JP4419589B2 - Cartridge, developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge for storing a developer, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus that develops an image using a developer, there is known an apparatus that supplies a developer to a developer by mounting a cartridge containing the developer on the developer.
In this type of image forming apparatus, when the cartridge is removed from the developing device, the developer receiving port provided in the developing device is closed by the developing device shutter so that the developer in the developing device does not leak. It is known (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-223990 JP 2000-162861 A JP 7-199623 A

  However, in the conventional examples shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the developer stays in the gap formed by the developing device shutter or the opening portion of the developing device shutter, and the cartridge is removed, the developer is removed from the developing device shutter. There was a problem of moving with it and leaking outside. Further, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 3, since the opening portion of the developing device shutter comes into contact with the sealing member that prevents the developer from leaking due to the movement of the developing device shutter, the sealing member is worn, Developer may leak out.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus having the cartridge that can prevent the developer from leaking.

In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the present invention is a cartridge for supplying or recovering a developer to or from a developing device, the developing device side connection port formed in the developing device. A cartridge body having a cartridge side connection port connected to the developer side connection port that is opened and closed by the developer opening and closing member, and a cartridge opening and closing member that opens and closes the cartridge side connection port, The cartridge opening / closing member has an extruding portion that protrudes toward the developing device side connection port. When the cartridge side connection port is closed, the cartridge opening / closing member is closed in a state where the developing device opening / closing member is stopped. When the developer is rotated in the direction, the developer is located between the cartridge opening / closing member and the developing device side connection port. Even without the one extrusion, after which the cartridge opening and closing member is closed the cartridge-side connection port, the cartridge configured to close the developing device-side connection port by the cartridge opening and closing member pushes the developing device closing member is there. Therefore, when the cartridge side connection port is closed, no developer remains between the cartridge opening / closing member and the developing device side connection port, so that it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking.

According to yet a second aspect of the present invention comprises the developing device-side connection port to accept or discharge the developer a developing device-side connection port which is opened and closed by the developing device closing member, the developer a developing device for developing an image, a developer supplying or recovering between said developing device has a cartridge which is detachably attached to the developing device, said cartridge, said developing device connecting port And a cartridge opening / closing member that opens and closes the cartridge-side connection port, and the cartridge opening / closing member projects toward the developer-side connection port. When the cartridge-side connection port is closed and the cartridge opening / closing member is closed, when the cartridge opening / closing member is rotated in the closing direction with the developing device opening / closing member stopped, After the developer is pushed between at least one of the developing device and the cartridge body, the cartridge opening / closing member closes the cartridge-side connection port, and the cartridge is opened. The opening / closing member is in the developing device that closes the developing device side connection port by the developing device opening / closing member . Therefore, even when the cartridge side connection port is closed and the cartridge is removed from the developing device, the developer does not remain between the cartridge opening and closing member and the developing device side connection port, so that the developer can be prevented from leaking.

Preferably, the developing unit opening and closing member, the opening and closing the developing-side connection port in conjunction with the cartridge opening and closing member. Therefore, even if a developing device opening / closing member is provided so that the developer in the developing device does not leak, a drive source for opening / closing the developing device opening / closing member is not required, so the configuration for opening / closing the developing device opening / closing member can be simplified. Can do.

  Preferably, the cartridge opening / closing member has an engaging portion that engages with the developing device opening / closing member. Therefore, the developer opening / closing member can be reliably opened / closed by opening / closing the cartridge opening / closing member.

  Preferably, the cartridge includes a lock unit that locks the cartridge opening / closing member so as not to open the cartridge side connection port, and the developer includes a release unit that releases the lock of the lock unit. That is, when the cartridge is removed from the developing device, the cartridge side connection port is not opened due to an erroneous operation, so that the developer can be prevented from leaking.

Preferably, the extrusion section has an inclined surface inclined toward the developing device side connection port. Therefore, when the cartridge opening / closing member closes the cartridge side connection port, the developer near the developer side connection port can be pushed out toward the developer side connection port. It can be collected in the developing unit. Further, the resistance can be reduced when the cartridge opening / closing member moves so as to open and close the cartridge side connection port.

Preferably, the developing device opening / closing member has a developing device side protrusion protruding toward the cartridge side connection port.
As a result, the developer opening / closing member can dam the developer transferred by the cartridge opening / closing member, so that the developer transferred by the cartridge opening / closing member can be pushed out to at least one of the cartridge and the developing device.

According to yet a third feature of the present invention, a developing device for developing an image with a developer, a cartridge detachably mounted to the developing device has, the cartridge, said developing unit a cartridge body cartridge side connection port for supplying or recovering the developer is formed between, comprising a cartridge opening and closing member for opening and closing the cartridge-side connection port, wherein the developing unit, between said cartridge A developer-side connection port for receiving or discharging developer; and a developer-opening / closing member for opening / closing the developer-side connection port, wherein the cartridge opening / closing member protrudes toward the developer-side connection port. The developer opening / closing member includes an opening for opening the developer side connection port; and a developer side projection protruding toward the cartridge side connection port. When closing the cartridge-side connection port, the developing unit the pushers when the closing member is rotated in the direction of closing said cartridge opening and closing member in a state where the stop of the cartridge opening and closing member and the developing device-side connecting port the developer developing device and extrusion-shi to at least one of the cartridge body, between, the cartridge opening and closing member after the cartridge opening and closing member is closed the cartridge-side connection port the developing device side connected by said developing device closing member The developing device closes the mouth . Therefore, when the cartridge opening / closing member closes the cartridge side connection port, the developer staying in the opening can be transferred, and the developer side protrusion can block the developer transferred by the cartridge side protrusion. Therefore, the developer staying in the opening can be extruded into at least one of the cartridge and the developing device.

  Preferably, the cartridge includes a lock unit that locks the cartridge opening / closing member so as not to open the cartridge side connection port by an elastic member, and the developing device includes a protrusion that elastically deforms the elastic member. Release means for unlocking the means is provided. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the lock and unlock mechanism that prevents the cartridge opening / closing member from opening the cartridge side connection port.

  Preferably, the cartridge further includes a handle portion that an operator picks when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the developing device, and the handle portion is formed integrally with the cartridge opening / closing member. Therefore, since the cartridge side connection port can be opened and closed by operating the handle portion, when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the developing device, it is not necessary to change the handle portion and the operability is good.

  A fourth feature of the present invention resides in an image forming apparatus having the developing device described above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and an opening / closing cover 16 that is rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 14 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12. For example, a one-stage sheet feeding unit 18 is disposed at a lower portion of the sheet 12.

  The paper feed unit 18 includes a paper feed unit main body 20 and a paper feed cassette 22 that stores paper. A feed roll 24 that feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 22 and a retard roll 26 that sprinkles the fed paper one by one are arranged in the upper vicinity of the rear end of the paper feed cassette 22.

  The conveyance path 28 is a sheet path from the feed roll 24 to the discharge port 30, and this conveyance path 28 is in the vicinity of the back side (right side surface in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus main body 12 and is described later from the sheet feeding unit 18. The fixing device 90 is formed substantially vertically. A secondary transfer roll 80 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72, which will be described later, are arranged on the upstream side of the fixing device 90 in the conveyance path 28, and the registration roll 32 is located upstream of the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. Is arranged. In addition, a discharge roll 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 30 of the conveyance path 28.

  Accordingly, the sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 22 of the sheet feeding unit 18 by the feed roll 24 is turned by the retard roll 26 and only the uppermost sheet is guided to the conveyance path 28 and temporarily stopped by the registration roll 32. The developer image is transferred between a secondary transfer roll 80 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72, which will be described later, and the transferred developer image is fixed by the fixing device 90 and discharged by the discharge roll 34. The gas is discharged from the outlet 30 to a discharge portion 36 provided at the top of the opening / closing cover 16. The discharge portion 36 has a low discharge port portion and is inclined so as to gradually increase toward the front direction (left direction in FIG. 1).

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, for example, a developing unit 38 such as a rotary developing device is disposed at a substantially central portion. The developing unit 38 includes developing units 42a to 42d that respectively form developer images of four colors of yellow, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. These developing units 42a ˜42d rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) about the rotation axis 44.

  In the developing unit 38, for example, an image carrier 50 made of a photosensitive member is disposed so as to come into contact with the back side of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the developing unit 38 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 44, and the latent image on the image carrier 50 is developed with the developer of each color at the development position A.

Below the image carrier 50, a charging device 52 made of, for example, a charging roll for uniformly charging the image carrier 50 is provided. Further, an image carrier cleaner 54 is in contact with the image carrier 50 on the upstream side of the charging device 52 in the rotation direction of the image carrier 50. The image carrier cleaner 54 includes, for example, a cleaning blade 56 that scrapes off the developer remaining on the image carrier 50 after primary transfer, and a developer recovery bottle 58 that recovers the developer scraped off by the cleaning blade 56. The
Note that, for example, a rib or the like is formed on the back side (right side in FIG. 1) of the developer collection bottle 58, and the curved surface is formed so that the paper is smoothly conveyed to form a part of the conveyance path 28.

  Below the developing unit 38, an exposure device 60 is provided that writes a latent image on the image carrier 50 charged by the charging device 52 with a light beam such as a laser beam. Further, an intermediate transfer device 62 is provided above the developing unit 38 to primarily transfer the developer image visualized by the developing unit 38 at the primary transfer position and convey it to the secondary transfer position described later.

The intermediate transfer device 62 includes, for example, an intermediate transfer member 64 such as an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roll 66, a wrap-in roll 68, a wrap-out roll 70, a secondary transfer backup roll 72, a scraper backup roll 74, and a brush backup roll 76. Is done. The intermediate transfer body 64 has elasticity, for example, and is stretched substantially flat so as to have a long side and a short side above the developing unit 38. The long side on the upper surface side of the intermediate transfer body 64 is stretched so as to be substantially parallel to, for example, the discharge unit 36 provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12. The intermediate transfer member 64 includes a wrap-in roll 68 disposed upstream of the primary transfer roll 66 below the long side of the intermediate transfer member 64, and a wrap-out roll 70 disposed downstream of the primary transfer roll 66. The image bearing member 50 has a primary transfer portion (image bearing member wrap region) that abuts on the image bearing member 50 in a lap shape. The image bearing member 50 is wound around a predetermined range and is driven by the rotation of the image bearing member 50. As described above, the intermediate transfer member 64 is primarily transferred by the primary transfer roll 66 in such a manner that the developer images on the image bearing member 50 are superimposed in the order of, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the developer image that has been primarily transferred is transferred. It is conveyed toward a secondary transfer roll 80 described later.
Note that the wrap-in roll 68 and the wrap-out roll 70 are separated from the image carrier 50.

Further, a flat surface portion (short side) is formed on the back side (right side surface in FIG. 1) of the intermediate transfer body 64 by a wrap-out roll 70 and a secondary transfer backup roll 72, and this flat surface portion is subjected to secondary transfer. It faces the conveyance path 28 as a part.
In the secondary transfer portion, the wrap-out roll 70 is arranged so that the intermediate transfer body 64 and the conveyance path 28 are at an angle of 12 °, for example.

  The scraper backup roll 74 assists the scraper 84 described later to scrape off the developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 64 after the secondary transfer, and the brush backup roll 76 develops remaining on the intermediate transfer body 64 after the secondary transfer. A brush roll 86 described later assists in scraping off the agent.

  Above the long side of the intermediate transfer body 64, a sensor 78 such as a reflective photosensor is provided by being fixed to the back surface (inside) of the opening / closing cover 14. The sensor 78 reads the developer patch formed on the intermediate transfer body 64, detects the position of the intermediate transfer body 64 in the rotation direction, and detects the developer density.

  A secondary transfer roll 80 is opposed to the secondary transfer backup roll 72 of the intermediate transfer device 62 with the conveyance path 28 interposed therebetween. That is, the secondary transfer position in the secondary transfer portion is between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, and the secondary transfer roll 80 is intermediate with the assistance of the secondary transfer backup roll 72. The developer image primarily transferred to the transfer body 64 is secondarily transferred to the sheet at the secondary transfer position. Here, the secondary transfer roll 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 64 while the intermediate transfer body 64 rotates three times, that is, while the developer images of three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are conveyed. When the developer image is transferred, it is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member 64. In addition, a predetermined potential difference is generated between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. For example, when the secondary transfer roll 80 is set to a high voltage, the secondary transfer backup 80 The roll 72 is connected to a ground (GND) or the like.

  An intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is provided in contact with the opposite end of the intermediate transfer member 64 on the side opposite to the image carrier. The intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 is, for example, a scraper 84 that scrapes and cleans the developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member 64 after the secondary transfer, a brush roll 86 that scrapes off the developer remaining after cleaning by the scraper 84, and a scraper 84. And a developer recovery bottle 88 that recovers the developer scraped off by the brush roll 86. The scraper 84 is made of, for example, a stainless steel thin plate, and is applied with a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer. The brush roll 86 is made of, for example, an acrylic brush that has been subjected to a conductive treatment. Further, while the intermediate transfer body 64 conveys the developer image, the scraper 84 and the brush roll 86 are separated from the intermediate transfer body 64, and they are integrated with the intermediate transfer body 64 at a predetermined timing. It is supposed to touch.

  A fixing device 90 is disposed above the secondary transfer position. The fixing device 90 includes a heating roll 92 and a pressure roll 94, fixes the developer image secondarily transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, and discharges the discharge roll 34. Transport toward

The image forming unit 96 is obtained by integrating the intermediate transfer device 62, the image carrier 50, the charging device 52, the image carrier cleaner 54, and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82. That is, in the image forming unit 96, the intermediate transfer device 62 having the intermediate transfer body 64 is extended on the front side of the image carrier 50, and the image carrier cleaner 54 is disposed below the back side of the image carrier 50. It has become. In the image forming unit 96, an intermediate transfer body cleaner 82 is arranged at the end of the intermediate transfer device 62 on the side opposite to the image carrier. As described above, in the image forming unit 96, the direction in which the intermediate transfer member 64 extends and the direction in which the image carrier cleaner 54 is disposed are more than 90 ° and less than 180 ° with the secondary transfer position as the apex. It is bent so as to surround the developing unit 38. The image forming unit 96 is disposed immediately below the discharge portion 36 of the opening / closing cover 16, is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 12, and is attached / detached by opening the opening / closing cover 16.
The image carrier 50, the image carrier cleaner 54, the intermediate transfer member 64, and the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82 are detachably attached to the image forming unit 96, respectively.

Next, details of the developing unit 38 will be described.
In FIG. 2, the developing unit 38 and its periphery are shown. The developing device unit 38 has a developing device unit main body 98 that rotates about a rotation shaft 44, and the developing devices 42 a to 42 d described above are detachably provided on the developing device unit main body 98. Each of the developing units 42a to 42d has a developing unit main body 99, and cartridges 100a to 100d for storing the above-described four color developers are mounted on the developing unit main body 99, respectively. Each of the cartridges 100a to 100d is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a handle portion 102 is formed on one end in the longitudinal direction. Further, when the cartridges 100a to 100d are attached to the developing device unit main body 98 via the developing devices 42a to 42d, the outer surfaces thereof are substantially aligned with the outer periphery of the developing device unit main body 98.

Each of the cartridges 100a to 100d is attached and detached in a direction substantially normal to the rotation direction of the developing device unit main body 98, and a position substantially facing the image carrier 50 with the rotation shaft 44 interposed therebetween is an exchange position. ing. That is, the cartridges 100a to 100d are rotated about the rotation shaft 44 to the replacement position on the front side (right side in FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 10 by a control unit (not shown), and the operator grips the handle unit 102. By operating, it is guided by a guide (not shown) of the developing device main body 99 and is attached to and detached from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10.
The image forming unit 96 (FIG. 1) is attached and detached along guides 103a and 103b (FIG. 2) provided on the image forming apparatus main body 12 when the opening / closing cover 16 is opened. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus main body 12 is provided with a rib 106 near the upper portion of the developing unit 38. Therefore, even if the image forming unit 96 is removed and the upper portion of the developing device unit 38 is opened, the cartridges 100a to 100d are not removable if they are positioned above the developing device unit 38. Yes.

  Each of the cartridges 100a to 100d is provided with an agitating / conveying member 104, and a developer contained therein is agitated and conveyed and supplied to the developing devices 42a to 42d. Further, each of the cartridges 100a to 100d collects the developer excessively supplied to the developing devices 42a to 42d.

  Each of the developing devices 42a to 42d includes a developing roll 108, a first stirring / conveying member 110, a second stirring / conveying member 112, a third stirring / conveying member 114, and a layer thickness regulating member 116, such as a coil spring. The elastic body 118 is pressed in a substantially normal direction with respect to the rotation direction of the developing device unit main body 98. In a state where the developing roll 108 is not in contact with the image carrier 50, a part of the outer periphery of each of the developing rolls protrudes, for example, 2 mm from the outer periphery of the developing unit unit main body 98 in the radial direction. Further, a tracking roll (not shown) having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the developing roll 108 a is provided at both ends of each of the developing rolls 108 so as to rotate coaxially with the developing roll 108. That is, the developing rolls 108 are arranged on the outer periphery of the developing unit unit main body 98 at intervals of 90 ° with the rotation shaft 44 as the center, and the tracking rolls of the developing roll 108 are flanges provided at both ends of the image carrier 50 ( The latent image on the image carrier 50 is developed with each color developer while forming a predetermined gap between the developing roll 108 and the image carrier 50.

The first agitation transport member 110 transports the developer supplied from the cartridges 100 a to 100 d to the second agitation transport member 112. The second agitating / conveying member 112 agitates the developer and supplies the developer to the developing roll 108 via the third agitating / conveying member 114. The layer thickness regulating member 116 regulates the layer thickness of the developer attached to the surface of the developing roll 108.
The developing units 42a to 42d can be attached and detached even when the cartridges 100a to 100d are mounted.
Hereinafter, in the case where any one of a plurality of components such as the developing units 42a to 42d is not specified, it may be simply abbreviated as “developing unit 42” or the like.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
When the image forming signal is sent, the image carrier 50 is uniformly charged by the charging device 52, and a light beam is emitted from the exposure device 60 to the charged image carrier 50 based on the image signal. Light rays from the exposure device 60 expose the surface of the image carrier 50 to form a latent image.

  The latent image carried on the image carrier 50 is developed by the developing unit 38 at the development position A. In the developing unit 38, the developing units 42a to 42d are supplied with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developer images from the cartridges 100a to 100d, respectively. Further, the developer excessively supplied to the developing devices 42a to 42d is collected in the cartridges 100a to 100d, respectively. The developer images developed for each color by the developing units 42 a to 42 d of the developing unit 38 are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 64. In the primary transfer, the waste developer remaining on the image carrier 50 is scraped off and collected by the image carrier cleaner 54.

  On the other hand, the paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette 22 is fed out by the feed roll 24 by a paper feed signal or the like, is turned by the retard roll 26 and guided to the transport path 28, is temporarily stopped by the registration roll 32, and the timing is reached. As a result, it is guided between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. When the sheet is guided between the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72, the developer image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body 64 is transferred by the secondary transfer roll 80 and the secondary transfer backup roll 72. Secondary transferred onto paper. After the secondary transfer, the waste developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member 64 is scraped off and collected by the intermediate transfer member cleaner 82.

  The sheet onto which the developer image has been transferred is guided to the fixing device 90, and the developer image is fixed by the thermal pressure of the heating roll 92 and the pressure roll 94. The sheet on which the developer image is fixed is discharged from the discharge port 30 to the discharge unit 36 by the discharge roll 34.

Next, details of the developing device 42 will be described.
3 to 5, details of the developing device 42 are shown. As described above, the developing device 42 includes the developing roll 108, the first stirring and conveying member 110, the second stirring and conveying member 112, the third stirring and conveying member 114, and the layer thickness regulating member 116, and the developing device main body. A developing device shutter 124 for opening and closing the developing device side receiving port 120 and the developing device side discharge port 122 is slidably provided in the vicinity of one end of 99 (left side in FIG. 3).

The developing device side receiving port 120 is provided in the developing device main body 99 and receives the developer supplied from the cartridge 100. The developing device side discharge port 122 is provided in the developing device main body 99 and discharges the developer or the like excessively supplied into the developing device 42 to the cartridge 100.
The developing device shutter 124 is a plate-like member, and is curved in accordance with the shape of the cartridge 100 together with the support portion 126 formed on the upper surface of the developing device main body 99 so that the cartridge 100 is mounted. The developing device shutter 124 has a first developing device side opening 128 that opens in substantially the same shape as the developing device side receiving port 120 and opens the developing device side receiving port 120 when it overlaps the developing device side receiving port 120. And a second developer-side opening 130 that opens in substantially the same shape as the developer-side discharge port 122 and opens the developer-side discharge port 122 when overlapped with the developer-side discharge port 122. ing.

  The first developing device side opening 128 has a receiving protrusion 132 at the rear end (upper side in FIG. 3) in the direction in which the developing device shutter 124 slides so as to open the developing device side receiving port 120. A first extruding portion 178, which will be described later, is brought into contact therewith. The second developing device side opening 130 has a discharge port projection 134 at the rear end (upper side in FIG. 3) in the direction in which the developing device shutter 124 slides so as to open the developing device side discharge port 122. A second extruding portion 180, which will be described later, is in contact with 100.

  Further, the developing device main body 99 is provided with a side plate 136 at an end portion on the developing device shutter 124 side, and a side plate 138 is provided at an end portion on the anti-developing device shutter 124 side. The side plate 136 is provided with a restricting portion 140 that restricts a rotation range of a rotating portion main body 162 (to be described later) of the cartridge 100 and a removal of the rotating portion main body 162 when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42. ing. Further, in the vicinity of the side plate 136, a release protrusion 142 that engages with an elastic claw 166 described later of the cartridge 100 protrudes so as to face the side plate 136. The release protrusion 142 is formed with an inclined surface 144 so that the upper part (upper side in FIG. 3) is thin and the lower part is thick.

  The side plate 138 has a guide 146. The guide 146 receives a later-described convex portion 154 of the cartridge 100 and guides the cartridge 100 to be mounted in a predetermined direction. Further, in the vicinity of the side plate 138, a driving force is received from the image forming apparatus main body 12, and with respect to the developing roll 108, the first stirring and conveying member 110, the second stirring and conveying member 112, and the third stirring and conveying member 114. For example, a driving force transmission unit 148 including a plurality of gears for transmission is provided.

Next, details of the cartridge 100 will be described.
Details of the cartridge 100 are shown in FIGS. The cartridge 100 includes a developer accommodating portion 150 and a rotating portion 152 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion 150.
The developer accommodating portion 150 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a teardrop shape when viewed from the side. That is, the developer accommodating portion 150 is gradually narrowed by extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction from the substantially cylindrical portion, and the substantially cylindrical portion in which the stirring and conveying member 104 is disposed. The part is formed so as to be integrated. Further, when the cartridge 100 is attached to the developing device unit main body 98 via the developing device 42, the outer surface of the developer accommodating portion 150 is substantially coincident with the outer periphery of the developing device unit main body 98.

  The developer accommodating portion 150 is connected to the end on the counter-rotating portion 152 side, for example, the convex portion 154 engaged with the guide 146 of the developing device 42 described above, and the driving force transmitting portion 148 of the developing device 42, for example. A gear 156 is provided. Further, a developer accommodating space 158 for accommodating a developer supplied to the developing device 42 is formed in the developer accommodating portion 150. The developer containing space 158 is provided with the agitating and conveying member 104 described above. The agitating / conveying member 104 is wound, for example, in a spiral shape, and agitates and conveys the developer in the developer accommodating space 158.

The rotating portion 152 includes a rotating portion main body 162 and a cylindrical tube portion 164 provided in the rotating portion main body 162 and formed integrally with the developer accommodating portion 150. That is, the developer accommodating portion 150 and the cylindrical portion 164 form a cartridge body.
The rotating part main body 162 is formed in a cylindrical shape on the inner side, and is rotated along the outer surface of the cylindrical part of the cylindrical part 164. When viewed from the side, the rotating part main body 162 has a teardrop shape. That is, the rotating portion main body 162 has a substantially cylindrical shape on the back side when mounted on the developing device 42, and the handle portion 102 protrudes from the substantially cylindrical portion, so that the side surface portion 165 (FIG. 7C). The front surface of the developer container 150 is substantially the same as the side surface of the developer container 150. Further, when the cartridge 100 is attached to the developing device unit main body 98 via the developing device 42, the rotating portion main body 162 has an outer surface substantially coinciding with the outer periphery of the developing device unit main body 98.

  The side surface portion 165 is provided with an elastic claw 166 that is refracted toward the inside of the rotation portion main body 162 and extends in the rotation direction of the rotation portion main body 162 and has elasticity, a detachable groove 167 and a receiving groove 168 described later. Yes. The rotating portion main body 162 is a cylindrical cartridge shutter 169 that opens and closes a cartridge-side supply port 188 and a cartridge-side recovery port 190, which will be described later, on the surface that rotates along the cylindrical portion 164. The cartridge shutter 169 includes a first cartridge side opening 170, a second cartridge side opening 172, a release protrusion hole 174, and restriction holes 176a and 176b, and is formed integrally with the handle portion 102 described above. Yes.

