JP2014170024A - Developer storage body, developing device, image forming apparatus, pin structure, and method for processing pin structure - Google Patents

Abstract

By using a protrusion that can be changed into a non-protruding state in which at least a part is pushed into a recess, it is possible to save time, process easily, and reduce costs.
A developer container that accommodates a developer supplied to a developing device and can be attached to the developing device, a frame that can be opposed to a support of the developing device, and an outer surface of the frame A protrusion formed so as to protrude, a recess formed in the frame and formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion, and a connecting portion that connects the frame and the protrusion in a breakable manner. The projecting portion can be changed from a projecting state in which the connecting portion is not broken to a non-projecting state in which the connecting portion is broken and at least a part is pushed into the recess, and the projecting portion is in a projecting state or not projecting. If it is one of the states, it can be attached to the developing device, and if it is the other, it cannot be attached to the developing device.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, a pin structure, and a processing method of the pin structure.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that develops and visualizes a latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier with toner, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an image recording apparatus, a printer, and a facsimile machine, stores toner. A developing device to which a removable toner storage container is attached is used. In such a developing device, a frame is mounted on the fixed portion in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the toner storage container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-72984

  However, in the conventional developing apparatus, it is necessary to place and mount the frames at the correct positions according to the arrangement for preventing erroneous mounting, which is troublesome. In addition, there is a problem in that costs are required to use a separate piece.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and uses a protrusion that can be changed into a non-protruding state in which at least a part is pushed into the recess, so that labor is not required, processing is easy, and cost is reduced. It is an object to provide a developer container, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, a pin structure, and a processing method of the pin structure that can be lowered.

  Therefore, in the developer container of the present invention, the developer supplied to the developing device is housed in the developer container, and the developer container can be attached to the developing device, and is opposed to the support of the developer device. A possible frame, a protrusion formed so as to protrude from an outer surface of the frame, a recess formed in the frame and corresponding to the protrusion, and the frame A connecting portion that connects the body and the protruding portion in a breakable manner, and the protruding portion is broken from the protruding state where the connecting portion is not broken, and at least part of the protruding portion is pushed into the concave portion. It can be changed to a non-protruding state, and can be attached to the developing device when the projecting portion is in the projecting state or the non-projecting state, and cannot be attached to the developing device in the other case. .

  According to the present invention, the projecting portion can be changed to a non-projecting state in which at least a part is pushed into the recess. Thereby, it is only necessary to selectively push the protrusion into the recess, so that it does not take time, processing is easy, and cost can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pin in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its surrounding structure, Comprising: It is AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the pin in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and an other party pin, Comprising: It is BB arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is a figure which shows the change of the load provided to a pin when pressing the pin in the recessed part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a toner cartridge according to a comparative example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a toner cartridge in which some of the pins according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention are changed to a non-projecting state. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the pin in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and its surrounding structure, Comprising: It is CC sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a perspective view of a section showing the pin in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention, and its peripheral structure. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure around the pin in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the periphery of a pin in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the developing device provided in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a printer as an image forming apparatus, which includes an image drum unit 20 as a developing device and a fixing device 32 as a fixing device. The image drum unit 20 forms a toner image as a developer image on the medium, and the fixing device 32 fixes the toner image on the medium. The image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, etc., and forms a monochrome or color image on a medium such as a printing paper, an envelope, an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet, or roll paper by an electrophotographic method. Any type of device may be used as long as it is a device that can be used. However, the description here assumes that the printer 10 forms a color image. In this case, the image drum units 20 corresponding to the respective colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are sequentially arranged along the medium transport direction (left direction in FIG. 3). Arranged.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a medium storage unit disposed in the lower part of the main body of the printer 10, and the medium storage unit 35 includes a medium cassette for storing a single-cut (cut sheet) -shaped medium. The medium is fed one by one from the medium cassette by a hopping roller 36 as a medium feeding member, sent to the medium conveyance path, sent to the registration roller, and once stopped (only) by the registration roller in a stopped state. Be made. The registration roller detects the leading end of the medium in the advancing direction, once stops the medium, and then sends out the medium in accordance with the image formation timing of the image drum unit 20.

