JP3515049B2 - Toner supply device - 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 replenishing device for replenishing toner contained therein with a rotatably provided agitating member and replenishing the toner to a predetermined position with a conveying sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electrophotographic printer includes a developing device for forming a toner image and a toner replenishing device called a toner hopper. The toner hopper stores reserve toner, and supplies new toner to the developing device according to the consumption of toner in the developing process. In addition, the toner hopper is provided with a stirring member for stirring the toner inside and conveying the toner to the developing device. This stirring member is referred to as an agitator or a toner stirring shaft, and has a function of stirring the toner to ensure toner transportability and at the same time prevent deterioration of the toner such as aggregation.

The stirring member is usually made of a relatively hard material such as metal or resin and is firmly formed into a ladder shape. Therefore, since the elastic bending is extremely small, the toner that can be stirred and conveyed is only the toner existing within the effective range of the rotation radius. For this reason, if the amount of toner in the toner hopper decreases to some extent, the amount of toner in the effective range of the stirring member decreases, and it becomes impossible to sufficiently convey the toner to the developing device. Insufficient amount of toner in the developing device causes the occurrence of print blur and a decrease in toner concentration, which hinders high-quality image formation. Therefore, in order to always keep the amount of toner in the toner hopper above a certain amount, it is necessary to frequently replenish the toner in the toner hopper, which deteriorates the operation rate of the apparatus.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in the toner hopper disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-236110, a rectangular conveying sheet having a strong elastic force is provided at the tip of the toner conveying member, and the conveying sheet is conveyed. The sheet is set to slide on the inner wall of the toner hopper. As a result, even if the toner amount in the toner hopper becomes small, a sufficient amount of toner is conveyed to the developing device, so that it is possible to effectively use the toner in the toner hopper and improve the operation rate of the device. It has become.

FIG. 8A shows an example of the structure of such a toner hopper 51. The toner hopper 51 in the figure has a toner storage portion 11 for storing toner, and is a toner replenishing portion 12 in which a sponge roller 12a is disposed, and is connected to a developing device (not shown) disposed so as to face the photoconductor. To be done. In the developing device, an internal roller (not shown) is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction by a driving unit. Toner hopper 5
Reference numeral 1 denotes a top plate 21 and a wall surface (side wall) 2 of the toner containing portion 11.
2 and the wall surface 23 of the toner supply unit 12.
FIG. 9A shows the shapes of the wall surface 22 of the toner storage portion 11 and the wall surface 23 of the toner supply portion 12. Toner container 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped container formed by a wall surface 22, a wall surface (not shown) perpendicular to the wall surface, and a top plate 21, and a toner replenishing portion 12 is connected diagonally above the toner containing portion 11.
Groove formed by wall surface 23 having a semi-cylindrical shape and the top plate 2
It is surrounded by 1. Toner storage unit 11 as described above
Then, the stirring member 13 and the conveying sheet 14 as shown in FIG.

The stirring member 13 is rotatably provided around a stirring shaft 13a extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum (direction of arrow W in the figure). Transport sheet 14
Has a base end portion 14a fixed to an end portion in the radial direction of rotation of the stirring member 13 via a double-sided tape or the like, so that the toner can be efficiently conveyed, for example, PE.
It is made of a flexible elastic material such as a T-made sheet.
The leading end portion 14b of the transport sheet 14 is formed so as to be bent in the rotational direction in parallel with the axis of the stirring shaft 13a. As a result, the rigidity of the leading end of the transport sheet 14 is increased, and the toner can be uniformly transported toward the developing device. When the stirring member 13 is rotationally driven, the leading end portion 14 b of the conveying sheet 14 is moved to the inner wall of the toner containing portion 11 (inside the top plate 21 and the wall surface 2).
2 inside) and rotate while contacting
The toner inside is picked up and conveyed toward the developing device.

The operation of the toner hopper 51 having the above-described structure at the time of toner supply is shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (f). When the stirring shaft 13a is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure, the leading end portion 14b of the conveying sheet 14 slides on the inner wall of the toner accommodating portion 11 as shown in FIGS. ,
The toner is held and conveyed while flexing. And the same figure (c)
The toner replenishment unit 1 holds the held toner as shown in (d).
Supply to 2. After that, the conveying sheet 14 slides on the inside of the top plate 21, and the toner is again held and conveyed while changing the contact point from the top plate 21 to the wall surface 22 as shown in FIG. Move to action.

[0008]

The above-mentioned toner hopper 51 is provided with the conveying sheet 14 in order to effectively use the toner.
Since the toner is slid against the inner wall of the toner containing portion 11, a contact sound is generated between the inner wall and the toner accommodating portion 11 and there is a new problem of increasing noise. Of such contact sounds, the sliding noise generated while sliding against the inner wall is not noticeable because it is absorbed by the toner when the toner amount is relatively large, but the toner amount is small. As the sliding noise decreases, the sliding noise is not absorbed and leaks to the outside to reach the user as an unpleasant noise.

Further, the contact noise causes the operation of the conveying sheet 14 to change from FIG. 8 (e) to FIG. 8 (f).
At the time of switching from sliding on the top plate 21 to sliding on the wall surface 22, the conveying sheet 14 is suddenly restored to its original shape by the elastic force in the inner space of the connection portion between the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22. Repulsion sound and sliding sound generated by violently colliding with 22 (hereinafter referred to as collision sound)
There is also. This collision noise is more likely to occur as the rigidity of the conveyance sheet is increased to improve the mechanical strength in order to secure a stable toner conveyance amount, which is a major cause of noise. In recent years, when it is important to reduce the noise of the printer to meet various needs, it is strongly required to take sufficient measures against such noise.

Further, the tip portion 14b of the conveying sheet 14 is pressed against the inner wall of the toner accommodating portion 11 when the agitating member 13 is rotated, and the contacting portion is largely bent and deformed, which may be damaged. As shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), various shapes of cutouts 14c may be formed at the leading end of the transport sheet 14. There is a similar description in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-244368. When the cutout portions 14c ... Are formed as shown in the figure, the sliding portion of the conveying sheet 14 with the inner wall of the toner containing portion 11 is reduced, so that a sliding noise reducing effect can be expected at the same time. Further, if the collision area accompanying the movement of the transport sheet 14 from the top plate 21 to the wall surface 22 is reduced, the collision noise described above may be reduced to some extent.
However, since the cutout portions 14c are provided, a predetermined amount of toner cannot be held and the toner in the toner storage portion 11 cannot be uniformly conveyed toward the developing device, resulting in image quality such as insufficient density. Occurs. In addition, the shape of the transport sheet 14 becomes complicated, which is not preferable.

The object of the present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to generate unpleasant noise due to collision with the inner wall of a carrying sheet while maintaining a sufficient toner carrying capacity. To provide a toner replenishing device capable of suppressing the above.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a toner replenishing device of the present invention includes a toner containing portion for containing toner in a container having a top plate, and the above-mentioned toner which is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. A stirring member that stirs the toner in the accommodating portion, the stirring member is connected to the stirring member, and rotates with the rotation of the stirring member, at least the top plate of the toner accommodating portion, the side wall connected to the top plate, and the toner. In a toner replenishing device including a conveying sheet that holds toner and conveys it to a predetermined location by sliding the tip in a bent state against the inner wall in contact with the conveying sheet,
It is said that it is provided without forming a notch
The toner storage at the connection between the top plate and the side wall.
Connect the top plate surface and the side wall surface smoothly to the inside of the unit.
When the curved surface forming member that forms the curved surface is bent,
At least a part of the leading end of the feeding sheet is the curved surface forming member.
Sliding against the curved surface forming part, the entire tip is curved
The curved surface forming portion is provided so as to move on the surface.
The material is separated in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the above-mentioned transport sheet.
The top plate is arranged with the separation direction as the thickness direction.
A plurality of protrusions from the side wall to the inside of the toner containing portion.
It is a plate-shaped rib, and the inside of the toner containing portion of the rib
Is characterized in that the end portion of is the curved surface forming portion .

According to the above invention, by providing a plurality of plate-shaped ribs on the inner side of the toner accommodating portion at the connection portion between the top plate and the side wall, the operation of the conveying sheet slides from the top plate to the side wall. When the sheet is switched to the dynamic state, the entire front end of the transport sheet moves along the curved surface formed by the rib which is the curved surface forming member while being bent. The rib may be a plurality of members each having a surface or a line forming a part of the curved surface.

