JPH0452760Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a toner storage container for an image forming apparatus.

(Prior Art) Image forming apparatuses of the above type configured as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, etc. are conventionally known. In such an image forming apparatus, since the upper part of the main body can be opened, maintenance and inspection of the inside of the main body or replacement of consumables can be efficiently performed by opening the upper part of the main body. Furthermore, since the carrier unit including the photoreceptor and the developing unit including the developing roller are detachably attached, it is particularly easy to replace the developing unit.

In addition, a toner cartridge is removably attached to the main body case of the developing unit, and when the toner material in the developing unit runs low, the previously attached toner cartridge can be replaced to store the toner. It is now possible to replenish toner to the developing unit by replacing it with a new toner cartridge. When a new toner cartridge is installed, the sealing member is rolled up and peeled off by a take-up roller installed on the toner cartridge itself, and the toner in the toner cartridge is supplied to the developing roller side.

However, conventionally, the take-up roller and the take-up lever are integrally and directly connected, and when the sealing member is to be wound up, the take-up lever must be rotated in the same way as the take-up roller. As a result, a large space for rotating the take-up lever must be secured on the device side, resulting in a problem that the entire device becomes larger.

(Purpose) The purpose of the present invention is to wind up the sealing member of the toner cartridge detachably attached to the developing unit using a winding lever that can be operated in a narrow space, and to An object of the present invention is to provide a toner storage container for an image forming apparatus that can be downsized.

(Structure) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a take-up lever equipped with a ratchet mechanism that is detachably provided at the end of the shaft of the toner cartridge, and the take-up lever is reciprocated over a predetermined angle. By moving the seal member, the seal member is wound around the take-up roller, and when the take-up lever is not needed, the take-up lever can be removed from the take-up roller side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus, in which a recording paper 2 fed from a paper feeder 1 in the direction of arrow A is timed by a pair of registration rollers 3 and placed on a drum-shaped photoreceptor 4. The latent image carrier is conveyed to a latent image carrier consisting of.

The photoreceptor 4 is rotationally driven in a clockwise direction,
After the surface is charged by the charger 5,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 4 upon receiving the laser light L emitted from the laser optical system 6 . Also,
A developing roller 22 of a developing unit 17 is rotated in contact with the photoreceptor 4, and toner is supplied to the photoreceptor 4 through this developing roller 22. The electrostatic latent image is made visible by this toner, and this visible image is further transferred by the transfer charger 8 onto the recording paper 2 conveyed to the lower part of the photoreceptor 4. The transferred visible image on the recording paper 2 is fixed by a fixing device 9. The recording paper 2 that has exited the fixing device 9 is delivered to a paper ejection section 11 formed on the upper wall surface of the printer main body 10, as shown by arrow B.
is discharged to.

On the other hand, after the visible image has been transferred, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 4 is scraped off by a cleaning device having a cleaning blade 12, and is further subjected to a static eliminating action by a static eliminating device 13. The toner removed from the photoreceptor 4 is collected by the impeller 14 into a toner collection chamber 15 and stored there.

In the illustrated laser printer, as shown in FIG. and a developing unit 17 including the developing roller 22 and the like are separately and removably installed in a saucer-shaped image forming unit case 18 fitted into the printer main body 10.

Inside the main body case 21 of the developing unit 17, the toner T is housed, and the above-mentioned developing roller 22, which is placed opposite to the photoreceptor 4 side, a supply roller 23 that supplies toner to the developing roller 22, and a supply roller 23 that supplies toner to the developing roller 22, The supply roller 23 is provided with an agitator 24 that agitates and feeds the toner. A toner layer regulating blade 25 for regulating the toner layer thickness is pressed against the upper surface of the developing roller 22 by a spring 26 with a predetermined pressing force. Note that the supporting shaft 22a of the developing roller 22 is attached to the main body case 21.
On the other hand, the supply roller 23 and the agitator 24 are also rotatably supported within the main body case 21 , and the toner layer regulating blade 25 is also assembled into the main body case 21 .

As is well known, during the developing operation, the main body case 21
The toner T inside is supplied to the developing roller 22 by a rotating supply roller 23. The toner supplied to the developing roller 22 that rotates counterclockwise is made into a thin layer by the toner layer regulating blade 25 and then transported to an area where the photoreceptor 4 and the developing roller 22 face each other, forming a latent image on the photoreceptor 4. is electrostatically transferred to

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carrier unit 16 has a box-shaped case 19, within which the support shaft 4a of the photoreceptor 4 is rotatably supported. Further, the case 19 is formed with a hole 20 through which the laser beam from the laser optical system 6 enters, and the case 19 itself defines the toner recovery chamber 15 described above.
Further, within this case 19, a charger 5, a static eliminator 13 shown in FIG. 1, an impeller 14, and a cleaning blade 12 are supported, respectively, and a carrier unit 16 is constituted by these.

On the other hand, the printer main body 10 is divided into two parts, an upper main body 10a and a lower main body 10b, as shown in FIG. It is configured so that it can be opened and closed. The image forming unit case 18 includes a lower part 1 of the main body.
Therefore, the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17 also belong to the lower part 10b of the main body. As a result, when the upper part 10a of the main body is opened as shown in FIG. 4, the upper parts of both units 16 and 17 are exposed. As will be described later, the image forming unit case 18 is pivotally supported to be rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the lower part 10b of the main body, and is adapted to be locked to the lower part 10b of the main body by a locking device to be described later. .

The main body case 21 of the developing unit 17 mentioned above is
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is placed on three rollers 28, 28, 28 rotatably provided on the bottom wall of the image forming unit case 18. Two of these rollers 28 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart from each other directly below the installation part of the developing roller 22 on the front end side (left end side in Figure 2), and the other one is on the rear end side (left end side in Figure 2). It is arranged on a support stand 29 provided on the right end side in FIG. 2). Further, each of these rollers 28 is rotatably mounted in bearing cases 30, 30, 30 fitted into the bottom wall of the image forming unit case 18, respectively. That is, each shaft 28a of the roller 28 is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the width direction of the machine, that is, the direction in which the shaft of the developing roller 22 extends, and is mounted on the edge of the bearing case 30, respectively. As a result, the entire developing unit 17 is
It is designed to be able to reciprocate in the horizontal direction in the figure with almost no sliding resistance.

Further, as will be described later, the developing unit 17 is pressed with a predetermined biasing force toward the carrier unit 16 by a coil spring 31 from the rear end side, that is, from the right end side in FIG. 2. Due to this spring biasing force, the developing roller 22 is pressed against the photoreceptor 4 with a predetermined pressure and brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the coil spring 31
By appropriately selecting the spring coefficient, the pressing contact force of the developing roller 22 against the photoreceptor 4 can be adjusted to an appropriate value.

Furthermore, two spring pedestals are provided on the lower surface of the upper body 10a of the printer main body 10, and two coil springs 32, 32 protrude toward the developing unit 17 from each spring pedestal. It is installed like this. Each of the coil springs 32 is disposed so that its tip end is pressed against the developing unit 17 side when the main body upper part 10a is closed as shown in FIG. It has the function of pushing in with a pressing force of . In this embodiment, both coil springs 32 are brought into contact with the upper end surface of a blade housing 33 that accommodates the toner layer regulating blade 25. Due to the downward urging force of this coil spring 32, the developing unit 17
is pressed onto the roller 28, and the developing roller 22 is held at a predetermined position without being lifted off the photoreceptor 4.

Note that the coil spring 32 is arranged in the front-rear direction (second
It can also be bent by a predetermined amount (left/right direction in the figure), so
The reciprocating movement of the developing unit 17 is not hindered in any way.

In this way, the coil springs 31 and 32 can press the developing roller 22 against the photoreceptor 4 with appropriate contact pressure, and a good contact developing effect can always be obtained.

In place of the rollers 28, a dish-shaped case 35 as shown in FIG. 8 is installed in a hole formed in the bottom wall of the image forming unit case 18, and a plurality of It is also possible to place the steel balls 36 in a free state, place a support plate 37 on top of the steel balls 36 so as to make rolling contact therewith, and place the developing unit 17 on this support plate 37. Further, a ball bearing, a polymer sliding member, or the like may be employed as such a developing unit supporting means.

More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the length of the supply roller 23 is slightly shorter than the length L of the developing roller 22.
The length of the toner layer regulating blade 25 is set to be a length L+α that is slightly longer than the length L of the developing roller 22. In this way, the toner is supplied by the supply roller 23 having the shortest length so that it does not protrude from the end of the developing roller 22, and the toner remaining on the developing roller 22 is removed from the developing roller 22. Furthermore, the toner layer is completely scraped off by the wide toner layer regulating blade 25.

Further, the support shafts 22a, 22 of the developing roller 22 are
The bearing bodies 40, 40 that support the roller a are provided such that their inner end surfaces are located very close to both outer end surfaces of the developing roller 22. Further, a sealing member 41 is attached to the main body portion 40a so as to be wrapped around it to seal off toner that tends to leak through the developing roller 22. This sealing member 41 consists of a foamed urethane material layer 41a that is directly wound around the main body portion 40a of the bearing body 40, and a film-like Mylar 41b that is wrapped around the outside of this foamed urethane material layer 41a. It is in close contact with both outer end surfaces on the developing roller 22 side. Further, the seal member 41 is supported by a flange portion 40b formed at the outer end portion of the bearing body 40 so as not to fall off outward. Further, at both ends of the toner layer regulating blade 25, sealing members 42 for sealing off toner leaking from the toner layer regulating blade 25 are installed above the sealing members 41. This seal member 42 is connected to the flange portion 40 of the bearing body 40.
b is provided so as to be pressed toward the toner layer regulating blade 25 side, and is arranged so as to wrap around a part of the corner portions on both ends of the toner layer regulating blade 25. Like the sealing member 41, this sealing member 42 is also formed by wrapping a film-like Mylar layer 42b around the outside of a foamed urethane material layer 42a.

According to such a toner seal structure, the developing roller 22, the bearing body 40, and the toner layer regulating blade 25 are reliably sealed with a simple structure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a main input terminal 45 for applying a bias voltage provided on the main body side of the device is connected to one end side of the support shaft 23a of the supply roller 23, and the support shaft A supply bias terminal 46 that receives an input voltage from the main input terminal 45 is connected to the other end of 23a. This supply bias terminal 46 is fixed to an insulating substrate 47 attached to the side of the developing unit 17, and is adapted to supply a bias voltage to a circuit on the insulating substrate 47. Furthermore, the circuit on the insulating substrate 47 includes a developing bias terminal 49 connected to the supply bias terminal 46 side via a thick film resistor 48, and this developing bias terminal 49.
A ground terminal 52 connected via a thick film resistor 51 is provided on the 9 side. The tips of the developing bias terminal 49 and the ground terminal 52 are respectively connected to the support shaft 22a of the developing roller 22 and the ground side. As a result, a toner development bias voltage equivalent to the thickness of the thick film resistor 51 is applied to the development roller 22, and the supply roller 2
3, a toner supply bias equivalent to 48 thick film resistors is applied.

In this way, the main bias voltage is applied all at once from the shaft end of the supply roller 23, and this main bypass voltage is applied to the toner supply bias voltage to the supply roller 23 and the toner supply bias voltage to the development unit 17 on the insulating substrate 47 fixed to the development unit 17. If the toner developing bias voltage is divided into the toner developing bias voltage to the roller 22, each bias voltage can be arbitrarily set simply by deflecting the circuit on the insulating substrate 47, which is convenient.

Note that it is also possible to divide and supply a predetermined bias voltage not only to the developing roller 22 and the supply roller 23 but also to other parts requiring bias application, such as the neutralizing roller, by the same means.

Next, as particularly shown in FIG.
A built-up portion 56 having a semicircular cross section is formed at the tip of the pad. Further, the hinge portion 55 is provided with a plurality of elongated holes 57 so as to pass through the hinge portion 55, so that the hinge portion 55 has flexibility.

When molding such an agitator 24,
Because of the built-up portion 56, the injection liquid easily flows around to the tip, and the shape of the entire agitator 24, especially the tip, can be formed with extremely high precision and easily. Further, by adjusting the thickness of the hinge portion 55 and the shape, size, and number of the elongated holes 57, the bending characteristics of the tip portion can be set arbitrarily.

As shown in Fig. 13, the shape of the tip build-up part may be triangular in cross section (Fig. 13a), short (Fig. 13b), or grooved (Fig. 13b). Figure 13c) can also be done.

Further, a toner cartridge 60 is removably attached to the upper end opening of the main body case 21 so as to cover it. The main body case 21 can be replenished with toner by replacing the toner cartridge 60 with a new toner cartridge containing toner.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, this toner cartridge 60 has a main body container 61 in the form of a long tray in which toner is stored. is provided with a pair of pins 61a and 61b, and a film-like seal member 62 is removably attached to the bottom opening. Furthermore, the sealing member 62 is folded back at one end of the main container 61 and returned to the other end, and its tip portion is attached to the winding roller 61.
It is wrapped around 3. The above winding roller 63
is rotatably mounted on a shaft at the end of the main body container 61, and by rotating this winding roller 63, the sealing member 62 is peeled off and wound up.

The shaft end of the winding roller 63 is projected outside the machine, and a winding lever 64 as shown in FIGS. The boss portion 65 is detachably attached. That is, the lever connecting portion of the winding roller 63 includes a rotation transmitting portion 66 made of a plate-like member formed to protrude on both sides in the diametrical direction of the shaft, and a rotation transmitting portion 66 that extends in the axial direction from the tip of the rotation transmitting portion 66. The retaining portion 67 is composed of two flexible pieces that protrude and are formed in a flexible shape such that the shaft diameter changes. The outermost radial end of the rotation transmitting portion 66 is formed into a tapered surface that is inclined so as to gradually become narrower in the direction in which the shaft protrudes. In addition, two of the retaining portions 67 are
The two flexible pieces extend substantially parallel to the axial direction with the axis line in between, and their distal ends are bent radially outward in a hook shape.

On the other hand, the boss portion 65 of the winding lever 64 has
A fitting hole is formed into which the lever connecting portion of the winding roller 63 is fitted. This fitting hole consists of a rotation engagement hole 68 that receives the rotation transmission section 66 of the winding roller 63, and a shaft engagement hole 69 that receives the stopper section 67. Two locking grooves are formed in the inner circumference of the rotation engagement hole 68 so as to face each other and are recessed to accommodate the rotation transmission section 66 . By fitting the rotation transmitting portion 66 into each of the locking grooves, the rotational force on the winding lever 64 side is transmitted to the winding roller 63. Further, the outermost wall surface of each of the locking grooves is formed into a tapered surface having almost the same slope as the tapered surface of the rotation transmitting portion 66, and when the tapered surfaces on both sides come into contact with each other, the winding lever 64 is adapted to be positioned in the axial direction.

Further, the shaft engaging hole 69 is formed in a stepped shape, and the front side of the insertion hole is formed in a small diameter part,
In addition, the insertion rear side is formed into a large diameter portion that is wide. As a result, the retaining portion 67 on the winding roller 63 side inserted into the shaft engagement hole 69 is once elastically bent and compressed at the small diameter portion, and then is released at the same time as it reaches the large diameter portion. It is being expanded to its original state again. As a result, the winding lever 64
is engaged to prevent it from falling out in the axial direction. Conversely, when the once fitted winding lever 64 is pulled back in the axial direction with a force greater than a certain predetermined value, the two flexible pieces of the retaining portion 67 are elastically bent and contracted.
It passes through the shaft engagement hole 69. As a result, the take-up lever 64 is removed from the take-up roller 63 side.

Further, a large number of ratchet pawls 71 are formed on the outer periphery of the boss portion 65 of the winding lever 64. The ratchet claw 71 is fitted into a ratchet stopper 72 provided on the side of the main container 61, and this ratchet mechanism rotates the boss portion 65 in only one direction.

Furthermore, a lever attachment shaft 73 projects axially from the boss portion 65, and a lever 74 is attached to this lever attachment shaft 73 via a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism is configured to allow the lever 74 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the ratchet mechanism in the boss portion 65. Therefore, lever 74
When the container body 61 idles, the boss portion 65
On the other hand, when the lever 74 is rotated while being engaged with the lever mounting shaft 73, the boss portion 65 is released, and the boss portion 65 connects to the lever 74 via the lever mounting shaft 73. It is designed so that it can be rotated integrally. Thereby, the take-up roller 63 can be rotated for winding while reciprocating the lever 74 by a predetermined angle.

Note that the boss portion 65 and the lever mounting shaft 73 may be formed integrally. Further, the lever 74 is prevented from falling off in the axial direction by locking the spring 77 with the ring 75 and the spacer 76, but it can also be fixed by caulking means or the like.

Furthermore, the ratchet mechanism installed between the boss portion 65 and the container body 61 may be provided on the end surface side of the boss portion 65. Further, instead of the ratchet mechanism, the rotational resistance of the take-up roller 63 may be increased.

The developing unit 17 is located in an image forming unit case 18.
It is locked to the image forming unit case 18 by a second stopper 80 that is integrally formed on the right end side in FIG. This second stopper 80 has a stop claw 81
It has a knob 82 and is made of synthetic resin, for example, and is elastically deformable in the direction of arrow D. When the developing unit 17 is housed in the image forming unit case 18, the stopper claw 81 of the second stopper 80 engages with the engaging portion 21a formed on the main body case 21 of the developing unit 17, and the developing unit 17 hold. When removing the developing unit 17 for the purpose of maintenance inspection or replacement, open the upper part 10a of the main body and release the downward pressing force of the coil spring 32 as shown in FIG. Pull it to the right side in Figure 2, and
The stopper 80 is elastically deformed in the direction of arrow D. As a result, the stopper claw 81 is disengaged from the engaging portion 21a, and the developing unit 17 can be lifted upward. Conversely, when installing the developing unit 17, the developing unit 17 is lowered from above to a predetermined position inside the image forming unit case 18, and the second stopper 80 is pressed to the right to elastically deform it, and the stopper claw 81 is moved. It is made to engage with the engaging portion 21a. After engagement, the second
The stopper 80 elastically urges the developing unit 17 to the left in FIG.

Further, a pair of groove-shaped support portions 27, 27 are formed on the left and right walls 18a, 18b of the image forming unit case 18 to support the support shaft 4a of the photoreceptor 4 via bearings (not shown). ing. The carrier unit 16 is held such that the support shaft 4a of the photoreceptor 4 is supported by the support portion 27, and is also held by a first stopper 85 shown at the left end in FIG.
It is latched to the image forming unit case 18 by. This first stopper 85 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and is attached to the image forming unit case 18.
It is formed integrally with and can be elastically deformed in the direction of arrow C. This first stopper 85 has a knob 86.
and a stop claw 87 are formed, and the stop claw 87 engages with the engaging portion 19a of the case 19 of the carrier unit 16, whereby the carrier unit 16 housed in the image forming unit case 18 is rotated. It is held as shown in FIG. Therefore,
When repairing, inspecting or replacing the carrier unit 16, open the upper part 10a of the main body as shown in FIG. 4 and pull the knob 30 to the left in FIG. The deformation occurs, and the stop claw 87 comes off from the locking portion 19a of the case 19. Thereby, the carrier unit 16 can be lifted upward as it is. At this time, the support shaft 4a of the photoreceptor 4 also has a groove-shaped support portion 62 with an open top.
It comes off without support. Conversely, the carrier unit 16
When attaching the carrier unit 16 to the image forming unit case 18, lower the carrier unit 16 from above, house it in the image forming unit case 18, fit the support shaft 4a into both supports 62, and then attach the carrier unit 16 to the image forming unit case 18. When the unit 16 is lightly pressed from above, the case 19 presses the first stopper 85 in the direction of arrow C, elastically deforming it, and the stopper claw 87 engages the locking portion 1 of the carrier unit 16.
9a. In this way, you can easily attach the carrier unit 16 to the image forming unit case 18.
can be set to

Further, when the carrier unit 16 is supported by the image forming unit case 18, a part of the photoreceptor 4 is inserted into the opening 90 formed in the bottom wall of the image forming unit case 18.
inserted into. Further, a gear (not shown) attached to the support shaft 4a is also inserted into the opening 90, and is driven by meshing with a gear (not shown) supported on the lower part 10b of the printer body. Similarly, the gear 91 on the support shaft 22a side of the developing roller 22 and the gears (not shown) on the supply roller 23 and the agitator 24 are also engaged with the gears on the main body lower part 10b side, and are driven to rotate.

When attaching and detaching the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17 to and from the case 18, the lower part 10b of the main body and the case 18 are maintained in a horizontal state, so that the work can be carried out in a comfortable posture.

As mentioned above, the second part of the image forming unit case 18
There is a space between the wall 18c on the right side of the figure and the rear end of the main body case 21 of the developing unit 17 (the right end in FIG. 2).
Two coil springs 31 are provided that press the entire developing unit 17 toward the front side (left side in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 18, this coil spring 31 is connected to the developing unit 17 side via a hinge pressing piece 100 provided so as to extend from the upper end portion of the right end side wall portion 18c of the image forming unit case 18. The pressing force is applied.

The hinge pressing piece 100 is made of a synthetic resin material, and includes a base plate 101 that extends substantially horizontally from the upper end of the right side wall 18c of the image forming unit case 18, and a base plate 101 extending from the top end of the base plate 101. It extends downward in a dogleg shape,
It consists of a rocking plate portion 102 that comes into contact with the rear end portion of the developing unit 17.

The substrate section 101 includes an image forming unit case 1.
A hook portion that fits into a claw portion formed at the upper end portion of the right end side wall portion 18c of 8 is provided. The claw portion on the side of the image forming unit case 18 is formed to extend almost horizontally toward the right side in FIG.
The hook portion of the substrate portion 101 is fitted into the claw portion from the right side in FIG. 2 toward the left. As a result, the substrate section 101
is held so as to oppose the biasing force of the coil spring 31, and its distal end portion has a predetermined elastic force so as to be bent by a predetermined amount in the vertical direction.

Further, the swing plate section 102 is configured to
01 through a thin walled portion 103 formed in a groove shape.
02 as a whole can be rotated around a thin wall portion 103. In addition, the swing plate portion 102
is bent so as to extend diagonally downward a predetermined distance from the substrate portion 101 side and then descend substantially vertically. The vertically descending portion is adapted to come into contact with the rear end portion of the main body case 21 of the developing unit 17. The lowermost end of the vertically descending portion is positioned by abutting against a rib stopper on the image forming unit case side.

Further, a spring holder 104 that bulges out toward the right end side wall 18c of the image forming unit case 18 is formed in the vertically descending portion, and the coil spring 31 is mounted on the outside of the spring holder 104. It's embedded. The end portion of the coil spring 31 on the side of the image forming unit case 18 is inserted into a recess formed in the rear wall portion 18c. As a result, the developing unit 17 is pushed to the left side in FIG.
is pressed onto the surface of the photoreceptor 4 with a predetermined pressure. In this case, the two coil springs 31, 31 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 22, and
Since the rollers are biased in a balanced manner, the developing roller 22 is pressed onto the photoreceptor 4 with uniform pressure distribution. Further, by appropriately selecting the spring coefficient of the coil spring 31, the pressing force of the developing roller 22 can be appropriately set.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 19, the hinge pressing piece is integrally formed without providing a rocking plate portion as described above, and the fitting portion for attachment to the image forming unit case 18 side is formed into a hinge shape. It is also possible to install the hinge pressing piece so that the entire hinge pressing piece can be swung around the mounting fitting portion.

This configuration can also be adopted when the surfaces of the developing roller 22 and the photoreceptor 4 are both made of rigid bodies, but when at least one of them is made of an elastic body, this elastic body is moderately compressed by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. This is particularly advantageous because it allows elastic deformation and maintains the contact area between the two necessary for development at an appropriate size. Furthermore, even if the photoreceptor 4 or the developing roller 22 vibrates to some extent during printer operation, the coil spring 31
Since the coil spring 32 brings them into elastic pressure contact, the contact area does not vary greatly due to vibrations, and it is possible to always obtain a high-quality visible image.

Even in a developing device in which the developing roller 22 and the photoreceptor 4 are arranged with a predetermined gap, the developing roller 22 is urged toward the photoreceptor 4 by the urging force of the coil spring 31, etc., and the developing roller 22 is supported. It is possible to accurately position both by, for example, placing the shaft 22a against a stopper.

A biasing means other than the coil spring 31 may be used, and the pressing force of this biasing means may be applied to the developing unit 17 via the second stopper 80. Note that it is also possible to support the biasing means on the developing unit 17 side.

As described above, in the printing operation, after the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17 are held in the image forming unit case 18, the main body upper part 10a is moved to the first position.
This is done with the lid closed as shown in the figure. At this time, the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17 are moved to the image forming unit case 18 by external force acting on them.
If it moves vertically or vibrates,
There is a risk that the quality of the visible image formed on the recording paper will deteriorate. However, with this configuration, both units 16 and 17 are held elastically and firmly in the vertical direction, and the inconvenience of movement or vibration of these units with respect to the image forming unit case 18 is prevented or suppressed. Ru.

Furthermore, as in the illustrated printer, when the developing roller 22, which rotates counterclockwise, rotates at a faster circumferential speed than the photoreceptor 4, which rotates clockwise, the developing roller 22 is rotated as shown by the arrow in FIG. A strong external force directed diagonally upward as shown by E is applied from the photoreceptor 4 side.
However, even in such a case, the developing unit 17
is held down by the downward urging force of the coil spring 32, and the developing unit 17 will not be lifted even if an external force is applied to the developing roller 22 in the direction of arrow E (FIG. 2).

When the main body upper part 10a is opened as shown in FIG. 4, the downward urging force of the coil spring 32 is released, and the developing unit 17 can be easily removed from the image forming unit case 18. Then, when the main body upper part 10a is closed again, the developing unit 17 is locked immovably in the vertical direction. In this manner, the holding device 37 can be locked or unlocked by opening and closing the upper part 10a of the main body, and there is no need for the operator to perform any special operations.

Next, the configuration related to positioning and holding of the image forming unit case 18 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of pins 110 and 111 are provided on the left side wall 18d of the image forming unit case 18 so as to protrude toward the side. Main body frame (hereinafter referred to as lower frame) 112 of the lower part 10b
The support grooves 113 and 114 are fitted into support grooves 113 and 114 formed in each side plate 112a and 112b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper part 10a of the main body can be opened and the image forming unit case 18 can be rotated about the pins 110, 111 and lifted up while housing the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17.
In this case, since the lower part of the image forming unit case 18 is the conveying path for the recording paper 2, if the image forming unit case 18 is rotated upward in this way, the conveying path is exposed to the outside, and the conveying path is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the recording paper 2 stuck in the paper conveyance path can be easily removed. The image forming unit case 18 can also be removed from the lower body portion 10b if necessary.

When the imaging unit case 18 is set to the mounting position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging unit case 18 must be correctly positioned and held with respect to the lower part 10b of the main body, especially the lower frame 112 thereof. A locking device 115 is provided for this purpose. This locking device 115 includes a long plate-shaped rotating member 117 rotatably supported by a pair of support pins 116 protruding from the image forming unit case 18. At both ends of this rotating member 117,
A pair of lock pawls 118 are provided, and a knob 119 is integrally formed at the center thereof. Further, the rotating member 117 has a receiving part 121 formed by cutting and bending a part thereof, and between this receiving part 121 and a horizontally bent part 122 of the image forming unit case 18. A compression coil spring 123 is press-fitted. The compression coil spring 123 causes the rotation member 117 to
has been given a rotational correction clockwise in FIG. On the other hand, a pair of locking holes 124 are formed in the lower frame 112 to receive the locking claws 118, and when the image forming unit case 18 is set at the mounting position shown in FIG.
The lock claw 118 of No. 7 is inserted into the locking hole 124 with the spring 123.
They each become involved due to the action of . In this case, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 2, a compression coil spring 125 is provided in the image forming unit case 18 so as to protrude downward, and the lower end of this compression coil spring 125 is The lever 126 of the lower part 10b of the main body is pressed against the lever 126. Therefore, when the image forming unit case 18 is housed in the predetermined mounting position, the image forming unit case 18 is held in place by the compression coil spring 125.
11 in a counterclockwise direction. As a result, the lock claw 118 is brought into pressure contact with the upper wall surface of the locking hole 124, and the image forming unit case 18 is reliably locked and held at the mounting position. Lock claw 1
18 is provided on the lower part 10b side of the main body, and a locking hole 124 with which this engages is provided in the imaging unit case 1.
It may be provided on the 8th side.

When opening the image forming unit case 18, pull the knob 119 of the rotating member 117 upward in FIG.
As a result, the rotating member 117 is rotated counterclockwise around the support pin 116, and the lock pawl 118 is rotated counterclockwise around the support pin 116.
is removed from the locking hole 124 and the locked state is released. Therefore, the image forming unit case 18 is rotated around the pins 110 and 111 without support, and the fifth
It can be opened to the state shown in the figure. When the image forming unit case 18 is rotated again to return to the position shown in FIG. is locked. In this way, the image forming unit case 18 can be held with a simple operation. At this time, since the image forming unit case 18 is engaged with the support grooves 113 and 114 of the lower frame 112 via the pins 110 and 111, the image forming unit case 18 is held and the lower main body 10b
The image forming unit case 18 can be correctly positioned relative to the image forming unit.

Instead of rotatably supporting the rotating member 117 of the locking device 115, the locking pawl 118 may be elastically deformed to lock and release the lock.

As described above, the image forming unit case 18 is positioned by the lock device 115 with its rotation center as a reference. However, for example, a force accompanying the rotation of the photoreceptor 4 acts on the image forming unit case 18, and the pins 110 and 111, which are the rotational centers of the image forming unit case 18, are moved away from the support grooves 113 and 111, respectively.
If the image forming unit case 18 moves slightly or shakes relative to the recording paper 114, the position of the image forming unit case 18 may become inaccurate, and the quality of the image on the recording paper 2 may deteriorate. When there is such a possibility, it is advantageous to engage the rotation center portion of the photoreceptor 4 or a portion near the rotation center with the lower frame 112 to improve positioning accuracy. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a positioning notch 128 is formed at or near one of the support parts 27 that supports the support shaft 4a of the photoreceptor 4, and when the image forming unit case 18 is placed in the mounting position, Reference pins 130 and 131 protruding from the support plate 112c fixedly connected to the side plate 112b of the lower frame 112 and the other side plate 112a are engaged with the positioning notches 127 and 128, and the imaging unit is assembled. The positioning accuracy of the case 18 is increased.
The positioning notches 127, 128 are open at the bottom, and are configured so that the pins 130, 131 can be inserted into or removed from the notches 127, 128 without any problem when the developing unit case 18 is rotated. has been done. If the image forming unit case 18 is positioned in the vicinity of the photoreceptor 4 in this way, the image forming unit case 18 will not shift even when the photoreceptor 4 rotates.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the spindle of the gear 132 that drives the gears such as the developing roller 22 and the photoreceptor 4 via other gears is used as the reference pin 130, which simplifies the configuration. You can get the benefits that you can.

As explained above, the recording paper 2 is fed to the photoreceptor 4 at a timing determined by the pair of registration rollers 3, and as can be seen from FIG. and a slave shaft roller 3b that rolls into contact with this. In this case, the drive roller 3a is supported immovably by the side plates 112a and 112b, but the driven roller 3b
is rotatably supported by the lever 126 briefly shown above. The above lever 126
is rotatably supported on the side plate 112 by a pin 135. The image forming unit case 18 is the second
When held in the mounting position shown in the figure, the above-mentioned spring 125 attached to this image forming unit case 18
presses the lever 126. Thereby, the driven roller 3b comes into pressure contact with the driving roller 3a, and these rollers can cooperate to convey the recording paper 2. When the image forming unit case 18 is opened (FIG. 5), the pressure applied by the spring 126 to the lever 126 is released. Therefore, the lever 126 can be easily rotated by hand around the pin 135,
When the recording paper 2 becomes jammed between the rollers 3a and 3b, it is possible to easily release the jam.
It is also possible to similarly make pressure contact with the paper conveyance rollers other than the registration rollers by the image forming unit case 18, or to release the pressure contact.

The recording paper 2 passes below the image forming unit case 18, but in the illustrated embodiment, focusing on this point, the lower part of the rotary member 117 constituting the locking device 115 described above is used to guide the recording paper 2. It is used as a department. This eliminates the need to provide another independent guide member on the right side of the image forming unit case 18, reducing the number of parts, and also prevents the image forming unit case 18 from becoming clogged when it is rotated and lifted. This method also has the advantage of being able to access paper that has been processed, and making it easier to process jam paper. For the same purpose, a plurality of ribs 136 are provided on the lower surface of the image forming unit case 18, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2, so that the recording paper 2 can be guided by these ribs.

As described above, the functions of the image forming unit case 18 can be expanded by configuring the image forming unit case 18 to press the registration roller 3 and release it, and to guide the recording paper 2. , the number of parts of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses other than laser printers, such as copying machines and facsimile machines.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus, the seal member take-up lever of the toner cartridge can be operated in a narrow space.
The entire device can be made smaller. Moreover,
Since the length of the winding lever can be made long, the seal winding force can be small.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a portion of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 shows an image forming unit separated. Exploded perspective views shown in Figures 4 and 5.
The figure is an overall perspective view showing the top of the main body opened; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the developing unit installed;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the developing unit, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the developing unit supporting means.
Figures 9 and 10 are longitudinal and cross-sectional views showing the developing roller sealing device, Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the bias voltage application means, and Figure 12 is a partially enlarged view showing the shape of the tip of the agitator. A perspective view, FIGS. 13a, b, and c are side views showing an embodiment of the agitator, FIGS. 14 and 15 are a side view and a plan view of the cartridge, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are seal windings of the cartridge. FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the contact urging means of the developing unit, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the pressing piece. 4... Photoreceptor, 10... Printer main body, 10a
... Upper body, 10b... Lower body, 16... Carrier unit, 17... Developing unit, 18...
Image forming unit case, 22...Developing roller, 37
...Developing unit holding device, 23... Supply roller, 24... Agitator, 28... Roller, 30...
... Bearing case, 31, 32 ... Coil spring, 40
... Bearing body, 41, 42 ... Seal member, 45 ...
...Main input terminal, 46...Supply bias terminal,
47... Insulating substrate, 49... Development bias terminal,
52...Earth terminal, 60...Cartridge, 6
2... Seal member, 63... Take-up roller, 64...
... Winding lever, 65 ... Boss part, 66 ... Rotation transmission part, 67 ... Rotation locking part, 100 ... Hinge pressing piece, 112 ... Main body frame, 115 ... Lock device.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A pair of pins provided on a shaft near one side of the opening, a container body for storing toner, and a container body rotatably supported on one side of the body and the opening. A take-up roller having an engaging part at an end near the shaft near one side of the part, one half of which is attached to the opening edge of the main body, the other half of which is folded back toward the starting end of said one half, and the end of said take-up roller is attached. a wound bifold seal member on the circumference;
In the toner storage container of an image forming apparatus, the toner storage container of an image forming apparatus has a winding member that engages with an engaging portion of the winding roller, and is mounted on a developing unit with the opening facing down. , a boss portion that engages with the engaging portion of the winding roller, a lever that rotates the boss portion, and a drive transmission portion that transmits the driving force of the lever only in the direction in which the seal is wound. A toner storage container characterized by: