JP2002287473A - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance stability in the electric connection of the toner replenishing container of a developing device and an image forming device, to simplify the attachment/detachment of the developing device to/from the image forming device and the attachment/detachment of the toner replenishing container to/from the developing device, to simplify connection/disconnection of the electric connection and to prevent a voltage applying error even in the case of connection/disconnection in a hot-line state. SOLUTION: This developing device is equipped with a developing sleeve, a developing casing to support the developing sleeve and the toner replenishing container and is freely attachable to/detachable to/from the image forming device. The driving direction of the developing casing for the attachment/detachment is the same as the contact/separation moving direction (y) of the developing device with respect to a photoreceptor, and the developing casing and the toner replenishing container are respectively equipped with a connector and a plug. The IC of the toner replenishing container is connected to the input/output interface of a printer controller through the connector and the plug. The driving direction for attaching/detaching the toner replenishing container to/from the developing casing is a direction (x) orthogonal to the direction (y).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus, and in particular, though not intended to be limited thereto, selectively driving developing apparatuses of a plurality of colors to and from a photosensitive member to selectively develop the image. The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus used for work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A chip in which ID information (for example, a model ID, a region ID, a manufacturing date ID, etc.) is written in a consumable such as a developing device or a toner supply container is provided. It is known to exchange information (for example, JP-A Nos. 12-19803 and 11-32).
No. 7368).

[0003]

As an image forming method used in a color image forming apparatus in recent years, a detailed description will be given later with reference to FIG. Are arranged in such a manner as to be stacked, the developing devices for each color are separated from and contacted to the photoreceptor to perform development, then the toner image is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and the four-color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus that performs secondary transfer on recording paper in a state where the images overlap each other has been used.

It is preferable that the developing device for each color is of a type in which only the toner supply device is removed from the developing device and replaced. The replacement sleeve of the developing sleeve of the developing device and the mechanism for supplying the toner in the toner storage space to the toner supply container for supplying the toner to the toner storage space is different. If it is replaced, the maintenance cost is reduced.

[0005] However, such a developing device performs a contacting / separating operation with the photoreceptor as described above, and thus frequently repeats horizontal movement. Therefore, as shown in the prior art,
The electrical connection between the IC chip of the developing device or the toner supply container and the image forming apparatus main body, which is used in the developing device that does not move, may cause a problem such as poor contact or disconnection between the contacts of the connector and the plug. Therefore, it is considered that there is a problem in the application as it is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the present invention to increase the stability of electrical connection between a toner supply container and an image forming apparatus in a developing device having a detachable toner supply container. The second object is to increase the stability of the electrical connection even when the image forming apparatus is driven toward and away from the image forming apparatus. In this case as well, the third and fourth objects are to simplify the connection / separation of the electrical connection between the toner supply container and the image forming apparatus. It is a fifth object of the present invention to prevent an error voltage from being applied to the data.

[0007]

(1) Container receiving space
(91), a developing casing (36Y) mounted on the image forming apparatus (1), developing means (32Y) supported by the developing casing and supplying toner to the photoconductor, and housed in the container receiving space. Toner supply container for supplying toner (34
Y), the developing casing (36Y) and the toner replenishing container (34Y) respectively include a connector (37Y) and one of the plugs (93) for coupling to the connector (37Y).
And a developing device (93).

For easy understanding, the symbols of the corresponding or equivalent elements of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described later are added in the parentheses for reference. The same applies to the following.

According to this, by electrically connecting the one (37Y) provided in the developing casing (36Y) to the image forming apparatus (1), the connector (37Y) / plug (93) can be connected. The toner supply container (34Y) is automatically placed in the image forming apparatus (1).
Is electrically connected to the toner supply container (34Y).
The work of connecting to the image forming apparatus (1) is simplified.
Since the wiring of the electric cable (38Y) from the image forming apparatus (1) may be extended to the developing casing (36Y) outside the toner supply container (34Y), it is simplified. Even when the developing device (31Y) is driven toward and away from the photoconductor, the developing casing (36Y) and the toner supply container (34Y) are integrated, and the connector (37Y) / plug (9
3) Since the connection is also driven as a unit, the connector (37Y) /
The electrical connection of the plug (93) connection is stable.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (2) In an image forming apparatus (1) for driving a developing device (31Y) toward and away from a photoreceptor (11), the developing device (31Y) includes a container receiving space (91). A developing casing (36Y) which is mounted on the image forming apparatus (1) and which is supported by the developing casing and supplies toner to the photoreceptor.
2Y), and a toner replenishing container (34Y) that is contained in the container receiving space and supplies the toner; the developing casing (36Y) and the toner replenishing container (34Y) each include: Connector (37Y) for electrical connection of toner supply container (34Y) and plug to connect to it
An image forming apparatus comprising one (37Y) and the other (93) of (93).

According to this, the operation and effect described in the above item (1) can be similarly obtained in the image forming apparatus.

(3) The developing device (31Y) is detachable from the image forming apparatus (1), and a developing casing (36Y) for detachment.
Is the same as the direction y of movement of the developing device (31Y) toward and away from the photoconductor (11); the toner supply container (34Y) is detachable from the developing casing (36Y). The (34Y) driving direction of the toner supply container is a direction x orthogonal to the contact / separation direction; the image forming apparatus of (2) above.

According to this, the developing casing (36Y) does not receive a force in the direction of detaching from the developing casing (36Y) due to the approaching / separating movement of the developing device (31Y).
The connection of the toner supply container (34Y) to (36Y) is stable. As a result, the connection between the connector (37Y) and the plug (93) is stable, and the toner supply container (34Y) for the image forming apparatus (1).
The electrical connection is stable.

(4) The image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein the connector (37Y) has a structure detachable from the developing device (31Y).

According to this, when replacing the developing device (31Y), the work of disconnecting / recovering the electrical connection between the developing device (31Y) and the image forming apparatus is simplified.

(5) The connector (37Y) is connected to the developing casing (36).
Y), the driving direction for attaching and detaching the connector (37Y) to and from the developing casing (36Y) is the same as the moving direction y of the developing device (31Y) toward and away from the photoconductor (11); The driving direction for attaching / detaching the toner supply container (34Y) to / from the (36Y) is a direction x orthogonal to the contact / separation direction y; and the connector (37Y) is moved in the movement direction y when the toner supply container (34Y) is attached / detached. 34Y) and the plug receiving space around the connector terminals so that the plug (93) comes in and out of the connector (37Y) in the x direction as the toner supply container (34Y) is attached and detached. However, the image forming apparatus is open in at least two directions; the image forming apparatus according to the above (2) or (3).

According to this, when the toner supply container (34Y) is mounted on the developing casing (36Y), the developing casing
The connector (37Y) can be attached to and detached from the (36Y). By this attachment / detachment, the connector is naturally attached / detached to / from the plug (93). Also,
When the connector is attached to the developing casing (36Y), the toner supply container (34Y) can be attached to and detached from the developing casing (36Y). The plug naturally attaches to and detaches from the connector by this attachment and detachment. There is no need to remove the toner supply container (34Y) before attaching or detaching the connector, and no need to attach the connector before installing the toner supply container (34Y). In addition, the work of attaching and detaching the toner supply container (34Y) is simplified.

(6) In the image forming apparatus described in (2), (3), (4) or (5), the connector (37)
Y) is an image forming apparatus having a terminal (105e) that can be preferentially connected earlier and later separated when the toner supply container (34Y) is replaced.

For example, when this terminal (105e) is used as an equipment ground connection terminal, if the electric cable (38Y) is to be put into a live state, when the plug (93) of the toner supply container (34Y) is connected, first the toner supply container (34Y) is connected to the equipment ground, voltage is applied to other terminals, and when the plug (93) is disconnected, the voltage to the toner supply container (34Y) is cut off before the equipment ground of the toner supply container (34Y) is disconnected. Connection is lost. In the toner supply container (34Y), when voltage is applied to it and when it is cut off, the equipment ground line does not float,
No malfunction or failure occurs in the toner supply container (34Y).

(7) The terminal of the connector (37Y) and the plug (93) is a toner supply container for the developing casing (36Y).
A terminal (105) distributed in the z direction orthogonal to the driving direction x for attaching and detaching (34Y), and which can be preferentially connected in advance and separated in the following direction.
e) The image forming apparatus according to (6) above, which is at a position where it comes into contact with the toner supply container in the driving direction x for mounting.

Since the priority can be set by the displacement, it is simple. Note that all the terminals of the connector (37Y) are located at the same position in the x direction, and the terminal of the plug (93) that contacts the priority terminal is brought into contact with the terminal in the driving direction x for mounting the toner supply container. May be shifted.

(8) The electric cable (38Y) to which the connector (37Y) is connected is a highly flexible cable. According to this, in the usage mode of driving the developing device (31Y) toward and away,
The electric cable (38Y) does not apply a load to the drive. In addition, the deterioration of the electric cable (38Y) due to the approach / separation drive is low.

(9) The connector (37Y) protrudes in the y direction from three sides of the x, z rectangular surface where the connector terminal is located.
The image forming apparatus according to the above (5), having three guard walls (104a-104e) parallel to the plane, parallel to the y and z planes, and parallel to the x and y planes.

(10) The connector (37Y) is connected to its main body (101).
Having a locking piece (102) branched from the developing casing (36Y)
Has an opening (92) through which the main body (101) can penetrate, and has a connector insertion opening in which one overhanging opening (92a) through which the locking piece (102) can penetrate, and the connector (37Y) is connected to it. By pushing in, the locking piece (102) is compressed at the edge of the opening (92a) and moves to the main body side, and the claw (102a) of the locking piece (102) is opened.
(92a), it rises from the main body and the pawl (102a) engages with the developing casing (36Y).

