JPS63104070A - Developing device for image generating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly recognize the seruice life of a process unit by obstructing the of a toner cartridge of the same kind as that which has been detached from a developing device body by an action of a loading obstructing member which is left in the developing device body. CONSTITUTION:When a toner cartridge 162a is detached, a weakened part 198 of a loading obstructing member 192a is damaged, and the loading obstructing member 192a is separated from the toner cartridge 162a and also, left in a developing device body in a state that it has been received in a receiving part 212a. Accordingly, when three kinds of toner cartridges 162a-162c are all used, the loading obstructing members 192a-192c separated from the toner cartridge 162a-162c are left in all of receiving parts parts 212a-212c prescribed to a developing device body, and it becomes impossible substantially that a new toner cartridge is boaded on the developing device body. In such a way, an operator can know that photosensitive body, namely, the whole process unit has reached a seruice life.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a developing device for an image generating machine, and more particularly to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image in an image generating machine. <Prior Art> As is well known to those skilled in the art, an electrostatic copier or an electrostatic copier of the type that forms an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatographic photoreceptor and then develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Image generating machines such as printing machines are widely used in practice.As an example of such image generating machines, a developing device in an electrostatic copying machine includes a device housing and application means attached to the device housing. A type of developing device that includes a main body of the developing device and a plurality of toner cartridges that are detachably attached to the main body of the developing device is used. The support means and the developing device (and often also a cleaning device for removing residual toner from the photoreceptor after the toner image on the photoreceptor has been transferred to a transfer material such as a conventional transfer material) are common. In an electrostatic copying machine of the type in which a so-called replaceable process unit is attached to a unit frame and is detachably attached to a housing, when the photoreceptor in the process unit reaches the end of its service life, this process unit There is a tendency to replace the entire device with a new one.Especially in the case of small personal type devices, the lifespan of the photoreceptor and the developing device are designed to correspond to each other.
In other words, if copying is continued until the photoconductor reaches the end of its lifespan, virtually all of the toner in the developing device will be consumed (furthermore, the cleaning device is configured to correspond to the lifespan of the photoconductor; If copying is continued until the end of the life of the photoreceptor, the toner removed from the photoreceptor 1 will substantially fill the toner collection chamber of the cleaning device), so the above-mentioned tendency is even stronger. Therefore, it is important that the electrostatic copying machine, which is an example of the image generation machine described above, satisfy the following requirements. That is, it is important to inform the operator when a photoreceptor, and thus a process unit, reaches the end of its lifespan after copying. In order to meet the above requirements, conventional electrostatic copying machines are provided with a rotary plate that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary drum, and the angular position of the rotary plate changes the lifespan of the photoreceptor and therefore the process unit. I was aware of the remaining number of copies that could be made. However, in the above-mentioned conventional electrostatic copying machine, the life of the photoreceptor, and thus the process unit, and the angular position of the rotary plate do not substantially correspond, and due to the error between the two, the life of the photoreceptor, and therefore the process unit, is shortened. It was difficult to get to know his personality. <Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main purpose is to accurately measure the lifespan of a process unit in relation to a plurality of toner cartridges that are selectively installed in the main body of a developing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device that can be known in detail. <Summary of the Invention> According to the present invention, there is provided a developing device body having an apparatus housing and an application means for applying toner to an electrostatic latent image attached to the device housing; In a developing device for an image generating machine including a plurality of toner cartridges to be installed; the plurality of toner cartridges are classified into a plurality of types;
Each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges has a mounting prevention member that remains in the developing device main body when removed from the developing device main body, and each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges is removed from the developing device main body. If you let them leave,
There is provided a developing device characterized in that the reinstallation of a toner cartridge of the same type as the toner cartridge removed from the developing device main body is prevented by the action of the mounting prevention member remaining in the developing device main body. <Preferred Specific Example of the Invention> Hereinafter, a specific example of a developing device constructed according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrostatic copying machine as an example of an image generating machine. The illustrated electrostatic copying machine includes a housing generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, which is indicated by the number 2 as a whole. This housing 2 is defined by a lower support frame 4 and an upper support frame 6. The lower left end portion of the upper support frame 6 is rotatably connected to the lower support frame 4 via a shaft 8, and can pivot between a closed position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line. can be done. On the upper surface of the housing 2, ie, the upper surface of the upper support frame 6, a document mounting means 10 is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction. The document placement means 10 includes a transparent plate 12 on which a document to be copied is placed, and a document cover 14 that can be opened and closed to cover the transparent plate 12 and the document placed thereon. Contains. A so-called process unit, which is located approximately in the middle of the housing 2 and is generally designated by numeral 16, is removably attached to the upper support frame 6. More specifically, a pair of support rails 18 and 20 are fixed to the upper support frame 6, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. On the other hand, the process unit 16 is mounted on a unit frame 22.
Supported rail portions 24 and 26 are formed on both left and right sides of this unit frame 22, extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Supported rail portions 24 and 2 of unit frame 22
6 are engaged with the support rails 18 and 20 of the upper support frame 6, respectively, and the unit frame 22 is slid in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, thereby attaching and detaching the process unit 16 to the upper support frame 6. A rotary drum 28 is rotatably mounted approximately at the center of the unit frame 22. A suitable electrostatic photoreceptor is disposed on the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28. The unit frame 22 further includes a charging corona discharger 32, a developing device generally designated by numeral 34, and a charging corona discharger 32, a developing device generally designated by numeral 34, around a rotating drum 28 that is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by an arrow 30. A cleaning device indicated by the number 36 is also attached. Cleaning device 36
The elastic blade 3 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28.
8, a toner feed roller 42 that is rotationally driven in the direction shown by an arrow 40, and a toner recovery chamber 44. The developing device 34 will be described in more detail later. The upper support frame 6 has a rear G and the process unit 1
6, the irradiation lamp 46 and the reflection plate 4
8 and an optical system 50 are also attached. The optical system 50 is composed of a large number of elongated optical elements (for example, a rond-shaped lens sold under the trade name "Selfoc Micro Lens" by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.) extending in the vertical direction. The light from the irradiation lamp 46 passes through the transparent plate 12 and irradiates the original placed thereon, as shown by the dashed line, and the reflected light from the original is formed on the optical system 50 and the upper wall 52 of the unit frame 22. exposure aperture 54
, and is projected onto the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the exposure area 56 . Also, a part of the light from the irradiation lamp 46 passes through an opening 58 formed on the lower surface of the reflection plate 48 and a static elimination light opening 60 formed on the upper wall 52 of the unit frame 22, as similarly shown by the dashed line. It is projected onto the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the static elimination area 62 . At approximately the center of the lower support frame 4, there is a transfer corona discharger 66 facing the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the transfer area 64, and a transfer corona discharger 66 located adjacent to and downstream of the transfer corona discharger 66. Stripping ^1

A static eliminator 68 is provided. Further, at the right end of the lower support frame 4, a copy paper supply means, which is indicated by the number 72 as a whole, is provided.
A copy paper tray 74 is disposed at the left end of the tray. Between the copy paper supply means 72 and the copy paper tray 74,
A copy paper transport system, generally designated by numeral 76, is provided for transporting copy paper through the transfer area 64. The copy paper supply means 72 includes a copy paper table 78 and a copy paper delivery roller 80 disposed above the downstream end of the copy paper table 78. Copy paper delivery roller 80 is selectively moved up and down and rotated in the direction shown by arrow 82. The copy paper supply means 72 further includes the copy paper table 78.
The copy sheet feeding roller 86 includes a copy paper feeding roller 86 that is disposed downstream of the roller and is rotationally driven in the direction shown by an arrow 84, and a copy paper separating means 88 that is disposed below the copy paper feeding roller 86. Copy paper separation means 88
is a support member 9 rotatably mounted by a pin 90;
2, and a separation member 94 made of a high friction material such as synthetic rubber and disposed on the upper surface of the support member 92. Support member 92 is resiliently biased in a clockwise direction by suitable spring means (not shown), thus forcing separation member 94 resiliently against copy paper feed roller 86. In the copy paper supply means 72 as described above, a layer of sheet-like copy paper of an appropriate size is manually inserted onto the copy paper base 78. Then, each time the copy paper feed roller 80 is lowered and rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 82, the upper copy paper in the copy paper layer is sequentially delivered, and the copy paper is further advanced by the copy paper feed roller 86. be done. Separation member 94 prevents copies other than the topmost copy paper from being advanced by copy paper feed roller 86 when two or more copies are delivered at a time by copy paper feed roller 80. Thus, the copy sheets are fed one by one to the copy paper conveying system 76. The copy paper conveyance system 76 includes a pair of guide plates 96, a pair of conveyance rollers 100 that are rotationally driven in a direction not shown by an arrow 98, and guide plates 102 and 10.
4. A conveyance heald mechanism 108 that is rotationally driven in the direction shown by arrow 106, a pair of heating and fixing rollers 112 that are rotationally driven in the direction shown by arrow 110, a pair of guide plates 114, and arrow 1
A pair of discharge rollers 1 driven to rotate in the direction indicated by 16
Contains 18. Appropriate heating means 122 is disposed within the upper heating roller 120 of the heating fixing roller pair 112. Further, a peeling member 124 is attached to the upper heating roller 120 to prevent the copy paper from being wrapped. In the electrostatic copying machine as described above, the rotating drum 28
is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 30, the charging corona discharger 32 substantially uniformly charges the photoreceptor on the rotating drum 28 to a specific polarity, and then, in the exposure area 56, the photoreceptor on the transparent plate 12 is charged. The image of the original is scanned and exposed onto the photoreceptor, thus forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original on the photoreceptor. During the above-mentioned scanning exposure, the document mounting means 10
, for example, is moved for scanning exposure from a scanning exposure start position indicated by a two-dot chain line 10A rightward to a scanning exposure end position indicated by a two-dot chain line 10B. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor is developed into a toner image by a developing device 34. Next, the copy paper supplied from the copy paper supply means 72 and conveyed by the copy paper conveyance system 76 is brought into close contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the transfer area 64, and the copy paper is brought into close contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the transfer area 64.
The toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred onto copy paper by the action of . Thereafter, the copy paper is peeled off from the rotating drum 28 by the action of the static eliminator 68. The peeled copy paper is conveyed through a pair of heat-fixing rollers 112, during which time the toner image on the copy paper is heat-fixed, and then transferred to a copy paper tray 74.
is discharged to the top. Meanwhile, the rotating drum 28 continues to rotate, and the toner remaining on the photoreceptor after transfer is removed from the photoreceptor by the action of the elastic blade 38 of the cleaning device 36. The removed toner is sent into a toner collection chamber 44 by a toner feed roller 42 and collected there. Next, the photoreceptor is irradiated with neutralization light in the static elimination area 62, and the residual charge on the photoreceptor is eliminated. Therefore, the electrostatic copying machine as described above is merely an example of an image generating machine to which an example of a developing device configured according to the present invention is applied, and therefore, the electrostatic copying machine as described above is In the present invention, detailed description of the structure and operation of the electronic copying machine other than the developing device and related elements will be omitted. Referring now to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the illustrated developing device 34 and its associated elements constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described. Mainly referring to FIG. 2, the unit frames 22 of the process unit 16 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1, direction from the lower right to the upper left in FIG. 2). Front wall 126 (FIG. 2) and rear wall 128
(FIG. 1), and a left side wall 130 and a right side wall 132 are fixed together with the upper wall 52 between the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128. In the specific example, the rotating drum 2
The developing device 34 and the cleaning device 36 are disposed between the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 of the unit frame 22. In the illustrated unit frame 22, in order to facilitate attachment and detachment of the unit frame 22 to and from the upper support frame 6,
A grip portion 134 is provided on the front surface of the front wall 126. Referring again to FIG. 1, the illustrated developer 34 includes a developer body 135 having a device housing 136 and application means 137 for applying toner to the electrostatic latent image. There is. In the specific example, the device housing 136 has a pair of end walls 138 and 139 (FIG. 5) spaced apart in the front-rear direction between the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 of the unit frame 22. end wall 138
and various walls 140 . extending in the front-rear direction between 139 and 139 .
142.144.146.148.150.152 and 154 are provided, and a pair of end walls 138 and 139
and various walls 140.142.144.146.14
The device housing 136 constituted by 8.150.152 and 154 defines three chambers: a developer chamber 156, a developer chamber 158 and a toner chamber 160. In the developing device 34 of the specific example, a so-called two-component developer consisting of carrier and toner is used, and the so-called start developer (carrier and toner are mixed in a predetermined manner) is supplied to the developing chamber 156 in the developer storage chamber 158. A toner cartridge 162 (described later) is installed in the toner storage chamber 160, and toner discharged from the toner cartridge 162 is stored in the toner storage chamber 160. The application means 137 is arranged in the developing chamber 156. The illustrated application means 137 consists of a cylindrical sleeve 170 which is rotatably driven in the direction indicated by arrow 168 and a stationary permanent magnet 172 arranged within the cylindrical sleeve 170. The applying means 137 holds the developer in the developing chamber 156 and transports it in the direction shown by an arrow 168, and acts on the surface of the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 to convert the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor into toner. Develop into an image. A stirring means 166 is further provided in the developing chamber 156. The illustrated stirring means 166 has a plurality of spiral blades 174, and stirs the developer in the developing chamber 156 and supplies the developer to the application means 137. The wall 154 defining the upper left wall of the developing chamber 156 includes
An ear cutting means 176 is formed which projects toward the sleeve 170 of the application means 137. The cutting means 176 is magnetically held on the surface of the sleeve 170 and acts on the moving developer to remove excess developer. In addition, the above wall 1
A toner concentration detector 178 located above the ear cutting means 176 is disposed at 56 . A detector 178, which may be of any known form, has a detection surface exposed within the development chamber 156, and has a detecting surface exposed within the developing chamber 156, and has a detection surface exposed to the application means 137 by the action of the ear cutting means 176.
Detect the toner concentration of the developer removed from the developer. The developer removed from the application means 137 by the action of the cutting means 176 is caused to flow down on the guide plate 180 toward the stirring means 166 after the toner concentration is detected by the detector 178 . A toner discharge opening communicating with the developing chamber 156 is provided at the bottom of the toner storage chamber 160, and a toner supply roller 184 rotated in the direction shown by an arrow 182 is disposed in the toner discharge opening. Further, a toner cartridge 162 containing toner is attached to the upper part of the toner containing chamber 160. In such an electrostatic copying machine, a toner cartridge 16
The number of times the toner cartridge 162 is replenished substantially corresponds to the lifespan of the photoreceptor, and therefore the process unit 16. In a specific example, when the toner cartridge 162 is replenished three times, the life of the photoreceptor, and therefore the process unit, is reached. Figures 2 and 3
To further explain with reference to the drawings, in the electrostatic copying machine of the specific example, the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 reaches the end of its lifespan after about 6,000 copies have been made. In connection with this, three toner cartridges 162 are prepared for one process unit 16. That is, in the specific example, each toner cartridge 162 includes:
Toner necessary for approximately 2000 copies is stored, and a toner cartridge 162 is selectively installed in the toner storage chamber 160. Each toner cartridge 16
2 has almost the same configuration (the only difference is the part where the attachment prevention member described later is provided), and the third
Storage container 1 in which toner is stored as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with 86. The illustrated storage container 186 has a box-shaped container body 188 with a discharge opening (FIG. 1) formed on the lower surface.
and a grip portion 190 provided on one end surface (front surface) of the container body 188. The container body 188 is further provided with a mounting prevention member, and the toner cartridges 162 are classified into three types depending on the location where the mounting prevention member is provided. That is, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, the first type of toner cartridge (hereinafter described with reference numeral 162a) has the other end surface (rear surface) of the container body 188, as shown on the left side of FIG. In FIG. 3, the attachment prevention member 1 is attached to the cloth part.
92a is provided. In addition, the second type of toner cartridge (hereinafter described with reference numeral 162b) has the other end surface of the container body 188 (
A mounting prevention member 192b is provided at the center of the rear surface. Furthermore, the toner cartridge of the third form (hereinafter described with the number 162C) is attached to the left side in FIG. 3 of the other end surface (rear surface) of the container body 188a, as shown on the right side of FIG. 3. A blocking member 192C is provided. Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, toner cartridge 16
Attachment prevention member 19 in 2a, 162b and 162C
2a, 192b and 192C have substantially the same configuration, and the connecting portion 1 connected to the end wall (rear wall) of the container body 188
94 and the engaged portion 1 provided at the tip of the connecting portion 194
It has 96. In a specific example, the connecting portion 194 is connected to the upper end of the end wall (rear wall) of the container body 188, extends rearward from the base connected to the end wall toward the tip, and extends rearward and downward; There is a weakened portion 198 at the L-shaped bent portion where the strength is weaker than other portions. In the illustrated example, a notch 200 is formed on the inner surface of the bent portion, and the weakened portion 198 is formed by this notch 200. Additionally, an engaged portion 196 provided at the tip of the connecting portion 194
has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and there are engaged protrusions 202 projecting on both sides on both sides, and the outer surface (rear surface) of the engaged protrusions 202 is rearward (left side in FIG. 5). (See also Figures 6-A and 6-B). The inner surface (front surface) of the engaged portion 196 includes
Furthermore, an auxiliary protrusion 204 is provided. As will be easily understood from the description below, this auxiliary protrusion 204 is attached to the toner cartridge 162a (or 162b, 162C).
This can be omitted if it is possible to prevent damage to the weakened portion 198 that would occur during installation. In the specific example, attachment prevention members 192a, 192b, and 192 as described above are used.
C, each toner cartridge 162a, 1, respectively.
It is formed integrally with the container body 188 of 62b and 162C. On the other hand, toner cartridges 162a, 162b and 16
In connection with the fact that 2C can be selectively attached to the toner storage chamber 160, required portions of the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and required portions of the front end wall 138 of the developing device 34 include:
Openings 206 and 208 are formed, respectively (FIG. 2 shows opening 206 formed in front wall 126, and FIG. 5 shows openings 206 and 208 formed in front wall 126 and end wall 138). ). Further, in the specific example, toner cartridges 162a, 162b, and 162C
In order to prevent internal toner from leaking when the unit frame 22 is attached or removed, a cylindrical guide is provided between the opening 2α6 in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and the opening 208 in the end wall 138 of the developing device 34. A wall 210 is provided. Accordingly, each toner cartridge 162a, 162b, and 162C is inserted into the toner storage chamber 160 of the developing device 34 as required through the opening 206 formed in the front wall 126, the interior of the guide wall 210, and the opening 208 formed in the end wall 138. It will be installed. In the specific example, the toner cartridge 162a
, L62b and attachment prevention member 192a in 162C
, 192b and 192c, the developing device 3
The developing device main body 135 of No. 4 has a plurality of receiving portions 212a12.
12b and 212c are provided. In the specific example, the receiving portions 212a, 212b, and 212c have substantially the same configuration and are spaced apart in the lateral direction (from the lower left to the upper right in FIG. 4, and in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 5). It is defined by a pair of retaining portions 214 (six in total) provided. In the illustrated example, the rear end wall 139 of the developing device 34 is provided with a protruding wall portion 216 (FIG. 5) that protrudes rearward, and a rectangular auxiliary portion is provided at the rear end of the protruding wall portion 216. A total of six engaging members 214 to which the end wall 218 is fixed and define the receiving portions 212a, 212b, and 212C are integrally provided on the inner surface of the auxiliary end wall 218 at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Receiving part 2
A pair of engaging members 214 defining 12a, 212b and 212c each have a claw portion 222 that sharply projects inward to the fleet portion. The claw portion 222 is attached to the toner cartridge 162a (or 162b, 162c).
) in mounting prevention member 192a (or 192b,
192C), and after further engagement, the attachment preventing member 192a (or 192b, 192
C) is constructed in such a way that withdrawal from the system is virtually impossible. In the illustrated example, a main auxiliary wall 224 and a lower auxiliary wall 226 are further provided above and below the engagement member 214, extending in the longitudinal direction. The main auxiliary wall 224 and the lower auxiliary wall 226 cooperate with the three pairs of engagement members 214 to define the receiving portions 212a, 212b, and 212c. The loose main auxiliary wall 224 and lower auxiliary wall 226 reliably prevent the vertical movement of the mounting prevention members 192a, 192b, and 192c separated from the toner cartridges 162a, 162b, and 162c, as will be described later. In the electrostatic copying machine equipped with the developing device 34 as described above, when starting use, the start developer contained in the developer storage chamber 158 is supplied to the developing chamber 156. Further, the developing device main body 135 may include, for example, a first type toner cartridge 162a (or a second type toner cartridge 162b, or a third type toner cartridge 1).
62c). Such toner cartridge 162
As can be understood from FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the mounting of the unit a is carried out through the opening 2 formed in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22.
06, Inside of guide wall 210 and end wall 13 of developing device 34
This is accomplished by inserting the container body 188 in the mounting direction shown by arrow 228 through the opening 208 formed at 8 . The toner cartridge 162a is moved to the housing position in the direction indicated by the arrow 228 (this is the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5; when the toner cartridge 162a is moved to the housing position, the rear surface of the container body 188 comes into contact with the inner surface of the end wall 139 of the developing device 34). When the engaging member 2 is moved up to the
The fourteen claw portions 222 engage with the engaged protrusions 202 of the attachment prevention member 192a provided integrally with the container body 188. That is, as shown enlarged in FIG. 6-A and FIG. 6-B,
When the toner cartridge 162a is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 228 to the vicinity of the accommodation position, the installation prevention member 1
The rear inclined surface of the engaged protrusion 202 present in the engaged portion 196 of 92a acts on the claw portions 222 of the pair of engaging members 214, causing them to elastically deform outward as shown in FIG. 6-A. Then, when the toner cartridge 162a is moved to the housing position, the engaged portion 196 is moved as shown in FIG. 6-B.
The engaged protrusion 202 of the pair of engagement members 214 has a claw portion 22
2, and the pair of engagement members 214 elastically restore their claw portions 222 to engage with the engaged protrusion 202 of the attachment prevention member 192a as required. Thus, the mounting prevention member 192a provided on the toner cartridge 162a
is received in the receiving portion 212a as required, and the toner cartridge 162a is locked in the storing position in the toner storage chamber 160. Due to the sharp protrusion of the claw portion 222, the attachment preventing member 192a, In particular, it becomes virtually impossible for the engaged portion 196 to separate from the receiving portion 212a. In addition, in the specific example, the engaged protrusion 2 of the attachment prevention member 192a
22 gets over the claw portion 222 of the engaging member 214, the tip surface of the auxiliary protrusion 204 (the right view in FIG. 5) comes into contact with the rear surface of the container body 188, thereby suppressing the elastic deformation of the connecting portion 194 and weakening it. Damage to the portion 198 is reliably prevented. After the toner cartridge 162a is thus installed, a seal member (not shown) such as an adhesive tape attached to the discharge opening formed in the container body 188 is peeled off to open the discharge opening. Performing the initial reference operations described above enables development of the electrostatic latent image by development device 34. Thereafter, when the toner concentration of the developer decreases as a result of copying, the detector 178 generates a replenishment signal, and the toner supply roller 184 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 182 based on this replenishment signal. Thus, toner cartridge 1
The toner discharged from 62a and stored in the toner storage chamber 160 is supplied to the development chamber 156 through the toner discharge opening, and the toner concentration of the developer increases. In a specific example, when approximately 2000 copies are made, the toner in the toner cartridge 162a is substantially consumed. In this way, even if the toner concentration decreases and the toner supply roller 184 is rotated based on the replenishment signal from the detector 178, toner is not supplied to the developing chamber 156 and the replenishment signal continues to be generated. Then, when the replenishment signal is continuously generated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds), a replacement signal is generated based on this replenishment signal. Then, based on the replacement signal, a replacement indicator lamp (not shown, but provided on the operation panel provided in the housing 2) lights up, notifying the operator that the toner cartridge 162a must be replaced. Let me know. To replace the toner cartridge 162a, after removing the toner cartridge 162a from the developing device main body 135, replace the toner cartridge 162a with, for example, a second type toner cartridge 162b (or a third type toner cartridge 16).
2 c) should be installed. Toner cartridge 162
When removing container a, grasp the grip portion 190 provided on the front surface of the container body 188 and move it in the removal direction shown by arrow 230. In this way, the mounting prevention member 1 is moved in relation to the movement of the container body 188 in the direction shown by the arrow 230.
The weakened part 198 of 92a is damaged, and the attachment prevention member 192a
is the toner cartridge 162a as shown by the solid line in FIG.
While the container body 188 remains in the developing device main body 135 in a state where it is separated from the main body 188 and received in the receiving portion 212a, the container main body 188 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow 230 and removed from the developing device main body 135 as required. Therefore, after the toner cartridge 162a is removed as described above, a toner cartridge 1 of the same type as this toner cartridge 162a is removed.
62a is the developing device main body 13 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
Even if the toner cartridge 162a of the new first form is folded Δ, since the attachment prevention member 1'92a remains in the receiving portion 202a, as can be easily understood from FIG. engaged portion 19 of
6 comes into contact with the auxiliary protrusion 204 of the attachment prevention member 192a remaining in the receiving portion 212a, thus reliably preventing the first type of toner cartridge 162a from being reinstalled. When the toner cartridge 162b of the second form is installed next to the toner cartridge 162a of the first form, the installation prevention member 192b of the toner cartridge 162b is attached to the receiving portion 212b defined in the developing device main body 135 in the same manner as described above. At the same time, the claw portions 222 of the pair of engaging members 214 engage with the engaged protrusions 202 of the attachment preventing member 192b, and thus the toner cartridge 162
b is locked in the storage position, making it virtually impossible for the engaged portion 196 to separate from the receiving portion 212b. Thereafter, when the toner cartridge 162b is moved in the removal direction shown by the arrow 230 in order to remove it from the developing device main body 135 after the toner in the toner cartridge 162b has been consumed, the installation is prevented in connection with the movement, as described above. The weakened portion 198 of the member 192b is damaged, and the mounting prevention member 192b is separated from the toner cartridge 162b and received in the receiving portion 212b when the developing device main body 1 is removed.
35, while the container body 188 is moved in the direction shown by arrow 230 and removed from the developing device body 135. Therefore, after the toner cartridge 162b is removed, since the attachment preventing member 192b remains in the receiving portion 212b, reattachment of the second type of toner cartridge 162b is also reliably prevented. Next, when the toner cartridge 162C of the third form is installed in place of the toner cartridge 162b of the second form, the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the same manner as described above.
The mounting prevention member 192C in 62c is attached to the developing device main body 1.
35, and the claw portions 222 of the pair of engaging members 214 are inserted into the attachment prevention member 192.
In this way, the toner cartridge 162c is locked in the storage position, and it becomes virtually impossible for the receiving portions 212c and the like of the engaged portion 196 to separate. Thereafter, after the toner in the toner cartridge 162C is consumed, when the toner cartridge 162C is moved in the removal direction shown by the arrow 230 in order to remove it from the developing device main body 135, the installation prevention member ] The weakened portion 198 of the toner cartridge 162 is damaged, and the mounting prevention member 192c is not attached to the toner cartridge 162.
flq separated from c and received in the receiving part 212c
In contrast, the container body 18 remains in the developing device body 135.
8 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow 230 and the developing device main body 1
He will be released from 35. Therefore, the toner cartridge 16
After removing the third toner cartridge 192c, the attachment preventing member 192c remains in the receiving portion 212c.
Reattachment of 62c is also reliably prevented. As described above, three types of toner cartridges 162a and 16 are selectively installed in the developing device main body 135.
When all 2b and 162c are used, the developing device main body 13
Toner cartridges 162a, 162b and 16 are installed in all of the receiving parts 202a, 202b and 202c defined in 5.
The installation prevention members 192a, 192b, and 192C that are separated from the main body 135 of the developing device 135 remain, thus making it virtually impossible for the operator to install a new toner cartridge 162a (or 162b, 162c) into the developing device main body 135. It can be known that the photoreceptor, and therefore the entire process unit 16, has reached the end of its life, and it is necessary to replace the process unit 16 with a new one. In addition, when toners of a plurality of different colors can be used, it is preferable to change the placement position of the installation prevention member (correspondingly, change the position of the receiving part) depending on the color of each toner. By doing so, incorrect installation of the toner cartridge can be reliably prevented. Although a specific example of a developing device configured according to the present invention has been described above by applying it to an electrostatic copying machine as an example of an image generating machine, the present invention is not limited to such a specific example, and the present invention Various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the specific example, the three toner cartridges 162a, 162b, and 162c are sequentially replaced before the photoconductor, in other words, the process unit 16 reaches the end of its lifespan; however, the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration may be such that one or four or more are replaced. In such a case, there is a disadvantage that when the number of toner cartridges to be replaced is small, the toner cartridge itself becomes relatively large, but on the other hand, when the number of toner cartridges to be replaced is large, the number of replacements increases and the replacement work becomes complicated. Further, in the specific example, each toner cartridge 162
Attachment prevention member 192 at a, 162b and 162c
a, 192b, and 192c are formed integrally with the container body 188, and when the container body 188 is removed, a portion thereof is damaged and remains in the receiving portions 212a, 212b, and 212c, but the present invention is not limited to this. without being
It is also possible to configure the attachment preventing member to be detachably attached to the container body 188 so that the container body can be detached from the developing device body so that it can be detached from the container body and remain in the receiving portion in a substantially unremovable manner. Furthermore, for example, in the specific example, the description has been made by applying the present invention to a type of developing device that uses a so-called two-component developer consisting of a carrier and a toner, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a developing device that uses a so-called component type developer consisting only of toner. 46 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrostatic copying machine as an example of an image generator equipped with a specific example of a developing device constructed according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a process unit of the electrostatic copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a rear view showing each of three types of toner cartridges attached to the main body of the developing device in the electrostatic copying machine of FIG. 1, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a receiving portion provided on the developing device main body and a mounting prevention member provided on the toner cartridge of the first embodiment in the electrostatic copying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first type of toner cartridge is installed in the developing device main body of the electrostatic copying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 6-A and FIG. 6-B are partially enlarged sectional views for explaining the operation when the toner cartridge of the first form is installed in the developing device main body, respectively. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state in which the first type of toner cartridge is removed from the developing device main body of the electrostatic copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 2...Housing 16...Process unit 22...Unit frame 34...Developing device 135...Developing device main body 136... ...Device housing 137... Application means 156... Development chamber 160... Toner storage chambers 162a, 162b and 162C... Toner cartridge 188... ...Container bodies 192a, 192b, and 192c --- Attachment prevention members 212a, 212b, and 212C... Between receiving parts
Patent Attorney Tadashi Kishimoto-1 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device housing, and a developing device body attached to the device housing and having application means for applying toner to an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device body selectively attached to the developing device body. In a developing device for an image generating machine including a plurality of toner cartridges; the plurality of toner cartridges are classified into a plurality of types,
Each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges has a mounting prevention member that remains in the developing device main body when removed from the developing device main body, and each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges is removed from the developing device main body. A developing device characterized in that, by the action of the mounting prevention member remaining in the developing device main body, remounting of a toner cartridge of the same type as the toner cartridge removed from the developing device main body is prevented. 2. The mounting prevention members in each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges are disposed at different positions, and the developing device main body has a plurality of mounting prevention members corresponding to the mounting prevention members in each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges. When each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges is installed and removed from the developing device main body, the installation prevention member of each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges is provided with a corresponding one. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a toner cartridge of the same type as the toner cartridge that has been removed from the developing device main body is prevented from being reinstalled by remaining in the developing device main body in a state received by the receiving portion. 3. Each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges has the following characteristics:
The storage container includes a storage container in which toner is stored, and the installation prevention member is integrally provided in the storage container, and when each of the plurality of types of toner cartridges is removed from the developing device main body, the removal direction of the storage container is A part of the attachment prevention member is damaged in connection with the movement of the attachment prevention member, and thus the attachment prevention member remains in the developing device main body in a state received in the corresponding receiving portion. Device. 4. The attachment prevention member has a connecting portion connected to the storage container and an engaged portion provided at the tip of the connecting portion, and the receiving portion has an engaging portion capable of engaging with the engaged portion. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the developing device is defined by a member and further includes a weakened portion at the connecting portion of the attachment preventing member.