JP2005037664A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is increased in a capacity to recover a developer without upsizing a container for collecting the discharged developer and is use-friendly. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with the collection container 124 which collect the discharged developer. Collection ports for intermediate transfer members to be inserted with discharge sections for the intermediate transfer members for discharging the waste developer from an intermediate transfer unit are formed at the collection container 124. The collection container 124 is equipped with shutters 202A and 202B for respectively closing the collection ports for the intermediate transfer members from the outer side and opening/closing mechanisms 208A and 208B for respectively opening and closing the shutters 202A and 202B. As a result, the need for the movement space within the collection container which is heretofore necessary at the time the shutters 202 open and close is eliminated. Accordingly, the developer can be housed into the container up to the space and the capacity to recover the developer is increased without upsizing the collection container 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a collection container for collecting discharged developer, and more specifically, an electrophotographic apparatus for collecting developer discharged from a photosensitive drum, a transfer member, a developing machine, and the like. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus applied to a printer, a copying machine, and the like, a developer (toner) to be discharged is generated by a photosensitive drum, a transfer roll, a developing machine, and the like. In general, the image forming apparatus is provided with a collection container for collecting the developer to be discharged. Various devices have been conventionally made so that the developer does not leak when being collected in the collection container.

  For example, as conventional example 1, a shutter is provided inside a collection port formed in a collection container, and development is performed while pushing the shutter open at a developer discharge unit that conveys and discharges the developer to be discharged to the collection container. A method has been proposed in which the agent discharge part is inserted into the collection container.

Further, as Conventional Example 2, as shown in FIG. 19 disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bottomed cover portion 840 is provided at the collection port 834 of the collection container 824. The cover 840 is formed with an opening 842 into which a developer discharger 850 for discharging waste toner (developer) is inserted. The recovery container 824 has a shutter made of an elastic member having a notch 844. 846 is provided. Accordingly, even when the developer discharge portion 850 is inserted, even if the tip of the developer discharge portion 850 collides with the notch portion 844 and the waste toner spills from the tip of the developer discharge portion 850, the waste toner that has fallen down is covered. It is accommodated in the part 840 and is prevented from scattering around.
JP-A-5-323838

  However, in Conventional Example 1, since it is necessary to close the shutter after the developer discharge portion is extracted, the shutter is always urged toward the recovery port. Therefore, in the state where the developer discharge portion is inserted into the collection container, a pressing force in the retracting direction is applied to the developer discharge portion. For this reason, there is a possibility that a problem may occur due to the pressing force transmitted from the developer discharge portion. In addition, since a shutter is provided inside the recovery port and the shutter is pushed open by the developer discharge unit, a space in which the shutter can move is required in the recovery container, and the recovery volume of the recovery container is reduced accordingly. There are difficulties.

  In Conventional Example 2, the pressing force from the shutter does not apply much to the developer discharge portion, but when the collection container 824 is removed from the image forming apparatus, the developer leaks when the opening 842 of the collection container 824 is tilted downward. Therefore, further measures for preventing leakage of the developer are desired.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus that increases the developer collection capacity without increasing the size of a collection container for collecting discharged developer. .

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a recovery container for recovering the discharged developer, a shutter for closing the recovery port of the recovery container from the outside, and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the shutter. , Provided.

  This eliminates the need for the space in the collection container that was necessary when the shutter moved into the collection container when the shutter was opened and closed. Therefore, the developer can be accommodated in this space, the capacity of the recovery container can be utilized to the maximum, and the recovery capacity of the developer can be increased without increasing the size of the recovery container.

  The opening / closing mechanism may be a mechanism that rotates the shutter around a rotation axis or a mechanism that slides the opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism is not particularly limited. It is also effective to apply to a part of the collection ports without applying to all the collection ports of the collection container.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a recess for accommodating the shutter is formed in the housing of the collection container, and the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter by rotating the shutter around a rotation axis. A mechanism is characterized in that when the recovery port is opened, the shutter is moved to the recess.

  Thereby, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from below.

  Thereby, when the collection container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the developer falling from the collection port can be scooped up by the shutter and collected. Therefore, there is no need to provide a seal member, which will be described later, at the recovery port, and the number of parts and cost of the recovery container can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from above.

  It is necessary to provide a portion associated with the shutter such as a recess for accommodating the shutter when the shutter is opened inside the housing of the collection container. When the shutter is provided below the collection port, it is necessary to provide this accompanying portion below the collection port inside the housing of the collection container, and this accompanying portion reduces the developer collection volume. On the other hand, when the shutter is provided on the upper side of the recovery port, the accompanying portion is provided on the upper side of the recovery port, so that the recovery volume of the developer falling into the recovery container from the recovery port can be reduced. Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 4, the collection volume of the collection container can be increased.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from the side.

  Thus, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect can be achieved.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that an elastic seal member that contacts the lower side of the developer discharge portion inserted into the recovery port is provided in the recovery port.

  As a result, when the collection container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the developer adhering to the lower side of the developer discharge portion that has been inserted from the collection port can be wiped off by the seal member. Even if an opening / closing mechanism that closes the mouth from above or from the side is provided, the developer can be prevented from dropping from the collection mouth.

  The developer discharge unit may be a discharge unit that discharges the developer from the developing machine or a discharge unit that discharges the developer from the intermediate transfer member.

  The urging mechanism for urging the shutter toward the collection port is provided, and when the collection container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the urging mechanism causes the shutter to be moved. It is characterized by closing.

  Accordingly, when the collection container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the shutter is immediately closed by the urging force from the urging mechanism, and the developer can be prevented from leaking from the collection container. This can have a great effect when the user replaces the collection container without soiling the floor surface or the like.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the recovery container is provided with a preventing means for preventing the shutter from being opened when the recovery container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. And

  Thus, in a state where the collection container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the shutter is not opened and the developer does not leak out.

  The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that a protective member having a longer protruding length from the image forming apparatus body than the shutter is provided around the shutter as the preventing means.

  Thereby, even if the collection container placed on the floor or the like falls to the shutter side, it is possible to avoid the force that opens the shutter from acting on the floor or the like. In addition, when providing said advancing / retracting member in a collection container, it is preferable to make protrusion length longer than an advancing / retreating member.

  The invention described in claim 10 is characterized in that a locking mechanism for locking the operation of the shutter when the collection container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body is provided as the prevention means.

  This completely prevents the shutter from being opened when the collection container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the recovery container is provided with a preventing member for preventing the recovery container from falling over on the shutter side.

  This prevents the developer from leaking out or the developer adhering to the outer wall of the container from dropping due to the impact of the collection container falling.

  The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the prevention member is a rib extending from the lower end of the recovery container toward the shutter.

  Thereby, the structure of the prevention member can be remarkably simplified.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to realize an easy-to-use image forming apparatus in which the developer collection capacity is increased without increasing the size of the collection container for collecting the discharged developer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the same components as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment with the front panel removed, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. A paper feed unit 14 is provided below the image forming apparatus main body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10, and a first discharge tray 16 is formed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12. A second discharge tray 18 is provided on the left side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12 so as to face the first discharge tray 16, and a manual feed tray 20 is provided at the lower part of the left side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12. Is provided.

  The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper tray 22 on which paper is stacked, and a paper feed roll 24 that feeds paper from the paper tray 22. The paper fed out by the paper feed roll 24 passes through the paper feed path 30 via the transport rolls 26 and 28 and is sent to the transfer roll 74 described later, and the toner image is transferred from the transfer roll 74. Further, the image is fixed by the fixing roll 32, and the first discharge tray 16 or the second discharge tray 18 is selected according to the position selection of the switching claw 34 and discharged by the discharge rolls 36 and 38. The first discharge tray 16 discharges paper with the surface on which the toner image is fixed as the back surface, and the second discharge tray 18 discharges paper with the surface on which the toner image is fixed as the front surface.

  However, in the case of duplex printing, the discharge roll 36 is reversed and supplied to the reversing path 40 with respect to the sheet to be discharged from the first discharge tray 16, and again by the transport rolls 42, 44, 46, 48. Returning to the paper feed path 30, the back side is printed. The paper in the manual feed tray 20 is supplied by the manual feed roll 49 and sent to the paper feed path 30 through the transport roll 48.

  The photoconductor unit 50 includes four photoconductors 52 arranged in the vertical direction. These photoconductors 52 are, for example, for yellow, magenta, black, and cyan from the top. Further, in this photoreceptor unit 50, a refresh roll 54 and a charging roll 56 are provided so as to rotate in contact with the photoreceptor 52, respectively.

  The developing unit 58 is arranged on the right side of the photosensitive unit 50, and four developing units 60 are arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the photosensitive unit 52. The developing device 60 employs a trickle developing method, and excess developer is recovered in a recovery container to be described later. An exposure unit 62 is disposed on the right side of the developing unit 58. Four laser beams corresponding to image signals are emitted from the exposure unit 62 toward the photosensitive member 52, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive member 52. Is supposed to form. Four developer cartridges 64 are arranged on the right side of the exposure unit 62, and the developer cartridge 64 and the developing device 60 are connected via a developer supply path (not shown). Is supplied to the developing device 60.

  The intermediate transfer unit 66 is disposed on the left side of the photoreceptor unit 50 and includes three drum-shaped intermediate transfer bodies 68, 70, and 72. The two first intermediate transfer members 68 and 70 are arranged in the vertical direction, and the upper first intermediate transfer member 68 rotates in contact with the two photosensitive members 52 and 52 disposed at the upper portion, so that the lower first intermediate transfer member 68 70 rotates in contact with the two photoconductors 52 and 52 arranged at the bottom. The second intermediate transfer member 72 rotates in contact with both the first intermediate transfer members 68 and 70, and the transfer roll 74 rotates in contact with the second intermediate transfer member 72. Accordingly, the two color toner images are transferred from the two photoconductors 52 and 52 to the first intermediate transfer bodies 68 and 70, respectively, and the two color toner images transferred to the first intermediate transfer bodies 68 and 70 are transferred to the first intermediate transfer bodies 68 and 70, respectively. 2 is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 72 to become four colors, and the toner images of these four colors are transferred onto the paper by the transfer roll 74. A cleaning roll 76 and a cleaning brush 78 are disposed on each of the intermediate transfer bodies 68, 70, and 72, and the toner captured by the cleaning roll 76 is scraped off by, for example, a blade, and the scraped toner is described later. It collects in the collection container 124. That is, on the image forming apparatus main body 12 side, four developing devices 60 and three intermediate transfer bodies 68, 70, and 72 are provided, and the total number of portions (collected developer generating portions) that generate the developer to be collected is provided. There are seven.

[Recovery container]
An example of the collection container 124 is shown in FIGS. The collection container main body 126 of the collection container 124 includes a first housing 128 and a second housing 130. The first housing 128 and the second housing 130 are joined together by, for example, an adhesive tape so that the peripheral portions of the first housing 128 and the second housing 130 are fitted to each other and the collection container 124 can be easily disassembled and assembled. The first housing 128 has a handle 132 on a slope formed at the upper right portion of the first housing 128. Further, the first housing 128 has three intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A to 134C corresponding to the above-described intermediate transfer member recovery developer generating portion, and four corresponding to the recovered developer generation portion of the developing machine. A developing machine recovery port 136 is formed. Of the three intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A to 134C, one intermediate transfer member recovery port 134C is formed at the upper end of the recovery container main body 126, but the two intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A and 134B are formed. Are formed side by side in the vertical direction. The four developer recovery ports 136 are formed side by side in the vertical direction, and the two developer recovery ports 136 are formed below an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the recovery container main body 126.

  The developer recovery port 136 is a long hole formed in the left-right direction so as to correspond to the movement of the developer described above. Further, the first housing 128 is provided with a shutter 138 for closing the developer recovery port 136. The shutter 138 includes a rotation shaft 140 rotatably supported by the first housing 128, four door portions 142 fixed to the rotation shaft 140, and a return that urges the shutter 138 in the closing direction. The four recovery ports 136 for the developing machine can be collectively opened and closed by rotating the rotating shaft 140. Further, an opening / closing piece 144 is provided at a portion of the rotating shaft 140 protruding from the first housing 128, and as will be described later, the opening / closing piece 144 is pushed by a protrusion on the image forming apparatus main body side. Thus, the shutter 138 is opened.

  The collection container main body 126 is divided into, for example, six collection spaces 148A to 148F by a partition wall 146 erected on the first housing 128. A side end portion of the partition wall 146 is in contact with a seal portion 150 (see FIG. 7) provided in the second housing 130. The seal portion 150 is made of an elastic body such as a sponge body, and the side end portions of the partition walls 146 come into contact with each other to seal the side portions of the collection spaces 148A to 148F so that the developer moves to other collection spaces. Is preventing. The first recovery space 148A communicates with the intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A and 134C disposed at the upper portion, and the recovery development generated from the first intermediate transfer member and the second intermediate transfer member disposed at the upper portion. The agent (2-color and 4-color toner) is collected. The second to fifth collection spaces 148B to E communicate with the developer collection port 136, respectively, and the second collection space 148B has yellow developer (yellow toner and carrier) and the third collection space 148C. Includes a magenta developer (magenta toner and carrier), a fourth recovery space 148D includes a black developer (black toner and carrier), and a fifth recovery space 148E includes a cyan developer (cyan toner and carrier). Collected. Further, the sixth recovery space 148F communicates with the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134B disposed at the lower portion, and the recovered developer (two-color toner) generated from the first intermediate transfer member disposed at the lower portion. Collected.

  The partition wall 146 may completely seal the collection spaces 148A to 148F. However, in this embodiment, the tip end portion of the partition wall 146 stops near the rotation shaft 140 of the shutter 138, and this rotation is performed. In the vicinity of the shaft 140, communication is performed via a communication portion 152 formed in the collection container main body 126. Further, the tip of the partition wall 146 is positioned below the lower end of the uppermost developer recovery port 136. Accordingly, the developer recovered from the uppermost developer collecting port 136 is stacked from the lower end of the recovery space 148A-F, and the recovery space 148A-F is collected until a part of the developer spills from the front end of the partition wall 146. Is housed in. The capacity of the developer until the developer spills from the collection spaces 148A to 148F is referred to as a collection capacity, and the collection capacity of each of the collection spaces 148A to 148F is defined by the shape and height of the partition wall 146. The collection capacity of each of the collection spaces 148A to 148F is set so that the collection capacity ratio is substantially equal to the ratio of the collected developer generated in the collected developer generating section. The sum of the first collection space 148A, the second to fifth collection spaces 148B to E, and the collection volume ratio of the sixth collection space 148F is set to, for example, about 5: 4: 1. The collection capacity is set so that the space 148F is filled as soon as possible.

  The developer intake portion 154 constituting the full detection device is provided on the bottom surface portion of the collection container main body 126 so as to be adjacent to the sixth collection space 148F below the communication portion 152. As shown in FIG. 8, the developer intake section 154 has a light-transmitting detection container 156. When the full amount of the developer enters the detection container 156, the image forming apparatus The light emitted from the light emitting unit 158 provided on the main body side is blocked, and the light receiving unit 160 does not receive the light, thereby detecting that the light is full. The detection container 156 is joined by a joining means 162 that can be easily attached and detached with, for example, an adhesive tape.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the partition wall 146 defining the recovery capacity of the sixth recovery space 148F has a slope 164 whose tip is directed to the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134B. When the apex of the developer accumulated in the space 148F reaches the lower end of the intermediate transfer member recovery port 148F, the tip of the partition wall 146 is positioned below the 45 ° line from the horizontal starting from the apex of the developer. Is formed to be positioned. Further, the inclined surface portion 164 is formed so as to face the intermediate transfer body recovery port 134B at an angle of less than 90 ° from the horizontal. Therefore, before reaching the lower end of the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134B, the collected developer that is about to be filled is guided from the front end of the partition wall 146 to the developer intake portion 154 through the inclined surface portion 164 to be surely filled. Therefore, accidents such as clogging of the developer can be prevented.

  Pipe-shaped intermediate transfer member discharge portions 172A and 172B (see FIG. 3) connected to the cleaning roll portion of the intermediate transfer unit and discharging developer are inserted into the intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A and 134B, respectively. It has become so. In the intermediate transfer body recovery ports 134A and 134B, elastic seal members 135A and 135B that are in contact with the lower side of the intermediate transfer body discharge portions 172A and 172B are provided, respectively.

  The intermediate transfer member collection ports 134A and 134B have shutters 202A and 202B on the side where the intermediate transfer member discharge portions 172A and 172B are inserted, that is, outside the intermediate transfer member collection ports 134A and 134B, respectively. Is provided. Inside the shutter 202A is provided a sponge-like elastic member 204A (see FIG. 10) that contacts and closes the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A, and is similarly provided inside the shutter 202B.

  The collection container 124 is provided with opening / closing mechanisms 208A and 208B for opening and closing the shutters 202A and 202B, respectively. The opening / closing mechanisms 208A and 208B hold shutters 202A and 202B so as to close the intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A and 134B from above.

  Since the open / close mechanisms 208A and 208B have the same configuration and operation, the open / close mechanism 208A will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 9 and description of the open / close mechanism 208B will be omitted.

  The opening / closing mechanism 208A includes a first housing 128 and a forward / backward movement member 214A that holds the shutter 202A rotatably with the link mechanism 210A and moves forward and backward along the insertion direction of the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A. And a guide portion 216A for guiding the advance / retreat member 214A. The link mechanism 210A has two guide portion rotation shafts 218P and 218Q extending in the left-right direction perpendicular to the insertion direction from the upper end portion of the guide portion 216A, and curvedly extending from the shutter 202A. Engaging portions 220P and 220Q that are rotatably engaged with the rotation shafts 218P and 218Q, and a shutter rotation shaft 222P that extends from the upper end portion of the shutter 202A in the same direction as the guide portion rotation shafts 218P and 218Q, respectively. 222Q and notches 224P and 224Q formed on the guide portion 216A and rotatably holding the shutter rotation shafts 222P and 222Q are provided. Further, the opening / closing mechanism 208A is provided with a compression coil spring 230A that urges the advance / retreat member 214A toward the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A. The compression coil spring 230 </ b> A is supported by the second housing 130.

  The collection container 124 has a guide 216A inserted therein and a recess 129A in which the advance / retreat member 214A and the shutter 202A are accommodated when the shutter 202A is opened. The side wall of the recess 129 </ b> A is formed by the first housing 128, and the bottom of the recess 129 </ b> A is formed by the second housing 130. Similarly, the recovery container 124 is provided with a recess 129B in which the advance / retreat member 214B and the shutter 202B are accommodated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the attached portion 12H of the image forming apparatus main body 12 to which the collection container 124 is attached has a protruding portion 13A that presses the advance / retreat member 214A and an advance / retreat member provided in the opening / closing mechanism 208B. A protrusion 13B that presses 214B is provided, and when the collection container 124 is attached, the advancing and retracting members 214A and 214B are pressed by the protrusions 13A and 13B, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a first frame 168 is provided on the image forming apparatus main body 12 side, and a developer supply hose 170 is disposed along the first frame 168, and this developer supply hose. A developer supply path 170 connects the developing device 60 and the developer cartridge 64 (both of which are shown in FIG. 2).

  From the first frame 168, the developer discharge portion 122 for discharging the developer of the developing device 60 and the intermediate transfer member discharge portions 172A and 172B described above are substantially parallel to the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12. Protrusively toward. The developer discharge unit 122 is inserted into the developer recovery port 136, and the intermediate transfer member discharge units 172A and 172B are respectively connected to the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A of the recovery container 124. , 134B.

  In addition, a second frame (not shown) is fixed to the front surface of the first frame 168, and an opening / closing piece projection (not shown) that presses the opening / closing piece 144 on the second frame protrudes. Has been. The opening / closing piece protrusion is disposed opposite to the opening / closing piece 144 of the shutter 138 in the collection container 124, and the opening / closing piece 144 and the opening / closing piece protrusion constitute retraction means.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rib 240 extending toward the shutter 202 is formed at the lower end of the first housing 128 of the collection container 124. This prevents the collection container 124 from falling over to the shutter 202 side even when the collection container 124 is erected, that is, placed on a work table or the like with the lower surface side of the collection container 124 facing down.

(Attachment of the collection container to the main body of the image forming apparatus)
Hereinafter, an operation of attaching the collection container 124 to the image forming apparatus main body 12 will be described.

  The collection container 124 is attached to the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12 is a surface on the side where the control panel 166 is provided, and the collection container 124 can be found by opening a front cover (not shown). Can be installed and removed.

  When the collection container 124 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12, the opening / closing piece projections abut against the opening / closing piece 144 and press the shutter 138 in the opening direction, and the shutter 138 is opened against the return spring 143. The angle at which the shutter 138 is opened is widened so that the developer discharge section 122 does not contact the door section 142 of the shutter 138. Note that a sensor unit (not shown) that constitutes the fullness detection device described above is provided below the first frame 168.

  Further, when the collection container 124 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12, the advancing / retracting member 214A is moved backward by the protrusion 13A formed on the image forming apparatus main body 12 as shown in FIG. To do. Accordingly, the shutter 202A is pushed from the inside by the guide portion 216A, and as a result, rotational force acts on the shutter 202A and the shutter 202A is opened. Furthermore, the shutter 202A moves on the upper side of the guide portion 216A following the advance / retreat member 214A and is accommodated in the recess 129A of the first housing 128.

  As a result, the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is inserted into the recovery container 124 from the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A without contacting the shutter 202A (see FIG. 11). It is possible to prevent the agent from scattering.

  When the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is extracted from the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A of the recovery container 124, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lower side of the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is the seal member 135A. Therefore, the developer adhering to the lower side of the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is removed by the seal member 135A. Then, after the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is extracted, the seal member 135A returns to the state before insertion by the elastic restoring force, so that when the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A is extracted, the developer is removed from the collection container 124. Spattering outside is prevented.

  Further, when the collection container 124 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the projecting portion 13A moves backward with respect to the concave portion 129A, so that the forward / backward moving member 214A advances from the concave portion 129A by the compression coil spring 230A. Advance from 129A. Then, the moment for closing the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A is applied to the shutter 202A by the guide rotation shaft 218A and the advance / retreat member 214A, and the shutter 202A closes the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A. Accordingly, when the collection container 124 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the shutter 202A is immediately closed, and the developer can be prevented from leaking from the collection container.

  The operation of the shutter 202A for opening and closing the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A by the opening / closing mechanism 208A and the operation of the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172A entering and exiting the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A have been described above. The shutter 202B opens and closes the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134B, and the intermediate transfer member discharge portion 172B enters and exits the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134B.

  Further, the shutter 202A is opened and closed so as to cover the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A from above, and a recess 129A is provided above the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a reduction in the recovery volume of the developer that falls into the recovery container 124 from the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the shutters 202A and 202B and the opening / closing mechanisms 208A and 208B for opening and closing the shutters are provided in the intermediate transfer member recovery ports 134A and 134B, respectively. It is also possible to provide a similar shutter and opening / closing mechanism. In addition, a similar shutter and opening / closing mechanism can be provided at the developer recovery port 136.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, in the collection container 324 of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, shutters 202A and 202B are disposed so as to close the intermediate transfer member collection ports 134A and 134B from the lower side as compared with the first embodiment. Are provided with opening and closing mechanisms 308A and 308B, respectively.

  As a result, even if the developer falls when the intermediate transfer member discharging portion 172 is extracted from the shutter 202, the dropped developer is received by the shutter 202, and is collected in the collection container 324 by closing the shutter 202. Is done. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the seal member 135 described in the first embodiment, and the number of parts and cost can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, in the collection container 424 of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, shutters 202A and 202B are disposed so as to cover the intermediate transfer member collection ports 134A and 134B from the side. Opening and closing mechanisms 408A and 408B are provided.

  Accordingly, since the recesses 429A that respectively accommodate the advance / retreat member 214A and the shutter 202A when the shutter 202 is opened are provided on the side of the intermediate transfer member recovery port 134A, the recovery container 424 is similar to the first embodiment. It is possible to avoid a reduction in the developer recovery volume.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the recovery container 524 of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment protrudes from the main body of the image forming apparatus more than the advance / retreat members 214A and 214B and the shutters 202A and 214B, compared to the first embodiment. Long protective members 510A and 510B are provided around the shutters 202A and 202B, respectively.

  As a result, even if the collection container 524 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body and placed on a work table, a floor, or the like, the shutter 202 is prevented from being opened due to a fall or the like, and the developer is prevented from being scattered.

  In place of the protective members 510A and 510B, as shown in FIG. 17, even if rib members 520A and 520B are provided so as to cover the upper sides of the advance / retreat members 214A and 214B, the same effect can be obtained. it can. Thereby, the structure of a protection member can be simplified.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the collection container 624 of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment includes shutters 202 </ b> A and 202 </ b> B when the collection container 624 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, compared to the first embodiment. A lock mechanism for locking each operation is provided.

  The lock mechanism is provided with lock members 610A and 610B that slide in the horizontal direction.

  When the collection container 624 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the lock member 610A is biased so as to move to a position that prevents the shutter 202A from being opened (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 18). . Further, when the collection container 624 is attached to the image forming apparatus body, the lock member 610A is slid and moved to a position where the shutter 202A can be opened (FIG. 18). (See the solid line). The action of the lock member 210B is the same as that of the shutter 202B.

  According to this embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the collection container 624 removed from the image forming apparatus main body prevents the developer from being scattered due to the shutter 202 being opened due to overturning or the like.

  The lock member 610 may be a member that covers only the shutter 202 or only the advance / retreat member 214 from the outside. Thereby, a lock member can be reduced in size.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

1 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment (a state in which a front panel is removed). 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mounted portion of the image forming apparatus main body to which the collection container is mounted in the first embodiment. 3 is a perspective view of a collection container attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collection container attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment (a state in which an advance / retreat member and a shutter are removed). It is a rear view of the 1st housing of the collection container attached to the image forming device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the 2nd housing of the recovery container attached to the image forming apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the collection container attached to the image forming device concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a developed perspective view showing an opening / closing mechanism of a collection container attached to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 10A to 10C are side cross-sectional views showing the operation of opening the shutter in the first embodiment, respectively. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating that the intermediate transfer member discharge portion is inserted into the intermediate transfer member recovery port with the shutter opened in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged side cross-sectional view showing that an intermediate transfer member discharge portion is inserted into the intermediate transfer member recovery port in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged side cross-sectional view illustrating that an intermediate transfer member discharge portion is extracted from the intermediate transfer member recovery port in the first embodiment. It is a perspective view of the collection container attached to the image forming apparatus concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the collection container attached to the image forming apparatus concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the collection container attached to the image forming apparatus concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the collection container attached to the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the collection container attached to the image forming device concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a perspective view of the collection container attached to the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 124 Collection container 128 1st housing (housing)
129A, B Recess 130 Second housing (housing)
134A-C Intermediate transfer member recovery port 135A, B seal member 172A, B Intermediate transfer member discharge portion (developer discharge portion)
202A, B shutter 208A, B opening / closing mechanism 218P, Q guide part rotation shaft (biasing mechanism)
220P, Q engagement part (biasing mechanism)
222P, Q Shutter rotation axis (rotation axis)
230A compression coil spring (biasing mechanism)
240 Ribs 308A, B Opening / closing mechanism 324 Recovery container 408A, B Opening / closing mechanism 424 Recovery container 510A, B Protection member (prevention member)
520A, B Rib member (prevention member)
524 Collection container 610A, B Lock member (lock mechanism)
624 Collection container 840 Collection container 850 Developer discharge section

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus provided with a collection container for collecting the discharged developer,
A shutter for closing the recovery port of the recovery container from the outside;
An opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the shutter;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Forming a recess for accommodating the shutter in the housing of the collection container;
The opening / closing mechanism is a mechanism that opens and closes the shutter by rotating the shutter around a rotation axis, and moves the shutter to the recess when the collection port is opened. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from below.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the shutter so as to close the recovery port from a lateral side.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an elastic seal member that contacts a lower side of the developer discharge portion inserted into the recovery port is provided in the recovery port.   The biasing mechanism for biasing the shutter toward the recovery port is provided, and the shutter is closed by the biasing mechanism when the recovery container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.   8. The recovery container is provided with a preventing means for preventing the shutter from being opened when the recovery container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a protective member having a longer protruding length from the image forming apparatus main body than the shutter is provided around the shutter as the prevention unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a locking mechanism that locks the operation of the shutter when the collection container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body is provided as the prevention unit.   11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery container is provided with a preventing member that prevents the recovery container from overturning on the shutter side.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the prevention member is a rib extending from the lower end of the collection container toward the shutter.

Images