JP2001188457A - Developing cartridge, processing cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely execute the developer unsealing operation of the cartridge or the developing unit of an image forming device even by a user and to enable it to be mechanically confirmed by an image forming device body and the cartridge or the developing unit. SOLUTION: A process cartridge or the developer sealing shutter of the developing unit are fitted in the developing unit 22 so that it can be rotated in a direction being in parallel with the rotary shaft of a developing sleeve and a manual handle for unsealing operation 20 is fitted to one end. Then, one part 29a of the handle 29 is made to project in a shaft direction and one part 19 of the back surface of the cover 18 of the image forming device is made to project. Since both projection parts interfere with each other when the unsealing operation is neglected, the cover 18 cannot be closed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for mounting a developing cartridge or a process cartridge used for forming an image in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a printing machine, etc. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of confirming completion of opening of a developer sealing / shutoff unit before start of use.

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

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

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In such a process cartridge, as a developing means, a developing member for applying a developer toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, and a developer for supplying the developing member to a developing device are provided. There is provided a developer sealing shut-off means which is housed in a container and seals an opening of the developer with respect to the developing member from the time of shipment of the process cartridge until the first use.

[0005] The developer sealing shut-off means is provided with an opening operation means for opening the process cartridge prior to use. The opening operation means for opening the developer sealing and blocking means is manually performed. Alternatively, there has been proposed an automatic opening means for automatically opening a process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

[0006] The developing cartridge in which the developing means is detachable from the image forming apparatus also has an opening means for the developer sealing / blocking means.

[0007]

The present invention is a further development of the above technique. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that do not perform an image forming operation unless the opening means of the developing cartridge or the process cartridge is reliably opened.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned operational problems, the present invention provides an outer cover of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus to which a developing cartridge or a process cartridge having a developer sealing shut-off means can be attached and detached. Alternatively, a check mechanism for completion of the opening operation of the developer sealing shut-off means is provided on the inspection cover,
It is possible to provide a developing cartridge, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the cover is not closed when the operation is uncertain.

The main features of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developing sleeve for carrying a developer; and a developing sleeve containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve. A container, a developer sealing and shutting means for sealing the developer housed in the developing container, an operating means for operating the developer sealing and shutting means, and an opening operation interlocked with the developer sealing and shutting means A confirmation member that, when the developer sealing cut-off means is closed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, determines that the developer sealing cut-off means is not opened by the image forming apparatus main body. And a member for confirming opening operation to be recognized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, wherein an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are developed using a developer. A developing sleeve containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve; a developer sealing shut-off means for sealing the developer contained in the developing container; Operating means for operating a developer sealing shutoff means, and an unsealing operation confirming member interlocked with the developer sealing shutoff means, wherein the developer sealing shutoff means is provided in a state in which a developing cartridge is attached to an image forming apparatus main body. And a member for confirming the opening operation by which the image forming apparatus main body recognizes that the developer sealing shut-off means is not opened when the cartridge is closed. It is di.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a developing cartridge is detachable. A developing sleeve for carrying a developer, a developing container containing the developing sleeve and a developer supplied to the developing sleeve, and a developer sealing shut-off unit for sealing the developer contained in the developing container; Operating means for operating the developer sealing shut-off means, and an unsealing operation checking member interlocked with the developer sealing shutting means, wherein the developer sealing is performed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. When the shut-off means is closed, an opening operation confirmation member for recognizing by the image forming apparatus main body that the developer sealing shut-off means is not opened is detachably mounted in the axial direction of the developing sleeve. Mounting means; b. A recognition member that acts on the unsealing operation check member and recognizes the developer seal shutoff unit when it is not open; b. A recognition member that acts on the unsealing operation check member and recognizes the developer seal shutoff unit when it is not open; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing sleeve for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a developing device containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve. A container, a developer sealing and shutting means for sealing the developer housed in the developing container, an operating means for operating the developer sealing and shutting means, and an opening operation interlocked with the developer sealing and shutting means A confirmation member,
When the developer sealing shut-off means is closed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, an opening operation confirming member for allowing the image forming apparatus main body to recognize that the developer sealing shut-off means is not opened. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridge having the following in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A recognition member that acts on the unsealing operation check member and recognizes the developer seal shutoff unit when it is not open; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

