# US 12,216,418 B2 · Powder conveyance device and image forming apparatus including a conveyor and first and second conveyance tubes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,418 B2 - Document ID: US12216418B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/379,185 - Filed: 2023-10-12 - Published: 2024-04-18 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-10-14 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Applicants: Naohiro Kawashima; Kei Saito - Inventors: Naohiro Kawashima; Kei Saito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216418B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0891: {for conveying or circulating developer, e.g. augers} - G03G 15/0879: {for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit} - G03G 21/105: {Arrangements for conveying toner waste} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A powder conveyance device includes a conveyor that rotates in a rotation direction to convey powder and a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor. A second conveyance tube extends in an angled direction that is angled with respect to the first conveyance tube. The second conveyance tube communicates with the first conveyance tube. A swing member is disposed inside the second conveyance tube. The swing member swings in accordance with rotation of the conveyor. The swing member has one end that is detachably attached to the conveyor. The one end is detached from the conveyor in a detaching direction. A restrictor is disposed inside one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube. The restrictor restricts motion of the swing member in the detaching direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powder conveyance device comprising: a conveyor to rotate in a rotation direction to convey powder; a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor; a second conveyance tube extending in an angled direction that is angled with respect to the first conveyance tube, the second conveyance tube communicating with the first conveyance tube; a swing member disposed inside the second conveyance tube, the swing member to swing in accordance with rotation of the conveyor, the swing member having one end that is detachably attached to the conveyor, the one end to be detached from the conveyor in a detaching direction; and a restrictor disposed inside one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube, the restrictor to restrict motion of the swing member in the detaching direction, wherein the restrictor does not contact the swing member that swings and the conveyor that rotates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein: the conveyor includes a shaft, and the swing member includes a hook disposed at the one end of the swing member, the hook to engage the shaft of the conveyor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The powder conveyance device according to claim 2, wherein; the restrictor includes a projection disposed opposite the hook, and the one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube includes an inner wall from which the projection projects toward the hook. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The powder conveyance device according to claim 3, wherein; the hook, the shaft of the conveyor, and the projection define a relation of A>B, where A represents an engagement margin for which the hook engages the shaft of the conveyor and B represents a clearance between the projection and the shaft of the conveyor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The powder conveyance device according to claim 3, wherein; the hook and the projection define a relation of C/2>D, where C represents an inner diameter of the hook and D represents a distance between the hook and the projection. ### Claim 6 A powder conveyance device, comprising: a conveyor to rotate in a rotation direction to convey powder; a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor; a second conveyance tube extending in an angled direction that is angled with respect to the first conveyance tube, the second conveyance tube communicating with the first conveyance tube; a swing member disposed inside the second conveyance tube, the swing member to swing in accordance with rotation of the conveyor, the swing member having one end that is detachably attached to the conveyor, the one end to be detached from the conveyor in a detaching direction; and a restrictor disposed inside one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube, the restrictor to restrict motion of the swing member in the detaching direction, wherein: the conveyor includes a shaft, the swing member includes a hook disposed at the one end of the swing member, the hook to engage the shaft of the conveyor, the shaft of the conveyor includes: a shaft portion; and an eccentric portion having a shaft center that is eccentric with respect to a shaft center of the shaft portion, and the hook engages the eccentric portion loosely. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The powder conveyance device according to claim 6, wherein: the conveyor further includes a plurality of increased diameter portions between which the eccentric portion is interposed, and each of the increased diameter portions has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the eccentric portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein: the restrictor is detachably attached to the one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube. ### Claim 9 A powder conveyance device, comprising: a conveyor to rotate in a rotation direction to convey powder; a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor; a second conveyance tube extending in an angled direction that is angled with respect to the first conveyance tube, the second conveyance tube communicating with the first conveyance tube; a swing member disposed inside the second conveyance tube, the swing member to swing in accordance with rotation of the conveyor, the swing member having one end that is detachably attached to the conveyor, the one end to be detached from the conveyor in a detaching direction; and a restrictor disposed inside one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube, the restrictor to restrict motion of the swing member in the detaching direction, wherein the restrictor is detachably attached to the one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube, the powder conveyance device further comprising a cover mounting the restrictor, wherein the first conveyance tube has a through-hole covered by the cover, and wherein the restrictor is inserted into the first conveyance tube through the through-hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein: the swing member swings in an extending direction in which the second conveyance tube extends. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein; the first conveyance tube defines a horizontal conveyance path through which the powder is conveyed horizontally, and the second conveyance tube defines a fall path through which the powder falls. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein: the conveyor includes a screw. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The powder conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein: the swing member includes a coil. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device to form an image; and the powder conveyance device according to claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) An image forming apparatus comprising: the powder conveyance device according to claim 6. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) An image forming apparatus comprising: the powder conveyance device according to claim 9. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The powder conveyance device according to claim 6, wherein: the restrictor does not contact the swing member that swings and the conveyor that rotates. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The powder conveyance device according to claim 9, wherein: the restrictor does not contact the swing member that swings and the conveyor that rotates.