JPH10239969A - Developing device in image forming device and toner cartridge or process cartridge used in the same developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely prevent erroneous attachment of a toner cartridge by providing the toner cartridge with indicating engagement parts, and providing a process cartridge with receiving engagement parts which engage with only the indicating engagement parts. SOLUTION: The cap 500 of the toner cartridge is provided with a projection 510, as the indicating engagement part which indicates a cartridge type or the like, and also the process cartridge 7 is provided with a recess 71 as the receiving engagement part 71 which engages with only the specific indicating engagement part 510. Further, on the outside of the toner cartridge, a recess 512 is provided as the indicating engagement part for it, and on the inside of the process cartridge 7, a projection 73 is provided as the receiving engagement part. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is turned to be attached to a normal process cartridge 7 so that it is free to be detached, the indicating engagement parts 510 and 512 of the toner cartridge engage with the process cartridge 7, in the positions of the normal receiving engagement parts 71 and 73, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for an image forming apparatus including a toner cartridge for storing toner and a process cartridge to which the toner cartridge can be removably mounted. The present invention relates to a developing device in an image forming apparatus that prevents mounting errors and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of developing devices used in image forming apparatuses such as laser printers have been proposed. Many such developing devices are unitized and configured to be detachable from a laser printer, and many include a replaceable toner cartridge serving as a toner storage unit. An example of such a developing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a main part of a conventional developing device.

In FIG. 17, the developing device has a toner cartridge 100 in which toner is stored and a toner supply hole 101 is formed. In the toner cartridge 100, an agitator 10 for stirring the toner is provided.
3 are provided. Also, the toner cartridge 100
A toner supply hole F0 corresponding to the toner supply hole 101 of the toner cartridge 100 is formed in the frame F of the process cartridge supporting the toner cartridge 100. Developing chamber 10 closed by upper frame F1 and lower frame F2
2, a toner supply roller 104 is rotatably disposed at a lower position, and a developing roller 105 is disposed adjacent to the toner supply roller 104. Hole F0 for toner supply
Is supplied to the developing roller 105.

A blade 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the upper frame F1 above the developing roller 105 via a fixing member 106.
The blade 107 functions to regulate the thickness of the toner layer supplied to the surface of the developing roller 105. Further, the developing roller 105 is disposed so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 108, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 108 by an exposure device (not shown) that scans a laser beam based on image data. Since an image is formed, the developing roller 105
The toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of No. 08 to perform toner development of the image. An image developed with toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 108 is supplied to a paper feeding unit (not shown).
Is transferred onto the sheet fed from the printer, and an image is formed on the sheet.

[0005]

In the toner cartridge 100 of the conventional developing device, since the toner cartridge 100 is detachably mounted in the frame F, for example, a toner cartridge containing different types of toners is built in. May be mistakenly mounted in the frame F.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when mounting a toner cartridge in a process cartridge, it is possible to reliably prevent a toner cartridge from being erroneously mounted. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device in a forming apparatus and a toner cartridge or a process cartridge used for the developing device.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner cartridge for storing toner; and a process for detachably mounting the toner cartridge. A developing device for an image forming apparatus including a cartridge, wherein a toner cartridge is provided with an instruction engagement portion indicating a type of the cartridge and the like, and a receiving engagement only with the predetermined instruction engagement portion is provided. An engaging portion is provided on the process cartridge.

When the toner cartridge is removably mounted on the regular process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion of the toner cartridge engages with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engaging portion. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is mounted on an unauthorized process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion does not engage with the receiving engaging portion, and therefore, the toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the process cartridge. Can be reliably prevented from being attached incorrectly.

Here, the "image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process" refers to, for example, supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive member such as a photosensitive drum. It refers to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer that performs toner development of an electrostatic latent image and transfers the toner-developed image on the photoreceptor surface to paper to form an image.
Further, the instruction engagement portion generally indicates the type of the cartridge in accordance with the type of the toner and the like, but it is not always necessary to adopt that mode.

Further, in the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner cartridge is mounted in the process cartridge and rotated to open the toner supply port to supply the toner to the process cartridge. It is preferable to configure. Thereby,
The toner does not leak out of the process cartridge, and the toner can be reliably supplied into the process cartridge from the supply port of the toner cartridge. Therefore, since the toner does not leak out, the inside of the image forming apparatus is not stained with the toner.

When the toner cartridge is mounted in the process cartridge and rotated so that the toner supply port is opened to supply the toner to the process cartridge, a user or the like may replace the toner cartridge with the toner cartridge. Since the operation of mounting the toner cartridge in the process cartridge and rotating the toner cartridge is performed, it is possible to recognize an incorrect mounting of the toner cartridge or the like before the rotation operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the instruction engagement portion is engaged with the process cartridge by receiving and rotating the toner cartridge in the process cartridge. It is better to be configured to engage the part. Thus, when the toner cartridge is detachably mounted on the regular process cartridge and rotated, the instruction engaging portion of the toner cartridge engages with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engaging portion. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is mounted on an unauthorized process cartridge and rotated, the instruction engaging portion does not engage with the receiving engaging portion, so that the toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the process cartridge. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner cartridge from being erroneously mounted.

Further, in the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the instruction engaging portion is a convex portion or a concave portion provided outside the toner cartridge, and
Preferably, the receiving engagement portion is a concave portion or a convex portion provided inside the process cartridge. Accordingly, when the toner cartridge is the pointing engaging portion of the convex portion and the process cartridge is the receiving engaging portion of the concave portion, the toner cartridge is the pointing engaging portion of the concave portion. When the process cartridge is a convex receiving engagement portion, the instruction engaging portion of the toner cartridge engages with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engagement portion.

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is an engaging portion for indicating a convex portion and the process cartridge is an engaging portion for receiving a convex portion, the toner cartridge is an engaging portion for indicating a concave portion. In addition, when the toner cartridge is the receiving engagement portion of the convex portion of the process cartridge, the instruction engagement portion of the toner cartridge does not engage with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engagement portion. Since the toner cartridge cannot be mounted, erroneous mounting of the toner cartridge can be reliably prevented.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the instruction engaging portion and the receiving engaging portion may include:
The toner cartridge may be configured to perform a positioning function when the toner cartridge is mounted in the process cartridge. Accordingly, if the instruction engaging portion and the receiving engaging portion are engaged, the instruction engaging portion and the receiving engaging portion will be correctly positioned when the toner cartridge is mounted in the process cartridge. Positioned.

According to the toner cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner cartridge can be detachably mounted on the process cartridge having the receiving engagement portion, and stores the toner used in the image forming apparatus. The present invention is characterized in that an instruction engagement portion indicating a type and the like, which can be engaged only with a regular receiving engagement portion, is provided. Thus, when the toner cartridge is removably mounted on the regular process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion of the toner cartridge engages with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engaging portion. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is mounted on an unauthorized process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion does not engage with the receiving engaging portion, and therefore, the toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the process cartridge. Can be reliably prevented from being attached incorrectly.

Further, according to the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner used in the image forming apparatus is stored, and the indicating engagement portion indicating the type of the toner cartridge is provided. A process cartridge to which a toner cartridge can be removably mounted, wherein a receiving engagement portion capable of engaging only with the regular instruction engagement portion is provided. Thus, when the toner cartridge is removably mounted on the regular process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion of the toner cartridge engages with the process cartridge of the regular receiving engaging portion. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is mounted on an unauthorized process cartridge, the instruction engaging portion is
Since the toner cartridge does not engage with the receiving engagement portion, the toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the process cartridge.
Incorrect mounting of the toner cartridge can be reliably prevented.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a developing device in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a toner cartridge or a process cartridge used in the developing device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment of a laser printer. explain. First, a schematic configuration of a laser printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a laser printer. Figures 2 and 3
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge of the laser printer, and FIG. 3 particularly shows a state in which toner is supplied.

In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 is provided in a main body case 2, a first paper supply tray 3, a second paper supply tray 4 provided on an upper surface side of a rear portion of the main body case 2, and inside the main body case 2. Paper transport mechanism 5, scanner unit 6, process cartridge 7, fixing unit 8, other first,
It has a drive unit (not shown, which is accommodated in the left end side portion of the main body case 2) for driving the second paper feed trays 3, 4, the paper transport mechanism 5, and the like. On the front upper surface side of the main body case 2, a top cover 10 capable of opening the upper surface side of the print mechanism and a paper discharge tray 11 are provided. The paper discharge tray 11 can be switched between a closed position and an open position, and functions as a tray for receiving printed sheets P at the open position.

Here, the scanner unit 6, the process cartridge 7, the fixing unit 8 and the like correspond to a printing mechanism. The process cartridge 7 includes a casing 24
The main body 2 has a cartridge structure in which a photosensitive drum 25, a charger 26, a developing roller 27, a transfer roller 28, a cleaning roller 29, and the like are housed.

The first paper feed tray 3 is fixedly provided on the upper surface near the rear end of the main body case 2, and the second paper feed tray 4 is a first paper feed tray of the main body case 2. 3 is detachably provided on the upper surface part on the front side. The paper transport mechanism 5 is for transporting the paper P alternatively fed from the first paper feed tray 3 and the second paper feed tray 4 to the process cartridge 7. A pair of feed rollers 12a and 12b provided at the lower end of the
It has a pair of registration rollers 13a and 13b provided on the lower end side of the paper feed tray 4. The feed roller 12a is a driving roller, and the feed roller 12b is a driven roller. The registration roller 13a is a driving roller,
b is a driven roller. The paper transport path 14 from the first paper feed tray 3 to the registration rollers 13a and 13b is
Lower surface side transport path 14a extending along the lower surface of paper feed tray 4
In a state where the second paper feed tray 4 is detached from the main body case 2, the lower surface side transport path 14a is open to the outside.

The paper P fed from the first paper feed tray 3 via the pickup roller 36 is fed to a pair of feed rollers 1.
The sheet is fed and driven by 2a and 12b, reaches the registration rollers 13a and 13b through the lower surface side conveyance path 14a, is fed and driven after registration, and is conveyed to the process cartridge 7. The paper P fed from the second paper feed tray 4 via the pickup roller 36 is supplied to the registration rollers 13a and 13
b, the sheet is fed and driven after the registration, and is conveyed to the process cartridge 7. The scanner unit 6 is disposed below the process cartridge 7, and includes a laser emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 20, reflection mirrors 21, and 2.
3, a lens 22 and the like, and a laser beam from the laser light emitting unit is charged by the charged rotating of the process cartridge 7 through the polygon mirror 20, the reflecting mirror 21, the lens 22, and the reflecting mirror 23 as shown by a chain line. The outer peripheral portion of the photosensitive drum 25 is irradiated and exposed by high-speed scanning, so that the photosensitive drum 2 is exposed.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of No. 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 7 includes a photosensitive drum 25, a scorotron charger 26, a developing roller 27, a transfer roller 28, a cleaning roller 29, and a toner cartridge 3 in a casing 24.
The toner cartridge 30 has a built-in toner supply roller 31 and the like. The toner cartridge 30 can be further removed from the process cartridge 7 with the process cartridge 7 removed from the main body case 2. The toner in the toner cartridge 30 is agitated by an agitator (also referred to as an agitator) 32, and the opening 30 A of the process cartridge 7 and the toner cartridge 30
Is released from the opening 206 of the toner supply roller 31
Is supplied to the developing roller 27 via the developing roller 27, is carried by the developing roller 27 as a toner layer having a constant thickness by the blade 33, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 25. In addition, two auger members 37 and 38 are rotatably disposed in the vicinity of the opening 30A of the process cartridge 7, and each auger member 37 and 38 is configured to receive the toner discharged from the openings 30A and 206. An effect of uniformly dispersing in the casing 24 is performed. In order to detect the amount of toner in the toner cartridge 30, a toner sensor 55 is provided below the outside of the toner cartridge 30 (see FIG. 2), and is provided in a toner detection unit 240 (see FIG. 7) as a detection portion in the toner cartridge 30. The toner is detected as described below.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 is visualized by adhering toner from the developing roller 27, while the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 25 and the transfer roller 28. The image is transferred to a sheet P, and the sheet P is sent to the fixing unit 8 and fixed. Incidentally, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 is temporarily collected by the cleaning roller 29, and thereafter, at a predetermined timing.
Through the developing roller 27. The fixing unit 8 heat-fixes the toner to the paper P, and is provided on a heating roller 34, a pressing roller 35 pressed by the heating roller 34, and a downstream side of each of the rollers 34 and 35. It has a pair of discharge rollers 15a and 15b for discharging the paper P to the outside of the main body case 2. Therefore, a laser printer that forms an image by such an electrophotographic process supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photoconductor such as the photoconductor drum 25 and develops the toner into the electrostatic latent image. And the image formed by developing the toner on the surface of the photoreceptor is transferred to the sheet P to form an image.

In the above-described configuration, the conveying speed at which the paper P is sent out via the photosensitive drum 25 and the transfer roller 28 of the process cartridge 7 depends on the heating roller 34, the pressing roller 35, the discharge rollers 15a, and the discharge roller 15a of the fixing unit 8.
The transport speed is set to be equal to or higher than the transport speed at which the sheet P is sent out via the sheet 5b. This includes a heating roller 34, a pressing roller 35,
If the transport speed at which the paper P is sent out via the discharge rollers 15a and 15b is higher than the transport speed at which the paper P is sent out via the photosensitive drum 25 and the transfer roller 28, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 25 However, at the nip point between the photosensitive drum 25 and the transfer roller 28 that transfer to the paper P, the paper P is pulled, and there is a possibility that the formation position of the image formed on the paper P is shifted and the image is disturbed. Because there is.

Next, the detailed configurations of the process cartridge 7 and the toner cartridge 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 in which the toner cartridge 30 is mounted.
Replaces the toner cartridge 30 with the process cartridge 7
It is a figure showing the state removed from. In particular, in FIG.
The supply port shielding member 204 and the cap 500 are omitted for simplicity, and FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the internal structure of the toner cartridge 30. In the case of this embodiment, a toner cartridge 3 for storing toner
0 is removably mountable to the mounting opening 24A located on one side of the process cartridge 7.
Specifically, with the toner cartridge 30 inserted into the process cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4), the toner cartridge 30 is rotated in the circumferential direction (the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 4). By doing so, it can be mounted in the process cartridge 7.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toner cartridge 30 has a substantially cylindrical blow-molded resin body 202.
And a cap 50 for closing one side opening of the resin body 202.
0, a supply port shielding member 204 that opens and closes a toner supply port 206 provided at the center of the resin body 202, a toner seal body 216 formed of a sponge attached so as to surround the vicinity of the toner supply port 206, A stirring section (agitator) 32 having, as a rotation axis, a shaft 300 extending in the longitudinal direction in the inside 202. And
The supply port shielding member 204 is provided with the resin body 2 in a manner described later.
The toner supply port 206 can be opened or closed by moving along the outer periphery of the toner supply port 02. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner in the toner cartridge 30 can be stirred and supplied from the opening 206 of the toner cartridge 30 by rotating the stirring unit 32 in the toner cartridge 30. Further, the toner seal body 216 can seal toner leaking from the toner supply port 206.

First, the blow molded resin body 202 will be described. The blow-molded resin body 202 is highly flexible, does not react with the toner,
Is formed of a resin to which the toner is unlikely to adhere to the inner surface thereof, and is formed by blow molding. As a material of the resin body 202, for example, vinyl chloride, polypropylene,
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and the like are preferable in terms of cost and recycling. In the blow-molded resin body 202, a plurality of convex portions or concave portions are integrally molded. For example, the protrusion 214 integrally formed with the blow-molded resin body 202 is
Into the supply port shielding member 20
When the projection 214 is removed from the hole 212 by positioning the extension 4 in the closed position and engaging the extension 210 with a fixing release piece (not shown) of the process cartridge 7, the supply port shielding is stopped. The member 204 includes the toner main body 2
02, the toner supply port 206 can be exposed. Further, the supply port shielding member 2
The protrusions 218 provided on both sides of the side end 220
Sets the supply port shielding member 204 to the blow molded resin body 202.
Can be guided when moving along the outer periphery of the.

As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of guide ribs are formed. The central rib 222 as an example of the guide rib can guide the central portion of the supply port shielding member 204 in the outer peripheral direction of the blow molded resin body 202. The supply port shielding member 2
A pair of side guide ribs 224 is disposed immediately below the protrusion 04 adjacent to the protrusion 218. By the center rib 222 and the side rib 224, a slight space is secured between the inner surface of the supply port shielding member 204 and the outer peripheral surface 226 of the blow molded resin body 202 in the vicinity thereof.

The main ribs 250 and the auxiliary ribs 2 are provided on both ends of the projections 218 on the outer peripheral side of the blow molded resin body 202.
60 are provided. The main rib 250 and the auxiliary rib 260 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 22 of the blow molded resin body 202.
6 protruding from the main ribs 250, respectively.
The height from the outer peripheral surface 226 is set higher than the auxiliary rib 260 (see FIG. 7). The height of the main rib 250 and the auxiliary rib 260 allows the toner cartridge 30
Can be smoothly inserted into the mounting opening 24A of the process cartridge 7 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The toner detection unit 240
It is located at the center of the blow-molded resin body 202 and has a tapered shape. That is, large concave portions 242 are formed on both sides of the toner detection section 240 of the blow-molded resin body 202, and the toner detection section 240 has an inclined shape in which the cross-sectional width becomes narrower outward. For this reason, the light emitting portion (not shown) of the toner sensor 55 is fitted in the concave portion 242 on one side, and the light receiving portion of the toner sensor 55 is fitted in the concave portion 242 on the opposite side. The emitted light passes through the toner detection unit 240 and is received by a light receiving unit (not shown) of the toner sensor 55, so that the toner in the toner detection unit 240 can be optically detected.

Therefore, the resin body 202 is desirably formed of a resin material such as polypropylene which becomes translucent. This is because, when it is translucent, it is possible to reduce or absorb unnecessary light from the peripheral structure while sufficiently transmitting the light amount for toner level detection. If toner adheres to the toner detection unit 240, the toner sensor 55 malfunctions. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the toner detection unit 240 immediately before toner detection. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the stirring section 32 is provided so that the sweeping thin medium 410 as the sweeping thin medium sweeps the toner detecting section 240 periodically. The sweeping thin medium 410 is a thin film made of a material requiring elasticity, and has an arrow blade shape. As described above, since the sweeping thin medium 410 has an arrow blade shape, the inner surface of the toner detection unit 240 can be sufficiently wiped.

As shown in FIG. 8, the stirring section 32 has a shaft 300 extending in the longitudinal direction. One end of the shaft 300 is a bearing pin 310 with a flange, whereas the other side is a bearing pin 310 with a flange. , A power connecting portion for rotating the stirring portion. A central swinging blade 400 is arranged on the shaft 300 on the opposite side of the sweeping thin medium 410,
A pair of horizontal swing blades 312 are arranged on both sides of the center swing blade 400. FIG. 8A shows the stirring unit 3.
8B is a plan view, FIG. 8B is a front view, FIG. 8C is a bottom view, and FIG.
FIG. And a pair of horizontal swinging blades 3
12 is the resin body 2 whose edge portion extends over its entire length.
It is preferably formed so as to extend so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the cover 02 and to collect toner therefrom. Therefore, it is desirable that each horizontal swing blade 312 be made of a material that is elastically deformed.

The central swinging blade 400 is made of, for example, thin media 406 and 408 such as a thin film member, and is fixed to the shaft 300 via a plurality of clips 318 formed integrally with the shaft 300. I have. Those clips 31
8 are respectively engaged with a plurality of concave portions 402 formed by cutting the central swinging blade 400. The central swinging blade 400 for stirring the toner in the toner cartridge 30 and supplying the toner from the opening 206 includes at least two elastic thin media 406 and 408.
The second thin medium 408 is configured to rotate following the rotation of the first thin medium 406 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

For this reason, two elastic thin media 40 are provided.
When the first thin medium 406 rotates, the toner is extruded and agitated in the agitator 32 composed of 6 and 408. At that time, however, the toner follows the thin medium 406 and starts to flow backward. The second thin medium 40 that rotates by rotation
8 receives the toner and prevents the backflow. Especially,
When the toner is consumed to some extent, for example, about one third of the height in the toner cartridge 30, when the first thin medium 406 falls from the concave portion 242 in FIG. Although the detection light of the toner sensor 55 is likely to be scattered and transmitted, the second thin medium 408 prevents the light from jumping up. This state will be described with reference to a waveform diagram (see FIG. 16) output from the toner sensor 55 when detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 30. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, FIG. 16A shows the case of an agitator composed of the first thin medium, and FIG.
The waveform charts when the remaining amount of toner is detected in the case of the agitator 32 consisting of No. 06 are also shown. Toner cartridge 100
The toner which should block the detection light in the detection unit 240 in the
The thin medium 410 for sweeping of the agitator 32 is scattered by the rotation, and the detection light of the toner sensor 55 is
0, the detection signal is lowered below the threshold voltage TH (signal Q1).
If the toner remains sufficiently within the threshold voltage, the toner immediately returns to the toner detection unit 240, so that the threshold voltage T
H (signal Q2). On the other hand, when the toner is consumed to a height of, for example, about one third in the toner cartridge 100, the time T1 required for the toner to become higher than the threshold voltage TH without immediately returning to the toner detecting unit 240 becomes longer. . Thus, by detecting the length of this time T1 and comparing it with a preset time corresponding to the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 100 can be detected. However, when the agitator has only one thin medium, the detection unit 2
At 40, the toner that should block the detection light is scattered by the rotation of the thin medium, and the detection light of the toner sensor 55 passes therethrough, as shown in FIG. In some cases, the time T2 becomes lower than the signal TH (signal Z1), and the time T2 becomes long with the time T1 when the sweeping thin medium 410 is swept out. Regardless, the toner sensor 55 may erroneously determine that the toner is low. On the other hand, when the first thin medium 406 falls from the concave portion 242 in FIG. 2, there is a high possibility that the toner of the toner detecting unit 240 is scattered and the light of the toner sensor 55 is transmitted. Since the thin medium 408 prevents the jumping-up, the toner blocks the detection light of the toner sensor 55 and does not drop below the threshold voltage TH (signal Z2), as shown in FIG. 16B. As a result, in the case of the agitator 32 provided with the second thin medium 408, the time T when the sweeping thin medium 410 is swept out is T.
By detecting only one length and comparing it with a preset time, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 100 can be accurately detected, and erroneous determination of the toner sensor 55 is prevented. However, there may be three or more thin media, and a second thin media 408
May rotate considerably later than the first thin medium 406.

In this case, the thin media 406 and 408 have central portions 406a and 408a and side portions 406b and 408b as shown in FIG. Then, the radial length of the central portion 406a of the first thin medium 406 is
It is shorter than the radial length of the central portion 408a of the second thin medium 408 (see FIG. 8B). Thereby,
The central portion 4 having a short radial length of the first thin medium 406
The toner agitated by the rotation of 06a is moved to the central portion 40 thereof.
When the second thin medium 408 starts to flow backward after turning around 6a, the long central portion 408a of the second thin medium 408 reliably prevents the toner from flowing backward. The first thin medium 40
6 and the toner stirring section 40 of the second thin medium 408
The radial length of each of the thin media 6a and 408a is set larger than the length of the inner radius of the toner cartridge 30.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the tip end portion 8 is curved by abutting on the inner surface of the resin body 202 and is agitated while pushing out the toner in the rotating direction. It can be supplied indoors.

In order to sweep out the toner attached to the toner detecting portion in the toner cartridge 30, a cleaning thin medium 410 as an elastic cleaning thin medium is attached to the rotating shaft 300. The delivery thin medium 410 and the thin media 406 and 408 of the central swinging blade 400 are located on opposite sides of the rotation shaft 300. Therefore, 2
In the central oscillating blade 400 including the elastic thin media 406 and 408, the toner is applied to the first thin media 406.
When the toner is stirred by the rotation of the thin medium 406, the thin medium 406 starts to flow backward and flows backward. However, the second thin medium 408 that rotates following the toner 406 receives the toner and prevents the reverse flow. Is used to sweep out the toner attached to the toner detection unit 240 in the toner cartridge 30. In addition, the second thin medium 4
The opening 206 and the opening 30A are formed by changing the shape of the
Can be adjusted. Thereby, the diffusion of the toner in the toner cartridge 30 can be adjusted. In the case of this embodiment, the sweeping thin medium 410 is formed integrally with the second thin medium 408, and the first thin medium 406 and the second thin medium 406 The medium 408 can be attached to the shaft 300 by using a clip 318. However, the sweeping thin medium 410 may be formed separately from the second thin medium 408, or the shape of the first thin medium 406 may be adjusted in order to adjust the toner supply amount. May be changed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 230 on the opposite side of the blow-molded resin body 202 tapers toward the tip, and plays a role as a bearing member for the shaft 300. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the engagement recess 3 is provided at one end of the shaft 300 of the stirring section 32.
02 and a flange 304 are provided, and a driving shaft member (not shown) is provided in the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304.
Is inserted and rotates. Therefore, a driving shaft member (not shown) that receives a driving force from a motor or the like is provided in the engagement recess 30.
2, the engaging recess 302 and the flange 304 rotate integrally, and the stirring section 32 rotates within the resin body 202 of the cartridge 30, so that the engaging recess 302 and the flange 304 It serves as a power connection for rotating the agitator. As shown in FIG. 7, in order to rotate the stirring section 32 in the toner cartridge 30, the engaging recess 302 is inserted into the opening 230 of the toner cartridge 30, and the engaging recess 302 and the flange 304 are It is necessary to transmit the power for rotating the agitating unit, but at this time, it is necessary to prevent the leakage of the toner from inside the toner cartridge 30. In particular, since the toner cartridge 30 is manufactured by blow molding, it is manufactured at a low cost. However, since the inner surface of the blow-molded resin body 202 is not necessarily planar, the inner surface of the resin body 202 and the engagement recess 302 For example, there is a fear that the toner may leak.

For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a sealing soft member 306 made of a sponge member such as urethane foam is brought into close contact with the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304. Attach as follows. Thereby, the inner surface of the resin body 202 and the recess 3 for engagement are formed.
02 prevents the toner from leaking. The sealing soft member 306 and the engaging recess 302
The flexible member 306 for sealing is provided between the
It is desirable to sandwich a washer member 308 made of, for example, a wear-resistant film such as Teflon felt, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. As shown in FIG. 10, an uneven portion 305 is provided on at least one contact surface between the washer member 308 and the flange 304, that is, on the contact surface of the flange 304. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the engaging concave portion 302 and the flange 304, and FIG.
FIG. 10 (c) is a front view of the flange 02 and the flange 304.
Is a sectional view of the flange 304 and the uneven portion 305. By providing the uneven portion 305 on the flange 304 in this way, the contact area between the contact surface of the washer member 308 and the contact surface with the flange 304 is reduced, and the contact resistance is also reduced. As a result, the rotation of the sealing soft member 306 is prevented by the interposition of the washer member 308 in the toner cartridge 30 even if the engagement concave portion 302 for rotating the agitating portion and the flange 304 rotate. It can be reliably prevented.

Generally, when toner enters between the contact surface of the washer member 308 and the contact surface of the flange 304, the frictional resistance between the contact surface of the washer member 308 and the contact surface of the flange 304 increases. However, when toner enters the uneven portion 305, there is almost no interposition between the washer member 308 and the contact surface between the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304, so that an increase in frictional resistance is prevented. Further, in the case of this embodiment, since the concavo-convex portion 305 is a plurality of concentric grooves as shown in FIG. 10B, the contact surface of the washer member 308 with the flange 304 Surface convex part 305
Only the contact comes into contact, the contact area decreases, and the contact resistance also decreases. As a result, the engaging concave portion 302 for rotating the stirring portion
And the flange 304 rotate, the toner cartridge 3
The washer member 308 inside the O prevents rotation of the sealing soft member 306 and further prevents rotation of the sealing soft member 306.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the groove 305a on the center side of the plurality of grooves of the uneven portion 305 is deeper than the groove 305b on the outside thereof, as shown in FIG. The toner enters the groove 305a on the center side of the groove, and the toner hardly intervenes between the contact surface between the washer member 308 and the flange 304, thereby preventing an increase in frictional resistance. Therefore, even if the engaging concave portion 302 for rotating the stirring portion and the flange 304 rotate, the rotation of the sealing soft member 306 in the toner cartridge 30 is prevented. In addition, the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304
It is desirable to attach a grease material to the contact surface between the sealing member 306 and the sealing soft member 306. Specifically, it may be applied to the inner peripheral surface 306A of the sealing soft member 306 (see FIG. 11A). In that case, the engaging concave portion 302 and the flange 3
As the sliding resistance between the contact surface of the toner cartridge 30 and the contact surface of the sealing soft member 306 is reduced, even if the engagement concave portion 302 for rotating the agitating portion and the flange 304 rotate, the sealing member in the toner cartridge 30 is rotated. The rotation of the flexible member 306 is prevented. It is necessary to select a grease material that does not easily exude an oily component. However, even if the oiliness of the grease material is slightly exuded, the irregularities 30 on the contact surface of the flange 304
5 accumulates on the toner and does not adhere to the toner in the toner cartridge 30

When unnecessary, the washer member 308 does not have to be attached between the contact surface between the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304 and the contact surface of the sealing soft member 306. In that case, the opening 230 of the toner cartridge 30
In this case, the engaging concave portion 302 and the flange 304 to which the soft sealing member 306 is attached may be inserted, and at least one contact surface where the soft sealing member 306, the engaging concave portion 302 and the flange 304 come into contact, Specifically, it is desirable to provide the uneven portion 305 on the contact surface of the flange 304 and provide the uneven portion 305 on the contact surface of the flange 304. When the uneven portion 305 is provided on the flange 304, the contact surface of the sealing soft member 306 and the engaging
The contact area between the contact surface of the flange 2 and the flange 304 is reduced, and the contact resistance is also reduced.

Also, when the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304 are fitted into the opening via the sealing soft member 306, the contact which comes into contact with the inner surface 230A of the toner cartridge 30 of the sealing soft member 306 (see FIG. 11). It is desirable to attach a member 309 having a suction effect to the surface.
Then, a member 30 having a suction effect is provided on one side of the sealing soft member 306 made of a sponge member as a foam material.
9, and the flange 304 as a pressing member is moved from the side opposite to the sealing soft member 306 (the surface on which the member 309 having a suction effect is not attached) through the washer member 308 to the inside of the opening 230. Since the side surface 230A (see FIG. 11) is pressed, the member 309 having a sucker effect comes into close contact with the inner side surface 230A. It is desirable that the member 309 having the sucker effect is made of, for example, a soft resin film having good adhesion and a thickness of about 100 μm. In this embodiment, SG 309 manufactured by Bridgestone Corporation is used.
Sheets were used. Therefore, when the engagement concave portion 302 and the flange 304 are fitted into the opening via the sealing soft member 306, the resin body 2 of the toner cartridge 30
When pressed against the inner side surface 230A (see FIG. 11) of the opening 230 without adhering to the inner surface of the opening 02, the member 309 having the sucker effect comes into close contact with the contact surface over time. As a result, the engaging recess 30 for rotating the stirring section 30
Even if the flange 2 rotates, the rotation of the sealing soft member 306 in the toner cartridge 30 is prevented, so that it is ensured that the toner leaks from between the inner surface of the resin body 202 and the engaging recess 302. Can be prevented.

A cap 500 is provided at one end of the toner cartridge 30. In this case, the cap 500 is formed in such a size that the end of the blow molded resin body 202 can be sealed. I have. A protrusion 245 is provided on the outer periphery of the blow-molded resin body 202.
(Refer to FIG. 6) is provided so that it can be fitted with the concave portion 508. Then, the protrusion 245
However, when the cap 500 is engaged with the concave portion 508, the cap 500 is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the blow molded resin body 202 (see FIG. 5). The cap 500 has a knob 5
The toner cartridge 30 can be mounted in the process cartridge 7 by operating the knob 506.

The cap 500 of the toner cartridge 30
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a projection 51 as an instruction engagement portion indicating the type and the like of the cartridge 30 is provided.
0, and a concave portion 71 is formed in the process cartridge 7 as a receiving engagement portion 71 that engages only with the predetermined instruction engagement portion 510. Further, a concave portion 51 is provided on the outside of the toner cartridge 30 as an instruction engagement portion.
2 are provided, and a convex portion 73 is provided inside the process cartridge 7 as the receiving engagement portion. Specifically, the convex portion 510 is provided to project in the circumferential direction of the cap 500, and the concave portion 71 is formed as a key groove at the entrance of the process cartridge 7. Further, the concave portion 512 is provided below the knob 506 and the convex portion 73 is provided.
Are protruded from the entrance of the process cartridge 7. Therefore, the toner cartridge 30 is
13 (a), when inserted into the process cartridge 7 from the state of FIG. 13 (a) and the convex portion 73 is fitted into the concave portion 512 (see FIGS. 12 (b) and 13 (b)), , The convex portion 510 of the instruction engaging portion is engaged with the concave portion 71 of the receiving engaging portion of the process cartridge 7. Accordingly, when the toner cartridge 30 is detachably mounted on the regular process cartridge 7 and rotated, the toner cartridge 3
The instruction engaging portions 510 and 512 of 0 are engaged with the process cartridge 7 of the regular receiving engaging portions 71 and 73.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a cap 5 of a toner cartridge 30 is provided.
00 is provided with a convex portion 520 as an instruction engaging portion indicating the type of the cartridge 30 and the like, and a receiving engaging portion 7 which engages only with the predetermined instruction engaging portion 520.
The recess 77 as 1 is provided in the process cartridge 7. Further, a concave portion 522 is provided outside the toner cartridge 30 as an instruction engaging portion, and a convex portion 75 is provided inside the process cartridge 7 as the receiving engaging portion. Specifically, the protrusion 5
20 is provided in the circumferential direction of the cap 500,
Reference numeral 7 is formed as a key groove at the entrance of the process cartridge 7. The recess 522 is provided with the cap 500.
The projection 75 is provided at the entrance of the process cartridge 7. Then, the toner cartridge 30 is inserted into the process cartridge 7 from the state shown in FIG. 14, and is rotated in one direction when the convex portion 75 is fitted into the concave portion 522, so that the convex portion 520 of the instruction engaging portion is formed. Is engaged with the concave portion 77 of the receiving engagement portion of the process cartridge 7. Thus, when the toner cartridge 30 is detachably mounted on the regular process cartridge 7 and rotated, the instruction engaging portions 520 and 522 of the toner cartridge 30
7 and 75 are engaged with the process cartridge 7.

Accordingly, the toner cartridge 30 shown in FIG.
Are detachably mounted on the regular process cartridge 7 shown in FIG. 12, the instruction engaging portions 510 and 512 of the toner cartridge 30 are provided with the regular receiving engaging portions 71 and 73.
Only with the process cartridge 7. Similarly, when the toner cartridge 30 of FIG. 14 is removably mounted on the regular process cartridge 7 of FIG. 14, the instruction engagement portions 520 and 522 of the toner cartridge 30
It engages only with the process cartridge 7 of the regular receiving engaging portions 77 and 75. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 12 is mounted on the process cartridge 7 shown in FIG. 14 which is not regular, the instruction engaging portions 510 and 512 do not engage with the receiving engaging portions 75 and 77. The toner cartridge 30 cannot be mounted on the process cartridge 7, and the mounting error of the toner cartridge 30 can be reliably prevented. The same applies to the case where the toner cartridge 30 in FIG. 14 is mounted on the process cartridge 7 in FIG. still. When the toner cartridge 30 is mounted in the process cartridge 7, the instruction engagement portions 510, 512, 520, and 522
The positioning can be performed correctly with respect to the regular receiving engagement portions 71, 73, 75, 77. Note that the relationship between the convex portion and the concave portion may be opposite.

Then, the regular toner cartridge 30
Is inserted into the regular process cartridge 7 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4), whereby the extension 210 of the supply port shielding member 204 is engaged with a fixing release piece (not shown) provided on the process cartridge 7. Then, the extension 210 is bent in a direction away from the outer surface of the blow-molded resin body 202. As a result, the engagement between the protrusion 214 of the blow-molded resin body 202 and the concave portion 212 of the supply port shielding member 204 is released. In this state, by operating the knob 506 of the cap 500, the toner cartridge 30
Can be rotated with respect to the supply port shielding member 204 to open the toner supply port 206 (see FIG. 15).

As described above, the toner cartridge 30
The toner can be supplied to the process cartridge 7 by opening the toner supply port by mounting and rotating the toner in the process cartridge 7, so that the toner does not leak out from the process cartridge 7. The toner can be reliably supplied into the process cartridge 7 from the supply port of the cartridge 30. Therefore, since the toner does not leak out, the inside of the image forming apparatus is not stained with the toner.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the image forming apparatus can be employed in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing machine, and the like. Further, the toner cartridge 30
The present invention is applicable not only to a configuration in which the toner cartridge 30 and the process cartridge 7 are manufactured and sold separately, but also to a mode in which the toner cartridge 30 and the process cartridge 7 are manufactured and sold separately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a laser printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a stirring section of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the thin medium of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an engagement recess and a flange according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the engaging concave portion and the flange according to the embodiment are fitted into the opening of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge according to the embodiment is mounted in a process cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating a state in which a toner cartridge according to another embodiment is mounted in a process cartridge.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge of this embodiment is mounted in a process cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is detected.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view schematically showing a main part of a conventional developing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Process Unit 25 Photoconductor Drum 30 Toner Cartridge 32 Stirrer 37, 38 Auger Roller 406 408 Thin Medium 302 Engagement Depression 304 Flange 306 Sealing Soft Member 308 Washer Member 309 Member Having Suction Effect 510 520 Projection 73 75 Projection 512 522 recess 71 77 recess

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A developing device in an image forming apparatus comprising: a toner cartridge for storing a toner; and a process cartridge to which the toner cartridge can be detachably mounted, wherein the toner cartridge indicates the type of the cartridge and the like. A developing device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an instruction engaging portion; and a receiving engaging portion for engaging only with the regular instruction engaging portion is provided on the process cartridge. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted in the process cartridge and rotated to open the toner supply port and supply toner to the process cartridge. A developing device in an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is configured as described above. 3. The developing device in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction engagement portion is received in the process cartridge by mounting and rotating the toner cartridge in the process cartridge. A developing device in the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is configured to engage with the engaging portion. 4. The developing device in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instructing engaging portion is a convex portion or a concave portion provided outside a toner cartridge, and The developing device in the image forming apparatus, wherein the receiving engaging portion is a concave portion or a convex portion provided inside the process cartridge. 5. The developing device in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction engaging portion and the receiving engaging portion mount the toner cartridge in a process cartridge. A developing device in the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is configured to perform a positioning function in the image forming apparatus. 6. A toner cartridge which can be removably mounted on a process cartridge having a receiving engagement portion and stores toner used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge is engaged only with a regular receiving engagement portion. A toner cartridge used in a developing device, comprising an instruction engagement portion indicating a type, etc., which can be combined. 7. A process cartridge accommodating toner used in an image forming apparatus and detachably mountable with a toner cartridge provided with an instruction engagement portion indicating a type of the toner cartridge. A process cartridge for use in a developing device, wherein a receiving engagement portion that can be engaged only with an instruction engagement portion is provided.