JP2013068752A - Detachably opening/closing structure, and image forming device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detachably opening/closing structure or the like which eliminates a need of a member for applying force that moves in one direction or rotates an opening/closing member which opens/closes a connection port and connection object port by rotating them, when a connection object section provided with the connection object port is attached/detached.SOLUTION: The detachably opening/closing structure includes a first structure 15; a second structure; a cylindrical opening/closing member 80 which is provided rotatably around an axial line C along a direction of movement when the attachment/detachment to a connection section 17 of the first structure 15, has an opening which faces the connection port of the connection section 17 to make an opened state, and a groove 82 spirally extending around the axial line, and opens/closes the connection port with the rotation; and a fixing member which is provided while fixed to the connection object section of the second structure, and has a projection 75 which enters in the groove 82 of the opening/closing member at attaching/detaching of the first structure 15 and the second structure.

Description

  The present invention relates to a detachable opening / closing structure and an image forming apparatus having the same.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image composed of a developer on a recording material such as recording paper, necessary components are detachably mounted for reasons such as easy replacement and inspection. Removable structure that is configured to be used for Specifically, for example, a detachable structure configured such that components including a photosensitive drum and its cleaning device are unitized and detachably mounted on a mounting portion provided in the apparatus main body, or development for disposal is performed. An attachment / detachment structure is employed in which a collection container for collecting the agent is detachably attached to the attachment portion of the apparatus main body for use. Further, in such a detachable structure, when it has a connection portion formed with a discharge port for receiving and receiving a developer, a receiving port, etc., the connection is made at the time of detachment work (especially at the time of detachment) of the detachable structure. A detachable opening / closing structure is employed to prevent the developer from leaking from the discharge port of the part.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, examples of such a detachable opening / closing structure and an image forming apparatus provided with the same are as follows.

  For example, a waste toner container that is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus, and a waste toner transport pipe that forms a toner discharge port that transports the waste toner disposed in the image forming apparatus. When it is assumed that when the container is mounted, the waste toner transport tube passes through the opening formed in the waste toner container and is inserted into the waste toner container. A detachable opening / closing structure provided with a means and an image forming apparatus having the opening / closing structure are known (Patent Document 1).

  That is, the shutter is a tubular member in which an opening for opening and closing the toner discharge port of the waste toner conveying tube is formed. The shutter has a position where the toner discharge port is opened and a position where the toner discharge port is closed. They are attached in such a state that they move in the longitudinal direction of the waste toner conveying pipe against the pressure applied from the pressure member (spring). In addition, the shutter rotating means is present at a position (downward) where the opening of the shutter faces downward and coincides with the toner discharge port of the waste toner transport pipe when the waste toner transport pipe is in the waste toner container. When the waste toner container is attached / detached, the shutter opening faces upward when the waste toner transport pipe goes out of the waste toner container and is located at a position (above) shifted from the toner discharge port of the waste toner transport pipe. The shutter is rotated. In Patent Document 1, as a specific example of the shutter rotating means, a guide groove formed so as to extend in a spiral shape on the peripheral wall of the shutter, and a waste toner conveying tube projecting so as to be slidably fitted in the guide groove. The rotation means comprised with the pin which was made is illustrated. Incidentally, the shutter rotating means is structured to rotate while moving the shutter with respect to the longitudinal direction of the waste toner conveying tube.

  Further, in a process cartridge having a process unit for forming a toner image and discharging waste toner from a discharge port and a removable waste toner recovery container for receiving and collecting the waste toner from a receiving port, the process unit is rotated. A cylindrical discharge shutter that opens and closes the discharge port, and the waste toner collection container is provided with a cylindrical reception shutter that rotates and opens and closes the reception port, and the process unit or the waste toner collection container includes There is known a detachable opening / closing structure provided with an operation member for opening / closing a receiving shutter and a discharging shutter, and an image forming apparatus including the same (Patent Document 2).

  In Patent Document 2, an operation member provided on the receiving shutter is used as the operation member, and when the process cartridge with the waste toner collection container is pushed into the main body of the image forming apparatus and mounted, the receiving shutter is used. A configuration example is shown in which the operation member provided comes into contact with a non-moving member in the middle, and when the process cartridge is further pushed in, the operation member rotates around an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the receiving shutter is pushed in. Yes. Further, when this operation member is employed, a mechanism is employed in which when the receiving shutter is rotated by the operation member, the discharge shutter is rotated in conjunction with the rotation. It is shown that when the process cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position, the opening of each shutter is aligned with the discharge port and the reception port, thereby opening the discharge port and the reception port at the same time. On the other hand, when the process cartridge is pulled out from the image forming apparatus, a mechanism is adopted in which the discharge shutter rotates in the reverse direction due to the action of the closing spring, and the receiving shutter also rotates in the reverse direction in conjunction with this. And the inlet is shown to be closed at the same time.

JP 2002-311772 A JP 2007-218936 A

  According to the present invention, a first structure (for example, a detachable structure) having a connection portion in which a connection port is formed is attached and detached by a relative linear movement between the first structure and the connection portion. When a second structure (for example, a connection destination structure) having a connected portion formed with a connected port that is freely connected and connected to face the connecting port is attached or detached, the connecting port or the covered port It is not necessary to secure a moving space for moving the opening and closing member for opening and closing the connection port along the direction of movement at the time of attachment and detachment or to partially enlarge the part, and to open and close the opening and closing member in one direction An attachment / detachment opening / closing structure and an image forming apparatus including the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure that can eliminate the need for installation of a component such as a spring for applying a force for moving or rotating to the right.

The detachable opening / closing structure of this invention (A1)
A first structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connected portion formed by a relative linear movement with respect to the first structure, detachably connected to the connecting portion, and formed with a connected port facing the connecting port. A second structure having:
An opening that is provided at a connection portion of the first structure so as to be able to rotate around an axis along a direction of movement at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connection port of the connection portion; A cylindrical opening and closing member having a groove extending spirally around an axis and opening and closing the connection port by the rotation;
Protrusions provided in a state of being fixed to the connected portion of the second structure, and entering the groove of the opening / closing member when the first structure and the second structure are attached / detached A fixing member,
When the connection portion and the connected portion are connected by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is inserted into the groove of the opening / closing member. It enters the state, the opening and closing member rotates in the direction to open the connection port of the connection portion,
In addition, when the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is the opening / closing member. The opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close the connection port of the connection portion while the groove enters the groove.

The detachable opening / closing structure of this invention (A2)
A first structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connected portion formed by a relative linear movement with respect to the first structure, detachably connected to the connecting portion, and formed with a connected port facing the connecting port. A second structure having:
An opening which is provided in a connected state of the second structure so as to be able to rotate around an axis along the direction of movement at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connected port of the connected part. A cylindrical opening / closing member that has a groove extending spirally around the portion and the axis, and that opens and closes the connected port by the rotation;
A fixed portion provided in a state of being fixed to the connection portion of the first structure, and having a protrusion that enters a groove of the opening / closing member when the first structure and the second structure are attached / detached With members,
When the connection portion and the connected portion are connected by movement during the attachment / detachment of the first structure and the second structure, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. The open / close member rotates in a direction to open the connected port of the connected part,
In addition, when the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is the opening / closing member. The open / close member rotates in a direction to close the connected port of the connected portion while the groove is in the state of entering the groove.

