Developer container and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a technique that can improve operability in mounting a developer storage container to an image forming apparatus body.SOLUTION: A mounting target part 200 of an image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a rotating body 201 that, when a developer container 210 is mounted thereto, is at least partially exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1; and a rotation regulation mechanism that includes a regulation member 227 movable between a regulation position where it regulates the rotation of the rotating body 201 and a permission position where it permits the rotation of the rotating body 201, and is at the regulation position when the developer container 210 is not mounted. The developer container 210 is mounted to the mounting target part 200 in such a manner that a container shutter 214 is in a closed state, and a nozzle engagement part 232 and shutter engagement parts 218b1, 218b2 are engaged with frame body engagement target parts 247, 248, and rotating body engagement target parts 201d1, 201d2, respectively. The mounting of the developer container 210 to the mounting target part 200 moves the regulation member 227 from the regulation position to the permission position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a configuration is known in which developer is replenished using a detachable developer container in the image forming apparatus. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a developer container shutter that seals an opening of the developer container is opened and closed by rotating the developer container attached to the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-154300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can improve the operability of attaching a developer container to the main body of an image forming device in a configuration in which developer is replenished to an image forming device using a detachable developer container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the image forming system of the present invention comprises: An image forming system including a developer container and an image forming apparatus having a mounting portion to which the developer container is mounted, The developer container includes: A container for containing a developer; a nozzle portion provided with a container opening for discharging the developer contained in the container portion, the nozzle portion having a nozzle engaging portion; a container shutter that is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the nozzle portion between an open position that opens the container opening and a closed position that closes the container opening, and that has a shutter engagement portion; having The mounting portion is a frame having a receiving port for receiving the toner discharged from the container opening, the frame having a frame engaged portion that engages with the nozzle engaging portion to regulate rotation of the nozzle portion about the rotation axis; a rotating body that is rotatable about the rotation axis, at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, and is provided so as to be located outwardly of the container shutter in a radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the rotating body having a rotating body engaged portion that engages with the shutter engaging portion and a regulated portion, and configured to rotate together with the container shutter by engagement between the shutter engaging portion and the rotating body engaged portion; a rotation regulating mechanism including a regulating portion, the regulating portion having a regulating portion engaging the regulated portion of the rotating body to thereby regulate the rotation of the rotating body, and a permitting position which permits the rotation of the rotating body, the regulating portion being in the regulating position when the developer container is not attached to the mounted portion; having the developer container is attached to the attachment portion such that the nozzle engagement portion and the shutter engagement portion are engaged with the frame body engagement portion and the rotating body engagement portion, respectively, when the container shutter is in the closed position; The developer container is configured to be mounted in the mounting portion, so that the regulating member moves from the regulating position to the allowing position. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the operability of mounting the developer container to the main body of the image forming apparatus can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the position of a circuit board; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the position of a circuit board. [Diagram 5] A perspective view of a circuit board and its peripheral components [Figure 6] Side view of the circuit board and its surrounding components [Figure 7] Top view of the circuit board and its surrounding components [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a holding configuration of a scanner unit and a drive motor; [Figure 9] Back view of the circuit board perpendicular to the board surface [Figure 10] Diagram for explaining electronic components on a circuit board [Figure 11] Block diagram to explain the function of the circuit board [Figure 12] A side view illustrating the positions of the supply unit and the scanner unit. [Figure 13] Top view to explain the location of the supply unit and the scanner unit [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] Enlarged perspective view of the supply section [Figure 16] Top cross-sectional view of the supply section [Figure 17] Exploded view of the supply pack [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a supply pack; [Figure 19] Perspective exploded view of the mounting part [Figure 20] Perspective view of the mounting part [Figure 21] Cross-section of the supply pack and the part to be attached [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a rotation trajectory of the mounting portion; [Diagram 23] A top view for explaining the rotation trajectory of the mounting part [Figure 24] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotation restriction mechanism [Diagram 25] Cross-sectional view of the lever lock mechanism when locked [Figure 26] Cross-sectional view of the lever lock mechanism when unlocked [Figure 27] Cross-sectional view for explaining a series of steps of the lever lock mechanism [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the discharge tray is opened and closed; [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refill pack is attached. [Diagram 30] Top view showing the refill pack installed [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a supply unit and a developer container having different lever lock positions; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0009] Example 1 [Overall configuration of image forming device] The overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a monochrome laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms an image with a developer (toner) on a recording material P in accordance with image information transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer. Examples of the recording material P include recording paper, label paper, OHP sheets, cloth, etc.

[0010] In the following description, the height direction (opposite to the vertical direction) of the image forming apparatus 1 when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction that intersects with the Z direction and is parallel to the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 11 described later is referred to as the X direction. The direction that intersects with the X direction and the Z direction is referred to as the Y direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction preferably intersect perpendicularly with each other. For convenience, the positive side in the X direction is referred to as the right side and the negative side is referred to as the left side, the positive side in the Y direction is referred to as the front side or front side and the negative side is referred to as the rear side or back side, and the positive side in the Z direction is referred to as the upper side and the negative side is referred to as the lower side.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the X direction (the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11). FIG. 2 shows only the members related to the image forming process. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has a feed cassette 4 in which recording materials P are stored, and a discharge tray 14 on which discharged recording materials P are stacked. The feed cassette 4 can be pulled out in the Y direction, so that a user can replenish the recording materials P. The recording materials P fed from the feed cassette 4 and on which an image is formed are discharged from a discharge port 15 toward the discharge direction (Y direction) shown in FIG. 1, and are stacked on the discharge tray 14. A front cover 70 is provided on a part of the end face (part of the front face) of the image forming apparatus 1 downstream in the discharge direction, and covers a circuit board 100 described later. An exterior cover 71 is provided on a part of the front face other than the part where the front cover 70 is provided, and on the side and top face of the image forming apparatus 1. The front cover 70, the exterior cover 71, and the above-mentioned discharge tray 14 together form a housing 72 of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the housing 72 is a member that covers the entire image forming apparatus 1, and contains process members such as the scanner unit 50 described below. The above-mentioned discharge port 15 is an opening formed in a part of the housing 72, and the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 through the discharge port 15.

[0012] The flow of the image forming operation on the recording material P will be described with reference to FIG. 2. When image information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drum 11, which is a rotating body, is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of the arrow R based on a print start signal. The scanner unit 50 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light based on the input image information. The scanner unit 50 is a unit including a laser oscillator for outputting laser light, a polygon mirror and a lens for irradiating the photosensitive drum 11 with the laser light, a scanner motor for rotating the polygon mirror, and a frame for integrally supporting these members. The photosensitive drum 11 is charged in advance by the charging roller 17, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier by irradiating it with laser light. Thereafter, the toner (developer) contained in the container 18 is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 11 (photosensitive body) by the developing roller 12 (developer carrier), whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed, and a toner image (developer image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. A refill port 200 for refilling toner from the outside, which will be described later, is connected to the container 18.

[0013] In parallel with the above-mentioned image forming process, recording material P is fed from the feeding cassette 4. A pickup roller 3, a feeding roller 5a, and a pair of conveying rollers 5c are provided on the conveying path of the image forming apparatus 1. The pickup roller 3 comes into contact with the uppermost recording material P among the recording materials P contained in the feeding cassette 4, and the roller itself rotates to feed the recording material P. The feeding roller 5a and the separation roller 5b that is in pressure contact with it form a separation nip. When multiple sheets of recording material P are fed to the separation nip due to the influence of friction between the recording materials P, the feeding roller 5a and the separation roller 5b separate the multiple sheets of recording material P and feed only the uppermost one downstream.

[0014] The recording material P fed from the feeding cassette 4 is conveyed toward the transfer roller 7 by the conveying roller pair 5c. A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 7, so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the recording material P. The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer roller 7 is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 9, so that the toner image is fixed to the recording material P. The fixing device 9 is composed of a heating roller 9a incorporating a fixing heater 9c, and a pressure roller 9b urged toward the heating roller 9a. Then, the recording material P to which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 14 by the discharge roller pair 10. When an image is formed on both sides of the recording material P, the discharge roller pair 10 switches back (switches the conveying direction) the recording material P with the image formed on the first side, thereby guiding the recording material P to the double-sided conveying path 16. The recording material P guided to the double-sided conveying path 16 is conveyed again toward the transfer roller 7 by the double-sided conveying roller pair 5d. After an image is formed on the second side of the recording material P by the transfer roller 7, the recording material P is discharged outside the apparatus by a pair of discharge rollers 10. In addition, after the toner image is transferred to the recording material P, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is cleaned by a cleaning unit 13.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has a circuit board 100. The circuit board 100 is composed of a wiring board 101 made of an insulator and electronic components 111 and 121 soldered to the wiring board 101. Conductive wiring is provided on and inside the wiring board 101, so that the electronic components 111 and 121 are electrically connected. The circuit board 100 has a function of converting AC current supplied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 to DC current, and converting an input voltage to obtain a predetermined voltage value required for an image forming process. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 100 is arranged in such a direction that the surface of the wiring board 101 on which the electronic components 111 and 121 are mounted intersects with the ejection direction. Furthermore, the wiring board 101 is provided between the front cover 70 and the scanner unit 50 in the ejection direction. The electronic components 111 and 121 are provided on the surface of the wiring board 101 facing the scanner unit 50.

[0016] [Circuit board placement] The arrangement of the circuit board 100 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3 to 8. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 for explaining the arrangement of the circuit board 100, and unlike Fig. 1, the front cover 70 and the exterior member 71 are omitted. Fig. 3 newly illustrates an attachment part 200 for replenishing toner. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, a user or a service person can replenish developer from the attachment part 200, which is connected to the container 18 inside the apparatus. The attachment part 200 will be described in detail later.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board 100 is installed on the front side, and the scanner unit 50 and the drive motor 60 (drive source) are provided on the rear side of the circuit board 100 (negative side in the Y direction). In FIG. 3, the scanner unit 50 and the drive motor 60 are not actually visible, so they are shown by dotted lines. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 has a right side plate frame 72, a left side plate frame 73, and a base frame 74. The circuit board 100 is supported by these frame members and is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 in such a manner that its plate surface is substantially parallel to the XZ plane. The right side plate frame 72 and the left side plate frame 73 each have a bent portion 72a, 73a formed at their end portions in the Y direction for reinforcement. The bent portion 72a is bent toward the positive side of the X direction so as to be substantially parallel to the XZ plane, and the bent portion 73a is bent toward the negative side of the X direction so as to be substantially parallel to the XZ plane. In this way, the both side plate frames By bending wiring board 101 toward the outside of image forming apparatus 1, electronic components can be mounted over a larger area of ​​wiring board 101.

[0018] 4 is a front perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 for explaining the arrangement of the circuit board 100. As shown in FIG. 4, a distance L1 between the inner surfaces of the right side plate frame 72 and the left side plate frame 73 in the X direction is shorter than a length L2 of the circuit board 100 in the X direction. The wiring board 101 is disposed on the positive side (front side) in the Y direction of the bent portions 72a, 73a. When viewed from the front side, the circuit board 100 and the bent portions 72a, 73a overlap. In FIG. 4, the bent portions 72a, 73a, the scanner unit 50, and a part of the drive motor 60 are shown by dotted lines because they are in positions that cannot actually be seen.

[0019] In this way, by providing the circuit board 100 on the front side and forming it between the right side plate frame 72 and the left side plate frame 73, there is no need to provide a cable that crosses between the right side plate frame 72 and the left side plate frame 73 in the Y direction in the image forming apparatus 1. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the cable, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, the area where the cable is routed is also reduced compared to the conventional art, which also reduces electrical noise.

[0020] <Positional relationship between electronic components and scanner unit> The positional relationship between electronic components 111 and scanner unit 50 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of circuit board 100 as seen from the rear of the main body. Electronic components 111, which are larger in size in the Y direction than other members, are concentrated below wiring board 101 in order to make effective use of space, and are mounted to fit within the lower part of scanner unit 50. A power input unit 115 is provided at an end of wiring board 101. Power input unit 115 is connected to inlet 116, which will be described later, and receives power from a commercial power source.

[0021] 6 is a diagram of the circuit board 100 as viewed from the left side of the main body. A part of the scanner unit 50 is overlapped with the mounting portion 200 and is in a position that is not actually visible, so this area is shown by a dashed line. The scanner unit 50 is placed in an optimal position for irradiating the photosensitive drum 11 with a laser beam shown by a dotted line. Furthermore, at the location where the scanner unit 50 and the wiring board 101 are closest to each other in the Y direction, no member such as an electronic component 111 that protrudes significantly from the board surface is placed. In other words, the scanner unit 50 and the electronic component 111 are placed with a shift in the Z direction so as not to interfere with each other.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the circuit board 100 as viewed from the top of the main body. In this figure, the scanner unit 50 and the electronic component 111 are arranged in a position where they partially overlap each other. As described above, the scanner unit 50 is located above the electronic component 111, so the electronic component 111 cannot be seen from this direction. In FIG. 7, in order to clearly show the positional relationship between the two members, the scanner unit 50 is shown by a dotted line, and the electronic component 111 is shown in a see-through form. In this way, by arranging the electronic component 111 in the above-mentioned position, the distance between the circuit board 100 and the scanner unit 50 in the Y direction (front-rear direction) can be shortened, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be made smaller in size.

[0023] <Positional relationship between electronic components and drive motor> 5 to 7, the positional relationship between the electronic component 111 and the drive motor 60 will be described in detail. The drive motor 60 plays a role in rotating the transport members (pickup roller 3, feed roller 5a, transport roller pair 5c, etc.) for feeding and transporting the recording material P and the photosensitive drum 11.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the drive motor 60 protrudes toward the negative side in the X direction, and the wiring board 101 is disposed on the front side of the main body relative to the drive motor 60. It can be seen that the electronic component 111 is mounted avoiding the drive motor 60 so as not to interfere with the drive motor 60. As shown in FIG. 6, when viewed from the left side of the main body, the drive motor 60 and the electronic component 111 are disposed in a position where they partially overlap each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when viewed from the top of the main body, the drive motor 60 and the electronic component 111 are disposed offset in the X direction so as not to interfere with each other. In this way, by disposing the electronic component 111 in the above-mentioned position, the distance between the circuit board 100 and the drive motor 60 in the Y direction (front-back direction) can be shortened, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be made smaller in size.

[0025] <Mounting configuration to the main unit> The mounting structure of the scanner unit 50 and the drive motor 60 to the main body will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 to which a right side plate frame 72 and a scanner holding member 40 are added. The left side plate frame 73 and the base frame 74 are not shown. The scanner unit 50 is held by the scanner holding member 40. The scanner holding member 40 is fixed to the right side plate frame 72 and the left side plate frame 73 (not shown in FIG. 8), respectively, and is configured to pass below the mounting portion 200 and bridge between the two frames. On the other hand, the drive motor 60 is attached to the right side plate frame 72, and a gear connected to the drive motor 60 is provided on the positive side (right side) of the right side plate frame 72 in the X direction. The drive force of the drive motor 60 is transmitted to the feed roller 5a and the photosensitive drum 11 via this gear.

[0026] [Circuit board configuration] The configuration of the circuit board 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 is a rear view of the circuit board 100 as seen from the rear side of the main body. Fig. 9 illustrates not only the circuit board 100 but also the scanner unit 50, the drive motor 60, and the mounting portion 200. Fig. 10 illustrates only the circuit board 100. The circuit board 100 is composed of a low-voltage power supply unit 110 that takes in AC power from an external commercial power supply and converts it to DC power, and a high-voltage power supply unit 120 that supplies high voltages required for image formation to each process member. In the circuit board 100 of this embodiment, the low-voltage power supply unit 110 and the high-voltage power supply unit 120 are mounted on the same board. The low-voltage power supply unit 110 includes a low-voltage power supply transformer 112, a heat sink 113, and an electrolytic capacitor 114 as electronic components 111 that are large in size in the Y direction. Furthermore, the low-voltage power supply unit 110 includes a power input unit 115. The high-voltage power supply unit 120 includes a charging transformer 122, a developing transformer 123, and a transfer transformer 124, which are electronic components 121 that are large in size in the Y direction. As is clear from Fig. 9, the electronic components 111 and 121 that are large in size in the Y direction are all arranged so as to avoid the positions of the scanner unit 50, the drive motor 60, and the mounted portion 200.

[0027] Other components provided on the circuit board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. A plurality of connectors 220, 221, 222, and 223 are provided at the top and bottom ends of the circuit board 100, and the circuit board 100 is connected to various members by bundled wires. The connector 220 is connected to the drive motor 60, a sensor (not shown) that detects the recording material P being conveyed, and the like. The connector 221 is connected to a laser output section (not shown) of the scanner unit 50, and a scanner motor (not shown) that rotates the polygon mirror. The connector 222 is connected to a control panel (not shown) that includes a power switch and an execution key operated by the user, and the video controller 140. The connector 223 is connected to the fixing heater 9c. An electronic component that is small in size in the Y direction among the high-voltage power supply section 120 is mounted in the shaded section 224 facing the drive motor 60. Specifically, resistors, jumper wires, and the like are provided. The resistors provided at these positions play a role in adjusting the various biases output from the charging transformer 122, the developing transformer 123, and the transfer transformer .

[0028] The functions of the low-voltage power supply unit 110 and the high-voltage power supply unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the function of the power supply board 100. First, the low-voltage power supply unit 110 takes in power from an external power supply via a power supply input unit 115 mounted on an end of the board, and converts the AC voltage into a stable DC voltage by a rectifying and smoothing circuit including an electrolytic capacitor 114. After that, the low-voltage power supply unit 110 converts the DC voltage into a high-frequency AC voltage by a switching element such as a transistor, and then inputs the high-frequency AC voltage into the low-voltage power supply transformer 112. The low-voltage power supply transformer 112 converts the high-frequency AC voltage, which is the input voltage, into an AC voltage (output voltage) having a desired voltage value. The low-voltage power supply unit 110 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage again, and outputs the obtained DC voltage to the high-voltage power supply unit 121. In addition, in the low-voltage power supply unit 110, since the loss of each circuit component appears as heat, a heat sink 113 made of aluminum or iron is provided to dissipate the heat.

[0029] The high-voltage power supply unit 120 converts the voltage (e.g., 24 V) supplied from the low-voltage power supply unit 110 into a high voltage required for the image formation process, such as charging, developing, and transferring. The charging transformer 122 converts the voltage supplied from the low-voltage power supply unit 110 into a charging voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the charging roller 17. The developing transformer 123 converts the voltage supplied from the low-voltage power supply unit 110 into a developing voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the developing roller 12. The transfer transformer 124 converts the voltage supplied from the low-voltage power supply unit 110 into a transfer voltage, and the converted voltage is then supplied to the transfer roller 7.

[0030] The low-voltage power supply unit 110 supplies voltage (e.g., 3.3V or 5V) not only to the high-voltage power supply unit 120 but also to the scanner unit 50, the drive motor 60, the engine controller 130, and the video controller 140. Here, the engine controller 130 plays a role of controlling various process members in an integrated manner. The engine controller 130 has a CPU (not shown), a RAM (not shown) used for calculations and temporary storage of data required for controlling the image forming apparatus 1, and a ROM (not shown) for storing programs and various data for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. The video controller 140 plays a role of receiving print data by communicating with an external device such as a personal computer, and notifying the engine controller 130 of the results of analyzing the print data. The engine controller 130 and the video controller 140 may be provided on a board separate from the circuit board 100, or may be provided on the same board.

[0031] Furthermore, AC power received by power input unit 115 from a commercial power source is supplied not only to low-voltage power supply unit 110 but also to fixing heater 9c. In circuit board 100 shown in Fig. 10, a triac (not shown) is provided between power input unit 115 and connector 223, and the temperature of fixing heater 9c can be adjusted by switching the triac on / off and changing the sine waveform. The rollers and other components in fixing device 9 are driven by drive motor 60.

[0032] [Layout and configuration of supply division] 12 to 22, the mounting portion 200 will be described. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with the mounting portion 200 for replenishing toner from the outside when the remaining amount of toner in the storage portion 18 becomes low, without removing the storage portion 18 from the housing 72. The mounting portion 200 is configured so that a replenishing pack 210, which is a toner storage container (developer container) described later, can be detachably attached thereto.

[0033] 12 is a left side view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11. In FIG. 12, the exterior cover 71 and the left side plate frame 73 are removed. The mounting portion 200 includes a mounting portion 201 to which a supply pack 210 (not shown in FIG. 12) is attached, The toner receiving portion 202 is configured with a cylindrical toner receiving portion 202 as a frame body, and a supply path portion 203 that connects the storage portion 18 and the toner receiving portion 202. The mounting portion 201 forms a supply port 204 that is an opening for supplying toner, and the toner passes through the supply port 204 and moves to the toner receiving portion 202 and the supply path portion 203 in that order, and is finally supplied to the storage portion 18. A part of the scanner unit 50 overlaps with the mounted portion 200 and is in a position that is not actually visible, so this area is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 12. Specifically, the toner receiving portion 202 and the supply path portion 203 overlap with the scanner unit 50 in the mounted portion 200. In other words, the toner receiving portion 202 and the supply path portion 203 are in a position that overlaps with the scanner unit 50 in the Z direction. Here, if the area where the supply port 204 is provided in the Y direction (horizontal direction) is R1 and the area where the scanner unit 50 is provided in the Y direction is R2, R1 and R2 overlap.

[0034] Also, let S be an imaginary plane that passes through the upper end 18b located at the uppermost position of the frame 18a of the storage section 18 and is parallel to the horizontal plane. The imaginary plane S is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 12. With the imaginary plane S as a reference, it can be seen that a part of the mounted section 200 is located on the plus side (upper side) in the Z direction. In other words, a part of the mounted section 200 protrudes upward from the upper end 18b of the storage section 18. Specifically, the part of the mounted section 200 is the entire attachment section 201, a part of the toner receiving section 202, and a part of the supply path section 203. Also, the parts of the toner receiving section 202 and the supply path section 203 that protrude upward from the imaginary plane S overlap with the scanner unit 50.

[0035] 12, a part of the storage section 18 is shown by a dotted line because it overlaps with the drum frame 11a that supports the photosensitive drum 11 and is in a position that is not actually visible. The storage section 18 supports the developing roller 12 that carries the developer, and this developing roller 12 is also shown by a dotted line in FIG.

[0036] Fig. 13 is a top view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the exterior cover 71 removed. As described above, the attachment part 201 forms the supply port 204. Furthermore, the attachment part 201 includes a ring part 201a disposed so as to surround the supply port 204, and a lever part 201b connected to the ring part 201a. As shown in Fig. 13, the width of the attachment part 200 in the X direction is shorter than the width of the storage part 18 in the X direction.

[0037] Here, the laser light irradiated from the scanner unit 50 to the photosensitive drum 11 spreads in a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 13 due to the action of a polygon mirror and a lens (both not shown). Therefore, the width of the scanner unit 50 in the X direction is shorter than the width of the photosensitive drum 11. As a result, a space is created between the left end of the scanner unit 50 and the left side plate frame 73, and in this embodiment, the mounting portion 200 is provided in that space. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the mounting portion 200 is provided between the scanner unit 50 and the left side plate frame 73 in the X direction. Furthermore, the supply port 204 and the scanner unit 50 are provided side by side in the area where the storage portion 18 is provided in the X direction. By providing the mounting portion 200 in such a position, it is possible to reduce the effect on the size of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the mounted part 200 is provided on the opposite side of the scanner unit 50 to the drive motor 60. The drive motor 60 used in this embodiment is relatively small, so the mounted part 200 and the drive motor 60 do not overlap in the Z direction as shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, although it is possible to provide the mounted part 200 and the drive motor 60 on the same side of the scanner unit 50, if a larger drive motor 60 is used, the mounted part 200 must be provided in a position shifted upward. As a result, the size of the image forming apparatus 1 increases. If the configuration described in this embodiment of providing it on the opposite side is adopted, the size of the image forming apparatus 1 is increased. It is also possible to employ a larger drive motor 60 without increasing the size of the drive motor 60. In other words, the degree of freedom in design can be ensured.

[0039] [Supply Configuration Description] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the developing container 230 composed of the storage section 18 and the mounted section 200. Note that some members associated with the mounted section 200 are omitted from FIG. 14. Although it is blocked by the main body shutter section 206 and is not actually visible, and is shown by a dotted line, a side opening 205 leading to the supply path section 203 is formed in the inner wall of the cylindrical toner receiving section 202. The toner is led from the toner receiving section 202 through this side opening 205 to the supply path section 203, and then passed through the supply path section 203 to be stored in the storage section 18. The main body shutter 206 is provided with a main body shutter section drive transmission rib 206a, which is used to receive drive from the supply pack 210 and rotate the main body shutter 206, as will be described in detail later.

[0040] FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting portion 200, and FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 201 as viewed from above. In FIG. 15(a), the side opening 205 formed in the toner receiving portion 202 is covered by the main body shutter portion 206 and is not actually visible, so it is shown by a dotted line. The main body shutter portion 206 is a cylindrical member concentric with the toner receiving portion 202 and is provided inside the toner receiving portion 202. The main body shutter portion 206 also has an opening 207 through which the toner passes. In FIG. 15(a), the side opening 205 and the opening 207 are misaligned, so the side opening 205 is blocked. The mounting portion 201 is provided on the top surface portion 240 (not shown) so as to be concentric with the toner receiving portion 202, and when the supply pack 210 is not attached, the rotation direction is restricted by a lever lock mechanism described later. This lever lock mechanism can prevent a situation in which the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d and the main body shutter portion drive transmission rib 206a become out of phase with each other before the supply pack 210 is attached, making it impossible to attach the supply pack 210.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 15(b) and FIG. 16(c), by mounting the supply pack 210, the lever lock release rib 214a as a release part provided on the shutter member 214 is inserted into the lock release recess 201f. Note that in FIG. 15(b) and FIG. 16(c), only the shutter member 214 of the supply pack 210 is illustrated for simplicity. The lever lock release rib 214a is a protruding part that protrudes in a direction intersecting the rotation axis from the outer surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the shutter member 214. When the supply pack 210 is mounted on the mounting part 200, the lever lock release rib 214a moves the lever lock release link 229, thereby releasing the lever lock mechanism and allowing the lever part 201b to rotate. The lever lock mechanism will be described in detail later. 16(b) shows how the guided portion 232 (nozzle engagement portion) of the insertion portion 212 and the guide portion 247 (248) (frame body engagement portion) of the toner receiving portion 202 are engaged with each other. This engagement configuration restricts the relative movement between the insertion portion 212 and the toner receiving portion 202 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the shutter member 214. Details will be described later.

[0042] The attachment drive transmission rib 201d is engaged with the main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a via a pair of drive transmission surfaces 214b of the shutter member 214 of the supply pack 210. The attachment drive transmission rib 201d is a convex portion (rotating body convex portion) extending from an inner circumferential surface centered on the rotation axis R of a hole provided in the substantially ring-shaped attachment portion 201 toward the rotation axis RA. The attachment drive transmission rib 201d has a first engagement portion 201d1 and a second engagement portion 201d2 which are portions forming a first convex portion side surface 201ds1 and a second convex portion side surface 201ds2 provided on either side of the convex portion tip surface 201dt in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis RA. The main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a is a convex portion (shutter convex portion) extending from an inner circumferential surface centered on the rotation axis R of a hole provided in the substantially cylindrical main body shutter 206 toward the rotation axis RA. 15(c) and 16(d). The main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a has a first shutter protrusion side surface 206a1 and a second shutter protrusion side surface 206a2 that are provided on either side of the shutter protrusion tip surface 206at in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis RA. The user can rotate the main body shutter 206 in the toner receiving portion 202 by gripping the lever portion 201b and moving the lever portion 201b from the state shown in FIG. 15(b) and FIG. 16(c) to the state shown in FIG. 15(c) and FIG. 16(d). In FIG. 15(c) and FIG. 16(d), the side opening 205 and the opening 207 are in an overlapping position, so that the side opening 205 is opened and toner can be replenished through the side opening 205.