  The first cartridge-side opening 170 has a first push-out portion 178 that is a cartridge-side protrusion that protrudes toward the developing device-side receiving port 120, and opens in substantially the same shape as a cartridge-side supply port 188 described later. When the cartridge side supply port 188 is overlaid, the cartridge side supply port 188 is opened. The second cartridge-side opening 172 has a second push-out portion 180 formed of a cartridge-side protrusion that protrudes toward the developing device-side discharge port 122, and opens in substantially the same shape as a cartridge-side recovery port 190 described later. The cartridge-side collection port 190 is opened when it is overlaid on the cartridge-side collection port 190. When the cartridge 100 is mounted in the developing device 42, the release protrusion hole 174 is arranged so that the rotation portion main body 162 rotates with the release protrusion 142 of the developing device 42 penetrating. 162 extends in the rotation direction and opens. The restricting holes 176a and 176b are extended and opened in the rotating direction of the rotating part main body 162 so that restricting protrusions 192a and 192b, which will be described later, engage with each other and restrict the range in which the rotating part main body 162 rotates. ing.

  The cylindrical part 164 is sealed by the cylindrical part side wall 182 on the side surface part 165 side of the rotating part main body 162, and an isolation wall 184 is provided inside. The cylindrical side wall 182 is provided with a locking projection 183 that constitutes a first locking mechanism, which will be described later, of the rotating portion 152 together with the elastic claw 166 described above. A developer recovery space 186 is formed on the cylinder side wall 182 side of the isolation wall 184, and the developer storage space 158 described above is formed on the side opposite to the cylinder side wall 182 of the isolation wall 184. The cylinder portion 164 is provided with a cartridge side supply port 188 in the vicinity of the separation wall 184 on the developer storage space 158 side, and a cartridge side recovery port 190 in the vicinity of the cylinder side wall 182 on the developer recovery space 186 side. Is provided. That is, the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating space 158 is supplied into the developing device 42 through the cartridge side supply port 188 and the developing device side receiving port 120 of the developing device 42. Further, the developer supplied excessively into the developing device 42 is collected in the developer collecting space 186 through the developing device side discharge port 122 and the cartridge side collecting port 190 of the developing device 42. .

  In addition, restriction projections 192a and 192b are provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the tube portion 164. These restriction projections 192a and 192b slide along the restriction holes 176a and 176b, respectively, and the rotation portion main body. The range in which 162 rotates with respect to the cylindrical portion 164 is restricted.

  Thus, since the developer accommodating portion 150 and the rotating portion main body 162 are teardrop-shaped when viewed from the side, the handle portion 102 is provided without reducing the capacity of the developer accommodated.

11 and 12 show details of a state in which the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42. FIG. When the cartridge 100 is attached to the developing device 42, the cartridge side supply port 188 is positioned so as to face the developing device side receiving port 120, and the first cartridge side opening 170 and the first developing device side opening are positioned. It is connected to the developing device side receiving port 120 via the unit 128. The first pushing portion 178 protrudes from the cartridge shutter 169 in the thickness direction of the developing device shutter 124 so that the height thereof is substantially the same as the thickness of the developing device shutter 124. The receptacle protrusion 132 protrudes from the developing device shutter 124 in the thickness direction of the cartridge shutter 169 so that the height thereof is substantially the same as the thickness of the cartridge shutter 169.
When the handle portion 102 is pushed in the rotation direction of the developing unit 38 (left side in FIG. 11), the cartridge shutter 169 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 11) along the cylindrical portion 164. As described above, when the cartridge shutter 169 rotates counterclockwise, the developing unit shutter 124 is engaged with the cartridge shutter 169 and rotated by the first push-out portion 178 and the receiving port projection 132, and the cartridge side supply port 188 and The developing device side receiving port 120 is opened, and the developer is extruded and supplied from the cartridge 100 to the developing device 42.

  A cartridge seal member 194 is provided in the vicinity of the cartridge side supply port 188 between the cylindrical portion 164 and the cartridge shutter 169. The cartridge seal member 194 is affixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 164, for example. That is, the cartridge shutter 169 slides with respect to the cartridge seal material 194 and rotates with respect to the cylindrical portion 164 via the cartridge seal material 194. The cartridge seal member 194 reduces the amount of developer entering between the cylindrical portion 164 and the cartridge shutter 169, reduces the friction and contact area of the cartridge shutter 169 with respect to the cylindrical portion 164, and makes the rotation smooth. Further, a developing device seal member 196 is provided in the vicinity of the developing device side receiving port 120 between the developing device main body 99 and the developing device shutter 124. The developing device seal member 196 is attached to the developing device main body 99, for example. That is, the developing device shutter 124 slides with respect to the developing device seal material 196. The developer sealant 196 reduces the amount of developer entering between the developer main body 99 and the developer shutter 124, reduces the friction and contact area of the developer shutter 124 with respect to the developer main body 99, and slides. Smooth.

Next, the operation of the cartridge shutter 169 of the cartridge 100 and the developing device shutter 124 of the developing device 42 will be described in detail.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view sequentially illustrating the process of removing the cartridge 100 from the developing device 42 at the replacement position of the cartridge 100. FIG. 13A shows the cartridge 100 and the developing device 42 when the image forming apparatus 10 is operating. When the image forming apparatus 10 is operating, the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42 such that the cartridge side supply port 188 (see FIG. 12) and the developing device side receiving port 120 face each other, and the first cartridge The side opening 170 and the first developing device side opening 128 open the cartridge side supply port 188 and the developing device side receiving port 120, so that the developer is supplied from the cartridge 100 to the developing device 42.

In FIG. 13B, the cartridge shutter 169 closes the cartridge-side supply port 188 when the operator rotates the rotating portion main body 162 clockwise (clockwise in FIG. 13) via the handle portion 102. A state of starting to rotate in the direction is shown. Note that the developer shutter 124 is stationary even when the rotating unit main body 162 rotates from the state of FIG. 13A to the state of FIG. 13B.
When the cartridge shutter 169 rotates clockwise, the gap between the first push-out portion 178 side of the first cartridge-side opening 170 (see FIG. 12) and the receptacle protrusion 132 side of the first developer-side opening 128 The developer on the cartridge is pushed in the rotating direction of the cartridge shutter 169. On the other hand, the receptacle protrusion 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128 blocks the developer pushed by the movement of the first cartridge side opening 170 on the first pushing portion 178 side. Therefore, the developer located between the first push-out portion 178 side of the first cartridge-side opening 170 and the receiving projection 132 side of the first developer-side opening 128 is removed from the first cartridge-side opening 170. Is sandwiched by the first protrusion 178 side and the receiving port projection 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128, and is pushed out and collected to at least one of the developing device side receiving port 120 side and the cartridge side supply port 188 side. . Further, the developer in the vicinity of the developing device side receiving port 120 is abraded on the upper side by the movement of the first pushing portion 178.

