JPH07134483A - Developing cartridge for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an exchangeable developing cartridge capable of replenishing toner only by a prescribed number of times set in advance in accordance with a serviceable life. CONSTITUTION:The developing cartridge is composed of a developing part 30 and a toner hopper 40 and repeatedly used in such a manner that the toner is replenished only two times, so that two toner bottle insertion hole for replenishing 44 are provided on a partitioning plate 41 on the top surface of the toner hopper 40 and the fitting of only two toner bottles is permitted. A toner bottle for replenishing 51 is provided with a mouth part, a tapered cylindrical part connected thereto and locking powl pieces 54 and constituted so that when the toner bottle for replenishing 51 is pushed into the insertion hole 44, the pieces 54 are deflected to push the toner bottle, but when it is once pushed, the pieces 54 are clocked with the edge 44a of the inside surface of the insertion hole 44 not to remove the toner bottle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, and more particularly, to a toner which can be replenished a predetermined number of times. It relates to a possible developer cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a small copying machine or a laser printer, a photoconductor drum and a developing device are constructed in one unit, and a predetermined amount of toner is preliminarily loaded for replacement. Some use possible developer cartridges. An image forming apparatus using such a developing cartridge is configured to replace the developing toner with a new developing cartridge when the loaded toner is used up. It is not necessary to maintain the developing device, and the structure is suitable for a small image forming apparatus.

Such a developing cartridge is discarded as dust after the toner is used up. For this reason, a large amount of developing cartridge is discarded when it is disposed of after one-time use, which may affect the environment. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus using such a developing cartridge is a small-sized apparatus, and the size of the developing cartridge is limited. For this reason, the amount of toner loaded into the developing cartridge is also limited, so that when the toner is used up, the internal photosensitive drum and the developing device will not reach the end of their useful lives and become unusable. If toner is replenished, the toner can be used for a considerable period of time without affecting the image quality.

Therefore, there has been proposed a developing cartridge which can be replenished with toner and repeatedly used (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-186375).

[0005]

However, since the photosensitive drum has a property of gradually deteriorating depending on the number of times of use, and the developing device and the like are consumed depending on the number of times of use, the developing cartridge is repeatedly used. Image quality gradually deteriorates with use. Therefore, in the case of a developing cartridge capable of supplying toner, it is necessary to limit the number of times the user can supply toner to a predetermined number in order to keep the image quality above a certain level. The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems and provides an image forming apparatus including at least a toner hopper and a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor. In a developing cartridge of an image forming apparatus which can be mounted exchangeably, it is predetermined according to the usable life of the replenishing toner bottle for replenishing the toner to the toner hopper, the photosensitive member and the developing means. A replenishment toner bottle mounting portion capable of mounting a predetermined number of replenishment toner bottles; and a withdrawal prohibition means for prohibiting withdrawal of the replenishment toner bottle mounted in the replenishment toner bottle mounting portion, The use limit of the cartridge is specified by the number of replenishing toner bottles to be mounted.

[0007]

In the developing cartridge, it is possible to mount a predetermined number of replenishing toner bottles according to the usable life of the photoconductor and the developing means, and once the replenishing toner bottles are installed. Since the removal is prohibited after mounting, the developing cartridge can be used by replenishing the toner repeatedly until the usable life of the photoconductor and the developing means, and at the end of the life of the developing cartridge. Since the use of the developing cartridge is prohibited, the image quality can be maintained at a predetermined level or higher even by repeatedly using the developing cartridge.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the outline of the internal structure of a laser printer using the developing cartridge of the present invention. 1 is a laser printer, 2 is a scanning optical system unit, and 3 is a replaceable developing card. Toriji, 4 is a paper feed cassette, 6 is a paper feed roller, 8
Is a timing roller, 9 is a transfer roller, and 10 is a fixing roller.
La, 7 and 11 are transport rollers, and 12 is a discharge roller.

The scanning optical system unit 2 includes a laser oscillator, a polygon mirror, etc., and modulates laser light emitted from the laser oscillator by an image signal output from the host computer. By scanning in the main scanning direction, an electrostatic latent image of an image is formed on the photosensitive drum in the developing cartridge 3. Since the structure is known, the description is omitted here.

The developing cartridge 3 is a photosensitive drum 31,
It is composed of a developing roller, a toner hopper, etc., and develops the electrostatic latent image of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by the toner by the laser light from the scanning optical system unit 2. It is a thing. The developing cartridge 3 is configured such that it can be replenished with the toner a predetermined number of times after it has been cut off using a toner loaded in advance. The structure will be described in detail later.