  Subsequently, when the registration roller is rotated, the medium is sent to the conveyance belt of the transfer belt unit 31. The medium sent to the transport belt is given an electrostatic charge by an attracting device (not shown), and is attracted to the transport belt by electrostatic force, and then transported by the transport belt. Meanwhile, in the image drum unit 20, an electrostatic latent image formed by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head 34 as an exposure device on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 as an electrostatic latent image carrier is developed by the image drum unit 20. , Black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed.

  Then, the black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to the medium by the electrostatic force of the transfer roller to form a color toner image. The medium on which the color toner image has been transferred is then sent to the fixing device 32 and passes between the heating roller and the pressure roller of the fixing device 32, while the color toner image is fixed on the medium. A color image is recorded. The medium on which the color image is recorded is conveyed by a discharge roller 33 as a medium discharge member, and is discharged onto a stacker formed on the upper part of the printer 10 main body.

  Each of the image drum units 20 includes a developing device 21 and a toner cartridge 12 as a developer container that can be attached to the developing device 21. The developing unit 21 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 13 as a charging device that uniformly and uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 11, and a developer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. A developing roller 14 serving as a toner carrying member that supplies toner and develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 formed by the LED head 34 to form a toner image of each color, and a toner storage that stores the toner A toner supply roller 15 for supplying toner in the toner storage chamber 22 to the developing roller 14, a developing blade 16 as a toner layer regulating member for uniformly thinning the toner on the developing roller 14, and a photosensitive member. And a cleaning blade 17 as a toner removing member for removing unnecessary toner remaining on the surface of the body drum 11.

  Further, the toner cartridge 12 has an outer cartridge 41 as a main body portion, and is a container for storing toner therein, and discharges toner provided on a cylindrical side wall or bottom wall in the lower part thereof. A toner supply port 42 is formed as an opening. Then, in the toner cartridge 12, a shutter 43 having a substantially cylindrical shape is rotatably accommodated, and when a toner opening formed in the cylindrical side wall of the shutter 43 coincides with the toner supply port 42, The toner stored in the toner cartridge 12 falls through the toner supply port 42 and is supplied to the toner storage chamber 22.

  Next, the mounting of the toner cartridge 12 to the developing device 21 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a pin and its peripheral structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the developing device in the first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6 is a toner in the developing device in the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the relationship between the pin and the counterpart pin in the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating the process of pushing the pin, and in FIG. 7, (a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating examples of the relationship between the pin and the counterpart pin.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 12 is viewed obliquely from below. The toner supply port 42 is formed at the bottom of the outer cartridge 41, and inside the toner supply port 42 that is open. It is clearly shown that a shutter 43 as a supply port opening / closing member for opening and closing the toner supply port 42 is provided.

  In addition, a side plate 44 as a base body, which is a frame that closes the one end, is attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 12. The side plate 44 is, for example, an injection molded product made of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin.

  Further, the side plate 44 includes a pin structure. The pin structure includes a pin 45 as a protrusion formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44, and a recess 46 formed in the side plate 44 at a position corresponding to the pin 45. And a connecting portion 47 that connects the side plate 44 and the pin 45 in a breakable manner.

  Specifically, a plurality of pins 45 as first pins formed integrally with the side plate 44 are arranged at a plurality of locations on the side plate 44. The pin 45 functions as an erroneous attachment preventing member in cooperation with a pin 55 as a second pin disposed on a plate 54 as a base that is a support of the developing device 21.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the developing device 21 is viewed obliquely from above. A plate 54 extending upward as a toner cartridge mounting member is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 21. Is clearly shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 54 is configured to face the side plate 44 of the toner cartridge 12 in a state where the toner cartridge 12 is mounted on the developing device 21.

