Developer storage container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To increase a capacity of at least one storage means in comparison to a constitution in which the entire transmission means for transmitting drive to conveyance means conveying a developer is on the inner side with respect to an end surface in a vertical direction of any storage means in a storage container of the developer integrally having the storage means for a new developer and the storage means for a waste developer.SOLUTION: A storage container (1) of a developer comprises: conveyance means (26) which conveys a developer of first storage means (11) toward the outside; and transmission object means (37) to which drive is transmitted from drive means (6y) of a body (U1) of an image formation apparatus and which transmits the drive to the conveyance means (26). The transmission object means (37) is arranged in a state where at least a part thereof is exposed to the outside from one end surface (38) in the vertical direction of the first storage means (11) and the second storage means (12) and contacts the drive means (6y) with the exposed portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for storing a developer and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding a detachable container for a developer such as a toner cartridge or a waste toner box in an image forming apparatus, the technique described in Patent Document 1 below has been conventionally known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a toner cartridge (52) in which a toner storage chamber (170) is arranged at the upper part and a toner discharge chamber (172) is arranged at the lower part. In the toner cartridge (52) of Patent Document 1, a toner delivery chamber (174) is provided at the lower end of the toner storage chamber (170), which is at the central part in the vertical direction of the toner cartridge (52), and a stirring and conveying member (182) sends the toner toward the developing unit (114). A gear (184) exposed to the outside is provided at the axial end of the stirring and conveying member (182), and when the toner cartridge (52) is mounted on the apparatus main body (50A), it meshes with the upper end of the gear (186) of the apparatus main body (50A). That is, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the drive from the apparatus main body (50A) is transmitted by the gear (184) arranged at the central part in the vertical direction of the toner cartridge (52).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a developer storage container having a means for storing a new developer and a means for storing waste developer integrally, the technical problem is to increase the capacity of at least one of the storage means as compared with a configuration in which the entire transmission means for transmitting drive to a conveyance means for conveying the developer is inside the vertical end faces of any of the storage means.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problem, the developer storage container of the invention according to claim 1 comprises a first storage means for storing a new developer, a second storage means for storing a developer, a conveyance means for conveying the developer in the first storage means outward of the first storage means, a transmission means to which drive is transmitted from a drive means of a main body of an image forming apparatus, the transmission means transmitting the drive to the conveyance means, and is characterized in that the transmission means is arranged in a state where at least a part thereof is exposed outward from one vertical end face of the first storage means and the second storage means, and contacts the drive means at the exposed part.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first storage means is arranged above the second storage means with the upper end of the first storage means being above the upper end of the second storage means, and the conveyance means is arranged at a lower end portion of the first storage means.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is the developer storage container according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means is arranged below the conveyance means and is exposed below the lower end face of the second storage means.

[0009] ​​​The invention according to claim 4 is the developer storage container according to claim 2, wherein an opening through which the developer flows into the second storage means is disposed above the conveying means characterized in that.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the developer storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the driving means is disposed outside the developer storage container in the vertical direction characterized in that.

[0011] The invention according to claim 6 is the developer storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission means disposed on the front side of the developer storage container with respect to the attaching / detaching direction to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and protection means disposed further on the front side of the attaching / detaching direction than the transmission means for protecting the transmission means characterized by comprising.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 is the developer storage container according to claim 6, wherein the second storage means extending to the front side end of the protection means with respect to the attaching / detaching direction characterized by comprising.

[0013] The invention according to claim 8 is the developer storage container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first storage means extending to the front side end of the protection means with respect to the attaching / detaching direction characterized by comprising.

[0014] In order to solve the above technical problem, the image forming apparatus according to claim 9 includes image holding means, developing means for developing a latent image held by the image holding means, transferring means for transferring the developed image from the image holding means to a medium, cleaning means for cleaning the image holding means after transfer The developing agent storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which stores a new developing agent supplied to the developing means in a first storage means and stores the developing agent removed by the cleaning means in a second storage means, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is characterized by comprising

