JP2016173471A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus that does not forbid image forming actions by an image formation unit even if a door covering the image formation unit is opened and moreover can effectively prevent wrong detection of any interlock.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus that, while using toner to form images with an image formation unit disposed in an image formation apparatus body, collects waste toner discharged from the image formation unit into a waste toner box is so composed as to detachably fix the waste toner box to the image formation apparatus body and to perform interlock detection, by which interlocking to forbid image forming actions by the image formation unit is detected, on the basis of a fixing action to fix the waste toner box to the image formation apparatus body or an action to release the box from fixation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner.

  Image forming apparatuses such as copiers, multifunction machines, and printers usually form images in an image forming unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. For example, when an image is formed by an electrophotographic method, the image forming apparatus charges the surface of an image carrier such as a photoconductor and exposes the charged area to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) as a toner image, and the visualized toner image is electrostatically transferred to an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt or a recording material such as recording paper, When the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member, the image is further transferred to a recording material, and the toner image is fixed to the recording material to which the toner image is transferred.

  As such an image forming apparatus, an image is formed by an image forming unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus with toner supplied from a toner cartridge which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, or an image forming apparatus with toner. In some cases, the image forming unit provided in the main body forms an image, and the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit is collected in a waste toner box which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus, conventionally, when performing an interlock detection for detecting an interlock that prohibits an image forming operation of an image forming unit, in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the door covering the image forming unit, Interlock detection is performed, and the operation of the image forming unit is prohibited when an operator such as a service person or a user accesses the image forming apparatus main body (for example, when performing operations such as a jamming of a recording material (JAM) process or maintenance). It is like that.

JP 2004-94135 A

  However, in such an image forming apparatus that performs interlock detection in conjunction with the door opening / closing operation, there is a case where it is not necessary to prohibit the image forming operation of the image forming unit even when the door covering the image forming unit is opened. Nevertheless, the image forming operation of the image forming unit is prohibited.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus, when the operator accesses the toner cartridge from the same direction as the access direction of the image forming unit (for example, the front side), the door that covers the image forming unit (for example, the front door) ) Often has a single-sheet configuration. In this case, when the toner cartridge that has come to be replaced is replaced during the image forming operation of the image forming unit, the single-structure door is opened even though it is not necessary to stop the image forming operation. . In other words, the detection of the interlock associated with the opening of the door prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming unit, and therefore stops the image forming operation of the image forming unit.

  In order to eliminate such inconvenience, it is conceivable to provide two doors so that the toner cartridge can be accessed only by one door, and interlock detection is performed in conjunction with opening and closing of the other door. With such a configuration, the configuration of the image forming apparatus is complicated and the number of parts is increased.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that stops an image forming operation when a waste toner collecting unit (waste toner box) is not attached to the apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body).

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the waste toner box is not securely fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the waste toner box is unexpectedly removed from the normal position. There is a risk of false detection of the lock.

  Therefore, the present invention does not prohibit the image forming operation of the image forming unit even if the door covering the image forming unit is opened, and can effectively prevent erroneous detection of the interlock. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention forms an image with an image forming unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus with toner, and attaches / detaches the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit to the main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that collects in an enabled waste toner box, and is configured to removably fix the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body, and is an interlock that prohibits an image forming operation of the image forming unit The present invention provides an image forming apparatus characterized in that the interlock detection is performed based on a fixing operation or a fixing release operation for fixing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the present invention, an image is formed in the image forming unit by toner supplied from a toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and the waste toner box is not detached from the image forming apparatus main body. A mode in which the cartridge can be replaced can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, a fixing mechanism for detachably fixing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body is provided, and the interlock detection is performed by fixing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body by the fixing mechanism. A mode in which the configuration is performed in conjunction with the unlocking operation can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, an interlock detection switch for detecting the interlock and a switch lever for operating or releasing the interlock detection switch are provided, and the fixing mechanism connects the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body. A mode in which the interlock detection switch is actuated or released by the switch lever in conjunction with a fixing operation or a fixing release operation can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, the fixing mechanism includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the waste toner box in a predetermined direction by the switch lever when the switch lever operates the interlock detection switch. Can be illustrated.

  In the present invention, the waste toner box includes an opening for receiving the waste toner from the image forming unit and a shutter mechanism for opening and closing the opening, and the switch lever is configured to open the opening by the shutter mechanism. A mode in which the interlock detection switch is activated or deactivated in conjunction with the closing operation can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, the shutter mechanism includes a shutter member that is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening, and the switch lever includes: Reciprocating in a reciprocating direction along a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis, and in conjunction with the reciprocating movement in the reciprocating direction, the shutter member is rotated about the rotational axis to open the opening. The mode which is set as the structure which open | releases or obstruct | occludes and operates or cancels | releases the interlock detection switch can be illustrated.

  In the present invention, the switch lever protrudes from one end of the waste toner box in the reciprocating direction by moving to one side in the reciprocating direction, and moves to the other side in the reciprocating direction. A first protrusion that retracts toward the other end of the waste toner box in the reciprocating direction; and the interlock detection switch is configured to move the first protrusion when the switch lever moves to one side in the reciprocating direction. On the other hand, the mode by which the operation | movement by a said 1st protrusion part is cancelled | released when the said switch lever moves to the other side of the said reciprocation direction can be illustrated.

  In the present invention, the switch lever has a second projecting portion projecting from one side of the waste toner box in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating movement direction, and the interlock detection switch includes the switch lever Is actuated by the second projecting portion when moving to one side in the reciprocating direction, while the operation by the second projecting portion is released when the switch lever moves to the other side in the reciprocating direction. Can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, the switch lever has a third projecting portion provided so as to project outward in a direction intersecting the rotation axis at an outer peripheral portion of the shutter member, and the interlock detection switch includes: The third protrusion is actuated when the shutter member rotates to one side around the rotation axis, and the third when the shutter member rotates to the other side around the rotation axis. A mode in which the operation by the protrusion is released can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a locking member that detachably locks and fixes the waste toner box, and the interlock detection is performed by the waste toner box by the locking member. A mode in which the image forming apparatus is configured to perform the fixing operation or the fixing releasing operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body can be exemplified.

  In the present invention, an interlock detection switch that performs the interlock detection and a switch lever that operates the interlock detection switch, and the locking member is a fixing operation of the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, it is possible to exemplify a mode in which the interlock detection switch is operated or released by the switch lever together with the fixing release operation.

  In the present invention, the switch lever has a fourth projecting portion provided in the waste toner box, and the interlock detection switch is configured such that the locking member in the image forming apparatus main body causes the waste toner box to move to the image. When the locking member in the image forming apparatus main body releases the locking of the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body, it is operated by the fourth projecting portion when locked to the forming apparatus main body. A mode in which the operation by the fourth protrusion is released can be exemplified.

  According to the present invention, even if the door covering the image forming unit is opened, the image forming operation of the image forming unit is not prohibited, and erroneous detection of the interlock can be effectively prevented.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a state in which a door in the image forming apparatus is closed. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a state in which a door in the image forming apparatus is open. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an internal structure in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a waste toner box provided in the image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 according to the first embodiment that performs interlock detection. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waste toner box that is a configuration of the first embodiment that performs interlock detection, and is taken along line AA shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a first embodiment that performs interlock detection and a waste toner box fixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a first embodiment that performs interlock detection and a waste toner box fixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a first embodiment that performs interlock detection and a state in which the waste toner box is unfixed to the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment that performs interlock detection and a state in which the waste toner box is unfixed to the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a shutter member in a shutter mechanism provided in a waste toner box, which is a configuration of a first embodiment that performs interlock detection. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment that performs interlock detection and a waste toner box fixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment for performing interlock detection, in a state where a waste toner box is unfixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a third embodiment that performs interlock detection, and a state in which a waste toner box is fixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a third embodiment that performs interlock detection and a state in which a waste toner box is unfixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of another example of a shutter member in the shutter mechanism provided in the waste toner box, which is a configuration of the third embodiment that performs interlock detection. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a fourth embodiment that performs interlock detection, and a state in which a waste toner box is fixed to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a fourth embodiment that performs interlock detection, and a state in which a waste toner box is unfixed to an image forming apparatus main body.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming apparatus]
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  1 and 2 are perspective views showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state where the door 101 in the image forming apparatus 100 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the door 101 in the image forming apparatus 100 is open. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of image carriers are arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction (in this example, the left-right direction X), so-called tandem color image formation. It is a device. In this example, the image forming apparatus 100 is an intermediate transfer type color multifunction peripheral capable of forming a full-color image. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus, but may be another color image forming apparatus. Further, although the image forming apparatus 100 is a color image forming apparatus, it may be a monochrome image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image with an image forming unit 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 with toner Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td (see FIG. 3). The waste toner discharged from the unit 30 is collected in a waste toner box 90 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes toner Ta, Tb, Tc, and toner supplied from toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 1. An image is formed by the image forming unit 30 using Td. In FIG. 3, the waste toner box 90 is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  The image forming apparatus 100 (see FIG. 3) is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality (four sets in this example) of image forming stations pa, pb, pc, pd, an exposure unit 4 that functions as an exposure apparatus, A plurality (four in this example) of primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d acting as primary transfer devices, an intermediate transfer belt 7, a belt cleaning unit 9 acting as a belt cleaning device, and a second acting as a secondary transfer device. The image forming apparatus includes a next transfer unit 11, a fixing unit 12 that functions as a fixing device, a recording material storage unit (specifically, a paper feed unit 13) that stores a recording material P such as recording paper, and a main body frame 1a. The main body frame 1a is a component of the image forming apparatus main body 1 such as the image forming stations pa, pb, pc, pd, the exposure unit 4, the primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, the secondary transfer unit 11, and the fixing unit 12. And constitutes a housing and a support frame of the image forming apparatus main body 1. In this example, the image forming unit 30 includes image forming stations pa, pb, pc, pd, an exposure unit 4, and primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Note that the image forming unit 30 may further include a secondary transfer unit 11 and / or a fixing unit 12.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, an image reading device 40 is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The image reading device 40 includes an image reading unit 41 for reading an image of a document G (see FIG. 3), a document transport unit 42 that transports the document G, and a document placement table 43 on which the document G is placed. ing.

  The image reading device 40 reads the document G conveyed by the document conveying unit 42 by the image reading unit 41, or reads the document G placed on the document placing table 43 by the image reading unit 41. The image of the original G read by the image reading device 40 is sent to the image forming apparatus main body 1 as image data, or image data from an external device is sent to the image forming apparatus main body 1. An image formed based on the image data is recorded on the recording material P (see FIG. 3).

  The image forming stations pa, pb, pc, and pd (see FIG. 3) each have a plurality (four in this example) of photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d (specifically, photoreceptors) that act as image carriers. Drum), charging units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d that act as charging devices, developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d that act as developing devices, and photoconductor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c that act as photoconductor cleaning devices. 8d. Around the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, charging units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d and photoreceptor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d are arranged in this order. It is arranged by.

  In the image forming stations pa, pb, pc, and pd, toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db that store toners of black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. Is detachably connected to the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and is developed while supplying toner Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td from the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db to the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. The toner images of the respective colors of black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are transferred to the photoreceptor 2a, by the developers Da, Db, Dc, Dd of the respective colors in the units 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. Formed on 2b, 2c and 2d, respectively. In this example, the developers Da, Db, Dc, and Dd are two-component developers (toner and carrier).

  The image forming apparatus 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) allows the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db to be replaced without removing the waste toner box 90 from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 1 (see FIG. 3) has insertion holes 1aa, 1ab, 1ac, which extend in the operation direction Y and pass through the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db in the operation direction Y. 1ad is provided. Here, the operation direction Y is a direction from the operation side of the image forming unit 30 (the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 in this example) to the side opposite to the operation side (the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 in this example). In this example, the direction from the front side to the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 is defined as one side Y1 of the operation direction Y. The direction from the back side to the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 is the other side Y2 of the operation direction Y.

  The toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db are inserted into the insertion holes 1aa, 1ab, 1ac, and 1ad in the image forming apparatus main body 1 toward one side Y1 (the back side in this example) in the operation direction Y. The image forming apparatus main body 1 is attached. Further, the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db are pulled out toward the other side Y2 (the front side in this example) in the operation direction Y, thereby being detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. The toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db have toner discharge ports (not shown) mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 1 and toner supply ports (not shown) of the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. It comes to communicate.

  The toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db are arranged in parallel in a first orthogonal direction (in this example, the left-right direction X) orthogonal to the operation direction Y. An image is formed below the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db in a second orthogonal direction (vertical direction Z in this example) orthogonal to both the operation direction Y and the first orthogonal direction (left and right direction X in this example). A portion 30 is provided.

  The waste toner box 90 is configured so that an operator cannot operate the image forming unit 30 unless the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. Specifically, the waste toner box 90 is provided so as to cover all or part of the operation side of the image forming unit 30 (in this example, the front side of the image forming apparatus 100).

  The toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db and the waste toner box 90 are provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the operation side of the image forming apparatus 100. Accordingly, an operator such as a user can replace the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db without removing the waste toner box 90 from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a door 101 (a front door in this example) (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that covers the image forming unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the operator can access the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db and the waste toner box 90 from the same direction as the access direction of the image forming unit 30 (in this example, from the front side). It comes to access. Further, the door 101 (front door in this example) covering the image forming unit 30 covers the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db and the waste toner box 90 in a single sheet configuration in addition to the image forming unit 30. Yes. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 is not configured to provide two doors and allow the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db to be accessed by only one door, so that the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is complicated. An increase in the number of parts can be avoided.

  Primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are disposed via the intermediate transfer belt 7 corresponding to the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d in the image forming stations pa, pb, pc, and pd (see FIG. 3). ing.

  The charging units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The exposure unit 4 exposes the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d uniformly charged by the charging units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d to electrostatically apply the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each latent image is formed. The developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d have developing tanks 5aa, 5ba, 5ca, and 5da that respectively store the developers Da, Db, Dc, and Dd, and are exposed using the developers Da, Db, Dc, and Dd. The unit 4 develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to form visible images.

  The primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d transfer visible images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d by the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, respectively, to the intermediate transfer belt 7 (for example, A toner image (for example, a color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 by overlapping transfer). The photosensitive member cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d are residual toners that remain on the surfaces of the photosensitive members 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. Are collected as waste toner and collected in a waste toner box 90. The secondary transfer unit 11 electrostatically transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d onto the recording material P, and forms an unfixed toner image on the recording material P. Form. The belt cleaning unit 9 collects residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 without being transferred to the recording material P by the secondary transfer unit 11 as waste toner, and collects it in a waste toner box 90.

  In this example, the image forming apparatus 100 collects waste toner from the photoreceptor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d and the belt cleaning unit 9 in the waste toner box 90. In addition, the following configuration may be used. That is, a predetermined amount of carrier is added to the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db that store the toners Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td to increase the number of times of development of the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. A predetermined amount of developer Da, Db, Dc, Dd may be collected in the waste toner box 90 continuously or periodically from the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched around a driving roller 7a and a driven roller 7b. A secondary transfer unit 11 is disposed on the drive roller 7 a side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and a belt cleaning unit 9 is disposed on the driven roller 7 b side of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The exposure unit 4 rotates four light beams (specifically, laser beams) from a light source unit 4a including a polygon mirror in a predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 3). , 2c, 2d are configured to scan in the main scanning direction (direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member). More specifically, the exposure unit 4 has image data corresponding to a color image using a black (B) component, a cyan (C) component, a magenta (M) component, and a yellow (Y) color input from the outside, or a single color ( For example, each beam modulated based on image data corresponding to a monochrome image using black) is emitted from the light source unit 4a and guided to the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d by each mirror, and the charging unit 3a. , 3b, 3c, and 3d are exposed to uniformly charged photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively.

  The fixing unit 12 fixes the unfixed toner image transferred onto the recording material P by the secondary transfer unit 11 onto the recording material P by heat and pressure. Specifically, the fixing unit 12 is in pressure contact with a heat source 12c such as a heater, a fixing roller 12a whose temperature is controlled to be maintained at a predetermined temperature by controlling the operation of the heat source 12c, and the fixing roller 12a. Pressure roller 12b. The fixing roller 12a and the pressure roller 12b are supported by the fixing frame 12d via a receiving member such as a bearing. The fixing unit 12 heats the fixing roller 12a to a predetermined fixing temperature by the heat source 12c, and then transfers the recording material P on which an unfixed image (specifically, an unfixed toner image) is formed to the fixing roller 12a and the pressure roller. An image is supplied to the fixing nip portion N, which is a pressure contact portion 12b, and is passed through the fixing nip portion N, whereby an unfixed image (specifically, an unfixed toner image) is formed on the recording material P by heat and pressure in the fixing nip portion N. It is set as the structure which fixes.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a pre-transfer charging unit 10. The pre-transfer charging unit 10 charges the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 prior to the secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the recording material P.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 described above, the surface of the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is uniformly charged by the charging units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, respectively, and the uniformly charged photosensitive member is formed. The surfaces of the bodies 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are laser-exposed by the exposure unit 4 in accordance with image data (image information) to form electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, thereafter, the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are developed by the developing units 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d to be visualized as toner images, respectively. The toner image thus formed is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the primary transfer units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d to which a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied, and a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 100, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is charged by the pre-transfer charging unit 10 immediately before the secondary transfer unit 11, and then the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is directed in a predetermined direction. The sheet is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 11 by the intermediate transfer belt 7 which is moved around in the direction D. On the other hand, the recording material P pulled out from the paper feed roller 13 a of the paper feed unit 13 toward the transport path S and transported through the transport path S is intermediately transferred to the secondary transfer unit 11 by the transport roller 14 and the registration roller 15. The toner image is conveyed in synchronization with the toner image on the belt 7. Then, the toner image conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 11 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 11 by the secondary transfer unit 11 to which a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied. Transcript.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 100, the toner image transferred onto the recording material P is transported to the fixing unit 12, and when passing through the fixing unit 12, the toner image on the recording material P is heated and pressurized to be on the recording material. The recording material P, to which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 12, is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the discharge roller 16 and placed on the discharge tray 17, and the image forming process ends. .

