JPH07152238A - Electrostatic latent image developing device and toner cartridge applied to the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely close a toner discharge opening and to surely and completely prevent toner remaining in a container from being scattered by constituting an electrostatic latent image developing device so that a shutter member may be moved to cover the toner discharge opening at the time of taking out a toner cartridge. CONSTITUTION:When the toner cartridge 16 is inserted, a control means actuates an elevation means so as to position the cartridge 16 at a specified loading position. Thereafter, the control means actuates a seal tape take-up means so as to take up a seal tape to open the toner discharge opening, thereby discharging the toner stored in the container. In the case of taking out the cartridge 16 in which the toner has been consumed, from a toner cartridge housing means 14, the control means actuates the elevation means so as to make the cartridge 16 ascend to a shutter actuating position, and then a shutter actuating means 72 is actuated to move the shutter member, so that the toner discharge opening is covered with the shutter member. Thereafter, the elevation means is actuated to move the cartridge 16 at a loading/unloading position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image developing device used in an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine or a laser printer, and more specifically, toner replacement is performed by replacing a toner cartridge. And a toner cartridge applied to the electrostatic latent image developing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrostatic latent image developing device used in an image generator applies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to be developed and develops the toner image into a toner image. Therefore, the toner is consumed according to the execution of the development, and it is necessary to replenish the toner to the electrostatic latent image developing device after the development is performed many times. Replenishment of toner is required to be easy to operate, and in general, a toner replenishment system in which toner is replenished by replacing a toner cartridge is adopted. In the electrostatic latent image developing device adopting such a toner replenishment system, a toner cartridge accommodating means is provided, and the toner cartridge is detachably mounted in this toner cartridge accommodating means. A toner receiving opening is formed in the toner cartridge housing means. The toner cartridge includes a container having a toner discharge opening, toner contained in the container, and sealing means for closing the toner discharge opening. Usually, the toner discharge opening is formed in the lower wall of the container, and the sealing means is composed of a tape member that is releasably attached to the lower wall of the container. When the toner cartridge is mounted in the predetermined mounting position of the toner cartridge accommodating means, the toner discharge opening of the toner cartridge is positioned to face the toner receiving opening of the toner cartridge accommodating means. After the toner cartridge is mounted at the predetermined position of the toner cartridge accommodating means, the tape member is peeled from the container to open the toner discharge opening, the toner in the container is discharged through the toner discharge opening into the toner receiving opening, and thus the electrostatic discharge is performed. Toner is supplied to the latent image developing device. The tape member is normally peeled from the container by grasping one end and pulling.

In the toner cartridge, when the toner is consumed and replaced, it is desirable to cover the toner discharge opening of the container again in order to prevent the residual toner from scattering. JP-A-58-224364 discloses a technique for satisfying the above requirements, in which a sliding member is attached to a container in association with a toner discharge opening of the container and a tape member attached to the container is connected to the sliding member. A toner cartridge is disclosed. In such a toner cartridge, the tape member is peeled from the container by moving the sliding member in a predetermined direction with respect to the container, and the toner discharge opening is opened. When removing the toner cartridge from the toner cartridge accommodating means, the sliding member can be returned to the initial position and the toner discharge opening can be covered with the tape member.

In the toner cartridge disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-224364, the toner discharging opening can be closed again by the tape member by returning the sliding member to the initial position. It is not always easy to return the sliding member to its initial position when the toner cartridge is mounted at the predetermined mounting position of the accommodating means. Also, when opening the toner discharge opening and closing the toner discharge opening again, the part that closed the toner discharge opening in the initial state, that is, the part to which the toner is attached to a large amount, moves while being exposed to the outside. In this case, the toner may be scattered around. Furthermore, in order to retain the sliding member that has been moved to one side from the toner discharge opening without discarding it, it is necessary to maintain the sliding member that has been moved to one side of the container in its biased position. ,
Due to this, there is a problem that the toner cartridge housing means becomes excessively bulky.

As a technique for solving such a problem, the present applicant has proposed the invention described in JP-A-5-19625. In the technique described in the publication, a sealing means for closing a toner discharge opening of a container is composed of a tape member that is movable across the toner discharge opening, and a toner passage opening is formed in the tape member, and the tape member is By moving and positioning the toner passage opening to the toner discharge opening of the container, the toner is discharged from the container through the toner discharge opening and the toner passage opening formed in the toner cartridge accommodating means.

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-1
In the device described in Japanese Patent No. 9625, the toner passage opening is formed in the tape member that constitutes the sealing means, so that when the toner in the container is consumed and the tape member is wound when the toner cartridge is replaced, the tape Due to the low rigidity at the toner passage opening of the member,
In some cases, the tape member may be displaced to the center or one side, and the toner discharge opening may not be surely covered. Further, there is a problem that the tape member may be damaged at the toner passage opening.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main technical problem is to easily and surely close the toner discharge opening when the toner cartridge is taken out of the toner cartridge accommodating means, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrostatic latent image developing device and a toner cartridge applied to the electrostatic latent image developing device capable of sufficiently reliably preventing the toner staying inside from scattering.

Another technical problem of the present invention is that the operator mounts or dismounts the toner cartridge mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means from the mounting / demounting position to the predetermined mounting position and the operation from the predetermined mounting position to the mounting / demounting position. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic latent image developing device which can be automatically carried out only by giving an instruction to take it out.

