JP2986660B2 - Electrophotographic equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for visualizing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a developing device for supplying to a body surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine as an electrophotographic apparatus, an original image is scanned by a light source, and the surface of a photosensitive drum is exposed by reflected light thereof to form an electrostatic latent image. A developer is supplied from the developing device to perform development, and an image of the developer obtained on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a sheet to obtain a copy image.

When the amount of the developer in the developing tank is reduced by repeating the above-described copying operation, the developing tank is supplied with the developer from a developer supply container as needed. Further, after the transfer operation of the developer image onto the sheet, the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum is collected by a cleaning device and stored in a waste developer container. When the developing tank uses a two-component developer, the developer supply container and the waste developer container are, for example, a toner supply container and a waste toner container, respectively. On the other hand, when the developing tank uses a one-component developer, the developer replenishing container and the waste developer container replenish the developer composed of the integrated toner and carrier, respectively. Container and collection container. In addition, the applicant of the present application has proposed a structure in which the developer supply container and the waste developer container are integrated with each other in order to save space in the copying machine and improve maintainability. (See Japanese Patent Application No. 5-102899).

When the above-described copying machine is a copying machine capable of copying in, for example, a multi-color monocolor, at least the developing tank and the developer supply container need to be replaced according to a desired copying color. The developing tank is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum in order to maintain a predetermined positional relationship between the developing roller provided therein and the photosensitive drum. Therefore, when replacing the photosensitive drum, it is necessary to attach / detach the developing tank and the developer supply container provided in the developing tank. In such a case, if the developer supply container and the waste developer container are integrated as described above, the waste developer container is replaced together with the developer supply container. As described above, in the above operation, it is necessary to attach and detach the plurality of containers, and this operation is troublesome. Therefore, development of a configuration for easily attaching and detaching each container is desired.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-8755 discloses that
A developing tank fixing means for preventing movement of the developing tank in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum in a configuration in which the developing tank is detachable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. Positioning means for positioning at a predetermined position of
An interlocking means for releasing the positioning operation by the positioning device in conjunction with the developing tank releasing operation by the fixing means and positioning the positioning means in association with the developing tank fixing operation by the fixing means. Proposed.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, although the structure for attaching and detaching the developing tank is considered, the structure for easily attaching and detaching other containers with the attaching and detaching operation of the developing tank is considered. Is not taken into account. Also,
Since it is necessary to operate the fixing means only for positioning and fixing the developing tank, the number of operations required when exchanging the photosensitive drum is increased, and the operation is troublesome. Have.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic apparatus, wherein a developer is supplied from a replenishment developer container to a developing tank, and a photosensitive member is provided by a cleaning device. Waste developer collected from the surface, for example, waste toner, is stored in a waste developer container, for example, a waste toner container, and a developing roller provided in a developing tank maintains a predetermined positional relationship with the surface of the photoreceptor by pressing means. As described above, in the electrophotographic apparatus in which the pressing operation of pressing the developing tank toward the photoreceptor side and the releasing operation are performed, the developing tank, the supply developer container, and the waste developer container are integrated, and the electrophotographic apparatus is used. An integral container, which is detachably provided to the apparatus main body and is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container, is provided for the developing tank, and this developing tank is provided for the electrophotographic apparatus main body. A first position at the time of attachment and detachment, and a second position which is a mounting position of the integral container to the electrophotographic apparatus, are movably provided, and the press-contact means is a state where the developing tank is mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. Performing the pressing operation in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the second position in the above, and performing the pressing operation in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the first position in a state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body. Performs the release operation and informs the return to the image forming operable state.
With an interlock switch to open the inside of the electrophotographic device.
On the inner surface of the opening / closing lid
A switch operation unit for operating the interlock switch is provided.
And the integrated container is disposed at the second position.
When the interlock switch is not
While the integral container is disposed at the second position.
The interlock switch from the operation surface
And a shielding member .

The electrophotographic apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is
While the developer is supplied to the developing tank from the supply developer container,
Waste collected from photoreceptor surface by cleaning device
The developer is stored in the waste developer container, and is pressed by
The developing roller provided in the developing tank is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photoreceptor surface.
The developer tank is pressed against the photoreceptor so that the
Electro-photographic equipment that performs pressure contact operation and release operation
The above-mentioned developer tank, supply developer container, and waste developer container
Integrated with the container and attached to and detached from the electrophotographic device
It can be freely installed, and the above-mentioned replenishment developer container and disposal
The integrated container, which is an integral part of the developer container,
When attaching / detaching this developing tank to / from the electrophotographic device body
And the mounting position of the integrated container on the electrophotographic apparatus
Movably provided at the second position, which is the
The means is used when the developing tank is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.
The pressure contact in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the second position
While performing the operation, the mounting state of the developing tank to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus
In conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the first position in the state
Perform the above pressure release operation and fix to the integrated container
The convex portion is formed while the integrated portion disposed at the second position is formed.
Positioning for positioning the fixing protrusion of the container in the vertical direction
Fixing the integral member and the integral container arranged at the second position
And a fixing portion into which the convex portion fits.
Between the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction by the contacting means and the vertical direction.
A fixing member for preventing movement of the fixing projection in the orthogonal direction.
And wherein the fixing member is configured to move the fixing member to the second position.
Rotation is possible with the direction of movement of the fixing projection as the axial direction of the center of rotation.
Guide for guiding the fixing projection to the fixing part
It has a slope and moves to the second position on this guide slope.
Elastic so that the fixing projections are held in abutment position
The guide slope is urged by a member,
Virtual cutting of a guide slope cut along a plane parallel to its axial direction
The position from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side of the part is
In the same direction in three directions .