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the invention described in claims 1 and 9, in a developing agent storage container having a new developing agent storage means and a waste developing agent storage means integrally, compared with a configuration in which the entire transmission means for transmitting driving force to the conveying means for conveying the developing agent is inside the vertical end faces of any of the storage means, the capacity of at least one of the storage means can be increased. According to the invention described in claim 2, the capacity of the first storage means can be increased compared with the case where the upper end of the first storage means is arranged below the upper end of the second storage means or the conveying means is arranged above the lower end of the first storage means. According to the invention described in claim 3, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed compared with the case where the means to be transmitted is arranged on the upper end side of the second storage means. According to the invention described in claim 4, the capacity of the second storage means can be increased compared with the case where the opening of the second storage means is arranged below the conveying means.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 5, the capacity of the developing agent storage container can be increased compared with the case where the driving means is arranged inside the developing agent storage container in the vertical direction. According to the invention described in claim 6, damage to the means to be transmitted can be suppressed compared with the case where there is no protection means. According to the invention described in claim 7, the capacity of the second storage means can be increased compared with a configuration in which the second storage means does not extend to the front side of the protection means. According to the invention described in claim 8, the capacity of the first storage means can be increased compared with a configuration in which the first storage means does not extend to the front side of the protection means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0018] Next, examples as specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. For the sake of easy understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction (the width direction of the medium) is defined as the X-axis direction, the left-right direction (the conveyance direction of the medium) is defined as the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the directions or sides indicated by the arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, Z, -Z are defined as the front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front side, rear side, right side, left side, upper side, lower side, respectively. In the figures, those with a dot (·) inside a circle (○) mean arrows from the back side to the front side of the paper surface, and those with a cross (×) inside a circle (○) mean arrows from the front side to the back side of the paper surface. In the following description using the drawings, for ease of understanding, illustrations other than the members necessary for the description are appropriately omitted.

Embodiment

[0019] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a device main body U1. A front cover U2, which is an example of opening / closing means for replenishing a new medium and is opened and closed when replenishing the new medium, is supported at the lower end so as to be openable and closable on the front surface of the device main body U1. The front cover U2 is supported so as to be movable between an open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 where paper, which is an example of a medium, can be inserted and a closed position shown by a broken line in FIG. 1. A discharge tray TRh, which is an example of paper discharge and storage means, is provided on the upper surface of the device main body U1.

[0020] In FIG. 1, a control board SC on which various control circuits, storage media, etc. are arranged is disposed below the printer U. The control board SC is provided with a control unit C for performing various controls of the printer U, an image processing unit GS whose operation is controlled by the control unit C, a write drive circuit DL which is an example of a drive circuit of a latent image forming device, and a power circuit E which is an example of a power supply device. The power circuit E applies a voltage to a charging roller CRy~CRk which is an example of a charging means, a developing roller G1y~G1k which is an example of a holding means for a developer, a primary transfer roller T1y~T1k which is an example of a transfer means, and the like.

[0021] The image processing unit GS converts print information input from a personal computer PC or the like, which is an example of a transmission device for image information electrically connected to the device main body U1, into image information for forming a latent image corresponding to an image of four colors, namely yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, i.e., Y, M, C, and K, and outputs it to the write drive circuit DL at a preset time. In the case where the original image is a monochromatic image, that is, a black-and-white image, only black image information is input to the writing drive circuit DL. The writing drive circuit DL has drive circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and outputs signals corresponding to the input image information to LED heads LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk, which are examples of latent image forming means arranged for each color, at a preset timing.

[0022] In FIG. 1, above the control board SC, image forming devices UY, UM, UC, and UK, which are examples of image forming means for forming toner images of respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are arranged. In FIG. 1, the black image forming device UK, that is, the K-color image forming device, has a photoreceptor Pk as an example of image holding means. Around the photoreceptor Pk, there are arranged a charging roller CRk for charging the surface of the photoreceptor Pk, an LED head LHk for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor Pk, a developing device Gk as an example of developing means for developing the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor Pk, a photoreceptor cleaner CLk as an example of cleaning means for the image holding body for removing the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor Pk, and the like. The other color image forming devices UY, UM, and UC are also configured in the same manner as the black image forming device UK.

[0023] The photoreceptors Py to Pk are uniformly charged on the surface by the charging rollers CRy to CRk in the charging regions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k facing the charging rollers CRy to CRk, and then latent images are written by the LED heads LHy to LHk in the latent image forming regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k. The written electrostatic latent images are developed into toner images in the developing regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k facing the developing devices Gy to Gk. The developed toner images are conveyed to primary transfer regions Q4y, Q4m, Q4c, and Q4k that contact an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. In the primary transfer regions Q4y, Q4m, Q4c, and Q4k, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C at a preset timing to primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k, which are examples of primary transfer means arranged on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer belt B.

[0024] The toner images on the respective photoreceptors Py to Pk are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues such as transfer residual toner, discharge products, and attachments on the surfaces of the photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk after primary transfer are cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk. The surfaces of the cleaned photoreceptors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are recharged by the charging rollers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk. Charging cleaners CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCk, which are an example of cleaning means for the charging members, are in contact with the charging rollers CRy to CRk. Therefore, the charging cleaners CCy to CCk remove residues and the like that cannot be completely removed by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk and adhere from the photoreceptors Py to Pk to the charging rollers CRy to CRk.

[0025] In FIG. 1, a belt module BM, which is an example of an intermediate transfer unit, is disposed above the photoreceptors Py to Pk. The belt module BM is an example of image holding means and has an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of intermediate transfer means. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by an intermediate transfer support system including a belt drive roll Rd as an example of drive means, a backup roll T2a as an example of driven means and also as an example of secondary transfer opposing means, and the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed opposite to the respective photoreceptors Py to Pk. A belt cleaner CLb, which is an example of cleaning means for the intermediate transfer body, is disposed in front of the intermediate transfer belt B.

[0026] Opposite to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, a secondary transfer roll T2b, which is an example of secondary transfer means, is disposed. The secondary transfer device T2 of Example 1 is constituted by the backup roll T2a and the secondary transfer roll T2b. Also, a secondary transfer region Q5 is formed by the region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B face each other. The monochromatic or multicolor toner images sequentially transferred and stacked on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q4y, Q4m, Q4c, and Q4k are conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q5. The primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer device T2, etc. constitute a transfer device T1+T2+B as an example of the transfer means of the first embodiment.

[0027] Below the control board SC, a manual tray TR1 is provided as an example of a medium loading means. An elevating plate PL1 is arranged on the manual tray TR1 as an example of an elevating means. The elevating plate PL1 can load a recording sheet S as an example of a medium on its upper surface. The elevating plate PL1 raises the rear end during printing to raise the rear end of the recording sheet S. A paper feed roll Rp is arranged behind the elevating plate PL1 as an example of a feeding means. The paper feed roll Rp contacts the topmost recording sheet S of the stack of loaded recording sheets S in a state where the elevating plate PL1 has moved to the raised position. A retard pad Rpd is arranged behind the paper feed roll Rp as an example of a rectifying means. The recording sheet S loaded on the manual tray TR1 is sent out by the paper feed roll Rp, separated one by one in the contact area between the retard pad Rpd and the paper feed roll Rp, rectified, and conveyed to a manual path SH0 as an example of a medium conveyance path. The recording sheet S on the manual path SH0 merges into a first paper feed path SH6 as an example of a medium conveyance path. At the upper end of the first paper feed path SH6, a registration roll Rr is arranged as an example of a conveyance means and an example of an adjustment member for the paper feed timing. The registration roll Rr sends out the recording sheet S toward the secondary transfer area Q5 in the medium conveyance path SH in accordance with the timing when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B reaches the secondary transfer area Q5.

[0028] The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S sent to the secondary transfer area Q5. After the toner image is transferred in the secondary transfer area Q5, the intermediate transfer belt B is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb to remove residues such as residual transfer toner and discharge products remaining on the surface. The recording sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing area Q6 of a fixing device F as an example of a fixing means. The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating means and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure means. The fixing area Q6 is constituted by an area where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in contact with each other at a preset pressure. The unfixed toner image on the surface of the recording sheet S is fixed by heat and pressure when passing through the fixing area Q6. The recording sheet S on which the image has been fixed is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharging means to a discharge tray TRh.

[0029] To the right of the discharge roller Rh, as an example of a conveyance path, an additional connection path SH1 for inversion that branches from a medium conveyance path SH and extends to the right is formed. At the branching portion between the additional connection path SH1 and the medium conveyance path SH, a gate GT1 as an example of a switching means is disposed. In the printer U of the first embodiment, an inversion unit U5 is supported on the rear surface of the apparatus main body U1. Inside the inversion unit U5, an inversion path SH2 as an example of a second conveyance path is formed. The upstream end of the inversion path SH2 is connected to the right end of the additional connection path SH1 of the apparatus main body U1. The downstream end of the inversion path SH2 merges into a first paper feed path SH6 on the upstream side of a registration roll Rr of the apparatus main body U1. Therefore, when double-sided printing is performed, when the recording sheet S on which an image has been recorded on one side is conveyed through the medium conveyance path SH and the rear end in the conveyance direction passes through the gate GT1, the discharge roller Rh rotates reversely, and the recording sheet S is sent to the additional connection path SH1 and the inversion path SH2. Then, the recording sheet S is conveyed by a conveyance roller Ra as an example of a conveyance member disposed on the inversion path SH2, and is re-fed to the registration roll Rr in a state where the front and back of the recording sheet S are inverted.

[0030] In the printer U of Example 1, a paper feeding module U6 is arranged below the apparatus main body U1. Inside the paper feeding module U6, a paper feeding tray TR2 is formed. At the rear of the paper feeding module U6, a second paper feeding path SH7, which is an example of a conveyance path, is formed. The second paper feeding path SH7 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the second paper feeding path SH7 is connected to the lower end of the first paper feeding path SH6. Note that the paper feeding tray TR2 of Example 1 is configured in the same manner except that the length in the front-rear direction is longer than that of the manual feed tray TR1. Therefore, in the paper feeding module U6, similar to the manual feed tray TR1, a paper feed roll Rp′, a lifting plate PL1′, etc. are arranged. Thus, the recording sheet S fed by the paper feed roll Rp′ is conveyed to the first paper feeding path SH6. Note that the second paper feeding path SH7 is configured such that when a paper feeding module U6 is further added below the paper feeding module U6, the recording sheet S from below can pass through.

