TWI640847B - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The cassette has a photoreceptor, a discharge port configured to discharge the developer removed from the photoreceptor toward the agitation member provided in the apparatus main body, and a vibration imparting member configured to apply vibration to the agitation member. The vibration applying member is configured to be movable between a first position where vibration is applied to the stirring member and a second position where the first position is retracted.

Description

Card and image forming device

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus cassette used in an electrophotographic method.

In an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system, a photoreceptor drum or a developing roller which is a rotating body relating to image formation is integrated as a cassette, and a configuration in which the image forming apparatus main body can be attached or detached is known.

In such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to repair the components necessary for maintenance. In order to facilitate the maintenance of the various processing means, the photoreceptor drum, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means, and the like as described above are collected in the casing to be jammed. Next, by attaching and detaching the cartridge to the image forming apparatus, it is known to provide an image forming apparatus which is easy to maintain.

In such a cassette type device, it is known that the transfer residual toner (hereinafter referred to as waste toner) generated by the cleaning step at the time of image formation is held in the card.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-52475 discloses a configuration in which waste toner generated in a cleaning step during image formation is transported to a waste toner storage unit provided in the apparatus main body.

It is an object of the present invention to develop the aforementioned prior art.

A typical configuration is to provide a cartridge that is detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body including a stirring member for stirring, and has a photoreceptor that discharges the developer removed by the photoreceptor toward the agitating member. a discharge port that is configured to form a vibration applying member that is configured to apply vibration to the agitating member; and the vibrating member that is movable to a first position that applies vibration to the agitating member and that is retracted from the first position 2 ways to form between positions.

The present invention has led to the development of the aforementioned prior art.

1‧‧‧Photoreceptor drum

4‧‧‧Developing device

6‧‧‧ cleaning scraper

7‧‧‧Processing card

13‧‧‧Photoreceptor unit

14‧‧‧Clean frame

14a‧‧‧Waste Toner Storage Department

14b‧‧‧Door guide

17‧‧‧Developing roller

18‧‧‧Development frame

26‧‧‧Transport screw

26a‧‧‧Transporting screw section

26b‧‧‧Support

26c‧‧‧Support

26d‧‧‧Transporting blades

26e‧‧‧Reverse screw

26f‧‧‧ screw center line

26g‧‧‧Drive conveys blades

27‧‧‧Light drum bearing

28‧‧‧ Coupler frame

28a‧‧‧Cylinder

28b‧‧‧Support

28c‧‧‧Support

28d‧‧‧ ribs

28e‧‧‧welding department

28f‧‧‧Cylinder apex inclined

29‧‧‧First coupling member

29a‧‧‧孔部

29b‧‧‧Drives

29c‧‧‧ drive claw

29d‧‧‧Support

29e‧‧‧Clock Department

29f‧‧‧ hanging spring groove

30‧‧‧Second coupling member

30a‧‧‧ Hole Department

30b‧‧‧ditch

30c‧‧‧ hanging spring groove

30d‧‧‧Protruding

30e‧‧‧Compressed claws

30f‧‧‧ drive claw

30g‧‧‧Clock Department

30h‧‧‧ recess

30i‧‧‧Slope

30j‧‧‧reverse face

30k‧‧‧ abutment

31‧‧‧Coupling spring

31a‧‧‧Fold shape

31b‧‧‧ Wheel shape

32‧‧‧Waste toner joints

34‧‧ ‧ blocking

35‧‧‧Elastic sealing member

36‧‧‧Door sliding member

38‧‧‧arm link

38a‧‧‧孔部

38b‧‧‧Clock hole

38c‧‧‧Support section

38d‧‧‧Restrictions

39‧‧‧Support members

39a‧‧‧Snap hole

39b‧‧‧ rod engagement hole

40‧‧‧Waste toner discharge department

41‧‧‧Compression spring (elastic drum coupling)

42‧‧‧ Arm

43‧‧‧Spring pressure parts

43a‧‧ ‧ Door Abutment

43b‧‧‧ Drop prevention wall

44‧‧‧Spring coupler

44a‧‧·Spring Department

44b‧‧‧Coupling Department

45‧‧‧Transfer fins

45a‧‧‧Rotary axis

45b‧‧‧Transportation Department

45c‧‧‧Outstanding Department

46‧‧‧Anti-small part

47‧‧‧ Body receiving port sealing member

48‧‧‧Connector rotating member

49‧‧‧Rotary axis

50‧‧‧First transport member

51‧‧‧First transport path

52‧‧‧ Idler

53‧‧‧Transporting screw gears

54‧‧‧Support members

54a‧‧‧Care Department

54b, c‧‧‧ snap hole

55‧‧‧Second rear side panel

56‧‧‧Developing idler

57‧‧‧Coupling Department

58‧‧‧Carbon supply roller gear

59‧‧‧Development roller gear

61‧‧‧Second transport path

61a‧‧‧ center line

80‧‧‧ Body Transport Department

80a‧‧‧ body first transport path

80b‧‧‧ body second transport path

80d‧‧‧Waste toner receiving port

80e‧‧‧Finned Bearings

80f‧‧‧Transportation Department

81‧‧‧Drum drive input coupler

82‧‧‧Development drive input coupler

83‧‧‧Voltage applying components

84‧‧‧recording terminal

85‧‧‧ Body transport screw

86‧‧‧Waste toner carcass

87‧‧‧ drive roller

88‧‧‧Second transfer opposite roller

89‧‧‧ driven roller

91‧‧‧ body front door

92‧‧‧ front cover

93‧‧‧Carmen Installation Department

94‧‧‧Card guides

95‧‧‧Card guides

98‧‧‧ rear side panel

99‧‧‧ front side panel

100‧‧‧Image forming device

134‧‧ ‧ blocking

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the waste toner discharge portion of the embodiment with the main body portion.

Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an electronic photograph image related to the embodiment A schematic diagram of the formation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge relating to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow direction of the waste toner in the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a transport path for removing toner according to the embodiment.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a process cartridge associated with an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional position of a conveying screw of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing the engagement of the conveying screw and the coupler of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a configuration explanatory view of a waste toner discharge portion of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner discharge portion of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing the assembly of the waste toner joint member according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a part of a drive coupling structure of the waste toner discharge portion according to the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a view showing a process cartridge insertion direction of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a coupler of other configurations related to the embodiment.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a vibrating member relating to the embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view for explaining a connection method of the waste toner discharge portion according to the embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a shutter door relating to the waste toner discharge port of the embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the door of the waste toner discharging portion when attached to the apparatus body of the embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the state of the front door opening state of the apparatus body relating to the embodiment.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a process chuck lower guide relating to the apparatus body of the embodiment.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting path of the apparatus body relating to the process cartridge of the embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the deep side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge according to the embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the deep side of the process cartridge mounting direction of the apparatus body according to the embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view showing the action of inserting a process cartridge on the deep side of the apparatus body relating to the embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the link of the arm and the front sill relating to the embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the front sill link member on the deep side in the mounting direction of the embodiment.

Figure 27 is a view showing the deep side of the mounting direction related to the embodiment The support of the front sill link component constitutes a perspective view seen in other directions.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the front sill link member on the front side in the mounting direction when the front sill is opened in the embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a view showing a part of a drive connection structure of a developing roller to a waste toner discharge portion according to another configuration of the embodiment.

Figure 30 is a schematic view showing the transmission of the vibration of the vibration member by the second coupling member of the embodiment.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the waste toner discharge portion of the second embodiment is closed by a shutter.

Figure 32 is an exploded perspective view of the door and the elastic sealing member relating to Embodiment 2.

Fig. 33 is a schematic view showing the relationship seen from the door side when the door of the second embodiment closes the waste toner discharge portion.

Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the door of the waste toner discharging portion when attached to the apparatus body of the third embodiment.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of the waste toner connecting member and the shutter relating to the third embodiment.

Fig. 36 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the wall portion of the waste toner connecting member of the third embodiment and the shutter.

Figure 37 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the body relating to Embodiment 3.

Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the body and the cartridge of the third embodiment.

Figure 39 is a view showing the insertion of the processing cartridge relating to Embodiment 3 The installation diagram of the action.

Figure 40 is an external view of the body waste toner receiving port of the body receiving sealing member and the vertical sealing member taken off by the spring pressing member of the third embodiment.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing another example of the vibration member according to the embodiment.

Fig. 42 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the drive transmission of the transfer screw according to the fourth embodiment to the first coupler.

Fig. 43 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of parts of the waste toner connecting portion according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of parts of the waste toner connecting portion of the present embodiment in the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 45 is a view showing a cassette mounting view of a method of joining the waste toner connecting portion and the apparatus main body of the fifth embodiment.

Figure 46 is an exploded view showing the parts related to Embodiment 6.

Fig. 47 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the waste toner connecting portion and the apparatus main body of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 48 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the waste toner joint portion and other parts in the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 49 is a view showing the appearance of the second coupler of the seventh embodiment, and Fig. 50 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection with the apparatus main body 100 of the present embodiment.

Figure 50 is a diagram showing the apparatus body related to Embodiment 7 A cross-sectional view of the link of 100.

Fig. 51 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the waste toner joint portion and other parts in the eighth embodiment.

Figure 52 is a view showing the appearance of the shape of the second coupler relating to Embodiment 8.

Fig. 53 is a perspective view showing the shape of the joint operation portion according to the eighth embodiment.

Figure 54 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette before and after the body connection in the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port of the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 55 is a side elevational view of the cassette before and after the body connection in the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port of the embodiment 8.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view showing the engagement of the toner discharge port of the apparatus body relating to the eighth embodiment.

Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner discharge path of the toner discharge port of the process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment.

Figure 58 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of engaging the apparatus cartridge with respect to the apparatus body in accordance with the eighth embodiment.

Figure 59 is a partial schematic view showing a method of engaging the apparatus cartridge with respect to the apparatus body in accordance with the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 60 is a schematic view showing the transmission of the second coupling member of the other shape according to the first embodiment to the vibration of the vibration member.

Figure 61 is a perspective view illustrating the shape of a vibration member relating to the embodiment.

Figure 62 is a view showing other vibration members related to the embodiment. A perspective view of an example.

Fig. 63 is an explanatory view showing a modification.

Figure 64 is an explanatory diagram relating to Embodiment 9.

Figure 65 is an explanatory diagram relating to Embodiment 9.

Figure 66 is an explanatory diagram relating to Embodiment 9.

Figure 67 is an explanatory view relating to Embodiment 9.

<Example 1>

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus and the cassette of the present embodiment will be described using the drawings. Further, the image forming apparatus is, for example, a person who forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, it includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electronic photo printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser printer, etc.), an electronic photo facsimile apparatus, and the like. The cassette is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus (the main body of the apparatus and the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus). In the present embodiment, as an example of the cassette, the processing cassette 7 will be described. The process cartridge 7 has a photoreceptor and a processing member (processing means) that acts on the photoreceptor.

Further, in the following embodiments, a full-color image forming apparatus capable of attaching and detaching four process cartridges is exemplified. However, the number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto. In addition, in the same manner, the respective configurations disclosed in the examples are not limited to the materials, arrangements, dimensions, other numerical values, and the like, unless otherwise specified. In addition, when it is not particularly clear, the upper side refers to the weight when the image forming apparatus is installed. Above the direction of force.

[Summary Description of Image Forming Apparatus]

Hereinafter, the operation of image formation by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment and the conveyance of waste toner will be briefly described.

[About the image forming apparatus body]

First, the overall configuration of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the processing cassette. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the waste toner discharged from the process cartridge 7. In addition, FIG. 5 is a rear schematic view showing a conveyance path of the waste toner of the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of image forming units. Specifically, the first, second, third, and fourth image forming portions SY, SM for forming images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are used. SC, SK. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth image forming portions SY, SM, SC, and SK are arranged in a line in a direction crossing the vertical direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming portions are substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. In other words, in the following, when it is not necessary to specifically distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, the description will be collectively described.

That is, in the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has Four photoreceptor drums 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K). The photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure. A charging roller 2 and a scanner unit (exposure device) 3 are disposed around the photoreceptor drum 1 .

Here, the charging roller 2 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. Next, the scanner unit 3 is an exposure means for forming an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photoreceptor drum 1 by irradiating a laser light based on the image information. Further, around the photoreceptor drum 1, a developing device (hereinafter referred to as a developing unit) 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and a cleaning blade 6 (6Y, 6M, as a cleaning means (cleaning member) are disposed. 6C, 6K).

Further, the four photoreceptor drums 1 are arranged to be an intermediate transfer belt 5 for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 to the intermediate transfer body for the recording material 12.

Further, in the present embodiment, the developing unit 4 uses a non-magnetic single component developer, that is, carbon powder T as a developer. Further, in the present embodiment, the developing unit 4 is brought into contact with the developer by using the developing roller 17 as a developer carrying member to contact the photosensitive drum 1 .

In the present embodiment, the cleaning unit 13 has a photoreceptor drum 1, a charging roller 2, and a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning member. In addition, the waste toner accommodating portion 14a (14aY, 14aM, 14aC, 14aK) is a accommodating portion for accommodating the transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 and removed by the cleaning blade 6. ).

Further, in the present embodiment, the developing unit 4 and the cleaning unit 13 are integrally formed to form a process cartridge 7. Handling the cassette 7, through The attachment guide (guide, guide mechanism), such as a mounting guide and a positioning member, which are provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, can be attached and detached to the image forming apparatus 100.

In the present embodiment, the process cartridges 7 for the respective colors all have the same shape. The processing cartridges 7 for the respective colors are respectively accommodated toners T (TY, TM, TC, TK) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

The intermediate transfer belt 5 abuts against all of the photoreceptor drums 1 and rotates in the direction of the arrow B shown in the drawing. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is attached to a plurality of support members (the drive roller 87, the secondary transfer counter roller 88, and the driven roller 89).

On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, four primary transfer rollers 8 (8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K) as primary transfer means are arranged side by side so as to face the respective photoreceptor drums 1. Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, a secondary transfer roller 9 as a secondary transfer means is disposed at a position opposed to the secondary transfer counter roller 88.

When the image is formed, first, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. Next, the surface of the charged photoreceptor drum 1 is scanned and exposed by the laser light emitted by the scanner unit 3 in response to the image information. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image in accordance with image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 1. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed by the developing unit 4 as a toner image. In other words, the photoreceptor drum 1 is a rotating body (image bearing body) on which an image (toner image) formed of carbon powder is held. Carbon formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 The powder image is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 8.

For example, when a full-color image is formed, the above-described processing is sequentially performed in the first to fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK. The toner image formed in each image forming portion is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 in order to be primarily transferred. Thereafter, in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion. Next, the recording material 12 is interposed by the secondary transfer roller 9 abutting on the intermediate transfer belt 5, and the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is collectively transferred to the recording material 12 in total. on.

The recording material 12 to which the toner image is transferred is transported to the fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes the toner image on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12. Further, the primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 after the primary transfer step is removed by the cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning member and recovered.

Further, a portion other than the unit that can be detachably provided by the image forming apparatus, such as a cassette, is referred to as an image forming apparatus main body (device main body), and is different from the image forming apparatus.

(about waste toner transfer in printing)

Hereinafter, the conveyance of the recovered waste toner will be described. The waste toner collected from the image bearing member (photoreceptor drum 1) by the cleaning blade is housed in the waste toner accommodating portion 14a (14aY, 14aM, 14aC, 14aK) as the accommodating portion. The waste toner accommodation portion 14a has a temporary accommodation on the cassette side The function of the storage unit of waste toner.

The first transfer path 51 (51Y, 51M, 51C, 51K) of the waste toner accommodating portion 14a is disposed as a transport screw 26 (see FIG. 3) of the transport member (the cassette side transport member). By this, the waste toner collected in the waste toner accommodating portion 14a is conveyed to the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 7 by the transfer screw 26 as the cassette-side conveying member. Further, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 7 is approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 or the rotation axis of the conveyance screw 26. Therefore, in the case where there is no particular description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is the same as the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the direction of the rotation axis of the conveyance screw 26. Further, the rotation axis direction (axial direction) is a rotation axis of the rotating body and a direction in which a straight line parallel to the rotation axis extends.

The discharged waste toner is transported to the waste toner receiving port (toner receiving port) 80d of the apparatus main body through the second transport path 61 (see FIG. 4). Further, the second transport path 61 is a discharge path for moving the toner toward the discharge port (waste toner discharge unit) 32d. The toner discharged from the discharge port 32d enters the waste toner receiving port 80d.

The second conveyance path 61 is disposed on one end side of the cassette in the rotation axis direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 . The second conveyance path 61 moves the toner in a direction intersecting the axial direction (a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction in the present embodiment).

The first coupling member 29, the coupling spring 31, the second coupling member 30, and the waste toner coupling member 32 are provided in the second conveying path 61. At this time, the waste toner connecting member 32 is capable of handling the cassette 7 along the center line. 61a is supported on the move. The waste toner connecting member 32 is a member that constitutes the terminal end of the second transport path 61, and has a discharge port 32d for discharging the toner to the outside of the cassette. Further, the details will be described later, but the waste toner communicating member 32 is a connecting portion that connects and discharges the discharge port 32 to the toner receiving port 80d.

As will be described later in detail, the waste toner connecting member 32 moves in response to the attachment operation of the image forming apparatus to the cassette 7. When the image formation is performed at least again, the waste toner connecting member 32 is connected to the main waste toner receiving port 80d. Moreover, in the state in which the process cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming apparatus, the second transport path 61 preferably has an angle of dropping by the inside of the toner due to gravity. In the present embodiment, the posture of the cassette 7 is determined such that the center line 61a of the second transport path 61 is inclined by about 19 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity.

The waste toner is sent to the second transfer path 80b of the apparatus body through the vibrating member 44 by the waste toner receiving port 80d.

Then, the main body transport screw 85 provided in the second transport path 80b is discharged and stored in the waste toner cartridge 86 (see FIG. 5) as the main body side toner accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus.

Further, the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer step is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 11 (refer to FIG. 2). Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may form a single-color or multi-color image using only a single or a few (not all) of the image forming units.

[About handling cards]

Next, the overall configuration of the process cartridge 7 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 6 . FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the developing unit 4 and the cleaning unit 13. The processing cartridge 7 is formed by integrating the developing device 4 and the cleaning unit 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the developing unit 4 includes the holes 19Ra and 19La provided in the bearing members 19R and 19L. Further, the cleaning unit 13 includes a hole 13a (13aR, 13aL, see FIG. 6) provided in the casing of the cleaning unit 13. Next, the developing unit 4 and the cleaning unit 13 are rotatably coupled around the shaft 24 (24R, 24L) fitted to the hole 19Ra19La and the holes 13aR, 13aL. Further, the developing unit 4 is pushed by the pressing spring 25. Therefore, when the image of the process cartridge 7 is formed, the developing unit 4 rotates in the direction of the arrow F shown in FIG. 3 around the shaft 24, and the photoreceptor drum 1 abuts against the developing roller 17. The developing roller 17 is a rotating body (developer carrier and developing member) that rotates by holding toner (developer) on its surface. The developing roller 17 develops the latent image of the photoreceptor drum 1 by supplying toner to the photoreceptor drum 1.

[About developing unit]

Next, the developing device 4 relating to the process cartridge 7 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the developing unit 4 has a developing frame 18 that supports various elements in the developing unit 4. The developing unit 4 is provided in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 as a rotation in the direction of the arrow D in the figure (reverse The developing roller 17 of the developer carrying body in the hour hand direction. The developing roller 17 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 18 at both end portions in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) via the developing bearing 19 (19R, 19L). Here, the developing bearings 19 (19R, 19L) are attached to both side portions of the developing frame 18, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 4 has a developer accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as a toner accommodating chamber) 18a and a developing chamber 18b to which the developing roller 17 is disposed.

In the developing chamber 18b, the toner supply roller 20 of the developer supply member that is rotated in the direction of the arrow E in contact with the developing roller 17 and the developer regulating member for the toner regulating layer for the toner layer of the developing roller 17 are disposed. Board 21. The toner supply roller 20 is a roller that supplies toner to the developing roller 17. The toner supply roller 20 is a rotating body that rotates by holding toner on its surface, and is a toner supply member.

The developing blade 21 is integrally joined to the support member 22 by, for example, welding. Further, the toner accommodating chamber 18a of the developing housing 18 is provided with a stirring member 23 for agitating the stored toner while conveying the toner to the toner supply roller 20.

[About cleaning unit]

Next, the cleaning unit 13 relating to the process cartridge 7 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

The cleaning unit 13 has a cleaning frame 14 as a frame that supports various elements in the cleaning unit 13. For cleaning the frame 14, the photoreceptor The drum 1 is rotatably attached to the bearing member 27 (27R and 27R, see FIG. 6) in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning blade 6 is an elastic member 6a for transferring residual residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 after primary transfer, and is provided for supporting The support member 6b for the elastic member is formed integrally. The cleaning blade 6 is fixed to the cleaning frame 14 by screws or the like at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 1.

The waste toner removed from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 by the cleaning blade 6 falls in the direction of gravity in the space formed by the cleaning blade 6 and the cleaning frame 14, and is temporarily housed in the waste toner containing portion. Within 14a. Further, in the cleaning frame 14, the charging roller bearing 15 is mounted along a line passing through the center of rotation of the charging roller 2 and the center of rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1.

Here, the charging roller bearing 15 is attached so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 2a of the charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the charging roller bearing 15. Next, the charging roller bearing 15 is pushed toward the photoreceptor drum 1 by the charging roller pressing spring 16 as a biasing means.

[About waste toner conveyance department]

Hereinafter, the conveying unit that transports the waste toner will be described in detail. The waste toner conveying device that transports the waste toner is disposed on the deep side of the image forming apparatus, and is preferably configured such that the toner discharge port of the cassette is inserted into the depth of the main body side rear side plate. However, in such a configuration, it has to be adopted A part of the protrusion for inserting a part of the cassette into the depth of the rear side panel. In other words, in the above configuration, it is difficult to shorten the width in the longitudinal direction of the cassette.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the waste toner conveying device is disposed in the space of the mounting process cartridge 7 of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the wide expansion of the longitudinal direction of the process cassette.

[summary of waste toner conveyance part]

Next, the arrangement position of the waste toner discharge unit 40 provided in the cleaning unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 . As shown in FIG. 6, the waste toner discharge unit 40 is disposed on the inner side (area AA) of the photosensitive drum drum axis direction than the attachment contact position 7m. Thereby, the waste toner is removed from the processing cassette 7 side of the rear side plate 98 of the apparatus main body 100. In other words, among the space for processing the cassette of the image forming apparatus, waste toner is delivered from the processing cassette 7 to the body side in the vicinity of the rear side panel.

Next, the configuration of the waste toner discharge unit 40 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 .

The photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A by being driven by the apparatus main body 100. The rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 is transmitted to the waste toner conveyance screw 26 on the side of the cassette as a conveyance member via a gear train to be described later. The waste toner conveying screw 26 is disposed in the waste toner accommodating portion 14a of the cleaning frame 14 and is rotated in the direction of the arrow G. The conveyance screw 26 moves the waste toner in the first conveyance path 51 disposed along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 toward the normal end direction of the process cartridge 7 (direction of arrow H in FIG. 4). give away.

The waste toner to be conveyed passes through the second conveyance path 61 provided in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first conveyance path 51, and is disposed in the waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) provided in the opening of the waste toner connecting member 32. 32d is discharged to the waste toner receiving port 80d (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. Here, the waste toner conveying screw 26 has a screw shape in this embodiment, but may have a torsion coil spring shape having a conveying force or another configuration having a discontinuous blade shape.

(About the configuration of the transport path and its profile)

Next, the arrangement of the waste toner conveying configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, and 12. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the conveyance screw 26 and the discharge port 32d. In addition, FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the engagement between the conveyance screw 26 in the process cartridge 7 and the first coupling member 29 as seen from the direction of the center line 61a.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the cassette is viewed along the rotation axis direction of the photoreceptor drum 1, the center line 61a of the second conveyance path 61 passes through the axial center of the waste toner conveying screw 26, and the photoreceptor. The second transport path 61 is disposed between the shaft centers 1a of the optical drum 1. In short, with respect to the center line 61a, the center of rotation 1a of the photoreceptor drum 1 is located on the opposite side to the center of rotation of the first conveying member 26.

Further, the center line 61a is almost in line with the rotation axis of the second coupling member 30. In short, the center of rotation 1a of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the center of rotation of the waste toner conveying screw 26, the second coupling member The axes of rotation (axis 61a) of 30 are on opposite sides of each other.

By satisfying the arrangement relationship as described above, the photoreceptor drum 1 or the waste toner can be conveyed to the screw 26 or the second conveyance path (discharge path) 61 can be disposed in a small space. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the outline L (see FIG. 3) of the cleaning frame 14 can be reduced or eliminated. Therefore, when viewed from the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1, the cleaning unit or the process cartridge can be miniaturized.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the opening portion 61b of the second conveyance path 61 is taken at the reverse screw portion 26e when the conveyance screw 26 is rotated as viewed in the direction of the center line 61a of the second conveyance path 61. The area is configured in such a way that the range K overlaps.

The opening 61b is a communication portion that communicates between the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 61. Further, the direction of the center line 61a is a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the conveying screw 26. In short, when the screw 26 is conveyed as viewed in the direction orthogonal thereto, the reverse screw portion 26e is superposed on the opening 61b.

Thereby, the waste toner can be smoothly conveyed to the second conveyance path 61 by the first conveyance path 51 by the conveyance force of the conveyance screw 26. Further, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 61 overlap in the longitudinal direction of the cassette (the horizontal direction in FIG. 7(a)). Thereby, the route of the conveyance path necessary for the conveyance of the waste toner can be ensured, and the width of the cleaning unit 13 in the longitudinal direction can be narrowed. As a result, miniaturization of the processing cassette 7 becomes possible.

Further, the reverse screw portion 26e can also be regarded as the conveying screw 26 The second transfer unit. In other words, the transport screw 26 includes a first transport unit (transport screw unit 26a) for transporting the main portion of the toner, and a second transport unit (reverse screw unit) that transports the toner in the reverse direction to the first transport unit. 26e) (refer to Figure 4).

The conveying screw portion 26a of the conveying screw 26 is a portion that conveys toner toward the opening 61b. On the other hand, the second conveyance unit (reverse screw 26e) is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance screw portion 26a in the toner conveyance direction of the conveyance screw portion 26a. The counter screw 26e of the second conveying portion is disposed in the vicinity of the opening portion 61b, and the length of the counter screw 26e is shorter than that of the first conveying portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the bearing member 27 is disposed as the waste toner discharge portion 40 so as to communicate with the first conveyance path 51 and extend orthogonally to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1. The second transport path 61 in the direction. A discharge port 32d is provided in the second transfer path 61.

As shown in FIG. 7( a ), the first coupling member 29 is disposed on the second transport path 61 . Further, the first coupling member 29 is rotatably supported by the support portion 28b of the coupler holder 28 centering on the center line 61a. As shown in FIG. 8, the first coupling member 29 is provided with a plurality of driving pins 29b, and is sequentially engaged with the driving transmission blade 26g provided on the conveying screw 26. Therefore, the driving is transmitted from the conveying screw 26 to the first coupling member 29. In this manner, the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 is converted into a rotation centered in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 (the center line 61a of the second conveyance path 61), and is transmitted to the first coupling member 29. The drive transmission blade 26g is a blade (spiral portion) constituting the aforementioned reverse screw 26e, and the first coupling member 29 is a configuration in which the driving force (rotational force) is transmitted by the reverse screw portion 26e.

(Detailed composition near the waste toner discharge port)

Next, the configuration of the waste toner conveying unit (the waste toner conveying unit 40) of the process cartridge 7 from the first coupling member 29 to the discharge port 32d will be described with reference to Figs.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the waste toner discharge unit. In addition, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 to the coupler frame 28. The transfer residual toner, which is peeled off by the photoreceptor drum 1, is transported through the first coupling member 29, the coupling spring 31, the second coupling member 30, and the waste toner connecting member 32 to the body receiving port 80d. Further, the details will be described later, but the waste toner connecting member 32 is configured to be connectable to and disconnected from the main body receiving port 80d.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 30, the coupling spring 31, the coupler holder 28, and the waste toner coupling member 32 are disposed on substantially the same axis along the center line 61a. . Further, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are coupled by a coupling spring 31. The waste toner connecting member 32 is attached to the coupler holder 28 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow N of FIG. 10 with respect to the second coupling member 30 with respect to the elastic thrust of the coupling spring 31. Next, when the process cartridge 7 is coupled to the apparatus main body 100, the waste toner coupling member 32 is moved in the direction of the arrow N in FIG.

Next, the waste will be described using FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. The toner transfer unit 40 is mounted.

Fig. 11 is a view showing the assembly of the waste toner joint member. As shown in FIG. 7, the second conveyance path 61 is a toner conveyance path formed in the waste toner discharge unit 40. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the waste toner discharge portion 40 is constituted by a coupler holder 28, a first coupling member 29, a second coupling member 30, a coupling spring 31, and a waste toner coupling member 32.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the first coupling member 29 includes a plurality of drive pins (engagement portions, protrusions) 29 b having a projection shape that rotates in engagement with the above-described conveyance screw 26 . The plurality of drive pins 29b are arranged almost uniformly concentrically about the rotation axis of the first coupling member 29. The drive pin 29b protrudes in the axial direction of the first coupling member 29. Further, the first coupling member 29 is provided with two projecting drive claws 29c for transmitting the drive to the second coupling member 30.

In short, the first coupling member 29 is a drive transmitting portion for transmitting the driving force (rotational force) of the conveying screw 26 to the second coupling member 30. The rotation axis of the first coupling member 29 intersects (almost orthogonally) the rotation axis of the conveying screw 26. In summary, the first coupling member 29 changes the direction of its rotation when transmitting the rotational force. Further, the first coupling member 29 is disposed in the conveyance path of the toner.

The first coupling member 29 has its driving claw 29c fitted in the inner diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 28a of the coupler holder 28, and the first coupling member 29 is rotatably supported. The driving claw 29c has a shape in which a part of the cylindrical shape is a notch. Further, in the second coupling member 30, two driving claws 30f that are rotationally driven by the driving claws 29c of the first coupling member 29 are provided. Second coupling The member 30 is provided with a recess 30h and a spring groove portion 30c in a direction opposed to the drive pawl 30f.

The driving claw 30f is also in a shape in which a part of the cylindrical shape is notched. Next, the outer diameter of the driving claw 30f is approximately the same as the driving claw 29c. As shown in FIG. 10, the second coupling member 30 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 28a of the coupler frame 28 such that the driving claw 30f opposes the driving claw 29c of the first coupling member 29.

The driving claws 29c and 30f may be expressed in a protruding shape in which a part of the cylinder is notched, or may be expressed in a plate shape having a curved shape for driving the conveying surface. In the present embodiment, the outer shape is configured to be inclined while the other side of the opposite side is formed in a table shape parallel to the rotation axis. Further, these shapes are not limited to the shape of the present embodiment as long as they transmit the driving force to each other and allow the phase to be shifted.

On the other hand, the coupling spring 31 as the spring pushing member is a torsion coil spring having a front end having a bent shape 31a and a wheel shape 31b in the opposing direction. The coupling spring 31 is inserted into the second coupling member 30 in the direction of the arrow I, and the bent shape 31a is fitted into the hanging spring groove 30c (see Fig. 9).

Further, the circular shape 31b of the coupling spring 31 is engaged (fitted) with the groove portion 29f of the first coupling member 29. At this time, the coupling spring 31 is in a state in which the free length is stretched. In other words, the coupling spring 31 is in a state of giving a spring force to the shortening direction. Thereby, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are spring-drawn in the approaching direction. By the elastic thrust, the support portion 29d of the first coupling member 29 abuts against the support portion 28b of the coupler frame portion 28.

Further, the second coupling member 30 abuts against the support portion 28c provided at the front end portion of the cylindrical shape 28a of the coupler frame portion 28 and the projection portion 30d provided to the drive claw 30f. Then, it is positioned and supported in the direction of the rotation direction T of the center line 61a while being subjected to the spring force of the coupling spring 31.

In a state of being pushed by the coupling spring 31, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are rotatably supported by the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 28a of the coupler frame 28 through the driving claws 29c, 30f. The first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are engaged with each other in the direction of the arrow T of the center line 61a, and the engaging portion 29e and the engaging portion 30g are engaged with each other to be integrally rotatable.

(Installation of coupler frame)

The welded portion 28e of the coupler holder 28 is attached to the bearing member 27R by welding, bonding, or the like in a state where the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 30, and the coupling spring 31 are attached. Thereby, the leakage of waste toner to the outside is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the waste toner connecting member 32, the second coupling member 30 is provided with a support portion 32a that is supported in the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, on the coupler holder 28, a rotation preventing rib 28d for positioning the waste toner connecting member 32 in the rotational direction of the shaft is provided. Further, in the waste toner connecting member 32, a concave rotary positioning groove 32i is provided in a part of the circumferential direction. Further, in the second coupling member 30, two compression claws 30e are provided in the opposing direction of the cylinder.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 30, and the coupling spring 31 are attached to the coupler holder 28. The coupler holder 28 is mounted in such a manner as to be in the direction of the arrow I so that the waste toner connecting member 32 is fitted coaxially. When the waste toner connecting member 32 is fitted in the direction of the arrow I, the rotation preventing rib 28d of the coupler frame 28 is engaged with the groove 32i of the waste toner connecting member 32. (Refer to FIG. 9), the position of the coupling frame 28 and the waste toner coupling member 32 in the rotational direction of the axis 61a is restricted.

Further, when the waste toner connecting member 32 is fitted into the coupler holder 28, the support portion 32a deflects the compression claw 30e of the second coupling member 30 supported by the coupler frame 28 in the inner diameter direction.

Further, by pressing the waste toner connecting member 32, the support portion 32a completely passes over the compression claw 30e of the second coupling member 30, and the waste toner coupling member 32 is at the support portion 32a by the compression claw 30e of the second coupling member 30. Supported in the vertical direction (Fig. 11(b)).

(the structure of the long side of the waste toner conveyance part)

Next, the configuration of the waste toner conveying unit 40 in the longitudinal direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 12, and 23. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a drive connection structure of the waste toner discharge unit 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance screw 26 is arrange|positioned in the 1st conveyance path 51. The support portions 26b and 26c provided at both end portions of the conveyance screw 26 are rotatably engaged with the holes 27La and 27Ra provided in the bearing members 27L and 27R, respectively.

The photoreceptor drum 1 is also rotatably supported by the bearing member 27. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, at one end of the photoreceptor drum 1, a coupling portion 1c that receives driving from the apparatus body 100 is disposed. Further, at the other end portion, a photoreceptor drum gear 1b for transmitting and driving the waste toner conveying screw 26 to be described later is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the photoreceptor drum gear 1b is disposed in the cleaning unit 13, and the idler gear 52 and the conveyance screw gear 53 that are rotatably supported by the bearing member 27 are disposed on the photoreceptor drum 1 One end side of the axial direction.

The conveyance screw gear 53 is drivingly engaged with the conveyance screw 26. The rotational driving force is transmitted from the coupling portion 1c at one end of the cleaning unit 13 by the body drum input coupler 81 (FIG. 23) of the image forming apparatus 100. The rotational driving force to be transmitted sequentially engages the photoreceptor drum gear 1b, the idler gear 52, and the conveying screw gear 53, and is transmitted from the photoreceptor drum 1 to the conveying screw 26. When the conveyance screw 26 rotates in the direction of the arrow G, the waste toner contained in the waste toner storage chamber 14a is conveyed by the conveyance screw portion 26a in the arrow H direction (the axial direction of the conveyance screw 26).

Here, the reverse screw portion 26e is provided at the downstream end portion of the conveyance screw 26 in the waste toner conveying direction. Further, a drive transmission blade 26g as a screw shape is provided in the reverse screw portion 26e. Further, in the present embodiment, the conveyance screw 26 transmits the drive by the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1. However, for example, the same effect can be obtained by the configuration in which the conveying screw 26 is driven in conjunction with the rotation of the developing roller 17.

Fig. 29 shows such a modification. Figure 29 is a diagram showing the transfer An example of a configuration in which the screw 26 receives driving from the developing roller 17 is described. In the configuration of Fig. 29, a coupling portion 57 that receives driving from the apparatus main body 100 is disposed at one end of the toner supply roller 20. Further, at the other end, a toner supply roller gear 58 for transmitting the drive to the waste toner conveying screw 26 to be described later is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, a toner supply roller gear 58 and a developing roller gear 59 are provided in the developing device 4. Further, the drum bearing 27 is disposed with the idler gear 52 and the transfer screw gear 53.

The conveyance screw gear 53 is drivingly engaged with the conveyance screw 26. Next, the body developing input coupler 82 of the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the rotational driving force to the coupling portion 57 at one end of the developing device 4. The conveyed rotational driving force sequentially engages the toner supply roller gear 58, the developing roller gear 59, the idle gear 52, and the conveying screw gear 53, and the toner supply roller 20 passes through the developing roller 17 and conveys it to the conveying screw 26. When the conveyance screw 26 rotates in the direction of the arrow G, the waste toner contained in the waste toner storage chamber 14a is conveyed in the direction of the arrow H by the conveyance screw portion 26a.

By doing so, the second coupling member 30 is rotated in conjunction with the toner supply roller 20 or the developing roller 17. The toner supply roller gear 58, the developing roller gear 59, the idler gear 52, the conveyance screw gear 53, the conveyance screw 26, and the first connector (coupler) 29 are driven by the toner supply roller 20 to the second coupling member 30. The driving department for the use of force.

(Description of the long side position of the transport path)

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the long side position of the waste toner conveyed by the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 13, the main body conveyance part 80 is arrange|positioned rather than the front side board 98 which has the mounting direction contact part of the cassette 7 in the mounting direction front side. Therefore, when it is disposed on the deep side in the mounting direction (arrow J direction) of the rear side plate 98, a notch for the waste toner discharge portion of the process cartridge 7 or the like may not be provided. Therefore, the strength of the rear side plate 98 can be maintained as compared with the case where the notch is provided. Here, in the case where only the portion where the waste toner is transported is considered, it is preferable to carry the second transport path 80b directly below the first transport path 80a. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body second transport path 80b is provided across the process cartridges 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. Therefore, when the main body transport path 2 is disposed directly below the main body transport path 1, the direction of the process cartridge 7 on the front side in the mounting direction is entered.

Therefore, in order to secure the toner filling volume of the process cartridge 7, as shown in FIG. 13, it is difficult to move the second conveyance path 80b directly below the first conveyance path 80a. In other words, when the second transport path 80b is placed directly below the first transport path 80a, only the toner filling capacity of the process cartridge 7 can be reduced. Further, in order to move the main body second conveying path 80b to the deep side in the mounting direction, it is necessary to provide a large notch in the rear side plate 98. If a large notch is provided, the strength of the rear side plate 98 is lowered. Since the side panel 98 is a member for performing the positioning of the cassette 7, it is preferable to maintain the strength as much as possible.

As described above, it is preferable that the main body second transport path 80b is disposed as close as possible to the rear side plate as shown in FIG. In other words, the main body first transport path 80a and the main body second transport path 80b have a continuous shape in which the center line is shifted in the longitudinal direction as indicated by AB in the drawing.

[Description of the telescopic mechanism]

Hereinafter, a telescopic mechanism that expands and contracts the toner conveying path and a telescopic operation will be described.

First, the expansion and contraction operation of the waste toner connecting member 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 7, and 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the waste toner connecting member 32 is supported by the drum bearing 27 and the process cartridge 7 through the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 30, and the coupler holder 28.

Further, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are coupled by the coupling spring 31 in the direction of the arrow I. Therefore, the waste toner coupling member 32 supported by the second coupling member 30 can be moved backward against the elastic force of the coupling spring 31 in the direction of the arrow I in a range engageable with the cylindrical portion 28a of the coupler frame 28. .

Therefore, the waste toner connecting member 32 can move the process cartridge 7 in the direction of the arrow N together with the second coupling member 30 (FIG. 1(b), FIG. 10(b)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the driving claw 29c of the first coupling member 29 and the driving claw 30f of the second coupling member 30 are slidably supported by the cylindrical portion 28 of the coupler frame 28 in the direction of the rotation arrow T. Inner diameter portion. Here, the engaging portions 29e and 30g are convex shapes extending in the axial direction. Therefore, for the first coupling member 29, even if the second coupling member 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow N (Fig. 1 (b), Fig. 10 (b)), the engaging portions 29e, 30g can be rotated arrows The T direction conveys the drive. Here, as shown in Figure 1(b) and Figure 10(b), the cassette is installed in this section. When the printing operation is performed in the body, the waste toner connecting member 32 moves to the first coupling member 29 in a state in which the second coupling member 30 moves in the direction of the arrow N (driving communication position). Thereby, the waste toner discharge portion 32d at the tip end of the waste toner connecting member 32 intrudes into the receiving port 80d of the apparatus main body 100 by a specific amount to suppress the leakage of the toner. The details of the transportation of the waste toner at this time will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, when the cassette 7 is processed (retracted position, FIG. 1(a), FIG. 10(a)), the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are pulled by the action of the coupling spring 31. near. As a result, the waste toner connecting member 32 moves in the direction of the arrow I. Thereby, the front end of the waste toner connecting member 32 is housed in the outer shape of the process cartridge 7 (outline L of FIG. 7).

Further, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 of the waste toner discharge portion of the process cartridge 7 are in the body connection state (drive connection position, FIG. 1(b)), and the body retraction state (retraction position, FIG. 1). Any state of (a)) is engaged and rotated. Therefore, for example, even in the separate state of the process cartridge 7, the engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be checked by rotating the photoreceptor drum 1.

[Drive configuration in the cassette]

Hereinafter, a path of the driving force received by the motor provided in the cassette from the motor provided on the main body side will be described.

(drive linkage mechanism)

First, the details of the method of transmitting the driving of the transport screw 26 to the first coupling member 29 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the engagement of the drive transmission blade 26g with the first coupling member 29.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the waste toner screw 26 rotates in the direction of the arrow G, the drive transmission blade 26g moves in the direction of the arrow S. The drive transmission blade 26g that moves in the direction of the arrow S engages with one of the plurality of drive pins 29b (29b1) on the first coupling member 29, and is pushed out in the direction of the arrow S. By this force, the first coupling member 29 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow T around the center line 61a.

Here, the drive pin 29b has a cylindrical convex shape which is disposed at a predetermined angular interval around the axis of the coupler 29. In the present embodiment, a total of six drive pins 29b having a diameter of 1.8 mm are provided every 60 degrees.

When the first coupling member 29 is rotationally moved in the direction of the arrow T, the axis of the drive screw 26 is moved to a phase in which the drive pin 29g is in contact with the drive transmission blade 26g to have two phases (29b1, 29b2).

Further, the line (X) that is connected to the center of the first coupling member 29 in the vertical direction is centered on the axial direction of the conveying screw 26. At this time, the two drive pins 29b are present at the same angle Y on both sides with the line X as the center. At this time, the driving pin 29b1 and the driving pin 29b2 are at the most distant positions in the axial direction of the conveying screw 26 (FIG. 8(a)).

The drive transmission blade 26 rotates the drive pin 29b1 in the T direction on the downstream side in the rotational direction T of the drive pin 29b. Drive pin When the driving transmission range of the drive blade 26g is released, the first coupling member 29 is temporarily stopped until the drive transmission pin 29b2 on the upstream side in the rotation direction contacts the drive transmission blade 26g. When the conveyance screw 26 is further rotated, the drive transmission blade 26g which is moved in the direction of the arrow S is again brought into contact with the drive transmission pin 29b (FIG. 8(b)). By driving the blade 26g and then moving in the direction of the arrow S, the drive transmission pin 29b2 of the first coupling member 29 moves in the direction of the arrow S. In this manner, the first coupling member 29 starts to rotate again in the direction of the arrow T.

By repeating the above operation, the first coupling member 29 continues to rotate by the rotation of the conveying screw 26.

Here, when the length is measured along the axial direction of the waste toner screw 26, the distance between the drive transmission blades 29g and the distance Z between the drive pins 29g becomes large. Therefore, the drive transmission paddle 26g is engaged with the drive pin 29b so that the drive pin 29b can continue to be continuously pressed.

Further, the closer the distance between the axial direction of the transport screw 26 of the drive pin 29b and the distance of the transport screw 26, the more the first coupling member 29 can be rotated (smoothly).

(drive pin shape)

Here, in the present embodiment, the drive pin 29b is described in a cylindrical shape, but any shape that can be driven and transmitted can be used. For example, the same effect can be obtained in accordance with the shape of the blade of the conveying screw 26 or the convex shape such as a gear. Figure 14 is a view showing a modification of the drive pin 29b. Sketch map.

As shown in FIG. 14, the driving pin 129b of the first coupling member 129 is integrally provided with a toner guiding surface 129f. The toner guiding surface 129f provided on the driving pin 129 is provided on the outer side in the circumferential direction of the hole portion 129a.

The toner guiding surface 129f is formed to connect the outer peripheral side 129g of the guide surface to the inner peripheral side 129h of the guide surface. The outer peripheral side 129g is formed so as to protrude downstream of the rotational direction T (clockwise direction) of the first coupling member 129, and the inner peripheral side 129h is formed to be upstream of the rotational direction T. That is, with the rotation of the first coupling member 129, the toner guiding surface 129f causes a force for moving the toner toward the waste toner in the rotation direction. In short, the toner guiding surface 129f functions as a toner conveying portion for conveying toner.

According to the above configuration, the waste toner can be induced to enter the hole portion 129a by rotating the first coupling member 129 in the direction of the arrow T. Thereby, it is possible to have an effect of actively feeding the waste toner into the hole portion 129a. The hole portion 129a is an opening for moving the toner toward the second conveyance path 61.

(construction of waste toner drive link)

Next, the driving connection of the waste toner discharge portion to the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 16 .

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of connecting the waste toner discharge portion 32d (see Fig. 9) to the main waste toner receiving port 80d. In addition, Figure 16 shows the waste A schematic diagram of a method of connecting the toner splicing unit 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus body 100 is provided with a waste toner receiving port 80d for receiving discharged toner from the process cartridge 7.

Here, the waste toner receiving port 80d is provided with a sealing member 47 having elasticity such as a rubber sponge. When the waste toner connecting member 32 of the process cartridge 7 is pressed down, the body receiving port sealing member 47 provided in the discharged toner receiving port 80d enters in a pressed state (see FIG. 1(b)). Therefore, the gap between the waste toner connecting member 32 and the discharged toner receiving port 80d is sealed by the main body receiving port sealing member 47, and the leakage of the waste toner is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the body receiving port sealing member 47 is formed to have an inner diameter Φ 10.4 mm, and the waste toner connecting member 32 is constituted by Φ 11.4 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the main body receiving port sealing member 47 is provided with a plurality of slits 47a, and has a shape in which the waste toner connecting member 32 is easily received. Further, the waste toner connecting member 32 is provided with a gradient shape 32k, and can absorb the positional deviation of the waste toner connecting member 32 and the waste toner receiving port 80d in the axial direction.

Further, the waste toner connecting member 32 is provided with a rib shape 32l, and when it is attached to the waste toner receiving port 80d, it functions as a lid that closes the gap. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the main waste toner conveying unit 80 is provided with a main body first conveying path 80a having a waste toner receiving port 80d, and a waste toner container 86 for discharging waste toner to the apparatus body 100. The second transport path 80b used.

The spring pressing member 43 is disposed on the body first conveying path 80a. Near the receiving port. The vibrating member 44 having an elastic force inside the main body first conveying path 80a is supported by the spring portion 44a in contact with the spring pressing member 43.

As shown in Fig. 1(b), the waste toner connecting member 32 is pushed by the arm 42 in the direction of the arrow N to invade the waste toner receiving port, as shown in Fig. 1(b). 80d. By this (intrusion), the waste toner connecting member 32 resists the reaction force of the vibrating member 44, and the vibrating member 44 is crushed in the direction of the arrow N (in the direction in which the waste toner connecting opening enters).

Further, the vibrating member 44 and the second coupling member 30 in the waste toner connecting member 32 have a spring force and are in contact with each other. The abutting second coupling member 30 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1. Thereby, the abutting portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 comes into contact with the concave portion 30h of the second coupling member 30, and the vibrating member 44 moves in the up and down direction. See below for details.

Here, the spring coupler 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The spring coupler 44 has a spring force of about 33 gf in a state of being in contact with the spring press member 43 (coupler non-joining state), and a spring force of about 50 gf in a joint state of the second coupling member 30.

In short, in the state of Fig. 16 (b), the arm 42 is rotated in the direction of the arrow M in the upward direction against the reaction force of the coupling spring reaction force and the upper side of the waste toner connection port by about 120 gf. As described above, the drive transmission path of the waste toner conveying unit plays the following role.

The photoreceptor drum 1 of the cassette 7 is processed along with the printing operation When the rotation is in the direction of the arrow A, the driving of the drum gear 1b, the idle gear 52, the conveying screw gear 53, and the conveying screw 26 is transmitted. Further, the conveyance screw 26 transmits the drive in the order of the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30. In this manner, the waste toner is discharged from the process cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100. Further, the vibration member 44 of the apparatus body 100 is further vibrated by the rotational driving of the second coupling member 30. The waste toner sent to the vibrating member 44 is relieved by the vibration of the vibrating member 44 in the main body conveying unit 80, and is sent to the main body conveying screw 85, and sent to the waste toner body 86 by the conveying force of the main body conveying screw 85. .

[Flow direction of waste toner formed with image]

Hereinafter, how the waste toner generated by the image formation is transferred to the waste toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus main body will be described.

(The flow of waste toner to the waste toner body)

Next, the flow of the entire waste toner from the waste toner to the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 4, and 7. As shown in FIG. 4, when the photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated in accordance with the printing operation, the waste toner is removed by the cleaning blade 6. The removed waste toner is conveyed to the first coupling member 29 by the conveyance screw 26. In the transport path 51 of the waste toner accommodating portion 14a, the waste toner is transported in the direction of the arrow H.

The conveyed waste toner is applied to the reverse screw portion 26e in a direction opposite to the arrow H. Therefore, the waste toner conveyed in the direction of the arrow H and the waste toner that flows back in the reverse screw portion 26e are transported to the screw portion. There is a collision (stagnation) between 26a and the reverse screw portion 26e.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the waste toner accommodation portion 14a is provided between the conveyance screw 26 and the photoreceptor drum 1. The first coupling member 29 is provided in the waste toner containing portion 14a. The retained toner flows toward the axial center of the first coupling member 29. Next, it is conveyed to the hole part 29a provided in the rotation axis of the 1st coupling member 29 (FIG. 7 (a), FIG. 9). The hole portion 29a is an opening that allows the movement of the toner. The toner passing through the hole portion 29a moves to the second conveyance path 61. Further, the waste toner is discharged from the discharge portion 32d provided at a lower portion of the first coupling member 29 to be described later.

At this time, the waste toner flowing in the direction of the arrow H receives the conveying force in the reverse direction by the reverse screw portion 26e. As a result, the waste toner is prevented from entering the contact position V (see FIG. 7) of the drive transmission paddle 26g and the drive pin 29b. By making it difficult for the waste carbon powder to intrude into the contact position V, the contact portion between the transfer paddle 26g and the drive pin 29b is driven, and it is less likely to be affected by the waste toner. Therefore, the stability of the drive communication can be improved.

(Note on the flow of toner in the waste toner discharge section)

As described above, in the waste toner discharge unit 40, the waste toner is conveyed by the waste toner screw 26 in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 toward the one end side of the cassette (in the direction of the arrow H in Fig. 4). The waste toner to be conveyed collides with the reverse screw portion 26e and the reverse screw portion 26e, and is sent to the hole portion 29a of the first coupling member 29.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first coupling member 29 rotates in the arrow T direction in accordance with the rotation of the conveying screw 26. Figure 7, Figure 9 As shown, the first coupling member 29 is provided with a hole portion (opening) 29a. The waste toner passing through the hole portion 29a moves to the inner diameter of the coupling spring 31 attached to the first coupling member 29. Further, the waste toner moves toward the hole portion 30a of the second coupling member 30 that is engaged with the first coupling member 29. At the same time, with the rotation of the first coupling member 29, the driving is transmitted from the engaging portion 29e to the engaging portion 30g of the second coupling member 30. Thereby, the second coupling member 30 rotates integrally with the coupling spring 31.

Here, when the coupling spring 31 (see FIG. 9) integrally rotates together with the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30, the waste toner is wound in the direction of the arrow N direction of FIGS. 1 and 7. Therefore, the waste toner moves freely in the direction of the arrow N, and has a conveying force and is actively conveyed in the direction of the arrow N. Further, the coupling spring 31 has an effect of stirring the waste toner by rotating in the second conveyance path 61. Therefore, the transfer (moving) of the waste toner can be performed more smoothly. In short, the spring pushing member (coupling spring 31) that pushes the second coupling member 30 is a conveying portion that carries the toner and a stirring portion that agitates the toner.

The waste toner passing through the coupling spring 31 and the hole portion 30a of the second coupling member 30 is discharged from the waste toner discharge portion 32d of the waste toner coupling member 32 supported by the second coupling member 30 in the direction of the arrow N. The above is the movement until the waste toner is discharged from the cassette 7.

(Flow of waste toner on the downstream side of the waste toner discharge section)

As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 4, and Fig. 7, the waste toner discharged from the waste toner discharge portion 32d is placed in the lower portion of the waste toner discharge portion 32d. The waste toner receiving port 80d provided in the apparatus main body 100 enters the transport path 80b. Then, the waste toner that has entered the transport path 80b is discharged to the waste toner cartridge (the main body side toner storage unit) by the main body transport screw 85 as the transport member in the main transport second portion 80b of the main transport path. 86.

The above method of transferring the waste toner will be described in detail.

The waste toner conveyed to the first conveyance path 80a by the waste toner discharge port 32d of the process cartridge 7 is freely dropped into the main body first conveyance path 80d.

As shown in FIG. 4, at the lower end of the main body first conveyance path 80d, the substantially orthogonal main body second conveyance path 80b is connected by the connection part 80f. The waste toner conveyed in the downward direction is transported to the main body second transport path 80b.

Here, the first conveyance path 80a and the second conveyance path 80b are disposed so as to be offset from each other at a position approximately orthogonal to each other, and the blockage of the waste toner in the connection portion 80f is undoubted. On the other hand, as will be described later, the vibrating member 44 is configured to vibrate by the action of the processing cartridge 7, and the waste toner is stirred to prevent the toner in the connecting portion 80f from being clogged and to stably transport the waste toner. The waste toner conveyed to the main body second conveying unit 80d is conveyed by the main body conveying screw 85 as the conveying member shown in FIG. 5, and is conveyed in the direction of the arrow R to be conveyed/recovered to the waste toner body 86.

Here, the main body second transport path 80b is provided to extend across the process cartridge in the direction of the apparatus body as shown in FIG. Further, the waste toner cartridge 86 is formed in an exchangeable box shape.

(About the shape and configuration of the coupler)

Here, the first coupling member 29, the hole portion of the second coupling member 30, and the inner diameter of the coupling spring 31 are diameters through which the waste toner can be discharged.

The waste toner connecting member 32 has a first coupling member 29 and a second coupling member 30 inside, and is attached to the outside of the coupler frame 28. Therefore, the outer diameter of the cylindrical shape 28a of the coupler frame 28 is about φ 9.2 mm, and the outer diameter of the waste toner connecting member 32 is about Φ 11.4 mm. Further, as described above, the waste toner connecting member 32 invades the waste toner receiving port 80d of the apparatus body 100. In the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the waste toner receiving port 80d is Φ10.4 mm, and the waste toner connecting member 32 is configured to crush the main body receiving port sealing member 47 while invading and plugging the gap.

Here, the hole portion 29a of the first coupling member 29 through which the waste toner passes, and the hole portion 30a of the second coupling member 30 also have an inner diameter of about 5.4 mm. Accordingly, the inner diameter of the coupling spring 31 is about Φ 4.5 mm. Further, the waste toner discharge portion 32 is made to have a width of about 8.4 mm, and the main body receiving port 80d is also about Φ 10.4 mm as described above. In this way, as the downstream side of the waste toner is transported, the diameter of the transport path becomes large. Thereby, the toner in the waste toner conveyance path from the process cartridge 7 to the main body conveyance unit 80 is prevented from being clogged, and stable toner discharge can be performed.

(Note on waste toner blocking)

As shown in FIGS. 7(b) and (c), in the apparatus body 100 In the inside, the arrow N direction of the waste toner conveying direction is set in a direction inclined by about 19 degrees with respect to the free falling direction of the waste toner.

Further, in the apparatus main body 100, the waste toner connecting member 32 and the second coupling member 30 are used in a state of being moved in the direction of the arrow N (driving communication position) against the elastic thrust of the coupling spring 31.

Further, when the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 30 are moved in the direction of the arrow N in the axial direction, the engaging portions 29e and 30g are also engaged in the rotational direction.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), the waste toner conveyed to the hole portion 29a of the first coupling member 29 is conveyed along the arrow N by the second coupling member 30, the coupling spring 31, and the waste toner connecting member 32.

At this time, the waste toner moves toward the free fall direction, and gradually accumulates toward the end portion (U) of the waste toner connecting member 32 in the gravity direction. The waste toner connecting member 32 includes a convex supporting portion 32a supported by the second coupling member described above.

Therefore, the waste toner is deposited on the support portion 32a of the convex shape while being conveyed to the waste toner discharge port 32. At this time, the waste toner connecting member 32 and the second coupling member 30 move in the direction of the first coupling member 29 along with the waste toner deposited in the U portion of the waste toner discharging portion 32. Then, the waste toner deposited on the U portion is pushed out in the direction of the arrow N to the inclined portion 28f of the cylindrical front end portion 28c of the coupler frame 28. Then, the waste toner is discharged from the plurality of slit portions 32j provided in the support portion 32a of the waste toner discharge portion 32 shown in Fig. 11 and sent to the waste toner discharge portion 32d.

With the above configuration, the waste toner connecting member 32 and the second The coupling member 30 can reduce the clogging of the waste toner because it is in a state of leaving the first coupling member 29 and returning to the positioning position.

[Composition of the door]

Next, the operation at the time of attachment of the shutter (opening/closing member) 34 provided in the waste toner connecting member 32 will be described with reference to Fig. 17 . Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the structure of the door support. The waste toner connecting member 32 of the waste toner discharge port described above is provided on the deep side of the mounting direction (arrow J direction) of the cassette 7.

Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the waste toner connecting member 32 is provided with the convex-shaped guide parts 32b and 32c which protrude in the axial direction. Further, in the shutter 34, the groove portions 34a and 34b are disposed at both ends in the cross-sectional direction.

The shutter 34 is movably supported in the mounting direction (arrow J direction) while the groove portions 34a and 34b are guided by the convex guide portions 32b and 32c, and seals the waste toner discharge portion. 32d.

Further, the shutter 34 is provided with an elastic sealing member 35 for sealing the waste toner discharge portion 32d. The shutter 34 is supported in a state where the elastic sealing member 35 is crushed to the discharge port 32d. Therefore, the discharge port 32d of the waste toner connecting member 32 is plugged by the elastic sealing member 35 without a gap as shown in Fig. 17(a), and the waste toner can be sealed.

Further, as shown in Fig. 17 (b), the shutter 34 is pushed toward the deep side (arrow J direction) in the mounting direction by the poppet member 36 provided in the cleaning frame 14. The shutter 34, by the poppet member 36, causes the discharge port abutting portion 34d to abut against the abutting portion 32e of the waste toner splice portion 32. So enter In the processing cassette 7, the shutter 34 is positioned and supported by the waste toner joining member 32.

Further, in the cleaning frame 14, the shutter guide portion 14b that movably supports the shutter 34 in the mounting direction is extended at the same position as the cross-sectional direction of the guide portion 32b of the waste toner connecting member 32. Mounting direction (arrow J direction).

Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the door engaging portions 34a and 34b of the shutter 34 are partially engaged with the door guide supported by the cleaning frame 14 in a state of being in contact with the abutting portion 32e of the waste toner connecting member 32. Lead portion 14b. In other words, the shutter 34 is engaged and supported by both the waste toner coupling member 32 and the cleaning frame 14.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17(c), when the shutter 34 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, it moves in the processing cassette 7 on the opposite side to the insertion direction (opposite direction of the arrow J). In this manner, the shutter 34 is openably and closably provided with an opening (discharge port 32d) for discharging the waste toner.

By the shutter 34 moving in the opposite direction of the arrow J, the engagement with the door guides 32b and 32c of the waste toner connecting member 32 is completely separated. Next, the shutter 34 is in a state of being engaged and supported only by the guide portion 14b of the cleaning frame 14. Therefore, in the mounted state of the apparatus main body 100, the shutter 34 does not hinder the movement of the cross-sectional direction (arrow N direction) of the waste toner connecting member 32.

Conversely, when the shutter 34 closes the discharge port 32d, the movement of the waste toner coupling member 32 is locked. The shutter 34 is also a lock member that locks the movement of the waste toner connecting member 32 in the direction of the arrow N.

[Installation action of the cassette of the device body]

Next, the attachment of the process cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

[Summary of installation actions]

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view showing the state in which the front door 91 of the apparatus body 100 is opened. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the handle lower guide 94. Figure 21 is a schematic view showing the process of mounting the cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100.

First, the mounting operation of the process cartridge 100 to the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described using FIG. As shown in Fig. 19, the process cartridge 7 is configured to attach and detach the device body 100 in the direction of the arrow J.

As shown in FIG. 22, the waste toner conveying unit 40 is provided on the deep side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7. The waste toner generated in the image formation is conveyed by the process cartridge 7 to a receiving port (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100.

The cassette 7 is processed to open the front door 91 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and inserted in the direction of the arrow J. Thereafter, when the cassette 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the insertion is completed by abutting against the rear side plate (not shown) on the deep side of the apparatus body. Thereafter, by closing the front door 91 of the apparatus main body 100, the process cartridge 7 is moved in the apparatus body to a positioning position not shown. Next, the waste toner connecting portion (not shown) is coupled to the apparatus main body 100, and the mounting operation is completed. The details of the installation action are described in each stage.

(long side direction insertion action)

As shown in Fig. 21, in the process cartridge 7, the lower guides 7a, 7b guided to the apparatus body 100 at the time of mounting are disposed at both ends along the longitudinal direction of the mounted cassette. Further, in the process cartridge 7, the upper guides 7c and 7d guided to the apparatus main body 100 at the time of mounting are disposed at both ends along the longitudinal direction thereof.

The apparatus main body 100 is provided with a front cover 92 (see FIG. 19) for restricting the longitudinal side cross-sectional direction of the process cartridge 7 by attaching an entrance. Further, in the cassette mounting portion 93 of the apparatus main body 100, a cassette lower guide 94 for guiding the lower portion of the processing cassette 7 and a cassette for guiding the upper portion of the processing cassette 7 are provided. Upper guide 95.

Further, as shown in Fig. 20, the cassette lower guide 94 is provided with pressurizing codes 96 and 97 for pressing the attached process cartridge 7 upward in the mounting direction in the vertical direction. The pressurizing codes 96 and 97 are attached to the front side and the deep side of the image forming apparatus, respectively, along the mounting direction of the cassette.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the lower jaw guide 94 has a shape that rides upward in the mounting direction J. Thereby, it is possible to insert at a position avoiding contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 located above the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7.

As shown in Fig. 21 (a), the process cartridge 7 is inserted into the cassette mounting portion 93 while being guided to the front door lower guide 91a. The process cartridge 7 that has moved toward the attachment portion 93 restricts the position in the cross-sectional direction by the attachment thick guide portion 92a of the front cover 92 shown in FIG.

Thereby, the cassette 7 is processed to the cassette mounting portion 93 to restrict the section The state of the posture in the face direction is installed. Further, at the position where the process cartridge 7 passes through the front cover 92, the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the process cartridge 7 are at a position sufficiently far away. Further, when the process cartridge 7 intrudes toward the apparatus main body 100 side, the convex shape of the lower guide 7a is guided in a concave shape embedded in the cassette lower guide 94.

(riding on the action)

Next, in a state where the lower guide 7a of the process cartridge 7 is guided, the convex shape of the upper guide 7c is guided in a concave shape embedded in the upper guide 95 of the cassette. As shown in Fig. 21 (b), the cassette 7 is processed to restrict the cross-sectional direction of the lower guide 7a and the upper guide 7c, and to move in the direction of the arrow J on the lower guide 94.

The cassette lower guide 94 has a shape that rises in the direction of the gravity direction as it is attached to the deep side in the mounting direction. Therefore, the process cartridge 7 is fitted to the shape of the lower jaw guide 94, and is inserted into the apparatus body 100 while riding upward.

Next, the lower guide 7a rides on the inclined portion 94a of the lower jaw guide 94 and is lifted in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. Therefore, with the process cartridge 7 inserted into the mounting direction (arrow J direction), the lower guide 7b rides over the front door lower guide 91a. Thereafter, when the cassette is continuously inserted, the lower guide 7b rides in the order of the lower guide 94 and the pressurizing code 96 in the same manner as the lower guide 7a.

Next, the configuration of the portion where the process cartridge 7 is in contact with the apparatus body 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the deep side of the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7. As shown in Fig. 22, in the process cartridge 7, the positioning shaft 7g for positioning in the cross-sectional direction of the apparatus main body 100 is provided so as to protrude deeper in the longitudinal direction of the mounting direction. Further, on the deep side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 7, the guide abutting portion 7e and the vertical abutting portion 7f are respectively disposed on the deep side in the mounting direction at a position in the approximate vertical direction of the process cartridge 7 during the mounting. Further, the processing cassette 7 is provided with a groove 7h for preventing the removal from the apparatus body 100. As shown in Fig. 22, the groove-removing groove 7h has a concave shape on the deep side in the process of attaching the process cartridge.

Further, the photoreceptor drum 1 for processing the cassette 7 is provided on the deep side in the mounting direction as the coupling portion 1c of the drive input portion of the apparatus main body 100. Further, a coupling portion 57 as an input portion of the apparatus main body 100 is provided in the toner supply roller 20 (see FIG. 3).

(composition of the periphery of the contact part)

Next, the configuration of the interference periphery of the process cartridge 7 of the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the processing cartridge 7 of the apparatus main body 100 on the deep side in the mounting direction. As shown in FIG. 23, the apparatus main body 100 is provided on the rear side plate 98 as the abutting portion 98a of the long side abutting portion at the time of attachment of the above-described process cartridge 7.

Further, in the rear side plate 98, the V-shaped groove portion 98b and the positioning long hole portion 98c for the cross-sectional direction of the positioning process cartridge 7 are provided on the upper side and the lower side in the cross-sectional direction, respectively. Further, a drum drive input coupler 81 for inputting driving to the photoreceptor drum 1 is provided on the rear side plate 98. Install the deep side of the direction. The drum drive input coupler 81 is slidably supported in the direction of the arrow J by a poppet member (not shown). Further, on the deep side in the mounting direction of the apparatus body 100, the developing drive input coupler 82 for driving the coupling portion 57 is rotatably supported. The development drive input coupler 82 is rotationally driven by receiving an input from a drive source (not shown) of the apparatus body 100.

Further, a voltage applying member 83 for applying a voltage to the process cartridge 7 is provided on the deep side in the mounting direction of the apparatus main body 100. Here, the voltage application member 83 is provided in a shape in which the elastic member is protruded in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow J, for example, like a compression coil spring.

Further, on the deep side of the apparatus main body 100, a recording terminal 84 for storing the wafer 33 as a memory element of the process cartridge 7 is provided. The recording terminal 84, the elastic protruding portions 84a, 84b are protruded in the opposite direction of the mounting direction, and the rear side plate 98 is movable to be supported in a substantially vertical direction.

Further, the upper guide 95 of the apparatus main body 100 is provided with an upper rail abutting portion 95a for abutting against the upper guide abutting portion 7e of the process cartridge 7. Further, a restricting portion 98d for abutting against the vertical abutting portion 7f of the supporting handle cassette 7 is provided on the rear side plate 98.

Further, in the rear side plate 98, the arm 42 for engaging with the waste toner connecting member is supported by the arm rotating shaft 42c so as to be rotatable within a certain angular range. That is, the arm rotating shaft 42c of the arm 42 is supported by the arm supporting portions 98e and 98f of the rear side plate 98 (refer to FIG. 26). It is supported at both ends. The arm support portion 98e has the same shape as the arm support portion 98f. The arm 42 is positioned and supported by the lower jaw guide 94 in the rotational direction by a link mechanism (not shown).

(Idle the action until the body abuts)

When the mounting operation is continued, as shown in FIG. 21(c), the cassette 7 is processed, and the upper guide 7c and the lower guides 7a and 7b are supported by the cassette upper guide 95 and the lower guide 94. Inserted down to the deep side of the device body.

The lower guide 7a of the cassette 7 is handled, and the inclined portion 97a of the pressurizing code 97 provided on the lower guide 94 of the cassette is rided. At this time, the cross-section positioning shaft 7j of the process cartridge 7 is a position at which the intermediate transfer belt 5 passes in the mounting direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional positioning shaft 7j that protrudes in the upward direction of the process cartridge 7 can be attached to the apparatus main body 100 without contacting the intermediate transfer belt 5. Further, at this time, the process cartridge 7 is supported at the front portion of the cassette lower guide 94 in the mounting direction and at the two places such as the mounting depth of the ride. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 21 (d), the process cartridge 7 is continuously mounted in the apparatus main body 100 in a state in which the inclination (about 0.6 degrees) on the deep side in the mounting direction is raised.

The process cartridge 7 on which the pressurizing code 97 is rided receives the spring force from the pressurizing code 97 to the vertically upper side. The upper side of the pressurizing code 97 is pushed upward by the process cartridge 7, and the upper guide abutting portion 7e is in contact with the abutting portion 95a of the upper guide 95 of the cassette.

Next, the mounting state from the state in which the processing cassette 97 is put on the pressurizing code 97 is shown using FIG. 21 and FIG.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view showing the operation of the process cartridge 7 until the end of the insertion device body is completed. As shown in Fig. 24 (a), the upper guide abutting portion 7e of the process cartridge 7 is inserted in a state of being in contact with the abutting portion 95a of the cassette upper guide 95. As shown in Fig. 24 (b), the process cartridge 7 has its vertical abutting portion 7f moved to a position against the upper restricting portion 98d of the body rear side plate 98.

It is assumed that the process cartridge 7 is moved further deep in a state in which the upper guide abutting portion 7e and the vertical abutting portion 7f are in contact with each other. In this case, the vertical abutting portion 7e is separated from the abutting portion 95a of the upper guide 95 of the cassette. Next, as shown in FIG. 24(c), only the vertical abutting portion 7f is moved in a state of being in contact with the upper regulating portion 98d.

At this time, the hole portion 95b provided on the deep side in the mounting direction of the cassette upper guide 95 penetrates the upper guide abutting portion 7e, and is supported only in the cross-sectional direction (left-right direction). At this time, the cross-sectional positioning shaft 7g of the process cartridge 7 is inserted into the long hole portion 98c of the rear side plate 98 of the apparatus main body 100.

Then, the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g of the convex wall portion of the waste toner connecting member 32 are inserted below the abutting portions 42a and 42b of the arm 42 supported by the rear side plate 98 (see FIG. 24(c)).

The inclined portions 42e and 42 are provided at the tips of the abutting portions 42a and 42b of the arm 42, respectively, and the arms abutting portions 32f and 32g of the waste toner connecting member 32 are surely entered. Further, at the time of the attachment of the process cartridge 7 and the end of the attachment, the arm 42 and the waste toner coupling member 32 are disposed at positions that are not in contact with each other via the gap.

Further, when the process cartridge 7 is inserted into the apparatus body 100, The developing coupler 37 starts to engage with the body developing input coupler 82. Further, when the attachment is continued, the vertical abutting portion 7f is separated from the abutting portion 98d, and the elastic force of the pressurizing code 97 rises in a substantially vertical direction. At the same time, the cross-sectional positioning axis 7j of the process cartridge 7 and the V-shaped groove portion 98b provided on the rear side plate 98 are in the upward direction by the pressing force of the pressurizing code 97.

Thereafter, the contact portion 7i (see FIG. 22) of the process cartridge 7 is in contact with the voltage application member 83 composed of an elastic conductive member. Further, the recording terminal 84 of the apparatus main body 100 is in contact with the wafer 33 as the memory element of the process cartridge 7.

Next, the drum coupling 1c of the process cartridge 7 comes into contact with the drum input coupler 81 of the apparatus main body 100, and is pressed in the direction of the arrow J against the force of the slider member (not shown) of the drum input coupler.

Thereafter, the long side abutting portion 7m of the process cartridge 7 comes into contact with the abutting portion 98a of the rear side plate 98 of the apparatus main body, and the movement in the mounting direction is completed. At this time, the process cartridge 7 is pushed by the pressurizing code 97 on the deep side in the mounting direction, and the pressurizing portion 96 is placed on the front side in the mounting direction (Fig. 21 (d), Fig. 24 (Fig. 21 (d), Fig. 24 ( d)).

As described above, the lower jaw guide 94 has a shape that rises in a substantially vertical direction as it is inserted into the deep side. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 21 (d), the process cartridge 7 is in the inserted state (interference state), and the process cartridge 7 is in the state in which the history of the mounting direction is inclined upward (about 0.6 degrees).

(door movement during installation)

Next, the operation at the time of attaching the shutter 34 until the collision of the cassette 7 is handled will be described with reference to Figs. 18 and 24 .

Fig. 18 is a schematic view showing the action of the shutter 34 when the body is mounted. As shown in FIG. 24(a), when the upper guide abutting portion 7e is moved against the abutting portion 95a of the upper guide 95, the shutter 34 passes through the device body 100 as shown in FIG. The door abutting portion 43a is closed.

As shown in Fig. 18 (a), a convex body abutting portion 34c is provided at a lower portion of the shutter 34. When the shutter 34 passes over the door abutting portion 43a, the body abutting portion 34c comes into contact with the door abutting portion 43a. Thereafter, the shutter 34 is relatively moved in the processing cartridge 7 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction J as the elastic force of the shutter pushing member 36 provided to the cleaning frame is progressed as the mounting progresses. Further, when moving to the device body touch position of the processing cassette 7 to be described later, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the waste toner discharge portion 32d2 is completely released, and the relative movement in the process cartridge 7 is ended.

Here, the shutter 34 abuts against the door abutting portion 43a by the body abutting portion 34c, and moves to the front side in the mounting direction (arrow J direction) in the process cartridge 7 by attachment to the device body 100. The main body abutting portion 34c is disposed on the upstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the waste toner discharge port 32d. Therefore, when the shutter door 34 starts to move in the process cartridge by the shutter abutting portion 43a, the spring pressing member 43 having the door abutting portion 34 exists in a part of the lower portion of the waste toner door 34.

Therefore, in a state where the waste toner is present in the second transport path 61, when the process cartridge 7 is mounted, the shutter 34 starts to be scrapped carbon. When the powder discharge port 32d is detached, the removed toner flows out from the discharge port 32d. At this time, the discharged waste toner becomes free to fall to the spring pressing member 43. In the spring pressing member 43, the falling prevention toner wall 43b (see FIG. 23) for allowing the freely falling waste toner to fall into the apparatus main body 100 is disposed in the gravity falling direction of the spring pressing member 43, and is restrained into the apparatus body 100. The waste toner falls. Thereby, the scattering of the waste toner in the apparatus body 100 is reduced.

(Front door open arm and cassette lift)

Next, a mechanism for interlocking the opening and closing of the front door 91 of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 21. The image forming apparatus has a space for housing the cassette therein. The user can access the space (accommodation portion) in which the cassette is accommodated by opening a part of the front door 91 of the exterior of the image forming apparatus.

When the front door 91 of the apparatus main body 100 is closed, the lower guide 94 is moved upward by a link mechanism (not shown) in accordance with the movement of the front lower guide 91a. (Fig. 21(e))

As a result, with the movement of the lower guide 94, the process cartridge 7 receives the spring force in the upward direction by the pressurizing codes 96 and 97. In this manner, the deep side cross-sectional positioning shaft 7j of the cassette 7 is treated to increase the spring force against the V-shaped groove portion 98b of the cross-sectional direction of the rear side plate 98 of the apparatus main body 100. Further, the front side abutment shaft 7k is biased against the V-shaped groove portion 99a of the cross-sectional direction abutting portion of the front side plate 99 by the elastic thrust of the pressurizing code 96 on the front side in the attachment direction. (Fig. 21(e))

As described above, the process cartridge 7 is formed on the apparatus main body 100 by the V-shaped groove portion 98b, the long hole portion 98c, and the V-shaped groove portion 99a. Orientation. Further, by closing the main body front door 91, the drum drive input coupler 81 moves to the engageable position on the processing cassette 7 side by a link mechanism (not shown).

When the drum drive input coupler 81 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), the groove portion 81a of the drum drive input coupler 81 is coupled to the coupling portion 1c of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the rotational direction. Further, by closing the main body front door 91, the anti-slipping portion 46 that is installed deep in the apparatus body is raised by a link mechanism (not shown). (Fig. 21(e))

The rising anti-drop portion 46 enters the groove shape of the anti-drop portion 7h of the process cartridge 7. Thereby, the movement of the process cartridge 7 toward the front side in the mounting direction is restricted.

(Operation of waste toner connecting member)

Next, the operation of the waste toner connecting member when the front door 91 of the apparatus main body 100 is closed will be described with reference to Fig. 16 . Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the waste toner connecting member at the time of opening and closing the front door.

The body front door 91 and the arm 42 that is rotationally moved by a link mechanism (not shown) are provided for deep measurement in the mounting direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The waste toner connecting member 32 of the process cartridge 7 is protruded from the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g of the arm of the apparatus main body 100 and is provided in the cross-sectional direction. In a state where the process cartridge 7 is in contact with the rear side plate 98 of the apparatus main body 100, the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g are disposed so as to be located below the abutting portions 42a and 42b of the arm 42.

In addition, when the mounting direction of the processing cassette 7 is in contact, the arm The abutting portions 42a and 42b of the 42 are placed at positions where the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g of the waste toner connecting member 32 are overlapped by about 4 mm in the mounting direction. Further, the arm 42 rotatably supports the arm rotating shaft 42c by the support holes 98e, 98f of the rear side plate 98. With the front door closing operation of the apparatus main body 100, the arm 42 is rotated by about 42 degrees in the direction of the arrow M around the arm rotation shaft 42c by a link mechanism connected to the cassette lower guide 94 (not shown).

The arm 42 comes into contact with the arm abutting faces 32f and 32g of the waste toner connecting member 32 in accordance with the rotation operation of the arm 42. Then, the waste toner connecting member 32 is moved to the connection position (first position) on the side of the main toner receiving port 80d (in the direction of the arrow N). Here, in the present embodiment, the waste toner connecting member 32 is moved by a rotation operation of the arm 42 in the direction of the arrow N by a distance of about 7.7 mm. Thus, the waste toner connecting member 32 pressed by the arm 42 invades the waste toner receiving port 80d of the apparatus main body 100 by about 4 mm.

As described above, the waste toner connecting member 32 is pushed toward the approximately upward direction by the coupling spring 31. In the present embodiment, as the spring portion 31 of the spring pushing member, a tension spring having a wire diameter of 0.3 mm and an outer diameter of Φ 5.1 mm is used. Further, in a state in which it is not connected to the apparatus main body 100, there is a spring thrust of about 30 gf, and in a state of being connected to the main waste toner receiving port 80d, there is a spring thrust of about 70 gf. Therefore, the arm 42 is subjected to a force of about 70 gf in the direction of the approximate gravity direction in the closed state of the front door 91 of the body.

[Drive connection of waste toner discharge section]

Next, the drive connection of the waste toner discharge unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 , 5 , 7 , 15 , and 16 . Figure 1 shows the waste toner discharge section A perspective view of a method of connecting 32d (refer to FIG. 9) to the main waste toner receiving port 80d.

(drive connection action)

The apparatus body 100 is provided with a waste toner receiving port 80d that receives discharged toner from the process cartridge 7. The waste toner connecting member 32 enters the waste toner receiving port 80d in accordance with the closing operation of the front door of the apparatus main body 100. (Refer to Figure 16)

The waste toner connecting portion 32 intrudes into the device body. In the second coupling member 30 provided in the waste toner connecting portion 32, the vibrating member 44 provided in the main body first conveying path 80a of the main body conveying portion 80 of the apparatus main body 100 is directed downward (waste toner connection port) Intrusion direction, arrow N direction) crushed.

Here, the vibrating member 44 has a spring force with the second coupling member 30 and is abutted. The abutting second coupling member 30 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 , and the groove-shaped recess 30 h of the second coupling member 30 abuts against the action portion 44 b of the vibrating member 44 . The recess 30h is a part of an action portion that acts on the action portion 44b. The vibrating member 44 vibrates by contacting the surface to be affected 44b by the surface of the recess 30h.

The operation at this time will be described in detail using FIG. 15, FIG. 30, and FIG.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the acting portion of the second coupling member 30.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the operation of the second coupling member 30 and the vibration member 44.

Further, Fig. 61 is a perspective view illustrating the shape of the vibrating member 44. First, the description of the acting portion of the second coupling member 30 will be made using FIG. The front end of the second coupling member 30 is an annular (annular) edge, and a portion of this edge serves as an acting portion of the vibrating member 44.

In the second coupling member 30, the symmetry of the seating surface (the first acting portion, the first portion, the elastic pushing portion, the pressing portion, the protruding portion) 30k of the planar portion in the direction of the discharge port (the direction of the arrow N) in the cylindrical shaft 30l The location is set to 2 locations. This seating surface 30k is a part (first portion, first acting portion) of the acting portion. The support surface 30k applies a force to press the vibrating member 44, and functions to deform the vibration member 44 so as to be shortened in the direction in which the vibration member 44 is separated from the second coupling member 30.

Further, the recessed portion (lower jaw) 30h is provided at two symmetrical positions of the cylindrical shaft 30l so that the seating surface 30k is notched. The concave portion 30h is a V-shaped concave shape formed by the inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j of the inclined surface portion at two places, and is collapsed by the front end of the second coupling member 30.

In the deepest portion of the V-shape of the recess 30h, the hanging spring groove 30c for engaging with the spring portion 31 is provided at two positions symmetrically of the cylindrical shaft 30l.

Next, a method (vibration transmission) according to the second coupling member 30 to the vibrating member 44 will be described using FIG.

As described above, the waste toner joint portion 32 is moved into the position of the vibration member 44 which may act on the apparatus body 100 by being inserted into the body receiving port 80d. The second coupling member 30, which is moved toward a position where it is possible, has a seat surface 30k, or a portion of the recess 30h, and the portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 abuts in the direction of the arrow N touch. At this time, the vibrating member 44 intrudes in the direction of the arrow N by the second coupling member 30, and is in a state of being in contact with the second coupling member 30 by its own spring pressure.

Fig. 30 (a) shows a state in which the action portion 44b is in contact with the seating surface 30k as an example of mounting. As described above, the second coupling member 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow T around the axis 61a in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1.

When the second coupling member 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow T, the applied portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 is pressed against the inclined surface portion (inclined portion) 30i of the groove-shaped recess portion 30h by its own spring. (Fig. 30(b))

At this time, as described above, the concave portion 30h is a groove portion (lower) which is provided at a position symmetrical with respect to the axis 30l of the second coupling member 30, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(b), the applied portion 44b simultaneously contacts the two inclined surface portions 30i disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis line 301.

Therefore, the applied portion 44b does not fall largely as the second coupling member 30 rotates, but moves in the opposite direction of the arrow N by the spring pressure of the vibrating member 44.

Further, the second coupling member 30 is rotated in the direction of the arrow T, and the action portion 44b enters the recess 30h. The action portion 44b is moved to the bottom of the recess 30h by its own spring pressure along the slope portion 30i.

When the bottom of the V-shape formed by the two inclined portions (30i, 30j) is in contact with the spring pressure of its own, it moves to the opposite direction of the arrow N. (Fig. 30(c)) is further rotated by the second coupling member 30 The portion 44b is pressed against the reverse inclined surface portion 30j by the spring of the vibrating member 44 (Fig. 30 (d)), and then comes into contact with the seating surface 30k, and the movement in the direction of the arrow N is completed (see Fig. 30 (a)). In short, it is the most depressed state in the direction of the arrow N.

By repeating the above operation, the action portion 44b is biased against the second coupling member 30 by the spring pressure of the vibrating member 44, and reciprocates (vibrates) in the direction of the arrow N. In this manner, the vibrating member 44 vibrates in the direction of the arrow N by the rotation of the second coupling member 30 in the direction of the arrow T.

Further, the seating faces 30k are also disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis 30l, respectively. In short, the front end (acting portion) of the second coupling member 30 is a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the axis 30l. Therefore, when the action portion 44 comes into contact with the distal end (acting portion) of the second coupling member 30, both ends of the action portion 44b are in a state of simultaneously contacting the same-shaped portion of the action portion. For example, when one end of the action portion 44b is attached to the seat surface 30k, the other end of the action portion 44b is also in contact with the seat surface 30k. The action portion 44b is also the same when it is in contact with the inclined surface portion 30i or the inclined surface portion 30j.

When the action portion 44b enters the concave portion 30h, the action portion 44b moves along the slope portion 30i and the slope portion 30j, so that the movement of the vibration member 44 is smooth. In particular, the reverse slant surface portion 30j functions to suppress the action portion 44b from being pulled by the concave portion 30h to cause the vibration member 44 to fall down. In short, by having the reverse slope portion 30j, the action portion 44b can smoothly escape from the recess portion 30h along the reverse slope portion 30j and move toward the seating surface 30k.

The configuration of the second coupling member 30 will be described.

The front end of the second coupling member 30 is provided to act on the acting portion of the vibrating member 44. The planar portion (the seating surface 30k) of the front end of the second coupling member 30 is the first portion (first acting portion) of the acting portion. Next, the second portion (second acting portion) of the acting portion is constituted by the recess 30h which is lower than the seating surface 30k.

In short, the front end (acting portion) of the second coupling member 30 has a first portion (abutment surface 30k) and a second portion (recessed portion 30h) which are disposed at positions different from each other in the axial direction. The recessed portion 30h (the second portion of the acting portion) is disposed on the inner side (rear end side) of the seating surface 30k (the first portion of the acting portion) in the axial direction of the second coupling member 30. Conversely, the seating surface 30k (the first portion of the acting portion) is disposed on the outer side (front end side) of the concave portion 30h (the second portion of the acting portion) in the axial direction of the second coupling member 30.

The inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j are portions that form a second portion (recessed portion 30h) of the acting portion, respectively. At the same time, the inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j may be described as a joint portion (boundary portion) for connecting the second portion (the concave portion 30h) of the acting portion to the first portion (the seating surface 30k) of the acting portion. ).

In short, in particular, a part of the bottom side of the recess 30h is defined as the second portion of the acting portion, whereby the second portion of the acting portion (the bottom side of the recess 30h) rises up to the first portion of the acting portion (the seating surface 30k) Up to now, the inclined surface portion 30i or the reverse inclined surface portion 30j is continued. The inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j are inclined portions that are inclined toward the axial direction of the second coupling member 30. The inclined portion (the inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j) is The portion forming the second portion (recessed portion 30h) of the acting portion is also a connecting portion for connecting the second portion of the acting portion (the portion on the bottom side of the recessed portion 30h) to the first portion (the seating surface 30k). Further, the inclined portion (the inclined surface portion 30i and the reverse inclined surface portion 30j) is also a boundary portion disposed at a boundary between the second portion (the portion on the bottom side of the concave portion 30h) of the acting portion and the first portion (the seating surface 30k).

Further, in the deepest portion of the V-shape of the recess 30h, a hanging spring groove 30c for engaging with the coupling spring is formed. However, since the hanging spring groove 30c is not a portion that acts on the vibrating member 44, it is not necessary to provide the spring groove 30c in the recess 30h. For example, a configuration in which a coupling spring is attached to a portion different from the recess 30h may be employed.

Further, the aforementioned second coupling member 30 does not cause the vibration member 44 to fall down and vibrate. However, the second coupling member 30 may also be configured to cause the vibration member 44 to fall down to vibrate. Such a configuration will be described later using FIG.

Here, the shape of the vibration member 44 will be described using FIG. In the vibrating member 44, the agitating portion 44c extended for the purpose of agitating the waste toner is adjacent to the to-be-engaged portion 44b, and is provided inside the spring portion 44a.

As shown in FIG. 13, the agitating portion 44c is preferably provided in the vicinity of the transport connecting portion 80f which is a connecting portion between the first transport path 80a and the second transport path 80b. As described above, the agitating portion 44c that is integrally formed is vibrated in the direction of the arrow N by the action portion 44b vibrating in the direction of the arrow N. By the agitating portion 44 vibrating in the direction of the arrow N, the toner that has entered the inside of the spring portion 44a is kneaded.

In this way, the clogging of the waste toner in the transport connecting portion 80f is suppressed, and the waste toner can be stably discharged from the main body first transport path 80a to the main body second transport path 80b.

In short, the vibrating member 44 is an agitating member (transporting member) that is conveyed toward the main body conveying screw 85 by stirring the carbon powder. Further, the vibrating member 44 is elastically deformed, and the moving member that vibrates, that is, reciprocates, is also an elastic member. Further, the vibrating member 44 is also a member to be acted upon by the second coupler (coupler) 30.

Further, the second coupling member 30 receives a driving member that is rotationally driven by the rotational force of the first coupling member 29, and is also an acting member (vibration applying member) that acts on the vibrating member 44 to vibrate. Further, the second coupling member 30 is also a force transmitting member (a driving force transmitting member, a force applying member, and a pressing member) that applies a force (driving force) to the vibration member 44 to elastically deform the same.

Here, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the concave portion 30h having the groove shape (low-cut shape) has been described in the action portion of the second coupling member 30, but the action portion is not limited to such a configuration.

For example, as shown in FIG. 62, the convex portion 230m may have two configurations at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis line 230l. Similarly to the concave portion 30h, the vibrating member 44 may be vibrated in the vertical direction.

The convex portion 230m is a protrusion that protrudes from the front end of the second coupling member 230. The front end side of the convex portion 230m constitutes a first portion (first acting portion) of the acting portion. Further, among the front end (edge) of the second coupling member 30, a region where the convex portion 230m is not formed (planar seating surface), phase It is the second part (second action part) of the action part. The first portion (the front end of the convex portion 230m) is disposed closer to the front end side of the second coupling member 230 than the second portion (the seating surface).

Further, in order to connect the first portion and the second portion, the inclined portions are disposed on both end sides of the convex portion 230m.

Further, as shown in FIG. 41, one convex portion (protrusion) 130m may be provided at the front end of the second coupling member 130. In the second coupling member 130, the front end side of the convex portion 130m corresponds to the first portion (first acting portion) of the acting portion. Further, a region (abutment surface 130k) in which the convex portion 130m is not formed among the distal ends of the second coupling member 130 corresponds to the second portion (second acting portion).

The convex portion 130m of the first portion of the acting portion is disposed closer to the front end side of the second coupling member 130 than the seating surface 130k of the second portion. Further, in the rotation direction of the second coupling member 130, a slope portion (inclined portion) 130n is provided on the downstream side of the convex portion 130. The action portion configured as described above generates a force that pushes the agitating portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the vibrating member 44 can be vibrated in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow N).

The specific operation will be described using FIG. FIG. 60 is a schematic view for explaining a method in which the second coupling member 130 acts (vibrationally transmitted) to the vibrating member 44.

Similarly to the above-described configuration, the second coupling member 130 has its waste toner connecting portion 32 moved to a position where it can act on the vibrating member 44 of the apparatus body 100 by being inserted into the body receiving port 80d.

The second coupling member 130, which is moved toward a position where it is possible, has a seat surface 130k, or a portion of the convex portion 130m, which is in contact with the action portion 44b of the vibration member 44 in the direction of the arrow N. At this time, the vibrating member 44 intrudes in the direction of the arrow N by the second coupling member 130, and is in a state of being pressed against the second coupling member 130 by its own spring pressure.

Fig. 60 (a) shows a state in which the action portion 44b is in contact with the seat surface 130k as an example of mounting. Similarly to the second coupling member 30 described above, the second coupler 130 rotates in the direction of the arrow T around the axis 61a in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1.

When the second coupling member 130 rotates in the direction of the arrow T, the applied portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 is pressed against the inclined surface portion 130n of the action portion 130 by its own spring.

Here, as described using FIG. 30 and the like, the second coupling member 30 described above is provided with a recess 30h of the same shape at a position symmetrical with respect to the axis 30l. Therefore, the action portion 44b is simultaneously pressed at two positions which are symmetrical with each other about the axis 30l in the direction of the arrow N. Further, when the action portion 44b is in contact with the inclined surface portions 30i and 30j, the force is received in the orthogonal direction of the axis line 301 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 30). However, since the symmetrical position of the axis line 301 is a slanted surface portion having a symmetrical shape, The force in the left and right direction of Fig. 30 is offset. In this manner, the actuated portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 moves (vibrates) in the direction of the arrow N.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 41, the convex portion (first acting portion) 130m of the second coupling member 130 is disposed only at one position on the seating surface 130k. Therefore, the actuated portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 is by itself The spring pressure abuts against the inclined surface portion 130n, and falls on the axis 61a in the intersecting direction (substantially orthogonal direction, left and right direction) (Fig. 61 (b)).

Further, the driven portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 is rotated in the direction of the arrow T by the second connector (coupler) 130, and is collapsed by the inclined surface portion 130n to the maximum extent (Fig. 61 (c)). Further, the second coupling member 130 is released from the action portion 44b by the rotation of the arrow T, and is released from the contact portion 130k (Fig. 60(d)).

By repeating the above operation, the vibrating member 44 vibrates obliquely to the axial direction of the second connector (coupler) 130. In short, the actuated portion 44b of the vibrating member 44 vibrates in a direction intersecting the axial direction (a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the second connector (coupler) 130 in the horizontal direction in the drawing). Further, since the vibrating member 44 falls down along the inclined surface portion 130n, the vibration of the vibrating member 44 smoothly proceeds.

In the same manner as the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 61, the agitating portion 44c that is extended for the purpose of agitating the waste toner is provided adjacent to the action portion 44b in the vibrating member 44, and is provided inside the spring portion 44a.

As shown in FIG. 13, the agitating portion 44c is preferably provided in the vicinity of the transport connecting portion 80f which is a connecting portion between the first transport path 80a and the second transport path 80b.

As described above, by the action portion 44b vibrating in a direction orthogonal to the arrow N (the horizontal direction in FIG. 60), the agitating portion 44c integrally formed is vibrated, and the toner that has entered the inside of the spring portion 44a is stirred and stirred. In this way, the blockage of the waste toner in the conveyance coupling portion 80f shown in Fig. 13 is Inhibition, the waste toner can be discharged stably from the main body first conveying path 80a to the main body second conveying path 80b. With the above configuration, the vibrating member 44 vibrates in the transport path 80a of the apparatus main body 100.

The waste toner discharged to the main body second transport path 80b by the agitation of the vibrating member 44 receives the transport force of the main body transport screw 85 and is transported in the direction of the arrow R. Then, the waste toner is transferred/recovered to the waste toner cartridge 86.

With the above configuration, the clogging of the waste toner portion is suppressed, and the waste toner is transported at the same time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the moving direction of the waste toner receiving portion 32 to the main waste toner receiving port 80d is in the direction of the arrow N opposite to the riding direction when the processing cartridge 7 is mounted. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the process cartridge 7 in the cross-sectional direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a moving range of the cross-sectional direction of the process cartridge 7 and a moving direction of the waste toner connecting member 32 as seen from the deep side of the apparatus main body 100. As shown in Fig. 7, the riding direction of the process cartridge 7 is a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, so that a path for avoiding interference is secured in the apparatus body 100.

Therefore, it is easy to ensure the space in which the waste toner joint member 32 moves in the riding direction. On the other hand, since the adjacent process cartridge 7 is present in a direction orthogonal to the riding direction and the cross section, it is difficult to move the waste toner connecting member 32. Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the entire apparatus main body 100, the waste toner connecting portion 32 is preferably moved in the riding direction of the processing cassette 7.

In the present embodiment, the waste toner connecting portion 32 is moved in the riding direction of the processing cassette 7 (direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the cassette).

Next, the interlocking operation of the opening operation of the front door 91 with the arm 42 will be described with reference to Figs. 25, 26, 27 and 28. Fig. 25 is a schematic view showing the interlocking of the arm 42 and the front door 91. Fig. 25(a) shows the state when the front door is open, and Fig. 25(b) shows the state when the front door is closed.

Further, Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a support structure of the front sill link member on the deep side in the mounting direction. Further, Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the support structure of the front sill link member on the deep side in the mounting direction, as seen from other directions. Next, Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing a support structure of the front sill link member on the front side in the mounting direction when the front door is opened.

As shown in Fig. 26, the arm rotating shaft 42c of the arm 42 is supported by the support holes 98e, 98f of the rear side plate 98 at a fixed angle.

Further, in the rear side plate 98, an engaging hole 98g for supporting the engaging shaft 48a of the link rotating member 48 is provided. Further, in the rear side plate 98, a support member 39 for supporting the engagement shaft 48a of the link rotating member 48 is attached to the rear side plate 98 using a screw or the like. The support member 39 is provided with an engagement hole 39c for supporting the engagement shaft 48b of the link rotation member 48.

The link rotating member 48 rotatably supports the engaging shafts 48a and 48b by the engaging holes 98g and the engaging holes 39c. Further, as shown in FIG. 28, on the front side in the mounting direction of the apparatus main body 100, a rotating shaft 49 that rotates in conjunction with the front door 91 and a supporting member 54 that moves in engagement with the rotating shaft 49 are provided. The support member 54 is engaged with the rotating shaft 49 by the engaging portion 54a. The combination is rotatably supported in the same direction. The cassette lower guide 94 rotatably supports the engagement shafts 94c and 94d by the engagement holes 48c and 48d of the rotary member 48 on the deep side in the attachment direction. Further, the engaging shaft 94e is supported by the engaging hole 54b of the support member 54 on the front side in the mounting direction.

Further, a lever engagement hole 48e is provided in the rotating member 48, and the support portion engagement shaft 38c of the arm link 38 is engaged and supported. Here, the arm link 38 is elastic in the bending direction. At the same time, the arm link 38 is configured to be deformed in the bending direction, but the deformation in the extending direction is small. As shown in FIG. 25, the arm link 38 passes through the through hole portion 98h of the rear side plate 98 in a state where one end is supported by the rotating member 48, and the second rear side plate 51 is provided in a state in which the restricting portion 38d is restricted in the mounting direction.

As shown in Fig. 25 (a), the arm engagement shaft 42g of the arm 42 is engaged with the hole portion 38a of the arm link 38, and is positioned in the rotation direction (arrow M direction) of the rotation shaft 42c.

(linkage mechanism linked to the front door)

Next, the state in which the front door 91 is closed will be described using FIG. 25(b).

By rotating the front door 91 approximately 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow AB, the rotating shaft 49 that rotates in conjunction with the front door 91 is rotated 90 degrees to the direction of the arrow AB. By the rotation of the rotary shaft 49, the support member 54 engaged with the rotary shaft 49 integrally rotates around the rotary shaft 49 in the arrow AB direction. By the rotation of the support portion 54, the engagement shaft 94e of the lower jaw guide 94 that is engaged with the support portion 54 is directed in the direction of the arrow AC (the direction obliquely to the upper right in the drawing) mobile. Further, with this movement, the deep-side engagement shaft 94c of the lower jaw guide 94 supported by the link rotating member 48 also moves in the direction of the arrow AC around the engaging portion 48a of the link rotating member 48. Therefore, the entire lower guide of the cassette moves in the direction of the arrow AC. The link rotating member 48 that rotates in accordance with the movement of the lower guide 94 in the AC direction turns the arm link 38 called the engaging holes 48b and 48c in the direction of the arrow AD (refer to FIG. 25(a)). push into. The arm link 38 that is pressed in the direction of the arrow AD moves in the direction of the arrow AD by the engaging hole portion 38a that engages with the arm engagement shaft 42g of the arm 42. The arm 42 is pressed by the arm engagement portion 42g and rotated by about 42 degrees in the direction of the arrow M. In this manner, the arm 42 rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 91.

With the above configuration, the moving direction of the hole portion 38a of the arm link 38 becomes the axis perpendicular direction of the arm rotating shaft 42c of the arm 42. Therefore, the hole portion 38a can stably withstand the rotational movement of the arm caused by the movement of the arm link 38. Further, the movement of the arm link 38 is performed in the vertical direction of the rotation shaft 48a of the link rotating member 48. Therefore, it is possible to stably withstand the movement of the rotation axis 48a of the link rotating member 48 in the rotational direction.

Further, the link rotating member 48 is performed by the movement of the lower guide 94 in the direction of the arrow AC. With the above configuration, in order to stabilize the rotational movement of the arm 42, the direction of the rotation axis of the arm 42 is preferably orthogonal to the direction of the arrow AC of the direction in which the lower guide 94 is moved. For this reason, it is preferable that the moving direction of the lower guide 94 is performed in approximately the same direction as the moving direction of the waste toner connecting member 32 of the process cartridge 7.

Further, the cassette lower guide 94 causes the process cartridge 7 to be pushed in the direction of the arrow AD by a pressurizing code (not shown). Here, the direction of the ejection from the apparatus main body 100 to the processing cassette 7 is approximately the same as the moving direction of the waste toner connecting member 32. Therefore, the waste toner joint member 32 can be moved stably. Further, in order to exchange the toner, the process cartridge 7 is taken out from the apparatus body 100.

The waste toner connecting member 32 is rotated by the arm 42 in conjunction with the closing operation of the main body front door 91, and is pressed (see FIG. 16(b)). In short, the position pressed by the arm is referred to as the joint position (first position). In order to handle the removal of the cassette 7, when the main body front door 91 is opened, the arm portion 42 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P in conjunction with the operation of the front door (see FIG. 25(b)). As shown in Fig. 16 (c), the second abutting portion 32h of the waste toner connecting member 32 abuts against the upper portion 42d, and the waste toner connecting member 32 is disconnected upward. The position (retraction position, second position) is pressed in the direction. Thereafter, the waste toner connecting member 32 comes out of contact with the press upper portion 42d of the arm 42, and the waste toner connecting member 32 receives the above-described spring force of the coupling spring 31 through the second coupling member 30, and moves upward. Thereafter, the waste toner connecting member 32 ascends and moves to the retracted position (non-connected position, second position). The non-coupling position (second position) is a position closer to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 than the connection position (first position). Further, the straight line connecting the connection position and the retracted position is configured to intersect the cassette mounting direction.

Further, the lower guide 94 that is interlocked with the front door of the main body is interlocked with the front door 91 of the main body and moves downward. At this point, as mentioned before, processing The cassette 7 has the insertion side on the upper side and is in a state of being inclined by about 0.6 degrees.

Thereafter, it is supported by the apparatus body 100 in the reverse order of the supporting order of the aforementioned mounting. By adopting the above configuration, the cross section and the long side of the waste toner discharge unit 40 are configured, and the long side of the discharge port joint portion can be made small without being separated by the process cartridge. Further, when the waste toner discharge port and the main body discharge container are in the separated position, the toner is not blocked and the waste toner can be discharged.

Further, by the vibration member 44 being vibrated from the process cartridge 7, the waste toner in the toner conveyance path in the apparatus body can be stirred to prevent clogging. Therefore, the processing cassette 7 of the exchange item can eliminate the role of the toner in the intermediate position (vibration transmission) in the long-life apparatus body 100, and reduce the vibration transmission caused by the influence of the toner intermediation. Grinding, etc., and safely transporting waste toner.

Finally, the constitution of this embodiment is gathered as follows.

The cassette 7 of the present embodiment has a photoreceptor drum 1 as shown in Fig. 3, and further has a cleaning member (cleaning blade 6) for removing toner from the photoreceptor drum 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner removed by the cleaning blade 6 is conveyed to the first conveyance path 51 by the conveyance screw 26 of the cassette side conveyance member, and moves to the second conveyance path 61.

Further, the cassette 7 has a coupling member 32 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. A waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) 32d is provided in the joint member 32. The connecting member 32 is a connecting portion for connecting the discharge port 32d to the toner receiving port 80d provided in the apparatus main body, and is movable.

In short, as shown in Fig. 1(a), in the natural state (the state in which the force is not applied to the cassette 7 from the outside), the connecting member 32 is not connected to the non-coupling position of the toner receiving port 80d. On the other hand, when the moving force receiving portions (the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g) of the connecting member 32 receive the force from the arm 42 of the apparatus main body, the connecting member 32 moves to the connecting position shown in Fig. 1(b). As a result, the discharge port 32d is coupled to the toner receiving port 80d.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the connecting member 32 deforms the discharge path (second transfer path 61) of the toner by movement. In short, by the movement of the joint member 32, the discharge path of the toner is deformed in a telescopic manner. By the connection member 32 moving to the connection position, the discharge path is extended (FIG. 1 (b)), and by moving to the non-connection position, the discharge path is shortened (FIG. 1 (a)).

As shown in FIG. 1, the second coupling member 30 is disposed on the terminal side of the toner discharge path (second transfer path 61).

The second coupling member 30 is a member that transmits vibration from the inside to the outside of the cassette 7. In other words, the second coupling member 30 transmits the vibration to the vibrating member 44 (see FIG. 13) provided in the member (the driven member and the agitating member) of the image forming apparatus.

Here, the second coupling member 30 also moves along with the movement of the coupling member 32. In short, when the connecting member 32 is at the joint position (refer to FIG. 1(b)), the second coupling member 30 receives the force from the arm 42 of the apparatus body by the arm abutting portions 32f, 32g, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The display moves to the first position (communication position, connection position). The second coupling member 30 at the first position can act on the vibrating member 44 to cause the vibrating member 44 vibration.

On the other hand, when the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g are not subjected to the force (in the natural state), the second coupling member 30 is retracted to the second position (non-transmission position, non-continuous position, retracted position) (refer to FIG. 1 (refer to FIG. 1 ( a)). At this time, the second coupling member cancels the connection with the vibration member 44.

The second coupling member 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the carbon powder 32d (see FIG. 1). Here, the vicinity of the discharge port 32d herein means a position in a range in which the second coupling member 30 can be in contact with the vibrating member 44 when the second coupling member 30 is moved from the second position to the first position. In short, the vibrating member 44 is disposed in the vicinity of the toner receiving port that is connected to the toner discharge port. In this manner, the second coupling member 30 may be disposed at a position that can act on the vibrating member 44.

According to the present embodiment, at least a part of the second coupling member is disposed in the discharge path of the toner formed by the second conveyance path 61 and the connection member 32 at the second position.

The second coupling member 30 is pushed toward the second position by the spring pushing member (coupling spring 31: see FIG. 9). Therefore, when the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g receive a force from the arm 42 of the apparatus body, the second coupling member 30 moves to the first position against the force of the coupling spring 31.

Further, the second coupling member 30 is configured to be movable to the photoreceptor drum 1 or the conveyance screw 26. In short, the second coupling member 30 moves away from the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 (increasing the distance from the axis) by moving from the second position to the first position. Similarly, the second coupling structure The member 30 moves away from the axis of the conveying screw 26 (increasing the distance from the axis) by moving from the second position to the first position.

The second coupling member 30 moves in a direction between the first position and the second position in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 or the conveyance screw 26 (arrows I and N in FIG. 7).

In more detail, in the present embodiment, the second coupling member 30 is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction.

In other words, the second coupling member 30 moves along the axial direction of the second coupling member 30 itself (the center line 61a of Fig. 7). In summary, the second coupling member 30 moves in a manner offset from the axial direction of the second coupling member 30.

Further, the moving direction of the coupling member 30 is a direction intersecting the mounting direction (insertion direction: the arrow J direction of FIG. 6) of the cartridge 7 of the apparatus body. In the present embodiment, the coupling member 30 is moved in a direction almost orthogonal to the mounting direction. Therefore, in the process in which the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus body, the second coupling member 30 can be retracted to a position where it does not hit the apparatus body (second position). On the other hand, after the mounting of the cassette 7 is completed, the second coupling member 30 can be moved to the first position connectable to the body-side conveying member of the apparatus body.

Further, since the second coupling member 30 is in the flow path of the toner, the moving mechanism of the second coupling member 30 and the vibration transmitting mechanism may be affected by the toner over time. However, the second coupling member 30 is provided in the cassette 7, and the second coupling member 30 is also exchanged for new one in response to the exchange of the cassette 7. That is, if the second coupling member 30 is subjected to toner The effect is that as long as the second coupling member 30 can be utilized during the life of the cassette 7, it is relatively easy to ensure the necessary durability.

The second coupling member 30 can be stably moved between the first position and the second position from the initial stage to the end of use of the cassette 7, and the second coupling member 30 can transmit vibration to the vibration member 44.

Further, as another example, as shown in FIG. 1, the second coupling member 30 moves in the direction along the second conveyance path 61 (in the direction along the moving direction of the toner passing through the second conveyance path 61).

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the coupling portion 1c is configured to transmit the driving force (rotational force) received by the image forming apparatus main body to the second coupling member 30 through the photoreceptor drum 1 or the conveyance screw 26. Therefore, the second coupling member 30 rotates in conjunction with the photoreceptor drum 1 or the conveying screw 26.

The second coupling member 30 has two recesses 30h. The two recessed portions 30h are disposed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the axis (rotational axis) of the second coupling member 30. Further, each of the recesses 30h has inclined faces 30i, 30j. Further, the second coupling member 30 has two seating surfaces (force imparting surface, first acting portion, first portion) 30k disposed so as to be interposed between the two recessed portions 30h.

In the axial direction of the second coupling member 30, the abutment (the second acting portion, the first portion) of the recess 30h is more inclined toward the rear end side of the second coupling member 30 than the seat surface (force imparting surface) 30k. Conversely, the seating surface 30k is disposed closer to the front end side (outside of the axial direction) of the second coupling member 30 than the recess 30h.

Instead of forming the recess 30h as the second acting portion (second portion) on the seating surface, a projection (protrusion 230m) may be formed on the seating surface (see FIG. 62). According to the configuration shown in Fig. 62, the distal end side of the convex portion 230m corresponds to the first acting portion (first portion), and the seating surface corresponds to the second acting portion. In short, the convex portion 230m forming the first acting portion is disposed closer to the distal end side of the second coupling member 230 than the seating surface as the second acting portion.

When the second coupling member 30 is rotationally driven in contact with the vibrating member 44, the magnitude of the force applied to the vibrating member 44 by the second coupling member 30 periodically changes, and the vibrating member 44 is periodically elastically deformed. That is, when the seating surface 30k of the second coupling member 30 comes into contact with the vibration member 44, the force applied to the vibration member 44 becomes large and the vibration member 44 is largely elastically deformed. As a result, the vibrating member 44 is shortened toward the deep side (inner side) of the receiving port 80d. On the other hand, when the vibrating member 44 enters the recess 30h of the second coupling member 30, the force applied to the vibrating member 44 becomes small and the elastically deformed portion of the vibrating member 44 is cancelled. That is, by making the degree of elastic deformation of the vibrating member 44 small, the vibrating member 44 is elongated toward the outside of the receiving port 80d. Further, the concave portion 30h is recessed deeper, and when the vibrating member 44 enters the concave portion 30h, the concave portion 30h can be prevented from coming into contact with the vibrating member 44.

By repeatedly performing the stretching of the vibrating member 44, the vibrating member 44 reciprocates once every 180 degrees of the second coupling member 30. In short, the second coupling member 30 has two recesses 30h and abutment surface 30k, respectively, so the vibrating member 44 is the second coupling member 30 The period of one half of the rotation period is vibrated. Further, even if the second coupling member 30 rotates, the vibration member 44 itself does not rotate.

Further, the concave portion 30h of the second coupling member 30 has two inclined portions (inclined surface 30i, reverse inclined surface 30j) that are inclined in the axial direction of the second coupling member 30, and these are inclined in mutually different directions. Next, the vibrating member 44 can be shortened along the inclined surface 30i and extended along the reverse inclined surface 30j (refer to FIG. 30). As a result, the vibration (reciprocating movement) of the vibrating member 44 becomes rounded. The inclined portions (30i, 30j) are connecting portions (joining portions) that connect the first acting portion (the seating surface 30k) to the second acting portion (the recessed portion 30h).

The inclined surface 30i as the first inclined portion is connected to the upstream side of the seating surface 30k and the downstream side of the recess 30h in the rotation direction of the second coupling member 30. The inclined surface 30i is inclined toward the front end side of the second coupling member 30 as it goes toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the second coupling member 30.

On the other hand, the reverse inclined surface 30j as the second inclined portion connects the upstream side of the concave portion 30h and the downstream side of the seating surface 30k. The reverse inclined surface 30j is inclined toward the front end side of the second coupling member 30 as it goes toward the upstream side in the rotational direction of the second coupling member 30.

The first inclined portion and the second inclined portion face the front end side of the second coupling member 30.

Further, in the second coupling member 30, the inclined portions (30i, 30j) are provided in the concave portion 30h, but the inclined portion may be formed as a convex portion. For example, in Fig. 62, two of the convex portions 230m corresponding to the first acting portion (first portion) The side is used as an inclined portion. In short, the convex portion 230m is coupled to the seating surface by the inclined portion.

Further, the boundary portion between the first acting portion and the second acting portion does not necessarily have to be an inclined portion. In the configuration shown in FIG. 60, the downstream side surface of the first acting portion (the convex portion 130m) is a surface that is almost parallel to the axial direction of the second coupling member 30. In short, the upstream side of the convex portion 130m (first acting portion) and the downstream side of the seating surface 130k (second acting portion) are not necessarily connected by the inclined portion.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cassette 7 has a developing means (developing roller) for developing the latent image of the photoreceptor and the photoreceptor. However, the composition of the cassette 7 is not limited thereto.

For example, FIG. 63 shows a modification in which the cassette 7 is divided into two. The cleaning unit 13 having the photoreceptor is displayed, and the developing unit 4 having the developing roller is separately attached to the apparatus main body as the cassette 1013 and the cassette 1014. In this case, the second coupler 30, the waste toner connecting portion 32, and the like are provided in the cassette 1013 on which the photoreceptor drum is provided.

<Example 2>

A second embodiment of the configuration of the shutter will be described.

The configuration of the shutter and the opening and closing operation of the shutter are the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the sealing structure of the shutter will be described with reference to FIGS. 31, 32, and 33.

As shown in FIG. 31(a) and FIG. 32, the door 134 is closed. In a state where the waste toner discharge portion 32d of the waste toner connecting member 32 is closed, the shutter 134 has a hole 134e at a position facing the waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) 32d.

An elastic sealing member (sealing member) 35 is provided in the shutter 134 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The elastic sealing member 35 is a sealing portion that closes (seals) the discharge port 32d by contacting the edge of the discharge port 32d when the shutter 134 is closed.

Further, there is a case where the elastic sealing member 35 and the shutter 134 are collectively referred to as a door member (opening and closing member). At this time, the shutter 134 is specifically referred to as a seal support portion for supporting the elastic sealing member 35.

The hole 134e is an opening or a notch formed in the shutter 134. The shutter 134 is a hole 134e formed in a non-contact portion that is not in contact with the elastic sealing member 35.

The elastic sealing member 35 has elasticity to be deformed. When the shutter 134 is closed, the elastic sealing member 35 is deformed by the edge of the discharge port 32d being caught by the shutter 134. In short, the elastic sealing member 35 is in close contact with the edge of the discharge port 32d by the stopper 134 in a state of being elastically compressed, so that it is possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of the toner from the discharge port 32d.

On the other hand, the elastic sealing member 35 is in close contact with the edge of the discharge port 32d in a compressed state, so that a certain frictional force is generated between the elastic sealing member 35 and the discharge port 32d. Due to this frictional force, the force necessary to open and close the shutter 134 is increased.

Here, by providing the hole 134e in the shutter 134, when the door 134 is opened and closed, the area where the hole 134e is disposed can be reduced in the elastic seal. The friction generated between the member 35 and the edge of the discharge port 32d.

The portion of the elastic sealing member 35 that faces the hole 134e is not pressed by the shutter 134. Therefore, even if the elastic sealing member 35 is compressed by the edge of the discharge port 32d and the shutter 134 by a certain amount, the portion where the hole 134e is disposed reduces the resistance of the elastic sealing member 35.

As a result, in the region where the hole 134e is disposed, even if the elastic sealing member 35 comes into contact with the edge of the discharge port 32d, the frictional force becomes small. In order to reduce the force (load) necessary for opening and closing the shutter 134, the shutter 134 can be opened and closed with a lighter force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the user to mount the cassette or to reduce the force of the push member (spring, etc.) provided to close the shutter 134.

The state when the shutter 134 closes the waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) 32d (moving in the Q direction) will be described with reference to FIG.

Fig. 33 (a) shows a state before the shutter 134 closes the waste toner discharge portion 32d. Fig. 33 (b) shows a state in which the shutter 134 passes through the waste toner discharge portion 32d. Fig. 33 (c) shows a state before the shutter 134 closes the waste toner discharge portion 32d.

A hole 134e is provided in the shutter 134 as described above, and the elastic sealing member 35 covers the hole 134e.

As shown in Fig. 33(b), the shutter 134 moves to the Q direction, and the hole 134e passes through the waste toner discharge portion 32d. At this time, the edge (dotted line portion) of the waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) 32d becomes a region where the elastic sealing member 35 is compressed.

On the other hand, the range of the hole 134e is provided in the shutter 134. Inside, the resistance of the elastic sealing member 35 is reduced. In short, when the hole 134e of the shutter 34 passes the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d, the frictional force between the elastic sealing member 35 and the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d is reduced. As a result, the load of the closing door 134 can be reduced. Further, the same effect can be obtained when the shutter 134 is moved from the closed state to the opening direction. With this configuration, the opening and closing of the shutter 134 becomes smooth, and the stability of the opening and closing operation can be ensured.

Further, the hole 134e is smaller than the size of the waste toner discharge portion 32d, and the hole 134e is disposed so as to be received inside the waste toner discharge portion 32d.

In short, when the waste toner discharge port 32d is projected onto the shutter 134 when the shutter 134 is closed, the entire hole 134e is disposed inside the projection area of the discharge port 32. When the shutter 134 is closed, the holes 134e do not overlap at the edge of the projection area of the waste toner discharge portion 32d.

Thereby, in the state in which the shutter 134 is closed, the adhesion between the edge of the waste toner discharge portion (discharge port) 32d and the elastic sealing member 35 can be ensured, and the sealing property of the elastic sealing member 35 can be ensured. In short, when the shutter 134 is closed, the portion disposed at the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d is not provided with the hole 134e. The elastic sealing member 35 is pressed by the shutter 134 at a portion where the waste toner discharge portion 32d is provided. In short, the elastic sealing member 35 is pressed toward the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d by the shutter 134, and is in close contact with the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d.

As described above, when the shutter 134 is moved, the friction between the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d and the elastic sealing member 35 is reduced, and at the same time When the shutter 134 is closed, it is easy to secure the adhesion between the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d and the elastic sealing member 35. In the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the sealing performance while improving the opening and closing operability of the door.

Further, when the hole 134e has the same size and positional relationship, the same effect can be obtained by providing the recess 134f as shown in FIG. 31(b) to the shutter 134 instead of the hole 134e. The recess 134f is squatted away from the sealing member 35. A space (space, gap) is formed between the concave portion 134f and the elastic sealing member 35 in Fig. 31 (b). However, the concave portion 134f is not limited to such a configuration, and it is assumed that the bottom of the concave portion 134f is in contact with the elastic sealing member 35. In short, in the portion where the concave portion 134f is provided, as long as the contact pressure generated between the shutter 134 and the elastic sealing member 35 is reduced, there is a certain effect that the shutter 134 is smoothly opened and closed.

In the case where the hole 134e or the recess 134f is provided in the shutter 134 as described above, the force which the sealing member 35 receives by the shutter 134 is reduced in the area where these are provided. When the shutter 134 is opened and closed, the frictional force between the seal member 35 and the edge of the waste toner discharge portion 32d is reduced in the portion where the hole 134e or the recess 134f is provided. As a result, the shutter 134 can be smoothly opened and closed. The hole 134e and the recessed portion 134f are low-pressure portions that reduce the contact pressure between the sealing member 35 and the shutter 134 and are lower than other regions.

<Example 3>

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiments will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

An embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 34, 35 and 36. Here, FIG. 34 is a schematic view showing the operation of the shutter 234 when the main body is mounted, and FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the door and the waste toner connecting member. In addition, FIG. 36 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the waste toner connecting member 232 and the shutter 234.

As shown in FIG. 34, the waste toner connecting member 232 is provided with a wall portion 232m having a convex shape on the downstream side of the discharge port 232d in the process cartridge mounting direction (arrow J direction). In other words, the wall portion 232m is provided on the downstream side of the discharge port 232d in the closing direction in which the shutter 234 is closed. When the shutter 234 is closed, the front end (the abutting portion 234d) of the shutter 234 is in contact with the wall portion 232m.

The wall portion 232m is a convex portion (protrusion portion, lid portion) that protrudes in a direction intersecting the closing direction of the shutter 234. More specifically, the wall portion 232m protrudes from the discharge port 232d toward the downstream side in the discharge direction in which the toner is discharged.

Further, the wall portion 232m is provided on the downstream side of the main body abutting portion (the pressed portion) 234c of the shutter 234 in the arrow J direction (the mounting direction of the process cartridge, the closing direction of the shutter 234).

In the waste toner connecting member 232, an abutting portion 232e is provided on a side surface of the wall portion 232m on the side of the discharge port 232d. Further, a side surface on the downstream side of the shutter 234 in the direction of the arrow J (the handle insertion direction and the door closing direction) is provided with the discharge port abutting portion 234d. As shown in Fig. 35, the shutter 234 is pushed in the mounting direction (arrow J direction) of the process cartridge by the poppet member 36 provided in the cleaning frame 14. In this way, in processing the card In a state before being attached to the apparatus main body, as shown in FIG. 34(a), the discharge port abutting portion 234d of the shutter 234 abuts against the abutting portion 232e of the waste toner connecting member 232. Thereby, the position of the shutter 234 is determined in a state where the shutter 234 closes the discharge port 232d.

36 is a side view of the shutter 234 or the waste toner connecting member 232 as seen from the downstream side of the opening direction of the shutter 234 (the direction of the arrow BA in FIG. 35). As shown in FIG. 36, the wall portion 232m of the waste toner connecting member 232 is disposed so as to overlap a portion of the shutter 234 in the region BB. In short, when the shutter 234 is projected toward the wall portion 232m along the closing direction of the shutter 234, at least a part of the area (BB) of the projection area of the shutter 234 is overlapped with at least a part of the wall portion 232m.

In other words, when the wall portion 232m is viewed along the opening direction of the shutter 234, the wall portion 232m overlaps at least a portion of the shutter 234. In short, when the wall portion 232m is viewed along the opening direction of the shutter 234, the wall portion 232m covers at least a portion of the shutter 234.

By arranging the wall portion 232m as described above with respect to the shutter 234, when the user operates the cassette, the shutter 234 is prevented from being touched. In short, when the user presses the shutter 234 in the opening direction, the user's hand comes into contact with the wall portion 232m before coming into contact with the shutter 234. Therefore, the unintentional opening of the shutter 234 can be suppressed, and the waste toner can be reduced from flowing out of the discharge port 232d.

In short, the wall portion (the convex portion, the protruding portion, and the lid portion) 232m is a malfunction preventing portion that suppresses the malfunction of the shutter 234. The shape of the malfunction restricting portion is not limited to the wall shape. For example, it can also replace the wall and arrange A number of rod-shaped projections (protrusions). In short, the shape of the malfunction restricting portion can be variously selected as long as the user can be prevented from moving the shutter 234 by mistake.

However, if the erroneous operation restricting portion is a wall-shaped convex portion (wall portion) as in the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. In other words, when the damper restricting portion is the wall portion 232m, even when the shutter 234 is closed, even if the toner is scattered due to the potential (wind pressure, vibration) or the like, the movement of the toner is easily blocked by the wall portion 232m. In short, the wall portion 232m has a function of suppressing scattering around the toner discharge port when the shutter 234 is closed.

In order to suppress toner scattering, the width (length of the long side) of the region BB (see FIG. 36: the region of the shutter 234 covered by the malfunction regulating portion) is preferably a certain length. For example, the width of the area BB is preferably longer than the width of the discharge port 232d.

Next, the shape of the joint portion between the process cartridge 7 of the third embodiment and the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 37, 38, and 39.

Fig. 37 is a view showing the appearance of the main body of the embodiment.

Further, Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the main body and the cartridge of the embodiment.

In addition, FIG. 39 is an installation diagram showing the insertion operation of the process cartridge.

As shown in Fig. 38, in the waste toner connecting portion 232 of the present embodiment, the wall portion 232m is provided as described above. In addition, as shown in FIG. 37, at the receiving port 280d of the apparatus body, a card is installed to meet the wall when installed. The slit portion 280g for the portion 232m. Further, at the body waste toner receiving port 280d, the body receiving port sealing member 247 is disposed to surround the body waste toner receiving port 280d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 37, in the vicinity of the body receiving port sealing member 247, a longitudinal sealing member 248 which is approximately orthogonal to the body receiving port sealing member 247 is provided.

The main body receiving port sealing member 247 and the vertical sealing member 248 are a flexible sealing member which is attached to the spring pressing member 243 by a double-sided tape or the like in the present embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the first transport path 280a of the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a vibrating member 44 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Next, the mounting of the cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 39, and the connection with the connecting portion will be described.

As shown in Fig. 39, the process cartridge 7 is inserted into the apparatus body 100 in the direction of the arrow J. Similarly to the first embodiment, a convex main body abutting portion 234c is provided at a lower portion of the shutter 234. Further, in the spring pressing member 243, a convex door abutting portion 243a that engages with the body abutting portion 234c is protruded in the opposite direction of the arrow J.

When the process cartridge 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the abutting portion 234d of the shutter 234 passes over the shutter abutment portion 243a. Thereafter, when the process cartridge 7 is further inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the main body abutting portion 234c comes into contact with the door abutting portion 243a. Thereafter, the stopper door 234 moves relative to the stopper spring pushing member 36 (the same as that of the first embodiment) which is provided in the cleaning frame body in the processing cassette 7 as the mounting progresses. In the opposite direction to the mounting direction (arrow J direction). Further, when moving to the position where the apparatus body of the processing cassette 7 touches the position (Fig. 39 (b)), the waste toner discharging portion 232d2 is completely released, and the relative movement in the processing cassette 7 is ended.

Here, when the apparatus main body 100 is mounted, the shutter 234 abuts against the door abutting portion 243a by the main body abutting portion 234c, and moves in the processing cassette 7 to the opposite side to the mounting direction (arrow J direction). The main body abutting portion 234c is disposed on the upstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the waste toner discharge port 232d. Therefore, when the shutter 234 starts moving in the process cartridge by the shutter abutting portion 243a, a spring pressing member 243 having the door abutting portion 234 is present in a part of the lower portion of the waste toner door 234.

Therefore, when the process cartridge 7 is mounted in the state in which the waste toner is present in the waste toner connecting portion 232, the shutter 234 starts to be detached from the waste toner discharge port 232d, and the toner is discharged from the discharge port 232d. At this time, the discharged waste toner becomes free to fall to the spring pressing member 243. In the spring pressing member 243, as described above, the longitudinal sealing member 248 for allowing the free-falling waste toner to not fall into the apparatus body 100 is disposed in the gravity dropping direction of the spring pressing member 243.

Here, when the process cartridge 7 is inserted, the waste toner joint portion 232 is in contact with the vertical seal member 248 of the apparatus body 100 while being mounted. As described above, since the vertical sealing member 248 is a member having elasticity, the waste toner connecting portion 232 deforms and mounts the vertical sealing member 248 at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a wall (longitudinal sealing member 248) for suppressing the falling direction of the waste toner at a position closer to the waste toner discharge port 232d, and it is easy to obtain a suppression of the waste toner to the specific bomb. The spring member 243 has an effect of falling inside the apparatus body 100 on the outer side. Thereby, the scattering of the waste toner in the apparatus body 100 is reduced.

Then, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the waste toner connecting portion 232 of the cassette 7 is processed by closing the front door (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100, and the body waste carbon is inserted in the direction of the arrow N by the arm 42 (not shown). The powder receiving port 280d. (Fig. 39(c))

Here, as described above, the slit portion 280g is provided in the main waste toner receiving port 280d.

When the waste toner connecting portion 232 is connected to the receiving port 280d of the apparatus main body, the slit portion 280g is disposed at a position where the wall 232m provided in the waste toner connecting portion 232 is inserted.

Therefore, the wall portion 232m of the waste toner connecting portion 232 can be connected without being interfered by the main waste toner receiving port 280d.

Next, the support structure of the vibrating member 44 and the shape of the slit portion 280g of the main body waste toner receiving port 280d will be described using FIG. 40 is an external view of the body waste toner receiving port 280d from which the body receiving sealing member 247 and the vertical sealing member 248 are removed by the spring pressing member 243.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the vibrating member 44 having the elastic force inside the main body first conveying path 280a is supported in the direction of the arrow N by the spring portion 44a being in contact with the regulating surface 243c of the spring pressing member 243.

As shown in FIG. 40, the spring contact portion 243c is provided with a slit portion 280g for welcoming the wall portion 232m on a portion of the circumference of the spring portion 44a.

In other words, the slit portion 280g is formed such that a part of the regulating surface 243c is notched and is partially exposed in the axial direction of the spring coupler 244. Therefore, the restriction surface 243c becomes unable to cover the entire circumference of the spring portion 44a of the vibration member 44.

However, the regulating surface 243c is sufficiently provided to restrict the spring portion 44a in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, for the outer diameter Φ15.3 mm of the spring, the regulating surface 480h is constituted by Φ10 mm.

Thereby, the vibration member 44 is prevented from falling down during the engagement and falling off from the restriction surface 243c. The necessary amount of the restriction surface 243c is changed by the wire diameter, the outer diameter, the number of windings, and the spring pressure of the spring, and may be any size as long as the movable range of the vibration member 44 can be restricted.

Next, a configuration in which the process cartridge 7 is driven and connected to the waste toner connecting portion of the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the waste toner connecting portion 232 moves in the direction of the arrow N and is inserted into the receiving port 280d of the apparatus main body 100. Next, the wall portion 232m of the waste toner connecting portion 232 is inserted into the main waste toner receiving port 280d.

At this time, the vibrating member 44 of the apparatus main body 100 and the second coupling member 230 in the waste toner connecting member 232 have a spring force to abut against each other. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second coupling member 230 that is in contact with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated. Thereby, the vibration member 44 vibrates in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Here, the vibrating member 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The vibrating member 44 is in conflict with the bomb The state of the spring member 243 (coupler non-connected state) has a spring thrust of about 33 gf, and has a spring thrust of about 50 gf in the coupled state of the second coupling member 230.

By the above, driving transmission from the process cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100 is performed.

Here, the length of the axial direction (261a) of the action portion 44b is at least longer than the distance 1 from the front end portion 232n of the wall portion 232m to the concave portion 30h.

Therefore, in a state where the waste toner connecting portion 232 and the receiving port 280d are continuous, the spring portion 44a of the vibrating member 44 does not interfere with the wall portion 232m.

In the present embodiment, the distance 1 is 3.25 mm, and the height of the engaging portion of the second coupling member 230 is about 4.7 mm.

Thereby, the amount of engagement with the second coupling member 230 can be maintained while avoiding interference with the wall portion 232m of the waste toner joint portion 232.

According to the above configuration, even with the configuration of the waste toner connecting portion 232 shown in the third embodiment, the drive coupling structure with the device body can be obtained.

<Example 4>

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 1 will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as in the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

The driving of this configuration will be described using FIG. 12, FIG. 23, and FIG. Communicate the composition.

Fig. 42 is a schematic view showing a configuration in which the conveying screw of the embodiment is driven to the first coupler.

As shown in FIG. 42, at one end of the photoreceptor drum 401, a coupling portion 401c that receives driving from the apparatus body 100 is disposed. Further, a photoreceptor drum gear 401b (not shown) for transmitting the waste toner conveying screw 426 to be described later is provided at the other end portion.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the idler pulley 52 and the conveyance screw gear 53 that are rotatably supported are disposed on one end side of the photoreceptor drum 401 in the axial direction. (Refer to Figure 12)

The conveyance screw gear 53 is drivingly engaged with the conveyance screw 26. The rotational driving force is transmitted from the body drum input coupler 81 (FIG. 23) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the coupling portion 401c at one end of the cleaning unit 13. The rotational driving force to be transmitted sequentially engages the photoreceptor drum gear 401b, the idler gear 52, and the transport screw gear 53, and is transmitted from the photoreceptor drum 401 to the transport screw 426. When the conveyance screw 426 is rotated in the direction of the arrow G, the waste toner accommodated in the waste toner storage chamber 14a is conveyed in the direction of the arrow H by the conveyance screw portion 426a.

Here, the reverse screw portion 426e is provided at the downstream end portion of the conveyance screw 426 in the waste toner conveying direction. Further, the counter screw portion 426e is provided with a paddle 426g (not driven). Further, in the present embodiment, the conveyance screw 426 transmits the drive by the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 401. However, for example, as shown in the first embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by the configuration in which the rotation of the supply roller 20 is linked to drive the transport screw 426.

Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the second photoreceptor drum gear 401d is disposed in the vicinity of the coupling portion 401c of the photoreceptor drum 401. Further, in the drum bearing 27R (not shown), the coupling idler 402 is rotatably supported around the axis 402c. The coupling idler 402 is provided with a drum idler 402a at a position where the second photoconductor drum gear 401d can be driven to drive, and a worm gear 402b is disposed coaxially with the drum idler 402a and the axis 402c.

The coupling idler gear 402 is rotatably supported by a drum bearing 27R (not shown) around the axis 402c.

Similarly to the first embodiment, in the vicinity of the reverse screw portion 426e of the transport screw 426, the first coupling member 429 is provided to be rotatable about the axis 461a.

The supporting method of the first coupling member 429 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

The first coupling member 429 is provided with a gear portion 429g on the outer circumference of the support portion 429d. The gear portion 429g is engaged with the worm gear 402b of the coupling idler 402, and is provided at a position where the drive is coupled.

The first coupling member 429 is a drive transmitting portion for transmitting the driving force from the photoreceptor drum 401 to the second coupling member. Similarly, the coupling idler 402 is also a drive transmission portion for transmitting the driving force (rotational force) from the photoreceptor drum 401 to the second coupling member.

In the present embodiment, the drive communication portion is constituted by two individuals of the first coupling member 429 and the coupling idler 402. However, this may be composed of three or more members, or may be configured as a single monomer. In addition, these drive communication departments At least a part of it may be provided outside the discharge path of the toner. For example, one part of the drive transmission unit (the first coupling member 429) is disposed in the toner conveyance path, and the other portion (the coupling idler 402) may be disposed outside the conveyance path of the toner.

When the main body drum input coupler 81 (FIG. 23) of the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the rotational driving force to the coupling portion 401c at one end of the cleaning unit 13, the second photoreceptor drum gear 401d is rotated along with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 401. Also rotate. Next, the second photoreceptor drum gear 401d is driven to the drum idler 402a of the coupling idler 402, and the coaxial worm gear 402b is rotated. The rotation of the worm gear 402b is transmitted to the gear portion 429g of the first coupling member 429, and the first coupling member 429 is rotated about the axis 461a.

By adopting the above configuration, the first coupling member 429 can transmit the drive to the apparatus body without being subjected to the drive from the transport screw 426.

Since it is not necessary to engage the conveyance screw 426 with the first coupling member 429, the conveyance amount of the conveyance screw 426 can be finely adjusted.

In other words, the reverse screw portion 426e can be freely adjusted in accordance with the transportability of the waste toner.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission drive from the photoconductor drum 401 to the first coupling member 429 is performed using the worm gear 402, but is not limited thereto.

For example, a drive transmission method with an umbrella gear, use The same effect can be obtained by driving the drive transmission method of the belt.

<Example 5>

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 3 will be described in detail. The material, shape, and the like are the same as in the above-described third embodiment, unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

The configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 43 and 44.

Fig. 43 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the waste toner connecting portion of the present configuration, and Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the waste toner connecting portion of the present configuration.

As shown in FIG. 43, in the waste toner connecting portion 532 of the present configuration, the second coupling member 30 is rotatably supported by the support portion 532a of the waste toner connecting portion 532 around the axis 61a. Further, in the second coupling member 30, as in the first embodiment, the support portion 532a of the waste toner connecting portion 532 is attached by bending the compression claw 30e. At this time, in the present configuration, the second coupling member 30 is supported by the protrusion receiving portion 532j of the waste toner connecting portion 532 in the self-weight direction (about the direction of the arrow N) so as not to fall off (see FIG. 44). .

In short, as shown in Fig. 44, the second coupling member 30 is supported by the projection receiving portion 532j in the self-weight direction (arrow N direction), and the compression claw 30e is supported in the opposite direction of the self weight (the opposite direction of the arrow N). On the support portion 532a. Next, the second coupling member 30 is movably supported between the support portion 532a of the waste toner coupling portion 532 and the protrusion receiving portion 532j within the range of the play.

The compression spring 531 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 528a of the coupler frame 528, and is compressed and supported in the direction of the arrow N between the spring frame portion 528i and the spring frame portion 532b of the waste toner connecting portion 532.

In the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical portion 528a of the coupler frame 528 (the end in the direction of the arrow N), a claw portion 528g for engaging with the waste toner connecting portion 532 is provided. Further, a concave groove portion 532i is provided in a portion of the waste toner connecting portion 532 in the vicinity of the spring holder portion 532b.

In a state where the elastic force of the compression spring 531 is received in the direction of the arrow N, the waste toner coupling portion 532 is engaged with the concave groove portion 532i by the claw portion 528g of the coupler frame 528, and is coupled to the coupling in the direction of the arrow N. Rack 528.

Next, the operation of the waste toner connecting portion 532 when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 43, 44, and 45. 45 is a view showing a cassette mounting of the method of connecting the waste toner connecting portion 532 and the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 43, in the waste toner connecting portion 532, a moving rib 532f for engaging the apparatus main body 100 and moving the waste toner connecting portion in a direction opposite to the arrow N is protruded. In the moving rib 532f, a mounting slope 532g and a removal slope 532h are provided at both end portions in the arrow J direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 45, the spring pressing member 543 of the apparatus main body 100 is protruded so as to be engaged with the moving rib 532f when the process cartridge 7 is mounted to make the waste toner connecting portion 532 opposite to the arrow N. The engagement wall 543d for moving in the direction. Further on the engagement wall 543d, in Kayan Both ends of the mounting direction (arrow J direction) are provided with a locking inclined surface 543e at the time of attachment and an engaging inclined surface 543f at the time of extraction.

As shown in Fig. 45 (a), when the process cartridge 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the bevel 532g at the time of attachment of the waste toner connecting portion 532 comes into contact with the engaging inclined surface 543e at the time of attachment of the spring presser 543.

Further, when the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus body J, the waste toner connecting portion 532 is attached to the inclined surface 532 of the spring pressing member 543 at the time of mounting, and the locking inclined surface 543e is attached against the spring force of the compression spring 531 toward the arrow N. Move in the opposite direction. (Fig. 45(b))

Further, when the process cartridge is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the inclined surface of the waste toner connecting portion 532 is engaged with the engaging inclined surface 543f of the spring pressing member 543, and the elastic force of the compression spring 531 is directed to the arrow N. Move in direction.

Further, when the process cartridge is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the waste toner connecting portion 532 is lowered to the original position (the same position in the direction of the arrow N in Fig. 45 (a)), and the mounting is completed. (Fig. 45(c))

At this time, as will be described later, the second coupling member 30 is disposed at a position that can act on the vibration member 44 of the apparatus body 100.

When the process cartridge 100 is taken out of the process cartridge 100 (when moving in the opposite direction of the arrow J), the extraction is terminated by moving the waste toner joint portion 532 in the reverse order.

Next, a method of transmitting vibration from the process cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100 in this configuration will be described.

As mentioned earlier, by processing the cassette 7 toward the arrow J The waste toner connecting member 532 is invaded into the waste toner receiving port 80d. In the same manner as in the third embodiment, the waste toner connecting member 532 is pressed against the reaction force of the vibrating member 44 by the intrusion (entry), and the vibrating member 44 is crushed in the direction of the arrow N.

Further, the vibrating member 44 and the second coupling member 30 in the waste toner connecting member 532 are elastically biased to each other. The second coupling member 30 that abuts rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As a result, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the vibrating member 44 vibrates in the direction of the arrow N by the recess 30h of the second coupling member 30 and the seat portion 30k interacting with each other by the action portion 44 of the vibrating member 44.

Here, the vibrating member 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The vibrating member 44 has a spring force of about 33 gf in a state of being in contact with the spring presser 343 (coupler non-joining state), and a spring force of about 50 gf in a joined state of the second coupling member 30.

By adopting the above-described configuration, the operation of the arm 42 from the apparatus main body 100 shown in the first embodiment is not received, and the engagement of the waste toner connecting portion 532 with the apparatus main body and the vibration of the vibrating member 44 can be achieved.

In short, in the present embodiment, the second coupling member 30 is pushed toward the ground 1 by the spring pushing member (compression spring 531) (refer to FIG. 44). In short, in the natural state, as shown in FIG. 45(a), the second coupling member 30 is located at the first position that can interact with the vibrating member 44. However, in the process of inserting the cassette 7 into the apparatus body, by moving the force receiving portion (moving rib) The piece 532f) is moved by the engagement wall 543d to the second position (Fig. 45(b)). Further, when the insertion operation of the cassette 7 continues, the movement rib 532f is separated from the engagement wall 543d, and the second coupling member 30 is moved to the first position by the force of the spring pushing member (compression spring 531). In short, the second coupling member 30 reciprocates between the first position and the second position.

<Example 6>

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 1 will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted. In the foregoing embodiments, the second coupler is an acting member for acting on the outside of the cassette, but in the present embodiment, the first coupling member 629 is an acting member for acting on the outside of the cassette. Hereinafter, the configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 46 and 47. Fig. 46 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the present configuration, and Fig. 47 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the waste toner connecting portion to the apparatus main body. As shown in Fig. 46, the coupler holder 628 is attached to the drum bearing 27 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the coupler holder 628, a waste toner discharge port 628g is provided in the direction of the arrow N.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the first coupling member 629 is supported by the coupler frame portion 628d of the coupler holder 628 in the self-weight direction (about the arrow N direction) by the support portion 629d.

Further, the first coupling member 629 is embedded in the cylindrical inner diameter 628h of the coupler holder 628 with the cylindrical portion 629e, and is centered on the axis 61a. Rotatingly supported.

Here, the cylindrical portion 628a of the coupler holder 628 and the cylindrical portion 629e of the first coupling member 629 are formed of, for example, a flexible member having elasticity such as rubber.

Specifically, a resin material having high elasticity such as polyoxymethylene rubber or fluororesin is preferable.

Further, in the present configuration, the concave portion 30h of the second coupling member 30 of the first embodiment, the concave portion 629h having the same shape as the seating surface 30k, and the seating surface 630k are provided at the end portion of the first coupling member 629 on the arrow N side.

Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the vibrating member 44 is provided in the first transport path 80a of the apparatus main body 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 47, a wall portion 643e that engages with the waste toner connecting portion 632 is provided in the spring frame portion 643 of the apparatus main body 100. The wall portion 643e is provided in the vicinity of the waste toner receiving port 680d, and is arranged to protrude from the vibrating member 44 in the opposite direction of the arrow N.

Next, the installation of the process cartridge 7 will be described.

As shown in Fig. 47 (a), when the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100 in the direction of the arrow J, the cylindrical portion 628a of the coupler frame 628 is in contact with the wall portion 643e of the apparatus main body 100.

Further, when the process cartridge 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the flexible coupler frame 628 is pressed against the wall portion 643e and deflected in the opposite direction to the arrow J direction. Here, the first coupling member 629 provided inside the coupler holder 628 is also elastic as the coupler holder 628, so that it is flexibly deformed by the coupler holder 628 (Fig. 47(b)). This It is a state in which the first coupling member 629 is retracted to the second position. Further, when the process cartridge 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J, the coupler frame 628 passes over the wall portion 643e to cancel the deflection and return to the initial state. This is a state in which the first coupling member 629 returns to the first position. In short, the first coupling member 629 moves from the first position to the second position by the force received from the apparatus body by the cylindrical portion (moving force receiving portion) 628a of the coupler frame. Thereafter, the first coupling member 629 is moved to the first position by the elastic force of the first coupling member 629 and the coupler holder 628.

When the coupler holder 628 returns to the initial position, the front end of the coupler holder 628 and the front end of the first coupling member 629 enter the body toner receiving port 80d which is the connecting portion of the apparatus body 100.

At this time, the vibrating member 44 of the apparatus body 100 and the first coupling member 629 have a projectile force to be in contact with each other. The second coupling member 629 that is in contact with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Thereby, the vibration member 44 vibrates by the concave portion 629h of the first coupling member 629 and the seat portion 629k interacting with each other by the action portion 44 of the vibration member 44.

Here, the vibrating member 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The vibrating member 44 has a spring force of about 33 gf in a state of being in contact with the spring press member 643 (coupler uncoupled state), and a spring force of about 50 gf in the joined state of the second coupling member 30.

With the above, the driving from the processing cassette 7 to the apparatus body 100 is performed. convey.

By adopting the above configuration, the operation of the apparatus body 100 shown in the first embodiment is not received, and the connection of the first coupling member 629 to the apparatus body and the vibration transmission can be achieved.

Further, the processing cassette 7 and the coupling portion 628, which is the connection portion with the apparatus main body 100, and the first coupling member 629 can be moved in the processing cassette 7 to achieve vibration communication with the apparatus body.

However, in the state in which the cassette 7 is processed, the waste toner discharge portion, that is, the discharge port 628g has elasticity, so that sealing becomes difficult.

Further, in the position where the first coupling member 629 which is deformed by the wall portion 643e is moved to the position where it is engaged with the vibration member 44, it is necessary to have a space for canceling the deflection caused by the contact with the wall portion 643e. Therefore, there is a case where it is difficult to arrange the sealing member on the apparatus main body 100 side. In order to secure the sealing property of the toner, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of the first embodiment or the like.

The constitution of this embodiment is summarized as follows. The first coupling member 629 transmits vibration to the outside of the cassette. Further, the first coupling member 629 constitutes a part of a conveying path through which the toner passes. In other words, the first connector (coupler) 629 constitutes a portion corresponding to the second transport path 61 of the first embodiment (the discharge path of the toner: FIG. 1(a)).

Further, the first coupler 629 is an elastically deformed elastic deformation portion. This is because the first coupler 629 is elastically deformed, and the discharge path is also deformed, and accordingly, the second coupler 629 is moved between the first position (Fig. 47 (c)) and the second position (Fig. 47 (b)). .

Further, the moving direction of the second coupler 629 intersects the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum (the horizontal direction in FIG. 47). That is, when the second connector (coupler) 629 moves from the first position to the second position, the distal end of the second coupling member 629 moves toward the upper left.

In short, the moving direction of the first coupler 629 has a component in the left-right direction and a component in the up-and-down direction. In other words, it can be said that the first coupling member 629 moves in the vertical direction in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum and in the parallel direction. For the direction of movement of the first coupling member 629, a description is given below. The axial direction of the first coupler 629 when the first coupler 629 is in the first position is the reference direction.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the center line 61a of Fig. 47(c) extends is the reference direction, and the reference direction is the vertical direction. The first coupling member 629 moves in a manner that is at least offset from the reference direction. In short, when the first coupling member 629 moves from the first position to the second position, it moves at least upward, and therefore has a displacement in the reference direction (vertical direction).

Further, in the present embodiment, the acting member for transmitting vibration to the outside of the cassette is also disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port of the toner as in the above-described embodiment. Particularly in the present embodiment, the first coupling member 629 is a member that forms a discharge port of the toner as shown in Fig. 47 or 46. The toner passing through the first coupling member 629 is directly moved to the toner receiving port of the apparatus body.

In short, the configuration in which the acting member is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port of the toner also includes a configuration in which the coupling member itself forms at least a portion of the discharge port as in the present embodiment. In addition, the first coupling member 629 is in nature In the state, it is in the first position. Further, the first coupling member 629 is configured to move from the second position to the first position by its own elastic force (elastic thrust).

In short, the first coupling member 629 is an acting member that transmits vibration to the outside of the cassette, and is a member that forms a discharge path and a discharge port of the toner, and is also a spring-pushing member that pushes and moves the acting member. Further, the first coupling member 629 is connected to the toner receiving port provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the first coupling member 629 is also a coupling portion for connecting the discharge port to the receiving port. Further, the first coupling member receives a rotational force for transmitting vibration from the conveying screw of the toner to the vibrating member 44.

In short, in the foregoing embodiment, the first coupling member 629 is integrated into a plurality of members.

Further, when the first coupling member 629 is moved to the first position, the elastic force of the cylindrical portion 628a of the coupler holder 628 is also utilized. In other words, the cylindrical portion 628a can be said to be a spring pushing member that pushes the coupling member 629 to the first position.

<Example 7>

Next, an example of a different shape of the waste toner joint portion will be described. In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 1 will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

In the present embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, the coupling member (second coupling member 730) that transmits the action (vibration) to the outside of the cassette is also used. The body is formed with a discharge port 730d of toner.

Fig. 48 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the waste toner connecting portion and other parts of the embodiment.

Fig. 49 is a perspective view showing the shape of the second coupler of the embodiment, and Fig. 50 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection with the apparatus main body 100 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 48, in the present embodiment, the coupling operation portion 732, the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 730, the coupling spring 31, and the coupler seal 700 are provided in the coupler frame 28.

The method of disposing the coupler frame 28 of the first coupling member 29 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted. In the connection operation portion 732, the shape of the discharge port 32d side of the waste toner connecting portion 32 of the first embodiment is cut, and the cylindrical portion 28a and the rotation preventing rib 28d of the coupler frame 28 are movable in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The ground is supported in the direction of the arrow N. The details are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted. Further, a flexible cylindrical seal 700 and a second coupling member 730 are provided in the direction of the arrow N of the connecting operation portion 732.

Here, as shown in FIG. 48, the first coupling member 29, the second coupling member 730, the coupling spring 31, the coupler holder 28, the cylindrical seal 700, and the coupling operation member 732 are disposed along the center line 61a. About the same axis. Further, the first coupling member 29 and the second coupling member 730 are coupled by a coupling spring 31 as in the first embodiment. The coupling action member 732, with respect to the coupler frame 28, is opposite to the spring force of the coupling spring 31 together with the second coupling member 730, and is movable in the direction of the arrow N direction. The style is installed. Next, when the process cartridge 7 is coupled to the apparatus main body 100, the connection operation member 732 is moved in the direction of the arrow N to be coupled.

Here, as shown in FIG. 49, the second coupler 730 has a concave portion 730h similarly to the second coupling member 30 of the first embodiment. Further, instead of the discharge portion 32d which is the waste toner discharge port of the process cartridge 7 of the first embodiment, a hole-shaped discharge port 730d is provided in the second coupler 730. Further, in the second coupling member 730, as in the first embodiment, a concave-shaped hanging spring groove 730c for attaching the coupling spring 31 is provided in the concave portion 730h.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the coupling spring 31 as the spring pushing member is a torsion coil spring having a bent shape 31a at its tip end and a wheel shape 31b in the opposing direction. The coupling spring 31 is inserted into the second coupling member 730 in the opposite direction of the arrow J, and the bent shape 31a is fitted into the hanging spring groove 730c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 48, a flexible cylindrical seal 700 is provided between the second coupling member 730 and the coupling operation portion 732. The cylindrical seal 700 is embedded in the outer circumference of the driving claw 730f provided to the second coupling member 730.

When the second coupling member 730 is pushed in the opposite direction of the arrow N by the elastic thrust of the coupling spring 31, the cylindrical seal 700 is compressed by the elastic force of the coupling spring 31 between the second coupling member 730 and the coupling action portion 732. . By the collapse (deformation) of the cylindrical seal 700, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the connection operation portion 732 and the second coupling member 730.

Next, use FIG. 50 to describe the drive transmission to the device body. Da.

Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge 7 and the apparatus body 100 when the drive is coupled.

The arm abutting portions 732f and 732g similar to the arm abutting portions 32f and 32g of the waste toner connecting portion 32 of the first embodiment are provided in the connecting operation portion 732.

The mounting to the apparatus body 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

After the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the closing operation of the front door of the apparatus main body 100 is interlocked, and the main body arm 42 (not shown) also operates, and the connection operation portion 732 is pressed in the direction of the arrow N.

When the connecting operation portion 732 moves in the direction of the arrow N, the cylindrical seal portion 700 and the second coupling member 730 move in the direction of the arrow N. Here, the cylindrical seal portion 700 is crushed by pressing while pressing the second coupling member 730 in the direction of the arrow N.

The second coupling member 730 is pressed against the connecting operation portion 732 by the cylindrical sealing portion 700, and enters the waste toner receiving port 80d of the apparatus main body 100.

When the second coupling member 730 invades the waste toner receiving port 80d of the apparatus body 100, the driving claw 730f is rotatably supported by the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 28a of the coupler frame 28. Similarly to the first embodiment, the vibrating member 44 is provided around the center line 61a in the main body first transport path 80a of the apparatus main body 100.

The second coupling member 730 invades the waste toner receiving port 80d In response to the reaction force of the vibrating member 44, the vibrating member 44 is crushed in the direction of the arrow N.

Therefore, the vibrating member 44 and the second coupling member 730 have a spring force to abut. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second coupling member 730 that abuts rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1. Thereby, the concave portion 730h of the second coupling member 730 and the seating surface 730k interact with each other by the action portion 44 of the vibration member 44, and the vibration member 44 vibrates in the direction of the arrow N.

Here, the vibrating member 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The vibrating member 44 has a spring force of about 33 gf in a state of being in contact with the spring presser 43 (coupler uncoupled state), and a spring force of about 50 gf in a joined state of the second coupling member 730.

With the above configuration, the second coupling member 730 has the configuration of the discharge port 730d, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Example 8>

Next, an example of a different shape of the waste toner joint portion will be described.

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 1 will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

First, the component configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55.

Figure 51 is a view showing the waste toner joint portion of the present embodiment. FIG. 52 is an external view showing the shape of the second coupler 830 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 53 is an external view showing the shape of the connecting operation portion 832. Further, Fig. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the main body in the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port of the present embodiment before and after the connection, and Fig. 55 is a side view of the main body in the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 51, in the coupler frame 828, the first coupling member 29, the coupling action portion 832, the tension spring 831, the coupling action spring 800, the second coupler frame 801, and the second coupling member 830 are disposed in approximately the same Always online. In summary, these are arranged on the centerline 861a.

The second coupling portion 830 is rotatably attached to the coupling operation portion 832 in a direction opposite to the arrow N. As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, a cylindrical press-fit portion 830j is attached to the second coupling member 830. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 53, in the connection operation part 832, the convex part 832q engaged with the press-fitting part 830 is provided in the inside of a cylindrical shape. When the second coupling member 830 is inserted in the opposite direction of the arrow N from the connecting operation portion 832, the press-fitting portion 830j and the convex portion 832q are in contact with each other. Further, by pressing the second coupling member 830 into the coupling operation portion 832, the press-fitting portion 830j passes over the convex portion 832q. As described above, as shown in FIG. 54(a), the second coupler 830 restricts the movement of the press-fitting portion 830j against the convex portion 832q in the direction of the arrow N in the connecting operation portion 832. Further, as shown in FIG. 54(a), in the opposite direction of the arrow N, the convex portion 830i provided in the second coupling portion 830 abuts against the distal end portion 832r of the coupling operation portion 832, and the movement is restricted. Therefore, the second coupler 830 is restricted in the direction in which the link operation portion 832 is movable in the direction of the arrow N in the direction of the play. Further, the second coupling member 830 is centered on the coupling action portion 832 Line 861a is rotatably supported centrally.

Further, as shown in FIG. 51, in the connection operation portion 832, the connection operation spring 800 and the second coupler holder 801 are provided in the same straight line shape. Further, in the connection operation unit 832, the second coupler holder 801 is attached to the same linear shape so as to cover the outer diameter of the connection operation spring 800 from the side opposite to the arrow N.

Further, as shown in Fig. 54 (a), on the side opposite to the mounting of the second coupler holder 801, a hole portion 801c which is engaged with the cylindrical portion 830k of the second connector (coupler) 830 with no gap therebetween is provided. .

When the second coupler holder 801 is attached to the connection operation portion 832 in the opposite direction of the arrow N, the two claw portions 801a of the second coupler holder 801 are inserted into the two hole portions 832m of the connection operation portion 832. (Fig. 55 (a)) Here, the claw portion 801a is protruded in a direction opposite to the arrow N in a part of the outer circumference of the second coupler frame 801, and has a suspension protruding in the outer circumferential direction at the front end (opposite direction of the arrow N). Part 801b.

The second coupler holder 801 attached to the connection operation unit 832 is pushed in the direction of the arrow N by the connection operation spring 800. When the second coupler holder 801 that moves in the direction of the arrow N in the direction in which the link is moved in the direction of the arrow 801, the hook portion 801b of the claw portion 801a is engaged with the hole portion 832m provided in the connection operation portion 832, and the movement is stopped. In this manner, the second coupler holder 801 can support the connection operation portion 832 in the opposite direction of the arrow N in the state in which the engagement movement spring 800 receives the elastic thrust in the range of the claw portion 801a. (Fig. 55(a))

Further, the claw portion 801a is engaged with the hole portion 832m at the arrow In the state in which the N direction is supported, the cylindrical portion 830k of the second coupler 830 is engaged with the hole portion 801c of the second coupler frame 801 with no gap therebetween. (Fig. 54(a))

Next, the connection operation unit 832 is attached to the coupler holder 828.

As shown in FIG. 51, the connection operation portion 832 has a cylindrical shape, and its inner diameter portion is fitted into the cylindrical portion 828a of the coupler holder 828. Further, at this time, the rotational positioning groove 832i of the connecting operation portion 832 is engaged with the rotation preventing rib 828d, and the movement in the rotational direction is restricted. Further, as shown in FIG. 53, in the connection operation portion 832, the spring-hanging convex portion 832j protrudes toward the outer peripheral side and is provided at two positions in an axisymmetric manner. Further, as shown in FIG. 54, on the coupler holder 828, two spring hanging portions 828g are protruded from the side of the arrow N.

The connection operation portion 832 is fitted into the coupler holder 828 in the opposite direction of the arrow N, and then two tension springs 831 are attached. The tension spring 831 has wheel shapes 831a and 831b at both ends, and is attached to the spring hanging convex portion 832j and the spring hanging portion 828g, respectively. At this time, the connection operation portion 832 is positioned such that the inner wall 832s is in contact with the distal end portion 828e of the coupler holder 828 by the elastic force of the tension spring 831. (Refer to Figure 54 (a))

In this manner, the coupling operation unit 832 is attached to the coupler holder 828. Further, the mounting of the first coupler 29 to the coupler holder 828 and the mounting of the coupler holder 828 to the bearing 27R are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore are omitted.

Next, the operation of the waste toner discharge unit of the process cartridge 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 55, 56, and 58.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view showing the engagement of the toner discharge portion of the apparatus main body 100 as seen from the side of the side surface of the process cartridge 7 of the present embodiment, and Fig. 58 is a view showing the toner discharge portion of the embodiment and the apparatus body 100. A cross-sectional view of the splicing method.

As described above, the connection operation portion 832 receives the spring force of the tension spring 831 and comes into contact with the coupler holder 828 side. Further, the second coupler holder 801 is supported by the connection operation portion 832 while being subjected to the spring force from the connection operation spring 800.

As shown in Fig. 56 (a), when the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the connection operation portion 832 is engaged with the arm 42 of the apparatus main body 100. Further, after the attachment of the process cartridge 7 is completed, the operation of the front door 91 (see FIGS. 25(a) and (b)) of the apparatus main body 100 is interlocked, and the connection operation portion 832 is moved in the direction of the arrow N. In short, the connecting operation unit 832 moves in the direction of the arrow N by the arm 42 linked to the front door (Fig. 56(b)).

At this time, the second coupler holder 801 abuts against the main body receiving port sealing member 47 of the apparatus main body 100 (refer to FIG. 26 as in the first embodiment), and the movement in the arrow N direction is restricted. As a result, the second coupler holder 801 relatively moves in the direction (the direction opposite to the arrow N) of the connection operation portion 832 to the connection operation portion 832 against the spring force of the connection operation spring 800.

Further, the second coupling member 830 is supported by the tip end portion 832r of the coupling action portion 832 in the direction of the arrow N direction, and invades the body receiving port sealing member 47 and the waste carbon as will be described later. The powder receiving port 80d (Fig. 58(b)).

That is, the second coupler holder 801 is moved to the second coupler 830 in the opposite direction to the arrow N (Fig. 58(b)).

By the above operation, the gap 802 (waste toner discharge port) is generated between the second coupler 830 and the second coupler holder 801 (Fig. 55(b)). Next, the configuration of discharging the waste toner from the process cartridge 7 to the apparatus body 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view showing the retention position of the waste toner V and the toner discharge path of the present embodiment. As described above, as shown in Fig. 57 (a), before the cartridge body 7 is mounted to the apparatus body 100, the cylindrical portion 830k of the second coupler 830 is engaged with the cylindrical portion 801c of the second coupler holder 801. Combined, without a gap. Therefore, the waste toner V is not leaked between the second coupler 830 and the second coupler holder 801.

As described above, after the process cartridge 7 is mounted to the apparatus body 100, the second coupler 830 is moved in the opposite direction to the arrow N by the second coupler holder 801 to generate a gap 802. The gap 802 has a sufficient size for discharging the waste toner V, and the waste toner V from the process cartridge 7 can be discharged. (Fig. 57(b))

Next, the drive connection structure of the waste and the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 58 and 59. Fig. 59 is a partial schematic view showing a method of engaging the apparatus main body 100 at the time of completion of attachment of the apparatus body of the process cartridge 7 of the present embodiment.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the process cartridge 7 is attached in the direction of the arrow J.

At this time, the arm 42 of the apparatus main body 100 shown in FIG. 56 is engaged with the arm abutting portions 832f and 832g of the connection operation portion 832. When the front door of the apparatus main body (not shown) is closed, the arm 42 is rotated in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the arm abutting portions 832f and 832g of the connecting operation portion 832 are engaged with each other, and the connecting operation portion 832 is directed in the direction of the arrow N. Press down (Fig. 56(b), Fig. 58(b)).

In this manner, the second coupler holder 801 and the second coupling portion 830 attached to the connection operation unit 832 abut against the main body receiving port sealing member 47 of the apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 26 in the same manner as in the first embodiment). Further, when the connecting operation portion 832 is pressed in the direction of the arrow N by the arm 42, the second coupler holder 801 moves in the opposite direction of the arrow N against the spring force of the connecting operation spring 800. At this time, in the second coupling member 830, as described above, the convex portion 830i in the direction of the arrow N abuts against the distal end portion 832r of the connecting operation portion 832, and the movement is restricted. Therefore, only the second coupling member 830 intrudes into the body receiving port sealing member and the waste toner receiving port 80d by the movement of the connecting operation portion 832 in the direction of the arrow N (FIG. 58(b)).

As in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54, the vibrating member 44 is provided around the center line 861a in the main body first transport path 80a of the apparatus main body.

Next, the vibration transmission of the apparatus body 100 and the process cartridge 7 will be described.

As shown in Fig. 58 (b), the second coupler 830 intrudes (enters) to the body receiving port 80d of the apparatus body 100. At this time, the second coupling The device 830, against the reaction force of the vibrating member 44, collapses the vibrating member 44 in the direction of the arrow N.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the second coupling member 830 that is in contact rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1.

Thereby, the concave portion 830h of the second coupling member 830 and the seat portion 830m interact with each other by the action portion 44 of the vibration member 44, and the vibration member 44 vibrates in the direction of the arrow N.

Here, the vibrating member 44 is constituted by a compression spring having a wire diameter of Φ0.6 mm and an inner diameter of Φ12.3 mm. The spring coupler 44 has a spring force of about 33 gf in a state of being in contact with the spring press member 43 (coupler uncoupled state), and a spring force of about 50 gf in a joint state of the second coupling member 830.

Next, the transfer of the waste toner to the apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 57 and 58.

As shown in FIG. 58(b), when the second coupling member 830 intrudes into the body receiving port 80d, a gap 802 is generated between the second coupling member 830 and the second coupler frame 801 in the cylindrical direction. (Fig. 57 (b)) The waste toner generated in the process cartridge 7 can be transported to the apparatus main body 100 by the gap 802.

Further, as described above, the gap 802 is inserted into the second coupler holder 801 with no gaps by the second coupling member 830 in a state where it is not connected to the apparatus body, thereby suppressing the outflow of the waste toner.

Thus, even when the outlet of the apparatus main body is not on the center line 861a, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. this Further, in the state in which the cartridge 7 is processed, for example, it is not necessary to use a sealing member such as the shutter 34 of the first embodiment, so that the outflow of the waste toner can be prevented.

The configuration of this embodiment is simply summarized as follows. As shown in Fig. 55 (b), the second coupling member 830 of the present embodiment is a member that partially forms the discharge port 802 of the toner. Further, the second coupling member 830 opens the discharge port 802 of the toner by moving from the second position (Fig. 55 (a)) to the first position (Fig. 55 (b)), and vice versa. The position is moved to the second position, and the configuration of the discharge port 802 of the toner is turned off. The discharge port 802 is opened and closed by the movement of the second coupling member 830.

Finally, a typical configuration example among the configurations described in the above embodiments is as follows. Further, the elements included in the respective configuration examples are also provided with symbols. This shows the correspondence with the elements explained in the foregoing embodiments. However, this correspondence is only an example. It is not intended to limit the constitution of each of the following elements to the elements of the foregoing embodiments.

<Example 9>

This embodiment will be described using Figs. 64 to 66. In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiment 1 will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted.

In the first embodiment described above, the acting member (vibration imparting member) that acts on the vibrating member 44 to vibrate the vibrating member 44 is a rotary drive The second coupler 30 is moving. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the acting member (vibration applying member) 430 acting on the vibrating member 44 vibrates without rotating.

In other words, the cassette 7 of the first embodiment has the second coupling member 30 as a driving member disposed in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 32d. In the present embodiment, the drive member disposed in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 32d is divided into two members of the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 430.

In the present embodiment, portions different from the foregoing embodiments will be described in detail. The material, the shape, and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified. Detailed descriptions of such portions are omitted. An embodiment of the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 64 to 67. Here, Fig. 64 is a configuration explanatory diagram of the waste toner discharge portion of the process cartridge of the present embodiment (corresponding to Fig. 9 of the first embodiment). Figure 65 is a view showing the appearance of the shape of the second coupler in relation to the present embodiment. Further, Fig. 66 is a cross-sectional view showing the dynamics of the vicinity of the waste toner discharge port in the process cartridge of the present embodiment. Fig. 67 is a schematic view for explaining the action of the processing card to the action member, i.e., the vibrating member 44, of the apparatus body in the present embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 64, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first coupling member 329, the second coupling member 330, the coupling spring 31, the coupler frame 28, the acting member 430, and the waste toner connecting member 332 are Arranged along the center line 61a. In summary, these are arranged on approximately the same axis.

The acting member 430 of the embodiment is movable forward and backward. The retracting member is a vibration applying member that imparts vibration to the vibrating member 44, and is also a vibrating member (a click side vibrating member) that vibrates itself. The acting member 430 is also a force imparting member that periodically applies a force to the vibrating member 44 by performing vibration.

Further, the second coupling member 330 is a vibration applying member (second vibration imparting member) that vibrates the acting member 430, and is also a second acting member configured to act on the acting member 430.

Further, the first coupling member 329 and the second coupling member 330 are coupled by a coupling spring 31. The waste toner coupling member 332 is attached to the coupler holder 28 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow N with the second coupling member 330 being reversed from the spring force of the coupling spring 31. Next, when the process cartridge 7 is coupled to the apparatus main body 100, the waste toner connecting member 32 is moved in the direction of the arrow N to be coupled.

Here, a method of supporting the acting member 430 will be described with reference to FIGS. 64, 65, and 66. As shown in FIG. 64, in the acting member 430, the claw portion (protrusion portion, engaging portion) 430m is provided to protrude from the outer circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 430a whose axis is the axis 61a.

Further, in the waste toner connecting portion 332, as shown in FIG. 65, a notch portion (hole portion, engaging portion) 332p is provided in a part of the cylindrical portion of the connecting member 332. When the claw portion 430m of the acting member 430 is engaged with the notch portion 332p, the acting member 430 is supported by the cylindrical portion of the connecting member 332.

Further, since the notch portion 332p is larger than the claw portion 430m, the opposing member 332 of the acting member 430 can move within a certain range along the center line 61a.

In the first embodiment, the second coupling member 30 is moved toward the connection position (first position: see FIG. 1(b)) by the non-connection position (second position: see FIG. 1(a)) of the connection member 332. The configuration is moved from the second position (Fig. 1 (a)) to the first position (Fig. 1 (b)).

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the connecting member 332 is supported in addition to the second coupler 330 connecting member 430. Therefore, with the movement of the connecting member 332, the second coupler 330 and the acting member 430 are integrated and can be moved from the second position to the first position.

Next, the second coupling member 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 64 and 65. The second coupling member 330 has a recess 330h as in the first embodiment. Further, in the depth of the concave portion 330h, a hanging spring groove portion 30c is formed, and the hanging spring groove portion 30c is engaged by a coupling spring (coil spring) 31.

Further, the second coupling member 330 has an inclined portion (the inclined surface portion 330i and the reverse inclined surface portion 330j) for forming the concave portion 330h as in the first embodiment. These inclined portions (the inclined surface portion 330i and the reverse inclined surface portion 330j) are also surfaces for connecting the concave portion 330h and the seating surface 330k.

In the second coupling member 30 of the first embodiment, the concave portion 30h provided in the second coupling member 30 and the seating surface 30k are in direct contact with the vibration member 44. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the concave portion 330h of the second coupling member 330 and the seating surface 330k are in contact with the acting member 430 without contacting the vibration member 44.

The action member 440 is formed with a convex portion 430h at a position corresponding to the concave portion 330h of the second coupling member. The convex portion 430h has an inclined surface 430i, a reverse inclined surface 430j, and a vertex portion 430k. The inclined surface 430i is Corresponding to the inclined portion of the inclined surface 330i. The reverse inclined surface 430j is an inclined portion corresponding to the reverse inclined surface 330.

In short, the acting member 440 and the second coupling member 330 constitute a cam mechanism. In short, the second coupling member 330 is a cam member (a driving side cam member, a first cam member, and a rotating cam member) configured to vibrate (moving forward and backward) of the acting member 440 by its own rotation. The acting member 440 is a driven side (driven side) cam member that is driven by the second coupling member 330 (the second cam member, the driven side cam member, the reciprocating cam member, the advancing and retracting cam member, and the vibrating cam member) ).

More specifically, the concave portion 330h provided in the second coupling member 330 and the convex portion 430h provided in the acting member 440 are switched between the engaged state and the canceled engagement state, and the acting member 440 is moved forward and backward (vibration). Each of the concave portion 330h and the convex portion 430h is a cam portion disposed between the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 440.

The driving of the acting member 430 and the second coupling member 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 66 and 67.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the first coupler 329 is configured to be engaged with the transport screw 26 (not shown) and to rotate in the direction of the arrow T around the axis 61a. The first coupler 329, which is rotated in the direction of the arrow T, transmits rotation to the second coupler 330 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the second coupler 330 rotates in the direction of the arrow T around the axis 61a.

Here, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the second coupler 330 is rotatable in the direction of the axis 61a in the waste toner connecting member 332. In addition, The second coupler 330 is fixedly supported by the waste toner joint member 332 in the direction of the arrow N. Further, the acting member 430 is supported (invibrable) in the direction of the arrow N to be supported by the waste toner connecting member 332 within a certain range. The waste toner joint member 332 is a support member configured to support the second coupler 330 or the acting member 430.

The waste toner connecting member 332 is moved from the non-connecting position (second position: see FIG. 66 (a), FIG. 1 (a)) to the connecting position (first position: see FIG. 66 (b), FIG. 1 (b)) . In conjunction with this, the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 430 are also moved from the second position (Fig. 66 (a)) to the first position (Fig. 66 (b)). In short, the waste toner joint member 332, or the second coupling member 330, and the acting member 430 are simultaneously moved in a direction away from the axis of the photoreceptor drum.

At this time, the acting member 430 receives the elastic force from the vibrating member 44 by being in the vibrating member 44 as shown in FIG. 67(a). As a result, the acting member 440 moves in the direction of the arrow I (upward) as shown in FIG. 67(b) to contact the second coupling member 330.

In this state, when the second coupler 330 rotates, the acting member 440 moves in the direction of the arrow N (downward) along the reverse inclined surface 330j provided on the second coupling member 330 and the reverse inclined surface 430j provided on the acting member 430. This is the state shown in Fig. 67 (c).

Further, when the second coupling member 330 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 67(d), the apex 430k (the abutting portion) of the acting member 430 is in contact with the seating surface 330k of the second coupling member. In this state, when the second coupling member 330 is driven, the second coupling member 330 is farthest from the acting member 430. status. In short, it is the state in which the second coupling member 330 causes the acting member 430 to be most moved in the arrow N direction (the discharge direction of the toner).

Further, when the second coupling member 330 rotates, as shown in FIG. 67(e), the acting member 430 approaches the second coupling member along the inclined surface 330i provided on the second coupling member 330 and the inclined surface 430i provided on the acting member 430. 330. In short, the acting member 430 starts to retreat toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the discharge direction of the toner by the elastic force of the vibrating member 44.

Further, when the second coupling member rotates, the state in which the acting member 430 is closest to the second coupling member 330 is as shown in Fig. 67(f). In this state, the second coupling member 330 and the cam portion of the acting member 430 are engaged with each other, and the acting member 430 is in a state of being retracted toward the upstream side in the discharge direction of the toner. In short, the second coupling member 330 is in a state in which the movable member 440 is allowed to retreat by the elastic thrust (elastic force) of the vibrating member 44.

The second coupling member 330 is rotated by a half cycle (180°) from FIG. 67(b) to FIG. 67(e), and the acting member 430 is vibrated (reciprocated) once.

In short, each time the second coupling member 330 rotates, the acting member 430 vibrates a plurality of times (in this embodiment, the vibration is 2 times).

Further, when the acting member 430 vibrates (advance and retreat) once, the vibrating member 44 also vibrates once.

In short, the annular planar portion provided at the distal end of the acting member 430 acts on the vibrating member 44 in contact with the vibrating member 44. Function department. When the acting member 430 moves forward and backward periodically as shown in Figs. 67(b) to 67(f), the force that the vibrating member 44 receives from the acting member 430 also periodically changes. As a result, the vibrating member 44 is periodically elastically deformed. In the state shown in FIG. 67(d), a relatively large force is applied from the acting member 430 to the vibrating member 44, so that the vibrating member 44 is pressed downward (in the direction of the arrow N). On the other hand, in the state shown in Fig. 67 (f), the force applied by the acting member 430 to the vibrating member 44 is reduced, so that the vibrating member 44 is moved upward (in the direction of the arrow I) by its own elastic force (in and out movement) ).

The configuration of this embodiment has been gathered as described above. The acting member 430 and the second coupling member 330 of the present embodiment are driving members disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 32d. Further, the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 430 constitute a cam mechanism. This cam mechanism is a mechanism for changing the direction of motion. Specifically, in the cam mechanism, the rotational motion of the second coupling member 330 is changed to the forward and backward movement of the acting member 430 (straight-line reciprocating motion).

Next, the acting member 430 among the driving members (330, 430) is a vibration applying member that vibrates the vibrating member 44 by self-vibration.

On the other hand, the second coupling member 330 is a rotating member that vibrates the acting member 430 by performing rotational driving. When the second coupling member 330 rotates, the recessed portion 330h (first cam portion) of the second coupling member 330 repeatedly engages and disengages the convex portion 430 (second cam portion) provided on the acting member 430. Thereby, the acting member 430 enters Retreat (vibration). In summary, the second coupling member 330 is a portion of the cam mechanism that linearly moves the acting member 430 by its own rotational motion.

In more detail, the second coupling member 330 periodically moves the acting member 430 by periodically changing the force applied to the acting member 430. When the second coupling member 330 pushes the acting member 430 with a relatively strong force (Fig. 67 (d)), the acting member 430 moves toward the vibrating member 44, and the acting member 430 presses the vibrating member 44. On the other hand, the force applied to the acting member 430 by the second coupling member 330 becomes relatively small (FIG. 67 (f)), and the acting member 430 is retracted in the direction away from the vibrating member 44 by the elastic force of the vibrating member 44.

Further, when the acting member 440 moves downward (in the direction of the arrow N), the force received from the concave portion 330h of the second coupling member 330 is utilized. On the other hand, when the acting member 440 moves upward (in the direction of the arrow I), the elastic force of the vibrating member 44 is utilized. However, by providing a spring pushing member (for example, an elastic member such as a tension spring) between the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 440, the acting member 440 may be moved upward (in the direction of the arrow I). The configuration of the elastic force of the vibrating member 44 is not utilized. In short, by moving the elastic force (elastic force) of the elastic member of the second coupling member 330 and the acting member 440, the acting member 440 may be moved upward.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the acting member 440 is attached in the first embodiment is employed, but the configuration in which the acting member 440 is attached in other embodiments may be employed.

[Industry use possibility]

The present invention provides a cartridge that can be attached and detached to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus body having a stirring member for agitating a developer.

Claims (17)

A cassette that is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, has a photoreceptor, discharges the developer removed by the photoreceptor to a discharge port outside the cassette, and is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port a driving member configured to be rotationally driven, and having a driving member that acts on an action portion outside the cassette; the driving member is movable to the photoreceptor, and the acting portion has an inclination to an axial direction of the driving member Inclined section. In the cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention, the driving member is movable between the first position and a second position closer to the axis of the photoreceptor than the first position. A card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action portion has a first portion and a second portion located outside the axial direction of the drive member than the first portion. A card cartridge according to the third aspect of the patent application, wherein the second portion is configured to protrude from a front end of the driving member. A card cartridge according to the third aspect of the patent application, wherein the first portion is configured to be depressed by a front end of the driving member. In the case of the third aspect of the patent application scope, the inclined portion is connected to the first portion and the second portion. The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclined portion faces the front end side of the driving member. The card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action portion has at least two inclined portions, and the two inclined portions are disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to an axis of the drive member. In the cassette of the first or second aspect of the invention, the inclined portion is inclined so as to face the front end side of the drive member toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the drive member. In the cassette of the first or second aspect of the invention, the inclined portion is inclined so as to face the front end side of the drive member toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the drive member. In the cartridge of the first or second aspect of the patent application, the cartridge has a coupling portion that connects the discharge port to the outside of the cartridge, and the driving member moves as the coupling portion moves. The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge has a discharge path for the developer to move toward the discharge port. The cassette of claim 12, wherein the driving member moves in accordance with deformation of the discharge path. The cassette of claim 12, wherein the driving member is disposed on a terminal side of the discharge path. The cassette of claim 12, wherein at least a part of the driving member is disposed inside the discharge path. A card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving member is configured to constitute at least a part of the discharge port. A card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving member is configured to open and close the discharge port.