Toner recovery device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent the occurrence of breakage of a seal member provided between a toner discharge port and a toner recovery port when a toner storage unit is moved in one direction to be installed on a body side.SOLUTION: A toner recovery device comprises: a toner storage unit that is moved in one direction to be installed on a body side, and includes an ejection port for ejecting toner in an intersecting direction intersecting one direction; a toner recovery unit that is provided on the body side, and recovers the toner through a recovery port facing the discharge port of the toner storage unit moved in one direction; a seal member that is provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, and is compressed to increase the airtightness of a connection part of the discharge port and the recovery port, thereby preventing scattering of toner to the outside; and a mechanism that increases the amount of compression of the seal member along with the movement in one direction of the toner storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner recovery device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes the use of a shutter or a seal member at a toner discharge port provided in a developing device to provide a developing system capable of suppressing excessive discharge of waste toner from the developing device. Patent Document 1 also describes the insertion of the developing device into a toner recovery device in order to connect the developing device and the toner recovery device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-082642 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Now, let us consider a case where a toner storage unit such as a developing unit is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side. In this case, in order to discharge the toner stored in the toner storage unit to the main body side, a discharge port of the toner storage unit and a recovery port on the main body side are often provided, and these are connected when the toner storage unit is moved and installed on the main body side. When this configuration is adopted, a seal member is generally provided between the discharge port and the recovery port to prevent the toner from scattering. However, if the discharge outlet and recovery outlet are provided in a direction that intersects with the direction in which the toner storage unit is moved, there is a risk that damage such as peeling off of the sealing material provided at the discharge outlet and / or recovery outlet may occur as the toner storage unit moves in one direction. An object of the present invention is to prevent damage to a seal member provided between a toner discharge port and a toner recovery port when a toner storage unit is moved in one direction and installed on a main body side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is a toner recovery device comprising: a toner storage unit that is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side, and has an outlet for discharging toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery unit that is installed on the main body side and recovers toner via a recovery port facing the outlet of the toner storage unit that has moved in the one direction; a sealing member that is installed between the outlet and the recovery port and that is compressed to increase the airtightness of the connection between the outlet and the recovery port and prevent toner from scattering to the outside; and a mechanism that increases the compression amount of the sealing member as the toner storage unit moves in the one direction. The invention described in claim 2 is a toner recovery device described in claim 1, characterized in that the distance in the intersecting direction between the recovery port and the discharge port changes as the toner storage section moves in the one direction relative to the main body. The invention described in claim 3 is the toner recovery device described in claim 2, characterized in that the distance in the intersecting direction between the recovery port and the discharge port when the toner storage unit is installed on the main body becomes closer than during movement in the one direction. The invention described in claim 4 is the toner recovery device described in claim 3, characterized in that the distance in the intersecting direction gradually becomes shorter than during the movement in the one direction. The invention described in claim 5 is the toner recovery device described in claim 4, characterized in that the toner storage section and the toner recovery section or main body side are provided with a gradient facing each other, and the distance in the intersecting direction is gradually reduced compared to during movement in the one direction by utilizing this gradient. The invention described in claim 6 is the toner recovery device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, the discharge outlet is located above the recovery outlet, the toner storage unit is provided with an up-and-down movement mechanism for moving the discharge outlet upward, and when the toner storage unit moves in the one direction, the discharge outlet is positioned upward by the up-and-down movement mechanism, and when the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, the discharge outlet is pushed down and the compression amount of the sealing member is increased. The invention described in claim 7 is the toner recovery device according to claim 6, characterized in that the vertical movement mechanism moves the discharge outlet upward with respect to the toner storage section by the elastic force of an elastic member. The invention described in claim 8 is a toner recovery device described in claim 7, characterized in that the mechanism for increasing the compression amount creates a force that counteracts the elastic force of the up-down movement mechanism by moving the toner storage section in one direction. The invention described in claim 9 is an image forming apparatus comprising: a main body having an image forming unit; a developing unit constituting part of the image forming unit, which is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side to develop an electrostatic latent image, and which has an outlet for discharging toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery unit provided on the main body side and which recovers toner discharged from the developing unit via a recovery port facing the outlet of the developing unit moved in the one direction; a sealing member provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, which is compressed to increase the airtightness of the connection between the discharge port and the recovery port and suppress toner from scattering to the outside; and a mechanism for increasing the amount of compression of the sealing member as the developing unit moves in the one direction. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, the occurrence of damage to the sealing member can be suppressed compared to a case in which a mechanism for increasing the amount of compression of the sealing member as the toner storage section moves in one direction is not adopted. According to the invention as recited in claim 2, the compression amount of the seal member can be increased satisfactorily in accordance with the movement of the toner containing portion in one direction. According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, damage to the seal member during movement in one direction can be suppressed. According to the invention described in claim 4, damage to the sealing member caused by gradually increasing the compression amount of the sealing member can be suppressed, compared to a case in which the distance in the cross direction does not gradually become closer compared to during movement in one direction. According to the invention described in claim 5, the distance in the intersecting direction associated with movement can be gradually reduced with a simpler configuration compared to a case in which the toner storage section and the toner recovery section or the main body side are not provided with a slope facing each other. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, damage to the seal member can be suppressed by changing the distance between the toner storage section and the discharge port. According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the distance between the toner storage portion and the discharge port can be elastically maintained. According to the invention as recited in claim 8, it is possible to change the distance between the toner container and the discharge port in accordance with the movement of the toner container in one direction. According to the invention described in claim 9, the occurrence of damage to the sealing member can be suppressed compared to a case in which a mechanism for increasing the amount of compression of the sealing member as the toner storage section moves in one direction is not adopted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of the toner recovery machine. [Diagram 3] 4 is a perspective view for explaining a positional relationship between a vertical movement mechanism and a toner recovery unit in the toner recovery machine. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the movement of toner from the toner recovery device to a toner recovery section. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram for explaining a joint structure between a discharge port and a recovery port when the developing unit is moved and installed on the main body side. FIG. [Figure 6]13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams for explaining the operation of moving the developing unit and installing it in the main body, and the action up to the point where the discharge port and the recovery port are joined together through this operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Description of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feed unit 1A, a printing unit 1B, and a paper discharge unit 1C. The paper feed unit 1A includes a first paper storage section 11 to a fourth paper storage section 14 for storing paper P as an example of a recording medium. The paper feed unit 1A also has feed rolls 15-18 that correspond to the first paper storage section 11 to the fourth paper storage section 14, respectively, and feed the paper P stored in each paper storage section to a transport path connected to the printing unit 1B.

[0009] The printing unit 1B includes an image forming section 20 that forms an image on a sheet P. The printing unit 1B also includes a control section 21 that controls each section of the image forming apparatus 1. The printing unit 1B also includes an image processing section 22. The image processing section 22 performs image processing on image data transmitted from the image reading device 4 and the personal computer (PC) 5. The printing unit 1B is also provided with a UI (User Interface) 23, which is configured with a touch panel or the like and notifies the user of information and receives information input from the user.

[0010] The image forming section 20 is provided with six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "image forming units 30") that are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. Each image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charging roll 32 which charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, a developing device 100 which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31, and a drum cleaner 34 which removes toner and the like from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

[0011] The image forming section 20 is also provided with a laser exposure device 26 that exposes the photoconductor drum 31 of each image forming unit 30 to laser light. The exposure of the photoconductor drum 31 by the laser exposure device 26 is not limited to using laser light. For example, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be provided for each image forming unit 30, and the photoconductor drum 31 may be exposed to light emitted from the light source.

[0012] Each image forming unit 30 is configured similarly, except for the toner contained in the developing device 100. The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Further, the image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner corresponding to a corporate color, foaming toner for Braille, fluorescent color toner, toner for improving gloss, etc. In other words, the image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner of a special color.

[0013] The image forming section 20 is also provided with an intermediate transfer belt 41 onto which the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 31 of the image forming units 30 are transferred. The image forming section 20 is also provided with a primary transfer roll 42 that transfers the respective color toner images of the respective image forming units 30 onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 at a primary transfer portion T1. The image forming unit 20 is also provided with a secondary transfer roll 40 that transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 onto the paper P at a secondary transfer portion T2. Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with a belt cleaner 45 that removes toner and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a fixing device 80 that fixes the secondarily transferred image onto the paper P.

[0014] The image forming unit 20 performs an image forming operation based on a control signal from the control unit 21 . Specifically, in the image forming unit 20, first, image processing is performed on the image data input from the image reading device 4 or the PC 5 by the image processing unit 22, and the image data after image processing is supplied to the laser exposure device 26. Then, for example, in a magenta (M) image forming unit 30M, the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roll 32, and then the laser exposure device 26 irradiates the photosensitive drum 31 with laser light modulated by image data obtained from the image processing unit 22.

[0015] As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 31 . The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 100, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. Similarly, yellow, cyan and black toner images are formed in the image forming units 30Y, 30C and 30K, and special color toner images are formed in the image forming units 30T and 30P.

[0016] The respective color toner images formed in each image forming unit 30 are electrostatically transferred sequentially by a primary transfer roll 42 onto an intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C in Figure 1, and superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41. The superimposed toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is transported to a secondary transfer portion T2 constituted by a secondary transfer roll 40 and a backup roll 49 as the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves.

[0017] On the other hand, the paper P is taken out from the first paper storage unit 11 by, for example, the delivery roll 15, and then transported to the position of the registration roll 74 via the transport path. When the superimposed toner image is transported to the secondary transfer portion T2, a sheet of paper P is supplied from the registration roll 74 to the secondary transfer portion T2 in accordance with the transport timing. Then, in the secondary transfer portion T2, the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the paper P all at once by the action of a transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 40 and the backup roll 49.

[0018] Thereafter, the paper P onto which the superimposed toner images have been electrostatically transferred is transported to a fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, pressure and heat are applied to the paper P on which the unfixed toner image has been formed, and the toner image is fixed to the paper P. Then, the sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed passes through a curl correction section 81 provided in the sheet discharge unit 1C, and is then conveyed to a sheet stacking section (not shown).

[0019] [Explanation of the toner recovery device] Next, the function of the toner recovery device, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the overall configuration of the toner recovery device, and is a view of the developing device 100 viewed from the rear side (rear side) of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner recovery device 300 of this embodiment includes the developing device 100 that is moved in the +x direction from the front side (front side) of the image forming apparatus 1 to the rear side (rear side) and installed on the main body side, and the toner recovery section 200 that is provided on the main body side, which is the printing unit 1B. The +x direction is one direction in this embodiment. The toner recovery section 200 recovers the toner via a recovery port (described later) that faces the discharge port (described later) of the developing device 100 that has moved in one direction. The developing device 100 functions as an example of a toner storage section, and includes a vertical movement mechanism 150 that moves the discharge port (described later) upward (+y direction) and downward (-y direction). The toner recovery section 200 also includes a toner tank 250 that stores the recovered toner.

[0021] 3 is a perspective view for explaining the positional relationship between the vertical movement mechanism 150 and the toner recovery section 200 in the toner recovery device 300, and shows a state in which the developing device 100 is installed on the main body side, which is the printing unit 1B. The vertical movement mechanism 150 is provided with a discharge pipe 155 that sends the toner downward (-y direction) toward the toner recovery section 200. The toner recovery section 200 is provided with a joint 220 that functions as one of the mechanisms for increasing the compression amount of a seal member (described later) together with the vertical movement mechanism 150. The toner recovery section 200 also has a pipe 240 that is a transport path for the recovered toner.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the movement of toner from the toner recovery device 300 to the toner recovery section 200, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing device 100, which is an example of a toner storage unit, has an outlet 110 below an outlet pipe 155 of a vertical movement mechanism 150. The outlet 110 discharges toner in a direction intersecting one direction (+x direction). Here, the one direction is the horizontal direction, and the intersecting direction intersecting this one direction is the downward direction (-y direction) which is the vertical direction. However, the intersecting direction may be diagonally downward at an angle to the up-down direction (±y direction). The diagonally downward direction may be, for example, the +x direction or a direction intersecting the +x direction that is inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the toner recovery unit 200 has a recovery port 210 at a position facing the discharge port 110 of the developing unit 100 when the toner recovery unit 200 is installed on the main body side. The discharge port 110 is located above the recovery port 210 when the developing unit 100, which is a toner storage unit, is installed on the main body side. In addition, a seal member 120 is provided at the discharge port 110 of the developing unit 100. A stretchable material is used as the material of the seal member 120. For example, in this embodiment, the seal member 120 is made of polyurethane. The seal member 120 is compressed between the discharge port 110 of the developing unit 100 and the recovery port 210 of the toner recovery unit 200, and enhances the sealing of the connection between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 to suppress the toner from scattering to the outside. For example, the thickness of the seal member 120 is about 4 mm before compression. This thickness is compressed to, for example, 1.5 to 2 mm between the discharge port 110 of the developing device 100 and the recovery port 210 of the toner recovery section 200. By being compressed in this manner, the sealing property of the connection part between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 is improved. In this embodiment, one surface of the seal member 120 has a structure along the peripheral wall of the discharge port 110, and is provided so that the one surface overlaps with the peripheral wall of the discharge port 110. As a structure along the peripheral wall, when the cross-sectional shape of the discharge pipe 155 parallel to the discharge port 110 is a rectangular parallelepiped, the seal member 120 has a shape in which a rectangular hole is hollowed out. The rectangular hole of the seal member 120 has an inner diameter dimension equivalent to the inner diameter dimension of the discharge port 110, and does not hinder the discharge of toner from the discharge port 110. When the cross-sectional shape of the discharge pipe 155 is circular, it is preferable that the hole of the seal member 120 is also circular to follow the cross-sectional shape of the discharge pipe 155. The position where the sealing member 120 is provided may be between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210, and for example, the sealing member 120 may be provided at the recovery port 210. Furthermore, for example, the sealing member 120 may be provided at both the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210.

[0024] 4, the flow of toner after the developing device 100, which is an example of a toner storage unit, is installed on the main body side is indicated by a thick line. The toner from the developing device 100 is discharged from the discharge port 110 via the discharge pipe 155 and collected in the collection port 210 of the toner collection unit 200. The collected toner is transported via the pipe 240 to the toner tank 250 shown in FIG.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a joint structure between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 when the developing unit 100 is moved and installed on the main body side, and is a cross section taken along line VV shown in FIG. The joining structure shown here is a joining structure between an outlet 110 of a vertical movement mechanism 150 provided in a developing device 100, which is an example of a toner storage section, and a collection port 210 of a toner collection section 200 that faces the vertical movement mechanism 150 when the developing device 100 is installed.

[0026] The vertical movement mechanism 150 has a positioning elongated hole 151 that positions the vertical movement mechanism 150 with a positioning pin 140 that protrudes from the developing device 100 side, and a elongated hole 152 that attaches the vertical movement mechanism 150 to the developing device 100 side using a shoulder screw 170. The positioning elongated hole 151 and the elongated hole 152 allow the vertical movement mechanism 150 to move within a predetermined range in the y direction relative to the developing device 100 while restricting its movement in the x direction.

[0027] The joint structure also has an elastic member 160, one end of which is connected to the fixed part 130 on the developing device 100 side, and the other end of which is connected to the vertical movement mechanism 150. The elastic members 160 are disposed at both ends of the vertical movement mechanism 150 in the x-axis direction. The elastic force of the elastic member 160 applies a pulling force in the +y direction to the vertical movement mechanism 150. In other words, the elastic force of the elastic member 160 moves the discharge port 110 upward (in the +y direction). Note that, for example, a tension spring is used as the elastic member 160.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the joint structure includes a slide portion 180 provided on the vertical movement mechanism 150. The slide portion 180 is a member extending in the movement direction of the developing device 100, and is provided with a gradient 181 that gradually decreases in height in one direction at the tip side in one direction (+x direction), which is the movement direction when the developing device 100 is installed on the main body side. The lower end of the slide portion 180 extends in the horizontal direction, and the gradient 181 is formed from the lower end in the horizontal direction toward the upper side. The tip 181a of the gradient 181 extending from the lower end of the slide portion 180 is chamfered. For example, a rounded R chamfer is applied as the chamfer.

[0029] Next, the joint 220 provided in the toner recovery unit 200 constituting the joint structure has a slide receiving portion 230 that receives the slide portion 180 of the developing device 100 moving in one direction (+x direction). The slide receiving portion 230 is formed with a gradient 231 that faces the gradient 181 of the slide portion 180. The gradient 231 extends in the other direction (-x direction) that is the opposite direction to the one direction (+x direction), and is inclined upward (+y direction) toward the other direction. When the developing device 100 moves in one direction, the leading edge 181a of the gradient 181 hits the gradient 231 of the slide receiving portion 230. The hitting position maintains the distance of the gradient 231 within the range in which the leading edge 181a of the gradient 181 can move downward (-y direction) while hitting the gradient 231. The gradient 231 is configured so that the gradient 181 of the slide portion 180 slides with the movement of the developing device 100 in one direction, and the vertical movement mechanism 150 can move downward (in the -y direction) via the gradient 181. That is, the gradient 181 of the slide portion 180 and the gradient 231 of the slide receiving portion 230 are gradients facing each other, and the distance d between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 in the cross direction intersecting the one direction is gradually reduced compared to the distance during the movement of the developing device 100 in the one direction by utilizing the gradients facing each other. That is, the developing device 100, which is a toner storage portion, changes the distance between the recovery port 210 and the discharge port 110 in the cross direction (the direction intersecting the one direction) as the developer 100 moves in one direction relative to the main body side. The seal member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 is configured to gradually decrease as the distance between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 gradually decreases.

[0030] Furthermore, the joint 220 is provided with a slope 211. This slope 211 is configured to receive the seal member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 of the developing device 100 moving in one direction (+x direction). The slope 211 is formed extending from the recovery port 210 in the other direction (-x direction) and is inclined downward (-y direction) toward the other direction (-x direction). When the developing device 100 moves in one direction (+x direction), the lower corner of the tip side of the seal member 120 in one direction (+x direction) comes into contact with the slope 211. The tip side of the seal member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 in one direction (+x direction) is compressed while sliding on the surface of the slope 211, and is configured to shrink compared to the original thickness of the seal member 120.

[0031] [Function of the toner recovery device] 6(a) to 6(c), the operation of this embodiment will be described. Here, the operation of moving the developing device 100 and setting it on the main body side, and the operation up to joining the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 by this operation will be described.

[0032] FIG. 6(a) shows a state before the developing device 100 is installed on the main body side, and shows a state before the slope 181 of the slide portion 180 and the slope 231 of the slide receiving portion 230 come into contact with each other. In FIG. 6(a), the vertical movement mechanism 150 is pulled up in the upward +y direction by the elastic force of the elastic member 160, and the discharge port 110 attached to the vertical movement mechanism 150 is located upward (+y direction). At this time, the thickness of the seal member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 is not subjected to any force and is not compressed. At this time, the distance d1 between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 in the intersecting direction intersecting one direction does not change.

[0033] FIG. 6(b) shows a state where the developer 100 is moved in one direction (+x direction) from the state of FIG. 6(a) and the gradient 181 of the slide portion 180 and the gradient 231 of the slide receiving portion 230 come into contact with each other. In FIG. 6(b), as the developer 100 moves in one direction (+x direction), the gradient 181 of the slide portion 180 comes into contact with the gradient 231 of the slide receiving portion 230, and as the developer 100 moves in one direction (+x direction) thereafter, the gradient 181 slides on the surface of the gradient 231. If the gradients 181 and 231 are parallel, the gradients 181 and 231 come into contact with each other on their surfaces, and the surfaces slide against each other. However, if the angles of the gradients 181 and 231 are not parallel but intersect with each other, one end of the gradient 181 and the gradient 231 comes into contact with the surface of the other and slides against each other.

[0034] As the developing device 100 moves in one direction (+x direction), the gradient 181 and the gradient 231 come into contact with each other and slide as described above, so that the vertical movement mechanism 150 moves downward (-y direction) compared to the state of FIG. 6(a). That is, the vertical movement mechanism 150, which has been pulled up in the +y direction by utilizing the elastic force of the elastic member 160, is pushed down in the -y direction by the movement of the developing device 100 in one direction (+x direction). Accordingly, the discharge port 110, which was located upward (+y direction), is pushed down in the -y direction by the movement of the developing device 100 in one direction (+x direction). As a result, the distance between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 is d1 in the state of FIG. 6(a), but the distance between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 is d2, which is shorter than d1, in the state of FIG. 6(b).

[0035] As the developing device 100 moves in one direction (+x direction), the lower corner of the leading end side of the sealing member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 in one direction (+x direction) comes into contact with the inclination 211. Thereafter, as the developing device 100 further moves in one direction (+x direction), the inclination 181 and the inclination 231 come into contact and slide, and the vertical movement mechanism 150 moves further downward (-y direction). That is, a force that counteracts the elastic force of the vertical movement mechanism 150 is formed by the movement of the developing device 100 in one direction (+x direction). As a result of this downward movement of the vertical movement mechanism 150, the sealing member 120 is gradually compressed from the leading end side to the rear end side while sliding on the surface of the inclination 211. As the compression amount of the sealing member 120 increases continuously in this manner, damage such as peeling off on the leading end side of the sealing member 120 during this compression is suppressed.

[0036] FIG. 6(c) shows a state in which the developing device 100 is further moved in one direction (+x direction) from the state in FIG. 6(b), the slope 181 of the slide portion 180 and the slope 231 of the slide receiving portion 230 come into contact with each other, and the developing device 100 is installed on the main body side. In FIG. 6(c), the discharge port 110 is further pressed down than in FIG. 6(b), and the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 are connected via the compressed seal member 120. When the developing device 100 is installed on the main body side, the distance d3 in the cross direction between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 that crosses one direction is closer than the distance d2 in FIG. 6(b) during movement in one direction, and the seal member 120 is further compressed as a result.

[0037] In this manner, in the toner recovery device 300 of the present embodiment, the vertical movement mechanism 150 gradually descends as the developing device 100 moves in one direction, and the distance between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 gradually decreases. At that time, the seal member 120 is gradually compressed from the tip side. This prevents the seal member 120 attached to the discharge port 110 from receiving a sudden impact on the tip side of the seal member 120 when it comes into contact with the surface on which the recovery port 210 is formed, and the seal member 120 is disposed between the discharge port 110 and the recovery port 210 with an appropriate amount of compression.

[0038] When the seal member 120 is attached to the recovery port 210 side, a slope that acts similarly to the slope 211 may be provided below the slide portion 180 so that the tip of the seal member 120 is gradually compressed.

[0039] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, by using a linear cam structure or the like, when the developing device 100 moves in one direction (the +x direction), the discharge port 110 may move in the +y direction, and when the developing device 100 is installed, the discharge port 110 may gradually move down in the -y direction to compress the seal member 120.

[0040] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a toner storage unit that is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side, and that has an outlet that discharges toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery section provided on the main body side and configured to recover toner via a recovery port facing the discharge port of the toner storage section that has moved in the one direction; a seal member that is provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, and that is compressed to enhance sealing of a connection portion between the discharge port and the recovery port and to prevent the toner from scattering to the outside; a mechanism for increasing a compression amount of the seal member in accordance with the movement of the toner storage unit in the one direction; A toner recovery device comprising: (((2))) The toner storage unit is configured to change a distance between the collection port and the discharge port in the intersecting direction as the toner storage unit moves in the one direction relative to the main body side. The toner recovery device according to (((1))) is characterized by: (((3))) When the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, a distance between the collection port and the discharge port in the intersecting direction becomes shorter than during movement in the one direction. The toner recovery device according to (((2))) is characterized by: (((4))) The distance in the cross direction gradually becomes closer than during the movement in the one direction. The toner recovery device according to (((3))) is characterized by: (((5))) The toner recovery device described in (((4))) is characterized in that the toner storage section and the toner recovery section or main body side are provided with a slope facing each other, and the distance in the intersecting direction is gradually reduced compared to during movement in one direction by utilizing this slope. (((6))) When the toner storage unit is installed in the main body, the discharge port is located above the recovery port, the toner storage unit includes a vertical movement mechanism for moving the discharge port upward; When the toner storage unit moves in the one direction, the discharge outlet is positioned at an upper position by the vertical movement mechanism, and when the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, the discharge outlet is pushed down, increasing the compression amount of the seal member. The toner recovery device according to (((1))) is characterized by: (((7))) The toner recovery device according to ((6))), wherein the vertical movement mechanism moves the discharge port upward relative to the toner storage section by the elastic force of an elastic member. (((8))) The toner recovery device according to ((7))), wherein the mechanism for increasing the compression amount generates a force counter to the elastic force of the vertical movement mechanism by moving the toner storage portion in one direction. (((9))) A main body having an image forming unit; a developing unit that constitutes a part of the image forming unit, that is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side to develop an electrostatic latent image, and that has an outlet that discharges toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery section that is provided on the main body side and recovers the toner discharged from the developing unit through a recovery port that faces the discharge port of the developing unit that has moved in the one direction; a seal member that is provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, and that is compressed to enhance sealing of a connection portion between the discharge port and the recovery port and to prevent the toner from scattering to the outside; a mechanism for increasing a compression amount of the seal member in accordance with the movement of the developing unit in the one direction; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0041] According to the toner recovery device of (((1))), the occurrence of damage to the sealing member can be suppressed compared to a case in which a mechanism for increasing the amount of compression of the sealing member as the toner storage section moves in one direction is not adopted. According to the toner recovery device of (((2))), the compression amount of the seal member increases smoothly as the toner storage portion moves in one direction. According to the toner recovery device of (((3))), damage to the seal member during movement in one direction can be suppressed. According to the toner recovery device of (((4))), damage to the sealing member caused by gradually increasing the compression amount of the sealing member can be suppressed, compared to a case in which the distance in the intersecting direction does not gradually become closer compared to during movement in one direction. According to the toner recovery device of (((5))), the distance in the intersecting direction that accompanies movement can be gradually reduced with a simpler configuration compared to a case in which the toner storage section and the toner recovery section or the main body side are not provided with a gradient facing each other. According to the toner recovery device of (((6))), damage to the sealing member can be suppressed by changing the distance between the toner storage section and the discharge port. According to the toner recovery device of (((7))), the distance between the toner storage portion and the discharge port can be elastically maintained. According to the toner recovery device of (((8))), it is possible to change the distance between the toner storage unit and the discharge port in accordance with the movement of the toner storage unit in one direction. According to the image forming device of (((9))), the occurrence of damage to the sealing member can be suppressed compared to a case in which a mechanism for increasing the amount of compression of the sealing member as the toner storage section moves in one direction is not adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100: developing unit, 110: discharge port, 120: sealing member, 150: vertical movement mechanism, 200: toner recovery section, 210: recovery port, 300: toner recovery device

Claims

1. a toner storage unit that is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side, and that has an outlet that discharges toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery section provided on the main body side and configured to recover toner via a recovery port facing the discharge port of the toner storage section that has moved in the one direction; a seal member that is provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, and that is compressed to enhance sealing of a connection portion between the discharge port and the recovery port and to prevent the toner from scattering to the outside; a mechanism for increasing a compression amount of the seal member in accordance with the movement of the toner storage unit in the one direction; A toner recovery device comprising:

2. The toner storage unit is configured to change a distance between the collection port and the discharge port in the intersecting direction as the toner storage unit moves in the one direction relative to the main body side.

2. The toner recovery device according to claim 1,

3. When the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, a distance between the collection port and the discharge port in the intersecting direction becomes shorter than during movement in the one direction.

3. The toner recovery device according to claim 2,

4. The distance in the cross direction gradually becomes closer than during the movement in the one direction.

4. The toner recovery device according to claim 3,

5. The toner recovery device according to claim 4, characterized in that the toner storage section and the toner recovery section or main body side are provided with a gradient facing each other, and the distance in the intersecting direction is gradually reduced compared to during movement in the one direction by utilizing the gradient.

6. When the toner storage unit is installed in the main body, the discharge port is located above the recovery port, the toner storage unit includes a vertical movement mechanism for moving the discharge port vertically, When the toner storage unit moves in the one direction, the discharge outlet is positioned at an upper position by the vertical movement mechanism, and when the toner storage unit is installed on the main body side, the discharge outlet is pushed down, increasing the compression amount of the seal member.

2. The toner recovery device according to claim 1,

7. 7. The toner recovery device according to claim 6, wherein the vertical movement mechanism moves the discharge port upward with respect to the toner storage portion by an elastic force of an elastic member.

8. 8. The toner recovery device according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism for increasing the amount of compression generates a force counter to the elastic force of the vertical movement mechanism by moving the toner storage portion in one direction.

9. A main body having an image forming unit; a developing unit that constitutes a part of the image forming unit, that is moved in one direction and installed on the main body side to develop an electrostatic latent image, and that has an outlet that discharges toner in a direction intersecting the one direction; a toner recovery section that is provided on the main body side and recovers the toner discharged from the developing unit through a recovery port that faces the discharge port of the developing unit that has moved in the one direction; a seal member that is provided between the discharge port and the recovery port, and that is compressed to enhance sealing of a connection portion between the discharge port and the recovery port and to prevent the toner from scattering to the outside; a mechanism for increasing a compression amount of the seal member in accordance with the movement of the developing unit in the one direction; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images