[0031] (Description of toner cartridge) FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a side portion of the image forming apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 2A is an explanatory view of a state in which a toner cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory view of a state in which the toner cartridge is removed. In FIG. 2A, toner cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, 1k, which are examples of containers for storing a developer, are detachably supported on the right side surface of the printer U of the example. The toner cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, 1k are provided corresponding to the respective colors of Y, M, C, and K. Note that the toner cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c for Y, M, and C colors are formed in the same size. The toner cartridge 1k for the frequently used K color is made larger than the toner cartridges 1y to 1c for Y, M, and C colors in order to increase the toner storage capacity. In FIG. 2B, each toner cartridge 1y to 1k is detachably accommodated in cartridge accommodation chambers 2y, 2m, 2c, 2k formed on the right side surface of the apparatus main body U1 of the printer U. In the vertical center portions of the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y, 2m, 2c, 2k, toner discharge cylinders 3y, 3m, 3c, 3k extending from respective photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk are arranged as an example of a developer discharging means. The toner discharge cylinders 3y, 3m, 3c, 3k are arranged to protrude rightward within the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y, 2m, 2c, 2k.

[0032] In each of the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y to 2k, toner receiving portions 4y, 4m, 4c, 4k are arranged as an example of a developer supply means below the front side of the toner discharge cylinders 3y to 3k. The toner receiving portions 4y to 4k are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape protruding rightward within the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y, 2m, 2c, 2k, and openings through which toner can flow are formed on the upper surface. At the lower end portions of each of the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y to 2k, main body gears 6y, 6m, 6c, 6k are arranged as an example of a driving means. Driving is transmitted to the main body gears 6y to 6k from a motor (not shown) as an example of a driving source. The main body gears 6y to 6k are arranged in a state where only the upper end portions of the gears are exposed to the outside. Therefore, the main body gears 6y to 6k are arranged below the toner cartridges 1y to 1k, that is, on the outer side in the vertical direction.

[0033] Above the main body gears 6y to 6k diagonally, rotation stopping protrusions 7y, 7m, 7c, 7k are arranged as an example of a first rotation stopping means. The rotation stopping protrusions 7y to 7k are formed in a columnar protrusion shape protruding rightward within the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y, 2m, 2c, 2k. At the upper portions of the cartridge accommodation chambers 2y to 2k, rotation stopping recesses 8y, 8m, 8c, 8k are provided as an example of a second rotation stopping means. The rotation stopping recesses 8y to 8k are constituted by cylindrical recesses recessed toward the inside of the apparatus main body U1. The rotation stopping recesses 8y to 8k of the first embodiment are formed in a long hole shape extending in the vertical direction.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of Example 1 as seen from the front obliquely. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of Example 1 as seen from the rear obliquely. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the toner cartridge of Example 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the state where the protective member of the toner cartridge of Example 1 is removed. Next, the toner cartridges 1y to 1k will be described. Since each of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k is the same except for the size, and the configuration itself is the same, only the Y-color toner cartridge 1y will be described in detail, and the description of the toner cartridges 1m, 1c, and 1k of other colors will be omitted.

[0035] In FIGS. 3 to 6, the toner cartridge 1(1y) has an upper new toner storage section 11 and a lower waste toner storage section 12. The new toner storage section 11 and the waste toner storage section 12 constitute the storage means 11 + 12 of Example 1. Specifically, in Example 1, the upper end of the new toner storage section 11 is arranged above the upper end of the waste toner storage section 12. The new toner storage section 11, which is an example of the first storage means, stores a new developer, so-called new toner, supplied to the developing device Gy. The waste toner storage section 12, which is an example of the second storage means, stores the developer recovered by the photoreceptor cleaner CLy, discharge products, and the like. The new toner storage section 11 has an upper main storage section 21 and a lower supply section 22. In FIG. 5, an agitation auger 23, which is an example of the agitation means, is arranged at the lower end of the main storage section 21. The agitation auger 23 is composed of a rotary shaft 23a and spiral blades 23b supported on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 23a.

[0036] The end of the rotating shaft 23a is rotatably supported by the outer wall 21a of the main housing portion 21. On the outer side of the outer wall 21a of the main housing portion 21, that is, on the front side in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge 1y, a stirring gear (spur gear) 24 as an example of the second transmission means is supported on the outer end of the rotating shaft 23a. The stirring auger 23 of the first embodiment is configured to convey the developer in the main housing portion 21 toward the outer wall 21a side while stirring it during rotation.

