JP5352984B2 - Developer container, developer supply device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer storage container capable of reading accurately information of the developer storage container, while taking erroneous mounting of the developer storage container, and capable of accurately detecting attachment and detachment of the developer storage container. <P>SOLUTION: This developer storage container 30 has a developer storage part 31 for storing a developer; a developer discharge member 34, provided with a developer discharge port 32 communicating with the developer storage part and inserted with a developer replenishing member 80 of an image forming device body side; and an information recording part 33, electrically communicating with an image forming device body; and an engaged part 35, engaging/disengaging with an engaging part 40 of the matched image forming device body. The engaged part is formed in the developer discharge member 34 which is to be engaged with the engaging part 40, when it is mounted on the image forming device body along a specified direction, and the information recording part 33 is arranged on a face different from a face inserted with the developer replenishing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage container that stores a developer, a developer replenishing device including the developer storage container, and an image forming apparatus.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, the user who is the apparatus user is replacing the consumables and maintenance performed by the service staff. In addition, as the size and price of the device are being reduced, the component parts inside the device have become the minimum necessary size. For this reason, it is required that the developer container that contains the toner as the developer be capable of accommodating a large amount of developer with a minimum size. In addition, it is necessary for the user to be easy to handle because it is exchanged at regular intervals.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a developer storage portion that stores a developer, a developer developer discharge port that is connected to the developer storage portion and into which a developer supply member on the image forming apparatus main body side is inserted, and an image forming apparatus Developer storage container and image forming apparatus having developer discharging member having information recording unit for electrical communication with main body, fitting part of fitting main body of image forming apparatus and fitted part engaged / removed Has been proposed.

  In this document, the portion to be fitted is shaped to correspond to the color of the toner stored in the developer storage container and the model to be mounted, and the information recording unit for detecting the color of the toner and whether or not it is mounted is stored in the developer. Provided on the container side and a plurality of information recording member parts on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the developer storage container can be attached to the developer storage container holding part if the model and color to be attached correspond. Yes.

JP 2006-3722 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the model and the color of the developer are compatible, in consideration of the user operability, even if the mounting direction of the developer storage container is different, the developer storage container holding portion is developed. An agent storage container could be installed. For this reason, if the information recording part or the information recording member part is arranged on the developer supply member side to be inserted into the developer discharge port, it slightly leaks when the developer supply member is inserted into the developer discharge port. The developer may adhere to the information recording unit or the information recording member unit, resulting in erroneous detection or detection failure. In addition, since it is desired to detect this detection failure when the device does not operate, if the container is replaced while the developer is attached to the information recording member portion, the developer is also displayed in the information recording portion of the newly installed developer storage container. Will adhere.

  The present invention relates to a developer storage container, a developer replenishing device, and an image forming apparatus capable of accurately reading information on the developer storage container and accurately detecting the attachment and detachment of the developer storage device while taking into account erroneous mounting of the developer storage device The purpose is to provide

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a developer, and a developer discharge port that communicates with the developer accommodating portion and into which a developer supply member on the image forming apparatus main body side is inserted. and a developer discharge member having an information recording section which performs image forming apparatus main body and electrically communicate, be provided to the developer discharging member, the to engage / disengagement fitting portion fits the image forming apparatus main body The fitting portion has a fitting portion, and the fitted portion is formed on the developer discharging member so as to be engaged with the fitting portion when the fitting portion is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a specific direction. The developer replenishing member is formed on a surface different from the surface into which the developer replenishing member is inserted, and is engaged with an engaging protrusion disposed on the image forming apparatus main body side when the developer replenishing member is inserted into the developer discharge port. It is characterized in that it is disposed in the engaged portion to be mated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the fitted portion is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a specific orientation, the toner storage portion is positioned at a position different from that when the fitted portion is attached to the image forming apparatus in a specific orientation. It is characterized by being formed.

The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the engaged portions are formed on both side surfaces of the developer discharging member located in the width direction .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the fitted portion is formed so as to occupy a position where the developer discharge port is not inserted into the developer supply member when the fitted portion is not mounted in a specific direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized by.

Invention 請 Motomeko 5, developer accommodated in the developer accommodating container is characterized in that a toner and a carrier.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply device comprising the developer container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply member that communicates with a developer discharge port provided in the developer storage container and supplies the developer in the developer storage container to the image forming apparatus, and a compatible developer. A fitting portion that engages / disengages with a fitted portion of the storage container; and an information communication member that communicates with an information recording portion provided in the developer storage container. On the other hand, the developer storage container is disposed at a position where it is blocked.

