JP2005331617A - Shutter structure, development apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a shutter mechanism with which the leakage of a developer can be prevented by closing the supply port or the discharge port of a developer cartridge for supplying or recovering developer to the developing unit of an image forming apparatus, and a development apparatus and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A developing shutter 114 turns interlocked with a supply port shutter 128 in a state where the supply port shutter 128 and the developing shutter 114 face to each other, and a frame body 198 on which the end 114B of the developing shutter 114 abuts is provided on the periphery of the aperture part 130 of the supply port shutter 128. By making the end 114B of the developing shutter 114 abut on the frame body 198 and moving the supply port shutter 128 and the developing shutter 114 together in the opening/closing operation of the toner supply port 108 and a replenishing port 174, a gap is prevented from being formed between the developing shutter 114 and the supply port shutter 128. Therefore, the developer does not intrude between the developing shutter 114 and the supply port shutter 128, and the developer in the developer cartridge 82Y is not leaked when the developer cartridge 82Y is detached from the developing unit 18Y. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a shutter structure for closing a supply port or a discharge port of a developer cartridge that supplies a developer to a developer of an image forming apparatus or collects the developer, a developing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a toner supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device, a developer cartridge is provided in the copying machine body, and the developer is conveyed and supplied from the developer cartridge to the developing device by an auger or the like. . When the developer in the developer cartridge runs out, the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device and replaced with a new developer cartridge.

  For example, Patent Document 1 will be described along schematic FIGS. 21A to 21D so as to facilitate understanding. FIG. 21A shows a state in which the shutters 210 and 212 are opened, the toner supply port 216 of the developer cartridge 214 and the replenishment port 220 of the developing device 218 communicate with each other, and the developer is replenished.

  Here, when the shutters 210 and 212 are closed and the developer cartridge 214 is removed from the developing device 218, the developer cartridge 214 is rotated and the shutter 210 is rotated as shown in FIG. . The shutter 210 is guided by a guide member 222 and can move integrally with the developer cartridge 214, but the guide member 222 is provided in a state of being wider than the shutter 210. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 21C, a gap is generated between the shutter 210 and the shutter 212 in a state where the shutter 210 is closest to the shutter 212.

Since the toner remaining in the developer cartridge 214 falls through the toner supply port 216 until the toner supply port 216 reaches a position facing the shutter 212 when the developer cartridge 214 rotates, the shutter 210 and the shutter 212 If a gap is generated between the shutter 210 and the shutter 212, toner may fall. In this state, as shown in FIG. 21D, when the developer cartridge 214 is removed from the developing device 218, the toner dropped in the gap remains on the developing device 218 side, and the developing device 218 becomes dirty. As a result, the clothes and the like of the person who replaces the developer cartridge 214 become dirty.
JP-A-5-150644

  In consideration of the above fact, the present invention provides a shutter mechanism that prevents developer leakage by closing the supply port or discharge port of the developer cartridge that supplies developer to the developer of the image forming apparatus or collects the developer. An object is to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the shutter mechanism, a developing shutter provided in the developing device for replenishing the developer, and a developing shutter that opens and closes the replenishing port by sliding an arc receiving plate in which the replenishing port is formed. A developer cartridge mounted on the developing device, a supply port formed in the developer cartridge for supplying the developer in the developer cartridge to the replenishing port, and an outer periphery of a cylindrical portion in which the supply port is formed A shutter that is pivotably mounted on a surface and that opens and closes the supply port in contact with the developing shutter, and is formed on the shutter and aligned with the supply port, and is supplied from the supply port to the supply port. A first opening capable of supplying the developer in the cartridge; and a protrusion provided at a periphery of the opening of the first opening. When the shutter and the developing shutter are in contact with each other, the developing shutter It is characterized by having a first frame to a.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply port for supplying the developer is formed in the arc receiving plate of the developing device. A developing shutter is slidable on the arc receiving plate, and the supply port is opened and closed by sliding the arc receiving plate. Further, a supply port for supplying the developer in the developer cartridge to the replenishment port is formed in the cylindrical portion of the developer cartridge attached to the developing device. Further, a shutter is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical portion, and opens and closes the supply port in contact with the developing shutter.

  Here, the shutter is provided with a first opening that is aligned with the supply port so that the developer in the developer cartridge can be supplied from the supply port to the replenishment port. A first frame body is provided on which the developing shutter comes into contact when the shutter and the developing shutter come into contact with each other. If the shutter is rotated while the shutter and the developing shutter are in contact with each other, the developing shutter is rotated in conjunction with the shutter.

  When the shutter with the supply port closed is rotated, the first opening formed in the shutter and the supply port communicate with each other, and the replenishment port closed with the developing shutter is opened to supply the supply port and the first opening. Communicate with. As a result, the developer in the developer cartridge is supplied into the developing device through the supply port, the first opening, and the supply port.

  On the other hand, when removing the developer cartridge from the developing device, it is necessary to close the supply port of the developer cartridge and the supply port of the developing device. For this reason, the shutter is rotated in the opposite direction to that at the time of mounting, and the developing shutter is interlocked with the rotation operation, and the supply port is closed by the developing shutter together with the closing operation of the supply port by the shutter. At this time, the end portion of the developing shutter moves to the closed position in contact with the first frame.

  As described above, in the opening and closing operation of the supply port and the replenishment port, the end portion of the developing shutter is brought into contact, and the shutter and the developing shutter are moved together, thereby creating a gap between the developing shutter and the shutter. I am trying not to. Therefore, the developer does not enter between the developing shutter and the developer in the developer cartridge does not leak when the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shutter mechanism, the discharge port provided in the developing unit and discharging the developer in the developing unit, and the arc receiving plate formed with the discharge port are slid on the discharge port. A developing shutter that opens and closes, a developer cartridge that is mounted on the developing device, a collection port that is formed in the developer cartridge and collects the developer discharged from the discharge port, and a cylinder in which the collection port is formed A shutter that is pivotally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the unit and that opens and closes the recovery port in contact with the developing shutter, and is formed on the shutter and is aligned with the discharge port and is disposed from the discharge port to the recovery port A second opening that allows the developer in the developing unit to be collected, and a second protrusion that projects from the periphery of the opening of the second opening, and contacts the developing shutter when the shutter and the developing shutter come into contact with each other. It is characterized by having a frame body.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discharge port through which the developer in the developing device is discharged is formed in the arc receiving plate of the developing device. A developing shutter is slidable on the arc receiving plate, and the discharge port is opened and closed by sliding the arc receiving plate. In addition, a recovery port for recovering the developer discharged from the discharge port is formed in the cylindrical portion of the developer cartridge attached to the developing device. In addition, a shutter is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical portion, and opens and closes the collection port in contact with the developing shutter.

  Here, the shutter is provided with a second opening that is aligned with the discharge port so that the developer in the developing device can be collected from the discharge port to the collection port. A second frame is provided to which the developing shutter comes into contact when the shutter and the developing shutter come into contact with each other. If the shutter is rotated while the shutter and the developing shutter are in contact with each other, the developing shutter is rotated in conjunction with the shutter.

  When the shutter with the recovery port closed is rotated, the second opening formed in the shutter communicates with the recovery port, and the discharge port closed with the developing shutter is opened, and the recovery port and the second opening are opened. Communicate with. As a result, the developer in the developing device is discharged into the developer cartridge through the discharge port, the second opening, and the recovery port.

  On the other hand, when removing the developer cartridge from the developing device, it is necessary to close the recovery port of the developer cartridge and the discharge port of the developing device. For this reason, the shutter is rotated in the opposite direction to that at the time of mounting, and the developing shutter is interlocked with the rotation operation, and the discharge port is closed by the developing shutter together with the operation of closing the collection port by the shutter. At this time, the developing shutter moves to the closed position in contact with the second frame.

  In this way, in the opening and closing operations of the collection port and the discharge port, the developing shutter is brought into contact, and the shutter and the developing shutter are moved together, so that no gap is generated between the developing shutter and the shutter. ing. Therefore, the developer does not enter between the developing shutter and the developer in the developer cartridge does not leak when the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the shutter structure according to the first or second aspect, an inner wall of the first frame body or the second frame body in the closing direction of the developing shutter is arranged in the closing direction of the developing shutter. It is characterized in that a downwardly inclined surface is formed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first wall or the second frame in the closing direction of the developing shutter is provided with an inclined surface having a downward slope toward the closing direction of the developing shutter. When the frame body or the second frame body slides on the arc receiving plate, the developer on the arc receiving plate is scraped cleanly so that the developer does not remain on the arc receiving plate (developer side). As a result, the developing device side is not soiled.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the shutter structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, a stopper with which the inclined surface of the first frame body abuts in a state where the first opening is closed, or the second opening is formed. It is characterized in that a stopper with which the inclined surface of the second frame body abuts in a state in which is closed is formed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the developer cartridge is provided with a stopper that contacts the inclined surface of the first frame with the first opening closed, or the second frame with the second opening closed. By providing the developer cartridge with a stopper that contacts the inclined surface of the body, the developer scraped by the first frame or the second frame is sealed between the stopper and the inclined surface, or pushed back into the developer cartridge. The developer can be prevented from leaking to the surface of the developer cartridge. For this reason, the developer cartridge side is not soiled.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the shutter structure according to the fourth aspect, an elastic member is provided on a surface of the stopper, on which the first frame body or the second frame body abuts. Yes.

  In the invention described in claim 5, by providing an elastic member on the surface where the stopper and the first frame or the second frame abut, the dimensional error of the shutter can be absorbed by the elastic member. The developer scraped off by the one frame body or the second frame body can be more reliably contained between the elastic member and the inclined surface.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device, the shutter structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes the developing device according to the sixth aspect.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, a shutter mechanism that prevents leakage of the developer by closing the supply port or the discharge port of the developer cartridge that supplies the developer to the developer of the image forming apparatus or collects the developer. A developing device and an image forming apparatus can be obtained.

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

  1 and 2 show a four-cycle full-color printer 10 as an image forming apparatus. Inside the printer 10, a photosensitive drum 12 as an image carrier is rotatably disposed at an upper right part slightly from the center. As this photosensitive drum 12, for example, a drum made of a conductive cylinder having a diameter of about 47 mm and having a surface coated with a photosensitive layer made of OPC or the like is used. It is rotationally driven at a process speed of about 150 mm / sec.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roll 14 disposed almost directly below the photosensitive drum 12, and then an ROS 16 (Raster Output Scanner) serving as an exposure device disposed below the charging roll 14. ), Image exposure with a laser beam (LB) is performed, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 passes through the developing units 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in the circumferential direction. The toner is developed by a rotary developing device 18 arranged along the toner image to be a toner image of a predetermined color.

  At this time, charging, exposure, and development processes are repeated a predetermined number of times on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 in accordance with the color of the image to be formed. In the rotary developing device 18, the corresponding color developing devices 18 </ b> Y, 18 </ b> M, 18 </ b> C, and 18 </ b> K move to a developing position facing the photosensitive drum 12.

  For example, when a full-color image is formed, the charging, exposing, and developing processes are performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors. The toner image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is sequentially formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. .

  When the toner image is formed, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 12 varies depending on the size of the image. For example, in the case of A4 size, one image is obtained by rotating the photosensitive drum 12 three times. It is formed. That is, a toner image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 every time the photosensitive drum 12 rotates three times. Is done.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 12 are transferred onto the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 12 as an intermediate transfer member. At the primary transfer position where the belt 20 is wound, the primary transfer is performed by the primary transfer roll 22 while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 20.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images transferred in multiple onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 are recorded on a recording sheet 24 fed at a predetermined timing. Secondary transfer is collectively performed by the secondary transfer roll 26.

  On the other hand, the recording paper 24 is fed from a paper feed cassette 28 disposed at the bottom of the printer 10 by a pickup roll 30 and is fed one by one by a feed roll 32 and a retard roll 34 to be registered. The roller 36 is conveyed to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 in synchronization with the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20.

  The intermediate transfer belt 20 includes a wrap-in roll 38 that specifies the wrap position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 12 and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 as an intermediate transfer belt. A primary transfer roll 22 that is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20, a wrap-out roll 40 that specifies the wrap position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 on the downstream side of the wrap position, and a backup that contacts the secondary transfer roll 26 via the intermediate transfer belt 20. The roll 42, the first cleaning backup roll 46 facing the cleaning device 44 of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the second cleaning backup roll 48 are stretched with a predetermined tension and have a predetermined process speed (about 150 mm / sec), for example, as the photosensitive drum 12 rotates. It is driven Te.

  Here, in order to reduce the size of the printer 10, the intermediate transfer belt 20 is configured such that the cross-sectional shape on which the intermediate transfer belt 20 is stretched becomes a flat and elongated substantially trapezoidal shape.

  The intermediate transfer belt 20 includes a photosensitive drum 12, a charging roll 14, an intermediate transfer belt 20, a plurality of rolls 22, 38, 40, 42, 46, and 48 that stretch the intermediate transfer belt 20, and an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 52 is constituted by a cleaning device 44 for 20 and a cleaning device 78 for the photosensitive drum 12 described later, and is integrally provided.

  For this reason, the entire image forming unit 52 can be removed from the printer 10 by opening the upper cover 54 of the printer 10 and lifting the handle (not shown) provided on the upper portion of the image forming unit 52 by hand.

  On the other hand, the cleaning device 44 for the intermediate transfer belt 20 includes a scraper 58 disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 stretched by the first cleaning backup roll 46, and a second cleaning backup roll 48. The cleaning brush 50 is arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the stretched intermediate transfer belt 20. Residual toner and paper dust removed by the scraper 58 and the cleaning brush 50 are contained in the cleaning device 44. It has come to be collected.

  The cleaning device 44 is disposed so as to be able to swing counterclockwise in the drawing with the swing shaft 62 as the center, and until the secondary transfer of the final color toner image is completed, the intermediate transfer belt is provided. It is configured to retreat to a position separated from the surface of the surface 20 and to contact the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 when the secondary transfer of the final color toner image is completed.

  Further, the recording paper 24 onto which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 20 is conveyed to a fixing device 64, and the fixing device 64 fixes the toner image on the recording paper 24 with heat and pressure. In this case, the paper is discharged as it is onto a discharge tray 68 provided at the top of the printer 10 by a discharge roll 66.

  On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, the recording paper 24 on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 64 is not directly discharged onto the discharge tray 68 by the discharge roll 66, but the rear end of the recording paper 24 by the discharge roll 66 The paper discharge path 66 is reversed in a state where the section is held, and the conveyance path of the recording paper 24 is switched to the double-sided paper conveyance path 70, and the conveyance roll 72 disposed in the double-sided paper conveyance path 70 is used. Then, the recording paper 24 is conveyed again to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 with the front and back sides of the recording paper 24 reversed, and an image is formed on the back surface of the recording paper 24.

  Further, in the full color printer, a manual feed tray 74 can be attached to the side surface of the printer 10 so as to be freely opened and closed as an option. An arbitrary size and type of recording paper 24 placed on the manual feed tray 74 is fed by a paper feed roll 76, and the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 via a transport roll 72 and a registration roll 36. Thus, it is possible to form an image on the recording paper 24 of any size and type.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 12 after the toner image transfer process is completed is cleaned by the cleaning blade 80 of the cleaning device 78 disposed obliquely below the photosensitive drum 12 every time the photosensitive drum 12 rotates once. Residual toner is removed to prepare for the next image forming process.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a rotary developing device 18. FIG. 3 shows a state where one developing device 18Y and developer cartridge 82Y are mounted on the developing device 18 for convenience.

  The developing device 18 is provided with a cylindrical rotating shaft member 41 and is rotatably supported around the rotating shaft member 41 in a counterclockwise direction. Further, a front flange member 43 is provided at the front end of the rotary shaft member 41 in the longitudinal direction, and a rear side is provided at the rear end of the rotary shaft member 41 in the longitudinal direction of the drawing. The flange member 45 is provided. A cylindrical space S formed by the rotary shaft member 41 and the flange members 43 and 45 is divided into four spaces every 90 degrees by a partition member 47.

  In the space partitioned by the partition member 47, four developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are clockwise in the circumferential direction. Each is implemented along.

  These developing units 18Y, 18M, 18C and 18K correspond to the developing units 18Y, 18M, 18C and 18K, and develop yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). The developer cartridges 82Y, 82M, 82C, and 82K are mounted, respectively, and a new developer is supplied from the corresponding developer cartridges 82Y, 82M, 82C, and 82K (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Here, the developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K and the developer cartridges 82Y, 82M, 82C, and 82K are all configured in the same manner. Therefore, here, the yellow (Y) developing device 18Y and the developer cartridge 82Y. Will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the housing 150 of the developing device 18 </ b> Y has a long box shape along the direction orthogonal to the recording sheet to be conveyed, and is substantially in the center in the width direction of the housing 150. The partition wall 152 is erected to partition the housing 150 into a space 154 and a space 156. Clearances 158 and 160 are provided between both ends of the partition wall 152 and the peripheral wall of the housing 150, and the space 154 and the space 156 communicate with each other.

  A spiral auger 90 is disposed in the space 154 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 150, and a spiral auger 92 is disposed in the space 156 in parallel with the spiral auger 90. The spiral augers 90 and 92 include a rotation shaft 162 and are rotatably supported on the peripheral wall of the housing 150. Gears 166 and 168 are fixed to end portions of the rotating shaft 162, respectively.

  In addition, forward spiral blades 164 formed in a spiral shape are provided around the rotation shafts 162 of the spiral augers 90 and 92, respectively, and a rotational force from a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gears 166 and 168 to be transmitted to the gears 166 and 166. When the spiral augers 90 and 92 are rotated through 168, the developer stored in the housing 150 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow while being stirred by the forward spiral blade 164.

  Further, on the end of the spiral augers 90 and 92 on the downstream side in the conveying direction, there are provided one or two spiral reverse spiral blades 188 directed in the direction opposite to the spiral direction of the forward spiral blade 164. The developer conveyed by the spiral blade 164 is pushed back in the reverse direction.

  The ends of the spiral augers 90 and 92 pass through the peripheral wall of the developing device 18Y, and the space between the rotating shaft 162 and the peripheral wall of the developing device 18Y is sealed by packing so that the developer in the housing 150 does not leak. However, if the developer conveying force is large, the developer in the developing device 18Y may leak to the outside.

  For this reason, by providing a reverse spiral blade 188 on the downstream side of the spiral augers 90 and 92 in the transport direction so as to push back the transported developer, the transport force of the developer at the ends of the spiral augers 90 and 92 is reduced. In order to prevent the developer from leaking outside.

  On the other hand, a developing roll 88 is disposed obliquely above the spiral auger 92 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 150, and is rotatably supported on the peripheral wall of the housing 150. A gear 89 is fixed to the end portion of the developing roll 88, and the rotational force from the motor is transmitted to the gear 89 so that the developing roll 88 rotates through the gear 89.

  At this time, the developer conveyed to the space 156 by the spiral auger 90 through the gap 160 is conveyed in the space 156 in the direction of the arrow by the spiral auger 92 and is equally supplied to the developing roll 88. The layer thickness of the developer supplied to the surface of the developing roll 88 is regulated by a layer thickness regulating member 96 (see FIG. 4).

  Incidentally, the housing 150 is provided with a cover 170, and the cover 170 covers the space 154 and the upper part of the space 156. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the developing roll 88 is exposed and can face the photosensitive drum 12.

  The developing roll 88 adsorbs the carrier contained in the developer with a magnetic force, forms a magnetic brush of the developer on the surface, and conveys the toner adsorbed on the carrier to a developing area facing the photosensitive drum 12. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is visualized by a developer magnetic brush made of a carrier and toner formed on the surface of the developing roll 88.

  In this embodiment, a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier is used as the developer. However, as the developer, it is sufficient that the developer contains at least a toner. Of course, it is also possible to use the developer.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an arc receiving plate 172 curved in a substantially arc shape is provided on the outer surface of one end side of the cover 170. The arc receiving plate 172 is supplied with a supply port 174 for supplying developer in the developer cartridge 82Y, which will be described later, to the housing 150, and used developer (developer exceeding a predetermined amount) in the housing 150 as developer. A discharge port 176 for discharging into the cartridge 82Y is formed.

  The arc receiving plate 172 is provided with a developing shutter 114 so as to be slidable along the circumferential direction of the arc receiving plate 172. The developing shutter 114 has a communication port 178 that can communicate with the discharge port 176. The developer in the housing 150 communicates with the discharge port 176 and is discharged into the developer cartridge 82Y.

  Here, in the developing shutter 114, the communication port 178 and the discharge port 176 are in communication, and the developer in the housing 150 can be discharged into the developer cartridge 82Y. Through 180, a new developer can be replenished into the housing 150 (see FIG. 18).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a transport path 180 is provided on the outer surface of the cover 170, and an external supply port 181 communicating with the supply port 174 is provided at one end of the transport path 180. An internal supply port 182 that communicates with the upstream side of the spiral auger 92 in the conveyance direction is provided at the other end of the conveyance path 180.

  A spiral auger 94 smaller in diameter than the spiral augers 90 and 92 is rotatably supported in the transport path 180, and a gear 195 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 194 of the spiral auger 94. . In addition, a forward spiral blade 192 formed in a spiral shape is provided around the rotation shaft 194. When the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 195 and the spiral auger 94 rotates via the gear 195, the replenishing port 174 and the outside are provided. The developer replenished into the conveyance path 180 through the supply port 181 is conveyed to the internal supply port 182 by the forward spiral blade 192 and supplied into the housing 150.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 10, the developer cartridge 82Y is constituted by a long cylindrical body having a non-circular cross section. A partition cap 106 is provided inside the developer cartridge 82Y, and is divided into a developer accommodating portion 102 that accommodates a new developer and a developer collecting portion 104 that collects a used developer. Has been.

  A toner supply port 108 for supplying a new developer into the housing 150 is provided at the end of the developer accommodating portion 102 and can communicate with a supply port 174 provided on the outer surface of the housing 150. Yes. On the other hand, the developer collection unit 104 is provided with a collection port 184 for collecting the developer discharged from the housing 150, and a communication port 178 (see FIG. 7) formed in the development shutter 114 has an arc shape. The recovery port 184 can communicate with the communication port 178 and the discharge port 176 in a state where it communicates with the discharge port 176 formed in the receiving plate 172.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a nozzle 186 projects from the peripheral edge of the discharge port 176 into the housing 150, and the developer in the housing 150 is guided to the discharge port 176 through the nozzle 186. The That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the amount of developer accommodated in the housing 150 increases, the developing device 18Y is moved when the developing device 18Y is moved to the position B in FIG. The developer at a position higher than the height of the tip end surface of the nozzle 186 passes through the nozzle 186, the discharge port 176, the communication port 178 and the recovery port 184 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the developer recovery unit 104 (see FIG. 4). Is discharged.

  This is a so-called trickle system, and the developer charging performance is gradually reduced to prevent the deterioration of the charging performance of the developer and the developer replacement interval is extended. Development is carried out while discharging the developer (which contains many deteriorated carriers) from the inside of the developing device.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 10, the end of the developer collecting portion 104 and the developer containing portion 102 of the developer cartridge 82Y is a cylindrical portion 196 with a reduced diameter. A supply port shutter 128 that opens and closes the toner supply port 108 of the agent storage unit 102 and the recovery port 184 of the developer recovery unit 104 is inserted so as to be rotatable along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical unit 196.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the supply port shutter 128 has a supply opening 130 and a collection opening 132 at positions corresponding to the toner supply port 108 and the collection port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y. Are opened, and the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y are simultaneously opened and closed by rotating the supply port shutter 128 along the outer periphery of the developer recovery unit 104 of the developer cartridge 82Y. It is possible to make it.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, the supply port shutter 128 is provided with an engaging portion 128A that can be engaged with a notch 114A formed in the developing shutter 114 on the developing device 18Y side. It has become. Further, the supply port shutter 128 rotates the supply port shutter 128 in a part of the circumferential direction of the supply port shutter 128 and holds the supply port shutter 128 so that the developer cartridge 82Y is loaded into the developing unit 18Y. A handle 134 for attaching to the head is projected outward in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 14, with the engaging portion 128A of the developer cartridge 82Y engaged with the notch 114A of the developing device 18Y, the supply port shutter 128 is moved through the handle 134 as shown in FIG. When rotated, the developing shutter 114 is rotated in conjunction with the supply port shutter 128.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the replenishing port 174 is opened, and a new developer can be replenished into the housing 150 via the conveyance path 180. At this time, the communication port 178 (see FIG. 7) and the discharge port 176 (see FIG. 7) communicate with each other, and the developer in the housing 150 can be discharged into the developer cartridge 82Y.

  Here, the handle 134 has the developer cartridge 82Y attached to the developing device 18Y, and when the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 are opened as shown in FIG. 12, the top portion 134A is a corner of the developer cartridge 82Y. 11 and 16, when the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 are closed, the top portion 134A and the corner portion 83 are displaced from each other, and the developer cartridge 18Y is disposed. The handle 134 is configured to protrude from the outer periphery.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the developer cartridge 82Y is removed from the developing device 18Y, the supply port shutter 128 is restricted from moving, and the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y are not opened by mistake. It is like that. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the developer cartridge 82Y is mounted at a predetermined position of the developing device 18Y and the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y are opened, the developer cartridge 82Y. Cannot be removed from the developing device 18Y.

  In this embodiment, when the developer cartridge 82Y is mounted in a predetermined position of the developing device 18Y, the developer cartridge 82Y is rotated from the outside in the radial direction of the developing device 18 shown in FIG. By sliding along the housing 150 of the developing device 18Y toward the shaft member 41, the developer cartridge 82Y can be easily attached to and detached from the developing device 18Y.

  Further, when the developer cartridge 82Y is replaced with a new one, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 18 is stopped so that the developer cartridge 82Y to be replaced is disposed at the replacement position B, and the printer 10 The side cover 97 provided on the side is opened, and the developer cartridge 82Y to be replaced is taken out.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when removing the developer cartridge 82Y from the developing device 18Y, the handle 134 of the supply port shutter 128 is rotated by hand, and the supply port shutter 128 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. Rotate in the direction. As the supply port shutter 128 rotates, the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y are closed.

  Then, with the handle 134 of the supply port shutter 128 stopped moving, the toner supply port 108 and the recovery port 184 of the developer cartridge 82Y are completely closed. In this state, the developer cartridge 82Y can be detached from the developing device 18Y.

  Next, the main part of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 18 and 19A to 19C (note that FIGS. 19A to 19D show the supply port shutter 128 of the developer cartridge 82Y and the developing shutter 114 of the developing unit 18Y. The developing shutter 114 is slidable on the arc receiving plate 172, and the supply port 174 is opened and closed by sliding the arc receiving plate 172.

  Further, a toner supply port 108 for supplying the developer in the developer cartridge 82Y to the supply port 174 is formed in the cylindrical portion 196 (see FIG. 10) of the developer cartridge 82Y attached to the developing device 18Y. A supply port shutter 128 that opens and closes the toner supply port 108 is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical portion 196.

  On the other hand, the supply port shutter 128 is provided with an opening 130 that is aligned with the toner supply port 108 and that can supply the developer in the developer cartridge 82Y from the toner supply port 108 to the supply port 174. A frame body 198 is provided at the periphery of the opening 130 so that the end 114B of the developing shutter 114 contacts with the supply port shutter 128 and the developing shutter 114 in contact with each other. When the supply port shutter 128 is rotated in this state, the developing shutter 114 is rotated in conjunction with the supply port shutter 128.

  Further, the inner wall of the frame body 198 in the closing direction of the developing shutter 114 is an inclined surface 198A having a downward slope toward the closing direction of the developing shutter 114. Further, the developer cartridge 82Y is provided with a stopper 195 that can contact the inclined surface 198A of the frame body 198 with the opening 130 closed, and a sponge 200 is provided on the surface where the stopper 195 and the frame body 198 abut. Provided.

  When the supply port shutter 128 with the toner supply port 108 closed is rotated, as shown in FIG. 17, the opening 130 formed in the supply port shutter 128 and the toner supply port 108 communicate with each other. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19A, the supply port 174 closed by the developing shutter 114 is opened and communicates with the toner supply port 108 and the opening 130. As a result, the developer in the developer cartridge 82Y is supplied into the developing device 18Y through the toner supply port 108, the opening 130, and the supply port 174.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19D, when the developer cartridge 82Y is removed from the developing device 18Y, it is necessary to close the toner supply port 108 of the developer cartridge 82Y and the supply port 174 of the developing device 18Y. . For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, the supply port shutter 128 is rotated in the direction opposite to that at the time of mounting, and the developing shutter 114 is interlocked with the rotation operation to supply the supply port shutter. Along with the closing operation of the toner supply port 108 by 128, the replenishment port 174 is closed by the developing shutter 114. At this time, the end 114 </ b> B of the developing shutter 114 moves in the closed position in contact with the frame body 198.

  As described above, in the opening / closing operation of the toner supply port 108 and the replenishment port 174, the end 114B of the developing shutter 114 is brought into contact, and the supply port shutter 128 and the developing shutter 114 are moved together. A gap is not formed between the end 114 </ b> B of 114 and the supply port shutter 128. Therefore, the developer does not enter between the end portion 114B of the developing shutter 114 and the supply port shutter 128, and the developer in the developer cartridge 82Y leaks when the developer cartridge 82Y is removed from the developing device 18Y. There is nothing.

  Further, by forming an inclined surface 198A inclined downward toward the closing direction of the developing shutter 114 on the inner wall of the frame body 198, the frame body 198 receives a circular arc as shown in FIGS. 19 (C) and (D). When sliding on the plate 172, the developer on the arc receiving plate 172 can be scraped cleanly so that the developer does not remain on the arc receiving plate 172, so that the developing device 18Y side is not soiled.

  Further, a stopper 195 that can contact the inclined surface 198A of the frame body 198 with the opening 130 closed is provided, and the sponge 200 is provided on the surface where the stopper 195 and the frame body 198 abut. The dimensional error of the shutter 128 can be absorbed, and the developer scraped off by the frame body 198 is surely enclosed between the sponge 200 and the inclined surface 198A, or pushed back into the developer cartridge 82Y. The developer can be prevented from leaking to the surface of 82Y. For this reason, the developer cartridge 82Y side is not soiled.

  In this embodiment, the inner wall of the frame body 198 in the closing direction of the developing shutter 114 is the inclined surface 198A that is inclined downward toward the closing direction of the developing shutter 114. However, the end 114B of the developing shutter 114 and the supply port shutter Since it is not necessary to provide a gap between the inner wall 128 and the inner wall, the inner wall does not necessarily need to be the inclined surface 198A. Further, the sponge 200 is provided on the surface where the stopper 195 and the frame body 198 abut. However, the sponge 200 is not limited to the sponge because it is an elastic member, and the sponge 200 is not necessarily provided.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 130 side has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 20, a frame 133 may be provided on the opening 132 side in the same manner as the frame 198. The frame 133 may be provided only on the 132 side.

  In this embodiment, the rotary developing device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this because it only needs to have a shutter structure that closes the supply port of the developer cartridge. For example, the present invention may of course be applied to a tandem developing device.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where an image forming unit is removed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rotary developing device constituting an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary developing device constituting an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a developing device and a developer cartridge of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a developing device and a developer cartridge of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the developing device of the developing device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing and a cover of a developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the housing side of the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a developer cartridge mounted on a developing device of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge mounted on a developing device of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where a toner supply port and a recovery port are closed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge mounted on a developing device of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a toner supply port and a recovery port being opened. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engaging portion of the supply port shutter of the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is engaged with the notch portion of the developing shutter of the developer cartridge at the cross-sectional position of FIG. It is. 13 shows a state in which the engaging portion of the supply port shutter of the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is engaged with the notch portion of the developing shutter of the developer cartridge at the cross-sectional position of FIG. 3 shows a state in which the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 16 shows the relationship between the supply port shutter of the developing device of the developing device and the developing shutter of the developer cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. 16 shows the relationship between the supply port shutter of the developing device of the developing device and the developing shutter of the developer cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(D) are operations schematically showing the relationship between the supply port shutter of the developing device of the developing device and the developing shutter of the developer cartridge in the cross-sectional position of FIG. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the developer cartridge mounted on the developing device of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the toner supply port and the recovery port are closed. (A)-(D) are the operation | movement diagrams which showed typically the relationship between the supply port shutter of the developing device of the conventional developing device, and the developing shutter of a developer cartridge (patent document 1).

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer (image forming device)
18 Developing device 18Y Developer (Developing device)
18K Developer (Developer)
18C Developer (Developer)
18M Developer (Developer)
82 developer cartridge 82Y developer cartridge 82K developer cartridge 82C developer cartridge 82M developer cartridge 108 toner supply port (supply port)
114 Development shutter 128 Supply port shutter (shutter)
130 opening (first opening)
132 opening (second opening)
133 Frame (second frame)
174 Supply port 176 Discharge port 184 Collection port 195 Stopper 198A Inclined surface 198 Frame (first frame)
200 Sponge (elastic member)

Claims (7)

A replenishing port provided in the developing unit for replenishing the developer, a developing shutter that slides on an arc receiving plate on which the replenishing port is formed to open and close the replenishing port, and a developer cartridge that is mounted on the developing unit; A supply port that is formed in the developer cartridge and supplies the developer in the developer cartridge to the replenishment port, and is rotatably mounted on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion in which the supply port is formed. A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in an interview,
A first opening formed in the shutter and aligned with the supply port so that the developer in the developer cartridge can be supplied from the supply port to the supply port;
A first frame that protrudes from the periphery of the opening of the first opening, and that contacts the developing shutter when the shutter and the developing shutter are in contact with each other;
A shutter structure characterized by comprising: A discharge port provided in the developing unit for discharging the developer in the developing unit, a developing shutter that opens and closes the discharge port by sliding on an arc receiving plate in which the discharge port is formed, and mounted on the developing unit. A developer cartridge that is formed on the developer cartridge, collects the developer discharged from the discharge port, and is rotatably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion in which the recovery port is formed, A shutter that opens and closes the recovery port in an interview with the developing shutter;
A second opening formed in the shutter and aligned with the discharge port so that the developer in the developing device can be recovered from the discharge port to the recovery port;
A second frame that protrudes from the periphery of the opening of the second opening and that contacts the developing shutter when the shutter and the developing shutter are in contact with each other;
A shutter structure characterized by comprising:   2. An inclined surface having a downward slope toward the closing direction of the developing shutter is formed on an inner wall of the first frame or the second frame in the closing direction of the developing shutter. 2. The shutter structure according to 2.   The developer cartridge is provided with a stopper that contacts the inclined surface of the first frame with the first opening closed, or the inclined surface of the second frame with the second opening closed. The shutter structure according to claim 3, wherein a stopper with which the abutment is abutted is formed.   The shutter structure according to claim 4, wherein an elastic member is provided on a surface of the stopper, on which the first frame body or the second frame body abuts.   A developing device comprising the shutter structure according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 6.

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