[0037] The supply unit 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending parallel to the rotating shaft 23a and is connected to the main housing portion 21 at the end on the outer wall 21a side. In the supply unit 22, a supply port 22a that opens downward is formed at the inner end of the apparatus main body U1. The supply unit 22 is disposed at a position corresponding to the toner receiving portion 4y, and when the toner cartridge 1y is attached to the apparatus main body U1, the supply port 22a is configured to be connected to the opening of the toner receiving portion 4y. Inside the supply unit 22, a conveying auger 26 as an example of the conveying means is disposed. The conveying auger 26 has a rotating shaft 26a extending parallel to the rotating shaft 23a of the stirring auger 23 and spiral blades 26b supported on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 26a. A conveying gear 27 as an example of the third transmission means is supported on the outer end of the conveying auger 26. The conveying gear 27 meshes with the stirring gear 24. The conveying auger 26 of the first embodiment is configured to convey the developer in the supply unit 22 toward the supply port 22a while stirring it during rotation. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the toner stored in the new toner storage portion 11 is conveyed while being stirred toward the supply port 22a through the stirring auger 23 and the conveying auger 26 disposed at the lower end portion, and is supplied to the developing device Gy via the toner receiving portion 4y of the apparatus main body U1.

[0038] In FIG. 4, in the waste toner storage portion 12, a waste toner inlet 32, which is an example of an opening through which the developer flows in, is formed at the upper end portion of the inner wall 31 inside the apparatus main body U1. The waste toner inlet 32 is formed at a position corresponding to the toner discharge cylinder 3y. In the first embodiment, the waste toner inlet 32 is disposed above the height of the conveying auger 26. In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 1y is mounted on the apparatus main body U1, the toner discharge cylinder 3y is inserted into the waste toner inlet 32, and toner flows into and is stored in the waste toner storage portion 12 from an opening (not shown) at the end of the toner discharge cylinder 3y. Note that, for example, the attachment / detachment structure between the waste toner inlet 32 and the toner discharge cylinder 3y and the attachment / detachment structure between the supply unit 22 and the toner receiving unit 4y can adopt the configurations described in Patent Document 1 and the like.

[0039] In FIG. 6, in the first embodiment, a first intermediate gear 34, which is an example of a first intermediate transmission means, is disposed diagonally below the conveying gear 27 on the outer surface of the outer wall 33 of the waste toner storage portion 12. The first intermediate gear 34 meshes with the conveying gear 27. A second intermediate gear 36, which is an example of a second intermediate transmission means, is disposed diagonally below the first intermediate gear 34. The second intermediate gear 36 meshes with the first intermediate gear 34. Below the second intermediate gear 36, a driven gear 37, which is an example of a driven means, is disposed. The driven gear 37 meshes with the second intermediate gear 36. Further, in the first embodiment, the lower end portion of the driven gear 37 of the first embodiment is disposed in a state of being exposed below the lower end surface 38 of the toner cartridge 1y. In the present specification and claims, the “upper end surface or lower end surface” is used to mean the outermost surface among the upper or lower surfaces of the new toner storage portion or the waste toner storage portion of the cartridge. And when the toner cartridge 1y is mounted on the apparatus main body U1, the driven gear 37 is configured to mesh with the main body gear 6y.

[0040] In FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, in the toner cartridge 1y of Example 1, on the further outer side of each of the gears 24, 27, 34 to 37, that is, on the further front side in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge 1y, an outer cover 41 as an example of protection means is arranged. The outer cover 41 covers the outside of each of the gears 24, 27, 34 to 37 and protects them from contact with external members. In the outer cover 41 of Example 1, a plurality of openings 41a, 41b, 41c are formed. In the new toner storage portion 11 of Example 1, bulging portions 42 bulging outward are formed at positions corresponding to the openings 41a, 41b of the outer cover 41. The bulging portion 42 of Example 1 is formed up to a position corresponding to the outer end (outer surface) of the outer cover 41 in the attaching / detaching direction. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the bulging portion 42 is not provided, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of the developer that can be stored inside the new toner storage portion 11. Also, in the waste toner storage portion 12 of Example 1, at a position corresponding to the opening 41c of the outer cover 41, a bulging portion 43 bulging outward is formed in the same manner as the bulging portion 42. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the bulging portion 43 is not provided, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of the developer that can be stored inside the waste toner storage portion 12.

[0041] On the outside of the toner cartridge 1y of Example 1, a pair of upper and lower operation holes 46 as an example of operation means are formed. In the operation holes 46, an operator performing the replacement work of the toner cartridge 1y can insert the thumb and index finger into the respective upper and lower holes, apply force to pinch, and pull forward to remove the toner cartridge 1y forward, and it is also possible to insert it inward to mount it.

[0042] In FIG. 4, in the toner cartridge 1 of Example 1, at the lower part of the inner wall 31 of the waste toner storage portion 12, a rotation prevention recess 51 as an example of the first rotation prevention means is formed. The rotation prevention recess 51 is arranged at a position corresponding to the rotation prevention protrusion 7y and is configured as a cylindrical recess so that the rotation prevention protrusion 7y can fit into it. On the inner wall 21b of the new toner container 11, a rotation prevention projection 52, which is an example of the second rotation prevention means, is formed. The rotation prevention projection 52 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rotation prevention recess 8y. The rotation prevention projection 52 is formed in a columnar projection shape, and the outer diameter of the rotation prevention projection 52 is formed to correspond to the minor axis of the long hole-shaped rotation prevention recess 8y.

[0043] In addition, in the first embodiment, between the rotation prevention projection 7y and the rotation prevention recess 51, and between the rotation prevention recess 8y and the rotation prevention projection 52, a difference in size called "spatial margin", so-called "clearance", "margin", or "play" is set respectively. That is, the "spatial margin" or "play" etc. are used in the sense of the size of the space in which the toner cartridge 1y can move with respect to the apparatus main body U1 in a state where the toner cartridge 1y is positioned. In a configuration where no "play" is provided at all, there is a problem that the toner cartridge 1y cannot be attached or detached if the manufacturing error or assembly error is large, or there is a problem that the workability is poor because the operator cannot attach it without manually aligning it accurately during attachment and detachment. Therefore, "play" must be provided. In the first embodiment, the play between the rotation prevention projection 7y and the rotation prevention recess 51 is set to be smaller than the play between the rotation prevention recess 8y and the rotation prevention projection 52. Also, in the first embodiment, the protruding length of the rotation prevention projection 7y is formed to be longer than the protruding length of the rotation prevention projection 52. Further, in the first embodiment, the length (depth) of the rotation prevention recess 51 is configured to be longer than the length of the rotation prevention projection 52.

[0044] (Operation of the First Embodiment) In the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of the first embodiment having the above configuration, the conveying auger 26 is disposed at the central portion in the vertical direction, but the driving force of the conveying auger 26 is transmitted from the apparatus main body U1 via a transmission gear 37 that is exposed below the lower end surface of the waste toner container 12. In the conventional configuration, the driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body U1 at the position of the conveyance gear 27, and since there is a configuration on the apparatus main body U1 side, members on the toner cartridge 1y side cannot be provided around the supply unit 22. That is, in the conventional configuration, the entire transmission means such as the rotating shaft and gear on the apparatus main body side that transmits the drive to the conveyance auger is disposed inside the upper and lower end faces of the new toner storage unit or the waste toner storage unit. Therefore, due to the installation location of the transmission means on the apparatus main body side, there has been a problem that it is structurally difficult to increase the capacity of the waste toner storage unit 12. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the driven gear 37 that receives the drive from the apparatus main body U1 has a part of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k disposed below the lower end face, and it is possible to increase the capacity of the waste toner storage unit 12, which is at least one of the storage means, as compared with the conventional configuration.

[0045] Further, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of the first embodiment, the conveyance auger 26 is disposed at the lower end of the new toner storage unit 11 and below the upper end of the waste toner storage unit 12, and it is possible to increase the capacity of the new toner storage unit 11 as compared with the case where the conveyance auger 26 is disposed above the configuration of the embodiment. Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the driven gear 37 is disposed below the conveying auger 26 and below the upper end of the waste toner storage portion 12. In Example 1, the conveying auger 26 is disposed below the central portion in the vertical direction of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k. If an attempt is made to install the driven gear 37 at the upper end of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k, there is a problem that the number of intermediate gears increases. In particular, in the case of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k that are long in the vertical direction (the vertical direction is the longitudinal direction) as in Example 1, the number of intermediate gears tends to increase. Also, if an attempt is made to install the driven gear 37 at the upper end, it is necessary to dispose the intermediate gear on the outer surface of the new toner storage portion 11, making it difficult to install the bulging portion 42 of the new toner storage portion 11, and there is also a problem that the capacity of the new toner storage portion 11 decreases. In contrast, in Example 1, the driven gear 37 is installed at the lower end, suppressing an increase in the number of parts and making it possible to increase the capacity of the new toner storage portion 11.

[0046] Also, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the waste toner inlet 32 of the waste toner storage portion 12 is disposed above the conveying auger 26, and the capacity of the waste toner storage portion 12 can be increased as compared with a configuration in which the waste toner inlet 32 is disposed below the conveying auger 26. Furthermore, in the printer U of Example 1, the main body gears 6y to 6k of the apparatus main body U1 are disposed outside the lower end surface of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k. Therefore, the capacity of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k can be increased as compared with a case where the main body gears 6y to 6k are disposed inside the lower end surface of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k.

[0047] Also, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, an outer cover 41 is provided, and breakage of the gears 24, 27, 34 to 37 during replacement or transportation of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k is suppressed as compared with a configuration without the outer cover 41. Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, bulging portions 42 and 43 are formed corresponding to the portions of the openings 41a to 41c of the outer cover 41. Therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of the new toner storage portion 11 and the waste toner storage portion 12 as compared with the case where the bulging portions 42 and 43 are not provided.