Still another technical object of the present invention is to improve the ability to prevent contamination of the operator's hand or the surroundings by residual toner when taking out a toner cartridge whose toner has been consumed from the toner cartridge accommodating means. To provide an electrostatic latent image developing device and a toner cartridge applied to the electrostatic latent image developing device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above technical object, according to the present invention, a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a seal tape for closing the toner discharge opening are provided. And a toner cartridge housing means having a toner receiving opening for detachably mounting the toner cartridge. When the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined mounting position of the toner cartridge housing means, the toner cartridge In an electrostatic latent image developing device in which a discharge opening is located opposite to the toner receiving opening, the toner cartridge is arranged on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and is movable across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side. And a shutter member for covering the toner discharge opening. Edge electrostatic latent image developing apparatus is characterized by comprising a shutter actuating means for moving the other edge from piece edge of the toner discharge opening is provided with.

According to the present invention, a toner cartridge having a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a seal tape closing the toner discharge opening, and a toner receiving opening having the toner receiving opening are provided. A toner cartridge accommodating means for detachably mounting the cartridge, and a toner discharge opening in the toner cartridge, which is arranged on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and is movable across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side to cover the toner discharge opening. A shutter member, a toner cartridge raising / lowering unit for moving the toner cartridge between a mounting / demounting position and a predetermined mounting position, a seal tape winding unit for winding the seal tape, and a tip end edge of the shutter member for separating the toner discharge opening Shutter actuating means that moves from the edge side to the other edge side, and mounting and removal of the toner cartridge And a control unit for controlling the operation of the toner cartridge raising / lowering unit, the seal tape winding unit, and the shutter operating unit based on the signal from the command unit. ,
Based on the toner cartridge mounting signal from the command means,
After the toner cartridge elevating means is operated to move the toner cartridge to the predetermined mounting position, the seal tape winding means is operated to wind the seal tape, and the toner cartridge is ejected based on the toner cartridge take-out signal from the command means. After the elevating means is operated to position the toner cartridge at the shutter operating position where the toner cartridge is raised by a predetermined amount from the predetermined mounting position, the shutter operating means is operated to move the leading edge of the shutter member from one edge side of the toner discharge opening to the other edge side. There is provided an electrostatic latent image developing device, characterized in that the toner cartridge raising / lowering means is operated to position the toner cartridge at the attachment / detachment position.

Further, according to the present invention, a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container, and a seal member releasably attached to the periphery of the toner discharge opening to close the toner discharge opening. And a shutter member that is disposed on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and that can move to the other edge side across the toner discharge opening. Other objects and characteristics of the present invention will be clarified by the following description.

[0013]

In the electrostatic latent image developing device of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is inserted into the toner cartridge accommodating means and the operator turns on the toner cartridge mounting switch, the control means operates the elevating means to set the toner cartridge to a predetermined position. Position it in the loading position. Thereafter, the control means operates the seal tape winding means to wind the seal tape to open the toner discharge opening, and discharge the toner contained in the container through the toner discharge opening. When the toner cartridge whose toner has been consumed is taken out from the toner cartridge accommodating means, the control means operates the elevating means to raise the toner cartridge to the shutter operating position, and then operates the shutter operating means to move the shutter member. Then, the toner discharge opening is covered by the shutter member, and then the elevating means is operated to move the toner cartridge to the attachment / detachment position.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A detailed description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of an electrostatic latent image developing device constructed according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is used as a whole.
The electrostatic latent image developing device shown by is composed of a developing unit 4, a toner transport unit 6, and a toner supply unit 8. The developing section 4 includes an appropriate developing mechanism 10 such as a magnetic brush developing mechanism. This developing mechanism is a so-called two-component developer containing toner and carrier
2 is applied to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the rotary drum 12 into a toner image. As the toner is consumed in the developing section 4, the toner is carried into the developing section 4 from the toner conveying section 6. The toner supply unit 8 includes a toner cartridge housing means 14 and the toner cartridge housing means 1.
4 and a toner cartridge 16 that is detachably attached. As will be described in more detail later, the toner T is contained in the toner cartridge 16 as shown in FIG. 5, and the toner T is discharged into the toner transport unit 6. The electrostatic latent image developing device 2 and the rotary drum 12 are arranged in a housing (not shown) of an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine or a laser printing machine. The developing unit 4 and the toner transporting unit 6 in the electrostatic latent image developing device 2 shown in the figure do not constitute the novel features of the electrostatic latent image developing device improved according to the present invention, and they are known in themselves. Therefore, details of these configurations will not be described in this specification.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 of the toner supply section 8 will be described.
Includes a stationary support frame 24. The support frame 24 has a bottom wall 26 extending substantially horizontally, an upright rear wall 28 extending upward from a rear edge of the bottom wall 26, and upright side walls 30 and 32 extending upward from both side edges of the bottom wall 26. The upright rear wall 28 and the upright side walls 30 and 32 each have a double wall structure, and a space is formed between the walls. In the central region of the bottom wall 26, a rectangular toner receiving opening 34 is formed in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). A seal member 36 made of a cushioning material is joined to the upper surface of the bottom wall 26 and extends along the peripheral edge of the toner receiving opening 34. The seal member 36 is made of a flexible material such as foamed resin. A short shaft 40 that projects horizontally is fixed to the rear portion of the side wall 32, and a gear 42 that constitutes a seal tape winding means is rotatably mounted on the short shaft 40. This gear 42 is transmission-coupled to an electric motor M1 which is a drive source via a transmission means 43 including a gear train. A rectangular cutout 44 is formed inside the lower portion of the rear wall 28.
The gear 42 is projected forward through the notch 44. As will be clear from the following description, the gear 4
Reference numeral 2 constitutes an output means drivingly connected to an input means composed of a gear arranged in the toner cartridge 16.

