WO2022201592A1 - トナーカートリッジ及び画像形成装置 - Google Patents
トナーカートリッジ及び画像形成装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022201592A1 WO2022201592A1 PCT/JP2021/034098 JP2021034098W WO2022201592A1 WO 2022201592 A1 WO2022201592 A1 WO 2022201592A1 JP 2021034098 W JP2021034098 W JP 2021034098W WO 2022201592 A1 WO2022201592 A1 WO 2022201592A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- wall
- toner cartridge
- respect
- image forming
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 abstract description 69
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 description 38
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013518 transcription Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035897 transcription Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/10—Collecting or recycling waste developer
- G03G21/12—Toner waste containers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1642—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements for connecting the different parts of the apparatus
- G03G21/1647—Mechanical connection means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
- G03G15/0875—Arrangements for supplying new developer cartridges having a box like shape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1661—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus
- G03G21/1676—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus for the developer unit
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus.
- Patent Literature 1 discloses a main body, a detachable member that is detachable from the main body, a functional member that is provided on the detachable member and has a predetermined function, and a functional member that is provided on the detachable member and is connected to the functional member.
- a first gear that transmits power a second gear that is provided on the main body and meshes with the first gear to transmit power to and from the first gear when the detachable member is attached to the main body;
- the detachable member moves to a meshable position where the second gear and the first gear can be meshed, and when the detachable member is detached from the main body, the A mounting structure for a detachable member provided with a cover member that moves from a meshable position and covers at least a portion of the second gear from the meshing side of the first gear.
- the present disclosure provides a toner cartridge having an increased volume compared to a configuration in which a toner cartridge having two accommodating portions arranged in one direction has a wall facing the crossing direction and is flat throughout in one direction. of providing.
- a first containing portion that contains toner
- a second containing portion that is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the first containing portion and contains toner.
- a first connecting portion provided in the first accommodating portion for connecting the first accommodating portion to the outside; a second connecting portion that connects the housing portion to the outside, and the second connecting portion and the first direction wall of the second housing portion on one side in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.
- the wall located at the same position in the toner cartridge has a curved surface portion that at least partially protrudes to one side of the second accommodation portion in the second direction.
- a first container that contains toner
- a second container that is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the first container and contains toner
- a first connecting portion provided in the first accommodating portion for connecting the first accommodating portion to the outside
- a second connection portion that connects to the outside, and of the walls on the other side in the second direction that intersects the first direction of the first housing portion, the wall on the other side in the first direction is the
- a toner cartridge is provided that protrudes to the other side in the second direction with respect to the wall on the one side in the first direction of the first accommodating portion.
- the first connecting portion is arranged on one side of the first accommodating portion in the first direction, and is arranged on the other side of the second accommodating portion in the second direction. side wall in the second direction. You may protrude in the other side in a direction.
- the first connecting portion is provided at one end of the first accommodating portion in the first direction, and It is on the other side in the second direction of one accommodating portion and protrudes to the other side in the second direction with respect to the wall on the other side in the first direction, and the other side in the second direction of the first accommodating portion
- a first recess opening to the other side in the second direction is formed together with the side wall
- the second connecting portion is located in the second accommodation portion at a position overlapping the first recess in the first direction. It protrudes to the one side with respect to the wall on one side in the cross direction, and overlaps the first connection part in the first direction with the wall on the one side in the second direction of the second housing part.
- the second recess may be a second recess that opens to one side in the second direction.
- the second connection portion protrudes to one side in the second direction from a wall of the second accommodating portion on one side in the second direction.
- the portion may be curved.
- the second containing portion is at least partially displaced to one side in the second direction with respect to the first containing portion.
- the second connecting portion may be arranged on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first connecting portion.
- the second containing portion is arranged to be at least partially shifted to one side in the second direction with respect to the first containing portion. and is formed on one side of the second accommodating portion in the second direction and part of one side in the first direction, and is formed on a wall on one side of the second accommodating portion in the second direction. On the other hand, it may have a projecting portion projecting to one side in the second direction.
- the projecting portion may project to one side in the second direction with respect to the second connecting portion.
- a toner using device arranged in a posture along a first direction intersecting the depth direction and using toner, wherein one side of the toner using device in the depth direction and a position on one side of the toner using device in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the depth direction with respect to the toner using device. and a receiving device arranged in a posture along the first direction to receive the toner used in the toner using device, through a discharge portion formed on one side of the receiving device in the depth direction. and a receiving device for ejecting toner.
- the supplied portion of the device unit includes the discharge portion of another device unit arranged on the other side in the second direction with respect to the device unit; They may overlap in the second direction.
- the volume of the toner cartridge is reduced compared to the structure in which the wall on one side of the second housing portion in the second direction, which is at the same position as the second connecting portion in the first direction, is flat. can be increased.
- the wall on the other side in one direction protrudes to the other side in the cross direction with respect to the wall on the one side in the one direction. It is possible to increase the volume of the toner cartridge compared to the configuration without it.
- the first connection portion is the wall on the other side in the second direction of the first accommodation portion. It is possible to increase the volume of the second accommodating portion compared to the configuration provided on one side in the direction crossing the .
- the toner cartridges when a plurality of toner cartridges are arranged in the second direction, compared to the case where the first concave portion and the second connecting portion are not overlapped in one direction, the toner cartridges are arranged in the first accommodation position. and the second connecting portion of another toner cartridge arranged on the other side of the toner cartridge in the second direction can be arranged close to each other in the second direction.
- the toner cartridges when a plurality of toner cartridges are arranged in the second direction, compared with the case where the second concave portion and the first connecting portion are not overlapped in one direction, the toner cartridges are placed in the second accommodation position.
- the portion and the first connecting portion of another toner cartridge arranged on one side of the toner cartridge in the second direction can be arranged close to each other in the second direction.
- the first connecting portion is arranged along the wall on the other side in the second direction of the first accommodating portion, and the second connecting portion is arranged on the wall on the one side in the second direction of the second accommodating portion.
- the other toner cartridge is arranged on the other side of the first connection portion of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge in the second direction compared to the case where the toner cartridges are arranged along the line. can be arranged in close proximity to the second connecting portion of the .
- the toner cartridge can be When arranged in the second direction, the overlapping amount of the second connecting portion of the toner cartridge with respect to another toner cartridge arranged on one side of the toner cartridge in the second direction can be reduced.