The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of the invention (A3) is the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of the invention A1.
The connecting portion in the first structure is provided with an exterior end that covers the connection port so that the opening and closing member is rotated in an internal space,
The exterior end portion of the connection portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement during the attachment / detachment, and exposes a part of the groove of the opening / closing member to the outside and exposes the protruding portion of the fixing member. A notch portion is formed to be held in a state of entering a part of the groove.

The detachable opening / closing structure of the invention (A4) is the detachable opening / closing structure of the invention A2,
In the connected portion in the second structure, an exterior end is provided so that the connected port is formed and the opening / closing member is rotated in an internal space.
The exterior end portion of the connected portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement at the time of attachment / detachment, and a part of the groove of the opening / closing member is exposed to the outside, and the protruding portion of the fixing member is A notch is formed to hold the exposed groove in a part.

  The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of the present invention (A5) is the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of any one of the inventions A1 to A4, and is provided with a braking member that suppresses free rotation of the opening / closing member.

  The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of this invention (A6) is the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure according to any one of the inventions A1 to A4, and the rotation of the opening / closing member reaches the position for closing the connection port or the connection port and the position for opening them. A stopping mechanism that stops at the time is provided.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention (B1)
A detachable structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connection having a connected part in which the attachable / detachable structure moves linearly and is detachably attached, is detachably connected to the connecting part and is connected to face the connecting port. The pointed structure,
The connecting portion of the attaching / detaching structure is provided in a state of being rotatable around an axis line along the direction of movement at the time of attaching / detaching, the opening portion facing the connecting port of the connecting portion, and an open state to be opened A cylindrical opening and closing member having a groove extending spirally around and opening and closing the connection port by the rotation;
A fixed member having a protrusion provided in a state of being fixed to a connected portion of the connection destination structure, and entering a groove of the opening / closing member when the attachment / detachment structure is attached / detached,
When the attachment / detachment structure is attached to the connection destination structure by movement during attachment / detachment and the connection portion and the connected portion are connected, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. The opening and closing member rotates in a direction to open the connection port of the connection portion,
When the attachment / detachment structure is detached from the connection destination structure by movement during attachment / detachment and the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released, the protrusion of the fixing member is a groove of the opening / closing member. The openable / closable member rotates in a direction to close the connection port of the connection portion while in the state of entering.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention (B2)
A detachable structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connection having a connected part in which the attachable / detachable structure moves linearly and is detachably attached, is detachably connected to the connecting part and is connected to face the connecting port. The pointed structure,
An opening that is provided in a connected state of the connection destination structure in a state where it can be rotated around an axis along the moving direction at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connected port of the connected part; A cylindrical opening / closing member having a groove extending spirally around the axis and opening / closing the connected port by the rotation;
A fixed member having a protrusion that is provided in a state of being fixed to a connection portion of the detachable structure and that enters a groove of the opening and closing member when the detachable structure is attached and detached,
When the attachment / detachment structure is attached to the connection destination structure by the movement and the connection portion and the connected portion are connected, the protruding portion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. And the opening and closing member rotates in a direction to open the connected port of the connected part,
In addition, when the detachable structure is detached from the connection destination structure by the movement and the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. While in the state, the opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close the connected port of the connected part.

The image forming apparatus of the invention (B3) is the image forming apparatus of the invention B1.
In the connected portion in the connection destination structure, an exterior end portion is provided to cover the connected port so that the connected port is formed and the opening / closing member rotates in an internal space,
The exterior end portion of the connected portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement at the time of attachment / detachment, and a part of the groove of the opening / closing member is exposed to the outside, and the protruding portion of the fixing member is A notch is formed to hold the exposed groove in a part.

The image forming apparatus of the invention (B4) is the image forming apparatus of the invention B2,
In the connection part in the detachable structure, an exterior end is provided so that the connection port is formed and the opening and closing member rotates in an internal space.
The exterior end portion of the connection portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement during the attachment / detachment, and exposes a part of the groove of the opening / closing member to the outside and exposes the protruding portion of the fixing member. A notch portion is formed to be held in a state of entering a part of the groove.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (B5) is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned inventions B1 to B4, wherein a braking member that suppresses free rotation of the opening / closing member is provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention (B6), in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the aforementioned inventions B1 to B4, the rotation of the opening / closing member reaches the position where the connection port or the connection port is closed and the position where they are opened. A stopping mechanism that stops at the time is provided.

  According to the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of the above inventions A1 and A2, when the first structure and the second structure are attached / detached, the opening / closing member for rotating and opening / closing the connection opening and the connection opening is provided. Installation of components for applying a force to move or rotate the opening and closing member in one direction while securing a moving space for moving along the direction of movement during attachment and detachment and part enlargement of components are unnecessary. Can be made unnecessary.

  In the detachable opening / closing structure of the inventions A3 and A4, the connection port or the connected port is opened by touching the opening / closing member in the first structure or the second structure and rotating the opening / closing member by mistake. Can be prevented.

  In the detachable opening / closing structure of the invention A5, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member from easily rotating due to vibration or the like and causing a positional shift.

  In the attachment / detachment opening / closing structure of the invention A6, the connection port and the connection port can be reliably closed or opened when the opening / closing member rotates, as compared with the case where the structure of the invention is not provided. it can.

  According to the image forming apparatuses of the inventions B1 and B2, when attaching / detaching the detachable structure and the connection destination structure, the opening / closing member for rotating the connection port or the connection target port to open / close is opened and removed. It is not necessary to secure a moving space for moving along the direction of movement or to enlarge part of the part, and it is not necessary to install a part to give the force to move or rotate the opening / closing member in one direction can do.

  In the image forming apparatuses of the inventions B3 and B4, the connection port or the connection port is opened by touching the opening / closing member in the detachable structure or the connection destination structure and rotating the opening / closing member by mistake. Can be prevented.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention B5, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member from rotating due to vibration or the like and causing a positional shift.

