JP2012073386A - Developer conveying device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a defective attachment between developer storage parts.SOLUTION: A developer conveying device (TDy+Gy-TDk+Gk) comprises: a first storage part (3) capable of storing developer that flows in from an inlet (3a); a second storage part (54y-54k) capable of storing the developer that flows out from outlets (62y-62k) and attachable to and detachable from the first storage part (3) by moving between a separated position and a connected position; a protrusion (24) protruding outward from a wall on the separated position side; and an engagement part (88) for determining a position by engaging with a side surface of the protrusion (24) and engaging with the protrusion (24) in such a state that the outer surface of the protrusion (24) on the separated position side is exposed when the second storage part (54y-54k) is attached to the first storage part (3).

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer conveying device and an image forming apparatus.

In a conventional image forming apparatus, a technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known regarding a configuration in which a developer contained in a developer container is supplied to a developing device.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-154468 as Patent Document 1 discloses a replenishment developer container (73), a toner dispenser (TNy to TNk) that supplies a developer in a toner cartridge to a developer (Gy to Gk). The technology about is described. Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical developer replenishing member connecting portion (43) formed on the upper surface of a front projecting portion (Va) of a developing container (V) of a developing device (Gy to Gk), a toner dispenser. Connected to the flexible supply member (53) having a bellows-like cylindrical wall supported at the lower end of the unit side supply transport path forming member (50) of the development unit (Uc) connected to (TNy to TNk). The described configuration is described.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a replenishing portion of a conventional developing device.
18A and 18B are explanatory views of a mounting member of a conventional toner dispenser, FIG. 18A is an explanatory view showing a state where the mounting member is supported by a bellows-like cylindrical member, FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the mounting member, and FIG. 18C is FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at from the XVIIIC direction.
19 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part in a state where the mounting member is mounted on the replenishing portion, FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a state where the mounting member is mounted on the replenishing portion, and FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIXB-XIXB in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the replenishing portion and the mounting member are attached and detached, and FIG. 20A is a state in which the claw portion and the claw receiving portion are fitted and the mounting opening of the replenishing portion and the opening of the mounting portion are connected. 20B is a cross-sectional view of a state where the fitting of the claw portion and the claw receiving portion is released from the state of FIG. 20A and the replenishment portion and the mounting portion are separated from each other, and FIG. 20C is the rear side from the state of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the state in which only the nail | claw part was fitted in the back nail | claw receiving part.

Instead of the configuration in which the cylindrical developer supply member connecting portion (43) and the bellows-shaped flexible supply member (53) are connected as in Patent Document 1, the developer supply member connecting portion. The technique of FIGS. 17-20 is also known as a structure which can be attached or detached when (43) and a flexible supply member (53) move relative to each other in the front-rear direction.
In FIG. 17, the front end portion 02 of the conventional developing device 01 is formed with an oval cylindrical supply portion 03 that protrudes forward and tilts from the upper left to the lower right. A rectangular attachment port 03a penetrating in the vertical direction is formed. The rear end edge 03b of the attachment port 03a is formed with a first claw receiving portion 03c at the center in the left-right direction and a second claw receiving portion 03d at the right end.
Further, on the upper part of the front end surface of the replenishing portion 03, as an example of a fourth claw receiving portion, a partial arc-shaped convex portion 03e protruding forward, and as an example of a third claw receiving portion, a convex portion 03e is provided. A triangular recess-shaped recess 03f is formed which is disposed obliquely downward to the right and is recessed backward.

In FIG. 18A, a bellows-like cylindrical member 05 of the toner dispenser 04 is disposed above the replenishing portion 03, and the replenishing portion is disposed on the support portion 05a disposed at the lower end of the cylindrical member 05. A mounting member 06 attached to and detached from 03 is supported.
In FIG. 18B, the mounting member 06 has a plate-like main body 07 that is larger than the attachment port 03 a of the replenishing portion 03. 18B and 18C, a circular opening 08 that penetrates in the vertical direction and is connected to the attachment port 03a is formed in the central portion of the main body 07. A contact portion 09 that is formed on the left and right sides of the main body 07 along the outer surface of the replenishment portion 03 and comes into contact with the outer surface of the replenishment portion 03 when the mounting member 06 is attached to the replenishment portion 03 is integrated. Is formed.

Further, an L-shaped rear surface of the main body 07 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first claw receiving portion 03c and the second claw receiving portion 03d, extends downward from the lower surface and protrudes backward at the lower end portion. A first claw part 011 and a second claw part 012 are formed. Furthermore, the front end of the main body 07 and the front end of the contact portion 09 are arranged at positions corresponding to the concave portions 03f and the convex portions 03e, and are formed in the same shape as the rear claw portions 011 and 012. A third claw portion 013 and a fourth claw portion 014 are formed.
19 and 20A, when the mounting member 06 is mounted on the replenishing portion 03, the claw portions 011 to 014 of the mounting member 06 fit into the claw receiving portions 03c to 03f of the replenishing portion 03. At this time, the contact portion 09 of the mounting member 06 contacts the outer surface of the replenishment portion 03 and is held by friction, and the opening 08 is connected to the attachment port 03a.

Here, when the mounting member 06 is mounted on the replenishing portion 03, the mounting member 06 rotates around the upper end portion of the cylindrical member 05 as a center of rotation, and is shown diagonally above the replenishing portion 03 as shown in FIG. 20B. It swings from the separation position to the connection position above the replenishment section 03 shown in FIG. 20A.
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20C and 20A, the bellows-shaped cylindrical member 05 expands and contracts, and the claw portions 011 and 012 on the rear side of the mounting member 06 are connected to the claw receiving portions 03c and The front claw portions 013 and 014 are hung on the front claw receiving portions 03e and 03f.

Then, in a state where the respective claw portions 011 to 014 are hooked on the respective claw receiving portions 03c to 03f, the mounting member 06 is slid rearward and the respective claw portions 011 to 014 are pushed rearward, whereby each of the claw portions 011. ˜14 are in the state shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20A fitted in the claw receiving portions 03c to 03f, and the attachment member 06 is attached to the replenishment portion 03.
At this time, in the conventional mounting member 06, as shown in FIG. 19, the convex portion 03e is covered with the fourth claw portion 014 at the front and upper sides.

