Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To further develop a conventional configuration.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge comprises: a casing that stores toner and includes a toner discharge port; a fan; a blocking member that can make a transition to a blocking position and an opening position to open a passage; and a drive receiving member configured to receive input of an external driving force and configured to rotate to transmit the driving force to the fan and the blocking member. The blocking member is configured to periodically move between the blocking position and the opening position upon reception of the driving force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used for forming an image on a recording medium and a toner cartridge used in the image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in order to replenish toner (developer) consumed during image formation, a configuration is known in which a developer replenishment container containing toner is detachably provided on the image forming apparatus main body.

[0003] Conventionally, a method has been proposed in which a pump is arranged in a developer replenishment container and the toner is replenished from the developer replenishment container to the image forming apparatus main body using the pump (see Patent Document 1). Further, a method for appropriately operating the pump arranged in the developer replenishment container has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention further develops the conventional configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a toner cartridge comprising: a casing for containing toner and having a toner discharge port from which the contained toner can be discharged; a fan configured to send air by rotating; a shielding member that can transition between a shielding position that shields the passage of air sent by the fan and an open position that opens the passage; and a drive receiving member configured to receive a driving force from the outside and to transmit the driving force toward the fan and the shielding member by rotating, wherein the shielding member is configured to periodically move between the shielding position and the open position in response to the driving force.

[0007] Furthermore, this specification discloses a toner cartridge comprising: a casing for containing toner and having a toner discharge port for discharging the contained toner; a fan that rotates to supply air; a transport unit that is rotatably supported inside the casing and transports toner; a toner shielding member that can transition between a toner shielding position that shields the transport path of the toner transported by the transport unit and a toner opening position that opens the transport path; and a drive receiving member configured to receive a driving force from the outside and to transmit the driving force toward the fan and the toner shielding member by rotating, wherein the toner shielding member is configured to periodically move between the toner shielding position and the toner opening position upon receiving the driving force.

[0009] Furthermore, the device includes a storage chamber for storing toner, a toner discharge port from which the toner stored in the storage chamber can be discharged, a blower configured to supply gas, and a duct configured to guide the gas supplied by the blower, wherein the duct is positioned adjacent to the toner discharge port and has an exhaust port from which the gas supplied by the blower can be discharged. death , The exhaust port is positioned to surround the toner discharge port. This specification discloses a toner cartridge. Furthermore, this specification discloses a toner cartridge having a storage chamber for storing toner, a toner discharge port from which the toner stored in the storage chamber can be discharged, a blower configured to supply gas, and a duct configured to guide the gas supplied by the blower, wherein the duct is arranged adjacent to the toner discharge port and has an exhaust port from which the gas supplied by the blower can be discharged, and the toner discharge port is arranged to surround the exhaust port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the prior art can be developed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic configuration diagram showing a toner conveyance device mounted on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge. [Figure 4] Overall perspective view of the process cartridge from the front. [Figure 5] (a) is an overall perspective view of the process cartridge from the rear, and (b) is another overall perspective view of the process cartridge from the rear. [Figure 6] Perspective view showing a toner cartridge. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view showing the toner discharge chamber of the toner cartridge. [Figure 9] Perspective view showing the rear end of the toner cartridge. [Figure 10] (a) is a front view showing the drive train, and (b) is a perspective view showing the drive train. [Figure 11] (a) is a perspective view showing the acceleration mechanism, and (b) is another perspective view showing the acceleration mechanism. [Figure 12] (a) is a perspective view for explaining the air flow sent by the fan, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional perspective view for explaining the air flow sent by the fan. [Figure 13] Exploded perspective view showing the slide shutter and its peripheral configuration. [Figure 14] (a) is a bottom view showing the toner cartridge, and (b) is a bottom view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 15] (a) is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment, and (b) is another exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16](a) is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary shutter in the open position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary shutter in the shielded position. [Figure 17] Cross-sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] Perspective view showing a shutter member and its peripheral configuration. [Figure 19] (a) is a bottom view showing a shutter member in the open position, and (b) is a bottom view showing a shutter member in the shielded position. [Figure 20] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a shutter member in the shielded position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a shutter member in the open position. [Figure 21] Perspective view showing a lifting shutter according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a lifting shutter and its peripheral configuration, and (b) is an exploded perspective view showing a lifting shutter and its peripheral configuration. [Figure 23] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a lifting shutter in the shielded position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a lifting shutter in the shielded position. (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a lifting shutter in the open position, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing a lifting shutter in the open position. [Figure 24] Perspective view showing a gear shutter according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] (a) is a perspective view showing a gear shutter in the shielded position, and (b) is a perspective view showing a gear shutter in the open position. [Figure 26] Perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 27] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a rotating shutter in the shielded position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a rotating shutter in the shielded position. (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a rotating shutter in the open position, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing a lifting shutter in the rotating position. [Figure 28] (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the sixth embodiment, (b) is another exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the sixth embodiment, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 29] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 30] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member located in the shielding position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member located in the open position. [Figure 31] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member located in the shielding position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing member located in the open position. [Figure 32] (a) is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the seventh embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge. [Figure 33] (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the eighth embodiment, and (b) is another exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 34] (a) is a front view showing the drive configuration of the duct shutter, and (b) is a front view showing the drive configuration of the duct shutter. [Figure 35] (a) is a rear view showing the duct shutter and its surrounding components in the shielded position, and (b) is a rear view showing the duct shutter and its surrounding components in the open position. [Figure 36] A perspective view showing a duct according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 37] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the flow of toner and air, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the duct. [Figure 38] A cross-sectional view showing the flow of toner and air. [Figure 39] (a) is a bottom view showing the duct, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the duct. [Figure 40] An exploded perspective view showing a duct according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 41] (a) is a bottom view showing the exhaust port, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner discharge port and exhaust port. [Figure 42] A perspective view showing the third duct component when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 43](a) is a front view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position, (b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position. [Figure 44] (a) is a front view showing the third duct member in the open position, (b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member in the open position, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member in the open position. [Figure 45] A schematic diagram showing a toner cartridge according to the 11th embodiment. [Figure 46] (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 12th embodiment, and (b) is another exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 12th embodiment. [Figure 47] (a) is a side view showing the gas cylinder unit in the closed position, and (b) is a side view showing the gas cylinder unit in the open position. [Figure 48] (a) is a side view showing the gas cylinder unit in the closed position, and (b) is a side view showing the gas cylinder unit in the open position. [Figure 49] A perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 50] A cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge. [Figure 51] (a) is a side view showing the drive train, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the drive train, and (c) is another cross-sectional view showing the drive train. [Figure 52] A perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 14th embodiment. [Figure 53] An exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 54] A perspective view showing the drive train. [Figure 55] (a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the conveying member when it moves in the Z2 direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the conveying member when it moves in the Z2 direction. (c) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the conveying member when it moves in the Z1 direction, and (d) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the conveying member when it moves in the Z1 direction. [Figure 56] A diagram showing the size of vents, etc. [Figure 57] A perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 15th embodiment. [Figure 58] An exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 59] A cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge. [Figure 60] (a) is a perspective view of the rear end of the toner cartridge seen from below, and (b) is a perspective view of the rear end of the toner cartridge seen from above. [Figure 61] (a) is a perspective view showing the pump in an extended state, and (b) is a perspective view showing the pump in a retracted state. [Figure 62] A cross-sectional view showing the toner discharge chamber. [Figure 63] A perspective view showing the sheet material. [Figure 64] Cross-sectional view showing the sheet material. [Figure 65] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge, and (b) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge when cut through a plane containing the center of rotation of the screw. [Figure 66] A bottom view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 67] A perspective view illustrating the assembly of the duct onto the supply frame. [Figure 68] (a) is a perspective view showing the second and third duct members, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the second and third duct members, and (c) is a perspective view showing the exhaust port and holes provided in the third duct member. [Figure 69] A bottom view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 70] An exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge, seen from the bottom. [Figure 71] (a) is a bottom view showing the shutter member in the shielding position, and (b) is a bottom view showing the shutter member in the open position. [Figure 72] A perspective view showing the receiving section of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 73] A cross-sectional view showing the toner transport device and toner cartridge. [Figure 74] A cross-sectional view showing the pipe section of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 75] A cross-sectional view showing the toner transport path and the air exhaust path. [Figure 76] Enlarged cross-sectional view showing the toner transport path and air exhaust path. [Figure 77] Bottom view showing exhaust ports and vents. [Figure 78] An exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 16th embodiment. [Figure 79] (a) is a bottom view showing the third duct member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port. [Figure 80] A perspective view showing the third duct component when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 81] (a) is a front view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position, (b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member located in the shielding position. [Figure 82] (a) is a front view showing the third duct member in the open position, (b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member in the open position, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member in the open position. [Figure 83] A schematic diagram showing a toner cartridge according to the 17th embodiment. [Figure 84] (a) is a perspective view showing a duct according to the 18th embodiment, and (b) is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the 18th embodiment. [Figure 85] (a) is a perspective view showing the duct, (b) is a bottom view showing the second duct component, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port. [Figure 86] (a) is a bottom view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port according to another embodiment, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port, (c) is a bottom view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner outlet and exhaust port. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiment should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiment.

[0014] [Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus] The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus 100") according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 100, which is an electrophotographic printer according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 are detachable from the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100. The part of the image forming apparatus 100 excluding each cartridge (1, 13) may be referred to as the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 or the main body 100B. The main body 100B is configured to receive the toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13.

[0015] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same, except that the color of the formed image differs. Therefore, in the following description, the subscripts Y to K will be omitted unless otherwise specified, and a general explanation will be given.

[0016] The first to fourth process cartridges 1 are arranged horizontally. Each process cartridge 1 consists of a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, a charging roller 8 as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 10 as a cleaning means. The developing unit 6 has a developing roller 11 and a developing means for housing a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) T and developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are supported so as to be able to swing relative to each other. The first process cartridge 1Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing unit 6. Similarly, the second process cartridge 1M contains magenta (M) toner, the third process cartridge 1C contains cyan (C) toner, and the fourth process cartridge 1K contains black (K) toner.

[0017] The process cartridge 1 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 via mounting means such as mounting guides (not shown) and positioning members (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is located below the process cartridge 1. Furthermore, a waste toner transport unit 23 is located behind the process cartridge 1 in the image forming apparatus (downstream of the process cartridge 1 in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 1).

[0018] The first to fourth toner cartridges 13 are arranged horizontally below each process cartridge 1 in an order corresponding to the toner colors contained in each process cartridge 1. In the following description, the toner cartridges 13 may be simply referred to as cartridge 13.

[0019] The first cartridge 13Y contains yellow (Y) toner, the second cartridge 13M contains magenta (M), the third cartridge 13C contains cyan (C), and the fourth cartridge 13K contains black (K) toner. Each cartridge 13 then replenishes the toner in the process cartridge 1 containing the toner of the same color.

[0020] The toner replenishment operation (supply operation) by cartridge 13 is performed when a remaining amount detection unit (not shown) provided on the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100 detects that the toner level in the process cartridge 1 is insufficient. Cartridge 13 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 via mounting means such as mounting guides (not shown) and positioning members (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0021] Furthermore, when distinguishing between toner cartridge 13 and process cartridge 1, one may be referred to as the first cartridge and the other as the second cartridge. A detailed explanation of process cartridge 1 and cartridge 13 will be provided later.

[0022] Inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the first to fourth toner transport devices 14 are arranged below the first to fourth cartridges 13, corresponding to each cartridge 13. Above the process cartridge 1, an intermediate transfer unit 19 is provided as an intermediate transfer body. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is arranged substantially horizontally with the primary transfer section S1 side facing downwards. The intermediate transfer belt 18 facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable, endless belt, stretched over a plurality of tension rollers. On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, primary transfer rollers 20 are positioned to form the primary transfer section S1 with each photosensitive drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. In addition, secondary transfer rollers 21, which are secondary transfer members, are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 and form the secondary transfer section S2 with the roller on the opposite side via the intermediate transfer belt 18. Furthermore, a cleaning unit 4 is arranged on the opposite side of the secondary transfer section S2 in the left-right direction (the direction in which the secondary transfer section S2 and the intermediate transfer belt are stretched).

[0023] Above the intermediate transfer unit 19, a fixing unit 25 is positioned. The fixing unit 25 consists of a heating unit 26 and a pressure roller 27 that presses against the heating unit 26. A discharge tray 32 is located on the top surface of the main body 100B, and a waste toner collection container 24 is located between the discharge tray 32 and the intermediate transfer unit. Furthermore, a paper feed tray 2 for accommodating the recording material 3 is located at the very bottom of the main body.

[0024] Figure 2 shows the general configuration of the toner transport device 14 mounted on the image forming apparatus. Note that Figure 2 shows a partially cutaway shape to illustrate the internal configuration of the toner transport device 14. Also, Figure 2 omits the duct 230, which will be described later. The toner transport device 14, as a supply unit, is broadly composed of an upstream transport unit 110 and a downstream transport unit 120.

[0025] A supply port (receiving port: not shown) is located on the upper surface of the upstream transport unit 110. Toner supplied from the toner cartridge 13 (i.e., the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 in Figure 8, which will be described later) passes through the supply port and is supplied to the storage container 109 inside the upstream transport unit 110.

[0026] The toner supplied to the storage container 109 is transported by the upstream screw 105, which is covered by the storage container 109. The upstream screw 105 is rotationally driven by the upstream drive gear 103, and the upstream screw 105 transports the toner toward the downstream transport section 120.

[0027] The downstream transport section 120 is provided with a downstream wall surface 123, and a downstream screw 124 is located inside the downstream wall surface 123. The uppermost part of the downstream transport section 120 is connected to the lowermost part of the upstream transport section 110, and the toner transported by the upstream transport section 110 is transported by the downstream screw 124.

[0028] The downstream screw 124 is rotationally driven by the downstream drive gear 122 and transports toner in the opposite direction to gravity. The downstream screw 124 supplies toner to the process cartridge 1 shown in Figure 1 through the main body discharge port 121, which has been transported in the opposite direction to gravity.

[0029] To explain in detail, the toner discharged from the main unit's outlet 121 is replenished into the developing unit 6 through the receiving port 40 provided in the developing unit 6 of the process cartridge 1, which is a cartridge as shown in Figure 5(b) below.

[0030] In this manner, the main body of the image forming apparatus receives the toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13 into a storage container 109, and then supplies that toner to the process cartridge 1 using the upstream screw 105 and the downstream screw 124. This allows the toner to be transported between the different cartridges 13 and 1.

[0031] [Image Formation Process] Next, the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be explained using Figures 1 and 3. During image forming, the photosensitive drum 7 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B (forward of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

[0032] First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed by laser light emitted from the scanner unit 12, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 based on image information. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 6. At this time, the developing unit 6 is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 20.

[0033] For example, when forming a full-color image, the above-described process is carried out sequentially in the first to fourth primary transfer sections, which are the image forming sections S1Y to S1K, so that toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0034] Meanwhile, the recording material 3 contained in the paper feed tray 2 is fed at a predetermined control timing and transported to the secondary transfer section S2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are transferred collectively onto the recording material 3 by the secondary transfer roller 21, which is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material 3.

[0035] Subsequently, the recording material 3 on which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 25. In the fixing unit 25, the recording material 3 is heated and pressurized, fixing the toner image to the recording material 3. After that, the recording material 3 with the fixed toner image is transported to the discharge tray 32, completing the image formation operation.

[0036] Furthermore, any primary transfer residue (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the primary transfer process is removed by the cleaning blade 10. Any secondary transfer residue (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer process is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22. The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 10 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is transported by a waste toner transport unit 23 located in the main body of the device and accumulated in the waste toner collection container 24. The image forming apparatus 100 can also form monochrome or multicolor images using only one or some (but not all) of the desired image forming units.

[0037] [Processing cartridge] Next, the overall configuration of the process cartridge 1, which is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, will be described using Figures 3 to 5(b). Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 1 as seen from the upstream side in the process cartridge mounting direction. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views of the process cartridge 1 as seen from the downstream side in the process cartridge mounting direction.

[0038] The process cartridge 1 is formed from a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are pivotably coupled around a rotating support pin 30.

[0039] The cleaning unit 4 has a cleaning frame 5 that supports various components within the cleaning unit 4. In addition to the photosensitive drum 7, charging roller 8, and cleaning blade 10, the cleaning unit 4 also has a waste toner transport screw 15 that extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7. Cleaning bearings 33 are disposed at both longitudinal ends of the cleaning frame 5, and these cleaning bearings 33 rotatably support the photosensitive drum 7. The cleaning bearing 33 on the upstream side in the process cartridge mounting direction is equipped with a cleaning gear train 31 for transmitting drive from the photosensitive drum 7 to the waste toner transport screw 15.

[0040] The charging roller 8, provided in the cleaning unit 4, is biased toward the photosensitive drum 7 in the direction of arrow C by charging roller pressure springs 36 located at both ends. The charging roller 8 is provided to follow the photosensitive drum 7, and when the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated in the direction of arrow A during image formation, it rotates in the direction of arrow D (forward of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

[0041] The cleaning blade 10 provided in the cleaning unit 4 consists of an elastic member 10a for removing transfer residue toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after primary transfer, and a support member 10b for supporting the elastic member 10a. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning blade 10 is contained in the waste toner storage chamber 9 formed by the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning frame 5. The waste toner contained in the waste toner storage chamber 9 is transported toward the rear of the image forming apparatus 100 (downstream in the direction of attachment / detachment of the process cartridge 1) by a waste toner transport screw 15 installed in the waste toner storage chamber 9. The transported waste toner is discharged from the waste toner discharge section 35 and handed over to the waste toner transport unit 23 (see Figure 1) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0042] The developing unit 6 has a developing frame 16 that supports various components within the developing unit 6. The developing frame 16 is divided into a developing chamber 16a, which houses the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and a toner storage chamber 16b, which houses the toner and houses the agitator 29.

[0043] The developing chamber 16a is equipped with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, and a developing blade 28. The developing roller 11 carries toner and rotates in the direction of arrow E during image formation, contacting the photosensitive drum 7 to transport the toner to the photosensitive drum 7. The developing roller 11 is rotatably supported on the developing frame 16 by developing bearing units 34 at both ends in its longitudinal direction (direction of rotation axis). The supply roller 17 is rotatably supported on the developing frame 16 by developing bearing units 34 while in contact with the developing roller 11, and rotates in the direction of arrow F during image formation. Furthermore, a developing blade 28, which acts as a layer thickness regulating member to regulate the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 11, is positioned to abut the surface of the developing roller 11.

[0044] The toner storage chamber 16b is provided with an agitation member 29 for agitating the stored toner T and for transporting the toner to the supply roller 17 via the developing chamber communication port 16c. The agitation member 29 has a rotating shaft 29a parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and an agitation sheet 29b which is a flexible sheet. One end of the agitation sheet 29b is attached to the rotating shaft 29a, and the other end of the agitation sheet 29b is a free end. When the rotating shaft 29a rotates, the agitation sheet 29b rotates in the direction of arrow G, and the toner is agitated by the agitation sheet 29b.

[0045] The developing unit 6 has a developing chamber communication port 16c that connects the developing chamber 16a and the toner storage chamber 16b. In this embodiment, when the developing unit 6 is in its normal operating position (operating position), the developing chamber 16a is located above the toner storage chamber 16b. The toner in the toner storage chamber 16b, which has been pumped up by the agitator 29, is supplied to the developing chamber 16a through the developing chamber communication port 16c.

[0046] Furthermore, the developing unit 6 is provided with a receiving port 40 at one end downstream in the insertion direction of the cartridge 1. Above the receiving port 40 are a receiving port sealing member 45 and a receiving port shutter 41 that is movable in the front-rear direction. The receiving port 40 is closed by the receiving port shutter 41 when the process cartridge 1 is not mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The receiving port shutter 41 is configured to open when biased by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the process cartridge 1.

[0047] The developing unit 6 is provided with a receiving transport path 42 that communicates with the receiving inlet 40, and a receiving transport screw 43 is positioned inside the receiving transport path 42. Furthermore, a storage chamber communication port 44 for supplying toner to the toner storage chamber 16b is provided near the longitudinal center of the developing unit 6, and the storage chamber communication port 44 connects the receiving transport path 42 to the toner storage chamber 16b. The receiving transport screw 43 extends parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and transports the toner received from the receiving inlet 40 to the toner storage chamber 16b via the storage chamber communication port 44.

[0048] In this embodiment, one process cartridge 1 had both a photosensitive drum 7 and a developing roller 11, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the cleaning unit 4 having the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing unit 6 having the developing roller 11 may not be connected, and may be separate cartridges. In this case, the cartridge from the cleaning unit 4 may be called the drum cartridge, and the cartridge from the developing unit 6 may be called the developing cartridge. In this case, the toner is supplied from cartridge 13 to the developing cartridge of the developing unit 6.

[0049] [Toner Cartridge] Next, the overall configuration of the toner cartridge 13 installed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 13. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge 13. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner discharge chamber 57 of the toner cartridge 13.

[0050] The toner cartridge 13 contains toner (developer) in its internal space 51 and is installed in the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100 in order to supply (replenish) the toner to the apparatus main body 100B.

[0051] When describing the toner cartridge 13, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 13 is in its normal position, that is, the position in which it is installed inside the main body of the device, and the directions (X1, X2, Y1, Y2, Z1, Z2) are defined as follows.

[0052] The vertical direction is indicated by the Y-axis. Arrow Y1 indicates the upward direction, and arrow Y2 indicates the downward direction. The surface at the Y1 end of the toner cartridge 13 is called the top surface, and the surface at the Y2 end is called the bottom surface. The top surface of the toner cartridge 13 faces upward (Y1 direction), and the bottom surface faces downward (Y2 direction). The Y1 and Y2 directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the vertical direction, height direction, vertical direction, gravity direction, or simply the Y direction or Y-axis direction.

[0053] The Z-axis represents the front-to-back direction. When installing the toner cartridge 13 into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the direction towards the upstream side in the installation direction is indicated by arrow Z1, and the direction towards the downstream side in the installation direction is designated as the Z2 direction. For convenience, the Z1 direction is considered the front, and the Z2 direction is considered the back. In other words, the surface provided at the Z1 direction end of the toner cartridge 13 is called the front surface (front part, front end), and the surface provided at the Z2 direction end is called the rear surface (back, rear end, rear part).

[0054] The front of the toner cartridge 13 faces forward (in the Z1 direction), and the rear faces backward (in the Z2 direction). The toner cartridge 13's length is defined as the extension from the front to the rear (in the Z-axis direction). The Z1 and Z2 directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the front-to-back direction, the length direction, the vertical direction, or the Z direction or the Z-axis direction.

[0055] Furthermore, the left-right direction is indicated by the X-axis. For convenience, when the toner cartridge 13 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the direction that is to the left is indicated by arrow X1, and the direction that is to the right is indicated by arrow X2. The surface provided at the end in the X1 direction of the toner cartridge 13 is called the left side (left face, left end, left part), and the surface provided at the end in the X2 direction is called the right side (right face, right part, right end). The left side of the toner cartridge 13 faces to the left (X1 direction), and the right side faces to the right (X2 direction). The direction from the left side to the right side of the toner cartridge 13 (i.e., the X-axis extension) is defined as the shorter side. The X1 direction and X2 direction are sometimes collectively referred to as the left-right direction, the shorter side direction, the horizontal direction, the X direction, the X-axis direction, etc.

[0056] In other words, the distance between the front and back of toner cartridge 13 is longer than the distance between the right and left sides, and also longer than the distance between the top and bottom. distance Shorter than the distance between the two sides. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the distance between the right and left sides of the toner cartridge 13 may be the longest, or the distance between the top and bottom may be the longest. The distance between the top and bottom may also be the shortest.

[0057] The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other. For example, the X axis is perpendicular to both the Y axis and the Z axis. The plane perpendicular to the X axis is sometimes called the YZ plane, the plane perpendicular to the Y axis is called the ZX plane, and the plane perpendicular to the Z axis is called the XY plane. For example, the ZX plane is a horizontal plane. The X and Z directions are directions along the horizontal ZX plane, i.e., horizontal directions.

[0058] In this embodiment, the explanation will be given using the first to third cartridges (13Y, 13M, 13C) which contain toners of colors other than black: yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

[0059] The fourth cartridge (13K), which contains black (K) toner, has a larger toner capacity than the first to third cartridges (13Y, 13M, 13C), and there are no other substantial differences. Therefore, the explanation of the fourth toner cartridge, 13K, will be omitted.

[0060] The toner supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by the toner cartridge 13 is supplied to the process cartridge 1 by the toner transport device 14 (see Figure 2) as described above. In other words, the toner cartridge 13 contains toner to be supplied (replenished) to the process cartridge 1.

