JP4100487B2 - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus, and although not particularly intended to be limited thereto, a color image forming apparatus that selectively uses a plurality of color developing apparatuses in contact with and separated from a photoconductor for development work. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Equipped with a chip in which ID information (for example, model ID, region ID, date of manufacture ID, etc.) is written on a consumable such as a developing device or a toner supply container, and information is exchanged between the chip and the device body. This is well known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 12-19803 and 11-327368).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  By the way, as an image forming method used in recent years for a color image forming apparatus, a detailed description will be given later with reference to FIG. 1, but a belt photoconductor is used as a photoconductor, and developing devices of respective colors are stacked on the linear portion. Development is performed with the developing device for each color being separated from and in contact with the photosensitive member, and then the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member, and the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member on the recording paper. 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses that perform secondary transfer have been used.
[0004]
  The developing devices for the respective colors are preferably of a type in which only the toner supply device is removed from the developing device and replaced. The developing sleeve of the developing device and the mechanism for supplying toner in the toner storage space to the toner supply container for supplying toner to the toner storage space have different replacement lifetimes. If it is replaced, the maintenance cost is reduced.
[0005]
  However, since such a developing device performs a contact / separation operation with the photoreceptor as described above, the horizontal movement is frequently repeated. Therefore, the electrical connection between the developing device or the IC chip of the toner supply container and the image forming apparatus main body, which is used in a normal developing device without movement as shown in the prior art, is connected between the connector and the plug. There is a high possibility that contact failure or separation between the contacts will be a problem, and it is considered that there is a problem in application as it is.
[0006]
  The first object of the present invention is to increase the stability of the electrical connection between the toner replenishing container and the image forming apparatus of a developing device having a detachable toner replenishing container. The second object is to increase the stability of the electrical connection even in the case of contact / separation driving, to simplify the attachment / detachment of the developing device to / from the image forming apparatus and the attachment / detachment of the toner supply container to the developing device. The third and fourth objects are to simplify the coupling / separation of the electrical connection between the toner replenishing container and the image forming apparatus. Even in the coupling / separation of the electrical connection in the live line state, an error voltage is applied to the toner replenishing container. The fifth object is to prevent the addition of.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  (1)opened in the x directionAn image forming apparatus (1) having a container receiving space (91)Photoconductor (11) Drive in the y directionDeveloping casing (36Y);
  Developing means (32Y) supported by the developing casing and supplying toner to the photoreceptor;
  The developing casing (36Y) The container receiving space opened in the y direction and opened in (91) Continuous connector insertion opening (92) ;
  Connector insertion opening (92) Inserted into the container receiving space (91) Located inToner supply container (34Y)Terminals that can be preferentially connected and separated from each other preferentially when replacing (105e) Including multiple electrical contacts (105) And the connector insertion opening (92) Means to lock on (102) And the developing casing (36Y) Removably attached to the aboveFor electrical connection of toner supply container (34Y) to image forming device (1)connector (37Y) ;and,
  In the container receiving spacepushed in the x directionDetainedThe electrical contact of the connector by pushing in the x direction (105) To joinEquipped with plug (93),TonerIn the developing meansA toner supply container (34Y) to be supplied;
  The connector is the electrical contact piece (105) Protrudes from the x, z rectangular surface in the y direction,Said plug (93)Electrical contact (105) Guard wall that does not prevent the connection to (104a-104e) Having:
Development device.
[0008]
  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element or the equivalent element of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later in parenthesis was added for reference. The same applies to the following.
[0009]
  According to this, when the connector (37Y) / plug (93) is coupled by electrically connecting the one (37Y) mounted on the developing casing (36Y) to the image forming apparatus (1), Thus, the toner replenishing container (34Y) is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus (1), and the connection work of the toner replenishing container (34Y) to the image forming apparatus (1) is simplified. Since the wiring of the electric cable (38Y) from the image forming apparatus (1) may be up to the developing casing (36Y) outside the toner supply container (34Y), it is simplified. Even when the developing device (31Y) is driven toward and away from the photoreceptor, the developing casing (36Y) and the toner supply container (34Y) are integrated, and the connector (37Y) / plug (93) connection is also integrated and separated. Since driven, the electrical connection of the connector (37Y) / plug (93) coupling is stable.
[0010]
  The toner supply container (34Y) is stably coupled to the development casing (36Y) without applying a force in the direction away from the development casing (36Y) to the toner supply container (34Y) by moving the developing device (31Y). is there. Thus, the connector (37Y) / plug (93) connection is stable, and the electrical connection of the toner supply container (34Y) to the image forming apparatus (1) is stable. When the developing device (31Y) is replaced, the work of dividing / recovering the electrical connection between the developing device (31Y) and the image forming apparatus is simplified.
[0011]
  When the toner supply container (34Y) is attached to the developing casing (36Y), the connector (37Y) can be attached to and detached from the developing casing (36Y). This attachment / detachment naturally attaches / detaches the connector to / from the plug (93). Further, the toner supply container (34Y) can be attached to and detached from the developing casing (36Y) when the connector is attached to the developing casing (36Y). With this attachment / detachment, the plug is attached / detached with respect to the connector. It is not necessary to remove the toner supply container (34Y) in advance when attaching or detaching the connector, and it is not necessary to attach the connector in advance when attaching the toner supply container (34Y). In addition, it is easy to remove and attach the toner supply container (34Y).
[0012]
  For example, if this terminal (105e) is used as a device ground connection terminal, when the electrical cable (38Y) is in a live state, the toner supply container (34Y) is first connected when the plug (93) of the toner supply container (34Y) is connected. Is connected to the equipment ground and voltage is applied to the other terminals, and when the plug (93) is disconnected, the equipment ground connection of the toner supply container (34Y) is disconnected after the voltage to the toner supply container (34Y) is interrupted. . In the toner replenishing container (34Y), when a voltage is applied to the toner replenishing container (34Y) or when it is interrupted, the equipment ground line does not float, and the toner replenishing container (34Y) does not malfunction or break down.
[0013]
  Connector in the live state (37Y) Connector insertion opening (92) When it is removed from the instrument and placed in a suitable place, touch the tool etc. (105) There is a possibility that the gap is short-circuited. (105) Guard wall protruding in the y direction from an x, z rectangular surface (104a-104e) Is a tool etc. (105) This prevents the possibility of short-circuiting.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  (2)The guard wall is the electrical contact piece (105) Three walls projecting in the y direction from three sides of a certain x, z rectangular plane, parallel to the x, y plane, parallel to the y, z plane, and parallel to the x, y plane (104a-104e) (1) aboveThe developing device according to 1.
[0015]
  (3) The developing device (31Y) is attached to the photoreceptor (11).in the y directionIn the image forming apparatus (1) that is driven to contact and separate,
  The developing device (31Y)
  opened in the x directionDevelopment casing (36Y) having a container receiving space (91) and mounted in the image forming apparatus (1);
  Developing means (32Y) supported by the developing casing and supplying toner to the photoreceptor;
  The developing casing (36Y) The container receiving space opened in the y direction and opened in (91) Continuous connector insertion opening (92) ;
  Connector insertion opening (92) Inserted into the container receiving space (91) Located inToner supply container (34Y)Terminals that can be preferentially connected and separated from each other preferentially when replacing (105e) Including multiple electrical contacts (105) And the connector insertion opening (92) Means to lock on (102) And the developing casing (36Y) Removably attached to the aboveFor electrical connection of toner supply container (34Y) to image forming device (1)connector (37Y) ;and,
  In the container receiving spacepushed in the x directionDetainedThe electrical contact of the connector by pushing in the x direction (105) To joinEquipped with plug (93),TonerIn the developing meansToner supply container (34Y) to be supplied,
  The connector is the electrical contact piece (105) Protrudes from the x, z rectangular surface in the y direction,Said plug (93)Electrical contact (105) Guard wall that does not prevent the connection to (104a-104e) Having:
Image forming apparatus.
[0016]
  (4)The guard wall is the electrical contact piece (105) Three walls projecting in the y direction from three sides of a certain x, z rectangular plane, parallel to the x, y plane, parallel to the y, z plane, and parallel to the x, y plane (104a-104e) (3) aboveThe image forming apparatus described in 1.
[0017]
  (5) The terminals of the connector (37Y) and the plug (93) are distributed in the z direction perpendicular to the driving direction x for attaching / detaching the toner supply container (34Y) to / from the developing casing (36Y). The line-separable terminal (105e) is located at a position where the terminal contacts in advance in the driving direction x for mounting the toner replenishing container.3) Image forming apparatus.
[0018]
  Since priority setting can be made by misalignment, it is easy. It should be noted that all the terminals of the connector (37Y) are in the same position in the x direction, and the terminal on the plug (93) side that contacts the priority terminal comes into contact in advance in the driving direction x for mounting the toner supply container. It may be shifted to.
[0019]
  (6) The electric cable (38Y) connected to the connector (37Y) is a highly flexible cable. According to this, in the usage mode in which the developing device (31Y) is driven to contact / separate, the electric cable (38Y) does not apply a load to the contact / separation drive. In addition, the deterioration of the electric cable (38Y) due to the contact / separation drive is low.
[0020]
  (7) The connector (37Y) has a locking piece (102) branched from the main body (101), and the developing casing (36Y) has a locking piece (92) in the opening (92) through which the main body (101) can pass. 102) can be penetrated by one overhang opening (92a) with a continuous connector insertion opening, and the locking piece (102) is compressed at the edge of the overhang opening (92a) by pushing the connector (37Y) into it. When the claw (102a) of the locking piece (102) passes through the overhanging opening (92a), the claw (102a) rises from the main body and engages the developing casing (36Y). is there.
[0021]
  According to this, the connector insertion opening of the development casing (36Y) has an asymmetrical shape with an overhanging opening (92a), so that the connector (37Y) is attached to the development casing (36Y) in an incorrect posture. It is prevented in advance.
[0022]
  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
【Example】
  FIG. 1 shows a color printer which is an embodiment of the present invention. The color printer 1 includes a photosensitive unit 10, a writing optical unit 20, a developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 50, a fixing unit 60, a duplex printing paper reversing unit 70, and the like. Then, black: black (hereinafter referred to as “Bk”), Cyan: cyan (hereinafter referred to as “C”), Magenta: magenta (hereinafter referred to as “M”), yellow: yellow (hereinafter referred to as “Y”). The image is successively visualized on the photosensitive belt 11, and these are superposed to form a final four-color full-color image.
[0024]
  The photosensitive belt 11 rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow A. Around the photosensitive belt 11, a photosensitive member cleaning device 12, a charging roller 13, a selected developing device of the developing unit 30, an intermediate transfer belt 41 of the intermediate transfer unit 40, and the like. Is arranged. The photosensitive belt 11 is stretched between a driving roller 14, a primary transfer counter roller 15, and a stretching roller 16, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown) in the direction of arrow A. When the photosensitive belt 11 having a joint is used, a joint mark is provided in a non-image forming area at the end of the photosensitive belt 11 and detection is performed by a sensor (not shown) to perform image formation while avoiding the joint.
[0025]
  The writing optical unit 20 converts the color image data into an optical signal, performs optical writing corresponding to each color image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 11. The writing optical unit 20 includes a semiconductor laser 21 as a light source, a laser light emission drive control unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 22, three reflection mirrors 23a, b, and c.
[0026]
  The developing unit 30 is not shown in the drawing and is driven to contact and separate from the photosensitive belt 11 by moving each developing device in the left-right direction in the figure, with a Bk developing device 31K, a C developing device 31C, an M developing device 31M, and a Y developing device 31Y. It consists of an approach / separation mechanism. In the illustrated example, the Bk developing unit 31K containing black toner, the C developing unit 31C containing cyan toner, the M developing unit 31M containing magenta toner, and the Y developing unit 31Y containing yellow toner are sequentially provided from the lower side of the apparatus main body. It has become. The developing devices 31K, 31C, 31M, and 31Y have developing sleeves 32K, 32C, 32M, 32M, 32M, 32M, and 32Y that are driven by a driving source (not shown) with toner on the surface in order to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11. , Y, and the developing device main bodies 35K, C, M, Y including toner paddles 33K, C, M, Y, and the like that draw up the toner, stir it, and feed it to the developing sleeve, and the developing casing of the developing device main body. The toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y, which are removable toner supply containers for containing toner, are constituted by two units, that is, a developing device main body and a toner cartridge. Thus, the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y are separated from the developing device main body and can be freely inserted into and removed from the developing device main body 35K, C, M, and Y. This is because the service life is not reached even if M and Y are replaced several times due to running out of toner.
[0027]
  Prior to development, the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y are supplied from the developer casing of the developing device body that receives the toner cartridge and the replenishment port 90 that is aligned in the toner cartridge to the developing device bodies 35K, C, M, and Y. And the toner is replenished. That is, in the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y, there is a toner paddle that prevents the toner from aggregating by sliding the tip against the inner wall surface of these containers and replenishing the toner to the replenishing port 90. As a result, the toner is pumped up and supplied to the supply port 90.
[0028]
  The toner in each of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y is charged to a predetermined polarity by rotating and agitating the toner paddles 33K, C, M, and Y, and the developing sleeves 32K, C, M, and Y are illustrated in FIG. The developing bias is applied by the developing bias power source, and the developing sleeves 32K, C, M, and Y are biased to a predetermined potential with respect to the photosensitive belt 11. In addition, when the electromagnetic clutch (not shown) for transmitting the drive from the motor (not shown) to each developing device 31K, C, M, Y is turned on, the contact / separation mechanism is driven by the driving force of each developing device 31K, C, M, Y is moved to the photosensitive belt 11 side (right side in the figure). At the time of development, any one selected from the developing devices 31K, 31C, 31M, and 31Y moves and contacts the photosensitive belt 11.
[0029]
  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic clutch is turned off and the drive transmission is released, the developing unit that is in contact with the photosensitive belt 11 moves in a direction away from the photosensitive belt 11 (left side in the figure).
[0030]
  In the standby state of the main body of the color printer, the developing unit 30 has all the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y set at positions separated from the photosensitive belt 11, and when the printing operation is started, the color image data is displayed. Based on this, optical writing with a laser beam and formation of an electrostatic latent image start (hereinafter, an electrostatic latent image based on Bk image data is referred to as a Bk electrostatic latent image; the same applies to C, M, and Y). Before the leading edge of the electrostatic latent image reaches the Bk development position so that development is possible from the leading edge of the Bk electrostatic latent image, the Bk developing sleeve 32K is started to rotate by a drive source (not shown), The image is developed with Bk toner.
[0031]
  Thereafter, the developing operation of the Bk electrostatic latent image area is continued. When the rear end portion of the Bk electrostatic latent image passes the Bk developing position, the Bk developing unit 31k is separated from the photosensitive belt 11 and immediately proceeds to the next. The developing device of the color is in contact with the photosensitive belt 11. This is completed at least before the leading edge of the electrostatic latent image based on the next image data reaches the developing position.
[0032]
  The intermediate transfer unit 40 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41, a belt cleaning device 42, a position detection sensor 43, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is stretched around a drive roller 44, a primary transfer roller 45, a secondary transfer counter roller 46, a cleaning counter roller 47, and a tension roller 48, and is driven and controlled in the direction of arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). . A plurality of position detection marks (not shown) are provided in the non-image forming area at the end of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and one of these position detection marks (position detection at the start of the image forming operation). The position detection mark 43 that first passes through the sensor 43 is detected by the position sensor 43, and image formation is started at this detection timing. The belt cleaning device 42 includes a cleaning brush 42a, a contact / separation mechanism (not shown), and the like, while transferring the first color Bk image to the intermediate transfer belt 41, and 2, 3, 4 While the color image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41, the cleaning brush 42a is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the contact / separation mechanism.
[0033]
  The transfer paper cassette 80 of the color printer 1 stores transfer paper, and is fed and conveyed in the direction of the registration roller pair 82 by paper feed rollers 81a, b, and c. On the right side of the color printer 1, a manual feed tray 83 for manual paper feed such as OHP paper or thick paper is provided.
[0034]
  The secondary transfer unit 50 is configured by a swinging mechanism (not shown) including a clutch for bringing the secondary transfer roller 51 and the secondary transfer roller 51 into and out of contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41. The secondary transfer roller 51 swings about the rotation axis of the swing mechanism in synchronization with the timing when the transfer paper reaches the transfer position. The secondary transfer roller 51 and the secondary transfer counter roller 46 bring the transfer paper and the intermediate transfer belt 41 into contact with each other with a constant pressure. The secondary transfer roller 51 has a positional accuracy of parallelism with the secondary transfer counter roller 46 by a positioning member (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer unit 40. Further, the contact pressure of the secondary transfer roller 51 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is made constant by a positioning roller (not shown) provided on the secondary transfer roller 51. At the same time as the secondary transfer roller 51 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 51, and the superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 41 are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper.
[0035]
  Each unit can be easily detached from the apparatus. For example, in FIG. 1, when the intermediate transfer unit 40 is removed, it can be easily removed by opening a front cover (not shown) and sliding the unit from the back side to the front side of the sheet.
[0036]
  In the color printer 1 configured as described above, when an image forming cycle is started, first, the photosensitive belt 11 is rotated clockwise by an arrow A and the intermediate transfer belt 41 is rotated counterclockwise by an arrow B by a drive motor (not shown). Is done. A position detection mark (not shown) provided on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is detected by a position detection sensor 43, and Bk toner image formation and C toner image formation are performed on the photosensitive belt 11 in accordance with the detection timing of the position detection mark. M toner image formation and Y toner image formation are sequentially performed, and a toner image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the order of Bk, C, M, and Y. At this time, the bias applied to the primary transfer roller 45 generally increases the voltage sequentially, but differs depending on the resistance characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the like.
[0037]
  The Bk toner image formation is performed as follows. That is, the charger 13 uniformly charges the photosensitive belt 11 by an applied voltage of a power source (not shown). The laser beam LD for writing is exposed based on the Bk color image signal. When this exposure is performed, in the exposed portion of the photosensitive belt 11 which is initially uniformly charged, the charge proportional to the exposure light amount disappears, and a Bk electrostatic latent image is formed. When the Bk toner on the Bk developing sleeve 32K comes into contact with the Bk electrostatic latent image, the toner does not adhere to the remaining portion of the photosensitive belt 11, and the exposed portion, that is, the exposed portion is exposed. Bk toner is attracted to the portion, and a Bk toner image similar to the electrostatic latent image is formed. The Bk toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the primary transfer position. At the primary transfer position, a nip is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the photosensitive belt 11 by the primary transfer roller 45 and the primary transfer counter roller 15, and a Bk toner image is formed on the primary transfer roller 45. The Bk toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 by applying a reverse polarity bias.
[0038]
  Some untransferred residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 11 is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 in preparation for reuse of the photoreceptor belt 11. The toner collected here is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe.
[0039]
  On the photosensitive belt 11 side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the Bk image forming process, and writing by the laser light LD is performed with the C image data in accordance with the detection timing of the position detecting sensor 43, and the C electrostatic latent image is obtained. Is formed. Then, after the rear end portion of the previous Bk electrostatic latent image passes and before the front end portion of the C electrostatic latent image arrives, the Bk developing device 31K is retracted from the developing position, and the C developing device 31C is developed. The C electrostatic latent image is developed with C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C electrostatic latent image area is continued, but when the rear end portion of the C electrostatic latent image passes, the C developing device 31C is retracted from the developing position as in the case of the previous Bk developing device 31K. Then, the next M developing unit 31M is moved to the developing position. This is also completed before the leading edge of the next M electrostatic latent image reaches the developing position. The M and Y image forming steps are the same as the Bk and C steps described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0040]
  On the intermediate transfer belt 41, Bk, C, M, and Y toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive belt 11 are sequentially aligned on the same surface to form a four-color superimposed toner image. In the transfer process, the four color toner images are collectively transferred onto the transfer paper.
[0041]
  At the time when the image forming operation is started, the transfer paper is fed from either the transfer paper cassette 80 or the manual feed tray 83 and is waiting at the nip of the pair of registration rollers 82. Then, when the leading edge of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 approaches the secondary transfer roller 51, the registration roller pair 82 is driven so that the leading edge of the transfer paper coincides with the leading edge of the toner image. The transfer paper and the toner image are aligned. Then, the transfer paper is superimposed on the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 and passes through the secondary transfer position. At this time, the transfer paper is charged by the transfer bias by the secondary transfer roller 51, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper.
[0042]
  Then, the transfer paper onto which the four-color superimposed toner images are collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is conveyed to the fixing unit 60, and the toner image is melted at the nip portion of the pressure roller 62 when controlled to a predetermined temperature with the fixing belt 61. It is fixed, sent out of the apparatus main body (in the direction of arrow C), and stacked face down on the paper discharge tray 84. This is a full color copy.
[0043]
  Further, when performing duplex printing, the transfer paper that has passed through the fixing unit 60 is guided in the direction of arrow D by the duplex switching claw 85 and is sent to the duplex printing paper reversing unit 70. After the trailing edge of the transfer paper passes through the reverse switching claw 71, the reverse roller pair 72 stops and the transfer paper also stops. Then, the reverse roller pair 72 starts reverse rotation after a certain blank time, and the transfer paper starts to switch back. At this time, the reverse switching claw 71 is switched, and the transfer paper is guided in the direction of arrow E and sent to the registration roller pair 82. The transfer sheet sent to the registration roller pair 82 stands by at the nip of the registration roller pair 82 with the front and back reversed. Then, the registration roller pair 82 is driven at a predetermined timing, the transfer paper is sent to the secondary transfer position, and the four-color superimposed toner image is collectively transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 41, and then the toner image is melted by the fixing unit 60. It is fixed and sent out of the main body.
[0044]
  On the other hand, the surface of the photoreceptor belt 11 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device 12 and is uniformly neutralized by a neutralization lamp (not shown). Further, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 after the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper is cleaned by pressing the cleaning brush 42a of the belt cleaning device 42 with a contact / separation mechanism. The toner cleaned from the intermediate transfer belt 41 is stored in a waste toner tank 49.
[0045]
  FIG. 2 shows a mounted state of the developing device 30 with the front cover and the left side cover of the color printer shown in FIG. Each developing unit 31K, C, M, Y is inserted in the y direction approaching the photosensitive belt 11 along the guide rail from the opening of the left side base frame, and each developing unit 31K, C, M, Y Development casings 36K, C, M, and Y are supported by a printer base frame.
[0046]
  The developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y have toner cartridge housing spaces that are open on the front surface of the printer, and the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, and Y are inserted therein. The insertion / removal direction x of the toner cartridges 34K, C, M, Y with respect to the development casings 36K, C, M, Y is a direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction y of the development casings 36K, C, M, Y with respect to the printer base frame. .
[0047]
  Connectors 37K, C, M, and Y are attached to the vertical walls of the developing casings 36K, C, M, and Y that face the left side cover of the printer (not shown), that is, the rear wall in the forward direction y that contacts the photosensitive belt 11. ing. To the connectors 37K, C, M, Y, plugs (described later) of toner cartridges 34K, C, M, Y inserted in the x direction are connected to the developing casings 36K, C, M, Y to be electrically connected. ing. Flexible electrical cables 38K, C, M, and Y, which are highly flexible electric wires having high bendability and flexibility, are connected to the connectors 37K, C, M, and Y, whereby the toner cartridges 34K, C, and M are connected. , Y connected to plugs (integrated circuits; described later) are connected to an electric system (not shown) of the printer 1.
[0048]
  Since the electric cables 38K, C, M, and Y are highly flexible electric wires, one end of each of them is connected to the connector and moves along with the contact and separation of the developing devices 31K, C, M, and Y, and the other end of the printer main body. Despite being connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) and being stationary, no particular load is applied to the contact / separation movement, and the electric cables 38K, C, M, and Y are not deteriorated.
[0049]
  Next, the structure of the developing device 31Y will be described. Since the other developing devices 31K, 31C and 31M have the same structure as the developing device 31Y, description thereof will be omitted.
[0050]
  3A shows the developing device 31Y extracted from the printer 1 in the −y direction, and FIG. 3B shows only the developing device main body of the developing device 31Y. Details of the inside of the developing casing 36Y are not shown. The connector 37Y is engaged with the developing casing 36Y by being inserted in a substantially rectangular opening 92 opened in the rear wall of the developing casing 36Y in the y direction. The opening 92 has an asymmetric shape to prevent the connector 37Y from being mounted in an incorrect posture. That is, a small rectangular overhanging opening 92 a is provided on one of the longitudinal long sides of the opening 92. The toner cartridge 34Y is inserted in the x direction into the opening 91 of the toner cartridge housing space of the developing casing 36Y.
[0051]
  FIG. 4A shows the toner cartridge 34Y extracted from the developing casing 36Y in the −x direction. The illustration of the inside of the toner cartridge 34Y is omitted. On the rear wall of the toner cartridge 34, there are a plug 93 and a stopper 97 that are in contact with the connector 37 </ b> Y mounted in the opening 92 to be electrically connected. When the toner cartridge 34Y is inserted into the opening 91 on the printer front side of the developing casing 36Y from the rear wall side, the front end portion of the stopper 97 immediately before engaging the locking groove on the inner wall surface on the printer rear side of the developing casing 36Y. In addition, the plug 93 is coupled to the connector 37Y for electrical connection. When this connection is completed, when it further moves in the x direction around 2 mm, the engagement of the tip of the stopper 97 with the locking groove on the developing casing 36Y side is completed. At this time, a connecting gear for driving the toner paddle in the toner cartridge 34Y meshes with a gear (not shown) for driving toner supply in the developing casing 36Y.
[0052]
  FIG. 4B shows the plug 93 in an enlarged manner. A printed circuit board 94 is fixed to the plug 93. On the exposed surface of the printed circuit board 94, a plug terminal 95e for device ground connection, a plug terminal 95v for supplying IC operating voltage, a plug terminal 95r for receiving serial data (communication signal), and for transmitting serial data (communication signal). The plug terminal 95t is formed of a printed wiring conductor, and a contact metal is plated on the surface thereof. These printed wiring conductors are connected to the printed conductor on the back surface by through-hole connection. An electrode of an IC (integrated circuit) 96 is connected to the printed conductor on the back surface. That is, the electrodes of the IC 96 are electrically connected to the plug terminals 95e, 95v, 95r, and 95t.
[0053]
  FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the connector 37Y. Since the other connectors 37K, 31C and 31M have the same structure as the connector 37Y, their description is omitted. The electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, t with which the aforementioned plug terminals 95e, v, r, t are in contact project from the front surface of the connector 37Y exposed in the toner cartridge housing space of the developing casing 36Y. These electric contact pieces are flexible in the y direction, and when receiving the terminals 95e, v, r, t of the plug 93 fed in the x direction, they are pushed and moved in the -y direction and are plugged by the spring force. The terminals 95e, v, r, and t are in pressure contact. Each of the four electrical leads of the electrical cable 38Y is connected to each of the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, t inside the connector 37Y.
[0054]
  The electric cable 38Y is connected to an input / output interface (not shown) of the electric system of the printer 1 main body. The electrical contact 105e is connected to the equipment ground line of the input / output interface via the electrical cable 38Y, the electrical contact 105v is connected to the IC drive voltage line, and the electrical contacts 105r and 105t are respectively connected to the input / output interface. Connected to the serial transmission and reception lines of Faces. A microcomputer of a printer controller (not shown) of the printer 1 reads data held by the IC 96 by serial communication with the IC 96 of the plug 93 via these transmission and reception lines. The data includes a printer model ID, a region ID, an identification ID of a stored toner, a manufacturing date ID and a manufacturer ID, and developing device management data of the printer manufacturer. Some of these data are written by the manufacturer before shipping the printer, and others are updated when the used toner cartridge is collected from the user and refilled with toner for reshipment. And there is something newly written.
[0055]
  The electrical contact piece 105e connected to the equipment ground line of the input / output interface is located at the front side in the x direction with respect to the other electrical contact pieces 105v, 105r and 105t, and the plug 93 is moved to the connector 37Y by moving in the x direction. When approaching the coupling position, the device ground connection terminal 95e of the plug 93 first contacts the electrical contact piece 105e. Thereafter, the other terminals 95v, 95r, and 95t of the plug 93 come into contact with the electrical contact pieces 105v, 105r, and 105t substantially simultaneously.
[0056]
  When the plug 93 coupled to the connector 37Y is moved in the -x direction and removed from the connector 37Y, the other terminals 95v, 95r, and 95t of the plug 93 are first connected to the electrical contact pieces 105v, 105r, and 105t at the same time by -x. After that, the terminal 95e for connecting the equipment ground can be moved in the -x direction from the electrical contact piece 105e. In other words, the electrical contact piece 105e of the connector 37Y is a terminal that is preferentially connected to the terminal of the connector 37Y attached to the developing casing 36Y and separated from the rear when the toner cartridge 34Y is replaced. As a result, when the toner cartridge 34Y is inserted and removed when the electric cable 38Y is in the live line state and the voltage of the terminals 95v, 95r, and 95t is cut off or when the voltage rises, the device ground line of the IC 96 is connected to the device ground. Since it remains at the potential, it is at the device ground potential on the printer main body side, and does not cause malfunction or failure of the IC 96 due to floating of the potential of the ground line.
[0057]
  6A shows a front view of the connector 37Y from the front end side to the rear end side of the arrow y in FIG. 5, FIG. 6B shows the bottom surface of the connector 37Y, and FIG. FIG. 7 shows a cross section taken along line 7A-7A shown in FIG. See these drawings as well as FIG. Locking pieces 102 and 103 and guard walls 104a, b, c, d, and e are integrally continuous with the main body 101 of the connector 37Y. The locking pieces 102 and 103 protrude from the main body 101 in the x and −x directions. When the locking pieces 102 and 103 are clamped in a relatively approaching direction with the thumb and the index finger, the x distance between them is reduced. . In this clamping state, the opening 92 of the developing casing 36Y is opened from the guard walls 104a, b, c, d, e so that the locking piece 102 is aligned with the overhanging opening 92a (FIG. 3B) of the opening 92. The connector 37Y is pushed into the developing casing 36Y until the claw portions 102a and 102b protruding in the x and −x directions of the locking pieces 102 and 103 reach the inside of the developing casing 36Y through the overhanging opening 92a and the opening 92. Thus, the connector 37Y is coupled to the developing casing 36Y. This coupled state is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. Excessive movement of the connector 37Y in the y direction is prevented by the stoppers 107A, 107b, 107c, and 107d standing on the main body 101 in the x and −x directions hitting the outer surface of the developing casing 36Y.
[0058]
  In this coupled state, the movement of the connector 37Y in the x and z directions is constrained by the opening edge because the outer shape of the connector exactly matches the shape of the opening 92. The movement of the connector 37Y in the y direction is prevented by the stoppers 107a, b, c, d coming into contact with the outer surface of the developing casing 36Y, and the movement in the -y direction is caused by the claw portions 102a, 103a coming into contact with the inner surface of the developing casing 36Y. Is blocked by.
[0059]
  The locking piece 102 has a larger projection in the x direction from the main body 101 than the locking piece 103, and the opening 92 has an overhanging opening 92 a correspondingly. That is, the shape of the opening 92 and the connector is asymmetric with respect to the z axis. Thus, when the connector 37Y is inserted into the opening 92 of the developing casing 36Y so that the vicinity of the connector of the electric cable 38Y is vertical and below the connector, the connector 37Y fits in the opening 92, In the posture (vertically reversed posture or sideways posture rotated 90 degrees), the claw portions 102a, 103a of the locking pieces 102, 103 of the connector 37Y do not pass through the opening 92. That is, the connector 37Y cannot be attached to the developing casing 36Y.
[0060]
  The guard walls 104a, b, c, d, e are provided to reduce the possibility that a conductor such as a screwdriver or a metal plate short-circuits between the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, t. is there. If all of these guard walls are not present and the front end surface of the main body 101 is exposed, when the connector 37Y is removed from the developing casing 36Y in a live line state and placed in an appropriate place, it touches a tool or the like to make electrical contact. There is a possibility that the pieces 105e, v, r, and t are short-circuited. Guard walls reduce this possibility. In order to receive the plug 93 moving in the x direction, no guard wall is provided on the side of the main body on the side of the locking piece 102. A straight line 106 (FIGS. 5 and 7) connecting the main body side and the protruding end of the most protruding guard wall 104c is located further in the y direction than the apexes of the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t. In other words, the guard wall 104 protrudes in the y direction so that the tool does not contact the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, t even when the tool (for example, a screw driver) contacts the straight line 106 so as to contact the straight line 106. Yes.
[0061]
  The guard wall 104 is not a stopper for stopping the plug 93 moving in the x direction, and the tip of the stopper 97 ((a) in FIG. 4) is developed before the tip of the plug 93 hits the guard wall 104. The casing 36Y engages with a locking groove in the inner wall surface on the rear side of the printer, and further movement of x is prevented.
[0062]
  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 37Y coupled to the developing casing 36Y has a locking portion 102, 103 in the -y direction while pinching the exposed portions of the locking pieces 102, 103 with the thumb and forefinger. By pulling, the developing casing 36Y comes off.
[0063]
  As shown in FIG. 2, with the connector 37Y attached to the developing casing 36Y, the developing casing 36Y, that is, the developing device 31Y is driven in the y direction immediately before development, and the developing sleeve 32Y comes into contact with the photosensitive belt 11, and development is performed. When completed, the developing sleeve 32Y is driven in the -y direction to move away from the photosensitive belt 11. This contact / separation drive is in the y direction. On the other hand, the insertion / removal of the toner cartridge 34Y with respect to the developing casing 36Y is in the x direction. Since the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, t are flexible in the y direction and are pressed against the plug terminals 95e, v, r, t with elasticity, the stability and reliability of the electrical contact connection between the connector and the plug Is expensive.
[0064]
  In the above-described embodiment, the electrical lead of the electrical cable 38Y is fixedly connected to the electrical contact piece of the connector main body 101. However, a mode in which a plug is connected to the electrical cable 38Y and connected to the connector 37Y by plug-in is also possible. is there.
[0065]
  FIG. 8 shows a mode in which the micro plug 110 having the same form as the telephone plug is connected to the electric cable 38Y. 115e, v, r, and t are electrical contact pieces, which are connected to the electrical leads of the electrical cable 38Y. Reference numeral 111 denotes a locking piece. The connector main body 101 of this embodiment includes a micro connector (not shown) that receives the plug 110 connected to the electrical contact pieces 105e, v, r, and t. The insertion / removal direction of the microphone plug 110 with respect to the microconnector is the z-direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the contact / separation drive direction y of the developing device 31Y with respect to the photosensitive belt 11, so The stability and reliability of the electrical contact connection between 110 is also high.
[0066]
  In this mode of connection between the microconnector / plug 110, the connector 37 may be detachable from the developing casing 36Y as described above, and screwing, press-fitting, or a base is integrally formed with the developing casing. For example, it may be fixed or fixed that is difficult to attach and detach.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
  When one of the connector and the plug provided in the developing casing is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus, and the connector / plug coupling is performed, the toner supply container is automatically electrically connected to the image forming apparatus. Thus, the operation of connecting the toner supply container to the image forming apparatus is simplified. Wiring of the electric cable from the image forming apparatus can be simplified up to the developing casing outside the toner supply container. Even when the developing device is driven toward and away from the photosensitive member, the developing casing and the toner supply container are integrated, and the connector / plug coupling is also driven integrally and separated, so that the electrical connection of the connector / plug coupling is stable. is there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a mechanism of a color printer equipped with a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the developing device with the front cover and the left side cover of the color printer shown in FIG. 1 removed.
3A is a perspective view showing the developing device 31Y shown in FIG. 2 taken out from the printer main body, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the developing device main body of the developing device 31Y.
4A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the toner cartridge 34Y shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view showing a plug portion at an end of the cartridge 34Y.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector 37Y shown in FIG.
6A is a front view of the connector 37Y shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the surface with the terminals, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view thereof.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7A-7A in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electric cable with a micro plug used in a modified example of the connector 37Y.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1: Color printer 10: Photoconductor unit
11: Photoconductor belt 12: Photoconductor cleaning device
13: Charging roller 14: Driving roller
15: Primary transfer counter roller 16: Stretching roller
20: Writing optical unit 21: Semiconductor laser
22: Polygon mirror 23a, b, c: Reflection mirror
30: Development unit 31K: Bk developer
31C: C developer 31M: M developer
31Y: Y developing device 32K, C, M, Y: Developing sleeve
33K, C, M, Y: Toner paddle
34K, C, M, Y: Toner cartridge
35K, C, M, Y: Developer main unit
36K, C, M, Y: Development casing
37K, C, M, Y: Connector
38K, C, M, Y: Electric cable
40, 41: Intermediate transfer unit
42: Belt cleaning device
42a: Cleaning brush 43: Position detection sensor
44: Driving roller 45: Primary transfer roller
46: Secondary transfer counter roller 47: Cleaning counter roller
48: Tension roller 49: Waste toner tank
50: Secondary transfer unit 51: Secondary transfer roller
60: fixing unit 61: fixing belt
62: Pressure roller 70: Double-sided printing paper reversing unit
71: Reverse switching claw 72: Reverse roller pair
80: transfer paper cassette 81a, b, c: paper feed roller
82: Registration roller pair 83: Manual feed tray
84: Paper output tray 85: Double-sided switching claw
90, 91, 92: Opening 92a: Overhanging mouth
93: Plug 94: Printed circuit board
95e, v, r, t: Plug terminals
96: IC 97: Stopper
101: Connector body 102, 103: Locking piece
102a, 103a: Claw pieces 104a, b, c, d, e: Guard walls
105e, v, r, t: electrical contacts
106: Straight line 107a, b, c, d: Stopper
110: Micro plug 111: Locking piece
115e, v, r, t: Plug terminals

Claims (4)

a developing casing having a container receiving space opened in the x direction and driven in contact with and separated from the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus in the y direction ;
Developing means supported by the developing casing for supplying toner to the photoreceptor ;
A connector insertion opening opened in the developing casing and opened in the y direction and continuous to the container receiving space;
A plurality of electrical contact pieces including terminals inserted into the connector insertion opening and positioned in the container receiving space and preferentially connected and separated at the time of replacement of the toner supply container , and locked to the connector insertion opening And a connector for electrical connection of a toner supply container to the image forming apparatus , detachably attached to the developing casing ; and
The container receiving space is pushed in the x direction is housed in, equipped with a plug for coupling to the electrical contact pieces of the connector by the x-direction of pushing the toner supply container for supplying to said developing means toner; equipped with,
The connector has a guard wall that protrudes in the y direction from an x, z rectangular surface with the electrical contacts and does not impede coupling of the plug to the electrical contacts;
Development device. The guard wall has three walls projecting in the y direction from the three sides of the x, z rectangular surface where the electrical contact piece is located, parallel to the x, y plane, parallel to the y, z plane, and parallel to the x, y plane. The developing device according to claim 1 . In an image forming apparatus in which a developing device is driven toward and away from the photoreceptor in the y direction ,
The developing device is
a developing casing having a container receiving space opened in the x direction and mounted on the image forming apparatus ;
Developing means supported by the developing casing for supplying toner to the photoreceptor ;
A connector insertion opening opened in the developing casing and opened in the y direction and continuous to the container receiving space;
A plurality of electrical contact pieces including terminals inserted into the connector insertion opening and positioned in the container receiving space and preferentially connected and separated at the time of replacement of the toner supply container , and locked to the connector insertion opening A connector for electrical connection of a toner replenishing container to the image forming apparatus , which is detachably attached to the developing casing ; and
The container receiving space is pushed in the x direction is housed in, equipped with a plug for coupling to the electrical contact pieces of the connector by the x-direction of pushing the toner supply container for supplying to said developing means toner; equipped with,
The connector has a guard wall that protrudes in the y direction from an x, z rectangular surface with the electrical contacts and does not impede coupling of the plug to the electrical contacts;
Image forming apparatus. The guard wall has three walls projecting in the y direction from the three sides of the x, z rectangular surface where the electrical contact piece is located, parallel to the x, y plane, parallel to the y, z plane, and parallel to the x, y plane. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

Images