JP6839403B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been known in which a communication port for communicating with each other and a shutter member for opening and closing the shutter member are provided for the image forming means and the toner accommodating means, and an opening and closing means for opening and closing the shutter member is provided.

For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a process unit as an image forming means and a toner cartridge as a removable toner accommodating means. The process unit that creates a toner image by a well-known electrophotographic method removes the transfer residual toner adhering to the photoconductor from the surface of the photoconductor by a cleaning blade, and then sends the toner image to a tubular waste toner transport path. The waste toner transport path is provided with a waste toner discharge port for discharging waste toner and a waste toner outlet shutter that can be slidably moved to open and close the waste toner discharge port.

The toner cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the process unit includes a waste toner inlet for receiving waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge port of the waste toner transport path of the process unit, and a slide-movable waste toner inlet that opens and closes the waste toner inlet. A shutter is provided. As the toner cartridge is mounted on the process unit, the waste toner inlet shutter of the toner cartridge slides while engaging with the waste toner outlet shutter of the image drawing unit. By this slide movement, the waste toner introduction port that is closed by itself is opened, and the waste toner outlet shutter of the waste toner transfer path of the process unit is slid to open the waste toner discharge port of the waste toner transfer path. Then, the waste toner inlet, which is the communication port, and the waste toner discharge port, which is the communication port, communicate with each other, and the waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge port can be put into the toner cartridge through the waste toner introduction port. become.

On the other hand, as the toner cartridge is removed from the process unit, the waste toner inlet shutter of the toner cartridge and the waste toner outlet shutter of the waste toner transport path of the process unit slide to move to the waste toner inlet and waste toner discharge. Close with the exit. It is said that this makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking from the waste toner discharge port.

However, when the toner cartridge is started to be removed from the process unit, the waste toner inlet shutter and the waste toner outlet shutter have just started to close, so that the waste toner inlet and the waste toner discharge port are still open. After that, as the removal of the toner cartridge gradually progresses, the slide movement of the waste toner inlet shutter and the waste toner outlet shutter also gradually progresses, and the waste toner introduction port and the waste toner discharge port are gradually closed. To go. In such a configuration, the vibration generated at the time of removal may cause the waste toner in the waste toner transport path to be spilled from the waste toner discharge port which is not completely closed. In addition, the waste toner floating in the toner cartridge may be scattered to the outside from the waste toner introduction port which is not completely closed yet.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming a toner image, a toner accommodating means for accommodating toner inside itself, which is configured to be detachable from the image forming means. In an image forming apparatus including an opening / closing means for opening / closing each of a shutter member for individually opening / closing each of the communication ports for communicating with each other provided in the image forming means and the toner accommodating means, and a main body housing. Each of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means is opened as the door provided in the main body housing is opened so as to be opened when the toner accommodating means is taken in and out of the inside of the main body housing. The communication port is closed by the shutter member, and when the door is closed, the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means are retracted to automatically open the communication port. The opening / closing means is configured, and the communication port is automatically closed by the shutter member of each of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means linked to the opening operation of the door, and linked to the closing operation of the door. A link opening / closing mechanism that automatically opens and closes the shutter member by a link mechanism that automatically retracts the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means and opens the communication port is provided as the opening / closing means to accommodate the toner. Locking members for locking the toner accommodating means to the image forming means are provided on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the means, and the toner is agitated by its own rotation. A hollow structure is used as the rotary stirring member arranged in the toner accommodating means in a posture in which the rotary axis is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating means, and the shaft is passed through the hollow of the rotary stirring member. The locking members on one end side and the other end side are connected by the member to integrally operate the locking members, and the operation of the locking members is separate from the operation of the link opening / closing mechanism. , It is characterized in that it is performed manually by the user.

According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the toner can be more reliably prevented from spilling or scattering from the communication port when the toner accommodating means is removed from the image forming unit.

The schematic block diagram which shows the printer which concerns on embodiment. A block diagram showing the process unit and its surrounding configuration in the printer. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the attachment / detachment method of the perspective view which shows the process unit and a toner cartridge from the front side of a printer. A perspective view showing the "process toner unit" of the printer from the front side of the printer. A perspective view showing the process unit and the toner cartridge removed from the process unit from the right side of each. A perspective view showing the process unit and the toner cartridge removed from the process unit from the left side of each. An enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged upper surface of the developing apparatus of the process unit. An enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged view of a replenishment inlet and its surroundings provided on the upper wall of the developing device. An enlarged perspective view showing the replenishment reception port and the replenishment reception shutter that is closed. A perspective view showing a part of the left side plate of the process unit from the inner surface side. The perspective view which shows the toner cartridge from the bottom side. The perspective view which shows the end side of the toner cartridge on the left side from the front side. A cross-sectional view showing the same toner cartridge broken at the position of the replenishment discharge port. The cross-sectional view which shows the toner cartridge which broke at the position of the receiving port for collection. The figure which shows the vertical section of the opening / closing door of the printer and a part of the toner cartridge set in the main body housing from the left side of the printer. The figure which shows the same opening and closing door completely closed and the same part from the left side of a printer. The figure which shows the vertical cross section of the opening / closing door and a part of the toner cartridge set in the main body housing from the right side of a printer. The figure which shows the same opening and closing door completely closed and the same part from the left side of a printer. A perspective view showing a part of the left side plate of the process unit together with a part of the locking mechanism from the right side of the printer. A perspective view showing a part of the left side plate together with a part of the locking mechanism in an unlocked state from the right side of the printer. A perspective view showing a part of the right side plate of the process unit together with a part of the locking mechanism from the left side of the printer. A perspective view showing a part of the right side plate together with a part of the locking mechanism in an unlocked state from the left side of the printer. The perspective view which shows the agitator and the toner replenishment screw of the replenishment toner accommodating part of the toner cartridge. An enlarged perspective view showing the circumference of the recovered toner discharge pipe on the left side plate in an enlarged manner.

Hereinafter, as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a printer) that forms an image by an electrophotographic method will be described. The present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, but an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image by another method such as the toner projection method described in JP-A-2002-307737. It can also be applied to.

First, the basic configuration of the printer according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printer according to an embodiment. In the figure, this printer includes a photoconductor 21 as a latent image carrier, a paper feed cassette 15 configured to be detachable from the main body housing 200, and the like. A plurality of recording sheets S are housed in the paper feed cassette 15 in the form of a bundle of sheets.

The recording sheet S in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed out of the cassette by the rotational drive of the feed roller 2 and reaches the paper feed path 3. A resist roller pair 5 is arranged near the end of the paper feed path 42. The recording sheet S is temporarily suspended with its tip abutting against the resist nip of the resist roller pair 5. At the time of the abutting, the skew of the recording sheet S is corrected.

The resist roller pair 5 starts rotational driving at a timing when the recording sheet S can be superimposed on the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 21 by the transfer nip described later, and sends the recording sheet S toward the transfer nip.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a process unit 20 and its surrounding configuration in the printer according to the embodiment. A toner cartridge 100, which will be described later, is mounted on the process unit 20, but the toner cartridge 100 is not shown in the figure for convenience. The process unit 20 includes a photoconductor 21, a charging / cleaning device 27, and a developing device 28.

The charging / cleaning device 27 arranged on the left side in the drawing of the photoconductor 21 rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in the drawing includes a cleaning blade 22, a recovery screw 23, a charging roller 24, a cleaning roller 25, a scraper 26, and the like. It is equipped. The charging roller 24 provided with the conductive rubber roller portion rotates while in contact with the photoconductor 21 to form a charging nip. A charging bias output from a charging power source is applied to the charging roller 24. As a result, in the charging nip, an electric discharge is generated between the surface of the photoconductor 21 and the surface of the charging roller 24, so that the surface of the photoconductor 21 is uniformly charged.

A latent image writing device 12 including an LED array is arranged between the charging / cleaning device 27 and the developing device 28. The latent image writing device 12 performs optical scanning with LED light on the uniformly charged surface of the photoconductor 21. Of the uniformly charged background portion of the photoconductor 21, the region irradiated with light by this light scanning attenuates the potential. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21.

The electrostatic latent image passes through the developing region facing the developing device 28 as the photoconductor 21 is driven to rotate. The developing device 28 includes a circulating transport section and a developing section, and the circulating transport section contains a developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier. The circulation transport unit includes a first screw 28b for transporting the developer to be supplied to the developing roller 28a, which will be described later, and a second screw 28b for transporting the developer in an independent space located directly below the first screw 28b. doing. Further, it also has an inclined screw 28d for transferring the developing agent from the second screw 28c to the first screw 28b. The developing rollers 28a, the first screw 28b, and the second screw 28c are arranged in a posture parallel to each other. On the other hand, the tilting screws 28d are arranged in a posture tilted from them.

The first screw 28b conveys the developer from the back side to the front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure as it is driven to rotate. At this time, a part of the developing agent is supplied to the developing rollers 28a arranged to face each other. The developer conveyed by the first screw 28b to the vicinity of the front end in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure is dropped onto the second screw 28c.

While receiving the used developer from the developing roller 28a, the second screw 28c conveys the received developer from the back side to the front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure as it drives its own rotation. .. The developer conveyed by the second screw 28c to the vicinity of the front end in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure is delivered to the inclined screw 28d. Then, as the inclined screw 28d is rotationally driven, it is conveyed from the front side to the back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure, and then becomes the first screw 28b near the end portion on the back side in the same direction. Delivered.

The developing roller 28a includes a rotatable developing sleeve made of a tubular non-magnetic member, and a magnet roller fixed in the sleeve so as not to rotate with the developing sleeve. Then, a part of the developing agent conveyed by the first screw 28b is pumped up on the surface of the developing sleeve by the magnetic force generated by the magnet roller. The layer thickness of the developer carried on the surface of the developing sleeve is regulated as it passes around the surface of the developing sleeve and passes through the opposite positions of the sleeve and the doctor grade. After that, it moves while rubbing against the surface of the photoconductor 21 in the developing region facing the photoconductor 21.

A development bias having the same polarity as the background potential of the toner or the photoconductor 21 is applied to the development sleeve. The absolute value of this development bias is larger than the absolute value of the latent image potential and smaller than the absolute value of the background potential. Therefore, in the developing region, a developing potential that electrostatically moves the toner from the sleeve side to the latent image side acts between the electrostatic latent image of the photoconductor 21 and the developing sleeve. On the other hand, between the background portion of the photoconductor 21 and the developing sleeve, a background potential that electrostatically moves the toner from the background portion side to the sleeve side acts. As a result, in the developing region, toner is selectively adhered to the electrostatic latent image of the photoconductor 21 to develop the electrostatic latent image.

The developer that has passed through the developing region enters the facing region between the sleeve and the second screw 28c as the developing sleeve rotates. In this facing region, a repulsive magnetic field is formed by two magnetic poles having different polarities from each other among the plurality of magnetic poles provided in the magnet roller. The developer that has entered the opposite region is separated from the surface of the developing sleeve by the action of the repulsive magnetic field and is collected on the second screw 28c.

The developer conveyed by the inclined screw 28d contains the developer recovered from the developing roller 28a, and the developer contributes to the development in the developing region, so that the toner concentration is lowered. The developing device 28 includes a toner concentration sensor that detects the toner concentration of the developer conveyed by the tilting screw 28d.

The toner image formed on the photoconductor 21 by the development enters the transfer nip where the photoconductor 21 and the transfer roller 6 serving as the transfer means come into contact with each other as the photoconductor 21 rotates. A charging bias having a polarity opposite to the latent image potential of the photoconductor 21 is applied to the transfer roller 6, whereby a transfer electric field is formed in the transfer nip.

As described above, the resist roller pair 5 feeds the recording sheet S toward the transfer nip at a timing at which the recording sheet S can be superimposed on the toner image on the photoconductor 21 in the transfer nip. The toner image on the photoconductor 21 is transferred to the recording sheet S which is brought into close contact with the toner image by the transfer nip by the action of the transfer electric field and the nip pressure.

The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the recording sheet S adheres to the surface of the photoconductor 21 after passing through the transfer nip. The transfer residual toner is scraped off from the surface of the photoconductor 21 by the cleaning blade 22 in contact with the photoconductor 21, and then sent to the outside of the casing of the charging / cleaning device 27 by the recovery screw 23. The transfer residual toner discharged from the casing is sent as recovery toner to the recovery toner discharge pipe described later after passing through the recovery toner transport pipe described later.

The surface of the photoconductor 21 cleaned by the cleaning blade 22 is statically eliminated by the static elimination light emitted from the static elimination lamp, and then uniformly charged again by the charging roller 24. Foreign substances such as toner additives and toner that cannot be completely removed by the cleaning blade 22 adhere to the charging roller 24 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 21. This foreign matter is transferred to the surface of the cleaning roller 25 in contact with the charging roller 24, and then scraped off from the surface of the cleaning roller 25 by the scraper 6 in contact with the cleaning roller 25. The scraped foreign matter falls on the recovery screw 23 described above.

