JP4941566B2 - Process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge having two cartridges detachable from each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a process cartridge including a developing cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, and a toner cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the developing cartridge and contains toner (see Patent Document 1). In this technique, the process cartridge in which the cartridges are attached to each other can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and after the development cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, the toner cartridge is attached to the development cartridge attached to the apparatus main body. It is also possible to wear.

  In addition, in this technique, supply ports for supplying toner are formed on the attachment / detachment surfaces of the cartridges (surfaces that face each other when the cartridges are assembled), and a shutter that opens and closes the supply ports is provided. Yes. The shutters engage with each other when the cartridges are assembled, and an operation piece is fixed to the shutter on the toner cartridge side. Therefore, each shutter is opened and closed by manually operating an operation piece fixed to the shutter on the toner cartridge side.

  On the other hand, there is an apparatus in which an opening for attaching / detaching a developing cartridge and an opening for attaching / detaching a toner cartridge are formed in the apparatus main body, and the shutter of each cartridge is opened / closed in conjunction with a cover for opening / closing each opening (Patent Document 2). reference). Specifically, in this technique, a transmission mechanism that moves in conjunction with opening and closing of each cover is provided for each cover. Therefore, when each cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the shutter of each cartridge is engaged with each transmission mechanism, whereby the force for opening and closing each cover is transmitted to each shutter via each transmission mechanism, and each shutter is Can be opened and closed.

JP 2006-235472 A JP 2008-165068 A

  By the way, the inventor of the present application considers adopting a structure in which a shutter is opened in conjunction with a cover as in Patent Document 2 in a structure having a process cartridge having two cartridges as in Patent Document 1. However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a case where the user mistakenly attaches only one of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge to the apparatus main body, and when the shutter of one cartridge is engaged with the transmission mechanism, the cover is removed. It is conceivable that when the shutter is closed, the shutter opens and the toner leaks.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge capable of preventing toner (developer) leakage due to an erroneous opening of a shutter even when only one of two cartridges is attached to the apparatus main body. And

  The present invention that solves the above-described problems is detachable from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a first cartridge having a developer carrier for carrying the developer, and detachable from the first cartridge. A first cartridge that opens and closes a first adjacent wall adjacent to the second cartridge and a first opening formed in the first adjacent wall. A first operation unit configured to operate integrally with the first shutter, and the second cartridge faces the first adjacent wall and corresponds to the first opening. A second adjacent wall in which the second opening is formed, a second shutter for opening and closing the second opening, and a second operation unit configured to operate integrally with the second shutter. , The first cartridge is provided with a third operation unit to which a driving force is input from the apparatus main body, and the first operation unit and the third operation unit when the second cartridge is attached to the first cartridge. Are configured to operate integrally through the second operation unit.

  According to the present invention, when only the first cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, there is no second operation section, so even if a driving force is input from the apparatus main body to the third operation section, it is transmitted to the first operation section. The first shutter is not opened. In addition, when only the second cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, there is no third operation section between the second operation section and the drive section on the apparatus main body side (part engaged with the third operation section). The driving force is not transmitted from the apparatus main body to the second operation unit, and the second shutter is not opened.

  According to the present invention, even when only one of the two cartridges is attached to the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent developer leakage due to an erroneous opening of the shutter.

It is sectional drawing which shows the laser printer provided with the process cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which opens a front cover and mounts a process cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the process cartridge cut in the axial direction of the auger. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a developer cartridge. FIG. 4A is a diagram of the developer cartridge as viewed from the back, and FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a second shutter is closed, and FIG. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of the developing device as viewed from the front, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where a first shutter is closed, and FIG. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer cartridge, and FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a second shutter is closed, and FIG. They are the perspective view (a) which looked at the flame | frame of the drum unit from the outer side, and the perspective view (b) seen from the inner side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of mounting the developer cartridge on the developer cartridge. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (a) showing a state in which the developer cartridge is removed from the developing cartridge, and a cross-sectional view (b) showing a state in the middle of mounting the developer cartridge on the developing cartridge.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, the overall configuration of the laser printer will be briefly described, and then the details of the characteristic portions of the present invention will be described.

