JPH096110A - Developer cartridge, developing device, process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a developer cartridge, a developing device and a process cartridge constituted so that operability is simplified, the attachment of a developer (toner) cartridge or the moving quantity of a shutter provided on the cartridge can be easily recognized, and the toner can be easily replenished as for a toner replenishment system process cartridge or the developing device, and an image forming device provided with the process cartridge, the developing device and the developer cartridge. CONSTITUTION: The developer cartridge C is attached to the process cartridge so that it can be attached and detached. When the cartridge C attached to the process cartridge is moved to a toner replenishing position, the opening and closing actions of a shutter 18 provided at the hopper part 10e of the process cartridge and the shutter 23 of the developer cartridge C are interlocked with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, a word processor, and the like, which is detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a process cartridge, a developing device, and a developer (toner) cartridge attachable to the process cartridge and the developing device.

In the specification of the present application, a process cartridge is an integrally formed cartridge including a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as a process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the cartridge is, for example, an electrophotographic copy. Machine, electrophotographic printer, or other image forming apparatus main body, or at least one of a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means as the process means, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor. Or to make the cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed. Is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic recording system such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer, charges an electrophotographic photosensitive member uniformly, and then exposes it in accordance with image information to make it static. An electrostatic latent image is formed, and then a developer is attached to the latent image by a developing unit to form a visible image (toner image), and then this toner image is transferred to a recording medium to obtain an image.

In such an apparatus, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means and the like are collectively formed into a cartridge so that the user himself can put the process cartridge into the main body of the image forming apparatus. It has been put into practical use that can be easily replaced by making it easy to maintain.

However, in recent years, a process cartridge or a developing device of a system for supplying toner has been proposed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the toner replenishment type process cartridge.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the operation in a process cartridge or a developing device of a toner replenishing type, to mount a developer (toner) cartridge, and to move a shutter provided in the cartridge. To provide a developer cartridge, a developing device, and a process cartridge that can easily supply toner, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer cartridge.

[0008]

The above objects are achieved by a developer cartridge, a developing device, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention relates to a developer cartridge detachably mountable to a process cartridge or a developing device, wherein the shutter means provided in the hopper of the process cartridge or the developing device and the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge are The developer cartridge is opened / closed in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the developer cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a developing device which can be attached to and detached from an image forming device and can be replenished with a developer by mounting a developer cartridge, the developing device is provided in a hopper portion of the developing device. A developing device is provided in which a shutter unit and a shutter unit provided on the developer cartridge are opened and closed in association with an attaching / detaching operation of the developer cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a hopper portion that stores a developer, and a developer cartridge can be attached to the hopper portion to replenish the developer. The process cartridge is characterized in that the shutter means provided in the hopper portion of the process cartridge and the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge are opened and closed in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the developer cartridge. To be done.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a developer cartridge can be mounted to replenish the developer,
Further, in an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge or a developing device which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the shutter means provided in the hopper portion of the process cartridge or the developing device and the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge are the developing means. (EN) Provided is an image forming apparatus which is opened and closed in conjunction with an attachment / detachment operation of an agent cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge can be attached and detached and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photoreceptor and the electrophotographic photoreceptor And a hopper portion for accommodating the developer, and a developer cartridge can be attached to the hopper portion to replenish the developer, and the hopper portion of the process cartridge is provided. The shutter means and the shutter means provided on the developer cartridge, and mounting means for mounting the process cartridge on the apparatus main body, the process cartridge being configured to be opened and closed in association with the mounting and demounting operation of the developer cartridge. ) An image forming apparatus is provided, which comprises: a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

In each of the above inventions, preferably, the mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper is
It has a first mounting direction in which the first developer cartridge is mounted and a second mounting direction in which the second developer cartridge is mounted so as to face the first mounting direction. Further, preferably, the developer cartridge is not detachable by itself after it is mounted in the hopper portion, and further, the developer cartridge mounted in the hopper portion is ready for a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. It is supposed to be removable in conjunction. Further, preferably, guide means for guiding or holding the developer cartridge, the shutter means of the developer cartridge, or the shutter means of the hopper portion is provided in the apparatus main body when the developer cartridge is attached and detached.

In the present invention, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, it is detachable, or at least one of the charging means, the developing means and the cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is made detachable with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is a thing.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, a developing device, and a developer cartridge according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus A in which a process cartridge B constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus A is an electrophotographic printer, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[Overall Structure] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus A includes an image carrier (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") 7 such as an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, as shown in FIG. A toner image is formed by the process cartridge B constituting the image forming unit provided. The recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveying means 3 in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the recording medium 2 by the transfer means 4, and the recording medium 2 is fixed to the fixing means 5. The transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharge unit 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the charging means 8. Is exposed to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure unit 9 to form a latent image, and the developing unit 10 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to visualize the latent image. After transferring the toner image onto the recording medium 2 by the transfer means 4,
The cleaning unit 11 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7. Each of the parts such as the photosensitive drum 7 is made of a resin-made developing frame body 1 which constitutes the housing 12.
2a and the cleaning frame 12b are housed in a cartridge.

Next, the structure of each part of the image forming apparatus A will be described in the order of the optical system, the conveying means, the transfer means, the fixing means, and the cartridge mounting means.

[Optical System] The optical system 1 irradiates a light image on the photoconductor drum 7 by irradiating light on the basis of image information read from an external device or the like. As shown in FIG. A laser diode 1b, a polygon mirror 1c, a scanner motor 1d, and an imaging lens 1e are housed in an optical unit 1a of the main body 13.

When an image signal is given from an external device such as a computer or a word processor, the laser diode 1b emits light according to the image signal and illuminates the polygon mirror 1c as image light. The polygon mirror 1c is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor 1d, and the image light reflected by the polygon mirror 1c is radiated to a rotating photosensitive drum 7 through an imaging lens 1e and a reflection mirror 1f, and the surface of the drum 7 is rotated. Is selectively exposed to form a latent image according to image information.

[Recording Medium Conveying Means] For example, recording paper, OH
The conveying means 3 for conveying the recording medium 2 which is a P sheet, a cloth or a thin plate has a mounting portion for the cassette 3a in the apparatus main body 13, and the recording medium 2 in the cassette 3a mounted in this mounting portion. Are fed one by one to the registration roller pairs 3c1 and 3c2 from above by the pickup roller 3b, and the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the image transfer section so that the registration roller pairs 3c1 and 3c2 are synchronized with the image forming operation. Then, the recording medium 2 after the image transfer is conveyed to the fixing means 5 by the conveying roller 3d and the guide plate 3e, and the recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged by the discharging roller 3f to the discharging portion 6 formed on the upper part of the apparatus.

[Transfer Means] The transfer means 4 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in the image forming section onto the recording medium 2. The transfer means 4 of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. In addition, the transfer roller 4 is used. That is, the transfer roller 4 presses the recording medium 2 against the photosensitive drum 7 of the mounted process cartridge B,
By applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 7, the toner image on the photoconductor drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

[Fixing Unit] The fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the structure is such that a driving roller 5a that is driven to rotate and a heater 5b are provided inside.
And a fixing roller 5c which is driven to rotate by being pressed against the drive roller 5a. That is, when the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming section passes between the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, pressure is applied by the pressure of both rollers 5a and 5c, and heat generation of the fixing roller 5c occurs. Heat is applied by the toner, and the toner on the recording medium 2 is fixed on the recording medium 2.

[Process Cartridge Mounting Unit] In the image forming apparatus A, a cartridge mounting unit 100 for mounting the process cartridge B is provided. The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 by opening the opening / closing cover 14. That is, the device body 13
An opening / closing cover 14 that can be opened and closed by a hinge 14a is attached to the upper part of the. When the opening / closing cover 14 is opened, a cartridge mounting space is provided inside the apparatus body 13, and left and right guide members constituting the mounting means 100 are mounted on the left and right wall surfaces of the opening / closing cover. A guide for inserting the process cartridge B is provided in the left and right guide members, and the process cartridge B is inserted into the image forming apparatus A by inserting the process cartridge B along the guide and closing the opening / closing cover 14. I am trying.

[Process Cartridge] Next, the structure of the process cartridge B mounted in the image forming apparatus A will be described in more detail.

In the present invention, the process cartridge B is
An image carrier such as the photosensitive drum 7 and at least one process means are provided. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means 8 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, a developing means 10 for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. There are means 11 and the like.

The process cartridge B of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A charging unit 8, an exposure unit 9, a developing unit 10, and a cleaning unit 11 are arranged around the periphery of the device, and these are covered with a housing composed of a developing frame body 12a and a cleaning frame body 12b to be integrated with each other, so that they can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13. Has been done.

Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B will be described in the order of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging means 8, the exposing part 9, the developing means 10, and the cleaning means 11.

[Photoreceptor Drum] The photoreceptor drum 7 according to this embodiment is constructed by coating an organic photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum. The photoconductor drum 7 is rotatably mounted, and the driving force of a drive motor provided on the apparatus main body side is transmitted to a flange gear fixed to one end of the photoconductor drum 7 in the longitudinal direction as described later. 7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 according to the image forming operation.

[Charging Means] The charging means 8 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and in the present embodiment, a so-called contact in which the charging roller 8 is rotatably attached to the frame body. The charging method is used. The charging roller 8 has a metal roller shaft 8a provided with a conductive elastic layer, a high resistance elastic layer further provided thereon, and a protective film provided on the surface thereof. The conductive elastic layer is formed by dispersing carbon in an elastic rubber layer such as EPDM or NBR and has a function of guiding a bias voltage supplied to the roller shaft 8a. Further, the high-resistance elastic layer is made of urethane rubber or the like and contains a minute amount of conductive fine powder.
Even when the charging roller faces a highly conductive portion such as a pinhole, the leak current to the photosensitive drum 7 is limited to prevent the bias voltage from dropping sharply. The protective layer is made of N-methylmethoxylated nylon so that the plastic material of the conductive elastic layer or the elastic layer of high resistance does not touch the photoconductor drum 7 and deteriorate the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. Act on.

By contacting the photoconductor drum 7, the charging roller 8 rotates following the rotation of the photoconductor drum 7 during image formation. At this time, a direct current and an alternating current are superposed on the charging roller 8. The voltage is applied to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 7.

[Exposure Section] The exposure section 9 is the charging roller 8
Is used to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 7 by exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniformly charged by the optical image emitted from the optical system 1 to the surface of the drum 7. An exposure section is formed by providing an opening 9 for guiding the light image.

[Developing Means] As shown in FIG. 2, the developing means 10 contains toner in a developing frame 12a that contains a developer (toner), and the toner feeding member 10a for feeding the toner rotates. It is possible. A developing sleeve 10c, which has a non-rotating magnet 10b inside and forms a thin toner layer on the surface by rotating, is provided in the opening of the developing device frame 12a at a minute distance from the photosensitive drum 7. There is.

The developing sleeve 10c is constructed by roughening the surface of a cylindrical member made of aluminum by sandblasting or the like, and applying a conductive coating material in which a pigment is dispersed on the surface. When the toner layer is formed, friction between the toner and the developing sleeve 10c provides sufficient triboelectric charge to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. Further, a developing blade 10d is provided to regulate the toner layer thickness.

[Cleaning Means] Cleaning Means 1
As shown in FIG. 2, the constitution of No. 1 is such that, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning blade 11a comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to scrape off the toner remaining on the drum 7, and the cleaning blade 11a for scooping off the scraped toner. It is composed of a squeeze sheet 11b located below the blade 11a and in weak contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a waste toner reservoir 11c for storing the scraped waste toner.

[Toner Hopper Unit] Next, the toner hopper unit 10e of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In FIG. 2, a hopper lid 15 and a hopper cover 16 are welded to the upper part of the developing device frame 12a of the process cartridge B. The hopper lid 15 has an opening 15
a is provided, and the opening 15a is closed by welding the toner seal 17. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, one end 17a of the toner seal 17 projects to the outside from the end opening 16e of the hopper cover 16.

The hopper cover 16 has an opening 16a.
Is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 15a of the hopper lid 15, and this opening 16a is provided with the shutter guide 16b.
It is closed by the hopper shutter 18 guided by.

The hopper shutter 18 before the toner is replenished is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
6f and a part 1 of the opening groove 18a of the hopper shutter 18
It is fixed by a locking pin 19 which is lightly press-fitted in the 8a1.

Around the opening 16a of the hopper cover 16, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a sealing member 16d is provided to seal between the hopper cover 16 and the hopper shutter 18.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, engaging claws 20 and 25 biased by springs 21 and 26 project upward from the square hole 16g of the hopper cover 16.

[Developer Cartridge] Next, the developer (that is, toner) cartridge C will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toner cartridge C has an elongated box-shaped toner container 22 having a substantially rectangular cross section, and in the present embodiment, has a shape slightly inclined toward the bottom. The toner container 22 has a flange portion 22A integrally formed on the lower surface thereof.

In the toner container 22, as shown in FIG.
An opening 22a is formed in the bottom portion on the flange portion 22A side, and the opening 22a is sealed by a toner seal 24. One end 24a of the toner seal 24 is shown in FIG.
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the groove 2 of the toner container 22.
It projects from 2e to the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, groove-shaped guide portions 22b are formed on the flange portions 22A at both longitudinal ends of the toner container 22, and the guide portions 22b are formed on the guide portions 22b. , Opening 22a and toner seal 2
A shutter 23 that is slidably guided is provided so as to cover 4. Also, the flange portion 22A has
As will be understood with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking claw 22 is urged downwardly adjacent to the guide portion 22b.
groove 23 formed in the shutter 23.
It corresponds to a and is engaged. In this embodiment, the locking claw 22
The c is formed by integrally molding a part of the flange portion 22A like a locking claw.

Therefore, in the shutter 23, when the toner cartridge C is not mounted in the process cartridge B, the locking claw 22c biased downward of the toner container 22 locks in the groove 23a of the shutter 23. As a result, it is fixed to the toner container 22.

[Toner Cartridge Installation and Toner Replenishment Method] Next, the toner replenishment method will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the toner T in the toner hopper portion 10e of the process cartridge B is running low, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the toner cartridge C is mounted from above the toner hopper portion 10e. By mounting the toner cartridge C, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the protrusion 22 d of the toner container 22 is moved to the groove 1 of the hopper shutter 18.
8a engages with the square hole 18a1 (FIGS. 4 and 6), and further, the groove 23a of the shutter 23 of the toner cartridge C.
And the engaging claw 20 protruding from the hopper cover 16 are engaged with each other.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the locking pin 19 that has locked the hopper shutter 18 on the hopper cover 16 is pushed into the hopper cover 16, and the hopper shutter 18 becomes slidable.

Further, in the toner cartridge C, the locking claw 2 that locks the shutter 23 to the toner container 22.
Since 2c is set to be weaker than the urging force of the engaging claw 20 of the toner hopper, the locking claw 22c is lifted by the urging force of the engaging claw 20 as shown in FIG.
The shutter 23 can be slid with respect to 2.

Next, when the toner cartridge C is slid as shown in FIGS.
Slides along the guide 16c of the hopper cover 16. At this time, since the protrusion 22d of the toner container 22 is engaged with the hopper shutter 18 by engaging with the square hole 18a1 of the groove 18a of the hopper shutter 18 as described above, the toner container 22 and the hopper shutter 22 are engaged. Move with 18 However, at this time, the shutter 23 of the toner cartridge C is not
As shown in 0, it does not move because it is engaged with the engaging claw 20 of the toner hopper.

Then, during the movement, the hopper shutter 1
One end 18b (the left end in FIG. 10) of 8 abuts on the slope 25a of the other engaging claw 25 provided at the other end of the toner hopper, and moves while pushing down the engaging claw 25 to move the toner container 22. The opening 22a is the opening 16a of the hopper cover 16.
The engaging claw 25 engages with the groove 18a of the hopper shutter 18 when it is moved to the center of the position (state of FIG. 10). As a result, the hopper shutter 18, the toner container 22 and the shutter 23 are fixed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner seal 17 welded to the hopper lid 15 and the toner seal 24 welded to the toner container 22 are peeled off in order, so that the toner in the toner container 22 is removed from the inside of the hopper. It is replenished to 10e.

Next, the case where the toner in the hopper 10e is further consumed and the toner is replenished for the second time, as shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

The toner cartridge D is the same as the toner cartridge C, but it is mounted in the process cartridge B in a posture inverted from the toner cartridge C.

The toner cartridge D is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 32d of the toner container 32 is mounted so as to engage with the square hole 18a2 (FIG. 3) of the groove 18a of the hopper shutter 18. At this time, the protrusion 32d pushes down the engaging claw 25 that has been engaged with the hopper shutter 18, so that the hopper shutter 18 and the toner container 32 are
Can be slid to the right in the figure.

Therefore, when the toner cartridge D is slid, the toner container 32 and the hopper shutter 18 move together. Then, when the shutter 3 of the toner cartridge D is slid to the position shown in FIG.
3 is engaged with the engaging claw 25 to lock the shutter 33, and the shutter 33 and the toner container 32.
The locking claw 32c that has locked the
The toner container 32 and the shutter 33 can be slid by being removed from 3a1.

Further, at the similar position of FIG. 17, the toner cartridge C is disengaged from the guide 16c (FIG. 21) of the hopper cover 16 which was guiding the toner container 22,
When the slide is continued, the opening 23a of the shutter 23
Edge (left end in the figure) pushes down the engaging claw 20, the shutter 23 and the toner container 22 are locked by the locking claw 22c, and the toner cartridge C is removed from the process cartridge B.

Further, in the toner cartridge D, since the engaging claw 25 is engaged with the opening 33a of the shutter 33 as described above, the shutter 33 is fixed to the hopper cover 16, and thereafter only the toner container 32 is hopper shutter. Move with 18.

Then, during the movement, the hopper shutter 1
One end 18c of 8 (the right end in FIG. 19) abuts the slope 20a of the engaging claw 20 and moves while pushing down the engaging claw 20 to open the opening 32a of the toner container 32 as shown in FIG.
Is moved to the center of the opening 16a of the hopper cover 16, the engaging claw 20 engages with the groove 18a of the hopper shutter 18.
(FIG. 4).

Here, the hopper shutter 18, the toner container 32, and the shutter 23 are fixed.
After this, the toner seal 34 welded to the toner container 32
By peeling off (FIG. 18), as shown in FIG. 20, the toner T in the toner container 32 is removed inside the hopper 10e.
Is replenished.

After that, when the toner is further replenished, the toner cartridges may be alternately mounted in the process cartridge in the procedure described above.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the toner cartridge C is attached and detached in the lateral direction of the process cartridge B (the direction orthogonal to the photosensitive drum axis). The cartridge C may be removable. Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, when the toner cartridges C and D are mounted on the process cartridge B, guides 70a and 70b are provided to guide the toner cartridges C and D to the toner hopper portion 10e of the process cartridge B. Can be provided in the image forming apparatus main body 13.

The guide means 70a, 70b
When the toner cartridge D is attached, when the operator grips only the toner cartridge D and slides the toner cartridges D and C and the hopper shutter 18, the engagement with the toner hopper portion 10e is released, and It also has an effect of preventing the stable toner cartridge C from falling off.

Embodiment 4 FIGS. 22 and 23 show a developing device E in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device E of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 10c such as a developing sleeve, and the developer carrying member 10c.
To supply a developer (toner) to the developing means 10 having a hopper portion 10e containing the toner therein,
The plastic frame 12a integrally forms a cartridge. That is, the developing device 10 of this embodiment can be considered as an integrated cartridge except the photosensitive drum 7 from the process cartridge B described in Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Therefore, the developing means 10 and the developing sleeve 10
The configuration and operation of c and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is incorporated.

Naturally, the developing device E also has
The developer cartridges C and D described above can be similarly mounted.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a process cartridge or a developing device to which a developer cartridge is detachably mounted, or an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge or the developing device is attached, a shutter means and a developing device provided in a hopper of the process cartridge or the developing device. Since the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge can be opened / closed in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the developer cartridge, there is an effect that the operation at the time of toner supply is simplified. Further, by mounting the toner cartridge at a predetermined easy-to-understand position, the opening amount of the shutter is automatically determined, so that the opening amount of the shutter does not decrease and the toner can be reliably supplied. .

Further, according to the present invention, the mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion of the process cartridge is the first mounting direction in which the developer cartridge to be mounted first is mounted, and Having a second mounting direction facing each other, the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being mounted on the process cartridge, and can be detached in association with the mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. Since the toner cartridge after replenishing toner cannot be removed until the next toner cartridge is installed, the opening of the toner hopper cannot be seen from the outside, and the opening of the toner cartridge is already removed when removing the toner cartridge. Since it is closed, toner does not leak outside.

Further, by providing the image forming apparatus main body with a guide portion for attaching / detaching the toner cartridge to / from the process cartridge, the toner cartridge can be easily attached / detached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

2 a first of the invention according to the line II-III of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along the line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the process cartridge and the developer cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 3, and shows a state in which a developer cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 2, and shows a mode in which a developer cartridge is mounted.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 4, showing a mode in which a developer cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the developer cartridge has been moved to the toner supply position.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing a state in which the developer cartridge has been moved to the toner supply position.

12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4 showing a state in which a developer cartridge is mounted, showing a state in which the developer cartridge is moved to a toner replenishment position.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the developer cartridge has been moved to the toner supply position.

14 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a mode in which a second developer cartridge is mounted, corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a mode in which the second developer cartridge is mounted, corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention showing an aspect in which the second developer cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a mode in which the second developer cartridge is mounted and is moved to the toner supply position, which corresponds to FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a mode in which the second developer cartridge is mounted and is moved to the toner supply position, which corresponds to FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the second developer cartridge is moved to the toner supply position, which corresponds to FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the second developer cartridge is moved to the toner supply position, which corresponds to FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention showing a state in which the second developer cartridge is moved to the toner replenishment position.

22 is a sectional view of the developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 2 of the process cartridge.

23 is a sectional view of the developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 3 of the process cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A image forming apparatus B process cartridge C, D developer (toner) cartridge E developing device 1 exposure means 2 recording medium 3 conveying means 4 transfer means 7 image carrier (photosensitive drum) 8 charging means 10 developing means 10c developer carrying Body (development sleeve) 10e Hopper part 11 Cleaning means 18 Hopper shutters 22, 32 Toner containers 23, 33 Shutters 70a, 70b Guide means 100 Mounting means

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A developer cartridge detachably mountable to a process cartridge or a developing device, wherein a shutter means provided in a hopper portion of the process cartridge or the developing device and a shutter means provided in the developer cartridge are the developer. A developer cartridge, which is opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the cartridge. 2. The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion has a first mounting direction and a second device direction facing the first mounting direction. . 3. The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being mounted on the process cartridge or the developing device. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge mounted on the process cartridge or the developing device is removable in association with a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. Agent cartridge. 5. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as a process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge,
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. 6. The process cartridge comprises at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as a process unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developer cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is removable. 7. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as a process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developer cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 4. 8. A developing device which can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus and can be replenished with a developer by mounting a developer cartridge on a shutter means provided in a hopper portion of the developing device and the developer cartridge. The developing device is characterized in that the shutter means provided is opened and closed in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the developer cartridge. 9. The mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion of the developing device is a first mounting direction in which the first developer cartridge is mounted, and a second developer cartridge facing the mounting direction. 9. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the developing device has a second mounting direction. 10. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being attached to the developing device. 11. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the developer cartridge mounted on the developing device can be removed in association with a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. 12. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a hopper portion containing a developer. A developer cartridge can be installed to replenish the developer,
A process cartridge, wherein a shutter unit provided in a hopper portion of the process cartridge and a shutter unit provided in the developer cartridge are opened and closed in association with an attaching / detaching operation of the developer cartridge. 13. The mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion of the process cartridge is the first mounting direction in which the first developer cartridge is mounted,
13. The process cartridge according to claim 12, having a second mounting direction in which a second developer cartridge is mounted so as to face it. 14. The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being attached to the process cartridge. 15. The process cartridge according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the developer cartridge mounted on the process cartridge is removable in association with a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. 16. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 12 to 15, which enables the process cartridge. 17. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the device.
The process cartridge according to any one of 2 to 15. 18. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 12 to 15. 19. An image forming apparatus having a developer cartridge which can be replenished with a developer cartridge, and which has a process cartridge or a developing device which can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge and the shutter means provided in the developer cartridge are opened / closed in association with an attaching / detaching operation of the developer cartridge. 20. The mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion is the first mounting direction in which the first developer cartridge is mounted, and the second developer cartridge is mounted opposite to the first mounting direction. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a second mounting direction. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being mounted on the hopper portion. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the developer cartridge mounted on the hopper is removable in association with a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. 23. When the developer cartridge is attached or detached, guide means for guiding or holding the developer cartridge, shutter means of the developer cartridge, or shutter means of the hopper portion is provided in the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 22, which is characterized in that. 24. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as a process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein: 25. The process cartridge comprises at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as a process unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. 24 to 23, which is detachable.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items. 26. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as a process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. 19-
23. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 23. 27. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photoconductor, a process means acting on the electrophotographic photoconductor, and a developer. A hopper portion for accommodating the hopper portion, a developer cartridge for replenishing the developer can be attached to the hopper portion, and shutter means provided in the hopper portion of the process cartridge and the developer cartridge are provided. The shutter means is a mounting means for mounting a process cartridge configured to be opened and closed in association with the mounting and demounting operation of the developer cartridge on the main body of the apparatus, and (b) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: 28. The mounting direction of the developer cartridge to the hopper portion is the first mounting direction in which the first developer cartridge is mounted, and the second developer cartridge is mounted facing the first mounting direction. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a second mounting direction. 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the developer cartridge cannot be detached by itself after being mounted in the hopper portion. 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, 28, or 29, wherein the developer cartridge mounted on the hopper is removable in association with a mounting operation of a new developer cartridge. 31. A guide means for guiding or holding the developer cartridge, the shutter means of the developer cartridge, or the shutter means of the hopper is provided in the apparatus main body when the developer cartridge is attached or detached. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 30, which is characterized. 32. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 31, which is enabled. 33. The process cartridge, wherein at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. The device according to claim 2, which is removable.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7 to 31. 34. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27.