JPH082681Y2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a developing device used in a liquid crystal printer, an electrophotographic copying machine or other image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

An image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a liquid crystal printer is provided with a developing device for converting the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image. Some of these developing devices are devised so that the developer can be replenished into the container body of the developing device by a developer replenishing cartridge in consideration of easy handling. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional developing device provided with such a developer supply cartridge. In the figure, the developing device 1 has a container body 2 for accommodating the developer, and a developer supply port 3 is formed in the upper part of the container body. The developer supply port 3 is the container body 2
It can be closed with a lid 4 hinged to. Further, the developing device 1 is provided with a developer replenishing cartridge 5 having an opening portion for accommodating the replenishment developer inside and discharging the replenishment developer to the outside. The opening is sealed by a seal member, and a seal peeling member 6 is formed integrally with the seal member on one end side of the seal member. Then, the lid 4 is opened, the developer supply cartridge 5 is positioned above the developer supply port 3, and the hooks 7a and 7b formed on the developer supply cartridge 5 are projected on the developing device 1. The seal peeling member 6 is pulled out in the direction of arrow B by hooking the pins 8a and 8b respectively. Then, the developer in the developer replenishing cartridge 5 drops into the container body 2 along with the pulling-out operation, and the developer is replenished.

[Problems of conventional technology]

By the way, the developing device is a consumable item and has a constant life. For example, assuming that the life is 6000 sheets of A4 size printing paper, and one developing unit replenishing cartridge is responsible for the developer consumption of 2000 printing papers, from the start of using the developing device to the end of the life. During the period, the developer is replenished three times with the three developer replenishing cartridges. Therefore, the provider (maker) of the image forming apparatus desires that the quality of the image printed on the sheet is realized as good as possible, and in advance, the supply order of the developer supply cartridges, in other words, the container. You may want to specify the order of attachment to the body. For example, in the case of a two-component developing system, the content of the developer supply cartridge used first is a mixture of toner and an appropriate amount of carrier, and the content of the developer supply cartridge used for the second supply is toner. This is because the content of the developer replenishing cartridge used for the next replenishment is to be a mixture of toner with a smaller amount of carrier than the content mixed as the content of the first developer replenishing cartridge. Further, even in the one-component developing method, it is sometimes desired that the user use a developer having a different composition depending on the replenishment stage so that a constant image density can be obtained.

In order to inform the user of the mounting order of the developer replenishing cartridge to the container body, conventionally, it is described in an instruction manual, or a label or the like indicating the mounting order is attached to each developer replenishing cartridge. I was trying to make this clear.

However, users often do not read the instruction manuals often and inadvertently make mistakes. Therefore, there is a problem in that even if the mounting order of the developer replenishment cartridge is specified in order to obtain good image quality, it may not be correctly protected.

[Purpose of device]

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention makes it possible to automatically secure the mounting sequence of the developer replenishing cartridge without the user being aware of it, and to replenish the developer after the developer is replenished a predetermined number of times. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device in which the number of times of replenishment of the developer is limited by making it impossible.

[Key points of device]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sealing member including a container body having a developer supply port and disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an opening for discharging the replenishment developer housed inside. The seal peeling member formed at one end of the seal member is attached above the developer supply port to pull out the seal peeling member, thereby connecting the opening and the developer supply port. A developer replenishing cartridge for replenishing the developer, and an engaging portion that is provided in the container body and engages with the seal peeling member. The engaging portion is operated in association with the operation of pulling out the seal peeling member. And a replenishment number limiting member that prevents the pulling-out operation when the rotation angle is reached in accordance with a predetermined number of times of replenishment, and the rotation is prevented by the contact with the rotation preventing member. Present In the apparatus, provided with a plurality of developer supplying cartridge having different each other the seal peeling shape of the member, the replenishment count limit member,
Corresponding to different shapes of the seal peeling members along the rotation direction so that the seal peeling members are engaged and rotatable only when the plurality of developer supply cartridges are mounted in a predetermined order. It is characterized in that a plurality of engaging portions are provided.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an essential part of the developing device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an essential part of the developing device of the present invention. Referring to both figures, the developing device 1 has a container body 2 for accommodating a developer, and a guide plate 10 is provided at an upper end portion of one side wall of the container body 2. Rectangular holes 10a, 10b and 10c are formed in the guide plate 10.

On the other hand, below the guide plate 10 is a developer replenishment controller.
11 is positioned, and the replenishment controller 11 is provided with a support frame 12. In addition, guide portions 14a and 14b having an inclined surface 13 that inclines downward with increasing distance from the container body 2 are formed on the upper portion of the support frame 12, and a side wall is provided with a replenishment number limiting member described later. Shaft holes 15a and 15b are formed. The support frame 12 has a support wall 16 extending downward, and an upper end side of the support wall 16 is provided with a protrusion 16a for restraining rotation of a ratchet gear described later and a protrusion 16b for locking a replenishment number limiting member described later. Each is formed.

The replenishment number limiting member 17 has a roller 17a, and the roller 17a
Shafts 17b and 17c project in the axial direction at the center of the side surface. A ratchet gear 17d is fixed to the shaft 17b on the shaft 17b side of the roller 17a. Then, the protrusions 17e, 1 are formed on the circumferential surface of the roller 17a with an appropriate interval in the axial direction and with a slight shift in the circumferential direction.
7f and 17g are provided so as to project, and the protrusion 17e and the roller 17a are provided.
Protrusions 17h, 17i, and 17j are arranged in rows at positions facing each other with the protrusions 17e, 17f, and 17g spaced at equal intervals in the axial direction. In addition, the protrusion 1 on the peripheral surface of the roller 17a
The protrusion 17e is provided at a portion closer to the shaft 17c side from 7j.
There is provided a stopper 17k which is shifted by about 90 degrees to the left and protrudes leftward when viewed from the side end on the ratchet gear side.

Although FIG. 1 shows a seal peeling member 18 formed at one end of the seal member of the developer supply cartridge, the seal member and the like are omitted in FIG. 1 for convenience. The seal peeling member 18 is integrally fixed to the seal member with an adhesive, a double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

The seal peeling member 18 has a handle portion 18a,
The projections 17e, 17 are formed on the surface slightly behind when viewed from the handle portion 18a side.
A hole is provided to receive either f or 17g. And in FIG. 1, the hole 18b which receives the said protrusion 17e is shown. 3 (a), (b), and (c) show seal peeling members 18 provided on each of the three developer supply cartridges, and each of them has the protrusion 17
Holes 18b, 18c, 18d for receiving e, 17f, 17g are shown. Further, projecting portions 18e and 18f are formed on both sides of the side facing the handle portion 18a.

Below the shaft holes 15a, 15b is formed a tapered split groove, and if the shafts 17b, 17c of the replenishment frequency limiting member 17 are applied to the lower end of the split groove and pushed upward, the shafts 17b, 17c will be formed. Fit into the shaft holes 15a and 15b. When the support frame 12 is attached below the guide plate 10 in such a state, the state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view for explaining the operation. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which developer replenishing cartridges 5 filled with three different types of developers are replenished to the container body 2 in a predetermined order.

The state of FIG. 1 is a state in which the developer is replenished for the first time, and the protrusion 17e projects above the rectangular hole 10a. When the developer replenishing cartridge 5 is set in the container body 2 by the same operation as described in the section of the prior art, the protrusion 17e is aligned with the hole 18b provided in the seal peeling member 18. The projection 17e projects above the hole 18b. Then, the seal peeling member 18
If the user holds the handle portion 18a with a finger and pulls it out as it is, the protruding portions 18e and 18f move under the guide portions 14a and 14b while moving, and at that time, the protrusion 17e is located at the edge of the hole 18b. It moves in the pull-out direction (the direction of arrow B) while engaging.
As a result, when the seal peeling member 18 is completely pulled out, the replenishment number limiting member 17 rotates in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. At this time, the protrusion 17
f comes closer to the side of the rectangular hole 10b, and the protrusion 17f projects above the rectangular hole 10b. In the process of pulling out the seal peeling member 18, the curved surfaces of the teeth of the ratchet gear 17d slide against the tips of the protrusions 16a, and when the protrusions 17f just project above the rectangular hole 10b, As shown in FIG. 5, the tip end of the protrusion 16a falls on the stepped portion of the tooth, and its engagement prevents the replenishment number limiting member 17 from rotating in the reverse direction (rotating in the direction of arrow E).

When a developer replenishing cartridge for replenishing the developer for the second time is attached to the container body 2, the hole is replenished as described above.
The protrusion 17f coincides with 18c, and the protrusion 17f projects above the hole 18c. Then, the grip portion 18a is pulled, and the replenishment number limiting member 17 is rotated again by a constant angle in the same manner as described above. Then, this time, the projection 17g comes to project above the rectangular hole 10c.

When the developer replenished for the second time is used up, the environmental agent replenishment cartridge for replenishing the developer for the third time is attached to the container body 2, and the grip portion 18a is pulled out,
The replenishment number limiting member 17 rotates again by a certain angle.
As a result, each of the protrusions 17h, 17i, 17j projects above the rectangular holes 10a, 10b, 10c. At this time, the sixth
As shown in the figure, the stopper 17k comes into contact with the protrusion 16b to prevent the replenishment number limiting member 17 from rotating, whereby the pulling-out operation of the seal peeling member 18 can be prevented.

The above is a description of the case where the developer supply cartridge is mounted in the container body in a predetermined order, but what happens if an inappropriate developer supply cartridge is mounted in the container body, This will be described below. FIG. 7 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which such an inappropriate developer supply cartridge is attached to the container body 2. For example, at the time of the first developer replenishment, when an inappropriate developer replenishment cartridge is attached to the container body 2, the protrusion
Since 17e does not coincide with either the hole 18c or the hole 18d, the seal peeling member 18 is caught in the protrusion 17e and lifted from the guide plate 10.
Therefore, even if an attempt is made to pull out the seal peeling member 18, the projecting portions 18e, 18f cannot dig into the lower portions of the guide portions 14a, 14b, and the end portions of the guide portions 14a, 14b cannot be pulled out. Therefore, the replenishment number limiting member 17 cannot be rotated. As described above, the developer replenishing cartridge is structured so that it cannot be set in the container body except in a predetermined order, so that the developer can be reliably replenished only in the scheduled order.

Further, as described above, when the third replenishment of the developer is completed, the protrusions 17h, 17i, 17j project from the rectangular holes 10a, 10b, 10c at three locations at the same time. In this state, none of the seal peeling members shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c) can be pulled out, and when the developer in the container is used up in this state, the developing device Has reached the end of its life. The protrusions 17h, 17i and 17j project at three locations at the same time, which also plays a role of allowing the user to be informed in advance of the end of the life.

In the above description, the case where the developer is replenished three times with the three kinds of developer replenishing cartridges is described, but the number of the protrusions and the rectangular holes is not limited to this, and the number of the protrusions and the rectangular holes may be changed according to several other cases. The same effect can be obtained by increasing or decreasing the number.

[Effect of device]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the mounting order of the developer replenishing cartridge can be automatically secured without the user being aware, and the developer is replenished after a predetermined number of times of replenishing the developer. It becomes possible to prevent the replenishment of the developer, and the developer replenishment order as planned by the maker of the image forming apparatus can be surely maintained. Further, since the number of times of supplying the developer can be limited, the life of the developing device is automatically managed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device capable of maintaining excellent image quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an essential part of a developing device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an essential part of the developing device of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 (a), (b), ( FIG. 4C is a plan view showing a seal peeling member provided in each of the three developer supply cartridges, and FIG. 4 is a view showing the peeling operation of the seal peeling member in the state where the developer supply cartridge is attached to the container body. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the movement of the replenishment number limiting member, FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the replenishment number limiting member is prevented from being reversed by the ratchet gear, and FIG. 6 is a stopper 17k contacting the protrusion 16b. FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the replenishment number limiting member is in contact with the rotation preventing member, and FIG. Equipped with a developer supply cartridge FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional developing device, 1 ... developing device, 2 ... container body, 5 ... developer replenishing cartridge, 17 ... replenishing number limiting member, 18 ... seal peeling member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A container member having a developer supply port and disposed in the main body of an image forming apparatus, and an opening for discharging a replenishment developer housed inside are sealed by a seal member. The developer is replenished by connecting the opening with the developer supply port by connecting the opening to the developer supply port by pulling out the seal peeling member formed at one end of the seal member by being mounted above the developer supply port. A developer replenishment cartridge and an engaging portion that is provided on the container body and engages with the seal peeling member, and rotates in one direction through the engaging portion in conjunction with the operation of pulling out the seal peeling member. A developing device including a replenishment number limiting member that prevents the pulling-out operation when the rotation angle corresponding to a predetermined replenishing number is reached and the rotation preventing member abuts to prevent rotation. A plurality of developer replenishing cartridges having different shapes of the peeling and peeling member are provided, and the seal pulling is performed only when the plurality of developer replenishing cartridges are mounted on the replenishment number limiting member in a predetermined order. A developing device, wherein a plurality of engaging portions corresponding to different shapes of the plurality of seal peeling members are provided along a rotation direction so as to be engaged with the peeling member and to be rotatable.