CN101154074A

CN101154074A - Developer cartridge and image forming device

Info

Publication number: CN101154074A
Application number: CN 200710090466
Authority: CN
Inventors: 野口康太郎
Original assignee: Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2007-04-11
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-11
Also published as: AU2010200134A1; CN101154074B; JP2008083549A; AU2007201469B2; AU2007201469A1; JP4513793B2

Abstract

The invention provides a developer case and an imaging device. The developer case is detachably fixed on the main body of the device. The developer case comprises: a case to rotate taking the shaft arranged in the main body of the device as a rotary shaft; a gate arranged in the case opening portion in the case in an open and closed mode; and a locking mechanism for locking the gate whose locking is released when the shaft portion is in the rotation center of the case.

Description

Developer box and imaging device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of developer box and imaging device.

Background technology

Imaging device is configured to from developer box to the developing cell supply developer.When the developer in the developer box is used up, pull down developer box from imaging device, and change with new developer box.

Be provided with open section in the sidewall of developer box, this open section has for example elongated tubular, and is used for to the developing cell supply developer, and this developer box also is provided with gate (shutter), and this gate opens and closes this open section.The locking mechanism of the described gate of locking is set, under the state that developer box has been pulled down from imaging device, is not easy to open (for example, referring to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 2005-37673 communique) so that guarantee this gate.

, locking mechanism needs private space for being set.Therefore, this has hindered the miniaturization of developer box or imaging device sometimes.

Summary of the invention

Even the objective of the invention is at the locking mechanism that is provided for locking gate also can make developer box or imaging device miniaturization when guaranteeing that described gate is not easy to open, described gate is used for opening and closing the box open section of described developer box.

In order to realize above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, the developer box of first aspect present invention is the developer box that is releasably attached on the apparatus main body, this developer box comprises: box body, this box body can utilize the axial region that is arranged in the described apparatus main body to rotate as rotation axis; Gate, this gate opens and closes the box open section that is arranged in the described box body; And locking mechanism, this locking mechanism locks described gate, and the locking of this locking mechanism is disengaged when described axial region is positioned at the center of rotation of described box body.

In the developer box of first aspect, described locking mechanism locking is used for opening and closing the described gate of the described box open section that is arranged on described box body, thereby has prevented that described gate from easily opening and closing.In addition, after being installed to described developer box on the described apparatus main body, described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, and thus, described box body becomes and can utilize described axial region to rotate as rotation axis, and the locking of described locking mechanism is disengaged.

Like this, have the function of the locking of removing described locking mechanism concurrently as the described axial region of the rotation axis of described box body.Therefore, can make described developer box miniaturization.

In addition, described locking is owing to the described box body of described developer box becomes rotatable being disengaged, therefore prevented that described developer box from becoming unstable, although just can rotate or described locking has been disengaged and can not have rotated even remove as yet such as the described locking of described developer box.

In the developer box of second aspect present invention, described locking mechanism comprises locking component, and this locking component locks described gate, and when described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, this locking component also moves against described axial region, thereby removes described locking.

In the developer box of second aspect, be installed to the described center of rotation place that described axial region on the described apparatus main body is positioned at described box body, thus, the described locking component that locks described gate is against described axial region and move, thereby removes described locking.In other words, described locking mechanism has easy structure.Can save the space that is used for described locking mechanism like this.Therefore, can make described developer box miniaturization.

In the developer box of third aspect present invention, described box body comprises leader, be formed with guiding piece in this leader, when being installed to described developer box on the described apparatus main body, this guiding piece guides to described axial region the described center of rotation of described box body.

The developer box of this third aspect comprises described leader, in this leader, be formed with described guiding piece, this guiding piece guides to described axial region the described center of rotation of described box body, thereby when being installed to described developer box on the described apparatus main body, this guiding piece can be easily and accurately described axial region is guided to the described center of rotation of described box body.

In the developer box of fourth aspect present invention, described leader comprises the box force application component, and this box force application component is against described axial region and vertically to the described developer box application of force.

In the developer box of fourth aspect, described box force application component is against described axial region and vertically to the described developer box application of force.In addition, owing to the positioning reference plane that for example makes described developer box makes described developer box locate vertically against the positioning reference plane that is arranged in the described apparatus main body.

In the developer box of fifth aspect present invention, described locking component is arranged in the described leader, so that expose from described box body.

In the developer box aspect the 5th, described locking component is arranged in the described leader, so that expose from described box body, thereby can further save the space that is used for described locking mechanism.

In the developer box of sixth aspect present invention, described locking mechanism comprises the force part, and this force part locks the direction of described gate to the described locking component application of force along described locking mechanism all the time.

In the developer box aspect the 6th, the direction that locks described gate along described locking mechanism all the time by described force part is to the described locking component application of force, thereby prevented that further described gate from easily opening and closing.

In the developer box of seventh aspect present invention, described force part and described locking component form.

In the developer box aspect the 7th, described force part and described locking component form, thereby described locking mechanism is simple in structure.

The imaging device of eighth aspect present invention comprises: the described developer box of either side in first to the 7th aspect; The mounting portion, described developer box is releasably attached on this mounting portion, and this mounting portion comprises the device open section, the described box open section of this device open section in the described developer box; And described axial region, this axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of the described box body of described developer box when described developer box is installed on the described mounting portion, and when described box body is rotated as rotation axis.

In the imaging device of eight aspect, described locking mechanism locking is used for opening and closing the described gate of the described box open section of the described box body that is arranged on described developer box, thereby has prevented that described gate from easily opening and closing.In addition, described developer box is installed on the described apparatus main body, and described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, thus, described box body utilizes described axial region to become rotatable as rotation axis, and the described locking of described locking mechanism is disengaged.

Like this, be arranged in the described apparatus main body and also have concurrently the effect of the described locking of removing described locking component as the described axial region of the rotation axis of the described box body of described developer box.Can make described developer box and described apparatus main body miniaturization.

In addition, described locking is disengaged owing to the described box body of described developer box becomes to rotate, and has prevented that therefore described developer box from becoming unstable, although such as having prevented that the described locking of described developer box from not separating as yet except rotating.

In the imaging device of ninth aspect present invention, be installed on the described mounting portion at described developer box, described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, and after the described locking of passing through described locking component of described gate is disengaged, utilize described axial region that described box body is rotated, and described box open section moves along with this rotation, and the gate of release is opened thus, thereby described box open section and described device open section are faced with each other.

In the imaging device aspect the 9th, as long as described axial region be not positioned at described developer box described box body described center of rotation and be not disengaged by the locking of locking mechanism described gate, so described box body just can not utilize described axial region to rotate as rotation axis and open described gate, thereby described box open section and described device open section can not face with each other, and have therefore prevented the developer leakage more reliably.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, can easily not open to guarantee this gate even the locking mechanism of locking gate is set, also can make developer box or imaging device miniaturization, described gate opens and closes the box open section in the developer box.

Description of drawings

To describe exemplary embodiment of the present invention in detail based on accompanying drawing below, in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is the diagrammatic side view of the imaging device structure of expression exemplary embodiment of the present;

Fig. 2 is the stereographic map of the developer box of expression exemplary embodiment of the present;

Fig. 3 A is that the gate of the tube portion of expression developer box is in the view under the closed condition;

Fig. 3 B is that the gate of the tube portion of expression developer box is in the view under the open mode;

Fig. 4 is the view of the mounting portion of expression developing cell;

Fig. 5 A is that the expression developer box just is being installed to the cut-open view on the mounting portion;

Fig. 5 B is that the expression developer box just is being installed to the cut-open view on the mounting portion;

Fig. 5 C is that the expression developer box just is being installed to the cut-open view on the mounting portion;

Fig. 6 is that the expression developer box just is being installed to the view on the mounting portion;

Fig. 7 is the stereographic map of the guiding elements seen from the inboard of expression; And

Fig. 8 A is the cut-open view of two ends of developer box;

Fig. 8 B is the front view of an end of developer box.

Embodiment

To describe exemplary embodiment of the present invention in detail based on accompanying drawing below.It should be noted that arrow FR represents the front side, and arrow RE represents rear side.