[0048] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of Example 1. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the rotation along the rotation direction of the gear acting on the toner cartridge, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the rotation due to the reaction force along the radial direction of the gear. In FIG. 7A, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, in the state seen from the attachment / detachment direction (the states of FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A), the rotation prevention recess 51 is disposed at a position close to the driven gear 37, and the rotation prevention protrusion 52 is disposed at a position far from the driven gear 37. When the driving force is transmitted from the main body gears 6y to 6k to the driven gear 37, the entire toner cartridges 1y to 1k receive a rotational force along the rotation direction centered on the main body gears 6y to 6k. Therefore, in the case where there is no configuration for preventing rotation, the looseness of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k increases, and there is a risk that the developer leaks from the supply port 22a and the waste toner inlet 32. In particular, in the case of a vertically long configuration such as the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the distance from the driven gear 37 tends to be long, and there is also a problem that the adverse effect of rotation tends to be large. Further, in a configuration where rotation is prevented at two locations, when the positioning configurations at the two locations are equal or when the positioning at a farther position is performed with a smaller spatial margin, there may be a large rattling due to driving. In contrast, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the structures for rotation prevention are provided at two locations: the rotation prevention protrusion 7y and the rotation prevention recess 51, and the rotation prevention recess 8y and the rotation prevention protrusion 52. And the rotation prevention protrusion 7y and the rotation prevention recess 51 closer to the driven gear 37 are set to have less play. Therefore, even when receiving the rotational force from the main body gears 6y to 6k, rotation prevention is achieved at a position close to the main body gear 6y, and the play is small and the rattling is small. Thus, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k, when driving is transmitted, compared with the case where there is no difference in the spatial margin between the positioning and the positioned part (when the spatial margins are equal) or when the positioning farther from the driving position is more strongly positioned (when the spatial margin is small), it is possible to suppress the rattling when driving is transmitted, and it is possible to suppress the adverse effects caused by the rattling.

[0049] Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the rotation prevention protrusion 52 provided in the new toner storage portion 11 is formed in a protrusion shape. When the shape of the rotation prevention portion provided in the new toner storage portion 11 is concave, it will be recessed toward the inside of the new toner storage portion 11, and there is a problem that the capacity of the new toner storage portion 11 decreases. In contrast, in Example 1, the rotation prevention protrusion 52 provided in the new toner storage portion 11 is in a protrusion shape, and a decrease in the capacity of the new toner storage portion 11 is suppressed. Also, in the printer U of Example 1, the rotation prevention recesses 8y to 8k on the side of the apparatus main body U1 are formed in a long hole shape that is long in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rotation of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k is suppressed in the short diameter direction of the long hole, and it is easy to secure sufficient spatial margin and play in the long diameter direction. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the attachment and detachment work of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k compared with the case where the margin in the long diameter direction is small.

[0050] Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the rotation prevention recess 51 provided in the waste toner storage portion 12 is formed in a concave shape. With respect to the rotation prevention recess 51, the frame of the manual tray TR1 is close to the inside of the apparatus main body U1, and there is little spatial margin on the apparatus main body U1 side. Therefore, when the apparatus main body U1 side is configured to be recessed, as a result, there is a problem that the entire printer U becomes larger. In contrast, in Example 1, the concave rotation prevention recess 51 is formed on the toner cartridge 1y to 1k side, and an increase in the overall size of the printer U is suppressed. In particular, the rotation prevention recess 51 is provided on the waste toner storage portion 12 side rather than on the new toner storage portion 11 side, and a decrease in the capacity of the new toner is suppressed.

[0051] In FIG. 7B, in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k of Example 1, the driven gear 37 is disposed on the outer side and the front side in the attachment / detachment direction. Therefore, when the main body gears 6y to 6k rotate, the driven gear 37 receives a radial reaction force f1. Therefore, the toner cartridges 1y to 1k receive a rotational force in the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 7B. There is also a risk of being affected adversely, such as toner leakage, by this rotational force Y1. In contrast, in Example 1, the protruding length of the rotation prevention protrusion 7y closer to the driven gear 37 is formed longer than the protruding length of the rotation prevention protrusion 52 farther from the driven gear 37. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rotational force Y1 at a position closer to the position receiving the reaction force f1.

[0052] (Modification example) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Modification examples (H01) to (H011) of the present invention are exemplified below. (H01) In the above embodiment, the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it can also be configured by a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality or all of these functions.

[0053] (H02) In the above embodiment, although the configuration in which the driven gear 37 is disposed at the lower end of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the driven gear 37 is disposed at the upper end of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k. (H03) In the above embodiment, although the configuration having four image forming apparatuses UY to UK is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is also applicable to a configuration having two-color, three-color, or five-color or more image forming apparatuses. (H04) In the above embodiment, although the configuration in which the gears 24, 27, 34 to 37 are installed on the front side surface in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to install the gears 24, 27, 34 to 37 on the rear side surface in the attaching / detaching direction.

