JPH04338990A - Erroneous mounting preventing mechanism for toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the erroneous setting of a toner cartridge to a toner replenishing hopper by identifying the toner cartridge at every toner colors and destinations without changing the shape of the toner cartridge. CONSTITUTION:All toner cartridges 10 are composed of common members, and a bar code 15 capable of identifying the toner cartridge at every toner colors and destinations, is attached to a flange 12. When the specified toner cartridge 10 is set to the toner replenishing hopper 3, a sensor 16 provided on the side of the hopper 3 reads the bar codes, and the match of the bar code 15 is detected, energizing of a solenoid 25 is attained and a hook 23 engaged with a hopper sliding cover 20 for clogging the replenishing port 3b of the side of the hopper 3 is removed. Then, the hopper sliding cover 20 and a sliding cover 13 are moved and the replenishing part 3b and the opening part 12c of the toner cartridge 10 are opened, to supply toner. When the different cartridge 10 is set, the erroneous setting is detected by the sensor 16, and the solenoid 25 is not energized, so that the hopper sliding cover 20 can not be moved and the erroneous setting is recognized.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mechanism for preventing erroneous installation of a toner cartridge in a toner supply section of a developing device installed in an image forming apparatus.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, toner is applied to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photoreceptor in an image forming apparatus by a developing device, and a developed toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. Since the toner in the developing device is gradually consumed by continuous development, a separately prepared toner cartridge is installed in the case of the toner replenishing section to replenish a predetermined amount of toner. .

Particularly in image forming apparatuses such as color copiers, cartridges are identified by toner color to ensure that the cartridges are installed in the case of the toner replenishing unit of a predetermined color.

To identify each toner color and destination of the toner cartridge, for example, the flange provided on the bottom of the toner cartridge is made of a color similar to the toner color, and the flange is provided with a unique position and size for identifying the toner color. A protrusion is provided that fits into a groove provided on the case side, so that when the toner cartridge is correctly loaded in a predetermined position, the toner replenishing portion of a predetermined color matches the toner cartridge of the same color. Therefore, a unique combination of the protrusion on the flange side and the groove on the case side is set and identified for each toner color or destination.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the flange attached to the toner cartridge is a molded product using a plastic material, and if it is provided with unique protrusions for each toner color or destination, the molded member will be damaged. In addition, it is necessary to sort the partially assembled toner storage containers with the flanges attached to the toner containers, store them in and out of the warehouse, and manage inventory, which is a very complicated and labor-intensive task. There is.

Furthermore, each time a different flange is molded, the nest of the molding die corresponding to the aforementioned protrusion must be replaced, which requires preparation time (1 to 2 hours) each time, which is not favorable in terms of work efficiency.

The present invention solves these problems and uses toner cartridges with a common shape to change toner colors and
The goal is to provide a mechanism to prevent incorrect installation of toner cartridges that can be identified by destination.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problem] This object is to provide a toner replenishment section of a developing device which is capable of mounting a toner cartridge and is equipped with a toner replenishment hopper. In addition, a sensor for reading the bar code or the magnetic tape is provided in the toner replenishment hopper to identify the toner cartridge, and in conjunction with the identification judgment of the sensor, a slide lid of the replenishment port of the toner replenishment hopper and the toner cartridge are provided. This is achieved by a mechanism for preventing incorrect installation of the toner cartridge, which is characterized in that the slide lid of the opening of the toner cartridge can be opened and closed integrally with the sliding lid.

[0009]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, which is a perspective view showing the appearance of a toner cartridge, FIG. 2, which is a plan view showing the shape of the flange, FIG. 3, which is a sectional view, and FIG. The description will be given with reference to a side sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is installed and a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a developing device disposed in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the developing device 2 disposed in the image forming apparatus 1 includes a toner replenishing section provided with a toner replenishing hopper 3 for mounting the toner cartridge 10 on the upper right side of the developing device housing 2a. 4 is provided, and a predetermined amount of toner is supplied into the developing device 2 by the attached toner cartridge 10. Then, the toner is transported along a predetermined transport path within the developing device 2.
Toner is applied via the developing sleeve roller 5 to an electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photoconductor 6 adjacent to the developing sleeve roller 5 provided at a predetermined distance from the developing sleeve roller 5 provided at the left end of the photoconductor. A developed toner image is formed on the circumferential surface of 6. Since the toner in the developing device 2 is sequentially consumed by continuous development, when a predetermined number of times of development is reached, the separately prepared toner cartridge 10 is installed and toner is replenished into the developing device 2 so that the toner is constantly replenished into the developing device 2. A uniform and good toner image can be obtained.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a toner cartridge identification means and a toner cartridge erroneous installation prevention mechanism configured as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, a toner cartridge 10
A toner container 11 that stores toner and the toner container 11
A flange 12 integrally joined to the flange 12, a slide lid 13 slidably attached to the flange 12, a top lid 14 that closes the top surface of the toner container 11, and a toner stored in the cartridge, identifying the toner color, destination, etc. It is made up of a barcode 15.

The toner container 11, the flange 12, the slide lid 13, and the top lid 14 are each molded from plastic and have the same shape regardless of the toner color or destination.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flange 12 has a large rectangular opening 12c in the center.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 12b has a long groove 12d on the outside around the opening 12c for joining the toner container 11, and a U-shaped guide groove 12e in which the slide lid 13 is fitted and slides on both sides in the longitudinal direction. is formed. and the upper surface 12b of the left end of the flange 12 in the longitudinal direction.
A protruding piece 12a is provided at an extended position of the protruding piece 12.
A barcode 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the surface facing the toner replenishment hopper (the surface opposite to the toner container mounting surface) of a, after toner is stored and the toner cartridge 10 is manufactured. It has become. The slide lid 13 attached to the lower surface of the flange 12 is attached to the slide groove 12 of the flange 12.
At least the flange 12 is a flat plate member having fitting ribs (not shown) on both ends in the longitudinal direction for fitting with the flange 12.
It has a size that sufficiently closes the entire area of the opening 12c, and is set so that when it is slid to a predetermined position that closes the opening 12c, it will not be easily displaced by mutual clicking.

The toner container 11 is partially assembled by joining the toner container 11 to the flange 12.
Once stocked and stored. Note that the slide lid 13
may be installed. Further, the toner container 11
The flange 12 and the flange 12 may be integrally molded.

The slide lid 13 is attached to the toner container 11 to which the flange is attached, and a predetermined amount of toner is stored in the toner container 11 with the opening 12c closed. After the toner cartridge 10 is integrally fitted, the bar code 15 designated for each toner color and destination is attached to a predetermined position of the protruding piece 12a of the flange 12, thereby producing an identified toner cartridge 10. Although not shown, an appropriate protective cover is fitted over the slide lid 13 and the flange 12 to prevent the toner in the toner cartridge 10 from accidentally spilling.

Therefore, in the assembling process of the toner cartridge 10, all common parts and subassemblies are supplied and assembled before the bar code 15 is attached, so that the labor required for loading, unloading, and process preparation is greatly reduced. . Further, as described above, since the flange 12 is the same regardless of the toner color or the destination, the mold for molding is also used in common, which is very convenient in terms of efficiency.

The toner cartridge 10 manufactured in this manner is attached to the toner replenishing hopper 3 disposed in the developing device 2 so that toner is supplied according to the consumption of toner in the developing device 2. Become. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner replenishment hopper 3 has a rectangular replenishment port 3b near the center of the upper part of the hopper housing 3a, and a hopper slide lid 20 that opens and closes the replenishment port 3b slides in the direction of the arrow on the top surface of the rectangular replenishment port 3b. installed as possible. As shown in the figure, the left end of the hopper slide lid 20 is provided with a bent portion 20a that rises at a right angle and engages with the left end of the slide lid 13 when the toner cartridge 10 is installed. ing.

[0020] Below the right end of the hopper slide lid 20, which is positioned so as to close the supply port 3b, is a hook that is rotatable about a support shaft 23b that is supported by the frame of the hopper housing 3a. 23 is attached to the hook 23, and the hook 23 is always biased counterclockwise by a spring 24, which has one end attached to the left end and the other end fixed to the frame of the housing 3a, and a claw portion provided at the right end of the hook 23. 23a engages with the right end surface of the hopper slide lid 20 and locks the hopper slide lid 20. Further, a knob 21 is integrally attached to the upper surface of the right end of the hopper slide lid 20, and the upper part of the knob 21 protrudes above the hopper lid 22 that covers the upper part of the hopper housing 3a. It can be manually moved together with the lid 20 in the direction of the arrow. Incidentally, the hopper lid 22 is provided with an elongated hole 22a so as not to interfere with the operating range of the knob 23. A solenoid 25 is attached to the frame of the hopper housing 3a below the hook 23, and when the solenoid 25 is energized, the hook 23 rotates clockwise against the spring 24. Then, the hopper slide lid 20 is released from the hopper slide lid 20.

Furthermore, when the solenoid is de-energized, the hook 23 engages with the hopper slide lid 20 at the aforementioned position again by the biasing force of the spring 24.

As shown in FIG. 4, at a predetermined position on the left side of the supply port 3b of the hopper housing 3a, there is a bar code at a position opposite to the bar code 15 when the toner cartridge 10 is installed. A sensor 16 for reading 15 is provided, and when the toner cartridge 10 is not installed, it is covered by a sensor lid 17 as shown by a two-dot chain line.

After opening the sensor lid 17 of the toner replenishing hopper 3 constructed in this way to expose the upper part of the sensor 16, as shown by the solid line in FIG. When installed through the sensor 16 and set in the predetermined position shown in the figure, the sensor 16
When the bar code 15 is read by the toner cartridge 10 and it is detected that the toner cartridge 10 is compatible, the solenoid is energized and the magnetic force of the solenoid rotates the hook 23 clockwise to move the hopper slide. The lid 20 is disengaged. By manually moving the knob 21 in the direction of the arrow, the slide lid 13 of the toner cartridge 10 that engages with the popper slide lid 20 also moves simultaneously, opening the opening 12c of the flange 12 and replenishing the toner. The replenishment port 3b of the hopper 3 is opened, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge 10 falls into the toner replenishment hopper 3 and is supplied. Note that the energization of the solenoid 25 is cut off when the hopper slide lid 20 moves to a predetermined position, so the hook 23 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring 24 and the hopper slide lid is turned off. The hook claw 23a is pressed against the lower surface of the hook 20.

After the toner of the toner cartridge 10 has been supplied into the toner replenishment hopper 3, the hopper slide lid 20 is returned together with the slide lid 13 to a predetermined position to close the replenishment port 3b. It is locked again by the hook 23.

If the toner cartridge 10 to which a different bar code 15 is attached is installed, even if the bar code 15 is read by the sensor 16, the code does not match the pre-stored code, so the solenoid 25
is not energized. Therefore, the hook 23 remains locked to the hopper slide lid 20 and the knob 21 cannot be moved, allowing the user to notice that the toner cartridge 10 has been installed incorrectly. Further, if the sensor 16 detects incorrect attachment, a warning is displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus, etc., so that the user can more clearly recognize that the attachment is incorrect.

As described above, in the present invention, the bar code 15 is attached to the toner cartridge 10 for identification, but not only the bar code 15, but also the above-described method can be used for detecting by attaching different magnetic tapes for each toner color or destination. The scope of the present invention also includes means for preventing erroneous attachment.

[0027]

[Effects of the Invention] Since different bar codes or magnetic tapes are attached to the toner cartridge according to the toner color and destination according to the present invention, each member constituting the toner cartridge can all have a common shape. As a result, the management of the incoming and outgoing of various parts and subassemblies, as well as the assembly process, has been extremely simplified and efficiency has been significantly improved. Of course, incorrect installation of the toner cartridge in the toner supply hopper can be completely avoided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the shape of a flange according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a replenishment hopper according to an embodiment of the present invention and showing a state in which a toner cartridge is installed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a developing device installed in the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

2...Developing device 3
...Toner supply hopper 3a...Hopper housing
6...Photoreceptor 10...Toner cartridge
12...Flange 12a...Protruding piece
12c...Opening 13...Sliding lid 15...Barcode 16...Sensor
20... Hopper slide lid 20a... bent part
21...Knob 22...Hopper lid 23...Hook 25...Solenoid

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a toner replenishment section of a developing device equipped with a toner replenishment hopper into which a toner cartridge can be installed, a bar code or magnetic tape is provided on one surface of the toner cartridge to be installed in the toner replenishment hopper, and the toner replenishment unit is provided with a bar code or a magnetic tape on one surface of the toner cartridge to be installed in the toner replenishment hopper. A sensor for reading the bar code or the magnetic tape is provided in the hopper to identify the toner cartridge, and in conjunction with the identification judgment of the sensor, a slide lid of the replenishment port of the toner replenishment hopper and a slide lid of the opening of the toner cartridge are provided. A mechanism for preventing incorrect installation of a toner cartridge, characterized in that the toner cartridge can be opened and closed in an integrated manner.