Imaging equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus capable of being attached to a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores toner to be supplied to a developing section. The attachment position of the toner supply container is located below a light scanning section in a vertical direction.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application based on the Chinese patent application with application number 201880010336.2, application date February 7, 2018, and invention name “Imaging Device”, which is the Chinese national phase of the international application with international application number PCT / JP2018 / 004244. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a multifunctional device for forming an image by using an electrophotographic system. Background Art

[0003] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a toner supply container for supplying toner that decreases with image formation, and the toner supply container is detachably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus (e.g., a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing parts) includes a plurality of toner supply containers corresponding to the respective developing parts, and the toner supply containers are detachably attached to the apparatus (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2014-178398, 2002-244529, 2016-31497, 2014-74890).

[0004] The attachment position of the toner supply container in the main body of the image forming apparatus varies depending on the image forming apparatus. Fig.10 In the image forming apparatus of (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-178398), toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are arranged below the sheet tray 68 and above the image forming portion 300. Fig.11 In the image forming apparatus of (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244529), the image forming section 400 including the developing section is arranged above the intermediate transfer belt 75, and the toner supply container 65 is arranged below the intermediate transfer belt 75. The toner is conveyed from the toner supply container 65 to the developing section by passing over the intermediate transfer belt 75.

[0005] The increase in temperature around the toner deteriorates the fluidity of the toner or solidifies the toner in the toner supply container. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the heat transfer to the toner in the toner supply container as much as possible.

[0006] However, in the structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-178398, the toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are arranged below the sheet tray 68. Therefore, the toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are easily affected by the heat of the sheets discharged on the sheet tray 68. In addition, the toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K adjacent to the fixing unit 60 are easily affected by the heat of the fixing unit 60 itself. In addition, the toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are also easily affected by the heat of the intermediate transfer belt 41 heated by contact with the sheets heated by the fixing unit 60 (for example, when an image is formed on the second surface during duplex printing).

[0007] In order to prevent the toner in the toner supply containers 100Y, 100C, 100M and 100K from increasing in temperature, cooling by a fan and ensuring a space for heat insulation are required; however, these measures have disadvantages such as increased cost and increased size of the image forming apparatus.

[0008] In the structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244529, the influence of heat is smaller than that in the structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-178398. However, it is necessary to arrange the toner conveying mechanisms 90, 91, 92, and 93 for supplying toner from the toner supply container 65 to the developing portion at a position not overlapping with the intermediate transfer belt 75. The need to arrange the toner conveying mechanisms 90, 91, 92, and 93 so as to cross the intermediate transfer belt 75 increases the depth of the image forming apparatus.

[0009] [Citation List]

[0010] [Patent Document]

[0011] [PTL 1]

[0012] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-178398

[0013] [PTL 2]

[0014] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244529

[0015] [PTL 3]

[0016] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-31497

[0017] [PTL 4]

[0018] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-74890 Summary of the invention

[0019] In order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus which suppresses an increase in the temperature of a toner supply container while avoiding an increase in the size of the apparatus.

[0020] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive member; a light scanning portion, the light scanning portion being arranged below the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and scanning the photosensitive member with a light beam corresponding to image information; a developing portion, the developing portion developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by using a toner; an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt being arranged above the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and onto which a toner image formed on the photosensitive member is transferred; and a sheet tray, the sheet tray being arranged above the intermediate transfer belt in a vertical direction and receiving a sheet output from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transferring the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt onto the sheet, and then outputting the sheet onto the sheet tray. The image forming apparatus can be attached with a toner supply container, the toner supply container storing the toner to be supplied to the developing portion. The attachment position of the toner supply container is located below the light scanning portion in a vertical direction.

[0021] The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive member; a light scanning portion, the light scanning portion being arranged below the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and scanning the photosensitive member with a light beam corresponding to image information; a developing portion, the developing portion developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by using a toner; an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt being arranged above the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and onto which a toner image formed on the photosensitive member is transferred; and a sheet tray, the sheet tray being arranged above the intermediate transfer belt in a vertical direction and receiving a sheet output from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transferring the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt onto the sheet, and then outputting the sheet onto the sheet tray. The image forming apparatus comprises a toner supply container storing toner to be supplied to the developing portion, the toner supply container being arranged below the light scanning portion in a vertical direction.

[0022] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a sectional view of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 is a sectional view of a developing portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a developing portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 1 is an illustration of attachment of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 is a detailed view of the toner conveying mechanism according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 is a description of the relationship in terms of depth between components in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.10 It is a diagram described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-178398.

[0033] Fig.11 It is a diagram described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244529. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] [First embodiment]

[0035] Figure 1 is a sectional view of the entire structure of a main body 1 of the image forming apparatus. The apparatus according to the first embodiment is a laser beam printer capable of printing a color image on a sheet.

[0036] [Sheet feeding]

[0037] Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the image forming apparatus, reference numeral 2 denotes a cassette which is attachable to and detachable from the main body 1 and stores sheets, and reference numeral 3 denotes a sheet feeding portion. Reference numeral 4 denotes a manual sheet feeding portion, and reference numeral 5 denotes a registration roller which adjusts a skew of a sheet. Reference numeral 200a denotes a conveying sensor which detects the passage of a sheet.

[0038] [Imaging section]

[0039] The imaging device includes four imaging parts 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan and black, respectively. Hereinafter, the imaging parts 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K are collectively referred to as the imaging parts 6 by omitting letter symbols for simplicity. The same applies to other components. Each imaging part 6 includes a photosensitive member 7Y, 7M, 7C or 7K (photosensitive member 7) corresponding to the imaging part and a charging part 8Y, 8M, 8C or 8K (charging part 8) corresponding to the imaging part. Each charging part 8 charges the surface of the photosensitive member 7 corresponding to the charging part. Each imaging part 6 also includes a developing part 9Y, 9M, 9C or 9K (developing part 9) corresponding to the imaging part and a cleaning part 10Y, 10M, 10C or 10K (cleaning part 10) corresponding to the imaging part. Each developing part 9 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 7 corresponding to the developing part by using a toner. Each cleaning member 10 removes residual toner from the photosensitive member 7 corresponding to the cleaning member. Reference numerals 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K each designate a developing roller (developing roller 105) for supplying toner to the photosensitive member 7 corresponding to the developing roller. Reference numeral 12 designates a light scanning portion (scanner unit) that scans the photosensitive member 7 with a light beam corresponding to image information. The scanner unit 12 is arranged below the photosensitive member 7 in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The scanner unit 12 according to the first embodiment is a laser scanner unit that deflects a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser by using a rotatable polygonal mirror and scans the photosensitive member 7.

[0040] [Transfer]

[0041] The intermediate transfer unit 15 is arranged above the developing section 9. In order to miniaturize the apparatus, the intermediate transfer unit 15 is arranged obliquely (arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (X-axis direction)) so as to be on the secondary transfer section 16 side (on the Figure 1The right side of the photosensitive member 7 is lowered and the left side is raised). Due to the oblique arrangement, the imaging part 6 and the scanner unit 12 are also arranged obliquely. The intermediate transfer belt 17 to which the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 7 is transferred is a rotatable endless belt that is tensioned around a plurality of tension rollers. The intermediate transfer belt 17 has an inner surface that contacts with primary transfer rollers 18Y, 18M, 18C and 18K (primary transfer roller 18), which is a primary transfer member. The primary transfer roller 18 and the photosensitive member 7 (with the intermediate transfer belt 17 interposed therebetween) form primary transfer portions 19Y, 19M, 19C and 19K (primary transfer portion 19) corresponding thereto. At the primary transfer portion 19, a voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 18 so that the toner image on the photosensitive member 7 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17. The intermediate transfer belt 17 , a plurality of tension rollers that tension the intermediate transfer belt 17 , and the primary transfer roller 18 are integrally formed as an intermediate transfer unit 15 that is attachable to and detachable from a main body 1 of the image forming apparatus.

[0042] A secondary transfer roller 20 as a secondary transfer member is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17. The secondary transfer roller 20 and a roller on the opposite side with the intermediate transfer belt 17 interposed therebetween form a secondary transfer portion 16. At the secondary transfer portion 16, the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is secondarily transferred onto a sheet. Residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is removed after the secondary transfer by using a cleaning unit 21. The toner removed by the cleaning unit 21 is conveyed to a toner collecting container 22.

[0043] [fixing]

[0044] The sheet to which the toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer portion 16 is conveyed to the fixing portion 23. The fixing portion 23 includes a heating unit 23a and a pressure roller 23b. The heating unit 23a includes a heat source. The heating unit 23a and the pressure roller 23b form a fixing nip. When the sheet carrying the unfixed toner image is conveyed to the fixing nip and clamped at the fixing nip, the toner image is thermally fixed to the sheet. Reference numeral 200b refers to a conveying sensor for detecting the passage of the sheet.

[0045] [Sheet ejection, double-sided printing, sheet re-feed]

[0046] Reference numeral 24 denotes a double-sided baffle. The double-sided baffle 24 switches the conveying destination of the sheet that has passed through the fixing portion 23 to a pair of discharge rollers 25 or a pair of steering rollers 26. In double-sided printing, the sheet is conveyed to the pair of steering rollers 26. Then, after the pair of steering rollers 26 that clamp the sheet is reversely rotated so that the end portion of the sheet that is the rear end portion of the sheet becomes the front end portion of the sheet, the sheet is conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 27. The double-sided conveying path 27 includes a pair of conveying rollers 28 and a pair of sheet re-feeding rollers 29. The sheet is conveyed back to the registration roller 5 via these pairs of rollers. A U-shaped rotating portion 30 exists at the end portion of the double-sided conveying path 27. The pair of sheet re-feeding rollers 29 are arranged at the U-shaped rotating portion 30 to achieve stable execution with respect to conveying to the registration roller 5. At the secondary transfer portion 16, the toner image is transferred onto the second surface of the sheet that has passed through the paired sheet re-feed rollers 29 and the registration rollers 5. Reference numeral 31 denotes a sheet tray that is arranged above the intermediate transfer belt 17 in the vertical direction and receives the sheet output from the apparatus. The sheet onto which the toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer portion 16 is conveyed to the paired discharge rollers 25 via the fixing portion 23 and discharged onto the sheet tray 31.

[0047] [Toner supply container]

[0048] The device according to the first embodiment is capable of forming a color image on a sheet by using toners of different colors, and is capable of being attached with a plurality of toner supply containers corresponding to the corresponding toners of different colors. Four toner supply containers 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13K (toner supply containers 13) are arranged between the scanner unit 12 and the box 2 in a substantially horizontal direction (a direction substantially parallel to the X-axis direction). Each toner supply container 13 stores toner to be supplied to the developing part 9 corresponding to the toner supply container. The toner supply container 13 can be attached to the main body 1 of the imaging device in the Z-axis direction and can be detached from the main body 1. The interior of each toner supply container 13 is filled with supplementary toner. The toner is supplied to the corresponding developing part 9 via the toner conveying mechanism 14Y, 14M, 14C or 14K (toner conveying mechanism 14) corresponding to the developing part.

[0049] The attachment position of each toner supply container 13 is located below the scanner unit 12 in the vertical direction. Since it is arranged below the scanner unit 12, the toner supply container 13 is not easily affected by the heat of the sheet discharged onto the sheet tray 31. In addition, since it is separated from the fixing part 23, the toner supply container 13 is not easily affected by the heat of the fixing part itself. The toner supply container 13 is also not easily affected by the heat of the intermediate transfer belt 17, which is heated due to contact with the sheet. Compared with the structure in which the toner supply container 13 is arranged above the scanner unit 12, arranging the toner supply container 13 below the scanner unit 12 reduces the length of the optical path to the photosensitive member 7. The short length of the optical path makes it possible to reduce the sensitivity of the optical lens. Therefore, a stable spot diameter can be obtained, and high image quality can be easily achieved. In addition, the scanner unit 12 can be prepared at a low cost because the tolerance of the components of the toner supply container 13 is unlikely to affect the scanner unit 12. The developing section 9, the toner supply container 13, and the toner conveying mechanism 14 will be described in detail later. The toner supply container 13 is arranged below the U-shaped rotating section 30. In other words, the main body 1 of the apparatus includes a double-sided conveying path used when a toner image is formed on the second surface of a sheet, and the attachment position of the toner supply container 13 is set below the double-sided conveying path in the vertical direction. This structure enables the toner supply container 13 to avoid being easily affected by the heat of the sheet heated by passing through the fixing section 23.

[0050] [Power supply unit]

[0051] As described above, the scanner unit 12 is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the main body 1 of the device has a space 34, which has a substantially triangular cross-section. The space 34 is defined by the bottom surface 12a of the scanner unit 12, the partition 32 arranged just above the toner supply container 13, and the left side wall 33 of the main body 1 of the device. In the space 34, a low-voltage power supply unit 35 and a high-voltage power supply unit 36 ​​are arranged. The low-voltage power supply unit 35 generates a voltage to be applied to, for example, various motors, fans, and solenoids installed on the imaging device. The high-voltage power supply unit 36 ​​generates a voltage to be applied to, for example, the charging part 8, the developing part 9, the primary transfer roller 18, and the secondary transfer roller 20.

[0052] [Details of the Development Section 9]

[0053] Will be based on Figure 2 and 3 Each developing section 9 is described in detail. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the developing section 9. Figure 3 is from Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the developing portion 9 viewed from the reverse side of the sheet.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the developing part 9 includes a frame 101 that supports various components in the developing part 9. The frame 101 is divided into a developing chamber 102 and a receiving side toner storage chamber 103. The developing chamber 102 and the receiving side toner storage chamber 103 are connected to each other via an opening portion 104. In the developing chamber 102, a developing roller 105 corresponding to the developing chamber, a toner supply roller (hereinafter referred to as a "supply roller") 106, and a developing scraper 107 are arranged. The developing roller 105 rotates in the direction of arrow A by contacting the photosensitive member 7 corresponding thereto. The supply roller 106 rotates in the direction of arrow B while contacting the developing roller 105 corresponding thereto. The supply roller 106 has two functions. One function is to remove residual toner on the corresponding developing roller 105. The other function is to supply toner to the corresponding developing roller 105. The developing blade 107 controls the layer thickness of the toner on the developing roller 105 by coming into contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 105. The receiving-side toner storage chamber 103 stores the toner supplied from the toner supply container 13 corresponding thereto.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the rear side wall surface of the receiving side toner storage chamber 103 includes a toner receiving opening 108, a baffle 109, and a seal 110 filling a gap between the toner receiving opening 108 and the baffle 109. Figure 3 , the toner receiving opening 108, the baffle 109, and the seal 110 are shown in a separated manner to describe the structure, however, the seal 110 is actually integrated with the baffle 109. The baffle 109 is supported by the frame 101 so as to be able to rotate through a supporting point 109a serving as a pivot portion. When the developing portion 9 is not attached to the main body 1 of the image forming device, the baffle 109 closes the toner receiving opening 108. When the developing portion 9 is attached to the main body 1 of the image forming device, the baffle 109 contacts a protrusion (not shown) formed in the main body 1, and thereby slides and rotates to open the toner receiving opening 108. The rear side wall surface of the receiving side toner storage chamber 103 includes a driving gear 111. The driving gear 111 is connected to a toner conveying member 112 ( Figure 2 ), thereby rotating the toner conveying member 112. The toner conveying member 112 is a resin screw having a spiral shape.

[0056] like Figure 2As shown, the toner supplied through the toner receiving opening 108 is received by the toner conveying member 112. The toner conveying member 112 rotates in the arrow C direction to disperse the toner in the receiving-side toner storage chamber 103. Next, the toner is supplied to the developing chamber 102 through the opening portion 104 while the stirring member 113 stirs the toner by rotating in the arrow D direction. The toner supplied to the developing chamber 102 is supplied to the photosensitive member 7 corresponding to the developing chamber via the supply roller 106 and the developing roller 105. The stirring member 113 can be rotated by a drive system (not shown) arranged in the developing portion 9.

[0057] [Details of Toner Supply Container 13]

[0058] Will be based on Figure 4 , 5 and 6 describe the toner supply container 13 in detail. Figure 4 is from Figure 1 A perspective view of the toner supply container 13 as viewed from the rear side of a sheet. Figure 5 is a sectional view of the toner supply container 13 . Figure 6 is a perspective view of the toner supply container 13 in the process of being attached to the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus.

[0059] like Figure 4 As illustrated, the toner supply container 13 includes a container body 201 having a cylindrical shape. Toner is stored in the container body 201. A handle 202 is arranged on a front wall portion of the toner supply container 13. A user can attach the toner supply container 13 to the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus and detach the toner supply container 13 from the main body 1 by holding the handle 202. A driven protrusion 203 is arranged on the surface of the rear wall of the toner supply container 13 so as to be rotatable. A gear 204 is formed integrally with the driven protrusion 203. The gear 204 transmits power to the gear 205. A supply port 206 ( Figure 5 ) is formed in a lower wall portion of the container body 201, which is located on one side of the rear wall. A baffle 207 and a seal 208 that fills a gap between the supply port 206 and the baffle 207 are arranged around the supply port 206. The baffle 207 and the seal 208 are integrated with each other. The baffle 207 is held so as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the container body 201 (the generatrix direction of the cylinder). The baffle 207 slides to open and close the supply port 206. When the toner supply container 13 is not attached to the main body 1 of the image forming device, the baffle 207 closes the supply port 206.

[0060] like Figure 5As illustrated, a stirring member 209 and a toner conveying member 210 are arranged in the toner supply container 13. A gear 204 is connected to the stirring member 209. When power is transmitted from the main body 1 to the driven protrusion 203, the stirring member 209 rotates in the direction of arrow E. The toner is supplied to the toner conveying member 210 while being stirred by the stirring member 209. The power applied to the driven protrusion 203 is transmitted to the gear 205 via the gear 204. The gear 205 is connected to the toner conveying member 210. When power is transmitted to the gear 205, the toner conveying member 210 rotates in the direction of arrow F, thereby moving the toner in the container main body 201 toward the supply port 206. The toner conveying member 210 is a resin screw having a spiral shape.

[0061] For the sake of Figure 6 The illustrated attachment of the toner supply container 13 to the front surface side of the main body 1 of the image forming device and the removal of the toner supply container 13 from the front surface side, an insertion portion (attachment position) 211 is formed in the front surface of the main body 1 of the image forming device, and the insertion portion 211 is a portion through which the toner supply container 13 is attached. An insertion portion 211 is formed for each of the four colors. The insertion portion 211 is an entrance to a space extending from the front surface side of the main body 1 of the device toward the rear side of the main body 1. Each toner supply container 13 is inserted into the insertion portion 211 corresponding thereto. The toner supply container 13 is attached through the insertion portion 211 by sliding toward the rear side of the main body 1 of the image forming device while being held by the handle 202 of the toner supply container 13. A driving protrusion 212 integrated with a gear is held on the rear side wall surface (wall surface of the main body 1) of the insertion portion 211 so as to be rotatable. When the toner supply container 13 is attached to the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, the driving protrusion 212 engages the driven protrusion 203 ( Figure 4 ). Immediately before the toner supply container 13 is attached at the normal position where the toner supply is available, the shutter 207 ( Figure 4 ) and a projection (not shown) formed on the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus. In this state, when the toner supply container 13 is pushed toward a position where toner supply is available (in the +Z direction), the shutter 207 slides to allow the supply port 206 ( Figure 4 ) is in an open state. The open state enables toner to be supplied. The toner in the toner supply container 13 is conveyed to the developing portion 9 corresponding to the toner supply container through the supply port 206 by the toner conveying mechanism 14 corresponding to the supply port.

[0062] [Details of Toner Conveying Mechanism 14]

[0063] like Figure 7As illustrated, the toner conveying mechanism 14 includes a toner inflow port 213 and a toner conveying conduit 214. The toner inflow port 213 receives the toner supplied through the supply port 206. The toner conveying mechanism 14 also includes a cover 215, a toner discharge port 216, and toner conveying members 217a, 217b, and 217c (toner conveying member 217). The toner discharge port 216 is used to discharge the toner into the toner receiving opening 108. It should be noted that the toner conveying conduit 214 and the cover 215 are connected to the toner receiving opening 108. Figure 7 214 and 215 are shown separately in order to facilitate the description of the interior of the colorant conveying mechanism; however, the colorant conveying conduit 214 and the cover 215 are actually in close contact with each other due to, for example, a sealing member or welding. Each colorant conveying member 217 is a resin screw having a spiral shape. Each toner conveying member 217 is arranged in the colorant conveying conduit 214 and is supported at both ends thereof so as to be rotatable. The toner conveying members 217a and 217c are arranged perpendicular to the toner conveying member 217b. Blades having a helical gear shape with a 45° helical angle are arranged at each portion where the toner conveying members 217a, 217b and 217c engage with each other. The blades rotate to cause drive transmission between the screws and cause the toner to be conveyed. The drive gear 218 is arranged at the end portion of the toner conveying member 217b. When the drive is transmitted to the driving gear 218, each of the toner conveying members 217a, 217b, and 217c rotates in a direction of conveying toner.

[0064] The toner that has entered the toner inlet port 213 is conveyed to the toner outlet port 216 and is discharged into the toner receiving opening 108 formed in the developing portion 9 corresponding to the toner outlet port through the toner outlet port 216. The toner inlet port 213 includes a baffle 219a and a seal 220a that fills a gap between the toner inlet port 213 and the baffle 219a. Figure 7, the toner inflow port 213, the baffle 219a and the seal 220a are shown in a separated manner to describe the structure; however, the seal 220a and the baffle 219a are actually integrated with each other. The baffle 219a is held by the toner conveying conduit 214 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow G. The baffle 219a slides to open and close the toner inflow port 213. When the toner supply container 13 is not attached to the main body 1 of the imaging device, the baffle 219a closes the toner inflow port 213. Immediately before the toner supply container 13 is attached at the normal position, the baffle 219a contacts a protrusion (not shown) formed on the toner supply container 13. Then, when the toner supply container 13 is further pushed in the +Z direction, the baffle 219a slides to put the toner inflow port 213 in an open state. The toner discharge port 216 includes a baffle 219b and a seal 220b filling a gap between the toner discharge port 216 and the baffle 219b. When the corresponding developing portion 9 is not attached to the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, the baffle 219b closes the toner discharge port 216. Immediately before the corresponding developing portion 9 is attached at the normal position, the baffle 219b contacts a protrusion (not shown) formed on the corresponding developing portion 9. When the corresponding developing portion 9 is further pushed in the +Z direction, the baffle 219b slides to put the toner discharge port 216 in an open state.

[0065] As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured to suppress the temperature increase of the toner supply container. In addition, since the scanner unit 12 is a unit that scans the photosensitive member by deflecting the laser beam, the laser beam L emitted from the scanner unit 12 toward the photosensitive member 7 is as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the scanner unit 12 is dispersed in the Z-axis direction. In other words, in the Z-axis direction, the scanner unit 12 is smaller than the photosensitive member 7 and the developing portion 9. Specifically, in the Z-axis direction, the scanner unit 12 is smaller than the intermediate transfer belt 17. Therefore, arranging the toner conveying mechanism 14 does not increase the size of the device. By adopting the structure according to the first embodiment, not only the increase in size of the device using the scanner unit using the rotatable polygonal mirror can be avoided, but also the increase in size of the device using the scanner unit using the rotary deflector (such as a galvano-mirror) can be avoided.

[0066] As described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which suppresses an increase in the temperature of a toner supply container while avoiding an increase in the size of the apparatus.

[0067] [Second embodiment]

[0068] according to Fig. 9The printer of the second embodiment shown is a monochrome printer. The printer according to the second embodiment includes an imaging portion 6 and a toner supply container 13, and the other features are substantially the same as the printer according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences between the two will be described below.

[0069] The printer according to the second embodiment is the same as the color printer according to the first embodiment from which the image forming section other than the image forming section for black is removed. Therefore, although the printer is a monochrome printer, the printer includes the intermediate transfer belt 17 and other components. Using the same main body and the same components as those of the color printer according to the first embodiment in the monochrome printer according to the second embodiment provides an advantage of being able to reduce the cost for designing and manufacturing the equipment, for example.

[0070] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , since the monochrome printer uses the main body for the color printer, the space S for storing the toner supply containers 13 for yellow, magenta, and cyan is empty. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the toner supply container 13 for black has a size substantially equal to the size of the entire area of ​​the space S, which is formed by Fig. 9 Specifically, in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive member 7 ( Figure 1 The toner supply container has a width W1 in the X-axis direction (in the X-axis direction) that is substantially the same as the width W2 of the intermediate transfer belt 17 in the X-axis direction. This structure enables the use of a toner supply container having a large capacity, thereby reducing the frequency of supplying toner. The toner supply container may have an oval shape or a rectangular shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The width W1 of the toner supply container may have any value greater than at least the width W3 of the imaging portion for black in the X-axis direction.

[0071] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0072] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-023519, filed on February 10, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: a rotatable photosensitive member; a light scanning section disposed below the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and configured to scan the photosensitive member with a light beam corresponding to image information; a developing section configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by using a toner, the developing section including a developing container configured to store the toner; an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer roller configured to transfer a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer belt at a transfer position; wherein the intermediate transfer belt is arranged above the photosensitive member on a virtual line extending in a vertical direction through the transfer position, a sheet tray arranged above the intermediate transfer belt in a vertical direction and configured to receive a sheet output from the interior of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transferring the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt onto the sheet and then outputting the sheet onto the sheet tray; a toner supply container arranged in a vertical direction below the light scanning section and configured to store toner to be supplied to a developing section; and a toner conveying mechanism configured to convey toner from the toner supply container to the developing container, the toner conveying mechanism including a toner conveying conduit configured to guide the toner conveyed from the toner supply container to the developing container, wherein the toner conveying conduit is arranged outside the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member, and When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction and the vertical direction, a first region where the toner conveying conduit is arranged and a second region where the intermediate transfer unit is arranged partially overlap in the rotation axis direction.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet storage portion configured to store sheets and a sheet feeding portion configured to feed the sheets stored in the sheet storage portion, and the toner supply container is arranged above the sheet storage portion in a vertical direction.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a plurality of photosensitive members corresponding to respective toners of different colors, a plurality of developing portions, and a plurality of toner supply containers, and Wherein, the plurality of toner supply containers are arranged in a horizontal direction.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a double-sided conveying path for use when forming a toner image on a second surface of the sheet, and wherein the toner supply container is arranged below a bottom portion of the double-sided conveying path in a vertical direction.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on the sheet, and Wherein, the toner supply container is arranged below the fixing unit in a vertical direction.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The toner supply container is configured to be detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus without removing the developing portion from the main body.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The toner supply container is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The toner conveying mechanism is configured to convey toner from the toner supply container in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container, then convey the toner upward in a vertical direction, and then convey the toner to the developing container in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction is shorter than the length of the intermediate transfer belt.

10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The length of the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction is shorter than the length of the photosensitive drum and the length of the developing portion.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein The intermediate transfer unit is configured to be detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.

12. An imaging device comprising: a rotatable photosensitive member, a light scanning section disposed below the photosensitive member in a vertical direction and configured to scan the photosensitive member with a light beam corresponding to image information; a developing section configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member by using a toner, the developing section including a developing container configured to store the toner; an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer roller configured to transfer a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer belt at a transfer position; wherein the intermediate transfer belt is arranged above the photosensitive member on a virtual line extending in a vertical direction through the transfer position, a sheet tray arranged above the intermediate transfer belt in a vertical direction and configured to receive a sheet output from the interior of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transferring the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt onto the sheet and then outputting the sheet onto the sheet tray; wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container configured to store toner to be supplied to the developing portion; wherein the attachment position of the toner supply container is arranged below the light scanning portion in the vertical direction, and a toner conveying mechanism configured to convey toner from the toner supply container to the developing container, the toner conveying mechanism including a toner conveying conduit configured to guide the toner conveyed from the toner supply container to the developing container, wherein the toner conveying conduit is arranged outside the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member, and When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction and the vertical direction, a first region where the toner conveying conduit is arranged and a second region where the intermediate transfer unit is arranged partially overlap in the rotation axis direction.

13. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet storage portion configured to store sheets and a sheet feeding portion configured to feed sheets stored in the sheet storage portion, and an attachment position of the toner supply container is arranged above the sheet storage portion in the vertical direction.

14. The imaging device according to claim 12, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a plurality of photosensitive members and a plurality of developing parts corresponding to respective toners of different colors, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of attaching a plurality of toner supply containers corresponding to respective toners of different colors, and wherein the attachment positions of the plurality of toner supply containers are arranged in a horizontal direction.

15. The imaging device according to claim 12, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a double-sided conveying path for use when forming a toner image on a second surface of the sheet, and wherein an attachment position of the toner supply container is arranged below a bottom portion of the double-sided conveying path in a vertical direction.

16. The imaging device according to claim 12, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on the sheet, and wherein the attachment position of the toner supply container is arranged below the fixing unit in the vertical direction.

17. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: The toner supply container is configured to be attachable to a main body of the image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction of the toner supply container.

18. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: When the colorant supply container is attached to the imaging device, the colorant conveying mechanism is configured to convey the colorant from the colorant supply container in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the colorant supply container, and then convey the colorant upward in the vertical direction, and then convey the colorant to the developing container in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

19. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: The length of the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction is shorter than the length of the intermediate transfer belt.

20. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: The length of the light scanning portion in the rotation axis direction is shorter than the length of the photosensitive drum and the length of the developing portion.

21. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein: The intermediate transfer unit is configured to be detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.

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