JP5492614B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a toner containing unit for supplying toner to an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium (paper) using toner.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having these mechanisms has an image forming unit (photosensitive drum or the like) for forming (transferring) an image on a sheet. . The image forming unit uses toner to convert the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Toner is supplied to the image forming unit from the toner storage device.

  The toner storage device includes a toner storage unit (toner container) that stores toner. The toner storage unit is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and supplies toner from the toner supply port to the image forming unit. Further, in the toner storage device, a type in which the toner storage portion is installed on the main body of the device is the mainstream. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage unit decreases, the toner storage unit is removed from the apparatus body and replaced with a new toner storage unit.

The toner storage device is provided with a mechanism for preventing toner remaining in the storage portion from being scattered from the toner supply port when the toner storage portion is replaced. As a method for preventing toner scattering, an apparatus that opens and closes a toner supply port of a toner storage portion with an opening and closing member has been proposed. In this conventional technique, before the toner container is mounted on the apparatus main body, the opening / closing of the opening / closing member is restricted by the restriction member, and the opening / closing member is elastically deformed based on the attachment operation of the apparatus main body. Release the restriction of the member. By releasing the restriction, the opening / closing member is linearly moved to open the toner supply port of the toner storage unit.
Further, when replacing the toner storage unit, the movement of the opening / closing member in the direction to open the toner supply port is regulated by the regulating member by releasing the elastic deformation of the opening / closing member based on the detaching operation of removing from the apparatus main body. To do.

However, in the conventional technique, if the toner container is placed in the apparatus main body for a long period of time, the deformed state of the opening / closing member is continued, so that plastic deformation occurs.
Then, when the toner container is removed from the apparatus main body, the restriction by the restriction member does not work due to plastic deformation of the opening and closing member, and the operator moves the opening and closing member of the toner container and opens the toner supply port. There is a risk of splashing and causing dirt.

  The technique for preventing toner scattering disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to open and close the toner supply port of the toner storage portion with an opening / closing member, and maintain the closed state of the supply port with an opening / closing member biased by a compression spring. .

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a compression spring for biasing the opening / closing member, and the opening / closing member and the compression spring must be made of different materials (materials). Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to meet the demand to use the same material (material) as much as possible.

JP 2008-83164 A

  A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toner containing means for containing toner to be supplied to the apparatus main body, and to open and close the toner supply port by elastically deforming a part of the opening and closing member. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing plastic deformation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner storage portion that stores toner supplied to the apparatus main body, and an opening / closing member that is moved relative to the toner storage portion and opens and closes a toner supply port of the toner storage portion. A toner containing means including a restricting member disposed in the toner containing portion and contacting the opening / closing member at a restricting position to restrict the opening / closing member from moving in a direction to open / close the toner supply port; A position at which the toner supply port opens the opening and closing member by releasing the restriction of the restricting member by elastically deforming a part of the opening and closing member based on the mounting operation of the toner container to the apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus that is movable to the position, the opening / closing member includes an opening / closing portion that opens / closes the toner supply port, a head that contacts the restriction member at the restriction position, the opening / closing portion, and the opening / closing portion. An elastic deformation portion that is formed between the portions and elastically deformed so that the head rides on the restriction member based on the mounting operation, and an insertion space formed in the elastic deformation portion, The restricting member has an accommodating space for accommodating the head that is moved to the open position of the toner supply port based on the mounting operation after the head has climbed up. When accommodating in the space, by inserting the restricting member that is closer to the restricting position than the accommodating space into the insertion space, the elastic deformation of the elastically deforming portion is eliminated, and the apparatus main body is disposed on the toner accommodating portion. A close assisting member that comes into contact with the head of the opening / closing member is provided based on an operation of removing from the apparatus main body, and the close assisting member elastically deforms the elastic deformation portion based on the operation of removing. The head The urging force of the urging member is extracted from the storage space and is extracted from the insertion space, is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body, and comes into contact with the head based on the removing operation. And the toner container separates the closing assisting member from the head against the biasing force of the biasing member based on the mounting operation and the detaching operation. The presser guide is configured to rotate the close assisting member against the urging force of the urging member so as to be separated from the head based on the mounting operation. The closing auxiliary member is rotated by the urging force of the urging member so as to abut the head, and based on the detaching operation, the head is removed from the accommodation space by the closing auxiliary member, and the restricting portion An image forming apparatus , wherein after the material is extracted from the insertion space, the closing auxiliary member is rotated away from the head against the urging force of the urging member .

According to the present invention, a toner storage portion that stores toner supplied to the apparatus main body, an opening / closing member that is moved relative to the toner storage portion and opens and closes a toner supply port of the toner storage portion, A toner containing unit that is disposed in a toner containing unit and includes a regulating member that abuts the opening / closing member at a regulating position and regulates the opening / closing member from moving in a direction to open / close the toner supply port; Based on the mounting operation of the housing portion to the apparatus main body, the restriction member is released by elastically deforming a part of the opening / closing member, and the opening / closing member is moved to a position where the toner supply port is opened. In the image forming apparatus that enables the opening and closing member, the opening and closing unit that opens and closes the toner supply port, a head that contacts the restriction member at the restriction position, and the opening and closing part and the head An elastic deformation portion that is elastically deformed so that the head rides on the restriction member based on the mounting operation, and an insertion space formed in the elastic deformation portion, the restriction member And an accommodation space that accommodates the head that is moved to an open position of the toner supply port based on the mounting operation after the head rides up, and the head is accommodated in the accommodation space. Since the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion is eliminated by inserting the restriction member closer to the restriction position than the housing space into the insertion space, first, a part of the opening / closing member (elastic deformation) Since the restricting member can be regulated or released by elastic deformation of the part) and the opening and closing member is opened and closed, there is no need for a separate material (material) part from the opening and closing member such as a compression spring.
Second, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the elastic deformation portion which is a part of the opening / closing member is elastically deformed to open the toner supply port of the toner storage portion based on the mounting operation of the toner storage portion to the apparatus main body. After the toner supply port is opened, the head displaced by the elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portion is accommodated in the accommodating space, and the restricting member on the restricting position side is also inserted into the insertion space of the opening / closing member. The elastic deformation of can be eliminated.
Therefore, even if the toner container is installed in the apparatus main body for a long period of time, the elastic deformation of the opening / closing member is only when the toner supply port is opened, and therefore it is possible to suppress the occurrence of plastic deformation of the opening / closing member. Become. In order to suppress the plastic deformation of the opening / closing member, the opening / closing member can be returned to the restriction position of the restriction member when the toner accommodating portion is removed from the apparatus main body, and the restriction by the restriction member can be sufficiently secured. As a result, when the toner accommodating portion is removed, it is possible to prevent the opening and closing member from moving and the toner supply port from being opened, and it is possible to eliminate scattering of residual toner.

According to the present invention, the apparatus main body includes a close assisting member that comes into contact with the head of the opening / closing member based on an operation of removing the toner container from the apparatus main body. Based on the removing operation, the elastically deforming portion is elastically deformed to extract the head from the accommodating space, and the regulating member is extracted from the inserting space, so that the toner accommodating portion is removed from the apparatus main body. By elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion of the opening / closing member by the closing auxiliary member, the head of the opening / closing member can be ridden on the regulating member, and thereby the opening / closing member can be returned to the regulated position based on the removing operation. .
Therefore, the restricting member can restrict the opening / closing member from moving in the direction to open the toner supply port, and therefore, when the toner container is removed, the opening / closing member can be prevented from moving and the toner supply port from being opened, It is possible to eliminate scattering of residual toner.
In addition, since the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion of the opening / closing member is limited to the minimum operation time of the removal operation in addition to the mounting operation, it is possible to suppress plastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion.

According to the present invention, the closing auxiliary member is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body, and the head side is urged by the urging force of the urging member so as to come into contact with the head based on the detaching operation. The toner accommodating portion includes a presser guide that separates the closing assisting member from the head against the urging force of the urging member based on the mounting operation and the detaching operation. The presser guide rotates the close assisting member so as to be separated from the head against the urging force of the urging member based on the mounting operation, and then moves the close assisting member to the The urging force of the urging member is rotated so as to abut the head, and the head is removed from the housing space by the closing auxiliary member based on the removing operation, and the regulating member is removed from the insertion space. After extracting Since the auxiliary member is rotated so as to be separated from the head against the urging force of the urging member, the closing auxiliary member is separated from the head by the presser guide during the mounting operation. Does not hinder wearing.
Further, in the operation of removing, the closing auxiliary member is rotated so as to be separated from the head side by the urging force of the urging member after the opening / closing member is returned to the restricting position, so that the removal of the toner accommodating portion is not hindered. .
As a result, the structure for eliminating the elastic deformation of the opening / closing member in the removing operation while allowing the toner container to be attached and detached can be achieved by a simple construction of the closing assisting member, the urging member, and the presser guide.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of the toner storage unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of the toner storage unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of the toner storage unit in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a specific configuration of the toner storage unit of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6 is a front side perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of an opening / closing member of the toner storage unit of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6 is a back side perspective view showing a specific configuration of an opening / closing member of the toner containing means of FIGS. 4 and 5. It is a perspective view which shows the specific structure of the opening-and-closing assistance means arrange | positioned at the apparatus main body of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting operation for mounting the toner storage unit on the apparatus main body, and a state in which the opening / closing member is in the restriction position. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a mounting operation for mounting the toner containing unit on the apparatus main body, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the head of the opening / closing member rides on the regulating member. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting operation of mounting the toner containing unit on the apparatus main body, and a state in which the opening / closing member opens the toner supply port. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a removing operation for removing the toner containing means from the apparatus main body, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the head of the opening / closing member is extracted from the containing space. It is a figure explaining the removal operation | movement which removes a toner accommodating means from an apparatus main body, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the state which returned the opening-and-closing member to the control position.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing a specific configuration of the toner accommodating means of FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing a specific configuration of the toner storage means of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a specific configuration of the toner accommodating means of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of the toner storage means of FIGS. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view showing a specific configuration of the opening / closing member of the toner accommodating means of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing a specific configuration of the opening / closing member of the toner accommodating means of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of the opening / closing auxiliary means disposed in the apparatus main body of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting operation for mounting the toner containing unit on the apparatus main body, and a state in which the opening / closing member is in the restriction position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting operation of mounting the toner storage unit on the apparatus main body, and showing a state where the head of the opening / closing member rides on the regulating member. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting operation for mounting the toner storage unit to the apparatus main body, and shows a state in which the opening / closing member opens the toner supply port. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a removal operation of removing the toner storage unit from the apparatus main body, and showing a state in which the head of the opening / closing member is extracted from the storage space. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a removal operation of removing the toner storage unit from the apparatus main body and showing a state in which the opening / closing member is returned to the restriction position.

<Schematic Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus (1)>
First, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  1 and 2, an image forming apparatus (1) is a color printing type image forming apparatus that forms (transfers) a toner image onto a sheet. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus (1) includes an apparatus main body (2) and a plurality of toner storage units (51M), (51C), (51Y), and (51B). .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner storage means (51M), (51C), (51Y), and (51B) include a magenta toner storage section (52M), a cyan toner storage section (52C), and a yellow storage section. The toner storage section (52Y) and the black toner storage section (52B) are respectively provided, and magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners are stored. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the toner storage portions (52 M), (52 C), (52 Y), and (52 B) has a plurality of arrangement spaces (3 M), (3 C), ( 3Y), mounted or removed in (3B).

As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement spaces (3M), (3C), (3Y), and (3B) are in the vertical direction (U) of the apparatus body (2) and above the intermediate transfer belt (5). Is formed. These arrangement spaces (3M), (3C), (3Y), and (3B) are juxtaposed in the width direction (H) of the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the arrangement spaces (3M), (3C), (3Y), and (3B) is opened at the front end in the front-rear direction (F) of the apparatus main body (2). 2) It extends to the rear end side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner storage portions (52M), (52C), (52Y), and (52B) are arranged from the front end opening in the front-rear direction (F) of the apparatus main body (2) to the arrangement spaces (3M), It is mounted in (3C), (3Y), (3B), and is arranged over the front-rear direction (F) of the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIG. As a result, the toner storage portions (52M), (52C), (52Y), and (52B) are set in the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, toner is transferred from the toner storage units (52M), (52C), (52Y), and (52B) to each of the image forming units (20M), (20C), ( 20Y) and (20B). Each of these image forming units (20M), (20C), (20Y), and (20B) is in the vertical direction (U) of the apparatus main body (2) and the intermediate transfer belt (5) as shown in FIG. It is arranged below.
The image forming units (20M), (20C), (20Y), and (20B) are arranged in parallel in the width direction (H) of the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIG.

  In each of the image forming units (20M), (20C), (20Y), and (20B), as shown in FIG. 1, an electrostatic latent image of an original image is created by the exposure device (17), and this electrostatic latent image As a result, a toner image is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of these image forming units (20M), (20C), (20Y), and (20B) is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt (5), and each of these image forming units (20M), (20C) ), (20Y) and (20B), the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt (5) by the action of a primary transfer bias applied to a primary transfer roller (not shown) pressed against the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt (5). Transfer to the surface.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner image formed in each of these image forming units is transferred to the surface of the rotating intermediate transfer belt (5), whereby magenta and cyan are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt (5). A color toner image is formed by superimposing toner images of four colors, yellow and black.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt (5) is ejected from the paper feed cassette (11) and guided to the transport path (12) and transferred to the transported paper. The As shown in FIG. 1, the color toner image is transferred onto the sheet by nipping the sheet between the intermediate transfer belt (5) and the secondary transfer roller (13).

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet on which the color toner image has been formed (transferred) is conveyed to a fixing unit (14), where the color toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the sheet.
The fixed sheet is discharged from the transport path (12) to the discharge tray (15).

<Specific Configuration of Toner Storage Unit>
Next, specific configurations of the toner storage units (51M), (51C), (51Y), and (51B) will be described with reference to FIGS.
Since each of the toner storage units (51M), (51C), (51Y), and (51B) has the same configuration, only the specific configuration of the toner storage unit (51M) will be described for convenience of explanation.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the toner containing means (51M) includes a toner containing portion (52M), an opening / closing member (53), a regulating member (54), and a guide member (55).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner storage portion (52M) is formed in a rectangular solid shape, and a toner storage space (K: see FIGS. 5 and 6) is formed inside. Toner is stored in the toner storage space (K).
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner storage portion (52 </ b> M) includes a handle member (56) on one end (52 </ b> A) side in the longitudinal direction (P). Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the toner accommodating portion (52M) is provided with a drive joint (57) and an opening / closing holder (58) on the other end (52B) side in the longitudinal direction (P). .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive joint (57) is provided so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction (P) from the other end (52B) of the toner accommodating portion (52M) toward the outside. This drive joint (57) is connected to a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body (2) shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive joint (57) is connected to a spiral member (not shown) disposed in the toner accommodating space (K) of the toner accommodating portion (52M). The toner in the toner container (52M) is transported to the opening / closing holder (58) side by being rotated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a toner supply port (59) communicating with the toner storage space (K) is formed in the toner storage portion (52M). As shown in FIG. 6, the toner supply port (59) is positioned on the other end (52B) side of the toner storage portion (52M). As shown in FIG. 6, the toner supply port (59) opens into a spiral space (V) that communicates with the toner storage space (K) and in which a spurious member (not shown) is disposed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the open / close holder (58) surrounds the toner supply port (59) of the toner container (52M), and is below the drive joint (57) and the toner container (52M). Is arranged. As shown in FIG. 6, the open / close holder (58) has a replenishment space (L) communicating with the spiral space (V) and the toner storage space (K) through the toner supply port (59). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing holder (58) has a toner opening (91) formed at a position facing the toner supply port (59). The toner opening (91) is a replenishment space. (L) and the toner container (52M) are open to the outside.
Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the opening / closing holder (58) is formed with insertion ports (58 A) and (58 B) that open at both ends in the longitudinal direction (U). The insertion port (59A) is open to the toner accommodating portion (52M) side as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opening / closing member (53) is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape by a resin that can be elastically deformed, and includes an opening / closing part (60), a head part (61), an elastic deformation part (62), and An insertion hole (63) is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opening / closing part (60) is formed on one end (53A) side in the longitudinal direction (P) of the opening / closing member (53). As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8, the replenishing port (64) and the closing part (65) are sequentially formed from one end (53 A) side of the opening / closing member (53) toward the longitudinal direction (P) of the other end (53 B). Is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the head (61) is formed on the other end (53B) side of the opening / closing member (53) and protrudes downward in the vertical direction (U).

The elastic deformation part (62) is formed between the opening / closing part (60) and the head part (61) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the thickness of the opening / closing part (60) in the vertical direction (U). It is made thinner.
Thereby, as shown in FIG.7 and FIG.8, an elastic deformation part (62) is easier to elastically deform than an opening-and-closing part (60), and a head (61) is elastically deformed by this elastic deformation part (62). ) In the vertical direction (U).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the insertion hole (63) is formed in the elastic deformation portion (62) located between the opening / closing portion (60) and the head portion (61). ) Constitutes an insertion space (M).

  The open / close member (53) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is disposed in the open / close holder (58) as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the opening / closing member (53) has the head (61) facing downward in the vertical direction (U), and the opening / closing part (60) side (one end (53 A) side). Are inserted into the insertion opening (58A) of the opening / closing holder (58). The opening / closing member (53) inserted into the insertion opening (58A) is inserted over the longitudinal direction (P) of the replenishment space (L) of the opening / closing holder (58), and the opening / closing part (60) is inserted into the insertion opening (58B). doing. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is positioned outside the opening / closing holder (58) and is in contact with the opening / closing holder (58).

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing member (53) closes the toner supply port (59) and the toner opening (91) by the closing part (65) of the opening / closing part (60). As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the opening / closing member (53) is linearly movable relative to the toner storage portion (52 M) in the longitudinal direction (P).
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing member (53) is disposed between the bottom of the spiral space (V) and the bottom of the opening / closing holder (58). Movement is guided.

  The restricting member (54) is formed on the bottom (52a) of the toner accommodating portion (52M) as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the restricting member (54) includes two restricting protrusions (68) that protrude downward in the vertical direction (U) from the bottom (52 a) of the toner accommodating portion (52 M). , (68).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the restricting protrusions (68) and (68) are in contact with the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) at the restricting position (R), and are spaced apart from each other. They are arranged side by side. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the restricting protrusions (68) and (68) extend from the restricting position (R) to one end (52A) side of the toner accommodating portion (52M).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the regulating member (54) has an accommodation groove (69) at an accommodation position at a predetermined distance on the one end (52 A) side of the toner accommodation portion (52 M) from the regulation position (R). Is formed. This accommodation position is a position where the toner supply port (59) is opened by the linear movement of the open / close member (53) relative to the open / close boulder (58) (see FIG. 12). This accommodation groove (69) comprises the accommodation space (N) which accommodates the head (61) of an opening-and-closing member (53) (refer FIG. 12).

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the restricting member (54) has the restricting protrusions (68) and (68) at the restricting position (R), and the one end (52 A) side of the toner containing portion (52 M). The head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is in contact with the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) as shown in FIGS. (54).
Accordingly, the opening / closing member (53) is relative to the opening / closing holder (58) in the direction of opening the toner supply port (59) in the initial state shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 (before being attached to the apparatus main body of FIG. 2). The linear movement is restricted, and the relative movement in the direction opposite to the opening direction is also restricted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the opening / closing member (53) is restricted from moving in the longitudinal direction (P), so that it is supplied with toner before being mounted on the apparatus main body (2) shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mouth (59) is kept closed by the opening / closing member (53).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the guide member (55) is formed on the bottom (52a) of the toner accommodating portion (52M). As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the guide member (55) has two guide protrusions (71) that protrude downward in the vertical direction (U) from the bottom (52 a) of the toner storage portion (52 M). , (71).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide projections (71) and (71) are arranged on both sides of the head (61) (outside of the regulation projections (68) and (68)) with a gap therebetween. It is installed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide protrusions (71) and (71) extend from the opening / closing holder (58) on the head (61) side to one end (52A) of the toner accommodating portion (52M). It is installed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the guide protrusions (71) and (71) are presser guides (72) and (72) that protrude downward in the vertical direction (U) at the restriction position (R). ). As shown in FIG. 6, the presser guides (72) and (72) extend to the lower end of the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53).
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the guide projections (71) and (71) are displaced by the linear movement of the opening / closing member (53) and the displacement of the head (61) by the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation part (62). Guide (guide).

<Specific Configuration of Opening / Closing Auxiliary Means (81)>
Next, a specific configuration of the opening / closing auxiliary means (81) arranged in the apparatus main body (2) shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing auxiliary means (81) assists the opening / closing of the opening / closing member (53) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and includes an opening auxiliary member (82) and a closing auxiliary member (83). It is arranged in the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2) shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the opening assisting member (82) and the closing assisting member (83) are positions where the toner supply port (59) and the toner opening (91) are opened and closed by the opening / closing member (53). In FIG. 2, it is arranged on the rear end side in the front-rear direction (F) of the arrangement space (3M).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the opening assisting member (82) is formed so as to protrude into the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2).
When the toner accommodating portion (52M) is mounted in the arrangement space (3M), the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is brought into contact with the opening assisting member (82) in accordance with the mounting operation (FIG. 10). reference). When the mounting operation is advanced in this state, the opening / closing member (53) is restricted from being integrally moved by the opening assisting member (82) with the toner containing portion (52M) and the opening / closing holder (58). It is moved relative to (58) (see FIG. 11).

The closing assisting member (83) is provided in the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is more than the opening assisting member (82). It arrange | positions at the front side of an apparatus main body (2).
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the auxiliary closing member (83) is fixedly disposed on the rotation shaft (95). As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation shaft (95) is arranged in the width direction (H ). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotating shaft (95) is rotatably supported at both ends in the width direction (H).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the closing auxiliary member (83) is rotatable in the front-rear direction (F) about the rotation axis (95). In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus main body (2) is formed with a relief space (W), and a rotating auxiliary closing member (83) is inserted into the escape space (W). Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the closing assisting member (83) is projected into the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2) by the urging force (spring force) of the urging member (84: spring member). Yes.

  With respect to the toner containing means (51M) configured as described above, the mounting operation and replacement operation (removal operation) of the apparatus main body (2) will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Mounting operation of toner container (52M)>
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operator holds the handle member (56) of the toner accommodating portion (52M) and pulls the toner accommodating portion (52M) from the drive joint (57) and the opening / closing holder (58) side. These are inserted into the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2) shown in FIGS.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the worker mounts the toner accommodating portion (52M) toward the rear side (opening / closing assisting means (81) side) in the front-rear direction (F) of the apparatus main body (2). .
At this time, the opening / closing member (53) is moved to the rear side of the apparatus main body (2) integrally with the toner accommodating portion (52M).

  When the mounting operation of the toner accommodating portion (52M) is advanced, the presser guides (72) and (72) of the guide member (55) are moved into the closing assisting member (83) as shown in FIG. 10 based on the mounting operation. The closing assisting member (83) is rotated against the urging force (spring force) of the urging member (84: spring member). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the closing assisting member (83) is separated from the head (61) side of the opening / closing member (53) in the vertical direction (U) (on the clearance space (W) side). ).

Further, when the toner accommodating portion (52M) is mounted in the apparatus main body (2), the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) passes over the closing assisting member (83) as shown in FIG. Then, it comes into contact with the opening assisting member (82) of the apparatus main body (2).
At this time, the presser guides (72), (72) of the guide protrusions (71), (71) pass over the closing assisting member (83) and release the contact as shown in FIG. Since it is separated from the closing assisting member (83), the closing assisting member (83) is rotated into the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2) by the biasing force (spring force) of the biasing member (84: spring member). It is projected and inclined (see FIG. 11).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, the close assisting member (83) comes into contact with the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) from the mounting direction (A).

  When the mounting operation is continued in a state where the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is in contact with the opening assisting member (82), a pressing force is received from the toner accommodating portion (52M) based on the mounting operation. As shown in FIG. 11, the opening / closing member (53) is elastically deformed by the elastic deformation portion (62) toward the lower side in the vertical direction (U), and this elastic deformation causes the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53). ) Is also displaced downward and rides on the restricting protrusions (68) and (68). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the head (61) is inserted into the escape space (W) of the apparatus main body (2), and contact with the apparatus main body (2) is avoided.

When the mounting operation is continued with the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) riding on the restricting projections (68), (68), the opening / closing member (53) is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 12, the head (61) is linearly moved relative to the toner containing portion (52M) while linearly moving to the position where the toner supply port (59) is opened. As shown in FIG. 12, the head (61) of the member (53) is accommodated in an accommodation space (N) constituted by the accommodation grooves (69) of the regulation protrusions (68) and (68).
In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the head (61) is linearly moved while riding on the restricting protrusions (68) and (68).

  Simultaneously with the accommodation of the head (61), as shown in FIG. 12, the restricting protrusions (68), (68) are inserted into the insertion space (M) formed by the insertion hole (63) of the opening / closing member (53). ) Is inserted. The restriction members (68) and (68) to be inserted are restriction protrusions (68) and (68) located at the restriction position (R) from the accommodation groove (69), as shown in FIG.

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12, the open / close member (53) is released from the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion (62), and is in the same state as the initial state shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening / closing member (53) is linearly moved relative to the toner accommodating portion (52M), so that the head (61) is accommodated in the accommodating space (L). The replenishing port (64) of the opening / closing member (53) is aligned with the toner supply port (59) and the toner opening (91) of the opening / closing holder (53).
As a result, the toner supply port (59) of the toner container (52M) passes through the supply port (64) of the open / close member (53) and the toner open port (91) of the open / close boulder (53) as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 are opened in the apparatus main body (2).

With the above mounting operation, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner accommodating portion (52M) is completely mounted in the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2), and the opening / closing member (53) is opened from the toner supply port (59). The toner is supplied to the image forming unit (20M) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 through the replenishing port (64) and the toner opening (91) of the open / close holder (58).
The toner storage means (51C), (51Y), and (51B) shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration as the toner storage means (51M), and the toner supply port (59) is opened based on the same mounting operation. To do.

<Replacement operation of toner container (52M)>
When the toner in the toner container (52M) runs out, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner container (3) is pulled out to be removed from the arrangement space (3M) of the apparatus main body (2). Based on the detaching operation, the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is brought into contact with the closing auxiliary member (83) of the apparatus main body (2) as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the elastic deformation portion (62) is elastically deformed downward in the vertical direction (U).
As a result, the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is displaced downward in the vertical direction (U), as shown in FIG. 13, so that the regulating protrusion (68), (68) Extracted above. At the same time, the restricting projections (68) and (68) of the insertion space (M) of the opening / closing member (53) also come out of the insertion space (M).

Further, when the detaching operation is continued, the opening / closing member (53) contacting the closing assisting member (83) based on the detaching operation causes the restricting protrusions (68), (68) as shown in FIGS. ), The head (61) is moved relative to the toner accommodating portion (52M) while moving the head (61) toward the restriction position (R), and finally the head (61) is moved as shown in FIG. The elastic deformation portion (62) is displaced from the restricting projections (68), (68) to the restricting position (R) while eliminating the elastic deformation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the head (61) is inserted into the escape space (W) of the apparatus main body (2), and contact with the apparatus main body (2) is avoided.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the head (61) is linearly moved while riding on the regulating member (54) (regulating projections (68), (68)).

When the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) is returned to the restricting position (R) as shown in FIG. 14, the toner supply port (59) is opened by the opening / closing portion (65) of the opening / closing member (53). In addition, the toner opening (91) is closed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening / closing member (53) has the head (61) in contact with the restricting projections (68), (68), so that the restricting member (54) opens the toner supply port (59). Movement in the opening direction is restricted.
Based on this detaching operation, the presser guides (72), (72) of the guide protrusions (71), (71) abut against the closing assisting member (83) as shown in FIG. The member (83) is rotated away from the head (61) of the opening / closing member (53) against the biasing force (spring force) of the biasing member (84: spring member). That is, the closing assisting member (83) is rotated downward in the vertical direction (U) as shown in FIG.
Thereby, the toner storage portion (52M) can be removed from the apparatus main body (2) without being obstructed by the closing assisting member (83). Then, the operator replaces (installs) a new toner container (52M).
The toner storage means (51C), (51C), and (51B) in FIG. 1 are also arranged in the arrangement spaces (3C), (3M), and FIG. Removed from (3B).

  The present invention is preferably used for a copying machine, a printer, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a FAX, and other printing machines that form (transfer) an image on paper using toner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 51M Toner accommodating means 52M Toner accommodating part 53 Opening / closing member 54 Restricting member 60 Opening / closing part 61 Head 62 Elastic deformation part 82 Opening auxiliary member 83 Closing auxiliary member M Insertion space N Storage space

Claims (1)

A toner container that contains toner to be supplied to the apparatus main body, an opening / closing member that is moved relative to the toner container and opens and closes a toner supply port of the toner container, and the toner container. A toner containing means including a regulating member that abuts the opening / closing member at a regulating position and regulates the opening / closing member from moving in a direction to open / close the toner supply port;
A position at which the toner supply port opens the opening and closing member by releasing the restriction of the restricting member by elastically deforming a part of the opening and closing member based on the mounting operation of the toner container to the apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus that can move up to
The opening / closing member is
An opening / closing part that opens and closes the toner supply port; and a head that contacts the restriction member at the restriction position;
An elastic deformation portion formed between the opening and closing portion and the head, and elastically deformed so that the head rides on the restriction member based on the mounting operation;
Comprising an insertion space formed in the elastic deformation part,
The regulating member is
An accommodation space for accommodating the head that is moved to the open position of the toner supply port based on the mounting operation after the head rides up;
When the head is accommodated in the accommodation space, the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion is eliminated by inserting the restriction member closer to the restriction position than the accommodation space into the insertion space ,
The apparatus main body is
A closing auxiliary member that contacts the head of the opening and closing member based on an operation of removing the toner container from the apparatus main body;
The closing auxiliary member is
Based on the removal operation, the elastic deformation portion is elastically deformed to extract the head from the accommodating space, and the restriction member is extracted from the insertion space,
It is pivotally supported by the device main body, and is biased toward the head side by a biasing force of a biasing member so as to come into contact with the head based on the removing operation.
The toner container is
Based on the mounting operation and the detaching operation, a pressing guide for separating the auxiliary closing member from the head against the biasing force of the biasing member,
The presser guide is
Based on the mounting operation, after rotating the closing assisting member so as to be separated from the head against the biasing force of the biasing member, the closing assisting member is brought into contact with the head, While rotating with the biasing force of the biasing member,
Based on the detaching operation, the closing auxiliary member pulls out the head from the accommodating space, and after the regulating member is extracted from the insertion space, the closing auxiliary member is resisted against the biasing force of the biasing member. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is rotated away from the head .

Images