JPH1069159A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which obtains sufficient job space as for maintenance and assembly, allows operation only from the fronts of the developing units of the image forming device and also toner replenishment by the same operation because of the equidistance of supply units from an operator, and thus facilitates the toner replenishment and improves operability. SOLUTION: In the image forming device in which toners are supplied to the developing units 26BK, Y, M, and C from the supply units 61BK, Y, M, and C situated outside the corresponding units, the supply units 61B, Y, M, and C are positioned in front of the developing units 61BK, Y, M, and C of the image forming device, moved frontward the same distance, and detached from the developing units 26BK, Y, M, and C, thereby allowing the cut of the paths along which the toners are supplied from the supply units 61BK, Y, M, and C to the developing units 26BK, Y, M, and C, respectively, and the supply units 61BK, Y, M, and C are replenished with the toners.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, in particular, a full-color copying machine or the like, a plurality of developing units corresponding to respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are arranged around a photoreceptor at a high density. In order to reduce the size of the unit, there is a type in which toner is supplied from a toner supply device outside the developing unit to a toner chamber in the developing unit as needed.

[0003] As a conventional toner supply device of this kind,
For example, there is one described in JP-A-63-178625. In this apparatus, a plurality of developing units corresponding to each color toner are rotatably supported by a hollow support shaft in the apparatus, and each developing unit is made to approach a photoconductor at a fixed position. Each pipe is introduced into the hollow support shaft from a plurality of external hoppers,
The toner introduced into the hollow support shaft is supplied to each developing unit through a hole formed in the hollow support shaft so as to connect each pipe. Further, in order to enlarge the toner accommodating space, a plurality of external hoppers are formed in a special shape and combined with each other, and are linearly arranged so that toner replenishing ports of respective colors are arranged in the depth direction of the apparatus main body. Further, the plurality of external hoppers are arranged on the upper side of the apparatus main body, and are integrally covered by a cover as a whole.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-166565, a hopper of a toner supply section is made rotatable, and when the hopper is replenished with toner, the hopper is rotated to the outside of the apparatus to open a replenishing port to the outside. What is exposed is described.
In this apparatus, the upper part of the hopper is inclined so that the replenishing port of the hopper becomes substantially horizontal when the toner is replenished.

[0005]

However, in the former toner supply device, a plurality of external hoppers are arranged such that a plurality of toner replenishing ports are arranged in the depth direction on the side of the apparatus main body. However, when the user replenishes each color toner, it is not easy to attach the replenishment toner cartridge to the replenishment port on the back side. In addition, there is a problem that the work on the side is difficult and the toner cartridges of different colors are easily erroneously mounted. In a full-color copying machine or the like having many kinds of replenishment toners, this not only causes a remarkable reduction in the copying operation efficiency, but also may cause toner mixing (color mixing).

[0006] Further, the developing unit of each color and the external hopper are connected to each other via a pipe connected to the hollow support shaft,
In addition, since all the external hoppers are integrally covered with the cover, it is necessary to take out all the supply units of the toner supply device from the apparatus main body and disassemble the pipe connecting portion and the like, for example, for maintenance of one supply unit. Alternatively, a plurality of pipes must be connected to the respective hollow support shafts, and there is a problem that maintenance work and assembly work are difficult.

On the other hand, in the latter toner supply device,
To replenish the toner by rotating the hopper of the toner supply device to the outside of the device, it is necessary to incline the upper portion of the hopper so that the refill port of the hopper is substantially horizontal when replenishing the toner.
As a result, not only does the amount of toner stored in the hopper decrease, but also in order to reduce this decrease, the replenishing port position at the time of replenishment must be brought close to the apparatus main body side. For this reason, there has been a problem that the color image forming apparatus is easily stained due to toner scattering at the time of toner replenishment.

Therefore, the first aspect of the present invention does not require a space inside the image forming apparatus for replenishing toner to the supply unit, and ensures a sufficient working space for maintenance work and assembly work. The operation of the image forming apparatus can be performed only from the front of the developing unit, and each supply unit is equidistant from the operator. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving operability. The invention according to claim 2 performs toner replenishment work for a plurality of supply units at once, greatly facilitating toner replenishment work. Claim 3
The object of the present invention is to maintain individual supply units independently and to improve the workability of the maintenance work. The invention according to claim 4 is to move a plurality of supply units so as to be automatically separated. An object of the present invention is to make it easier to perform a toner replenishing operation or the like, and to prevent a shock from being applied to a supply unit due to movement, improve durability, and improve the quality of an image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to easily detect completion of toner replenishment with a flexible sheet simply by mounting a toner cartridge, and to greatly improve workability of toner replenishment work. According to the present invention, the toner cartridge can be reliably prevented from being erroneously mounted and the toner from being mixed, and the toner can be mounted only by mounting the toner cartridge. An object of the present invention is to prevent the toner cartridge in a toner replenishment state from being accidentally removed by performing an opening / closing operation of the filling port and to facilitate the operation. It is intended to prevent toner scattering.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for supplying toner to a plurality of developing units from a plurality of supply units outside the developing unit. The supply units are located in front of the developing units, and the supply units are moved forward by the same distance, separated from the developing units, and the toner supply paths from the respective supply units to the respective developing units can be cut to supply the toner. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the toner can be supplied to the supply unit when the supply unit is separated from the development unit. When the supply unit is engaged with the developing unit, toner supply to the supply unit cannot be performed. It is characterized in that,
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, a supporting member for integrally supporting the plurality of supply units is provided, and when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit, each of the support members is separated from the developing member. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the supply unit is urged in a direction in which the supply unit is separated from the developing unit. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a change in a moving speed when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit is controlled. And claim 6
The invention described in the above is an image forming apparatus that supplies toner to a plurality of developing units from a plurality of supply units outside the developing unit and engages a toner cartridge with the supply unit to replenish the toner. A refill port formed to replenish the refill port is provided with a flexible sheet capable of opening and closing the refill port, and when the toner cartridge is detached from the refill port of the supply unit, the flexible sheet is attached to the refill port. When the toner cartridge is engaged with the replenishment port of the supply unit, the flexible sheet bends due to the weight of the toner cartridge containing toner, and the replenishment port is opened. And
8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein when the toner cartridge has a predetermined weight or less, the toner cartridge moves upward and the flexible sheet closes a replenishing port of the supply unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the supply unit has an engagement portion having at least two protrusions or recesses, and the toner cartridge corresponds to the protrusions or recesses of the engagement portion of the supply unit. A supply portion that engages with or disengages from the engagement portion of the supply unit, and the flexible portion is provided when the supply portion of the toner cartridge engages with the engagement portion of the supply unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the resilient sheet is bent to open the replenishing port. The toner cartridge can be rotated when the supply unit is engaged with the engagement unit of the supply unit, and toner replenishment is started by rotating the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge from the supply unit is rotated. Is made impossible.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments. 1 to 16 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention. First, the configuration will be described. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus. The color copying machine 1 is roughly divided into a copying machine body 3 for forming a copy image from a copy original and a color copying machine 3 for each color. And a toner supply device 6 for supplying toner. The toner supply device 6 is configured to replenish toner by using toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8BK (hereinafter, referred to as toner cartridges 8) of each color described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the copier main body 3 includes a scanner unit 11 for reading an image, an image processing unit 12 for electrically processing an image signal output from the scanner unit 11 as a digital signal, The image processing unit 12 includes a printer unit 13 that forms an image on recording paper based on image recording information of each color. The scanner unit 11 scans and illuminates a surface of a document placed on a document table 14.
The reflected light from the original illuminated by the lamp 15 is reflected by the mirrors 16, 17, and 18 and enters the imaging lens 19. An imaging lens 19 forms an image of the document reflected light on a dichroic prism 20, and the dichroic prism 20 separates the incident light into light of three wavelengths, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Then, spectral light is made incident on CCDs (charge coupled devices) 21R, 21G, and 21B. The CCDs 21R, 21G, and 21B convert incident light into digital signals and output the digital signals. The output is subjected to necessary processing in the image processing unit 12, and is, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and The information is converted into information for image formation of each color of black (BK) and sent to the writing unit 22 of the printer unit 13. The writing unit 22 outputs the laser beams 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22BK including image information of each color based on the output signal of the image processing unit 12.
Is emitted to the recording units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK, and the recording units 23Y, 23M, 23
C and 23BK are arranged at regular intervals on the same plane. Each recording unit has the same configuration of the electrophotographic system. For example, the recording unit 23C
C is uniformly charged by the charging charger 25C, and the laser beam 22C from the writing unit 22 is irradiated with modulated light corresponding to image information to expose the photosensitive drum 24C, thereby forming cyan on the photosensitive drum 24C. The latent image of the optical image is developed by the developing unit 26C to form a visible image.

The printer section 13 is provided with a paper feeding means. The paper feeding means adjusts the timing at which the toner image formed by the development reaches the transfer position. The transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 29 is sent out to the outside, the leading ends thereof are aligned by, for example, a registration roller 30, and the transfer belt 3 is adjusted in timing.
Send to 1. Then, the transfer paper P conveyed by the transfer belt 31 to the left in the figure is conveyed to the photosensitive drums 24BK, 24C, 24M, and 24Y on which the visualized images are formed, and is transferred by the transfer chargers 27BK, 27C, 27M, and 27Y. After the developed image is transferred and the transferred image is fixed by the fixing roller 32, the sheet is discharged by the sheet discharging roller 33. In addition,
The transfer belt 31 includes a belt driving roller 34 and a driven roller 3.
5, the toner is supported so as to maintain a predetermined tension, and the toner adhered onto the transfer belt 31 at the time of transfer is removed by a cleaning unit 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, each developing unit 26B
Each of K, 26C, 26M, and 26Y (hereinafter, also simply referred to as developing unit 26) includes a first screw 41, a second screw 42, a developing sleeve 43a, and a fixed magnet group 4
3b, a supply roller 44, a screw case 45, a blade 46, a toner tank 47 (toner chamber), and a doctor blade 48. The toner (not shown) in the toner tank 47 is supplied by the supply roller 4 by its own weight.
4 and the rotation of the supply roller 44 causes the blade 4
6 and is supplied to the developing sleeve 43a side while being charged while passing between the supply roller 44 and the photosensitive drum 24BK, 24C, 24M or 24Y having a predetermined layer thickness by the doctor blade 48 with the rotation of the developing sleeve 43a. (Less than,
This is simply referred to as the photosensitive drum 24). Further, a pool of toner is formed in front of the doctor blade 48 in the developing unit 26, and the first screw 41 rotates at the position of the pool to mix and agitate the toner, and at the same time, move the toner to one end side to form the second screw. The rotation of the roller 42 causes the toner that has entered the screw case 45 from the notch on one end to move in the opposite direction, and is discharged from the other end. In addition, the first screw 41 includes the spiral part 4.
1a, a stirrer 41b and a shaft 41c. The stirrer 41b stirs the toner in the toner pool up and down during rotation. Each developing unit 26 has a toner remaining amount sensor 5 for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 47.
2, a carry-in passage member 53 and a carry-in screw 54 for carrying in each color toner from the toner supply device into the toner tank portion 47 based on the detection information of the toner remaining amount sensor 52.

The toner supply device 6 includes a plurality of supply units 61BK containing toner outside the developing unit 26,
61C, 61M, and 61Y, and the plurality of supply units 61BK, 61C, 61M, and 61Y are arranged on the operation display panel unit 4 (operation) extending in the left and right (horizontal) direction above the front part of the copying machine main body 3. ), A plurality of them are arranged in parallel with this, and are integrally supported by the moving frame 62 (support member).

As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG.
Numeral 2 supports a plurality of supply units 61 in a detachable manner, and is supported by a main body frame 3a of the copier main body 3 via a pair of left and right slide mechanisms 63 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow F (front-back direction). The plurality of supply units 61 together with the moving frame 62 can be removed from the slide mechanism 63. Also, the slide mechanism 63
Is compactly composed of a pair of rail members 65A and 65B which are connected in parallel via a plurality of balls (not shown), and one movable rail member 65A of the pair of rail members 65A and 65B is attached to the moving frame 62. The other fixed rail member 65B is connected to the main body frame 3
a. Further, the movable rail member 65A is provided with a positioning pin 66 and a receiving seat member (not shown) so that the positioning can be easily performed when the supply unit 61 is mounted together with the moving frame 62.

Further, between the main body frame 3a of the copying machine main body 3 and the moving frame 62, each supply unit 61 is separated from the plurality of developing units 26 by a predetermined distance by a predetermined force at a predetermined distance from the operation display panel unit 4. The moving frame 62 or the supply unit 61 can be locked to the main body frame 3a at the engagement position where the means for urging to the detached position, for example, the spiral spring 71 and the plurality of developing units 26 below the operation display panel section 4 are engaged. Means, for example, a so-called push-push type latch 72, a rotary damper 73 mounted on a slide mechanism 63, a pinion 74 mounted on the damper 73, and a fixed rail member 65B (the main body) so as to mesh with the pinion 74. And a rack 75 attached to the case 3a).

The spiral spring 71 has an inner end fixed to the bobbin 76 and is formed so as to be reduced to the center of the spiral by its spring force, and an outer end thereof is locked on the front side of the main body frame 3a of the copying machine main body 3. The bobbin 76 has a sliding mechanism 63
Moving side rail 65A and bracket 6 fixed thereto
7 are detachably held in both notches 68. The spiral spring 71 is stretched when the moving frame 62 moves from the disengaged position to the engagement position and accumulates elastic energy, and when the latch 72 is unlocked, the moving frame 62 is automatically moved to the disengaged position ( FIG.
(Illustrated position).

The latch 72 has a hook 72a projecting from the moving frame 62 to the main body frame 3a of the copier main body 3.
A locking member 72b attached to the main body frame 3a to face the hook 72a and capable of locking the hook 72a, a case 72c in which the locking member 72b is stored, and the like.
Second push (movement operation from disengagement position to engagement position)
And is unlocked by a second push (release operation at the engagement position).

The damper 73 contains, for example, high-viscosity silicone oil in its case 73a,
When stirring blade 73c attached to 3b rotates, it exerts viscous resistance. Then, the pinion 74 attached to the shaft 73 b of the damper 73 meshes with the rack 75 fixed to the fixed rail member 65 </ b> B, and the supply unit 61 and the moving frame 62 are moved backward, or by the spring force of the spiral spring 71. These and movable rail member 6
A change in the speed of 5A is suppressed. In the figure, the rack 75 has its teeth facing upward, but the slide mechanism 63
A rack can be formed on the side edge of the fixed rail member 63a, and in this case, the damper 73 and the pinion 74 can be installed horizontally to further reduce the size. The moving frame 62, the pair of slide mechanisms 63, the positioning pins 6
6, a spiral spring 71, a latch 72, a damper 73, a pinion 74, a rack 75 and a bobbin 76, a plurality of supply units 61BK, 61C, 61M, and 61Y, and a plurality of developing units 26BK, 26 below the operation display panel unit 4.
C, 26M, 26Y engaging position (position in FIG. 1)
And a plurality of developing units 26BK, 26C, 26M, 2
The operation display panel unit 4 which is separated by a predetermined distance from 6Y
It constitutes a moving means 77 for moving between a more forward separating position (the position in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the supply units 61BK, 61C, 61M, and 61Y (hereinafter simply referred to as the supply unit 61) includes a toner hopper 81.
And a delivery pipe 8 provided below the toner hopper.
9 and a conveying screw 83 which is inserted into the delivery pipe 82 and conveys the toner in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
And an outer cylinder 84 slidably attached to the outer periphery of the delivery pipe 82, and a packing formed at a slightly smaller diameter than the outer cylinder 84 and attached to the distal end of the transport screw 83 so as to be able to abut the outer cylinder 84. A member 85, a drive unit 86 (a drive motor, a worm gear, a worm wheel, and various gears not shown but not shown in detail are omitted) for driving the transport screw 83, and a spring 87 for urging the outer cylinder 84 against the packing member 85. And a wiper member 88 for wiping off toner adhered to the outer periphery of the delivery pipe 82. When the supply unit 61 is moved by the moving means, and the development unit 26 and the supply unit 61 approach each other by this movement, the outer cylinder 84 abuts against the inner protrusion 53 a of the carry-in passage member 53 of the development unit 26. The delivery pipe 82 and the carry-in passage member 53 communicate with each other to connect a toner supply path from the supply unit 61 to the developing unit 26 (see FIG. 6). That is, the supply unit 61 approaches and separates from the developing unit 26 and engages with the carry-in passage member 53 in a detachable manner, whereby the toner supply path from each supply unit 61 to each developing unit 26 is connected and disconnected. It has become so. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 62a denotes a hole through which the outer cylinder 84 below the supply unit 61 is inserted into the copying machine main body 3;
1 is a screw hole for fixing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, a closing mechanism 91 for closing the upper opening of the toner hopper 81 is provided above each supply unit 61. The closing mechanism 91 has a substantially circular (or rectangular) toner replenishing port 92 for mounting toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8BK (hereinafter, referred to as toner cartridge 8), which are containers for replenishing toner. Lid 93 (engagement part)
A color outer lid 94 of the same color as the contained toner, which is connected to the inner lid 93 by a hinge and can cover the inner lid 93;
A circular (or a plurality of rectangular) flexible sheet 95 capable of opening and closing the toner replenishing port 92 is provided. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12, the flexible sheet 95 generally has a plurality of substantially isosceles triangular flexible pieces 9 formed on the inner periphery thereof.
5a are brought into contact with each other (or a pair of opposing rectangular flexible pieces are brought into contact) to maintain the toner replenishing port 92 in a closed state, and in this state, the toner cartridge 8 containing toner and having a predetermined weight or more is When the flexible sheet 95 is inserted into and engaged with the toner replenishing port 92, the flexible sheet 95 deflects a plurality of flexible pieces 95 a downward by the weight of the cartridge to open the replenishing port 92, and reduces the weight to a predetermined weight or less by replenishing the toner. The lightened toner cartridge 8 can be pushed upward and returned to a position where it is almost closed.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, at least two protrusions or recesses unique to each supply unit 61 are formed around the replenishing port 92 of each of the plurality of supply units 61. And a notch groove 97 are provided, and only the toner cartridge 8 having a concave portion or a convex portion corresponding thereto can bend the flexible sheet 95 to open the toner replenishing port 92. That is, only the toner cartridge 8 having the same toner color can open the toner replenishing port 92 so that a toner cartridge 8 having a similar shape is prevented from being erroneously inserted. Specifically, each supply unit 61BK, 6BK
1Y, 61M or 61C has a position unique to the toner (color) contained therein (C, Y, M, B in FIG. 13A).
Projection 9 formed at a position unique to each color shown as K)
8. It has a notch groove 97. The position unique to the toner is determined, for example, by the included angle θ between the center of the protrusion 98 and the center of the notch groove 97 about the center point 92P of the toner replenishing port 92, and the included angle θ of the supply unit 61Y. _Y is 135 °, and the included angle θ _C of the supply unit 61C is 180
° included angle theta _M of the supply unit 61M may be 90 °, the included angle theta _B K of the supply unit 61BK to 45 °.

In this embodiment, the cutout groove 97 is located on the front side of the copying machine 1 so that toner is supplied to each supply unit 61 at the separated position. The protrusion 98 and the notch groove 9 unique to the toner color
Reference numeral 7 denotes an opening / closing lid 9Y, 9M, 9 for each color toner cartridge 8.
When the notch 9a and the side protrusion 9b (two concave portions or convex portions) formed in C and 9BK (hereinafter also referred to as the open / close lid 9) and the rotational position are coded, the open / close lid 9 of the toner cartridge 8 is in this coded state. The cartridge 8 and the opening / closing lid 9 can be rotated relative to each other by engaging the notch groove 97 with the side projection 9b and the projection 98 with the notch 9a, respectively. By the rotation, the substantially semicircular opening / closing opening 8b of the toner cartridge 8 and the opening 9c of the opening / closing lid 9 overlap and open, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge 8 is replenished to the supply unit 61 by its own weight. . The height h1 of the projection 98 is larger than the distance h2 from the side projection 9b of the opening / closing lid 9 to the lower surface of the flange 9f.
f and the projection 98 interfere with each other, and the side projection 9b is
When the toner cartridge 8 of a different color is erroneously inserted, the opening / closing opening 8b cannot be opened. Further, in order to form a specific notch 9a specific to the toner color in the opening / closing lid 9 so that the opening / closing lid 9 can be used in common and to reduce the cost of parts, when the opening / closing lid 9 is molded from a resin material, A plurality of grooves 9d corresponding to the shape of the notch 9a are provided in advance, and a part of the opening / closing lid 9 is bent and removed from the groove 9d to easily form the notch 9a. Further, the groove width W ₁ of the notched groove 97 formed in the inner lid 93 is narrower than the width W ₂ of the notch 9a formed on lid 9, the toner cartridge 8 in the notched groove 97 reference Positioned.

As another mode of the replenishing port, as shown in FIG. 16, when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the toner replenishing port 92 and rotated in the opening direction, the side projection 9b of the opening / closing lid 9 is notched. If at least one of the side walls of the notch groove 97 is made short so as to be separated from the groove 97, the opening / closing cover 9 is engaged with the projection 98 to open the opening / closing opening 8b so that the opening / closing opening 8b is not accidentally removed during toner replenishment. Can be. That is, when the protrusion 98 and the notch groove 97 are marked with the notch 9a and the side protrusion 9b formed in the opening / closing lid 9 of the toner cartridge 8, the toner cartridge 8 is pushed into the toner replenishing port 92 and rotated in this state. , 8b are opened to replenish the toner, and the toner cartridge 8 in the replenished toner state cannot be disengaged from the supply unit 61 to prevent erroneous detachment. In addition, it goes without saying that the number of combinations of convex portions and concave portions can be three or more.

Next, the operation will be described. As mentioned above,
An image signal output as a digital signal from the scanner unit 11 is electrically processed by the image processing unit 12, and the printer unit 13 forms an image on the transfer paper P based on image recording information of each color from the image processing unit 12. I do. In this state, the toner supply path from the supply unit 61 to the developing unit 26 is connected, and one developing unit 26
When the remaining amount of toner is insufficient, the driving unit 86 is driven based on the detection information of the toner remaining amount sensor 52, and the toner is supplied from the corresponding supply unit 61 into the toner tank unit 47 of the developing unit 26. Therefore, while the predetermined amount of toner is stored in the toner hopper 81 of the supply unit 61, the toner is appropriately supplied to the developing unit 26.

On the other hand, when the toner in the supply unit 61 runs short, the toner is detected by a toner sensor (not shown) provided below the inside of the toner hopper 81.
The operation display panel 4 displays a message to the effect that toner replenishment is required. In this case, the user of the color copying machine 1 opens the front panel or door (not shown) provided at the front part of the main body frame 60, lightly pushes the moving frame 62 or the supply unit 61 to release the lock of the latch 72, and The locked state of the frame 62 is released. At this time, the plurality of supply units 61 are stored by the stored energy of the spiral spring 71 that has been extended with the storing operation of the supply unit 61.
The BK, 61C, 61M, and 61Y are automatically pushed forward, move toward the near side at a stable and gentle speed by the action of the damper 73, and reach the disengagement position. At this time, the packing member 85 and the outer cylinder 84 abut against each other, and the toner supply path from the supply unit 61 to the developing unit 26 is completely cut. Therefore, the impact on the supply unit 61, the slide mechanism 63, and the like can be reduced, the scattering of the tore can be surely prevented, and the quality of the device can be enhanced to give a sense of quality.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the toner is replenished by mounting the replenishment toner cartridge 9 to the supply unit 61 having an insufficient remaining amount. At this time, the supply unit 61
Is sufficiently separated from the main body frame 60 of the color copying machine 1 so that the work space for the toner replenishment operation is not limited, and the replenishment ports 61a on the upper portions of the supply units 61 are arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, even when a plurality of supply units 61 are simultaneously supplied with toner, the operation is easy.

In the toner replenishing operation, first, at the detached position, the collar outer cover 94 of the closing mechanism 91 is raised to open the upper part of the toner replenishing port 92 of the inner lid 93, and then the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the replenishing port 92. I do. At this time, if the correct toner cartridge 8 corresponding to the supply unit 61 is mounted, the projection 98 and the notch groove 97 formed on the inner lid 93 and the notch 9a and the side projection 9b formed on the opening / closing lid 9 are formed. Since the included angle θ coincides, these concave and convex shapes are coded at a predetermined rotation position, and the opening / closing lid 9 can be inserted to a depth at which the flexible sheet 95 of the refill port 92 is bent. Then, the flexible sheet 95 is bent by the opening / closing lid 9 inserted by the predetermined amount, and the refill port 92 is opened. Next, when the toner cartridge 8 is rotated in a predetermined direction,
Since the opening / closing lid 9 engages the notch 9a and the side projection 9b with the inner lid 93, it rotates only within a predetermined play range, and the toner cartridge body 8 and the opening / closing lid 9 rotate relatively. Therefore, the opening / closing opening 8b of the toner cartridge 8 is opened,
The toner is replenished into the toner hopper 81 by its own weight.

On the other hand, when an incorrect toner cartridge 8 or a toner cartridge of a different specification is to be mounted on the supply unit 61, the notch groove 97 and the projection 98 of the inner lid 93 and the unevenness of the toner cartridge are marked. Therefore, the refill port 92 cannot be opened by the toner cartridge. Further, when the wrong color toner cartridge 8 is mounted, the opening / closing opening 8b of the toner cartridge 8 cannot be opened. Therefore, even if a toner cartridge having a similar shape is erroneously mounted, the toner is prevented from being mixed or scattered.

When the toner is replenished to the toner hopper 81 and the weight of the toner cartridge 8 is reduced to a predetermined value, the flexible piece 95 of the flexible sheet 95 which is bent by a predetermined amount.
When the toner cartridge 8 is almost empty, the toner cartridge 8 is pushed up by a certain height and the opening area of the toner replenishing port 92 is reduced, so that it is possible to easily detect that the toner replenishment is almost completed. At this time, the notch 9 of the opening / closing lid 9
a and the side projection 9b remain engaged with the projection 98 and the notch groove 97 of the inner lid 93, and in this state, when the toner cartridge 8 is rotated in the opposite direction, the opening / closing port 8b is closed. Next, the toner cartridge 8 is detached from the side protrusion 9b. At this time, with the movement of the toner cartridge 8, the flexible sheet 95 elastically returns to the
Is closed. Accordingly, the toner replenishing port 92 can be opened and closed only by attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 8, and the efficiency of the toner replenishing operation by the user can be remarkably improved, and the toner scattering at the time of attaching and detaching can be reliably prevented.

When the toner replenishment is completed, the color outer cover 94
To cover the upper portion of the toner replenishing port 92, and then press the supply unit 61 or the moving frame 62 to
1 and the moving frame 62 are moved to an engaging position approaching the copying machine main body 3, and the main frame 3 is moved by the latch 72.
a. At this time, while the spiral spring 71 applies an appropriate operation resistance (reaction force) to the operation of moving the supply unit 61 to the engagement position, the energy at the time of opening is accumulated,
Since the speed change is suppressed by the damper 73, the operation feeling can be enhanced. Further, the vibration and impact applied to the supply unit 61 and the developing unit 26 and the like can be suppressed, and the toner in the supply unit 61 can be removed. Coagulation can be prevented.

Next, the front panel or door provided at the front of the main body frame 60 is closed to complete a series of toner replenishing operations. Any of the supply units 6
Also in the case of maintaining or assembling the developing unit 1 or the developing unit 26, the supply unit 61 is appropriately moved and detached as described above, and a work space is secured.

As described above, in this embodiment, the supply unit 61 is detachably engaged with the developing unit 26,
The toner supply path from the supply unit 61 to the developing unit 26 can be connected and disconnected. Therefore, when the toner supply path is cut, the supply unit 61 is completely separated from the developing unit 26 to eliminate any connection relationship, and a sufficient work space for the toner replenishment operation, the assembly operation, and the maintenance operation by the user is ensured. And these operations can be facilitated.

A plurality of supply units 61 are arranged in parallel with the operation display panel 4 at an engagement position immediately below the operation display panel 4 and are integrally supported on the moving frame 62. 3 and is detachably engaged with the main body frame 3a, and the latch 72 is released so that the latch 72 can be moved to a disengagement position forward (front side) from the operation display panel section 4. While moving from the engagement position to the disengagement position by force, a change in the movement speed is suppressed by the damper 73. Therefore, the latch 7
When the lock of 2 is released, the plurality of supply units 61 can be automatically and smoothly moved to the disengagement position,
Workability such as toner replenishment work can be remarkably improved. Further, even when the supply unit 61 is stored, an appropriate operation resistance is applied by the spiral spring 71 and the damper 73,
It is possible to prevent the supply unit 61 from coagulating the toner due to the impact, thereby improving the quality of the color copying machine.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of supply units is located in front of the developing unit, and the supply unit is moved forward by the same distance to be separated from the developing unit. Since the supply path of the toner to each developing unit can be cut from the supply unit, the toner is replenished to the supply unit, so there is no need for space inside the image forming apparatus to replenish the toner to the supply unit, such as maintenance work and assembly work. A sufficient working space can be secured, and the size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Further, the operation can be performed only from the front of the developing unit of the image forming apparatus, and each supply unit is equidistant from the operator, so that the toner can be replenished by the same operation. As a result, operability can be improved.

According to the present invention, when the supply unit is detached from the developing unit, the supply unit can be replenished with toner, and when the supply unit is engaged with the developing unit, the toner can be replenished. Since replenishment of the toner to the supply unit is not allowed, the operation of replenishing the toner to a plurality of supply units can be performed at a time, and the toner replenishment operation can be greatly facilitated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support member for integrally supporting a plurality of supply units, and when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit, the supply units are independently provided from the support member. Since it is detachable, each supply unit can be independently maintained, and the workability of the maintenance work can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the supply unit is urged in a direction to separate from the developing unit, a plurality of supply units can be moved so as to be automatically separated from each other. Etc. can be made easier. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the change in the moving speed when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit is controlled, it is possible to prevent the supply unit from being impacted by the movement, and to improve the durability. Thus, the quality of the image forming apparatus can be improved. According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, a flexible sheet capable of opening and closing the replenishing port is provided in a replenishing port formed to replenish the toner to the supply unit, and the toner cartridge is provided from the replenishing port of the supply unit. When the flexible sheet is detached, the flexible sheet closes the replenishing port and maintains the closed state, and when the toner cartridge is engaged with the replenishing port of the supply unit, the flexible sheet of the toner cartridge containing toner is removed. Due to the weight, the flexible sheet bends to open the replenishing port, and when the toner cartridge falls below a predetermined weight, the toner cartridge moves upward and the flexible sheet closes the replenishing port of the supply unit. Therefore, just by installing the toner cartridge, the completion of toner replenishment can be easily detected by the flexible sheet, and the workability of toner replenishment work can be improved. It can be greatly improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the supply unit is provided with an engaging portion having at least two convex portions or concave portions, and the toner cartridge has a convex portion or a concave portion of the engaging portion of the supply unit. And a supply portion that engages with or disengages from the engagement portion of the supply unit, and the supply portion of the toner cartridge engages with the engagement portion of the supply unit. Since the flexible sheet bends to open the replenishing port, erroneous mounting of the toner cartridge and mixing of toner are reliably prevented, and the toner replenishing port can be opened and closed simply by mounting the toner cartridge. Work can be facilitated.

According to the present invention, the toner cartridge can be rotated when the supply section of the toner cartridge is engaged with the engagement section of the supply unit, and the toner cartridge is rotated. As a result, toner replenishment is started, and it is impossible to remove the toner cartridge from the supply unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner cartridge in the toner replenished state from being accidentally removed, and to mix toner due to erroneous operation. And scattering of toner can be prevented beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color copying machine showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state where the toner supply device is drawn out.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a developing unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a main part side view showing a configuration of the moving means.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view around a spiral spring of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view around the damper.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a supply unit is attached to the moving frame.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a detached state of the developing unit and the supply unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of engaging the supply unit with the developing unit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view of a supply unit showing the flexible sheet.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view of the flexible sheet.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing the inner lid having the toner replenishing port, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B ₁ -B _{1 of} FIG.

14A and 14B are diagrams showing an opening and closing cover of the toner cartridge, wherein FIG. 14A is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 14B is a view of B ₂ -B _{2 of FIG.}
It is sectional drawing.

Figure 15 is a view showing a mounting state of the toner cartridge to the toner replenishing port, (a) represents a front sectional view, (b) is a B ₃ -B ₃ cross-sectional view of (a).

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another form of the convex portion and the concave portion around the toner replenishing port and the concave portion and the convex portion of the opening / closing lid.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 Copier main body (image forming apparatus) 3a Main body frame 4 Operation display panel section (operation section) 6 Toner supply device 8 Toner cartridge 9 Opening / closing lid (supply section) 9a Notch (concave section) 9b Side protrusion (convex section) 26BK, 26C, 26M, 26Y Developing unit 61BK, 61C, 61M, 61Y Supply unit 62 Moving frame (supporting member) 63 Slide mechanism 71 Spiral spring 72 Latch 73 Damper 74 Pinion 75 Rack 77 Moving means 91 Closing mechanism 92 Toner refill port 93 Inner lid (Engagement part) 95 flexible sheet 95a flexible piece part 97 notch groove (concave part) 98 protrusion (convex part)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for supplying toner to a plurality of developing units from a plurality of supply units outside the developing unit, wherein the plurality of supply units are respectively positioned in front of the developing unit, and the supply units are positioned at the same distance in front of the developing unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus moves and separates from a developing unit, enables a supply path of toner from each supply unit to each development unit to be cut off, and replenishes toner to the supply unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the supply unit is detached from the developing unit, replenishment of the toner to the supply unit is enabled, and the supply unit is engaged with the developing unit. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the supply unit sometimes cannot be replenished with toner. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support member for integrally supporting the plurality of supply units, wherein the supply units are independently supplied from the support members when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit. An image forming apparatus wherein a unit is detachable. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit is urged in a direction to separate from the developing unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change in a moving speed when the supply unit is separated from the developing unit is controlled. 6. An image forming apparatus for supplying toner to a plurality of developing units from a plurality of supply units outside the developing unit, and replenishing toner by engaging a toner cartridge with the supply unit. A replenishing port formed to replenish the replenishing port, a flexible sheet capable of opening and closing the replenishing port is provided, and when the toner cartridge is detached from the replenishing port of the supply unit, the flexible sheet retains the replenishing port. When the toner cartridge is engaged with the replenishing port of the supply unit, the flexible sheet bends due to the weight of the toner cartridge containing toner, and the replenishing port is opened. When the weight of the toner cartridge becomes equal to or less than a predetermined weight, the toner cartridge moves upward and the flexible sheet is moved to the supply unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein the replenishing port is closed. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the supply unit is provided with an engaging portion having at least two convex portions or concave portions, and the toner cartridge has a convex portion of the engaging portion of the supply unit. Or a concave portion or convex portion corresponding to the concave portion, and a supply portion that engages with or disengages from the engagement portion of the supply unit is provided, and the supply portion of the toner cartridge engages with the engagement portion of the supply unit. Wherein the flexible sheet bends to open the replenishing port. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the toner cartridge can be rotated when a supply unit of the toner cartridge is engaged with an engagement unit of the supply unit, and the toner cartridge is rotated. The toner cartridge is started, and the toner cartridge cannot be detached from the supply unit.