JPH063391Y2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, an image reader, and a printer.

[Prior art and its problems]

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a single developing device or a developing device integrally formed with other members may be configured as a disposable type. When a two-component development method (development method that uses both carrier and toner) that allows a phenomenon within a wide range of allowable density is applied to this unitized developing device, the allowable density will not increase until the carrier deteriorates. The unit can be continuously used by replenishing a predetermined amount of toner each time the lower limit is reached. Therefore, a developing device unit and a container (toner cartridge) containing a predetermined amount of toner required until the carrier deteriorates are sold as a set.

When using the developing unit and a plurality of toner cartridges sold as the above set, when the toner supplied by the last toner cartridge in the set reaches the lower limit of the permissible concentration, the carrier has reached the end of its life. It will need to be replaced.

Also, in the toner replenishment type one-component developing method other than the two-component developing method, if the number of times of use of the developing device is increased, blocking and white stripes in the image frequently occur, and the life of the component itself is also increased. It is preferable to replace the developing device after the lapse of a predetermined useful life. An example of the deterioration of such parts is deterioration of the sandblasted surface of the magnet roll.

Further, some users may store a plurality of sets each including a developing unit and a toner cartridge. In this case, even if the carrier of the unit currently used has reached the end of its life, it may not be possible to control how many times the toner has been replenished in the past, so a toner cartridge in another set may be used, resulting in A situation occurs in which the toner cartridge is continuously used more than the number of times of use determined for one unit.

For this reason, the image quality may be deteriorated by continuous use without knowing the lifespan of the components and the carrier that make up the unit, or some units may run out of the toner cartridge before the lifespan of the components and the carrier and may be mistaken for the lifetimes. The unit may be replaced.

As such a cartridge type developing device, there is a conventional developing device as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. In both figures, the developing container 1 is integrally formed with a container portion 1a for accommodating toner on the lower side and a cartridge holder 1b on the upper side, and a toner replenishing cartridge 2 is mounted on the cartridge holder 1b. The cartridge holder 1b of the developing container 1 has a mounting opening 1c on one side, an opening 1d communicating with the container 1a on a lower side, a guide section 1e on an upper side, and a back side opposite to the mounting opening 1c. An expanded cartridge rotation unit 1f is provided. The toner replenishing cartridge 2 has an opening 2b on the upper side of a tubular portion 2a formed in a tubular container for containing the toner 3, a protrusion 2c for engaging with the guide portion 1e of the cartridge holder 1b, and an end portion thereof. A handle 2d is formed. In order to replenish toner with this developing device, first, the toner replenishing cartridge 2 is pushed in the direction A from the mounting opening 1c of the cartridge holder 1b by engaging the protrusion 2c with the guide portion 1e. When the tip of the toner supply cartridge 2 comes into contact with the opposite side of the mounting opening 1c, the protrusion 2c comes off the guide portion 1e, and the cartridge rotating portion 1
It becomes rotatable at f. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the handle 2d is held and rotated in the direction of arrow B by 180 °. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening 2b of the toner replenishing cartridge 2 is communicated with the opening 1d of the developing container 1, and the toner 3 is replenished in the container 1a. A developing roll 4 and a doctor blade 5 are arranged in the container portion 1a, and the replenished toner 3 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 by toner. When the toner 3 in the developing container 1 is reduced and the toner is replenished again, the toner replenishing cartridge 2 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B and then withdrawn, and similarly replaced with a new toner replenishing cartridge 2.

However, in such a conventional developing device, if the toner replenishing cartridge 2 is used and the toner replenishing cartridge 2 can be replenished any number of times, when applied to a unit type device, the life of the developing container 1 cannot be sufficiently managed. It had various inconveniences. Therefore, after replenishing the developing container 1 by a predetermined amount, it is desirable to prevent further replenishment.

[Purpose of device]

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention provides a developing device in which, when the developing container and the carrier reach the end of their lives, the toner supply is limited to prevent the unit from being used beyond its life. The purpose is to

[Key points of device]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cylindrical toner replenishment cartridge having an opening on the peripheral surface and containing replenishment toner inside, and a posture in which the opening of the toner replenishment cartridge is directed substantially upward. It has a mounting guide means for guiding the mounted toner replenishing cartridge along the longitudinal direction and a rotation guide means for rotatably guiding the mounted toner replenishing cartridge along the circumferential direction. The toner replenishing cartridge is inserted into the mounting position, and then the toner replenishing cartridge is rotated approximately half a predetermined circumferential direction so that the opening portion faces downward and the replenishing toner is supplied to the developing container. In the developing device configured to replenish toner, a unique engaging portion is provided at the front end portion in the insertion direction and provided at different circumferential positions with respect to the opening portion. A plurality of toner replenishing cartridges, which are provided in the inner part of the developing container corresponding to the front end of the toner replenishing cartridge in the insertion direction when the toner replenishing cartridge is guided to the mounting position, and face the front end. A rotating member rotatable in the circumferential direction of the toner replenishing cartridge, a one-way rotation control means for rotating the rotating member only in the predetermined circumferential direction, and a member of the toner replenishing cartridge provided and inserted in the rotating member. When the toner supply cartridge is in a position facing the mating portion, the toner replenishing cartridge is allowed to be inserted into the mounting position, and the engaging portion is engaged to allow the toner replenishing cartridge to rotate in the predetermined circumferential direction together with the rotating member. In addition, when the toner replenishing cartridge is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined circumferential direction, the toner replenishing cartridge is disengaged and the toner replenishing cartridge is reversed. A rotation preventing member that allows the rotation in the opposite direction and prevents the toner replenishing cartridge from being inserted into the mounting position when the toner replenishing cartridge is not in the position facing the engaged portion of the inserted toner replenishing cartridge. To do.

[Example of device]

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the developing device of FIG.

The developing device includes a developing container 11 and a toner replenishing cartridge 12.
Etc. The developing container 11 has substantially the same shape as that of the conventional example, and a container portion 11a for containing toner on the lower side and a cartridge holder 11b as a mounting portion on the upper side thereof are integrally formed. The toner supply cartridge 12 is attached to 11b. Cartridge holder 11b of the developing container 11
Is a mounting opening 11c on one side, an opening 11d communicating with the container 11a on the lower side, and a recessed guide section 11e at a position slightly to the right when viewed from the upper mounting opening 11c,
The cartridge rotating unit 11 is provided on the far side opposite to the mounting opening 11c.
f and are provided. As will be described in detail later, the toner replenishing cartridge 12 is made up of four types, each of which is a cylindrical portion 12a formed in a cylindrical container containing the toner 13.
An opening 12b is formed on the upper side thereof, a protrusion 12c that engages with the guide portion 11e of the cartridge holder 11b, and a handle 12d is formed at the end thereof. Further, the opening 12b of the toner supply cartridge 12 is attached to the cartridge holder 11b as shown in FIG.
It is formed at a position communicating with the opening 11d of the developing container 11 when rotated. A developing roll 14 and a doctor blade 15 are arranged on the lower side of the container portion 11a,
The supplied toner 13 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 16 by toner.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are perspective views of toner replenishing cartridges used in order.

The toner replenishing cartridge 12 is composed of one set of four types of cartridges, which are sold as a set, for example. The toner replenishing cartridge 12 shown in FIG. 7A is the first cartridge to be used, and the end surface on the opposite side of the handle 12d is provided with a symbol "1" indicating that it is the first cartridge to be used. A cylindrical portion 12e, which is described and whose end portion has a short cylindrical shape, is formed. Further, a first unique cutout portion 12f ₁ is formed in a part of the upper circumferential portion 12e. In the same figure (b), the cartridge used secondly is similarly marked with the symbol "2", and from the _first cutout 12f ₁ to the direction of arrow B (as shown in FIG. 3a). The second unique notch 1 at a position rotated by 170 ° in the cartridge rotation direction)
2f ₂ is formed. The other parts have the same shape as the first toner supply cartridge 12. In the same manner, the same cartridge (c) is used for the third cartridge, and the reference numeral "3" is described for the second cartridge 12f.
_A third unique notch 12f ₃ is formed at a position rotated by 170 ° from _{2 in the} direction of arrow B. Further, FIG. (D) of the described symbol "4" in the cartridge used in the fourth, the direction of the arrow B from the third cut-out portion 12f ₃ 1
A fourth unique cutout 12f ₄ is formed at a position rotated by 70 °. Each toner supply cartridge 12
A sheet 12g that covers the opening 12b is attached to the sheet, and is peeled off when the apparatus is used.

FIG. 1 (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the developing device of the present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a partially cutaway view of the developing device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge rotating portion, and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are sectional views taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2 when the first to fourth toner replenishing cartridges are mounted, respectively. It is a figure explaining operation.

The cartridge rotating portion 11f of the developing container 11 is formed to be slightly longer in the longitudinal direction than the conventional example and has an expanded diameter, and the rotating member 17 for controlling toner replenishment is arranged in the cartridge rotating portion 11f. ing. This rotating member 1
7 is rotatably attached to a shaft 18 provided on the inner side wall surface of the cartridge rotating portion 11f. The rotating member 17 is formed such that the circumferential portion 17a on the front side when viewed from the cartridge mounting side is shaped to fit into the cylindrical portion 12e of the toner supply cartridge 12, and the circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 17a is formed. An engaging portion 17b is provided which can be projected and retracted from the peripheral surface by an urging force of a spring or the like. The engagement portion 17b is sized to fit into the cutout portion 12f of the toner supply cartridge 12. Further, the rotating member 17 has a large number of protrusions 17c formed on the peripheral surface on the back side when viewed from the cartridge mounting side. Further, from the developer container 11 side, a stopper 19 is provided at a position where it engages with the protrusion 17c. The rotating member 17 constitutes a ratchet mechanism that rotates only in the B direction (the cartridge rotating direction during toner supply) by the protrusion 17c and the stopper 19.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the cartridge rotating portion 11f
When the toner replenishment cartridge 12 is installed,
Steps 20a and 20b for limiting the rotation range of the protrusion 12c
Are formed. That is, the range in which the protrusion 12c can rotate is the range of the steps 20a to 20b (170 °) (the range in which the cartridge 12 rotates after mounting the cartridge in the B direction and the opposite C direction), and this portion corresponds to the cartridge rotating portion 11f. Is formed in a concave portion, and the other step portion 20a to step portion 20b is formed.
The range of (190 °) is formed on the convex portion.

Next, the operation of the developing device having the above configuration will be described.

First, in order to perform the replenishment operation by the first toner replenishment cartridge 12, the toner replenishment cartridge 12 is projected from the mounting opening 11c of the cartridge holder 11b to the protrusion 12c.
Is engaged with the guide portion 11e and pushed in the A direction. When the front end side of the toner replenishing cartridge 12 in the fitting direction reaches the cartridge rotating portion 11f, the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 is arranged at a position (first position) where it engages with the cutout portion 12f ₁ . By further pushing, the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 engages with the cutout portion 12f ₁ , and the cylindrical portion 12e fits into the circumferential portion 17a. In this state, the toner replenishing cartridge 12 is in a state in which the protrusion 12c can be separated from the guide portion 11e and rotated. next,
Hold the handle 12d of the toner supply cartridge 12
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the rotary member 17 is turned in the direction of arrow B, the rotary member 17 rotates together because the engaging portion 17b is engaged with the cutout portion 12f ₁ , and the protrusion 12c moves from the step portion 20a to the step portion 20b. It stops by rotating 170 ° until it contacts (12c '). In this state, the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 is stopped at a position rotated by 170 ° from the last position (17b '). As a result, the opening 12b of the toner supply cartridge 12 is
Is communicated with the opening 11d of the developing container 11, and the toner 13
Are replenished in the container portion 11a.

Next, in order to replenish the second toner, the first toner replenishing cartridge 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 6 (a). The rotation of the rotating member 17 is restricted by the stopper 19, and the engaging portion 17b is pushed by the notch 12f ₁ and is retracted from the peripheral surface of the circumferential portion 17a, so that only the toner replenishing cartridge 12 is 170 ° in the direction of arrow C. Rotate,
The protrusion 12c comes into contact with the step 20a and stops. In this state, the toner supply cartridge 12 can be taken out by pulling it in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction. Then the second
Similarly, the second toner supply cartridge 12 is pushed into the cartridge holder 11b. Since the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 is arranged at the second position which is rotated by 170 ° from the first position, the toner supply cartridge 12
The notch 12f ₂ engages with the engaging portion 17b. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), by rotating the toner replenishing cartridge 12 in the direction of the arrow B, the toner replenishing cartridge 12 is similarly rotated by 170 ° and stopped, and the toner 13 is replenished in the container portion 11a.
In this state, the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 is stopped at the position (17b ') rotated by 170 ° from the second position.

Similarly, in order to replenish the third toner, the second toner replenishment cartridge 12 is taken out, the third toner replenishment cartridge 12 is attached, and the B of FIG.
Turn to the direction to replenish. Similarly, for the fourth toner replenishment, the third toner replenishment cartridge 12 is taken out, the fourth toner replenishment cartridge 12 is attached, and the toner is replenished by rotating in the direction B of FIG. 6 (d). That is, the notch 12f engages with the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 only when the determined toner replenishing cartridge 12 is sequentially used, and in other cases, the end face of the cylindrical portion 12e engages with the engaging portion 17b. Therefore, the toner replenishing cartridge 12 cannot be mounted because the toner replenishing cartridge 12 cannot be mounted because the toner replenishing cartridge 12 does not rotate. You can know for sure.

In the above embodiment, the four toner supply cartridges 1
Although the number is set to 2, it is possible to manage even more cases by merely changing the position of the engaging portion 17b of the rotating member 17 and providing the toner replenishing cartridge 12 having the notch 12f that engages with it. Further, although the rotation angle is 170 °, it may be an angle at which the cutout portion 17b is not formed at least at the same position when sequentially rotated. Further, the toner replenishing cartridge 12 is different only in the position of the notch 12f, and the other parts have the same shape, and are easy to manufacture.

Further, although the rotating member 17 is configured to rotate only in one direction due to the large number of protrusions 17c and the stoppers 19,
Any ratchet mechanism may be used, and the shape, structure, etc. of the embodiment are not limited.

[Effect of device]

According to the present invention, the toner replenishing cartridge has a predetermined replenishing order, and the toner cannot be replenished in any order other than that order. Therefore, after replenishing the toner a predetermined number of times, it is sure that the developing container has reached the end of its life. You know, you can prevent oversupply. Also, once the toner replenishment cartridge is pulled out after replenishment, the same toner replenishment cartridge (cartridge with the same number) cannot be mounted again,
For example, another set of toner replenishment cartridges cannot be used, and developer replenishment management can be reliably performed. Further, since the structure is simple, the manufacturing is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low, the developing device is suitable for a disposable developing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the developing device of the present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a partially cutaway view of the developing device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a cartridge rotating portion, FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d) are perspective views of a toner replenishing cartridge used in order, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a developing device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the developing device in FIG. 4, FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are sectional views taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2, illustrating the operation when each toner replenishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional developing device, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views showing the replenishing operation of the conventional developing device. 11 ... Developing container, 11a ... Container part, 11b ... Cartridge holder, 11c ... Mounting port, 11d ... Opening part, 11e ... Guide part, 11f ... Cartridge rotating part, 11g ... Sheet, 12 ... ... toner supply cartridge, 12a ...... cylindrical portion, 12b ...... openings, 12c ...... projections, 12d ...... handle, 12e ...... cylindrical _{portion, 12f 1, 12f 2, 12f} 3, 12f 4 ...... notch, 13 ... Toner, 14 ... Developing roll, 15 ... Doctor blade, 16 ... Photosensitive drum, 17 ... Rotating member, 17a ... Circumferential part, 17b ... Engaging part, 17c ... Protrusion, 18 …… Axis, 19 …… Stopper, 20a, 20b …… Step section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A cylindrical toner replenishing cartridge having an opening on the peripheral surface and containing replenishment toner inside, and a longitudinal direction with the opening of the toner replenishing cartridge oriented substantially upward. A mounting guide means for guiding to the mounting position, a rotation guide means for guiding the mounted toner supply cartridge rotatably along the circumferential direction, and a developing container into which the toner supply cartridge is removably fitted. After inserting the toner replenishment cartridge into the mounting position,
A developing device configured to replenish the replenishment toner to the developing container by rotating the toner replenishing cartridge approximately half a turn in a predetermined circumferential direction, wherein the front end portion in the insertion direction is A plurality of toner replenishing cartridges each having a unique engaging portion provided at different circumferential positions with respect to the opening, and a front end portion of the toner replenishing cartridge in the insertion direction when the toner replenishing cartridge is guided to the mounting position. A rotary member that is provided in the back of the developing container and that faces the front end and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the toner supply cartridge; and a one-way rotation that rotates the rotary member only in the predetermined circumferential direction. The control means and the toner replenishing cartridge provided at the rotating member and facing the engaging portion of the inserted toner replenishing cartridge. Of the toner replenishing cartridge to the mounting position and engages with the engaging portion to allow the rotation of the toner replenishing cartridge together with the rotating member in the predetermined circumferential direction and to the predetermined circumferential direction of the toner replenishing cartridge. Is disengaged during the rotation operation in the opposite direction to allow the toner replenishing cartridge to rotate in the reverse direction, and when the toner replenishing cartridge is not in the position facing the engaging portion of the inserted toner replenishing cartridge, the toner replenishing cartridge is mounted. A developing device, comprising: a rotation blocking member for blocking entry into a position.