JP3245512B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is applied as a facsimile, a printer, a copying machine or a multifunction machine thereof and forms an image using powder toner.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a toner supply container that can be attached to and detached from a developing unit and other toner receiving portions provided on the apparatus main body side along the lateral direction of the supply container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photoconductor drum or a belt-shaped photoconductor has been used as an image forming apparatus applied as a facsimile, printer, or copier, and a latent image written on the photoconductor by exposure means has been developed. The toner image is transferred to a recording sheet via a photoreceptor after the toner image is formed by an indirect toner image recording method such as an electrophotographic apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus. Arrange a matrix-like mesh electrode between the back electrode to be made,
There is also known a toner jet type direct recording system in which a toner image is directly fly-adhered from the toner-carrying roller side to the recording paper side while energizing the mesh electrode in accordance with image information.

In a recording system of this type, for example, in an electrophotographic apparatus, toner consumption from the photosensitive drum side causes
When the toner in the toner storage unit in the developing device becomes empty, a toner can be supplied from a separately prepared toner supply container.

That is, such a toner replenishing mechanism has a receiving opening opened on the upper surface of the toner storing portion on the developing device side, while the toner replenishing container is temporarily in contact with the upper receiving opening of the toner storing portion. A supply opening that can be locked is formed on the lower surface side, the supply opening is sealed with a peeling sheet or a shutter member, and the toner supply container is temporarily locked in contact with the receiving opening. After opening the peeling sheet or shutter member, the supply opening /
The toner is appropriately supplied to the toner storage unit through the receiving opening.

However, in the configuration using such a peeling sheet, not only is it easy to be destroyed due to abutment during the moving operation, but also the downward toner supply opening is always open after the peeling sheet is peeled off. During the detaching operation, the residual toner is scattered from the toner opening, and the inside of the apparatus is likely to be contaminated. For this reason, there has been proposed an apparatus in which shutter members are provided at a replenishing opening on the toner replenishing container side and a receiving opening on the toner storing part side, respectively, and these can be opened in conjunction with an opening operation of one shutter member (actually). Kaisho 50-84056, Jiko 55-12193
other).

However, in such an apparatus, since the toner drops following the opening operation of the shutter member, the toner adheres to the opening end thereof, and the toner adheres to the opening end during the operation of removing the toner supply container after the closing. The adhered toner is scattered, and the inside of the apparatus is slightly apt to occur. The shutter member is generally pulled in the longitudinal direction of the supply container,
The operation space becomes unnecessarily long.

In order to solve such a drawback, in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-84966, instead of opening and closing the shutter member by pulling it, a supply container provided with a shutter member on the bottom surface is disposed adjacent to the receiving opening on the apparatus body side. By disposing the shutter member on the apparatus main body side, the supply container main body moves to a position facing the receiving opening of the apparatus main body in conjunction therewith (with the supply container side shutter member fixed) and replenishes. The entire amount of toner in the container is charged into the apparatus main body.

[0008]

However, in the above-described apparatus, since the entire amount of toner in the replenishing container is charged into the apparatus main body, even if the total amount of toner stored in the developing hopper in the apparatus main body is charged, for example. The volume must be set so as not to overflow, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus body.

Particularly, a developing device using a two-component developer requires a hopper for accommodating toner and a plurality of T / C accommodating sections for agitating the carrier and the toner. If it is determined that the toner is empty and full, a large difference occurs in the amount of stored toner, making it difficult to smoothly control the toner supply to the T / C storage unit. Also, if the entire amount is charged at once, even if the toner in the replenishing container is solidified or agglomerated, the toner is directly injected into the hopper, which adversely affects the development.

According to the present invention, with a relatively simple apparatus configuration, the opening and closing operation of the shutter member can be reliably performed, and the toner can be easily prevented from being scattered or leaked at the time of filling and replenishing toner for replenishment from the toner replenishing container. An object of the present invention is to provide such an invention. Another object of the present invention is to ensure the prevention of toner scattering and leakage when the supply container is removed.
An object of the present invention is to provide an invention in which the supply container can be reliably removed after both shutter members are closed without removing the supply container in a state where the toner supply container or the shutter member on the apparatus main body side is opened. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an invention capable of completely preventing toner contamination inside and outside the apparatus without the shutter member being accidentally opened during the operation of moving the toner supply container. Another object of the present invention is to provide an invention which facilitates handling of the toner supply container, improves the airtightness of the shutter, and further simplifies the configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an invention which is suitable as a toner container for mounting a developing device using a two-component developer. Another object of the present invention is to provide an invention in which a toner container can be easily mounted on the apparatus main body side.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a replenishing toner storage section for replenishing toner to the developing unit side, and a waste toner storing section for storing waste toner conveyed from the developing unit side by a waste toner conveying mechanism. In an image forming apparatus in which a toner container integrally formed with a toner container is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body side in a predetermined direction, a toner supply opening is provided on a first inclined surface extending from a bottom surface of the replenishment toner storage unit. And a third extending from the upper surface of the waste toner container .
A second inclined surface provided the waste toner receiving port, said first inclined surface, the said device main body side of the toner receiving opening port providing surface respectively and facing the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface and , the second
The toner discharge opening opening forming surface each of the inclined surface and the waste toner conveying mechanism side facing, provided with a shutter member for opening and closing the corresponding opening while moving along said surfaces,
When mounted on the apparatus main body along said toner container in a predetermined direction, while the engaging portion provided in the shutter member each is engaged with the engagement portion of the other side surface, said each of the shutter member the mounting The gist is that it can be opened in conjunction with the operation. Further, according to the present invention, the supply toner storage section and the waste toner storage section are partitioned by a partition wall, and a toner stirring rotation shaft in the supply toner storage section penetrates into the waste toner storage section through the partition wall. Then, a waste toner supplementing means by a blade body is disposed on the toner stirring rotation shaft at a distance from the partition wall, and the waste toner supplementing means supplements the waste toner and collects the waste toner on the partition wall side . thing
Is a first feature. A second feature is that a shutter member provided on the apparatus main body side is provided with an elastic member biased in a direction to close the toner receiving opening, and the toner container is mounted at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body side. A holding member for holding the toner container at this time, and the urging force of the elastic member is applied to the holding member at the predetermined position . Furthermore, the third feature
In other words, a shutter mounting plate provided with a shutter member is disposed on the surface of the apparatus main body side where the toner receiving opening is formed, and the shutter mounting plate is extended from the surface on which the toner receiving opening is formed. in in arrangement direction by being configured so as to be slightly swung
is there.

The toner from the replenishing toner storage section is
The shutter mounting plate provided on the apparatus body side for replenishment of the shutter
When it is configured to be performed through the toner receiving opening provided in
In both cases, the shutter mounting plate is provided on the apparatus main body side.
Swingable in the direction of the toner receiving opening, and the toner receiving opening.
The direction in which the entrance opening is formed,
Swingable left and right with respect to the container mounting direction
It is preferable to dispose it at the toner receiving opening .

Further , before the toner receiving opening is provided.
An elastic member is disposed on the main body side of the apparatus, and the shutter mounting plate is provided.
Is pressed in the direction away from the toner receiving opening.
It is preferable to configure as follows .

Further, the shutter mounting plate of the toner replenishment from the replenishment toner accommodating portion provided in the apparatus main body
And a guide wall of the shutter mounting plate , which fits into the regulating guide groove on the replenishment toner storage unit side, is provided on the apparatus main body side . than the inclination angle of the toner receiving opening provided are formed face with open corners upwards, arranged then preferred toner receiving opening of the apparatus body. Also, the device body side
Of the shutter mounting plate in the direction of the toner receiving opening provided in
The amount of swing is adjusted by the
In the mounting state, the rear side is larger than the front side in the mounting direction
The apparatus main body in which the toner receiving opening is set
An elastic member is arranged on the side and the shutter mounting plate is
-Configured to urge in the direction away from the receiving opening
It is preferable.

[0017]

[Action] The onset Ming, the bottom surface of the replenishment toner accommodating portion
The inclined surface, the apparatus main body side face respectively, and the toner receiving opening is formed in facing the said bottom inclined surface, the waste toner yield
The upper surface inclined surface of the container, and the upper surface inclined surface
Surface with toner discharge opening formed on waste toner transport mechanism side
S in the shutter member for opening and closing the corresponding opening while moving along the surfaces provided, engaging the toner container when mounted on the apparatus main body along a predetermined direction, provided on the shutter member of the respective The joint part engages with the engaging part on the other side ,
Each shutter member is opened in conjunction with the mounting operation. According to this invention , the mounting operation of the toner container and the opening of the shutter member are not separately performed, but the bottom of the replenishment toner storage unit is interlocked with the mounting operation.
Surface inclined surface, and the device body side facing the bottom surface inclined surface.
A surface on which a toner receiving opening is formed;
The upper inclined surface, and the waste toe facing the upper inclined surface.
The toner discharge opening on the side of the toner transfer mechanism
Since the four shutter members arranged are automatically opened, the handling operation is greatly simplified.

And according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
By engaging the peripheral walls located around the respective openings with the end faces of the shutter member, the opening of the toner receiving opening and the supply opening by the respective shutter members can be performed simultaneously and while both face each other. Therefore, the engaging portion can be used as another functional component without providing an independent engaging member.

The replenishment toner storage section and the waste
The toner container is partitioned by a partition wall, and the toner
Dispose the toner agitation rotary shaft in the storage section through the partition wall.
Penetrate into the toner container, and a blade is
A means for supplementing waste toner by a body is separated from the partition wall.
The waste toner supplementing means makes it possible to use waste toner.
And can be accumulated on the partition wall side.
Wear. Also, stick to the toner container provided with a resilient member that is biased in a direction to close the toner receiving opening in the shutter member provided on the apparatus main body, upon mounting the toner container runner at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body It has anchorage member for, by the urging force of the elastic member to the anchorage member in said predetermined position is formed so as to be applied,
Said elastic member preparative supply automatic closing means of the shutter member
Since it is used in common for both the position fixing means of the toner container having the toner storage section, the number of parts can be reduced and the shutter member on the apparatus main body side is biased in the direction to close the toner receiving opening. It is possible to accurately position and fix the toner container by effectively using the elastic member. Further, since the elastic member urges in the closing direction, the urging force is the strongest at the open position where the toner container is fixed, and after the mounting operation is completed, the openings are aligned and closely contacted. toner Con in the state
The tener is accurately positioned and fixed, and can be securely fixed.

Further, a regulating guide on the side of the replenishing toner storage section is provided.
Groove and a toner receiving opening provided on the apparatus main body side are formed.
To have been surface shutter mounting plate shutter member is disposed
And the shutter mounting plate
The toner receiving case where the opening is slightly swingable structure in the extending direction of the formed surfaces, assembly error in the replenishment toner accommodating portion Wakashi <br/> rather the apparatus body, or attached Even if a slight displacement occurs sometimes, this is absorbed and the opening of the shutter member and the matching of both openings can be performed accurately and reliably. Thus also,
Since the swing is in the extending direction of the surface on which the toner receiving opening is formed, it can be set in a plane parallel to the toner receiving opening ,
In other words, since the openings are in a plane parallel to the opening surface, even if the openings are matched with each other, it is possible to easily make close contact without forming a gap.

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

Further, the shutter mounting plate provided with replenishment of toner <br/> over from the replenishment toner accommodating portion to said apparatus body
To thereby configured to perform through the toner receiving opening provided, the shutter mounting plate, swingably toner receiving opening direction provided in the apparatus main body side, and the toner receiving
The direction in which the entrance opening is formed,
Swingably wherein in the lateral direction against the mounting direction of the container
When the shutter mounting plate is disposed in the toner receiving opening, the shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body side can approach and separate from the toner receiving opening provided on the apparatus main body side.

Accordingly, the positions of the shutter mounting plate of the toner container and the shutter mounting plate mounted on the apparatus main body side with respect to the regulating guide groove on the apparatus main body side may vary due to manufacturing and assembly errors of individual parts. However, at that time, if each shutter mounting plate is fixed to each main body, if the engaging portions of the two are too far from each other due to the above-mentioned error or the like, and vice versa. There is a possibility that the engaging portions of the two may come too close to engage with each other so that the operations of the two may not be performed smoothly. It swings in a direction approaching and separating from the toner receiving opening and is adjusted in position with respect to the regulating guide groove on the apparatus main body side.

Further, according to the present invention, the toner supply container can be swung right and left with respect to the mounting direction. Therefore, the mounting position with respect to the opening of the shutter mounting plate mounted on the toner supply opening of the toner container main body and the mounting position with respect to the opening of the shutter mounting plate mounted on the toner receiving opening of the apparatus main body depend on the manufacturing and manufacturing of individual parts. Due to assembly errors, etc., the toner container or the main body of the apparatus fluctuates in the longitudinal direction. If the respective shutter mounting plates are fixed to the respective main bodies, the engaging portions of the two are too far apart due to the aforementioned errors. Even if there is a danger that they may not engage with each other, or on the other hand there is a danger that the engaging portions of the two will come too close to engage with each other and the operations of both will not be performed smoothly, When the shutter mounting plate is combined with the shutter mounting plate on the main body side, the shutter mounting plate on the main body side is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the toner receiving opening provided on the main body side. Swinging is mounted, it is positioned adjusted with respect to the apparatus main body side of the shutter mounting plate. Therefore, the replenishment toner storage section
Or an assembly error on the device body side, or a slight
Even if a position shift occurs, it is further absorbed and accurately and accurately.
Opening of the shutter member and matching of both openings
You. Further, the apparatus main unit in which the toner receiving opening is provided.
An elastic member is arranged on the body side and the shutter mounting plate is
Pressure urging in the direction away from the
When the toner supply is completed, the shutter member of the toner
When contacting the shutter mounting plate on the main unit side,
The shutter mounting plate swings by the elastic member, and
Abuts the shutter member and the shutter mounting plate at the correct positions.
can do.

Further, the shutter mounting plate of the toner replenishment from the replenishment toner accommodating portion provided in the apparatus main body
And a guide wall of the shutter mounting plate , which fits into the regulating guide groove on the replenishment toner storage unit side, is provided on the apparatus main body side . and open corner towards the inclined angle of the toner receiving opening provided is formed faces upward, since the disposed toner receiving opening of the apparatus body, the shutter mounting plate before
The shutter mounting plate is configured to be swingable toward the opening on the device main body side, thereby, when the shutter mounting plates are united, when each of the fitted shutter mounting plates is fixed to each main body side, When the guide plate is forcibly inserted into the regulating groove and the mechanism is damaged, the shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body swings toward the opening on the apparatus main body side. The guide plate of the mounting plate gradually receives the restriction groove of the shutter mounting plate on the toner container side,
The guide plate is smoothly inserted into the restriction groove where both are familiar. Also, the toner receiving opening provided on the apparatus body side
The amount of swing of the shutter mounting plate in the direction
-When the storage unit is mounted on the main unit,
Set the rear side larger than the front side to open the toner receiving opening.
An elastic member is arranged on the side of the apparatus main body where the mouth is disposed, and
The one that separates the shutter mounting plate from the toner receiving opening
It is preferable that the pressing force be applied in the direction. Such techniques
The swing amount of the shutter mounting plate depends on the mounting method.
Since the front and rear sides are large, go to the restriction groove between the shutter mounting plates
The guide plate is inserted more smoothly.

[0030]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. Not just.

FIGS. 2 and 4 mainly show the structure around the developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a developing unit, and 2 is a container mounting portion 11 above the developing unit 1. Arrow direction (container short direction)
A toner container 3 formed of a synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate, which is removably mounted along the surface, is a photosensitive drum that faces the developing sleeve 14 and rotates in the direction of the arrow. The cleaning blade 4a is rotated in the direction of the rotation. The image forming apparatus includes a waste toner collecting mechanism 4, a charging mechanism 5, an LED unit 6, the developing sleeve 14, and a transfer roller 7 provided in the image forming apparatus.
After the latent image corresponding to the image information is written on the photosensitive drum 3 by the ED unit 6, a toner image is attached by the developing unit 1, and then, by a transfer roller 7, a resist (not shown) is synchronized with the start of the image. After the toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet fed from the roller side, the image is fixed by a fixing roller (not shown) and the sheet is discharged. Incidentally, the developing unit 1, the photosensitive drum 3, the toner collecting mechanism 4, the charging mechanism 5, the LE
The process means such as the D unit 6 may integrally form these units.

Next, the process means will be described.
The configuration of the waste toner collecting mechanism 4 will be described focusing on its operation. After the transfer of the toner image, the residual toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 3 is removed by the cleaning blade 4a. The removed toner is sent into the collection chamber by an elliptical roller 4b whose upper surface is sealed by a mylar 4d, and then sent to a transport belt mechanism 60 on the drum shaft end side by a screw roller 4c shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the conveyor belt mechanism 60 is a rubber-like endless belt body 61 in which partition walls 61 a are erected at appropriate intervals in an oblong belt container 62 rising obliquely upward. Is configured to be able to rotate in the direction of the arrow.
The waste toner sent to the bottom of the belt container 62 by
Utilizing the gap between the partition walls 61a of the belt body 61, the belt body 61 is conveyed to the upper discharge opening 68 side along the circumference of the belt body 61, and the recovery port 35 of the waste toner recovery section 30 facing the discharge opening 68. It is thrown into the collection unit 30.

As will be described later, the toner collecting section 30 is formed separately on the longitudinal end side of the toner container 2 made of a low-pollution resin material via a partition wall 10, and its shape and internal structure will be described later in detail. . As shown in FIG. 2, the charging mechanism 5 includes a magnet roller 5a, a pre-charging plate 5b made of a magnetic material, a magnetic charged particle group 5c housed in a surrounding space thereof, and a rear surface of the photosensitive drum. It is composed of a back magnetic pole 3a, and uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 3 while applying a charging bias through a magnet roller 5a and a charged particle group carried on the charging plate 5b using the back magnetic pole. Is configured. The LED unit 6 includes an LED head array that controls the lighting of the LED element array based on the upper part of the image, and a selfoc lens that forms an optical output from the array, as is well known.

The developing unit 1 contains a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner (hereinafter referred to as “T / C”).
In order to maintain the T / C storage section 13 for charging the toner and the T / C amount in the T / C storage section 13 within a certain ratio width,
A hopper 12 for appropriately replenishing toner in the storage section, and a container mounting section 11 for mounting a toner container 2 for supplying toner to the hopper 12 is formed above these spaces. The T / C storage unit 1
A developing sleeve 14 containing a fixed magnet assembly (not shown) and a stirring roller 13a for uniformly mixing the T / C are housed in the housing 3. The stirring roller 13a is disposed inside the non-magnetic sleeve. A magnet roller 13c that rotates concentrically is included. Further, the hopper 12 is provided with a stirring roller 12a provided with a mylar and a toner amount sensor in the T / C storage unit 13 based on a toner amount detection sensor in the T / C storage unit 13. The toner supply roller 12b supplies toner from the supply port 12c.

A container mounting mechanism, which will be described in detail later, and a shutter opening / closing mechanism for the hopper 12 are mounted on the container mounting section 11. The toner container 2 is formed of a low-pollution resin material containing calcium carbonate. As shown in FIG. 1, a toner container 20 for replenishment is provided along the longitudinal direction. The toner collecting section 30 is formed.

Next, the configuration of the replenishment toner storage section 20 will be described. 4 and 5 are views seen from the back surface of FIG. As is clear from the short cross-sections shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage portion 20 is formed so that the one side wall 20c in the short direction from the center bottom portion 20d is linearly inclined obliquely from a position where the side wall 20c slightly hangs down from the upper end. The side wall 20c is provided with a rectangular toner supply opening 25 at a position slightly raised from the center bottom portion 20d of the one side wall 20c. On the other hand, the other side wall surface 20a is closer to the concave slope 20c than the upper side end.
The lower short cross section 20 of the other side wall 20a which is recessed obliquely linearly at a slightly steep angle and further reaches the bottom surface
The shape of e is formed on an arcuate surface.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toner storage unit 20 penetrates the partition unit 10 along the longitudinal direction to the collection unit 30 along the longitudinal direction, and is rotatably supported by the end walls on both ends. Attaching the shaft 21, the toner storage unit 2
A mylar-shaped blade body 22 extending in the radial direction over the entire length and elastically deformable in the rotation direction is continuously provided, and the length of the blade body 22 is curved by the rotation so that the toner storage portion 20 is bent.
Set the inner wall to a length that allows sliding. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting position of the rotating shaft 21 is one side wall 2.
0c is the stirring blade body 22 on the other side wall 20a located on the side facing the supply opening 25 across the bottom 20d.
And is slightly shifted from the container center vertical line to the supply opening 25 side so as to be larger than the amount of curvature of the container, and the other side wall 20a located on the side facing the supply opening 25 with the bottom portion 20d interposed therebetween. The hand cross section is positioned slightly below the container center horizontal line so that the amount of curvature of the stirring blade body 22 gradually increases toward the bottom 20d. In addition, 22a and 22b (FIG. 1) are cuts cut into three stirring blades 22A, 22B and 22C in accordance with the supply opening 25, and the leading end of the stirring blade 22B is provided with a supply opening 25.
A protruding portion 22Ba having a shorter width than the opening 25 'limited by the opening limiting member 52e provided therein is formed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the supply opening 25 is formed on the one side wall 20 slightly rising from the container bottom 20d (FIG. 4).
at a position slightly closer to the end wall side than the center in the longitudinal direction of c,
The opening 25 ′ formed by the opening restricting member 52e is about 1/50 of the length of the toner storage unit 20 in the longitudinal direction. 3-5 mm). When the rotating shaft 21 is projected from the end wall to the outside, a shaft gear 26 is attached to the projected portion, and when the container 2 is attached to the container attaching portion 11 on the developing unit 1 side,
Rotational force is transmitted to the shaft gear 26 via the relay gear 27, and while rotating from the bottom 20d toward the supply opening 25 as shown by the arrow, as shown in FIG. The toner is supplied to the hopper 12 on the developing unit 1 side via the toner receiving opening 44 and the toner receiving opening 25 '.

The toner supplied to the hopper 12 is rotated by a stirring roller 12 a in the hopper 12 while the toner amount sensor 13 in the T / C storage unit 13 is being rotated.
b, the toner supply roller 12b rotates each time the toner amount in the T / C storage unit 13 decreases, and the toner supply port 1
From 2c (FIG. 2), toner is supplied to the T / C storage unit 13, and the amount of toner in the T / C storage unit 13 can be maintained within a certain width. At this time, since the toner supply from the toner storage section 20 of the container 2 must be quickly dropped into the hopper 12, it is necessary to continuously rotate the stirring blade 22 using the power from the drive system of the apparatus main body. good.

As shown in FIG. 1, the relay gear 27 and the shaft gear 26, which are pivotally supported at the longitudinal end of the container, are prevented from being erroneously brought into contact with other objects and damaged when the container is mounted. For this purpose, a protective cover 28 integral with a lid A formed of a synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate is attached, but a rib parallel to one side wall 20c of the container is provided on the outer wall side of the protective cover 28 if necessary. A shape charging guide 29 is provided. The guide 29 is inserted into a guide groove (not shown) of the apparatus main body when the container is mounted. Also, the width of the toner supply opening 25 in the container longitudinal direction should be 1/25 or less of the length of the toner storage section 20, preferably 1/50 as described above.
(3 to 5 mm). Since the toner supply opening 25 'is formed to be small, the toner is gradually supplied without being supplied into the hopper 12 at one time. Even when the hopper 12 is full, the toner runs idle in the container. This prevents the toner from being packed in the hopper and locking the drive mechanism in the hopper. or,
Since a short cross section along the rotation direction of the blade body 22 of the toner storage unit 20 is asymmetric, and the rotation shaft 21 of the blade body 22 is also displaced from the center of the storage unit, the friction applied to the tip of the blade body 22 The resistance and the shaft torque also fluctuate along the rotation direction, and even if toner is unevenly distributed on both ends in the longitudinal direction due to the rotation of the blade body 22, the toner is discharged from the opening 25 'and can be supplied uniformly.

According to the present embodiment, on the other side wall 20a of the blade body 22, the amount of curvature of the stirring blade body 22 gradually increases toward the bottom surface, and the stirring is performed at the position of the bottom portion 20d. Since the blade is formed such that the accumulation of the urging force of the blade is maximized, the sufficiently accumulated curvature is opened toward the supply opening 25 side, so that the so-called toner scraping effect becomes extremely large, and the container bottom portion is formed. 20
The toner accumulated in d can be smoothly and easily discharged from the supply port. Then, by discharging the toner accumulated in the container bottom 20d, the toner flows into the container from the left and right in the longitudinal direction. Further, since the amount of curvature of the stirring blade body 22 of the one side wall 20c of the supply opening 25 is larger than that of the other side wall 20a, the stirring force together with the toner scraping force is large in the portion from the bottom 20d to the supply opening 25. As a result, it becomes easier to move the toner in the longitudinal direction toward the toner opening 25, and smooth stirring becomes possible. Further, even when the toner in the toner storage unit 20 becomes low, the toner is collected by the opening 25 where the toner is discharged because the toner is repeatedly rotated by the stirring blade 22 and the toner is supplied little by little from the opening 25 ′. Thus, almost all the toner is supplied to the hopper 12 without collecting at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container. Further, even when the toner is solidified (caking) due to the short width of the opening 25 ′ and is bridged in the width direction, the protruding portion 22 Ba of the stirring blade 22 is kept open by the opening 25 ′.
Because of the rotation, the caking is broken by the protruding portion 22Ba, and the supply of the toner is not hindered.

Next, the shape of the toner collecting section 30 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the toner collecting section 30 is formed in a substantially square cross section deeper than the toner storage section 20, and is formed at the longitudinal end of the other side wall 20 a opposite to the supply opening 25. A trapezoidal space 30b having an upper surface cut obliquely is extended, and an inclined surface on the upper surface side of the trapezoidal space 30b, that is, an inclined surface 39 inclined downward outward from an upper edge end, is defined as the concave inclined surface 20c. The collection port 35 is formed on a linear inclined surface in a parallel direction, and the inclined surface is opened.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a fitting guide 80 of the transport belt mechanism is attached to the upper surface side of the collection port 35, and the inclined surface 39 is attached to the side surface of the guide 80.
Is formed in parallel with the slit groove 81, and a rib-shaped regulating guide provided on the container side wall surface of the transport belt mechanism can be fitted into the slit groove 81. The fitting guide 8 shown in FIG.
0 and the belt container 62 are made larger than the actual shape for clarification of the configuration.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the recovery space 30a is raised in a step-like manner on the partition wall 10 side to form a toner accumulation space. A transport roller 31 made of a hard resin having an elliptical cross section is disposed on the front side of the trapezoidal space 30b below the recovery port 35 of the recovery space 30a, and the outlet side peripheral surface of the transfer roller 31 is positioned below the partition wall. A toner collecting space 30a is provided from an opening 31a on the lower end side.

On the other hand, the rotating shaft 21 penetrating the collecting space 30a is provided with a blade 32 which is elastically deformable in the rotating direction and extends in the radial direction. The rotary shaft 21 located in the toner accumulation space located on the side of the partition wall 10 located outside the lower area of the recovery port 35 of the recovery unit 30 is provided with a blade so that only the so-called rectangular space can be rubbed. Feather body 3
2 is provided.

The wing 32 is provided in the trapezoidal space 30.
b, and a wide blade 32a, one side of which is cut obliquely, is formed on the side of the band blade 32b via a slit 32c, and the leading end of the band blade 32b is transported by the slit blade 32c. The outlet-side peripheral surface of the roller 31 is extended to a predetermined length so as to be slidable, and a thin-layer member having a higher coefficient of friction than the blade body is provided at a portion of the leading end of the blade body 32b in surface contact with the roller peripheral surface. For example, a thin sponge layer 34 is stuck,
While the sponge layer 34 is rubbed against the roller outlet side peripheral surface by surface contact or close to the outlet peripheral surface, the waste toner accumulated in the roller 31 outlet peripheral surface and the vicinity of the opening around the roller 31 is surely removed. It is configured to catch and send to the collection space 30a side. The waste toner sent to the collection space 30a is sent to the accumulation space 30d on the partition wall 10 while being stirred by the wider blade 32a. Since the blades are not provided in the deposition space 30d located on the partition wall 10 side, only the accumulation is performed without performing the stirring, and the accumulation at a high density is possible.

The upper surface of the partition wall 10 has a slit groove 102.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, a sponge-like string-shaped sealing member 101 for sealing between the lid 2A is interposed in the slit groove 102, and the slit groove 102 is connected to the rotating shaft. The sealing member 101 is made to hang down along the slit groove in the shape of a thin tongue at the center of the sealing member 101 to function as a sealing portion of the rotating shaft 21.

The recovery space 3 on the shaft end side of the rotary shaft 21
A gear train 33 for connecting the rotating shaft 21 and the transport roller is provided on the inner wall surface of the inner shaft 0a. The gear train 33 is formed of a speed increasing gear, and is set such that the rotation speed of the blade 32 is smaller than the rotation speed of the transport roller 31.

The adjacent gears 33a, 3a of the gear train 33
The tooth surface shape of 3b is not formed as shown in FIG. 11 (B) but is made thinner as shown in FIG. 11 (A) to narrow the ridge width (to increase the valley width). Are taken and formed unequally with each other, and they are fitted together with play. For example, when the gear diameter is 30φ, the clearance on one side of the meshing surface is usually 0.1 mm (see B), but in the present embodiment, it is set to 0.4 to 0.5 mm. In addition, 3 in FIG.
Numeral 6 designates a position regulating rib formed on the longitudinal end face 37 of the container.
The guide 36 extends in parallel with the concave slope 20c on the 0 side, and is configured to be detachable while the guide 36 is fitted in a regulation guide groove (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body side.

According to this embodiment, the gear train 33
Is located inside the end wall of the collecting unit 30, so that the gear train 33 can be prevented from abutting against a guide or the like on the apparatus main body side when the container is mounted, and the adjacent gear 33
Since the tooth surfaces a and 33b are unequally formed, even if toner enters the clearance between the meshing surfaces, the toner rotates while scooping the toner, so that the locking phenomenon can be completely eliminated.

Next, the mounting mechanism of the toner container 2 and the shutter member will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the container mounting portion 11 on the upper surface side of the developing unit 1 fixes the position when the container 2 is mounted and releases the mounting.
A lock / release lever member 15 is pivotably supported by a shaft 18. The lever member 15 extends obliquely upward along the unit inclined surface 19 from a shaft support portion of a shaft 18 provided on the lower surface side, and a lock lever portion 15b provided with a claw portion 15a at a tip end thereof; The operating lever portion 15c is formed in an L-shape, and the operating lever portion is configured to be swingable.

On the other hand, on the toner collecting section 30 side, FIG.
As shown in (B), a rectangular cylindrical fitting guide 80 whose inner shape matches the cross-sectional shape of the belt container 62 on the apparatus main body side is mounted on the inclined surface 39 where the discharged toner receiving port 35 is formed. The fitting guide has a slit groove 81 formed in parallel with the inclined surface 39. The inclined surface 39 is provided with a shutter plate 69 capable of opening and closing the toner receiving port 35 along the surface of the inclined surface 39 by a regulating guide (not shown).
Is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7B, the discharge opening 68 of the belt
A shutter member 66 that opens and closes is disposed via a sponge layer 66a, and is pulled by an elastic spring 67 in a direction in which the shutter member 66 closes.
The claw 65a that engages with the projection 69a of the shutter plate 69 on the toner receiving port 35 side to open and close the projection 69a is provided on the shutter plate 6
9 is provided at the tip of a plate piece 65 that is elastically extended in the direction of separation.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the concave slope 20 of the container is placed on the extension of the slope 19 on the developing unit 1 side.
When the container 2 is mounted on the developing unit 1 side in a state where the positions of the belt container 6 and the belt container 6 are matched with each other.
2 (see FIG. 7B), the tip projection 69a of the container 62 engages with the projection 69a of the shutter plate 69, and opens the toner receiving port 35 while pushing up the shutter plate 69. At the same time, the edge of the lower end of the toner collecting unit 30 and the upper edge of the shutter member 66 on the side of the belt container 62 are engaged with each other to
7, the shutter member 66 is pushed down, and
While the opening 8 is opened, the front end projection 65a on the container rides over the projection 69a of the shutter plate 69 and stops. The shutter plate 69 is fixed at the upper end of the sponge layer 66a together with the locking by the tip protrusion 65a.

On the other hand, the container 2 is also attached to the developing unit 1 with the concave inclined surface 20c of the container 2 aligned with the extension of the inclined surface 19 on the developing unit 1 side. The shutter member on the storage section 20 side is also opened, and its configuration and operation will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the concave slope 20c of the container is pulled down obliquely downward along the unit-side slope 19, the claw 15a of the lock lever 15b first comes into contact with the When the lock lever 15 is mounted at a predetermined position while swinging in a direction to retreat from the inclined surface 19 against the elastic force of the elastic spring 16,
The claw 15a of FIG. 2B engages with the engaging recess 201 of the toner storage unit 20. At this time, it is engaged and fixed by the elastic spring 16 urged to the operation lever 15 side, but it is difficult to accurately and reliably fix the position only by the urging force of the one elastic spring 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, the elastic spring 43 of the shutter member 40 on the developing unit 1 side is effectively used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, at the time of mounting, an elastic spring 43 is engaged in a direction in which a shutter member 40 of the developing unit 1 described later closes the toner receiving opening 44, and the elastic spring 43 Since the urging force is applied in the closing direction, the urging force is the strongest at the position where the toner receiving port 44 is open. On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the claw portion 15 a of the lock lever portion faces downward along the inclined surface 19. In other words, since the elastic spring 43 is locked in the direction opposite to the biasing direction, the toner container 2
Can be positioned and fixed. That is, the tensile force of the elastic spring 16 urged toward the operation lever portion 15 and the elastic force of the elastic spring 43 of the shutter member 40 can be used, and the tensile directions are also different. Is biased in the closing direction, so that the biasing force is the strongest at the open position where the container 2 is fixed, and secure fixing is possible.

When the container 2 shown in FIG. 3 is fixed at a predetermined position, the relay gear 27 on the container side meshes with the drive gear 17 on the unit side, and as shown in FIG. The installation base 70 on the bottom side is the developing unit 1 side
Linear spring 73 projecting from slit opening 71 provided above
, The container mounting sensor 75 fixed on the substrate 72 by the downward displacement of the linear spring 73.
Can be pressed to instruct the control circuit (not shown) that mounting has been performed accurately. The linear spring 73
Is easily pivoted left and right because it is supported by the shaft 76.
Therefore, a pair of projections 74 are hung down on both sides of the switch pressing position of the linear spring 73 on the lower surface of the installation base 71, and the projections 74 prevent the linear spring 73 from swinging left and right, so that repetition accuracy is high. The sensor 75 is configured to be pressable.

Returning to the original state, when removing the toner container 2, as shown in FIG. 3B, the operation lever portion 15c of the lock lever 15 is tilted counterclockwise so that the claw portion 15a of the lock lever is moved. Then, the engagement from the engagement concave portion 201 is released, and simultaneously with the release, the shutter member is automatically moved upward along the inclined slope by the urging force of the elastic spring 43 (FIG. 4) of the shutter member. The engagement recess 201 forms a locking surface along a direction facing the biasing direction of the elastic spring 43, in other words, along a direction orthogonal to the inclined surface 19.

On the other hand, on the side of the belt transport mechanism 60, a shutter member 66 for opening and closing the discharge opening 68 of the belt container 62 is disposed via a sponge layer 66a. Since the container 69a rides on and engages (FIG. 6), the toner receiving port 35 is opened while the shutter plate 69 is pressed downward by following the upward movement of the container, and at the same time, the elastic spring 67 ( 7), the shutter member 66 on the side of the belt container 62 is automatically closed, and the toner container 2 can be taken out in a state in which both the belt container 62 and the shutter member on the side of the waste toner collecting unit 30 are closed.

Next, the shutter mechanism on the toner storage section 20 side of the container will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an inclined surface 19 parallel to the concave inclined surface 20c of one side wall 20c provided with a supply port for the toner storage unit 20 is provided on the container mounting portion 11 on the upper surface side of the developing unit 1.
Is formed on the upper surface side of the developing unit 1 and the inclined surface 1
9, the toner receiving opening 44 is formed by opening the position corresponding to the hopper 12 (FIG. 4), and the shutter members 40 and 50 are respectively provided on the concave slope 20c on the container side and the receiving opening 44 on the developing unit 1 side. Attach.

The shutter member 50 on the container 2 side is formed of an elastically deformable resin body, and is provided on the mounting plate 52 with a shutter mounting plate 52 provided with the supply opening 25 and being mounted on the concave slope 20c. A shutter plate 51 that moves in the short direction of the cartridge along a regulation guide 58, which will be described later, and opens and closes the supply opening 25 will be described. The plane configuration of the shutter plate and the shutter mounting plate will be described below. FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of the shutter mounting plates 52 and 42 viewed from above the toner container 2.
(C) is a sectional view taken along line AA of (A), and FIG.
(B) is a view of these as viewed from the hopper 12 side, that is, from the opposite direction of FIG. 8.

In these figures, first, the shutter mounting plate 52 on the container 2 side is provided with a pair of regulating grooves 58b for moving the shutter plate 51 in the opening and closing direction (short direction of the container) while regulating the position of the shutter plate 51 in the longitudinal direction of the shutter plate 51. Extending to both sides, a pair of regulating grooves 58a are formed above the regulating grooves 58b, and a pair of regulating grooves 58c are formed outside the regulating grooves 58a (see FIG. 8C). The guide wall 423a of the shutter mounting plate 42 on the developing unit 1 side is configured to be insertable, while the guide edge 51a obtained by bending the side end of the shutter plate 51 into an L-shaped cross section is inserted into the lower groove 58b. It is configured to be possible. In addition, the center edge 5 on the lower end side
2d is formed in a step shape (FIG. 10), and the upper end of the shutter plate 41 on the unit side is configured to be engageable.

A lock member 53 for locking the shutter plate 51 at the closed position is provided in the guide groove 58c. The locking member 53 has a base-side rectangular portion 53c fitted into a recess of the mounting plate 52, and the locking member 5 having the base-side side 53c as a center.
3 is configured to be swingable outward, and the inside of the middle abdomen projects horizontally toward the rectangular recessed portion 51b provided on the guide edge 51a of the shutter plate 51. (FIG. 9), and a wedge-shaped piece 53a forcibly swinging outward by the insertion of the end 423d of the engaging plate 42 on the developing unit 1 side is further provided on the front side.

On the other hand, the shutter plate 51 has an L-shaped guide edge 51a provided on the side end side as described above, and a side wall of the guide edge 51a which is concavely formed in a rectangular shape.
The recessed portion 51b with which the convex piece 53b is engaged is provided. In the figure, reference numeral 519 denotes a projection which engages with the concave groove 529 on the shutter mounting plate 52 side and regulates the pressing position (closing position) of the shutter plate 51, and is provided at the upper end of the shutter plate 51.
Reference numeral 528 denotes a protrusion that engages with the H-shaped concave groove 518 on the shutter plate 51 side and regulates the push-up position (closed position) of the shutter plate 51, and is provided at the upper end of the shutter mounting plate 52.

On the other hand, the shutter member 4 on the developing unit 1 side
0 is also formed of an elastically deformable resin body, and is fitted and fixed to the mounting hole 451 of the inclined surface 19 via a shaft-shaped insertion portion 423c shown in FIG.
And a shutter plate 4 for opening and closing the supply opening 25 by moving in the short direction of the container along a regulating guide 423b provided on the mounting plate 42.
Consists of one. Then, the planar configuration of the shutter mounting plate 42 will be described with reference to FIG. 8B. The shutter mounting plate 42 has a square engagement plate 423 through a square gate-shaped slit split 424. A swinging plate 421 located on the outer peripheral side thereof, and an engaging claw 422a for engaging with an upper end of the shutter plate 51 on the container 2 side rises at the center of the tip of the swinging plate 421; After the opening of the shutter plate 51 through the engagement claw 422a
The swinging plate 421 is configured to be able to be pushed down in the closing direction, and a cam projection 422b is protruded at the left and right corners of the tip of the swinging plate 421. When the shutter plate 51 is opened, the cam projection 422b contacts the lower end of the shutter mounting plate 52 The swing plate 421 is configured to be retractable to the rear side of the shutter mounting plate 52.

The engaging plate 423 has an L-shaped guide wall 423a formed at a side end thereof so that the guide wall 423a can be inserted into a groove 58a provided at a lower end of the container shutter mounting plate 52. Further, a concave groove 423b having a U-shaped cross section is formed inside the developing unit facing the shutter plate 41 in parallel with the L-shaped guide wall 423a, and the guide wall 41a of the shutter plate 41 is fitted into the concave groove 423b. The shutter plate 41 is configured to be freely movable up and down, and protrusions provided on both side ends of the shutter plate 41 are engaged with elastic springs locked on the upper end side of the swinging plate. 51 is configured to be movable along the short direction of the toner receiving opening 25. A step 4235 is provided on the upper edge of the toner receiving opening 44 of the engagement plate, and the shutter plate 5 on the container 1 side is provided.
1 is configured to be engageable with the lower end.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the container 2 is moved to the developing unit 1 side with the concave slope 20c of the container aligned with the extension of the inclined surface 19 on the developing unit 1 side. To mount the shutter mounting plate 52 on the container 2 side (FIG. 1).
3 (C) comes into contact with the cam projection 422b of the rocking plate 421 and further moves while retracting the rocking plate 421 to the back side of the shutter mounting plate 52, the groove 58a formed in the shutter mounting plate 52 The L-shaped guide wall 423a at the side end of the engaging plate 423 is inserted into the lock member 53, and the wedge-shaped piece 53a provided on the front side of the lock member 53 is brought into contact with the corner R at the distal end of the engaging plate 423. Expand while touching (Fig. 9
(See (a)), the engagement of the convex piece 53b engaged with the recessed portion 51b of the guide edge 51a of the shutter plate 51 is released, and then the lower end of the container-side shutter plate 51 is
The shutter plate 51 is opened by being pressed by the step 4235 of 23.

On the other hand, at the same time when the shutter plate 51 is opened, the engagement step 52d at the lower end of the mounting plate 52 on the container 2 presses the upper end of the shutter plate 41 on the unit 1 side, and the respective shutter plates 51, 41 perform the mounting operation. In conjunction with this, the openings 25 and 44 are opened while the respective openings overlap each other. When the two openings 25 and 44 completely coincide with each other, the engaging claw 422a of the rocking plate 421 is
13 is engaged with the upper edge 51c of the shutter plate 51 on the side of FIG.
(See (A)).

In this embodiment, since the shutter mounting plate 52 on the unit 1 side is fitted and fixed in the mounting hole 451 of the inclined surface 19 via the shaft-shaped insertion portion 423c. 42 can slightly oscillate in a plane parallel to the toner receiving surface 44. As a result, the oscillating plate 42
Even if there is an assembly error between the engaging claw 422a and the shutter plate 41 on the container 1 side or a slight displacement at the time of mounting, this is absorbed and the shutter plate 4 is accurately and reliably.
1 can be fixed at the open position. Since the mounting plate 42 swings in a plane parallel to the opening surface, even if the openings are aligned with each other, it is possible to easily make close contact without forming a gap.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, by pulling the operation lever portion 15c forward, the engagement with the claw portion 15a is released, and the elastic spring 4 pulling the shutter plate 41.
Due to the elastic force of 3, the toner container 2 moves obliquely upward along the inclined surface 19. Since the shutter plate 51 on the toner container 2 side is locked by the engaging claws 422a of the swing plate 421, the shutter plate 51 is moved to the left in FIG. The opening 25 on the second side is closed.

At the same time as the shutter plate 51 moves in the closing direction, the shutter plate 41 of the unit 1 engaged with the lower end of the shutter mounting plate 52 of the container 2 also moves in the closing direction by the urging force of the elastic spring 43. And a lock member 53 provided on the shutter mounting plate 52 on the container 2 side.
Of the engaging plate 423 is released from contact with the corner 423d at the tip end of the engaging plate 423, and at the same time, by the elastic force of the lock member 53 itself, it returns to the guide edge 51a side of the shutter plate 51, and the convex portion 53b Is a concave portion 51b of the guide edge 51a.
And the locking of the shutter plate 51 is completed. At this time, the inclined surface 52a of the shutter mounting plate 52 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, it comes into contact with the cam projection 422b,
As shown in (C), since the shutter mounting plate 54 rides on the cam projection 422b, the toner container 2 can be easily removed from the apparatus main body side.

Thereafter, the restriction groove 5 of the shutter mounting plate 52
The leading end 423d of the engaging plate 423 is pulled out from the main body 8a, and the toner container 2 is taken out from the apparatus body side. Therefore,
After the container 2 is taken out from the apparatus main body side, the shutter plate 51 is always locked in the closed position by the lock member 53, so that the lock member 53 does not operate erroneously in a normal moving operation, and Easy shutter plate 5
1 completely eliminates the risk of opening. Since the lock member 53 is housed on the opening / closing guide of the shutter member without protruding outside, the shutter member is not accidentally opened during the normal moving operation. or,
Since the lock member 53 is automatically forcibly released in conjunction with the mounting operation of the container, it is possible to simplify the container mounting operation and completely prevent forgetting to release the lock.

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the toner container and the waste toner transport mechanism according to the second embodiment. The substantial difference from FIG. 1 is that
A gear train connecting the rotary shaft 21 and the transport roller 31 for feeding the waste toner into the recovery space, and a seal structure of the rotary shaft 21 having the blade body 22 in the partition wall 10 of the toner storage unit 20 and the waste toner recovery unit 30. This is a positional relationship where 33 is provided, and a structure according to those differences will be described below. In FIG. 14, the rotating shaft 21 'to which the stirring blade 22' is fixed is provided with a partition wall 10 'interposed between the toner storage section 20' and the waste toner recovery section 30 'as shown in the enlarged view of the section (B) F. Is rotatably fitted in the through hole 10'a formed in the toner storage unit 20 ', and a donut-shaped thin film body 91 coaxially with the through hole 10'a is provided on the partition wall 10'b on the toner storage unit 20' side. The film 91 is stuck with a double-sided tape 90.
Because it is set up in a small range of 01 to 0.5 mm,
The rotation shaft 21 'inserted into the center hole is an inner edge 91 of the hole.
It is arranged so as to be rotatable while being pressed and sealed by a.

Since the seal structure of this embodiment is configured as described above, a donut-shaped film is stuck coaxially with the through-hole, and the donut-shaped center hole and the through-hole are penetrated by the rotating shaft. In the simple configuration, the through hole 10'a
Waste toner entering through the gap is completely blocked by the inner edge 91a of the film body 91. Further, the unused toner for supply in the toner storage section 20 'is also prevented from leaking to the waste toner collecting section 30' by the inner edge 91a of the film body 91.

In FIG. 14, a gear train 33 for transmitting a rotational force from the rotating shaft 21 'to the conveying roller 31 of the waste toner is provided on the longitudinal end face 37' of the container. Each of these gears is connected to a rotation shaft or a conveyance roller so that the gears can be rotated integrally with the rotation shaft or the conveyance roller. The intermediate gears interposed between them have a hole in the center part, and are inserted on the end face 37 'so as to be rotatable by inserting a rotating shaft standing up on the end face 37' to prevent the gears from falling off. For this purpose, the gears 33 are covered by a gear cover 370 from above the end face 37 '.

This cover structure is disclosed in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In these figures, a wall edge 37 'which stands obliquely on the upper left hand side of the longitudinal end face 37' of the container.
c and a wall edge 37'd that stands obliquely at the lower right corner that is parallel to and diagonal to it, forms a substantially diamond-shaped space, and as shown in FIG. Has two openings 37'b, 37'b,
7'd is also provided with two openings 37'a, 37'a. The gear cover 370 that fits and covers the rhombus-shaped space has an edge that surrounds the periphery of the substantially rhombus-shaped end hanging down to approximately the same height as the wall edges 37 ′ c and 37 ′ d, A position regulating rib 36 'is formed on the upper surface of the outside so as to be fitted up with a regulating guide groove (not shown) provided on the apparatus body side, and is engaged with the opening 37'b on the left edge 370c. Protrusions 370b, 370b
However, the right edge 370d is provided with projections 370a and 370a that engage with the opening 37'a. Since the gear train of the present embodiment is disposed outside the waste toner collecting unit in this way, toner does not enter between the gear teeth without taking the clearance between the meshing surfaces described above, No locking phenomenon occurs.

Next, a second embodiment of the sealing structure between the toner container main body and the lid will be described. FIG. 16B is a view of the toner container main body viewed from above, and FIG.
It is a line sectional view. The toner container 2 has a lid 2 made of a synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate, similarly to the toner container body 20 ′ made of a synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate.
A, an elastic sealing member 97 is interposed between the engaging portion 20'f on the toner container main body side and the locking claw 2 on the lid body side.
Aa. Toner container body 2
The sealing member 97 formed in the same outer shape as the upper surface opening of 0 'is adhered to the upper edge 20'g of the toner container main body 20' with an adhesive or a double-sided tape, and then the main body 20 'of the lid 2A. Pressed by locking to By this pressing, the inner surface of the lid 2A and the upper edge 2 of the main body are
Even if a gap is generated between the toner container and 0'g, the gap is filled by the seal member 97, and the space between the lid and the upper edge of the toner container is completely sealed. As a result, since the toner container main body and the lid are completely sealed, there is no need for expensive equipment for performing ultrasonic welding or vibration welding as in the related art, and complete sealing can be achieved with a simple configuration. Since the toner container is formed of a resin containing calcium carbonate, the calorie is low when burned, and the generation of harmful gas can be suppressed. Also, the sealing member is preferably urethane foam, non-woven fabric, paper, felt, rubber sponge, etc.
Above all, PP that does not generate harmful gas or off-flavor when incinerated
The system sponge is good for the environment.

Next, the second shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body side is used.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view in which the shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body side according to the second embodiment is mounted on the apparatus main body side.
FIG. 18 is a view seen from above FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body side according to the second embodiment. The difference between the shutter mounting plate 42 on the device main body side of the first embodiment and the shutter mounting plate 42 'on the device main body side of the second embodiment is, as shown in FIG. ′ Are the engagement plates 4 of the insertion portions 423 ′ c and 423 ′ e which are inserted into and engaged with the mounting holes 451 on the apparatus main body side.
A cushion 120 formed with urethane sponge and having an opening 120a is affixed to the toner receiving opening 44 side of the apparatus body side in that the projecting length from 23 'is longer in the second embodiment than in the second embodiment. Is a point.

The shutter mounting plate 4 thus configured
A locking portion 1 provided with a lower end 42'a of the 2 'at the lower end of the inclined surface 19 on the apparatus main body side and opened toward the upper side of the inclined surface.
11, the insertion portions 423 ′ c and 423 ′ e are inserted into the mounting holes 451 of the locking portion 113 extending above the inclined surface 19, and the mounting holes 423 ′ c are inserted into the mounting holes 423 ′ c.
1, the shutter mounting plate 42 ′ is acted upon by the tension of the cushion 120 in a direction away from the toner receiving opening 44 on the main body side, and as shown in FIG.
Attached to the device body. At this time, since the insertion portion 423'c is longer than the insertion portion 423 of the shutter mounting plate 42 of the first embodiment, the distance between the engagement plate 423 'and the inclined surface 19 in which the toner receiving opening 44 is opened is set. The vicinity of the step portion 4235 'is higher than the vicinity of the locking portion 111, that is, the vicinity of the locking portion 111 of the cushion 120 is more pressed than the vicinity of the step portion 4235'. Therefore, the upper surface of the engagement plate 423 ′ locked by the locking portion 111 does not become parallel to the inclined surface 19 but has an angle that opens upward from the inclined surface 19, and The shutter plate 41 and the guide wall 423 ′ a inserted into the restriction groove 58 a provided on the shutter mounting plate 52 on the toner container side also open upward from the inclined surface 19.

The shutter mounting plate 42 ′ is configured so that the step portion 4235 ′ can swing in the direction of the inclined surface 19 (Z direction) with the locking portion 111 as the center. If the respective shutter mounting plates that are fitted to each other are fixed to the main body when the shutter mounting plate 42 'is combined with the shutter mounting plate 42', the guide plate is forcibly inserted into the restriction groove, and the mechanism is damaged. However, at this time, the shutter mounting plate 42 "on the apparatus main body side swings in the direction of the inclined surface 19, and during the swinging, the guide plate of the shutter mounting plate 42" moves the regulating groove of the shutter mounting plate on the toner container side. The guide plates are gradually received, and the guide plates are smoothly inserted into the restriction grooves. On the other hand, in FIG. 18, the guide wall 42
Locking portions 112a and 112b are provided to limit lateral movement of the engagement plate 423 'by coming into contact with 3'a. The mounting hole 451 is also formed with a margin in the left-right direction from the insertion portions 423'c and 423'e of the engagement plate 423 '. Therefore, when the toner container is inserted and the shutter mounting plate 52 and the engaging plate 423 'are united, they are configured to be able to move left and right to perform a slight alignment.

The operation when the shutter mounting plate 42 'on the main body side constructed as described above and the shutter mounting plate 52 on the toner container side are combined will be described. At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 2, a position regulating rib 36 'and a rib-shaped charging guide 29 are provided. 20, when the toner container 2 is inserted into the developing unit 1, first, the lower edge 52f of the shutter mounting plate 52 is moved to the shutter mounting plate 42 '.
Abut on the cam projection 422 '. Then, the toner container 2 includes the position regulating rib 36 ′ and the rib-shaped charging guide 29.
Is lowered by being guided by a regulating guide groove provided on the side of the apparatus main body (not shown), and the lower portion 52f of the shutter mounting plate 52 provided on the toner container 2 lowers the cam projection 422'b, thereby causing the shutter to move. The mounting plate 42 'descends against the tension of the cushion 120.

When the toner container 2 further descends, the shutter mounting plate 42 'descends as indicated by the imaginary line, and finally locks at a position parallel to the inclined surface 19 on the main body side as shown in FIG. Claw 15a of lever 15 (FIG. 3)
Locked by. On the other hand, the guide walls 423'a of the shutter mounting plate 42 'fitted into the regulating grooves 58a of the shutter mounting plate 52 mounted on the toner container 2 have left and right ends 423'd and 423'd as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the front end portion is cut obliquely in the shape of a letter "C", so that the front end portion becomes short across the toner receiving opening 44, so that the mounting position of the shutter mounting plate 52 of the toner container 2 is shifted left and right. Even if it is slightly displaced, the restriction groove 58a can be captured and fitted into the groove 58a.

In this embodiment, as described above, the shutter mounting plate 42 'on the apparatus main body side is mounted so as to be able to approach and separate from the toner receiving opening 44 provided on the apparatus main body side. Therefore, the positions of the shutter mounting plate 52 of the toner container 2 and the shutter mounting plate 42 'mounted on the apparatus main body side with respect to the regulating guide groove on the apparatus main body side may be affected by manufacturing and assembly errors of individual parts. In this case, if the shutter mounting plates 52 and 42 'are fixed to the respective main bodies at that time, the engaging portions of the shutter mounting plates 52 and 42' may not be engaged due to the above-mentioned errors due to the above-mentioned error. However, even in the case where the engaging portions of the two members are too close to each other and the two members do not move smoothly, the position of the two members relative to the regulating guide groove on the device body side may be reduced. It is adjustable.

The opening 25 of the shutter mounting plate 52 attached to the toner supply opening 25 of the toner container main body.
And the toner receiving opening 44 of the apparatus main body.
The mounting position of the shutter mounting plate 42 'to the opening 44 varies in the longitudinal direction of the toner container or the apparatus main body due to manufacturing errors and assembly errors of individual parts. Is fixed to each body, there is a risk that the engagement portion of both are too far apart and not engaged due to the above-mentioned error, and conversely, the engagement portion of both is too close, There is a danger that they may not work smoothly due to the conflict. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the shutter mounting plate 42 'and the shutter mounting plate 42' are mounted by swinging the shutter mounting plate 42 'on the apparatus main body side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the toner receiving opening 44 provided on the apparatus main body side. At the time of combining with the shutter 52, the position of the shutter mounting plate 42 'can be adjusted.

Next, the seal structure of the bearing of the rotary shaft of the toner stirring blade of the developing device applied to the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 21 shows a seal structure of a bearing portion of the developing device applied to the present invention. (B) is an enlarged perspective view of a part A of (A), and (C) is an explanatory view. In these figures, a hole 20 "g is formed in a side outer wall 20" f of the toner storage portion 20 "of the developing device 100, and a stirring shaft 21" having a fin 94 for stirring the developer (toner) is formed. A bearing 95 having a fitting hole at the center is provided concentrically with the hole 20 ″ g, and in order to prevent toner from flowing around the stirring shaft 21 ″ and the bearing 95 of the developing device 100, A sealing member 910 made of, for example, a polyester film is adhered to the inner surface of the developing device 100 using a double-sided tape 90 on the inner wall 20 ″ e of the side surface, and the stirring shaft 21 ″ is inserted into the inner hole 910a of the sealing member 910 to seal. Member 91
The seal member 910 is flexed by the small hole diameter of 0, and the inner edge 910b of the inner hole 910a is pressed and sealed to the outer diameter of the stirring shaft 21 ″. It is designed to prevent leakage.

The sealing structure will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 22.
f and the sealing member 9 concentrically with the center hole of the bearing 95.
10, the sealing member 910 is adhered to the inner wall 20 "e with a double-sided tape 90. Then, the tip 2 of the stirring shaft 21" in the toner container 20 ".
When 1 "a is fitted into the inner hole 910a of the seal member 910, the inner edge 910b of the seal member 910 presses and contacts the outer diameter of the stirring shaft 21" as shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of the seal structure of the bearing portion. In the same figure, the inner hole 910a of the seal member 910 is aligned with the center hole of the bearing 95 disposed on the side outer wall 20 "f of the toner storage portion 20", and the seal member 910 is attached to the inner wall 20 "by the double-sided tape 90. Then, a gear 96 having a rotatable rotating shaft portion 96a in the center hole of the bearing 95 and a fitting concave portion 210a into which the rotating shaft portion 96a is fitted and united integrally are provided at the distal end. And a stirring shaft 210 having a rotating shaft portion 96 of the gear 96.
a into the bearing 95, and insert the shaft 96 a into the sealing member 91.
0 in the inner hole 910a, and
The inner edge 910b of the sealing member 910 presses and contacts the outer diameter of the rotating shaft portion 96a of the gear 96 as shown in FIG.

The difference between the inner diameter of the seal member and the outer diameter of the stirring shaft is preferably 1 mm or less. Further, the thickness of the sealing member is preferably 20 μm to 0.5 mm. Also, if the sealing member is an elastic member,
Resin, rubber, or leather can be used, but use a polyester or polyethylene film and have a thickness of 1
0 μ to 250 μ is desirable.

As described above, in this embodiment, the sealing member is a thin film having a hole having an inner diameter smaller than the shaft diameter of the stirring member rotating shaft, and the stirring rotating shaft is inserted into the hole of the thin film. At times, the portion of the thin film body having a small inner diameter is bent in the axial direction and comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the shaft. That is, it is bent only by the difference between the inner diameter of the thin film body and the outer diameter of the shaft, and comes into close contact with the shaft.
Therefore, since it is not pressed with such a large force, the load at that portion does not generate such a large torque due to the thin thickness of the thin film body, and does not generate wear or abnormal noise.
And, since the airtightness is high with a simple configuration, the developer does not accumulate between the bearing hole of the stirring member and the rotating shaft for transmitting the driving force from outside the developing device, and does not affect the stirring driving force,
The developer does not leak out of the machine from the gap.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention, the opening operation of the shutter member can be reliably performed with a relatively simple device configuration, and the toner for replenishment and replenishment with the toner for replenishment from the toner cartridge is supplied. Can be easily prevented from scattering and leaking. Further, according to the present invention, toner contamination inside and outside the apparatus can be completely prevented without the shutter member being accidentally opened during the operation of moving the toner cartridge. Further, according to the present invention, the handling of the toner cartridge can be facilitated, the airtightness of the shutter can be improved, and the configuration can be simplified. Further, according to the present invention, it is particularly suitable as a toner container to which a developing device using a two-component developer is mounted. Further , according to the present invention, in order to ensure the prevention of toner scattering and leakage when the cartridge is removed, the toner cartridge or the shutter can be securely removed without opening the shutter member of the apparatus main body. The cartridge can be removed after both shutter members are closed. According to the present invention ,
The toner cartridge can be easily mounted on the apparatus main body side. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toner container and a discharge toner transport mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a state before the toner container is mounted on the developing unit side or after the toner container is removed from the developing unit side as viewed from a direction E in FIGS. 1 and 14, and particularly illustrates a configuration of a process unit on the photosensitive drum side.

3A is an operation diagram of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 3A shows a state in which a toner container is mounted on a developing unit side, and FIG. 3B shows a state immediately before the toner container is ejected.

FIG. 4 shows a state before the toner container is mounted on the developing unit side or after the toner container is removed from the developing unit side, viewed from the direction D in FIG. 3 shows a shutter configuration.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are operation diagrams of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 5A shows a state immediately before the toner container is mounted on the developing unit side, and FIG. 5B shows a state after the mounting.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional configuration of a toner collecting unit to which a belt transport mechanism is mounted, and particularly corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line B of FIGS. 1 and 14; FIG. 3B is a layout view of the linear spring shown in FIG.

7A is a side view of the toner collection unit on the longitudinal end face side, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional configuration of the toner collection unit in a stage before the belt conveyance mechanism is mounted. It corresponds to a line sectional view.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a shutter member that opens and closes a supply opening of a toner storage unit and a toner receiving opening of a developing unit, respectively, and FIG. 8A is a plan view of the shutter member 50 as viewed from above; FIG. 2B is a plan view of the shutter member 40 as viewed from above, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the shutter member that opens and closes a supply opening of the toner storage unit.

9A is an operation view showing the shutter member of FIG. 8 in the middle of opening, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along line BB of the shutter member that opens and closes a supply opening of a toner receiving opening of the developing unit.

10A and 10B show a shutter member that opens and closes a supply opening of a toner storage unit and a toner receiving opening of a developing unit, respectively, and FIG. 10A is a plan view of the shutter member 50 viewed from the developing unit side. 3B is a plan view of the shutter member 40 as viewed from the developing unit side.

11A and 11B show shapes of a rotating shaft on a collecting section side and a meshing surface of a transmission gear of a conveyance roller, wherein FIG. 11A shows the present embodiment, and FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a partition wall portion in FIG. 1 and corresponds to a cross section taken along line CC.

FIG. 13 is an operation diagram of a shutter mounting plate on the toner container side.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a toner container and a waste toner transport mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a detailed view of the gear cover as viewed from a direction A in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a second embodiment illustrating a sealing structure between a toner container main body and a lid.

FIG. 17 shows a state before the toner container is mounted on the developing unit side or after the toner container is removed from the toner container viewed from the direction D in FIG. 3 shows a shutter configuration.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a shutter mounting plate on the apparatus main body side as viewed from above in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a shutter mounting plate of the apparatus main body according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are operation diagrams of FIG. 17, wherein FIG. 20A shows a state immediately before the toner container is mounted on the developing unit side, and FIG.

FIG. 21 shows a seal structure of a bearing portion of the developing device applied to the present invention. (B) is an enlarged perspective view of part A of (A),
(C) is an explanatory view.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of fitting a stirring shaft into a seal member.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of the seal structure in the bearing portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 developing unit 2 toner container 20 toner storage section 25 toner supply opening 11 toner receiving section 40 shutter member 423, 52d engaging section 43 elastic member 15 fixing member (lock / release lever member) 201 fixing surfaces 58, 423b, and shutter member Opening / closing guide 53 Lock

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A replenishment for replenishing toner to a developing unit side
Toner storage unit and waste toner transporter from the developing unit side
Waste toner storage for storing waste toner transported by the structure
The toner container along the specified direction
Image forming apparatus that can be attached to and detached from the
hand,Partitions the supply toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit
Partitioned by a wall, the toner agitation
A turning shaft penetrates through the partition wall into the waste toner container.
And the toner agitating rotation shaft is supplemented with waste toner by a blade.
Means is disposed at a distance from the partition wall to supplement the waste toner.
Means to supplement waste toner and to the partition wall side
While being configured to accumulate,  Extend from the bottom of the toner supply sectionFirstInclination
Surface with a toner supply opening and the waste toner collection
From the top of the containerThe second to extendWaste toner storage port on slope
And the saidFirstAn inclined surface;FirstThe device facing the inclined surface
Open the toner receiving side of the main bodyMouth forming surfaceEach and the aboveSecond
An inclined surface;SecondConveying the waste toner facing the inclined surface
Open the toner discharge on the mechanism sideMouth forming surfaceAlong each of the above faces
Shutter member that opens and closes the corresponding opening while moving
Along with the toner container along the predetermined direction.
When the shutter member is mounted on the apparatus main body side,
The engaging part provided on the other side engages with the engaging part on the other side.Whilehusband
Various shutter members can be opened in conjunction with the mounting operation
An image forming apparatus comprising: (2)Replenishment to supply toner to the developing unit
Toner storage unit and waste toner transporter from the developing unit side
Waste toner storage for storing waste toner transported by the structure
The toner container along the specified direction
Image forming apparatus that can be attached to and detached from the
hand, A first inclination extending from a bottom surface of the replenishment toner storage unit;
Surface with a toner supply opening and the waste toner collection
A waste toner storage port is provided on a second inclined surface extending from the upper surface of the container.
Is established, The first inclined surface and the device facing the first inclined surface;
The toner receiving opening forming surface on the main body side and the second
An inclined surface, and the waste toe facing the second inclined surface. Transfer
On each of the toner discharge opening forming surfaces on the mechanism side,
Shutter member that opens and closes the corresponding opening while moving
Along with the toner container along the predetermined direction.
When the shutter member is mounted on the apparatus main body side,
While the engaging portion provided on the other side engages with the engaging portion on the other side.
Various shutter members can be opened in conjunction with the mounting operation
Make up, A shutter provided on the apparatus body side among the respective shutter members.
Urged in a direction to close the toner receiving opening by the
With the elastic member Attach the toner container to a predetermined position on the device body side
A fixing member for fixing the toner container when
The elastic member is attached to the fixed member at the predetermined position.
Formed so that the urging force of Characterized by
Image forming device. (3)Replenishment to supply toner to the developing unit
Toner storage unit and waste toner transporter from the developing unit side
Waste toner storage for storing waste toner transported by the structure
The toner container along the specified direction
Image forming apparatus that can be attached to and detached from the
hand, A first inclination extending from a bottom surface of the replenishment toner storage unit;
Surface with a toner supply opening and the waste toner collection
A waste toner storage port is provided on a second inclined surface extending from the upper surface of the container.
Is established, The first inclined surface and the device facing the first inclined surface;
The toner receiving opening forming surface on the main body side and the second
An inclined surface, and the waste toner conveyance facing the second inclined surface
On each of the toner discharge opening forming surfaces on the mechanism side,
Shutter member that opens and closes the corresponding opening while moving
Along with the toner container along the predetermined direction.
When the shutter member is mounted on the apparatus main body side,
While the engaging portion provided on the other side engages with the engaging portion on the other side.
Various shutter members can be opened in conjunction with the mounting operation
Make up, Surface on which the toner receiving opening provided on the apparatus main body side is formed
And a guide for a shutter mounting plate provided with a shutter member.
A regulating guide groove provided on the wall and on the side of the supply toner storage section;
Are arranged so that they can be fitted, The shutter mounting plate is formed with the toner receiving opening.
Slightly swingable in the extending direction of the surface Characterized by
Image forming apparatus. (4)The toner from the replenishment toner storage unit
Supply is provided to the shutter mounting plate provided on the main unit side.
It can be configured to be carried out through the
To The shutter mounting plate is provided with a toner provided on the apparatus main body side.
Swingable in the direction of the receiving opening, and the toner receiving opening
The direction in which the formed surface extends, and the toner container
The toner receiver is swingable in the horizontal direction with respect to the mounting direction of the toner.
4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the image is arranged at the entrance.
Forming equipment. 5. The apparatus in which the toner receiving opening is provided.
An elastic member is arranged on the mounting body side and the shutter mounting plate is
Press and urge in the direction away from the toner receiving opening.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 6.The toner from the replenishment toner storage unit
Supply is supplied to the shutter mounting plate provided on the apparatus body side.
It is configured to be performed via the toner receiving opening
In the meantime, Before fitting with the regulation guide groove on the toner supply section side
The guide wall of the shutter mounting plate is provided on the apparatus main body side.
Above the angle of inclination of the surface on which the toner
Open toward the toner receiving opening on the main body side of the apparatus.
4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein Image forming apparatus described
Place. 7. A toner receiving opening provided on the apparatus main body side.
The amount of swing of the shutter mounting plate in the direction
In the mounting state of the ner storage unit to the device main body,
Set the rear side larger than the front side to receive the toner.
An elastic member is arranged on the side of the device main body where the opening is provided.
Separate the shutter mounting plate from the toner receiving opening
Characterized in that it is configured to urge in the direction of
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .