JP2000098713A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that an attachment and detachment unit in which at least a developing device is integrated can be extremely easily and smoothly attached and detached without displacing a toner carrying path tube connecting the developing device and a toner supply device disposed at a device main body side to a retreat position though it is provided with the toner carrying path tube. SOLUTION: The toner carrying path tube 43 is constituted of a first carrying path tube 45 fixedly fitted to the attachment and detachment unit 2 side and a second carrying path tube 46 fixedly fitted to the toner supply device 40 side while being divided at a halfway position between the supply device 40 and the developing device 14. The divided end part 45a of the tube 45 is separated from or coupled with the divided end part 46a of the tube 46 in accordance with the attachment and detachment action of the unit 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer using an electrophotographic system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, basically, a photoreceptor is uniformly charged by a charging device, and then a light image corresponding to image information is exposed by an exposure device or the like. Forming an image, and then developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer supplied from a developing device to form a toner image,
The toner image is transferred to a recording material such as paper by a transfer device and finally fixed by a fixing device to form an image.

In this type of image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus such as a photoreceptor, a charging device, an exposing device, and a developing device, which is integrated singly or in combination of a plurality of components, is attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. Some are configured as detachable units that can be freely mounted, and facilitate or increase the efficiency of exchange work and inspection work on image-related components included in such detachable units.

Further, among image forming apparatuses provided with such a detachable unit, a detachable unit having at least a developing device incorporated therein, a developer replenishing device for replenishing the developing device with a developer, and a developer replenishing device for the developer There is also a type provided with a developer conveying path tube which is attached between the developing device and the developing device so as to connect the two devices, and conveys the developer supplied from the replenishing device to the developing device.

[0005]

However, in this type of image forming apparatus, in particular, the developer conveying path tube is detachably attached to at least one of the developer supply device and the developing device when the detachable unit is attached or detached. If the developer transport path tube becomes an obstacle on the operation path (track) when attaching or detaching the detachable unit, the developer transport path tube is further moved to a retracted position which does not cause an obstacle on the path. Since the mounting structure can be displaced (moved), there are the following problems.

That is, when the detachable unit is to be detached from the apparatus main body, the developer conveying path tube must be manually detached from the detachably connected developer replenishing device or developing device prior to detachment. In some cases, it must also be subsequently displaced by hand to the retracted position. Conversely, when attaching the detachable unit to the device body, after attaching the detachable unit to the device body, the developer transport path tube is manually returned from the retracted position to the attached position as necessary, and finally, the detachable connection is made. It has to be manually attached to a developer replenishing device or a developing device.

Therefore, when attaching and detaching the detachable unit including the developing device, the attaching and detaching operations of the developer conveying path tube and the displacing operation must be separately performed manually, which makes the attaching and detaching operation of the detachable unit complicated. There was a problem. Also, when attaching the detachable unit, there is a risk that the developer conveying path tube may be forgotten to be attached to the developer replenishing device or the developing device, or the attachment may be incomplete. There has been a problem that the developer is not supplied to the apparatus or the developer leaks into the apparatus main body.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-86666 discloses a photoreceptor unit having a cleaning means and a developing unit which are detachably attached to the apparatus main body, and a separation unit between the cleaning means and the developing unit. Or an image forming apparatus having a toner transport unit for toner recycling, which is mounted so as to be able to be joined and which transports the toner collected by the cleaning unit to the developing unit side.
By forming the toner conveying means so as to be automatically separated and retracted by the escape operation of the developing unit, the toner conveying means can be freely connected or separated by a simple operation without leakage of toner. A device has been proposed.

However, even in the case of this conventional example, when the developing unit is detached from the apparatus main body, the toner conveying means must be displaced to a retracted position after being separated from a connection portion with the developing unit. A complicated mechanism for automatically performing the displacement is required. On the other hand, when the developing unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the toner conveying means must be manually connected, and the connection of the toner conveying means may be forgotten or the connection may be incomplete. For this reason, almost the same problems as those in the conventional example described above occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. At least, a detachable unit in which a developing device is incorporated is attached to and detached from a developing device and a developer replenishing device disposed on the apparatus main body side. To provide an image forming apparatus that can be performed extremely easily and smoothly, despite the fact that there is a developer transfer path tube connecting the developer transfer path (without displacing the developer transfer path pipe to the retracted position). It is an object.

