JP2006330151A - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent drop of toner in a toner cartridge which is attached to/detached from a developing device main body, and to improve operability in the attachment/detachment of the cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A guide rib 25 is provided on a developing unit main body 35, and a guide groove 19 is provided on the toner cartridge 37. When the cartridge is attached, it is guided to the remote part 25a of the guide rib first, and a shutter mechanism 90 on a main body side and a shutter mechanism 100 on a cartridge side are separated at such a time (a). When the tip of the cartridge passes through the oblique side part 25c of the guide rib, the cartridge approaches to the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side and both shutter mechanisms 90 and 100 come into contact with each other at their front ends. Thereafter, the contact area is gradually increased and both shutter mechanisms 90 and 100 abut on each other with their entire surfaces when they are guided to the proximate part 25b of the guide rib. Since both shutter mechanisms 90 and 100 are separated just until completing the attachment of the cartridge 37, sliding resistance in the attachment of the cartridge is drastically reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

JP 2002-229318 A

A developing device in which a toner cartridge is detachably provided in the developing device main body is well known, for example, from Patent Document 1.
Here, an example of a conventional developing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A toner cartridge 137 shown in FIG. 12 has a toner supply port 139b for supplying toner to the developing device main body 131 shown in FIG. The toner cartridge 137 includes a shutter mechanism that closes the toner supply port 139b when the cartridge is removed from the developing device main body, and the shutter mechanism is an elastic member 136 such as polyurethane foam attached to the toner supply port 139b. And a slide shutter 138 that covers the elastic member 136 from the outside. The slide shutter 138 is removed from the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge 137 is set in the developing device main body 131.

  On the other hand, the developing device main body 131 is provided with a toner supply port 139a corresponding to the toner supply port 139b of the toner cartridge. The toner supply port 139a on the developing device main body side is always open.

  When the toner cartridge 137 is set in the developing device main body 131, the gears 135 and 135 on the cartridge side mesh with the gears 140 and 140 of the developing device main body, and an agitator (not shown) provided in the toner cartridge 137 is driven to rotate. As a result, the toner is supplied from the cartridge 137 to the developing device main body 131 through the toner supply ports 139b and 139a.

  The difference in charging characteristics between the new toner replenished from the toner cartridge and the deteriorated toner which is continuously stirred in the developing device is large, and both of them must be properly stirred and mixed in order to obtain stable image quality.

  However, in the above conventional example, since the toner supply port is located only in the central portion in the width direction, new toner is often mixed into the central portion, and new toner is difficult to mix at both ends. For this reason, even if charging is performed under the same conditions, a difference occurs depending on the location, and there is a problem in that unevenness occurs in the image or “background stain” that adheres to a portion where toner is not desired to adhere.

  Further, when the toner cartridge 137 is removed from the developing device main body 131, there is a problem that the toner remaining in the hole 136a of the elastic member 136 attached to the cartridge falls and the user gets dirty.

  Further, the elastic member 136 is attached to the toner cartridge 137, and when the toner cartridge 137 is set on the developing device main body 131, both are slid while being mounted. There is also a problem that the operability is not good.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems in a conventional developing device in which a toner cartridge is detachably provided, and allows a new toner supplied from the toner cartridge to be well agitated and mixed with the toner in the developing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent contamination due to dropping and improve operability when the cartridge is attached and detached.

  According to the present invention, the toner cartridge is detachably provided in the developing device main body, and the toner is replenished from the toner replenishing port provided in the toner cartridge through the toner replenishing port provided in the developing device main body. In the apparatus, a shutter mechanism movable to an open position for releasing the toner supply port and a closed position for closing the toner supply port is provided in each of the toner supply port of the toner cartridge and the toner supply port of the developing device main body. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, the shutter mechanism of the toner cartridge and the shutter mechanism of the developing device main body are separated from each other at the beginning of the mounting. This is solved by being configured to abut.

  Further, an elastic member is disposed on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism of either the toner cartridge side shutter mechanism or the main body side shutter mechanism, and when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing device main body, the elastic member is compressed, and both the shutter mechanism contacts the shutter mechanism. It is preferable to prevent toner leakage from the contact portion.

  Further, a sheet-like member having excellent slidability is arranged on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism on the side where the elastic member is not arranged, and the sheet-like member is attached to the developing device main body when the toner cartridge is mounted on the elastic member. It is preferable to be provided so as to oppose to.

  Also, a guide member for guiding the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, the proximity portion being near from the main body side shutter mechanism and the distance from the main body side shutter mechanism being long. It is preferable to provide a guide member having a remote part and an intermediate part that connects the proximity part and the remote part.

Preferably, the guide member is a rail-shaped guide rib, and the toner cartridge has a guide groove that fits into the guide rib.
Further, it is preferable that the contact area gradually increase when the shutter mechanisms come into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body.

Further, it is preferable that the both shutter mechanisms are opened after the shutter mechanisms come into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body.
Further, it is preferable that both the shutter mechanisms are automatically opened / closed by attaching / detaching the toner cartridge to / from the developing device main body.

  Further, it is preferable that the toner cartridge is taken out by being pulled out from the mounting position of the developing device main body to the outside of the main body, and the both shutter mechanisms are separated immediately after the toner cartridge starts to be pulled out when the toner cartridge is taken out.

Further, it is preferable that when the both shutter mechanisms are separated from each other, the contact area of the both shutter mechanisms gradually decreases.
In addition, it is preferable that the support member that movably supports the shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side is formed of a sheet-like member having excellent slidability, and the main body side shutter mechanism is pressed against the developing device main body by the support member. .

Preferably, the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge and the toner replenishing port of the developing device main body are provided so as to correspond to substantially the entire image forming width of the developing device.
Further, the shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side preferably includes a slide member supported so as to be slidable, and the slide member is preferably formed of a sheet-like member having excellent slidability.

  According to the present invention, the above problem is solved by an image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

  According to the developing device and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge and the toner replenishing port of the developing device main body are respectively set to the open position for releasing the toner replenishing port and the closed position for closing the toner replenishing port. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, the shutter mechanism of the toner cartridge and the shutter mechanism of the developing device main body are separated from each other when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body. Therefore, the sliding resistance when the toner cartridge is mounted can be greatly reduced, and the operability when the cartridge is mounted can be improved.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, the elastic member is disposed on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism of either the toner cartridge side shutter mechanism or the main body side shutter mechanism, and the elastic member is compressed when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing device main body. Toner leakage from the shutter mechanism contact portion can be prevented.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, a sheet-like member having excellent slidability is arranged on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism on the side where no elastic member is arranged, and the sheet-like member is an elastic member when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body. Therefore, the sliding resistance when the cartridge is mounted can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide member guides the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, and the proximity portion that is close to the main body side shutter mechanism has a distance from the main body side shutter mechanism. Since it has a guide member having a distant remote part and an intermediate part that connects the proximity part and the remote part, both shutter mechanisms are separated at the beginning of mounting, and the configuration in which both shutter mechanisms abut immediately before the mounting is completed is simple Can be realized with a simple configuration.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the guide member is a rail-shaped guide rib and the toner cartridge has a guide groove that fits into the guide rib, the toner cartridge can be accurately guided by the rail-shaped guide rib.

  According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the contact area gradually increases when the both shutter mechanisms come into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, so that a sudden increase in the sliding resistance when the toner cartridge is mounted can be prevented. The operability can be improved.

  According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, since both the shutter mechanisms are opened after the both shutter mechanisms are brought into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing device main body, toner leakage can be prevented.

  According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, since both the shutter mechanisms are automatically opened / closed by attaching / detaching the toner cartridge to / from the developing device main body, it is not necessary to manually open / close the shutter mechanism, and the operability can be improved. it can.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the toner cartridge is taken out from the mounting position of the developing device main body to the outside of the main body, and both shutter mechanisms are separated immediately after the toner cartridge starts to be pulled out when the toner cartridge is taken out. Further, the sliding resistance can be greatly reduced even when the toner cartridge is taken out, and the operability when the toner cartridge is taken out can be improved.

  According to the structure of the tenth aspect, when the shutter mechanisms are separated from each other, the contact area between the shutter mechanisms gradually decreases, so that a sudden decrease in sliding resistance is prevented, the toner cartridge is dropped, the operator's body and clothes The toner cartridge is prevented from being applied to the toner cartridge.

  According to the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the supporting member that movably supports the shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side is configured by a sheet-like member having excellent slidability, and the main body side shutter mechanism is attached to the developing device main body by the supporting member. Since the pressure is pressed, the sliding resistance of the main body side shutter mechanism can be reduced and the sealing performance between the shutter mechanism and the developing device main body can be improved.

  The toner supply port of the toner cartridge and the toner supply port of the developing device main body are provided corresponding to almost the entire width of the image forming width of the developing device, so that the new toner supplied from the toner cartridge is provided. Since the toner is mixed and spread over almost the entire image forming width of the developing device main body, the new toner and the toner in the developing device main body are suitably mixed to effectively prevent the occurrence of image unevenness and background contamination. Can do.

  According to the structure of the thirteenth aspect, the shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side has a slide member supported so as to be slidable, and the slide member is formed of a sheet-like member having excellent slidability. As in the case of forming the resin with resin or the like, a slight step such as sink marks or weld lines due to molding does not occur, and the sealing performance can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a color copying apparatus which is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The overall configuration and operation of this color copying apparatus will be described later, and the developing apparatus that is the gist of the present invention will be described first.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each developing device 31M, C, Y, K of the developing unit 30 has a developing sleeve 32 that rotates while carrying toner on the surface in order to develop an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11. And a developing first unit 35 including a toner paddle 33 that rotates to pump up and stir the toner, a toner replenishing roller 34, and a doctor roller 36, and a developing second unit 37 that is a toner cartridge that contains toner. It consists of The reason why the development first unit 35 is divided into two units in this manner is that the development first unit 35 has durability that can withstand even when the development second unit 37 is replaced. In the developing second unit (toner cartridge) 37, biaxial agitators 38, 38 are provided.

  The toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 37 as the second developing unit to the first developing unit 35 through the toner supply port 39. The agitator 38 provided in the toner cartridge 37 rotates to draw up the toner, and the toner is supplied to each developing first unit 35 from the supply port 39.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the developing device 31 with the toner cartridge 37 removed. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the shutter portion of the development first unit 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing device 31 is provided with a toner replenishing port 39 a on the side surface (the surface facing the toner cartridge 37) of the first developing unit 35. The toner replenishing port 39a is provided corresponding to almost the entire width of the image forming width, and includes a plurality of openings. A shutter mounting portion 21 is provided on the inner surface of the first unit where the toner supply port 39a is provided, and a shutter mechanism 90 is slidably mounted as shown by an arrow in FIG. The shutter mechanism 90 includes a slide plate 91 and an elastic member 92, and the elastic member 92 is attached to one surface of the slide plate 91. The slide plate 91 and the elastic member 92 are provided with a plurality of openings (only the opening 92a of the elastic member 92 is shown) corresponding to the toner supply port 39a. The plurality of openings provided in the slide plate 91 and the elastic member 92 are provided in the same shape and in the same position as the toner supply port 39a, and the shutter mechanism 90 is slid to move the shutter side opening 92a (and the slide plate 91). The toner supply port is opened when the opening (not shown) coincides with the toner supply port 39a on the main body side, and the toner supply port is closed when both openings are displaced. A receiving portion 93 into which a protrusion provided on a slide plate 95 of a shutter mechanism on the toner cartridge side, which will be described later, is fitted is formed on the back side (in the drawing, obliquely upper left) end of the slide plate 91. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, guide members 22 and 23 made of a member having excellent slidability such as a Mylar (trade name) film are attached to the upper and lower sides of the shutter mounting portion 21. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the shutter mounting portion 21 is formed in a concave shape on the inner side surface of the unit. The shutter mechanism 90 is fitted into the recessed portion, and the upper and lower portions of the shutter mechanism 90 are guided by the guide members 22 and 23. By guiding, the shutter mechanism 90 can move the shutter mounting portion 21 in the arrow direction.

  In this example, the slide plate 91 of the shutter mechanism 90 is formed of a 0.5 mm thick Mylar (trade name) film, and the amount of depression (step difference from the outer surface) of the shutter mounting portion 21 is set to 0.3 mm. Therefore, the guide members 22 and 23 suppress the slide plate 91 by the difference between the thickness of the slide plate 91 and the recess of the shutter mounting portion 21 (in this example, 0.2 mm) (the shutter mechanism 90 is separated from the developing first unit 35). Therefore, the sealing property between the first developing unit 35 and the shutter mechanism 90 is improved.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the shutter mechanism provided in the toner cartridge 37 is disassembled. The toner cartridge 37 is set by being inserted into the first developing unit 35 (FIG. 3) as indicated by an arrow S shown in the drawing. Supply toner to one side surface of the toner cartridge 37 (the surface facing the development first unit 35 when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the developing device 31) so as to correspond to the toner supply port 39a of the development first unit 35. A mouth 39b is provided. The toner replenishing port 39b is composed of the same number of openings as the toner replenishing port 39a on the main body side of the developing device 31, and the shape and position thereof are provided so as to coincide with the toner replenishing port 39a on the main body side.

  The shutter mechanism 100 of the toner cartridge 37 includes an elastic member 94 attached to the side surface of the cartridge so as to cover the periphery of the toner supply port 39b, a slide plate 95 supported slidably outside the elastic member 94, It is composed of a fixed seal 96 disposed further outside the slide plate 95.

  The elastic member 94 is provided with a plurality of openings 94a corresponding to the toner supply ports 39b, and the number, shape, and position of the openings are provided so as to coincide with the toner supply ports 39b. The slide plate 95 is provided with a plurality of openings 95a corresponding to the toner supply port 39b and the openings 94a of the elastic member 94. The opening 95a of the slide plate 95 is also provided so that the number, shape, and position of the openings coincide with the toner supply port 39b and the opening 94a of the elastic member 94.

  The fixed seal 96 is a rigid member. The fixed seal 96 is fixed to the toner cartridge 37 and remains fixed even when the slide plate 95 moves. The fixed seal 96 is provided with a plurality of openings 96a corresponding to the toner supply port 39b, the openings 94a of the elastic member 94, and the openings 95a of the slide plate 95. The openings 96a are also provided so that the number, shape, and position of the openings coincide with the toner supply port 39b, the opening 94a of the elastic member 94, and the opening 95a of the slide plate 95.

  The slide plate 95 of the shutter mechanism 100 slides and its opening 95a coincides with the toner supply port 39b of the cartridge, the opening 94a of the elastic member 94, and the opening 96a of the fixed seal 96, whereby the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 37 is opened. In addition, the toner replenishing port is closed by shifting both the openings (opening 95a, toner replenishing port 39b, opening 94a, and opening 96a).

  Further, a projection 95b is formed at one end of the slide plate 95 (the end on the back side when the toner cartridge 37 is inserted into the developing device 31). When the toner cartridge 37 is set in the developing device 31, the protruding portion 95 b is fitted into a receiving portion 93 provided on the slide plate 91 of the shutter mechanism 90 on the developing device 31 body side.

  A locking portion 95c is formed at the end of the slide plate 95 on the side opposite to the protruding portion 95b. As shown in FIG. 5, when the slide plate 95 is slidably supported on the side of the cartridge, the range of movement of the slide plate 95 is the locking portion 95c (opening) on the front side in the cartridge insertion direction (arrow S direction). The upper and lower oblique sides (which are formed wider than the intermediate portion provided with 95a) are restricted by contacting the upper and lower contact portions 37a and 37a provided on the cartridge 37. On the rear side in the cartridge insertion direction, the rear end portion of the locking portion 95 c is regulated by coming into contact with a protrusion 97 provided on the cartridge 37.

  When the slide plate 95 moves to the maximum front side with respect to the cartridge 37, that is, when the protrusion 95 b protrudes most from the cartridge 37, the opening 95 a of the slide plate 95 is the toner supply port 39 b and the opening 94 a of the elastic member 94. In addition, the shutter mechanism 100 is closed because it does not coincide with the opening 96a of the fixed seal 96 (the opening 95a is shifted from the other openings).

  On the other hand, when the slide plate 95 is moved to the maximum rear side with respect to the cartridge 37, that is, when the rear end portion of the locking portion 95c comes into contact with the protrusion 97, the opening 95a of the slide plate 95 is a toner supply port. 39b and the opening 94a of the elastic member 94 and the opening 96a of the fixed seal 96 coincide with the opening 96a, and the shutter mechanism 100 is opened.

  The slide plate 95 is attached to the cartridge from the outside of the elastic member 94, and the slide plate 95 presses the elastic member 94 to elastically deform it, eliminating a gap between the slide plate 95 and the elastic member 94, and dropping the toner from the toner cartridge 37. To prevent. Further, since the fixed seal 96 is provided outside the slide plate 95, the opening 95a of the slide plate 95 and the opening 96a of the fixed seal 96 are displaced when the shutter mechanism 100 is closed, so that the opening 95a of the slide plate 95 is also fixed. The toner 96 that is blocked by the seal 96 (non-opening portion thereof) and remains in the opening 95a portion of the slide plate 95 is also prevented. Therefore, in the toner cartridge 37 of this example, when the cartridge is removed from the main body of the developing device 31, the toner from the cartridge is strictly prevented by the shutter mechanism 100.

  Now, as indicated by the arrow S shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the toner cartridge 37 is inserted and set in the main body of the developing device 31, and the schematic diagram of FIG. 7 shows the operation of the shutter mechanism when the cartridge is set. The description will be given with reference.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, both the main body-side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge-side shutter mechanism 100 are in the “closed” state before the cartridge is mounted. That is, on the main body side, the toner supply port 39 a is closed by the non-opening portion of the slide plate 91. On the cartridge side, the toner supply port 39 b is closed by the non-opening portion of the slide plate 95.

  In FIG. 7B, the protrusion 95 b provided at the back end of the slide plate 95 of the shutter mechanism 100 is fitted to the receiving portion 93 at the back end of the slide plate 91 of the shutter mechanism 90 on the developing device 31 side. It is in the state. At this time, the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side and the shutter mechanism 100 on the cartridge side are both in the “closed” state.

  When the cartridge is further inserted in the arrow S direction from the state of FIG. 7B, the main body side slide plate 91 (and the elastic member 92) moved forward through the cartridge side slide plate 95 moves forward. The toner supply port 39a on the main body side is gradually opened. As shown in FIG. 7C, when the front end of the main body side slide plate 91 abuts against the end surface of the shutter mounting portion 21 and the movement of the slide plate 91 is restricted (the slide plate 91 is maximum in the cartridge insertion direction). When the limit is moved), the openings of the slide plate 91 and the elastic member 92 coincide with the toner supply port 39a, and the toner supply port 39a is opened (the shutter mechanism 90 is opened). At this time, the shutter mechanism 100 on the cartridge side is in a closed state.

  In addition, when the state shown in FIG. 7C is reached, the cartridge-side slide plate 95 in which the protruding portion 95b is fitted to the main body-side receiving portion 93 is also restricted from moving further in the insertion direction. When the cartridge is further inserted in the direction of arrow S, the housing of the cartridge 37, the elastic member 94, and the fixed seal 96 move forward (the slide plate 95 moves relatively backward with respect to the cartridge). As shown in FIG. 7D, the rear end of the locking portion 95c on the rear side of the slide plate 95 abuts against the protrusion 97 (FIG. 6) at the position where the cartridge 37 is completely set in the main body of the developing device 31. At this time, each opening (39b, 94a, 95a, 96a: see FIG. 6) of each member on the cartridge side (cartridge housing, elastic member 94, slide plate 95, fixed seal 96) is matched, and the shutter mechanism 100 is opened. Thus, the cartridge side toner supply port is opened. As a result, the main body side toner replenishing port 39a and the cartridge side toner replenishing port 39b are aligned and communicated, and the toner replenishing port 39 is opened.

  Thus, in this example, by setting the toner cartridge 37 in the main body of the developing device 31 (development first unit 35), the shutter mechanism 90 and the shutter mechanism 100 are automatically opened, and the toner replenishing port on the main body side. 39a communicates with the toner supply port 39b on the cartridge side. Further, when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the main body of the developing device 31 (development first unit 35), first, the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side starts first, and after the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side is completely opened, the cartridge side The shutter mechanism 100 is configured to open. This more reliably prevents toner leakage.

  When the toner cartridge 37 is removed from the main body of the developing device 31, the shutter mechanism 90 and the slide plate 91 and the slide plate 95 of the shutter mechanism 100 are moved in the opposite direction to the shutter mechanism 90 by the operation of pulling out the cartridge 37 from the main body. Both the shutter mechanism 100 and the shutter mechanism 100 are closed.

  In a state where the toner cartridge 37 is set in the main body of the developing device 31, the elastic member 92 of the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side is pressed and elastically deformed by the shutter mechanism 100 on the toner cartridge side, and a gap is formed between the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92. Is prevented, toner leakage at the joint portion between the toner cartridge 37 and the developing device 31 main body is prevented, and toner drop from the developing portion is prevented.

  Further, in this example, the toner mechanism 37 and the shutter mechanism 100 are automatically closed by pulling out the toner cartridge 37 from the main body of the developing device 31. Therefore, the main body of the developing device 31 (developing first unit 35) and the toner cartridge are closed. Toner leakage from 37 is prevented.

  Incidentally, a guide rib 25 is provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge setting portion 24 of the first developing unit 35 on which the toner cartridge 37 is set. Correspondingly, a guide groove 19 that can be fitted into the guide rib 25 is formed on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 37. FIG. 8 shows the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 37 in which the guide groove 19 is formed. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the shapes of the guide rib 25 and the guide groove 19.

  As shown in these drawings, the guide rib 25 is provided so as to be parallel to the shutter mechanism 90 of the developing first unit 35, and the distance from the remote portion 25a having a large distance from the shutter mechanism 90 and the shutter mechanism 90 is small. It consists of a proximity part 25b and an intermediate part (slope side part) 25c connecting both.

  On the other hand, the guide groove 19 is provided so as to be parallel to the shutter mechanism 100 of the toner cartridge 37, and mainly includes a wide portion 19a having a wide groove width and a narrow portion 19b having a narrow groove width. The wide width portion 19a and the narrow width portion 19b have different groove widths. However, on the side opposite to the shutter mechanism 100, the wall surfaces (groove wall surfaces) of the wide width portion 19a and the narrow width portion 19b are connected in a straight line without a step. Then, a step is provided so that the groove width is different on the shutter mechanism 100 side, and the wide portion 19a and the narrow portion 19b are connected by an intermediate portion (slope side portion) 19c. Both ends of the guide groove 19 are open to the outside of the cartridge. At the end on the front side in the cartridge insertion direction, a jaw portion 19d that protrudes inside the groove on the opposite side to the shutter mechanism 100, and the outside of the groove on the shutter mechanism 100 side. An introduction portion 19e extending obliquely is formed. Needless to say, the groove width and length of each part of the guide groove 19 are set so that the guide groove 19 can be fitted into the guide rib 25.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the guide groove 19 is inserted into the guide rib 25 when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the cartridge setting portion 24 of the first developing unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when the toner cartridge 37 is initially inserted, the wide width portion 19a of the guide groove 19 is fitted into the remote portion 25a of the guide rib 25, and the distal end portion of the guide groove 19 is opposite to the shutter mechanism. Therefore, the toner cartridge 37 is moved away from the shutter mechanism 90 of the first developing unit 35 so that the toner cartridge 37 (and its shutter mechanism 100) does not come into contact with the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side. Guided. In a range where the jaw portion 19d of the guide groove 19 is in contact with the remote portion 25a of the guide rib 25, the toner cartridge is guided as it is without contacting the shutter mechanism 90 on the main body side, and the insertion is continued.

  When the insertion of the toner cartridge 37 is continued and the jaw portion 19d of the guide groove 19 reaches the oblique side portion 25c of the guide rib 25, the opposite portion of the jaw portion 19d is expanded as the introduction portion 19e. The guide rib 25 can pass through the hypotenuse 25c without being caught by the hypotenuse 25c. At this time, the leading end portion of the guide groove is guided by the oblique side portion 25 c of the guide rib 25, whereby the cartridge gradually approaches the main body side shutter mechanism 90 on the front side (front side in the insertion direction) of the toner cartridge 37. In addition, at this time, the cartridge 37 is guided in a slightly inclined manner (inclined with respect to the developing first unit 35).

  9B, when the jaw portion 19d of the guide groove 19 reaches the proximity portion 25b of the guide rib 25, the protrusion portion 95b of the slide plate 95 protrudes forward from the tip of the cartridge 37 in the insertion direction. Is fitted to a receiving portion 93 provided on the slide plate 91 of the main body side shutter mechanism 90. Further, the shutter mechanism 100 (the fixed seal 96 thereof) contacts the elastic member 92 of the main body side shutter mechanism 90 at the front end portion of the cartridge 37. Since the contact between the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92 starts gradually from the front of the cartridge, the whole does not contact at once, preventing a sudden increase in sliding resistance when the cartridge is inserted.

  Insertion of the cartridge 37 is continued, and the oblique side portion 19c of the guide groove is brought into contact with and guided by the rear end portion of the guide rib 25 on the rear side of the cartridge, and the cartridge gradually becomes parallel to the main body side shutter mechanism 90. Further, the rear end portion of the guide rib 25 is fitted into the narrow width portion 19b of the guide groove 19, so that the cartridge 37 is parallel to the main body side shutter mechanism 90, and the entire elastic member 92 of the main body side shutter mechanism 90 is on the cartridge side. The shutter mechanism 100 (fixed seal 96) is pressed and compressed. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the toner cartridge 37 is completely set in the developing first unit 35.

  Thus, in this example, when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the developing device main body (development first unit 35), until most of the toner cartridge 37 (over 80% in this example) is inserted into the main body. Since the main body side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge side shutter mechanism 100, that is, the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92 are not in contact with each other, the sliding resistance when the cartridge is set can be greatly reduced. Therefore, the operability at the time of cartridge mounting can be improved.

  Further, the contact between the main body side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge side shutter mechanism 100, that is, the contact between the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92 gradually starts from the front of the cartridge, so that the entire contact area gradually increases rather than contacting at once. Since it increases, the sliding resistance does not rise abruptly, and this point is excellent in operability.

  Further, when the cartridge 37 is inserted, the toner cartridge 37 is guided by the guide rib 25, so that the corner portion of the cartridge 37 does not contact the hole (the opening 92a of the elastic member 92) of the main body side shutter mechanism 90 to be damaged. . Therefore, toner leakage due to damage to the elastic member 92 of the main body side shutter mechanism 90 can be prevented in advance.

  When the toner cartridge 37 is removed from the developing device main body (development first unit 35), the main body side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge side shutter mechanism 100 are initially in contact with each other contrary to the above. When the cartridge 37 is slightly pulled out, the cartridge gradually separates from the developing device main body from the front of the cartridge (the front at the time of pulling out), and the cartridge 37 is moved as the jaw portion 19d of the guide groove 19 passes the oblique side portion 25c of the guide rib 25. Separate completely from the developing device main body. Therefore, the sliding resistance at the time of taking out is greatly reduced, and the operation is easy.

  Thus, in this example, when the toner cartridge 37 is removed from the developing device main body (development first unit 35), when a small portion (a little less than 20% in this example) of the toner cartridge 37 comes out of the main body, Since the contact between the side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge side shutter mechanism 100, that is, the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92, is released, the sliding resistance when the cartridge is taken out can be greatly reduced. Therefore, the operability when removing the cartridge can be improved.

  Further, the contact release between the main body side shutter mechanism 90 and the cartridge side shutter mechanism 100, that is, the contact release between the fixed seal 96 and the elastic member 92 starts gradually from the front of the cartridge (the front at the time of removal), so that the whole is separated at a time. Instead, the contact area gradually decreases, so the sliding resistance does not suddenly decrease, preventing the cartridge from being removed or applied to the body or clothes. ing.

In this example, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 7B, when the cartridge 95 is inserted, the protrusion 95b of the slide plate 95 is fitted to the receiving portion 93 of the main body side shutter mechanism 90 (see FIG. 10B and FIG. 7B). a) when the shutter mechanism 90 and shutter mechanism 100 starts to contact, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the innermost openings 100 ₁ of the cartridge-side shutter mechanism 100, the innermost body-side shutter mechanism 90 of located opening 90 ₁ and from the back between the second opening 90 _2, while the two shutter mechanism as shown in FIG. 7 (d) is completely opened from it, the opening 100 ₁ of the cartridge side along with the opening 90 ₁ of the main body side moves to (matching) position. In other words, while the shutter closed state becomes a shutter open state, one opening of the cartridge-side shutter mechanism (here described in 100 ₁₎ is described in one open (here 90 ₁ of the main body side shutter mechanism Toner leakage is reliably prevented.

That is, there is a state in which the main body side shutter mechanism 90 (toner supply port 39a) of FIG. 7C is opened between the state of FIG. 7B and the state of FIG. 7D. In this case, the toner replenishing port 39a is sealed by the non-opening portion of the fixed seal 96 of the cartridge side shutter mechanism, and the cartridge side opening (100 ₁ ) moving from that state to the toner replenishing port 39a is the toner replenishing port 39a. Since the toner does not pass through the portion (90 ₁ ), even if the toner enters the cartridge side opening (100 ₁ ) from the main body side, the toner does not leak to the outside and toner leakage is prevented.

  By the way, in this example, since the outermost member of the shutter mechanism 100 of the toner cartridge 37 is a rigid member fixing seal 96, when the toner cartridge 37 is attached to and detached from the main body of the developing device 31, the main body of the developing device 31 is attached. The elastic member 92 of the shutter mechanism 90 provided in the toner supply port 39a on the side and the fixed seal 96 slide, and the toner supply ports 39a and 39b are provided corresponding to almost the entire image forming width. Even when the area of the elastic member arranged as a seal member at that portion is large, the sliding resistance can be reduced. Therefore, the operability when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the main body of the developing device 31 is improved. It is preferable that the fixed seal 96 is a member having excellent slidability or that the outer surface of the fixed seal 96 is coated with excellent slidability.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the toner cartridge 37 is set in the main body of the developing device 31 as in the conventional examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, the gear provided in the main body of the developing device 31 meshes with the gear on the cartridge side. As the agitators 38 and 38 (FIG. 2) provided in the toner cartridge 37 are rotationally driven, the toner is replenished from the cartridge 37 to the main body of the developing device 31 through the toner replenishing ports 39b and 39a.

  In this example, the toner replenishing ports 39a and 39b are provided corresponding to almost the entire image forming width, so that new toner supplied from the toner cartridge 37 is imaged in the developing first unit 35 of the developing device 31 main body. Since the new toner and the toner in the first developing unit 35 are mixed appropriately because the width is mixed over almost the entire width, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of image unevenness and background contamination.

  FIG. 11 shows another example in which the shape of the opening of the shutter mechanism and the toner supply port are different. Although the toner cartridge will be described here, the same applies to the developing device main body. Parts and members corresponding to the toner cartridge described with reference to FIGS.

  On the side surface of the toner cartridge 37 shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of toner replenishing ports 39b inclined obliquely are provided. Corresponding to this, a plurality of obliquely inclined openings 95a are also formed in the slide plate 95 that is slidably supported on the side surface of the cartridge. Here, the elastic member inside the slide plate 95 and the fixed seal outside the slide plate 95 are omitted.

  In the state where the shutter mechanism shown in FIG. 11A is closed, the positions of the toner replenishing port 39b and the opening 95a are misaligned, and toner leakage from the toner cartridge is prevented.

  When the slide plate 95 moves with respect to the cartridge 37 as indicated by an arrow in the figure, the toner supply port 39b and the opening 95a are aligned as shown in FIG. 11B, and the shutter mechanism is opened. The toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge.

  Here, only the shape of the opening of the shutter mechanism and the shape of the toner replenishing port will be described. The moving direction of the slide plate for opening and closing the shutter mechanism (the relative moving direction of the slide plate and the cartridge housing) is as follows. The direction is not limited to the direction of the arrow in the figure, and can be set in the opposite direction.

  Finally, the overall configuration and operation of the color copying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the color copying apparatus 1 shown in this figure, a scanner unit 70 is arranged at the top of the apparatus, and a paper discharge section 66 is provided in the apparatus body between the printer section 2.

  The scanner unit 70 has scanning means disposed below the contact glass so as to be able to travel. The reflected light from the document illuminated by the light source is guided to the CCD through a mirror lens or the like to read the document image. .

  The printer unit 2 includes a photosensitive belt unit 10, a writing optical unit 20, a developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and the like. Then, black: black (hereinafter referred to as “Bk”), cyan: cyan (hereinafter referred to as “C”), magenta: magenta (hereinafter referred to as “M”), and yellow: yellow (hereinafter referred to as “Y”) are transferred to the photosensitive unit 10. The image is sequentially visualized on the photosensitive belt 11, and these are superposed to form a final four-color full-color image.

  The photosensitive belt 11 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, and therearound is a photosensitive member cleaning device 12, a charging roller 13, a photosensitive member waste toner tank 17, a selected developing device of the developing unit 30, and an intermediate transfer unit 40. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive belt 11 is stretched between a driving roller 14, a primary transfer counter roller 15, and a stretching roller 16, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). When the photosensitive belt 11 having a joint is used, a joint mark is provided in a non-image forming area at the end of the photosensitive belt 11, and detection is performed by a sensor (not shown), and image formation is performed while avoiding the joint.

  The writing optical unit 20 converts the color image data into an optical signal, performs optical writing corresponding to each color image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 11. The writing optical unit 20 includes a semiconductor laser as a light source, a laser light emission drive control unit, a polygon mirror, a reflection mirror, and the like.

  Further, the developing unit 30 moves the developing devices 31B, 31Y, 31C, 31C, 31M, 31M, and 31M in the horizontal direction in FIG. It is comprised with the contact-and-separation mechanism which is not shown in figure which performs. In the illustrated example, a Bk developing unit 31K containing black toner, a Y developing unit 31Y containing yellow toner, a C developing unit 31C containing cyan toner, and an M developing unit 31M containing magenta toner, in order from the upper side of the apparatus main body. It has become. Each developing unit 31K, Y, C, and M pumps up the developing sleeves 32K, Y, C, and M that rotate while carrying the toner on the surface in order to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11. Development first units 35K, Y, C, and M including toner paddles 33K, Y, C, and M that rotate to stir and development second units of toner cartridges 34K, Y, C, and M that contain toner It consists of two units.

  The toner in each developing device 31K, Y, C, M is charged to a predetermined polarity, and a developing bias is applied to each developing sleeve 32K, Y, C, M by a developing bias power source (not shown), and the developing sleeve 32K, Y, C, and M are biased to a predetermined potential with respect to the photosensitive belt 11. In addition, when the electromagnetic clutch (not shown) for transmitting the drive from the motor (not shown) to each developing device 31K, Y, C, M is turned on, the contact / separation mechanism is driven by the driving force of each developing device 31K, Y, C, M is moved to the photosensitive belt 11 side (right side in the figure). At the time of development, any one selected from the developing devices 31K, Y, C, and M moves and contacts the photosensitive belt 11. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch is turned off and the drive transmission is released, the developing unit that is in contact with the photosensitive belt 11 moves in a direction away from the photosensitive belt 11 (left side in the figure).

  In the standby state of the color copying apparatus main body, the developing unit 30 is set in a position separated from the photosensitive belt 11 in any of the developing units 31K, Y, C, and M, and when the printing operation is started, the scanner unit 70 is started. Based on the image data read in step 1 or image data from an external device such as a personal computer, optical writing with a laser beam and formation of an electrostatic latent image are started.

  The intermediate transfer unit 40 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41, a belt cleaning device, a position detection sensor, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched around a drive roller, a primary transfer roller, a secondary transfer counter roller 46, a cleaning counter roller, and a tension roller, and is controlled to be driven counterclockwise in the drawing by a drive motor (not shown).

  In addition, transfer paper is stored in the transfer paper cassettes 80 a and 80 b of the color printer 1, sent out by a paper feed roller 81, and conveyed to a registration roller 83 via a conveyance roller 82.

  Further, the secondary transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51 and a swinging mechanism (not shown) including a clutch for bringing the secondary transfer roller 51 into and out of contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41. ing. The secondary transfer roller 51 swings around the rotation axis of the swing mechanism in accordance with the timing when the transfer paper reaches the transfer position. The secondary transfer roller 51 and the secondary transfer counter roller 46 bring the transfer paper and the intermediate transfer belt 41 into contact with each other with a constant pressure. The secondary transfer roller 51 maintains the positional accuracy of the parallelism with the secondary transfer counter roller 46 by a positioning member (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer unit 40. Further, the contact pressure of the secondary transfer roller 51 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is made constant by a positioning roller (not shown) provided on the secondary transfer roller 51. At the same time as the secondary transfer roller 51 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 51, and the superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 41 are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper.

  Each unit can be easily detached from the apparatus. For example, in FIG. 1, when the intermediate transfer unit 40 is removed, it can be easily removed by opening a front cover (not shown) and sliding the unit from the back side to the front side of the sheet.

  In the color copying apparatus 1 configured as described above, when an image forming cycle is started, first, the photosensitive belt 11 is rotated clockwise in the figure and the intermediate transfer belt 41 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a drive motor (not shown). M toner image formation, C toner image formation, Y toner image formation, and Bk toner image formation are performed on the photoreceptor belt 11, and finally the toner is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the order of M, C, Y, and Bk. An image is formed. At this time, the bias applied to the primary transfer roller 45 is generally increased in voltage sequentially, but differs depending on the resistance characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the like.

  The M toner image formation is performed as follows. The charging roller 13 uniformly charges the photosensitive belt 11 by an applied voltage of a power source (not shown). Then, the laser beam LD for writing is exposed based on the M color image signal. When this exposure is performed, the charge proportional to the exposure light amount disappears in the exposed portion of the photosensitive belt 11 that is initially uniformly charged, and an M electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, when the M toner on the M developing sleeve 32M comes into contact with the M electrostatic latent image, the toner does not adhere to the remaining portion of the photosensitive belt 11, and the exposed portion, that is, the exposed portion is exposed. M toner is attracted to the portion, and an M toner image similar to the electrostatic latent image is formed. The M toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the primary transfer position. At the primary transfer position, a nip is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the photosensitive belt 11 by the primary transfer roller and the counter roller 15, and a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the M toner image is applied to the primary transfer roller. Is applied to transfer the M toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  Some untransferred residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 11 is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 in preparation for reuse of the photoreceptor belt 11. The toner collected here is stored in the waste toner tank 17 via a collection pipe.

  On the photosensitive belt 11 side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the M image forming process, and writing with the laser light LD by the C image data is performed to form a C electrostatic latent image. Then, after the rear end portion of the previous M electrostatic latent image has passed and before the front end portion of the C electrostatic latent image has arrived, the M developing device is retracted from the developing position, and the C developing device C is moved to the developing position. The C electrostatic latent image is developed with C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C electrostatic latent image area is continued, but when the rear end of the C electrostatic latent image passes, the C developer is retracted from the development position as in the case of the previous M developer. Then, the next Y developing device is moved to the developing position. This is also completed before the leading edge of the next Bk electrostatic latent image reaches the developing position. The Y and Bk image forming steps are the same as the above-described M and C steps, respectively, because the electrostatic latent image forming and developing operations are the same as those described above.

  On the intermediate transfer belt 41, toner images of M, C, Y, and Bk sequentially formed on the photosensitive belt 11 are sequentially aligned on the same surface to form a four-color toner image. In the next transfer step, the toner images of these four colors are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper.

  At the time when the image forming operation is started, the transfer paper is fed from one of the transfer paper cassettes 80 a and 80 b and is waiting at the nip of the registration roller 83. Then, when the leading edge of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 approaches the secondary transfer roller 51, the registration roller pair 83 is driven so that the leading edge of the transfer paper coincides with the leading edge of the toner image. The transfer paper and the toner image are aligned. Then, the transfer paper is superimposed on the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 and passes through the secondary transfer position. At this time, the transfer paper is charged by the transfer bias by the secondary transfer roller 51, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper.

  Then, the transfer paper onto which the four-color superimposed toner images are collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is conveyed to the fixing unit 60, where the toner image is melted and fixed at the nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressure roller controlled to a predetermined temperature. The paper is discharged to the in-body paper discharge unit 66 and stacked face down on the paper discharge tray 67 to obtain a full color copy.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photoconductor belt 11 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaning device 12 and is uniformly discharged by a charge removal lamp (not shown). Further, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 after the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper is cleaned by pressing the cleaning brush of the belt cleaning device 42 with the contact / separation mechanism. The toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stored in a waste toner tank 49.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated examples, the present invention is not limited thereto.
For example, the shapes and configurations of the developing device main body and the toner cartridge can be appropriately changed. In addition, the number, shape, position, and the like of the toner supply ports provided in the developing device main body and the toner cartridge can be appropriately changed. A configuration in which the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the upper portion of the developing device main body may be employed.

  The shape and size of the guide rib for guiding the mounting of the toner cartridge are arbitrary and can be set as appropriate. For example, the distance between the main body-side shutter mechanism and the guide rib remote portion, the lengths of the guide rib proximity portion and the remote portion, and the like can be appropriately changed. Moreover, you may comprise the part which connects the proximity | contact part and remote part of a guide rib in the shape of a curve.

  Further, a rigid member (fixing seal in the embodiment) having excellent slidability is disposed on the outermost side (outermost surface) of the shutter mechanism provided on the developing device main body side, and the outermost side (outermost surface) of the shutter mechanism provided on the cartridge side. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an elastic member is disposed on the elastic member and the elastic member is compressed by inserting a cartridge.

  Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus is also arbitrary. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome apparatus having a single developing unit. The image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying apparatus, but may be a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a color copying apparatus which is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a developing unit and a photosensitive belt unit of the color copying apparatus. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the developing device with the toner cartridge removed. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the shutter part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a shutter mechanism provided in the toner cartridge 37 is disassembled. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a shutter mechanism when a toner cartridge is set. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing guide grooves formed on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge. It is a top view which shows the shape of a guide rib and a guide groove. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when a toner cartridge is set. FIG. 6 is a side view of a toner cartridge showing another example in which the opening of the shutter mechanism and the shape of the toner supply port are different. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge in an example of a conventional developing device. It is a perspective view which shows the developing device main body in an example of the conventional developing device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Color Copier 19 Guide Groove 19a Wide Width 19b Narrow Width 19c Middle Portion (Slanted Side)
25 Guide rib 25a Remote part 25b Proximity part 25c Middle part (slope side part)
35 Development First Unit 37 Toner Cartridge (Development Second Unit)
39a Developer toner replenishing port 39b Toner cartridge toner replenishing port 90, 100 Shutter mechanism 91, 95 Slide plate 92, 94 Elastic member 93 Receiving portion 95b Protruding portion 96 Fixed seal

Claims (14)

In a developing device that detachably attaches a toner cartridge to the developing device main body and replenishes toner from a toner replenishing port provided in the toner cartridge through a toner replenishing port provided in the developing device main body,
Each of the toner supply port of the toner cartridge and the toner supply port of the developing device main body has a shutter mechanism movable to an open position for releasing the toner supply port and a closed position for closing the toner supply port;
When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, the shutter mechanism of the toner cartridge and the shutter mechanism of the developing device main body are separated from each other at the beginning of mounting, so that both the shutter mechanisms abut immediately before the completion of the mounting. A developing device characterized in that it is configured. An elastic member is disposed on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism of either the toner cartridge side shutter mechanism or the main body side shutter mechanism, and when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, the elastic member is compressed, and the both shutter mechanism contact portions The developing device according to claim 1, wherein toner leakage from the toner is prevented. A sheet-like member having excellent slidability is arranged on the outermost surface of the shutter mechanism on the side where the elastic member is not arranged, and the sheet-like member faces the elastic member when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device body. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the developing device is provided. A guide member that guides the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body, and a proximity portion that is close to the main body side shutter mechanism and a remote portion that is far from the main body side shutter mechanism The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member having an intermediate portion that communicates the proximity portion and the remote portion. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the guide member is a rail-shaped guide rib, and the toner cartridge has a guide groove that fits into the guide rib. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the contact area gradually increases when the two shutter mechanisms come into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is attached to the main body of the developing device. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the both shutter mechanisms are opened after the shutter mechanisms are brought into contact with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device main body. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter mechanism is automatically opened and closed when the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the developing device main body. The toner cartridge is configured to be taken out by being pulled out of the developing device main body from the mounting position, and both shutter mechanisms are separated immediately after the toner cartridge starts to be pulled out when the toner cartridge is taken out. The developing device according to claim 1. The developing device according to claim 9, wherein when the both shutter mechanisms are separated from each other, the contact area between the both shutter mechanisms gradually decreases. A support member that movably supports the shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side is configured by a sheet-like member having excellent sliding properties, and the main body side shutter mechanism is pressed against the developing device main body by the support member. The developing device according to claim 1. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge and a toner replenishing port of the developing device main body are provided corresponding to substantially the entire image forming width of the developing device. The shutter mechanism on the developing device main body side includes a slide member supported so as to be slidable, and the slide member is formed of a sheet-like member having excellent slidability. The developing device described. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.

Images