[0014]

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

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a main cross-sectional structure of a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process technique and using an intermediate transfer member as a transfer means. In the figure, the image forming unit 1
Y to 1Bk perform image formation and are arranged in parallel. Here, the suffixes Y, M, C, and Bk are abbreviations of primary colors used for image formation, and mean yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively (hereinafter, these primary colors are Y, M, C, and Bk, respectively). Abbreviated). The intermediate transfer body 4 is a transfer section (hereinafter, abbreviated as a primary transfer section) 15Y that transfers the electrophotographic image formed by the image forming section onto the intermediate transfer body 4.
15Bk and the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk. The intermediate transfer member 4 is formed by winding an endless belt 4d made of a dielectric material around a driving roller 4a, a driven roller 4b, and a secondary transfer opposing roller 4c. For example, sheet feeding means (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet feeding roller) 7 and 8 for intermittently feeding sheet materials S (S1 and S2) such as paper one by one are provided. Transfer means (hereinafter, abbreviated as a secondary transfer roller) 6 for transferring an image from the intermediate transfer member 4 to the sheet materials S1 and S2 is provided opposite to the intermediate transfer member 4. Sheet material S
A fixing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a fixing device) 12 for fixing the image transferred onto the sheet materials S1 and S2 to the sheet materials S1 and S2 is provided.

The image forming process of the present image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, an image corresponding to each color is written to the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk by a predetermined electrophotographic process by all or a part of the light sources 2Y to 2Bk. Next, the image on the photosensitive drum is developed. And
Each color is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 4 in the primary transfer units 15Y to 15Bk. These images are finally Y
Bk on the intermediate transfer member 4 to form a full-color image. In the case of monochrome printing, transfer of only Bk is performed, and transfer of other colors is not performed. The image thus primary-transferred is transferred to the secondary transfer roller 6 in the direction shown by the arrow by driving the intermediate transfer body 4 as shown by the arrow in the figure.

On the other hand, the sheet material S 1, which has been intermittently fed into the apparatus one by one by the paper feed roller 7, is registered by the conveying rollers 9 and 10 until the primary transfer image reaches the secondary transfer roller 6. Transported to the roller 11,
Here, the posture is held by the alignment of the leading ends, and the apparatus stands by. When the primary transfer image is conveyed, the sheet material S1 is sent out to the position of the secondary transfer roller 6 by the registration roller 11 in synchronization with the transfer speed, and the image is transferred onto the surface of the sheet material S1. . Note that the sheet material S2 is manually fed and sent to the transport roller 10 by the paper feed roller 8,
Thereafter, the sheet is fed and transferred in the same manner as the sheet material S1.
Thereafter, the sheet material S (S1 or S
2) is conveyed to the fixing device 12, where the image is fixed on the surface of the sheet material by applying heat and pressure, and finally discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 14 by the discharge roller 13.

Each of the image forming units 1Y to 1Bk is a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 14 (a code B is used when the same code is used irrespective of the primary color YMCBk).

On the other hand, the process cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Etc. As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 21 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 23 which is a charging unit to apply a voltage to the photosensitive member. The surface of the drum 21 is uniformly charged, and a light image from the light source 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 21 through the exposure opening 30 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed. The developing unit 22 is configured to perform development. Developing device 22
Has a developing container including a developer accommodating portion 22a and a developing device portion 22b.

The developing unit 22 is fed by a rotatable toner stirring member 33 which is not shown in FIG. 5 but is a feeding means for the developer T shown in FIG. 11, and has a fixed magnet built therein. By rotating the developing sleeve 25 as a developing member, a thin toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing sleeve 25 by the developing blade 25a, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 21 according to the latent image. A toner image is formed and visualized. The toner stirring member 33 is provided with the stirring blade 3 on the shaft 33a.
3b is provided. The shaft 33a is rotatably instructed by the toner container 22a, and one end of the shaft 33a extends outside the container 22a.

After the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 4 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 15, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 34a. The squeeze sheet 34b scoops and removes toner.
The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 21 is removed by the cleaning means 34 for collecting the toner on the photosensitive drum 4c.
Note that the process cartridge B in FIG. 5 does not have the toner stirring member 33, and sends out the developer from the developer accommodating portion 22a by natural fall due to its gravity.

The above is the image forming process of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show the configuration of the image forming section which is a process cartridge detachably mountable to the apparatus main body used in such an apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the image forming unit in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image carrier (hereinafter, abbreviated as a photosensitive drum) 21,
It comprises a charging roller 23 which is a charger for charging the photosensitive drum 21, and a developing device 22 which performs development on the photosensitive drum 21 and fills the developer. When the process cartridge B is not in use, the sealing and blocking means 16 having a shaft 28 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is used to prevent the developer T from leaking out of the developing sleeve 25 to the outside of the developer accommodating portion 22a. The inside of the portion 22b is blocked and sealed. As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing / blocking means 16 separates the developing sleeve 25 and the developer accommodating portion 22a so as to be in close contact with the packing 16b attached around the surface around the container opening 27. Has become. The packing 16b is attached to the developer accommodating portion 22a. At the start of use, as shown in FIG. 6, the sealing / blocking means 23 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow in the drawing, so that the developer T is fed from the opening 27 toward the developing sleeve 25. I have.

The image forming units 1Y to 1Bk are provided with a manual opening operation mechanism handle 29 (see FIG. 1) provided coaxially with the rotation shaft 28 of the sealing / blocking means 23 separately from the developer accommodating unit 22a or from an image forming apparatus. An opening / removing mechanism (not shown) by a driving force is provided.

The above-described image forming section, which is a process cartridge, is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 14 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an opening 27 opened and closed by the developer sealing shut-off means 16 connects the developer accommodating portion 22a and the developing device portion 22b. The developing unit 22b is provided with screws 25b and 25c for stirring and feeding the developer in the longitudinal direction. The screws 25b and 25c are separated by a partition 22d except for both ends. At both ends of the partition 22d, screws 25b, 25
There is communication between the rooms provided with c. When the process cartridge B is driven from a drive source (not shown) of the apparatus main body 14, the screws 25b and 25c feed the powder developers in opposite directions to perform circulating agitation. In this image forming apparatus, the developer supply devices 3Y, 3M, 3C,
3Bk.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an external configuration of an image forming section of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This figure shows a configuration provided with the same developer sealing and blocking means as that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 inside the container housing,
It is used for an image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a mounted state of the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge B as the image forming unit shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 1, a handle 29 also serving as an unsealing operation confirmation member is provided with a rotation center coaxially with the shaft 28 of the developer sealing / shutoff means 16, and is provided in the developer accommodating portion 22a which is a developer accommodating container. It is attached to the shaft 28 penetrating the developer accommodating portion 22a via a shaft sealing member (not shown). The handle 29 is outside the developer accommodating portion 22a. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 29, which is a member for confirming the opening operation, rotates by 180 ° in conjunction with the sealing / blocking means 16 in the developer accommodating portion 22a. In the case of manual operation, the opening operation confirmation member 29 is rotated by hand, so that it can also be used as an operation handle. When the opening / closing operation is completed by rotating the sealing / blocking means 16 by 180 ° in such a configuration, the protrusion 29a of the opening operation confirmation member 29 is
In the state of the lower position 29a1 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening 17 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is opened in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 21 and is opened and closed by an openable exterior cover (door) 18 when used. Closed. 3 and 4 show a state in which the cover is open. The exterior cover 18 is pivotally attached to the image forming apparatus main body 14 by a hinge (not shown) having a vertical axis on one side in the vertical direction.

Here, as described above, the unsealing operation check member 2
If the opening operation of the predetermined developer is completed after the image forming apparatus 9 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 14, the protruding portion 29a shown in FIG. This is a state corresponding to FIG. Here, when the image forming apparatus A is operating, the outer cover 18 is closed. At this time, if the opening operation is not completed, the projecting portions 29a of the process cartridges 1Y to 1Bk are on the back surface of the outer cover 18. Projecting member 19 provided at a position facing opening confirmation member 29
However, it interferes with the protruding portion 29a of the opening confirmation member 29 as shown in FIG. If the opening operation is completed, the projecting member 19 does not interfere with the projecting portion 29a as shown in FIG. It should be noted that it is a matter of course that a label such as an openable / closable instruction label is separately attached to the opening confirmation member of the image forming unit or in the vicinity thereof in order to confirm the open / close state.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the internal structure of the process cartridges 1Y to 1Bk shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a state where the developer T is sealed by the sealing / blocking means 16 (FIG. 5) and when the image is opened. FIG. 6 shows a state in which it can be formed (FIG. 6).

