JP2016075803A - Opening/closing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening/closing device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent an opening/closing member from opening excluding a case where users operate.SOLUTION: An opening/closing device comprises: an opening/closing main body 84 that has an aperture section 92 formed; an opening/closing member 94 that is movably provided in the opening/closing main body 84 and opens/closes the aperture section 92; and an anchoring device 85 that anchors the opening/closing member 94 at a position closing the aperture section 92. The anchoring device 85 has: at least one arm section 98 that is provided along a direction of a movement of the opening/closing member 94; a hook section 102 that is provided in the arm section 98; a hooked section 86 whose hook section 102 is hooked; and an anchoring release member 76 that has an opening side widening section 78 moving the arm section 98 so as to be widened when moving the opening/closing member 94 in a direction opening the aperture section 92, and releasing hooking of the hook section 102 to the hooked section 86.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus.

  As a developer container having an opening / closing device, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, the main body side shutter installed in the developer accommodating portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus is opened, and the developer is supplied to the developer accommodating portion. A developer container that is supplied or recovered and is detachably installed in the developer container, and a container-side shutter that opens and closes an opening for discharging or feeding the developer into the container; and A lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at a position where the opening is closed, and the container-side shutter opens the opening when the lock mechanism is released in conjunction with the mounting operation to the developer container. And the container-side shutter closes the opening in conjunction with the detachment operation from the developer accommodating portion, and the container-side shutter is parked by the locking mechanism. Vessel is disclosed.

  Further, as an image forming apparatus provided with an opening / closing device, for example, Patent Document 2 below has a main body side opening through which a developer flows and a main body side opening / closing member that opens and closes the main body side opening. A detachable body mounting member supported by the apparatus main body, a detachable body detachable from the detachable body mounting member, and a housing portion in which a developer is accommodated, and the main body side opening when the detachable body is mounted. A detachable body side opening that allows the developer in the housing portion to flow into the main body side opening, and a detachable body side opening / closing member that opens and closes the detachable body side opening. The detachable body in which the main body side opening is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the same height in the vertical direction with respect to the opening, and a front end edge of the detachable body side opening forward in the detachable body mounting direction during the detachable body attaching / detaching operation. Mounting of the detachable body of the main body side opening / closing member There is disclosed an image forming apparatus comprising: a sealing portion that is held in a compressed state with respect to the rear end surface and seals between the front end edge and the main body side opening / closing member. .

JP 2010-032670 A JP 2008-298879 A

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the opening / closing member from being opened except when operated by a user.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is an opening / closing device body in which an opening is formed, an opening / closing member provided movably on the opening / closing device body, the opening / closing member opening and closing the opening, A fixing device that fixes the opening / closing member at a position where the opening is closed, and the fixing device includes at least one arm portion provided along a moving direction of the opening / closing member, and the arm portion. When the opening / closing member is moved in a direction to open the opening, the arm portion is moved so as to widen the hook portion, the hook portion to which the hook portion is hooked, and the opening portion of the hook portion. An opening / closing device having a fixing release member having an opening-side spreading portion for releasing the hook with respect to the hook portion.

  The present invention according to claim 2 is an opening / closing device body formed with an opening, an opening / closing member provided movably on the opening / closing device body, the opening / closing member opening and closing the opening, A fixing device that fixes the opening / closing member at a position where the opening is closed, and the fixing device includes at least one arm portion provided along a moving direction of the opening / closing member, and the arm portion. When the opening / closing member is moved in a direction to close the opening, the arm is widened by moving the hook and the hook to be hooked. An opening / closing device having a fixing release member having a closing side expansion portion for hooking the hook portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the arm portion is formed with a pushing portion that is pushed by the fixing release member, and the fixing release member and the pushing portion are pressed against each other. The opening / closing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening / closing member moves and moves so that the arm portion spreads.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pushing portion is formed in a rod shape protruding toward the opening / closing member side, and the fixing release member includes an inclined portion inclined in the front-rear direction in which the opening / closing member moves. The opening / closing device according to claim 3.

