Toner Cartridge with Front Cover

Abstract

A toner cartridge includes a housing having a first engaging portion and a front cover attached to a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction, wherein the front cover includes a first locking portion and a notch portion, the first engaging portion being adapted to be attached to the first locking portion, the notch portion being provided in the first locking portion such that the first locking portion can be damaged by an external force in a direction along which the front cover is spaced apart from the housing in the longitudinal direction.

Description

Background Art

[0001] An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method forms a visible toner image on a photoconductor by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor, transfers the toner image directly or via an intermediate transfer medium to a print medium, and fixes the transferred toner image to the print medium.

[0002] The image forming apparatus may include a toner cartridge detachable from the main body. When the life of the toner cartridge ends, the toner cartridge is replaced. That is, when all the toner accommodated inside the toner cartridge is consumed, the toner cartridge can be removed from the main body, and a new toner cartridge can be installed in the main body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an image forming apparatus.

[0004] Figure 2 is a partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a locking structure.

[0005] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a removal prevention structure.

[0006] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a plan view of an example of the removal prevention structure illustrated in

[0007] Figure 5 is a view showing Figure 3 and Figure 4 the operation of an example of the removal prevention structure illustrated in

[0008] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a removal prevention structure.

[0009] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a side view of an example of the removal prevention structure illustrated in

[0010] Figure 8 is Figure 6 a side view of an example of the removal prevention structure illustrated in

[0011] Figure 9 is a view showing Figures 6 to 8 the operation of an example of the removal prevention structure illustrated in

[0012] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a removal prevention structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] An image forming apparatus for printing an image on a print medium by an electrophotographic method includes a replaceable toner cartridge. The toner cartridge houses a developer. The developer may include toner, and may also include toner and a carrier.

[0014] When the toner cartridge is installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge is locked in the main body to prevent arbitrary replacement of the toner cartridge. To unlock and remove the toner cartridge from the main body, a user inputs a toner cartridge replacement command into the image forming apparatus through an input device of the image forming apparatus or through a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0015] However, when the user pulls the toner cartridge in the removal direction while the toner cartridge is locked in the main body to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge, the locking device may be damaged. Arbitrary removal of the toner cartridge may include removing the toner cartridge without first unlocking the toner cartridge from the main body. The arbitrary removal direction may include a direction in which the toner cartridge is moved to separate the toner cartridge from the main body.

[0016] The toner cartridge of the present example includes a housing and a front cover coupled (i.e., attached) to an end of the housing. The front cover is coupled (or attached) to the housing by a breakable coupling structure. When an external force applied in the direction of removing the toner cartridge from the main body acts on the front cover, the coupling structure is damaged and the front cover is separated from the housing. The external force may be greater than the force for removing the toner cartridge while the toner cartridge is unlocked. The external force may be less than the force for damaging the locking device.

[0017] The front cover may be coupled (or attached) to the housing by an elastically deformable elastic coupling structure. One or more cut grooves are formed in the front cover to partially separate the elastic coupling structure from other regions of the front cover, such that the elastic coupling structure is easily disengaged by an external force. Due to this elastic coupling structure, the toner cartridge can be kept locked in the main body, and damage to the locking device can be prevented. In addition, arbitrary replacement of the toner cartridge can be prevented.

[0018] Hereinafter, an example of the toner cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to components having the same functions, and for clarity and convenience of description, the dimensions of each component may be enlarged.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the image forming apparatus. Refer to Figure 1 , the image forming apparatus may include a main body 500 and a toner cartridge 100 detachably attached to the main body 500. The main body 500 may include a printing unit for printing an image on a print medium P by an electrophotographic method. The toner to be supplied to the main body 500 is housed in the toner cartridge 100.

[0020] As an example, the printing unit may include an optical scanner, a developing device, a transfer unit, and a fuser. The developing device may include a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The optical scanner forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light corresponding to image information onto the surface of the photosensitive drum charged with a uniform surface potential. The developing roller supplies toner accommodated in the developing device to the electrostatic latent image to develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to the print medium P. The toner image transferred to the print medium P is held attached to the print medium P by electrostatic force. When the print medium P passes through the fuser, the toner image is fixed to the print medium P by heat and pressure. The print medium P on which printing is completed is discharged to the outside of the main body 500.

[0021] The toner cartridge 100 may be connected to the developing device to supply toner to the developing device. The toner cartridge 100 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus. The main body 500 may include a mounting portion 502 and a locking member 503. When the door 501 is opened to open a part of the main body 500, the entrance 502a of the mounting portion 502 is exposed. The toner cartridge 100 may be mounted on the main body 500 by aligning the toner cartridge 100 with the entrance 502a of the mounting portion 502 and sliding the toner cartridge 100 in the mounting direction A1. Further, the toner cartridge 100 may be removed from the main body 500 by sliding the toner cartridge 100 in the removal direction A2. The mounting direction A1 and the removal direction A2 may be the longitudinal direction L of the toner cartridge 100. When the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the main body 500, the locking member 503 is attached to (e.g., hooked to) a locking hook 140 provided on the toner cartridge 100 to lock the toner cartridge 100 so that the toner cartridge 100 is not removed.

[0022] Figure 2 is a partial exploded perspective view showing an example of the locking structure. Refer to Figure 2, the locking structure may include a locking member 503 provided on the main body 500 and a locking hook 140 provided on the toner cartridge 100. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the main body 500, the toner cartridge 100 is connected to a motor (not shown) provided on the main body 500 through a coupling structure and receives rotational power from the motor, so that the motor rotates a rotating member inside the toner cartridge 100. The rotating member may include, for example, one or more conveying members for conveying the toner inside the toner cartridge 100 to the toner outlet. The coupling structure may include a driving coupler 550 provided in the main body 500 and a driven coupler 190 provided in the toner cartridge 100. The driving coupler 550 may include a rotational power transmission portion 552. The driven coupler 190 may include a rotational power receiving portion 192 for receiving rotational power from the rotational power transmission portion 552. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the installation portion 502 of the main body 500, the rotational power transmission portion 552 and the rotational power receiving portion 192 face each other in the rotational direction. When the driving coupler 550 rotates in the first rotational direction R1, the rotational power transmission portion 552 pushes the rotational power receiving portion 192 in the first rotational direction R1. Therefore, the driven coupler 190 rotates in the first rotational direction R1.

[0023] As an example, the locking member 503 and the locking hook 140 may be provided on the driving coupler 550 and the driven coupler 190, respectively. The locking member 503 may extend from the rotational power transmission portion 552 in the circumferential direction. The locking hook 140 may extend from the rotational power receiving portion 192 in the circumferential direction. When the locking member 503 and the locking hook 140 are displaced from each other in the rotational direction, the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the installation portion 502 of the main body 500. When the toner cartridge 100 reaches the installation position, the rotational power transmission portion 552 and the rotational power receiving portion 192 face each other in the rotational direction. When the driving coupler 550 rotates slightly in the first rotational direction R1, the locking hook 140 is hooked to the locking member 503. In other words, the locking member 503 and the locking hook 140 face each other in the removal direction A2. Therefore, the toner cartridge 100 may not move in the removal direction A2 and can be locked in the installation position. When the driving coupler 550 continues to rotate in the first rotational direction R1, the rotational power transmission portion 552 pushes the rotational power receiving portion 192 in the first rotational direction R1, and the driven coupler 190 rotates in the first rotational direction R1.

[0024] The toner cartridge 100 needs to be unlocked to be removed from the installation portion 502. For example, when the remaining amount of toner inside the toner cartridge 100 reaches the replacement reference amount, a replacement signal recognizable by the user can be output through an output device (not shown) (such as a display, a buzzer, a lighting device, etc.) to replace the toner cartridge 100. The replacement signal can be, for example, an image signal displayed on the display, a sound signal through the buzzer, a light signal through the lighting device, etc. For example, the user can input an operation for requesting replacement of the toner cartridge 100 through the operation panel. The controller (not shown) can, for example, guide the user's operation procedure for replacing the toner cartridge 100 through the display, and the user can replace the toner cartridge 100 according to this guidance. To prevent arbitrary replacement of the toner cartridge 100, the operation procedure can include input of a password. The controller causes the drive coupler 550 to rotate slightly in a second rotation direction R2, which is the opposite direction of the first rotation direction R1, according to the user's operation. In this case, the locking member 503 is decoupled from the locking hook 140, and the toner cartridge 100 becomes in a state where the toner cartridge 100 can move in the removal direction A2. The main body 500 can be provided with a pop-up structure for slightly pushing the toner cartridge 100 in the removal direction A2 after the toner cartridge 100 is unlocked. For example, the pop-up structure can have various structures driven in the removal direction A2, such as an actuator and a cam structure.

[0025] When the toner cartridge 100 is pulled in the removal direction A2 while the toner cartridge 100 is not unlocked, the locking member 503 and / or the locking hook 140 may be damaged, and the drive coupler 550, the drive portion provided in the main body 550 to drive the drive coupler 550, or the driven coupler 190 may be damaged. When the damaged locking member 503, locking hook 140, drive coupler 550, driven coupler 190, etc. remain inside the main body 500, it takes time and cost to repair the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge 100 of the present example has a structure capable of preventing removal of the cartridge 100 while the toner cartridge 100 is not unlocked.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the anti-removal structure. Figure 4 is Figure 3 a plan view of the example of the anti-removal structure shown in. Refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in the anti-removal structure of the present example, while the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500, the coupling structure of the housing 101 and the front cover 102 is damaged by an external force acting on the front cover 102 in the removal direction A2.

[0027] An example of the toner cartridge 100 includes a housing 101 provided with a coupling part (first coupling part) 120 and a front cover 102 coupled to the front end 112 of the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction L. The front cover 102 may have a locking part (first locking part) 130 and a notch part 134, the coupling part 120 is hooked to the locking part 130, and the notch part 134 is included in the locking part 130 so that the locking part 130 can be broken by an external force applied in the direction along which the front cover 102 is spaced apart from the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0028] The housing 101 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction L to accommodate toner therein. The housing 101 has a front end 112 and a rear end 113 opposite to the front end 112 in the longitudinal direction L. The front cover 102 is coupled to the front end 112. The front cover 102 may have a front wall 102a facing the front end 112 of the housing 101 and a side wall 102b extending from the front wall 102a toward the front end 112 of the housing 101. The side wall 102a may be provided with a handle 170. The handle 170 may be formed by being recessed inward from the side wall 102b. The side wall 102b may include a first side wall 102b-1 in the vertical direction and a second side wall 102b-2 in the lateral direction. The handle 170 may be formed by being recessed in the second side wall 102b-2.

[0029] The front cover 102 is coupled to the front end 112 of the housing 101 through a coupling part 120 and a locking part 130. The coupling part 120 may be provided at the front end 112 of the housing 101. The coupling part 120 may include a coupling protrusion 121, an end 122 of the coupling protrusion 121 protruding toward the front end 112, and the coupling protrusion 121 being inclined downward from the end 122 toward the front cover 102. The locking part 130 may be included on the side wall 102. The locking part 130 may be provided on the side wall on which the handle 170 is not provided among the first side wall 102b-1 and the second side wall 102b-2. In this example, the handle 170 is provided on the second side wall 102b-2, and the locking part 130 is provided on the first side wall 102b-1. The locking part 130 may include an insertion hole 131 and a hook part 132, the coupling protrusion 121 being inserted into the insertion hole 131, the hook part 132 extending from a first edge 131-1 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the insertion hole 131 toward a second edge 131-2 opposite to the first edge 131-1, and the hook part 132 being hooked to the end 122 of the coupling protrusion 121 facing the housing 101. The hook part 132 may be spaced apart from the second edge 131-2. Accordingly, a gap 135 is formed between the hook part 132 and the second edge 131-2, and the hook part 132 is connected to the first edge 131-1 through a connection part 133. In this example, the first edge 131-1 is an edge opposite to the second edge 131-2 and adjacent to the handle 170. Although not shown in the drawings, the hook part 132 may extend from an edge adjacent to the handle 170 (i.e., the second edge 131-2) toward the first edge 131-1 and may be spaced apart from the first edge 131-1.

