JP6859824B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, a powder containing container for containing powder such as toner is used.

For example, a toner cartridge containing toner is generally configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus main body, and is replaced with a new toner cartridge when the toner in the container is consumed and exhausted. Further, it is known that a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port of the toner cartridge is provided so that the toner does not leak from the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is handled as a single unit such as a replacement work.

As an image forming apparatus provided with this type of toner cartridge, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-52698) describes a developer replenishment container in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of a replacement cover provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The configuration in which the developer replenishment port is opened and closed is described. In this configuration, when the user replaces the developer refill container, the developer refill port is closed by opening the replacement cover. Then, the user takes out the empty developer replenishment container from the image forming apparatus main body, attaches a new developing agent replenishing container to the image forming apparatus main body, and then closes the replacement cover to develop the new developing agent replenishing container. The agent replenishment port is opened.

Like the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the developer replenishment port is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the replacement cover, so that the user can separately perform the opening and closing operation of the developer replenishment port. Workability is improved because it is not necessary.

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the developer replenishment container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body and the replacement cover is closed, the developer replenishment port is open. When the image forming apparatus is moved or transported in the state, there is a problem that the toner leaks into the image forming apparatus from the developer replenishment port due to vibration or the like.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a cover member that can be opened and closed provided in the image forming apparatus main body and a powder containing container that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus having a discharge port for discharging the contained powder and a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port. The cover member is provided with a shutter opening member for opening the shutter. The shutter opening member is a first position for opening the shutter by closing the cover member in a state where the powder containing container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and even if the cover member is closed. It is characterized in that it is configured to be movable at a second position where the shutter is not opened.

According to the present invention, by arranging the shutter opening member at the second position, the shutter is not released by the shutter opening member even if the cover member is closed. As a result, it is possible to move the image forming apparatus by closing the cover member while keeping the shutter closed, and it is possible to prevent powder leakage from the powder storage container during movement.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the method of attaching and detaching the image formation unit and a toner cartridge. It is a figure which shows the state which the toner cartridge is attached to the image formation unit. It is a figure which shows the state which the toner cartridge was removed from the image formation unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of the lock mechanism which locks a toner cartridge with respect to an image-making unit, (a) shows an unlocked state, and (b) shows a locked state. It is a figure which shows the discharge port and the shutter provided in the toner cartridge. It is a figure which shows the supply port and the linking member provided in the image-drawing unit. It is a figure which shows the state which the toner cartridge is attached to the image formation unit, and the linking member can interlock with a shutter and an opening / closing lever. It is a figure which shows the state which the toner cartridge is attached to the image formation unit, and the linking member can interlock with a shutter and an opening / closing lever. It is a figure which shows the shutter, the opening / closing lever, and the linking member in the state which can be interlocked. It is a figure which shows the shutter, the opening / closing lever, and the linking member in the state which can be interlocked. It is a side sectional view of the cover member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was seen from the inside. It is a figure which shows the state which the shutter opening member is arranged in the retracted position. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was opened and the shutter opening member moved to the opening operation position. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was closed and the shutter was opened. It is a side sectional view of the cover member which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was seen from the inside. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which the shutter opening member is held in the retracted position. It is a side sectional view of the cover member which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was seen from the inside. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which the shutter opening member is held in the retracted position. It is a side sectional view of the cover member which concerns on still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member is opened and the movement restriction of a shutter opening member by a stopper member is lifted. It is a figure which shows the state which the shutter opening member has moved to the opening operation position. It is a side sectional view of the cover member which concerns on still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the cover member was seen from the inside. It is a figure which shows the state which the shutter opening member is held in the retracted position. It is a figure which shows the comparative example, (a) shows the state which the cover member is open, (b) shows the state which the cover member is closed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing for explaining the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are once described by giving the same reference numerals as much as possible, and then the description thereof will be described. Omit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a monochrome image forming apparatus, and one image forming unit 1 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) 100. The image forming unit 1 includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 2 as an image carrier that carries an image on the surface, a charging roller 3 as a charging means for charging the surface of the photoconductor 2, and toner (on the surface of the photoconductor 2). It includes a developing device 4 as a developing means for supplying a developer) to form a toner image, and a cleaning blade 5 as a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor 2. Further, an LED head array 6 as an exposure means for exposing the surface of the photoconductor 2 is provided at a position facing the photoconductor 2.

Further, the image forming apparatus supplies the toner cartridge 7 as a powder accommodating container for accommodating the toner to be supplied to the developing apparatus 4, the transfer apparatus 10 for transferring the image to the paper as the recording medium, and the paper. It includes a paper device 11, a fixing device 12 for fixing an image transferred to the paper to the paper, and a paper ejection device 13 for ejecting the paper to the outside of the device.

The toner cartridge 7 is configured to be removable from the image forming unit 1. The container body 22 of the toner cartridge 7 is provided with a toner accommodating unit 8 in which toner to be replenished to the developing device 4 is stored, and a toner collecting unit 9 for collecting toner (waste toner) removed by the cleaning blade 5. Has been done.

The transfer device 10 includes a transfer roller 14 as a transfer member. The transfer roller 14 is arranged so as to come into contact with the photoconductor 2 when the image forming unit 1 is attached to the apparatus main body 100.

The paper feed device 11 includes a paper feed cassette 15 in which the paper P is housed, and a paper feed roller 16 for feeding the paper P housed in the paper feed cassette 15. Here, the paper P includes plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, postcards, envelopes, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and the like. In addition to paper, it is also possible to use a sheet such as an OHP sheet or an OHP film as a recording medium.

The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 18 as a fixing member heated by a heating means such as a halogen heater, and a pressure roller 19 as a pressure member that contacts the fixing roller 18 with a predetermined pressing force.

The paper ejection device 13 includes a pair of paper ejection rollers 20 and a paper ejection tray 21 on which the paper ejected by the paper ejection rollers 20 is placed.

Further, a paper transport path 200 for transporting the paper fed from the paper feed cassette 15 is formed in the apparatus main body 100. A pair of timing rollers 17 are provided on the way from the paper feed roller 16 to the transfer roller 14 in the paper transport path 200.

Subsequently, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the image-drawing operation is started, the photoconductor 2 is rotationally driven, and the surface of the photoconductor 2 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 3. Next, the LED head array 6 exposes the surface of the photoconductor 2 based on the image information of the document read by the document reader or the print information instructed to print from the terminal, so that the potential of the exposed portion is increased. It is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, toner is supplied from the developing device 4 to the electrostatic latent image, so that a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 2.

The toner image formed on the photoconductor 2 is transferred to the paper at the transfer nip between the transfer roller 14 and the photoconductor 2. This paper is conveyed from the paper feeding device 11. In the paper feed device 11, the paper in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed out one by one by the paper feed roller 16. Then, the delivered paper is conveyed to the transfer nip at the same timing as the toner image on the photoconductor 2 by the timing roller 17, and the toner image on the photoconductor 2 is transferred to the paper at the transfer nip. Further, after the transfer, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 2 is removed by the cleaning blade 5 and collected by the toner collecting unit 9 of the toner cartridge 7.

The paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 12, and the toner image is fixed on the paper at the fixing nip between the fixing roller 18 and the pressure roller 19. After that, the paper is ejected to the outside of the apparatus by the output roller 20 and placed on the output tray 21.

Next, a method of attaching / detaching the image forming unit and the toner cartridge will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a part of the exterior portion (the front portion of the apparatus main body 100 in the present embodiment) is configured as a cover member 101 that can be opened and closed. By rotating the cover member 101 around the horizontal support shaft 102 provided on the apparatus main body 100, the cover member 101 is in a closed state shown by a solid line in the figure and an open state shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure with respect to the apparatus main body 100. It is configured to be switchable to.

When the cover member 101 is opened, the operator can contact the image forming unit 1 and the toner cartridge 7 from the front portion of the apparatus main body 100. Further, the LED head array 6 retracts upward in conjunction with the operation of opening the cover member 101. As a result, the operator can take out the image forming unit 1 together with the toner cartridge 7 while avoiding interference with the LED head array 6. Further, the operator can remove the toner cartridge 7 from the image-forming unit 1 taken out, or can take out only the toner cartridge 7 while leaving the image-forming unit 1 in the apparatus main body 100.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming unit 1, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 7 is removed from the image forming unit 1.

The arrow A1 direction in FIG. 3 is the mounting direction of the image forming unit 1 and the toner cartridge 7 with respect to the apparatus main body 100, and the arrow A2 direction is the removing direction of the image forming unit 1 and the toner cartridge 7 with respect to the apparatus main body 100. Hereinafter, the image forming unit 1 and the toner cartridge 7 will be described with reference to the mounting direction A1 with the front side as the “back side” and the opposite direction as the “front side”.

On the front side of the toner cartridge 7 in the mounting direction, a grip portion 25 is provided for the operator to grip the toner cartridge 7 when the toner cartridge 7 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 100 or the image forming unit 1. The grip portion 25 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 35 (see FIG. 4) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container body 22. When removing the toner cartridge 7 and the image forming unit 1 together from the apparatus main body 100, or when removing the toner cartridge 7 from the image forming unit 1, the grip portion 25 is rotated toward the front side as shown in FIG. By separating the tip end side of the grip portion 25 from the container body 22, the operator can grip the grip portion 25. Further, from this state, the grip portion 25 is rotated to the back side, and the tip side of the grip portion 25 is brought closer to the container body 22, so that the container body 22 can be brought into the stored state.

An opening / closing lever 26 is provided at one end of the support shaft 35 to which the grip portion 25 is attached. The opening / closing lever 26 also serves as a locking means for preventing the toner cartridge 7 from detaching from the image forming unit 1 and a shutter operating means for operating the opening / closing of the shutter provided on the toner cartridge 7, which will be described later. The opening / closing lever 26 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 35 and rotates integrally with the support shaft 35. Since the grip portion 25 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 35 independently, the grip portion 25 does not rotate in conjunction with the open / close lever 26 even if the open / close lever 26 is rotated. ..

The opening / closing lever 26 is provided with a convex locking portion 26a (see FIG. 4) for preventing the toner cartridge 7 from detaching from the image forming unit 1. The lock portion 26a is configured to be able to engage and disengage from the convex locking engaging portion 1a provided on the side wall of the image forming unit 1 by rotating the opening / closing lever 26. The locking portion 26a and the locking engaging portion 1a may be configured so as to be able to engage with each other, and one may be convex and the other may be concave.

When the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming unit 1 and the opening / closing lever 26 is pushed inward from the state shown in FIG. 5A, the lock portion is as shown in FIG. 5B. 26a is in a locked state in which it can be engaged with the engaging surface 1c of the locking engaging portion 1a. Specifically, when the opening / closing lever 26 is pushed inward, the lock portion 26a is gradually pushed down and elastically displaced while being guided along the guide surface 1b of the locking engaging portion 1a. Then, when the locking portion 26a passes through the guide surface 1b, the pushing force by the guide surface 1b is released, so that the locking portion 26a elastically returns, and the locking portion 26a is the engaging surface 1c of the locking engaging portion 1a. It becomes a locked state facing each other through contact or a gap. As a result, the lock portion 26a is in a state where it can be engaged with the engaging surface 1c of the locking engaging portion 1a, and the movement (disengagement) of the toner cartridge 7 with respect to the image forming unit 1 toward the front side is restricted. It becomes.

Further, in order to release the locked state, from the state shown in FIG. 5B, the opening / closing lever 26 is moved to the front side by a force that allows the locking portion 26a to elastically displace with respect to the locking engaging portion 1a and overcome it. Just rotate to. As a result, the engagement between the lock portion 26a and the lock engagement portion 1a is released, and the lock is released.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the toner cartridge 7 according to the present embodiment, a discharge port 42 for discharging the toner contained therein and a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port 42 are located on the back side in the mounting direction. 43 and are provided. The discharge port 42 is arranged so as to face the supply port 44 provided in the image forming unit 1 shown in FIG. 7 with the toner cartridge 7 mounted on the image forming unit 1. Then, when the shutter 43 is opened, the toner in the toner cartridge 7 can be supplied into the developing device 4 via the discharge port 42 and the supply port 44.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shutter 43 is arranged outside the discharge port 42, and moves in the circumferential direction along the curved surface (arc surface) of the container body 22 in which the discharge port 42 is formed. Further, the shutter 43 is formed with a hole 43a for discharging toner. When the shutter 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow B1 in the drawing from the state shown in FIG. 6, the hole 43a of the shutter 43 overlaps the discharge port 42, so that the discharge port 42 is opened. Further, when the shutter 43 rotates in the direction of arrow B2 in the drawing from this open state, the hole 43a of the shutter 43 is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the discharge port 42, and the discharge port 42 is closed by the wall surface of the shutter 43. It will be closed. Further, the shutter 43 is provided with an engaging portion 43b protruding in the direction of the rotation axis, and one end of a torsion coil spring 49 as an urging member is attached to the engaging portion 43b. The torsion coil spring 49 urges the shutter 43 in the direction of closing the discharge port 42.

The opening / closing operation of the shutter 43 can be performed by the opening / closing lever 26 via the linking member 51 (see FIG. 7) provided in the image forming unit 1. When the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the image forming unit 1, the linking member 51 is in a state where it can be interlocked with the shutter 43 and the opening / closing lever 26.

8 and 9 show a state in which the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the image forming unit 1 and the linking member 51 can be interlocked with the shutter 43 and the opening / closing lever 26. Further, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a shutter 43, an opening / closing lever 26, and a linking member 51 in a state in which they can be interlocked.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the linking member 51 includes a lever-side engaging portion 52 that can engage with the concave engaging portion 26b provided on the opening / closing lever 26, and a convex-shaped engaging portion 52 provided on the shutter 43. It has a shutter-side engaging portion 54 that can engage with the engaging portion 43b, and a band-shaped or linear connecting portion 53 that connects the lever-side engaging portion 52 and the shutter-side engaging portion 54. The linking member 51 is made of a relatively soft resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or oil-impregnated polyacetal (POM), which is easily elastically deformed. In particular, the connecting portion 53 has a flexible structure. It has become.

A shaft portion 52a is provided on the lever-side engaging portion 52. Since the shaft portion 52a is rotatably attached to the side wall of the image forming unit 1 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the lever-side engaging portion 52 is centered on the shaft portion 52a by the arrow C1 in FIG. , It is configured to be rotatable in the C2 direction. On the other hand, the connecting portion 53 and the shutter-side engaging portion 54 are configured to be linearly movable in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. Specifically, a guide protrusion 53a is provided on the shutter side engaging portion 54 side of the connecting portion 53, and the guide protrusion 53a is provided on the side wall of the image forming unit 1 as a linear guide portion 55 (FIGS. 8 and 8). 9), the connecting portion 53 and the shutter-side engaging portion 54 move linearly. Further, a retaining portion 53b formed wider than the guide portion 55 is provided at the tip end portion of the guide protrusion 53a so that the guide protrusion 53a does not fall off from the guide portion 55.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one end of the tension spring 56 as an urging member is attached to the shutter-side engaging portion 54 side of the connecting portion 53. The other end of the tension spring 56 is attached to the side wall of the image forming unit 1, and the coupling member 51 is urged to the back side (in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG. 9) by the tension spring 56.

The operation of opening and closing the shutter will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the opening / closing lever 26 is pushed to the back side and rotated clockwise in the figure with the toner cartridge 7 mounted on the image forming unit 1, the linking member 51 The lever-side engaging portion 52 rotates in the direction of arrow C1 in the drawing. Then, as the lever-side engaging portion 52 rotates, the connecting portion 53 and the shutter-side engaging portion 54 of the linking member 51 are pulled and move in the direction of arrow D1 in the drawing, and the shutter-side engaging portion 54 moves. The engaging portion 43b of the shutter 43 is pushed and moved toward the front side. As a result, the shutter 43 rotates in the direction of arrow E1 in the drawing, and the discharge port 42 is opened. Further, at this time, the opening / closing lever 26 is locked, and the toner cartridge 7 is prevented from being detached from the image forming unit 1.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 9, when the opening / closing lever 26 is returned to the front side and rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the lever-side engaging portion 52 of the linking member 51 is moved by the arrow in the drawing. Rotate in the C2 direction. Along with this, the connecting portion 53 and the shutter-side engaging portion 54 of the linking member 51 are pulled by the tension spring 56 and move in the direction of arrow D2 in the drawing. As a result, the shutter 43 is rotated in the direction of arrow E2 in the drawing by the torsion coil spring 49, and the discharge port 42 is closed by the shutter 43. Further, at this time, the locked state of the opening / closing lever 26 is released, and the toner cartridge 7 can be detached from the image forming unit 1.

As described above, in the configuration according to the present embodiment, when the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the image forming unit 1, the opening / closing lever 26 and the shutter 43 can be interlocked with each other via the linking member 51, so that the opening / closing lever 26 and the shutter 43 can be opened / closed. The shutter 43 can be opened and closed by operating the lever 26. On the contrary, when the toner cartridge 7 is removed from the image forming unit 1, the linkage by the linking member 51 is released. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 7 is removed, the opening / closing lever 26 and the shutter 43 are not interlocked with each other. Therefore, in the state where the toner cartridge 7 is removed, the shutter 43 does not rotate even if the operator moves the opening / closing lever 26. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operator handles the toner cartridge 7 as a single unit, the opening / closing lever 26 is erroneously operated because the shutter 43 cannot be opened by the opening / closing lever 26. This prevents toner from leaking from the discharge port 42.

By the way, in the configuration provided with the shutter that can be opened and closed like the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment, when a worker such as a user or a serviceman attaches the toner cartridge to the apparatus main body, a special operation is performed. From the viewpoint of workability, it is desirable to have a configuration in which the shutter is opened without any problems. As a method for realizing this, a method of opening and closing the shutter of the toner cartridge by using a driving device can be considered. However, such a method leads to an increase in size and cost of the image forming apparatus, and is therefore not a realistic method for a small image forming apparatus which is particularly required to reduce the cost.

Therefore, as a method that does not use a drive device, there is a method of operating the shutter of the toner cartridge in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover member of the device body. Generally, in the toner cartridge replacement work, it is necessary to open and close the cover member of the device body. Therefore, if the shutter of the toner cartridge can be operated in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover member, the drive device is not used. It is possible to improve workability. For example, considering the toner cartridge 7 having the opening / closing lever 26 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, a protrusion 61 is provided on the cover member 101 of the apparatus main body 100, and the cover member 101 is provided. Is closed so that the opening / closing lever 26 is pushed by the protrusion 61. As a result, the shutter 43 can be rotated in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover member 101, so that a separate operation for opening the shutter 43 becomes unnecessary, and workability is improved.

However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 29, when the cover member 101 is closed, the shutter 43 is always opened. Therefore, if the image forming apparatus is moved or transported in this state, the toner cartridge 7 is vibrated or the like. There is a risk that the toner inside may leak into the image forming apparatus from the discharge port. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the following measures are taken for the cover member provided in the apparatus main body.

12 and 13 show the configuration of the cover member according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the cover member 101 is provided with a shutter opening member 60 for opening the shutter 43 of the toner cartridge 7, and the shutter opening member 60 is provided. Is configured to be rotatable.

The shutter opening member 60 is composed of a plate-shaped member 62 that rotates about a support shaft 63 provided on the cover member 101, and a protrusion 61 provided on the inner surface of the plate-shaped member 62. In the present embodiment, the cover member 101 is configured in a hollow structure having a space between the outer wall portion 101a and the inner wall portion 101b, and the support shaft 63 is provided on the inner wall portion 101b. The protrusion 61 is for pushing and moving the opening / closing lever 26 of the toner cartridge 7 when the cover member 101 is closed, and has a rib shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the support shaft 63 (vertical direction in FIG. 12). It is formed. Further, the protrusion amount of the protrusion 61 gradually increases in the direction away from the support shaft 63 (downward in FIG. 12) so that the opening / closing lever 26 can be pushed and moved smoothly and surely with the closing operation of the cover member 101. It is formed like this.

The support shaft 63 is arranged in the horizontal direction (the same direction as the support shaft 102, which is the center of rotation of the cover member 101). By rotating the shutter opening member 60 around the support shaft 63 arranged in this way, the shutter opening member 60 has a posture of rotating toward the tip end side of the cover member 101 (the posture shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 12). On the contrary, the cover member 101 is configured to be switchable to a posture rotated toward the rotation center side (a posture shown by a solid line in FIG. 12).

In the posture in which the shutter opening member 60 is rotated toward the rotation center side of the cover member 101 (the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 12), the protrusion 61 is arranged so as to face inward. In this case, the protrusion 61 is in a state where it can function as a means for pushing and moving the opening / closing lever 26 to open the shutter 43. The shutter opening operation by the protrusion 61 will be described in detail later. On the other hand, in the posture in which the shutter opening member 60 is rotated toward the tip end side of the cover member 101 (the posture shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 12), the protrusion 61 is arranged so as to face outward. In this case, the protrusion 61 cannot push and move the opening / closing lever 26, and does not function as a means for opening the shutter 43.

As described above, the shutter opening member 60 is configured to be switchable between a state in which the protrusion 61 functions as a shutter opening means and a state in which the protrusion 61 does not function as a shutter opening means by changing its posture. ing. In other words, in the shutter opening member 60, the opening operation position where the shutter 43 is opened by the protrusion 61 (the first position shown by the solid line in FIGS. 12 and 13) and the protrusion 61 do not function as the shutter opening means. It is configured to be movable to the retracted position (the second position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 12 and 13).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an opening 66 in which the shutter opening member 60 is housed is formed in the inner wall portion 101b of the cover member 101 when the shutter opening member 60 is arranged at the opening operation position. There is. Further, on the edge of the opening 66 opposite to the support shaft 63 side, the shutter opening member 60 is restricted from rotating toward the outer wall portion 101a while the shutter opening member 60 is arranged in the opening 66. A regulation unit 65 is provided.

Further, the inner wall portion 101b of the cover member 101 is formed with an insertion hole 64 into which the protrusion 61 is inserted when the shutter opening member 60 is arranged at the retracted position. The protrusion 61 is housed in the space between the outer wall 101a and the inner wall 101b in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole 64 (see FIG. 12).

The operation of the shutter opening member 60 configured as described above will be described by taking as an example a procedure from a state in which the image forming apparatus is packed and shipped to a state in which the image forming apparatus is installed and used.

As shown in FIG. 14, at the time of packing, the operator arranges the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position in advance, and mounts the toner cartridge 7 (the shutter 43 is in the closed state) in the apparatus main body 100. The cover member 101 is closed. At this time, since the shutter opening member 60 is arranged at a retracted position that does not function as the shutter opening means, even if the cover member 101 is closed, the opening / closing lever 26 is not pushed and moved by the protrusion 61. By arranging the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position in this way, even if the cover member 101 is closed, the opening / closing lever 26 is not pushed and moved by the protrusion 61, so that the shutter 43 is opened. Can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the shutter 43 is closed, the opening / closing lever 26 is in a state of protruding outward (left side in the drawing) from the toner cartridge 7, but the cover member 101 is closed in this state. Even if the opening / closing lever 26 is used, the opening / closing lever 26 is arranged in the cover member 101 via the opening 66 of the cover member 101, so that the inner wall portion 101b of the cover member 101 does not interfere with the opening / closing lever 26. That is, by arranging the shutter opening member 60 at the retracted position, a space is formed in the cover member 101 to accommodate the opening / closing lever 26 when the cover member 101 is closed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing lever 26 from being pushed and moved by the cover member 101.

In this way, by arranging the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position at the time of packing, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing lever 26 from being pushed and moved by the shutter opening member 60 and the cover member 101, so that the shutter 43 is closed. It can be held in the state of being evacuated.

After that, when the image forming apparatus is installed and the image forming apparatus is used by a user or a service person (hereinafter, referred to as "user or the like"), the cover member 101 is temporarily opened by the user or the like as shown in FIG. In this state, the shutter opening member 60 is rotated to move from the retracted position to the opening operation position. Then, when the cover member 101 is closed in this state, as shown in FIG. 16, the opening / closing lever 26 is pushed and moved by the protrusion 61 of the shutter opening member 60, and the shutter 43 is rotated and opened. .. At this time, the protrusion 61 receives a reaction force from the opening / closing lever 26, but since the shutter opening member 60 is supported by the regulating portion 65 provided on the cover member 101, the opening / closing lever 26 is surely held by the protrusion 61. Is pushed to.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, by arranging the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position by the operator at the time of packing, even if the cover member 101 is closed, the shutter 43 Can be held in a closed state. This makes it possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the toner cartridge 7 into the image forming apparatus and scattering during the subsequent transportation. Further, as in the present embodiment, the opening / closing lever 26 is accommodated in the cover member 101 in the closed state, so that the distance between the cover member 101 and the toner cartridge 7 is narrowed. It can be made compact.

After that, when the image forming apparatus is installed and used, the shutter opening member 60 is switched to the opening operation position by the user or the like, so that the shutter 43 can be opened in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover member 101. can do. As a result, the user or the like does not have to perform a separate shutter opening operation when replacing the toner cartridge, and workability is improved.

When the image forming apparatus is to be moved to another place after the image forming apparatus is installed, the shutter opening member 60 may be switched to the retracted position as in the case of packing. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be moved with the shutter 43 and the cover member 101 closed, and toner leakage from the toner cartridge 7 during movement can be prevented.

Hereinafter, configurations of other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Of the configurations of the embodiments described below, the parts having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description will be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the shutter opening member 60 and the cover member 101 are provided with locking portions 67 and 68 that can be locked and released from each other, and the shutter opening members 67 and 68 are provided by these locking portions 67 and 68. The cover member 101 is configured to hold the 60 at the retracted position. The locking portion 67 provided on the shutter opening member 60 is formed of a hook-shaped convex portion, and the locking portion 68 provided on the cover member 101 is formed of a hole portion penetrating the inner wall portion 101b. These locking portions 67 and 68 are configured in a so-called snap-fit structure in which at least one is elastically deformed and locked with respect to the other. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, when the shutter opening member 60 is rotated to the retracted position, the convex portion (locking portion 67) enters the hole portion (locking portion 68) with elastic deformation. Then, when the tip of the convex portion passes through the hole portion, the convex portion elastically returns and is locked to the edge of the hole portion.

As described above, since the shutter opening member 60 is configured to be held in the retracted position by the cover member 101, the shutter opening member 60 can be reliably held even if the operator does not hold the shutter opening member 60 at the time of packing or the like. It can be held in the retracted position, improving workability. Further, since the shutter opening member 60 does not rotate in the apparatus main body 100 during transportation, it is possible to prevent damage to parts due to the shutter opening member 60 interfering with peripheral members.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, a hole-shaped locking portion 68 is provided as a holding portion of the cover member 101 for holding the shutter opening member 60, and the cover of the shutter opening member 60 held by the cover member 101. A convex locking portion 67 is provided as the holding portion. On the contrary, the locking portion 67 of the shutter opening member 60 has a hole shape, and the locking portion 68 of the cover member 101 has a convex shape. You may. Further, in this example, two locking portions 67 and 68 are provided, but the number of locking portions 67 and 68 may be one or three or more, respectively.

Further, a magnet may be used as a means for holding the shutter opening member 60 against the cover member 101. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, a magnet 69 as a holding portion is provided on the inner surface of the cover member 101, and a steel plate 70 as a held portion is provided on the corresponding shutter opening member 60. ing. As a result, when the shutter opening member 60 is arranged in the retracted position, the shutter opening member 60 is held in the retracted position by the magnetic attraction generated between the magnet 69 and the steel plate 70.

In this way, by holding the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position using a magnet, the operator presses the shutter opening member 60 at the time of packing or the like, as in the configuration using the locking portions 67 and 68. Since it is not necessary to use a magnet, workability is improved, and damage to parts due to interference of the shutter opening member 60 with peripheral members during transportation can be prevented. The arrangement of the magnet 69 and the steel plate 70 may be interchanged. It is also possible to use a magnet instead of a ferromagnetic material such as a steel plate 70. Further, in this example, two magnets 69 and two steel plates 70 are provided, but the number of these magnets 69 may be one or three or more.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, a stopper member 71 is provided on the apparatus main body 100 as a means for holding the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position. As shown in FIG. 23, when the shutter opening member 60 is arranged at the retracted position and the cover member 101 is closed, the shutter opening member 60 comes into contact with the stopper member 71 to move downward from the shutter opening member 60. Rotation (movement to the opening operation position) is regulated by the stopper member 71.

Further, the posture of the shutter opening member 60 in a state where the rotation is restricted by the stopper member 71 is a posture in which the shutter opening member 60 is inclined to the back side (inside) with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 23. As shown in FIG. 24, when the cover member 101 is opened and the rotation restriction by the stopper member 71 is released, the shutter opening member 60 can rotate downward due to its own weight. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, as the cover member 101 is opened, the shutter opening member 60 further rotates downward and is switched to the opening operation position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the shutter opening member 60 rotates by its own weight and moves to the opening operation position by releasing the rotation restriction by the stopper member 71 with the opening operation of the cover member 101. it can. In this case, since it is not necessary for the user or the like to switch the shutter opening member 60 from the retracted position to the opening operation position, workability is improved. Further, instead of its own weight, the shutter opening member 60 may be automatically rotated to the opening operation position by the urging force of the urging member such as a spring.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, unlike the above embodiments, the shutter opening member 60 is configured to slide and move along the cover member 101. In the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 101b of the cover member 101 is formed with a linear slit 72 extending in the vertical direction (direction orthogonal to the support axis 102 of the cover member 101) with the cover member 101 closed. ing. The protrusion 61 of the shutter opening member 60 is arranged so as to project from the slit 72 to the inside of the inner wall portion 101b, and the protrusion 61 moves in the longitudinal direction of the slit 72 to open the shutter opening member 60. It is configured to be movable between an operation position (first position shown by a solid line in FIGS. 26 and 27) and a retracted position (second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 26 and 27). The plate-shaped member 62 of the shutter opening member 60 is slidably held between the outer wall portion 101a and the inner wall portion 101b so as not to be pushed or dropped into the cover member 101.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, a holding tape 73 made of a flexible member is used as a means for holding the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position. Specifically, the packing operator attaches one end side of the holding tape 73 to the shutter opening member 60 in a peelable state, and holds the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position by the holding tape 73, and holds the holding tape. 73 is fixed to the cover member 101 with an adhesive or the like. Further, the other end of the holding tape 73 is arranged in a state of being exposed to the outside from between the cover member 101 and the apparatus main body 100.

Then, when the image forming apparatus is installed and the user or the like uses the image forming apparatus, the user or the like pulls the end side of the holding tape 73 exposed to the outside and opens the shutter on the opposite end side. It peels off from the member 60. As a result, the holding of the shutter opening member 60 by the holding tape 73 is released, so that the shutter opening member 60 can be moved from the retracted position to the opening operation position by its own weight. In the present embodiment, when the holding tape 73 is removed while the cover member 101 is closed, the shutter opening member 60 falls and comes into contact with the opening / closing lever 26, so that the shutter opening member 60 is moved to the opening operation position. Is blocked on the way. In this case, since the user or the like can release the contact between the opening / closing lever 26 and the shutter opening member 60 by opening the cover member 101 once, the shutter opening member 60 can be moved to the opening operation position by its own weight. Is. Further, instead of its own weight, the shutter opening member 60 may be automatically moved to the opening operation position by the urging force of the urging member such as a spring.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the configuration including the shutter opening member 60 which can be slidably moved shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, as the holding means for holding the shutter opening member 60 in the retracted position, the locking portions 67 and 68 shown in FIGS. It is also possible to use the magnet 69 shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 or the stopper member 71 shown in FIGS. 23 to 25. Further, in the configuration including the rotatable shutter opening member 60 shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, the shutter opening member 60 can be held in the retracted position by the holding tape 73 as shown in FIG. 28. Further, the direction in which the shutter opening member 60 rotates or slides between the opening operation position and the retracting position is not limited to the vertical direction when the cover member 101 is closed, but may be the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). Good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge is configured to be mounted on the device main body via the image forming unit, but the toner cartridge is mounted directly on the device main body without passing through the image forming unit 1. It may be a configuration. In this case, the linking member for opening and closing the shutter of the toner cartridge can be provided not in the image forming unit but in the main body of the apparatus.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration for opening and closing the shutter of the toner cartridge, but is also applicable to the configuration for opening and closing the shutter of the powder storage container containing powders other than toner. Further, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the shutter opening member operates the shutter to open via the opening / closing lever, but is also applicable to a configuration in which the shutter opening member directly contacts the shutter to open the shutter.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the monochrome image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, and may be a color image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunction device thereof, and the like.

7 Toner cartridge (powder container)
26 Open / close lever 42 Discharge port 43 Shutter 60 Shutter opening member 63 Support shaft 67 Locking part 68 Locking part 69 Magnet 70 Steel plate (ferromagnetic material)
71 Stopper member 73 Holding tape (movable member)
100 Device body 101 Cover member

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-52698

Claims (10)

A cover member that can be opened and closed provided in the image forming apparatus main body and a powder storage container that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body are provided.
The powder storage container is an image forming apparatus having a discharge port for discharging the stored powder and a shutter for opening and closing the discharge port.
The cover member is provided with a shutter opening member for opening the shutter.
The shutter opening member has a first position for opening the shutter by closing the cover member in a state where the powder containing container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and the cover member is closed. An image forming apparatus, which is configured to be movable at a second position where the shutter is not opened. The powder storage container has an opening / closing lever for opening / closing the shutter.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter opening member is arranged at the first position, and when the cover member is closed, the opening / closing lever is pushed to open the shutter. The second aspect of the present invention, wherein the cover member is formed with a space for accommodating the opening / closing lever when the cover member is closed by moving the shutter opening member to the second position. Image forming device. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shutter opening member is configured to be movable between the first position and the second position by rotating about the support shaft with respect to the cover member. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shutter opening member is configured to be movable between the first position and the second position by sliding the shutter opening member with respect to the cover member. Image forming device. The image forming apparatus main body is provided with a stopper member that regulates the movement of the shutter opening member from the second position to the first position in a state where the cover member is closed.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the cover member is opened, the movement restriction of the shutter opening member by the stopper member is released. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shutter opening member can be held at the second position by the cover member. The holding portion of the cover member that holds the shutter opening member at the second position and the held portion of the shutter opening member that is held by the cover member are locked and detached from each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. One of the holding portion of the cover member holding the shutter opening member at the second position and the held portion of the shutter opening member held by the cover member is a magnet, and the other is a magnet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a ferromagnetic material or a magnet that generates a magnetic attraction force between them is used. One end side is detachably attached to the shutter opening member, and the other end side is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body while the shutter opening member is held at the second position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a flexible member.

Images