[0061] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the toner cartridge 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) of this embodiment has a replenishment frame 50 as a casing. The replenishment frame 50 has a container portion 50a and a lid portion 50b, and is constructed by attaching the lid portion 50b to the container portion 50a. The container portion 50a and the lid portion 50b form an internal space 51 inside the replenishment frame 50. The lid portion 50b is located at the Y1 end of the toner cartridge 13 and forms the top surface of both the toner cartridge 13 and the replenishment frame 50.

[0062] The supply frame 50 has a partition member 155 placed within its internal space 51. This partition member 155 further divides the internal space 51 into multiple areas. In other words, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the internal space 51 is divided into multiple rooms by the partition member 155: a toner storage room 49, a connecting passage 48, and a toner discharge room 57. The toner storage room 49 is a room (storage room) for storing toner. The toner discharge room 57 has a frame opening 52, which will be described later, and is a room that communicates with the outside of the toner cartridge 13 through the frame opening 52. The connecting passage 48 is a toner path that connects the toner storage room 49 and the toner discharge room 57. The partition member 155 can be considered as part of the supply frame 50, or it can actually be formed integrally with the supply frame 50. Note that the division of the internal space 51 of the supply frame 50 as described above is merely an example, and the layout can be changed as needed.

[0063] Furthermore, a drive train 160 consisting of a drive input gear 59, a fan input gear 260, a screw gear 164, and an acceleration mechanism 161, as well as a fan 158, are attached to the Z2-direction end (rear end, rear surface) of the supply frame 50. The drive train 160 and fan 158 are covered by a side cover 162, which is attached to the supply frame 50. In particular, the movement of the fan input gear 260, the acceleration mechanism 161, and the fan 158 in the Z1 and Z2 directions is restricted by the side cover 162 and the supply frame 50.

[0064] The supply frame 50 is rotatably supported by a stirring member 53 and a screw 54. The stirring member 53 and the screw 54 are rotatable about mutually parallel axes extending in the Z direction, and the screw 54 is positioned downstream of the stirring member 53 in the X2 direction. The stirring member 53 is located inside the toner storage chamber 49 and has a rotating shaft 53a and an stirring sheet (not shown) with one end attached to the rotating shaft 53a and the other end being a free end. By rotating, the stirring member 53 stirs the toner in the toner storage chamber 49 with the stirring sheet and sends the toner to the screw 54.

[0065] Inside the toner storage chamber 49, there is a wall 50a1 positioned between the stirring member 53 and the screw 54, and the wall 50a1 protrudes upward from the floor surface of the toner storage chamber 49. The wall 50a1 is positioned close to the screw 54 and extends along the axial direction (Z direction) of the screw 54, i.e., the toner transport direction. By being sandwiched between this wall 50a1 and the side surface of the toner storage chamber 49, the screw 54, as the transport unit, can stably transport the toner around it. In addition, there is a space between the wall 50a1 and the lid portion 50b of the replenishment frame 50. Therefore, the stirring member 53 can send toner to the screw 54 through the space between the wall 50a1 and the lid portion 50b.

[0066] The connecting passage 48 is a space or opening that connects the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57, which will be described later, and is a passage through which toner moves. The connecting passage 48 is formed by a partition member 155 and a supply frame 50. At least a part of the screw 54 is located inside the connecting passage 48. A part of the screw 54 is exposed to the toner storage chamber 49, and by rotating, it transports the toner from the toner storage chamber 49 along the direction of the screw 54's rotation axis.

[0067] The connecting passage 48 extends along the direction of toner transport by the screw 54 and has a tunnel shape. The partition member 155 covers a portion of the screw 54, thereby positioning the screw 54 inside the connecting passage 48. The tunnel shape of the connecting passage 48 is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the screw 54. In other words, the connecting passage 48 plays a role in leveling and quantitatively transporting the toner transported by the screw 54.

[0068] Some of the toner transported by the screw 54 can enter the passageway 48 and move to the toner discharge chamber 57, but the remaining toner cannot enter the passageway 48 and remains in the toner storage chamber 49. By appropriately setting the ratio between the size of the tunnel opening formed by the passageway 48 and the size of the screw 54, the amount of toner that enters the passageway 48 can be appropriately determined. In other words, by the screw 54 passing through the passageway 48, only the desired amount of toner can be supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0069] The screw 54 transports toner in the direction (Z2 direction) from the front (front end) to the rear (rear end) of the toner cartridge 13. In other words, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the screw 54, that is, the toner transport direction of the screw 54, is the same as the longitudinal direction (Z direction, front-back direction) of the toner cartridge 13.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, the toner discharge chamber 57 is a space formed by the partition member 155 and the replenishment frame 50, and is located downstream of the communication passage 48 in the toner transport direction in which the screw 54 transports toner.

[0071] Near the toner discharge chamber 57, that is, near the rear surface (end in the Z2 direction) of the supply frame 50, a screw gear 164 is positioned as a gear member that receives the rotational force for the screw 54 to rotate. The toner discharge chamber 57 also has a frame opening 52 for discharging toner (developer) from the internal space 51 of the supply frame 50 to the outside. The frame opening 52 is an opening (toner discharge port) that connects the inside and outside of the supply frame 50 and is configured to discharge toner to the outside of the toner cartridge 13.

[0072] The frame opening 52 is formed on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 13 (i.e., the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50) and opens downwards from the toner cartridge 13. In other words, toner is discharged downwards from the frame opening 52. In the toner transport direction of the screw 54, the frame opening 52 is located downstream of the toner cartridge 13. That is, the distance between the frame opening 52 and the rear surface of the toner cartridge 13 (the end in the Z2 direction) is shorter than the distance between the frame opening 52 and the front surface of the toner cartridge 13 (the end in the Z1 direction).

[0073] A fan (air blower, blower, airflow generating mechanism) 158 is positioned near the rear surface (end in the direction of arrow Z2) of the toner cartridge 13. The fan 158 rotates to send air, i.e., gas, around it. The air sent by the fan 158 is sent via a duct 163 to the toner discharge chamber 57 of the supply frame 50 and used to transport toner. The fan 158 and the toner discharge chamber 57 are connected by the duct 163, and a connection hole 57a is formed on the side surface of the supply frame 50 that constitutes the toner discharge chamber 57, to which the duct 163 is connected. The duct 163 is a pipe-shaped cylindrical member and constitutes a gas flow path (air passage, air transport path).

[0074] The fan 158 can rotate when driving force is input from the fan input gear 260 (described later) via the acceleration mechanism 161. This allows the fan 158 to send air to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0075] [Drive train for rotating the fan and screw] Next, the drive train 160 for rotating the fan 158 and screw 54 will be described using Figures 9 to 11(b). Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rear end of the toner cartridge 13 viewed from above. In Figure 9, the side cover 162 is shown shifted to the rear to show the transmission path of the rotational drive. Figure 10(a) is a front view of the drive train 160, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view of the drive train 160. Figure 11(a) is a perspective view of the acceleration mechanism 161, and Figure 11(b) is another perspective view of the acceleration mechanism 161.

[0076] As shown in Figures 9 to 10(b), a drive train 160 is positioned on the rear side of the toner cartridge 13, i.e., near the rear surface. The drive train 160, which serves as the drive transmission unit in this embodiment, includes a drive input gear 59, a fan input gear 260, an acceleration mechanism 161, and a screw gear 164. The drive input gear 59 has a drive receiving portion 59a and a gear portion 59b. The fan input gear 260 has a large gear portion 260a and a small gear portion 260b. The axes of the drive input gear 59, the fan input gear 260, the gears of the acceleration mechanism 161, and the screw gear 164 are parallel to the Z-axis.

[0077] The drive input gear 59 is operationally connected to the fan 158 and the screw 54 via the drive train 160. The fan 158 and the screw 54 are configured to operate in response to the rotation of the drive input gear 59. The drive input gear 59 is capable of transmitting the driving force input to the drive receiving portion 59a to the fan 158 and the screw 54 via the drive train 160.

[0078] The side cover 162 is a cover member that covers and protects the fan 158, and is located at the Z2 end of the toner cartridge 13, forming the rear surface (rear end) of the toner cartridge 13. The side cover 162 may also be considered as part of the frame (casing) of the toner cartridge 13 together with the supply frame 50. In this case, the supply frame 50 may be specifically called the frame body (casing body). The fan 158 rotates due to the driving force output from the acceleration mechanism 161.

[0079] The transmission path for rotational drive will now be explained. As shown in Figure 10(b), rotational drive is input to the toner cartridge 13 from the drive output member (coupling member on the main body side) 100a provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the drive receiving part (coupling part) 59a of the drive input gear 59 provided on the cartridge is connected to the drive output member 100a, thereby driving the toner cartridge 13. Receipt The drive unit 59a receives rotational force (driving force). As a result, the drive input gear 59 rotates, and the driving force is transmitted from the drive input gear 59 to each component of the toner cartridge 13.

[0080] When the toner cartridge 13 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the first engaging portion 71 and the second engaging portion 72 of the side cover 162 shown in Figure 9 engage with an engaged portion of the image forming apparatus 100 (not shown). This determines the position of the cartridge 13 inside the image forming apparatus 100.

[0081] Furthermore, a memory element 70 is located on the side cover 162, and the memory element 70 is an element that stores information related to the toner cartridge 13. Examples of information include the operating status of the toner cartridge 13 and the color of the toner contained inside the toner cartridge 13. In this embodiment, the memory element 70 is an IC chip, and its surface has conductive contacts for making electrical connections by contacting contacts (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the toner cartridge 13 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the memory element 70 is electrically connected to the contacts provided on the image forming apparatus 100.

[0082] When viewed along the rotation axis of the fan 158, the rotation axis of the fan 158 and the memory element 70 are located on opposite sides of each other with respect to the first engagement part and the straight line passing through the first engagement part. The intention is to keep the fan 158 and the memory element 70 far apart in order to suppress the transmission of vibrations caused by the rotation of the fan 158 to the memory element 70.

[0083] As shown in Figure 7, the drive input gear 59 is connected to the rotating shaft 53a of the stirring member 53, and the stirring member 53 rotates as the drive input gear 59 rotates. As shown in Figure 9, the gear portion 59b of the drive input gear 59 meshes with the large gear portion 260a of the fan input gear 260, and transmits rotational drive to the fan input gear 260. Furthermore, the fan input gear 260 is a stepped gear composed of a large gear portion 260a and a small gear portion 260b, and the small gear portion 260b rotates integrally with the large gear portion 260a. The small gear portion 260b is driven and connected to the acceleration mechanism 161, and the large gear portion 260a meshes with the screw gear 164. A screw 54 (see Figure 8) is connected to the screw gear 164, and the screw 54 is driven by the rotational drive transmitted from the screw gear 164 to the screw 54.

[0084] Thus, the drive input gear 59 is a drive input member (drive receiving member, rotational force receiving member) to which a driving force (rotational force) is input from outside the toner cartridge 13 (i.e., the main body of the image forming apparatus 100). In other words, the drive input gear 59 is a coupling member on the toner cartridge 13 side that is configured to be coupled with a drive output member (coupling member on the main body side) 100a.

[0085] Furthermore, the drive input gear 59 also serves as a drive transmission member (gear member) for transmitting driving force to each component of the cartridge. In other words, the drive input gear 59 is the drive that receives the driving force. ReceiptIt includes both a coupling portion 59a and a gear portion 59b for outputting driving force to another component of the toner cartridge 13. The gear portion 59b is located on the outer circumferential surface of the drive input gear 59.

[0086] The rotational force (driving force) input to the drive input gear 59 is used not only to drive the screw 54 and the stirring member 53, but also to drive the fan 158. Next, the configuration of the acceleration mechanism 161, which accelerates the driving force received by the fan input gear 260 and outputs it to the fan 158, will be described.

[0087] As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), the acceleration mechanism 161 includes a carrier unit 79, a sun gear unit 96, and a ring gear 99. The carrier unit 79 is an input element to which driving force is input from the small gear section 260b of the fan input gear 260. The sun gear unit 96 is an output element that outputs the driving force transmitted from the carrier unit 79 to the fan 158. The ring gear 99 is a fixed element whose rotation is restricted.

[0088] The ring gear 99 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape, with an internal gear 99a formed on its inner circumferential surface. The ring gear 99 also has flange portions 99b and 99c that protrude radially outward from its outer circumferential surface, and these flange portions 99b and 99c are fixed to the side surface of the supply frame 50. In other words, the ring gear 99 is fixed to the supply frame 50 in a way that prevents rotation.

[0089] The method of fixing the flange portions 99b and 99c to the supply frame 50 may be any method, such as adhesive or screw fastening. Furthermore, the ring gear 99 does not need to be fixed to the supply frame 50 as long as its rotation is restricted. For example, the ring gear 99 may be sandwiched between the supply frame 50 and the side cover 162, and its rotation may be restricted by a stopper portion (not shown) provided on the supply frame 50 or the side cover 162 contacting the flange portions 99b and 99c.

[0090] The carrier unit 79 comprises a first unit 80, a second unit 90A, and a third unit 90B. The first unit 80 comprises a carrier 81 and planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85. The carrier 81 has an engaged portion 81a into which the small gear portion 260b of the fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) spline engages, and shaft portions 81b, 81c, 81d, and 81e formed on the side of the carrier 81 opposite to the engaged portion 81a. The planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 are rotatably supported on the shaft portions 81b, 81c, 81d, and 81e. The planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 mesh with the internal gear 99a of the ring gear 99 and the input gear 95A of the second unit 90A.

[0091] The second unit 90A includes a carrier 91A, planetary gears 92A, 93A, 94A, 95A, and an input gear 95A. The input gear 95A is fixed to the carrier 91A. That is, the input gear 95A and the carrier 91A rotate together. 3 A,9 4 A,9 5 A is rotatably supported on four shafts provided on the carrier 91A, and meshes with the internal gear 99a of the ring gear 99 and the input gear 95B of the third unit 90B.

[0092] The third unit 90B has the same configuration as the second unit 90A, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but it includes a carrier 91B, planetary gears 92B, 93B, 94B, 95B, and an input gear 95B.

[0093] The sun gear unit 96 includes an output member 97 and a sun gear 98 fixed to the shaft portion 97a of the output member 97. The output member 97 has an output shaft 97b that protrudes in the Z direction opposite to the shaft portion 97a, and the output shaft 97b outputs driving force to the impeller 158b of the fan 158.

[0094] When driving force is input from the small gear section 260b of the fan input gear 260 to the carrier 81 of the first unit 80, the carrier 81 rotates, and because the ring gear 99 is fixed, the planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 revolve and rotate on their own axes. In the following, the circumferential movement of the planetary gears around the rotation axis ZZ of the impeller 158b is referred to as revolving, and the rotation of the planetary gears around their own support axis is referred to as rotation. The rotation axis ZZ is parallel to the Z direction.

[0095] The rotation of planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 is transmitted to the input gear 95A of the second unit 90A. In this way, the rotation input to the carrier 81 is accelerated by the planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 and output to the input gear 95A of the second unit 90A. In other words, the input gear 95A functions as a sun gear to which driving force is output to the planetary gears 82, 83, 84, and 85.

[0096] Similarly, the rotation of the carrier 91A, which rotates in conjunction with the input gear 95A, is accelerated by the planetary gears 92A, 93A, 94A, and 95A and output to the input gear 95B of the third unit 90B. In addition, the rotation of the carrier 91B, which rotates in conjunction with the input gear 95B, is accelerated by the planetary gears 92B, 93B, 94B, and 95B and output to the sun gear 98 of the sun gear unit 96.

[0097] As the sun gear 98 rotates, the output shaft 97b of the output member 97 also rotates. The output shaft 97b is formed in a D-shape in cross-section, and the impeller 158b of the fan 158 is fixed to the output shaft 97b. Therefore, the impeller 158b rotates integrally with the output shaft 97b. As described above, the acceleration mechanism 161 accelerates the rotation input from the small gear section 260b of the fan input gear 260 and outputs it to the impeller 158b. In this embodiment, for example, the rotational speed of the drive input gear 59, which receives driving force from outside the toner cartridge 13, is 89.5 [rpm], while the rotational speed of the impeller 158b is approximately 5000 [rpm]. It is desirable that the rotational speed of the impeller 158b be higher than the rotational speed of the drive input gear 59. The rotational speed of the impeller 158b is preferably 10 times or more the rotational speed of the drive input gear 59, more preferably 20 times or more, and even more preferably 40 times or more. In this embodiment, it is set to be 50 times or more. However, considering the load on the drive input gear 59 and the durability of the impeller 158b, the rotational speed of the impeller 158b is set to 500 times or less the rotational speed of the drive input gear 59. The rotational speed here is defined using the number of rotations of an object per unit time. The aforementioned [rpm] is the number of times an object rotates per minute.

[0098] The acceleration mechanism (acceleration section, gear shifting section) 161 is composed of a so-called planetary gear mechanism, which allows for a small size and a large gear shift (acceleration) ratio. In this embodiment, a planetary gear mechanism is applied to the acceleration mechanism 161, but it is not limited to this. For example, other gear shifting mechanisms such as a harmonic drive gear may be applied.

[0099] Furthermore, the screw gear 164 has fewer teeth than the large gear section 260a of the fan input gear 260, and the rotational speed of the screw gear 164 is set to be faster than the rotational speed of the fan input gear 260 and slower than the rotational speed of the impeller 158b.

[0100] [Airflow] Next, the airflow provided by the fan 158 will be explained using Figures 11(a) to 12(b). As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), the fan 158 has a fan case 158a and an impeller 158b, the impeller 158b being rotatably supported by the fan case 158a. The fan case 158a has an intake port 158c and an exhaust port 158d, and a duct 163 (see Figure 9) is connected to the exhaust port 158d. When the impeller 158b rotates due to the driving force from the output shaft 97b of the acceleration mechanism 161, the fan 158 draws in air from the intake port 158c and exhausts it from the exhaust port 158d.

[0101] As shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), the air exhausted from the exhaust port 158d of the fan 158 is sent through the duct 163 to the toner discharge chamber 57 through the connection hole 57a. On the toner discharge chamber 57 side of the connection hole 57a is a ventilation filter 16 5 A ventilation filter 16 is positioned there. 5 It has a breathable structure that allows air to pass through but not toner. Therefore, it can prevent toner from flowing back from the toner discharge chamber 57 into the duct 163. Breathable filter 16 5 The air that passes through to the toner discharge chamber 57 is discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the toner conveyed by the screw 54. Therefore, the frame opening 52 is both an opening for discharging toner (toner discharge port) and an opening for discharging air to the outside of the toner cartridge 13 (exhaust port).

[0102] [Slide shutter] Next, the slide shutter 141 attached to the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 will be described using Figures 8 and 13 to 14(b). The slide shutter 141 is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that periodically blocks the airflow generated by the fan 158 by periodically shielding the air passage. As shown in Figures 8 and 13 to 14(b), the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 has shutter support parts 50m1 and 50m2 and a spring support part 50m3 that support the slide shutter 141. These shutter support parts 50m1, 50m2 and support part 50m3 are formed integrally.

[0103] The shutter support sections 50m1 and 50m2 support the slide shutter 141 so that it can slide in the Z direction, and position the slide shutter 141 in the Y direction by sandwiching it between them and the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. The slide shutter 141, as a shielding member, has a stopper section 141a, an inclined surface 141b, and a toner discharge port 141c. The stopper section 141a faces the flat surface 164a of the screw gear 164, and the inclined surface 141b is inclined with respect to the X and Z directions. The toner discharge port 141c is a through hole (opening) that penetrates in the Y direction.

[0104] Between the slide shutter 141, supported by shutter support sections 50m1 and 50m2, and the spring support section 50m3, a shutter spring (elastic member) 142 is positioned as a first biasing member. In this embodiment, the shutter spring 142 is made of an elastic leaf spring, but other springs such as coil springs or disc springs, or other elastic members such as rubber may be used.

[0105] The slide shutter 141 is biased in the direction of arrow Z2 by a shutter spring 142, and the abutment portion 141a of the slide shutter 141 abuts against the flat portion 164a of the screw gear 164. This positions the slide shutter 141 in the shielding position. A shutter seal 143 is bonded to the downstream surface of the slide shutter 141 in the Y1 direction. The shutter seal 143 is an elastic, substantially plate-shaped sealing member and has a toner discharge port 143a. The shutter seal 143 is attached to the slide shutter 141 such that the toner discharge port 143a overlaps with the toner discharge port 141c of the slide shutter 141. The slide shutter 141 is positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction) of the toner discharged from the frame opening 52.

[0106] As shown in Figure 14(a), the slide shutter 141 and shutter seal 143 shield the frame opening 52 when the slide shutter 141 is in the shielding position. Therefore, toner and air are not discharged from the frame opening 52. When the toner cartridge 13 is not installed in the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100, the slide shutter 141 is in the shielding position due to the biasing force of the shutter spring 142. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 13 is alone, toner is not discharged from the frame opening 52.

[0107] As shown in Figure 14(b), the screw gear 164 is provided with a cam 164b, and the cam portion of the cam 164b protrudes from the flat portion 164a in the Z1 direction, i.e., toward the slide shutter 141. The cam 164b also extends circumferentially around the rotation axis of the screw gear 164 and has an inclined surface 164c that is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the Z direction.

[0108] As the screw gear 164 rotates, the cam 164b rotates, and the inclined surface 164c of the cam 164b comes into contact with the inclined surface 141b of the slide shutter 141, which is in the shielded position. As the cam 164b rotates further, the slide shutter 141 slides in the Z1 direction against the biasing force of the shutter spring 142, as the inclined surface 141b is pressed by the inclined surface 164c of the cam 164b.

[0109] As shown in Figure 14(b), the slide shutter 141 is in the open position when the abutment portion 141a of the slide shutter 141 abuts against the cam 164b. That is, the slide shutter 141 moves between the shielded position and the open position by being pressed by the cam 164b of the screw gear 164. When the slide shutter 141 is in the open position, the toner discharge port 141c of the slide shutter 141 and the frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 overlap. That is, the frame opening 52 is opened, and toner and air are discharged from the frame opening 52. In other words, the frame opening 52 is a passage for air sent to the supply frame 50 by the fan 158, and is shielded or opened by the slide shutter 141.

[0110] As the cam 164b rotates further and separates from the abutment portion 141a of the slide shutter 141, the slide shutter 141 moves to the shielded position due to the biasing force of the shutter spring 142. In this way, the slide shutter 141 repeatedly moves between the shielded position and the open position as the screw gear 164 rotates. As a result, the frame opening 52 is periodically opened and closed by the slide shutter 141, repeatedly switching between the shielded state and the open state.

[0111] Similar to the fan 158 and screw 54 mentioned above, the slide shutter 141 is also operationally connected to the drive input gear 59. In other words, the slide shutter 141 is operated in accordance with the rotation of the drive input gear 59 and slides to repeatedly open and close the frame opening 52. That is, the slide shutter 141 reciprocates between the shielded position and the open position. The slide shutter 141 is driven by the screw gear 164, etc. columnThe drive force is received from the drive input gear 59 via 160. The cam 164b of the screw gear 164 is a drive conversion unit (drive conversion mechanism) that converts the rotational motion of the screw gear 164 into the reciprocating motion of the slide shutter 141. In other words, the cam 164b converts the rotational force transmitted from the drive input gear 59 to the slide shutter 141 into a drive force (translational force) to drive the shutter 141 and move the shutter 141.

[0112] The cam 164b is an example of a drive conversion unit for converting rotational motion, and as a drive conversion unit for moving the slide shutter 141 using the rotational force transmitted from the drive input gear 59, known mechanical elements such as cranks and links can be appropriately utilized.

[0113] [Operation of the First Embodiment] As described above, when the toner cartridge 13 is powered by the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 (see Figure 10(b)), air is continuously supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 and duct 163. Meanwhile, the frame opening 52 of the toner discharge chamber 57 is periodically opened and closed by a slide shutter 141 that moves between a shielded position and an open position.

[0114] Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 13 and the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57. When the frame opening 52 is shielded by the slide shutter 141, the fan 158 blows air into the toner discharge chamber 57, causing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 to become positive, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 13.

[0115] Subsequently, when the slide shutter 141 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the frame opening 52 opens, and compressed air is discharged from the frame opening 52 to lower the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57. At this time, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air, so that the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0116] In a configuration where toner is transported with air, it is easier to transport toner in narrow passages and to move torch discharged from the frame opening 52 over long distances using the airflow. This is advantageous for improving the transport efficiency of toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13. Furthermore, since toner can be discharged even with a small frame opening 52, it is possible to prevent toner from unintentionally scattering outside the cartridge 13 from the frame opening 52.

