JP2003186305A - Image-forming apparatus, process cartridge used therefor and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To combine developer feed function and waste developer collection function, without producing dead space in a device by easily coping with specification modification, such as miniaturization of the device and a supply amount of a developer. <P>SOLUTION: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a latent image forming means 2 for forming latent images on an image carrier 1 and a developing device 3 for visualizing the latent image formed on the image carrier 1 by the developer. In the developing device 3, a developer supply box 5 and a waste developer collection box 6 communicate with and are connected to a developing housing 4 for storing the developer, respectively, the developer supply box 5 is arranged on the upstream side from a latent image write position P on the image carrier 1, and the waste developer collection box 5 is arranged on the downstream side from the latent image write position P. Furthermore, both the boxes 5 and 6 are unitized, and preferably a process cartridge 8 is provided therewith. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly, to a method of replenishing a developer in a system in which a latent image on an image carrier is visualized with a developer.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of collecting waste developer, a process cartridge used for the same, and a developing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as an image forming apparatus of this type, for example, an electrophotographic system is used, a latent image is formed on an image bearing member such as a photosensitive drum by scanning light, and the latent image is developed by a developer. After being visualized (developed) by (1), it is generally transferred to a sheet such as paper. At this time, for example, when a two-component developing system is used, the toner, or the toner and the carrier may be periodically replenished as the toner is consumed (for example, JP-A-9-185234 and JP-A-8-15971). If the developer is circulated in the developing device for a long time, the properties of the developer (chargeability of the carrier, etc.) are deteriorated. Therefore, this kind of deteriorated developer is collected. (For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-6978).

[0003]

By the way, among the prior arts of this type, for example, in the former prior art, the toner can be replenished but the waste developer cannot be collected. In this respect, the latter prior art (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-6)
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 978), it may be possible to collect waste developer together with toner replenishment in the same housing. However, for example, since the waste developer in the developing device is heavy with a carrier mixed therein, it is extremely difficult to lift and convey the waste developer to the same housing in which toner is replenished.
For example, a method of lifting and transporting the waste developer by using an endless belt (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-123275) may be effective, but there is a concern that the cost will increase due to the complexity of the mechanism and the durability of the belt.

Since a latent image is formed on the image carrier by the scanning light, the layout of the toner replenishing box and the waste developer collecting box should be selected so that they do not interfere with the incident position of the scanning light. It is essential. For example, in a mode in which a sheet on which a visible image is transferred on an image carrier is conveyed upward in a substantially vertical direction, a toner replenishing box and a waste developing box are provided below the scanning light incident position (corresponding to the downstream side). If the agent recovery box is arranged, for example, when considering a model change in which the toner replenishment amount is increased, the capacity of the toner replenishment box is increased, so that the sheet tray position arranged on the lower side is affected. Therefore, not only the specification change due to the change of the toner replenishment amount varies, but it becomes difficult to share the same, but conversely, a dead space is apt to occur above the incident position of the scanning light.

On the other hand, if a toner replenishment box and a waste developer recovery box are provided above the scanning light incident position (corresponding to the upstream side), the developing unit of the normal developing device normally receives the scanning light. Since it is disposed below the position, a replenishment path and a recovery path that communicate between the toner replenishment box and the waste developer recovery box and the developing section are required. At this time, since the replenishment path from the toner replenishment box and the recovery path from the waste developer recovery box need to be installed in two systems without interfering with each other at locations deviated from the incident path of the scanning light, As a result, the size of the device in the front-rear direction increases, and the device unnecessarily increases in size.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above technical problems, and can easily cope with downsizing of the apparatus, specification changes such as developer replenishment amount, and a dead space is generated in the apparatus. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of achieving both the developer replenishing function and the waste developer collecting function without performing the above, a process cartridge used for the image forming apparatus, and a developing device.

[0007]

That is, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a latent image forming means 2 for forming a latent image on an image carrier 1 and a latent image formed on the image carrier 1. In an image forming apparatus including a developing device 3 that visualizes an image with a developer, as the developing device 3, a developer supply box 5 and a waste developer collecting box are provided in a developing housing 4 in which the developer is stored. 6 are connected to each other, the developer replenishing box 5 is arranged upstream of the latent image writing position P on the image carrier 1, and is disposed downstream of the latent image writing position P. A developer recovery box 6 is provided.

In such technical means, the present case is
This is intended for all image forming apparatuses of the type in which the latent image is visualized by the developing device 3, and is applicable not only to a monochrome machine but also to a tandem type color machine in which a plurality of image carriers 1 are arranged, for example. Is. Further, the developing device 3 can specify any developer as long as it can replenish the developer and collect the waste developer, and can be used only as a carrier medium for the supplied toner including a two-component developer. A mode using a magnetic carrier can be appropriately selected. Further, the developer supply box 5 is a developer (toner, toner + carrier)
It includes a wide range of containers for replenishing. Furthermore, the waste developer recovery box 6 widely includes a container for recovering the waste developer (mainly the deteriorated developer in the developing device 3, but does not exclude the cleaned waste toner and the like). .

The latent image writing position P is used as a reference because when the developer replenishing box 5 and the waste developer collecting box 6 block the latent image writing position, a latent image is formed on the image carrier 1. Because it cannot be formed. Further, the expressions “upstream and downstream” of the latent image writing position P are used in the modes other than the substantially vertical sheet path (for example, in the case of an S-shaped sheet path,
(There are many sheet paths in the substantially horizontal direction).
When the developer replenishing box 5 is arranged upstream of the latent image writing position P and the waste developer collecting box 6 is arranged downstream as in the present embodiment, the developer replenishing function can be achieved while effectively utilizing the space in the apparatus. The recovery function of the waste developer can be achieved at the same time. In particular, the developer replenishing box 5 is provided on the upstream side because it is easy to cope with the change in the capacity.

Further, in this embodiment, the developer replenishing box 5 and the waste developer collecting box 6 are preferably constructed as one unit. In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide the waste developer recovery box 6 and it is not necessary to detect the fullness of the waste developer recovery box 6. Further, in this type of image forming apparatus, the image carrier 1 is detachably attached to the apparatus body 7, and the image carrier 1 and at least one process unit 9 (9a: charging unit, 9b: cleaning unit) are incorporated. It is preferable that the process cartridge 8 is provided with the developer supply box 5 and the waste developer recovery box 6. According to this aspect, the process cartridge 8 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 7 while the both boxes 5 and 6 are included.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the developer replenishing box 5 and the waste developer collecting box 6 are detachable from the process cartridge 8. In this case, the developer supply box 5 and the waste developer recovery box 6 can be replaced independently, and the process cartridge 8 can be effectively used. It is also preferable that the image carrier cartridge including at least the image carrier 1 is detachable from the process cartridge 8. In this case, the image carrier cartridge can be replaced independently, and the process cartridge 8 can be effectively used. Further, it is preferable that the process cartridge 8 is detachable from above by opening the opening / closing cover 7a on the upper part of the apparatus main body 7. in this case,
The operability of attaching and detaching the process cartridge 8 can be improved, and the cost of the apparatus main body 7 can be reduced by sharing the opening / closing cover 7a.

The image forming apparatus may have any sheet path, but the sheet S on which the visible image on the image carrier 1 is transferred, for example, by the transfer member 10 is moved from the lower side to the upper side. In the mode of transporting the toner toward the sheet, the developer replenishing box 5 is arranged on the upper side of the latent image writing position P of the image carrier 1 and the waste development is performed on the lower side of the latent image writing position P. The agent recovery box 6 may be arranged. In this case, by disposing the developer replenishing box 5 above the latent image writing position P, the flexibility of layout of the developer replenishing box 5 (it is easy to cope with an increase in capacity, etc.) is preferable. Further, in the embodiment having the sheet path in the substantially vertical direction, the discharge tray 7 in which the discharge sheet is accommodated above the developer replenishing box 5.
b may be provided. At this time, the dead space at the bottom of the discharge tray 7b is set in the developer supply box 5
It can be effectively used as an installation space.

Further, in a mode provided with a sheet path in a substantially vertical direction, the developer replenishing box 5 and the developing housing 4
As a preferable communication structure with the developer replenishing box 5,
The replenishment port is located above the developer accommodating portion of the developing housing 4, and the new developer from the developer replenishing box 5 is located at a position outside the latent image writing position P on the image carrier 1. A mode in which it can be supplied to the developing housing 4 via a supply path is mentioned. Further, in a mode having a sheet path in a substantially vertical direction, as a preferable communication structure between the waste developer recovery box 6 and the developing housing 4, the recovery port of the waste developer recovery box 6 is a The waste developer discharged from the developing housing 4 is displaced to the upper side of the discharge port and is conveyed to the collection port of the waste developer collection box 6 located above via the rotary carrier. . Here, as the rotary carrier, a rotary fin may be rotatably provided in a ring-shaped fixed frame and the waste developer may be picked up by the rotary fin, or a temporary receiving part may be provided on the ring-shaped rotary member. The partition may be appropriately selected, and the ring-shaped rotating member itself may be rotated to rotate and move the waste developer accommodated in the temporary receiving portion.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, but also covers the process cartridge 8 and the developing device 3 alone used in the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.

The present invention will be described below in detail based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic image forming engine 21 mounted in the apparatus main body 20, a sheet supply device 22 below the image forming engine 21 in the apparatus main body 20, and the apparatus main body. The upper portion of the sheet 20 is configured as a discharge tray 27, and the sheet S delivered from the sheet supply device 22 is provided on the back side (corresponding to the left side in FIG. 2) in the apparatus main body 20 by the image forming engine 21 and the discharge tray 27.
The sheet conveying path 23 that leads to is provided in a substantially vertical direction.

In the present embodiment, the image forming engine 21
Is, for example, an electrophotographic system, and includes a photoconductor drum 31, a charging device (charging roll in this example) 32 for charging the photoconductor drum 31, and a static charge on the charged photoconductor drum 31. An exposure device 33 such as a laser scanning device for writing an electric latent image (hereinafter referred to as a latent image), and a photosensitive drum 31.
A developing device 34 for developing the latent image on the toner with toner, a transfer device (transfer roller in this example) 35 for transferring the visible image (toner image) on the photosensitive drum 31 to the sheet S, and a device on the photosensitive drum 31. And a cleaning device 36 for cleaning the residual toner. A registration roll 24 for positioning and transporting the sheet S is provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 31 in the sheet transport path 23.
The fixing device 25 is provided on the downstream side of the photosensitive drum 31 of the above, and the discharge roll 26 is provided immediately before the discharge tray 27.
Is provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image forming engine 2
Most of the devices of No. 1 are integrally configured as the process cartridge 40. That is, the process cartridge 40 used in this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the photoconductor drum 31, the charging device 32, the developing device 34, and the cleaning device 36 are included and are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 20.
(Customer Replaceable Unit) configuration. In this example, the photoconductor drum 41, the charging device 32, and the cleaning device 36 integrally configure the photoconductor cartridge 41, and the photoconductor cartridge 41 is detachably attached to the process cartridge 40.

Here, the photosensitive cartridge 41 is
In the cartridge case 411, the charging device 32 is disposed on the upstream side (corresponding to the upper side in this example) of the latent image writing position P on the photosensitive drum 31, and the cleaning device 36 is disposed on the upstream side thereof. It was done. In this example, the cleaning device 36 configures a part of the cartridge case 411 as a cleaning case 360, and is provided at the opening edge of the cleaning case 360 so that the photoconductor drum 3 is provided.
1 is provided with a cleaning blade 361, and a conveyance paddle 362 that is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the cleaning case 360 and that conveys the residual toner scraped by the cleaning blade 361 to the inner side of the cleaning case 360. There is.

On the other hand, the developing device 34 adopts, for example, a two-component developing system, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the downstream side of the latent image writing position P of the photosensitive drum 31 (in this example). (Corresponding to the lower side) has a developing housing 51 opened to the side of the photoconductor drum 31, and a developing roll 52 is arranged facing the opening of the developing housing 51, and the rear side of the developing roll 52. Is provided with a pair of stirring and conveying augers 53 and 54 for stirring and conveying the developer, and the developer stirred and conveyed by the stirring and conveying augers 53 and 54 is delivered to the developing roll 52, and a trimming member (not shown) is provided. Regulates the thickness of the developer layer on the developing roll 52 and supplies the developer to the developing position on the photosensitive drum 31.

Further, the developing device 34 includes a developing housing 51.
The toner cartridge 42 is provided on the back side of the. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner cartridge 42 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction across the latent image writing position P of the photosensitive drum 31, and the latent image writing in the cartridge case 61 is performed. A scanning passage 62 through which the scanning light from the exposure device 33 passes is formed at a portion corresponding to the position P, while toner is provided on the upstream side (upper side in this example) of the latent image writing position P of the cartridge case 61. A replenishment box 63 is provided, and a waste developer recovery box 64 is provided on the downstream side (lower side in this example) of the latent image writing position P.

In the present embodiment, the toner replenishing box 63 is a cylindrical box extending along the axial direction of the developing roll 52, and the toner agitator 631 is disposed inside the box, and the toner is fixed at one place. It is designed to stir and mix so that it does not exist. A toner replenishing duct 65 is connected between the toner replenishing box 63 and the developing housing 51. The toner replenishing duct 65 is separated from the scanning passage 62 so as not to block the scanning passage 62. It is provided in. The toner replenishing duct 65 has a toner receiving portion 651 corresponding to a long hole-like replenishing port 632 opened in a part of the toner replenishing box 63, and the toner receiving portion 651 extends from the outer end in the longitudinal direction of the developing housing 51. A connection pipe portion 652 that communicates with a supply port 511 (located below the supply port 632 of the toner supply box 63) is provided, and the toner received in the toner receiving portion 651 has a predetermined amount of connection pipe portion 652. A dispense auger 653 is provided to be supplied to the side.

Further, in the present embodiment, the waste developer recovery box 64 is a box with a substantially deformed cross section extending along the axial direction of the developing roll 52, and a recovery port 641 is provided at the upper part of one side end thereof. In addition, a leveling agitator 642 for leveling the collected waste developer is disposed inside thereof. On the other hand, a discharge port 512 (normal discharge port 512 is arranged below the recovery port 641) for discharging the waste developer in the development housing 51 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the development housing 51. The deteriorated developer in the housing 51 is regularly discharged from the discharge port 512. It should be noted that one or a plurality of the discharge ports 512 may be provided so as to be normally opened at a predetermined height position, or a shutter or the like that opens and closes at an appropriate timing may be added. The recovery port 641 of the waste developer recovery box 64 and the development housing 5
A waste developer transport mechanism 66 is provided between the first discharge port 512 and the first discharge port 512.

The waste developer transport mechanism 66 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the developing housing 51 and the toner cartridge 42 are provided at the side portions thereof, and the recovery port 641 of the waste developer recovery box 64 and the developing housing 51 are disposed.
The discharge port 512 of is sealed and connected by the connection duct 661,
A ring-shaped space 662 is formed in a part of the connection duct 661.
And the recovery fins 6 are formed in the ring-shaped space 662.
63 is provided. Here, the recovery fin 663
As a plurality of fin members 66 around the rotor 664.
5 is provided at predetermined intervals, and the recovery port 641 is arranged at a position facing the fin movement locus of the recovery fin 663 in the connection duct 661 portion that defines the ring-shaped space 662. A communication port 666 is opened at a portion corresponding to the recovery port 641. If the recovery fin 663 is manufactured by resin molding or the like, it is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, in this embodiment, the process cartridge 40 has a cartridge holder 401 for holding each photosensitive cartridge 41, toner cartridge 42, and other devices, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The holder 401 is provided with a movable holder 402 for pressing the toner cartridge 42 so as to be swingable, and by releasing the engagement state between the movable holder 402 and the engagement piece 611 on the toner cartridge 42 side, the cartridge holder 401 is removed. The toner cartridge 42 is detached. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, the engagement piece 611 of the toner cartridge 42 is not shown.

A drive transmission system 70 is provided in the process cartridge 40. This drive transmission system 70 is
For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a drive motor 71 is fixed to the apparatus body 20 side, and a drive coupling gear 73 meshing with a drive shaft gear 72 of the drive motor 71 is provided with a drive side coupling 74. The drive coupling gear 73 is axially movably supported with respect to the apparatus main body 20, and the drive coupling gear 73 is biased by a biasing spring 75 in a direction away from the process cartridge 40. Both the drive shaft gear 72 and the drive coupling gear 73 are formed by helical gears, and the torque limiter 7 is attached to the shaft of the drive coupling gear 73.
6 is attached. On the other hand, the cartridge holder 401 of the process cartridge 40 is provided with a CRU side coupling 77, and the CRU side coupling 77 is releasably connected to the drive side coupling 74.

In this embodiment, the drive transmission system 70 operates as follows. That is, when the drive motor 71 is now transmitting in the predetermined direction, the rotation direction and the torque limiter 7 are provided in the meshing portion between the drive shaft gear 72 and the drive coupling gear 73.
6 Load generates thrust force in the direction of arrow A in the figure. Then, due to this thrust force, the drive side coupling 74 is connected to the CRU side coupling 77 against the biasing force of the biasing spring 75. On the other hand, when the drive motor 71 stops, the drive shaft gear 72 and the drive coupling gear 7
Since the thrust force disappears in the meshing portion with 3, the driving side coupling 74 moves backward by the urging force of the urging spring 75, and the connection state between the driving side coupling 74 and the CRU side coupling 77 is released. It When the coupling state of the coupling is released, the drive motor 71 is rotated in the opposite direction to that in the coupled state, whereby the coupling portion of the drive shaft gear 72 and the drive coupling gear 73 is in the opposite direction to that in the coupled state. A thrust force may be generated to release the connection state between the two. If such a connection releasing mechanism is used, a separate component dedicated for releasing the connection of the coupling is unnecessary, and the structure of the connection releasing mechanism can be simplified accordingly.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. Now, as shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge 40, the photoconductor drum 31 is charged by the charging device 32, and after the latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 31 by the exposure device 33, it is visualized by the developing device 34. An image (toner image) is formed. On the other hand, the sheet is fed from the sheet feeding device 22 at a predetermined timing.
3 and is positioned by the resist roll 24 and then conveyed to the transfer site. Then, the photosensitive drum 31
The upper toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer device 35,
After the unfixed toner image on the sheet is fixed by the fixing device 25, the fixed sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 27. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 31 is cleaned by the cleaning device 36.

In such an image forming process, the exposure device 3
The scanning light from the optical disc 3 arrives at the latent image writing position P on the photoconductor drum 31 through the scanning passage 62 of the process cartridge 40.
There is no concern of impairing the exposure scannability of No. 3. Further, in the developing device 34, the amount of toner consumption increases as the image forming process progresses, but new toner in the toner replenishing box 63 is delivered to the developing housing 51 through the toner replenishing duct 65 according to an algorithm of a toner replenishing control device (not shown). It is replenished one after another. Then, the new toner replenished in the developing housing 51 is agitated and mixed with the developer in the developing housing 51 by the agitating / conveying augers 53 and 54, and is supplied to the developing roll 52 side while having a predetermined charging characteristic.
The developer held on the developing roll 52 is supplied to the developing area where the photosensitive drum 31 is formed.

In the developing device 34, a part of the developer in the developing housing 51 is circulated in the developing housing 51 by the stirring and conveying augers 53 and 54 without being used for the development. Since such a developer has deteriorated and it becomes difficult to maintain the charging characteristics and the like, in the present embodiment, the waste developer (mainly the deteriorated developer) is periodically discharged from the discharge port 512 of the developing housing 51. Alternatively, it is discharged at a predetermined timing. The waste developer is transferred to the waste developer transport mechanism 6 as shown in FIGS.
After being conveyed to the recovery fin 663 in the unit 6 and dropped into the waste developer recovery box 64 through the recovery port 641 of the waste developer recovery box 64, it is leveled appropriately by the leveling agitator 642.

FIG. 9 shows a layout of the process cartridge 40 in the apparatus main body 20. As a comparative form, the toner cartridge 4 is provided on the downstream side (lower side in this example) of the latent image writing position P on the photosensitive drum 31.
2 '(only the toner supply box 63' is provided in this example)
2 shows a process cartridge 40 'in which is mounted. Here, the process cartridge 40 according to the present embodiment
And the process cartridge 40 ′ according to the comparative embodiment, the bottom position of the process cartridge 40 according to the present embodiment is moved upward by h as compared with the comparative embodiment. Layout restrictions on the sheet feeding device 22 and the like arranged in the lower portion of the main body 20 are eliminated.

Further, in this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 3
Since the toner replenishing box 63 is disposed on the upstream side (upper side in this example) of the latent image writing position P of No. 1, a space above the scanning light line k in the apparatus main body 20 as compared with the comparative embodiment. Occupies more space. However, originally,
In the comparative form, the discharge tray 2 in the apparatus main body 20
Since the lower space of 7 is the dead space D, the dead space D is effectively used and is merely occupied by the toner replenishing box 63. Therefore, in using the process cartridge 40 according to the present embodiment. It is not necessary to significantly change the upper specifications of the device body 20. Further, even when the toner replenishment amount of the toner replenishing box 63 is increased, for example, if the upper space in the apparatus body 20 is effectively used, the upper specification of the apparatus body 20 (the discharge tray) 27 around) is almost unchanged. Therefore, in constructing image forming apparatuses of various specifications, the apparatus main body 20 can be shared. Even if it is unavoidable to change the upper specification of the apparatus main body 20, a slight specification change such as slightly raising the position of the discharge tray 27 is sufficient. For this reason, when the lower space of the apparatus main body 20 is pressed as in the case of the comparative example, it is necessary to drastically change the specifications such as changing the layout on the sheet feeding apparatus 22 side. Then, it is not necessary to change the specifications significantly.

Next, the attachment / detachment operation of the process cartridge 40 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a cartridge receiving portion 80 to which the process cartridge 40 is attachable / detachable is formed in the apparatus main body 20, and the cartridge receiving portion 80 has a guided portion of the cartridge holder 401 of the process cartridge 40. A guide portion 81 such as a guide groove that is movably engaged is provided.
Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the bottom wall of the discharge tray 27 is formed as the opening / closing cover 82, and the opening portion when the opening / closing cover 82 is opened is the working opening 83 for attaching / detaching the process cartridge 40. Has been used as.

First, when removing the process cartridge 40 from the apparatus main body 20, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, after opening the opening / closing cover 82, the process cartridge is removed from the cartridge receiving portion 80 of the apparatus main body 20 through the working opening 83. 40 should be pulled out. In this state, for example, when the photoconductor cartridge 41 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 11, the photoconductor cartridge 41 may be removed from the process cartridge 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge case 411 of the photoconductor cartridge 41 has engaging portions 412 that can be engaged with and disengaged from a plurality of engaged portions 403 on the cartridge holder 401 side. On the other hand, it is designed to be removably positioned and mounted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 42 can be removed from the process cartridge 40. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, by tilting and moving the movable holder 402 of the cartridge holder 401, the restrained state of the toner cartridge 42 by the movable holder 402 is released, and thereafter, the toner cartridge 42 is substantially removed from the cartridge holder 401. It should be pulled out upwards. Here, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 42 may be replaced after the process cartridge 40 is removed from the apparatus main body 20, but as shown in FIG. 13, the process cartridge 40 may be removed from the apparatus main body 20. Instead, it is possible to release the restrained state of the toner cartridge 42 by the movable holder 402, and then to pull out the toner cartridge 42 from the process cartridge 40 in a substantially upward direction. It is kept good.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the photoconductor cartridge 4 which is detachable from the process cartridge 40.
1. Since the toner cartridge 42 is provided, the life time of each cartridge is different, but it is preferable in that each cartridge can be effectively used until the maximum deadline. Further, in the present embodiment, since the toner replenishing box 63 and the waste developer collecting box 64 are integrally provided in the toner cartridge 42, the toner replenishing box 63 and the waste developing box are replaced by exchanging the toner cartridge 42. It is possible to replace the agent recovery box 64 at the same time. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use another cartridge for collecting the waste developer, and the operability can be improved and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is sufficient to define the replacement timing of the toner cartridge 42 by detecting the empty supply toner, it is not necessary to detect the fullness of the waste developer recovery box 64.

Further, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 42 is provided with the toner supply box 63 and the waste developer recovery box 64. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the waste toner from the cleaning device 36, etc. Alternatively, a different waste developer recovery box 68 for storing may be added as necessary.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the layout of the developer replenishing box and the waste developer collecting box is devised so that the upstream side of the latent image writing position on the image carrier is sandwiched. Since the developer replenishment box is provided with the waste developer recovery box on the downstream side, it is possible to achieve both the developer replenishment function and the waste developer recovery function while satisfying the demand for downsizing of the apparatus. . Particularly, in the present invention, since the developer replenishing box is arranged on the upstream side of the latent image writing position, in the image forming apparatus in which the sheet is conveyed in the substantially vertical direction, the latent image writing is performed. It can be effectively used as a developer replenishment space without making the upper space above the insertion position a dead space, and it is easy to change the specifications such as the developer replenishment amount with almost no effect on other factors. Can respond.

Further, according to the process cartridge and the developing device used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the downsizing of the image forming apparatus and the specification change such as the developer replenishment amount can be easily dealt with, and the dead space in the apparatus can be reduced. It is possible to easily realize an image forming apparatus that can achieve both the developer replenishing function and the waste developer collecting function without causing the above problem.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and a developing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a process cartridge used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a process cartridge including a waste developer transport mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a process cartridge including a waste developer transport mechanism.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing a waste developer transport mechanism,
(B) is BB line sectional explanatory drawing in (a).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a drive transmission system of a process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a view seen from the direction VIII in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a process cartridge according to an embodiment,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a difference in layout from the process cartridge according to the comparative mode.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of attachment / detachment operation of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a process cartridge and a photoconductor cartridge.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a process cartridge, a developer supply box, and a waste developer recovery box.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of replacement work of a developer supply box and a waste developer recovery box.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified form of the developing supply box and the waste developer recovery box.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image carrier, 2 ... Latent image forming means, 3 ... Developing device, 4 ...
Developing housing, 5 ... Developer replenishing box, 6 ... Waste developer collecting box, 7 ... Device body, 7a ... Open / close cover, 7
b ... Ejection tray, 8 ... Process cartridge, 9 (9
a, 9b) ... Process unit, 10 ... Transfer member, P ...
Latent image writing position, S ... Sheet

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier and a developing device for visualizing the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer. In the developing device, the developer replenishing box and the waste developer collecting box are connected in communication with the developing housing for accommodating the developer, and the developer is replenished to the upstream side of the latent image writing position on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising a box and a waste developer recovery box disposed downstream of the latent image writing position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenishing box and the waste developer collecting box are configured as one unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a process cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus main body, the process cartridge having an image carrier and at least one process unit incorporated therein. An image forming apparatus comprising a developer supply box and a waste developer recovery box. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the developer replenishing box and the waste developer collecting box are detachable from the process cartridge. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image carrier cartridge including at least the image carrier is detachable from the process cartridge. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the process cartridge is detachable from above by opening an opening / closing cover at an upper portion of the apparatus main body. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet on which the visible image on the image carrier is transferred is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side. An image forming apparatus, wherein a developer replenishing box is arranged on the upper side of the latent image writing position and a waste developer collecting box is arranged on the lower side of the latent image writing position. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a discharge tray in which a discharge sheet is stored above the developer supply box. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the replenishing port of the developer replenishing box is offset from the developer accommodating portion of the developing housing, and new developer from the developer replenishing box is discharged. An image forming apparatus, which is configured to be able to supply to a developing housing via a supply path at a position deviated from a latent image writing position on an image carrier. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recovery port of the waste developer recovery box is disposed above the discharge port of the waste developer of the developing housing, and the waste discharged from the developing housing is discharged. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the developer is conveyed to a collecting port of a waste developer collecting box located above via a rotary conveying body. 11. A process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 12. A developing device used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.