JP2015118389A - Toner container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely fix a toner container to a mounting part and reduce work load of an operator who works on attaching and detaching of a toner container.SOLUTION: A toner container is detachably mounted on a mounting part in an image forming apparatus. The toner container comprises a lock piece 48. The mounting part comprises a lock member 104. The lock member 104 comprises: an insertion recess 106 capable of inserting the lock piece 48 therein; a locking piece 110 movable between a protrusion position protruding to the insertion recess 106 and a retracted position retracted from the insertion recess 106 away from the protrusion position; and a biasing member 115 for biasing the locking piece 110 to a protrusion position side. If the locking piece 48 is inserted to a predetermined position in the insertion recess 106, the locking piece 110 presses the lock piece 48 to a depths side in a mounting direction to the mounting part of the toner container by biasing force of the biasing member 115.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container provided in an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, or an electrostatic facsimile, development processing is performed by supplying toner from a developing unit to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum or the like. Is going. In addition, toner used for such development processing is supplied to a developing device from a toner container such as a toner container or an intermediate hopper.

  In such an image forming apparatus, when the above development processing is repeatedly performed, the toner in the toner container decreases accordingly, and when the toner in the toner container is exhausted, the toner container needs to be replaced. Therefore, generally, the toner container is detachably attached to a mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus.

  Various configurations have been devised so far in order to improve the operability when the toner container is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus and the holding power of the toner container by the image forming apparatus. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mounting portion (see “container mounting portion 33b”) in which a toner container is detachably mounted, and a fixing member that is movable in the axial direction in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner container to the mounting portion ( An image forming apparatus including a “fixing lever 41” and an urging member (see “coil spring 43”) for urging the fixing member toward one side in the axial direction is disclosed. In this prior art, when the toner container presses the inclined surface provided on the fixing member, the fixing member moves to the other end side in the axial direction against the urging force of the urging member, and the bottom surface of the toner container is the fixing member. When the toner container is detached from the fixing member, the toner container is locked to the fixing member by the urging force of the urging member.

JP 2006-284661 A

  However, in such a configuration, the toner container must continue to be pressed against the mounting portion against the urging force of the urging member until the toner container comes into contact with the fixing member and is locked to the fixing member. In other words, the work load on the user, such as a user or a serviceman, for attaching and detaching the toner container has increased.

  In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to securely fix a toner container to a mounting portion and to reduce the work load on an operator who attaches / detaches the toner container.

  The toner container of the present invention is a toner container that includes a discharge port for discharging toner, and is detachably attached to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, and a lock piece is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the toner container. The mounting portion is provided with a lock member, and the lock member is provided along the mounting direction of the toner container to the mounting portion, and an insertion recess into which the lock piece can be inserted, and a predetermined length in the insertion recess. A locking piece that is movable in a direction intersecting the mounting direction between a protruding position that protrudes and a retracted position that retreats from the insertion recess with respect to the protruding position; and the locking piece on the protruding position side An urging member for urging the lock, and when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion, the lock piece is inserted into the first position in the insertion recess when the lock piece is inserted into the engagement portion. Press the stop, and resist the biasing force of the biasing member When the locking piece is moved from the protruding position to the retracted position and the locking piece is inserted to the second position on the far side in the mounting direction from the first position in the insertion recess, The locking piece presses the lock piece toward the back side in the mounting direction by the biasing force of the biasing member, and the lock piece reaches a third position on the back side in the mounting direction rather than the second position in the insertion recess. Is inserted, the locking piece locks the lock piece, and the movement of the lock piece to the front side in the mounting direction is restricted, and the lock piece is provided at one end of the toner container. The other end portion of the toner container is provided with a lever for switching between a fixed state and an unfixed state of the other end portion with respect to the mounting portion, and when the toner container is removed from the mounting portion, Whether the other end is fixed by operation By switching to the unlocked state and rotating the other end side away from the mounting portion with the one end side as a fulcrum, the locking piece can be unlocked by the locking piece. It is characterized by that.

  Thus, when the locking piece is inserted to the second position in the insertion recess, the locking piece presses the locking piece toward the back in the mounting direction by the biasing force of the biasing member. The force required to move to the back side can be reduced. Along with this, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user such as a user or a serviceman who attaches / detaches the toner container. Further, when the locking piece is inserted to the third position in the insertion recess, the locking piece is locked by the locking piece, so that the toner container can be securely fixed to the mounting portion. Further, the toner container can be detached from the mounting portion without providing a mechanism for releasing the fixing state of the toner container from the mounting portion on the mounting portion side.

  The other end of the toner container may be provided with a shutter that is connected to the lever and opens and closes the discharge port when the lever is operated.

  By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to simultaneously perform the switching between the fixed state and the fixed release state of the other end portion and the opening and closing of the discharge port, and the work of the worker who performs the work of attaching and detaching the toner container The burden can be further reduced.

  The toner container further includes a container main body that contains toner and provided with the discharge port, the lever includes a lever side gear and is rotatably supported by the container main body, and the shutter includes the lever side gear. And a shutter side gear that meshes with the container body, and may be rotatably mounted on the container body.

  The lock piece may have a long shape in the mounting direction.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the toner container is attached to and detached from the mounting portion, the lock piece is guided along the mounting direction by the insertion concave portion, and the posture of the toner container can be stabilized. It becomes possible.

  The toner container of the present invention is a toner container that includes a discharge port for discharging toner and is detachably mounted on a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, and the mounting portion of the toner container is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the toner container. A locking piece having a long shape in the mounting direction is provided, and the mounting portion is provided with a locking member, and the locking member is provided along the mounting direction of the toner container to the mounting portion, Moves in a direction intersecting the mounting direction between an insertion recess into which the lock piece can be inserted, a protruding position protruding into the insertion recess by a predetermined length, and a retracted position withdrawing from the insertion recess than the protruding position. And a biasing member that biases the latching piece toward the protruding position, and the first position in the insertion recess when the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. Until the lock piece is inserted up to A piece presses the locking piece, the locking piece moves from the protruding position to the retracted position against the urging force of the urging member, and more than the first position in the insertion recess. When the lock piece is inserted to the second position on the back side in the mounting direction, the locking piece presses the lock piece to the back side in the mounting direction by the biasing force of the biasing member, When the lock piece is inserted to the third position on the back side in the mounting direction with respect to the second position, the locking piece locks the lock piece, and the lock piece is moved forward in the mounting direction. The movement is restricted.

  Thus, when the locking piece is inserted to the second position in the insertion recess, the locking piece presses the locking piece toward the back in the mounting direction by the biasing force of the biasing member. The force required to move to the back side can be reduced. Along with this, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user such as a user or a serviceman who attaches / detaches the toner container. Further, when the locking piece is inserted to the third position in the insertion recess, the locking piece is locked by the locking piece, so that the toner container can be securely fixed to the mounting portion. Further, when the toner container is attached to or detached from the mounting portion, the lock piece is guided along the mounting direction by the insertion recess, and the posture of the toner container can be stabilized.

  The toner container may further include a container main body in which the toner is stored and the discharge port is provided, and the lock piece may protrude from the container main body toward the back in the mounting direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to securely fix the toner container to the mounting portion, and to reduce the work burden on the operator who is performing the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view from the left rear side showing a state in which the container side shutter opens the discharge port and the developing device side shutter opens the supply port in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating a toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the left rear side showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming unit in a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the left front side showing the image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing the image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows a locking member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a state in which the toner container is held above the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a lock piece is fixed to a lock member. In the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the process in which a fixing piece is fixed to a fixing member. FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view from the left rear side showing a state where the container side shutter closes the discharge port and the developing device side shutter closes the supply port in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a state where the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion of the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a process of removing the toner container from the mounting portion of the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the overall configuration of an electrophotographic printer 1 as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the left side in FIG. 1 is the front side (front side) of the printer 1.

  The printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2. A paper feed cassette 3 for storing paper (not shown) is accommodated in the lower portion of the printer main body 2, and a paper discharge tray is disposed on the upper surface of the printer main body 2. 4 is provided. An upper cover 5 is attached to the upper surface of the printer main body 2 in front of the paper discharge tray 4 so as to be openable and closable, and a toner container 6 as a toner container is stored below the upper cover 5.

  An exposure unit 7 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is disposed below the discharge tray 4 above the printer body 2, and an image forming unit 8 is provided below the exposure unit 7. Yes. The image forming unit 8 is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier. Around the photosensitive drum 10, a charger 11, a developing device 12, a transfer roller 13, and a cleaning device are provided. The apparatus 14 is disposed along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 10 (see arrow X in FIG. 1).

  A paper transport path 15 is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feed unit 16 is provided at the upstream end of the conveyance path 15, and a transfer unit 17 configured by the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 13 is provided at a middle portion of the conveyance path 15. Is provided with a fixing device 18, and a paper discharge unit 20 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 15. A reverse path 21 for double-sided printing is formed below the transport path 15.

  Next, an image forming operation of the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  When the printer 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial setting such as temperature setting of the fixing device 18 is executed. Then, when image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the printer 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged by the charger 11, exposure corresponding to the image data is performed on the photosensitive drum 10 by laser light from the exposure device 7 (see the two-dot chain line P in FIG. 1). The electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 12 into a toner image with toner.

  On the other hand, the sheet taken out from the sheet cassette 3 by the sheet feeding unit 16 is conveyed to the transfer unit 17 in synchronization with the above-described image forming operation, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 17. Is transferred to. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 15 and enters the fixing device 18 where the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge unit 20 to the paper discharge tray 4. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 is collected by the cleaning device 14.

  Next, the toner container 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view from the left rear side showing a state where the container side shutter opens the discharge port and the developing device side shutter opens the supply port in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 4 is a right side view showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the left rear side showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention.

  An arrow Fr appropriately attached to each figure indicates the front side (front side) of the printer 1 (the same applies to FIG. 7 and subsequent figures). 2 is a perspective view from the right rear side, FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view from the left rear side, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the left rear side. For this reason, the left-right relationship on the drawings of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 and the actual left-right relationship are reversed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner container 6 is accommodated in a substantially box-shaped container main body 22 having an open upper surface, a transport screw 23 accommodated in the rear lower portion of the container main body 22, and the container main body 22. A stirring paddle 24, a lid 25 covering the upper surface of the container body 22, a lever 26 attached to the right end of the container body 22, and a transmission member 27 disposed at the right end of the container body 22 together with the lever 26. A container-side shutter 28 attached to the rear lower part of the right end portion of the container main body 22. The transmission member 27 is not shown in FIG.

  The container body 22 contains toner and has a shape that is long in the left-right direction. A main body side flange portion 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the container main body 22. As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical discharge duct 31 protrudes toward the right at the lower right end of the container body 22, and a toner discharge is provided at the bottom of the discharge duct 31. A discharge port 32 is formed. A seal member 33 is attached to the lower outer periphery of the discharge duct 31, and a communication port 34 is formed in the seal member 33 at a position corresponding to the discharge port 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical boss 37 having an insertion hole 36 protrudes toward the right side (outside) at the center of the right end wall 35 of the container body 22. On the right surface (outer surface) of the right end wall 35 of the container body 22, a first regulating rib 38 projects from the rear upper side of the boss 37. On the right surface of the right end wall 35 of the container main body 22, a second restriction rib 40 projects from the front upper side of the boss 37. A cylindrical protrusion 42 is provided below the first regulating rib 38 on the right surface of the right end wall 35 of the container body 22.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a pedestal portion 44 protrudes toward the left side (outside) at the front portion of the left end wall 43 of the container body 22, and an IC tag 45 for wireless communication is fixed to the pedestal portion 44. Has been. A toner filling port 46 is provided at the rear of the left end wall 43 of the container main body 22 behind the pedestal portion 44, and the toner filling port 46 is closed by a cap 47.

  On the left surface of the left end wall 43 of the container main body 22 (corresponding to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 6), a lock piece 48 is provided below the toner filling port 46. The lock piece 48 has a long shape in a direction inclined downward (hereinafter referred to as “mounting direction”; see arrow Y in FIG. 5). A recess 50 is formed in the upper part of the front surface of the lock piece 48, and an engaging protrusion 51 is provided below the recess 50 so as to protrude forward.

  As best shown in FIG. 2, the conveying screw 23 has a long shape in the left-right direction. The conveying screw 23 includes a rod-shaped rotating shaft 52 and a spiral fin 53 provided concentrically on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the right side portions of the rotating shaft 52 and the spiral fin 53 are inserted into the discharge duct 31 of the container body 22. The right end portion of the rotating shaft 52 protrudes to the right from the discharge duct 31, and a conveying gear 54 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the protruding portion.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stirring paddle 24 is disposed on the upper front side of the conveying screw 23 and has a shape that is long in the left-right direction. The stirring paddle 24 includes a support frame 55 having a frame plate shape, and a sheet-like stirring blade 56 supported by the support frame 55. The left and right ends of the support frame 55 are pivotally supported on the right end wall 35 and the left end wall 43 of the container body 22 via bearings 57 (see FIG. 3, hereinafter referred to as “bearings 57 of the stirring paddle 24”). Yes. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the bearing 57 of the stirring paddle 24 attached to the right end wall 35 is provided with an engagement receiving portion 58 at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 36 of the boss 37. The stirring blade 56 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin sheet such as Lumirror (trade name).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a lid side flange portion 60 having a shape corresponding to the main body side flange portion 30 of the container main body 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the lid body 25, and the main body side flange portion 30 and the lid side flange are provided. The container body 22 and the lid body 25 are integrated by ultrasonic welding of the part 60.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the lever 26 includes a lever body 61 having a circular outline in a side view. The lever main body 61 includes a cylindrical small-diameter cylindrical portion 62, a cylindrical large-diameter cylindrical portion 63 provided on the outer periphery of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62, and extends radially to connect the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 63. And four connecting portions 64.

  The small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 is attached to the outer periphery of a boss 37 provided on the right end wall 35 of the container body 22, whereby the lever 26 is rotatably supported by the container body 22. A gripping portion 65 projects from the upper portion of the large diameter cylindrical portion 63. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 63 is provided with a protruding piece 66 in front of the grip portion 65. A lever side gear 67 is provided on the outer periphery of the rear lower portion of the large diameter cylindrical portion 63.

  As best shown in FIG. 6, the transmission member 27 includes a disk-shaped transmission member main body 68. On the right surface (outer surface) of the transmission member main body 68, a transmission coupling 70 having a triangular prism shape in a side view is projected. An engagement piece 71 projects from the left surface (inner surface) of the transmission member main body 68. The engagement piece 71 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 provided in the boss 37 of the container body 22 and is engaged with an engagement receiving portion 58 (see FIG. 4 and the like) provided in the bearing 57 of the stirring paddle 24. . As a result, the transmission member 27 and the stirring paddle 24 are connected to rotate integrally.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a transmission gear 72 is provided on the outer periphery of the transmission member main body 68. The transmission gear 72 meshes with the conveyance gear 54 fixed to the rotation shaft 52 of the conveyance screw 23, and the conveyance screw 23 rotates with the rotation of the transmission member 27.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the container-side shutter 28 has a cylindrical shape. The container side shutter 28 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the discharge duct 31 of the container body 22. A discharge opening 73 is formed on the lower surface of the container-side shutter 28. As best shown in FIG. 3, the discharge opening 73 is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 32 of the container body 22 and the communication port 34 of the seal member 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a substantially fan-shaped guide piece 74 is projected from the container-side shutter 28. An arcuate guide hole 75 is provided in the guide piece 74, and the protrusion 42 of the container body 22 is engaged with the guide hole 75.

  As best shown in FIG. 6, the container side shutter 28 is provided with a gear accommodating portion 76, and the gear accommodating portion 76 accommodates a transport gear 54. A communication opening 77 is formed in the gear storage portion 76, and the transport gear 54 can be stored in the gear storage portion 76 through the communication opening 77.

  As best shown in FIG. 4, the container side shutter 28 is provided with a shutter side gear 78. The shutter side gear 78 meshes with the lever side gear 67 of the lever 26, and the container side shutter 28 rotates in the direction opposite to the lever 26 as the lever 26 rotates. A fixed piece 80 is provided at the right end of the container-side shutter 28. The fixed piece 80 includes a pair of opposed flat surface portions 81 and a pair of curved surface portions 82 that connect both ends of the flat surface portion 81, and has an oval cross section (non-circular cross section). A pressing protrusion 83 is provided at the lower part of the container side shutter 28.

  Next, the developing device 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the left front side showing the image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing the image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a lock member in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the developing device 12 is integrated with the photosensitive drum 10, the charger 11, and the cleaning device 14 to constitute an image forming unit 85. The image forming unit 85 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out forward and upward with respect to the printer main body 2, and is provided so as to be detachable from the printer main body 2.

  The developing device 12 includes a box-shaped developing device main body 86. A partition wall 87 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the inside of the developing device main body 86, and stirring members 88 are accommodated in front and rear of the partition wall 87, respectively. Each stirring member 88 is rotatably supported by the developing device main body 86. A developing roller 90 is housed inside the developing device main body 86 at the rear lower side of the rear stirring member 88. The developing roller 90 is rotatably supported by the developing device main body 86 and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a mounting portion 92 is provided on the upper surface side of the upper wall 91 of the developing device main body 86, and the toner container 6 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 92 as will be described later. It has become. A supply port 93 is provided on the right side of the mounting portion 92, and a seal member 94 is fixed around the supply port 93. The seal member 94 is formed of an elastic member such as a sponge. A replenishment opening 95 is formed in the seal member 94 at a position corresponding to the replenishment port 93.

  The mounting portion 92 is provided with a developing device side shutter 96. The developing device side shutter 96 has a flat plate shape that is long in the left-right direction. A fulcrum portion 97 is provided at the left end portion of the developing device side shutter 96, and the developing device side shutter 96 rotates in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the upper wall 91 of the developing device main body 86 around the fulcrum portion 97. The replenishment port 93 and the replenishment opening 95 are opened and closed.

  A handle 99 is provided at the front end of the mounting portion 92. A drive mechanism 98 projects from the right end portion of the mounting portion 92. The driving mechanism 98 is provided with a driving coupling 100 having a triangular cylindrical shape in a side view connected to driving means (not shown) such as a motor.

  A fixing member 101 protrudes from the right end of the mounting portion 92 behind the drive mechanism 98. A linear guide groove 102 is provided on the left surface (inner surface) of the fixing member 101 along the mounting direction (see arrow Y in FIG. 8), and circular on the rear lower side (back side in the mounting direction) of the guide groove 102. A fixed groove 103 having a cross section is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a lock member 104 protrudes from the left end portion of the mounting portion 92. On the right surface (inner surface) of the lock member 104, a guide recess 105 that is curved downward in an arc shape is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, an insertion recess 106 connected to the lower end portion of the guide recess 105 is provided on the right surface of the lock member 104. The insertion recess 106 is provided along the mounting direction (see arrow Y in FIG. 10).

  An accommodation portion 107 is provided in the front-rear direction in front of the insertion recess 106. The accommodating portion 107 communicates with the insertion recess 106 through the communication hole 108. The accommodating portion 107 accommodates a locking piece 110. The locking piece 110 has a protruding position (see a solid line in FIG. 10) that protrudes a predetermined length into the insertion recess 106, and a retreat position (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10) that retreats from the insertion recess 106 beyond this protruding position. It is possible to move in a direction that intersects the mounting direction (in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction).

  The locking piece 110 is provided with a first inclined surface 111 that is inclined so as to protrude into the insertion recess 106 toward the back in the mounting direction at a position where it can protrude into the insertion recess 106. The locking piece 110 includes a second inclined surface that is continuous with the first inclined surface 111 and is inclined further away from the insertion recess 106 toward the inner side in the mounting direction than the first inclined surface 111 toward the inner side in the mounting direction. 112 is provided. The engaging piece 110 is provided with an engaging recess 116 on the rear side in the mounting direction with respect to the second inclined surface 112. A spring recess 113 is provided on the front surface side of the locking piece 110, and a spring receiving portion 114 is provided in the spring recess 113. A coil spring 115 as an urging member is interposed between the spring receiving portion 114 and the accommodating portion 107, and the locking piece 110 is urged toward the protruding position by the coil spring 115.

  A method of mounting the toner container 6 on the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12 having the above-described configuration will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a state in which the toner container is held above the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of fixing the lock piece to the lock member in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of fixing the fixing piece to the fixing member in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective sectional view from the left rear side showing a state in which the container side shutter closes the discharge port and the developing device side shutter closes the supply port in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 15 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a state in which the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion of the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the transmission member 27 is not shown.

  In order to mount the toner container 6 on the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12, first, as shown in FIG. 11, the toner container 6 is held above the developing device 12, and the toner container 6 is mounted in the mounting direction (FIG. 11). It is lowered toward the developing device 12 along the arrow Y). Along with this, the lock piece 48 of the toner container 6 descends while being guided by the guide recess 105, and the lock piece 48 is inserted into the insertion recess 106 from its lower end. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12A, the lower end portion of the lock piece 48 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 111 of the locking piece 110.

  From this state, when the lock piece 48 is further lowered as shown in FIG. 12B and the lower end of the lock piece 48 is inserted to the first position A1 in the insertion recess 106, the lower end of the lock piece 48 is reached. The portion presses the first inclined surface 111 of the locking piece 110, and the locking piece 110 moves from the protruding position to the retracted position against the urging force of the coil spring 115. At this time, the first inclined surface 111 of the locking piece 110 presses the lock piece 48 forward in the mounting direction.

  From this state, the lock piece 48 is further lowered as shown in FIG. 12C, and the lower end portion of the lock piece 48 is inserted to the second position A2 on the far side in the mounting direction from the first position A1. Then, the second inclined surface 112 of the locking piece 110 and the engaging protrusion 51 of the lock piece 48 come into contact with each other. Along with this, the second inclined surface 112 of the locking piece 110 presses the engaging protrusion 51 of the locking piece 48 toward the back in the insertion direction by the urging force of the coil spring 115.

  From this state, the lock piece 48 is further lowered as shown in FIG. 12D, and the lower end portion of the lock piece 48 is inserted to the third position A3 on the far side in the mounting direction from the second position A2. Then, the contact state between the second inclined surface 112 of the locking piece 110 and the engaging protrusion 51 of the locking piece 48 is released, and the locking piece 110 moves from the retracted position to the protruding position by the biasing force of the coil spring 115. The engagement protrusion 51 of the lock piece 48 engages with the engagement recess 116 of the locking piece 110. Thereby, the locking piece 110 locks the lock piece 48 and the movement of the lock piece 48 toward the front side in the mounting direction is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, the fixing piece 80 and the fixing member 101 are separated before the toner container 6 is mounted on the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12. From this state, when the toner container 6 is mounted on the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12, the fixed piece 80 passes through the guide groove 102 and engages with the fixed groove 103 as shown in FIG.

  In this state, when the lever 26 is rotated by tilting the gripping portion 65 of the lever 26 to the rear side, the container-side shutter 28 connected to the lever 26 rotates with respect to the container main body 22 along with this rotation. By the rotation of the container side shutter 28, as shown in FIG. 13C, the phase of the fixed piece 80 with respect to the fixed groove 103 changes, and the release of the engagement between the fixed piece 80 and the fixed groove 103 is restricted. . As a result, the right end portion of the toner container 6 shifts from the unlocked state to the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12 to the fixed state.

  Further, in a state before the gripping portion 65 of the lever 26 is tilted to the rear side, the container side shutter 28 closes the discharge port 32 of the container body 22 as shown in FIG. From this state, when the container-side shutter 28 is rotated by tilting the gripping portion 65 of the lever 26 to the rear side as described above, the container-side shutter 28 opens the discharge port 32 of the container main body 22 as shown in FIG. Open. Further, as the container-side shutter 28 rotates, the pressing protrusion 83 of the container-side shutter 28 presses the developing device-side shutter 96 backward. With this pressing, the developing device side shutter 96 rotates backward, and the developing device side shutter 96 opens the supply port 93 of the developing device 12. As a result, toner can be supplied from the toner container 6 to the developing device 12.

  When the toner container 6 is mounted on the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12 as described above, the left surface of the left end wall 43 of the toner container 6 is covered with the lock member 104 as shown in FIG. The right end portion of the shutter 28 is covered with the fixing member 101.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the lower end portion of the lock piece 48 is inserted to the second position A2 in the insertion recess 106, the second inclined surface 112 of the locking piece 110 is applied by the urging force of the coil spring 115. However, since the lock piece 48 is pressed to the back side in the mounting direction, the force required to move the toner container 6 to the back side in the mounting direction can be reduced. Along with this, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user such as a user or a serviceman who attaches or detaches the toner container 6. Further, when the lower end portion of the lock piece 48 is inserted to the third position A3 in the insertion recess 106, the lock piece 48 is locked by the lock piece 110, so that the toner container 6 is securely attached to the mounting portion 92. It becomes possible to fix to.

  Further, the second inclined surface 112 of the locking piece 110 is made continuous with the first inclined surface 111, so that the second inclined surface 111 of the locking piece 110 is pressed from the state in which the first inclined surface 111 of the locking piece 110 is pressed by the lock piece 48. It becomes possible to smoothly shift to a state in which the engaging projection 51 of the lock piece 48 is pressed by the inclined surface 112.

  In addition, by connecting the container-side shutter 28 to the lever 26, it is possible to simultaneously switch between the fixed state and the fixed state of the right end of the toner container 6 and the opening and closing of the discharge port 32 in an interlocked manner. Thus, it is possible to further reduce the work load of the worker who performs the attaching / detaching work 6. Further, by engaging the fixing piece 80 of the container-side shutter 28 with the fixing groove 103 of the fixing member 101, the toner container 6 can be more securely fixed to the mounting portion 92. In particular, in this embodiment, since both ends of the toner container 6 are configured to be firmly fixed to the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12, for example, the toner container 6 is grasped and the image forming unit 85 is pulled out or attached. Even when the operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the toner container 6 from falling off the mounting portion 92.

  Further, since the lock piece 48 has a long shape in the mounting direction, when the toner container 6 is attached to or detached from the mounting portion 92, the lock piece 48 is guided along the mounting direction by the insertion recess 106. Thus, the posture of the toner container 6 can be stabilized.

  Next, a method for removing the toner container 6 from the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process of fixing the fixing piece to the fixing member in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above. FIG. 16 is a perspective view from the right rear side showing a process of removing the toner container from the mounting portion of the developing device in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13C, the gripping portion 65 of the lever 26 is tilted forward from the state in which the gripping portion 65 of the lever 26 is tilted backward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, the phase of the fixing piece 80 with respect to the fixing groove 103 changes, and the engagement between the fixing piece 80 and the fixing groove 103 can be released, and the right end portion of the toner container 6 is The fixed state with respect to the mounting portion 92 is switched to the fixed release state.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 13A, the fixing piece 80 is removed from the fixing member 101. At this time, since the lock piece 48 remains engaged with the engagement piece 110, as shown in FIG. 16A, the right end portion side of the toner container 6 is separated from the mounting portion 92 with the left end portion as a fulcrum. It rotates (upward in this embodiment). As a result, the locking state of the locking piece 48 by the locking piece 110 can be released, and the toner container 6 can be removed from the mounting portion 92 of the developing device 12 as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the toner container 6 can be detached from the mounting portion 92 without providing a mechanism for releasing the fixing state of the toner container 6 from the mounting portion 92 on the mounting portion 92 side. Yes.

  Although the case where the lever 26 and the container-side shutter 28 are formed separately has been described in the present embodiment, in another different embodiment, the lever 26 and the container-side shutter 28 may be formed integrally.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the toner container 6. However, in another different embodiment, the toner container (so-called “intermediate hopper”) interposed between the toner container 6 and the developing device 12 is used. You may apply the structure of invention.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus other than the printer 1 such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction peripheral. It may be applied.

1 Printer (image forming device)
6 Toner container (toner container)
22 Container body 26 Lever 28 Container side shutter 32 Discharge port 48 Lock piece 67 Lever side gear 78 Shutter side gear 92 Mounting portion 104 Lock member 106 Insertion recess 110 Locking piece 115 Coil spring (biasing member)

Claims (6)

A toner container having a discharge port for discharging toner and detachably attached to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus,
A lock piece is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container,
The mounting portion is provided with a lock member,
The locking member is
An insertion recess provided along the mounting direction of the toner container to the mounting portion, into which the lock piece can be inserted;
A locking piece that is movable in a direction intersecting the mounting direction between a protruding position that protrudes a predetermined length into the insertion recess, and a retracted position that retreats from the insertion recess than the protruding position;
A biasing member that biases the locking piece toward the protruding position,
When the toner container is attached to the attachment portion, when the lock piece is inserted to the first position in the insertion recess, the lock piece presses the locking piece, and the biasing member is attached. The locking piece moves from the protruding position to the retracted position against the force,
When the locking piece is inserted from the first position in the insertion recess to the second position on the back side in the mounting direction, the locking piece causes the locking piece to be moved by the urging force of the urging member. Press to the back in the mounting direction,
When the lock piece is inserted to the third position on the back side in the mounting direction from the second position in the insertion recess, the locking piece locks the lock piece, and the locking piece Movement to the front side of the mounting direction is restricted,
The one end of the toner container is provided with the lock piece, and the other end of the toner container is provided with a lever for switching between a fixed state and a fixed release state with respect to the mounting portion of the other end.
When removing the toner container from the mounting portion, the other end portion is switched from the fixed state to the fixed release state by operating the lever, and the other end portion side is used as a fulcrum and the other end portion side is the mounting portion. The toner container can be unlocked by the locking piece by rotating in a direction away from the toner container.   The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the toner container is provided with a shutter that is connected to the lever and opens and closes the discharge port when the lever is operated. A container main body for containing toner and provided with the discharge port;
The lever includes a lever side gear and is rotatably supported by the container body,
The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the shutter includes a shutter-side gear that meshes with the lever-side gear and is rotatably mounted on the container body.   The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the lock piece has a long shape in the mounting direction. A toner container having a discharge port for discharging toner and detachably attached to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus,
A lock piece having a long shape in the mounting direction of the toner container to the mounting portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner container,
The mounting portion is provided with a lock member,
The locking member is
An insertion recess provided along the mounting direction of the toner container to the mounting portion, into which the lock piece can be inserted;
A locking piece that is movable in a direction intersecting the mounting direction between a protruding position that protrudes a predetermined length into the insertion recess, and a retracted position that retreats from the insertion recess than the protruding position;
A biasing member that biases the locking piece toward the protruding position,
When the toner container is attached to the attachment portion, when the lock piece is inserted to the first position in the insertion recess, the lock piece presses the locking piece, and the biasing member is attached. The locking piece moves from the protruding position to the retracted position against the force,
When the locking piece is inserted from the first position in the insertion recess to the second position on the back side in the mounting direction, the locking piece causes the locking piece to be moved by the urging force of the urging member. Press to the back in the mounting direction,
When the lock piece is inserted to the third position on the back side in the mounting direction from the second position in the insertion recess, the locking piece locks the lock piece, and the locking piece A toner container, wherein movement toward the front side in the mounting direction is restricted. A container main body for containing toner and provided with the discharge port;
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the lock piece protrudes from the container body toward the back side in the mounting direction.