JP3001116B2 - Toner supply device having toner cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner supply device having a cartridge for storing and using a toner in a mounted state in order to supply the toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a toner supply device having a cartridge that is conveyed to a supply port and that prevents blocking of toner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device in a copying machine, a toner box is provided in a copying machine main body, and the toner box is conveyed and supplied to the developing device by an auger or the like. It has become. When the toner box runs out of toner, the toner box is pulled out to the toner supply position, and the toner filled in the spare toner bottle is supplied to the toner box. This toner replenishment is difficult for the user because the type of toner differs depending on the type of copying machine, and is usually performed by a service person to prevent erroneous replenishment of toner.

[0003]

However, if the serviceman supplies the toner in this manner, the user must contact the serviceman every time the toner runs out, which is very troublesome. In addition, toner is not always replenished immediately even when contacted by a service person or the like, not only takes time, but also hardly copies during that time, making it impossible to copy efficiently.

Further, there is a problem that the toner spills on the floor when the toner is replenished, and clothes and the like become dirty. To address this problem, use a cartridge filled with toner instead of a toner bottle,
It has been proposed that after the cartridge is mounted in a toner box at the time of toner supply, toner is supplied by removing the cap of the cartridge, and the cartridge is removed when the supply is completed. According to the toner replenishing method using the cartridge, the toner does not spill, and the spilled toner does not stain clothes and the like.

[0005] However, in the toner supply method using the cartridge, three operations of the mounting operation of the cartridge, the toner supply operation, and the removal operation of the cartridge must be performed, and the operation is troublesome. In addition, even with this replenishment method, the service person must perform the replenishment work, so that the above-mentioned problem still cannot be solved. As described above, none of the conventional toner replenishment methods has a good toner replenishment workability.

Accordingly, the present applicant has proposed a disposable toner cartridge in which the toner cartridge is used with the toner cartridge mounted on the copying machine, and when the toner in the toner cartridge runs out, the toner cartridge is replaced with a new toner cartridge. (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-145151:
-217879). The toner cartridge is mounted on the toner supply device of the copying machine main body by axial movement and rotation at a predetermined angle. The toner cartridge solves the above-mentioned problems.

If the toner is left in a fixed state for a long period of time, for example, when a copying operation is not performed by a copying machine for a certain period of time, the toner in the toner cartridge may solidify and cause blocking. . It is also desirable to ensure that the toner in the toner cartridge is transported to the toner supply port of the toner cartridge. Therefore, a spiral agitator is rotatably provided in the toner cartridge, and the rotation of the spiral agitator ensures that the toner is conveyed to the toner replenishing port and that blocking of the toner is prevented. In this case, the method of providing the spiral agitator is a method of mounting the spiral agitator so that the rotation direction of the spiral agitator and the rotation mounting direction of the toner cartridge are opposite to each other, and the method of mounting the spiral agitator and the rotation mounting direction of the toner cartridge are the same. There is a method of mounting so as to be in the direction.

Since the spiral agitator is connected to the driving means via a power transmission mechanism, a load acts on the spiral agitator when the toner cartridge is rotated for attachment and detachment. In the former case, a load is applied to the spiral agitator. When actuated, the spiral agitator decreases in diameter with respect to rotation in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge and increases in diameter with rotation in the removing direction of the toner cartridge. For this reason, when the toner cartridge mounted on the toner box is rotated in the removing direction in order to replace the toner cartridge, it is conceivable that the spiral agitator has an increased diameter and abuts against the inner wall of the toner cartridge. When the spiral agitator contacts the inner wall of the toner cartridge,
The rotation in the removal direction of the toner cartridge is locked,
It is considered that removal of the toner cartridge becomes extremely difficult.

Further, when the spiral agitator rotates, a load acts on the toner cartridge in the detaching direction, and the toner cartridge may deviate from the proper mounting position. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a rotation preventing member for the toner cartridge. However, if such a rotation preventing member is provided, the number of parts increases and the cost increases.

[0010] On the other hand, in the latter case, the diameter of the spiral agitator becomes larger with respect to the rotation in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge, contrary to the former case. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is rotated in the mounting direction, the spiral agitator expands in diameter and abuts against the inner wall of the toner cartridge, so that the rotation in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge is locked, and mounting of the toner cartridge becomes extremely difficult. Can be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply device having a toner cartridge that allows easy attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply device having a toner cartridge capable of preventing rotation of a toner cartridge in a removing direction due to rotation of a spiral agitator without increasing the number of parts.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted by rotating a cylindrical toner cartridge used in a mounted state. The toner cartridge has a cylindrical main body having a toner supply port, and a spiral agitator disposed in the main body and rotated by a driving means in a direction opposite to the toner cartridge mounting rotational direction. And When the toner cartridge is removed, the rotation for removing the cartridge is completed before the lock between the spiral agitator and the inside of the main body occurs. Thus, the rotation of the toner cartridge is not locked when the cartridge is removed and rotated, and the toner cartridge can be easily removed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a one-way clutch in the power transmission mechanism between the driving means and the spiral agitator, which makes the rotation direction of the toner cartridge free. Accordingly, the spiral agitator rotates together with the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is removed and rotated. Therefore, the diameter of the spiral agitator does not increase, and the rotation in the direction of removing the toner cartridge is not locked. As described above, with a simple configuration in which the one-way clutch is provided, the rotation lock of the toner cartridge can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a coupling is provided in a power transmission mechanism between the driving means and the spiral agitator, and the coupling is provided on the driving means side of the power transmission mechanism and the power transmission mechanism. A locking claw or a locking tooth provided on one of a spiral agitator side of the mechanism and the locking claw provided on a driving means side of the power transmission mechanism and a spiral agitator side of the power transmission mechanism An engaging member that engages with a locking tooth to enable power transmission; and a locking claw or locking tooth when a rotational force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the spiral agitator when the toner cartridge is rotated in a removing direction. And an elastic member for adjusting the engagement with the engagement member to be released. Therefore, when the toner cartridge main body and the spiral agitator are locked and the spiral agitator is applied with a force equal to or more than a predetermined value at the time of rotation of the removal of the toner cartridge, the engagement of the coupling is released.
As a result, the spiral agitator can rotate with the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge can be easily removed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical toner cartridge used in a mounted state is removably mounted on a toner supply device of an image forming apparatus by rotating, and the toner cartridge has a toner supply port. The apparatus includes a cylindrical main body, and a spiral agitator that is disposed in the main body and that is driven to rotate in the same direction as the toner cartridge mounting direction by a driving unit. When the toner cartridge is mounted, the rotation for mounting the cartridge is completed before the spiral agitator expands in diameter and locks with the inside of the main body. Accordingly, the rotation of the toner cartridge is not locked during the rotation of the mounting of the cartridge, and the toner cartridge can be easily removed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a one-way clutch that makes the toner cartridge rotational mounting direction free is provided in a power transmission mechanism between the driving means and the spiral agitator. Accordingly, the spiral agitator rotates together with the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted and rotated. Therefore, the diameter of the spiral agitator does not increase, and the rotation in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge is not locked. As described above, with a simple configuration in which the one-way clutch is provided, the rotation lock of the toner cartridge can be prevented.

[0017]

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color copying machine to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a color copying machine 1 includes a main body 2, a platen 3 provided on an upper surface side of the main body 2, on which a document (not shown) is placed, and a platen 3 provided below the platen 3, An image information reading section 4 for reading image information, an image forming apparatus 5 for receiving a signal from the image information reading section 4 to form a predetermined image, and an image formed on the image forming apparatus 5 as a transfer medium. The transfer unit 7 includes a transfer unit 7 for transferring the sheet 6 and a sheet supply unit 8 and a sheet conveyance unit 9 for supplying and conveying the sheet 6.

The image forming apparatus 5 includes a photosensitive drum 51 and a first developing unit 5 disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 51.
2 and a second developing means 53. First developing means 5
Reference numeral 2 denotes a developing machine having a two-component color developer.
The second developing means 53 develops the second latent image with a developing device having a black two-component developer. Both of these developing means 52 and 53 are moved in the direction of coming and going with respect to the photosensitive drum 51 by a retract mechanism (not shown) arranged corresponding to each of them.

