JPH04110973A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a supply cover from being suddenly released and toner from being scattered by providing a means pressing the supply cover in an opening direction, simultaneously, a releasing force buffer means gradually releasing the supply cover against pressing force in the opening direction of the supply cover by the pressing means. CONSTITUTION:The means 29 pressing the supply cover 27 in the opening direction, and the releasing force buffer means 30 and 31 gradually releasing the supply cover 27 against the pressing force in the opening direction of the supply cover 27 by the pressing means 29. In other words, when a developer runs short during the using of a developing device, the lock of the supply cover 27 of a developing device main body 1 is released, the supply cover 27 is automatically released by a spring 29 as the pressing means. At this time, the boss 30 of the rotary supporting point part of the supply cover 27 is in contact with a cushioning material 31 serving also as a seal, so that constant resistance occurs, and the sudden releasing of the supply cover 27 by the pressing force of the spring 29 is prevented. Thus, even if the toner remains inside a replenishing tank 4 and on the back surface of the supply cover 27, the scattering of the toner can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a developing device used in copying machines, laser printers, and facsimile machines.

<Prior art> As a conventional technology of this kind, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-16567
No. 6, JP-A-61-93469, JP-A-61-934
There is something shown in No. 70. These conventional techniques disclose a cartridge and a developing device that separately supply a first developer and a second developer to the developing device.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in these conventional techniques, developer is introduced into the developer supply port from a developer cartridge, and when used, the developer cartridge is removed and the supply port is closed with a supply lid. The technology used is not disclosed.

Additionally, there is a conventional technology in which the supply port is closed with a supply lid when in use, but in this type of developing device, when the supply lid is opened when replenishing toner, the toner remaining in the replenishment tank scatters. Put it away.

In particular, in a developing device that has a biasing means that biases the supply lid in the opening direction, when the supply lid is unlocked, the supply lid opens rapidly due to the biasing means, and the pressure in the supply tank is suddenly released. , there is a risk of toner scattering.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device that can prevent the supply lid from opening suddenly and prevent toner from scattering.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The means for solving the problems according to the present invention includes a supply port 26 for supplying developer to the developing device main body l, and a shaft 2 connected to the supply port 26.
8, a supply lid 27 that is rotatably supported to open and close, a biasing means 29 that biases the supply lid 27 in the opening direction, and a biasing force of the biasing means 29 in the opening direction of the supply lid 27. opening force buffering means 30.31 for gradually opening the supply lid 27 against
It is something that has been set up.

Effect> In the above problem solving means, when the developer (toner) runs out while the developing device is in use, the supply lid 27 of the developing device main body 1 is unlocked. Then, the supply lid 27 is automatically opened by the spring 29 as a biasing means.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the host 30 of the rotation fulcrum of the supply lid 27 comes into contact with the buffer material 31 which also serves as a seal, and a certain resistance force is generated, causing the supply lid 27 to suddenly move due to the biasing force of the spring 29.・Prevent violent opening.

Even if toner remains inside the supply tank 4 or on the back surface of the supply lid 27, this can be prevented from scattering.

<Example> Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of the main parts of the supply lid showing an embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the supply lid, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device. A cross-sectional view of the developing device at the time of shipment; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device before developer is introduced; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge and developing device when developer is introduced; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state in which the supply lid is closed after developer has been added. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state in which the developer (toner) is empty. Cross-sectional view, Figure 1O is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state when the dedicated cartridge is installed, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state when the developer is inserted into the dedicated cartridge, and Figure 12 is the dedicated cartridge. 13 is a sectional view of the developing device after toner is supplied, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the locking means, and FIG. 15 is a cartridge support of the developing device main body. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a special cartridge, FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a cartridge storing the first developer and second developer, and FIG. 18 is a winding of the sealing material of the cartridge. FIG. 19 is a side view showing the state; FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the locking means and its unlocking means in an operating state; FIG.

[Configuration of the developing device body]

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing device according to the present invention includes a developing device body 1, a developing tank 3 having a developing roller 2, and a developing tank 3.
A developer replenishing tank 4 is provided adjacent to the developer replenishing tank 4.

The developing tank 3 is used to charge a first developer (a mixture of toner and carrier or only carrier), and as shown in FIG. Rollers 6 and 7 are installed inside the developing roller 2, and a doctor 8 is arranged above the developing roller 2.

A first supply port lO for supplying a first developer containing magnetic particles is formed in the upper part of the developer tank 3, and the first supply port lO is formed in the upper part of the developer tank 3.
A supply lid 11 is supported at O so as to be rotatable to open and close around a shaft 12 on the photoreceptor side.

A coil spring 13 is fitted onto the shaft 12 of the supply lid 11 to bias the supply lid 11 in the opening direction. One end of the coil spring 13 is locked to the developer tank 3, and the other end is locked to the supply lid 11, respectively.

This supply lid 11 has a locking means 1 as shown in FIG. 8.9.
5, and the locking means 15 is composed of an engaging pawl 16 formed at the end of the supply lid 11 and an engaged pawl I7 formed on the mouth wall of the first supply port 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the replenishment device 1114 includes a replenishment roller 18 that supplies the second developer (toner) to the developer tank 3, and a replenishment roller 18 that is rotatable around a central axis 19 so as to guide the second developer to the replenishment roller 18. a pair of stirring plates 20.21, and the stirring plates 20.21.
Scooping plate 2 that is located above and can swing freely around the shaft 22
3, and an agitation roller 24 for agitating the second developer.

A second supply port 26 for introducing the second developer is formed in the upper part of the supply tank 4, and a supply lid 27 is attached to the second supply port 26 at the end of the supply tank 4 which is spaced apart from the photoreceptor 5. It is supported by the section so as to be rotatable to open and close around a shaft 28.

A coil spring 29 is fitted to the shaft 28 of the supply lid 27, and one end of the coil spring 29 is engaged with the supply tank and the other end is engaged with the supply lid 27, thereby biasing the supply lid 27 in the opening direction. be done.

The boss 30, which is the shaft fitting part of the supply lid 27, is formed to have a circular cross section as shown in FIG. A buffer material 31 is provided as a buffer means. Due to this open buffer material 31, the supply lid 27 is fixed to the coil spring 29.
It is configured to gradually open even if a biasing force is applied in the opening direction.

Further, the supply lid 27 is provided with a locking means 33 for maintaining its closed position. As shown in FIG. 14, this locking means 33 is formed in the mouth wall of the second supply port 26 of the replenishment tank 4 and has a recess 34, and is housed in the recess 34 and can freely move in and out of the second supply port 26. The lock piece 35 and the lock piece 3
5 toward the protruding side of the second supply port, and an engaged hole 38 formed in the supply M27 so as to detachably engage with the lock piece 35.

The spring 37 is a compression coil spring, and the lock piece 3
The lock piece 3 is fitted onto the core ring 39 formed at the rear of the lock piece 3.
5 and the rear wall of the recess 34.

Further, the tip of the lock piece 35 is formed in a tapered shape, and this tapered surface 40 contacts the lower surface of the supply lid 27 when the supply lid 27 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, causing the lock piece 35 to move backward. configured to move to.

Note that since the lock piece 35 is urged toward the second supply port side by the spring 37, a stopper 42 is provided on the bottom wall of the recess 34 to prevent the lock piece 35 from coming off as shown in FIG. A sliding groove 43 for the stopper 42 is formed in the groove.

As shown in FIG. 3, this locking means 33 is provided in a pair in the longitudinal direction of the supply tank 4, and is arranged inside a pair of support parts 45 that support the cartridge.

Further, the locking means 33 on the supply tank side is provided with a lock releasing means 47. This lock release means 47 is connected to the recess 3 of the lock means 33 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 14.
4, a lid 49 with an opening 48 covering the top surface of 4, and the lock piece 3.
5 and a hole 52 formed on the upper surface of the cartridge 5 into which a lock release piece 51 of a dedicated cartridge 71 described later can be inserted.

The hole 52 is provided with a special cartridge 71 as shown in FIG.
Its mouth wall is inclined so that the locking piece 35 is pushed back against the spring 37 by downward pressing of the unlocking piece 51 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
3, a bearing portion 54 is formed continuously.

A pair of handles 56 are formed on the upper surface of the developing device main body l at both longitudinal ends thereof.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4.5, a lock prevention member 58 for preventing the supply M1127 from being locked is provided on the developing device main body l at the time of shipment.
It is attached to the developing device main body l so as to cover the engaged claw 17 of the locking means 15 of the first supply port IO and the locking piece 35 of the locking means 33 of the second supply port 26, and is attached to the developing device main body l so as to cover both. A tape 59 is attached to the supply lid II, 27 to prevent it from opening upward.

[Configuration of developer cartridge]

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the developer cartridge includes an initial setting developer cartridge 70 that stores a first developer (a mixture of carrier and toner or only carrier) and a second developer (toner), There are two types: a special cartridge 71 for replenishment that stores only developer (toner);

As shown in FIG. 18, both 70 and 71 have a double-folded sealing material 72 affixed to the replenishment port, and the end of the sealing material 72 is attached to the rotating shaft 75 arranged in the upper bearing part 74 of the cartridge body. The sealing material 72 is fixed to the handle 76, and by rotating the handle 76, the sealing material 72 can be peeled off.

As shown in FIG. 16, the exclusive cartridge 71 for toner replenishment has a pair of shafts 78 fixed to the lower end of its side through an angle 77, and a lock on the replenishment tank 4 side is fixed to the inside of these pair of shafts 78. A lock release piece 51 is fixed for pressing the hole 52 of the lock piece 35 of the means 33 and retracting the lock piece 35.

〔motion〕

When purchasing a copier, laser printer, facsimile, etc. with the above configuration, the user installs the first developer (carrier only or a mixture of carrier and toner) and the second developer (toner) as shown in Figure 4. Peel off the tape 59 of the developing device in the state shown below. At this time, the developer supply port 10 is provided with a supply lid 11, and the toner supply port 2 is provided with a supply lid 11.
6 has a supply lid 27. Each supply 1111.27 is prevented from being locked in this state by the lock prevention member 58.

Then, when the user removes the tape 59, the supply lid 11.27 is opened by the spring 13.29, as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the supply lids 11.27 are not accidentally closed during product shipment, and the two supply lids 11.27 are opened only by the user's action of peeling off the tape during use.

Next, the lock prevention member 58 is removed from the developing device main body l. Thereafter, the user attaches an initial cartridge 70 for initial setting shown in FIG. 17 to the developing device main body l.

This installed state is shown in FIG.

Next, the heatnol material 72 is peeled off using the handle 76 of the cartridge 70, and the first developer and the second developer are put into the developer tank 3 and the supply tank 4, respectively.

Next, the initial cartridge 70 is removed from the developing device main body 1 (see FIG. 7), and each supply lid 11.27 is closed. This state is shown in FIG.

At this time, the engaging claw 16 of the locking means 15 on the developer tank 3 side engages with the engaged claw 17 of the supply port 10, and is locked.

In addition, the lock piece 35 of the lock means 33 on the supply tank 4 side is pushed backward by the supply lid 27, and the engaged hole 38 of the supply lid 27 is pushed backward.
When facing the lock piece 35, the lock piece 35 is pushed by the spring 37, fits into the engaged hole 38, and is locked.

This completes the charging of the first developer and the second developer into the main body of the developing device.

Next, a method for replenishing the developer when the second developer (toner) runs out while the developing device is in use will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the supply lid '2/7 is closed when the toner in the supply tank 4 is empty.

The user purchases a refill toner cartridge 71,
The shaft portion 78 of the toner cartridge 71 is aligned with the support portion 45 in the developing device main body 1, and the toner cartridge 71 is installed at a 90° position with respect to the developing device main body 1, as shown in FIG. At this time, when the cartridge 71 is pushed downward, as shown in FIG. The lock piece 35 is moved back against the spring 37.

Then, the supply lid 27 is unlocked and the supply tank 4
The supply lid 27 is automatically opened by a spring 29.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the boss 30 of the rotation fulcrum of the supply lid 27 comes into contact with the cushioning material 31 that also serves as a seal, and a certain resistance force is generated, causing the supply lid 27 to suddenly move due to the biasing force of the spring 29. prevent opening.

Therefore, even if toner remains in the supply tank 4 or on the back surface of the supply lid 27, it can be prevented from scattering.

Next, by rotating the cartridge 71 by 90° about the support portion 45, the cartridge 71 enters the boiling condition shown in FIG. 11, and the toner supply preparation complete state. At this time, the length of the opening 48 is set so that the C-lock release piece 51 of the cartridge 71 can pass through the opening 48 while sliding on the hole wall of the lock piece 35 as shown in FIG. Rotation can be done without any problem.

Then, by rotating the handle 76 of the cartridge 71, the heat roller material 72 is peeled off and the toner is thrown into the supply tank 4.

After replenishing the toner, the user rotates the toner cartridge 71 again to the position shown in FIG. 12 and pulls out the toner cartridge 71 above the developing device main body 1.

Finally, when the supply lid 27 is closed, the supply lid 27 locks into the lock piece 3.
5 is moved back to the closed position, and the state shown in FIG. 13 is reached, and toner replenishment is completed.

In this way, when the supply lid 27 for toner replenishment is automatically opened only with the dedicated cartridge 71, the spring 29 as a biasing means causes the supply lid to suddenly try to open, or the opening force buffering means As such, the post 30 which is the rotational fulcrum of the supply lid 27 is formed in an arc shape, and the post 30 is configured so as to come into contact with the cushioning material 31 which also serves as the sole material of the supply tank 4 when the supply lid 27 rotates to open. Therefore, the supply lid 27 opens slowly, thereby preventing toner from scattering.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, either the supply lid 27 on the supply tank side is configured to open gradually, or the supply lid 27 on the developer tank side is opened gradually.
Of course, it may be applied to 1.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, when the supply lid is automatically opened, the supply lid tries to open suddenly due to the biasing means, but the opening force buffering means operates. Therefore, the supply lid opens slowly, which prevents the developer from scattering.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of the main parts of the supply lid showing an embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the supply lid, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device. A cross-sectional view of the developing device at the time of shipment; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device before developer is introduced; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cartridge and developing device when developer is introduced; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state in which the supply lid is closed after developer has been added. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device showing the state in which the developer (toner) is empty. 10 is a sectional view of the developing device showing the state when the dedicated cartridge is installed. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the developing device showing the state when the developer is inserted into the dedicated cartridge. 13 is a sectional view of the developing device after toner is supplied, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the locking means, and FIG. 15 is a cart rerun support of the developing device main body. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a special cartridge, FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a cartridge storing the first developer and second developer, and FIG. FIG. 19 is a side view showing the unlocked state; and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the locking means and its unlocking means. 1: Developing device main body, 2: Developing roller, 3: Developing tank, 4:
Supply tank, lO: first supply port, 11.27: supply lid, 15
．． 33: Locking means, 26: Second supply port, 28: Shaft, 2
9: Spring as biasing means, 30: Boss, 31: Cushioning material, 45: Support part, 47: Lock release means, 51: Lock release piece, 58: Lock prevention member. Applicant Sharp Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] The developing device main body includes a supply port for supplying developer, a supply lid supported by the supply port via a shaft so as to be rotatable in opening and closing, and a biasing means for biasing the supply lid in the opening direction. 1. A developing device comprising an opening force buffering means for gradually opening the supply lid against the urging force of the urging means in the opening direction of the supply lid.