JP2003131471A - Rotary type developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure safety by preventing an abnormal operation of a rotary type developing device to which a developing cartridge freely is attached and from which it is freely detached, and preventing unintended rotation. SOLUTION: In the rotary type developing device in which a plurality of developing cartridges 2 are made freely attachable and detachable in an axis direction, respectively, to a developing cartridge rotation support 6 which is provided freely rotatably centered on a rotation axis 9, a lid 4 for replacing developing cartridges which has a hinge part 7 at a lower part and which is freely turnable to a near side centered on the hinge part 7 is provided at the developing cartridge attachment and detachment end face part of the developing cartridge rotation support 6. The lid 4 for replacing developing cartridges covers part of attachment and detachment side end face part so that the finger may not get into the handle of the developing cartridge 2, and the center of gravity of the lid 4 is located at a near side than the upper part of the hinge part 7 so that it may fall down by gravity on the near side. The lid 4 is provided with a hook 5 for locking the developing cartridge in the developing cartridge rotation support 6, a spring for energizing the hook 5, and a knob 3 for sliding the hook 5 resisting against the spring.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary developing device in which a plurality of developing cartridges are axially attachable / detachable to / from a developing cartridge rotation support provided rotatably around a rotation axis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a rotary type developing device, a developing cartridge rotary support (rotary) is rotatably provided around a rotary shaft arranged parallel to the rotary shaft of a photosensitive member. A plurality of developing cartridges made of each color material are detachably attached in the axial direction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional rotary type developing device in which a device exterior cover (not shown) of a portion for replacing a developing cartridge is opened, and FIG. 5 shows the developing cartridge replacing lid from the state of FIG. It is a perspective view showing the opened state.
In the figure, 21 is an in-cover, 22 is a developing cartridge replacement lid, 23 is a hook, 24 is a window, 25 is a rotary drive ON switch, 31 is an interlock switch,
32 is a developing cartridge, 33 is a handle, 34 is a lock lever, 35 is a developing cartridge rotation support, and 36 is a rotation center.

In the conventional rotary developing device, as shown in FIG. 4, a hook 23 and a transparent window 24 are provided on the in-cover 21 of the device.
A developing cartridge replacement lid 22 having a is provided inside an exterior cover (not shown). When the user replaces the developing cartridge, the outer cover is first opened, and the rotary rotation drive ON switch 25 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 4 to move the developing cartridge to be replaced to the position of the developing cartridge replacement lid 22. .

The rotary (development cartridge rotation support) is pressed at a predetermined angle (120 ° for three colors, 4 °) by pressing the rotary rotation drive ON switch 25.
Since the full color is rotated by 90 °), the rotary rotation drive ON switch 25 is repeatedly pressed until the desired developing cartridge is moved to the replacement position. At this time, since the developing cartridge replacement lid 22 is provided with a transparent window 24, the color of the developing cartridge is visually confirmed through this window 24.

Next, the hook 23 is removed and the developing cartridge replacement lid 22 is opened as shown in FIG. The interlock switch 31 is located inside the apparatus and is pushed by the protrusion of the developing cartridge replacement lid 22. When the developing cartridge replacement lid 22 is opened and the protrusion of the developing cartridge replacement lid 22 does not press the interlock switch 31, the rotation of the developing cartridge rotation support (rotary) 35 is prohibited.

Here, the lock lever 34 of the developing cartridge 32 is rotated to the right as viewed in the figure to unlock the developing cartridge 32 in the axial direction. By releasing the lock, the handle 33 of the developing cartridge 32 can be held and pulled out to the front side. New developing cartridge 32 after pulling out the developing cartridge 32 to be replaced
To install the, reverse the above procedure.

[0008]

By making the developing cartridge 32 detachable in the axial direction as described above, the lock lever 34 is required as an axial locking (prevention) mechanism. Is provided on the front end surface portion of the developing cartridge rotation support 35 because the rotary, which is a rotatable development cartridge rotation support 35, is supported between the side plates of the apparatus main body.

