JP2008145811A - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus which are high in working efficiency when recycling and the replacement of developer are performed and never cause scattering of toner, during the work of performing recycling and the replacement of the developer. <P>SOLUTION: The process cartridge is provided with a first holding section 10 holding a developer carrier 7 and a second holding section 5 which holds the image carrier 1 facing the developer carrier 7 and is configured to be relatively turnable around a shaft portion 6 connected to the first holding section 10 so as to expose the image carrier 1 and the developer carrier 7, in such a state that the image carrier 1 is away from the developer carrier 7. The second holding section 5 is provided with a replenishment path 20 relayed to the replenishing port 10b of the first holding section 10, to replenish the toner to the first holding section 10. The process cartridge is further provided with an opening and closing member 22 opening and closing the replenishment path 20 linked with the relative turning around the shaft portion 6 of the second holding section 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and a process cartridge that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum (image carrier) and a developing unit having a developing roller (developer carrier) are integrated is widely known. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
Such a process cartridge is a unit with excellent maintainability that can be easily attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus when the user reaches the end of its life.
On the other hand, in recent years, recycling of process cartridges with high replacement frequency has been widely promoted from the viewpoint of resource protection. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the decomposability of the process cartridge.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2 and the like, for the purpose of reducing the size of the process cartridge and improving its decomposability, a developing container (first holding unit) that holds the developing roller and a cleaning container that holds the photosensitive drum ( A technique for pivotally coupling the second holding part) using a coupling pin is disclosed. In this technique, the above-described coupling pin is disposed in a mounting guide that guides attachment / detachment to / from the image forming apparatus main body, thereby reducing the size of the process cartridge.

JP 2001-66970 A JP 2002-108174 A

The conventional process cartridge described above has insufficient workability when recycling. Specifically, the image carrier and developer carrier which are mainly exchanged during recycling are not sufficiently disassembled and assembled.
Also, the developer contained in the process cartridge is not sufficiently replaceable or cleanable.
Further, there has been a problem that toner is scattered from the process cartridge at the time of recycling or developer replacement.

  On the other hand, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above is still insufficient in workability because the process cartridge is disassembled by gripping and removing the end face of the coupling pin with a tool. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not directly solve the problems relating to the above-described developer exchangeability and toner scattering during recycling.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has a high workability when recycling or replacing a developer, and a process cartridge and an image forming device that do not cause toner scattering during the work. To provide an apparatus.

  A process cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge that is detachably installed on a main body of an image forming apparatus, and includes a first holding portion that holds a developer carrier, and the developer. While holding the image carrier facing the carrier, the image carrier is connected to the first holder so that the image carrier and the developer carrier are exposed away from the developer carrier. A second holding portion configured to be relatively rotatable about a shaft portion, and the second holding portion is joined to a supply port of the first holding portion and the first holding portion. A replenishment path for replenishing toner or developer toward the surface, and the replenishment path or / and the replenishment port are moved in conjunction with relative rotation about the shaft portion of the second holding part. An opening / closing member that opens and closes is further provided.

  A process cartridge according to a second aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the first aspect, wherein the opening / closing member is interlocked with relative rotation about the shaft portion of the second holding portion. Thus, a plate-like member that rotates around a second shaft portion different from the shaft portion is used.

  The process cartridge according to a third aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the plate member rotates about the second shaft portion by its own weight.

  The process cartridge according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the second or third aspect, wherein the plate-like member is engaged with the second holding portion or the first holding portion. It is provided with an engaging part that restricts movement in the axial direction.

  A process cartridge according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the opening / closing member is exposed to the image carrier and the developer carrier. And closing the downward direction of the supply path in the direction of gravity.

  A process cartridge according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the replenishment path communicates with a toner container containing toner or developer. It is.

  A process cartridge according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein the toner container is further integrated.

  The process cartridge according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first holding unit and the second holding unit are the image carrier and the The developer carrying member is configured to stand on an arbitrary plane in a state where the developer carrying member is exposed upward in the direction of gravity.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the process cartridge according to any one of the first to eighth aspects in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  In the present application, the “process cartridge” refers to a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit (developing device) that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning on the image carrier. It is defined as a unit in which at least one of the cleaning unit (cleaning device) and the image carrier are integrated and detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, the first holding unit that holds the developer carrying member and the second holding unit that holds the image carrying member rotate relatively around the shaft portion, so that the image carrying member and the developer are rotated. The carrier is configured to be exposed. Furthermore, an opening / closing member that opens and closes a supply path and the like provided in the second holding portion in conjunction with the relative rotation is further installed. As a result, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that are highly workable when recycling or replacing the developer, and in which toner scattering does not occur during the work.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, 100 is a main body of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 360 is a paper discharge tray from which a recording medium S is discharged, 361 is a paper feeding unit in which a recording medium S such as transfer paper is stored, and 370 is a document. A document reading unit for optically reading the image information is shown.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, 30 denotes a toner container that contains toner and is installed in the apparatus main body 100 in a replaceable manner, and 31 denotes toner stored in the toner container 30 toward the process cartridge 60. , 60 is a process cartridge that is detachably installed in the apparatus main body 100, 90 is a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording medium S, and 290 is a document. An exposure unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with exposure light based on the image information read by the reading unit 370, 330 a fixing unit that fixes an unfixed image on the recording medium S, and 350 and 380 recording after the fixing process. 2 shows a paper discharge roller for discharging the medium S to the outside of the apparatus.

  Here, in the process cartridge 60, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 3, the cleaning unit 2, the developing units 7 to 9 and the like are integrated. Then, image formation is performed on the photosensitive drum 1 of the process cartridge 60. The process cartridge 60 is replaced with respect to the apparatus main body 100 in a predetermined replacement cycle. The configuration and operation of the process cartridge 60 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an operation during normal image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document is conveyed from the document table and passes over the document reading unit 370. At this time, the document reading unit 370 optically reads the image information of the document passing above.
Then, the optical image information read by the document reading unit 370 is converted into an electric signal and then transmitted to the exposure unit 290 (writing unit). Then, exposure light such as laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal is emitted from the exposure unit 290 toward the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) of the process cartridge 60.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier rotates in the direction of an arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure, and passes through a predetermined image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process), and the photosensitive drum 1. An image (toner image) corresponding to the image information is formed on the top.
Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred by the transfer unit 90 onto the recording medium S conveyed by the registration roller.

On the other hand, the recording medium S conveyed to the transfer unit 90 operates as follows.
The uppermost sheet of the recording medium S stored in the paper supply unit 361 is conveyed toward the position of the conveyance path. Thereafter, the recording medium S passes through the conveyance path and reaches the position of the registration roller. Then, the recording medium S that has reached the position of the registration roller is conveyed toward the transfer unit 90 at the same timing in order to align with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 1.

Then, the recording medium S after the transfer process passes through the position of the transfer unit 90 and then reaches the fixing unit 330 via the conveyance path. The recording medium S that has reached the fixing unit 330 is fed between the fixing roller and the pressure roller, and the image is fixed by the heat received from the fixing roller and the pressure received from both rollers. The recording medium S on which the image is fixed is delivered from between the fixing roller and the pressure roller (a nip portion), and then discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the paper discharge roller 350 (or 380). .
Thus, a series of image forming processes is completed.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the configuration and operation of the process cartridge 60 that is detachably (replaceable) installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the process cartridge 60, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge 60.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 60 includes a first unit 10 as a first holding unit and a second unit 5 as a second holding unit.

  The first unit 10 as the first holding unit holds a developing roller 7 as a developer carrier, two transport screws 8 and 9, a doctor blade (not shown) facing the developing roller 7, and the like. Has been. Further, a developer (two-component developer) composed of toner and carrier is accommodated in the first unit 10 (developing unit). The first unit 10 is connected to the toner container 30 via a supply port 10 b formed above, a supply path 20 installed in the second unit 5, and a toner transport path 31 installed in the apparatus main body 100. Communicate. Then, the toner stored in the toner container 30 is appropriately supplied into the first unit 10 through the toner conveyance path 31, the supply path 20, and the supply port 10b.

  The second unit 5 as the second holding unit holds a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier, a charging unit 3 (charging roller), a cleaning unit 2 (cleaning blade), a waste toner tank 4, and the like. . The photosensitive drum 1 (which is rotatably held by the second unit 5 via the bearing 12) and the developing roller 7 (which is rotatably held by the first unit 10 via the bearing 13). They are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap. Further, the second unit 5 is provided with a supply path 20 at one end in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2). The supply path 20 is for supplying toner toward the first unit 10 by connecting the discharge port 20 b to the supply port 10 b of the first unit 10.

The process cartridge 60 configured as described above operates as follows during image formation.
Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2 around the O axis by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 3 (charging process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches an irradiation position of a laser beam emitted from an exposure unit 290 (see FIG. 1), and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure scanning at this position ( Exposure process).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches a position facing the developing roller 7, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a toner image (developing process).
Specifically, the sleeve of the developing roller 7 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. The developer carried on the developing roller 7Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet fixed in the sleeve moves on the developing roller 7 as the sleeve rotates.
Here, the developer in the first unit 10 is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner contained in the toner container 30 is replenished into the first unit 10 via the toner transport path 31, the replenishment path 20, and the replenishment port 10b according to the consumption of toner in the first unit 10. The

Thereafter, the toner replenished in the first unit 10 (developing unit) is circulated while being mixed and stirred together with the developer by the two conveying screws 8 and 9. The toner in the developer is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 7 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 7.
The developer carried on the developing roller 7 is conveyed clockwise in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of a doctor blade (not shown). The developer on the developing roller 7 is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer remaining on the developing roller 7 reaches above the conveying screw 8 as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 7 at this position.

After the development step, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches a position facing the transfer unit 90, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the recording medium S at this position (transfer step). ). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1.
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 at this position is mechanically collected by a cleaning blade (cleaning process). .)
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1 is completed.

In the first embodiment, the toner container 30 is installed at a position away from the process cartridge 60, and the toner in the toner container 30 is transported to the process cartridge 60 through the toner transport path 31. Although not shown, the toner conveyance path 31 includes a nozzle that engages with the toner discharge port of the toner container 30, a tube that forms a path from the nozzle to the process cartridge 60, and a powder pump that generates a conveyance airflow in the tube. , Etc. are installed.
The toner that has passed through the toner transport path 31 enters the supply path 20 from the supply port 20a of the second unit 5, is discharged from the discharge port 20b, and is supplied into the first unit 10 through the supply port 10b.

  Here, in the process cartridge 60 according to the first embodiment, the second unit 5 rotates relative to the first unit 10 around the shaft portion 6 (11), and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing unit 60 are developed. It is comprised so that the roller 7 may be exposed. 2 and 3 show the process cartridge 60 before rotation (installed state in the apparatus main body 100), and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the photosensitive drum after rotation (recycling or developer replacement, and the photosensitive drum). 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed).

  4 and 5, the first unit 10 and the second unit 5 are connected to each other via a shaft portion 6 (11) so as to be rotatable (turnable). Specifically, the first unit 10 is provided with support portions 10a with holes 11 formed at both ends, and the second unit 5 is provided with support portions 5a with shaft portions 6 press-fitted at both ends. ing. Then, the shaft portion 6 is inserted into the hole portion 11 from the axial direction, and the first unit 10 and the second unit 5 are integrated so as to be rotatable about the central shaft 14.

When the process cartridge 60 is recycled or the developer is replaced, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are separated from each other (by rotating the second unit 5), and both the members 1 and 7 are moved upward in the gravity direction. Both units 5 and 10 are made to stand on an arbitrary plane in the state exposed to (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).
When recycling is performed, the photosensitive drum 1 supported by the bearing 12 and the developing roller 7 supported by the bearing 13 are taken out upward and replaced with new ones. Since the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are parts that are more frequently exchanged than other parts, the merit of performing the replacement work in a state where they are separately exposed upward is increased.
When the developer is replaced (replaced), the upper case (not shown) of the first unit 10 in which the developer is accommodated is taken out upward, and the deteriorated developer accommodated in the interior is taken out. A new developer is supplied later. Since the exposed surface of the first unit 10 after the rotation becomes large, the workability of replacing the developer is improved.

Here, the process cartridge 60 according to the first embodiment has a shutter 22 as an opening / closing member that opens and closes the supply port 20a of the supply path 20 in conjunction with the rotation about the shaft portion 6 of the second unit 5. is set up.
Specifically, the shutter 22 as the opening / closing member rotates around the second shaft portion 22a (a shaft portion different from the shaft portion 6) by its own weight in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5. It is a plate-shaped member.

Specifically, before the rotation of the second unit 5, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shutter 22 can open the supply port 20 a of the supply path 20 and supply toner to the first unit 5. become.
On the other hand, after the second unit 5 is rotated, the shutter 22 closes the supply port 20a of the supply path 20 with reference to FIGS. Specifically, the shutter 22 closes the replenishment path 20 below the gravity direction in conjunction with the rotation (turning) of the second unit 5. As a result, the problem that the toner remaining in the replenishment path 20 flows backward by the rotation of the second unit 5 and scatters from the supply port 20a side is suppressed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the first unit 10 (first holding unit) that holds the developing roller 7 (developer carrier) and the photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) are held. The second unit 5 (second holding portion) and the shaft portion 6 are rotated relative to each other so that the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed. Further, a shutter 22 (opening / closing member) that opens and closes the supply path 20 provided in the second unit 5 in conjunction with the relative rotation is further provided. As a result, the workability when recycling the process cartridge 60 or replacing the developer is improved, and toner scattering can be reliably prevented during the work.