  In the following description, the direction will be described with reference to the user when using the laser printer. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is “front side (front side)”, the left side toward the paper surface is “rear side (back side)”, the back side toward the paper surface is “right side”, and it faces the paper surface. The front side is the “left side” and the vertical direction toward the paper surface is the “vertical direction”. In addition, the cross-sectional views are hatched only at particularly necessary portions in consideration of easy viewing of the drawings.

<Overall configuration of laser printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a feeder unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and the like.

  The apparatus main body 2 is formed in a hollow case shape, and an opening 2A is formed on the front wall thereof, and a front cover 21 that opens and closes the opening 2A is provided so as to be swingable back and forth. The upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 is a paper discharge tray 22 on which printed paper P is placed.

  The feeder unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 31 and a paper supply mechanism 32. In the feeder unit 3, the sheets P in the sheet feeding tray 31 are separated one by one by the sheet supply mechanism 32 and conveyed to the image forming unit 4.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 41, a process cartridge 42, a fixing device 43, and the like.

  The scanner unit 41 has a known structure mainly including a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror (not shown), and the like. In the scanner unit 41, the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 of the process cartridge 42 by high-speed scanning through a path indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The process cartridge 42 is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 by appropriately opening the front cover 21 (see FIG. 2). The process cartridge 42 includes a developing cartridge DC as an example of a first cartridge and a developer cartridge 7 as an example of a second cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the developing cartridge DC.

  The developing cartridge DC is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 2 and mainly includes a drum unit 5 and a developing device 6 supported by the drum unit 5.

The drum unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum 51 as an example of a photosensitive member, a scorotron charger 53, and the like, and is configured such that the transfer roller 52 and the photosensitive drum 51 provided in the apparatus main body 2 face each other.
The developing device 6 mainly includes a developing roller 61 as an example of a developer carrier, a layer thickness regulating blade 62, and a supply roller 63.

  The developer cartridge 7 has a structure in which a toner as an example of a developer is accommodated and can be sent to the adjacent developing device 6. The developing cartridge DC and the developer cartridge 7 will be described in detail later.

  In the process cartridge 42 configured as described above, the toner sent from the developer cartridge 7 into the developing device 6 is supplied to the developing roller 61 by the rotating supply roller 63. At this time, the supply roller 63 and the developing roller 61 is positively charged by friction. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 61 is regulated in thickness by a layer thickness regulating blade 62 that is in sliding contact with the rotating developing roller 61 and is carried on the developing roller 61 as a thin layer having a constant thickness.

  On the other hand, in the drum unit 5, the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 53 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 41. Thereby, the potential of the exposed part is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed. Next, when the developing roller 61 rotates, the toner carried on the developing roller 61 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 when it contacts the photosensitive drum 51. The

  Thus, the toner is selectively carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed by reversal development. Thereafter, when the paper P is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 51 and the transfer roller 52, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is transferred onto the paper P.

  The fixing device 43 includes a heating roller 43A and a pressure roller 43B. In the fixing device 43, the toner transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed while the paper P passes between the heating roller 43A and the pressure roller 43B. The paper P thermally fixed by the fixing device 43 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22 by a paper discharge roller 44 disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 43.

<Details of Development Cartridge and Developer Cartridge Structure>
Next, the structure of the developing cartridge DC and the developer cartridge 7 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 6 of the developing cartridge DC includes the developing roller 61, the layer thickness regulating blade 62, and the supply roller 63 described above, and also includes an auger 64 and a developing case 65 that accommodates these components. Yes. The developing device 6 is supported by the drum unit 5 so as to be relatively movable, thereby forming a developing cartridge DC.

  The auger 64 is a member that conveys toner in the axial direction of the supply roller 63. As shown in FIG. 3, the auger 64 includes a rotation shaft 64A and a spiral blade 64B that is provided so as to be spirally wound around the rotation shaft 64A. I have. The auger 64 is disposed in front (side) of the supply roller 63, and the rotation shaft 64 </ b> A is rotatably supported by the developing case 65.

