JP2012027235A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily attaching/detaching a developer cartridge to/from a photoreceptor unit.SOLUTION: In a color laser printer 1 including a photoreceptor drum 15, a drawer unit 13 provided with a developing unit 18 provided with a developing roller 19, and a toner cartridge 14 which is supported by the drawer unit 13 and stores toner, the developing roller 19 is brought in contact with or separated from the photoreceptor drum 15 by swinging the developing unit 18 around a cartridge support portion 95 of the toner cartridge 14 supported by the drawer unit 13.

Description

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

  As an electrophotographic color printer, there is a tandem color laser printer that includes a process cartridge including a photoconductor and a developing roller that supplies toner to the photoconductor corresponding to toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors. Are known.

  As a process cartridge provided in such a tandem color laser printer, for example, a process cartridge that includes a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and a developing unit including a developing roller and storing toner, and is detachable from the apparatus main body. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this process cartridge, the developing unit is integrally provided with a developing frame and a cover member. The developing unit includes a protruding portion provided protruding from the developing frame and a cylindrical portion provided protruding from the cover member. On the other hand, it is rotatably supported.

  Then, the developing unit is rotated with respect to the drum unit with the protruding portion and the cylindrical portion as the center of rotation, and the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other.

JP 2007-213025 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the process cartridge is integrally provided with a developing unit and a drum unit, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. Further, the developing unit is rotated with the projecting portion and the cylindrical portion as the center of rotation, whereby the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated.

  Here, the developing unit is configured to be separable into a developer cartridge for containing toner (developer) and a developing device having a developing roller, and only the developer cartridge is replaced with respect to the drum unit (photosensitive unit). It may be required to do.

  Even in this case, in order to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, a configuration in which a rotation center is provided in the developing device and the developing device is rotated to separate the developing roller from the photosensitive drum is considered.

  However, if the rotation center is provided in the developing device, the developing device rotates when the developer cartridge is attached to and detached from the photosensitive unit, and therefore it becomes difficult to position the developer cartridge with respect to the developing device. As a result, it becomes difficult to attach / detach the developer cartridge to / from the photosensitive unit.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a developer cartridge can be easily attached to and detached from a photoreceptor unit.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus, which includes a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and a developer carrier that carries a developer, and a developer supported by the photoconductor unit. And a supported part supported by the photosensitive unit, and a developer cartridge for containing the developer, wherein the developing device is swung around the supported part of the developer cartridge. Thus, the developer carrying member is configured to be in contact with or separated from the photosensitive member.

  According to the present invention, the developer cartridge includes a supported portion that is supported by the photosensitive unit, and the developer carrying member is exposed to light when the developer is swung around the supported portion of the developer cartridge. Contacted or separated from the body.

  Therefore, the developer cartridge can be easily positioned with respect to the photoreceptor unit in the supported portion, and the developer cartridge is centered on the supported portion of the positioned developer cartridge, that is, the developer cartridge with respect to the photoreceptor unit. The developing device can be swung while the position is fixed.

  As a result, the developer cartridge can be easily attached to and detached from the photosensitive unit even when the developer carrying member of the developing device is configured to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive member.

1 is a side sectional view showing a color laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is the perspective view seen from the upper left of the drawer unit shown in FIG. It is a sectional side view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. It is a top view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a closed state of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a perspective view seen from the lower left, and (b) is a left side view. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a state in which the handle member of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is erected, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from the left front, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining mounting of a toner cartridge to a drawer unit. The process unit with which the main body casing was mounted | worn is shown, (a) is the perspective view which looked at the process unit from the lower right, and (b) is the front view of a process unit. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process unit with which the main body casing was mounted | worn, Comprising: (a) shows the state by which all the developing devices are pressed by the corresponding separation cam, (b) shows all The developing roller is separated from the corresponding photosensitive drum. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the test pattern reading operation | movement of a color laser printer. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image formation operation | movement by the color mode of a color laser printer, Comprising: The perspective view which looked at the process unit from the lower right is shown. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image formation operation | movement by the color mode of a color laser printer, Comprising: (a) shows the state by which all the developing devices have released the press by a corresponding separation cam, (b) Indicates a state in which all the developing rollers are in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image formation operation | movement by the monochrome mode of a color laser printer, Comprising: The perspective view which looked at the process unit from the lower right is shown. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image formation operation | movement by the monochrome mode of a color laser printer, Comprising: While (a) is releasing the press by a corresponding separation cam of a black developing device, and developing devices other than black, FIG. 5B shows a state where the black developing roller is in contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum, and the developing rollers other than black are separated from the corresponding photosensitive drum. Indicates the state.

1. Overall Configuration of Color Laser Printer As shown in FIG. 1, a color laser printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a horizontal type direct tandem type color laser printer. The color laser printer 1 includes a paper feeding unit 3 for feeding paper P and an image forming unit 4 for forming an image on the fed paper P in a main body casing 2 as an example of an apparatus main body. It has.
(1) Main Body Casing The main body casing 2 is formed in a box-like shape having a substantially rectangular shape in side view that accommodates the paper feeding unit 3 and the image forming unit 4, and a process unit 10 described later is attached to and detached from one side wall thereof. A front cover 5 is formed. The front cover 5 is swingably provided with respect to the main body casing 2 with the lower end portion as a fulcrum.

In the following description, the side on which the front cover 5 is provided (the right side in FIG. 1) is the front side, and the opposite side (the left side in FIG. 1) is the rear side. In addition, when the color laser printer 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right reference is used. That is, the front side in FIG. 1 is the left side, and the back side is the right side.
(2) Paper Feed Unit The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 6 that accommodates the paper P. The paper feed tray 6 is detachably attached to the bottom of the main casing 2. A pair of paper feed rollers 7 is provided above the front end of the paper feed tray 6. In addition, a pair of registration rollers 8 are provided above the paper feed rollers 7.

The paper P stored in the paper feed tray 6 is fed one by one toward the registration rollers 8 by the rotation of the paper feed rollers 7, and at a predetermined timing, the image forming unit 4 (photosensitive drum 15). (To be described later) and a conveyor belt 24 (to be described later).
(3) Image Forming Unit The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 9 as an example of an exposure unit, a process unit 10 as an example of an image forming unit, a transfer unit 11, and a fixing unit 12.
(3-1) Scanner Unit The scanner unit 9 is disposed at the upper portion of the main casing 2 and is disposed in parallel at the lower end portion so as to correspond to four photosensitive drums 15 (described later) at intervals in the front-rear direction. The four exit ports 17 are provided. Based on the image data, the scanner unit 9 passes through the rear side of the corresponding toner cartridge 14 (described later) from each exit port 17 toward each photosensitive drum 15 (described later) as indicated by a solid line. Each laser beam is emitted to expose a photosensitive drum 15 (described later).
(3-2) Process Unit (3-2-1) Configuration of Process Unit The process unit 10 is disposed below the scanner unit 9 and above the transfer unit 11, and includes one photoconductor unit. A drawer unit 13 as an example and a toner cartridge 14 as an example of four developer cartridges corresponding to each color are provided. In addition, the process unit 10 is slidably provided in a housing position in which the process unit 10 is housed and a drawing position in which the process unit 10 is pulled out from the body casing 2.

  The drawer unit 13 is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the main body casing 2, and includes a photosensitive drum 15, a scorotron charger 16, and a developing unit 18 as an example of a photosensitive member.

  The photosensitive drums 15 are formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction, are provided along the left-right direction, and are arranged in parallel at four intervals in the front-rear direction. Specifically, a black photosensitive drum 15K, a yellow photosensitive drum 15Y, a magenta photosensitive drum 15M, and a cyan photosensitive drum 15C are sequentially arranged from the front side to the rear side.

  Each of the scorotron chargers 16 is disposed on the diagonally rear upper side of the photosensitive drum 15 so as to correspond to each of the photosensitive drums 15 so as to face the photosensitive drum 15 with an interval.

  Each developing device 18 is supported by the drawer unit 13 on the upper side of the photosensitive drum 15 so as to correspond to each photosensitive drum 15. Specifically, a black developing unit 18K, a yellow developing unit 18Y, a magenta developing unit 18M, and a cyan developing unit 18C are sequentially arranged from the front side to the rear side. Each developing device 18 includes a developing roller 19 as an example of a developer carrier.

  As will be described later, the developing roller 19 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the developing unit 18 so as to be exposed from the rear side, and is opposed to and in contact with the photosensitive drum 15 from the front upper side.

  The developing device 18 includes a supply roller 20 that supplies toner to the developing roller 19 and a layer thickness regulating blade 21 that regulates the thickness of the toner supplied to the developing roller 19.

The toner cartridge 14 is supported by the drawer unit 13 on the upper side of the developing unit 18 so as to correspond to each developing unit 18. Specifically, a black toner cartridge 14K, a yellow toner cartridge 14Y, a magenta toner cartridge 14M, and a cyan toner cartridge 14C are sequentially arranged from the front side to the rear side. The drawer unit 13 is detachably supported. The toner cartridge 14 contains toner as an example of a developer corresponding to each color.
(3-2-2) Development Operation in Process Unit The toner in the toner cartridge 14 is supplied to the supply roller 20 of the developing device 18 and further supplied to the development roller 19.

  The toner supplied to the developing roller 19 is regulated by the layer thickness regulating blade 21 as the developing roller 19 rotates, and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 19 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. Further, the toner supplied to the developing roller 19 is frictionally charged to a positive polarity between the layer thickness regulating blade 21 and the developing roller 19.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 16 as the photosensitive drum 15 rotates, and then the laser beam (see the broken line in FIG. 1) from the scanner unit 9 is scanned at high speed. Is exposed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the paper P is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15.

When the photosensitive drum 15 further rotates, the positively charged toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 19 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 15 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15.
(3-3) Transfer Unit The transfer unit 11 is disposed along the front-rear direction in the main body casing 2 above the paper feed unit 3 and below the process unit 10. The transfer unit 11 includes a driving roller 22, a driven roller 23, a conveyance belt 24, and four transfer rollers 25.

  The driving roller 22 and the driven roller 23 are arranged to face each other with a space in the front-rear direction.

  The conveyor belt 24 is wound around the driving roller 22 and the driven roller 23 so as to face each photosensitive drum 15 in the vertical direction and to have an upper portion thereof in contact with each photosensitive drum 15. Further, the conveyance belt 24 is rotated by the drive roller 22 so that the upper portion of the conveyance belt 24 that contacts each photosensitive drum 15 moves from the front side toward the rear side.

  Each transfer roller 25 is provided to face each photosensitive drum 15 with the upper portion of the conveyor belt 24 interposed therebetween.

The sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 3 is transported by the transport belt 24 from the front side to the rear side so as to sequentially pass through the transfer positions where the photosensitive drums 15 and the transfer rollers 25 face each other. Is done. During the conveyance, the toner images of the respective colors carried on the respective photosensitive drums 15 are sequentially transferred onto the paper P to form a color image.
(3-4) Fixing Unit The fixing unit 12 is disposed on the rear side of the transfer unit 11 and includes a heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27 facing the heating roller 26. In the transfer unit 11, the color image transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed onto the paper P by being heated and pressed while the paper P passes between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27. .
(4) Paper discharge The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed by each paper discharge roller 28 so as to pass through a U-turn path (not shown), and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 29 formed on the upper side of the scanner unit 9. Is done.
2. Details of Process Unit (1) Drawer Unit As shown in FIG. 2, the drawer unit 13 includes a drawer frame 31 having a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view, and each developer 18 supported by the drawer frame 31.
(1-1) Drawer Frame The drawer frame 31 includes a pair of left and right side plates 32, a front beam 33 laid between the front end portions of the side plates 32, and a rear beam 34 laid between the rear end portions of the side plates 32. It has.

  The both side plates 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side in the front-rear direction, and are opposed to each other at an interval on the left and right. Between the side plates 32, each photosensitive drum 15, each scorotron charger 16, and each developer 18 are supported so as to be sandwiched from both the left and right sides.

  Further, the side plates 32 are formed with a cartridge guide groove 35 as an example of a guide groove, a separation cam accommodating portion 36, and a pair of developing device support grooves 39 (see FIG. 3).

  The cartridge guide groove 35 is formed on the left and right inner sides of the side plate 32 so as to have a substantially Y-shape in a side view that is notched from the upper end of the side plate 32 to the front of the developing device 18 and opened at the upper end. Yes. The cartridge guide groove 35 is formed to have a groove width capable of receiving a cartridge support portion 95 (described later) of the toner cartridge 14.

  Further, an outer housing fitting groove 37 is formed in front of the cartridge guide groove 35 so as to communicate with the cartridge guide groove 35.

  The outer housing fitting groove 37 is continuously formed from the front end portion of the cartridge guide groove 35 and is cut out in a substantially arc shape in a side view that curves toward the front lower side. Further, the outer housing fitting groove 37 is formed to have a groove width that can receive an engagement piece 98 (described later) of the outer housing 82 (described later) so as to have a slight play.

  The separation cam accommodating portion 36 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view cut out from the left and right inner surfaces of the side plate 32 to the left and right middle of the side plate 32 below the cartridge guide groove 35 and on the left and right outer sides of the developing device 18. Yes.

  The separation cam housing portion 36 is formed with a separation cam exposure hole 40 and a developing roller shaft insertion hole 43 (see FIGS. 2 and 9), and a separation cam 38 as an example of a separation member is housed.

  The separation cam exposure hole 40 is formed through the left and right as an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction at the upper end portion of the side plate 32. The spacing cam exposure hole 40 communicates with the upper end portion of the spacing cam housing portion 36 at the left and right inner ends.

  The developing roller shaft insertion hole 43 is disposed at the rear lower side of the separation cam exposure hole 40 at a substantially vertical center of the side plate 32, and is formed through the left and right as an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction. The developing roller shaft insertion hole 43 communicates with the lower end portion of the separation cam accommodating portion 36 at the left and right inner end portions.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the separation cam 38 includes a substantially columnar fulcrum part 46, a pressing rod 47 that continuously extends downward from the fulcrum part 46, and a front continuously from the fulcrum part 46. An extending operating rod 48 is integrally provided, and is formed in a substantially L shape in side view.

  The fulcrum portion 46 is rotatably supported in the separation cam housing portion 36 so as to be disposed above the developing roller 19 when projected to the left and right.

  The pressing rod 47 extends downward from the fulcrum portion 46 to the front of a developing roller shaft 69 (described later), and is opposed to the developing roller shaft 69 (described later) from the rear at the lower end portion. Further, a contact portion 50 having a substantially rectangular shape in a side view that is in contact with a developing roller shaft 69 (described later) is formed at the lower end portion of the pressing rod 47 so as to protrude forward.

  The operation rod 48 extends forward from the fulcrum portion 46. Further, a substantially cylindrical operation portion 49 extending toward the left and right outer sides is provided at the front end portion of the operation rod 48. The operation portion 49 is inserted from the inside into the separation cam exposure hole 40 of the separation cam housing portion 36 so that the left and right outer end portions thereof are exposed to the left and right outside of the side plate 32. The operating rod 48 is always urged from the lower side to the upper side by the compression spring 51 at the front end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device support grooves 39 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction so as to sandwich the upper end portion of the separation cam housing portion 36 from the front and rear sides inside the side plate 32. Both developing device support grooves 39 are formed as long holes extending along a circumference centering on the lower end portion of the cartridge guide groove 35 in a side view. Both developing device support grooves 39 are formed to have a groove width capable of receiving a developing device support boss 70 (described later) of the developing device 18.
(1-2) Developing Device As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing device 18 includes a developing frame 61 as an example of a developing device main body and a developing shutter 62 as an example of a second shutter member. .

  The developing frame 61 is formed in a box shape having a substantially isosceles triangle in side view and extending in the left and right directions and having an apex angle toward the rear lower side. The lower end portion of the developing frame 61 is opened toward the rear side. A developing roller 19 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the developing frame 61.

  The upper wall of the developing frame 61 is formed in a substantially circular arc shape when viewed from the side so as to be along the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding toner cartridge 14. A developing opening 64 as an example of three second openings and a pair of left and right cartridge fixing holes 65 are formed at the upper end of the developing frame 61.

  Each development opening 64 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view extending in the left-right direction so as to penetrate the upper wall of the development frame 61 in the vertical direction, and is arranged in series at a distance from each other in the left-right direction. Each developing opening 64 allows passage of toner.

  The cartridge fixing hole 65 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view on the upper walls of the left and right ends of the developing frame 61. The cartridge fixing hole 65 is formed so as to be able to fit into a cartridge fixing protrusion 91 (described later) of the toner cartridge 14.

  The developing shutter 62 is supported on the upper wall of the developing frame 61 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The developing shutter 62 is formed in a flat plate shape having a substantially arc shape when viewed from the side along the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding toner cartridge 14. Is formed.

  The developing shutter 62 includes three developing shutter openings 66, a pair of left and right cartridge fixing protrusion insertion holes 68, and a pair of left and right shutter fixing holes 67.

  Each developing shutter opening 66 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view so as to correspond to the developing opening 64, and is arranged in series at a distance from each other on the left and right.

  The cartridge fixing protrusion insertion holes 68 are disposed at the left and right ends of the developing shutter 62 so as to correspond to the cartridge fixing holes 65 of the developing device 18, and have a length in the front-rear direction substantially equal to the sliding distance of the developing shutter 62. It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The cartridge fixing projection insertion hole 68 always exposes the cartridge fixing hole 65 when the developing shutter 62 is slid.

  The shutter fixing hole 67 is disposed on the left and right inner sides of the rear end portion of the cartridge fixing protrusion insertion hole 68 and is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The shutter fixing hole 67 is formed so as to receive a shutter fixing protrusion 85 (described later) of the outer casing 82 (described later).

  The developing shutter 62 is moved to a closed position (see FIG. 3) that closes each developing opening 64 and an open position (see FIG. 10B) that slides backward from the closed position and opens each developing opening 64. The

  When the developing shutter 62 is in the closed position, each developing shutter opening 66 is disposed in front of each developing opening 64, and each developing opening 64 is covered by the developing shutter 62, thereby restricting the passage of toner.

  Further, when the developing shutter 62 is in the open position, the developing shutter openings 66 are arranged to face the developing openings 64, the developing openings 64 are exposed, and the passage of toner is allowed.

  An auger 71 is disposed in the development frame 61.

  The auger 71 extends to the left and right and is rotatably provided below the developing opening 64. The auger 71 rotates to convey the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 14 to the developing frame 61 from side to side.

  In the developing frame 61, as described above, the supply roller 20 facing the auger 71 with a slight gap in the vertical direction, and the developing roller 19 that is in contact with the supply roller 20 obliquely from the lower rear side. A layer thickness regulating blade 21 that is in contact with the developing roller 19 from above is provided.

  The developing roller 19 includes a developing roller shaft 69 as a rotation shaft.

  The developing roller shaft 69 is rotatably supported by the developing unit 18 at both left and right end portions thereof. Further, the left and right end portions of the developing roller shaft 69 penetrate the left and right side walls of the developing device 18 and project toward the both side plates 32 of the drawer frame 31, and are disposed in the lower end portion of the separation cam accommodating portion 36.

  The development frame 61 includes a pair of front and rear developing device support bosses 70.

  Each developing device support boss 70 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes from the left and right end portions toward the left and right outer sides on the upper wall of the developing frame 61.

Then, each developing device support boss 70 is slidably fitted into the corresponding developing device support groove 39, so that the developing device 18 moves the lower end portion of the cartridge guide groove 35 with respect to the drawer frame 31. As a center, it is held so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The developing device 18 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 15 by being swung toward the front side, and is separated from the photosensitive drum 15 by being swung toward the rear side.
(2) Toner Cartridge As shown in FIG. 5A, the toner cartridge 14 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending left and right. The toner cartridge 14 includes an inner housing 81 as an example of a housing member main body and a housing, an outer housing 82 as an example of a first shutter member and a shutter, and a grip portion 87.
(2-1) Inner Housing As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, the inner housing 81 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that extends to the left and right. The inner casing 81 stores toner therein.

  The inner housing 81 is provided with a cartridge support portion 95 as an example of a supported portion, a cartridge fixing protrusion 91 as an example of a first fixing member, and a pressed portion 94, and includes three first openings and openings. As an example, a cartridge opening 83 is formed.

  The cartridge support portion 95 is provided on the central axis of the inner housing 81 and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending from the left and right end portions of the inner housing 81 toward the left and right outer sides.

  The cartridge opening 83 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view so as to correspond to the developing opening 64 at the lower end portion of the inner housing 81 and is arranged in series with a space between the left and right sides.

  The cartridge fixing protrusions 91 are formed in a substantially prismatic shape that protrudes downward from the lower end portion at the left and right end portions of the inner casing 81.

  The pressed portion 94 has a top portion that extends toward the front upper side so as to protrude toward the front side at the upper end portion of the inner housing 81, and is formed in a substantially triangular shape in a side view when the upper end portion extends in the front-rear direction. .

As shown in FIG. 8, a toner seal 100 is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 81 so as to surround the cartridge opening 83. The toner seal 100 seals between the inner casing 81 and the outer casing 82 so that toner does not leak.
(2-2) Outer casing The outer casing 82 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape that covers the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing 81, and accommodates the inner casing 81 in a relatively rotatable manner. That is, the outer casing 82 is formed in a substantially arc shape in a sectional view along the outer periphery of the inner casing 81.

  The outer casing 82 has three outer casing openings 84, a pair of left and right cartridge fixing protrusion insertion holes 96, and a cartridge support portion insertion hole 99. In addition, the outer casing 82 is formed with a pressed portion insertion hole (not shown) that opens toward the front side at the upper end portion and into which the pressed portion 94 of the inner casing 81 is inserted.

  The outer casing 82 includes a pair of left and right shutter fixing protrusions 85 and a pair of left and right engaging pieces 98.

  Each outer housing opening 84 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view so as to correspond to the developing opening 64, and is arranged in series at a distance from each other on the left and right.

  Both cartridge fixing protrusion insertion holes 96 are arranged at the left and right ends of the outer casing 82 so as to correspond to the cartridge fixing protrusions 91 of the inner casing 81, and are substantially the same as the cartridge fixing protrusion insertion holes 68 of the developing shutter 62. It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with an equivalent longitudinal length. A cartridge fixing protrusion 91 is inserted into the cartridge fixing protrusion insertion hole 96.

  The cartridge support portion insertion holes 99 are disposed on the central axis of the outer casing 82 on both the left and right end surfaces of the outer casing 82 and penetrate in a substantially circular shape in a side view that can receive the cartridge support section 95 of the inner casing 81. Is formed. The cartridge support portion 95 of the inner housing 81 is inserted into the cartridge support portion insertion hole 99 so as to be relatively rotatable from the left and right inner sides.

  Both shutter fixing protrusions 85 are disposed on the left and right inner sides of the rear end portion of the cartridge fixing protrusion insertion hole 96 and are formed in a substantially prismatic shape protruding downward.

  The engagement piece 98 is a protrusion that protrudes from both the left and right sides of the outer casing 82 and extends in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the cartridge support portion insertion hole 99, and has a substantially circular arc in side view sharing the central axis with the outer casing 82. The shape is curved.

  The outer casing 82 is closed to close the outer casing opening 84 (see FIG. 5A), and is rotated clockwise from the closed position to the left side view to open the outer casing opening 84 (see FIG. 5A). (See FIG. 6).

  When the outer casing 82 is in the closed position, the outer casing opening 84 is disposed in front of the cartridge opening 83, and the cartridge opening 83 is covered with the inner wall surface of the outer casing 82 (FIG. 5A). reference). As a result, the passage of toner to the cartridge opening 83 is restricted.

When the outer casing 82 is in the open position, the outer casing opening 84 faces the cartridge opening 83 and is exposed (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the passage of the toner to the cartridge opening 83 is allowed.
(2-3) Gripping Unit As shown in FIG. 7A, the holding unit 87 includes a first holding unit 88 and a second holding unit 89 as examples of a holding member.

  The first gripping portion 88 is a ridge extending in the left-right direction at the center of the rear end portion of the outer casing 82 in the left-right direction, and toward the rear side when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the closed position. It is formed to protrude.

  The first grip 88 is disposed at a first position extending toward the rear side when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the closed position, and is located at the rear upper side when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the open position. It is arrange | positioned in the 2nd position extended toward.

  Further, when the first grip 88 is disposed at the first position in the main casing 2, the first holding section 88 advances into the laser beam emission locus (see the black toner cartridge 14 </ b> K in FIG. 11), and the first grip 88 is in the main casing 2. It is formed in a protruding length so as to retract from the laser beam emission trajectory (see the toner cartridge 14 other than black in FIG. 11) when arranged at the two positions.

  The second grip portion 89 includes a handle member 101 and a pair of left and right regulating members 102.

  The handle member 101 is formed in a flat plate shape having a substantially U shape in plan view with the rear side open, and is pivotally connected to the rear end portion of the first gripping portion 88 at the rear end portion. The handle member 101 is formed with a slide groove 103 that receives the rear end portion of the regulating member 102 on both the left and right sides so as to extend in the front-rear direction.

  Both restricting members 102 are formed in a bowl shape extending while being curved in the front-rear direction, and the front end portion thereof is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the outer casing 82, and the rear end portion thereof is a handle member. The sliding groove 103 of 101 is slidably fitted.

  The second grip portion 89 is in a tilted state in which the handle member 101 is tilted so as to be in contact with the outer periphery of the outer casing 82, and is standing up so that the handle member 101 is separated from the outer periphery of the outer casing 82. Operated with the state.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the second gripping portion 89 is in a tilted state, the two regulating members 102 are fitted into the rear end portion of the slide groove 103 of the handle member 101, so When projected, the handle member 101 and both regulating members 102 are tilted so that they almost completely overlap.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the second gripping portion 89 is in the standing state, the both regulating members 102 are fitted into the front end portion of the slide groove 103 of the handle member 101 and projected in the left-right direction. Sometimes, the handle member 101 and the two regulating members 102 are erected so as to form a substantially L shape.
3. Configuration in the Main Body Casing As shown in FIG. 1, the main body casing 2 includes a pressing member 111, a patch sensor 112 as an example of a reading member, a CPU 113 as an example of an information determination member, and a pressing cam 114 (FIG. ))).
(1) Pressing members Four pressing members 111 are provided at the upper end portion of the main casing 2 so as to correspond to the pressed portions 94 of the toner cartridge 14 and press the pressed portions 94 from above.
(2) Patch sensor and CPU
The patch sensor 112 is provided obliquely below the drive roller 22 of the transfer unit 11. The CPU 113 is connected to the patch sensor 112.
(3) Pressing Cam As shown in FIG. 9, the pressing cam 114 is provided adjacent to the process unit 10 at the left and right ends of the main casing 2. The pressing cam 114 includes a black pressing cam 115 and a color pressing cam 116.

  The black pressing cam 115 is disposed adjacent to the separation cam 38 corresponding to the black developing device 18K, and presses the operation portion 49 of the separation cam 38 corresponding to the black developing device 18K from above. The black pressing cam 115 includes a drive shaft 117 and a lever member 118.

  The drive shaft 117 extends in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported in the main body casing 2. The drive shaft 117 is rotated when a driving force is input from the main body casing 2.

  The lever member 118 is integrally provided with a cylindrical portion 119 extending in the front-rear direction and a lever portion 120 extending in the tangential direction from the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 119.

  The drive shaft 117 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 119 of the lever member 118 so as not to be relatively rotatable.

  The color pressing cam 116 is disposed adjacent to the separation cam 38 corresponding to the developing device 18 for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan), and the operation unit 49 of the separation cam 38 corresponding to the developing device 18 for each color is viewed from above. Press. The color pressing cam 116 includes one long drive shaft 117 and three lever members 118 corresponding to the respective colors.

The drive shaft 117 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 119 of each lever member 118 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and each lever member 118 is integrally held by one drive shaft 117.
4). Attaching / detaching the toner cartridge to / from the main body casing Next, with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the developing shutter 62 of the developing device 18 and the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 are both disposed in the closed position in advance.

  In order to mount the toner cartridge 14 in the main body casing 2, first, the drawer unit 13 is pulled out from the main body casing 2 and placed in the drawing position, and the toner cartridge 14 is mounted in the drawer unit 13.

  In order to attach the toner cartridge 14 to the drawer unit 13, first, the pressed portion 94 is disposed on the front side, and the cartridge fixing protrusion 91 and the shutter fixing protrusion 85 are disposed on the lower side. The second holding part 89 (standing state) is held, the cartridge support part 95 is aligned on the cartridge guide groove 35, and the toner cartridge 14 is inserted into the drawer unit 13 from above.

  Then, as shown as a black toner cartridge 14 </ b> K in FIG. 8, the cartridge support portion 95 is fitted into the cartridge guide groove 35, and the toner cartridge 14 is attached to the drawer unit 13.

  At this time, the cartridge fixing protrusion 91 of the inner housing 81 is inserted into the cartridge fixing protrusion insertion hole of the developing shutter 62 and is fitted into the cartridge fixing hole 65 of the developing device 18. Is fixed. Further, the shutter fixing protrusion 85 of the outer casing 82 is fitted into the shutter fixing hole 67 of the developing shutter 62, and the outer casing 82 and the developing shutter 62 are fixed. Further, the engagement piece 98 of the outer casing 82 is opposed to the outer casing fitting groove 37 of the drawer frame 31 in the front-rear direction.

  Next, the second grip 89 of the toner cartridge 14 is tilted. Specifically, the handle member 101 is tilted while the rear end portion of the regulating member 102 is slid backward in the slide groove 103 of the handle member 101.

  Next, the first grip portion 87 of the toner cartridge 14 is gripped, and the outer casing 82 is rotated forward.

  Then, as shown as the toner cartridge 14 other than black in FIG. 8, the outer casing 82 is rotated around the cartridge support portion 95 of the inner casing 81 and disposed at the open position. Along with the outer casing 82, the developing shutter 62 is also arranged at the open position.

  As a result, the cartridge opening 83 of the inner casing 81, the outer casing opening 84 of the outer casing 82, the developing shutter opening 66 of the developing shutter 62, and the developing opening 64 of the developing device 18 are all in communication. From the toner to the developing device 18 is allowed.

  Further, the engagement piece 98 of the outer casing 82 is loosely fitted in the outer casing fitting groove 37 of the drawer frame 31.

  When the drawer unit 13 to which the toner cartridge 14 is mounted is accommodated in the main casing 2 and disposed at the storing position, the mounting of the toner cartridge 14 to the main casing 2 is completed.

  In order to remove the toner cartridge 14 from the main casing 2, an operation is performed in the reverse order to that when the toner cartridge 14 is mounted on the main casing 2.

  That is, after the drawer unit 13 is disposed at the drawing position, first, the first grip portion 88 is gripped to rotate the toner cartridge 14 backward. Next, the handle member 101 of the second grip portion 89 is pulled up to bring the second grip portion 89 into an upright state, and then the toner cartridge 14 is pulled upward and detached from the drawer unit 13.

  When the mounting of the toner cartridge 14 to the main casing 2 is completed, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the operation is performed on the operation portion 49 of the separation cam 38 corresponding to each color. The lever portion 120 of the pressing cam 114 is disposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the pressed portion 94 of each toner cartridge 14 is pressed from above by the pressing member 111 of the main body casing 2.

  At this time, the toner cartridge 14 is integrally attached to the developing unit 18. Therefore, when the pressed portion 94 of the toner cartridge 14 is pressed, the developing unit 18 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 15 together with the toner cartridge 14.

  On the other hand, the biasing force of the compression spring 51 against the operating rod 48 of the separation cam 38 is set to be larger than the pressing force with which the pressing member 111 presses the pressed portion 94.

  Therefore, the separation cam 38 is always rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the left side by the urging force of the compression spring 51, and presses the developing roller shaft 69 of the developing device 18 forward at the contact portion 50. ing.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10B, the developing device 18 is always separated from the photosensitive drum 15.

That is, the pressing force with which the separating cam 38 presses the developing device 18 when the developing device 18 is separated from the photosensitive drum 15 is larger than the pressing force with which the pressing member 111 presses the developing device 18.
5. Opening / closing detection of outer casing When the toner cartridge 14 is attached to the main casing 2, first, the toner is transferred directly to the surface of the conveying belt 24 by the above-described developing operation and transfer operation to form a test pattern (patch). .

  Then, when the test pattern faces the patch sensor 112 due to the circular movement of the transport belt 24, the patch sensor 112 reads the test pattern and measures the positional deviation and image density of each color.

  In this way, the positional deviation and image density of each color are measured.

  At the same time, opening / closing of the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 is detected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the open position (see the toner cartridge 14 other than black), the first gripping portion 88 extends to the rear upper side. It is arranged at a position, and is retracted forward from the emission locus of the laser beam.

  Accordingly, the first grip 88 does not shield the laser beam from the scanner unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 15. Therefore, the laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 15, and a test pattern can be formed.

  On the other hand, when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the closed position (see the black toner cartridge 14K), the first grip portion 88 is disposed at the first position extending toward the rear side, and the laser beam It has advanced into the emission trajectory. That is, the opening and closing of the outer casing 82 is interlocked with the movement of the first grip portion 88.

  As a result, the first grip portion 88 blocks the laser beam from the scanner unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 15. Therefore, the laser beam is not irradiated on the photosensitive drum 15 and a test pattern cannot be formed.

  That is, the first grip portion 88 also functions as a shielding member, and it is impossible to form a test pattern only for the color corresponding to the toner cartridge 14 in which the outer housing 82 is disposed at the closed position.

  If there is a missing color in the test pattern read by the patch sensor 112, the missing color information is transmitted from the patch sensor 112 to the CPU 113.

  Then, based on the missing color information received from the patch sensor 112, the CPU 113 does not have the first grip portion 88 of the toner cartridge 14 corresponding to that color disposed at the second position, that is, It is determined that the outer casing 82 corresponding to the color is not disposed in the open position.

  When the CPU 113 does not receive the missing color information, the CPU 113 determines that the outer casing 82 corresponding to all the colors is arranged in the open position.

Such information is displayed as an error on a display panel (not shown).
6). In the color laser printer 1 for contacting and separating the developing unit, a color mode for forming a color image and a monochrome mode for forming a black image can be switched.
(1) Color Mode In the color mode, as shown in FIG. 13B, the developing rollers 19 of all the developing devices 18 and all the photosensitive drums 15 are in contact with each other.

  To bring the developing rollers 19 of all the developing devices 18 into contact with all the photosensitive drums 15, both the black pressing cam 115 and the color pressing cam 116 are rotated as shown in FIG.

  Then, the lever portion 120 of each pressing cam 114 is brought into contact with the operation portion 49 of the corresponding separation cam 38 from above, and the operation portion 49 of the separation cam 38 moves downward against the urging force of the compression spring 51. Is done.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13A, each separation cam 38 is rotated clockwise in the left side view, so that each contact portion 50 is retracted rearward from the corresponding developing roller shaft 69, and each contact portion 50 is retreated. The pressing of the contact portion 50 against the corresponding developing roller shaft 69 is released.

  Then, due to the pressing force of each pressing member 111, each developing device 18 swings integrally with the toner cartridge 14 around the cartridge support portion 95 of the toner cartridge 14 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the left side.

As a result, the developing rollers 19 of all the developing devices 18 and all the photosensitive drums 15 are brought into contact with each other. That is, each separation cam 38 permits the contact of the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 to the photosensitive drum 15 by releasing the pressure against the corresponding developing roller shaft 69.
(2) Monochrome Mode In the monochrome mode, as shown in FIG. 15B, the developing roller 19 of the black developing unit 18K and the black photosensitive drum 15K are in contact with each other, and the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 other than black is contacted. And the photosensitive drums 15 other than black are separated from each other.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the black pressing cam 115 is rotated and the collar pressing cam 116 is not rotated.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15A, only the separation cam 38 corresponding to the black developing device 18K is rotated clockwise as viewed from the left side, and the developing roller shaft 69 of the contact portion 50 corresponding to the black developing device 18K. The press against is released.

  Then, due to the pressing force of the pressing member 111, the black developing device 18K is swung clockwise with the black toner cartridge 14K integrally with the black toner cartridge 14K around the cartridge support portion 95 of the black toner cartridge 14K.

  The developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 other than black is separated from the corresponding photosensitive drum 15 by the pressing of the corresponding separating cam 38.

As a result, the developing roller 19 of the black developing unit 18K and the black photosensitive drum 15K are brought into contact with each other, and the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 other than black and the photosensitive drum 15 other than black are separated from each other.
7). Action and Effect (1) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 15, the toner cartridge 14 includes the cartridge support portion 95 supported by the drawer unit 13, and the developing device 18 supports the cartridge of the toner cartridge 14. The developing roller 19 is brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum 15 by being swung around the portion 95.

  Therefore, the toner cartridge 14 can be easily positioned with respect to the drawer unit 13 at the cartridge support portion 95, and the toner cartridge 14 is centered on the cartridge support portion 95 of the positioned toner cartridge 14, that is, the toner cartridge 14 is positioned at the drawer unit 13. The developing device 18 can be swung while being fixed in position.

As a result, the toner cartridge 14 can be easily attached to and detached from the drawer unit 13 even when the developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the photosensitive drum 15.
(2) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 15, the developing device 18 swings integrally with the toner cartridge 14.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking between the developing device 18 and the toner cartridge 14 when the developing device 18 is swung.
(3) The color laser printer 1 includes the pressing member 111 that presses the developing unit 18 toward the photosensitive drum 15 as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 and the photosensitive drum 15 can be reliably brought into contact with each other.
(4) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 15, the separation cam 38 that separates the developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 from the photosensitive drum 15 presses the developing device 18 at the contact portion 50. As a result, the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 is separated from the photosensitive drum 15 and the pressing of the abutting portion 50 against the developing unit 18 is released, thereby allowing the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 to contact the photosensitive drum 15. To do.

Therefore, the developing roller 19 of the developing unit 18 can be reliably brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum 15 by pressing or releasing the pressing of the separating cam 38 against the developing unit 18.
(5) According to the color laser printer 1, the pressing force of the pressing member 111 when the separating cam 38 presses the developing device 18 when the developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 is separated from the photosensitive drum 15. It is larger than the pressing force for pressing 18.

Therefore, when the developing device 18 can be pressed toward the photosensitive drum 15 by the pressing member 111 and the developing device 18 is pressed by the separation cam 38, the developing roller 19 of the developing device 18 is surely separated from the photosensitive drum 15. Can do.
(6) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge support portion 95 is provided on the central axis of the hollow substantially cylindrical toner cartridge 14.

  Therefore, the developing device 18 can be swung along the outer periphery of the toner cartridge 14 around the cartridge support portion 95.

As a result, the developing device 18 can be swung while the toner cartridge 14 is fixed in position with respect to the drawer unit 13.
(7) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toner cartridge 14 has an open position where the cartridge opening 83 of the inner housing 81 is exposed to allow the toner to pass, and the inner side. An outer casing 82 that covers the cartridge opening 83 of the casing 81 and is movable to a closed position that restricts the passage of toner is provided. The outer casing 82 includes a gripping portion 87.

  Therefore, the outer casing 82 can be reliably opened and closed by operating the gripping portion 87. When the toner cartridge 14 is detached from the drawer unit 13, the outer casing 82 is placed in the closed position to pass the toner. When the toner cartridge 14 is mounted on the drawer unit 13, the outer casing 82 can be placed in the open position to allow the toner to pass.

As a result, when the toner cartridge 14 is attached to and detached from the drawer unit 13, it is possible to reliably prevent toner from leaking.
(8) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toner cartridge 14 fixes the inner casing 81 to the developing frame 61 when the toner cartridge 14 is attached to the photosensitive unit. A cartridge fixing projection 91 is provided.

  Therefore, when the toner cartridge 14 is mounted on the drawer unit 13, the toner cartridge 14 and the developing frame 61 can be fixed to each other.

As a result, the developing device 18 and the toner cartridge 14 can be reliably swung integrally.
(9) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the developing unit 18 exposes the developing opening 64 of the developing frame 61 and allows the toner to pass, and the developing frame. A developing shutter 62 that covers the developing opening 64 of 61 and is movable to a closed position that restricts the passage of toner is provided. The toner cartridge 14 has an outer casing 82 when the toner cartridge 14 is attached to the drawer unit 13. Is provided with a shutter fixing projection 85 for fixing the toner to the developing shutter 62.

  Therefore, the developing shutter 62 can be opened and closed integrally with the outer casing 82, and when the toner cartridge 14 is detached from the drawer unit 13, the developing shutter 62 is placed in the closed position together with the outer casing 82 to pass the toner. When the toner cartridge 14 is mounted on the drawer unit 13, the developing shutter 62 can be placed in the open position together with the outer casing 82 to allow the toner to pass therethrough.

As a result, when the toner cartridge 14 is attached to or detached from the drawer unit 13, it is possible to more reliably prevent toner from leaking.
(10) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner casing 81 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, and the outer casing 82 is formed of the inner casing 81. It is formed in a substantially arc shape in cross section along the outer periphery, and is opened and closed by rotating with respect to the inner housing 81.

  Therefore, the outer casing 82 can be opened and closed by rotating along the outer periphery of the inner casing 81.

As a result, a space for opening and closing the outer casing 82 can be efficiently provided on the outer periphery of the inner casing 81, and space saving can be achieved.
(11) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer casing 82 is rotated around the cartridge support portion 95.

Therefore, the outer casing 82 can be opened and closed while the toner cartridge 14 is fixed in position with respect to the drawer unit 13.
(12) According to this color laser printer 1, the cartridge support portion 95 of the toner cartridge 14 is supported in the cartridge guide groove 35 formed in the side plate 32 of the drawer unit 13, and the attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 14 is guided.

Therefore, the toner cartridge 14 can be securely attached to and removed from the drawer unit 13 for positioning.
(13) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of side plates 32 of the drawer unit 13 has a pair of developing device support grooves 39 for holding the developing device 18 in a swingable manner. Is formed.

Therefore, the developing device 18 can be reliably swung along the developing device support groove 39.
(14) According to the color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 11, when the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 is disposed at the closed position, the first grip 88 is exposed from the scanner unit 9. When the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 is disposed in the open position, the first grip 88 is moved from the scanner unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 15 when the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 is disposed in the open position. The second laser beam is disposed at a second position where the laser beam is not shielded.

  Therefore, when the outer casing 82 of the toner cartridge 14 is disposed at the closed position, the first grip 88 can block the laser beam from the scanner unit 9 to the photosensitive drum 15, thereby restricting image formation. be able to.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the main casing 2 from malfunctioning when the toner cartridge 14 is attached to the main casing 2 with the outer casing 82 placed at the closed position.
(15) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the first gripping portion 88 functions as a shielding member.

Therefore, the first grip portion 88 can be used as a shielding member without separately providing a shielding member, and the number of parts of the toner cartridge 14 can be reduced.
(16) According to this color laser printer 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the patch sensor 112 that reads the test pattern and the first grip 88 on the second position based on the test pattern read by the patch sensor 112. And a CPU 113 for determining whether or not it is arranged.

Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the first gripping portion 88 is disposed at the second position using the test pattern reading operation.
(17) According to the color laser printer 1, the opening / closing of the outer casing 82 is interlocked with the movement of the first gripping portion 88, as shown in FIG. 11.

  Therefore, when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the open position, the first grip 88 can be reliably retracted from the laser beam emission locus.

  As a result, when the outer casing 82 is disposed at the open position, the image forming operation can be reliably performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color laser printer 2 Main body casing 9 Scanner unit 10 Process unit 13 Drawer unit 14 Toner cartridge 15 Photosensitive drum 18 Developer 19 Developer roller 35 Cartridge guide groove 38 Separation cam 39 Developer support groove 61 Developer frame 62 Developer shutter 64 Developer opening 81 Inner housing 82 Outer housing 83 Cartridge opening 85 Shutter fixing protrusion 87 Grasping part 91 Cartridge fixing protrusion 95 Cartridge support part 111 Press member 112 Patch sensor 113 CPU

Claims (13)

A photoreceptor unit comprising a photoreceptor,
A developer carrying member for carrying a developer, supported by the photosensitive unit;
A supported portion supported by the photosensitive unit, and a developer cartridge that contains a developer;
The developing device is configured such that the developer carrier is brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive member by swinging about the supported portion of the developer cartridge. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device swings integrally with the developer cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses the developing unit toward the photosensitive member. A separating member for separating the developer carrying member of the developing unit from the photosensitive member;
The spacing member is
By pressing the developing unit, the developer carrier is separated from the photoconductor,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the contact of the developer carrying member with the photosensitive member is permitted by releasing the pressure on the developing device.   The pressing force for pressing the developing device when the separating member separates the developer carrying member from the photosensitive member is larger than the pressing force for pressing the developing device by the pressing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The developer cartridge is formed in a hollow substantially cylindrical shape,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supported portion is provided on a central axis of the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge is
A housing member main body in which a first opening for housing the developer and allowing the developer to pass is formed;
A first shutter member movable to an open position that exposes the first opening and allows the developer to pass therethrough, and a closed position that covers the first opening and restricts the passage of the developer;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first shutter member includes a grip portion that is gripped when the first shutter member is opened and closed. The developing device includes a developing device main body including the developer carrier.
The developer cartridge includes a first fixing member for fixing the housing member main body to the developing device main body when the developer cartridge is attached to the photoconductor unit. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to Item 7. The developing device body has a second opening that allows the developer to pass therethrough,
The developing device is opposed to the first shutter member when the developer cartridge is mounted on the photosensitive unit, exposes the second opening, and allows the developer to pass therethrough; A second shutter member that is movable to a closed position that covers the two openings and restricts the passage of the developer;
The developer cartridge includes a second fixing member for fixing the first shutter member to the second shutter member when the developer cartridge is mounted on the photoconductor unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The housing member body is formed in a hollow substantially cylindrical shape,
The first shutter member is formed in a substantially arc shape in cross section along the outer periphery of the housing member main body, and is opened and closed by being rotated with respect to the housing member main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first shutter member is rotated about the supported portion. The photoconductor unit includes a pair of side plates disposed to face each other with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor,
12. The guide plate according to claim 1, wherein the side plate includes a guide groove that supports the supported portion and guides attachment / detachment of the developer cartridge. 13. Image forming apparatus.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a pair of developing device support grooves for holding the developing device in a swingable manner are formed in the pair of side plates of the photosensitive unit. .

Images