  The present invention according to claim 5 is the opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein the pushing portion is formed with an inclined portion having an inclination in a direction in which the fixing release member passes.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the openable / closable member has a support column at a central portion, and the arm unit is formed from the support column. It is.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the opening and closing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, comprising the supply port through which the developer is supplied, and the opening and closing member that opens and closes the supply port. An image forming apparatus main body provided with an opening and the opening / closing device, and a developer container formed with a discharge port for discharging the developer to the image forming apparatus main body, and the opening of the opening / closing device is The image forming apparatus is configured such that the supply port and the discharge port are connected to each other with the sandwiching therebetween.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is an opening / closing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising: a discharge port through which the developer is discharged; and the opening / closing member that opens and closes the discharge port. A developer container provided with an outlet and the opening / closing device, and an image forming apparatus main body formed with a supply port to which the developer is supplied, and sandwiching the opening of the opening / closing device, An image forming apparatus in which an outlet and the supply port are connected.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing member can be prevented from opening except when the user performs an opening operation.

  According to the opening / closing device according to the second aspect, the opening / closing member can be prevented from opening except when the user performs the closing operation.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention according to the first or second aspect, it is possible to release and fix the fixing as compared with a case where the pushing portion and the fixing releasing member do not have a structure for pressing. It can be done smoothly.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the third aspect, the inclined portion is formed in the pushing portion that is not formed in a rod shape that protrudes toward the opening and closing member side and the fixing release member. As compared with the case where the fixing is not performed, the fixing can be released and fixed more smoothly.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the third aspect, the fixed portion is fixed as compared with the pushing portion in which the inclined portion having the inclination in the direction in which the unlocking member passes is not formed. Release and fixation can be performed more smoothly.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the release and fixation of the fixing can be performed more smoothly than when the arm portion is not formed from the support column. Can be done.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly attaching and detaching the developer container can be obtained.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly attaching and detaching the developer container can be obtained.

1 is a side sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the developer cartridge according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the switchgear according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the IIIB portion of FIG. 3A. 4A to 4D are plan views illustrating the open state of the switchgear according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a state in which a fixing release member is inserted into the switchgear according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of VB in FIG. 5A. 6A to 6D are plan views illustrating a closed state of the opening / closing device according to the first embodiment. It is a top view of the switchgear concerning Embodiment 2. 8A to 8D are plan views illustrating the open state of the switchgear according to the second embodiment. 9A is a plan view showing a state in which a fixing release member is inserted into the opening / closing device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the IXB portion of FIG. 9A. 10A to 10D are plan views illustrating the closed state of the switchgear according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims are equally applicable.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 provided with an opening / closing device 82 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12. A paper feeding device 14 is disposed below the image forming apparatus main body 12, and a paper discharge unit 16 is disposed above the image forming apparatus main body 12. Is formed.

  The paper feeding device 14 includes a paper tray 18, and a large number of sheets are stacked on the paper tray 18. A feed roll 20 is disposed on the upper end of the paper tray 18, and a roll 22 is provided facing the feed roll 20. The uppermost sheet on the sheet tray 18 is fed out by the feed roll 20, and the sheet is rolled and conveyed by the cooperation of the feed roll 20 and the separating roll 22.

  The sheet conveyed from the sheet tray 18 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 24, and discharged at a predetermined timing between a photosensitive unit 26 and a transfer unit 28, which will be described later, and through a fixing device 30 by a discharge roller 32. 16 is discharged.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, a photosensitive unit 26, a transfer unit 28, a power supply unit 34, and a control unit 36 are arranged. For example, four photoreceptors 40 are rotatably supported in the photoreceptor unit 26. Around each photoconductor 40, a charging device 42 as a charging means provided with a charging roll for uniformly charging the photoconductor 40, and a latent image written on each photoconductor 40 is developed with a developer (toner). A developing device 44 as a developing means, a static eliminating device 46 for neutralizing the photoreceptor 40 after transfer, and a cleaning device 48 as a developer removing means for removing the developer remaining on the photoreceptor 40 after the transfer. Have

  Developer cartridges 50 as four developer containers are connected to the back side of the photosensitive unit 26. Each developer cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 on the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 12. Each developer cartridge 50 is for magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (B), and a developer supply section 52 and a developer collection section 54 are integrated. Has been. The developer supply unit 52 is connected to the developing device 44 to supply each color developer to the developing device 44, and the developer collecting unit 54 is connected to the cleaning device 48 to collect each color developer.

  The photosensitive unit 26 is provided with a supply port 45 (see FIGS. 4C and 4D) provided for supplying the developer to the developing device 44. An opening / closing device 82, which will be described later, is attached to the supply port 45. It has been. The opening / closing device 82 opens and closes the supply port 45. A supply pipe (not shown) made of a pipe or the like may be provided between the supply port 45 and the developing device 44.