However, even if the user forgets to apply the lock lever 34, if the developer cartridge replacement lid 22 is closed, the interlock switch 31 is pressed and the developer cartridge rotation support 35 rotates. As a result, the developing cartridge 32 is displaced from the predetermined position in the axial direction, and not only cannot be positioned at the regular developing position, but also the device may be damaged.

As a countermeasure, a lock detecting means may be provided in the vicinity of the lock lever 34. When an electric component such as a sensor or a switch is used as the lock detecting means, the developing cartridge rotation support in which the lock lever 34 is mounted is supported. Since the body 35 itself makes a rotational movement, an electrical contact with the device body is required. In recent years, there has been a demand for speeding up of color printing, and high-speed rotation of a rotary is inevitable, and it is not easy to provide the above-mentioned contact as a technical problem such as contact reliability and durability.

Further, in the case of a normal full-color printing apparatus, the developing cartridge 32 requires four colors of yellow, magenta, sheacin, and black. Therefore, if four colors are mounted as a rotary developing apparatus, the lock detecting means also has each color. Therefore, four pieces are required corresponding to the above, and the cost is greatly increased.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and is intended to prevent abnormal operation and prevent unintended rotation of a rotary developing device in which a developing cartridge is removable. It ensures safety.

To this end, the present invention provides a rotary developing device in which a plurality of developing cartridges are axially detachably mounted on a developing cartridge rotary support rotatably provided about a rotary shaft. It is characterized in that the developing cartridge attachment / detachment side end portion of the body has a hinge portion at a lower portion thereof, and a developing cartridge exchange lid which is rotatable frontward about the hinge portion is provided.

The developing cartridge replacement lid covers a part of the removable side end surface part and a part of the removable side end surface part so that a finger does not enter the handle of the developing cartridge. The end surface portion of the cartridge not covered by the developing cartridge replacement lid is used as a maintenance information notation portion, and the front side from the upper side of the hinge portion is located at the center of gravity so as to fall toward the front side by its own weight, and the developing cartridge rotation support body It has a hook for locking the hook, a spring for urging the hook, and a knob for sliding the hook against the spring.

Further, the hinge portion or the developing cartridge replacing lid has a guide guide for guiding the insertion of the developing cartridge, and the developing cartridge replacing lid is supported on the main body side cover in a 90 ° opened state. The
It is characterized in that it has an abutting portion which guides the insertion of the developing cartridge and comes into contact with the developing cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is inserted in a substantially predetermined position.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a rotary developing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a developing cartridge replacement lid, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge replacement lid when opened. In the figure, 1 is an in-cover opening, 2 is a developing cartridge, 3 is a knob, 4 is a developing cartridge replacement lid, 5 is a hook, 6 is a developing cartridge rotation support, 7 is a hinge portion, and 8 is a lid opening. A support part, 9 is a rotation center, 11 is a main body frame, 12 is an in-cover, 14 is a handle, 15 is a developing cartridge positioning pin, 16 is a guide, 17 is a developing cartridge positioning hole, and 18 is a hook engaging part. .

In FIG. 1, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is provided at an end surface portion of the developing cartridge rotation support 6 for partitioning each developing cartridge 2 into each chamber into which the developing cartridge is to be inserted. Cover the hinge part 7
It is rotatably provided so as to open about 90 ° by tilting it toward the front side. The hinge portion 7 is provided at the lower end of the developing cartridge replacement lid 4, and the center of gravity of the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is tilted toward the front side by its own weight, that is, above the hinge portion 7 from the front side. To do. Each developing cartridge replacement lid 4 has a slidable hook 5, its biasing spring (not shown), and a hook 5.
And a knob 3 that slides against the biasing spring,
The developing cartridge 2 is locked by the hook 5 biased by the biasing spring with respect to the developing cartridge rotation support 4.
The lock is released by sliding the hook 5 with the knob 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a developing cartridge positioning hole 17 is provided in the end surface portion of the developing cartridge rotation support 6 on the developing cartridge attaching / detaching side, and the cover of the developing cartridge 2 is opposed to this as shown in FIG. A developing cartridge positioning pin 15 is provided in the section. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a handle 1 for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge 2 is provided on the cover portion of the developing cartridge 2.
4 is provided on the outer peripheral side.

The developing cartridge replacement lid 4 covers a part of the end surface of the developing cartridge rotating support 6 on the developing cartridge attaching / detaching side, and at least a portion where a finger is put in the handle 14 of the developing cartridge 2 is a developing cartridge. If the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is closed by the cartridge replacement lid 4 and the developer cartridge replacement lid 4 is not opened, no finger can enter the handle 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is provided on the rotation center 9 side so as to be substantially flush with the cover portion of the developing cartridge 2. That is,
The developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is the developing cartridge 2
Except for the handle 14, the developing cartridge rotating support 6 partially covers the end surface of the developing cartridge attachment / detachment side.

The main body frame 1 for covering the upper surfaces of the developing cartridge 2 and the developing cartridge replacement lid 4
1. The in-cover 12 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2, and the in-cover opening 1 for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge 2 is provided in the in-cover 12 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge portion or the developing cartridge replacing lid 4 is provided with a guide 16 for guiding the developing cartridge replacing lid 4 at the position of the in-cover opening 1. It serves as a guide into which the developing cartridge 2 is inserted when the hinge portion 7 is tilted toward the front side and opened when opened. At this time, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4
Is supported by the support portion 8 provided in the in-cover opening 1 at the time of opening the lid in a state of being opened 90 °. In this state, the exterior cover (not shown) attached to the body frame 11 will not close.

In the rotary developing device having the above structure, first, when the developing cartridge 2 is inserted into the main body of the apparatus, the knob 3 of the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 provided at the front end of the developing cartridge rotation support 6 is used. Press to slide the hook 5 against the spring force to release the locked state, and rotate the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 to bring it to the front side. The developing cartridge replacement lid 4
The inside of the main body side plate is supported by the support portion 8 at the time of opening the lid in the outer shape of the in-cover opening 1 and opens at approximately 90 ° as shown in FIG. 3, and the guide guide 16 on the back side faces upward. It will jump out from the cover opening 1 toward the front side.

In this state, the inserting side of the developing cartridge 2 is placed on the guiding guide 16 of the developing cartridge replacing lid 4, and the developing cartridge 2 is inserted along the guiding guide 16 to the back side. Although the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 may be broken if it is held by the hinge portion 7, since it is supported by the in-cover, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 has a structure capable of withstanding the weight sufficiently. After the developing cartridge positioning pin 15 of the developing cartridge 2 is aligned with the developing cartridge positioning hole 17 and inserted at a substantially predetermined position, when the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is rotated to its original position, the hook 5 partitions the chambers. It is hooked and locked by the hook engaging portion 18 of the rotary support 6 (the lower side of the adjacent hinge portion 7: FIG. 3).

At this time, when the user closes the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 without pushing the developing cartridge 2 completely to the predetermined position, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 pushes in the developing cartridge 2 as shown in FIG. It will be. Therefore, by closing the developing cartridge replacement lid 4, the developing cartridge 2 is positioned at a predetermined position. Further, when the user forgets to close the developing cartridge replacement lid 4, the developing cartridge replacement lid 4 is opened by the in-cover opening 1 as shown in FIG.
The cover (not shown) of the main body of the apparatus cannot be closed because it protrudes from the (main body side plate) to the front side. Therefore, the interlock switch is kept in the off state, it is possible to prevent the device from erroneously starting, and it is possible to ensure safety.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge replacement lid, the hook, the biasing spring of the hook, and the button (knob) for sliding the hook are configured as a plurality of members.
It is also possible to integrally form a resin member and have a latch function by the elastic force of the resin. Further, in the state where the developing cartridge positioning pin is not fitted in the developing cartridge positioning hole, by providing a contacting portion that abuts so that the developing cartridge replacement lid does not close, or by making the hatched portion in FIG. 1 convex. It is also possible to be stupid.