  In the first embodiment, the supply port 20a of the supply path 20 of the second unit 5 is opened and closed by the shutter 22. However, depending on the posture of the first unit 10 and the second unit 5 after rotation, the supply path 20a. The discharge port 20 b can be opened and closed by the shutter 22, and both the supply port 20 a and the discharge port 20 b can be opened and closed by the shutter 22. Furthermore, the replenishing port 10b of the first unit 10 can be opened and closed by an opening / closing member.

  In the first embodiment, the supply path 20 is opened and closed in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5 using the dead weight of the shutter 22, but the meshing position is in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5. It is also possible to open and close the replenishment path 20 using a shutter using a changing gear train. Furthermore, the replenishment path 20 can be opened and closed by a shutter connected to the motor by using an electrical signal generated in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5 as a trigger.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the process cartridge 60 in which the toner is supplied from the toner container 30 in which the toner is stored. However, the toner container (the developer) in which the developer (toner and carrier) is stored. The present invention can also be applied to a process cartridge in which a developer is supplied from a container. Even in this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a process cartridge according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the process cartridge after the rotation, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The process cartridge according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that the toner container 30 is integrated with the process cartridge 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the process cartridge 60 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the second unit 5 as the second holding portion is the first holding portion as the first holding portion. The unit 10 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft portion 6. Further, a shutter 22 is provided as an opening / closing member that opens and closes the supply path 20 in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 22 according to the second embodiment is a plate-like member having a rotation center (second shaft portion) 22a formed by bending. Further, the shutter 22 is provided with an engaging portion 22b that engages with the inner wall of the second unit 5 and restricts movement in the axial direction. As a result, a problem that the shutter 22 moves in the axial direction (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) to form a gap with the supply port 20a or the shutter 22 falls off the unit 5 is suppressed. .

In the second embodiment, the toner container 30 is integrated with the process cartridge 60. The toner container 30 is a bottle-shaped toner container in which a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface, and is driven to rotate by the drive unit of the apparatus main body 100 to discharge the toner from the opening to process the process cartridge 60. Toner is supplied into the (first unit 10).
Then, at the time of recycling or developer replacement, the second unit 5 is rotated after the toner container 30 is removed from the process cartridge 60 as shown in FIG.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first unit 10 (first holding portion) that holds the developing roller 7 (developer carrier) and the photosensitive drum. The second unit 5 (second holding unit) that holds 1 (image carrier) and the second unit 5 (second holding unit) rotate relatively around the shaft unit 6 so that the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed. It is composed. Further, a shutter 22 (opening / closing member) that opens and closes the supply path 20 provided in the second unit 5 in conjunction with the relative rotation is further provided. As a result, the workability when recycling the process cartridge 60 or replacing the developer is improved, and toner scattering can be reliably prevented during the work.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a process cartridge according to the third embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 6 according to the second embodiment. In the process cartridge according to the third embodiment, the shape of the opening / closing member 22 is different from that of the second embodiment.

  The process cartridge 60 according to the third embodiment is also configured such that the second unit 5 can rotate around the shaft portion 6 with respect to the first unit 10, as in the above-described embodiments. . Further, a shutter 22 is provided as an opening / closing member that opens and closes the supply path 20 in conjunction with the rotation of the second unit 5.

  Here, the shutter 22 in the third embodiment is bent in the opening and closing direction as shown in FIG. As a result, even when the shutter 22 is opened and closed by its own weight, the center of gravity of the shutter 22 changes and the shutter 22 approaches the supply port 22a, so the shutter 22 is closed as the second unit 5 rotates. The operation can be accelerated. Therefore, toner scattering from the supply path 20 when the second unit 5 is rotated can be more reliably suppressed.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, the first unit 10 (first holding portion) that holds the developing roller 7 (developer carrier) and the photosensitive drum, as in the above-described embodiments. The second unit 5 (second holding unit) that holds 1 (image carrier) and the second unit 5 (second holding unit) rotate relatively around the shaft unit 6 so that the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed. It is composed. Further, a shutter 22 (opening / closing member) that opens and closes the supply path 20 provided in the second unit 5 in conjunction with the relative rotation is further provided. As a result, the workability when recycling the process cartridge 60 or replacing the developer is improved, and toner scattering can be reliably prevented during the work.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the opening / closing member 22 of the process cartridge according to the fourth embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 8 according to the second embodiment. In the process cartridge according to the fourth embodiment, the shape of the opening / closing member 22 is different from that of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the shutter 22 in the fourth embodiment is provided with a wall portion 22 c so as to cover the surface of the shutter 22. As a result, when the shutter 22 is closed as the second unit 5 rotates, the backflowed toner remaining in the replenishment path 20 is easily collected on the surface without spilling from the surface of the shutter 22. . Therefore, toner scattering from the supply path 20 when the second unit 5 is rotated can be more reliably suppressed.

  As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, the first unit 10 (first holding portion) that holds the developing roller 7 (developer carrier) and the photosensitive drum, as in the above-described embodiments. The second unit 5 (second holding unit) that holds 1 (image carrier) and the second unit 5 (second holding unit) rotate relatively around the shaft unit 6 so that the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed. It is composed. Further, a shutter 22 (opening / closing member) for opening and closing the supply path 20 provided in the second unit 5 is further installed in conjunction with the relative rotation. As a result, the workability when recycling the process cartridge 60 or replacing the developer is improved, and toner scattering can be reliably prevented during the work.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the opening / closing member 22 of the process cartridge according to the fifth embodiment. In the process cartridge according to the fifth embodiment, the shape of the opening / closing member 22 is different from those of the respective embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the shutter 22 in the fifth embodiment is provided with a plug portion 22d that engages with the supply port 20a in accordance with the closing operation. Thereby, when the shutter 22 is closed with the rotation of the second unit 5, the adhesion between the shutter 22 and the supply port 20a is enhanced. Therefore, toner scattering from the supply path 20 when the second unit 5 is rotated can be more reliably suppressed. In the fifth embodiment, in order to facilitate smooth attachment / detachment between the supply port 20a and the plug portion 22d, the contact portions of both members are formed in a tapered shape.

  As described above, also in the fifth embodiment, the first unit 10 (first holding portion) that holds the developing roller 7 (developer carrier) and the photosensitive drum, as in the above-described embodiments. The second unit 5 (second holding unit) that holds 1 (image carrier) and the second unit 5 (second holding unit) rotate relatively around the shaft unit 6 so that the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 7 are exposed. It is composed. Further, a shutter 22 (opening / closing member) that opens and closes the supply path 20 provided in the second unit 5 in conjunction with the relative rotation is further provided. As a result, the workability when recycling the process cartridge 60 or replacing the developer is improved, and toner scattering can be reliably prevented during the work.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows a process cartridge. It is a block diagram which shows the process cartridge after rotation. It is a perspective view which shows the process cartridge after rotation. It is a block diagram which shows the process cartridge in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the process cartridge after rotation. It is a perspective view which shows an opening / closing member. It is a block diagram which shows the process cartridge in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the opening / closing member installed in the process cartridge in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the opening-and-closing member installed in the process cartridge in Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photosensitive drum (image carrier),
5 Second unit (second holding part),
6 Shaft part,
7 Development roller (developer carrier),
10 1st unit (1st holding | maintenance part),
10b Supply port,
20 Supply route,
20a supply port, 20b discharge port,
22 shutter (opening / closing member, plate-like member),
22a 2nd axis part, 22b engagement part,
22c wall part, 22d plug part,
30 toner container,
60 process cartridge,
100 Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body).

Claims (9)

A process cartridge that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
A first holding unit for holding a developer carrier;
While holding the image carrier facing the developer carrier, the image carrier and the developer carrier are exposed to the first holder so that the image carrier is separated from the developer carrier. A second holding part configured to be relatively rotatable about the connected shaft part,
The second holding unit includes a supply path for replenishing toner or developer toward the first holding unit by joining the supply port of the first holding unit,
A process cartridge, further comprising an opening / closing member that opens and closes the replenishment path and / or the replenishment port in conjunction with relative rotation about the shaft portion of the second holding portion.   The opening / closing member is a plate-like member that rotates around a second shaft portion different from the shaft portion in conjunction with a relative rotation around the shaft portion of the second holding portion. The process cartridge according to claim 1.   The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the plate-like member rotates around the second shaft portion by its own weight.   The said plate-shaped member is provided with the engaging part which engages with the said 2nd holding | maintenance part or the said 1st holding | maintenance part, and restrict | limits the movement of an axial direction, The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Process cartridge.   5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing member closes a lower portion in the gravity direction of the supply path in a state where the image carrier and the developer carrier are exposed. .   6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the supply path communicates with a toner container in which toner or developer is accommodated.   The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the toner container is further integrated.   The first holding unit and the second holding unit are configured to stand on an arbitrary plane in a state where the image carrier and the developer carrier are exposed upward in the direction of gravity. The process cartridge according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1 in the image forming apparatus main body.

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