Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To solve a problem in which there is a need to improve the sealing performance of a seal member in a toner conveying device included in an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an apparatus main body; and a toner container configured to take a mounted state and a separated state with respect to the apparatus main body. The toner container has a supply port for supplying toner to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body has a receiving port configured to communicate with the supply port in the mounted state, and a seal member provided around the receiving port and seals the gap between the toner container and the apparatus main body in the mounted state. The seal member has a foam layer, and an elastic sheet fixed to a surface of the seal member. The seal member is partially pressed in the mounted state, and the elastic sheet is thereby bent in a thickness direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a configuration is known in which a toner cartridge containing toner is provided so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body. The toner cartridge supplies toner to a process cartridge via a toner conveyance device of the apparatus main body. The toner conveyance device has an inlet for receiving toner supplied from the toner cartridge. A seal member is provided in the vicinity of the inlet to suppress leakage of toner from the gap between the toner cartridge and the toner conveyance device when the toner cartridge is attached and detached (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object is to improve the sealing performance of the seal member of the toner conveyance device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] [[ID=4J]]The first aspect of the present invention is An image forming apparatus, [[ID=4“]]an apparatus main body and a toner container configured to be in a mounted state in which toner can be supplied to the apparatus main body and a detached state in which the toner container is detached from the apparatus main body. picture,The toner container has a supply port for supplying toner to the device body, and the device body has a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the supply port, the receiving port configured to communicate with the supply port in the installed state, and a sealing member provided around the receiving port and configured to seal the gap between the toner container and the device body in the installed state, the sealing member having a foamed layer and an elastic sheet fixed to the surface of the foamed layer in the thickness direction of the sealing member that is closer to the toner container, In the above-mentioned mounting state, the sealing member is partially pressed so that the elastic sheet bends in the thickness direction, by contacting a contact area which is a part of the elastic sheet with a part of the toner container. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This can improve the sealing performance of the sealing member of the toner transport device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the toner transport device according to Example 1. [Figure 3] These are a front view and a cross-sectional view of the toner container near the container shutter of the toner container according to Example 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the toner transport device according to Example 1. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the receiving port of the toner transport device according to Example 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the toner transport device according to Example 2. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the toner transport device according to Example 2. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the receiving port of the toner transport device according to Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Example 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention will now be described. Figure 1 shows the main cross-section of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 comprises a process cartridge 96 and an apparatus body 1000 to which the process cartridge 96 can be attached and detached.

[0009] Process cartridge 96 includes four color process cartridges: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (96Y, 96M, 96C, and 96Bk). Each of the process cartridges 96 (96Y-96K) includes a photosensitive drum 7 (7Y-7K), a charging roller 8 (8Y-8K), a developing unit 9 (9Y-9K), and a cleaning blade 81 (81Y-81K).

[0010] The developing unit 9 includes a developing roller 11, which supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by a laser irradiated from the laser scanner unit 12 based on image information. This develops the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7.

[0011] The toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 180 in the primary transfer section 20 (20Y~20K), and by continuously transferring each color, a toner image consisting of four colors is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 180. This toner image is then transported to the secondary transfer section 170 by the intermediate transfer belt 180.

[0012] At the bottom of each color process cartridge 96 are corresponding toner containers 130 (130Y~130K). The toner in each color toner container 130 is supplied to each color developer unit 9 (process cartridge 96) by a toner transport device 140 according to the toner consumption in each color developer unit 9. In order for the toner transport device 140 to supply toner, the toner transport device 140 is driven by a toner transport drive device 150 located at the bottom of the toner transport device 140.

[0013] On one side, a cassette 2 containing a recording material P is provided at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. The recording material P is conveyed one by one toward the conveying roller 5 by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 3.

[0014] An intermediate transfer unit 160 is provided above the developing unit 9. The intermediate transfer belt 180 facing the photosensitive drums 7 of each color is an endless belt that can rotate and is stretched over a plurality of stretching rollers. On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 180, primary transfer rollers 19 (19Y to 19K) as primary transfer members are respectively arranged at positions where the photosensitive drums 7 of each color and the primary transfer parts 20 (20Y to 20K) of each color are formed via the intermediate transfer belt 180. In each primary transfer part 20, a toner image is transferred from each photosensitive drum 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 180 by the primary transfer roller 19 to which a voltage is applied.

[0015] The secondary transfer roller 210 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 180 and forms the secondary transfer part 170 with the roller on the opposite side via the intermediate transfer belt 180. In the secondary transfer part 170, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 180 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 180 without being transferred to the recording material P is removed by the cleaning unit 220. The toner removed by the cleaning unit 220 is conveyed via the toner conveying unit 230 to the toner recovery container 240 and accumulated.

[0016] The recording material P onto which the unfixed toner image is transferred is conveyed to the downstream side of the secondary transfer part 170 and is pressurized and heated by the heating unit 250a and the pressure roller of the fixing device 250b. Thereby, the toner image is fixed to the recording material P. Thereafter, the recording material P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 270 by the paper discharge roller pair 260. Through these series of operations, image formation on the recording material P is performed.

[0017] [Toner Conveying Device] Using FIGS. 2 to 5, the configuration of the toner conveyance device 140 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner conveyance device 140. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the container shutter 32 of the toner container 130. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner conveyance device 140. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the elastic seal member 16 of the toner conveyance device 140. In FIG. 2, a part of the shape is deleted to show the internal configuration of the toner conveyance device 140. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 3(a) is a view of the toner container 130 in a detached state after being removed from the toner transport device 140, as seen from the container shutter 32 side. Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 3(a). Figure 3(c) is a view of the toner container 130 in a mounted state while still attached to the toner transport device 140, as seen from the container shutter 32 side. Figure 3(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 3(c).

[0023] The toner container 130 includes a storage frame 31 for storing toner, a supply port 31a provided in the storage frame 31, and a container shutter 32 for opening and closing the supply port 31a. The container shutter 32 has a shutter opening 32a and a pressed portion 32b.

[0024] The container shutter 32 is movable relative to the housing frame 31 between a closed position that closes the supply port 31a and an open position that opens the supply port 31a. The container shutter 32 is biased in the direction of transition from the open position to the closed position by a compression spring 72 (elastic member, biasing member) whose one end is engaged with the engaging portion 31b of the housing frame 31 and whose other end is in contact with (engaged with) the container shutter 32. When the toner container 130 is detached, the container shutter 32 is in the closed position, biased by the compression spring 72, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). When the toner container 130 is installed, the container shutter 32 is in the open position, as shown in Figures 3(c) and 3(d). During the process of mounting the toner container 130 onto the toner transport device 140, the pressed portion 32b (recess) of the container shutter 32 is pressed against the pressing portion 4 (protrusion) (Figure 2) of the toner transport device 140, causing the container shutter 32 to move from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the compression spring 72.

[0025] The shutter opening 32a does not communicate with the supply port 31a of the housing frame 31 when the container shutter 32 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 3(b), and communicates with the supply port 31a of the housing frame 31 when the container shutter 32 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 3(d). The toner container 130 also has a container seal 33 provided with a sealing hole 33a that communicates with the supply port 31a, and the container shutter 32 has a container seal 33 that seals the gap between the housing frame 31 and the container shutter 32.

[0026] When the toner container 130 is installed, the supply port 31a, the seal hole 33a, and the shutter opening 32a are in communication, and the toner inside the housing frame 31 of the toner container 130 is supplied through these to the inside of the upstream frame 101 of the toner transport device 140.

[0027] [Sealing material] As shown in Figure 4, a sealing member 16 is attached (fixed) to the upper (outer) surface 101b around the receiving port 101a. The sealing member 16 is configured to seal the gap between the toner container 130 and the upstream frame 101 so that toner supplied in the direction of arrow A does not leak when the toner container 130 is installed.

[0028] The sealing member 16 includes a foamed layer 16a (foam, elastic material) and an elastic sheet 16b provided on the surface of the foamed layer 16a. The sealing member 16 is provided with an opening 16c that penetrates both the foamed layer 16a and the elastic sheet 16b, allowing toner to pass through. The foamed layer 16a is a continuous-cell type polyurethane with a thickness of 6 mm in its uncompressed state. The elastic sheet 16b is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with a thickness of 50 μm.

[0029] Furthermore, the foamed layer 16a does not necessarily have to be a foamed layer, as long as it is a low-rebound elastic layer. PC (polycarbonate) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) may be used as the elastic sheet 16b. The thickness of the elastic sheet 16b is preferably 25 μm or more and 75 μm or less.

[0030] When the toner container 130 is installed, as shown in Figure 5, the sealing member 16 is compressed by being partially pressed by the protrusion 32c of the container shutter 32. The shutter opening 32a of the container shutter 32 is provided on the protrusion 32c.

[0031] The elastic sheet 16b has a contact area 16b1 that comes into contact with the protrusion 32c of the container shutter 32, and a non-contact area 16b2 that does not come into contact with the container shutter 32. When the toner container 130 is installed, the contact area 16b1 of the elastic sheet 16b is compressed by δ1 mm relative to the non-contact area 16b2. In other words, when the toner container 130 is installed, at least a portion of the non-contact area 16b2 of the elastic sheet 16b is located closer to the container shutter 32 (toner container 130) than the contact area 16b1. As described above, the sealing member is configured such that when the toner container 130 is installed, the elastic sheet 16b bends (elastically deforms) in the thickness direction.

[0032] When the toner container 130 is moved from the installed state to the detached state, the compressed sealing member 16 returns to its original shape. At this time, the restoring force generated by the deflection (elastic deformation) of the elastic sheet 16b acts on the foam layer 16a in the direction that the foam layer 16a returns to its original shape (the direction in which the compressed state is released). As a result, the sealing member 16 returns to its original shape (compression is released) faster than when the elastic sheet 16b is not provided. This increases the likelihood that, for example, when a new toner container 130 is installed after the toner container 130 has been detached for replacement, the sealing member 16 has already returned to its original shape. This improves the sealing performance of the sealing member 16.

[0033] (Example 2) The configuration of Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the shape of the sealing member of the toner transport device 140 and the shutter of the toner container 130. Elements that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the toner transport device 140. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the toner transport device 140. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the multi-layer sealing member 178 of the toner transport device 140.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7, a multi-layer sealing member 178 is attached to the upper (outer) surface 101b around the receiving port 101a. The multi-layer sealing member 178 is configured to seal the gap between the toner container 130 and the upstream frame 101 so that toner supplied in the direction of arrow A does not leak out when the toner container 130 is installed.

[0036] [Multilayer sealing material] The configuration of the multilayer sealing member 178 will now be described. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, it includes a first sealing member 18 and a second sealing member 17 provided on top of the first sealing member 18. When the toner container 130 is installed, both the first sealing member 18 and the second sealing member 17 are compressed in the thickness direction. The first sealing member 18 has lower hardness than the second sealing member 17. Therefore, the amount of compression of the first sealing member 18 is greater than the amount of compression of the second sealing member 17. Also, when viewing the multilayer sealing member 178 in the thickness direction, the area of ​​the first sealing member 18 is larger than the area of ​​the second sealing member 17.

[0037] The first sealing member 18, similar to the sealing member 16 of Example 1, includes a foamed layer 18a (foam, elastic layer) and an elastic sheet 18b provided on the surface of the foamed layer 18a. One side of the foamed layer 18a is attached to the upper surface 101b of the upstream frame 101, and the elastic sheet 18b is fixed to the other side of the foamed layer 18a. The foamed layer 16a is a continuous-cell type polyurethane with a thickness of 3 mm in an uncompressed state. The elastic sheet 16b is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with a thickness of 50 μm. PC (polycarbonate) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) may also be used as the elastic sheet 18b. The thickness of the elastic sheet 16b is preferably 25 μm or more and 75 μm or less.

[0038] The second sealing member 17 is a closed-cell type foam (foam, elastic body, rubber layer) mainly composed of chloroprene rubber. The hardness of the second sealing member 17 is higher than that of the first sealing member 18. The first surface 17a (bottom surface) of the second sealing member 17 in the thickness direction is in contact with a contact area 18b1, which is a part of the elastic sheet 18b of the first sealing member 18. On the surface of the first sealing member 18 facing the second sealing member 17, in addition to the contact area 18b1, there is a non-contact area 18b2 that does not come into contact with the first surface 17a of the second sealing member 17.

[0039] When the toner container 130 is installed, the second sealing member 17 presses downward against the contact area 18b1 of the first sealing member 18. The second surface 17b (upper surface) of the second sealing member 17, which is opposite to the first surface 17a, is configured to contact the contact surface 322c of the container shutter 322 when the toner container 130 is installed.

[0040] When the toner container 130 is installed, the contact area 18b1 of the elastic sheet 18b is compressed by δ2 mm relative to the non-contact area 18b2. In other words, when the toner container 130 is installed, at least a portion of the non-contact area 18b2 of the elastic sheet 18b is located closer to the container shutter 322 (toner container 130) than the contact area 18b1. As described above, the multilayer sealing member 178 is configured such that when the toner container 130 is installed, the elastic sheet 18b of the first sealing member 18 bends (elastically deforms) in the thickness direction.

[0041] When the toner container 130 is moved from the installed state to the detached state, the compressed multilayer sealing member 178 returns to its original shape. At this time, the restoring force generated by the deflection (elastic deformation) of the elastic sheet 18b of the first sealing member 18 acts on the foam layer 18a in the direction that the foam layer 18a returns to its original shape (the direction in which the compressed state is released). As a result, the multilayer sealing member 178 (first sealing member 18) returns to its original shape (compression is released) faster than when the elastic sheet 18b is not provided. This increases the likelihood that the multilayer sealing member 178 will have returned to its original shape when, for example, a new toner container 130 is installed after the toner container 130 has been detached for replacement. This improves the sealing performance of the multilayer sealing member 178.

[0042] In this embodiment, since the second sealing member 17 partially presses against the first sealing member 18 which has an elastic sheet 18b, the contact surface 322c of the container shutter 322 can be made to contact the entire area of ​​the second surface 17b of the second sealing member 17. Therefore, unlike the convex portion 32c of the container shutter 32 in Embodiment 1, the contact surface 322c of the container shutter 32 can be configured to be a flat surface. As a result, in a configuration in which the toner container 130 is moved in the mounting direction M and mounted on the toner transport device 140, the toner container 130 is less likely to get caught on the multi-layer seal 178 when it is mounted.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the mounting direction M, the length L1 upstream of the through hole 17c of the second sealing member 17 is longer than the length L2 downstream. This makes it less likely for the second surface 17b of the second sealing member 17 to deform when it receives a force (shear force) in the mounting direction M from the contact surface 322c of the container shutter 322 when the toner container 130 is moved in the mounting direction M and mounted.

[0044] In Examples 1 and 2, the mounting direction M of the toner container 130 to the toner transport device 140 is along the upper surface 101b of the upstream frame 101 (a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the sealing member), but is not limited to this. The effects of Examples 1 and 2 can be achieved even if the mounting direction of the toner container 130 is in a direction intersecting the upper surface 101b (the thickness direction of the sealing member). [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Image forming apparatus 10 Upstream conveying section 16. Sealing member 16a Foamed layer 16b Elastic Sheet 16b1 Contact area 16b2 Non-contact area 17. Second sealing member 17a 1st page 17b Side 2 18 First sealing member 18a Foamed layer 18b Elastic Sheet 18b1 Contact area 18b2 Non-contact area 31 Supply Frame 31a Supply port 32 container shutter 32a Shutter opening 101 Transport frame 101a Inlet 130 Toner containers 140 Toner transport device 178 Multilayer sealing member 230 Toner transport unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, A toner container is configured to take on a state in which toner can be supplied to the main body of the device, and a state in which it is detached from the main body of the device. Equipped with, The toner container has a supply port for supplying toner to the main body of the device, The main body of the aforementioned device is A receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the supply port, the receiving port being configured to communicate with the supply port in the installed state, A sealing member provided around the receiving opening and configured to seal the gap between the toner container and the main body of the device in the installed state, It has, The sealing member comprises a foamed layer and an elastic sheet fixed to the surface of the foamed layer in the thickness direction of the sealing member that is closer to the toner container. In the above-mentioned mounting state, the sealing member is partially pressed so that the elastic sheet bends in the thickness direction, by contacting a contact area which is a part of the elastic sheet with a part of the toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the mounted state, the thickness of the sealing member corresponding to the non-contact area of ​​the elastic sheet that is not in contact with the toner container is greater than the thickness of the sealing member corresponding to the contact area.

3. A part of the toner container is a shutter that opens and closes the supply port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the mounted state, the sealing member is partially pressed by the shutter contacting the contact area of ​​the elastic sheet.

4. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, A toner container is configured to take on a state in which toner can be supplied to the main body of the device, and a state in which it is detached from the main body of the device. Equipped with, The toner container has a supply port for supplying toner to the main body of the device, The main body of the aforementioned device is A receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the supply port, the receiving port being configured to communicate with the supply port in the installed state, A first sealing member provided around the receiving opening, comprising a foamed layer and an elastic sheet fixed to the surface of the foamed layer in the thickness direction of the first sealing member that is closer to the toner container, A second sealing member, wherein, in the installed state, the first surface of the second sealing member in the thickness direction and the second surface opposite to the first surface are in contact with the elastic sheet and the toner container of the first sealing member, respectively, and the second sealing member is configured to seal the gap between the toner container and the main body of the device together with the first sealing member, It has, In the installed state, the first sealing member is partially pressed so that the elastic sheet bends in the thickness direction of the first sealing member, by the contact area which is a part of the elastic sheet being in contact with the first surface of the second sealing member. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, in the mounted state, the thickness of the first sealing member corresponding to the non-contact area of ​​the elastic sheet where the first surface of the second sealing member is not in contact is greater than the thickness of the first sealing member corresponding to the contact area.

6. The toner container has a container shutter that is configured to move between an open position that opens the supply port and a closed position that closes the supply port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, in the mounted state, the second surface of the second sealing member is in contact with the container shutter.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, in the mounted state, the entire area of ​​the second surface of the second sealing member is in contact with the container shutter.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the elastic sheet is formed of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polyphenylene sulfide.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the thickness of the elastic sheet is 25 μm or more and 75 μm or less.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the direction in which the toner container is attached to the main body of the apparatus is in a direction intersecting the thickness direction.

11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the direction in which the toner container is attached to the main body of the apparatus is in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the first sealing member.

Images