  Each of the optical writing devices 56 is composed of a laser exposure device, and is arranged at a position corresponding to each photoconductor 40 on the back side of the photoconductor unit 26, and irradiates the uniformly charged photoconductor 40 with a laser. Thus, a latent image is formed.

  The transfer unit 28 is on the front side of the photoconductor unit 26 and is arranged in the vertical direction facing the photoconductor unit 26. In the transfer unit 28, a conveyance belt 60 is hung on two support rolls 58 provided in the vertical direction. Further, a transfer roll 62 is provided so as to face each photoconductor 40 with the conveyance belt 60 interposed therebetween. The photosensitive unit 26 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 by tilting the transfer unit 28.

  Therefore, each photoconductor 40 is uniformly charged by the charging device 42, a latent image is formed by the optical writing device 56, and the latent image is visualized by the developer by the developing device 44. The developer images formed on the respective photoreceptors 40 are transferred onto the conveyed paper by the transfer roll 62 of the transfer unit 28 in order from below, and are fixed on the paper by the fixing device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developer cartridge 50 has a cartridge main body 64, a developer supply portion 52 in which the developer is accommodated in the cartridge main body 64, and a developer in the vicinity of one end of the cartridge main body 64. A discharge port 68 is formed to feed the toner to the developing device of the photosensitive unit. A rotation shaft 72 constituting a stirring member (not shown) is rotatably supported on both sides of the cartridge main body 64 in the central axis direction of the developer supply unit 52. A gear 74 attached to one of the rotating shafts 72 receives a driving force from a driving source, and the rotating shaft 72 rotates, whereby the stirring member rotates, and the developer is stirred and conveyed.

  Further, a fixing release member 76 as a member for opening and closing the opening / closing device 82 is formed on the discharge port 68 outside the developer cartridge 50 on the side in which the developer cartridge is inserted. The fixing release member 76 is provided to correspond to the opening / closing device 82 when the developer cartridge 50 is inserted and connected to the photosensitive unit 26. The fixing release member 76 is provided on the insertion side with respect to the discharge port 68. In the developer cartridge 50 of the first embodiment, the fixing release member 76 is inserted into the discharge port 68 from the gear 74 side. The Rukoto.

  The fixing release member 76 formed on the developer cartridge 50 is formed so that the side to be inserted into the opening / closing device 82 and the side to be withdrawn are inclined, and is formed on the side to be inserted into the opening / closing device 82 as shown in FIGS. The first inclined portion 78 serving as the open side expanded portion and the second inclined portion 80 serving as the closed side expanded portion formed on the extraction side are provided.

  Moreover, although the fixing release member 76 of Embodiment 1 is formed in hexagonal shape as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.6, if the 1st inclination part and the 2nd inclination part are formed, other polygonal shape For example, a quadrangular shape or an octagonal shape may be used.

  The discharge port 68 is openable and closable, for example, when the developer cartridge 50 is mounted on the photoconductor unit 26 of the image forming apparatus main body 12. For example, the shutter is opened to open the photoconductor unit 26. The developer cartridge 50 may be connected to the portion 92 and closed by the shutter when the developer cartridge 50 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 12 so that the developer does not leak outside.

  Next, the opening / closing device 82 will be described with reference to FIGS. The opening / closing device 82 is closed when the developer cartridge 50 is not attached to the photosensitive unit 26 of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and closes the supply port 45 communicating with the developing device 44 of the photosensitive unit 26. On the other hand, in a state where the developer cartridge 50 is mounted, the opening / closing device 82 is opened, and the supply port 45 and the discharge port 68 of the developer cartridge 50 are communicated with each other.

  The opening / closing device 82 is a pair of an opening / closing device main body 84, an opening / closing member 94 that moves the opening / closing device body 84 in the direction of inserting / removing the developer cartridge 50, and a pair of opening / closing members 94. It has an arm portion 98 and is attached to a supply port 45 that supplies a developer to the developing device 44 of the photosensitive unit 26. If there is a supply path connected to the developing device 44, it is attached to the inlet of the supply path.

  The opening / closing device main body 84 is formed of a rectangular plate-like body, and a guide groove 88 for moving the opening / closing member is formed at the center. The back side of the guide groove 88 is closed and serves as a restricting portion 90 where movement of the opening / closing member 94 is restricted. Further, an opening 92 is formed through the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device main body 84. The opening 92 is provided to correspond to the supply port 45 formed in the photoconductor unit 26 when the open / close device 82 is attached to the photoconductor unit 26, and is opened when the open / close device main body 84 is attached. The supply port 45 appears through the portion 92. In the first embodiment, the opening 92 is formed on the opening / closing device main body 84 on the side where the developer cartridge 50 is inserted.

  Further, the opening / closing device main body 84 is formed with a pair of fixed projections 86 protruding as a hooked portion with the guide groove 88 interposed therebetween. The fixing protrusion 86 is provided on the side where the developer cartridge 50 is inserted.

  The opening / closing member 94 is formed of a rectangular plate-like body that is sized to move in the guide groove 88 formed in the opening / closing device body 84. The opening / closing member 94 is attached to the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device body 84 so as to move the opening / closing device body 84 in the same direction as the insertion / removal direction of the developer cartridge 50. When the opening / closing member 94 moves in the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device body 84, the opening 92 of the opening / closing device body 84 and the supply port 45 of the photosensitive unit 26 are opened / closed.

  The opening / closing member 94 is formed with a columnar column 96 at the back side of the opening / closing member 94, that is, at the center opposite to the side where the developer cartridge is inserted, and the column 96 has a pair of arms. Each portion 98 is formed. In addition, this support | pillar part may be integrally formed with an opening-and-closing member, and may be formed and combined as another component.

  Further, the arm portion 98 is provided so as to surround the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device main body 84, and the arm portion 98 of the first embodiment is arranged in the moving direction of the opening / closing member 94 from the column portion 96 as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, it extends in the vertical direction, extends to the outside of the guide groove 88, and then is formed along the moving direction of the opening / closing member 94. The arm portion 98 can move in a direction different from the moving direction of the opening / closing member 94, for example, in the lateral direction, with the column portion 96 as a fulcrum.

  In addition, a fixing portion 100 that is fixed to a fixing protrusion 86 formed on the opening / closing device main body 84 is provided at an end portion of each arm portion 98 opposite to the column portion 96. The fixed portion 100 is formed with a fixed claw 102 as a hook portion protruding toward the opening / closing member 94, and the fixed claw 102 is fixed to the fixed protrusion 86. The fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 is formed in such a shape that the inner side protruding toward the opening / closing member 94 is directed toward the opening / closing member 94 toward the opening / closing member 94, that is, toward the support column 96. (See FIG. 3). In addition, the fixed nail | claw 102 of Embodiment 1 is formed in the curved curved surface shape. Further, the outer surface of the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 is a slope portion 104 that is formed obliquely so as to go from the end of the fixing portion 100 toward the end of the fixing claw 102.

  In addition, rod-like pushing portions 106 that protrude so as to face each other are formed inside each arm portion 98, that is, on the opening / closing member 94 side. The pushing portion 106 is pushed by the contact of the fixing release member 76 formed on the developer cartridge 50, and becomes a portion that moves the arm portion 98 so as to spread outward. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the pushing portion 106 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the opening / closing member 94.

  The fixing device is constituted by the arm portion 98, the fixing claw 102, the fixing protrusion 86, and the first inclined portion 78 and the second inclined portion 80 of the fixing release member 76 formed on the developer cartridge 50. 85 is configured.

  Next, the operation of the opening / closing device 82 will be described.

  First, the state where the opening / closing device 82 is fixed will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the developer cartridge 50 is not inserted, the opening / closing device 82 has a fixing projection 86 formed on the opening / closing device main body 84 and a fixing claw of the fixing portion 100 of the arm portion 98 of the opening / closing member 94. 102 is fixed.

  At this time, the shape of the inside of the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100, that is, the side on which the fixing protrusion 86 is fixed is formed so that the opening / closing member 94 is opened in the opening direction. When the fixing claw 102 has such a configuration, the opening / closing member 94 is moved in a direction to be opened by an external force (F0) other than the insertion of the fixing release member 76 formed in the developer cartridge 50. The force of the direction in which the fixing claw 102 does not come off from the fixing protrusion 86, that is, the force (F2) acting in the direction toward the opening / closing member 94 from the force (F1) acting in the direction opposite to the opening direction of the opening / closing member 94. The force (F3) in any direction within the range is received, and the inside of the fixed claw 102 is caught by the fixed protrusion (see FIG. 3B). In the first embodiment, the inside of the fixed claw 102 has a curved surface shape, but may have a linear shape or the like.

  Next, the case where the opening / closing device 82 is opened will be described with reference to FIGS. When opening the opening / closing device 82, first, the developer cartridge 50 is placed on the photosensitive unit 26 portion of the image forming apparatus body 12, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the fixing release member 76 formed on the developer cartridge 50 is connected to the opening / closing device. 82 so as to correspond to 82. At this time, the fixing release member 76 of the developer cartridge 50 moves on the central portion of the opening / closing device 82, that is, on the guide groove 88, and passes between the fixing protrusions 86 formed on the opening / closing device main body 84. To come.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is inserted, first, the first inclined portion 78 of the fixing release member 76 comes into contact with the end portion of the pushing portion 106 of the arm portion 98 of the opening / closing device 82. Thereafter, when the fixing release member 76 is further inserted, the tip of the pushing portion 106 is pushed along the inclination of the first inclined portion 78 by the first inclined portion 78 of the fixing releasing member 76. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the force received from the first inclined portion 78 is a range of force (F5) acting in the direction toward the opposite side of the opening / closing member 94 from the force (F4) toward the opening / closing member 94. The force (F6) in any one of the directions becomes a force (F6), and by receiving this force, the pushing portion 106 works in the direction of opening outward, the pushing portion 106 is pushed by the fixing release member 76, and the arm portion 98 is supported by the support column. It moves so that it may open toward the outer side of the opening-and-closing member 94 by using the part 96 as a fulcrum. In addition, the fixing portion 100 is moved so that the arm portion 98 draws a circular arc with the support column portion 96 as a fulcrum, and as a result, the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 is fixed as shown in FIG. 4B. It comes off from the protrusion 86 and is fixed.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is further inserted after the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 of the arm portion 98 and the fixing protrusion 86 of the opening / closing device main body 84 are released, the fixing release member as shown in FIG. 4C. By the first inclined portion 78 of 76, the pushing portion 106 is pushed in the same direction as the direction in which the developer cartridge 50 is inserted, and the pushing portion 106 is pushed so that the opening / closing member 94 is inserted into the developer cartridge 50. Is moved in the same direction. When the opening / closing member 94 is moved, the opening 92 and the supply port 45 of the opening / closing device 82 appear.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the developer cartridge 50 is inserted, the opening / closing member 94 reaches the restricting portion 90 at the end of the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device main body 84, and the movement of the opening / closing member 94 stops. Thereafter, the developer cartridge 50 is further inserted into the opening / closing member 94 whose movement is stopped, and the fixing release member 76 is inserted to a position where it reaches the support column 96 beyond the pushing portion 106. Insertion stops. At this time, the pushing portion 106 and the arm portion 98 beyond the fixing release member 76 return to the base position, the fixing release member 76 is accommodated inside the arm portion 98, and the mounting of the developer cartridge 50 is completed.

  When the mounting of the developer cartridge 50 is completed, the supply port 45 of the photoreceptor unit 26 and the discharge port 68 of the developer cartridge 50 communicate with each other, and the developer in the developer cartridge 50 is transferred to the developing device of the photoreceptor unit 26. 44.

  Next, a case where the opening / closing device 82 is closed will be described with reference to FIG. When the opening / closing device 82 is closed, first, from the state shown in FIG. 4D, the developer cartridge 50 attached to the photosensitive unit 26 is moved in the direction of pulling out. Along with the movement of the developer cartridge 50, the fixing release member 76 of the developer cartridge 50 also moves in the pulling direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second inclined portion 80 of the fixing release member 76 comes into contact with the pushing portion 106 of the arm portion 98, and the pushing portion 106 moves along with the movement of the developer cartridge 50. And the opening / closing member 94 is moved in the pulling direction.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is further pulled out, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inclined surface portion 104 formed outside the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 comes into contact with the fixing protrusion 86 of the opening / closing device main body 84. When the fixing release member 76 is moved in the direction in which the developer cartridge 50 is pulled out from this state, the arm portion 98 moves so as to spread outward along the slope portion 104 of the fixing portion 100, and the fixing portion 100 is fixed to the fixing protrusion 86. Moved over. At this time, the second inclined portion 80 of the fixing release member 76 pushes the pushing portion 106 of each arm portion 98, so that the arm portion 98 is pulled out along the inclination of the second inclined portion 80. Moved horizontally.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the fixing projection 86 comes into contact with the rod-shaped side surface of the pushing portion 106, and the movement of the opening / closing member 94 is temporarily stopped. When the fixing release member 76 is further moved in the direction of pulling out the developer cartridge 50 from this state, the second inclined portion 80 of the fixing release member 76 is pushed laterally with respect to the direction in which the pushing portion 106 is pulled out. The arm portion 98 moves so as to spread outward. By this movement of the arm portion 98, the fixing release member 76 is moved beyond the pushing portion 106, and the fixing release member 76 comes out of the arm portion 98 of the opening / closing member 94.

  As shown in FIG. 6D, when the fixing release member 76 comes off between the arm portions, the arm portion 98 returns to the base position, and the fixing claw 102 and the fixing protrusion 86 of the fixing portion 100 are fixed again, and the opening / closing member The movement of 94 is fixed, and the opening 92 and the supply port 45 are closed. Thus, a series of operations of the switchgear is performed.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an image forming apparatus provided with the opening / closing device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the opening / closing apparatus of the second embodiment, the shape of the arm provided on the opening / closing member and the shape of the fixing release member provided on the developer cartridge are different from those of the first embodiment. Since the other configuration is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus provided with the opening / closing device according to the first embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  First, the arm portion 98A provided on the opening / closing member 94 of the opening / closing device 82A of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the arm portion 98A according to the second embodiment has a triangular shape on the inside of the arm portion 98A, that is, the opening / closing member 94 side of the pushing portion 106A, and the side on which the fixing release member 76A of the developer cartridge 50 is inserted. And the side to be pulled out is inclined. The inclination of the triangular pushing portion 106A on the side where the fixing release member 76A of the developer cartridge 50 is inserted is referred to as a third inclined portion 108, and the inclination on the side to be pulled out is referred to as a fourth inclined portion 110.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the fixing release member 76 </ b> A formed on the developer cartridge 50 according to the second embodiment has a corner portion 112 that is not inclined toward the side where the developer cartridge 50 is inserted and the side where the developer cartridge 50 is pulled out. Thus, the first inclined portion 78 and the second inclined portion 80 shown in the first embodiment are not provided. In addition, as a structure of a fixing device, the corner | angular part 112 by which the fixing release member 76A is inserted and pulled out becomes an open side expansion part and a close side expansion part.

  Next, the operation of the opening / closing device 82A will be described with reference to FIGS. The state in which the opening / closing device 82A is fixed is the same as that of the opening / closing device 82 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the case of opening the opening / closing device 82A will be described with reference to FIGS. When opening the opening / closing device 82A, first, the developer cartridge 50 is provided on the photosensitive unit 26 portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the fixing release member 76A formed on the developer cartridge 50 is provided with the opening / closing device. Insert so as to correspond to 82A. At this time, the fixing release member 76A of the developer cartridge 50 moves on the central portion of the opening / closing device 82A, that is, on the guide groove 88, and passes between the fixing protrusions 86 formed on the opening / closing device main body 84A. To come.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is inserted, first, as shown in FIG. 8A, the corner portion 112 on the side where the fixing release member 76A is inserted comes into contact with the third inclined portion 108 of the pushing portion 106A of the arm portion 98A. . Thereafter, when the fixing release member 76A is further inserted, the third inclined portion 108 of the pressing portion 106A is pushed along the inclination by the corner portion 112 of the fixing release member 76A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the force received by the third inclined portion 108 is a range of a force (F5A) acting in a direction toward the opposite side of the opening / closing member 94 from a force (F4A) toward the opening / closing member 94. The force (F6A) in any one of the directions (F6A) is received, and by receiving this force, the pushing portion 106A works to spread outward, and the third inclined portion 108 of the pushing portion 106A is pushed by the fixing release member 76A. Thus, the arm portion 98A is moved so as to open toward the outside of the opening / closing member 94 with the support column portion 96 as a fulcrum. At this time, the fixing portion 100 is moved so that the arm portion 98 draws an arc with the support column portion 96 as a fulcrum, and by moving in this way, as shown in FIG. Is released from the fixing protrusion 86, and the fixing is released.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is further inserted after the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 of the arm portion 98A and the fixing protrusion 86 of the opening / closing device main body 84A are released, as shown in FIG. 76A causes the third inclined portion 108 of the pushing portion 106A to be pushed in the same direction as the insertion direction of the developer cartridge 50, and the pushing portion 106A is pushed, whereby the opening / closing member 94 is inserted into the developer cartridge 50. Is moved in the same direction. By moving the opening / closing member 94, the opening 92 of the opening / closing device 82A and the supply port 45 in the image forming apparatus main body 12 appear.

  Further, when the developer cartridge 50 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 8D, the opening / closing member 94 reaches the restricting portion 90 at the end of the guide groove 88 of the opening / closing device main body 84A, and the movement of the opening / closing member 94 stops. Thereafter, the developer cartridge 50 is further inserted into the opening / closing member 94 that has stopped moving, and is inserted to a position where the fixing release member 76A reaches the column portion 96 beyond the pushing portion 106A. Insertion stops. At this time, the pushing portion 106A and the arm portion 98A beyond the fixing release member 76A return to the base position, the fixing release member 76A is accommodated inside the arm portion 98A, and the mounting of the developer cartridge 50 is completed.

  When the mounting of the developer cartridge 50 is completed, the supply port 45 of the photoreceptor unit 26 and the discharge port 68 of the developer cartridge 50 communicate with each other as in the first embodiment, and the development in the developer cartridge 50 is performed. The agent is supplied to the developing device 44 of the photoconductor unit 26.

  Next, a case where the opening / closing device 82A is closed will be described with reference to FIG. When the opening / closing device 82A is closed, first, from the state shown in FIG. 8D, the developer cartridge 50 attached to the photosensitive unit 26 is moved in the direction of pulling out. Along with the movement of the developer cartridge 50, the fixing release member 76A of the developer cartridge 50 also moves in the pulling direction. At that time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the corner portion 112 of the fixing release member 76A comes into contact with the fourth inclined portion 110 of the pushing portion 106A of the arm portion 98A, and moves to the fixing release member 76A along with the movement of the developer cartridge 50. The pushing portion 106A is pushed and moved in a direction in which the opening / closing member 94 is pulled out.

  When the developer cartridge 50 is further pulled out, as shown in FIG. 10B, the inclined surface portion 104 formed outside the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 comes into contact with the fixing protrusion 86 of the opening / closing device main body 84A. When the fixing release member 76A is moved in the direction in which the developer cartridge 50 is pulled out from this state, the arm portion 98A moves so as to spread outward along the inclined surface portion 104 of the fixing portion 100, and the fixing claw 102 of the fixing portion 100 is moved. Is moved beyond the fixed projection 86. At this time, when the fixing release member 76A pushes the fourth inclined portion 110 of the pushing portion 106A, the fixing release member 76A is moved along the inclination of the fourth inclined portion 110 so as to expand in the direction in which the arm portion 98A is pulled out. The

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10C, the fixing protrusion 86 comes into contact with the third inclined portion of the pushing portion 106A, and the movement of the opening / closing member 94 is temporarily stopped. When the fixing release member 76A is further moved in the direction in which the developer cartridge 50 is pulled out from this state, the fourth inclined portion 110 of the pushing portion 106A is pushed outward by the fixing release member 76A, and the arm portion 98A spreads outward. To move. By the movement of the arm portion 98A, as shown in FIG. 10D, the fixing release member 76A is moved in the direction of pulling out beyond the pushing portion 106, and the fixing release member 76A comes out of the arm portion 98A of the opening / closing member 94. .

  When the fixing release member 76A comes off between the arm portions 98A, the arm portion 98A returns to the base position, the fixing claw 102 and the fixing protrusion 86 of the fixing portion 100 are fixed again, and the movement of the opening / closing member 94 is fixed. The opening 92 and the supply port 45 are closed. The series of operations of the switchgear according to the second embodiment is as described above.

  In addition, although the pushing part 106A of Embodiment 2 showed the case where it formed in triangle shape as shown in FIG. 7, it is not restricted to this, The shape in which a 3rd inclination part and a 4th inclination part are formed, for example, It may be trapezoidal. Further, the fixing release member of the developer cartridge according to the second embodiment is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a circular shape or an elliptical shape, or may be a hexagonal shape as in the first embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the opening / closing device is provided in the photoconductor unit of the image forming apparatus main body and the fixing release member is provided in the developer cartridge has been described. An opening / closing device may be provided in the agent cartridge, and a fixing release member may be provided in the photosensitive unit of the image forming apparatus main body. In this case, the fixing release member of the photosensitive unit does not move, whereas the opening / closing device of the developer cartridge to be inserted / removed moves. The opening / closing operation of the opening / closing device at this time is the same as in the first and second embodiments because the opening / closing device moves relative to the fixed release member. Further, the fixing claw and the fixing protrusion are fixed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, although the fixed nail | claw as a hook part was formed in the edge part of an arm part, and the fixing protrusion as a hooked part was formed in the switchgear main body, it limited to this Instead, the hook portion may be formed on the opening / closing device body, and the hooked portion may be formed at the end of the arm portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Image forming apparatus 12: Image forming apparatus main body 14: Paper feeding apparatus 16: Paper discharge part 18: Paper tray 20: Feed roll 22: Rolling roll 24: Registration roller 26: Photoreceptor unit 28: Transfer unit 30: Fixing apparatus 32: Paper discharge roller 34: Power supply unit 36: Control unit 40: Photoconductor 42: Charging device 44: Development device 45: Supply port 46: Charge removal device 48: Cleaning device 50: Developer cartridge 52: Developer supply unit 54: Developer recovery unit 56: Optical writing device 58: Support roll 60: Conveying belt 62: Transfer roll 64: Cartridge body 68: Discharge port 72: Rotating shaft 74: Gears 76, 76A: Fixing release member 78: First inclined part 80 : Second inclined part 82, 82A: Opening / closing device 84, 84A: Opening / closing device body 85: Fixing device 86: Fixing protrusion 8: Guide groove 90: Restricting part 92: Opening part 94: Opening / closing member 96: Supporting part 98, 98A: Arm part 100: Fixing part 102: Fixing claw 104: Slope part 106, 106A: Pushing part 108: Third inclination Part 110: Fourth inclined part 112: Corner part

Claims (8)

An opening / closing device body in which an opening is formed;
An opening / closing member provided movably on the opening / closing device body, the opening / closing member opening and closing the opening;
A fixing device for fixing the opening / closing member at a position where the opening is closed,
The fixing device includes at least one arm portion provided along a moving direction of the opening / closing member, a hook portion provided on the arm portion, a hooked portion on which the hook portion is hooked, and the opening portion. An opening / closing member having an opening-side spreading part that moves the arm part so that the hook part is released from the hooked part when the opening / closing member is moved in the opening direction. apparatus. An opening / closing device body in which an opening is formed;
An opening / closing member provided movably on the opening / closing device body, the opening / closing member opening and closing the opening;
A fixing device for fixing the opening / closing member at a position where the opening is closed,
The fixing device includes at least one arm portion provided along a moving direction of the opening / closing member, a hook portion provided on the arm portion, a hooked portion on which the hook portion is hooked, and the opening portion. An opening / closing device having a closing release portion having a closing side expanding portion that moves the arm portion so as to spread the hook portion when the opening / closing member is moved in a closing direction, and hooks the hook portion and the hooked portion. The arm portion is formed with a pushing portion that is pushed by the fixing release member,
The opening / closing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing member and the pushing portion are pressed against each other, whereby the opening / closing member moves and the arm portion moves. The pushing portion is formed in a rod shape protruding toward the opening / closing member side,
The opening / closing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing release member has an inclined portion inclined in a front-rear direction in which the opening / closing member moves.   The opening / closing device according to claim 3, wherein each of the pushing portions is formed with an inclined portion having an inclination in a direction in which the fixing release member passes. The opening / closing member has a support column at the center portion,
The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the arm portion is formed from the support portion. A supply port to which developer is supplied;
The opening / closing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the opening / closing member that is configured to open and close the supply port.
An image forming apparatus main body provided with the supply port and the opening and closing device;
A developer container having a discharge port for discharging the developer to the image forming apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus in which the supply port and the discharge port are connected via the opening of the opening / closing device. An outlet through which the developer is discharged;
The opening / closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the opening / closing member that opens and closes the discharge port;
A developer container provided with the back outlet and the opening and closing device;
An image forming apparatus main body formed with a supply port for supplying the developer,
An image forming apparatus in which the discharge port and the supply port are connected via the opening of the opening / closing device.

Images