Developer container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent a developer adhered to an inner wall of a developer storage part from remaining as it is.SOLUTION: A developer storage container has: a developer storage part that stores developer therein; a stationary part that has the developer storage part mounted thereon and rotatably supports the developer storage part around an axis; a discharge port that discharges the developer from the developer storage part; and a shutter member 70 that is provided movably between a closed position and an open position. The shutter member 70 includes a vibration application part 72 that is extended toward the developer storage part, and the developer storage part includes a projection 53. When the developer storage part is mounted on the stationary part, the shutter member 70 is moved from the closed position to the open position, and during the rotation of the developer storage part, the vibration application part 72 is brought into contact with the projection 53 to vibrate the developer storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container and an image forming apparatus equipped with the developer container. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices that form images using electrophotography can form high-quality images with simple operation and are easy to maintain, and are therefore widely used in copiers, printers, facsimiles, etc. Image forming devices mainly include an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit that visualizes the electrostatic latent image with toner, a transfer unit that transfers the visualized toner image onto recording paper, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper.

[0003] In image forming devices that use toner, toner consumed during image formation must be replenished. To prevent toner scattering during replenishment, a method of replenishment using a container-shaped toner cartridge is used. Known toner cartridges of this type replenish toner by rotating a hollow, roughly cylindrical toner bottle, some of which have spiral-shaped protrusions on the inner wall. When the toner bottle rotates around its axis of rotation, the protrusions guide the toner toward an outlet, from which it is discharged.

[0004] However, as the toner is used, its fluidity gradually changes, making it more likely to aggregate or to adhere to the inner wall of the toner bottle and remain there. If toner remains in the toner bottle but is not discharged due to adhesion or other reasons, the toner bottle is deemed to be "out of toner" and a signal to replace the toner cartridge is sent, which is a problem.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that a protrusion biased by an agitating spring be installed inside the discharge port connected to the toner bottle, and that the agitating spring be vibrated via the protrusion by a baffle rotating around a rotation axis, thereby suppressing toner aggregation at the discharge port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-112639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to suppress toner aggregation at the discharge port, but it cannot solve the problem of toner adhering to and remaining on the inner wall of the toner bottle.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a developer storage container and an image forming apparatus that can prevent developer containing toner from adhering and remaining on the inner wall of the developer storage container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above object is a developer storage container having a developer storage section in the shape of a substantially cylindrical container and storing developer therein, a fixed section to which the developer storage section is attached and which supports the developer storage section so that it can rotate freely around its axis, a discharge port provided in the fixed section and through which developer from the developer storage section is discharged, and a shutter member provided so as to be movable between a closed position that prevents developer from being discharged from the discharge port and an open position that allows developer to be discharged from the discharge port, wherein the shutter member is provided across the developer storage section and the fixed section and has a vibration imparting section that extends towards the developer storage section, the developer storage section has a protrusion on its outer peripheral surface, and when the developer storage section is attached to the fixed section, the shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and when the developer storage section rotates, the vibration imparting section abuts against the protrusion to vibrate the developer storage section.

[0010] In the developer accommodating container having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the vibration applying portion has a convex portion that protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface of the developer accommodating portion and is capable of coming into contact with the protrusion.

[0011] In the developer accommodating container, it is preferable that the vibration applying portion is provided to be elastically deformable, and the convex portion comes into contact with and overcomes the protruding portion.

[0012] In addition, in the developer storage container, a locking protrusion may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the developer storage section at a position closer to the fixed section than the protrusion, and the shutter member in the closed position may be configured so that the convex portion engages with the locking protrusion to prevent rotation of the developer storage section.

[0013] Furthermore, in the developer accommodating container, it is preferable that the convex portion has a first convex portion located upstream in the rotation direction of the developer accommodating container and a second convex portion located downstream in the rotation direction from the first convex portion, and that the first convex portion and the second convex portion are arranged to sandwich the locking protrusion.

[0014] In the developer accommodating container, it is preferable that the protrusion has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion.

[0015] In addition, the developer accommodating container may be provided with a plurality of protrusions, which may be arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the developer accommodating portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0016] In the developer container, it is preferable that the developer accommodating portion has a protruding portion that protrudes inward and rotates around an axis to transport the developer in the axial direction.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus equipped with the developer accommodating container is also within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. That is, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is equipped with the developer accommodating container, and that the developer accommodating container is detachable.

[0018] According to the above configuration, vibrations can be applied to the developer accommodating section, which causes the developer adhering to the inner surface of the developer accommodating section to peel off and enable the developer to be stably discharged without remaining in the developer accommodating section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent developer from adhering to and remaining in a developer container that accommodates the developer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a toner cartridge as a developer accommodating container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the toner cartridge. [Figure 5A] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating a vibration applying portion and a protrusion provided on the toner cartridge. [Figure 5B] 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the vibration applying portion and the protrusion portion come into contact with each other. FIG. [Figure 6A] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating a protrusion and a vibration applying portion as a reference example. [Figure 6B] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams each showing a schematic state of contact between a protrusion and a vibration applying part as a reference example. [Figure 7A] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a convex portion provided on a vibration applying portion of the toner cartridge rides over a protruding portion. FIG. [Figure 7B] 7B is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 7A, which schematically shows how a convex portion provided on the vibration applying portion of the toner cartridge rides over a protrusion. [Figure 7C] 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a convex portion provided on the vibration applying portion of the toner cartridge passes over a protrusion portion, following FIG. 7B. [Figure 7D] 7C, is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a convex portion provided on the vibration applying portion of the toner cartridge rides over a protrusion. FIG. [Figure 7E] 7D, is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a convex portion provided on the vibration applying portion of the toner cartridge rides over a protrusion. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a locking protrusion provided at an end of the toner cartridge. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating the configuration of a protrusion in a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A developer accommodating container and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and which uses a toner cartridge 10 as a developer container according to the present invention, as described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the X direction corresponds to the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front, and the left side will be referred to as the X1 direction, or leftward, and the right side will be referred to as the X2 direction, or rightward. Furthermore, the Y direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front, and the front side (near side) of the image forming apparatus 1 will be referred to as the Y1 direction, or forward, and the back side (rear side) of the image forming apparatus 1 will be referred to as the Y2 direction, or rearward. These directions are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation form of the image forming apparatus 1 during use.

[0023] 1 shows an example of a multifunction peripheral as the image forming apparatus 1, but the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this and may be any apparatus that performs various types of image formation, such as a printer, facsimile machine, or copier. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an apparatus that can detachably mount a toner cartridge 10 (described later) and that performs various types of image formation.

[0024] (Image forming device) The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, etc., and transmits an image of an original document read by an image reading device 18 to an external device, and forms an image of the read original document or an image received from an external device on a sheet in color or monochrome. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an optical scanning device 11, a developing device 12, a photosensitive drum 13, a drum cleaning device 14, a charging device 15, a paper feeding device 17, an image reading device 18, an intermediate transfer belt device 20, a fixing device 44, etc.

[0025] Image forming apparatus 1 handles image data corresponding to color images using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or monochrome images using a single color (e.g., black). Image reading device 18 reads an original document or an original document transported from an automatic document feeder (ADF) to generate image data. Image forming apparatus 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with four developing devices 12, four photosensitive drums 13, four drum cleaning devices 14, and four charging devices 15 for forming four types of toner images, and is configured as four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, each corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.

[0026] The drum cleaning device 14 removes and collects residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. The charging device 15 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. The optical scanning device 11 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 12 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. Through this series of operations, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13. To supply toner of each color to the developing device 12, toner cartridges containing developer containing toner are described below.

[0027] An intermediate transfer belt device 20 is provided above the photosensitive drums 13, and an intermediate transfer roller 26 is disposed with an intermediate transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, and is stretched between a drive roller 22 and a tension roller 23, rotating (circularly moving) in the direction of arrow C. The tension roller 23 is provided to apply a predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer belt 21. The toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 and superimposed, thereby forming a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. The detailed configuration of this intermediate transfer belt device 20 will be described later.

[0028] A nip area (secondary transfer position) is formed between the secondary transfer roller 43 of the secondary transfer unit 42 and the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path 31 is sandwiched in this nip area and conveyed. When the sheet passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the sheet, and the sheet is conveyed to a fixing device 44. Toner and the like remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 are collected by a belt cleaning device 41.