[0030] The hook portion 132 may include a notch portion 134 to enable the hook portion 132 to be damaged by an external force. The notch portion 134 may be positioned adjacent to the connection portion 133. The notch portion 134 locally reduces (e.g., sharply reduces) the thickness of the hook portion 132 such that when an external force in the removal direction A2 acts on the hook portion 132, the hook portion 132 is damaged at the notch portion 134. The notch portion 134 may be formed such that when the hook portion 132 is damaged, the engaging protrusion 121 can be detached from the insertion hole 131. In the present example, the notch portion 134 is formed to form an acute angle with the connection portion 133 at the first edge 131-1 close to the insertion hole 131. Since the hook portion 132 is damaged at the position of the first edge 131-1 close to the insertion hole 131, after the hook portion 132 is damaged, the engaging protrusion 121 can be easily detached from the insertion hole 131. The size and shape of the notch portion 134 are determined such that when the toner cartridge 100 is unlocked, the hook portion 132 is not damaged by the external force applied to the front cover 102 to remove the toner cartridge 100. The size and shape of the notch portion 134 may be determined such that the hook portion 132 can be damaged before the magnitude of the external force applied to the front cover 102 reaches the magnitude at which the locking member 503 or the locking hook 140 is damaged.

[0031] Figure 5 is a view showing Figure 3 and Figure 4 an operation of an example of the anti-removal structure shown in. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the installation portion 502, the locking member 503 of the main body 500 is hooked to the locking hook 140 of the toner cartridge 100 such that the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500. In this state, although the handle 170 is pulled in the removal direction A2 to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the toner cartridge 100 does not move in the removal direction A2. Since the hook portion 132 contacts the end portion 122 of the engaging protrusion 121, the external force of pulling the handle 170 in the removal direction A2 acts on the hook portion 132. When the external force increases, a crack is generated in the notch portion 134, and the hook portion 132 is damaged and detached from the first edge 131-1. In this case, the engaging protrusion 121 is detached from the insertion hole 131, and the front cover 102 is separated from the housing 101.

[0032] According to the above example structure, when the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500, the toner cartridge 100 can be prevented from being arbitrarily removed. In addition, when the front cover 102 is pulled to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the front cover 102 is separated from the housing 101. Therefore, damage to the locking member 503, the locking hook 140, the coupling structure, etc. can be prevented.

[0033] When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the installation portion 502 of the main body 500, the front cover 102 can be positioned parallel to the entrance 502a of the installation portion 502. In other words, the front wall 102a of the front cover 102 is aligned with the entrance 502a. The side walls 102b of the front cover 102 are inserted into the installation portion 502. Since the handle 170 provided on the side wall 102b is not exposed to the outside, any removal of the toner cartridge 100 can be prevented.

[0034] Instead of the separate front cover 102, the new front cover 102 can be combined with the housing 101. For example, when the engaging protrusion 121 and the insertion hole 131 are aligned and the front cover 102 is pushed toward the front end 112 of the housing 101, the hook portion 132 is elastically lifted upward along the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion 121, and the engaging protrusion 121 is inserted into the insertion hole 131. When the end portion 122 of the engaging protrusion 121 is hooked to the hook portion 132, the front cover 102 is combined with the housing 101.

[0035] When the user wants to remove the toner cartridge 100, the user can input an operation for requesting replacement of the toner cartridge 100 via the operation panel. The controller (not shown) causes the locking member 503 to be disengaged from the locking hook 140 by slightly rotating the drive coupler 550 in the second rotation direction R2, which is the direction opposite to the first rotation direction R1. In this state, the user holds the handle 170 and pulls the toner cartridge 100 in the removal direction A2. Since the toner cartridge 100 is unlocked, although the handle 170 is pulled in the removal direction A2, the front cover 102 does not separate from the housing 101 but remains combined with the housing 101. Therefore, the toner cartridge 100 can be pulled in the removal direction A2 and removed from the main body 500. When the ejection structure is provided, the toner cartridge 100 is unlocked and slightly pushed in the removal direction A2. In this case, the handle 170 can be exposed to the outside of the installation portion 502.

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the anti-removal structure. Figure 7 is Figure 6 a side view of the example of the anti-removal structure shown in. The anti-removal structure of this example is constructed such that in the structure where the front cover 102 is combined with the housing 101 by an elastic coupling method, the elastic coupling structure is easily disengaged by an external force in the removal direction A2. Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7, an example of the toner cartridge 100 may include a housing 101 provided with a coupling portion (second coupling portion) 150 and a front cover 102 having a front wall 102a facing the front end 112 of the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction L, a side wall 102b extending from the front wall 102a toward the front end 112 of the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction L, a locking portion (second locking portion) 160 provided on the side wall 102b to lock the coupling portion 150 therein, and a first cutout portion 181 cut from an edge 102b-2a of the side wall 102b facing the front end 112 of the housing 101 toward the front wall 102 to a position exceeding the locking portion 160.

[0037] The housing 101 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction L to accommodate toner therein. The front cover 102 is coupled to the front end 112 of the housing 101. The front cover 102 may have a front wall 102a facing the front end 112 of the housing 101 and a side wall 102b extending from the front wall 102a toward the front end 112 of the housing 101. The side wall 102b may be provided with a handle 170. The handle 170 may be formed by being recessed inward from the side wall 102b. The side wall 102b may include a first side wall 102b-1 in the vertical direction and a second side wall 102b-2 in the lateral direction. The handle 170 may be formed by being recessed in the second side wall 102b-2.

[0038] The coupling portion 150 may include coupling protrusions 151 in such a form that the amount of protrusion in the coupling protrusions 151 decreases from an end portion 152 protruding outward from the outer wall of the housing 101 toward the front cover 102. The locking portion 160 may be provided on the side wall 102b. In this example, the locking portion 160 is provided on the second side wall 102b-2 in which the handle 170 is formed. The locking portion 160 may be positioned closer to the housing 101 than the handle 170. The locking portion 160 may include an insertion hole 161 into which the coupling protrusion 151 is inserted. An edge 162 of the insertion hole 161 in the longitudinal direction L is hooked to the end portion 152 of the coupling protrusion 151 facing the housing 101.

[0039] The first cut portion 181 is formed between the first side wall 102b-1 and the locking portion 160. The first cut portion 181 extends from the edge 102b-2a of the second side wall 102b-2 toward the front wall 102a. The edge 102b-2a is the edge of the second side wall 102b-2 near the front end 112 of the housing 101. In other words, the edge 102b-2a is the edge of the second side wall 102b-2 opposite to the front wall 102a. The first cut portion 181 is formed by cutting the second side wall 102b-2 in the longitudinal direction L toward the front wall 102a to a position beyond the locking portion 160. In this example, the first cut portion 181 extends toward the front wall 102a until the end 183 of the first cut portion 181 does not reach the position of the handle 170. The second side wall 102b-2 is partially separated from the first side wall 102b-1 by the first cut portion 181. Thus, the portion of the second side wall 102b-2 in which the locking portion 160 is provided can be used as an elastic plate 102c that can be elastically deformed outward.

[0040] The engaging protrusion 151 and the insertion hole 161 are aligned, and the front cover 102 is pushed in the longitudinal direction L to couple the front cover 102 to the housing 101. When the edge 102b-2a of the second side wall 102b-2 contacts the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion 151, the elastic plate 102c opens outward, and the front cover 102 approaches the front end 112 of the housing 101. When the engaging protrusion 151 is inserted into the insertion hole 161, the elastic plate 102c returns to its original position, and the end 152 of the engaging protrusion 151 contacts the edge 162 of the insertion hole 161. Thus, the front cover 102 is coupled to the housing 101.

[0041] A second cut portion 182 cut in a vertical direction (i.e., toward the first side wall 102b-1) may be provided between the front wall 102a of the second side wall 102b-2 and the locking portion 160. In the present example, the second cut portion 182 is formed between the locking portion 160 and the handle 170. The second cut portion 182 may be spaced apart from the first cut portion 181. A portion 102d of the second side wall 102b-2 between the second cut portion 182 and the first cut portion 181 and a portion 102e of the second side wall 102b-2 below the second cut portion 182 serve as elastic support portions for the elastic plate 102c. Since the length of the elastic support portion is shorter than the length when the second cut portion 182 does not exist, the elastic plate 102c can be further easily deformed outward. The length of the second cut portion 182 and the distance between the second cut portion 182 and the first cut portion 182 may be determined such that the elastic plate 102c has an appropriate elastic force. The length of the second cut portion 182 and the distance between the second cut portion 182 and the first cut portion 181 may be determined such that the elastic plate 102c opens outward to detach the coupling portion 150 from the locking portion 160 before the magnitude of the external force acting on the front cover 102 to remove the locked toner cartridge 100 reaches the magnitude at which the locking member 503 or the locking hook 140 is damaged. The length of the second cut portion 182 and the distance between the second cut portion 182 and the first cut portion 181 may be determined such that the coupling portion 150 remains hooked to the locking portion 160 by an external force acting on the front cover 102 to remove the unlocked toner cartridge 100. Figure 8 Yes Figure 6 FIG. 8 is a side view of an example of the anti-removal structure shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the second cut portion 182 may be connected to the first cut portion 181. In this case, even with a small external force, the elastic plate 102c can be opened outward.

[0042] Figure 9 FIG. is a view showing Figures 6 to 8 FIG. 10 is a view showing the operation of an example of the anti-removal structure shown in FIG. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the installation portion 502, the locking member 503 of the main body 500 is hooked to the locking hook 140 of the toner cartridge 100, and the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500. In this case, although the handle 170 is pulled in the removal direction A2 to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the toner cartridge 100 does not move in the removal direction A2. Instead, as Figure 9As shown by arrow A3 in the figure, a part of the second side wall 102b-2 (for example, the elastic plate 102c) can be elastically opened outward from the state shown by the dotted line (to the state shown by the slip line), the locking part 160 can be detached from the engaging part 150, and the front cover 102 can be separated from the housing 101. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500, the toner cartridge 100 can be prevented from being arbitrarily removed. In addition, when the front cover 102 is pulled to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the front cover 102 is separated from the housing 101, so that damage to the locking member 503, the locking hook 140, the coupling structure, etc. can be prevented.

[0043] The separated front cover 102 can be re-coupled with the housing 101. When the engaging projection 151 and the insertion hole 161 are aligned and the front cover 102 is pushed in the longitudinal direction L, when the edge 102b-2a of the second side wall 102b-2 contacts the inclined surface of the engaging projection 151, the elastic plate 102c opens outward. When the engaging projection 151 is inserted into the insertion hole 161, the elastic plate 102c returns to its original position, the end 152 of the engaging projection 151 contacts the edge 162 of the insertion hole 161, and the front cover 102 is coupled with the housing 101. When the user wants to remove the toner cartridge 100, the user can remove the toner cartridge 100 from the main body 500 by unlocking the toner cartridge 100 according to the above operation procedure and pulling the toner cartridge 100 in the removal direction A2 while holding the handle 170. When the ejection structure is provided, the toner cartridge 100 is unlocked and slightly pushed in the removal direction A2. In this case, the handle 170 can be exposed to the outside of the mounting portion 502.

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the anti-removal structure. Figure 10 The anti-removal structure shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The anti-removal structure shown in Figures 6 to 8 and the anti-removal structure shown in Figure 10, the housing 101 includes a first coupling portion 120 and a second coupling portion 150. The front cover 102 includes a first locking portion 130 that hooks to the first coupling portion 120 and a second locking portion 160 that hooks to the second coupling portion 150. The front cover 102 may have a front wall 102a facing the front end 112 of the housing 101 and a side wall 102b extending from the front wall 102a toward the front end 112 of the housing 101. The side wall 102b may include a first side wall 102b-1 in the vertical direction and a second side wall 102b-2 in the lateral direction. The second side wall 102b-2 may include a handle 170. The handle 170 may be formed by being recessed inward from the second side wall 102b-2. The first locking portion 130 is provided on the first side wall 102b-1, and the second locking portion 160 is provided on the second side wall 102b-2. The first coupling portion 120 and the first locking portion 130 may have the same shape as the shape shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , and the second coupling portion 150 and the second locking portion 160 may have the same shape as the shape shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0045] A notch portion 134 is provided in the first locking portion 130 so that the first locking portion 130 is damaged by an external force acting on the front cover 102 in the direction in which the front cover 102 is spaced apart from the housing 101 in the longitudinal direction L. A first cut portion 181 is formed between the first side wall 102b-1 and the second locking portion 160 by extending from the edge 102b-2a of the second side wall 102b-2 to a position beyond the second locking portion 160 toward the front wall 102a. The first cut portion 181 extends until the end 183 of the first cut portion 181 does not reach the handle 170. Accordingly, the portion in which the second locking portion 160 of the second side wall 102b-2 is provided can be used as an elastic plate 102c that can be elastically deformed outward. A second cut portion 182 cut in the vertical direction may be provided between the front wall 102a and the second locking portion 160 of the second side wall 102b-2, in this example, between the second locking portion 160 and the handle 170. The second cut portion 182 may be spaced apart from the first cut portion 181 or may be connected to the first cut portion 181, as shown in Figure 8 .

[0046] When the toner cartridge 100 is installed and locked in the installation portion 502, although the handle 170 is pulled in the removal direction A2 to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the toner cartridge 100 does not move in the removal direction A2. An external force for pulling the handle 170 in the removal direction A2 acts on the hook portion 132 and the elastic plate 102c. When the external force increases, cracks are generated in the notch portion 134, the hook portion 132 is damaged, and the engaging projection 121 is detached from the insertion hole 131. When the elastic plate 102c separated from the first side wall 102b-1 through the first cut portion 181 elastically opens outward, the edge 162 of the insertion hole 161 is detached from the end portion 152 of the engaging projection 151. Accordingly, the front cover 102 can be separated from the housing 101. According to the above structure, when the toner cartridge 100 is locked in the main body 500, the toner cartridge 100 can be prevented from being arbitrarily removed. In addition, when the front cover 102 is pulled to arbitrarily remove the toner cartridge 100, the front cover 102 is separated from the housing 101, and thus, damage to the locking member 503, the locking hook 140, the coupling structure, etc. can be prevented.

[0047] It should be understood that the examples described herein should be considered only in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. The description of each feature or aspect within an example is generally to be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. Although one or more examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge, comprising: A housing having a front end and including a first engaging portion; And A front cover configured to be attached to the front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction and including a first locking portion and a notch portion, the first engaging portion being configured to be attached to the first locking portion, the notch portion being in the first locking portion such that the first locking portion can be damaged by an external force applied in a direction along which the front cover is spaced apart from the housing in the longitudinal direction.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion includes an engaging protrusion, The first locking portion includes an insertion hole and a hook portion, the engaging protrusion being inserted into the insertion hole, the hook portion extending from a first edge of the insertion hole in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction toward a second edge of the insertion hole facing the first edge to be hooked to an end of the engaging protrusion facing the housing, and The hook portion is spaced apart from the second edge.

3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the notch portion forms an acute angle with a connecting portion between the hook portion and the first edge.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the front cover includes a front wall facing the front end of the housing and a side wall extending from the front wall toward the front end of the housing, and The first locking portion is on the side wall.

5. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the side wall includes a first side wall in a vertical direction and a second side wall in a lateral direction, and The first locking portion is provided on the first side wall.

6. The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the first edge is opposite to an adjacent handle relative to the second edge.

7. The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the side wall includes an inwardly recessed handle.

8. The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a second engaging portion, The second side wall includes a second locking portion, the second engaging portion being hooked to the second locking portion, and A first cut portion is included in the second side wall between the first side wall and the second locking portion, the first cut portion being cut from an edge of the second side wall facing the front end of the housing toward the front wall to a position beyond the second locking portion.

9. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a second cut portion cut in the vertical direction is included in the second side wall between the front wall and the second locking portion.

10. The toner cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the second cut portion is spaced apart from the first cut portion.

11. The toner cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the second cut portion is connected to the first cut portion.

12. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes an engaging portion; and The front cover has a front wall facing the front end of the housing in the longitudinal direction, side walls extending from the front wall towards the housing in the longitudinal direction, locking portions on the side walls to which the coupling portions are attached, and a first cutout groove cut from an edge of the side wall facing the front end of the housing towards the front wall to a position beyond the locking portion.

13. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the side wall includes a second cutout portion located between the front wall and the locking portion and cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

14. The toner cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the side wall includes a first side wall in the vertical direction and a second side wall in the lateral direction, and the locking portion, the first cutout portion, and the second cutout portion are included on the second side wall.

15. The toner cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the second side wall includes an inwardly recessed handle.

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