In FIG. 1, the recording sheet S that has passed through the transfer nip where the photoconductor 21 and the transfer roller 6 come into contact with each other is sent to the fixing device 7. The fixing device 7 forms a fixing nip by abutting the fixing roller 7a containing a heat generating source such as a halogen lamp and the pressure roller 7b pressed toward the fixing roller 7a. A toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording sheet S sandwiched between the fixing nips by the action of heating or pressurizing. After that, the recording sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 7 is discharged to the outside of the machine after passing through the paper ejection path and the paper ejection nip of the paper ejection roller pair 11, and the stack portion 201 formed on the upper surface of the main body housing 200. Stacked in.

Above the paper feed cassette 15, a control unit 16 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, and the like is arranged. The control unit 16 outputs a replenishment operation signal for replenishing the toner to the developer conveyed by the inclined screw 28d of the developing device 28, if necessary, based on the detection result by the toner concentration sensor described above.

A toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 2 of the process unit 20. The toner cartridge 100 includes a replenishment toner accommodating unit 101 for accommodating toner for replenishing the developing device 28, and a recovery toner accommodating unit 150 for accommodating the recovered toner collected from the photoconductor 21. When the replenishment operation signal is output from the control unit 16, the replenishment motor is rotationally driven to rotate the toner replenishment screw in the replenishment toner accommodating unit 101. As a result, the toner in the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 is discharged from the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 and is replenished on the inclined screw 28d of the developing device 28.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining a method of attaching and detaching the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100. In the figure, the main body housing 200 is provided with an opening / closing door 202 that opens and closes the maintenance / inspection opening of the main body housing 200 as it swings around the swing shaft 203. When the opening / closing door 202 is opened, the LED moving mechanism links to the opening operation to retract the latent image writing device 12 from the position of the solid line in the figure to the position of the dotted line in the figure. By this saving, the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 are integrally slid from the left side to the right side in the drawing without hitting the latent image writing device 12, and are taken out from the main body housing 200. Becomes possible.

In the printer according to the embodiment, of the four side surfaces of the main body housing 200, the side surface provided with the opening / closing door 202 is the front surface of the printer. That is, in FIG. 3, the printer is shown from the side.

The toner cartridge 100 can be removed from the process unit 20 taken out from the main body housing 200 as shown in the figure. Further, while the process unit 20 is fixed inside the main body housing 200, the toner cartridge 100 can be removed from the process unit 20 and taken out of the main body housing 200. In any case, in order to take out the toner cartridge 100 from the main body housing 200, it is necessary to open the opening / closing door 202 as shown to expose the maintenance / inspection opening. Hereinafter, the combination of the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 mounted therein is referred to as a "process toner unit".

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the “process toner unit” from the front side of the printer. A handle 130 that can swing within a predetermined angle range is provided on the front side of the toner cartridge 100. The user can move the "process toner unit" in and out of the main body housing 200 by holding the handle 130 and sliding the "process toner unit". The direction of the arrow A1 at the same time is the direction in which the "process toner unit" is inserted into the main body housing 200. Further, the arrow A2 direction is a direction in which the "process toner unit" is taken out from the main body housing 200.

The longitudinal direction of the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 is along a direction orthogonal to the slide moving direction (A1 and A2 directions) of the "process toner unit". The process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 are set in the main body housing 200 with one end side in the longitudinal direction facing the right side of the printer and the other end facing the left side of the printer. Hereinafter, the names of the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side will be used for each part of the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 as well as the printer. For example, in the figure, the front side in the figure is the front side, the back side in the figure is the rear side, the right side in the figure is the right side, and the left side in the figure is the left side. When viewed, the left, right, front and back depiction positions are reversed. However, the names of the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side shall not change. More specifically, when viewed from the opposite side of the figure, the right side is located on the left side, but the name of the right side remains the same.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer according to the embodiment will be described.
On the right side of the toner cartridge 100, a right side rotating member 102 is rotatably provided. The right-side rotating member 102 is always subjected to a rotational force in the direction of the arrow α in the figure by the force of the spring, but when it reaches a predetermined rotational angle posture, it abuts against the abutting portion to rotate the predetermined rotation. Maintain an angular posture. The state shown in the figure is a state in which the predetermined rotation angle posture is maintained.

On the left surface of the toner cartridge 100, a left surface side rotating member 122 is rotatably provided. The left-side rotating member 122 is always subjected to a rotational force in the direction of arrow β in the figure by the force of the spring, but when it reaches a predetermined rotational angle posture, it abuts against the abutting portion to rotate the predetermined rotation. Maintain an angular posture. The state shown in the figure is a state in which the predetermined rotation angle posture is maintained.

The right side rotating member 102 and the left side rotating member 122 function as a part of the link opening / closing mechanism, but the link opening / closing mechanism will be described in detail later.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 removed from the process unit 20 from the right side of each. Further, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 removed from the process unit 20 from the left side of each.

As shown in FIG. 5, a positioning right surface side convex portion 151 is formed on the right surface of the toner cartridge 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a right concave rail 42 is formed on the inner surface of the right side plate 41 of the process unit 20. When the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the process unit 20, the positioning right side convex portion 151 (see FIG. 5) of the toner cartridge 100 is engaged with the right concave rail 42 of the process unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, a positioning left surface side convex portion 152 is formed on the left surface of the toner cartridge 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a left concave rail 32 is formed on the inner surface of the left side plate 31 of the process unit 20. When the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the process unit 20, the positioning left side convex portion 152 (see FIG. 6) of the toner cartridge 100 is engaged with the left concave rail 32 of the process unit 20.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the arrow B1 direction indicates the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 100 with respect to the process unit 20. The arrow B2 direction indicates the direction in which the toner cartridge 100 is removed from the process unit 20. The right concave rail 42 and the left concave rail 32 are formed with a downward slope. Therefore, the toner cartridge 100 when mounted on the process unit 20 has its own positioning convex portions (42, 32) engaged in the concave rails, and the positioning concave portion is formed at the end of the concave rail. Proceed by its own weight to the position where it hits.

In FIG. 6, the inner surface of the right side plate 21 of the process unit 20 movably holds the right arm member 43. When the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the process unit 20, the right side rotating member 102 of the process cartridge 100 engages with the right arm member 43 of the process unit 20.

In FIG. 5, a supply port sealing member 28e made of an elastically deformable material such as a sponge is attached to the upper surface of the developing device 28 of the process unit 20.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged upper surface of the developing device 28. In the figure, the frame-shaped replenishment port seal member 28e is attached so as to surround the periphery of the replenishment reception port 28f provided on the upper wall of the developing device 28. The toner stored in the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 of the toner cartridge 100 is replenished to the developer on the inclined screw 28d of the developing device 28 through the replenishment receiving port 28f.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the supply receiving port 28f provided on the upper wall of the developing device 28 and its surroundings in an enlarged manner. In the figure, for convenience, the supply port seal member 28e is not shown. Further, for convenience, a hatch is provided on the upper surface of the replenishment receiving shutter 28 g.

The inner surface of the upper wall of the developing device 28 holds the replenishment receiving shutter 28g for opening and closing the replenishment receiving port 28f so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. In the figure, a state in which the holding shutter 28g is retracted to a position where the replenishment receiving port 28f is opened is shown. The direction of the arrow in the figure is the same as the front-back direction of the printer. A force is always applied to the replenishment receiving shutter 28g from the front side to the rear side of the printer by a spring. As a result, in the developing device 28 in a state where the link opening / closing mechanism, which will be described later, does not open, the replenishment receiving shutter 28g abuts at the abutting portion at the position shown in FIG. It's closed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the left side plate 31 of the process unit 20 from the inner surface side. A recovery toner transfer tube 34 extending from the rear surface side to the front surface side of the printer is fixed to the inner surface of the left side plate 31. A flexible spiral recovery toner transport member is rotatably housed in the recovery toner transfer tube 34.

The recovered toner discharged to the outside of the casing of the charging / cleaning device 27 by the recovery screw 23 shown in FIG. 2 enters the rear end side of the recovery toner transport pipe 34 shown in FIG. Then, as the recovery toner transport member is rotationally driven, the recovery toner transport tube 34 is transported from the rear surface side to the front surface side of the printer.

A recovery toner discharge pipe 35 is projected toward the right side of the printer at the front end of the recovery toner transfer pipe 34. The recovered toner transported to the front end of the recovered toner transport pipe 34 enters the recovered toner discharge pipe 35. A recovery discharge port 36 for discharging the recovered toner in the recovery toner discharge pipe 35 to the outside is provided in a region of the peripheral surface of the recovery toner discharge pipe 35 facing downward in the vertical direction. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the recovery toner discharge pipe 35 holds a recovery discharge shutter 37 for opening and closing the recovery discharge port 36 so as to be slidable.

A force is always applied to the recovery shutter 37 in the direction of arrow H in the figure by a spring. As a result, the recovery discharge shutter 37, which has not been opened by the link opening / closing mechanism described later, abuts at the abutting portion at the position shown in the drawing and stops, thereby closing the recovery discharge port 36.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 100 from the bottom surface side. At the right end of the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 of the toner cartridge 100, a replenishment discharge port 105 for discharging the toner inside thereof is provided so as to face downward in the vertical direction. The replenishment toner accommodating unit 101 holds a replenishment discharge shutter 106 for opening and closing the replenishment discharge port 105 so as to be slidable. The replenishment discharge shutter 106 is provided with an opening, and as shown in the drawing, the replenishment discharge port 105 is opened in a state where the opening is locked at a position facing the replenishment discharge port 105. However, a force is always applied to the replenishment discharge shutter 106 by a spring in the direction of arrow J in the drawing. Therefore, unlike the state shown in the drawing, the toner cartridge 100 not attached to the process unit 20 moves the replenishment discharge shutter 106 to a position where the opening of the replenishment discharge shutter 106 is covered with the shutter covering member 107. .. In this state, the replenishment discharge port 105 is closed by the replenishment discharge shutter 106.

Even if toner is adhered to the inner wall of the opening of the replenishment discharge shutter 106, when the replenishment discharge port 105 is closed, the inner wall of the opening is covered with the shutter covering member 107, so that the outside of the toner adhering to the inner wall of the opening is covered. It is possible to prevent scattering to. Further, when the replenishment discharge port is opened, the toner adhering to the periphery thereof can be stored in the shutter covering member 107 while being worn by the replenishment discharge shutter 106.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the end portion of the toner cartridge 100 on the left side side from the front side. At the left end of the recovered toner accommodating portion 150 of the toner cartridge 100, a collecting receiving port 155 for receiving the recovered toner is provided in the recovered toner accommodating portion 150 so as to face upward in the vertical direction. The recovery toner accommodating unit 150 holds a recovery receiving shutter 156 for opening and closing the recovery receiving port 155 so as to be slidable. In the figure, the recovery receiving shutter 156 in a state of being locked at the position where the collecting receiving port 155 is opened is shown, but in reality, the toner cartridge 100 in the state of being removed from the process unit 20 is used for collecting. The shutter 156 closes the collection inlet 155. A force is always applied to the collection receiving shutter 156 in the direction of arrow K in the figure by a spring, and the collection receiving shutter 156 abuts against the abutting portion at a position where the collection receiving port 155 is closed by this force. Because it stops.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge 100 broken at the position of the replenishment discharge port 105. The toner cartridge 100 is formed by integrally forming a recovered toner accommodating portion 150 and a replenishing toner accommodating portion 101 located directly above the recovered toner accommodating portion 150.

In the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 for accommodating the replenishing toner, a rotatable agitator 108 is arranged around the position of the center of gravity in the cross section thereof. Further, a rotatable toner supply screw 109 is arranged at the end on the rear surface side. A blade member 108b made of a flexible sheet is fixed to the rotating shaft portion 108a of the agitator 108. When the agitator 108 rotates clockwise in the drawing, the blade member 108b of the agitator 108 rubs the tip of the agitator 108 against the bottom wall of the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101, and the toner in the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 is transferred to the toner replenishment cru 109. Transport toward.

As shown in the figure, the replenishment discharge port 105 is provided directly below the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101. In the toner cartridge 100 removed from the process unit 20, the replenishment discharge shutter 106 closes the replenishment discharge port 105 as shown in the figure. When the replenishment discharge shutter 106 is moved counterclockwise in the drawing by the link opening / closing mechanism described later to open the replenishment discharge port 105, the toner conveyed by the toner replenishment screw 109 is discharged from the replenishment discharge port 105. Toner.

When the control unit 16 outputs the above-mentioned replenishment operation signal, the replenishment clutch that receives the replenishment operation signal connects the rotational driving force of the replenishment motor to the toner replenishment screw 109, so that the toner replenishment screw 109 is rotationally driven. Then, the toner is discharged from the replenishment discharge port 105 in the open state and replenished in the developing device 28.

