JPH1090989A - Process unit for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a developer cartridge in a process unit for an image forming device without giving any influence to a layout around a photosensitive image forming part. SOLUTION: A protruding part 15 for recovered toner recycling, which is extended from a toner recovering part 4, is provided in a front side at the time of loading the main body of the image forming device of a case 1, and the loading part 1b of a developer cartridge 20 is formed between the same and an inclined part projectingly provided in the front side of the case 1 for circulating the developer of a developing unit 3. The developer cartridge 20 constitutes a part of the recycling route of the recovered toner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, a laser beam printer, a facsimile,
Alternatively, the present invention relates to a process unit used in an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a process cartridge having a developing device using a two-component developer, a developer used in the process cartridge is previously stored in a developer cartridge having an opening sealed. In some cases, when a process cartridge is newly used, the seal of the developer cartridge is peeled off, and the developer is dropped into a developing tank of a developing device and used. This is because, if the developer is stored in the developing device in advance, if the developer is not sealed, the developer may be spilled during transportation or the like, or even if an attempt is made to seal, it may be difficult because there is no place or space for installing the seal. It is.

In the above-described process cartridge,
Since the developer cartridge is installed long in the upper part in the longitudinal direction of the developing device (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 16451/1992), a space for installing the developer cartridge is required above the developing tank. However, as the size of the image forming apparatus has been reduced, the space for installing the developer cartridge in the upper portion of the developing tank has been reduced due to the reduction in the size of the process unit and the size of the peripheral devices. It is becoming difficult to secure a space for installing a developer cartridge. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process unit for an image forming apparatus in which a developer cartridge can be installed without affecting a sectional layout around an image forming unit such as a photoconductor.

In the conventional developer cartridge, an opening for discharging the developer is long in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in order to seal the developer cartridge, a long sealing material is used to close the opening. When peeling off such a sealing material, it must be pulled out long along the longitudinal direction of the opening, and the operability is poor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a process unit for an image forming apparatus that can use a developer cartridge that requires a small adhesive area of a seal material and easily peels off the seal material.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process unit for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming means such as a photoreceptor; The image forming apparatus includes a conveying member for conveying the developer from the front side to the back side of the image forming apparatus body in the axial direction, and a developing device for storing a two-component developer in which a toner and a carrier are mixed. A two-component developer used when mounted and used in an apparatus
A removable developer cartridge, which is sealed with a sealing material with a removable bottom opening for introducing the component developer into the developing device, is detachably mounted and integrated, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. A process unit for the image forming apparatus, wherein a part is provided outside the case on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body, the part extending from a developing tank part for housing the developing device and mounting the developer cartridge. ,
An opening corresponding to the bottom opening position of the developer cartridge is provided on the upper surface of the mounting portion of the developer cartridge,
When the developer cartridge is attached, the two openings can be attached so as to be attached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the developing unit is disposed below the axis of the photosensitive member and the cleaning unit is disposed above the axis, and the toner collected by the cleaning unit is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body. A transport member for transporting the collected toner is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body of the case, and an end accommodating portion of the transport member for the recovered toner is extended above a mounting portion of the developer cartridge. A discharge opening is provided on the lower surface, and an upper opening for receiving the collected toner discharged from the discharge opening is provided at an upper portion of the developer cartridge, and the discharge opening and the upper opening are aligned when the developer cartridge is attached. The upper opening is sealed with a removable sealing material, and the collected toner is returned to the developing device to be recycled. Characterized by comprising in the allow the.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the developer cartridge has an opening for replenishing toner on an upper surface thereof, and the opening for replenishing toner is sealed with a seal material capable of being removed. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sealant is provided such that the bottom opening and the top opening of the developer cartridge are formed in one.
It is characterized by being sealed with sheets.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the illustrated process unit, an image forming unit 2 is formed in a central portion of a case 1, a developing unit 3 is formed in a lower portion thereof, and a toner collecting portion 4 is formed in an upper portion thereof. The image forming unit 2 includes a photoconductor 5, a charging roller 6, and a cleaning blade 7, and the toner collecting unit 4 includes a toner conveying screw 8. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 denotes a transfer roller, 31 denotes a registration roller, 32 denotes a registration pressure roller, and 33 denotes writing light from a writing device (not shown).

The developing unit 3 includes a developing roller 9, a stirring paddle 10, a separator 11, a developing doctor 12, a transport screw 13, and a screw 14 in the paddle. The developing roller 9 is composed of a fixed magnet 9a and a developing sleeve 9b rotating on the outside thereof. The developer pumped up by the stirring paddle 10 is carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 9b, and is separated to a certain amount by the separator 11. The amount of developer is further regulated by the developing doctor 12 to the amount of developer necessary for development. At this time, excess developer that does not pass through the developing doctor 12 flows down the slope of the separator 11, and
The photoconductor 5 is conveyed in the axial direction of the photoconductor 5 to the front side (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body, that is, the front side in the figure by the conveyance screw 13. On the front side of the developing unit 3 in the drawing, the outlet of the conveying screw 13 is connected to the screw 14 in the paddle through the inclined portion 1a of the case 1, and the developer conveyed by the conveying screw 13 flows down the inclined portion 1a, and It is carried to the screw 14. The paddle screw 14 rotates together with the stirring paddle 10 and conveys the developer inside the cylinder of the stirring paddle 10 to the rear side in the drawing. Such a circulation path of the developer is indicated by an arrow in FIG. A spiral 10a is formed on the outer periphery of the stirring paddle 10, and the developer is conveyed to the back side also on the outer periphery of the stirring paddle 10. The cylindrical portion of the stirring paddle 10 has a plurality of holes 10.
b is provided to mix and agitate the developer outside and inside the cylindrical portion of the stirring paddle 10.

The toner developed on the photoreceptor 5 by the developing unit 3 is transferred to a transfer sheet by a transfer roller 30 outside the unit, and the untransferred toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 5 by a cleaning blade 7 to be cleaned. The toner is conveyed by the toner conveying screw 8 through the toner collecting section 4 to the near side in FIG. A recycling projecting portion 15 is provided at the portion of the toner collecting portion 4 of the case 1 so as to project toward the front side of the figure, and a discharge opening 15a for discharging the collected toner is provided on the lower surface thereof. Is discharged from the printer.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The mounting portion 1b of the developer cartridge 20 is provided between the above-described inclined portion 1a and the projecting portion 15 for recycling.
A supply opening 1 for supplying the developer from the developer cartridge 20 is provided on the upper surface of the mounting portion 1b at a position corresponding to the discharge opening 15a of the recycling protrusion 15 in the vertical direction.
c and a toner supply opening 1d for supplying toner from a toner supply unit (not shown).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the developer cartridge 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, openings 20a and 20b are provided above and below so as to coincide with the supply opening 1c of the inclined portion 1a and the discharge opening 15a of the recycle projection 15, respectively. It is sealed and sealed so that the developer stored inside does not spill. The openings 20a, 20b of these developer cartridges 20
May be sealed with a single sealing material 22, as shown in FIGS.

That is, the opening 20a communicates with the developing unit 3 through the supply opening 1c of the inclined section 1a, the opening 20b communicates with the toner collecting section 4 through the discharge opening 15a of the recycle projection 15, and the toner collecting section 4 The collected toner discharged from the discharge opening 15a enters, passes through the inside of the developer cartridge 20, falls down to the front side of the paddle screw 14 in the inclined portion 1a, and is developed by the paddle screw 14 and the stirring paddle 10. 9 is transported to a developing tank portion for storing the same. Further, a predetermined amount of new toner is supplied from the toner supply unit (not shown) into the developing unit 3 through the opening 20b as needed. In addition, toner supply
Well-known means based on signals such as a toner density sensor for detecting the toner density in the developing unit 3, an image density sensor for detecting the image density on the photoconductor 5, and a pixel counter for cumulatively counting the writing signals of the writing unit. Of course, there is also known means for processing by combining signals from the above-described sensors and the like.

When such a process unit is used, the seal members 21 of the developer cartridge 20 are peeled off before use. The peeling operation may be performed before or after the process unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body (not shown). When the seal members 21 are peeled off, the developer falls around the screw 14 in the paddle of the developing unit 3, but all the developer cannot fall, and some remains in the developer cartridge 20. After the process cartridge is set in the image forming apparatus main body and the seal materials 21 and 21 are peeled off and the cover of the image forming apparatus main body is closed, the stirring paddle 10 and the like are pre-rotated to cause the developer to enter the developing unit 3. To be ready for use. The pre-rotation time of the stirring paddle 10 and the like is a time during which the developer is uniformly loaded into the developing unit 3. The image forming apparatus main body may be provided with means for detecting that the process unit is new, so that the preliminary rotation is performed when the cover is closed only when the new process unit is set. Also, only when a new process unit is set, the stirring paddle 10 and the like may be rotated for a time longer than the normal pre-rotation time when the cover is closed and for ensuring that the developer is uniformly distributed in the development unit 3. I can do it.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of a process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the process unit of this embodiment, the toner supply opening is not provided on the inclined portion 1 a of the case 1 but is provided on the upper surface of the developer cartridge 20. The toner supply opening 20c is also sealed with a sealing material 21 before use. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the previous embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in these developer cartridges 20, as shown in FIG.
0c may be sealed with one sealing material 23.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a third embodiment of the process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The process unit according to the present embodiment is obtained by removing the toner recycling mechanism from the first embodiment. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the process unit for an image forming apparatus has a small space around the photoreceptor due to downsizing of the apparatus, and even when there is no space in the upper longitudinal direction of the developing device, the developer can be used. The pre-stored developer cartridge is installed on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body of the process unit, and the space around the photoreceptor can be secured by the developer cartridge without being pressed by the developer cartridge. Can be replenished in the developing unit. Also,
Since the bottom opening of the developer cartridge is of course not very large, the adhesive area of the sealing material is small, and the sealing material is very easily peeled off.

The process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the second aspect uses the developer cartridge also as a toner recycling path.
The size and the number of parts can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process unit for cleaning residual toner on a photoreceptor after transfer, returning the toner to a developing unit and reusing the toner. Since it is used as a path and a path for toner from the toner replenishing device, the apparatus configuration can be further simplified in addition to the above common effects.

In the process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the plurality of openings of the developer cartridge are sealed with one seal, the operation of peeling off the seal at the time of use can be performed only once. It is no longer forgotten to peel it off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a first embodiment of a process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a conveyance path of a surplus developer in a developing tank unit of the process unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a case of the process unit in FIG. 1 from which a developer cartridge is removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a developer cartridge used in the process unit of FIG. 1;

6 is a sectional view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an example in which an opening of a developer cartridge is sealed with one sealing material.

8 is a sectional view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a second embodiment of a process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a developer cartridge used in the process unit of FIG. 9;

11 is a sectional view of the developer cartridge shown in FIG.

12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example in which the opening of the developer cartridge of FIG. 10 is sealed with one sealing material.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of a third embodiment of a process unit for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1a Inclined portion of case 1b Developer cartridge mounting section 1c Developer supply opening 1d Toner supply opening 2 Image forming section 3 Developing unit 4 Toner recovery section 5 Photoconductor 6 Charging roller 7 Cleaning blade 8 Toner transport screw 9 Developing roller 9a Magnet 9b Developing sleeve 10 Stirring paddle 10a Spiral 10b hole 11 Separator 12 Developing doctor 13 Transport screw 14 Paddle screw 15 Recycling protrusion 15a Discharge opening 20 Developer cartridge 20a, 20b opening 20c Toner supply opening 21, 22, 23 Sealing material 30 Transfer roller 31 Registration roller 32 Registration pressure roller 33 Writing light

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image forming means such as a photoreceptor and a conveying member for conveying a developer from the front side to the back side of the main body of the image forming apparatus in the axial direction of the photoreceptor are incorporated, and the toner and the carrier are mixed. A developing device containing a component developer is housed in a case, and a two-component developer used when mounted and used in the image forming apparatus main body is stored in advance, and the two-component developer is charged into the developing device. A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, which is detachably mounted and integrated with a developer cartridge having a bottom opening sealed with a seal material capable of removing the bottom opening. Outside the front side of the image forming apparatus main body of the case, a portion is provided that extends from a developing tank section that houses the developing device and that mounts the developer cartridge. On the upper surface of the site, providing an opening corresponding to the bottom opening position of the developer cartridge,
A process unit for an image forming apparatus, wherein the two openings can be fitted so as to be attached when the developer cartridge is attached. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a developing unit disposed below the axis of the photoconductor and a cleaning unit disposed above the photosensitive unit, and a conveying member configured to convey the toner collected by the cleaning unit to a front side of the image forming apparatus main body. An end receiving portion of the conveying member for the collected toner is provided above the mounting portion of the developer cartridge on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body of the case, and a discharge opening is provided on a lower surface of the extending portion. An upper opening for receiving the collected toner discharged from the discharge opening is provided at an upper portion of the developer cartridge, and the discharge opening and the upper opening can be attached in the same manner when the developer cartridge is mounted, The upper opening is sealed with a removable sealing material, and the collected toner is returned to the developing device so that the toner can be recycled. Process unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in Rukoto. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge has an opening for supplying toner on an upper surface thereof, and the opening for supplying toner is sealed with a removable sealing material. Process unit for forming equipment. 4. A process unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sealing material seals a bottom opening and a top opening of said developer cartridge with one sheet. .