The invention according to claim 8 has a developer container holding part for holding the developer container, the developer container holding part is movable when the developer is replaced, and the developer supply member is the developer container. When the container holding portion is at the toner replacement position, the container holding portion is configured to move to a position away from the developer storage container.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including at least an image carrier that carries a latent image and a developing device that makes a developer adhere to the latent image of the image carrier and visualizes the image. A developer supply device according to claim 6, 7 or 8 is provided as a developer supply device.

  According to the present invention, the fitted portion provided in the developer storage container and engaged / disengaged with the fitting portion of the suitable image forming apparatus main body is mounted in a specific direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Since the information recording unit that is sometimes formed to engage with the fitting unit and performs electrical communication with the image forming apparatus main body is disposed on a different surface from the surface into which the developer supply member is inserted, The orientation of the container is regulated and the information recording unit is no longer positioned on the side where the agent leaks at the time of installation, so that the attachment of the developer is reduced while preventing the erroneous installation of the developer storage device, and the container is attached and detached. It is possible to accurately detect information on the state and its contents.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to make other embodiments by changing or correcting the present invention within the scope of the claims, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of the best mode of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims.

  Details of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called full-color printer. Inside the image forming apparatus main body 100 is an intermediate transfer member that is supported by a plurality of support rollers 11, 12, 13 and travels in the direction of the arrow. An intermediate transfer belt 10 is provided. Four image forming units 101 </ b> Y, 101 </ b> C, 101 </ b> M, and 101 </ b> K are disposed on the lower stretched surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10, and constitute the image forming unit 101 together with the intermediate transfer belt 10. Y, C, M, and K along each unit 101 correspond to the color of the toner to be handled, Y means yellow, C means cyan, M means magenta, and K means black. Each image forming unit includes drum-shaped photoreceptors 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K that serve as image carriers that rotate together with the intermediate transfer belt 10. A primary transfer roller indicated by reference numerals 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 10 so as to face each photoconductor, and a primary transfer portion is provided between each photoconductor and the intermediate transfer belt 10. Is configured. Note that the photoreceptors 1Y to 1K are arranged at the same interval, and are configured to be in contact with a part of the stretched portion with the intermediate transfer belt 10 at least during image formation.

  During operation of the image forming apparatus, charging rollers 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K, which are charging means, are developed around each photosensitive member that is rotatably supported in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving source (not shown). Primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K are provided via image forming members such as devices 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K, transparent electrodes, light sources, and the intermediate transfer belt 10, respectively.

  Each photoconductor is formed by forming an organic photosensitive layer (OPC), which is a photoconductive substance, on an aluminum cylinder surface having a diameter of about 30 to 120 mm. It may be a photoconductor on which an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer is formed. The image carrier is not limited to a drum shape, and may be, for example, a belt shape.

  An exposure device 6 disposed below the image forming unit 101 scans the surface of each photoconductor that is uniformly charged by each charging roller with exposure light corresponding to the image data of each color to form an electrostatic latent image. To do. The exposure device 6 uses a laser beam and a polygon mirror, and can employ a laser scanning method using light modulated in accordance with image data to be formed, or an LED (light emitting diode) array and an imaging element method as light emitting elements.

  As the charging means, in addition to the charging roller system, a non-contact charging system for each photoconductor can also be employed. In this embodiment, the developing system for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor is a developing system that employs a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier. The electrostatic latent image for each color formed by scanning a laser beam (exposure light) on the surface of each photoconductor negatively charged by the charging roller has the same polarity (minus) as the charged polarity of the photoconductor. Development is performed with toner of a predetermined color of polarity, and reversal development that becomes a visible image is performed.

  A cleaning device 15 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate transfer belt 10 at a position facing the support roller 11. The cleaning device 15 wipes off unnecessary toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and foreign matters such as paper dust. The intermediate transfer belt 10, the support rollers 11 to 13, and the cleaning device 15 are integrally configured as an intermediate transfer unit and are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100.

  A secondary transfer roller 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller 13 on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 10, and forms a secondary transfer portion between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 10. In the image forming apparatus, a sheet is fed by a conveying roller 21 from a sheet feeding device 20 disposed below the image forming apparatus main body 100 between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the secondary transfer roller 16, and the timing is set by a registration roller 22. The toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred onto the paper P by applying a bias to the secondary transfer roller 16 while passing the paper P that is a measured and transported recording medium. The polarity of the transfer current applied to the secondary transfer roller 16 is a positive polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner.