In the recovered toner accommodating portion 150, a rotatable recovered toner transport screw 160 is arranged around the position of the center of gravity in the cross section thereof. The recovered toner transport screw 160 equalizes the amount of recovered toner charged into the recovered toner accommodating portion 150 in the screw axis direction.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge 100 broken at the position of the recovery receiving port 155. At the end of the recovery toner accommodating portion 150 of the toner cartridge 100 on the left side (front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure), the toner cartridge 100 is recessed from the rear side (left side in the figure) to the front side (right side in the figure). A recessed portion 157 is formed. The recovery receiving port 155 and the collecting receiving shutter 156 are arranged in the recessed portion 157.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the process unit 20 in the direction of arrow B1 in the drawing. Then, the replenishment discharge shutter 106 (see FIG. 13) of the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 comes into close contact with the replenishment port seal member 28e (see FIG. 6) of the developing device 28 from above in the vertical direction. Then, the replenishment inlet 28f (see FIG. 7) of the developing device 28 and the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 (see FIG. 13) are formed by the replenishment receiving shutter 28 g (see FIG. 8) and the replenishment discharge shutter 106 (see FIG. 8). They face each other via FIG. 13). After that, when both of the above-mentioned two shutters are opened by the link opening / closing mechanism described later, the replenishment inlet 28f and the replenishment outlet 105, which are communication ports, communicate with each other.

Further, when the toner cartridge 100 is mounted, the recessed portion 157 of the recovered toner accommodating portion 150 of the toner cartridge 100 receives the recovered toner discharge pipe 35 (see FIG. 5) of the process unit 20 inside the recessed portion 157. Then, the recovery discharge port 36 (see FIG. 10) of the recovery toner discharge pipe 35 and the recovery reception port 155 (see FIG. 12) of the recovery toner accommodating portion 150 of the toner cartridge 100 are connected to the recovery discharge shutter 37 (see FIG. 12). 10) and the recovery receiving shutter 156 are opposed to each other. After that, when both of these two shutters are opened by the link opening / closing mechanism described later, the recovery outlet 36 and the recovery receiving port 155, which are communication ports, communicate with each other.

Hereinafter, the work of attaching the toner cartridge 100 to the process unit 20 taken out from the main body housing 200 is referred to as "out-of-housing unit assembly work". When performing this "housing side unit assembly work", as described above, the toner cartridge 100 and the process unit 20 are in the following states. That is, in the toner cartridge 100, the replenishment discharge port 105 is closed by the replenishment discharge shutter 106, and the recovery reception port 155 is closed by the recovery reception shutter 156 (hereinafter referred to as state 1). Further, in the process unit 20, the replenishment inlet 28f is closed by the replenishment receiving shutter 28g, and the recovery discharge port 36 is closed by the recovery discharge shutter 37 (hereinafter referred to as state 2).

In the "out-of-housing unit assembly work", since the toner cartridge 100 is set to the state 1, even if the toner cartridge 100 is vibrated, the toner in the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 is spilled out from the replenishment discharge port 105. There is no such thing. In addition, the recovered toner floating in the recovered toner accommodating portion 101 is not scattered to the outside from the recovery receiving port 155. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the spillage of toner from the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 and the scattering of the recovered toner from the inside of the recovered toner accommodating portion 101.

Further, in the "out-of-housing unit assembly work", since the process unit 20 is in the state 2, even if the process unit 20 is vibrated, the toner floating in the developing device 28 is removed from the replenishment receiving port 28f. It will not be scattered. In addition, the recovered toner in the recovered toner discharge pipe 35 will not be spilled from the recovery discharge port 36. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the scattering of toner from the inside of the developing apparatus 28 and the spillage of the recovered toner from the inside of the recovered toner discharge pipe 35.

When the user assembles the "process toner unit" outside the main body housing 200 by the "outside housing unit assembly work", as shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance inspection opening of the main body housing 200 with the opening / closing door 202 open. Pass the "process toner unit" through the door. Then, the "process toner unit" is set in the main body housing 200. Even during this set operation, the replenishment discharge port 105, the recovery reception port 155, the replenishment reception port 28f, and the recovery discharge port 36 are each closed by the corresponding shutters. Therefore, the toner spills from the replenishment toner accommodating section 101, the recovered toner scatters from the recovered toner accommodating section 101, the toner scatters from the developing device 28, and the recovered toner spills from the recovered toner discharge tube 35. Can be reliably avoided.

Next, the link opening / closing mechanism of the printer according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 15 is a view showing a vertical cross section of the opening / closing door 202 and a part of the toner cartridge 100 set in the main body housing 200 from the left side of the printer. As described above, the right side rotating member 102 is rotatably provided on the right side of the toner cartridge 100, and the right side rotating member 102 can rotate the first series engaging member 103. keeping. Further, the first series engaging member 103 rotatably holds one end portion of the arm-shaped second engaging member 104 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the other end of the second linking member 104 in the longitudinal direction is axially connected to the shutter opening / closing member 110. All of these members are provided on the right surface of the toner cartridge 100.

The opening / closing door 202 shown in the figure is in a state immediately before being closed with respect to the main body housing 200. At the end of the back surface of the opening / closing door 202 on the right side of the printer, a right side push-in convex portion 202a is provided so as to protrude from the front side of the printer toward the rear side. The right-side pushing convex portion 202a, the right-side rotating member 102, the first series engaging member 103, the second linking member 104, and the shutter opening / closing member 110 form a part of the link opening / closing mechanism.

When the opening / closing door 202 is further closed than shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 16, the right-side pushing convex portion 202a of the opening / closing door 202 becomes the arm portion 102a of the right-side rotating member 102 of the toner cartridge 100. Is pushed toward the rear side. As a result, the right side rotating member 102 rotates by a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing. Then, in conjunction with this rotation, each of the first series engaging member 103, the second linking member 104, and the shutter opening / closing member 110 moves from the rear surface side of the printer to the front surface side (from the left side to the right side in the drawing). Further, the replenishment discharge shutter 106 is slid counterclockwise in the drawing by the shutter opening / closing member 110 to open the replenishment discharge port 105. In this way, the link opening / closing mechanism links with the opening / closing door 202 being closed, and slides the replenishment discharge shutter 106 to open the replenishment discharge port 105. At this time, the toner cartridge 100 is already set in the main body housing 200 and is in a stationary state, and the replenishment discharge shutter 106 is in close contact with the replenishment port seal member 28e (see FIG. 6) of the developing device 28. It is in a state. Therefore, even if the toner is dropped from the open replenishment discharge port 105, it will not be leaked to the outside.

The right-side rotating member 102 shown in the figure is located on the right side of the printer (the back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure), and is the right arm member 43 of the process unit 20 (see FIG. 6). ) Is engaged. When the right side rotating member 102 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing by pushing the right side pushing convex portion 202a of the opening / closing door 202, the right arm member 43 moves from the rear side to the front side of the printer. .. Then, the plurality of connecting members connected to the right arm member 43 are interlocked, and the replenishment receiving shutter 28 g (see FIG. 8) of the developing device 28 of the process unit 20 is slid from the rear surface side to the front surface side to replenish. Open the entrance 28f. The opening of the replenishment inlet 28f in this way and the opening of the replenishment discharge port 105 of the toner cartridge 100 as described above are performed substantially at the same time. Therefore, when the replenishment discharge port 105 is opened, even if the toner in the toner cartridge 100 falls from the replenishment discharge port 105, the toner does not leak to the outside and communicates with the replenishment discharge port 105. It is replenished into the developing device 28 through the replenishment receiving port 28f.