According to this, the connector insertion opening of the developing casing (36Y) has an asymmetric shape with an overhanging opening (92a), whereby the connector (37Y) is inserted into the developing casing (36Y) in an incorrect posture. It can be prevented from being attached.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0027]

FIG. 1 shows a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color printer 1 includes a photoconductor unit 10, a writing optical unit 20, a developing unit 30,
It comprises an intermediate transfer unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 50, a fixing unit 60, a double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70, and the like. And Black: black (hereinafter referred to as Bk),
Cyan: cyan (hereinafter referred to as C), Magenta: magenta (hereinafter referred to as M), Yellow: yellow (hereinafter referred to as Y)
Are sequentially visualized on the photoreceptor belt 11 of the photoreceptor unit 10 and are superimposed to form a final four-color full-color image.

The photoreceptor belt 11 rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow A. Around the photoreceptor cleaning device 1
2, a charging roller 13, a selected developing unit of the developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer belt 41 of the intermediate transfer unit 40, and the like. The photoreceptor belt 11 includes the driving roller 1
4, is stretched between the primary transfer facing roller 15 and the stretching roller 16 and is rotated in the direction of arrow A by a drive motor (not shown). When the photoconductive belt 11 having a seam is used, a seam mark is provided in a non-image forming area at the end of the photoconductive belt 11, detection is performed by a sensor (not shown), and an image is formed avoiding the seam.

Further, the writing optical unit 20 includes:
The color image data is converted into an optical signal, optical writing corresponding to each color image is performed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive belt 11. The writing optical unit 20 includes a semiconductor laser 21 as a light source, a laser emission drive control unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 22, three reflection mirrors 23a,
b, c, etc.

The developing unit 30 includes a Bk developing device 31
K, C developing device 31C, M developing device 31M, Y developing device 31Y
And moving each developing unit in the left-right direction in the figure to move the photosensitive belt 1
1 is configured by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) that drives the contact / separation with respect to 1. In the example shown in the figure, a Bk developing device 31K containing black toner, a C developing device 31C containing cyan toner, and an M developing device 3 containing magenta toner are arranged in order from the lower side of the apparatus main body.
The Y developing unit 31Y contains 1M yellow toner. Each of the developing units 31K, C, M, and Y has a developing sleeve 32K, C, or M that carries a toner on the surface to develop an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11 and is rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown). , Y, and toner paddles 33K, C, M, which pump up, stir, and feed the toner to the developing sleeve.
Developing device main bodies 35K, C, M, and Y including Y and the like; and a toner cartridge 34K that is a toner replenishing container that contains toner and that can be inserted into and removed from a developing casing of the developing device main body.
It is composed of two units C, M, and Y, that is, a developing device main body and a toner cartridge. The reason why the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y are separated from the main body of the developing device and can be inserted into and removed from the main body of the developing device is that the main body 35K, C, M, and Y of the developing device
Even if 4K, C, M, and Y are replaced several times due to running out of toner,
This is because the service life is not reached.

Prior to the development, the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y are supplied from the toner cartridges 34K, 34C, 34M, and 34Y through the developing casing for receiving the toner cartridge and the supply port 90 provided in the toner cartridge.
The toner is supplied to K, C, M, and Y. That is, inside the toner cartridges 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y, there are toner paddles whose leading ends are in sliding contact with the inner wall surfaces of the containers to prevent aggregation of the toner and to replenish the toner to the replenishing port 90. By doing so, the toner is drawn up and supplied to the supply port 90.

The toner in each of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y is charged to a predetermined polarity by rotating and stirring the toner paddles 33K, C, M, and Y.
A developing bias is applied to K, C, M, and Y by a developing bias power supply (not shown), and the developing sleeves 32K, C,
M and Y are biased to a predetermined potential with respect to the photoreceptor belt 11. When the electromagnetic clutch (not shown) for transmitting the drive from the motor (not shown) to each of the developing units 31K, C, M, and Y is turned on, the driving force of the developing unit 31K, C, M, and Y is moved to the photoreceptor belt 11 side (right side in the figure). At the time of development, any one of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y moves and comes into contact with the photosensitive belt 11.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch is turned off and the drive transmission is released, the developing device that has been in contact with the photosensitive belt 11 moves in the direction away from the photosensitive belt 11 (left side in the figure).

In the standby state of the color printer main body, the developing unit 30 is set at a position where all the developing units 31K, C, M, and Y are separated from the photosensitive belt 11, and when the printing operation is started, the color is The optical writing by the laser beam and the formation of the electrostatic latent image are started based on the image data (hereinafter, the electrostatic latent image based on the Bk image data is referred to as a Bk electrostatic latent image. The same applies to C, M, and Y). Before the front end of the electrostatic latent image reaches the Bk development position so that development can be performed from the front end of the Bk electrostatic latent image, the Bk developing sleeve 32K is started to rotate by a driving source (not shown), and the Bk electrostatic latent image is started. The image is developed with Bk toner.