Therefore, since the flexure of the conveying sheet when sliding on the top plate is not suddenly released inside the toner accommodating portion at the connecting portion between the top plate and the side wall, the conveying sheet slides on the top plate. Since the transition from the sliding to the side wall is performed smoothly, the conveyance sheet can be prevented from colliding with the side wall. Further, the conveying sheet may have no notch portion, and since the leading end of such a conveying sheet slides on the inner wall in contact with the toner, a sufficient amount of toner is stably held and conveyed. .

As described above, it is possible to suppress the generation of unpleasant noise due to the collision of the conveying sheet with the inner wall while maintaining the sufficient conveying ability of the toner.

[0016] According to the invention, a rib such as a curved surface forming member described above, by the end of the toner container interior side of the curved surface forming portion, a curved surface formed of the distal end of the transfer sheet Fewer points slide on the member. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the damage of the conveying sheet, the stress of the toner, and the sliding noise due to the sliding on the curved surface forming member as much as possible. Further, since the curved surface forming member is composed of a plurality of small members such as a plurality of ribs, it is easy to manufacture with a mold.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion is a curved surface-shaped end portion forming a part of the curved surface, It is characterized in that the corners of the end side in the separating direction of the terminal end are rounded.

According to the above invention, since the end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion is the curved surface end which forms a part of the curved surface, this is the curved surface forming portion, and the rib at the end is separated. Since the corners of the side edges in the direction are rounded, interference between the leading end of the conveying sheet and the ribs can be avoided. Accordingly, the movement of the leading end of the conveying sheet is smoothed and the resistance accompanying the movement is reduced, so that damage to the conveying sheet due to sliding on the curved surface forming member, toner stress, and sliding noise can be further suppressed.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner accommodating portion has a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the conveying sheet. It is a curved linear end to be formed, the end is rounded in the separating direction, and the rib is characterized in that a cross section cut perpendicularly to the end on the end side is a substantially triangular shape.

According to the above invention, since the end of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion is the curved line-shaped end that forms a part of the curved surface, this is the curved surface forming point, and the end is the rib separation. Since it is rounded in the direction, interference between the front end of the conveying sheet and the rib is avoided, and the sliding portion of the conveying sheet with respect to the rib is reduced. Therefore, the movement of the leading edge of the conveying sheet becomes smoother and the resistance accompanying the movement is further reduced, so that damage to the conveying sheet due to sliding on the curved surface forming member, toner stress, and sliding noise can be further suppressed. You can Further, by making the cross section of the rib substantially triangular, the durability of the mold for manufacturing the rib of this shape is improved, and mass production and cost reduction of the rib can be achieved.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the toner replenishing device of the present invention is such that the end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner accommodating portion has a portion of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the conveying sheet. It is a curved linear end to be formed, and the rib is characterized in that a cross section cut perpendicularly to the end on the end side has a substantially semicircular shape.