The operation of the laser printer will now be briefly described. The scanning optical system unit 2 operates under the control of a control unit (not shown) and is modulated by the image signal output from the host computer. An electrostatic latent image of the image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 in the developing cartridge 3 by the laser light, and the latent image is developed by the toner.

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 6 is operated under the control of a controller (not shown) to feed the recording paper CP from the paper feed cassette 4. The fed recording paper CP is temporarily stopped by the timing roller 8 and then conveyed to the transfer position at the timing when the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 reaches the transfer position. The toner image on the body drum 31 is transferred onto the recording paper CP by the transfer roller 9. After that, the toner image transferred onto the recording paper CP is fixed by the fixing roller 1.
The sheet is fixed by 0, and is ejected through the transport roller 11 and the sheet ejection roller 12.

Next, the structure of the developing cartridge will be described. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which a replenishing toner bottle is inserted into the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment. -Shows a cross section along the centerline of the bottle insertion hole.

The developing cartridge 3 includes a developing unit 30 and a toner.
It is composed of a hopper-40. The developing unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging brush 36 for applying a predetermined charge to the photosensitive drum 31, and a residual toner on the photosensitive drum 31.
Cleaner 38 for removing the toner, the developing roller 32 arranged close to the photosensitive drum 31, and the toner on the developing roller 32.
Toner feeding blade 33, developing roller 32
It is composed of the upper toner layer thickness regulating blade 37 and the like. Reference numeral 35 is a cover for protecting the photosensitive drum 31, which opens when the developing cartridge 3 is mounted on the laser printer 1 so that the photosensitive drum 31 and the fixing roller 10 come into contact with each other. ing.

The toner hopper 40 has a replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 44 formed in a partition plate 41 on the upper surface thereof.
It comprises a toner stirring blade 42 and a toner empty sensor (not shown) for detecting that the toner is gone.

The developing roller 32 and toner in the developing section 30.
The space delimited by the layer thickness regulating blade 37 and the toner hopper 40 communicate with each other through an opening 43. Note that L
Reference numeral B shows the optical path of the laser light incident on the photosensitive drum 31 from the scanning optical system unit 2.

Since the developing cartridge 3 is used by replenishing the toner repeatedly a predetermined number of times (twice in this embodiment), the upper surface of the toner hopper 40 is provided outside the container of the developing cartridge 3. A predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of opening portions 39 are provided in the portion located at, and a predetermined number of replenishment toner bottle insertion holes 44 are also provided in the partition plate 41 on the upper surface of the toner hopper 40 ( In this embodiment, two are provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the replenishing toner bottle 51, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of the replenishing toner bottle 51. The replenishing toner bottle 51 includes a mouth portion 52 and a taper cylindrical portion 53 connected to the mouth portion 52. A plurality of taper cylindrical portions 53 are provided outside the taper cylindrical portion 53 along the lower edge of the mouth portion 52. A locking claw piece 54 is formed.

The replenishing toner bottle 51 is replaced with a toner hopper.
When it is pushed into the replenishment toner bottle insertion hole 44 of 40, the locking claw piece 54 bends and bends inward.
1 can be pushed in, but once pushed in, the locking claw piece 54 causes the edge 44a of the inner surface of the replenishment toner bottle insertion hole 44.
It is configured so that the replenishing toner bottle 51 cannot be pulled out. In FIG. 3, the replenishing toner bottle is inserted into the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 44, and the locking claw piece 54 is provided with the edge 44 of the inner surface of the replenishing toner bottle inserting hole 44.
The state of being locked at a is shown.

Further, in FIG. 5, 55 is a replenishing toner.
A sealing seal that is attached to the bottom of the bottle 51 and seals the toner, and 56 is an opening tape that opens the sealing seal 55.
As shown in the figure, one end of the unsealing tape 56 has a sealing sheet.
It is fixed to the end of the rule 55. The opening tape 56 is a sealing sheet.
It is folded back at the end of the reel 55 and extended, and the other end extends to the upper surface of the replenishing toner bottle 51. When the extended end portion of the unsealing tape 56 is pulled, the portion fixed to the end portion of the sealing seal 55 acts so as to peel off the sealing seal 55, and the sealing seal 55 is removed. -Rule 55 can be opened.

Next, a method of using the developing cartridge 3 and a method of replenishing the toner will be described. Development cartridge 3
The toner hopper 40 is first loaded with a predetermined amount of toner at the factory, and the two replenishing toner bottle insertion holes 44 are sealed by a seal member (not shown) before shipment. Therefore, the user reads the developing cartridge 3 as it is.
Used by mounting on the printer 1.

When the toner empty sensor (not shown) detects that the toner has run out during use, the developing cartridge 3 is removed from the laser printer 1 and the replenishing toner bottle 51 is replaced. It is inserted into the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 44 on the partition plate 41 through the opening portion 39.
At this time, the seal member attached to the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 44 may be inserted by being ruptured or peeled off. Refilling toner bottle 5 once when inserting
1 is loosely inserted into the insertion hole 44, the unsealing tape 56 is pulled to break the sealing seal 55, and the toner is inserted into the toner hopper-4.
After being discharged to 0, the replenishment toner is supplied until the locking claw piece 54 is locked to the edge 44a on the inner surface of the refilling toner bottle insertion hole 44.
Push in the bottle 51 sufficiently to fix it (see FIG. 3).

With the above operation, the toner is supplied to the developing cartridge 3 for the first time, and the toner can be mounted on the laser printer 1 again for use. Toner during use
When it is detected that the toner has been exhausted, the toner can be replenished for the second time by the same operation as above. However, there is no replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 44 that can be used,
Since the replenishing toner bottle 51 previously attached cannot be removed, the replenishment of the toner is prohibited and the replacement of the developing cartridge 3 with a new one is urged.

Next, a second embodiment of the developing cartridge will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole is arranged on the side surface of the toner hopper portion of the developing cartridge, but the inside of the developing cartridge is different. Since the configuration is not particularly different from that of the first embodiment, the configuration near the replenishment toner bottle insertion hole and the replenishment toner bottle will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the developing cartridge, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the toner bottle insertion hole, showing a state in which two replenishing toner bottles are inserted. 61
Is a developing cartridge and 62 is a replenishing toner bottle insertion hole, which is arranged so as to be located on the side surface of the toner hopper portion of the developing cartridge 61. Reference numeral 63 denotes a stepped portion provided on the developing cartridge 61, and the height h of the stepped portion is a predetermined number of replenishing toner bottles 71 (in this embodiment, 2).
When they are inserted in a superimposed manner, the height is configured to be almost twice the height b of the mouth portion 72 of the replenishing toner bottle (FIG. 7).
reference).

On the other hand, the laser printer 1 is provided with a guide projection 81 at the mounting portion of the developing cartridge 61.
When a predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of replenishing toner bottles are inserted into the developing cartridge 61, the mouth portion of the replenishing toner bottle collides with the guide protrusion 81, and the developing cartridge is damaged.
The cartridge 61 is so constructed that it cannot be mounted on the laser printer 80.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of the replenishing toner bottle 71, which has a mouth 72 of height b and a tape connected to the mouth 72.
It is composed of a cylindrical part 75. The mouth portion 72 of the replenishing toner bottle 71 is sealed by a seal member 77 that can be easily torn or peeled off. In addition, the taper cylindrical portion 75 is provided with an opening 76 from a part of its side surface to its bottom surface, and is sealed by a sealing seal 78. Reference numeral 79 is an unsealing tape for unsealing the sealing seal.

Furthermore, the mouth portion 72 of the replenishing toner bottle is provided with an annular locking groove 73 on the inner surface thereof and an elastic member having a hook 74a formed at the tip thereof from the mouth portion 72 toward the taper cylindrical portion 75. A locking claw piece 74 made of a material is provided. The distance m from the lower surface of the mouth 72 to the hook 74a of the locking claw piece 74
And the thickness t in the axial direction of the refill toner bottle insertion hole (see FIG. 7).
(See) and the axial thickness n from the upper surface of the mouth portion 72 of the replenishing toner bottle to the annular locking groove 73 provided on the inner surface are all the same.

With this configuration, the replenishing toner bottle 71
Toner bottle insertion hole 6 for replenishing the developing cartridge 61
When inserted in 2, the locking claw piece 7 of the replenishing toner bottle 71
No. 4 bends to allow the insertion of the toner bottle, but when inserted, the hook 74a of the locking claw piece 74 locks on the inner surface of the supply toner bottle insertion hole 62 of the developing cartridge 61 and the supply toner bottle is inserted. -The bottle 71 cannot be pulled out. Further, when the second replenishing toner bottle 71 is inserted into the mouth portion 72 of the first replenishing toner bottle 71, the locking claw pieces 74 of the second replenishing toner bottle 71 bend and the toner bottle. However, when it is inserted, the hook 74a of the locking claw piece of the second replenishing toner bottle 71 locks in the annular locking groove 73 of the first replenishing toner bottle, Replenishing toner bottle 7
1 cannot be removed (see FIG. 7).

Next, a method of using the developing cartridge 61 and a method of replenishing the toner will be described. The toner hopper of the developing cartridge 61 is initially loaded with a predetermined amount of toner at the factory, and the replenishment toner bottle insertion hole 62 is shipped with a seal member (not shown) attached. The user mounts the developing cartridge 61 on the laser printer 1 and uses it.

When the toner empty sensor is detected by a toner empty sensor (not shown) during use, the developing cartridge 61 is removed from the laser printer 1 and the replenishing toner bottle 71 is replaced. The toner is inserted into the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 62. The seal member (not shown) that closes the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 62 may be inserted by being crushed or peeled off. After inserting the replenishing toner bottle 71 loosely into the insertion hole 62 at the time of insertion, pull the opening tape 79 to break the sealing seal 78, and discharge the toner to the toner hopper. , The push-in member is fully pushed and fixed until the hook 74a of the locking claw piece of the replenishing toner bottle 71 is locked inside the replenishing toner bottle insertion hole 62.

After the first replenishment of the toner to the developing cartridge 61 is completed, the toner can be mounted on the laser printer again for use. If it is detected that the toner is gone during use, the first
The seal member 77 attached to the mouth portion 72 of the replenishing toner bottle 71 is crushed or peeled off, and a new second replenishing toner bottle 71 is inserted into the mouth portion 72. At the time of insertion, temporarily insert the replenishing toner bottle 71 into the mouth portion 7
2 After loosely inserting it, pull the opening tape 79 and seal it.
Breaking the ruler 78 and ejecting the toner to the toner hopper is the same as in the first case.

After this, the hook 74a of the locking claw piece of the second replenishing toner bottle 71 has an annular locking groove 73 in the mouth 72 of the first replenishing toner bottle 71 that has already been inserted. Push it in until it locks in and fix it.

By the above operation, the toner can be replenished for the second time, but even if a new replenishing toner bottle is inserted into the previous replenishing toner bottle, the replenishing toner bottle can be replenished.
Since the mouth 72 of the toner bottle having two or more overlapping bottles collides with the guide protrusion 81 of the laser printer and cannot be mounted,
Replenishment of toner is prohibited, and replacement of a new developing cartridge 3 is urged.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the replenishing toner bottle is provided with the locking claw piece as a fixing means when the replenishing toner bottle is mounted on the developing cartridge. Instead, add a locking groove to the refilling toner bottle.
You may make it provide the locking claw piece which engages with the said locking groove on the toner bottle insertion hole side for replenishment of a developing cartridge.
Moreover, other appropriate fixing means can be adopted.

In the embodiment described above, the opening tape is used to open the sealing seal of the replenishing toner bottle, but instead of this, a needle-like needle is provided on the toner hopper side. When the replenishing toner bottle is mounted on the toner hopper, the needle-shaped protrusion may pierce the sealing seal to open the container. In addition, an appropriate means can be adopted for opening the sealing seal.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the toner can be replenished to the developing cartridge a predetermined number of times predetermined according to the usable life of the photosensitive member and the developing means. As a result, the toner can be replenished and the developing cartridge can be repeatedly used until the usable life of the photoconductor and the developing means, and the use is prohibited when the life of the developing cartridge is exhausted. The image quality can be maintained at a predetermined level or higher even if the developing cartridge is repeatedly used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the outline of the internal configuration of a laser printer using the developing cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the developing cartridge of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the center line of a replenishing toner bottle insertion hole of the developing cartridge 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a replenishing toner bottle according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the center line of the replenishing toner bottle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a developing cartridge according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion along the center line of a replenishing toner bottle insertion hole of the developing cartridge 3 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the center line of the replenishing toner bottle according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3, 61 Development cartridge 44, 62 Replenishment toner bottle insertion hole 51, 71 Replenishment toner bottle 54, 74 Locking claw piece

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A developing cover of an image forming apparatus, comprising at least a toner hopper and a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor, and which is replaceably attachable to the image forming apparatus.
A replenishing toner bottle that replenishes the toner to the toner hopper, and a replenishing toner bottle that can be mounted with a predetermined number of replenishing toner bottles that are predetermined according to the usable life of the photoconductor and the developing means. A toner bottle for mounting the toner cartridge and a means for prohibiting extraction of the toner bottle for supply mounted on the toner bottle mounting portion for replenishment, which limits the use limit of the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge of the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing cartridge is defined by the number of mounted.