Thereafter, the developing operation of the Bk electrostatic latent image area is continued. When the rear end of the Bk electrostatic latent image passes the Bk developing position, the Bk developing device 31k separates from the photosensitive belt 11, and The developing device of the next color immediately contacts the photosensitive belt 11. This is completed at least before the leading end of the electrostatic latent image based on the next image data reaches the developing position.

The intermediate transfer unit 40 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41, a belt cleaning device 42, a position detecting sensor 43, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched around a drive roller 44, a primary transfer roller 45, a secondary transfer opposing roller 46, a cleaning opposing roller 47, and a tension roller 48, and is driven and controlled in a direction indicated by an arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). . A plurality of position detection marks (not shown) are provided in the non-image forming area at the end of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and one of these position detection marks (the position detection mark The position detection sensor 43 first detects the position detection mark that has passed through the position sensor 43, and starts image formation at this detection timing. The belt cleaning device 42 includes a cleaning brush 42a, a contact / separation mechanism (not shown), and the like, while the first color Bk image is being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41, and While the color image is being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41, the cleaning brush 42a is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the contact / separation mechanism.

Transfer paper is stored in a transfer paper cassette 80 of the color printer 1, and the paper feed rollers 81a, 81b,
The paper is fed and conveyed in the direction of the pair of registration rollers 82 by c. On the right side of the color printer 1, a manual feed tray 83 for manually feeding OHP paper or thick paper is provided.

The secondary transfer unit 50 is constituted by a swing mechanism (not shown) provided with a clutch and the like for bringing the secondary transfer roller 51 into and out of contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41. ing. The secondary transfer roller 51 swings about the rotation axis of the swing mechanism in synchronization with the timing at which the transfer paper reaches the transfer position. The transfer paper and the intermediate transfer belt 41 are brought into contact with each other at a constant pressure by the secondary transfer roller 51 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 46. The position accuracy of the parallelism of the secondary transfer roller 51 with the secondary transfer opposing roller 46 is maintained by a positioning member (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer unit 40. Also, the secondary transfer roller 51
The contact pressure of the secondary transfer roller 51 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is made constant by a positioning roller (not shown) provided in the printer. At the same time when the secondary transfer roller 51 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 51, and the superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is collectively transferred onto transfer paper.

Each of the above units can be easily detached from the apparatus. For example, in FIG. 1, when removing the intermediate transfer unit 40, the front cover (not shown) is opened, and the unit can be easily removed by sliding the unit from the back side to the front side of the paper.

In the color printer 1 having the above configuration, when the image forming cycle is started, first, the photosensitive belt 11
Is driven clockwise by an arrow A, and the intermediate transfer belt 41 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by an arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). A position detection mark (not shown) provided on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is detected by a position detection sensor 43, and the photosensitive belt 1 is moved in accordance with the detection timing of the position detection mark.
1, Bk toner image formation, C toner image formation, M toner image formation, and Y toner image formation are sequentially performed.
A toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the order of C, M, and Y. At this time, the bias applied to the primary transfer roller 45 generally increases the voltage sequentially, but differs depending on the resistance characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the like.

The formation of the Bk toner image is performed as follows. That is, the charger 13 uniformly charges the photoreceptor belt 11 by an applied voltage of a power supply (not shown). Then, the laser light LD for writing performs exposure based on the Bk color image signal. When this exposure is carried out, the exposed portion of the photoreceptor belt 11 which is initially uniformly charged loses the charge proportional to the amount of exposure light, and a Bk electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, the Bk developing sleeve 32 is attached to the Bk electrostatic latent image.
When the Bk toner on K contacts, the toner does not adhere to the portion of the photoreceptor belt 11 where the charge remains, and the Bk toner is attracted to the portion without charge, that is, the exposed portion, and the electrostatic latent A Bk toner image similar to the image is formed.
Then, the Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive belt 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the primary transfer position. At this primary transfer position, a nip is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the photosensitive belt 11 by the primary transfer roller 45 and the primary transfer opposing roller 15, and the Bk toner image is formed on the primary transfer roller 45. The Bk toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to the above.

Some untransferred residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 11 is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 in preparation for reusing the photoreceptor belt 11. The collected toner is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe.

On the photosensitive belt 11 side, the process proceeds to the C image forming step after the Bk image forming step, and the position detecting sensor 4
In accordance with the detection timing of No. 3, writing by the laser light LD using the C image data is performed, and a C electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, after the trailing end of the previous Bk electrostatic latent image has passed and before the leading end of the C electrostatic latent image has arrived, the Bk developing device 31K retreats from the developing position, and the C developing device 31C develops. The C electrostatic latent image is set at the position and is developed with C toner.
Thereafter, the development of the C electrostatic latent image area is continued, but when the rear end of the C electrostatic latent image passes, the C developing device 31C retreats from the developing position as in the case of the Bk developing device 31K. , Next M
The developing device 31M is moved to the developing position. This is also completed before the leading end of the next M electrostatic latent image reaches the developing position. The M and Y image forming processes are the same as the processes of Bk and C described above, since the operations of forming and developing the electrostatic latent image are the same as those of the processes of Bk and C described above.

The intermediate transfer belt 41 includes the photosensitive belt 1
The toner images of Bk, C, M, and Y which are sequentially formed on the same color are sequentially aligned on the same surface to form a four-color toner image. In the next secondary transfer process, the four-color toner image is formed. Are collectively transferred to transfer paper.

At the time when the image forming operation is started, the transfer paper is fed from either the transfer paper cassette 80 or the manual feed tray 83, and stands by at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 82. When the leading end of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 approaches the secondary transfer roller 51, the registration roller pair 82 is driven such that the leading end of the transfer paper coincides with the leading end of the toner image. The transfer paper and the toner image are aligned. Then, the transfer paper is superimposed on the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 and passes through the secondary transfer position. At this time, the transfer paper is charged by the transfer bias by the secondary transfer roller 51, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper.

The transfer paper on which the four-color superimposed toner images are collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is fixed to the fixing unit 60.
When the temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature with the fixing belt 61, the toner image is fused and fixed at the nip portion of the pressure roller 62,
The sheet is sent out of the apparatus body (in the direction of arrow C), and
4 Stacked face down. This is a full color copy.

Further, when performing double-sided printing, the transfer paper that has passed through the fixing unit 60 is guided by the double-sided switching claw 85 in the direction of arrow D and sent to the double-sided printing paper reversing unit 70. After the rear end of the transfer paper has passed the reversing switching claw 71, the reversing roller pair 72 stops, and the transfer paper also stops. And
The reversing roller pair 72 starts reversing after a certain blank time, and the transfer paper starts to switch back. At this time, the reversing switching claw 71 is switched, and the transfer sheet is guided in the direction of arrow E and sent to the registration roller pair 82. The transfer paper sent to the pair of registration rollers 82 stands by at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 82 in a state where the transfer paper is turned upside down. Then, the registration roller pair 82 is driven at a predetermined timing, the transfer paper is sent to the secondary transfer position, and the four-color superimposed toner image is collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41, and then the toner image is fused by the fixing unit 60. The image is fixed and sent out of the apparatus.

On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 and is uniformly discharged by a discharge lamp (not shown). Also,
The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 after the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer paper is cleaned by pressing the cleaning brush 42a of the belt cleaning device 42 with the contact / separation mechanism. The toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stored in a waste toner tank 49.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front cover and the left side cover of the color printer shown in FIG. Each of the developing units 31K, 31C, 31M, 31Y is configured such that the photosensitive belt 11 extends along the guide rail from the opening of the left side frame.
Are inserted in the y direction approaching the developing devices 31K,
C, M, and Y developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y are supported by a printer base frame.

In the developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y,
There is an open toner cartridge storage space at the front of the printer, into which the toner cartridges 34K, 34C, 34M, 34Y and 34Y are inserted. The insertion / removal direction x of the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y with respect to the developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y is determined according to the relationship between the developing casing 36K and the printer base frame.
This is a direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction y of C, M, and Y.

Connectors 37K, C, M, Y are provided on the vertical walls of the developing casings 36K, C, M, Y facing the left side cover of the printer (not shown), that is, on the rear wall in the forward direction y contacting the photoreceptor belt 11. Is installed. Plugs (described later) of the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y inserted into the developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y in the x direction are connected to the connectors 37K, C, M, and Y, respectively.
Electrically connected. Flexible electric cables 38K, C, M, and Y, which are high-flexibility electric wires having high bendability and flexibility, are connected to the connectors 37K, C, M, and Y.
As a result, the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, Y
An IC (integrated circuit; described later) connected to the plug is connected to an electric system (not shown) of the printer 1.

Since the electric cables 38K, C, M, and Y are high-flexibility electric wires, one ends thereof are connected to the connector, and move together with the moving of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y.
Although the other end is connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) of the printer main body and is stationary, it does not apply any particular load to the contact and separation movement, and the electric cables 38K, C, M,
Y does not deteriorate.

Next, the structure of the developing device 31Y will be described. Other developing units 31K, 31C and 31M are also provided with developing units 31Y.
Since these structures are the same as those described above, their description is omitted.

FIG. 3A shows the developing device 31Y extracted from the printer 1 in the -y direction, and FIG. 3B shows only the developing device main body of the developing device 31Y. The details of the inside of the developing casing 36Y are not shown. Connector 37
Y is engaged with the developing casing 36Y by being inserted into the substantially rectangular opening 92 formed in the rear wall of the developing casing 36Y in the y direction. The opening 92 has an asymmetric shape in order to prevent the connector 37Y from being mounted in an incorrect posture. That is, one of the vertically long sides of the opening 92
First, there is a small rectangular opening 92a. The toner cartridge 34Y is inserted into the opening 91 of the toner cartridge housing space of the developing casing 36Y in the x direction.

FIG. 4A shows the toner cartridge 34Y.
Is drawn out from the developing casing 36Y in the −x direction. The illustration of the inside of the toner cartridge 34Y is omitted. An opening 9 is provided in the rear wall of the toner cartridge 34.
There is a plug 93 that comes into contact with the connector 37Y attached to the connector 2 and is electrically connected thereto, and a stopper 97. The toner cartridge 34Y is placed in the developing casing 36 from the rear wall side.
When the plug 93 is inserted into the opening 91 on the front side of the printer, the plug 93 is connected to the connector 37Y immediately before the leading end of the stopper 97 engages with the locking groove on the inner wall surface on the rear side of the printer of the developing casing 36Y. Connection. After this connection is completed, when it is moved about 2 mm further in the x direction,
The engagement of the tip of the stopper 97 with the locking groove on the side of the developing casing 36Y is completed. At this time, gears (not shown) for driving toner supply in the developing casing 36Y include:
The connection gear for driving the toner paddle in the toner cartridge 34Y meshes.

FIG. 4B shows the plug 93 in an enlarged manner. A printed circuit board 94 is fixed to the plug 93. On the exposed surface of the printed circuit board 94, a plug terminal 95e for connecting the equipment ground, a plug terminal 95v for supplying the IC operating voltage, a plug terminal 95r for receiving serial data (communication signal), and a serial terminal for transmitting serial data (communication signal) are provided. Plug terminals 95t are formed of printed wiring conductors, and the surfaces thereof are plated with contact metal. These printed wiring conductors are connected to printed conductors on the back surface by through-hole connections. The electrodes of the IC (integrated circuit) 96 are connected to the printed conductor on the back surface. That is, the plug terminals 95e, 95v, 95r, 95t
The electrodes of the IC 96 are electrically connected.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the connector 37Y.
Note that the other connectors 37K, 31C and 31M have the same structure as the connector 37Y, and thus description thereof will be omitted. From the front surface of the connector 37Y, which is exposed to the toner cartridge accommodating space of the developing casing 36Y, the electric contact piece 10 with which the above-mentioned plug terminals 95e, v, r, t come into contact.
5e, v, r, and t project. These electric contacts are flexible in the y direction, and when receiving the terminals 95e, v, r, t of the plug 93 fed in the x direction, they are pushed by them to move in the -y direction, and the plug is moved by the spring force. The terminals 95e, v, r, and t are pressed against each other. Inside the connector 37Y, the electric contacts 105e, v,
Each of the four electrical leads of the electrical cable 38Y is connected to each of r and t.

The electric cable 38Y is connected to an input / output interface (not shown) of the electric system of the printer 1. The electric connection piece 1 is connected via the electric cable 38Y.
05e is connected to the equipment ground line of the input / output interface, the electric contact 105v is connected to the IC drive voltage line, and the electric contacts 105r and 105t are connected to the serial transmission and reception lines of the input / output interface, respectively. ing. A microcomputer of a printer controller (not shown) of the printer 1 reads data held by the IC 96 by serial communication with the IC 96 of the plug 93 via the transmission and reception lines. The data includes a printer model ID, a region ID, a stored toner identification ID, a manufacturing date ID and a manufacturer ID, and developer management data of a printer maker.
Is included. Some of these data are written by the manufacturer before shipment of the printer, and are also updated when the used toner cartridge is collected from the user and refilled with toner for re-shipment. And there is something newly written.

The electric contact 105e connected to the equipment ground line of the input / output interface is connected to another electric contact 10e.
5v, 105r, and 105t are located on the front side in the x direction, and the plug 93 is moved in the x direction so that the connector 3
When approaching the coupling position with 7Y, the terminal 95e of the plug 93 for connecting the equipment ground first contacts the electric contact piece 105e. After that, the other terminals 95v, 9
5r and 95t are almost simultaneously,
r, 105t.

The plug 93 connected to the connector 37Y
Is moved in the −x direction to disconnect from the connector 37Y, first, the other terminals 95v, 95r, 95
t can be separated from the electric contacts 105v, 105r, and 105t in the -x direction substantially at the same time, and then the terminal 95e for connecting the equipment ground can be separated from the electric contact 105e in the -x direction.
That is, when the toner cartridge 34Y is replaced, the electric contact piece 105e of the connector 37Y is
This is a terminal that is preferentially connected to the terminal of the connector 37Y attached to the 6Y and separated from the terminal of the connector 37Y. Thus, when the voltage of the terminals 95v, 95r, and 95t is cut off or the voltage rises when the toner cartridge 34Y is inserted and removed when the electric cable 38Y is in the live state,
Since the terminal 95e of the device ground line of the C96 stays at the device ground potential, it is at the device ground potential of the printer main body side, and the IC 96 is generated by floating the ground line potential.
Will not cause malfunction or failure.

