JP2016186564A - Image forming apparatus and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which even when fingers or tools are inserted into a space after a developer storage container is moved in a predetermined direction, the fingers or tools are hardly in contact with a second electrode.SOLUTION: An electrode terminal 35a is provided in a guide part 14c, in contact with an electrode terminal 21a of a toner bottle 20 located at a supply position, and separated from the electrode terminal 21a in association with a movement of the toner bottle 20 in a predetermined direction. A link member 53 moves a protective member 52 from a protection position to a release position in conjunction with a movement of the toner bottle 20 toward the supply position in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The link member 53 moves the protective member 52 through a position where the electrode terminal 35a is withdrawn by a sensor unit 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a developer container for supplying toner to a developing device is detachable, and a developing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses that can attach and detach a developer container that supplies toner to a developing apparatus and developing apparatuses are widely used. In Patent Document 1, a cylindrical developer container is rotatably held, and is rotated in a predetermined direction by a motor to develop a supply position where toner can be supplied from the developer container to the developing device. An image forming apparatus for positioning an agent container is shown.

  When the developer container is equipped with a heater, a motor, an electronic circuit, etc., the image forming apparatus has a second electrode for supplying power or sending / receiving signals to / from the first electrode of the developer container. Is placed.

  In Patent Document 2, a developer container provided with a memory circuit board having a first electrode is rotatably held in a developing device. Then, the second electrode fixed to the container holding portion that holds the developer containing container comes into contact with the first electrode of the developer containing container as the developer containing container rotates in the container holding portion, and is electrically Connected.

JP 2007-178972 A JP 2006-184850 A

  In the case of the second electrode disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a finger, a tool, or the like is inserted into a space where the developer container of the container holding unit is held, the second electrode is deformed by contact with the second electrode. there is a possibility.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a developing device that prevent a finger, a tool, or the like from coming into contact with a second electrode even when a finger, a tool, or the like is inserted into a space in which a developer container is held. .

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using a developer contained in a developer containing container, and a container holding unit that detachably holds the developer containing container; An electrode that is provided in the container holding portion and is electrically connectable to the developer containing container attached to the container holding portion; and in a state where the developer containing container is not attached to the container holding portion A protective member that protects the electrode and releases the protection of the electrode when the developer container is mounted on the container holding portion.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents fingers, tools, and the like from accidentally contacting the second electrode from the mounting space of the developer container even when the developer container is detached from the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a developing device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for attaching a toner bottle to the developing device. It is explanatory drawing of arrangement | positioning of an integrated circuit part. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of arrangement | positioning of a sensor unit. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a sensor unit. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a sensor unit. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of positioning in a toner bottle insertion / extraction direction. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a process of manually rotating the toner bottle. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a process of rotating the toner bottle by motor driving. It is a perspective view of the moving mechanism of a protection member. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a protection member. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a protection member. It is explanatory drawing of the protection state of the electrode terminal in a protection position and a cancellation | release position.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a laser beam printer that forms a monochrome image using a laser beam. In the image forming apparatus 100, an image reading apparatus (flatbed scanner) 101 is disposed on an apparatus main body 105. The image reading apparatus 101 reads an image on the lower surface of the document placed on the document table 103 by the reading head 104 and converts it into image data.

  The apparatus main body 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 surrounds the photosensitive drum 110 and includes a charging roller 120, an exposure device 130, a developing device 14, a transfer roller 150, and a drum cleaning device 160. The charging roller 120 is applied with an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on a DC voltage, and charges the photosensitive drum 110 to a uniform potential.

  The exposure device 130 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image of the image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. The developing device 14 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 110 into a toner image. The transfer roller 150 is applied with a DC voltage to transfer the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 110 onto the sheet P passing through the transfer portion T. The drum cleaning device 160 collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 by sliding the photosensitive drum 110 with a cleaning blade.

  The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer unit T is conveyed to the fixing device 170 and is heated and pressed at the nip N between the fixing belt unit 171 and the pressure roller 172. In the process, the toner image transferred to the sheet P is dissolved and the image is fixed on the sheet P. The sheet P on which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 147 by a discharge roller 146.

