JP2011257488A - Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same, capable of providing both functions of supplying toner to the outside and returning (recovering) toner from the outside.SOLUTION: An inner case 51 of a toner cartridge 11 has a space 60 inside for accommodating toner. In addition, the inner case 51 has a first case side opening 53 and a second case side opening 54 that are formed therein and communicate the inside and the outside. A toner cartridge 11 is provided with an outer case 52. The outer case 52 is installed so as to be capable of switching to: a closing position in which it closes both the first case side opening 53 and the second case side opening 54; a first opening position in which it closes the second case side opening 54 and opens only the first case side opening 53; and a second opening position in which it closes the first case side opening 53 and opens only the second case side opening 54.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer and a toner cartridge provided in the apparatus main body.

  In an example of an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a photosensitive unit holding four photosensitive drums is detachably provided in the apparatus main body. A developing unit that holds a developing roller is attached to the photosensitive unit corresponding to each photosensitive drum. The developing unit is formed with a developing chamber that accommodates a developing roller, and a developer cartridge that accommodates toner is coupled to the developing chamber.

  The developer cartridge has communication holes that are opened and closed by a shutter piece at one end and the other end in the width direction (the axial direction of the developing roller). Correspondingly, the developing unit is formed with a communication hole that is opened and closed by a shutter piece at a position facing each communication hole of the developer cartridge in a state where the developer cartridge is coupled.

  In a state where the developer cartridge is coupled to the developing chamber, all the shutter pieces are opened, and the developing chamber of the developing unit and the inside of the developer cartridge are communicated with each other through the communicating holes at both ends. The toner in the developer cartridge is supplied to the developing chamber through the communication hole at one end, and the toner in the developing chamber is returned to the developer cartridge through the communication hole at the other end. As a result, the toner circulates between the developing chamber and the developer cartridge, and toner retention in the developing chamber is prevented.

JP 2009-86149 A

  When the toner in the developer cartridge runs out, all the shutter pieces are closed, the developer cartridge is separated from the developing chamber, and a new developer cartridge is coupled to the developing chamber. At this time, old toner (toner supplied from the previous developer cartridge into the developing chamber) remains in the developing chamber. Therefore, when new toner is supplied from the new developer cartridge into the developing chamber, the old toner and new toner are mixed in the developing chamber. As a result, the quality of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is lowered due to the difference between the charge amount of the old toner and the charge amount of the new toner.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge that can realize both functions of supplying toner to the outside and returning (collecting) the toner from the outside.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a toner cartridge having a space for accommodating toner inside, a housing side first opening (supply port) that communicates inside and outside, and a housing side first. A housing in which two openings (return ports) are formed, a closed position that closes both the housing-side first opening and the housing-side second opening, a first opening position that opens only the housing-side first opening, And a shutter provided to be displaceable at a second opening position that opens only the housing-side second opening.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body; a developing unit provided in the apparatus main body; a toner cartridge mounted in the apparatus main body and coupled to the developing unit; And a shutter displacement mechanism that is provided in the apparatus main body and displaces the shutter, and the toner cartridge has a space for accommodating toner therein, and a housing-side first opening (supply) Mouth) and the housing side second opening (return port), the closed position for closing both the housing side first opening and the housing side second opening, and opening only the housing side first opening. And a shutter provided so as to be displaceable at a second open position that opens only the housing-side second opening.

  According to the first and second inventions, the housing of the toner cartridge has a space for accommodating the toner therein. Moreover, the housing | casing side 1st opening and housing | casing side 2nd opening which connect the inside and outside are formed in the housing | casing. The toner cartridge is provided with a shutter. The shutter includes a closing position that closes both the housing-side first opening and the housing-side second opening, a first opening position that closes the housing-side second opening and opens only the housing-side first opening, and a housing-side opening. The first opening is closed so as to be displaceable to a second opening position where only the housing-side second opening is opened.

  The housing side first opening and the housing side second opening can be used as, for example, a supply port for supplying toner to the outside and a return port for returning (collecting) toner from the outside. When the shutter is disposed at the first open position, the housing-side first opening is opened and the housing-side second opening is closed, so that toner is supplied from the inside of the housing to the outside through the housing-side first opening. Can do. Further, when the shutter is disposed at the second open position, the housing-side second opening is opened and the housing-side first opening is closed, so that toner is collected from the outside through the housing-side second opening. can do.

  Therefore, both functions of supplying toner to the outside and returning (collecting) the toner from the outside can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the color printer shown in FIG. 2 and shows a state in which the drawer unit is pulled out from the main body casing. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. 3 and shows a state where a toner cartridge is mounted. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. 3 and shows a state where the toner cartridge is detached. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a portion surrounded by a circle indicated by a broken line in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge taken along the cutting line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inner housing shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main casing shown in FIG. 1 and shows an internal configuration of the main casing. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the color printer shown in FIG. 3, and schematically shows a mechanism for moving the developing device side shutter and rotating the inner housing. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge, the drive gear, and the shutter drive transmission mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 3, and shows a state where the housing side first opening and the housing side second opening are closed. FIG. 13B is a left side view schematically showing the position of the retaining boss shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the retaining groove shown in FIG. 6, with the housing side first opening and the housing side second opening being closed. Indicates the state. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 3, and shows a state where the housing-side first opening is opened and the housing-side second opening is closed. 14B is a left side view schematically showing the position of the retaining boss shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the retaining groove shown in FIG. 6, with the housing-side first opening being opened and the housing-side second opening being shown. Indicates a closed state. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 3, and shows a state where the housing-side first opening is closed and the housing-side second opening is opened. 15B is a left side view schematically showing the position of the retaining boss shown in FIG. 7 with respect to the retaining groove shown in FIG. 6, with the housing-side first opening being closed and the housing-side second opening being shown. Indicates the opened state. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the color printer shown in FIG. 16 and shows a state in which the drawer unit is pulled out from the main body casing. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. 15 and shows a state where the toner cartridge is detached. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a portion surrounded by a circle indicated by a broken line in FIG. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the lower left. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge, the drive gear, and the shutter drive transmission mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 15 and shows a state where the housing side first opening and the housing side second opening are closed. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 15 and shows a state where the housing-side first opening is opened and the housing-side second opening is closed. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit and the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 15 and shows a state in which the housing side first opening is closed and the housing side second opening is opened.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. Configuration of Color Printer A color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a main body casing 2 as an example of an apparatus main body, as shown in FIGS. A drawer unit 3 is mounted in the main casing 2 as shown in FIG. A front cover 4 is provided on the front surface of the main casing 2 so as to be openable and closable. The drawer unit 3 is located between the housing position (position shown in FIG. 2) in the main casing 2 and the drawer position (position shown in FIG. 3) outside the main casing 2 with the front cover 4 opened. Can be moved horizontally.

  The side on which the front cover 4 is provided (left side in FIG. 2) is the front side (front side) of the color printer 1. In addition, regarding the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the color printer 1, the color printer 1 is viewed from the front side. The drawer unit 3 and the toner cartridge 11 attached to the drawer unit 3 will be described based on the direction in which the drawer unit 3 is attached to the main casing 2 unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the color printer 1 is a tandem type color printer. The drawer unit 3 holds four photosensitive drums 5 so as to be rotatable about rotation axes extending in the left-right direction. The four photosensitive drums 5 are provided for the respective colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the front-rear direction in the order of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan from the front side.

  The drawer unit 3 holds four chargers 6. The four chargers 6 are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 5, respectively, and are disposed on the rear upper side of the corresponding photosensitive drums 5. The charger 6 is, for example, a scorotron charger having a wire and a grid.

  Furthermore, four developing devices 7 are held in the drawer unit 3. The four developing devices 7 are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 5, respectively, and are disposed on the front upper side of the corresponding photosensitive drums 5. Each developing device 7 includes a developing frame 8 and a developing roller 9 and a supply roller 10 accommodated in the developing frame 8. The developing roller 9 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 5.

  In the drawer unit 3, a space 12 for mounting a toner cartridge 11 that contains toner is provided above each developing device 7. The toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12 above each developing device 7 from above the drawer unit 3 in a state where the drawer unit 3 is pulled out to the drawing position. The developing device 7 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 11.

  In the main casing 2, an exposure unit 13 that emits four laser beams corresponding to each color is disposed above the drawer unit 3.

  As the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly charged by the discharge from the charger 6 and then selectively exposed by the laser beam from the exposure unit 13. By this exposure, electric charges are selectively removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 5, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5. When the electrostatic latent image faces the developing roller 9, toner is supplied from the developing roller 9 to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

  Instead of the exposure device 13, four LED arrays may be provided corresponding to each photosensitive drum 5.

  At the bottom of the main casing 2, a paper feed cassette 14 that stores paper P is disposed. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is transported onto the transport belt 15 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 15 is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums 5 from below. A transfer roller 16 is disposed at each position facing the photosensitive drum 5 with the upper portion of the conveyance belt 15 interposed therebetween. The paper P transported on the transport belt 15 sequentially passes between the transport belt 15 and each photosensitive drum 5 as the transport belt 15 travels. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred to the paper P when facing the paper P.

  A fixing device 17 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the conveyance belt 15. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 17. In the fixing device 17, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 18 on the upper surface of the main casing 2 by various rollers.

In FIG. 3, the paper discharge tray 18 is not shown.
2. Drawer Unit (1) Drawer Frame As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the drawer unit 3 includes a drawer frame 21 as an example of a holding member. The drawer frame 21 includes a pair of side plates 22 and 23 facing each other with a space in the left-right direction, a front beam 24 laid between the front end portions of the side plates 22 and 23, and the rear end portions of the side plates 22 and 23. A rear beam 25 is provided between them, and has a rectangular frame shape as a whole in plan view.

  The four photosensitive drums 5, the four chargers 6, and the four developing units 7 (see FIG. 2) are collectively held by the side plates 22 and 23 while being sandwiched from both the left and right sides. Between the side plates 22 and 23, a space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11 is provided above each developing device 7. In other words, the side plates 22, 23 hold the four photosensitive drums 5, the charger 6, and the developing unit 7, and have a space in the left and right direction that secures a space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11. Facing each other in the direction.

  On the outer side surfaces of the side plates 22 and 23, flanges 26 and 27 that form ridges extending in the front-rear direction are formed over the entire length in the front-rear direction at positions slightly below the upper edge.

  On the inner side surface (left side surface) of the right side plate 23, as shown in FIG. 5, a holding portion 28 for receiving and holding a support portion 58 (see FIG. 8) of the toner cartridge 11 described later is formed. The holding portion 28 is a concave portion having a U-shaped outer shape that is notched downward from the upper end edge of the side plate 23, and has a width that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the support portion 58 in the front-rear direction. The outer peripheral surface of the portion 58 is curved with substantially the same curvature.

  A retaining groove 29 into which a retaining boss 59 (see FIG. 8) of the toner cartridge 11 described later is fitted is formed on the inner surface of the right side plate 23 below the holding portion 28. The retaining groove 29 is spaced apart from the lower end edge of the holding portion 28, has a C shape in a side view and curves along the lower end edge, and is recessed from the inner side surface of the side plate 23 to the right side.

A communication part 30 is formed between the lowermost end part of the holding part 28 and the retaining groove 29 so as to communicate therewith. The communication portion 30 has a width that allows the retaining boss 59 of the toner cartridge 11 to pass in the front-rear direction.
(2) Development Frame As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the development frame 8 is disposed at equal intervals in the front-rear direction and is laid between the side plates 22 and 23. Each space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11 is divided by the developing frame 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing frame 8 is formed with a developing chamber 41 that houses the developing roller 9 and the supply roller 10. The developing chamber 41 is open on the photosensitive drum 5 side, and the developing roller 9 is disposed at the open end of the developing chamber 41. The supply roller 10 is disposed on the front side of the developing roller 9. 2 and 7, the developing chamber 41 is provided with an auger 42 for conveying the toner in the developing chamber 41 from the central portion in the developing chamber 41 to the left and right sides.

  In FIG. 7, some hatching of the cross section is omitted in order to improve the visibility of the drawing.

  The developing frame 8 has a plate-like partition wall 43 that is convexly curved in an arc shape toward the developing chamber 41 side between the developing chamber 41 and the space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11. The partition wall 43 partitions the inside of the developing frame 8 into a developing chamber 41 and a space 12 above it.

  As shown in FIG. 5, three rectangular openings 44 are formed in the partition wall 43 at intervals in the left-right direction. The developing chamber 41 and the space 12 communicate with each other through these openings 44.

  On the partition wall 43, as shown in FIG. 5, a developing device side shutter 45 is provided. The developing device side shutter 45 has a plate shape that extends in the left-right direction and curves along the partition wall 43. As shown in FIG. 6, two convex portions 46 extending toward the right side are formed at the right end portion of the developing device side shutter 45 at intervals in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, at the left end portion of the developing device side shutter 45, two convex portions 46 extending toward the left side are formed at an interval in the front-rear direction. The convex portions 46 are movably received in grooves 47 formed in the partition wall 43, so that the developing device side shutter 45 is slidable in the front-rear direction along the partition wall 43.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the developing device side shutter 45 is formed with three rectangular shutter supply ports 48 spaced in the left-right direction. Further, a rectangular shutter return port 49 is formed in the developing device side shutter 45 at a position spaced forward from each shutter supply port 48. That is, in the developing device side shutter 45, three rectangular shutter return ports 49 are formed in front of the shutter supply port 48 and spaced in the left-right direction. The three shutter supply ports 48 and the three shutter return ports 49 are arranged at the same position as the three openings 44 formed in the partition wall 43 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the developing device side shutter 45 is slid in the front-rear direction, the three shutter supply ports 48 are opposed to the three openings 44, and the three shutter return ports 49 are opposed to the three openings 44. Can be taken selectively.

The developing device side shutter 45 is formed with a substantially square fitting hole 50 at a position spaced apart from the left side of the leftmost shutter return port 49 and the right side of the rightmost shutter return port 49.
3. Toner Cartridge As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner cartridge 11 includes an inner casing 51 as an example of a hollow cylindrical casing with an open left end surface, and the inner casing 51 rotatably accommodated. And an outer casing 52 as an example of a hollow cylindrical shutter having an open right end surface.
(1) Inner housing As shown in FIG. 9, three housing-side first openings 53 are formed on the peripheral surface of the inner housing 51 at intervals in the left-right direction. The three first housing-side openings 53 are respectively arranged at positions facing the three shutter supply ports 48 in a state where the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12 on the partition wall 43.

  In addition, three casing-side second openings 54 are formed on the peripheral surface of the inner casing 51 at intervals in the left-right direction. The three housing-side second openings 54 are respectively arranged at positions facing the three shutter return ports 49 when the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12 on the partition wall 43. Further, an outer opening 64 (described later) is provided between the housing-side second opening 54 and the housing-side first opening 53 facing the housing-side second opening 54 in the circumferential direction of the peripheral surface of the inner housing 51. An interval larger than the width in the circumferential direction is provided.

  Furthermore, the prismatic shutter drive fitting is provided on the peripheral surface of the inner casing 51 at a position spaced apart from the left side of the leftmost casing side second opening 54 and the right side of the rightmost casing side second opening 54. A protrusion 55 is provided. The interval between the shutter drive fitting projection 55 and the housing-side second opening 54 adjacent thereto is the same as the interval between the fitting hole 50 and the shutter return port 49 adjacent thereto.

  A disc-shaped right side plate 56 having a larger diameter than the peripheral surface of the inner casing 51 is provided on the right end surface of the inner casing 51. Gear teeth 57 are formed on the circumferential surface of the right side plate 56 over the entire circumference. Further, a disc-shaped support portion 58 having a smaller diameter than the right side plate 56 is formed on the right end surface of the right side plate 56 so that the centers thereof coincide with each other. Further, a columnar retaining boss 59 projects from the right end surface of the right side plate 56 between the periphery of the support portion 58 and the periphery of the right side plate 56. The retaining boss 59 is disposed at the same position as the shutter driving fitting protrusion 55 in the direction along the peripheral surface of the inner casing 51.

2 and 13A, a partition wall 63 for dividing the space 60 in the inner housing 51 into a supply toner storage chamber 61 and a return toner storage chamber 62 is formed in the inner housing 51. ing. The supply toner storage chamber 61 communicates with the housing-side first opening 53 and stores toner to be supplied to the development chamber 41. The return toner storage chamber 62 communicates with the housing-side second opening 54 and is formed to store the toner returned from the developing chamber 41.
(2) Outer housing As shown in FIG. 8, three outer openings 64 are formed on the peripheral surface of the outer housing 52 at intervals in the left-right direction. The three outer openings 64 are arranged at the same position as the three first housing-side openings 53 (the second housing-side openings 54) in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the inner casing 51 is rotated with respect to the outer casing 52, the three casing-side first openings 53 are opposed to the three outer openings 64, and the three casing-side second openings 54 are The three outer openings 64 can be opposed to each other.

Further, an insertion hole 65 through which the shutter driving fitting projection 55 is inserted is formed on the peripheral surface of the outer casing 52. The insertion hole 65 extends along the peripheral surface of the outer casing 52, and the inner hole 51 is rotated to selectively oppose the casing-side first opening 53 and the casing-side second opening 54 to the outer opening 64. It has a length that does not inhibit movement.
(3) Toner Seal A toner seal 66 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing 52 so as to surround the outer opening 64 as shown in FIGS.
4). Configuration in Main Body Casing (1) Guide Rail As shown in FIG. 10, guides 71 and 72 are formed on the left and right inner surfaces of the main body casing 2, respectively. Specifically, a groove 73 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the left inner surface of the main casing 2 (the inner surface on the left side with respect to the space in which the drawer unit 3 is accommodated). A guide 71 for receiving the flange portion 26 of the side plate 22 from below is formed. On the other hand, a ridge 74 having a rectangular cross section extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the right inner surface of the main casing 2 (the inner surface on the right side with respect to the space housing the drawer unit 3). The upper surface of the protrusion 74 is formed at the same height as the lower surface of the groove 73 that is the guide 71, and forms a guide 72 that receives the flange portion 27 of the side plate 23 of the drawer frame 21 from below.

The drawer units 3 are held by the guides 71 and 72 when the flange portions 26 and 27 are received by the guides 71 and 72 from below, respectively. In this state, the collar portions 26 and 27 slide on the guides 71 and 72, respectively, so that the drawer unit 3 is placed in a housing position in the main casing 2 and a drawing position outside the main casing 2 (see FIG. 3). It is provided so that it can move between.
(2) Drive Gear Four drive gears 75 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction at the right end in the main casing 2. The four drive gears 75 are on the left side of the guide 72 and at a position spaced apart from the guide 72 and corresponding to the height of the drawer frame 21 in the vertical direction, the upper half of the drive gear 75 is It is provided in a state of being exposed to a space for accommodating the drawer unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the driving force of the motor M is input to each driving gear 75.

The color printer 1 includes a control unit 76 having a configuration including a microcomputer, and driving of each motor M is controlled by a control unit 76 as an example of a displacement control unit.
5). Shutter drive transmission mechanism The drawer frame 21 receives the driving force input from the motors M to the drive gears 75 in the state where the drawer unit 3 is located in the housing position in the main casing 2. A shutter drive transmission mechanism 81 is provided for transmission to the camera. The motor M, the drive gear 75, the gear teeth 57, and the shutter drive transmission mechanism 81 constitute an example of a shutter displacement mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the shutter drive transmission mechanism 81 includes a first transmission gear 82 provided corresponding to each drive gear 75, a second transmission gear 83 that meshes with the first transmission gear 82, and a second transmission gear 82. A third transmission gear 84 meshing with the transmission gear 83 and a fourth transmission gear 86 attached to a shaft 85 (see FIG. 7) common to the third transmission gear 84 are provided.

  The first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 83, and the third transmission gear 84 are disposed on the outer side (right side) of the right side plate 23 of the drawer frame 21 and are rotatably supported by the side plate 23. The first transmission gear 82 is disposed at the lower end portion of the side plate 23, and the lower half portion of the first transmission gear 82 projects downward from the lower end edge of the side plate 23.

The fourth transmission gear 86 is disposed on the inner side (left side) of the side plate 23 and is rotatably supported by the side plate 23. As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth transmission gear 86 is provided such that its upper portion is exposed upward from between the right end edge of the partition wall 43 and the side plate 23.
6). Operation when the toner cartridge is attached / detached As shown in FIG. 3, each space in the drawer frame 21 in a state in which the drawer unit 3 (drawer frame 21) is pulled out to a drawing position (see FIG. 2) outside the main body casing 2. 12 is opened upward. The toner cartridge 11 is attached to and detached from each space 12 from above.

  When the toner cartridge 11 is not mounted in the space 12, as shown in FIG. 13A, the shutter supply port 48 and the shutter return port 49 in the developer-side shutter 45 with respect to the opening 44 formed in the partition wall 43. The part between is opposite.

  On the other hand, in a state in which the toner cartridge 11 is detached from the drawer unit 3, a portion between the housing side first opening 53 and the housing side second opening 54 in the inner housing 51 with respect to the outer opening 64 of the outer housing 52. Opposite. As a result, the first housing-side opening 53 and the second housing-side opening 54 face the outer housing 52 with the toner seal 66 interposed therebetween, and are closed by the toner seal 66. The position of the outer casing 52 with respect to the inner casing 51 at this time is an example of a closed position.

  When the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12, the toner cartridge 11 is in a posture in which the retaining boss 59 is disposed at the lowermost part of the toner cartridge 11. Then, the toner cartridge 11 is lowered from vertically above the space 12, and the retaining boss 59 is disposed in the retaining groove 29 through the holding portion 28 and the communication portion 30, as shown in FIG. 13B.

  In a state immediately after the toner cartridge 11 is installed in the space 12, the support portion 58 formed on the right side plate 56 of the inner casing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 is held by the holding portion 28, as shown in FIG. The gear teeth 57 formed on the peripheral surface of the right side plate 56 mesh with the fourth transmission gear 86 from above. Further, the shutter driving fitting protrusion 55 of the toner cartridge 11 is fitted into the fitting hole 50 of the developing device side shutter 45.

  Thereafter, the drawer unit 3 is moved to the accommodation position in the main casing 2 (see FIG. 2). When the drawer unit 3 is positioned at the storage position, the motor 76 (see FIG. 11) is controlled by the control unit 76 (see FIG. 11), and the motor M is normally rotated by a predetermined rotation amount. Then, the driving force from the motor M is transmitted from the driving gear 75 to the gear teeth 57 via the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 83, the third transmission gear 84 and the fourth transmission gear 86, and the inner casing 51. Rotates clockwise as seen from the right. Further, since the shutter driving fitting projection 55 is fitted in the fitting hole 50, the developing device side shutter 45 slides forward as the inner casing 51 rotates.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, the housing-side first opening 53 of the inner housing 51 faces the outer opening 64 of the outer housing 52, and the shutter supply port 48 of the developing device-side shutter 45 is the outer opening 64. And the opening 44 of the partition wall 43. As a result, the inside of the supply toner storage chamber 61 and the inside of the developing chamber 41 of the inner casing 51 communicate with each other via the first housing-side opening 53, the outer opening 64, the shutter supply port 48, and the opening 44. The toner accommodated in 61 is supplied into the developing chamber 41. Note that the position of the outer casing 52 relative to the inner casing 51 at this time is an example of a first open position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the retaining boss 59 moves forward in the retaining groove 29 by the rotation of the inner casing 51. As a result of this movement, the retaining boss 59 is fitted to a portion of the retaining groove 29 in front of the communicating portion 30, and movement in the vertical direction is restricted. Therefore, in this state, the toner cartridge 11 cannot be detached from the drawer frame 21.

  When the toner in the supply toner storage chamber 61 runs out due to repetition of the image forming operation (when the toner empty state is reached), the motor M is controlled by the control unit 76, and the motor M is reversely driven by a predetermined rotation amount. The Then, the driving force from the motor M is transmitted from the driving gear 75 to the gear teeth 57 via the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 83, the third transmission gear 84 and the fourth transmission gear 86, and the inner casing 51. Rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right. Further, since the shutter driving fitting projection 55 is fitted in the fitting hole 50, the developing device side shutter 45 slides backward as the inner casing 51 rotates.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 15A, the housing-side second opening 54 of the inner housing 51 faces the outer opening 64 of the outer housing 52, and the shutter return port 49 of the developer-side shutter 45 is the outer opening 64. And the opening 44 of the partition wall 43. As a result, the inside of the return toner storage chamber 62 and the inside of the developing chamber 41 of the inner casing 51 communicate with each other through the casing-side second opening 54, the outer opening 64, the shutter return opening 49, and the opening 44. The housing side second opening 54 is located at a position lower than the housing side first opening 53. Note that the position of the outer casing 52 relative to the inner casing 51 at this time is an example of a second open position.

  As the inner casing 51 rotates, the retaining boss 59 moves backward in the retaining groove 29 as shown in FIG. 15B. By this movement, the retaining boss 59 passes through the portion facing the communication portion 30 and is fitted to the rear portion of the retaining portion 29 in the retaining groove 29, so that the vertical movement is reduced. Be regulated. Therefore, in this state, the toner cartridge 11 cannot be detached from the drawer frame 21.

  In this state, the auger 42 is driven to rotate for a predetermined time. As a result, the toner remaining in the developing chamber 41 is sent into the return toner storage chamber 62 through the opening 44, the shutter return port 49, the outer opening 64, and the housing-side second opening 54.

  When the rotation driving of the auger 42 over a predetermined time is completed, the motor 76 is controlled by the control unit 76, and the motor M is normally driven by a predetermined rotation amount. By this driving, the inner casing 51 rotates clockwise as viewed from the right side, and the developing device side shutter 45 slides forward to enter the outer opening 64 of the outer casing 52 as shown in FIG. 13A. On the other hand, a portion of the inner casing 51 between the casing-side first opening 53 and the casing-side second opening 54 is opposed to the opening 44 of the partition wall 43, and the shutter supply port 48 and the shutter return in the developer-side shutter 45. The part between the mouth 49 faces. Further, the retaining boss 59 is disposed in a portion of the retaining groove 29 facing the communication portion 30. Accordingly, since the retaining boss 59 can be extracted from the retaining groove 29 through the communicating portion 30 and the holding portion 28, the toner cartridge 11 can be detached from the drawer frame 21.

Thereafter, the drawer unit 3 is pulled out to a pulling position outside the main casing 2 and the toner cartridge 11 is taken out from the space 12 upward. At this time, since the housing-side first opening 53 and the housing-side second opening 54 are closed, there is no possibility that the returned toner is spilled into the returning toner storage chamber 62.
7). Function and Effect (1) Function and Effect 1
As described above, the inner housing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 has the space 60 for accommodating the toner therein. The inner casing 51 is formed with a casing-side first opening 53 and a casing-side second opening 54 that communicate between the inside and the outside. The toner cartridge 11 is provided with an outer casing 52. The outer casing 52 has a closing position that closes both the casing-side first opening 53 and the casing-side second opening 54, and a first position that closes the casing-side second opening 54 and opens only the casing-side first opening 53. It is displaceably provided at an open position and a second open position that closes the casing-side first opening 53 and opens only the casing-side second opening 54.

  The first housing-side opening 53 and the second housing-side opening 54 are used as a supply port for supplying toner into the developing chamber 41 and a return port for returning (collecting) toner from the developing chamber 41, respectively. can do. When the outer casing 52 is disposed at the first open position, the casing-side first opening 53 is opened and the casing-side second opening 54 is closed, so that the casing-side first opening 53 is opened from the inner casing 51. Thus, toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 41. When the outer casing 52 is disposed at the second open position, the casing-side second opening 54 is opened and the casing-side first opening 53 is closed, so that the casing-side second opening 54 from the developing chamber 41 is closed. The toner can be collected in the inner housing 51 via the.