[0117] In particular, the slide shutter 141 periodically blocks the airflow, causing air to be intermittently discharged from the frame opening 52 of the toner cartridge 13. This periodic, intermittent discharge of air improves the fluidity of the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 to the outside of the cartridge 13. This prevents the discharged toner from clogging the pathways inside the main body B of the device, resulting in smoother toner transport.

[0118] In this embodiment, the toner can be agitated by periodically fluctuating the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57 through the driving of the fan 158 and the slide shutter 141. In particular, in this embodiment, the pressure near the frame opening 52 fluctuates significantly as the frame opening 52 is opened and closed by the slide shutter 141. This makes it easier to agitate the toner near the frame opening 52, which is suitable for improving the fluidity of the toner and efficiently transporting it.

[0119] When the fan 158 is running, a smaller pressure difference between the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57 allows for more stable toner discharge. For this reason, in this embodiment, in the normally used position (position during use), the ventilation opening 46 (see Figure 8) that ventilates the toner discharge chamber 57 and the toner storage chamber 49 is positioned above the frame opening 52 and the connection hole 57a.

[0120] In other words, when the fan 158 and slide shutter 141 are driven, the air pressure (internal pressure) inside the toner discharge chamber 57 periodically increases and decreases. Also, as toner moves from the toner storage chamber 49 toward the toner discharge chamber 57, the air pressure (internal pressure) inside the toner storage chamber 49 decreases. If a large pressure difference occurs between the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57 as a result of these pressure changes, the amount of toner passing through the communication passage 48 may fluctuate, or toner may flow backward through the communication passage 48, potentially causing fluctuations in the amount of toner supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57. As a result, there is a risk that the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 will become unstable.

[0121] Therefore, in this embodiment, by arranging the ventilation opening 46 in a position separate from the communication passage 48, the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57 are connected, allowing air to pass between the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57. As a result, the pressure difference between the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57 can be suppressed.

[0122] In other words, the vent 46 achieves two things simultaneously: increasing or decreasing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 using the fan 158 to stably discharge toner from the frame opening 52, and suppressing a large pressure difference between the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0123] Furthermore, the vent 46 can be configured to allow not only air but also toner to pass through. However, in that case, it is desirable that the amount of toner entering and leaving the toner discharge chamber 57 through the vent 46 be sufficiently less than the amount of toner supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 through the connecting passage 48. In this way, even if toner passes through the vent 46, the amount of toner inside the toner discharge chamber 57 will not fluctuate significantly. The impact on the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be kept to a minimum or eliminated.

[0124] Considering this, it is desirable to place the vent 46 in a location where toner cannot easily pass through, that is, in a location where there is no toner around it. For example, it is conceivable to place the vent 46 as high as possible inside the toner discharge chamber 57 or inside the toner storage chamber. This would reduce the amount of toner passing through the vent 46. It would also prevent the vent 46 from being blocked by toner. In other words, the movement of air through the vent 46 would not be obstructed by toner.

[0125] From this perspective, within the toner storage chamber 49, the lower end of the vent 46 is positioned above the upper end of the communication passage 48 and above the screw 54. This is to reduce the amount of toner passing through the vent 46 compared to the amount of toner passing through the communication passage 48 by the screw 54. Furthermore, it is preferable to limit the amount of toner stored in the toner storage chamber 49 so that the upper surface of the toner is lower than the lower end of the vent 46, thereby making it difficult for the toner inside the toner storage chamber 49 to reach the vent 46.

[0126] Here, the upper surface of the toner in the toner storage chamber 49 refers to the upper surface of the toner before the user uses the toner cartridge 13, that is, when the toner stored in the cartridge 13 is unconsumed. When observing the height of the upper surface of the toner, the toner cartridge 13 is placed in its normal position. In this embodiment, this is the position with the frame opening 52 facing downwards, that is, the position with the surface on which the frame opening 52 is provided as the bottom surface. The upper surface of the toner is then made parallel to the horizontal plane so that the toner accumulates uniformly inside the toner storage chamber 49. After that, a certain amount of time is allowed for the toner to stabilize before the height of the upper surface of the toner is observed.

[0127] By arranging the ventilation holes 46 inside the toner storage chamber 49 in this way, and by appropriately setting the amount of toner to be stored, it is possible to suppress the movement of toner from the toner storage chamber 49 to the toner discharge chamber 57 through the ventilation holes 46. In addition, it is possible to prevent the ventilation holes 46 from being blocked by the toner in the toner storage chamber 49.

[0128] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the slide shutter 141 while being shifted by the drive train 160. By arbitrarily setting the shift ratio of the drive train 160, the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the slide shutter 141 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the slide shutter 141 without depending on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the slide shutter 141, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be easily controlled. The slide shutter 141 opens and closes in accordance with the rotation of the drive input gear 59 (drive input member, drive receiving member). In this embodiment, the number of times the slide shutter 141 is opened per unit time, that is, the number of times air is discharged per unit time, is set to be greater than the number of times the drive input gear 59 rotates per unit time. As described above, the rotational speed of the drive input gear 59 is 89.5 [rpm], so the number of times the slide shutter 141 is opened and air is discharged is set to be greater than 89.5 times per minute. This increases the number of times toner is discharged.

[0129] Furthermore, when comparing the number of rotations of the impeller 158b of the fan 158 per unit time with the number of times the frame opening 52 is opened by the slide shutter 141, it is desirable that the rotation speed of the fan 158 be greater. This is to generate sufficient airflow with the impeller 158b of the fan 158. In a unit time, the rotation speed of the fan 158 is preferably 10 times or more, more preferably 20 times or more, and more preferably 40 times or more, than the number of times the frame opening 52 is opened by the slide shutter 141. Considering the durability of the fan 158, the rotation speed of the fan 158 was set to be 500 times or less the number of times the slide shutter 141 moves to the open position.

[0130] Furthermore, when driving force is input to the toner cartridge 13 from the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100, the fan 158 continues to drive, and the direction of the airflow from the fan 158 to the toner discharge chamber 57 via the duct 163 is always unidirectional. In addition, a ventilation filter 16 is provided at the connection hole 57a. 5 This arrangement prevents the fan 158 from sucking toner from the toner discharge chamber 57 via the duct 163, thereby reducing toner loss in the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0131] The drive input gear 59 is operatively connected to the slide shutter 141, fan 158, screw 54, etc. That is, the drive input gear 59 can transmit the driving force (rotational force) input from the drive output member 100a to multiple drive members such as the slide shutter 141, fan 158, screw 54, etc., via the drive transmission unit (drive train 160). The transmission path of the driving force input from the drive output member 100a of the device body 100B to the toner cartridge 13 is branched into multiple paths inside the cartridge 13. This simplifies the configuration of the drive coupling mechanism between the toner cartridge 13 and the device body 100B.

[0132] In this embodiment, in particular, the toner cartridge 13 has only one drive input member (drive receiving member), which is a drive input gear 59, and the drive input gear 59 is operatively connected to all the drive members inside the toner cartridge 13. Therefore, the drive output member 100a can drive all the drive parts provided in the toner cartridge 13 simply by rotating the drive input gear 59. However, it is also possible to provide multiple drive input members (drive receiving members) in a single toner cartridge 13, and to provide multiple drive output members in the device body 100B for a single toner cartridge 13.

[0133] In this embodiment, the slide shutter 141 is both an airflow shielding member that blocks the airflow and a toner shielding member that blocks the flow of toner moving from the discharge port to the outside of the toner cartridge 13. However, the airflow shielding member and the toner shielding member may be placed separately in the toner cartridge 13. Such embodiments will be described later.

[0134] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the frame opening 52 is opened and closed by a rotary shutter (rotary valve) 600 instead of the slide shutter 141 of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same components as in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration. Also, the configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0135] The toner cartridge 4113 according to the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 15(a) to 16(b), includes a supply frame 50 and a screw 54B rotatably supported by the supply frame 50. The screw 54B transports toner toward a toner discharge chamber 57 partitioned by a partition member 155. The screw gear 164B is rotatably supported by a bearing integrally provided with the supply frame 50, and a toner seal member 601 is placed in the gap between the supply frame 50 and the screw gear 164B to prevent toner leakage. The screw gear 164B is driven from a fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) as in the first embodiment.

[0136] The rotating shutter 600 and screw 54B are fixed to the screw gear 164B, and the rotating shutter 600 and screw 54B rotate together with the screw gear 164B. The rotating shutter 600 is connected to screw 54 B A cylindrical portion 600a having an outer surface centered on the axis of rotation, and a screw 54 BThe rotating shutter 600 has a screw insertion hole 600b into which the screw is inserted, and two holes 600c and 600d formed in the cylindrical portion 600a. The rotating shutter 600 as a shielding member is positioned upstream of the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52, and is rotatable about a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 4113. The rotating shutter 600 is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member) that periodically blocks the airflow generated by the fan 158 by periodically shielding the air passage.

[0137] The cylindrical portion 600a is configured to slide on the circumferential surface 50r where the frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 is formed. The screw insertion hole 600b has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the spiral of the screw 54B, allowing toner in the toner discharge chamber 57, toner conveyed from the communication passage 48, and air to pass through.

[0138] The holes (openings) 600c and 600d formed in the cylindrical portion 600a are opened in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary shutter 600, i.e., in the radial direction, and are formed with a 180-degree phase difference between them. The toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 can pass through the holes 600c and 600d, and as shown in Figure 16(a), when either hole 600c or 600d overlaps with the frame opening 52, toner and air are discharged from the frame opening 52. In other words, toner and air are discharged from the frame opening 52 each time the rotary shutter 600 rotates half a turn. Thus, the rotary shutter 600 can transition between a shielded position in which the frame opening 52 is shielded by the cylindrical portion 600a and an open position in which the frame opening 52 and the holes 600c and 600d overlap, opening the frame opening 52. When the rotating shutter 600 is in the open position, the frame opening 52 and the holes 600c and 600d overlap, allowing ventilation to pass through the holes 600c and 600d and the frame opening 52.

[0139] The rotation axis of the rotary shutter 600 intersects with the direction of movement of air and toner passing through holes 600c, 600d and the frame opening 52, and in this embodiment, the rotation axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0140] In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 600a and the circumferential surface 50r of the supply frame 50 are configured to rub against each other. As shown in Figure 16(b), when neither hole 600c nor 600d overlaps with the frame opening 52, toner and air are not discharged from the frame opening 52. In this embodiment, the space between the cylindrical portion 600a and the circumferential surface 50r is sealed to prevent toner from entering. However, the sealing effect may be further enhanced by, for example, composing the circumferential surface 50r with an elastic material such as rubber, or by adhering an elastic sealing member to the circumferential surface 50r.

[0141] As described above, in this embodiment, the screw 54B and the rotary shutter 600 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164B. The frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 is periodically opened and closed by the rotary shutter 600. Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 4113 and the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57. When the frame opening 52 is shielded by the rotary shutter 600, air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 4113.

[0142] Subsequently, when the rotary shutter 600 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the frame opening 52 opens, and compressed air is discharged from the frame opening 52 to reduce the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57. At this time, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air, so that the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0143] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the rotary shutter 600 while being shifted by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the shift ratio of the drive train 160, the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the rotary shutter 600 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the rotary shutter 600 without depending on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the rotary shutter 600, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be easily controlled.

[0144] <Modified form of the second embodiment> Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described using Figures 17 to 20. In the above description, two holes 600c and 600d were formed in the rotary shutter 600, but this is not the only option. For example, as shown in Figure 17, only one hole 600d may be formed in the cylindrical portion 600a of the rotary shutter 600B. Even in this case, toner and air can be discharged from the frame opening 52 by passing through the screw insertion hole 600b and hole 600d. Of course, it is also possible to form three or more holes in the cylindrical portion 600a instead of just one or two.

[0145] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 4113 described in Figures 15(a) to 17 does not have a mechanism to maintain the rotary shutters 600 and 600B in the shielded position when the toner cartridge 4113 is removed from the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, for example, if the toner cartridge 4113 is removed from the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100 while the rotary shutter 600 is in the open position, the frame opening 52 will remain open.

[0146] Therefore, the following describes a configuration in which a shutter member 241 is added further downstream in the toner discharge direction from the frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50. If the toner cartridge does not have a configuration that biases the rotating shutter 600 to a shielding position, it is preferable to provide such a shutter member 241.

[0147] [Shutter component] As shown in Figures 17 to 19(b), the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 has a first support portion 50g, a second support portion 50h, a guide portion 50i, and a spring seat 50j. The tip of the first support portion 50g, i.e., the lower end, has a return portion 50g1 extending in the horizontal direction (X direction), and the tip of the second support portion 50h, i.e., the lower end, also has a return portion 50h1 extending in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0148] The shutter member 241 is supported by the first support portion 50g and the second support portion 50h so as to be movable in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 4113. The shutter member 241 is guided in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 4113 by a groove-shaped guide portion 50i that extends in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 4113. The shutter member 241 is held in place by the return portions 50g1 and 50h1 so as not to fall from the supply frame 50.

[0149] The shutter member 241 has a sealing portion 241a, a spring support portion 241b, return portions 241c1 and 241c2, and an engaged portion 241d. The sealing portion 241a extends horizontally (Z direction) and is configured to shield the frame opening 52. The sealing portion 241a also has a hole 241e that opens in the Y direction. The spring support portion 241b extends in the Z1 direction and supports the shutter spring 243 at its base.

[0150] The shutter spring 243 is lightly press-fitted into the spring support portion 241b and is compressed between the shutter member 241 and the spring seat 50j of the supply frame 50. The shutter member 241 is biased in the mounting direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 4113 by the biasing force of the shutter spring 243. The shutter member 241, biased by the shutter spring 243, is positioned in the shielded position as the second shielded position shown in Figure 19(a) by the return portions 241c1 and 241c2 abutting against the first support portion 50g and the second support portion 50h.

[0151] The engaged portion 241d of the shutter member 241 is pressed by an engaged portion (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner cartridge 4113 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the shutter member 241 moves from the shielded position to the open position, which is the second open position, against the biasing force of the shutter spring 243.

[0152] Figure 19(a) is a bottom view showing the shutter member 241 in the shielding position, and Figure 19(b) is a bottom view showing the shutter member 241 in the open position. Figure 20(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the shutter member 241 in the shielding position, and Figure 20(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the shutter member 241 in the open position. Although Figures 20(a) and (b) show a rotary shutter 600B having only one hole 600d in the cylindrical portion 600a, it is of course possible to use a rotary shutter 600 having two holes 600c and 600d instead of the rotary shutter 600B.

[0153] As shown in Figures 19(a) and 20(a), when the toner cartridge 4113 is not installed in the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100, the shutter member 241 is positioned in the shielded position by the biasing force of the shutter spring 243. At this time, the sealing portion 241a of the shutter member 241 shields the frame opening 52 and restricts the discharge of toner and air from the toner cartridge 4113. In other words, when the shutter member 241 is in the shielded position, the hole 241e of the sealing portion 241a is positioned so as not to overlap the frame opening 52 when viewed from below.

[0154] As shown in Figure 20(a), an elastic sealing member 602 may be provided between the sealing portion 241a of the shutter member 241 and the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. The sealing member 602 has a hole 602a at a position corresponding to the frame opening 52, through which toner and air can be discharged. This allows the space between the shutter member 241 and the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 to be sealed.

[0155] When the toner cartridge 4113 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the engaged portion 241d is pressed by an engaged portion (not shown) provided on the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100, causing the shutter member 241 to move from the shielded position to the open position. The engaged portion 241d has a tapered shape at its upstream end in the direction of installation of the toner cartridge 4113 (Z2 direction). Note that the shutter member 241 does not receive drive input from the drive train 160, so even if the drive input gear 59 is driven, it does not move between the shielded position and the open position.

[0156] When the shutter member 241 moves to the open position, the sealing portion 241a opens the frame opening 52, allowing toner and air to be discharged from the toner cartridge 4113. In other words, when the shutter member 241 is in the open position, the hole 241e of the sealing portion 241a is positioned to overlap the frame opening 52 when viewed from the bottom.

[0157] As described above, by providing the shutter member 241 on the outer side of the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50, the frame opening 52 can be shielded by the shutter member 241 regardless of the position of the rotating shutters 600 and 600B. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 4113 is removed from the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to prevent toner from being discharged to the outside from the frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50.

[0158] Furthermore, by installing the toner cartridge 4113 into the main unit 100B, the shutter member 241 moves to the open position, allowing for quick discharge of toner from the frame opening 52.

[0159] In the first embodiment described above, when the toner cartridge 13 was not installed in the main body 100B, the slide shutter 141 closed the frame opening 52. That is, the slide shutter 141 served to block the movement of air and to prevent toner from leaking out of the toner cartridge 13.

[0160] However, even in the first embodiment, a shutter member 241 like that in this embodiment may be provided separately. This would more reliably suppress toner leakage from the frame opening 52 when the toner cartridge 13 is not installed in the device body 100B. Alternatively, the slide shutter 141 may not close the frame opening 52 when the toner cartridge 13 is not installed in the device body B. The shutter member 241 may also be used as needed in the toner cartridge of another embodiment described later. Note that, unlike the rotary shutter 600 and the aforementioned slide shutter 141, the shutter member 241 is not a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member) that is driven to periodically block the airflow from the fan 158. It is merely a shutter member intended to suppress toner scattering and falling by covering the frame opening 52 of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is being removed or before it is being installed.

[0161] Furthermore, if a configuration is provided to bias the rotating shutter 600 to the shielding position, the shutter member 241 does not need to be provided. For example, the coil portion of a torsion coil spring may be wrapped around either the screw gear 164B, the rotating shutter 600, or the screw 54B, and the rotating shutter 600 may be positioned in the shielding position by the biasing force of this torsion coil spring. In addition, a stopper may be provided that biases the rotating shutter 600 in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation by the driving force of the screw gear 164B using the torsion coil spring, and operates to position only the rotating shutter 600 rotating in the opposite direction in the shielding position.

[0162] When the screw gear 164B is driven, the coil portion of the torsion coil spring loosens, interrupting the transmission of power from the rotary shutter 600 to the torsion coil spring. As a result, the rotary shutter 600 can rotate. On the other hand, if, for example, the toner cartridge is removed from the main body 100B and the driving force from the screw gear 164B is interrupted, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring causes the rotary shutter 600 to abut against the stopper and be positioned in the shielded position.

[0163] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the frame opening 52 is opened and closed by a lifting shutter 624 instead of the rotating shutter 600 of the second embodiment. For this reason, the same components as in the second embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration. The configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment. The lifting shutter 624 in this embodiment is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that is driven to periodically block the airflow generated by the fan 158 by periodically shielding the air passage, similar to the rotating shutter 600 described above.

[0164] The toner cartridge 5113 according to the third embodiment, as shown in Figures 21 to 22(b), includes a supply frame 50 and a screw 54C rotatably supported by the supply frame 50. The screw 54C transports toner toward a toner discharge chamber 57 partitioned by a partition member 155. A screw gear 164C is rotatably supported by the supply frame 50, and the screw gear 164C is driven from a fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) as in the first embodiment.

[0165] The screw gear 164C has an insertion portion 621, into which a pin hole 621a is formed. The screw 54C has an insertion portion 622 into which the insertion portion 621 is inserted, into which a pin hole 622a is formed. The insertion portion 621 has a double-sided chamfered cross-sectional shape, and the insertion portion 622 has an opening shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion 621.

[0166] The insertion portion 621 of the screw gear 164C is inserted into the insertion portion 622 of the screw 54C, and the pin holes 621a and 622a are aligned. Then, the pin 623 is fitted into the pin holes 621a and 621b, thereby connecting the screw gear 164C and the screw 54C so that they can rotate as a single unit.

[0167] Furthermore, a lifting shutter 624 is positioned above the frame opening 52 as a shielding member. In other words, the lifting shutter 624 is positioned upstream of the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52. The lifting shutter 624 is a shutter member that opens and closes the frame opening 52 as the screw 54C rotates. The lifting shutter 624 has a lid portion 624a, a rectangular frame portion 624b that rises upward from the lid portion 624a, a rib 624c that protrudes from the upper surface of the lid portion 624a, and a cylindrical portion 624d that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 624a.

[0168] The rectangular frame portion 624b has a rectangular hole shape inside, into which the screw 54C is inserted. The rib 624c is positioned differently from the rectangular frame portion 624b in the axial direction (Z direction) of the screw 54C. The cylindrical portion 624d has a smaller outer diameter than the lid portion 624a and is inserted into the frame opening 52 with almost no gap. The cylindrical portion 624d has multiple (four in this embodiment) holes 624e formed therein, and these holes 624e are formed with a 90-degree phase difference from each other.

[0169] The rotating shaft 54a of the screw 54C is provided with an upward projection 625a and a downward projection 625b that protrude radially outward from the rotating shaft 54a. In the Z1 direction, these upward projections 625a and 625b are located downstream of the insertion portion 622, and the downward projection 625b is located downstream of the upward projection 625a. Furthermore, in the rotational direction RD1 of the screw 54C, the upward projection 625a is positioned at a phase 90 degrees downstream of the downward projection 625b.

[0170] More specifically, the upward projection 625a is positioned so as to be able to contact the corner frame portion 624b of the lifting shutter 624, but so as not to contact the rib 624c. That is, the upward projection 625a is positioned so as to overlap with the corner frame portion 624b in the axial direction (Z direction) of the screw 54C, but so as not to contact the rib 624c. Similarly, the downward projection 625b is positioned so as to be able to contact the rib 624c of the lifting shutter 624, but so as not to contact the corner frame portion 624b. That is, the downward projection 625b is positioned so as to overlap with the rib 624c in the axial direction (Z direction) of the screw 54C, but so as not to contact the corner frame portion 624b.

[0171] Figure 23(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lifting shutter 624 in the shielded position, parallel to the axial direction of the screw 54C. Figure 23(b) is a cross-sectional view of the lifting shutter 624 in the shielded position, perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw 54C. Figure 23(c) is a cross-sectional view of the lifting shutter 624 in the open position, parallel to the axial direction of the screw 54C. Figure 23(d) is a cross-sectional view of the lifting shutter 624 in the open position, perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw 54C.

[0172] As shown in Figures 23(a) and 23(b), the lifting shutter 624 is in the shielding position with its rib 624c in contact with the downward projection 625b. At this time, the frame opening 52 is shielded by the lid portion 624a and the cylindrical portion 624d of the lifting shutter 624.

[0173] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d), the lifting shutter 624 is in the open position with the corner frame portion 624b in contact with the push-up projection portion 625a. At this time, the frame opening 52 is in communication with the hole portion 624e of the lifting shutter 624 and is open without being obstructed by the lifting shutter 624.

[0174] When the lifting shutter 624 is in the shielded position shown in Figures 23(a) and (b), and the screw 54C rotates 90 degrees in the rotational direction RD1, the lifting shutter 624 moves to the open position shown in Figures 23(c) and (d). That is, when the lifting shutter 624 is in the shielded position and the screw 54C rotates in the rotational direction RD1, the push-up projection 625a moves closer to the corner frame portion 624b.

[0175] Then, the upward-pressing projection 625a presses the corner frame portion 624b upward, causing the lifting shutter 624 to be raised upward (in the Y1 direction). As shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d), when the upward-pressing projection 625a is directly above, the lifting shutter 624 is in its highest position, and at this time, the communication area between the frame opening 52 and the hole 624e is at its maximum.

[0176] As the screw 54C rotates further in the rotational direction RD1, the upward projection 625a separates from the square frame portion 624b, and the lifting shutter 624 comes into contact with the rotation axis 54a of the screw 54C due to gravity. At this time, the frame opening 52 is basically sealed by the lifting shutter 624, and the lifting shutter 624 is considered to be in a shielding position. Then, as the screw 54C rotates further in the rotational direction RD1, the downward projection 625b pushes down the rib 624c, and the lifting shutter 624 comes into a shielding position that shields the frame opening 52. In other words, the lifting shutter 624 is configured to reciprocate by moving up and down in a predetermined direction (Y direction) parallel to the direction of toner discharge from the frame opening 52.

[0177] Furthermore, in order to more reliably move the lifting shutter 624 to a position that covers the frame opening 52, a biasing member such as a spring may be used to bias the shutter 624 toward the frame opening 52.

[0178] As described above, in this embodiment, the screw 54C and the lifting shutter 624 are driven in conjunction with the rotation of the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164C. The frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 is periodically opened and closed by the lifting shutter 624. Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 5113 and the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57. When the frame opening 52 is shielded by the lifting shutter 624, air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 5113.

[0179] Subsequently, when the lifting shutter 624 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the frame opening 52 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the frame opening 52 to lower the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57. At this time, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air, so that the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0180] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear (drive input member, drive receiving member) 59 is output to the fan 158 and the lifting shutter 624 while being changed in speed by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the speed ratio of the drive train 160, the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the lifting shutter 624 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the lifting shutter 624 without relying on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the lifting shutter 624, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be easily controlled.

[0181] In this embodiment, the upward projection 625a is positioned 90 degrees downstream of the downward projection 625b in the rotational direction RD1 of the screw 54C, but this is not limited to this. The phase difference between the upward projection 625a and the downward projection 625b can be anything; for example, the upward projection 625a may be positioned 180 degrees downstream of the downward projection 625b in the rotational direction RD1 of the screw 54C.

[0182] Furthermore, the downward projection 625b and the rib 624c may be omitted, and the lifting shutter 624 may move from the open position to the closed position solely by its own weight. Also, the upward projection 625a and the downward projection 625b are not limited to one each, but may be provided in multiples.

[0183] Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, the lifting shutter 624 does not have a mechanism to maintain the shielding position when the toner cartridge 5113 is removed from the device body 100B. For this reason, the shutter member 241 described in the second embodiment may be provided on the toner cartridge 5113.

[0184] Upward protrusion 625a, Press Screw 54 having a protruding portion 625b CThe rotational motion of the screw 54C is converted into the reciprocating motion of the vertical movement of the lifting shutter 624, and can be considered as a cam (camshaft) that moves the lifting shutter 624. In other words, the screw 54 C This is a drive conversion unit that converts the rotational motion input to the drive input gear 59 of the toner cartridge 13 into the lifting motion (reciprocating motion) of the lifting shutter 624. The drive conversion unit is a screw 54 C Also, the upward-pushing protrusion 625a, Press It is possible to use known mechanical elements such as cranks and links, not just the protruding part 625b, as appropriate.

[0185] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the frame opening 52 is opened and closed by a gear shutter 630 instead of the rotary shutter 600 of the second embodiment. For this reason, the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the figures. Also, the configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment. The gear shutter 630 is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that is driven to periodically block the airflow generated by the fan 158, similar to the rotary shutter 600.

[0186] The toner cartridge 6113 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figures 24 to 25(b), includes a supply frame 50 and a screw 54 (see Figure 8) rotatably supported by the supply frame 50. A screw gear 164D, which serves as a gear member, is rotatably supported by the supply frame 50, and the screw gear 164D is driven from a fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) as in the first embodiment.

[0187] A screw 54 (see Figure 8) is fixed to the screw gear 164D, and the screw gear 164D and the screw 54 rotate together. The screw gear 164D is provided with a plurality (six in this embodiment) of protrusions 631 arranged in a circumferential direction and projecting in the opposite direction (Z1 direction) to the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 6113.

[0188] A sealing member 632, which is elastic and positioned to surround the frame opening 52, is bonded to the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. A gear shutter 630 is rotatably supported on the bottom surface 50d adjacent to the frame opening 52 via a pin 633 extending along the Y direction. That is, the pin 633, acting as the axis of rotation, is the rotation center of the gear shutter 630 and is supported on the bottom surface 50d by passing through the sealing member 632. The gear shutter 630, acting as a shielding member, is formed in a substantially disc shape and is positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52.

[0189] The gear shutter 630 has an elongated hole (opening) 634 extending in the circumferential direction around the pin 633, and a plurality of projections 635 (six in this embodiment) projecting radially outward. The elongated hole 634 is formed to be larger than the frame opening 52. Each of the plurality of projections 635 is configured to be able to engage with a projection 631 provided on the screw gear 164D.

[0190] Figure 25(a) is a bottom view showing the gear shutter 630 in the shielded position, and Figure 25(b) is a bottom view showing the gear shutter 630 in the open position. As shown in Figure 25(a), the gear shutter 630 is in the shielded position when the frame opening 52 and the elongated hole 634 are not in overlapping phases. At this time, the frame opening 52 is sealed by the gear shutter 630. Also, as shown in Figure 25(b), the gear shutter 630 is in the open position when the frame opening 52 and the elongated hole 634 are in overlapping phases. At this time, the frame opening 52 is in communication with the elongated hole 634 and is open without being shielded by the gear shutter 630. Air is allowed to pass through the frame opening 52.

[0191] The gear shutter 630 rotates in 60-degree increments due to the engagement (meshing) of projections 631 on the gear shutter 630 with projections 635 on the screw gear 164D. This is because there are six projections 631 and 635, and the number of projections 631 and 635 can be set arbitrarily. For example, the gear shutter 630 moves from the position shown in Figure 25(a) to the position shown in Figure 25(b) when the screw gear 164D rotates approximately 240 degrees. In this way, the gear shutter 630 rotates repeatedly between the shielded position and the open position as the screw gear 164D rotates.

[0192] The rotation axis of the gear shutter 630 is aligned with the direction of movement of air and toner passing through the elongated holes 634 and the frame openings 52. In this embodiment, the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the direction of movement.

[0193] As described above, in this embodiment, the screw 54 and gear shutter 630 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164D. The frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 is periodically opened and closed by the gear shutter 630. Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 6113 and the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57. When the frame opening 52 is shielded by the gear shutter 630, air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 6113.

[0194] Subsequently, when the gear shutter 630 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the frame opening 52 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the frame opening 52 to reduce the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57. At this time, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air, so that the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0195] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the gear shutter 630 while being shifted by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the shift ratio of the drive train 160, the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the gear shutter 630 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the gear shutter 630 without depending on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the gear shutter 630, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be easily controlled.

[0196] Similar to the second embodiment, the gear shutter 630 does not have a mechanism to maintain the shielded position when the toner cartridge 6113 is removed from the device body 100B. For this reason, the shutter member 241 described in the second embodiment may be provided on the toner cartridge 6113.

[0197] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the frame opening 52 is opened and closed by a rotating shutter 640 instead of the lifting shutter 620 of the third embodiment. For this reason, the same components as in the third embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration. The configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment. The rotating shutter 640, like the lifting shutter 620, is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that periodically blocks the airflow generated by the fan 158 by periodically shielding the air passage.

[0198] The toner cartridge 7113 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in Figure 26, has a supply frame 50 and a screw 54E rotatably supported by the supply frame 50. The screw 54E transports toner toward the toner discharge chamber 57 partitioned by a partition member 155. A screw gear 164E is rotatably supported by the supply frame 50, and the screw gear 164E is driven from a fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) as in the first embodiment.

[0199] The screw gear 164E has an insertion portion 641, into which a pin hole 641a is formed. The screw 54E has an insertion portion 642 into which the insertion portion 641 is inserted, into which a pin hole 642a is formed. The insertion portion 641 has a double-sided chamfered cross-sectional shape, and the insertion portion 642 has an opening shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion 641.

[0200] The insertion portion 641 of the screw gear 164E is inserted into the insertion portion 642 of the screw 54E, and the pin holes 641a and 642a are aligned. Then, the pin 643 is fitted into the pin holes 641a and 641b, thereby connecting the screw gear 164E and the screw 54E so that they can rotate as a single unit.

[0201] Furthermore, a rotating shutter (oscillating shutter) 640 is positioned above the frame opening 52 as a shielding member. In other words, the rotating shutter 640 is positioned upstream of the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52. The rotating shutter 640 is a shutter member that opens and closes the frame opening 52 as the screw 54E rotates. The rotating shutter 640 has a pivot shaft 640a, a groove 640b provided at the downstream end of the pivot shaft 640a in the Z2 direction, and a first wall portion 640c and a second wall portion 640d that protrude radially outward from the pivot shaft 640a.

[0202] The pivot shaft 640a is rotatably supported by two shaft support portions 646 (one of which is not shown) whose ends are provided on the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. In particular, a groove portion 640b provided on the pivot shaft 640a engages with one of the two shaft support portions 646, restricting the axial movement (Z direction) of the pivot shaft 640a.

[0203] The second wall portion 640d is located 90 degrees downstream of the first wall portion 640c in the rotational direction RD1 of the screw 54E. A spring seat 640e is provided on the second wall portion 640d, and one end of the shutter spring 644 is engaged with the spring seat 640e. The coil portion of the shutter spring 644 is inserted into the pivot shaft 640a of the rotating shutter 640, and the other end of the shutter spring 644 is engaged with the supply frame 50. The rotating shutter 640 is then biased by the biasing force of the shutter spring 644 in the direction that the second wall portion 640d approaches the frame opening 52.

[0204] The rotating shaft 54a of the screw 54E is provided with a projection 645 that protrudes radially outward from the rotating shaft 54a. The projection 645 is positioned downstream of the insertion portion 622 in the Z1 direction and is configured to contact the first wall portion 640c.

[0205] Figure 27(a) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shutter 640 in the shielded position, parallel to the axial direction of the screw 54E. Figure 27(b) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shutter 640 in the shielded position, perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw 54E. Figure 27(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shutter 640 in the open position, parallel to the axial direction of the screw 54E. Figure 27(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shutter 640 in the open position, perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw 54E.

[0206] As shown in Figures 27(a) and 27(b), the rotating shutter 640 is positioned in a shielding position with the first wall portion 640c spaced apart from the protrusion 645 of the screw 54E. At this time, the rotating shutter 640 is biased in the direction of arrow PD1 by the biasing force of the shutter spring (elastic member) 644, and the frame opening 52 is shielded by the second wall portion 640d.

[0207] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 27(c) and 27(d), the rotating shutter 640 is in the open position with its first wall portion 640c pressed by the protrusion 645 of the screw 54E. At this time, there is a gap between the second wall portion 640d of the rotating shutter 640 and the frame opening 52, and the frame opening 52 is open.

[0208] When the rotating shutter 640 is in the shielding position shown in Figures 27(a) and 27(b), and the screw 54E rotates 270 degrees in the rotational direction RD1, the rotating shutter 640 reaches the open position shown in Figures 23(c) and 23(d). At this time, the protrusion 645 and the second wall 640d are closest when the protrusion 645 is positioned directly below the rotation axis 54a, but the protrusion 645 does not come into contact with the second wall 640d. Therefore, the protrusion 645 does not collide with the second wall 640d and the rotation of the screw 54E is not obstructed.

[0209] As the screw 54E rotates further in the rotational direction RD1 from a state where the protrusion 645 is located directly below the rotation axis 54a, the protrusion 645 approaches the first wall portion 640c. The first wall portion 640c of the rotating shutter 640, which is in the shielding position, is located in a position that coincides with the movement trajectory of the protrusion 645. Therefore, as the screw 54E rotates, the protrusion 645 presses against the first wall portion 640c, and the rotating shutter 640 rotates in the direction of arrow PD2. As a result, the rotating shutter 640 moves to the open position, which opens the frame opening 52. The protrusion 645, or the screw 54E having it, can be considered as a cam (camshaft) that converts the rotational motion of the screw 54E into reciprocating motion due to the oscillation of the rotating shutter 640. In other words, the protrusion 645, or the screw 54E having it, is a drive conversion unit that converts rotational motion into another motion. The screw 54E is an example of a drive conversion unit, and known mechanical elements may be used.

[0210] As described above, in this embodiment, the screw 54E and the rotating shutter 640 are driven by the rotation of the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164E. The frame opening 52 of the supply frame 50 is periodically opened and closed by the rotating shutter 640, which rotates periodically between a shielded position and an open position. In other words, the rotating shutter 640 reciprocates in the direction of arrow PD1 and arrow PD2, and swings around its rotation axis. As the rotating shutter 640 opens and closes, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 7113 and the air pressure inside the toner discharge chamber 57. When the frame opening 52 is shielded by the rotating shutter 640, air is sent into the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 7113.

[0211] Subsequently, when the rotating shutter 640 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the frame opening 52 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the frame opening 52 to reduce the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57. At this time, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air, so that the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0212] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the rotating shutter 640 while being shifted by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the shift ratio of the drive train 160, the rotational speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the rotating shutter 640 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotational speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the rotating shutter 640 without relying on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the rotating shutter 640, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be easily controlled.

[0213] In this embodiment, the rotating shutter 640 was biased to the shielding position by the shutter spring 644, but this is not the only option. For example, the center of gravity of the rotating shutter 640 may be set so that it is biased to the shielding position by its own weight without the shutter spring 644. Alternatively, the rotating shutter 640 may be moved to the shielding position by pressing the second wall portion 640d with the protrusion 645.

[0214] Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, the rotating shutter 640 does not have a mechanism to maintain the shielding position when the toner cartridge 7113 is removed from the device body 100B. For this reason, the shutter member 241 described in the second embodiment may be provided on the toner cartridge 7113.

[0215] <Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sixth embodiment omits the slide shutter (airflow shielding member) 141 of the first embodiment and provides a sealing wall 650 on the screw 54F. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration. The configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of providing a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member) that periodically blocks the airflow generated by the fan 158, the transport of toner is controlled by a sealing wall (toner shielding member) 650, which is a shutter member of a different configuration.

[0216] The toner cartridge 8113 according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in Figures 28(a) to 29(b), includes a supply frame 50 and a screw 54F rotatably supported by the supply frame 50. The screw 54F transports toner toward the connecting passage 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57, which are partitioned by a partition member 155. A screw gear 164F is rotatably supported by the supply frame 50, and the screw gear 164F is driven from a fan input gear 260 (see Figure 10(a)) as in the first embodiment.

[0217] A screw 54F is fixed to the screw gear 164F, and the screw 54F rotates integrally with the screw gear 164F. The exit portion of the communication passage 48, that is, the boundary between the communication passage 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57, is composed of a lower wall 651 formed in the supply frame 50 and an upper wall 652 formed in the partition member 155. A semicircular shaft support portion 651a is formed in the lower wall 651, and the shaft support portion 651a rotatably supports the rotation shaft 54a of the screw 54F. A spiral portion 54b that transports toner in the Z2 direction is provided on the rotation shaft 54a.

[0218] The upper wall 652 is provided with a semicircular opening 652a. As shown in Figure 28(c), when the screw 54F is removed, the communication passage 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57 are in communication in the space SP6 between the lower wall 651 and the upper wall 652, that is, the space enclosed by the shaft support portion 651a and the opening 652a.

[0219] Figure 30(a) is a cross-sectional view of the screw 54F parallel to the axial direction, showing the sealing wall 650 located in the shielded position, and Figure 30(b) is a cross-sectional view of the screw 54F parallel to the axial direction, showing the sealing wall 650 located in the open position. Figure 31(a) is a cross-sectional view of the screw 54F perpendicular to the axial direction, showing the sealing wall 650 located in the shielded position, and Figure 31(b) is a cross-sectional view of the screw 54F perpendicular to the axial direction, showing the sealing wall 650 located in the open position.

[0220] As shown in Figure 30(a), a cylindrical portion 653 connected to a screw gear 164F is provided at the downstream end of the screw 54F in the Z2 direction, and a sealing wall 650 is provided at the downstream end of the cylindrical portion 653 in the Z1 direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30(a), the cylindrical portion 653 is provided with a sheet portion 654 located at a position overlapping the frame opening 52 in the Z direction, and a spiral portion 653a for transporting toner in the Z2 direction.

[0221] As shown in Figure 31(a), the sealing wall 650, which serves as a toner shielding member, is formed in a fan shape (semicircular shape) that protrudes radially outward from the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 653, and rotates integrally with the screw 54F. Furthermore, the sealing wall 650 is positioned downstream in the Z2 direction from the upper wall 652 of the partition member 155, and is in a position where it can slide against the upper wall 652.

[0222] As shown in FIGS. 30(a) and 31(a), when the sealing wall 650 is located at the shielding position as the toner shielding position, the sealing wall 650 is in contact with the upper wall 652. And a space SP6 (see FIG. 28(c)) that communicates the communication path 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57 is sealed by the rotation shaft 54a of the screw 54F and the sealing wall 650. For this reason, the toner in the communication path 48 is not conveyed to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0223] As shown in FIGS. 30(b) and 31(b), when the sealing wall 650 is located at the open position as the toner open position, the contact between the sealing wall 650 and the upper wall 652 is released. At this time, the sealing wall 650 faces the lower wall 651 in the Z direction, and there is a space between the opening 652a of the upper wall 652, the rotation shaft 54a, and the sealing wall 650. That is, since the communication path 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57 are in communication, the toner in the communication path 48 can be conveyed to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0224] As described above, in the present embodiment, as the screw gear 164F rotates, the screw 54F and the sealing wall 650 rotate. And the space SP6, which is the boundary portion between the communication path 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57, is periodically opened and closed by the sealing wall 650. Thereby, a fixed amount of toner can be conveyed from the communication path 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57. Note that the frame opening 52 is open regardless of whether the sealing wall 650 is located at the shielding position or the open position.

[0225] Furthermore, the toner conveyed from the communication path 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57 is discharged to the frame opening 52 by the spiral portion 653a provided in the cylindrical portion 653 and the sheet portion 654. The sheet portion 654 is formed so as to be able to enter the frame opening 52, and while loosening the toner near the frame opening 52, it pushes out the toner to the outside of the frame opening 52.

[0226] Furthermore, air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 via a duct 163 by a fan 158, and the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the air supplied by the fan 158. This allows the toner to be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0227] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the screw 54F while being changed in speed by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the speed ratio of the drive train 160, the rotational speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the sealing wall 650 provided on the screw 54F can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotational speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the sealing wall 650 without depending on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the sealing wall 650, the amount of toner discharged from the communication passage 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57 can be easily controlled.

[0228] Furthermore, by changing the shape of the sealing wall 650, the amount of toner discharged from the communication passage 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57 can be easily controlled without changing the rotation speed of the screw 54F. In other words, the sealing wall 650 is a shutter member (toner shielding member) that periodically shields the passage through which the toner passes, thereby blocking the flow of toner.

[0229] Furthermore, since the sealing wall 650 is integrally formed with the screw 54F, it can be easily constructed. This reduces the number of parts and assembly time, thereby lowering costs.

[0230] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the frame opening 52 is always open regardless of the phase of the sealing wall 650. Therefore, even when air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158, the internal pressure of the toner discharge chamber 57 does not rise significantly. Thus, the degree of airtightness of the toner discharge chamber 57 can be set relatively low, and a sealing member to increase the degree of airtightness of the toner discharge chamber 57 becomes unnecessary. As a result, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced, and costs can be lowered.

[0231] In this embodiment, unlike the previously described embodiment, the air pressure inside the toner cartridge 13 and the airflow discharged from the toner cartridge 13 are not periodically fluctuated. However, the sealing wall 650 provides periodic changes to the flow of toner moving out of the toner cartridge 13. As a result, the fluidity of the toner is increased, and toner clogging can be suppressed.

[0232] Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, the sealing wall 650 does not have a mechanism to maintain the shielded position when the toner cartridge 8113 is removed from the device body 100B. For this reason, the toner cartridge 8113 may be provided with the shutter member 241 described in the second embodiment.

[0233] <Seventh Embodiment> Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the seventh embodiment, a duct 663 is applied in place of the duct 163 of the sixth embodiment. For this reason, the same configuration as in the sixth embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0234] The toner cartridge 9113 according to the seventh embodiment has a duct 663 connecting the fan 158 and the replenishment frame 50, as shown in Figures 32(a) and (b). The duct 663 is connected to the toner storage chamber 49, not the toner discharge chamber 57. That is, a connection hole 664 is formed on the side of the replenishment frame 50 that defines the toner storage chamber 49, and is connected to the duct 663. The duct constitutes a gas transport path (ventilation passage).

[0235] Air supplied from fan 158 enters the toner storage chamber 49 through connection hole 664 via duct 663. The toner storage chamber 49 is connected to the toner discharge chamber 57 via connecting passage 48, and, as in the seventh embodiment, the space SP6 at the boundary between the connecting passage 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57 is periodically opened and closed by a sealing wall 650 that rotates integrally with screw 54F. This allows a fixed amount of toner to be transported from the connecting passage 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0236] In this embodiment, air is supplied to the toner storage chamber 49 from the fan 158 via the duct 663. Therefore, when the sealing wall 650 is in the shielding position, the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 49 and the communication passage 48 becomes positive pressure, i.e., higher than the atmospheric pressure outside the toner cartridge 9113.

[0237] Subsequently, when the sealing wall 650 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the space SP6 is opened and the communication passage 48 and the toner discharge chamber 57 are connected, so compressed air is discharged into the toner discharge chamber 57 so that the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 49 and the communication passage 48 decreases. At this time, the toner in the communication passage 48 enters the toner discharge chamber 57 with the compressed air and is agitated. In addition, the toner that is sent with force from the communication passage 48 to the toner discharge chamber 57 mixed with compressed air pushes out the toner near the frame opening 52, and the toner can be discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0238] In this embodiment, the sealing wall 650 can be considered a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that blocks not only the movement of toner but also the airflow generated by the fan 158. In this embodiment, the communication passage 48 is a passage through which not only toner but also air moves. Therefore, the sealing wall 650 serves as both a toner shielding member and an airflow shielding member.

[0239] <Eighth Embodiment> Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the eighth embodiment, instead of the slide shutter 141 of the first embodiment, a duct shutter 670 is used to open and close the connection between the duct 163 and the supply frame 50. For this reason, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration. Also, the configuration in which air is supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57 by the fan 158 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0240] The toner cartridge 10113 according to the eighth embodiment, as shown in Figures 33(a) to 34(b), includes a supply frame 50, a fan 158, a duct shutter 670, a shutter spring 671, a duct connecting member 672, and a link member 673. The downstream end side surface 50n of the supply frame 50 in the Z2 direction is provided with shutter support portions 675a, 675b, a wall portion 675c, and a through hole 675d.

[0241] The shutter support portions 675a ​​and 675b are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the Y direction, and support the duct shutter 670 so that it can slide in the X direction. The duct shutter 670 has a plate-shaped sealing portion 670a and a notch 670b. A shutter spring 671 is compressed between the duct shutter 670 and the wall portion 675c, and the duct shutter 670 is biased in the X1 direction by the shutter spring 671.

[0242] A duct connecting member 672 is fixed to the shutter support portions 675a ​​and 675b so as to face the through hole 675d, and the duct connecting member 672 has a cylindrical portion 672a. The cylindrical portion 672a extends in the Z2 direction and has a through hole 672b in its center. A duct 163 is connected to the cylindrical portion 672a. The through hole 672b is positioned so as to overlap the through hole 675d on the side surface 50n when viewed in the Z1 direction, and the duct shutter 670 is positioned in the Z direction by the duct connecting member 672 and the side surface 50n.

[0243] On the side surface 50n of the supply frame 50, a link member 673 is rotatably supported via a pin 674. The link member 673 has an elongated rod-like shape, and a convex portion 673a extending in the Z1 direction is formed at one end thereof. The convex portion 673a engages with the notch 670b of the duct shutter 670, and the duct shutter 670 is configured to slide in the X direction in conjunction with the rotation of the link member 673 about the pin 674.

[0244] The drive train 160G as the drive transmission unit of the present embodiment includes a drive input gear 59, a fan input gear 260G, an acceleration mechanism 161, and a screw gear 164. The fan input gear 260G meshes with the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164, and rotates by receiving the driving force of the drive input gear 59.

[0245] Link drive ribs 676 and 677 are provided on the side surface of the fan input gear 260G in the Z1 direction. The link drive ribs 676 and 677 each extend in the circumferential direction of the fan input gear 260G and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0246] FIG. 34(a) is a side view of the toner cartridge 10113 viewed in the Z1 direction when the duct shutter 670 is in the shielding position. FIG. 34(b) is a side view of the toner cartridge 10113 viewed in the Z1 direction when the duct shutter 670 is in the release position. FIG. 35(a) is a side view of the duct shutter 670 in the shielding position and its peripheral configuration viewed in the Z2 direction. FIG. 35(b) is a side view of the duct shutter 670 in the open position and its peripheral configuration viewed in the Z2 direction.

[0247] As shown in Figures 34(a) and 35(a), the duct shutter 670, acting as a shielding member, is biased in the X1 direction by the shutter spring 671 and is positioned in the shielding position by abutting against the duct connecting member 672 or the replenishment frame 50. At this time, the sealing portion 670a of the duct shutter 670 blocks communication between the through hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 and the through hole 675d of the replenishment frame 50. Therefore, air sent from the duct 163 to the duct connecting member 672 cannot enter the toner discharge chamber 57 of the replenishment frame 50. In other words, penetration The hole 672b is the connection point between the duct 163 and the supply frame 50, and is also a passage for air sent to the supply frame 50 by the fan 158, and is shielded or opened by the duct shutter 670.

[0248] Furthermore, when the duct shutter 670 is in the shielding position, the other end 673b of the link member 673, opposite to the protrusion 673a, abuts against the downstream end 676a of the link drive rib 676 in the rotational direction RD3.

[0249] Then, as the fan input gear 260G rotates further in the rotational direction RD3, the other end 673b of the link member 673 is pressed by the downstream end 676a of the link drive rib 676, causing the link member 673 to rotate around the pin 675. As shown in Figures 34(b) and 35(b), in conjunction with the rotation of the link member 673, the duct shutter 670 slides in the X2 direction against the biasing force of the shutter spring 671. As a result, the duct shutter 670 moves to the open position.

[0250] At this time, the sealing portion 670a of the duct shutter 670 allows communication between the through hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 and the through hole 675d of the replenishment frame 50. In other words, in the open position, the duct shutter 670 opens the through hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 and the through hole 675d of the replenishment frame 50. As a result, the air sent from the duct 163 to the duct connecting member 672 can enter the toner discharge chamber 57 of the replenishment frame 50.

[0251] When the duct shutter 670 is in the open position, the other end 673b of the link member 673 is in contact with the upstream end 676b of the link drive rib 676 in the rotational direction RD3. Then, when the fan input gear 260G rotates further in the rotational direction RD3, the other end 673b of the link member 673 separates from the upstream end 676b of the link drive rib 676, and the duct shutter 670 moves to the shielded position due to the biasing force of the shutter spring 671.

[0252] As the duct shutter 670 moves to the shielding position, the link member 673 rotates and comes into contact with the link drive rib 677. The driving of the duct shutter 670 by the link drive rib 677 is the same as that of the link drive rib 676, so the explanation is omitted.

[0253] As described above, in this embodiment, the duct shutter 670 reciprocates between a shielded position and an open position as the fan input gear 260G rotates. The through hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 and the through hole 675d of the supply frame 50 are periodically opened and closed by the duct shutter 670.

[0254] Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the duct 163 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the external air pressure of the toner cartridge 10113 and the internal air pressure of the duct 163. When the through-hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 is shielded by the duct shutter 670 located in the shielding position, air is supplied to the duct 163 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the duct 163 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the external air pressure.

[0255] Subsequently, when the duct shutter 670 moves from the shielded position to the open position, the through-hole 672b of the duct connecting member 672 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the duct 163 to reduce the internal pressure of the duct 163. As a result, the toner discharge chamber 57 also becomes temporarily positively pressurized, and the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the compressed air. Therefore, toner can be discharged efficiently into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0256] In this embodiment, the driving force input from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the drive input gear 59 is output to the fan 158 and the duct shutter 670 while being shifted by the drive train 160 (see Figure 10(a)). By arbitrarily setting the shift ratio of the drive train 160, the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the duct shutter 670 can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the rotation speed of the fan 158 and the opening and closing frequency of the duct shutter 670 without depending on the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, by changing the opening and closing frequency of the duct shutter 670, the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be controlled.

[0257] In this embodiment, link drive ribs 676 and 677 are provided on the fan input gear 260G, and the duct shutter 670 is driven using the driving force of these link drive ribs 676 and 677, but this is not limited to this. For example, the link drive ribs 676 and 677 may be provided on a gear other than the fan input gear 260G to drive the duct shutter 670. Also, the number and shape of the link drive ribs 676 and 677 are not limited.

[0258] In this embodiment, the duct shutter 670 is a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member, valve) that periodically blocks the airflow generated by the fan 158 by periodically shielding the air passage. The aforementioned shutter member, such as the slide shutter 141, is positioned near the frame opening 52, and by closing the frame opening 52, it blocks not only the air but also the movement and discharge of toner. In other words, the slide shutter 141 could be considered both an airflow shielding member and a toner shielding member. In contrast, the duct shutter 670 in this embodiment has the characteristic of blocking the airflow (movement of air) but not the movement of toner. Furthermore, the duct shutter 670 is positioned upstream of the frame opening 52, which is the toner discharge port, in the direction of airflow movement (air transport path), and is not positioned near the frame opening 52. The configuration of this embodiment is particularly effective when there is no space to place a shutter member near the frame opening 52. Furthermore, since there is no toner around the duct shutter 670, it is possible to avoid situations where the operation of the duct shutter 670 is hindered by toner.

[0259] <Ninth Embodiment> Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the ninth embodiment, a duct 680 composed of a first duct member 681 and a second duct member 682 is provided in place of the duct 163 of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0260] The toner cartridge 11113 according to the ninth embodiment, as shown in Figure 36, includes a supply frame 50, a fan 158, and a duct 680. The duct 680 constitutes a transport path for transporting air from the fan 158 toward the exhaust port 235, which will be described later. In other words, the inside of the duct 680 is a transport path through which air moves. The duct 680 includes a first duct member 681 and a second duct member 682, with the first duct member 681 being connected to the fan 158. The first duct member 681 is connected to the second duct member 682, and the wind generated by the fan 158 is sent through the first duct member 681 to the second duct member 682.

[0261] The second duct member 682 is constructed in the shape of a hollow square pipe and is provided with an exhaust port 235 and a hole 236 that communicates with the frame opening 52. The second duct member 682 is bonded to the supply frame 50. The exhaust port 235 is provided on the bottom surface 682a of the second duct member 682, and the hole 236 is a circular through-hole that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface 682d of the second duct member 682. The exhaust port 235 is an annular hole provided so as to surround the hole 236 and opens downwards.

[0262] In this embodiment, the end face of the edge of the exhaust port 235 and the end face of the edge of the hole 236 are on the same plane as each other, but this is not limited to this. For example, one of these end faces may protrude downward relative to the other. That is, in a coordinate system parallel to the Y-axis (vertical direction), the two end faces may be in different positions.

[0263] As shown in Figure 37(a), the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236 are positioned adjacent to the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52. Furthermore, the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236 are positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction). Therefore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is discharged into the image forming apparatus 100 through the hole 236. Air is discharged from the exhaust port 235 so as to surround the toner discharged from the hole 236.

[0264] In this embodiment, toner that falls from the frame opening 52 is discharged through the hole 236, so the hole 236 can be considered as a toner discharge port. Alternatively, the frame opening 52 and the hole 236 can be considered as a single unit and together as a toner discharge port. In the previously described embodiment, not only toner but also air was discharged from the frame opening 52, which is the toner discharge port. On the other hand, in this embodiment, air is not discharged from the hole 236, which is the toner discharge port. In other words, unlike the previously described embodiment, this embodiment is characterized in that the exhaust port 235 and the toner discharge port (hole 236) are different openings.

[0265] Although not shown in Figure 37(a), in this embodiment, the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236 are periodically opened and closed by one of the shutter members (shielding member, airflow shielding member) described above. The opening and closing of the exhaust port 235 periodically blocks the discharge of airflow by the fan 158.

[0266] [Toner and air discharge] Next, the discharge of toner and air from the toner cartridge 11113 will be explained in more detail using Figures 37(a) and 37(b). As described above, the fan 158 and screw 54 are operated by the supply of driving force to the toner cartridge 11113 from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. In Figure 37(a), the solid line shows the toner transport path, and the dashed line shows the air discharge path.

[0267] As the screw 54 rotates, the toner in the toner cartridge 11113 is transported to the toner discharge chamber 57 via the connecting passage 48. The toner transported to the toner discharge chamber 57 then moves downward from the frame opening 52 formed in the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 toward the hole 236.

[0268] When fan 158 is activated, air is continuously supplied from fan 158 to duct 680. Duct 680 is composed of a first duct member 681 and a second duct member 682, and the air supplied from fan 158 is sent to the second duct member 682 via the first duct member 681. The air sent to the second duct member 682 is then discharged to the outside through an exhaust port 235 provided at the end of the second duct member 682. The exhaust port 235 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the hole 236 and is adjacent to the hole 236. That is, the exhaust port 235 is adjacent to the toner discharge port (hole 236) in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction).

[0269] In this embodiment, the exhaust port 235 and hole 236 are periodically opened and closed by one of the shutter configurations described above. As a result, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the duct 680 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 11113 and the air pressure inside the duct 680. When the exhaust port 235 is shielded by the shutter mechanism located in the shielding position, air is supplied to the duct 680 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the duct 680 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 11113.

[0270] Subsequently, when the shutter mechanism moves from the shielded position to the open position, the exhaust port 235 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the exhaust port 235 to reduce the internal pressure of the duct 680. At this time, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is propelled by the compressed air discharged from the exhaust port 235, allowing the toner to be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0271] Furthermore, the forceful discharge of air from the exhaust port 235 creates negative pressure around the frame opening 52, which also has the effect of drawing toner out of the frame opening 52. In addition, in the toner cartridge 11113, the air transport path from the fan 158 and the toner transport path are separated, so the toner does not obstruct the airflow from the fan 158. This suppresses poor airflow inside the toner cartridge 11113.

[0272] Furthermore, since the toner transport path and the air transport path are separated, the operation test of the fan 158 can be easily performed when assembling the toner cartridge 11113. This is because even if air passes through the inside of the duct 230 during the operation test of the fan 158, that air does not directly affect the toner contained in the toner storage chamber 49. In other words, by performing the operation test of the fan 158 without moving the screw 54, the discharge of toner from the frame opening 52 and holes 236 is suppressed. Therefore, the operation test of the fan 158 can be performed while suppressing toner scattering, improving the workability of assembling the toner cartridge 11113.

[0273] In this embodiment, the air transport path from the fan 158 is separated from the toner transport path, resulting in less direct air action on the toner inside the toner discharge chamber 57. Therefore, it is particularly preferable to use the following configuration to promote the transport of toner inside the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0274] Specifically, as shown in Figure 37(a), a flexible sheet member 210 is attached to the screw 54. The sheet member 210 rotates together with the screw 54 and enters the frame opening 52. This loosens the toner that has accumulated near the frame opening 52, and encourages the toner to be discharged from the frame opening 52. For example, if the screw 54 of the toner cartridge 11113 is not driven for a long time, the toner inside the toner cartridge 11113 may become compacted and difficult to dislodge from the frame opening 52. Even in such cases, the sheet member 210 can loosen the toner, allowing the toner to be discharged smoothly from the frame opening 52.

[0275] <Modified form of the ninth embodiment> The shape and arrangement of the second duct member 682 are not limited to those described above. For example, as shown in Figures 38 to 39(b), the duct 680B connected to the fan 158 has a first duct member 681 and a second duct member 682B.

[0276] The second duct member 682B is constructed in the shape of a hollow square pipe and has a hole 685. The second duct member 682B is bonded to the supply frame 50. The hole 685 is provided on the bottom surface of the second duct member 682B and opens downwards. The top surface of the second duct member 682B communicates with the frame opening 52, and the hole 685 is located at a different position from the frame opening 52 in the Z direction.

[0277] As shown in Figure 38, the toner that falls from the frame opening 52 enters the second duct member 682B and is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge along with air through the hole 685. In this embodiment, the hole 685 is both a toner discharge port and an air discharge port (exhaust port).

[0278] [Toner and air discharge] Next, the discharge of toner and air from the toner cartridge 11113 will be explained in more detail using Figure 38. As described above, the fan 158 and screw 54 are operated by the supply of driving force to the toner cartridge 11113 from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 10(b)) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. In Figure 38, the solid line shows the toner transport path and the dashed line shows the air discharge path.

[0279] As the screw 54 rotates, the toner in the toner cartridge 11113 is transported to the toner discharge chamber 57 via the connecting passage 48. The toner transported to the toner discharge chamber 57 is then discharged downward from the frame opening 52 formed in the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50.

[0280] At this time, the sheet member 210 fixed to the screw 54 rotates together with the screw 54 and enters the frame opening 52. This loosens the toner that has accumulated near the frame opening 52 and encourages the toner to be discharged from the frame opening 52. For example, if the screw 54 of the toner cartridge 11113 is not driven for a long time, the toner inside the toner cartridge 11113 may become compacted and difficult to dislodge from the frame opening 52. Even in such cases, the sheet member 210 can loosen the toner, allowing the toner to be discharged smoothly from the frame opening 52.

[0281] The toner discharged from the frame opening 52 merges into the internal space of the second duct member 682B. When the fan 158 operates, air is continuously supplied from the fan 158 to the duct 680B. The duct 680B is composed of a first duct member 681 and a second duct member 682B, and the air supplied from the fan 158 is sent to the second duct member 682B via the first duct member 231.

[0282] In this modified configuration, the hole 685 is periodically opened and closed by one of the shutter configurations described above. Consequently, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the duct 680B fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 11113 and the air pressure inside the duct 680B. When the hole 685 is shielded by the shutter mechanism located in the shielding position, air is supplied to the duct 680B by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the duct 680B to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 11113.

[0283] Subsequently, when the shutter mechanism moves from the shielded position to the open position, the hole 685 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the hole 685 to reduce the internal pressure of the duct 680B. At this time, the toner discharged from the hole 685 is given momentum by mixing with the compressed air, allowing the toner to be discharged efficiently into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0284] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 11113 may be provided with the shutter member 241 described in the second embodiment.

[0285] Here, the frame opening 52, exhaust port 235, hole 236 and receiving port 24 on the device body 100B side 7 (figure 7 Consider the dimensions and arrangement of the (see 2) receiving port 24 of the image forming apparatus 100. 7 The inner diameter of the opening 52 is length D3 (see Figure 42), the inner diameter of the frame opening 52 is length D4 (see Figure 37(a)), and as shown in Figure 56, the inner diameter of the hole 236 is length D5, the inner diameter of the exhaust port 235 (diameter of the inner circle) is length D6, and the outer diameter of the exhaust port 235 (diameter of the outer circle) is length D7.

[0286] In this embodiment, the following relationship holds true. D3>D6>D5···(1) D4>1.0[mm]···(2) D5>1.0[mm]···(3) D7-D6>0.5[mm]···(4)

[0287] Equations (1) to (4) are relational equations set to allow toner and air to be smoothly discharged from the frame opening 52, the hole 236, and the exhaust port 235. For example, the length D4, which is the inner diameter of the frame opening 52 through which the toner passes, and the length D5, which is the inner diameter of the hole 236, must be 1.0 [mm] or more for the toner to pass through smoothly. Also, the length (D7-D6), which is the difference between the inner and outer diameters of the exhaust port 235, must be 0.5 [mm] or more. This is because reducing the length (D7-D6) increases the airflow velocity, but also increases torque due to pressure loss.

[0288] As can be seen from equation (1) above, the inner diameter (length D5) of hole 236 is smaller than the outer diameter (length D7) of exhaust port 235. Based on equations (1) to (4) above, the areas of the frame opening 52, hole 236, and exhaust port 235 are 0.78 [mm²] each. 2] or more is preferable. Also, considering toner scattering and airflow velocity, the area of ​​the frame opening 52, hole 236 and exhaust port 235 should be 117 [mm²] 2 The following are preferable.

[0289] In this embodiment, for example, D3=6.0[mm], D4=6.5[mm], D5=3.0[mm], D6=4.5[mm], and D7=6.5[mm] are set. At this time, the receiving port 24 on the device body 100B side 7 It is necessary to supply both toner, which passes through the frame opening 52 and is discharged from the hole 236, and air, which is discharged from the exhaust port 235. For this reason, the receiving port 24 7 Based on the standards, the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 are adjacent to each other within 6 mm in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction) perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). That is, the minimum distance measured horizontally across the wall thickness separating the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 is within 6 mm.

[0290] In other words, Inlet 24 7 When the diameter (inner diameter) of the opening 52 is D [mm], the exhaust port 235 is adjacent to the opening 52 within D [mm] in a direction perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction) when viewed from the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). In other words, when viewed from the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction), the opening 52 and the exhaust port 235 are adjacent to the receiving port 24 7 When they are within a distance of D [mm], which is the diameter (inner diameter) of the frame opening 52 and the exhaust port 235, they can be said to be adjacent to each other. The hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 each allow toner and air to enter through the same inlet 24. 7 They are adjacent to each other so that they can be discharged.

[0291] In this arrangement of exhaust port 235 and hole 236, the receiving port 24 on the image forming apparatus 100 side 7 With the toner and air mixed together, the receiving port 24 of the image forming apparatus body 7It can be allowed to flow into the interior. As a result, the toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13 can be transported by the air generated by the fan 158, improving the toner discharge and transport efficiency.

[0292] More preferably, the exhaust port 235 is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps the frame opening 52 when viewed in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the hole 236.

[0293] <Tenth Embodiment> Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The tenth embodiment modifies the duct configuration of the ninth embodiment and further incorporates the function of a shutter member 241 into the duct. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0294] The toner cartridge 12113 according to the tenth embodiment has a duct 330 that guides air supplied from the fan 158 (see Figure 36). As shown in Figure 40, the duct 330 has a first duct member 231, a second duct member 332, and a third duct member 333. The first duct member 231 is connected to the fan 158 and passes inside the supply frame 50.

[0295] The second duct member 332 is flexible and elastic, formed in a pipe shape, and extends in a substantially vertical direction (Y direction). One end of the second duct member 332 is connected to the external connection portion 231c of the first duct member 231, and the other end is connected to the duct connection portion 333b of the third duct member 333.

[0296] A guide member 334 is fixed to the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. The guide member 334 has a horizontally extending flat plate portion 334a, a first support wall 334b ​​rising from the downstream end of the flat plate portion 334a in the X2 direction, and a second support wall 334c rising from the downstream end of the flat plate portion 334a in the X1 direction. The third duct member 333 is supported by the supply frame 50 and the guide member 334 so as to be movable in the Z direction. More specifically, the movement of the third duct member 333 is restricted in the Y direction by the bottom surface 50d and the flat plate portion 334a of the supply frame 50. In addition, the movement of the third duct member 333 is restricted in the X direction and guided to be movable in the Z direction by the first support wall 334b ​​and the second support wall 334c of the guide member 334.

[0297] The third duct member 333 has a hollow rectangular pipe-shaped pipe portion 333a, a duct connection portion 333b connected to the second duct member 332, a sealing portion 333c, a stepped portion 333d, an exhaust port 336, and an engaged portion 341d. An elastic sealing member 335 is bonded to the sealing portion 333c. A spring 343 is compressed between the third duct member 333 and the supply frame 50, and the third duct member 333 is biased in the Z2 direction by the biasing force of the spring 343 as a second biasing portion.

[0298] The third duct member 333, biased by the spring 343, is positioned in a shielded position when the stepped portion 333d abuts against the abutment surface 50k of the supply frame 50. The exhaust port 336 is provided at the downstream end of the third duct member 333 in the mounting direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 12113, as shown in Figures 41(a) and (b), and is a circular through-hole that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface of the third duct member 333. That is, the exhaust port 336 opens downward. The pipe portion 333a is in communication with the exhaust port 336 via the communication hole 337.

[0299] As shown in Figure 42, the engaged portion 341d of the third duct member 333 is pressed by the engaged portion 245 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner cartridge 12113 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the third duct member 333 moves from the shielded position to the open position against the biasing force of the spring 343. When the third duct member 333 is in the open position, the exhaust port 336 communicates with the receiving portion of the image forming apparatus.

[0300] Furthermore, if we define the duct 330 as being in the shielded position when the third duct member 333 is in the shielded position, and the duct 330 as being in the open position when the third duct member 333 is in the open position, then the duct 330 is transitionable between the shielded position and the open position. In addition, the duct 330 is configured to be movable relative to the supply frame 50, shielding the frame opening 52 in the shielded position and opening the frame opening 52 in the open position. In other words, in this embodiment, the duct 330 can be considered to also function as a shutter member that opens and closes the frame opening 52, which is the toner discharge port.

[0301] Figure 43(a) is a front view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position, Figure 43(b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position, and Figure 43(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position. Figure 44(a) is a front view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position, Figure 44(b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position, and Figure 44(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position.

[0302] As shown in Figures 43(a) to (c), when the toner cartridge 12113 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the third duct member 333 is in a shielded position due to the action of the spring 343. At this time, the frame opening 52 is shielded by the sealing portion 333c and the sealing member 335 of the third duct member 333. Therefore, toner is not discharged to the outside from the frame opening 52. In addition, the exhaust port 336 is not adjacent to the frame opening 52 when the duct 330 is in the second shielded position.

[0303] As shown in Figures 41(b) and 44(a)-(c), when the toner cartridge 12113 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the third duct member 333 moves to the open position by being pressed by the engagement portion 245 of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, at least a part of the duct 330, i.e., the second duct member 332, is flexible and elastic. The second duct member 332 deforms in accordance with the movement of the third duct member 333.

[0304] At this time, the exhaust port 336 is adjacent to the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52. In other words, the exhaust port 336 is positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the discharge direction (Y2 direction) and overlaps with the frame opening 52 when viewed in the discharge direction (Y2 direction).

[0305] Therefore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is discharged to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 through the exhaust port 336. In addition, the air supplied by the fan 158 passes through the pipe sections 333a of the first duct member 231, the second duct member 332, and the third duct member 333, and joins the exhaust port 336 through the communication hole 337.

[0306] In this embodiment, the exhaust port 336 is periodically opened and closed by one of the shutter configurations (shielding member, airflow shielding member) described above. As a result, the internal pressure (internal air pressure) of the duct 330 fluctuates periodically, creating a difference between the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 12113 and the air pressure inside the duct 330. When the exhaust port 336 is shielded by the shutter mechanism located in the shielding position, air is supplied to the duct 330 by the fan 158, causing the internal pressure of the duct 330 to become positive pressure, i.e., higher than the air pressure outside the toner cartridge 12113.

[0307] Subsequently, when the shutter mechanism moves from the shielded position to the open position, the exhaust port 336 is opened, and compressed air is discharged from the exhaust port 336 to reduce the internal pressure of the duct 330. At this time, the toner discharged from the exhaust port 336 is given momentum by mixing with the compressed air, and the toner can be efficiently discharged into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the frame opening 52 can be considered as a toner discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 49. In this embodiment, when the exhaust port 336 of the duct 330 and the frame opening (toner discharge port) 52 of the supply frame 50 are adjacent, they can be considered to be connected to each other. In any case, in this embodiment as well, the toner transport path (movement path) from the toner storage chamber 49 to the toner discharge port (frame opening 52) and the air transport path (movement path) from the pump 58 to the exhaust port 336 are substantially separated. Therefore, the same effects as in the ninth embodiment can be produced.

[0308] Furthermore, it is preferable to use the sheet member 210 (see Figure 37(a)) described in the ninth embodiment above in the toner cartridge 12113 of this embodiment as well. This is because, as the screw 54 rotates, the sheet member 210 transports the toner from the toner discharge chamber 57 toward the frame opening 52.

[0309] <Embodiment 11> Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The eleventh embodiment is a modification of the duct 680 configuration of the ninth embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the ninth embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0310] As shown in Figure 45, the toner cartridge 13113 according to the 11th embodiment includes a supply frame 50C as a casing and a duct 430 for exhausting air supplied from a fan 158 through an exhaust port 435. The supply frame 50C rotatably supports a screw 54, and a frame opening 52C is formed on the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50C for discharging toner from the inside to the outside of the supply frame 50C. The screw 54 transports the toner in a first direction DR1.

[0311] The duct 430 includes a fixed duct 431 that communicates with the fan 158, and a screw duct 432 that communicates with the fixed duct 431 and has an exhaust port 435. The screw duct 432 is rotatably supported on the supply frame 50C about a rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction (Y direction). The screw duct 432 has a pipe section 432a formed in the shape of a hollow pipe, and a screw section 432b fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe section 432a. The screw section 432b, as the second conveying section, rotates to convey toward the frame opening 52C in a second direction DR2 that intersects the first direction DR1.

[0312] The rotation of the screw 54 is transmitted to the screw duct 432 via a bevel gear or worm gear (not shown). Therefore, the transport direction of the toner, which is transported in a first direction DR1 parallel to the Z2 direction by the rotating screw 54, is switched to a second direction DR2 parallel to the Y2 direction by the rotating screw duct 432. The exhaust port 435 is located in line with the frame opening 52C in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) through the frame opening 52C. More specifically, the exhaust port 435 is located inside the frame opening 52C. Therefore, the toner transported in the Y2 direction by the screw duct 432 is discharged from the frame opening 52C into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the frame opening 5 2 C can be considered the toner output port.

[0313] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner can be smoothly transported to the frame opening 52C by the screw duct 432 which rotates due to the driving force of the screw 54, thereby improving the toner discharge (transport) performance. Furthermore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52C is propelled by the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 435, allowing the toner to be discharged efficiently into the image forming apparatus 100.

[0314] Furthermore, since the duct 430 is located only inside the supply frame 50C, the toner cartridge 13113 can be made smaller. In this embodiment as well, it is preferable to periodically block the airflow generated by the fan 158 using one of the aforementioned shutter members (shielding member, airflow shielding member).

[0315] <Twelfth Embodiment> Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the twelfth embodiment, a gas cylinder unit 800 is applied instead of the fan 158 of the second embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0316] The toner cartridge 14113 according to the twelfth embodiment, as shown in Figures 46(a) to 47(b), includes a supply frame 50, a gas cylinder unit 800, and a drive train 160H. The drive train 160H, which acts as a drive transmission unit, includes a drive input gear 59, a cylinder operating gear 790, and a screw gear 164. The drive input gear 59 receives driving force from the image forming apparatus 100. The cylinder operating gear 790 meshes with the drive input gear 59 and the screw gear 164.

[0317] A cylindrical cam 801 is integrally attached to the cylinder operating gear 790. The gas cylinder unit 800 includes a cylindrical cam 801, a gas cylinder 802 inserted into and held by the cylindrical cam 801, and a link member 803.

[0318] The cylindrical cam 801 has a first groove 801a and a second groove 801b that extend in the circumferential direction, respectively. The second groove 801b is located downstream of the first groove 801a in the Z1 direction, and the first groove 801a and the second groove 801b are smoothly connected to each other. In this embodiment, there are two first grooves 801a and two second grooves 801b, each with a phase difference of 180 degrees.

[0319] The link member 803 has a connecting portion 803a connected to the coupling portion 802e of the gas cylinder 802, and the gas cylinder 802 is held between the cylindrical cam 801 and the link member 803. The link member 803 also has protrusions 803b and 803c that can engage with the first groove 801a and the second groove 801b. In this embodiment, since there are two first grooves 801a and two second grooves 801b, each with a phase difference of 180 degrees, both protrusions 803b and 803c always engage with only one of the first groove 801a or the second groove 801b.

[0320] The link member 803 is restricted from rotating by the side cover 162. Furthermore, the link member 803 can press against the gas cylinder 802 as the cylindrical cam 801 rotates.

[0321] As shown in Figures 48(a) and 48(b), the gas cylinder 802 has a gas containment section 802a, a spring seat 802b, a nozzle 802c, and a spring 802d. The gas containment section 802a is filled with a safe gas such as nitrogen. Nitrogen is preferred because it is non-flammable and does not adversely affect equipment, but other gases may also be used. The spring seat 802b is fixed to the gas containment section 802a from inside the gas containment section 802a. The nozzle 802c is supported so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the gas containment section 802a. The pressure inside the gas cylinder is set higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0322] A spring 802d is compressed between the nozzle 802c and the spring seat 802b, and in its natural state, the nozzle 802c is biased in the Z1 direction by the biasing force of the spring 802d. The stepped portion 802f of the nozzle 802c abuts against the gas containment portion 802a, thereby shielding the space between the nozzle 802c and the gas containment portion 802a. At this time, the gas cylinder 802 is said to be in the closed state. When the gas cylinder 802 is in the closed state, the protrusions 803b and 803c of the link member 803 are engaged with the first groove 801a, as shown in Figure 47(a).

[0323] When the cylinder operating gear 790 rotates while the gas cylinder 802 is in the closed position, the protrusions 803b and 803c of the link member 803 are guided into the second groove 801b, as shown in Figure 47(b). As a result, the link member 803 moves in the Z1 direction and presses against the gas storage portion 802a of the gas cylinder 802.

[0324] When the link member 803 presses against the gas containment section 802a, the gas containment section 802a is compressed by the spring 802 d Against the biasing force, it moves relative to the nozzle 802c in the Z1 direction. This creates a gap SP7 between the gas containment section 802a and the nozzle 802c, and gas is sent from this gap SP7 to the toner discharge chamber 57. In other words, the gas cylinder 802 is configured to eject gas into the toner discharge chamber 57 by the relative movement of the gas containment section b802a and the nozzle 802c. At this time, the gas cylinder 802 is said to be in the open state.

[0325] The gas containment section 802a and the nozzle 802c constitute the valve of the gas cylinder 802. As the drive input gear 59 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the gas containment section 802a via the cylinder operating gear 790, the cylindrical cam 801, and the link member 803. This transmission of driving force causes the gas containment section 802a to reciprocate, and the gas containment section 802a and the nozzle 802c move relative to each other. As a result, the valve formed by the gas containment section 802a and the nozzle 802c repeatedly opens and closes periodically, causing gas to be ejected from the gas cylinder 802 or to stop being ejected. The cylindrical cam 801 and the link member 803 are drive conversion units that convert the rotational motion of the cylinder operating gear 790 into translational and reciprocating motion of the gas containment section 802a. In other words, the cylindrical cam 801 and the link member 803 convert the rotational force into the force required to open and close the valve. These are just examples of drive conversion units; known mechanical elements can also be used as drive conversion units.

[0326] As described above, the gas cylinder 802 periodically alternates between a closed and open state as the cylinder operating gear 790 rotates. When the gas cylinder 802 is in the open state, the gas inside the gas cylinder 802 is ejected into the toner discharge chamber 57. This gas then sends the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 to the frame opening 52, where the toner is forcefully discharged from the frame opening 52 along with the gas and the air inside the toner discharge chamber 57. The pressure of the gas ejected from the gas cylinder 802 effectively discharges the toner into the main body 100B of the image forming apparatus 100, where it can be transported.

[0327] Furthermore, since gas is intermittently supplied from the gas cylinder 802 to the toner discharge chamber 57, the toner inside the toner discharge chamber 57 is agitated, promoting the toner to be discharged from the frame opening 52.

[0328] Furthermore, the gas cylinder 802 can forcefully deliver gas to the toner discharge chamber 57 even if the relative movement between the nozzle 802c and the gas storage section 802a in the Z direction is small. Therefore, the gas cylinder unit 800 can be made smaller in the Z direction.

[0329] Gas cylinder 802 has a drive input gear (drive input member, drive receiving member) 5 9 The opening and closing operation is performed in accordance with the rotation. In this embodiment, the number of times the gas cylinder 802 is opened per unit time, that is, the number of times gas is discharged per unit time, is set to be greater than the number of times the drive input gear 59 rotates per unit time.

[0330] In this embodiment, instead of periodically blocking the airflow from the fan 158 with a shutter member (shielding member, airflow shielding member), a periodically changing airflow is generated by periodically discharging high-pressure gas (gas) contained in the gas cylinder 802. However, in this embodiment as well, various shutter configurations described in the above-described embodiment may be provided.

[0331] In this embodiment, the gas cylinder 802 or the gas cylinder unit 800 including the gas cylinder 802 is a blower (fan, blower, airflow generating mechanism) configured to send gas and generate airflow. The fan 158, which is a blower as described above, was configured to send ambient gas, i.e., air. In contrast, the gas cylinder 802 is configured to send gas, such as nitrogen, that it holds inside itself, by ejecting it to the outside.

[0332] <13th Embodiment> Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The thirteenth embodiment is configured to transport toner in a different manner than the first embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0333] The toner cartridge 15113 according to the 13th embodiment, as shown in Figure 49, includes a supply frame 50J, a rotating container 810 rotatably supported by the supply frame 50J, and a side cover 162. The rotating container 810 has a spiral groove 811 on its outer surface, and as shown in Figure 50, by rotating, the groove 811 can transport the toner in the Z2 direction. This allows the toner inside the rotating container 810 to be discharged from the frame opening 52.

[0334] Figure 51(a) is a side view showing the drive column 160J of the toner cartridge 15113, and Figure 51(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the drive column 160J of the toner cartridge 15113. Figure 51(c) is another cross-sectional view showing the drive column 160J of the toner cartridge 15113.

[0335] As shown in Figures 51(a) to (c), the drive train 160J includes a drive input gear 812, a fan input gear 813, an idler gear 814, and a container rotation gear 815. The drive input gear 812 receives power from the drive output member 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 (see Figure 10(b)). The small gear 813a of the fan input gear 813 and the idler gear 814 mesh with the drive input gear 812.

[0336] When the drive input gear 812 rotates, the fan input gear 813 rotates. The drive of the fan input gear 813 is transmitted to the fan 158 via the acceleration mechanism 161. The idler gear 814 meshes with the container rotation gear 815, which is fixed to the rotating container 810. In this way, the driving force of the drive input gear 812 is transmitted to the fan 158 and the rotating container 810, respectively.

[0337] <Embodiment 14> Next, a 14th embodiment of the present invention will be described. The 14th embodiment is configured to transport toner in a different manner than the first embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0338] The toner cartridge 16113 according to the 14th embodiment, as shown in Figures 52 and 53, has a supply frame 50, a slatted transport member 820 and a crank 821 provided inside the supply frame 50. The crank 821 has a rotating shaft 821a that is rotatably supported by the supply frame 50, and an arm portion 821b that is eccentric from the rotating shaft 821a. One end 820a of the transport member 820 is attached to the arm portion 821b.

[0339] The conveying member 820 has a shaft portion 820b on the opposite side of one end 820a, and the shaft portion 820b engages with a guide groove 827 of a guide member 826 fixed to the inner surface of the supply frame 50.

[0340] On the downstream side of the supply frame 50 in the mounting direction (Z2 direction), a drive input gear 59 and a fan input gear 260 that meshes with the drive input gear 59 are rotatably supported, and the fan 158 is driven by the driving force of the fan input gear 260.

[0341] A first gear 823 and a second gear 824 that meshes with the first gear 823 are rotatably supported on the side of the supply frame 50 in the X2 direction. These first gear 823 and second gear 824 are sandwiched and held between the supply frame 50 and the plate member 825. The rotation axis 821a of the crank 821 is fixed to the axis center of the second gear 824, and the crank 821 rotates around the rotation axis 821a in conjunction with the rotation of the second gear 824.

[0342] As shown in Figure 54, the first gear 823 has a plurality of crest-shaped teeth 823a, which are configured to mesh with the drive input gear 59 and the second gear 824. That is, as the drive input gear 59 rotates, the conveying member 820 moves in conjunction with the rotation of the crank 821.

[0343] Next, the operation of the conveying member 820 will be explained using Figures 55(a) to (d). The shaft portion 820b of the conveying member 820 is inserted into and guided by the guide groove 827. The guide groove 827 has a first groove 827a extending parallel to the Z direction, and a second groove 827b and a third groove 827c that are inclined with respect to the first groove 827a. These first groove 827a, second groove 827b, and third groove 827c have a triangular shape overall, and the length of the first groove 827a is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the second groove 827b and the third groove 827c. A compression spring 828 that can rotate around a pivot shaft 828a is provided at the connection portion between the first groove 827a and the second groove 827b.

[0344] As shown in Figure 55(a), the shaft portion 820b of the conveying member 820 is positioned at the connection point between the first groove 827a and the third groove 827c. From this state, when the crank 821 rotates clockwise, the shaft portion 820b is guided and moves along the first groove 827a, as shown in Figures 55(a) to (c). The shaft portion 820b presses against the compression spring 828, causing the compression spring 828 to rotate upward around the pivot axis 828a, allowing it to pass through.

[0345] As shown in Figures 55(a) and (b), when the shaft portion 820b is guided through the first groove 827a, the transport member 820 moves in the Y2 direction, that is, in the direction toward the frame opening 52.

[0346] On the other hand, shaft portion 82 0b When the shaft 820b passes the compression spring 828, the compression spring 828 prevents the shaft 820b from returning to the first groove 827a and guides it to the second groove 827b. From this state, when the crank 821 rotates clockwise, the shaft 820b is guided through the second groove 827b and the third groove 827c, as shown in Figures 55(c) to (d), and returns to Figure 55(a). When the shaft 820b is guided through the second groove 827b and the third groove 827c, the conveying member 820 moves in the Z1 direction, that is, in the direction away from the frame opening 52.

[0347] As described above, the length of the first groove 827a is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the second groove 827b and the third groove 827c. Also, when the crank 821 rotates approximately 180 degrees, the shaft portion 820b moves from the beginning to the end of the first groove 827a. Furthermore, when the crank 821 rotates approximately 180 degrees, the shaft portion 820b moves from the beginning of the second groove 827b to the end of the third groove 827c.

[0348] With this configuration, the transport member 820 moves relatively slowly when the shaft portion 820b passes through the first groove 827a and moves in the Z2 direction, and moves relatively quickly when the shaft portion 820b passes through the second groove 827b and the third groove 827c and moves in the Z1 direction. With this configuration, the toner in the replenishment frame 50 remains on the transport member 820 and is transported in the Z2 direction when the transport member 820 moves slowly in the Z2 direction. More specifically, the transport member 820 is provided with wall portions 820c that form multiple grooves, and the toner T is pushed by the wall portions 820c and moves in the Z2 and X2 directions. In this way, the toner T in the toner storage chamber 49 frame opening We will be moving towards 52.

[0349] Furthermore, when the toner in the supply frame 50 moves quickly in the Z1 direction, the toner does not remain on the transport member 820 but passes through the slatted holes and is not easily transported in the Z1 direction. Due to the difference between the transport speed of the toner in the Z1 direction and the transport speed in the Z2 direction, the toner is transported in the Z2 direction by the transport member 820.

[0350] In this embodiment, a slatted conveying member 820 driven by a crank 821 was described as an example, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a pendulum-shaped conveying member that moves slowly in the Z2 direction and quickly in the Z1 direction may be used. In other words, the conveying member 820 can have any configuration as long as it utilizes the conveying speed of toner in the Z1 and Z2 directions by the conveying member 820. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate.

[0351] <Embodiment 15> Next, an embodiment 15 will be described. In this embodiment, similar to the ninth embodiment described above, the toner cartridge has a duct (gas path, ventilation path, air transport path), and this duct separates the air path from the toner path. In the ninth embodiment described above, the airflow by the fan was periodically obstructed by a shutter member to intermittently discharge air. In contrast, the toner cartridge 13 disclosed in this embodiment has a pump 58 (see Figure 58) that generates a periodic airflow instead of a fan.

[0352] [Toner Cartridge] The overall configuration of the toner cartridge 13 installed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 57 to 59. Figure 57 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 13. Figure 58 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge 13. Figure 59 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge 13.

[0353] As shown in Figures 57 to 59, the toner cartridge 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C) of this embodiment has a replenishment frame 50 as a casing. The replenishment frame 50 has a container portion 50a and a lid portion 50b, and is constructed by attaching the lid portion 50b to the container portion 50a. The container portion 50a and the lid portion 50b form an internal space 51 inside the replenishment frame 50. The lid portion 50b is located at the Y1 end of the toner cartridge 13 and forms the top surface of both the toner cartridge 13 and the replenishment frame 50.

[0354] The supply frame 50 has a partition member 55 placed inside its internal space 51. This partition member 55 further divides the internal space 51 into multiple regions. In other words, as shown in Figures 58 and 59, the internal space 51 is divided into multiple rooms by the partition member 55: a toner storage chamber 49, a connecting passage 48, and a toner discharge chamber 57. The toner storage chamber 49 is a room (storage chamber) for storing toner. The toner discharge chamber 57 has a frame opening 52, which will be described later, and is a room that communicates with the outside of the toner cartridge 13 through the frame opening 52 and the hole 236 (see Figures 68(c) and 74), which will be described later. The connecting passage 48 is a toner path that connects the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57. The partition member 55 can be considered as part of the supply frame 50, or the partition member 55 can actually be formed integrally with the supply frame 50. It should be noted that the division of the internal space 51 of the supply frame 50 as described above is merely an example, and the layout can be changed as needed.

[0355] Furthermore, the Z2-direction end (rear end, rear surface) of the supply frame 50 is fitted with a drive train 160 consisting of a drive input gear 59, a cam gear 60, and a screw gear 64, as well as a pump 58 which serves as a blower (air blower, airflow generating mechanism). The drive train 160 and the pump 58 are covered by a side cover 62, which is attached to the supply frame 50. In particular, the movement of the cam gear 60 in the Z1 and Z2 directions is restricted by this side cover 62 and the supply frame 50.

[0356] The supply frame 50 is rotatably supported by a stirring member 53 and a screw 54. The stirring member 53 and the screw 54 are rotatable about mutually parallel axes extending in the Z direction, and the screw 54 is positioned downstream of the stirring member 53 in the X2 direction. The stirring member 53 is located inside the toner storage chamber 49 and has a rotating shaft 53a and an stirring sheet (not shown) with one end attached to the rotating shaft 53a and the other end being a free end. By rotating, the stirring member 53 stirs the toner in the toner storage chamber 49 with the stirring sheet and sends the toner to the screw 54.

[0357] Inside the toner storage chamber 49, there is a wall 50a1 positioned between the stirring member 53 and the screw 54, and the wall 50a1 protrudes upward from the floor surface of the toner storage chamber 49. The wall 50a1 is positioned close to the screw 54 and extends along the axial direction (Z direction) of the screw 54, i.e., the toner transport direction. The screw 54 can stably transport the toner around it by being sandwiched between this wall 50a1 and the side surface of the toner storage chamber 49. In addition, there is a space between the wall 50a1 and the lid portion 50b of the replenishment frame 50. Therefore, the stirring member 53 can send toner to the screw 54 through the space between the wall 50a1 and the lid portion 50b.

[0358] The connecting passage 48 is a space or opening that connects the toner storage chamber 49 and the toner discharge chamber 57, which will be described later, and is a passage through which toner moves. The connecting passage 48 is formed by a partition member 55 and a supply frame 50. At least a part of the screw 54 is located inside the connecting passage 48. A part of the screw 54 is exposed to the toner storage chamber 49, and by rotating, it transports the toner from the toner storage chamber 49 along the direction of the screw 54's rotation axis.

[0359] The connecting passage 48 extends along the direction of toner transport by the screw 54 and has a tunnel shape. The partition member 55 covers a portion of the screw 54, thereby positioning the screw 54 inside the connecting passage 48. The tunnel shape of the connecting passage 48 is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the screw 54. In other words, the connecting passage 48 plays a role in leveling and transporting the toner transported by the screw 54 in a controlled manner.

[0360] Some of the toner transported by the screw 54 can enter the passageway 48 and move to the toner discharge chamber 57, but the remaining toner cannot enter the passageway 48 and remains in the toner storage chamber 49. By appropriately setting the ratio between the size of the tunnel opening formed by the passageway 48 and the size of the screw 54, the amount of toner that enters the passageway 48 can be appropriately determined. In other words, by the screw 54 passing through the passageway 48, only the desired amount of toner can be supplied to the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0361] The screw 54 transports toner in the direction (Z2 direction) from the front (front end) to the rear (rear end) of the toner cartridge 13. In other words, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the screw 54, that is, the toner transport direction of the screw 54, is the same as the longitudinal direction (Z direction, front-back direction) of the toner cartridge 13.

[0362] The toner discharge chamber 57 is a space formed by the partition member 55 and the replenishment frame 50, and is located downstream of the communication passage 48 in the toner transport direction in which the screw 54 transports toner.

[0363] Near the toner discharge chamber 57, that is, near the rear surface (end in the Z2 direction) of the replenishment frame 50, a screw gear 64 is positioned to receive the rotational force for the screw 54 to rotate. The toner discharge chamber 57 also has a frame opening 52 for discharging toner (developer) from the internal space 51 of the replenishment frame 50 to the outside. As will be described in detail later, the frame opening 52 is an opening that connects the inside and outside of the replenishment frame 50 via a hole 236 (see Figures 68(c) and 74). Frame opening 5 2 Toner can be discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge through the hole 236.

[0364] The frame opening 52 is formed on the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 and opens downwards toward the toner cartridge 13. In other words, toner moves downwards from the frame opening 52. In the toner transport direction of the screw 54, the frame opening 52 is positioned downstream of the toner cartridge 13. That is, the distance between the frame opening 52 and the rear surface (end in the Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 13 is shorter than the distance between the frame opening 52 and the front surface (end in the Z1 direction) of the toner cartridge 13.

[0365] The partition member 55 has a notch 55a on the downstream side in the toner transport direction of the screw 54, and the toner discharge chamber 57 is partially open upwards by this notch 55a. In other words, the toner discharge chamber 57 is not a space sealed by the partition member 55 and the replenishment frame 50. For example, if the amount of toner transported from the communication passage 48 by the screw 54 is greater than the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52, the toner in the toner discharge chamber 57 can escape to the toner storage chamber 49 through the notch 55a. This prevents toner from clogging in the toner discharge chamber 57.

[0366] Furthermore, if the amount of toner transported from the connecting passage 48 by the screw 54 is set to be less than the amount of toner discharged from the frame opening 52, the notch 55a may not be provided in the partition member 55, and the toner discharge chamber 57 may be sealed.

[0367] Furthermore, a pump 58 is located near the rear surface (end in the direction of arrow Z2) of the toner cartridge 13. The pump 58 is equipped with a bellows section 58a that is expandable and reciprocating. The bellows section 58a is flexible and can be deformed by expanding and contracting (reciprocating). The bellows section 58a is a region whose volume is variable by expanding and contracting and deforming. The inside of the pump 58 and the pump connection hole 231b1 of the first duct member 231 (see Figure 67), which will be described later, are in communication.

[0368] The pump 58 can cause the bellows section 58a to reciprocate, i.e., expand and contract, via the drive train 160 and link member 61 described later, thereby changing the internal volume of the bellows section 58a. This allows the pump 58 to act on the first duct member 231 (see Figure 67).

[0369] [Pump's retraction and extension motion, reciprocating motion] Next, the extension and retraction and reciprocating motion of the pump 58 will be explained using Figures 60(a) to 61(b). Figure 60(a) is a perspective view of the rear end of the toner cartridge 13 viewed from below, and Figure 60(b) is a perspective view of the rear end of the toner cartridge 13 viewed from above. Figure 61(a) is a perspective view showing the pump 58 in an extended state, and Figure 61(b) is a perspective view showing the pump 58 in a retracted state. In Figures 60(a) to 61(b), the side cover 62 is shown shifted to the rear in order to show the transmission path of the rotational drive.

[0370] As shown in Figures 60(a) to 61(b), a drive train 160 is arranged on the rear side of the toner cartridge 13, i.e., near the rear surface. The drive train 160 in this embodiment includes a drive input gear 59, a cam gear 60, and a screw gear 64. The drive input gear 59 has a drive receiving portion 59a and a gear portion 59b. The cam gear 60 is provided with a cam groove 60a. The cylindrical portion of the cam gear 60 in which the cam groove 60a is formed is sometimes called the cam portion. The cam groove 60a is formed to meander and has a peak portion 60b displaced to the rear and a valley portion 60c displaced to the front. The axis direction of the cam gear 60 is parallel to the Z axis.

[0371] The link member 61, acting as a reciprocating member, has a cam projection 61a, which is positioned in a state where the cam projection 61a is engaged with the cam groove 60a. The link member 61 also has a slide projection 61b, which is positioned in a state where it is engaged with the slide groove 62b of the side cover 62. Therefore, the link member 61 is supported by the side cover 62 so that its rotational movement around the axis Z, which is the central axis of the pump 58, is restricted, while it is movable in the forward and backward direction (Z direction). In other words, the link member 61 is capable of reciprocating movement in the direction of the axis Z of the cam gear 60 (Z direction).

[0372] The side cover 62 is a cover member that covers and protects the pump 58, and is located at the Z2 end of the toner cartridge 13, forming the rear surface (rear end) of the toner cartridge 13. The side cover 62 may also be considered as part of the frame (casing) of the toner cartridge 13 together with the supply frame 50. In this case, the supply frame 50 may be specifically called the frame body (casing body). The aforementioned pump 58 is provided with a coupling part 58b, and the link member 61 and the pump 58 are connected at the coupling part 58b.

[0373] The transmission path for rotational drive will now be explained. As shown in Figure 60(a), rotational drive is input to the toner cartridge 13 from the drive output member (coupling member on the main body side) 100a provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the drive receiving part (coupling part) 59a of the drive input gear 59 provided on the cartridge is connected to the drive output member 100a, thereby driving Receipt The drive unit 59a receives rotational force (driving force). As a result, the drive input gear 59 rotates, and the driving force is transmitted from the drive input gear 59 to each component of the toner cartridge 13.

[0374] When the toner cartridge 13 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the first engaging portion 71 and the second engaging portion 72 of the side cover 62 shown in Figure 61(a) engage with an unshown engaged portion of the image forming apparatus 100. This determines the position of the cartridge 13 inside the image forming apparatus 100.

[0375] Furthermore, a memory element 70 is located on the side cover 62, and the memory element 70 is an element that stores information related to the toner cartridge 13. Examples of information include the operating status of the toner cartridge 13 and the color of the toner contained inside the toner cartridge 13. In this embodiment, the memory element 70 is an IC chip, and it has conductive contacts on its surface for making electrical contact with contacts (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. When the toner cartridge 13 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the memory element 70 is electrically connected to the contacts provided on the image forming apparatus 100.

[0376] As shown in Figure 58, the drive input gear 59 is connected to the rotating shaft 53a of the stirring member 53, and the stirring member 53 rotates as the drive input gear 59 rotates. As shown in Figure 60(a), the gear portion 59b of the drive input gear 59 engages with the gear portion 60d of the cam gear 60, transmitting rotational drive to the cam gear 60. Furthermore, the gear portion 60d of the cam gear 60 engages with the screw gear 64, causing the screw gear 64 to rotate. A screw 54 (see Figure 59) is connected to the screw gear 64, and the screw 54 is driven by the rotational drive transmitted from the screw gear 64 to the screw 54. Note that the diameter of the gear portion 60d of the cam gear 60 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion (cam portion) of the cam gear 60 in which the cam groove 60a is formed.