Next, the second developing means 53 provided with the toner supply device having the toner cartridge of this embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the second developing unit 53
Develops the second latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 as described above, and exposes a part of the outer peripheral surface to the outside of the housing 1001 through an opening provided at one end in the housing 1001. A developing roll 1002 (developer carrier), developer stirring means 1003 disposed in a housing 1001 on the back side of the developing roll 1002, and a housing above the developing roll 1002
A trimmer plate 1004 (trimmer) is attached to the top plate 1001 and regulates the height of the magnetic brush of the developer formed on the developing roll 1002. A tracking roll (not shown) is rotatably provided outside both ends of the developing roll 1002, and when the tracking roll contacts the photosensitive drum 51, the developing roll is rotated.
The gap between 1002 and the photosensitive drum 51 is maintained.

On the other hand, the stirring means 1003 comprises a first auger 1007 and a second
It comprises an auger 1008 and a partition plate 1009 erected on the housing 1001 so as to separate these two augers. The rotation directions of the first auger 1007 and the second auger 1008 are determined so that the developer conveying directions are opposite to each other. Further, at both ends of the partition plate 1009, a region where the first auger 1007 is provided (hereinafter referred to as a first stirring channel 1010) and a region where the second auger 1008 is provided (hereinafter referred to as a second stirring channel 1011). An opening communicating with the developer is provided, so that the developer is circulated in the order of the first stirring path 1010 → the second stirring path 1011 → the first stirring path 1010.

Further, a paddle wheel 1012 having a plurality of blades parallel to the axial direction is provided between the developing roll 1002 and the stirring means 1003. With the rotation of the paddle wheel 1012, the developer peeled from the developing roll 1002 is forcibly conveyed to the stirring means 1003 and the stirring means 1003.
The developer mixed and stirred by the developing roll 10 is continuously
02.

Above the first auger 1007 in the housing 1001, a toner supply device 1020 of the present invention is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner supply device 1020
Is a toner cartridge filled and stored with toner
1021 and a reserve tank 1022 disposed below the toner cartridge 1021.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cartridge 1021 has a cylindrical case body 1023 composed of a cylindrical portion 1023a formed of paper and both side walls 1023b formed of resin. It comprises a spiral agitator 1024 formed by winding a wire in a coil shape, and a coupling 1025a to which the spiral agitator 1024 is connected. When the cylindrical portion 1023a is formed of paper, the paper can be cut freely to a predetermined length.
By simply changing the length of 23a, it becomes possible to easily adapt to various models. In addition, since paper is inexpensive, the cartridge 1021 can be formed very inexpensively.

The cylindrical portion 1023a at one end of the case body 1023
Is provided with a toner supply port 1023c for supplying toner to the reserve tank 1022. Toner supply port 1023c
Is opened to one toner storage portion 1030a of a tank portion 1030 of a reserve tank 1022 described later.

The spiral agitator 1024 has an end 1024a on the toner supply port side as a free end, while an end 1024b on the opposite side to the toner supply port side is rotatably supported on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion 1023b. ing. A driving force transmission shaft 1024c is integrally connected to an end 1024b opposite to the toner supply port side, and the driving force transmission shaft 1024c is connected to the spiral agitator 102.
The end is connected to a coupling 1025a that extends toward the toner supply port 1023c along the center of rotation of 4, and is rotatably attached to the center of the right side wall 1023b. A triangular projection-shaped toner scraping portion 1024d is formed at a portion of the driving force transmission shaft 1024c facing the toner supply port 1024d. In this way, the spiral agitator
1024 is supported cantilevered.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
The cartridge 1021 has a toner supply port 1023c when not installed.
The shutter 1032 is provided so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction. Further, a flexible seal member (not shown) for sealing the toner supply port 1023c is attached to the main body 1023, and one end of the seal member is fixed to the shutter 1032. Then, when the shutter 1032 slides in the circumferential direction,
The seal member is peeled off to open the toner supply port 1023c.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 1021 is provided in a cartridge installation section provided in the copying machine main body 2.
It is detachably attached to the predetermined position of 1035. That is, in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 1021 is inserted into the cartridge installation portion 1035 in the axial direction, and when the axial position of the toner cartridge 1021 is at a predetermined position, the toner cartridge 1021 is rotated by a predetermined angle, so that the toner The cartridge 1021 is locked and the cartridge
It is designed to be fixed at 35 regular positions. In this case, when the toner cartridge 1021 rotates by a predetermined angle, a part of the shutter 1032 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the reserve tank 1022 side, so that the rotation of the shutter 1032 is prevented. . That is, the shutter 1032 slides relative to the case main body 1023 in the circumferential direction, the seal member is peeled off, and the toner supply port 1023c is opened. When the toner cartridge 1021 is locked and fixed in the cartridge installation portion 1035, the toner supply port 10
23c faces downward and opens to the reserve tank 1022.