  In FIG. 13C, the cartridge shutter 169 rotates in a direction to close the cartridge side supply port 188, and the first pushing portion 178 side (see FIG. 12) of the first cartridge side opening 170 is the first. A state in which the developing device side opening 128 abuts on the receiving projection 132 side is shown. When the first push-out portion 178 side of the first cartridge-side opening 170 abuts on the receiving protrusion 132 side of the first developer-side opening 128, the supply of developer from the cartridge 100 to the developing device 42 is stopped. At the same time, the first pushing portion 178 completes the abrasion of the developer near the developing device side receiving port 120.

  In FIG. 13D, a state in which the first pushing portion 178 side of the first cartridge side opening 170 starts to push the receiving protrusion 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128 (see FIG. 12). It is shown. When the cartridge shutter 169 continues to rotate further clockwise after the first push-out portion 178 side of the first cartridge-side opening 170 comes into contact with the receiving protrusion 132 side of the first developer-side opening 128. The first pushing portion 178 side of the first cartridge side opening 170 pushes the receiving projection 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128. As described above, when the cartridge shutter 169 pushes the developer shutter 124, the side of the first developing device side opening 128 on the side of the receiving projection 132 is substantially on the upper surface of the developer that is abraded by the first pushing portion 178. Move along. That is, when the developing device shutter 124 moves in a direction to close the developing device side receiving port 120, the counter receiving port protrusion 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128 moves in a space where the developer is not retained. Further, the developer can be prevented from being transferred by the movement of the developing device shutter 124.

  In FIG. 13E, the developing device shutter 124 moves in a direction to close the developing device side receiving port 120 (from right to left in FIG. 13), and the counter developing port 132 side of the first developing device side opening 128 is the developing device. A state of passing over the side receiving port 120 is shown. The developing device shutter 124 moves in a direction to close the developing device side receiving port 120, and the counter receiving port protrusion 132 side (see FIG. 12) of the first developing device side opening 128 passes over the developing device side receiving port 120. When abutting against the developer sealant 196, the developer side receptacle 120 is closed.

FIG. 13F shows a state in which the cartridge 100 can be removed from the developing device 42. When the developing device shutter 124 is moved to a predetermined position by closing the developing device side receiving port 120 by the rotation of the cartridge shutter 169, the cartridge 100 can be detached from the developing device 42.
In this way, the developer shutter 124 prevents the developer from being transferred, and the developer between the first push-out portion 178 and the receptacle projection 132 moves to at least one of the developer 42 side and the cartridge 100 side. Since the toner is extruded and collected, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking when the cartridge 100 is removed from the developing device 42. In a state where the cartridge 100 can be removed from the developing device 42, the cartridge side supply port 188 is closed by the cartridge shutter 169, and the developing device side receiving port 120 is closed by the developing device shutter 124. In addition, the developer does not leak from any of the developing devices 42.

  On the other hand, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42, the cartridge shutter 169 rotates counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 13) along the cylindrical portion 164, and the first cartridge side opening 170 is opened. The cartridge-side supply port 188 is opened, and the first cartridge-side opening 170 pushes the first developer-side opening 128 to open the developer-side receiving port 120, so that the cartridge 100 transfers to the developer 42. Developer is supplied.

  Further, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42, the cartridge side recovery port 190 (FIGS. 8 and 10) is positioned so as to face the developing device side discharge port 122 (FIG. 3), and the second The cartridge side opening 172 (FIG. 7) and the second developer side opening 130 (FIG. 3) are connected to the developer side discharge port 122. Similar to the first pusher 178, the second pusher 180 of the second cartridge-side opening 172 has a height that is substantially the same as the thickness of the developer shutter 124 from the cartridge shutter 169. The developing device shutter 124 protrudes in the thickness direction. The discharge port projection 134 of the second developing device side opening 130 is similar to the receiving port projection 132 in that the height of the cartridge shutter 169 is substantially the same as the height of the cartridge shutter 169 to the cartridge shutter 169. Projects in the thickness direction. That is, when the cartridge shutter 169 is rotated with respect to the cylindrical portion 164, the developing device side discharge port 122 and the cartridge side collection port 190 are opened and closed by the discharge port protrusion 134 and the second pushing portion 180.

Therefore, when there is a developer between the developing device side discharge port 122 and the cartridge side collection port 190, the second cartridge side opening is formed when the cartridge shutter 169 rotates in a direction to close the cartridge side collection port 190. The developer between the second pushing portion 180 side of 172 and the discharge port projection 134 side of the second developing device side opening 130 is pushed and collected to at least one of the developing device 42 side and the cartridge 100 side. Is done.
Similarly to the developing device side receiving port 120 and the cartridge side supply port 188, a developing device seal material 196 (see FIG. 12) and a cartridge seal material 194 are provided in the vicinity of the developing device side discharge port 122 and the cartridge side collection port 190, respectively. It may be provided.

Next, a first locking mechanism that locks the rotating portion main body 162 with respect to the cylindrical portion 164 will be described.
In FIG. 14, a first locking mechanism that locks the rotating portion main body 162 with respect to the cylindrical portion 164 is schematically shown. As described above, the elastic claw 166 of the side surface portion 165 is refracted toward the inside of the rotating portion main body 162, extends in the rotating direction of the rotating portion main body 162, and has elasticity.

As shown in FIG. 14A, when the cartridge 100 is removed from the developing device 42, the tip of the elastic claw 166 (the right side in FIG. 14A) is the locking protrusion 183 of the cylinder side wall 182. The rotation portion main body 162 is restricted from rotating with respect to the cylindrical portion 164. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the cartridge 100 is removed from the developing device 42, the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 are closed by the cartridge shutter 169. The rotating portion main body 162 is prohibited from rotating in the direction in which the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 are opened with respect to the cylindrical portion 164.
Further, as described above, the rotation portion main body 162 is provided with the restriction holes 176a and 176b, and the rotation protrusions 192a and 192b (see FIG. 9) of the cylinder portion 164 are engaged with each other. A range in which the main body 162 rotates with respect to the cylindrical portion 164 is restricted. That is, when the cartridge 100 is detached from the developing device 42, the rotating portion main body 162 is locked so as not to rotate in any direction.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the cartridge 100 is guided by the guide 146 of the developing device 42 and pressed against the support portion 126, the release protrusion 142 is inserted between the elastic claw 166 and the cylinder side wall 182. Then, the elastic claw 166 slides along the inclined surface 144. When the release protrusion 142 is inserted between the elastic claw 166 and the cylinder side wall 182, the elastic claw 166 is elastically deformed so as to be separated from the outer surface of the cylinder side wall 182 more than the height of the locking protrusion 183, and the cartridge The side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 can be rotated (in the right direction in FIGS. 14B and 14C). Therefore, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42, the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 can be opened as shown in FIGS.

Note that when the rotating portion main body 162 is rotated in the direction of closing the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 (leftward in FIG. 14), the elastic claw 166 is provided on the locking projection 183. After sliding along the slope and closing the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190, the tip of the elastic claw 166 is pressed against the locking projection 183.
As described above, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the developing device 42, the rotating portion main body 162 rotates within the range regulated by the regulating holes 176 a and 176 b and is removed from the developing device 42. The rotation unit main body 162 is prevented from rotating in any direction. Therefore, when the cartridge 100 is detached from the developing device 42, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the cartridges 100a to 100d.

Next, a second locking mechanism that locks the cartridge 100 with respect to the developing device 42 will be described.
FIG. 15 shows details of the side surface portion 165 and a second locking mechanism that locks the cartridge 100 with respect to the developing device 42. An outer peripheral wall 198 surrounding the outer periphery of the side surface portion 165 is formed on the side surface portion 165. The outer peripheral wall 198 is formed with an attaching / detaching groove 167 through which a restricting portion 140 (see FIG. 3) provided in the developing device 42 passes, and a receiving groove 168 engaged with the restricting portion 140. The receiving groove 168 includes a regulating surface 200 that extends from the outer peripheral wall 198 and faces the rotating direction of the rotating portion main body 162, and a convex portion 202 that protrudes from the outer peripheral wall 198 toward the approximate center of the side surface portion 165.

  When the cartridge 100 is attached to the developing device 42, the cartridge 100 has a regulating portion 140 (see FIG. 3) provided in the developing device 42 between the attachment / detachment direction width J of the attachment / detachment groove 167 provided in the side surface portion 165. It is pushed to pass. After the restricting portion 140 passes through the attachment / detachment groove 167, the restricting portion 140 is restricted when the turning portion main body 162 rotates in a direction to open the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190 (counterclockwise in FIG. 15). It is configured to be sandwiched between the surface 200 and the convex portion 202. That is, when the rotating portion main body 162 rotates in a direction to open the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190, the receiving groove 168 engages with the restricting portion 140, and the cartridge 100 is locked to the developing device. .

  On the other hand, when the cartridge 100 is removed from the developing device 42, when the rotating portion main body 162 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 15) to close the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190, the convex portion 202 Slides along the restricting portion 140, and the attaching / detaching groove 167 moves to a position where the restricting portion 140 can be passed in the attaching / detaching direction. That is, when the rotating portion main body 162 rotates in a direction to close the cartridge side supply port 188 and the cartridge side collection port 190, the restricting portion 140 is removed from the receiving groove 168, so that the cartridge 100 is locked with respect to the developing device 42. Canceled.

Next, a method for attaching the cartridge 100 to the developing device 42 will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart (S10) showing a method of mounting the cartridge 100 on the developing device 42.
17 to 20, the states of the cartridge 100 and the developing device 42 corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 are shown.
As shown in FIG. 16, in step 100 (S100), the operator rotates the developing device unit main body 98 so that the developing device 42 to which the cartridge 100 is attached moves to the replacement position on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. Let

  In step 102 (S102), the operator holds the handle portion 102 of the cartridge 100 and inserts the developer containing portion 150 side into the side plate 138 in the axial direction (direction X in FIG. 17). The cartridge 100 is positioned so that the convex portion 154 is guided by the guide 146 of the side plate 138 and the gear 156 is coupled to the driving force transmission portion 148.

  In step 104 (S104), the operator pushes the rotating portion 152 side toward the rotating shaft 44 of the developing device main body 99 (in the Y direction in FIG. 17) to release the first lock mechanism (FIG. 17, FIG. 17). FIG. 18).

  In step 106 (S106), the operator rotates the rotating unit main body 162 in the rotation direction of the developing device unit main body 98 (direction Z in FIG. 17), and moves the cartridge 100 to the developing device 42 by the second lock mechanism. (FIGS. 19 and 20). In this way, the grip portion 102 is moved in a direction away from the developing roll 108 of the developing device 42 to which the cartridge 100 is mounted, and the cartridge 100 is locked to the developing device 42.

Note that the cartridge 100 can be removed from the developing device 42 by performing the processes of S102 to S106 in the reverse order at the replacement position of the cartridge 100.
In addition, the operator can easily attach and detach the cartridge 100 to and from the developing device 42 by grasping the developer container 150.

Next, a modified example of the cartridge shutter 169 will be described.
FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the cartridge side supply port 188 and the developer side receiving port 120 of the cartridge 100 using a modified example of the cartridge shutter 169. In the modified example of the cartridge shutter 169, the first pushing portion 178 has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the receiving port 120. For example, the first pushing portion 178 side of the first cartridge side opening 170 is directed toward the receiving port 120. It is made into one inclined surface which inclines. In addition, an inclined surface that engages with an inclined surface of the first cartridge side opening 170 is formed in the first developing device side opening 128 of the developing device shutter 124 on the receiving projection 132 side. Therefore, when the cartridge shutter 169 rotates in a direction to close the cartridge side supply port 188, the developer in the vicinity of the receiving port 120 is pushed out toward the receiving port 120 and collected on the developing device main body 99 side. Further, since the inclined surface of the first cartridge side opening 170 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the cartridge shutter 169 rotates when the cartridge side supply port 188 is closed, the cartridge side supply port 188 is closed. In this case, the resistance received from the developer can be reduced. In addition, the area where the first pushing portion 178 is in sliding contact with the developer sealant 196 can be reduced, and the resistance received by the first pusher 178 from the developer sealant 196 can be reduced.
Further, in the modified example of the cartridge shutter 169, an auxiliary projection 204 is provided on the outer surface. The auxiliary projection 204 abuts against one end of the developer shutter 124 when the cartridge shutter 169 rotates in the direction to open the cartridge side supply port 188, and the cartridge shutter 169 stably pushes the developer shutter 124. Assist you to be able to.

  The cartridge may be integrated with a developing device and an image carrier. Further, the developing roll may be covered with a shutter when it is away from the developing position.

1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a developing unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and its periphery. 1 is a perspective view showing a developing device used in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a developing unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 1A is a top view and FIG. 1B is a side view. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a developing unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view along the line DD in FIG. 4 and FIG. It is sectional drawing seen in the direction of F, (C) is sectional drawing seen in the direction of G by the EE line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cartridge which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state where the cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed from the developing device, wherein FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a bottom view, and FIG. . FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention is removed from the developing device. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted on the developing device, in which FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a bottom view, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted on the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted on the developing device. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cartridge side supply port and a developing device side receiving port of the cartridge shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view sequentially illustrating a process of removing a cartridge from a developing device at a cartridge replacement position. It is a figure showing the 1st lock mechanism which locks the rotation part main part of the cartridge concerning the embodiment of the present invention to a cylinder part, and (A) shows the case where a cartridge is removed from a development device, (B) shows a case where the cartridge is pressed against the support portion of the developing device, and (C) is a schematic diagram showing a state where the first lock mechanism is released and the rotation portion main body is rotated. FIG. 10 is a side view of the cartridge showing a second locking mechanism that locks the cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention with respect to the developing device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for mounting a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention on a developing device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a process of mounting a cartridge on a developing unit mounted on a developing unit unit main body. FIG. 18 is a side view showing a process of mounting a cartridge on the developing device shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a cartridge is attached to a developing device attached to a developing device unit main body. FIG. 20 is a side view showing a state where a cartridge is mounted on the developing device shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cartridge side supply port and a developer side receiving port of a cartridge using a modified example of the cartridge shutter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 16 Opening / closing cover 38 Developer unit 42a-42d Developer 44 Rotating shaft 50 Image carrier 52 Charging device 60 Charging device 60 Exposure device 80 Secondary transfer roll 90 Fixing device 96 Image forming unit 98 Developer unit main body 99 Developer main body 100a to 100d Cartridge 102 Handle portion 106 Ribs 108a to 108d Developing roll 120 Developing device side receiving port 122 Developing device side discharge port 124 Developing device shutter 126 Supporting portion 128 First developing device side opening portion 130 Second developing device side opening portion 132 Receptacle projection 134 Discharge port projection 136,138 Side plate 140 Restriction portion 142 Release projection 144 Inclined surface 146 Guide 150 Developer accommodating portion 152 Rotating portion 154 Protruding portion 156 Gear 158 Developer accommodating space 162 Rotating portion main body 164 Tube portion 165 Side surface portion 166 Elastic claw 167 Detachable groove 168 Receiving groove 169 Cartridge shutter 170 First cartridge side opening 172 Second cartridge side opening 174 Release projection hole 176a, 176b Restriction hole 178 First push portion 180 Second push portion 182 Tube portion side wall 183 Lock Protrusion 184 Separating wall 186 Developer recovery space 188 Cartridge side supply port 190 Cartridge side recovery port 192a, 192b Protrusion 194 Cartridge seal material 196 Developer seal material 198 Outer wall 200 Restricting surface 202 Convex

Claims (11)

A cartridge for supplying or collecting the developer to and from the developing device,
A cartridge main body formed with a cartridge side connection port connected to the developer side connection port which is a developer side connection port formed in the developer unit and opened and closed by a developer opening and closing member;
A cartridge opening and closing member for opening and closing the cartridge side connection port;
Have
The cartridge opening / closing member has an extrusion portion protruding toward the developing device side connection port,
When the cartridge side connection port is closed, when the cartridge opening and closing member is rotated in a direction in which the developer opening and closing member is stopped, the push-out portion is connected to the cartridge opening and closing member and the developer side connection port. At least one to the extrusion of the developing unit and the cartridge body developer is between, after the cartridge opening and closing member is closed the cartridge-side connection port, by which the cartridge opening and closing member pushes the developing device closing member A cartridge configured to close the developing device side connection port. A developing device side connection port that is opened and closed by a developing device opening and closing member, the developing device side connection port that receives or discharges the developer, and a developer that develops an image with the developer;
A cartridge that supplies or collects the developer to and from the developing unit and is detachably attached to the developing unit;
Have
The cartridge is
A cartridge body formed with a cartridge side connection port connected to the developer side connection port;
A cartridge opening and closing member for opening and closing the cartridge side connection port;
Have
The cartridge opening / closing member has an extrusion portion protruding toward the developing device side connection port,
When the cartridge side connection port is closed, when the cartridge opening and closing member is rotated in a direction in which the developer opening and closing member is stopped, the push-out portion is connected to the cartridge opening and closing member and the developer side connection port. After the developer is pushed to at least one of the developing device and the cartridge main body and the cartridge opening / closing member closes the cartridge side connection port, the cartridge opening / closing member is connected to the developer side by the developing device opening / closing member. A developing device characterized by closing a mouth.   3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the developing device opening / closing member opens and closes the developing device side connection port in conjunction with the cartridge opening / closing member.   The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge opening / closing member has an engaging portion that engages with the developing device opening / closing member.   The cartridge includes a lock unit that locks the cartridge opening / closing member so as not to open the cartridge side connection port, and the developer includes a release unit that unlocks the lock unit. The developing device according to claim 2.   The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the pushing portion has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the developing device side connection port.   The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the developing device opening / closing member has a developing device side protrusion protruding toward the cartridge side connection port. A developing device for developing an image with a developer;
A cartridge that is detachably attached to the developer;
Have
The cartridge is
A cartridge main body formed with a cartridge side connection port for supplying or collecting the developer with the developing device; and
A cartridge opening and closing member for opening and closing the cartridge side connection port;
Comprising
The developer is
A developer-side connection port for receiving or discharging the developer from the cartridge;
A developer opening and closing member for opening and closing the developer side connection port;
Comprising
The cartridge opening / closing member has an extrusion portion protruding toward the developing device side connection port, and the developing device opening / closing member is
An opening for opening the developing device side connection port;
A developer-side protrusion protruding toward the cartridge-side connection port;
Have
When the cartridge side connection port is closed, when the cartridge opening and closing member is rotated in a direction in which the developer opening and closing member is stopped, the push-out portion is connected to the cartridge opening and closing member and the developer side connection port. After the developer is pushed to at least one of the developing device and the cartridge main body and the cartridge opening / closing member closes the cartridge side connection port, the cartridge opening / closing member is connected to the developer side by the developing device opening / closing member. A developing device characterized by closing a mouth.   The cartridge includes a lock unit that locks the cartridge opening / closing member so as not to open the cartridge side connection port by an elastic member, and the developing device locks the lock unit by a protrusion that elastically deforms the elastic member. 9. The developing device according to claim 8, further comprising a releasing unit for releasing.   3. The cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a handle portion that an operator picks when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the developing device, and the handle portion is formed integrally with the cartridge opening / closing member. The developing device according to any one of 9 to 9.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 2.

Images