  Between the inside of the developing device 6 and the inside of the developer cartridge 7, partition walls 65 </ b> A and 71 </ b> A that are adjacent to each other so as to partition the space are formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the partition walls 65 </ b> A and 71 </ b> A are arranged on the opposite side of the supply roller 63 with the auger 64 interposed therebetween, and wrap around the auger 64 to surround the auger 64. As a result, the toner can be transported satisfactorily by the auger 64. Here, the partition wall 71A on the developer cartridge 7 side corresponds to a first adjacent wall, and the partition wall 65A on the developing device 6 side corresponds to a second adjacent wall.

  The partition walls 65 </ b> A and 71 </ b> A are arc-shaped walls formed so as to be recessed from the developing device 6 toward the developer cartridge 7, and are semicylindrical shapes surrounding the auger 64 when viewed from the axial direction of the auger 64. Is formed. Here, “semi-cylindrical shape” does not mean a half-cylindrical shape, but means a shape in which a part of the cylinder is opened. Further, the partition walls 65A and 71A are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape as described above, so that the toner can be conveyed more favorably by the auger 64.

  Further, the semi-cylindrical partition walls 65 </ b> A and 71 </ b> A are arranged at positions where the centers of curvature overlap with the auger 64 when viewed from the axial direction of the auger 64, specifically, at a position coincident with the rotation center of the auger 64. Therefore, it is possible to carry out the toner conveyance by the auger 64 more favorably.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, supply ports 65B and 71B for supplying toner from the developer cartridge 7 to the developing device 6 and developer cartridges from the developing device 6 are provided in the adjacent two partition walls 65A and 71A. Return ports 65C and 71C for returning the toner to 7 are formed. Here, the supply port 65B on the developing device 6 side corresponds to the first opening, and the supply port 71B on the developer cartridge 7 side facing (corresponding to) the supply port 71B corresponds to the second opening.

  The supply ports 65B and 71B are provided at positions shifted in the axial direction and the rotational direction of the auger 64 with respect to the return ports 65C and 71C (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the developing device 6 and the developer cartridge 7 are moved along the circumferential direction of the partition walls 71A and 65A to supply supply ports 71B and 65B and return ports 71C and 65C. A first shutter S1 and a second shutter S2 that open and close are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the first shutter S1 is a shutter having an arcuate sectional view provided on the developing device 6 side, and is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the partition wall 65A. Each first shutter S1 has an opening S11 corresponding to the supply port 65B and an opening S12 (see FIG. 6B) corresponding to the return port 65C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the openings S11 and S12 are displaced from the supply port 65B and the return port 65C, the supply port 65B and the return port 65C are closed, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the openings S11 and S12 overlap and match the supply port 65B and the return port 65C, the supply port 65B and the return port 65C are opened.

  A disc-shaped first rotating member R1 (an approximately same shape as the shape of the second rotating member R2 shown in FIG. 4) as an example of the first operation unit is provided at the axially outer end of each first shutter S1. It is fixed integrally and is rotatable (operable) with each first shutter S1. That is, the first shutter S1 and the first rotating member R1 form a substantially bottomed cylindrical member, and this member is rotatably held by the developing case 65. And 1st outer side engaging part R11 is formed in the outer surface R12 (surface by the side of the 2nd operation part) of each 1st rotation member R1.

  The first outer engagement portion R11 is a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction, and when the first shutter S1 is in the closed state (see FIG. 6A), the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC. It is formed in the shape of a long rib extending (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 9, the first outer engagement portion R <b> 11 is disposed away from the third rotation member R <b> 3 as an example of a third operation portion provided on the left and right frames 54 of the drum unit 5. ing.