According to the above invention, since the end of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion is the curved line-shaped end which forms a part of the curved surface, this is the curved surface forming portion, and the rib has the above-mentioned cross section. Is substantially semi-circular, the end is rounded in the separating direction of the rib, so that interference between the leading end of the conveying sheet and the rib is avoided and the sliding portion of the conveying sheet with respect to the rib is reduced. . Therefore, the movement of the leading edge of the conveying sheet becomes smoother and the resistance accompanying the movement is further reduced, so that damage to the conveying sheet due to sliding on the curved surface forming member, toner stress, and sliding noise can be further suppressed. You can Further, since the rib has a substantially semicircular cross section, the durability of the die for manufacturing the rib having this shape is significantly improved, and mass production and cost reduction of the rib can be further enhanced.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the toner replenishing device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The toner replenishing device according to the present embodiment is provided in an electrophotographic device incorporated in a laser printer, a copying machine, a facsimile device, or the like, and replenishes toner to a developing device that develops a latent image formed on a photoconductor. Is. The constituent elements having the same functions as those of the toner hopper 51 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3A shows the structure of the toner hopper 1 as a toner replenishing device. The toner hopper 1 is shown in FIG.
This is a configuration in which ribs 2 ... Are added to the configuration of (a). Top 2
1 is flat in order to suppress the total height of the toner containing portion 11. The ribs 2 ... Are attached to the uppermost portion of the wall surface 22 of the toner containing portion 11 shown in FIG. The ribs 2 are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the stirring shaft 13a of the stirring member 13 (direction of arrow W in the figure) shown in FIG. 2B, and the separation direction is the thickness direction from the wall surface 22 to the inside of the toner container 11. It is a protruding plate-shaped member. The ribs 2 may be attached to the top plate 21 so as to project from the top plate 21 to the inside of the toner storage unit 11. When the top plate 21 is connected to the wall surface 22, all the end portions of the ribs 2 on the inner side of the toner containing portion 11 form a curved surface that smoothly connects the surface of the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22. ing. That is, the curved surface is configured such that a part thereof includes an end portion of the ribs 2 ... Although there are many curved surfaces including the ends of the ribs 2 on the inner side of the toner storage portion 11, the curved surface that smoothly connects the surface of the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22 may be approximately formed. Then, a part of the front end of the transport sheet 14 in the bent state slides on the curved surface forming portion of the ribs 2 so that the entire front end of the transport sheet 14 moves on the curved surface. . Therefore, rib 2 ...
The separating direction is also a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the transport sheet 14. In this way, the ribs 2 function as curved surface forming members.

The agitating member 13 and the conveying sheet 14 shown in FIG. 9B are the same as those shown in FIG. 9B.
Here, the transport sheet 14 is made of PET, for example, and has a thickness of 0.
It is 188 mm. Further, the length from the base end to the front end of the transport sheet 14, that is, the length in the direction orthogonal to the arrow W direction in the drawing is larger than the radius of rotation of the stirring member 13, and is outside the stirring region of the stirring member 13. The toner can also be held and supplied to the toner supply unit 12. This makes it possible to increase the capacity of the toner hopper 1 and effectively use the toner. The transport sheet 1
A plurality of sheets 4 may be provided to increase the amount of toner conveyed per unit time. FIG. 2 shows a view of the configuration of FIG. 2B arranged in the toner containing portion 11 as seen from above. The toner supply unit 12 has a sponge roller 12a.
Is rotatably driven about a rotation shaft 12b parallel to the stirring shaft 13a.
The toner supplied from the above is replenished to the developing device through the drop ports 12c provided at the bottom of the wall surface 23.

Next, the operation of the toner hopper 1 having the above-described structure at the time of toner replenishment is shown in FIGS. The operations of FIGS. 8A to 8D are similar to those of FIGS. 8A to 8D, but the operation of the transport sheet 14 is switched from sliding on the top plate 21 to sliding on the wall surface 22. Figure 3
In the transition from (e) to (f) in the figure, since the ribs 2 are provided on the inner side of the toner containing portion 11 at the connection portion between the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22, the conveying sheet 14 is bent. Still, the entire tip moves substantially on the curved surface formed by the ribs 2. In the same figure (a)-(f), the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the curved stirring shaft 13a is shown. The flexure of the transport sheet 14 in FIG. 6E is large, and the flexure is gradually released as the leading edge of the transport sheet 14 moves on the curved surface, and the flexure of FIG.

Therefore, the flexure of the conveying sheet 14 when sliding with respect to the top plate 21 is not suddenly released inside the toner accommodating portion 11 where the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22 are connected. Since the sliding of 14 on the top plate 21 to the sliding on the wall surface 22 is performed smoothly, the conveyance sheet 14 can be prevented from colliding with the wall surface 22. Further, since the conveying sheet 14 having no notch as described above slides on the inner wall in contact with the toner, a sufficient amount of toner is stably held and conveyed. As described above, it is possible to suppress the generation of unpleasant noise due to the collision with the inner wall of the transport sheet 14 while maintaining the sufficient transport capability of the toner.

