JP3622128B2 - Image forming machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine and an electrostatic printing machine, and more particularly to an image forming machine configured to detachably mount a developing device on a machine body housing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine or an electrostatic printing machine, development for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum as an image carrier disposed in a machine housing with toner. Equipment. The developing device has been put to practical use in which the developing device is replaced for each unit after operating for a predetermined time. In order to facilitate the replacement of the developing device, the developing device is configured to be detachably attached to the fuselage housing. Generally, a method of attaching and pulling the developing device from the front side of the fuselage housing is adopted. Yes. Further, the developing device mounted on the machine housing is positioned at a pressing position close to the photosensitive drum during image formation, and when the developing device is taken out, it needs to be operated to a pressing release position retracted from the pressing position. For this reason, the image forming machine includes pressing means for positioning the developing device at the pressing position and the pressing release position.
[0003]
On the other hand, the image forming machine is provided with a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner consumed in accordance with the development. The toner replenishing device includes a toner cartridge and a hopper that mounts the toner cartridge and supplies the toner to a developing device that is mounted on the machine housing. This toner replenishing device is generally configured to be disposed on the front side of the developing device mounting position in the machine housing in consideration of the ease of toner cartridge replacement work. The toner replenishing device has an operating position facing the developing device and an open position rotated by an angle of about 90 degrees in the horizontal plane from the operating position so as not to obstruct the replacement of the developing device. It is comprised so that it may be positioned.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, in an image forming machine configured to detachably attach the developing device to the machine housing, when the developing device is pulled out from the machine housing at the pressing position, the developer applying means of the photosensitive drum and the developing device is provided. There is a problem in that the sleeve member is rubbed to damage the photosensitive drum and the sleeve member. Therefore, it is desirable that the developing device be configured so that it cannot be pulled out from the body housing unless it is positioned at the pressing release position retracted from the pressing position.
[0005]
In addition, in an image forming machine configured so that the developing device is detachably attached to the machine housing, the developing device needs to be positioned at the pressing position during image formation, and a new developing device is attached when the developing device is replaced. After that, even if the forging operation at the pressing position is forgotten and the image forming operation is performed in a state where the developing device is positioned at the pressing release position, an appropriate toner image cannot be formed. Therefore, it is desirable that the developing device is positioned at the pressing position in a state where the replacement operation of the developing device is completed.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned fact, and a first technical problem is that when the developing device cannot be pulled out from the fuselage housing unless the developing device is positioned at the pressing release position, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming machine capable of preventing the photosensitive drum and the sleeve member constituting the developer application means of the developing device from being rubbed and damaged.
[0007]
In addition, the second technical problem of the present invention is that the developing device is positioned at the pressing position when the developing device replacement operation is completed, so that the developing device is forgotten to be positioned at the pressing position when the developing device is replaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming machine capable of preventing a development failure caused by the above.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above technical problem, according to the present invention, a fuselage housing,
A photosensitive drum disposed in the body housing;
A movable mounting plate disposed in the machine housing so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the photosensitive drum;
A developing device detachably mounted on the movable mounting plate from the front side of the body housing;
A pressing operation mechanism for operating the developing device and the movable mounting plate to a pressing position close to the photosensitive drum and a pressing release position retreating from the pressing position;
An image forming machine comprising: a toner replenishing device configured to be operable between an operating position for supplying toner to the developing device and an open position retracted from the operating position;
The pressing operation mechanism includes the fuselage housing. The position corresponding to the mounting position of the movable mounting plate on the front side surface of the front side plate disposed on Provided with a pressing lever,
The pressing lever is configured to be operable at a first position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing position and a second position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing release position, and is positioned at the first position. In the state, the operation of the toner replenishing device from the open position to the working position is allowed, and in the state of being positioned in the second position, the operation of the toner replenishing device from the open position to the working position is restricted. Configured as
An image forming machine is provided.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of an image forming machine configured according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
1 and 2 show an electrostatic copying machine as an image forming machine constructed according to the present invention. The illustrated electrostatic copying machine includes a cuboid body housing 2. On the upper surface of the machine housing 2, there is a stationary transparent plate 4 on which a document to be copied is placed, and an openable / closable document pressing plate 5 for covering the stationary transparent plate 4 and the document placed thereon. It is arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 6 is rotatably disposed at a substantially central portion in the machine housing 2. The photosensitive drum 6 is rotationally driven in a direction indicated by an arrow 60 by a driving unit (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 6, the charging corona discharger 8, the developing device 10, the transfer corona discharger 12, the peeling corona discharger 14, and the cleaning unit 16 are sequentially seen in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow 60. And the static elimination lamp 18 is arrange | positioned. The illustrated electrostatic copying machine includes an irradiation lamp 20, a first mirror 22, a second mirror 24, a third mirror 26, a lens 28, and a fourth mirror 30 disposed above the photosensitive drum 6. An optical system consisting of This optical system irradiates an original placed on the stationary transparent plate 4 with an irradiation lamp 20 and reflects the reflected light image on the first mirror 22, the second mirror 24, the third mirror 26, the lens 28, and the first. The image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 8 through the four mirrors 30. The illustrated electrostatic copying machine includes a transfer paper supply device 32 for supplying transfer paper to a transfer area between the transfer corona discharger 12 and the photosensitive drum 6. The transfer paper supply device 32 includes transfer paper cassettes 34a and 34b for storing transfer paper, transfer paper feed rollers 36a and 36b, separating roller pairs 38a and 38b, a guide path 40, conveying roller pairs 42 and 44, and a registration roller pair 46. It has. The roller pairs of the transfer paper supply device 32 configured as described above are rotated and driven by driving means (not shown). Further, a transfer paper transport belt mechanism 48, a fixing roller pair 52 and a discharge roller pair 54 constituting a fixing device 50 are disposed on the transfer paper delivery side of the transfer area, and these transport belt mechanism and each roller are illustrated. Each of them is driven to rotate by non-driving means. As shown in FIG. 2, a front cover 2a is mounted on the front surface of the body housing 2 in which the above-described members are disposed so as to be openable and closable with the lower edge as a fulcrum.
[0012]
In the electrostatic copying machine configured as described above, while the photosensitive drum 6 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 60, the charging corona discharger 8 makes the photosensitive member on the photosensitive drum 6 have a specific polarity. Substantially uniformly charged, and then irradiated onto the original placed on the stationary transparent plate 4 by the irradiation lamp 20, and the reflected light image thereof is a first mirror 22, a second mirror 24, a third mirror 26, Scanning exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 6 through the lens 28 and the fourth mirror 30, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 is developed into a toner image by the developing device 10. On the other hand, the transfer paper stored in the transfer paper cassette 34a or 34b of the transfer paper supply device 32 is sent out from the transfer paper feed roller 36a or 36b to the guide path 40, and is stopped once by the registration roller pair 46, and the photosensitive drum 6 is stopped. The toner image is conveyed to the transfer area in synchronism with the toner image formed. The transfer paper conveyed to the transfer area passes between the photosensitive drum 6 on which the toner image is formed and the transfer corona discharger 12 to transfer the toner image. Then, the transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 6 by the action of the peeling corona discharger 14, transported to the fixing device 50 by the transfer paper transport belt mechanism 48, where it is heated and fixed, The paper is discharged from the discharge roller pair 54 to the discharge tray 56. Further, the toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 6 after the transfer process as described above is removed by the cleaning unit 16, and further, the surface of the photosensitive member is irradiated with the discharging light by the discharging lamp 18. The charge is removed.
[0013]
Next, the developing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The illustrated developing device 10 includes a developing housing 100. The developing housing 100 that can be molded from an appropriate synthetic resin includes a bottom wall 101, a rear wall 102, a front end wall 103, a rear end wall 104, and a cover wall 105 that covers the top of the developing housing 100. A partition wall 107 is integrally formed on the bottom wall 101 constituting the developing housing 100 in the front-rear direction (width direction) (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4, left-right direction in FIG. 5). Is divided into a first transport path 100a and a second transport path 100b. The partition wall 107 protrudes substantially vertically upward from the bottom wall 101 of the developing housing 100, and both side surfaces of the lower end portion are formed in a concave arc shape. Developer transfer ports 107a and 107b are provided at both ends in the front-rear direction (width direction) of the partition wall 107, and the first transport path 100a and the second transport path 100b are connected to each other. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a guide groove 101a extending in the front-rear direction (width direction) is formed on the bottom wall 101 provided with the partition wall 107 from the back side end to the front side end. In addition, the guide part 101b which spreads in the horizontal direction both sides is formed in the back | inner side edge part (right end part in FIG. 5) of the guide groove 101a. A panning plate 108 is attached to the free end side of the cover wall 105 of the developing housing 100 by screws 108a. The bottom edge of the cutting plate 108 is positioned close to the peripheral surface of the sleeve member 111 of the developer applying means 110 described later, and is held on the peripheral surface of the sleeve member 111 and conveyed to the development area. It functions as a so-called ear cutting means for regulating the amount of developer. In addition, a panning cover 106 is attached to the upper surface of the cover wall 105. As shown in FIG. 4, the ear cover 106 includes a cover part 106a and a mounting part 106b, and is formed by bending a plate material such as an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. 3, a tongue piece 106 c is provided at the center of the end of the mounting portion 106 b constituting the ear trimming cover 106. In the thus configured panicle cover 106, the mounting portion 106b is mounted on the upper surface of the cover wall 105 with screws 106e and 106e. Note that a sheet-like seal member 109 is attached to the free end portion of the panning cover 106. The sheet-like seal member 109 is made of a flexible sheet member such as polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) resin, for example, and is attached to the free end of the ear cover 106 with an adhesive, and the free end thereof is It is in light contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 6. In the illustrated embodiment, a front end plate 145 is attached to the front end of the developing housing 100 by a fixing means such as a screw. The front end plate 145 is made of synthetic resin, and a handle 146 is integrally formed at the center of the lower end portion thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 7).
[0014]
Developer application means 110 is disposed in the foremost part (leftmost part in FIG. 4) of the developing housing 10. The developer applying unit 110 includes a sleeve member 111 that extends substantially horizontally in the width direction, and a permanent magnet member 112 disposed in the sleeve member 111. The sleeve member 111 is made of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum and is rotatably mounted. The permanent magnet member 112 is fixed at a predetermined position. The rotating shaft 113 to which the sleeve member 111 is fixed penetrates the rear end wall 104 of the developing housing 100 and protrudes backward, and an input gear 114 is attached to the protruding end. The input gear 114 is drivingly connected to a rotation drive source (not shown) which may be an electric motor via an input gear (not shown) of the photosensitive drum 2 and is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow 115. I'm damned.
[0015]
A developer agitating / conveying means 120 is disposed behind the developer applying means 110 (to the right in FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the developer agitating and conveying means 120 includes a first spiral roller 121 disposed in the first conveying path 100a and a second spiral roller 121 disposed in the second conveying path 100b. A spiral roller 122 and a paddle roller 123 disposed between the second spiral roller 122 and the developer applying means 110 are included. The rotation shafts of the first spiral roller 121, the second spiral roller 122, and the paddle roller 123 protrude rearwardly through the rear end wall 104 of the developing housing 100, and the protruding end portion is shown in the drawing. Each input gear is mounted, and this input gear is connected to the input gear 114 of the developer applying means 110 and is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow. The first spiral roller 121 that is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow conveys the developer from the near side to the far side (left side to right side in FIG. 5) while stirring the developer, and the second spiral roller 122 stirs the developer. Then, it is conveyed from the back side to the near side (from the right side to the left side in FIG. 5). The paddle roller 123 sends the developer to the developer applying unit 110 while stirring the developer.
[0016]
A developer cartridge provided with a developer drop opening 105a as shown in FIG. 6 at a position facing the upper side of the first spiral roller 121 and the second spiral roller 122 on the cover wall 105 constituting the developing housing 10. A mounting portion is provided, and a toner supply portion 130 is provided at a position facing the upper side of the first spiral roller 121 on the front side of the developer dropping opening 105a. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner supply unit 130 includes partition walls 131, 132, and 133 that are erected on the cover wall 105 and a front end plate 145 that is attached to the front end of the developing housing 10. A space 134 surrounded by. In this space 134, a toner supply chamber 138 is provided that is surrounded by partition walls 135, 136, and 137 formed upright on the cover wall 105, the front end plate 145, and the cover wall 105. As shown in FIG. 7, a toner dropping opening 105b is formed at the front end of the cover wall 105 forming the toner supply chamber 138. The toner supply chamber 138 is provided with a cylindrical on-off valve 139 for opening and closing the toner dropping opening 105b. A coil spring 140 is disposed between the on-off valve 139 and the partition wall 135, and the on-off valve 139 is biased toward the front end plate 145 by the spring force of the coil spring 140. The front end plate 145 is formed with an opening 145a having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the on-off valve 139 at a position facing the on-off valve 139. Further, in the space 134 constituting the toner supply part 130, a seal having an inclined surface inclined from the lower end of the partition wall 131 forming the space 134 toward the upper end of the partition wall 135 forming the toner supply chamber 138. A peeling guide member 141 is provided. The partition wall 131 on the developer cartridge mounting portion side forming the space 134 of the toner supply portion 130 is provided with a seal insertion port 131a at the lower end portion thereof as shown in FIG. Is provided with a locking opening 131b. Further, step portions 132a and 133a are provided on the inner ends of the upper ends of the partition walls 132 and 133 forming the space 134 of the toner supply unit 130, respectively.
[0017]
A cover member 142 is detachably disposed above the space 134 constituting the toner supply unit 130. The cover member 142 integrally formed of synthetic resin includes a planar cover portion 143 and an engaging portion 144 extending substantially at right angles from one end of the cover portion 143. An engaging protrusion is formed at the tip of the engaging portion 144. 144a is provided. In order to attach the cover member 142 configured as described above to the toner supply unit 130, the other end portion of the cover portion 143 is inserted and engaged with a locking portion 145 b provided on the front end plate 145, When the portion 144 is pushed downward along the wall surface on the near side of the partition wall 131, the engaging portion 144 is lowered while being elastically deformed, and the engaging protrusion 144a is engaged with the locking opening 131b provided in the partition wall 131. Align. At this time, the lower surfaces on both sides of the cover member 142 abut on the step portions 132 a and 133 a provided on the partition walls 132 and 133. When removing the cover member 142 attached to the toner supply unit 130 in this way, for example, a driver is inserted into the locking opening 131b from the back side of the partition wall 131 with the developer cartridge described later removed. When the mating projection 144a is pushed, the engaging portion 144 is elastically deformed and disengaged from the locking opening 131b. In this state, the engaging portion 144 is moved upward while being lifted upward, so that the cover portion 143 is moved. What is necessary is just to extract the other end part from the latching | locking part 103b provided in the front-end wall 103. FIG.
[0018]
The developer cartridge 150 is detachably mounted on the developer cartridge mounting portion provided with the developer dropping opening 105b in the cover wall 105 constituting the developing housing 10 and fixed by appropriate fixing means. The developer cartridge 150 covers a cartridge body 151 containing a developer 155 in which a carrier and toner are mixed at a predetermined ratio, and covers an opening formed on the lower side of the cartridge body 151 so as to be peelable by welding or an adhesive. And a mounted seal member 152. The seal member 152 is formed of an appropriate flexible synthetic resin film such as a nylon film, and after one end is attached to the front end of the cartridge body 151 and pasted to the back end of the cartridge body 151 The other end portion is folded and disposed on the seal peeling guide member 141 through a seal insertion port 131a formed in the lower end portion of the partition wall 131. The other end of the seal member 141 passes through the upper side of the space 134 constituting the toner supply unit 130 and is positioned on the near side of the machine housing through the seal insertion port 145c provided on the near end plate 145. ing. When the developer cartridge 150 is mounted on the development housing 10, the cover member 142 is removed, the developer cartridge 150 is mounted, the seal member 152 passes over the seal peeling guide member 141, and the front end The cover member 142 is mounted after being positioned on the front side of the machine housing through the seal insertion port 145c provided in the plate 145.
[0019]
The developing device 10 configured as described above is detachably attached to the body housing 2 as described later. In order to facilitate carrying of the developing device 10, in the illustrated embodiment, a handle structure is provided on the upper surface of the cover wall 105 constituting the developing housing 10 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8. The handle structure includes a handle 160 constituted by a flexible synthetic resin belt. The handle 160 is provided with a long hole 160a and a long hole 160a at both ends thereof, and the cover wall is secured by screws 161 and 161 as mounting members disposed through the long hole 160a and the long hole 160a. 105 is attached. The screws 161 and 161 are provided with stepped portions 161a and 161a thicker than the thickness of the handle 160. Therefore, the handle 160 can move in the range of the long hole 160a and the long hole 160a. At this time, the tongue piece portion 106c provided on the attachment portion 106b constituting the ear-cutting cover 106 is inserted between the two screws 160 below the handle 160. Since the tongue piece portion 106c is interposed between the handle 160 and the cover wall 105, the central portion of the handle 160 is lifted by the upper edges of both ends of the tongue piece portion 106c, and a gap is formed between the handle 160 and the tongue piece portion 106c. 162 is formed. The gap 162 makes it easy to put the tip of a finger between the handle 160 and the tongue piece 106c, and the handle 160 is easy to hold. In the illustrated embodiment, the member interposed between the handle 160 and the cover wall 105 is a part of the ear trimming cover 106 that is a component of the developing device 10, and thus a member for forming the gap. Therefore, an inexpensive handle structure can be obtained.
[0020]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, a pressing operation mechanism for operating the developing device 10 mounted on the machine housing 2 to a pressing position close to the photosensitive drum 6 and a pressing release position retracted from the pressing position will be described. To explain.
In the body housing 2, a front side plate 200 and a back side plate 201 are disposed in parallel to each other. A fixing plate 203 is attached between the front side plate 200 and the back side plate 201 by a fixing means such as a screw 204. Below the fixed plate 203, two operation plates 205 and 205 are rotatably supported by support shafts 206 and 206, respectively. Operation pins 207 and 207 are fixed to the two operation plates 205 and 205, respectively. The operation pins 207 and 207 are attached to the operation plates 205 and 205 so as to protrude upward, and are disposed through the openings 203a and 203a formed in the fixed plate 203. In addition, spring locking portions 205a and 205a are formed on the two actuating plates 205 and 205, respectively, and one ends of the tension coil springs 208 and 208 are locked on the spring locking portions 205a and 205a, respectively. ing. The tension coil springs 208 and 208 are respectively locked at the other ends to support brackets 209 and 209 attached to the lower surface of the fixed plate 203, and the operation plates 205 and 205 are respectively centered on the support shafts 206 and 206 in FIG. It is energized to rotate counterclockwise.
[0021]
An operating rod 210 is disposed below the two operating plates 205 and 205. The operating rod 210 has elongated holes 210a and 210a elongated in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). The operating rod 210 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by support pins 212, 212 fixed to brackets 211, 211 that are inserted into the long holes 210a, 210a and attached to the fixing plate 203. In the operating rod 210, elongated holes 210b and 210b are formed at positions corresponding to the operating plates 205 and 205 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Action pins 215 and 215 attached at intermediate positions between the support shafts 206 and 206 and the spring locking portions 205a and 205a in the plates 205 and 205 are inserted. Therefore, when the operating rod 210 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow 213 in FIG. 9, the operating plates 205 and 205 are rotated about the supporting shafts 206 and 206 in the clockwise direction in FIG. When the operating rod 210 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 in FIG. 9, the operating plates 205 and 205 are rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9 about the support shafts 206 and 206 via the operating pins 215 and 215.
[0022]
Next, a pressing mechanism for operating the operating rod 210 in the direction of arrows 213 and 214 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Screws 204, 204 having a pair of L-shaped support brackets 230, 230 attached to the fixing plate 203 at positions corresponding to the operating rod 210 on the front side surface of the front side plate 200 disposed in the body housing 2. Is tightened together. The support brackets 230 and 230 are horizontally provided with support pins 231 that rotatably support a press lever described later. The support brackets 230 and 230 are formed with arc-shaped long holes 230a over an angle of about 90 degrees with the support pin 231 as the center. The pressing lever 240 is attached to the support brackets 230 and 230 configured as described above. The pressing lever 240 includes a lever portion 241 and a mounting portion 242 and is integrally formed of synthetic resin. A mounting portion 242 of the pressing lever 240 is rotatably attached by a support pin 231 mounted on the support portion rackets 230 and 230. A guide pin 243 is disposed on the mounting portion 242 of the pressing lever 240, and the guide pin 243 is configured to fit into arc-shaped elongated holes 230 a formed in the support portion rackets 230, 230. . Accordingly, when the pressing lever 240 rotates about the support pin 231, the guide pin 243 moves along the arc-shaped long hole 230a. Since the arc-shaped elongated hole 230a is formed over an angle of approximately 90 degrees as described above, the guide pin 243 can move within an angle range of approximately 90 degrees, and therefore the pressing lever 240 is approximately 90 degrees. It can be rotated in an angular range. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the pressing lever 240 can rotate in the range of the first position shown in FIG. 10 in the vertical state and the second position shown in FIG. 11 in the horizontal state. The pressing lever 240 configured in this manner is connected to the operating rod 210 via the connecting link 245. That is, one end of the connection link 245 is connected to the mounting portion 242 of the pressing lever 240 by the guide pin 243, and the other end of the connection link 245 is connected to one end of the operating rod 210 by the connection pin 246.
[0023]
The pressing lever 240 constituting the pressing operation mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the positional relationship between the support pin 231, the guide pin 243, and the connecting pin 246 will be described below. In the state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the second position which is the horizontal state as shown in FIG. 11, the guide pin 243 is positioned above the line connecting the connecting pin 246 and the support pin 231. Therefore, the force for operating the operating rod 210 in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 via the operating plates 205 and 205 and the operating pins 215 and 215 by the spring force of the tension coil springs 208 and 208 is the connecting pin 246 and the connecting pin. In order to act on the guide pin 243 via the link 245, the pressing lever 240 positioned at the second position as shown in FIG. 11 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 11 around the support pin 231. Therefore, the pressing lever 240 is maintained in the horizontal state shown in FIG. 11, that is, in the second position. On the other hand, in the state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position which is the vertical state as shown in FIG. 10, the guide pin 243 is positioned below the line connecting the connecting pin 246 and the support pin 231. Accordingly, the force in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 acting on the operating rod 210 is applied to the pressing lever 240 positioned at the first position as shown in FIG. 10 via the connecting pin 246, the connecting link 245, and the guide pin 243. Since it acts so as to rotate clockwise in FIG. 10 around the pin 231, the pressing lever 240 is maintained in the vertical state shown in FIG. 10, that is, in the first position. As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the pressing lever 240 is maintained in the state by the spring force of the tension coil springs 208 and 208 while being positioned at the first position and the second position, respectively. Therefore, it is stable without shaking by vibrations.
[0024]
A movable mounting plate 220 is disposed above the fixed plate 203. As shown in FIG. 12, the movable mounting plate 220 includes a mounting portion 221 and first guide portions 222 and 222 that are provided so as to protrude from the front end portion of the mounting portion 221 and are bent downward. And a second guide part 223 bent upward from the back end of the mounting part 221 and a rear wall part 224 bent upward from the rear end of the mounting part 221. Two long holes 221 a and 221 a into which the operating pins 207 and 207 are fitted are formed in the mounting portion 221 constituting the movable mounting plate 220. In addition, a guide rail 221b extending in the width direction is provided on an end edge opposite to the rear wall portion 224 of the placement portion 221 constituting the movable placement plate 220. Long guide holes 222 a and 222 a are formed in the first guide portions 222 and 222 constituting the movable mounting plate 220. Two guide pins 226 and 226 are attached to the second guide portion 223 constituting the movable mounting plate 220 so as to protrude outward, and the two positioning pins 227 and 227 protrude inward. Installed. A guide rail 224b extending in the width direction is provided at the upper end edge of the rear wall portion 224 constituting the movable mounting plate 220. In the movable mounting plate 220 configured as described above, the first guide portions 222 and 222 are mounted on the upper end of the front side plate 200, and guide pins 226 and 226 attached to the second guide portion 223 are provided. The long hole 201a and the long hole 201a formed in the back side plate 201 are fitted in and supported in a horizontal state. In this state, guide pins 228 attached to the front side plate 200 are fitted in the guide long holes 222a and 222a formed in the first guide portions 222 and 222, respectively. Further, the operating pins 207 and 207 are fitted into the elongated holes 221a and 221a formed in the mounting portion 221 constituting the movable mounting plate 220. The developing device 10 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 221 of the movable mounting plate 220 configured as described above. In order to place the developing device 10 on the placement unit 221, the rear side end of the development device 10 is placed on the front side of the placement unit 221, and is pushed into the rear side. At this time, the developing device 10 is slid backward while fitting the guide groove 101a provided on the bottom wall 101 of the developing housing 100 to the operating pins 207 and 207. When the developing device 10 is pushed to a predetermined position, two positioning pins 227 and 227 attached to the second guide portion 223 constituting the movable mounting plate 220 are provided on the rear side end wall of the developing device 10. The developing device 10 is placed at a predetermined position on the movable placement plate 220 by fitting a positioning hole (not shown).
[0025]
Next, the positional relationship between the movable mounting plate 220 movably disposed at a predetermined position of the machine housing 2 and the pressing lever 240 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, in the state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position which is the vertical state, a part of the pressing lever 240 (the lever portion 241 in the illustrated embodiment) is placed on the upper surface ( It is located above the mounting surface. Therefore, the developing device 10 cannot be attached to and detached from the movable mounting plate 220 in a state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position. In the illustrated embodiment, in the state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position, the front end portion of the developing device 10 in which the lever portion 241 of the pressing lever 240 is mounted on the movable mounting plate 220 is used. It is located in the position facing the handle 146 provided in the said front side end plate 145 which comprises this. Therefore, in a state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position, the handle 146 used when the developing device 10 is pulled out from the body housing 2 cannot be gripped. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressing lever 240 is positioned at substantially the same height as the upper surface (mounting surface) of the movable mounting plate 220 in the state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the second position which is the horizontal state. Yes. Accordingly, the developing device 10 can be attached to and detached from the movable mounting plate 220 in a state where the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position. The pressing lever 240 positioned at the second position that functions as the guide terrace is urged so as to be held at the second position by the tension coil springs 208 and 208 as described above. And the operation of attaching and detaching the developing device 10 is simple and easy.
[0026]
Next, a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to the developing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 13, and 14.
The toner replenishing device 300 is disposed on the front side (left side in FIGS. 5, 6, and 13) of the front side plate 200 provided in the machine body housing 2. A toner replenishing device 300 in the illustrated embodiment includes a toner cartridge 310, a hopper 330 that detachably mounts the toner cartridge 310, a hopper support housing 350 that accommodates and supports the hopper 330, and the hopper support housing 350. The housing 2 is provided with opening / closing support means 380 that is rotatably supported in a horizontal plane.
[0027]
The toner cartridge 310 may have a known configuration and includes a toner cartridge main body 311 that stores toner. An opening (not shown) is formed in the bottom wall of the toner cartridge body 311, and a film-like seal member (not shown) that closes the opening is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall. The seal member is configured to be peeled off by a seal winding means (not shown) after being attached to the hopper 330.
[0028]
The hopper 330 is disposed on the hopper main body 331, a toner cartridge mounting portion 332 provided on the hopper main body 331 and detachably mounted on the toner cartridge 310, and a lower portion of the hopper main body 331. A toner conveying unit 333 is provided for conveying toner. The toner conveying means 333 includes a spiral roller 334 that is disposed to project horizontally from the lower portion of the hopper body 331, and a guide cylinder 335 that is fitted to the projecting portion of the spiral roller 334. A toner discharge port 335 a is formed below the distal end of the guide tube 335. Note that an input gear 336 is connected to a rotating shaft 334a of the spiral roller 334 constituting the toner conveying unit 333 so as to be transmitted and connected to a driving unit described later.
[0029]
The hopper support housing 350 is formed in a box shape by a bottom wall 351, a front wall 352, a rear wall 353 and a side wall 354. The front wall 352 is provided with an opening through which the protruding portion of the spiral roller 334 can pass. A mounting plate 356 having an opening at the center is mounted on the upper end of the hopper support housing 350 configured as described above, and the hopper 330 is mounted on the mounting plate 356. In the hopper support housing 350, driving means 360 for rotating the spiral roller 334 is disposed. The drive means 360 includes an electric motor 361, a drive gear 362 mounted on the rotation shaft of the electric motor 361, a first intermediate gear 363 that meshes with the drive gear 362, the first intermediate gear 363, and the above-described The second intermediate gear 364 meshes with the input gear 336 of the spiral roller 334.
[0030]
The opening / closing support means 380 includes a support member 382 attached to the front side plate 200 and the rear side plate 202 disposed in the body housing 2 by fixing means 381 such as bolts and nuts, and an upper side of the support member 382. The rear plate 202 is provided with an opening / closing guide member 384 mounted by a fixing means 383 such as a bolt and a nut. The support member 382 is provided with a linear first guide hole 382a that is elongated in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 14) of the body housing. The opening / closing guide member 384 includes a straight portion 384b formed in parallel to the first guide hole 382a provided in the support member 382, and a front end portion of the straight portion 384b (the left end portion in FIGS. 5 and 14). And a second guide hole 384a having a circular arc portion 384c formed continuously. The relationship between the second guide hole 384a and the first guide hole 382a will be described. The length of the straight portion 384b constituting the second guide hole 384a is the same as the length of the first guide hole 382a. The arc portion 384c constituting the second guide hole 384a is centered on the front end portion of the first guide hole 382a, and the straight portion 384b constituting the first guide hole 382a and the second guide hole 384a. Is formed in a circular arc extending over an angle of about 90 degrees with a radius of the dimension of the gap.
[0031]
A first guide pin 386 attached to a support plate 385 attached to a bottom wall 351 constituting the hopper support housing 350 is movably fitted in the first guide hole 382a, so that the second guide can be moved. A second guide pin 387 attached to an attachment plate 356 attached to the upper end of the hopper support housing 350 is movably fitted in the hole 382a. The first guide pin 386 and the second guide pin 387 are respectively connected to the first guide hole 382a and the second guide pin 382 in a state where the toner replenishing device 300 is positioned at the operation position shown in FIGS. The guide hole 384a is disposed so as to be located at the far end of the straight portion 384b. Therefore, when the toner replenishing device 300 is pulled to the front side (left side in FIGS. 5, 6 and 14) from the operating position, the first guide pin 386 and the second guide pin 387 are connected to the first guide hole 382a. The toner supply device 300 is moved to the front end portion along the straight line portion 384b constituting the second guide hole 384a, and from this state, the toner supply device 300 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 14 around the first guide pin 386. When the second guide pin 387 moves, the second guide pin 387 moves along the arc portion 384c constituting the second guide hole 384a, and as shown in FIG. 13, the end portion of the arc portion 384c is moved to an open position moved by an angle of about 90 degrees. The movement is restricted by abutting against. As described above, the hopper 330 constituting the toner replenishing device 300 can be rotated in a horizontal plane at the rotation position after moving a predetermined distance from the operation position to the front side of the body housing 2. In the state where the hopper 330 is positioned at the operating position, the front end portion of the toner conveying means 333 has an opening / closing valve 139 disposed in the toner supply chamber 138 of the toner supply portion 130 of the developing device 10 as shown in FIG. And is positioned in the toner supply chamber 138.
[0032]
The image forming machine configured according to the present invention is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.
In order to replace the developing device 10, the front cover 2 a mounted on the front surface of the machine housing 2 is opened as shown in FIG. 2, and then the hopper 330 constituting the toner replenishing device 300 is changed to FIGS. When a predetermined distance (the length of the straight portion 384b constituting the first guide hole 382a and the second guide hole 384a) is moved from the operation position shown in FIG. The leading end comes out of the toner supply unit 130 of the developing device 10. Accordingly, the front end portion of the toner conveying unit 333 can be rotated without interfering with the developing device 10. After the toner replenishing device 300 has been pulled out a predetermined distance to the front side of the machine housing 2 and then rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 13 about the first guide pin 386, the second guide pin 387 is moved to the second guide. It moves along the arc part 384c constituting the hole 384a and abuts against the end part of the arc part 384c at the open position moved by an angle of about 90 degrees as shown in FIG. In this state, the front side of the developing device 10 in the machine body housing 2 is opened.
[0033]
Next, the pressing lever 240 constituting the pressing mechanism is moved downward from the vertical position, which is the first position shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, with the support pin 231 as the center (counterclockwise with the support pin 231 as the center in FIG. 11), the guide pin 243 moves along the arc-shaped elongated hole 230a. When the guide pin 243 rotates approximately 90 degrees, the guide pin 243 comes into contact with the end of the arc-shaped elongated hole 230a. It will be in the horizontal state which is the 2nd position shown. When the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the second position shown in FIG. 11, the near side of the developing device 10 on the near side plate 200 disposed in the machine body housing 2 is opened. On the other hand, with the operation of the pressing lever 240 to the second position, the operating rod 210 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow 213 in FIGS. 10 and 11 through the guide pin 243, the connecting link 245, and the connecting pin 246. When the operating rod 210 operates in the direction indicated by the arrow 213 in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operating plates 205 and 205 are rotated about the support shafts 206 and 206 in the clockwise direction in FIG. . As a result, the operating pins 207, 207 mounted on the operating plates 205, 205 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 about the support shafts 206, 206, so that the operating pins 207, 207 and the long holes 221a, 221a and The developing device 10 including the movable mounting plate 220 and the developing housing 100 in which the guide groove 101 a is fitted is moved rightward in FIGS. 4 and 9, and the developing device 10 is retracted from the photosensitive drum 2. Thus, it is positioned at the pressing release position (desorption position).
[0034]
In this state, when the developing device 10 is grasped by the handle 146 provided on the front end plate 145 and pulled out to the front side, the developing device 10 is guided by the pressing lever 240 positioned at the second position in the horizontal state and is then housed in the machine body housing 2. Can be pulled out to the front side of When the developing device 10 is pulled out from the developing housing 100, it is formed between the handle 160 attached to the upper surface of the cover wall 105 constituting the machine housing 2 of the developing device 10 and the tongue piece portion 106c. The tip of the finger can be put into the gap 162 and the developing device 10 can be easily pulled out by holding the handle 160. Thus, if the pressing lever 240 is not positioned at the second position in the horizontal state shown in FIG. 11, the front side of the developing device 10 in the front side plate 200 disposed in the machine body housing 2 is not opened. Since the apparatus 10 does not appear, the developing apparatus 10 cannot be pulled out unless the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the second position and the pressing of the developing apparatus 10 toward the photosensitive drum 2 is released. Therefore, when the developing device 10 is pulled out, the photosensitive drum 2 and the sleeve member 111 rub against each other because the sleeve member 111 and the photosensitive drum 2 constituting the developer applying unit 110 of the developing device 10 are always separated. Thus, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum 2 and the sleeve member 111 from being damaged.
[0035]
When the used developing device 10 mounted on the machine housing 2 is pulled out, the new developing device 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 221 of the movable mounting plate 220 disposed on the machine housing 2. In order to place the developing device 10 on the placing portion 221, the rear end of the developing device 10 is placed on the placing portion while the pressing lever 240 is maintained at the second position which is the horizontal state shown in FIG. It is put on the front side of 221 and pushed into the back side along the guide rails 221b and 224b. At this time, the developing device 10 is slid backward while fitting the guide groove 101a provided on the bottom wall 101 of the developing housing 100 to the operating pins 207 and 207. When the developing device 10 is pushed to a predetermined position, two positioning pins 227 and 227 attached to the second guide portion 223 constituting the movable mounting plate 220 are provided on the rear side end wall of the developing device 10. The developing device 10 is placed at a predetermined position on the movable placement plate 220 by fitting a positioning hole (not shown).
[0036]
Thus, when the new developing device 10 is placed at a predetermined position of the movable placement plate 220 disposed in the machine body housing 2, the pressing lever 240 constituting the pressing operation mechanism is set in the horizontal state shown in FIG. When the support pin 231 is pivoted upward from a certain second position (clockwise around the support pin 231 in FIG. 11), the guide pin 243 moves along the arc-shaped elongated hole 230a, and is approximately 90 degrees. When the angle is rotated, the guide pin 243 comes into contact with the end of the arc-shaped elongated hole 230a to be in the first position in the vertical state shown in FIG. As the pressing lever 240 is moved to the first position, the operating rod 210 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 in FIGS. 10 and 11 through the guide pin 243, the connecting link 245, and the connecting pin 246. When the operating rod 210 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operating plates 205 and 205 are rotated about the support shafts 206 and 206 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. It is done. As a result, the operation pins 207, 207 mounted on the operation plates 205, 205 rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 about the support shafts 206, 206, so that the operation pins 207, 207 and the long holes 221a, 221a 4 and 9 is moved to the right in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, and the developing device 10 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 2 side. It is positioned at the pressing position. Thus, when the developing device 10 is positioned at the pressing position, the pressing lever 240 is in the first position which is the vertical state, and therefore the developing device 10 cannot be pulled out at the pressing position.
[0037]
Next, when the toner replenishing device 300 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14 around the first guide pin 386 from the open position, the second guide pin 387 is moved to the arc portion 384c constituting the second guide hole 384a. It moves along, and abuts on the linear part 382b which comprises the 2nd guide hole 384a in the position which moved the angle of about 90 degree | times, and the rotation is controlled. In this state, when the toner supply device 300 is pushed to the back side, the first guide pin 386 and the second guide pin 387 are moved along the straight portion 384b constituting the first guide hole 382a and the second guide hole 384a. It moves to the back side and is positioned at the operation position shown in FIGS. When the toner replenishing device 300 is positioned at the operating position, the front end of the toner conveying means 333 uses the open / close valve 139 disposed in the toner supply chamber 138 of the toner supply unit 130 of the developing device 10 as a force of the coil spring 140. The toner is pushed away and positioned in the toner supply chamber 138. When the toner replenishing device 300 is positioned at the operating position, the toner replenishing device 300 interferes with the pressing lever 240 and is positioned at the operating position unless the pressing lever 240 is positioned at the first position shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent forgetting to place the developing device 10 at the pressing position for pressing the developing device 10 toward the photosensitive drum 2. In this way, when the toner replenishing device 300 is positioned at the operating position, the front cover 2a attached to the front surface of the machine body housing 2 is turned upward from the opened state and closed as shown in FIG. Then, the copy can be made again.
[0038]
Next, the replacement operation of only the developer cartridge 150 will be described.
When the developing device 10 is pulled out from the machine housing 2 as described above, the developer cartridge 150 mounted on the cover wall 105 constituting the developing housing 10 is removed. Then, for example, when a screwdriver is inserted into the locking opening 131b from the back side of the partition wall 131 constituting the toner supply unit 130 and the engaging protrusion 144a of the cover member 142 is pressed, the engaging portion 144 is elastically deformed and the locking opening 131b. In this state, the cover portion 144 of the cover member 142 is moved upward while being lifted upward, so that the other end portion of the cover portion 143 is moved away from the locking portion 103b provided on the front end wall 103. The extraction cover member 142 is removed.
[0039]
Next, a new developer cartridge 150 is attached to a predetermined position of the cover wall 105 constituting the developing housing 100 by appropriate fixing means. The other end of the seal member 152 attached to the bottom wall bottom surface of the cartridge body 151 is connected to the seal insertion port 131a formed in the lower end portion of the partition wall 131, the seal peeling guide member 141, and the toner supply unit 130. Is positioned on the front side of the body housing through the seal insertion port 145c provided on the front end plate 145 through the upper side of the space 134. Thereafter, the cover member 142 is attached.
[0040]
As described above, when a new developer cartridge 150 is mounted in the developing housing 100 of the developing device 10, the developing device 10 with the new developer cartridge 150 mounted is developed in the same manner as the replacement of the developing device 10. The seal member 152 is attached to the housing 2, and the seal member 152 is peeled off by pulling the other end of the seal member 152. Then, after the toner replenishing device 300 is positioned at the operating position, the front cover 2a mounted on the front surface of the machine housing 2 is rotated upward from the opened state as shown in FIG. It becomes a state. The replacement operation of the developer cartridge 150 has been described above. However, the replacement operation of the developer cartridge 150 is performed by a service person, not a user. The cover member 142 that covers the upper side of the toner supply section through which the seal member 152 passes when the seal member 152 is peeled off is the developer cartridge that is mounted at a predetermined position on the cover wall 105 that constitutes the development housing 100 as described above. Without removing 150, a screwdriver or the like cannot be inserted into the locking opening 131b. Therefore, the cover member 142 is not removed when the developing device 2 is replaced with the developer cartridge 150 attached. Accordingly, since the general user cannot remove the cover member 142 that may be contaminated, contamination caused by the removal of the cover member 142 when replacing the developing device 2 is prevented in advance.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
Since the image forming machine according to the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0043]
That is, according to the present invention, the developing device detachably mounted on the movable mounting plate disposed in the machine housing is operated to the pressing position close to the photosensitive drum and the pressing release position retracted from the pressing position. The press operating mechanism is the airframe housing. The position corresponding to the mounting position of the movable mounting plate on the front side surface of the front side plate disposed on The pressing lever is configured to be operable at a first position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing position and a second position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing release position. The operation from the open position of the toner replenishing device to the operating position is allowed in the state positioned at the position of 2, and the operation from the open position of the toner replenishing device to the operating position is restricted in the state positioned at the second position. Therefore, when the pressing lever is not in the first position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing position, the toner replenishing device cannot be operated to the operating position. Accordingly, by positioning the toner replenishing device at the operating position when replacing the developing device, it is ensured that the developing device is positioned at the pressing position, so that a development failure caused by forgetting to position the developing device at the pressing position is obviated. Can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming machine configured according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming machine in FIG.
3 is a plan view of a developing device mounted on the image forming machine in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the developing device of FIG. 3 is mounted on a movable mounting plate, and showing a relationship with a photosensitive drum.
5 is a plan view of a developing device and a toner replenishing device mounted on the image forming machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a side view showing a part of the developing device and the toner replenishing device shown in FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
8 is a partially cutaway front view showing a state where a handle attached to the developing device of FIG. 3 is attached. FIG.
9 is a plan view showing a part of the developing device pressing means mounted on the image forming machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing the pressing state of the developing device pressing means of FIG.
11 is a side view showing a state in which the developing device pressing unit of FIG.
12 is a perspective view of a movable mounting plate provided in the developing device pressing unit of FIG. 9;
13 is a cutaway front view of the toner supply device shown in FIG.
14 is a plan view showing a state in which a hopper constituting the toner supply device of FIG. 5 is operated to an open position.
[Explanation of symbols]
2: Airframe housing
2a: Front cover
4: Stationary transparent plate
5: Document holding plate
6: Photosensitive drum
8: Corona discharger for charging
10: Developing device
12: Corona discharger for transfer
14: Corona discharger for peeling
16: Cleaning unit
18: Static elimination lamp
20: Irradiation lamp
22: First mirror
24: Second mirror
26: Third mirror
28: Lens
30: Fourth mirror
32: Transfer paper supply device
34a, 34b: transfer paper cassette
36a, 36b: transfer paper feed rollers
38a, 38b: pair of judgment rollers
40: Guideway
42, 44: pair of conveyance rollers
46: Registration roller pair
48: Transfer paper transport belt mechanism
50: Fixing device
52: Fixing roller pair
54: Discharge roller pair
100: Development housing
101: Bottom wall
101a: guide groove
105: Cover wall
105a: developer drop opening
105b: Toner drop opening
110: Developer application means
120: Developer stirring and conveying means
121: First spiral roller
122: Second spiral roller
123: Paddle roller
130: Toner supply unit
138: Toner supply chamber
139: Open / close valve
140: Coil spring
141: Seal peeling guide member
142: Cover member
145: Front end plate
146: Handle
150: Developer cartridge
151: Cartridge body
152: Seal member
160: handle
200: Front side plate
201: Back side plate
203: Fixed plate
205: Actuating plate
206: Spindle
207: Actuating pin
208: Tensile coil spring
210: Working rod
220: Moving mounting plate
240: Pressing lever
245: Linked link
300: Toner supply device
310: Toner cartridge
330: Hopper
331: Hopper body
332: toner cartridge mounting portion
333: Toner conveying means
334: Spiral roller
335: Guide tube
350: Hopper support housing
360: Driving means
361: Electric motor
380: Opening / closing support means
382: Support member
382a: first guide hole
384: Opening and closing guide member
384a: second guide hole

Claims (1)

A fuselage housing;
A photosensitive drum disposed in the body housing;
A movable mounting plate disposed in the machine housing so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the photosensitive drum;
A developing device detachably mounted on the movable mounting plate from the front side of the body housing;
A pressing operation mechanism for operating the developing device and the movable mounting plate to a pressing position close to the photosensitive drum and a pressing release position retreating from the pressing position;
An image forming machine comprising: a toner replenishing device configured to be operable between an operating position for supplying toner to the developing device and an open position retracted from the operating position;
The pressing operation mechanism includes a pressing lever disposed at a position corresponding to the mounting position of the movable mounting plate on the front side surface of the front side plate disposed on the body housing.
The pressing lever is configured to be operable at a first position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing position and a second position where the developing device is positioned at the pressing release position, and is positioned at the first position. In the state, the operation of the toner replenishing device from the open position to the working position is allowed, and in the state of being positioned in the second position, the operation of the toner replenishing device from the open position to the working position is restricted. Configured as
An image forming machine.

Images