Therefore, both functions of supplying toner into the developing chamber 41 and returning (collecting) toner from the developing chamber 41 can be realized.
(2) Action effect 2
In the space 60 in the inner housing 51, a supply toner storage chamber 61 for storing toner to be supplied into the developing chamber 41 and a return toner storage chamber for storing toner returned from within the developing chamber 41. 62 is partitioned. The housing side first opening 53 communicates the inside of the supply toner storage chamber 61 with the outside, and the housing side second opening 54 communicates the inside of the return toner storage chamber 62 with the outside. Therefore, toner can be supplied from the supply toner storage chamber 61 into the developing chamber 41 through the housing-side first opening 53, and the return toner storage chamber 62 from within the developing chamber 41 through the housing-side second opening 54. The toner can be collected inside.
(3) Effect 3
The inner housing 51 has a circumferential outer peripheral surface. The housing side first opening 53 and the housing side second opening 54 are formed side by side in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 51. Therefore, the outer casing 52 can be displaced to the closed position, the first open position, and the second open position by relatively moving the inner casing 51 and the outer casing 52 in the circumferential direction.
(4) Action effect 4
Further, when toner is collected from the developing chamber 41 into the inner casing 51 through the casing-side second opening 54, the casing-side second opening 54 is disposed at a position lower than the casing-side first opening 53. The Therefore, the toner can be more favorably collected from the developing chamber 41 into the inner casing 51 through the casing-side second opening 54.
(5) Action effect 5
The outer casing 52 is moved relative to the inner casing 51 in one direction from the closed position, so that the outer casing 52 is disposed at the first open position, and the opposite direction from the closed position to the inner casing 51 By being moved relatively, it is arranged at the second open position. Therefore, when the outer casing 52 is displaced between the first open position and the closed position, the outer casing 52 is not positioned at the second open position during the displacement. Further, when the outer casing 52 is displaced between the second open position and the closed position, the outer casing 52 is not positioned at the first open position in the middle of the displacement. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the housing-side first opening 53 and the housing-side second opening 54 from being undesirably opened.
(6) Action effect 6
When the toner cartridge 11 is to be replaced (toner empty state), the outer casing 52 is displaced from the first open position to the second open position. Thereby, prior to the replacement of the toner cartridge 11, the toner can be collected from the developing chamber 41 into the inner casing 51 through the casing-side second opening 54.
(7) Action effect 7
Further, after the toner is collected from the developing chamber 41 into the inner casing 51 through the casing-side second opening 54, the outer casing 52 is displaced from the second open position to the closed position. Therefore, there is no possibility that toner will spill from the toner cartridge 11 after the toner cartridge 11 is separated from the developing device.
(8) Action effect 8
The color printer 1 includes a drawer frame 21 that is movably provided between a storage position stored in the main body casing 2 and a pull-out position pulled out of the apparatus main body. The developing device 7 is held by the drawer frame 21. The toner cartridge 11 can be attached to and detached from the drawer frame 21 in a state where the drawer frame 21 is located at the drawer position. Therefore, the toner cartridge 11 can be easily coupled / separated to / from the developing device 7 as compared with the configuration in which the developing device 7 is fixedly disposed in the main casing 2.

  In FIG. 9, the housing side first opening 53 and the housing side second opening 54 having substantially the same size are illustrated, but the housing side second opening 54 is preferably larger than the housing side first opening 53. . Accordingly, the toner can be favorably collected from the developing chamber 41 into the inner casing 51 through the casing-side second opening 54.

Further, the configuration in which the drawer unit 3 is movable between the storage position and the drawer position has been taken up. However, the drawer unit 3 may be fixed to the main body casing 2 at the storage position. In this case, a top cover is provided on the upper surface of the main body casing 2 so as to be openable and closable, and the toner cartridge 11 is attached to and detached from the drawer unit 3 through an opening formed when the top cover is opened.
Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The external configuration of the laser printer 101 according to the second embodiment is the same as the external configuration (see FIG. 1) of the laser printer 1 according to the first embodiment.
1. Overall Configuration of Color Printer As shown in FIG. 16, a color printer 101 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a main body casing 102 as an example of an apparatus main body. A drawer unit 103 is mounted in the main body casing 102. A front cover 104 is provided on the front surface of the main casing 102 so as to be opened and closed. Then, with the front cover 104 opened, the drawer unit 103 is horizontally positioned between the accommodation position (position shown in FIG. 16) in the main body casing 102 and the drawing position (see FIG. 17) outside the main body casing 102. Can be moved to.

  The side on which the front cover 104 is provided (the left side in FIG. 16) is the front side (front side) of the color printer 101. Further, regarding the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the color printer 101, the color printer 101 is taken as a reference when viewed from the front side. The drawer unit 103 and the toner cartridge 111 attached to the drawer unit 103 will be described with reference to the direction in which the drawer unit 103 is attached to the main casing 102 unless otherwise specified.

  The color printer 101 is a tandem type color printer. The drawer unit 103 holds four photosensitive drums 105 so as to be rotatable about rotation axes extending in the left-right direction. The four photosensitive drums 105 are provided for each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the front-rear direction in the order of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan from the front side.

  The drawer unit 103 holds four chargers 106. The four chargers 106 are provided corresponding to the respective photosensitive drums 105, and are arranged on the rear upper side of the corresponding photosensitive drums 105. The charger 106 is, for example, a scorotron charger having a wire and a grid.

  Furthermore, four developing units 107 are held in the drawer unit 103. The four developing units 107 are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 105, respectively, and are disposed in front of and above the corresponding photosensitive drums 105. Each developing device 107 includes a developing frame 108, a developing roller 109 and a supply roller 110 accommodated in the developing frame 108. The developing roller 109 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 105.

  In the drawer unit 103, a space 112 for mounting a toner cartridge 111 for storing toner is provided above each developing device 107. The toner cartridge 111 is mounted in a space 112 above each developing device 107 from above the drawer unit 103 in a state where the drawer unit 103 is pulled out to the drawing position. The developing device 107 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 111.

  In the main body casing 102, an exposure unit 113 that emits four laser beams corresponding to each color is disposed above the drawer unit 103.

  As the photosensitive drum 105 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 105 is uniformly charged by the discharge from the charger 106 and then selectively exposed by the laser beam from the exposure device 113. By this exposure, electric charges are selectively removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 105, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 105. When the electrostatic latent image faces the developing roller 109, toner is supplied from the developing roller 109 to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 105.

  Instead of the exposure unit 113, four LED arrays may be provided corresponding to the respective photosensitive drums 105.

  A paper feed cassette 114 that accommodates the paper P is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 102. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 114 is transported onto the transport belt 115 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 115 is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums 105 from below. A transfer roller 116 is disposed at each position facing the photosensitive drum 105 across the upper portion of the transport belt 115. The paper P transported on the transport belt 115 sequentially passes between the transport belt 115 and each photosensitive drum 105 as the transport belt 115 travels. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 105 is transferred to the paper P when facing the paper P.

  A fixing device 117 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the conveyance belt 115. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 117. In the fixing device 117, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 118 on the upper surface of the main body casing 102 by various rollers.

In FIG. 17, the paper discharge tray 118 is not shown.
2. Drawer Unit (1) Drawer Frame As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the drawer unit 103 includes a drawer frame 121 as an example of a holding member. The drawer frame 121 includes a pair of side plates 122 and 123 facing each other with a space in the left-right direction, a front beam 124 laid between the front end portions of the side plates 122 and 123, and the rear end portions of the side plates 122 and 123. A rear beam 125 is provided between them, and as a whole has a rectangular frame shape in plan view.

  The four photosensitive drums 105, the four chargers 106, and the four developing units 107 (see FIG. 16) are collectively held by the side plates 122 and 123 while being sandwiched from both the left and right sides. Between the side plates 122 and 123, a space 112 for mounting the toner cartridge 111 is provided above each developing device 107. In other words, the side plates 122 and 123 hold each of the four photosensitive drums 105, the charger 106, and the developing unit 107, and at the same time left and right are spaced apart from each other to secure a space 112 for mounting the toner cartridge 111. Facing each other in the direction.

  On the outer side surfaces of the side plates 122 and 123, flanges 126 and 127 that form ridges extending in the front-rear direction are formed over the entire length in the front-rear direction at positions slightly below the upper edge. Guides (not shown) having the same configuration as the guides 71 and 72 shown in FIG. 10 are formed on the left and right inner surfaces of the main casing 102, respectively. By receiving the collars 126 and 127 from below, the drawer unit 103 is held by the guide, and along the guide, between the housing position in the main body casing 102 and the drawing position outside the main body casing 102. It can be moved.

  On the inner side surface (left side surface) of the right side plate 123, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a holding portion 128 that receives and holds the toner cartridge 111 (see FIG. 15) is provided at a position facing each space 112. Is formed. The holding portion 128 is a concave portion that is notched downward from the upper edge of the side plate 123, has substantially the same width as that of the toner cartridge 111 in the front-rear direction, and has a lower end portion that has substantially the same curvature as the lower end portion of the toner cartridge 111. It is curved.

Further, a guide groove 129 is formed on the inner side surface of the side plate 123 so as to be recessed outward from each holding portion 128. The guide groove 129 extends in the vertical direction and has a width that allows a protrusion 156 of a toner cartridge 111 described later to be fitted. The width of the upper end portion of the guide groove 129 increases so as to increase toward the upper side.
(2) Development Frame As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the development frame 108 is arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction and is laid between the side plates 122 and 123. Each space 112 for mounting the toner cartridge 111 is partitioned by the development frame 108.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the developing frame 108 is formed with a developing chamber 141 that houses the developing roller 109 and the supply roller 110. The developing chamber 141 is open on the photosensitive drum 105 side, and a developing roller 109 is disposed at the open end of the developing chamber 141. The supply roller 10 is disposed on the front side of the developing roller 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the developing chamber 141 is provided with an auger 142 for transporting the toner in the developing chamber 141 from the central portion in the developing chamber 141 to the left and right sides.

  The developing frame 108 has a plate-like partition wall 143 that is convexly curved in an arc shape toward the developing chamber 141 side between the developing chamber 141 and the space 112 for mounting the toner cartridge 111. By this partition wall 143, the inside of the developing frame 108 is partitioned into a developing chamber 141 and a space 112 above it.

  The partition wall 143 is formed with a semicircular arc-shaped portion 131 having a substantially semicircular arc shape (substantially C-shaped) in cross section that is convexly curved toward the space 112 side at the center in the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a return agitator 132 for returning the toner in the developing chamber 141 into the toner cartridge 111 is provided inside the semicircular arc-shaped portion 131 in the developing chamber 141. . Further, the semicircular arc-shaped portion 131 has a plurality of frame-side first openings 133 and frame-side second openings 134 formed in a rear portion and a front portion that face each other in the front-rear direction. The frame-side first opening 133 and the frame-side second opening 134 are formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The space 112 and the developing chamber 141 communicate with each other via the frame side first opening 133 and the frame side second opening 134.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a developing shutter 145 is provided on the partition wall 143 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The developing shutter 145 extends in the left-right direction and is formed in a plate-like curved portion 145A that curves along the partition wall 143, and a central portion in the front-rear direction, and a housing portion 145B that houses the semicircular arc-shaped portion 131 of the partition wall 143. Are integrated.

In the accommodating portion 145B, a developing shutter side first opening 146 and a developing shutter side second opening 147 (see FIG. 24) are formed in a rear portion and a front portion that face each other in the front-rear direction. The developing shutter side first opening 146 and the developing shutter side second opening 147 are formed corresponding to the frame side first opening 133 and the frame side second opening 134, respectively. Further, the developing shutter side first opening 146 and the developing shutter side second opening 147 are formed so as to be shifted from each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the developing shutter 145 is slid in the left-right direction, the developing shutter side first opening 146 and the developing shutter side second opening 147 do not face the frame side first opening 133 and the frame side second opening 134, respectively. And a state where each developing shutter side first opening 146 faces the frame side first opening 133 and a state where each developing shutter side second opening 147 faces the frame side second opening 134 can be taken selectively. .
3. Toner Cartridge As shown in FIG. 20, the toner cartridge 111 includes a hollow substantially semi-cylindrical casing 151 and a cartridge shutter 152 as an example of a shutter provided at the lower end of the casing 151. .
(1) Housing As shown in FIG. 22, a shutter is mounted on the lower end of the housing 151 as an example of a concave portion having a substantially semicircular arc (substantially C-shaped) cross section that is convexly curved inside the housing 151. A portion 153 is formed. The shutter mounting portion 153 has a first wall 153A and a second wall 153B that face each other in the front-rear direction. The first wall 153A faces the second wall 153B from the rear side. On the first wall 153A, a housing-side first opening 154 is formed at a position facing each frame-side first opening 133 of the partition wall 134 when the toner cartridge 111 is mounted in the space 112 on the partition wall 143. Has been. On the second wall 153B, a housing-side second opening 155 is formed at a position facing each frame-side second opening 134 of the partition wall 134 when the toner cartridge 111 is mounted in the space 112 on the partition wall 143. Has been. The housing side second opening 155 has a larger opening area than the housing side first opening 154.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, protrusions 156 of ridges extending in the vertical direction are formed on both left and right end surfaces of the casing 151.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22, a space 157 for containing toner is formed as a single chamber inside the casing 151.
(2) Cartridge shutter The cartridge shutter 152 is mounted on the shutter mounting portion 153 of the casing 151 and is slidable in the left-right direction (a direction parallel to the central axis of the outer peripheral surface of the casing 151). The cartridge shutter 152 is formed in a substantially semicircular arc (substantially C-shaped) in cross section corresponding to the shutter mounting portion 153 of the housing 151, and both the main body portion 158 and the main body portion 158 are accommodated in the shutter mounting portion 153. An extending portion 159 extending along the outer surface of the casing 151 from the lower end edge is integrally provided.

  The main body 158 has a first facing wall 158A and a second facing wall 158B that face the first wall 153A and the second wall 153B of the shutter mounting portion 153, respectively. On the first opposing wall 158A, when the toner cartridge 111 is mounted in the space 112 on the partition wall 143, the shutter-side first opening is located at a position facing each developing shutter-side first opening 146 of the developing shutter 145. As an example, a cartridge shutter side first opening 160 is formed. In the state where the toner cartridge 111 is mounted in the space 112 on the partition wall 143, the second opposing wall 158B has a shutter-side second opening at a position facing each developing shutter-side second opening 147 of the developing shutter 145. As an example, a cartridge shutter side second opening 161 is formed.

Therefore, when the cartridge shutter 152 is slid in the left-right direction, the cartridge shutter-side first opening 160 and the cartridge shutter-side second opening 161 do not face the housing-side first opening 154 and the housing-side second opening 155, respectively. And a state where each cartridge shutter side first opening 160 faces the housing side first opening 154 and a state where each cartridge shutter side second opening 161 faces the housing side second opening 155 can be selectively taken. .
(3) Cartridge Gear Mechanism As shown in FIG. 23, the cartridge shutter 152 is formed with a rack gear 162 extending rightward from the right end portion thereof. A pinion gear 163 meshing with the rack gear 162 and a bevel gear 164 supported on a common rotation shaft with the pinion gear 163 are provided at the right end of the casing 151 so as to be integrally rotatable. As shown in FIG. 20, the bevel gear 164 is arranged so that its tooth row is exposed on the lower surface of the casing 151.
4). Shutter drive transmission mechanism Four drive gears 175 (see FIG. 23) are arranged at the right end in the main body casing 102. Similar to the drive gear 75 shown in FIG. 10, the four drive gears 175 are provided at equal intervals in the front-rear direction, with the upper half of the four drive gears 175 exposed in the space that accommodates the drawer unit 103. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the driving force of the motor M is input to each driving gear 175.

  The color printer 101 includes a control unit 176 having a configuration including a microcomputer, and the driving of each motor M is controlled by a control unit 176 as an example of a displacement control unit.

  In the drawer frame 121, a shutter for transmitting a driving force input from each motor M to each driving gear 175 to each developing shutter 145 in a state where the drawer unit 103 is located in the housing position in the main body casing 102. A drive transmission mechanism 181 is provided. The rack gear 162, pinion gear 163, bevel gear 164, motor M, drive gear 175, and shutter drive transmission mechanism 181 constitute an example of a shutter displacement mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the shutter drive transmission mechanism 181 includes a first transmission gear 182 provided corresponding to each drive gear 175, a second transmission gear 183 that meshes with the first transmission gear 182, and a second transmission gear 182. A third transmission gear 184 that meshes with the transmission gear 183 and a fourth transmission gear 186 attached to a common shaft with the third transmission gear 184 are provided.

  The first transmission gear 182, the second transmission gear 183, and the third transmission gear 184 are disposed on the outer side (right side) of the right side plate 123 of the drawer frame 121 and are rotatably supported by the side plate 123. The first transmission gear 182 is disposed at the lower end portion of the side plate 123, and the lower half of the first transmission gear 182 projects downward from the lower end edge of the side plate 123.

The fourth transmission gear 186 is disposed on the inner side (left side) of the side plate 123 and is rotatably supported by the side plate 123. As shown in FIG. 19, the fourth transmission gear 186 is a bevel gear, and the upper portion thereof is provided so as to be exposed upward from between the right edge of the partition wall 143 and the side plate 123. .
5). Operation when the toner cartridge is attached / detached As shown in FIG. 17, each space in the drawer frame 121 in a state where the drawer unit 103 (drawer frame 121) is pulled out to the drawing position (see FIG. 17) outside the main body casing 102. 112 is opened upward. The toner cartridge 111 is attached to and detached from each space 112 from above.

  In the state where the toner cartridge 111 is not mounted in the space 112, as shown in FIG. 24, the development shutter side first opening 146 and the development shutter side second opening 147 of the development shutter 145 are respectively on the frame side of the partition wall 143. The first opening 133 and the frame-side second opening 134 are not opposed to each other, and the frame-side first opening 133 and the frame-side second opening 134 are closed by the developing shutter 145.

  On the other hand, in a state where the toner cartridge 111 is detached from the drawer unit 103, the cartridge shutter side first opening 160 and the cartridge shutter side second opening 162 of the cartridge shutter 152 are respectively the case side first opening 154 and the case side of the case 151. The housing-side first opening 154 and the housing-side second opening 155 are closed by the cartridge shutter 152 without facing the second opening 155. The position of the cartridge shutter 152 with respect to the housing 151 at this time is an example of a closed position.

  The toner cartridge 111 is moved into the space 112 by the protrusion 156 of the housing 151 being inserted into the guide groove 129 of the drawer frame 121 from above and being moved downward while being guided by the guide groove 129. Installed. When the toner cartridge 111 is mounted in the space 112, the developing shutter 145 and the cartridge shutter 152 are coupled so as not to move relative to each other. In addition, the bevel gear 164 meshes with the fourth transmission gear 186. The housing side second opening 155 is located at a position lower than the housing side first opening 154.

  Thereafter, the drawer unit 103 is moved to the accommodation position (see FIG. 16) in the main body casing 102. When the drawer unit 103 is positioned at the storage position, the motor M (see FIG. 23) is controlled by the control unit 176 (see FIG. 23), and the motor M is normally rotated by a predetermined rotation amount. Then, the driving force from the motor M is transmitted from the driving gear 175 to the bevel gear 164 via the first transmission gear 182, the second transmission gear 183, the third transmission gear 184 and the fourth transmission gear 186. As a result, the bevel gear 164 is rotated, the pinion gear 163 is rotated together with the bevel gear 164, and the rack gear 162 is moved to the left accordingly.

  The movement of the rack gear 162 causes the cartridge shutter 152 to slide to the left integrally with the developing shutter 145, and as shown in FIG. 25, the cartridge shutter side first opening 160 faces the housing side first opening 154, and the developing is performed. The shutter side first opening 146 faces the frame side first opening 133. As a result, the space 157 in the housing 151 and the inside of the developing chamber 141 are connected via the housing-side first opening 154, the cartridge shutter-side first opening 160, the developing shutter-side first opening 146, and the frame-side first opening 133. The toner accommodated in the space 157 is supplied into the developing chamber 141. The position of the cartridge shutter 152 at this time is an example of the first opening position.

  When the toner in the casing 151 runs out by repeating the image forming operation (when the toner is in an empty state), the motor M is controlled by the control unit 176, and the motor M is reversely driven by a predetermined rotation amount. Then, the driving force from the motor M is transmitted from the driving gear 175 to the bevel gear 164 via the first transmission gear 182, the second transmission gear 183, the third transmission gear 184 and the fourth transmission gear 186. As a result, the bevel gear 164 is rotated, the pinion gear 163 is rotated together with the bevel gear 164, and the rack gear 162 is moved to the right accordingly.

  Due to the movement of the rack gear 162, the cartridge shutter 152 slides to the right integrally with the developing shutter 145, and as shown in FIG. 26, the cartridge shutter side second opening 161 faces the housing side second opening 155, and the developing is performed. The shutter side second opening 147 faces the frame side second opening 134. As a result, the space 157 in the housing 151 and the development chamber 141 are connected via the housing-side second opening 155, the cartridge shutter-side second opening 161, the developing shutter-side second opening 147, and the frame-side second opening 134. Communicate. Note that the position of the cartridge shutter 152 with respect to the casing 151 at this time is an example of the second open position.

  In this state, the return agitator 132 is rotationally driven for a predetermined time. As a result, the toner remaining in the developing chamber 141 passes through the frame-side second opening 134, the developing shutter-side second opening 147, the cartridge shutter-side second opening 161, and the casing-side second opening 155. It is returned to the space 157 inside.

  When the rotational driving of the return agitator 132 for a predetermined time is completed, the control unit 176 controls the motor M so that the motor M is normally driven by a predetermined amount of rotation. By this drive, the cartridge shutter 152 slides to the left integrally with the developing shutter 145, and the cartridge shutter 152 is returned to the closed position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the drawer unit 103 is pulled out to a pulling position outside the main body casing 102, and the toner cartridge 111 is taken out from the space 112 upward. At this time, since the housing-side first opening 154 and the housing-side second opening 155 are closed, there is no possibility that the toner returned to the space 157 in the housing 151 will be spilled.
6). Operational Effects The color printer 101 according to the second embodiment can achieve substantially the same effects as the color printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The housing 151 of the toner cartridge 111 is formed with a shutter mounting portion 153 that is recessed inside the housing 151. A semicircular arc portion 131 is formed in the partition wall 143 corresponding to the shutter mounting portion 153. Therefore, a return agitator 132 for returning the toner in the developing chamber 141 into the toner cartridge 111 can be disposed inside the semicircular arc portion 131 in the developing chamber 141. As a result, the toner return efficiency from the developing chamber 141 to the space 157 in the housing 151 can be increased.

  Further, the housing side first opening 154 and the housing side second opening 155 can be formed in the first wall 153A and the second wall 153B of the shutter mounting portion 153, respectively. Correspondingly, the cartridge shutter side first opening 160 and the cartridge shutter side second opening 161 can be formed in the cartridge shutter 152. Therefore, by selectively sliding the cartridge shutter 152 in the left-right direction, the casing-side first opening 154 and the casing-side second opening 155 can be selectively opened and closed by the cartridge shutter 152.

  Further, since the housing-side second opening 155 is larger than the housing-side first opening 154, the toner can be favorably collected from the developing chamber 141 into the inner housing 151 via the housing-side second opening 154. .

  In addition, although the drawer unit 103 has taken up a configuration in which it can move between the storage position and the drawer position, the drawer unit 103 may be fixed to the main body casing 2 at the storage position. In this case, a top cover is provided on the upper surface of the main body casing 102 so as to be openable and closable, and the toner cartridge 111 is attached to and detached from the drawer unit 103 through an opening formed when the top cover is opened.

  The two embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention can be implemented in other forms, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims. Design changes can be made.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 7 Developing device 11 Toner cartridge 21 Drawer frame 51 Inner case 52 Outer case 53 Case side 1st opening 54 Case side 2nd opening 57 Gear tooth 60 Space 61 Supply toner storage chamber 62 Return toner storage chamber 75 Drive gear 76 Control unit 81 Shutter drive transmission mechanism 101 Color printer 107 Developer 111 Toner cartridge 121 Drawer frame 151 Housing 154 Housing side first opening 155 Housing side second opening 157 Space 160 Cartridge shutter side first opening 161 Cartridge shutter side second Opening 163 Pinion gear 164 Bevel gear 175 Drive gear 181 Shutter drive transmission mechanism 176 Control unit M Motor

Claims (15)

A housing having a space for accommodating toner therein and formed with a housing-side first opening and a housing-side second opening communicating between the inside and the outside;
A closed position that closes both the casing-side first opening and the casing-side second opening, a first opening position that opens only the casing-side first opening, and a second opening that opens only the casing-side second opening. A toner cartridge comprising a shutter that is displaceable at a position. The space in the housing is formed with a supply toner storage chamber for storing toner to be supplied to the outside and a return toner storage chamber for storing toner returned from the outside. ,
The housing side first opening communicates the supply toner storage chamber with the outside,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the housing-side second opening communicates the return toner storage chamber with the outside. The housing has a circumferential outer peripheral surface,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the housing-side first opening and the housing-side second opening are formed side by side in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the housing.   The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the housing and the shutter are provided so as to be relatively movable in the circumferential direction.   The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the casing and the shutter are provided so as to be relatively movable in a direction parallel to a central axis of an outer peripheral surface of the casing. The casing is formed with a recess that is recessed from the outer peripheral surface to the central axis side of the outer peripheral surface,
The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the casing-side first opening and the casing-side second opening are formed in a portion of the casing facing the recess. The casing has a first wall and a second wall facing the recess and facing in the circumferential direction,
The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the housing-side first opening and the housing-side second opening are formed in the first wall and the second wall, respectively. The shutter has a first shutter-side opening communicating with the first housing-side opening when facing the first housing-side opening, and a second housing-side when facing the second housing-side opening. A second opening on the shutter side communicating with the opening is formed;
The toner cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the shutter-side first opening and the shutter-side second opening are formed so as to be shifted from each other in a direction parallel to a central axis of the outer peripheral surface. The housing-side first opening is a supply port through which toner supplied to the outside from within the housing passes.
The case side second opening is a return port through which toner returned from the outside into the case passes.
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the housing-side second opening is larger than the housing-side first opening.   The shutter moves relative to the housing in one direction from the closed position, displaces to the first open position, and moves from the closed position to the housing in a direction opposite to the one direction. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge moves relatively and is displaced to the second opening position. The device body;
A developing device provided in the apparatus main body;
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body and coupled to the developing unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a shutter displacement mechanism that is provided in the apparatus main body and displaces the shutter.   And a displacement control unit that controls the shutter displacement mechanism to displace the shutter from the first open position to the second open position when the toner cartridge is to be replaced. Item 15. The image forming apparatus according to Item 10.   13. The image formation according to claim 12, wherein the displacement control unit displaces the shutter from the second open position to the closed position after displacing the shutter from the first open position to the second open position. apparatus. The housing-side first opening is a supply port through which toner supplied to the outside from within the housing passes.
The case-side second opening is a return port through which toner returned from the outside into the case passes, and is lower than the case-side first opening in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed at a position. A holding member provided movably in a housing position accommodated in the apparatus main body and a drawing position pulled out of the apparatus main body;
The developing device is held by the holding member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the holding member in a state where the holding member is located at the drawing position.

Images