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 7 and 8 show a configuration example of an image forming section according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In this configuration, the unsealing operation confirmation member provided outside the image forming unit is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the manual operation of directly rotating the unsealing operation is not performed, but the preliminary rotation at the start of operation of the image forming apparatus is performed. And an image forming unit that performs an automatic opening operation by transmitting the driving force to the sealing / blocking unit using the image forming unit. The activation of the drive system in this case is performed by a manual switch (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows the state before the start of use,
When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, a drive input gear 35 meshes with a gear (not shown) on the apparatus main body 14, and drive transmission gears 36 and 37. Reference numeral 38 denotes a sector gear that is in mesh with each other. The sector gear 38 that rotates the developer sealing shut-off means 16 rotates. In the configuration example of FIG. The blocking means 16 can maintain the open state. This drive mechanism may be provided on either the same side or the opposite side as the above-mentioned opening operation confirmation member 29, but the end face on the opposite side is easier in terms of space in terms of design. Opening operation check member 2
9 is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as shown, and this configuration example is the image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIGS.
In the apparatus having the same basic configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 4, a drive system for opening is provided with the image forming apparatus main body 14 or the process cartridges 1Y to 1Y.
What is necessary is just to have it inside 1Bk.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 9 and 10 show the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. This figure is an image forming apparatus which can use the process cartridge B shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 7, FIG.
An inspection cover 31 for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B is provided inside the cartridge 8, and when the operation of the developer opening confirmation member 29 of the process cartridge B is uncertain, the protrusion that interferes with the outer cover 18 and the developer opening confirmation member 29. Member 1
9 is provided on the exterior cover 18, and the inspection cover 31 is provided with an opening 32 through which the projecting member 19 passes.

The inspection cover 31 has one side parallel to the pivoting portion of the outer cover 18 to the apparatus main body 14, and is pivotally attached to the apparatus main body 14 by a hinge having a vertical axis near the pivoting portion. Have been. The inspection cover 31 is attached to the apparatus body 14.
The opening 17 is closed except when inspecting the inside.

(Embodiment 4) FIGS. 11 and 12 show another example of the structure of a process cartridge B used in an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. This figure shows the toner container 2
As shown, the opening confirmation member 29 provided on the outside of FIG. 2a is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.
And the developer sealing and blocking means 16 are provided coaxially.
Opening can be done directly by hand or by using driving force.
FIG. 13 shows a drive system configuration example in the case of automatic opening.

In FIG. 13, the gear used for opening is a sector gear 38, and the gear used for stirring is a stirring gear 40. In the configuration example shown in the figure, the unsealing operation is configured to branch power from a drive system that performs the stirring operation. That is, during the opening operation, the sector gear 38 is rotated clockwise. As a result, the developer sealing cutoff means 16 rotates clockwise,
The opening 27 between the developer accommodating portion 22a and the developing device portion 22b is opened. The driving force is transmitted from the gear 35 through the gears 36, 37, 39, and 40, and the stirring blade 33b rotates counterclockwise. The process cartridge B having this configuration also includes a drive system for opening the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 or FIG. 9, FIG. 10 in the image forming apparatus side or inside the image forming section which is a process cartridge. If it is, it can be installed.

In the above description, as shown in FIG. 13A, the sector gear 38 is fixed to the shaft 16a at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the shaft 16a is rotatable on both end walls in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion 22a. It is supported by. Further, the developer sealing shut-off means 16 is fixed to the shaft 16a.
The shaft 16 a is a hollow shaft, and the shaft 33 a of the toner stirring member 33 is
a is rotatably supported by the shaft 16a. Axis 33
The stirring blade 33b fixed to a is an elastic sheet. The stirring gear 40 is fixed to the shaft 33a.

As described above, according to the present invention, the configuration relating to the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus is not limited to a single configuration. A selection configuration is possible in some combinations such as an operation configuration.

The above description is similarly applied to a developing cartridge in which the developing member and the developer accommodating portion are formed as an integral cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are summarized and supplemented as follows.

First, in a developing unit 22 which is a developing cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 14, a developing sleeve 25 and a developer T supplied to the developing sleeve 25 are provided.
A developer accommodating section 22a accommodating the developing sleeve 25, a developer sealing section 16 for opening and closing an opening 27 passing between the developer accommodating section 22a and the developing unit 22b, A handle 29 or gears 35 to 38, which are operating means for operating the developer sealing shut-off means 16, and an unsealing operation check member 29 interlocked with the developer sealing shut-off means 16; 22
When the developer is sealed, the developer sealing shut-off means 16 is opened.
7 is closed, the developer sealing shut-off means 16
And an opening confirmation member 29 for allowing the image forming apparatus main body 14 to recognize that the opening 7 has not been opened.

Second, in the first case, the unsealing operation check member 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a projecting portion 29a which is a confirmation portion whose position is different between a position corresponding to a state in which the developer sealing and blocking means 16 closes the opening 27 and a position corresponding to a position in which the opening 27 is opened.
A projecting member provided on the outer cover 18, which is an opening / closing member that opens and closes the developing cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body 14 when the developer sealing and blocking unit 16 closes the opening 27. The opening and closing member cannot be closed due to interference with the opening and closing member 19.

Thirdly, in the second, the confirmation section 29a is provided in the operation means 29. Regardless of the handle 29, the operating means may be provided on any member that is movable to drive the developer sealing and shutting means 16.

Fourthly, in the second or third aspect, the operating means is a manually operable handle 29, and the confirmation portion 29a is provided on the handle.

Fifthly, in the second or fourth aspect, the operating means are gears 35 to 38 which receive the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 14 and transmit the driving force to the developer sealing cut-off means 16.

Regarding the process cartridge B, the first to fifth points described in the above embodiment are applied to the process cartridge as they are.

Further, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned mounting means for detachably mounting the developing cartridge and the process cartridge, the projecting member 19 is provided on the outer cover 18 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 so that the developer is provided. If the sealing / blocking means 16 is not open, the projecting member 19 and the protruding portion 29a interfere with each other so that the outer cover 18 cannot be closed, so that the user is notified of the state of the developer sealing / blocking means 16. .

Further, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus in which a developer replenishing device is provided in a developing cartridge or a process cartridge using a two-component developer other than the developer accommodating portion, and the developer is supplied to the developer accommodating portion. You.

[0050]

As described above, the present invention does not require the user to perform complicated operations and confirmation in the setup work at the start of use of the developing cartridge or the process cartridge when the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is actually used. Thus, there is an effect that the operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a front view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 2A is a side view and FIG.

3A and 3B show an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein FIG. 3A is a side view of a mounted process cartridge, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a main body.

4A and 4B show an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein FIG. 4A is a side view of a mounted process cartridge, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a main body.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 7A is a side view and FIG.

8A and 8B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 8A is a side view and FIG. 8B is a longitudinal sectional view.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

11A and 11B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 11A is a side view and FIG. 11B is a longitudinal sectional view.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a process cartridge, wherein FIG. 12A is a side view and FIG. 12B is a longitudinal sectional view.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a developer sealing blocker and a driving member of a developer stirring member, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a front view.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

B: Process cartridge 1: Process cartridge 1Y to 1Bk: Image forming unit 2Y to 2Bk: Light source 3Y to 3Bk: Developer supply device 4: Intermediate transfer member 4a: Drive roller 4b: Follower roller 4c: Secondary transfer facing roller 6: Secondary transfer roller 7 ... Supply roller 8 ... Supply roller 9 ... Conveyance roller 10 ... Conveyance roller 11 ... Registration roller 12 ... Fixing device 13 ... Discharge roller 14 ... Image forming apparatus body 15 ... Primary transfer unit 15Y to 15Bk ... Transfer roller 16 ... Developer sealing shut-off means 16a ... Shaft 16b ... Packing 17 ... Opening 18 ... Outer cover (door) 19 ... Protruding member 21 ... Photoconductor drum 22 ... Developer 22a ... Developer container 22b ... Development Container part 22d partition wall 23 charging roller 25 developing sleeve 25a developing blade 25b
25c Screw 27 Container opening 28 Shaft 29 Manual opening operation handle (opening operation confirmation member) 2
9a Projection 29a1 Position 30 Exposure opening 31 Inspection cover 32 Opening 33 33 Toner stirring member 33a Shaft 33b Stirring blade 34 Cleaning means 34a Cleaning blade 34b Squeeze sheet 34c Removal toner storage 35 ... drive input gear 36 ... gear 37 ... gear 38 ... sector gear 39 ... gear 40 ... stirring gear

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A developing cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developing sleeve for carrying a developer; a developing container containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve; A developer sealing and shutting means for sealing the developer stored in the image forming apparatus; an operating means for operating the developer sealing and shutting means; and an unsealing operation confirming member interlocked with the developer sealing and shutting means. When the developer sealing and shutting means is closed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the forming apparatus main body, an unsealing operation confirming member for allowing the image forming apparatus main body to recognize that the developer sealing and shutting means is not opened. A developing cartridge comprising: 2. The developer sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the unsealing operation check member has a check portion that is different in position between a position corresponding to a state where the developer sealing blocker is closed and a position corresponding to an open position. 2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when the blocking unit is closed, the confirmation unit interferes with an opening / closing member for opening / closing the developing cartridge mounting unit of the image forming apparatus main body and cannot close the opening / closing member. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the confirmation unit is provided in the operation unit. 4. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said operating means is a manually operable handle, and said confirmation section is provided on said handle. 5. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit is a member that receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmits the driving force to the developer sealing cutoff unit. 6. A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing sleeve for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer; Operating a developing container containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve; a developer sealing shutoff unit for sealing the developer stored in the developing container; and operating the developer sealing shutoff unit. Operating means for performing an opening operation check member interlocked with the developer sealing and shutting means, wherein when the developer sealing and shutting means is closed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the developing operation is performed. A process-opening operation confirming member for causing the image forming apparatus main body to recognize that the agent sealing shut-off means is not opened. 7. The developer sealing device according to claim 1, wherein said opening operation check member has a check portion which is different in position between a position corresponding to a state where the developer sealing shut-off means is closed and a position corresponding to an open position. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein when the blocking unit is closed, the confirmation unit interferes with an opening / closing member for opening / closing the developing cartridge mounting unit of the image forming apparatus main body and cannot close the opening / closing member. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the confirmation unit is provided on the operation unit. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the operating means is a manually operable handle, and the confirmation unit is provided on the handle. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the operation unit is a member that receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmits the driving force to the developer sealing cutoff unit. 11. The process cartridge, wherein a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. 11. The process cartridge according to any one of 6 to 10. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein at least one of a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. 11. The process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 10. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the process cartridge is configured such that a developing unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body. . 14. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a developing cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. A developing sleeve for carrying a developer, a developing container containing the developing sleeve and a developer supplied to the developing sleeve, and a developer sealing shut-off unit for sealing the developer contained in the developing container; Operating means for operating the developer sealing shut-off means; and an unsealing operation check member interlocked with the developer sealing shutting means, wherein the developer sealing is performed in a state where a developing cartridge is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body. When the blocking means is closed, the image forming apparatus main body recognizes that the developer sealing / blocking means is not opened. The opening operation confirmation member is detachably mounted in the axial direction of the developing sleeve. Mounting means; b. A recognition member that acts on the unsealing operation check member and recognizes the developer seal shutoff unit when it is not open; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 15. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising means for supplying a developer to the developing container separately from the developing container. 16. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing sleeve for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer, and a developing device containing the developing sleeve and a developer to be supplied to the developing sleeve. A container; a developer sealing and shutting means for sealing the developer housed in the developing container; an operating means for operating the developer sealing and shutting means; and an opening operation interlocked with the developer sealing and shutting means. A confirmation member that, when the developer sealing cut-off means is closed in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, determines that the developer sealing cut-off means is not opened by the image forming apparatus main body. Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge having an opening operation confirmation member to be recognized in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A recognition member that acts on the unsealing operation check member and recognizes the developer seal shutoff unit when it is not open; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 17. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for replenishing the developer to the developing container separately from the developing container.