JP4667631B2 - Supply apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a supply device that supplies toner, a liquid developer, or a liquid carrier as a supply to a developing device, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer that uses the supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus for an electrophotographic process, a toner, a liquid developer, or a liquid carrier that is consumed as a latent image is developed is appropriately supplied to a developing device by a supply device. In this type of image forming apparatus for forming a multi-color image, generally, a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent image into individual colors are provided, and a plurality of dedicated color toners corresponding to each of these are provided. A container is to be installed. In addition, in the case of using a liquid developer containing toner and a liquid carrier, a container for storing the liquid developer and a container for storing the liquid carrier are mounted even if a single color image is formed. There are many cases.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of containers as described above, for example, a black toner container is mounted on a yellow toner mounting section to mix colors, or a liquid developer container is mounted on a liquid carrier mounting section. There is a possibility that the image density may become abnormal due to wearing.
[0004]
As a measure to suppress color mixing and image density abnormality caused by erroneous mounting of such containers, the shape of the container is slightly changed for each type of supply, and each engaging portion that engages only with a dedicated container is used. It can be considered to be provided in the mounting portion.
[0005]
However, even if such measures are taken, if it is a container of a size that easily enters the engaging part or a container that is larger than the engaging part but easily deforms, There is a possibility of causing color mixing and abnormal image density.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a supply device capable of preventing color mixing and image density abnormality caused by erroneous mounting of a container, and image formation using the same. Is to provide a device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is formed an engaging portion with a container for accommodating a supply to the developing device, and the container is supported while being engaged with the engaging portion. A supply device comprising: a support; a receiving unit that receives the supply from the discharge port of the container supported by the support; and a transport unit that transports the supply received from the reception to the developing device. In A first concave portion engaging with a first convex portion provided in the container; a second concave portion engaging with a second convex portion provided in the container; the discharge port; A notch provided at a position facing the second recess so as to prevent the connection between the discharge port and the receiving portion and to accept the second projection. And being positioned between the first connection blocking plate that is retracted from the above by being pushed down by the first convex portion entering the first concave portion, and the discharge port and the receiving portion. A notch provided at a position facing the first concave portion so as to prevent the connection between the discharge port and the receiving portion and to receive the first convex portion, and the second concave portion A second connection blocking plate that is retracted from above by being pushed down by the second convex portion that enters. Connection blocking mechanism The It is characterized by providing.
[0008]
In this supply device, even if a container for accommodating a different type of supply (hereinafter referred to as a different type of container) is forcibly set on the support, the container is engaged with the support. As long as the part does not engage with a certain accuracy, the supply is prevented from being received from the inlet. In such a configuration, even if a container of a size that easily enters the engaging portion of the support or a container that easily deforms and enters the engaging portion is set on the support by erroneous mounting, Engagement with a predetermined accuracy cannot be obtained between the engaging portion and the container. Accordingly, the supply of the supply from the receiving port is blocked, and color mixing and image density abnormality due to erroneous mounting are prevented.
[0010]
Also, In this supply device, even if some of the blocking members accidentally move to the retracted position due to excessive engagement between the different types of containers and the engaging portions of the support, the remaining blocking members Stays between the receiving portion and the discharge port of the container to prevent the connection between the reception port and the discharge port. In such a configuration, the relationship between the engagement accuracy between the container and the engagement portion of the support and the blocking function by the connection blocking mechanism can be finely adjusted.
[0011]
Claim 2 The invention of claim 1's In the supply device, the support held by the image forming apparatus is moved between a mounting position of the support with respect to the image forming apparatus and a container attaching / detaching position at which the container is attached to or detached from the support. A moving mechanism is provided, and the supporting body includes a supporting portion that receives and supports the container from the opening, and a cover that covers the opening so as to be openable and closable. is there.
[0012]
In this supply apparatus, since the container can be attached to and detached from the support moved to the container attaching / detaching position, not the support attached to the image forming apparatus, the container can be attached to the support. The detachability operability can be improved. Furthermore, the container set in the support part of the support can be supported from the opening side of the support part by the cover part. Therefore, even if the support body is used in a posture in which the support body is stood or inclined, the container inside the support body can be supported.
[0015]
Claim 3 The invention of claim 2 A support locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the support at the container attaching / detaching position in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover of the support at the container attaching / detaching position. Is provided.
[0016]
In this supply device, since the container can be attached / detached to / from the support fixed at the container attaching / detaching position, not the support floating around the container attaching / detaching position, the container The detachable operability can be further improved. In addition, since the support body can be automatically locked and unlocked at the container attaching / detaching position in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover portion, the support body can be mounted without being forced to perform a lock operation or unlock operation. The container can be fixed at the position for attaching / detaching.
[0017]
Claim 4 The invention of claim 2 or 3 In this supply apparatus, a cover part locking mechanism for locking the opening operation of the cover part of the support body at the mounting position is provided.
[0018]
In this supply device, even if the support is used in a posture or an inclined posture at the mounting position with respect to the image forming apparatus, the cover portion of the support is not opened due to the influence of gravity. The container in the support body can be more reliably supported.
[0019]
Claim 5 The invention of claim 1, 2, 3 Or 4 In this supply device, the receiving unit has a closing member that closes the receiving port, and is used to move the receiving unit to the release position when the receiving unit is connected to the discharge port. To do.
[0020]
In this supply device, the backflow of the supply from the receiving port can be prevented by closing the receiving port of the receiving unit not connected to the discharge port of the container with the closing member. Furthermore, the operation for the closing member can be omitted by automatically moving the closing member to the release position in connection with the connection between the receiving portion and the discharge port of the container.
[0021]
Claim 6 The invention includes a latent image carrier that carries a latent image, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the latent image carrier, a plurality of developing devices that develop the latent image on the latent image carrier, An image forming apparatus that corresponds to each of the developing devices and includes a plurality of supply devices that supply toner, a liquid developer, or a liquid carrier as a supply. Or 5 It is characterized by using the thing.
[0022]
In this image forming apparatus, claims 1, 2, 3, 4 Or 5 By preventing the color mixing and the image density abnormality caused by the erroneous mounting of the container by the supply device, it is possible to form a high quality image without the color mixing and the image density abnormality.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer. In the drawing, around a photosensitive drum 51 as a latent image carrier, a supply device 1, a charging unit 52, a developing unit 100 as a developing device, an intermediate transfer drum 53, and a drum cleaning unit 54 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 51. Etc. are arranged. Further, on the right side of the intermediate transfer drum 53 in the figure, a transfer roller 55 is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer drum 53 to form a secondary transfer nip having a predetermined width.
[0024]
The photosensitive drum 51 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow (clockwise) in the drawing at a constant speed during printing by a driving unit such as a motor (not shown). Then, after the rotation, the peripheral surface is uniformly charged by the charging unit 52, and then the writing light LB based on the image information is irradiated and imaged by the optical writing unit (not shown) to carry the electrostatic latent image. To do. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 100 to become a visible image with a liquid developer, and then moves to a contact position with the intermediate transfer drum 53 as the photosensitive drum 51 rotates.
[0025]
The intermediate transfer drum 53 is rotated at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive drum 51 in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure by a driving means (not shown), and the visible image is a peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer drum 53. Intermediate transfer. As the intermediate transfer drum 53 rotates, the intermediate transfer drum 53 moves to the secondary transfer nip.
[0026]
On the other hand, a sheet feeding device (not shown) feeds the transfer paper 56 toward the transfer nip at a timing at which the transfer paper 56 can be superimposed on the visible image. The transfer paper 56 superimposed on the visible image at the transfer nip is fed from the secondary transfer nip to a fixing device (not shown) after the visible image is transferred from the intermediate transfer drum 53. Then, after the visible image is fixed by heating or the like, it is discharged outside the printer.
[0027]
Untransferred developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 51 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer drum 53 is mechanically scraped and removed by the cleaning blade 54a of the drum cleaning unit 54. And it is conveyed by the screw member 54b to the collection | recovery pipe 58, falls in this collection | recovery pipe 58 with dead weight, and reaches the below-mentioned 2nd tank.
[0028]
The surface of the intermediate transfer drum 53 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is contacted with the photosensitive drum 51 after the liquid developer remaining without being transferred to the transfer paper 56 is removed by an intermediate transfer drum cleaning unit (not shown). Move again to position.
[0029]
The surface of the photosensitive drum 51 that has passed through this contact position moves to a position facing a neutralization lamp (not shown) and the residual potential is removed, so that it is prepared for the next print.
[0030]
The developing unit 100 mainly includes a developing unit 101, a collecting unit 102 that is a collecting unit, and an agent adjusting unit 103.
[0031]
The developing unit 101 includes a developing roller 105 as a developer carrier, a coating roller 106, a regulating blade 107, a first stirring screw 108, a second stirring screw 109, a first tank 110, and the like. In this first tank 110, a liquid developer 57 containing toner as a developing substance and a liquid carrier is accommodated in an amount of about 100 to 150 [cc].