The right arm member 43 and a plurality of connecting members connected to the right arm member 43 also form a part of the link opening / closing mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a vertical cross section of the opening / closing door 202 and a part of the toner cartridge 100 set in the main body housing 200 from the right side of the printer. Further, FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the recovered toner discharge pipe 35 on the left side plate 31 in an enlarged manner. As described above, the left surface side rotating member 122 is rotatably provided on the left surface of the toner cartridge 100. The left side rotating member 122 is connected to the recovery discharge shutter 37 via a shutter connecting mechanism 125 held on the left side plate.

At the end of the back surface of the opening / closing door 202 on the left side of the printer, a left side push-in convex portion 202b is provided so as to protrude from the front side of the printer toward the rear side. The left-side pushing convex portion 202b, the left-side rotating member 122, and the shutter connecting mechanism 125 also form a part of the link opening / closing mechanism.

The opening / closing door 202 shown in the figure is in a state immediately before being closed with respect to the main body housing 200. When the opening / closing door 202 is further closed than shown in the figure, as shown in FIG. 18, the left side pushing convex portion 202b of the opening / closing door 202 is the arm portion 122a of the left side rotating member 122 of the toner cartridge 100. Is pushed toward the rear side. As a result, the left side rotating member 122 rotates by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in the drawing. Then, in conjunction with this rotation, the recovery discharge shutter 37 rotates against the force of the spring via the shutter connecting mechanism 125. As a result, the collection entrance 155 is opened.

As shown in the figure, an engaging convex portion 156a is formed on the surface of the recovery receiving shutter 156. The engaging convex portion 156a is engaged with the engaging concave portion provided in the collecting discharge shutter 37 of the collecting toner discharge pipe 35 of the process unit 20. Therefore, when the collection receiving shutter 156 of the toner cartridge 100 slides and moves as described above, the collection discharge shutter 37 engaged with the collection receiving shutter 156 slides and moves together with the collecting receiving shutter 156. As a result, the collection discharge port 36 of the recovery toner discharge pipe 35 of the process unit 20 is opened. At this time, since the process unit 20 and the toner cartridge 100 are stationary in the main body housing and the recovery discharge port 36 and the recovery reception port 155 are in communication with each other, toner leaks to the outside from these openings. There is no such thing.

As described above, the link opening / closing mechanism links each shutter of the "process toner unit" stationary in the main body housing to the closing operation of the opening / closing door 202 and opens them almost at the same time. Then, by opening the shutters, the replenishment discharge port 105 and the replenishment reception port 28f are communicated with each other, and the recovery discharge port 36 and the recovery reception port 155 are communicated with each other. In such a configuration, toner leaks from each opening to the outside when opening each opening, as compared with the conventional configuration in which the cartridge and the process unit are vibrated by the cartridge mounting operation in the process of opening each opening by sliding the shutter. Can be suppressed.

When the "process toner unit" is taken out from the main body housing 200, it is necessary to open the opening / closing door 202 prior to that. The link opening / closing mechanism slides the replenishment discharge shutter 106, the replenishment reception shutter 28 g, the recovery discharge shutter 37, and the recovery reception shutter 156 in association with the opening operation. Then, by moving these slides, the replenishment discharge port 105, the replenishment reception port 28f, the recovery discharge port 36, and the recovery reception port 155 are closed. At this time, the "process toner unit" is in a stationary state inside the main body housing 200. In such a configuration, toner leakage from each opening to the outside when closing each opening is suppressed as compared with the conventional configuration in which the unit is vibrated by removing the toner cartridge in the process of closing each opening by sliding the shutter. be able to.

In the printer according to the embodiment, as described above, the toner cartridge 100 is not taken in and out of the main body housing 200, but the toner cartridge 100 is taken in and out of the main body housing 200 by itself. Is also possible. At this time, at the same time as putting in and taking out, the process unit 20 is attached and detached.

When removing the toner cartridge 100 from the process unit 20 set in the main body housing 200, it is necessary to open the opening / closing door 202 of the main body housing 200 prior to that. Linking to this opening operation, the link opening / closing mechanism slides the replenishment discharge shutter 106, the replenishment reception shutter 28 g, the recovery discharge shutter 37, and the recovery reception shutter 156. Then, by moving these slides, the replenishment discharge port 105, the replenishment reception port 28f, the recovery discharge port 36, and the recovery reception port 155 are closed. At this time, the "process toner unit" is in a stationary state inside the main body housing 200. In such a configuration, toner leakage from each opening to the outside when closing each opening is suppressed as compared with the conventional configuration in which the unit is vibrated by removing the toner cartridge in the process of closing each opening by sliding the shutter. be able to.

Next, a locking mechanism for locking the toner cartridge 100 to the process unit 20 will be described.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a part of the left side plate 31 of the process unit 20 together with a part of the locking mechanism from the right side of the printer. A left locking portion 39 is projected from the back surface of the left plate 31. The shaft member 112 shown in the figure and the arm 113 fixed to the left side end portion thereof form a part of the locking mechanism. The shaft member 112, the arm 113, and the left side rotating member 122 shown in the figure are not members of the process unit 20, but members of the toner cartridge 100. In the figure, the shaft member 112, the arm 113, and the left side rotating member 122 appear to be held by the left side plate 31, but are not actually held by the left side plate 31, and are not held by the toner cartridge 100. It is retained.

The claw portion 113b of the arm 113 of the locking mechanism is hooked on the left locking portion 39 of the left plate 31. Due to this catching, the left side of the process cartridge 100 is locked to the process unit 20. When the user pushes the lever portion 113a of the arm 113 in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 20, the claw portion 113b of the arm 113 is disengaged from the left locking portion 39 of the left plate 31 as shown in the figure. As a result, the lock on the left side of the toner cartridge 100 with respect to the process unit 20 is released.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a part of the right side plate 41 of the process unit 20 together with a part of the locking mechanism from the left side of the printer. A right locking portion 44 is projected from the back surface of the right plate 41. The shaft member 112 shown in the figure and the hook claw 114 fixed to the right side end portion thereof form a part of the locking mechanism. The shaft member 112, the hook claw 114, and the right-side rotating member 102 shown in the figure are not members of the process unit 20, but members of the toner cartridge 100. In the figure, the shaft member 112, the hook claw 114, and the right side rotating member 102 appear to be held by the right side plate 41, but are not actually held by the right side plate 41, and the toner cartridge 100 It is held in.

The hooking claw 114 of the locking mechanism is hooked on the right locking portion 44 of the right plate 41. Due to this catching, the right side of the process cartridge 100 is locked to the process unit 20. When the user pushes the lever portion 113a of the arm 113 in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. 20, the hook claw 114 is disengaged from the right locking portion 44 of the right plate 41 as shown in FIG. As a result, the lock on the right side of the toner cartridge 100 with respect to the process unit 20 is released.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the agitator 108 and the toner replenishment screw 109 of the replenishment toner accommodating portion 101 of the toner cartridge 100. The rotating shaft portion 108a of the agitator 108 has a hollow structure. Then, the shaft member 112 of the locking mechanism is passed through the hollow in the rotating shaft portion 108a of the agitator 108. Since the agitator 108 and the shaft member 112 move independently of each other, the shaft member 112 of the locking mechanism does not rotate with the rotation of the agitator 108. In such a configuration, the installation space of the agitator 108 can be used to dispose of a locking mechanism to save space.

The above description is an example, and the effect peculiar to each of the following aspects is exhibited.
[Aspect A]
Aspect A is an image forming means (for example, a process unit 20) for forming a toner image and a toner accommodating means (for example, a toner cartridge 100) that is detachably attached to the image forming means and accommodates toner inside itself. ), And communication ports for communicating with each other provided in each of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means (for example, replenishment discharge port 105, replenishment reception port 28f, recovery discharge port 36, recovery reception port 155). ) Individually opening and closing each of the shutter members (for example, the replenishment discharge shutter 106, the replenishment receiving shutter 28 g, the recovery discharge shutter 37, and the recovery receiving shutter 156) are opened and closed (for example, the right side push-in convex portion). 202a, right side rotating member 102, first series engaging member 103, second linking member 104, shutter opening / closing member 110, right arm member 43, left side rotating member 122, final relay gear 123, shutter opening / closing gear 124). In an image forming apparatus (for example, a printer) including a main body housing (for example, a main body housing 200), the image forming means and the toner are opened as a door for maintenance and inspection of toner accommodating means provided in the main body housing is opened. It is characterized in that the opening / closing means is configured so that the communication port is automatically closed by each of the shutter members of the accommodating means.

In the aspect A, when the door of the main body housing is opened in order to remove the toner accommodating means set in the main body housing from the image forming unit, the opening / closing means automatically closes the communication port by the shutter member. After that, when the toner accommodating means in the main body housing is removed from the image forming unit, the communication port is already closed, so that the toner from the communication port is used as compared with the conventional configuration in which the communication port is gradually closed at the time of removal. It is possible to prevent spills and scattering more reliably.

[Aspect B]
In aspect B, in aspect A, the opening / closing means is such that the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means are retracted and the communication port is automatically opened when the door is closed. Is characterized by the fact that.

In the B aspect, when the toner accommodating means is attached to the image forming unit, the communication port is kept closed. After the mounting is completed, the image forming unit and the toner accommodating means are set in the main body housing, and then the shutter member is retracted and the communication port is automatically opened as the door of the main body housing is closed. At this time, since the image forming unit and the toner accommodating means are stationary inside the main body housing, they are not vibrated. In such a configuration, unlike the conventional configuration in which the communication port is opened when the toner accommodating means is attached to the image forming unit, vibration due to the attachment is not applied to the image forming unit or the toner accommodating means. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent toner from spilling or scattering from the communication port when the communication port is opened.

[Aspect C]
In aspect C, in aspect B, the communication port is automatically closed by the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means in conjunction with the opening operation of the door, and is linked to the closing operation of the door. A link opening / closing mechanism for automatically opening and closing the shutter member by a link mechanism for automatically retracting the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means and opening the communication port is provided as the opening / closing means. It is characterized by. In such a configuration, unlike the configuration in which the communication port is automatically opened and closed by electrical control, the communication port can be automatically opened and closed by the link opening / closing mechanism even when the image forming apparatus is not supplied with power. ..

[Aspect D]
Aspect D is characterized in that, in aspect C, the toner accommodating means is provided with a shutter covering member (for example, a shutter covering member 107) that covers the shutter member in an open state with respect to the communication port. In such a configuration, when the shutter member is closed, the toner adhering to the periphery of the communication port can be worn by the shutter member, and the worn toner can be stored in the shutter covering member.

[Aspect E]
In aspect E, in aspects C or D, a replenishment toner accommodating unit (for example, replenishment toner accommodating unit 101) accommodating toner for replenishing the image forming means and a collection accommodating the recovered toner collected from the image forming means. A toner accommodating unit (for example, a recovered toner accommodating unit 150), a replenishment discharge port (for example, a replenishment discharge port 105) provided in the replenishment toner accommodating unit for discharging toner, and the replenishment discharge port. A replenishment discharge shutter (for example, a replenishment discharge shutter 106) that opens and closes an outlet, and a collection inlet (for example, a collection receiver) that is a communication port provided in the recovery toner accommodating portion for receiving the recovery toner. The toner accommodating means is provided with an inlet 155) and a recovery receiving shutter (for example, a collecting receiving shutter 156) which is a shutter member for opening and closing the collecting receiving port, and receives toner discharged from the replenishment discharge port. The replenishment inlet (for example, the replenishment inlet 28f) which is the communication port for the purpose, the replenishment acceptance shutter (for example, the replenishment accepting shutter 28 g) which is the shutter member for opening and closing the replenishment inlet, and the recovery toner. The collection discharge port (for example, the recovery discharge port 36) which is the communication port for discharging and the recovery discharge shutter (for example, the recovery discharge shutter 37) which is the shutter member for opening and closing the recovery discharge port are described above. The link is provided in the image means, and the replenishment discharge shutter, the recovery reception shutter, the replenishment reception shutter, and the recovery discharge shutter are linked to the opening and closing of the door so as to close and open. It is characterized by having an opening / closing mechanism. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress toner leakage from the replenishment discharge port, the recovery reception port, the replenishment reception port, and the recovery discharge port when the toner accommodating means is attached to and detached from the image forming means.

[Aspect F]
In the aspect F, in the aspect E, the replenishment toner accommodating portion and the recovery toner accommodating portion are arranged so as to be overlapped with each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating means, and one end side of the replenishment toner accommodating portion in the longitudinal direction ( For example, the replenishment discharge port and the replenishment discharge shutter are arranged on the right side), and the collection inlet and the collection reception shutter are arranged on the other end side (for example, the left side) of the collection toner accommodating portion in the longitudinal direction. Is arranged, the replenishment receiving port and the replenishment receiving shutter are arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the image forming means, and the collecting discharge is arranged on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the image forming means. It is characterized in that the outlet and the discharge shutter for collection are arranged. In such a configuration, a link mechanism for linking the replenishment discharge shutter and the replenishment reception shutter to the operation of the door is put together on one end side, while the collection discharge shutter and the collection reception shutter are linked to the operation of the door. The mechanism of is grouped on the other end side. As a result, the degree of freedom in layout can be improved as compared with the case where two link mechanisms are put together in the same place.

[Aspect G]
Aspect G is the aspect G in the aspect F.
Locking members for locking the toner accommodating means to the image forming means are provided on one end side and the other end side of the toner accommodating means in the longitudinal direction, and the toner is agitated as the toner accommodating means rotates. A hollow structure is used as the rotary stirring member (for example, the agitator 108) arranged in the toner storage means in a posture in which its own rotation axis is along the longitudinal direction of the toner storage means, and the rotary stirring member is used. By a shaft member (for example, a shaft member 112) passed through the hollow of the above, the locking members on one end side and the other end side are connected to operate the locking members integrally, and this engagement is performed. It is characterized in that the operation of the stop member is performed by a manual operation of the user separately from the operation of the link opening / closing mechanism. In such a configuration, by locking each of the one end side and the other end side of the toner accommodating means, rattling of the toner accommodating means can be suppressed as compared with the case where only one of them is locked. Further, it is possible to save space by setting the shaft member of the locking mechanism by utilizing the installation space of the rotary stirring member.

[Aspect H]
Aspect H is characterized in that, in Aspect G, the image forming means and the toner accommodating means locked to the image forming means are integrally detachable from the main body housing. In such a configuration, when the image forming means and the toner accommodating means locked thereto are taken in and out of the main body housing, the replenishment discharge port, the recovery reception port, the replenishment reception port, and the recovery discharge port are closed. .. Therefore, as compared with the conventional configuration in which the collection inlet and the collection outlet are opened at the time of taking in and out, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of toner scattering from the gaps around the openings.

20: Process unit (image forming means)
28f: Replenishment entrance (communication port)
28g: Replenishment receiving shutter (shutter member)
36: Collection outlet (communication port)
37: Discharge shutter for collection (shutter member)
43: Right arm member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
100: Toner cartridge (toner accommodating means)
101: Replenishment toner accommodating part 102: Right side rotating member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
103: First series engaging member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
104: Second linking member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
105: Replenishment outlet (communication port)
106: Replenishment discharge shutter (shutter member)
107: Shutter covering member 108: Agitator (rotary stirring member)
112: Shaft member of locking mechanism 113: Arm 113a: Lever portion 113b: Claw portion (locking member)
114: Hook claw (locking member)
110: Shutter opening / closing member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
122: Left side rotating member (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
125: Shutter connection mechanism (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
150: Recovery toner storage unit 155: Recovery inlet (communication port)
156: Receiving shutter for collection (shutter member)
200: Main body housing 202: Opening and closing door (door)
202a: Right side push-in convex part (part of link opening / closing mechanism)
202b: Left side push-in convex part (part of link opening / closing mechanism)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-232270

Claims (5)

An image forming means for forming a toner image, a toner accommodating means configured to be detachably attached to the image forming means and accommodating toner inside itself, and the image forming means and the toner accommodating means are provided. In an image forming apparatus including an opening / closing means for opening / closing each of the shutter members for individually opening / closing each of the communication ports for communicating with each other, and a main body housing.
Each of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means is opened as the door provided in the main body housing is opened so as to be opened when the toner accommodating means is taken in and out of the inside of the main body housing. Close the communication port with the shutter member of
The opening / closing means is configured so that the shutter members of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means are retracted and the communication port is automatically opened when the door is closed.
The communication port is automatically closed by the shutter member of each of the image forming means and the toner accommodating means linked to the opening operation of the door, and the image forming means and the toner are linked to the closing operation of the door. A link opening / closing mechanism for automatically opening / closing the shutter member by a link mechanism that automatically retracts each of the shutter members of the accommodating means and opens the communication port is provided as the opening / closing means.
A locking member for locking the toner accommodating means to the image forming means is provided on each of one end side and the other end side of the toner accommodating means in the longitudinal direction.
As a rotary stirring member arranged in the toner accommodating means in a posture in which its own rotation axis is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating means in order to agitate the toner with its own rotation, a hollow structure is used. Use,
The locking members on one end side and the other end side are connected by a shaft member passed through the hollow of the rotary stirring member, and the locking members are integrally operated.
Further, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation of the locking member is performed by a manual operation of a user separately from the operation of the link opening / closing mechanism. In the image forming apparatus of claim 1,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the toner accommodating means is provided with a shutter covering member that covers the shutter member in an open state with respect to the communication port. In the image forming apparatus of claim 1 or 2.
A replenishment toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner for replenishing the image forming means, a recovery toner accommodating portion for accommodating the recovered toner collected from the image forming means, and a replenishing toner accommodating portion for discharging toner are provided. The replenishment discharge port, which is the communication port, the replenishment discharge shutter, which is the shutter member that opens and closes the replenishment discharge port, and the recovery port, which is provided in the recovery toner accommodating portion for receiving the recovery toner. A recovery receiving shutter, which is a shutter member for opening and closing the collecting receiving port, is provided in the toner accommodating means.
A replenishment receiving port serving as a communication port for receiving toner discharged from the replenishment discharge port, a replenishment receiving shutter serving as a shutter member for opening and closing the replenishment receiving port, and a replenishment receiving shutter for discharging the recovered toner. The image-forming means is provided with a collection discharge port, which is a communication port, and a recovery discharge shutter, which is a shutter member that opens and closes the recovery discharge port.
Further, the link opening / closing mechanism is configured so that the replenishment discharge shutter, the recovery reception shutter, the replenishment reception shutter, and the recovery discharge shutter are linked to the opening / closing of the door to be closed / opened. An image forming apparatus characterized in that. In the image forming apparatus of claim 3,
The replenishment toner accommodating portion and the recovered toner accommodating portion are arranged so as to overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating means.
The replenishment discharge port and the replenishment discharge shutter are arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the replenishment toner accommodating portion.
The collection inlet and the collection shutter are arranged on the other end side of the collection toner accommodating portion in the longitudinal direction.
The replenishment receiving port and the replenishment receiving shutter are arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the image forming means.
and,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the collection discharge port and the recovery discharge shutter are arranged on the other end side of the image forming means in the longitudinal direction . The image forming apparatus according to any one 請Motomeko 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the image forming means and the toner accommodating means locked to the image forming means are integrally detachable from the main body housing.

Images