As shown in Figure 1, imaging device 10 comprises apparatus main body 12 and imaging moiety 14, and imaging moiety 14 comprises rotary type developing apparatus 16, and this developing apparatus 16 is arranged on the substantial middle part of apparatus main body 12.

Be provided with the paper feeding cassette 18 of store recording paper in the bottom of apparatus main body 12.Be provided with donor rollers 22 and postpone roller 24 in the place ahead of paper feeding cassette 18 (along the direction of arrow FR) and top, donor rollers 22 is supplied out recording paper from paper feeding cassette 18, postpones recording paper of supplying out of roller 24 each selections.

Transfer path 20 is recording paper paths of 30 from donor rollers 22 to escape hole.Transfer path 20 is formed on the front side of imaging device 10 along the approximate vertical direction to the fixing device of describing after a while 70 from paper feeding cassette 18.The provided upstream of fixing device 70 is equipped with second transfer roll 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll of describing after a while 60 on transfer path 20.Provided upstream at second transfer roll 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll 60 is equipped with alignment rolls 26.In addition, near escape hole 30 on the transfer path 20, be provided with distributing roller 28.

Therefore, recording paper is supplied out from paper feeding cassette 18 by donor rollers 22, and by postponing roller 24 selections, guides to transfer path 20 thereby only make at a uppermost recording paper.Subsequently, recording paper is registered roller 26 to be stopped temporarily, and regularly is sent between second transfer roll of describing after a while 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll 60 (second transfer section) one.

Rotary type developing apparatus 16 is configured to a little the rear side towards the substantial middle part of apparatus main body 12.This rotary type developing apparatus 16 comprises rotor 34, accommodate developing

cell

38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K in this rotor 34, these developing cells form the toner image of yellow (Y), carmetta (M), cyan (C) and four kinds of colors of black (K) respectively, and developing apparatus 16 is configured to around rotation axis 36 (counter clockwise direction among Fig. 1) rotation left.Developing

cell

38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K comprise

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K respectively, and by the general radial direction pushing of the elastic body 42 that for example constitutes by volute spring along rotor 34.

In addition, the image-carrier 44 that is made of photosensitive drums for example is set, thereby this image-carrier 44 is against rotary type developing apparatus 16.Not under the state of image-carrier 44, the part of the periphery of each

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K is from the outstanding for example about 2mm of periphery of rotor 34 at

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K.It should be noted that, be provided with tracking roller (not shown) at the two ends of each

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K, the diameter of this tracking roller is a bit larger tham the diameter of

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K, so that rotate coaxially with

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K.

That is to say that developer roll 40Y, 40M, 40C and the 40K of developing

cell

38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K is arranged on the periphery of rotor 34 around rotation axis 36 with the interval of 90 degree.The flange (not shown) of the tracking roller of

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K on the two ends that are arranged on image-carrier 44, thereby between

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K and image-carrier 44, form predetermined gap, and

developer roll

40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K by they separately the toner of color make image development on the image-carrier 44.

In addition, be provided with charging roller 46 below image-carrier 44, these charging roller 46 usefulness are made the charging part to the surperficial uniform charging of image-carrier 44.In addition, as the cleaning spade 48 of cleaning device charging roller 46 along the downstream of image-carrier 44 rotation directions against image-carrier 44.By this cleaning spade 48 waste toner that remains on the image-carrier 44 after the transfer printing is first wiped off.

In addition, be provided with exposure device 50 below rotary type developing apparatus 16, this exposure device 50 utilizes the light beam such as laser beam to write sub-image on the image-carrier 44 that is recharged roller 46 uniform charging.In addition, be provided with intermediate transfer device 52 in the place ahead of rotary type developing apparatus 16, this intermediate transfer device 52 will be becomes visible toner image by rotary type developing apparatus 16 and is sent to second transfer roll 66 as second transfer section from the image-carrier 44 as first transfer section.

Intermediate transfer device 52 by as the intermediate transfer belt 54 of intermediate transfer body, be involved in roller 56, roll out roller 58, the second transfer printing backing roll 60 and

idler roller

62 and 64 and constitute.The intermediate transfer belt 54 that is drawn forward out owing to the second transfer printing backing roll 60 is against second transfer roll 66.

Intermediate transfer belt 54 is included in and is involved in roller 56 and rolls out between the roller 58 ground of reeling against first transfer section (image-carrier winding part) of image-carrier 44, and the preset range of coiling image-carrier 44, and is configured to follow the rotation of image-carrier 44.After the transfer printing first of the quilt of the toner image on the image-carrier 44, intermediate transfer belt 54 toner images with transfer printing first are sent to the second transfer printing backing roll 60.

Second transfer roll 66 is towards the second transfer printing backing roll 60 of intermediate transfer device 52, and transfer path 20 is plugged between second transfer roll 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll 60.In other words, zone between second transfer roll 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll 60 is as second transfer section, and second transfer roll 66 will be transferred to toner image secondary transfer printing on the intermediate transfer belt 54 down to recording paper first the second transfer printing backing roll 60 auxiliary.Although it should be noted that not shownly, near idler roller 62, be provided with cleaning device, the waste toner that this cleaning device will remain on the intermediate transfer belt 54 after secondary transfer printing strikes off.

In addition, (downstream) is provided with fixing device 70 above second transfer section.This fixing device 70 comprises warm-up mill 72 and backer roll 74, and this fixing device 70 is configured to make by second transfer roll 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll, the 60 secondary transfer printings toner image to the recording paper to recording paper by heat/pressure and fusing with warm-up mill 72 and backer roll 74.

Toner image on being transferred to recording paper is by after fixing device 70 photographic fixing, and recording paper is discharged to discharge section 32 by distributing roller 28 by escape hole 30.Discharge section 32 tilts, and makes that its part near escape hole 30 is lower, and raises gradually along the direction (direction backward) of its rear side.

Imaging process is described below.

When imaging signal sends to imaging device 10, charge equably by 46 pairs of image-carriers 44 of charging roller.Subsequently, be used for from exposure device 50 based on the light beam irradiates of picture signal by the image-carrier 44 of uniform charging.In other words, make the face exposure of image-carrier 44, form sub-image thus from the light beam of exposure device 50.

Be formed on image-carrier 44 lip-deep sub-images by exposure device 50 and be developed toner image into yellow (Y), carmetta (M), cyan (C) and each color of black (K) by rotary type developing apparatus 16, and these toner images overlap on the intermediate transfer belt 54 and by transfer printing first, form full-color toner image thus on intermediate transfer belt 54.After the transfer printing, the waste toner that will remain on the image-carrier 44 by cleaning spade 48 strikes off and reclaims first.

The recording paper that is stored in the paper feeding cassette 18 is supplied out by donor rollers 22 according to suppling signal etc., and by postponing roller 24 selections, be directed to transfer path 20 and be registered roller 26 and stop temporarily, thereby regularly be sent to the secondary transfer printing part one.

When recording paper is directed to second transfer section, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 54 by secondary transfer roller 66 and the second transfer printing backing roll 60 and secondary transfer printing to recording paper.After the secondary transfer printing, the waste toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 54 strikes off and is recovered by the cleaning spade (not shown).

Like this, the recording paper that toner image has been transferred on it is directed to fixing device 70, full-color toner image in this heating by warm-up mill 72 and backer roll 74 and pressurization and by photographic fixing to recording paper.Subsequently, discharge section 32 discharged and entered to full-color toner image by distributing roller 28 by escape hole 30 to the recording paper on it by photographic fixing.

Developing

cell

38Y, 38M, 38C and the 38K of rotary type developing apparatus 16 are respectively arranged with

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K, and these developer boxes store the toner of its corresponding yellow (Y), carmetta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) color

respectively.Developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K are releasably attached on mounting

portion

200Y, 200M, 200C and the 200K of developing

cell

38Y, 38M, 38C and 38K, and supply new toner.Subsequently, when the toner exhaustion in

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and the 100K, pull down

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K, and replace with

new developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K from apparatus main body 12.

In this exemplary embodiment, adopt to comprise that the two-component developing agent of toner and carrier is as developer.In addition, adopt " dribble-feed " toning system.

The dribble-feed toning system is a kind of like this toning system, this toning system is for the charging performance deterioration that prevents developer and prolong developer and change replenishment developer at interval and gradually, and simultaneously, when discharging (recovery) excessive degraded developer (comprising a large amount of degraded carriers), carry out development.

Below

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K will be described.It should be noted that and therefore omit alphabetical Y, M, C and K owing to

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C have identical structure with 100K.

As shown in Figure 2, each developer box 100 all has the cylindrical form of integral elongated, and its longitudinal direction is axial (referring to Fig. 1) of the rotation axis 36 of rotary type developing apparatus 16.

Developer box 100 is provided with the box body 102 of receiving photographic developer.The profile perpendicular to the xsect of longitudinal direction of box body 102 is avette.In addition, box body 102 is provided with a portion 150, and this one 150 begins to extend in a longitudinal direction from an end 102A of longitudinal direction.Tube portion 150 perpendicular to little than box body 102 of the profile of the xsect of longitudinal direction, and be roughly circle.

Box body 102 comprises handle portion 104, and this handle portion 104 is outstanding from end 102A in a longitudinal direction, crooked and be connected to the end of a portion 150.In addition, between handle portion 104 and tube portion 150, be formed with gap 300.

Shown in Fig. 3 B, in the sidewall 152 of the tube portion 150 of box body 102, be provided with complementary apertures 154 and recovery holes 156, developer in these complementary apertures 154 usefulness developer boxes 100 replenishes developing cell 38, and recovery holes 156 will be recovered to the developer box 100 from the developer that developing cell 38 is discharged.

The outside of the sidewall 152 of tube portion 150 is provided with gate 160, and this gate 160 is the form that is shaped as the arc plate consistent with the curvature of sidewall 152.Shown in Fig. 3 A and 3B, gate 160 moves (slip) along sidewall 152 at circumferencial direction (direction vertical with longitudinal direction), so that open and close complementary apertures 154 and recovery holes 156.

In gate 160 is arranged on gap 300 between handle portion 104 and the tube portion 150 along the track that moves.In other words, when making gate 160 motions in order to open complementary apertures 154 and recovery holes 156, gate 160 enters gap 300 (seeing Fig. 5 C in addition).

In addition, shown in Fig. 5 A, be stained with the seal 62 that is made of the elastic component such as sponge at the rear side of tube portion 150 sides of gate 160, sealing part 62 seals the zone around complementary apertures 154 and the recovery holes 156 when gate 160 is closed.In addition, for enhanced leaktightness, the sidewall 152 of tube portion 150 is provided with outshot 158, the end of these outshot 158 backup seals 162.

As (b)-1 of Fig. 6 with (c)-1, the end of developer box 100 is provided with guiding elements 250.Be formed with guiding piece 252 in guiding elements 250, the axial region 500 that this guiding piece 252 is used for being arranged on apparatus main body 12 guides to the center of rotation of box body 102.The shape of this guiding piece 252 is similar to the groove that caves inward and broadens towards the inserting side of axial region 500 broad ways.In addition, in the end portion (center of rotation part) of guiding piece 252, be formed with circular portion 253, so that make developer box 100 can utilize axial region 500 to rotate as rotation axis.In addition, the end surfaces of the longitudinal direction of guiding elements 250 part (basal surface of the groove of guiding piece 252) is provided with application of force pawl 254 (seeing Fig. 7, Fig. 8 A and Fig. 8 B), and this application of force pawl 254 is elastic deformation in a longitudinal direction.

As (a)-1 of Fig. 6 and shown in Figure 7, in guiding elements 250, be provided with locking mechanism 380.This locking mechanism 380 comprises locking component 400, and locking component 400 is arranged in the guiding elements 250 and comprises first member 402 and second member 404 of square bar shape, and the two formation is L shaped.As (b)-1 of Fig. 6 with (c)-1, in the lock hole 160C in the end portion 404A of second member 404 of the locking component 400 insertion gate 600, lock gate 160 thus.It should be noted that Fig. 7 is the view of the guiding elements 250 when the inboard is seen.

In addition, as shown in Figure 7, formed spring section 406 on the top of first member 402 of locking component 400.Elasticity by spring section 406 is inserted direction in the lock hole 160C in the gate 160 to locking component 400 application of forces along the end portion 404A of second member 404.Therefore, the locked member of gate 160 400 is normally closed.In addition, as shown in Figure 6, first member 402 of locking component 400 is exposed to the circular portion 253 of guiding piece 252.In addition, guiding elements 400 is configured to and can slides along (a)-1 and the vertical direction among Fig. 7 of Fig. 6.

To describe mounting

portion

200Y, 200M, 200C and 200K below,

developer box

100Y, 100M, 100C and 100K are releasably attached on these mounting portions.It should be noted that because mounting

portion

200Y, 200M, 200C and 200K also construct in an identical manner, therefore will omit alphabetical Y, M, C and K.

As shown in Figure 4, be provided with receiving unit 202 in mounting portion 200, this receiving unit 202 is along the curvature of the sidewall 152 of the tube portion 150 of developer box 100 and with roughly circular arc bending.Shown in Fig. 5 A to Fig. 5 C, in receiving unit 202, be provided with complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes (not shown), they are respectively in the face of above-mentioned complementary apertures 154 and recovery holes 156 (referring to Fig. 2) in the developer box 100.In addition, in receiving unit 202, be provided with the gate 260 that opens and closes complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes, thereby this gate 260 can move along the circumferential direction.

In addition, the seal 210 that is made of elastic component (such as sponge) adheres to complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes zone on every side.In addition, in order to strengthen sealing, gate 206 is provided with jut 207, the end of these jut 207 backup seals 210.

To utilize Fig. 5 A to 5C and Fig. 6 to describe below is installed to developer box 100 on the mounting portion 200.It should be noted that, although omitted recovery holes 156 in the developer box 100 and the recovery holes in the mounting portion 200 in Fig. 5 A to Fig. 5 C, the complementary apertures 154 in their operation and the developer box 100 is identical with the operation of the complementary apertures 204 in the mounting portion 200.

Shown in Fig. 5 A and 5B, the tube portion 150 of developer box 100 is installed on the receiving unit 202 of mounting portion 200.The end 160A of the gate 160 of developer box 100 is against the end of receiving unit 202.It should be noted, at this moment, complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes (not shown) in complementary apertures 154 in the developer box 100 and recovery holes 156 and the mounting portion 200 do not have not toward each other, but respectively by the gate 160 of developer box and gate 206 sealings of mounting portion.

As (a)-1 of Fig. 6, (a)-2, (b)-1, (b)-2, (c)-1 with (c)-2, when developer box 100 is installed on the mounting portion 200, axial region 500 is guided by the guiding piece 252 of guiding elements 250, and enters circular portion 253 when installation.

At this moment, first member 402 of locking component 400 is pushed.Subsequently, the end portion 404A of second member 404 of locking component 400 breaks away from the lock hole 160C in the gate 160, unlocks thus.

When locking was disengaged, as (a)-2 of Fig. 5 B and 5C and Fig. 6, (a)-3, (b)-2, (b)-3, (c)-2 with (c)-3, turning handle 104 was so that rotate developer box 100.At this moment, the end 160A of the gate 160 of developer box 100 does not move, and this is because its end against receiving unit 202.In other words, when complementary apertures in the tube portion 150 154 and recovery holes 156 motions, gate 160 is opened.In addition, the gate 206 of mounting portion 200 is opened relatively with the rotation of developer box 100.

Shown in Fig. 5 C, complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes (not shown) in the complementary apertures 154 in the developer box 100 and recovery holes 165 and the mounting portion 200 face with each other.

Can pull down developer box 100 according to the order opposite with said sequence.In addition, when developer box 100 is removed, to locking component 400 application of forces, the end portion 404A of second member 404 is inserted in the lock hole 160C in the gate 160, thereby gate 160 become and is locked under the closed condition by spring section 406.