  The third rotation member R3 is rotatably held by the left and right frames 54 of the drum unit 5, and is arranged so that the rotation axis thereof coincides with the rotation axis of the first rotation member R1. In other words, the third rotation member R3 can be rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction (operation direction) of the first rotation member R1. As shown in FIG. 8A, a third outer engagement portion R31 is formed on the outer surface of the third rotating member R3 (the surface on the apparatus main body 2 side). As shown in FIG. A third inner engagement portion R32 is formed on the inner surface (surface on the second operation portion side) of the three-rotating member R3.

  The third outer engaging portion R31 is a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first shutter when the process cartridge 42 (developing cartridge DC) is removed from the apparatus main body 2 is used. When S <b> 1 is closed, it is formed in a long rib shape extending in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 42 with respect to the apparatus main body 2.

  Therefore, at the same time when the process cartridge 42 (developing cartridge DC) is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the third outer engagement portion R31 is engaged with the coupling 23 (member for transmitting driving force) of the apparatus main body 2. ing. By such engagement, a driving force is input from the apparatus main body 2 to the third rotating member R3.

  The coupling 23 may be configured to rotate in response to the opening / closing of the front cover 21, or may be rotated by receiving a driving force from a driving source such as a motor provided in the apparatus main body 2. It may be configured. Further, the coupling 23 has a mounting direction of the process cartridge 42 when the process cartridge 42 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 when the process cartridge 42 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 or when the front cover 21 is opened. A long groove extending is formed. Further, the apparatus main body 2 is formed with a guide groove 2B that gradually becomes narrower toward the coupling 23 in order to guide the third outer engaging portion R31 of the third rotating member R3.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the third inner engagement portion R32 has a developer for the developer cartridge DC when the first shutter S1 is closed, for example, when the developer cartridge 7 is removed from the developer cartridge DC. It is formed as a guide groove extending in the mounting direction of the cartridge 7 (see FIG. 9). That is, since the first outer engagement portion R11 and the third inner engagement portion R32 described above extend in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC when the first shutter S1 is closed, the development of the developer cartridge 7 is performed. Simultaneously with the attachment to the cartridge DC, the first outer engagement portion R11 and the third inner engagement portion R32 are engaged with a second rotating member R2 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developer cartridge 7 mainly includes a toner case 7A, a second shutter S2, and a second rotating member R2.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the toner case 7 </ b> A has two substantially hollow cylindrical chambers that can respectively store toner, and the first storage chamber 71 has a first chamber. The agitator A1 is rotatably provided, and the second agitator A2 is rotatably provided in the other second storage chamber 72.

  The first agitator A1 includes a rotation shaft portion A11 that is rotatably supported on the left and right walls of the developer cartridge 7 (first storage chamber 71), a support portion A12 that extends radially outward from the rotation shaft portion A11, and a support. And a stirring blade A13 supported by the part A12. The first agitator A1 is configured to rotate (rotate counterclockwise in the figure) by sliding the partition wall 71A from the top to the bottom. As a result, the toner is supplied to the supply port 71B formed in the upper half of the partition wall 71A having an arc shape in cross section (upstream in the rotation direction from the closest point NP closest to the rotation shaft portion A11 of the first agitator A1) It can be pushed in by the first agitator A1.

  The second agitator A2 includes a rotation shaft portion A21, a support portion A22, and a stirring blade A23 similar to the first agitator A1, and is configured to rotate in the opposite direction (clockwise in the drawing) to the first agitator A1. ing. Accordingly, the toner accumulated at the bottom of the second storage chamber 72 can be easily sent to the first storage chamber 71.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second shutter S2 is a shutter having an arcuate sectional view provided on the developer cartridge 7 side, and as shown in FIG. 5A, from the one end side in the left-right direction of the partition wall 71A. A base S21 extending to the other end side and an extending part S22 extending upward from the left and right ends of the base S21 are provided. On the right side of the base S21, an opening S23 having a size corresponding to the supply port 71B is formed.

  When the second shutter S2 is rotated upward from a state where the supply port 71B is blocked by the right extending portion S22 and the return port 71C is blocked by the left end portion of the base S21, the second shutter S2 is turned upward as shown in FIG. As shown, the supply port 71B is opened through the opening S23, and the return port 71C is opened when the base S21 is disengaged above the return port 71C.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a second rotating member R2 as an example of a second operation unit is integrally fixed to both ends of the second shutter S2 in the axial direction, and can be rotated together with the second shutter S2. . The second rotating member R2 is a disk-shaped member centering on the center of curvature of the second shutter S2 having a circular arc shape in cross section, and the entire circumference can be rotated by a ring-shaped holding member 7B formed on the toner case 7A. Is retained.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the developing cartridge DC, the second rotating member R2 enters between the first rotating member R1 and the third rotating member R3, and the first rotating member R1. And the third rotating member R3 are configured to rotate (operate) together with the first rotating member R1 and the third rotating member R3.

  Specifically, the second rotating member R2 is configured such that when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the developing cartridge DC, the rotation axis thereof coincides with the rotation axes of the first rotating member R1 and the third rotating member R3. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, a second outer engagement portion R21 is provided on the outer surface (surface on the third operation portion side) of the second rotation member R2, and the inner surface (first operation) of the second rotation member R2. The second inner engagement portion R22 is provided on the portion side surface.

  The second outer engaging portion R21 is a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction, and extends in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC (see FIG. 9) when the second shutter S2 is in the closed state. It is formed in a long rib shape. Further, the second inner engagement portion R22 is formed as a guide groove extending in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC (see FIG. 9) when the second shutter S2 is in the closed state.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the second outer engagement portion R21 and the second inner engagement portion R22 are connected to the first outer engagement portion R11 and the third inner engagement portion simultaneously with the attachment of the developer cartridge 7 to the development cartridge DC. It engages with the engaging portion R32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a notch 7C corresponding to the guide groove-shaped second inner engagement portion R22 is formed in the rear portion of the holding member 7B formed in the toner case 7A. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, on the inner surface of the frame 54 of the drum unit 5, the second outer engagement portion R21 of the second rotation member R2 is replaced with the third inner engagement portion R32 of the third rotation member R3. A guide groove 54B for guiding is formed by two ribs so that the width gradually decreases toward the third rotating member R3. Then, the second outer engaging portion R21 is guided by the guide groove 54B, whereby the second rotating member R2 is guided between the first rotating member R1 and the third rotating member R3, and each engaging portion is securely connected. (See FIGS. 10A and 10B).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second rotating member is disposed between the second rotating member R2 and the third rotating member R3 in a direction in which the developing roller 61 faces the photosensitive drum 51 (hereinafter referred to as a facing direction). A gap G for making R2 movable with respect to the third rotating member R3 is formed. Specifically, in a state where the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the developing cartridge DC and the first shutter S1 and the second shutter S2 are opened, the second outer engagement portion R21 of the second rotating member R2 and the second The short direction of the third inner engagement portion R32 of the three-rotating member R3 is substantially coincident with the facing direction. And the gap G mentioned above is formed in this short direction.

  The rotation shaft 61A of the developing roller 61 and the rotation shaft 63A of the supply roller 63 are also supported by the left and right frames 54 of the drum unit 5 so as to be movable in the facing direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, long holes 54C and 54D extending in the facing direction are formed in the left and right frames 54 of the drum unit 5, and the long holes 54C and 54D are formed in the long holes 54C and 54D, respectively. A rotation shaft 61A of the developing roller 61 and a rotation shaft 63A of the supply roller 63 are supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the facing direction.

  As described above, the developing device 6 is supported so as to be movable in the facing direction with respect to the drum unit 5, and the developing roller 61 is movable in the facing direction with respect to the photosensitive drum 51. As a result, for example, when the developing roller 61 is biased to the photosensitive drum 51 by a spring, the developing roller 61 can be made to follow a shake at the time of rotation of the photosensitive drum 51 (shake due to unevenness on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51). It has become. Further, the developing roller 61 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 51 as necessary.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
When only the developing cartridge DC is attached to the apparatus main body 2, there is no second rotating member R2 between the third rotating member R3 and the first rotating member R1, so that the apparatus main body 2 drives the third rotating member R3. Even if force is input, it is not transmitted to the first rotating member R1, and the first shutter S1 does not open. Further, when only the developer cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, there is no third rotating member R 3 between the second rotating member R 2 and the coupling 23 of the apparatus main body 2. The driving force is not transmitted to the rotating member R2, and the second shutter S2 never opens. Therefore, even when only one of the two cartridges DC and 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, toner leakage due to the erroneous opening of the shutters S1 and S2 can be prevented.

  Since the first outer engagement portion R11 and the second inner engagement portion R22 extend in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC when the shutters S1 and S2 are closed, the developer cartridge 7 is attached to the developer cartridge DC. Simultaneously with the attachment, the engaging portions R11 and R22 can be engaged, and the operability can be improved.

  Since the second outer engagement portion R21 and the third inner engagement portion R32 extend in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge 7 with respect to the developer cartridge DC when the shutters S1 and S2 are closed, the developer cartridge 7 is attached to the developer cartridge DC. Simultaneously with the attachment, the engaging portions R21 and R32 can be engaged, and the operability can be improved.

  Since the third outer engagement portion R31 extends in the mounting direction of the developer cartridge DC with respect to the apparatus main body 2 when the first shutter S1 is closed, the third outer engagement portion is simultaneously mounted on the apparatus main body 2 with the developer cartridge DC. R31 and the coupling 23 of the apparatus main body 2 can be engaged, and operability can be improved.

  Since the shutters S1 and S2 are configured to move in the circumferential direction with respect to the arc-shaped partition walls 65A and 71A, the shutters S1 and S2 can be smoothly compared with the structure in which the shutters S1 and S2 are moved in the axial direction. Can move.

  Since the rotation shafts of the rotary members R1, R2, and R3 are arranged so as to coincide with each other, the structure can be simplified as compared with a mode in which the rotation shafts do not match. Further, when transmitting the force, it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency as compared with the case where the rotation axis is shifted.

  A gap G is formed between the second rotating member R2 and the third rotating member R3 so that the second rotating member R2 can move with respect to the third rotating member R3. For example, the developing roller 61 ( When the developing device 6) is urged and pressed against the photosensitive drum 51 by a spring, the developing roller 61 can follow the shake during rotation of the photosensitive drum 51. Further, when the paper P is jammed between the developing roller 61 and the photosensitive drum 51, the developing roller 61 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 51 so that jamming can be performed satisfactorily.

  Since each rotary member R1, R2, R3 is provided on both sides in the axial direction of the second shutter S2, the first shutter members R1, R2, R3 on both sides smoothly open and close without twisting and deforming the second shutter S2. can do.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can utilize with various forms so that it may illustrate below.
In the embodiment, the developing cartridge DC (developer cartridge 7) is configured to be movable with respect to the drum unit 5 by providing the gap G between the second rotating member R2 and the third rotating member R3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the gap between the frame 54 of the drum unit 5 and the third rotating member R3 shown in FIG. 3 may be increased so that the developing cartridge DC (developer cartridge 7) can move relative to the drum unit 5. . Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the shutter and the operation unit (the first rotating member R1 and the like) are rotated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shutter and the operation unit may be configured to operate integrally. For example, the shutter and the operation unit may be translated in the vertical direction (the short direction of each engaging unit, the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of each cartridge). In addition, each operation unit may be provided only on one side of the developing roller in the axial direction.

  In the embodiment described above, the first shutter S1 is provided in the developing device 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one shutter may be provided in the developing device. Further, the positions and the number of the supply ports and the return ports are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be set as appropriate.