[0054] (H05) In the above embodiment, it is desirable to provide the outer cover 41, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration without providing the outer cover 41. (H06) In the above embodiment, it is desirable that the positions of the conveying auger 26 and the waste toner inlet 32 be the illustrated configurations, but it is also possible to change the positions in terms of design, specifications, etc. (H07) In the above embodiment, the combination of the protrusions and recesses for rotation prevention preferably has the configuration illustrated in the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible that both the rotation prevention means on the toner cartridges 1y to 1k side are protrusions, or conversely, both the rotation prevention means are recesses. Further, it is also possible to reverse the arrangement of the protrusions and recesses from that of the embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a modified example of the rotation prevention means and the rotation prevention object means. FIG. 8A is an explanatory view in the case of a rib and a groove, FIG. 8B is an explanatory view in the case of a notch and a block-shaped protrusion, and FIG. 8C is an explanatory view in the case of a recess and a protrusion. (H08) In the above embodiment, the rotation stopping means and the rotation-stopped means are exemplified as being composed of a protruding part and a hole-shaped part, but are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, on one of the toner cartridges 1y to 1k and the apparatus main body U1, a ridge shape (rib shape) extending in the longitudinal direction is provided, and on the other, a groove shape into which the rib shape fits is provided, and rotation is stopped by the fitting of the rib shape and the groove shape. It is also possible to adopt such a configuration. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, notches 61 and recesses 62 are provided in the toner cartridges 1y to 1k, and when the toner cartridges 1y to 1k are mounted on the apparatus main body U1, the toner cartridges contact the block-shaped convex portions 63 on the apparatus main body U1 side and the notches 61 and recesses 62 to stop rotation. It is also possible to adopt such a configuration. In FIGS. 8B and 8C, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which notches 61 and recesses 62 are provided on the apparatus main body U1 side and convex portions 63 and 63' are provided on the toner cartridge 1y to 1k side.

[0056] (H09) In the above embodiment, it is desirable that the relationship between the lengths of the protrusions 7y and 52 be the configuration exemplified in the embodiment, but it is also possible to have the reverse relationship or the same length. (H010) In the above embodiment, it is desirable to provide two sets of configurations 7y to 7k, 8y to 8k, 51, and 52 for rotation stopping, but it is not limited thereto. It is also possible to have only one set, or three or more sets. (H011) In the above embodiment, the configuration of the play setting is preferably the one exemplified in the embodiment, but it is not limited thereto and can be appropriately changed according to the design, specifications, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1y, 1m, 1c, 1k... Containers for storing developer 6y, 6m, 6c, 6k... Driving means 11... First storage means 12... Second storage means 26... Conveying means 32... Opening through which the developer flows into the second storage means 37... Driven means 38…One end face in the vertical direction of the first accommodating means and the second accommodating means, 41…Protection member, CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk…Cleaning means, Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk…Developing means, Py, Pm, Pc, Pk…Image holding means, S…Medium, T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k…Transfer means, U…Image forming apparatus, U1…Main body of the image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. a first accommodating means for accommodating a novel developer; a second accommodating means for accommodating a developer; a conveying means for conveying the developer in the first accommodating means outward of the first accommodating means; a means to be transmitted, to which drive is transmitted from a drive means of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the means to be transmitted for transmitting drive to the conveying means; comprising the means to be transmitted is disposed in a state where at least a part thereof is exposed outward from one end surface in the vertical direction of the first accommodating means and the second accommodating means, and contacts the drive means at the exposed portion; A developer accommodating container, characterized in that.

2. the first accommodating means in which the upper end of the first accommodating means is disposed above the upper end of the second accommodating means; the conveying means disposed at the lower end portion of the first accommodating means; The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, characterized by comprising.

3. the means to be transmitted disposed below the conveying means, the means to be transmitted exposed below the lower end surface of the second accommodating means; The developer accommodating container according to claim 2, characterized by comprising.

4. an opening through which the developer flows into the second accommodating means is disposed above the conveying means The developer accommodating container according to claim 2, characterized in that.

5. the drive means is disposed outside the developer accommodating container in the vertical direction The developer accommodating container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

6. the means to be transmitted disposed on the front side of the developer accommodating container with respect to the attaching / detaching direction to the main body of the image forming apparatus; A protection means that is disposed further forward in the attachment / detachment direction than the transmission means and protects the transmission means. The developer storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising .

7. The second storage means that extends to the front end of the protection means with respect to the attachment / detachment direction. The developer storage container according to claim 6, characterized by comprising the second storage means.

8. The first storage means that extends to the front end of the protection means with respect to the attachment / detachment direction. The developer storage container according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by comprising the first storage means.

9. An image holding means. A developing means for developing a latent image held by the image holding means. A transfer means for transferring the developed image from the image holding means to a medium. A cleaning means for cleaning the image holding means after transfer. The developer storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which stores a new developer supplied to the developing means in the first storage means and stores the developer removed by the cleaning means in the second storage means, and is a developer storage container detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

Images