  The paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer portion is transported to a fixing device 23 provided downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium. As the fixing device 23 having the heating means, a type having a heater inside the roller, a belt fixing device for running a belt to be heated, a fixing device adopting induction heating as a heating method, or the like can be adopted. The fixing device 23 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) so as to control fixing conditions based on full-color and monochrome images, single-sided or double-sided, and optimal fixing conditions according to the type of paper P. The paper P after fixing is discharged and stacked by a paper discharge roller 24 on a paper discharge stack unit provided at the top of the image forming apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus when forming a full-color image in the above configuration will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred to the paper P due to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, even if the data to be recorded is a plurality of pages, the pages on the paper discharge stack unit. An image is formed on the lower surface of the paper so that the two are aligned, and the paper is discharged and stacked. When the image forming apparatus is operated, the photoreceptors 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K in the image forming units 101Y, 101C, 101M, and 101K are rotated, and image formation by the image forming units 101 is started. By the operation of the exposure device 6 driven by the laser and the polygon mirror, light corresponding to image data for yellow is irradiated onto the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y uniformly charged from the charging roller 2Y to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner by the developing roller of the developing device 4Y and becomes a visible image electrostatically on the intermediate transfer belt 10 that moves in synchronization with the photoreceptor 1Y by the transfer action of the primary transfer roller 2Y. Primary transfer. Such latent image formation, development, and primary transfer operation are sequentially performed in the same manner for the other photoconductors 1C, 1M, and 1K. As a result, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner images are carried on the intermediate transfer belt 10 as sequentially overlapping full-color toner images and are moved in the direction of the arrow together with the intermediate transfer belt 10. At the same time, the paper P used for recording is fed out from the paper feed cassette in the paper feed device 20 by the paper feed roller 21 for its supply and conveyed. The registration roller 22 rotates at the timing when the leading edge of the paper P reaches the registration roller 22, and conveys the paper P to the secondary transfer unit.

  The full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred to the surface of the paper P conveyed in synchronization with the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the secondary transfer roller 16 and transferred by the secondary transfer unit. The bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 16 has a positive polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner. The secondary transfer can be performed by applying a bias having the same polarity as the toner to the roller 16.

  Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 15. Further, the toner remaining on the surface of each photoconductor in the image forming units 101Y, 101C, 101M, and 101K that has finished the primary transfer is irradiated through the transparent electrode from the bias and light source of the same polarity applied from the transparent electrode. Charge is received upon receiving the light, passes through each charging roller, and is collected by each developing device 4 and reused. At this time, each charging roller is separated from each photoconductor.

  The paper P on which the toner image that has been superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred is transferred to the fixing device 23. The toners of the respective colors superimposed on the paper P are subjected to a fixing action by the heat of the fixing device 23, and are melted and mixed to completely form a color image. There is a case where the power used by the fixing device 23 is optimally controlled according to the image by a control means (not shown). Until the fixed toner is completely fixed on the paper, it is rubbed by a guide member or the like on the conveyance path, and an image may be lost or distorted. Thereafter, the paper is discharged by the paper discharge roller 24 onto the paper discharge stack portion with the image surface facing downward. In the paper discharge stack unit, the recorded matter of the subsequent pages is stacked so as to be sequentially stacked on top, so that the page order is aligned.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 100 shown in FIG. 1, developer storage containers 30Y, 30C, 30M, and 30K for each color storing unused toner are detachably stored. The toner in the developer containers 30Y, 30C, 30M, and 30K is configured to be conveyed and supplied to each developing device as necessary by the developer supply device 200 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the configuration around the developer replenishing device 200 and the developing device will be described in detail. Since the configuration corresponding to each color is the same except for the color of the toner, Y, M, and C indicating the colors will be described below. , Description will be made with reference numerals excluding K.

  In FIG. 2, the developer supply device 200 includes a nozzle 80 serving as a developer supply member having an opening communicating with the developer discharge port 32 provided in the developer storage container 30, and a suction side that is flexible to the nozzle 80. A powder pump 60 connected via a toner transfer tube 65 and having a discharge side connected to the developing device 4 is provided. The powder pump 60 is said to be a suction type uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and includes two main parts, a rotor 61 and a stator 62. The rotor 61 is formed by spirally twisting a shaft member having a hard circular cross section, and is connected to a motor 66 via a universal joint 64. On the other hand, the stator 62 is made of a rubber-like flexible material and has a hole having an elliptical cross section spirally twisted. The helical pitch of the stator 62 is formed twice as long as the helical pitch of the rotor 61. By fitting these two parts and driving the motor 66 to rotate the rotor 61, the toner as the developer entering the space formed between the rotor 61 and the stator 62 can be transferred.

  When the rotor 61 is driven to rotate, the powder pump 60 configured as described above sucks the toner in the toner container 20 from the toner suction port 63 to the powder pump 60 and sucks and conveys the toner from left to right in FIG. The developer is supplied from the developer discharge port 67 to the lower developing device 4 through the sub hopper 68.