[0032]
The liquid developer 57 has a viscosity adjusted to 100 to 10000 [mPa · s] and a toner concentration adjusted to 5 to 40 [%]. More specifically, in this embodiment, a material having a viscosity = about 300 [mPa · s] and a toner concentration = 15 [%] is used.
[0033]
In the first tank 110, the application roller 106 is disposed above the liquid developer 57 so that the liquid level of the liquid developer 57 does not contact the application roller 106 in a standby state. Further, the first stirring screw 108 and the second stirring screw 109 are horizontally arranged so as to be arranged in parallel.
[0034]
When the printing operation is started, these screws are rotated in opposite directions by driving means (not shown), and the liquid developer 57 above the screws is raised and brought into contact with the application roller 106 to be supplied. When the liquid developer 57 supplied in this way passes through the position facing the regulating blade 107 together with the application roller 106 rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a driving means (not shown), the layer thickness is regulated. And thinned. Then, after a part of the toner is applied to the developing roller 105 rotating while being in contact with the application roller 106 at an amount of about 30 [cc] per minute, the development at the position facing the photosensitive drum 51 together with the development roller 105 is performed. It moves to the position and contributes to development. At this developing position, the developer remaining on the developing roller 105 without moving to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51 is opposed to the collecting unit 102 as the developing roller 105 rotates. Move to position and be recovered.
[0035]
The collection unit 102 includes a collection roller 111, a collection blade 112, a collection screw 113, and a collection pipe 114. The collecting roller 111 rotates while contacting the surface of the developing roller 105 after passing through the developing position, and collects the development residual developer attached to the surface. The developed developer collected in this manner is mechanically scraped and removed from the surface of the collection roller 112 by the collection blade 112 and then conveyed into the collection pipe 114 by the collection screw 113. The recovery pipe 114 falls by its own weight and reaches a second tank described later.
[0036]
The agent adjusting unit 103 includes a second tank 115 as an agent storage unit, two blade members 116 and 117, a concentration signal output unit 118, a transfer pump 120, a transfer pipe 121, and the like. The second tank 115 also contains the liquid developer 57 therein, and the tank lid 119 is attached to the opening thereof.
[0037]
The density signal output means 118 constitutes a density detection means together with a control unit which is a control means (not shown).
[0038]
In the second tank 115, the wing members 116, 117 are rotated by a stirring motor (not shown), whereby the liquid developer 57 is rotated in a substantially horizontal direction and stirred. While the liquid developer 57 is agitated in this way, the toner density is detected by the density detection means comprising the density signal output means 118 and the control unit.
[0039]
The transport pipe 121 has one end connected to the bottom of the second tank 115 and the other end connected to the drain pipe 122 of the first tank. In the middle of the transfer pipe 121, the transfer pump 120 is provided. The liquid developer 57 in the second tank 115 is transported and supplied into the first tank 115 by the transport pump 120. When an excessive amount of the liquid developer 57 is supplied into the first tank 115 by the transport pump 120, an excess liquid developer overflows due to a rise in the liquid level of the liquid developer 57 in the first tank 115. The pipe attachment position is reached, and it returns to the second tank 115 through this overflow pipe.
[0040]
The supply device 1 includes an agent mounting portion 2 for mounting a liquid developer for supply, a carrier mounting portion 3 for mounting a liquid carrier for supply, and an agent for liquid transport from these mounting portions to the second tank 115. A supply pump 4, a carrier supply pump 5 and the like are provided and controlled by a control unit (not shown). Note that the liquid developer and the liquid carrier may be conveyed by a single supply pump.
[0041]
The liquid developer in the agent mounting portion 2 has a toner concentration higher than that of the liquid developer 57 in the second tank 115.
[0042]
The control unit controls the driving of the agent supply pump 4 and the carrier supply pump based on the output signal from the concentration signal output means 118 of the agent adjustment unit 103, so that an appropriate amount of liquid is contained in the second tank 115. By supplying the carrier and the liquid developer, the toner concentration of the liquid developer 57 in the second tank 115 is adjusted. By such control, the toner concentration of the mixed liquid of the development residual developer collected from the developing roller 105 and the transfer residual developer collected from the photosensitive drum 1 is changed to the liquid before being used for development. Even when the toner concentration of the developer 57 is different, it can be returned to the second tank 115 and reused.
[0043]
Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the agent mounting portion 2 of the supply device 1. In the figure, the agent mounting portion 2 includes a support box 21 as a support portion that receives and supports the agent container 200 that stores the liquid developer, and a cover 22 as a cover portion that covers the opening of the support box 21. 20, a connector holder 23, a handle 24, a convex connector 25, a hinge 26, and the like.
[0044]
The agent container 200 received in the support box 21 includes a deformable bag portion 201 for storing a liquid developer, a concave connector 202 in which a discharge port 202a that is a concave portion is formed in a base material made of hard plastic or the like. It is configured.
[0045]
The support box 21 engages with and supports the concave connector 202 of the agent container 200, and two connection blocking plates 21d and 21e arranged in the vicinity of the engaging portion 21a so as to be vertically movable. , Two front shaft portions 21b projecting from the opposing lateral side walls of the box-shaped housing, rear shaft portions 22c arranged in parallel thereto, round holes 22f provided in the front side wall of the housing, and the like Has been. The two connection blocking plates 21d and 21e are urged upward in the figure by a spring in a state of overlapping in the horizontal direction as shown in the figure. The rear shaft portion 22c engages with a hook 30 fixed to the printer main body to lock the movement of the support box 21 and a handle 24, which will be described later, when the support box 21 is in a container attaching / detaching position, which will be described later. It has become.
[0046]
The cover 22 is composed of a housing, a shaft portion 22a, a blocking plate engaging portion 22b, a long hole 22c, and the like that are respectively provided on the side walls facing each other, and each of the two long holes 22c. The support shaft 21 is connected by passing the front shaft portion 21b of the support box 21 through.
[0047]
The convex connector 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the discharge port 202a of the agent container 200 through the round hole 21f of the support box 21, so that the liquid accommodated in the bag portion 201 of the agent container 200 is obtained. The developer is received and poured into the agent supply pump 4. Therefore, it has a function as a receiving part.
[0048]
The connector holder 23 is fixed by four bolts between two handles, which will be described later, and is configured to support the convex connector 25 at a position facing the front side wall of the support box 21.
[0049]
The handle 24 sandwiches the support box 21 between two arm portions 24a facing each other, and rotatably supports the shaft portion 22a of the cover 22 by bearing holes 24b provided in the respective arm portions 24a. The round hole 24c provided in the vicinity of one end itself is supported by the shaft portion of the hinge 267 and rotates. The two arm portions 24a are connected at the end opposite to the round hole 24c by a handle portion 24d. The two arm portions 24a each have a front long hole 24e for receiving the front shaft portion 21b of the support box 21 penetrating the long hole 22c of the cover 22, and a rear long hole for receiving the rear shaft portion 21c of the support box 21. 25 f is formed, and the rear shaft portion 21 c engages the hook 30 with a through portion with respect to the rear elongated hole 25 f.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the agent mounting portion 2 having such a configuration is mounted on the printer body in such a posture that the support box 21, the cover 22, the connector holder 23, and the handle 24 are integrated and upright as a whole. Thus, when mounted, it is in a state of being largely separated from the hook 30. In such a posture, the agent container 200 in the support box 21 is supported upside down so that the discharge port faces downward, and the liquid developer in the agent container 200 is not left by gravity. It can be poured into the agent supply pump 4.
[0051]
When replacing the agent container 200 with respect to the agent mounting portion 2, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, first, while gripping the handle 24 d of the handle 24, the handle is centered on the shaft portion of the hinge 26. 24 is rotated clockwise in the figure. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the handle 24 is rotated about 90 °, the bottom portion of the support box 21 is hooked and supported by the wing portion 30 a protruding from the side surface of the hook 30. The position supported in this way is a position for attaching / detaching the agent container (200) to / from the agent mounting portion 2, and here the posture is such that the agent mounting portion 2 lies substantially horizontally. After taking such a posture, as shown by an arrow B in the drawing, the cover 22 is opened by rotating counterclockwise in the drawing around the shaft portion 22a rotatably supported by the arm 24a. Then, in conjunction with this opening operation, the support box 21 slides in the direction of arrow C in the drawing and is separated from the connector holder 23 as shown in FIG. By this separation, the connection between the concave connector (202) of the agent container (not shown) in the support box 21 and the convex connector 25 in the connector holder 23 is released, and the rear shaft portion 21 of the support box 21 Is hooked on the hook portion of the hook 30, and the rotational movement of the handle 24 is locked.
[0052]
About the agent container (200) in the support box 21 in the state where the cover 22 is opened, since the connection of the concave connector (202) with the convex connector 23 has already been released as described above, the support box is left as it is. 21. In addition, since the new agent container (200) can be placed in the support box 21 in a horizontal state, the folding of the bag portion 201 due to the upright insertion can be eliminated. When the cover 22 is closed, the support box 21 is slid toward the connector holder 23 (in the direction opposite to the arrow C) in conjunction with the closing operation, and the convex connector 25 in the connector holder 23 and the agent container are moved. The concave connector (202) can be automatically connected and the lock of the handle 24 by the hook 30 can be automatically released. Therefore, the hand is not soiled by the connection operation between the convex connector 25 and the concave connector (202), and the workability for replacing the agent container (200) can be improved.
[0053]
The locking of the rotational movement of the handle 24 can also be realized by adopting a configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the agent mounting portion (2) includes a slider 28 having the same shape inside the handle 24. These are rotatably supported by the shaft portion 27a of the hinge 27 that is passed through the round hole 24c and the long hole 28b, respectively. Further, the springs 24h accommodated in the square holes 24g and 28a are biased so as to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction while being connected to each other. The hinge 27 is provided with two engagement holes 27b and 27c that engage with the protrusions 28d provided at the end of the slider 27 at positions that are phased at 90 [°].
[0054]
In the state where the agent mounting portion 2 is mounted on the printer main body, as shown in FIG. 7, the engagement hole 27c of the hinge 27 engages with the projection 28 at the end of the slider 28, so that the handle 24 (not shown) Lock the rotational movement. When the operator holds the handle 28c (see FIG. 6) of the slider 28 together with the handle (not shown) of the handle 24 in the locked state as described above, the spring 24h is attached to the engagement hole 27c until then. The urged slider 28 moves in the reverse direction (the direction of arrow D in the figure), and the engagement between the engagement hole 27c and the protrusion 28d is released. Thereby, the rotational movement of the handle 24 becomes possible.
[0055]
After the operator rotates the handle 24 to the attaching / detaching position and releases the handle 24d of the handle 24 and the handle portion 28c (see FIG. 6) of the slider 28, as shown in FIG. The slider 28 is urged toward the engagement hole 27b of the hinge 27, and the engagement hole 27b and the protrusion 28d are engaged. By this engagement, the handle 24 is locked at the attaching / detaching position.
[0056]
In such a configuration, unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the rotational movement of the handle 24 cannot be locked or unlocked in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover 22, but the gripping operation of the handle 24d of the handle 24 is not possible. It can be locked and unlocked in conjunction with. In addition, since such a lock mechanism can be housed in the hinge 27, it is possible to reduce the size.
[0057]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the rear wall of the support box 21 from the inside. In the figure, two support plates 21h are erected on the rear wall 21g of the support box 21, and a movable hook 21i is rotatably supported by the support plate 21h. The movable hook 21i is bent in an L shape and rotates around a shaft portion 21j of the bent portion. One end of the bent tip is a hook portion 21k bent in a wedge shape. A weight 21m is connected to the other end. The weight 21m is heavier than the other weight of the movable hook 21i. For this reason, the movable hook 21i maintains the posture in which the weight 21m is directed downward as shown in the figure, regardless of the angle at which the handle (24) of the agent mounting portion (2) rotates as described above. To do. That is, no matter what angle the handle (24) rotates, it assumes the same posture with respect to the printer body.
[0058]
In the example of FIG. 9, the state which moved the agent mounting part (2) to the said container attachment / detachment position, ie, the state which laid the agent accommodating part 2 beside, is shown. In this state, as shown in the figure, the movable hook 21g directs the hook portion 21k to the upper side of the support (21).
[0059]
On the other hand, in the state where the agent mounting portion (2) is moved to the mounting position described above, the cover 22 is erected as shown in FIG. 3, so that it is rotated around the shaft portion 22a due to the influence of gravity. There is a risk that. If the cover 22 is rotated in this manner, the cover 22 is in an open state, so that the internal agent container (200) may be dropped from the support 21.
[0060]
However, when the agent mounting portion (2) stands upright at the mounting position, the movable hook 21i is in a state where the hook portion 21k faces the rear side of the support (21) as shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the hook portion 21k facing rearward enters the convex portion 22d provided on the rear wall of the cover 22, and rotates the cover 22 as indicated by the arrow B in the figure. Stop. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover 22 from being opened at the mounting position.
[0061]
The agent mounting portion 2 has been described in detail so far, except that the shape of the engaging portion (see FIG. 2) of the support box (21 and 31) and the shape of the two connection blocking plates described above are different. The mounting portion 3 has substantially the same configuration.
[0062]
Hereinafter, the difference between these shapes will be described.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the agent container 200 and a part of the support box 21 of the agent mounting portion 2. As shown in the figure, the engagement portion 21a of the support box 21 of the agent mounting portion 2 is provided with two recesses x and y that engage with the projections 202b and 202c provided on the recess connector 202 of the agent container 200, respectively. It has been. The two connection blocking plates 21d and 21e of the support box 21 described above are arranged so as to overlap each other next to the recesses x and y. Of these, the connection blocking plate 21d is provided with a notch K1 at a position facing the recess x of the engaging portion 21a. Further, the connection blocking plate 21e is provided with a notch K2 at a position facing the recess y of the engaging portion 21a.
[0063]
When the concave connector 202 and the engaging portion 21a of the agent container 200 are perfectly engaged, the protrusions 202b and 202c of the concave connector 202 enter the concave portions x and y, respectively. At this time, the protrusion 202b does not contact the connection blocking plate 21d having the notch K1 at the position facing the recess x, but contacts the connection blocking plate 21e without the notch at this position. Press down. On the other hand, the protrusion 202c does not contact the connection blocking plate 21e having the notch K2 at the position facing the concave portion y, but on the connection blocking plate 21d having no notch at the facing position. Touch and push this down. Therefore, when the concave connector 202 of the agent container 200 and the engaging portion 21a of the support box 21 are perfectly engaged, the two connection blocking plates 21d and 21e are pushed down, respectively. Thereby, the rotational movement of the cover 22 is allowed, and the connection between the convex connector 25 and the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202 becomes possible (see FIG. 2).
[0064]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the carrier container 300 and a part of the support box 31 of the carrier mounting portion 3. As illustrated, the engagement portion 31 a of the support box 31 of the carrier mounting portion 3 is provided with one recess y that engages with a protrusion 302 c provided on the recess connector 302 of the carrier container 200. The two connection blocking plates 31d and 31e of the support box 31 are not provided with notches like the connection blocking plates 21d and 21e of the agent mounting portion 2, respectively.
[0065]
When the concave connector 302 and the engaging portion 31a of the carrier container 300 are perfectly engaged, the protrusion 302c of the concave connector 302 enters the concave portion y and pushes down the connection blocking plates 31d and 31e, respectively. Thereby, the rotational movement of the cover (not shown) of the carrier mounting part 3 is allowed, and the connection between the convex connector (not shown) of the carrier mounting part 3 and the discharge port 302a of the concave connector 302 is allowed. It becomes possible.
[0066]
Now, it is assumed that the operator tries to set the agent container 200 in the carrier mounting unit 3 by mistake. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the engagement portion 31a of the support box 31 of the agent mounting portion 3 is not provided with the recess x corresponding to the projection 202b of the recess connector 202 of the agent container 200. Is caught in the non-recessed portion of the engaging portion 31a. Due to this catch, the protrusion 202c of the concave connector 200 is prevented from entering the concave portion y of the engaging portion 31a, and the connection blocking plates 31d and 31e cannot be pushed down. Therefore, the connection between the convex connector (not shown) and the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202 is blocked.
[0067]
In addition, it is assumed that the operator tries to set the carrier container 300 in the agent mounting unit 2 by mistake. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, since the protrusion 302c of the concave connector 302 can enter the concave portion y of the engaging portion 21a, the concave connector 302 can be made to enter the engaging position with respect to the engaging portion 21a. it can. However, in this state, since the concave portion x of the engaging portion 21a does not accept the protrusion 202b of the concave connector 202 that should be received, the engaging portion 21a and the concave connector 302 of the carrier container 300 are completely engaged. I'm not doing it.
[0068]
Here, the protrusion 302 that has entered the recess y of the engaging portion 21a pushes down the connection blocking plate 21d, but cannot push down the connection blocking plate 21e. In order to push down this, it is necessary to make the protrusion enter the recess x. However, as described above, since no protrusion is received in the recess x, the connection blocking plate 21e is not pushed down and is blocked. Stay in the state. Therefore, the connection between the convex connector (not shown) and the discharge port 302a of the concave connector 302 is blocked.
[0069]
As described above, in this printer, even if the carrier container 300 and the agent container 200 are erroneously attached to the agent mounting part 2 and the carrier mounting part 3, respectively, the connection between the concave connector and the discharge port of the container is possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an image density abnormality caused by erroneous mounting.
[0070]
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the convex connector 25 and the concave connector 202 of the agent container 200. In the figure, the concave connector 202 is provided with a reservoir 202d, two inlets 202e, a coil spring 202f, a ball valve 202g, and the like in addition to the discharge port 202a and the projections (202b, 202c) described above.
[0071]
The reservoir 202d temporarily stores the liquid developer flowing in from the bag portion (201) (not shown) through the two inflow ports 202e. The reservoir 202d is provided with a communication port communicating with the discharge port 202a. When the convex connector 25 is not connected to the discharge port 202a, the ball valve receives the bias of the coil spring 202f. Closed by 202g.
[0072]
On the other hand, the convex connector 25 includes a cylindrical main body 25a with a closed tip, a coil spring accommodating portion 25b, two receiving ports 25c provided near the tip of the main body 25a, a slide shutter 25d, a coil spring 25f, and the like.
[0073]
The slide shutter 25d is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface near the front end of the main body 25a. As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end portion 25e is inserted into the coil spring accommodating portion 25b. It slides with respect to 25a.
[0074]
The coil spring accommodating portion 25b is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body 25a, and accommodates the coil spring 25f and the rear end portion 25e of the slide shutter 25d therein. The rear end portion 25e has a larger diameter than the slide shutter 25d, and is urged toward the front end side of the main body 25a by the coil spring 25f accommodated in the coil spring accommodating portion 25b. It gets caught on the wall. By being hooked in this way, as shown in FIG. 16, the slide shutter 25d is held at a position where it covers and closes the two receiving ports 25c of the main body 25a.
[0075]
In FIG. 16 described above, the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202 is formed to have a diameter that is perfectly engaged with the slide shutter 25d of the convex connector 25. Therefore, when connecting with the convex connector 25, as shown in FIG. 18, the slide shutter 25d of the convex connector 25 and the front-end | tip part of the main body 25a covered with this are inserted together. However, the communication port between the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202 and the storage portion 202d is formed to have a smaller diameter than the discharge port 202a, and allows only the main body 25a to pass therethrough. For this reason, when the tip of the convex connector 25 is inserted to the vicinity of the communication port, the slide shutter 25d is caught around the communication port and remains in that position.
[0076]
When the distal end side of the convex connector 25 is further inserted toward the discharge port 202a, the distal end of the main body 25a passes through the communication port and pushes up the ball valve 202g in the storage portion 202d. Further, the rear end side of the slide shutter 25d is accommodated in the coil spring accommodating portion 25d.
[0077]
When the distal end side of the convex connector 25 is further inserted to a position where the upper wall of the coil spring housing portion 25d and the peripheral wall of the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202 are brought into contact with each other, as shown in FIG. It slides and moves from the two receiving ports 25c of 25a to a position where it completely retracts. Thereby, the two receiving ports 25c are completely exposed in the storage portion 202d, and the liquid developer flows into the main body 25a of the convex connector 25 from the storage portion 202d.
[0078]
In such a configuration, with the connection between the convex connector 25 and the discharge port 202a of the concave connector 202, the ball valve 202g that has blocked the communication port of the concave connector 202 is pushed up to automatically open the discharge concave 202a. Can do. The receiving port of the convex connector 25 that has been closed by the slide shutter 25d can also be automatically opened by the sliding movement of the slide shutter 25d.
[0079]
As described above, the printer in which the liquid developer and the liquid carrier of one color are mounted on the supply device 1 has been described. However, the image forming apparatus in which the liquid developer and the liquid carrier of a plurality of colors are mounted on the supply device is also described. Applicable. In such an image forming apparatus, in addition to an abnormal image density due to erroneous mounting of the container, color mixing between liquid developers due to erroneous mounting can be prevented. Further, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus in which dry toner is mounted instead of a liquid developer.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Or 6 According to this invention, even if different types of containers are forcibly set on the support, the supply of the supply from the receiving port is blocked, so that it is possible to prevent color mixing and image density abnormality due to erroneous mounting. There is an excellent effect of being able to.
[0081]
Also, Excellent effect that the relationship between the engagement accuracy of the container and the engagement portion of the support and the blocking function by the connection blocking mechanism can be finely adjusted Also is there.
[0082]
In particular, the claims 2, 3, 4 Or 5 According to this invention, there exists the outstanding effect that the attachment or detachment operativity of the container with respect to a support body can be improved. Furthermore, even if the support is used in a posture that is upright or inclined at the mounting position with respect to the image forming apparatus, there is an excellent effect that the container inside the support can be supported.
[0084]
In particular, the claims 3 According to this invention, there exists an outstanding effect that the attachment / detachment operability of the container can be further improved without being forced to lock and unlock the support at the container attachment / detachment position.
[0085]
In particular, the claims 4 According to the invention, even if the support is used in a standing or inclined posture at the mounting position with respect to the image forming apparatus, the cover portion of the support is not opened due to the influence of gravity. There is an excellent effect that the container in the support body can be more reliably supported.
[0086]
In particular, the claims 5 According to this invention, there exists an outstanding effect that the backflow of the supply from the receiving part which is not connected to the discharge outlet of the container can be prevented by the closing member. Furthermore, there is an excellent effect that a dedicated operation for the closing member can be omitted.
[0087]
In particular, the claims 6 According to this invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to form a high-quality image free from color mixing or image density abnormality caused by erroneous mounting of the container.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an agent mounting portion of the supply device of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the same agent mounting portion set at a mounting position with respect to a printer main body.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the same agent mounting portion moved to a container attaching / detaching position.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the same agent mounting portion in a state in which a cover is opened at the same container attaching / detaching position.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the same agent mounting portion.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a handle and a hinge according to the modification set in the mounting position.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a handle and a hinge according to the modification set in the container attaching / detaching position.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the rear wall of the support box in the same agent mounting portion from the inside.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the rear wall of the same agent mounting portion in the mounting position from the inner side.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement between the hook portion of the movable hook of the support box and the concave portion of the cover.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the agent container and a part of the support box.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a carrier container and a part of a support box of a carrier mounting portion.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an agent container and a part of a support box of a carrier mounting portion.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a carrier container and a part of a support box of the agent mounting portion.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a concave connector of the same agent container and a convex connector of the same agent mounting portion.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the sliding movement of the slide shutter of the convex connector.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the convex connector is inserted halfway into the discharge port of the concave connector.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the same convex connector is completely inserted into the discharge port of the concave connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Supply device
2 agent mounting part
21 Support box
21a Engagement part
22 Cover
23 Connector holder
24 Handle
25 Convex connector
26 Hinge
3 Carrier mounting part
30 hooks
31 Support box
31a Engagement part
4 agent supply pump
5 Carrier supply pump
51 Photosensitive drum
100 Development unit
200 medicine container
201 bag part
202 concave connector
300 Carrier container
302 concave connector

Claims (6)

An engagement portion is formed with a container that accommodates a supply to the developing device, and a support body that supports the container while engaging the engagement portion, and a support body that is supported by the support body. In a supply apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives the supply from a discharge port; and a transport unit that transports the supply received from the reception unit to the developing device.
A first recess that engages with the first projection provided in the container;
A second recess that engages with a second protrusion provided in the container;
Positioning between the discharge port and the receiving portion prevents the connection between the discharge port and the receiving portion, and is provided at a position facing the second recess so as to receive the second protrusion. A first connection blocking plate that has a cut-out formed and that is pushed down by the first convex portion that enters the first concave portion, and is retracted from between the above,
Positioned between the discharge port and the receiving portion to prevent connection between the discharge port and the receiving portion, and is provided at a position facing the first concave portion so as to receive the first convex portion. comprising a was notched, and in that a connection preventing mechanism and a second connection blocking plate to retract from between the by depressed to the second convex portion that enters to the second recess A feeding device characterized . The supply device of claim 1 .
A moving mechanism for moving the support held by the image forming apparatus between a mounting position of the support relative to the image forming apparatus and a container attaching / detaching position where the container is attached to and detached from the support; Provided,
A supply apparatus comprising: a support portion that receives and supports the container from an opening portion; and a cover portion that covers the opening portion so as to be openable and closable . The supply device according to claim 2 .
A support locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the support at the container attaching / detaching position in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover of the support at the container attaching / detaching position; A feeding device characterized. The supply device according to claim 2 or 3 ,
A supply device, comprising: a cover lock mechanism that locks the opening operation of the cover of the support at the mounting position. The supply device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 ,
A supply device comprising: a closing member that closes the receiving port as the receiving unit, and a member that moves the receiving member to a release position in accordance with the connection between the receiving unit main body and the discharge port. A latent image carrier for carrying a latent image, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier, a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent image on the latent image carrier, and these developing devices In an image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of supply devices that individually correspond and supply toner, liquid developer, or liquid carrier as a supply,
6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply device is one of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 .

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