[0029] The fixing device 44 includes a fixing roller 45 and a pressure roller 46 that rotate while sandwiching the sheet. The fixing device 44 sandwiches the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred between the fixing roller 45 and the pressure roller 46, and applies heat and pressure to fix the toner image to the sheet.

[0030] The sheet feeder 17 stores sheets used for image formation and is provided below the optical scanning device 11. A sheet is pulled out of the sheet feeder 17 by a pickup roller 33, transported through a sheet transport path 31, passes through a secondary transfer unit 42 and a fixing device 44, and is transported to a paper output tray 37 via a paper output roller 36. Various pairs of rollers are arranged in the sheet transport path 31, such as a registration roller 35 that temporarily stops the sheet, aligns the leading edge of the sheet, and then starts transporting the sheet in accordance with the transfer timing of a color toner image in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 43, multiple transport rollers 34 that promote the transport of the sheet, and a paper output roller 36.

[0031] When an image is to be formed on the back side as well as the front side of the sheet, the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction from the paper discharge roller 36 to the sheet reversal conveying path 32, the sheet is turned over, the sheet is guided again to the registration roller 35, an image is formed on the back side in the same manner as on the front side, and the sheet is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 37.

[0032] (Toner cartridge) 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of developing device 12 and toner cartridge 10 as a developer container according to this embodiment. Toner cartridge 10 includes a cylindrical developer storage portion (toner bottle 50, described later) and a fixing portion 60, and is connected to developer tank 124 of developing device 12 via a conveying path 81.

[0033] Developing tank 124 of developing device 12 is provided with developing roller 121, toner transport member 122, and toner concentration sensor 123. Developing roller 121 is exposed from the opening of developing tank 124 and is provided in contact with or close to photosensitive drum 13, and serves as a magnet roller for forming a magnetic brush.

[0034] A plurality of toner transport members 122 are provided on the bottom side of developer tank 124 so as to be parallel to developing roller 121, and transport the supplied toner to developing roller 121 while stirring the supplied toner together with the carrier. Toner concentration sensor 123 is provided on the bottom of developer tank 124 and detects the concentration of toner and carrier in developer tank 124. A toner supply unit 80 connected to fixed portion 60 of toner cartridge 10 is provided above developing device 12, and toner supplied from toner supply unit 80 is guided to developer tank 124 through transport path 81.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the toner cartridge 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the vibration applying unit 72 of the toner cartridge 10. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The toner cartridge 10 includes a toner bottle 50 that stores therein toner, which is a component of the developer, and a fixing portion 60 that holds the toner bottle 50 at one end of the toner bottle 50 .

[0037] Toner bottle 50 includes toner container 51, which is formed in a substantially cylindrical container shape and stores replenishment toner (developer), and a toner bottle-side outlet (not shown) for discharging the toner in toner container 51. Toner bottle 50 is configured to be driven to rotate around axis (central axis) L1, thereby transporting the toner in toner container 51 and discharging it from the toner bottle-side outlet.

[0038] The fixed part 60 is a part that is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and includes a fixed part outer wall 61. The fixed part 60 is provided so as to surround the toner bottle-side discharge port provided at the end of the toner bottle 50 in the Y2 direction. The toner discharged from the toner bottle-side discharge port is temporarily stored inside the fixed part outer wall 61. The fixed part 60 also has a discharge port 62 that discharges the toner to the outside. The discharge port 62 is provided as an opening in the fixed part outer wall 61. A pair of slide support parts 63 extending in the Y direction are provided on the outer edge of the discharge port 62.

[0039] As a result, the fixing part 60 is configured to surround the entire outer periphery of the toner container 51 at the Y2 end of the toner bottle 50, including the toner bottle-side discharge port, and to support the toner bottle 50 so that it can rotate freely around the axis L1. By being attached to the fixing part 60, the toner bottle 50 can receive a rotational driving force transmitted from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, toner bottle 50 is provided with multiple rib-like toner guide raised portions 52 that protrude inward of toner container 51. These multiple toner guide raised portions 52 are divided intermittently in accordance with the rotation direction of toner bottle 50 and are arranged in a spiral shape as a whole. In the illustrated embodiment, toner guide raised portions 52 are provided integrally with toner container 51 and appear as grooves recessed inward on the outer periphery. When toner bottle 50 is rotated about axis L1, toner in toner container 51 is transported along multiple toner guide raised portions 52 in direction Y2 and is then discharged to the outside through discharge opening 62 of fixed portion 60.

