Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a toner cartridge that facilitates supply of toner by using a toner container.SOLUTION: A cartridge has a developing roller and a toner storage unit, and has an attachment part which is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the storage unit and to which a toner container is removably attached. When the cartridge takes a posture in which it is grounded on a horizontal plane in a direction in which the attachment part is above the storage unit, the toner container is moved downward to be attached to the attachment part. The cartridge has, on its bottom face, a first ground part, a second ground part, and a third ground part grounded on the horizontal plane. When seen in a gravity direction, when an area surrounded by a first virtual line connecting the first ground part and the second ground part, a second virtual line connecting the second ground part and the third ground part, a third virtual line connecting the third ground part and the first ground part, the first ground part, the second ground part, and the third ground part, is defined as a first area, at least part of the attachment part is in the first area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a known configuration in which a toner container is attached to a cartridge that is detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and toner is replenished. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-26218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge that allows easy replenishment of toner using a toner container when the cartridge is removed from the main body of an apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One form of the present invention is a cartridge having a developing roller and a storage section that stores toner to be carried by the developing roller, and a detachable toner container, the cartridge having an attachment section provided with a refill port for refilling toner from outside the cartridge into the storage section, the attachment section being detachably attached to the toner container, and when the cartridge is in a position grounded on a horizontal surface with the attachment section above the storage section, the attachment section is configured to be attached by moving the toner container downward, and has a first grounding section, a second grounding section, and a third grounding section on a bottom surface of the cartridge, the first grounding section, a second grounding section, and a third grounding section configured to be grounded on the horizontal surface, when the cartridge is viewed in the direction of gravity, the first area is defined as an area surrounded by a first virtual line connecting the first grounding section and the second grounding section, a second virtual line connecting the second grounding section and the third grounding section, and the first grounding section, the second grounding section, and the third grounding section. Effect of the Invention

[0006] When the cartridge is removed from the main body of the apparatus, it is possible to provide a cartridge which can be easily replenished using the toner container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process unit and a toner container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are a side view and a top view of a process unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting portion according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting portion according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a toner pack according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8]Partially enlarged view of a toner pack according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process unit to which a toner pack is attached according to a first embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between an area surrounded by lines connecting three grounding points on a ground plane and the position of a mounting part according to the first embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the area surrounded by lines connecting three and four grounding points with respect to the ground plane and the position of the mounting part in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Image forming device> 2(a) is a main cross-sectional view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus 1 according to Example 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material P based on image information input from an external device. The recording material P includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and thick paper, plastic films such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the printer main body 2 as the device main body has an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material P, a pickup roller 65 that feeds the recording material P to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material P, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0012] The image forming section 10 has a scanner unit 11 (exposure unit), a process unit 20 (cartridge), and a transfer roller 12. The process unit 20 includes a drum unit 40 and a development unit 30. The drum unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier), a charging roller 22 (charging member), and a pre-exposure member 23. The development unit 30 includes a development roller 31 (toner carrier). The transfer roller 12 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 to a recording material P.

[0013] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photosensitive body. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively charged organic photosensitive body on a drum-shaped base body made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in the figure) around a rotation axis Ra1 (first rotation axis) at a predetermined process speed.

[0014] The charging roller 22 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure contact force to form a charging portion. In addition, a desired charging voltage is applied by a charging high-voltage power supply to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure member 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before it enters the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge in the charging portion.

[0015] The scanner unit 11 uses a polygon mirror to irradiate the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device, thereby scanning and exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may be, for example, an LED exposure unit having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0016] The developing unit 30 includes a developing roller 31, a developing container 32, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying toner to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. The developing roller 31 rotates about a rotation axis Ra2 extending in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1, and is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the developing roller 31 is configured to be sufficiently supplied with toner.

[0017] The developing unit 30 of this embodiment employs a contact development method. That is, the toner layer carried by the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried by the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, the toner image is formed by adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in the charging process and then exposed in the exposure process, where the charge amount has been attenuated.

