JP2010175830A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus showing no unnatural appearance when consumable components such as toner bottles are attached. <P>SOLUTION: A color copying machine includes: interchangeable toner bottles 32M each of which is used for image formation; and a toner bottle accommodating section accommodating the toner bottle 32M. The lower cover 105b of the front face of the toner bottle accommodating section is provided with an opening to/from which the toner bottle 32M is inserted or removed. The opening has recess and projection for alignment with the toner bottle 32M. The toner bottle 32M has another recess and projection for alignment with the above recess and projection. When the combination of the recess and projection is proper, the toner bottle 32M can be accommodated in the toner bottle accommodating section. In the color copying machine, the toner bottle 32M is provided with a flange 107M covering the opening of the toner accommodating section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.

  In a conventional color image forming apparatus, in order to reduce maintenance work such as toner replenishment and replacement of consumable parts, a developing device containing consumable parts such as an image carrier, a charging device, and a cleaning device and toner is used as a process cartridge. In some cases, the toner is replenished from the toner bottle to the developing device in such a manner that the process cartridge and the toner bottle can be separately attached and detached, for example (see Patent Document 1).

  In this case, in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the process cartridges of the respective colors, the combination shape (uneven shape) of the connection portion between the toner replenishing portion and the toner transport pipe of the process cartridge is configured to be different for each color. . With this configuration, when the toner transport pipe is inserted into the toner replenishing portion, even if the color is wrong, it can be inserted due to the difference in shape and the erroneous mounting can be detected directly.

  Further, the toner bottle is provided with a handle, and the toner bottle is placed on the bottle container and the handle is rotated to connect the toner bottle and the bottle container. Note that there is no description about a configuration in which the combination shape of the connection portion between the toner bottle and the bottle container is different for each color.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, when the toner conveying pipe is inserted into the insertion port formed on one surface of the toner replenishing portion, the uneven shape of the insertion port is exposed, and thus there is a sense of incongruity in appearance.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can eliminate a sense of incongruity in appearance of a place where a consumable part such as a toner bottle is mounted. .

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a replaceable part for image formation and a part accommodating unit that accommodates the part, and an opening for inserting and removing the part is provided on a front surface of the component accommodating part. The opening is provided with a receiving position aligning part for aligning with the part, and the part is provided with a part aligning part for aligning with the receiving position aligning part, In the image forming apparatus in which the component can be accommodated in the component accommodating means when the combination of the concave and convex shapes of the accommodating position aligning portion and the component aligning portion is appropriate, the component covers the opening on the component. It has the structure which provided the part.

  According to this configuration, since the covering portion of the housed component covers the opening (insertion / removal hole) formed in the front surface of the component housing means, the uneven shape of the housing positioning portion formed in the opening is There is no exposure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance from occurring when parts are replaced.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a stepped portion is provided on the front surface of the component housing means, the opening is provided at a lower stage of the stepped portion, and the component alignment portion is provided on the insertion end side of the component. It has a configuration.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the covering portion may be configured to be in contact with the lower step of the step portion and form substantially the same surface as the lower step.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the component may be a substantially cylindrical toner bottle for each color, and the combination of the concave and convex shapes of the storage position alignment unit and the component alignment unit may be different for each color. have.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate a sense of discomfort in the appearance of a mounting position of a component such as a toner bottle by providing a covering portion that covers an insertion / removal hole for inserting and removing the component on a component such as a toner bottle. An image forming apparatus having the effect as described above can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a color copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a color copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner bottle housing portion as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner bottle as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an opening of a toner bottle storage unit as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flange portion of a toner bottle as an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a toner conveying device as an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device as an embodiment of the present invention.

  A color copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A color copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 1, a color copying machine 1 is a quadruple tandem type color copying machine, and an operation display unit 60 having a display and operation buttons, and a document D to be read (see FIG. 2) to a reading position. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 200 for conveying, an image reading unit (scanner) 81 for reading an image of a document conveyed or placed on a contact glass (not shown), and an image of the document or transmitted. The image forming unit 100 forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data, and the sheet feeding unit 80 feeds the recording sheet to the image forming unit 100.

  In the image forming unit 100, a toner bottle storage unit 31 (see FIG. 4) that stores toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K of four colors (yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C, black: K) in a detachable manner. 2). The toner bottle container 31 is exposed by opening the outer cover 102 of the housing. In a state where the outer cover 102 is opened, the front surface of the toner bottle housing portion 31 is covered with the cover 105, and the tip portions of the toner bottles 32 </ b> Y, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> C, and 32 </ b> K protrude from the cover 105. In FIG. 1, the description of a flange (for example, 107Y in FIG. 4) formed at the tip of the toner bottle is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 200 takes out the original table 61 for placing the original D and the original D on the original table 61, separates them one by one, and moves them to the reading position on the contact glass (not shown). Separation conveyance unit (pickup roller, paper feed belt, separation roller, registration roller, etc.) for reverse conveyance, paper discharge tray 23 for discharging the original D after reading, and various sensors (document set sensor, registration roller) (not shown) Sensor) and a control unit (not shown).

  The ADF 200 is connected to the image reading unit 81 by a hinge or the like, and is mounted on the contact glass of the image reading unit 81 so as to be opened and closed. By opening the ADF 200 with respect to the document conveyance surface, the document D can be placed on the contact glass or removed from the contact glass, and by closing the document conveyance surface, the document D can be contact glass. The surface can be pressed.

  The image reading unit 81 emits light from the light source 81a toward the document D placed on the contact glass, and reflects the reflected light through the first mirror 81b, the second mirror 81c, and the third mirror 81d. The light is condensed by 81e and an image of the original D on the contact glass is formed on the CCD 81f. Further, when the image reading unit 81 performs reading in the sub-scanning direction, the second mirror 81c and the third mirror 81d are “while the light source 81a and the first mirror 81b are advanced by“ 1 ”to the right side in FIG. By advancing by “½”, scanning is performed while keeping the optical path length of the lens 81e constant.

  Further, the image reading unit 81 moves under the contact glass while reading a document placed on the contact glass, and stops at a position below the contact glass reading position, and is placed on the document table 61. The original D is read by a sheet-through method in which the placed original D is read while being conveyed to a reading position.

  It should be noted that operation modes such as the automatic conveyance mode (ADF mode) for reading a document by the above-described sheet through method and the pressure plate mode for reading a document by the above-described fixed document reading method can be arbitrarily set by operating the operation display unit 60. It has become.

  The image forming unit 100 includes four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating four-color toner images. These use toners of different colors (Y, M, C, K) as image forming substances. The toner is replaced before reaching the end of its life.

  For example, the process cartridge 6Y for forming a Y toner image includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1Y, a drum cleaning device 2Y, a charge eliminating device (not shown), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, and the like (see FIG. 8). The process cartridge 6Y is detachable from the image forming unit 100, so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time. The other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K have the same configuration.

  The charging device 4Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y that rotates clockwise. The uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is exposed and scanned by the laser beam of the exposure device 7 and carries a Y electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image for Y is developed into a Y toner image by the developing device 5Y, and is further intermediately transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. The drum cleaning device 2Y removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the intermediate transfer process. The static eliminator neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 1Y after cleaning. In the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K, toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 1M, 1C, and 1K in the same manner as described above, and are intermediately transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an exposure device 7 is disposed below the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. The exposure device 7 generates laser light based on the image data, and irradiates each of the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K for exposure. By this exposure, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are formed on the respective photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  Below the exposure device 7, a paper feed unit 80 having a paper feed cassette 26, a paper feed roller 27, a registration roller pair 28 and the like is disposed. The paper feed cassette 26 stacks and stores recording paper P, and a paper feed roller 27 is in contact with the uppermost recording paper P. As the paper feed roller 27 rotates counterclockwise, the uppermost recording paper P is fed toward the nip portion of the registration roller pair 28. The registration roller pair 28 sends the recording paper P to the secondary transfer nip at an appropriate timing.

  An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed above the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a cleaning device 10, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14, and the like. . The intermediate transfer belt 8 is endlessly moved counterclockwise while being stretched around three rollers. The primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. The primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K apply a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the back surface (inner peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 8. In the process in which the intermediate transfer belt 8 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images of the respective colors on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are superimposed and primarily transferred. A four-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the primary transfer.

  The secondary transfer backup roller 12 forms a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer belt 8 sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 19 and the secondary transfer roller 19. The four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P at the secondary transfer nip. Here, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed by the cleaning device 10.

  The recording paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip is pressed and heated when passing through the fixing device 20, and the four-color toner image transferred to the surface is fixed. The recording paper P after the fixing process is discharged to the stack unit 30 through the paper discharge roller pair 29 and is sequentially stacked.

  Next, the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K and the toner bottle container 31 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the four color toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are accommodated in the toner bottle accommodating portion 31 in a state of being arranged in a substantially horizontal row. The toners in the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are appropriately replenished to the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by toner transfer devices 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, which will be described later, respectively. Is done. The toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K can be attached to and detached from the main body of the color copying machine 1 independently of the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner bottle 32Y is a toner container that is rotatable in the axial direction, and a handle 35Y and a flange portion 107Y are formed at the front end portion (front end portion) of the bottle main body 33Y. A resin case 34 </ b> Y is formed at the rear end supported by 31. The flange portion 107Y is in contact with the lower cover 105b in a state where the toner bottle 32Y is accommodated in the toner bottle accommodating portion 31, and covers the opening (insertion / removal hole 109 (see FIG. 5)). On the outer periphery of the rear end portion (the outer periphery of the resin case 34Y), a plurality of convex portions 104a and 104b having different shapes for respective colors are formed at two locations. Further, on the resin case 34Y side of the bottle main body 33Y, a gear (not shown) that rotates integrally with the bottle main body and a toner discharge port (not shown) are provided. Further, on the resin case 34Y side of the bottle main body 33Y, a convex portion or a concave portion (a fitting portion (not shown)) for preventing the rotation of the toner bottle 32Y when it is accommodated in the toner bottle accommodating portion 31 is formed. . Such a toner bottle 32Y is produced, for example, by blow molding a soft elastic resin such as a polyethylene resin. The other toner bottles 32M, 32C, and 32K have the same configuration.

  The toner bottle container 31 supports the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K so that the shafts can rotate. The toner bottle container 31 has a discharge port shutter (not shown) for opening and closing a toner discharge port (not shown) provided on the bottom surface (end surface opposite to the handle 35) of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. ) Is provided. The toner bottle housing part 31 is provided with a convex part or a concave part (not shown) for preventing the contained toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K from rotating. Similarly, concave portions 106a, 106c and convex portions 106b for aligning the convex portions 104a, 104b at the rear end portions of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K and the concave portions between the projections are provided (see FIG. 5). ). Such a toner bottle container 31 is produced by molding, for example, polyacetal resin (POM) or acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (ABS) having elasticity and impact resistance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front surface of the toner bottle housing 31 is covered with an upper cover 105a and a lower cover 105b. The upper cover 105a and the lower cover 105b form a cover 105 having a step. An insertion / removal hole 109 (see FIG. 5) for inserting / removing the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K is opened in the lower cover 105b. In FIG. 3, the flanges 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K (see FIG. 7) formed in the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are omitted to show the shape of the opening.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an insertion / removal hole 109 is provided in the lower cover 105b of the toner bottle container 31, so that the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are inserted from the rear end. In the opening of the insertion / removal hole 109, concave portions 106a, 106c and convex portions 106b for aligning with the convex portions 104a, 104b at the rear ends of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K and the concave portions between the protrusions are formed. Has been. Here, the shape of the protrusions 104a and 104b is different for each toner color. Therefore, when the toner bottle to be inserted is mistaken, it is possible to detect the color difference of the toner because the alignment cannot be performed at the start of the toner bottle insertion.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, in a state where the toner bottle 32M is accommodated in the toner bottle accommodating portion 31, the flange portion 107M of the toner bottle 32M covers the lower cover 105b. In this case, the opening (insertion / removal hole 109) provided in the lower cover 105b is covered with the flange 107M, and the recesses 106a and 106c and the protrusion 106b (see FIG. 5) provided in the opening are not exposed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a sense of discomfort in the appearance of the opening into which the toner bottle 32M is inserted.

  In addition, a letter “M” is written on the surface of the flange portion 107M as toner color information 108b and 108c in the toner bottle 32M. On the other hand, on the surface of the lower cover 105b (or may be the upper cover 105a), a letter “M” is written as the color information 108a of the toner bottle to be inserted into the insertion / removal hole of the toner bottle container 31. By selecting the toner bottle 32M so that both the letters “M” match, it is possible to prevent erroneous installation such as when toner is replaced. The other toner bottles 32Y, 32C, and 32K have the same configuration for insertion / removal holes.

  Next, the configuration and operation for conveying the toner in the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K to the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The toner conveying devices 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K (see FIG. 7) are provided on the main body of the color copying machine 1 on the side of the intermediate transfer unit 15 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the toner transport device 40Y includes a drive motor 41Y, a drive gear 42Y, and a toner transport pipe 43Y. A resin coil (not shown) is provided inside the toner transport pipe 43Y. The drive gear 42Y meshes with the gear 37Y of the toner bottle 32Y, and the bottle main body 33Y rotates together with the gear 37Y by the rotation of the drive motor 41Y. The other toner conveying devices 40M, 40C, and 40K have the same configuration.

  In FIG. 8, in the developing device 5Y, a developer layer is formed on the developing sleeve 51Y by taking the developer from the first developer accommodating portion 53Y. When the developer is not in the predetermined toner concentration range, the toner is replenished from the toner replenishing portion 58Y to the second developer containing portion 54Y. The toner taken in the developer is charged by friction with the carrier. The charged developer is supplied to the surface of the developing sleeve 51Y having a magnetic pole inside and is carried by a magnetic force. The developer layer formed on the developing sleeve 51Y is conveyed in the arrow direction as the developing sleeve 51Y rotates. On the way, after the thickness of the developer layer is regulated by the doctor 52Y, it is transported to the developing area facing the photoreceptor 1Y. In the development area, development is performed based on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y. The developer remaining on the developing sleeve 51Y is conveyed upstream in the conveying direction of the first developer accommodating portion 53Y as the developing sleeve 51Y rotates.

  Here, when the density detection sensor 56Y of the developing device 5Y detects an insufficient toner density in the second developer accommodating portion 54Y, a detection signal is output to the control portion 57Y. Based on this detection signal, a replenishment signal is output from the controller 57Y to the drive motor 41Y, and the drive motor 41Y rotates. Since a helical toner guide groove is formed on the inner surface of the inner wall of the bottle main body 33Y, the toner inside is conveyed from the back side of the bottle main body 33Y to the resin case 34Y side at the tip by rotation. The toner in the bottle body 33Y falls from a discharge port (not shown) of the resin case 34Y to a toner receiving portion (not shown) of the toner conveying device 40Y. The toner receiving portion is connected to the toner transport pipe 43Y. The rotation of the drive motor 41Y rotates the bottle main body 33Y and simultaneously the coil in the toner transport pipe 43Y. The toner that has fallen to the toner receiving portion by the rotation of the coil is transported to the tip of the toner transport pipe 43Y and supplied to the toner replenishing portion 58Y.

  Finally, a procedure for attaching the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K will be described.

  First, the outer cover 102 of the color copying machine 1 is opened to expose the toner bottle storage unit 31. Next, a toner bottle is selected based on the color information 108 a written in the vicinity of the opening of the lower cover 105 b of the toner bottle storage unit 31. For example, the toner bottle 32Y is selected, and the toner bottle 32Y is inserted into the opening (insertion / removal hole 109) of the toner bottle storage unit 31 from the rear end side. For example, alignment is performed by the convex portions 104a and 104b, the concave portions 106a and 106c, and the convex portion 106b). Further, the toner bottle 32Y is inserted and set (fitted) in the toner bottle accommodating portion 31. In this case, the discharge port shutter (not shown) of the toner bottle housing part 31 moves on the bottom surface of the resin case 34Y, and the toner discharge port (not shown) is opened. At the same time, the resin case 34Y and the toner bottle container 31 are connected and fixed. At the same time as the toner bottle 32Y is set in the toner bottle housing portion 31, the flange portion 107Y of the toner bottle 32Y covers the opening.

  On the other hand, when the toner bottle 32Y is removed from the toner bottle container 31, the connection between the resin case 34Y and the toner bottle container 31 is released by grasping the handle 35Y and pulling it toward the front. At the same time, the discharge port shutter (not shown) of the toner bottle container 31 is closed and the toner discharge port (not shown) is closed. Further, the toner bottle 32Y can be taken out from the toner bottle storage portion 31 while the handle 35Y is held. In this case, as described above, the toner bottle 32Y is aligned with the opening (insertion / removal hole 109) of the toner bottle housing portion 31, and the toner bottle 32Y is taken out without any trouble. In the state in which the toner bottle 32Y is taken out from the toner bottle container 31, the discharge port shutter (not shown) is not opened even if the handle 35Y and the resin case 34Y are rotated.

  According to such a color copying machine 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, the insertion / removal hole 109 provided in the cover 105 of the toner bottle housing portion 31 is inserted into the flange portion 107Y of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. , 107M, 107C, and 107K, the positioning unevenness provided in the opening (for example, the recesses 106a and 106c and the protrusion 106b) is not exposed. Therefore, for example, when the outer cover 102 is opened in order to replace the toner bottle, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance from occurring.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the positioning convex portions 104a and 104b are formed on the rear end side (insertion end side) of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and thus are provided in the opening. The combination of the concave and convex shapes for positioning (for example, the concave portions 106a and 106c and the convex portion 106b) allows the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K to be correct or incorrect at the start of insertion of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. It is possible to determine whether the toner bottle is to be inserted into the hole. Further, since the insertion / removal hole 109 of the toner bottle storage portion 31 is formed in the lower cover 105b on the back side, the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are inserted in comparison with the case where it is formed on the upper cover 105a on the front side. In the removed state, the uneven shape for positioning becomes inconspicuous.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are accommodated, and the lower cover 105b of the toner bottle accommodating portion 31 provided with the insertion / removal holes 109, the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, Since the flange portions 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K of 32C and 32K are substantially the same surface, the number of surfaces of the toner bottle accommodating portion 31 can be reduced compared to the case where both surfaces are not identical. . Accordingly, when the outer cover 102 is opened, the front surface of the toner bottle housing part 31 can be made flat to eliminate the uncomfortable appearance.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K for each color are accommodated, the uneven shape for positioning that differs for each color (for example, the convex portions 104a and 104b of the toner bottle, the toner bottle) An erroneous set can be detected at an early stage by the combination of the concave portions 106a and 106c and the convex portion 106b) of the opening portion of the accommodating portion 31. In addition, flange portions 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107K that are substantially flush with the front surface (for example, the lower cover 105b) of the toner bottle housing portion 31 are formed in any of the plurality of toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Therefore, when the outer cover 102 is opened, it is possible to prevent an uncomfortable appearance from occurring.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the toner color information 108a is displayed on the periphery of the opening (insertion / removal hole 109) of the toner bottle container 31, and the flange 107Y of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. , 107M, 107C, and 107K also display toner color information 108b and 108c, so that the toner bottles can be selected so that both color information match.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are used as replaceable parts of the image forming apparatus has been described. Even if a unit (PCU) or the like is used, the same erroneous set prevention effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to components that are rotated and positioned after being set horizontally as in a conventional ink bottle.

  As described above, the present invention has an effect that the complicated shape of the insertion / removal hole of the replacement part such as the toner bottle is made inconspicuous, and the discomfort in the appearance of the place where the replacement part is mounted can be eliminated. In addition, it is useful as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.

1 Color copier (image forming device)
1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K photoconductor 2Y drum cleaning device 4Y charging device 5Y developing device 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K process cartridge 7 exposure device 8 intermediate transfer belt 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K primary transfer bias roller 10 cleaning device 12 Secondary transfer backup roller 13 Cleaning backup roller 14 Tension roller 15 Intermediate transfer unit 19 Secondary transfer roller 20 Fixing device 23 Paper discharge tray 26 Paper feed cassette 27 Paper feed roller 28 Registration roller pair 29 Paper discharge roller pair 30 Stack section 31 Toner bottle storage (component storage means)
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K Toner bottle (parts)
33Y body 34Y resin case 35Y handle 37Y gear 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K toner conveying device 41Y drive motor 43Y toner conveying pipe 51Y developing sleeve 52Y doctor 53Y first developer accommodating portion 54Y second developer accommodating portion 55Y toner conveying screw 56Y Density detection sensor 57Y control unit 58Y toner replenishing unit 60 operation display unit 61 document table 80 paper feed unit 81 image reading unit (scanner)
100 Image forming unit 102 Outer cover 104a, 104b Convex part (part alignment part, concave / convex shape)
105 Cover 105a Upper cover 105b Lower cover (lower step)
106a, 106c Concave part (accommodating position aligning part, uneven shape)
106b Convex part (accommodating position aligning part, uneven shape)
107Y, 107M, 107C, 107K Flange (cover)
108a, 108b, 108c Color information 109 Insertion / removal hole 200 ADF

JP 2005-62422 A

Claims (4)

A replaceable component for image formation; and a component storage means for storing the component; an opening for inserting and removing the component is provided on a front surface of the component storage means; Is provided with a receiving position aligning portion for aligning with the component, and the component is provided with a component aligning portion for aligning with the receiving position aligning portion, and the accommodating position aligning portion and the component In the image forming apparatus in which the component can be accommodated in the component accommodating means when the combination of the uneven shape with the alignment portion is appropriate,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the part is provided with a covering portion that covers the opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a step portion provided on a front surface of the component housing means; the opening portion provided below the step portion; and the component alignment portion provided on an insertion end side of the component. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion is in contact with a lower stage of the stepped portion and forms substantially the same surface as the lower stage. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle for each color, and a combination of concave and convex shapes of the storage position alignment unit and the component alignment unit is different for each color.

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