  The sheet P is fed to the transfer unit T from the sheet feeding unit 140 disposed at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 100. The cassette 141 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 105 and the sheets P are stacked thereon. The feeding roller 142 rotates in contact with the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the cassette 141, thereby feeding the sheet P from the cassette 141 and feeding it to the nip between the conveying roller 144 and the separation roller 143. To do. The separation roller 143 separates the sheet fed to the sheet P conveyed by the conveyance roller 144 and pushes it back to the cassette 141. The registration roller 145 receives the sheet P in the stopped state, corrects the skew of the sheet P, starts to rotate in accordance with the timing of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 110, and sends the sheet P to the transfer unit T.

(Developer)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the developing device. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 14 contains a magnetic toner (one-component developer) as an example of a developer in a developer container 14a, and a developer is carried on a rotating developing sleeve 14b, and The toner image is developed on the photosensitive drum 110.

  A non-rotating magnet 14m is disposed inside the developing sleeve 14b made of a non-magnetic metal tube. The magnet 14m is composed of a plurality of permanent magnets continuous in the rotation axis direction of the developing sleeve 14b, and a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged in the circumferential direction. The magnet 14m forms a magnetic field on the surface of the developing sleeve 14b and magnetically holds the developer.

  The resin sheet friction plate 14e rubs the developer carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 14b and charges it negatively. The power supply 14d transfers the developer from the developing sleeve 14b to the photosensitive drum 110 by applying to the developing sleeve 14b an oscillating voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on a negative DC voltage.

(Toner bottle)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for attaching the toner bottle to the developing device. In FIG. 3, (a) is before insertion, (b) is a rotation / insertion direction changing position, (c) is an intermediate position, and (d) is a supply position.

  The developer in the developing container 14 a is supplied from a toner bottle 20 that can be detached from the developing device 14 and exchanged. The developer in the toner bottle 20 is supplied to the stirring chamber 14 h in the developing container 14 a by the first stirring member 14 i of the resin sheet that rotates in the toner bottle 20. The developer in the stirring chamber 14h is conveyed to the developing chamber 14k while being stirred by the second stirring member 14g of the rotating resin sheet. The developer in the developing chamber 14k is supplied to the developing sleeve 14b by a second stirring member 14f of a metal wire that rotates in the developing chamber 14k.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the toner bottle 20 has a cylindrical appearance and contains a developer therein. The toner bottle 20 can be inserted into and removed from a guide portion 14 c provided in the developing device 14. The toner bottle 20 is inserted in the direction of arrow H with respect to the guide portion 14 c of the developing device 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the toner bottle 20 inserted into the guide portion 14c and reaching the rotation / insertion direction changing position is rotated in the direction of arrow A by manual operation within the guide portion 14c. 3 is positioned at an intermediate position shown in (c). At this time, a convex portion (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 abuts against a stopper provided in the developing device 14, whereby the toner bottle 20 is rotated to an intermediate position in the guide portion 14c.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the toner bottle 20 positioned at the intermediate position by the manual operation is driven by the moving motor 29 at the first activation after the toner bottle replacement, and the direction of the arrow A in the guide portion 14c. And rotated at about 45 ° to be positioned at the supply position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the process in which the toner bottle 20 is rotated from the intermediate position to the supply position by the moving motor 29, the developing shutter 14t provided in the developing device 14 is engaged with the toner bottle 20 and moved to replenish the toner. The mouth 14n is opened. At the same time, the bottle shutter 14s of the toner bottle 20 engages with the protrusion on the inner wall surface of the guide portion 14c and moves in the circumferential direction, and the toner discharge port 14j is opened. As a result, the developer can be supplied from the toner bottle 20 to the developing device 14.

  On the other hand, when the toner bottle 20 is removed from the developing device 14, the toner bottle 20 is driven by the moving motor 29 to move from the supply position shown in FIG. 3D to the intermediate position shown in FIG. It is rotated in the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 2, in conjunction with the rotation of the toner bottle 20, the developing shutter 14t moves in the circumferential direction to close the toner supply port 14n, and at the same time, the bottle shutter 14s moves in the circumferential direction to move the toner discharge port 14j. Is closed. Thereby, the supply of the developer from the toner bottle 20 to the developing device 14 is restricted.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the user manually rotates the toner bottle 20 in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction from the intermediate position to the rotation / insertion / removal direction change position. As a result, the connection between the developing device 14 and the toner bottle 20 is released, and the toner bottle 20 can be inserted and removed from the guide portion 14c. As shown in FIG. 3A, the user pulls out the toner bottle 20 in the direction opposite to the arrow H direction and pulls it out from the developing device 14.

  As for the insertion / extraction of the toner bottle 20, the rotation / insertion / removal direction change position shown in FIG. 3B and the supply shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure rotated between positions.