  The concavo-convex shapes of the engaging portions R11, R21,..., The coupling 23, etc. in the embodiment may be appropriately reversed.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the laser printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a multifunction machine.
In the above-described embodiment, the photosensitive drum 51 is employed as the photosensitive member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a belt-shaped photosensitive member may be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 2 Apparatus main body 5 Drum unit 6 Developing apparatus 7 Developer cartridge 23 Coupling 42 Process cartridge 51 Photosensitive drum 54 Frame 61 Developing roller 65A Partition wall 65B Supply port 71A Partition wall 71B Supply port DC Developer cartridge G Gap R1 1st rotation Member R2 Second rotating member R3 Third rotating member R11 First outer engaging portion R21 Second outer engaging portion R22 Second inner engaging portion R31 Third outer engaging portion R32 Third inner engaging portion S1 First shutter S2 Second shutter

Claims (10)

A first cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and has a developer carrier for carrying the developer;
A process cartridge that is detachably attached to the first cartridge and that contains a developer.
The first cartridge is
A first adjacent wall adjacent to the second cartridge;
A first shutter that opens and closes a first opening formed in the first adjacent wall;
A first operation unit configured to operate integrally with the first shutter,
The second cartridge is
A second adjacent wall facing the first adjacent wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening;
A second shutter for opening and closing the second opening;
A second operation unit configured to operate integrally with the second shutter,
The first cartridge is provided with a third operation unit to which a driving force is input from the apparatus main body,
When the second cartridge is attached to the first cartridge, the first operation unit and the third operation unit are configured to operate integrally via the second operation unit. To process cartridge.   The said 3rd operation part is arrange | positioned apart from the said 1st operation part, and the said 2nd operation part is arrange | positioned between the said 1st operation part and the said 3rd operation part. The described process cartridge. A first outer engagement portion provided on a surface of the first operation portion on the second operation portion side extends in a guide groove extending in the mounting direction of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge when the first shutter is closed. Or a protrusion,
A second inner engagement portion provided on a surface of the second operation portion on the first operation portion side and engaged with the first outer engagement portion is arranged in the mounting direction when the second shutter is closed. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is an extending guide groove or a protruding portion. A second outer engagement portion provided on a surface of the second operation portion on the third operation portion side extends in a guide groove extending in the mounting direction of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge when the second shutter is closed. Or a protrusion,
A third inner engagement portion that is provided on a surface of the third operation portion on the second operation portion side and engages with the second outer engagement portion is arranged in the mounting direction when the first shutter is closed. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is an extending guide groove or a protruding portion.   The third outer engagement portion provided on the surface of the third operation portion on the apparatus main body side is a guide groove or a protrusion extending in the mounting direction of the first cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body when the first shutter is closed. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is a cartridge. The first adjacent wall, the second adjacent wall, the first shutter, and the second shutter have a circular arc shape in a sectional view,
The said 1st shutter and the said 2nd shutter are comprised so that it may move along the circumferential direction with respect to the said 1st adjacent wall and the said 2nd adjacent wall, respectively. 6. The process cartridge according to any one of 5 above. The first operation unit and the third operation unit are rotatably held by the first cartridge,
The second operation unit is rotatably held by the second cartridge,
When the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge, the rotation axes of the first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the third operation unit are configured to coincide with each other. The process cartridge according to claim 6. The first cartridge is
A drum unit having a photoconductor facing the developer carrying member and the third operation unit;
The developer carrying member, the first adjacent wall, the first shutter, and the first operation unit, and a developing device supported by the drum unit so as to be relatively movable with the drum unit;
In a state where the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge and the first shutter and the second shutter are opened, the second operation unit and the third operation unit are disposed between the second operation unit and the third operation unit. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed to allow the two operation units to move relative to the third operation unit. 9. The first cartridge is
A drum unit having a photoconductor facing the developer carrying member, the third operation unit, and a frame that supports the photoconductor and the third operation unit;
The developer carrying member, the first adjacent wall, the first shutter, and the first operation unit, and a developing device supported by the drum unit so as to be relatively movable with the drum unit;
In a state where the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge and the first shutter and the second shutter are opened, the third operation unit is interposed between the third operation unit and the frame. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed to allow the cartridge to move with respect to the frame. The first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the third operation unit are provided on both sides in the axial direction of the developer carrying member, respectively. Process cartridge according to.

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