JP2000284579A - Cartridge and eletrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming device main body and that can receive replenishing of the developer from a developer replenishing container that is attachable to and detachable from the electrophotographic image forming device main body and to obtain the electrophotographic image forming device to which the cartridge that can be attached to and detached from it can have the developer replenished from the developer replenishing container that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming device body. SOLUTION: The cartridge is constituted so that a cartridge engagement part 9h is engaged to a replenishing container opening and closing member of the developer replenishing container and the developer is replenished through a developer receiving opening 9c by having an ejecting opening for the developer of the developer replenishing container released by an opening part 9g utilizing that cartridge engagement part 9h. The electrophotographic image forming device is constituted so that a container loading means to load the developer replenishing container so as to be detachable and a cartridge loading means to load the cartridge so as to be detachable are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge such as a process cartridge or a developing cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a cartridge and a developer supply container for supplying a developer to the cartridge. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the same.

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer and a laser beam printer), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and an electrophotographic word processor.

A process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. . In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it refers to a device in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0004] A developing cartridge is one in which a developer accommodating portion and a developing means are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, process means acting on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a preceding electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed as a cartridge. Is a process cartridge system that allows the cartridge to be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

[0006] In addition, a cartridge configuration in which the process means are divided into those having a long life and those having a short life, each of the process means is formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be used in accordance with the life of the main process means has been realized. For example, a developing cartridge in which a toner container and a developing unit are integrally formed,
Alternatively, a process cartridge or the like in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally configured is employed.

[0007]

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image. (1) Low running cost (2) Small space (3) Low Power (4) high image quality (5) high speed (6) improvement in operability It is expected that a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of achieving the six items of (1) will be introduced.

In order to cope with the low running cost of (3), for example, it is conceivable to further extend the life of the above-mentioned process means.

However, the amount of toner corresponding to the life of the processing means is proportional to the life. For example, when the life of the process unit is 50,000 sheets, the required toner amount is 1.25 to 1.5 kg. When this large amount of toner is stored in a cartridge,
There is a concern that the weight and volume of the entire cartridge will be significantly increased, resulting in reduced operability.

Further, since the space occupied by the entire cartridge increases, there is a possibility that it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus main body. Furthermore, a frame structure or the like for supporting a heavy-weight cartridge with high accuracy is required, which may increase the cost as a whole.

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art, and its main object is to provide a developer which is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge capable of receiving supply of a developer from a supply container.

Another main object is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a cartridge capable of receiving supply of a developer from a developer supply container detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be attached and detached. .

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member in a cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Means for developing the developer using a developer, a developer accommodating section for accommodating a developer used for development by the developing means, and a developer supply container detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A developer receiving opening for receiving the developer stored in the developer replenishing container and a discharge opening of the developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer into the developer storing portion. A cartridge engaging portion for engaging with a supply container opening / closing member to be sealed; and a discharge port provided in the developer supply container for the developer receiving opening to receive the developer from the developer supply container. An open portion for opening the opening, a cartridge and having a positioning portion for positioning said cartridge to said electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

Further, the cartridge is detachable,
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, (a) container mounting means for removably mounting a developer supply container storing a developer;
(B) developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, and a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for development by the developing means; A developer receiving opening for receiving the developer stored in the developer supply container, in order to supply the developer from the developer supply container mounted on the container mounting means to the developer storage unit; A cartridge engaging portion for engaging with a supply container opening / closing member which releasably seals a discharge opening of the developer supply container; and a developer receiving opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container. A cartridge having an opening for opening a discharge opening of the developer supply container and a positioning unit for positioning the cartridge in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A cartridge mounting means for removably mounting a electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a conveying means for conveying the (c) the recording medium.

(Operation) The cartridge is positioned by the positioning portion in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge engaging portion is engaged with the supply container opening / closing member of the developer supply container, and the cartridge engaging portion is used. By opening the discharge opening of the developer supply container by the opening portion, the developer stored in the developer storage portion of the developer supply container is supplied from the developer receiving opening.

In the above electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer supply container is detachably mounted on the container mounting means, and the cartridge is removably mounted on the cartridge mounting means. The cartridge is positioned by the positioning portion in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge engaging portion is engaged with the supply container opening / closing member of the developer supply container, and the developer is opened by the opening portion using the cartridge engaging portion. By opening the discharge opening of the supply container, the developer stored in the developer storage section of the developer supply container is supplied from the developer receiving opening.

[0017]

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

In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge refers to a direction in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the recording medium. It refers to the same direction as the axial direction of the photoreceptor. The left and right are the left and right as viewed from the transport direction of the recording medium. Further, upper and lower are upper and lower in the mounted state of the process cartridge.

First Embodiment [Overall Description of Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus] First, an overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall configuration of a color laser beam printer which is an embodiment of a color toner electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The image forming section of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (color laser beam printer) shown in this embodiment comprises four process cartridges 9Y each having a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") 7. , 9
M, 9C, 9K (yellow, magenta, cyan,
Black) and the process cartridges 9Y and 9
Exposure means 1 corresponding to each color above M, 9C, 9K
Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K (laser beam optical scanning systems) are respectively arranged in parallel.

Below the image forming section, a feeding means 3 for feeding the recording medium 2, an intermediate transfer belt 4a for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7, and a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a Is transferred to the recording medium 2.

Further, the recording medium 2 on which the toner image has been transferred
A fixing unit 5 for fixing the recording medium 2 and discharge units 3h and 3j for discharging and stacking the recording medium 2 outside the apparatus are arranged.

Here, as the recording medium 2, for example, paper,
An OHP sheet, cloth, or the like.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is a cleanerless system apparatus, and the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is taken into a developing means 10 described later.
No dedicated cleaner for collecting and storing the transfer residual toner is provided in the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K.

Next, the structure of each part of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail.

[Feeding Unit] The feeding unit (feeding unit) 3 feeds the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit, and includes a feeding cassette 3a in which a plurality of recording media 2 are loaded and stored; Feed roller 3b, retard roller 3c for preventing double feed, feed guide 3
d, mainly composed of registration rollers 3g.

The feed roller 3b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and separates and feeds the recording medium 2 in the feed cassette 3a one by one. The recording medium 2 is guided by a feed guide 3d, and is conveyed to registration rollers 3g via conveyance rollers 3e and 3f.

Immediately after the recording medium 2 is conveyed, the registration roller 3g stops rotating, and the skew of the recording medium 2 is corrected by the tip of the recording medium 2 abutting on the nip portion of the registration roller 3g. You.

During the image forming operation, the registration roller 3g
A non-rotating operation of keeping the recording medium 2 stationary and a rotating operation of transporting the recording medium 2 toward the intermediate transfer belt 4a are performed in a predetermined sequence, and the toner image (developer) in the next transfer process is performed. Image) and the recording medium 2 are aligned.

[Process Cartridge] The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are, as shown in FIG.
A charging unit 8 and a developing unit 10 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 7 to be integrally formed. The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K can be easily removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as "apparatus main body") 100 by the user, and replaced when the photosensitive drum 7 reaches the end of its life. I do.

In this embodiment, for example, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 7 is counted, and when the count exceeds a predetermined count, it is notified that the process cartridge has reached the end of its life.

The photosensitive drum 7 of this embodiment is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, which has a normally used photosensitive member layer on an aluminum drum base having a diameter of about 30 mm, and a charge injection layer as the outermost layer. Provided. Then, it is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed, about 117 mm / sec in this embodiment.

The charge injection layer serves as a binder for the insulating resin.
As the conductive fine particles, for example, SnO _TwoDisperse ultra fine particles
Coating layers of different materials are used.

A drum flange 7b is fixed to the rear end of the photosensitive drum 7 (see FIG. 10), and a non-drive flange 7d is fixed to the front end. A drum shaft 7a penetrates the center of the drum flange 7b and the non-drive flange 7d, and the drum shaft 7a, the drum flange 7b, and the non-drive flange 7d rotate integrally. That is, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated around the drum shaft 7a.

The front end of the drum shaft 7a is rotatably supported by a bearing 7e, and the bearing 7e is fixed to a bearing case 7c. The bearing case 7c is fixed to the frame 9d of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K.

[Charging Means] The charging means uses a contact charging method. In the present embodiment, a magnetic brush charging device 8 using magnetic particles as a charging member is used.

More specifically, the charging member has a magnetic brush portion formed by magnetically constraining conductive magnetic particles. The magnetic brush portion is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and a voltage is applied to the photosensitive drum 7 to apply a photosensitive brush. The body is charged.

Such a charging method (charging of an object to be charged by direct injection of charges) is referred to as "injection charging". By using the injection charging method, a cleaner mechanism (a cleaning blade, a cleaning roller, etc.) for mechanically scraping and removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 becomes unnecessary. This cleanerless system will be described later.

Further, the injection charging method of the present embodiment does not use a discharge phenomenon in which the charged object is charged by using a corona charger, so that the applied charging bias required for charging is not desired. This is a completely ozone-less, low-power-consumption type charging that only has the surface potential of the object to be charged and generates no ozone.

Next, the magnetic brush charging device 8 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[Magnetic Brush Charging Apparatus] The magnetic brush charging apparatus 8 forms a magnetic brush layer of magnetic particles on a charging sleeve 8a containing a magnet roller 8b. The drum 7 is charged to a desired potential.

The charging sleeve 8a is disposed so as to protrude into the opening of the charging container 8e containing the magnetic particles over the longitudinal direction, to have a substantially left half-peripheral surface thereof and to expose a substantially right half-peripheral surface to the outside. On the surface of the charging sleeve 8a, the surface is appropriately roughened and irregularities are formed in order to carry the magnetic particles well.

The magnet roller 8b provided inside the charging sleeve 8a is magnetized in four poles in the circumferential direction. Then, in order to prevent the magnetic particles from adhering to the photosensitive drum 7 and being taken along with the rotation, the magnet roller 8b is arranged so that one magnetic pole, specifically, the S1 pole faces the center direction of the photosensitive drum 7. It is fixed.

A non-magnetic plate-shaped regulating blade 8c is arranged at a predetermined gap from the surface of the charging sleeve 8a. The regulating blade 8c is supported by the charging container 8e via a supporting metal plate 8d. The magnetic particles are held by the magnet roller 8b and conveyed in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the charging sleeve 8a. Then, the magnetic particles form a magnetic brush portion on the charging sleeve 8a with a predetermined thickness by the regulating blade 8c.

The charging sleeve 8a is opposed to the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the magnetic brush contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to form a charging nip. The width of the charging nip has an effect on the charging property to the photosensitive drum 7, and in this embodiment, the width of the nip is about 6 mm.
The gap is adjusted so that

The charging sleeve 8a is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate in a counter direction, ie, an arrow B direction in FIG.
In the embodiment, the rotation speed V _{1 of the} photosensitive drum 7 is set.
On the other hand, the charging sleeve 8a has V ₂に in the counter direction.
It is rotated at a speed ratio of 1.5 × V ₁ . Photosensitive drum 7
As the relative rotation speed of the magnetic brush portion and the magnetic brush portion increases, the chance of contact increases, so that the charging uniformity becomes better, and the tendency of the transfer residual toner to be taken into the magnetic brush tends to be improved.

A predetermined charging bias is applied to the magnetic brush unit from a charging bias power supply (not shown) via a charging sleeve 8a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is contact-charged to a predetermined polarity and potential at a charging nip. .

As the conductive magnetic particles constituting the magnetic brush portion, magnetic metal particles such as ferrite and magnetite, and those obtained by binding these conductive magnetic particles with a resin can be used.

The agitating member 8f is substantially parallel to the charging sleeve 8a, and is rotatably supported by a bearing between the wall surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the charging container 8e so as to be disposed above the charging sleeve 8a.

The charging brush 8g is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum surface with an intrusion amount of about 1 mm, and applies a predetermined voltage. By the contact of the charging brush 8g, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly scattered, and further the charge is removed, so that the charging in the next step is performed uniformly.

Next, a description will be given of a cleanerless system in a reversal developing system in which the photosensitive member is negatively charged and the negatively charged toner is developed on the low potential portion of the exposed portion.

[Cleanerless system] First, of the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer, the toner having a particularly positive charge is once taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 electrostatically, and Others are recovered by forced scraping by. Then, the toner is charged to a negative polarity by friction with magnetic particles in the magnetic brush charging device 8 and then discharged onto the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the toner remaining negatively charged among the transfer residual toner is almost completely removed from the magnetic brush charging device 8.
Are collected by the developing device 10 together with the toner discharged from the magnetic brush charging device 8. (Development simultaneous cleaning).

The toner is taken into the developing device 10 in the simultaneous cleaning of development by a fogging bias (a fog removing potential difference which is a potential difference between a DC voltage applied to the developing device 10 and a surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7) during development. ing.

According to this method, the transfer residual toner is partially passed through the magnetic brush charging device 8 and the rest is directly transferred to the developing device 10.
Since the toner is collected and used after the next process, waste toner can be eliminated, and troublesome maintenance can be reduced. In addition, the cleaner-less system has a great advantage in terms of space, and can greatly reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

[Exposure Unit] In this embodiment, the exposure of the photosensitive drum 7 is performed by the laser exposure units 1Y and 1Y.
M, 1C, and 1K are used. That is, the device body 1
When an image signal is sent from 00, a laser beam L modulated corresponding to this signal is scanned and exposed on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 7 (see FIG. 6). Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is selectively formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

Laser exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K
Is a solid-state laser element (not shown), a polygon mirror 1
a, an imaging lens 1b, a reflection mirror 1c, and the like. The solid-state laser device is turned on at a predetermined timing by a light emission signal generator (not shown) based on the input image signal.
/ OFF light emission control is performed. The laser light L emitted from the solid-state laser element is transmitted to a collimator lens system (not shown).
Are converted into substantially parallel light beams, and are scanned by the polygon mirror 1a rotating at high speed. And the imaging lens 1
(b) An image is formed in a spot shape on the photosensitive drum 7 via the reflection mirror 1c.

As described above, the exposure in the main scanning direction by laser beam scanning and the exposure in the sub-scanning direction by rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 are performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and an exposure distribution corresponding to an image signal is obtained. can get.

That is, by the irradiation and non-irradiation of the laser beam L, a bright portion potential with a reduced surface potential and a dark portion potential with a lower surface potential are formed. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed by the contrast between the light portion potential and the dark portion potential.

[Developing Unit] The developing device 10 as a developing unit
Is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device)
A developer including a carrier and a toner is held on a developing sleeve 10a which is a developer carrying member including a magnet roller 10b. A regulating blade 10c is provided on the developing sleeve 10a with a predetermined gap, and a thin layer of developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a as the developing sleeve 10a rotates in the direction of arrow C. Developing blade 1
Reference numeral 0c is supported and fixed to the developing container 10f.

The developing sleeve 10a is arranged in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7 so as to have a predetermined gap, and the developer formed on the developing sleeve 10a is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 during development. It is set so that it can be developed. The developing sleeve 10a is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in the developing section in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow, which is a counter direction to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

The toner used in this embodiment is a negatively charged toner having an average particle diameter of 6 μm, and the magnetic carrier has an average particle diameter of 35 emu / cm ^{3 having} a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm ^3.
A μm magnetic carrier was used. A mixture of toner and carrier at a weight ratio of 6:94 is used as a developer.

The developer container 10h in which the developer is circulated
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 10, each is divided into two by a longitudinal partition wall 10 d except for both end portions. The stirring screws 10eA and 10eB are arranged with the partition 10d interposed therebetween. Stirring screws 10eA, 10e
B is rotatably supported on both side surfaces of the frame 9d of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K via bearings 10j.

Toner supply container 1 as developer supply container
The toner replenished from 2Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K falls to the front side of the stirring screw 10eB and is stirred while being sent to the back side in the longitudinal direction, and the partition 10d at the back side end.
Pass through the portion 10d1 without the mark. Then, it is further fed to the near side in the longitudinal direction by the stirring screw 10eA, passes through the portion 10d2 without the partition 10d on the near side, and passes through the stirring screw
The mixture is stirred while being sent at 0 eB, and the circulation is repeated.

Here, the developing step of visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the two-component magnetic brush method using the developing device 10 and the developer circulation system will be described.

With the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, the developer in the developing container 10f is pumped by the N3 pole of the magnet roller 10b to the surface of the developing sleeve 10a and transported.

In the course of the transport, the layer thickness of the developer is regulated by a regulating blade 10c arranged perpendicular to the developing sleeve 10a, and the developing sleeve 10a
A thin layer developer is formed thereon. When the thin layer developer is conveyed to the developing pole N1 corresponding to the developing section, a spike is formed by magnetic force. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the toner in the developer formed in the spike shape. In this embodiment, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

The thin layer developer on the developing sleeve 10a that has passed through the developing section continues to enter the developing container 10f with the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, and is separated from the developing sleeve 10a by the repelling magnetic field of N2 pole and N3 pole. Developing container 10
The developer is returned to the developer pool in f.

A direct current (DC) voltage and an alternating current (AC) voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 10a from a power source (not shown). In the present embodiment, a DC voltage of -500 V and an AC voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V at a frequency of 2000 Hz are applied to selectively develop only the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7.

In general, in the two-component developing method, when an AC voltage is applied, the developing efficiency is increased and the quality of the image is high, but on the contrary, fogging is likely to occur. For this reason, fog is generally prevented by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing sleeve 10a and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7. More specifically, a bias voltage having a potential between the potential of the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7 and the potential of the non-exposed portion is applied.

The potential difference for preventing fogging is called a fog removing potential (V _back ). The potential difference prevents toner from adhering to a non-image area (non-exposed portion) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 at the time of development. In a cleaner-less system apparatus, transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is also collected (simultaneous development and cleaning).

When the toner is consumed by the development, the toner concentration in the developer decreases. In the present embodiment, a sensor 10g for detecting the toner density is arranged at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the stirring screw 10eB. When the sensor 10g detects that the toner density in the developer has dropped below a predetermined density level, the toner supply containers 12Y, 1
An instruction to replenish toner into the developing device 10 is issued from 2M, 12C, and 12K. By this toner replenishing operation, the toner concentration of the developer is constantly maintained at a predetermined level.

[Toner Supply Container] Next, the structure of the toner supply container according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, and 11. FIG.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
12K is the process cartridge 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
They are arranged in parallel above K and are mounted from the front of the apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 11).

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
12K, as shown in FIG. 3, a toner container 1 as a developer container for storing toner inside the frame 12r.
Has 2k. A stirring plate 12b as a feeding member fixed to the stirring shaft 12c is provided inside the toner container 12k.
A screw 12a as a rotating member is arranged, and a discharge opening 12f as a discharge opening having an opening 12f1 for discharging toner is formed on the bottom surface of the container. Both ends of the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c are rotatably supported by bearings 12d, and a drive coupling (concave) 12e is disposed at one of the extreme ends. The drive coupling (concave) 12 e receives drive transmission from the drive coupling (convex) 24 of the apparatus main body 100 and is driven to rotate.

The outer shape of the screw 12a has a spiral rib shape, and the twist direction of the spiral is reversed around the discharge opening 12f (see FIG. 9). By the rotation of the drive coupling (convex) 24, the screw 12a is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction. And the discharge opening 12
The toner is conveyed toward the toner cartridge f, and the toner falls freely through the opening of the discharge opening 12f.
The toner is supplied to Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

The tip of the stirring plate 12b in the rotational radius direction is inclined (see FIG. 8), and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12
When slidingly contacting the inner wall surfaces of M, 12C, and 12K (the inner wall surface of the toner storage portion 12k), the above-mentioned distal end portions are in contact with a certain angle. Specifically, the tip side of the stirring plate 12b is twisted to be in a spiral state. Thus, the stirring plate 12
The tip side of b is twisted and inclined, so that the stirring shaft 12c
Is generated in the axial direction, and the toner is fed in the longitudinal direction.

[Transfer Means] The intermediate transfer unit 4 serving as a transfer means performs a secondary transfer of a plurality of toner images, which are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed sequentially from the photosensitive drum 7, to the recording medium 2 collectively. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 4a that runs in the direction of the arrow, and runs at the same peripheral speed as the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 7 in the clockwise direction of the arrow. This intermediate transfer belt 4a
Is an endless belt having a circumference of about 940 mm, and includes a driving roller 4b, a secondary transfer opposing roller 4g, and a driven roller 4c.
It is hung by a book roller. Further, transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, and 4f are provided in the intermediate transfer belt 4a.
fC and 4fK are rotatably disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drum 7 and are pressed toward the center of the photosensitive drum 7.

The transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC,
4fK is supplied with power from a high-voltage power supply (not shown), charges the toner with a polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and sequentially primary-transfers the toner images on the photosensitive drum 7 onto the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a.

In the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer roller 4d as a transfer member is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 4a at a position facing the secondary transfer opposing roller 4g. Secondary transfer roller 4
d can swing up and down in the figure and rotate. At this time, a bias is simultaneously applied to the secondary transfer roller 4d, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a is transferred to the recording medium 22.

Here, the intermediate transfer belt 4a and the secondary transfer roller 4d are each driven. When the recording medium 2 enters the secondary transfer section, a predetermined bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 4d.
, And the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4 a is secondarily transferred to the recording medium 2.

At this time, the recording medium 2 sandwiched between the two
Is carried at a predetermined speed to the left in the figure at the same time as the transfer process is performed, and is carried to the fixing device 5 which is the next process.

At a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 4a, which is the most downstream side of the transfer step, a cleaning unit 11 is provided which can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a. Remove.

In the cleaning unit 11, a cleaning blade 11a for removing untransferred toner is arranged. The cleaning unit 11 is swingably mounted around a center of rotation (not shown), and the cleaning blade 11a is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 4a in a biting direction. The transfer residual toner taken into the cleaning unit 11 is transported and stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) by the feed screw 11b.

Here, as the intermediate transfer belt 4a, a belt made of polyimide resin can be used. Other materials are not limited to polyimide resins, such as polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyetheretherketone resin, polyethersulfone resin, and polyurethane resin. Alternatively, a fluorine-based or silicon-based rubber can be suitably used.

[Fixing Section] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the developing means 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 4a.
Is transferred onto the recording medium 2 via the. And the fixing device 5
Fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 on the recording medium 2 using heat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 5 includes a fixing roller 5a for applying heat to the recording medium 2 and a pressing roller 5b for pressing the recording medium 2 against the fixing roller. Each of the rollers 5a and 5b is a hollow roller, and has a heater (not shown) inside thereof. Then, the recording medium 2 is simultaneously conveyed by being driven to rotate.

That is, the recording medium 2 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 5a and the pressing roller 5b, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged by discharge rollers 3h and 3j, and is stacked on a tray 6 on the apparatus main body 100.

[Mounting of Process Cartridge and Toner Replenishing Container] Next, the procedure for mounting the process cartridge and the toner replenishing container will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 8, 10, and 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, an openable and closable front door 27 is disposed in front of the apparatus main body 100. When the front door 27 is opened to the front, the process cartridge 9 is opened.
Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12
Opening 100 into which M, 12C, and 12K are individually inserted
a, 100b are exposed.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
A centering plate 25 rotatably supported is arranged in the opening 100b for inserting the 9K. When the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are taken in and out, the centering plate 25 is opened. Do.

As shown in FIG. 6, a guide rail 21 serving as a cartridge mounting means serving as a guide for removably mounting the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, and a toner supply container are provided in the apparatus main body 100. A guide rail 20 is fixed as container mounting means serving as a guide for removably mounting 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
The mounting direction of 9K is parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7, and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12
The mounting direction of C and 12K is parallel to the axial direction of the screw 12a, and the guide rails 21 and 20 are also arranged in the same direction as the mounting direction. Process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and toner supply container 12Y,
The guide rails 12M, 12C and 12K are
It is slid from the near side to the far side inside the apparatus main body 100 along the lines 1 and 20, and is inserted.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When 9K is inserted to the innermost part, as shown in FIG.
The back end of the drum shaft 7a is aligned with the centering shaft 2 of the apparatus main body 100.
6, the rotation center position on the back side of the photosensitive drum 7 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drum flange 7b and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, so that the photosensitive drum 7 can be driven to rotate. further,
The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
A support pin 22 for positioning C and 9K is disposed, and this support pin 22 is used for the process cartridges 9Y and 9K.
Recess 9d1 provided in frame 9d of M, 9C, 9K
And the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
The position of the 9K frame 9d is fixed.

A rotatable centering plate 25 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body 100, and the bearing cases 7c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are supported and fixed to the centering plate 25. You. By these series of insertion operations, the photosensitive drum 7 and the process cartridges 9Y, 9
M, 9C, and 9K are positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

Therefore, the drum shaft 7a, the drum flange 7b, the recess 9d1, and the bearing case 7c constitute a positioning portion for positioning the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K in the apparatus main body 100.

On the other hand, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 1
As shown in FIG. 8, when the 2C and 12K are inserted to the innermost portion, the support pins 22 protruding from the rear plate 23 are inserted into the concave portions 12r1 provided on the inner wall surface of the frame 12r to supply toner. Containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K
The position of the frame 12p is fixed. At the same time, the drive coupling (concave) 12e and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, and the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c can be rotationally driven.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, a plurality of projections 12p are formed on the front wall of the frame 12p of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K. The projection 12p is engaged with the inner wall of the opening of the guide rail 20. The position of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K on the near side is determined by the engagement between the opening of the guide rail 20 and the protrusion 12p.

Accordingly, the support pin 22, the drive coupling (concave) 12e, and the projection 12p are
A positioning unit for positioning the Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K with respect to the apparatus main body 100 is configured.

[Description of Toner Replenishment Structure] First, the configurations of the supply opening of the process cartridge and the cartridge opening / closing member will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 19, 20, and 23.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, on the upper surface of a frame 9d constituting a part of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M,
A supply opening 9c as a developer receiving opening which is a hole for receiving toner from 12C and 12K is arranged. In the present embodiment, the supply opening 9 c is connected to the process cartridge 9 on the drive transmission side of the photosensitive drum 7.
Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are arranged on the back side (closer to the head) in the insertion direction.

A seal member 9a is provided around the supply opening 9c.
Is adhered and fixed to the upper surface of the frame 9d, and the seal member 9a has an opening 9a having substantially the same shape as the hole of the supply opening 9c.
1 is formed. The developing device 1 is provided on the frame 9d.
A guide rib 9e and a cartridge opening / closing member 9b are arranged on the drive input side (the back side in the process cartridge insertion direction) for driving the cartridge 0. The guide rib 9e extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing sleeve 10a, and a cartridge opening / closing member 9b is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, the seal member 9a of the supply opening 9c is in close contact with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the opening 9a1 is closed (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 23, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b has a first cartridge engaging portion (concave).
9h and a second cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9j are formed.

In this embodiment, the uppermost convex rib is the second cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9j, and the concave portion orthogonal to this is the first cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9h. Here, the second cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9j extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing sleeve 10a, and the first cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9h extends in the axial direction of the developing sleeve 10a. ing.

In the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, the supply opening 9c and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
An opening 9f for communicating with the opening 12f1 of the 12K discharge opening 12f is provided. The cartridge opening / closing member 9b is integrally formed with a rack 9g as an opening. The rack 9g is, as shown in FIG.
A driving force is received from an opening / closing gear (large) 13b as a driving member disposed in the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 20, the rotating shaft 13a of the opening / closing gear 13b is attached to the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
The opening / closing gear (large) 13b is fixed to the shaft end on the far side, and the rotating lever 13c is fixed to the shaft end on the near side above 9K. The rotating shaft 13a is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body 100 by a bearing (not shown).

When the rotation lever 13c is rotated, the opening / closing gear (large) 13b rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft 13a. Then, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When the 9K is inserted into the apparatus main body 100 and set at a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing gear (large) 13b meshes with the teeth of the rack 9g in a predetermined phase. The rack 9g receives a driving force in accordance with the rotation of the opening / closing gear (large) 13b, and the rack 9g receives the driving force in the axial direction of the guide rib 9e (the developing sleeve 1).
0a).

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When the rotating lever 13c is rotated clockwise with the 9K set in the apparatus main body 100, the cartridge opening / closing member 9 is rotated via the rotating shaft 13a and the opening / closing gear (large) 13b.
b is slid to the left (see FIG. 19). When the rotating lever 13c is rotated counterclockwise from this state,
The cartridge opening / closing member 9b slides rightward and returns to the original position (see FIG. 20). That is, with the rotation of the rotation lever 13c, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b slides in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing sleeve 10a to seal the first position (open position (see FIG. 19)) for opening the supply opening 9c. It freely moves between a second position to be stopped (a sealing position (see FIG. 20)).

Next, the structure of the discharge opening of the toner supply container and the opening / closing member of the toner supply container will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 9, 21, and 22. FIG.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, on a part of the bottom surface of the 12K,
A discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container is provided, and an opening 12f1 as a discharge opening is formed at the center thereof. The discharge opening 12f has the opening 12
A seal member 12g is adhered to the bottom surfaces of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K so as to surround the periphery of f1. In the present embodiment, the discharge opening 12f
Is the back side of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, which is the drive transmission side of the screw 12a (the apparatus main body 1).
(Close to the leading end in the direction of insertion into 00).

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 22, a first toner supply container engaging portion (convex portion) is provided at the bottom of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and around the discharge opening 12f. ) 12h and a second toner supply container engaging portion (concave) 12j as a supply container engaging portion. Each of the toner supply container engaging portions 12h and 12j is an integrated rail having a combination of concave and convex portions, and is
0a extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the lowermost convex rib is the first toner supply container engaging portion (convex) 12h, and the immediately upper concave portion is the second toner supply container engaging portion (concave) 12j.

The lower side of the discharge opening 12f, that is, the stirring plate 1
A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 serving as a supply container opening / closing member is provided near the drive input side (the back side in the direction of insertion of the toner supply container) for driving the toner supply container 2b.
1 so as to be openable and closable, and can be moved to a first position (opening position) for opening the opening 12f1 of the discharge opening 12f and a second position (sealing position) for sealing the opening 12f1. Has become.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 has a first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a as a driving force receiving portion, and a second toner supply container opening / closing drive. A force receiving portion (concave) 14b is formed. In this embodiment, the concave rib on the uppermost surface is the second toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (concave) 14b, and the convex rib orthogonal to this is the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex). ) 14a. Here, the second toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (concave) 14b extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the screw 12a, and the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a has a screw. 12
a extending downward in the axial direction of a (process cartridge side)
It protrudes.

The toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is connected to the second
The toner supply container opening / closing drive force receiving portion (concave) 14b is inserted into the first toner supply engagement portion (convex) 12h of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K (FIG. 21, FIG. 22), the toner supply container 12Y,
It slides in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the screw 12a with respect to the discharge opening 12f of 12M, 12C, 12K. Thereby, the toner supply container opening / closing member 14
Is the first to open the opening 12f1 of the discharge opening 12f.
And a second position for sealing the opening 12f1.

Next, supply of toner from the toner supply container to the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, and 23. FIG.

Here, the process cartridges 9Y, 9
The case where M, 9C, and 9K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100 and then the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted will be described (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 23, when the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (the toner supply container opening / closing member 14). The projection 14a is the first cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9 of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b.
h. In this engagement relationship, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100 first, and then the process cartridge 9
The same applies to the order of inserting Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

This engagement state, that is, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and the toner supply container 12
When both Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b is at the second position sealing the supply opening 9c, and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is located at the discharge opening 12f. At the second position for sealing the opening 12f1. When the cartridge opening / closing member 9b is in the second position, the rack 9g is moved to the open / close gear 1 position.
3b (see FIG. 20). When the rotation lever 13c is rotated clockwise in this engaged state, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 are integrally moved in the left direction (the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing sleeve 10a). (See FIG. 6). When the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 move from the second position to the first position, the toner supply container 12
The openings 12f1 of the discharge openings 12f of the Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
The K supply opening 9c is communicated through an opening 9f of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12
Process cartridges 9Y, 9 from M, 12C, 12K
M, 9C and 9K can be supplied with toner.

On the other hand, at the same time as or slightly after the movement of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14, the second cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9j of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b moves the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K. It is inserted and engaged with the second toner supply container engaging portion (concave) 12j of the discharge opening 12f (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

That is, the second cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9j and the second toner supply container engaging portion (concave) 12j
Is engaged, the position of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b in the height direction with respect to the discharge opening 12f of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is accurately determined. Then, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12
The seal member 12g disposed on the C, 12K side is firmly adhered to the cartridge opening / closing member 9b. Thereby, toner leakage at the time of toner replenishment is suitably prevented.

[Embodiment 2] Next, the toner supply structure of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and components different from the first embodiment will be described.

This embodiment is largely different from the first embodiment in that the opening / closing gear (large) 13b for opening / closing the cartridge opening / closing member 9b with respect to the opening 9f in the first embodiment.
Transmission means such as the opening and closing lever 13 c
Although it was arranged on the 00 side, in the present embodiment,
The drive transmission means is provided for the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12
C, 12K side.

[0125] These arrangements will be described in detail.

In the present embodiment, the replenishment opening 9c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K is connected to the process cartridge 9Y, which is the non-drive side of the photosensitive drum 7.
9M, 9C, and 9K are arranged on the near side in the insertion direction (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12
The discharge openings 12f of the cartridges M, 12C, and 12K are also arranged on the near side in the insertion direction of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K (see FIG. 13). A rotating lever 12m is rotatably arranged on the front side of 12M, 12C, 12K. The rotating lever 12m is provided with a gear 12n as a driving member.

Here, for example, the process cartridge 9
In a state where Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K have already been inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, and
A case where 12C and 12K are inserted will be described.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
When the 12K is inserted into the apparatus main assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 15, the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 becomes the supply opening 9c.
Is inserted into and engaged with the first cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9h of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b at the second position where is sealed. This engagement relationship is determined by the toner supply containers 12Y,
12M, 12C, and 12K are first inserted into the apparatus main body 100, and then the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The order is the same. At this time, the gear 12n provided on the rotation lever 12m of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is inserted into the rack 9g of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and can be engaged.

When the rotary lever 12m is rotated clockwise in this state, the rotational drive of the gear 12n is transmitted to the cartridge opening / closing member 9b via the rack 9g.

At this time, as described in the first embodiment, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 are integrally moved to the left (see FIG. 14). Then, when the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 move from the second position to the first position, as shown in FIG.
Opening 12f of discharge opening 12f of 2M, 12C, 12K
1 and the replenishing openings 9c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K are communicated via the opening 9f of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the toner replenishing containers 12Y, 12M, 12
C, 12K to process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
The toner can be supplied to C and 9K.

[Embodiment 3] Next, a toner supply structure according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 24.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and components different from the first embodiment will be described.

This embodiment is largely different from the first embodiment in that the opening / closing gear (large) 13 for opening / closing the cartridge opening / closing member 9b with respect to the opening 9f in the first embodiment.
Although the drive transmission means such as b and the opening / closing lever 13c are arranged on the apparatus main body 100 side, in the present embodiment, the drive transmission means is the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M,
It is arranged on the 12C, 12K side. Further, the present embodiment is largely different from the second embodiment in that the supply openings 9c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are provided.
In the second embodiment, the discharge openings 12f of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are arranged on the near side in the insertion direction of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The example is the same as that of the first embodiment, that is, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
In the insertion direction.

[0133] These arrangements will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 16, the toner supply container 12
A rotating lever 12m is rotatably arranged on the front side of Y, 12M, 12C, 12K. The rotating lever 12m is provided with a gear 12n. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is disposed above the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K in parallel with the axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and an open / close gear (large) 13b is fixed to a shaft end on the back side, and an open / close gear 13b is attached to a shaft end on the front side. (Small) 13d is fixed. The rotating shaft 13a is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body 100 by a bearing (not shown).

Here, for example, the process cartridge 9
In a state where Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K have already been inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, and
A case where 12C and 12K are inserted will be described.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
When the 12K is inserted into the apparatus main assembly 100, the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 becomes the cartridge opening / closing member 9b at the second position sealing the supply opening 9c. The first cartridge engaging portion (recess) 9h is inserted and engaged (see FIG. 18). This engagement relationship is determined by the toner supply containers 12Y and 12Y.
M, 12C and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100 first,
Next, the same applies to the order in which the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K are inserted. At this time, the rotation lever 1 of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is used.
The gear 12n provided at 2m is inserted into the opening / closing gear (small) 13d on the apparatus main body 100 side, and can be engaged.

In this state, when the rotary lever 12m is rotated counterclockwise, the rotation of the gear 12n is transmitted to the cartridge opening / closing member 9b via the opening / closing gear (small) 13d, the rotating shaft 13a, and the opening / closing gear (large) 13b. Conveyed to.

At this time, as described in the first embodiment, the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 are integrally moved to the left (see FIG. 17). Then, when the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 move from the second position to the first position, as shown in FIG.
Openings 12f1 of discharge openings 12f of M, 12C, 12K
The supply openings 9c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are communicated with each other through an opening 9f of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, and 12K.
C, 12K to process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
The toner can be supplied to C and 9K.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a toner supply structure according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25, 26, and 27. FIG. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and components different from the first embodiment will be described.

The present embodiment is significantly different from the first embodiment in that a rack 9g is formed on the cartridge opening / closing member 9b in the first embodiment, and the rack 9g is used as an opening / closing gear (large) on the apparatus body 100 side. 13b had been moved. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing slide member 13e on the apparatus body 100 side (see FIG. 26).
Are engaged with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and are moved by sliding the opening / closing slide member 13e.

The arrangement will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 26, the rotating shaft 13a is disposed above the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K in parallel with the axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and has an opening / closing gear (large) 13b at the back end. Is fixed, and a rotation lever 13c is fixed to the shaft end on the near side. The rotating shaft 13a is rotatably supported on the apparatus main body 100 by a bearing (not shown).

At the back side of the apparatus main body 100, a frame 13 is provided.
d is arranged, and the frame 1
For 3d, process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
An opening / closing slide member 13e that horizontally moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the 9K developing sleeve 10a is disposed. The opening / closing slide member 13e moves along guide ribs 13f formed on the frame 13d.

A rack 13g is formed on the upper surface of the opening / closing slide member 13e, and meshes with the opening / closing gear (large) 13b. On the front side of the opening / closing slide member 13e, a concave opening / closing groove 13h is formed.

On the other hand, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M,
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the cartridge opening and closing members 9b of 9C and 9K have a third cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9k which is engaged with the opening and closing groove 13h.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When the cartridge 9K is inserted into the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 27, the third cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9 of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b at the second position sealing the supply opening 9c.
k is engaged with the opening / closing groove 13h of the opening / closing slide member 13e, and can move integrally with the opening / closing slide member 13e.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M,
When 12C and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100, as described above, the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is connected to the first cartridge of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b. Engagement part (concave)
9h is inserted and engaged. In this engagement relationship, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100 first, and then the process cartridge 9
The same applies to the order of inserting Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

Next, when the rotating lever 13c is rotated clockwise, the opening / closing gear (large) 13b is rotated via the rotating shaft 13a, and the opening / closing slide member 13e is moved to the developing sleeve 10c.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner replenishing container opening / closing member 14 also move in the same direction at the same time (see FIG. 26). When the cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 move from the second position to the first position, the toner supply container 12
The openings 12f1 of the discharge openings 12f of the Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
The K supply opening 9c is communicated through an opening 9f of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the toner supply containers 12Y, 12
Process cartridges 9Y, 9 from M, 12C, 12K
M, 9C and 9K can be supplied with toner.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a toner supply structure according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the same components as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and components different from the fourth embodiment will be described.

This embodiment is largely different from the first embodiment in that the opening and closing slide member 13 in the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment.
e were independently arranged in four places. In this embodiment, the number of the opening / closing slide members 13e is one (see FIG. 2).
9), in conjunction with the movement of the opening and closing slide member 13e,
The four cartridge opening / closing members 9b can be opened and closed simultaneously.

That is, the process cartridges 9Y and 9
When M, 9C and 9K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
The third cartridge engaging portion (convex) 9k of each cartridge opening / closing member 9b at the second position sealing the supply opening 9c of C and 9K is engaged with the opening / closing groove 13h of the opening / closing slide member 13e. It becomes movable integrally with the opening and closing slide member 13e.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M,
When 12C and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100, as described above, the first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is connected to the first cartridge of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b. Engagement part (concave)
9h is inserted and engaged. In this engagement relationship, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are inserted into the apparatus main body 100 first, and then the process cartridge 9
The same applies to the order of inserting Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

Next, when the rotating lever 13c is rotated clockwise, the opening / closing gear (large) 13b is rotated via the rotating shaft 13a, and the opening / closing slide member 13e is moved to the developing sleeve 10c.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 are simultaneously moved in the same direction (see FIG. 28). When all of the cartridge opening / closing members 9b and the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 move from the second position to the first position, the opening 12f1 of the discharge opening 12f of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and the process cartridge 9
The supply openings 9c of Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are communicated through openings 9f of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and toner is supplied from the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K to the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. Becomes possible.

[Other Embodiments] The toner supply container shown in the above-described embodiment can be supplied not only by the two-component developing method but also by a process cartridge or a developing cartridge using a one-component developing method. Needless to say, the powder contained in the toner supply container is not limited to toner, and may be a so-called developer in which toner and a magnetic carrier are mixed.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, 2
Although the description has been made by taking a color toner electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a component developer as an example, the present invention is also applied to a color toner electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a one-component developer and a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Can be suitably applied, and it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (O
PC) and the like. For example, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used as a shape on which the photoconductor is mounted. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder of aluminum alloy or the like. And so on.

The process cartridge described above is provided with, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of processing means. Accordingly, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the embodiment described above, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a charging unit are integrally formed as a cartridge, and can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. Further, there is a type in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor and two or more of the above-mentioned process means are combined into a cartridge to be integrally detachable from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-described process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. . In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, at least the developing means, the developing means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user himself. Therefore, the maintenance of the apparatus main body can be performed by the user himself.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a color laser beam printer is exemplified as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, etc. Of course, it can be used for other electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

[0160]

As described above, the cartridge of the present invention can receive the supply of the developer from the developer supply container detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Further, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention
A cartridge capable of receiving the supply of the developer from a developer supply container that is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be detachably mounted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an engaged state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the first embodiment (open state).

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (sealed state) of the engaged state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engaged state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the first embodiment (open state).

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the opened state of the cartridge opening / closing member and the toner supply easy opening / closing member (an enlarged view of FIG. 8).

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a toner supply container according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the second embodiment (open state).

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the second embodiment (sealed state).

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a toner supply container according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an engaged state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the third embodiment (open state).

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement state between the process cartridge and the toner supply container according to the third embodiment (sealed state).

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of a process cartridge according to the first embodiment (open state).

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to the first embodiment (in a sealed state).

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an engaged state of a cartridge opening / closing member, a toner supply container opening / closing member, and a discharge opening (open state).

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of a state before engagement of a toner supply container opening / closing member and a discharge opening (sealed state).

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a state before engagement of a cartridge opening / closing member and a toner supply container opening / closing member.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 2 (in a sealed state).

FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an external schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment (open state).

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment (in a sealed state).

FIG. 28 is a schematic external perspective view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 5 (open state).

FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment (in a sealed state).

FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of the positioning of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating positioning of a toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7: photosensitive drum 7c: bearing case 9b: cartridge opening / closing member 9c: supply opening 9d1: concave 9g: rack 9h: first cartridge engaging part (concave) 9j: second cartridge engaging part (convex) 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K: Process cartridge 10: Developing device 10a: Developing sleeve 10h: Developer accommodating portion 12f: Discharge opening 12f1: Opening 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K: Toner supply container 14: Toner supply container opening / closing member 24: Drive coupling (convex) 100: Main unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Fujita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H071 BA13 BA14 BA16 BA29 DA08 DA21 EA18 2H077 AA05 AA09 AA18 AA33 AB02 AD02 AD13 AD18 AD36 BA02 BA07 DA10 DA42 DB02 EA03 EA11 FA01 FA19 FA26 GA13 GA17

Claims (14)

[Claims] A developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member by using a developer, wherein the cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body; A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be used, for supplying a developer to the developer accommodating portion from a developer replenishing container detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A cartridge for engaging a developer receiving opening for receiving the developer stored in the developer supply container, and a supply container opening / closing member for releasably sealing a discharge opening of the developer supply container. An opening portion for opening a discharge opening of the developer supply container so that the developer receiving opening receives the developer from the developer supply container; and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A cartridge comprising: a positioning unit for positioning the cartridge in a main body. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the opening portion moves the supply container opening / closing member from a sealing position of the discharge opening to an opening position by sliding. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a cartridge opening / closing member for removably sealing the developer receiving opening. 4. The cartridge opening and closing section is formed integrally with the cartridge engaging section, and the cartridge opening and closing member moves from the sealing position of the developer receiving opening in conjunction with the movement of the opening section. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge moves to an open position. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge engaging portion engages with a supply container engaging portion of the developer supply container to move the cartridge opening / closing member from a sealed position of the developer receiving opening to an open position. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: 6. The cartridge and the developer supply container, when mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge opening / closing member and the supply container opening / closing member can open and close the developer receiving opening and the discharge opening in conjunction with each other. 7. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge and the developer supply container are each independently detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge further includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing unit constitute a unitized process cartridge. The cartridge as described. 9. The cartridge opening / closing member is formed integrally with the cartridge opening / closing member, and the cartridge opening / closing member is interlocked with the movement of the opening portion,
The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge is moved from a sealing position of the developer receiving opening to an opening position. 10. The cartridge engaging portion has a cartridge uneven portion, and engages with a supply container uneven portion of the developer supply container to seal the cartridge opening / closing member with the developer receiving opening. The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge is moved from a stop position to an open position. 11. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge opening / closing member is disposed near a drive input side for driving the developing unit in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge. 12. The developing device of the cartridge, wherein a developer carrier is disposed in the developing means, and the opening is moved in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the developer carrier. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein 13. The cartridge engaging portion has a first cartridge engaging portion that engages with the supply container opening / closing member, and a second cartridge engaging portion that engages with the supply container engaging portion. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 5, wherein: 14. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, wherein (a) a developer supply container containing a developer is detachably mounted. Container mounting means of (b)
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, a developer accommodating section for accommodating a developer used for development by the developing means, and mounting the container A developer receiving opening for receiving a developer stored in the developer supply container for replenishing the developer from the developer supply container mounted on the means to the developer storage unit; and A cartridge engaging portion for engaging with a supply container opening / closing member that releasably seals a discharge opening of the developer supply container, and the developer receiving opening receives the developer from the developer supply container. A cartridge having an opening for opening a discharge opening of the developer supply container, and a positioning unit for positioning the cartridge in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A cartridge mounting means for removable-mounted, (c) the conveying means for conveying the recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by having a.