  As described above, the developing device 14 which is an example of a developing device develops a toner image using a developer. The guide portion 14c, which is an example of a container holding portion, can move the toner bottle 20, which is an example of a developer container, from a supply position where the developer can be supplied to the developing device 14 in a rotation direction that is an example of a predetermined direction. Hold on. The guide portion 14c holds the toner bottle 20 so as to be movable between an attachment / detachment position (direction change position) where the toner bottle 20 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 and a supply position where the developer can be supplied.

(Electronic circuit part)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the integrated circuit section. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus. Since the image forming apparatus 100 consumes the developer at the time of image formation, it is necessary to replenish the consumed developer. In the image forming apparatus 100, the toner bottle 20 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 105, and the user can replace the toner bottle 20 by himself / herself. In the image forming apparatus 100, management data such as the amount of toner used and the date of manufacture are stored as information specific to the toner bottle 20 in the memory 21 b of the electronic circuit unit 21 attached to the outer periphery of the toner bottle 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an electronic circuit portion 21 is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the near side in the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle 20. The electronic circuit unit 21 includes an IC chip 21b and a pair of electrode terminals 21a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10c, and the like. The control unit 10 is connected to an operation unit 1a, a display unit 1b, a moving motor 29, and the like provided in the apparatus main body 105. The ROM 10b stores various control programs for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 10c is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. The CPU 10a controls each component while storing the processing result in the RAM 10c according to the control program read from the ROM 10b and the signal sent from the sensor 35.

  The sensor 35 is connected to the control unit 10 of the apparatus main body 105 by an electric cable. On the IC chip 21b of the electronic circuit unit 21, management data regarding the toner bottle 20, information regarding the developer accommodated in the toner bottle 20, and the like are recorded as specific information. The sensor 35 is provided with an electrode terminal (FIG. 7: 35a), which will be described later, and is electrically connected by being in contact with the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 provided in the toner bottle 20, thereby enabling communication. The sensor 35 reads information recorded in the memory 21 b of the electronic circuit unit 21 and sends it to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 writes the created information in the memory 21 b of the electronic circuit unit 21 through the sensor 35.

  As described above, the toner bottle 20 includes the electrode terminal 21a that is an example of the first electrode. The electrode terminal 35a, which is an example of the second electrode, is an electrode that can contact (connect) to the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit provided in the toner bottle 20 and transmits and receives an electrical signal. .

(Sensor unit)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of sensor units. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the sensor unit. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sensor unit. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of positioning in the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the guide unit 14c of the developing device 14 is provided with a sensor 35 that exchanges information about the toner bottle 20 with the electronic circuit unit 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. It has been. The sensor unit 37 is attached to the guide portion 14c so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 31 provided in the guide portion 14c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 35 is provided in the sensor unit 37. The sensor 35 is supported by a second holding member 34 that can move in the arrow F direction with respect to the first holding member 32. The electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 is in contact with and electrically connected to the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 shown in FIG.

  A compression coil spring 36 is provided between the second holding member 34 and the first holding member 32 to urge the second holding member 34 against the first holding member 32 in the arrow G direction. The second holding member 34 is urged in the arrow G direction with respect to the first holding member 32 by the extension force of the compression coil spring 36.

  The first holding member 32 is rotatable about the support shaft 31 in a direction in which the first holding member 32 contacts and separates from the toner bottle 20. The first holding member 32 can rotate about the support shaft 31 and can move the sensor 35 to a position where it does not interfere with the toner bottle 20.

  The sensor unit 37 is urged in the direction of arrow B (retreat direction) about the support shaft 31 by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33. The torsion coil spring 33 is inserted into the support shaft 31 and is sheathed, one end 33a is locked to the locking portion 32e of the first holding member 32, and the other end 33b is not shown of the guide portion (14c: FIG. 6). It is latched by the latching part.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the toner bottle (20) is inserted into the guide portion 14c, the sensor unit 37 is moved in the arrow B direction by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33, and the toner bottle (20 ). Therefore, the toner bottle (20) can be inserted into and removed from the guide portion 14c without the sensor unit 37 interfering with the toner bottle (20). The sensor unit 37 is positioned at a retracted position where the toner bottle 20 does not interfere with the sensor 35.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c, the sensor unit 37 moves in the direction of the arrow D against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33 according to the configuration described later. Positioned at the communication position. As shown in FIG. 4, at the communication position, the electrode terminal 35 a of the sensor 35 is in contact with the electrode terminal 21 a of the electronic circuit unit 21 of the toner bottle 20 so that an electric signal can be transmitted and received.

(Direction change position)
As shown in FIG. 4, on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, there is a first positioning convex portion 20a for positioning the toner bottle 20 at a direction change position where the moving direction of the toner bottle 20 switches from the insertion / removal direction to the rotation direction. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c in the direction of arrow H by the user's manual operation, and is pushed to the rotation / insertion / removal direction changing position shown in FIG. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, the toner bottle 20 is pushed into the sensor unit 37 in the direction of arrow C in the guide portion 14c. At this time, the positions of the first positioning convex portion 20a of the toner bottle 20 and the groove-shaped concave portion 32a of the first holding member 32 coincide with each other so that they can be engaged with each other, and the toner bottle 20 is guided. It becomes possible to rotate in the part (14c).

  Then, the toner bottle 20 is rotated from the rotation / insertion / removal direction changing position shown in FIG. 3B to the supply position shown in FIG. 3D by the user's manual operation and driving of the moving motor 29. Thus, the first positioning convex portion 20a is guided to the groove-shaped concave portion 32a, and the first positioning convex portion 20a of the toner bottle 20 and the groove-shaped concave portion 32a of the first holding member 32 are shown in FIG. 9B. Engage. In this way, the toner bottle 20 is positioned in the insertion / extraction direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the toner bottle 20 inserted into the guide portion 14c is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the user's manual operation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, the groove-shaped recess 32a of the first holding member 32 and the first positioning protrusion 20a of the toner bottle 20 are in the direction of arrow C (the insertion and removal direction of the toner bottle 20). May be slightly off. In that case, the inclined surface of the tapered portion 32 b of the first holding member 32 and the first positioning convex portion 20 a of the toner bottle 20 come into contact with each other in advance, so that the toner bottle 20 is rotated with the rotation of the toner bottle 20. The shift is corrected autonomously by moving in the direction of arrow C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first positioning convex portion 20a of the toner bottle 20 and the groove-shaped concave portion 32a of the first holding member 32 are securely engaged, and the electronic circuit portion 21 and the sensor 35 is accurately aligned in the direction of arrow C (the toner bottle 20 insertion / extraction direction).

(Operation of electrode moving mechanism)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of manually rotating the toner bottle. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a process for rotating the toner bottle by motor driving. As shown in FIG. 4, on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, a push-up convex part 20b having an inclined surface 20b1, an engaging claw 20c, and a second positioning convex part 20d are provided.

  In the guide portion 14c, the toner bottle 20 is manually rotated in the direction of arrow A from the rotation / insertion / removal direction change position shown in FIG. 3B to the intermediate position shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, as the toner bottle 20 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the raised convex portion 20b of the toner bottle 20 contacts the contacted portion 32d of the first holding member 32. . The push-up convex portion 20 b of the toner bottle 20 rotates the sensor unit 37 in the arrow D direction against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 33. Further, the toner bottle 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, and is rotated to an intermediate position shown in FIG. As a result, the push-up convex portion 20b rotates the sensor unit 37 in the direction of the arrow D to move from the retracted position avoiding interference with the toner bottle 20 to the standby position shown in FIG. Move.

  The toner bottle 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3C to the supply position shown in FIG. At the supply position, as described above, the developer can be supplied from the toner bottle 20 to the developing device 14. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, from the state where the sensor unit 37 is stopped at the standby position, the toner bottle 20 is further rotated by a predetermined angle in the arrow A direction by the motor drive. Accordingly, the toner bottle 20 is positioned in the circumferential direction (rotating direction) with respect to the developing device 14. In the process, the engaging claw 20 c provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 engages with the first engaging portion 32 c provided on the first holding member 32, and the sensor unit 37 is connected to the electronic circuit portion 21. The robot moves from the close standby position to a communication position where communication with the electronic circuit unit 21 is possible.

  When the toner bottle 20 is rotated to the supply position shown in FIG. 3D, as shown in FIG. 11B, the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit portion 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the sensor. The electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 provided in the unit 37 is in electrical contact. After the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c, as shown in FIGS. 3B to 3C, the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 is rotated in the circumferential direction by a predetermined angle (90 degrees). Is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21. As a result, communication is possible between the sensor 35 and the electronic circuit unit 21.

  As shown to (a) of FIG. 11, the 2nd holding member 34 is hold | maintained so that the movement to the arrow F direction with respect to the 1st holding member 32 is possible. The second holding member 34 is urged in the arrow G direction with respect to the first holding member 32 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 36. The second positioning convex portion 20 d provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 engages with the abutting portion 34 a provided on the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 to rotate the toner bottle 20 by a predetermined angle. Absorb. As shown in FIG. 11B, the second positioning convex portion 20d has an electrode that resists the biasing force of the compression coil spring 36 even when the toner bottle 20 rotates a predetermined angle from the state of FIG. The terminal 21a is positioned at a fixed position on the electrode terminal 35a.

  In the state where the second positioning convex portion 20d provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 and the abutting portion 34a provided on the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 abut each other, the toner bottle 20 is further moved to the arrow. Rotate in direction A. Then, the second holding member 34 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow G direction with respect to the first holding member 32 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 36.

  In the process of connecting and fixing the toner bottle 20 and the developing device 14 by rotating the toner bottle 20 in the direction of arrow A, the sensor unit 37 and the toner bottle 20 are positioned in the third stage from the first stage to the second stage. Executed. This ensures that the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 provided on the second holding member 34 of the sensor unit 37 is securely connected to the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. To be electrically connected.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first stage shows the positioning in the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle 20 by the first positioning convex portion 20a and the groove-shaped concave portion 32a. In the second stage, as shown in FIG. 10B, the engagement claw 20c and the first engagement portion 32c are engaged by the rotation of the toner bottle 20 in the A direction. Indicates positioning. The third stage shows the positioning of the second holding member 34 in the moving direction (arrow F direction) by the engagement between the second positioning protrusion 20d and the abutting portion 34a shown in FIG.

  As described above, the electrode terminal 35a is provided in the guide portion 14c, contacts the electrode terminal 21a of the toner bottle 20 located at the supply position by the movement of the toner bottle 20 in the A direction, and the A direction of the toner bottle 20 And away from the electrode terminal 21a with the movement in the opposite direction. The sensor unit 37, which is an example of an electrode moving mechanism, moves the electrode terminal 35 a in a direction crossing the predetermined direction in conjunction with the movement of the toner bottle 20 in the predetermined direction. The sensor unit 37 moves the electrode terminal 35a in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the toner bottle 20 in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner bottle 20 so that the electrode terminal 35a contacts or separates from the toner bottle 20.

  The first holding member 32, which is an example of a lever member, is provided with an electrode terminal 35a. The contacted part 32d and the first engaging part 32c, which are examples of the engaging part, engage with the push-up convex part 20b and the engaging claw 20c of the toner bottle 20 to rotate the first holding member 32.

(Contact to electrode terminal)
In the image forming apparatus 100, reading of information from the electronic circuit unit 21 and writing of information to the electronic circuit unit 21 are performed by connecting the electrode terminal 35 a of the sensor 35 to the electronic circuit unit 21 when the toner bottle 20 is attached to the developing device 14. This is performed by contacting the electrode terminal 21a.

  For this reason, when the toner bottle 20 is attached to the apparatus main body 105, the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 and the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 need to be electrically and reliably connected to each other. . Therefore, a sensor 35 is installed in the vicinity of the electronic circuit unit 21 of the toner bottle 20 so that the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 and the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 can be reliably connected without being displaced. Yes.

  However, if the sensor 35 is arranged in the vicinity of the electronic circuit unit 21 arranged on the near side in the insertion / extraction direction of the toner bottle 20, when the toner bottle 20 is replaced, the user accidentally inserts his / her hand into the guide unit 14c, It becomes easy to touch the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 with a finger. When the inside of the guide portion 14c is cleaned using a rag, brush, sponge, or the like before the toner bottle 20 is inserted, these cleaning tools may be caught by the electrode 35a. When the user touches the electrode terminal 35a with a finger, static noise flows into the control unit 10, which is not preferable.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a protection member 51 that protects the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 is provided in conjunction with the operation of the sensor unit 37. It was hard to touch with.

(Protective member)
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a protective member moving mechanism. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the protection member. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the operation of the protection member. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the protection state of the electrode terminals at the protection position and the release position. In FIG. 13, (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view. 14 and 15, (a) is a diagram showing the protection member 52 in the protection position, and (b) is a diagram showing the protection member 52 in the release position.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the protection member 52 is connected to the first holding member 32 via the link member 53, and can move in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 20 in conjunction with the operation of the first holding member 32. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the protective member has a metal plate 54 that is an example of a conductive member connected to the ground potential. The protective member 52 is molded with an insulating resin material and is partially attached with a metal plate 54 connected to the ground potential. The metal plate 54 is fitted into the protection member 52 by bending a metal sheet metal.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the protection member 52 is disposed so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 14c while holding the wall of the guide portion 14c with projections 52a, 52b, and 52c. The link member 53 has a shaft portion 53 a at one end rotatably held by a holding portion 32 k provided at the rotation end of the first holding member 32, and a shaft portion 53 b at the other end rotatably held by the protection member 52. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the protection member 52 is positioned at a protection position that protects the sensor 35 when the toner bottle 20 is not inserted into the guide portion 14c. As shown in FIG. 15A, when the protection member 52 is in the protection position, the electrode terminal 35 a of the sensor 35 is shielded from the movement space of the toner bottle 20. This prevents the user from accidentally touching the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 and prevents the static noise from flowing into the control unit 10 because the user touches the metal plate 54 even if he / she tries to touch it.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c in the direction of arrow H, the protection release convex portion 32h comes into contact with the toner bottle 20 so that the first holding member 32 moves to the arrow D. The sensor unit 37 moves in the direction of arrow D. Furthermore, as the toner bottle 20 rotates in the A direction, the sensor unit 37 rotates in the arrow D direction, so that the protection member 52 is pushed out to the link member 53 connected to the sensor unit 37. Thereby, the protection member 52 moves a predetermined distance in the direction of the arrow R along the guide portion 14c, and reaches the release position shown in FIG.

  Further, when the toner bottle 20 is removed, the contact between the protection release convex portion 32h and the toner bottle 20 is released along with the extraction operation in the direction opposite to the arrow H direction. Then, the first holding member 32 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction, and the sensor unit 37 also moves in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction. Since the protection member 52 also moves with the movement of the sensor unit 37, the movement of the toner bottle 20 in the direction opposite to the arrow H direction moves from the release position to the protection position.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when the protection member 52 is in the release position, the electrode terminal 35 a of the sensor 35 is exposed toward the accommodation space of the toner bottle 20. The sensor 35 is exposed so that the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 and the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21 can come into contact with each other.

  As described above, the protection member 52, which is an example of the protection member, is movable to a protection position for protecting the electrode terminal 35a and a release position for releasing the protection of the electrode terminal 35a. The first holding member 32 and the link member 53, which are an example of the protection member moving mechanism, move the protection member 52 from the release position to the protection position in conjunction with the movement of the toner bottle 20 in a predetermined direction.

(Protection of electrode terminal at intermediate position)
As shown in FIG. 3A, the guide portion 14c can hold the toner bottle 20 so as to be rotatable, and can insert and remove the toner bottle 20 in the rotation axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3B, after the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c, the toner bottle 20 is manually moved in one rotation direction and positioned at the intermediate position.

  As shown in (c) of FIG. 3, with the activation of the image forming apparatus 100, the container driving mechanism 28 then moves the toner bottle 20 from the intermediate position by the driving force of the moving motor 29 that is an example of a driving source. Move to supply position.

  When the toner bottle 20 is removed, the container driving mechanism 28 moves the toner bottle 20 from the supply position to the intermediate position shown in FIG. The container driving mechanism 28 releases the linkage with the toner bottle 20 at the intermediate position, and moves the toner bottle 20 from the intermediate position to the position where the rotation / insertion / removal direction of the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. It can be moved by manual operation.

  In a state before the toner bottle 20 is inserted into the guide portion 14c shown in FIG. 14A, the protection member 52 is positioned at a protection position for protecting the electrode terminal 35a. Then, when the toner bottle 20 is inserted and rotated in the guide portion 14c, the protection member 52 moves from the protection position to the release position. For this reason, even when a user's finger or a cleaning tool or the like enters the guide portion 14c before the toner bottle 20 is inserted, the electrode terminal 35a is protected by the protection member 52, and the electrode terminal 35a is damaged. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the toner bottle 20 is extracted, the protection member 52 moves in the reverse direction to that when the toner bottle 20 is attached, so that the toner bottle 20 moves from the release position to the protection position. With this configuration, even after the toner bottle 20 is removed, the protection member 52 protects the electrode terminal 35a, so that failure of the electrode terminal 35a can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the protection member 52 can move between the protection position and the release position with the insertion and removal of the toner bottle 20 and rotation is used. It is good also as a structure movable to a cancellation | release position. In that case, when moving from the rotation / insertion direction changing position shown in FIG. 3B to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3C, the protection member 52 is moved from the protection position to the release position. . With this configuration, the protection of the electrode terminal 35a by the protection member 52 is not lost until the insertion of the toner bottle 20 into the developing device 14 is completed.

  Similarly, when the toner bottle 20 is extracted, the protection member 52 moves from the release position to the protection position in accordance with the movement of the toner bottle 20 from the position shown in FIG. 3C to the position shown in FIG. And it is sufficient. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a failure or the like of the electrode terminal 35a due to contact with a user's finger or a cleaning tool.

  Further, the protection member 52 may be moved from the protection position to the release position in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner bottle 20. In this case, when the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 3A is moved from the state before insertion to the rotation / insertion direction changing position shown in FIG. 3B, the protection member 52 is moved from the protection position to the release position. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure which moves. When the toner bottle 20 is removed, the protective member 52 may be moved by performing an operation opposite to the mounting operation.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, the protection member 52 is attached to the first holding member 32 via the link member 53. The link member 53 moves the protection member 52 from the protection position to the release position in conjunction with the movement of the toner bottle 20. Since the protection member 52 protects the sensor when the toner bottle 20 is not attached to the guide portion 14c, contact or damage to the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 by a finger or a cleaning tool can be efficiently avoided.

  In Embodiment 1, when the toner bottle 20 is attached, the protective member 52 is retracted and the electrode terminal 35a is exposed. For this reason, a reliable electrical connection is possible without preventing the electrode terminal 35a of the sensor 35 from being electrically connected to the electrode terminal 21a of the electronic circuit unit 21.

  In the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the main body due to the user touching the communication unit on the image forming apparatus main body side accidentally while connecting the communication unit and the recording unit without misalignment. While the positions of the communication unit and the recording unit are accurately connected, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the main body due to the user touching the communication unit by mistake. The user does not touch the communication unit on the apparatus main body 105 side of the image forming apparatus 100 communicated with the recording unit provided in the toner bottle 20, so that the main body does not malfunction due to static electricity.

  In the first embodiment, the link member 53 moves the protection member 52 through the position where the sensor unit 37 retracts the electrode terminal 35a. For this reason, the protection member 52 does not prevent the toner bottle 20 from being inserted.

  In the first embodiment, the link member 53 is a mechanism that moves the protection member 52 in conjunction with the operation of the sensor unit 37. For this reason, a dedicated mechanism or motor for moving the protection member 52 is not required.

  In the first embodiment, the link member 53 is a link mechanism that connects the protection member 52 to the first holding member 32. For this reason, a mechanism for moving the protection member 52 with a small number of parts can be configured.

  In the first embodiment, the link member 53 positions the protection member 52 at the protection position even when the toner bottle 20 is located at the intermediate position. For this reason, it is also difficult to pry the protective member 52 open with fingers, and entry of fingers, cleaning tools, etc. into the electrode terminals 35a can be avoided.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the specific configuration of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the present invention can also be implemented by an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus that use a two-component developer.

  In the first embodiment, the sensor 35 and the second holding member 34 are configured separately. However, the configuration may be such that the movable sensor 35 is directly held by the first holding member 32 without using the second holding member 34.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus using the one-component developer has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a toner bottle that supplies the two-component developer to the developing device. In the first embodiment, the example in which the protection member 52 and the metal plate 54 are configured separately has been described. However, the metal plate 54 may not be used, and the entire protection member 52 may be molded from a conductive resin material. The protection mode of the electrode terminal by the protection member is not limited to the shielding as in the first embodiment. The protective structure of the electrode terminal can be configured using glass, mesh, grade, surrounding wall, and the like.

  The predetermined direction in which the developer container is moved is not limited to the rotation direction. It may be a linear direction, a vertical direction, an oblique direction, or a planar direction.

  Further, the operation of the toner bottle 20 that rotates to the position shown in FIG. 3B and the position shown in FIG. 3D may be performed manually or by driving the motor of the moving motor 29. good.

  The electrode terminal may be fixed to the guide portion 14c. There may be no electrode moving mechanism for retracting in the vertical direction away from the surface of the toner bottle.

14 developing device, 14c guide part, 20 toner bottle 21a electrode terminal, 20b push-up convex part, 20c engaging claw 21 electronic circuit part, 31 support shaft, 32 first holding member 32c first engaging part, 32d contacted part , 34 Second holding member 35 Sensor, 35a Electrode terminal, 36 Compression coil spring 37 Sensor unit, 51 Protection mechanism, 52 Protection member 53 Link member, 54 Metal plate, 100 Image forming apparatus 105 Apparatus main body

Claims (16)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using a developer contained in a developer container,
A container holding part for detachably holding the developer container;
An electrode that is provided in the container holding portion and is electrically connectable to the developer containing container mounted on the container holding portion;
A protective member that protects the electrode when the developer container is not attached to the container holder, and releases the protection of the electrode when the developer container is attached to the container holder; An image forming apparatus comprising:   The said protection member moves to the position which cancels | releases protection of the said electrode from the position which protects the said electrode with the mounting | wearing operation | movement of the said developer storage container with respect to the said container holding | maintenance part. Image forming apparatus. The container holding unit holds the developer container in a detachable position where the developer container can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, and a supply position where the developer can be supplied.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protection member moves from the protection position to the release position in accordance with the movement of the developer container from the attachment / detachment position to the supply position. apparatus.   Electrode movement that moves the electrode in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the developer container in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer container so that the electrode contacts or separates from the developer container The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism.   Electrode movement for moving the electrode in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the developer container as the developer container moves so that the electrode contacts or separates from the developer container The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a mechanism.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a protective member moving mechanism that moves the protective member to the protection position and the release position as the electrode moves by the electrode movement mechanism. apparatus. The electrode moving mechanism includes: a lever member provided with the electrode; and an engaging portion that engages with the developer container that moves to the supply position and the attachment / detachment position to rotate the lever member. Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the protection member moving mechanism includes a link mechanism that connects the protection member to the lever member. The developer container is movable by manual operation to the attach / detach position and an intermediate position between the attach / detach position and the supply position,
A container driving mechanism capable of moving the developer container between the supply position and the intermediate position by a driving force from a driving source;
The protection member is movable to the protection position and the release position as the developer storage container is moved by driving the container drive mechanism, and the developer storage container is positioned at the intermediate position. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is positioned at the position to be protected. The developer container is movable by manual operation to the attach / detach position and an intermediate position between the attach / detach position and the supply position,
A container driving mechanism capable of moving the developer container between the supply position and the intermediate position by a driving force from a driving source;
The protective member moving mechanism is movable to the position for protecting and the position for releasing the protective member in accordance with the movement of the developer container by driving the container driving mechanism, and the developer container The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the protective member is positioned at the intermediate position, the protective member is positioned at the protective position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protective member includes a conductive member connected to a ground potential. The electrode is a second electrode that can contact the first electrode provided in the developer container,
The said 2nd electrode is an electrode which transfers an electrical signal with respect to the said 1st electrode of the electronic circuit provided in the said developer storage container, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. A developer container;
A container holding part for detachably holding the developer container;
An electrode that is provided in the container holding portion and is electrically connectable to the developer containing container mounted on the container holding portion;
A protective member that protects the electrode when the developer container is not attached to the container holder, and releases the protection of the electrode when the developer container is attached to the container holder; A developing device comprising: A protective member moving mechanism for moving the protective member to a position for protecting the electrode and a position for releasing the protection of the electrode;
13. The protection member moving mechanism moves the protection member from the protecting position to the releasing position in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer container on the container holding portion. Development device. A protective member moving mechanism for moving the protective member to a position for protecting the electrode and a position for releasing the protection of the electrode;
The container holding section holds the developer container in a detachable position where the developer container can be attached to and detached from the developing device, and a supply position where the developer can be supplied to the developing device.
The protection member moving mechanism moves the protection member from the protection position to the release position in accordance with the movement of the developer container from the attachment / detachment position to the supply position. 13. The developing device according to 12. The container holding unit is capable of moving the developer container by manual operation to the attachment / detachment position and an intermediate position between the attachment / detachment position and the supply position,
A container driving mechanism capable of moving the developer container between the supply position and the intermediate position by a driving force from a driving source;
The developing device according to claim 14, wherein the protection member moves to the protection position and the release position as the developer container is moved by driving the container driving mechanism.   Electrode movement for moving the electrode in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the developer accommodating container in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the developer accommodating container so that the electrode contacts or separates from the developer accommodating container. The developing device according to claim 12, further comprising a mechanism.

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