JP5771567B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a toner container is stored in a storage member.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, development processing is performed by supplying toner from a developing unit to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum or the like. In addition, toner used for such development processing is supplied to a developing device from a toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, the toner container described above engages the engaging claw with the engaging groove provided in the toner container by rotating the mounting plate around the end of the mounting plate provided with the engaging claw. In some cases, the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body (see Patent Document 1). When the toner container is inserted into the apparatus main body, the lock lever provided with the lock claw rotates in the locking direction, so that the lock claw is engaged with the engagement recess of the toner container, and the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body. On the other hand, the lock lever is rotated in the unlocking direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby releasing the lock and pushing the toner container away from the apparatus body (Patent Document). 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-100519 JP 2011-158621 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, in any image forming apparatus described in any of the patent documents, the engaging portion on the convex portion side is urged in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. It is the composition to do. For this reason, when the clearance between the engaging portion on the convex portion side and the engaging portion on the concave portion side engaging with this cannot be made as small as possible in the manufacturing stage, the engaging portions are engaged with each other. Even if they are combined, there is a problem that play occurs in the insertion direction of the toner container. As described above, when the toner container and the apparatus main body are loose after being stored, a gap may be generated between the toner discharge port of the container and the replenishment port of the developing unit or the hopper, and toner leakage may occur. there were.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a toner container is stored in a storage member without backlash and toner leakage from the stored toner container can be suppressed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a toner container that stores toner and a storage member that detachably stores the toner container, and the toner container faces the storage member. A boss protrudes at a position where the storage member protrudes, and a positioning pin protrudes from the storage member. The boss can slide along the insertion direction of the toner container, and intersects the insertion direction with the front end in the insertion direction as a fulcrum. A hook that can be tilted in a direction to be inserted, a biasing member that biases the hook toward the insertion direction, and a guide rail that extends toward the insertion direction. An engaging portion that allows the boss to be engaged and disengaged and an accommodating portion that accommodates the positioning pin are formed, and an abutting portion is formed on the inner side of the engaging direction on the engaging portion, Is caused by the tilting of the hook. A linear moving part capable of maintaining a parallel posture with respect to the insertion direction is formed, and a retracting part is formed in a direction intersecting with the linear moving part. A stopper portion capable of contacting the back end is formed, and when the toner container is not mounted, the positioning pin is accommodated in the retracting portion and the stopper contacts the back end of the hook. Thus, when the movement of the hook in the insertion direction is restricted against the urging force of the urging member and the toner container is inserted into the storage member, the boss abuts on the back side of the engaging portion. The hook is tilted, the boss is engaged with the engaging portion, the position of the positioning pin is moved from the retracting portion to the linear moving portion, and the linear moving portion is moved in the insertion direction. Parallel posture When the stopper is separated from the back end of the hook, the hook is allowed to move in the insertion direction, and the hook is moved along the guide rail by the biasing force of the biasing member. After the movement in the insertion direction for a predetermined length, the positioning of the toner container relative to the storage member is performed by restraining further movement of the hook in the insertion direction by the positioning pin.

  According to the above configuration, the toner container stored in the storage member can be maintained in the state of being urged toward the insertion direction by the urging force of the urging member, so that the positioning accuracy of the toner container in the insertion direction A can be improved. The toner container can be stored in the storage member without any play. Therefore, the positioning accuracy between the discharge port of the toner container and the replenishment port of the storage member is increased, and the occurrence of toner leakage from the stored toner container is suppressed. In addition, even when the user releases the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the storage member in accordance with the movement of the hook, the toner container is pulled into the normal position and positioned by the biasing force of the biasing member. It is possible to prevent the toner container from being erroneously attached.

  At this time, the engagement portion is formed with a contact portion on the front side in the insertion direction so as to face the contact portion on the back side, and the toner container is moved in a direction to be pulled out from the storage member. When the boss presses the contact surface on the near side of the engaging portion and the hook moves from the mounted state by a predetermined length in the pulling direction along the guide rail against the urging force of the urging member. The hook is tilted in the opposite direction when the toner container is inserted, the positioning pin is accommodated in the retracting portion, and the stopper portion comes into contact with the back end portion of the hook, whereby the hook It is preferable to return to a state in which movement in the insertion direction is restricted.

  According to the above configuration, when the toner container is pulled out from the storage member, the boss presses the contact portion on the near side of the engaging portion, so that the hook is tilted in the direction opposite to that when the toner container is inserted, The hook can be returned to the state before insertion of the toner container in which movement in the insertion direction is restricted. As a result, similarly to the case where the toner container is stored in the storage member, even the same or new toner container can be repeatedly positioned on the storage member.

  Further, it is preferable that a guide groove is formed in one of the toner container and the storage member along the insertion direction, and a guide piece engageable with the guide groove is provided on the other.

  According to the above configuration, since the boss can be reliably engaged with the engaging portion by engaging the guide piece with the guide groove, the toner container can be smoothly and easily inserted into the storage member. it can.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said boss | hub and the said engaging part are provided in a different position for every destination.

  According to the above configuration, only when the toner container in the proper destination is mounted on the storage member, the boss tilts the hook by pressing the contact surface on the back side of the engaging portion, and the toner container is removed. It can be stored in a storage member. For this reason, it is possible to store the toner container having specifications suitable for each region and environment in the storage member.

  In addition, a plurality of toner containers are provided for each different color toner, a plurality of storage members are provided for each different color toner corresponding to the toner container, and the bosses are located at different positions for each toner container. It is preferable that the engaging portion is provided at a different position for each of the storage members corresponding to the boss.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the toner container from being mounted on the storage member whose color does not match, and it is possible to suppress problems associated with erroneous mounting of the toner container.

  The present invention makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a toner container is stored in a storage member without backlash and toner leakage from the stored toner container can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a storage member and a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper right. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the lower right. It is the perspective view seen from the upper right side which shows the storage member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a state in the middle of storing the toner container in the storage member FIG. 7C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state where the toner container is stored in the storage member. (A) is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a state in the middle of storing the toner container in the storage member FIG. 7C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state where the toner container is stored in the storage member. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of storing the toner container in the storage member FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the toner container is stored in the storage member.

  First, the overall configuration of the color printer 1 as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, for convenience, the front side in FIG. 1 will be described as the front side of each member. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that symbols (Y), (C), (M), and (K) that are appropriately displayed in the present specification and drawings indicate yellow, cyan, magenta, and black colors, respectively.

  The color printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2. A paper feed cassette 3 storing transfer paper (not shown) is provided in the lower portion of the printer main body 2, and a discharge cassette is disposed in the upper portion of the printer main body 2. A paper tray 4 is provided.

  An intermediate transfer belt 5 serving as an image carrier is installed between a plurality of rollers on the upper part of the printer main body 2, and an exposure unit 10 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 5. And four image forming units 6 (Y), 6 (C), 6 (M), 6 (K) (hereinafter referred to as “image forming unit 6”) along the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt 5. .) Is provided for each toner color.

  Each image forming unit 6 is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 7, and around the photosensitive drum 7, a charger 8, a developing unit 11, a primary transfer unit 12, and a cleaning device 13 are provided. The static eliminator 14 is arranged in the order of the primary transfer process.

  A pair of stirring rollers 15 is provided below the developing device 11, a magnetic roller 16 is provided obliquely above the stirring roller 15, and a developing roller 17 is provided obliquely above the magnetic roller 16. Above the developing unit 11, four toner containers 18 (Y), 18 (C), 18 (M), and 18 (K) corresponding to each image forming unit 6 (hereinafter, a description is given by specifying colors). “Toner container 18” is displayed for each toner color except when it is performed. Details of the toner container 18 will be described later.

  A transfer paper conveyance path 20 is provided on one side (right side in the drawing) of the printer body 2. A paper feeding unit 21 is provided at the upstream end of the conveyance path 20, and a secondary transfer unit 22 is provided at one end (right end in the drawing) of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at a middle portion of the conveyance path 20, and downstream of the conveyance path 20. A fixing unit 23 is provided at the part, and a paper discharge port 24 is provided at the downstream end of the transport path 20.

  Next, an image forming operation of the color printer 1 having such a configuration will be described. When the color printer 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial settings such as temperature setting of the fixing unit 23 are executed. When image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the color printer 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is charged by the charger 8, the photosensitive drum 7 is exposed according to the image data by the laser light (see arrow P) from the exposure device 10, and the photosensitive member is exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the drum 7. Next, the developing device 11 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image of a corresponding color with toner. This toner image is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at the primary transfer portion 12. Each image forming unit 6 sequentially repeats the above operation, whereby a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. The toner and electric charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 are removed by the cleaning device 13 and the static eliminator 14.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 3 or the hand tray (not shown) by the paper feed unit 21 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 22 in synchronism with the image forming operation described above, and the secondary transfer unit 22 In the transfer unit 22, the full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is secondarily transferred to the transfer paper. The transfer sheet on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 20 and enters the fixing unit 23 where the toner image is fixed on the transfer sheet. The transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge port 24 onto the paper discharge tray 4.

  Next, the toner container 18 and the storage member 26 that stores the toner container 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage member and the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the upper right. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the lower right. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper right. 5A is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of storing the toner container in the storage member. FIG. 6C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state in the middle, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state in which the toner container is stored in the storage member. 6A is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a storage view of the toner container in the storage member. FIG. 6C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state in the middle, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view seen from the upper left side showing a state in which the toner container is stored in the storage member. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the toner container is stored in the storage member according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a state in the middle of storing the toner container in the storage member. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the toner container is stored in the storage member.

  Since FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view as seen from the left rear side, the left-right relationship on the drawing and the actual left-right relationship are reversed. That is, the right side of the drawing in FIG. 2 is the left side of the toner container 18, and the left side of the drawing in FIG. 2 is the right side of the toner container 18. The spring 42 is illustrated only in FIGS. 6A and 7A, and is not illustrated in other drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, four toner containers 18 and four storage members 26 (Y), 26 (C), 26 that detachably store the toner containers 18 are disposed in the upper portion of the printer main body 2. (M), 26 (K) (hereinafter, “housing member 26” is displayed except when a description is given by specifying a color). The toner container 18 can be replaced by opening an upper cover (not shown) when the toner is used up.

  Each toner container 18 contains toner of different colors. This toner is a two-component developer composed of, for example, a magnetic toner and a carrier. As shown in FIG. 2, each toner container 18 includes a container main body 27 whose upper surface is opened, and a lid member 28 that closes the opening of the container main body 27.

  2 and 3, the container body 27 has an elongated shape along the front-rear direction. A handle 29 is provided at the front end of the container body 27. A main body side flange portion 30 is provided. A discharge port 31 is provided at the lower right front side of the container body 27, and the discharge port 31 is closed by a sliding shutter 32 in a state where the toner container 18 is not attached to the storage member 26. When the toner container 18 is mounted on the storage member 26, the shutter 32 slides to open the discharge port 31, and the internal space of the toner container 18 and the internal space of the developing unit 11 are described later. It is configured to communicate through 26 supply ports 39.

  In this embodiment, the sliding shutter is used as described above. However, in another different embodiment, after the toner container 18 is mounted on the storage member 26 and the lever is unlocked, the user's A rotary shutter in which the shutter is rotated in conjunction with the lever operation and the discharge port 31 is opened may be used.

  In addition, a pair of ribs 33 are provided in parallel in the front-rear direction at the center in the left-right direction at the lower part of the container body 27, and guides projecting outward in the left-right direction at the lower rear end of each rib 33 The piece 34 is provided along the front-back direction. Further, a cylindrical boss 35 is provided at a position facing the storage member 26 at the lower left front portion of the container body 27. The boss 35 is formed at a different position for each destination (shipment area) of the toner container 18. That is, the boss 35 is erected on the toner container 18 having a destination different from that of the toner container 18 of the present embodiment at a position different from that of the present embodiment.

  The container body 27 is provided with a conveying screw (not shown) rotatably above the discharge port 31, and a stirring paddle (not shown) is rotatably provided on the left side of the conveying screw. In conjunction with the mounting of the toner container 18 on the storage member 26, a transport screw and a stirring paddle are connected to a toner container drive unit (not shown) provided behind the storage member 26, and the transport screw and the stirring pad The paddle can be rotated.

  A lid member side flange portion 36 having a shape corresponding to the main body side flange portion 30 of the container main body 27 is provided at the lower end of the lid member 28, and the main body side flange portion 30 and the lid body side flange portion 36 are ultrasonically welded. Thus, the container main body 27 and the lid member 28 are integrated.

  The four storage members 26 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction at the top of the printer body 2. The storage member 26 is provided for each toner color corresponding to each toner container 18 of each image forming unit 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a concave portion 37 that is recessed downward is formed at the center portion in the left-right direction of the bottom plate 26 a of each storage member 26. Guide grooves 38 are provided along the front-rear direction on the left and right opposing surfaces of the recess 37. Then, in a state where the guide piece 34 of the toner container 18 is engaged with the guide groove 38, the toner container 18 is slid in the front-rear direction along the guide groove 38, so that the toner container 18 is moved relative to the storage member 26. It is configured to be detachable. Furthermore, a replenishing port 39 is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 31 of the container body 27 at the upper right front side of the storage member 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a positioning pin 40 protrudes from the storage member 26 and is slidable along the insertion direction of the toner container 18 (indicated by symbol A in FIGS. 5 to 7). A hook 41 that can tilt in a direction intersecting the insertion direction A with a convex curved surface 45 as a front end in the direction A as a fulcrum, and an urging member that urges the hook 41 toward the insertion direction A A spring 42 and a guide rail 44 extending in the insertion direction A are provided.

  The positioning pin 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided upward from the upper left front side of the bottom plate 26a. On the upper portion of the positioning pin 40, a pair of locking pieces 40a and 40a (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, etc.) projecting toward the left and right sides are provided. The positioning pin 40 prevents the hook 41 from coming off by sandwiching the hook 41 between the locking pieces 40 a, 40 a and the bottom plate 26 a of the storage member 26.

  The hook 41 is a trapezoidal plate member whose diameter increases in a plan view. A convex curved surface 45 curved in an arc shape is provided at the right front end portion of the hook 41, and a right rear locking portion 46 as a back side end portion projecting toward the right rear is provided at the right rear end portion of the hook 41. An attachment piece 47 to which the front end portion of the spring 42 is attached is provided at the left rear end portion of the hook 41. Further, a notch 48 as an engaging portion to which the boss 35 can be engaged and disengaged is provided in the left portion of the hook 41, and an accommodation hole 49 as an accommodation portion for accommodating the positioning pin 40 is formed in the central portion of the hook 41. Has been.

  The notch 48 has a rear surface 48a as a contact portion on the back side and a front surface 48b as a contact portion on the near side facing the rear surface 48a, and is open toward the left front. The notch 48 is formed so that the width of the notch 48 is slightly wider than the diameter of the boss 35 so that the boss 35 can be accommodated between the rear surface 48a and the front surface 48b facing each other. The depth of is formed slightly deeper than the outer diameter of the boss 35. The rear surface 48a protrudes from the front surface 48b to the left front by about half of the outer diameter of the boss 35 so that the boss 35 can come into contact with the toner container 18 when it is inserted.

  The accommodation hole 49 has a vertical hole 50 as a linear moving part, and a horizontal hole 51 as a retracting part that is slightly forward leftward from the rear end of the vertical hole 50. That is, the vertical hole 50 and the horizontal hole 51 intersect in a substantially L shape in a plan view viewed from the rear side. The widths of the vertical hole 50 and the horizontal hole 51 are slightly wider than the outer diameter of the positioning pin 40 so that the positioning pin 40 can be accommodated.

  The spring 42 has a front end attached to an attachment piece 47 of the hook 41 and a rear end attached to an attachment piece 52 (see FIG. 4) protruding from the center of the storage member 26 in the front-rear direction. Energize backwards.

  The guide rail 44 is formed along the front-rear direction from the right rear of the positioning pin 40 to the center of the storage member 26 in the front-rear direction. A stopper portion 44 a that can be locked to the right rear locking portion 46 of the hook 41 is formed at the front side end portion of the guide rail 44.

  Further, a support portion 43 that supports the tilt of the hook 41 is provided in front of the positioning pin 40 and the guide rail 44 in the storage portion 26. The support portion 43 includes a frame body 53 that is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view by front, rear, left and right walls, and an extension wall 54 that extends from the right rear corner of the frame body 53 toward the right rear. A concave curved surface 55 that is curved in an arc shape toward the front is formed on the rear wall of the frame 53. The concave curved surface 55 can slidably support the convex curved surface 45 of the hook 41. By sliding the curved surfaces 45, 55, the hook 41 can tilt with the convex curved surface 45 as a fulcrum. Yes.

  A method of attaching and detaching the toner container 18 to and from the storage member 26 in the configuration as described above will be described.

  First, when the toner container 18 is not inserted, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A to 7A, the positioning pin 40 is accommodated in the lateral hole 51, and the stopper portion 44a is connected to the hook 41. , The movement of the hook 41 in the insertion direction A is restrained against the urging force of the spring 42.

  Next, the toner container 18 is accommodated by sliding the toner container 18 in the insertion direction A along the guide groove 38 in a state where the guide piece 34 of the toner container 18 is engaged with the guide groove 38 of the accommodation member 26. When inserted into the member 26, the boss 35 of the toner container 18 contacts the rear surface 48 a of the notch 48 of the hook 41 as shown in FIG. When the toner container 18 is further inserted in the insertion direction A, as shown in FIG. 7B, the boss 35 presses the rear surface 48a, so that the hook 41 tilts counterclockwise with the convex curved surface 45 as a fulcrum. . Then, the boss 35 enters the back side of the notch 48, engages with the notch 48, and the position of the positioning pin 40 moves from the horizontal hole 51 to the vertical hole 50. Accordingly, the vertical hole 50 maintains a parallel posture with respect to the insertion direction A, and the stopper portion 44a is separated from the right rear locking portion 46 of the hook 41, so that the movement of the hook 41 in the insertion direction A is allowed. The

  When the hook 41 is unlocked in this manner and the hook 41 is allowed to move in the insertion direction A, the front surface 48 b presses the boss 35 toward the insertion direction A by the biasing force of the spring 42. As a result, the hook 41 moves in the insertion direction A along the guide rail 44 by a length (predetermined length) by which the positioning pin 40 moves relatively from the rear end to the front end of the vertical hole 50. At this time, the front surface 48b of the notch 48 is kept in contact with the front side of the boss 35 in the insertion direction A so that the boss 35 does not come out of the notch 48 while the hook 41 moves in the insertion direction A. doing. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the positioning pin 40 and the front end of the vertical hole 50 come into contact with each other, whereby the movement of the hook 41 in the insertion direction A is restrained by the positioning pin 40, and the hook 41 is restrained by the spring 42. In a state where the toner container 18 is urged in the insertion direction A, the toner container 18 is positioned with respect to the storage member 26.

  On the other hand, when the toner container 18 is moved in the direction in which the toner container 18 is pulled out of the storage member 26 against the urging force of the spring 42 (indicated by B in FIGS. 5 to 7), the boss 35 engaged with the notch 48 is moved to the front surface. 48b is pressed (see FIG. 7C). As a result, the hook 41 is maintained in the posture by sliding the right rear locking portion 46 and the guide rail 44 while the positioning pin 40 moves from the front end to the rear end of the vertical hole 50 (predetermined length). , Move in the direction B of extraction. When the convex curved surface 45 of the hook 41 is pulled to a position where it comes into contact with the concave curved surface 55 of the frame 53 (see FIG. 7B), the opposite direction when the toner container 18 is inserted (clockwise in FIG. 7). Tilt to. As a result, the positioning pin 40 is accommodated in the horizontal hole 51 and retracted from the vertical hole 50, and the stopper portion 44a abuts against the right rear locking portion 46 of the hook 41, thereby restraining movement of the hook in the insertion direction A. The engagement state between the boss 35 and the notch 48 is released.

  In this embodiment, as described above, when the toner container 18 is stored in the storage member 26, the state in which the front end of the vertical hole 50 of the hook 41 is in contact with the positioning pin 40 is held by the biasing force of the spring 42. The positioning accuracy of the container 18 in the insertion direction A can be improved, and the toner container 18 can be stored in the storage unit 26 without play. Therefore, the positioning accuracy between the discharge port 31 of the toner container 18 and the replenishment port 39 of the storage member 26 is increased, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of toner leakage from the stored toner container 18. Even when the user releases the toner container 18 while the toner container 18 is being inserted into the storage member 26 as the hook 45 moves, the toner container 18 is pulled into the normal position by the biasing force of the spring 42. Thus, it is possible to prevent the toner container 18 from being erroneously mounted.

  Further, when the toner container 18 is pulled out from the storage member 26, the boss 35 presses the front surface 48b of the notch 48. Therefore, the hook 45 is tilted in the direction opposite to that when the toner container 18 is inserted. The state before the insertion of the toner container 18 in which the movement in the insertion direction A is restricted can be returned. Accordingly, the same or new toner container 18 can be repeatedly positioned on the storage member 26 in the same manner as the toner container 18 is stored in the storage member 26.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the boss 35 and the rear surface 48a of the notch 48 at different positions for each destination, the toner container 18 can be stored in the storage member 26 with specifications suitable for each region and environment. It becomes possible.

  In other different embodiments, the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which the boss 35 and the rear surface 48a of the notch 48 are provided at different positions for each toner color. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the toner container 18 from being mounted on the storage member 26 whose colors do not match, and it is possible to suppress problems associated with erroneous mounting of the toner container 18.

  Note that the notch 48 and the accommodation hole 49 do not have to penetrate in the thickness direction. In other words, the hook 41 only needs to be formed with an engaging portion capable of engaging and disengaging the boss 35 and an accommodating portion capable of accommodating the positioning pin 40.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the tandem color printer 1 has been described. However, in other different embodiments, other than a rotary color printer, a monochrome printer, a copier, a digital multifunction peripheral, a facsimile, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses.

1 Color printer (image forming device)
18 Toner container 26 Storage member 35 Boss 40 Positioning pin 41 Hook 42 Spring (biasing member)
44 Guide rail 44a Stopper 45 Convex curved surface (front end)
46 Right rear locking part (back end)
48 Notch (engagement part)
48a Rear surface (contact part)
48b Front (contact part)
49 Accommodating hole (accommodating part)
50 Vertical hole (Linear moving part)
51 Side hole (retraction part)
A Insertion direction B Pulling direction

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner container that contains toner; and a storage member that detachably stores the toner container,
The toner container has a boss projecting at a position facing the storage member,
The storage member is provided with a positioning pin that is slidable along the insertion direction of the toner container and tiltable in a direction intersecting the insertion direction with a front end portion in the insertion direction as a fulcrum; A biasing member that biases the hook toward the insertion direction; and a guide rail extending toward the insertion direction;
The hook is formed with an engaging portion in which the boss can be engaged and disengaged, and a housing portion for housing the positioning pin, and the engaging portion is formed with a contact portion on the back side in the insertion direction. And a rectilinear part is formed in the accommodating part in a direction intersecting the linearly moving part, and a rectilinear moving part capable of maintaining a parallel posture with respect to the inserting direction is formed by tilting the hook.
The front end of the guide rail is formed with a stopper that can contact the back end of the hook,
When the toner container is not attached, the positioning pin is accommodated in the retracting portion, and the stopper portion abuts against the rear end portion of the hook, thereby resisting the urging force of the urging member. Movement in the insertion direction is restricted,
When the toner container is inserted into the storage member, the boss presses the contact portion on the back side of the engagement portion, the hook tilts and the boss engages with the engagement portion, and the positioning pin Is moved from the retracting portion to the linear moving portion, the linear moving portion maintains a parallel posture with respect to the insertion direction, and the stopper is separated from the back end portion of the hook, whereby the hook Is allowed to move in the insertion direction, and the urging force of the urging member causes the hook to move in the insertion direction along the guide rail for a predetermined length, and then the positioning pin moves the hook in the insertion direction. An image forming apparatus, wherein further movement is restricted and positioning of the toner container with respect to the storage member is performed. In the engagement portion, a contact portion is formed on the front side in the insertion direction so as to face the contact portion on the back side,
The toner container is moved in the direction of pulling out from the storage member, the boss presses the contact surface on the near side of the engaging portion, and the hook resists the biasing force of the biasing member from the mounted state. When the predetermined length is moved in the pulling direction along the guide rail, the hook is tilted in the opposite direction when the toner container is inserted, the positioning pin is accommodated in the retracting portion, and the stopper portion is disposed on the hook. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus returns to a state in which movement of the hook in the insertion direction is restricted by coming into contact with a rear end portion.   The guide groove is formed in one of the toner container and the storage member along the insertion direction, and a guide piece that can be engaged with the guide groove is projected on the other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the boss and the engagement portion are provided at different positions for each destination. A plurality of toner containers are provided for different color toners,
A plurality of storage members are provided for different color toners corresponding to the toner container,
The boss is provided at a different position for each toner container,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is provided at a different position for each of the storage members corresponding to the boss.

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