Further, the developing cartridge replacement lid is
Although a part of the end surface of the developing cartridge rotation supporting member of the developing cartridge rotation support other than the grip of the developing cartridge is covered, the grip may be on the back side of the lid for replacing the developing cartridge. The end surface of the developing cartridge which is not covered with the replacement lid may be used as a notation portion of maintenance information regarding the developing cartridge including a color indicating the type of the developing cartridge.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the developing cartridge can be axially positioned with respect to the rotary (developing cartridge rotation support) and prevented from coming off with a very simple structure. It will be possible. Moreover,
When the developer cartridge replacement lid is closed, if the hook is not hooked, the lid will automatically fall toward the front side due to the position of the center of gravity of the lid member, so that the apparatus exterior cover will not close and the interlock switch OFF state will be maintained. Therefore, the spring member for keeping the developing cartridge replacement lid open is not necessary.

Further, even if the user forgets to apply the lock, the lid for developing cartridge replacement is opened and the state can be easily understood. Therefore, the rotary rotates unintentionally when the developing cartridge is not in the predetermined position. It is possible to prevent this, and to keep the safety and avoid damage to the device. Moreover, when the developing cartridge is inserted, the lock mechanism member also serves as the insertion guide guide, so that the operability can be improved.

Further, a developing cartridge replacement lid is provided on the end surface portion of the developing cartridge rotation support on the developing cartridge attaching / detaching side so as to cover a part thereof, so that the developing cartridge can be directly viewed even when the lid member is closed. can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a lid having a transparent window as in the conventional case.

Further, when the lid member is closed,
By closing the handle portion of the developing cartridge with the lid member, even if the developing cartridge is forcibly pulled out, there is no place to put a finger, and abnormal operation can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a rotary developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a developing cartridge replacement lid.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge replacement lid opening.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional rotary developing device in which a device exterior cover (not shown) of a portion where a developing cartridge is replaced is opened.

5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a developing cartridge replacement lid is opened from the state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... in-cover opening, 2 ... development cartridge, 3 ... knob, 4 ... development cartridge replacement lid, 5 ... hook,
6 ... Developing cartridge rotation support, 7 ... Hinge part, 8 ...
Support when opening the lid, 9 ... Rotation center, 11 ... Main body frame, 12 ... In cover, 14 ... Handle, 15 ... Development cartridge positioning pin, 16 ... Guide guide, 17 ... Development cartridge positioning hole, 18 ... Hook engagement Joint section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A rotary developing device in which a plurality of developing cartridges are axially attachable / detachable to / from a developing cartridge rotating support provided rotatably around a rotating shaft, wherein the developing cartridge of the developing cartridge rotating support is provided. A rotary developing device comprising: a detachable end face portion having a hinge portion at a lower portion thereof, and a developing cartridge replacement lid rotatable around the hinge portion toward the front side. 2. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge replacement lid covers a part of the end surface portion on the attachment / detachment side. 3. The rotary type according to claim 2, wherein the developing cartridge replacement lid covers a part of the end surface portion on the attachment / detachment side so that a finger does not enter the handle of the developing cartridge. Development device. 4. The rotary developing device according to claim 2, wherein an end surface portion of the developing cartridge which is not covered with the developing cartridge replacement lid is a notation portion for maintenance information. 5. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge replacement lid has a center of gravity located closer to the front than above the hinge portion so as to fall toward the front due to its own weight. 6. The developing cartridge replacement lid has a hook for locking the developing cartridge rotation support, a spring for urging the hook, and a knob for sliding the hook against the spring. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The hinge portion or the developing cartridge replacement lid has a guide guide for guiding the insertion of the developing cartridge, and the developing cartridge replacement lid is supported by a main body side cover in a state of being opened by 90 °. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary developing device guides the insertion of the developing cartridge. 8. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge replacement lid has an abutting portion that abuts the developing cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is inserted at a substantially predetermined position. .