JP2008165067A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device having improved operability. <P>SOLUTION: In a main body casing 2, a left side wall 20 for a storage part is disposed between a process unit 9 and a toner cartridge 8. Then, the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 can be attached to / detached from the main body casing 2 by taking the left side wall 20 for the storage part as a reference. Then, the accuracy deterioration in positioning the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 in the main body casing 2 is suppressed, and the process unit 9 and the cartridge 8 are accurately arranged at regular locations in the main body casing 2. Consequently, the operability of the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8, especially, the operability related to the replacement is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a laser printer including a developing roller that carries toner and a toner box that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller.
As such a laser printer, for example, an image forming apparatus including a photosensitive member and an image forming unit that is provided around the photosensitive member and sequentially performs charging, exposing, and developing steps according to the rotation of the photosensitive member is proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device is replaceably attached to a housing that houses a magnet roller in the developing device constituting the image forming means. When replacing the toner cartridge, the front cover of the image forming apparatus main body is opened, and the toner cartridge is taken out from the developing device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-78697

  In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the housing of the developing device, not to the image forming apparatus main body, the positioning accuracy of the toner cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus main body may be reduced. . As a result, if the toner cartridge is disposed out of the normal position in the image forming apparatus main body, the operability associated with the replacement of the toner cartridge may be reduced.

Further, when the developing device can be replaced in the same manner as the toner cartridge, there is a possibility that the same problem may occur in the operability related to the replacement of the developing device.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising a housing and a developer carrier that is attached to and detached from the housing and carries the developer. A developing device in which one opening is formed; a first shutter provided in the developing device that opens and closes the first opening; and when attached to and detached from the housing A second opening facing the first opening is formed, a developer cartridge that stores a developer to be supplied to the developer carrier, and provided in the developer cartridge. A second shutter that opens and closes the opening, and a third opening that is provided between the developing device and the developer cartridge in the housing and faces the first opening and the second opening. Characterized by comprising a wall

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the opening / closing operation of the first shutter and the opening / closing operation of the second shutter are independent of each other.
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer cartridge faces the developer carrier in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier in the housing. It is characterized by being arranged like this.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a holding member that holds one side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device is provided on a side surface of the wall that faces the developing device. It is characterized by having.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the developing device includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the holding member is a shaft of the image carrier. It is characterized by holding.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fifth aspect, the holding member is formed with a bearing groove that guides the shaft of the image carrier when the developing device is attached or detached. The bearing groove is characterized by extending in a direction parallel to the wall.
A seventh aspect of the invention provides the third shutter according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the third shutter is provided on the wall and opens and closes the third opening from a side surface facing the developing device. The opening / closing operation of the first shutter and the opening / closing operation of the third shutter are interlocked with each other.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the developing device is attached to and detached from the housing in order to pass the developing device attached to and detached from the housing. A fourth opening is formed at a position facing the developing device, and an opening / closing member that covers the fourth opening so as to be openable / closable is provided, and the third shutter is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member. Is characterized by being opened and closed.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect of the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the fourth opening is provided on the wall and opens and closes the third opening from a side surface facing the developer cartridge. A shutter is provided, and the opening / closing operation of the second shutter and the opening / closing operation of the fourth shutter are interlocked with each other.
The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first opening is a first supply side opening for supplying developer to the developer carrying member. And a first return side opening for receiving the developer from the developer carrier, the second opening being a second supply for supplying the developer to the first supply side opening. A side opening and a second return side opening for receiving developer from the first return side opening, and the third opening extends from the second supply side opening to the first supply side opening. A third supply side opening for allowing the developer to pass through the portion, and a third return side opening for allowing the developer to pass from the first return side opening to the second return side opening. It is characterized by.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the wall is provided between the developing device and the developer cartridge in the housing, the developing device and the developer cartridge are separated from the housing with respect to the wall. Can be attached to and detached from. As a result, a decrease in positioning accuracy of the developing device and the developer cartridge with respect to the housing is suppressed, so that the developing device and the developer cartridge can be accurately arranged at the regular positions in the housing.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the developing device and the developer cartridge, particularly the operability related to replacement. Further, by providing a wall between the developing device and the developer cartridge, the developing device and the developer cartridge are independent from each other when mounted on the housing. Can be attached and detached separately.
In addition, a first opening is formed in the developing device including the developer carrying member, a second opening is formed in the developer cartridge that accommodates the developer, and the first opening is formed in the wall. A third opening is formed opposite the first opening and the second opening. As a result, the developer in the developer cartridge can be supplied to the developer carrier via the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening.

  The developing device is provided with a first shutter for opening and closing the first opening, and the developer cartridge is provided with a second shutter for opening and closing the second opening. Thus, in the developer cartridge, the second opening can be opened by opening the second shutter, and the developer in the developer cartridge can be supplied to the third opening. In the developing device, the first opening can be opened by opening the first shutter, and the developer from the developer cartridge can be received through the third opening.

  On the other hand, since the first opening is closed by closing the first shutter, the space between the first opening and the third opening is blocked, and the developer between the first opening and the third opening. Can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the first opening when the developing device is detached from the housing. In addition, since the second opening is closed by closing the second shutter, the space between the second opening and the third opening is blocked, and the developer between the second opening and the third opening. Can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the second opening when the developer cartridge is detached from the housing.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the opening and closing operation of the first shutter and the opening and closing operation of the second shutter are independent from each other, the first opening of the developer and the second opening of the developer cartridge Can be opened and closed independently of each other. Thus, even without operating the first shutter, only the second shutter can be closed to close the second opening, and the developer cartridge can be detached from the casing independently. Similarly, without operating the second shutter, only the first shutter can be closed to close the first opening, and the developing device can be detached from the housing independently.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the developer cartridge is arranged in the housing so as to face the developer carrier in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. Accordingly, the size of the image forming apparatus in the intersecting direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the developer cartridge is disposed opposite to the developer bearing member in the intersecting direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the holding member that holds one side of the developing device in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier is provided on the side surface of the housing that faces the developing device. This holding member can improve the positioning accuracy of the developing device with respect to the housing.
According to the invention described in claim 5, since the holding member holds the shaft of the image carrier provided in the developing device, the image carrier is accurately positioned to form an accurate electrostatic latent image. can do.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the holding member is formed with a bearing groove for guiding the shaft of the image carrier, and the bearing groove extends in parallel with the wall of the housing. That is, both ends of the developing device in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier can be held by the housing of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, the developing device can be attached and detached without interfering with the developer cartridge.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the wall of the housing is provided with the third shutter that opens and closes the third opening from the side surface facing the developing device. As a result, when the third shutter is opened and the third opening is opened, and when the first shutter of the developing device is opened and the first opening is opened, the third opening and the first opening communicate with each other. The developer from the developer cartridge can be received through the first opening and the third opening. On the other hand, when the third shutter is closed and the third opening is closed, the gap between the first opening and the third opening is blocked, so that the developer between the first opening and the third opening. Can be restricted. Therefore, when the developing device is detached from the housing, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the side facing the developing device in the third opening.

  The opening / closing operation of the first shutter and the opening / closing operation of the third shutter are interlocked with each other. Thereby, when the developing device is mounted on the housing, the first opening and the third opening can be opened at the same time to smoothly receive the developer from the developer cartridge. Then, when the developing device is detached from the housing, the first opening and the third opening can be closed at the same time to prevent the leakage of the developer from both the first opening and the third opening. Therefore, operability can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the third shutter is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member that is opened and closed when the developing device is attached to and detached from the housing, the operability is further improved. Can be planned.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the fourth shutter for opening and closing the third opening from the side surface facing the developer cartridge is provided on the wall of the housing. Accordingly, when the fourth shutter is opened to open the third opening, and when the second shutter of the developer cartridge is opened to open the second opening, the third opening and the second opening communicate with each other, and the developer Developer can be supplied from the cartridge to the third opening. On the other hand, when the fourth shutter is closed and the third opening is closed, the second opening and the third opening are blocked, so that the developer between the second opening and the third opening. Can be restricted. Therefore, when the developer cartridge is detached from the housing, the leakage of the developer from the side facing the developer cartridge in the third opening can be prevented.

  The opening / closing operation of the second shutter and the opening / closing operation of the fourth shutter are interlocked with each other. Accordingly, when the developer cartridge is mounted on the housing, the second opening and the third opening can be opened at the same time, and the developer from the developer cartridge can be supplied smoothly. Then, when the developer cartridge is detached from the housing, the second opening and the third opening can be closed at the same time to prevent leakage of the developer from both the second opening and the third opening. . Therefore, operability can be improved.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the developer stored in the developer cartridge is conveyed from the second supply side opening of the second opening to the third supply side opening of the third opening, 3. The developer is supplied from the supply side opening to the developer carrier of the developing device through the first supply side opening of the first opening. On the other hand, a part of the developer supplied to the developer carrying member is conveyed from the first return side opening of the first opening to the third return side opening of the third opening, and the third return side opening. To the developer cartridge through the second return opening of the second opening. Thereby, the developer can be circulated between the developer cartridge and the developing device.

1. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a main part of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and shows a state in which a reading scanner unit to be described later is closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser printer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state where the cover is in the cover open position in FIG. 4A and 4B are side sectional views of the main part of the laser printer for explaining opening and closing of the reading scanner unit. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the reading scanner unit is closed, and FIG. 4B shows a reading scanner unit. Shows an opened mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 is a multifunction machine, and includes a main body casing 2 as an example of a casing, a feeder unit 4 and an image forming unit 5 housed in the main body casing 2, and a main body casing. 2 and a reading scanner unit 7 as an example of an opening / closing member provided above the main casing 2.
The feeder unit 4 is equipped to feed the paper 3. The image forming unit 5 is equipped to form an image on the fed paper 3. The reading scanner unit 7 is equipped to read image information described on a document.

In the following description, the left side of the paper in FIG. ) Side, and the right side of FIG. 1 is the back (rear) side. Further, the front side in the paper thickness direction in FIG. 1 is the right side, and the back side in the paper thickness direction in FIG. 1 is the left side. The left-right direction may be referred to as the width direction.
(1) Main Body Casing As shown in FIG. 1, the main body casing 2 is formed in a hollow, substantially box shape. An upper wall 10 having a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view is formed at the upper end of the main casing 2.

An operation panel 13 is provided on the front side portion of the upper wall 10. The operation panel 13 includes a liquid crystal panel on which the operating state of the laser printer 1 is displayed, buttons that can be operated by a user who sets operation conditions of the laser printer 1, and the like.
The main casing 2 is formed with a process attaching / detaching port 11 as an example of the fourth opening, a supply tray attaching / detaching port 15, and a cartridge attaching / detaching port 16 (see FIG. 3) as an example of the opening.
(1-1) Process attachment / detachment port The process attachment / detachment port 11 is formed in the upper wall 10 in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, the reading scanner unit 7 is disposed so as to cover the process attachment / detachment port 11 so as to be openable and closable. The reading scanner unit 7 is swingably supported by a support shaft 12 provided along the width direction at the upper rear end of the main casing 2. Further, a reading guide lever 67 extending downward is provided on the lower shaft 12 side of the reading scanner unit 7 so as to have a substantially arc shape that bulges forward in a side view. A lower end portion of the reading guide lever 67 is engaged with a reading guide groove 68 of the storage portion left side wall 20 as an example of a wall to be described later. When the reading scanner unit 7 swings, the lower end portion of the reading guide lever 67 slides along the reading guide groove 68.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the reading scanner unit 7 is swung with the support shaft 12 as a fulcrum so that the front end portion of the reading scanner unit 7 is in contact with the upper wall 10, the reading scanner unit 7 performs a process. The attachment / detachment port 11 is closed. The position of the reading scanner unit 7 at this time is set as a reading closed position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the reading scanner unit 7 is swung with the support shaft 12 as a fulcrum so that the front end portion of the reading scanner unit 7 is separated from the upper wall 10, the process attachment / detachment port 11. Is opened obliquely upward and forward. The position of the reading scanner unit 7 at this time is set as a reading open position. The process part 9 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 by passing the process part 9 in an oblique direction from the front upper side to the rear lower side with respect to the opened process attaching / detaching port 11. That is, the process attachment / detachment port 11 is provided at a position facing the process unit 9 in the attachment / detachment direction of the process unit 9.
(1-2) Supply Tray Attachment / Removal Port As shown in FIG. 2, the supply tray attachment / detachment port 15 is formed at a substantially central position of the lower half portion of the front side wall 14 of the main body casing 2. The supply tray attachment / detachment port 15 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction, and a supply tray 51 (to be described later) can be attached / detached to / from the main body casing 2 through the supply tray attachment / detachment port 15.
(1-3) Cartridge Mounting Port As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting port 16 is located on the front side wall 14 at a position facing the toner cartridge 8 in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 8 to be described later. 15 is formed on the right side. The cartridge attaching / detaching port 16 is formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the vertical direction than the supply tray attaching / detaching port 15, is short in the width direction, and is long in the width direction. In the main casing 2, the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 is provided with a cover 17 that covers the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 so as to be opened and closed.

  The cover 17 is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the cartridge attaching / detaching port 16 in a front view. The support shaft 22 is inserted into both ends in the width direction of the lower end portion of the cover 17, and the cover 17 pivots between the cover closed position (see FIG. 2) and the cover open position (see FIG. 3). It is free. When the cover 17 is in the cover closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, the cover 17 is almost upright and closes the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 from the front side. On the other hand, when the cover 17 is in the cover open position, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover 17 is tilted so as to be substantially along the horizontal direction, and the cartridge attaching / detaching port 16 is opened to the front side. A connecting portion 23 is provided in the middle of the right end portion of the cover 17. The connection portion 23 has a plate shape along the right end portion of the cover 17 and is formed in a substantially triangular shape that becomes narrower toward the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 in the opening / closing direction. A transmission member 25 to be described later is coupled to the cover 17 via the connection portion 23.

  In the main casing 2, a storage unit upper side wall 18, a storage unit lower side wall 19, a storage unit left side wall 20, and a storage unit right side wall 21 that extend substantially horizontally from the periphery of the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16 are provided. That is, the storage unit upper side wall 18 extends from the upper end edge of the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16 formed in a rectangular shape. Similarly, the storage unit lower side wall 19 extends from the lower end edge of the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16, the storage unit left side wall 20 extends from the left end edge of the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16, and the storage unit right side wall 21 extends from the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16. 16 extends from the right edge. As will be described later, the storage unit left side wall 20 faces the process unit 9 in the width direction on the left side, and faces the toner cartridge 8 in the width direction on the right side.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the inside of the cartridge housing space is exposed in FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of the laser printer with the cover in the cover open position. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views taken along the line A-A in FIG. 6. FIG. 7A shows a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the cover is in the cover open position. FIGS. 8A and 8B are views taken along the line B-B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8A shows a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. 8B shows a state where the cover is in the cover open position. FIGS. 9A and 9B are views taken along the line CC in FIG. 6. FIG. 9A shows a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. 9B shows a state where the cover is in the cover open position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit left side wall 20 and the storage unit right side wall 21 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and the rear end portion swells in a semicircular shape toward the rear. Is formed. A first shaft hole 35 is formed at the rear end of the storage portion left side wall 20 at the center of the circle forming the semicircular shape. A housing supply hole 33 as an example of a third supply side opening is formed at the rear end of the storage left wall 20 at about 11 o'clock with respect to the first shaft hole 35 in the right side view. ing. A housing return hole 34 as an example of a third return side opening is provided at the rear end portion of the left side wall 20 of the storage unit at a position (approximately 10 o'clock) obliquely forward and downward of the housing supply hole 33. It is formed with a gap from the supply hole 33. The housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 are an example of a third opening, and both are formed as round holes of substantially the same size that penetrate the storage portion left side wall 20 in the width direction.

A second shaft hole 106 is formed between the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 in the left side wall 20 of the storage unit.
Further, on the right side surface of the left side wall 20 of the storage unit, a position in front of the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34, more specifically, in front of a first housing shutter 37 as an example of a fourth shutter described later. A housing recess 220 is formed at the position. The housing recess 220 is formed to extend downward from the upper edge of the housing left side wall 20 and to be recessed to the left side so as to have a substantially arc shape that bulges to the front side in a side view. The depth of the receiving recess 220, that is, the dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the width direction of the reading guide lever 67 described above. The reading guide groove 68 described above is formed at the front side position in the housing recess 220. The reading guide groove 68 has a substantially circular arc shape in side view that coincides with the swing locus of the lower end portion of the reading guide lever 67 as the reading scanner unit 7 swings, and penetrates the storage portion left side wall 20 in the width direction. . Note that the reading guide lever 67 is disposed in the housing recess 220. In this state, the reading guide lever 67 is housed in the housing recess 220 so as not to protrude from the right edge of the housing recess 220 to the right.

In addition, a gear receiving groove 24 is formed in the storage left wall 20 so as to extend substantially horizontally from a substantially central position in the vertical direction of the front end edge to a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the storage left wall 20.
The gear receiving groove 24 is formed in a band shape that is recessed leftward from the left wall 20 of the storage portion, and is formed so that the rear end portion swells in a semicircular shape toward the rear. A gear exposure hole 60 having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed in a groove wall on the lower side of the gear receiving groove 24 at a position substantially equal to the circle center of the rear end portion forming the semicircular shape described above in the front-rear direction. Yes. Further, a left guide groove 28 extending substantially horizontally from the front end edge of the housing left side wall 20 to the vicinity of the front and rear direction position of the gear exposure hole 60 is formed in the gear housing groove 24 at the center in the vertical direction. The length in the front-rear direction of the left guide groove 28 corresponds to about half of the length in the front-rear direction of the storage portion left side wall 20.

  The left guide groove 28 is formed in a groove that is recessed leftward from the gear receiving groove 24. The groove width of the left guide groove 28 becomes narrower toward the rear at the front end portion of the left guide groove 28, and thereafter (described above). It is formed so as to be constant at the rear side from the front end portion. On the groove wall below the left guide groove 28, a positioning protrusion 29 that slightly protrudes upward is provided at a position substantially equal to the gear exposure hole 60 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, a right guide groove 30 having substantially the same shape and groove width as the left guide groove 28 is formed at a position facing the left guide groove 28 in the width direction of the storage portion right side wall 21. .
As shown in FIG. 9, the right guide groove 30 extends substantially horizontally rearward from the front edge of the storage unit right side wall 21, and the length in the front-rear direction is about 4 minutes of the length in the front-rear direction of the storage unit right side wall 21. It is equivalent to 3. The right guide groove 30 is formed so that the groove width becomes narrower toward the rear at the front end portion and is constant thereafter (after the front end portion described above). On the right side wall 21 of the storage portion, a rotating plate storage portion 31 is formed on the rear side of the right guide groove 30.

  The rotating plate accommodating portion 31 is formed in a circular shape in side view and recessed toward the right side. The portion corresponding to the rear half portion of the rotating plate housing portion 31 in the storage portion right side wall 21 is the rear end portion formed in a semicircular shape in the storage portion right side wall 21 as described above. A shaft hole 32 penetrating the storage unit right side wall 21 in the width direction is formed at a circular center position of the rotation plate storage unit 31 in a portion corresponding to the rotation plate storage unit 31 of the storage unit right side wall 21. . Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the portion corresponding to the rotating plate accommodation portion 31 of the accommodation portion right side wall 21 has a position from about 9 o'clock position to about 1 o'clock position with respect to the shaft hole 32 in the right side view. A substantially arc-shaped through hole 40 penetrating the storage portion right side wall 21 in the width direction is formed over the range.

As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit upper side wall 18 and the storage unit lower side wall 19 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and the rear end portions thereof are connected by a curved wall 26.
The curved wall 26 is formed in a thin plate shape having a substantially semicircular arc shape recessed rearward in a side view. The left edge of the curved wall 26 is connected to the above-described semicircular peripheral edge of the rear end portion of the storage portion left side wall 20, and the right end edge of the curved wall 26 is connected to the rear end portion of the storage portion right side wall 21. Connected to the semicircular peripheral edge (see FIG. 9). Further, the upper end edge of the curved wall 26 is connected to the rear end edge of the storage unit upper side wall 18, and the lower end edge of the curved wall 26 is connected to the rear end edge of the storage unit lower side wall 19. Accordingly, the main body casing 2 is partitioned by the storage unit upper side wall 18, the storage unit lower side wall 19, the storage unit left side wall 20, the storage unit right side wall 21, and the curved wall 26, and thereby substantially communicates with the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16. A rectangular parallelepiped cartridge housing space 27 is formed. The depth in the front-rear direction of the cartridge housing space 27 corresponds to about four-fifths of the front-rear dimension of the main body casing 2, and the toner cartridge 8 is housed in the cartridge housing space 27 (see FIG. 9).

In the cartridge housing space 27, a drive input gear 36 and a first housing shutter 37 are provided. In the main casing 2, a transmission member 25 (see FIG. 6) is provided on the right side of the cartridge housing space 27.
In the main casing 2, a process storage space 69 for storing the process section 9 is formed on the left side of the cartridge storage space 27 with the storage section left side wall 20 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 1). That is, the storage unit left side wall 20 is located between the toner cartridge 8 stored in the cartridge storage space 27 and the process unit 9 stored in the process storage space 69. It faces in the width direction and faces the toner cartridge 8 in the width direction on its right side.
(1-4) Drive Input Gear The drive input gear 36 is a spur gear having teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is arranged so that the upper end portion is exposed from the gear exposure hole 60 of the gear housing groove 24. . The rotation shaft of the drive input gear 36 is rotatably supported on the left side wall 20 of the storage unit, and the left end portion is not shown, but is exposed to the left side of the left side wall 20 of the storage unit. (Not shown). When a drive motor (not shown) is driven, the drive input gear 36 is rotated clockwise in the right side view.
(1-5) First Housing Shutter The first housing shutter 37 is disposed on the rear end side in the cartridge housing space 27. The first housing shutter 37 integrally includes a first housing shutter arc wall 38 and a first housing shutter side wall 39.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing shutter arc wall 38 is formed in a thin plate shape having a semicircular arc shape in side view along the curved wall 26. A rectangular fitting hole 43 (see FIG. 6) that is long in the width direction when viewed from the front is formed in the central portion in the circumferential direction of the first housing shutter arc wall 38.
The first housing shutter side wall 39 is formed in a disc shape when viewed from the side, and half of the outer peripheral edge thereof is connected to the left end edge of the first housing shutter arc wall 38.

  The first casing shutter side wall 39 is integrally provided with a first rotation shaft 61 that protrudes to the left at the center of the circle. A first housing shutter supply hole 41 and a first housing shutter return hole 42 are formed along the periphery of the first housing shutter side wall 39. The first housing shutter return hole 42 is formed at a distance from the first housing shutter supply hole 41 in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side. The first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the first housing shutter return hole 42 both penetrate the first housing shutter side wall 39 in the width direction, and are approximately the same size as the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34. It is formed in a round hole.

By inserting the first rotation shaft 61 into the first shaft hole 35 of the storage unit left side wall 20, the first housing shutter 37 is supported rotatably on the storage unit left side wall 20. Specifically, the first housing shutter 37 is rotatable between a first housing shutter closed position (see FIG. 7B) and a first housing shutter open position (see FIG. 7A). is there.
When the first housing shutter 37 is in the first housing shutter closed position, the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 are formed on the first housing shutter side wall 39 as shown in FIG. A portion other than the one-case shutter supply hole 41 and the first case shutter return hole 42 is closed from the right side (the right side surface side of the storage portion left side wall 20).

On the other hand, the position when the first casing shutter 37 is rotated about 90 ° clockwise in the right side view from the first casing shutter closed position is the first casing shutter opening position shown in FIG. It is. When the first casing shutter 37 is in the first casing shutter open position, the first casing shutter supply hole 41 and the casing supply hole 33 are opposed to and communicate with each other in the width direction. At the same time, the first housing shutter return hole 42 and the housing return hole 34 face each other in the width direction and communicate with each other.
(1-6) Transmission Member As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission member 25 is disposed between the storage unit right side wall 21 and the right side wall of the main body casing 2 in the main body casing 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission member 25 is a so-called link device, and includes a first connecting rod 44, a slide rod 45, a second connecting rod 46, a rod support portion 47, and a rotating plate 48.
The rod support portion 47 is formed in a rectangular shape in front view and a hollow prismatic shape that is long in the front-rear direction. At the front end portion and the rear end portion of the rod support portion 47, openings for allowing the hollow portion of the rod support portion 47 to communicate with the outside are formed. The rod support portion 47 is sandwiched between the storage portion right side wall 21 and the right side wall of the main casing 2 (see FIG. 6).

The slide rod 45 is longer than the rod support portion 47 in the front-rear direction, and is smaller than the front shape of the hollow portion of the rod support portion 47 in a front view. The slide rod 45 is supported by the rod support portion 47 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction so that both ends in the front-rear direction are exposed from the respective openings in the front-rear direction of the rod support portion 47.
The first connecting rod 44 has a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the slide rod 45 and a front end portion connected to the connection portion 23 of the cover 17. The first connecting rod 44 can swing around the connecting portion with the slide rod 45 and the connecting portion with the connecting portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the rotating plate 48 is formed in a disk shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the side surface shape of the rotating plate housing portion 31 in a side view, and the rotating plate housing portion 27 in the cartridge housing space 27. 31. A rotation plate guide groove 49 is formed on the left side surface of the rotation plate 48. The rotation plate guide groove 49 is formed so as to extend in the diametrical direction through the center of the circle of the rotation plate 48 and to be recessed to the right side, and to have a groove width substantially equal to that of the right guide groove 30. A support shaft 50 that protrudes to the right is formed at the center of the circle of the rotating plate 48. By inserting the support shaft 50 into the shaft hole 32 of the rotating plate housing portion 31, the rotating plate 48 is rotatably supported by the housing portion right side wall 21 in the rotating plate housing portion 31. Specifically, the rotation plate 48 is rotatable between a rotation plate closed position (see FIG. 9B) and a rotation plate open position (see FIG. 9A).

  Specifically, when the rotation plate 48 is in the rotation plate closed position, as shown in FIG. 9B, the right guide groove 30 and the rotation plate guide groove 49 are connected along the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the position when the rotation plate 48 is rotated about 90 ° counterclockwise in the left side view from the rotation plate closed position is the rotation open position. When the rotation plate 48 is in the rotation open position, as shown in FIG. 9A, the right guide groove 30 and the rotation plate guide groove 49 are not connected, and the rotation plate guide groove 49 is not connected to the right guide. It is substantially orthogonal to the groove 30. In the state where the rotating plate 48 is supported by the storage unit right side wall 21, the left side surface of the rotating plate 48 and the left side surface of the portion of the storage unit right side wall 21 on the front side of the rotating plate storage unit 31. Is flush with the front view.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second connecting rod 46 is longer than the first connecting rod 44 and its front end is connected to the rear end of the slide rod 45. The rear end portion of the second connecting rod 46 is connected to one place away from the support shaft 50 on the right side surface of the rotating plate 48 radially outward through the through hole 40 of the storage portion right side wall 21. The second connecting rod 46 can swing around the connecting portion with the slide rod 45 and the connecting portion with the rotating plate 48.

Next, the operation of the transmission member 25 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8B, when the cover 17 is in the cover open position, the slide rod 45 is positioned at the forefront in a state where it is supported by the rod support portion 47. The rotating plate 48 is in the rotating plate closed position (see FIG. 9B). Here, the cover 17 is rotated from the cover open position toward the cover close position (see FIG. 8A). Thereby, the power for rotating the cover 17 acts on the first connecting rod 44 so as to push the first connecting rod 44 rearward. This power is transmitted to the slide rod 45 via the first connecting rod 44 and slides the slide rod 45 rearward. Further, this power is transmitted to the second connecting rod 46 through the slide rod 45, and the second connecting rod 46 is swung counterclockwise in the right side view centering on the connecting portion with the slide rod 45. , Move backwards. As a result, the connecting portion of the second connecting rod 46 and the rotating plate 48 moves along the arc of the through hole 40, so this power is transmitted to the rotating plate 48 via the second connecting rod 46, The rotating plate 48 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the left side from the rotating plate closed position (see FIG. 9B) toward the rotating plate open position (see FIG. 9A).

  As described above, in conjunction with the rotation of the cover 17 from the cover open position (see FIG. 9B) to the cover closed position (see FIG. 9A), the rotation plate 48 is closed. It is rotated from the position to the rotating plate open position. When the rotation of the cover 17 to the cover closed position (rotation of the rotation plate 48 to the rotation plate open position) is completed, the slide rod 45 is moved to the rod support portion 47 as shown in FIG. Located at the end in the supported state.

  On the other hand, the cover 17 in the cover closed position is rotated toward the cover open position. Thereby, the power for rotating the cover 17 acts on the first connecting rod 44 so as to pull the first connecting rod 44 forward. This power is transmitted to the slide rod 45 via the first connecting rod 44 and slides the slide rod 45 forward. Further, this power is transmitted to the second connecting rod 46 through the slide rod 45, and the second connecting rod 46 is swung clockwise in a right side view centering on the connecting portion with the slide rod 45. Move forward. As a result, the connecting portion of the second connecting rod 46 and the rotating plate 48 moves along the arc of the through hole 40, so this power is transmitted to the rotating plate 48 via the second connecting rod 46, The rotation plate 48 is rotated clockwise from the left side view from the rotation plate open position (see FIG. 9A) toward the rotation plate closed position (see FIG. 9B).

As described above, in conjunction with the rotation of the cover 17 from the cover closed position (see FIG. 9A) to the cover open position (see FIG. 9B), the rotating plate 48 opens the rotating plate. It is rotated from the position to the rotating plate closed position.
(1-7) Process Storage Space FIG. 10 is a left side view of the main part around the left side wall of the storage unit, and (a) shows a state where the second housing shutter is in the second housing shutter open position. , (B) shows a state in which the second housing shutter is in the second housing shutter closed position.

  The process storage space 69 is partitioned in the left-right direction by the storage portion left side wall 20 and the left side wall of the main body casing 2, and is partitioned in the front-rear direction by a discharge rear wall 189 (see FIG. 1) and a rear side wall of the main body casing 2 described later. Yes. The process accommodating space 69 is partitioned in the vertical direction by a lower side surface of the reading scanner unit 7 in the reading closed position, a rear portion of the scanner unit 80 and a rear portion of the feeder unit 4 described later (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 10, the process housing space 69 is provided with a second housing shutter 71 as an example of a third shutter, a shutter rotation support member 72, and a shaft holding member 73 as an example of a holding member. Yes.
(1-7-1) Second Housing Shutter The second housing shutter 71 is disposed on the rear end side of the process housing space 69, specifically, on the rear side of the reading guide groove 68 of the housing left side wall 20. . The second housing shutter 71 is integrally provided with a second housing shutter triangular wall 74 and a second housing shutter peripheral wall 75.

  The second housing shutter triangular wall 74 is formed in a thin plate shape having a substantially triangular shape in a side view. Specifically, the peripheral edge at one corner of the second housing shutter triangular wall 74 is formed in a substantially arc shape. The second casing shutter triangular wall 74 is integrally provided with a second rotating shaft 76 that protrudes to the right at the arc center of the corner described above. A second housing shutter supply hole 77 and a second housing shutter return hole 78 are formed in the second housing shutter triangular wall 74 so as to sandwich the second rotation shaft 76 in a side view. The second housing shutter supply hole 77 and the second housing shutter return hole 78 both penetrate the second housing shutter triangular wall 74 in the width direction and are substantially the same size as the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34. Sano round hole is formed.

The second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 is formed in a thin plate shape that is substantially U-shaped in side view along the two sides that form the above-described substantially arc-shaped corners in the second casing shutter triangular wall 74. . In the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75, a fitting notch 79 that penetrates the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 in the thickness direction is formed in the vicinity of the second casing shutter supply hole 77.
The second casing shutter 71 is rotatably supported on the left side surface of the storage unit left side wall 20 by inserting the second rotation shaft 76 through the second shaft hole 106 of the storage unit left side wall 20. . In this state, the front end portion of the second housing shutter 71 faces the reading guide groove 68 in the width direction, and a reading guide lever 67 (see FIG. 5) is provided at the front end portion of the second housing shutter 71. The lower end is connected. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 10A, the lower end portion of the reading guide lever 67 is connected to the lower end portion of the front end portion of the second housing shutter triangular wall 74. As a result, the second casing shutter 71 is moved to the second casing shutter closed position (see FIG. 10B) and the second casing shutter open position (see FIG. ))).

Specifically, when the reading scanner unit 7 is in the reading open position (see FIG. 4B), the second housing shutter 71 is in the second housing shutter closed position (see FIG. 10B). On the other hand, when the reading scanner unit 7 is in the reading closed position (see FIG. 4A), the second housing shutter 71 is in the second housing shutter opening position (see FIG. 10A).
When the second casing shutter 71 is in the second casing shutter closed position, the casing supply hole 33 and the casing return hole 34 are formed in the second casing shutter triangular wall 74 as shown in FIG. The portion other than the second housing shutter supply hole 77 and the second housing shutter return hole 78 is closed from the left side (the left side surface side of the storage portion left wall 20). Further, the portion of the peripheral edge of the second casing shutter triangular wall 74 where the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 is not provided is exposed upward via the process attaching / detaching port 11. Thereby, the fitting notch 79 of the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 is exposed upward at the deepest portion of the second casing shutter 71.