[0041] The toner cartridge 10 further includes a shutter member 70. The shutter member 70 is provided so as to be movable between a closed position that prevents toner from being discharged from the discharge port 62 and an open position that allows toner to be discharged from the discharge port 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the shutter member 70 is disposed so as to straddle the toner bottle 50 and the fixed portion 60.

[0042] 4, the shutter member 70 has slide portions 74 extending along the Y direction at both ends of the closing portion 71. The slide portions 74 are engaged with the slide support portions 63, and the shutter member 70 is provided so as to be movable along the slide support portions 63 in a slide Y that is parallel to the Y direction.

[0043] 3, when the shutter member 70 is moved in the Y1 direction to the open position, the discharge port 62 is exposed, allowing toner to be discharged from the discharge port 62. When the shutter member 70 is moved from this state in the Y2 direction along the slide support portion 63, the closing portion 71 of the shutter member 70 covers and conceals the discharge port 62, thereby reaching the closed position and preventing toner from being discharged from the discharge port 62.

[0044] The shutter member 70, which opens or closes the discharge port 62 in this manner, is further provided with a vibration applying portion 72 extending toward the toner bottle 50 (in the Y1 direction). The vibration applying portion 72 is made of a synthetic resin material or a metal plate-like member, and is provided so as to be elastically deformable in response to an external pressure.

[0045] 4, the vibration applying unit 72 has a protrusion 73 that protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 73 is configured to have a first protrusion 731 located upstream in the rotation direction A of the toner bottle 50, and a second protrusion 732 located downstream of the first protrusion 731 in the rotation direction A. The vibration applying unit 72 has these protrusions 73 that can abut against the protrusion 53 and is elastically deformable. Therefore, the first protrusion 731 and the second protrusion 732 protrude toward the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51, and their respective tips may or may not be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51.

[0046] In contrast, toner bottle 50 has protrusion 53 on the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51. Protrusion 53 is provided at a position corresponding to vibration imparting portion 72 of shutter member 70 in the Y direction. Vibration imparting portion 72 is provided to be elastically deformable, so when toner bottle 50 rotates in rotation direction A, convex portion 73 abuts against and overcomes protrusion 53.

[0047] When the toner bottle 50 is attached to the fixing part 60, the shutter member 70 is moved from the closed position to the open position. When the toner bottle 50 rotates around the axis L1, the vibration applying part 72 of the shutter member 70 in the open position has the convex part 73 abut against the protrusion 53, and rides over it to vibrate the toner bottle 50.

[0048] Here, protrusion 53 has inclined surface 531 that slopes downward toward the downstream side in rotation direction A of toner bottle 50. Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing how convex portion 73 of vibration imparting unit 72 abuts against protrusion 53 having inclined surface 531. Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing, as a reference example, how convex portion 73 of vibration imparting unit 72 abuts against protrusion 530 that does not have inclined surface 531.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5A, when toner bottle 50 rotates in rotation direction A, protrusion 53 provided on the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51 approaches convex portion 73 of vibration imparting unit 72. Then, as shown in Fig. 5B, inclined surface 531 of protrusion 53 abuts convex portion 73. The end of convex portion 73 slides on inclined surface 531 while moving in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51 (upward in the figure), and passes over protrusion 53.

[0050] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 6A, if protrusion 530 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape without an inclined surface, even when toner bottle 50 rotates in rotation direction A and protrusion 53 approaches convex portion 73 of vibration imparting part 72, convex portion 73 will easily get caught on protrusion 53, as shown in Fig. 6B. Because the end of convex portion 73 engages with the end of protrusion 53, it becomes difficult for vibration imparting part 72 to smoothly overcome protrusion 53. For this reason, it is preferable that vibration imparting part 72 be elastically deformable and that protrusion 53 be provided with inclined surface 531.