[0011]

The above object can be achieved.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is detachably mounted to the apparatus main body, and is provided fixed to the apparatus main body and a detachable unit in which at least the developing device is incorporated, and supplies the developer to the developing device of the detachable unit. A developer replenishing device, and a developer replenishing device that is attached between the developer replenishing device and the developing device of the detachable unit so as to connect the two devices, and transports the developer supplied from the replenishing device to the developing device. In an image forming apparatus including a developer conveying path tube, the developer conveying path tube is divided at an intermediate position between the developer replenishing device and the developing device, and is fixed to the detachable unit side. A first conveying path pipe to be attached and a second conveying path pipe fixedly attached to the replenishing device side, and the divided end of the first conveying path pipe is used for attaching and detaching operation of the detachable unit. In which has the form also be or coupled or separated and split end portion of the second conveying pipe becomes.

Here, the shape and structure of the developer conveying path tube are arbitrary as long as the developer supplied from the developer replenishing device can be conveyed to the developing device.
For example, a developer conveying member which is driven to rotate inside the conveying path tube may be provided.

The attachment / detachment operation of the attachment / detachment unit is determined by the attachment / detachment structure of the unit. For example, when the detachable unit has a structure that can be detached and attached by a slide mechanism (attached and detached by an operation of pulling out and pushing in), it refers to the sliding operation, and the detachable unit is detached and attached by a swing (rotation) mechanism. In the case of a structure having a structure (removed by an operation of rotating with a certain part as a fulcrum), this means the swinging operation.

An intermediate position between the developing device and the developer replenishing device is located between the developing device and the developer replenishing device, and the first transport path pipe and the second transport path pipe are for the detachable unit. Any position may be used as long as it does not hinder the path in the attaching / detaching operation. For example, when the detachable unit has a structure that is detachable by a slide mechanism, the outer periphery of the detachable unit on the side connecting the developing device and the developer replenishing device does not usually hinder the course of the sliding operation. The position near the part is preferable. Further, when the detachable unit has a structure that can be detached and attached by the swinging mechanism, the path of the swinging operation is not obstructed, and the developing device and the developer replenishing device at the time when the unit is completely mounted. Any position between them may be used.

Further, the divided ends of the first conveying path tube and the second conveying path tube are particularly limited as long as they can be separated or combined (coupled) with the attaching / detaching operation of the attaching / detaching unit. Not a thing, it is optional. For example, such a split end portion has a simple end shape and structure such that both split end portions simply coincide with each other at the time of joining,
One in which an elastic sealing material for preventing toner leakage is attached to a portion where the two are connected to each other.

According to such an image forming apparatus, when the detachable unit is attached or detached, the developer conveying path tube is automatically separated or connected simply by detaching / attaching the detachable unit. Performed easily and smoothly. That is, when the attachment / detachment of the attachment / detachment unit is performed,
The (first divided end portion) of the first transport path tube fixed to the detachable unit side and integrated with the first detachable unit is placed at an intermediate position between the developing device and the developer replenishing device with the detachable operation of the detachable unit. Then, it is automatically separated from or connected to (the divided end of) the second conveying path tube fixed to the developer supply device side (apparatus main body side). At this time, since the first transport path pipe and the second transport path pipe do not hinder the path of the attaching / detaching operation of the attaching / detaching unit, each of them alone remains fixed without being displaced to the retracted position.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, at least one of the divided ends of the first conveying path pipe and the second conveying path pipe opens and closes the conveying path opening at the divided end in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the detachable unit. It is provided with a blocking door composed of a mechanism. The blocking door is preferably provided at a divided end of the transport path tube on the side where the developer is likely to leak when the first transport path pipe and the second transport path pipe are separated or combined, and preferably at least the first transport path pipe. , And more preferably, at both divided ends of the first and second conveying path pipes.

In the case where such a blocking door is provided, when the detachable unit is attached / detached, the (first divided end) of the first transport path tube and the second transport path tube are connected.
When the transfer path pipe separates from the transfer path pipe, the transfer path opening of the transfer path pipe on the side where the blocking door is provided is automatically closed, so that the developer leaks out from the transfer path pipe. Exit is prevented. Also, when the (first divided end) and the (second divided end) of the first conveying path tube are joined, the shut-off door is automatically opened to release the interruption of the conveying path opening. The developer can be transported and replenished.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This color image forming apparatus is arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and exclusively forms one of four color toner images of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C). Four image forming systems 10K, 10Y, 10M, 10C
A paper transport device 20 that transports the recording paper P so as to pass through each transfer position where the toner image formed by each of the image forming systems 10 is transferred;
The fixing device 30 and the like for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording paper P are disposed at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body (housing frame or the like) 1.

Each of the image forming systems 10 has an arrow A
Photoreceptor drum 11 rotating in the direction, corotron-type charging device 12 for uniformly charging photoreceptor drum 11, and exposing a charged photoreceptor drum to a light image corresponding to image information to form an electrostatic latent image Laser beam exposure type latent image forming apparatus 1
3. A developing device 14 having a developing roll 14a for containing any of the four color toners (developer) and transporting the toner to a developing area opposed to the photosensitive drum 11, is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. The main part is constituted by components such as a roll type transfer device 15 for electrostatically transferring a toner image to the recording paper P and a drum cleaner 16 for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 11 after transfer. Incidentally, the image information is, for example, image information of a document for copying read by a document reading device (not shown) when the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, and an external device or the like not shown when the image forming apparatus is a printer. Print information created and input.

The developing device 14 in each image forming system 10 is supplied with toner of a corresponding color from a toner replenishing device 40 fixed to the apparatus main body 1 at a required timing. ing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner replenishing device 40 includes a toner cartridge 41 in which the four color toners for replenishment are individually accommodated, and which is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1. A delivery device 4 which holds the toner cartridges 41 at the time of mounting, and sends out the toner supplied from each cartridge 41 to each developing device 14 at a predetermined timing and amount.
2, the toner supply device 40 and the developing device 14 are attached so as to connect the two devices 40 and 14 to each other.
4 and a toner transport path tube 43 for transporting the toner to the toner transport path 4. The toner conveying path tube 43 has a substantially hollow pipe-like structure, and has one end connected to the toner outlet of the feeding device 42 and the other end connected to each developing device 14. Is connected to the supply toner receiving port 14b.

The paper transport device 20 includes a plurality of rolls 22 to
An endless paper transport belt 21 that is stretched around a roller 25 (a roll 22 is a driving roll) and rotates in the direction of arrow B is transferred to the belt 21 between the rolls 22 and 23. It is arranged so as to pass between the body drum 11 and the transfer device 15 (corresponding to a transfer position). Then, the recording paper P supplied from the paper feed tray 26 by the feed roll 27 or the registration roll 28 is attracted to the paper transport belt 21 and transported in such a manner that the recording paper P is sequentially passed through the above-described transfer positions. It has become. Reference numeral 29 in the drawing denotes a belt cleaner.

The fixing device 30 is a roll-type fixing device provided with a heating roll 31 and a pressure roll 32 which rotate in a state of being pressed, and a fixing portion (nip) between the heating roll 31 and the pressure roll 33 is provided. On the other hand, by inserting the recording paper P after the transfer, heat and pressure are applied to perform the fixing processing of the unfixed toner image.

In this color image forming apparatus, each of the image forming systems 10K, 10Y, 10M, 10
In C, the photosensitive drum 11, the developing device 14, and the drum cleaner 16 are integrated as detachable units 2K, 2Y, 2M, 2C. Each of the detachable units 2 is separately supported by a slide mechanism (slide rail or the like) (not shown) with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and is mounted on the front side of the apparatus main body 1 (front side in FIG. 1). 3 can be attached (attached) to the apparatus main body 1 by being inserted from the reference numeral 1a) in FIG. 3 and then being slid and pushed in, while it is pulled out so as to slide to the front side of the apparatus main body 1 when removing it. Thereby, it can be detached from the apparatus main body 1.

In this color image forming apparatus, since each developing device 14 is incorporated in the detachable unit 2 as described above, each developing device 14
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a unit-side transfer fixedly attached to (the developing device 14 of) the detachable unit 2 as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be divided into a path pipe (first transfer path pipe) 45 and a supply apparatus side transfer path pipe (second transfer path pipe) 46 which is fixedly attached to the supply apparatus 40 side.

In this embodiment, the toner conveying path tube 43
Are set at positions near the upper end of the support frame 2a of the detachable unit 2. As a result, each unit-side conveying path tube 45 is connected to the end 4 on the divided side.
5a is formed so as to be located near the upper end of the support frame 2a of the corresponding detachable unit, and one of the supply device side transport path pipes 46 has its divided end 46a supporting the detachable unit. It is formed so as to be located at a substantially upper end portion (a slightly protruding portion) of the frame 2a.

The unit-side conveying path tube 45 is provided so as to be upwardly erected from the replenishment toner receiving port 14b of the developing device 14, and the replenishing toner is naturally inside the tube. It has a hollow shape that is easy to fall. On the other hand, the conveying path pipe 46 on the replenishing device side is
Are respectively extended downward from the delivery port of the delivery device 42 toward the divided end 45a of the corresponding unit side transport path pipe 45, and the inside of the pipe is provided with toner to be supplied. A toner transport rotating body 47 such as an auger or an agitator that is rotated by a drive source of the delivery device 42 is provided to reliably transport the toner.

Further, the divided end 45a of the unit-side conveying path tube 45 and the divided end 46a of the replenishing apparatus-side conveying path tube 46 both have end (opening) shapes cut in a horizontal plane. When the units 2 are completely mounted, the units 2 are closely matched with each other and connected to each other. In addition, in order to enhance the adhesiveness (prevention of toner leakage) at the time of the connection, a seal member made of an elastic member (not shown) is attached to at least one of the divided ends as necessary.

Next, the operation of the color image forming apparatus relating to the image forming process will be described. Here, a case where a full-color image is formed will be described as an example.

First, when a start button for image formation is pressed, each image forming system 10 operates to form a toner image of each color component according to image information. That is, in each of the image forming systems 10, after the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged by the charging device 12,
A laser beam B according to the image information from the latent image forming device 13
m is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (toner) of a predetermined color supplied from the developing device 14 via a developing roll 14a. As a result, a predetermined color toner image of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan is formed on each photosensitive drum 11 in each image forming system 10.

Subsequently, each toner image formed by each image forming system 10 is supplied to the paper feed tray 26 during the formation of the toner image.
Is supplied to the sheet conveying belt 21 of the sheet conveying device 20 through the registration roll 28, and the sheet conveying belt 21
Is transferred to the recording paper P conveyed so as to pass through the transfer position of each image forming system 10 by the transfer device 15 so as to be sequentially superimposed. After the transfer is completed, the recording paper P is separated from the conveyor belt 21 and then sent to the fixing device 30 to be subjected to a fixing process. Finally, the recording paper P is discharged out of the apparatus main body 1 (a discharge tray or the like). Through the above process, a basic full-color image is formed.

Further, in this color image forming apparatus, the developer (toner) in the developing device 14 is gradually consumed by performing such image formation. It will be replenished at the timing. That is, when the delivery device 42 in the toner replenishing device sends out the replenishing toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 41, the toner T communicates with the toner transport path tube 43, and more precisely, with the transport path tube 45 on the replenishing device side. The developer is supplied to the developing device 14 through the transport path pipe 46 on the unit side. As a result, the toner mixing ratio and the like in the developing device 14 are kept substantially constant, and as a result, good development is stably performed.

In the color image forming apparatus, when the photosensitive drum 11 needs to be replaced or the developing device 14 and the drum cleaner 16 need to be inspected and repaired, the corresponding detachable unit 2 is removed.