  In the developing device 4, screws 15 and 16 having spiral fins called conveyance augers inside the casing are supported so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows C and D. In this portion, development in which toner and carrier are mixed is developed. Contains the medicine. The transport auger is formed so that, for example, the screw 15 transports the developer from the front side to the back side in the figure, and the screw 16 transports the developer from the back side to the front side. By providing a portion without the partition 17, the developer is stirred while circulating. A part of the circulating developer is sucked and adsorbed by a magnetic force by the developing roller 19 and is uniformly regulated to a thickness by the doctor blade 18. The latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image. Here, only the toner in the current agent adheres to the photosensitive member 1, and in order to keep the amount of toner in the developer circulating in the developing device constant, the toner in the developer storage container 30 is little by little. Development is performed while replenishing.

  Next, the developer storage container 30 as the main part of the present invention and the surrounding configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developer container 30 is inserted with a toner container 31 serving as a developer container for storing toner, and a nozzle 80 provided on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side in communication with the toner container 31. Formed on the compatible image forming apparatus main body 100 side, and a toner discharge member 34 serving as a developer discharge member having an information recording section 33 that performs electrical communication with the developer discharge port 32 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 side. It has the to-be-fitted part 35 engaged / disengaged from the fitting part 40.

  The toner container 31 is formed in a bag shape by welding a film-like resin having a thickness of about 50 to 300 μm called a soft wrapping material. As the film-like resin constituting the toner container 31, a single film is formed by laminating a plurality of resin films of different materials. The inner layer is made of a material that dissolves at a relatively low temperature (polyethylene, etc.), and the outer and intermediate layers are the type of contents (solid, liquid, powder, etc.) and purpose. PET, nylon, aluminum, paper, etc. are used in accordance with (food, medicine, etc.). In this embodiment, the toner storage body 31 is composed of a composite material of three materials of PET, nylon, and polyethylene from the outside toward the inside.

  Since the toner container 31 is formed of a film, the toner container 31 can be deformed according to the shape and amount of the contents. For example, the toner container 31 that has been used can be collected by being rounded down.

  The toner discharge member 34 is integrally formed of resin except for the information recording unit 33, and the upper part thereof is joined to the toner container 31. A developer discharge port 32 communicating with the toner storage body 31 is formed at the center of the toner discharge member 34. As shown in FIG. 4, an open / close valve 36 that slides in the developer discharge port 32 is provided inside the developer discharge port 32. The on-off valve 36 normally occupies a position that closes the developer discharge port 32, and slides to a position where the developer discharge port 32 and the nozzle 80 communicate with each other when the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32. It is configured. In addition, seal members 36 a and 36 b are attached to the outer periphery of the on-off valve 36 in order to further enhance the closed state of the developer discharge port 32.

  For this reason, the developer container 30 is kept sealed by the on-off valve 36 and the seal member until the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32, and the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32 and powdered. When the pump 60 is operated, the toner in the container is sucked through the developer discharge port 32, the nozzle 80, and the toner transfer tube 65.

  Engaged portions 37A and 37B that are recessed inside the toner discharge member are formed on both side surfaces 34A and 34 that are in the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the nozzle 80 and are located in the width direction E of the toner discharge member 34. Yes. In this embodiment, the information recording unit 33 is disposed on a different surface from the surface 34C on which the developer discharge port 32 opens and closes. That is, in the present embodiment, the information recording unit 33 is arranged on the surface 34F opposite to the surface facing the nozzle 80 when the developer container 30 is set in the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the nozzle 80 is inserted. Will be established.

  The information recording unit 33 records information such as the model of the image forming apparatus that matches the toner stored in the developer storage container 30 and the toner storage body 31, the color of the toner, the date of manufacture, and the remaining amount of toner.

  The fitted portion 35 is disposed on the bottom surface 34 </ b> D of the toner discharge member 34 located on the side of the developer container 30 in the insertion direction. The fitted portion 35 includes a plurality of slits 35A, 35B, and 35C that extend from the bottom surface 34D toward the top surface 34E that faces the bottom surface 34D, and are formed in the width direction of the toner discharge member 34 indicated by an arrow E. In this embodiment, the slits 35A and 35B are formed closer to the engaged portion 37A, and the slit 35C is formed from the engaged portion 37B.

  The developer supply device 200 communicates with the developer discharge port 32 of the developer storage container 30, the nozzle 80 for supplying toner in the developer storage container to the development device 4, and the fit of the suitable developer storage container 30. FIG. 5 shows a fitting portion 40 that engages / disengages with the mating portion 35, an information communication member 39 that communicates with an information recording portion 33 provided in the developer storage container 30 when the developer storage container 30 is mounted. A developer storage container holder 50 that holds the developer storage container 30 is provided. The developer container holding part 50 is formed of a sheet metal and has a box shape with an internal shape similar to the outer shape of the developer container 30, and an opening 50 </ b> A is formed in the upper part thereof. It is comprised so that the storage container 30 can be accommodated in the inside.

  The developer container holding unit 50 is supported by the image forming apparatus main body 100 so as to be openable and closable around the lower part thereof. The developer container holding unit 50 is normally held at a replenishment position stored almost vertically in the image forming apparatus main body 100, and when a lever (not shown) is operated when the developer container 30 is replaced, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus main body 100 protrudes obliquely and is supported so that the opening 50 </ b> A is held at an exchange position located outside the apparatus main body 100.

The nozzle 80 and the fitting part 40 are arranged on the developer storage container holding part 50 side. As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical nozzle 80 is attached to the holding portion so that the planar shape passes through the center of the H-shaped holding portion 51. Arm 51A, 51B positioned on both sides of the nozzle 80 is engaged portion 37A which is formed on both sides 34A, 34 of the toner discharging member 34 constitute an engaging collision portion disengaging and 37B. The holding unit 51 is disposed below the developer storage container holding unit 50. When the developer storage container holding unit 50 occupies the replacement position, the holding unit 51 retracts the nozzle 80 from the developer discharge port 32. When the developer storage container holding part 50 occupies the replenishment position, the developer storage container holding part 50 is supported so as to occupy the position where the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the information communication member 39 is a device that reads information stored in the information recording unit 33 by facing the information recording unit 33. When the replenishment position is occupied in this state, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is disposed so as to face the information recording unit 33. The information communication member 39 is connected to control means (not shown) via a signal line (not shown). Based on the information read by the information communication member 39, the control means is configured to determine whether or not the developer storage container 30 is mounted and the remaining amount of toner. That is, the information communication member 39 is disposed at a position where it is blocked by the developer storage container 30 with respect to the nozzle 80.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fitting part 40 is attached to the lower part of the developer container holding part 50, and can be inserted into the three slits 35 </ b> A, 35 </ b> B, 35 </ b> C constituting the fitting part 35. It is comprised by the nail | claw 40A, 40B, 40C. The claw 40A, 40B and the claw portion 40C are incompatible shapes formed in opposite directions, and when the developer storage container 30 is inserted into the developer storage container holding portion 50 in a normal orientation, The claws 40A and 40B are formed so as to be inserted into the slits 35A and 35B, and the claw portion 40C is inserted into the slit 35C.

  When the developer container 30 is stored in the developer container holding part 50 in the normal direction, the fitted part 35 faces each other because the fitted part 35 and the fitting part 40 face each other in the normal direction. When the claw portions are inserted into the developer container 30 and the developer container 30 is completely stored in the developer container holder 50, and the developer container holder 50 occupies the replenishment position, the nozzle 80 and the developer discharge The nozzles 80 are formed so as to allow the outlets 32 to face each other and to be inserted into the developer discharge port 32.

  Further, when the developer storage container 30 is stored in the developer storage container holding unit 50 in a direction different from the normal direction, the fitting part 40 is not inserted into the fitted part 35. The developer storage container 30 is formed so as not to be completely stored in the developer storage container holder 50. That is, when the fitted portion 35 is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in a specific orientation, the developer container 30 is placed at a position different from that when the fitted portion 35 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in a specific orientation. It is formed to be positioned.

  In this embodiment, when the developer container 30 is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in a specific direction, the claw portions 40A, 40B, and 40C are not inserted into the slits 35A, 35B, and 35C. You will get on the nails. That is, the fitted portion 35 is formed such that the developer container 30 is positioned on the fitting portion 40 in the mounting direction of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the developer discharge port 32 is connected to the nozzle 80. It is formed so as to occupy a position where it is not inserted.

  According to such a configuration, when the developer storage container 30 is replaced, the user operates a lever (not shown) to tilt the developer storage container holding portion 50 toward the front of the image forming apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. Then, the used developer storage container 30 (toner bottle) is pulled upward from the developer storage container holder 50. Then, holding the new developer storage container 30 with the toner discharge member 34 facing downward, and releasing the developer storage container 30 above the opening 50A of the developer storage container holding portion 50, the developer storage container 30 is developed. The inside of the holding part 50 falls while being guided by the agent storage container holding part 50.

  At this time, when the user sets the developer storage container 30 in a normal orientation, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the fitted portion 35 and the fitting portion 40 are in the normal orientation. Therefore, the claw portions constituting the fitting portion 40 are inserted into the slits constituting the fitted portion 35, respectively. However, in this state, since the developer container holding part 50 is in the replacement position, the arms 51A and 51B and the engaged parts 37A and 37B are not engaged, and the developer container 30 is not hindered from dropping. Therefore, the developer storage container 30 is completely stored in the developer storage container holder 50.

  When the user pushes the developer container holding unit 50 toward the storage position, the developer container 30 also moves in the same direction, and as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9B, the toner discharge member 34 is moved. The engaged portions 37A and 37B are engaged with the arm portions 61A and 61B, the tip of the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32, and the developer container 30 and the powder pump 60 communicate with each other. At this time, the information recording member 39 on the main body side and the information recording unit 33 of the developer storage container 30 reach the communication position facing each other and can communicate with each other. A control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus determines that the toner bottle replacement operation is completed from information obtained by communication between the information recording member 39 and the information recording unit 33, and starts the toner supply operation by rotating the powder pump 60. Then, the toner in the developer container 30 is supplied to the sub hopper 68 shown in FIG.

  When the user stores the developer storage container 30 in the developer storage container holding portion 50 in a direction different from the normal direction, the developer storage container 30 is stored in the developer storage container 30 as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). Although the inside of the holding part 50 falls while being guided by the storage container holding part 50, since the positions of the fitting part 35 and the fitting part 40 do not correspond, each claw part constituting the fitting part 40 is a fitted part. The fitting portion 35 and the fitting portion 40 interfere with each other without being inserted into the slits constituting the portion 35, and the developer container 30 is prevented from dropping in the middle.

  Therefore, when the developer storage container 30 protrudes from the developer storage container holding portion 50 and the user presses the developer storage container holding portion 50, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). The developer container 30 moves until it interferes with the image forming apparatus main body 100, but cannot be held at the replenishment position. Of course, in this state, the arm portions 51A and 51B and the engaged portions 37A and 37B are not engaged, so that the nozzle 80 and the developer discharge port 32 do not face each other, and the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32. That is blocked.

  For this reason, since the information recording member 39 does not reach the communication position facing the information recording unit 33, no communication is performed between them, and the powder pump 60 does not operate, so the toner replenishing operation is not performed. Then, a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus may determine that the toner bottle is not set and display the fact on an operation panel (not shown) to notify the user.

  The user knows that the direction in which the developer storage container 30 is mounted is not the normal orientation from the state where the developer storage container holding portion 50 does not fit in the storage position and the contents displayed on the operation panel (not shown). it can.

  In addition, as a method of reading information recorded in the information recording unit 33 by the information recording member 39 on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side, a method using electrical conduction, a non-contact method using wireless communication, a method reading magnetically or optically Etc. In this embodiment, a known semiconductor memory element is used for the information recording unit 33, but a bar code or the like may be simply used as the information recording unit 33.

  When a “contact method” or an optical reading method in which information is electrically contacted to communicate information is employed as the information recording unit 33, foreign matter such as toner adheres to either the information recording member 39 or the information recording unit 33. There is a risk of malfunction in communication. Further, in the case of using a so-called premix toner containing toner and carrier as a developer sealed in the developer container 30 for the purpose of improving the life of the developer, even in the “non-contact method” that communicates by wireless communication. Since the “premix toner” is attached to the information recording member 39 and the information recording unit 33 and the “premix toner” is present in the communication area between the information recording member 39 and the information recording unit 33, communication is performed. There is a risk of malfunction.

  However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the developer container 30 is stored in the developer container holding unit 50 in a direction different from the normal direction, the nozzle 80 and the developer discharge port 32 do not face each other. As shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from the developer discharge port 32, and it is possible to prevent contamination in the apparatus due to the leakage of the developer, without being inserted into the developer discharge port 32. .

  Further, in this embodiment, when the developer storage container 30 is not mounted in a specific direction with respect to the developer storage container holding unit 50, the position is different from that when the developer storage container holding unit 50 is mounted in a specific direction. The developer container 30 is formed so as to be positioned on the surface. That is, in this embodiment, when the developer storage container 30 is not mounted in a specific direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the respective claw portions are not inserted into the respective slits, so that the toner discharge member 34 gets on the claw portion. It will be. That is, the fitted portion 35 is formed so as to be positioned on the fitting portion 40 in the mounting direction to the image forming apparatus main body 100, and therefore occupies a position where the developer discharge port 32 is not inserted into the nozzle 80. It becomes like this. Preferably, this position is formed so that the developer discharge port 32 is positioned above the nozzle 80 in the developer container holding part 50, so that the developer container holding part 50 is forcedly replenished. Even when the position occupies the position, the developer discharge port 32 and the nozzle 80 are offset in the vertical direction, so that the on-off valve 36 is not pushed by the nozzle 80, and the developer from the developer discharge port 32 can be surely received. Leakage can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the scattering direction of the toner from the developer discharge port 32 substantially coincides with the insertion direction of the nozzle 80, so that the information recording unit 33 and the information recording member 39 are connected to the nozzle 80 as in this embodiment. Is disposed on a surface different from the surface inserted into the developer discharge port 32, which has the effect of making it difficult for the toner to adhere to the information recording unit 33 and the information recording member 39, thereby preventing communication due to toner adhesion. And false detection can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the information recording unit 33 is disposed on the surface 34F opposite to the surface 34C facing the nozzle 80, and the information recording member 39 is disposed on the side facing the surface 34F as a position blocked by the toner discharge member 34. Therefore, when the developer storage container 30 is mounted in a specific direction with respect to the developer storage container holding part 50, they are arranged so as to face each other.

  With this arrangement, when the developer container 30 is not mounted in a specific orientation with respect to the developer container holder 50, the claw portions are not inserted into the slits, so that the toner discharge member 34 is Will ride on top. For this reason, since the information recording part 33 and the information recording member 39 do not face each other, it is preferable that communication is not performed and erroneous detection can be further prevented.

In this embodiment, the information recording unit 33 is disposed on a surface 34F opposite to the surface 34C facing the nozzle 80 as a surface different from the surface where the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32. It is not limited to such a form. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a), 13 (b), 14 (a), and 14 (b), the engagement formed on both side surfaces 34A and 34 located in the width direction of the toner discharge member 34. an information recording unit 33 to the engaging portion 37A, the information recording member 39 disposed in the arm portion 5 1A for engaging with the engaged portion 37A, a surface different from the surface to be inserted into the developer discharge opening 32, i.e., toner You may arrange | position in the position obstruct | occluded by the discharge member 34. FIG.

  Even in this case, when the user sets the developer storage container 30 in the normal direction, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the fitted portion 35 and the fitted portion 40 are properly connected. Therefore, the claw portions constituting the fitting portion 40 are inserted into the slits constituting the fitted portion 35, respectively. However, in this state, since the developer container holding part 50 is in the replacement position, the arms 51A and 51B and the engaged parts 37A and 37B are not engaged, and the developer container 30 is not hindered from dropping. Therefore, the developer storage container 30 is completely stored in the developer storage container holder 50.

  When the user pushes the developer container holding unit 50 toward the storage position, the developer container 30 also moves in the same direction, and as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the toner discharge member 34 is moved. The engaged portions 37A and 37B are engaged with the arm portions 61A and 61B, the tip of the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32, and the developer container 30 and the powder pump 60 communicate with each other. At this time, the information recording member 39 on the main body side and the information recording unit 33 of the developer container 30 reach the communication position facing each other as shown in FIG. A control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus determines that the toner bottle replacement operation is completed from information obtained by communication between the information recording member 39 and the information recording unit 33, and starts the toner supply operation by rotating the powder pump 60. Then, the toner in the developer container 30 is supplied to the sub hopper 68 shown in FIG.

  When the user stores the developer storage container 30 in the developer storage container holding portion 50 in a direction different from the normal direction, as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b), the developer storage container 30 is stored in the developer storage container 30. Although the inside of the holding part 50 falls while being guided by the storage container holding part 50, since the positions of the fitting part 35 and the fitting part 40 do not correspond, each claw part constituting the fitting part 40 is a fitted part. The fitting portion 35 and the fitting portion 40 interfere with each other without being inserted into the slits constituting the portion 35, and the developer container 30 is prevented from dropping in the middle.

  For this reason, when the developer storage container 30 protrudes from the developer storage container holding part 50 and the user presses the developer storage container holding part 50, as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b). The developer container 30 moves until it interferes with the image forming apparatus main body 100, but cannot be held at the replenishment position. Of course, in this state, the arm portions 51A and 51B and the engaged portions 37A and 37B are not engaged, so that the nozzle 80 and the developer discharge port 32 do not face each other, and the nozzle 80 is inserted into the developer discharge port 32. That is blocked.

  Even if comprised in this way, there exists an effect that a toner becomes difficult to adhere to the information recording part 33 or the information recording member 39, and, thereby, the communication failure by a toner adhesion and the misdetection can be prevented.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram illustrating a developer replenishing device provided in the image forming apparatus and a configuration in the vicinity thereof. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a developer storage container. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a developer discharge member and a developer supply member are inserted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state before the developer storage container is mounted on the developer storage container holding portion. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a developer supply member and a support portion thereof. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the structure of a fitting part. (A) shows the positional relationship between the developer discharge member, the developer replenishment member, the information recording unit, and the information communication member when the developer storage container is mounted on the developer storage container holding unit in a predetermined orientation and is in the replacement position. The side view to show, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of (a) from the upper diagonal direction. (A) shows the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member and the information recording unit and the information communication member when the developer storage container is mounted on the developer storage container holding unit in a predetermined direction and occupies the supply position. The side view which shows positional relationship, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of (a) from the upper diagonal direction. (A) is the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member and the position of the information recording unit and the information communication member when the developer storage container is not attached to the developer storage container holding unit in a predetermined orientation and is in the replacement position. The side view which shows a relationship, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of (a) from the downward diagonal direction. (A) shows the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member and the information recording unit and the information communication when the developer storage container moves toward the supply position without being attached to the developer storage container holding unit in a predetermined direction. The side view which shows the positional relationship of a member, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of (a) from the apparatus inner side. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a developer leakage direction when a developer discharge member and a developer supply member are inserted. (A) is a side view showing the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer replenishment member when the developer storage container is mounted on the developer storage container holding portion in a predetermined orientation and is in the replacement position, and (b) is ( It is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of a) from the downward diagonal direction. (A) is a side view showing the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member when the developer storage container is mounted on the developer storage container holding portion in a predetermined direction and occupies the supply position, and (b) is a side view showing the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member. It is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of (a) from the diagonally downward direction. It is an enlarged view which shows the positional relationship of an information recording part and an information communication member. (A) is a side view showing the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer replenishment member when the developer storage container is not attached to the developer storage container holder in a predetermined orientation and is in the replacement position, and (b) is ( It is the perspective view which looked at the positional relationship of a) from the downward diagonal direction. (A) is a side view showing the relationship between the developer discharge member and the developer supply member when the developer storage container is moved to the supply position without being attached to the developer storage container holder in a predetermined orientation; ) Is a perspective view of the positional relationship of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 (Y, M, C, K) Image carrier 4 (Y, M, C, K) Developer 30 (Y, M, C, K) Developer container 31 Developer container 32 Developer discharge port 33 Information recording unit 34 Developer discharge member 34C Surface facing developer supply member 34F Reverse surface 35 Fitted portion 39 Information communication member 40 Fitting portion 50 Developer storage container holding portion 80 Developer supply member 100 Image forming apparatus Main body 200 Developer supply device

Claims (9)

A developer storage section for storing the developer;
A developer discharge member provided with a developer discharge port through which the developer supply member on the image forming apparatus main body side is inserted, and an information recording unit that performs electrical communication with the image forming apparatus main body;
A fitted portion that engages / disengages with a fitting portion of a suitable image forming apparatus main body,
The fitted portion is formed on the developer discharge member so as to be engaged with the fitting portion when the fitted portion is attached in a specific direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.
Wherein the information recording unit, said developer supply member is formed on the surface that different from the surface to be inserted, the when the developer supply member is inserted into the developer discharge opening, wherein the image forming apparatus main body A developer storage container, wherein the developer storage container is disposed in an engaged portion formed on the developer discharge member that engages with an engaging protrusion disposed on the developer discharging member . When the fitted portion is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a specific orientation, the developer accommodating portion is positioned at a position different from that when the fitted portion is attached to the image forming apparatus in a specific orientation. The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage container is formed as described above.   3. The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is formed on both side surfaces located in the width direction of the developer discharge member. 4.   The fitted portion is formed so as to occupy a position where the developer discharge port is not inserted into the developer supply member when the fitted portion is not mounted in a specific direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. The developer storage container according to claim 1. The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the developer stored in the developer storage container is toner and carrier . Developer supply apparatus comprising the developer container according to any one of 請 Motomeko 1 to 5. A developer replenishing member that communicates with a developer discharge port provided in the developer accommodating container and replenishes the developer in the developer accommodating container into the image forming apparatus, and a fit of a suitable developer accommodating container A fitting portion that engages / disengages with the mating portion, and an information communication member that communicates with an information recording portion provided in the developer storage container,
The developer replenishing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information communication member is disposed at a position where a developer storage container blocks the developer replenishing member . A developer storage container holding portion for holding the developer storage container;
The developer container holding part is movable when changing the developer,
The developer-supply member according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the developer container holding portion is configured to move to a position away from the developer accommodating container when in the toner replacement position The developer replenishing device described. In an image forming apparatus comprising at least an image carrier that carries a latent image, and a developing device that visualizes the developer by attaching a developer to the latent image of the image carrier ,
An image forming apparatus comprising the developer supply device according to claim 6, 7 or 8 as a developer supply device to the developing device .

Images