[0018] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle size of 6 μm and a normal charging polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example of the toner in this embodiment, a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method is used. The toner in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic one-component toner in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a one-component toner containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a one-component toner may contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component toner composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used as the toner. When a magnetic toner is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet arranged inside is used as the toner carrier.

[0019] The developing container 32 is provided with a toner storage chamber 36 (storage section) that stores toner, and an agitating member 34 disposed inside the toner storage chamber 36. The agitating member 34 is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate, thereby transporting the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 that agitate the toner in the developing container 32. The agitating member 34 also plays a role in circulating, within the developing container 32, the toner that has not been used for development and has been peeled off from the developing roller 31, to make the toner uniform. The agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that swings may be used.

[0020] In addition, a developing blade 35 that regulates the amount of toner carried by the developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 in which the developing roller 31 is disposed. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the portion facing the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, whereby the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is negatively charged by frictional charging.

[0021] Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming process is started by the image forming section 10 based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating it with the laser beam. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0022] In parallel with the above-mentioned image forming process, the recording material P is sent out by a pickup roller 65 and conveyed toward a transfer nip formed by a transfer roller 12 and a photosensitive drum 21 .

[0023] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 from a high-voltage transfer power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P. The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressurized as it passes through a fixing section 70. This causes the toner particles to melt and then adhere, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing section 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by a pair of discharge rollers 80 serving as a discharge member, and is loaded onto a discharge tray 81 serving as a stacking section formed on the upper part of the printer body 2.

[0024] A top cover 82 is provided on the top of the printer body 2 as a loading tray, and an ejection tray 81 is formed on the top surface of the top cover 82 as a loading surface. The top cover 82 is supported by the printer body 2 so as to be openable and closable around a rotation shaft 83. The top cover 82 is movable between an open position where the opening through which the process unit 20 passes when the process unit 20 is attached to or detached from the printer body 2 is opened, and a closed position where the top cover 82 is closed. In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which a user attaches a toner pack 100 (see FIGS. 2(a) and (b)) to the process unit 20 removed from the image forming apparatus 1 to replenish toner (hereinafter referred to as a direct replenishment method). After toner replenishment using the toner pack 100 is completed, the process unit 20 is attached to the printer body 2 with the toner pack 100 detached from the process unit 20. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 1 of the direct replenishment method is easier to make compact than an image forming apparatus configured to attach the toner pack 100 to the printer body 2 with the process unit 20 attached.

[0025] Furthermore, the direct replenishment method reduces printing costs because it is not necessary to replace the photosensitive drum 21 or the developing roller 31 or the frequency of replacement can be reduced, compared to a configuration in which the process unit 20 is replaced. The image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 100 constitute an image forming system 1000.

[0026] <Process unit> The configuration of the process unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 and 9. FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the process unit 20 and the toner pack 100 in the middle of mounting the toner pack 100 to the mounting portion 106 of the process unit 20. FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the process unit 20 and the toner pack 100 in the state where mounting of the toner pack 100 to the mounting portion 106 is completed. FIG. 1 is a cross section CS shown in FIG. 9(b). FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the process unit 20. FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the process unit 20 seen from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the process unit 20. FIG. 4(b) is a top view of the process unit 20. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106 of the process unit 20. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the mounting portion 106 in the state where the apparatus-side shutter 109 is closed. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the mounting unit 106 with the device-side shutter 109 open.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4(a), the process unit 20 includes a drum unit 40, a developing unit 30, and a biasing member 50.

[0028] The drum unit 40 has a photosensitive drum 21 rotatable about a rotation axis Ra1, a charging roller 22, and a pre-exposure member 23. The developing unit 30 has a developing roller 31, a supply roller 33, an agitating member 34, a developer container 32, and an attachment portion 106. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the developing unit 30 is rotatably supported by the drum unit 40 by a boss 30a engaging with a hole 40b of the drum unit. The boss 30a extends in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1 from an end of the developing unit 30 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1.

[0029] The urging member 50 urges the developing unit 30 so that the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing unit 30 rotates relative to the drum unit 40 around the boss 30a.

[0030] The mounting portion 106 is a portion where the toner pack 100 is mounted, and is provided in the developing unit 30. The mounting portion 106 is provided with a hole 106a into which the tip of the toner pack 100 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 6. The mounting portion 106 is provided at a position farther away from the center of gravity cg with respect to the center of the process unit 20 (developing container 32) in the direction of the rotation axis Ra2 of the developing roller 31. The mounting portion 106 is provided at an end of the process unit 20 (developing container 32) in the direction of the rotation axis Ra2 of the developing roller 31. In addition, the mounting portion 106 of the process unit 20 grounded on the ground plane G (horizontal plane) is located above the rotation axis Ra1 of the photosensitive drum 21 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 106 includes a first frame 107, an apparatus-side shutter 109 (rotating body), an operating lever 108, a cover member 110, and a second frame 117.

[0032] The apparatus-side shutter 109 is a cylindrical member that is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis B relative to the first frame 107 and is open at the top. On the side surface of the apparatus-side shutter 109 extending along the rotation axis B, there are provided an outer peripheral cylindrical surface 109f, a receiving port 109a that penetrates the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 109f in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis B, and a driven transmission portion 109e that is recessed in a direction approaching the rotation axis B relative to the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 109f.

[0033] A cover member 110 and a second frame 117 are fixed to the first frame 107. The first frame 107 is provided with a nozzle positioning portion 107a that protrudes toward the rotation axis B from an inner peripheral cylindrical surface 107c.

[0034] The apparatus-side shutter 109 can rotate about the rotation axis B as its outer peripheral cylindrical surface 109f is rotatably supported by the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 107c of the first frame 107. An engagement shaft 109h extending upward is provided on the bottom surface of the apparatus-side shutter 109, the engagement shaft 109h being arranged coaxially with the rotation axis B. An abutment surface 109g facing upward is provided on the outer periphery of the engagement shaft 109h. An apparatus-side seal 111 is affixed around the receiving port 109a of the apparatus-side shutter 109.

[0035] The operating lever 108 has an inner surface 108c that forms a hole 106a into which the tip of the toner pack 100 is inserted, an operating portion 108b that protrudes outward in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis B, and a shutter engagement portion 108a that protrudes from the inner surface 108c toward the rotation axis B.

[0036] The second frame 117 is provided with an apparatus side opening 117a (supply port), which communicates with the toner storage chamber 36 provided in the developing container 32.

[0037] The apparatus-side shutter 109 moves between a first position and a second position by rotating about a rotation axis B. The first position is a non-communicating position where the receiving port 109a and the apparatus-side opening 117a do not communicate with each other, as shown in Fig. 6(a). The second position is a communicating position where the receiving port 109a and the apparatus-side opening 117a communicate with each other, as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0038] The process unit 20 does not necessarily have to include the photosensitive drum 21, and the developing unit 30 including the mounting portion 106 may be configured to be detachably attached to the printer body 2. In this case, the drum unit 40 including the photosensitive drum 21 may be fixed to the printer body 2, or may be configured to be detachably attached to the printer body 2 independently of the developing unit 30.

[0039] <Toner pack> The configuration of the toner pack 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7(a) is an exploded perspective view of the toner pack 100. Figure 7(b) is an exploded perspective view of the toner pack 100 seen from a different perspective than that of Figure 7(a). Figure 8(a) is a partial perspective view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. Figure 8(b) is a partial perspective view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position.

[0040] The toner pack 100 has a storage section 101, a nozzle 102, and a pack-side shutter 103. In the direction of the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103, the storage section 101 is provided at one end, and the nozzle 102, which serves as the tip of the toner pack 100, is provided at the other end. In other words, the storage section 101 and the nozzle 102 are aligned in the direction of the rotation axis A.

[0041] The storage section 101 in this embodiment is formed into a bag shape using a flexible polypropylene sheet. The storage section 101 is formed into a bag shape by pouch processing, but is not limited to this.

[0042] The nozzle 102 has a side surface 102c extending along the direction of the rotation axis A, the side surface 102c being provided with an outlet 102a. The outlet 102a communicates with the inside of the storage unit 101 and is an opening through which the toner contained in the storage unit 101 passes when it is discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100. The outlet 102a opens in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A.

[0043] The pack-side shutter 103 is provided outside the nozzle 102 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A of the nozzle 102. A substantially rectangular pack-side seal 105 is attached to the pack-side shutter 103. The pack-side shutter 103 is configured to be movable between a blocking position where the pack-side seal 105 blocks the discharge port 102a and an open position where the discharge port 102a is open. When the pack-side shutter 103 in the blocking position shown in FIG. 8(a) is rotated in the direction of arrow K about the rotation axis A, it reaches the open position shown in FIG. 8(b). When the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated from the open position in the direction of arrow L, it reaches the blocking position.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 7(b), the nozzle 102 is provided with a recess 102e (shutter engagement portion) recessed in a direction approaching the rotation axis A with respect to the side surface 102c. The nozzle 102 also has a protruding portion 104 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the nozzle 102 when the toner pack 100 is oriented in a predetermined direction in which the rotation axis A faces the direction of gravity and the nozzle 102 is below the storage portion 101. The protruding portion 104 is provided with a hole 104a formed by an inner circumferential surface 104a1 centered on the rotation axis A. The protruding portion 104 is provided at its tip with a contact surface 104b (tip surface) facing downward.

[0045] Further, an opening 103a is provided on a side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103, which is formed outside the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position, a recess 102e of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a. When the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K from this state, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the open position, and the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a. The pack-side shutter 103 is provided with a drive transmission part 103b that is recessed in a direction approaching the rotation axis A with respect to the side surface 103d, as shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0046] <Ground point of process unit> Before mounting the toner pack 100 in the process unit 20, it is necessary to remove the process unit 20 from the printer body 2 and ground it on a ground plane G. The grounding points provided on the process unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4(b), a first grounding point 32b (first grounding portion), a second grounding point 32c (second grounding portion), a third grounding point 32d (third grounding portion), and a fourth grounding point 32e (fourth grounding portion) (hereinafter referred to as the first to fourth grounding points) are provided on the bottom surface of the process unit 20.

[0048] The first ground point 32b and the first to fourth ground points are provided on the bottom surface of the process unit 20 when the process unit 20 is oriented in a direction (predetermined direction) in which the mounting portion 106 is above the developing container 32. In this embodiment, the first to fourth ground points are provided on the bottom surface of the developing container 32. As shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4(a), the first to fourth ground points in this embodiment are protrusions protruding downward from the bottom surface of the developing container 32. The first to fourth ground points in this embodiment have a width in a direction perpendicular to both the direction of the rotation axis Ra2 of the developing roller 31 and the direction of gravity g that is greater than the width in the direction of the rotation axis Ra2. The shapes of the first to fourth ground points are not limited to those in this embodiment.

[0049] The first ground point 32b is the ground point that is closest to the mounting part 106 among the first to fourth ground points when viewed in the gravity direction g. The second ground point 32c is provided at the end on the side where the mounting part 106 is located in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1. The second ground point 32c is located closer to the photosensitive drum 21 (developing roller 31) than the first ground point 32b in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Ra1. The third ground point 32d is provided at the end opposite to the end on the side where the mounting part 106 is located in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1. The third ground point 32d is at the same position as the first ground point 32b in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Ra1. The fourth ground point 32e is provided at the end opposite to the end on the side where the mounting part 106 is located in the direction of the rotation axis Ra1. Moreover, the second grounding point 32c is located closer to the photosensitive drum 21 (developing roller 31) than the first grounding point 32b in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Ra1.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the process unit 20 is grounded on the ground plane G in a predetermined orientation, three of the first to fourth grounding points, including the first grounding point 32b, are configured to come into contact with the ground plane G. When an external force is inadvertently applied to the process unit 20 from above, all of the first to fourth grounding points are configured to come into contact with the ground plane G.

[0051] The three grounding points including the first grounding point 32b may be configured to protrude higher than the remaining grounding point that is configured to contact the ground when an external force is applied inadvertently.

[0052] Although the first to fourth grounding points in this embodiment are integral with the resin frame constituting the developing container 32, at least one of the first to fourth grounding points may be made of an elastic member so that all four grounding points are in contact with the ground plane G even under normal circumstances when no inadvertent external force is applied. Some of the first to fourth grounding points may be located on the bottom surface of the drum unit 40.

[0053] <Installing the toner pack into the installation area> 1 and 9, the mounting of the toner pack 100 into the mounting portion 106 will be described. Fig. 9(a) is a perspective view of the process unit 20 and the toner pack 100 in a state in which the toner pack 100 is in the middle of being mounted into the mounting portion 106 of the process unit 20. Fig. 9(b) is a perspective view of the process unit 20 and the toner pack 100 after mounting of the toner pack 100 into the mounting portion 106 has been completed.

[0054] 9(a), the toner pack 100 is moved downward and mounted in the mounting portion 106 in a position in which the rotation axis A faces the direction of gravity and the storage portion 101 is above the nozzle 102. In this embodiment, the mounting direction of the toner pack 100 indicated by the direction of arrow N is the direction of gravity. The toner pack 100 with the pack-side shutter 103 in the closed position is inserted in the direction of arrow N into the mounting portion 106 in which the device-side shutter 109 is in the non-communicating position. At this time, the drive transmission portion 103b of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the drive transmitted portion 109e of the device-side shutter 109 and the shutter engagement portion 108a of the operating lever 108.

[0055] 1, when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106, the abutting surface 104b of the protruding portion 104 abuts against the abutted surface 109g of the engagement shaft 109h of the mounting portion 106. This determines the position of the toner pack 100 relative to the mounting portion 106 (printer body 2) in the direction of arrow N (gravity direction). Also, the engagement shaft 109h of the mounting portion 106 fits into the hole 104a of the protruding portion 104 of the toner pack 100, thereby determining the position of the toner pack 100 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction relative to the mounting portion 106. This makes the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103 and the rotation axis B of the apparatus-side shutter 109 approximately coaxial.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b), when a user grasps the operating portion 108b of the operating lever 108 and rotates the operating lever 108 in the K direction, the shutter engagement portion 108a transmits a rotational driving force to the drive transmission portion 103b of the pack-side shutter 103, causing the pack-side shutter 103 to rotate. Then, due to the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103, the drive transmission portion 103b transmits a rotational driving force to the driven transmission portion 109e of the device-side shutter 109, causing the device-side shutter 109 to rotate. At this time, the device-side shutter 109 moves from the first position (non-communicating position) to the second position (communicating position), and the pack-side shutter 103 moves from the closed position to the open position. By the above-described operation, the storage portion 101 of the toner pack 100 and the toner storage chamber 36 communicate with each other via the discharge port 102a, the receiving port 109a, and the device-side opening 117a.

[0057] In this state, by applying an external force to the storage portion 101 of the toner pack 100 to deform the storage portion 101, the toner (not shown) in the storage portion 101 is supplied to the toner storage chamber 36 of the developing container 32.

[0058] <Grounding point layout> When the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106, the abutting surface 104b of the protruding portion 104 of the toner pack 100 abuts against the abutted surface 109g of the engagement shaft 109h of the mounting portion 106. As a result, the abutted surface 109g of the engagement shaft 109h receives a mounting force F from the toner pack 100. In other words, the process unit 20 receives the mounting force F via the mounting portion 106 in a state where it is grounded on the ground plane G. Therefore, it is preferable that the posture of the process unit 20 is stable when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106. In this embodiment, first to fourth grounding points are provided so that the posture of the process unit 20 is stable when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106.

[0059] The layout of the first to fourth grounding points in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4(b) and Figs. 10 and 11. Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrams in which the first to fourth grounding points, the abutted surface 109g of the mounting portion 106, the central axis (center, rotation axis B) of the engagement shaft 109, and the center of gravity cg of the process unit 20 are projected onto the ground plane G.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 4(b), Fig. 10, and Fig. 11, a region (first region) surrounded by any two of the second ground point 32c, the third ground point 32d, and the fourth ground point 32e, the first ground point 32b that is the closest to the mounting part 106 among the first to fourth ground points, and a virtual line passing through them is defined as m1. A region (second region) surrounded by the first to fourth ground points and a virtual line passing through them is defined as m2. The virtual line is drawn so that the regions m1 and m2 are each widest.

[0061] The area m1 in Fig. 10(a) is an area surrounded by a virtual line VL1 (first virtual line) connecting the first ground point 32b and the second ground point 32c, a virtual line VL2 (second virtual line) connecting the second ground point 32c and the third ground point 32d, a virtual line VL3 (third virtual line) connecting the third ground point 32d and the first ground point 32b, and the first to third ground points. The area m1 in Fig. 10(b) is an area surrounded by a virtual line VL4 connecting the first ground point 32b and the fourth ground point 32e, a virtual line VL5 connecting the third ground point 32d and the fourth ground point 32e, a virtual line VL3 connecting the third ground point 32d and the first ground point 32b, the first ground point 32b, the third ground point 32d, and the fourth ground point 32e. Area m1 in Figure 11(a) is an area surrounded by a virtual line VL1 connecting the first ground point 32b and the second ground point 32c, a virtual line VL7 connecting the second ground point 32c and the fourth ground point 32e, a virtual line VL6 connecting the fourth ground point 32e and the first ground point 32b, the first ground point 32b, the second ground point 32c, and the fourth ground point 32e.

[0062] Area m2 in Figure 11(b) is an area surrounded by a virtual line VL1 connecting the first ground point 32b and the second ground point 32c, a virtual line VL7 connecting the second ground point 32c and the fourth ground point 32e, a virtual line VL5 connecting the fourth ground point 32e and the third ground point 32d, and a virtual line VL3 connecting the first ground point 32b and the third ground point 32d, as well as the first to fourth ground points.

[0063] 10 and 11, the area where the contact surface 109g of the mounting portion 106 contacts and is pressed against the contact surface 104b of the protruding portion 104 of the toner pack 100 is defined as area n. Furthermore, the force received by the contact surface 109g (mounting portion) in area n is defined as mounting force F, and the point of action (center of area n) at which the mounting force F acts is defined as action point F1. In this embodiment, action point F1 is the central axis of the engagement shaft 109h, the rotation axis B of the apparatus-side shutter 109, and also the center of the hole 106a of the mounting portion 106 into which the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is inserted.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in any one of FIG. 10(a), FIG. 10(b), and FIG. 10(c), three grounding points that are grounded on the ground plane G are arranged so that at least a part of the hole 106a of the mounting portion 106 is located within the region m1 (including on the virtual line that forms the region m1). This makes it possible to prevent the process unit 20 from becoming unstable when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 and the mounting force F is applied to the process unit 20. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the three grounding points that are grounded on the ground plane G so that the region n or the point of action F1 is located within the region m1 (including on the virtual line that forms the region m1) in order to realize a stable posture of the process unit 20. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10(a), FIG. 10(b), and FIG. 10(c), it is preferable to arrange the three grounding points that are grounded on the ground plane G so that the center of gravity cg of the process unit 20 is located within the region m1 in order to realize a stable posture of the process unit 20. In addition, when viewed in the direction of gravity, the first grounding point 32b overlaps with the hole 106a of the mounting portion 106. Therefore, even if the mounting force F of the toner pack 100 is large, the process unit 20 can be supported by the first contact portion 32b located near the point of application F1.

[0065] In addition, in order to make the process unit 20 ground only when an inadvertent external force is applied, the fourth ground point 32e, the second ground point 32c, and the third ground point 32d are provided in Fig. 10(a), Fig. 10(b), and Fig. 10(c), respectively. When an inadvertent external force is applied to the process unit 20 and the process unit 20 makes contact with the ground plane G, it is preferable to configure the mounting portion 106 so that at least a part of the hole 106 is within the region m2 (including the imaginary line forming the region m2) as shown in Fig. 11(b) in order to realize a stable posture of the process unit 20. It is preferable to have the region n or the point of action F1 within the region m2 in order to realize a stable posture of the process unit 20. Note that the fourth ground point 32e, the second ground point 32c, and the third ground point 32d may not be provided in Fig. 10(a), Fig. 10(b), and Fig. 10(c), respectively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Image forming device 20 Process Unit 21 Photosensitive drum 30 Development unit 31 Developing roller 32 Developer container 32b 1st grounding point 32c 2nd grounding point 32d 3rd grounding point 32e 4th grounding point 40 Drum unit 100 Toner container 106 Mounting part 106a Mounting hole m1 1st area cg center of gravity Ra1: Rotation axis of the photosensitive drum Ra2 Rotational axis of the developing roller

Claims

1. A cartridge having a developing roller and a container for containing toner to be carried by the developing roller, the cartridge having a detachable toner container, a mounting portion provided with a supply port for supplying toner from the outside of the cartridge to the storage portion, the mounting portion being adapted to mount and detach the toner container; When the cartridge is placed on a horizontal surface with the mounting portion above the storage portion, The mounting unit is configured to mount the toner container by moving the toner container downward, a first grounding portion, a second grounding portion, and a third grounding portion configured to be grounded on the horizontal surface on a bottom surface of the cartridge; A cartridge characterized in that, when the cartridge in the above-mentioned posture is viewed in the direction of gravity, a first area is defined as an area surrounded by a first virtual line connecting the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion, a second virtual line connecting the second grounding portion and the third grounding portion, a third virtual line connecting the third grounding portion and the first grounding portion, the first grounding portion, the second grounding portion, and the third grounding portion, and at least a portion of the mounting portion is within the first area.

2. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge is in the position as described above and viewed in the direction of gravity, the center of the mounting portion is within the region.

3. the mounting portion is provided with a hole into which a tip end of the toner container is inserted, the hole being formed by a cylindrical inner peripheral surface; 3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the center of the mounting portion is the center of the hole.

4. In the cartridge that takes the posture, the mounting portion has an engagement shaft that engages with the toner container to determine a position of the toner container in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the toner container with respect to the mounting portion, the engagement shaft protruding upward; 3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the center of the mounting portion is a central axis of the engagement shaft.

5. In the cartridge that takes the above-mentioned posture, the mounting portion has a rotating body that is configured to rotate about a rotation axis that extends in the gravity direction, 3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the center of the mounting portion is the rotation axis.

6. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge in the above-mentioned posture is viewed in the direction of gravity, the first grounding portion overlaps with at least a part of the mounting portion.

7. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge is in the posture and viewed in the direction of gravity, the center of gravity of the cartridge is within the first region.

8. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the mounting portion is located at a position farther away from the center of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller than the center of gravity.

9. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is provided at an end of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller.

10. A cartridge as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the cartridge in the above-mentioned posture is viewed in the direction of gravity, the width of the first grounding portion in a direction perpendicular to both the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller and the direction of gravity is greater than the width in the direction of the rotational axis.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that, when the cartridge is viewed in the direction of gravity while taking the posture, the second grounding portion has a width in a direction perpendicular to both the direction of the rotation axis and the direction of gravity that is greater than its width in the direction of the rotation axis.

12. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a photosensitive drum configured to receive toner from the developing roller.

13. 13. The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein, in the cartridge taking the above-mentioned posture, the mounting portion is located above the photosensitive drum.

14. In the cartridge that takes the posture, 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first grounding portion, the second grounding portion and the third grounding portion protrude downward.

15. a fourth grounding portion configured to come into contact with the horizontal surface at a position different from the first grounding portion, the second grounding portion, and the third grounding portion; 15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein in the cartridge taking the posture, the fourth grounding portion protrudes downward.

Images