  On the other hand, the position of the second housing shutter 71 when the second housing shutter 71 is rotated about 90 ° clockwise as viewed from the left side from the second housing shutter closed position is the second housing shutter open position shown in FIG. It is. When the second casing shutter 71 is in the second casing shutter open position, the second casing shutter supply hole 77 and the casing supply hole 33 are opposed to and communicate with each other in the width direction. At the same time, the second housing shutter return hole 78 and the housing return hole 34 face each other in the width direction and communicate with each other. Further, the portion of the peripheral edge of the second casing shutter triangular wall 74 where the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 is not provided is located at the front end of the second casing shutter triangular wall 74. Thereby, the fitting notch 79 of the second casing shutter peripheral wall 75 is exposed to the front side at the deepest portion of the second casing shutter 71.

In this way, the second casing shutter 71 is opened and closed in conjunction with the swinging (opening and closing operation) between the reading open position and the reading closed position of the reading scanner unit 7.
(1-7-2) Shutter Rotation Support Member The shutter rotation support member 72 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the second housing shutter 71 on the left side surface of the storage unit left side wall 20. The shutter rotation support member 72 is a substantially V-shaped protrusion that protrudes to the left. Specifically, the shutter rotation support member 72 has one piece along the vertical direction, the other piece along the oblique direction from the rear upper side to the front lower side, and a connecting portion between the one piece and the other piece. Is formed to be curved. In the shutter rotation support member 72, one piece is along the rear edge of the second housing shutter 71 at the second housing shutter closed position (see FIG. 10B), and the other piece. Is arranged along the lower edge of the second casing shutter 71 in the second casing shutter open position (see FIG. 10A). Therefore, when the second casing shutter 71 is rotated to the second casing shutter closed position, the second casing shutter 71 comes into contact with one piece of the shutter rotation support member 72 at the rear side edge. (See FIG. 10B). On the other hand, when the second casing shutter 71 is rotated to the second casing shutter open position, the second casing shutter 71 contacts the other piece of the shutter rotation support member 72 at the lower edge thereof. (See FIG. 10 (a)). Thereby, the rotation of the second casing shutter 71 is supported between the second casing shutter closed position and the second casing shutter open position.
(1-7-3) Shaft Holding Member The shaft holding member 73 is provided on the left side of the storage portion left side wall 20 on the front side of the second housing shutter 71, specifically on the front side of the reading guide groove 68. The shaft holding member 73 is thin in the width direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in side view. The shaft holding member 73 is formed with a bearing groove 107 extending downward from its upper end edge. Specifically, the bearing groove 107 extends in parallel with the storage left wall 20 on the left side of the storage left wall 20. The groove width of the bearing groove 107 is set so as to taper downward in the substantially upper half of the bearing groove 107 and constant in the substantially lower half of the bearing groove 107. In the groove wall on the front side of the bearing groove 107, a positioning protrusion 65 that slightly protrudes rearward is provided at the lower end portion thereof.
(2) Feeder Unit As shown in FIG. 1, the feeder unit 4 includes a supply tray 51, a separation roller 52, a separation pad 53, and a paper feed roller 54.

The supply tray 51 is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 2 and is detachably attached to the main casing 2 along the front-rear direction from the front side. The supply tray 51 has a box shape with the upper side opened, and a grip portion 55 is integrally provided on the front side.
The separation roller 52 and the separation pad 53 are provided above the rear end portion of the supply tray 51.

The paper feed roller 54 is provided in front of the separation roller 52.
The feeder unit 4 includes a paper dust removing roller 56 and a guide roller 57.
The paper dust removing roller 56 is disposed to face the separation roller 52 and is provided above the rear end side of the separation pad 53.
The guide roller 57 is disposed opposite to the separation roller 52 above the paper dust removing roller 56.

A registration roller 58 including a pair of rollers is provided above the separation roller 52. A conveyance path 62 for guiding the conveyance of the sheet 3 to the registration roller 58 is provided between the guide roller 57 and the registration roller 58.
Inside the supply tray 51 is provided a paper pressing plate 59 on which the paper 3 can be placed in a stacked form. When the supply tray 51 is detached from the main casing 2 through the supply tray attachment / detachment opening 15, the paper 3 can be placed on the paper pressing plate 59.

On the other hand, when the supply tray 51 is attached to the main casing 2, the paper 3 on the paper pressing plate 59 is pressed by the paper supply roller 54. Then, by the rotation of the paper feed roller 54, paper feed is started toward the separation position between the separation roller 52 and the separation pad 53.
The sheet 3 sent out toward the separation position by the sheet feeding roller 54 is rolled and fed one by one when it is sandwiched between the separation roller 52 and the separation pad 53 by the rotation of the separation roller 52. Is done. The fed paper 3 passes between the paper dust removing roller 56 and the separation roller 52, where the paper dust is removed. Thereafter, the sheet 3 is guided by the guide roller 57 and the conveyance path 62 to be folded back to the front side along the substantially U shape and conveyed toward the registration roller 58.

The registration roller 58 conveys the sheet 3 to a transfer position between a photosensitive drum 136 as an example of an image carrier to be described later and a transfer roller 138 after registration. At this transfer position, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 136 is transferred to the paper 3.
(3) Image Forming Unit The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 80, the above-described toner cartridge 8, the process unit 9, and a fixing unit 82.
(3-1) Scanner Unit The scanner unit 80 is adjacently disposed in the main body casing 2 so as to overlap above the supply tray 51 from the front end portion of the supply tray 51 to a slightly rear side from the center in the front-rear direction. Yes. Further, the scanner unit 80 is adjacently disposed so that the front half portion overlaps below a discharge tray 185 described later. The scanner unit 80 includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror 83 that is rotationally driven, an fθ lens 84, a lens 85, and a reflecting mirror 86 along the front-rear direction. A laser beam based on image data emitted from a laser light source (not shown) is deflected by a polygon mirror 83 as shown by a chain line, passes through an fθ lens 84, and further passes through a lens 85 to be reflected by a reflecting mirror. The light path is bent by 86, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 136 of the process unit 9 is irradiated.
(3-2) Toner Cartridge FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of the toner cartridge as viewed from the diagonally upper right side of the rear side, in which FIG. 11A shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. A state in which the cylindrical portion is at the cartridge shutter open position is shown. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the toner cartridge as viewed from the rear upper left side, in which FIG. 12A shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. 12B shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter open position. Shows the state. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the toner cartridge in a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position. The main part of the developer passage part is shown in cross section. 14A and 14B are left side views of the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 14A shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. 14B shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter open position. FIG. 15 is an AA arrow view of FIG. FIG. 16 is an AA arrow view of FIG. 15 and shows only the inner cylindrical portion.

As shown in FIG. 11, the toner cartridge 8 is long in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the maximum dimensions in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are the front-rear, left-right, and left-right directions of the cartridge housing space 27 (see FIG. 5). It is formed to be slightly smaller than each maximum dimension in the vertical direction. The toner cartridge 8 includes a developer passage portion 87 as an example of a first developer accommodating portion, a developer accommodating portion 88 as an example of a second developer accommodating portion, and a handle 89.
(3-2-1) Developer Passing Portion The developer passing portion 87 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the curved wall 26 (see FIG. 7) of the cartridge housing space 27, and has a positive charging property inside. A non-magnetic one-component polymerized toner is accommodated. The developer passage portion 87 includes an inner cylindrical portion 90 as an example of an inner casing portion, and an outer cylindrical portion 91 as an example of a second shutter and an outer casing portion.

The inner cylindrical portion 90 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that is smaller than the outer shape of the developer passage portion 87. As shown in FIG. 15, an inner cylindrical wall 92 and an inner side wall 93 as an example of the side wall are provided. Integrated.
The inner cylindrical wall 92 forms a circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 90, and at the front end, on the left side of the interference prevention wall 100 described later, a passing portion side communication hole 222 that penetrates the inner cylindrical wall 92 in the thickness direction. (See FIGS. 15 and 16).

  The inner side wall 93 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side. Two inner side walls 93 are provided so as to close both end portions in the axial direction (width direction) of the inner cylindrical wall 92, and form side end surfaces in the width direction of the inner cylindrical portion 90. is doing. A shaft hole 95 that penetrates the inner side wall 93 in the width direction is formed at the center of the circle of each inner side wall 93. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, in the left inner side wall 93, the cartridge supply as an example of the supply side opening and the second supply side opening is located at about 1 o'clock with respect to the center of the circle in the left side view. A hole 96 is formed. Further, on the left inner side wall 93, a cartridge return hole 112 as an example of a return side opening and a second return side opening is provided at a position (approximately 2 o'clock position) obliquely forward and downward of the cartridge supply hole 96. The supply hole 96 is formed at a distance from the supply hole 96. The cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 are an example of a second opening. The cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 both penetrate the left inner side wall 93 in the width direction, and are substantially the same as the first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the first housing shutter return hole 42 (see FIG. 5). It is formed in a round hole of the same size.

In the inner cylindrical portion 90, as shown in FIG. 15, a passage portion side agitator 97 as an example of a stirring member (first stirring member), a toner transport mechanism 98, a guide wall 99 as an example of a guide member, and An interference prevention wall 100 (see FIG. 16) as an example of an interference prevention member is provided.
The passage part side agitator 97 includes a passage part side rotating shaft 103 as an example of a shaft and a passage part side stirring blade 104 as an example of a stirring part.

The passing portion-side rotating shaft 103 extends along the width direction, and both end portions in the width direction are respectively inserted into the shaft holes 95 of the left and right inner side walls 93 so as to be rotatably supported by the inner side walls 93. Yes. The right end portion of the passage portion side rotation shaft 103 protrudes to the right side from the right inner side wall 93, and a passage portion side agitator gear 63 is provided at the protruding portion.
In addition, a stirring blade support 221 is integrally provided at a portion of the passage portion side rotating shaft 103 located in the inner cylindrical portion 90. The stirring blade support portion 221 protrudes radially outward from the passing portion-side rotation shaft 103 and is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the back. The width direction dimension of the stirring blade support part 221 is about two thirds of the width direction dimension of the inner space of the inner cylindrical part 90, and the stirring blade support part 221 is a position biased to the right side on the passing part side rotating shaft 103. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the passing portion side stirring blade 104 is attached to the stirring blade support portion 221. The passage-side agitating blade 104 is made of a flexible film or the like, extends from the agitating blade support portion 221 toward the inner cylindrical wall 92, and is formed to warp counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. Has been. As shown in FIG. 15, the widthwise dimension of the passage-side stirring blade 104 is substantially equal to the widthwise dimension of the stirring blade support 221.

The toner transport mechanism 98 includes an auger housing portion 101 and a cartridge auger 102 as an example of a stirring member (second stirring member).
The auger accommodating portion 101 is integrally provided with a tunnel portion 111 and a receiving portion 105. The tunnel part 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction are opened. The width direction dimension of the tunnel part 111 is about one third of the width direction dimension of the inner cylindrical part 90 internal space. The tunnel portion 111 is connected to the left inner side wall 93 so that the left opening portion surrounds the cartridge supply hole 96 in a side view (see FIG. 16). The receiving part 105 is provided so as to connect the right end part of the tunnel part 111 and the right inner side wall 93, and is formed in a groove shape whose upper part is opened in a side sectional view (see FIG. 16). The receiving part 105 faces the passing part side stirring blade 104 in the radial direction of the inner cylindrical wall 92. Further, the groove portion which is the upper side surface of the receiving portion 105 and the cartridge supply hole 96 communicate with each other through the tunnel portion 111.

The cartridge auger 102 is long in the width direction, and integrally includes a cartridge side rotation shaft 108 as an example of a shaft and a cartridge side transport unit 109 as an example of a stirring unit.
The cartridge side rotation shaft 108 extends in the width direction, and is rotatably supported by the right inner side wall 93 at a position overlapping the cartridge supply hole 96 in a direction along the axial direction (width direction). Note that the direction in which the cartridge-side rotation shaft 108 extends is along the direction in which the cartridge auger 102 feeds toner (described later). Further, in the side sectional view, the cartridge side rotation shaft 108 and the above-described passage portion side rotation shaft 103 of the passage portion side agitator 97 are provided at different positions in the radial direction of the developer passage portion 87 (FIG. 16). The cartridge side rotation shaft 108 and the passage portion side rotation shaft 103 are arranged so that their extending directions are parallel to each other.

  Further, the right end portion of the cartridge side rotating shaft 108 protrudes to the right side from the right inner side wall 93, and a cartridge auger gear 110 is provided at the protruding portion. The cartridge auger gear 110 meshes with the passage portion side agitator gear 63 from the diagonally upper front side (see FIG. 11). Thereby, the cartridge side rotating shaft 108 and the passage part side rotating shaft 103 are connected. The cartridge auger gear 110 and the passing portion side agitator gear 63 are examples of transmission members.

The cartridge-side transport unit 109 is formed in a spiral shape along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge-side rotating shaft 108.
The cartridge auger 102 is accommodated in the auger accommodating portion 101 so as to penetrate the inside of the tunnel portion 111 and to be positioned slightly above the upper side surface of the receiving portion 105.
The guide wall 99 has a substantially right triangle shape in a front sectional view that connects the right side surface of the left inner side wall 93 and the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 92, and a substantially semicircular shape that bulges downward in a side view ( 16). Specifically, the upper end edge of the guide wall 99 is located between the lower end portion of the right side surface of the left inner side wall 93 and the shaft hole 95, and the right end edge thereof is at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 92. , Located in the vicinity of the lower part of the left end of the passing section side stirring blade 104.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the interference prevention wall 100 is formed in a substantially circular arc shape in a side sectional view along the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 92 and in a substantially rectangular shape in a rear view (see FIG. 15). Specifically, the interference prevention wall 100 has a radially inner side surface so that the wall thickness when the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical wall 92 is based on the circumferential direction is smoothly increased upward in a side sectional view. It is formed to be continuous with the rear end edge of the receiving portion 105 of the auger accommodating portion 101. Moreover, the width direction dimension of the interference prevention wall 100 is substantially equal to the width direction dimension of the receiving part 105, and the interference prevention wall 100 is also substantially equal to the receiving part 105 also about the arrangement position in the width direction (refer FIG. 15).

As shown in FIG. 11, the outer cylindrical portion 91 forms the outer shape of the developer passage portion 87 and is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape along the inner cylindrical portion 90. 114 is integrally provided.
The outer cylindrical wall 113 forms the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 91. In the state shown in FIG. 11 (b), a notch 115 having a substantially rectangular shape in front view is formed in a substantially upper half portion of the outer cylindrical wall 113. In the state shown in FIG. 11A, a cartridge protrusion 116 that protrudes rearward is provided at a position slightly deviated to the left of the rear end portion of the outer cylindrical wall 113. The cartridge protrusion 116 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the back.

  The outer side walls 114 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side, and two outer side walls 114 are provided so as to close both ends in the axial direction (width direction) of the outer cylindrical wall 113, and form side end surfaces in the width direction of the outer cylindrical portion 91. is doing. A cartridge ridge 117 that passes through the center of the circle and protrudes to the right side is provided on the right side surface of the right outer side wall 114. The cartridge protrusion 117 is formed in a long rectangular shape extending in the diameter direction of the right outer side wall 114 in the right side view, and its rear end is close to the cartridge protrusion 116 as shown in FIG. is doing. As shown in FIG. 12, the left outer side wall 114 is formed with a cartridge shutter supply hole 118 and a cartridge shutter return hole 119 along the periphery thereof. The cartridge shutter return hole 119 is formed at a distance from the cartridge shutter supply hole 118 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the left side. Both the cartridge shutter supply hole 118 and the cartridge shutter return hole 119 penetrate the left outer side wall 114 in the width direction, and are formed as round holes having substantially the same size as the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112. Moreover, the shaft hole 66 is formed in the circular center position of each outer side wall 114, and as shown in FIG. 13, the width direction both ends of the passage part side rotating shaft 103 mentioned above are shown in each shaft hole 66. As shown in FIG. It is pivotably fitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the outer cylindrical portion 91 accommodates an inner cylindrical portion 90. The outer cylindrical portion 91 rotates on the inner cylindrical portion 90 via the passage-side rotation shaft 103 by sliding the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical wall 113 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical wall 92 of the inner cylindrical portion 90. It is supported freely. Specifically, the outer cylindrical portion 91 is rotatable between a cartridge shutter closed position (see FIG. 12A) and a cartridge shutter open position (see FIG. 12B).

  When the outer cylindrical portion 91 is in the cartridge shutter closed position, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 are formed in the cartridge shutter supply hole 118 and the cartridge shutter return hole in the left outer side wall 114 as shown in FIG. It is closed from the left side by a portion other than 119. Further, the cartridge protrusion 116 is located at the rear end in the developer passage portion 87 (see FIG. 14A), and as shown in FIG. 11A, the cartridge protrusion 117 extends along the front-rear direction.

  On the other hand, the position when the outer cylindrical portion 91 is rotated about 90 ° clockwise in the right side view from the cartridge shutter closed position is the cartridge shutter open position. When the outer cylindrical portion 91 is in the cartridge shutter open position, as shown in FIG. 12B, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge shutter supply hole 118 face each other and communicate with each other in the width direction. At the same time, the cartridge return hole 112 and the cartridge shutter return hole 119 are opposed to and communicate with each other in the width direction. Further, the cartridge protrusion 116 is positioned at the lower end in the developer passage portion 87 (see FIG. 14B), and as shown in FIG. 11B, the cartridge protrusion 117 extends in the vertical direction.

When the outer cylindrical portion 91 rotates between the cartridge shutter closed position and the cartridge shutter open position, the passage portion side communication hole 222 (see FIG. 16) of the inner cylindrical portion 90 described above is formed on the outer cylindrical portion 91. It is always located within the rotation range of the notch 115.
(3-2-2) Developer Storage Unit The developer storage unit 88 is provided adjacent to the front side of the developer passage unit 87. The developer accommodating portion 88 is formed by connecting three substantially hollow cylinders (referred to as sub-cylinders 120) along the front-rear direction, and the upper surface thereof is formed flat along the horizontal direction. ing. Further, the interiors of the sub cylinders 120 communicate with each other. Similarly to the developer passage portion 87, the developer accommodating portion 88 also contains positively charged nonmagnetic one-component polymerized toner.

In each sub-cylinder 120, as shown in FIG. 14, an accommodating portion side agitator mechanism 122 as an example of a conveying member is provided.
The storage unit side agitator mechanism 122 includes a storage unit side rotating shaft 123 and a storage unit side agitator 124.
The accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of each sub cylinder 120, and the left end portion protrudes to the left from the left side wall of the corresponding sub cylinder 120. Specifically, the housing portion side rotating shaft 123 in the sub cylinder 120 located at the center protrudes to the left side so as to be exposed from a housing portion side agitator gear 125 described later (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 11, in the rearmost and center sub-cylinders 120, the right end portion of the accommodating portion-side rotation shaft 123 protrudes to the right from the right side wall of the corresponding sub-cylinder 120. Specifically, the accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123 in the center sub-cylinder 120 protrudes to the right side of the accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123 in the rearmost sub cylinder 120. As shown in FIG. 12, a housing portion side agitator gear 125 is attached to the left end portion of each housing portion side rotating shaft 123 so as not to rotate relative to a portion protruding from the left side wall of the sub cylinder 120. The accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 of the sub cylinder 120 located in the center is formed wider than the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 in the other sub cylinders 120. Further, intermediate gears 126 are respectively provided between the accommodating portion side agitator gears 125 adjacent in the front-rear direction. Each intermediate gear 126 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 127 provided on the left side wall of the sub-cylinder 120, and meshes with each accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 on both sides in the front-rear direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, an agitator transmission gear 128 is attached to the right end portion of the housing portion side rotating shaft 123 of the rearmost sub cylinder 120 so as to be relatively non-rotatable at a portion protruding from the right side wall of the sub cylinder 120. ing.
As shown in FIG. 14, the accommodating portion side agitator 124 is provided on each accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123. The accommodating portion side agitator 124 is made of a flexible film or the like, and has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the radial direction around the accommodating portion side rotation shaft 123, and warps counterclockwise in the left side view. It is formed as follows.

The developer accommodating portion 88 is connected to the inner cylindrical portion 90 of the developer passage portion 87. Specifically, the inside of the developer accommodating portion 88 communicates with the inside of the inner cylindrical portion 90 of the developer passing portion 87 via the passage portion side communication hole 222 (see FIG. 16).
As shown in FIG. 11, the connecting portion between the developer accommodating portion 88 and the inner cylindrical portion 90, specifically, the connecting portion between the right side wall of the rearmost sub cylinder 120 and the right inner side wall 93 of the inner cylindrical portion 90 is provided. The two support shafts 129 projecting to the right are provided at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. An intermediate gear 130 is rotatably attached to each support shaft 129. The intermediate gears 130 attached to the respective support shafts 129 are meshed with each other, the front intermediate gear 130 is meshed with the agitator transmission gear 128 from the rear side, and the rear intermediate gear 130 is coupled with the passing portion side agitator gear 63. Is engaged from the front side.
(3-2-3) Handle The handle 89 is narrow in the width direction and is formed in a ring shape when viewed from the side. Part) in the width direction both ends. Specifically, each handle 89 extends horizontally from the upper end portion of the foremost sub-cylinder 120 toward the front and then gently turns downward so that a portion between the front end portion and the lower end portion of the sub-cylinder 120 is provided. It is connected to the.
(3-2-4) Mounting / Removal of Toner Cartridge to Main Body Casing (3--2-4-1) Mounting of Toner Cartridge to Main Body Casing First, as shown in FIG. The cartridge is rotated to the open position to open the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the outer cylindrical portion 91 grips the handle 89 of the toner cartridge 8 in the cartridge shutter closed position. Then, while maintaining the toner cartridge 8 in a horizontal posture, the right end portion (referred to as the right guide portion 131) of the cartridge protrusion 117 and the accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123 of the central sub cylinder 120 is defined on the accommodating portion right side wall 21. It is received in the right guide groove 30 (see FIG. 3). Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, after the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 of the central sub cylinder 120 is received in the gear accommodating groove 24 (see FIG. 5), the accommodating portion side rotation of the central sub cylinder 120 is performed. The left end portion of the shaft 123 (referred to as the left guide portion 132) is received in the left guide groove 28 (see FIG. 5) of the storage portion left side wall 20.

  Then, the toner cartridge 8 is pushed backward and inserted into the cartridge housing space 27 (see FIG. 5). At this time, the cartridge protrusion 117 and the right guide portion 131 (see FIG. 13) are guided by the right guide groove 30 (see FIG. 9B), and the left guide portion 132 (see FIG. 13) is guided by the left guide groove 28. (See FIG. 7B). As a result, the toner cartridge 8 moves rearward along the horizontal direction in the cartridge housing space 27 while passing through the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16.

Subsequently, when the toner cartridge 8 is pushed backward, the cartridge protrusion 117 (see FIG. 13) passes through the right guide groove 30 (see FIG. 9B) and the rotation of the rotating plate 48 in the rotating plate closed position. It is received in the moving plate guide groove 49.
When the toner cartridge 8 is further pushed rearward, the left guide portion 132 (see FIG. 13) gets over the positioning protrusion 29 (see FIG. 7B) and contacts the rear end edge of the left guide groove 28. At the same time, the cartridge protrusion 116 (see FIG. 13) fits into the fitting hole 43 (see FIG. 6) of the first housing shutter 37 at the first housing shutter open position. The cartridge protrusion 117 (see FIG. 13) is received in the rotating plate guide groove 49 (see FIG. 9B), and does not protrude from the rotating plate guide groove 49. That is, the cartridge protrusion 117 is received in the rotation plate guide groove 49, so that the outer cylindrical portion 91 (see FIG. 11A) of the toner cartridge 8 and the cover 17 (see FIG. 3) are connected by the transmission member 25. Connected.

  Further, a portion of the housing portion side agitator gear 125 (FIG. 12A) of the central sub cylinder 120 that protrudes to the left of the other housing portion side agitator gear 125 meshes with the drive input gear 36 (see FIG. 5). To do. Thereby, the accommodation of the toner cartridge 8 in the cartridge accommodation space 27 is completed. At this time, the toner cartridge 8 includes a developer roller 154 (see FIG. 1) as an example of a developer carrier to be described later in the developer passage portion 87 (specifically, the left outer side wall 114 in the outer cylindrical portion 91). It faces the longitudinal direction (axial direction, that is, width direction) (see FIG. 9). Although not shown, the cartridge supply hole 96 of the toner cartridge 8 has a width that is equal to the width of the housing supply hole 33 of the main body casing 2 with the outer side wall 114 on the left side of the outer cylindrical portion 91 and the first housing shutter 37 interposed therebetween. It opposes the direction (refer FIG.7 (b) and Fig.14 (a)). Similarly, the cartridge return hole 112 faces the housing return hole 34 in the width direction.

  In a state where the toner cartridge 8 is completely accommodated in the cartridge accommodating space 27, as shown in FIG. 9B, the cover 17 in the cover open position is rotated to the cover closed position. Thereby, as described above, the rotating plate 48 in the rotating plate closed position rotates to the rotating plate open position shown in FIG. The outer cylindrical portion 91 (see FIG. 11A) in which the cartridge protrusion 117 is received (engaged) in the rotation plate guide groove 49 of the rotation plate 48 is the rotation of the rotation plate 48. In conjunction with the rotation to the plate open position (that is, when the power generated by the rotation of the cover 17 is transmitted), the cartridge is rotated to the cartridge shutter open position (see FIG. 11B). Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first housing shutter in a state in which the cartridge projection 116 (see FIG. 14A) of the outer cylindrical portion 91 is fitted (engaged) in the fitting hole 43. 37 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the outer cylindrical portion 91 to the cartridge shutter open position (see FIG. 14B), as shown in FIG. 7A, to the first housing shutter open position. . The outer cylindrical portion 91 is an example of a shutter.

  In this state, the housing supply hole 33 of the main casing 2 communicates with the cartridge supply hole 96 via the first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the cartridge shutter supply hole 118 of the toner cartridge 8 as shown in FIG. To do. Further, the housing return hole 34 of the main body casing 2 communicates with the cartridge return hole 112 via the first housing shutter return hole 42 and the cartridge shutter return hole 119 of the toner cartridge 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 is closed by the cover 17 in the cover closing position, whereby the attachment of the toner cartridge 8 to the main body casing 2 is completed. At this time, the handle 89 of the toner cartridge 8 faces the cover 17 in the cover closed position in the front-rear direction and is adjacent thereto.
(3--2-4-2) Removal of Toner Cartridge from Main Body Casing The cover 17 in the cover closed position is rotated to the cover open position to open the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 (see FIG. 9B). As a result, the handle 89 is exposed from the cartridge attaching / detaching port 16, and the rotating plate 48 in the rotating plate open position rotates to the rotating plate closed position. The outer cylindrical portion 91 in a state in which the cartridge protrusion 117 is received (engaged) in the rotation plate guide groove 49 of the rotation plate 48 is used to rotate the rotation plate 48 to the rotation plate closed position. In conjunction (that is, when the power generated by the rotation of the cover 17 is transmitted), the cartridge is rotated to the closed position of the cartridge shutter (see FIG. 11A). Then, the first housing shutter 37 in a state in which the cartridge protrusion 116 (see FIG. 11) of the outer cylindrical portion 91 is fitted (engaged) in the fitting hole 43 reaches the cartridge shutter closed position of the outer cylindrical portion 91. In conjunction with this rotation, the first casing is rotated to the shutter closed position (see FIG. 7B).

  As a result, the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 of the main casing 2 are closed by the first housing shutter 37 (see FIG. 7B), and the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 of the toner cartridge 8. Is closed by the outer cylindrical portion 91 (see FIG. 14A). Therefore, the above-described communication state between the housing supply hole 33 and the cartridge supply hole 96 is eliminated, and similarly, the above-described communication state between the housing return hole 34 and the cartridge return hole 112 is also eliminated.

  Thereafter, the handle 89 is grasped and the toner cartridge 8 is pulled out forward (see FIG. 9B). Accordingly, the left guide portion 132 (see FIG. 13) is guided forward along the left guide groove 28 over the positioning protrusion 29 (see FIG. 5). The cartridge protrusion 117 and the right guide portion 131 (see FIG. 13) are guided by the right guide groove 30 (see FIG. 9B) (the cartridge protrusion 117 is also guided by the rotating plate guide groove 49. ) Therefore, the toner cartridge 8 moves forward along the horizontal direction in the cartridge housing space 27 while passing through the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16.

  Then, the left guide portion 132 (see FIG. 13) is disengaged from the left guide groove 28 (see FIG. 5), and the cartridge protrusion 117 and the right guide portion 131 (see FIG. 13) are disengaged from the right guide groove 30 (see FIG. 5). Further, when the central accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 (see FIG. 13) is disengaged from the gear accommodating groove 24 (see FIG. 5), the toner cartridge 8 is taken out from the cartridge accommodating space 27.

Thereby, the separation of the toner cartridge 8 from the main body casing 2 is completed.
In the above description regarding the attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 8 with respect to the main casing 2, the first housing shutter 37 is opened and closed in conjunction with the rotation (opening / closing operation) of the cover 17.
(3-3) Process Part FIG. 17 shows the process part extracted from FIG. 18A and 18B are right side views of the process unit, in which FIG. 18A shows a state where the developing shutter is in the developing shutter open position, and FIG. 18B shows a state where the developing shutter is in the developing shutter closed position.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 8 is attached to the main casing 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, in this state, the housing supply hole 33 of the main body casing 2 communicates with the cartridge supply hole 96 of the toner cartridge 8, and the housing return hole 34 of the main body casing 2 is connected to the toner cartridge 8. The cartridge return hole 112 is in communication.

The process unit 9 is long in the width direction and is disposed in the process accommodation space 69 as described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the process unit 9 is arranged so that the front side portion thereof overlaps the scanner unit 80 and the rear side portion thereof overlaps the supply tray 51.
As described above, the process unit 9 is detachably attached to the main casing 2 and integrally includes the drum unit 133 and the developing unit 134.
(3-3-1) Drum Unit As shown in FIG. 17, the drum unit 133 includes a drum casing 135, and further provided in the drum casing 135, a photosensitive drum 136, a scorotron charger 137, a transfer unit. A roller 138 and a cleaning brush 139 are provided.

The drum casing 135 is formed in a box shape that is long in the width direction and that opens front and rear.
A laser incident port 141 for irradiating a photosensitive drum 136 described later with a laser beam from the scanner unit 80 (see FIG. 1) is formed in the middle of the bottom wall of the drum casing 135 in the front-rear direction. A first passage port 142 is opened between the rear end edge of the top wall (upper wall) of the drum casing 135 and the front end edge of the top wall of the developing casing 152 of the developing unit 134 described later. A second passage port 143 is opened in the front wall of the drum casing 135. Both the first passage port 142 and the second passage port 143 are formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction.

In the drum casing 135, a drum shaft hole 175 is formed at a substantially center in the vertical and longitudinal directions of both side walls in the width direction. Is formed (see FIG. 18).
In the drum casing 135, a portion defined by the front half portions of the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall, the front wall, and the top wall is a drum housing portion 144. In the drum housing portion 144, a photosensitive drum 136, a scorotron charger 137, a transfer roller 138, and a cleaning brush 139 are housed.

Further, in the drum casing 135, a portion defined by each rear half portion of the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is a developing arrangement portion 145. The developing unit 134 is arranged in the developing unit 145. The development arrangement portion 145 is formed in a bottomed frame shape having a U-shape in a front sectional view with an upper side opened.
The drum accommodating portion 144 and the developing arrangement portion 145 communicate with each other.

The photosensitive drum 136 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and includes a drum main body 146 and a drum shaft 147 as an example of a shaft. The drum body 146 is formed of a positively chargeable photosensitive layer whose outermost layer is made of polycarbonate or the like. The drum shaft 147 is made of metal and extends along the axial direction (width direction) of the drum main body 146 at the axial center of the drum main body 146.
Both end portions in the axial direction of the drum shaft 147 are inserted into the corresponding drum shaft holes 175 (see FIG. 18), and are supported on both side walls in the width direction of the drum casing 135, and the drum body 146 is attached to the drum shaft 147. On the other hand, it is supported rotatably. Accordingly, the photosensitive drum 136 is provided in the drum casing 135 so as to be rotatable around the drum shaft 147. Further, the right end portion of the drum shaft 147 is exposed so as to protrude rightward from the right side wall of the drum casing 135 (see FIG. 18). Further, the photosensitive drum 136 is rotationally driven by receiving a driving force from a driving motor (not shown).

  The scorotron charger 137 is supported on the bottom wall of the drum casing 135 at an obliquely lower front side of the photosensitive drum 136, and is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 136 so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 136. Yes. The scorotron charger 137 includes a discharge wire 148 and a grid 149. The discharge wire 148 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 136 with a space therebetween. The grid 149 is provided between the discharge wire 148 and the photosensitive drum 136 and controls the amount of charge from the discharge wire 148 to the photosensitive drum 136.

The scorotron charger 137 applies a bias voltage to the grid 149 and simultaneously applies a high voltage to the discharge wire 148 to corona discharge the discharge wire 148 so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 136 is uniformly positive. Charge.
The transfer roller 138 is provided above the photosensitive drum 136 in the drum casing 135, is opposed to and contacts the photosensitive drum 136 in the vertical direction, and is disposed so as to form a nip with the photosensitive drum 136. . This nip is a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 136 and the transfer roller 138 described above.

The transfer roller 138 includes a roller shaft 150 and a rubber roller 151. The roller shaft 150 is made of metal and is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the drum casing 135. The rubber roller 151 is formed from a conductive rubber material that covers the roller shaft 150.
A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 138 during transfer. Further, the transfer roller 138 is rotationally driven by receiving a driving force from a driving motor (not shown).

The cleaning brush 139 is assembled to the front wall of the drum casing 135 and is disposed in contact with the photosensitive drum 136 on the front side of the photosensitive drum 136 and on the oblique front side of the scorotron charger 137.
(3-3-2) Developing Unit The developing unit 134 is provided integrally with the drum unit 133 in the developing arrangement unit 145 of the drum casing 135.

The developing unit 134 includes a developing case 152 and a developing shutter 177 (see FIG. 18) as an example of a first shutter, and further includes a supply roller 153, a developing roller 154, and a layer provided in the developing case 152. A thickness regulating blade 155, a supply auger 156 and a return auger 157 are provided.
The developing case 152 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view and a box shape that is long in the width direction. A developing communication hole 158 having a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the front is formed in the front wall of the developing case 152. The top wall (upper wall) of the developing case 152 is formed in an arc shape in a side view that is convexly curved upward. Spacers 64 projecting upward are provided at both ends in the width direction of the top wall of the developing case 152.

A rear end portion and an upper end portion of the right side wall of the developing case 152 are formed so as to protrude one step to the right side from other portions (see FIG. 18). A side surface shape of the protruding portion (referred to as a protruding portion 121) is formed in a substantially circular shape.
A developing partition wall 159 that is substantially L-shaped in a side sectional view and extends in the width direction is formed inside the developing housing 152, and the inside of the developing housing 152 is connected to the developing chamber 160 and the toner by the developing partition wall 159. It is partitioned into a supply chamber 161.

  The toner supply chamber 161 is located at the rear end and the upper end of the developing case 152 and is partitioned into a substantially rectangular shape in a side sectional view. The toner supply chamber 161 faces the above-described protruding portion 121 (see FIG. 18) in the width direction. A toner communication hole 162 passing through the development partition wall 159 in the vertical direction is formed at the lower end of the left end portion of the development partition wall 159, and the development chamber 160 and the toner supply chamber 161 communicate with each other via the toner communication hole 162. is doing. A developing roller 154, a supply roller 153, a layer thickness regulating blade 155 and a return auger 157 are arranged in the developing chamber 160, and a supply auger 156 is arranged in the toner supply chamber 161.

  The developing roller 154 is disposed in the front portion of the developing chamber 160, and the front end portion is exposed forward through the developing communication hole 158 and is pressed against the photosensitive drum 136 from the rear side. In the developing roller 154, a metal developing roller rotating shaft 163 is covered with a rubber roller 164 made of an elastic member such as a conductive rubber material. The developing roller rotating shaft 163 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the developing casing 152. Both ends of the developing roller rotating shaft 163 in the width direction are exposed so as to protrude outward in the width direction from both side walls in the width direction of the developing case 152, and are fitted into corresponding developing roller bearing holes 176 in the drum case 135. (See FIG. 18). The developing roller 154 is rotationally driven when a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is input to the developing roller rotating shaft 163. Further, a developing bias from a high-voltage substrate (not shown) provided in the main body casing 2 is applied to the developing roller 154 during image formation.

  The supply roller 153 is opposed to the developing roller 154 from the lower rear side and is in pressure contact with the developing roller 154. The supply roller 153 has a metal supply roller rotating shaft 165 covered with a sponge roller 166 made of a conductive sponge member. Further, the supply roller rotation shaft 165 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the developing case 152. Both end surfaces in the width direction of the supply roller rotating shaft 165 are exposed from both side walls in the width direction of the developing case 152 (see FIG. 18). The supply roller 153 is rotationally driven when a driving force from a drive motor (not shown) is input to the supply roller rotating shaft 165.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 155 includes a blade body 167 and a pressing portion 168. The blade body 167 is supported by the top wall of the developing case 152 at the base end, and is made of a metal leaf spring material. The pressing portion 168 is provided at the free end portion of the blade body 167 and has a substantially rectangular cross section made of insulating silicone rubber. In the layer thickness regulating blade 155, the pressing portion 168 is pressed against the surface of the developing roller 154 above the supply roller 153 by the elastic force of the blade body 167.

  The supply auger 156 is integrally provided with a supply-side rotation shaft 169 and a supply-side transport unit 170 that are long in the width direction. The supply-side rotation shaft 169 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the developing case 152. The supply-side transport unit 170 is formed in a spiral shape along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the supply-side rotation shaft 169. Further, a gear portion (not shown) is provided at the left end portion of the supply-side rotating shaft 169, and a drive motor (not shown) of the main casing 2 is driven via this gear portion (not shown). Power is transmitted. Thereby, the supply auger 156 is rotationally driven. A developing supply hole 171 as an example of a first supply side opening that allows the inside of the toner supply chamber 161 to communicate with the outside is formed in a portion facing the supply auger 156 in the protruding portion 121 of the right side wall of the developing housing 152. (See FIG. 18).

  The return auger 157 is disposed above the supply roller 153 and below the supply auger 156, and integrally includes a return-side rotation shaft 172 and a return-side transport unit 173 that are long in the width direction. The return-side rotation shaft 172 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the developing case 152. The return-side transport unit 173 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the return-side rotation shaft 172 in a spiral shape along the axial direction (a spiral shape opposite to the supply-side transport unit 170). A gear portion (not shown) is provided at the left end portion of the return-side rotating shaft 172, and a drive motor (not shown) of the main casing 2 is driven via this gear portion (not shown). Power is transmitted. As a result, the return auger 157 is driven to rotate. A developing return hole 174 as an example of a first return side opening that communicates the inside of the developing chamber 160 to the outside is formed in a portion facing the return auger 157 in the protruding portion 121 of the right side wall of the developing case 152. (See FIG. 18). The development supply hole 171 and the development return hole 174 are examples of the first opening.

As shown in FIG. 18, the developing shutter 177 is formed in a lid shape having a circular shape in side view slightly larger than the side shape of the protruding portion 121 of the developing case 152, and the developing shutter disc wall 178 and the developing shutter peripheral edge. A wall 179 is integrally provided.
The developing shutter disc wall 178 is formed in a thin plate shape that is circular when viewed from the side. A developing shutter supply hole 94 and a developing shutter return hole 140 are formed in the developing shutter disk wall 178 so as to sandwich the center of the circle. Both the development shutter supply hole 94 and the development shutter return hole 140 penetrate the development shutter disk wall 178 in the width direction, and are formed as round holes having substantially the same size as the development supply hole 171 and the development return hole 174.

The developing shutter peripheral wall 179 is formed in an annular shape extending continuously from the outer peripheral edge of the developing shutter disk wall 178 to the left side. On the outer peripheral surface of the developing shutter peripheral wall 179, a developing shutter protrusion 219 that protrudes outward in the radial direction is integrally provided at one position on the periphery, specifically, in the vicinity of the developing shutter supply hole 94.
The developing shutter 177 is externally fitted to the protruding portion 121 from the right side, and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion 121. Specifically, the developing shutter 177 is rotatable between a developing shutter closed position (see FIG. 18B) and a developing shutter open position (see FIG. 18A).

  When the developing shutter 177 is in the developing shutter closed position, as shown in FIG. 18B, the developing supply hole 171 and the developing return hole 174 have the developing shutter supply hole 94 and the developing shutter return hole 140 in the developing shutter disc wall 178. It is closed from the right side by other parts. Further, the protruding direction of the developing shutter protrusion 219 is obliquely downward on the rear side.

On the other hand, the position of the developing shutter 177 when rotated about 90 ° counterclockwise as viewed from the right side from the developing shutter closed position is the developing shutter open position shown in FIG. When the developing shutter 177 is in the developing shutter open position, the developing shutter supply hole 94 and the development supply hole 171 are opposed to and communicate with each other in the width direction. At the same time, the development shutter return hole 140 and the development return hole 174 are opposed to and communicate with each other in the width direction. Further, the protruding direction of the developing shutter protrusion 219 is obliquely upward on the rear side.
(3-3-3) Attachment / detachment of process part to / from main body casing Hereinafter, attachment / detachment of the process part 9 to / from the main body casing 2 will be described.

  When the process unit 9 is attached to the main casing 2, first, the reading scanner unit 7 is opened and swung to the reading open position (see FIG. 4B). As a result, the process attachment / detachment port 11 is opened, and the second housing shutter 71 rotates to the second housing shutter closed position (see FIG. 10B). Then, the process section 9 (see FIG. 18B) in which the development shutter 177 is in the development shutter closed position is accommodated in the process accommodation space 69 via the process attachment / detachment port 11.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, the process unit 9 is guided along the bearing groove 107 of the shaft holding member 73 at the right end (see FIG. 18B) of the drum shaft 147 of the photosensitive drum 136. As a result, the inside of the process accommodating space 69 is lowered. Then, when the right end portion of the drum shaft 147 passes over the positioning protrusion 65 of the shaft holding member 73 and comes into contact with the lower end of the bearing groove 107, the lowering of the process portion 9 stops and the mounting of the process portion 9 to the main casing 2 is completed. . At this time, the right end portion of the drum shaft 147 is held by the shaft holding member 73. Further, the protruding portion 121 (see FIG. 18B) of the process unit 9 is received by the second housing shutter 71 at the second housing shutter closed position.

  In this state, the developing shutter peripheral wall 179 of the developing shutter 177 is sandwiched between the second housing shutter peripheral wall 75 and the developing shutter protrusion 219 is fitted into the fitting notch 79 of the second housing shutter peripheral wall 75 ( (Refer FIG.18 (b)). Further, the development supply hole 171 of the process unit 9 faces the housing supply hole 33 of the main casing 2 in the width direction with the development shutter 177 and the second housing shutter 71 interposed therebetween. Similarly, the development return hole 174 faces the housing return hole 34 in the width direction.

Therefore, when the toner cartridge 8 is attached to the main casing 2, the development supply hole 171 faces the cartridge supply hole 96 of the toner cartridge 8 in the width direction, and the development return hole 174 is in the width direction of the cartridge return hole 112. (See FIG. 15).
In this state, when the reading scanner unit 7 is swung to the reading closed position (see FIG. 4A), as described above, the second casing shutter 71 in the second casing shutter closed position is shown in FIG. It rotates to the second housing shutter open position shown in a). The developing shutter 177 (see FIG. 18B) in which the developing shutter protrusion 219 is fitted in the fitting notch 79 of the second casing shutter 71 is the second casing shutter opening position of the second casing shutter 71. In conjunction with the rotation until the developing shutter, the developing shutter is rotated to the open position (see FIG. 18A).

  In this state, the housing supply hole 33 of the main casing 2 communicates with the development supply hole 171 via the second housing shutter supply hole 77 and the development shutter supply hole 94 of the development shutter 177 as shown in FIG. To do. The housing return hole 34 of the main casing 2 communicates with the development return hole 174 via the second housing shutter return hole 78 and the development shutter return hole 140 of the development shutter 177. Here, as described above, the housing supply hole 33 communicates with the cartridge supply hole 96 of the toner cartridge 8, and the housing return hole 34 communicates with the cartridge return hole 112. Therefore, the development supply hole 171 and the cartridge supply hole 96 communicate with each other, and the development return hole 174 and the cartridge return hole 112 communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, when the process unit 9 is detached from the main casing 2, the reading scanner unit 7 is swung to the reading open position (see FIG. 4B). As a result, the process attachment / detachment port 11 is opened, and the second housing shutter 71 rotates to the second housing shutter closed position (see FIG. 10B). The developing shutter 177 (see FIG. 18A) in which the developing shutter protrusion 219 is fitted in the fitting notch 79 of the second casing shutter 71 is the second casing shutter closed position of the second casing shutter 71. In conjunction with the rotation until the developing shutter, the developing shutter is rotated to the closed position (see FIG. 18B).

  Accordingly, the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 of the main casing 2 are closed by the second housing shutter 7 (see FIG. 10B), and the developing shutter supply hole 94 and the developing shutter return of the process unit 9 are closed. The hole 140 is closed by the developing shutter 177 (see FIG. 18B). Therefore, the above-described communication state between the housing supply hole 33 and the development shutter supply hole 94 is canceled, and similarly, the above-described communication state between the housing return hole 34 and the development shutter return hole 140 is also canceled.

  Thereafter, the process unit 9 is pulled upward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, the right end portion (see FIG. 18B) of the drum shaft 147 of the photosensitive drum 136 gets over the positioning projection 65 of the shaft holding member 73 and is guided along the bearing groove 107. As a result, the process unit 9 moves up in the process accommodating space 69. As the process unit 9 is raised, the developing shutter protrusion 219 (see FIG. 18B) is separated from the fitting notch 79 of the second housing shutter 71.

When the right end portion of the drum shaft 147 is removed from the bearing groove 107, the process unit 9 is taken out from the process accommodating space 69.
Thereby, the detachment | leave with respect to the main body casing 2 of the process part 9 is completed.
From the above description, the rotation (opening / closing operation) of the developing shutter 177 and the rotation (opening / closing operation) of the outer cylindrical portion 91 of the toner cartridge 8 are independent of each other.
(3-3-4) Development Transfer Operation Hereinafter, the development supply hole 171 and the cartridge supply hole 96 communicate with each other, and the development return hole 174 and the cartridge return hole 112 communicate with each other (see FIG. 15). The developing and transferring operation in the image forming unit 5 in FIG.

  During image formation, a drive motor (not shown) is driven, and the drive input gear 36 (see FIG. 7A) is rotated clockwise in a right side view. As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the drive input gear 36 to the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 (see FIG. 14B) of the central sub-cylinder 120 that meshes with the driving input gear 36, and this accommodating portion side agitator gear 125. Is driven to rotate clockwise when viewed from the left side. As shown in FIG. 14B, this driving force is transmitted to the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 of the foremost and rearmost sub-cylinder 120 via the intermediate gear 126. As a result, in each sub cylinder 120, the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125 is driven to rotate clockwise when viewed from the left side, and together with the accommodating portion side agitator gear 125, the accommodating portion side rotating shaft 123 and the accommodating portion side agitator 124 are viewed from the left side. It is rotated clockwise. Therefore, in each sub-cylinder 120, the toner is agitated by the accommodating portion side agitator 124 of the accommodating portion side agitator mechanism 122 and moved rearward. That is, when viewed in the entire developer accommodating portion 88, the toner is moved from the front toward the rear, and this toner passes through the passage-side communication hole 222 (see FIG. 16) described above and passes through the developer passage portion 87. It is conveyed inside the inner cylindrical portion 90.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, in the rearmost sub cylinder 120, the agitator transmission gear 128 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side in accordance with the rotation of the accommodating portion side rotation shaft 123. The driving force for rotating the agitator transmission gear 128 is transmitted to the passing portion side agitator gear 63 via the two intermediate gears 130, and the passing portion side agitator gear 63 is driven to rotate clockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the passing portion side rotating shaft 103 and the passing portion side stirring blade 104, that is, the passing portion side agitator 97 are rotated clockwise together with the passing portion side agitator gear 63. Here, the passing portion side agitating blade 104 rotates while its free end portion is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 90 and the interference prevention wall 100. When the passage-side agitating blade 104 is slidably contacted with the interference prevention wall 100, the passage-side agitating blade 104 bends more strongly in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side than when it is slidably contacted with other portions. The bent state is maintained. Thereby, the passage side stirring blade 104 is prevented from interfering with the cartridge auger 102 exposed from the receiving portion 105 of the auger housing portion 101 that passes through the interference prevention wall 100.

Further, the cartridge auger gear 110 (see FIG. 11) meshed with the passage portion side agitator gear 63 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, a driving force for rotating the passage portion side rotation shaft 103 of the passage portion side agitator 97 is transmitted to the cartridge side rotation shaft 108, and the cartridge auger 102 is driven to rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the right side.
The toner in the inner cylindrical portion 90 is fed in the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical portion 90 while being stirred by the passage portion-side agitator 97 and supplied onto the receiving portion 105 of the auger accommodating portion 101. The toner supplied onto the receiving portion 105 is conveyed to the left side on the receiving portion 105 while being stirred by the cartridge auger 102 that is driven to rotate, passes through the tunnel portion 111, and is sent to the cartridge supply hole 96. Then, as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 15, the toner is supplied from the cartridge supply hole 96 to the cartridge shutter supply hole 118, the first casing shutter supply hole 41, the casing supply hole 33, and the second casing shutter supply hole. 77, passes through the development shutter supply hole 94 and the development supply hole 171 to the left in the horizontal direction, and is discharged into the toner supply chamber 161 (see FIG. 17) of the process unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the toner discharged into the toner supply chamber 161 is conveyed leftward inside the toner supply chamber 161 by the supply-side conveyance unit 170 of the supply auger 156 that is rotationally driven. The conveyed toner descends through the toner communication hole 162 at the left end portion of the toner supply chamber 161, is conveyed to the developing chamber 160, and is supplied to the left end portion of the return auger 157. The toner supplied to the left end portion of the return auger 157 is supplied to the supply roller 153 disposed below the return auger 157 while being conveyed to the right side by the return side conveyance unit 173 of the return auger 157 that is rotationally driven. .

  The toner that has not been supplied to the supply roller 153 and has reached the development return hole 174 is, as indicated by the broken arrow in FIG. 15, the development shutter return hole 140, the second casing shutter return hole 78, the casing return hole 34, After passing through the first housing shutter return hole 42 and the cartridge shutter return hole 119 in the horizontal direction to the right, it passes through the cartridge return hole 112 and is received by the inner cylindrical portion 90 of the toner cartridge 8. Specifically, the toner received in the inner cylindrical portion 90 falls to the guide wall 99 immediately after passing through the cartridge return hole 112, and is then conveyed (guided) to the right along the inclination direction of the guide wall 99. Then, the toner is again stirred by the passage portion side agitator 97.

  Accordingly, the toner that has not been supplied to the supply roller 153 is circulated between the developing unit 134 (see FIG. 17) and the toner cartridge 8. As the toner reaching the development return hole 174, the toner transported by the return-side transport unit 173 due to the above-described toner circulation or stayed in the developing chamber 160 but transported by the return-side transport unit 173. , And those that have reached the development return hole 174 are included. The toner cartridge 8 and the storage unit left side wall 20 and the process unit 9 and the storage unit left side wall 20 are sealed to prevent the circulating toner from leaking in the middle.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the toner supplied to the supply roller 153 is supplied to the developing roller 154 by the rotation of the supply roller 153. At this time, the toner is positively frictionally charged between the supply roller 153 and the developing roller 154 to which a developing bias is applied. The frictionally charged toner enters between the pressing portion 168 of the layer thickness regulating blade 155 and the rubber roller 164 of the developing roller 154 as the developing roller 154 rotates, and becomes a thin layer having a constant thickness. Is supported on a rubber roller 164.

  On the other hand, the scorotron charger 137 generates corona discharge by applying a charging bias to uniformly positively charge the surface of the drum body 146 of the photosensitive drum 136. As the drum body 146 rotates, the surface of the drum body 146 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 137 and then emitted from an exit window (not shown) of the scanner unit 80 (see FIG. 1) for laser incidence. Exposure is performed by high-speed scanning of laser light incident through the port 141, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be formed on the paper 3 is formed.

  When the drum main body 146 further rotates, the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 154 and positively charged toner then contacts the photosensitive drum 136 due to the rotation of the developing roller 154, so that the drum main body 146. It is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the drum body 146 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the drum body 146.

Thereafter, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 136 is conveyed by the registration roller 58 (see FIG. 1), and the sheet 3 entering the drum casing 135 from the first passage port 142 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 136. While passing through the transfer position with the roller 138, the image is transferred to the paper 3 by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 138.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet 3 is folded back to the front side in a substantially U shape around the separation roller 52, and then proceeds above the process unit 9. Then, the sheet 3 passes through the gap between the upper surface of the top wall of the developing unit 134 and the lower surface of the reading scanner unit 7 and then reaches the transfer position via the first passage port 142 of the drum unit 133. This gap is formed by the spacer 64 of the developing unit 134 coming into contact with the lower surface of the reading scanner unit 7 (a sheet conveyance guide 195 described later), and the size corresponds to the protruding amount of the spacer 64.

Then, the sheet 3 onto which the toner image has been transferred is discharged out of the drum casing 135 from the second passage port 143 (see FIG. 17) and is conveyed to the fixing unit 82.
The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 136 after the transfer is collected by the developing roller 154. Further, paper dust from the paper 3 adhering to the photosensitive drum 136 after the transfer is collected by the cleaning brush 139.
(3-4) Fixing Unit The fixing unit 82 is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the scanner unit 80 and is provided on the front side of the process unit 9 (that is, on the opposite side of the developing roller 154 with respect to the photosensitive drum 136). ing. The fixing unit 82 includes a fixing frame 180, and includes a heating roller 181, a pressure roller 182, and a paper discharge roller 183 in the fixing frame 180.

The heating roller 181 includes a metal tube whose surface is coated with a fluororesin and a halogen lamp for heating inserted in the metal tube. The heating roller 181 is rotationally driven by inputting a driving force from a driving motor (not shown).
The pressure roller 182 is disposed above the heating roller 181 so as to press the heating roller 181. The pressure roller 182 includes a metal roller shaft and a rubber roller made of a rubber material that covers the roller shaft. The pressure roller 182 is driven according to the rotational drive of the heating roller 181.

The paper discharge roller 183 includes a pair of rollers, and is disposed on the downstream side (front side) in the conveyance direction of the paper 3 with respect to the heating roller 181 and the pressure roller 182.
The fixing unit 82 heat-fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper 3 at the transfer position while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 181 and the pressure roller 182. The sheet 3 on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed toward the discharge tray 185 via the discharge port 184 by the discharge roller 183 as described below.
(4) Discharge Unit The discharge unit 6 includes a discharge port 184 and a discharge tray 185 on the front side of the main casing 2 (that is, on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 136 with respect to the fixing unit 82).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front side wall 14 of the main casing 2 is provided with a pair of front end walls 186 at both ends in the width direction. The cartridge attachment / detachment port 16 described above is formed in the right front end wall 186. A discharge tray 185 that is recessed rearward is formed in a portion of the front side wall 14 that is sandwiched between the pair of front end walls 186 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge tray 185 is disposed so as to overlap the supply tray 51 and the front portion of the scanner unit 80.

Specifically, the discharge tray 185 includes a discharge bottom wall 187, a pair of discharge side walls 188, and a discharge rear wall 189. The discharge bottom wall 187 is formed in a rectangular plate shape in plan view extending continuously rearward from the upper end edge of the portion sandwiched in the width direction by the pair of front end walls 186 in the front side wall 14.
The pair of discharge side walls 188 are opposed to each other in the width direction from the both ends in the width direction of the discharge bottom wall 187 and extend upward.

The discharge rear wall 189 continuously extends upward from the rear end edge of the discharge bottom wall 187 and is formed in a rectangular plate shape in front view that is constructed between the discharge side walls 188. The discharge rear wall 189 includes a first discharge rear wall 190 that forms a lower half portion thereof, and a second discharge rear wall 191 that forms an upper half portion thereof. The discharge rear wall 189 is disposed adjacent to the front of the fixing unit 82.
The upper edge of the first discharge rear wall 190 faces the lower edge of the second discharge rear wall 191 with an interval in the vertical direction. This interval is larger than the thickness of the sheet 3 and serves as a discharge port 184 that allows the fixing unit 82 and the discharge tray 185 to communicate with each other.

The sheet 3 thermally fixed in the fixing unit 82 is discharged onto the discharge bottom wall 187 of the discharge tray 185 via the discharge port 184 by the discharge roller 183.
The discharge tray 185 is open on the front side when the reading scanner unit 7 is closed and the process attaching / detaching port 11 of the main body casing 2 is closed, but the reading scanner unit 7 is opened and the process attaching / detaching port 11 is opened. Then it is also opened up.
(5) Reading Scanner Unit (5-1) Overall Configuration of Reading Scanner Unit The reading scanner unit 7 includes a document table 192 and a document pressing cover 193 that is supported on the document table 192 so as to be freely opened and closed.

The document table 192 is formed in a thick plate shape having a rectangular shape in plan view. A glass surface 194 on which the document is placed is formed on the upper surface, and a paper conveyance guide 195 is formed on the lower surface. . The above-described reading guide lever 67 (see FIG. 5) is located on the right side of the sheet conveyance guide 195.
The glass surface 194 is formed by embedding a glass plate in the document table 192 so that the upper surface of the document table 192 is flat. The glass surface 194 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the document table 192.

The document table 192 has a CCD sensor (not shown) for reading the document, and a scanning motor (not shown) for scanning the CCD sensor (not shown) facing the glass surface 194. Is decorated.
A CCD sensor (not shown) is supported on the inner side (lower side) of the glass surface 194 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and always stands by at the left end of the glass surface 194. (Not shown) is scanned from the left side to the right side while facing the glass surface 194.

The sheet conveyance guide 195 is formed in a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction, and the top wall of the developing case 152 of the developing unit 134 in a state in which the reading scanner unit 7 is closed and the process attachment / detachment port 11 at the top of the main body casing 2 is closed. It is formed so as to be convexly curved upward along a gap with respect to the upper surface.
As shown in FIG. 2, the document pressing cover 193 is formed in a thin plate shape having a rectangular shape in plan view and having the same shape as that of the document table 192. On the upper surface of the document pressing cover 193, an ADF for automatically reading a document is provided. A (auto document feeder) device 196 is provided. The ADF device 196 includes a casing 197, a document transport roller (not shown), a document transport motor (not shown), and a document detection sensor (not shown). The casing 197 has a box shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and includes a document transport roller (not shown) and a document transport motor (not shown). A standby document tray 198 is provided at the center in the vertical direction of the right side wall of the casing 197. The standby document tray 198 has a substantially trapezoidal thin plate shape in plan view, and the bottom side portion of the substantially trapezoidal shape is supported by the ADF device 196 as a base end portion, and the free end portion extends to the right side in a substantially horizontal direction. Documents can be set in a stack.

  Further, on the right side wall of the casing 197, a document taking-in port 199 that is opened to take a document into the casing 197 is formed above the standby document tray 198. A document discharge port 200 for discharging the document from the casing 197 is formed on the right side wall of the casing 197 below the standby document tray 198. The document take-in port 199 and the document discharge port 200 are both formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction.

Further, the document pressing cover 193 is supported at the rear end thereof in a swingable manner at the rear end portion of the document table 192 via the hinge 201, and a gripping portion 70 formed by a concave portion is formed at the front end portion.
As shown in FIG. 1, the document pressing cover 193 swings in the vertical direction at the front end with the hinge 201 at the rear end as a fulcrum. When the front end portion of the document pressing cover 193 is lifted upward with the gripping portion 70, the glass surface 194 of the document table 192 is opened, and when the front end portion of the document pressing cover 193 is lowered, the glass surface of the document table 192 is opened. 194 is coated. Thus, the document pressing cover 193 covers the glass surface 194 of the document table 192 so as to be freely opened and closed.
(5-2) Normal Document Reading in the Scanner Unit The front end portion of the document pressing cover 193 is lifted upward and set so that the document is placed on the glass surface 194, and then the front end portion of the document pressing cover 193 is moved. The button is lowered and the button is operated on the operation panel 13 of the main casing 2. Then, a CCD sensor (not shown) is scanned from the left side to the right side by a scanning motor (not shown) while facing the document placed on the glass surface 194, and image information of the document is read. .

After the reading of the original is completed, the front end of the original pressing cover 193 is lifted upward again, and the original is removed from the glass surface 194. When the scanning is completed, the CCD sensor (not shown) is automatically moved to the left end of the glass surface 194 by a scanning motor (not shown) and stands by.
(5-3) Automatic Document Reading in the Scanner Unit In automatic document reading by the ADF device 196, when a document detection sensor (not shown) detects that a document is set on the standby document tray 198, the above-described normal document reading is performed. Unlike document reading, a CCD sensor (not shown) is fixed at an automatic document reading position (not shown). When a button is operated on the operation panel 13, a document transport motor (not shown) is driven, and a document transport roller (not shown) is rotated by the driving force. Then, the original is moved to the left side by the rotation of the original conveying roller (not shown), and is taken into the casing 197 via the original taking-in port 199 shown in FIG. When the taken document passes through a document transport path (not shown) and faces a CCD sensor (not shown), image information of the document is read by scanning of the CCD sensor (not shown), and thereafter Then, it is conveyed toward the right side from the document discharge port 200 and is discharged onto the upper surface of the document pressing cover 193.
(5-4) Image Formation Based on Image Information of Read Document In image forming unit 5 shown in FIG. 1, an image is formed based on the image information of the document read by the CCD sensor (not shown) described above. Data is created and an image is formed on the paper 3 as described above.
2. Function and Effect (1) Function and Effect 1
In the laser printer 1, as described above, since the storage unit left side wall 20 is provided between the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 in the main body casing 2, the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 are stored. It can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 with the left side wall 20 as a reference. This suppresses a decrease in the positioning accuracy of the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 with respect to the main body casing 2, so that the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 can be accurately arranged at the normal position in the main body casing 2.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8, particularly the operability related to replacement. Further, by providing the storage unit left side wall 20 between the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8, the process unit 9 and the toner cartridge 8 are independent from each other when mounted on the main body casing 2. These can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 separately.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a development supply hole 171 and a development return hole 174 are formed in the process unit 9. A cartridge supply hole 96 and a cartridge return hole 112 are formed in the toner cartridge 8 that accommodates toner. A housing supply hole 33 and a housing return hole 34 are formed in the left side wall 20 of the storage unit. In the width direction, the housing supply hole 33 faces the development supply hole 171 and the cartridge supply hole 96. In the width direction, the housing return hole 34 faces the development return hole 174 and the cartridge return hole 112.

Accordingly, the toner of the toner cartridge 8 can be supplied to the developing roller 154 through the development supply hole 171, the cartridge supply hole 96, and the housing supply hole 33.
The process unit 9 is provided with a developing shutter 177 that opens and closes the developing supply hole 171 and the developing return hole 174, and the toner cartridge 8 has an outer cylindrical portion that opens and closes the cartridge supplying hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112. 91 is provided. Accordingly, in the toner cartridge 8, the cartridge supply hole 96 is opened by opening the outer cylindrical portion 91 (rotating to the cartridge shutter open position), and the toner in the toner cartridge 8 can be supplied to the housing supply hole 33. it can. In the process unit 9, the development supply hole 171 is opened by opening the development shutter 177 (rotating to the development shutter open position), and the toner from the toner cartridge 8 can be received through the housing supply hole 33. it can.

  On the other hand, the development supply hole 171 and the development return hole 174 are closed by closing the development shutter 177 (rotating to the development shutter closed position), so that the development return is between the development supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33. The space between the hole 174 and the housing return hole 34 is blocked. Thereby, the movement of the toner between the development supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33 and the movement of the toner between the development return hole 174 and the housing return hole 34 can be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the developing supply hole 171 and the developing return hole 174 when the process unit 9 is detached from the main casing 2.

  Further, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 are closed by closing the outer cylindrical portion 91 (rotating to the cartridge shutter closed position), and therefore, between the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 and the cartridge. The space between the return hole 112 and the housing return hole 34 is blocked. Thereby, toner movement between the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 and toner movement between the cartridge return hole 112 and the housing return hole 34 can be restricted. Therefore, toner leakage from the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 can be prevented when the toner cartridge 8 is detached from the main casing 2.

  Further, since the opening / closing operation of the developing shutter 177 and the opening / closing operation of the outer cylindrical portion 91 are independent from each other, the developing supply hole 171 and the developing return hole 174, and the cartridge supplying hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 are independent from each other. Can be opened and closed. Thus, even without operating the developing shutter 177, only the outer cylindrical portion 91 is closed, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112 are closed, and the toner cartridge 8 can be detached from the main body casing 2 independently. Similarly, without operating the outer cylindrical portion 91, only the developing shutter 177 can be closed, the developing supply hole 171 and the developing return hole 174 can be closed, and the process portion 9 can be detached from the main casing 2 independently.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the toner cartridge 8 is disposed in the main body casing 2 so as to face the developing roller 154 in the width direction of the developing roller 154. Thereby, for example, the size of the laser printer 1 in the vertical direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the toner cartridge 8 is disposed opposite to the developing roller 154 in the vertical direction intersecting the width direction of the developing roller 154. Therefore, the laser printer 1 can be downsized.

As shown in FIG. 10, a shaft holding member 73 that holds the right side of the process unit 9 is provided on the left side surface of the storage unit left side wall 20 of the main casing 2 that faces the process unit 9. The shaft holding member 73 can improve the positioning accuracy of the process unit 9 with respect to the main body casing 2.
Specifically, since the shaft holding member 73 holds the drum shaft 147 (see FIG. 18) of the photosensitive drum 136 in the process unit 9, the photosensitive drum 136 is accurately positioned to form an accurate electrostatic latent image. be able to.

  The shaft holding member 73 is formed with a bearing groove 107 for guiding the drum shaft 147, and this bearing groove 107 is parallel to the left side wall 20 of the main body casing 2 on the left side of the left side wall 20 of the main body casing 2. It extends to. That is, both ends of the process unit 9 in the width direction can be held by the main casing 2. Thereby, the process unit 9 can be attached and detached without interfering with the toner cartridge 8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the housing left wall 20 is provided with a second housing shutter 71 that opens and closes the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 from the left side. Accordingly, when the second casing shutter 71 is opened (rotated to the second casing shutter open position), the casing supply hole 33 is opened, and the developing shutter 177 is opened and the development supply hole 171 is opened. The supply hole 33 and the development supply hole 171 communicate with each other.

  The housing left side wall 20 is provided with a first housing shutter 37 that opens and closes the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 from the right side surface. Thus, when the first housing shutter 37 is opened (rotated to the first housing shutter open position), the housing supply hole 33 is opened, the outer cylindrical portion 91 is opened, and the cartridge supply hole 96 is opened. The body supply hole 33 and the cartridge supply hole 96 communicate with each other.

Thus, the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge 8 to the housing supply hole 33, and the process unit 9 can accept the toner from the toner cartridge 8 through the development supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33. it can.
On the other hand, when the second housing shutter 71 is closed (rotated to the second housing shutter closed position) and the housing supply hole 33 is closed, the development supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33 are disconnected. Therefore, the movement of the toner between the development supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33 can be restricted. Therefore, when the process unit 9 is detached from the main casing 2, toner leakage from the left side in the housing supply hole 33 can be prevented. Further, when the second casing shutter 71 is closed, the casing return hole 34 is also closed, so that leakage of toner from the left side in the casing return hole 34 can be prevented.

  The opening / closing operation of the developing shutter 177 and the opening / closing operation of the second housing shutter 71 are interlocked with each other. As a result, when the process unit 9 is mounted on the main casing 2, the developing supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33 can be opened at the same time, and the toner from the toner cartridge 8 can be received smoothly. Then, when the process unit 9 is detached from the main casing 2, the developing supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33 are simultaneously closed to prevent toner leakage from both the developing supply hole 171 and the housing supply hole 33. Can do. Therefore, operability can be improved.

  Further, when the first housing shutter 37 is closed (rotated to the first housing shutter closed position) and the housing supply hole 33 is closed, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 are disconnected. Therefore, the movement of the toner between the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 can be restricted. For this reason, when the toner cartridge 8 is detached from the main casing 2, toner leakage from the right side can be prevented in the housing supply hole 33. Further, when the first housing shutter 37 is closed, the housing return hole 34 is also closed, so that leakage of toner from the right side in the housing return hole 34 can be prevented.

  The opening / closing operation of the outer cylindrical portion 91 and the opening / closing operation of the first housing shutter 37 are interlocked with each other. Thus, when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the main casing 2, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 can be opened at the same time so that the toner from the toner cartridge 8 can be supplied smoothly. Then, when the toner cartridge 8 is detached from the main body casing 2, the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33 are simultaneously closed to prevent toner leakage from both the cartridge supply hole 96 and the housing supply hole 33. Can do. Therefore, operability can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, since the second housing shutter 71 is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the reading scanner unit 7, the operability can be further improved.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the development supply hole 171 supplies the toner from the toner cartridge 8 to the development roller 154, and the development return hole 174 receives the toner from the development roller 154. The cartridge supply hole 96 supplies toner to the development supply hole 171, and the cartridge return hole 112 receives toner from the development return hole 174. The housing supply hole 33 allows toner to pass from the cartridge supply hole 96 to the development supply hole 171, and the housing return hole 34 allows toner to pass from the development return hole 174 to the cartridge return hole 112.

That is, the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 8 is conveyed from the cartridge supply hole 96 to the housing supply hole 33 and is supplied from the housing supply hole 33 to the developing roller 154 of the process unit 9 through the development supply hole 171. . On the other hand, a part of the toner supplied to the developing roller 154 is conveyed from the developing return hole 174 to the housing return hole 34 and received from the housing return hole 34 through the cartridge return hole 112 to the toner cartridge 8. Thereby, the toner can be circulated between the toner cartridge 8 and the process unit 9.
(2) Action effect 2
In this laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner cartridge 8 includes a developer passage portion 87 and a developer storage portion 88 that store toner to be supplied to the developing roller 154.

As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of agitating members, specifically, a passing portion side agitator 97 and a cartridge auger 102 are provided in the developer passing portion 87, so that the toner accommodated in the developer passing portion 87 is stored in the developer passing portion 87. Stir well.
Further, the passage-portion side rotating shaft 103 and the cartridge-side rotation shaft 108, which are the shafts of the passage-portion-side agitator 97 and the cartridge auger 102, are arranged in parallel to each other in the radial direction of the substantially cylindrical developer passage portion 87. Are provided at different positions (see FIG. 16). Therefore, in the developer passage portion 87, the toner is not locally stirred in the radial direction, and the toner contained in the developer passage portion 87 can be stirred uniformly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, by providing the developer accommodating portion 88 in addition to the developer passage portion 87, the capacity of the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 8 can be sufficiently ensured. Then, the toner stored in the developer storage portion 88 can be reliably conveyed to the developer passage portion 87 by the storage portion side agitator mechanism 122 provided in the developer storage portion 88.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in the developer passage portion 87, a cartridge supply hole 96 for supplying toner to the developing roller 154 is formed in the left inner side wall 93. Therefore, along the width direction. The toner can be supplied from the cartridge supply hole 96 to the developing roller 154.

  In addition, since the feeding direction of the toner by the passage portion side agitator 97 and the cartridge auger 102 is different from each other, by rotating each of the passage portion side agitator 97 and the cartridge auger 102, the toner is not only fed in one feeding direction. , It can stir in two different feed directions. Thereby, the toner can be effectively stirred.

Further, in the developer passage portion 87, the toner stirred in one feeding direction by the passage portion side agitator 97 is transferred to the cartridge auger 102 so as to be conveyed in a direction different from the feeding direction of the passage portion side agitator 97. be able to.
Specifically, the toner feeding direction by the passage portion side agitator 97 is the circumferential direction of the developer passage portion 87, and the toner feeding direction by the cartridge auger 102 is the axial direction (width direction) of the developer passage portion 87. is there.

Thereby, the toner can be effectively stirred over the entire developer passage portion 87. In the developer passage portion 87, the toner stirred in the circumferential direction can be conveyed in the width direction.
Further, since the cartridge auger 102 sends the toner toward the cartridge supply hole 96, the toner accommodated in the developer passage portion 87 can be reliably supplied to the developing roller 154 from the cartridge supply hole 96.

Further, the toner stirred in the circumferential direction of the developer passage portion 87 by the passage portion side agitator 97 can be conveyed to the cartridge supply hole 96 along the width direction of the developer passage portion 87 by the cartridge auger 102. .
Further, since the cartridge-side rotating shaft 108 of the cartridge auger 102 extends along the toner feeding direction by the cartridge auger 102, that is, the width direction, the cartridge auger 102 conveys the toner along the cartridge-side rotating shaft 108. be able to.

Further, since the cartridge side rotating shaft 108 of the cartridge auger 102 overlaps the cartridge supply hole 96 in the direction along the axial direction (width direction), the cartridge auger 102 reliably conveys the toner to the cartridge supply hole 96. can do.
Therefore, the toner stored in the developer passage portion 87 can be reliably supplied to the developing roller 154 from the cartridge supply hole 96.

A cartridge return hole 112 for receiving toner from the developing roller 154 is also formed in the left inner side wall 93 where the cartridge supply hole 96 is formed in the developer passage portion 87.
Therefore, the toner can be circulated between the developer passage portion 87 and the developing roller 154 via the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole 112.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the toner cartridge 8 is disposed in the main body casing 2 so as to face the developing roller 154 in the width direction of the developing roller 154. Compared to the case where the toner cartridge 8 is vertically opposed to the developing roller 154, the toner is transported substantially horizontally between the toner cartridge 8 and the process unit 9 on both the toner feeding side and the return side. it can. Thereby, the toner can be circulated more smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the developer passage portion 87 is provided with a guide wall 99 for guiding the toner received through the cartridge return hole 112 to the passage portion side agitator 97. As a result, the toner received in the cartridge return hole 112 is guided to the passing portion side agitator 97 by the guide wall 99, and thus is easily stirred by the passing portion side agitator 97. Therefore, the toner is easily transferred to the cartridge auger 102. Become. The toner delivered to the cartridge auger 102 is conveyed to the cartridge supply hole 96 by the cartridge auger 102.

Therefore, since the toner received in the cartridge return hole 112 can be smoothly conveyed to the cartridge supply hole 96, the toner can be smoothly circulated between the developer passage portion 87 and the developing roller 154.
Further, since the developer passage portion 87 is provided with an interference prevention wall 100 for preventing the passage portion side agitator 97 from interfering with the cartridge auger 102 (see FIG. 16), the passage portion side agitator 97 and the cartridge auger are provided. They can be prevented from being damaged by interfering with each other.

  Further, the passing portion side rotating shaft 103 and the cartridge side rotating shaft 108 are connected by the passing portion side agitator gear 63 and the cartridge auger gear 110 that are meshed with each other, and a driving force for rotating the passing portion side rotating shaft 103 is applied to the cartridge. It is transmitted to the side rotation shaft 108. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive mechanism for rotating the passing portion side rotating shaft 103 and the cartridge side rotating shaft 108, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, by opening the outer cylindrical portion 91 (rotating to the cartridge shutter open position) and opening the first casing shutter 37 (rotating to the first casing shutter open position), the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return Hole 112 is opened. Thereby, the toner can be moved between the developer passage portion 87 and the developing roller 154. On the other hand, the outer cylindrical portion 91 is closed (turned to the cartridge shutter closed position) and the first casing shutter 37 is closed (rotated to the first casing shutter closed position) to return the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return. The hole 112 closes. Thereby, the gap between the developer passage portion 87 and the developing roller 154 is blocked, and the movement of the toner between the developer passage portion 87 and the developing roller 154 can be restricted.

Since the outer cylindrical portion 91 and the first housing shutter 37 are opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover 17, operability can be improved.
Further, the developer passage portion 87 includes an outer cylindrical portion 91 and an inner cylindrical portion 90 that is disposed inside the outer cylindrical portion 91 and is provided with a cartridge supply hole 96 and a cartridge return hole 112. Therefore, by moving the outer cylindrical portion 91 relative to the inner cylindrical portion 90 (rotating between the cartridge shutter open position and the cartridge shutter closed position), the cartridge supply hole 96 and the cartridge return hole in the outer cylindrical portion 91 are obtained. 112 can be easily opened and closed.
3. Modification (1) Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, the operation panel 13 is provided on the upper wall 10 of the main casing 2, but may be provided on the document table 192. As a result, the operation panel 13 is moved together with the reading scanner unit 7, so that the process attachment / detachment opening 11 is largely opened, and the replacement of the process unit 9 is further facilitated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the process unit 9 includes the drum unit 133 and the developing unit 134 integrally, and the process unit 9 is detachably attached to the main casing 2. In addition, in the laser printer 1, for example, the developing unit 134 may be detachably mounted on the drum unit 133 with the drum unit 133 mounted on the main body casing 2.

In the above embodiment, the supply tray 51 is detachable from the main casing 2, but the supply tray 51 may be formed integrally with the main casing 2. In that case, the front side wall is not formed in the supply tray 51, the inside of the supply tray 51 is opened forward, and the paper 3 is accommodated in the supply tray 51 through the supply tray attachment / detachment opening 15.
On the other hand, the discharge tray 185 is formed integrally with the main casing 2, but may be a detachable aspect like the supply tray 51.
(2) Modification 2
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a laser printer as a second modification of the present invention as seen from the front diagonally upper right. 20 is a right side view of the laser printer shown in FIG. 19, in which the cover is in the cover open position, (a) shows a state in which the toner cartridge is not attached to the main body casing, and (b) shows The toner cartridge is shown attached to the main casing. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the first housing shutter as the second modified example of the present invention as viewed from the diagonally upper right side of the rear side, in which (a) shows the first housing shutter in the first housing shutter closed position. (B) shows a state in which the first housing shutter is in the first housing shutter open position.
(2-1) Main Body Casing As shown in FIG. 19, in the main body casing 2 according to Modification 2, the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 and the cover 17 are provided at the rear end portion of the right side wall of the main body casing 2.

  The cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 corresponds to a side surface shape of the toner cartridge 8 according to Modification Example 2 described later, and is formed in an elliptical shape that is long in the front-rear direction in a side view. The rear end portion of the cartridge attaching / detaching port 16 is formed so as to protrude rearward one step. This projecting portion is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and hereinafter, this projecting portion is referred to as an attachment / detachment opening recess 202.

The cover 17 is formed in a slightly similar shape with respect to the cartridge attaching / detaching port 16. At the rear end portion of the right side surface of the cover 17, a cover grip portion 203 that is long in the vertical direction and protrudes to the right side is provided. The cover 17 is supported on the left side surface of the right side wall of the main body casing 2 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
Specifically, when the cover gripping portion 203 is gripped and pulled rearward, the cover 17 moves rearward. Thereby, the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16 can be closed. The position of the cover 17 at this time is referred to as a cover closed position as in the above-described embodiment. On the other hand, when the cover gripping portion 203 is gripped and pulled forward, the cover 17 moves forward as shown in FIG. Thereby, the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16 can be opened. The position of the cover 17 at this time is referred to as a cover open position as in the above-described embodiment. When the cover 17 is in the cover open position, the cover gripping portion 203 abuts on a portion of the right side wall of the main body casing 2 that forms the front edge of the cartridge attachment / detachment port 16, and the cover 17 moves forward from the cover open position. Is regulated.

  A cartridge housing wall 204 is provided on the right side surface of the housing left side wall 20 described above at a position facing the cartridge mounting opening 16 in the width direction. The cartridge housing wall 204 is formed in an annular shape extending from the housing left side wall 20 to the front of the cartridge mounting / removal port 16. A space surrounded by the cartridge housing wall 204 is the cartridge housing space 27 in the second modification (see FIG. 20A). As shown in FIG. 21, a housing portion notch 205 is formed at the rear end portion of the cartridge housing wall 204. The accommodating part notch 205 penetrates the cartridge accommodating wall 204 in the thickness direction, and is integrally provided with a widthwise notch part 206 and a circumferential notch part 207. The width direction cutout portion 206 extends along the width direction from the right end edge of the cartridge housing wall 204 toward the left end portion. The circumferential notch 207 is continuous from the left end of the width notch 206 and extends to the lower end of the cartridge housing wall 204 along the circumferential direction of the cartridge housing wall 204.

  Further, a housing supply hole 33, a housing return hole 34, and a drive gear exposure hole 208 are formed in the storage portion left side wall 20. The positions and shapes of the housing supply hole 33 and the housing return hole 34 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. The drive gear exposure hole 208 is formed at the center of the circle of the cartridge housing wall 204 and penetrates the housing left wall 20 in the width direction. In the drive gear exposure hole 208, a drive gear 209 connected to a drive motor (not shown) disposed on the left side of the storage portion left side wall 20 is exposed on the right side. In the drive gear 209, a connection hole 210 that is recessed to the left is formed on the right side exposed from the drive gear exposure hole 208. The connection hole 210 is formed in a shape of approximately 8 in front view.

A first housing shutter 37 according to the modified example 2 is disposed in the cartridge housing wall 204.
The first housing shutter 37 integrally includes a first housing shutter disk wall 211 and a first housing shutter peripheral wall 212.
The first casing shutter disk wall 211 is formed in a thin plate shape whose peripheral edge is circular in a side view along the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge housing wall 204. The first housing shutter disk wall 211 is formed with a shutter side gear exposure hole 213, a first housing shutter supply hole 41, and a first housing shutter return hole 42.

  The shutter-side gear exposure hole 213 is formed with substantially the same dimensions as the drive gear exposure hole 208 at the center of the circle of the first housing shutter disk wall 211 and penetrates the first housing shutter disk wall 211 in the width direction. ing. The shapes of the first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the first housing shutter return hole 42 are the same as in the above-described embodiment, and the first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the first housing shutter return hole 42 In one housing shutter disk wall 211, it is formed along the periphery.

  The first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 is formed in a thin annular shape extending rightward along the outer peripheral edge of the first casing shutter disc wall 211, and one portion on the periphery thereof is cut across the width direction. ing. The width dimension of the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 is substantially equal to the width dimension of the circumferential notch 207 in the housing notch 205. In addition, the interval between the circumferential edges of the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 at the portion cut at the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 (referred to as a cutting portion 214) is the width direction cut at the accommodating portion notch 205. It is almost equal to the circumferential dimension of the notch 206.

The first housing shutter 37 is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge housing wall 204 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the first housing shutter 37 is rotatable between a first housing shutter open position and a first housing shutter closed position, as in the above-described embodiment.
When the first casing shutter 37 is in the first casing shutter closed position, the casing supply hole 33 and the casing return hole 34 are formed in the first casing shutter disk wall 211 as shown in FIG. A portion other than the first housing shutter supply hole 41 and the first housing shutter return hole 42 is closed from the right side. At this time, the width direction cutout portion 206 in the housing portion cutout 205 of the cartridge housing wall 204 and the cut portion 214 of the first housing shutter peripheral wall 212 are continuous in the width direction.

On the other hand, the position of the first housing shutter 37 when the first housing shutter 37 is rotated about 90 ° clockwise as viewed from the right side from the first housing shutter closed position is the first housing shutter open position shown in FIG. It is. When the first casing shutter 37 is in the first casing shutter open position, the first casing shutter supply hole 41 and the casing supply hole 33 communicate with each other, and the first casing shutter return hole 42 and the casing return hole 34 communicates. At this time, the notch 206 in the width direction and the cut portion 214 are not continuous in the width direction, and the cut portion 214 is positioned at the lower end of the cartridge housing wall 204. Specifically, the front peripheral edge of the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 forming the cut portion 214 and the lower end edge of the circumferential notch 207 are seen in the radial direction of the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212. Almost match.
(2-2) Toner Cartridge FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as the second modified example of the present invention as viewed from the rear oblique upper right, and (a) shows the outer cylindrical portion in the cartridge shutter closed position. (B) is the state where the right outer side wall is removed in (a), (c) is the state where the right inner side wall is removed in (b), and (d) is the state where the outer cylindrical portion is opened by the cartridge shutter. Indicates the state in position.

  23A and 23B are diagrams for explaining the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 23A is a front view of the toner cartridge with the outer cylindrical portion in a cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. 23B is a toner cartridge of FIG. (C) is a side sectional view of the toner cartridge of (a), (d) is a left side view of the toner cartridge of (a), and (e) is an outer cylinder. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the toner cartridge with a portion at a cartridge shutter open position.

  FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the main part of the toner cartridge and the main body casing as viewed from the rear oblique upper right for explaining the attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge with respect to the main body casing. FIG. (B) shows a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body casing and the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position. (C) shows the outer cylindrical portion in FIG. Indicates the state in position.

FIG. 25 is a sectional side view of the main part of the laser printer shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, the toner cartridge 8 according to Modification 2 is not provided with the developer containing portion 88 and the handle 89 (see FIG. 11) in the above-described embodiment.
In the toner cartridge 8 according to the modified example 2, a protrusion guide groove 215 corresponding to about one-fourth of the outer periphery of the outer cylindrical wall 113 is formed at a substantially central position in the width direction of the outer cylindrical wall 113 of the outer cylindrical portion 91. (See FIG. 22 (a) and FIG. 23 (a)). The protrusion guide groove 215 penetrates the outer cylindrical wall 113 in the thickness direction. In addition, on the outer cylindrical wall 113, a cartridge outer protrusion 217 that protrudes radially outward is provided slightly to the left of the lower end portion of the protrusion guide groove 215. The cartridge outer protrusion 217 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its width-direction dimension is smaller than the width-direction dimension of the circumferential notch 207 of the accommodating portion notch 205 (see FIG. 21), and its vertical dimension (circumferential dimension). ) Is smaller than the circumferential dimension of the notch 206 in the width direction of the housing notch 205 and the cut portion 214 of the first housing shutter 37. Further, the side shape of the cartridge outer protrusion 217 is smaller than the side shape of the attachment / detachment opening recess 202 of the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 (see FIG. 20B).

  Further, in the rear end portion of the inner cylindrical wall 92 of the inner cylindrical portion 90, an in-cartridge protrusion 216 that protrudes radially outward, specifically toward the rear side, is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion guide groove 215. . The cartridge inner protrusion 216 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its vertical dimension (circumferential dimension) is equal to the vertical dimension of the cartridge outer protrusion 217, and its width dimension is smaller than the groove width of the protrusion guide groove 215. . Further, the side surface shape of the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is smaller than the side surface shape of the attachment / detachment opening recess 202 of the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 (see FIG. 20). In a state where the inner cylindrical portion 90 is accommodated in the outer cylindrical portion 91, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is exposed to the outside from the protrusion guide groove 215. Specifically, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is always exposed from the protrusion guide groove 215 while the outer cylindrical portion 91 rotates between the cartridge shutter open position and the cartridge shutter close position described above. When the outer cylindrical portion 91 is in the cartridge shutter closed position (see FIG. 22A), the cartridge inner protrusion 216 contacts the lower edge of the protrusion guide groove 215. On the other hand, when the outer cylindrical portion 91 is at the cartridge shutter open position (see FIG. 22D), the cartridge inner protrusion 216 contacts the upper edge of the protrusion guide groove 215.

In the right outer side wall 114, the above-described cartridge protrusion 117 extends in the vertical direction when the outer cylindrical portion 91 is in the cartridge shutter closed position (see FIG. 22A). On the other hand, the cartridge protrusion 117 extends along the front-rear direction when the outer cylindrical portion 91 is at the cartridge shutter open position (see FIG. 22D).
The internal configuration of the inner cylindrical portion 90 such as the passage portion side agitator 97, the guide wall 99, the interference prevention wall 100, and the cartridge auger 102, and the passage portion side agitator gear 63 and the cartridge auger gear 110 are the same as in the above-described embodiment. (See FIG. 22 (b), FIG. 22 (c), FIG. 23 (b) and FIG. 23 (c)).

However, in the toner cartridge 8 according to the modified example 2, as shown in FIG. 23B, the passive gear 218 is provided at the left end portion of the passing portion side rotating shaft 103 of the passing portion side agitator 97 so as not to be relatively rotatable. ing. The passive gear 218 is formed in an approximately 8 shape when viewed from the left side (see FIGS. 23D and 23E), and is exposed to the outside from the left outer side wall 114.
(2-3) Attachment / Removal of Toner Cartridge to Main Body Casing When attaching the toner cartridge 8 to the main body casing 2, first, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), the cover 17 is moved to the cover open position. Open the cartridge insertion / removal port 16. At this time, the first housing shutter 37 is in the first housing shutter closed position. Next, as shown in FIG. 24A, the outer cylindrical portion 91 grips the cartridge protrusion 117 of the toner cartridge 8 in the cartridge shutter closed position. Then, the toner cartridge 8 is moved to the left while maintaining the state in which the toner cartridge 8 faces the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 and the cartridge housing space 27 in the width direction.

  At this time, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 and the cartridge outer protrusion 217 coincide with the insertion / removal opening recess 202 (see FIG. 20) of the cartridge insertion / removal opening 16 in a side view, and further, the widthwise notch 206 of the cartridge housing wall 204 and It corresponds to the cut portion 214 of the first housing shutter 37 (see FIG. 24A). As the toner cartridge 8 is moved to the left side, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 and the cartridge outer protrusion 217 pass through the attachment / detachment opening recess 202 along the width direction, and the width direction notch portion 206 and the cutting portion 214. (See FIG. 24B).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24B, in the width direction, the cartridge outer protrusion 217 is located in the cut portion 214, and the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is formed in the width direction notch portion 206 at the cut portion 214 and the circumferential direction. It is located on the right side of the notch 207. In other words, the cartridge outer protrusion 217 is held by the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 of the first casing shutter 37 at the cut portion 214. Further, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is sandwiched between the cartridge housing wall 204 at a portion on the right side of the circumferential cutout 207 in the width cutout 206.

  Further, the drive gear in which the passive gear 218 (see FIG. 23B) of the toner cartridge 8 is exposed from the drive gear exposure hole 208 of the housing left side wall 20 and the shutter side gear exposure hole 213 of the first housing shutter 37. It fits in the connecting hole 210 of 209 and engages with it (see FIG. 24A). Thereby, the accommodation of the toner cartridge 8 in the cartridge accommodation space 27 is completed.

  Then, the cartridge protrusion 117 is grasped and twisted clockwise in a right side view. Thus, as described above, the outer cylindrical portion 91 in which the cartridge outer protrusion 217 is sandwiched between the first casing shutter peripheral wall 212 and the first casing shutter 37 are rotated clockwise, that is, the cartridge shutter is opened. Rotate towards position. In this rotation, the cartridge outer protrusion 217 moves along the circumferential notch 207 of the cartridge housing wall 204. On the other hand, the inner cylindrical portion 90 is the same as before the outer cylindrical portion 91 is rotated without rotating together with the outer cylindrical portion 91 because the cartridge inner protrusion 216 is sandwiched between the cartridge housing walls 204 as described above. Maintaining posture. When the cartridge outer protrusion 217 comes into contact with the lower end edge (see FIG. 21B) of the circumferential notch 207, the outer cylindrical portion 91 moves to the cartridge shutter open position and the first housing shutter 37 moves. The movement to the first housing shutter opening position is completed (see FIG. 20B, FIG. 21B, FIG. 22D, FIG. 23E, and FIG. 24C). As in the above-described embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 25, the cartridge supply hole 96 of the toner cartridge 8 and the development supply hole 171 of the process unit 9 communicate with each other in the width direction so that the toner cartridge 8 The cartridge return hole 112 and the development return hole 174 of the process unit 9 communicate with each other in the width direction.

Since the cartridge outer protrusion 217 is positioned in the circumferential notch 207 (see FIG. 24C), the toner cartridge 8 is positioned in the width direction with respect to the cartridge housing wall 204. For this reason, the toner cartridge 8 does not detach from the cartridge housing space 27 to the right side.
Thereafter, when the cover 17 is moved to the cover closing position and the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 is closed, the mounting of the toner cartridge 8 to the main casing 2 is completed (see FIG. 19).

  When a driving motor (not shown) is driven in this state, the driving force is applied to the passive gear 218 of the toner cartridge 8 (see FIG. 23 (FIG. 23 (a)) through the connecting hole 210 (see FIG. 20 (a)) of the driving gear 209. e)), the passive gear 218 is rotated. As the passive gear 218 rotates, the passage-side agitator 97 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the left side in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, so that toner can be circulated between the toner cartridge 8 and the process unit 9. It becomes.

  On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 8 is detached from the main casing 2, first, as shown in FIG. 20B, the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16 is opened by moving the cover 17 to the cover open position. Then, as shown in FIG. 24C, the outer cylindrical portion 91 grips the cartridge protrusion 117 of the toner cartridge 8 at the toner cartridge open position, and twists it counterclockwise in the right side view. Accordingly, the outer cylindrical portion 91 rotates together with the first housing shutter 37 in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side. In this rotation, the cartridge outer protrusion 217 moves along the circumferential notch 207 of the cartridge housing wall 204. On the other hand, the inner cylindrical portion 90 does not rotate with the outer cylindrical portion 91 as described above. When the cartridge outer protrusion 217 comes into contact with the upper end edge of the circumferential notch 207 (see FIG. 24B), the movement of the outer cylindrical portion 91 to the cartridge shutter closed position and the first housing shutter 37 are moved. The movement to the first housing shutter closed position is completed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 24B, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 and the cartridge outer protrusion 217 coincide with the attachment / detachment opening recess 202 (see FIG. 20B) and the width-direction notch 206 in a side view. . Then, by grasping and pulling the cartridge protrusion 117 to the right side, the cartridge inner protrusion 216 and the cartridge outer protrusion 217 sequentially pass through the width direction notch portion 206 and the attachment / detachment opening recess portion 202 in the width direction, so that the toner cartridge 8 Moves to the right (see FIG. 24A). Then, when the toner cartridge 8 moves to the right side of the cartridge attachment / detachment opening 16, the removal of the toner cartridge 8 from the main casing 2 is completed.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a main part of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which a reading scanner unit described later is closed. It is the perspective view which looked at the laser printer shown in FIG. 1 from front diagonally upper right. FIG. 2 shows a state where the cover is in the cover open position. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a main part of the laser printer for explaining opening and closing of the reading scanner unit, where (a) shows a state in which the reading scanner unit is closed, and (b) shows that the reading scanner unit is opened. An aspect is shown. FIG. 3 shows a state where the inside of the cartridge housing space is exposed. It is a front view of the laser printer in a state where the cover is in the cover open position. FIGS. 7A and 6B are views taken along the line A-A in FIG. 6, in which FIG. 6A shows a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. 7A and 6B are views taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6, in which FIG. 6A illustrates a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views taken along the line CC of FIG. 6, in which FIG. 6A shows a state where the cover is in the cover closed position, and FIG. It is a principal part left side view around a storage part left side wall, Comprising: (a) shows the state which has the 2nd housing | casing shutter in the 2nd housing shutter open position, (b) shows the 2nd housing | casing shutter. The state which exists in a 2nd housing | casing shutter closed position is shown. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed from the diagonally upper right side of the rear side, in which (a) shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position, and (b) shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter open position. Show. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the toner cartridge as viewed from the upper left of the rear side, in which FIG. 3A shows a state in which the outer cylindrical portion is in a cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. Show. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the toner cartridge in a state where an outer cylindrical portion is at a cartridge shutter closed position. 2A and 2B are left side views of the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which the outer cylindrical portion is in a cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the outer cylindrical portion is in a cartridge shutter open position. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG.14 (b). It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. 15, Comprising: Only an inner side cylindrical part is shown. In FIG. 1, the process part is extracted and shown. It is a right view of a process part, (a) shows the state in which a development shutter is in a development shutter open position, and (b) shows the state in which a development shutter is in a development shutter closed position. It is the perspective view which looked at the laser printer as the modification 2 of this invention from the front diagonally upper right. FIG. 20 is a right side view of the laser printer shown in FIG. 19, in which the cover is in the cover open position, (a) shows a state where the toner cartridge is not attached to the main body casing, and (b) shows that the toner cartridge is The state with respect to the main body casing is shown. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st case shutter neighborhood as the modification 2 of the present invention from the back diagonal upper right, and (a) shows the state where the 1st case shutter is in the 1st case shutter closed position. (B) shows a state where the first housing shutter is in the first housing shutter open position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge as a second modification of the present invention as viewed from the diagonally upper right side of the rear side, in which (a) shows a state where the outer cylindrical portion is in a cartridge shutter closed position, and (b) shows a state in (a). The state where the right outer side wall is removed, (c) shows the state where the right inner side wall is removed in (b), and (d) shows the state where the outer cylindrical portion is at the cartridge shutter open position. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 1A is a front view of the toner cartridge with an outer cylindrical portion in a cartridge shutter closed position, and FIG. 2B is a front sectional view of the toner cartridge of FIG. (C) is a side sectional view of the toner cartridge of (a), (d) is a left side view of the toner cartridge of (a), and (e) is a cartridge shutter whose outer cylindrical portion is a cartridge shutter. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the toner cartridge in an open position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the toner cartridge and the main body casing as viewed from the rear upper right side in order to explain attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge with respect to the main body casing, and FIG. , (B) shows a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body casing and the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter closed position, and (c) shows a state in which the outer cylindrical portion is in the cartridge shutter open position in (b). Indicates. It is principal part side sectional drawing of the laser printer shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 2 Main body casing 7 Reading scanner unit 8 Toner cartridge 9 Process part 11 Process attachment-and-detachment opening 20 Storage part left side wall 33 Case supply hole 34 Case return hole 37 1st case shutter 71 2nd case shutter 73 Axis holding | maintenance Member 91 Outer cylindrical portion 96 Cartridge supply hole 107 Bearing groove 112 Cartridge return hole 136 Photosensitive drum 147 Drum shaft 154 Development roller 171 Development supply hole 174 Development return hole 177 Development shutter

Claims (10)

A housing,
A developer that is attached to and detached from the housing and includes a developer carrier that carries the developer, and has a first opening;
A first shutter provided in the developing unit and opening and closing the first opening;
A second opening that is attached to and detached from the housing and faces the first opening when mounted on the housing is formed, and a developer to be supplied to the developer carrier is accommodated. A developer cartridge,
A second shutter provided on the developer cartridge and opening and closing the second opening;
The housing includes a wall provided between the developing device and the developer cartridge and having a third opening facing the first opening and the second opening. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation of the first shutter and the opening / closing operation of the second shutter are independent of each other.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge is disposed in the housing so as to face the developer carrier in a longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a holding member that holds one side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device is provided on a side surface of the wall that faces the developing device. The developing device includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holding member holds a shaft of the image carrier.   The holding member is formed with a bearing groove for guiding the shaft of the image carrier when the developing device is attached / detached, and the bearing groove extends in a direction parallel to the wall. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. A third shutter provided on the wall for opening and closing the third opening from a side surface facing the developing unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation of the first shutter and the opening / closing operation of the third shutter are interlocked with each other. The housing is provided with a fourth opening at a position facing the developing device in the attaching / detaching direction of the developing device in order to pass the developing device attached to and detached from the housing.
An opening / closing member covering the fourth opening so as to be openable and closable;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third shutter is opened and closed in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member. A fourth shutter provided on the wall for opening and closing the third opening from a side surface facing the developer cartridge;
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation of the second shutter and the opening / closing operation of the fourth shutter are interlocked with each other. The first opening includes a first supply side opening for supplying a developer to the developer carrier and a first return side opening for receiving the developer from the developer carrier,
The second opening includes a second supply side opening for supplying developer to the first supply side opening, and a second return side opening for receiving developer from the first return side opening. Including
The third opening includes a third supply side opening for allowing the developer to pass from the second supply side opening to the first supply side opening, and the second return side from the first return side opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third return side opening for allowing the developer to pass through the side opening.

Images