JP2005345874A - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a process cartridge as a monolithic process cartridge or a developer-replenishing type process cartridge, as required. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is equipped with a developing unit 24 having at least a development device, and a developer cartridge which is detachably installed to the developing unit 24, which houses a developer and which is equipped with a shutter to eject the developer to the development unit 24. A coupling member to couple the development unit 24 and the developer cartridge is detachably attached to the developer cartridge. The process cartridge 11 can be used as a developer replenishing type process cartridge 11, in a state with the coupling member not attached. The process cartridge 11 can be used as a monolithic process cartridge 11 in a state with the coupling member attached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, the surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly and uniformly charged by the charging roller, and the surface charged by the exposure apparatus is charged. An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure, and a toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image by a developing device to form a toner image. The toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet by a transfer roller and then fixed by a fixing device to form an image.

  For this purpose, the image forming apparatus is provided with a process cartridge which is a unit including the developing device and the like. The process cartridge can be selectively replaced as a whole or a part of the process cartridge when the toner is decreased or the photosensitive drum, each roller, etc. are consumed by repeating printing. It has a simple structure.

That is, the process cartridge includes an integrated process cartridge that replaces the entire process cartridge when all of the toner is consumed, and a toner cartridge that contains the toner with respect to the developing unit that is the main part of the process cartridge. There is a developer supply type process cartridge that is detachably provided and can be replenished by repeatedly replacing only the toner cartridge until the process cartridge reaches the end of its life (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-133713

  However, in the conventional process cartridge, in the case of the integral type process cartridge, the process cartridge is replaced when all the toner is consumed, so that the cost of the image forming apparatus is increased.

  That is, the life of the photosensitive drum, each roller, and the like depends on the number of rotations in the printing process. Therefore, when printing using a large amount of toner is repeated, such as photographic printing, the photosensitive drum, In spite of the sufficient use of rollers and the like, all the toner is consumed, and the process cartridge has a lifetime.

  In addition, in a developer supply type process cartridge, when the toner cartridge is replaced in order to replenish the toner, the operator's hand or the like may be soiled when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit. It will decline.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus, and the process cartridge can be used as an integral process cartridge or a developer supply process cartridge as required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

  For this purpose, in the process cartridge of the present invention, at least a developing unit including a developing device and a detachable arrangement with respect to the developing unit are provided for storing the developer and discharging the developer to the developing unit. And a developer cartridge provided with a shutter.

  A connecting member for connecting the developing unit and the developer cartridge is detachably attached to the developer cartridge.

  According to the present invention, in the process cartridge, at least a developing unit including a developing device, and a detachable arrangement with respect to the developing unit, containing the developer, and discharging the developer to the developing unit. And a developer cartridge provided with a shutter.

  A connecting member for connecting the developing unit and the developer cartridge is detachably attached to the developer cartridge.

  In this case, since a connecting member for connecting the developing unit and the developer cartridge is detachably attached to the developer cartridge, the process cartridge is used as a developer supply type process cartridge without the connecting member attached. In addition, the process cartridge can be used as an integrated process cartridge with the coupling member attached.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an electrophotographic printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a process cartridge as an image forming unit, and a printer is constituted by the process cartridge 11, an exposure device 14, a transfer roller 18 as a transfer device, and the like. The process cartridge 11 includes a developing unit 24 that is a main part, and a toner cartridge 31 as a developer cartridge that is detachably attached to the developing unit 24.

  The toner cartridge 31 has a developer storage space 32 for accommodating toner (not shown) as a developer inside, and is opened and closed by rotating a knob as an operation unit (not shown) at the lower end of the developer storage space 32. When the shutter is opened, the toner in the toner cartridge 31 is supplied to the developer holding space 20 formed in the developing unit 24.

  In the developing unit 24, the toner supplied into the developer holding space 20 is supplied to the developing roller 15 as the developing unit carrier by the toner supply roller 16 as the developer supplying member, and the developing roller 15 develops the toner. The blade 17 is uniformly thinned. The developing roller 15, toner supply roller 16, developing blade 17 and the like constitute a developing device.

  Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 as an image carrier is uniformly and uniformly charged by a charging roller 13 as a charging device, exposed by an exposure device 14, and statically exposed on the photosensitive drum 12. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image has a toner attached thereto by the developing roller 15 and becomes a toner image as a developer image. The toner image is transferred by a transfer roller 18 onto a paper 21 as a recording medium sent by a paper feeding mechanism and a paper feeding device (not shown).

  Thereafter, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording medium 21 in a fixing device (not shown), and the recording medium 21 is discharged out of the printing device by a discharge mechanism (not shown). Reference numeral 19 denotes a cleaning roller for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after transfer. The charging unit 13, the developing roller 15, the toner supply roller 16, the developing blade 17, the cleaning roller 19 and the like constitute a developing unit 24.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the process cartridge 11 can be used as a developer supply type process cartridge and an integral type process cartridge.

  Next, a case where the process cartridge 11 is used as a developer supply type process cartridge will be described.

  2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second state of the coupling portion in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the first state of the coupling portion in the embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the 3rd state of the coupling | bond part in a form, FIG. 7 is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the image development unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  In the figure, 31 is a toner cartridge, and 33 is an inner cylinder member as a rotating member that is inserted into the outer cylinder member 36 and is rotatably arranged to selectively restrict the supply of toner to the developing unit 24. A seal member 34 is attached to one end of the inner cylinder member 33, and a shutter 35 as a seal member having a predetermined width is attached to a predetermined portion of the outer peripheral edge of the inner cylinder member 33 in the axial direction. .

  When the inner cylinder member 33 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 36, the inner cylinder member 33 seals the opening 36a at one end (right end in FIG. 3) of the outer cylinder member 36, and the other end (in FIG. 3). A side case 39 is attached to the opening 36 b at the left end) with a sealing material 38 interposed therebetween. The side case 39 is formed with a hole (toner filling port) 39a. After a predetermined amount of toner is filled into the toner cartridge 31 through the hole 39a, a cap 40 as a closing member is attached. As a result, the developer storage space 32 can be sealed. A substantially annular locking mechanism 48 is integrally formed at one end of the inner cylinder member 33, and protrudes radially outward at a predetermined location in the circumferential direction of the locking mechanism 48. A knob 42 is formed as an operation unit. Therefore, the inner cylinder member 33 can be rotated with respect to the outer cylinder member 36 by operating the knob 42. Reference numeral 36 c denotes a notch as a locking portion formed at the lower end of the opening 36 b of the outer cylinder member 36.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a toner supply port formed along the axial direction at the lowermost end of the outer cylinder member 36. The shutter 35 is supplied with the toner supply port 37 as the inner cylinder member 33 is rotated. Is closed, and the toner is prevented from being discharged, and when it is displaced from the toner supply port 37, it is opened and the toner is discharged. Reference numeral 39b denotes a rib formed on the side case 39. Further, a pair of holding ribs 22 as holding bodies for holding the toner cartridge 31 is formed at a position corresponding to the other end of the inner cylinder member 33 in the frame fr1 of the developing unit 24, and each holding rib 22 has the above-described holding ribs 22 on the above-described holding ribs 22. The toner cartridge 31 can be attached to the developing unit 24 with the ribs 39b engaged.

  Next, the state of the connecting portion between the toner cartridge 31 and the developing unit 24 when the toner cartridge 31 is attached to and detached from the developing unit 24 will be described.

  4 to 6, reference numeral 23 denotes a base that is formed on the frame fr <b> 1 of the developing unit 24 in contact with the toner cartridge 31, has a semicircular cross section, and receives the lower half of the outer cylinder member 36. In order to prevent the toner from leaking, an elastic member 26 as a seal member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 23. A toner receiving port (not shown) that receives the toner discharged from the toner supply port 37 is formed at a location corresponding to the toner supply port 37 in the base portion 23 and the elastic member 26. Reference numeral 25 denotes a rib formed integrally with the base portion 23 and provided with a gap Sp1 between the base portion 23 and the rib 25. The rib 25 attaches the toner cartridge 31 to the developing unit 24. When attached, it is caused to enter the inner cylinder member 33.

  For this purpose, a notch 41 is formed on the locking mechanism 48 so as to face the knob 42 by 180 [°], and a circumferentially inward direction is formed between the knob 42 and the notch 41. Fan-shaped first and second recesses over a predetermined angle in the direction (in this embodiment, the angle is 90 [°] or more, but may be an angle of less than 90 [°]). 44 and 46 are defined by protrusions 45 and 47 made of ribs. The angle of the first recess 44 is determined according to the length of the arm 52 described later.

  The first recess 44 is formed adjacent to the knob 42, and the protrusion 45 is a first arm 45 a formed close to the knob 42 and a second arm formed away from the knob 42. 45b. The second recess 46 is formed adjacent to the notch 41, and the projection 47 is formed away from the first arm 47 a and the notch 41 formed close to the notch 41. It consists of two arm portions 47b. An arc-shaped rib 43 is formed from the second arm portion 45 b toward the cutout portion 41.

  When the toner cartridge 31 is attached to the developing unit 24, as shown in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 31 is moved in the direction of arrow A at one end of the inner cylinder member 33, and the rib 25 is fitted into the notch 41. And the toner cartridge 31 is brought into contact with the developing unit 24 as shown in FIG. At this time, the rib 39 b is engaged with each holding rib 22 formed on the base portion 23 at the other end of the inner cylinder member 33.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the knob 42 is operated to rotate the inner cylinder member 33 in the direction of arrow B, whereby the ribs 25 and 43 are engaged and the toner cartridge 31 is coupled to the developing unit 24. At this time, the second arm portions 45 b and 47 b each function as a stopper and are brought into contact with the rib 25.

  In the state of FIG. 5, when the knob 42 is rotated by a predetermined amount or more, the shutter formed by the inner cylinder member 33 is opened, and the toner in the toner cartridge 31 is supplied to the developing unit 24.

  When all the toner in the toner cartridge 31 is consumed and the toner cartridge 31 is removed from the developing unit 24, first, the knob 42 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction in FIG. The engagement of the ribs 25 and 43 is released. Thereafter, when the toner cartridge 31 is lifted upward, the toner cartridge 31 can be easily detached from the developing unit 24.

  Next, a case where the process cartridge 11 is used as an integrated process cartridge will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a first perspective view showing a mounting state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a second perspective view showing a mounting state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the coupling portion in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a front view of the coupling piece in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a coupling piece according to the embodiment, FIG. 13 is a side view of the coupling piece according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 shows a first state of the coupling portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the coupling portion in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 shows a third state of the coupling portion in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing shown.

  In this case, the first end of the inner cylinder member 33 is adjacent to the knob 42 and passes from the knob 42 in the circumferential direction of the locking mechanism portion 48 to the notch portion 41 through the first recess 44. A coupling piece 51 as a coupling member is attached.

  The coupling piece 51 includes an arcuate main body 50 having the same radius as the radius of curvature of the locking mechanism 48, an arm 52 formed to project radially inward from one end of the main body 50, and The arm projection 53 is formed in an arc shape by folding back from the other end of the main body 50. Therefore, a narrow portion 50a is formed in a predetermined range on the other end side of the main body 50, and an arcuate gap Sp2 is formed between the portion 50a and the arm projection 53. Then, the locking portion 52a protrudes from the tip of the arm 52 in the axial direction of the inner cylinder member 33, and protrudes radially outward from the tip of the arm projection 53, thereby locking the locking portion 53a. Is formed.

  When attaching the toner cartridge 31 to the developing unit 24, first, the arm 52 is positioned on the knob 42 side, and the engaging portion 52 a is inserted into the first recess 44 and attached to the inner cylinder member 33. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the other end of the coupling piece 51 faces the notch 41. Subsequently, the toner cartridge 31 is moved in the direction of arrow D, the rib 25 is fitted into the notch 41, and the toner cartridge 31 is brought into contact with the developing unit 24. Along with this, the rib 25 is relatively moved along the first arm portion 47a functioning as a guide portion.

  Thereafter, with the inner cylindrical member 33 placed at the same position, the connecting piece 51 is rotated in the direction of arrow E with a jig (not shown) or the like as shown in FIG. 15, and the arm protrusion 53 is moved to the gap Sp1 ( Fig. 4). As a result, at a position where the arm 52 is brought into contact with the second arm portion 45b functioning as a stopper, the locking portion 53a is engaged with the engagement holes 23a and 26a formed at positions corresponding to the notches 36c. It is done. In this way, the toner cartridge 31 can be coupled to the rib 25 and attached. In this case, the engagement holes 23a and 26a function as locking portions.

  When printing is performed, the shutter formed on the inner cylinder member 33 is opened by rotating the knob 42 by a predetermined amount or more in the state of FIG. 15, and the toner in the toner cartridge 31 is transferred to the process cartridge 11. Supplied. At this time, the coupling piece 51 is pushed and rotated by the second arm portion 45b hitting the arm 52, but the coupling between the toner cartridge 31 and the rib 25 is not released.

  Note that, at the time of shipment, the knob 42 may be rotated so that the toner is supplied to the developer holding space 20. In that case, the operator does not need to rotate the knob 42 when using the printing apparatus, but the developer holding space 20 has a sufficient sealing property so that the toner does not leak due to vibration or dropping during transportation. Need to be high.

  When all the toner in the toner cartridge 31 is consumed and the toner cartridge 31 is removed from the rib 25, first, the knob 42 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow F direction in FIG. The arm 52 is pushed and the coupling piece 51 is rotated together with the inner cylinder member 33. However, as shown in FIG. 15, when the locking portion 53a hits the end of the engagement holes 23a and 26a, the coupling piece 51 rotates further. I can't let you. In this state, since the rib 25 and the coupling piece 51 are engaged and the arm 52 and the protrusion 45 are engaged, the toner cartridge 31 cannot be removed from the rib 25.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the developer supply type process cartridge 11 can be used as the integrated process cartridge 11 only by attaching the coupling piece 51 to the locking mechanism portion 48. Therefore, the process cartridge 11 can be used as an integrated process cartridge 11 or a developer supply type process cartridge 11.

  When recovering and disassembling the process cartridge 11, it is possible to remove the coupling piece 51 and remove the toner cartridge 31 from the developing unit 24 using a tool or the like.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the coupling piece 51 and the toner cartridge 31 can be separated from the process cartridge 11 without damaging them. After the process cartridge 11 is used until the body drum 12, each roller, and the like reach the end of their life, when the process cartridge 11 is recovered, the coupling piece 51 is attached to the locking mechanism 48, so that the integrated process The process cartridge 11 that is determined to be the cartridge 11 and has reached the end of its life may be used again.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the collected process cartridge 11 is an integrated process cartridge 11 or a developer supply type process cartridge 11. A form is demonstrated.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a state where the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to the developing unit, and FIG. 18 is a state where the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to the developing unit. FIG. 19 is a side view of the coupling pin in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 20 is a front view of the coupling pin in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is the second view of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the coupling | bond part in embodiment of this.

  In the figure, 11 is a process cartridge, 24 is a developing unit, 31 is a toner cartridge as a developer cartridge, 36 is an outer cylinder member, 39 is a side case, and a hole 39a is formed in the side case 39. After a predetermined amount of toner as a developer is filled in the toner cartridge 31 through the portion 39a, the cap 40 as a closing member is attached by press-fitting.

  The cap 40 is composed of a flange 57 and a bottomed cylindrical portion 40a formed so as to protrude from the flange 57, and is attached to the toner cartridge 31 by press-fitting the flange 57 into the hole 39a. And the recessed part 40b for inserting the coupling pin 55 as a 2nd coupling member in the said cylindrical part 40a is formed.

  The coupling pin 55 is made of an elastic and displaceable material, for example, resin, and includes a flange 55a and a cylindrical portion 55b formed to protrude from the flange 55a. A tongue-like body 55c formed toward the top is formed so as to be swingable about the root as a swing center. An engaging portion 55d is formed by projecting outward from the tip of the tongue 55c. The frame fr1 is formed with holes 61 and ribs 27 for inserting the coupling pins 55.

  When the toner cartridge 31 is attached to the developing unit 24, the toner cartridge 31 is ribbed while the rib 25 is fitted to the notch 41 (FIG. 10) while a predetermined portion of the side case 39 is engaged with the rib 27. 25. Subsequently, by rotating the knob 42 in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 16, the ribs 25 and 43 are engaged, and the toner cartridge 31 and the developing unit 24 are coupled.

  Thereafter, the toner cartridge 31 and the developing unit 24 are further coupled by inserting the coupling pin 55 into the recess 40b through the hole 61 formed in the frame fr1 and the hole formed in the flange 57. Can do. In this way, the toner cartridge 31 can be attached to the developing unit 24. The rotation of the knob 42 can be stopped at a rotation angle at which the shutter 35 does not open.

  As described above, when the coupling pin 55 is inserted, the relative movement between the toner cartridge 31 and the frame fr1 is restrained by the coupling pin 55, so that the developer supply type process cartridge 11 is provided as the integrated process cartridge 11. can do.

  FIG. 22 is a first sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention is removed from the developing unit, and FIG. 23 is a state where the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention is detached from the developing unit. It is the 2nd sectional view showing.

  When removing the toner cartridge 31 from the developing unit 24, the coupling pin 55 is pulled out by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow G, a part of the coupling pin 55 is cut by a cutter or the like, and the remaining 63 of the coupling pin 55 is placed in the recess 40b. When pushed in, the relative movement between the toner cartridge 31 and the frame fr1 is not restrained, and the coupling between the toner cartridge 31 and the developing unit 24 is released.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the coupling between the toner cartridge 31 and the developing unit 24 is released by cutting the coupling pin 55, so that the collected process cartridge 11 is the integrated process cartridge 11. Or a developer supply type process cartridge 11 can be easily determined.

  Therefore, the process cartridge 11 that has reached the end of its life is not reused.

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge having a waste developer container for storing waste developer generated by cleaning the photosensitive drum 12, and a waste member in the toner cartridge 31 using a conveying member such as a belt. The present invention can be applied to a process cartridge that is accommodated in a developer accommodating portion.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the developing unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a first perspective view illustrating a mounting state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view illustrating a mounting state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the coupling piece in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the coupling piece in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the coupling piece in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd state of the coupling | bond part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. is there. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a developing unit. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a developing unit. It is a side view of the coupling pin in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the coupling pin in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the coupling | bond part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a first cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention is removed from a developing unit. FIG. 10 is a second cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is removed from the developing unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Process cartridge 14 Exposure apparatus 15 Developing roller 16 Toner supply roller 17 Developing blade 18 Transfer roller 24 Developing unit 33 Inner cylinder member 42 Knob 51 Connecting piece 55 Connecting pin

Claims (4)

(A) a developing unit including at least a developing unit;
(B) a developer cartridge that is detachably disposed with respect to the developing unit, accommodates the developer, and includes a shutter for discharging the developer to the developing unit;
(C) A process cartridge, wherein a connecting member for connecting the developing unit and the developer cartridge is detachably attached to the developer cartridge. (A) The developer cartridge is rotatably disposed and has a rotating member provided with an operation unit.
(B) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is attached to the rotating member.   The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit and the developer cartridge are connected to each other, and another connecting member for connecting the developing unit and the developer cartridge is disposed. An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1.

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