[0043] When forming an image on the recording material P, the toner is stirred in the container 18 by a stirring member (not shown), and it is necessary to block (close) the side opening 205 so that the toner does not leak out from the side opening 205. Therefore, when forming an image, the lever portion 201b is moved to the position shown in FIG. 15(a) and FIG. 16(a). This position is called the initial position or operating position of the lever portion 201b. On the other hand, when replenishing the toner from the replenishing pack 210 (described later) to the container 18, it is necessary to open the side opening 205. Therefore, when replenishing the toner, the lever portion 201b is moved to the position shown in FIG. 15(c) and FIG. 16(d). This position is called the replenishing position of the lever portion 201b.

[0044] Here, it is preferable that the size of the lever portion 201b is as large as possible so that the user can easily grasp the lever portion 201b. The configuration of the operation portion by which the user opens and closes the shutter is not limited to the configuration of the lever portion 201b. Various configurations can be adopted as long as at least a part of the mounting portion 201 is exposed to the outside and can be operated by the user when the supply pack 210 is attached. Furthermore, the circuit board 100 is provided on the front side (positive side in the Y direction) of the mounting portion 200, and in this embodiment, the mounting portion 200 and the circuit board 100 are provided in positions close to each other in order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 1 in the Y direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, a notch 101a is formed at the upper end of the wiring board 101 so as not to come into contact with the lever portion 201b. FIG. 22 is a perspective view when viewed from the rear of the main body, and FIG. 23 is a top view. In FIG. 23, the position corresponding to the notch 101a is indicated by a dotted line. It can be seen that lever portion 201b in the initial position overlaps with wiring board 101. As shown in these figures, notch 101a is provided at a position corresponding to the rotation trajectory of lever portion 201b. Note that, although notch 101a is provided in wiring board 101 in this embodiment, a through hole or a groove may be provided in wiring board 101 so as not to interfere with lever portion 201b.

[0045] 19, 20 and 21, a configuration for receiving developer replenishment in the image forming apparatus or image forming system according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0046] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the mounted part 200. FIG. 19(a) and FIG. 19(b) are shown from different perspective directions. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the structure of the mounted part 200, and unlike FIG. 15, the supply pack 210, the lever lock member 227, and the lever lock part pressing spring 228 are omitted. FIG. 20(a) and FIG. 20(c) show a state in which the mounting part 201 as an opening / closing member is in a closed action position, and the perspective directions are different from each other. The mounting part 201 is provided so as to be located outside the pack shutter part 214 in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis RA when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis when the supply pack 210 is mounted. FIG. 20(b) shows a state in which the mounting part 201 is in an open action position. The main body shutter 206, which serves as a device shutter, is disposed inside the toner receiving portion 202, which serves as a developer receiving portion. The main body shutter 206 has an opening 207, which serves as a device opening for forming a communication hole for toner supply, and a sealing member 243 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the main body shutter 206 so as to surround the outer periphery of the opening 207. The sealing member 243 is closed when the main body shutter 206 is in the open position. When the refill pack 210 is inserted into the refill pack 210, the refill pack 210 is fitted tightly to the outer surface of the insertion portion 212, particularly to the periphery of the opening 213, and the refill pack 210 seals the communication hole 245 described later. On the inside, guide portions 247, 248 (frame body engaged portion) are provided for guiding the guided portion 232 (nozzle engaging portion) of the insertion portion 212 of the refill pack 210. Also, a main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a for guiding the alignment portion 217 as the guided portion of the pack shutter portion 214 as a cylindrical container shutter is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body shutter portion 206. On the opening side of the concave inserted portion configuration of the attachment portion 200 into which the convex insertion portion 212 of the refill pack 210 is inserted, an attachment member 201 as an opening / closing member is rotatably attached. An attachment drive transmission rib 201d protruding inward from the inner peripheral surface side of the attachment member 201 is also a guide portion for guiding the alignment portion 217 of the pack shutter portion 214. When the pack shutter 214 is in the closed position, the guided portion 232 and the guide portions 247, 248 can be engaged, and the positioning portion 217 and the attachment portion drive transmission rib 201d and the main body shutter portion drive transmission rib 206a can be engaged.

[0047] FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the supply pack 210 and the mounting part 200. FIG. 21(a) shows a state where the mounting part 201 is in the closed action position and each shutter is in the closed position. That is, the opening 213 as the container opening is in a state where it is blocked by the sealing member 231 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pack shutter 214, and the side opening 205 as the receiving port is in a state where it is blocked by the main body shutter part 206. FIG. 21(b) shows a state where the mounting part 201 is in the open action position and each shutter is in the open position. That is, the opening 213 and the receiving port 205 are in a state where they are in communication with each other through a communication hole 245 formed by an opening 207 provided in the main body shutter part 206 and an opening 244 of a sealing member 243 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body shutter part 206 so as to surround the opening 207. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can be replenished with toner (developer) from the replenishing pack 210 serving as a developer container.

[0048] [Supply container configuration] The configuration of the replenishing pack 210 (replenishing container) will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The replenishing pack 210 includes a pouch portion 211 containing the toner to be replenished, a cylindrical insertion portion (nozzle portion, pipe, tube, valve) 212 to be inserted into the replenishing port 204, an opening 213 formed on the side of the insertion portion 212 through which the toner enters and exits, and a pack shutter portion 214 that closes the opening 213 to prevent the toner from leaking. The pouch portion 211 is flattened toward the opposite side to the insertion portion 212, and a pouch end portion 216 extending in a predetermined direction is formed at the end of the pouch portion. The pouch portion 211 is a pouch formed by pouch processing using a flexible polypropylene sheet, but the toner storage portion is not limited to a pouch, and may be a resin bottle or a paper or vinyl container.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 18(a), a pack shutter opening 214c is also formed in the pack shutter 214. When the pack shutter 214 rotates so that the pack shutter opening 214c and the opening 213 of the insertion portion 212 coincide (their rotational phase positions overlap), toner can be replenished from the resupply pack 210. Fig. 18(b) is a diagram of the resupply pack 210 viewed from an angle different from that shown in Fig. 18(a). The opening 213 formed in the insertion portion 212 is shown by a dotted line because it is covered by the pack shutter 214 and cannot actually be seen.

[0050] The pack shutter portion 214 is a cylindrical member concentric with the insertion portion 212, and is rotatably provided on the outside (outer periphery) of the insertion portion 212. The outer periphery of the pack shutter portion 214 has an alignment portion 217 that fits with the attachment portion 201, and a drive transmission surface 214b that faces the outer periphery of the pack shutter portion 214 across the alignment portion 217 in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the pack shutter portion 214. That is, the outer periphery of the pack shutter portion 214 has a groove portion (recessed inward in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC) with the alignment portion 217 as the groove bottom surface (recess bottom surface) and the drive transmission surface 214b as the groove side surface. A recess (recess) shape is formed. This groove is open at the tip of the outer circumferential surface of the pack shutter portion 214 in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 212. The drive transmission surface 214b receives a force in the circumferential direction from the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d, causing the pack shutter portion 214 to rotate relative to the insertion portion 212. A rib 214a for releasing the lever lock mechanism of the mounting portion 201 is provided between the drive transmission surfaces 214b. By providing an unlocking member between the drive transmission surfaces 214b, the lever lock mechanism of the mounting portion 201 can be released with high precision when the supply pack 210 is attached.

[0051] The configuration of the supply pack as a developer container in the image forming apparatus or developer supply system according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 17 and 18. Fig. 17 is a perspective exploded view of the supply pack 210. Figs. 17(a), 17(b), and 17(c) are shown in different perspective directions. When the pack shutter 214 is in the closed position, the insertion portion 212 is in a state where the pack shutter opening 214c provided in the pack shutter 214 and the guided portion 232 provided to be recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 212 overlap each other in the circumferential rotation phase. In this state, the guided portion 232 of the supply pack 200 is fitted and guided by the guide portions 247 and 248, and the pack shutter opening 214c is fitted to the periphery of the sealing member 243 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the main body shutter portion 206. When the supply pack 210 is attached to the attachment portion 200, the first guided portion 232a on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the guided portion 232 engages with the guide portion 247, and the second guide portion 232b on the downstream side engages with the guide portion 248. In addition, a surface extending in the circumferential direction, which is a step portion between the first guided portion 232a and the second guide portion 232b, engages in the insertion direction with a surface extending in the circumferential direction, which is a step portion between the guide portion 247 and the guide portion 248, to determine the position in the insertion direction between the insertion portion 212 and the attachment portion 201. The pack shutter portion opening 214c has a shape that widens toward the tip side of the insertion portion 212 and is opened in a notch shape. A pair of opposing portions opposing in the circumferential direction that form the pack shutter portion opening 214c sandwich the sealing member 243 in the circumferential direction.

[0052] The drive transmission surface 214b of the pack shutter portion 214 engages with the attachment portion 201 at the pack shutter portion 214 as a shutter engagement portion, and engages with the main body shutter portion 206 at the pack shutter portion 214 as an opening / closing engagement portion. The pack shutter portion 214 moves (rotates) due to the operating (operating) force of the attachment portion 201, and transmits the operating force to the main body shutter portion 206, causing the main body shutter portion 206 to move as well.

[0053] That is, the drive transmission surface 214b has a region that engages with the attachment drive transmission rib 201d as the rotating body engaged portion engaging portion as a force receiving region. Specifically, the drive transmission surface 214b includes, as a shutter engaging portion, a portion (first shutter engaging portion) 218b1 that is a part of one groove side surface (first recess side surface) 214b1 of a pair of groove-shaped groove side surfaces, and a portion (second shutter engaging portion) 218b2 that is a part of the other groove side surface (second recess side surface) 214b2. On the other hand, the attachment drive transmission rib 201d includes, as a rotating body engaged portion, a first engaging portion 201d1 (first rotating body engaged portion) that engages with the portion 218b1 of the drive transmission surface 214b in one circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and a second engaging portion 201d2 (second rotating body engaged portion) that engages with the portion 218b2 of the drive transmission surface 214b in the other circumferential direction. Each of the engagement portions 201d1, 201d2 of the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d has a convex shape extending from the inner peripheral surface of the annular mounting portion 201 centered on the rotation axis RA toward the rotation axis RA.

[0054] The drive transmission surface 214b has a region that engages with the main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a as the open / close engaged portion as a force application region (a pair of force application portions). Specifically, the drive transmission surface 214b has a portion ( The main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a includes a first opening / closing engaging portion 219b1 and a portion (second opening / closing engaging portion) 219b2 at a different position (downstream in the insertion direction) in the direction of the rotation axis RA from the second shutter engaging portion 218b2 of the other groove side surface. On the other hand, the main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a includes, as an opening / closing engaged portion, a first shutter convex portion side surface 206a1 which is a portion (first opening / closing engaged portion) that engages with the portion 219b1 of the drive transmission surface 214b in one circumferential direction, and a second shutter convex portion side surface 206b2 which is a portion (second opening / closing engaged portion) that engages with the portion 219b2 of the drive transmission surface 214b in the other circumferential direction.

[0055] [Explanation of the lever lock mechanism (rotation restriction mechanism)] The lever lock mechanism will be described with reference to Figs. 24, 25, and 26. When the supply pack 210 is not attached, the mounting portion 201 is restricted in the rotation direction by the lever lock mechanism and is in the initial position. Fig. 24 is a perspective view illustrating only the lever lock member 227 as a restricting member, the lever lock release link 229 as a restricting portion, and the lever lock portion pressing spring 228 as a biasing member of the restricting return portion as the rotation restricting mechanism of this embodiment. Fig. 25 shows a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 201 and the lever lock mechanism when the lever lock member 227 is in the restricted position and is locked. Fig. 26 shows a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 201 and the lever lock mechanism when the lever lock member 227 is in the permitted position and is unlocked.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 25, when the lever lock mechanism is activated, the lever lock member 227 is pressed against the mounting part 201 by the lever lock part pressing spring 228, and the lever lock pressing part 227a is inserted into the opening 201e of the mounting part 201. When the mounting part 201 is rotated in this state, the inner wall of the opening 201e rotates along the rotation trajectories R1 and R2, as shown in FIG. 25(a). P1 indicates the transition part between the rotation restriction surface 227b and the inclined surface 227d, and P2 indicates the transition part of the rotation restriction surface 227c. When the lever lock mechanism is activated, P1 and P2 are provided so as to be inside the rotation trajectories R1 and R2. Therefore, the inner wall of the opening 201e as the regulated part contacts and engages with the rotation restriction surfaces 227b and 227c as the regulating parts, which are surfaces perpendicular to the rotation direction, as the regulated part, and the rotation of the mounting part 201 is restricted.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 26(a) and FIG. 26(b), when the supply pack 210 is attached, the lever lock release rib 214a passes through the unlock recess 201f and comes into contact with the lever lock release link 229. The lever lock release link 229 has a sloped surface 229a as an acted portion that comes into contact with the lever lock release rib 214a. The lever lock release link 229 receives a force for moving the lever lock member 227 to the pressing position for moving the lever lock member 227 to the lever lock release position from the shutter member 214 through the contact between the sloped surface 229a and the lever lock release rib 214a. The sloped surface 229a has a shape that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the supply pack 210 into the mounting portion 201. That is, the sloped surface 229a is configured to be inclined so that the force received from the lever lock release rib 214a includes a component force acting in a direction to move the lever lock release link 229 to the pressing position.

[0058] 26(b), the lever lock release link 229 is pressed in the direction of the arrow by the force received from the lever lock release rib 214a by the inclined surface 229a as the pressed surface, and the end portion provided with the inclined surface 229a rides up onto the side surface of the lever lock release rib 214a. As a result, the lever lock release link 229 moves to a pressing position where the abutting surface 229b as the pressing portion moves the lever lock member 227 to the lever lock release position. As a result, the lever lock member 227 abutting against the lever lock release link 229 moves in the direction of the arrow to the lever lock release position against the biasing force of the lever lock portion pressing spring 228.

[0059] 26(a), in the lever unlocked position, P1 moves to the outside of the rotation trajectory R1, and P2 is maintained inside R2. Therefore, when the lever portion 201b is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the inclined surface 227d hits the inner wall of the opening 201e, and the lever lock member 277 retreats due to the component force, and can climb over the inclined surface 227d. Therefore, the lever lock member 227 allows the lever portion 201b to rotate in the direction of the arrow, and the lever portion 201b can be rotated to the supply position.

[0060] Rotation in the opposite direction is restricted because P2 remains inside R2. In this embodiment, by providing the assembly phase of the mounting part 201 in the direction in which rotation is restricted, it is possible to prevent rotation to the assembly phase after assembly while allowing rotation to the supply position.

[0061] FIG. 27 shows a series of steps from the initial position to the supply position of the lock mechanism. In the initial position shown in FIG. 27(a), since P1 and P2 are inside the rotation loci R1 and R2 as described above, the rotation of the mounting part 201 is restricted. As shown in FIG. 27(b), by mounting the supply pack 210, the lever lock member 227 is retracted as described above, and the mounting part 201 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 27(c) shows a state in which the lock member 227 is retracted and the slope 227e completely overcomes the opening 201e. From this state to the supply position, as shown in FIG. 27(d), the lock member 227 and the lever lock release link 229 are in a relative position (separated state) in which they do not abut on each other, and the lock member 227 abuts on the outer surface of the mounting part 201 and is maintained in the rotation-permitted position. Therefore, since the lock member 227 does not prevent the rotation of the mounting part 201, the user can move the lever part 201b to the supply position. 27(e), when the mounting part 201 is rotated to the supply position, the lever lock pressing part 227a enters the supply position recess 201h of the mounting part 201, causing a sound and a change in the operating force. Therefore, the user can easily understand that the lever part 201b has been moved to the supply position.

[0062] [Supply container installation procedure] A procedure for replenishing toner using the replenishing pack 210 will be described with reference to Figs. 28 and 29. Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 28(a) shows the state when the discharge tray 14 is in a position where it covers the mounted portion 200 and can stack the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 15. Fig. 28(b) shows the state when the discharge tray 14 is in a position where the mounted portion 200 is exposed. The discharge tray 14 is configured to be movable between a loading position shown in Fig. 28(a) and an exposed position shown in Fig. 28(b). The mounted portion 200 is provided at the top of the front surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, so that the user can easily access it when replenishing.

[0063] When replenishing toner, the recording material P loaded on the discharge tray 14 is removed, and the discharge tray 14, which is in the loading position shown in FIG. 28(a), is opened to move to the exposed position shown in FIG. 28(b). When the discharge tray 14 is opened, the mounting portion 200 and the top surface portion 240 provided adjacent to the mounting portion 200 are exposed. Then, the replenishing pack 210 is inserted into the exposed mounting portion 200. At this time, the replenishing pack 210 is inserted so that the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d (FIG. 15) provided on the mounting portion 200 and the positioning portion 217 (FIG. 18) provided on the replenishing pack 210 are aligned. If the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d and the positioning portion 217 are not aligned, the replenishing pack 210 interferes with the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d, and the replenishing pack 210 cannot be attached.

[0064] Here, by making the mounting member 201 and the lever lock release link 229 different colors, it is possible to make it easier to visually align the phase when the supply pack 210 is attached.

[0065] FIG. 29(a) shows a state where the resupply pack 210 is inserted into the mounting portion 200. In this embodiment, the resupply pack 210 can be inserted when the direction D in which the pouch end 216 extends is parallel to the X direction as shown in FIG. 29(a). When the resupply pack 210 is inserted deep into the mounting portion 200, the main body shutter drive transmission rib 206a (FIG. 14) of the mounting portion 200 and the positioning portion 217 (FIG. 18) of the pack shutter 214 of the resupply pack 210 engage with each other. That is, the rib 206a faces the positioning portion 217 in the radial direction and is accommodated between the drive transmission surfaces 214b, and the main body shutter 206 and the pack shutter 214 engage with each other to form an integrated state. This makes it possible to rotate the main body shutter 206 and the pack shutter 214 together by operating the lever portion 201b.

[0066] 29(b) shows a state where the lever portion 201b has been moved from the initial position to the replenishing position. At this time, the replenishing pack 210 is fixed in the Z direction to the mounting portion 200 by a replenishing pack removal prevention mechanism (not shown). As described above, when the lever portion 201b is moved, the pack shutter portion 214 provided on the replenishing pack 210 rotates. Furthermore, since the main body shutter portion 206 of the mounting portion 200 and the pack shutter portion 214 are engaged with each other, the main body shutter portion 206 rotates together with the pack shutter portion 214. As a result, when the lever portion 201b is moved to the replenishing position, the side opening 205 (FIG. 15) formed in the toner receiving portion 202 opens, and the opening 213 (FIG. 18) formed in the insertion portion 212 also opens. Side opening 205 formed in toner receiving portion 202 and opening 213 formed in insertion portion 212 are positioned so as to face each other when replenishing pack 210 is inserted into mounting portion 200. Therefore, when lever portion 201b is moved from the initial position to the replenishing position, replenishing pack 210, mounting portion 200, and storage portion 18 are connected, making it possible to replenish toner.

[0067] Fig. 30 is a top view of the state of Fig. 29(b) as seen from above. Looking at refill pack 210 attached to image forming apparatus 1, it can be seen that, as described above, direction D in which pouch end 216 extends is parallel to the X direction. In addition, a protrusion 241 that rises toward the Z direction positive side (upper side) is formed at the end on the Y direction positive side (front side) of top surface portion 240 that is exposed by opening discharge tray 14. A notch 242 is formed in part of protrusion 241, and the position at which notch 242 is provided corresponds to the rotation trajectory of lever portion 201b.

[0068] In Figure 30, the lever portion 201b in the initial position is indicated by a dotted line. After toner replenishment is completed, the lever portion 201b is returned to its original initial position. At this time, in the opposite manner to the lever operation to the replenishment position, the main body shutter portion 206 of the mounting portion 200 and the pack shutter portion 214 of the supply pack 210 first rotate together, closing the side openings 205 and openings 213 of both. Then, the retaining members of the mounting portion 200 and the supply pack 210 are released, making it possible to remove the supply pack 210 from the mounting portion 200. As a result, when the supply pack 210 is not inserted into the mounting portion 200 of the image forming apparatus 1, the pack shutter portion 214 is closed, making it possible to prevent toner leakage.

[0069] Example 2 In a configuration using the replenishing pack 210, a user mounts the replenishing pack 210 to replenishing toner to the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, if a user mistakenly mounts a replenishing pack 210 filled with incompatible toner, image defects may occur. In the first embodiment, the unlocking recess 201f of the replenishing port 201 used in the lever lock mechanism is set larger than the unlocking rib 214a of the replenishing pack 210, so that the lever lock mechanism can be released even if their positions are slightly misaligned. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31, the positional relationship between the unlocking recess 201f and the unlocking rib 214a is set so that only a compatible combination can be mounted, thereby preventing erroneous mounting by a user.

[0070] FIG. 31(a) shows a first supply pack 201A in which the unlocking recess 201f and the unlocking rib 214a do not interfere with each other. That is, the supply pack 201A is in a relative position to the mounting portion 200 where the various guide portions can be engaged, and the unlocking rib 214aA can be guided by the unlocking recess 201f as a guide portion. On the other hand, FIG. 31(b) shows a second supply pack 201B in which the unlocking rib 214aB is arranged in a position different from the unlocking rib 214aA. The second supply pack 201B has the same engagement positions of the various guide portions as the first supply pack 201A, but the position of the unlocking rib 214aB is not compatible with the unlocking recess 201f, so that the second supply pack 201B abuts against the mounting portion drive transmission rib 201d that forms a wall portion as a mounting restriction portion adjacent to the unlocking recess 201f. This restricts the second supply pack 201B from being mounted to the mounting portion 200. Since the phase of the supply container 210 and the supply port 201 when the supply pack 210 is attached is determined by the engagement of the positioning portion 217 and the attachment portion drive transmission rib 201d, if the position of the unlocking rib 214a is different, it will interfere with the attachment portion drive transmission rib 201d and the supply pack 210 cannot be fully attached. Therefore, by providing the unlocking rib 214a in a different position on the supply pack 210 filled with incompatible toner, it is possible to prevent incorrect attachment by the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1: image forming apparatus, 200: supply unit, 201: mounting unit, 204: supply port, 210: supply pack, 230: developer container

Claims

1. An image forming system including a developer container and an image forming apparatus having a mounting portion to which the developer container is mounted, The developer container includes: A container for containing a developer; a nozzle portion provided with a container opening for discharging the developer contained in the container portion, the nozzle portion having a nozzle engaging portion; a container shutter that is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the nozzle portion between an open position that opens the container opening and a closed position that closes the container opening, and that has a shutter engagement portion; having The mounting portion is a frame having a receiving port for receiving the toner discharged from the container opening, the frame having a frame engaged portion that engages with the nozzle engaging portion to regulate rotation of the nozzle portion about the rotation axis; a rotating body that is rotatable about the rotation axis, at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, and is provided so as to be located outwardly of the container shutter in a radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the rotating body having a rotating body engaged portion that engages with the shutter engaging portion and a regulated portion, and configured to rotate together with the container shutter by engagement between the shutter engaging portion and the rotating body engaged portion; a rotation regulating mechanism including a regulating portion, the regulating portion having a regulating portion engaging the regulated portion of the rotating body to thereby regulate the rotation of the rotating body, and a permitting position which permits the rotation of the rotating body, the regulating portion being in the regulating position when the developer container is not attached to the mounted portion; having the developer container is attached to the attachment portion such that the nozzle engagement portion and the shutter engagement portion are engaged with the frame body engagement portion and the rotating body engagement portion, respectively, when the container shutter is in the closed position; an image forming system configured such that, when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the regulating member moves from the regulating position to the allowing position;

2. the container shutter has a protrusion protruding from an outer surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, The rotation restriction mechanism includes: a release member having a pressed surface extending in a direction inclined with respect to a direction intersecting the rotation axis when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and a pressing portion for pressing the regulating member in a direction moving the regulating member from the regulating position to the permitted position; a biasing member that biases the regulating member in a direction in which the regulating member moves from the allowing position to the regulating position; Further comprising: The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the release member moves in the intersecting direction when the pressed surface is pressed against the protruding portion, and the pressure of the pressing portion moves the regulating member from the regulating position to the permissible position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

3. The release member is provided on the rotating body, The regulating member is provided on the frame body, When the rotating body rotates together with the container shutter such that the container shutter rotates from the closed position to the open position, the regulating member and the releasing member are in a separated state in which they are separated from each other, 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the release member is maintained at the tolerable position by contacting an outer surface of the rotating body in the separated state.

4. the container shutter has a recess on an outer circumferential surface centered on the rotation axis, the recess extending in the direction of the rotation axis and recessed inward in the radial direction of the imaginary circle; The recess has a recess bottom surface, and a first recess side surface and a second recess side surface that are disposed on either side of the recess bottom surface in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface and connect the outer peripheral surface and the recess bottom surface, The outer surface is a bottom surface of the recess, the shutter engagement portion includes a first shutter engagement portion formed by a portion of a first recess side surface and a second shutter engagement portion formed by a portion of a second recess side surface, the rotor is provided with a hole having an inner circumferential surface centered on the rotation axis, and a protrusion is provided extending from the inner circumferential surface toward the rotation axis, The protrusion has a protrusion tip surface, and a first protrusion side surface and a second protrusion side surface provided on either side of the protrusion tip surface in the circumferential direction, the rotating body engaged portion includes a first rotating body engaged portion that is a side surface of the first convex portion and a second rotating body engaged portion that is a side surface of the second convex portion, When the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the first shutter engagement portion and the first rotating body engagement portion, and the second shutter engagement portion and the second rotating body engagement portion engage with each other in the circumferential direction, 4. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the pressed surface of the regulating member is provided between the first rotating body engaged portion and the second rotating body engaged portion in the circumferential direction.

5. the mounting portion is rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the frame between an open position for opening the receiving port and a closed position for closing the receiving port, and includes an apparatus shutter having an opening / closing engaged portion; the container shutter has an opening / closing engaging portion that engages with the opening / closing engaged portion when rotating together with the rotating body to rotate the device shutter, The image forming system according to claim 4, characterized in that the developer container is attached to the mounting portion so that, when the container shutter is in the closed position, the nozzle engagement portion engages with the frame engagement portion, the shutter engagement portion engages with the rotating body engagement portion, and the opening / closing engagement portion engages with the opening / closing engagement portion.

6. the opening / closing engagement portion includes a first opening / closing engagement portion constituted by a portion on a side surface of the first recess that is positioned differently in the direction of the rotation axis from a portion constituting the first shutter engagement portion, and a second opening / closing engagement portion constituted by a portion on a side surface of the second recess that is positioned differently in the direction of the rotation axis from a portion constituting the second shutter engagement portion, the device shutter is provided with a hole having an inner circumferential surface centered on the rotation axis, and a shutter protrusion is provided extending from the inner circumferential surface toward the rotation axis; the shutter protrusion has a shutter protrusion tip surface, and a first shutter protrusion side surface and a second shutter protrusion side surface provided on either side of the shutter protrusion tip surface in the circumferential direction, the opening / closing engaged portion includes a first opening / closing engaged portion which is a side surface of the first shutter convex portion, and a second opening / closing engaged portion which is a side surface of the second shutter convex portion, The image forming system according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the developer container is attached to the attachment portion, the first opening / closing engagement portion and the first opening / closing engaged portion, and the second opening / closing engagement portion and the second opening / closing engaged portion, each engage in the circumferential direction.

7. a first developer container, the protruding portion being in a first position when the nozzle engaging portion and the shutter engaging portion are in relative positions with respect to the mounting portion such that they can engage with the frame engaging portion and the rotating body engaging portion, respectively; a second developer container, the protruding portion being in a second position different from the first position; In the case where there is The image forming system of any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the mounting portion has an attachment regulating portion that does not abut against the protrusion at the first position but abuts against the protrusion at the second position, so as to allow the first developer container to be mounted to the mounting portion and regulate the second developer container from being mounted to the mounting portion.

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