JPH066365Y2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a liquid crystal printer, a laser beam printer, and a copying machine to which electrophotographic technology is applied. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is housed in a waste toner container.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, in an image forming apparatus that develops a latent image formed on an image bearing member with toner to visualize the latent image, a cleaning mechanism for removing the toner remaining on the image bearing member after the transfer process is provided. There is known a method of storing the waste toner inside the cleaning mechanism and a method of transporting the waste toner removed without storing it in a predetermined direction and storing it in the waste toner container from the end of the transport mechanism. There is. In the former case of storing waste toner inside the cleaning mechanism,
In the latter case where the unit type cleaning mechanism is replaced at the end of its useful life and a waste toner container is provided at the end of the transport mechanism, a new container is replaced every time the container is full. On the other hand, as the image forming apparatus, a so-called shell-open structure is known in which the upper body can be largely opened with respect to the lower body in order to facilitate the maintenance and the assembling process. Here, the image forming apparatus having the shell open structure and the cleaning mechanism having the waste toner container will be described. The discharge port of the waste toner is open when the waste toner container is set. When it is not set, it is necessary to close the discharge port to prevent the toner from scattering.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a printer P which is a shell open type image forming apparatus.

The printer P includes a recording unit 2 that forms and records recording information on the photosensitive drum 1, and a paper feeding unit 4 that sequentially feeds the paper 3 at a timing that matches the recording information formed on the photosensitive drum 1. , A sheet conveying section 5 for conveying the sheet 3, reversing it, and discharging it to a predetermined position. Recording unit 2
Is a charger 6 that is disposed close to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1 to uniformly charge the photoconductor drum 1 and recording information on the photoconductor drum 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. A print head 7, a developing device 8 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with toner, a transfer device 9 that transfers the developed recording information onto the paper 3, and a transfer device 9 It is composed of a cleaner 10 and the like for removing the residual toner on the photoconductor drum 1 which has not been transferred by.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1, the charger 6 and the cleaner 1
0 is integrally configured as a process unit PU and is detachably provided to the apparatus main body. The print head 7 uses, for example, a liquid crystal optical shutter in which a large number of micro shutters are assembled in the main scanning direction, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 according to recorded information by light from a light source (not shown).

The paper feed unit 4 includes a paper feed cassette 11 in which papers 3 of a predetermined size are stacked and stored, a paper feed roller 12 that takes out and feeds the papers 3 one by one from the top. Paper 3
Turn guide 13 for reversing and guiding conveyance
A standby roll 14 for further transporting the sheet 3 and a stopper 15 for transporting the sheet 3 toward the transfer unit 9 in time with the image on the photosensitive drum 1.

Further, the printer P is detachably provided with a waste toner container 16 for collecting the waste toner removed by the cleaner 10. Further, the mounting portion of the waste toner container 16 of the printer P is provided with a detection member such as a micro switch (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the waste toner container 16.

The sheet conveying unit 5 is located above the sheet feeding cassette 11, and separates the sheet 3 on which the image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred by the transfer unit 9 from the photosensitive drum 1, and the sheet 3 and the sheet 3.
A guide plate 18 for receiving and guiding the sheet, a fixing device 19 for fixing the toner image after transfer by heat and pressure, and a sheet 3
Guide plates 20 and 21 for guiding the upper part and the guide plate 2
Conveying roll 2 that conveys the sheet 3 upward along 0, 21
2 and a paper discharge roll 24 that discharges the paper 3 onto a paper discharge tray 23 provided on the upper surface of the housing of the printer P.

Further, the printer P is formed by being divided into an upper machine body UB and a lower machine body DB, and the upper machine body UB is configured to be semi-rotatable about the lower machine body DB about a hinge portion 25. Then, the photosensitive drum 1 and the charger 6 described above
Process unit PU in which the cleaner and the cleaner 10 are integrated
Is detachable from the printer body when the upper body UB is opened, that is, when the so-called shell is opened.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the process unit PU is removed. In the process unit PU, the photosensitive drum 1, the charger 6, and the cleaner 10 are integrally housed in a unit casing 26.

The drum shaft 1a of the photosensitive drum 1 projects from both side ends of the unit casing 26, and is detachably provided in the groove 31a of the unit mounting portion 31 of the printer P. The cleaner 10 is a collection roll 28 for collecting the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 scraped by a blade (not shown).
And a toner conveying section 29 for conveying the waste toner collected by the collecting roll 28 in a predetermined direction, and a lid member 30 for opening and closing a toner discharge port provided at one end of the toner conveying section 29. In addition, the lid member 30 includes a lever member 30.
a is provided upright and is constantly urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of closing the toner discharge port. When the upper body (not shown) comes into contact with the lever member 30a, the upper body rotates in the direction of arrow C to open the toner discharge port. When the toner discharge port is opened, the waste toner is discharged into the waste toner container (not shown) by the function of the toner transport unit 29.

In this case, the fact that the toner outlet is always closed when the shell is open means that the toner outlet is closed when the process unit PU is attached and detached, and the toner scattering when the process unit PU is attached and detached is prevented. It is preferable for prevention. In the case where the toner discharge port is opened / closed in conjunction with, for example, the attachment / detachment operation of the process unit PU, there is a drawback that the opening / closing mechanism becomes uncertain and toner scattering may occur.

FIG. 6 is a main part perspective view showing the vicinity of the mounting portion of the waste toner container 16 of the printer P. The mounting port cover 32 hinged to the lower machine body DB can be opened in the direction of the arrow b when the upper machine body UB is opened in the direction a and the claw 33 is released. Therefore, the upper fuselage UB is closed, and
The mounting port cover 32 does not open when the lid member 30 of the toner transport unit 29 (not shown) is open.

[Problems of conventional technology]

However, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the waste toner container 16 is replaced while the upper body UB is opened, but the waste toner container 16 is not attached due to an erroneous operation. The upper machine body UB may be closed as it is, and there is a drawback that toner is scattered into the machine. That is, when the upper waste fuser UB is closed after the old waste toner container is pulled out and the new container is forgotten to be attached, the lid member 30 of the discharging unit 30
Rotates by the upper machine body UB as described above and opens the toner discharge port.

Therefore, the toner accumulated in the vicinity of the discharge port is dropped or scattered due to vibration or the like.

In this case, the presence or absence of the waste toner container 16 is detected by the detection member as described above, but it cannot prevent the closing operation of the upper machine body UB, in other words, the opening operation of the toner discharge port. In addition, if the detection member malfunctions, the device may become operable, and further toner scattering from the toner discharge port may occur. Therefore, when the waste toner container 16 is not installed, the upper unit U
Although it may be possible to make the structure in which B cannot be closed, there is a drawback that the mechanism becomes complicated and the cost becomes high.

Further, the lid member 30 is simply provided in accordance with attachment / detachment of the waste toner container 16.
Although a mechanism for opening and closing the toner has been proposed, it cannot overcome the problem that toner is scattered when the process unit PU is attached and detached as described above, and there is no device having a reliable opening and closing mechanism.

[Purpose of device]

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention opens and closes the opening of the discharge part in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the image forming apparatus of a so-called shell open structure,
By providing an opening / closing mechanism that can prevent the discharge port from being closed when the waste toner container is not attached, it is possible to prevent toner from scattering into the image forming apparatus, and to make such a mechanism simple and inexpensive. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be configured.

[Summary of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus main body composed of a first body and a second body that are openably and closably supported, and a peripheral surface of an image carrier provided on the first body. A cleaning mechanism having means for removing residual toner remaining, an opening formed in a discharge portion for discharging the toner removed by the means, and a lid member movably supported by the discharge portion and opening and closing the opening. A lever member provided on the lid member, and a lever member provided on the second machine body, contacting the lever member with the closing operation of the first machine body and the second machine body, and opening the cover member. Image forming apparatus including a pressing member that presses in a direction and a toner storage unit that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body and that stores toner discharged from the opening that is connected to the cleaning mechanism and is in an open state. To And is provided so as to be engageable with the toner accommodating means, and prevents the lid member from coming into contact with the lid member when the toner accommodating means is attached to the apparatus main body and moving the lid member to the position where the opening is opened. A first position, a blocking member movable to a second position that allows the lid member to move when the toner storage unit is not attached to the apparatus main body, and abutting contact between the lever member and the pressing member. When one of the parts has the blocking member at the first position and the first body and the second body are closed, the opening is closed by moving with respect to the lever member or the pressing member. In order to enable the closing operation of the first machine body and the second machine body as it is, a moving piece that moves with respect to the lever member or the pressing member is provided.

[Example of device]

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

1 to 3 show a main part of a printer P as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is its perspective view and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2, showing the relationship between the waste toner container and the process unit PU. The overall configuration of the printer P is the same as that in FIG. 7, and the same members as those shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals and used in the following description.

In FIG. 1, the process unit PU includes a toner transport unit 29, a lid member 30 for opening and closing a toner discharge port 36 (see FIG. 3) of a discharge unit 29 a provided at one end of the toner transport unit 29, and the like. The entire configuration excluding the shape of the lid member 30 is the process unit P shown in FIG.
It has the same configuration as U. That is, a lever member 43 is erected on the lid member 30 as shown in the figure, and is constantly urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of closing the toner discharge port 36 (direction of arrow e). At the position shown by the chain double-dashed line 43 'in FIGS. 1 and 2, further rotation is restricted by a stopper (not shown).

The lever member 43 has a base portion 43a having a protrusion 43b engageable with a blocking member 42, which will be described later, and an abutting portion 4 abutting on an abutting portion 27a of a pressing member 27 provided on the upper machine body UB.
A moving piece 44 is provided on the 3c side. And the moving piece 4
4 is provided on the base portion 43a so as to be semi-rotatable about the pin 45, is constantly urged by the spring 46 in the direction of arrow f, and is rotationally restricted at the position shown in FIG. here,
As will be described later in detail, the biasing force of the moving piece 44 in the f direction is set to be larger than the biasing force of the lid member 30 itself in the e direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a coil-shaped transport member 35 is rotatably disposed by a drive mechanism (not shown) inside the toner transport unit 29 provided in a part of the process unit PU. A toner discharge port 36 is formed at the end of the toner transport unit 29. The lid member 30 has an opening 30b and is rotatably supported by a pin 37.

On the other hand, the printer P is provided with a removable waste toner container 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the waste toner container 16 has a neck portion 16a provided upright on the upper portion thereof, and is mounted in the waste toner container case 34 from the direction of the arrow d to receive the waste toner falling from the toner discharge port. In addition, the waste toner container 1
The container body portion 6 is provided with a grip portion 16b for easy handling. When the waste toner container 16 is mounted in the waste toner container case 34 as shown in FIG. 3,
Presence / absence is detected by a micro switch or the like (not shown). Also,
A notch 34a is formed in the bottom portion of the waste toner container case 34, and a leaf spring 38 is fixedly provided in the notch 34a. The waste toner container 16 inserted by the leaf spring 38 is urged upward. Then, it abuts against the rib 39 of the process unit PU. Further, notches 34b and 41a are formed in the back portion of the waste toner container case 34 and the support portion 41 provided in the lower machine body DB, respectively. And the support part 41
The blocking member 42 is rotatably supported by the hinge 41b in the Z direction of FIG. Therefore, the blocking member 42 can be freely advanced and retracted into the waste toner container case 34 through the notches 34b and 41a, and the states of the two-dot chain lines 42 'and 42 "in FIG. Here, the blocking member 42 is biased counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 and 3 by its own weight or a spring or the like, and is restricted in rotation at the lower end of the notch 34b. Further, as will be described later in detail, the blocking member 42 is
1 and 3, the upper end portion 42a is arranged in such a positional relationship that the upper end portion 42a can contact the protrusion 43b of the lever member 43 when the waste toner container 16 is not mounted. Has been done.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting port cover 32 is supported by the hinge 32a of the lower body DB so as to be semi-rotatable in the direction of the arrow Y, and is always biased by a spring member (not shown) in the closing direction. . In addition, a cushion member 40 is attached to a portion inside the mounting port cover 32 that abuts the waste toner container 16, and a claw 33 is provided at an upper end portion thereof. It cannot be opened because it is locked by the UB.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. 2 and 3, the solid line indicates that the process unit PU is mounted in the apparatus,
Moreover, the case where the waste toner container 16 is mounted in the waste toner container case 34 is shown. When the image forming process is continued, the developer in the developing device 8 shown in FIG. 7 is consumed and the waste toner container 16 becomes substantially full, a sensor not shown operates,
The time to replace the waste toner container 16 is displayed on the operation unit of the printer P. As for the replacement timing of the waste toner container 16, the amount of waste toner in the waste toner container 16 may be directly detected, or the developing device 8 may be used.
The replacement time may be determined by associating the amount of the developer in the inside with the amount of the waste toner collected by the cleaner 10.

First, the procedure for replacing the waste toner container 16 will be described. When the time to replace the waste toner container 16 is displayed on the operation section of the printer P, the lock release lever (not shown) is operated to open the upper machine body UB as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. . When the upper body UB is opened, the claw 33 at the upper end of the mounting port cover 32 is disengaged from the upper body and can be opened in the direction of the arrow b as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. At the same time, the lever member 43 pressed by the contact portion 27a of the pressing member 27 arranged on the upper body UB.
Rotates upward, and the lid member 30 closes the toner discharge port 36.

Therefore, even if the waste toner container 16 is removed in this state,
Toner scattering does not occur due to vibration during replacement.
This is the same when the process unit PU is removed from the main body of the apparatus, and since the toner discharge port 36 is closed, the waste toner does not scatter and the inside of the apparatus is not likely to be contaminated with the toner.

Next, after removing the old waste toner container, a new waste toner container is opened in the mounting port cover 32 and mounted in the waste toner container case 34. At the bottom of the waste toner container case 34,
Since the leaf spring 38 is fixed, the mounted waste toner container 16 is slightly pushed upward. At the same time, the blocking member 42 moves to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line 42 'in FIG.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, when the process unit PU is mounted from above (or already mounted), the upper end of the neck portion 16a of the waste toner container 16 is provided with the rib 39 provided at the lower end of the toner conveying portion 29. It is pressed by and is lowered to a predetermined position against the leaf spring 38. When the mounting port cover 32 is closed, the waste toner container 16 is pressed and fixed in the right direction in FIG. 3 by the cushion member 40 attached to the inside of the cover. When the upper body UB is closed after the mounting port cover 32 is closed, the claw 33 provided on the upper end of the mounting port cover 32 is locked and fixed to a part of the exterior of the upper body.
Therefore, it does not open outward.

Here, from the upper side of the process unit PU to the upper body UB
Is closed (X direction in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), the pressing member 27 descends accordingly (2 shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2).
7 '), first, the contact portion 27a' is set to the lever member 43.
The contact piece 43 'comes into contact with the moving piece 44'. Further, when the upper body UB is closed, the lever member 43 is pressed and rotated in the direction of arrow c, and the lever member 43 and the lid member 3
Move 0 to the position indicated by the solid line. Here, as described above, the biasing force of the moving piece 44 in the direction of FIG.
Is larger than the urging force in the e direction, the moving member 44 is rotated by the pressing member 27 without rotating the lid member 30.

Therefore, when the upper body UB is closed, the lid member 30 is opened as shown in FIG. Then, the toner transport unit 2
9 and the waste toner container 16 communicate with each other through the opening 30b of the lid member 30, and the waste toner can be stored.

Although the lid member 30 according to the present invention is opened and closed in this manner, a case where the upper body is closed without the waste toner container 16 being mounted will be described below.

When the waste toner container 16 is removed, as described above,
The blocking member 42 advances to the position shown by the alternate long and two short dashes line 42 ″ in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. When the upper body UB is closed in this state, the pressing member 27 first contacts the moving piece 44 in the same manner as above. An attempt is made to move the lever member 43 in the direction of arrow c. However, since the protrusion 43b provided on the base portion 43a of the lever member 43 abuts the upper end portion 42a of the blocking member 42, the lid member 30 moves in the direction c. When the upper body UB is further closed, the moving piece 44 rotates about the pin 45 in the direction of arrow g as shown in FIG. The fuselage UB is closed. Therefore, the lid member 30 remains closed, and there is no possibility that toner will scatter without opening the opening.

4 and 5 show another embodiment of the present invention, and are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, showing the main part.

In FIG. 4, the process unit PU is the discharge unit 29 provided at one end of the toner transport unit 29 as in the above-described embodiment.
It is composed of a lid member 30 for opening and closing a, and the lid member 30 includes
A lever member 47 having a protrusion 47a is provided upright.

On the other hand, the upper body UB (not shown) is provided with a pressing member 48 that abuts the lever member 47 to open and close the lid member 30. The pressing member 48 includes a contact piece 48 a for pressing the contact portion 47 b of the lever member 47, and a moving piece 49 rotatably supported by a pin 50. The moving piece 49 has a groove 48.
It is loosely fitted in b and is constantly urged by the spring 51 in the direction of arrow h, and further rotation is restricted by the lower end portion 48c. In this embodiment, the biasing force of the spring 51 in the h direction is set to be larger than the biasing force of the lid member 30 in the arrow e direction.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. In FIG. 5, the solid line indicates that the process unit PU is installed in the apparatus, the waste toner container 16 is installed in the waste toner container case 34, and the upper machine body UB (not shown) is closed. It shows the case that it is done. When the upper body UB is so-called shell-closed in the direction of the arrow X, the pressing member 48 is lowered accordingly (lowered to the position 48 'shown by the chain double-dashed line), and the contact portion 48a' composed of the moving piece 49 'is formed. It contacts the lever member 47 '.
Further, when the upper machine body UB is closed, the biasing force of the moving piece 49 in the direction of arrow h in FIG. 4 is larger than the biasing force of the lid member 30 in the direction of arrow e as described above. The member 30 is rotated to the solid line position. Therefore, when the waste toner container 16 is attached and the upper machine body UB is closed, the lid member 30 is opened as in the above-described embodiment.

On the other hand, when the waste toner container 16 is not attached, the blocking member 42 advances to the front side in FIG. 5 as described above, and the upper end 42a of the blocking member 42 and the protrusion 47a of the lever member 47 come into contact with each other. The rotation of the lid member 30 in the arrow c direction is prevented. That is, as shown by the two-dot chain line 49 ″ in FIG. 5, the upper body UB is closed while the moving piece 49 rotates about the pin 50 in the direction of arrow i. Therefore, the lid is closed as in the above-described embodiment. The member 30 remains closed, and the opening is not opened so that toner scattering does not occur.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the moving piece 44 of the above-mentioned embodiment is used.
Since the moving piece 49 is provided on the pressing member 48 side in accordance with
For example, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where it is provided on the disposable process unit side.

Each member such as the lid member, the pressing member, and the blocking member of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the cleaner is integrally configured as a part of the process unit PU has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be naturally applied to other cleaning mechanisms.

[Effect of device]

As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner discharge port is closed in conjunction with the opening operation of the upper body, so that the toner is not scattered and the inside of the apparatus is contaminated. In addition, a moving piece is provided on either a lever member that is erected on a lid member that covers the opening of the discharge portion, or a contact portion of each of the pressing members that press the lever member. Since it is configured to move due to the change in the contact pressure of the contact portion that occurs when the container is attached and detached, the lid member is rotated and the opening is opened only when the waste toner container is mounted. Therefore, a reliable opening / closing mechanism can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent the toner from scattering unnecessarily. Further, it can be provided at a low cost with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the essential part of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part showing a waste toner container mounting portion of the printer P, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a shell-open type image forming apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a state in which a conventional process unit is taken out. It is a perspective view. P ... Printer, PU ... Process unit, UB ...
Upper machine, DB ... Lower machine, 1 ... Photosensitive drum, 1
a: Drum shaft, 2 ... Recording unit, 4 ... Paper feeding unit, 5 ...
Paper transport unit, 6 ... Charging device, 8 ... Developing device, 9 ... Transfer device, 10 ... Cleaner, 16 ... Waste toner container, 16a
...... Neck, 16b ...... Grip, 25 ...... Hinge, 26
...... Unit casing, 27, 48 …… Pressing member, 2
7a, 43c, 47b, 48a ... Abutting part, 28 ... Collection roll, 29 ... Toner transporting part, 29a ... Discharging part,
30 ... Lid member, 30a, 43, 47 ... Lever member,
30b ... Opening portion, 31 ... Unit mounting portion, 31a,
48b ... Groove, 32 ... Mounting port cover, 32a, 41b
...... Hinge, 33 …… Pawl, 34 …… Waste toner container case, 34a, 34b, 41a …… Notch, 35 …… Conveying member, 36 …… Toner discharge port, 37,43a, 44a,
45, 50 ... Pin, 38 ... Leaf spring, 39 ... Rib,
40 ... Cushion member, 41 ... Support portion, 42 ... Blocking member, 42a ... Upper end portion, 43a ... Base portion, 43b,
47a ... Protrusion, 44, 49 ... Moving piece, 46, 51 ...
… Spring, 48c… Bottom end.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An apparatus main body composed of a first body and a second body that are openably and closably supported, means for removing residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of an image carrier, which is provided in the first body, and by the means. A cleaning mechanism having an opening formed in a discharging portion for discharging the removed toner, and a lid member movably supported by the discharging portion to open and close the opening; and a lever member provided in the lid member. A pressing member that is provided on the second machine body and that abuts on the lever member in accordance with the closing operation of the first machine body and the second machine body and presses the lid member in the opening direction of the device; An image forming apparatus, which is detachably attached and includes a toner storage unit for storing toner discharged from the opening that is connected to the cleaning mechanism and is engageable with the toner storage unit. A first position provided to prevent the lid member from moving to a position where the opening is opened by abutting the lid member when the toner accommodating means is attached to the apparatus main body; The blocking member is movable to a second position that allows the lid member to move when not attached to the apparatus body, and the blocking member is provided on one of the contact portions of the lever member and the pressing member that abut each other. When the first body and the second body are closed at the first position, the first body and the second body are moved with respect to the lever member or the pressing member to keep the opening in the closed state. An image forming apparatus comprising a moving piece that moves with respect to the lever member or the pressing member to enable the closing operation of the above.