  Further, a pin 55 as a second pin, which is a protrusion, is integrally formed on a surface of the plate 54 facing the side plate 44, that is, on the outer surface 54a, at a portion facing the pin 45 of the side plate 44. A plurality of molded parts are arranged. The pin 55 functions as a counterpart pin of the pin 45 of the side plate 44, that is, as a counterpart projection, and functions as an erroneous attachment preventing member in cooperation with the pin 45.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the pin 45 is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44. A recess 46 is formed at a position corresponding to the back side of the pin 45 in the side plate 44. Further, the periphery of the root portion 45 b of the pin 45 is connected to the side plate 44 through a thin connection portion 47. Since the connecting portion 47 is located at the boundary between the pin 45 and the recess 46, it can be said that it is a connecting portion between the pin 45 and the recess 46.

  And the thickness of the connection part 47 regarding the axial direction (up-down direction in Fig.2 (a)) of the pin 45 is t. Here, if the diameter of the root portion 45b of the pin 45 (the lower end portion in FIG. 2A) is φa and the diameter of the bottom portion 46b of the concave portion 46 (the upper end portion in FIG. 2A) is φb, then φa> φb. There is a relationship. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the height of the pin 45 is 5.5 [mm], the thickness of the side plate 44 is 5.5 [mm], and the thickness t of the connecting portion 47 is 0. 5 [mm], the diameter φa of the base 45b of the pin 45 is 3.19 [mm], and the diameter φb of the bottom 46b of the recess 46 is 3.12 [mm]. It is only an example and can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the example shown in the figure, the pin 45 is a solid cylindrical member protruding from the side plate 44 and has a straight shape from the root to the tip. That is, the diameter is constant from the root portion 45b to the tip portion 45a. The recess 46 is a cylindrical space formed in the side plate 44, that is, a hole, and has a straight shape from the hole bottom to the hole entrance. That is, the diameter is constant from the bottom 46b to the inlet 46a.

  In addition, since both the pin 45 and the recessed part 46 are formed by injection molding, in order to make it easy to remove | deviate from a metal mold | die, it may be attached with a slight draft (gradient) arrangement. That is, the taper shape may be such that the diameter slightly decreases from the root portion 45b toward the tip portion 45a and from the inlet portion 46a toward the bottom portion 46b.

  Since the connecting portion 47 is thin, by applying a force as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2B, that is, a load, to the pin 45, the connecting portion 47 is broken and the pin 45 is recessed into the recess 46. It can be pressed into, ie pushed in. Thereby, the desired pin 45 is selectively moved, that is, displaced, and the surface of the tip 45a of the pin 45 is substantially the same as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, as shown in FIG. It can be in a state where it is pushed into the recess 46 so as to be at a height, that is, a non-projecting state. Moreover, the pin 45 which was not pushed in maintains a protrusion state, as FIG. 2 (a) shows.

  The pin 55 as a pin structure formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 54a of the plate 54 has the same structure as that of the pin 45 as shown in FIG. . That is, the pin 55 can be selectively brought into a non-projecting state by pushing the desired pin 55.

  Accordingly, the toner cartridge 12 is inappropriate by appropriately selecting the projecting state and the non-projecting state of the pin 45 and making the pin 55, which is the counterpart protrusion, into the non-projecting state and the projecting state so as to correspond to this. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of so-called erroneous mounting that is mounted on the developing device 21.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the protruding state and the non-projecting state of a plurality of pins (four in the example shown in the figure) and the non-projecting state are appropriately selected, and a plurality (shown in the drawing) In the example, the non-projecting state and the projecting state of the four pins 55 can be made to correspond.

  Here, it is assumed that each of the examples shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D is applied to each of the image drum units 20 corresponding to the respective colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. Then, when the toner cartridge 12 containing the same color toner is attached to the developing device 21 corresponding to each color, the non-projecting pin 55 corresponds to the projecting pin 45 and projects to the non-projecting pin 45. Therefore, the protruding pin 45 and the protruding pin 55 do not interfere with each other, the side plate 44 can be brought close to the plate 54, and the toner cartridge 12 can be mounted on the developing device 21. I understand. However, if the toner cartridge 12 containing different color toners is to be attached to the developing device 21 corresponding to each color, that is, if an erroneous attachment is likely to occur, the protruding pin 45 and the protruding pin 55 interfere with each other. As a result, the side plate 44 cannot be brought close to the plate 54, and the toner cartridge 12 cannot be mounted on the developing device 21, so that it is understood that the erroneous mounting is prevented.