Next, the shape of the end of the rib 2 ... FIG. 4A shows a case in which the end of the rib 2 on the inner side of the toner containing portion 11 is a curved end 2a forming a part of the curved surface. This figure is an example of a cross-sectional view cut perpendicularly to the ends 2a ..., and the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the ends 2a ... becomes substantially the same rectangular shape as the cross-section of the ribs 2 ... The ends 2a ... Have rounded corners on the sides of the ribs 2 in the separating direction. A curved surface-shaped end 2a forming a part of the curved surface is used as a curved surface forming point, and the end 2a ...
Since the edges of the ribs 2 ... In the separating direction are rounded, interference between the tip of the transport sheet 14 and the ribs 2 is avoided. Therefore, the movement of the leading end of the conveying sheet 14 is smoothed and the resistance accompanying the movement is reduced, so that the conveying sheet 14 is damaged by the sliding on the ribs 2, ...
And the sliding noise can be further suppressed.

Further, in FIG. 2B, the end of the rib 2 ... Inside the toner containing portion 11 forms a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the conveying sheet 14, and is a curved linear end. 2b ...
Is shown. The curved lines are like the curves on the inner side of the toner containing portion 11 of the ribs 2 ... Shown in FIGS. The cross section is taken in the same way as in FIG.
Are rounded in the direction in which the ribs 2 are separated, and the shape of the cross section on the end side of the ribs 2 is substantially triangular. The curved linear ends 2b, which form a part of the curved surface, are used as the curved surface forming portions, and the ends 2b are rounded in the direction in which the ribs 2 are separated from each other. The interference is avoided, and the sliding portion of the transport sheet 14 with respect to the ribs 2 is smaller than that in the case of FIG. Therefore, the movement of the leading end of the transport sheet 14 becomes smoother than in the case of FIG. 11A, and the resistance accompanying the movement is further reduced, so that the ribs 2 ...
It is possible to greatly suppress the damage of the conveying sheet 14 due to the sliding on the sheet, the stress of the toner, and the sliding noise.
Further, by making the above-mentioned cross section of the ribs 2 substantially triangular, the durability of the mold for manufacturing the ribs 2 having this shape can be improved, and mass production and cost reduction of the ribs 2 can be achieved.

Further, in FIG. 3C, the end of the rib 2 ... Inside the toner accommodating portion 11 forms a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the conveying sheet 14 and has a curved linear end 2c. …
In addition, a case is shown in which the cross section of the rib 2 cut perpendicularly to the end 2c on the side of the end has a substantially semicircular shape. The curved line-shaped ends 2c forming a part of the curved surface are used as the curved surface forming portions, and the above-mentioned cross section of the ribs 2 is formed into a substantially semi-circular shape. Therefore, interference between the leading end of the transport sheet 14 and the ribs 2 is avoided and the transport sheet 14 with respect to the ribs 2 is prevented.
As in the case of FIG. 7B, the sliding parts of the same are smaller than those of FIG. Therefore, the movement of the leading end of the transport sheet 14 becomes smoother than in the case of FIG. 9A, and the resistance accompanying the movement is further reduced. Damage to the transport sheet 14, toner stress, and sliding noise can be further suppressed. Further, since the rib 2 has a substantially semi-circular cross-section, the durability of the mold for manufacturing the rib of this shape is greatly increased, and the rib is further improved as compared with the case of FIG. Mass production and cost reduction can be further enhanced.

Terminals 2a ... 2 of FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c)
Each of b ... 2c ... approximately forms a curved surface that smoothly connects the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22 as described above. Therefore, when the distance between the ribs 2 is increased and the conveying sheet 14 is wavy between the ribs 2 and the leading edge does not move on an intended curved surface, the leading end portion 14b of the conveying sheet 14 is not necessary. It is preferable to set the spacing between the ribs 2 in accordance with the rigidity of the ribs.

In the above example, a plurality of spaced ribs 2 ... Are used as the curved surface forming member.
As shown in (a), the curved surface itself that smoothly connects the top plate 21 and the wall surface 22 may be one rib 3 having an end portion on the inner side of the toner containing portion 11. The rib 3 is attached to the uppermost portion of the wall surface 22 as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, although not shown, the top plate 21 is attached to the connection point side with the wall surface 22. This corresponds to a configuration in which the plurality of ribs 2 ... Are joined together in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the transport sheet 14. In this case, since the leading end of the transport sheet 14 moves accurately on the curved surface formed by the rib 3, the collision noise of the transport sheet 14 can be reliably avoided. However, when a plurality of ribs 2 ... Are used as the curved surface forming member, the sliding portion of the leading end of the transport sheet 14 with respect to the curved surface forming member is smaller than when the rib 3 is used. And the sliding noise can be suppressed as much as possible. Further, when the curved surface forming member is composed of a plurality of ribs 2, each of the ribs 2 is smaller, so that the manufacturing by the mold becomes easier.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the wall surface of the toner accommodating portion 11 has a substantially arcuate shape with the direction of the stirring shaft 13a (arrow direction W in FIG. 6 (b)) as an axis on the bottom side. The wall surface 22 'is preferably formed. In the toner containing portion 11 having the wall surface 22 ', as shown in FIG.
The stirring member 13 and the transport sheet 14 equivalent to those in (b) are arranged. 7 (a) to 7 (f) show the operation of the toner hopper 5 having this configuration during toner conveyance. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the leading edge of the transport sheet 14 smoothly moves along the substantially semi-cylindrical inner wall even when the toner is held and transported in the toner reservoir, so that the leading edge of the transport sheet 14 is not caught. The generation of sound due to, for example, is suppressed.
The operations of FIGS. 3C to 3F are the same as the operations of FIGS. 3D to 3F.

[0034]

As described above , in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, the conveying sheet has a notch portion at the leading end.
Without being provided, the top plate and the side wall
On the inside of the toner storage part at the connection point of
Curved surface formation that forms a curved surface that smoothly connects to the side wall surface
At least the leading edge of the above-mentioned transport sheet when the member is bent
Part of it also slides on the curved surface forming part of the curved surface forming member
Then, the entire tip is provided so as to move on the curved surface.
The curved surface forming member is a sliding member for the conveying sheet.
Separated in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction, thickness in the separated direction
As a direction, the toner is collected from the top plate or the side wall.
A plurality of plate-shaped ribs that project to the inside of the container.
Of the curved surface forming portion on the inner side of the toner container
The configuration is

Therefore, since the flexure of the conveying sheet when sliding on the top plate is not suddenly released inside the toner accommodating portion where the top plate and the side wall are connected, the conveying sheet slides on the top plate. Since the transition from the movement to the sliding on the side wall is smoothly performed, the conveyance sheet can be prevented from colliding with the side wall. Further, the conveying sheet may have no notch portion, and since the leading end of such a conveying sheet slides on the inner wall in contact with the toner, a sufficient amount of toner is stably held and conveyed. .

As described above, it is possible to suppress the generation of unpleasant noise due to the collision of the conveying sheet with the inner wall while maintaining the sufficient conveying ability of the toner.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, the curved surface forming members are spaced apart in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the conveying sheet, and the toner is stored from the top plate or the side wall with the separating direction as the thickness direction. It is a plurality of plate-shaped ribs projecting toward the inside of the sheet, and since the end of the rib on the inside of the toner containing portion is the curved surface forming portion, it slides on the curved surface forming member of the leading end of the conveying sheet. There are few places to do. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the conveying sheet due to sliding on the curved surface forming member, toner stress, and sliding noise as much as possible. Further, since the curved surface forming member is composed of a plurality of small members such as a plurality of ribs, there is an effect that manufacturing with a mold becomes easy.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, as described above, the end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion is
It is a curved end that forms a part of the curved surface, and the end of the end in the separating direction has a rounded corner.

Therefore, interference between the leading end of the conveying sheet and the ribs is avoided, the leading end of the conveying sheet moves smoothly, and the resistance accompanying the movement decreases. Therefore, the conveyance sheet is damaged due to sliding on the curved surface forming member, toner stress,
Also, the sliding noise can be further suppressed.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, as described above, the end portion of the rib inside the toner containing portion is
A curved linear end that forms a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the transport sheet, the end is rounded in the separating direction, and the rib is perpendicular to the end on the end side. The cross section cut into is substantially triangular.

Therefore, interference between the leading end of the conveying sheet and the ribs is avoided, and the sliding portion of the conveying sheet with respect to the ribs is reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the damage to the conveying sheet due to the sliding on the curved surface forming member, the stress of the toner, and the sliding noise can be further suppressed. Further, by making the cross section of the rib substantially triangular, the durability of the die for manufacturing the rib of this shape is improved, and the mass production and cost reduction of the rib can be achieved.

Further, in the toner replenishing device of the present invention, as described above, the end portion of the rib inside the toner containing portion is
It is a curved linear end that forms a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the conveying sheet, and the rib has a substantially semicircular cross section cut perpendicularly to the end on the end side. Is.

Therefore, interference between the leading end of the conveying sheet and the ribs is avoided and the sliding portion of the conveying sheet with respect to the ribs is reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the damage to the conveying sheet due to the sliding on the curved surface forming member, the stress of the toner, and the sliding noise can be further suppressed. In addition, since the rib has a substantially semicircular cross section, the durability of the mold for manufacturing the rib of this shape is greatly improved, and mass production and cost reduction of the rib can be further achieved. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are perspective schematic views showing a partial configuration of a toner replenishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner replenishing device having the configuration of FIG. 1 as seen from the upper surface side.

3 (a) to 3 (f) are step diagrams for explaining the operation of the toner replenishing device having the configuration of FIG. 1 during toner conveyance.

4A to 4C are cross-sectional views showing the shapes of ribs provided in the toner replenishing device having the configuration of FIG.

5A and 5B are perspective schematic views showing a partial configuration of a first modification of the toner replenishing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are perspective schematic views showing a partial configuration of a second modification of the toner replenishing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7A to 7F are step diagrams for explaining the operation of the toner replenishing device having the configuration of FIG. 6 during toner conveyance.

8A to 8F are step diagrams for explaining the operation of the conventional toner replenishing device during toner conveyance.

9A and 9B are perspective schematic views showing a partial configuration of a conventional toner replenishing device.

10A to 10D are plan views showing a configuration example of a part of FIG. 9B.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Toner hopper (toner supply device) 2 ribs (curved surface forming member) 2a Termination (curved surface formation point) 2b end (curved surface formation point) 2c Termination (curved surface formation point) 3 ribs (curved surface forming member) 5 Toner hopper (toner supply device) 11 Toner container 13 Stirring member 14 Transport sheet 21 Top plate 22 Wall surface (side wall) 22 'wall surface (side wall)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Tsutomu Nagata 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Corporation (72) Yoshiaki Sanada 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka Sharp Corporation (56) References JP-A-8-123178 (JP, A) JP-A-8-137370 (JP, A) JP-A-11-160980 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner in a container having a top plate, an agitating member which is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction to agitate the toner in the toner accommodating portion, and the agitating member connected to the agitating member. By rotating with the rotation of the member, at least the top plate of the toner accommodating portion, the side wall connected to the top plate, and the tip sliding in a bent state with respect to the inner wall in contact with the toner, In a toner replenishing device including a conveying sheet that holds toner and conveys the toner to a predetermined location, the conveying sheet does not have a cutout portion at the leading end.
Inside the toner accommodating portion at the connection between the top plate and the side wall.
The part that connects the top plate surface and the side wall surface smoothly
The curved surface forming member that forms the surface is in the bent state of the conveyance sheet.
At least a part of the tip of the curved surface is the curved surface of the curved surface forming member.
Sliding against the formation point, the entire tip is on the curved surface.
And the curved surface forming member is orthogonal to the sliding direction of the conveying sheet.
Are separated from each other in the thickness direction.
From the top plate or the side wall to the inside of the toner storage unit
A plurality of plate-shaped ribs that project,
-A toner replenishing device characterized in that an end portion on the inner side of the accommodating portion is the curved surface forming portion . 2. An end of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion.
Is a curved surface-shaped end forming a part of the curved surface,
Make sure that the corners of the end of the end in the separating direction are rounded.
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion.
Is a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the transport sheet.
Is a curved linear end that forms the
The ribs are rounded in the direction
Characterized by the cross section cut perpendicular to the edge being approximately triangular
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1. 4. An end portion of the rib on the inner side of the toner containing portion.
Is a part of the curved surface along the sliding direction of the transport sheet.
Is a curved linear end that forms the
The cross section cut perpendicular to the above end on the side should be approximately semicircular.
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein: