JP2012042620A - Electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic image forming device which does not require a user to take out a cartridge and perform the loading operation in the initial installation of an image forming device, and moreover, which prevents toner leakage from occurring during transportation.SOLUTION: A developer container includes: a first opening through which a developer in a developer storing part is supplied to a developer carrier 51a; a second opening 64 provided at one end in a rotation axis direction of the developer carrier 51a; a first developer sealing member which closes the first opening and can pass through the second opening 64; and a second developer sealing member which closes the second opening 64. The cartridge 5a includes a third developer sealing member 65 which closes the second opening 64 after removing the first developer sealing member and is loaded on a mounting part after closing the second opening 64 with the third developer sealing member 65.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a cartridge in which a developing means for developing at least an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier and a developer containing portion for containing the developer are integrated together.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer or a laser beam printer), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic word processor are included.

  Conventionally, some electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (hereinafter simply referred to as “image forming apparatuses”) employ a cartridge system. In such an apparatus, at least the developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier and the developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Detachable. According to this cartridge system, the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself, so that the operability can be remarkably improved.

  As a cartridge system, there is a process cartridge system in which process means acting on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) as an image carrier is integrally formed into a cartridge. The process cartridge includes a developing device having a developing means and a developer container. Further, a developing cartridge system in which only the developing device is made into a cartridge has been put into practical use.

  Here, the developing device includes a developer accommodating portion (hereinafter referred to as “toner accommodating chamber”) that accommodates a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”), and a developing chamber having developing means such as a developer carrier. And a developing container. A first opening (hereinafter referred to as “toner supply port”) is provided between the toner storage chamber and the development chamber in order to supply toner in the toner storage chamber to the development chamber. When the cartridge is not used, a first developer sealing member (hereinafter referred to as “toner seal”) is fixed to the toner supply port by heat welding or the like. Therefore, the toner is sealed in the toner storage chamber.

  A developing container constituting the developing device is formed with a second opening (hereinafter referred to as “extraction port”) for extracting the toner seal out of the cartridge. A second developer sealing member (hereinafter referred to as “toner container seal”) that allows the toner seal to be pulled out while preventing the internal toner from leaking to the outside is disposed at the drawing port. Yes.

  When the user uses the cartridge, it can be used by pulling out the toner seal from the outlet and removing it from the cartridge.

JP 2004-333808 A

  As described above, the cartridge is provided with a toner seal that seals the toner in the toner storage chamber. When the cartridge is shipped and then transported to the user, there is a possibility of receiving a strong impact / vibration. At that time, if the cartridge is not provided with a toner seal, the toner leaks out of the cartridge. Therefore, a toner seal is provided on the cartridge to prevent leakage during transportation of the cartridge.

  On the other hand, in recent years, for the purpose of improving usability, the cartridge is shipped in a state where it is mounted on the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “mounting included”).

  However, when a cartridge provided with a toner seal is shipped with the image forming apparatus mounted, the user must take out the cartridge at the initial installation of the image forming apparatus, pull out the toner seal, and install the cartridge. It was.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes a configuration capable of realizing mounting and bundling in which the toner seal is previously pulled out of the cartridge, mounted on the image forming apparatus, and shipped so as not to provide the toner seal with respect to the cartridge that is mounted and packaged.

  By realizing this configuration, it is possible to simplify the operation performed by the user when the image forming apparatus is initially installed. Since the cartridge is provided with a toner seal from the time it is shipped to the time when it is installed in the image forming apparatus, toner leakage during transportation can be prevented.

  Here, even when the image forming apparatus is transported, it is conceivable that the mounted cartridge is subjected to shock and vibration. In the conventional example, an extraction port for extracting the toner seal from the cartridge and a toner container seal for closing the extraction port are arranged. However, since there is no toner seal in the mounted and enclosed cartridge, there is a concern that a gap may be formed between the drawing port and the toner container seal due to impact and vibration, and the toner may leak into the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that does not require a user to take out and mount a cartridge when the image forming apparatus is initially installed, and that does not cause toner leakage during transportation. It is in.

