JP2024039771A - developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a configuration that can be attached to different types of image forming apparatus main bodies. [Solution] A developing device 4 can be inserted into different types of image forming apparatus main bodies in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. A shutter 48 is provided movably between a first position and a second position along the insertion direction of the developing device 4, and opens and closes a discharge port 47 that discharges developer in a developing container 40. When the shutter 48 is located at the first position, the shutter 48 blocks the entire area of the discharge port 47, and when the shutter 48 is located at the second position, the shutter 48 communicates with a part of the discharge port 47 to discharge developer from the discharge port 47 and blocks the remaining part of the discharge port 47. The shutter 48 is detachable from the developing container 40 so that the positional relationship in the insertion direction between the first position and the second position is switched when the insertion direction of the developing device 4 is the first direction and when the insertion direction is the second direction. [Selected Figure] Fig. 9

Description

The present invention relates to a developing device that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body.

In general, in image forming apparatuses, it is common practice to set up dedicated developing devices that correspond to the drive configuration and related unit arrangement of photosensitive drums and drum cleaners among models from the same manufacturer, based on the viewpoint of individual optimization. be. On the other hand, a developing device including a magnetic roller that can be used in common with different types of developing devices has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-22195

Here, if a dedicated developing device is set for each type of image forming apparatus, a plurality of types of developing devices will exist from the same manufacturer. In this case, there is a risk that parts may be incorrectly used in the production process or incorrectly used in market services. Furthermore, since replacement developing devices are produced, stocked and provided exclusively for each model, production costs and management costs increase. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of recycling, when attempting to collect the developing device, there is a problem that there are many types to be collected and management becomes complicated.

In the case of the configuration described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, parts are made common to different types of developing devices, but common parts are not made common to each unit composed of a plurality of parts.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure that can be attached to image forming apparatus main bodies of different models.

A developing device of the present invention is a developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and stores developer. a developer container, a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developer container and develops with the developer an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body; a discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container; and a discharge port provided movably between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device, for opening and closing the discharge port. The shutter includes a first closing portion that closes the entire area of the discharge port when located at the first position, and a shutter that closes the entire area of the discharge port when located at the second position in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. a shutter having a discharge path that communicates with a part of the discharge port and discharges the developer from the discharge port, and a second closing portion that closes the remainder of the discharge port when the shutter is located at the second position; The shutter is arranged in the insertion direction between the first position and the second position when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction and when the insertion direction is the second direction. It is characterized in that it is removable from the developer container so that the positional relationship is interchanged.

Further, the developing device of the present invention is a developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and is capable of inserting developer into the main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model. a developer container for accommodating the developer; and a developer carrier for carrying and conveying the developer in the developer container and developing an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body with the developer. , a first discharge port and a second discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container, and movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device. a shutter for opening and closing the first discharge port and the second discharge port, and a first closing portion that closes the first discharge port and the second discharge port when located in the first position; , a discharge path that communicates with either the first discharge port or the second discharge port and discharges the developer from the discharge port when the developer is located at the second position; a second closing portion that closes the other of the first discharge port and the second discharge port when the shutter is located in the image forming apparatus main body of the developing device; When the insertion direction of the developing device is the first direction, the discharge path communicates with the first discharge port at the second position, and the second blocking portion closes the second discharge port. When the insertion direction into the image forming apparatus main body is the second direction, the ejection path communicates with the second ejection port at the second position, and the second blocking portion blocks the first ejection port. , characterized in that it is removable from the developer container.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a configuration that can be attached to image forming apparatus main bodies of different models.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the configuration of a second image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a schematic configuration of a developing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main part of the developing device according to the first embodiment installed in the first image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main part of the developing device according to the first embodiment installed in the second image forming apparatus. (a) A schematic top view showing the position of the shutter before inserting the developing device, and (b) a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter after inserting the developing device. (a) A schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the discharge port at the position of the shutter before insertion of the developing device; (b) A schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the discharge port at the position of the shutter after insertion of the developing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the first embodiment is inserted into the first image forming apparatus; (b) a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter after the developing device is inserted into the first image forming apparatus. The developing device according to the first embodiment is shown in a first image forming apparatus, (a) a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the discharge port at the shutter position before insertion, and (b) the discharge port at the shutter position after insertion. A schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity. FIG. 3A is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the first embodiment is inserted into the second image forming apparatus; FIG. FIGS. 1A and 1B are a schematic side view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the first embodiment is inserted into the first image forming apparatus; FIGS. FIG. 3A is a schematic side view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the first embodiment is inserted into the second image forming apparatus; FIG. FIG. 7A is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the second embodiment is inserted into the first image forming apparatus; FIG. 3B is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter after the developing device is inserted. FIG. 7A is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter before the developing device according to the second embodiment is inserted into the second image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7B is a schematic top view showing the position of the shutter after the developing device is inserted.

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 to 13(b). First, the schematic configurations of a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2.

[First image forming device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first image forming apparatus 100. The first image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a full-color image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic method and includes image forming sections Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

Each of the image forming units Pa to Pd includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor, ie, photoreceptor drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, which serve as image carriers and rotate in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise). Around each photosensitive drum 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, chargers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, developing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, transfer rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, cleaning device 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, etc. are arranged. Additionally, laser beam scanners 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d as exposure means are arranged above the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d in the figure.

Each of the image forming sections Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd has the same configuration, and the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d disposed in each of the image forming sections Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd have the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d will be collectively referred to as "photosensitive drums 1." Similarly, the charger, laser beam scanner, developing device, transfer roller, and cleaning device disposed in each image forming section Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd also have the same configuration in each image forming section. Therefore, they are collectively referred to as a charger 2, a laser beam scanner 3, a developing device 4, a transfer roller 6, and a cleaning device 19, respectively.

Next, the entire image forming sequence of the image forming apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described. First, the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charger 2. The uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1 is then subjected to scanning exposure using a laser beam modulated by an image signal from a laser beam scanner 3. The laser beam scanner 3 has a built-in semiconductor laser, and this semiconductor laser is controlled in response to a document image information signal output from a document reading device having a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and emits a laser beam.

As a result, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 charged by the charger 2 changes in the image area, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. This electrostatic latent image is reversely developed with toner by the developing device 4 to form a visible image, that is, a toner image. In this embodiment, the developing device 4 uses a two-component non-contact developing method that uses a developer in which toner and carrier are mixed. Further, in the case of this embodiment, the developing device 4 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 101 of the first image forming apparatus 100.

Furthermore, by performing the above steps for each image forming section Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, toner images in four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. Ru. An intermediate transfer belt 5 serving as an intermediate transfer member is arranged below each image forming portion Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is suspended by rollers 61, 62, and 63, and is movable in the direction of the arrow.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the transfer roller 6, which serves as the primary transfer means. As a result, the four toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to form a full-color image. In addition, the toner that remains on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred is collected by the cleaning device 19.

The full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is taken out from the feeding cassette 12 and transferred via a feeding roller 13 and a feeding guide 11 onto a recording material S such as paper, as a secondary transfer means. The image is transferred by the action of the roller 10. The toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 without being transferred is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 18.

On the other hand, the recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 16, where the image is fixed. The fixing device 16 includes, for example, a heating roller and a pressure roller, and heats and presses the image onto the recording material S when the recording material S passes through a fixing nip formed by these rollers. Make it stick. Then, the recording material S with the image fixed thereon is discharged onto the discharge tray 17.

[Second image forming device]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second image forming apparatus 200 different in model from the first image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The second image forming apparatus 200 is a monochrome image forming apparatus that includes one image forming section Pe and employs an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit Pe forms a monochromatic image such as black.

The image forming section Pe includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, ie, a photosensitive drum 1e, which rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) as an image carrier. A charger 2e, a developing device 4e, a transfer roller 10e, a cleaning device 19e, and the like are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1e. Furthermore, a laser beam scanner 3e as an exposure means is arranged above the photosensitive drum 1e in the drawing.

Next, the entire image forming sequence of the image forming apparatus 200 having the above configuration will be explained. First, the photosensitive drum 1e is uniformly charged by the charger 2e. The uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1e is then subjected to scanning exposure using a laser beam modulated by an image signal from a laser beam scanner 3e. The laser beam scanner 3e has a built-in semiconductor laser, and this semiconductor laser is controlled in response to a document image information signal output from a document reading device having a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and emits a laser beam.

As a result, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1e charged by the charger 2e changes in the image area, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1e. This electrostatic latent image is reversely developed with toner by the developing device 4e to form a visible image, that is, a toner image. In this embodiment, the developing device 4e uses a two-component non-contact developing method that uses a developer in which toner and carrier are mixed. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the developing device 4e is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 201 of the second image forming apparatus 200.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1e is taken out from the feeding cassette 212 and transferred to a recording material S such as paper via the feeding roller 213 and the feeding guide 211 by the action of the transfer roller 10e as a transfer means. transcribed. Toner remaining without being transferred onto the photosensitive drum 1e is collected by a cleaning device 19e.

On the other hand, the recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing device 216, where the image is fixed. The fixing device 216 includes, for example, a heating roller and a pressure roller, and heats and presses the image on the recording material S when the recording material S passes through a fixing nip formed by these rollers. Make it stick. Then, the recording material S with the image fixed thereon is discharged to the discharge tray 217.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1, which is a commonly used drum-shaped organic photoreceptor, is used as an image carrier in the first image forming apparatus 100 and the second image forming apparatus 200. Inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon photoreceptors can also be used. It is also possible to use a belt-shaped photoreceptor. Further, the charging method, transfer method, cleaning method, and fixing method are not limited to the above methods.

[Developing device]
Here, in the case of this embodiment, the developing device 4 used in the first image forming apparatus 100 and the developing device 4e used in the second image forming apparatus 200 are the same. Therefore, hereinafter, the developing device 4e used in the second image forming apparatus 200 will also be described as the "developing device 4." As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 5 and 6, which will be described later, the developing device 4 is arranged with respect to the image forming apparatus main bodies 101 and 201 so that its longitudinal direction is along the front and back direction of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. There is. Therefore, one longitudinal side of the developing device 4 corresponds to the front side of the image forming apparatus main bodies 101, 201, and the other longitudinal side of the developing device 4 corresponds to the rear side of the image forming apparatus main bodies 101, 201, respectively. Further, this longitudinal direction is a direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drums 1 and 1e. When the developing device 4 is attached to and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201, it is inserted and pulled out along the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing device 4 includes a developing container 40 that serves as a housing and stores a developer therein. The developer is, for example, a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. The developing container 40 has a developing chamber 40a as a first chamber vertically divided by a partition wall 44, and a stirring chamber 40b as a second chamber. The partition wall 44 is arranged along the longitudinal direction, and has communication ports (communication portions) 44a and 44b at both ends in the longitudinal direction that communicate the developing chamber 40a and the stirring chamber 40b.

The developing chamber 40a and the stirring chamber 40b are each provided with conveying screws 42a and 42b, which are disposed along the longitudinal direction and serve as conveying members for stirring and conveying the developer in the developing container 40. The conveying screws 42a and 42b each have a rotating shaft and a blade spirally formed around the rotating shaft. Then, by rotating around the rotation axis of the rotating shaft, the developer in the developer container is conveyed while being stirred along the longitudinal direction of the developer container 40 . The conveying screws 42a and 42b convey the developer in opposite directions, and circulate the developer between the developing chamber 40a and the stirring chamber 40b through communication ports 44a and 44b at both ends of the partition wall 44.

A developing sleeve 41 serving as a developer carrier that carries and transports the developer in the developing container is rotatably supported on the surface of the developing container 40 facing the photosensitive drums 1 and 1e. Inside the developing sleeve 41, a magnet 41a serving as a magnetic field generating section is fixedly arranged in a non-rotating manner. The non-magnetic developing sleeve 41 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the developing device 4, and carries developer on its surface by the magnetic force of the magnet 41a. The developing sleeve 41 carries and conveys the developer by rotating. Further, a developing blade 45 is fixed to the developing container 40 at a predetermined distance from the developing sleeve 41.

The developer stirred and conveyed by the conveyance screws 42a and 42b is carried and conveyed along the surface of the developing sleeve 41, and is limited to a predetermined thickness by the developing blade 45. The developing sleeve 41 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) in a development area facing the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) to develop the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 1 (1e). Develop with a chemical agent. The developer remaining on the surface of the developing sleeve 41 after development is collected into the stirring chamber 40b, and is again stirred and transported by the transport screws 42a and 42b.

Here, the process of developing toner onto the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) in the development area will be described in detail. The photosensitive drum 1 (1e) is uniformly charged to a charging potential Vd [V] by a charger 2 (2e), and then the image area is exposed to light by a laser beam scanner 3 (3e) to an exposure potential Vl [V]. Become. A DC voltage or a voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on a DC voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 41 . When the voltage of the DC component of the developing sleeve 41 is Vdc, the absolute value of the difference from the exposure potential |Vdc-Vl| is called Vcont, and this creates an electric field that carries the toner to the image area. Further, the absolute value of the difference between the DC voltage Vdc and the charging potential Vd |Vdc-Vd| is called Vback, and creates an electric field that pulls the toner back toward the developing sleeve 41 from the photosensitive drum 1 (1e). This is provided to suppress the so-called fogging phenomenon in which toner adheres to non-image areas.

The developing sleeve 41 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 and conveys the developer toward the developing blade 45. The layer thickness of the developer is regulated by the developing blade 45, and when the developer passes through the gap between the developing sleeve 41 and the developing blade 45, a developer layer having a predetermined thickness is formed on the developing sleeve 41. Thereafter, the developer layer is carried and conveyed to a development area facing the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) as the development sleeve 41 rotates, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (1e). .

During development, the developer comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) and develops the latent image during this contact. Therefore, the space between the photosensitive drum 1 (1e) and the developing sleeve 41 is filled with developer. The developer subjected to development is then peeled off from the developing sleeve 41 in a peeling area within the developing container 40 as the developing sleeve 41 rotates.

Further, a developer replenishment port 46 is provided on the upstream side of the stirring chamber 40b with respect to the developer conveyance direction of the conveyance screw 42b. The developer replenishing port 46 is supplied with developer containing toner from a developer replenishing device (not shown). The conveyance screw 42b stirs and conveys the toner replenished from the developer supply port 46 and the developer in the stirring chamber 40b, thereby making the toner concentration uniform. Specifically, the amount of toner consumed by image formation is replenished from the developer replenishment device, passes through the developer replenishment port 46, passes through the stirring chamber 40b, and is then conveyed to the development chamber 40a.

In this embodiment, a discharge port 47 for discharging the developer outside the installation area of the developing sleeve 41 is provided on the downstream side of the developing chamber 40a with respect to the developer conveying direction of the conveying screw 42a. The lower end of the discharge port 47 is configured such that when the amount of developer in the developer container 40 increases due to developer replenishment, the developer overflows beyond the lower end of the discharge port 47 to the outside in accordance with the increased amount. Then, as the developer overflows from the discharge port 47, the surplus developer in the developer container 40 is discharged.

That is, the developing device 4 rotates the conveyance screws 42a and 42b to convey the developer while stirring it, thereby triboelectrically charging the toner and carrier. In the developer containing toner and carrier, the carrier that is not consumed during image formation continues to circulate within the developer container 40 while being subjected to friction, and thus the charging performance of the carrier gradually deteriorates. Therefore, while replenishing the developer container 40 with new carrier, a portion of the developer being transported is overflowed and discharged through the discharge port 47 provided in the developer container 40, thereby reducing the average amount of carrier in the developer. This ensures excellent charging performance.

The discharge port 47 is opened and closed by a shutter 48. That is, when the developing device 4 is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201, the discharge port 47 is closed by the shutter 48, and the developer is not discharged from the discharge port 47. On the other hand, when the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201, the shutter 48 moves with the insertion operation and the discharge port 47 is exposed, so that the developer can be discharged from the discharge port 47. Become. The detailed structure of the discharge port 47 and the shutter 48 will be described later.

[Relationship between image forming device and developing device]
Next, the relationship between the first image forming apparatus 100, the second image forming apparatus 200, and the developing device 4 will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6. First, FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the developing device 4 installed in the first image forming apparatus 100. In the first image forming apparatus 100, when viewed from the front side (F side) of the image forming apparatus 100, the developing device 4 is arranged on the left side of the photosensitive drum 1 provided in the image forming apparatus main body. Then, the photosensitive drum 1 rotates counterclockwise in the direction of arrow α1, and the developing sleeve 41 of the developing device 4 rotates clockwise in the direction of arrow β1 in a corresponding direction. Further, the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 is conveyed from left to right when viewed from the front side (F side). When the developing device 4 is replaced during service, it is inserted in the direction of the arrow from the front side (F side) to the back side (R side).

Next, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the developing device 4 installed in the second image forming apparatus 200. In the second image forming apparatus 200, when viewed from the front side (F side) of the image forming apparatus 200, the developing device 4 is arranged on the right side of the photosensitive drum 1e provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The photosensitive drum 1e rotates clockwise in the direction of arrow α2, and the developing sleeve 41 of the developing device 4 rotates counterclockwise in the direction of arrow β2 in the same direction. Further, the recording material S onto which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1e is conveyed from right to left when viewed from the front side (F side). When the developing device 4 is replaced during service, it is inserted in the direction of the arrow from the front side (F side) to the back side (R side).

In this way, when the same developing device 4 is installed in both the full-color first image forming device 100 and the monochrome second image forming device 200, the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 41 of the developing device 4 is It can be seen that the direction is opposite when viewed from the front side (F side). The developing device 4 cannot functionally reverse the rotation direction of the developing sleeve or screw in the developing device due to the positions of the developer replenishment port and the developer discharge port, and the toner supply to the developing sleeve 41. Therefore, in order for the same developing device 4 to be placed on opposite sides of the photosensitive drum and rotate in opposite directions between image forming apparatuses of different models, the front side and the back side of the developing device 4 must be reversed. It is necessary to attach it to the main body of the image forming apparatus. That is, in this embodiment, the developing device 4 is installed in the full-color first image forming apparatus 100 and the developing device 4 is installed in the monochrome second image forming apparatus 200. The front side and the back side of 4 are reversed.

[Shutter operation when inserting the developing device]
Here, the operation of the shutter 410 will be explained using a general developing device 400 shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 8(b). This embodiment differs only in the configuration of a part of the discharge port and the shutter, but the opening and closing operations of the shutter are the same. 7(a) to FIG. 8(b), the case where the developing device 400 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 will be described. As described above, when the developing device 400 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the shutter 410 moves and the discharge port 420 opens.

The shutter 410 is provided with a sealing portion 411 that closes the discharge port 420 and a discharge path 412 that communicates with the discharge port 420 and can discharge the developer. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the developing device 400 is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the main body engaging part 50 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side and the contact part 413 of the shutter 410 are not in contact. The shutter 410 is biased from the center side (C side) to the end side (A side) of the developing device 400 by a spring 51 as a biasing member, and the sealing portion 411 closes the discharge port 420. It is in a state.

When the developing device 400 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the main body engaging portion 50 and the contact portion 413 of the shutter 410 come into contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 7(b). Then, in conjunction with the insertion operation in the direction of the arrow from the front side (F side) to the back side (R side) of the image forming apparatus 100, the shutter 410 moves from the R side to the F side against the biasing force of the spring 51. direction, the discharge port 420 and the discharge path 412 communicate with each other, and the developer can be discharged.

8(a) and 8(b) are cross-sectional views of the vicinity of the discharge port 420 of the developing device 400. As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the developing device 400 is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, , the discharge port 420 is blocked by the sealing part 411. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the developing device 400 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the ejection port 420 and the ejection path 412 communicate with each other, and It is also connected to the discharge path 52, allowing the developer to be discharged.

When the developing device 400 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 101, the contact portion 413 separates from the main body engaging portion 50, and the spring 51 moves the shutter 410 from the F side to the R side again, sealing the discharge port 420. It returns to the state in which it is closed by the portion 411 and prevents discharge of the developer.

In this manner, the shutter 410 moves with the insertion operation of the developing device 400, and is therefore biased by the spring 51 in the same direction as the insertion direction. On the other hand, as described above, the developing device 4 of this embodiment can be used in two different devices, for example, the first image forming device 100 and the second image forming device 200, and can be installed in the main body of the image forming device. On the other hand, the front and back are reversed. In this case, the biasing direction of the shutter 48 may be opposite to the insertion direction, and the shutter 48 may not be able to be opened in conjunction with the insertion of the developing device 4. Furthermore, if the front and rear sides of the developing device 4 are reversed with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the positional relationship between the sealing portion of the shutter 48 and the discharge path is also reversed, so the discharge port and the discharge path may not be able to communicate with each other. There is. Therefore, in order to use the developing device 4 by inverting it from the front to the back, it is necessary to configure the shutter to be biased and the sealing portion and the ejection path to be usable in either direction of insertion.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to make it possible to attach and detach a common developing device to different types of image forming apparatuses, the shutter for opening and closing the discharge port can be operated even if the insertion direction of the developing device is changed. Specifically, the shutter can be installed by changing its orientation. Hereinafter, the configuration of the shutter 48 and the discharge port 47 of this embodiment will be explained in detail.

[Shutter and outlet]
The configuration of the shutter 48 and the discharge port 47 in the developing device 4 of this embodiment, as well as the operation of the shutter 48, will be explained using FIGS. 9(a) to 11(b). 9(a) to 10(b) show the case where the developing device 4 is inserted into the first image forming apparatus 100, and FIGS. 11(a) and (b) show the case where the developing device 4 is inserted into the second image forming apparatus 200. The cases in which they are inserted are shown in each case.

First, the configuration of the shutter 48 and the discharge port 47 in the developing device 4 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the developing device 4 includes the discharge port 47 for discharging the developer in the developer container, the shutter 48 for opening and closing the discharge port 47, and the spring 51 as a biasing member. The shutter 48 is provided so as to be movable along the insertion direction of the developing device 4 between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The shutter 48 includes a first closing portion 48a, a discharge path 48b, a second closing portion 48c, and a contact portion 48d.

The first closing portion 48a corresponds to the above-described sealing portion 411, and closes the entire area of the discharge port 47 when the shutter 48 is located at the first position. The discharge path 48b corresponds to the above-described discharge path 412, and communicates with a part of the discharge port 47 in the width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction when the shutter 48 is located at the second position, so that the developer is discharged from the discharge port 47. to be discharged. The second closing portion 48c closes the remainder of the discharge port 47 when the shutter 48 is located at the second position.

The contact portion 48d corresponds to the contact portion 413 described above, and comes into contact with a part of the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201 as the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201, and closes the shutter 48. is moved from the first position to the second position. That is, the contact portion 48d operates to open the shutter 48 by contacting a part of the image forming apparatus main body 101, 201 as the developing device 4 is inserted.

Spring 51 biases shutter 48 from the second position toward the first position. That is, the spring 51 urges the shutter 48 from a position where a portion of the discharge port 47 is opened to a position where the entire discharge port 47 is closed.

Further, the developer container 40 includes a container main body portion 401 and a discharge container portion 402 as a part of the developer container. In the case of this embodiment, the container main body 401 includes a part of the developing chamber 40a, and is a portion where the developing sleeve 41 is installed in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 4. The discharge container part 402 is a part that extends from the container main body part 401 along the insertion direction, and has a discharge port 47 formed therein. In this embodiment, the discharge container section 402 has a narrower length (width) in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction than the container main body section 401, and there is a step 403 between the container main body section 401 and the discharge container section 402. There is.

Further, the developing device 4 further includes a stopper 49 as an abutting member disposed at a position spaced apart from the container body 401 in the insertion direction (longitudinal direction). In this embodiment, the stopper 49 is arranged near the end of the discharge container section 402 on the opposite side from the container main body section 401. Further, the stopper 49 is removably attached to the developer container 40. Specifically, the stopper 49 is removably attached to a part of the discharge container section 402 by a snap fit. Note that the stopper 49 may be attached by other fixing methods, such as screwing, as long as it can be attached to and detached from the developer container 40.

The stopper 49 is removed from the developer container 40 when the shutter 48 is attached to and removed from the developer container 40, as will be described later. After the shutter 48 is attached to the developer container 40, the stopper 49 is also attached to the developer container 40.

The discharge port 47 is formed to open above the developer container 40, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 10(b). Specifically, the discharge port 47 is formed so as to open above a part of the discharge container section 402, and extends in the width direction of the developer container 40 (the left-right direction in FIGS. 9(a) to 10(b)). The developer can be selectively discharged from both depending on the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the discharge container portion 402 has an upper portion formed with a substantially semicircular cross section, and a discharge port 47 is formed by cutting out a portion of this portion. ing. Therefore, at the discharge port 47, upper portions of the side walls on both sides of the discharge container section 402 in the width direction are also cut out. In other words, the lower ends of the discharge port 47 on both sides in the width direction are located below the upper end of the conveyance screw 42a, so that some of the developer conveyed by the conveyance screw 42a exceeds the lower end of the discharge port 47. It is discharged from the discharge port 47.

As described above, the longitudinal direction of the developing device 4 is switched between when the developing device 4 is attached to the first image forming apparatus 100 and when it is attached to the second image forming apparatus 200. That is, the developing device 4 can be inserted into the image forming apparatus main bodies 101 and 201 of different models in the first direction and in the second direction which is the opposite direction to the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are directions along the longitudinal direction, and for example, the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 is the first direction, and the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201 is the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201. The direction of insertion is defined as the second direction.

For this reason, in the developing device 4 of this embodiment, the direction of the shutter 48 can be changed depending on the insertion direction of the developing device 4, and the shutter 48 can be attached to the developing container 40. That is, the shutter 48 is positioned at a first position and a second position in the insertion direction depending on whether the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 or 201 in the first direction or in the second direction. It can be attached to and detached from the developer container 40 so that the relationship is switched.

First, the case where the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 of the first image forming apparatus 100 will be described using FIGS. 9(a) to 10(b). In this case, the direction of insertion of the developing device 4 is from the F side to the R side, whereas the direction of the developing device 4 is from the C side to the A side. When the insertion direction of the developing device 4 into the image forming apparatus main body 101 is the first direction, the shutter 48 is attached to the developer container 40 along the first attachment direction. In this embodiment, the first mounting direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the developing device 4, and is opposite to the first direction.

The discharge port 47 of the developing device 4 is opened above the developing container 40 as described above, and is formed so that a portion of the upper portion on both sides in the width direction is cut out. Specifically, the discharge port 47 is formed to extend on both sides with respect to the central axis L of the developing device 4. Although the discharge port 47 is not divided, for the sake of explanation, the right side as viewed from the A side to the C side of the developing device 4 with respect to the central axis L will be described as a first discharge part 47a, and the left side as a second discharge part 47b. . In other words, the first discharge part 47a and the second discharge part 47b constitute the discharge port 47 by being formed continuously with each other, and one of the discharge parts is a part of the discharge port 47, and the other discharge part The portions correspond to the remaining portions of the discharge port 47, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the discharge path 48b of the shutter 48 is arranged on the A side of the developing device 4 with respect to the first closing portion 48a. Further, the direction in which the shutter 48 is biased by the spring 51 is from the C side to the A side of the developing device 4, and the spring 51 is biased against the step 403 of the container body 401 as a part of the developer container. It is arranged between the shutters 48. As described above, when the developing device 4 is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the shutter 48 is biased by the spring 51 as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 10(a). Located in position 1. In the first position, the entire area of the discharge port 47 is closed by the first closing portion 48a. At this time, the A-side end of the shutter 48 comes into contact with the stopper 49, so that the shutter 48 is positioned at the first position.

As the developing device 4 is inserted, the contact portion 48d of the shutter 48 comes into contact with the main body engaging portion 50, which is a part of the image forming device main body 101, so that the shutter 48 is aligned with the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted. Move in the opposite direction. As shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 10(b), the first discharging portion 47a of the discharging port 47 communicates with the discharging path 48b of the shutter 48, and the developer is discharged from the discharging port 47. becomes possible. At this time, since the discharge path 48b is formed only on one side with respect to the central axis L, the second discharge portion 47b of the discharge port 47 is covered by the second closing portion 48c.

10A and 10B show the first discharge part 47a and the second discharge part 47b of the discharge port 47, the first closing part 48a of the shutter 48, and the discharge part 47b when viewed from the cross-sectional direction of the developing device 4. The relationship between the path 48b and the second closing portion 48c is shown. As shown in FIG. 10A, before the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the first discharge section 47a and the second discharge section 47b are both covered with a first closing section 48a, No developer is discharged. As shown in FIG. 10(b), when the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101, the discharge path 48b and the first discharge section 47a communicate with each other so that the developer can be discharged. As shown, the second discharge portion 47b remains covered by the second closing portion 48c, and the developer is not discharged from the second discharge portion 47b.

Next, the case where the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201 of the second image forming apparatus 200 will be described using FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b). As described above, the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the second image forming apparatus 200 is reversed from the front side to the back side when it is inserted into the first image forming apparatus 100. That is, while the direction of insertion of the developing device 4 is from the F side to the R side, the direction of the developing device 4 is from the A side to the C side. Since the shutter 48 moves in conjunction with the insertion operation of the developing device 4, the direction in which the spring 51 is biased is the same as the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted, from the A side to the C side of the developing device 4. .

At this time, the positions of the first closing portion 48a of the shutter 48 and the discharge path 48b, and the position of the discharge port 47 are opposite to those when the developing device 4 is inserted into the first image forming apparatus 100 described above. For this reason, the shutter 48 is attached to the developer container 40 with the front and rear sides reversed. In other words, the shutter 48 is mounted so that the discharge path 48b is disposed on the C side with respect to the developer container 40, which is different from the case of FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) used in the first image forming apparatus. In this case, the direction of the shutter 48 is reversed with respect to the developer container 40. That is, when the insertion direction of the developing device 4 into the image forming apparatus main body 201 is the second direction, the shutter 48 is inserted into the developer container 40 along a second mounting direction that is reversed with respect to the first mounting direction. It will be installed. In this embodiment, the second mounting direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the developing device 4, and is the same direction as the second direction.

Further, since the biasing direction of the shutter 48 is opposite to the biasing direction of the shutter 48 when the shutter 48 is inserted into the first image forming apparatus 100 described above, the position of the spring 51 is Unlike the case of , a spring 51 is disposed between the shutter 48 and the stopper 49 . That is, when the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201 is the second direction, the spring 51 comes into contact with the stopper 49 and urges the shutter 48 in a direction away from the stopper 49 .

In this embodiment, when the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming device main body 201 of the second image forming device 200, the shutter 48 is also moved relative to the developing container 40 in order to reverse the insertion direction of the developing device 4. Reverse and assemble. For example, when a service person attaches the developing device 4 to the image forming apparatus main body 201 at the site, the stopper 49 and the shutter 48 are removed from the developing container 40 . Then, the shutter 48 is reversed and assembled to the developer container 40. In this embodiment, since the spring 51 is assembled to the shutter 48, the position of the spring 51 is also reversed by reversing the shutter 48.

Thereafter, by assembling the stopper 49 to the developer container 40, the spring 51 is positioned between the shutter 48 and the stopper 49. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the shutter 48 is biased by the spring 51 and located at the first position. In the first position, the entire area of the discharge port 47 is closed by the first closing portion 48a. Furthermore, the C-side end of the shutter 48 comes into contact with the step 403 of the container body 401, so that the shutter 48 is positioned at the first position.

When the developing device 4 with the shutter 48 and the stopper 49 assembled in this manner is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201, the abutting portion 48d of the shutter 48 is moved into the image forming apparatus main body 201 as the developing device 4 is inserted. The main body engaging portion 50 is in contact with the main body engaging portion 50 . Then, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the shutter 48 moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted. As is clear from FIGS. 9A and 9B and FIGS. 11A and 11B, the orientation of the shutter 48 with respect to the direction of insertion of the developing device 4 is different between the first image forming apparatus 100 and the second image forming apparatus. There is no difference from the forming apparatus 200. Therefore, even when the insertion direction is the second direction, the contact portion 48d of the shutter 48 becomes a part of the image forming apparatus main body 201 as the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201. The shutter 48 is moved from the first position to the second position by coming into contact with a certain body engaging portion 50 .

As shown in FIG. 11B, the second discharge portion 47b of the discharge port 47 communicates with the discharge path 48b of the shutter 48, making it possible to discharge the developer from the discharge port 47. At this time, since the discharge path 48b is formed only on one side of the central axis L, the first discharge portion 47a of the discharge port 47 is covered by the second blocking portion 48c. In this embodiment, since the orientation of the shutter 48 is reversed from when it is inserted into the first image forming device 100, the first discharge portion 47a and the second discharge portion 47b are formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis L.

[Specific configuration of shutter and spring]
Next, regarding the specific configuration of the shutter 48 and the spring 51 of this embodiment, FIGS. This will be explained using FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b), which show the case where the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 200. In this embodiment, the spring 51 is a torsion coil spring. Note that FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) and FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are views of the image forming apparatus viewed from the side, respectively.

FIG. 12A shows the state before the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 of the first image forming apparatus 100. The shutter 48 is biased by a spring 51 in the direction from the C side to the A side, which is the same direction as the insertion direction of the developing device 4 from the F side to the R side. The spring 51 is supported by a support shaft 48e provided on the shutter 48, and is configured to generate a biasing force in the direction of spreading around the support shaft 48e between the step 403 of the developer container 40 and the discharge path 48b of the shutter 48. It is configured. That is, in this embodiment, the discharge path 48b protrudes beyond the surface of the first closing portion 48a, and one end of the spring 51 can come into contact with it. On the other hand, the other end of the spring 51 contacts the step 403. Then, as a biasing force is generated in a direction in which both ends of the spring 51 are separated, the shutter 48 is biased in a direction away from the step 403.

FIG. 12B shows a state in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101. When the developing device 4 is inserted, the shutter 48 is moved in a direction that resists the biasing force of the spring 51, that is, from the A side, when the contact portion 48d comes into contact with the main body engaging portion 50 (not shown here). It moves in the direction of the C side, and the discharge path 48b communicates with the first discharge part 47a.

FIG. 13A shows the state before the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201 of the second image forming apparatus 200. As described above, in the second image forming apparatus 200, the insertion direction of the developing device 4 is reversed from that of the first image forming apparatus 100, and the developing device 4 is inserted in the opposite direction from the F side to the R side. It is oriented from the A side to the C side. The shutter 48 is biased by a spring 51 in the same direction as the insertion direction of the developing device 4 from the F side to the R side so as to move in conjunction with the insertion operation of the developing device 4 . The spring 51 is supported by the support shaft 48e and generates a biasing force in the direction of spreading around the support shaft 48e as in the first image forming apparatus 100, but the biasing force is generated by the discharge of the shutter 48. It is configured to occur between the path 48b and the stopper 49. That is, the position of the spring 51 is changed, and the direction in which the shutter 48 is biased when used in the first image forming apparatus 100 is reversed, and is biased from the A side to the C side.

FIG. 13(b) shows a state in which the developing device 4 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201. When the developing device 4 is inserted, the shutter 48 is moved in a direction that resists the biasing force of the spring 51, that is, from the C side, when the contact portion 48d comes into contact with the main body engaging portion 50 (not shown here). It moves in the direction of the A side, and the discharge path 48b communicates with the second discharge part 47b.

The parts of the developing device 4 of this embodiment are all common regardless of the image forming apparatus used. Therefore, the movable amount of the shutter 48 is configured to be approximately the same regardless of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, by configuring the shutter 48 to be removable by removing the stopper 49, the arrangement of the shutter 48 can be easily changed. Further, by configuring the spring 51 and the stopper 49 in common, it becomes possible to use the common developing device 4 in the first image forming apparatus 100 and the second image forming apparatus 200, which are different models.

As described above, in this embodiment, by reversing the mounting direction of the shutter 48 from front to back with respect to the discharge port 47 which is spread on both sides with respect to the central axis L, the first image forming apparatus 100 and the second image forming apparatus The developing device 4 can be used in common with the image forming apparatuses 200.

That is, in the case of this embodiment, by changing the direction of the shutter 48 according to the direction in which the developing device 4 is inserted, it is possible to attach the developing device to image forming apparatus main bodies 101 and 201 of different models. As a result, the configuration of the developing device 4 can be made common to image forming apparatuses of different models, and it is possible to prevent incorrect parts in the production process and misuse in market services. Further, there is no need to produce, inventory manage, and provide replacement developing devices exclusively for each model, and production costs and management costs can be suppressed. Furthermore, when collecting developing devices for reuse, the number of types of developing devices to be collected can be reduced, and management of collection and reuse of developing devices can be facilitated.

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment will be described using FIGS. 14(a) to 15(b). In the first embodiment described above, the case where there is one discharge port 47 for discharging the developer has been described. In contrast, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which there are two discharge ports for discharging the developer. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above, so the same configurations are given the same reference numerals, illustrations and explanations are omitted or simplified, and the points different from the first embodiment will be described below. I will mainly explain.

This embodiment can accommodate a configuration in which the movable range of the shutter 48 is restricted. That is, when there is a drive member 53 such as a gear to which a drive force is transmitted from a drive source such as a motor in the vicinity of the movable range of the shutter 48, the developer can be discharged even if the direction of the shutter 48A is changed. It is said that The driving member 53 is, for example, a gear for driving the developing sleeve 41. When such a driving member 53 is arranged adjacent to the discharge container section 402 of the developer container 40, the movable range of the shutter 48A may be limited.

For this reason, in this embodiment, two discharge ports are provided for discharging the developer from the developer container 40. That is, the developing device 4A of this embodiment includes a first discharge port 471 and a second discharge port 472 for discharging the developer in the developer container. The first discharge port 471 and the second discharge port 472 are arranged apart from each other on both sides with respect to the central axis L.

The shutter 48A for opening and closing the first discharge port 471 and the second discharge port 472 includes a first closing portion 48Aa, a discharge path 48Ab, a second closing portion 48Ac, and a contact portion 48Ad. The first closing portion 48Aa closes the first discharge port 471 and the second discharge port 472 when the shutter 48A is located at the first position. The discharge path 48Ab communicates with either the first discharge port 471 or the second discharge port 472 to discharge the developer from the discharge port when the shutter 48A is located at the second position. The second closing portion 48Ac closes the other of the first discharge port 471 and the second discharge port 472 when the shutter 48A is located at the second position. The abutting portion 48Ad has generally the same configuration as the abutting portion 48d of the first embodiment, and functions in the same manner.

Also in this embodiment, the spring 51 is a biasing member, and the stopper 49A is a contact member. The spring 51 has generally the same configuration as the spring 51 of the first embodiment, and functions in the same manner. The stopper 49A is arranged at a position that does not overlap the movable range of the shutter 48A, and the parts that cannot be seen from the orientations of FIGS. 14(a), (b) and 15(a), (b) are indicated by dotted lines. be. Such a stopper 49A also has substantially the same configuration as the stopper 49 of the first embodiment, and functions in the same manner.

14A and 14B show the case where the developing device 4A is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 101 of the first image forming apparatus 100. When the direction of insertion of the developing device 4A is from the F side to the R side, the direction of the developing device 4A is from the C side to the A side. In this case, the shutter 48A does not interfere with the drive member 53 within its movable range. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, as the developing device 4A is inserted as shown in FIG. is moved so that the first discharge port 471 and the discharge path 48Ab are communicated with each other, thereby making it possible to discharge the developer. At this time, the other second outlet 472 is sealed by the second closing portion 48Ac.

Next, the case where the developing device 4A is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201 of the second image forming apparatus 200 will be described using FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b). When used in the second image forming apparatus 200, similarly to the first embodiment, the shutter 48A is attached to the developer container 40 with the front and rear sides reversed. Then, the drive member 53 and the discharge path 48Ab are in the same direction with respect to the central axis L, and their positions interfere with each other, so that the movable range of the shutter 48A is limited.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the position of the second closing portion 48Ac of the shutter 48A is extended toward the C side with respect to the discharge path 48Ab so that the shutter 48 can be mounted so that the position of the shutter 48 is closer to the A side away from the drive member 53. ing. Further, at this time, by providing the second discharge port 472, which communicates with the discharge path 48Ab, in a different position from the first discharge port 471, which communicates with the discharge path 48Ab when installed in the first image forming apparatus 100, the developing to allow the discharge of the agent. That is, the second discharge port 472 is located closer to the A side than the first discharge port 471.

Specifically, the spring 51 is arranged at a position where a biasing force is generated between the shutter 48A and the stopper 49A so that the biasing direction of the shutter 48A is from the F side to the R side in the insertion direction of the developing device 4A. . At this time, the receiving portion 48f of the shutter 48A that receives the biasing force of the spring 51 is arranged on the opposite side of the central axis L from the discharge path 48Ab. That is, in this embodiment, in contrast to the configuration of the first embodiment, a receiving portion 48f is provided on the shutter 48A so that the end of the spring 51 comes into contact even when the direction of the shutter 48A is changed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the direction of the shutter 48A is changed, the position of the spring 51 is changed so that the spring 51 is arranged between the receiving part 48f of the shutter 48A and the stopper 49A, and the spring 51 is placed between the receiving part 48f of the shutter 48A and the stopper 49A, and The shutter 48A is biased toward the C side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15(a), when the developing device 4A is not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201, the portion of the shutter 48A extending toward the C side (second closing portion 48Ac) is attached to the developing container 40. By bringing the shutter 48A into contact with the step 403, interference between the shutter 48A and the driving member 53 is avoided. As shown in FIG. 15(b), when the developing device 4A is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 201, the contact portion Ad contacts the main body engaging portion 50, the shutter 48A moves, and the discharge path 48Ab and the The second discharge port 472 communicates with the second discharge port 472, and the developer can be discharged. At this time, the first discharge port 471 is sealed by the second closing portion 48Ac.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, all parts of the developing device 4A are common regardless of the image forming apparatus used. Therefore, the movable amount of the shutter A is configured to be approximately the same regardless of the image forming apparatus. Further, by configuring the shutter 48A to be detachable by removing the stopper 49A, the arrangement of the shutter 48A can be easily changed. Further, by configuring the spring 51 and the stopper 49A in common, it becomes possible to use the common developing device 4A in the first image forming apparatus 100 and the second image forming apparatus 200, which are different models.

<Other embodiments>
In each of the embodiments described above, a full-color image forming apparatus and a monochrome image forming apparatus are taken as examples of image forming apparatuses of different models. If so, the present invention can be applied, for example, to full-color image forming apparatuses of different models or to monochrome image forming apparatuses of different models. Further, the image forming apparatus may be any of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a multifunctional device having multiple functions thereof, and the like.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a screw recoil spring is used as a biasing member that biases the shutter, but it is sufficient that the shutter can be biased in the same direction as the direction in which the developing device is inserted. may be of other configurations other than a torsion coil spring, such as a coil spring of another shape or an elastic member such as rubber. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the shutter discharge path is formed to guide the developer from the shutter opening to the main body side discharge path, but the main body side discharge path is connected to the shutter opening. In such a configuration, the discharge path may be only the opening of the shutter.

Further, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.
(Configuration 1)
A developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction,
a developer container containing developer;
a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developer container and develops with the developer an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
a discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container;
a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port, the shutter being movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device, and located at the first position; a first blocking portion that closes the entire area of the discharge port when located at the second position; and a second closing portion that closes off the remainder of the discharge port when located at the second position,
The shutter is arranged in the insertion direction between the first position and the second position when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction and when the insertion direction is the second direction. A developing device characterized in that it is removable from the developing container so that the positional relationship is interchanged.
(Configuration 2)
When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is attached to the developer container along the first attachment direction, and the insertion direction is the second direction. The developing device according to configuration 1, wherein the developing device is mounted on the developing container along a second mounting direction that is reversed with respect to the first mounting direction.
(Configuration 3)
comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter from the second position toward the first position,
The biasing member is configured to move between the first position and the second position together with the shutter depending on whether the direction of insertion of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction or the second direction. The developing device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the positional relationship in the insertion direction is switched.
(Configuration 4)
The developing device further includes an abutting member disposed at a position spaced apart from a part of the developing container with respect to the insertion direction,
When the direction in which the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the biasing member contacts a portion of the developer container and moves the shutter away from the portion of the developer container. and when the insertion direction is the second direction, the shutter contacts the abutting member and urges the shutter in a direction away from the abutting member. The developing device described.
(Configuration 5)
The developing device according to configuration 4, wherein the abutting member is removable from the developing container.
(Configuration 6)
The shutter is located at the first position when not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and moves from the first position to the second position as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the developing device moves to.
(Configuration 7)
When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is configured to close a portion of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. an abutting portion that abuts the shutter to move the shutter from the first position to the second position;
Even when the insertion direction is the second direction, the contact portion comes into contact with a part of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and The developing device according to configuration 6, wherein a shutter is moved from the first position to the second position.
(Configuration 8)
A developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction,
a developer container containing developer;
a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developer container and develops with the developer an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
a first discharge port and a second discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container;
A shutter is provided movably between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device, and is configured to open and close the first discharge port and the second discharge port. , a first closing part that closes the first outlet and the second outlet when located in the first position; and a first closing part that closes the first outlet and the second outlet when located in the second position. a discharge path that communicates with one of the discharge ports and discharges the developer from the discharge port, and a discharge path that communicates with the other discharge port of the first discharge port and the second discharge port when located at the second position. a shutter having a second closing portion,
The shutter is configured such that when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the discharge path communicates with the first discharge port at the second position and the second blocking portion is configured to communicate with the first discharge port. When the second discharge port is closed and the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the second direction, the discharge path communicates with the second discharge port at the second position and the second discharge port is closed. The developing device is characterized in that the second blocking portion is detachable from the developing container so as to close the first discharge port.
(Configuration 9)
When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is attached to the developer container along the first attachment direction, and the insertion direction is the second direction. 9. The developing device according to configuration 8, wherein when the developing device is attached to the developer container, the developing device is attached to the developer container along a second attaching direction that is reversed with respect to the first attaching direction.
(Configuration 10)
comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter from the second position toward the first position,
The biasing member is configured to move between the first position and the second position together with the shutter depending on whether the direction of insertion of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction or the second direction. 10. The developing device according to configuration 8 or 9, wherein the positional relationship in the insertion direction is switched.
(Configuration 11)
The developing device further includes an abutting member disposed at a position spaced apart from a part of the developing container with respect to the insertion direction,
When the direction in which the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the biasing member contacts a portion of the developer container and moves the shutter away from the portion of the developer container. and when the insertion direction is the second direction, the shutter contacts the abutting member and urges the shutter in a direction away from the abutting member. The developing device described.
(Configuration 12)
12. The developing device according to configuration 11, wherein the abutting member is removable from the developing container.
(Configuration 13)
The shutter is located at the first position when not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and moves from the first position to the second position as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device according to any one of configurations 8 to 12, characterized in that the developing device moves to.
(Configuration 14)
When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is configured to close a portion of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. an abutting portion that abuts the shutter to move the shutter from the first position to the second position;
Even when the insertion direction is the second direction, the contact portion comes into contact with a part of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and 13. The developing device according to configuration 12, wherein a shutter is moved from the first position to the second position.

1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e)...Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
4, 4A (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e)...Developing device 40...Developing container 41...Developing sleeve (developer carrier)
47... Discharge port 48, 48A... Shutter 48a, 48Aa... First blocking part 48b, 48Ab... Discharge route 48c, 48Ac... Second blocking part 48d, 48Ad... Contact part 49, 49A...Stopper (contact member)
51... Spring (biasing member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... First image forming apparatus 101... Image forming apparatus main body 200... Second image forming apparatus 201... Image forming apparatus main body 471... First discharge port 472... Second Vent

Claims (14)

A developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction,
a developer container containing developer;
a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developer container and develops with the developer an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
a discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container;
a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port, the shutter being movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device, and located at the first position; a first blocking portion that closes the entire area of the discharge port when located at the second position; and a second closing portion that closes off the remainder of the discharge port when located at the second position,
The shutter is arranged in the insertion direction between the first position and the second position when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction and when the insertion direction is the second direction. A developing device characterized in that it is removable from the developing container so that the positional relationship is interchanged. When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is attached to the developer container along the first attachment direction, and the insertion direction is the second direction. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein when the developing device is attached to the developing container, the developing device is attached to the developing container along a second attaching direction that is reversed with respect to the first attaching direction. comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter from the second position toward the first position,
The biasing member is configured to move between the first position and the second position together with the shutter depending on whether the direction of insertion of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction or the second direction. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship in the insertion direction is switched. The developing device further includes an abutting member disposed at a position spaced apart from a part of the developing container with respect to the insertion direction,
When the direction in which the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the biasing member contacts a portion of the developer container and moves the shutter away from the portion of the developer container. and when the insertion direction is the second direction, the shutter comes into contact with the abutting member and urges the shutter in a direction away from the abutting member. The developing device described in . The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the abutting member is removably attached to the developing container. The shutter is located at the first position when not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and moves from the first position to the second position as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device moves to . the shutter has a contact portion that contacts a part of the image forming apparatus body and moves the shutter from the first position to the second position as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus body when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus body is the first direction,
The developing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, even when the insertion direction is the second direction, the abutment portion abuts against a part of the image forming device main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming device main body, thereby moving the shutter from the first position to the second position. A developing device that can be inserted into a main body of an image forming apparatus of a different model in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction,
a developer container containing developer;
a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developer container and develops with the developer an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
a first discharge port and a second discharge port for discharging the developer in the developer container;
A shutter is provided movably between a first position and a second position different from the first position along the insertion direction of the developing device, and is configured to open and close the first discharge port and the second discharge port. , a first closing part that closes the first outlet and the second outlet when located in the first position; and a first closing part that closes the first outlet and the second outlet when located in the second position. a discharge path that communicates with one of the discharge ports and discharges the developer from the discharge port, and a discharge path that communicates with the other discharge port of the first discharge port and the second discharge port when located at the second position. a shutter having a second closing portion,
The shutter is configured such that when the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the discharge path communicates with the first discharge port at the second position and the second blocking portion is configured to communicate with the first discharge port. When the second discharge port is closed and the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the second direction, the discharge path communicates with the second discharge port at the second position and the second discharge port is closed. The developing device is characterized in that the second blocking portion is detachable from the developing container so as to close the first discharge port. When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is attached to the developer container along the first attachment direction, and the insertion direction is the second direction. 9. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein when the developing device is attached to the developing container, the developing device is attached to the developing container along a second attaching direction that is reversed with respect to the first attaching direction. comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter from the second position toward the first position,
The biasing member is configured to move between the first position and the second position together with the shutter depending on whether the direction of insertion of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction or the second direction. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the positional relationship in the insertion direction is switched. The developing device further includes an abutting member disposed at a position spaced apart from a part of the developing container with respect to the insertion direction,
When the direction in which the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the biasing member contacts a portion of the developer container and moves the shutter away from the portion of the developer container. and when the insertion direction is the second direction, the shutter comes into contact with the abutting member and urges the shutter in a direction away from the abutting member. The developing device described in . The developing device according to claim 11, wherein the abutting member is detachable from the developing container. The shutter is located at the first position when not inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and moves from the first position to the second position as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the developing device moves to . When the insertion direction of the developing device into the image forming apparatus main body is the first direction, the shutter is configured to close a portion of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. an abutting portion that abuts the shutter to move the shutter from the first position to the second position;
Even when the insertion direction is the second direction, the contact portion comes into contact with a part of the image forming apparatus main body as the developing device is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, and The developing device according to claim 12, wherein a shutter is moved from the first position to the second position.

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