JP2006030725A - Developing unit and color image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing unit having a wide storage space of a developer without impairing the operability in the attachment and detachment of a cartridge, and to provide an image forming apparatus provided with the developing unit. <P>SOLUTION: The developing unit 4 is provided with the developing cartridge 4K and a developing rotary 40 accommodating the developing cartridges 4K. The developing cartridge 4K is provided with a rotatable handle 11. When the handle 11 is rotated, the end of the handle 11 presses the end of an unlocking member 12, so that the unlocking member 12 moves downward. Accompanying the movement of the unlocking member 12, the projection 12a of the unlocking member 12 presses the partition plate 41 of the developing rotary 40. Further, by pressing the partition plate 41, the projection 13 of the developing cartridge 4K disengages from the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40. Accordingly, the developing cartridge 4K is unlocked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing unit that houses a plurality of developing cartridges in a rotating body and a color image forming apparatus including the developing unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a developing unit in which the operability of attaching and detaching each developing device is improved and space is effectively used, and a color image forming apparatus including the developing unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a color image forming apparatus that forms a color image by superimposing four colors by rotating a photosensitive drum four times has been put into practical use. In such color image forming apparatuses, there is a type in which a rotating body is provided so as to be close to the photosensitive drum, and a rotating type developing unit that houses a plurality of developing cartridges is mounted on the rotating body. (For example, patent document 1). The developing cartridge used in this color image forming apparatus is a so-called front access type that is detachably attached to the rotating body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and has a handle near the center in the longitudinal direction. .

  In the above-described color image forming apparatus, when each developing cartridge is loaded in a predetermined position of the developing unit, the developing cartridge is fixed to the developing unit main body by an independent lock mechanism. In the case of the rotary type developing unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, a hinge-like handle provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge is gripped, and guide ribs on both sides of the developing cartridge are placed along the guide groove of the rotary flange. The position of the developing cartridge is fixed by inserting it. In addition, as a technique for loading a cartridge, for example, an image forming apparatus is disclosed in which a handle and a lock mechanism are integrated, and the cartridge can be attached, detached, locked, and released by one operation (for example, Patent Document 2). ).

In addition, there is a cartridge having a contact (hereinafter referred to as “electrical contact”) that is electrically connected to the apparatus main body. In such a cartridge, if a foreign object is present between the contacts, contact failure occurs. For this reason, a technique is disclosed in which a cleaner that is in sliding contact with the mating contact is provided in the vicinity of one of the contacts of the developing device or the rotating body (for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-12595 JP-A-7-295381 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-69160

  However, the conventional developing unit described above has the following problems. That is, in the developing unit as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a handle space (dent) for gripping the handle to the cartridge to be loaded is required. Therefore, the developer storage space is narrow. The accommodation space can be increased by narrowing the handle space. However, if the handle space is too narrow, the operability is degraded.

  In recent years, with the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus main body, the space occupied by the developing cartridge has also decreased. For this reason, the developing cartridge is also reduced in size, but there is a limit to reducing the handle space in view of operability. Accordingly, the space for storing the developer is becoming increasingly narrow, and it is difficult to secure the necessary amount of developer.

  Further, in the cartridge as disclosed in Patent Document 3, a cleaner for cleaning the electrical contacts is necessary. As a result, the number of parts increases, making it impossible to save space and reduce costs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional developing unit described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing unit having a large developer storage space and an image forming apparatus including the developing unit without deteriorating operability when the cartridge is attached or detached.

  A developing unit for solving this problem is a developing unit that accommodates a plurality of cartridges in a rotating body, and the rotating body is provided with a hole-shaped first lock portion. A handle member that is rotatably supported by the housing, a protruding second lock portion that engages with the first lock portion of the rotating body, and a second lock portion that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the handle member. A release member that is retracted from the body, and the handle member is biased toward the inside of the cartridge by the release member. The color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the developing unit of the present invention.

  That is, the developing unit of the present invention includes a plurality of cartridges and a rotating body that accommodates the cartridges. The cartridge is provided with a handle member that is attached to and detached from the rotating body. The handle member is rotatably provided on the housing of the cartridge, and can be gripped by rotating toward the outside of the cartridge. That is, a handle space is secured by rotating the handle member. For this reason, the cartridge needs a space enough to grip the handle, but does not need a space for gripping the handle. Therefore, a large space for accommodating the developer can be provided.

  Further, in this cartridge, the second lock portion engages with the first lock portion of the rotating body to enable locking. In addition, the release member retracts the first lock portion from the rotating body in conjunction with the turning operation of the handle member. That is, the lock is released by rotating the handle member. As a result, the unlocking of the cartridge and the attaching / detaching of the cartridge can be performed by one operation, and the operability is improved.

  As a lock mechanism for fixing the cartridge to the rotating body, for example, the second lock portion of the cartridge has a protruding shape and may be engaged with a hole-shaped first lock portion provided in the rotating body. . Further, the second lock portion of the cartridge has a hole shape, and may be engaged with a protruding first lock portion provided on the rotating body.

  In addition, it is better if the positions or shapes of the first lock portion and the second lock portion of the present invention are different depending on the place where the rotary body is accommodated. That is, the rotating body is provided with a plurality of storage spaces, and the position or shape of each lock portion is different for each storage space. Thus, for example, the color compatibility of the cartridge can be achieved by changing the position of each lock portion for each color of the developer in the cartridge.

  In addition, each cartridge and rotating body of the present invention each have an electrical contact, and one of the contacts of the cartridge and the rotating body has a shape with a depression in the surface, and the other contact is It is better if the shape is in sliding contact with the depression. In the developing unit of the present invention, the cartridge can be positioned by electrical contacts provided on the cartridge and the rotating body, respectively. In both the contacts, conduction is achieved by the other contact slidingly contacting a recess provided in one contact. And when the contacts are in sliding contact, the relics between the contacts are cleaned. Therefore, stable conduction is ensured without providing cleaning parts such as a cleaner.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a space for gripping the handle member in the cartridge. Therefore, the developer storage space in the cartridge can be widened. In addition, the lock is released in conjunction with the gripping member. Accordingly, a developing unit having a large developer storage space and an image forming apparatus including the developing unit are provided without deteriorating operability when the cartridge is attached or detached.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying a cartridge according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the cartridge will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a developing unit used in a four-cycle color printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charger 2, an exposure device 3, a developing unit 4, an intermediate transfer belt 5, a paper feed roller 6, and a transfer roller 7. And a fixing device 8. The photosensitive drum 1 is provided to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developing unit 4 includes a developing rotary 40 that is rotatably provided. The developing rotary 40 is loaded with four-color developing cartridges 4Y (yellow), 4M (magenta), 4C (cyan), and 4K (black). ing. The developing rotary 40 is provided to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. At the time of image formation, the developing rotary 40 rotates so that the developing cartridge corresponding to the designated developing color faces the photosensitive drum 1.

  The color printer 100 forms a color image by the following procedure. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charger 2 positioned above the photosensitive drum 1. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 by the exposure device 3. Next, a developing operation is performed by the developing unit 4 using a developing cartridge of a designated developing color. Next, the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. The operation so far is performed for each color of YMCK, and the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. When the color image is formed, the recording paper 9 is conveyed toward the transfer roller 7 by the paper supply roller 6. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is transferred onto the recording paper 9 by the transfer roller 7. The toner image transferred onto the recording paper 9 is fixed onto the recording paper 9 by the fixing device 8 and discharged from the color printer 100.

  Next, the development rotary 40 and the development cartridge 4K of the development unit 4 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the developing rotary 40 in a state where the developing cartridge is not loaded. The development rotary 40 is divided into four areas by four partition plates 41, 42, 43, and 44, and one development cartridge is loaded in each area. Each partition plate is provided with a hooking hole portion 10 for locking the developing cartridge at a central portion in the longitudinal direction.

  In the development rotary 40 of this embodiment, two substantially square hooking holes 10 are provided in each partition plate, but the number and shape are not limited. That is, it is sufficient that at least one hooking hole 10 is provided in each partition plate. The shape may be any shape that can be engaged with a protrusion of a developing cartridge described later. The developing cartridge locking mechanism will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the developing cartridge 4K is viewed from the front side (outside in the radial direction when loaded in the developing rotary 40). FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the developing cartridge 4K is viewed from the back side (the inner side in the radial direction when loaded in the developing rotary 40). The other color developing cartridges have the same configuration.

  The developing cartridge 4K is a front access type cartridge, and includes a handle 11 at a central portion in the longitudinal direction. The handle 11 has a plate shape and is curved along the housing of the developing cartridge 4K. Further, the handle 11 is rotatably supported by a support portion 16 provided in the housing.

  Further, the developing cartridge 4K is provided with an unlocking member 12 that releases the locked state between the developing cartridge 4K and the developing rotary 40, and a plurality of protrusions 13 that can be engaged with the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40. It has been. When the protrusion 13 is engaged with the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40, the developing cartridge 4K is fixed to the developing rotary 40. That is, the lock state is entered. Further, the unlocking member 12 is provided with a protruding portion 12a protruding outward at the lower end thereof. Further, the unlocking member 12 is movable in the vertical direction in FIG. 4 along the housing of the developing cartridge 4K in conjunction with the turning operation of the handle 11. Further, the lock release member 12 always urges the end of the handle 11 by a push spring or the like, and the handle 11 is in contact with the housing of the developing cartridge 4K and is closed unless the user lifts the handle 11. ing.

  The development rotary 40 and the development cartridge 4K are each provided with an electrical contact. Specifically, the developing rotary 40 is provided with a wire-like electrical contact 14 bent at an acute angle as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the developing cartridge 4K is provided with a planar electrical contact 15 provided with a cylindrical depression as shown in FIG. When the developing cartridge 4K is loaded into the developing rotary 40, the electrical contact 14 on the developing rotary 40 side comes into sliding contact with the electrical contact 15 on the developing cartridge 4K side as shown in FIG. The shape of the recess of the electrical contact 15 may be circular or square. Moreover, the electrical contact 14 should just be a shape which slidably contacts with the hollow of the electrical contact 15, and is not restricted to a wire shape, For example, a ribbon shape may be sufficient.

  Next, the developing cartridge locking mechanism will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 4 and shows a state in which the developing cartridge 4K is loaded in the developing rotary 40, that is, a locked state. Specifically, when the developing cartridge 4K is locked, the protrusion 13 of the developing cartridge 4K is engaged with the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40. The handle 11 is always urged toward the housing of the developing cartridge 4K by the lock release member 12, and is in a state of being in contact with the housing.

  In the locked state, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrical contact 15 on the development cartridge 4K side and the electrical contact 14 on the development rotary 40 side are brought into pressure contact with each other, whereby conduction between the two contacts is achieved. Further, the developing cartridge 4K is positioned by pressure contact between the two contacts. Further, since the electrical contacts are positioned in sliding contact with each other, the contact portion of the contact is cleaned at that time.

  Next, the developing cartridge release mechanism will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 4 and shows a state in which the lock between the developing cartridge 4K and the developing rotary 40 is released. To release the developing cartridge 4K, the handle 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. When the handle 11 is rotated, the end of the handle 11 depresses the end of the unlocking member 12, and the unlocking member 12 moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. As the lock release member 12 moves, the protrusion 12a of the lock release member 12 presses the partition plate 41 of the development rotary 40 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Then, by pressing the partition plate 41, the protrusion 13 of the developing cartridge 4 </ b> K is detached from the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40 and is retracted from the developing rotary 40. Thereby, the lock of the developing cartridge 4K is released.

  It should be noted that all the developing cartridges of the present embodiment have the same form and can be loaded into any of the four storage areas provided in the developing rotary 40, but this is not restrictive. For example, the hooking hole 10 of the developing rotary 40 and the protrusion 13 of the developing cartridge are set at different positions for each storage area. Thereby, only the developing cartridge corresponding to the area can be loaded in each receiving area of the developing rotary 40. Therefore, for example, it is possible to specify a developing cartridge for each color, and color compatibility can be maintained.

  As an aspect of the developing cartridge that enables color compatibility, there are different positions of the protrusions 13, different numbers of protrusions 13, or different shapes of the protrusions 13. In any case, the developing rotary 40 is provided with the hooking hole 10 corresponding to the position and shape of the protrusion 13.

  As described in detail above, the developing cartridge loaded in the developing unit 4 of the present embodiment has the handle 11 that is rotatably provided. The handle 11 is normally biased toward the housing and is in a closed state. Therefore, it does not interfere with other parts when the developing unit 4 rotates. In addition, the handle 11 is normally in a closed state, but is rotated and gripped when being attached and detached. That is, since it is gripped at a position outside the outer shape of the developing unit 4, it is not necessary to provide a handle space in the housing as in the prior art. Therefore, the developer storage space is wide. It is also possible to save space.

  Further, the unlocking member 12 retracts the developing cartridge 4K from the developing rotary 40 in conjunction with the turning operation of the handle 11. That is, the lock is released by gripping the handle 11. Accordingly, the unlocking of the developing cartridge 4K and the attaching / detaching of the developing cartridge 4K can be performed by one operation, and the operability is good. Therefore, a developing unit having a large developer storage space and an image forming apparatus including the developing unit are realized without deteriorating operability when the developing cartridge is attached or detached.

  Further, the developing cartridge 4K is positioned by the pressure contact force of the electrical contacts 14 and 15. Therefore, a member for positioning is not necessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, the electrical contacts are electrically connected to each other when the wire-shaped electrical contacts 14 are in sliding contact with the recesses provided in the planar electrical contacts 15. And when the electrical contacts are in sliding contact, the relics between the contacts are cleaned. Thereby, stable conduction is ensured without providing cleaning parts such as a cleaner.

  In the developing unit 4, the pressure contact force between the electrical contact 14 and the electrical contact 15 is used for positioning the developing cartridge 4K. That is, in the conventional developing unit, it is necessary to provide a separate pressing spring or the like to bias the developing cartridge in order to position the developing cartridge. In this embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced by using the pressure contact force between the electrical contacts for positioning the developing cartridge.