[0051] 7A to 7E are explanatory diagrams sequentially showing how the convex portion 73 provided on the vibration applying portion 72 climbs over the protrusion 53 of the toner bottle 50. When the convex portion 73 has a configuration including a first convex portion 731 and a second convex portion 732 as described above, as shown in FIG. 7A, the protrusion 53 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51 approaches the first convex portion 731 of the vibration applying portion 72 as the toner bottle 50 rotates in the rotation direction A.

[0052] As toner bottle 50 rotates, protrusion 53 approaches first protrusion 731, and as shown in Figure 7B, the tip of first protrusion 731 rides up on inclined surface 531 of protrusion 53. Vibration imparting part 72 elastically deforms, and the entire vibration imparting part 72 moves away from the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51. Inclined surface 531 is formed with a downward slope toward the downstream side in rotation direction A, so first protrusion 731 slides smoothly while riding up on inclined surface 531, allowing toner bottle 50 to continue rotating smoothly.

[0053] After the tip of the first protrusion 731 that has climbed up onto the inclined surface 531 reaches the upstream end of the protrusion 53 in the rotation direction A, it falls from the end of the protrusion 53 toward the outer circumferential surface of the toner container 51, as shown in FIG. 7C. The vibration applying unit 72 elastically recovers and returns to its original position. When the first protrusion 731 falls from the protrusion 53, the tip of the first protrusion 731 acts to strike the outer circumferential surface of the toner container 51. This causes the toner container 51 to receive an impact and vibrate.

[0054] As toner bottle 50 continues to rotate in rotation direction A, as shown in Fig. 7D, inclined surface 531 of protrusion 53 comes into contact with second convex portion 732. Vibration imparting portion 72 elastically deforms and moves away from the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51, and the tip of second convex portion 732 rides up on inclined surface 531. The tip of second convex portion 732 smoothly rides up and slides on inclined surface 531. Toner bottle 50 continues to rotate smoothly.

[0055] 7E, the tip of second convex portion 732 falls from the upstream end of protrusion 53 in rotation direction A toward the outer circumferential surface of toner container 51. Vibration applying portion 72 elastically recovers to its original position. When second convex portion 732 falls from protrusion 53, the tip of second convex portion 732 also acts to strike the outer circumferential surface of toner container 51. This causes toner container 51 to receive an impact and vibrate.

[0056] In this way, the first convex portion 731 and the second convex portion 732 of the vibration imparting portion 72 repeatedly collide with and overcome the protrusion portion 53 when the toner bottle 50 rotates, striking the outer surface of the toner container 51 and imparting regular vibrations.

[0057] As the toner bottle 50 is used, the fluidity of the toner may gradually change, making it more likely for toner to clump together or for toner to adhere to and remain on the inner walls of the toner bottle 50 or on the raised toner guide portion 52. If toner remains in the toner bottle but is prevented from being discharged due to adhesion or other reasons, the toner bottle may be deemed "out of toner" and a signal to replace the toner cartridge may be sent, which is a problem. In contrast, with the toner cartridge 10 according to this embodiment, the vibration applying unit 72 applies regular vibrations to the toner bottle 50, which causes the toner remaining in the toner bottle 50 to separate and eliminate toner adhesion.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking protrusion 54 provided on the end of the toner cartridge 10. As described above, the protrusions 73 (first protrusion 731 and second protrusion 732) that act to impart vibration to the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51 can also be used as a member that prevents the toner bottle 50 from rotating when the shutter member 70 is in the closed position. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the locking protrusion 54 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 50 at a position closer to the fixing portion 60 than the protrusions 53. When the shutter member 70 is in the closed position, the first protrusion 731 and the second protrusion 732 lock the locking protrusion 54 so that they are sandwiched between them. This prevents the toner bottle 50 from rotating.

[0059] In this way, by utilizing the shutter member 70 that opens or closes the discharge port 62 of the toner cartridge 10, it is possible to vibrate the toner bottle 50 to remove any remaining toner and to prevent unintended rotation of the toner bottle 50. Therefore, it is possible to vibrate and remove any adhering toner without significantly increasing the number of parts or manufacturing costs of the toner cartridge 10, and it is possible to solve the problem of toner not being discharged even though there is toner remaining in the toner bottle 50.

[0060] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the protrusion 53 in the toner cartridge 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] In the toner cartridge 10, the configurations of the vibration applying portion 72 and the protrusions 53 are not limited to those shown in the first embodiment, and may be configured in any way as long as they apply vibrations to the toner container 51. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the toner bottle 50 may have a plurality of protrusions 53 on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51. The plurality of protrusions are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 51 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, four protrusions 53 are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of toner container 51. All of the protrusions 53 are provided on the same circumference of toner container 51 at positions corresponding to vibration imparting portions 72 of shutter member 70 in the Y direction. Because vibration imparting portions 72 are provided to be elastically deformable, when toner bottle 50 rotates in rotation direction A, protrusions 73 (first protrusion 731 and second protrusion 732) sequentially abut against, overcome, and fall against each of the protrusions 53 provided in the circumferential direction, thereby repeatedly imparting vibrations to toner container 51. This allows for more effective vibration impartation, which can peel off toner remaining in toner bottle 50 and eliminate toner adhesion.

[0063] Note that the shutter member 70 provided in the toner cartridge 10 is not limited to having the above configuration, as long as it is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the discharge port 62 and has a configuration including the vibration applying portion 72, and the shape and number of the convex portions 73 may be configured in any manner. Also, in the description of this embodiment, an example has been described in which the toner cartridge 10 of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the developing device 12 shown in FIG. 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other image forming apparatuses, etc., as long as the image forming apparatus and developing device are equipped with or are capable of being equipped with a toner cartridge or a developing device and require replenishment of developer (toner).

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that are appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Image forming device 10 Toner cartridge (developer container) 12 Developing device 121 Developing roller 122 Toner transport member 123 Toner density sensor 124 Developer tank 50 Toner bottle (developer storage compartment) 51 Toner container 52 Toner guide raised portion (raised portion) 53 Protrusion 531 Slope 54 Locking protrusion 60 Fixed part 61 Fixed part outer wall 62 Outlet 63 Slide support 70 Shutter parts 71 Closure 72 Vibration applying part 73 Convex 731 First convex part 732 Second convex part 74 Slide section 80 Toner supply unit 81 Transport path

Claims

1. a developer storage portion having a substantially cylindrical container shape and storing a developer therein; a fixing portion to which the developer accommodating portion is attached and which supports the developer accommodating portion so as to be rotatable about an axis; a discharge port provided in the fixed portion and configured to discharge the developer from the developer accommodating portion; a shutter member provided to be movable between a closed position that prevents the developer from being discharged from the discharge port and an open position that allows the developer to be discharged from the discharge port; A developer container having: the shutter member is provided across the developer accommodating portion and the fixed portion, and the shutter member includes a vibration applying portion extending toward the developer accommodating portion, the developer accommodating portion has a protrusion on its outer circumferential surface, When the developer accommodating unit is attached to the fixed portion, the shutter member is moved from a closed position to an open position, and when the developer accommodating unit rotates, the vibration imparting portion abuts against the protrusion, thereby vibrating the developer accommodating unit.

2. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, wherein the vibration applying portion has a convex portion that projects toward an outer peripheral surface of the developer accommodating portion and is capable of coming into contact with the protrusion.

3. 3. The developer accommodating container according to claim 2, The developer accommodating container is characterized in that the vibration applying portion is provided to be elastically deformable, and the convex portion comes into contact with and rides over the protruding portion.

4. 3. The developer accommodating container according to claim 2, a locking protrusion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the developer accommodating portion at a position closer to the fixed portion than the protrusion portion, The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member in the closed position has the protrusion engaged with the engaging projection to prevent rotation of the developer accommodating portion.

5. 5. The developer container according to claim 4, The convex portion has a first convex portion located upstream in the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion, and a second convex portion located downstream in the rotation direction from the first convex portion, and the first convex portion and the second convex portion are arranged so as to sandwich the locking protrusion.

6. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion.

7. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, a developer accommodating container, characterized in that a plurality of the protrusions are provided and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the developer accommodating portion;

8. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, The developer accommodating portion has a protruding portion that protrudes inward, and rotates around an axis to transport the developer in the axial direction.

9. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer accommodating container according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating container is detachable.

Images