The toner cartridge accommodating means 14 is provided with an elevating means 50 for the toner cartridge 16. The elevating means 50 has a short shaft 52 on each of the side wall 30 and the side wall 32.
And a lifting gear 56 rotatably supported by
And 58. Elevating pins 60 and 62 are provided on inner surfaces of the elevating gears 56 and 58, which are opposed to each other so as to project substantially inward. The one up-and-down gear 56 is electrically connected to an electric motor M2 as a drive source via a power transmission mechanism 64 such as a gear mechanism and a timing belt mechanism. In addition, circular openings 35 and 37 are formed in the inner side walls that form the side walls 30 and 32, respectively, for allowing rotation of the lifting pins, which will be described later. Further, the elevating gears 56 and 58 are respectively engaged with connecting gears 68 and 70 mounted at both ends of a connecting shaft 66 disposed in the rear wall 28 and rotatably supported by the side wall 30 and the side wall 32, respectively. It is matched. Therefore, when the elevating gear 56 is driven by the driving force of the electric motor M2 via the power transmission mechanism 64, the driving force is transmitted to the elevating gear 58 via the connecting gear 68, the connecting shaft 66, and the connecting gear 70. The lifting gear 58 is adapted to rotate at the same speed as the lifting gear 56. It should be noted that the one lifting gear 56 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a cam 57 that constitutes a lifting pin position detecting means is provided on the outer surface thereof. First corresponding to the cam 57
And second lifting pin position detection switches SWI and SW2
Is provided. The cam 57 and the two lifting pin position detection switches SWI and SW2 are
3A at the attachment / detachment position, the first elevating pin position detection switch SWI is engaged with the small diameter portion 57a of the cam 57 and is OFF at this time, and the second elevating pin The position detection switch SW2 is engaged with the large diameter portion 57b of the cam 57 and is turned on. In the state shown in FIG. 3B in which the lifting gear 56 rotates in the arrow direction from the state of FIG. 3A and the lifting pin 60 is positioned at the lowest point, that is, the mounting position, the first lifting pin 56 Position detection switch SWI
Is engaged with the large diameter portion 57b of the cam 57 to be turned on, and the second lifting pin position detection switch SW2 is engaged with the small diameter portion 57a of the cam 57 to be turned off. Further, from the state shown in FIG. 3B, the elevating gear 56 moves 30 ° in the arrow direction.
The second lift pin position detection switch SW2 is configured to be turned on by engaging with the large diameter portion 57b of the cam 57 at a position that has been pivoted about, that is, at the shutter operating position shown in FIG. 3C.

The toner cartridge accommodating means 14 is provided with a shutter actuating means 72. The shutter operating means 7
2 includes a drive shaft 74 disposed below the bottom wall 26 at the rear end of the toner cartridge accommodating means 14. The drive shaft 74 is rotatably supported by side walls 31 and 33 formed so as to project from the lower surface of the bottom wall 26, and a gear 76 is mounted on the drive shaft 74 and a power transmission mechanism 78 such as a gear mechanism. Via the electric motor M3 as a drive source
Is connected to the transmission. Pulleys 80 and 82 are attached to both ends of the drive shaft 74. The pulleys 80 and 82 are attached to the drive shaft 74 so as to be located outside both side edges of the rectangular toner receiving opening 34. Further, in front of the toner receiving opening 34 on the lower side of the bottom wall 26, pulleys 84 and 86 are arranged facing the pulleys 80 and 82. The pulleys 84 and 86 have a short shaft 88 provided on the side walls 31 and 33.
And 90 are rotatably mounted respectively. Pulley 80
Timing belts 92 and 94 are respectively wound around the pulley 84, the pulley 82 and the pulley 86, and shutter sliders 96 and 98 are mounted on the timing belts 92 and 94, respectively. Therefore, the shutter sliders 96 and 98 move between the pulley 80 and the pulley 84 and between the pulley 82 and the pulley 86 in accordance with the operation of the timing belts 92 and 94, and the pulleys 80 and 82.
When moving from the side to the pulley 84 and the pulley 86 side, a shutter member described later is operated. In association with the movement of the movement position of the shutter slider 96, the pulley 8
As shown in FIG. 1, the first side and the second side on the 0 side and the pulley 84 side.
The slider position detection switches SW3 and SW4 are provided. The first slider position detection switch SW3 turns ON when the shutter slider 96 reaches a predetermined position on the pulley 80 side, and the second slider position detection switch SW4 moves the shutter slider 96 from the pulley 80 side to the predetermined position on the pulley 84 side. It turns on when it is returned.
A toner cartridge detection switch SW5 is provided on the rear wall 28 of the toner cartridge housing means 14.

