US 12,216,418 B2
Powder conveyance device and image forming apparatus including a conveyor and first and second conveyance tubes
Naohiro Kawashima, Kanagawa (JP); and Kei Saito, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Naohiro Kawashima, Kanagawa (JP); and Kei Saito, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/379,185.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-165449 (JP), filed on Oct. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0126189 A1, Apr. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0891 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.