[0377] Thus, the drive input gear 59 is a drive input member (drive receiving member, rotational force receiving member, rotation input member) that receives driving force (rotational force) from outside the toner cartridge 13 (i.e., the main body of the image forming apparatus 100). In other words, the drive input gear 59 is a coupling member on the toner cartridge 13 side that is configured to be coupled with the drive output member (coupling member on the main body side) 100a.

[0378] Furthermore, the drive input gear 59 also serves as a drive transmission member (gear member) for transmitting driving force to each component of the cartridge. In other words, the drive input gear 59 is the drive that receives the driving force. Receipt It includes both a drive unit 59a and a gear unit 59b for outputting driving force to another component of the toner cartridge 13. The gear unit 59b is located on the outer circumferential surface of the drive input gear 59.

[0379] The rotational force (driving force) input to the drive input gear 59 is used not only to drive the screw 54 and the stirring member 53, but also to drive the pump 58. Next, we will describe a configuration in which the rotational force (driving force) received by the drive input gear 59 is converted into reciprocating motion, causing the pump 58 to extend, retract, and reciprocate.

[0380] As shown in Figures 61(a) and 61(b), the link member 61 is allowed to move in the direction of the axis Z by the sliding projection 61b of the link member 61 and the sliding groove 62b of the side cover 62, while its rotational movement around the axis Z is restricted. Therefore, when the cam gear 60 rotates in response to rotational drive, the cam projection 61a of the link member 61 alternately passes through the peaks 60b and valleys 60c of the cam groove 60a of the cam gear 60, causing the link member 61 to reciprocate in the forward and backward direction.

[0381] In other words, the state shown in Figure 61(a) and the state shown in Figure 61(b) are repeated alternately. The coupling part 58b connected to the link member 61 also reciprocates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the link member 61. As a result of the reciprocating motion of this coupling part 58b, the bellows section 58a of the pump 58 expands and contracts, and the internal volume of the pump 58 fluctuates periodically. The coupling part 58b is a force receiving part that receives the force from the link member 61 to expand and contract the pump 58.

[0382] As described above, the rotational force received by the drive input gear 59 is converted by the link member 61 and the cam gear 60 into a force that expands and contracts the bellows section 58a of the pump 58, thereby driving the pump 58. The pump 58 is positioned radially inward of the rotating cam gear 60. In other words, the pump 58 is inside the cam gear 60 and surrounded by it. This allows the space required for the expansion and contraction of the pump 58 to be reduced, and the amount of expansion and contraction (movement) of the pump 58 can be set to be larger within a limited space. The cam gear 60 and the link member 61 that engages with it are cams that act as drive conversion units that convert rotational force into a force that causes the pump 58 to reciprocate. Other known mechanical elements such as cranks and links can also be used as drive conversion units.

[0383] [Sheet material] Next, the sheet member 210 fixed to the screw 54 will be described with reference to Figures 62 to 64. As described above, the sheet member 210 is fixed to the screw 54, which is driven by the screw gear 64, as shown in Figure 62. The sheet member 210 is located in the toner discharge chamber 57 and is positioned to face the frame opening 52 formed in the bottom surface 50d of the replenishment frame 50.

[0384] More specifically, as shown in Figure 63, the screw 54 has a rotating shaft 54a and a spiral section 54b formed integrally with the rotating shaft 54a for transporting toner. The rotating shaft 54a is provided with a sheet support section 54c that protrudes radially outward. In this embodiment, since two sheet members 210 are fixed to the screw 54, there are also two sheet support sections 54c. These two sheet support sections 54c protrude in opposite directions from each other, with the rotating shaft 54a in between, and a sheet member 210 is fixed to each sheet support section 54c. As a result, the sheet member 210 rotates integrally with the screw 54.

[0385] The sheet member 210 is a sheet-like member made of a resin material such as polycarbonate, with tapered ends 210a and 210b on both sides. As shown in Figure 64, the ends 210a and 210b of the sheet member 210 are able to enter the frame opening 52 when the screw 54 rotates. In other words, the length D2 of the sheet member 210 is longer than twice the distance D1 between the rotation center 54z of the screw 54 and the frame opening 52 (D2 > D1 × 2). As a result, the sheet member 210 can loosen the toner near the frame opening 52 and push the toner out into the frame opening 52. Therefore, toner clogging near the frame opening 52 can be suppressed. The toner pushed out toward the frame opening 52 by the sheet member 210 is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 13 through the hole 236 (see Figure 74, etc.), which will be described later.

[0386] In this embodiment, two sheet members 210 are fixed to the screw 54, but this is not the only option. That is, the number of sheet members fixed to the screw 54 can be one or three or more. Furthermore, multiple sheet members can be attached to a single sheet support 54c in a stacked manner. The material and shape of the sheet members 210 are also not limited.

[0387] [duct] Next, the duct 230 provided in the toner cartridge 13 will be described using Figures 65(a) to 69. Figure 65(a) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 13, and Figure 65(b) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 13 cut in a plane containing the rotation center of the screw 54. Figure 66 is a bottom view showing the toner cartridge 13. Figure 67 is a perspective view for explaining the assembly of the duct 230 to the supply frame 50. Figure 68(a) is a perspective view showing the second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233. Figure 68(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233. Figure 68(c) is a perspective view showing the exhaust port 235 and hole 236 provided in the third duct member 233.

[0388] As shown in Figures 65(a) to 69, the toner cartridge 13 is provided with a duct 230 that communicates with the pump 58. The duct 230 constitutes a transport path for transporting air from the pump 58 toward the exhaust port 235, which will be described later. In other words, the inside of the duct 230 is a transport path through which air moves. The duct 230 has a first duct member 231, a second duct member 232, and a third duct member 233, and is positioned relative to the supply frame 50. The first duct member 231 communicates with the internal space of the pump 58 (see Figure 62) via an air inlet hole 50c provided in the supply frame 50.

[0389] The third duct member 233 is provided with an exhaust port 235 for discharging air and a hole 236 that communicates with the frame opening 52, and the third duct member 233 is attached to the bottom surface 50d (see Figure 62) of the toner cartridge 13. As will be described in detail later, toner falling from the aforementioned frame opening 52 is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 13 through the hole 236. The hole 236 is a toner discharge port that can discharge the toner contained in the toner cartridge 13 to the outside. The second duct member 232 connects the first duct member 231 and the third duct member 233. That is, air sent from the pump 58 to the first duct member 231 via the air inlet hole 50c of the supply frame 50 is guided to the first duct member 231, the second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233, and discharged from the exhaust port 235.

[0390] As shown in Figure 67, the first duct member 231 has a hollow, round pipe-shaped pipe section 231a, a pump connection section 231b provided at one end of the pipe section 231a, and an external connection section 231c provided at the other end of the pipe section 231a. The pipe section 231a extends substantially in the Z direction. The pump connection section 231b is formed in a flange shape and has a pump connection hole 231b1 that communicates with the pipe section 231a. The external connection section 231c is provided so as to face the side surface 50e in the X1 direction of the supply frame 50 and has an external communication hole 231c1 that communicates with the pipe section 231a. A rectangular hole 50f is formed in the side surface 50e.

[0391] The first duct member 231 is bonded to the supply frame 50 with the pump connection hole 231b1 and the air inlet hole 50c, and the external communication hole 231c1 and the hole portion 50f aligned. More specifically, the first duct member 231 is installed in the internal space 51 of the supply frame 50 by bonding the pump connection portion 231b and the external connection portion 231c to the inner surface of the supply frame 50, respectively.

[0392] As shown in Figures 67 and 68(a)(b), the second duct member 232 has a hollow rectangular pipe section 232a, a rectangular frame connection section 232b provided at one end of the pipe section 232a, and a duct connection section 232c provided at the other end of the pipe section 232a. The pipe section 232a extends in the vertical direction (Y direction). The frame connection section 232b has a communication hole 232b1 that communicates with the pipe section 232a and protrudes in the X1 direction. The duct connection section 232c has a communication hole 232c1 that communicates with the pipe section 232a.

[0393] The second duct member 232 is bonded to the supply frame 50 with its frame connection portion 232b engaged with the hole 50f of the supply frame 50. At this time, the external communication hole 231c1 of the first duct member 231 and the communication hole 232b1 of the second duct member 232 are in communication.

[0394] As shown in Figures 67 to 68(c), the third duct member 233 has a hollow rectangular pipe-shaped pipe section 233a, a duct connection section 233b provided at one end of the pipe section 233a, and an exhaust port 235 and a hole 236 provided at the other end of the pipe section 233a. The pipe section 233a extends in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 13. The duct connection section 233b has a communication hole 233b1 that communicates with the pipe section 233a.

[0395] The third duct member 233 is bonded to the supply frame 50 with the duct connection portion 232c of the second duct member 232 and the duct connection portion 233b of the third duct member 233 connected. At this time, the communication hole 232c1 of the second duct member 232 and the communication hole 233b1 of the third duct member 233 are in communication.

[0396] The exhaust port 235 and hole 236 are located on the downstream end side of the pipe portion 233a of the third duct member 233 in the mounting direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 13. The exhaust port 235 is located on the bottom surface 233d of the third duct member 233, and the hole 236 is a circular through-hole that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface 233d of the third duct member 233. The exhaust port 235 is an annular hole that communicates with the pipe portion 233a and surrounds the hole 236, and opens downwards.

[0397] In this embodiment, the end face 235a of the edge of the exhaust port 235 and the end face 236a of the edge of the hole 236 are on the same plane. More specifically, the end faces 235a and 236a lie on the same plane perpendicular to the Y-axis. In other words, in a coordinate system parallel to the Y-axis, the end faces 235a and 236a are in the same position. To put it another way, in the vertical direction, the end faces 235a and 236a are at the same height. However, the arrangement of the end faces 235a and 236a is not limited to this. For example, either the end face 235a or the end face 236a may protrude downward relative to the other. That is, in a coordinate system parallel to the Y-axis (vertical direction), the end faces 235a and 236a may be in different positions.

[0398] As shown in Figure 65(b), the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236 are positioned adjacent to the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the hole 236. Furthermore, the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236 are positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction). Therefore, toner falling from the frame opening 52 is discharged into the image forming apparatus 100 through the hole 236. Thus, the hole 236 is a toner discharge port for discharging toner to the outside of the toner cartridge 13. Note that since the frame opening 52 and the hole 236 are openings that communicate with each other, the frame opening 52 and the hole 236 can sometimes be considered as a single toner discharge port. In this case, the frame opening 52 is the part of the toner discharge port formed by the replenishment frame 50, and the hole 236 is the part of the toner discharge port formed by the duct 230. Furthermore, the exhaust port 235 is adjacent to the toner discharge port 236 in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction). More specifically, the exhaust port 235 is positioned to surround the hole 236. Consequently, air is discharged from the exhaust port 235 to surround the toner discharged from the hole 236.

[0399] The second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233 may be composed of a single member or of three or more members. In this embodiment, the first duct member 231, the second duct member 232, and the third duct member 233 were attached to the supply frame 50 by adhesive bonding, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first duct member 231, the second duct member 232, and the third duct member 233 may be joined to the supply frame 50 using other joining methods such as welding, brazing, and welding. The bonding positions between the first duct member 231, the second duct member 232, and the third duct member 233 and the supply frame 50 may be selected as appropriate.

[0400] [Shutter component] Next, the shutter member 241 attached to the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 will be described with reference to Figures 69 to 72. As shown in Figures 69 to 70, the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 has a first support portion 50g, a second support portion 50h, a guide portion 50i, and a spring seat 50j formed thereon. The tip of the first support portion 50g, i.e., the lower end, has a return portion 50g1 extending in the horizontal direction (X direction), and the tip of the second support portion 50h, i.e., the lower end, also has a return portion 50h1 extending in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0401] The shutter member 241 is supported by the first support portion 50g and the second support portion 50h so as to be movable in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 13. The shutter member 241 is guided in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 13 by a groove-shaped guide portion 50i that extends in the mounting direction (Z direction) of the toner cartridge 13. The shutter member 241 is held in place by the return portions 50g1 and 50h1 so as not to fall from the supply frame 50.

[0402] The shutter member 241 has a sealing portion 241a, a spring support portion 241b, a return portion 241c, and an engaged portion 241d. The sealing portion 241a extends horizontally (X direction) and is connected to the exhaust port 235. frame opening 52 and the hole 236 (toner outlet) are configured to be shielded. A flat, elastic shutter seal 242 is bonded to the sealing portion 241a. The spring support portion 241b extends in the Z1 direction and supports the shutter spring 243 at its base.

[0403] The shutter spring 243 is lightly press-fitted into the spring support portion 241b and is compressed between the shutter member 241 and the spring seat 50j of the supply frame 50. The shutter member 241 is biased in the mounting direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 13 by the biasing force of the shutter spring 243, which acts as the first biasing part. The shutter member 241, biased by the shutter spring 243, is positioned in the shielded position by abutting against the guide rib 62a of the side cover 62.

[0404] The return portion 241c of the shutter member 241 abuts against the first support portion 50g when the side cover 62 is removed from the supply frame 50 during assembly or maintenance of the toner cartridge 13. Therefore, even when the side cover 62 is removed from the supply frame 50, the shutter member 241 does not fall off the supply frame 50, improving the ease of assembly and maintenance of the toner cartridge 13.

[0405] The engaged portion 241d of the shutter member 241 is pressed by the engaging portion 245 (see Figure 72) provided on the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner cartridge 13 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the shutter member 241 moves from the shielded position, which is the first shielded position, to the open position, which is the first open position, against the biasing force of the shutter spring 243.

[0406] Figure 71(a) is a bottom view showing the shutter member 241 in the shielded position, and Figure 71(b) is a bottom view showing the shutter member 241 in the open position. As shown in Figure 71(a), when the toner cartridge 13 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the shutter member 241 is positioned in the shielded position by the biasing force of the shutter spring 243. At this time, the sealing portion 241a of the shutter member 241 shields the frame opening 52, the exhaust port 235 and the hole 236, restricting the discharge of toner and air from the toner cartridge 13. In other words, when the shutter member 241 is in the shielded position, the sealing portion 241a, in a bottom view, frame opening 52, is positioned to overlap with the exhaust port 235 and hole 236.

[0407] When the toner cartridge 13 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the engaged portion 241d is pressed by the engaging portion 245 (see Figure 72), causing the shutter member 241 to move from the shielded position to the open position. At this time, the guide ribs 62a, 62a provided on the side cover 62 of the toner cartridge 13 guide the engaging portion 245. That is, the guide ribs 62a, 62a guide the engaging portion 245 to the engaged portion 241d and also function as guides when installing the toner cartridge 13 in the image forming apparatus 100. The engaged portion 241d has a tapered shape at its upstream end in the installation direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 13.

[0408] When the shutter member 241 moves to the open position, the sealing portion 241a opens the frame opening 52, the exhaust port 235, and the hole 236, allowing toner and air to be discharged from the toner cartridge 13. In other words, when the shutter member 241 is in the open position, the sealing portion 241a is positioned so as not to overlap the frame opening 52, the exhaust port 235, and the hole 236 when viewed from below.

[0409] [Toner receiving configuration for image forming apparatus] Next, the toner receiving configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 that receives toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13 will be described with reference to Figures 72 to 74. As shown in Figure 72, a cylindrical receiving section 246 is provided inside the image forming apparatus 100 at a position opposite to the toner cartridge 13 to be installed. The receiving section 246 is made of an elastic sealing member and has a receiving port 247 that receives toner and air discharged from the toner cartridge 13.

[0410] As shown in Figures 73 and 74, toner that falls from the frame opening 52 of the toner cartridge 13 is discharged from the hole 236 of the third duct member 233, which is the toner discharge port, toward the receiving port 247. The toner that has passed through the receiving port 247 and the air discharged from the exhaust port 235 flow into the L-shaped pipe section 248 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 in a mixed state. Then, toner is supplied to the process cartridge 1 from the pipe section 248 through the upstream transport section 110 and the downstream transport section 120. In other words, the toner transport device 14, which serves as the supply section, has a bent pipe section 248.

[0411] In this embodiment, the toner discharged from the hole 236, which is the toner discharge port, can be forcefully drawn into the pipe section 248 by the air discharged from the exhaust port 235. As a result, the toner can pass smoothly through the inside of the pipe section 248. Such a pipe section 248 is an example of the layout of the toner transport path inside the device body 100B. It is also possible to configure the pipe section 248 as a thin tube shape instead of an L-shape, or as a configuration that draws complex curves. Even when such a toner transport path is provided inside the device body 100B, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 can be smoothly passed through by the air discharged from the exhaust port 235 of the toner cartridge 13. By using a toner cartridge 13 that discharges air from the exhaust port 235, the degree of freedom in the layout of the toner transport path inside the device body 100B can be increased, and consequently, the degree of freedom in the design of the device body 100B can be increased.

[0412] [Toner and air discharge] Next, the discharge of toner and air from the toner cartridge 13 will be explained in more detail using Figures 75 to 77. As described above, when driving force is supplied to the toner cartridge 13 from the drive output member 100a (see Figure 60(a)) provided in the image forming apparatus 100, the pump 58 and screw 54 are operated as shown in Figure 75. In Figures 75 and 76, the toner transport path is shown by solid lines and the air discharge path is shown by dashed lines.

[0413] As shown in Figures 75 and 76, the rotation of the screw 54 transports the toner in the toner cartridge 13 to the toner discharge chamber 57 via the connecting passage 48. The toner transported to the toner discharge chamber 57 then moves downward from the frame opening 52 formed in the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 toward the hole 236.

[0414] At this time, at least a portion of the sheet member 210 fixed to the screw 54 (i.e., the tip portion of the sheet member 210) rotates together with the screw 54 and enters the inside of the frame opening 52. This loosens the toner that has accumulated near the frame opening 52 and encourages the toner to move from the frame opening 52 towards the hole 236. For example, if the screw 54 of the toner cartridge 13 is not driven for a long time, the toner inside the toner cartridge 13 may become compacted and difficult to fall from the frame opening 52 into the hole 236. Even in such cases, the sheet member 210 can loosen the toner, allowing the toner to be discharged smoothly from the frame opening 52. The toner that has passed through the frame opening 52 flows into the main body (pipe section 248) of the image forming apparatus 100 through the hole 236 of the third duct member 233.

[0415] On the other hand, when the pump 58 is operated, compressed air is intermittently supplied from the pump 58 to the duct 230. The duct 230 is composed of a first duct member 231, a second duct member 232, and a third duct member 233, and the air supplied from the pump 58 is sent through the first duct member 231, passing through the inside of the supply frame 50. In other words, at least a portion of the duct 230 passes through the inside of the supply frame 50. The second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233 are provided along the outer surface of the supply frame 50. Therefore, by providing the duct 230, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the toner cartridge 13 and to construct a compact toner cartridge 13.

[0416] The air sent through the second duct member 232 and the third duct member 233, passing outside the supply frame 50, is discharged to the outside through an exhaust port 235 provided at the end of the third duct member 233. The exhaust port 235 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the hole 236 and is adjacent to the hole 236 in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction). Therefore, when toner falls and is discharged from the hole 236, the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 235 gives momentum to the toner, allowing it to be discharged efficiently into the image forming apparatus 100. The airflow intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 235 by the reciprocating pump 58 changes periodically. Therefore, the toner inside the hole 236 is loosened and drawn out by the periodically changing airflow. Furthermore, the toner discharged from the hole 236 is pushed towards the inside of the image forming apparatus 100 by the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 235.

[0417] Furthermore, the forceful discharge of air from the exhaust port 235 creates negative pressure around the hole 236, which also has the effect of drawing toner out of the hole 236. Since the edge surface 235a of the exhaust port 235 and the edge surface 236a of the hole 236 are on the same plane, toner can be effectively discharged from the hole 236.

[0418] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100, toner is first discharged into the pipe section 248, but since the toner and air reach the pipe section 248 in a mixture state with considerable force, clogging of the toner in the pipe section 248 can be suppressed.

[0419] Furthermore, in the toner cartridge 13, the air transport path from the pump 58 through the inside of the duct and sent to the exhaust port 235 is separated from the toner transport path (transport path) from the toner storage chamber 49 to the toner discharge port (hole 236). Therefore, the toner does not interfere with the airflow from the pump 58, and poor airflow inside the toner cartridge 13 can be suppressed.

[0420] In particular, pump 58 periodically generates alternating airflows in different directions. Pump 58 is configured to repeatedly discharge air outwards and draw air inwards. If the gas (air) transport path (ventilation path) by the duct is separated from the toner transport path, toner will not enter the pump 58 even when air is drawn in. This prevents toner from accumulating in pump 58.

[0421] Furthermore, since the toner transport path and the air transport path are separated, the operation test of the pump 58 can be easily performed when assembling the toner cartridge 13. This is because even if air passes through the inside of the duct 230 during the operation test of the pump 58, that air does not directly affect the toner contained in the toner storage chamber 49. In other words, by performing the operation test of the pump 58 without moving the screw 54, the discharge of toner from the frame opening 52 and holes 236 is suppressed. Therefore, the operation test of the pump 58 can be performed while suppressing toner scattering, improving the workability of assembling the toner cartridge 13.

[0422] Here, using Figures 74 and 77, we consider the dimensions and arrangement of the frame opening 52, exhaust port 235, hole 236, and receiving port 247. In Figures 74 and 77, the inner diameter of the receiving port 247 of the image forming apparatus 100 is length D3, the inner diameter of the frame opening 52 is length D4, the inner diameter of the hole 236 is length D5, the inner diameter (diameter of the inner circle) of the exhaust port 235 is length D6, and the outer diameter (diameter of the outer circle) of the exhaust port 235 is length D7.

[0423] In this embodiment, the following relationship holds true. D3>D6>D5···(1) D4>1.0[mm]···(2) D5>1.0[mm]···(3) D7-D6>0.5[mm]···(4)

[0424] Equations (1) to (4) are relational equations set to allow toner and air to be smoothly discharged from the frame opening 52, the hole 236, and the exhaust port 235. For example, the length D4, which is the inner diameter of the frame opening 52 through which the toner passes, and the length D5, which is the inner diameter of the hole 236, must be 1.0 [mm] or more for the toner to pass through smoothly. Also, the length (D7-D6), which is the difference between the inner and outer diameters of the exhaust port 235, must be 0.5 [mm] or more. This is because reducing the length (D7-D6) increases the airflow velocity, but also increases torque due to pressure loss.

[0425] As can be seen from equation (1) above, the inner diameter (length D5) of hole 236 is smaller than the outer diameter (length D7) of exhaust port 235. Based on equations (1) to (4) above, the areas of the frame opening 52, hole 236, and exhaust port 235 are 0.78 [mm²] each. 2 ] or more is preferable. Also, considering toner scattering and airflow velocity, the area of ​​the frame opening 52, hole 236 and exhaust port 235 should be 117 [mm²] 2 The following are preferable.

[0426] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, D3=6.0[mm], D4=6.5[mm], D5=3.0[mm], D6=4.5[mm], and D7=6.5[mm] are set. At this time, the receiving port 247 on the image forming apparatus 100 side needs to be supplied with both toner that passes through the frame opening 52 and is discharged from the hole 236, and air that is discharged from the exhaust port 235. For this reason, considering the receiving port 247 as the reference point, the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 are adjacent to each other within 6[mm] in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction) that intersects and is perpendicular to the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). That is, the minimum value of the distance measured along the horizontal direction of the wall thickness separating the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 is within 6[mm].

[0427] In other words, let D[mm] be the diameter (inner diameter) of the inlet 247, and when viewed in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52, let DMIN be the closest distance between the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 measured along the direction perpendicular to the discharge direction (horizontal direction). In this case, DMIN ≤ D[mm] is satisfied. When this relationship is satisfied, the hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 can be said to be adjacent to each other. The hole 236 and the exhaust port 235 are adjacent in such a way that toner and air can be discharged to the same inlet 247, respectively.

[0428] With this arrangement of exhaust ports 235 and holes 236, toner and air can be mixed and flowed into the receiving port 247 of the image forming apparatus body at the receiving port 247 on the image forming apparatus 100 side. As a result, the toner discharge performance can be improved.

[0429] More preferably, the exhaust port 235 is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps the frame opening 52 when viewed in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the hole 236.

[0430] <Embodiment 16> Next, a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the sixteenth embodiment, the third duct member 233 of the fifteenth embodiment is given the function of a shutter member 241. For this reason, components similar to those in the fifteenth embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0431] The toner cartridge 2013 according to the 16th embodiment has a duct 330 that guides air supplied from the pump 58 (see Figure 59). As shown in Figure 78, the duct 330 has a first duct member 231, a second duct member 332, and a third duct member 333. The first duct member 231 is the same as in the 15th embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0432] The second duct member 332 is flexible and elastic, formed in a pipe shape, and extends in a substantially vertical direction (Y direction). One end of the second duct member 332 is connected to the external connection portion 231c of the first duct member 231, and the other end is connected to the duct connection portion 333b of the third duct member 333.

[0433] A guide member 334 is fixed to the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50. The guide member 334 has a horizontally extending flat plate portion 334a, a first support wall 334b ​​rising from the downstream end of the flat plate portion 334a in the X2 direction, and a second support wall 334c rising from the downstream end of the flat plate portion 334a in the X1 direction. The third duct member 333 is supported by the supply frame 50 and the guide member 334 so as to be movable in the Z direction. More specifically, the movement of the third duct member 333 is restricted in the Y direction by the bottom surface 50d and the flat plate portion 334a of the supply frame 50. In addition, the movement of the third duct member 333 is restricted in the X direction and guided to be movable in the Z direction by the first support wall 334b ​​and the second support wall 334c of the guide member 334.

[0434] The third duct member 333 has a hollow rectangular pipe-shaped pipe portion 333a, a duct connection portion 333b connected to the second duct member 332, a sealing portion 333c, a stepped portion 333d, an exhaust port 336, and an engaged portion 341d. An elastic sealing member 335 is bonded to the sealing portion 333c. A spring 343 is compressed between the third duct member 333 and the supply frame 50, and the third duct member 333 is biased in the Z2 direction by the biasing force of the spring 343 as a second biasing portion.

[0435] The third duct member 333, which is biased by the spring 343, is positioned in the shielded position when the stepped portion 333d abuts against the abutment surface 50k of the supply frame 50. The exhaust port 336 is provided at the downstream end of the third duct member 333 in the mounting direction (Z2 direction) of the toner cartridge 2013, as shown in Figures 79(a) and (b), and is a circular through-hole that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface of the third duct member 333. That is, the exhaust port 336 opens downward. The pipe portion 333a is in communication with the exhaust port 336 via the communication hole 337.

[0436] As shown in Figure 80, the engaged portion 341d of the third duct member 333 is pressed by the engaged portion 245 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 when the toner cartridge 2013 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the third duct member 333 moves from the shielded position to the open position against the biasing force of the spring 343. When the third duct member 333 is in the open position, the exhaust port 336 communicates with the receiving portion of the image forming apparatus.

[0437] Furthermore, if we define the duct 330 when the third duct member 333 is in the shielding position as the second shielding position, and the duct 330 when the third duct member 333 is in the open position as the second open position, then the duct 330 is transitionable between the second shielding position and the second open position. In addition, the duct 330 is configured to be movable relative to the supply frame 50, shielding the frame opening 52 in the second shielding position and opening the frame opening 52 in the second open position.

[0438] Figure 81(a) is a front view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position, Figure 30(b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position, and Figure 81(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member 333 in the shielded position. Figure 82(a) is a front view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position, Figure 82(b) is a bottom view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position, and Figure 82(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the third duct member 333 in the open position.

[0439] As shown in Figures 81(a) to (c), when the toner cartridge 2013 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the third duct member 333 is in a shielded position due to the action of the spring 343. At this time, the frame opening 52 is shielded by the sealing portion 333c and the sealing member 335 of the third duct member 333. Therefore, toner is not discharged to the outside from the frame opening 52. In addition, the exhaust port 336 is not adjacent to the frame opening 52 when the duct 330 is in the second shielded position.

[0440] As shown in Figures 79(b) and 82(a)-(c), when the toner cartridge 2013 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the third duct member 333 moves to the open position by being pressed by the engagement portion 245 of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, at least a portion of the duct 330, i.e., the second duct member 332, is flexible and elastic. The second duct member 332 deforms in accordance with the movement of the third duct member 333.

[0441] At this time, the exhaust port 336 is adjacent to the frame opening 52 in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) from the frame opening 52. In other words, the exhaust port 336 is positioned downstream of the frame opening 52 in the discharge direction (Y2 direction) and overlaps with the frame opening 52 when viewed in the discharge direction (Y2 direction).

[0442] Therefore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is discharged into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 through the exhaust port 336. In addition, the air supplied by the pump 58 passes through the pipe section 333a of the first duct member 231, the second duct member 332, and the third duct member 333, and joins the exhaust port 336 through the communication hole 337. Therefore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is propelled by the air intermittently discharged from the communication hole 337, allowing the toner to be discharged efficiently into the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the frame opening 52 can be considered as a toner discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 49. In this embodiment, when the exhaust port 336 of the duct 330 and the frame opening (toner discharge port) 52 of the replenishment frame 50 are adjacent, they can be considered to be connected to each other. In any case, in this embodiment as well, the toner transport path (movement path) from the toner storage chamber 49 to the toner discharge port (frame opening 52) and the air transport path (movement path) from the pump 58 to the exhaust port 336 are substantially separated. Therefore, the same effects as in the 15th embodiment can be produced.

[0443] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the shutter member 241 of the 15th embodiment can be omitted, thus reducing the cost of the toner cartridge 2013.

[0444] <Embodiment 17> Next, a 17th embodiment of the present invention will be described. The 17th embodiment is a modification of the duct 230 configuration of the 15th embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the 15th embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0445] As shown in Figure 83, the toner cartridge 3013 according to the 17th embodiment has a supply frame 50C as a casing and a duct 430 for exhausting air supplied from the pump 58 through an exhaust port 435. The supply frame 50C rotatably supports a screw 54 as a transport section, and a frame opening 52C is formed on the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50C for discharging toner from the inside to the outside of the supply frame 50C. In this embodiment, the frame opening 5 2 C can be considered as the toner discharge port. The screw 54, which acts as the first transport unit, transports the toner in the first direction DR1.

[0446] The duct 430 includes a fixed duct 431 that communicates with the pump 58, and a screw duct 432 that communicates with the fixed duct 431 and has an exhaust port 435. The screw duct 432 is rotatably supported on the supply frame 50C about a rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction (Y direction). The screw duct 432 has a hollow pipe-shaped pipe section 432a and a screw section 432b fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe section 432a. The screw section 432b, as the second conveying section, rotates to convey toward the frame opening 52C in a second direction DR2 that intersects the first direction DR1.

[0447] The rotation of the screw 54 is transmitted to the screw duct 432 via a bevel gear or worm gear (not shown). Therefore, the direction of toner transported by the rotating screw 54 in a first direction DR1 parallel to the Z2 direction is switched by the rotating screw duct 432 to a second direction DR2 parallel to the Y2 direction. The exhaust port 435 overlaps with the frame opening 52C when viewed in the direction of toner discharge (Y2 direction) through the frame opening 52C. More specifically, the exhaust port 435 is located inside the frame opening 52C. Therefore, the toner transported in the Y2 direction by the screw duct 432 is discharged from the frame opening 52C into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0448] As described above, in this embodiment, the screw duct 432, which rotates due to the driving force of the screw 54, can smoothly transport the toner to the frame opening 52C, thereby improving the toner discharge (transport) performance. Furthermore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52C is propelled by the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 435, allowing the toner to be efficiently discharged into the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, since the duct 430 is located only inside the supply frame 50C, the toner cartridge 3013 can be made smaller.

[0449] <Embodiment 18> Next, an 18th embodiment of the present invention will be described. The 18th embodiment is a modification of the duct 230 of the 15th embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those in the 15th embodiment will not be shown in the illustration, or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0450] As shown in Figures 84(a) to 85(c), the toner cartridge 4013 according to the 18th embodiment includes a supply frame 50 and a duct 530 for exhausting air supplied from the pump 58 through an exhaust port 235. The supply frame 50 rotatably supports the screw 54, and a frame opening 52 is formed on the bottom surface 50d of the supply frame 50 for discharging toner from the inside to the outside of the supply frame 50.

[0451] The duct 530 includes a first duct member 531 that communicates with the pump 58, and a second duct member 532 that communicates with the first duct member 531 and has an exhaust port 235 and a hole 236. The hole 236 communicates with the frame opening 52. In this embodiment, the hole 236 is a toner discharge port for discharging toner that has passed through the frame opening 52 to the outside of the toner cartridge 4013. The first duct member 531 does not pass inside the supply frame 50, but is routed outside the supply frame 50. The second duct member 532 is supported on the bottom surface 50d, which is the outer surface of the supply frame 50, and the exhaust port 235 is positioned adjacent to the frame opening 52.

[0452] Therefore, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 is propelled by the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust port 235, allowing the toner to be efficiently discharged into the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, since the duct 530 is located only outside the supply frame 50, assembly workability can be improved.

[0453] <Other embodiments> Furthermore, as shown in Figures 86(a) to (d), a frame opening (toner outlet) and an exhaust port may be formed. That is, as shown in Figures 86(a) and (b), the frame opening (toner outlet) 52 and the exhaust port 235D may not be arranged concentrically when viewed in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction), but rather offset from each other. The exhaust port 235D is a circular opening. The frame opening 52 and the exhaust port 235D overlap at least partially when viewed in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). Also, let D[mm] be the diameter (inner diameter) of the receiving port 247, and DMIN be the closest distance between the exposed part of the frame opening 52 and the exhaust port 235D when viewed in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). DMIN is the shortest distance between the frame opening 52 and the exhaust port 235D measured along the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction). In this case, the relationship between the distance measured along the horizontal direction intersecting the Y2 direction satisfies DMIN ≤ D [mm]. In this case, the frame opening 52 and the exhaust air ☐235D can be considered adjacent to each other.

[0454] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 86(c) and 86(d), the air discharged from the exhaust port 235E may be routed around the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 and the hole 236E. The exhaust port 235E is a circular opening, and the hole 236E is a roughly C-shaped opening. In this embodiment, the hole 236E corresponds to the toner discharge port. The hole 236E (toner discharge port) and the exhaust port 235E are adjacent in the horizontal direction (X direction, Z direction). More specifically, the hole 236E, which is the toner discharge port, is arranged to surround the exhaust port 235E. Let D[mm] be the diameter (inner diameter) of the receiving port 247, and let DMIN be the closest distance between the hole 236E and the exhaust port 235E when viewed in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction). At this time, the relationship of distances measured along directions that intersect and are perpendicular to the Y2 direction (X direction, Z direction) satisfies DMIN ≤ D[mm]. Even with this configuration, the toner discharged from the frame opening 52 and the holes 236E is propelled by the air intermittently discharged from the exhaust ports 235D and 235E, allowing the toner to be effectively discharged into the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, toner and air can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the receiving port 247. Note that the frame opening 52 and the exhaust port 235E overlap each other in at least a portion when viewed in the toner discharge direction (Y2 direction).

[0455] Furthermore, the shape and arrangement of the frame opening and the exhaust ports and holes formed in the duct are not limited to the embodiments described above. In other words, these frame openings, exhaust ports and holes may have any shape and arrangement as long as the toner discharged from the frame opening is propelled by the air discharged from the exhaust ports.

[0456] Furthermore, in the 15th embodiment, the sheet member 210 was configured to be able to enter the inside of the frame opening 52 but not to enter the inside of the hole 236. However, the sheet member 210 may also be configured to enter the hole 236.

[0457] In this embodiment, the pump 58 is a mechanism (air blower, airflow generating mechanism, air pump) that takes in gas (i.e., air) from around the toner cartridge and generates a gas flow (airflow) toward the exhaust port by applying pressure to or moving the gas. In any of the embodiments described above, the pump 58 is a bellows pump that alternately repeats exhaust and intake, and is a positive displacement pump with volume changes, or more specifically, a reciprocating pump. Other examples of reciprocating pumps include diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, and plunger pumps. Note that a bellows pump is sometimes considered a type of diaphragm pump. Such a pump can be suitably used because, despite its simple configuration, it can intermittently discharge high-pressure air suitable for toner transport. However, instead of using a positive displacement pump or a reciprocating pump as the air blower (airflow generating mechanism, air pump), it is also possible to use a different configuration. As an example, an air blower (airflow generating mechanism) such as a fan may be applied instead of the pump 58 described above. A fan is configured to move gas (air) by the drive (rotation) of an impeller (blade), and can be considered a type of non-positive displacement pump. Even if a fan is used instead of a positive displacement pump 58, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port is propelled by the air discharged from the exhaust port 235, improving toner discharge performance (toner transport performance). Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0458] 1: Cartridge (process cartridge) / 11: Developing roller / 13, 4113, 5113, 6113, 7113, 8113, 9113, 10113, 11113, 12113, 13113, 14113, 15113, 16113: Toner cartridge / 14: Supply unit (toner transport device) / 48: Connecting passage / 49: Toner storage chamber / 50, 50C, 50J: Casing (supply frame) / 52, 52C: Toner outlet, passage / 54: Transport Part (screw) / 57: Toner discharge chamber / 59: Drive input member (drive input gear) / 100: Image forming apparatus / 100B: Apparatus body / 141, 600, 624, 630, 640, 670: Shielding member (slide shutter, rotary shutter, lifting shutter, gear shutter, rotary shutter, duct shutter) / 142: First biasing part (shutter spring) / 158: Fan / 160, 160G, 160H: Drive transmission part (drive train) / 163, 680: Duct T / 164,164D: Gear component (screw gear) / 164b: Cam section (cam) / 235: Exhaust port / 241: Shutter component / 631: Projection / 633: Rotating shaft (pin) / 650: Toner shielding component (sealing wall) / 672b: Passage, connection part (communication hole) / 802: Gas cylinder / SP6: Boundary part / Y: Designated direction / Y2: Discharge direction / Z: Longitudinal direction / 210: Sheet component / 230,330,430,530: Duct / 235,235D,23 5E,336: Exhaust port / 235a: End face / 236,236E: Hole (toner discharge port) / 236a: End face / 241: Shutter member / 243: First biasing part (shutter spring) / 247: Inlet / 248: Pipe section / 343: Second biasing part (spring) / 432b: Second transport section (screw section) / 531: First duct member / 532: Second duct member / D5: Inner diameter (length) / D7: Outer diameter (length) / DR1: First direction / DR2: Second direction / Y2: Discharge direction

Claims

1. A casing that houses toner and has a toner discharge port from which the stored toner can be discharged, A fan designed to move air by rotating, A shielding member that can transition between a shielding position that blocks the passage of air supplied by the fan and an open position that opens the passage, A drive receiving member configured to receive a driving force from an external source and to transmit the driving force toward the fan and the shielding member by rotating, It has, The shielding member is configured to periodically move between the shielded position and the open position in response to the driving force. Toner cartridge.

2. When the shielding member moves from the shielding position to the open position, toner is discharged from the toner outlet along with the air supplied by the fan. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned passage is the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to claim 2.

4. The shielding member is positioned downstream of the toner discharge port in the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to claim 3.

5. The shielding member is configured to periodically slide between the shielded position and the open position in response to the driving force. The toner cartridge according to claim 4.

6. The shielding member further has a first biasing unit that biases the shielding member to the shielding position, The toner cartridge according to claim 5.

7. A transport unit is rotatably supported inside the casing and configured to transport toner, A gear member configured to transmit the driving force toward the transport section, It further possesses, The gear member has a cam portion that presses the shielding member from the shielding position toward the open position. The toner cartridge according to claim 4.

8. The shielding member is rotatable about a rotation axis extending along the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port, and is configured to rotate periodically between the shielding position and the open position when subjected to the driving force. The toner cartridge according to claim 4.

9. A transport unit is rotatably supported inside the casing and configured to transport toner, A gear member that transmits the driving force toward the conveying section, It further possesses, The gear member has a plurality of protrusions that rotate the shielding member in one direction so as to rotate periodically between the shielding position and the open position. The toner cartridge according to claim 8.

10. The shielding member is positioned upstream of the toner discharge port in the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to claim 3.

11. The shielding member is rotatably supported about a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge, and rotates periodically between the shielded position and the open position upon receiving the driving force. The toner cartridge according to claim 10.

12. The shielding member is supported so as to be movable in a predetermined direction parallel to the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port, and, upon receiving the driving force, periodically reciprocates in the predetermined direction between the shielding position and the open position. The toner cartridge according to claim 10.

13. The shielding member is rotatable and, upon receiving the driving force, periodically rotates between the shielded position and the open position. The toner cartridge according to claim 10.

14. The fan and the casing are connected, and the duct further provides a connection between the fan and the casing, and a duct guides the air blown from the fan into the casing. The aforementioned passage is the connection portion between the duct and the casing. The toner cartridge according to claim 2.

15. The casing has a toner storage chamber for storing toner and a toner discharge chamber equipped with a toner discharge port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The air blown by the aforementioned fan is guided to the toner discharge chamber. The toner cartridge according to claim 15.

17. The shielding member is configured to reciprocate between the shielded position and the open position. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

18. The shielding member is configured to reciprocate between the shielded position and the open position by sliding. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

19. The shielding member is configured to reciprocate between the shielded position and the open position by moving up and down. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

20. The shielding member is configured to reciprocate between the shielded position and the open position by swinging. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

21. The system further includes a cam configured to move the aforementioned shielding member. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 and 17 to 20.

22. The system further includes a drive conversion unit configured to convert rotational motion into motion of the shielding member, A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 and 17 to 21.

23. The shielding member is configured to move between the shielded position and the open position by rotation. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

24. The shielding member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis that is in line with the direction of air movement through the passage. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

25. The shielding member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis that intersects the direction of air movement through the passage. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

26. The shielding member has an opening that allows air to pass through, and is configured to open the passage by overlapping the opening of the shielding member with the passage when it is in the open position. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 and 17 to 25.

27. The shielding member further comprises an elastic member that biases the shielding member, A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 and 17 to 26.

28. The system further includes a duct for guiding the air sent by the aforementioned fan, The duct is positioned adjacent to the toner outlet and has an exhaust port for discharging air sent by the fan. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. The direction in which toner is discharged from the toner outlet is parallel to the direction in which air is discharged from the exhaust port. The toner cartridge according to claim 28.

30. A shutter member that can transition between a second shielding position that shields the toner discharge port and a second open position that opens the toner discharge port, A second biasing unit that biases the shutter member to the second shielding position, It further possesses, The shutter member does not transition between the second shielding position and the second open position even when the drive receiving member is driven. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. The number of rotations per unit time of the fan is 10 times or more the number of rotations per unit time of the drive receiving member. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

32. The number of rotations of the fan per unit time is 500 times or less the number of rotations of the drive receiving member per unit time. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

33. The number of times the shielding member moves to the open position per unit time is greater than the number of times the drive receiving member rotates per unit time. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. The number of times the fan rotates per unit time is 10 times or more the number of times the shielding member moves to the open position per unit time. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

35. The number of times the fan rotates per unit time is 500 times or less the number of times the shielding member moves to the open position per unit time. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. It further comprises a drive transmission unit configured to transmit driving force, The drive receiving member is configured to transmit the driving force to the fan and the shielding member via the drive transmission unit. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

37. A casing that houses toner and has a toner discharge port from which the stored toner can be discharged, A fan that moves air by rotating, A transport unit that is rotatably supported inside the casing and transports toner, A toner shielding member that can transition between a toner shielding position that shields the transport path of toner transported by the transport unit and a toner opening position that opens the transport path, A drive receiving member configured to receive a driving force from an external source and to transmit the driving force toward the fan and the toner shielding member by rotating, It has, The toner shielding member is configured to periodically move between the toner shielding position and the toner release position in response to the driving force. Toner cartridge.

38. The casing comprises a toner storage chamber for storing toner, a toner discharge chamber having a toner discharge port, and a connecting passage between the toner storage chamber and the toner discharge chamber. The toner shielding member is positioned at the boundary between the communication passage and the toner discharge chamber. The toner cartridge according to claim 37.

39. The air blown by the aforementioned fan is guided to the toner discharge chamber. The toner cartridge according to claim 38.

40. The air blown by the aforementioned fan is guided to the toner storage chamber. The toner cartridge according to claim 38.

41. The toner shielding member is integrally provided with the transport unit and is capable of transitioning between the toner shielding position and the toner release position as the transport unit rotates. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 37 to 40.

42. When drive is input to the drive receiving member, the toner outlet is open regardless of whether the toner shielding member is in the toner shielding position or the toner open position. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 37 to 41.

43. A storage chamber for toner, A toner discharge port from which toner stored in the aforementioned storage chamber can be discharged, A blower unit configured to send gas, It includes a duct configured to guide the gas sent by the aforementioned blower, The duct is positioned adjacent to the toner discharge port and has an exhaust port capable of discharging the gas sent by the blower. The exhaust port is positioned to surround the toner discharge port. Toner cartridge.

44. A storage chamber for storing toner, A toner discharge port from which toner stored in the aforementioned storage chamber can be discharged, A blower unit configured to send gas, It includes a duct configured to guide the gas sent by the aforementioned blower, The duct is positioned adjacent to the toner outlet and has an exhaust port from which the gas supplied by the blower can be discharged. The toner outlet is positioned to surround the exhaust port. Toner cartridge.

45. The direction in which toner is discharged from the toner outlet is parallel to the direction in which gas is discharged from the exhaust port. The toner cartridge according to claim 43 or 44.

46. The duct forms the toner outlet. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 45.

47. The exhaust port is adjacent to the toner discharge port in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, with respect to the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 46.

48. The exhaust port is located within 6 mm of adjacent ports in a direction perpendicular to the toner discharge direction, with respect to the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 47.

49. The toner cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus, which is equipped with an inlet capable of receiving toner and gas. When the diameter of the receiving port is D [mm], the exhaust port is adjacent to the toner discharge port within D [mm] in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, with respect to the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 48.

50. The end face of the edge of the toner discharge port and the end face of the edge of the exhaust port are on the same plane as each other. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 49.

51. The exhaust port is positioned adjacent to the toner discharge port in the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 50.

52. The exhaust port is located downstream of the toner discharge port in the direction of toner discharge from the toner discharge port. The toner cartridge according to claim 51.

53. The inner diameter of the toner outlet is smaller than the outer diameter of the exhaust port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 52. ４３４３

54. The area in the direction perpendicular to the direction of toner discharge from the toner outlet is 0.78 [mm²]. ２ ] and 117 [mm ２ The following is true: A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 53.

55. The area in the direction perpendicular to the direction of toner discharge from the exhaust port is 0.78 [mm²]. ２ ] and 117 [mm ２ The following is true: A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 54.

56. The toner cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, which is equipped with a receiving port. The toner discharge port and the exhaust port are arranged adjacent to each other so that toner and gas can be supplied to the receiving port of the image forming apparatus body, respectively. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 55.

57. A rotatable transport unit configured to transport toner, The present invention further comprises a sheet member fixed to the transport unit so as to rotate integrally with the transport unit, and configured to transport the toner transported by the transport unit toward the toner discharge port, A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 55.

58. It further comprises a rotatable first transport unit configured to transport toner in a first direction, The duct includes a second transport unit that rotates due to the rotation of the first transport unit and transports the toner toward the toner discharge port in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 56.

59. The device further includes a shutter member that can transition between a first shielding position that shields the toner discharge port and the exhaust port, and a first open position that opens the toner discharge port and the exhaust port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 58.

60. The shutter member further has a first biasing unit that biases it to the first shielding position. The toner cartridge according to claim 59.

61. The duct is positioned relative to the casing that constitutes the storage chamber such that the exhaust port is adjacent to the toner discharge port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 60.

62. The duct is configured to be movable and can transition between a second shielding position that shields the toner outlet and a second open position that opens the toner outlet. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 60.

63. At least a portion of the duct is flexible and configured to deform as the duct moves. The toner cartridge according to claim 62.

64. The exhaust port is adjacent to the toner discharge port when the duct is in the second open position, and is not adjacent to the toner discharge port when the duct is in the second shielded position. The toner cartridge according to claim 62 or 63.

65. The duct further has a second biasing unit that biases the duct to the second shielding position. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 62 to 64.

66. The toner cartridge has a casing that constitutes the housing chamber, At least a portion of the duct passes through the inside of the casing. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 65.

67. The toner cartridge has a casing that constitutes the housing chamber, The duct comprises a first duct member connected to the air blower and disposed outside the casing, and a second duct member connected to the first duct member and supported on the outer surface of the casing, and having the exhaust port. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 65.

68. The aforementioned blowing unit is a reciprocating pump. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 67.

69. The aforementioned blowing unit is a fan. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 67.

70. The gas path from the air blower to the exhaust port, passing through the inside of the duct, and the toner path from the storage chamber to the toner discharge port are substantially separate. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 43 to 69.

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