JP 2001-154468 A (“0027” to “0032”, FIGS. 6 to 9)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to reduce mounting defects between developer storage portions.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developer conveying device according to claim 1,
A first storage portion having an inflow port into which the developer flows, and capable of storing the developer flowing in from the inflow port;
A second storage portion having an outlet through which the developer flows out, and capable of accommodating the developer flowing out from the outlet, wherein the outlet is set in advance relative to the inlet; The second accommodating portion that moves between the separation position separated by moving relative to the inlet, and the connection position where the outlet is connected to the inlet, and is detachable from the first accommodating portion;
A protruding portion provided in the first housing portion and protruding outward from the wall on the separation position side in the attaching / detaching direction along the attaching / detaching direction;
An engaging portion provided in the second accommodating portion, which engages with a side surface of the protruding portion with respect to the attaching / detaching direction to position the second accommodating portion with respect to the first accommodating portion, When the second housing portion is attached to one housing portion, the engaging portion that engages with the projecting portion with the outer surface of the projecting portion on the separated position side exposed;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developer conveying device according to claim 2,
A first storage portion having an inflow port into which the developer flows, and capable of storing the developer flowing in from the inflow port;
A second storage portion having an outlet through which the developer flows out, and capable of accommodating the developer flowing out from the outlet, wherein the outlet is set in advance relative to the inlet; The second accommodating portion that moves between the separation position separated by moving relative to the inlet, and the connection position where the outlet is connected to the inlet, and is detachable from the first accommodating portion;
A protruding portion provided in the first housing portion and protruding outward from the wall on the separation position side in the attaching / detaching direction along the attaching / detaching direction;
An extension direction that is provided in the second housing portion and engages with a side surface of the protruding portion in the attaching / detaching direction so that the second housing portion extends with respect to the first housing portion. In the state where the outer surface of the projecting portion on the separated position side is exposed when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. , The engaging portion that engages with the protruding portion;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the developer conveying device according to claim 1 or 2,
An extension extending along an extending direction in which the second accommodating portion extends from the second accommodating portion, an extension portion extending from a distal end of the extension portion in a direction intersecting the attaching / detaching direction and the extending direction, and the protruding portion An enclosing portion that surrounds a side surface with the extension portion; and
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to the third aspect,
The surrounding portion engaged with one side surface of the protruding portion with respect to the extending direction;
Provided in the second housing portion, disposed opposite the other side surface on the opposite side across the protruding portion with respect to the one side surface, and shifted from the surrounding portion with respect to the attaching / detaching direction. A pinch part,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
An image carrier on which a latent image is formed on the surface;
A developing device for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the developer is conveyed to the developing device.
It is provided with.

According to the first, second, and fifth aspects of the invention, when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, the first outer portion is not exposed as compared with the case where the outer surface on the separated position side is not exposed. It is possible to reduce the mounting failure between the housing portion and the second housing portion.
According to invention of Claim 3, an outer surface can be exposed, positioning with respect to a protrusion part by an extension part and a surrounding part.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, the other side surface can be exposed at the portion where the sandwiching portion is displaced from the surrounding portion, The visibility of the protruding portion can be improved as compared with the case where the portion is not arranged so as to be displaced from the surrounding portion.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the developer supply apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of the developing device of Example 1. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a main part in a state in which the developing container cover is removed, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. It is the IVC-IVC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the replenishing unit according to the first embodiment. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the replenishment shutter according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a perspective explanatory view of the replenishment shutter, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the Y-color toner dispenser and the developing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part in a state where the Y-color supply side storage unit is mounted on the Y-color development side storage unit. is there. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the Y-color supply side storage portion is detached from the Y-color development side storage portion. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 8 and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the Y-color supply side storage section is moving to the Y-color development side storage section. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the K-color toner dispenser and the developing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a main part in a state where the K-color supply side storage unit is mounted on the K-color development side storage unit. is there. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 10, and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state where the K-color supply side storage portion is detached from the K-color development side storage portion. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11 and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the K-color supply side storage section is moving to the K-color development side storage section. 13A and 13B are explanatory views of the mounting portion of Example 1, FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the mounting portion, FIG. 13B is a perspective view of FIG. 13A viewed from the XIIIB direction, and FIG. 13C is a perspective view of FIG. 13A viewed from the XIIIC direction. FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the replenishment portion with the attachment portion attached. 15 is a perspective view of the replenishing portion with the mounting portion attached, FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVA-XVA in FIG. 14, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVB-XVB in FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view when the replenishing portion and the mounting portion are attached and detached. FIG. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the state where the opening of the mounting part is connected, FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the state where the replenishment part and the mounting part are separated from each other by releasing the fit between the claw part and the claw receiving part from the state of FIG. FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which only the rear claw portion is fitted into the rear claw receiving portion from the state of FIG. 16B. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a replenishing portion of a conventional developing device. 18A and 18B are explanatory views of a mounting member of a conventional toner dispenser, FIG. 18A is an explanatory view showing a state where the mounting member is supported by a bellows-like cylindrical member, FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the mounting member, and FIG. 18C is FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at from the XVIIIC direction. 19 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the mounting member is mounted on the replenishing portion, FIG. 19A is a perspective view in a state in which the mounting member is mounted on the replenishing portion, and FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIXB-XIXB FIG. FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the replenishing portion and the mounting member are attached and detached, and FIG. 20A is a state in which the claw portion and the claw receiving portion are fitted and the mounting opening of the replenishing portion and the opening of the mounting portion are connected. 20B is a cross-sectional view of a state where the fitting of the claw portion and the claw receiving portion is released from the state of FIG. 20A and the replenishment portion and the mounting portion are separated from each other, and FIG. 20C is the rear side from the state of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the state in which only the nail | claw part was fitted in the back nail | claw receiving part.

Next, specific examples (examples) of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a copying machine U as an example of an image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder U1 and an image forming apparatus main body U2 that supports the automatic document feeder U1 and has a transparent document reading surface PG at the upper end.
The automatic document feeder U1 includes a document feeding unit TG1 that accommodates a plurality of documents Gi to be copied, and a document feeding position that is fed from the document feeding unit TG1 and passes through a document reading position on the document reading surface PG. And a document discharge section TG2 from which the document Gi conveyed is discharged.
The image forming apparatus main body U2 includes an operation unit UI through which a user inputs an operation command signal for starting an image forming operation, an exposure optical system A, and the like.

Reflected light from a document conveyed on the document reading surface PG by the automatic document feeder U1 or a document manually placed on the document reading surface PG is passed through the exposure optical system A by the solid-state image sensor CCD. It is converted into electrical signals of red: R, green: G, blue: B.
The image information conversion unit IPS converts the RGB electrical signals input from the solid-state imaging device CCD into black K, yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C image information, and temporarily stores the image information. The information is output to the latent image forming apparatus driving circuit DL as image information for forming a latent image at a preset time.
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black K is input to the latent image forming device driving circuit DL.
The latent image forming device drive circuit DL has drive circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and is arranged for each color at a predetermined time according to input image information. To the latent image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, Uk arranged in the center of gravity direction of the image forming device U are devices for forming visible images of Y, M, C, and K, respectively.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are respectively photoconductors PRy, PRm, and PRc as examples of rotating image carriers. , PRk. In the first embodiment, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are constituted by so-called LED arrays.
The Y visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating photoconductor PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a transfer roller T1y as an example of a transfer device, and an image carrier cleaning device CLy. ing. In the first exemplary embodiment, the photoconductor PRy, the charger CRy, and the image carrier cleaner CLy are configured as an image carrier unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U2.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y visible image forming apparatus Uy.

1 and 2, the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then latent at the image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k as developing roller R0y as an example of a developer holding member of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. , R0m, R0c, and R0k are developed into a toner image as an example of a visible image by a developer as an example of powder.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are preliminarily supplied from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At the set time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

  The toner images on the photoconductors PRy to PRk are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the photoreceptors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the photoreceptors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  Above the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer body drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of an intermediate transfer body stretching member, and a walking roll as an example of a meandering prevention member. Rw, an idler roll Rf as an example of a driven member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer region facing member, and the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B can be rotated by belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a as an example of an intermediate transfer member support member constituted by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a. It is supported by.

A secondary transfer roller T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed opposite to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the rolls T2a and T2b. ing. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed in a region where the secondary transfer roller T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B face each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are the secondary transfer areas. It is conveyed to Q4.
The primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer device T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B of Example 1 that transfers an image formed on the photoconductors PRy to PRk to a medium.

  Below the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided, and the guide rails GR are fed as an example of a paper feed container. The trays TR1 to TR3 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. A recording sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 is taken out by a pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member and separated one by one by a separating roll Rs as an example of a medium separating member. The The recording sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path SH, which is an example of a medium transport path, by a plurality of transport rollers Ra, which is an example of a medium transport member, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. Is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of the transferred transfer area conveyance timing adjusting member. A sheet conveying device SH + Ra + Rr is configured by the sheet conveying path SH, the sheet conveying roller Ra, the registration roll Rr, and the like.

The registration roll Rr conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b is supplied with a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred has a fixing region Q5 which is a pressure contact region of a heating roller Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roller Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. And heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region. The heat-fixed recording sheet S is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to a discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge unit.
Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roller is applied to the surface of the heating roller Fh by a release agent application device Fa.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes an upper frame UF and a lower frame LF, and the upper frame UF includes the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk and the visible image forming apparatus Uy. A member arranged above -Uk, that is, a belt module BM and the like are supported.
The lower frame LF includes a guide rail GR that supports the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 and the paper feed members that feed paper from the trays TR1 to TR3, that is, a pickup roll Rp, a separation roll Rs, A sheet conveying roller Ra and the like are supported.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the developer supply apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 3, for the sake of easy understanding, illustration of members such as chargers CRy to CRk is omitted as appropriate.
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, above the belt module BM, toner cartridges Ky, which are examples of developer storage containers that store yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C, and black: K developers, respectively. Km, Kc, Kk are arranged. The toner cartridges Ky to Kk are detachably supported by toner dispensers TDy, TDm, TDc, and TDk that supply the developer contained in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk to the developing devices Gy to Gk as an example of a developer supply device. ing.
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, the toner dispensers TDy to TDk are driven in accordance with the consumption of the developers of the developing devices Gy to Gk, and the developers stored in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are each of the developing devices. Gy to Gk are replenished. In the first embodiment, the developer used in the developing devices Gy to Gk is composed of a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and toner, and the toner cartridges Ky to Kk include the developing device Gy. A so-called high-concentration toner is replenished in which the ratio of the toner to the carrier is larger than that of the developer in .about.Gk.
Each of the toner dispensers TDy to TDk and each of the developing devices Gy to Gk constitutes a developer transport device TDy + Gy to TDk + Gk of Example 1.

(Description of developing devices Gy to Gk of Example 1)
4A and 4B are explanatory views of the developing device of Example 1. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the main part in a state where the developing container cover is removed, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4A, and FIG. It is the IVC-IVC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 4A.
Next, the developing devices Gy to Gk according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the developing devices Gy to Gk for each color are configured in the same manner, only the Y developing device Gy will be described in detail. However, detailed description of the developing devices Gm to Gk of other colors is omitted.
2 and 4A, the developing device Gy disposed to face the photoconductor PRy has a developing container V that stores a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier. The developer container V is an example of a container body 1, a container cover 2 as an example of a lid member that closes the upper end of the container body 1 as shown in FIG. 4B, and an example of a first container as shown in FIG. 4A. As an example of the supply and disposal unit, an oval cylindrical supply unit 3 that protrudes forward and tilts from upper left to lower right is connected to the front end of the container body 1. In FIG. 4B, the developing container V of Example 1 has an opening V1 on the left side corresponding to the developing region Q2y facing the photoconductor PRy, and is open.

In FIG. 4, on the inner side of the container body 1, a developing roll chamber 4 as an example of a storage chamber for the developing roll R <b> 0 y, a supply chamber 6 as an example of a first storage chamber adjacent to the developing roll chamber 4, In order to reduce the size of the developing container V in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the developing container V includes a stirring chamber 7 as an example of a second storage chamber disposed adjacent to the lower right side of the supply chamber 6. Yes. The developing roll chamber 4 accommodates the developing roll R0y. A part of the outer surface of the developing roll R0y is exposed to the photosensitive member PRy through the left opening V1, and faces the photosensitive member PRy. Are arranged. A layer thickness regulating member 8 for regulating the layer thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roll R0y is provided on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roll R0y.
In FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C, the front and rear end portions of the developing container V are abutting members for setting the interval between the developing roll R0y and the photosensitive member PRy to a predetermined interval on the side facing the photosensitive member PRy. Va, a so-called tracking member, is supported.

In FIG. 4, a supply / disposal chamber 6 a inside the supply unit 3 is connected to the front side of the supply chamber 6, and a supply chamber 7 a inside the supply unit 3 is connected to the front side of the stirring chamber 7. On the upper surface of the front end portion of the supply / disposal chamber 6a, a replenishing port 3a as an example of a new developer inflow portion for replenishing the developer from the developer cartridges Ky to Kk is formed. Further, a disposal port 3b as an example of a degraded developer disposal unit is formed on the lower surface of the rear portion of the supply / disposal chamber 6a, and the interior degraded developer is discharged from the disposal port 3b. The internal carrier is changed little by little.
In the container body 1, a partition wall 9 is formed between the supply chamber 6 and the agitation chamber 7 at a portion other than both end portions. The supply chamber 6 and the agitation chamber 7 communicate with each other at an ascending connection portion E1 disposed at the rear end portion and a descending connection portion E2 disposed at the front side so that the developer can be circulated. Has been. An inflow amount adjusting member 11 in which an opening for adjusting the inflow amount is formed is attached to the descending connection portion E2.

In FIG. 4A, in the first embodiment, the ascending connecting portion E1 is disposed at a position overlapping the width L1 of the developing region Q2y where development is performed by the developing roll R0y, and the descending connecting portion E2 is Some are duplicated.
Further, in the replenishing unit 3, a partition wall 12 is formed between the supply / disposal chamber 6a and the replenishing chamber 7a. The partition wall 12 is an example of the first direction and extends in the front-rear direction as an example of the attaching / detaching direction. . Accordingly, the supply / disposal chamber 6a and the replenishment chamber 7a are communicated by the replenishment connecting portion E3, and the developer can flow into the replenishment chamber 7a from the supply / disposal chamber 6a.
The supply chamber 6 and the stirring chamber 7 constitute a circulating stirring chamber 6 + 7.
In FIG. 4, a supply auger 13 is disposed in the supply chamber 6 as an example of a supply member that conveys the developer forward while stirring and supplies the developer to the developing roll R0y.
In the agitation chamber 7, an agitation auger 14 is disposed as an example of an agitation member that conveys the developer backward while agitating the developer.

(Description of the replenishment part 3 of Example 1)
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the replenishing unit according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 5, at the rear end edge of the replenishing port 3a of the first embodiment, a first claw receiving portion 21 as an example of a first positioned portion disposed at the center in the left-right direction and a right end portion are disposed. A second claw receiving portion 22 as an example of the second positioned portion thus formed is formed. In addition, an opening edge 23a of a circular opening 23 is formed in front of the supply / disposal chamber 6a, and a partial arc-shaped protrusion 24 protruding forward is formed at the upper end of the opening edge 23a. Has been. Further, a recessed portion 26 having a triangular prism shape recessed rearward is formed obliquely below and to the right of the opening edge 23a.

6A and 6B are explanatory views of the replenishment shutter according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a perspective explanatory view of the replenishment shutter, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG.
In FIG. 6, a replenishment shutter 27 as an example of a replenishment opening / closing member is supported by the replenishment portion 3. The replenishment shutter 27 according to the first embodiment is an example of a main body of a replenishment opening / closing member, and a cylindrical replenishment shutter main body 27a that passes through the opening 23 and whose outer surface is rotatably supported by the supply / disposal chamber 6a; As an example of the opening / closing operation unit, an opening / closing lever 27b disposed in front of the replenishment shutter main body 27a and operable by an operator is provided.
In FIG. 6B, a cylindrical bearing support portion 27c that supports the bearing 28 of the rotating shaft of the supply auger 13 on the inner surface is formed at the front end of the replenishment shutter main body 27a according to the first embodiment, and the bearing support portion 27c. A semicircular arc plate-like first closing plate 27d is formed integrally with the rear side. Further, a ring-shaped connecting portion 27e is integrally formed behind the first closing plate 27d, and a semicircular arc plate-like second closing plate 27f is integrally formed behind the connecting portion 27e. Has been.

In the first embodiment, when the opening / closing lever 27b is operated by an operator, the replenishment shutter main body 27a rotates about the central portion of the replenishment shutter main body 27a, that is, the rotation axis of the supply auger 13, as shown in FIG. 6A. It is movable between a first open position indicated by a solid line and a first closed position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6A.
Here, in the first embodiment, when the replenishment shutter 27 moves to the closed position, the closing plates 27d and 27f close the replenishment connecting portion E3 and the waste outlet 3b, and When moved to the open position, the positions, lengths, and shafts of the respective closing plates 27d, 27f in the circumferential direction are such that the supply connection E3 and the disposal port 3b are opened as shown in FIG. 6B. The direction position and length are set. Further, when the replenishment shutter 27 is moved to the first open position, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 24 of the replenishment part 3 and the opening / closing lever 27b come into contact with each other, and the tip of the opening / closing lever 27b. The restricting portion 27g protrudes above the opening edge 23a.

(Description of Mounting Mechanism of Toner Dispensers TDy to TDk and Developing Devices Gy to Gk of Example 1)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the Y-color toner dispenser and the developing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part in a state where the Y-color supply side storage unit is mounted on the Y-color development side storage unit. is there.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the Y-color supply side storage portion is detached from the Y-color development side storage portion.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 8 and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the Y-color supply side storage section is moving to the Y-color development side storage section.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the K-color toner dispenser and the developing device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a main part in a state where the K-color supply side storage unit is mounted on the K-color development side storage unit. is there.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 10, and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state where the K-color supply side storage portion is detached from the K-color development side storage portion.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11 and is a perspective explanatory view of a main part in a state in which the K-color supply side storage section is moving to the K-color development side storage section.
7 to 12, the toner dispensers TDm and TDc for the respective colors M and C and the developing devices Gm and Gc are configured in the same manner as the toner dispenser TDk and the developing device Gk for K color. Omitted.

(Description of Toner Dispensers TDy to TDk of Example 1)
In FIG. 3, the toner dispensers TDy to TDk according to the first exemplary embodiment are connected to cartridge outlets 31y to 31k as an example of supply-side outlets arranged at the lower rear ends of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk. Dispense transport paths 32y to 32k are provided as an example of upstream transport paths that transport the developer dropped from the outlets 31y to 31k forward. The dispense transport paths 32y to 32k include, as an example of upstream inlets connected to the cartridge outlets 31y to 31k, dispense inlets 33y to 33k at the upper rear end, and upstream sides shown in FIGS. Dispensing outlets 34y to 34k at the lower front end are formed as an example of the outlet. In addition, first dispense augers 36y to 36k, which are examples of upstream conveyance members that extend in the front-rear direction and convey the developer forward, are disposed in the dispense conveyance paths 32y to 32k.
In FIGS. 3 and 7 to 12, as an example of an upstream dropping path that extends downward and drops developer in the dispensing transport paths 32 y to 32 k below the dispensing outlets 34 y to 34 k. Dispense discharge paths 37y to 37k are formed.

  In the Y-color toner dispenser TDy of Example 1, the dispense discharge path 37y is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis of the first dispense auger 36y with respect to the dispense transport path 32y. Further, a connection accommodating portion 38y that is formed in a cylindrical shape extending downward and that accommodates the developer from the dispense discharge path 37y is supported at the lower end of the dispense discharge path 37y. That is, in the first embodiment, the downstream dropping path 39y formed inside the connection housing portion 38y is formed to extend downward from the dispensing transport path 32y, and as shown in FIGS. The fall path 37y + 39y is supported rotatably about the axis of the first dispense auger 36y. Therefore, the Y-color toner dispenser TDy of Example 1 has a normal position shown in FIG. 7 where the dropping path 37y + 39y is directed downward, and an inclined position where the dropping path 37y + 39y is inclined obliquely upward to the right as shown in FIG. It is possible to move between.

In the toner dispensers TDm to TDk for M, C, and K of Example 1, the developer is formed at the lower end of the dispense discharge passages 37m to 37k so as to extend obliquely downward to the left and from the dispense discharge passages 37m to 37k. Cylindrical right side accommodating portions 41m to 41k as an example of the fixed accommodating portion into which the gas flows in are fixedly supported by the dispense discharge passages 37m to 37k. Pins 42m to 42k projecting upward as an example of guided portions are formed on the upper left portions of the right accommodating portions 41m to 41k of the first embodiment.
Also, cylindrical left side accommodating parts 43m to 43k as an example of a movable accommodating part into which the developer conveyed from the right accommodating parts 41m to 41k flows into the left are supported on the left part of the right accommodating parts 41m to 41k. Has been.

  In the right part of the left side accommodating parts 43m to 43k of Example 1, cylindrical through parts 44m to 44k that are penetrated and supported by the left part of the right side accommodating parts 41m to 41k are formed. The inner diameters of the through portions 44m to 44k of the first embodiment are set corresponding to the outer diameters of the right side accommodating portions 41m to 41k. In addition, arcuate guide grooves 45m to 45k extending in the circumferential direction as an example of guide portions are formed in the upper right ends of the through portions 44m to 44k. When mounted on 41k, the pins 42m to 42k are formed to fit into the guide grooves 45m to 45k.

In addition, cylindrical connection housing portions 46m to 46k extending downward from the left ends of the through portions 44m to 44k are integrally formed on the left portions of the left housing portions 43m to 43k. That is, in the first embodiment, the connection paths 47m to 47k formed inside the right side accommodating parts 41m to 41k and the upper side of the left side accommodating parts 43m to 43k are formed to extend obliquely downward to the left from the dispense conveying paths 32m to 32k. Downstream drop paths 48m to 48k formed inside the connection accommodating portions 46m to 46k are formed extending downward from the lower left ends of the connection paths 47m to 47k.
In addition, second dispensing augers 49m to 49k, which are examples of connection transport members that extend along the connection paths 47m to 47k and transport the developer diagonally to the left, are disposed in the connection paths 47m to 47k. Yes. The second dispense augers 49m to 49k include rotating shafts 51m to 51k that are rotatably supported in the connection paths 47m to 47k, and spiral conveying blades 52m to 52k that are supported on the outer periphery of the rotating shafts 51m to 51k. Have In addition, crank portions 53m to 53k that are bent so as to be eccentric from the center of rotation are formed at left ends of the rotation shafts 51m to 51k as an example of a reciprocating support portion.

  In Example 1, the left housing parts 43m to 43k are supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation shafts 51m to 51k with respect to the right housing parts 41m to 41k. Therefore, when the left housing parts 43m to 43k rotate, the pins 42m to 42k are rotatable about the rotation shafts 51m to 51k with respect to the right housing parts 41m to 41k while being guided by the long holes 46m to 46k. It is supported and is movable between the normal position shown in FIG. 10 where the downstream dropping paths 48m to 48k are directed downward and the inclined position shown in FIG. 11 where the downstream dropping paths 48m to 48k are inclined obliquely forward and upward. It has become.

  Further, in the toner dispensers TDy to TDk for the respective colors Y to K according to the first exemplary embodiment, the lower ends of the connection accommodating portions 38y and 46m to 46k are directed to the lower developing devices Gy to Gk as an example of the second accommodating portions. The flexible accommodating portions 54y to 54k having a bellows-like shape and extending are supported. That is, in Example 1, it is an example of the 2nd direction formed in the inside of the said flexible accommodating parts 54y-54k, Comprising: The discharge paths 56y-56k extended below as an example of an extension direction are downstream fall paths 39y, It is connected to the lower end of 48m-48k.

Further, in the dropping paths 37y + 39y + 56y, 48m + 56m to 48k + 56k, conveying springs 57y to 57k extending in the vertical direction are arranged as an example of a dropping conveying member. The conveying springs 57y to 57k are formed in a coil spring shape in which a wire is formed in a spiral shape. In Example 1, the upper ends of the conveying springs 57m to 57k for each of the colors M to K are supported by the crank portions 53m to 53k, and the upper end of the Y conveying spring 57y is the first dispense auger. It is supported by a crank portion (not shown) formed at the front end of the 36y shaft.
The Y color developer supply paths GHy of Example 1 are configured by the Y color transport paths 32y + 37y + 39y + 56y, and the M to K colors of Example 1 are configured by the M to K color transport paths 32m + 37m + 47m + 48m + 56m to 32k + 37k + 47k + 48k + 56k. Developer supply paths GHm to GHk are configured.

At the lower ends of the flexible housing portions 54y to 54k, mounting support portions 58y to 58k are formed.
7 to 12, the mounting support portions 58y to 58k according to the first embodiment include plate-like support portion main bodies 61y to 61k. Outlet ports 62y to 62k are formed in the central part of the support part main bodies 61y to 61k, and the front end of the support part main bodies 61y to 61k extends outward in the left-right direction and the center part in the front-rear direction is notched. The positioning portions 63y to 63k and 63y to 63k on the front side of the formed shape are formed. In addition, elastically deformable plate portions 64y to 64k and 64y to 64k and claw supports formed at the centers of the plate portions 64y to 64k and 64y to 64k are provided on the left and right sides in front of the support portion main bodies 61y to 61k. Openings 66y to 66k and 66y to 66k are formed.

The mounting support portions 58y to 58k support mounting portions 71y to 71k to be mounted on the replenishing portion 3 of the developing devices Gy to Gk. The mounting support portions 58y to 58k and the mounting portion 71y are supported. The shutters 72y to 72k as an example of the opening / closing member for the outflow are supported between. The shutters 72y to 72k according to the first embodiment are formed as an example of an opening / closing member body, in front of the shutter bodies 73y to 73k, flat plate shutter bodies 73y to 73k capable of closing the outlets 62y to 62k, Gripping portions 74y to 74k to be gripped by an operator.
In the first embodiment, the gripper is held by the operator from the second closed position in which the outlets 62y to 62k shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12 are closed by the shutter main bodies 73y to 73k. When the portions 74y to 74k are gripped and pulled forward, the shutter main bodies 73y to 73k move forward and the outlets 62y to 62k are opened. Further, the shutters 72y to 72k that have moved forward are in a state of being supported so as to be able to rotate 90 ° downward with the rear ends of the shutter bodies 73y to 73k as the rotation center. For this reason, in the state where the outlets 62y to 62k are opened, the shutters 72y to 72k extending in the front-rear direction move downward in the vertical direction shown in FIGS. It is held in a second open position arranged in an extended state.

(Description of the mounting portions 71y to 71k of the first embodiment)
13A and 13B are explanatory views of the mounting portion of Example 1, FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the mounting portion, FIG. 13B is a perspective view of FIG. 13A viewed from the XIIIB direction, and FIG. 13C is a perspective view of FIG. 13A viewed from the XIIIC direction. FIG.
Next, the mounting portions 71y to 71k according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the mounting portions 71y to 71k for the respective colors are configured in the same manner, only the Y mounting portion 71y will be described in detail. The detailed description of the other color mounting portions 71m to 71k is omitted.
In FIG. 13, a flat plate-like supported portion 81 supported by the mounting support portion 58y is formed at the upper end portion of the mounting portion 71y of the first embodiment.

In the left and right ends of the supported portion 81 of the first embodiment, wall-shaped connecting walls 82 and 82 are formed that protrude upward and extend from the center in the front-rear direction to the rear end. In addition, the height of the connection walls 82 and 82 of the first embodiment is set according to the thickness of the shutter main body 73y.
In addition, the front upper ends of the connecting walls 82 and 82 are formed so as to protrude upward in accordance with the front positioning portions 63y and 63y, and are fitted and positioned on the front positioning portions 63y and 63y. Positioned portions 82a and 82a are formed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the front-side positioned portions 82a and 82a are positioned on the front-side positioning portions 63y and 63y, the upper surfaces of the connecting walls 82 and 82 and the lower surface of the support portion main body 61y face each other and contact each other. Then, the support part main body 61y and the supported part 81 are connected. At this time, a space (not shown) that can accommodate the shutter main body 73y is formed between the support main body 61y, the supported portion 81, and the connecting walls 82 and 82.

Further, on the front side of the left and right ends of the supported portion 81, claw portions 83, 83 that protrude outward in the left-right direction and engage with the edges of the claw receiving openings 66y, 66y are formed. That is, in the first embodiment, the claw portions 83 and 83 are configured by a so-called snap-fit structure in which the claw receiving openings 66y and 66y are engaged with each other by being hooked on the edge.
Guide grooves 84 and 84 are formed on both the left and right sides of the upper surface of the supported portion 81 so as to extend from the front end to the rear end. The guide grooves 84 and 84 are formed on the lower surface of the shutter main body 73y. The left and right projections (not shown) projecting downward from the rear end of the rear are guided.

Further, on both the left and right sides of the front end of the supported portion 81, restricting portions 86 and 86 are formed that extend upward and restrict the forward movement of the rear end portion of the shutter body 73y. Further, a front concave portion 87 having a shape recessed backward is formed at the center in the left-right direction of the front end of the supported portion 81.
The right end of the front recess 87 is an example of a fourth positioning portion, an example of a fourth movement restricting portion, and an example of an engaging portion on the side surface of the protrusion 24 of the replenishment portion 3. A fourth claw portion 88 that can be engaged is formed.
The fourth claw portion 88 according to the first embodiment includes an extension portion 88a that extends downward from the right end of the front recess portion 87 and a surrounding portion 88b that extends leftward from the lower end of the extension portion 88a. The right side surface and the lower side surface are formed in a shape surrounding the extension portion 88a and the surrounding portion 88b.
Further, the rear end edge of the front concave portion 87 is provided with a pinching portion 87a disposed at a position shifted rearward from the surrounding portion 88b.

Below the supported portion 81, an arcuate plate-shaped mounting portion main body 89 extending from the rear end of the front recessed portion 87 to the rear of the supported portion 81 and along the outer surface of the upper portion of the replenishing portion 3 is supported. It is formed integrally with the part 81. A circular opening 90 is formed in the center of the supported portion 81 and the mounting portion main body 89 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction and to be connected to the outlet 62y of the mounting support portion 58y.
Further, an inclined wall 91 is formed at the right end of the mounting portion main body 88 of the first embodiment, extending obliquely downward to the right along the outer surface of the supply port 3a.

  In FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C, the left rear portion of the contact surface 89a on the main body side, which is the lower surface of the mounting portion main body 89 of the first embodiment, is an example of a first positioning portion, and includes a first movement restricting portion. As an example, a first claw portion that is formed in an L-shape that extends downward from the contact surface 89a on the main body side and protrudes backward at the lower end portion and can be engaged with the first claw receiving portion 21 of the replenishment portion 3 92 is formed. In addition, at the left end rear portion of the wall-side contact surface 91a which is the lower surface of the inclined wall 91, the first claw portion 92 is an example of a second positioning portion and an example of a second movement restricting portion. A second claw portion 93 that is formed in the same manner as the above and engageable with the second claw receiving portion 22 of the replenishing portion 3 is formed. Further, at the front right end of the wall-side contact surface 91a, an example of a third positioning portion, which is an example of a third movement restricting portion, is formed in the same manner as each of the claw portions 92 and 93. A third claw portion 94 that can be engaged with the concave portion 26 of the replenishing portion 3 is formed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the replenishment portion with the attachment portion attached.
15 is a perspective view of the replenishing portion with the mounting portion attached, FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVA-XVA in FIG. 14, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVB-XVB in FIG.
14 and 15, when the mounting portion 71 y is mounted on the replenishing portion 3, the claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 of the mounting portion 71 y are the claw receiving portions 21, 22 of the replenishing portion 3. , 26, 24. At this time, in Example 1, the contact surfaces 89a and 91a of the mounting portion 71y are supported by being in contact with the outer surface of the replenishing portion 3, and the opening 90 is connected to the replenishing port 3a. Yes.

That is, when the respective claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 are fitted into the respective claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24, the mounting portion 71 y is positioned and mounted with respect to the replenishing portion 3. Further, since the claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 are engaged with the lower surfaces of the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24, the mounting portion 71 y is restricted from moving upward relative to the replenishment portion 3. It has become a state.
In the first embodiment, the replenishment shutter 27 is rotatable in a state where the mounting portion 71y is mounted on the replenishing portion 3. For this reason, when the replenishment shutter 27 is moved from the first closed position shown by the broken line in FIG. 6A to the first open position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6A, each closing plate 27d, 27f rotates to open the connection E3 for replenishment and the disposal port 3b. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15B, the restricting portion 27g of the opening / closing lever 27b is disposed in the front recessed portion 87, and the rear end edge of the front recessed portion 87 is engaged with the rear portion of the restricting portion 27g. 71y is in a state in which forward movement with respect to the replenishing portion 3 is restricted.

(Operation of Example 1)
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view when the replenishing portion and the mounting portion are attached and detached. FIG. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the state where the opening of the mounting part is connected, FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the state where the replenishment part and the mounting part are separated from each other by releasing the fit between the claw part and the claw receiving part from the state of FIG. FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which only the rear claw portion is fitted into the rear claw receiving portion from the state of FIG. 16B.
In FIG. 16, for the sake of easy understanding, for example, illustration of members such as the supply auger 13, the replenishment shutter 27, and the bearing 28 is omitted as appropriate.
In the image forming apparatus U of Embodiment 1 having the above-described configuration, when an image forming operation, that is, a job is possible, the toner dispensers TDy to TDk are provided with the opening 90 and the replenishing port 3a as shown in FIG. The connected position shown in FIG. 16A is held, and the shutter 27 is held in the first open position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6A. Therefore, the outflow part E3 inside the developing devices Gy to Gk is opened, and the toner cartridges Ky to Kk and the developing devices Gy to Gk are connected via the developer supply paths GHy to GHk.

In this state, when the job is executed and the developers of the respective colors of the developing devices Gy to Gk are consumed, the toner dispensers TDy to TDk are operated according to the consumption amount of the developers of the respective colors, and the toner cartridges are operated. Each color developer is supplied from Ky to Kk to each developing device Gy to Gk.
Here, when the developing devices Gy to Gk break down or damages or wear due to deterioration of parts such as the developing roll R0y occur, the developing devices Gy to Gk are removed from the image forming apparatus body U2 and repaired. May be exchanged.

When the developing devices Gy to Gk are removed, first, the shutters 72y to 72k are rotated 90 ° upward, and then the shutter main bodies 73y to 73k are placed in the spaces between the mounting support portions 58y to 58k and the mounting portions 71y to 71k. 73k is inserted and moved to the second closing position, and the outlets 62y to 62k are closed. As a result, even if the developing devices Gy to Gk are removed, the developer in the toner dispensers TDy to TDk is prevented from leaking from the outlets 62y to 62k.
Next, when a force for moving the mounting portions 71y to 71k forward obliquely upward or forward is applied, the bellows of the flexible accommodating portions 54y to 54k expands and contracts, and the mounting portions 71y to 71k move forward, and each nail portion 92, 93, 94, 88 are moved forward relative to the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16B, the fitting between the claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 and the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24 is released, and the mounting portions 71 y to 71 k are removed from the replenishing portion 3. Move to a remote location.

Next, in the case of the M to K color toner dispensers TDm to TDk, when the mounting portions 71m to 71k are rotated and moved forward and obliquely upward from the separation position, the drop paths 48m + 56m to 48k + 56k with the rotation shafts 51m to 51k as the center. The mounting portions 71m to 71k integrally rotate forward and obliquely upward. As a result, the mounting parts 71m to 71k are moved from the replenishing part 3 to the inclined position shown in FIG. In the case of the Y-color toner dispenser TDy, when the mounting portion 71y is rotated and moved obliquely upward and to the right from the separation position, the mounting portion 71y is integrated with the drop path 37y + 39y + 56y around the axis of the first dispense auger 36y. It is rotationally moved to the inclined position shown in FIG. As a result, the developing devices Gy to Gk can be pulled out and removed without interfering with the toner dispensers TDy to TDk that have moved to the inclined positions.
Therefore, the developing devices Gy to Gk are pulled forward with respect to the image forming apparatus main body U2, and the developing devices Gy to Gk are removed or replaced.

In the case of the M to K color toner dispensers TDm to TDk, when the developing devices Gm to Gk are repaired or replaced, and the toner dispensers TDm to TDk are connected to the developing devices Gm to Gk attached to the image forming apparatus main body U2. The mounting portions 71m to 71k are rotated and moved rearward and obliquely downward, and the rear claw portions 92 and 93 are hung on the rear claw receiving portions 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. Become. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16C, the mounting portions 71m to 71k are held in a state where only the rear side is positioned in the supply portion 3, and the front side is inclined upward with respect to the rear side.
Further, in the case of the Y-color toner dispenser TDy, after the mounting portion 71y is rotated obliquely downward to the left, the mounting portion 71y is moved forward with respect to the supply port 3a as shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. 16C is obtained.

Next, the mounting portions 71m to 71k are moved while the bellows of the flexible housing portions 54y to 54k are expanded and contracted so that the respective claw portions 92, 93, 94 and 88 are hung on the respective claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26 and 24. When pushed downward while being pushed downward, the claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 are completely fitted into the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24, and the mounting portions 71y to 71k are replenished portions. 3 is attached.
When the shutters 72y to 72k are moved to the second opening position, the outlets 62y to 62k are opened, and the toner dispensers TDy to TDk are connected to the developing devices Gy to Gk.

Here, in the conventional configuration shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, when the mounting member 06 is pushed backward, the front end portion of the contact portion 09 and the fourth claw portions 014 are connected to the upper side surface of the convex portion 03 e. It arrange | positions in the state which covered the front end surface and the side surface lower part. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to visually recognize whether or not the fourth claw portion 014 is completely fitted to the convex portion 03e. Therefore, there is a possibility that a mounting failure of the mounting member 06 may occur during operations such as manufacturing or replacement, and an image from between the opening 08 of the mounting member 06 and the mounting port 03a of the replenishing unit 03 may be generated when the developer is replenished. There is a possibility that the developer leaks into the main body of the forming apparatus, so-called toner spillage.
On the other hand, in the mounting portions 71y to 71k according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 and 20A, when the mounting portions 71y to 71k are pushed backward, The extension portion 88a and the surrounding portion 88b are disposed in a state of surrounding the side surface from the right side surface to the lower surface of the protruding portion 24, and the front end surface of the protruding portion 24 is exposed. As a result, during the work of moving the mounting portions 71y to 71k backward, it is possible to visually recognize whether or not the fourth claw portion 88 is fitted in the protruding portion 24, compared to the conventional configuration, It is easy to check whether or not it is in a fitted state.

Further, in the mounting portions 71 y to 71 k of the first embodiment, the front concave portion 87 of the supported portion 81 is formed above the fourth claw portion 88, and the fourth claw portion 88 is fitted into the protruding portion 24. In this state, the upper surface of the protrusion 24 is exposed below the front recess 87. As a result, it is possible to visually recognize the upper surface of the projecting portion 24 from above or obliquely upward from the front of the operator's eyes, and whether or not the fourth claw portion 88 is fitted into the projecting portion 24. Can be confirmed.
In particular, in the first embodiment, when the protruding portion 24 is hooked on the fourth claw portion 88, the upper and lower portions of the protruding portion 24 are positioned between the sandwiching portion 87a and the surrounding portion 88b that is shifted in front of the sandwiching portion 87a. Both sides are sandwiched. Therefore, when the mounting portions 71y to 71k are pushed rearward, the upper surface of the protruding portion 24 is more easily exposed than the case where the sandwiching portion 87a and the surrounding portion 88b are not displaced, and the mounting portions 71y to 71k It is easy to confirm whether or not the protrusion 24 is fitted.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment is not fitted when the claw portions 92, 93, 94, 88 are not fitted into the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26, 24 during operation. The operator can recognize this, and the work of re-fitting is prompted.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the fourth claw portion 88 is fitted in the protruding portion 24. Compared to the conventional configuration, the replenishing portion 3 and the mounting portions 71y to 71y. It is possible to reduce the mounting failure with 71k, and the occurrence of toner spillage during developer replenishment after work is reduced.

Further, in the conventional configuration, when the fourth claw portion 014 is fitted into the convex portion 03e, the extension portion of the fourth claw portion 014 is disposed in front of the convex portion 03e, whereas in the first embodiment, Then, when the 4th nail | claw part 88 fits into the protrusion part 24, the extension part 88a of the 4th nail | claw part 88 is arrange | positioned at the right side of the protrusion part 24. FIG. Here, in Example 1, as shown in FIGS. 5, 16, 17, 20, and the like, the protrusion 24 has a width in the front-rear direction of the extension of the fourth claw 014 compared to the protrusion 03 e. In other words, it is formed to protrude forward by the so-called wall thickness.
That is, the protrusion 24 of the first embodiment is formed to extend in the front-rear direction within a range that does not interfere when the shutters 72y to 72k move to the second open position. As a result, in the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment, it is easier to visually recognize the upper surface of the long protruding portion 24 from the upper side or the front obliquely upper side than the conventional configuration.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 16, 17, and 20, the length of the projecting portion 24 in the front-rear direction is longer than that in the conventional example, and the front and rear of the fourth claw portion 88. The width in the direction is set to the length in the front-rear direction of the projecting portion 24, and the extension 88 a and the surrounding portion 88 b can be engaged with the entire surface from the right side surface to the lower surface of the projecting portion 24.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the contact area between the surrounding portion 88b and the lower surface of the protruding portion 24 is larger than that in the conventional configuration. As a result, in the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, the frictional force between the protruding portion 24 and the fourth claw portion 88 is increased as much as possible while ensuring the visibility of the protruding portion 24. The four claw portions 88 and the protruding portion 24 can be firmly fixed.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H014) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above embodiment, the copying machine U was exemplified as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a printer, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the four-color developing image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus having two, three colors, or five colors or more.
(H02) In the above embodiment, the mounting mechanism of the present application in which the fourth claw portion 88 of the mounting portions 71y to 71k is fitted to the protruding portion 24 of the replenishing portion 3 is connected to the toner dispensers TDy to TDk and the developing devices Gy to Gk. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the downstream storage unit as an example of the first storage unit and the upstream storage unit as an example of the second storage unit are detachably connected. It is also possible to apply to any configuration. For example, the connection between the toner cartridges Ky to Kk and the toner dispensers TDy to TDk in the developer replenishment path, and the conveyance paths in the developer discharge paths from the developing devices Gy to Gk and the cleaners CLy to CLk, CLb. The present invention can also be applied to connection and connection between the conveyance path and the discharged developer container.

(H03) In the above embodiment, only one set of the protruding portion 24 and the fourth claw portion 88 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same protruding portion and engagement as the protruding portion 24 and the fourth claw portion 88 are provided. It is also possible to provide a plurality of joint portions.
(H04) In the above embodiment, the claw portions 92, 93, 94 and the claw receiving portions 21, 22, 26 other than the fourth claw portion 88 and the projecting portion 24 are not more than 2 sets or more than 4 sets. It is also possible to increase or decrease. For example, the rear two claw portions 92 and 93 are omitted so that only the front claw portions 93 and 88 are omitted, or the third claw portion 93 is omitted and the front claw portion is only the fourth claw portion 88. It is also possible to do.
(H05) In the above embodiment, the replenishment portion 3 extends in the front-rear direction and the flexible storage portions 54y to 54k extend in the vertical direction. However, the extending direction of the storage portions 3, 54y to 54k is not limited thereto. The image forming apparatus U can be arbitrarily changed depending on the arrangement of the apparatuses Gy to Gk and TDy to TDk in the design of the image forming apparatus U, the installation status of the image forming apparatus U, and the like. For example, as compared with the above-described embodiment, each of the storage portions 3, 54y to 54k extends in an inclined manner. In contrast to the above-described embodiment, the supply portion 3 extends in the vertical direction and the flexible storage portions 54y to 54k extend in the front-rear direction. An extending configuration is also possible.

(H06) In the said Example, although the flexible accommodating parts 54y-54k are formed in the bellows shape, it is not limited to this, For example, it is also possible to comprise the flexible accommodating parts 54y-54k in a cylinder shape. In this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the flexible housing portions 54y to 54k are made of an elastic material such as elastic rubber so that the mounting portions 71m to 71k can be mounted on the replenishing portion 3, and can be expanded or contracted. It is possible to provide a configuration.
(H07) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16C, the mounting portions 71m to 71k are moved to the replenishing portion 3 by rotating the bellows-like flexible housing portions 54y to 54k to be obliquely rearward and downward from the separation position while expanding and contracting. Although it is mounted, the configuration is not limited to the rotational movement, and for example, the mounting portions 71m to 71k can be mounted on the replenishing portion 3 by supporting the housing portion so as to be relatively slidable in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. It is also possible. In this case, it is also possible to omit the bellows of the housing part.

(H08) In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 and the like, the upstream side flexible storage portions 54y to 54k in which the developer transport direction is set downward, and the first storage in which the transport direction is set to the rear. The downstream supply unit 3 as an example of the unit is configured to intersect at right angles and connected. However, the transport direction of each of the storage units 54y to 54k, 3 is not limited to this and is set to an arbitrary direction. Is possible. For example, the transport direction of the downstream storage unit as an example of the first storage unit and the upstream storage unit as an example of the second storage unit are respectively set in the horizontal direction, and the downstream end of the upstream storage unit It is also possible to connect the lower outlet and the inlet at the upper upstream end of the downstream accommodating portion in the vertical direction to drop the replenishment developer.
(H09) In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16 and the like, the configuration in which the mounting portions 71m to 71k and the replenishing portion 3 are arranged horizontally is illustrated. However, the mounting portions 71m to 71k and the replenishing portion 3 The angle can be changed to an arbitrary angle, and the mounting portions 71m to 71k and the replenishing portion 3 can be connected in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal.

(H010) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, etc., the attaching / detaching direction in which the attaching parts 71m to 71k are attached to and detached from the replenishing part 3 is the front-rear direction in which the attaching parts 71m to 71k slide. However, the attachment / detachment direction is not limited to the front / rear direction, and for example, it may be a front oblique upper direction and a rear oblique lower direction including a vertical component that expands / contracts the bellows of the flexible accommodating portions 54y to 54k in the front / rear direction. is there.
(H011) In the above embodiment, the L-shaped fourth claw portion 88 is formed by the extension portion 88a extending downward from the right end of the front concave portion 87 and the surrounding portion 88b extending leftward from the lower end of the extension portion 88a. The shape of the fourth claw portion 88 is not limited to this, and the shape of the fourth claw portion 88 can be arbitrarily changed on the assumption that the visibility of the exposed protruding portion 24 is not impaired. It is also possible to form a U-shape that extends upward from the left end of the surrounding portion 88b and surrounds the right side surface, the lower surface, and the left side surface.

(H012) As in the above embodiment, the front concave portion 87 of the supported portion 81 is formed above the fourth claw portion 88, and the front concave portion 87 is fitted in the protruding portion 24. It is preferable that the upper surface of the protruding portion 24 is exposed below and made visible, but the front recess 87 can be omitted. In this case, the sandwiching portion 87a is disposed above the surrounding portion 88b, and the surrounding portion 88b and the sandwiching portion 87a are opposed to each other.
(H013) As in the above-described embodiment, the restricting portion 27g is provided at the tip of the opening / closing lever 27b of the shutter 27, and the attaching portions 71y to 71k attached to the replenishing portion 3 move forward with respect to the replenishing portion 3. However, it is possible to omit this.
(H014) It is preferable to provide the shutters 27, 72y to 72k and prevent the developer from leaking out when the devices TDy to TDk and Gy to Gk are not connected as in the above embodiment. It is also possible to omit this.

3a ... Inlet,
3 ... 1st accommodating part,
24 ... protruding part,
54y-54k ... 2nd accommodating part,
62y-62k ... Outlet,
87a sandwiching part,
88 ... engaging portion,
88a ... Extension part,
88b ... enclosure,
Gy to Gk: developing device,
PRy to PRk: Image carrier,
TDy + Gy to TDk + Gy ... developer transport device,
U: Image forming apparatus.

Claims (5)

A first storage portion having an inflow port into which the developer flows, and capable of storing the developer flowing in from the inflow port;
A second storage portion having an outlet through which the developer flows out, and capable of accommodating the developer flowing out from the outlet, wherein the outlet is set in advance relative to the inlet; The second accommodating portion that moves between the separation position separated by moving relative to the inlet, and the connection position where the outlet is connected to the inlet, and is detachable from the first accommodating portion;
A protruding portion provided in the first housing portion and protruding outward from the wall on the separation position side in the attaching / detaching direction along the attaching / detaching direction;
An engaging portion provided in the second accommodating portion, which engages with a side surface of the protruding portion with respect to the attaching / detaching direction to position the second accommodating portion with respect to the first accommodating portion, When the second housing portion is attached to one housing portion, the engaging portion that engages with the projecting portion with the outer surface of the projecting portion on the separated position side exposed;
A developer conveying device comprising: A first storage portion having an inflow port into which the developer flows, and capable of storing the developer flowing in from the inflow port;
A second storage portion having an outlet through which the developer flows out, and capable of accommodating the developer flowing out from the outlet, wherein the outlet is set in advance relative to the inlet; The second accommodating portion that moves between the separation position separated by moving relative to the inlet, and the connection position where the outlet is connected to the inlet, and is detachable from the first accommodating portion;
A protruding portion provided in the first housing portion and protruding outward from the wall on the separation position side in the attaching / detaching direction along the attaching / detaching direction;
An extension direction that is provided in the second housing portion and engages with a side surface of the protruding portion in the attaching / detaching direction so that the second housing portion extends with respect to the first housing portion. In the state where the outer surface of the projecting portion on the separated position side is exposed when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. , The engaging portion that engages with the protruding portion;
A developer conveying device comprising: An extension extending along an extending direction in which the second accommodating portion extends from the second accommodating portion, an extension portion extending from a distal end of the extension portion in a direction intersecting the attaching / detaching direction and the extending direction, and the protruding portion An enclosing portion that surrounds a side surface with the extension portion; and
The developer conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the developer conveying device is provided. The surrounding portion engaged with one side surface of the protruding portion with respect to the extending direction;
Provided in the second housing portion, disposed opposite the other side surface on the opposite side across the protruding portion with respect to the one side surface, and shifted from the surrounding portion with respect to the attaching / detaching direction. A pinch part,
The developer conveying device according to claim 3, further comprising: An image carrier on which a latent image is formed on the surface;
A developing device for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the developer is conveyed to the developing device.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images