JP2000221766A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make scattering of the developer avoided easily and surely at a detachable coupling part performing receipt and delivery between two structures where one of the two is fitted to the device main body freely attachably and detachably. SOLUTION: This image forming device is allowed to attach a double shutter equipment 5 provided with a swinging type opening/closing plate member 6 or the like on the toner feed opening side on the toner transporting pipe, for opening/closing the feed aperture being rocked between a closing position and the opening position. The sliding type opening/closing plate 7 for opening/closing a space between position facing and non-facing the feed aperture located beneath the opening/closing plate 6 by sliding/shifting is held in contact with a back face of the opening/closing plate 6 in company with the attaching/detaching work of the attaching/detaching type developing device and makes the opening/ closing plate 6 rock on the above closing position or opening position. Simultaneously opening/closing the toner feeding port, the double-shutter is overlapped with the opening/closing plate 6 from the rear surface side.

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, and more particularly, to the scattering of a developer at a connecting portion having a detachable structure for transferring the developer. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of preventing image formation.

[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. After forming an image, the electrostatic latent image is developed with a powdery developer supplied from a developing device into a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording material such as paper by a transfer device. Finally, the image is formed by fixing the image with a fixing device to form a permanent image.

[0003] Among such image forming apparatuses, a developing unit that is integrated with the developing apparatus alone or in combination with other components is configured as a detachable unit that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, there is a type configured such that a developer can be supplied from a developer supply device to such a detachably mounted developing device.

In this type of image forming apparatus, the developing device is detachably mounted on the main assembly of the apparatus, whereas the developer supply device is fixed to the main assembly of the apparatus. A developer transport pipe having a developer transport component such as an auger therein is mounted between the developer supply device and the developer supply device to transport the developer sent from the supply device to the development device. A connecting portion having a detachable structure is provided at a part of the developer transfer pipe (for example, at the end of the transfer pipe on the developing device side), so that the developer transfer can be performed at the time of attaching / detaching the attaching / detaching unit including the developing device. The pipe is easily connected or disconnected at its connection. In addition, in such a connection part,
Usually, in order to prevent the developer from leaking out of the developer outlet at the connecting part when the connecting part is disconnected, the sliding movement is performed in a state of traversing the developer outlet or the like, and the outlet is moved. A slide shutter that opens and closes is provided.

[0005]

However, in an image forming apparatus in which a slide shutter is provided at a connecting portion through which such a developer is delivered and received, the slide shutter is configured to transfer the developer to a transport pipe. Since the outlet is slid so as to slide directly or indirectly to open and close the outlet, the slide shutter adheres to the vicinity of the developer outlet and the shutter surface during the sliding movement. There is a problem that the developer is scattered (or peeled off) and the area around the connecting portion and the inside of the apparatus main body are stained by the developer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connecting portion having a detachable structure in which developer is transferred between two structures, one of which is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can more reliably and easily prevent the developer from scattering.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first structure provided with a developer outlet at a lower portion through which a developer is sent out, and a developer of the first structure. A second structure having an upper portion provided with a developer inlet for connecting the outlet and taking in the developer that is sent out from the outlet and falls; and a second structure provided at an upper portion thereof. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, one of which is a structure detachably attached to the apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus is arranged on the developer outlet side of the first structure and near the outlet. A plate-shaped swinging opening / closing member swinging between a position for closing the opening and a position for opening the opening around the fulcrum and opening and closing the opening, and a lower side of the swinging opening / closing member; The position facing the developer outlet and the first or second position from the position.
The sliding member is slid in a state of contacting the lower surface of the swingable opening / closing member in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation of the first or second structure between a position retracted in the mounting direction of the structure and not facing the opening / closing member. And a slide opening / closing member for opening and closing the developer delivery port opened / closed by the opening / closing member from the lower surface side of the opening / closing member while simultaneously swinging the opening / closing position to the closing position or the opening position. And a resilient biasing member for resiliently biasing the shutter in a direction opposite to the mounting direction.

Here, the double shutter component usually has an opening for communicating the swing type opening / closing member, the sliding type opening / closing member and the elastic urging member with the developer outlet of the first structure. The supporting frame may be mounted in such a manner that its opening is connected to the developer outlet, and the opening / closing members and the urging members may be attached to the developer feeding frame. You may make it attach (integrally) in the state integrated directly in an outlet.

The swingable opening / closing member swings at least around a fulcrum (support shaft) disposed near the developer outlet.
While being pressed directly or indirectly against the opening edge of the outlet to close the outlet (developer path), the developer is swung from the closed position downward toward the outside of the outlet and the feed is stopped. The outlet may be opened or the opening may be opened by swinging toward the upper side inside the outlet. Further, from the viewpoint of reliably preventing the developer from scattering when the first or second component is attached or detached,
It is preferable that the opening / closing member is set to swing while being located in the opening of the developer inlet of the second structure. Such a setting may be dealt with, for example, by appropriately adjusting the timing at which the slide-type opening / closing member slides and the timing at which the swing-type opening / closing member swings due to the slide movement.

On the other hand, the slide-type opening / closing member is at least a position (a non-facing position) that does not face a position (facing position) facing the above-described developer outlet when the first or second structure is attached / detached. ), While in contact with the lower surface of the oscillating opening / closing member, at the time of mounting, slides in the mounting direction and displaces from the facing position to the non-facing position.
At the time of removal (removal), any device may be used as long as it slides in the direction opposite to the mounting direction and moves from the non-facing position to the facing position. The elastic urging member of the opening / closing member elastically urges the opening / closing member toward the opposite direction to the mounting direction, and the opening / closing member moves to the opposing position unless an external force is applied. The coil spring and the like may be used as long as the coil spring is maintained.

Incidentally, the developer passed between the developer outlet of the first structure and the developer inlet of the second structure may be a developer consisting only of a toner component, A developer comprising a component and a carrier component may be used. Strictly speaking, the mounting direction refers to the direction of operation performed when the first or second structure to be mounted is finally fixed (locked) to the apparatus main body. It may be the same as or different from the operation direction at the time.
Further, with respect to a structure in which the slide type opening / closing member slides in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation of the first or second structure, for example, a contact portion is formed near the developer intake of the second structure, and the contact portion is formed. A protrusion that can be brought into contact with the contact portion during the attachment / detachment operation at the time of the attachment / detachment operation is provided on the slide-type opening / closing member side. Thereby, the slide type opening / closing member can be configured to move between the two positions described above.

According to the present invention, the swingable opening / closing member swings by sliding a part of the sliding opening / closing member in contact with the lower surface of the swinging opening / closing member. However, a rack and pinion mechanism and a link mechanism are arranged between the swinging type opening and closing member and the sliding type opening and closing member, and the linear movement by the sliding movement of the sliding type opening and closing member is performed by the rack and pinion mechanism and the link. It is also possible to convert the rotation into a rotary motion by a mechanism or the like and transmit the rotation to a swing type opening / closing member to swing the opening / closing member.

The first structure and the second structure need to prevent the developer from being scattered when the developer delivery port and the developer intake are connected or disconnected by one of the attachment / detachment operations. In addition, any material can be used as long as the scattering of the developer can be prevented by attaching the double shutter component described above. Specifically, for example, the first
The (or second) structure is a developer conveying path tube for conveying the developer from the developer replenishing device to the developer, and the second (or first) structure is a detachable developing device. In the case where the first (or second) structure is a detachable developer storage cartridge and the second (or first) structure is a developer replenishing device, the first (or second) structure is used. Is a detachable toner collection container that collects residual toner (developer) removed from an image carrier such as a photoconductor or an intermediate transfer member after the transfer process by a cleaning device, and is a second (or first) toner collection container. And (2) the transport path tube for transporting the residual toner removed from the cleaning device to the toner collecting container.

In such a double shutter part, the sliding type opening / closing member is provided between the facing position and the non-facing position in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the first or second structure. The slidable opening / closing member automatically swings to the closed position or the open position in conjunction with the sliding movement in the contact state. Thus, basically, the swingable opening / closing member directly opens and closes the developer delivery port in the first structure, and the developer delivery port opened / closed by the swingable opening / closing member is connected to the opening / closing member. It is opened and closed indirectly by a slide-type opening and closing member from below.

Therefore, according to the double shutter component, the developer outlet of the first structure in the image forming apparatus can be directly opened and closed by the swingable opening / closing member. Since the operation is not directly performed by the slide-type opening / closing member on the lower side of the member, when the developer outlet is opened / closed, the slide-type opening / closing member is connected to its outlet (or a connection opening connected to the outlet). There is no traversing while sliding. Further, the developer outlet is closed by both the swing type opening and closing member and the slide type opening and closing member.

[0016]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electrophotographic 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 is one of four color toner images of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
Four image forming systems 10K and 10
Y, 10M, and 10C; a sheet conveying device 20 that conveys the recording sheet P so as to pass through each transfer position where the toner image formed by each of the image forming systems 10 is transferred;
A fixing device 30 for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording paper P in each image forming system 10 and the like are arranged 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, charging device 12 for uniformly charging the surface of photoreceptor drum 11, and exposing the charged photoreceptor drum 11 surface to a light image corresponding to image information to form an electrostatic latent image. Laser beam exposure type latent image forming apparatus 1 to be formed
3. A developing device having a developing roll 14a for containing any of the four color toners (developer) and transporting the toner to a developing area facing the photosensitive drum 11 to develop the electrostatic latent image. 14, a transfer device 15 for electrostatically transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 to the recording paper P, and a drum cleaner 16 for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 11 after transfer. Is configured. 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 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 by the operation of the feed roll 27, the registration roll 28, and the like from the paper feed tray 26 to the paper transport belt 21 is successively passed through the above-described transfer positions in a state where the recording paper P is attracted. It is designed to be transported. In the drawing, reference numeral 29 denotes a belt cleaner, and a dashed line indicates a conveyance path of the recording paper P.

The fixing device 30 is a roll-type fixing device provided with a heating roll 31 and a pressure roll 32 which rotate while being pressed against each other, and a fixing portion (nip) between the heating roll 31 and the pressure roll 33. 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.

The developing device 14 in each image forming system 10 is supplied with replenishing toner (or replenishing toner and carrier) of a corresponding color from a toner replenishing device 40 fixedly disposed on the apparatus main body 1. It will be replenished at the required timing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner replenishing device 40 contains the four color toners for replenishment individually, and is removably mounted on the main body 1 of the toner cartridge 41 K, 41 Y, 41 M. ,
41C, a delivery device 42 that holds each toner cartridge 41 at the time of mounting, and sends out toner supplied from each cartridge 41 to each developing device 14 at a predetermined timing and amount, and a toner replenishing device 40 and each developing device. The two devices 40 and 14 are connected between the developing device 14 and the toner supply unit 14 of the developing device 14.
b) and a toner conveying path tube 43 to be conveyed.

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 detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 1. Each of the detachable units 2 is an apparatus main body 1.
Are separately supported by slide mechanisms (slide rails or the like) not shown in the drawings, and are attached to the apparatus main body 1 by being inserted from the front side of the apparatus main body 1 and then pushed to slide. On the other hand, when removing the device, the device can be detached from the device main body 1 by pulling it out so as to slide toward the front side of the device 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 detachable developing device 1
4 and a toner conveying path tube 43 connected to the toner receiving section 14b
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each of the detachable units 2 is detachably connected to each toner receiving pipe 17 fixedly disposed on the side of the toner receiving section 14 b of the developing device 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, each of the toner receiving pipes 17 has a replenishing toner receiving section 1 of each developing device 14.
4b, it is arranged vertically up from the upper end of the unit support plate 2a so as to protrude from the upper end of the unit support plate 2a. The inside of the pipe is filled with toner taken in from a toner intake port 18 provided on the upper side of the pipe. Toner receiving unit 1
It has a hollow shape that easily falls naturally toward 4b.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toner conveying path pipe 43 is obliquely downwardly directed from each of the sending devices 42 of the toner replenishing device 40 to the upper end of the toner receiving pipe 17 of the corresponding developing device 14. Each of the tubes is provided in an extended state, and a toner conveying rotating body 44 such as an auger or an agitator which is rotated by a driving source of a sending device 42 to surely convey the toner is disposed inside the tubes. I have. Further, at the end of the toner conveying path tube 43, the toner which is connected to the toner inlet 18 of the toner receiving pipe 17 and is fed by the toner conveying rotating body 44 toward the inlet 18. An outlet 45 is provided.

Further, in this color image forming apparatus, as shown in FIGS.
A double shutter part 5 is attached to the side of the toner delivery port 45 to prevent toner from being scattered between the toner conveying path tube 43 connected or disconnected when the detachable unit 2 is attached and detached and the toner receiving tube 17. Have been.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 9, the double shutter component 5 includes at least a swingable opening / closing plate 6,
It is a component including a slide type opening / closing plate 7 and a coil spring 8. In this example, the swing type opening / closing plate 6, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 and the coil spring 8 are provided.
Are provided on the support frame body 9.

The support frame 9 has an opening 91 at one end, and slide guide grooves 92 for the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 formed in a straight line on both left and right sides from the opening 91 to the other end. A flat-plate frame main body portion 90, an outlet junction 93 between the toner outlet 45 of the toner conveying path tube 43 protrudingly formed above the opening 91, and a lower side of the opening 91. An inlet joint 94 with the toner inlet 18 of the toner receiving pipe 17 protruding from the opening; a swing bearing recess 95 of the swingable opening / closing plate 6 formed at the center end of the opening 91; It is composed of The opening 91 is provided in the frame main body 9.
0, a toner intake opening 91 having an opening area slightly smaller than the entire opening 91 at a central position slightly protruding above the opening 91.
A frame portion 91b in which a is formed, and an opening space having a plane area larger than the opening 91a are formed inside the frame portion b. The opening space is a space formed of a flat space that can accommodate at least the swingable opening / closing plate 6 and can include the swing bearing recess 94. The swing bearing recess 95 is formed at an end near the center of the frame portion 91b so as to cross the frame main body 90. Further, the outlet joint portion 93 communicates with the opening portion 91, and the developer passage portion 93a that expands in a fan shape upward from the frame portion 91b, and a circle formed at the outer edge of the upper end of the passage portion 93a. It comprises an arc-shaped joining surface 93b. Further, the inlet joint 94 includes a developer passage 94a communicating with the opening 91, and an inclined joint surface 94b formed at an outer edge of a lower end of the passage 94a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 is a flat plate made of metal or plastic having a size (flat area) capable of closing at least the opening 91a of the opening 91. In this example, the tip of the plate portion 60 is formed into an arc shape, and the swing shafts 61 are formed at the right and left ends of the base end thereof so as to protrude from the left and right outer sides, respectively. are doing.

Then, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 is placed in a state where the plate portion 60 is placed inside the opening 91,
The swing shaft 61 is attached by rotatably engaging the swing bearing recess 94. Thus, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 can swing around the swing shaft 61 in the space below the opening 91, and when swinging upward (in the direction of arrow J). Finally comes into contact with the opening 91a of the opening 91 from below (to the inner surface of the frame portion 91b) (the swinging position at that time becomes the "closed position") and at the lower side (arrow K When swinging in the direction (i.e., in the direction), the opening 91a is finally opened in the opening 91 by substantially hanging from the bearing concave portion 92 (the swinging position at that time becomes the "opening position"). In this example, when the swingable opening / closing plate 6 is in the closed position, the upper surface of the plate 6 is securely in close contact with the opening 91a (the inner surface of the frame portion 91b) so as to prevent toner leakage. An elastically deformable seal member (for example, a sponge material) 91c is provided in a contact area of the inner surface of the frame portion 91b with the plate, but such a seal member is not provided when the above-mentioned close contact can be ensured. You may.

The slide type opening / closing plate 7 has a form having a flat plate portion 70 having a size at least larger than the plane area of the swing type opening / closing plate 6. In this example, the plate part 7 has a rectangular plane.
The left and right ends of the plate 0 are slidably inserted into the slide guide grooves 92 formed on the left and right sides of the plate body 90, respectively, and are slid. Further, a protruding portion 71 is attached to the rear end side of the plate portion 70 so as to go over the frame main body portion 90 in which the slide guide groove 92 is formed and to protrude outward from both right and left sides of the main body portion 90. Is formed. Further, a plurality of projections 72 are formed on the upper surface of the plate portion 70 to reduce the contact area when the plate portion 70 comes into contact with the lower surface of the swingable opening / closing plate 6. The pressing protruding piece 73 temporarily presses the lower surface of the swingable opening / closing plate 6 during sliding movement.
Is formed. Due to the formation of the pressing projection 73, an introduction for introducing the pressing projection 73 at the time of sliding movement is provided at the center of the end region of the frame main body 90 opposite to the opening 91 side. The concave groove 90 a is formed in a state parallel to the slide guide groove 92.

Then, the slide type opening / closing plate 7
Are mounted so that the left and right ends of the plate portion 70 are inserted into the slide guide grooves 92, respectively.
Thereby, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 can freely slide along the slide guide groove 92 in the support frame 9, and the frame main body 90.
Is moved to the opening 91 side of the opening 91 finally.
Can move to a position facing the opening 91a (which corresponds to the toner outlet 45) (the moving position at this time is the “facing position”), and the side opposite to the opening 91. Is moved to a position not facing the opening 91a (the moving position at this time is a "non-facing position").

The slide type opening / closing plate 7 is
When moving from the non-opposing position to the opposing position (in the direction of arrow S), the plate tip (tip portion 70a of the plate portion) and the upper surface portion (strictly, the projection 72) are pivotable open / close plates. 6 while sequentially contacting the lower surface thereof, and swinging the swingable opening / closing plate 6 upward (in the direction of arrow J).
Conversely, when moving from the facing position to the non-facing position (in the direction of arrow R), the swingable opening / closing plate 6 is swung downward (in the direction of arrow K) while maintaining the contact state.
Finally, the plate tip (the tip 70 of the plate portion)
a) passes below the swing bearing portion 94 and completely separates from the lower surface of the swing type opening / closing plate 6.

The coil spring 8 moves the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 from the non-opposing position to the opposing position (this direction is opposite to the mounting direction of the detachable unit 2).
For urging with a predetermined urging force F,
In this example, (the locking groove 9 of the front end portion of the frame main body portion 90)
0b) and (a locking hole 71a of) the projection 71 of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 with both ends of the spring 8 hooked.

In the double shutter component 5 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the sliding directions S and R of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 match the attaching and detaching directions C and D of the detachable unit 2, and Arc-shaped joint surface 9 of outlet joint 92
The supporting frame 90 is fixed to the apparatus main body 1 or the toner conveying path tube 43 by using a fixing jig (not shown) while maintaining the state in which the 2b is joined to the toner delivery port 45 of the toner conveying path tube 43. In this example, the circular arc-shaped joint surface portion 92b of the double shutter component 5 is easily joined to the toner outlet 45 side of the toner conveying path tube 43 and the degree of freedom of the joint angle is increased. Arc-shaped joint surface 46 corresponding to joint surface 92b
Is formed.

On the other hand, due to the mounting of such a double shutter component 5, a shutter accommodating portion 19 is provided above the toner receiving pipe 17 as shown in FIGS. The shutter accommodating and connecting portion 19 includes the detachable unit 2.
When the camera is mounted, it is formed of a frame wall of a space that can be accommodated so as to surround almost the entirety of the double shutter component 5, and the upper end of the double shutter component 5 facing the apparatus main body 1 is slidably opened and closed. A contact portion 19a is formed which comes into contact with the projecting portion 71 of the plate 7 when the detachable unit 2 is mounted, and a portion around the toner inlet 18 is joined to the inclined joining surface portion 94b of the double shutter component 5. There is formed a joining surface portion 19b formed of an inclined surface.

Next, an operation related to an image forming process of the color image forming apparatus 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 is operated 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.

In this color image forming apparatus, the developer (toner) in the developing device 14 is gradually consumed and reduced by performing such image forming. It will be replenished at the timing. That is, the delivery device 42 in the toner supply device 40 is
By sending out the replenishing toner T supplied from 1, the toner T is sent to the toner receiving section 14 b through the toner conveying path pipe 43 and the toner receiving pipe 17 ahead, and is supplied to the developing device 14. 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.

Here, the double shutter component 5 interposed at the connection between the toner conveying path pipe 43 and the toner receiving pipe 17
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, since the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is in the non-opposing position and the swing type opening / closing plate 6 is in the open position, the whole is in an open state.
That is, thereby, the toner delivery port 45 of the toner transport path pipe 43 and the toner intake port 18 of the toner receiving pipe 17 communicate with each other. As a result, the replenishment toner T sent out from the toner outlet 45 passes through the double shutter component 5 in the open state and is taken into the toner inlet 18 side.

In the color image forming apparatus, for example, 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 detached.

To remove the detachable unit 2, as shown in FIG. 3, after performing a necessary preparatory operation such as opening a front cover (door) of the apparatus main body 1, the corresponding detachable unit 2 is manually moved to the near side (as shown in FIG. 3). This is performed by pulling it out so as to slide in the direction of arrow C in the figure) and finally completely removing the detached detachable unit 2 from the apparatus main body 1 by hand. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment and detachment of the detachable unit 2 is performed by inserting the detachable unit 2 by hand after completion of operations such as replacement and inspection / repair into a corresponding attachment site in the apparatus main body 1, and Push it in so as to slide it toward the rear side of the main body 1 (in the direction of arrow D in the figure).
This is performed by pushing the detachable unit 2 until it reaches the fixed set position and stops.

When the detachable unit 2 is attached or detached, the double shutter component 5 operates and functions as follows.

First, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, as shown in FIG. 8, the toner receiving pipe 17 on the detachable unit 2 side moves in the unit detaching direction C and gradually moves away from the double shutter part 5. Thereby, the contact portion 19 in the shutter receiving portion 19 of the toner receiving pipe 17 is provided.
a moves in the unit removal direction C, the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 having the protrusion 71 abutting on the abutment portion 19 a is moved along the slide guide groove 92 of the support frame 9 by the urging force F of the coil spring 8. To start sliding in the direction of arrow S. At this time, the pressing projection 73 of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 is in a hanging state (open position).
, And pushes the opening / closing plate 6 in the sliding direction S. Subsequently, the tip of the opening / closing plate 7 and the projection 72 on the upper surface thereof come into contact with the lower surface of the opening / closing plate 6. Similarly, the opening / closing plate 6 is pushed in the sliding direction S. As a result, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 swings upward (in the direction of arrow J) as the sliding opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow S.

Then, when the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 slides to the opposing position (in this example, stops when the projecting portion 71 comes into contact with the bearing recess 94), as shown in FIG. , Projections 72 on its upper surface
The swinging opening / closing plate 6 is supported from below through the opening 9
1 is pressed against the opening 91a (actually, the sealing member 91c), and the opening / closing plate 7 itself is directly below the swingable opening / closing plate 6 and the opening 9
1 (inside the frame portion 91b).

Therefore, when the detachable unit 2 is completely removed, the double shutter part 5 is moved by the sliding movement of the sliding type opening / closing plate 7.
Swings to the closed position to close the opening 91a (corresponding to the toner outlet 45) of the opening 91, and the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 exists immediately below the swinging-type opening / closing plate 6 so that the opening 91a is closed. The opening / closing plate 6 is closed by overlapping from the lower surface side.

As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is removed, the toner outlet 45 (actually, the opening 91a; the same applies to the following description) is automatically closed by the double shutter component 5, so that the toner outlet 45 is opened from the outlet 45. The toner T for supply is not scattered. In particular, since the toner outlet 45 is directly closed by the swingable opening / closing shutter 6, the scattering of toner in the slide shutter as in the conventional example is reliably prevented. Further, since the opening space on the lower side of the swingable opening / closing shutter 6 that closes the toner delivery port 45 is closed by the slide-type opening / closing plate 7, the scattering of toner can be prevented twice. When the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 in this embodiment is at the opposing position,
As shown in the figure, the distal end portion 70a of the plate portion 70 is not in contact with the inner wall 91d of the opening 91 and has a gap. However, if necessary, the dimensions and shape of the distal end portion 70a and the inner wall 91a may be changed. It is, of course, possible to form such that there is no gap due to the adjustment, and in this case, it is possible to more completely prevent toner scattering.

On the other hand, when the detachable unit 2 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 8, the toner receiving pipe 17 of the detachable unit 2 moves in the unit mounting direction D and approaches the double shutter component 5, and the shutter housing portion is provided. 19 abuts on the protrusion 71 of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 while moving, and the opening / closing plate 7 is mounted in the mounting direction D.
And push it in gradually. As a result, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 starts to slide in the direction of arrow R along the slide guide groove 92 of the support frame 9 against the urging force F of the coil spring 8. At this time, when the slide type opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow R, the swing type opening / closing plate 6 pressed against the opening 91a by the opening / closing plate 7 (actually, the projection 72) is moved downward by the opening / closing plate 7. Gradually loses the support (press) from the surface. As a result, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 swings downward (in the direction of arrow K) as the sliding opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow R.

Then, when the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is slid to the non-opposing position (in this example, the contact portion 19).
a stops at the position where the protruding portion 71 is pushed down to the maximum),
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tip (the protrusion 72 and the pressing protrusion 73 on the upper surface) of the opening / closing plate 7 is separated from the lower surface of the swingable opening / closing plate 6, whereby
The swing type opening / closing plate 6 is in a state of naturally hanging directly below the bearing portion 95 by its own weight, and the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 itself is the opening 9 of the opening 90.
1a has been moved to a portion of the frame main body 90 that is not opposed to 1a.

Therefore, when the detachable unit 2 is completely mounted, the double shutter part 5 is moved by the sliding movement of the slide opening / closing plate 7 so that the swinging opening / closing plate 6 swings to the open position and the opening 91 is closed. The opening 91a (corresponding to the toner outlet 45) is opened, and the slide opening / closing plate 7 is also moved to the non-opposing position to open the opening 91a.
To release.

As a result, when the detachable unit 2 is detached, the toner outlet 45 (opening 91a) is automatically opened (opened) by the double shutter component 5. Further, since the opening of the toner delivery port 45 is directly opened by the swingable opening / closing shutter 6, the toner does not scatter when the slide shutter is operated as in the conventional example.

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the double shutter component 5 in this embodiment is such that the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 slides by the sliding distance L in the region of the swinging type opening / closing plate 6 on the side of the swing shaft 61. With this operation, the swing type opening / closing plate 6 is substantially swung to the open position or the closed position. The slide distance L is shorter than the opening diameter W of the toner inlet 18. Thus, according to the double shutter component 5, the swing type opening / closing plate 6 swings while being located in the opening E of the toner intake 18. As a result, even if the toner T attached to the opening / closing plate 6 falls downward while the swinging opening / closing plate 6 swings, the toner T is surely taken into the toner inlet 18 and scattered outside. I will not do it.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 10 to 12 are conceptual views of a main part showing the structure of a double shutter component and its periphery according to another embodiment to which the present invention is applied. That is,
In this embodiment, the double shutter component 50 is used in the toner transfer connecting portion between the toner cartridge 41 and the sending device 42 of the toner supply device 40 in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Except for this, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

That is, in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1
Cylindrical toner cartridge 4 which is detachably mounted on the cartridge
1 is stored in the cartridge 4
1 is a toner outlet 41 provided at a lower portion on one end side.
a of the toner cartridge 41 of the toner cartridge 41 in the toner replenishing device 40, which is fed from the feeding device 41a to the toner inlet 42a provided at the upper part of the feeding device 42 connected to the feeding port 41a. 41a
A double shutter part 50 is attached to the side. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 10B, as shown in FIG. 10B, the toner cartridge 41 slides in the directions of arrows C and D relative to the apparatus main body 1 like the detachable unit 2 (see FIG. 3 and the like). In order to fix the set, a type that is rotated in the set (fixed or released) directions G and H is used. Further, inside the cartridge 41, a toner conveying rotating body such as an agitator (not shown) is disposed, and the toner is sent out by the conveying body by an outlet 41a.
Side.

The double shutter component 50 has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and an opening 96 communicating with the toner outlet 41a is opened as schematically shown in FIG. Frame body 97, a swingable opening / closing plate 6 swinging in directions of arrows J and K about a swinging shaft 61 rotatably attached to one end of the frame body 97, A sliding-type opening / closing plate 7 that slides in the directions indicated by arrows S and R along a slide guide groove (not shown) while being in contact with the lower surface of the plate 6 on the lower side of the plate 6; And a coil spring (8) (not shown) which is urged by the force F. Reference numeral 42b in FIG. 10a denotes an abutting portion protruding in the vicinity of the toner inlet 42a of the delivery device 42, and 75 denotes a slide-type opening / closing plate 7.
When the cartridge 41 is mounted on the lower surface 4 of the
It is a projection provided so as to be able to contact with b.

In such a double shutter component 50, the swingable opening / closing shutter 6 swings in the direction of arrow J to abut on the opening 96 of the frame body 97 to close the opening 96 (closed position). Swinging in the direction of arrow K and naturally dropping directly below the swinging shaft 61 so as to be able to swing between a position where the opening 96 is opened (opening position). Also, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is
It slides in the direction of arrow S and slides between a position opposed to the opening 96 (opposed position) and a position not opposed to the opening 96 (non-opposed position) in the direction of arrow R. Has become. The sliding direction S, R of the sliding opening / closing plate 7 is set so as to match the setting directions G, H of the toner cartridge 41.

Next, such a double shutter component 50 will be described.
The operation and function of will be described.

First, when the toner cartridge 41 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 10A, the swing type open / close plate 6 is in the open position and the slide type open / close plate 7 is in the non-opposing position. Shutter parts 5
0 is in an open state as a whole. Thus, the toner T sent out from the outlet 41a of the cartridge 41
Is passed through the double shutter part 50 in the open state and is taken into the inlet 42a side of the delivery device 42.

When the toner cartridge 41 is to be removed for replacement of the toner cartridge 41, etc.
As shown in FIG. 1, in order to first rotate the cartridge 41 in the setting release direction H, the double shutter component 50 gradually moves in the direction of the arrow H (R) with respect to the slide-type opening / closing plate 7. Thereby, the slide type opening / closing plate 7
Is the arrow S due to the urging force F of a coil spring (not shown).
Start sliding in the direction. At this time, the tip portion 7a of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 is suspended (open position).
And presses the opening / closing plate 6 in the sliding direction S. As a result,
With the sliding movement of the slide type opening / closing plate 7 in the direction of the arrow S, the swing type opening / closing plate 6 swings upward (in the direction of the arrow J).

When the toner cartridge 41 is rotated all the way to the set release direction H (the position where the projection 75 is completely separated from the contact portion 42b) and the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is slid to the opposing position, FIG. As shown, the open / close plate 7 supports the swingable open / close plate 6 from below via its upper surface and presses against the opening 96 (if there is a seal member, the member). The plate 7 itself is in a state of being located in the opening space immediately below the swingable opening / closing plate 6. After the rotation in the setting releasing direction H, the cartridge 41 is pulled out and slid in the direction of arrow C and removed (FIG. 10B).

Accordingly, when the toner cartridge 41 is completely removed, the double shutter component 50 is moved to the closed position by the sliding movement of the slide opening / closing plate 7 so that the swinging opening / closing plate 6 swings to the closed position. (Corresponding to the delivery port 41a), and the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is located immediately below the swinging type opening / closing plate 6 to close the opening 96 from the lower surface side of the opening / closing plate 6. As a result, when the toner cartridge 41 is detached, the toner outlet 41 a (actually, the opening 9
6. (The same applies to the following.) Is automatically closed by the double shutter part 50, so that the toner T for replenishment does not scatter from the outlet 41a as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 41 is mounted, the cartridge 41 is pushed in the direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. 10B and then rotated in the set fixing direction G as shown in FIG. 50 gradually approaches the toner inlet 42a and the contact portion 42b of the delivery device 42, and the protruding portion 76 of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 contacts the contact portion 42b during the rotation.
Thereby, the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 starts sliding in the direction of arrow R against the urging force F of the coil spring (not shown) (in other words, the opening / closing plate 7 stops when it comes into contact with the contact portion 42b). And only the other double shutter parts 50 move in the direction of arrow G (S)). At this time, when the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of the arrow R, the swing type opening / closing plate 6 pressed against the opening 96 by the opening / closing plate 7 supports (presses) the opening / closing plate 7 from below. You will gradually lose. As a result, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 swings downward (in the direction of arrow K) as the sliding opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow R.

When the slide type opening / closing plate 7 is slid to the non-opposing position (in this example, the cartridge 41 is fixed and stopped when it reaches the set position), as shown in FIG. The part is separated from the lower surface of the swinging type opening / closing plate 6, whereby the opening / closing plate 6 naturally hangs down directly below by its own weight, and the sliding type opening / closing plate 7 itself is connected to the opening 96. It is in a state where it has moved to a position where it does not face.

Accordingly, when the toner cartridge 41 is completely mounted, the double shutter component 50 is moved to the open position by the sliding movement of the slide opening / closing plate 7 so that the swinging opening / closing plate 6 swings to the open position. (Corresponding to the delivery port 41a), and the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 also moves to the non-opposing position to open the opening 96. As a result, when the toner cartridge 41 is detached, the toner sending port 41a is automatically opened (opened) by the double shutter component 50, so that toner does not scatter.

[Other Embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, as the double shutter parts 5 and 50, as shown schematically in FIG. 13, a swingable opening / closing plate 6 is provided with a toner outlet 45 (41a). ) Swings downward (in the direction of arrow K) and opens its outlet in a state in which it hangs down from the swing shaft 61 (so-called double-shutter part of downward opening / closing type). According to the present invention, however, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 14 swings upward (in the direction of arrow J) inside the toner outlet 45 (41a) and moves from the swing shaft 61. It is also possible to use a double shutter component 51 of a type that opens its outlet in a substantially upright state (that is, an upper opening / closing type).

This double shutter part 51 of the upper opening / closing type
In contrast to the lower opening / closing type double shutter 5 (50) exemplified in the first and second embodiments, a rising portion 76 having a configuration in which the sliding opening / closing plate 7 rises upward toward the tip end side is provided. It has the same configuration except that it differs in the point of formation. In addition, this double shutter part 51
Although not shown, a coil spring (8) (not shown) for urging the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 in the sliding direction S is provided. The double shutter part 51 is used by being attached to the toner outlet 45 (41a) side as in the first and second embodiments. However, due to the use of such a shutter part 51, the outlet 45 is used.
(41a) is formed with an inner edge portion 62 with which the swingable opening / closing plate 6 contacts when closed, and a plate housing recess 63 where the swingable opening / closing plate 6 is housed when opened as required.
Is formed. Reference numeral 19a (42) in the figure denotes a contact portion formed on the side of the toner inlet 18 (42a) in the first and second embodiments.

The double shutter part 51 is
It works as follows.

First, when the detachable unit 2 (or the toner cartridge 41) is mounted, as shown in FIG. 14A, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 swings and is accommodated in the plate accommodating recess 63, and the toner feed port is opened. Since the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 is in the non-opposing position in which it is not in opposition to the delivery port 45 (41a) at the same time as being in the open position for opening the 45 (41a), the double shutter part 51
Is open as a whole. As a result, the toner sent from the toner outlet 45 (41a) passes through the double shutter component 51 in the open state and is taken into the toner inlet 18 (42a).

When the detachable unit 2 (or the toner cartridge 41) is to be removed, as shown in FIG. 14B, the toner inlet 18 (42a) is in the direction of arrow C (H) or the toner outlet 45 (41a) is in the direction of arrow. The slide type opening / closing plate 7 moves relatively in the direction D (G).
Projecting portion 71 (75) and the contact portion 19a (42a) are relatively separated from each other. Thereby, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow S. At this time, the rising portion 76 of the opening / closing plate 7 moves in the arrow S direction while contacting the lower surface of the swinging opening / closing plate 6,
The opening / closing plate 6 starts swinging downward (in the direction of arrow K). That is, with the sliding movement of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 in the direction of the arrow S, the swing-type opening / closing plate 6 swings downward.

Therefore, when the detachable unit 2 (or the toner cartridge 41) is completely removed, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the double shutter component 51 is disengaged from the support by the rising portion 76 by the sliding movement of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 so that the inner edge portion 6 is released.
2 to the closed position where the toner feed port 45 is contacted.
(41a) is closed, and the slide opening / closing plate 7 is located immediately below the swinging opening / closing plate 6 so that the delivery port 4 is closed.
5 (41a) is overlapped from the lower surface side of the opening / closing plate 6 and closed. As a result, as in the first and second embodiments, the scattering of the toner at the toner outlet 45 (41a) is prevented.

On the other hand, when the detachable unit 2 (or the toner cartridge 41) is mounted, as shown in FIG. 14B, the side of the toner inlet 18 (42a) is in the direction of arrow C (H) or the side of the toner outlet 45 (41a) is. Since it relatively moves in the direction of arrow D (G), the protruding portion 71 (75) of the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 is brought into contact with the
a (42a). Thereby, the slide type opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of arrow R. On this occasion,
Since the rising portion 76 of the opening / closing plate 7 comes into contact with the lower surface of the swing type opening / closing plate 6 and moves in the direction of arrow R, the opening / closing plate 6 starts to swing upward (in the direction of arrow J). That is, the swingable opening / closing plate 6 swings upward as the sliding opening / closing plate 7 slides in the direction of the arrow R.

Therefore, when the detachable unit 2 (or the toner cartridge 41) is completely mounted, the double shutter component 51 is moved by the sliding movement of the sliding opening / closing plate 7 as shown in FIG.
Swings to the closed position where it is housed in the plate housing recess 63 to open the toner outlet 45 (41a),
The slide opening / closing plate 7 moves to a non-facing position not facing the outlet 45 (41a) to open the outlet. As a result, the toner outlet 45 (41 a) is automatically opened by the double shutter part 51.

In the upper opening / closing type double shutter component 51, the supply toner which falls on the upper surface of the swingable opening / closing plate 6 and gets on is opened (when swinging in the direction of arrow J). For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 6 that swings and tilts is slid down to the vicinity of the swing shaft 61 of the opening / closing plate 6 in order to drop it to the inlet 18 (42a) side and remove it. A slit-shaped opening 65 through which the replenishing toner can pass and drop to the toner intake port 18 (42a) side may be provided (in this case, the slide-type opening / closing plate 7 is also provided with the slit-shaped opening 65 at the time of opening. It is preferable to provide an opening 77 in which the toner falling from the opening 65 can be dropped to the toner inlet 18 (42a) side so as to be aligned in the vertical direction.

The present invention is not limited to the case where there are a plurality of detachable units 2 and toner cartridges 41 to which a double shutter component is attached as exemplified in the first to third embodiments, but also the case where only a single unit is provided. The same applies, but
Multiple cases are more effective. Further, the image forming apparatus may be of a type utilizing an intermediate transfer system.

[0075]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the developer can be separated between two structures, one of which is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body. Connection structure (toner outlet)
Since the double shutter part is attached to the side, the scattering of the developer at the connecting portion can be more reliably and simply prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 and the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a connecting portion between a detachable unit and a toner conveying path tube.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a connecting portion (in a separated state) between a detachable unit and a toner conveying path tube.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of a toner receiving pipe.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire double shutter component according to the first embodiment.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an open state of the double shutter component shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line QQ of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the double shutter component is being opened or closed.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing a closed state of the double shutter part.

10A and 10B show a double shutter component according to a second embodiment and the periphery thereof, wherein FIG.
FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating each operation direction when the toner cartridge is attached and detached.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the double shutter component shown in FIG. 11 is being opened or closed.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing a closed state of the double shutter part.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a lower opening / closing type double shutter component and respective states thereof.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an upper opening / closing type double shutter component and each state thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... device body, 5, 50, 51 ... double shutter parts,
Reference numeral 6: swing open / close plate, 7: slide open / close plate, 8: coil spring (biasing member), 14: developing device (detachable structure), 40: toner supply device (fixed structure), 41: toner cartridge (detachable structure), 41a, 45: toner outlet, 18, 42b: toner inlet, 61: swing shaft, C (G), D (H): mounting direction, T: toner (Developer), J, K ... swing direction, S,
R: sliding direction, E: opening of toner inlet.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first structure provided with a developer discharge port at a lower portion for discharging a developer, and a developer discharge port of the first structure connected to the first structure to be discharged from the discharge port and fall. A second structure having an upper portion provided with a developer inlet through which the developer to be introduced is introduced, and one of the first and second structures is detachably mounted to the apparatus main body. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a position where the outlet is closed and a position where the outlet is closed around a fulcrum arranged near the outlet on the side of the developer outlet of the first structure. A plate-shaped swinging opening / closing member that swings between a position to be opened and closed and a delivery opening thereof, and a position facing the developer delivery opening below the swinging opening / closing member and a first position from the position. Alternatively, the first or second space between a position where the second structure is retracted in the mounting direction and does not face the first structure is With the attachment / detachment operation of the structure, it is slid in a state of being in contact with the lower surface of the swingable opening / closing member to swing the opening / closing member to the closed position or the open position, and simultaneously opened and closed by the opening / closing member. A sliding-type opening / closing member for opening and closing the developer delivery port from the lower surface side of the opening / closing member, and an elastic urging member for elastically urging the sliding-type opening / closing member in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. An image forming apparatus, comprising a double shutter component provided with a shutter. 2. The double shutter component is set to swing while the swing type opening / closing member is located in the opening of the developer inlet of the second structure. Image forming apparatus. 3. A case where the first structure and the second structure are a developer conveying path tube and a detachable developing device, and a case where the first structure and the second structure are a detachable developer accommodating cartridge and a developer replenishing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is at least one of the following.