- the capacity of the toner cartridge is reduced compared to the configuration in which the first connecting portion of the first accommodating portion is arranged on the other side in the first direction with respect to the second connecting portion of the second accommodating portion.
- the length of the toner cartridge in the first direction can be reduced while maintaining the
- the toner cartridge volume can be increased.
- the entire wall on one side in the second direction of the second housing portion and on the one side with respect to the second connection portion in the first direction is in the second direction with respect to the second connection portion.
- the volume of the toner cartridge can be increased compared to the configuration provided on the other side.
- the second connecting portion is provided on the other side in the second direction with respect to the wall on one side of the second accommodating portion in the second direction, and the one side of the second accommodating portion in the second direction Compared to a toner cartridge having flat or concave side walls, the capacity of the toner cartridge can be increased while maintaining the size of the image forming apparatus.
- the length of the image forming apparatus in the second direction can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the positions of the plurality of device units are shifted from each other in the first direction. Further, according to [12], compared to the configuration in which the supplied portion of the toner using device is formed on one side in the depth direction and the discharge portion of the receiving device is formed on the other side in the depth direction, It is possible to dispose the supply unit that supplies toner to the toner supply unit and the collection unit that collects the toner discharged from the discharge port on the same side in the depth direction.
- the supplied portion of the device unit is separated in the second direction from the discharge portion of another device unit arranged on the other side in the second direction with respect to the device unit. , the length of the image forming apparatus in the second direction can be reduced.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a group of toner cartridges is attached.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the toner cartridge group is removed.
- FIG. 4 is a front view showing an image forming section according to the embodiment;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an image forming section according to the embodiment;
- FIG. 6 is a front view showing the toner cartridge group according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the toner cartridge group according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment;
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a group of toner cartridges is attached
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the internal configuration of the developing device according to the embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is an enlarged rear view showing a portion of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment;
- FIG. 1 An example of a container group according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus 10 having the container group will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
- FIG. 1 An example of a container group according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus 10 having the container group will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
- FIG. 1 An example of a container group according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus 10 having the container group will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
- the vertical direction (height direction), the width direction (horizontal direction), and the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device are referred to as H direction, W direction, and D direction, respectively.
- H direction, W direction, and D direction are referred to as H direction, W direction, and D direction, respectively.
- the upper side is the +H side and the lower side is the -H side.
- the right side is the +W side
- the left side is the -W side
- the back side is the -D side
- the front side is the +D side.
- the device vertical direction is an example of a first direction
- the lower side is an example of one side in the first direction
- the upper side is an example of the other side in the first direction.
- the device width direction is an example of a second direction that intersects with one direction
- the left side is an example of one side in the second direction that intersects with the one direction
- the right side is the other side in the second direction that intersects with the one direction. is an example.
- the image forming apparatus 10 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that uses toner T to form an image on a sheet member P as a recording medium.
- Toner T is an example of powder.
- the image forming apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, a medium containing section 14, a conveying section 16, an image forming section 30, a fixing section 18, and a medium ejecting section 19, as shown in FIG.
- the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a toner cartridge group 60, as shown in FIGS.
- the housing 12 accommodates each part constituting the image forming apparatus 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 .
- the medium storage unit 14 is provided on the bottom side of the housing 12, includes a drawer tray that can be pulled out to the -W side with respect to the housing 12, and has a function of housing the sheet member P.
- the transport unit 16 includes a plurality of transport rollers 16 a and has a function of transporting the sheet member P accommodated in the medium accommodation unit 14 to the image forming unit 30 .
- the image forming section 30 is housed in a space above the medium housing section 14 in the housing 12 and includes a photosensitive unit group 31 and a transfer section 20 .
- the photoreceptor unit group 31 includes four photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and a holding section 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that holds these photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. include. Photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have the same configuration except for the toner color of toner T used. The photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are held by the holding portion 34 in a state in which they are arranged in order from the -W side in the width direction of the device and overlapped in the vertical direction of the device.
- yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are examples of toner colors. Note that when the toner color is not particularly distinguished, the alphabet at the end is omitted.
- the photoreceptor unit 32 is an example of a device unit. Further, the photoreceptor unit group 31 is an example of a device unit group.
- the holding portion 34 is frame-shaped and includes a plate portion 34a extending along the HW surface arranged to cover a portion of the four photoreceptor units 32 from the +D side. is a member of
- the photoreceptor unit 32M includes a photoreceptor drum 36, a charging device 38, an exposure device (not shown), a developing device 40, and a removing device 50, as shown in FIG.
- the photosensitive drum 36 is rotatable in the depth direction of the apparatus, and is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 10 by a motor (not shown).
- the photosensitive drum extends in the depth direction of the apparatus.
- the photosensitive drum 36 has a function of holding an electrostatic latent image on its outer peripheral surface.
- the charging device 38 has a function of charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 to a predetermined potential.
- An exposure device (not shown) has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image by forming an image of light on the charged photosensitive drum 36 .
- the developing device 40 has a function of developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 36 using unused toner T supplied from a toner cartridge group 60, which will be described later, to form a toner image.
- the developing device 40 is an example of a toner using device.
- the developing device 40 is arranged on the -W side with respect to the photosensitive drum 36, as shown in FIG.
- the developing device 40 includes a housing 41, a developing roll 42, a supply auger 43, and an agitating auger 44, as shown in FIG.
- the housing 41 accommodates unused toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 61 through the supplied portion 45 formed in the housing 41 .
- the housing 41 has a supply path 41a in which a supply auger 43 described later is arranged, and a stirring path 41b in which a stirring auger 44 described later is disposed.
- the supply path 41a is a flow path extending in the depth direction of the apparatus, which is formed on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 36 with a developing roll 42, which will be described later, interposed therebetween.
- the stirring path 41b is formed on the opposite side of the developing roller 42 with the supply path 41a interposed therebetween, and is a flow path extending in the depth direction of the apparatus.
- the stirring path 41b and the supply path 41a are connected to each other at both ends in the depth direction of the apparatus to form a circulation path.
- the developing roll 42 is a roll-shaped member arranged on the -W side with respect to the photosensitive drum 36 and extending in the depth direction of the apparatus.
- the developing roll 42 rotates in the depth direction of the apparatus with the toner T in the housing 41 adhering to the surface of the developing roll 42 , thereby transferring the toner T to the electrostatic latent formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 36 . It has the function of adhering to an image and developing the electrostatic latent image.
- the supply auger 43 is arranged in the supply path 41a of the housing 41 and is a member having a rotating shaft extending in the depth direction of the apparatus.
- the supply auger 43 has a function of supplying the toner T in the housing 41 to the developing roller 42 by rotating around the rotation axis.
- the stirring auger 44 is arranged in the stirring path 41b of the housing 41 and is a member having a rotating shaft extending in the depth direction of the device.
- the agitating auger 48 has a function of agitating the toner T in the housing 41 by rotating around the rotation axis.
- the supply auger 43 and the agitation auger 44 have a configuration in which the toner T is circulated in the circulation path formed by the supply path 41a and the agitation path 41b by rotating around the rotation axis.
- the developing roll 42 is arranged so as to overlap an imaginary straight line CT connecting the centers of the rotating shaft of the supply auger 43 and the rotating shaft of the stirring auger 44 when viewed from the depth direction of the device. That is, the developing device 40 extends in the direction along the imaginary straight line CT within the HW plane.
- the angle between the imaginary straight line CT and the vertical line extending in the vertical direction of the apparatus is 45° or less. That is, the developing device 40 is arranged in a posture along the vertical direction of the device.
- the supplied portion 45 is connected to the +D side end of the stirring passage 41b, and is a portion that protrudes and extends from the +D side end of the stirring passage 41b to the +D side. That is, the supplied portion 45 is formed on the +D side of the developing device 40 . 5, the supplied portion 45 protrudes toward the +D side with respect to the plate portion 34a of the holding portion 34. As shown in FIG.
- the supplied portion 45 is connected to a supply portion 74 (details of which will be described later) of the toner cartridge 61 corresponding to the toner color of the photoreceptor unit 32 (see FIG. 4).
- the supplied portion 45 has a function of supplying the unused toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 61 via the supplying portion 74 to the stirring passage 41b.
- the removing device 50 has a function of removing the toner image remaining on the photoreceptor drum 36 after the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 36 by the developing device 40 has been transferred to the transfer unit 20 (to be described later) from the photoreceptor drum 36.
- the removal device 50 includes a blade 52, a housing 54, and an ejector 56, as shown in FIG.
- the blade 52 is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 36 and has a function of removing the toner T from the photoreceptor drum 36 by scraping off the toner T remaining in the toner image from the rotating photoreceptor drum 36 .
- the housing 54 has a function of containing therein the toner T scraped off by the blade 52 .
- the removing device 50 has a function of receiving the used toner T, which is used in the developing device 40 and removed from the photosensitive drum 36 by the blade 52 , in the housing 54 .
- Removal device 50 is an example of a receiving device.
- the ejection part 56 is a part that protrudes and extends from the +D side end of the housing 54 to the +D side. That is, the discharge part 56 is formed on the +D side of the removal device 50 .
- the discharge portion 56 protrudes from an opening formed in the plate portion 34a of the holding portion 34 toward the +D side.
- the discharging portion 56 is connected to a collecting portion 87 (details of which will be described later) of the toner cartridge 61 corresponding to the toner color of the photoreceptor unit 32 .
- the discharging portion 56 has a function of discharging the used toner T in the housing 54 to the toner cartridge 61 via the collecting portion 87 .
- the discharge section 56 is arranged on the +H side with respect to the supplied section 45 of the developing device 40 in the vertical direction of the device. Further, the discharging portion 56 is arranged at a position on the +W side with respect to the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 .
- a portion of the discharge portion 56 of the photoreceptor unit 32M on the +W side overlaps the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 of the photoreceptor unit 32C arranged on the +W side of the photoreceptor unit 32M in the device width direction.
- the discharge portion 56 of the photoreceptor unit 32 overlaps the supplied portion 45 of the other photoreceptor unit 32 arranged on the +W side of the photoreceptor unit 32 in the device width direction.
- the transfer unit 20 includes a transfer belt 21, primary transfer rolls 22 corresponding to four photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, a secondary transfer roll 23, and a backup roll 24. , a support roll 28 .
- the transfer belt 21 is arranged at a position above (+H side) the photosensitive unit group 31, and is in a flat posture extending in the width direction of the device, and endlessly rotating counterclockwise when viewed from the front (+D side). It is a shaped belt.
- the transfer belt 21 has its inner peripheral surface supported by a primary transfer roll 22 , a backup roll 24 and a support roll 28 .
- the transfer belt 21 is in contact with the photoreceptor drums 36 of the photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K at the outer peripheral surface of the portion supported by the primary transfer roll 22 .
- the transfer belt 21 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the +D side, and primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 36 .
- the support roll 28 is arranged inside the transfer belt 21 at the -W side turn-back portion of the transfer belt 21 in a flat posture.
- the backup roll 24 is arranged inside the transfer belt 21 at the +W side turn-back portion of the transfer belt 21 in a flat posture.
- the secondary transfer roll 23 is arranged to face the backup roll 24 with the transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween.
- the secondary transfer roll 23 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 21 onto the sheet member P transported to a position facing the backup roll 24 with the transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween. Further, the secondary transfer roll 23 conveys the sheet member P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred to the fixing section 18 .
- the fixing unit 18 heats and presses the sheet member P conveyed from the image forming unit 30 to fix the image transferred to the sheet member P by the image forming unit 30 onto the sheet member P.
- the fixing section 18 conveys the sheet member P on which the image is fixed to the medium ejection section 19 .
- the medium discharge unit 19 includes a discharge port 19a formed in the housing 12 and a pair of discharge rolls 19b arranged at the discharge port 19a.
- the medium discharge section 19 discharges the sheet member P conveyed from the fixing section 18 from a discharge port 19a by a discharge roll pair 19b.
- the toner cartridge group 60 is composed of four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C and 61K corresponding to toner colors. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner cartridge group 60 is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 from the +D side. Specifically, the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K are individually detachably arranged from the +D side of the photosensitive unit 32 corresponding to each toner color. That is, the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K are arranged in order from the -W side in the device width direction. The four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K contain toner T corresponding to each toner color.
- the toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C and 61K have the same configuration except for the toner color of the toner T contained therein.
- the structure of the toner cartridge 61M will be described as a representative.
- the elements constituting the toner cartridge 61M will be described by omitting the symbol M. As shown in FIG. The structure of the toner cartridge 61K will be described later.
- the toner cartridge 61M includes: a new toner storage section 70; a waste toner storage section 80 arranged on the lower side ( ⁇ H side) of the new toner storage section 70; and a connecting portion 64 .
- the connecting portion 64 is a plate-like member that is arranged on the +D side of the new toner containing portion 70 and the waste toner containing portion 80 and integrally connects the new toner containing portion 70 and the waste toner containing portion 80 .
- the connecting portion 64 may constitute the wall of the new toner storage portion 70 or the waste toner storage portion 80 on the +D side.
- the new toner storage unit 70 is a box-shaped member that stores unused toner T (new toner) supplied to the developing device 40 .
- the new toner container 70 is an example of a first container. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the new toner storage unit 70 has a rectangular top plate 77 along the DW plane and a ⁇ W side edge of the top plate 77 extending toward the ⁇ H side and extending along the DH plane. and a wall 79 extending from the edge on the +W side of the top plate 77 to the ⁇ H side and along the DH plane.
- the new toner containing portion 70 has an inclined portion 71 inclined from the ⁇ H side edge of the +W side wall 79 toward the ⁇ W side and toward the ⁇ H side.
- the new toner containing portion 70 has an inclined portion 75 inclined from the -H side edge of the -W side wall 78 toward the +W side and the -H side.
- the new toner containing portion 70 has a substantially semicircular bottom portion 72 that connects the lower end portion of the inclined portion 71 and the lower end portion of the inclined portion 75 when viewed from the -D side.
- the bottom portion 72 has a wall 72a along the DH plane at the end on the -W side.
- the wall 72a is the -H side wall among the walls arranged on the -W side of the new toner storage section 70 .
- the wall 78 is the wall on the +H side with respect to the wall 72a among the walls arranged on the ⁇ W side of the new toner storage section 70 . Further, the wall 78 protrudes toward the -W side with respect to the wall 72a.
- the new toner containing portion 70 has an extension portion 73 protruding further downward (-H side) from a portion of the bottom portion 72 on the connecting portion 64 side.
- the new toner containing portion 70 has a cylindrical supply portion 74 projecting from the -D side end face of the extension portion 73 toward the -D side. In other words, the supply portion 74 is provided at the end portion on the lower side ( ⁇ H side) of the new toner containing portion 70 .
- the supply portion 74 is arranged so as to protrude to the W side with respect to the wall 72a of the bottom portion 72 of the new toner storage portion 70 in the width direction of the apparatus. That is, the supply portion 74 protrudes toward the ⁇ W side with respect to the wall 72a of the new toner storage portion 70 .
- the supply portion 74 protrudes toward the -W side with respect to a waste toner storage portion 80, which will be described later.
- the supply portion 74 is connected to the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 of the photosensitive unit 32 when the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the supply section 74 is arranged above (+H side) the supplied section 45 of the developing device 40, and accordingly the shutter (not shown) is opened. is connected to the supplied portion 45 (see FIG. 3).
- This shutter (not shown) is provided in the supply portion 74 or the supplied portion 45 .
- the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 is arranged below (-H side) the supply portion 74 of the new toner containing portion 70. It is connected to the supply section 74 in the state of being closed.
- the supply portion 74 is connected to the supplied portion 45 , the unused toner T stored in the new toner storage portion 70 passes through the supply portion 74 and the supplied portion 45 to the supply path 41 a of the developing device 40 .
- the supply section 74 has a function of connecting the new toner containing section 70 to the outside.
- the supply portion 74 is an example of a first connection portion.
- the first connecting portion may have any specific shape or structure as long as it is a portion that connects to the outside.
- the new toner storage section 70 has a recess 76 that is recessed with respect to the wall 78 on the -W side when viewed from the -D side, between the supply section 74 and the inclined section 75 .
- the supply portion 74 forms a recess 76 with the wall 78 connected to the inclined portion 75 .
- the recess 76 is an example of a first recess.
- the recess 76 is open on the -W side.
- the concave portion 76 forms a space 76a sandwiched between a wall 78 connected to the inclined portion 75 and the supply portion 74 in the vertical direction of the apparatus.
- a portion of the connecting portion 64 that overlaps with the recess 76 in the device depth direction is recessed along the recess 76 .
- the waste toner storage unit 80 is a box-shaped member that stores the used toner T (waste toner) scraped from the photosensitive drum 36 by the removal device 50 and discharged from the discharge unit 56 .
- the waste toner container 80 is an example of a second container.
- the waste toner container 80 has a rectangular bottom portion 81 along the DW plane, a wall 82 extending from the ⁇ W side edge of the bottom portion 81 to the +H side and along the DH plane, and a +W side edge of the bottom portion 81 . and a wall 83 extending from the +H side along the DH plane.
- the waste toner containing portion 80 includes an inclined portion 84 inclined from the +H side edge of the +W side wall 83 toward the -W side and toward the +H side, and an inclined portion 84 inclined from the +H side edge of the inclined portion 84 to the +H side. and a wall 85 extending along the DH plane.
- a portion on the +H side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 is an end portion 86 .
- the wall 85 is arranged between the wall 83 and the wall 82 in the device width direction. In other words, the wall 83 and the inclined portion 84 project toward the +W side with respect to the wall 85 .
- the bottom portion 81 straddles the wall 85 in the width direction of the device, and a part of the bottom portion 81 protrudes to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 .
- the portion on the +W side with respect to the wall 85, the wall 83, and the inclined portion 84 are examples of protrusions.
- the wall 83 is formed on the +W side and the -H side of the waste toner container 80 .
- the waste toner storage section 80 has a collection section 87 formed at an end section 86 on the +H side.
- the collecting portion 87 is formed so as to protrude on the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 and be on the W side with respect to the wall 83 . That is, the wall 83 of the waste toner storage section 80 protrudes to the +W side with respect to the collection section 87 .
- the waste toner storage section 80 is arranged shifted to the +W side with respect to the new toner storage section 70 .
- the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 is arranged on the +W side with respect to the +W side wall 79 of the new toner storage section 70 .
- the wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is arranged on the +W side with respect to the -W side wall 78 of the new toner storage section 70 .
- the wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is arranged on the +W side with respect to the wall 72 a of the bottom portion 72 of the new toner storage section 70 and on the +W side with respect to the entire supply section 74 .
- the wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is arranged at a position overlapping the bottom portion 72 of the new toner storage section 70 in the device width direction.
- the end portion 86 of the waste toner storage portion 80 is arranged on the +W side with respect to the bottom portion 72 of the new toner storage portion 70 and partially overlaps the bottom portion 72 in the vertical direction of the apparatus. A portion of the end portion 86 overlaps the inclined portion 71 of the new toner containing portion 70 in the device width direction.
- the collection portion 87 of the toner cartridge 61M has a convexly curved shape along the concave portion 76 of the toner cartridge 61C arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61M. In this manner, the collecting portion 87 projects toward the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 at a position overlapping the concave portion 76 in the vertical direction of the apparatus.
- a portion of the -W side wall of the waste toner containing portion 80 that is convexly curved at the same position in the vertical direction of the apparatus as a hole portion 87a (described later) of the recovery portion 87 is referred to as a curved surface portion 88 (see FIG. 12).
- the curved surface portion 88 has an arc-shaped curved surface. That is, the portion of the collecting portion 87 that protrudes to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 has a curved surface.
- the collecting portion 87 has a cylindrical hole portion 87a that is connected to the discharging portion 56 of the removing device 50 when the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 .
- the discharge portion 56 of the toner cartridge 61 is inserted into the hole portion 87a, thereby opening the shutter (not shown). is connected to the recovery unit 87 at .
- This shutter (not shown) is provided in the hole portion 87a or the discharge portion 56.
- the hole portion 87 a of the collection portion 87 is arranged on the +H side with respect to the supply portion 74 of the new toner storage portion 70 .
- the waste toner storage section 80 removes the used toner T stored in the removing device 50 through the discharge section 56 and the holes 87 a of the collection section 87 . Collect and contain. That is, the hole portion 87a of the collection portion 87 has a function of connecting the waste toner storage portion 80 to the outside.
- the hole portion 87a is an example of a second connection portion.
- the second connecting portion may have any specific shape or structure as long as it is a portion that connects to the outside.
- the waste toner storage section 80 has a concave portion 89 between the collection section 87 and the inclined section 84, which is concave with respect to the collection section 87 and the wall 83 on the +W side when viewed from the -D side.
- the recovery portion 87 forms a recess 89 with the inclined portion 84 and the wall 85 connected thereto.
- the recess 89 is an example of a second recess.
- the recess 89 is open on the +W side.
- the concave portion 89 forms a space 89a sandwiched between the wall 83 connected to the inclined portion 84 and the recovery portion 87 in the vertical direction of the apparatus.
- a portion of the connecting portion 64 that overlaps with the recess 89 in the device depth direction is recessed along the recess 89 .
- the new toner containing portion 70K of the toner cartridge 61K is the same as the new toner containing portions 70Y, M, and C except that its capacity is larger than that of the new toner containing portions 70Y, M, and C of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C. has a configuration of Specifically, the length between the wall 78K and the wall 79K facing the device width direction of the new toner containing portion 70K in the device width direction is the wall 78Y facing the device width direction of the new toner containing portions 70Y, M, and C, M, C and the length in the device width direction between the walls 79Y, M, C.
- the length in the vertical direction of the apparatus between the bottom portion 72K of the new toner containing portion 70K and the top plate 77K is longer than the length in the vertical direction of the device.
- the position of the concave portion 76 with respect to the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61K in the vertical direction of the apparatus is the same as the position of the concave portion 76 with respect to the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and 61C.
- the waste toner storage portion 80K of the toner cartridge 61K has an extension portion 81a in which a part of the bottom portion 81 on the +W side extends to the -H side. Further, in the waste toner storage portion 80K, the collecting portion 87K is arranged on the W side with respect to the wall 79K of the new toner storage portion 70K. Further, instead of the walls 83, 85 on the +W side of the waste toner storage units 80Y, M, and C and the sloping portion 84, the waste toner storage unit 80K has walls along the vertical direction of the apparatus from the collection unit 87K to the extension 81a. 83K.
- the recovery portion 87K does not protrude in the device width direction with respect to the wall 83K.
- the toner cartridge 61K does not have the recessed portion 89 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and 61C.
- the waste toner storage unit 80K has the same configuration as the waste toner storage units 80Y, M, and 80C.
- the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61M is arranged so as to enter the concave portion 76 of the toner cartridge 61C arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61M. That is, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61 enters the concave portion 76 of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61.
- the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61 corresponds to the space 76a of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61. It is arranged by digging into the
- the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61M is arranged by entering the concave portion 89 of the toner cartridge 61Y arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61M. . That is, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61 is placed in the concave portion 89 of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61. Placed inside.
- the wall 83 and the inclined portion 84 of the toner cartridge 61 are arranged below the supply portion 74 of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61 .
- the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61 is supplied to the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61. It is arranged so as to bite into the space 89a.
- the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment of the walls on the +W side of the waste toner storage portion 80, the wall at a position overlapping the hole portion 87a in the device width direction has a curved surface portion 88 projecting to the +W side. Therefore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment have a flat wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80, which overlaps the hole 87a in the width direction of the apparatus.
- the volume of M, C can be increased.
- the wall 78 of the new toner containing portion 70 protrudes to the W side with respect to the wall 72a of the bottom portion 72 . Therefore, in the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment, the volume of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C is reduced compared to the configuration in which the ⁇ W side wall 78 of the new toner storage portion 70 does not protrude toward the W side with respect to the wall 72a. can be increased.
- the supply portion 74 protrudes toward the ⁇ W side with respect to the wall 72a of the new toner storage portion 70, and the entirety of the supply portion 74 extends from the wall 82 of the waste toner storage portion 80. is placed on the -W side. Therefore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment can increase the volume of the waste toner storage section 80 compared to the configuration in which the supply section 74 is provided on the +W side with respect to the wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 .
- the supplied portion 45 of the image forming apparatus 10 is arranged on the ⁇ H side of the supply portion 74 of the new toner storage portion 70 , and the supply portion 74 is located on the waste toner storage portion 80 .
- the volume of the waste toner storage section 80 can be further increased.
- the concave portion 76 formed by the wall 78 connected to the inclined portion 75 of the new toner storage portion 70 and the supply portion 74 corresponds to the hole of the waste toner storage portion 80. It is positioned to overlap with the portion 87a in the device width direction. Therefore, in the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment, the new toner storage portion 70 of the toner cartridge 61 and the new toner storage portion 70 of the toner cartridge 61 in the toner cartridge group 60 are arranged in a position where the concave portion 76 and the hole portion 87a do not overlap in the width direction of the apparatus.
- the holes 76 of the other toner cartridges 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61 can be arranged close to each other in the device width direction.
- the recessed portion 89 formed by the wall 85 connected to the inclined portion 84 of the waste toner storage portion 80 and the hole portion 87a of the collection portion 87 is used to store new toner. It is located at a position overlapping the supplied portion 45 of the portion 70 in the device width direction. Therefore, in the toner cartridge group 60, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment is arranged such that the waste toner storage portion 80 of the toner cartridge 61 and the waste toner storage portion 80 of the toner cartridge 61 do not overlap with each other in the toner cartridge group 60, compared to the case where the concave portion 89 and the supply portion 74 do not overlap in the width direction of the apparatus.
- the supply portion 74 of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61 can be arranged close to it in the device width direction.
- the supply portion 74 and the wall 78 connected to the inclined portion 75 form the concave portion 76, and the collecting portion 87 and the wall connected to the inclined portion 84 are formed. 85 form a recess 89 . Therefore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, the supply portion 74 is arranged along the wall 72a of the new toner storage portion 70 and the recovery portion 87 is arranged along the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80.
- the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61 and the recovery portion 87 of the other toner cartridge 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61 are arranged closer to each other than in the case where the be able to.
- the portion of the collection portion 87 projecting to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 has a curved shape. Therefore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, compared to the configuration in which the portion of the recovery portion 87 that protrudes to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 has a corner portion, the toner cartridge In the group 60, the overlapping amount of the collection portion 87 of the toner cartridge 61 with respect to the other toner cartridges 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61 can be reduced.
- the waste toner storage unit 80 is shifted to the +W side with respect to the new toner storage unit 70, and the collection unit 87 is arranged on the +H side with respect to the supply unit 74.
- the capacity of the toner cartridge 61 is maintained while the toner cartridge 61 moves in the vertical direction of the device. length can be reduced.
- the waste toner storage section 80 has a wall 83 projecting to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 and an inclined section 84 . Therefore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, compared to the configuration in which the entire wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80 and on the H side with respect to the collection section 87 is flat, the toner cartridge 61 volume can be increased.
- the wall 83 protrudes to the +W side with respect to the collecting portion 87.
- the entire wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80 on the H side with respect to the collection section 87 is provided on the W side with respect to the collection section 87. , the volume of the toner cartridge 61 can be increased.
- the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment also includes toner cartridges 61Y, M, C, and K. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the size of the image forming apparatus 10 is smaller than that of the image forming apparatus 10 in comparison with the configuration in which the recovery unit 87 includes a toner cartridge provided on the -W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage unit 80 . can be increased while maintaining the capacity of the toner cartridge 61 .
- the photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K overlap in the vertical direction of the apparatus. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the length of the image forming apparatus 10 in the apparatus width direction is less than the configuration in which the positions of the photoreceptor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in the apparatus vertical direction are shifted from each other. can be made smaller.
- the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 and the discharging portion 56 of the removing device 50 are formed on the +D side. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 is formed on the -D side and the discharge portion 56 of the removing device 50 is formed on the +D side. 45 and the connection destination of the ejection portion 56 can be arranged on the +D side.
- the discharging portion 56 of the photoreceptor unit 32 overlaps the supplied portion 45 of the other photoreceptor unit 32 arranged on the +W side of the photoreceptor unit 32 in the device width direction. ing. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, the discharging portion 56 of the photoreceptor unit 32 is separated in the apparatus width direction from the supplied portion 45 of the other photoreceptor unit 32 arranged on the +W side of the photoreceptor unit 32. The length of the image forming apparatus 10 in the device width direction can be reduced compared to the configuration.
- the wall on the -W side of the waste toner container 80 which is located at the same position in the vertical direction of the apparatus as the hole 87a, is in the -H direction and on the +W side. is a curved surface portion 88 including a surface facing the . Therefore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, of the walls on the -W side of the waste toner container 80, the wall located at the same position in the vertical direction of the apparatus as the hole 87a faces only the +W side. , the volume of the waste toner container 80 can be increased.
- the wall at the same position in the vertical direction of the apparatus as the hole 87a is planar. Accordingly, the volume of the waste toner storage section 80 can be increased.
- the portion of the collection portion 87 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C protruding to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 is curved.
- the portions of the collecting portion 87 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C that protrude to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 may have corner portions.
- the waste toner storage section 80 has been described as having the wall 83 projecting to the +W side with respect to the wall 85 , the inclined section 84 and the bottom section 81 .
- the waste toner storage section 80 may not have a configuration in which the portion on the ⁇ H side of the wall 85 protrudes on the +W side with respect to the wall 85 .
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Abstract
Description
また、[12]によれば、トナー使用装置の被供給部が奥行方向における一方側に形成され且つ受取装置の排出部が奥行方向における他方側に形成されている構成と比して、被供給部にトナーを供給する供給部と排出口から排出されたトナーを回収する回収部とを奥行方向における同じ側に配置させることができる。
装置上下方向は第1方向の一例であり、下側が第1方向における一方側の一例であり、上側が第1方向における他方側の一例である。また、装置幅方向は一方向と交差する第2方向の一例であり、左側が一方向と交差する第2方向における一方側の一例であり、右側が一方向と交差する第2方向における他方側の一例である。
本実施形態に係る画像形成装置10は、記録媒体としてのシート部材PにトナーTを用いて画像を形成する電子写真方式の画像形成装置である。トナーTは、粉体の一例である。画像形成装置10は、図10に示されるように、筐体12と、媒体収容部14と、搬送部16と、画像形成部30と、定着部18と、媒体排出部19と、を備える。画像形成装置10は、図1及び図2に示されるように、トナーカートリッジ群60をさらに備える。
画像形成部30は、筐体12における媒体収容部14に対して上側のスペースに収容されており、感光体ユニット群31と、転写部20と、を含む。
感光体ユニット群31は、4つの感光体ユニット32Y、32M、32C、32Kと、これらの感光体ユニット32Y、32M、32C、32Kを保持する保持部34(図4及び図5参照)と、を含む。感光体ユニット32Y、32M、32C、32Kは、使用するトナーTのトナー色を除いて同様の構成を有する。感光体ユニット32Y、32M、32C、32Kは、装置幅方向において-W側から順番に並んで且つ装置上下方向で重なっている状態で保持部34に保持されている。ここで、イエロー(Y)、マゼンタ(M)、シアン(C)、ブラック(K)は、トナー色の一例である。なお、トナー色を特に区別しない場合は、末尾のアルファベットを省略して記載する。感光体ユニット32は装置ユニットの一例である。また、感光体ユニット群31は装置ユニット群の一例である。
転写部20は、図10に示されるように、転写ベルト21と、4つの感光体ユニット32Y、32M、32C、32Kに対応する一次転写ロール22と、二次転写ロール23と、バックアップロール24と、支持ロール28と、を含む。
定着部18は、画像形成部30から搬送されたシート部材Pを加熱及び加圧することで、画像形成部30でシート部材Pに転写された画像をシート部材Pに定着させる。定着部18は、画像が定着されたシート部材Pを、媒体排出部19に搬送する。
媒体排出部19は、筐体12に形成された排出口19aと、排出口19aに配置された排出ロール対19bと、を含む。媒体排出部19は、定着部18から搬送されたシート部材Pを、排出ロール対19bで排出口19aから排出する。
トナーカートリッジ群60は、トナー色に対応している4つのトナーカートリッジ61Y、61M、61C、61Kで構成されている。トナーカートリッジ群60は、図2及び図3に示されるように、画像形成装置10に対して、+D側から着脱可能に配置されている。具体的には、4つのトナーカートリッジ61Y、61M、61C、61Kは、夫々のトナー色に対応している感光体ユニット32の+D側から個別に着脱可能に配置されている。すなわち、4つのトナーカートリッジ61Y、61M、61C、61Kは、装置幅方向において-W側から順番に並んで配置されている。4つのトナーカートリッジ61Y、61M、61C、61Kは、夫々のトナー色に対応するトナーTを収容している。
新トナー収容部70は、現像装置40に供給される未使用のトナーT(新トナー)を収容する箱型の部材である。新トナー収容部70は、第1収容部の一例である。新トナー収容部70は、図7~9に示されるように、DW面に沿う矩形状の天板77と、天板77の-W側の辺縁から-H側に延びておりDH面に沿う壁78と、天板77の+W側の辺縁から-H側に延びておりDH面に沿う壁79と、を有する。新トナー収容部70は、+W側の壁79の-H側の辺縁から-W側で且つ-H側に向かって傾斜している傾斜部71を有する。新トナー収容部70は、-W側の壁78の-H側の辺縁から+W側で且つ-H側に向かって傾斜している傾斜部75を有する。新トナー収容部70は、-D側から見て、傾斜部71の下端部と傾斜部75の下端部とを繋げている略半円状の底部72を有する。底部72は、-W側の端部に、DH面に沿う壁72aを有する。壁72aは、新トナー収容部70の-W側に配置された壁のうちの-H側の壁である。壁78は、新トナー収容部70の-W側に配置された壁のうち、壁72aに対して+H側の壁である。また、壁78は、壁72aに対して-W側に突出している。
廃トナー収容部80は、除去装置50が感光体ドラム36から掻き取って排出部56から排出した使用済みのトナーT(廃トナー)を収容する箱型の部材である。廃トナー収容部80は第2収容部の一例である。廃トナー収容部80は、DW面に沿う矩形状の底部81と、底部81の-W側の辺縁から+H側に延びておりDH面に沿う壁82と、底部81の+W側の辺縁から+H側に延びておりDH面に沿う壁83と、を有する。廃トナー収容部80は、+W側の壁83の+H側の辺縁から-W側で且つ+H側に向かって傾斜している傾斜部84と、傾斜部84の+H側の辺縁から+H側に延びておりDH面に沿う壁85と、を有する。廃トナー収容部80の壁85に対して+H側の部分は、端部86とされている。壁85は、装置幅方向において壁83と壁82との間に配置されている。換言すると、壁83及び傾斜部84は、壁85に対して+W側に突出している。また、底部81は、装置幅方向において壁85を跨いでおり、一部が壁85に対して+W側に突出している。底部81及び廃トナー収容部80の装置奥行方向の両側の壁のうち壁85に対して+W側である一部と、壁83と、傾斜部84とは、突出部の一例である。壁83は、廃トナー収容部80の+W側で且つ-H側に形成されている。
トナーカートリッジ群60が画像形成装置10本体に取り付けられているとき、トナーカートリッジ61Mの曲面部88は、トナーカートリッジ61Mの+W側に配置されているトナーカートリッジ61Cの凹部76に入り込んで配置される。すなわち、トナーカートリッジ群60が画像形成装置10本体に取り付けられているとき、トナーカートリッジ61の曲面部88は、該トナーカートリッジ61の+W側に配置されている他のトナーカートリッジ61の凹部76に入り込んで配置される。別言すると、トナーカートリッジ群60が画像形成装置10本体に取り付けられているとき、トナーカートリッジ61の曲面部88は、該トナーカートリッジ61の+W側に配置されている他のトナーカートリッジ61の空間76aに食い込んで配置される。
次に、本実施形態の作用及び効果について説明する。なお、この説明において、本実施形態に対する比較形態を記載するときに、実施形態の画像形成装置10と同様の部品等を用いる場合、その部品等の符号及び名称をそのまま用いて説明する。
また、実施形態のトナーカートリッジ61は、画像形成装置10の被供給部45が新トナー収容部70の供給部74の-H側に配置される構成において、供給部74が廃トナー収容部80の壁82に対して+W側に設けられる構成と比して、廃トナー収容部80の容積をさらに増加させることができる。
また、実施形態のトナーカートリッジ61Y、M、Cは、廃トナー収容部80の-W側の壁のうち、孔部87aと装置上下方向で同じ位置にある壁が平面状である構成と比して、廃トナー収容部80の容積を増加させることができる。
Claims (13)
- トナーを収容する第1収容部と、
前記第1収容部に対して、第1方向における一方側に配置され、トナーを収容する第2収容部と、
前記第1収容部に設けられ、前記第1収容部を外部と接続する第1接続部と、
前記第2収容部の、前記第1方向における他方側の端部に設けられ、前記第2収容部を外部と接続する第2接続部と、
を備え、
前記第2収容部の、前記第1方向と交差する第2方向における一方側の壁のうち、前記第2接続部と前記第1方向において重なる位置にある壁は、少なくとも部分的に前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側へ突出する曲面部を有する
トナーカートリッジ。 - トナーを収容する第1収容部と、
前記第1収容部に対する第1方向における一方側に配置され、トナーを収容する第2収容部と、
前記第1収容部に設けられ、前記第1収容部を外部と接続する第1接続部と、
前記第2収容部の、前記第1方向における他方側の端部に設けられ、前記第2収容部を外部と接続する第2接続部と、
を備え、
前記第1収容部の、前記第1方向と交差する第2方向における他方側の壁のうち、前記第1方向における他方側の壁は、前記第1収容部の、前記第1方向における一方側の壁に対して、前記第2方向における他方側に突出している
トナーカートリッジ。 - 前記第1接続部は、前記第1収容部の前記第1方向における一方側に配置され、且つ前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における他方側の壁に対して前記第2方向における他方側に配置され、前記第1収容部の、前記第2方向における他方側であって前記第1方向における一方側の壁に対して、前記第2方向における他方側に突出している、請求項2に記載のトナーカートリッジ。
- 前記第1収容部の、前記第2方向における他方側の壁と隣接して、前記第1方向における一方側または他方側の少なくとも一方にある壁よりも前記第2方向における一方側に、第1凹部が形成され、
前記第1凹部は、前記第2方向における他方側に開口し、
前記第1凹部は、前記第2接続部と前記第1方向において重なる位置にある、請求項1に記載のトナーカートリッジ。 - 前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側の壁と隣接して、前記第1方向における一方側または他方側の少なくとも一方にある壁よりも前記第2方向における他方側に、第2凹部が形成され、
前記第2凹部は、前記第2方向における一方側に開口し、
前記第2凹部は、前記第1接続部と前記第1方向において重なる位置にある、請求項3に記載のトナーカートリッジ。 - 前記第1接続部は、前記第1収容部の前記第1方向における一方側の端部に設けられ、且つ前記第1収容部の前記第2方向における他方側であって前記第1方向における他方側の壁に対して前記第2方向における他方側に突出しており、前記第1収容部の前記第2方向における他方側の壁とで前記第2方向における他方側に開口する第1凹部を形成しており、
前記第2接続部は、前記第1方向において前記第1凹部と重なる位置で前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側の壁に対して該一方側に突出しており、前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側の壁とで、前記第1方向において前記第1接続部と重なっている第2凹部であって前記第2方向における一方側に開口する第2凹部を形成している、請求項1~3の何れか1項に記載のトナーカートリッジ。 - 前記第2接続部の、前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側の壁に対して、前記第2方向における一方側に突出している部分は曲面状である、請求項6に記載のトナーカートリッジ。
- 前記第2収容部は、少なくとも部分的に、前記第1収容部に対して前記第2方向における一方側にずれて配置されており、
前記第2接続部は、前記第1接続部に対して前記第1方向における他方側に配置されている、請求項1~3の何れか1項に記載のトナーカートリッジ。 - 前記第2収容部は、少なくとも部分的に、前記第1収容部に対して前記第2方向における一方側にずれて配置されており、且つ前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側で且つ前記第1方向における一方側の一部に形成され、前記第2収容部の前記第2方向における一方側の壁に対して前記第2方向における一方側に突出している突出部を有する、請求項1~8の何れか1項に記載のトナーカートリッジ。
- 前記突出部は、前記第2接続部に対して、前記第2方向における一方側に突出している、請求項9に記載のトナーカートリッジ。
- 前記第1収容部が未使用のトナーを収容し、前記第2収容部が使用済みのトナーを収容する、請求項1~10の何れか1項に記載のトナーカートリッジと、
前記第2方向に延びており、前記第1収容部から供給された未使用のトナーを使用して記録媒体に画像を形成する画像形成部であって、画像形成後に該画像形成部に残留したトナーを前記第2収容部に向けて排出する画像形成部と、
を備える画像形成装置。 - 奥行方向と交差する第1方向に沿う姿勢で配置され、トナーを使用するトナー使用装置であって、前記トナー使用装置の、前記奥行方向における一方側に形成された被供給部を介してトナーを供給されるトナー使用装置と、
前記トナー使用装置に対して、前記第1方向及び前記奥行方向と交差する第2方向における一方側である位置に、前記第1方向に沿う姿勢で配置され、前記トナー使用装置で使用されたトナーを受け取る受取装置であって、前記受取装置の、前記奥行方向における一方側に形成された排出部を介してトナーを排出する受取装置と、
を備える装置ユニットが、前記第1方向で重なっている状態で前記第2方向に複数並んで配置されている画像形成装置。 - 前記装置ユニットの前記被供給部は、前記装置ユニットに対する前記第2方向における他方側に配置されている他の装置ユニットの前記排出部と、前記第2方向で重なっている、請求項12に記載の画像形成装置。
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JP2008122825A (ja) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-29 | Seiko Epson Corp | トナーカートリッジ |
JP2011232399A (ja) | 2010-04-23 | 2011-11-17 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | 着脱部材の取付構造、画像形成装置 |
JP2017146345A (ja) * | 2016-02-15 | 2017-08-24 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | 画像形成装置 |
JP2017219724A (ja) * | 2016-06-08 | 2017-12-14 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | トナー容器、画像形成装置 |
JP2021054283A (ja) | 2019-09-30 | 2021-04-08 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | 浄化装置 |
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JP2008122825A (ja) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-29 | Seiko Epson Corp | トナーカートリッジ |
JP2011232399A (ja) | 2010-04-23 | 2011-11-17 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | 着脱部材の取付構造、画像形成装置 |
JP2017146345A (ja) * | 2016-02-15 | 2017-08-24 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | 画像形成装置 |
JP2017219724A (ja) * | 2016-06-08 | 2017-12-14 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | トナー容器、画像形成装置 |
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