  Next, a method for processing the pin 45, that is, a method for changing the pin 45 from a protruding state to a non-projecting state will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a change in load applied to the pin when the pin is press-fitted into the recess according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an external configuration of the toner cartridge in the comparative example of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a toner cartridge in which some pins in the first embodiment of the present invention are changed to a non-projecting state.

  When the pin 45 is changed from the projecting state to the non-projecting state, for example, an axial load as indicated by an arrow in FIG. As a result, the connecting portion 47 is broken, and the pin 45 is displaced downward in the drawing and pushed into the recess 46. Then, the application of the load is continued, and the pin 45 is recessed 46 until the surface of the tip 45a of the pin 45 becomes substantially the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, as shown in FIG. Push in. In this case, since the relationship is φa> φb, the pin 45 is fixed in a state of being press-fitted into the recess 46.

  FIG. 8 shows the load applied to the pin 45 measured when the inventor of the present invention actually carried out the press fitting of the pin 45 into the recess 46 and the downward displacement of the pin 45 in the figure. A graph showing the relationship is shown. For the measurement of the load and displacement, a tensile / compression tester was used, and the test speed, that is, the downward displacement speed of the member that applies the downward load to the pin 45 was set to 1 [mm / s].

  As can be seen from the graph shown in FIG. 8, the load necessary to break the connecting portion 47 is the peak value of the graph, which is about 35 [kgf]. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the pin 45 is pushed into the recess 46 until the surface of the tip 45 a of the pin 45 becomes almost the same height as the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44. The load was a value with which the graph was almost flat, and was about 6 [kgf].

  That is, it was found that a load of about 6 [kgf] is required to displace the pin 45 pushed into the recess 46. From this, it can be said that the pin 45 once pushed into the recess 46 is firmly held, so that it does not easily come out of the recess 46 and come off. Further, the toner in the toner cartridge 12 does not leak from between the pin 45 and the recess 46. If the force for holding the pin 45 pushed into the recess 46 needs to be further increased, the value of φa−φb may be set large. That is, the diameter φa of the root portion 45 b of the pin 45 may be made larger than the diameter φb of the bottom portion 46 b of the recess 46.

  Here, only the example in which the pin 45 is pushed into the recess 46 until the surface of the tip portion 45a of the pin 45 reaches substantially the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44 has been described. It is not necessary for the surface of the tip 45a to be approximately the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44. That is, the non-protruding state includes all portions including at least the root portion 45b of the pin 45, that is, a state where at least a part of the pin 45 is pushed into the recess 46, and the tip 45a of the pin 45 is The surface may protrude from the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44 to the outside, or the surface of the tip 45a of the pin 45 may be recessed into the recess 46 rather than the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44. Also good.

  By the way, as described in the section “Background Art”, an example in which a piece is mounted on a fixed portion in order to prevent erroneous mounting of a toner storage container is conventionally known. For example, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, an L-shaped block 48, which is a frame, is attached to a mounting portion 49 of a toner cartridge, which is a toner storage container. The block 48 includes a convex portion 48a and a flat portion 48b. When the block 48 is attached to the attachment portion 49, the convex portion 48a protrudes from the side plate of the toner cartridge. That is, in the block 48 attached to the mounting portion 49, the convex portion 48a corresponds to the protruding state of the pin 45 in the present embodiment, and the flat portion 48b corresponds to the non-projecting state of the pin 45 in the present embodiment. It can be said that.

  The block 48 can be attached to the mounting portion 49 by arbitrarily reversing left and right. That is, even if the convex portion 48a is positioned on the right side and the flat portion 48b is positioned on the left side, the convex portion 48a is positioned on the left side, and the flat portion 48b is positioned on the right side. Can be installed. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, the two blocks 48 are mounted side by side, so that there are 2 × 2 = 4 combinations of projections and depressions composed of the projections 48a and the flat portions 48b. Therefore, by selecting the posture of the block 48 and attaching it to the mounting portion 49 so as to be a combination of unevenness corresponding to the unevenness formed on the plate of the developing device (not shown), the toner cartridge for the developing device is mounted. Mismounting can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, by selectively pushing the pin 45 into the non-projecting state, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a combination method of the projecting state and the non-projecting state of the pin 45 That is, the method for combining the unevenness is determined. Therefore, unlike the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, it is not necessary to mount the block 48 on the mounting portion 49 while controlling the posture of the block 48, so that it is easy to realize the combination of unevenness without taking time and effort. can do.

  In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use a separate member such as the block 48, so that the cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when four pins 45 are arranged side by side, a method of combining the protruding state and the non-projecting state of the pin 45, that is, the unevenness There are 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16 combinations. Therefore, it is possible to realize far more types of combinations of unevenness than in the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, and it is possible to prevent erroneous mounting over a very wide range.

  In addition, the pin 45 in this Embodiment can be used even in the state pushed in halfway. In other words, it is used even in a half-projected state in which the pin 45 is pushed in half so that the surface of the tip 45a is at a substantially intermediate position between the position shown in FIG. 2 (b) and the position shown in FIG. 2 (c). can do. Such a semi-projection state is one form of the non-projection state of the pin 45, and the state where the surface of the tip 45a is almost the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44 is the other state of the non-projection state of the pin 45. If it is identified as a form, it is possible to realize a larger number of combinations of unevenness.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the side plate 44 of the toner cartridge 12 is provided with the pin 45 protruding from the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, and on the back side of the pin 45 in the side plate 44. A recess 46 is formed at a corresponding position. The pin 45 can be selectively pushed into the recess 46.

  Accordingly, it is possible to easily realize a structure that prevents the toner cartridge 12 from being erroneously attached to the developing device 21 only by selectively pushing the pin 45 into the recess 46 without taking time and effort. Further, since it is not necessary to use another part such as the block 48, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, many types of patterns can be realized as a combination pattern of unevenness that is a structure that prevents erroneous mounting.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about what has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a pin and its peripheral structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cross-section showing the pin and the surrounding structure in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, (a) to (c) are diagrams showing a process of pushing the pin.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge 12 according to the present embodiment is viewed obliquely from below. As in the first embodiment, the side plate attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 12. A plurality of pins 45 are arranged at a plurality of locations 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 13, the pin 45 as the protrusion is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44. A recess 46 is formed at a position corresponding to the back side of the pin 45 in the side plate 44. Further, the pin 45 is connected to the side plate 44 through a thin connection portion 47. And the thickness of the connection part 47 regarding the axial direction (up-down direction in Fig.12 (a)) of the pin 45 is t. Further, assuming that the diameter of the base portion 45b of the pin 45 is φa and the diameter of the bottom portion 46b of the recess 46 is φb, the relationship is φa> φb.

  The pin 45 is a cylindrical solid member protruding from the side plate 44, and has a straight shape from the root to the tip, as in the first embodiment. That is, the diameter is constant from the root portion 45b to the tip portion 45a.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the recess 46 is a cylindrical space formed in the side plate 44, that is, a hole, which has a straight shape from the hole entrance to the front of the hole bottom. A (base) base 61 is formed. That is, a circular truncated cone part 61 including a conical surface 61a whose diameter is constant from the inlet part 46a to the front of the bottom part 46b but whose diameter decreases toward the back is formed on the bottom part 46b.

  In addition, since both the pin 45 and the recessed part 46 are formed by injection molding, a slight draft may be attached to each straight-shaped part.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the processing method of the pin 45 in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  When the pin 45 is changed from the projecting state to the non-projecting state, for example, a load as shown by an arrow in FIG. As a result, the connecting portion 47 is broken, and the pin 45 is displaced downward in the drawing and pushed into the recess 46.

  At this time, the truncated cone part 61 formed on the bottom part 46 b of the recess 46 becomes the lower end part of the pin 45, and when the lower end part of the pin 45 starts to enter the recess 46, it is inclined toward the central axis of the recess 46. The periphery of the conical surface 61a, which is an inclined surface, is deformed inward, and this deformed portion is guided into the recess 46, so that the pin 45 can easily start to enter the recess 46. In the first embodiment, since the bottom 46b of the recess 46 is flat, the pin 45 is likely to wobble and tilt, making it difficult to enter the pin 45 into the recess 46.

  Then, the application of the load is continued, and the pin 45 is recessed 46 until the surface of the tip 45a of the pin 45 becomes substantially the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, as shown in FIG. Push in. In this case, since the relationship is φa> φb, the pin 45 is fixed in a state of being press-fitted into the recess 46. As in the first embodiment, since the pin 45 is firmly held in the recess 46, it does not easily come out of the recess 46 and come off. Further, the toner in the toner cartridge 12 does not leak from between the pin 45 and the recess 46.

  Since other points in the method for processing the pin 45 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the truncated cone part 61 is formed on the bottom 46b of the recess 46, so that the truncated cone part 61 Since the periphery of the conical surface 61a is deformed inward to be guided, the effect of the pin 45 entering the recess 46 is easily started.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st and 2nd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operations and effects as those of the first and second embodiments is also omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the pins in the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the figure, (a)-(c) is a figure which shows the process of the operation | movement which pushes in a pin.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the pin 45 as the pin structure is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44. A recess 46 is formed at a position corresponding to the back side of the pin 45 in the side plate 44. Further, the pin 45 is connected to the side plate 44 through a thin connection portion 47. And the thickness of the connection part 47 regarding the axial direction (up-down direction in Fig.14 (a)) of the pin 45 is t. Further, assuming that the diameter of the base portion 45b of the pin 45 is φa and the diameter of the bottom portion 46b of the recess 46 is φb, the relationship is φa> φb.

  The pin 45 is a cylindrical solid member protruding from the side plate 44, and has a straight shape from the root to the tip, as in the first embodiment. That is, the diameter is constant from the root portion 45b to the tip portion 45a. The recess 46 is a cylindrical space formed in the side plate 44, that is, a hole, and has a straight shape from the hole bottom to the hole entrance. That is, the diameter is constant from the bottom 46b to the inlet 46a.

  In addition, since both the pin 45 and the recessed part 46 are formed by injection molding, a slight draft may be attached to each straight-shaped part.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, a V-groove 71 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the root portion 45b of the pin 45. The V-groove 71 is a V-shaped groove formed at a boundary portion between the root portion 45b of the pin 45 and the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, and is an inclined surface 72 that is inclined outward from the root portion 45b. The cross section defined by the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the pin 45 is a V-shaped groove.

  Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the processing method of the pin 45 in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  When the pin 45 is changed from the projecting state to the non-projecting state, for example, a load as shown by an arrow in FIG. At this time, stress concentrates on the tip of the V-groove 71 formed on the outer periphery of the root portion 45b of the pin 45, and this is the starting point, and the connecting portion 47 is broken. Then, the pin 45 is displaced downward in the drawing and pushed into the recess 46.

  Further, the application of the load is continued, and the pin 45 is recessed 46 until the surface of the tip portion 45a of the pin 45 becomes substantially the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, as shown in FIG. Push in. In this case, since the relationship is φa> φb, the pin 45 is fixed in a state of being press-fitted into the recess 46. As in the first embodiment, since the pin 45 is firmly held in the recess 46, it does not easily come out of the recess 46 and come off. Further, the toner in the toner cartridge 12 does not leak from between the pin 45 and the recess 46.

  Since other points in the method for processing the pin 45 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, since the V groove 71 is formed on the outer periphery of the root portion 45b of the pin 45, stress is concentrated. Since the force distribution is suppressed, the connection portion 47 can be broken and the pin 45 can be easily pushed into the recess 46 without applying an unnecessarily large load to the tip portion 45a of the pin 45. Also has the effect of.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-3rd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operations and effects as those of the first to third embodiments is also omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure around a pin in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the figure, (a)-(c) is a figure which shows the process of the operation | movement which pushes in a pin.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the pin 45 as the pin structure is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface 44 a of the side plate 44. A recess 46 is formed at a position corresponding to the back side of the pin 45 in the side plate 44. Further, the pin 45 is connected to the side plate 44 through a thin connection portion 47. And the thickness of the connection part 47 regarding the axial direction (up-down direction in Fig.15 (a)) of the pin 45 is t. Further, assuming that the diameter of the base portion 45b of the pin 45 is φa and the diameter of the bottom portion 46b of the recess 46 is φb, the relationship is φa> φb.

  The pin 45 is a cylindrical solid member protruding from the side plate 44, and has a straight shape from the root to the tip, as in the first embodiment. That is, the diameter is constant from the root portion 45b to the tip portion 45a. The recess 46 is a cylindrical space formed in the side plate 44, that is, a hole, and has a straight shape from the hole bottom to the hole entrance. That is, the diameter is constant from the bottom 46b to the inlet 46a.

  In addition, since both the pin 45 and the recessed part 46 are formed by injection molding, a slight draft may be attached to each straight-shaped part.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, in this embodiment, a V-groove 71 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the root portion 45b of the pin 45, as in the third embodiment. Yes. The V-groove 71 is a V-shaped groove formed at a boundary portion between the root portion 45b of the pin 45 and the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, and is an inclined surface 72 that is inclined outward from the root portion 45b. The cross section defined by the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the pin 45 is a V-shaped groove.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a V-groove 81 is formed so as to surround the bottom 46b of the recess 46. The V-groove 81 is a V-shaped groove formed at the boundary portion between the straight cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the recess 46 and the bottom 46b of the recess 46, and is inclined inward from the bottom 46b. A cross section defined by the inclined surface 82 and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the recess 46 is a V-shaped groove.

  Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the processing method of the pin 45 in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  When the pin 45 is changed from the projecting state to the non-projecting state, for example, a load as shown by an arrow in FIG. At this time, stress concentrates on the tip of the V-groove 71 formed on the outer periphery of the root 45b of the pin 45 and the tip of the V-groove 81 formed on the periphery of the bottom 46b of the recess 46. Thus, the connecting portion 47 is broken. A force acts in a direction along a straight line connecting the tip of the V-groove 71 and the tip of the V-groove 81, that is, toward the center of the recess 46, so that the force immediately after the break pushes the pin 45 as it is. The pin 45 is smoothly displaced downward in the figure and pushed into the recess 46. In the third embodiment, since the bottom 46 b of the recess 46 is flat, the pin 45 is likely to wobble and tilt, making it difficult to push the pin 45 into the recess 46.

  Further, the application of the load is continued, and the pin 45 is recessed 46 until the surface of the tip 45a of the pin 45 becomes substantially the same height as the outer surface 44a of the side plate 44, as shown in FIG. Push in. In this case, since the relationship is φa> φb, the pin 45 is fixed in a state of being press-fitted into the recess 46. As in the first embodiment, since the pin 45 is firmly held in the recess 46, it does not easily come out of the recess 46 and come off. Further, the toner in the toner cartridge 12 does not leak from between the pin 45 and the recess 46.

  Since other points in the method for processing the pin 45 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the V groove 71 is formed on the outer periphery of the root portion 45b of the pin 45, and the bottom portion of the recess 46 is further formed. Since the V-groove 81 is formed on the peripheral edge of the pin 46b, stress is concentrated and force dispersion is suppressed. Therefore, the connecting portion can be easily connected without applying an unnecessarily large load to the tip 45a of the pin 45. 47 can be broken, and when the connecting portion 47 is broken, a force toward the center of the concave portion 46 acts, so that the pin 45 can be easily pushed into the concave portion 46. .

  In the first to fourth embodiments, only the case where the image forming apparatus is a printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a printer, and a copier, a facsimile machine, and a combination thereof. The present invention can also be applied to a multifunction machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a developer container, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, a pin structure, and a processing method of the pin structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 12 Toner cartridge 20 Image drum unit 21 Developer 44 Side plate 44a, 54a Outer surface 45, 55 Pin 45a Tip part 45b Root part 46 Recess 46b Bottom part 47 Connection part 54 Plate 61 Frustum part 61a Conical surface 71, 81 V groove 72 82 inclined surface

Claims (12)

A developer container that accommodates the developer supplied to the developing device and is attachable to the developing device,
A frame that can be opposed to the support of the developing device, a protrusion formed so as to protrude from an outer surface of the frame, and a recess formed in the frame that corresponds to the protrusion. A formed recess, and a connecting portion that connects the frame body and the projecting portion in a breakable manner,
The projecting portion can be changed from a projecting state in which the connecting portion is not broken, to a non-projecting state in which the connecting portion is broken and at least a part is pushed into the recess,
A developer container, wherein when the protruding portion is in one of a protruding state or a non-projecting state, it can be attached to the developing device, and when it is the other, it cannot be attached to the developing device. The connecting portion is connected to the frame body around the base portion of the protrusion, and is located at the boundary between the base portion of the protrusion and the bottom of the recess,
The diameter of the base of the protrusion is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the recess,
2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein in the non-projecting state, a portion including at least a root portion of the protrusion is held in the recess. A developing device comprising: a developing device; and a developer container that houses therein a developer supplied to the developing device and is attachable to the developing device,
The developing device includes a support,
The developer container includes a frame that can face the support, a protrusion formed so as to protrude from an outer surface of the frame, a recess formed in the frame, and the protrusion. A concave portion formed at a corresponding position; and a connecting portion that connects the frame body and the projecting portion in a breakable manner,
The projecting portion can be changed from a projecting state in which the connecting portion is not broken, to a non-projecting state in which the connecting portion is broken and at least a part is pushed into the recess,
The developer container can be attached to the developing device when the protruding portion is in one of the protruding state or the non-projecting state, and cannot be attached to the developing device when the other is the other. Developing device. The connecting portion is connected to the frame body around the base portion of the protrusion, and is located at the boundary between the base portion of the protrusion and the bottom of the recess,
The diameter of the base of the protrusion is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the recess,
The developing device according to claim 3, wherein in the non-projecting state, a portion including at least the root portion of the protrusion is held in the recess. The support includes a counterpart protrusion formed to protrude from the outer surface of the support at a position facing the protrusion.
5. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the counterpart protrusion is changeable from a protruding state protruding from the outer surface to a non-projecting state in which at least a part is pushed into the support body. 6.   An image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device according to claim 3. A protrusion formed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the base, a recess formed in the base and formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion, and the base and the protrusion can be broken. A connecting portion to be connected,
The projecting portion can be changed from a projecting state in which the connecting portion is not broken to a non-projecting state in which the connecting portion is broken and at least a part is pushed into the recess. body. The connecting portion is connected to the frame body around the base portion of the protrusion, and is located at the boundary between the base portion of the protrusion and the bottom of the recess,
The diameter of the base of the protrusion is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the recess,
The pin structure according to claim 7, wherein in the non-projecting state, a portion including at least the root portion of the projecting portion is held in the concave portion.   The pin structure according to claim 8, wherein a truncated cone portion including a conical surface inclined toward the central axis is formed at a bottom portion of the concave portion.   A groove having a V-shaped cross section defined by an inclined surface inclined outward from the base portion and an outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion is formed around the base portion of the protrusion portion. 9. The pin structure according to 8.   11. A groove having a V-shaped cross section defined by an inclined surface inclined inward from the bottom and an inner peripheral surface of the recess is formed around the bottom of the recess. Pin structure. A protrusion formed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the base, a recess formed in the base and formed at a position corresponding to the protrusion, and the base and the protrusion can be broken. A method for processing a pin structure including a connecting portion to be connected,
Breaking the connecting portion by applying a load directed in the direction of the concave portion to the tip of the protruding portion in a protruding state protruding from the outer surface;
Continuing the application of the load, and bringing the protrusion into a non-projecting state in which at least a part is pushed into the support body.

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