  Further, it is better that the position or shape of the protrusion 13 of each developing cartridge differs depending on the place where the developing rotary 40 is accommodated. Thereby, it is easy to achieve color compatibility of the cartridge.

  That is, the development unit 4 of this embodiment does not require parts necessary for the conventional development unit, such as a handle fixing member, a color-compatible member, a cartridge biasing member for positioning, and an electrical contact cleaning member. It is. Therefore, the configuration is simple and the number of parts can be reduced.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. That is, it can be applied to a copying machine, a scanner, a FAX, a word processor, or the like. Further, the present invention is not limited to a color machine, and can be applied to a monochrome machine.

  In the lock mechanism of the embodiment, the protrusion 13 is provided in the developing cartridge, and the hooking hole 10 that engages with the protrusion 13 is provided in the developing rotary 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the protrusion 13 may be provided on the developing rotary 40, and the hooking hole 10 that engages with the protrusion 13 may be provided on the developing cartridge.

  Further, in the electrical contact according to the embodiment, the developing cartridge 4K side has a planar shape and the developing rotary 40 side has a wire shape, but this is not restrictive. That is, the developing cartridge 4K side may be a wire shape, and the developing rotary 40 side may be a surface shape.

1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the developing rotary which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view (front side) which shows the developing cartridge concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view (back side) which shows the developing cartridge concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electrical contact of a developing cartridge and a developing rotary. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing cartridge locking mechanism. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developing cartridge release mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

4 Development unit (development unit)
4K developer cartridge (cartridge)
40 Development rotary (rotary body)
10 Hook hole (first lock part)
11 Handle (handle material)
12 Lock release member (release member)
13 Protruding part (second locking part)
14 Electrical contacts
15 Electrical contacts
100 color printer (color image forming device)

Claims (11)

In a developing unit containing a plurality of cartridges in a rotating body,
The rotating body is provided with a hole-shaped first lock portion,
Each cartridge
A handle member rotatably supported by the cartridge housing;
A projecting second locking portion that engages with the first locking portion of the rotating body;
A release member that retracts the second lock portion from the rotating body in conjunction with the rotation of the handle member;
The developing unit, wherein the handle member is urged toward the inside of the cartridge by the release member. In a developing unit containing a plurality of cartridges in a rotating body,
The rotating body is provided with a protruding first lock portion,
Each cartridge
A handle member rotatably supported by the cartridge housing;
A hole-like second lock portion engaged with the first lock portion of the rotating body;
A release member that retracts the second lock portion from the rotating body in conjunction with the rotation of the handle member;
The developing unit, wherein the handle member is urged toward the inside of the cartridge by the release member. In the developing unit according to claim 1 or 2,
The developing unit, wherein positions or shapes of the first lock part and the second lock part differ depending on a place in which the rotary body is accommodated. In the developing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Each cartridge and the rotating body are each provided with an electrical contact,
Either one of the contact points of the cartridge and the rotating body has a shape in which a depression is provided in a plane,
2. The developing unit according to claim 1, wherein the other contact has a shape in sliding contact with the recess. The developing unit according to claim 4,
A developing unit characterized in that positioning of the cartridge to the rotating body is performed by a pressure contact force of an electrical contact. In a color image forming apparatus including a developing unit loaded with a plurality of cartridges,
The developing unit is
A rotating body capable of rotating and accommodating a plurality of cartridges;
The rotating body is provided with a hole-shaped first lock portion,
Each cartridge
A handle member rotatably supported by the cartridge housing;
A projecting second locking portion that engages with the first locking portion of the rotating body;
A release member that retracts the second lock portion from the rotating body in conjunction with the rotation of the handle member;
The color image forming apparatus, wherein the handle member is urged toward the inside of the cartridge by the release member. In a color image forming apparatus including a developing unit loaded with a plurality of cartridges,
The developing unit is
A rotating body capable of rotating and accommodating a plurality of cartridges;
The rotating body is provided with a protruding first lock portion,
Each cartridge
A handle member rotatably supported by the cartridge housing;
A hole-like second lock portion engaged with the first lock portion of the rotating body;
A release member that retracts the second lock portion from the rotating body in conjunction with the rotation of the handle member;
The color image forming apparatus, wherein the handle member is urged toward the inside of the cartridge by the release member. In the color image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
The color image forming apparatus, wherein the positions or shapes of the first lock part and the second lock part differ depending on a position accommodated in the rotating body. The color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
Each cartridge and the rotating body are each provided with an electrical contact,
Either one of the contact points of the cartridge and the rotating body has a shape in which a depression is provided in a plane,
A color image forming apparatus characterized in that the other contact has a shape in sliding contact with the recess. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 9,
A color image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge is positioned with respect to the rotating body by a pressure contact force of an electrical contact. The color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10,
Each of the cartridges can be attached to and detached from the rotating body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

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