JP2010072275A - Toner conveying device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner conveying device that suppresses toner leak and smoothly moves a shutter member, and to provide an image forming apparatus using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The toner conveying device 105 includes: a toner inlet 105b for charging toner supplied from a toner cartridge 20, and a toner outlet 105c for discharging the supplied toner toward the developing device 102; a lever 105e that is operated in contact with the developing device 102; a shutter member 105d that opens/closes the toner outlet 105c in cooperation with the lever 105e; and a guide member 106 that guides the shutter member 105d. In the toner conveying device 105, the guide member 106 is swingable in the direction in which the developing device 102 is attached or detached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner conveying device that conveys toner to a developing device and an image forming apparatus using the toner conveying device, and more particularly, to a toner hopper, a toner bottle, or the like that is replaceably attached to an image forming device such as a laser beam printer or a multifunction machine. The present invention relates to a toner conveying device that conveys toner from a toner cartridge to a developing device and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image with a simple operation in a short time and is easy to maintain and manage. For example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, etc. Widely popular.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “image forming apparatus”) includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like. Yes.

  The photosensitive drum is a roller-like member having a photosensitive film formed on the surface thereof. The charging device receives a voltage and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential. The exposure device irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum with light corresponding to image information to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum and develops the toner image. The transfer device transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording medium (paper).

  The fixing device includes, for example, a fixing roller that includes a heating device therein and a pressure roller that is in pressure contact with the fixing roller. When the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image passes through the pressure contact portion between the fixing roller and the pressure roller, the toner image is thermally fixed to the recording medium. As a result, an image is printed on the recording medium.

  The developing device includes a developing roller disposed opposite to a rotating photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing tank that stores the developer. The developing roller sensitizes the developer in the developing tank. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed by being conveyed to the photosensitive drum side. Here, when the developer is a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier, the carrier is left in the developing tank, and only the toner is used for development and consumed. The consumed toner is replenished into the developing tank by a separate toner replenishing device.

  In a developing device using a two-component developer, it is necessary to mix and stir the carrier and the toner with a stirring member. The agitating member performs so-called preliminary agitation in which the developer in the developing tank is agitated for a predetermined time to be charged to a predetermined value or more before the developing operation is performed by the developing device. Further, when the developing device starts a developing operation, the stirring member stirs the developer in the tank, and mixes and stirs the toner replenished from the toner cartridge and the developer in the tank. The stirred developer is supplied to the photosensitive drum and is used for developing the electrostatic latent image.

  To replenish the toner in the developing tank, the toner cartridge or toner transport pipe outlet and the developer tank replenishing port communicate with each other, and an appropriate amount of toner is supplied from the toner cartridge or the toner transport pipe to the developing tank according to a predetermined timing. It is realized by replenishing. A shutter is provided at the discharge port.

  In the system using the toner transport pipe, the shutter opens the discharge port when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Further, when the developing device is removed from the image forming apparatus, the discharge port is closed by a shutter so that toner does not leak from the discharge port and the replenishment port.

  For example, as a conventional technology, an image forming apparatus is provided with a shutter that can freely open and close one opening of a toner conveying device (for example, a toner conveying pipe) that communicates a toner hopper and a developing unit. The shutter opens and closes by moving forward and backward. Specifically, the shutter opens the opening when the developing unit is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and closes the opening when the developing unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main body ( (See Patent Document 1).

  However, if the opening of the toner conveying device is opened and closed using the shutter as described above, a shutter escape space (storage space) is required when the opening is opened, which hinders space saving of the image forming apparatus. There is a problem of becoming.

As another technique, a developer replenishing device including a shutter member made of a flexible sheet is disclosed in an image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 2). According to this configuration, since the shutter member made of a flexible sheet is easily deformed, the shutter member can be made compact, and accordingly, the storage space for the shutter member can be made compact, thereby contributing to space saving of the image forming apparatus.
JP 2007-78848 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-230684

  However, when the developing device is attached and detached, if the contact state between the guide member of the toner transport pipe and the upper surface of the developing device is poor, gaps and backlash are likely to occur, causing malfunction of the shutter member, and toner leaking from this gap. Had occurred.