When the cartridge 1021 is set in the cartridge mounting portion 1035, the coupling 1025a of the cartridge 1021 is connected to the coupling 1025a of the power transmission mechanism 1026 provided on the main body 2 side. It is designed to engage and engage with 1025b. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the coupling 1025a on the cartridge 1021 side has a flat ring-shaped member 101, and this ring-shaped member 101 has a pair of locking members protruding toward the coupling 1025b. A nail 102 is formed. These locking claws 102
Of the circumferential ends, the upstream end 102a in the rotational direction α of the spiral agitator 1024 is a surface perpendicular to the flat surface of the ring-shaped member 101, and the other circumferential end 102b of the locking claw 102 is It is an inclined surface.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS.
The coupling 1025b attached to the gear 1026a side has two plate-shaped engaging members 103, and these engaging members 1
The rotary shaft 1 is movable along an axial groove 105 formed in the rotary shaft 104 and is not rotatable relative to the rotary shaft 104.
Supported by 04. Further, these engaging members 103 are constantly urged by a spring 106 so that the coupling 1025 of the groove 105 is formed.
It is located on the a side end. When a rightward force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the pair of engaging members 103 in FIG. 7A, the pair of engaging members 103 moves rightward against the urging force of the spring 106.

Both couplings 1025 thus configured
As shown in FIG. 6, a and 1025b are arranged such that the pair of engaging members 103 are located on the rotation locus of the locking claw 102.
Then, the rotational driving force of the driving means 1027 such as a motor transmitted through the power transmission mechanism 1026 is transmitted to the coupling 1025b, and the engaging member 103 rotates in the α direction. The engagement member 103 is rotated in the α direction so that the pair of locking claws 102
And the coupling 1025a is rotated in the α direction via the locking claw 102. This coupling 1
The rotation of 025a is transmitted to the end of the spiral agitator 1024 opposite to the toner supply port 1023c via the driving force transmission shaft 1024c. 5 (b), the power is transmitted from the left in FIG. 5 (b), and the spiral agitator 1024 rotates in the α direction, and the toner flows in the β direction, that is, toward the toner supply port 1023c, and the reserve tank 1022 from the toner supply port 1023c. It is supplied to the inside. The rotation direction α of the spiral agitator 1024 is set to a direction opposite to the mounting rotation direction of the toner cartridge 1021.

Further, the toner is prevented from hardening due to the flow of the toner. Further, the rotation of the driving force transmission shaft 1024c causes the toner
Since 4d rotates, the toner is similarly prevented from hardening, and the already hardened toner is broken.
Further, the rotation of the spiral agitator 1024 in the α direction is such that the diameter of the spiral agitator 1024 is reduced when a load is applied to the spiral agitator 1024.
The 1024 does not come into contact with and lock the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a. Thereby, the gear of the power transmission mechanism 1026
Disengagement of 1026a is also prevented.

When the toner in the toner cartridge 1021 becomes empty and needs to be replaced with a new toner cartridge 1021, the empty toner cartridge 1021 is used.
After rotating the 1021 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction, that is, in the same direction as the rotation direction α of the spiral agitator 1024, at the above-described predetermined angle, the toner cartridge 1021 is removed by moving in the axial direction. Then, the new toner cartridge 1021 filled with the toner is mounted at the regular position of the toner cartridge installation unit 1035 as described above. In this case, when the toner cartridge 1021 is rotated in the removing direction, the spiral agitator 1024 is also moved in the α direction which is the normal rotation direction.
It will rotate with it. Accordingly, the locking claw 102 is separated from the engaging member 103 which has been engaged so far, and the circumferential end 102b, which is the inclined surface, comes into contact with the next engaging member 103. The circumferential end 102b of the locking claw 102 is
, The spiral agitator 1024 is driven by the driving means 1 via the couplings 1025a and 1205b and the power transmission mechanism 1026.
027 in the direction of rotation α in power transmission. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 1021 is further rotated in the removing direction, the spiral agitator 1024
Receives the resistance against the rotation in the α direction, and thus rotates relative to the toner cartridge 1021 in the direction opposite to the α direction. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 1021 is removed and rotated, the spiral agitator 1024 rotates in the direction in which the diameter increases, and the spiral agitator 1024 rotates.
1024 expands and abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a, so that its rotation is locked. Also, at this time, the locking claw
102 applies an axial force to the engagement member 103 due to the slope of the circumferential end 102b.

When the toner cartridge 1021 is further rotated in the removing direction, the axial force applied by the locking claw 102 to the engaging member 103 increases, and when this force becomes larger than the urging force of the spring 106, the spring 106 contracts. Therefore, the engaging member 103 moves in the axial direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the engaging member 103 rides on the inclined surface of the locking claw 102,
It is designed to reach the position where the engagement with the locking claw 102 is released after getting over the tip of 102. That is, the engagement member 10
The reference numeral 3 indicates that the spring 106 performs a tooth jumping operation on the locking claw 102. By the tooth jumping operation of the engagement member 103, the rotation lock due to the contact of the spiral agitator 1024 with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a is released, and the toner cartridge 1021 can be rotated again in the removing direction with almost no resistance. . As a result, the toner cartridge 10
21 can be easily rotated to the required angle to remove it.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the reserve tank 1022 has two toner storage portions 1030a and 1030 as described above.
b and a toner storage unit 1030
a and a toner supply unit 1031 that supplies toner to the developing unit 53. Partition walls 1036 and 1037 are provided between the toner storage units 1030a and 1030b and the toner supply unit 1031 respectively. In FIG. 9, the left ends of the partition walls 1036 and 1037 do not extend to the left side wall 1022b of the main body 1022a of the reserve tank 1022. Therefore, there are openings 1038 between the left side wall 1022b and the left ends of the partition walls 1036 and 1037, respectively. , 1039 are formed. Also, the partition walls 1036, 1037 are similarly provided with openings 1040, 1041 leftward by a predetermined amount from their right ends. With these openings 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041,
The toner storage units 1030a and 1030b and the toner supply unit 1031 communicate with each other.

In the toner storage sections 1030a and 1030b, spiral agitators 1042 and 1043 each formed of a metal wire such as a spirally wound wire are arranged in parallel with each other. The right end 1042a of one spiral agitator 1042 is the gear shaft 104
When connected to 4, the left end 1042b is rotatably supported by the left side wall 1022b. This spiral agitator 10
The winding direction of 42 is one direction, and the opening 10 is near the left end.
A blade 1045 is attached to a position facing 38.
Both ends of the other spiral agitator 1043 are similarly supported. The winding direction of the spiral agitator 1043 is opposite to the opening 1041. That is, the spiral agitator 1043 is wound in the same winding direction as the spiral agitator 1042 to the left of the opening 1041, but is spirally wound to the right of the opening 1041.
It is wound in the opposite winding direction to 1042. A blade 1046 is attached at a position where the winding direction of the spiral agitator 1043 changes, that is, at a position facing the opening 1041.

Further, on the right end side of the opening 1040 of the toner storage section 1030a is formed a toner introduction section 1030c. Also,
An empty detection sensor 1047 is provided on the side wall of the main body 1022a slightly to the left in FIG. 9 from the position where the toner supply port 1023c of the cartridge 1021 faces. This sky detection sensor 10
47 detects the presence or absence of the toner in the cartridge 1021.