  Further, the transport path S includes a reversing path Sr that guides the recording material P transported in the reverse direction by the discharge roller 16 to the upstream side of the registration roller 15 so that the front and back are reversed. When the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image not only on the front surface but also on the back surface of the recording material P, the recording material P is conveyed in the reverse direction from the discharge roller 16 to the reversing path Sr, and the front and back surfaces of the recording material P are reversed. Then, the toner image is guided again to the registration roller 15, and a toner image is formed and fixed on the back surface of the recording material P in the same manner as the front surface of the recording material P. Placed on.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 20 (see FIG. 3) that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 20 detects the presence / absence of toner Ta, Tb, Tc, Td by a detection unit (not shown) that detects whether the toner Ta, Tb, Tc, Td has run out in the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db. Based on the detection result, an operator is urged to prompt the operator such as a user to replace the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db that have run out of toner. In this example, the control unit 20 supplies toner to the display device 102a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the operation unit 102 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided on the upper side of the operation side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. A message and / or a mark for prompting replacement of the cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db is displayed.

  Further, the control unit 20 detects whether or not the waste toner is full in a waste toner box 90 by a detection unit (not shown) that detects whether or not the waste toner is full. An alarm is issued to prompt the operator to replace the full waste toner box 90. In this example, the control unit 20 displays a message and / or a mark that prompts the user to replace the waste toner box 90 on the display device 102a of the operation unit 102 provided at the upper part on the operation side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is like that.

  Further, the control unit 20 prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 by detecting the interlock that detects the interlock that prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment fixes (locks) the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus body 1 by performing interlock detection for detecting an interlock that prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30. This is performed based on the fixing operation or the fixing release operation.

  Here, the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is not only the complete fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 but also the waste toner box 90 to an extent that does not hinder the interlock detection. This is a concept including fixing the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 in a state where the movement of the toner is allowed. The waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1 at the time of mounting operation for mounting the waste toner box 90 on the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released. This is performed at the time of detachment operation for detaching the waste toner box 90 from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  Next, the configuration of the first to fourth embodiments that performs interlock detection will be described below.

[First Embodiment]
4 to 10 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment for performing interlock detection.

  4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a waste toner box 90 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 5 is a line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a waste toner box 90 along the line. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the fixed release state of the waste toner box 90 (the operation release state of the interlock detection switch 61). In FIG. 4, the waste toner box 90 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  6 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. As illustrated in FIG. FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a state in which the waste toner box 90 is released from the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the state in which the waste toner box 90 is released from being fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is a top view which shows a structure. In FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG. 8, the regulating portions 51 (51a, 51b) and the like are not shown. The wiring to the interlock detection switch 61 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9 is not shown. In addition, in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, some constituent members are shown in perspective.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a shutter member in the shutter mechanism 70 provided in the waste toner box 90 (in this example, the first shutter member 71 and the second shutter member 72).

  The waste toner box 90 includes a waste toner box main body 90a and a first insertion portion 91 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) through which a first introduction pipe 81 (see FIG. 5) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is inserted. And a second insertion portion 92 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) through which the second introduction pipe 82 (see FIG. 5) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is inserted.

  The waste toner box main body 90a includes a waste toner receiving portion 90b (see FIGS. 4 to 9) that receives the waste toner Tx (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) from the image forming apparatus main body 1 into the waste toner box main body 90a. And a waste toner storage portion 90c (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) for storing the waste toner Tx received by the waste toner receiving portion 90b. The waste toner receiving portion 90b is provided with a first insertion portion 91 and a second insertion portion 92. In the waste toner container 90c, waste toner Tx from the first introduction tube 81 inserted into the first insertion portion 91 and waste toner Tx from the second introduction tube 82 inserted into the second insertion portion 92 are received. Accommodate.

  Here, a plurality (four in this example) of first introduction pipes 81 are provided corresponding to a plurality (four in this example) of the photosensitive member cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d (see FIG. 3). The first insertion portion 91 is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of (four in this example) first introduction tubes 81 to 81. The second introduction pipe 82 is a single second introduction pipe provided corresponding to the belt cleaning unit 9 (see FIG. 3), and the second insertion portion 92 is a single second introduction pipe 82. It is provided corresponding to.

  Specifically, the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81, 82 are tubular (cylindrical in this example). Inside the first introduction pipes 81 to 81, the first conveyance spirals 81a to 81a convey the waste toner Tx collected by the photoconductor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d toward the first insertion portions 91 to 91. 81a (see FIG. 5) is provided. Inside the second introduction pipe 82, a second conveyance spiral 82a (see FIG. 5) is provided that conveys the waste toner Tx collected by the belt cleaning unit 9 toward the second insertion portion 92. The first transport spirals 81a to 81a and the second transport spiral 82a have spiral shapes around the rotation shafts 81a1 and 82a1, and the waste toner Tx transport direction W while drawing a circle around the rotation shafts 81a1 and 82a1. (See FIG. 5).

  The discharge holes 81b to 81b are formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall at the downstream end in the transport direction W of the waste toner Tx of the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81, 82 (in this example, the other end Y2 in the operation direction Y). 82b (see FIG. 5) is provided.

  Further, the waste toner box 90 has openings 91a to 91a and 92a (FIG. 4) for receiving waste toner Tx from the image forming unit 30 (specifically, the photoreceptor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d and the belt cleaning unit 9). To FIG. 6 and FIG. 8). The openings 91a to 91a and 92a are provided in the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 and 92, and communicate with the waste toner storage portion 90c.

  Specifically, the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 are cylindrical. The first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 are provided on the inner surface of the first side plate 90a1 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 9) on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box main body 90a. It is provided along the operation direction Y at a position corresponding to the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81, 82. The first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 and the waste toner box main body 90a are integrally formed. The openings 91a to 91a and 92a are formed when the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 are inserted through the first and second insertion parts 91 to 91 and 92, respectively. 82 is provided at a position communicating with the discharge holes 81b to 81b, 82b.

  Accordingly, the waste toner box 90 conveys the waste toner Tx of the first introduction pipes 81 to 81 from the photoconductor cleaning units 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d as the first conveyance spirals 81a to 81a rotate around the axis. The waste toner Tx conveyed to the downstream end in the direction W can be stored in the waste toner storage portion 90c through the discharge holes 81b to 81b and the openings 91a to 91a. Further, the waste toner box 90 is disposed in the downstream end portion in the transport direction W of the waste toner Tx of the second introduction pipe 82 from the belt cleaning unit 9 when the second transport spiral 82a rotates around the axis. The toner Tx can be stored in the waste toner storage portion 90c through the discharge hole 82b and the opening 92a. In addition, the 1st shutter members 71-71 and the 2nd shutter member 72 which open and close opening 91a-91a, 92a are demonstrated later.

  In this example, the waste toner box 90 is provided with a partition wall 90d (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) that partitions the waste toner receiving portion 90b and the waste toner storage portion 90c. The partition wall 90d is provided with inlet holes 91b to 91b and 92b (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) corresponding to the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. Between the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 and 92 and the partition wall 90d, cover members 91c to cover the dropping path of the waste toner Tx from the openings 91a to 91a and 92a to the inlet holes 91b to 91b and 92b. 91c and 92c (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) are provided.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a fixing mechanism 50 (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9) that detachably fixes the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and detects the interlock. Is performed in conjunction with an operation of fixing the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the fixing mechanism 50 or an operation of releasing the fixing.

  Here, the fixing mechanism 50 may be any one as long as it can detachably fix the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 when performing interlock detection.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an interlock detection switch 61 that performs interlock detection (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9), and a switch lever 62 that operates or cancels the interlock detection switch 61. 4 to 9). The switch lever 62 is provided in the waste toner box main body 90a (in this example, the waste toner receiving portion 90b). The fixing mechanism 50 operates (turns on) the interlock detection switch 61 by the switch lever 62 in conjunction with the fixing operation of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1, while the image forming apparatus of the waste toner box 90. The interlock detection switch 61 is released (turned off) by the switch lever 62 in conjunction with the fixing release operation to the main body 1.

  Specifically, the interlock detection switch 61 includes an oscillating portion 61a (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9) that oscillates around an axis (in this example, around the axis along the operation direction Y), and an oscillating portion 61a. When an external force is not applied to the oscillating portion 61a, the operation release state (energized state or non-energized state, in this example, the non-energized state) is maintained. The switch (specifically, a micro switch) is provided with a switch portion 61b (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 8) that is in an energized state or a non-energized state (in this example, an energized state).

  The switch lever 62 is provided in the waste toner box main body 90a (specifically, in the waste toner receiving portion 90b) to be slidable along a predetermined direction (in this example, the left-right direction X). In this example, the switch lever 62 is a flat plate, and in the left-right direction X on the inner wall of the second side plate 90a2 (see FIGS. 4 to 9) on the other side Y2 of the operation direction Y of the waste toner box main body 90a. It is provided along.

  The switch lever 62 is operated by an operator such as a user to move to one side in a predetermined direction (in this example, one side X1 in the left-right direction X), thereby pressing the swinging portion 61a to operate the switch portion 61b. On the other hand, by moving to the other side in the predetermined direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the left-right direction X), the pressing of the swinging part 61a is released and the switch part 61b is in the operation-released state (on-state) Off).

  In addition, the switch lever 62 is provided with a gripping portion 62c (see FIGS. 4 to 9) that an operator such as a user grips to operate the switch lever 62.

  Specifically, a guide member that slidably guides the switch lever 62 in the left-right direction X is provided on a side plate (in this example, the second side plate 90a2) of the waste toner box main body 90a on which the switch lever 62 is provided. 90e (see FIGS. 4 to 9) is provided. The guide member 90e and the waste toner box main body 90a are integrally formed. The switch lever 62 has linear surfaces 62b (see FIGS. 6 to 9) along the left-right direction X on both sides in the up-down direction Z. The guide member 90e is slid on the straight surface 62b of the switch lever 62.

  The guide member 90e has first guide portions 90e1 and 90e1 (see FIGS. 6 to 9) protruding inward in the operation direction Y from the inner wall of the second side plate 90a2 so as to sandwich the switch lever 62 on both sides in the vertical direction Z. doing. Thereby, the switch lever 62 can be slid in the left-right direction X. The distance d1 (see FIG. 6) in the vertical direction Z of the first guide portions 90e1 and 90e1 is larger by a predetermined amount than the dimension in the vertical direction Z of the switch lever 62 so that the switch lever 62 can slide smoothly in the horizontal direction X. It is a dimension.

  The guide member 90e further includes second guide portions 90e2 and 90e2 (see FIGS. 5 to 9) extending inward in the up-down direction Z from the distal end portion in the operation direction Y of the first guide portion 90e1. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent the switch lever 62 from falling off from the first guide portions 90e1 and 90e1. The distance d2 (see FIG. 7) between the second guide portions 90e2 and 90e2 and the second side plate 90a2 is a dimension larger than the thickness of the switch lever 62 by a predetermined amount so that the switch lever 62 can smoothly reciprocate in the left-right direction X. It has become. The first guide portions 90e1 and 90e1 and the second guide portions 90e2 and 90e2 are integrally formed.

  The gripping part 62c protrudes from the switch lever main body 62a (see FIGS. 4 to 9) to the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y (front side in this example). The second side plate 90a2 of the waste toner box main body 90a has a through-hole 90f (see FIG. 4 to FIG. 4) through which the gripping portion 62c is allowed to reciprocate as the switch lever 62 reciprocates in the left-right direction X. 9). The wall surface 90f1 (see FIGS. 6 to 9) on the other side X2 of the through hole 90f in the left-right direction X (right side in the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 9) moves the switch lever 62 to the other side X2 in the left-right direction X. Is regulated.

  In this example, the fixing mechanism 50 includes the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion 621) when the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion 621) operates (turns on) the interlock detection switch 61. ) To restrict the movement of the waste toner box 90 in a predetermined direction (the operation direction Y in this example) (specifically, the first restricting portion 51a and the second restricting portion 51b) (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 7). 9).

  Specifically, the waste toner box 90 includes both the left and right direction X and the up and down direction Z by the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 being inserted through the first and second insertion parts 91 to 91 and 92. Is restricted (fixed in both the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z). Further, the waste toner box 90 moves to one side Y1 (back side in this example) in the operation direction Y of the image forming apparatus main body 1 so that the side wall 1b on the operation side of the image forming apparatus main body 1 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). ).

  And the control part 51 has the 1st and 2nd control parts 51a and 51b which control the movement in the operation direction Y of the switch lever 62 (specifically 1st protrusion part 621). The first and second restricting portions 51 a and 51 b are provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1. The first and second restricting portions 51a and 51b are configured so that the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion) overlaps with the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion 621) in the activated state when viewed from the front. Part 621) on both sides in the operation direction Y. Thus, the first and second restricting portions 51a and 51b move the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first projecting portion 621) in the operating state in which the interlock detection switch 61 is operating in the operation direction Y. Can be regulated.

  In the first restricting portion 51a, the side surface 51a1 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y is the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first projecting portion 621) (this In the example, movement to the front side) is restricted. Further, the second restricting portion 51b is configured such that the end surface 51b1 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y is one side Y1 in the operation direction Y of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first projecting portion 621). The movement to (the back side in this example) is restricted.

  The distance d3 (see FIG. 7) in the operation direction Y of the first and second restricting portions 51a and 51b is such that the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first projecting portion 621) can smoothly reciprocate in the left-right direction X, and The switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion 621) has a dimension that is larger by a predetermined amount than the dimension of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the first protrusion 621) to the extent that there is no problem in detecting the interlock even if the waste toner box 90 moves in the operation direction Y It has become.

  The waste toner box 90 moves to the one side X1 in the left-right direction X, and the end surface 51a2 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on the other side X2 in the left-right direction X of the first restricting portion 51a and the second restricting portion 51b. The side surface 51b2 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on the other side X2 in the left-right direction X is also restricted. The restricting portion 51 further includes a third restricting portion 51c (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The third restricting portion 51 c is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1. The movement of the waste toner box 90 to the other side X2 in the left-right direction X is also restricted by the side surface 51c1 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) on the one side X1 in the left-right direction X of the third restricting portion 51c.

  In this example, the waste toner box 90 includes a shutter mechanism 70 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8) that opens and closes the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. The shutter mechanism 70 is provided in the waste toner box main body 90a (in this example, in the waste toner receiving portion 90b). The switch lever 62 operates the interlock detection switch 61 in conjunction with the opening operation of the openings 91a to 91a and 92a by the shutter mechanism 70, while interfacing to the closing operation of the openings 91a to 91a and 92a by the shutter mechanism 70. The lock detection switch 61 is deactivated.

  Specifically, the shutter mechanism 70 rotates about the rotation axis α (see FIGS. 5 and 10) between a closed position that closes the openings 91a to 91a and 92a and an open position that opens the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. A movable shutter member (first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 in this example) (see FIGS. 4 to 6, 8, and 10) is provided. The rotation axis α is a rotation axis along the operation direction Y in this example. The switch lever 62 moves in a reciprocating movement direction (in this example, the left-right direction X) along a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis α. The switch lever 62 moves the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 around the rotation axis α in conjunction with the movement to one side in the reciprocating direction (in this example, one side X1 in the left-right direction X). The interlock detection switch 61 is actuated while opening the openings 91a to 91a and 92a by rotating to one side (A1 and B1 directions in FIG. 6). On the other hand, the switch lever 62 moves the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 in the rotation axis in conjunction with the movement to the other side in the reciprocating direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the left-right direction X). The interlock detection switch 61 is deactivated while rotating to the other side around the α (A2 and B2 directions in FIG. 8) to close the openings 91a to 91a and 92a.

  Specifically, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are cylindrical (see FIG. 10), and the openings 91a to 91a of the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 are provided. , 92a are opened and closed.

  As for the 1st and 2nd shutter members 71-71 and 72, outer peripheral surfaces 71a and 72a (refer FIG.5 and FIG.10) are inner peripheral surfaces 91d-91d and 92d (refer to FIG.5 and FIG.10) of the 1st and 2nd insertion parts 91-91,92. (See FIG. 5) is slidably rotatable about the rotation axis α. The outer diameter r1 (see FIG. 10) of the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 is such that the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are smooth to the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92. The first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 and 92 have dimensions that are smaller than the inner diameter r2 (see FIG. 5) by a predetermined amount.

  The movement of the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 in the operation direction Y is restricted by the first and second side plates 90a1, 90a2 in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box main body 90a. The dimension d4 (see FIG. 10) in the operation direction Y of the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 is such that the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, The size is smaller than the distance d5 (see FIG. 5) between the first and second side plates 90a1 and 90a2 by a predetermined amount so that it can be smoothly slid to 92.

  Further, the shutter mechanism 70 converts the movement of the switch lever 62 in the reciprocating direction (in this example, the left-right direction X) into a rotational force around the rotation axis α (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 8). )have. In this example, the conversion mechanism 73 includes a plurality of linear teeth 73a to 73a (rack) (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) and a plurality of arc gears 73b to 73b (pinion) meshing with the plurality of linear teeth 73a to 73a. ) (Refer to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 10). The plurality of linear teeth 73a to 73a are juxtaposed along the left-right direction X at portions corresponding to the first and second shutter members 71-71, 72 on both sides in the up-down direction Z of the flat switch lever 62. . The plurality of arc gears 73b to 73b are arranged in an arc shape on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72.

  The first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 have communication holes 71b to 71b, 72b (see FIGS. 6, 8, and 10) in a part in the circumferential direction.

  The first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 form the waste toner box 90 by the fixing mechanism 50 when the switch lever 62 moves to one side X1 in the left-right direction X (see FIGS. 6 and 7). When fixed to the apparatus main body 1, the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 are rotated by the communication holes 71b to 71b and 72b by rotating to one side (A1 and B1 directions in FIG. 6) around the rotation axis α. The openings 91 a to 91 a and 92 a in 92 and the discharge holes 81 b to 81 b and 82 b in the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 are allowed to communicate. As a result, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 can open the openings 91 a to 91 a and 92 a when the fixing mechanism 50 fixes the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1. At this time, the switch lever 62 can operate the interlock detection switch 61.

  On the other hand, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 move the switch lever 62 to the other side X2 in the left-right direction X (see FIGS. 8 and 9), so that the waste toner box 90 is fixed by the fixing mechanism 50. When the fixing to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released, the first and second insertions through the communication holes 71b to 71b and 72b are performed by rotating to the other side (A2 and B2 directions in FIG. 8) around the rotation axis α. The communication between the openings 91a to 91a and 92a in the portions 91 to 91 and 92 and the discharge holes 81b to 81b and 82b in the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 is blocked. As a result, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 can close the openings 91 a to 91 a and 92 a when the fixing mechanism 50 releases the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1. At this time, the switch lever 62 can release the operation of the interlock detection switch 61.

  In this example, the first shutter members 71 to 71 are arranged on one side (in this example, the vertical direction Z) orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the switch lever 62 (in this example, the left-right direction X) (this example). In the lower side). The second shutter member 72 is provided on the opposite side (the upper side in this example) from the first shutter members 71 to 71 with the switch lever 62 interposed therebetween.

  In this example, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 are circular in front view, but may be arcuate in front view.

  In this example, the switch lever 62 has a first protrusion 621 (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9). The first protrusion 621 has one end (FIGS. 4 and 6) of the waste toner box 90 in the reciprocating direction as the switch lever 62 moves to one side in the reciprocating direction (one side X1 in the left-right direction X in this example). 9 protrudes from the left third side plate 90a3) in the example shown in FIG. 9, while the switch lever 62 moves in the reciprocating direction by moving to the other side in the reciprocating direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the left-right direction X). The waste toner box 90 is retracted to the other end side (the right side in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9).

  The interlock detection switch 61 is actuated by the first protrusion 621 when the switch lever 62 moves to one side in the reciprocating direction (one side X1 in the left-right direction X in this example), while the switch lever 62 reciprocates. It is provided at a position where the operation by the first projecting portion 621 is released when moving to the other side in the moving direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the left-right direction X). The interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the vicinity (a position away from the waste toner box 90 by a predetermined distance) on one side in the reciprocating direction of the waste toner box 90 (in this example, one side X1 in the left-right direction X). ing. In this example, the interlock detection switch 61 is provided on the side surface 51a1 on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y of the first restricting portion 51a.

  Specifically, the first projecting portion 621 extends from the end portion on the one side X1 in the left-right direction X of the switch lever body 62a toward the one side X1 in the left-right direction X.

  The first protrusion 621 moves from the waste toner box main body 90a when the switch lever 62 moves to one side in the reciprocating direction (one side X1 in the left-right direction X in this example) and the interlock detection switch 61 is activated. Projects outward. On the other hand, the first protrusion 621 is a waste toner when the switch lever 62 moves to the other side in the reciprocating direction (the other side X2 in the left-right direction X in this example) and the operation of the interlock detection switch 61 is released. Retreat into the box body 90a.

  Specifically, the switch lever main body 62a and the first protrusion 621 are integrally formed. The third side plate 90a3 of the waste toner box main body 90a is provided with a first through hole 90g (see FIGS. 6 to 9) that penetrates when the first protruding portion 621 protrudes outward. The dimensions of the first through hole 90g in the operation direction Y and the vertical direction Z are larger than the dimensions of the first protrusion 621 in the operation direction Y and the vertical direction Z by a predetermined amount.

[Second Embodiment]
11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the configuration of the second embodiment for performing interlock detection.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a state in which the waste toner box 90 is released from being fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. The wiring to the interlock detection switch 61 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is not shown. 11 and 12 show some constituent members in perspective.

  The second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the position where the interlock detection switch 61 is provided is different, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The following description will focus on the points that differ from the first embodiment.

  In the configuration of the second embodiment, the interlock detection switch 61 is arranged on one side of the waste toner box 90 in an orthogonal direction (in this example, the operation direction Y) orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction (in this example, the left-right direction X). (In this example, it is provided on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y).

  In this example, the fixing mechanism 50 includes the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second protrusion) when the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second protrusion 622) operates (turns on) the interlock detection switch 61. 622) includes a restricting portion 51 (specifically, a first restricting portion 51d and a second restricting portion 51e) that restricts the movement of the waste toner box 90 in a predetermined direction (in this example, the operation direction Y). ing.

  Specifically, the restricting portion 51 includes first and second restricting portions 51d and 51e that restrict movement of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) in the operation direction Y. The first and second restricting portions 51 d and 51 e are provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1. The first and second restricting portions 51d and 51e restrict the movement of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) in the operating state in which the interlock detection switch 61 is actuated in the operation direction Y. Further, the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) overlaps the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) on both sides in the operation direction Y so as to overlap the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) in the activated state when viewed from the front. Is provided.

  In the first restricting portion 51d, the side surface 51d1 on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y moves to the other side Y2 (in this example, the front side) in the operation direction Y of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second protrusion 622). To regulate. Further, in the second restricting portion 51e, the end surface 51e1 on the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y is directed to one side Y1 (back side in this example) in the operation direction Y of the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second protrusion 622). Regulate the movement of

  The distance d6 (see FIG. 11) in the operation direction Y of the first and second restricting portions 51d and 51e is such that the switch lever 62 (specifically, the second projecting portion 622) can smoothly reciprocate in the left-right direction X, and The switch lever 62 (specifically, the second protrusion 622) has a dimension that is larger by a predetermined amount than the dimension in the operation direction Y to the extent that there is no problem in detecting the interlock even if the waste toner box 90 moves in the operation direction Y. It has become.

  In this example, the switch lever 62 has a second protrusion 622 instead of the first protrusion 621. The second protrusion 622 is disposed on one side (in this example, the operation direction Y) of the waste toner box 90 in an orthogonal direction (in this example, the operation direction Y) orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction (in this example, the left-right direction X). Projecting from one side Y1), specifically, reciprocating in the reciprocating direction (in this example, left-right direction X) is allowed to project. The second protrusion 622 is movable from one end of the waste toner box 90 in the operation direction Y (the first side plate 90a1 at the rear end in the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) so that the switch lever 62 can move in the reciprocating direction. It protrudes to the outside.

  The interlock detection switch 61 includes the second protrusion 622 when the switch lever 62 moves to one side X1 (left side in the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) in the reciprocating movement direction (left-right direction X in this example). On the other hand, when the switch lever 62 moves to the other side X2 (the right side in the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) of the reciprocating movement direction (the horizontal direction X in this example), the operation by the second protrusion 622 is performed. It is provided at a position to be released. The interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the vicinity (a position away from the waste toner box 90 by a predetermined distance) on one side of the waste toner box 90 in the orthogonal direction (in this example, one side Y1 in the operation direction Y). Yes. In this example, the interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the main body frame 1a (see FIG. 3) (specifically, the position near the back side of the waste toner box 90).

  Specifically, the second projecting portion 622 includes a first extending portion 622a that extends from a side surface on one side Y1 in the operation direction Y of the switch lever main body 62a toward the one side Y1 in the operation direction Y, and a first extension. A second extending portion 622b extending from the end of one side Y1 in the operation direction Y of the installation portion 622a to the one side X1 in the left-right direction X by bending at a right angle or substantially right angle to the one side X1 in the left-right direction X; doing. That is, the 2nd protrusion part 622 is made into the L-shape thing seeing from the plane. The second projecting portion 622 has a function in which the second extending portion 622 b operates or cancels the interlock detection switch 61 and a function in which movement in the operation direction Y is restricted by the restricting portion 51.

  Specifically, the switch lever main body 62a and the second projecting portion 622 are integrally formed. The first side plate 90a1 of the waste toner box main body 90a is provided with a second through hole 90h through which the second protrusion 622 passes. The dimension of the second through hole 90h in the vertical direction Z is larger than the dimension of the second protrusion 622 in the vertical direction Z by a predetermined amount. Further, the dimension of the second through hole 90h in the left-right direction X is larger by a predetermined amount than the dimension of the second protrusion 622 in the left-right direction X (width direction) plus the reciprocating distance of the second protrusion 622. It has become. A through hole 1b1 corresponding to the second through hole 90h is provided in the side wall 1b on the operation side of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the configuration of the third embodiment for detecting the interlock.

  13 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed and released from the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the restriction portions 51 (51a, 51b) and the like are not shown. The wiring to the interlock detection switch 61 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is not shown. 13 and 14 show some constituent members in perspective.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of another example (second shutter member 72 in this example) of the shutter member in the shutter mechanism 70 provided in the waste toner box 90.

  The third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the position where the interlock detection switch 61 is provided is different, and the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as the components of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the points that differ from the first embodiment.

  In the configuration of the third embodiment, the interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface 72 a of the second shutter member 72.

  In this example, the switch lever 62 has a third protrusion 623 in addition to the first protrusion 621. The third protrusion 623 serves as a shutter member in a direction that intersects (in this example, orthogonal or approximately orthogonal) with the rotation axis α (see FIG. 15) in the outer peripheral portion (specifically, the outer peripheral surface 72a) of the second shutter member 72. So as to project outward. The third projecting portion 623 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis α of the second shutter member 72 so that one end of the waste toner box 90 in the vertical direction Z (the upper plate 90a4 on the upper end in the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14). ) Protruding outward.

  The interlock detection switch 61 is operated when the shutter member (in this example, the second shutter member 72) rotates to one side around the rotation axis α (clockwise direction B1 in the example shown in FIG. 13) (specifically Is operated by the third protrusion 623 while the shutter member (in this example, the second shutter member 72) is on the other side around the rotation axis α (example shown in FIG. 14). Then, it is provided at a position where the operation by the third protrusion 623 is released when it is rotated in the counterclockwise direction B2) (specifically, when it is located at the closed position). The interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral portion of the outer peripheral surface 72a of the second shutter member 72 (a position separated by a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral surface 72a). In this example, the interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the main body frame 1a (see FIG. 3) (specifically, a position near the upper surface side of the waste toner box 90).

  Specifically, the third protrusion 623 extends from the outer peripheral surface 72a of the second shutter member 72 in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis α. The switch lever 62 further includes a reinforcing portion 623a (see FIG. 15) that reinforces the third protruding portion 623. In this example, the reinforcing portion 623 a is a triangle or a substantially triangular shape that connects the outer peripheral surface 72 a of the second shutter member 72 and the third protrusion 623. The reinforcing portion 623a reinforces both end portions of the third projecting portion 623 in the operation direction Y.

  Specifically, the second shutter member 72 and the third protrusion 623 are integrally formed. In the upper plate 90a4 of the waste toner box main body 90a (in this example, a dome-shaped portion of the upper plate 90a4 that accommodates the second shutter member 72), a third through hole 90i (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) is provided. The dimension of the third through hole 90i in the operation direction Y is larger than the dimension of the third protrusion 623 in the operation direction Y by a predetermined amount. The dimension of the third through hole 90i in the circumferential direction B is larger by a predetermined amount than the dimension of the third projection 623 in the circumferential direction B plus the rotational distance of the second projection 622.

[Fourth Embodiment]
16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the configuration of the fourth embodiment that performs interlock detection.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the waste toner box 90 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a state in which the waste toner box 90 is released from being fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. The wiring to the interlock detection switch 61 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is not shown. 16 and 17 show some constituent members in perspective.

  The configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that a locking member 52 is provided instead of the fixing mechanism 50 and the position where the interlock detection switch 61 is provided is different. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as the configuration members of the embodiment, and the following description will be focused on the points different from the first embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, instead of fixing the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the fixing mechanism 50, the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the locking member 52, and the interlock detection switch 61 is set. The operation is performed when the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the operation is released when the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  In this example, the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with a locking member 52 that detachably locks and fixes the waste toner box 90.

  The image forming apparatus 100 detects the interlock together with the fixing operation or the fixing releasing operation of the waste toner box 90 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the locking member 52.

  In the fourth embodiment, the locking member 52 operates the interlock detection switch 61 by the switch lever 62 together with the fixing operation of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1. On the other hand, the locking member 52 releases the operation of the interlock detection switch 61 by the switch lever 62 as well as the fixing release operation of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  In this example, the switch lever 62 has a fourth protrusion 624. The fourth protrusion 624 is provided in the waste toner box 90.

  The interlock detection switch 61 is actuated by the fourth protrusion 624 when the locking member 52 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 fixes the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1. 1 is provided at a position where the operation by the fourth protrusion 624 is released when the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released. The interlock detection switch 61 operates in the vicinity of the waste toner box 90 when the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the fixation of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released. Is provided at a position where the operation is released when the toner is discharged (a position away from the waste toner box 90 by a predetermined distance). In this example, the interlock detection switch 61 is provided in the main body frame 1a (see FIG. 3) (specifically, the position near the back side of the waste toner box 90).

  Specifically, the fourth protrusion 624 extends from the outer surface of the waste toner box 90 (in this example, the outer surface of the first side plate 90a1) to one side Y1 in the operation direction Y. The locking member 52 has first and second locking members 52 a and 52 b provided on the image forming apparatus main body 1 so as to be positioned on both sides in the left-right direction X of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The first and second locking members 52a and 52b are extended from the image forming apparatus main body 1 to the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y, and from the tip of the extended portions 52a1 and 52b1 in the left-right direction. It has fixing | fixed part 52a2, 52b2 bent inside X. The first and second locking members 52a and 52b (specifically, the extending portions 52a1 and 52b1) are allowed to bend outward in the left-right direction X when the waste toner box 90 is attached and detached. It is formed of a flexible member (specifically, an elastically deformable resin material).

  The fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2 are provided when the waste toner box 90 is attached to the locking surfaces 52a3 and 52b3 for locking the side surface of the other side Y2 (front side in this example) in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box 90. The waste toner box 90 has inclined surfaces 52a4 and 52b4 which are inclined so as to push and extend the extended portions 52a1 and 52b1 while being slidably contacted at both ends in the left and right direction X.

  Specifically, the waste toner box 90 and the fourth protrusion 624 are integrally formed. An inner cover member 1c is provided on the other side Y2 of the operation direction Y of the image forming apparatus main body 1. First and second locking members 52a and 52b are provided at both ends in the left-right direction X of the inner cover member 1c. The inner cover member 1c and the first and second locking members 52a and 52b are integrally formed. The extending portions 52a1 and 52b1 and the fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2 are integrally formed. The interlock detection switch 61 is provided inside the inner cover member 1c. Further, the inner cover member 1c is provided with a through hole 1c1 through which the fourth projecting portion 624 passes. The dimension in the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z of the through-hole 1c1 is larger than the dimension in the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z of the fourth protrusion 624 by a predetermined amount.

(About this embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first to fourth embodiments described above, even if the door 101 covering the image forming unit 30 is opened, the interlock detection is performed and the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. The image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is not prohibited because the fixing operation or the fixing release operation is performed. For example, when replacing the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db at the time of replacement during the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30, the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db are covered in addition to the image forming unit 30. Even if the sheet-like door 101 is opened, the interlock detection is performed based on a fixing operation or a fixing release operation for fixing the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1. The operation is not prohibited, and therefore the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is not stopped.

  Here, in the first to fourth embodiments, the waste toner box 90 is configured so that the operator cannot operate the image forming unit 30 unless the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. Even in a state in which the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is not prohibited after being opened, the operator's safety can be improved.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, when the waste toner box 90 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1, the switch lever 62 is moved to the one side X <b> 2 in the left-right direction X by the user. The first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are rotated to the other side (A1, B1 direction) around the rotation axis α to open the openings 91a to 91a, 92a. When the waste toner box 90 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1, the interlock detection switch 61 is activated (turned on) in the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is prohibited. It has been released. On the other hand, when the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1, the switch lever 62 is moved to the other side X2 in the left-right direction X by the user, and accordingly, the first and second shutters are moved. The members 71-71, 72 are rotated to the other side (A2, B2 direction) around the rotation axis α to close the openings 91a-91a, 92a. When the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1, the interlock detection switch 61 is deactivated (off) in the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is prohibited. Has been.

  Specifically, in the first to third embodiments, when the waste toner box 90 is mounted and fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, first, the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 in the waste toner box 90 are firstly described. The waste toner box 90 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 while the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 are inserted therethrough. At this time, the movement of the waste toner box 90 in both the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z is restricted by the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81, 82 and the like.

  Next, the switch lever 62 is moved to one side X1 in the left-right direction X by the user. Then, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are rotated to one side (A1, B1 direction) around the rotation axis α to open the openings 91a to 91a, 92a. The interlock detection switch 61 is activated (turned on) by the three protrusions 621 to 623 (see FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 13). At this time, the movement of the first protrusion 621 in the operation direction Y by the first and second restriction portions 51a and 51b and the operation direction Y of the second protrusion 622 by the first and second restriction portions 51d and 51e are controlled. The movement of the waste toner box 90 in the operation direction Y is restricted by the movement restriction, and accordingly, the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. Furthermore, the prohibition of the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is released by the operation (ON) of the interlock detection switch 61 by the first to third projecting portions 621 to 623.

  On the other hand, in the first to third embodiments, when the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released and the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1, first, the switch lever 62 is moved. It is moved to the other side X2 in the left-right direction X by the user. Then, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71 and 72 are rotated to the other side (A2 and B2 directions) around the rotation axis α, and the openings 91a to 91a and 92a are closed. The operation of the interlock detection switch 61 by the three projecting portions 621 to 623 is released (OFF) (see FIGS. 8, 9, 12, and 14). At this time, the restriction release of the movement of the first protrusion 621 in the operation direction Y by the first and second restriction portions 51a and 51b and the operation direction Y of the second protrusion 622 by the first and second restriction portions 51d and 51e. The restriction on the movement of the waste toner box 90 in the operation direction Y is released by the release of the restriction on the movement to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and accordingly, the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released. Further, the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is prohibited by the operation release (off) of the interlock detection switch 61 by the first to third protrusions 621 to 623.

  Next, the waste toner box 90 forms an image while the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 and 92 in the waste toner box 90 are separated from the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 in the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is detached from the apparatus main body 1.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the waste toner box 90 is mounted and fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91, 92 in the waste toner box 90 are connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1. The waste toner box 90 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 while the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 are inserted. At this time, the waste toner box 90 is slidably brought into contact with the inclined surfaces 52a4 and 52b4 of the fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2 of the first and second locking members 52a and 52b so as to extend in the first and second locking members 52a and 52b. The waste toner box 90 is moved to one side Y1 in the operation direction Y (back side in this example) while the portions 52a1 and 52b1 bend outward in the left-right direction X.

  Next, when the side surface of the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box 90 moves to the positions of the fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2, the bending of the extending portions 52a1 and 52b1 is returned, and the locking surfaces of the fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2 are returned. The side surface of the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box 90 is locked by 52a3 and 52b3, and the interlock detection switch 61 is activated (turned on) by the fourth protrusion 624 (see FIG. 16). At this time, the movement of the waste toner box 90 in the operation direction Y is restricted by the first and second locking members 52 a and 52 b, and accordingly, the waste toner box 90 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1. Furthermore, the prohibition of the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is released by the operation (on) of the interlock detection switch 61 by the fourth protrusion 624. Then, the switch lever 62 is moved to one side X1 in the left-right direction X by the user. Then, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are rotated to one side (A1, B1 direction) around the rotation axis α, and the openings 91a to 91a, 92a are opened.

  On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, when the waste toner box 90 is released from the image forming apparatus main body 1 after the fixing of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released, first, the switch lever 62 is moved left and right by the user. It is moved to the other side X2 in the direction X. Then, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72 are rotated to the other side (A2, B2 direction) around the rotation axis α, and the openings 91a to 91a, 92a are closed.

  Next, the fixing portions 52a2 and 52b2 of the first and second locking members 52a and 52b are moved to both outer sides in the left-right direction X by the user. As a result, the extending portions 52a1 and 52b1 bend outward in the left-right direction X, the locking of the side surface of the other side Y2 in the operation direction Y of the waste toner box 90 by the locking surfaces 52a3 and 52b3 is released, and the fourth protrusion The operation (on) of the interlock detection switch 61 by the unit 624 is released (see FIG. 17). At this time, the restriction of the movement of the waste toner box 90 in the operation direction Y by the first and second locking members 52a and 52b is released, and thus the fixation of the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released. . Further, the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is prohibited by the operation release (off) of the interlock detection switch 61 by the fourth protrusion 624.

  Next, the waste toner box 90 forms an image while the first and second insertion portions 91 to 91 and 92 in the waste toner box 90 are separated from the first and second introduction pipes 81 to 81 and 82 in the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is detached from the apparatus main body 1.

  As described above, according to the first to fourth embodiments, the waste toner box 90 is detachably fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and interlock detection is performed on the waste toner box 90 on the image forming apparatus main body 1. Therefore, even if the door 101 covering the image forming unit 30 is opened, the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 is not prohibited, and the waste toner box 90 is used. Can be securely fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the waste toner box 90 can be prevented from being unexpectedly removed from the proper position, and therefore erroneous detection of the interlock can be effectively prevented. It becomes possible.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming unit 30 uses the toner Ta, Tb, Tc, and Td supplied from the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. And the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db can be replaced without removing the waste toner box 90 from the image forming apparatus main body 1. Therefore, the waste toner box 90 is replaced with the image forming apparatus main body 1. The toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db can be replaced without inhibiting the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30 in the state where the toner cartridge 5 is mounted. For example, when the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db that have come to be replaced are replaced during the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30, one toner cartridge 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, 5db is added to the image forming unit 30. Even if the door 101 covered in the configuration (the front door in this example) is opened, the toner cartridges 5ab, 5bb, 5cb, and 5db can be replaced without stopping the image forming operation of the image forming unit 30.

  In the first to third embodiments, the fixing mechanism 50 that detachably fixes the waste toner box 90 to the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided, and interlock detection is performed by the image forming apparatus of the waste toner box 90 by the fixing mechanism 50. Since the fixing operation is performed in conjunction with the fixing operation or the fixing releasing operation with respect to the main body 1, the waste toner box 90 can be more securely fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the fixing mechanism 50. It becomes possible to prevent erroneous detection of locks effectively.

  In the first to third embodiments, an interlock detection switch 61 that performs interlock detection and a switch lever 62 that operates or cancels the interlock detection switch 61 are provided, and the fixing mechanism 50 includes a waste toner box 90. The interlock detection switch 61 and the switch lever are configured such that the interlock detection switch 61 is operated or released by the switch lever 62 in conjunction with the fixing operation or the fixing release operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1. Interlock detection can be performed with a simple configuration such as using 62.

  In the first to third embodiments, the fixing mechanism 50 is configured such that when the switch lever 62 operates the interlock detection switch 61, a predetermined direction (in this example, the operation direction) of the waste toner box 90 by the switch lever 62. Y) is provided with the restricting portions 51 (51a, 51b), (51d, 51e) for restricting the movement to the switch lever 62 (in this example, the first projecting portion 621 and The second protrusion 622) can also be used as a member constituting the fixing mechanism 50, and the fixing mechanism 50 can be realized with a simple structure.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the waste toner box 90 includes openings 91a to 91a and 92a that receive the waste toner Tx from the image forming unit 30, and a shutter mechanism 70 that opens and closes the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. The switch lever 62 is configured to operate or release the interlock detection switch 61 in conjunction with the opening or closing operation of the openings 91a to 91a and 92a by the shutter mechanism 70, so that the interlock detection switch 61 can be activated or deactivated together with the operation of the shutter mechanism 70. Thereby, when the waste toner box 90 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1, the openings 91 a to 91 a and 92 a of the waste toner box 90 can be closed, and thus the waste toner Tx is prevented from leaking from the waste toner box 90. In addition, the operation for activating or deactivating the interlock detection switch 61 and the operation for opening or closing the openings 91a to 91a and 92a of the waste toner box 90 can be performed by one operation. Can be improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the shutter mechanism 70 rotates about the rotation axis α between a closed position that closes the openings 91a to 91a and 92a and an open position that opens the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. A movable shutter member (in this example, the first and second shutter members 71 to 70, 72) is provided, and the switch lever 62 is a reciprocating movement direction along a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis α ( In this example, the shutter member (first and second shutter members 71 to 70, 72 in this example) reciprocates in the left-right direction X) and interlocks with the reciprocation in the reciprocating direction (left-right direction X in this example). ) Around the rotation axis α to open or close the openings 91a to 91a, 92a, and to activate or deactivate the interlock detection switch 61. -Opening and closing of the openings 91a to 91a and 92a by the members (in this example, the first and second shutter members 71 to 70 and 72) can be performed by a rotation operation of the rotation axis α, for example, the openings 91a to 91a and 92a. The shutter mechanism 70 can be made more compact than the case where the opening and closing of the shutter mechanism is performed by a linear operation.

  In the first embodiment, the switch lever 62 moves to one side of the reciprocating direction (in this example, one side X1 of the left-right direction X), thereby causing waste toner in the reciprocating direction (left-right direction X in this example). While projecting from one end of the box 90 (in this example, the third side plate 90a3), it moves in the reciprocating direction (in this example, the horizontal direction in this example) by moving to the other side of the reciprocating direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the horizontal direction X). X) has a first protrusion 621 that retreats to the other end side (in this example, the other side X2) of the waste toner box 90, and the interlock detection switch 61 has a switch lever 62 on one side in the reciprocating direction (this In the example, when it moves to one side X1), it is actuated by the first protrusion 621, while the switch lever 62 moves to the other side in the reciprocating direction (the other side X2 in this example). When the operation of the first protrusion 621 is released at this time, the interlock detection switch 61 can be provided in a vacant space on one side (one side X1 in this example) of the waste toner box 90 in the reciprocating direction. In providing the interlock detection switch 61, the space on one side of the waste toner box 90 in the reciprocating direction (one side X1 in this example) can be used effectively.

  In the second embodiment, the switch lever 62 is connected to one side of the waste toner box 90 (this direction is the operation direction Y in this example) perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating direction (the left-right direction X in this example). In the example, it has the 2nd protrusion part 622 which protrudes from the 1st side board 90a1), and the interlock detection switch 61 moves the switch lever 62 to one side (one side X1 of the left-right direction X in this example) of the reciprocating movement direction. When the switch lever 62 is moved to the other side in the reciprocating direction (in this example, the other side X2 in the left-right direction X), the operation by the second protrusion 622 is released. As a result, an empty space is formed on one side (the back side of the waste toner box 90 in this example) in the orthogonal direction (the operation direction Y in this example) of the waste toner box 90. An intermediate lock detection switch 61 can be provided. When the interlock detection switch 61 is provided, one side of the waste toner box 90 in the orthogonal direction (the operation direction Y in this example) (the back side of the waste toner box 90 in this example). Can be used effectively.

  In the third embodiment, the switch lever 62 is connected to the rotation axis α at the outer peripheral portion (specifically, the outer peripheral surface 72a) of the shutter member (in this example, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72). It has the 3rd protrusion part 623 provided so that it might protrude outward in the direction which cross | intersects, and the interlock detection switch 61 has a shutter member (1st and 2nd shutter members 71-71, 72 in this example). The shutter member (in this example, the first and second shutter members 71 to 71, 72) is operated by the third protrusion 623 when rotated to one side (A1, B1 direction) around the rotation axis α. Is released to the other side (A2, B2 direction) around the rotation axis α, the operation by the third protrusion 623 is released, so that the shutter member (in this example, the first and second shutter portions) 71-71, 72) can be provided with an interlock detection switch 61 in a vacant space around the outer periphery of the outer periphery. In providing the interlock detection switch 61, shutter members (in this example, the first and second shutter members 71-71) are provided. The space around the outer periphery of 71, 72) can be used effectively.

  In the fourth embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with a locking member 52 that detachably locks and fixes the waste toner box 90, and the interlock detection is performed by the locking member 52. The waste toner box 90 is configured to be performed together with the fixing operation or the fixing release operation of the waste toner box 90 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 1. It can be more securely fixed to the main body 1, and it is possible to effectively prevent erroneous detection of the interlock.

  In the fourth embodiment, an interlock detection switch 61 that performs interlock detection and a switch lever that operates the interlock detection switch 61 are provided, and the locking member 52 is the image forming apparatus main body 1 of the waste toner box 90. Since the interlock detection switch 61 is operated or released by the switch lever 62 together with the fixing operation or the fixing release operation, the interlock detection switch 61 and the switch lever 62 are used in a simple configuration. Interlock detection can be performed.

  In the fourth embodiment, the switch lever 62 has a fourth protrusion 624 provided in the waste toner box 90, and the interlock detection switch 61 is configured such that the locking member 52 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is a waste toner. When the box 90 is locked and fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1, the locking member 52 in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is moved to the image forming apparatus main body 1 of the waste toner box 90 while being actuated by the fourth protrusion 624. When the operation of the fourth protrusion 624 is released when the fixing of the toner is released, the interlock detection switch 61 can be provided in the empty space on the fourth protrusion 624 side of the waste toner box 90, and the interlock In providing the detection switch 61, the space on the fourth projecting portion 624 side of the waste toner box 90 can be used effectively.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, such an embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus main body 1a Main body frame 1b Side wall 1c Inner cover member 1aa-1ad Insertion hole 8a-8d Photoconductor cleaning unit 9 Belt cleaning unit 20 Control part 30 Image formation part 50 Fixing mechanism 51 Restriction part 52 Locking members 5ab-5db Toner cartridge 61 Interlock detection switch 62 Switch lever 70 Shutter mechanism 71 First shutter member (an example of a shutter member)
71a Outer peripheral surface 71b Communication hole 72 Second shutter member (an example of a shutter member)
72a outer peripheral surface 73 conversion mechanism 73a linear tooth 73b arc gear 81 first introduction pipe 81a first conveyance spiral 81b discharge hole 82 second introduction pipe 82a second conveyance spiral 82b discharge hole 90 waste toner box 90a waste toner box main body 91 first Insertion portion 91a Opening 92 Second insertion portion 92a Opening 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Door 102 Operation portion 621 First protrusion 622 Second protrusion 623 Third protrusion 624 Fourth protrusion 62a Switch lever main body 62b Linear surface 62c Grip portion B Circumferential direction B1 Clockwise direction B2 Counterclockwise direction Da Developer Ta Toner Tx Waste toner W Conveying direction X Left-right direction Y Operation direction Z Vertical direction α Rotation axis

Claims (13)

Image formation in which an image is formed by an image forming unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus with toner, and waste toner discharged from the image forming unit is collected in a waste toner box which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus A device,
The waste toner box is configured to be detachably fixed to the image forming apparatus main body,
The interlock detection for detecting the interlock prohibiting the image forming operation of the image forming unit is configured based on a fixing operation or a fixing releasing operation for fixing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming unit forms an image with toner supplied from a toner cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the toner cartridge can be replaced without removing the waste toner box from the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus having the configuration as described above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A fixing mechanism for detachably fixing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body;
An image forming apparatus, wherein the interlock detection is performed in conjunction with an operation of fixing or releasing the waste toner box to the main body of the image forming apparatus by the fixing mechanism. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
An interlock detection switch for detecting the interlock, and a switch lever for operating or releasing the interlock detection switch,
The fixing mechanism is configured to operate or release the interlock detection switch by the switch lever in conjunction with a fixing operation or a fixing releasing operation of the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The fixing mechanism includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the waste toner box in a predetermined direction by the switch lever when the switch lever operates the interlock detection switch. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
The waste toner box includes an opening that receives the waste toner from the image forming unit, and a shutter mechanism that opens and closes the opening.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the switch lever is configured to operate or release the interlock detection switch in conjunction with an opening operation or a closing operation of the opening by the shutter mechanism. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,
The shutter mechanism includes a shutter member that is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening;
The switch lever reciprocates in a reciprocating direction along a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis, and interlocks with the reciprocation in the reciprocation direction to move the shutter member around the rotation axis. An image forming apparatus configured to rotate to open or close the opening and to activate or deactivate the interlock detection switch. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
The switch lever protrudes from one end of the waste toner box in the reciprocating direction by moving to one side of the reciprocating direction, and moves in the reciprocating direction by moving to the other side of the reciprocating direction. A first protrusion that retracts toward the other end of the waste toner box;
The interlock detection switch is actuated by the first protrusion when the switch lever moves to one side of the reciprocating direction, and when the switch lever moves to the other side of the reciprocating direction. An image forming apparatus, wherein the operation by the first protrusion is released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
The switch lever has a second protrusion that protrudes from one side of the waste toner box in an orthogonal direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction,
The interlock detection switch is actuated by the second protrusion when the switch lever moves to one side in the reciprocating direction, and when the switch lever moves to the other side in the reciprocating direction. An image forming apparatus, wherein the operation by the second protrusion is released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
The switch lever has a third protrusion provided to protrude outward in a direction intersecting the rotation axis at the outer periphery of the shutter member,
The interlock detection switch is actuated by the third protrusion when the shutter member rotates to one side around the rotation axis, while the shutter member rotates to the other side around the rotation axis. An image forming apparatus, wherein the operation by the third projecting portion is released when moved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus main body is provided with a locking member that detachably locks and fixes the waste toner box.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the interlock detection is performed together with an operation of fixing or releasing the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body by the locking member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,
An interlock detection switch for detecting the interlock, and a switch lever for operating the interlock detection switch,
The locking member is configured to perform an operation or a release of the interlock detection switch by the switch lever together with an operation of fixing or releasing the fixing of the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12,
The switch lever has a fourth protrusion provided in the waste toner box,
The interlock detection switch is operated by the fourth protrusion when the locking member in the image forming apparatus main body locks the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body, while the image forming apparatus main body The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation by the fourth projecting portion is released when the locking member of the printer releases the locking of the waste toner box to the image forming apparatus main body.

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