JPS6375756A - Developing device for image producing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately recognize the life of a process unit with simple constitution by constituting a specific toner cartridge among plural toner cartridges so that the cartridge can not be detached from a device housing. CONSTITUTION:A replaceable process unit consists of a photosensitive body, a developing device, and a cleaning device and the developing device is equipped with the device housing which has a developing chamber and storage chambers for a developer and toner. Three toner cartridges 162 (162a-162c) which contain toner necessary for copying about 2,000 copies are loaded in the toner storage chamber in order indicated on its display part 192, and couples of claw parts 206 of the cartridges 162a and 162b engage holes 204 in the end wall 138 of the housing, but the claws 208 are round and their detachment is easy. The claws 202 of the cartridge 162c are sharp, so the cartridge can not be detached. Every cartridge sends a signal when its life comes to the end, so the life of a photosensitive body corresponding to 6,000 copies is recognized by the easy method.

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 an image generating machine, a two-component developing device in an electrostatic copying machine is a device that partitions a developing chamber and a toner storage chamber. A device is used that includes a housing, a common means disposed in the developing chamber, and a toner cartridge that is detachably attached to the device housing.

On the other hand, a movable photoreceptor support means, such as a rotating drum having an electrostatographic photoreceptor on its surface, and a developing device (and also, in many cases, after transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor to a transfer material such as ordinary paper), A cleaning device (ATL) for removing residual toner from the photoreceptor is attached to a common unit frame and constitutes a replaceable process unit, and the process unit is detachably attached to the housing. In electrostatic copying machines, when a photoreceptor in a process unit reaches the end of its lifespan, there is a tendency to replace the entire process unit with a new one.

In particular, small personal type devices are constructed so that the lifespan of the photoreceptor and the lifespan of the developing device correspond.
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; in other words, the photoconductor will last a long time). Until the end of its life, when copying is performed, the toner removed from the photoreceptor essentially fills 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 addition, in this regard, a photoreceptor,
Therefore, it is desirable that the operator be able to easily recognize the number of copies that can be made before the life of the process unit expires.

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 know exactly. Further, it requires a rotating plate and a mechanism for rotating it, and its configuration is relatively complicated.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main purpose is to provide a developing device in which the life of a process unit can be accurately known in connection with a developing device for an image generating machine. The goal is to provide the following.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device for an image generator, which has a relatively simple configuration and can easily recognize the number of copies remaining until the end of the service life of a process unit. It is to provide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image generating apparatus includes an apparatus housing, a utility means attached to the apparatus housing, and a plurality of toner cartridges selectively attached to the apparatus housing. In a developing device for a machine; in relation to a specific toner cartridge among the plurality of toner cartridges, it is virtually impossible to remove the specific toner cartridge from the device housing once the specific toner cartridge is installed in the device housing. There is provided a developing device characterized in that it is configured as follows.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in a developing device for an image generator including a plurality of toner cartridges selectively mounted in an apparatus housing; There is provided a developing device comprising storage containers for storing toner, each of which is provided with a display section for displaying a mounting order.

<Preferred specific examples of the invention> A more detailed description will be given below 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 upper support frame 6 has a lower left end portion which is connected to the shaft 8 via the shaft 8.
It is rotatably connected to the lower support frame 4 and can be pivoted between a closed position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line.

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.

The upper support frame body 6 includes a so-called process unit, which is located approximately in the middle of the housing 2 and is designated by the number 16 as a whole.
is attached removably. 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 the unit frame 2.
2, and this unit frame 22 has supported rail portions 24 and 26 formed on both left and right sides thereof, extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The supported rail portions 24 and 26 of the unit frame 22 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. The process unit 16 is attached and detached. A rotating 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 an arrow 3
Around the rotating drum 28 which is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by 0, charging corona dischargers 32,
A developing device, generally designated by the number 34, and a cleaning device, generally designated by the number 36, are also installed. The cleaning device 36 includes an elastic blade 38 that comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28, 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 further includes the process unit 16.
Irradiation lamp 46 and reflection plate 48 located above
and an optical system 50 are also installed.