At this time, the detachable unit 2 is detached.
As shown in FIG. 3B, after performing a necessary preparatory operation such as opening the front cover (door) of the apparatus main body 1, the corresponding detachable unit 2 is manually slid to the front side (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3). Pull out to let. Thereby, the detachable unit 2 is pulled out to the front side of the apparatus main body 1 while being supported by a slide mechanism (not shown). At this time, of the toner conveying path tube 43, (the divided end portion 45a of the unit side conveying path tube 45) moves together with the unit 2 in the pull-out direction C. 46a) and is automatically separated. Further, at this time, the operation of displacing the transport path pipes 45 and 46 is unnecessary, and toner leakage from the transport path pipes 45 and 46 hardly occurs.

The detachable unit 2 thus pulled out is detached from the apparatus main body 1 by holding it by hand.
Necessary parts are exchanged or inspected and repaired, and after each operation is completed, it is mounted (attached) to the apparatus main body 1 again.

At this time, the detachable unit 2 is attached
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the detachable unit 2 after the work is performed.
Is inserted by hand into a corresponding mounting portion of the apparatus main body 1 and then pushed in such a manner as to slide toward the rear side of the apparatus main body 1 (the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3). As a result, the detachable unit 2 is pushed into the rear rear side of the apparatus main body 1 while being supported by a slide mechanism (not shown), and stops at a predetermined mounting completion position. At this time, (the divided end portion 45a of) the unit-side conveying path tube 45 of the toner conveying path tube 43 moves in the pushing direction D together with the unit 2 and stops at the mounting completion position. 46, and are automatically coupled to each other while being opposed to (the divided end portion 46a thereof). Moreover, at this time, the operation of displacing the transport path pipes 45 and 46 is not necessary as in the case of removal, and the respective transport path pipes 45 and 46 are displaced.
Reference numeral 46 denotes divided ends, which are securely connected to each other in a tight contact state, so that toner leakage from the connected portion of the transport path tube does not occur.

Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus, the attachment / detachment of the attachment / detachment unit 2 is performed by the toner conveyance path tube 43 (the conveyance path tube 4).
Despite the presence of the 5+ conveying path tube 46), there is no need to displace the conveying path tube 43 to the retracted position, and the operation can be performed extremely easily and smoothly.

[Embodiment 2] FIGS. 4 and 5 are conceptual views of a main portion showing a configuration of a toner conveying path tube and its surroundings according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state when the tubes are separated, and FIG. 5 shows a state when the toner conveying path tubes are connected. In this embodiment, the toner conveying path tube 4
The configuration is the same as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, except that an opening / closing shutter 50 as a shutoff door is provided at a divided end 46a of the supply device side transport path pipe 46 divided into three.

The opening / closing shutter 50 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG.
a supporting body 51 having a flat plate-like structure and having a sliding space with one side opened inside, and being slidably mounted in the sliding space of the supporting body 51. And a shutter plate 52 that blocks or opens a path opening at the divided end 46a. Also, the support body 51
In the upper and lower plate surfaces constituting the slide space, a passage opening at the divided end 46a and a toner passage hole 53 having an opening shape communicating with the slide space are formed, and the slide space is formed. Slide guide holes 54 are formed in the left and right side plate surfaces. On the other hand, the shutter plate 52 is a rectangular flat plate having a dimension slightly smaller than the sliding space of the support body 51, and is provided on side surfaces at both left and right sides with respect to the sliding directions E and F. A projection 55 is formed.

In the opening / closing shutter 50, the shutter plate 52 is accommodated in the slide space of the support body 51, and the locking projection 55 of the shutter plate 52 passes through the slide guide hole 53 of the support body. The support 51 is disposed so as to protrude from both left and right sides. The locking projection 55 has a direction (an arrow E in FIG. 6) in which the shutter plate 52 is drawn into the sliding space by a tension spring 56 having one end fixed to the projection 51a of the support body 51.
Direction).

Therefore, in the opening / closing shutter 50, the shutter plate 52 is slidable in the directions of arrows E and F in the drawing with respect to the support member 51, and this sliding movement closes or opens the toner passage hole 53. Further, the divided end 46a of the supply device side transport path tube 46 is so arranged that the sliding directions E and F of the shutter plate 52 coincide with the operating directions C and D when the detachable unit 2 is attached and detached.
Attached to.

Further, by providing the opening / closing shutter 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 7, the opening / closing shutter 50 is mounted on the divided end 45a side of the transport path 45 on the unit side. A shutter accommodating portion 57 for accommodating 50 is provided. This shutter housing part 57
Is basically of a size and form capable of accommodating substantially the entire support 51 of the opening / closing shutter 50 when the detachable unit 2 is mounted. In particular, the locking of the shutter plate 52 when the support 51 is accommodated The projecting projection 55 abuts on a part of the entrance side of the accommodating portion 57, and the shutter plate 52 slides to open the toner passage hole 53 of the supporting member 51 when the accommodating of the supporting member 51 is completed. .

By providing such an opening / closing shutter 50, when the detachable unit 2 is attached or detached, the path opening at the divided end 46a of the supply device side conveying path tube 46 is automatically closed or opened.

That is, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Since the 0 support 51 is taken out of the shutter accommodating portion 57 of the unit side transport path 45, the locking projection 55 is released from the abutment with the support 1 and the shutter plate 52 is pulled. The spring 56 is completely drawn into the sliding space and is housed. FIG.
Reference numeral 45b denotes a toner receiving port 14b of the conveying path pipe 45.
Port at the connection with the

As a result, the opening / closing shutter 50 is closed, so that the divided end 4
The path opening at 6a is automatically closed.
As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, the toner for replenishment does not leak from the path opening at the divided end portion 46a.

When the detachable unit 2 is mounted,
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6b, and 7b, when the detachable unit 2 is pushed into the apparatus main body 1, the shutter accommodating portion 57 provided at the divided end 45a of the unit side transport path tube 45 is fixed. It moves toward the opening / closing shutter 50 provided at the divided end portion 46a of the supply device side transport path tube 46 in the state of being set. Then, when the opening / closing shutter 50 starts to be accommodated in the shutter accommodating portion 57, only the support 51 moves and is accommodated in a state where the locking projection 55 is engaged by the contact with the support 1. Then, the shutter plate 52 slides against the urging force of the tension spring 56 to be displaced from the inside of the support body 51 to the outside, and finally the toner passage hole 53 of the support body 51 is opened.

As a result, the opening / closing shutter 50 is opened, so that the divided end 4
The path opening in 6a is automatically opened.
As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is mounted, toner for replenishment is surely fed into the unit side transport path tube 45 from the path opening at the divided end 46a, and toner replenishment is also ensured.

Reference numeral 2b in FIG.
Positioning holes formed at predetermined portions of the support frame 2a, and positioning pins 1b provided on the apparatus main body 1 side when the detachable unit 2 is mounted on the positioning holes 2b.
Are fitted, whereby accurate positioning with respect to the apparatus main body 1 at the time of mounting the detachable unit 2 is performed. The configuration relating to the positioning is similarly employed in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a toner conveying path tube and its periphery according to another embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment except that an opening / closing shutter 60 as a shutoff door is provided on the divisional end portion 45a side of the unit side conveyance path pipe 45 formed by dividing the toner conveyance path pipe 43. It has the same configuration as.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the opening / closing shutter 60 is located near the divided end 45a of the unit side transport path pipe 45 and rotatably supported inside the transport path pipe. It is composed of a plate 61. Shutter plate 61
Is a flat plate having a shape capable of rotating and moving inside the transport path pipe 45 and closing the internal shape of the transport path pipe, and fixed to the left and right ends on the base end side. The support shaft 62 formed in this way is supported by a bearing formed in the transport path tube 45, so that the support shaft 62 is rotatable. The portion supported by the shaft is a portion of the transport path tube 45 on the side facing the support frame 2a (device main body 1) of the detachable unit. One support shaft 62 is extended so as to protrude to the outside of the transport path tube 45, and a cam 63 is attached to a distal end thereof. Further, a coil spring (not shown) is attached to the support shaft 62, and when the cam 63 is in an open state, the shutter plate 61 is rotated in the direction of arrow G by the coil spring and closed (FIG. 8A). It is urged to be.

The cam 63 is attached to the detachable unit 2.
At the time of mounting, the cam 6 comes into contact with a part 1c of the apparatus main body 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow H.
The shutter plate 61 connected to the shutter 3 and the support shaft 62 is configured to rotate and open in the direction of arrow H. When the shutter plate 61 is closed by the bias of the coil spring, the shutter plate 61 is positioned by being locked by a locking projection 45c formed inside the transport path tube 45.

Therefore, the shutter plate 61 of the opening / closing shutter 60 is rotatable in the directions of arrows G and H in FIG. The channel (opening in section) of the pipe 45 is closed or opened.

By providing such an opening / closing shutter 60, the path opening near the divided end 45a of the unit side transport path tube 45 is automatically closed or opened when the detachable unit 2 is attached or detached.

That is, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cam 63 of the opening / closing shutter 60 is in an opened state (a state in which the cam 63 is not in contact with the apparatus main body 1c). Is rotated in the direction of arrow G by the coil spring attached to the support shaft 62, and is brought into contact with the locking projection 45c to be locked.

As a result, the opening / closing shutter 50 is closed, so that the path opening near the divided end 45a of the transport path tube 45 is automatically closed. As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, the toner for replenishment does not leak from the path opening at the divided end portion 45a.

When the detachable unit 2 is mounted,
As shown in FIG. 8B, the detachable unit 2 is
By pushing the cam 63 in the side (the direction of arrow D), the cam 63 contacts the predetermined portion 1c of the apparatus main body before the mounting is completed. When the detachable unit 2 is further pushed toward the mounting completed position, the cam 63 rotates in the direction of arrow H while abutting on the predetermined portion 1c of the apparatus main body, and the support shaft 62 also rotates in the same direction. Therefore, the shutter plate 52 rotates in the direction of the arrow H against the urging force of the coil spring, and finally the toner passage hole 53 of the support 51 is opened.

As a result, the opening / closing shutter 60 is opened, so that the path opening near the divided end 45a of the transport path tube 45 is automatically opened. As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is mounted, the divided end 45
The replenishing toner sent from the replenishing device side transport path tube 45 from the route opening in the vicinity of a is supplied to the unit side transport path tube 46.
, And the toner is surely supplied.

[Other Embodiments] In the first to third embodiments, the toner supply path pipe 43 is used as the toner supply path pipe 43.
5 and the unit side transport path tube 46 are divided end portions 45a, 46
Although an example of a form in which a straight conveying path pipe is formed when the pipes are joined by a is shown, in the present invention, for example, the vicinity of the divided ends 45a and 46a is bent in a predetermined direction as illustrated in FIG. The toner conveying path tube 43 may be bent when the two conveying path tubes 45 and 46 are combined. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the divided end 45a
Are formed so as to be bent substantially at right angles so as to be along the removing direction C of the detachable unit 2, and the divided end portions 46a are formed to be bent at substantially right angles so as to be along the mounting direction D of the detachable unit 2.

In this case, since there is a curved portion near the divided ends 45a and 46a, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from the respective conveying paths 45 and 46 by the curved portion. In addition, such a configuration is particularly effective for the divided end portions 45a,
It is effective when applied to the case where the opening / closing door such as the opening / closing shutters 50 and 60 described above is not provided at 46a (Embodiment 1).

In the second and third embodiments, the door (5
0, 60) are divided end portions 45a of the supply device side conveying path tube 45.
Although the embodiment in which the door is provided at one of the divided ends 46a of the unit-side transport path pipe 46 has been described, in the present invention, an opening / closing door may be provided at both divided ends 45a and 46a at the same time.

Further, in the first to third embodiments, the example in which the detachable unit 2 is supported by the slide mechanism and detached is shown. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case in which is supported by a swing mechanism and is detachable.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the detachable unit 3 in which only the developing device 14 is incorporated is put in a mounting portion of the device main body 1 (a portion around the developing position of the photosensitive drum 11 in this example). Thereafter, the developing device 14 is swung in a direction indicated by an arrow J about a portion of the device main body side serving as the swing support point 4 as a center, whereby the developing device 14 is fixedly mounted at a predetermined mounting completion position. When the detachable unit 3 is detached, the developing device 14 is detached from the mounting completion position by swinging the detachable unit 3 in the direction of the arrow K about the part of the apparatus main body side that becomes the pivot 4. Finally, the detachable unit 3 is removed by taking it out of the apparatus body.

In the case of the detachable unit 3 of the detachable type, the toner conveying path 43 is provided on a predetermined path on the swinging orbit of the detachable unit 3 (for example, the path indicated by dotted arrows J and K in the figure). Can be constituted by the unit-side transfer path tube 45 and the mounting device-side transfer path tube 46 divided at the position. Further, the divided unit side transport path pipe 45
The divided end 45a and the divided end 46a of the mounting device-side transport path tube 46 can have, for example, an end shape having an inclined surface cut diagonally as shown in the figure. Thus, just by swinging the detachable unit 3 at the time of attaching and detaching, as in the first to third embodiments, the two conveying path tubes 45 and 46 are separated from each other without being displaced to the retracted position. Or can be combined.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the case where there are a plurality of detachable units 2 as illustrated in the first to third embodiments, and can be similarly applied to the case where only a single unit is provided. The effect is greater.

[0066]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the developer conveying path pipe for connecting the developing apparatus and the developer replenishing apparatus provided on the apparatus main body side is divided. Therefore, despite the presence of such a developer transport path tube, the user can simply attach / detach the attach / detach unit without displacing the developer transport path tube to the retracted position at least with the detachable unit incorporating the developing device. In this way, it can be performed very easily and smoothly. Then, the divided developer conveying path tubes are automatically separated or connected with the attaching / detaching operation of the attaching / detaching unit.

Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the attaching / detaching operation of the attaching / detaching unit can be performed more easily, and when the unit is attached, the developer conveying path tube is securely connected to prevent unnecessary leakage of the developer. Therefore, the supply of the developer for supply and the supply of the developer can be surely performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a toner conveyance path tube connecting a toner supply device and a detachable unit, wherein FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a state when the unit is mounted, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing a state when the unit is removed. .

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a toner conveying path tube provided with an opening / closing shutter (a state when a detachable unit is detached) and its periphery according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a main part showing a state of a toner conveying path tube provided with an opening / closing shutter when the detachable unit is mounted.

6A and 6B are a plan view showing a state in which the shutter is closed by separating the shutter and the opening / closing shutter, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the shutter is closed by opening the shutter; It is a plane explanatory view showing the state where it is.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a shutter accommodating portion, wherein FIG. 7A is an explanatory side view of the shutter accommodating portion, and FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner conveyance path tube provided with an opening / closing shutter and a peripheral portion thereof according to a third embodiment;
(A) is a schematic diagram showing a state when the detachable unit is removed,
(B) is a schematic diagram showing a state when the detachable unit is mounted.

9 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing shutter and the toner conveying path tube of FIG. 8;

10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the toner conveying path tube, in which FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a state when the unit is mounted,
(B) is a schematic diagram showing a state when the unit is removed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the attachment / detachment unit and the toner conveyance path tube (a state when the unit is attached).

12 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the detachable unit and the toner conveying path tube shown in FIG. 11 are detached from the unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device main body, 2, 3 ... Detachable unit, 14 ... Developing device, 40 ... Toner supply device, 43 ... Toner conveyance path tube, 4
5: supply device side transfer path tube (second transfer path pipe), 46: unit side transfer path pipe (first transfer path pipe), 45a, 46a: divided end portion, 50, 60 ... open / close shutter (open / close door), T ...
Toner (developer).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A device which is detachably attached to an apparatus main body.
At least a detachable unit in which a developing device is incorporated, a developer replenishing device fixed to the device main body and replenishing a developer to the developing device of the detachable unit, the developer replenishing device, and a developing device of the detachable unit And a developer transfer path pipe that is attached to connect the two apparatuses to each other and that transfers the developer supplied from the supply apparatus to the development apparatus. A pipe is divided at an intermediate position between the developer supply device and the developing device, and a first conveyance path pipe fixedly attached to the detachable unit side and a first conveyance path pipe fixedly attached to the supply unit side. And the divided end of the first conveying path pipe is separated or connected to the divided end of the second conveying path pipe with the attaching / detaching operation of the detachable unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. A shutter, which is provided on at least one of the divided ends of the first conveying path pipe and the second conveying path pipe, and which is configured to open and close a conveying path opening at the divided end in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation of a detachable unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.