Further, the electrophotographic apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises:
While the developer is supplied to the developing tank from the supply developer container,
Waste collected from photoreceptor surface by cleaning device
The developer is stored in the waste developer container, and is pressed by
The developing roller provided in the developing tank is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photoreceptor surface.
The developer tank is pressed against the photoreceptor so that the
Electro-photographic equipment that performs pressure contact operation and release operation
The above-mentioned developer tank, supply developer container, and waste developer container
The vessels are integrated and detachably and against the electrophotographic apparatus body
It can be freely installed, and the above-mentioned replenishment developer container and disposal
The integrated container, which is an integral part of the developer container,
When attaching / detaching this developing tank to / from the electrophotographic device body
And the mounting position of the integrated container on the electrophotographic apparatus
Movably provided at the second position, which is the
The means is used when the developing tank is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.
The pressure contact in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the second position
While performing the operation, the mounting state of the developing tank to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus
In conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the first position in the state
Performs the above-mentioned pressing release operation, and performs the above-mentioned developing tank and replenishment development.
Photocopying with an integrated container of developer container and waste developer container
The upper part of the true device is openable to the lower part of the electrophotographic device.
On the other hand, the opening prevention operation at the top of the electrophotographic device and its solution
Locking means for performing the release operation
When the container is in the first position, the locking hand
The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a releasing operation inhibiting means for inhibiting a stage releasing operation .

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developing tank, the replenishment developer container, and the waste developer container are integrated, and the integral container which is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container is provided. By moving the developing container to the second position, which is the mounting position of the integrated container to the electrophotographic apparatus, the developing tank is pressed against the photoconductor side, and the integrated container is moved to the developing tank. By moving the developing tank to the first position when attaching and detaching the developing tank to and from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, the pressing operation can be canceled, so that the operation only for positioning and fixing the developing tank is unnecessary. Becomes Therefore, the number of operations required for attaching and detaching the containers to and from the electrophotographic apparatus main body is reduced. This facilitates, for example, the replacement of the developing tank and the replacement of the photoconductor. In addition, it is possible to prevent the developer from being forcibly pressed against the photosensitive member, and to further simplify the structure of the electrophotographic apparatus.

When the integrated container including the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container is not located at the second position, the operation surface of the interlock switch is covered by the shielding member. In this case, the switch operating section provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing lid contacts the shielding member, and the opening / closing lid cannot be closed. On the other hand, when the integrated container is disposed at the second position, the shielding member retreats from the operation surface of the interlock switch, so that the opening / closing lid can be closed, and the interlock switch is turned on by the switch operation unit. You can do it.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the integrated container is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus when closing the opening / closing lid. Can be detected at an early operation stage, and it is possible to quickly respond to this state.

Further, since the detection of the presence or absence of the mounting of the integral container is performed by using the interlock switch for notifying the return to the image forming operable state, a dedicated switch is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

[0014] According to the second aspect, together when the container is disposed in the second position, the convex fixing part of the integrated container,
The integral container is fixed at the second position by being positioned in the vertical direction by the positioning member and being prevented from moving in the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction by the pressing means by the fixing member. You. In this case, since the integral container is not fixed in the pressing direction by the pressing means, there is no adverse effect on the pressing state of the developing tank against the photosensitive drum side.

Further , the position of the guide slope of the fixed member extending from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side in the virtual cutting portion of the guide slope cut through a plane parallel to the axial direction passing through the rotation center of the fixed member corresponds to the axial direction. Since the three-dimensional shape is formed at the same position, the fixing convex portion of the integrated container can be favorably guided to the fixing portion of the fixing member and can be surely fixed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the integral container is the first container.
When the integrated container is placed at the first position due to erroneous operation of the locking means, the release operation preventing means prohibits the opening of the upper part of the electrophotographic apparatus with respect to the lower part of the electrophotographic apparatus. The situation where the waste developer is spilled from the waste developer container by opening the upper part is prevented.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. A copier as an electrophotographic apparatus configured by applying the present invention can perform multicolor monocolor copying by replacing a developing unit 30 described later. In this copying machine, as shown in FIG. 6, a document table 1 is provided at an upper portion, and an exposure optical system 2 is provided below the document table 1. The exposure optical system 2 includes a light source lamp 3 that scans a document (not shown) placed on the document table 1 while irradiating the document with light, and a plurality of reflections that guide reflected light from the document to the photosensitive drum 4. Mirror 5
, And the lens unit 6 disposed in the optical path of the reflected light
Consists of

On the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 4, a charger 7 for charging the surface to a predetermined potential, an inter-image eraser (not shown), and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 are developed. A developing tank 8, a transfer charger 9 for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by development to a sheet, a cleaning device 10 for collecting residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, and the like are provided. A timing roller 11, which supplies paper at a predetermined timing, a transport roller 12, a paper feed tray 13 on which paper for copying is placed, and a paper feed roller 14 are provided on the paper feed side to the photosensitive drum 4. Have been. On the other hand, a fixing device 15 for fixing the toner image transferred on the paper to the paper, a paper discharge roller 16 for discharging the paper to the outside, and a discharge paper for receiving the discharged paper are provided on the paper output side from the photosensitive drum 4. A paper tray 17 is provided.

The developing tank 8 includes a developing roller 8a, which is a magnet roller, and contains a developer including a carrier and a toner, and forms a magnetic brush on the developing roller 8a to form a photosensitive drum 4 on the photosensitive drum 4. It supplies toner. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the developing tank 8 is provided with a handle 8b to be used when the developing tank 8 is attached to and detached from the copying machine main body.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the developing tank 8 includes a supply developer container 21 and a waste toner container 22 serving as a waste developer container for storing the toner collected by the cleaning device 10. , And a discharged developer container 23 are provided integrally. That is, the replenishment developer container 21 is integrated with the developing tank 8 via the rotation mechanism 24, and the waste toner container 22 is connected to the replenishment developer container 2 via the connection part 25.
1 and the discharged developer container 23 is integrated with the waste toner container 22 via the connecting portion 26. In addition, an integrated product of the replenishment developer container 21, the waste toner container 22, and the discharged developer container 23 (hereinafter, referred to as an integrated container) can be divided from the developing tank 8 side by the above-described rotation mechanism 24. In addition, the above-mentioned integrated container is
As shown in FIG. 8, a first straight line is formed with respect to the developing tank 8 inserted into the copying machine main body along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 4.
9, is rotatably supported between a position and a second position which is a mounting position to the copying machine main body which is rotated by approximately 90 ° toward the copying machine main body from the above state.

The developing unit 30, in which the developing tank 8, the replenishing developer container 21, the waste toner container 22, and the discharged developer container 23 are integrated, is mounted on the copier main body with the integrated container arranged at the first position. It is put in and out. This in / out operation is guided by an in / out guide unit (not shown).

The replenishment developer container 21 contains a developer composed of a mixture of toner and carrier at a predetermined ratio. As shown in FIG. 1, a developer supply port 21a is formed at the end of the supply developer container 21 on the side of the rotation mechanism 24. On the other hand, a developer receiving pipe 27 is connected to the developing tank 8, and the other end of the developer receiving pipe 27 is connected to a rotation mechanism 24.
Is connected to the developer receiving port 28 formed at the bottom. The developer supply port 21a is closed when the supply developer container 21 is disposed at the first position shown in FIG. 1, and is closed when the supply developer container 21 is disposed at the second position shown in FIG. Receiving port 2
Communicate with 8. As a result, the developer is supplied from the supply developer container 21 to the developing tank 8.

The waste toner container 22 is provided with a waste toner intake port 22a shown in FIG. 7, and the waste toner intake port 22a is cleaned when the waste toner container 22 is disposed at the second position shown in FIG. Mates with device 10.
Thus, the waste toner collected by the cleaning device 10 is stored in the waste toner container 22.

The discharged developer container 23 is provided with a discharged developer intake port 23a shown in FIG. 7, and the discharged developer intake port 23a is provided when the discharged developer container 23 is disposed at the second position. , Developer waste pipe 2 connected to developing tank 8
9 is fitted. The excess developer in the developing tank 8 is discharged from the developer waste pipe 29. As a result, the developer discharged from the developing tank 8 is
3

The developing tank 8 is mounted on the copier main body so that the developing roller 8a always maintains a predetermined positional relationship with the photosensitive drum 4 in a state where the developing roller 8a faces the photosensitive drum 4. It is pressed against the four sides. This pressing operation is performed by a pressing device 31 as pressing means shown in FIGS. The press contact device 31 includes two shafts 32 and 33, a shaft guide plate 34, a linear motion arm 35 as a moving member, two press contact plates 36 and 36 as press contact members shown in FIGS. tension springs 37, 37 as an elastic member provided between the pressure plate 36, 36 and linear movement arm 35, consisting of pressed plate rotation regulation plate 38, and the guide rail 39 shown in FIG.

The shafts 32 and 33 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the supply developer container 21 so as to rotate together with the supply developer container 21 in the rotation mechanism 24. The shaft guide plate 34 is provided integrally with the developing tank 8 in the rotation mechanism 24, and has an L-shaped biaxial guide hole 34a for guiding the shafts 32 and 33. The translation arm 35 slides in the longitudinal direction of the developing tank 8, that is, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 4, and a hook 35 a formed at one end thereof is connected to the shaft 3.
2.

The pressing plate 36 has a substantially L-shape. The center of the pressing plate 36 is rotatably supported on the upper surface side of the developing tank 8 by a shaft 36a. Is inserted into the rotation regulating hole 38a formed at the bottom. An engagement shaft 36c provided at the other end of the press contact plate 36 is provided with an engagement hole 35b formed in the translation arm 35.
, Which guides the sliding of the translation arm 35. The tension spring 37 is connected to a portion of the pressing plate 36 on the side of the engagement shaft 36c from the shaft 36a and the linear motion arm 35.
As described later with reference to FIG. 4, even when the pulling operation of the linear motion arm 35 by the shafts 32 and 33 is released, the pressing plate 36 and the linear motion arm 3
5, a pulling operation is performed.

The pressure-contact plate rotation regulating plate 38 is integral with the developing tank 8 and is provided above the translation arm 35 and the pressure-contact plates 36, 36, and has the rotation regulating hole 38a.
The rotation regulating hole 38a is provided with the guide shafts 36b and 36 in the direction A when the integrated container is disposed at the first position.
b, that is, the rotation of the press contact plates 36 is regulated. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide rail 39 is provided at a position corresponding to the guide shaft 36b of the press-contact plate 36 in the copying machine main body, and when the developing tank 8 is mounted on the copying machine main body, the guide rail 36b is connected to the guide rail 36b. It is slidably fitted.

Further, the developing tank 8 is provided with a positioning cap 21b having a cylindrical shaft-shaped fixing projection at the end opposite to the rotation mechanism 24, and the integrated container is located at the second position. When it is arranged, the positioning cap 21b is fixed by the fixing device 41. The fixing device 41 includes a positioning member 42 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a fixing lever 43 as a fixing member, and a tension spring 44 as an elastic member.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the positioning member 42 is provided with the positioning cap 21b of the replenishment developer container 21 when the integrated container is disposed at the second position.
Is received by the concave cap holding portion 42a, and the replenishment developer container 21 is positioned. Both upper and lower surfaces of the positioning member 42 reaching the cap holding portion 42a are guide slopes 42b. The positioning member 42 positions the positioning cap 21b, that is, the replenishment developer container 21, in the vertical direction. Accordingly, when the integrated container is located at the second position, the waste toner container 22 provided integrally with the replenishment developer container 21 does not fall below the proper position, and the waste toner container 22 is disposed. The toner inlet 22a and the cleaning device 10 are securely fitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the fixed lever 43 has a central cylindrical portion 43a rotatably attached to the main body of the copying machine and a tension spring 44 for applying a pulling force to rotate in the D direction. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13C, a cap fixing portion 43b as a fixing portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 43a. The illustrated guide slope 43c is connected. The rotation of the fixed lever 43 in the direction D by the tension spring 44 is regulated by a stopper (not shown) so that the guide slope 43c is located at a position coinciding with the cap holding portion 42a of the positioning member 42. . The guide slope 43c is provided with a cap fixing portion 43b.
In order to perform the guiding operation of the positioning cap 21b to the satisfactorily, it is formed so as to appropriately contact the positioning cap 21b. That is, the guide slope 43c is as shown in FIG.
14 (a) and FIG. 14 (b), which are sectional views taken along line HH and line II, respectively, the center of the cylindrical portion 43a which is the center of rotation of the guide slope 43c. Slope 4 cut through a plane parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 43a
The position from the inner surface side to the outer surface side in the virtual cutting portion 3c is the same position in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 43a.
It is formed in a dimensional shape.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the positioning cap 21b is fixed by the fixing device 41, the positioning cap 21b is moved in the axial direction, that is, in the direction in which the developing tank 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 4. Mobile.

A switch shielding part 43d as a shielding member is provided at a part of the outer peripheral part of the cylindrical part 43a opposite to the cap fixing part 43b. The switch shielding portion 43d is in a state where the supply developer container 21 is not fixed by the fixing device 41, that is, the fixing lever 4
In the state where the rotation in the direction D is restricted by the stopper, the operation unit of the interlock switch 45 provided on the copying machine main body is blocked, and the replenishment developer container 21 is fixed by the fixing device 41. In the state where
Since the fixing lever 43 fixes the positioning cap 21b and rotates slightly in the direction C, the operation part of the interlock switch 45 is opened.

The interlock switch 45 is for informing a return to a state in which a copying operation can be performed, and is turned on by a pushing operation on the operation unit, and turned off by releasing the pushing operation. The interlock switch 45 detects the fixing state of the developing unit 30 by the fixing device 41 by the ON operation. The ON / OFF operation of the interlock switch 45 is performed by the front cover 4 as an opening / closing cover in the copying machine main body shown in FIGS.
6 is performed by a switch operation convex portion 47 provided on the inner surface of the switch 6. Therefore, when the integrated container, that is, the developing unit 30 is not fixed by the fixing device 41, as shown in FIG.
3, the front cover 46 cannot be closed by hitting the switch shield 43d, and the interlock switch 45 is also turned off.
The state becomes the F state. This makes it possible to determine whether the developing unit 30 is not completely mounted. In this state, the copying operation of the copying machine is prohibited.

In addition, this copying machine has, as shown in FIG.
It is a so-called clamshell type in which the upper part of the copying machine 54, which is the upper part of the electrophotographic apparatus, can be opened with respect to the lower part of the copying machine 53, which is the lower part of the electrophotographic apparatus bordered on the paper transport path 51, for jam processing and the like. I have. The center of rotation of the upper part 54 of the copying machine in this opening operation is determined by the shaft 5
2. The closed state of the upper part 54 of the copying machine with respect to the lower part 53 of the copying machine is held by a lock device 61 as locking means. When the locked state by the locking device 61 is released, the upper portion 54 of the copying machine is urged by a spring (not shown), Opened upward.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lock device 61 is provided at an engagement receiving member 62 provided at a lower portion of the copying machine 53 and at an upper portion 54 of the copying machine, and engages with the engagement receiving member 62 in a locked state. Hook 63 and hook 63
And a lock release lever 64 for releasing the hook 63 and the engagement receiving member 62 from the engaged state.

The hook 63 is, as shown in FIG.
It is provided at the front and rear inside the copier upper portion 54 at a portion opposite to the shaft 52, and these are integrated by a connecting shaft 65. Therefore, the engagement receiving members 62 are provided corresponding to the hooks 63. The hook 63 rotates about the connection shaft 65 and is urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of engagement with the engagement receiving member 62. Therefore, the hook 63 is in a state of being rotated in the direction D at the time of locking as shown in FIG. 17A, and the lock release lever 64 is operated to move the hook 63 as shown in FIG.
Rotating in the direction unlocks the lock.

Further, in this copying machine, as shown in FIG. 18, a replenishment developer container in the rotation mechanism 24 is provided to prevent the upper portion 54 of the copying machine from being opened when the integrated container is disposed at the first position. A lock release prevention plate 66 as a release operation prevention means is provided in a portion that rotates together with the lock 21. The lock release prevention plate 66 is formed by a first container whose integral container is straight with respect to the developing tank 8 mounted on the copying machine main body.
When it is in the position, as shown in FIG. 11A, it is positioned on the unlock lever 64 to prevent the rotation of the unlock lever 64, that is, the hook 63 in the C direction, while the integral container is When in the two positions, as shown in FIG.
The lock release lever 64 retreats from above and permits rotation of the lock release lever 64 in the C direction. still,
Regarding the release angle e in which the unlocking prevention operation by the unlocking prevention plate 66 shown in FIG. 7B is not performed, the unlocking prevention plate is set so that the fixing operation by the fixing device 41 and the unlocking inhibition operation do not overlap. It can be set as appropriate by adjusting the shape and the like of 66.

In the above configuration, during the operation of the copying machine, the light source lamp 3 of the exposure optical system 2 causes the document table 1
The original placed on top is scanned, and the reflected light is reflected by a reflecting mirror 5.
.. And the lens unit 6 irradiate the photosensitive drum 4 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 7. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner supplied from the developing tank 8, and the toner image formed by the development is transferred onto a sheet supplied from the sheet feed tray 13, and is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 15. Heat-fixed. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 17 by a discharge roller 16.

When the above-described copying operation is repeated and the toner concentration in the developing tank 8 decreases, the replenishment developer container 2
From 1 through the developer supply port 21a, the developer is appropriately delivered. This developer is supplied to the developing tank 8 from the developer receiving port 28 through the developer receiving pipe 27. On the other hand, since the carrier in the developing tank 8 is not consumed by the development, the amount of the developer in the developing tank 8 increases by the replenishing operation.
The surplus developer is discharged into the discharge developer container 23 through the developer waste pipe 29 by overflow, for example. The waste toner collected by the cleaning device 10 during the copying operation is supplied to the waste toner intake port 22a.
Through the waste toner container 22.

Here, when the developing unit 30 is mounted on the copying machine main body, as shown in FIG.
An integrated container consisting of a supply developer container 21, a waste toner container 22, and a discharged developer container 23 is arranged in a straight line, and the developer tank 8 is first inserted into the copying machine main body as shown in FIGS.

In the state where the integral container is disposed at the first position in this manner, as shown in FIG. 3, the linear motion arm 35 is pulled in the J direction by the shaft 32, so that the press contact plate 36 is moved in the A direction. Rotate. As a result, the developing tank 8
As shown in FIG. 5, a force in the direction G, which is the direction of separation from the photosensitive drum 4, is applied, and the developing tank 8 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4. The rotational position of the press contact plate 36 is
It is regulated by the guide shaft 36b of the press contact plate 36 abutting on the end of the rotation restricting hole 38a of the press contact plate rotation restricting plate 38.

In the state where only the developing tank 8 is inserted into the copying machine main body as described above, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, an unlocking prevention plate 66 is arranged on the unlocking lever 64. Therefore, in this state, the upper part 54 of the copying machine cannot be opened by operating the lock release lever 64.

The switch shield 4 of the fixed lever 43
Reference numeral 3d denotes a position where the operation unit of the interlock switch 45 is shielded. Therefore, even if the front cover 46 is to be closed in a state where the integrated container is removed, the switch operation convex portion 47 provided on the front cover 46 may come into contact with the switch shielding portion 43d. , And the front cover 46 cannot be closed. Therefore, the interlock switch 45 remains OFF, the copying operation is prohibited, and the malfunction of the copying machine is prevented. The above operation is the same even when the developing unit 30 is not mounted on the copying machine main body.

Next, after the developing tank 8 is inserted as described above, the integrated container is rotated by approximately 90 ° toward the copying machine main body as shown in FIG. 2 and disposed at the second position. At this time, the developer supply port 21 a of the supply developer container 21 is connected to the cap holding portion 4 of the positioning member 42 of the fixing device 41.
By 2a, the vertical movement is held in a restricted state. When the developer supply port 21a is pressed against the guide slope 43c of the fixed lever 43, the guide slope 43c is pushed by the positioning cap 21b, and the fixed lever 4c is pressed.
3 once rotates in the C direction, and when the positioning cap 21b reaches the cap fixing portion 43b, the fixing lever 43 is
The positioning cap 21b is fixed by rotating in the direction.
Thereby, the integrated container by the fixing device 41, that is, the developing unit 30 is in a fixed state.

Further, in the above state, as shown in FIG. 4, the pulling operation of the shaft 32 against the linear motion arm 35 is released, the linear motion arm 35 moves in the K direction, and the pressing plate 36 Rotates in the B direction. At this time, the positional relationship between the translation arm 35 and the press contact plate 36 is maintained by the engagement shaft 36c of the translation arm 35 contacting the J-direction end of the engagement hole 35b of the translation arm 35. .
The above operation is performed when the length of the tension spring 37 when the translation arm 35 shown in FIG. 3 is moving in the J direction is La, and when the translation arm 35 shown in FIG. When the length of the tension spring 37 is Lb, La> Lb
, And also in the state where the length is Lb, because the tension force of the tension spring 37 exists between the linear motion arm 35 and the press contact plate 36. By the rotation of the pressing plate 36 as described above, a force is applied to the developing tank 8 in the F direction, which is a pressing direction against the photosensitive drum 4 as shown in FIG. To be in a pressed state.

In the above state, as shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment developer container 21 of the replenishment developer container 21 is fitted with the developer receiving port 28, and the waste toner intake port 22a of the waste toner container 22 is cleaned. The discharge developer intake 23 a of the discharge developer container 23 fits with the developer waste pipe 29.

When the developing unit 30 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 18B, the lock release preventing plate 66 has retreated from the lock release lever 64.
The upper portion 54 of the copying machine can be released by operating the lock release lever 64.

The switch shield 4 of the fixed lever 43
3d has been moved to a position where the operation unit of the interlock switch 45 is not blocked. Therefore, when the front cover 46 is closed,
Interlock switch 4 by switch operation projection 47
5 is turned on, and the mounting state of the developing unit 30 is detected. As a result, a copying operation becomes possible.

When the developing unit 30 is to be removed from the copying machine main body, first, the fixing lever 43 is rotated in the direction C so that the cap fixing portion of the fixing lever 43 with respect to the developer supply port 21 a of the supply developer container 21. The fitted state of 43b is released. In this state, the supply developer container 21 is rotated forward of the copying machine main body, and the integrated container is disposed at the first position.

By the above operation, the pressing operation of the developing tank 8 against the photosensitive drum 4 by the pressing device 31 is released, and the developing tank 8 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and can be pulled out from the copying machine main body. Become. Thereby, the developing unit 30
Can be pulled out. Here, for example, when the developer in the replenishment developer container 21 becomes empty and the replenishment developer container 21 is replaced, the developing unit 30 is divided into the integral container side and the developing tank 8 side in the rotating mechanism 24. Then, the integrated container is discarded, and a new integrated container is attached to the developing tank 8 side.

As described above, in this copying machine, the replenishing developer container 21, the waste toner container 22, and the discharged developer container 23 are provided integrally with the developing tank 8 to form the developing unit 30, which is inserted into the main body of the copying machine. The replenishment developer container 21, waste toner container 22, and discharged developer container 23 are rotated by 90 ° with respect to the completed developer tank 8, and are mounted on the copying machine main body. 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 4 side, and the developing tank 8 is
Can be held in place. Further, the developing unit 30 can be pulled out from the copying machine main body by the reverse operation. Therefore, for example, since the operation only for positioning and fixing the developing tank is not required, the number of operations required for attaching and detaching the containers to and from the copying machine main body is reduced. This facilitates replacement of the developing tank 8 and replacement of the photosensitive drum 4.
Further, it is possible to prevent the developer tank 8 from being forcibly pressed against the photosensitive drum 4, and to further simplify the structure of the copying machine.

Further, the configuration of the press-contact device 31 can easily be applied to the developing units 30 having different capacities of the replenishment developer container 21. That is, in a copying machine capable of copying in multi-color monocolor, black is generally used frequently as a copying color. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, in the developing units 30 ′ for colors other than black, the supply developer container 21 and the waste toner container 22 for black are
The size can be reduced by using the replenishment developer container 21 'and the waste toner container 22' having a small capacity. Further, the supply developer container 21 'itself may not be necessary. When the capacity on the replenishment developer container 21 side, that is, the weight changes, the center of gravity of the developing unit 30 itself also changes. Therefore, when the developing tank 8 in the developing unit 30 for each color is pressed against the photosensitive drum 4 in the same pressing state, for example, at the same pressing force and the pressing force applying position, the developing tank 8 extends in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 4. A good pressure contact state cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is necessary to change the setting of the pressure contact state of the developing tank 8 against the photosensitive drum 4 according to the developing unit 30 for each color. In response to such a demand, in the press contact device 31, the positions of the press contact plates 36, 36 are changed, the loads of the tension springs 37, 37 are changed, and the loads of the left and right tension springs 37, 37 are mutually changed. This can be dealt with by changing to a different load, or by changing the mounting position of the tension spring 37 with respect to the press contact plate 36 or the linear motion arm 35.

Further, in the present apparatus, when the front cover 46 is closed, the interlock switch 45, the switch shielding portion 43d of the fixed lever 43, and the switch operation protrusion 47 provided on the front cover 46 are used. The replenishment developer container 21 of the developing unit 30, that is, the waste toner container 22
Can be reliably determined whether or not the waste toner container 22 is attached to the copying machine main body. Therefore, the state in which the waste toner container 22 is not attached can be detected at an early operation stage. It is possible to respond.

That is, if the copying operation is performed in a state where the waste toner container 22 is not mounted, there is no destination for the waste toner collected by the cleaning device 10, and thus the capacity of the waste toner in the cleaning device 10 is reduced. Overrun occurs, which causes a failure of the copier. Therefore, the copying machine needs a detecting means for detecting whether or not the waste toner container 22 is mounted, for example, a detecting switch. Therefore, when this detection switch is provided to be turned on when the waste toner container 22 is mounted, for example, even if this ON state is displayed on the display panel, the front cover 46 of the copier is opened. It is difficult to determine the ON state of the detection switch during the operation of (1).
Therefore, after the work is completed and the front cover 46 is closed, the mounting of the waste toner container 22 is confirmed on the display panel. If the waste toner container 22 is not mounted at this time, the front The lid 46 must be opened and the mounting operation of the waste toner container 22 must be performed again.

On the other hand, in this copying machine, when the integrated container including the waste toner container 22 is not mounted on the copying machine main body, when the front cover 46 is to be closed, the switch operation projection 47 is moved to the fixed lever 43. The front cover 46 cannot be closed because it hits the switch shield 43d. Therefore,
At this point, it is possible to confirm whether or not the waste toner container 22 is attached. Further, in the present copying machine, the interlock switch 45 is a switch for checking the mounted state of the waste toner container 22 and for checking the operable state of the copying machine. No special switch is required.

The fixing device 41 does not adversely affect the state in which the developing tank 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 4. Here, the copying machine is assumed to be temporarily connected to the fixing device 4.
It is assumed that a fixing device 71 shown in FIG. The fixing device 71 is used for the supply developer container 2.
1 and a fixed hook portion 72 at the connection portion 25 between the waste toner container 22.
A hook receiving portion 73 that engages with the fixed hook portion 72; and a spring 74 that pulls the hook receiving portion 73 in the pressing direction of the developing tank 8. The fixed hook portion 72 is copied together with the replenishment developer container 21. It rotates in the machine body direction and engages with the hook receiving portion 73 as shown in FIG. In such a fixing device 71, in the fixed state, the developing tank 8 is
4, the photosensitive drum 4 is pulled in the direction of pressing against the photosensitive drum 4.
That is, in addition to the pressing force by the pressing device 31, the spring 74
Is applied to the developing tank 8, and the pressure contact state of the developing tank 8 to the photosensitive drum 4 side becomes unstable. This problem is the same even when the developing tank 8 is urged by the spring 74 in the direction away from the photosensitive drum 4 side.

On the other hand, in the fixing device 41, the replenishment developer container 21 is vertically positioned by the positioning member 42, and is fixed in the front-rear direction by the fixing lever 43. Since the movement of the replenishment developer container 21 in the pressing direction is not restricted, the pressure balance of the developing tank 8 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 by the pressing device 31 is not changed.

The fixing lever 4 in the fixing device 41
The third guide slope 43c is, as described above, the guide slope 43c.
Through the center of the cylindrical portion 43a which is the center of rotation of the cylindrical portion 43a.
Since the position from the inner surface side to the outer surface side in the virtual cut portion of the guide slope 43c cut by a plane parallel to the axial direction of a is formed in a three-dimensional shape that is the same position in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 43a, positioning is performed. When the cap 21b contacts the fixing lever 43, the fixing lever 43 is surely rotated, and the supply developer container 21 is properly guided to the cap fixing portion 43b.

Further, in this copying machine, when only the developing tank 8 is inserted into the copying machine main body and the integrated container is disposed at the first position with respect to the developing tank 8, the unlocking lever of the locking device 61 is released. Since the lock release prevention plate 66 is disposed on the lock 64, the lock release lever 64 is erroneously operated in the above state, whereby the copier upper portion 54 is released and the waste toner intake port 22a of the waste toner container 22 or This prevents waste toner or discharged developer from spilling into the copying machine from the discharged developer intake port 23a of the discharged developer container 23.

In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a trickle type copying machine in which a carrier is supplied together with toner to the developing tank 8 and the developer containing the deteriorated carrier is discharged to the discharge developer container 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copier may be of a type that replenishes only the consumed toner without replenishing the carrier. In this case, the discharged developer container 23 becomes unnecessary, and the developing unit 30 is formed by integrating the developing tank 8, the supply developer container 21, and the waste toner container 22.

In the press-contact device 31, the linear motion arm 35 is pulled when the integrated container is located at the first position, and the pulling operation is released when the integrated container is located at the second position. However, the operation of the translation arm 35 may be reversed. In this case, the fixing device 41 performs a pressing operation by rotating the pressing plate 36 in the direction A, and performs a pressing release operation by rotating the pressing plate 36 in the direction B.

[0063]

As described above, in the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the developing tank, the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container are integrated, and are detachably attached to the electrophotographic apparatus main body. While being provided, an integrated container that is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container,
The developing tank is movably provided at a first position when the developing tank is attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and at a second position where the integrated container is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus. The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the second position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body, while the pressing operation is performed to the first position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body. The press release operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container , and the image forming operation is enabled.
Equipped with an interlock switch to notify return, electrophotography
This lid is placed on the inside of the lid to open the inside of the device.
Switch that operates the interlock switch when the
Switch operation unit is provided, and the integrated container is
When not in the second position, the interlock
While covering the operation surface of the switch, the integral container
When the interlock switch is
This is a configuration including a shielding member that retreats from the work surface .

Thus, by moving the integrated container of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container to the first position and the second position with respect to the developing tank, the pressure contact of the developing tank with respect to the photosensitive member side and the release thereof can be prevented. It can be performed, and an operation only for positioning and fixing the developing tank is not required.
Therefore, the number of operations required for attaching and detaching the containers to and from the electrophotographic apparatus main body is reduced, and, for example, the work of replacing the developing tank and the work of exchanging the photoconductor become easy. Also,
It is possible to prevent forgetting to press the developing tank against the photoconductor, and furthermore, it is possible to simplify the structure of the electrophotographic apparatus.

Further, when the opening / closing lid is closed, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the integrated container is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, so that the state where the integrated container is not mounted is detected at an early operation stage. And it is possible to quickly respond to this condition. Further, since the detection of the presence / absence of the mounting of the integral container is performed by using the interlock switch for notifying the return to the image forming operable state, an exclusive switch is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

The electrophotographic apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention
The above-mentioned developer tank, replenishment developer container and waste developer container
And is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.
As well as the replenishment developer container and waste developer container
The integral container, which is an integral part of the container,
1st place when attaching / detaching the developing tank to / from the electrophotographic device body
And the mounting position of the integrated container on the electrophotographic apparatus.
The pressure contact means is movably provided to the second position,
Second place in the state where the developing tank is attached to the electrophotographic apparatus body
The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the
On the other hand, when the developing tank is attached to the electrophotographic
Press-contact in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the first position
While performing the release operation, the integral container has a fixing projection.
While being formed on the integral container disposed at the second position
Positioning member for positioning the fixing protrusion in the vertical direction
And the fixing projection of the integrated container disposed at the second position.
Has a fixed portion to which the pressure contact means is attached.
Direction perpendicular to the pressure contact direction and perpendicular to the vertical direction
A fixing member for preventing movement of the fixing convex portion in the direction
And the fixing member is for fixing the fixing member to the second position.
The projection is rotatable with the moving direction of the projection as the axial direction of the rotation center.
And a guide slope for guiding the fixing projection to the fixing part.
And the guide slope is fixed to move to the second position.
The elastic member is held in a position where the
It is urging Te, guide slope of the above, Resona through the above-mentioned times rolling center
On the virtual cutting section of the guide slope cut in a plane parallel to the
Position from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side
And is formed in a three-dimensional shape at the same position .

Thus, there is an effect that the integral container can be appropriately fixed at the second position without adversely affecting the state of the developing tank pressed against the photosensitive member.

Further , there is an effect that the fixing convex portion of the integral container is guided well to the fixing portion of the fixing member and can be fixed securely.

The electrophotographic apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention
The above-mentioned developer tank, replenishment developer container and waste developer container
And is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.
As well as the replenishment developer container and waste developer container
The integral container, which is an integral part of the container,
1st place when attaching / detaching the developing tank to / from the electrophotographic device body
And the mounting position of the integrated container on the electrophotographic apparatus.
The pressure contact means is movably provided to the second position,
Second place in the state where the developing tank is attached to the electrophotographic apparatus body
The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the
On the other hand, when the developing tank is attached to the electrophotographic
Press-contact in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the first position
While performing the release operation, the developer tank and the replenishment developer container
On the electrophotographic device on which the unit with the waste developer container is mounted
Part is provided to be openable to the lower part of the electrophotographic apparatus.
On the other hand, the opening prevention operation at the top of the electrophotographic
Locking means for performing
Releasing the locking means when it is located in the first position
This is a configuration including a release operation blocking means for blocking the operation .

[0070] Thereby, due to an erroneous operation of the lock means,
When the integrated container is located at the first position, the upper portion of the electrophotographic apparatus is opened to prevent the waste developer from spilling from the waste developer container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing a state in which an integrated container including a supply developer container, a waste toner container, and a waste developer container is arranged at a first position with respect to a developing tank. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the integrated container is arranged at a second position.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the press-contact device in the state shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a main part of the press contact device in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a developing tank moving direction by the press-contact device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the copying machine in a state where the integrated container is arranged at a first position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the copying machine in a state where the integrated container is arranged at a second position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the copying machine in the state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the copying machine in the state shown in FIG. 7;

10 is a perspective view of the developing unit in the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a positioning member in a state where the integrated container is arranged at a second position.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the fixing device in a state where the integrated container is arranged at a second position.

13 (a) is a plan view of a fixing lever and an interlock switch in the fixing device, FIG. 13 (b) is a front view thereof, and FIG. 13 (c) is a side view of the fixing lever.

14A is a sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 13B, and FIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along II in FIG. 13B.
FIG.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a case where the front cover is closed in a state where the integrated container is not mounted on the copying machine main body.

FIG. 16 is a schematic front view showing a state where an upper portion of the copying machine is opened in the copying machine.

17A is a front view showing a state in which the lock release operation is blocked by the lock release prevention plate in the lock device shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. It is a front view showing a state.

FIG. 18 (a) is a plan view showing a state where the lock release prevention plate is at a lock release prevention position with respect to the lock device, and FIG. 18 (b) is a position where the lock release prevention plate is at a lock release enable position with respect to the lock device. FIG.

19 is a perspective view showing another example of the developing unit shown in FIG.

20 (a) is a perspective view showing a state before performing a fixing operation with the fixing device before the fixing device shown in FIG. 6 was developed, and FIG. 20 (b) is a view showing the fixing device; It is a perspective view of the principal part which shows the fixing operation in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 photoreceptor drum (photoreceptor) 8 developing tank 8a developing roller 10 cleaning device 21 replenishment developer container 21b positioning cap (fixing projection) 22 waste toner container (waste developer container) 31 press-contact device (press-contact means) 35 Moving arm (moving member) 36 Pressure contact plate (pressure contact member) 37 Tension spring (elastic member) 42 Positioning member 43 Fixed lever (fixed member) 43b Cap fixing portion (fixed portion) 43c Guide slope 43d Switch shielding portion (shielding member) 44 Tension spring (elastic member) 45 Interlock switch 46 Front cover (opening / closing cover) 53 Lower part of copying machine (Lower part of electrophotographic apparatus) 54 Upper part of copying machine (Upper part of electrophotographic apparatus) 61 Lock device (Lock means) 62 Engagement receiving member 63 Hook 64 Lock release lever 66 Lock release prevention plate (release operation prevention means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-298773 (JP, A) JP-A-58-189675 (JP, A) JP-A-3-264971 (JP, A) JP-A-59-18959 60448 (JP, A) JP-A-2-213859 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/08 G03G 21/16

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A developer is supplied from a replenishment developer container to a developing tank, and a waste developer collected from the surface of the photoreceptor by a cleaning device is accommodated in the waste developer container. In the electrophotographic apparatus, a pressing operation of pressing the developing tank against the photoconductor side and a releasing operation thereof are performed so that the provided developing roller maintains a predetermined positional relationship with the surface of the photoconductor. The developer container and the waste developer container are integrated and provided detachably with respect to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and the integral container, which is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container, The developer tank is movably provided at a first position when the developing tank is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic apparatus main body, and at a second position at which the integrated container is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus. Pressing means of Is
The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the second position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body, while the pressing operation is performed to the first position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body. performs the pressure releasing operation in association with the movement of said integrally container, interlock to inform the return to the image forming operation state
A switch is provided to open the electrophotographic device.
When the opening / closing lid is closed, the interlock is placed on the inner surface of the lid.
When a switch operation unit to operate the switch is provided
If the integrated container is not disposed at the second position,
Cover the operation surface of the interlock switch.
On the other hand, when the integrated container is disposed at the second position,
Shield that retreats from the operation surface of the interlock switch
Electrophotographic apparatus characterized in that it comprises a timber. 2. A developer is replenished from a replenishment developer container to a developing tank, while a waste developer collected from the surface of the photoreceptor by a cleaning device is stored in the waste developer container. In the electrophotographic apparatus, a pressing operation of pressing the developing tank against the photoconductor side and a releasing operation thereof are performed so that the provided developing roller maintains a predetermined positional relationship with the surface of the photoconductor. The developer container and the waste developer container are integrated and provided detachably with respect to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and the integral container, which is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container, The developer tank is movably provided at a first position when the developing tank is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic apparatus main body, and at a second position at which the integrated container is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus. Pressing means of Is
The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integral container to the second position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body, while the pressing operation is performed to the first position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body. The pressing release operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integral container, and a fixing convex portion is formed on the integral container, and the fixing convex portion of the integral container disposed at the second position is moved up and down. A positioning member for positioning in the direction, and a fixing portion to which the fixing convex portion of the integral container disposed at the second position is fitted;
A fixing member for preventing the fixing protrusion from moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of pressing by the pressing means and in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction by the pressing means; The fixing portion has a guide slope which is rotatably provided with the moving direction of the fixing protrusion to the position being the axial direction of the center of rotation, and the fixing portion guides the fixing protrusion, and the guide slope moves to the second position. The guide slope is urged by an elastic member so as to be held at a position where the fixing convex part to be brought into contact with the guide slope, and the guide slope is a virtual cut portion of the guide slope cut along a plane passing through the rotation center and parallel to the axial direction thereof. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position extending from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side is the same position in the axial direction. 3. A developer is supplied from a replenishment developer container to a developing tank, and a waste developer collected from the surface of the photoreceptor by a cleaning device is stored in the waste developer container. In the electrophotographic apparatus, a pressing operation of pressing the developing tank against the photoconductor side and a releasing operation thereof are performed so that the provided developing roller maintains a predetermined positional relationship with the surface of the photoconductor. The developer container and the waste developer container are integrated and provided detachably with respect to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and the integral container, which is an integral body of the replenishment developer container and the waste developer container, The developing tank is movably provided to a first position when the developing tank is attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and a second position which is a mounting position of the integrated container to the electrophotographic apparatus. Pressing means of Is
The press-contact operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container to the second position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body, while the pressing operation is performed to the first position in the state where the developing tank is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus main body. The press-contact releasing operation is performed in conjunction with the movement of the integrated container, and the upper part of the electrophotographic apparatus in which the integrated body of the developer tank, the replenishment developer container, and the waste developer container is mounted is moved relative to the lower part of the electrophotographic apparatus. While being provided so as to be openable, the apparatus further comprises a lock means for performing an opening prevention operation of the upper portion of the electrophotographic apparatus and a release operation thereof, and when the integrated container is disposed at the first position, the unlocking operation of the lock means is performed. An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a release operation blocking means for blocking.