  Therefore, as a solution to the above-described conventional problem, it is conceivable to increase the gap between the toner transport pipe and the guide member in consideration of the operation of the shutter member, but there is a problem that toner leakage increases. On the other hand, if the gap is reduced, toner leakage is suppressed, but the load on the shutter member is increased and it becomes difficult to smoothly move the shutter member forward and backward.

  As another measure, a mechanism for adjusting the gap between the toner transport pipe and the guide member by moving the guide member up and down is provided so that the shutter member comes into contact with the toner transport pipe in an optimum state to perform smooth transport. However, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the timing of operation control is difficult.

Here, the conventional problem will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing an example of a mounting state of the developing device in the toner conveying device constituting the conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the developing device mounted on the toner conveying device. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before the toner is transferred, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the developing device is mounted on the toner conveying device.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a conventional image forming apparatus (not shown) is configured such that the developing device 102 is slidably mounted in the arrow A direction from the right side in the drawing to the toner conveying device 205. Yes. The toner transport device 205 includes a toner transport pipe 205a having a toner introduction port 205b and a toner discharge port 205c, a sheet-like shutter member 205d, a lever 205e, a shutter member holding portion 205f, a spring elastic member 205g, and a guide member 206. It is prepared for.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the developing device 102 is provided with a lever pressing portion 102o for pressing the lever 205e of the toner conveying device 205 on the rear side 102a1, and opened upward at the rear side end portion thereof. A toner introduction port 102h is formed.

  When the developing device 102 advances in the left direction (arrow A direction) in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 7B, the toner communication port 206c formed in the guide member 206 is opposed to the toner introduction port 102h. Thus, the lever pressing portion 102o comes into contact with the lever 205e. At the same time, the shutter member holding portion 205f starts to move upward (arrow B direction) in the figure in conjunction with the movement of the lever 205e. Thereby, the shutter member 205d having one end fixed to the shutter member holding portion 205f starts to move in the left direction (arrow C direction) in the figure.

  Thereafter, when the developing device 102 advances in the left direction (arrow A direction) in the drawing, the toner passage hole 205dh provided in the middle of the shutter member 205d is conveyed to a position facing the toner discharge port 205c. When the developing device 102 further proceeds in the left direction (arrow C direction) in the figure, the toner passage hole 205dh completely coincides with the toner discharge port 205c and stops.

  Since the conventional shutter member 205d has a constant thickness and moves according to the movement of the lever 205e, the driving force is small when the shutter member 205d is advanced and retracted, but the toner conveying pipe 205a and the guide member 206 are required. There is a problem that the toner in the toner transport pipe 205a easily enters between the spaces 206s. Therefore, when the developing device 102 is attached to and detached from the toner transport device 205, toner leakage occurs, which causes dirt inside the device main body and toner scattering. Further, there is a problem that the shutter member 205d does not move and is locked.

  The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems, and in a toner conveying device that opens and closes a toner discharge port by a shutter member, toner conveyance that achieves both suppression of toner leakage and smooth movement of the shutter member. An object is to provide an apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same.

A toner conveying device according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the toner conveying device for solving the above-described problems are as follows.
The present invention provides a toner conveying member having a toner introduction port for introducing toner supplied from a toner storage unit in which toner is stored, and a toner discharge port for discharging toner supplied from the toner storage unit to the developing device side. A lever member that interlocks with an operation of sliding the developing device in a substantially horizontal direction to attach and detach, and a shutter member that moves along the toner discharge port in conjunction with the lever member to open and close the toner discharge port. And a guide member that guides movement of the shutter member along the toner discharge port, wherein the guide member is provided so as to be swingable along a direction in which the developing device is attached / detached. It is what.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the configuration of the guide member is an R shape at the corner of the end adjacent to the developing device.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the configuration of the guide member is an R-shaped inner corner portion in contact with the shutter member.

  In the present invention, the thickness of the shutter member is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 2 mm.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner from a toner container using a toner conveying device to a developing device that supplies toner to a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image. The toner conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is used as the toner conveying device.

  According to the present invention, a toner having a toner introduction port that introduces toner supplied from a toner storage unit that stores toner, and a toner discharge port that discharges toner supplied from the toner storage unit to the developing device side. A conveying member, a lever member that is interlocked with an operation of attaching and detaching the developing device in a substantially horizontal direction, and a shutter that opens and closes the toner discharging port by moving along the toner discharging port in conjunction with the lever member And a guide member that guides movement of the shutter member along the toner discharge port. The guide member is provided so as to be swingable along a direction in which the developing device is attached and detached. Since the guide member is swung and moved in the direction in which it is pushed or pulled out, it is possible to suppress the resistance load when the developing device is mounted / removed. The developing apparatus can be moved to a proper position with respect to the transport apparatus, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the contact portion between the developing device and the toner conveying device (communicating portion).

  Further, according to the present invention, the configuration of the guide member is such that the shape of the corner of the end adjacent to the developing device is an R shape, so that the resistance load when the developing device is attached and detached can be reduced. Can do.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the configuration of the guide member is such that the shape of the inner corner portion in contact with the shutter member is an R shape.

Further, according to the present invention, by forming the thickness of the shutter member in the range of 0.05 to 2 mm, resistance to movement of the shutter member and strength are ensured.
In addition, when the thickness of the shutter member is less than 0.05 mm, there is no repeated strength. Moreover, if the thickness of the shutter member exceeds 2 mm, a large driving force is required, and it becomes difficult to ensure a bent shape.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner from a toner container using a toner conveying device to a developing device that supplies toner to a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image. The toner conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is used as the toner conveying device, so that the inside of the toner storage portion and the inside of the developing device are connected via the toner conveying device. By communicating, toner leakage can be prevented from the contact portion (communication portion) between the developing device and the toner conveying device, and the toner inside the toner accommodating portion can be easily supplied into the developing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment supplies a toner to a photosensitive drum 101 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a toner conveying device 105 is added to a developing device 102 that forms a toner image. In the image forming apparatus configured to replenish toner from the toner cartridge (toner storage unit) 20, the configuration of the toner conveying apparatus according to the present invention is adopted as the toner conveying apparatus 105. is there.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment forms multi-color and single-color images on a sheet based on read image data of a document or image data transmitted via a network or the like. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an exposure unit E, a photosensitive drum 101 (101a to 101d), a developing device 102 (102a to 102d), a charging roller 103 (103a to 103d), and a cleaning unit. 104 (104a to 104d), intermediate transfer belt 11, primary transfer roller 13 (13a to 13d), secondary transfer roller 14, fixing device 15, paper transport paths P1, P2, and P3, paper feed cassette 16, and manual paper feed tray 17, a paper discharge tray 18, a toner cartridge 20, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to the hues of four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), which are three subtractive primary colors obtained by color separation of black (K) and a color image. Image formation is performed in the image forming unit 55 (55a to 55d) using the image data.

  The image forming units 55a to 55d correspond to color images using each color. Accordingly, the developing device 102 (102a to 102d), the photosensitive drum 101 (101a to 101d), the charging roller 103 (103a to 103d), and the cleaning unit 104 (104a to 104d) generate four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors. Four each are provided to form.

  The image forming units 55a to 55d have the same configuration. For example, the black image forming unit 55a includes a photosensitive drum 101a, a developing device 102a, a charging roller 103a, a primary transfer roller 13a, a cleaning unit 104a, and the like. . The image forming units 55 a to 55 d are arranged in a line in the moving direction (sub-scanning direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  The symbols a to d correspond to a for black, b for cyan, c for magenta, and d for yellow, and the above-mentioned means distinguished by these symbols constitute four image stations. Has been.

  An exposure unit E, which is an exposure apparatus of this embodiment, includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror 4, a first reflection mirror 7, a second reflection mirror 8, and the like (not shown), and each hue of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Each of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d is irradiated with a light beam such as a laser beam modulated by the image data. On each of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d, an electrostatic latent image is formed based on image data of each hue of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

  In the present embodiment, the exposure unit E is a method using a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser irradiation unit and a reflection mirror. For example, an EL or LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array. You may use the thing of the method using.

  The photosensitive drum 101 is a substantially cylindrical image carrier disposed above the exposure unit E, and is controlled to rotate in a predetermined direction by a driving unit and a control unit (not shown). The photosensitive drum 101 is configured by forming a photoconductive layer on a base material. For example, a metal drum made of aluminum or the like is used as a base material, and a photoconductive layer such as amorphous silicon (a-Si), selenium (Se), or an organic photo semiconductor (OPC) is formed in a thin film on the outer peripheral surface thereof. ing. Note that the configuration of the photosensitive drum 101 is not particularly limited to the above-described configuration.

  The charging roller 103 is a contact-type charger that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined potential. Instead of the charging roller 103, a contact type charger using a charging brush or a non-contact type charger using a charging wire may be used.

  The developing device 102 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Each of the developing devices 102a to 102d contains toner of each hue of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and the electrostatic latent image of each hue formed on each of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d is black, cyan. Then, the toner images are visualized as magenta and yellow toner images. The cleaning unit 104 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt 11 disposed above the photosensitive drum 101 is stretched between the driving roller 11a and the driven roller 11b to form a loop-shaped movement path. The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 faces the photosensitive drum 101d, the photosensitive drum 101c, the photosensitive drum 101b, and the photosensitive drum 101a in this order. Primary transfer rollers 13a to 13d are arranged at positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 101a to 101d with the intermediate transfer belt 11 interposed therebetween. Each of the positions where the intermediate transfer belt 11 faces the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d is a primary transfer position. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is formed endlessly with a film having a thickness of about 100 to 150 μm.

  The primary transfer rollers 13a to 13d have constant voltage control of a primary transfer bias opposite to the charging polarity of the toner in order to transfer the toner images carried on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d onto the intermediate transfer belt 11. Applied. As a result, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 101 (101a to 101d) are sequentially superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, and a full-color toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. It is formed.

  However, when image data of only a part of the hues of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is input, some of the four photosensitive drums 101a to 101d corresponding to the hue of the input image data. Only the photosensitive drum 101 forms an electrostatic latent image and a toner image. For example, when forming a monochrome image, an electrostatic latent image and a toner image are formed only on the photosensitive drum 101 a corresponding to the black hue, and only the black toner image is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Is done.

  Each of the primary transfer rollers 13a to 13d is configured by covering the surface of a shaft made of a metal (for example, stainless steel) having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). A high voltage is uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the elastic material. In this embodiment, the primary transfer rollers 13a to 13d are used as the transfer electrodes, but brushes and the like can also be used.

  The toner image transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 at each primary transfer position is conveyed to a secondary transfer position that is a position facing the secondary transfer roller 14 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 11. The secondary transfer roller 14 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 whose inner peripheral surface is in contact with the peripheral surface of the driving roller 11a at a predetermined nip pressure during image formation. In order to constantly obtain the nip pressure, either the secondary transfer roller 14 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 11a is made of a hard material such as metal, and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller (elastic rubber roller or Foamed resin roller, etc.).

  When paper fed from the paper feed cassette 16 or the manual paper feed tray 17 passes between the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 11, the secondary transfer roller 14 is charged with the toner charging polarity (-). Is applied with a high voltage of reverse polarity (+). As described above, the electrostatic latent images on the respective photoconductive drums 101 (101a to 101d) are visualized with toners corresponding to the respective hues to become toner images, and these toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11. Are stacked. Thereafter, the stacked toner images are moved to a contact position between the conveyed paper and the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 11, and are transferred by the secondary transfer roller 14 disposed at this position. A toner image is transferred from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 onto the sheet.

  The toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 11 due to the contact between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the photosensitive drum 101 and the toner image remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 are not transferred when the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 11 to the sheet. The toner that has been used becomes a cause of toner color mixing in the next step, and is therefore removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 12.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 12 includes a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 11. The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 11 in contact with the cleaning blade is supported from the back side by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 11b.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred as a visible image is guided to a fixing device 15 including a heating roller 15a and a pressure roller 15b, and passes between the heating roller 15a and the pressure roller 15b to be heated and pressed. Receive. As a result, the toner image that becomes a visible image is firmly fixed on the surface of the paper. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 18 by the paper discharge roller 18a.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, a substantially vertical direction for feeding the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 16 to the paper discharge tray 18 between the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 and via the fixing device 15. Paper transport path P1 is provided.

  In the paper transport path P1, a pickup roller 16a that feeds the paper in the paper feed cassette 16 one by one into the paper transport path P1, a transport roller r10 that transports the fed paper upward, and the transported paper A registration roller 19 that guides between the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 at a predetermined timing, and a paper discharge roller 18 a that discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 18 are disposed.

  Further, inside the image forming apparatus 100, a sheet conveyance path P <b> 2 in which a pickup roller 17 a and a conveyance roller r <b> 10 are arranged is formed between the manual sheet feeding tray 17 and the registration roller 19. Further, a paper transport path P3 is formed between the paper discharge roller 18a and the upstream side of the registration roller 19 in the paper transport path P1.

  The paper discharge roller 18a is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and is used for forming a single-sided image for forming an image on one side of a sheet and for forming a second-side image in forming a double-sided image for forming an image on both sides of a sheet. Driven in the forward direction, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 18.

  On the other hand, when the first side image is formed in the double-sided image formation, the paper discharge roller 18a is driven in the normal rotation direction until the rear end of the paper passes the fixing device 15, and then the rear end of the paper is sandwiched. Driven in the reverse direction, the paper is guided into the paper transport path P3. As a result, the paper on which the image is formed on only one side when the double-sided image is formed is guided to the paper transport path P1 with the front and back surfaces and the front and rear ends reversed.

  The registration roller 19 performs secondary transfer of paper fed from the paper feed cassette 16 or the manual paper feed tray 17 or transported via the paper transport path P3 at a timing synchronized with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Guided between the roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 11. For this reason, the registration roller 19 stops rotating when the operation of the photosensitive drum 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 is started, and the sheet fed or conveyed prior to the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 11 has the front end at the registration roller 19. The movement in the sheet conveyance path P1 is stopped in a state where the sheet 19 is in contact with the sheet 19. Thereafter, the registration roller 19 is a position where the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 are in pressure contact with each other, at a timing when the front end portion of the sheet and the front end portion of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 face each other. Start spinning.

  Note that in all of the image forming units 55a to 55d, the primary transfer rollers 13a to 13d press the intermediate transfer belt 11 against all of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d when full-color images are formed. On the other hand, during monochrome image formation in which image formation is performed only in the image forming unit 55a, only the primary transfer roller 13a is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11 against the photosensitive drum 101a.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the toner conveying device 105 constituting the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the developing device constituting the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are installations of the developing device in the characteristic toner conveying device constituting the image forming apparatus. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a state, in which FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before the developing device is mounted on the toner transport device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a configuration of a shutter member holding portion constituting the toner conveying device, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a shutter member constituting the toner conveying device.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that the developing device 102 is slidably mounted in the arrow A direction from the right side in the drawing to the toner conveying device 105. . The toner transport device 105 includes a toner transport pipe (toner transport member) 105a having a toner introduction port 105b and a toner discharge port 105c, a sheet-like shutter member 105d, a lever 105e, a shutter member holding portion 105f, and an elastic member (including a spring). And a guide member 106.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the developing device 102 is provided with a lever pressing portion 102o that presses the lever 105e of the toner conveying device 105 on the rear side 102a1, and at the rear side end, A toner introduction port 102h that is open is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the toner conveying device 105 is configured by separating a lower portion on the toner conveying pipe 105a side and a guide member 106 covering the lower portion. A toner discharge port 105c for discharging toner is formed at the lower end of the toner transport pipe 105a. In the guide member 106, a toner communication port 106c having the same shape as the toner discharge port 105c is formed at a position facing the toner discharge port 105c.

  A space in which the shutter member 105d can move between the toner transport pipe 105a and the guide member 106 in a state in which the toner transport pipe 105a and the guide member 106 are assembled (the spaces in FIGS. 7A and 7B). 206s).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter member 105d extends downward from the shutter member holding portion 105f in the drawing, covers the toner discharge port 105c formed at the bottom of the toner transport pipe 105a, and further extends along the back wall. It is extended upwards.

  Further, the toner conveying pipe 105a is formed in an R shape at both lower side end portions 105r and 105r which are in contact with the shutter member 105d. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce a load when the shutter member 105d moves while being in contact with both side end portions 105r and 105r.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 106 slides and removes the developing device 102 with the support portion 106a pivotally supported by the attachment portion 105a1 of the toner transport pipe 105a as a fulcrum, that is, from the front side in FIG. It is provided so as to be swingable along the rear side.

  Further, the guide member 106 is formed in an R shape at the corners of both side end portions 106r1 and 106r1 facing the developing device 102. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce a resistance load caused by the contact between the guide member 106 and the developing device 102 when the developing device 102 is attached and detached.

  Further, on the inner side of the guide member 106, the shape of the corner portion (defined as the inner corner portion) of the inner end portion 106r2 in contact with the shutter member 105d is formed in an R shape. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the slip of the shutter member 105d and reduce the load with respect to movement.

Next, the shape of the shutter member 105d will be specifically described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shutter member 105d is configured in a wider range than the toner discharge port 105c, and has a rectangular toner passage hole 105dh. This shutter member 105d is sized using a polyethylene terephthalate resin, which is a resin having excellent strength, so that the thickness t becomes 0.5 mm.

  If the thickness t of the shutter member 105d is less than 0.05 mm, the strength is not repeated. If the thickness t exceeds 2 mm, a large driving force is required when the shutter member 105d is conveyed, and it becomes difficult to ensure a bent shape.

  Next, an operation when the developing device 102 is attached to and detached from the toner conveying device 105 of this embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the developing device 102 is a replaceable member, and as shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 102 is slid on the upper surface of a developing device support base (not shown) to make the developing device 102 an image forming device. 100 can be removed.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the developing device 102 is detached from the image forming apparatus 100, in the toner conveying device 105, no external force is applied to the end of the lever 105e, and the elastic member (Not shown) is a restored state.

  Accordingly, when the developing device 102 is detached from the image forming apparatus 100, the toner discharge port 105c of the toner transport pipe 105a is blocked by the shutter member 105d, and the toner in the toner transport pipe 105a is blocked by the toner discharge port 105c. There is no leakage from the vicinity.

  When the developing device 102 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, when the developing device 102 shown in FIG. 3A proceeds in the left direction (arrow A direction) in the drawing, as shown in FIG. The part 102o contacts the lever 105e and pushes in the lever 105e. At the same time, the shutter member holding portion 105f starts to move upward in the figure in conjunction with the movement of the lever 105e. As a result, the shutter member 105d having one end fixed to the shutter member holding portion 105f starts to move in the left direction in the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the guide member 106 is normally stationary substantially parallel to the horizontal direction. When the developing device 102 is mounted and comes into contact with the upper portion of the developing device 102, as shown in FIG. 3B, the right end 106r1 in the drawing is tilted downward so that the load at the time of contact escapes. It has become.

  Thereafter, when the developing device 102 advances in the left direction (arrow A direction) in the drawing, the toner passage hole 105dh provided in the middle of the shutter member 105d is conveyed to a position facing the toner discharge port 105c. Then, when the developing device 102 further advances in the left direction (arrow A direction) in the drawing, the toner introduction port 102h of the developing device 102 is disposed oppositely below the toner communication port 106c of the toner conveying device 105. The toner passage hole 105dh is completely aligned with the toner discharge port 105c and stopped.

  Thereafter, the guide member 106 returns to the horizontal direction and stops, so that a smooth mounting operation can be performed. Then, the toner communication port 106 c of the toner conveying device 105 and the toner introduction port 102 h of the developing device 102 communicate with each other, so that the toner can be supplied from the toner conveying device 105 to the developing device 102.

