JP5365590B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a torque for moving a shutter and capable of favorably circulating toner between in a toner cartridge and in a developing frame. <P>SOLUTION: A toner cartridge 11 is mounted on a development frame 8 and a shutter 73 is moved from a closing position to an opening position, then while a drawer frame holding the development frame 8 is moved from a pull-out position to a storage position, the toner cartridge 11 is moved from a first position where a compression amount of a toner seal 71 and a frame seal 102 is relatively small to a second position where the compression amount is relatively large. Therefore, at the time when the shutter 73 is moved from the closing position to the opening position, the toner cartridge 11 is disposed at the first position and compression amount of the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102 is small, which requires a small torque for moving the shutter 73. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an example of an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a process cartridge that holds a photosensitive drum and a developing roller is detachably provided in the apparatus main body, and a toner cartridge that contains toner is attached to the process cartridge.

  In the process cartridge, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are arranged with their peripheral surfaces in contact with each other. The process cartridge is provided with a partition wall that is curved in accordance with the outer shape of the toner cartridge on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller. A cartridge accommodating portion for accommodating a toner cartridge is formed on the opposite side of the partition wall from the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. In the cartridge housing portion, a shutter is provided so as to be movable along the partition wall. In addition, a frame side passage opening is formed through the partition wall. An annular frame seal is attached to the surface of the partition wall facing the shutter so as to surround the frame side passage opening.

  The toner cartridge includes an inner housing that accommodates toner and an outer housing that rotatably accommodates the inner housing. An inner passage opening is formed in the peripheral wall of the inner casing. A toner seal is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing so as to surround the periphery of the inner passage opening. An outer passage opening is formed on the peripheral wall of the outer casing corresponding to the inner passage opening. When the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing faces the inner passage opening, the inner passage opening is closed by the outer casing.

  When the toner cartridge is mounted in the cartridge housing portion, the toner cartridge is moved from above the cartridge housing portion into the cartridge housing portion with the inner passage port closed by the outer housing. When the toner cartridge is disposed in the cartridge housing portion, the toner cartridge is pressed toward the partition wall. Then, the shutter and the inner casing are moved together, the inner passage opening faces the frame-side passage opening through the outer passage opening, and between the inner casing and the outer casing and between the outer casing and the partition wall. The space in which the developing roller is accommodated communicates with the inside of the toner cartridge (inside the inner housing) in a state where the space is sealed with a toner seal and a frame seal.

JP 2008-275874 A

  Increasing the seal pressure of the toner seal and frame seal increases the sealing performance of the toner seal and frame seal, but increases the torque required to move the shutter and the inner housing. For this reason, the seal pressure of the toner seal and the frame seal must be determined in consideration of the magnitude of the torque necessary for moving the shutter and the inner housing, and the magnitude of the torque is The toner seal and frame seal cannot be compressed to an excessive extent. Therefore, the gap between the toner cartridge and the partition wall is large, which is one of the causes that hinders the good circulation of the toner between the inside of the toner cartridge and the space in which the developing roller is accommodated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the torque for moving the shutter and can circulate the toner well between the toner cartridge and the developing frame. It is.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, a holding unit that is movably provided in an apparatus main body, an accommodation position accommodated in the apparatus main body, and a drawing position pulled out of the apparatus main body. A member, a developing frame held by the holding member and having a developing opening, and a detachable structure with respect to the developing frame, and the cartridge at a position facing the developing opening in a state of being mounted on the developing frame A toner cartridge having an opening, a shutter movably provided in an open position for opening the cartridge opening and a closing position for closing the cartridge opening, and interposed between the developing frame and the toner cartridge, A seal member that surrounds the periphery of the cartridge opening; and provided in the apparatus main body, wherein the shutter is located in the open position. And an action member for giving the toner cartridge an action for moving the seal member from a first position where the compression amount of the seal member is relatively small to a second position where the compression amount of the seal member is relatively large. The action member is characterized in that the action is imparted to the toner cartridge while the holding member is moved from the drawing position to the accommodation position.

  According to the present invention, the holding member is movable between the storage position stored in the apparatus main body and the extraction position pulled out of the apparatus main body. The developing frame is held by the holding member. A development opening is formed in the development frame. A cartridge opening is formed in the toner cartridge. With the toner cartridge mounted on the developing frame, the cartridge opening faces the developing opening. A shutter is movably provided to open and close the cartridge opening. In other words, a shutter is provided that can move between an open position that opens the cartridge opening and a closed position that closes the cartridge opening. A seal member is interposed between the developing frame and the toner cartridge, and the seal member surrounds the periphery of the cartridge opening to seal between the developing frame and the toner cartridge.

  Then, after the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing frame and the shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the toner cartridge is moved by the action received from the action member while the holding member is moved from the drawing position to the receiving position. The seal member is moved from the first position where the compression amount is relatively small to the second position where the compression amount is relatively large. Therefore, when the shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the toner cartridge is disposed at the first position, and the amount of compression of the seal member is small, so that the torque for moving the shutter can be small. Further, after the toner cartridge is moved to the second position, the distance between the toner cartridge and the developing frame is small, so that the toner can be circulated favorably between the toner cartridge and the developing frame.

  Therefore, the torque for moving the shutter can be reduced, and the toner can be circulated well between the toner cartridge and the developing frame.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the color printer shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state where the drawer unit is located at the drawer position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drawer unit shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state where all the toner cartridges are detached. 4 is a perspective view of the operation guide member shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a partial cross section of the drawer unit shown in FIG. 3 and a left side surface of the toner box. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner box shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the toner box shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the left side surface of the toner box shown in FIG. 5 and a partial cross section of the drawer unit, and also schematically showing the operation guide member. The toner box is attached to the drawer unit, and the shutter is closed. The state where it is located is shown. FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the drawer unit in the state shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the left side surface of the toner box shown in FIG. 5 and a partial cross section of the drawer unit, and also schematically showing the operation guide member. The toner box is attached to the drawer unit, and the shutter is opened. The toner box is located at the first position. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a part of the drawer unit in the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a left side surface of the toner box shown in FIG. 5 and a partial cross section of the drawer unit. The toner box is mounted on the drawer unit, the shutter is in the open position, and the toner box is the second box. The state located at the position is shown.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. Configuration of Color Printer As shown in FIG. 1, a color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a tandem type color printer. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the color printer 1 includes a main body casing 2 as an example of an apparatus main body. A drawer unit 3 is mounted in the main casing 2. A front cover 4 is provided on the front surface of the main casing 2 so as to be openable and closable. The drawer unit 3 is located between the housing position (position shown in FIG. 1) in the main casing 2 and the drawing position (position shown in FIG. 2) outside the main casing 2 with the front cover 4 opened. Can be moved horizontally.

  The side on which the front cover 4 is provided (the right side in FIG. 1) is the front side (front side) of the color printer 1. In addition, regarding the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the color printer 1, the color printer 1 is viewed from the front side. The drawer unit 3 and the toner cartridge 11 attached to the drawer unit 3 will be described based on the direction in which the drawer unit 3 is attached to the main casing 2 unless otherwise specified. In FIG. 2, illustration of the front cover 4 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, four photosensitive drums 5 are held in the drawer unit 3 so as to be rotatable about rotation axes extending in the left-right direction. The four photosensitive drums 5 are provided for the respective colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the front-rear direction in the order of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan from the front side.

  The drawer unit 3 holds four chargers 6. The four chargers 6 are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 5, respectively, and are disposed on the rear upper side of the corresponding photosensitive drums 5. The charger 6 is, for example, a scorotron charger having a wire and a grid.

  Furthermore, four developing devices 7 are held in the drawer unit 3. The four developing devices 7 are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 5, respectively, and are disposed on the front upper side of the corresponding photosensitive drums 5. Each developing device 7 includes a developing frame 8 and a developing roller 9 accommodated in the developing frame 8. The developing roller 9 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 5.

  The drawer unit 3 holds four cleaners 10. The four cleaners 10 are respectively provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 5 and are arranged behind the corresponding photosensitive drums 5. The cleaner 10 removes paper dust attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

  In the drawer unit 3, a space 12 for mounting a toner cartridge 11 that contains toner is provided above each developing device 7. The toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12 above each developing device 7 from above the drawer unit 3 in a state where the drawer unit 3 is pulled out to the drawing position. The developing device 7 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 11.

  In the main casing 2, an exposure unit 13 that emits four laser beams corresponding to each color is disposed above the drawer unit 3.

  As the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly charged by the discharge from the charger 6 and then selectively exposed by the laser beam from the exposure unit 13. By this exposure, electric charges are selectively removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 5, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5. When the electrostatic latent image faces the developing roller 9, toner is supplied from the developing roller 9 to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

  Instead of the exposure device 13, four LED arrays may be provided corresponding to each photosensitive drum 5.

  At the bottom of the main casing 2, a paper feed cassette 14 that stores paper P is disposed. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is transported onto the transport belt 15 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 15 is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums 5 from below. A transfer roller 16 is disposed at each position facing the photosensitive drum 5 with the upper portion of the conveyance belt 15 interposed therebetween. The paper P transported on the transport belt 15 sequentially passes between the transport belt 15 and each photosensitive drum 5 as the transport belt 15 travels. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred to the paper P when facing the paper P.

  A fixing device 17 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the conveyance belt 15. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 17. In the fixing device 17, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 18 on the upper surface of the main casing 2 by various rollers.

  Further, in the main body casing 2, an example of the action member is provided at a position facing the pressed portion 66 of the toner cartridge 11 held by the drawer unit 3 in the front-rear direction in a state where the drawer unit 3 is located at the drawing position. The pressing member 201 is formed as a ridge extending in the front-rear direction.

  The pressed part 66 will be described later.

The pressing member 201 has a front end edge located in the vicinity of the front surface of the main body casing 2, and a rear end portion located behind the housing position of the drawer unit 3 in the main body casing 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body portion 202 excluding the front end portion of the pressing member 201 has an elongated quadrangular prism shape, and its lower surface extends in the horizontal direction. The front end portion 203 of the pressing member 201 has a triangular shape in side view, and has an inclined surface 204 that is inclined downward and continues to the lower surface of the main body portion 202.
2. Drawer Unit (1) Drawer Frame As shown in FIG. 3, the drawer unit 3 includes a drawer frame 31 as an example of a holding member. The drawer frame 31 includes a pair of side plates 32 and 33 facing each other with a space in the left-right direction, a front beam 134 installed between the front end portions of the side plates 32 and 33, and the rear end portions of the side plates 32 and 33. A rear beam 135 is provided between them, and as a whole has a square frame shape in plan view.

The four photosensitive drums 5, the four chargers 6, the four developing units 7, and the four cleaners 10 (see FIG. 1) are held together by the side plates 32 and 33 while being sandwiched from the left and right sides. Yes. Between the side plates 32 and 33, a space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11 is provided above each developing device 7. In other words, the side plates 32 and 33 hold the four photosensitive drums 5, the charger 6, the developing device 7, and the cleaner 10, and leave a space for securing the space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11 in the left-right direction. Are opposed to each other in the left-right direction.
(2) Operation Guide Member The left side plate 32 is provided with operation guide members 34 as examples of four operation members corresponding to the spaces 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation guide member 34 includes a disc-shaped main body portion 35, an operation portion 36 formed on a ridge protruding from one surface of the main body portion 35, and the main body portion 35. A disc-shaped guide portion 37 formed integrally with the main body portion 35 on the surface and having a smaller diameter than the main body portion 35 is integrally provided.

  The guide portion 37 is formed with a guide groove 38 extending from the circumferential surface thereof on the diameter of the guide portion 37. The guide groove 38 does not penetrate the guide portion 37 in the diameter direction, and one side in the diameter direction is opened and the other side is closed. As a result, the operation guide member 34 is positioned between the peripheral surface of the guide portion 37 and the guide groove 38 in the diameter direction of the guide portion 37 and a positioning portion of a guided portion 64 (described later) provided in the toner cartridge 11. And it has the opposing part 39 which functions as a retaining part.

  As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4, a circular fitting port 40 having a slightly larger diameter than the main body 35 is formed at the upper end portion of the side plate 32 at a position facing each space 12. . The operation guide member 34 is rotatably held by the side plate 32 by the main body 35 being rotatably fitted in the fitting port 40. With the operation guide member 34 held on the side plate 32, the operation unit 36 is disposed on the left side of the side plate 32, and the guide unit 37 is disposed on the right side of the side plate 32.

In addition, on the inner side surface (right side surface) of the side plate 32, an introduction groove 132 for favorably guiding the guided portion 64 of the toner cartridge 11 into the guide groove 38 is formed as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. ing. The introduction groove 132 extends upward from the upper end portion of the fitting port 40. The lower end portion of the introduction groove 132 has substantially the same width as the guide groove 38. The upper end portion of the introduction groove 132 is expanded toward the upper side. As a result, the introduction groove 132 is substantially Y-shaped in a side view.
(3) Development Frame As shown in FIG. 3, the development frames 8 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction and are laid between the side plates 32 and 33. Each space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11 is divided by the developing frame 8.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a developing chamber 41 that houses the developing roller 9 is formed in the developing frame 8. The developing chamber 41 is open on the photosensitive drum 5 side, and the developing roller 9 is disposed at the open end of the developing chamber 41.

The developing frame 8 has a plate-shaped partition wall 42 that is convexly curved in an arc shape toward the developing chamber 41 side between the developing chamber 41 and the space 12 for mounting the toner cartridge 11. The partition wall 42 partitions the developing frame 8 into a developing chamber 41 and a space 12 above the developing chamber 41. At the center of the partition wall 42 in the circumferential direction, in a state where the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12, at a position facing the three communication ports 58 (see FIG. 7) formed in the toner cartridge 11. A rectangular opening 43 as an example of three development openings is formed.
(4) Shutter driving member As shown in FIG. 5, a shutter driving member 44 for driving a shutter 73 described later is movably disposed above the partition wall 42.

The shutter drive member 44 has a plate shape that is convexly curved in an arc shape toward the developing chamber 41 so as to substantially follow the partition wall 42. A rack gear 45 is formed on the lower surface of the shutter driving member 44. On the upper surface of the shutter driving member 44, shutter driving protrusions 46 are formed at positions corresponding to shutter driving openings 88 described later.
3. Toner Cartridge (1) Housing As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the toner cartridge 11 includes a resin housing 51 that accommodates toner therein. The housing | casing 51 is formed in the hollow substantially semicircular column shape extended in the left-right direction. Specifically, the housing 51 has a space for accommodating toner therein, is connected to the substantially rectangular upper surface 52 that is long on the left and right, and the front edge of the upper surface 52, and has a cross-sectional shape that is convexly curved downward. An arc surface 53 as an example of a semicircular arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, a fixed surface 54 extending parallel to the upper surface 52 from the rear end edge of the arc surface 53 to the rear, and a rear end edge of the upper surface 52 and the rear of the fixed surface 54 A rear surface 55 straddling the end edge, a top surface 52, an arc surface 53, a left surface 56 straddling between the left end edges of the fixed surface 54 and the rear surface 55, an upper surface 52, an arc surface 53, a fixed surface 54, and a rear surface The right side surface 57 straddling between each right end edge of 55 is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the arc surface 53 is formed with communication ports 58 as an example of three cartridge openings that communicate with the inside and outside of the housing 51 at a portion slightly rearward of the lowermost end thereof. The three communication ports 58 are formed side by side in the left-right direction and have a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.

  In addition, on the arc surface 53, elongated groove-like escape grooves 59 extending in the circumferential direction of the arc surface 53 are formed on the left and right sides of each communication port 58.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of positioning projections 60 are formed at the front end portion of the arc surface 53 at intervals in the left-right direction. Each positioning projection 60 has a hook shape extending forward, bent and extending upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cylindrical boss 61 protrudes from the left side surface 56. As shown in FIG. 6, a driving force generating gear 62 is rotatably held by the boss 61. A disc 63 is fixed to the left end surface of the driving force generating gear 62. The circular plate 63 is formed with a cylindrical guided portion 64 protruding leftward at two positions opposed to each other with the boss 61 interposed therebetween, that is, at two positions separated from the boss 61 by 180 °. .

  In FIG. 7, the driving force generating gear 62, the disc 63, and the guided portion 64 are not shown.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the corners formed by the upper surface 52, the arc surface 53, and the left side surface 56 and the corner portions formed by the upper surface 52, the arc surface 53, and the right side surface 57 are cut out in a triangular shape in a side view. And the inclined surface 65 which inclines back up is formed in those corner | angular parts.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner cartridge 11 is provided with a truncated pyramid shaped pressed portion 66 at both left and right end portions of the upper surface 52 of the housing 51. The pressed portion 66 is formed integrally with the upper surface 52.

As shown in FIG. 7, the toner cartridge 11 includes a toner seal 71 as an example of a seal member attached to the arc surface 53 of the housing 51, a shutter cover 72 provided so as to cover the arc surface 53, A shutter 73 provided between the arc surface 53 and the shutter cover 72 is further provided.
(2) Toner Seal The toner seal 71 is provided corresponding to each communication port 58. The toner seal 71 is formed in a sheet shape having an opening 74 corresponding to the communication port 58. The toner seal 71 is aligned so that the communication port 58 and the opening 74 are in communication with each other so as to face each other, and is adhered to the arc surface 53 of the casing 51 so as to surround the communication port 58.
(3) Shutter Cover The shutter cover 72 is made of a resin film and is curved along the arc surface 53 of the casing 51. The width in the left-right direction of the shutter cover 72 is substantially equal to the width in the left-right direction of the arc surface 53, and the shutter cover 72 covers the arc surface 53 over almost the entire width in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of positioning openings 80 are formed at the front end portion of the shutter cover 72 at intervals in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6, positioning protrusions 60 formed on the arcuate surface 53 of the casing 51 are engaged with the positioning openings 80. More specifically, a positioning opening 80 having a size capable of inserting the positioning protrusion 60 is formed at the front end of the shutter cover 72 at the same position in the left-right direction as each positioning protrusion 60. A positioning projection 60 is inserted into each positioning opening 80, and an upper end edge of the positioning projection 60 is locked to the positioning projection 60.

  Further, the rear end portion of the shutter cover 72 is bent along the fixed surface 54 of the housing 51. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of screw insertion holes 81 are formed in the rear end portion of the shutter cover 72 at intervals in the left-right direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the positioning openings 80 and the positioning projections 60 are engaged, and as shown in FIG. 5, the screws 82 are inserted into the screw insertion holes 81, and the screws 82 are inserted. The shutter cover 72 is attached to the housing 51 by screwing the front end portion thereof into the fixing surface 54 of the housing 51.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the toner cover opening 83 is formed in the shutter cover 72 at a position facing each toner seal 71. The toner circulation opening 83 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, and has an opening area larger than the opening area of the communication port 58 and is formed so as to expose the entire area of the communication port 58.

Further, the shutter cover 72 is formed with guide openings 85 extending in the front-rear direction (the circumferential direction of the shutter cover 72) at positions facing the respective escape grooves 59 of the housing 51. The length of the guide opening 85 in the front-rear direction is equal to or longer than the length of the escape groove 59 in the front-rear direction. The width of the guide opening 85 in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the width of the escape groove 59 in the left-right direction. The guide opening 85 faces the entire escape groove 59.
(4) Shutter The shutter 73 is made of a resin film, and is curved along the arcuate surface 53 of the casing 51 as shown in FIG. The width of the shutter 73 in the left-right direction is slightly smaller than the width of the shutter cover 72 in the left-right direction. The shutter 73 is larger in the direction along the circular arc surface 53 than the width of the toner seal 71 in the direction along the circular arc surface 53, and when the shutter 73 is moved between an open position and a closed position described later. The shutter 73 has such a width that it does not come into contact with the fixed surface 54 of the housing 51 and the positioning projection 60.

  In the shutter 73, two shutter driving openings 88 are formed at positions facing the respective escape grooves 59 of the housing 51 with an interval in the circumferential direction of the shutter 73. Whether the shutter 73 is in the open position or the closed position, all the shutter driving openings 88 face the escape groove 59 and communicate with the guide opening 85 of the shutter cover 72. In addition, the interval between the two shutter driving openings 88 at each position is determined.

  The shutter 73 is sandwiched between the arcuate surface 53 of the housing 51 and the shutter cover 72 and is moved between the open position and the closed position while being held by them.

  In the open position, the rear end portion of the shutter 73 is sandwiched between the front end portion of the toner seal 71 and the shutter cover 72. Therefore, the communication port 58 of the housing 51 and the opening 74 of the toner seal 71 are opened in a state where they communicate with each other, and the inside and outside of the housing 51 communicate with each other.

On the other hand, the closed position is a rear position with respect to the open position. In the closed position, the rear end edge of the shutter 73 is positioned slightly behind the rear end edge of the toner circulation opening 83. Therefore, the entire area of the communication port 58 of the casing 51 and the opening 74 of the toner seal 71 are covered by the shutter 73, and the inside and outside of the casing 51 are blocked by the shutter 73. At this time, the toner seal 71 is sandwiched between the shutter 73 and the arcuate surface 53 of the housing 51.
4). Drive transmission mechanism In the drawer frame 31, the drive force generated by the drive force generation gear 62 provided in the toner cartridge 11 corresponding to each shutter drive member 44 is transmitted to the rack gear 45 of the shutter drive member 44. A drive transmission mechanism 91 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive transmission mechanism 91 includes a first transmission gear 92 that meshes with the driving force generation gear 62 in a state where the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12, and a first mesh that meshes with the first transmission gear 92. 2 transmission gear 93, and third transmission gear 94 that meshes with second transmission gear 93 and rack gear 45. The first transmission gear 92, the second transmission gear 93, and the third transmission gear 94 are rotatably held on the left side plate 32 of the drawer frame 31.

When the driving force generation gear 62 is rotated, a rotational force is applied from the driving force generation gear 62 to the first transmission gear 92, and the first transmission gear 92 rotates. The rotational force applied to the first transmission gear 92 is transmitted to the rack gear 45 via the second transmission gear 93 and the third transmission gear 94. As a result, the shutter driving member 44 moves in the front-rear direction along the partition wall 42, and the shutter 73 moves between the open position and the closed position together with the shutter driving member 44 as described below. Therefore, the driving force generation gear 62, the first transmission gear 92, the second transmission gear 93, the third transmission gear 94, and the rack gear 45 provide a driving mechanism (gear train) for moving the shutter 73 from the open position to the closed position. It is composed.
5. Unit-side pressing member The drawer frame 31 is further provided with a unit-side pressing member 101 corresponding to each toner cartridge 11 (space 12), as shown in FIG. It has been. The unit side pressing member 101 is made of a leaf spring (a wire spring (wire) may be used), and a lower end portion thereof is supported by the left side plate 32 of the drawer frame 31. The unit-side pressing member 101 is formed in a shape that extends upward, bends rearward and upward, and is folded back forward and upward. The portion extending rearward and upward is inclined at the same angle as the inclined surface 65 of the casing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 with respect to the horizontal.
6). Attaching / detaching the toner cartridge (1) Attaching the toner cartridge The toner cartridge 11 has the drawer unit 3 (drawer frame 31) in a state where the drawer unit 3 (drawer frame 31) is pulled out to the drawing position outside the main casing 2 (see FIG. 2). It is attached to and detached from the space 12 from above. The mounting of the toner cartridge 11 in the space 12 can be considered as mounting of the toner cartridge 11 in the developing device 7.

  In the state where the toner cartridge 11 is not mounted in the space 12, as shown in FIG. 8B, the operation guide member 34 extends in the vertical direction in which the guide groove 38 is the first direction, and the facing portion 39 is the guide groove 38. The first posture is arranged below. In this first posture, the operation section 36 extends so as to incline forward (rearward) as shown in FIG. 8A. Further, the relatively front shutter drive protrusion 46 formed on the shutter drive member 44 is directed substantially vertically upward, and the relatively rear shutter drive protrusion 46 is directed in a direction inclined forward and upward. ing.

  On the other hand, with the toner cartridge 11 detached from the drawer unit 3, the shutter 73 is located at the closed position. As shown in FIG. 5, the two guided portions 64 are arranged in the first direction (vertical direction).

  When the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12, the two guided portions 64 are inserted into the guide groove 38 from above through the introduction groove 132 of the side plate 32. Since the guide groove 38 extends in the first direction, the guided portion 64 moves along the guide groove 38, whereby the toner cartridge 11 moves in the first direction. The movement of the guided portion 64 is restricted by the guided portion 64 coming into contact with the facing portion 39. That is, in the state where the operation guide member 34 is in the first posture, the facing portion 39 functions as a positioning portion that determines the position of the guided portion 64 (the position of the toner cartridge 11).

  The two guided portions 64 do not need to be accurately aligned in the first direction, and there is no problem even if they are aligned in a slightly inclined direction with respect to the first direction. Even if the two guided portions 64 are arranged in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction, the guided portion 64 is inserted into the introduction groove 132 from above, and the guided portion 64 is moved along the introduction groove 132. Then, due to the inclination of the upper end portion of the introduction groove 132, the two guided portions 64 are guided so as to be aligned in the first direction.

  Due to the movement of the toner cartridge 11 in the first direction, as shown in FIG. 8A, each shutter driving protrusion 46 engages with each shutter driving opening 88 through the guide opening 85, and the toner cartridge 11 drives the shutter. It abuts on the member 44. Thereby, the mounting of the toner cartridge 11 in the space 12 is achieved. When the toner cartridge 11 is mounted in the space 12, the portion extending rearward and upward of the unit side pressing member 101 comes into contact with the inclined surface 65 of the housing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 from the front upper side, and the toner cartridge 11 is moved to the unit side pressing member. 101 is pressed rearward and downward with a relatively small force.

  Thereafter, the operation guide member 34 is displaced from the first posture to the second posture shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the operation guide member 34 is seen from the left side so that the operation unit 36 assumes a posture extending horizontally from the posture inclined upward as shown in FIG. 9A. It is rotated about 135 ° clockwise.

  By the operation of the operation guide member 34, the guide groove 38 extends in the second direction, which is a direction inclined backward and downward, as shown in FIG. 9B. Therefore, the guide direction of the toner cartridge 11 (guided portion 64) by the guide groove 38 is changed from the first direction to the second direction. Further, as the operation guide member 34 rotates, the guided portion 64 rotates, and the driving force generating gear 62 and the disc 63 rotate counterclockwise together with the guided portion 64 as viewed from the left side. A rotational force is generated from the driving force generation gear 62 by the rotation of the driving force generation gear 62. This rotational force is transmitted to the third transmission gear 94 via the first transmission gear 92 and the second transmission gear 93, and the third transmission gear 94 rotates clockwise as viewed from the left side. As the third transmission gear 94 rotates, the shutter driving member 44 moves forward from a position facing the opening 43 to a position not facing the opening 43. With the movement of the shutter driving member 44, the shutter 73 moves forward from the closed position integrally with the shutter driving member 44, and is disposed at the open position.

  When the operation guide member 34 is in the second posture, the facing portion 39 faces the guided portion 64 from the front upper side. Therefore, the guided member 64 cannot be extracted from the guide groove 38. That is, in a state where the operation guide member 34 is in the second posture, the facing portion 39 functions as a retaining portion for the guided portion 64 from the guide groove 38.

  9A, on the partition wall 42, an annular frame seal 102 as an example of a seal member is disposed on the partition wall 42 so as to surround each opening 43 at a position facing each toner seal 71. ing. At this time, the toner cartridge 11 is disposed at a first position relatively far from the partition wall 42, and the peripheral portion of each toner seal 71 and the peripheral portion of the frame seal 102 opposed thereto are pressed against the unit side. The members 101 are pressed against each other by the urging force of the members 101. The rear end portion of the shutter 73 and the front portion of the shutter cover 72 with respect to the toner circulation opening 83 are sandwiched between the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102.

  Thereafter, the drawer unit 3 is moved to the accommodation position in the main casing 2 (see FIG. 2). In the middle of this movement, the pressed portion 66 of the toner cartridge 11 contacts the inclined surface 204 of the pressing member 201 as shown in FIG. When the drawer unit 3 is further moved toward the accommodation position after the pressed portion 66 abuts on the inclined surface 204, the pressed portion 66 slides on the inclined surface 204 toward the lower surface of the main body portion 202. . As a result, a downward pressing force is applied gradually from the inclined surface 204 to the pressed portion 66, and the toner cartridge 11 moves rearward and downward toward the partition wall 42. Then, when the pressed portion 66 comes into contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 202, the rearward downward movement of the toner cartridge 11 is stopped, and the toner cartridge 11 is moved to a second position relatively close to the partition wall 42. Be placed. As a result, the portion of the toner seal 71 that protrudes outward through the toner circulation opening 83 is pressed against (pressed) from the front upper side, which is the upstream side in the second direction, with respect to the frame seal 102. As a result, the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102 are further compressed, and the toner seal 71 and the frame cover 102 are well sealed by the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102. The opening 74 and the opening 43 communicate with each other through the opening portion of the frame seal 102.

  When the drawer unit 3 reaches the storage position, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressed portions 66 of all the toner cartridges 11 come into contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 202 of the pressing member 201, and all the toner cartridges 11 are in the second state. It will be in the position located.

Thereafter, when the front cover 4 (see FIG. 1) is closed, the image forming operation in the color printer 1 can be started.
(2) Removal of Toner Cartridge When the toner cartridge 11 is removed from the drawer unit 3, the front cover 4 is opened and the drawer unit 3 is pulled out from the storage position to the pull-out position. As the drawer unit 3 moves, the pressed portion 66 of the toner cartridge 11 slides the lower surface of the main body portion 202 of the pressing member 201 toward the inclined surface 204. As the drawer unit 3 moves, the pressed portion 66 appears on the inclined surface 204 from the lower surface of the main body portion 202 and slides toward the front end portion of the inclined surface 204. As a result, the pressing force input to the pressed portion 66 from the inclined surface 204 is gradually weakened, and the toner cartridge 11 moves from the second position toward the first position. When the pressed portion 66 of the toner cartridge 11 is separated from the pressing member 201, the toner cartridge 11 is positioned at the first position.

  Thereafter, the operation guide member 34 is returned from the second posture to the first posture. That is, the operation guide member 34 is rotated about 135 ° clockwise as viewed from the left side. Along with the operation of the operation guide member 34, the guide groove 38 extends in the first direction, and the shutter 73 is moved from the open position to the closed position by an operation opposite to that when the toner cartridge 11 is mounted. At this time, since the toner cartridge 11 is located at the first position, the operation guide member 34 can be operated with a relatively small torque.

Thereafter, the toner cartridge 11 is taken out from the space 12 upward. At this time, the guided portion 64 moves along the guide groove 38 extending in the first direction, whereby the upward movement of the toner cartridge 11 is guided. When the toner cartridge 11 is detached from the drawer unit 3, the shutter 73 is disposed at the closed position, so that there is no possibility that toner will spill out from the housing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 that has been taken out.
7). Function and Effect (1) Function and Effect 1
The drawer frame 31 (drawer unit 3) is movable between a housing position housed in the main body casing 2 and a pulling position pulled out of the main body casing 2. A development frame 8 is held on the drawer frame 31. An opening 43 is formed in the developing frame 8. A communication port 58 is formed in the toner cartridge 11. In a state where the toner cartridge 11 is mounted on the developing frame 8, the communication port 58 faces the opening 43. A shutter 73 is movably provided to open and close the communication port 58. In other words, a shutter 73 that is movable between an open position for opening the communication port 58 and a closed position for closing the communication port 58 is provided. A toner seal 71 and a frame seal 102 are interposed between the developing frame 8 and the toner cartridge 11, and the periphery of the communication port 58 is surrounded by the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102. The space between the cartridge 11 is sealed.

  Then, after the toner cartridge 11 is mounted on the developing frame 8 and the shutter 73 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the toner cartridge 11 is in the middle of moving the drawer frame 31 from the pulled-out position to the storage position. The compression amount of the seal 71 and the frame seal 102 is moved from the first position where the compression amount is relatively small to the second position where the compression amount is relatively large. Therefore, when the shutter 73 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the toner cartridge 11 is disposed at the first position, and the compression amount of the toner seal 71 and the frame seal 102 is small, so that the shutter 73 is moved. The torque can be small. In addition, after the toner cartridge 11 is moved to the second position, the distance between the toner cartridge 11 and the developing frame 8 is small, so that the toner is circulated well between the toner cartridge 11 and the developing frame 8. Can be made.

Therefore, the torque for moving the shutter 73 can be reduced, and the toner can be circulated well between the toner cartridge 11 and the developing frame 8.
(2) Action effect 2
The pressing member 201 has an inclined surface 204 that is inclined so as to approach the movement path of the drawer frame 31 toward the downstream side in the direction from the drawing position toward the accommodation position, that is, rearwardly downward. When the drawer frame 31 is moved from the pulled-out position toward the storage position, the pressed portion 66 of the toner cartridge 11 comes into contact with the inclined surface 204 of the pressing member 201 and moves downward from the inclined surface 204 to the pressed portion 66. A pressing force to push down is applied. Therefore, the toner cartridge can be reliably moved from the first position to the second position.
(3) Effect 3
The drawer frame 31 is provided with an operation guide member 34 that is operated to move the shutter 73 between the open position and the closed position. By operating the operation guide member 34, the shutter 73 can be moved between the open position and the closed position.
(4) Action effect 4
The housing 51 of the toner cartridge 11 has an arc surface 53. The toner cartridge 11 and the shutter 73 are provided so as to be relatively movable in the circumferential direction along the arc surface 53. As a result, the space required to move the shutter 73 between the open position and the closed position can be minimized.
8). Modification The present invention is not limited to a color printer, and can also be applied to a monochrome printer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 2 Main body casing 3 Drawer unit 8 Development frame 11 Toner cartridge 31 Drawer frame 34 Operation guide member 43 Opening 53 Arc surface 58 Communication port 71 Toner seal 73 Shutter 102 Frame seal 201 Press member 204 Inclined surface

Claims (4)

The device body;
A holding member provided movably between a housing position housed in the apparatus main body and a drawing position pulled out of the apparatus main body;
A development frame held by the holding member and having a development opening;
A toner cartridge configured to be detachable from the developing frame and having a cartridge opening at a position facing the developing opening in a state of being mounted on the developing frame;
A shutter movably provided between an open position for opening the cartridge opening and a closed position for closing the cartridge opening;
A seal member interposed between the developing frame and the toner cartridge and surrounding the periphery of the cartridge opening;
The seal member is moved from a first position where the compression amount of the seal member is relatively small to a second position where the compression amount of the seal member is relatively large while the shutter is located at the open position. An action member for imparting an action for the toner cartridge,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the action member imparts the action to the toner cartridge while the holding member is moved from the drawing position to the storage position.   The action member has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the moving path of the holding member toward the downstream side in the direction from the drawing position toward the housing position, and the toner cartridge is moved along with the movement of the holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is pressed as the action by contacting the inclined surface.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation member provided on the holding member and operated to move the shutter between the open position and the closed position. The toner cartridge has a circumferential outer peripheral surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge and the shutter are provided so as to be relatively movable in a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge.

Images