JP2008134526A - Toner supply mechanism, toner cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an image forming apparatus, which is provided with a toner supply mechanism for supplying toner from a toner cartridge, to easily and appropriately replace the toner cartridge while preventing the toner from spilling out from the toner supply port of the toner cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of leg parts 25 having a presser part 25a slid along the guide part 32 of an attaching part 31 is provided at the lower surface part of the toner cartridge 20, and also a projection piece 24a is provided on a shutter member 24 opening/shutting the toner supply port 22. Then, a restraining part 34a restraining the shutter member so as to open the toner supply port when the toner cartridge is attached, and a regulation member 33 pressed to descend by the presser part of the toner cartridge are provided at the attaching part, and a locking piece 33b shutting the toner supply port by abutting on the projection piece of the shutter member and locking the shutter member when the toner cartridge is separated is provided on the regulation member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner replenishing mechanism for replenishing toner from a toner cartridge to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a toner cartridge used for the toner replenishing mechanism, and an image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishing mechanism as described above. In particular, the toner cartridge is slid along the guide portion of the mounting portion provided in the toner hopper or the like and is detachably mounted, and the toner is supplied from the toner supply port of the toner cartridge through the toner introduction port provided in the mounting portion. The above toner supply mechanism is characterized in that the toner cartridge can be replaced easily and appropriately without toner spilling from the toner supply port when the toner cartridge is replaced.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a toner cartridge is provided in a toner hopper or the like to supply toner to the developing device when toner in the developing device is consumed by image formation A toner replenishing mechanism is used in which the toner is removably mounted by sliding along the guide portion of the toner cartridge, and the toner is replenished from the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge through the toner introduction port provided in the mounting portion.

  The toner cartridge as described above is generally provided with a shutter member that opens and closes the toner supply port in order to prevent the toner from spilling out of the toner supply port.

  In the image forming apparatus having the toner replenishment mechanism as described above, when toner is consumed by image formation, the old toner cartridge mounted on the mounting portion provided in the toner hopper or the like is replaced with a new toner cartridge. To close the toner supply port of the old toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion with the shutter member, the old toner cartridge is slid along the guide portion of the attachment portion in the direction opposite to that at the time of attachment. Remove the toner cartridge from the mounting portion, and then slide the new toner cartridge along the guide portion of the mounting portion to mount it on the mounting portion. Then, slide the shutter member closing the toner supply port of the new toner cartridge to slide the toner supply port. And open the toner guide provided in the mounting portion from the toner supply port. And so as to replenish the toner through the mouth.

  However, when replacing an old toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge as described above, many operations for opening and closing the toner replenishing port of each toner cartridge with a shutter member are necessary, and for users who are unfamiliar with the replacement of the toner cartridge, There is a problem that the toner cartridge replacement is troublesome and takes time.

  In addition, when removing the old toner cartridge from the mounting portion as described above, forgetting to close the toner replenishing port with the shutter member, the toner remaining in the toner cartridge is imaged when the toner cartridge is removed from the mounting portion. There has been a problem that the image forming apparatus spills into the forming apparatus and the inside of the image forming apparatus becomes dirty.

  For this reason, in recent years, a claw portion is provided on the shutter member of the toner cartridge that can rotate in a direction that intersects the direction in which the toner cartridge slides along the guide portion of the mounting portion. When the toner cartridge is slid and removed from the mounting portion, the claw portion is locked to the return portion provided in the guide portion to restrict the movement of the shutter member. There has been proposed a toner replenishing mechanism that is closed by the above-mentioned technique (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a toner replenishment mechanism, since the claw portion provided on the shutter member is provided so as to be able to rotate in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the toner cartridge, the width of the guide portion for sliding the toner cartridge is set to the claw portion. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is mounted along the guide portion, there is a problem that the toner cartridge rattles.

Further, the claw portion that rotates as described above is easily damaged at the rotating portion. When the claw portion is damaged as described above, the toner cartridge is removed from the mounting portion in a state where the toner supply port is not blocked by the shutter member. As described above, there is a possibility that the toner remaining in the toner cartridge spills into the image forming apparatus and the inside of the image forming apparatus becomes dirty.
JP 11-142915 A

  According to the present invention, a toner cartridge is slid along a guide portion of a mounting portion provided in a toner hopper or the like, and is detachably mounted, and toner is supplied from a toner supply port of the toner cartridge through a toner introduction port provided in the mounting portion. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems in an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner replenishing mechanism that replenishes toner, and reliably prevents toner from spilling from a toner replenishing port when the toner cartridge is replaced. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to enable easy and appropriate replacement of the toner cartridge.

  In the toner replenishing mechanism of the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, a toner replenishing port for replenishing toner contained in the cartridge body is provided on the lower surface of the cartridge body, and the toner replenishing port is opened and closed. A toner cartridge in which a sliding shutter member to be provided is provided below the toner replenishing port, and a mounting portion for detachably mounting the toner cartridge by sliding the toner cartridge along the guide portion. In a toner supply mechanism provided with a toner introduction port through which toner is introduced through a toner supply port, a pair of leg portions each having a pressing portion that slides along the guide portion of the mounting portion on the lower surface portion of the toner cartridge And a projecting piece on the lower surface of the shutter member. The mounting portion is provided with a suppressing portion that suppresses sliding of the shutter member accompanying the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted to open the toner supply port, and a pressing portion provided on the leg portion of the toner cartridge includes A restricting member biased so as to protrude upward to a guided position is provided so as to be pressed and lowered by the pressing portion, and a protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member when the toner cartridge is detached from the restricting member. A locking piece is provided that contacts and locks the slide of the shutter member associated with the toner cartridge to close the toner supply port.

  In the toner replenishing mechanism of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is mounted, the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member is in a state in which the restricting member is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion. So that it passes over the locking piece.

  In the toner replenishing mechanism of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is detached, the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member comes into contact with the locking piece provided on the regulating member, and the shutter member associated with the toner cartridge is In the state where the slide is locked and the toner replenishing port is closed, the restricting member is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion.

  In addition, as the restriction member that is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion of the toner cartridge as described above, a member provided with an inclined surface that is tapered upward can be used.

  In the toner replenishing mechanism of the present invention, an introduction port opening / closing member that opens and closes the toner introduction port of the mounting portion can be provided, and the introduction port opening / closing member is closed so as to close the toner introduction port. The opening / closing member is urged in the direction opposite to the sliding direction when the toner cartridge is installed, and when the toner cartridge is installed, the introduction opening / closing member is pushed by the toner cartridge so that the toner introduction port is opened. Can be.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner replenishing mechanism as described above is provided when the toner is replenished from the toner cartridge.

  Further, the toner cartridge of the present invention is provided in the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted, a guide portion that slides and guides the toner cartridge, a toner introduction port that opens upward from which toner is introduced from the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge. A depressing part that depresses the sliding of the shutter member that opens and closes the toner replenishing port and opens the toner replenishing port, and the toner replenishing port that is opened by locking the sliding of the shutter member when the toner cartridge is detached is closed. A toner replenishing port formed in a lower surface portion of a cartridge body in which toner is accommodated, wherein the toner cartridge is detachably mounted on a mounting portion including a locking piece biased to protrude upward. A sliding shutter member that opens and closes the toner replenishing port, and the shutter member A projecting portion that protrudes downward from the mounting portion and that is locked to the locking piece to prevent sliding of the shutter member and close the toner supply port when the toner cartridge is detached from the mounting portion. A pair of leg portions each having a holding portion that is slid along a guide portion of the mounting portion that extends downward from the lower surface portion of the cartridge main body, and the leg portions of the toner cartridge to the mounting portion; During the mounting operation, when the protruding portion passes the position of the locking piece, the locking piece is retracted downward against the urging force so that the protruding portion does not come into contact with the protruding portion, and the protruding portion In addition to the position where the retraction is released after the passage of the toner cartridge, when the toner cartridge is detached from the mounting portion, the locking piece is moved downward against the biasing force after the toner supply port is closed. Evacuate The is provided at a position to allow removal of the toner cartridge to release the engagement of the protrusion by the locking piece.

  In the image forming apparatus provided with the toner replenishment mechanism according to the present invention, when the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, the pressing portion of the pair of leg portions provided to protrude downward on the lower surface portion of the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. The projecting piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member is passed over the locking piece provided on the restricting member in a state where the restricting member is pressed and lowered by the pressing part. After that, the shutter member closing the toner supply port of the toner cartridge is brought into contact with the restraining portion provided in the mounting portion, so that the sliding of the shutter member accompanying the toner cartridge is restrained. Slide to open the toner supply port.

  In this way, as the toner cartridge is slid and mounted on the mounting portion, the toner supply port of the toner cartridge that has been blocked by the shutter member is appropriately opened, and the toner from the toner cartridge passes through the toner supply port. Will be replenished.

  On the other hand, when removing the toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion, the toner cartridge is slid in the direction opposite to that at the time of attachment, and the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member is provided on the restriction member. After the toner cartridge is slid in the direction opposite to that when the toner cartridge is attached while the shutter member slides with the toner cartridge, the toner supply port is closed by the shutter member. The regulating member is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion, the locking piece of the regulating member that has locked the shutter member is detached from the protruding piece, and the shutter member is slid together with the toner cartridge, and the regulating member is moved. The toner cartridge is removed from the guide portion of the mounting portion.

  In this case, when the toner cartridge is slid away from the mounting portion in the direction opposite to that when the toner cartridge is mounted, the opened toner supply port is appropriately closed by the shutter member. The toner remaining in the cartridge is appropriately prevented from spilling into the image forming apparatus from the toner supply port.

  In the present invention, since the pressing portions of the pair of leg portions provided so as to protrude downward on the lower surface portion of the toner cartridge as described above are slid along the guide portion of the mounting portion, the toner cartridge The toner cartridge does not rattle when the toner is attached or detached.

  In the image forming apparatus having the toner replenishment mechanism according to the present invention, an introduction port opening / closing member for opening and closing the toner introduction port of the mounting portion is provided, and the toner introduction port is closed by the introduction port opening / closing member when the toner cartridge is detached. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the toner from scattering from the toner introduction port.

  Further, the toner inlet is closed while the inlet opening / closing member is urged in the direction opposite to the sliding direction when the toner cartridge is mounted, and the inlet opening / closing member is pushed by the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted. Then, the introduction port opening / closing member slides along with the toner cartridge to open the toner introduction port, and the toner is supplied from the toner supply port of the toner cartridge through the toner introduction port. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is detached, the introduction port opening / closing member urges the toner cartridge in a direction opposite to the sliding direction when the toner cartridge is installed, and returns to the position where the toner introduction port is closed along with the toner cartridge. Is prevented from scattering to the outside.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a toner replenishment mechanism used in the image forming apparatus will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming apparatus and the toner replenishing mechanism according to the present invention are not limited to those shown in the following embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus 2 that reads an image is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 1, and four imaging units 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> D are provided in the apparatus main body 1. It is attached detachably.

  In each of the imaging units 10A to 10D, the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D, the charging devices 12A to 12D for charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D, and the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D, respectively. Developing devices 13A to 13D are provided that supply toner to the formed electrostatic latent image to form a toner image.

  Each of the developing devices 13A to 13D in each of the imaging units 10A to 10D stores toner, and in this embodiment, yellow toner is added to the developing device 13A of the first imaging unit 10A. The magenta toner is used for the developing device 13B of the second imaging unit 10B, the cyan toner is used for the developing device 13C of the third imaging unit 10C, and the black toner is used for the developing device 13D of the fourth imaging unit 10D. I have to. In this embodiment, the fourth imaging unit 10D using black toner that is frequently used is made larger than the other imaging units 10A to 10C.

  In addition, four toner cartridges 20A to 20D that contain toner to be replenished to the developing devices 13A to 13D of the imaging units 10A to 10D corresponding to the four imaging units 10A to 10D are respectively connected to the apparatus main body 1. The four toner hoppers 20A to 20D provided therein are detachably mounted.

  The toner is supplied from the toner cartridges 20A to 20D to the corresponding toner hoppers 30A to 30D, and the toner thus supplied to the toner hoppers 30A to 30D is supplied to the developing devices 13A to 13D of the corresponding imaging units 10A to 10D. I try to replenish.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, when full-color image formation is performed, the respective photosensitive drums 11A to 11D in the respective imaging units 10A to 10D are rotated so that the respective photosensitive drums 11A to 11D are rotated. The surface of each of the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D is charged by the charging devices 12A to 12D, and electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image information are formed on the surfaces of the respective charged photosensitive drums 11A to 11D by the latent image forming device 14, respectively. As described above, toners of the respective colors are supplied from the developing devices 13A to 13D provided in the imaging units 10A to 10D to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D on which the electrostatic latent images are formed as described above. The toner images of the respective colors are formed on the surfaces of the drums 11A to 11D.

  Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11A to 11D in the imaging units 10A to 10D in this way are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 3 that is rotationally driven by the driving roller 3a. Thus, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  On the other hand, the recording medium S fed from the paper cartridge 4 is guided between the intermediate transfer belt 3 and the transfer roller 6 by the timing roller 5 at an appropriate timing, and the recording medium S formed on the intermediate transfer belt 3 is guided. The full-color toner image is transferred to the recording medium S. The full-color toner image transferred in this way is fixed on the recording medium S by the fixing device 7, and then the recording medium S is discharged.

  When the toner is consumed and the toner cartridges 20A to 20D become empty as a result of the image formation as described above, the empty toner cartridges 20A to 20D are replaced with the toner hoppers 30A to 30D. And is replaced with new toner cartridges 20A to 20D.

  Next, the case where the toner cartridge 20 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30 will be specifically described.

Here, the toner cartridge 20 is mounted on the upper portion of the toner hopper 30 by sliding the toner cartridge 20 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 20. A toner replenishing port 22 is provided on the lower surface side of the toner cartridge 20. The toner replenishing port 22 is accommodated in the toner cartridge 20 so as to face a toner introduction port 35 provided in the toner hopper 30. The toner thus supplied is supplied to the toner hopper 30.
(0001)
In the toner cartridge 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), toner (not shown) is accommodated in the cartridge main body 21 made of a hollow body, and is accommodated in this way. A spiral conveyance member 23 for conveying the toner to a toner replenishing port 22 provided on the lower surface portion on one end side of the cartridge body 21 is rotatably provided.

  A shutter member 24 that opens and closes the toner supply port 22 is provided below the toner supply port 22 provided on the lower surface of the cartridge body 21. The shutter member 24 opens and closes the toner cartridge 20 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the toner hopper 30. A projecting piece 24a is provided on the lower surface of the shutter member 24 so as to be slidable along the direction, and extends downward in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.

  In addition, on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the shutter member 24, a pair of leg portions 25 that are bent outward from the lower surface portion of the cartridge main body 21 and have a bowl shape are provided facing downward. A flat pressing portion 25a at the lower end of the portion 25 is protruded laterally.

  On the other hand, in the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a pair of guides to be inserted and slid by inserting the pressing portions 25a at the lower ends of the respective leg portions 25 in the toner cartridge 20 described above. The portions 32 are provided so as to face each other with a required interval, and the regulating members 33 that are lowered by the pressing by the pressing portions 25a are provided in the vicinity of the inside of each guide portion 32 so as to be urged upward and project. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the restricting member 33 has inclined surfaces 33a in which the portions on both sides in contact with the pressing portion 25a of the toner cartridge 20 contract upwardly in a tapered shape. Locking pieces 33b that contact the protruding pieces 24a provided on the lower surface of the shutter member 24 are provided so as to protrude inward from the position downward.

  In addition, in the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30, a protruding portion 34 that protrudes upward is provided at a position in front of the regulating member 33 in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 20, and a toner introduction port 35 is provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion 34. And an introduction port opening / closing member 36 for opening and closing the toner introduction port 35 is provided on the upper surface of the projecting portion 34 so as to be slidable along the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge 20 with respect to the toner hopper 30.

  The inlet opening / closing member 36 is urged by a spring 37 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 20 to close the toner inlet 35, and the toner cartridge 20 of the inlet opening / closing member 36 is connected to the toner cartridge 20. An abutting portion 36 a that abuts on the leg portion 25 provided on the toner cartridge 20 is provided at the facing portion.

  Next, the case where the toner cartridge 20 is mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pressing portions 25 a of the pair of leg portions 25 provided downward from the lower surface portion of the toner cartridge 20 are provided in the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30. The toner cartridge 20 is slid along each guide portion 32 in this state.

  When the toner cartridge 20 is slid in this manner, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pressing portions 25a of the pair of legs 25 provided on the toner cartridge 20 are urged upward in the mounting portion 31. The restriction member 33 is guided to the position of the protruding restriction member 33 and is pushed down by the pressing portions 25a, and the lower surface of the shutter member 24 is lowered in such a state that the restriction member 33 is lowered. The projecting piece 24 a provided on the control member 33 passes over the locking piece 33 b provided on the restricting member 33.

  Further, when the toner cartridge 20 is slid and the pressing portion 25a is passed over the regulating member 33 as shown in FIG. 5C, the regulating member 33 that has been lowered as described above is moved upward. The tip of the shutter member 24 is returned to the original protruding state, and thereafter, the distal end portion of the shutter member 24 is moved to the suppressing portion 34a facing the shutter member 24 of the protruding portion 34 provided in the mounting portion 31. The toner cartridge 20 slides in a state in which the shutter member 24 is restrained by the restraining portion 34a, and the inlet opening / closing member 36 in which the leg portion 25 of the toner cartridge 20 closes the toner inlet 35 is held. The inlet opening / closing member 36 slides together with the toner cartridge 20 against the spring 37.

  When the toner cartridge 20 is further slid in this state, the toner supply port 22 closed by the shutter member 24 is guided to the upper surface of the protruding portion 34 provided in the mounting portion 31 while being gradually opened. The introduction port opening / closing member 36 slides together with the toner cartridge 20, and the toner introduction port 35 closed by the introduction port opening / closing member 36 is gradually opened.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5D, the toner cartridge 20 is slid to a position where the toner replenishing port 22 opened as described above and the toner introduction port 35 coincide with each other, and the toner cartridge 20 is inserted into the mounting portion 31. The toner hopper 30 is supplied with toner contained in the toner cartridge 20 from the toner supply port 22 through the toner introduction port 35.

  Next, a case where the toner cartridge 20 mounted on the mounting portion 31 of the toner hopper 30 is detached as described above will be described.

  Here, when the toner cartridge 20 attached to the attachment portion 31 as described above is slid in the direction opposite to that at the time of attachment, the inlet opening / closing member 36 that has been moved by being pushed by the toner cartridge 20 is moved to the spring 37. 6 and slides together with the toner cartridge 20, and the shutter member 24 in contact with the restraining portion 34 a also slides together with the toner cartridge 20, and as shown in FIG. When the protruding piece 24a provided on the lower surface of 24 comes into contact with the engaging piece 33b provided on the restricting member 33 which has returned to the original protruding state as described above, the shutter member 24 is moved by the engaging piece 33b. The toner cartridge 20 is slid in this state.

  When the toner cartridge 20 is further slid in the direction opposite to that when the shutter member 24 is locked by the locking piece 33b as described above, as shown in FIG. The toner replenishing port 22 is guided to the shutter member 24 from the upper surface of the projecting portion 34, the toner replenishing port 22 is closed by the shutter member 24, and the introduction port opening / closing member 36 is spring-loaded. The toner introduction port 35 is urged by 37 and slides together with the toner cartridge 20 to return to the original position, and the toner introduction port 35 is closed by the introduction port opening / closing member 36.

  Then, when the toner cartridge 20 is further slid in the opposite direction from that when the toner cartridge 20 is mounted, each pressing portion 25a in the leg portion 25 provided in the toner cartridge 20 is guided to the position of the restriction member 33, The regulating member 33 is pressed and lowered by each pressing portion 25a of the toner cartridge 20, and the locking piece 33b of the regulating member 33 that is in contact with the projecting piece 24a provided on the lower surface of the shutter member 24 extends from the projecting piece 24a. When the shutter member 24 slides together with the toner cartridge 20 and the regulating member 33 is lowered as shown in FIG. 6C, the protruding piece 24a provided on the lower surface of the shutter member 24 is It passes over the locking piece 33b provided on the regulating member 33.

  Then, with the toner supply port 22 closed by the shutter member 24 as described above, the toner cartridge 20 is further slid in the direction opposite to that when the toner cartridge 20 is mounted, and each pressing portion 25a of the toner cartridge 20 is provided in the mounting portion 31. The toner cartridge 20 is removed from the mounting portion 31 by being pulled out from each guide portion 32 thus provided.

  In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 20 as described above is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 31 provided on the toner hopper 30. However, the toner cartridge 20 is not necessarily mounted on the mounting portion 31 provided on the toner hopper 30. Although not shown, it is also possible to provide a mounting portion in the developing device and attach a toner cartridge to the mounting portion of the developing device so that toner is supplied directly from the toner cartridge to the developing device. .

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view and a schematic bottom view showing a part of the toner cartridge used in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view and a schematic front view showing a state of a mounting portion in a toner hopper used in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a state of a regulating member provided in the toner hopper mounting portion in the embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a process of mounting the toner cartridge on the mounting portion of the toner hopper in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a step of removing the toner cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of the toner hopper in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device main body 2 Image reading device 3 Intermediate transfer belt 3a Drive roller 4 Paper cartridge 5 Timing roller 6 Transfer roller 7 Fixing device 10A to 10D Imaging unit 11A to 11D Photosensitive drum 12A to 12D Charging device 13A to 13D Developing device 14 Latent image Forming device 20, 20A to 20D Toner cartridge 21 Cartridge main body 22 Toner supply port 23 Conveying member 24 Shutter member 24a Projection piece 25 Leg portion 25a Holding portion 30, 30A to 30D Toner hopper 31 Mounting portion 32 Guide portion 33 Restricting member 33a Inclined surface 33b Locking piece 34 Protruding part 34a Suppressing part 35 Toner inlet 36 Inlet opening / closing member 36a Abutting part 37 Spring S Recording medium

Claims (10)

  A toner cartridge in which a toner supply port for supplying toner contained in the cartridge body is provided on the lower surface of the cartridge body, and a sliding shutter member for opening and closing the toner supply port is provided below the toner supply port; And a toner replenishment unit provided with a toner introduction port through which toner is introduced from the toner cartridge through the toner replenishment port. In the mechanism, a pair of leg portions having a pressing portion that slides along the guide portion of the mounting portion is provided on the lower surface portion of the toner cartridge so as to protrude downward, and a protruding piece on the lower surface of the shutter member. On the other hand, the toner cartridge is attached to the mounting portion when the toner cartridge is mounted. A depressing portion for depressing the sliding of the shutter member accompanying the ridge and opening the toner replenishing port is provided, and the urging is performed so as to protrude upward to a position where the pressing portion provided on the leg portion of the toner cartridge is guided. The restriction member is pressed by the pressing portion and is lowered so that the restriction member abuts on the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member when the toner cartridge is detached, and the shutter member associated with the toner cartridge A toner replenishing mechanism, wherein a locking piece for locking the slide to close the toner replenishing port is provided.   2. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the toner cartridge is mounted, the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member is in a state where the restricting member is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion. A toner replenishing mechanism that passes over a locking piece provided on the toner.   3. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the toner cartridge is detached, the protruding piece provided on the lower surface of the shutter member contacts the engaging piece provided on the regulating member, A toner replenishing mechanism in which the restricting member is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion in a state where the slide of the shutter member is locked and the toner replenishing port is closed.   4. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member that is pressed and lowered by the pressing portion of the toner cartridge has an inclined surface that contracts in a tapered shape upward. A toner replenishing mechanism characterized by being provided.   5. The toner supply mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an introduction port opening / closing member that opens and closes a toner introduction port of the mounting portion. 6.   6. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the introduction port opening / closing member is urged in a direction opposite to a sliding direction when the toner cartridge is mounted so as to close the toner introduction port. A toner replenishing mechanism, wherein a member is pushed by a toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted to open the toner introduction port.   7. An image forming apparatus comprising a toner replenishing mechanism for replenishing toner from a toner cartridge, wherein the toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1 is provided. A guide portion that slides and guides the toner cartridge, a toner introduction port that opens upward from which toner is introduced from the toner cartridge, and a shutter that opens and closes a toner supply port provided in the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is installed. A depressing portion that depresses the sliding of the member and opens the toner replenishing port, and a biasing so as to protrude upward to close the opened toner replenishing port by locking the slide of the shutter member when the toner cartridge is detached. In a toner cartridge that is detachably mounted on a mounting portion that includes a locking piece,
A toner replenishing port formed on the lower surface of the cartridge body containing the toner;
A sliding shutter member for opening and closing the toner supply port;
Projecting downward from the shutter member, and when the toner cartridge is detached from the mounting portion, the toner replenishing port is blocked by restraining the shutter member from sliding by being latched by the retaining piece. A protrusion,
A pair of legs having a pressing portion that slides along the guide portion of the mounting portion that extends downward from the lower surface of the cartridge body;
The leg portion biases the locking piece so that the protruding portion does not come into contact when the protruding portion passes the position of the locking piece when the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. And the position where the retraction is released after the protrusion has passed, and when the toner cartridge is detached from the mounting portion, The latching piece is provided at a position where the toner cartridge can be removed by releasing the latching piece against the biasing force to release the latching of the protruding portion by the latching piece. Toner cartridge.   9. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein an introduction port opening / closing member that opens and closes the toner introduction port is provided in the mounting portion so as to be slidable in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge, and the leg portion is connected to the mounting portion. A toner cartridge, wherein the toner cartridge is installed at a position where the toner introduction port is opened by contacting the introduction port opening / closing member and pressing the toner cartridge in a mounting direction during the toner cartridge mounting operation.   10. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the toner replenishing port by the shutter member is started after the toner introduction port is opened by the introduction port opening / closing member during the mounting operation of the toner cartridge to the mounting unit. The toner cartridge starts to be opened.

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