  When the developing device 102 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the toner discharge port 105c of the toner transport pipe 105a is blocked by the shutter member 105d by performing an operation reverse to the above-described operation, causing toner leakage. The developing device 102 can be easily removed without any trouble.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, in the toner conveying device 105, the guide member 106 is provided so as to be able to swing along the direction in which the developing device 102 is attached and detached, thereby contacting the developing device 102. In this case, since the guide member 106 swings and moves in the direction in which the guide member 106 is pushed or pulled out, it is possible to suppress a resistance load when the developing device 102 is attached / detached. Since the shutter 102d can be moved smoothly by positioning the member 102 at an appropriate position, toner leakage from the contact portion between the developing device 102 and the toner conveying device 105 can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the shape of the toner passage hole 105dh formed in the shutter member 105d is a rectangular shape similar to that of the toner discharge port 105c. However, the present invention is limited to the shape of the toner passage hole 105dh. It is not a thing.

  For example, as a modification, as shown in FIG. 6, a shutter member 115d may be formed with a hexagonal toner passage hole 115dh. With this configuration, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the end shape of the opening of the toner passage hole 115dh is formed to be inclined along the conveyance direction of the shutter member 115d. When the hole 115dh and the toner discharge port 105c start to overlap, the interval in the width direction between the end portion of the toner passage hole 115dh and the end portion of the toner discharge port 105c gradually increases. As a result, the contact pressure with the guide member 106 gradually changes, so that the shutter member 115d can be smoothly advanced and retracted, and the amount of toner entering the space between the toner transport pipe 105a and the guide member 106 can be reduced. Can be suppressed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described image forming apparatus or copying machine as long as the toner transport device is used for replenishing toner. The present invention is not limited and can be developed in other image forming apparatuses.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described based on an electrophotographic digital full-color multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital system, and an analog printer / The same applies to facsimiles and the like.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. That is, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood as a thing.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developing device that constitutes the image forming apparatus. (A) is an explanatory view showing a state before the developing device is attached to the toner conveying device constituting the image forming apparatus, and (b) is an explanatory view showing a state where the developing device is attached to the toner conveying device. is there. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a configuration of a shutter member holding portion that constitutes the toner conveying device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a shutter member that configures the toner conveying device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the modification of the said shutter member. (A) is an explanatory view showing a state before a developing device is attached to a toner conveying device constituting a conventional image forming apparatus, and (b) is an explanatory view showing a state where the developing device is attached to the toner conveying device. It is.

Explanation of symbols

20 toner cartridge 100 image forming apparatus 102 developing apparatus 102a1 rear side 102h toner introduction port 102o lever pressing part 105 toner conveying apparatus 105a toner conveying pipe (toner conveying member)
105b Toner introduction port 105c Toner discharge port 105d, 115d Shutter member 105dh, 115dh Toner passage hole 105e Lever (lever member)
105f Shutter member holding portion 105r End portion 106 Guide member 106c Toner communication port 106r1 End portion 106r2 Inner end portion

Claims (5)

A toner conveying member having a toner introduction port for introducing toner supplied from a toner storage unit in which toner is stored, and a toner discharge port for discharging toner supplied from the toner storage unit toward the developing device; and the development A lever member interlocked with an operation of sliding the device in a substantially horizontal direction to be attached and detached, a shutter member that moves along the toner discharge port in conjunction with the lever member to open and close the toner discharge port, and the shutter member A guide member that guides the movement of the toner along the toner discharge port,
The toner conveying device, wherein the guide member is provided so as to be swingable along a direction in which the developing device is attached / detached.   The toner conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has an R shape at a corner of an end portion facing the developing device.   The toner conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member has an R shape in an inner corner portion in contact with the shutter member.   4. The toner conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the shutter member is in a range of 0.05 to 2 mm. 5. In an image forming apparatus for supplying toner from a toner container to a developing device that supplies toner to a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and forms a toner image,
An image forming apparatus using the toner conveying device according to claim 1 as the toner conveying device.

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