FIG. 6A shows a front view of the connector 37Y from the front end to the rear end of the arrow y in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B shows the bottom surface of the connector 37Y. FIG. 7 shows a cross section taken along line 7A-7A shown in FIG. Please refer to these drawings as well as FIG. The main body 101 of the connector 37Y includes locking pieces 102 and 103 and a guard wall 10.
4a, b, c, d and e are integrally continuous. Locking piece 10
2 and 103 project from the main body 101 in the x and -x directions, and when the locking pieces 102 and 103 are pressed by the thumb and the forefinger in a relatively approaching direction, the x distance between the two is reduced. In this pinched state, the developing casing 3 is moved from the guard walls 104a, b, c, d, and e so that the locking piece 102 is aligned with the opening 92a (FIG. 3B) of the opening 92.
6Y into the opening 92, the x of the locking pieces 102, 103,
The connector 37Y is connected to the developing casing 36 until the claw portions 102a and 102b protruding in the −x direction reach the inside of the developing casing 36Y through the opening 92a and the opening 92.
By pushing the connector into Y, the connector 37Y is connected to the developing casing 36Y. This combined state is shown in FIGS.
(A) of FIG. Note that excessive movement of the connector 37Y in the y direction is prevented by the stoppers 107A, 107b, 107c, and 107d standing on the body 101 in the x and -x directions hitting the outer surface of the developing casing 36Y.

In this connection state, x,
The movement in the z-direction is constrained by the opening edge because the outer shape of the connector closely matches the shape of the opening 92. The movement of the connector 37Y in the y direction is performed by the stopper 107.
a, b, c, and d are prevented from hitting the outer surface of the developing casing 36Y, and the movement in the −y direction is prevented by the claw portion 10.
2a and 103a are prevented by hitting the inner surface of the developing casing 36Y.

The locking piece 102 projects from the main body 101 in the x direction larger than the locking piece 103, and the opening 92 has an overhang 92a in accordance with this. That is, the shapes of the opening 92 and the connector are asymmetric with respect to the z-axis. Thus, when the connector 37Y is inserted into the opening 92 of the developing casing 36Y so that the electric cable 38Y is close to the connector vertically and below the connector, the connector 37Y fits perfectly into the opening 92. In the posture (upside down posture or sideways posture rotated by 90 degrees), the locking pieces 102 and 103 of the connector 37Y.
Do not pass through the opening 92. That is, the connector 37Y cannot be mounted on the developing casing 36Y.

The guard walls 104a, b, c, d, and e are provided to reduce the possibility that a conductor such as a screwdriver or a metal plate short-circuits between the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t. It is a thing. If these guard walls are not provided at all and the front end surface of the main body 101 is exposed, the connector 37Y is connected to the developing casing 36 in a live state.
If the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t are shorted by touching a tool or the like when removed from Y and placed in an appropriate place, there is a possibility that the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t are short-circuited. Guard walls reduce this possibility. No guard wall is provided on the side of the main body on the side of the locking piece 102 for receiving the plug 93 moving in the x direction. A straight line 106 (FIGS. 5 and 7) connecting the main body side and the protruding end of the guard wall 104c that is most protruded is located further away in the y-direction than the apexes of the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t. In other words, a tool (for example, a screwdriver) is
The guard wall 104 protrudes in the y direction so that the tool does not come into contact with the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t also in Y.

The guard wall 104 is not a stopper for stopping the plug 93 moving in the x direction.
Before the end in the x direction of the developing device 36Y contacts the guard wall 104, the end of the stopper 97 (FIG.
In the locking groove on the inner wall surface on the rear side of the printer, and further x movement is prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 37Y coupled to the developing casing 36Y is provided with a locking piece 102,
The portion 103 exposed outside the developing casing 36Y is pulled out in the −y direction while being squeezed between the thumb and the forefinger, thereby being detached from the developing casing 36Y.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the connector 37Y is mounted on the developing casing 36Y, the developing casing 36Y, that is, the developing device 31Y is driven in the y direction immediately before development, and the developing sleeve 32Y comes into contact with the photoreceptor belt 11. When the development is completed, the developing sleeve 32Y is driven in the -y direction and separates from the photoreceptor belt 11. This approach / separation drive is in the y direction. On the other hand, the insertion / removal of the toner cartridge 34Y with respect to the developing casing 36Y is in the x direction. Since the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t are flexible and resiliently pressed against the plug terminals 95e, v, r, and t, the stability and reliability of the electric contact connection between the connector and the plug are improved. Is high.

In the above embodiment, the electric cable 3
Although the 8Y electric lead is fixedly connected to the electric contact piece of the connector body 101, there is also a mode in which a plug is connected to the electric cable 38Y and the plug is connected to the connector 37Y.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which a micro plug 110 having the same form as the plug of the telephone is connected to the electric cable 38Y. 115e, v, r, and t are electrical contacts, which are connected to electrical leads of the electrical cable 38Y. 111 is a locking piece. The connector body 101 of this embodiment includes a micro connector (not shown) that receives the plug 110 and is connected to the electric contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t. The direction of insertion and removal of the microphone plug 110 with respect to this micro connector is the z direction, and the photosensitive belt 11 of the developing device 31Y is
Therefore, the stability and reliability of the electrical contact connection between the microconnector / plug 110 are high with respect to the approach / separation drive.

In this embodiment in which the micro connector / plug 110 is connected, the connector 37 is connected to the developing casing 3.
6Y may be made detachable as described above,
It may be fixed or fixed, which is difficult to attach / detach, such as screwing, press-fitting, or integrally molding the base with the developing casing.

[0071]

According to the present invention, one of the connector and the plug provided in the developing casing is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus, so that when the connector / plug connection is performed, the toner supply container is automatically connected to the image forming apparatus. As a result, the operation of connecting the toner supply container to the image forming apparatus is simplified. The wiring of the electric cable from the image forming apparatus may be simplified since it may be extended to the developing casing outside the toner supply container. Even when the developing device is driven toward and away from the photoreceptor, the developing casing and the toner supply container are integrated, and the connector / plug connection is also driven integrally. Thus, the electrical connection of the connector / plug connection is stable. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a mechanism of a color printer equipped with a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the developing device with a front cover and a left side cover of the color printer illustrated in FIG. 1 removed.

3A is a perspective view showing the developing unit 31Y shown in FIG. 2 taken out of a printer main body, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the developing unit 31Y.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a developing device main body.

4A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the toner cartridge 34Y shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view showing a plug portion at an end of the cartridge 34Y.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector 37Y shown in FIG.

6A is a front view of the connector 37Y shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the side where the terminals are located, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7A-7A in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric cable with a micro plug used in a modification of the connector 37Y.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Color Printer 10: Photoconductor Unit 11: Photoconductor Belt 12: Photoconductor Cleaning Device 13: Charging Roller 14: Driving Roller 15: Primary Transfer Opposing Roller 16: Stretch Roller 20: Writing Optical Unit 21: Semiconductor Laser 22 : Polygon mirror 23a, b, c: Reflection mirror 30: Development unit 31K: Bk development unit 31C: C development unit 31M: M development unit 31Y: Y development unit 32K, C, M, Y: Development sleeve 33K, C, M , Y: toner paddle 34K, C, M, Y: toner cartridge 35K, C, M, Y: developing unit main body 36K, C, M, Y: developing casing 37K, C, M, Y: connector 38K, C, M , Y: electric cables 40, 41: intermediate transfer unit 42: belt cleaning device 42a: cleaning brush 43: position Outgoing sensor 44: drive roller 45: primary transfer roller 46: secondary transfer opposing roller 47: cleaning opposing roller 48: tension roller 49: waste toner tank 50: secondary transfer unit 51: secondary transfer roller 60: fixing unit 61: fixing belt 62: pressure roller 70: double-sided printing paper reversing unit 71: reversing switching claw 72: reversing roller pair 80: transfer paper cassette 81a, b, c: paper feed roller 82: registration roller pair 83: manual feed tray 84 : Paper ejection tray 85: double-sided switching claw 90, 91, 92: opening 92a: opening 93: plug 94: printed circuit board 95e, v, r, t: plug terminal 96: IC 97: stopper 101: connector body 102, 103: locking pieces 102a, 103a: claw pieces 104a, b, c, d,
e: guard wall 105e, v, r, t: electric piece 106: straight line 107a, b, c, d:
Stopper 110: micro plug 111: locking piece 115e, v, r, t: plug terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] A developing casing having a container receiving space and mounted on the image forming apparatus; developing means supported by the developing casing and supplying toner to a photosensitive member; and supplying toner contained in the container receiving space. A developing device comprising a toner supply container, wherein each of the developing casing and the toner supply container is equipped with a connector and one or the other of a plug for coupling to the connector. 2. An image forming apparatus for driving a developing device toward and away from a photosensitive member, the developing device having a container receiving space, a developing casing mounted on the image forming apparatus, and a toner supported by the developing casing. Developing means for supplying the toner to the photoreceptor, and a toner replenishing container for supplying toner contained in the container receiving space; and electrically connecting the toner replenishing container to the image forming apparatus in each of the developing casing and the toner replenishing container. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a connector for connecting the electronic device and a plug for connecting to the connector. 3. The developing device is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and the driving direction of the developing casing for attachment and detachment is the same as the direction y of movement of the developing device toward and away from the photosensitive member; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving direction of the toner supply container is detachable from the casing, and a driving direction of the toner supply container is x in a direction orthogonal to the contact / separation direction. 4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said connector has a structure detachable from a developing device. 5. The connector is detachable from the developing casing, and the driving direction for attaching and detaching the connector to and from the developing casing is the same as the direction y of movement of the developing device toward and away from the photosensitive member; The driving direction for attachment / detachment is a direction x orthogonal to the contact / separation direction y.
And the connector is connected to and detached from the plug of the toner supply container in the moving direction y when the connector is attached and detached, and the connector is connected to and detached from the connector in the x direction as the toner supply container is attached and detached. Plug receiving space,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is open in at least two directions. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said connector has a terminal which can be preferentially connected in advance and separated in a subsequent direction when the toner supply container is replaced. An image forming apparatus, comprising: