CN1794109A - Image forming device and mounting member for mounting a toner container thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

A toner container mounting member comprises mounted thereon a plurality of toner containers that perform supply of toner by being themselves rotated. The toner containers are laid in the same direction to be mounted/released from above; a plurality of guiding members that rotatably support the toner containers are integrally formed.

Description

Imaging device and be used for the installation component that toner container is mounted thereto

Technical field

The present invention relates to for example electric photographic-type duplicating machine of a kind of imaging device, printer, facsimile recorder or combination has the machine of these functions, and relate in particular to a kind of toner container that is used for to the ink powder that constitute developer to be housed for example developer bottle be installed in installation component on the imaging device.

Background technology

As examine disclosed in the open Japanese patent application No.2002-139905, in a kind of imaging device of latest type, be by bottle self rotation be carried out being discharged to the outside from the ink powder supply opening from the ink powder in the bottle from the operation of supplying ink powder such as the toner container of the developer bottle that accommodates the ink powder that is supplied to developing apparatus.This toner container forms the cylinder form of extending along its rotation direction, and is formed with in its outside surface towards the outstanding spiral protuberance in the inside of this bottle; Ink powder in the container is delivered to the ink powder supply opening by the rotation of this bottle.

But, since be used for toner container be installed in installation component on this imaging device constitute when wanting the installation or removal toner container, make toner container from the axis direction of its rotation with respect to the installation component attaching/detaching, so need the work space of toner container along the roughly whole length of rotation direction.Therefore, in comprising this system in the imaging device of installation component, in near the attaching/detaching side with toner container is arranged in wall or pillar etc. the process, its installation direction and/or installation site can may hinder this true being restricted of attaching/detaching of toner container owing to this installation component.Because toner container carries out attaching/detaching from the rotation direction, so because so this toner container is difficult to see the mounting portion, and if for example hand shake when carrying out the attaching/detaching operation of operating personnel, then be difficult to the installation site is positioned.Therefore this causes adverse effect to the simplicity of installing, and the mechanism that for example needs some to be used for toner container being kept/being fixed on the installation site, thus the problem that causes cost to increase.

In addition, in recent years for toner container is managed, the information that will be specific to this toner container usually for example management data of the term of life of the frequency of utilization of this toner container or this toner container is stored in the storage chip that is installed on the toner container.The information of this storage chip is carried out read/write in the master unit that is installed on imaging device at this toner container the time, must when toner container is installed, this storage chip is electrically connected with master unit.But, be out of shape under some external force effects that come from the outside if be used for being implemented in the bonder terminal of the electrical connection between toner container and the master unit, then may cause bad connection.

For example, when the equipment described in the open Japanese patent application No.2002-169365 of not examining is configured on the master unit that toner container is arranged on imaging device, between these parts, realize being electrically connected.But, do not disclose and anyly be used to prevent this electrical connection distortion that causes by undesirable external force or damage or damage the parts of (for example distortion of bonder terminal).

Also have, in not examining open Japanese patent application No.2004-139031, illustrate, when developer bottle being arranged in the printer master unit, thereby the relay connector that is arranged on the developer bottle is determined amount of toner in the developer bottle master unit by reading the relevant information that is input to the amount of toner on the ID chip that is installed on the printer master unit, and the information of obtaining according to the process that read by this about amount of toner is determined the timing that ink powder is imported to the operation of developing apparatus thus.But, do not disclose any be used to prevent the electrical connections distortion of this intermediate connector and IC chip or the parts that damage or damage.

Summary of the invention

First purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of imaging device and a kind ofly is used for the installation component that toner container is mounted thereto, can carry out its installation and removal easily thus, guarantee the visuality of whole toner container simultaneously, and wherein can make cost keep lower.

Second purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of imaging device, wherein can firmly be installed on the master unit of imaging device by electric checking toner container.

The 3rd purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of imaging device; can protect bonder terminal in the time of wherein in the master unit that toner container is installed in imaging device, thereby make the bonder terminal of the data processing unit in the master unit that is arranged on imaging device can not be out of shape, damage or damage.

According to the present invention, provide a kind of being equipped with on it to be used for being undertaken the toner container installation component of a plurality of toner containers of ink powder supply by self rotation, wherein toner container is arranged along equidirectional, and forms according to a plurality of guiding elements that enable to support rotationally from the mode of top attaching/detaching toner container.

In addition according to the present invention, a kind of being used for is set the ink powder feeding unit of ink powder is provided for the developing apparatus of respective color, comprising: the toner container installation component that can make toner container rotation and installation and removal toner container from the toner container that multiple color toner is housed; Drive unit is used for making the toner container rotation that is installed on the toner container installation component; And the ink powder moving conduit, the ink powder that is used for discharging from toner container guides to developing apparatus; Wherein toner container is arranged along equidirectional, and can form from top attaching/detaching and a plurality of guiding elements that supporting the ink powder container rotationally.

According to the present invention, a kind of imaging device is set in addition, comprises: a plurality of image-carriers are formed with the sub-image corresponding with respective color on it; A plurality of developing apparatuss are used for making the image development that is formed on the image-carrier; And toner supplying device, be used for from toner container that multiple color toner wherein is housed the ink powder of respective color being supplied to developing apparatus, this toner supplying device comprises and is used for supporting toner container so that it can rotate and the ink powder installation component of attaching/detaching; Drive unit is used for making the toner container rotation that is installed on the toner container installation component; And ink powder moving conduit, be used for and guide to developing apparatus from the ink powder that toner container is discharged, wherein in the toner container installation component, toner container arranges and can be from the top attaching/detaching along equidirectional, and a plurality of guiding elements that rotatably support toner container form.

Description of drawings

From the following detailed description that provides in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will be well understood to more of the present invention above and other purpose, feature and advantage, in these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the one-piece construction figure of imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the amplification view that the structure of the toner supplying device of this imaging device and toner container installation component is shown;

Fig. 3 is the skeleton view that the structure of toner container installation component and toner container is shown;

Fig. 4 is the skeleton view that the installment state of toner container installation component is shown;

The skeleton view of Fig. 5 for seeing from the top left of toner container installation component;

The skeleton view of Fig. 6 for seeing from the right, top of toner container installation component;

Fig. 7 illustrates the cover component of imaging device and the skeleton view of the relation between the toner container;

Fig. 8 is for wherein being equipped with the skeleton view of the imaging device of the toner container that comprises handle at the one end thereof place;

Fig. 9 is the skeleton view that the imaging device of the toner container that comprises handle at its place, the other end wherein is installed;

Figure 10 is the skeleton view of imaging device that the toner container of locating to comprise handle in the middle wherein is installed;

Figure 11 is for wherein being equipped with the skeleton view that comprises the imaging device of handled toner container at two place, end;

Figure 12 is a cut-open view, is illustrated in the structure that comprises the more most toner container installation component of a diameter on the rotation direction;

Figure 13 is a cut-open view, is illustrated in the structure that place, two ends on the rotation direction comprises the more most toner container installation component of a diameter;

Figure 14 is a skeleton view, and near the structure of leader label part that is arranged on the toner container installation component is shown;

Figure 15 be this imaging device toner container from this equipment front the one-piece construction figure when axially inwardly installing;

Figure 16 be schematically illustrated toner container installation component from this equipment front the skeleton view towards the structure of axially inwardly installing;

Figure 17 is the synoptic diagram that is used for illustrating along center a plurality of developing apparatuss and that put direction;

Figure 18 is a skeleton view, is illustrated in the storage unit on the block that is installed in developer bottle among first embodiment of this embodiment, and the state that is installed in the electrical connection of the data processing unit on the developer bottle holding portion;

Figure 19 is for being installed in the side view of the data processing unit on the developer bottle installation component in second embodiment of this embodiment;

Figure 20 illustrates the front view of storage unit with respect to the installment state of the block of this developer bottle;

Figure 21 is the enlarged drawing of the detail section of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is the side view of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is the skeleton view of the detail section of the developer bottle installation component in the 3rd embodiment of this embodiment;

Figure 24 is the side view that is installed in the data processing unit on this developer bottle installation component;

Figure 25 illustrates the one-piece construction of block of this developer bottle and the storage unit skeleton view with respect to the installment state of block;

Figure 26 is a synoptic diagram, and storage unit that is installed on this block and the status of electrically connecting that is installed in the data processing unit on the developer bottle installation component are shown, and this figure is the view of seeing from the side of storage unit and data processing unit;

Figure 27 is the skeleton view of the detail section of the developer bottle installation component in the 4th embodiment of this embodiment; And

Figure 28 is the cut-open view that the mounting structure of the row's paper lid (stacker unit) that opens and closes this developer bottle installation component is shown.

Embodiment

Below with reference to accompanying drawings embodiment of the present invention are elaborated.

Imaging device according to this embodiment belongs to the color printer (being referred to below as " printer ") that can form coloured image, wherein adopts tandem to arrange.This imaging device is not limited at the printer shown in Fig. 1, and the machine of these functions for example can also be arranged for duplicating machine, facsimile recorder or combination.

At first, the basic structure and the operation thereof of printer are described, will structure and the operation that be specific to this embodiment be described then with reference to Fig. 1.

In this printer, the paper supply unit 2 that the paper 29 that constitutes recording medium wherein is housed is arranged in the top that equipment master unit 1 below and image-generating unit 3 are arranged in main element 1.This image-generating unit 3 comprises: imaging moiety 8, and this part constitutes by constituting a plurality of four image-generating unit 8Y, 8C, 8M, 8K of the image-forming block of image-carrier of comprising; A plurality of rollers 4,5,6, intermediate transfer unit 7 with intermediate transfer belt 7a constitutes the intermediate transfer body by the flexible annular band is installed on these rollers, optical writing unit 15 carries out the optics of image-carrier is write thus, and with the fixing member 22 of ink powder image photographic fixing on paper P.The paper supply passage 23 that is used to supply with paper 29 is formed up to fixing member 22 from paper supply unit 2.Roller 6 is arranged in the face of paper supply passage 23.

At the roller 4 of intermediate transfer belt 7a and the interval between the roller 5 corresponding to the tract (lower reach) of this transfer belt.On intermediate transfer belt 7a, the secondary transfer roller 20 that constitutes the secondary transfer printing device is arranged to facing to paper supply passage 23 in the position facing to roller 6; The transfer belt cleaning device 21 that is used for cleaning this transfer belt surface is arranged to facing to roller 4.

Image-generating unit 3 is by being arranged to be arranged on intermediate transfer belt 7a below facing to this tract.Each image-generating unit is respectively arranged with the image-carrier that is made of photosensitive drums 10Y, the 10C, 10M and the 10K that contact with intermediate transfer belt 7a.Charging device 11, developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M and 12K and cleaning device 13 are arranged round photosensitive drums respectively.The transfer roll 14 that is configured to carry out the transfer member of first transfer printing in corresponding image-generating unit is arranged on the inboard of intermediate transfer belt 7a in photosensitive drums and intermediate transfer belt 7a position contacting respectively.

Image-generating unit 8Y, 8C, 8M, 8K have identical structure basically; Reference numeral is attached on the typical image-generating unit structure 8K shown in Figure 1.Difference between each image-generating unit is that the ink powder that is contained in these different developing apparatuss is the color difference of developer.In imaging device 12Y, the 12C of image- generating unit 8Y, 8C, 8M and 8K, 12M, 12K, yellow, cyan, magenta and powdered black ink are housed respectively.When the amount of toner in these developing apparatuss reduces, provide additional ink powder from the developer bottle 31,32,33,34 that is arranged in this equipment master unit 1 top respectively.

In this embodiment, developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K and photosensitive drums 10Y, 10C, 10M, 10K with along developing apparatus and put that direction is connected its straight line 01 of arranging the center and the straight line 02 of the rotation center that is connected photosensitive drums is parallel to each other.Also have, in Fig. 1, they are arranged to from promptly being arranged the paper direction by the rear surface side of this device shown in the arrow C 1 towards downward-sloping by the front side (being also referred to as the front surface of this device) of this device shown in the arrow C 2.

As shown in figure 17, main reference position locating shaft 121Y, 121C, 121M, 121K and auxiliary reference location positioning axle 122Y, 122C, 122M, 122K are arranged to respectively stretch out at the longitudinal direction along developing apparatus on two sides of the axial location of developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K.Main reference position locating shaft 121Y, 121C, 121M, 121K constitute main reference during being installed to equipment master unit 1; The function that stops developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K to rotate after auxiliary reference location positioning axle 122Y, 122C, 122M, 122K have in being installed in equipment master unit 1.Specifically, on the body side frame 1B, the 1C that are arranged on the equipment master unit 1, be formed with respectively and make main reference position locating shaft 121Y, 121C, 121M, 121K be inserted into wherein reference bore 123Y, 123C, 123M, 123K and auxiliary reference location positioning axle 122Y, 122C, 122M, 122K are inserted into wherein slit 124Y, 124C, 124M, 124K respectively.

In Figure 17, body side frame 1C only is shown, but on the side of body side frame 1B shown in Figure 4, is formed with at the reference bore 123Y shown in Figure 17,123C, 123M, 123K and slit 124Y, 124C, 124M and 124K.When seeing these developing apparatuss, be arranged in reference bore 123Y, 123C, 123M, 123K and slit 124Y, 124C, 124M and the 124K on the side of body side frame 1B and reference bore 123Y, the 123C, 123M, 123K and slit 124Y, 124C, 124M and the 124K that are positioned on the side of body side frame 1C are arranged in the position of facing respectively from longitudinal direction.In this embodiment, be formed on reference bore 123Y, 123C, 123M, 123K and slit 124Y, 124C, 124M and 124K on the side of body side frame 1B be formed on can free closure or openness mode be installed on the location positioning panel (not shown) on the body side frame 1B rather than be formed on its body side frame 1B.In this embodiment, can be by these these developing apparatuss of location positioning panel (not shown) slave unit master unit 1 installation or removal of closure or openness.

In this structure, along it and put the straight line at center that straight line 01 that direction connects the layout center of a plurality of developing apparatuss refers to the center of the center that connects main reference position locating shaft 121Y, 121C, 121M, 121K, auxiliary reference location positioning axle 122Y, 122C, 122M, 122K or wherein is inserted with these reference bore 123Y, 123C, 123M, 123K and/or slit 124Y, 124C, 124M and 124K.The center of slit 124Y, 124C, 124M, 124K refers to the main shaft of slit and the intersection point of countershaft.

In the side surface of equipment master unit 1, form porose 1a.Image-generating unit 8Y, 8C, 8M, 8K and intermediate transfer unit 7 can freely be installed with respect to equipment master unit 1 from the side of this hole 1a with dismantling.

Optical writing unit 15 is by forming the sub-image of every kind of color on the surface that will guide to photosensitive drums through the laser beam L of optical modulation and on the surface in photosensitive drums.In this embodiment, adopt a kind of like this structure, wherein optical writing unit 15 is arranged in imaging moiety 8 belows, thereby carries out laser radiation from the bottom of this equipment towards the top of this equipment.

When the beginning imaging operation, the photosensitive drums 10Y of each image-generating unit, 10C, 10M, 10K drive along the clockwise direction rotation under the effect of drive unit (not shown), and the surface of photosensitive drums is filled with the electric charge of specified polarity equably by corresponding charging device 11 as a result.When on the surface that laser beam L is mapped to the photosensitive drums that is recharged so respectively from optical writing unit 15, on these surfaces, form electrostatic latent image.In this process, employed image information is for by resolving into desired coloured image the monochrome image information that yellow, cyan, magenta and black image information obtain in photosensitive drums exposure.The electrostatic latent image that forms like this between photosensitive drums and developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K by the time, this sub-image is transformed into ink powder image by the ink powder of corresponding developing apparatus, can the view picture.

One of a plurality of rollers 4,5,6 that intermediate transfer belt 7a is installed on it drive along rotation counterclockwise under the effect of drive unit (not shown), thereby drive intermediate transfer belt 7a along as being turned round by the counter clockwise direction shown in the arrow; Other roller rotates as follower.The Yellow ink powder image that is formed by the image-generating unit 8Y of the developing apparatus 12Y with Yellow ink powder that is arranged on upstream along transfer belt direction of motion is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 7a of such running by transfer roll 14.To be transferred to by cyan ink powder image, magenta ink powder image and the powdered black ink image sequence that image-generating unit 8C, 8M and 8K form on the Yellow ink powder image of such transfer printing according to stacked mode by transfer roll 14: so the color toner image is carried on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 7a.

To after the ink powder image transfer printing, remove from photosensitive drum surface by cleaning device 13 attached to the residual toner on the photosensitive drum surface, by removing the charge devices (not shown) electric charge removal operation is carried out on these surfaces then, and made the surface potential initialization to prepare to carry out imaging next time.

The paper 29 that provides from paper supply unit 2 is transported on the paper supply passage 23; Control paper supply regularly by the registration roller on the upstream side that is arranged in secondary transfer roller 20 to 21, thus with paper sheet delivery to zone that roller 6 and secondary transfer roller 20 face with each other.Apply its polarity and the opposite transfer voltage of ink powder charging polarity to secondary transfer roller 20 then, and will be transferred on the paper 29 at the lip-deep combination ink powder image of intermediate transfer belt 7a thus at the lip-deep ink powder image of intermediate transfer belt.On it like this transfer printing have the paper 29 of ink powder image to be fed to fixing member 22, and when passing fixing member 22, be subjected to heating and pressurizing, make ink powder image fusion and photographic fixing thus.The printed matter 29A that is obtained by the photographic fixing ink powder image is carried towards the paper feeder unit 24 at the place, end that is arranged on paper supply passage 23, is drained into the stacker unit 25 that is arranged on equipment master unit 1 top from this paper feeder unit 24 thus.Ink powder image on it is transferred to after the paper 29, removes the ink powder of staying on the intermediate transfer belt 7a by cleaning device 21.

In the printer that constitutes like this, owing to adopted wherein four image-generating unit 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K to be arranged to be transferred to a kind of like this transfer process on the intermediate transfer belt 7a in proper order facing to intermediate transfer belt 7a and with the ink powder image of respective color, so compare with the sort of printer of four look developing apparatuss and can significantly reduce the required time of imaging with wherein being provided with single image-forming block, thereby before being transferred to paper, ink powder image is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt according to stacked mode.Also have, because stacker unit 25 is arranged in equipment master unit 1 top, thus reduced erection space or footprint area, because stretch out at the periphery place that this stacker unit 25 can slave unit master unit 1.

Top explanation is at the imaging operation when forming coloured image on paper 29; But this explanation also can adopt any one of image-generating unit of imaging moiety 8 to form monochrome image or form double-colored or image three-colo(u)r.Also have, to use printer to carry out in the situation of monochrome printers according to this embodiment, can on the photosensitive drums 10K of image-generating unit 8K, form electrostatic latent image separately, use this unit to carry out the development of image and transfer images on the paper 29, can make this image fixing by fixing member 22 there.

To the feature structure of this embodiment be described now.The place is furnished with toner supplying device 30 at the top of equipment master unit 1, is used for from the toner container that is made of developer bottle 31 to 34 ink powder being offered the developing apparatus of respective color.Toner supplying device 30 comprises: developer bottle installation component 15 is used for turning and removably supporting developer bottle 31,32,33,34; At the drive unit shown in Fig. 2 40, be used for making respectively the developer bottle that is installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 to rotate; And ink powder moving conduit 38, will guide to developing apparatus from the ink powder that developer bottle is discharged thus.For each of these developer bottles is provided with a drive unit 40; These parts are structurally basic identical, and therefore the drive unit 40 (M) that will adopt being used in Fig. 2 to drive developer bottle 33 describes as typical case.As shown in Figure 3, an end 38a of each bar of ink powder moving conduit 38 passes the hole 351 that is formed in the developer bottle installation component 35, and therefore is connected with the ink powder supply opening 39 of developer bottle, and its another end 38b is connected with corresponding developing apparatus.Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrate such an embodiment, and wherein ink powder moving conduit 38 links together developer bottle 33 and developing apparatus 12M.

Drive unit 40 comprises CD-ROM drive motor 41, be installed on the output shaft 41a of CD-ROM drive motor 41 driven wheel 42 and with the gear 44 at the peripheral surface place that is formed on developer bottle 33 and the neutral gear 43 of driven wheel 42 engagements.CD-ROM drive motor 40 is installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 by carriage 45.Neutral gear 43 is supported on the developer bottle installation component 35 by axle 46 free to rotately.

Developer bottle 33 comprises: rotation tubular portion 331, this part form the tubular form of extending along the rotation direction represented by the Reference numeral X in Fig. 3 and are formed with the spiral protuberance 330 that stretches out towards bottle inside in its surface; And fixing tubular portion 332, this part by with the incompatible swivelling pipe shape part 331 that supports of a termination of rotation tubular portion 331 free to rotately.Gear 44 is formed on the rotation peripheral surface place of tubular portion 330 and ink powder supply opening 39 and is formed on fixedly on the tubular portion 332.The structure of developer bottle 31,32,34 is consistent with the structure of developer bottle 33.

Ink powder drive unit 40 is arranged on the developer bottle installation component 35 facing to developer bottle 31,32,34; Therefore, carrying out ink powder when supply by driving this CD-ROM drive motor 40, developer bottle is driven in rotation and will flows to fixedly tubular portion 332 at the ink powder in the rotation tubular portion 331 thus, therefore by ink powder supply opening 39 this ink powder is offered developing apparatus.

As shown in Figure 4, developer bottle installation component 35 is by by in the fastening fastening part that is combined in by Reference numeral 352 expression of screw (not shown), and the top of body side frame 1B, 1C is located in the equipment master unit 1.In this embodiment, body side frame 1B, 1C and developer bottle installation component 35 are formed by heat stable resin.Be arranged on the ink powder installation component 35 along equidirectional at the developer bottle shown in Fig. 1 31 to 34, and supporting these developer bottles rotationally and can form as one with it from a plurality of guiding elements 50,51 of top installation or removal.In this embodiment, by these developer bottles being installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 along being arranged in as Width by this equipment master unit 1 of seeing previously of the slave unit master unit 1 shown in the arrow C 2.The front surface of the equipment master unit of indication is the front surface side of equipment in this case: specifically, this front surface side is arranged on the side of the equipment master unit 1 on the side opposite with arranging paper direction C1, and upstream side that can the row of being expressed as paper direction C1.That is to say that from the upstream side of row's paper direction C1, these developer bottles we can say that the Width X1 that is mounted to along equipment master unit 1 arranges.

Therefore make that the Width of equipment master unit and the direction X of rotation are identical direction.As shown in Figure 1, developer bottle installation component 35 forms the inboard C1 of slave unit, and (front surface of this equipment) is formed slopely towards the equipment front side, and to begin to connect the straight line of rotation center of developer bottle 34 and straight line 01 and straight line 02 from the rotation center of developer bottle 31 substantially parallel thereby these developer bottles are mounted to.

As shown in Figure 5, a plurality of guiding elements 50 are for being formed on the tabular guide rib that is positioned on the 35A of wall portion of a side of this plant width direction of conduct that face side in the past is seen as the right.As shown in Figure 3, these guide rib 50 are arranged in the position in the guide groove 333 at the end place that can be inserted into the fixedly tubular portion 332 that is formed on developer bottle, thereby in the time of below the hole 334 of guide groove 333 is positioned at, the direction of these ribs makes them to enter guide groove 333 from these holes 334.

As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, a plurality of guiding elements 51 constitute the depression bar that the resin that contains the elasticity composition is made, and these depression bars are formed on the 35B of another wall portion promptly on another side of the Width (directions X) of equipment.35A of wall portion that is represented by the arrow X1 in Fig. 2 and the inside partitioned portion of the 35B of wall portion form the length overall X2 that is a bit larger tham developer bottle.Also have, the size X3 of the top 51A from the 35A of wall portion to depression bar 51 when these developer bottles are not installed is arranged to compare bottle end face 335 more towards the 35A of wall portion when developer bottle being installed on the developer bottle installation component 35.When the fixedly tubular portion 332 of developer bottle was installed support by guide rib 50, these depression bars 51 were used at 51A place, the top of depression bar 51 end face 335 of the rotation tubular portion 331 of developer bottle being pressed to the 35A of wall portion by the elastic deformation deflection shown in the double dot dash line among Fig. 2.Said gear 43 is further arranged towards the 35A of wall portion.

Thereby developer bottle installation component 35 forms consistent with the peripheral surface of these bottles in the face of the apparent surface 35C of developer bottle in the mode of bending.A plurality of rollers 53 of side of the rotation tubular portion 331 of the developer bottle of being installed from supported underneath are arranged on this bending apparent surface 35C free to rotately.

As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6, near the 35A of wall portion, correspondingly be provided with the developer bottle detection part that the detecting sensor 55 by the installation situation that is used for detecting developer bottle constitutes.

In this structure, for developer bottle being installed on the developer bottle installation component 35, the hole 334 of guide groove 333 is provided with downwards, and developer bottle is fallen from developer bottle installation component 35 (equipment master unit 1) top under the consistent situation of guide groove 333 and guide rib 50.When this operation is finished, make depression bar 51 elastic deformation deflections by exerting pressure, and by its reacting force end face 335 is pressed to the 35A of wall portion by masthead end 51A to the end face 335 of developer bottle.Like this, developer bottle elasticity is installed on the developer bottle installation component 35.Because the joint by guide groove 333 and guide rib 50 has prevented the fixedly rotation of tubular portion 332, so rotation tubular portion 331 freely rotates with respect to fixing tubular portion 332 only.Also have because the drive unit 40 more close wall 35A of portion arrange, so by with the developer bottle bias voltage to the 35A of wall portion, thereby between gear 44 and neutral gear 43, realized good engagement, thereby can reduce drive loss.

Because the developer bottle 31 to 34 that is installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 is installed by arranging along equidirectional, thereby can be from these developer bottles of developer bottle installation component 35 (imaging device) top installation or removal, so can when keeping it visual, carry out the operation of installation or removal developer bottle 31; Therefore can improve the convenience of installation or removal developer bottle.Form as one owing to support a plurality of guiding elements 50,51 and the developer bottle installation component 35 of developer bottle rotationally, so compare and to reduce cost with the situation of the wherein independent setting of these members.Because developer bottle 31 to 34 can be from developer bottle installation component 35 (imaging device) top installation or removal, so the work space along the rotation direction that must be provided with becomes unnecessary traditionally, thereby can under the situation of the side of the attaching/detaching of not considering therefrom to carry out developer bottle 31 to 34 and/or its installation direction, select the installation site of imaging device.

Because developer bottle 31 to 34 is installed by arranging along the Width (directions X) of the imaging device of seeing from the imaging device front surface C2 side that developer bottle installation component 35 wherein is installed in this embodiment, so its visuality when the past, face side was seen can be further improved.Be arranged to substantially parallelly with the straight line 01 that is connected developing apparatus owing to connect the straight line 03 of the rotation center of developer bottle 31 to 34, that developer bottle 31,32,33,34 and developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K are connected to the length of developer bottle moving conduit 38 together is even so can make; This makes and the building block standardization that is used for constituting ink powder moving conduit 38 has therefore reduced cost.

Because it is substantially parallel with the straight line 02 of the rotation center that is connected photosensitive drums to connect the straight line 03 of rotation center of developer bottle 31 to 34 in this embodiment, thus their layouts in imaging moiety 8 be arranged in rows, thereby can reduce the overall dimensions of equipment.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 7, on the top of equipment master unit 1, be provided with cover component 36, this member is covered with the developer bottle of being installed 31 to 34.This cover component is a resin moulded parts, and comprises stacker unit 25.Be supported on the place, end of developer bottle installation component 35 by the back shaft 37 that extends along Width X1 towards an end 36a of the inboard cover component 36 that is provided with of equipment free to rotately.The On/Off end 36b of cover component 36 is arranged on the equipment front surface side, and the middle part that end 36a is seen as slave unit front surface side, thus On/Off end 36b can with respect to equipment master unit 1 in the past face side towards the equipment inboard On/Off freely.In this embodiment, thus developer bottle 31 to 34 is installed in and makes its rotation 05 substantially parallel with the rotation 04 of cover component 36 on the developer bottle installation component 35.

In this structure, the cover component 36 that is covered with the developer bottle 31 to 34 at the place, top that is installed in equipment master unit 1 is supported on the developer bottle installation component 35 free to rotately, so owing to by be covered with these parts with cover component 36 developer bottle 31 to 34 is hidden in the equipment master unit 1, thereby can make its outward appearance more attractive in appearance.And by cover component 36 is opened so that developer bottle 31 to 34 is exposed to the outside at the top place that is positioned at equipment master unit 1, thereby can make things convenient for the attaching/detaching of developer bottle.In addition,, hinder, therefore improved the convenience of carrying out these operations so can not be subjected to cover component 36 at 31 to 34 o'clock at the attaching/detaching developer bottle because the rotation 04 of the rotation 05 of developer bottle 31 to 34 and cover component 36 is substantially parallel.Because cover component 36 around turning axle 37 On/Off that are positioned on the equipment inboard, so in the open mode of cover component 36, the front surface of slave unit can be observed all developer bottles, promptly can improve visuality and operation convenience.

In this embodiment, by arranging that in this equipment the turning axle 37 that extends along the plant width direction is supported for cover component 36 can freely to open or close.But, also can be for example be arranged on the 34A of wall portion or the 35B of wall portion that is provided with along Width X along the forward/backward direction of the equipment shown in arrow C 1, C2, thereby make cover component 36 locate On/Off freely in the equipment side by turning axle 37 being arranged to its axial direction.In this case, developer bottle 31 to 34 is installed along the direction with respect to rotation 04 perpendicular of cover component 36.

Fig. 8 illustrates handle 60 wherein and is set in place that promptly to be arranged in the position on the right-hand side of equipment master unit 1 along Width X be the situation at place, an end of the rotation direction of developer bottle 31 to 34, and Fig. 9 illustrates handle 60 wherein and is separately positioned on position on the left-hand side that is arranged in equipment master unit 1 and promptly is arranged on along the situation at the place, an end of the Width X of developer bottle 31 to 34.Figure 10 illustrates handle 60 wherein and is arranged on along the situation at the place, middle part of the Width of developer bottle 31 to 34, and Figure 11 illustrates handle 60 wherein and is separately positioned on along the situation at the place, two ends of the Width X of developer bottle 31 to 34.For example, thereby be installed at developer bottle pipe-type bottles 31 to 34 slave unit front surfaces are seen in the situation about being arranged on the right-hand side, can the handle 60 of independent shaping perhaps can be installed with handle 60 towards the fixedly end face 335 or the whole formation of tubular portion 332 or rotation tubular portion 331 at the middle part that rotates tubular portion 331.

When this handle 60 is set in place place, end in the developer bottle on the right-hand side of equipment master unit 1 31 to 34, can improve convenience for the installation and removal of right handed user.When handle 60 is set in place place, end in the developer bottle on the left-hand side of equipment master unit 1 31 to 34, can improve convenience for the installation and removal of left handed user.If handle 60 is arranged on the middle part or the place, two ends of developer bottle 31 to 34, then can improve the convenience of the attaching/detaching of left hand and right handed user.

In the example shown in Figure 12, form and to be used at the bossing 70,71 at the interval that increase is provided between the end of developer bottle on the place, two ends of the developer bottle of arranging along Width X (being the rotation direction of developer bottle) is formed at 35A of wall portion and 35B facing to guide groove 333 and end face 335.

If these bossings 70,71 are formed on the developer bottle installation component 35, then the partitioned portion between developer bottle and developer bottle installation component 35 can keep broad, be convenient to during attaching/detaching, grasp these developer bottles thus, therefore improved the attaching/detaching convenience.In more detail, because bossing 70,71 is located at the 35A of wall portion on the right-hand side that is positioned at equipment master unit 1 respectively and is positioned on the 35B of wall portion on the left-hand side of equipment master unit 1, so left handed user and right handed user or unique user are caught these developer bottles easily with two hands.

In the embodiment of Figure 12, bossing 70,71 is respectively by Unitarily molded formation and be arranged on the 35A of wall portion, the 35B, but bossing 70 or bossing 71 also can just be integrally formed on any of 35A of wall portion or 35B.If be formed with a bossing 70 on the 35A of wall portion, then this is convenient to right handed user and grasps these developer bottles; If be formed with a bossing 71 on the 35B of wall portion, then this is convenient to left handed user and grasps these developer bottles; Therefore improved operation convenience.

The position of bossing 70,71 is not limited to the 35A of wall portion, 35B, and they can be formed on the developer bottle installation component 35 facing to the middle part of developer bottle.

Figure 13 illustrate wherein by Unitarily molded be near the rotation direction of developer bottle formed and be furnished with the bossing 72,73 at the interval that is used for increasing developer bottle developer bottle situation along the direction vertical with Width X.In Figure 13, bossing 72,73 sense of rotation along developer bottle are formed on the upstream side and downstream of developer bottle installation component 35 facing to the apparent surface 35C of developer bottle.Specifically, bossing 72 is on the apparent surface on two sides of the front C2 of inboard C1 that is formed on the equipment of being positioned on the either side of developer bottle, in developer bottle installation component 35 respectively and equipment.

Therefore, when these developer bottles of installation or removal, user's hand can be inserted into the developer bottle below from the bossing 73 that is positioned at the equipment front or from the bossing 72 that is positioned on the equipment inboard, therefore can be easy to grasp developer bottle, has improved the convenience of this operating performance thus.If bossing 73 forms and is arranged near the developer bottle of equipment front, then can be easy to from these developer bottles of below grasping; If bossing 73 forms and is arranged near the developer bottle that is positioned on the equipment inboard, then can be easy to from these developer bottles of top grasping.

In Figure 13, bossing 72,73 is respectively formed at the upstream side and the downstream of the rotation direction of developer bottle; But, also can adopt a kind of like this pattern, wherein one of bossing 72 or bossing 73 or another are formed on upstream side or the downstream.Upstream side and downstream for the rotation direction of developer bottle, should be noted that, can be by making that developer bottle is thereby that heterochiral direction forms and be arranged in the downstream with bossing 72 with respect to the installation direction of developer bottle installation component 35, and bossing 73 is formed and is arranged on the upstream side.

Bossing 72,73 can also be formed on along the pivot center direction has the opposite face 35C of bigger length upward so that cover the whole length of all developer bottles, perhaps can take such embodiment, wherein their form and are arranged on the tubular portion 331 or on the apparent surface 35C facing to fixing tubular portion 332, and perhaps the part is on the apparent surface 35C facing to the center section of developer bottle.

When developer bottle being installed on the developer bottle installation component 35, owing to the developer bottle of being installed further stretches out from apparent surface 35C, so improved its visuality.Overhang hereto the apparent surface 35C facing to developer bottle can be formed arc so that consistent with the peripheral surface of developer bottle, thereby half peripheral exposed at least of these developer bottles goes out.

As shown in Figure 1, developer bottle installation component 35 is downward-sloping towards the front surface of equipment from the inboard of this equipment, therefore forms step in the apparent surface 35C with respect to developer bottle, and promptly these developer bottles 31 to 34 form according to stepped mode and install.Therefore, developer bottle 31 to 34 according to the inboard beginning of step-wise manner slave unit when the front surface of equipment is installed and keep, the lap of developer bottle diminishes when the slave unit front surface is seen, thereby enables further to improve the visuality of developer bottle.

In Figure 14, on developer bottle installation component 35, be provided with the guide part 76 of the installation site that is used for representing developer bottle.In the example of Figure 14, guide part 76 to form, and on the peripheral surface of the fixedly tubular portion 322 of developer bottle, be formed with the leader label 77 corresponding with guide part 76 by being integrally formed in the 35A of wall portion.Therefore, because the attaching/detaching that guides part 77 to provide leader label to carry out developer bottle can be provided, so can further improve the attaching/detaching convenience.

Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrate such an embodiment, and wherein face side is seen in the past, and developer bottle 31 to 34 is installed towards the disposed inboard of equipment by the front side (front surface) along the axial direction slave unit.In Figure 15 and Figure 16, the inboard C1 of developer bottle installation component 35 slave units has a down dip towards equipment front surface C2 side direction.In this embodiment, the end that hole 351 and the guiding elements that has a plurality of guide rib 50 to constitute were arranged to and were arranged on the developer bottle installation component 35 that equipment locates previously forms as one, and the guiding elements that has a plurality of depression bars 51 to constitute is arranged to respectively form as one with end facing to the developer bottle installation component 35 of equipment inboard.Gear 43 is arranged near the hole 351, and roller 53 and developer bottle are arranged near the depression bar 51 accordingly.

In this embodiment, developer bottle 31 to 34 is arranged on the identical plane when seeing in the slave unit side basically, and be mounted to and rotate and freely dismantle from the top, thereby the pivot center of developer bottle 05 is substantially parallel with the straight line 01 at the layout center that is connected a plurality of developing apparatuss by developer bottle installation component 35.Certainly, can suppose that pivot center 05 is substantially parallel with the straight line 02 that is connected a plurality of image-carriers.That is to say that developer bottle 31 to 34 is arranged along Width X, and is mounted to pivot center 04 perpendicular that makes its pivot center 05 and cover component 36.In this embodiment, developer bottle be installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 make be arranged on it fixedly the ink powder supply opening 39 on the tubular portion 332 be arranged on below.

Like this, by developer bottle 31 to 34 being installed on the developer bottle installation component 35 along axial direction slave unit front side towards disposed inboard, thereby can improve the visuality of developer bottle, and because these developer bottles 31 to 34 along Width X layout, are gone up occupied area so can be reduced in Width X.

Because developer bottle 31 to 34 is arranged to make its pivot center 05 substantially parallel with the straight line 01 that is connected these developing apparatuss, so can make the length of the ink powder moving conduit 38 that is connecting developer bottle 31,32,33,34 and developing apparatus 12Y, 12C, 12M, 12K respectively consistent, thereby make the part standard that is used for constituting ink powder moving conduit 38, therefore reduced cost.

Because developer bottle 31 to 34 is arranged to make its pivot center 05 substantially parallel with the straight line 02 of the rotation center that is connected photosensitive drums in this embodiment, so their layout arrangement in imaging moiety 8 are embarked on journey, thereby enable to reduce the overall dimensions of this equipment.Because the surface facing to developer bottle is an inclined surface, thereby the ink powder supply opening 39 that is located on the developer bottle is arranged on the below during installation, therefore so the ink powder in these developer bottles can be easy to move to ink powder supply opening 39 under himself weight effect, can be reduced in wherein the amount of toner of being contained in that stays after using.

Also have in Figure 15 and Figure 16, the cover component 36 that is covered with the developer bottle 31 to 34 on the top that is installed in equipment master unit 1 is supported on the developer bottle installation component 35 free to rotately, therefore by close cap member 36, developer bottle 31 to 35 can be hidden in the equipment master unit 1, thereby can realize beautiful outward appearance.Make developer bottle 31 to 34 be exposed to the outside by uncap member 36, therefore can improve the convenience of attaching/detaching developer bottle at the place, top of equipment master unit 1.Cover component 36 can opening and closing around the rotation axis 37 in the equipment, and therefore, when cover component 36 was opened, the front that all developer bottles can slave unit was observed, thereby can improve the convenience of visuality and operation.

Also have in Figure 15 and Figure 16, handle 60 as shown in Fig. 8 to 11 can be set in place in the position of equipment master unit 1 front, promptly at place, an end along the direction location of the pivot center of developer bottle 31 to 34, can be set in place in the position in equipment master unit 1, promptly along the place, an end of the pivot center direction setting of developer bottle 31 to 34 or at place, two ends or the front of the equipment of being arranged in master unit 1 or the center section on the inboard.Be located at this handle 60 under the situation at place, an end of the developer bottle 31 to 34 that is positioned at equipment master unit 1 front, can improve the operation convenience when attaching/detaching because can be when checking ink powder supply opening 39 and hole 351 these developer bottles of attaching/detaching.If handle 60 is set in place the place, an end of the developer bottle 31 to 34 in equipment master unit 1, then by allowing ink powder motion under the effect of himself weight can realize operation convenience, because can adopt the fixedly tubular portion 332 that is positioned on its center of gravity side to realize the attaching/detaching of developer bottle as fulcrum.If handle 60 is located in the middle part or is located at the place, two ends of developer bottle 31 to 34, then can improve for both attaching/detaching convenience of the right hand/left handed user.

If in the bossing shown in Figure 12 70,71 is respectively formed at the front and equipment of developer bottle installation component 35, then can guarantee the bigger separation between developer bottle and developer bottle installation component 35, thereby make it easily to select developer bottle, improved the convenience of its attaching/detaching thus in attaching/detaching operating period.

In Figure 15 and Figure 16, if form on developer bottle installation component 35 by Unitarily molded at the bossing shown in Figure 13 72 or bossing 73 or bossing 72 and bossing 73, then user's hand can be during the attaching/detaching of developer bottle below these bottles the right-hand side of slave unit or equipment left-hand side or insert from the right and left, therefore be convenient to the grasping of developer bottle, thereby improved operation convenience.

Also have in Figure 15 and Figure 16, can take a kind of like this embodiment, wherein be formed with apparent surface 35C, extend so that cover the whole length of all developer bottles along the pivot center direction on this surface, and wherein bossing 72,73 is arranged to be formed in the face of this apparent surface 35C of rotation tubular portion 331 or fixedly on the tubular portion 332, and perhaps wherein bossing 72,73 is arranged to the part and is formed on the apparent surface 35C in the face of the middle part of these developer bottles.

Even in developer bottle is vertically mounted on situation on the developer bottle installation component 35, also visuality can be improved to the developer bottle of being installed and from apparent surface 35C, stretch out such degree, therefore the apparent surface 35C in the face of developer bottle can suitably form the arc consistent with the peripheral surface of developer bottle, thereby half the peripheral exposure at least of these developer bottles goes out.

In Figure 15 and Figure 16, developer bottle is arranged at grade and is mounted to along Width X in height without any difference, but developer bottle installation component 35 also can so form, thus the right of developer bottle slave unit to the left side or the left side of slave unit to the right the mode according to ladder arrange.If adopt this structure, then on the right of slave unit or the left side when seeing the lap of these developer bottles reduce, can improve the visuality of developer bottle thus.

In Figure 15 and Figure 16, by indicating section 76 that the installation site be used for representing developer bottle is set and the attaching/detaching that uses these indicating sections 76 to provide aiming symbol to carry out developer bottle, thereby can improve the convenience of attaching/detaching near guide rib 50 or depression bar 51.

Realize the embodiment that this storage unit is electrically connected with the master unit of imaging device when next, using description to when adopting the developer bottle that constitutes toner container in this embodiment especially when the developer bottle that will have the storage unit that is used for the read/write characteristic information is installed on the master unit of imaging device with this installation.

In this embodiment, as first embodiment, as shown in figure 18, in the lid 200 of developer bottle, be provided with storage unit 201, and in developer bottle installation component 35, be provided with data processing unit 202.In the lid 200 of this developer bottle, be provided with and export/import the information relevant, be arranged in the data processing unit 202 that developer bottle installation component 35 on the master unit side of imaging device 1 is provided with data that can read/write storage unit 201 with developer bottle 31 to 34.By above-mentioned steps with the developer bottle setting/when being contained in the developer bottle installation component 35, storage unit 201 is electrically connected with data processing unit 202.When carrying out this electrical connection, can carry out the operation of described imaging device.

In this first embodiment, by foregoing storage unit 201 being installed in by in the lid of removably installing with respect to the rotating operation of the master unit of imaging device 200, thus in the prior art the inconvenient problem can eliminated be developer bottle with respect to the instability of the master unit of imaging device fixedly make it can not the normal running imaging device problem.

As the embodiment of the information relevant with developer bottle, amount of toner, ink powder color, service mode, this developer bottle of Machine Type, handle box pattern can be arranged, being contained in wherein are new bottles or utilize product, remaining toner amount, ink powder to use up history or trade mark again.Also have, the content as the data processing that can be undertaken by data processing unit 202 can have with respect to storage unit 201 to write/read the service condition of powder box in the master unit of imaging device.For example, this can comprise the consumption of the ink powder that the pixel number printed according to the master unit of imaging device calculates, be updated in the ink powder surplus information in the storage unit 201 constantly, this that will be in storage unit 201 when perhaps the master unit at imaging device detects " ink powder is used up " used up information updating.Like this, data processing unit 202 can determine whether can use this handle box when the information of the master unit reading cells 201 of imaging device.Do not having under the situation of this arbitration functions, the maloperation or the fault of the master unit of ink powder conveying function operation out of true or imaging device may occur.

Figure 19 to Figure 22 demonstrates second embodiment of this embodiment.Specifically, in the imaging device shown in Figure 18, if bonder terminal 203 is installed on the data processing unit 202 as shown in figure 19, and adopt a kind of like this structure, wherein for example rely on the shape of rib that bonder terminal 203 is contacted with storage unit 201 and realize above-mentioned electrically contacting by rotation by lid 200, thus storage unit 201 is fixed on the lid 200, this bonder terminal 203 can be out of shape at above-mentioned period of contact.

Therefore, in this second embodiment, adopt circular arc (sphering rib) 204, and be fixed on the lid 200 by the periphery of this rib 204 with storage unit 201.Can also take a kind of like this structure, wherein this rib 204 can more not stretch out towards data processing unit 202 than storage unit 201, and in order to realize this point, regulation has h≤H, wherein H is the height of storage unit 201 in the side view of Figure 22, and h is the height of rib 204.If above-mentioned electrically contact be by by the rotation of lid 200 and this lid is set in realizes in the appropriate location on the developer bottle installation component 35 of master unit of imaging device, even then under the bonder terminal 203 and the situation that rib 204 contacts that are installed on the data processing unit 202, because this rib sphering, so the distortion etc. of bonder terminal can not occur.

Figure 23 to 26 illustrates the 3rd embodiment of this embodiment.Specifically, shown in Figure 23 and 24, the elastic body that is made of first spring 205 is located in the data processing unit 202 on the opposite side with bonder terminal 203.This spring 205 applies member towards the bias voltage of lid 200 for being used for to data processing unit 202.Shown in Figure 25 and 26, in the situation of this lid 200, on the both sides of storage unit 201 and along the rotation direction of this lid, be provided with the tabular protuberance 206 that stretches out in data processing unit 202 sides.In the situation of this tabular protuberance 206, this protuberance forms the height that is lower than this storage unit 201 at the height at the part place that is provided with storage unit 201, and the height of this protuberance at the part place that storage unit 201 is not set forms the height greater than this storage unit 201.

In this structure, if developer bottle is set and is contained in the developer bottle holding portion of master unit of imaging device and rotate lid 200 simultaneously, then since tabular protuberance 206 not the protrusion height of these parts corresponding with storage unit 201 form height greater than this storage unit 201, so when not corresponding with storage unit 201 part of this tabular protuberance 206 is rotated with respect to this data processing unit 202 under facing to the condition of data processing unit 202, bonder terminal 203 can not with the periphery surface rubbing contact of lid 200.

Also have, because the protrusion height of the part that tabular protuberance 206 and storage unit 201 are corresponding forms the height that is lower than storage unit 201, so when lid 200 being set and is contained in the developer bottle installation component 35, data processing unit 202 vertically advances with respect to storage unit 201 owing to the biasing force of first spring 205, and bonder terminal 203 contacts with storage unit 201 as a result.Therefore, when lid 200 rotates and is installed on the master unit of imaging device, with the situation of storage unit 201 rubbing contact under the distortion of bonder terminal 203 or the rotation of bonder terminal 203 can not appear.Therefore, in this embodiment, the useful protection of the bonder terminal 203 guided-moving operation by the data processing unit 202 realized by the biasing force and the tabular protuberance 206 of spring 205 is realized.

In Figure 27 and 28, demonstrate the 4th embodiment of this embodiment.Specifically, in this embodiment, as in the situation of first to the 3rd embodiment, on the master unit of imaging device, the row's paper lid 210 that is configured to reclaim the stacked device of the transfer paper sheet of having printed is mounted to and can unclamps or lock developer bottle installation component 35.Also have, data processing unit 202 is assembled among the resin component element 202A that is located on the developer bottle installation component 35, thereby this data processing unit 202 is covered by protection member 202B.This resin component element 202A is connected with row's paper lid 210 by the second spring 210A.

Then; when row's paper lid 210 is closed; when being forced into the front (being pressed onto the left side among Figure 28) of the master unit of imaging device with resin component element 202A; data processing unit 202 is exposed to the outside from protection member 202B; and data processing unit 202 advances along the direction vertical with storage unit 201, thereby contact and therefore producing with it electrically contacts with it.Therefore can prevent to be installed in bonder terminal 203 distortion on the data processing unit 202.

On the contrary, covered 210 o'clock at the row's of opening paper, the master unit back that resin component element 202A is moved to imaging device by the second spring 210A, and therefore data processing unit 202 is hidden in the protection component inside.Cut off the electrical connection of data processing unit 202 and storage unit 201 thus, imaging device operation when row's paper disc 210 is still opened therefore can not occur.In other words, imaging device only could be operated when row's paper disc 210 is closed.

Realize following benefit according to these embodiments.

(1) because by self rotating the toner container that carries out the ink powder supply on the same direction toner container installation component that a plurality of toner containers are installed disposed thereon, and can be from the top attaching/detaching, so can when guaranteeing visuality, carry out the attaching/detaching operation of developer bottle, improve the convenience of the attaching/detaching of developer bottle thus.In addition, form as one, so compare and to reduce cost with the situation that these guiding elements are provided with separately owing to supporting a plurality of guiding elements of ink powder container rotationally.

(2) since in the past when the attaching/detaching developer bottle required work space along the pivot center direction become and do not need, so needn't note wanting the deployment of the side of attaching/detaching toner container just can select the installation site of equipment.

(3) because toner container is watched Width mounting arrangements along equipment from the equipment front surface side that the toner container installation component is installed, so can further improve visuality.

(4) because toner container is watched from the front side of this equipment from the equipment front surface side that the toner container installation component is installed arranges towards installed inside, thus visuality can further be improved, and can reduce the area that occupies along the plant width direction.

(5) owing to the cover component that is covered with the ink powder member of being installed is supported free to rotately, institute is so that outward appearance is more beautiful and can make toner container be exposed to the outside by uncap; Therefore can further improve the convenience of attaching/detaching developer bottle.

(6) owing on these toner containers, be provided with handle, thus in the attaching/detaching operation, can be easy to these toner containers of grasping, thus improved the attaching/detaching convenience.

(7) by facing in the position of end of the developer bottle of the pivot center direction setting of developer bottle or two ends or center section, being provided with the bossing that is formed for making the interval between toner container to widen, so can guarantee the broad gap between toner container and toner container installation component, be convenient to thus at attaching/detaching operating period taking-up toner container, and therefore improved the attaching/detaching convenience.

(8) the toner installation component surface by will be relative with toner container form the periphery that makes toner container half exposes at least, thereby can improve the visuality of toner container.

(9) make developer bottle arrange by the toner container installation component is formed, thereby reduced the lap of toner container and can further improve the visuality of toner container according to the mode of ladder.

(10) be used for representing the indicating section of the installation site of each toner container on the toner container installation component by setting, thereby can use this indicating section to carry out the attaching/detaching of toner container, so further improve the convenience of attaching/detaching as aiming symbol.

(11) by becoming with respect to the surface of toner container the inclined-plane makes that be located at ink powder supply opening on the toner container is arranged on when these toner containers are installed below, so that the ink powder in developer bottle under its deadweight effect, move towards the ink powder supply opening, thereby enable to reduce after using ink powder the surplus of the ink powder that is held in the toner container.

(12) in the developer bottle installation component, be provided with the storage unit of the information that can export/import toner container, and on the master unit side of imaging device, be provided with can read/write about the data processing unit of memory cell data.If storage unit and data processing unit are electrically connected, then this imaging device normally starts; If they do not connect, then this imaging device inoperation.Therefore, can prevent that imaging device from not operating under toner container correctly is arranged on situation in the appropriate location on the master unit of imaging device.

(13) if by carrying out the above-mentioned electrical connection of the data processing unit on storage unit on the toner container side and master unit side in the appropriate location on the master unit that this toner container installation component is set in imaging device at imaging device, even then under the bonder terminal and the situation that rib contacts that are installed on the data processing unit, because the sphering of this rib is so the distortion of bonder terminal can not occur.

(14) in the time of in the appropriate location on the master unit that toner container is arranged on imaging device, because the biasing force of elastic component, so this data processing unit moves perpendicular to storage unit and contacts with it.Also have,, under the state of bonder terminal and storage unit rubbing contact, can not rotate in the operating period that toner container is set in the appropriate location.Can prevent problem such as bonder terminal distortion in the process of the appropriate location on the master unit that toner container is set to imaging device thus.

(15) owing in said structure, be provided with above-mentioned protuberance; so because the guided-moving operation of the biasing force of elastic component and the data processing unit that produces by these protuberances, so can obtain with in the above bonder terminal protective effect the same in (14).

(16) when the row's of opening paper covers, data processing unit does not contact with storage unit, therefore realizes being electrically connected, and still when row's paper lid was closed, data processing unit moved along the direction of contact storage unit, therefore contacts with it and can be electrically connected.Therefore, can prevent when the row of opening paper lid because the bonder terminal distortion that the external force of one type or another kind of type causes or the problem of damage or its fault.

Those of ordinary skills can carry out various modification under the situation that does not break away from its scope after the instruction of accepting current disclosure.

Claims (31)

1. a toner container installation component is equipped with the toner container of a plurality of rotations with the supply ink powder on it, wherein:

Described toner container is arranged along same direction; And

It is integrally formed so that can install and dismantle their a plurality of guiding elements from the top to support each toner container rotationally.

2. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, wherein slave unit front surface side is seen, described toner container is installed by arranging along the Width of the equipment that described toner container installation component is installed.

3. it is substantially parallel with the straight line that is connected along being arranged at the layout center a plurality of developing apparatuss and that put direction in the equipment that described ink powder installation component is installed that toner container installation component as claimed in claim 2, wherein said toner container are mounted to the straight line of the center of rotation that make to connect described toner container.

4. it is substantially parallel with the straight line that is connected the center of rotation that is arranged on a plurality of image-carriers in the equipment that described toner container installation component is installed that toner container installation component as claimed in claim 2, wherein said toner container are mounted to the straight line of the center of rotation that make to connect toner container.

5. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front surface side of slave unit is seen, described toner container is by installing from the front side towards the equipment disposed inboard that described toner container installation component is installed.

6. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 5, wherein said toner container are mounted to substantially parallel with the straight line that is connected along being arranged on the layout center a plurality of developing apparatuss and that put direction in the equipment that described ink powder installation component is installed.

7. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 5, wherein said toner container is mounted to substantially parallel with the straight line that is connected the center of rotation that is arranged on a plurality of image-carriers in the equipment that described toner container installation component is installed.

8. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, the cover component that wherein is covered with the toner container of being installed is supported rotationally.

9. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 8, the pivot center of wherein said toner container and described cover component is installed substantially parallelly.

10. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 8, wherein said toner container is along installing with the direction of the pivot center perpendicular of described cover component.

11. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1 wherein is equipped with at the place, an end along described toner container pivot center direction handled toner container is set.

12. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1 wherein is equipped with at the place, two ends along described toner container pivot center direction handled toner container is set.

13. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1 wherein is equipped with the toner container that is provided with handle in the pars intermedia office along described toner container pivot center direction.

14. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, comprise bossing, this bossing forms the space that makes between an end of described toner container installation component and described toner container to be widened, and this space is positioned at a position that the end is faced mutually with the described toner container of locating along the pivot center direction of described toner container.

15. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, comprise a plurality of bossings, described bossing forms the space that makes between two ends of described toner container installation component and described toner container to be widened, and this space is positioned at and the right position of practising physiognomy respectively along two ends of the toner container of the pivot center direction setting of described toner container.

16. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, comprise bossing, this part forms the space that makes between the center section of described toner container installation component and described toner container widens, and this space is positioned at pivot center direction along described toner container and is positioned the position that the center section of the described toner container at middle part is faced mutually basically.

17. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 16, wherein said bossing is formed on the upstream side of the rotation direction of described toner container.

18. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 16, wherein said bossing is formed on the downstream of the rotation direction of described toner container.

19. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 16, wherein said bossing is formed near the center section of described toner container.

20. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, also comprise bossing, this bossing forms the space that makes between described toner container installation component and described toner container to be widened, and this space is positioned near the described toner container along the direction vertical with the pivot center direction of described toner container.

21. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, wherein with described toner container facing surfaces form make described toner container periphery half exposes at least.

22. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said toner container forms according to the mode of ladder and arranges.

23. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1 wherein is provided with the indicating section of the installation site that is used for representing described toner container.

24. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1 wherein forms the inclined-plane with described toner container facing surfaces, below the feasible ink powder supply opening that is arranged in the described toner container is positioned at when described toner container is installed.

25. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 1, wherein in described toner container, be provided with the storage unit of storage characteristic, in described toner container installation component, be provided with simultaneously the data processing unit of data that can the described storage unit of read/write, when described toner container being located in the described toner container installation component, described storage unit is electrically connected with described data processing unit thus.

26. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 25, the periphery of wherein said storage unit is fixed on the described toner container installation unit by the sphering rib, and described rib does not form and to surpass described storage unit and reach the outside.

27. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

Described data processing unit is provided with elastic body, is used for described data processing unit is setovered towards described toner container installation component;

The bonder terminal of described data processing unit rotates so that separate with the storage unit of described toner container installation component when being arranged on described toner container in the appropriate location at described toner container installation component; And

When described toner container installation component was arranged on the appropriate position, described bonder terminal contacted with described storage unit under the partial pressure of described elastic component.

28. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

Described toner container installation component is provided with lug boss, and this lug boss stretches out on the both sides of described storage unit and at a side place of described data processing unit along the rotation direction of described toner container installation component; And

Described protuberance is formed with the protrusion height lower than described storage unit at the part place corresponding with described storage unit, and is formed with the protrusion height higher than described storage unit at not corresponding with described storage unit part place.

29. toner container installation component as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

The row's paper lid that is configured for reclaiming the stacker unit of the transfer paper sheet of having printed is mounted to can open or lock described toner container installation component, and is provided with the protection member that is used for protecting described data processing unit;

By described data processing unit is arranged on the inboard of described protection member, utilizes the interlock campaign of the open operation of this protection member and described row's paper lid, thereby described data processing unit is arranged to by the protection of protection member; And

The interlock campaign of the lock operation by described protection member and described row's paper lid, described data processing unit are arranged to expose from described protection member and contact with storage unit in being arranged on described toner container installation component.

30. one kind is used for the ink powder feeding unit of ink powder being provided for the developing apparatus of respective color from the toner container that multiple color toner is housed, comprises:

The toner container installation component is used for described toner container is supported for and can rotates and attaching/detaching;

Drive unit is used for making the toner container that is installed on the described toner container installation component to rotate; And

The ink powder moving conduit, the ink powder that is used for discharging from described toner container guides to described developing apparatus,

Wherein said toner container arranges along equidirectional, and can from the top attaching/detaching and to support a plurality of guiding elements of described toner container rotationally integrally formed.

31. an imaging device comprises:

A plurality of image-carriers are formed with the sub-image corresponding with respective color on it;

A plurality of developing apparatuss are used for making the image development that is formed on the described image-carrier; And

Toner supplying device is used for from toner container that multiple color toner wherein is housed the ink powder of respective color being supplied to described developing apparatus,

Described toner supplying device comprises that being used for supporting described toner container makes it to rotate and the ink powder installation component of attaching/detaching;

Drive unit is used for making the toner container that is installed on the described toner container installation component to rotate; And

The ink powder moving conduit, the ink powder that is used for discharging from described toner container guides to described developing apparatus, wherein

In described toner container installation component, described toner container arranges along equidirectional and makes it possible to from the top attaching/detaching, and a plurality of guiding elements that are used for supporting rotationally described toner container form.

Images