The toner cartridge 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 together with FIG. The toner cartridge 16 shown in the drawing is a synthetic resin container 100 formed by integrally or integrally joining two or more parts, and a base portion 102 mounted on the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100. It has and. Note that FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the synthetic resin container 100 and the base portion 102 in a disassembled state as seen from the bottom, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 16 in which the synthetic resin container 100 and the base portion 102 are assembled, viewed from the bottom. Container 100 that constitutes this toner cartridge 16
Has a box-shaped main portion 104, and the toner T is stored in the main portion 104. The upper half of the main portion 104 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the lower half has a truncated pyramidal shape and a relatively small rectangular parallelepiped following the pyramidal shape. In other words, in the lower half part of the main part 104, all of the four side walls are inclined inward and extend downward, and then extend substantially vertically downward. Main part 10
Two toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are formed in the lower surface wall 106 of No. 4 in parallel in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5, lower left to upper right in FIG. 4). The toner discharge openings 108a and 108b may have a rectangular shape. As will be readily understood by referring to FIG. 5, the lower wall 106 has a front bulge 110 and a rear bulge 112 extending forward and backward. Further, the lower surface wall 106 has side protrusions 114 and 116 as shown in FIG. 4, and locking claws 115 and 117 are formed at the rear ends thereof. The container 100 also includes an intermediate wall 119 that extends in the width direction above the rear overhang 112 that constitutes the lower surface wall 106. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface wall 106 has a fusion splicing ridge 118a surrounding the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b, respectively.
And 118b are formed. Both sides of each of the fusion-bonding ridges 118a and 118b extend straight, but the front and rear portions of the fusion-protruding ridges 118a and 118b respectively extend forward and backward from both sides toward the center in the width direction, and form a triangular shape forward and backward. It projects in shape. The toner discharge openings 108a and 108
FIG. 2B shows the bottom wall 2 with the toner cartridge 16 mounted in a predetermined position of the toner cartridge housing means 14.
6 is made to face the toner receiving opening 34 formed in 6. In addition, the toner receiving opening 3 formed in the bottom wall 26.
4 is larger than the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b, so that the lower wall 106 of the container 100 is
Inside the pressure contact portion that contacts the seal member 36 mounted along the periphery of the toner receiving opening 34, that is, the toner discharge opening 1
A space S is formed between 08a and 108b.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
On both sides of the lower end on the rear wall side of the synthetic resin container 100, both side upright walls 120 and 122 connected to the side protrusions 114 and 116 are attached. The upright walls 1 on both sides
20 and 122, the rear projection 112 of the lower wall 106.
Winding shaft 12 constituting winding means arranged above the
4 is rotatably mounted. The take-up shaft 124 is disposed so as to extend in the width direction along the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b, and one end of the take-up shaft 124 penetrates the side upright wall 122 and is projected outward. A gear 126 is fixed to the. As will be further referred to later, this gear 126 is the toner cartridge housing means 1 described above.
4 constitutes an input means which is drivingly connected to the gear 42 arranged in the above-mentioned FIG.

The toner cartridge 16 further comprises seal tapes 128a and 128b arranged in association with the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b. The seal tapes 128a and 128b are arranged inside the pressure contact portion that contacts the seal member 36, that is, in the space S. Seal tape 128a and 12
8b is formed of an appropriate synthetic resin film. One end of each of the seal tapes 128a and 128b is attached to the rear overhanging portion 112 side, extends forward along the lower surface wall 106, and extends to the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b.
To reach the front overhang 110. Sealing tapes 128a and 128b extending along the lower surface wall 148 and covering the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are releasably attached to the lower surface wall 106. In such peelable attachment, the sealing tapes 128a and 128b are attached to the outer surface of the lower surface wall 106 by the fusion-bonding ridge 118a.
And 118b by heat fusion. The seal tapes 128a and 128b are further
It is folded back on the front side (left side in FIG. 4) of the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b and extends rearward, and then passes behind the rear overhanging portion 112, and the other end edge thereof forms a winding shaft 124 constituting the winding means. It is connected.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
The toner cartridge 16 further includes a shutter member 130.
It is equipped with. The shutter member 130 includes a shutter sheet 132 and an engaging member 134 attached to the tip of the shutter sheet 132. The shutter sheet 132 is made of an appropriate synthetic resin film having higher rigidity than the sealing tapes 128a and 128b, and its width is large enough to cover the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b. The engaging member 134 is made of a rigid synthetic resin, is longer than the width of the shutter sheet 132, and is welded to the tip of the shutter sheet 132 with both ends protruding. The shutter member 130 configured as described above includes the engagement member 134.
Is outside the pressure contact portion with the sealing member 36 below the front extension 110 of the synthetic resin container 100 (on the left side in FIG. 5) and is the shutter sliders 96 and 9.
8 is disposed on the rear side (right side in FIG. 5), and the other end extends upward through the front end of the front protrusion 110 and is stored.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base portion 102 mounted on the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100 is made of synthetic resin, and has a front wall 140 and a rear wall 142.
And side walls 144 and 146 and a bottom wall 148.
At 48, an opening 156 larger than the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b is formed. The base portion 102 is fitted to the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100 and is integrally assembled with the container 100. A flange 158 facing the rear end of the rear extension 112 of the synthetic resin container 100 is formed in the width direction on the rear wall 142 that defines the rear edge of the opening 156 of the base portion 102, and the front surface thereof is formed. A wiping sponge 160 is attached to the. The base portion 10
2 rear wall 142, flange 158 and wiping sponge 16
0 is the rear overhang 112 that constitutes the lower surface wall 106 of the container 100, the intermediate wall 115, and both upright walls 120, 1
22 to form a closed space 161 above the lower wall,
The winding portion of the winding shaft 124 is disposed in the closed space 161. The front portion 150 of the bottom wall 148 is the shutter member 1
The side walls 152 and 154 of the bottom wall 148 have a function of guiding the engagement member 134 when the shutter member 130 is operated.
Further, on both side portions 152 and 154 which form the bottom wall 148, there are provided elongated guide holes 162 and 164 for moving the shutter sliders 96 and 98 from the front wall 140 to the rear wall 142. An elongated hole 162 is formed in one side wall 146 that constitutes the base portion 102,
The winding shaft 124 is fitted.

The base 102 includes side walls 144 and 146.
Further, it is provided with cam grooves 170a and 170b with which lifting pins 60 and 62 attached to lifting gears 56 and 58 constituting the lifting means 50 engage. For the one cam groove 170a, refer to FIG. The cam grooves 170a and 170b are provided with inlets / outlets 172a and 172b extending vertically from the lower end, and inlets / outlets 172a and 172.
It has operating portions 174a and 174b which are formed continuously with the upper end of b and extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The operating portion 174a
And 174b are defined by upper walls 175a and 175b, first lower walls 176a and 176b, and second lower walls 177a and 177b.

The toner cartridge 16 configured as described above is mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, and the mounting operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. First, when the toner cartridge 16 is inserted into the toner cartridge housing means 14 from above,
As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion / removal portion 172a (17) of the cam groove 170a (170b) formed in the base portion 102 at the mounting position.
2b) is fitted with the lifting pin 60 (62) attached to the lifting gear 56 (58), and the cam groove 170a (170)
The upper wall 175a (175b) of the b) is the lifting pin 60 (6
The insertion is regulated by abutting on 2). When the electric motor M2 is driven in this state, the lifting gear 56 (58) moves to the position shown in FIG.
Since it is rotated in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.
The lower wall 176a (174b) is engaged and rotated to move the toner cartridge 16 downward. Then, when the elevating gear 56 (58) further rotates in the direction of arrow A and the elevating pin 60 (62) reaches the vicinity of the lowest point, the elevating pin 60 (6)
2) is the entry / exit portion 172a of the cam groove 170a (170b).
(172b) and the other second lower wall 177a (1
75b) to lower the toner cartridge 16 to the lowest point shown in FIG. In this state, the lifting pin 60 (6
In 2), the toner cartridge 16 is forced downward so that the lower surface wall 106 of the container 144 is pressed against the seal member 36 arranged on the bottom wall 26 of the toner cartridge housing means 14. Thus, the toner cartridge 16 is shown in FIG.
It is elastically held in the mounting position shown in FIG.

Next, the winding of the seal tapes 128a and 128b mounted on the toner cartridge 16 mounted on the toner cartridge housing means 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. The toner cartridge 16 is the toner cartridge housing means 14
In the state shown in FIG.
The gear 126 mounted on the gear 24 is adapted to engage with the gear 42 arranged on the toner cartridge accommodating means 14. When the electric motor M1 constituting the seal tape winding means is driven in this state, the winding shaft 124 is rotated via the transmission means 43, the gear 42 and the gear 126, and the seal tapes 128a and 128b are wound. Therefore, the seal tapes 128a and 128b cover the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b shown in FIG. 10, and after the state shown in FIG. 11, the toner discharge openings 150a and 150b are completely opened as shown in FIG. Is rolled up. In this way, the toner discharge opening 15
0a and 150b are opened, the toner T contained in the container 144 is discharged from the toner discharge openings 150a and 15a.
0b and the toner receiving opening 34, and is discharged downward and is supplied into the toner conveying unit 6. The winding shaft 1
Sealing tape 128a and 128b wound around 24
Is stored in the closed space 161, so that when the toner cartridge 16 is taken out of the toner cartridge housing means 14, the toner attached to the seal tapes 128a and 128b may be scattered or the surroundings may be soiled by the attached toner. Absent. In addition, the toner discharge opening 108a
And sealing tape 128a and 128b covering 108b
Is disposed inside the pressure contact portion that contacts the seal member 36, that is, in the space S, so that the winding shaft 12
Since the seal member 36 does not come into contact with the seal member 36 when it is wound around 4, the seal member 36 is not contaminated with the toner, and the elasticity and the seal function are prevented from being deteriorated due to the toner entering the seal member 36. be able to.

The operation when the toner T stored in the container 144 of the toner cartridge 16 is completely consumed and the toner cartridge 16 is replaced with a new one will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 13 to 15. To do. The electric motor M2 is driven from the mounted state of FIG.
6 (58) in the direction of arrow A to move the lifting pin 60 (6
When 2) reaches the position shown in FIG. 9 which is rotated by about 30 ° from the lowest position which is the predetermined mounting position, the drive of the electric motor M2 is stopped. As a result, the lifting pin 60 (62) causes the upper walls 175a and 175 of the cam grooves 170a and 170b to move.
5 from the mounting position by engaging with the toner cartridge 16
Move to a position that is raised by about mm. In this state, when the electric motor M3 of the shutter operating means is driven in the normal direction, the pulley 80 is passed through the power transmission mechanism 78, the gear 76 and the drive shaft 74.
(82) is rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 13, and the timing belt 92 (94) is operated in the direction of arrow D. When the timing belt 92 (94) is actuated in the direction of arrow D, the shutter slider 96 (9) attached to the timing belt 92 (94) is moved.
8) is moved in the direction of arrow D from the position shown in FIG. By this movement, the shutter slider 96 (98)
Engages with both ends of the engaging member 134 of the shutter member 130, pulls out the shutter member 130, and
14 is moved to a predetermined position on the pulley 80 side and the pulley 84 side as shown in FIG. At this position, the engaging claws 115 and 117 formed on the side protrusions 114 and 116 that form the lower surface wall of the container 100 at both ends of the engaging member 134.
Is adapted to engage with. By thus pulling out the shutter member 130, the toner discharge opening 1
50a and 150b are covered by the shutter sheet 132 of the shutter member 130. Next, the electric motor M3 is driven in the reverse direction to rotate the pulley 80 (82) in the arrow E direction as shown in FIG. 14 and operate the timing belt 92 (94) in the arrow F direction. Therefore, the shutter slider 96 (98) is returned to the predetermined position on the pulley 84 (86) side as shown in FIG. When the electric motor M2 is driven from this state and the elevator gear 56 (58) further rotates in the direction of arrow A, the elevator pin 60 (62) engages with the upper wall 175a (173b) of the cam groove 170a (170b) and rotates. Then, the toner cartridge 16 is moved upward to move to the loading state shown in FIG. Therefore, by pulling up the toner cartridge 16 in which the toner has been consumed, it can be easily taken out from the toner cartridge housing means 14. In the old toner cartridge 16 taken out from the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, since the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b formed on the lower surface wall 148 of the container 144 are closed by the shutter member 130, some toner is not stored in the container 144. Even if T remains, the toner T does not scatter around.

The electrostatic latent image developing device in the illustrated embodiment includes an electric motor M1 constituting the seal tape winding means, an electric motor M2 constituting the elevating means, and an electric motor M3 constituting the shutter operating means. The control means 180 shown in FIG. 16 is provided to control the operation. The control means 180 is constituted by a microcomputer, and has a central processing unit 181 for performing arithmetic processing according to a control program, a ROM 182 for storing a control program and a control map, and a readable / writable RAM 183 for storing arithmetic results and the like. Means 184
A timer 185 and an input / output interface 186. The control means 180 includes the first and second
Lifting pin position detection switches SWI and SW2, and the first and second slider position detection switches SW3 and SW
4, the toner cartridge detection switch SW5, and signals from the toner cartridge mounting switch SW6, which is a command means arranged on an operation panel (not shown), and the toner cartridge unloading SW7 are input to the electric motor M.
1, M2 and M3 are operated and controlled.

Next, the operation of the electrostatic latent image developing device controlled by the control means 180 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The toner cartridge 16 can be attached to the toner cartridge housing means 14 as follows. First, the toner cartridge 16 is inserted into the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 from above and brought into the state shown in FIG. 6, and when the operator turns on the toner cartridge loading switch SW6, the control means 180 starts the operation. As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 180 includes a toner cartridge mounting switch SW.
6 is turned on (step S1). If the toner cartridge mounting switch SW6 is turned on, it is checked whether the toner cartridge detection switch SW5 is turned on (step S2). This is to prohibit the operation of the electric motor M2 of the elevating means when the toner cartridge 16 is not inserted in the toner cartridge housing means 14. If the toner cartridge detection switch SW5 is ON in step S2, the toner cartridge 16 is inserted in the toner cartridge housing means 14, so the control means 180 proceeds to step S3 to drive the electric motor M2 of the elevating means. When the electric motor M2 is driven, as described above, the lifting pins 60 (62)
Is the first and second lower walls 1 of the cam grooves 170a (170b)
76a (176b) and 177a (177b) are engaged and rotated to move the toner cartridge 16 downward. When the lift pin 60 (62) reaches the lowest position, the first lift pin position detection switch SWI is turned on, and the control means 180 turns on the first lift pin position detection switch SWI. It is checked whether or not (step S4). First lift pin position detection switch S
If the WI is not ON, the drive of the electric motor M2 of the lifting means is continued, and if it is ON, the toner cartridge 16
Has been positioned at the predetermined mounting position, the driving of the electric motor M2 of the elevating means is stopped (step S5). In this way, when the toner cartridge 16 is positioned at the predetermined mounting position, the control means 180 drives the electric motor M1 which constitutes the seal tape winding means (step S
6), the timer 185 is set to T1 (step S
7). When the electric motor M1 is driven, the winding shaft 12 is passed through the transmission means 43, the gear 42, and the gear 126.
4 rotates and the sealing tapes 128a and 128b are wound up. When the electric motor M1 is driven, the control means 180
Checks whether the time T from the start of driving has reached the set time T1 (step S8), and T is T1.
If not reached, continue driving the electric motor M1,
When reaches T1, the drive of the electric motor M1 is stopped (step S9). Therefore, the set time T1 is set to a value sufficient to wind the seal tapes 128a and 128b. As shown in FIG. 12, the sealing tape 128
a (128b) is completely wound around the winding shaft 124,
When the toner discharge opening 108a (108b) is opened,
The toner T contained in the container 100 is discharged downward through the toner discharge opening 150a (150b) and the toner receiving opening 34, and is supplied into the toner transport unit 6.

Next, the container 10 of the toner cartridge 16
All the toner T accommodated in 0 is consumed, and it is necessary to replace the toner cartridge 16 with a new one (this need is detected by detecting the toner in the toner transport unit 6, for example). The action of taking out the toner cartridge in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Toner cartridge 1 mounted in the toner cartridge housing unit 14
When taking out 6, the operator turns on the toner cartridge take-out SW 7. Then, the operation of taking out the toner cartridge 16 is started. Control means 180
Checks whether the toner cartridge take-out SW7 is ON (step P1), and the toner cartridge take-out SW
If 7 is ON, toner cartridge detection switch SW
It is confirmed whether or not 5 is turned on (step P2).
This is for confirming that the toner cartridge 16 is mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, and if the toner cartridge 16 is not mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, the toner cartridge removing operation is not necessary. Because. If the toner cartridge detection switch SW5 is ON in step P2, the toner cartridge 16 is mounted in the toner cartridge housing means 14, so the control means 18
0 proceeds to step P3 to drive the electric motor M2 of the elevating means. When the electric motor M2 is driven, the lifting gear 56 (58) is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 8, so that the lifting pin 60 (62) is moved into the cam groove 170a.
The toner cartridge 16 is moved upward by being engaged with the upper wall 175a (175b) (175b) and rotating.
Then, the lifting pins 60 (6
2) is approximately 30 from the lowest point position which is the mounting position shown in FIG.
The second elevating pin position detection switch SW2 is turned on when it reaches the rotated position shown in FIG. When the control means 180 drives the electric motor M2,
It is checked whether or not the second lifting pin position detection switch SW2 is turned on (step P4), and if not turned on, the drive of the electric motor M2 is continued, and if turned on, the drive of the electric motor M2 is stopped ( Step P5). This state is shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, and the toner cartridge 16 is positioned at the shutter operating position which is raised by about 5 mm from the loading position. After stopping the electric motor M2, the control means 180 drives the electric motor M3 of the shutter actuating means in the normal direction (step P6). Electric motor M3
When is driven to rotate normally, the pulley 80 (82) rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG.
2 (94) is operated in the arrow D direction to move the shutter slider 96 (98) in the arrow D direction. Due to this movement, the shutter slider 96 (98) moves the shutter member 1
The shutter member 130 is pulled out by engaging with both ends of the engaging member 134 of 30, and the engaging member 134 is moved to a predetermined position on the pulley 80 side as shown in FIG. By pulling out the shutter member 130 in this manner, the toner discharge openings 150a and 150b are closed.
Of the shutter sheet 132. When the shutter slider 96 moves to a predetermined position on the pulley 80 side shown in FIG. 12, the first slider position detection switch SW3 is turned on. After the electric motor M3 is normally driven in step P6, the control means 180 checks whether or not the first slider position detection switch SW3 is turned on (step P7). If not, the electric motor M3 is normally driven. If it is turned on, the electric motor M3 is driven in reverse (step P8). Electric motor M
When 3 is driven in reverse, the pulley 80 (8
2) is rotated in the arrow E direction, the shutter slider 96 (98) moves in the arrow F direction, and the pulley 84 (8
It is returned to a predetermined position on the 6) side, and the second slider position detection switch SW4 is turned on at this position.
The control means 180 causes the electric motor M3 in step P8.
Is driven in reverse, the second slider position detection switch S
It is checked whether or not W4 is turned on (step P9). If it is not turned on, the reverse rotation drive of the electric motor M3 is continued, and if it is turned on, the reverse rotation drive of the electric motor M3 is stopped (step P10). In this way, the shutter member 1
When the electric motor M3 is stopped by pulling out 30 to cover the toner discharge openings 150a and 150b, the control means 180 drives the electric motor M2 (step P1).
1). The electric motor M2 drives the elevator gears 56 and 58.
7 further rotates in the direction of the arrow from the state of FIG. 7, the lifting pins 60 (62) move the upper walls 17 of the cam grooves 170a and 170b.
5a (173b) is engaged and rotated to move the toner cartridge 16 upward. When the toner cartridge 16 is moved to the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. 6, the first lifting pin position detection switch SWI is turned off. The control means 180 performs step P11.
When the electric motor M2 is driven at, it is checked whether or not the first lift pin position detection switch SWI is turned on (step P12). If it is not turned on, the electric motor M2 is turned on.
2 is continued, and if it is turned on, the drive of the electric motor M2 is stopped (step P13). A state in which the driving of the electric motor M2 is stopped in this way is shown in FIG. 6, and the lift pins 60 (62) are arranged in the cam grooves 170a and 170a.
It is positioned at a position corresponding to the inlet / outlet portion 172a (172b) of b, and the toner cartridge 16 can be replaced. As described above, since the elevating means 50, the seal tape winding means and the shutter operating means are controlled by the control means 180, the toner cartridge mounting switch SW is set.
The toner cartridge 14 can be automatically positioned at the attachment position or the attachment / detachment position by simply turning on 6 or the toner cartridge extraction SW 7.

The preferred embodiments of the electrostatic latent image developing device constructed according to the present invention and the toner cartridge applied thereto have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it is not necessary to say that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the other end of the shutter sheet 132 that constitutes the shutter member 130 extends upward through the front end of the front protrusion 110 and is stored. A rotary shaft around which the 132 is wound may be disposed on a side portion of the container 100, and the shutter sheet 132 may be stored while being wound around the rotary shaft.

[0032]

The electrostatic latent image developing device according to the present invention and the toner cartridge applied to the electrostatic latent image developing device are constructed as described above, and in addition to the seal tape for closing the toner discharge opening formed in the container, the toner discharge opening A shutter member that is arranged on one edge side and is configured to move across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side and covers the toner discharge opening is provided. Since the toner discharge opening is covered by moving from the edge side to the other edge side, even if some toner remains in the container, the toner is not scattered around. Further, since the seal tape and the shutter member are not provided with an opening as in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the rigidity thereof is maintained and the toner discharge opening can be surely covered without being displaced during movement. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a control means for controlling the operation of the toner cartridge lifting means, the seal tape winding means and the shutter operating means on the basis of the empty signal of the command means for outputting the toner cartridge mounting and removing signals. Since the toner cartridge is provided, the toner cartridge can be automatically positioned at the mounting position or the mounting / removing position only by the operator instructing the mounting or removal by the commanding means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a preferred embodiment of an electrostatic latent image developing device constructed in accordance with the present invention with a toner cartridge disassembled and a part thereof shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an operation sequence of lifting pin position detecting means of the lifting means installed in the toner cartridge housing means in the electrostatic latent image developing apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view of a disassembled state and an assembled state of a toner cartridge in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the bottom.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state in which the toner cartridge is inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

7 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state where the toner cartridge inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 starts to descend.

8 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state in which the toner cartridge inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at a predetermined mounting position.

9 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state in which the toner cartridge inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at a position slightly elevated from a predetermined mounting position.

10 is a cross-sectional view showing the manner in which the tape member of the toner cartridge in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is moved to open the toner discharge opening of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a seal tape take-up unit showing a state in which the seal tape is started to be taken up in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a seal tape and a seal tape winding means showing a state in which the seal tape is partially wound in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

13 is an explanatory view of a shutter operating means showing a state where the shutter member in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 starts to operate.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a shutter operating means showing a state in which a shutter member is operated in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a state where the shutter operating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is returned to a predetermined position.

16 is a schematic configuration black diagram of a control unit that controls the operation of an elevating unit, a seal tape winding unit, and a shutter operating unit in the electrostatic latent image developing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a toner cartridge mounting operation of the control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the toner cartridge removing operation of the control means shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: electrostatic latent image developing device 14: toner cartridge accommodating means 16: toner cartridge 24: stationary support frame 34: toner receiving opening 36: seal member 42: gear (output means) 43: transmission means 50: elevating means 56: elevating means Gear 57: Cam 58: Lift Gear 60: Lift Pin 62: Lift Pin 64: Power Transmission Mechanism 66: Connection Shaft 68: Connection Gear 70: Connection Gear 72: Shutter Actuator 74: Drive Shaft 76: Gear 78: Power Transmission Mechanism 80: Pulley 82: Pulley 84: Pulley 86: Pulley 92: Timing belt 94: Timing belt 96: Shutter slider 98: Shutter slider 100: Synthetic resin container 102: Base part 104: Container main part 116: Lower surface wall 108a: Toner Discharge opening container 108b: Toner discharge opening container 115: Locking claw 11 7: Locking claw 118a: Welding projection ridge 118b: Welding projection ridge 124: Winding shaft 126: Gear (input means) 128a: Seal tape 128b: Seal tape 130: Shutter member 132: Shutter sheet 134: Engaging member 170a: Cam groove 180: Control means T: Toner SW1: First lift pin position detection switch SW2: Second lift pin position detection switch SW3: First slider position detection switch SW4: First slider position detection switch SW5: Toner Cartridge detection switch SW6: Toner cartridge mounting switch SW7: Toner cartridge ejection switch M1: Electric motor M2: Electric motor M3: Electric motor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsuhiro Higashiya 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A toner cartridge having a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container, and a seal tape closing the toner discharge opening, and a toner receiving opening having the toner receiving opening detachably mounted. Electrostatic latent image developing device having a toner cartridge accommodating means, and the toner discharge opening is positioned to face the toner receiving opening when the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined mounting position of the toner cartridge accommodating means. In the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge accommodating means includes a shutter member arranged on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and configured to move across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side to cover the toner discharge opening. Is a shutter operation that moves the leading edge of the shutter member from one edge side of the toner discharge opening to the other edge side. An electrostatic latent image developing apparatus is characterized by comprising a means. 2. The toner receiving opening is formed to be larger than the toner discharging opening, and a sealing member is arranged along the periphery of the toner receiving opening, and the container having the sealing member and the toner discharging opening is provided. The electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface wall is configured to be in pressure contact, and the seal tape is attached to the lower surface wall inside the pressure contact portion. 3. The electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 2, wherein the shutter member is arranged outside the pressure contact portion. 4. The toner cartridge accommodating means comprises means for moving the toner cartridge from a mounting position to a shutter operating position where at least the sealing member and a bottom wall of the container are separated from each other, and the shutter operating means includes the toner. 3. The electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 2, wherein the shutter member is operated when the cartridge is located at the shutter operating position. 5. The toner cartridge includes a winding shaft for winding the sealing tape, and a sealing tape winding portion of the winding shaft is provided in a closed space formed above a bottom wall of the container. The electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 1, which is provided. 6. The shutter member includes a flexible shutter sheet and an engaging member made of a rigid material attached to a leading edge of the shutter sheet, and the shutter actuating means includes the engaging member. 2. An electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic latent image developing device is engaged with and moves the leading edge of the shutter sheet from one edge side of said toner discharge opening to the other edge side. 7. The shutter actuating means is provided on both sides of the toner receiving opening so as to be movable along the edge of the toner receiving opening, and the two shutter sliders engage with the engaging member of the shutter member. 7. The electrostatic latent image developing device according to claim 6, further comprising: a means for moving the shutter slider along the edge of the toner receiving opening. 8. A toner cartridge provided with a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a sealing tape closing the toner discharge opening, and a toner cartridge provided with a toner receiving opening so that the toner cartridge can be detachably mounted. Means for accommodating the toner cartridge, a shutter member disposed on one edge side of the toner discharge opening in the toner cartridge, configured to be movable across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side, and covering the toner discharge opening; Toner cartridge raising / lowering means for moving the cartridge between the attachment / detachment position and the predetermined mounting position, the seal tape winding means for winding the seal tape, and the tip edge of the shutter member moved from one edge side of the toner discharge opening to the other edge side. Shutter actuating means, and a command for outputting a signal for mounting and removing the toner cartridge Means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the toner cartridge raising / lowering means, the seal tape winding means and the shutter operating means on the basis of the signal from the command means. Based on the cartridge mounting signal, the toner cartridge elevating means is operated to move the toner cartridge to a predetermined mounting position, the seal tape winding means is operated to wind the seal tape, and the toner cartridge is taken out from the command means. Based on the signal, the toner cartridge elevating means is operated to position the toner cartridge at the shutter operating position which is elevated by a predetermined amount from the predetermined mounting position, and then the shutter operating means is operated to eject the toner from the leading edge of the shutter member. Move from one edge side of the opening to the other edge side, and then operate the toner cartridge lifting means. Positioning the toner cartridge in the detachable position, the electrostatic latent image developing device, characterized in that. 9. A container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container, a seal member releasably attached to the periphery of the toner discharge opening and closing the toner discharge opening, and the toner discharge opening. And a shutter member that is disposed on one edge side of the shutter and is configured to move across the toner discharge opening to the other edge side to cover the toner discharge opening. 10. A winding shaft to which the end of the sealing tape is connected is provided, and a sealing tape winding portion of the winding shaft is disposed in a closed space formed above a lower surface wall of the container. The toner cartridge according to claim 9, 11. The toner cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the shutter member includes a flexible shutter sheet and an engaging member made of a rigid material attached to a leading edge of the shutter sheet.