In the time will being installed to developer box 100 on the mounting portion 200, the application of force pawl 254 backup axial regions 500 of the guiding elements 250 of elastic deformation in a longitudinal direction, (axially) is to developer box 100 application of forces thus along the longitudinal direction.Subsequently, the positioning reference plane 260 opposite with the guiding elements 250 of developer box 100 makes developer box 100 along axial location against the positioning reference plane 502 opposite with axial region 500 that is arranged in the apparatus main body 12 thus.

The effect of this exemplary embodiment is described below.

The locking component 400 locking gates 160 of locking mechanism 380, thus prevented that gate 160 from easily opening, and this gate 160 opens and closes complementary apertures 154 and the recovery holes 156 in the sidewall 152 of tube portion 150 of the box body 102 that is arranged on developer box 100.In addition, after developer box 100 was installed on the mounting portion 200, axial region 500 was positioned at the center of rotation of box body 102, and thus, it is rotatable that box body 102 utilizes axial region 500 to become as rotation axis, and be disengaged by the locking of locking mechanism 380.

Particularly, the end portion 404A of second member 404 of locking component 400 is owing to locking gate 160 among the lock hole 160C that is inserted in the gate 160, thereby and first member 402 of locking component 400 is pushed locking component 400 against axial region 500, thus, the end portion 404A of the second member 404 hole 160C that goes out of lock, thus unlock.Like this, locking mechanism 380 has easy structure.

In addition, the locking component 400 of locking mechanism 380 is arranged in the guiding elements 250, is formed with guiding piece 252 in guiding elements 250, and when being installed to developer box 10 on the mounting portion 200, this guiding piece 252 guides to center of rotation with axial region 500.

Like this, the axial region 500 as the rotation axis of developer box 100 has the function of removing by the locking of locking mechanism 380 concurrently.And locking mechanism 380 also has easy structure.In addition, locking mechanism 380 is arranged in the guiding elements 250.

Therefore, the space less (conserve space) that is used for locking mechanism 380.Like this, can correspondingly make the developer box miniaturization with above-mentioned amount.In addition, owing to need not be used for the member (owing to except axial region 500, no longer needing other member) of locking mechanism in addition, therefore also can make apparatus main body 12 miniaturizations.

In addition, as long as axial region 500 is not positioned at the center of rotation of developer box 100 and the locking of 380 pairs of gates 160 of locking mechanism is not removed, developer box 100 just can not rotate as rotation axis with axial region 500 so.In other words, as long as the locking of gate 160 is not removed, so just can not rotate developer box 100 and open the sluices 160, and can not make complementary apertures 154 in the developer box and recovery holes 156, thereby prevent the leakage of developer reliably in the face of complementary apertures 204 and recovery holes in the device.In addition, prevented that developer box 100 from becoming unstable, although although remove as yet and can rotate or lock and separate except not rotating such as having prevented that developer from locking.

In addition, because the guiding piece 252 of guiding elements 250 guides to center of rotation with axial region 500, so the guiding piece 252 of guiding elements 250 can guide to center of rotation with axial region 500 easily and accurately.

In addition, application of force pawl 254 is against axial region 500, vertically to developer box 100 application of forces, and causes the positioning reference plane 502 of the positioning reference plane 260 abutment means main bodys 12 of developer box 100, makes developer box 100 accurate location vertically thus.

In addition, under the state that developer box 100 has been pulled down from apparatus main body 12, since with the integrally formed spring section 406 of locking component 400 all the time along locking direction (the end portion 404A of second member 404 of locking component 400 inserts the direction of the lock hole 160C in the gate 160) application of force locking component 400, therefore prevented that reliably gate 160 from easily opening and closing.In addition, because spring section 406 is integrally formed with locking component 400, so latch-up structure 380 is simple in structure.

The present invention is not limited to above-mentioned exemplary embodiment.

For example, in above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, adopt the two-component developing agent that comprises toner and carrier as developer, but developer is not limited to this.At least the developer that comprises toner can meet the demands, and therefore also can use the monocomponent toner that only is made of toner.In addition, toning system is not to be necessary for the dribble-feed toning system.

In addition, in above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the open section in the developer box 100 is made of two holes (complementary apertures 154 and recovery holes 156), but open section is not limited to this.This open section also can be made of a hole or three or more holes.

In addition, in above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, imaging device 10 adopts four circulation systems of only using a developing body to form coloured image, but imaging device 10 also can adopt the series system of using a plurality of photoreceptors to form coloured image.This imaging device can also be the device that is used to form black white image.

In order to illustrate and purpose of description provides foregoing description to exemplary embodiment of the present.And be not intended to exhaustive or the present invention is limited to disclosed exact form.Clearly, numerous modifications and variations all are conspicuous to those skilled in the art.Select and described these exemplary embodiments in order to explain principle of the present invention and practical application thereof best, the present invention who others skilled in the art can be understood be used for various embodiment and have the various modifications of the concrete application that is suitable for imagining.The invention is intended to limit scope of the present invention by claims and equivalent thereof.

Claims

1. developer box that is releasably attached on the apparatus main body, this developer box comprises:

Box body, this box body can utilize the axial region that is arranged in the described apparatus main body to rotate as rotation axis;

Gate, this gate opens and closes the box open section that is arranged in the described box body; And

Locking mechanism, this locking mechanism locks described gate, and the locking of this locking mechanism is disengaged when described axial region is positioned at the center of rotation of described box body.

2. developer box as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described locking mechanism comprises locking component, this locking component locks described gate, and also moves against described axial region when described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, thereby removes described locking.

3. developer box as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described box body comprises leader, is formed with guiding piece in this leader, when described developer box was installed on the described apparatus main body, described guiding piece guided to described axial region the described center of rotation of described box body.

4. developer box as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described box body comprises leader, is formed with guiding piece in this leader, when described developer box was installed on the described apparatus main body, described guiding piece guided to described axial region the described center of rotation of described box body.

5. developer box as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described leader comprises the box force application component, this box force application component is against described axial region and vertically to the described developer box application of force.

6. developer box as claimed in claim 4, wherein, described leader comprises the box force application component, this box force application component is against described axial region and vertically to the described developer box application of force.

7. developer box as claimed in claim 4, wherein, described locking component is arranged in the described leader, so that expose from described box body.

8. developer box as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described locking mechanism comprises the force part, this force part locks the direction of described gate to the described locking component application of force along described locking mechanism all the time.

9. developer box as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described force part and described locking component form.

10. imaging device, this imaging device comprises:

Be releasably attached to the developer box on the apparatus main body, this developer box comprises that rotating box body, opening and closing are arranged on the gate of the box open section in the described box body and the locking mechanism that locks described gate, and when axial region was positioned at the center of rotation of described box body, the locking of described locking mechanism was disengaged;

The mounting portion, described developer box is releasably attached on this mounting portion, and this mounting portion comprises the device open section, and this device open section is in the face of the described box open section in the described developer box; And

Described axial region, this axial region are positioned at the described center of rotation of the described box body of described developer box when described developer box is installed on the described mounting portion, and when described box body is rotated as rotation axis.

11. imaging device as claimed in claim 10, wherein

Be installed on the described mounting portion at described developer box, and described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body, and removes after the locking of described locking mechanism to described gate, utilize described axial region to make described box body rotate as rotation axis; And

Described box open section moves along with described rotation, and the described gate that is unlocked is opened thus, thereby described box open section and described device open section face with each other.

12. imaging device as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described locking mechanism comprises locking component, and this locking component locks described gate, and when described axial region is positioned at the described center of rotation of described box body,, described locking component removes described locking thereby also moving against described axial region.

13. imaging device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, described box body comprises leader, is formed with guiding piece in this leader, when described developer box was installed on the described apparatus main body, described guiding piece guided to described axial region the described center of rotation of described box body.

14. imaging device as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described leader comprises the box force application component, and this box force application component is against described axial region and vertically to the described developer box application of force.

15. imaging device as claimed in claim 13, wherein, described locking component is arranged in the described leader, so that expose from described box body.

16. imaging device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, described locking mechanism comprises the force part, and this force part locks the direction of described gate to the described locking component application of force along described locking mechanism all the time.

17. imaging device as claimed in claim 16, wherein, described force part and described locking component form.