  In the detachable opening / closing structure of the invention B6, when the opening / closing member rotates, the connection port and the connection port can be reliably closed or opened.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration part (a state in which a waste toner container is detachably attached to one image forming unit) adopting a detachable opening / closing structure in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of an image forming unit (a conveying pipe protruding portion and its peripheral portion) in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the side surface (or front) of an image forming unit. It is a description perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance pipe protrusion part in an image formation unit. It is a schematic sectional drawing which follows the QQ line in the conveyance pipe protrusion part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st rotation shutter installed in the internal space of a conveyance pipe protrusion part. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view along the line QQ in the waste toner container of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a main part showing one state when a waste toner container is attached to and detached from a transport pipe protruding part such as an image forming unit. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state of a second rotary shutter installed in a connection holding unit of a waste toner container. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a main part illustrating a state in which a waste toner container is viewed from different directions when the waste toner container is attached to and detached from a conveyance pipe protruding part such as an image forming unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part illustrating a state where a waste toner container is attached to and detached from a conveyance pipe protruding part such as an image forming unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state when a waste toner container is detachably attached to a conveyance pipe protruding part such as an image forming unit. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state of a second rotary shutter and the like when a waste toner container is detachably attached to a conveyance tube protruding portion such as an image forming unit. FIG. 2 shows a state when the first rotating shutter and the second rotating shutter are provided with a restraining mechanism at each position, and FIG. 4A shows a state when each rotating shutter is at a position for closing the discharge port and the receiving port. FIG. 2B is a main part explanatory view showing a state when each rotary shutter is at a position where the discharge port and the receiving port are closed. FIG. 2 conceptually shows a configuration and each operation state when only one set including a first rotary shutter and a first protrusion is provided as a detachable opening / closing structure, and (a) shows a state before the first rotary shutter rotates. An explanatory view showing a state when the discharge port is closed, (b) is an explanatory view showing a process in the middle of rotation of the first rotary shutter, and (c) is a time when the first rotary shutter is finished rotating, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when it exists in the position which opens a discharge port etc. FIG. 2 conceptually shows a configuration and each operation state when only one set including a second rotary shutter and a second protrusion is provided as a detachable opening / closing structure, and (a) shows a state before the second rotary shutter rotates, etc. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the receiving port is closed, FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a process in the middle of rotation of the second rotary shutter, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when it exists in the position which opens a receiving port etc. in FIG.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an image forming apparatus to which the detachable opening / closing structure according to the first embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the state of a part of a component that employs the detachable opening / closing structure.

  The image forming apparatus has a housing 10 as a main body of the apparatus, and four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged at almost the center position inside the housing 10. Four image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that respectively form developer (toner) images are arranged in series at a required interval (for example, the same interval). The casing 1 is a structural body having a shape (box shape) similar in appearance to a box shape, and a discharge accommodating portion 11 is formed that accommodates a recording material on which an image is formed on the upper surface portion. Has been.

  Each of the four image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K) includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging device 22, a developing device 23, a drum cleaning device 24, and the like. Each of the four image forming units 2 (Y, M, C, K) is configured as a process cartridge (detachable unit) in which the photosensitive drum 21, the charging device 22, the developing device 23, and the drum cleaning device 24 are integrated. As described later, the housing 10 is configured to be detachably mounted and used.

  Among these, the developing device 23 stirs the developer (for example, two-component developer) of the color to be accommodated by the agitating / conveying member 23b and frictionally charges the developer, and holds the developer on the developing roll 23a. It is conveyed so as to pass through the development area facing the photosensitive drum 21. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roll 23a from a power supply device (not shown). Further, the drum cleaning device 24, for example, a cleaning member 24a such as a rubber plate that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 and scrapes the residual toner inside the device casing, and the residual toner scraped off by the cleaning member 24a is a waste toner. A conveying member 24b such as a screw auger that is sent out toward a waste toner container (15) described later is installed.

  The position corresponding to the lower side of the image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) inside the housing 10 is irradiated with light corresponding to the image signal of each color component on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21. An exposure device 25 for forming an electrostatic latent image is disposed. For example, the exposure device 25 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 through a light source such as a semiconductor laser and light emitted from the light source in accordance with an image signal through an optical component such as a polygon mirror and a lens. An optical scanning device for exposure is arranged. Further, an image signal is transmitted to the exposure device 25 from an image processing device (including an image input device) (not shown).

  In each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K), when a request for image formation is received, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 that is rotated by transmission of power from a driving device (not shown) is charged to a required potential by the charging roll 22. Then, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21 is irradiated with light corresponding to the image signal of each color component from the exposure device 25 to form an electrostatic latent image of each color component. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the surface of the respective photosensitive drums 21 have the four colors (Y, M, C, K) in the corresponding developing devices 23 (Y, M, C, K). The four color toner images are formed by developing with the developer of any color.

  Further, at a position above the image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K) inside the housing 1, a toner image formed by each image forming unit 20 is primarily transferred and then used as a recording material. An intermediate transfer device 30 that conveys the recording paper 9 to a secondary transfer position for secondary transfer is disposed. The intermediate transfer device 30 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 31 that can hold a toner image by electrostatic action, a plurality of support rolls 32, 33, and 34 that rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt 31, and an intermediate transfer belt. A primary transfer roll 35 that is disposed inside the image forming unit 20 and primarily transfers the toner images of the image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, and K) to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 31. A secondary transfer roll 36 for secondary transfer of the toner image to the recording paper P, a belt cleaning device 37, and the like are provided.

  Of these, the support roll 32 is configured as a drive roll, the support roll 33 is configured as a tension applying roll, and the support roll 34 is configured as an opposing roll of the secondary transfer unit. The primary transfer roll 35 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 21 (Y, M, C, K) of each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween, and A required primary transfer voltage is applied from a power supply device (not shown). A required secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roll 36 from a power supply device (not shown). The belt cleaning device 37 also discards, for example, a cleaning member 37a such as a rubber plate that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 31 and scrapes the residual toner inside the device housing, and the residual toner scraped off by the cleaning member 37a. A conveying member 37b such as a screw auger that is sent out toward a waste toner container (15) described later as toner is installed.

  In the intermediate transfer device 30, each color toner image formed by the image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) is aligned with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the primary transfer roll 35 during image formation. In this state, the primary transfer is performed sequentially. The intermediate transfer belt 31 conveys the primary transferred toner image to a secondary transfer position facing the secondary transfer roll 36. At this time, in the image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K), the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the drum cleaning device 24.

  In addition, a paper feeding device 40 in which recording paper 9 is accommodated is disposed at a position below the exposure device 25 in the housing 1. The paper feeding device 40 is attached to the housing 10 so as to be freely drawn out, and stores a paper container 41 that stores recording paper 9 having a desired size and type on the stacking plate 42 and a paper container. 41 is provided with a feeding device 43 that feeds the recording paper 9 one by one. In the paper feeding device 40, when an image is formed, required recording paper is sent out from the paper container 41 one by one by the sending device 43.

  The recording paper 9 sent out from the paper feeding device 40 is conveyed at a required timing toward a secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device 30 through a paper feeding conveyance path including a paper conveyance roll pair 44, a conveyance guide 45, and the like. Sent in. At the secondary transfer position, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper 9. At this time, in the intermediate transfer device 30, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the secondary transfer is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 37.

  Further, a fixing device 50 is disposed at a position above the secondary transfer roll 33 in the housing 1. The fixing device 50 is driven to rotate inside a casing 51 in a required direction and the surface temperature of the fixing device 50 is heated to a required temperature by a heating unit and is heated and held in a roll form, a belt form, and the like. A pressurizing rotator 53 such as a roll form or a belt form that is rotated by contact with a required pressure so as to substantially follow the rotation axis direction of the heating rotator 52 is provided.

  The recording paper 9 on which the toner image has been transferred at the secondary transfer position is sent to a pressure contact portion between the heating rotator 52 and the pressure rotator 53 of the fixing device 50, and is heated and pressed. The toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper 9. The recording paper 9 after fixing is carried out of the housing 10 through a discharge conveyance path constituted by a pair of paper conveyance rolls 46, a conveyance guide 44, and the like, and finally discharged to the discharge storage unit 11 and stored therein.

  In this image forming apparatus, all or a part of the developer of four colors (Y, M, C, and K) is selected by selecting and operating all or part of the image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K). A color image formed by combining the portions can be formed. In addition to this, it is also possible to form a monochromatic image composed of one color developer such as black.

  Further, this image forming apparatus is configured as a process cartridge in which four image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K) are detachably attached to the housing 10. For this reason, the housing 10 is provided with mounting (space) portions for detachably mounting the four image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K). The four image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K) are connected to a rotation drive device (not shown) disposed on the housing 10 side when mounted on the mounting portion.

  Further, in this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the paper is discharged from each drum cleaning device 24 and belt cleaning device 37 of the intermediate transfer device 3 in the four image forming units 20 (Y, M, C, K). A waste toner container 15 for storing the waste toner to be disposed is detachably attached to and connected to the casing 10, each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) and the belt cleaning device 37. ing. Incidentally, the attaching / detaching operation of the waste toner container 15 is performed back and forth in the linear moving direction B parallel to the coordinate axis Z in the figure, as in the attaching / detaching operation of each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K). It is configured to be performed by moving it.

  Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a state where the waste toner container 15 is mounted and connected to one image forming unit 20K. Reference numeral 21a in FIG. 2 and the like is a connecting member (coupling) provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 21 and connected to the connecting portion of the rotation driving device, and reference numeral 23c is at one end of the developing roll 23a in the developing device 23. A connecting member (coupling) provided to connect to the connecting portion of the rotary drive device, reference numeral 23d denotes a developer inlet connected to a connecting portion of a replenishing device (not shown) for supplying developer to the developing device 23, Reference numeral 26 denotes a waste toner conveying pipe. Reference numerals 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K, and 16B connect the waste toner transport pipe 26 of each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, and K) to the waste toner transport pipe (not shown) of the belt cleaning device 37. This is a connecting portion provided on the side wall surface of the waste toner container 15 for performing. Further, reference numeral 152 is a positioning pin that fits into a positioning hole in the housing 10 when the waste toner container 15 is attached, and reference numeral 153 is an attachment / detachment that is detachably fixed to an attachment portion of the housing 10 when the waste toner container 15 is attached / detached. A fixing member, reference numeral 154, indicates a storage recess portion into which a handle (204) used when attaching / detaching each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) is inserted.

  In this image forming apparatus, the following is provided between the connecting portion 16 of the waste toner container 15 and the waste toner transport pipe (connected portion) of each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K). A detachable opening / closing structure is adopted. Although not shown, a similar detachable opening / closing structure is also adopted for the waste toner conveyance tube of the belt cleaning device 37.

  First, a part of the detachable opening / closing structure equipped in each image forming unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, each image forming unit 20 includes a cylindrical conveyance pipe protrusion 26 </ b> A in which the waste toner conveyance pipe 26 protrudes from the end of each unit connected to the waste toner container 15. Is provided. The transport pipe protruding portion 26A becomes a connected portion to which the connecting portion 16 of the waste toner container 15 is detachably connected.

  A discharge port 27 for discharging waste toner toward a receiving port (to be described later) of the waste toner container 15 is formed on the lower surface portion near the end portion of the transport pipe protrusion 26A as shown in FIGS. Has been. As a result, the residual toner scraped off by the drum cleaning device 24 is disposed as waste toner from the internal space of the waste toner conveying tube 26 to the internal space of the conveying tube protruding portion 26A as shown in FIG. It is transported by a transport member (for example, screw auger) 24b that is driven to rotate, and is finally discharged from the discharge port 27.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and the like, the conveyance tube protruding portion 26 </ b> A rotates about the axis C along the moving direction B when the waste toner container 15 is attached / detached. Thus, a cylindrical first rotary shutter 60 that opens and closes the discharge port 27 is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the first rotary shutter 60 has a cylindrical shape with one end 60a closed, and is opened to face the discharge port 27 on the closed end 60a side. An opening 61 is formed, and a spiral groove 62 extending spirally around the axis C is formed on the outer peripheral surface 60b. Further, a stop projection 63 having a semicircular cross section that forms part of a stop mechanism that stops the rotation of the rotary shutter 60 at a predetermined position is formed on the closed end portion 60a.

  The spiral groove 62 is formed with a required groove width and groove depth, an inlet portion 62a formed in an open state from the closed end portion 60a of the first rotary shutter 60, and an end of the groove. It has the form which has the terminal part 62b which becomes. Further, when the first rotary shutter 60 is rotated by the movement of the protrusion described later, the spiral groove 62 is at least between the position where the opening 61 of the rotary shutter 60 closes the discharge port 27 and the position where it opens. The rotary shutter 60 is formed to rotate by an amount that can be moved. In the first embodiment, the spiral groove 62, when viewed from the upstream side of the mounting direction B1 in the moving direction B during mounting, is counterclockwise from the inlet 62a to the terminal end 62b (counterclockwise direction). ) To form a spiral that rotates and extends.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and the like, the first rotary shutter 60 has a sealing material 67 attached to a partial area surrounding the opening 61 on the outer peripheral surface 60 b. It is preferable that the sealing material 67 is in contact with the inner wall portion of the conveying pipe protruding portion 26A and also exhibits a braking action that suppresses the free rotation of the rotary shutter 60. For example, a sponge-like sealing material with high density A material such as urethane foam made of fine cells is applied. In the sealing material 67, an opening 67a having a shape and a size substantially corresponding to the opening 61 of the rotary shutter 60 and the discharge port 27 of the transport pipe protrusion 26A is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 and the like, the notch 90 extending linearly along the moving direction B when the waste toner container 15 is attached / detached is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport pipe protrusion 26A. Has been. The notch 90 intersects with the spiral groove 62 of the first rotary shutter 60 and exposes a part of the spiral groove 62 to the outside. In addition, the notch 90 holds a protrusion, which will be described later, in a state of entering a part of the exposed spiral groove 62. For this reason, the notch 90 is formed with a width or the like that allows a protrusion described later to enter and that can enter a part of the exposed spiral groove 62.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A is surely provided with a rotation stop position of the first rotary shutter 60 via a stop projection 63 of the rotary shutter 60 at the substantially central portion of the front end portion thereof. A rotation range restricting hole 28 for restricting is formed. The rotation range restricting hole 28 is a first side portion 28a that stops the rotation of the rotary shutter 60 by contacting a stop surface 63a (a plane corresponding to a semicircular diameter) 63a of the stop projection 63 at a position where the discharge port 27 is closed. And a second side portion 28b that stops the rotation of the rotary shutter 60 by contacting the stop surface 63a of the stop projection 63 at a position where the discharge port 27 is opened.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the transport pipe protruding portion 26A is not prepared by a user or the like on the stop projection 63 of the first rotary shutter 60 at a portion that is outside the rotation range regulating hole 28 at the tip portion. Protrusions for preventing (protecting) rotating the rotary shutter 60 by touching it, or for positioning the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A and the waste toner container 15 (second rotary shutter 80 described later). 29 is formed. When the waste toner container 15 is mounted, the protrusion 29 is fitted into a fitting hole (84) formed in a first rotary shutter 80 described later in the waste toner container 15 (FIG. 13).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a second protrusion 75 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the transport pipe protruding portion 26A so as to enter a spiral groove 82 in a second rotary shutter 80 described later in the waste toner container 15. Has been. The 2nd protrusion 75 is formed in the dimension and position which can enter the spiral groove 82. FIG.

  Next, the remaining part of the detachable opening / closing structure equipped in the waste toner container 15 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9, and the like, the waste toner container 15 is formed with a connecting portion 16 that is connected to the transport pipe protruding portion 26 </ b> A of the image forming unit 20 or the like when the toner container 15 is attached. . The connection part 16 comprises a part of side wall surface of the container 15, for example. In addition, the connection portion 16 is formed with an opening portion 16a as an inlet into which the transport pipe protruding portion 26A is inserted. The opening 16a is a substantially circular opening having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the transport pipe protrusion 26A, and is set such that the transport pipe protrusion 26A is inserted when the waste toner container 15 is attached.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8, 19 and the like, the connecting portion 16 is provided on the inside of the container with the opening portion 16a as an inlet, and a conveying pipe protruding portion of the image forming unit 20 or the like inserted when the waste toner container 15 is attached. A cylindrical connection holding portion 17 for holding 26A is formed. The connection holding portion 17 is a connection portion that performs an actual connection with the transport pipe protruding portion 26A. In addition, a receiving port 18 for receiving waste toner discharged from the discharge port 27 of the transport pipe protruding portion 26A is formed on the lower surface portion of the connection holding portion 17.

  A first protrusion 70 that enters the spiral groove 62 of the first rotary shutter 60 through the notch 90 of the transport pipe protrusion 26 </ b> A when the waste toner container 15 is attached / detached is formed in the opening 16 a of the connection portion 16. Is formed. The first protrusion 70 can move forward and backward in the notch 90 along the movement direction B when the waste toner container 15 is mounted, and enters the spiral groove 62 while being held in the notch 90. It is set to a shape and a size that can be maintained in a standing state. Moreover, although the protrusion 70 is integrally formed as a part of the opening 16a, it may be configured to be formed and installed by another member.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 11, and the like, the connection holding unit 17 is received in the internal space by rotating about an axis C along the moving direction B when the waste toner container 15 is attached and detached. A cylindrical second rotary shutter 80 that opens and closes the inlet 18 is disposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, etc., the second rotary shutter 80 has a cylindrical shape in which one end 80a is completely opened, and the other end 80b opposite to the opened end 80a. An opening 81 is formed so as to face the receiving port 18 and open, and a second spiral groove 82 extending spirally around the axis C is formed on the inner and outer peripheral surface 80c thereof. Further, a stop projection 83 constituting a part of a stop mechanism for stopping the rotation of the second rotary shutter 80 at a predetermined position is formed on the outer peripheral surface 80d.

  The second spiral groove 82 is formed with a required groove width and groove depth, and an inlet portion 82a formed in an open state from the open end portion 80a of the second rotary shutter 80, and the groove It has the form which has the termination | terminus part 82b used as a termination | terminus. Further, the second spiral groove 82 has at least the opening portion 81 of the rotary shutter 80 when the second rotary shutter 80 is rotated by the movement of the protrusion 75 formed at the tip of the transport pipe protrusion 26A. The rotary shutter 80 is formed so as to rotate by an amount capable of moving between a position where the camera is closed and a position where the camera is opened. When viewed from the downstream side of the mounting direction B1 in the moving direction B during mounting, the second spiral groove 82 in the first embodiment is a clockwise direction (clockwise) from the inlet 62a toward the terminal end 62b. It is formed so as to form a spiral extending in a direction).

  Further, the second rotary shutter 80 is formed with a stop projection 83 constituting a part of a stop mechanism for stopping the rotation of the shutter 80 at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface 80d. In addition, a fitting hole 84 is formed in the center of the other end 80b, into which the protrusion 29 of the transport pipe protrusion 26A of the image forming unit 20 and the like is fitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, etc., the second rotary shutter 80 is provided with a sealing material 87 for preventing toner leakage in a partial region surrounding the opening 81 on the outer peripheral surface 80d. ing. It is preferable that the seal material 87 is in contact with the inner wall portion of the connection holding portion 17 and simultaneously exhibits a braking action that suppresses free rotation of the rotary shutter 80. For example, the seal material 87 is a material applied with the seal material 67 described above. The same material is applied. An opening 87 a having a shape and a size substantially corresponding to the opening 81 of the rotary shutter 80 and the receiving port 18 of the connection holding portion 17 is formed in the sealing material 87.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 15, and the like, the connection holding portion 17 is reliably provided with a rotation stop position of the rotary shutter 80 via a stop protrusion 83 of the second rotary shutter 80 on the inner wall portion thereof. A rotation range restriction recess 19 for restriction is formed. The rotation range restricting depression 19 includes a first wall surface portion 19 a that stops the rotation of the rotary shutter 80 when the stop projection 83 comes into contact with the opening 81 of the rotary shutter 80 that closes the reception port 18, and the reception port 18. It is a hollow of a cylindrical curved surface having a shape having a second wall surface 19b that stops the rotation of the rotary shutter 80 by the stop protrusion 83 coming into contact with the opening.

  Hereinafter, operations and states of the waste toner container 15 adopting this attachment / detachment opening / closing structure and the image forming unit 20 during attachment / detachment will be described.

  First, in the waste toner container 15 before mounting, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 12, etc., the second rotary shutter 80 stops at the position where the receiving port 18 in the connection holding part 17 of the connection part 16 is closed. doing.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15a, the second rotary shutter 80 is at a position where the stop projection 83 is in contact with the first wall surface portion 19a in the rotation range restricting recess portion 19 of the connection holding portion 17. A part of the outer peripheral surface 80d is in a state of closing the receiving port 18 (FIG. 10 and the like). Further, at this time, the second spiral groove 82 of the second rotary shutter 80 has a position where the inlet portion 82a receives the second protrusion 75 formed on the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A of the image forming unit 20 (for example, one side surface portion). It is in a stopped state at about the center).

  On the other hand, in the image forming unit 20 before being mounted, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first rotary shutter 60 is stopped at a position where the discharge port 27 in the transport pipe protruding portion 26 </ b> A is closed. Thereby, the leakage of the toner from the discharge port 27 is prevented.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 15a, the first rotary shutter 60 is in a position where the stop surface 63a of the stop protrusion 63 is in contact with the first side portion 28a in the rotation range restricting hole 28. The outer peripheral surface 60b and a part of the sealing material 67 are in a state of closing the discharge port 27 (FIG. 5 and the like). At this time, the spiral groove 62 of the first rotary shutter 60 is at a position (for example, the uppermost portion) where the inlet portion 62a receives the first protrusion 70 formed in the opening portion 16a of the connection portion 16 of the waste toner container 15. Stopped. Moreover, the spiral groove 62 at this time is also in a state where the inlet portion 62a is stopped at a position that substantially coincides with the inlet portion 90a of the cutout portion 90 in the transport pipe protruding portion 26A (FIG. 3 and the like). .

  When the waste toner container 15 is attached to the image forming unit 20, the belt cleaning device 37, etc., as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, 12, etc., the waste toner container 15 is already attached to the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus. The waste toner container 15 is moved linearly along the mounting direction B1 in the moving direction B at the time of attachment / detachment toward the image forming unit 20 or the like. By this moving operation, the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A of the waste toner conveyance tube 26 in the image forming unit 20 or the like is inserted into the opening 16a in the connection portion 16 of the waste toner container 15.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the opening portion of the connection portion 16 reaches the opening portion 16a of the connecting portion 16 of the image forming unit 20 and the like when the opening portion 16a of the image forming unit 20 reaches the opening portion 16a. The first projection 70 at 16a enters the inlet 62 of the spiral groove 62 in the first rotary shutter 60 of the transport pipe projection 26A through the notch 90, and the second projection at the transport pipe projection 26A. 75 enters the second spiral groove 82 in the second rotary shutter 80 of the connection holding portion 17 of the connection portion 16.

  Subsequently, when the waste toner container 15 is pushed in the mounting direction B1, the transport pipe protruding portion 26A is inserted into the connection holding portion 17 of the connection portion 16 (actually inside the second rotary shutter 80).

  Along with this, in the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A of the image forming unit 20 or the like, the first protrusion 70 on the waste toner container 15 side is notched while maintaining the state of entering the spiral groove 62 as shown in FIG. In order to advance the part 90 linearly along the downstream side of the mounting direction B1, the first rotary shutter 60 is located in the direction of the arrow D1 (the mounting direction) around the axis C along the moving direction B inside the transport pipe protrusion 26A. When viewed from the upstream side of B1, it rotates in the clockwise direction. That is, the first rotary shutter 60 rotates in a direction to open the discharge port 27 of the transport pipe protrusion 26A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the connection holding portion 17 of the waste toner container 15 is mounted in a state where the second protrusion 75 on the image forming unit 20 side enters the second spiral groove 82 of the second rotary shutter 80. Since the second rotary shutter 80 proceeds linearly along the upstream side in the direction B1, the second rotary shutter 80 is located in the direction of the arrow E1 around the axis C inside the connection holding portion 17 (when viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction B1, Rotate around). That is, the second rotary shutter 80 rotates in a direction to open the receiving port 18 of the connection holding unit 17.

  Finally, when the waste toner container 15 is pushed into the predetermined mounting position and the mounting is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. The stop projection 63 of the rotary shutter 60 contacts the second side portion 28b of the rotation range restricting hole 28 of the transport pipe protruding portion 26A, whereby the first rotary shutter 60 stops rotating and the opening 61 thereof is a discharge port. 27, the discharge port 27 is opened. Further, in the connection holding portion 17 of the waste toner container 15, the restraining projection 83 of the second rotary shutter 80 comes into contact with the second wall surface portion 19 b of the rotation range restricting depression 19 in the connection holding portion 17, whereby the rotary shutter 80 is moved. The rotation is stopped and the opening 71 is in a state of facing the receiving port 27 so that the receiving port 27 is opened. In addition, at this time, the discharge port 27 and the receiving port 27 are also connected to face each other.

  As a result, when the waste toner is transported through the waste toner transport pipe 26 of the image forming unit 20 or the like, the waste toner passes through the opening 61 and the discharge port 27 of the first rotary shutter 60 in the transport pipe protrusion 26A in this order. Then, the toner is discharged to the waste toner container 15 so as to fall naturally. At this time, when viewed from the waste toner container 15 side, the discharged waste toner passes through the opening 81 and the receiving port 27 of the second rotary shutter 80 in the connection holding unit 17 in this order and falls into the container. It is housed in a state. In FIG. 13, the illustration of the conveying member 24b (FIG. 6) existing inside the conveying pipe protruding portion 26A and the like is omitted.

  When the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 and the like adopting this detachable opening / closing structure are mounted, the positions of the first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 are shifted along the mounting direction B1. The discharge port 27 or the receiving port 18 can be opened by simply rotating around the axis C without moving. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space for moving both the first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 that open and close the discharge port 27 or the reception port 18 along the direction of the mounting direction B1, Considering the movement, for example, it is not necessary to form a part of the transport pipe protruding part 26A or a part of the connection holding part 17 so as to be enlarged (lengthened) in the movement direction B.

  Accordingly, the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size as it is not necessary to secure such a moving space.

  Incidentally, reference numeral 170 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 13 is, for example, a configuration in which the second rotary shutter 80 rotates while moving to the upstream side in the mounting direction B1 with the insertion of the transport pipe protrusion 26A. The second rotary shutter 80 becomes a moving space for moving and accommodating. The moving space 170 is a part of the transfer pipe protrusion 26A even when the first rotary shutter 60 rotates while moving in the direction along the movement direction B with respect to the transfer pipe protrusion 26A. Is used as a space to be accommodated. For this reason, in the second embodiment, since it is not necessary to secure the moving space 170, the dimensions of the waste toner container 15 and the conveying pipe protruding portion 26A are reduced by the dimension W (FIG. 13) in the moving direction B. Can do.

  On the other hand, when removing the waste toner container 15 from the image forming unit 20, the belt cleaning device 37, etc., the waste toner container 15 is moved linearly along the removal direction B2 in the movement direction B at the time of attachment / detachment from the state shown in FIG. Let By this moving operation, the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A of the waste toner conveyance tube 26 in the image forming unit 20 and the like is extracted from the opening 16a in the connection portion 16 of the waste toner container 15.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 15b, etc., until the front end of the transport pipe protrusion 26A such as the image forming unit 20 is completely extracted from the opening 16a in the connection 16 of the waste toner container 15. The first protrusion 70 in the opening 16a of the connecting portion 16 is in a state of entering the inlet portion 62 of the spiral groove 62 in the first rotary shutter 60 of the transport pipe protruding portion 26A through the notch 90, and The second protrusion 75 on the transport pipe protruding portion 26 </ b> A enters the second spiral groove 82 in the second rotary shutter 80 of the connection holding portion 17 of the connection portion 16.

  Thereafter, when the waste toner container 15 is further moved in the detaching direction B2, the transport pipe projecting portion 26A is pulled out from the connection holding portion 17 of the connection portion 16 (actually inside the second rotary shutter 80).

  Along with this, in the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A of the image forming unit 20 or the like, the first protrusion 70 on the waste toner container 15 side is notched while maintaining the state of entering the spiral groove 62 as shown in FIG. In order to advance the part 90 linearly along the downstream side in the removal direction B2, the first rotary shutter 60 moves in the direction of the arrow D2 (from the upstream side in the mounting direction B1) around the axis C within the transport pipe protrusion 26A. Rotate clockwise when viewed. That is, the first rotary shutter 60 rotates in a direction to close the discharge port 27 of the transport pipe protrusion 26A.

Further, the connection holding unit 17 of the waste toner container 15 is removed in a state where the second protrusion 75 on the image forming unit 20 side enters the second spiral groove 82 of the second rotary shutter 80 as shown in FIG. Since the second rotary shutter 80 proceeds linearly along the downstream side in the direction B2, the second rotary shutter 80 is in the direction of the arrow E2 around the axis C inside the connection holding portion 17 (when viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction B1, Rotate clockwise). That is, the second rotary shutter 80 rotates in a direction to close the receiving port 18 of the connection holding unit 17.

  Finally, when the waste toner container 15 is completely removed from the image forming unit 20, etc., as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 8, 15a, etc., the transport pipe protrusion 26A of the image forming unit 20, etc. As in the state before mounting, the stop protrusion 63 of the first rotary shutter 60 comes into contact with the first side portion 28a of the rotation range restricting hole 28 of the transport pipe protruding portion 26A, whereby the first rotary shutter 60 is moved to the arrow. The rotation in the direction indicated by D2 is stopped, and the opening 61 is not opposed to the discharge port 27 so that the discharge port 27 is closed. Further, in the connection holding portion 17 of the waste toner container 15, the stop protrusion 83 of the second rotary shutter 80 is connected to the first wall surface portion 19 a of the rotation range restricting depression 19 in the connection holding portion 17 in the same manner as before the mounting. As a result, the rotary shutter 80 stops rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow E2, and the opening 71 is not in contact with the receiving port 27 so that the receiving port 27 is closed.

  As a result, in the image forming unit 20 or the like from which the waste toner container 15 has been removed, the first rotary shutter 60 reliably prevents the waste toner from leaking from the discharge port 27 such as the transport pipe protrusion 26A. On the other hand, in the waste toner container 15, the second rotary shutter 80 reliably prevents the waste toner from blowing out from the receiving port 18 of the connection holding unit 17.

  In the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 adopting this detachable opening / closing structure, the first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 are arranged along the direction of the removal direction B2 or the like when the removal is performed. The outlet 27 or the inlet 18 can be closed by simply rotating around the axis C without shifting the position. For this reason, it is not necessary to secure a space for moving the first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 along the direction of the removal direction B2. It is not necessary to form a part of the portion 26A or the connection holding part 17 by enlarging it in the moving direction B.

  Further, in the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 adopting this attachment / detachment opening / closing structure, when the attachment / detachment is performed, the force due to the movement along the movement direction B of the first protrusion 70 and the second protrusion 75 is received, The first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 move so as to rotate in both directions in which the outlet 27 or the inlet 18 is opened and closed. For this reason, the first rotary shutter 60 and the second shutter 80 that open and close the discharge port 27 or the receiving port 18 both have springs for applying a force to rotate in their respective rotation directions (D1, D2, E1, E2). It is necessary to install components such as materials and drive devices, and spring materials and components such as drive devices for applying a force to move in the moving direction B (moving direction required when closing the outlet 27 or the receiving port 18). There is no.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment (mainly, the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20), it is possible to reduce costs because such parts are not required.

  Further, in the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 before the attachment (including after removal), the rotary shutters 60 and 80 are arranged inside the container (connection holding part 17) and inside the conveyance pipe protruding part 26A. It has a structured. For this reason, since there is no possibility that the handler touches the rotary shutters 60 and 80, for example, the rotary shutters 60 and 80 are accidentally rotated by touching them so that the discharge port 27 and the reception port 18 are partially opened. It is possible to prevent this.

  Further, in the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 and the like, the conveyance tube protruding portion 26A or the connection holding portion 17 in which the rotary shutters 60 and 80 are installed around the openings 61 and 82 of the rotary shutters 60 and 80, respectively. Since the sealing materials 67 and 87 are installed in contact with the inner wall surface of the toner cartridge, the rotary shutters 60 and 80 are easily rotated freely when the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 receive vibration or the like. Inducing misalignment is prevented. For this reason, the projections 70 and 75 are reliably introduced into the spiral grooves 62 and 82 in the rotary shutters 60 and 80, and the waste toner container 15 can be stably attached to the image forming unit 20 and the like. Can do.

[Other embodiments]
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the waste toner container 15 is used by being attached to and detached from the image forming unit 20 or the like already mounted on the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the unit 20 or the like is used by being attached to and detached from the waste toner container 15 already mounted on the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus. Also in this case, since the rotary shutters 60 and 80 are similarly rotated by the movement of the protrusions 70 and 75, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, a detachable opening / closing structure (rotary shutters 60 and 80 having spiral grooves and protrusions 70 and 75 entering the spiral grooves) is provided between the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 and the like. Although the configuration adopted as an example is exemplified, only one set may be adopted as exemplified below.

  For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 16, extracted main components are provided with a first protrusion 70 in the waste toner container 15 and a first rotary shutter 60 in which a spiral groove 62 is formed in the image forming unit 20 or the like. It is possible to adopt a configuration that simply installs. In this case, the second rotary shutter 80 is not installed in the connection holding unit 17 of the waste toner container 15. In the upper part and the lower part of FIG. 16, the illustration of the transport pipe protruding part 26 </ b> A in the image forming unit 20 or the like is omitted. When the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 are attached and detached by moving relatively linearly in the directions indicated by the arrows B1 and B2, the first protrusions 70 in the waste toner container 15 are the first protrusions 70. By entering the spiral groove 62 of the one-rotation shutter 60, the rotation shutter 60 rotates in the directions indicated by arrows D1 and D2 (FIG. 16b). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16a and 16c, the first rotary shutter 60 (the opening 61 thereof) opens and closes the receiving port 18 in the connection holding portion 17 of the waste toner container 15.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 17 by extracting main components, a second rotary shutter 80 having a spiral groove 82 formed in the waste toner container 15 is installed, and the conveying pipe protrusion 26A of the image forming unit 20 and the like. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which only the second protrusion 75 is provided. In this case, the first rotary shutter 60 is not installed on the transport pipe protrusion 26A of the image forming unit 20 or the like. In the lower part of FIG. 17, the connection holding portion 17 in the waste toner container 15 is illustrated not in a cylindrical shape but in a simplified flat plate shape. When the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20 are attached and detached by moving relatively linearly in the directions indicated by the arrows B1 and B2, the second protrusions 75 on the transport pipe protruding portion 26A are provided. By entering the spiral groove 82 of the second rotary shutter 80, the rotary shutter 80 rotates in the directions indicated by arrows E1 and E2 (FIG. 17b). As a result, the second rotary shutter 80 (the opening 81 thereof) opens and closes the receiving port 18 in the connection holding portion 17 of the waste toner container 15 as shown in FIGS. 17a and 17c.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the first rotary shutter 60 installed in the image forming unit 20 or the like is exemplified as the configuration installed in the internal space of the transport pipe protrusion 26A, but the outside (outer peripheral surface) of the transport pipe protrusion 26A. It is also possible to configure it so that it can rotate freely.

  Further, the detachable unit to which this detachable opening / closing structure is applied is not limited to the waste toner container 15 and the image forming unit 20, but may be other units. Examples of the detachable unit include a developer replenishing device and a waste toner container in the transfer device unit.

  Further, the spiral grooves 62 and 82 are not limited to being formed with the same groove width over the entire groove area, and for example, the inlet portions 62a and 82a may be formed with a relatively wide width. In addition, the notch 90 can also be formed with a relatively wide entrance. Thus, when each entrance part is formed with a wider width, the introduction (intrusion) of the projections 70 and 75 is smoothly performed.

  In addition, the type of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited as long as the toner image can be finally formed on the recording paper 9.

15 ... Waste toner container (first or second structure, detachable structure or connection destination structure)
16: Connection part (fixing member)
17 ... Connection holding part (connection part or connected part)
18 ... Reception port (connection port or connected port)
19: Rotation range restriction recess (part of the stop mechanism)
20. Image forming unit (second or first structure, connection destination structure, or detachable structure)
26A ... Conveying pipe protruding portion (connected portion or connecting portion, fixing member, exterior end)
27 ... Discharge port (connected port or connection port)
28 ... Rotation range restriction hole (part of the stop mechanism)
37 ... Belt cleaning device (second or first structure, connection destination structure or detachable structure)
60. First rotary shutter (opening / closing member)
61 ... opening 62 ... spiral groove (groove)
63: Stop projection (part of the stop mechanism)
67 ... Sealing material (braking member)
70 ... 1st protrusion (protrusion)
75 ... 2nd protrusion (protrusion)
80 ... Second rotary shutter (opening / closing member)
81 ... opening 82 ... second spiral groove (groove)
83 ... Stop projection (part of the stop mechanism)
87 ... Sealing material (braking member)
90 ... notch B ... moving direction C ... axis D1 ... rotation direction D2 when opening the discharge port of the first rotation shutter ... rotation direction E1 when closing the discharge port of the first rotation shutter E1 ... receiving the second rotation shutter Rotation direction when opening the entrance E2 Rotation direction when closing the entrance of the second rotary shutter

Claims (12)

A first structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connected portion formed by a relative linear movement with respect to the first structure, detachably connected to the connecting portion, and formed with a connected port facing the connecting port. A second structure having:
An opening that is provided at a connection portion of the first structure so as to be able to rotate around an axis along a direction of movement at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connection port of the connection portion; A cylindrical opening and closing member having a groove extending spirally around an axis and opening and closing the connection port by the rotation;
Protrusions provided in a state of being fixed to the connected portion of the second structure, and entering the groove of the opening / closing member when the first structure and the second structure are attached / detached A fixing member,
When the connection portion and the connected portion are connected by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is inserted into the groove of the opening / closing member. It enters the state, the opening and closing member rotates in the direction to open the connection port of the connection portion,
In addition, when the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is the opening / closing member. A detachable opening / closing structure in which the opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close the connection port of the connecting portion while being in a state of entering the groove. A first structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connected portion formed by a relative linear movement with respect to the first structure, detachably connected to the connecting portion, and formed with a connected port facing the connecting port. A second structure having:
An opening which is provided in a connected state of the second structure so as to be able to rotate around an axis along the direction of movement at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connected port of the connected part. A cylindrical opening / closing member that has a groove extending spirally around the portion and the axis, and that opens and closes the connected port by the rotation;
A fixed portion provided in a state of being fixed to the connection portion of the first structure, and having a protrusion that enters a groove of the opening / closing member when the first structure and the second structure are attached / detached With members,
When the connection portion and the connected portion are connected by movement during the attachment / detachment of the first structure and the second structure, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. The open / close member rotates in a direction to open the connected port of the connected part,
In addition, when the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released by the movement of the first structure and the second structure during the attachment / detachment, the protrusion of the fixing member is the opening / closing member. A detachable opening / closing structure in which the opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close a connected port of the connected portion while the groove is in a state of entering the groove. A detachable structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connection having a connected part in which the attachable / detachable structure moves linearly and is detachably attached, is detachably connected to the connecting part and is connected to face the connecting port. The pointed structure,
The connecting portion of the attaching / detaching structure is provided in a state of being rotatable around an axis line along the direction of movement at the time of attaching / detaching, the opening portion facing the connecting port of the connecting portion, and an open state to be opened A cylindrical opening and closing member having a groove extending spirally around and opening and closing the connection port by the rotation;
A fixed member having a protrusion provided in a state of being fixed to a connected portion of the connection destination structure, and entering a groove of the opening / closing member when the attachment / detachment structure is attached / detached,
When the attachment / detachment structure is attached to the connection destination structure by movement during attachment / detachment and the connection portion and the connected portion are connected, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. The opening and closing member rotates in a direction to open the connection port of the connection portion,
When the attachment / detachment structure is detached from the connection destination structure by movement during attachment / detachment and the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released, the protrusion of the fixing member is a groove of the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close the connection port of the connection portion while the image forming apparatus is in a state where the connection portion is inserted. A detachable structure having a connection portion formed with a connection port;
A connection having a connected part in which the attachable / detachable structure moves linearly and is detachably attached, is detachably connected to the connecting part and is connected to face the connecting port. The pointed structure,
An opening that is provided in a connected state of the connection destination structure in a state where it can be rotated around an axis along the moving direction at the time of attachment and detachment, and is opened facing the connected port of the connected part; A cylindrical opening / closing member having a groove extending spirally around the axis and opening / closing the connected port by the rotation;
A fixed member having a protrusion that is provided in a state of being fixed to a connection portion of the detachable structure and that enters a groove of the opening and closing member when the detachable structure is attached and detached,
When the attachment / detachment structure is attached to the connection destination structure by the movement and the connection portion and the connected portion are connected, the protruding portion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. And the opening and closing member rotates in a direction to open the connected port of the connected part,
In addition, when the detachable structure is detached from the connection destination structure by the movement and the connection between the connection portion and the connected portion is released, the protrusion of the fixing member enters the groove of the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing member rotates in a direction to close the connected port of the connected part while in the state. The connecting portion in the first structure is provided with an exterior end that covers the connection port so that the opening and closing member is rotated in an internal space,
The exterior end portion of the connection portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement during the attachment / detachment, and exposes a part of the groove of the opening / closing member to the outside and exposes the protruding portion of the fixing member. The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure according to claim 1, wherein a notch portion is formed to be held in a state of entering a part of the groove. In the connected portion in the second structure, an exterior end is provided so that the connected port is formed and the opening / closing member is rotated in an internal space.
The exterior end portion of the connected portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement at the time of attachment / detachment, and a part of the groove of the opening / closing member is exposed to the outside, and the protruding portion of the fixing member is The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure according to claim 2, wherein a notch portion is formed to be held in a state where the part is exposed to a part of the exposed groove. In the connection part in the detachable structure, an exterior end is provided so that the connection port is formed and the opening and closing member rotates in an internal space.
The exterior end portion of the connection portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement during the attachment / detachment, and exposes a part of the groove of the opening / closing member to the outside and exposes the protruding portion of the fixing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a notch portion is formed to be held in a state where the groove is inserted into a part of the groove. In the connected portion in the connection destination structure, an exterior end portion is provided to cover the connected port so that the connected port is formed and the opening / closing member rotates in an internal space,
The exterior end portion of the connected portion has a shape extending linearly along the direction of movement at the time of attachment / detachment, and a part of the groove of the opening / closing member is exposed to the outside, and the protruding portion of the fixing member is The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a notch portion is formed to be held in a state in which the groove is exposed.   The detachable opening / closing structure according to claim 1, 2, 5, or 6, further comprising a braking member that suppresses free rotation of the opening / closing member.   The attachment / detachment opening / closing structure according to claim 1, 2, 5, or 6, further comprising a stopping mechanism for stopping rotation of the opening / closing member when reaching a position where the connection port or the connection port is closed and a position where the connection port is opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a braking member that suppresses free rotation of the opening / closing member is provided.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a stop mechanism that stops rotation of the opening / closing member when reaching a position where the connection port or the connection port is closed and a position where the connection port is opened.

Images