The above object is achieved by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention includes a cartridge having at least a developer and a developer container having a developer carrier for carrying and transporting the developer, and a mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image,
The developer container is
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A developing chamber comprising the developer carrier;
A first opening for supplying the developer in the developer container to the developer carrier;
A second opening provided on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the developer carrier;
A first developer sealing member that closes the first opening and is capable of passing through the second opening;
A second developer sealing member that closes the second opening,
The cartridge is
After removing the first developer sealing member, a third developer sealing member that closes the second opening is provided, and the second opening is covered with the third developer sealing member. After closing, it is attached to the attachment part,
This is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary for the user to take out and mount the cartridge when the image forming apparatus is initially installed, and the image forming apparatus leaks toner during transportation even when the cartridge is mounted. There is no waking.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state of a development standby position. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, showing a state of a development position. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, showing a state of a development position. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, showing a state when the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a developing cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention similar to FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention similar to FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention similar to FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention similar to FIG. 9, showing a state where the toner seal is removed. In the perspective view showing the developing cartridge according to the present invention, the support member is omitted. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a third developer sealing member according to the present invention is attached to a developing cartridge. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting operation of the third developer sealing member according to the present invention to the developing cartridge. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting operation of the third developer sealing member according to the present invention to the developing cartridge. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a third developer sealing member according to the present invention is attached to a developing cartridge. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an operation of mounting the third developer sealing member according to the present invention on the developing cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an operation of mounting the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the third developer sealing member according to the present invention is mounted on the developing cartridge. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a third developer sealing member according to the present invention is mounted on a developing cartridge. FIG. 10 is a detail view illustrating a detachment preventing operation of a third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a detail view illustrating a detachment preventing operation of a third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a detail view illustrating a detachment preventing operation of a third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a detail view illustrating a detachment preventing operation of a third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which another third developer sealing member according to the present invention is attached to the developing cartridge. FIG. 12 is a detailed view showing a detachment preventing operation of another third developer sealing member according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a detailed view showing a detachment preventing operation of another third developer sealing member according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
(Description of overall configuration and image forming operation of electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
First, the overall configuration and image forming operation of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “image forming apparatus”) is a four-color full-color laser beam printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum 2a. Around the photosensitive drum 2a, charging means 2b for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2a, and exposure means 15 for irradiating the photosensitive drum 2a with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. And have. Further, around the photosensitive drum 2a, there is a rotary developing device 5 that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a with a corresponding color toner and visualizes it. The developing device 5 includes a yellow developing device 5a, a magenta developing device 5b, a cyan developing device 5c, and a black developing device 5d. Around the photosensitive drum 2a, a cleaning unit 2c for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2a is further disposed. In this embodiment, an intermediate transfer belt 3 as an intermediate transfer member is disposed below the photosensitive drum 2a.

  In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2a, the charging unit 2b, and the cleaning unit 2c are integrally formed, and the drum cartridge 2 that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100A is configured. The photosensitive drum 2a, the charging unit 2b, and the cleaning unit 2c may be configured independently or may be integrated.

  The yellow developing device 5a, the magenta developing device 5b, the cyan developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d constituting the rotary developing device 5 are held by a rotary 1 that is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Yes. Further, the yellow developing device 5a, the magenta developing device 5b, the cyan developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d are of a developing cartridge type that can be attached to and detached from the rotary 1.

  Hereinafter, the yellow developing device 5a, the magenta developing device 5b, the cyan developing device 5c, and the black developing device 5d will be described as a yellow developing cartridge 5a, a magenta developing cartridge 5b, a cyan developing cartridge 5c, and a black developing cartridge 5d, respectively. As described above, the developing cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d can be detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100A via the rotary 1 that is a mounting portion.

  First, the photosensitive drum 2a is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the direction of arrow A in FIG. The surface of the photosensitive drum 2a is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2b, and the exposure unit 15 irradiates the yellow image with light to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2a.

  Simultaneously with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the rotary 1 that holds the developing cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d for each color and is rotatable is a rotary gear 17 provided with the rotary driven gear 1A on the image forming apparatus main body 100A. It is driven by. Accordingly, the rotary 1 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1 about the rotary shaft 1a. As a result, the rotary 1 rotates to place the yellow developing cartridge 5a at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2a, which is in the state shown in FIG.

  Then, a potential difference is provided between the photosensitive drum 2a and the developing roller 51a, which is a developer carrier in the cartridge 5a, so that the yellow developer adheres to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a. As a result, a yellow developer is attached to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a and developed. That is, a yellow developer image (that is, a toner image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 2a. The overall configuration and operation mode of the developing cartridge will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 4 disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 3 to primarily transfer the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 a onto the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  When the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed as described above, the rotary 1 receives the drive of the rotary gear 17 of the image forming apparatus 100 and rotates in the direction of arrow C. Then, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are sequentially positioned at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2a. As in the case of yellow, electrostatic latent image formation, development, and primary transfer are sequentially performed for magenta, cyan, and black, and four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  During this time, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondary transfer roller 6 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 3. The cleaning unit 10 for the intermediate transfer belt 3 is also in a non-contact state with the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  On the other hand, a recording medium, ie, a sheet 40, that is a toner image transfer body, is stacked and stored in a paper feed cassette 7 provided at the lower part of the image forming apparatus. Separately fed and fed to the registration roller 9. The registration roller 9 sends out the fed sheet 40 between the intermediate transfer belt 3 and the secondary transfer roller 6. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the secondary transfer roller 6 is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  Further, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 6, and the four-color toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 3 are secondarily applied to the surface of the conveyed sheet 40. Transcribed.

  The sheet 40 to which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 11. In the fixing device 11, the sheet 40 is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the sheet 40. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet 40. Thereafter, the sheet 40 is discharged from the fixing device 11 to the paper discharge unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 100.

(Description of developing cartridge)
The yellow developing cartridge 5a, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d constituting the developing device 5 are all configured similarly. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d in this embodiment will be made with the yellow developing cartridge 5a.

  Next, the yellow developing cartridge 5a will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the yellow developing cartridge 5a of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. 8 and 9 are sectional views of the developing roller 51a shown in FIG. 7 of the yellow developing cartridge 5a of this embodiment in the direction of the rotation axis.

  The yellow developing cartridge 5a has a developing container 55 that is a cartridge frame. The developing container 55 includes a developer accommodating portion (toner accommodating chamber) 56 that accommodates the developer (toner) 60, and a developing chamber 57 separated from the toner accommodating chamber 56. The developing chamber 57 includes a developing roller 51a that is a developer carrying member that carries and conveys toner 60 on the photosensitive drum 2a, and a supply roller 52 that supplies toner to the developing roller 51a. A substantially rectangular toner supply port 58 is provided between the toner storage chamber 56 and the developing chamber 57 so as to extend in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 51a. The toner supply port 58 is a first opening that supplies the toner 60 in the toner storage chamber 56 to the developing chamber 57. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a film-like toner seal (first developer sealing member) 59 for separating the toner storage chamber 56 and the developing chamber 57 is thermally welded to the toner supply port 58. The toner supply port 58 is closed by being fixed to the developing container 55 by such a method.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a drawing port (second opening) 64 is formed in the developing container 55 on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 51a, and the toner seal 59 is installed so as to pass therethrough. ing. The toner seal 59 is drawn out of the yellow developing cartridge 5a in the direction of arrow G in FIG. In a state where the toner seal 59 is passed through the drawing port 64, that is, in a state where the toner seal 59 is installed in the developing container 55, the toner container seal (second developer sealing member) 63 is connected to the drawing port 64. Has been inserted. This prevents the toner 60 from leaking out of the developing container 55 even after the toner seal 59 is removed.

  Here, the toner container seal 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a detailed view of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a detailed view showing the operation of pulling out the toner seal 59. FIG. 12 is a detailed view showing a state in which the toner seal 59 is pulled out of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the end of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. The support member 61 is omitted for easy understanding of the configuration of the toner container seal 63.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the toner container seal 63 is formed of a fin portion 63a and a base portion 63b using a thermoplastic elastomer as a material. The toner container seal 63 has a width b1 and a height h1. In contrast, the drawing port 64 into which the toner container seal 63 is inserted has a width b2 and a height h2, and has a relationship of b1> b2 and h1> h2. Therefore, when the toner container seal 63 is inserted into the extraction port 64 in the direction of arrow J in FIG. 13, the height h1 of the toner container seal 63 is press-fitted with respect to the height h2 of the extraction port 64. As a result, the contact surfaces 63c and 63d provided on the toner container seal 63 are in close contact with the inner wall 64c and the inner wall 64d provided on the drawing port 64, respectively. On the other hand, the width b1 of the toner container seal 63 is set so that the fin portion 63a is deformed in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 10, that is, in the direction of pulling out the toner seal 59, and in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Generate pressing force. With this pressing force, the toner seal 59 is pressed against the inner wall 64 a provided in the drawing port 64. Further, the contact surface 63 e provided on the toner container seal 63 is in close contact with the inner wall 64 b of the extraction port 64. As described above, the toner container seal 63 can seal the extraction port 64.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the toner seal 59 is attached to the developing container 55, is located on the toner storage chamber 56 side, closes the toner supply port 58, and the developing chamber 57 side. It has the extraction part 59B part located. One end 59 </ b> C is connected to the closing portion 59 </ b> A, and the other end 59 </ b> D is pulled out from the pull-out port 64 to the outside. The toner seal 59 is pulled in the direction of arrow G in FIGS. 8 and 9 with a pull-out portion 59D pulled out of the yellow developing cartridge 5a from the pull-out port 64. Then, the toner seal 59 starts to be sequentially peeled off from the welding surface 58a at the position of the portion 59C opposite to the drawing port 64.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the toner seal 59 is in a state where the toner 60 adheres to the toner adhesion surface 59 a of the toner seal 59 that contacts the toner 60 in the toner storage chamber 56. When the toner seal 59 is pulled out, the fin portion 63a provided on the toner container seal 63 generates a pressing force in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 9 or FIG. The adhesion surface 59a is in close contact. Accordingly, the toner 60 attached to the toner attaching surface 59a can be scraped off while the fin portion 63a seals the toner 60. 12, even if the toner seal 59 is completely removed from the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the fin portion 63a provided on the toner container seal 63 is in a state where a pressing force is generated in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Therefore, the fin part 63 a comes into close contact with the inner wall 64 a provided in the extraction port 64. Therefore, even if the toner seal 59 is completely removed, the toner 60 in the developing container 55 does not leak out of the yellow developing cartridge 5a.

  As described above, by removing the toner seal 59, the toner 60 in the toner storage chamber 56 is freely moved into the developing chamber 57 as shown in FIG. 6 at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum shown in FIG. Fall. The toner 60 in the developing chamber 57 is supplied to the toner supply roller 52, and the toner supply roller 52 rotates in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 6 to supply the toner 60 to the developing roller 51a. The developing roller 51a is composed of an elastic rubber roller and rotates in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 6, and the toner 60 on the developing roller 51a is regulated by the developing blade 53 and developed on the photosensitive drum 2a. The toner 60 remaining on the developing roller 51 a after development is removed by the toner supply roller 52. Thereafter, the toner is again supplied to the developing roller 51 by the toner supply roller 52.

  At the development position, the rotary roller 1 holding the yellow developing cartridge 5a is urged in the direction of the photosensitive drum 2a in order to stably bring the developing roller 51a into contact with the photosensitive drum 2a. As a result, the developing roller 51a of the yellow developing cartridge 5a comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2a with a predetermined pressure.

(Description of third developer sealing member)
Next, a third developer sealing member (hereinafter referred to as “cap seal”) will be described. FIG. 14 is a side view similar to FIG. 7 showing a state where the cap seal 65 is attached to the yellow developing cartridge 5a. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 are sectional views taken along line BB in FIG. 14 in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 51a of the yellow developing cartridge 5a shown in FIG. Indicates the mounting operation of the cap seal 65 to the yellow developing cartridge 5a. FIG. 17 shows a state in which the cap seal 65 is attached to the yellow developing cartridge 5a. 18 is a perspective view showing the mounting operation of the cap seal 65 to the yellow developing cartridge 5a, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cap seal 65 as viewed from the arrow R in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cap seal 65 is attached to the yellow developing cartridge 5a after the toner seal 59 is removed. The cap seal 65 uses a thermoplastic elastomer as a material, like the toner container seal 63, and is formed of a protrusion 65b, an engagement portion 65a, and a seal portion 65c as shown in FIGS. The engaging portion 65a has a width b3 and a height h3, and the seal portion 65c has a width b6 and a height h6. As shown in FIG. 18, the engaged portion 61a provided on the support member 61 with which the engaging portion 65a engages has a width b4 and a height h4, and the relationship of b3> b4 and h3> h4 is established. It has become. The seal portion 65c is mounted between a width b5 formed by a surface 61b provided on the support member 61, an inner wall 64a provided on the extraction port 64, and a height h2 of the extraction port 64, and b6 > B5, h6> h2.

  15 and 18, the cap seal 65 is attached to the yellow developing cartridge 5a from the direction of the arrow K in FIGS. At that time, as described above, the engaging portion 65a is press-fitted into the engaged portion 61a. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the protrusion 65 b is deformed by abutting against a surface 61 c provided on the support member 61. Further, when the cap seal 65 is moved in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 16, it is inserted between the support member 61 and the toner container seal 63 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, since the height h6 of the seal portion 65c is larger than the height h2 of the extraction port 64, it is press-fitted and fixed. Since the width b6 of the seal portion 65c is also larger than the width b5 formed by the inner wall 64a provided in the extraction port 64 and the surface 61b provided in the support member 61, it is press-fitted and fixed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the cap seal 65 is prevented from coming off in the direction of arrow M in FIG. 15 and 17, the surface 65d forming the seal portion 65c is on the inner wall 64a forming the extraction port 64, the surface 65e is on the surface 64e, and the surface 65f is on the surface 61b provided on the support member 61, respectively. In close contact. As described above, the yellow developing cartridge 5a is in a state where the cap seal 65 is attached, and is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 in this state.

  As described above, the configurations of the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are all the same, and are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 with the cap seal 65 mounted. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 is in a shipping state.

  Here, there is a possibility that the image forming apparatus 100 may be subjected to shock and vibration during transportation from shipment to delivery to the user. At that time, impact and vibration are also applied to the fin portion 63 a provided in the toner container seal 63. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner wall 64 a provided in the drawing port 64 and the toner 60 is scattered in the image forming apparatus 100. However, since the cap seal 65 seals the toner 60 as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to prevent the toner 60 from being scattered on the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is transported.

  As described above, the yellow developing cartridge 5a is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 along the mounting direction D while holding the handle 54 with the cap seal 65 mounted. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the yellow developing cartridge 5a is mounted, and FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting operation of the yellow developing cartridge 5a to the image forming apparatus 100. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line PP in the side view shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the yellow developing cartridge 5a has a guide 55a used for mounting to the rotary 1, and a guide 62a having the same shape as the guide 55a on the opposite side of the developing roller 51a in the rotation axis direction. (FIG. 21). The guide 62 a is provided on the support member 62.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the rotary 1 is composed of both rotary rotary supports 1b and 1c on which a driven gear 1A is formed, and a central shaft 1a that connects the rotary rotary supports 1b and 1c. It is configured. The guide 55a is guided in the groove 1e provided in the rotary rotation support 1b, and the guide 62a is guided in the groove 1f provided in the rotary rotation support 1c, so that the yellow developing cartridge 5a is in the direction of arrow D in FIG. It becomes possible to attach to the rotary 1. In this embodiment, specifically, in the rotary 1, the grooves 1 e and 1 f of the rotary support 1 b and 1 c constitute a mounting portion for the image forming apparatus main body of the yellow developing cartridge 5 a.

  Next, a configuration for preventing the cap seal 65 from being detached when the yellow developing cartridge 5a with the cap seal 65 mounted thereon is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23 are QQ sectional views of the yellow developing cartridge 5a shown in FIG. 14, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are PP sectional views.

  During the mounting process of the yellow developing cartridge 5a, there is a possibility that the first contact portion 65i provided at the most downstream end in the mounting direction D provided on the cap seal 65 may come into contact with the rotary 1. is there. At this time, in FIG. 22, the first contact portion 65i receives the force F1 in the direction of arrow N shown in FIG. At this time, the force F1 received by the first contact portion 65i is transmitted to the second contact portion 65h that is in contact with the inner wall 64c of the extraction port 64 and is located upstream in the mounting direction. Therefore, the second contact portion 65h pushes the inner wall 64c with the force F1, and the second contact portion 65h receives the reaction force F2 from the inner wall 64c. As a result, deformation occurs between the first contact portion 65i and the second contact portion 65h. As a result, the dimension a1 between the first contact portion 65i and the second contact portion 65h shown in FIG. 22 becomes a1 ′ shown in FIG. 23, and the fourth contact that comes into contact with the inner wall 64d of the extraction port 64 shown in FIG. A dimension h2 between the contact portion 65j and the second contact portion 65h is h2 ′ shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, a gap t is formed between the inner wall 64d and the fourth contact portion 65j, and the cap seal 65 is weakly press-fitted and fixed to the extraction port 64. Therefore, there is a possibility that the cap seal 65 is detached from the yellow developing cartridge 5a in the direction of arrow M in FIG.

  In order to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 14, the cap seal 65 is provided with a third abutting portion 65 g that abuts against the abutted portion 61 d provided on the support member 61. 24 and 25, the third contact portion 65g is disposed between the first contact portion 65i and the second contact portion 65h, and is a view showing the mounting direction of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. 14 has a surface orthogonal to the direction of arrow D. When the first contact portion 65i receives the force F1, the force F1 is transmitted to the third contact portion 65g, and the third contact portion 65g pushes the contacted portion 61d with the force F1. Therefore, the third contact portion 65g receives the reaction force F2 from the contacted portion 61d, and deformation occurs between the first contact portion 65i and the third contact portion 65g. Accordingly, the dimension a2 between the first contact portion 65i and the third contact portion 65g shown in FIG. 24 becomes a2 'shown in FIG. Also, the dimension a1 between the first contact portion 65i and the second contact portion 65h shown in FIG. 24 is a1 ″ shown in FIG. 25, and the fourth contact that comes into contact with the inner wall 64d of the extraction port 64 shown in FIG. A dimension h2 between the contact portion 65j and the second contact portion 65h is h2 '' shown in FIG.

  At this time, since the dimension a2 between the first contact part 65i and the third contact part 65g is smaller than the dimension a1 between the first contact part 65i and the second contact part 65h, a2-a2 ′ <a1 −a1 ″, and deformation of the cap seal 65 can be suppressed. Thereby, the gap t does not occur between the inner wall 64d and the fourth contact portion 65j, and the cap seal 65 can be kept press-fitted and fixed to the extraction port 64. Therefore, by providing the third contact portion 65g, it is possible to prevent the cap seal 65 from moving away from the yellow developing cartridge 5a in the direction of arrow M in FIG.

  Although an example in which a thermoplastic elastomer is used for the cap seal 65 has been described, maltoprene may be used for the cap seal 65.

  Although the configuration of the image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing cartridges are mounted on the rotary has been described here, the present invention may be applied to the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges or developing cartridges are arranged vertically or horizontally.

  Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which one process cartridge or a developing cartridge is mounted.

Example 2
Next, a case where the third contact portion is at an angle with the yellow developing cartridge mounting direction will be described. FIG. 26 is a side view of the yellow developing cartridge 5a showing the second embodiment. 27 and 28 are SS cross-sectional views of the yellow developing cartridge 5a shown in FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  A third contact portion 65q provided on the cap seal 65p forms an angle θ with respect to the direction of arrow D in FIG. 26, which is the mounting direction of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. When the first contact portion 65k receives the force F3, the force F3 is transmitted to the third contact portion 65q, and the third contact portion 65q applies the contacted portion 61g provided on the support member 61p to the force F3. It will be pressed with the component force F3 '. Therefore, the third contact portion 65q receives the reaction force F4 'from the contacted portion 65k. Deformation occurs between the first contact portion 65k and the third contact portion 65q by the component force F4 of the reaction force F4 '.

  Here, when the third contact portion 65q is not provided, the dimension a1 between the first contact portion 65k and the second contact portion 65m is deformed, so that the cap seal 65 is greatly deformed. End up. However, by providing the third contact part 65q, as shown in FIG. 27, the dimension a3 between the first contact part 65k and the third contact part 65q becomes a3 'shown in FIG. In addition, the dimension a1 between the first contact portion 65k and the second contact portion 65m shown in FIG. 27 is a1 ′ shown in FIG. 28, and the fourth contact comes into contact with the inner wall 64n of the extraction port 64 shown in FIG. A dimension h2 between the portion 65n and the second contact portion 65m is h2 '' shown in FIG. At this time, since the dimension a3 between the first contact part 65k and the third contact part 65q is smaller than the dimension a1 between the first contact part 65k and the second contact part 65m, a3-a3 ′ <a1- a1 ′, and deformation of the cap seal 65 can be suppressed.

  Thus, no gap is generated between the inner wall 64n and the fourth contact portion 65n, and the cap seal 65 can be kept press-fitted and fixed to the extraction port 64.

  Regarding the angle θ, if the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 26 is 0 °, the cap seal 65 can be prevented from coming off if the angle θ is within a range of 0 ° <θ <180 °.

1 Rotary 2a Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
5 Rotating Developing Device 5a to 5d Developing Cartridge 40 Sheet (Recording Medium)
51 (51a to 51d) Developing roller (developer carrier)
52 Toner supply roller 55 Developer container 55a, 62a Guide 56 Toner storage chamber (developer storage section)
57 Developing chamber 58 Toner supply opening (first opening)
59 Toner seal (first developer sealing member)
61, 61p, 62 Support member 63 Toner container seal (second developer sealing member)
64 Drawer (second opening)
65, 65p cap seal (third developer sealing member)
65i, 65k First contact portion 65h, 65m Second contact portion 65g, 65q Third contact portion 65j, 65n Fourth contact portion

Claims (2)

An electrophotography for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising at least a developer and a cartridge having a developer container provided with a developer carrier for carrying and transporting the developer, and a mounting portion to which the cartridge is mounted. An image forming apparatus,
The developer container is
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A developing chamber comprising the developer carrier;
A first opening for supplying the developer in the developer container to the developer carrier;
A second opening provided on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the developer carrier;
A first developer sealing member that closes the first opening and is capable of passing through the second opening;
A second developer sealing member that closes the second opening,
The cartridge is
After removing the first developer sealing member, a third developer sealing member that closes the second opening is provided, and the second opening is covered with the third developer sealing member. After closing, it is attached to the attachment part,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The third developer sealing member is
A first contact portion located at the most downstream end in the mounting direction of the cartridge to the mounting portion;
A second abutting portion that engages with the second opening and is located upstream in the mounting direction of the cartridge with respect to the first abutting portion;
When disposed between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the first contact portion hits the mounting portion in the process of mounting the cartridge to the mounting portion. The first abutting portion is pushed by the mounting portion, and the third developer sealing member is prevented from proceeding in the pushed direction, and forms a third angle with the mounting direction of the cartridge. A contact portion,
The third contact portion contacts a contacted portion provided in the cartridge;
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images