The optical system 50 is composed of a large number of elongated optical elements (for example, rod-shaped lenses sold by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. under the trade name "Selfoc Micro Lens") that extend in the vertical direction. The light from the irradiation lamp 46 passes through the transparent plate 12 and onto it, as shown by the dashed line. l
The reflected light from the original is sent to the optical system 50.
and an exposure opening 5 formed in the upper wall 52 of the unit frame 22
4 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 is transmitted to an opening 58 formed on the lower surface of the reflection plate 48 and to the upper wall 52 of the unit frame 22, as similarly shown by the dashed line.
The light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the rotating drum 28 in the static elimination area 62 through the static elimination light aperture 60 formed 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. A stripping 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 the direction shown by an arrow 98, and guide plates 102 and 10.
4. A conveyor belt 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 described above (7 types), the rotating drum 2
8 is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by arrow 30,
The charging corona discharger 32 charges the photoreceptor on the rotating drum 28 substantially uniformly to a particular polarity, and then, in the exposure zone 56, the image of the document on the transparent plate 12 is scanned onto the photoreceptor, thus An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original is formed on the photoreceptor. During the above-mentioned scanning exposure, the document mounting means 1
0 is moved by scanning exposure, for example, 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 is supplied from the copy paper supply means 72 and transferred to the copy paper conveyance system 76.
The copy paper conveyed by is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 28 in the transfer area 64,
6, the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred onto the copy paper. Thereafter, the copy paper is peeled off from the rotary drum 2 by the action of the static eliminator 68. The separated copy paper is conveyed through a pair of heat-fixing rollers 112, during which the toner image on the copy paper is heat-fixed, and then discharged onto a copy paper tray 74.

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 a specific example of the developing device configured according to the present invention is applied, and therefore, the electrostatic copying machine as described above In the present invention, detailed description of the structure and operation of the electrostatic copying machine other than the developing device and related elements will be omitted.

Next, referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated developing device 34 constructed in accordance with the present invention and its related elements will be described.

The frame 22 of the process unit 16 is arranged in the front-rear direction (
Front walls 126 arranged at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1, and in the direction from the lower right to the upper left in FIG.
(FIG. 2) and a rear wall 128 (FIG. 1).
0 and the right side wall 132 are fixed. In the specific example, the rotating drum 28, the developing device 34, and the cleaning device 36 are arranged between the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 of the uni-7h frame 22. In the illustrated unit frame 22, a grip portion 134 is provided on the front surface of the +iii wall 126 in order to facilitate attachment and detachment of the UNIF 1-frame 22 to and from the upper support frame 6.

The illustrated developing device 34 includes a device housing 136 mounted between the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 of the unit frame 22. In the specific example, the device housing 136 includes a pair of end walls 138 (a fourth
-A and 4-B, only the end wall located inside the rear wall 128 is shown), and various walls 140, 142, 144 extending in the front-rear direction between the pair of end walls 138.
．． 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154 are provided, a pair of end walls 138 and various walls 140,1
42.144.146.148.150.152 and 1
54 defines three chambers: a developer chamber 156, a developer chamber 158, and a toner chamber 160. The specific example developing device 34 is as follows:
A so-called two-component developer consisting of a carrier and a toner is used, and the developer storage chamber 158 includes a developer chamber 156 during use.
A so-called start developer (a developer in which carrier and toner are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio) to be supplied to the toner storage chamber 160 is accommodated, and a toner cartridge 162, which will be described later, is installed in the toner storage chamber 160, and a toner cartridge 162 is discharged from the toner cartridge 162. Toner is contained therein.

The developing chamber 156 includes a common means 164 and a stirring means 1.
66 are arranged. The illustrated communication means 164 consists of a cylindrical sleeve 170 that is rotatably driven in the direction indicated by arrow 168 and a stationary permanent magnet 172 disposed within the cylindrical sleeve 170. Such common means 16
4 holds the developer in the developing chamber 156 and transports it in the direction shown by arrow 168, and acts on the surface of the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor into a toner image. do. The stirring means 166 includes a plurality of spiral blades 174.
The general means 1 stirs the developer in the developing chamber 156.
64. An ear cutting means 176 is formed on the wall 154 defining the upper left wall of the developing chamber 156 and protrudes toward the sleeve 170 of the communication means 164. The cutting means 176 is magnetically held on the surface of the sleeve 170 and acts on the moving developer to remove excess developer.

Further, a toner concentration detector 178 located above the ear cutting means 176 is disposed on the wall 154. A detector 178, which may be of any known form, has a detection surface exposed within the development chamber 156 and detects the toner concentration of the developer removed from the passage means 164 by the action of the scrunching means 176. By the action of the panicle cutting means 176, the common means 164
After the toner concentration is detected by the detector 178, the developer removed from the developer is moved onto the guide plate 180 by the stirring means 16.
It is forced to flow down towards 6.

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.

To further explain with reference to FIGS. 3, 4-A, and 4-B, in the electrostatic copying machine of the specific example, the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 has a lifespan of approximately 6,000 copies. It's supposed to be. And in this regard, 1
Three toner cartridges 162 are prepared for each process unit 16. That is, in a specific example, each toner cartridge 162 stores toner necessary for making approximately 2000 copies, and the toner cartridge 162 is selectively installed in the toner storage chamber 160. Each of the toner cartridges 162 has substantially the same structure (with only a partial difference in structure related to a locking means, which will be described later), and includes a storage container 186 in which toner is stored. As shown in FIG. 3, the illustrated storage container 186 has a box-shaped container body 188 with a discharge opening (FIG. 1) formed in the lower surface, and a grip portion 190 provided on one end surface of the container body 188. , a toner storage chamber 1 is provided on the front surface of the grip portion 190.
A display section 192 for displaying the order of attachment to the device 60 is provided. In a specific example, the display section 192 is composed of an adhesive tape, and a blue adhesive tape is attached to a toner cartridge (hereinafter described with reference to the number 162a) that is first installed in the toner storage chamber 160. , after the toner in the toner cartridge 162a is consumed, the second toner storage chamber 160 replaces the toner cartridge 162a.
Toner cartridge (hereinafter number 162b) installed in
For example, a yellow adhesive tape is pasted on the toner cartridge 162b (described with reference to FIG. The cartridge (hereinafter explained with number 162C) includes:
For example, red adhesive tape is attached. Gripping part 190
Alternatively, a display section 192 may be provided on the container body 188,
Furthermore, instead of the adhesive tape, a paint of a predetermined color may be directly applied, or a part or the whole of the grip portion 190 and/or the container body 188 may be made of a material of a predetermined color. Good too. Furthermore, instead of distinguishing the mounting order by color, the mounting order may be distinguished by using symbols such as numbers and letters. Note that the container bodies 188 of the toner cartridges 162a, 162b, and 162C
The discharge opening formed in is releasably sealed with a sealing member such as adhesive tape, and is opened as required when the toner storage chamber 160 of the developing device 34 is installed.

On the other hand, toner cartridges 162a, 162b and 1
62c can be attached to the toner storage chamber 160, the required portions of the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and the end wall 138 of the developing device 34 (although not shown, the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22) Openings 194 (in FIG. 2, only the openings formed in the unit frame 22 are shown) are formed at required portions of the inner end wall. and,
In the specific example, the toner cartridge l 62
a.

In order to prevent internal toner from leaking when installing 162b and 162C, an opening 194 in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and an opening 194 in the end wall 13B of the developing device 34 (
A guide wall 196 (FIG. 2) between both openings of I21 (not shown)
is provided. As described above, each toner cartridge 162a, 162b, and 162C is guided to the guide wall 196 through the opening 194 formed in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22, and is further guided to the end wall 1 of the developing device 34.
38 and is guided through the walls 142 and 146 defining the toner storage chamber 160 and installed in the toner storage chamber 160 as desired.

In this electrostatic copying machine, the device housing 1 of the developing device 34 is
36, the third or final toner cartridge 162
Once the toner cartridge 162C (constituting a specific toner cartridge) is installed, it is virtually impossible for the device housing 136 to remove the toner cartridge 162C. Referring primarily to FIG. 4-B, in the specific example, a locking means 198 is provided on the device housing 136 and the final toner cartridge 162C. The illustrated locking means 198 includes a first engaging portion provided on the toner cartridge 162C and an end wall 1 of the device housing 136.
38 (Fig. 4-A, Fig. 4-B). The first engaging portion includes a pair of non-releasable first claw members 200 provided at both ends of the rear surface of the container body 18B of the toner cartridge 162C. The base of the first claw member 200 is configured to elastically deform and extend, and the tip thereof has a sharp claw portion 2 that cannot be released.
02 is provided. On the other hand, the engaged portion corresponds to the pair of first claw members 200 on the end wall 1 of the device housing 136.
38 includes a pair of holes 204 formed therein. Therefore, the toner cartridge 162C is attached to the device housing 136.
When the toner is attached to the storage chamber 160 and placed in the storage position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4-B), the claw portions 202 of the pair of first claw members 200 engage the toner housing 136. Each of the protruding claws 202 protrudes outward through holes 204 formed in the end wall 138 and engages with a portion of the end wall 138 by elastic restoring force, and after being engaged, the claws 202 sharply The sharpness makes it virtually impossible to disengage the two.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4-A, in conjunction with the pair of holes 204 formed in the end wall 138 of the device housing 136, the first toner cartridge 162
A and the second toner cartridge 162b are provided with second engaging portions. The second engaging portion is the toner cartridge 162. : A pair of releasable second claw members 20 provided at both ends of the rear surface of the container body 188 of 1 and 162b.
It consists of 6. The base portion of the second claw member 206 is configured to be elastically deformable, and a releasable round claw portion 208 is provided at the tip thereof. Therefore, the toner cartridge 162a <or 162b) is installed in the device housing 136 to fill the toner storage chamber 160 with the required amount.
When the device housing 136 is placed in the accommodation position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4-A), the claw portions 208 of the pair of second claw members 206 engage the holes 204 formed in the end wall 138 of the device housing 136. Each of these protruding pawls 208 is engaged with a portion of the end wall 138 by elastic restoring force.

On the other hand, from this state, the toner cartridge 162a (
When the toner cartridge 162a (or 162b) is moved forward, the engagement between the two is relatively easily released due to the rounded claw portion, and the toner cartridge 162a (or 162b) is moved forward.
2b) can be removed from the device housing 136.

In the electrostatic copying machine of the specific example, although not shown, a display window is provided in a front cover member attached to the lower support frame 4. The lower end of the front cover member is connected to the lower support frame 4.
It is pivotably connected to the lower part of the housing 2, and is pivotable between a closed position that covers the front surface of the housing 2 and an open position that opens the front surface of the housing 2. Required parts of the front cover part (
When the upper support frame 6 is in the closed position, the toner cartridge 162a installed in the developing device 34
(or 162b, 162C) on the front side of the display section 192) is formed with an opening that constitutes a display window, and this opening is covered with a member made of a transparent or translucent material.

Therefore, as can be easily understood, the toner cartridge 162a is installed in the developing device 34 through the display window.
(or 162 b, 162 c) can be visually observed.

In an electrostatic copying machine equipped with a developing device as described above,
When starting use, the start developer contained in the developer storage chamber 158 is supplied to the development chamber 156. Further, the first toner cartridge 162a is attached to the device housing 136 of the developing device 34, and the toner storage chamber 162a is installed.
Set to 0. Toner cartridges 162a, 162b
and 162c, display section 1 for displaying the mounting order, respectively.
92 is provided, and therefore, the first toner cartridge 162a can be easily identified by this display section 192. This toner cartridge 162
The mounting of a is as understood from Fig. 2 and Fig. 4-A (
The toner cartridge 162a is inserted into the toner storage chamber 160 through an opening 194 formed in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and the end wall 138 (not shown) of the developing device 134.
After the toner cartridge 162a is installed, a sealing member such as an adhesive tape (not shown) affixed to the discharge opening formed in the container body 188 of the toner cartridge 162a is peeled off to open the discharge opening. Open it. Insert the toner cartridge 162a in the direction indicated by the arrow 210 as shown in FIG.
), and the claw portion 208 of the second claw member 206 of the toner cartridge 162a contacts the inner surface of the end wall 138 of the toner cartridge 162a.
38 releasably engages a portion of end wall 138 through hole 204 formed in toner cartridge 162 .
a is held in the accommodation position.

Having performed the initial reference image described above, the electrostatic latent image can be developed by the developer 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 toner 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, substantially all of the toner in the toner cartridge 162a is 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 in response to this replenishment signal. Then, based on the replacement signal, a replacement indicator lamp (not shown, but provided on the operation panel attached to the housing 2) lights up, notifying the operator that the toner cartridge 162a must be replaced. Inform.

The toner cartridge 162a can be replaced by removing the toner cartridge 162a from the device housing 136 and then installing the second toner cartridge 162b. That is, the gripping part 190 of the toner cartridge 162a is gripped and moved in the detachment direction shown by the arrow 212 to release the engagement between the claw part 208 of the second claw member 206 and a part of the end wall 138, and The toner storage chamber 160 is further moved in the direction indicated by .

After that, the second toner cartridge 162b is
It is detachably attached in the same manner as the first toner cartridge 162a. Second toner cartridge 16
2b can also be easily identified by the display section 192. The toner cartridge 162b is attached to the unit frame 2, as similarly understood from FIGS. 2 and 4-A.
2 and the end wall 138 of the developing device 34.
b is inserted into the toner storage chamber 160, and after the container body 188 is installed, the sealing member affixed to the outlet opening of the container body 188 is peeled off and the outlet opening is opened.
・1. In the same manner, the toner cartridge 162b is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow 210 as shown in FIG. 4-A to the storage position shown by the solid line. 34) and the claw portion 208 of the second claw member 206 of the toner cartridge 162b engages a portion of the end wall 138 through the hole 204 formed in the end wall 138, thus Toner cartridge 1
62b is held in the storage position.

After replacing the toner cartridge 162b with the toner cartridge 162b, if approximately 2000 further copies are made in the specific example (in other words, approximately 4000 copies are made from the start of use), substantially all of the toner in the toner cartridge 162b is consumed. . As a result, the toner concentration decreases and the detector! Even if the toner supply roller 184 is rotated based on the replenishment signal from 78, toner is not supplied to the developing chamber 156 and the replenishment signal continues to be generated. And supply 1
When No. 3 is continuously generated for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds), a replacement signal is generated in response to this replenishment signal. Then, based on the replacement signal, the replacement indicator lamp (not shown) lights up again, notifying the operator that the toner cartridge 162b must be replaced.

The toner cartridge 162b can be replaced by removing the toner cartridge 162b and then installing the third or final toner cartridge 162C. That is, the gripping portion 190 of the toner cartridge 162b is gripped and moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 212 to release the engagement between the claw portion 208 of the second claw member 206 and a portion of the end wall 138; It is further moved in the direction shown by the arrow 212 and removed from the toner storage chamber 160. Thereafter, the third toner cartridge 162c is loaded with toner through an opening 194 formed in the front wall 126 of the unit frame 22 and the end wall 138 of the developing device 34, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4-B. It is stored in the storage chamber 160. After such attachment, the sealing member affixed to the discharge opening of the container body 188 is peeled off to open the discharge opening. Insert the toner cartridge 162c in the mounting direction indicated by the arrow 210.
Insert the toner cartridge 162 to the housing position shown by the solid line in Figure B.
The rear surface of the container body 188 of C is the end wall 138 of the developing device 34.
), the claw portion 202 of the first claw member 200 of the toner cartridge 162c engages with a portion of the end wall 138 through the hole 204 formed in the end wall 138, and thus the toner cartridge 162C held in the stowed position.

After replacing the toner cartridge 162C, in the specific example, if approximately 2,000 copies are made (in other words, approximately 6,000 copies are made from the start of use), substantially all of the toner in the toner cartridge 162C is used. consumed. Thus, similarly, toner is not supplied and the replenishment signal continues to be generated even though the toner concentration is decreasing. Then, when a replacement signal is generated in response to this replenishment signal, the replacement indicator lamp (
(not shown) is lit. On the other hand, in the specific example, the life of the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 is about 6000 sheets, and due to this, the engagement state between the first claw member 200 of the toner cartridge 162C and a part of the end wall 138 is is virtually impossible to remove. Therefore, even though the replacement indicator lamp (not shown) is lit to indicate that the toner cartridge 162C should be replaced, the toner cartridge L6
2c, if it is virtually impossible to replace the photoreceptor of the rotating drum 28 (in other words, the process unit) 16.
It informs you that the entire life span has come to an end, and in such a case, it is necessary to replace the process unit 16 with a new one. In the specific example, since the display section 192 of the toner cartridge 162C can be seen from the outside through a display window (not shown) of the front cover member, it is possible to know that the process unit 16 is at the end of its life from this display section as well. Can be done.

In such an electrostatic copying machine, the life of the photoconductor, in other words, the life of the process unit 16, is measured based on the amount of toner consumed which approximately corresponds to the life of the photoconductor, and when the life of the process unit 16 is reached, a replacement indicator lamp (Fig. The lifespan of the toner cartridge 162c can be easily and accurately determined by the fact that the toner cartridge 162c (not shown) lights up and the toner cartridge 162c cannot be removed.

Furthermore, in this electrostatic copying machine, since each toner cartridge 162a, 162b, and 162c is provided with a display section 192, it is possible to simply and easily know the remaining number of copies to be made until the end of the service life using the display section 192. Furthermore, by configuring the front cover so that it can be viewed through a display window (not shown) provided in a member of the front cover, it can be easily seen from the outside without opening the front cover (not shown). can.

Although a specific example of an electrostatic copying machine as an example of an image generating machine configured according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific example, and there may be no deviation from the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and modifications are possible.

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, when the number of toner cartridges to be replaced is small, it is difficult to accurately determine the remaining number of copies to be made, while when the number of toner cartridges to be replaced is large, the number of replacements increases and the replacement work becomes complicated.

Further, for example, in the specific example, the first toner cartridge 162a and the second toner cartridge 162b are also provided with a second claw member 206 for detachably holding them in the housing position. However, the second claw member 206 can be omitted if the housing can be held in the storage position as required.

Furthermore, for example, in a specific example, the carrier and 1-
Although the present invention has been described with reference to a developing device that uses a so-called two-component developer consisting of toner, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be similarly applied to a developing device that uses a so-called two-component developer consisting only of toner. It can be applied to In such a case, the developer storage chamber 158, stirring means 166, toner concentration detector 178, etc. are not necessary, and a toner amount detection means for detecting the amount of toner in the development chamber 156 is provided, and a replenishment signal indicating a shortage of toner amount is provided. A replacement signal is generated when the replacement signal is continuously generated for a predetermined period of time, and a replacement indicator lamp (not shown) is lit based on the replacement signal.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing a specific example of an electrostatic copying machine as an example of an image generating machine 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. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge installed first (or second) in the developing device in the electrostatic duplexer shown in FIG. 1; 4-A and 4-B are cross-sectional views respectively showing a state in which the first (or second) toner cartridge is installed and a state in which the third toner cartridge is installed. 2. ...Housing 4...Lower support frame 6...Upper support frame 16...Process unit 28...Rotating drum 34... Developing device 136...WR housing 156...Developing chamber 160...Toner storage chamber 162a, ], 62b and 162c -=...Toner cartridge 7ji 164... ...Using means 186...Accommodating container 188...Container body 192...Display section 198...Lock means patent 'J'''Applicant 5 field 1 industry Teshu Shiki Kaisha m-J, near 77゜patent attorney Tadashi Kishimoto 1-1'
・ LQ-, ;J Figure 4-A Figure 4-B

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A developing device for an image generating machine, including a device housing, an application means mounted on the device housing, and a plurality of toner cartridges selectively mounted on the device housing; In relation to a specific toner cartridge of the plurality of toner cartridges, the specific toner cartridge is configured to be substantially impossible to remove from the device housing once the specific toner cartridge is installed in the device housing; A developing device characterized by: 2. The device housing defines a developing chamber and a toner storage chamber communicated with the developing chamber through a toner discharge opening, the communicating means is disposed in the developing chamber, and the plurality of toner cartridges are selectively connected to the developing chamber. The developing device according to claim 1, which is installed in the toner storage chamber. 3. The device housing and the specific toner cartridge are provided with a locking means that locks and holds the specific toner cartridge in the storage position accommodated in the toner storage chamber, and when the locking device is in the locked state, Claim 2 which makes it virtually impossible to release the locked state
Developing device as described in section. 4. The locking means includes a first engaging portion provided on the specific toner cartridge and an engaged portion provided on the device housing, and the locking device includes a first engaging portion provided on the specific toner cartridge and an engaged portion provided on the device housing, and when the specific toner cartridge is installed in the device housing. When the first engaging portion is placed in the accommodated position, the first engaging portion engages with the engaged portion, and after being engaged in this manner, it becomes substantially impossible to disengage the two. developing device. 5. Other toner cartridges other than the specific toner cartridge among the plurality of toner cartridges include:
A second engaging portion is provided that releasably engages with the engaged portion provided on the device housing, and the other toner cartridge is removably attached to the device housing and placed in the storage position. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the second engaging portion releasably engages with the engaged portion when the developing device is pressed. 6. Claims 1 to 5, wherein the specific toner cartridge is a final toner cartridge that substantially corresponds to the life of the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image to be developed is formed.
The developing device according to any one of the preceding paragraphs. 7. Each of the plurality of toner cartridges is provided with a storage container for storing toner, and each of the storage containers is provided with a display section that displays the mounting order. The developing device according to any one of items 6 to 6. 8. The storage containers each have a box-shaped container body in which a discharge opening is formed and a grip part provided on the container body, and the display part is provided in the grip part. Developing device according to item 7. 9. The developing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the display portions is provided with a symbol indicating the mounting order. 10. The developing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the display sections is colored to indicate the order in which they are installed. 11. A developing device for an image generating machine including a plurality of toner cartridges selectively installed in an apparatus housing; each of the plurality of toner cartridges is provided with a container for accommodating toner; A developing device characterized in that each of the storage containers is provided with a display section that displays a mounting order. 12. The storage containers each have a box-shaped container body in which a discharge opening is formed and a grip part provided on the container body, and the display part is provided in the grip part. 1st
Developing device according to item 1. 13. The developing device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each of the display portions is provided with a symbol indicating the mounting order. 14. The developing device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each of the display sections is colored to indicate the order in which they are installed.