement portion is provided, each of the second blade portions has an end portion at the same position in the direction of the second rotation axis, the first transport path forming member and the second transport path forming member are both cylindrical members, A toner transport device characterized in that a first end portion of the first transport path forming member on the side of the engagement portion and a second end portion of the second transport path forming member on the side of the engagement portion are engaged so that one enters the other.

11. The plurality of first blade portions include two first blade portions that are out of phase with each other by 180 degrees around the first rotation axis, 11. The toner conveying device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of second blade portions include two second blade portions that are out of phase with each other by 180 degrees around the second axis of rotation.

12. The first rotation axis is a recessed portion recessed in a direction of the first rotation axis at a tip end of the first rotation axis on a side facing the second rotation shaft; a first engagement surface extending along a radial direction and in a direction parallel to the first rotation axis on an outer diameter side of the recess; having The second rotation axis is a protruding portion protruding in a direction of the second rotation axis at a tip end of a side facing the first rotation shaft in a direction of the second rotation axis, the protruding portion being engageable with the recessed portion; a second engagement surface extending along a radial direction and in a direction parallel to the second axis of rotation on an outer diameter side of the protrusion and capable of abutting against the first engagement surface in a circumferential direction around the second axis of rotation; 12. The toner transport device according to claim 10, further comprising:

13. 13. The toner transport device according to claim 12, wherein the terminal end of the first blade portion overlaps with the recess and the first engagement surface when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

14. an end surface of the terminal end portion of the first blade portion is a surface extending in a direction parallel to the direction of the first rotation axis and in a radial direction centered on the first rotation axis, 14. A toner conveying device according to claim 10, wherein an end face of the terminal end of the second blade portion is a surface extending in a direction parallel to the direction of the second rotation axis and in a radial direction centered on the second rotation axis.

15. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material using toner; a container for containing toner; a toner transport unit configured to transport toner from the container unit to the image forming unit; In an image forming apparatus comprising:

15. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner transport section is the toner transport device according to claim 1.

Images