JP3411961B2 - 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 a developing device for supplying a developer to an image carrier to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, and a developer replenishing the developing device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a developer cartridge, a cleaning unit that cleans residual developer remaining on the surface of an image carrier, and a waste developer container that stores the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a waste toner container.

In FIG. 16, 31 is a photoconductor drum which is an image carrier, 32 is a main charger for charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 31, and 33 is the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. An exposure device 34 is a developing device that supplies toner, which is a developer, to the photosensitive drum 31 to visualize the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and a magnet 35 is used to convey the toner to the photosensitive drum 31. Laura, 36
Is a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device 34, 37 is a transfer device for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 to a sheet, 38 is a cleaning blade for cleaning the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 31, and 39 is cleaning. A waste toner conveying screw for conveying the residual toner scraped by the blade 38, and a waste toner container 40 for accommodating the waste toner conveyed by the waste toner screw 39.

As shown in FIG. 17, the toner cartridge 36 contains toner 41, and a toner supply port for supplying the toner 41 to the developing device 34 is sealed by a sealing seal 42. After being removably attached to the device 34, the sealing seal 42 is peeled off to open the toner replenishing port and replenish the toner 41 to the developing device 34.

As shown in FIG. 18, the waste toner container 40 is provided on its side surface with a storage port 43 for storing and storing the waste toner transported by the waste toner transport screw 29, and in the vicinity of the waste toner transport screw 39. It was detachably attached to.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-81067, a toner cartridge for accommodating new toner and a waste toner accommodating portion for accommodating waste toner are integrally formed to form a toner cartridge. In some cases, the toner cartridge is detachably attached to the apparatus.

[0007]

In the image forming apparatus described above, since the toner cartridge and the waste toner container are separately mounted, the toner cartridge must be replaced in order to replenish the developing device with toner. If you do, it is highly likely that you will only replace the toner cartridge and forget to replace the waste toner container.If you forget to replace the waste toner container, there is a problem that the waste toner transport screw is locked due to toner clogging or toner clogging. there were.

Further, in the image forming apparatus to be described later, since the toner containing portion and the waste toner containing portion are integrally formed to constitute the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge is constructed even after replenishing the developing device with new toner. The toner cartridge provided with the storage portion has to be mounted inside the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus cannot be downsized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. A developer cartridge and a waste developer container, which are detachably formed integrally with each other, are attached to a developing device, and the developer is transferred from the developer cartridge to the developing device. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the waste developer container from being forgotten to be replaced and to downsize the image forming apparatus by removing only the developer cartridge after replenishment.

[0010]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of an image carrier by supplying a developer to the image carrier. Developing device, a developer cartridge for replenishing the developing device with the developer, a cleaning unit for cleaning the residual developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and a waste developer containing the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning unit. A developer container, the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are detachably formed integrally, and a container holding portion for detachably holding the waste developer container is provided in the developing device, and the developer cartridge is supported. A cartridge support part for the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are provided to each other.
Engages with each other to form an integral body and release the engaged state
Possible engaging means are provided, and the engaging means are engaged with each other.
In order to mount the integrally formed developer cartridge and the waste developer container on the cartridge supporting portion and the container holding portion of the developing device, the insertion is performed from one side, and when mounted,
The engagement release member provided on the developing device side causes the engagement
By releasing the engagement by the means, only the developer cartridge is detachably provided while holding the waste developer container in the container holding portion.

[0011]

The present invention for achieving the above object
Image forming apparatus supplies the developer to the image carrier and
A developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface;
A developer cartridge that supplies developer to the developing device, and an image
A cleaning unit for cleaning the residual developer remaining on the surface of the carrier,
The waste developer container that contains the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning unit
Have the developer cartridge and waste developer container
The developer container can be attached to and detached from the developing device.
In addition to providing a container holding part for holding the
A cartridge support portion for supporting the cartridge is provided, a seal member for sealing the developer supply port of the developer cartridge is provided, and a fixing member fixed to the developer cartridge and the waste developer container is provided at an end portion of the seal member. , Integrally formed
The developed developer cartridge and the waste developer container in the developing device.
The seal member is attached to the cartridge supporting portion and the container holding portion, and the fixing member is removed from the developer cartridge and the waste developer container, whereby the seal member is peeled from the developer cartridge, and the developer is transferred from the developer cartridge to the developing device. Supplement
After supplying, keep the waste developer container in the container holding part.
The developer cartridge can be removed .

[0013]

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method. Reference numeral 1 is a photosensitive drum that is an image carrier, and 2 is a main charger that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes an exposure device that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. Reference numeral 4 supplies toner as a developer to the photosensitive drum 1 to visualize the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. A developing device for forming 5 is a magnet roller for conveying toner to the photosensitive drum 1, 6 is a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device 4, and 7 is waste toner that is detachably formed integrally with the toner cartridge 6. Container, 8 is photosensitive drum 1
Is a transfer device for transferring the toner image to a sheet, 9 is a cleaning blade for cleaning the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1, and 10 is a waste toner conveying screw 11 for conveying the residual toner scraped by the cleaning blade 9. This is the built-in waste toner transport path.

The toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are integrally formed detachably as shown in FIG. 2, and the toner cartridge 6 has the opening 12 of the developing device 4 and the toner as shown in FIG. The toner supply port of the cartridge 6 is attached to the developing device 4 so as to face each other, and the waste toner container 7 is attached so as to be held by the container holding portion 13 provided on the side portion of the developing device 4. ,
The waste toner container 7 is engaged and held by an engaging and holding claw 14 provided in the container holding portion 13. Then, the waste toner transport path 10 is connected to the waste toner container 7.

In the above structure, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are attached to the developing device 4, and the sealing seal for sealing the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 6 is peeled off. When the replenishment of the toner from the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 4 is completed, the toner cartridge 6 is slid to the left side in the drawing and removed as shown in FIG. At this time, since the waste toner container 7 is engaged and held by the engagement holding claw 14, only the toner cartridge 6 is detached from the developing device 4 while the waste toner container 7 is still held by the container holding portion 13. Become.

As described above, since the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are integrally formed, the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are attached to the developing device 4 in order to replenish the toner to the developing device 4. The waste toner container 7 held in the container holder 13 of the developing device 4.
The waste toner container 7 can be prevented from being forgotten to be replaced unless it is removed, and only the toner cartridge 6 is removed after the toner is replenished, so that the space for the toner cartridge 6 can be eliminated. ,
It is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

That is, when replenishing toner, the toner cartridge 6 is attached to the developing device 4 so that the image forming device can be opened at this attachment portion, and the toner cartridge 6 is attached to the image forming device in the open state. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a space for the toner cartridge 6 in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can be formed in a small size.

Embodiment 2 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.
7 to FIG. In this image forming apparatus, an engaging concave portion 15 is provided on an upper surface of a waste toner container 7, and an engaging convex portion 1 that engages with the engaging concave portion 15 is provided on the toner cartridge 6.
An elastic engaging piece 17 with 6 is provided.
An inclined surface 16a is formed on the engaging convex portion 16 of the engaging piece 17 on the developing device 4 side.

The waste toner container 7 and the toner cartridge 6 having such a structure are integrally formed by engaging the engaging concave portion 15 and the engaging convex portion 16, and the integrally formed toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner. The container 7 is mounted on the developing device 4 so that the engagement releasing member 18 provided at the end of the developing device 4 is inserted between the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 from the left side of FIG. .

Then, the tip end of the engagement releasing member 18 of the developing device 4 abuts on the inclined surface 16a of the engaging convex portion 16, whereby the engaging piece 17 moves upward in the drawing and engages with the engaging convex portion 16. The engagement with the recess 15 is released. At this time, when the engagement holding portion 13 moves downward in the drawing and the mounting of the waste toner container 7 is completed, the engagement holding portion 13 moves upward due to its elasticity, and the engagement holding claw 14 moves to the waste toner container 7. Engage the sides,
The waste toner container 7 is engaged and held.

As described above, when the mounting of the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 on the developing device 4 is completed, the engagement between the engaging convex portion 16 and the engaging concave portion 15 is released as shown in FIG. Therefore, after the toner supply is completed, only the toner cartridge 6 can be removed from the developing device 4 by sliding the toner cartridge 6 leftward as shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are securely attached to the developing device 4,
Since the toner cartridge 6 can be removed, incomplete mounting on the developing device 4 can be prevented.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
10 to FIG. This image forming apparatus is provided with a sealing seal 19 for sealing the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 6, and a fixing member 20 for fixing the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 to one end of the sealing seal 19. The fixing member 20 is attached to the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 with the adhesive 21.

With such a configuration, after the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are mounted on the developing device 4, the sticking of the fixing member 20 is peeled off and the sealing seal 19 is peeled off from the toner cartridge 6, whereby the toner cartridge 6 is removed. Replenishment of toner from 6 to the developing device 4 is completed.

When the fixing member 20 is peeled off, the engagement between the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 is released, and the toner cartridge 6 can be removed from the developing device 4. After the toner supply is completed, the toner cartridge 6 is removed. Only the device is removed from the developing device 4.

Therefore, the toner cartridge 6 can be removed only after the sealing seal 19 is peeled off, so that the toner can be surely supplied to the developing device 4.

Embodiment 4 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.
1 to 13 will be described. This image forming apparatus is
Engagement protrusion 2 that engages the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 with a fixing member 20 provided at one end of a sealing seal 19 that seals the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 6.
2a and 22b are provided, and the engagement protrusions 22a and 22b are provided.
Engagement recesses 23a and 23b, which engage with each other, are provided in the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7, respectively.

With this structure, after the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are mounted on the developing device 4, the engaging protrusions 22a and 22b of the fixing member 20, the engaging recesses 23a of the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are provided. Engaging recess 23
By removing the engagement with b and peeling off the sealing seal 19 from the toner cartridge 6, the replenishment of toner from the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 4 is completed.

Toner cartridge 6 of this fixing member 20
Also, by disengaging the waste toner container 7 from the toner cartridge 6, the engagement between the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 is released, and the toner cartridge 6 can be removed from the developing device 4. Only 6 is removed from the developing device 4.

Therefore, the toner cartridge 6 can be removed only after the sealing seal 19 is peeled off, so that the toner can be reliably supplied to the developing device 4.

Embodiment 5 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.
4 and FIG. 15. This image forming apparatus is
An engagement rail 24 is provided at the lower end edge of the toner cartridge 6, and an engagement groove 25 with which the engagement rail 24 engages is provided in the waste toner container 7.

With this structure, the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are attached to the developing device 4, and the sealing seal that seals the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge 6 is peeled off. When the replenishment of toner to the developing device 4 is completed, the toner cartridge 6 is slid to the left and removed. At this time, the toner cartridge 6 and the waste toner container 7 are slid and removed while being engaged with each other by the engagement rail 24 and the engagement groove 25, so that the removal operation is performed smoothly and the toner cartridge 6
Can be easily replaced.

[0034]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are integrally formed, the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are used for supplying toner to the developing device. In order to attach it to the developing device, the waste developer container held in the container holding part of the developing device must be removed before it can be installed. Since the developer cartridge is removed after the developer is replenished, the space for the developer cartridge can be eliminated in the apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can be downsized.

Therefore, when the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are mounted on the developing device, the engagement between the developer cartridge and the waste developer container is released, and the developer cartridge can be removed. Therefore, the engagement of the engaging means can be automatically released by the release member on the side of the developing device , and the developer cartridge and the waste developer container must be securely attached to the developing device. Since the cartridge cannot be removed, incomplete mounting of the developer cartridge and the waste developer container in the developing device can be prevented.

Further, according to another image forming apparatus of the present invention , after the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are mounted on the developing device, the fixing member is removed and the seal member is peeled off from the developer cartridge. Since the engagement between the developer cartridge and the waste developer container is released and the developer cartridge can be removed from the developing device, it is possible to reliably supply the toner to the developing device, and moreover,
A developer cartridge, a waste developer container, etc. can be reused.

[0037]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge and a waste toner container according to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge and a waste toner container are attached to a developing device in Embodiment 1 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

5A and 5B show a toner cartridge and a waste toner container according to a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the waste toner container, and FIG.
FIG. 7C is a sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge and the waste toner container are integrated.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge and a waste toner container are attached to a developing device in Embodiment 2 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge and a waste toner container are attached to a developing device in Embodiment 3 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which the sealing seal is peeled off from the toner cartridge in Embodiment 3 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device in the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge and a waste toner container are attached to a developing device in Embodiment 4 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sealing seal is peeled off from the toner cartridge in Embodiment 4 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device in Embodiment 4 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner cartridge and a waste toner container are integrally formed in Embodiment 5 of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the waste toner container in the fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 17 shows a toner cartridge of a conventional image forming apparatus, (a) is a cross-sectional view as seen from the front, (b) is a plan view,
(C) is a side view.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a waste toner container of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 photoconductor drum 4 Developing device 6 toner cartridge 7 Waste toner container 13 Engagement holder 14 Engagement holding claw

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-58-189675 (JP, A) Actual development 62-84049 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08 112 G03G 15/08 506 G03G 21/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A developing device for supplying a developer to an image carrier to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, a developer cartridge for supplying the developer to the developing device, and an image. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning unit for cleaning residual developer remaining on the surface of a carrier and a waste developer container for containing the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning unit, wherein the developer cartridge and the waste developer container Is integrally formed in a detachable manner, the developing device is provided with a container holding portion for detachably holding a waste developer container, and a cartridge supporting portion for supporting a developer cartridge is provided. Are integrally formed with each other and are provided with engaging means capable of releasing the engaged state, and the developer cartridge and the waste developer container which are engaged with each other by the engaging means and are integrally formed. And develop The cartridge supporting portion and the container holding portion of the container are inserted from one direction side, and when they are mounted, the engagement releasing member provided on the developing device side releases the engagement by the engaging means. Thus, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that only the developer cartridge is detachably provided while holding the waste developer container in the container holding portion. 2. A developing device for supplying a developer to an image carrier to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, a developer cartridge for supplying the developer to the developing device, and an image. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning unit for cleaning residual developer remaining on the surface of a carrier and a waste developer container for containing the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning unit, wherein the developer cartridge and the waste developer container Is integrally formed in a detachable manner, the developing device is provided with a container holding portion for detachably holding a waste developer container, and a cartridge supporting portion for supporting a developer cartridge is provided. And a fixing member fixed to the developer cartridge and the waste developer container are provided at the ends of the seal member, and the developer cartridge and the waste developer container which are integrally formed are connected to the developing device. Mounted on the cartridge supporting portion and the container holding portion of the cartridge, and by removing the fixing member from the developer cartridge and the waste developer container, the seal member is peeled from the developer cartridge, and the developer cartridge is transferred to the developing device. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the developer cartridge can be removed while the waste developer container is held in the container holding portion after replenishment of the developer.