On the other hand, a supply hole 1048 for supplying toner to the developing means 53 is formed at a predetermined position on the bottom of the toner supply unit 1031. The toner supply unit 1031 has an auger
1049 is arranged in parallel with the two spiral agitators 1042, 1043. The auger 1049 is also rotatably supported by the main body 1022a similarly to the spiral agitators 1042 and 1043. The auger 1049's spirally wound blades are
The winding direction is reversed from the border.

The reserve tank 1022 thus configured
In, the cartridge 1021 is
When it is set to 35, the shutter 1032 slides, so that the toner supply port 1023c is automatically opened together. Therefore, the toner in the cartridge 1021 is introduced into the toner introduction unit 1047 in the reserve tank 1022 through the toner supply port 1023c. The introduced toner is sent to the left by the rotation of the spiral agitator 1042, and is detected by the empty detection sensor 1047. When the toner is sent to the left, new toner is further introduced into the toner introduction unit 1047 from the cartridge 1021. When the toner comes to the left end of the toner storage unit 1030a, the toner is sent to the toner supply unit 1031 through the opening 1038 by the blade 1045. Part of the toner sent to the toner supply unit 1031 is supplied by the auger 1049 to the supply hole.
1048 to the developing means 5 through the supply hole 1048.
3 is supplied. In this case, even when the toner passes through the supply hole 1048, the blades of the auger 1049 are reversed, so that the passed toner is returned to the supply hole 1048, and is reliably passed through the supply hole 1048 toward the developing unit 53. Sent to

On the other hand, the remainder of the toner sent to the toner supply unit 1031 is pushed by the new toner sent by the blade 1045, so that the toner is stored in the toner storage unit 1030 through the opening 1039.
flows into b. The toner flowing into the toner container 1030b is
It is sent to the right opening 1041 by the spiral agitator 1043. The toner that has reached the opening 1041 is sent to the toner storage unit 1030a through the openings 1041 and 1040 by the blade 1046. Also in this case, even if the toner passes through the opening 1041, the toner is returned to the opening 1041 by the spiral agitator 1043 in the opposite direction.

The toner flowing into the toner container 1030a is
It is sent to the left again by the spiral agitator 1042. In this case, the toner is reliably sent to the left by the spiral agitator 1042, so that the toner flowing from the opening 1040 does not flow toward the right toner introduction unit 1030c. Therefore, the toner introduction unit 1030 has a cartridge
Only toner from 1021 is introduced. In this way,
A predetermined amount of toner in the reserve tank 1022 is supplied to the supply hole.
1048 to the developing means 53, and the rest is
It circulates between 30a and 1030b. This circulation prevents the toner in the toner storage units 1030a and 1030b from hardening. In addition, the capacity of the toner storage units 1030a and 1030b is 2,000 sheets or less until a new cartridge is set even if the toner of the cartridge 1021 becomes empty.
The size is set so that 3000 copies can be made.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge 1021,
The dispenser unit including the cartridge installation unit 1035, the reserve tank 1022, the power transmission mechanism 1026, and the motor driving unit 1027 is used to
The cartridge 2 is rotatably supported between a use position A and a cartridge 1021 exchange position B which protrudes out of the main body 2 in the front-rear direction of the main body 2 shown by a two-dot chain line. Therefore, to replace the cartridge 1021, the dispenser unit 1050 is rotated to the replacement position B, the used cartridge 1021 is removed, and a new cartridge 1021 is set in the cartridge installation unit 1035. Thereafter, the dispenser unit is rotated to the use position A and fixed at the use position A.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show another embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in this embodiment, both ends 102a and 102b of the locking claw 102 in the circumferential direction are both ring-shaped members 101.
Are perpendicular to the flat surface. For this reason, the engaging member 103 as in the above-described embodiment cannot perform the tooth jumping operation. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the following measures are taken. When the toner cartridge 1021 is rotated in the removal direction when the toner cartridge 1021 is replaced, the spiral agitator 1024 is rotated by α until the locking claw 102 comes into contact with the next engagement member 103, that is, the rotation angle θ.
Direction, but during this time the spiral agitator 1024
Does not spread because it is hardly loaded. When the locking claw 102 comes into contact with the next engagement member 103, a load is applied to the spiral agitator 1024, so that the spiral agitator 1024 gradually expands. The toner cartridge 10 from when the locking claw 102 abuts on the next engagement member 103 to when the spiral agitator 1024 abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a and is locked.
21 rotates by the rotation angle θ ′. Therefore,
The rotation angle γ is set so that the rotation angle γ required for removing the toner cartridge 1021 becomes the rotation angle obtained by adding the rotation angles θ and θ ′. In other words, such that the angle θ is equal to or larger than the angle obtained by subtracting the rotation angle θ ′ from the rotation angle γ required for removing the toner cartridge 1021.
A circumferential interval between the locking claws 102, that is, the number of the locking claws 102 and the engaging members 103 is set. When the rotation angle for removing the toner cartridge 1021 is set to 180 ° or less, the number of the locking claws 102 may be at least two. Further, in the case of this embodiment, since it is not necessary to perform the tooth jumping operation, the spring in the above-described embodiment is not required, and the engaging member 103 does not need to be movable in the axial direction.

With this configuration, when the toner cartridge 1021 is detached and rotated, rotation for detaching the toner cartridge 1021 is performed before locking between the spiral agitator 1024 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a occurs. Will end. Therefore, the toner cartridge 1021 can be easily removed without locking the spiral agitator 1024 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1023a when the toner cartridge 1021 is removed and rotated.

FIG. 12 is a view showing still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the coupling 1025a is provided with two pairs of locking projections 102 (another pair of locking projections 10).
2 is provided on the opposite side, not shown), and the engaging member 103 of the coupling 1025b is engaged between the pair of locking projections 102. In this embodiment, a one-way clutch 107 is disposed between the coupling 1025b and the gear 1026a of the power transmission mechanism 1026. The one-way clutch 107 rotates in the direction in which the toner cartridge 1021 is removed,
The clutch 25a is configured to be free from rotation in the α direction with respect to the coupling 1025b. As such a one-way clutch, a commonly used one-way clutch can be used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, the rotational driving force of the power means 1027 is transmitted to the spiral agitator 1024 via the power transmission mechanism 1026, the one-way clutch 107 and the couplings 1025b and 1025a.
The spiral agitator 1024 is rotated in the α direction. To replace toner cartridge 1021,
When the toner cartridge 1021 is rotated in the detaching direction, the spiral agitator 1024 rotates together with the toner cartridge 1021 in the α direction as described above. In this case, the rotation is free by the one-way clutch 107, so the toner cartridge 1021 and the spiral The agitator 1024 can rotate with little resistance. As a result, the toner cartridge 1021 can be easily removed.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotation direction of the mounting of the toner cartridge 1021 and the spiral agitator 10
24, the rotation direction α of the toner cartridge 1021 is set opposite to the rotation direction α of the spiral agitator 1024.
Can also be applied to cases where are set in the same direction. In that case, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment shown in FIG.
2 can correspond to the embodiments shown in FIGS. In order to correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG.
The rotation direction α of the coupling 1025a is reversed while the circumferential end 120a that is the vertical surface of the 102 and the circumferential end 120b that is the inclined surface are reversed, and the engagement between the locking claw 102 and the engaging member 103 is further performed. Reverse the direction. Further, in order to correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the rotation direction α of the coupling 1025a is reversed, and the engagement direction between the locking claw 102 and the engagement member 103 is reversed. Further, in order to correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the rotation direction α of the coupling 1025a is reversed, and the free direction of the one-way clutch 107 is reversed, that is, with respect to the rotation in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 1021. Set to be free.

When the mounting rotation direction of the toner cartridge 1021 and the rotation direction α of the spiral agitator 1024 are set to the same direction, a rotation preventing member for preventing the rotation of the toner cartridge 1021 when the spiral agitator 1024 rotates is provided. Since there is no need, the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be further simplified. This reduces costs. Further, when the toner cartridge 1021 is not mounted at a predetermined regular position in the rotational direction, the toner cartridge 1021 is rotated with the rotation of the spiral agitator 1024 so that the toner cartridge 1021 is automatically mounted at a predetermined regular position. become. This prevents erroneous mounting of the toner cartridge 1021. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a color copying machine is described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various other image forming apparatuses such as a black-and-white copying machine.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the spiral agitator does not lock the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted or removed, and the toner cartridge is not rotated. Mounting or removal is easy. Also, when the spiral agitator is locked to the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted or removed, the lock is released when the load due to the lock exceeds a predetermined value.
Similarly, attachment or detachment of the toner cartridge is facilitated.

Further, when the rotation direction of the mounting of the toner cartridge and the rotation direction of the spiral agitator are set to the same direction, the rotation preventing member of the toner cartridge becomes unnecessary, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be improved. It becomes simpler and costs can be reduced. Further, even when the toner cartridge is not installed at the proper position,
Since the toner cartridge is automatically moved to the regular position, erroneous mounting of the toner cartridge can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a developing means of the color copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply device.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner supply device.

5A and 5B show an example of a toner cartridge, wherein FIG. 5A is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view thereof.

6A and 6B schematically show a coupling on the toner cartridge side, FIG. 6A is a front view thereof, and FIG. 6B is a right side view thereof.

7A and 7B schematically show a coupling on a power transmission mechanism side, where FIG. 7A is a front view partially cut away and FIG. 7B is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a tooth jumping operation of the coupling.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a reserve tank.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for mounting and removing a toner cartridge.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a)
Is a front view thereof, and (b) is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a front view schematically showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Color copier, 5 ... Image forming apparatus, 51 ... Photosensitive drum, 52 ... First developing means, 53 ... Second developing means, 107
... one-way clutch, 1020 ... toner supply device, 1
211, a toner cartridge, 1022, a reserve tank, 1023, a cartridge body, 1024, a spiral agitator, 1025a, a coupling on a toner cartridge side, 1025b, a coupling on a power transmission mechanism side,
1026: power transmission mechanism, 1027: driving means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shiro Suzuki 2274 Hongo, Ebina, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house (56) References JP-A-3-288875 (JP, A) JP-A-63-83746 (JP, A) JP-A-63-281178 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Showa 56-62316 (JP, U) Actual opening 58-93947 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus includes: a cylindrical main body having a toner supply port; and a spiral agitator disposed in the main body and driven to rotate in a direction opposite to a rotational mounting direction of a toner cartridge by a driving unit. A toner supply device having a cylindrical toner cartridge which is detachably mounted by being used and used in the mounted state,
The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation for removing the cartridge is terminated before the lock between the spiral agitator and the inside of the main body occurs when the rotation of the toner cartridge is removed. 2. A toner having a toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a one-way clutch for making the rotation direction of removing the toner cartridge free is provided in a power transmission mechanism between the driving means and the spiral agitator. Feeding device. 3. A cylindrical body having a toner supply port, and a spiral agitator provided in the body and rotated by a driving means in a direction opposite to a rotational mounting direction of the toner cartridge. A toner supply device having a cylindrical toner cartridge which is detachably mounted by being used and used in the mounted state,
A coupling is provided in a power transmission mechanism between the driving means and the spiral agitator, and the coupling is provided on one of the driving means side of the power transmission mechanism and the spiral agitator side of the power transmission mechanism. A locking claw or a locking tooth is provided on one of the driving means side of the power transmission mechanism and a spiral agitator side of the power transmission mechanism. When a rotational force of a predetermined value or more acts on the spiral agitator when the toner cartridge is rotated in the detaching direction, the engagement between the engaging claw or the engaging tooth and the engaging member is released. And a resilient member for adjusting the toner supply amount. 4. A cylindrical main body having a toner supply port, and a spiral agitator provided in the main body and driven to rotate in the same direction as the rotational mounting direction of the toner cartridge by a driving means. A toner supply device having a cylindrical toner cartridge which is detachably mounted by being used and used in the mounted state,
When the rotation of the toner cartridge is rotated, the rotation for mounting the cartridge is completed before the spiral agitator expands in diameter and locks with the inside of the main body. apparatus. 5. A toner having a toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein a one-way clutch for setting the rotation direction of the toner cartridge to be free is provided in a power transmission mechanism between said driving means and said spiral agitator. Feeding device.