JPH0876580A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the leakage of toner even when a cartridge is attached/ detached to/from the device in the state the opening of a hopper faces downward by providing the openings of the toner hopper and toner cartridge of a rotary developing device with shield members whose openings are opened only when the cartridge is loaded into the hopper. CONSTITUTION: The shield members 54Y and 46Y to which the opening 53Y of the toner cartridge 50Y and the opening 45Y of the hopper 40Y are energized respectively so as to cover them at all times are slidably attached to the corresponding openings. When the cartridge is inserted to be loaded into the hopper, the shield member 54Y of the cartridge strikes against the part K of the hopper, and the shield member 46Y of the hopper strikes against the part L of the cartridge. When it is inserted further, each shield member slides against the energization, so that the openings 45Y and 53Y are opened.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention has a plurality of developing devices,
Further, the present invention relates to a rotary developing device of an image forming apparatus which is rotatably supported facing a latent image carrier and rotates each developing device to a developing position facing the latent image carrier to perform a developing operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a latent image carrier is exposed with a color-separated light image, each formed latent image is developed with a toner having a complementary color of the color-separated light, and a plurality of obtained toner images are formed on the same transfer paper. Full-color image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine that superimposes and transfers the images on the latent image carrier, and the latent images are separately exposed to the images to be reproduced in different colors, and the formed latent images are developed in different colors. 2. Description of the Related Art A multicolor image forming apparatus or the like is known in which a plurality of toner images obtained by developing with a developing agent are superposed and transferred onto the same transfer paper. These image forming apparatuses require a plurality of developing devices for developing a plurality of colors. However, if each developing device is separately configured and installed in parallel around the latent image carrier, the size of the device increases. There was a drawback that it would end up.

Therefore, conventionally, a rotary member is provided so as to be close to the latent image bearing member, and a plurality of developing devices are supported at predetermined positions on the rotary member so that each developing device is supported by the latent image bearing member. A rotary developing device has been developed in which a latent image on a latent image carrier is developed with toner of each color by sequentially rotating and conveying the toners to opposite developing positions.

Here, in such a rotary type developing device, a hollow toner supply member having an opening for discharging toner is provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction inside each developing device, and each developing device is provided. Contains toner to be replenished in the container,
A replenishment toner accommodating portion and a toner supply member, which are provided separately from each developing device, are connected by a flexible cylindrical body, and flexibility such as a screw provided in the replenishment toner accommodating portion and the cylindrical body is provided. It is known that the toner is conveyed from the replenishment toner storage portion to the corresponding developing device by the above conveying member (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-233668).

Further, a toner hopper portion is constructed so that the toner is accommodated in each developing device, and a predetermined amount of toner is retained by the rotating operation of the developing device in the vicinity of the developer carrying member in each developing device. Those provided are also known (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-153258).

However, in the rotary type developing device having the structure as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-233668, the driving means for driving the carrying member for carrying the toner from the replenishment toner storage portion to the developing device. Is required, and the cost of the apparatus becomes complicated and the cost is high, and the toner conveyed from the replenishment toner storage unit to the developing device is always subjected to mechanical force by the conveying member, and therefore deteriorates early. there were.

Further, in the rotary type developing device having the structure as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-153258,
If a large amount of toner is stored in each developing device in advance, there is a drawback that the entire developing device becomes large. Further, when the amount of toner in the axial direction of the developer carrier becomes non-uniform due to the use of the developing device, the amount of toner cannot be made uniform only by the rotating operation, and there is sufficient toner in the hopper. However, there is a drawback that uneven density may occur in the image.

Therefore, the present applicant has provided a toner hopper for accommodating the toner used in each developing device at the side end portion of the rotary developing device in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and a conveying screw from the toner hopper to the developing device. An apparatus for transporting toner using the toner has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-82044). By using this configuration, the toner supply amount in the axial direction is stabilized,
It is possible to provide a small-sized developing device that can maintain the amount of toner carried by the developer carrier uniformly in the axial direction and has a small cross-sectional occupancy.

The present applicant also proposed a device in which the toner cartridge mounted in the toner hopper of the above-mentioned rotary developing device replenishes the toner contained therein by the rotating operation of the developing device (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 5 (1999) -135242). -11179
issue). With this configuration, it is possible to replenish the toner from the toner cartridge to the toner hopper without providing any transport mechanism inside the toner cartridge.

[0010]

By the way, when a toner cartridge consumes all the toner contained therein,
It is necessary to replace the toner cartridge with a new one. However, since the toner cartridge in the embodiment specifically disclosed in each of the above-mentioned prior applications is constructed integrally with the rotary developing device, the following problems occur.

First, when an attempt is made to attach or detach a toner cartridge with the opening of the toner hopper corresponding to the toner cartridge which has become the toner end facing downward after the image formation is completed and the developing device is stopped at a predetermined position. The toner leaks and scatters to contaminate the surrounding area.

Further, when the image is formed, the toner cartridge rotates integrally with the developing device, and a centrifugal force acts on the toner cartridge. Therefore, if the connection of the toner hopper is weak, the toner cartridge is damaged or detached, or the toner is removed from the connection portion. Will be scattered.

Further, when a detaching mechanism that requires the user to position the toner cartridge at a limited detaching position before performing the detaching operation is provided, when the device is installed in a narrow space, It becomes very difficult to perform the attaching / detaching operation without visually confirming the attaching operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and the invention of each claim has the following objects. That is, the invention of claim 1 prevents the toner from leaking and scattering and contaminating the surroundings even if the toner cartridge is attached or detached with the opening of the toner hopper accommodating the toner facing downward. With the goal.

It is an object of the present invention to securely attach and fix the toner cartridge to the toner hopper and prevent the toner cartridge from being damaged or separated during image formation.

The invention of claim 4 or 5 makes it possible to easily guide the toner cartridge to the mounting position when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper, and avoids increasing the cost by providing a special guide member. With the goal.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the toner leaks from the joint with the toner hopper when the toner cartridge is attached or detached.
The purpose is to prevent scattering and contamination of the surrounding area.

[0018]

An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of developing devices are arranged around a rotation axis, and the plurality of developing devices are rotated about the rotation axis to perform arbitrary development. Is a rotary developing device configured to perform development by displacing the container to a developing position facing the latent image carrier, and a toner hopper is provided at a side end portion of the rotary developing device,
In an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device in which a toner cartridge containing a toner corresponding to the plurality of developing devices is detachably provided to the toner hopper, in an attachment / detachment position at each opening of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge. A shielding member that is slidable in the attaching / detaching direction is provided, and the shielding member opens the opening only when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner hopper.

According to another aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of developing devices are arranged around a rotation shaft, and the plurality of developing devices are rotated about the rotation shaft so that any developing device can be used as a latent image carrier. Is a rotary type developing device configured to be displaced to a developing position opposite to the developing position for developing, and a toner hopper is provided at a side end portion of the rotary type developing device and corresponds to the plurality of developing devices. In an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device in which a toner cartridge containing toner is detachably attached to the toner hopper, a guide is provided on one of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge and a guide groove is provided on the other. When the toner cartridge is attached to the toner hopper, the guide is guided by the guide groove so that the toner hopper and the toner cartridge Are configured to positioning is performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the toner hopper is provided with a stopper member for fixing the toner cartridge, and
An engaging portion that engages with the stopper member is formed in a guide or a guide groove provided in the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is fixed at a predetermined position by the stopper member.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention rotates a plurality of developing devices arranged around a rotating shaft about the rotating shaft to bring an arbitrary developing device to a developing position facing a latent image carrier. A rotary developing device configured to be displaced to perform development, a toner hopper is provided at a side end portion of the rotary developing device, and a toner cartridge containing toner corresponding to the plurality of developing devices. In an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device detachably attached to the toner hopper, the toner cartridge is mounted by an exterior part of the image forming apparatus main body when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary developing device. It was configured to be guided to the department.

An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary developing device, the toner cartridge is at least two exterior parts of the image forming apparatus main body. It is configured to be guided to the mounting portion by sliding the opposite surface of the toner cartridge on the surface.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a shielding mechanism in which an opening of a toner storage portion is shielded by a slidable shielding member, and a sealing member is provided around the opening. Is provided to at least the inner surface of the opening in the sliding direction of the shielding member.

[0024]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the opening of each of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge is normally shielded by the shielding member that is slidable in the attaching / detaching direction at the attaching / detaching position, and the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper. Only when the shield member opens the opening.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper, the guide provided on one of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge is guided by the guide groove provided on the other. Then, the toner hopper and the toner cartridge are positioned.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the stopper member provided in the toner hopper for fixing the toner cartridge is engaged with the engaging portion formed in the guide or the guide groove provided in the toner cartridge. Then, the toner cartridge is fixed at a predetermined position.

In the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary developing device, the toner cartridge is guided to the mounting portion by the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus main body.

In the image forming apparatus of claim 5, when the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper of the rotary developing device, at least two surfaces of the exterior portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus slide on opposite surfaces of the toner cartridge. Let them guide you to the mounting part.

In the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the opening is confidentially shielded by the seal member provided around the opening of the toner accommodating portion and the shielding member slidable in the opening. By providing the sealing member up to the inner surface of the opening at least in the sliding direction of the shielding member, the sealing member is not easily turned over when the toner cartridge is attached or detached.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a rotary developing device adopted in a full color printer 1 (hereinafter referred to as a printer) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 1 that employs a rotary developing device according to this embodiment. In the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1, a belt-shaped photoconductor (hereinafter referred to as a photoconductor belt) 2 as a latent image carrier is uniformly charged by a charging roller 3 and then based on image information by a laser optical device 4. Scanning exposure is performed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. Here, the image information to be exposed is image information of a single color obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed with predetermined yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners by a rotary developing device 20 described later, and each color image is formed on the photoconductor 1.

Photoreceptor belt 2 rotating in the direction of arrow A in the figure
The respective color images formed on the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 that rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure in synchronization with the photoconductor belt 2 are sequentially transferred in layers of single colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred onto the transfer paper 11 which is conveyed from the paper feed table 8 through the paper feed roller 9 and the registration roller 10 to the transfer section 6 by the transfer roller 6 Are collectively transferred by. After the transfer is completed, the transfer paper 11 is fixed by the fixing device 7 to complete a full-color image. The toner on the photoconductor belt 1 that has not been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 is
It is removed from the photoreceptor belt 1 by the photoreceptor cleaner 12. Further, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 5 that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper 11 is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 13.

Next, the rotary developing device 20 according to the present embodiment.
Will be described. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the rotary developing device 20 according to this embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which one developing unit, for example, a yellow developing unit described later is in the developing position. As shown in FIG. 2, a rotary type (also referred to as a revolver type or a rotary type) developing device (hereinafter, referred to as a developing device) 20 is arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive belt 2. This developing device 20
In FIG. 1, a casing 21 as a rotating body is rotatably provided around a rotation center O, and is rotated in the direction of arrow C by a drive mechanism (not shown). Also, casing 2
1 has an integral shape so as to divide the developing device 20 into four,
As a result, each color developing unit of the yellow developing unit 22Y, the magenta developing unit 22M, the cyan developing unit 22C, and the black developing unit 22K is formed.

The developing units 22Y, 22M of the present embodiment,
22C and 22K are developing units using a non-magnetic one-component developer, and respectively store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. In addition, each developing unit 22Y, 2
2M, 22C, and 22K are provided with cylindrical developing rollers 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K as a developer bearing member, respectively. The developing rollers 23Y, 23M,
23C and 23K are arranged so that a part thereof is exposed to the outside through an opening 21a provided in the casing 21.

The developing device 20 having the above-described structure synchronizes with the color information and the developing units 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22.
The developing unit 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K rotates the developing rollers 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K in the direction of arrow D in the drawing at the developing position. Then, the corresponding electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptor belt 2 are sequentially developed. The developed images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the transfer paper 11 as described above.
A full color image is formed by overlaying on top.

The developing units 22 according to this embodiment will be described below.
The detailed configuration of Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K will be described.
Since the color developing units 22Y, 22M, 22C and 22K have the same form and the same operation, the yellow developing unit 22Y will be described as an example in the following description, and the description of the other developing units 22M, 22C and 22K will be omitted. . In the following description, the developing units 22Y and 22Y will be described.
For the same members corresponding to M, 22C, 22K,
In the figure, only the letters at the end of the reference numerals are changed. FIG.
Is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing unit that constitutes the developing device 20, that is, a yellow developing unit 22Y in this case. In FIG. 3, a yellow developing unit 22Y is arranged at a developing position facing the photoconductor belt 2 when developing, and a yellow as a non-magnetic one-component developer is formed on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor belt 2. Toner is supplied to develop.

Yellow developing unit 2 at the developing position
An opening 21a is formed in the upper portion of the 2Y casing 21. The developing roller 23Y has a predetermined peripheral speed ratio with the photoconductor belt 1 so as to face the photoconductor belt 2 in the opening 21a, and a moving direction of the photoconductor belt 2 at a portion facing the photoconductor belt 1 is provided. It is arranged to rotate in the same direction as. The end of the developing roller seal member 28Y is in contact with the developing roller 23Y on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 23Y facing the photoconductor belt 2, and the toner leaks or scatters from the opening 21a. To prevent.

Below the developing roller 23Y, a supply roller 24Y, which is made of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam, as a toner supply member, rubs against the developing roller 23Y, and
The developing roller 23Y is provided with a predetermined peripheral speed ratio so as to rotate in the same direction in a sliding contact portion 29Y with the developing roller 23Y as indicated by arrows D and E in the figure.

Further, the developing roller 23 is more than the rubbing portion 29Y.
A blade 25Y formed of an elastic body is provided in the vicinity of the opening 21a on the downstream side in the rotational direction of Y such that the vicinity of its free end is in contact with the developing roller 23Y.

Further, on the left side of the rubbing portion 29Y in the figure, there is provided a screw-shaped first toner carrying member (hereinafter referred to as toner carrying screw) 26Y for carrying the toner from the front side to the back side of the paper, and Below the supply roller 24Y, a screw-shaped second toner conveying member (hereinafter referred to as a toner recovery screw) 27Y that conveys toner from the back side of the paper toward the front side is provided. The toner transport screw 26Y and the toner recovery screw 27Y
The details of will be described later. (Hereafter, margin)

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a toner hopper 40Y is provided at one longitudinal end of the yellow developing unit 22Y. The toner transport screw 2
6Y is disposed in parallel from the toner hopper 40Y to the other end of the developing unit 22Y in the longitudinal direction, and conveys the toner from the toner hopper 40Y to the other end of the yellow developing unit 22Y. Similarly, the developing roller 23Y and the supply roller 24Y
And is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed ratio.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the casing 21 is formed so that a part thereof is in contact with the supply roller 24Y, and the developing roller 23Y, the supply roller 24Y, and
The casing 21 forms a toner carrying space 30Y surrounding the toner carrying screw 26Y.

Then, the toner carrying screw 26Y is
By rotating in a predetermined direction, the toner is transported from the toner hopper 40Y into the toner transport space 30Y, and the toner is supplied onto the supply roller 24Y. The toner supplied onto the supply roller 24Y is supplied to the developing roller 23Y while being charged by being rubbed by the supplying roller 24Y and the developing roller 23Y at the rubbing portion 29Y, and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 23Y. The toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 23Y is made into a thin toner layer having a uniform thickness with a predetermined thickness by the blade 25Y, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive belt 2 is developed by contact or non-contact development. To do.

By the way, the toner not used in the developing process as described above is conveyed by the toner conveying screw 26Y to the end of the developing unit opposite to the toner hopper 40Y. The developing roller 23Y and the supply roller 31 at the end of the developing unit opposite to the toner hopper 40Y.
A toner circulating portion 31Y is provided outside the effective diameter portion of Y in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. The toner carried by the toner carrying screw 26Y to the toner circulating portion 31Y falls under the yellow developing unit 22Y due to gravity.

Below the yellow developing unit 22Y, a toner recovery screw 27Y is arranged in parallel with the developing roller 23Y, the supply roller 24Y and the toner conveying screw 26Y so that the toner is conveyed in the opposite direction to the toner conveying screw 26Y. The toner that has been rotated and has not been used in the above-described developing process is conveyed to the toner hopper 40Y.
By properly setting the carry amounts of the toner carrying screw 26Y and the toner collecting screw 27Y, the toner is supplied to the supplying roller 24Y by an appropriate amount without detecting the toner amount in the yellow developing unit 22Y or performing complicated supply amount control. It is possible to provide a small-sized developing device that can be supplied, has a large degree of freedom in layout, and has a small cross-sectional occupation rate with respect to the photoconductor.

Reference numerals 50Y, 50M and 5 shown in FIG.
0C and 50K are the developing units 22Y and 22
M, 22C, 22K toner hoppers 40Y, 40M, 4
The toner cartridges 50Y, 50M, 5
0C and 50K are mounted and replaced at the time of new mounting of the developing device 20 and at the toner end, so that the toner hopper 4 is always
A required amount of toner is stored in 0Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K.

Replenishment of toner from the toner cartridge to the toner hopper will be described. Here, similarly to the description of the developing unit described above, the replenishment from the yellow toner cartridge 50Y to the yellow toner hopper 40Y will be described, and the other colors will be omitted. FIG. 6A shows a state where the yellow developing unit 22Y is in the developing position. When the formation of the yellow image by the yellow developing unit is completed, the developing device 20 is rotated so that the magenta developing unit 22M is at the developing position for forming the magenta image, and the state shown in FIG. 6B is obtained. The developing device 20 rotates as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D to form a cyan image and a black image subsequent to the formation of the magenta image.

When the developing device 20 rotates as described above, the toner inside the yellow toner cartridge 50Y moves within the yellow toner cartridge 50Y by its own weight as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d). Then, from the state of FIG. 6D before the developing position to the developing position of FIG.
In the state of (a), the toner drops into the toner hopper 40Y through the opening of the yellow toner cartridge 50Y. According to this configuration, the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the toner hopper without using any toner conveying mechanism.

Hereinafter, the toner cartridge attaching / detaching operation in this embodiment will be described. As for the attachment / detachment operation, the attachment / detachment of the yellow toner cartridge 50Y and the yellow toner hopper 40Y will be described in the same manner as described above, and the attachment / detachment of other toner cartridges and the toner hopper will be omitted. First, the structure of the toner cartridge 50Y is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. As shown in FIG. 7A, the toner cartridge 50Y includes a toner storage portion 51Y for storing toner therein, a guide 52Y that engages with the toner hopper 40Y when mounted, and an opening 53Y. Also, FIG.
As shown in the detailed view around the opening 53Y in (b), a shielding member 54Y that shields the opening 53Y is slidably attached by a nest shielding member guide 60Y. The shield member 54Y is opened by the spring 55Y.
Is urged to shield. Also, the guide 52Y
A cutout portion 56Y is formed in a part of the area.

Next, the structure of the toner hopper 40Y will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the toner hopper alone is attached to the developing device 20, and FIG. 9 shows a state in which components accompanying the toner hopper are attached. The yellow toner cartridge 50 is provided in the toner hopper 40Y.
A guide groove 41Y and a stopper 42Y that engage with the Y guide 52Y are provided. The stopper 42Y has a tip portion that enters a hole formed in the hopper wall and engages with the cutout portion 56 of the toner cartridge 50Y. As shown in FIG. 11, which will be described later, the stopper 42Y is always inserted into the hole. It is urged to rotate by a leaf spring 43Y. Also,
An opening 45Y is formed in the toner hopper 40Y similarly to the toner cartridge 50Y, and a shield member 46Y that shields the opening 45Y is slidably provided. The shield member 46Y is biased by a spring 47Y so as to shield the opening 45Y.

The operation of mounting the toner cartridge 50Y in the toner hopper 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. When a new developing device 20 is attached to the printer 1, the toner cartridge 50 is attached to the developing device 20.
When Y is mounted, the developing device 20 first rotates to rotate the yellow developing unit 22Y and the yellow toner hopper 40Y.
Stops at a predetermined attachment / detachment position of the toner cartridge 50Y. After the rotation of the developing device 20 is stopped, the user is prompted by the operator panel or the like to mount the toner cartridge 50Y. The user pulls down the handle 15 of the door 14 which is swingable in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing at the substantially same center as the rotation center of the developing device 20.

Next, the surfaces H and I of the exterior of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 10B are aligned with the surfaces F and G of the toner cartridge 50Y shown in FIG. 7A, and these surfaces are brought into close contact with each other. Then, the toner cartridge 50Y is pushed in.
In the state shown in FIG. 10C in which the two surfaces are in close contact with each other, the toner cartridge 50Y is easily restrained from the toner hopper 40Y because it is constrained except in the insertion direction (the direction indicated by J in the figure).
Can be guided and both can be positioned.

The process of fixing the toner cartridge 50Y to the hopper 40Y will be described below with reference to FIG.
The positioned toner cartridge 50Y is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the guide 52Y has a hopper 40Y.
It is inserted along the guide groove 41Y. When the guide 52Y is inserted into the guide groove 41Y, the tip of the guide 52Y swings the stopper 42Y against the bias of the leaf spring 43Y (FIG. 11B), and when the toner cartridge 50Y is further inserted, the guide 52Y moves. The stopper 42Y returns and engages with the notch 56Y provided in a part (FIG. 11C). Here, as will be described in detail later, the biasing force of the spring 47Y of the shielding member 46Y of the toner hopper 40Y is transmitted to the toner cartridge 50Y, and the biasing force of the spring 55Y of the shielding member 54Y of the toner cartridge 50Y is transmitted to the toner hopper 40Y. To be done. As a result, the toner cartridge 50Y and the toner hopper 40Y generate a relative force in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the developing device 20 is positioned by the guide 52Y and the guide groove 41Y, and the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 50Y is positioned by the relative force of the spring 47Y and the spring 55Y and the stopper 42Y, and the toner cartridge 50Y is completely positioned in the toner hopper 40Y. Fixed to. The cartridge 50Y is fixed to the toner hopper 40Y, and the mounting operation is completed.

When the door 14 is closed after the yellow toner cartridge 50Y is mounted on the developing device 20, the developing device 20 rotates and stops at the mounting position of the magenta toner cartridge 50M. The user repeats the above-described mounting operation and sequentially mounts the magenta toner cartridge 50Y, the cyan toner cartridge 50C, and the black toner cartridge 50K.

When the toner cartridge 50Y is removed from the toner hopper 40Y, the user presses the stopper 42Y so that the stopper 42Y and the guide 52Y can be removed.
The engagement with the notch 56Y is released, and the toner cartridge 50Y can be removed. At this time, as described above, the toner cartridge 50Y is not attached to the toner hopper 40.
Since it receives a force relative to Y, it can be detached from the toner hopper 40Y by simply pressing the stopper 42Y without particularly trying to pull out the toner cartridge 50Y.

The replacement of the toner cartridge at the toner end will be described below. When the toner in the toner cartridge is consumed and the toner runs out by using the printer 1, the toner end is detected by a detection mechanism (not shown). When the toner end is detected, the user is notified of the toner end and the developing device 20 rotates the toner cartridge, which has become the toner end, until it reaches the attachment / detachment position. The user removes the empty toner cartridge from the toner hopper by the above-mentioned removal operation, and then attaches a new toner cartridge to the toner hopper by the above-mentioned attachment operation.

In the above description, the mounting / demounting position of the toner cartridge is substantially the same as the developing position. However, the mounting / demounting position can be set at an arbitrary position, and the toner cartridge can be set by the user and the toner cartridge by the user. There is a high degree of layout freedom in the operating direction when handling cartridges.

Next, the openings 45Y and 53Y, which are shielded by the shielding members 46Y and 54Y of the toner cartridge 50Y and the toner hopper 40Y, are opened in the toner cartridge 5.
A process in which the toner that has been released by attaching 0Y to the toner hopper 40Y and is sealed in the toner cartridge 50Y can flow into the toner hopper 40Y will be described with reference to FIG. When the toner cartridge 50Y is inserted to be attached to the toner hopper 40Y as described above, the shielding member 54Y of the toner cartridge 50Y hits a part K of the toner hopper 40Y,
The shielding member 46Y of the toner hopper 40Y hits a part L of the toner cartridge 50Y. When the toner cartridge 50Y is further inserted, the respective shielding members 46Y and 54Y
Are spring 47Y and spring 5 for urging each
5Y slide against the urging force to open each opening 4
5Y and 53Y are opened (FIG. 12 (b)). And
When the cutout portion 56Y of the guide 52Y engages with the stopper 42Y and the toner cartridge 50Y is fixed to the toner hopper 40Y as described above, the openings 45Y and 53 are provided.
Y is completely opened, and the toner can flow from the toner cartridge 50Y into the toner hopper 40Y (FIG. 12 (c)). Here, the respective openings 45Y, 5
Even when 3Y is gradually opened, each opening 45 is opposed to the opening gradually opened similarly.
The toner is not scattered around regardless of the direction of Y and 53Y.

Finally, the seal member provided around the openings of the toner cartridge and the toner hopper will be described.
Since all the toner cartridges and the sealing members of the opening of the toner hopper have the same form, the sealing member 48Y around the opening 45Y of the yellow toner hopper 40Y will be described as an example with reference to FIG. Note that the shielding member 46Y is omitted in FIG. Opening 45
The seal member 48Y provided around Y is formed of an elastic body such as foam sponge and attached with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. Further, the sliding direction of the shielding member 46Y is not limited to the surface of the toner hopper 40Y, but also the opening 45Y.
It is extended to the inside of. Therefore, even when a strong force is applied to the sliding direction of the shielding member 46Y when the shielding member 46Y is slid and the toner cartridge 50Y is attached / detached, the sealing member 48Y is flipped up, and the toner leaks and scatters to cause the surrounding area. No pollution.

[0059]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a shield member slidable in the attachment / detachment direction at the attachment / detachment position is provided in each opening of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge, and only when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner hopper. Since the shielding member is configured to open the opening, the toner leaks and scatters and contaminates the surroundings even if the toner cartridge is attached or detached with the opening of the toner hopper accommodating the toner facing downward. Can be prevented.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 2, one of the toner hopper and the toner cartridge is provided with a guide and the other is provided with a guide groove.
When the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper, the guide is guided by the guide groove to position the toner hopper and the toner cartridge, so that the toner cartridge is securely mounted and fixed on the toner hopper. It is possible to prevent the toner cartridge from being damaged or separated during image formation.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the toner hopper is provided with the stopper member for fixing the toner cartridge, and the guide or the guide groove provided on the toner cartridge is engaged with the stopper member. Since the portion is formed and the toner cartridge is fixed to the predetermined position by the stopper member, the toner cartridge can be securely attached and fixed to the toner hopper, and the toner cartridge can be prevented from being damaged or separated during image formation.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 4, when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary developing device, the toner cartridge is guided to the mounting portion by the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus main body. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper, it is possible to easily guide the toner cartridge to the mounting position, and it is possible to avoid the cost increase by providing a special guide member.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary developing device, the toner cartridge faces at least two surfaces of the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus main body, the surfaces facing each other. Since it is configured to be guided to the mounting part by sliding, it is possible to easily guide the toner cartridge to the mounting position when mounting the toner cartridge in the toner hopper, and further increase the cost by providing a special guide member. You can avoid doing.

According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, since the seal member is provided at least up to the inner surface of the opening in the sliding direction of the shield member, the toner is removed from the joint with the toner hopper when the toner cartridge is attached or detached. Leakage,
It is possible to prevent scattering and contamination of the surroundings. (Hereafter, margin)

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a rotary developing device in the same apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a developing device in the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the developing device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the developing device.

6A to 6D are explanatory views of toner supply of the developing device.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of a toner cartridge in the developing device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a toner hopper in the developing device.

FIG. 9 is another explanatory view of the toner hopper.

10A to 10C are explanatory views of a mounting operation of the toner cartridge.

11A to 11C are explanatory views of openings of a toner cartridge and the like when the same is mounted.

12A to 12C are other explanatory views of the opening.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a toner hopper and a seal member of a toner cartridge according to a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Full Color Printer Main Body 2 Photosensitive Belt 3 Charging Roller 4 Laser Optical Device 5 Intermediate Transfer Belt 6 Transfer Roller 7 Fixing Device 8 Paper Feeding Table 9 Paper Feeding Roller 10 Registration Roller 11 Transfer Paper 12 Photoconductor Cleaner 13 Intermediate Transfer Belt Cleaner 14 Door 15 Handle 20 Rotary Developing Device 21 Casing 22 Developing Unit 23 Developing Roller 24 Supplying Roller 25 Blade 26 Toner Conveying Screw 27 Toner Collecting Screw 28 Developing Roller Sealing Member 29 Sliding Part 30 Toner Conveying Space 31 Toner Circulating Part 40 Toner Hopper 41 Guide Groove 41 42 stopper 43 leaf spring 45 opening 46 shielding member 47 spring 48 sealing member 50 toner cartridge 51 toner container 52 guide 53 opening 54 shielding member 55 spring 56 cutting Out portions

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsuhiro Aoki 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Yuichi Ueno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Within Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Chiyako Kobayashi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of developing devices arranged around a rotation axis,
A rotary developing device configured to rotate about the rotation axis to displace an arbitrary developing device to a developing position facing a latent image carrier to perform development, and a side of the rotary developing device. An image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device, which is provided with a toner hopper at an end portion thereof, and in which a toner cartridge containing a toner corresponding to the plurality of developing devices is detachably provided to the toner hopper, wherein the toner hopper and the toner hopper are provided. A shielding member that is slidable in the attachment / detachment direction at the attachment / detachment position is provided at each opening of the toner cartridge, and the shielding member is configured to release the opening only when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner hopper. Image forming apparatus. 2. A plurality of developing devices arranged around a rotating shaft,
A rotary developing device configured to rotate about the rotation axis to displace an arbitrary developing device to a developing position facing a latent image carrier to perform development, and a side of the rotary developing device. An image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device, which is provided with a toner hopper at an end portion thereof, and in which a toner cartridge containing a toner corresponding to the plurality of developing devices is detachably provided to the toner hopper, wherein the toner hopper and the toner hopper are provided. A guide is provided on one of the toner cartridges and a guide groove is provided on the other, and when the toner cartridge is mounted on the toner hopper, the guide is guided by the guide groove to position the toner hopper and the toner cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized by: 3. A stopper member for fixing the toner cartridge to the toner hopper, and a guide or guide groove provided in the toner cartridge,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an engaging portion that engages with the stopper member is formed, and the toner cartridge is fixed at a predetermined position by the stopper member. 4. A plurality of developing devices arranged around a rotation axis,
A rotary developing device configured to rotate about the rotation axis to displace an arbitrary developing device to a developing position facing a latent image carrier to perform development, and a side of the rotary developing device. In an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device, which is provided with a toner hopper at an end portion thereof, and a toner cartridge containing a toner corresponding to the plurality of developing devices is detachably attached to the toner hopper, the toner cartridge is An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge is guided to an attachment portion by an exterior portion of an image forming apparatus main body when the toner cartridge is attached to a toner hopper of the rotary developing device. 5. When the toner cartridge is mounted in the toner hopper of the rotary type developing device, the toner cartridge is mounted by sliding the opposite surfaces of the toner cartridge onto at least two surfaces of the exterior portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is guided to a section. 6. An image forming apparatus having a shielding mechanism in which an opening of a toner storage portion is shielded by a slidable shielding member and a sealing member is provided around the opening, wherein the sealing member slides at least the shielding member. In the direction, the image forming apparatus is provided to the inner surface of the opening.