JP2022086480A - Drum cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a structure that can accurately determine the position of a lock release member with respect to a lock member for locking a shutter of a toner cartridge.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge 2 has a shutter and a lock member 38. The shutter is movable between a closing position for closing a toner supply port and an opening position for opening the toner supply port. The lock member 38 locks the movement of the shutter. A drum cartridge 3 comprises a drum frame to which the toner cartridge 2 is removably attached, and a lock release member 81. The lock release member 81 can press the lock member 38. In this way, the lock release member 81 for releasing the lock of the shutter of the toner cartridge 2 is provided not in a main body of the image forming apparatus, but in the drum cartridge 3. Thus, the position of the lock release member 81 can be accurately determined with respect to the lock member 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

The present disclosure relates to drum cartridges.

Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming devices such as laser printers and LED printers are known. The image forming apparatus has a toner cartridge and a drum cartridge. The toner cartridge can be attached to the drum cartridge. Further, the drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached can be attached to the image forming apparatus. A conventional image forming apparatus is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-186067

The toner cartridge has a shutter for opening and closing the toner supply port. If the shutter is opened by a user's erroneous operation while the toner cartridge is not attached to the drum cartridge, the toner leaks. In order to prevent such a situation, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for locking the movement of the shutter.

If a mechanism for locking the shutter is provided, a release mechanism for releasing the lock is also required. However, the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state of being mounted on the drum cartridge. Therefore, the position of the toner cartridge is affected by the positioning error of the drum cartridge with respect to the main body and the positioning error of the toner cartridge with respect to the drum cartridge. Therefore, when the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with a release mechanism for unlocking the shutter, it is difficult to accurately contact the release mechanism with the mechanism for locking the shutter.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a structure capable of accurately positioning the unlocking member with respect to the locking member for locking the shutter of the toner cartridge.

The first disclosure of the present application is a photosensitive drum that is rotatable about a drum shaft extending in the first direction, a shutter that can be moved between a closed position that closes the toner supply port and an open position that opens the toner supply port, and the shutter. A drum frame to which a toner cartridge having a lock member for locking the movement of the above can be attached and detached, the first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction, and the photosensitive in the first direction. A drum frame having a second side frame located at the other end of the drum, and an unlocking member located on the first side frame, which moves in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position. When the unlocking member is a drum cartridge including a possible unlocking member and the unlocking member is located at the retracted position in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame, the unlocking member is the first. When the lock member is located away from the lock member in one direction and the unlock member is located at the advance position, the unlock member is the first to unlock the movement of the shutter by the lock member. It is characterized in that the lock member is pressed in one direction.

The second disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the first disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge has a toner coupling for moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position, and the drum cartridge is the drum cartridge. A coupling located in the first side frame, a coupling that is rotatable about the coupling shaft extending in the first direction, a coupling that can be connected to the toner coupling, and together with the unlocking member. A coupling that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position is provided, and the unlocking member and the coupling are in the retracted position in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame. When located in, the coupling is located away from the toner coupling in the first direction, and when the unlocking member and the coupling are located in the advanced position, the coupling is the toner. It is characterized by connecting with a coupling.

The third disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about the developing axis extending in the first direction.

The fourth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the third disclosure, wherein the developing roller is a magnetic roller.

The fifth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the fourth disclosure, and the unlocking member when it is located at the advance position is the lock when it is located at the retracted position. It is characterized in that it is closer to the second side frame in the first direction than the release member.

The sixth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the fifth disclosure, further comprising an elastic member for urging the unlocking member from the advance position to the retracted position. It is characterized by that.

The seventh disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of any one of the first to the sixth disclosures, wherein the lock member locks the movement of the shutter and the first lock portion that locks the movement of the shutter. The unlocking member has a second locking portion, and the unlocking member, together with a first pressing portion that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advancing position, and the first pressing portion. When it has a second pressing portion that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position, and the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are located at the retracted position. The first pressing portion is located away from the first locking portion in the first direction, and the second pressing portion is located away from the second locking portion in the first direction. When the 1 pressing portion and the 2nd pressing portion are located at the advanced position, the 1st pressing portion is said to be in the first direction in order to unlock the movement of the shutter by the 1st locking portion. The first locking portion is pressed, and the second pressing portion presses the second locking portion in the first direction in order to unlock the movement of the shutter by the second locking portion. And.

The eighth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of any one of the first to the seventh disclosures, and the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame of the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame. When mounted, the unlocking member is characterized in that it moves from the retracted position to the advanced position.

The ninth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the eighth disclosure, further comprising the unlocking member and a contact member movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position, and the drum. When the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame with the toner cartridge mounted on the frame, a part of the contact member comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame.

The tenth disclosure of the present application is a drum cartridge of any one of the first to the ninth disclosures, wherein the toner cartridge has a housing having the toner supply port, and the shutter is the first. The lock member is located at one end of the housing in the direction, and the lock member is located at the one end of the housing in the first direction.

The eleventh disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the tenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge has a storage medium having an electrical contact surface, and the drum cartridge is a drum contact located in the second side frame. Therefore, with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, the toner cartridge moves in the first direction between a separation position separated from the electrical contact surface and a contact position in contact with the electrical contact surface. It further comprises a possible drum contact, characterized in that the drum contact moves from the separated position to the contact position when the drum cartridge is mounted on the body frame.

The twelfth disclosure of the present application is the drum cartridge of the eleventh disclosure, in which the drum contact when located at the contact position is in the first direction as compared with the drum contact when located at the separated position. It is characterized by being close to the first side frame.

According to the first disclosure to the twelfth disclosure of the present application, the unlocking member for unlocking the shutter of the toner cartridge is provided not in the main body of the image forming apparatus but in the drum cartridge. Therefore, the lock release member can be accurately positioned with respect to the lock member. Therefore, the lock member can be pressed accurately by the unlock member.

Further, according to the sixth disclosure of the present application, the unlocking member is located in the retracted position in normal times. Therefore, the toner cartridge can be mounted on the drum frame without being hindered by the unlocking member.

Further, according to the seventh disclosure of the present application, the lock is not released unless the first lock portion and the second lock portion are pressed. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is not mounted on the drum cartridge, it is possible to prevent the shutter from being unlocked due to an erroneous operation by the user.

Further, according to the eighth disclosure of the present application, the unlocking member can be moved from the retracted position to the advanced position in accordance with the operation of attaching the drum cartridge to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus.

It is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the four toner cartridges, a drum cartridge, and a part of a main body frame. It is a perspective view of a toner cartridge. It is a perspective view of a toner cartridge. It is the figure which looked at the toner cartridge in the 1st direction. It is the figure which looked at the toner cartridge in the 1st direction. It is a partially disassembled perspective view of a toner cartridge. It is a partially disassembled perspective view of a toner cartridge. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5 of the toner cartridge. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the cover in the 1st direction. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the agitator shaft and the toner coupling. It is sectional drawing of the connection part of the agitator shaft and the toner coupling. It is a perspective view of a drum cartridge. It is a perspective view of a drum cartridge. It is a partial cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus which shows the state in which a drum cartridge in which a toner cartridge is attached is being inserted into a main body frame. It is a partial cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus which shows the state in which a drum cartridge in which a toner cartridge is attached is being inserted into a main body frame. It is a partially disassembled perspective view of the toner cartridge of the 1st modification. It is a figure which showed the state which the drum cartridge which attached the toner cartridge of the 1st modification was attached to the main body frame of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which showed the state when the drum cartridge which attached the toner cartridge of the 1st modification is taken out from the main body frame.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the direction in which the agitator 20 of the toner cartridge 2 extends is referred to as a "first direction". Further, in the drum cartridge 3, the direction in which the plurality of photosensitive drums 70 are lined up is referred to as a "second direction". Further, the direction in which the toner cartridge 2 is inserted with respect to the drum cartridge 3 is referred to as a "third direction". The first direction and the second direction intersect each other (preferably orthogonally). The second direction and the third direction intersect each other (preferably orthogonally). The third direction and the first direction intersect each other (preferably orthogonally).

<1. Configuration of image forming device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer or an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four toner cartridges 2, a drum cartridge 3, a main body frame 4, and a control unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the four toner cartridges 2 are removable with respect to the drum cartridge 3. Further, the drum cartridge 3 to which the four toner cartridges 2 are mounted is a drawer that can be attached to and detached from the main body frame 4. The number of toner cartridges 2 mounted on the drum cartridge 3 of the present embodiment is four. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 mounted on the drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

The four toner cartridges 2 each contain toners of different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on printing paper with the toner supplied from the four toner cartridges 2.

The control unit 5 is located in the main body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 5 has a processor 501 such as a CPU and a main body memory 502. The main body memory 502 is a storage medium capable of reading and writing information. The processor 501 can read information from the main body memory 502 and write information to the main body memory 502. The control unit 5 executes the printing process in the image forming apparatus 1 by operating the processor 501 according to the program stored in the main body memory 502.

Each of the four toner cartridges 2 has an IC chip 41. The IC chip 41 is a storage medium capable of reading and writing information. The drum cartridge 3 has four drum contacts 91a to 91d, a drum harness 92, and a drum connector 93. The four drum contacts 91a to 91d are electrically connected to the drum connector 93 via the drum harness 92. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has a main body connector 403 and a main body harness 404 in the main body frame 4. The main body connector 403 is electrically connected to the control unit 5 via the main body harness 404.

When the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the drum cartridge 3, the IC chip 41 comes into contact with the drum contacts 91a to 91d. As a result, the IC chip 41 is electrically connected to the drum contacts 91a to 91d. Further, when the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, the drum connector 93 comes into contact with the main body connector 403. As a result, the drum connector 93 is electrically connected to the main body connector 403. As a result, the IC chip 41 is electrically connected to the control unit 5 via the drum contacts 91a to 91d, the drum harness 92, the drum connector 93, the main body connector 403, and the main body harness 404. As a result, the control unit 5 can read information from the IC chip 41 and write information to the IC chip 41.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the four toner cartridges 2, the drum cartridge 3, and the main body frame 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body frame 4 has a first side plate 401 and a second side plate 402. The first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 each have a substantially flat plate shape extending perpendicular to the first direction. The first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 are located at intervals in the first direction. The drum cartridge 3 to which the four toner cartridges 2 are mounted is inserted between the first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 along the second direction.

<2. About toner cartridges>
Subsequently, the structure of the toner cartridge 2 will be described. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 5 is a view of the toner cartridge 2 viewed from the first end 11 side, which will be described later, in the first direction. FIG. 6 is a view of the toner cartridge 2 viewed from the second end portion 12 side, which will be described later, in the first direction. 7 and 8 are partially exploded perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 5 of the toner cartridge 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the toner cartridge 2 includes a housing 10, a shutter 16, an agitator 20, two return springs 31a and 31b, a toner coupling 321 and a planetary carrier 322, a first planetary gear 33a, and a second. Planetary gear 33b, 3rd planetary gear 33c, 4th planetary gear 33d, internal tooth gear 34, sun gear 351, rotating plate 352, cover 36, 2 bosses 37a, 37b, 2 locking members 38a, 38b, and IC chip. It has an assembly 40.

The housing 10 is a container that can accommodate toner, which is a developer. The housing 10 extends in the first direction. The housing 10 has a first end portion 11, a second end portion 12, and a cylindrical peripheral surface 13. The first end 11 is separated from the second end 12 in the first direction. Two return springs 31a, 31b, toner coupling 321, planetary carrier 322, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, internal tooth gear 34, sun gear 351 The rotating plate 352, the cover 36, the two bosses 37a, 37b, and the two locking members 38a, 38b are located at the first end 11. The IC chip assembly 40 is located at the second end 12. The peripheral surface 13 extends in the first direction between the first end portion 11 and the second end portion 12. The peripheral surface 13 has a cylindrical shape centered on the first axis A1 extending in the first direction.

The housing 10 has a storage chamber 14 inside. The toner is stored in the storage chamber 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 10 has a toner discharge port 15. The toner discharge port 15 is located at one end of the peripheral surface 13 in the first direction.

The shutter 16 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10. The shutter 16 has a holder 161 and a shutter plate 162. The holder 161 has a substantially disk shape centered on the first axis A1. The shutter plate 162 extends from a part of the holder 161 in the first direction from the first end portion 11 of the housing 10 toward the second end portion 12. The shutter plate 162 has a shutter opening 163.

The shutter 16 is rotatable with respect to the housing 10 with respect to the first axis A1 between the closed position where the toner discharge port 15 is closed and the open position where the toner discharge port 15 is opened. When the shutter 16 is located in the closed position, the shutter plate 162 covers the toner discharge port 15. As a result, the shutter 16 closes the toner discharge port 15. When the shutter 16 is located in the open position, the shutter opening 163 of the shutter plate 162 overlaps with the toner discharge port 15. As a result, the shutter 16 opens the toner discharge port 15. That is, the accommodation chamber 14 and the external space of the housing 10 communicate with each other through the toner discharge port 15, the shutter opening 163, and the communication port 363 of the cover 36 described later. As a result, the toner stored in the storage chamber 14 can be moved to the drum cartridge 3.

The housing 10 has a recess 19 located on the peripheral surface of the housing 10. The shutter 16 is located in the recess 19. The recess 19 has a first surface 191 and a first stopper surface 18 (first stopper), and a second stopper surface 17 (second stopper). The first surface 191 has a toner discharge port 15. The first stopper surface 18 extends outward from the first surface 191 in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 20, which will be described later. The second stopper surface 17 extends outward from the first surface 191 in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 20, which will be described later.

The first stopper surface 18 stops the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotational direction from the closed position to the open position of the shutter 16. When the shutter 16 is located in the open position, the shutter 16 comes into contact with the first stopper surface 18. Further, the second stopper surface 17 stops the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotation direction from the open position to the closed position of the shutter 16. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the shutter 16 comes into contact with the second stopper surface 17. This limits the range of movement of the shutter 16 between the closed and open positions.

The first stopper surface 18 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotation direction. The shutter 16 may be slightly movable in a state of being in contact with the first stopper surface 18. Further, the second stopper surface 17 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 16 in the rotation direction. The shutter 16 may be slightly movable in a state of being in contact with the second stopper surface 17.

In the present embodiment, the toner discharge port 15 and the first stopper surface 18 are located in the same housing 10. Therefore, the shutter 16 can be accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15. Further, in the present embodiment, the toner discharge port 15 and the second stopper surface 17 are located in the same housing 10. Therefore, the shutter 16 can be accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15. However, the cover 36 may have a first stopper surface 18 and a second stopper surface 17. Further, the first stopper and the second stopper may be parts different from the shutter 16 and the cover 36.

The holder 161 has a circular hole 167. The hole 167 penetrates in the first direction. The toner coupling 321, the planet carrier 322, the internal tooth gear 34, the sun gear 351 and the rotary plate 352, which will be described later, are located in the holes 167.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the holder 161 has a first recess 164a, a second recess 165a, a third recess 166a, a fourth recess 164b, a fifth recess 165b, and a sixth recess 166b. The first recess 164a, the second recess 165a, the third recess 166a, the fourth recess 164b, the fifth recess 165b, and the sixth recess 166b are in the direction from the first end portion 11 to the second end portion 12 of the housing 10. Dent into. The first recess 164a, the second recess 165a, the third recess 166a, the fourth recess 164b, the fifth recess 165b, and the sixth recess 166b are aligned along the perimeter of the hole 167.

The agitator 20 is a transport member for stirring and transporting toner in the housing 10. The agitator 20 is located inside the housing 10. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, the agitator 20 has an agitator shaft 21 and an agitator blade 22. The agitator shaft 21 extends in the first direction along the first axis A1. The agitator shaft 21 has one end and the other end. One end of the agitator shaft 21 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10. The other end of the agitator shaft 21 is located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. The agitator blade 22 extends radially outward from the agitator shaft 21. That is, the agitator blades 22 expand from the agitator shaft 21 toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. A toner coupling 321 is connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates with respect to the first axis A1, the agitator shaft 21 and the agitator blade 22 rotate with respect to the first axis A1 together with the toner coupling 321. Then, when the agitator blade 22 rotates, the toner in the housing 10 is agitated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the agitator 20 has a tubular member 23. The tubular member 23 is fixed to the agitator shaft 21. The tubular member 23 is located closer to one end of the agitator shaft 21 than to the other end. The tubular member 23 has a spiral groove on the outer peripheral surface.

Two return springs 31a, 31b, toner coupling 321, planetary carrier 322, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, internal tooth gear 34, sun gear 351 The rotating plate 352, the cover 36, the two bosses 37a and 37b, and the two locking members 38a and 38b are mechanisms for operating the shutter 16 and the agitator 20. Two return springs 31a, 31b, toner coupling 321, planetary carrier 322, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, internal tooth gear 34, sun gear 351 The rotating plate 352, the cover 36, the two bosses 37a and 37b, and the two locking members 38a and 38b are located at the first end 11 of the housing 10.

The two return springs 31a and 31b are elastic members (shutter elastic members) that urge the shutter 16 from the open position to the closed position. The return spring 31a is housed in a first recess 164a provided in the holder 161. The return spring 31b is housed in a fourth recess 164b provided in the holder 161. The first recess 164a has an arc shape centered on the first axis A1. One end of the return spring 31a in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1 is connected to the holder 161. The other end of the return spring 31a in the circumferential direction is connected to a spring receiving portion 366a described later of the cover 36. One end of the return spring 31b in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1 is connected to the holder 161. The other end of the return spring 31b in the circumferential direction is connected to a spring receiving portion 366b described later of the cover 36. The lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16 change according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the shutter 16.

The lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16 vary between the first state and the second state. The lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16 in the second state are longer than the lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16 in the first state. Further, the lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16 in the second state are longer than the natural lengths of the return springs 31a and 31b in the rotation direction of the shutter 16. When the shutter 16 is in the closed position, the return springs 31a and 31b are in the first state. When the shutter 16 is located in the open position, the return springs 31a and 31b are in the second state.

The toner coupling 321 is a component that can be connected to the relay coupling 82 described later of the drum cartridge 3. The toner coupling 321 can receive a driving force from the relay coupling 82 in a state of being connected to the relay coupling 82 described later. The toner coupling 321 can rotate about the first axis A1 by receiving a driving force from the relay coupling 82. The toner coupling 321 is connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates, the agitator 20 also rotates with respect to the first axis A1 together with the toner coupling 321.

The toner coupling 321 has one end and the other end. One end of the toner coupling 321 is located away from the other end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction. One end of the toner coupling 321 is located away from the other end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction from the first end 11 of the housing 10. The other end of the toner coupling 321 is closer to the first end 11 of the housing 10 than one end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction.

The planetary carrier 322 extends radially outward from the other end of the toner coupling 321 in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the toner coupling 321 and the planetary carrier 322 are configured as an integral part. However, the toner coupling 321 and the planetary carrier 322 may be separate parts. The planet carrier 322 may be rotatable about the first axis A1 together with the toner coupling 321.

The planet carrier 322 has a first planet pin 323a, a second planet pin 323b, a third planet pin 323c, and a fourth planet pin 323d. The first planet pin 323a, the second planet pin 323b, the third planet pin 323c, and the fourth planet pin 323d are from the planet carrier 322, respectively, from the first end 11 to the second end of the housing 10 in the first direction. It extends in the direction toward the portion 12. The first planet pin 323a, the second planet pin 323b, the third planet pin 323c, and the fourth planet pin 323d are columnar. The first planet pin 323a, the second planet pin 323b, the third planet pin 323c, and the fourth planet pin 323d are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1. Preferably, the first planet pin 323a, the second planet pin 323b, the third planet pin 323c, and the fourth planet pin 323d are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1. ..

The first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1. Preferably, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction about the first axis A1. ..

The first planetary gear 33a has a first hole 331a. The first planet pin 323a is inserted into the first hole 331a. The first planetary gear 33a is supported by the first planetary pin 323a. The first planetary gear 33a is rotatable with respect to the planetary carrier 322 about the first planetary axis 332a passing through the center of the first planetary pin 323a with the first planetary pin 323a inserted in the first hole 331a. .. The first planetary gear 33a has a plurality of gear teeth 333a on the outer peripheral surface.

The second planetary gear 33b has a second hole 331b. The second planet pin 323b is inserted into the second hole 331b. The second planetary gear 33b is supported by the second planetary pin 323b. The second planetary gear 33b is rotatable with respect to the planetary carrier 322 about the second planetary axis 332b passing through the center of the second planetary pin 323b with the second planetary pin 323b inserted in the second hole 331b. .. The second planetary gear 33b has a plurality of gear teeth 333b on the outer peripheral surface.

The third planetary gear 33c has a third hole 331c. The third planet pin 323c is inserted into the third hole 331c. The third planetary gear 33c is supported by the third planetary pin 323c. The third planetary gear 33c is rotatable with respect to the planetary carrier 322 with respect to the third planetary axis 332c passing through the center of the third planetary pin 323c with the third planetary pin 323c inserted in the third hole 331c. .. The third planetary gear 33c has a plurality of gear teeth 333c on the outer peripheral surface.

The fourth planetary gear 33d has a fourth hole 331d. The fourth planet pin 323d is inserted into the fourth hole 331d. The fourth planetary gear 33d is supported by the fourth planetary pin 323d. The fourth planetary gear 33d is rotatable with respect to the planetary carrier 322 with respect to the fourth planetary axis 332d passing through the center of the fourth planetary pin 323d with the fourth planetary pin 323d inserted in the fourth hole 331d. .. The fourth planetary gear 33d has a plurality of gear teeth 333d on the outer peripheral surface.

In this embodiment, one planetary carrier 322 supports a first planetary gear 33a, a second planetary gear 33b, a third planetary gear 33c, and a fourth planetary gear 33d. As a result, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d can be accurately positioned with respect to the first planetary gear 33a.

Further, when the toner coupling 321 rotates with respect to the first axis A1, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are together with the toner coupling 321 and the planetary carrier 322. , Rotates about the first axis A1. As described above, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are rotatable about each planetary axis and rotate around the sun gear 351 described later. It is also possible.

The internal tooth gear 34 is an annular gear that surrounds the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d. The internal tooth gear 34 is arranged so that the position of its central axis coincides with the first axis A1. The internal tooth gear 34 has a plurality of gear teeth 342 on the inner peripheral surface. The gear teeth 333a of the first planetary gear 33a, the gear teeth 333b of the second planetary gear 33b, the gear teeth 333c of the third planetary gear 33c, the gear teeth 333d of the fourth planetary gear 33d, and the gear teeth 342 of the internal tooth gear 34. And mesh with each other.

Further, the internal tooth gear 34 has two arms 341a and 341b. The arms 341a and 341b extend radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the internal tooth gear 34. That is, the arms 341a and 341b extend away from the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d with respect to the gear teeth of the internal tooth gear 34. The arm 341a fits into the second recess 165a provided in the holder 161. The arm 341b fits into the fifth recess 165b provided in the holder 161. As a result, the shutter 16 can rotate together with the internal tooth gear 34. Therefore, when the internal tooth gear 34 rotates with respect to the first axis A1, the shutter 16 also rotates with respect to the first axis A1 together with the internal tooth gear 34.

The sun gear 351 is a gear that can rotate with respect to the first axis A1. The first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are located around the sun gear 351. The sun gear 351 has a plurality of gear teeth 354 on the outer peripheral surface. The gear teeth 333a of the first planetary gear 33a, the gear teeth 333b of the second planetary gear 33b, the gear teeth 333c of the third planetary gear 33c, the gear teeth 333d of the fourth planetary gear 33d, and the gear teeth 354 of the sun gear 351. Engage with each other. The sun gear 351 has a circular hole 351A centered on the first axis A1. The toner coupling 321 is inserted into the hole 351A of the sun gear 351.

The toner coupling 321 and the sun gear 351, the four planetary gears 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and the internal gear 34 are located on the same plane orthogonal to the first axis A1. In other words, in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21 orthogonal to the first axis A1, the sun gear 351 is located farther from the first axis A1 than the toner coupling 321. In the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d are located farther from the first axis A1 than the sun gear 351. In the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21, the internal tooth gear 34 is located farther from the first axis A1 than the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d. In other words, the toner coupling 321 and the sun gear 351 and the planetary gears 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and the internal tooth gear 34 are aligned in the radial direction of the agitator shaft 21. This reduces the dimensions of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction.

The sun gear 351 has one end and the other end. One end of the sun gear 351 is located away from the other end of the sun gear 351 in the first direction. One end of the sun gear 351 is located in the first direction away from the other end of the sun gear 351 and away from the first end 11 of the housing 10. The other end of the sun gear 351 is closer to the first end 11 of the housing 10 than one end of the sun gear 351 in the first direction.

The rotary plate 352 extends radially outward from one end of the sun gear 351. The rotary plate 352, together with the sun gear 351 is rotatable about the first axis A1. In the present embodiment, the sun gear 351 and the rotary plate 352 are configured as an integral part. However, the sun gear 351 and the rotating plate 352 may be separate parts. The rotary plate 352 may be rotatable with respect to the first axis A1 together with the sun gear 351. The rotary plate 352 has a plurality of grooves 353 on the outer peripheral surface. The plurality of grooves 353 are arranged at intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the rotating plate 352. Preferably, the plurality of grooves 353 are arranged at equal intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the rotating plate 352. Each groove 353 is recessed inward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral portion of the rotating plate 352. The shape of the groove 353 when viewed in the first direction is an arc shape.

The cover 36 is fixed to the first end portion 11 of the housing 10. The cover 36 has a gear cover portion 361 and a shutter cover portion 362. The gear cover portion 361 has a substantially disk shape centered on the first axis A1. The shutter cover portion 362 extends in the first direction from a part of the outer peripheral portion of the gear cover portion 361 toward the housing 10. Return springs 31a, 31b, toner coupling 321, planetary carrier 322, first planetary gear 33a, second planetary gear 33b, third planetary gear 33c, fourth planetary gear 33d, internal tooth gear 34, sun gear 351 and rotary plate. The 352 and the two bosses 37a and 37b are located between the first end portion 11 of the housing 10 and the gear cover portion 361 in the first direction. The shutter cover portion 362 covers at least a part of the shutter plate 162.

The shutter cover portion 362 has a communication port 363. Whether the shutter 16 is in the closed position or the shutter 16 is in the open position, the communication port 363 is in a position that overlaps with the toner discharge port 15. When the shutter 16 is located in the closed position, the communication port 363 is closed by the shutter plate 162. When the shutter 16 is located in the open position, the shutter opening 163 overlaps with the toner discharge port 15 and the communication port 363. As a result, the accommodation chamber 14 and the external space of the housing 10 communicate with each other through the toner discharge port 15, the shutter opening 163, and the communication port 363.

FIG. 11 is a view of the cover 36 as viewed in the first direction from the second end portion 12 of the housing 10 toward the first end portion 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the cover 36 has a center through hole 364, two side through holes 365a, 365b, two spring receiving portions 366a, 366b and two guide grooves 367a, 367b.

The center through hole 364 and the two side through holes 365a and 365b penetrate the gear cover portion 361 in the first direction. The center through hole 364 is located at the center of the gear cover portion 361. The shape of the center through hole 364 when viewed in the first direction is circular. The toner coupling 321 is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 through the center through hole 364. The two side through holes 365a and 365b are located around the center through hole 364. The two side through holes 365a and 365b are located on opposite sides of the center through hole 364. The shapes of the side through holes 365a and 365b when viewed in the first direction are rectangular. The lock member 38a, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 via the side through hole 365a. The lock member 38b, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the cover 36 via the side through hole 365b.

The two spring receiving portions 366a and 366b project from the gear cover portion 361 toward the shutter 16 in the first direction. The two spring receiving portions 366a and 366b are located on opposite sides of each other with the center through hole 364 interposed therebetween. The other end of the return spring 31a described above is connected to the spring receiving portion 366a. The other end of the return spring 31b described above is connected to the spring receiving portion 366b.

The guide groove 367a is a groove for guiding the boss 37a. The guide groove 367b is a groove for guiding the boss 37b. The two guide grooves 367a and 367b are located on the surface of the gear cover portion 361 facing the shutter 16 in the first direction. The two guide grooves 367a and 367b are located on opposite sides of the center through hole 364. The guide grooves 367a and 367b extend along the rotation direction of the shutter 16. Each of the guide grooves 367a and 367b has an arc shape. Each guide groove 367a and 367b has one end portion 367A and the other end portion 367B. The one end portion 367A is located closer to the first axis A1 than the other end portion 367B.

The two bosses 37a and 37b are located around the rotating plate 352. The boss 37a is inserted into the second recess 165a provided in the holder 161. The boss 37b is inserted into the fifth recess 165b provided in the holder 161. Therefore, when the shutter 16 rotates with respect to the first axis A1, the boss 37a moves in the circumferential direction around the first axis A1 together with the second recess 165a, and the boss 37b moves with the fifth recess 165b in the first axis. It moves in the circumferential direction centered on A1.

The second recess 165a extends along the radial direction about the first axis A1. Therefore, the boss 37a can move along the second recess 165a between the first position and the second position radially outside the first position. When the boss 37a is located in the first position, the radially inner end of the boss 37a is located in the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. When the boss 37a is located at the second position, the entire boss 37a is located outside the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. The plurality of grooves 353 are arranged on the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating plate 352. Therefore, the boss can be fitted in the groove 353 of the rotary plate 352 regardless of the rotation position of the rotary plate 352.

The fifth recess 165b extends along the radial direction about the first axis A1. Therefore, the boss 37b can move along the fifth recess 165b between the first position and the second position radially outside the first position. When the boss 37b is located in the first position, the radially inner end of the boss 37b is located in the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. When the boss 37b is located at the second position, the entire boss 37b is located outside the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352.

The boss 37a has a guide protrusion 371a. The guide protrusion 371a projects from the boss 37a toward the guide groove 367a in the first direction. The boss 37b has a guide protrusion 371b. The guide protrusion 371b projects from the boss 37b toward the guide groove 367b in the first direction. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 12 shows the case where the shutter 16 is in the closed position. FIG. 13 shows the case where the shutter 16 is in the open position. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tip of the guide protrusion 371a fits into the guide groove 367a of the cover 36. Further, the tip of the guide protrusion 371b fits into the guide groove 367b of the cover 36.

When the relay coupling 82, which will be described later, is not connected to the toner coupling 321 that is, when the driving force is not supplied to the toner coupling 321, the elastic force of the return springs 31a and 31b causes the return springs 31a and 31b to be generated. It becomes the first state. Therefore, the shutter 16 is located at the closed position. Therefore, the toner discharge port 15 is closed by the shutter plate 162. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide protrusion 371a of the boss 37a is located at one end portion 367A of the guide groove 367a, and the guide protrusion 371b of the boss 37b is located at the one end portion 367A of the guide groove 367b. Further, the bosses 37a and 37b are located at the first position described above. Therefore, the radially inner ends of the bosses 37a and 37b fit into the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. That is, the boss 37a is in a state of being fitted into both the second recess 165a of the shutter 16 and the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. Further, the boss 37b is in a state of being fitted into both the fifth recess 165b of the shutter 16 and the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. As a result, the shutter 16 and the internal tooth gear 34 can rotate together with the sun gear 351 and the rotary plate 352, and the bosses 37a and 37b.

In this state, the internal tooth gear 34 cannot rotate with respect to the sun gear 351. That is, the internal tooth gear 34 rotates together with the sun gear 351. Therefore, the first planetary gear 33a that meshes with both the internal tooth gear 34 and the sun gear 351 also becomes non-rotatable with respect to the first planetary shaft 332a. Similarly, the second planetary gear 33b also becomes non-rotatable with respect to the second planetary axis 332b. Similarly, the third planetary gear 33c also becomes non-rotatable with respect to the third planetary axis 332c. Similarly, the fourth planetary gear 33d also becomes non-rotatable with respect to the fourth planetary axis 332d.

Therefore, when the driving force is supplied to the toner coupling 321 in this state, the shutter 16 is set to the planet carrier 322, the first planet gear 33a, the second planet gear 33b, and the third planet as the toner coupling 321 rotates. It rotates about the first axis A1 together with the gear 33c, the fourth planet gear 33d, the sun gear 351 and the rotating plate 352, the two bosses 37a and 37b, and the internal tooth gear 34. As a result, the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the toner discharge port 15 is opened.

When the shutter 16 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the return springs 31a and 31b extend from the first state to the second state. Then, the shutter 16 stops moving by coming into contact with the first stopper surface 18. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the guide protrusion 371a of the boss 37a moves from one end 367A of the guide groove 367a to the other end 367B, and the guide protrusion 371b of the boss 37b is from the one end 367A of the guide groove 367b to the other. Move to the end 367B. Then, the boss 37a moves from the first position to the second position along the second recess 165a, and the boss 37b moves from the first position to the second position along the fifth recess 165b. As a result, the bosses 37a and 37b are separated from the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352. That is, the boss 37a is in a state of being fitted in the second recess 165 of the shutter 16 without being fitted in the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352, and the boss 37b is in a state of being fitted in the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352 without being fitted in the shutter 16. It is in a state of being fitted in the fifth recess 165b. As a result, the sun gear 351 and the rotary plate 352 can rotate with respect to the shutter 16 and the internal tooth gear 34.

As described above, when the shutter 16 comes into contact with the first stopper surface 18, the rotation of the shutter 16 and the internal gear 34 is stopped. However, since the bosses 37a and 37b are separated from the groove 353 of the rotating plate 352, the sun gear 351 can rotate with respect to the internal tooth gear 34. Therefore, the first planetary gear 33a rotates about the first planetary shaft 332a while meshing with the internal tooth gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the second planetary gear 33b rotates about the second planetary shaft 332b while meshing with the internal tooth gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the third planetary gear 33c rotates about the third planetary shaft 332c while meshing with the internal tooth gear 34 and the sun gear 351. Similarly, the fourth planetary gear 33d rotates about the second planetary shaft 332d while meshing with the internal tooth gear 34 and the sun gear 351. As a result, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d move in the circumferential direction around the sun gear 351 while rotating about each planetary axis. Further, the sun gear 351 rotates about the first axis A1 by meshing with the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, and the fourth planetary gear 33d. The rotation speed of the sun gear 351 at this time is faster than the rotation speed of the toner coupling 321.

As described above, in the state where the bosses 37a and 37b are located at the second positions, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, and the sun gear 351 have internal teeth. It becomes possible to rotate with respect to the gear 34. Therefore, as the toner coupling 321 rotates, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, and the sun gear 351 rotate, but the internal tooth gear 34 does not. It will not rotate. Therefore, even if the toner coupling 321 is further rotated after the shutter 16 has moved to the open position, the shutter 16 remains in the open position.

Further, the toner coupling 321 is connected to one end of the agitator shaft 21. Therefore, when the toner coupling 321 rotates with respect to the first axis A1, the agitator 20 also rotates with respect to the first axis A1. Therefore, even after the shutter 16 has stopped at the open position as described above, the agitator 20 continues to rotate as the toner coupling 321 rotates. As a result, the toner in the housing 10 is agitated.

As described above, the toner cartridge 2 can realize both the movement of the shutter 16 and the rotation of the agitator 20 with the rotation of the toner coupling 321. Specifically, as the toner coupling 321 rotates, the agitator 20 can be rotated and the shutter 16 can be moved from the closed position to the open position. Further, when the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the bosses 37a and 37b move from the first position to the second position. Then, the first planetary gear 33a, the second planetary gear 33b, the third planetary gear 33c, the fourth planetary gear 33d, and the sun gear 351 slip, and the internal tooth gear 34 does not rotate. As a result, the rotation of the agitator 20 can be continued while the shutter 16 is maintained in the open position.

After that, when the supply of the driving force to the toner coupling 321 is stopped, the return springs 31a and 31b contract from the second state to the first state due to the elastic force. As a result, the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position again. As a result, the shutter plate 162 closes the toner discharge port 15 again.

The two lock members 38a and 38b are members for locking the rotation of the shutter 16. The lock member 38a (first lock portion) fits into the third recess 166a provided in the holder 161. The lock member 38b (second lock portion) fits into the sixth recess 166b provided in the holder 161.

The lock member 38a has a lock protrusion 381a and a lock spring 382a. The lock projection 381a is movable in the first direction between the lock position and the release position farther from the cover 36 than the lock position in the first direction. When the lock protrusion 381a is located at the lock position, the lock protrusion 381a is located outside the third recess 165a. When the lock protrusion 381a is located at the release position, the lock protrusion 381a is located inside the third recess 165a.

The lock member 38b has a lock protrusion 381b and a lock spring 382b. The lock projection 381b is movable in the first direction between the lock position and the release position farther from the cover 36 than the lock position in the first direction. When the lock protrusion 381b is located at the lock position, the lock protrusion 381b is located outside the sixth recess 165b. When the lock protrusion 381b is located at the release position, the lock protrusion 381b is located inside the sixth recess 165b.

The locking spring 382a is located between the locking projection 381a and the holder 161. The locking spring 382a is an elastic member (an elastic member for locking). The length of the locking spring 382a in the first direction varies between the extended state and the contracted state. The length of the locking spring 382a in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the length of the locking spring 382a in the contracted state in the first direction. When the locking spring 382a is in the extended state, the locking projection 381a is located at the locked position. When the lock spring 382a is in the contracted state, the lock protrusion 381a is located at the release position. The lock protrusion 381a is always urged from the release position to the lock position by the elastic force of the lock spring 382a.

The locking spring 382b is located between the locking projection 381b and the holder 161. The locking spring 382b is an elastic member (an elastic member for locking). The length of the locking spring 382b in the first direction varies between the extended state and the contracted state. The length of the locking spring 382b in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the length of the locking spring 382b in the contracted state in the first direction. When the locking spring 382b is in the extended state, the locking projection 381b is located at the locked position. When the lock spring 382b is in the contracted state, the lock protrusion 381b is located at the release position. The lock protrusion 381b is always urged from the release position to the lock position by the elastic force of the lock spring 382b.

The lock protrusion 381a projects from the lock member 38a toward the side through hole 365a. When the lock spring 382a is in the extended state and the lock protrusion 38a is located at the lock position, the lock protrusion 381a is inserted into the side through hole 365a of the cover 36. The lock protrusion 381b projects from the lock member 38b toward the side through hole 365b. When the lock spring 382b is in the extended state and the lock protrusion 38b is located at the lock position, the lock protrusion 381b is inserted into the side through hole 365b of the cover 36.

When the lock protrusion 381a is inserted into the side through hole 365a, the lock member 38a comes into contact with both the cover 36 and the holder 161. When the lock protrusion 381b is inserted into the side through hole 365b, the lock member 38b comes into contact with both the cover 36 and the holder 161. In this state, the shutter 16 cannot rotate with respect to the housing 10 and the cover 36 with respect to the first axis A1. Therefore, the shutter 16 cannot move from the closed position to the open position.

When the lock protrusions 381a and 381b are pushed in the first direction toward the holder 161 by the unlocking member 81 described later of the drum cartridge 3, the locking springs 382a and 382b contract from the extended state to the contracted state. As a result, the lock protrusions 381a and 381b move from the lock position to the release position. Then, the lock protrusion 381a is pulled out from the side through hole 365a of the cover 36, and the lock protrusion 381b is pulled out from the side through hole 365b of the cover 36. As a result, the lock protrusions 381a and 381b are separated from the cover 36. In this state, the lock members 38a, 38b and the shutter 16 can rotate with respect to the housing 10 and the cover 36 with respect to the first axis A1. Therefore, the shutter 16 can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

In the structure of the present embodiment, the shutter 16 is not unlocked unless the two lock protrusions 381a and 381b are pressed at the same time. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 2 is not mounted on the drum cartridge 3, it is possible to prevent the shutter 16 from being unlocked due to an erroneous operation by the user.

14 and 15 are cross-sectional views (cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9) of the connection portion between the agitator shaft 21 and the toner coupling 321. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the toner coupling 321 has two clutch holes 324a, 324b. The clutch holes 324a and 324b are through holes that penetrate the toner coupling 321 in the first direction or recesses that are recessed in the first direction. Further, the clutch hole 324 has an arc shape centered on the first axis A1. On the other hand, the agitator shaft 21 has two clutch claws 211a and 211b. The two clutch claws 211a and 211b are located at one end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction.

The clutch claw 211a is inserted into the clutch hole 324a. The clutch claw 211b is inserted into the clutch hole 324b. The width of the clutch hole 324a in the circumferential direction centered on the first axis A1 is larger than the width of the clutch claw 211a in the circumferential direction centered on the first axis A1. The circumferential width of the clutch hole 324b centered on the first axis A1 is larger than the circumferential width of the clutch claw 211b centered on the first axis A1. Further, the angle in the circumferential direction of the clutch holes 324a and 324b about the first axis A1 is substantially the same as or greater than the angle at which the shutter 16 rotates with respect to the first axis A1 between the closed position and the open position. big.

When the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the toner coupling 321 rotates about the first axis A1 in the same direction as the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position (direction of the arrow in FIG. 14). .. At this time, the clutch claw 211a contacts one end of the clutch hole 324a in the circumferential direction, and the clutch claw 211b contacts one end of the clutch hole 324b in the circumferential direction. As a result, the rotation of the toner coupling 321 is transmitted to the agitator 20. Therefore, together with the toner coupling 321 the agitator 20 rotates in the same direction as the direction from the closed position to the open position of the shutter 16. Further, even after the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position, the agitator 20 rotates together with the toner coupling 321 in the same manner.

When the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position, the toner coupling 321 together with the shutter 16 rotates in the rotation direction (direction of the arrow in FIG. 15) from the open position to the closed position of the shutter 16 with respect to the first axis A1. Rotate. That is, the rotation direction of the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position is opposite to the rotation direction of the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the closed position to the open position. At this time, one end of the clutch hole 324a in the circumferential direction is separated from the clutch claw 211a, and one end of the clutch hole 324b in the circumferential direction is separated from the clutch claw 211b. However, the other end of the clutch hole 324a in the circumferential direction does not contact the clutch claw 211a, and the other end of the clutch hole 324b in the circumferential direction does not contact the clutch claw 211b. Therefore, the rotation of the toner coupling 321 is not transmitted to the agitator 20. This prevents the agitator 20 from rotating in the same direction as the shutter 16 from the open position to the closed position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the clutch holes 324a, 324b and the clutch claws 211a, 211b suppress the agitator 20 from rotating together with the toner coupling 321 when the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position. The clutch is configured.

The IC chip assembly 40 is located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. The IC chip assembly 40 has an IC chip 41 that is a storage medium and a chip holder 42 that holds the IC chip 41. The IC chip 41 is fixed to the outer surface of the chip holder 42. The IC chip 41 can store various information about the toner cartridge 2. Specifically, the IC chip 41 stores information indicating the capacity or remaining amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge 2. Further, the IC chip 41 may store other information indicating the specifications of the toner cartridge 2. For example, the IC chip 41 may store the type of toner, the serial number of the toner cartridge 2, the identification code indicating that it is a genuine product, a compatible model, and the like.

The IC chip 41 has an electrical contact surface 411. The electrical contact surface 411 is made of a metal that is a conductor. The electrical contact surface 411 is exposed on the outer surface of the second end portion 12 of the housing 10. Of the IC chip 41, only the electrical contact surface 411 is located on the outer surface of the second end portion 12 of the housing 10, and the portion of the IC chip 41 other than the electrical contact surface 411 is other than the housing 10. It may be located in the part of.

The chip holder 42 is movable in the first direction with respect to the housing 10. When the chip holder 42 moves in the first direction, the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 moves in the first direction with respect to the housing 10 together with the chip holder 42.

Further, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 2 has an IC chip spring 43 (second elastic member). The IC chip spring 43 is located between the second end 12 of the housing 10 and the chip holder 42. When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, the drum contact 91, which will be described later, comes into contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41. At this time, the IC chip spring 43 presses the electrical contact surface 411 toward the drum contact 91 in the first direction by the elastic force of the IC chip spring 43. This stabilizes the contact between the electrical contact surface 411 and the drum contact 91.

<3. About drum cartridges>
Subsequently, the structure of the drum cartridge 3 will be described. 16 and 17 are perspective views of the drum cartridge 3. The drum cartridge 3 includes a drum frame 50, four developing rollers 60, four photosensitive drums 70, four unlocking members 81, four relay couplings 82, four contact members 83, a plurality of pull springs 84, and a wiring portion. Has 90.

The drum frame 50 can be equipped with four toner cartridges 2. The drum frame 50 has a first side frame 51, a second side frame 52, and a third frame 53. The first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 each have a substantially flat plate shape extending perpendicular to the first direction. The first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 are located at intervals in the first direction. The third frame 53 connects the first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52 in the first direction. The four toner cartridges 2 are inserted between the first side frame 51 and the second side frame 52.

The developing roller 60 is a roller that can rotate about a rotating shaft (developing shaft) extending in the first direction. The developing roller 60 of this embodiment is a magnetic roller. One end of the developing roller 60 in the first direction is supported by the first side frame 51. The other end of the developing roller 60 in the first direction is supported by the second side frame 52. The four developing rollers 60 are arranged at intervals in the second direction.

When the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the drum frame 50, the toner discharge port 15 of the toner cartridge 2 faces the outer surface of the developing roller 60. Further, when the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, the developing roller 60 is rotated by the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus 1. Then, when the toner discharge port 15 is opened by moving the shutter 16 from the closed position to the open position, the toner in the toner cartridge 2 is supplied to the outer surface of the developing roller 60 via the toner discharge port 15. Toner.

The photosensitive drum 70 is a drum that can rotate about a rotation axis (drum axis) extending in the first direction. One end of the photosensitive drum 70 in the first direction is supported by the first side frame 51. The other end of the photosensitive drum 70 in the first direction is supported by the second side frame 52. The four photosensitive drums 70 are arranged at intervals in the second direction. The outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70 is covered with a photosensitive material. The outer surface of the developing roller 60 and the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70 are separated from each other.

When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, the photosensitive drum 70 is rotated by the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus 1. Further, during the printing process, light is emitted from the light source in the main body frame 4 (not shown) toward the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70. As a result, the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 70 is partially exposed. Then, the toner supported on the outer surface of the developing roller 60 is supplied to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 70. After that, the toner is transferred from the photosensitive drum 70 to the printing paper. As a result, an image made of toner is formed on the printing paper.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 showing a state in which the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is being inserted into the main body frame 4. As shown in FIG. 18, the unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, the contact member 83, and the pull spring 84 are located on the first side frame 51.

The unlock member 81 is a component for unlocking the shutter 16 by the lock members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2. The unlocking member 81 is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position. The unlocking member 81 when located in the advanced position is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than the unlocking member 81 when located in the retracted position.

The unlocking member 81 has a first pressing portion 811 and a second pressing portion 812. The first pressing portion 811 and the second pressing portion 812 each project toward the second side frame 52. When the unlocking member 81 is located at the advanced position when the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the drum frame 50, the first pressing portion 811 presses the lock protrusion 381a of the toner cartridge 2, and the second pressing portion 812 presses. , Press the lock protrusion 381b of the toner cartridge 2.

The relay coupling 82 is a component for supplying a driving force to the toner coupling 321 of the toner cartridge 2. The relay coupling 82 is rotatable about a rotation shaft (coupling shaft) extending in the first direction. Further, the relay coupling 82, together with the unlocking member 81, can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position. The relay coupling 82 when it is located in the advance position is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than the relay coupling 82 when it is located in the retracted position. When the relay coupling 82 is located at the advanced position in the state where the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the drum frame 50, the relay coupling 82 can be connected to the toner coupling 321.

The contact member 83 is a member that comes into contact with the first side plate 401 of the main body frame 4 when the drum cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body frame 4. The contact member 83, together with the unlock member 81 and the relay coupling 82, is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position. The contact member 83 when located in the advanced position is closer to the second side frame 52 in the first direction than the contact member 83 when located in the retracted position. The contact member 83 has an inclined surface 831. The inclined surface 831 is inclined with respect to the second direction.

The pull spring 84 is an elastic member for urging the unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 from the advanced position to the retracted position. One end of the pull spring 84 in the first direction is connected to the first side frame 51. The other end of the pull spring 84 in the first direction is connected to the unlock member 81. The length of the pull spring 84 in the first direction varies between the extended state and the contracted state. The length of the pull spring 84 in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the length of the pull spring 84 in the contracted state in the first direction. Further, the length of the pull spring 84 in the first direction in the extended state is longer than the natural length of the pull spring 84. The unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 are constantly urged from the advanced position to the retracted position by the pull spring 84.

When the drum cartridge 3 is not attached to the main body frame 4, the pull spring 84 is in the contracted state. Therefore, the unlocking member 81, the relay coupling 82, and the contact member 83 are located in the retracted position. In this case, the unlocking member 81 is located at a position away from the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction. Specifically, the first pressing portion 811 is located at a position away from the lock member 38a of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction, and the second pressing portion 812 is the lock member 38b of the toner cartridge 2 in the first direction. It is located away from. Further, the relay coupling 82 is located at a position away from the toner coupling 321. At this time, the lock members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 are located at the locked positions. Further, power is not supplied to the toner coupling 321.

When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, a part of the contact member 83 comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame 4. Specifically, the inclined surface 831 of the contact member 83 comes into contact with the first side plate 401. Then, the contact member 83 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position. Then, together with the contact member 83, the lock release member 81 also moves from the retracted position to the advanced position. As a result, the first pressing portion 811 of the unlocking member 81 presses the lock protrusion 381a in the first direction, and the second pressing portion 812 of the unlocking member 81 presses the lock protrusion 381b in the first direction. As a result, the lock protrusions 381a and 381b move from the lock position to the release position, and the lock of the movement of the shutter 16 by the lock members 38a and 38b is released.

At this time, the relay coupling 82 also moves from the retracted position to the advanced position together with the contact member 83. As a result, the relay coupling 82 is connected to the toner coupling 321. After that, when the relay coupling 82 is rotated by the driving force from the image forming apparatus 1, the toner coupling 321 rotates together with the relay coupling 82.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, the unlocking member 81 for pressing the locking members 38a and 38b of the toner cartridge 2 is provided on the drum cartridge 3 instead of the main body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the lock release member 81 can be positioned more accurately with respect to the lock members 38a and 38b than when the lock release member 81 is provided on the main body frame 4. Therefore, the lock members 38a and 38b can be pressed accurately by the lock release member 81.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the lock release member 81 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position as the drum cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body frame 4. Therefore, the lock release member 81 can be moved from the retracted position to the advanced position without depending on the power obtained from the motor in the image forming apparatus 1.

Further, when the drum cartridge 3 is not mounted on the main body frame 4, the lock release member 81 is located at the retracted position. Therefore, the operation of mounting the toner cartridge 2 on the drum frame 50 is not hindered by the unlocking member 81.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the relay coupling 82 for supplying the driving force to the toner coupling 321 of the toner cartridge 2 is provided not in the main body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 but in the drum cartridge 3. .. Therefore, the relay coupling 82 can be positioned more accurately with respect to the toner coupling 321 than when the relay coupling 82 is provided on the main body frame 4. Therefore, the relay coupling 82 can be accurately connected to the toner coupling 321.

The wiring portion 90 is a portion that electrically connects the IC chip 41 of the toner cartridge 2 and the main body connector 403 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 showing a state in which the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is being inserted into the main body frame 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, the wiring portion 90 includes four drum contacts 91a to 91d, a drum harness 92, a drum connector 93, four contact holders 94a to 94d (contact holders 94c to 94d are not shown), and It has eight contact springs 95a to 95h (contact springs 95f to 95h are not shown).

The four drum contacts 91a to 91d are electrically connected to the drum connector 93 via the drum harness 92. The drum connector 93 is located in the third frame 53. When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, the drum connector 93 comes into contact with the main body connector 403. As a result, the drum connector 93 and the main body connector 403 are electrically connected.

The four drum contacts 91a to 91d are located on the second side frame 52. The four drum contacts 91a to 91d are arranged at intervals in the second direction. The four contact holders 94a to 94d are located on the second side frame 52. The four contact holders 94 are arranged at intervals in the second direction. The drum contact 91a is held by the contact holder 94a. The drum contact 91a is located on the surface of the contact holder 94a facing the first side frame 51. The drum contact 91b is held by the contact holder 94b. The drum contact 91b is located on the surface of the contact holder 94b facing the first side frame 51. The drum contact 91c is held by the contact holder 94c. The drum contact 91c is located on the surface of the contact holder 94c facing the first side frame 51. The drum contact 91d is held by the contact holder 94d. The drum contact 91d is located on the surface of the contact holder 94d facing the first side frame 51.

The contact holder 94a includes an inclined surface 941. The inclined surface 941 is inclined with respect to the second direction. When the drum cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body frame 4, the inclined surface 941 comes into contact with the second side plate 402 of the main body frame 4. Further, the contact holder 94a has two protrusions 942. The two protrusions 942 project in the first direction from the surface of the contact holder 94a facing the first side frame 51 toward the first side frame 51. The contact holders 94b to 94d also have an inclined surface 941 and a protrusion 942 similar to the contact holder 94a.

The drum contacts 91a to 91d and the contact holders 94a to 94d are movable in the first direction between the separated position and the contact position. The drum contacts 91a to 91d when located at the contact position are closer to the first side frame 51 in the first direction than the drum contacts 91a to 91d when located at the separated position. Further, the contact holders 94a to 94d when located at the contact position are closer to the first side frame 51 in the first direction than the contact holders 94a to 94d when located at the separated position.

The two contact springs 95a and 95b are elastic members (first elastic members) for urging the drum contact 91a and the contact holder 94a from the contact position to the separated position. The two contact springs 95c and 95d are elastic members (first elastic members) for urging the drum contact 91b and the contact holder 94b from the contact position to the separated position. The two contact springs 95e and 95f are elastic members (first elastic members) for urging the drum contact 91c and the contact holder 94c from the contact position to the separated position. The two contact springs 95g and 95h are elastic members (first elastic members) for urging the drum contact 91d and the contact holder 94d from the contact position to the separated position.

One end of the contact springs 95a and 95b in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94a. One end of the contact springs 95c and 95d in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94b. One end of the contact springs 95e and 95f in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94c. One end of the contact springs 95g and 95h in the first direction is connected to the contact holder 94d. The other ends of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the first direction are connected to the second side frame 52.

The length of the contact springs 95a-95h in the first direction varies between the extended state and the contracted state. The length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the contracted state in the first direction. Further, the length of the contact springs 95a to 95h in the extended state in the first direction is longer than the natural length of the contact springs 95a to 95h. The drum contact 91a and the contact holder 94a are always urged from the contact position to the separated position by the contact springs 95a and 95b. The drum contact 91b and the contact holder 94b are always urged from the contact position to the separated position by the contact springs 95c and 95d. The drum contact 91c and the contact holder 94c are always urged from the contact position to the separated position by the contact springs 95e and 95f. The drum contact 91d and the contact holder 94d are always urged from the contact position to the separated position by the contact springs 95g and 95h.

When the drum cartridge 3 is not mounted on the main body frame 4, the contact springs 95a to 95h are in a contracted state. Therefore, the drum contacts 91a to 91d and the contact holders 94a to 94d are located at separate positions. In this case, the drum contacts 91a to 91d are located at positions separated from the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 in the first direction.

When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4, a part of the contact holders 94a to 94d comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame 4. Specifically, the inclined surface 941 of the contact holders 94a to 94d comes into contact with the second side plate 402. Then, the contact holders 94a to 94d move from the separated position to the contact position. Then, along with the contact holders 94a to 94d, the drum contacts 91a to 91d also move from the separated position to the contact position. As a result, the drum contacts 91a to 91d come into contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41. As a result, the information stored in the IC chip 41 can be relayed to the control unit 5 via the drum contacts 91a to 91d, the drum harness 92, the drum connector 93, the main body connector 403, and the main body harness 404. ..

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the toner cartridge 2 has two recesses 121. The two recesses 121 are located at the second end 12 of the housing 10. Each recess 121 is recessed in the first direction toward the first end 11 of the housing 10. When the contact holders 94a to 94d move from the separated position to the contact position, the protrusions 942 of the contact holders 94a to 94d are inserted into the recess 121. As a result, the contact holder 94 is accurately positioned with respect to the toner cartridge 2. As a result, the drum contact 91 can be accurately brought into contact with the electrical contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, the drum contacts 91a to 91d move in the first direction from the separated position to the contact position according to the operation in which the drum cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body frame 4. Therefore, the drum contacts 91a to 91d can be moved from the separated position to the contact position without depending on the power obtained from the motor in the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the drum cartridge 3, it is possible to prevent the electric contact surface 411 of the IC chip 41 from rubbing against the drum contacts 91a to 91d.

Further, when the drum cartridge 3 is not mounted on the main body frame 4, the drum contacts 91a to 91d and the contact holders 94a to 94d are located at separated positions. Therefore, the operation of mounting the toner cartridge 2 on the drum frame 50 is not hindered by the drum contacts 91a to 91d and the contact holders 94a to 94d.

<4. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Hereinafter, various modifications will be described focusing on the differences from the above embodiments.

<4-1. First modification>
FIG. 20 is a partially disassembled perspective view of the toner cartridge 2 of the first modification. The toner cartridge 2 of the first modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that it does not have the return springs 31a and 31b and that the shutter 16 has the lever 168. The lever 168 projects outward from the outer peripheral portion of the holder 161. Further, the lever 168 is located on the side opposite to the shutter plate 162 with the first axis A1 interposed therebetween.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 of the first modification is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 21, the main body frame 4 has a third plate 405. The third plate 405 is located between the first side plate 401 and the second side plate 402 in the first direction. Further, the third plate 405 faces the lever 168 of the toner cartridge 2 in the third direction in a state where the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is mounted is mounted on the main body frame 4.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state when the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 of the first modification is mounted is taken out from the main body frame 4. As shown in FIG. 22, the drum cartridge 3 first moves toward the third plate 405 in the third direction. At this time, when the lever 168 comes into contact with the third plate 405, the shutter 16 moves from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the toner discharge port 15 is closed by the shutter plate 162. After that, the drum cartridge 3 is pulled out in the second direction.

By doing so, the shutter 16 can be moved from the open position to the closed position according to the operation of the drum cartridge 3 being pulled out from the main body frame 4 without providing the return springs 31a and 31b. Therefore, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be reduced.

<4-2. Second modification>
In the above embodiment, the return springs 31a and 31b move the shutter 16 from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the force of contracting from the second state to the first state, which is longer than the natural length. However, the return springs 31a and 31b move the shutter 16 from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the force extending from the third state shorter than the natural length to the fourth state longer than the third state. May be.

<4-3. Third variant>
In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge 2 has four planetary gears 33a to 33d. However, the number of planetary gears included in the toner cartridge 2 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

<4-4. Fourth variant>
In the above embodiment, four toner cartridges 2 can be mounted on one drum cartridge 3. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 that can be mounted on one drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. Similarly, the number of developing rollers 60 included in the drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. Further, the number of photosensitive drums 70 included in the drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. Further, the number of relay couplings 82 included in the drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3, or 5 or more. Further, the number of drum contacts 91a to 91d included in the drum cartridge 3 may be 1 to 3 or 5 or more.

<4-5. Fifth variant>
The toner coupling and the relay coupling may be gears.

<4-6. 6th variant>
The sun gear, planetary gear, and internal tooth gear may have no gear teeth and transmit power by friction of rubber or the like.

<4-7. 7th variant>
The toner cartridge of the above embodiment includes an agitator as a transport member. However, the toner cartridge may include a screw-shaped auger as a transport member.

<4-8. Others>
The detailed shape of each component constituting the image forming apparatus may be different from the shape shown in each figure of the present application. Further, each element appearing in the above-described embodiment or modification may be appropriately selected as long as there is no contradiction.

1 Image forming device 2 Toner cartridge 3 Drum cartridge 4 Main body frame 5 Control unit 10 Housing 15 Toner outlet 16 Shutter 20 Agitator 31a, 31b Return spring 33a to 33d Planetary gear 34 Internal tooth gear 36 Cover 37a, 37b Boss 38a, 38b Lock member 41 IC chip 50 Drum frame 60 Development roller 70 Photosensitive drum 81 Unlock member 82 Relay coupling 83 Contact member 84 Pull spring 91a to 91d Drum contact 94a to 94d Contact holder 95a to 95h Contact spring 321 Toner coupling 322 Planet Carrier 351 Sun Gear 352 Rotating Plate A1 1st Axis

Claims (12)

A photosensitive drum that can rotate about the drum axis extending in the first direction,
A drum frame to which a toner cartridge having a shutter movable between a closed position for closing the toner supply port and an open position for opening the toner supply port and a lock member for locking the movement of the shutter can be attached and detached. A drum frame having a first side frame located at one end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction and a second side frame located at the other end of the photosensitive drum in the first direction.
An unlocking member located on the first side frame, which is movable in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position, and the unlocking member.
It is a drum cartridge equipped with
With the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame,
When the unlocking member is located in the retracted position, the unlocking member is located away from the locking member in the first direction.
When the unlocking member is located at the advanced position, the unlocking member presses the locking member in the first direction in order to unlock the movement of the shutter by the locking member. The drum cartridge. The drum cartridge according to claim 1.
The toner cartridge is
It has a toner coupling for moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position.
The drum cartridge is
A coupling located on the first side frame, a coupling that is rotatable about a coupling shaft extending in the first direction, a coupling that can be connected to the toner coupling, and together with the unlocking member. A coupling that can be moved in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position.
With the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame,
When the unlocking member and the coupling are located in the retracted position, the coupling is located in the first direction away from the toner coupling.
A drum cartridge, characterized in that, when the unlocking member and the coupling are located in the advanced position, the coupling is coupled to the toner coupling. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.
A drum cartridge comprising further a developing roller that is rotatable with respect to the developing axis extending in the first direction. The drum cartridge according to claim 3.
The developing roller is a drum cartridge, characterized in that it is a magnetic roller. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The drum cartridge, characterized in that the unlocking member when located in the advanced position is closer to the second side frame in the first direction than the unlocking member when located in the retracted position. .. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A drum cartridge further comprising an elastic member for urging the unlocking member from the advance position to the retracted position. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The lock member is
A first lock unit that locks the movement of the shutter,
A second lock unit that locks the movement of the shutter,
Have,
The unlocking member is
A first pressing portion that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position,
Along with the first pressing portion, a second pressing portion that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position.
Have,
When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are located at the retracted position,
The first pressing portion is located away from the first locking portion in the first direction.
The second pressing portion is located away from the second locking portion in the first direction.
When the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are located at the advanced position,
The first pressing portion presses the first locking portion in the first direction in order to unlock the movement of the shutter by the first locking portion.
The drum cartridge, characterized in that the second pressing portion presses the second locking portion in the first direction in order to unlock the movement of the shutter by the second locking portion. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
When the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame of the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, the unlocking member moves from the retracted position to the advanced position. Drum cartridge. The drum cartridge according to claim 8.
Along with the unlocking member, a contact member that can move in the first direction between the retracted position and the advanced position is further provided.
When the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body frame with the toner cartridge mounted on the drum frame, a part of the contact member comes into contact with the inner surface of the main body frame. Drum cartridge. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The toner cartridge has a housing having the toner supply port, and the toner cartridge has a housing.
The shutter is located at one end of the housing in the first direction.
The drum cartridge, characterized in that the lock member is located at one end of the housing in the first direction. The drum cartridge according to claim 10.
The toner cartridge is
It has a storage medium with an electrical contact surface and
The drum cartridge is
A drum contact located on the second side frame, which is a separation position separated from the electrical contact surface and a contact position in contact with the electrical contact surface when the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum frame. Further provided with a drum contact movable in the first direction between the and
A drum cartridge, characterized in that, when the drum cartridge is mounted on the body frame, the drum contacts move from the separated position to the contact position. The drum cartridge according to claim 11.
A drum cartridge characterized in that the drum contact when located at the contact position is closer to the first side frame in the first direction than the drum contact when located at the separated position.

Images