Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing the size and cost of an image forming apparatus to which developer is supplied from a developer container attachable to and detachable from an apparatus body.SOLUTION: A developer container detachably mountable to a predetermined mounting position of an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the developer container including a developer containing chamber that contains developer and is provided with a discharge port, a filter that allows passage of air and prevents passage of developer, and an air chamber that is partitioned from the developer containing chamber by the filter and is provided with an air receiving port for receiving air, wherein driving force of a motor is transmitted to an air supplying portion that supplies air to the air chamber of the developer container; The restricting member is configured to move between a restricting position at which the restricting member restricts movement of the developer container from the attachment position in the detachment direction and a permitting position at which the restricting member permits movement of the developer container from the attachment position in the detachment direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which developer is replenished from a developer supply container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as printers and copiers use developers such as finely powdered toner. Whenever the toner consumed in image formation runs out, toner is replenished from a toner supply container (developer supply container) to a development unit. For example, a toner supply device for such a toner supply container uses an air pump to supply air to the toner supply container, and a suction pump to suck the toner from the toner supply container and send it to the development unit of the image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, after being attached to the main body of the image forming device, the toner supply container is positioned to prevent it from falling out during toner supply and is released when it is removed from the main body. Therefore, a position restriction mechanism for restricting the position of the toner supply container is provided on the main body. One such position restriction mechanism is connected to a drive source provided in the main body and operates by driving force transmitted from the drive source. When the toner supply container is attached to the device body, the position regulation mechanism moves to a regulation position by a driving force transmitted from a drive source, and when the toner supply container is removed from the device body, the position regulation mechanism moves from the regulation position to a release position by the driving force (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-73984 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-62746 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, different drive sources are used to drive the air pump and the toner supply container position regulation mechanism. Therefore, a large amount of space is required in the device body to accommodate each drive unit, which may lead to an increase in the size of the device body. Furthermore, since the device is configured with drive units having multiple drive sources, the number of parts increases, which may lead to increased costs. The present invention aims to provide an image forming device that uses air to transport toner from a toner supply container to an image forming unit, while providing both an air pump drive and a toner supply container position regulation mechanism that operates by the drive, while also reducing the size of the device body and the number of parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the size and cost of an image forming apparatus in which developer is replenished from a developer container that is detachable from the apparatus main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an apparatus main body having a main body containing section for containing a developer and a mounting section; a developer container configured to be mounted by being moved in a mounting direction relative to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body and to be removed by being moved in a removal direction opposite to the mounting direction; Equipped with The developer container is a developer storage chamber that stores a developer and has a discharge port; a filter that allows air to pass through but prevents developer from passing through; an air chamber separated from the developer storage chamber by the filter and having an air intake port for receiving air; an engaged portion; and The device body includes: a developer transport path that is configured to be able to communicate with the interior of the main body accommodating section, has a developer receiving port, and the developer receiving port is connected to the discharge port of the developer container that is attached to a predetermined position of the attachment section, thereby enabling communication between the developer accommodating chamber of the developer container and the interior of the main body accommodating section; an air supply path having an air supply port, the air supply port being connected to the air receiving port of the developer container mounted at the predetermined position of the mounting portion, thereby allowing communication with the air chamber of the developer container; an air supply unit that supplies air from the air intake port of the developer container to the air chamber through the air supply path; a regulating member having an engaging portion, the regulating member being movable between a regulating position where the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion of the developer container so as to regulate movement of the developer container from a predetermined position of the mounting portion in the removal direction, and an allowing position where the engaging portion does not engage with the engaged portion so as to allow movement of the developer container from the predetermined position in the removal direction; a movement mechanism that moves the restricting member between the restricting position and the allowing position; a drive transmission mechanism including a motor and a drive transmission unit configured to be switchable between a first state in which the drive force of the motor is transmitted to the air supply unit but not to the movement mechanism, and a second state in which the drive force is transmitted to the movement mechanism but not to the air supply unit; a control unit that controls the drive transmission mechanism; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of an image forming apparatus in which developer is replenished from a developer container that is detachable from the apparatus main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating cartridge replacement in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner air transport configuration and release of positional restriction of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating positional regulation and release of the positional regulation of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a detailed view showing an air supply unit and a toner discharge unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing control according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the control of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the control of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner air transport configuration and release of positional restriction of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating positional regulation and release of the positional regulation of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner air transport configuration and release of positional restriction of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the control of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner air transport configuration and release of positional restriction of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection between the lock claw and the lock drive unit [Figure 16] Schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection between the lock lever and the lock drive unit [Figure 17] Schematic diagram of the valve configuration and the drive connection between the valve and the motor DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although each embodiment describes multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] Example 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a color laser printer, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as apparatus main body) 100 and an image forming unit 100A provided in the apparatus main body 100 and performing image formation by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 100A includes a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 101, an intermediate transfer belt 102, a developing device 104, a primary transfer roller 106, and a secondary transfer roller 105.

[0011] The photosensitive drums 101 include four photosensitive drums (image carriers) 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K that form toner images (developer images) of four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The intermediate transfer belt 102 is an endless belt-like member that comes into contact with these four photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K and onto which the toner images formed on the four photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K are primarily transferred. The primary transfer rollers 106 include primary transfer rollers 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K corresponding to the four colors of toner. The primary transfer rollers 106Y to 106K are disposed on the inner circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 102 at positions corresponding to the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K. The primary transfer rollers 106Y to 106K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 102 between themselves and the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K so that nips are formed between the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K and the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 102. When a primary transfer bias is applied from a power supply (not shown), the primary transfer rollers 106Y to 106K generate a potential difference between the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K and the intermediate transfer belt 102, and the toner images carried on the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K are sequentially primarily transferred in a superimposed manner onto the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 102 at the nips. The secondary transfer roller 105 forms a nip with the outer circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 102, and when a secondary transfer bias is applied from a power source (not shown), the image transferred from the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K to the intermediate transfer belt 102 is secondarily transferred onto a sheet (recording material) S.

[0012] When an image forming operation is started in the image forming unit 100A, the laser scanner 103 irradiates the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K with light corresponding to an image signal, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K. The developing devices 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K each include a developing roller (developer carrier), a developing blade (developer regulating member), a toner storage section (developer storage section, main body storage section), and the like. In FIG. 1, only the toner storage section is shown among the components of the developing devices 104Y to 104K. The developing devices 104Y to 104K each include a toner storage section. The latent images on the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K are developed using the toner stored in the toner cartridges 104Y to 104K, thereby forming toner images (visible images) on the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 101Y to 101K are then primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 102. The toner images carried on the intermediate transfer belt 102 are transported to a secondary transfer section by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 102. As the toner stored in the toner storage section of the developing devices 104Y to 104K is consumed, toner is successively pumped up from the toner cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, which serve as developer containers, to replenish the developing devices 104Y to 104K.

[0013] In parallel with the image forming operation, a plurality of sheets S stored in a sheet storage unit 107 are fed one by one by a pickup roller 108. The sheet S is then conveyed to a secondary transfer unit formed by the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the secondary transfer roller 105 by a feed roller 109 and a registration roller 110 that corrects skew of the sheet S. Here, the sheet S must be positioned in the sheet conveyance direction relative to the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 102, so the conveyance timing to the secondary transfer unit is adjusted by controlling the conveyance speed of the registration roller 110 and the feed roller 109. In the secondary transfer unit, a high-voltage current is applied to the secondary transfer roller 105, so that the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 102 to the sheet S. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is then conveyed to a fixing unit 111, where the toner image is fixed to the sheet S by applying heat and pressure. After fixing, the sheet S is discharged by a discharge roller 112 to a discharge section 113 at the top of the apparatus.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a toner container replacement door 2 is open for replacement of a toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a toner container) 1 that is detachable from the device main body 100. Four toner containers 1 are lined up in this order: toner container 1Y containing yellow toner, toner container 1M containing magenta toner, toner container 1C containing cyan toner, and toner container 1B containing black toner. Toner containers 1Y to 1K are each attached to a storage section within the device main body 100. FIG. 2 shows an example in which toner container 1M is being replaced, and toner container 1M is replaced by pulling it out from the rear side of the device toward the front side through an opening provided on the front of the device main body 100 of the image forming device.

[0015] Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) are cross-sectional views of the apparatus main body 100 as viewed from the arrow A in Figure 1. Figure 3(a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner T is conveyed by air from the toner container 1M to the toner storage section of the developing device 104, with the toner container 1M stored in a predetermined mounting position in the storage section (mounting section) of the apparatus main body 100 of the image forming apparatus. Figures 3(b) and 3(c) are diagrams illustrating a state in the process of removing the toner container 1 from the apparatus main body 100.

[0016] As in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) only show the toner container portion of the developing device 104. The developing device 104 and toner container 1 shown in FIGS. 3(a) through 3(c) are for magenta toner, but the developing devices 104Y, 104C, and 104B and toner containers 1Y, 1C, and 1B for other colors are similarly configured. In the configurations shown in FIGS. 3(a) through 3(c) and the explanations related to FIGS. 3(a) through 3(c), the suffixes Y, M, C, and B added to the end of each reference numeral to distinguish the toner color are omitted as appropriate, except when color distinction is necessary. The same applies to FIGS. 4(a) through 5(b). That is, the suffixes Y, M, C, and B are omitted for the pump 3, air transport path 4, toner discharge path 7, and other components provided for each developing device 104 and toner container 1, as described below.

[0017] The pump 3 shown in FIG. 3(a) is an air pump that supplies air from an air supply unit 5 of the toner container 1 to the toner container 1 through an air transport path 4. The pump 3 is disposed outside a frame 114 of the device main body 100 that forms a space (mounting portion) for accommodating the toner container 1. In the unlikely event that replacement becomes necessary due to a malfunction, the device is configured so that it can be replaced by removing the exterior casing 115 and accessing it from the rear side of the device. The motor 12, like the pump 3, is disposed on the outside of the frame 114, and is drivingly connected to the pump 3 via a pump drive unit 14. The filter floor 6 provided in the toner container 1 is a filter that separates (compartments) the toner storage chamber (developer storage chamber) 1a and the air chamber 1b inside the toner container 1. The filter floor 6 has a mesh size that is sufficiently smaller than the particle size of the toner T, and is a filter that prevents the toner T from passing through and allows only air to pass through (allows the passage of air).

[0018] FIG. 5(a) is a detailed diagram showing the connection of the air supply unit 5 and the toner discharge unit 8. The air transport path 4 includes an air transport tube 4a and an air supply connection port 4b. The air transport path 4 is an air supply path that can communicate with the inside of the toner container 1 by being connected to the air supply unit 5. The air supply connection port (air supply port) 4b opens in a direction (second direction) (arrow D2 direction) opposite to the mounting direction (first direction) of the toner container 1 to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body 100 (arrow D1 direction in FIG. 4(c)). The air transport tube 4a is a tube that sends air from the pump 3 to the toner container 1. The air supply unit 5 includes an air supply port 5a and an O-ring 5b. The air supply port (air inlet) 5a is a connection portion to which the air supply connection port (air supply port) 4b is connected, and opens in the mounting direction (first direction) (arrow D1 direction) of the toner container 1 relative to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body 100. The O-ring 5b is an annular sealing member (sealing member) that prevents air from leaking to the outside of the toner container 1 by coming into close contact with the outer periphery of the air supply connection port 4b. When the toner container 1 is mounted in the apparatus main body 100, the tip of the air supply connection port 4b is inserted into the air chamber 1b by a connection distance L1 from the position of the O-ring 5b (for example, the wire diameter center of the O-ring 5b) in the insertion direction relative to the air supply port 5a.

[0019] The toner transport path 9 includes a toner transport tube 9a and a toner transport connection port 9b. The toner transport path 9 is a developer transport path that communicates with the interior of the toner storage unit of the developing device 104 and is connected to the toner discharge unit 8, thereby enabling communication between the interior of the toner container 1 and the interior of the toner storage unit of the developing device 104. The toner transport path connection port (developer receiving port) 9b opens in a direction (second direction) (arrow D2 direction) opposite to the mounting direction (first direction) of the toner container 1 to the mounting unit of the device main body 100 (arrow D1 direction in FIG. 4(c)). The toner transport tube 9a is a tube that guides toner transported by air pressure. The toner transport tube 9a is arranged in a path that avoids interference with other units in the device main body 100, such as the laser scanner 103, and functional parts such as the laser optical path, which are located between the toner container 1 and the toner storage unit of the developing device 104. The toner discharge unit 8 includes a toner transport port 8a and an O-ring 8b. Toner transport port (developer discharge port) 8a is a connection portion to which toner transport connection port 9b is connected, and opens in the mounting direction (first direction) (arrow D1 direction) of toner container 1 relative to the mounting portion of apparatus main body 100. O-ring 8b is an annular sealing member (sealing member) that comes into close contact with the outer periphery of toner transport connection port 9b to prevent toner from leaking out of toner container 1. When toner container 1 is mounted in apparatus main body 100, the tip of toner transport connection port 9b is inserted into toner storage chamber 1a by a connection distance L2 from the position of O-ring 8b (for example, the center of the wire diameter of O-ring 8b) in the insertion direction relative to toner transport port 8a.

[0020] By sealing the outer peripheral portions of the air supply connection port 4b and the toner conveyance connection port 9b with the O-rings 5b and 8b in this manner, reliable sealing is enabled even when the positioning with respect to the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container 1 to the apparatus main body 100 is rough. Also, the relationship of the connection distances, which are the respective insertion amounts of the connection of the air supply unit 5 and the toner discharge unit 8, is set to "L1 < L2" as shown in FIG. 5(a). That is, when moving the toner container 1 in the detachment direction (arrow D2 direction) from the predetermined attachment position of the attachment portion, the timing (first timing) at which the O-ring 8b as the first seal member loses contact with the outer periphery of the toner conveyance connection port 9b is later than the timing (second timing) at which the O-ring 5b as the second seal member loses contact with the outer periphery of the air supply connection port 4b. becomes.

[0021] Next, the toner supply operation of the image forming apparatus will be described. When motor 12 rotates in one direction (first rotation direction), pump drive unit 14 is driven and transmits power to pump 3. Pump drive unit 14 is a first drive transmission unit that transmits the driving force generated by motor 12 to pump 3, which serves as an air supply unit, to drive pump 3. It has a drive train including a one-way gear (described later). When pump 3 is driven, air is supplied to toner container 1 through air supply unit 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow. When air is supplied to toner container 1, the air passes through air chamber 1b and filter bed 6, increasing the internal pressure of the entire toner container 1, including toner storage chamber 1a. Due to the increased air pressure P, toner T in toner storage chamber 1a is transported through toner discharge path 7 and toner discharge unit 8 to the outside of toner container 1. Toner T discharged from toner discharge unit 8 is transported by the air flow through toner transport path 9 provided in device main body 100 to the toner storage unit of developing device 104. In this embodiment, the motor 12 and pump 3 are connected as a set for each color, but a configuration in which only one motor 12 is used and a clutch that is connected to the motor 12 and can connect and disconnect drive transmission is connected to each pump 3 for each color may also be used. The toner T transported through the toner transport path 9 is supplied to the toner storage section of the developing device 104 from the rear side in the installation / removal direction of the developing device 104, and is sent by air pressure in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage section. The deaeration section 11 is a filter that removes air from the toner storage section and is provided on or near the top surface of the toner storage section of the developing device 104, and has the air permeability required to properly transport the toner T within the toner storage section.

[0022] 3(a), the positional regulation of the toner container 1 will be described. The device body 100 of the image forming device is provided with a pressing member 16 to assist in the removal of the toner container 1. The pressing member 16 is configured to press (apply a biasing force to) the toner container 1 so as to move the toner container 1 from a predetermined installation position (installation complete position) in the installation section of the device body 100 to a removal position where at least a part of the toner container 1 protrudes outside the device body 100.

[0023] The device main body 100 is also provided with a locking claw 13 to prevent the toner container 1 from popping out when pressed by the pressing member 16 after installation in the device main body 100. The toner container 1 is provided with a lock receiving surface 1c with which the locking claw 13 can come into contact. The locking claw 13 of the device main body 100 contacts the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 at a position opposite to the installation / removal direction of the toner container 1 relative to the device main body, thereby restricting movement of the toner container 1 in the installation / removal direction in the device main body 100. This prevents the toner container 1 from being unintentionally removed from the device main body 100. The locking claw 13 is movably attached to a locking drive unit 15, which is drivingly connected to a motor 12. The locking drive unit 15 is a second drive transmission unit that transmits driving force generated by the motor 12 to the locking claw 13 as a restricting member to drive the locking claw 13, and is equipped with a drive train including a one-way gear, which will be described later. Furthermore, the locking claw 13 is disposed on the side closer to the motor 12, shortening the driving connection distance with the motor 12.

[0024] 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the apparatus main body 100 of the image forming apparatus for replacement or the like. The toner container replacement door 2 is an openable / closable door (openable / closable member) that is held rotatable about a door hinge 2a. When the toner container replacement door 2 is opened, the opening of the toner container storage section in the apparatus main body 100 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 100, making it possible to replace the toner container 1.

[0025] The toner container 1 has a recessed portion on the outer bottom surface (lower surface) of the bottom portion, which recesses in a direction (vertical direction) intersecting the direction in which the toner container 1 is attached to and detached from the device main body 100, as a regulated portion. The recessed portion has a lock receiving surface 1c as an engaged portion. The lock receiving surface 1c is The locking claw 13 is a surface facing a removal direction (second direction) opposite to the mounting direction (first direction) relative to the device main body 100. In the restricted posture (restricted position), the locking claw 13 as a restricting member faces the lock receiving surface 1c so as to be able to abut against it. The locking claw 13 is provided on the device main body 100 so as to be movable in a vertical direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the mounting and removal direction. The locking claw 13 moves in the above direction due to the action of the lock drive unit 15 receiving the rotational drive force of the motor 12. This movement allows the locking claw 13 to change from the restricted posture (restricted position) to a retracted posture (non-restricted posture, non-restricted position, retracted position) in which it escapes from the recess.

[0026] When the toner container 1 needs to be replaced, the motor 12 rotates in the opposite direction (second rotation direction) to the direction (first rotation direction) that drives the pump 3, thereby driving the lock drive unit 15. The lock drive unit 15 moves the lock claw 13 in the direction of arrow M, i.e., in a direction that intersects with the attachment / detachment direction (D1, D2) of the toner container 1 to the apparatus main body 100, and retracts it from the position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1.

[0027] When the motor 12 drives the lock drive unit 15, the pump 3 is not driven and is stopped. This is because a one-way gear (not shown) is provided in the pump drive unit 14. When the motor 12 rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way gear spins freely, preventing the drive force of the motor 12 from being transmitted to the pump 3. This means that the drive force of the motor 12 is transmitted to the pump 3 but not to the cam 15a of the lock drive unit 15 (which serves as a moving mechanism) (first state). Conversely, when the motor 12 rotates in the direction that drives the pump 3, the lock drive unit 15 also has a one-way gear (not shown), similar to the pump drive unit 14, and due to this gear's action, the lock pawl 13 does not operate. This means that the drive force of the motor 12 is transmitted to the cam 15a of the lock drive unit 15 (which serves as a moving mechanism) but not to the pump 3 (second state). The configuration that realizes these drive transmission switching functions as the drive transmission unit of the present invention, and the drive transmission unit and the motor together constitute the drive transmission mechanism of the present invention. The configuration of the drive transmission mechanism is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment that switches the rotation direction of the motor 12. For example, an actuator such as a solenoid may be disposed downstream of the drive train of the motor 12, and the actuator may be controlled to switch between a first mode (first state) and a second mode (second state) that have different drive transmission paths.

[0028] When locking claw 13 is retracted, the position restriction on toner container 1 in the direction of protrusion from device main body 100 is released, and it becomes possible to move to a position where it can be removed by the pressure of pressing member 16. With the position restriction on toner container 1 released, the toner container 1 is pushed out by the pressure of pressing member 16 from the mounting portion of device main body 100 to a position where at least a part of toner container 1 is exposed to the outside. Toner container 1 moves in the direction of the arrow while being supported on the upper surface of opened toner container replacement door 2, and becomes ready for removal.

[0029] 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the operation of the locking claw 13 and the movement of the toner container 1. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the locking claw 13 abuts against a cam 15a connected to the lock drive unit 15.

[0030] When replacing (removing) the toner container 1, as shown in Figure 4(b), the cam 15a rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise in the figure) to press down the locking claw 13. This causes the locking claw 13 to retreat from the position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1, thereby releasing the position restriction of the toner container 1. After rotating to the position restriction release position, the cam 15a further rotates in the second direction and returns to the position restriction position where it stops.

[0031] When the toner container 1 is inserted (attached), the cam 15a is stopped at the position restriction position as shown in Fig. 4(c). The locking claw 13 moves in the release direction (clockwise in the drawing) by the drive of the cam 15a, but can move downward in the drawing without relying on the cam 15a. When the toner container 1 is inserted again, the toner container 1 pushes down the locking claw 13. Thereafter, the toner container 1 moves over the locking claw 13 to the installation position, and the locking claw 13 is returned to the regulated position by a biasing member (not shown), whereby the toner container 1 comes into contact with the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 and is regulated in position.

[0032] The drive connection configuration between the lock pawl 13 and the lock drive unit 15 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 15(a) to 15(c). Figure 15(a) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the lock pawl 13 and the lock drive unit 15, showing the lock pawl 13 in the restricted position. The lock drive unit 15 includes, as part of the drive train, a first gear 151 and a second gear 152 that is disposed downstream of the first gear 151 in the drive train and is connected to the cam 15a. The drive force T2 generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the second rotation direction is transmitted sequentially through the drive train of the lock drive unit 15 and rotates the cam 15a around the rotation axis of the rotary shaft 15b via the rotation of the first gear 151 and the second gear 152. The second gear 152 is a one-way gear that rotates idly relative to the first gear 151, which rotates due to the drive force generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the first rotation direction.

[0033] FIG. 15(b) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the lock pawl 13 and the lock drive unit 15, showing the process of the lock pawl 13 moving from the restricted position to the retracted position due to the driving force T2 transmitted from the lock drive unit 15. The lock pawl 13 has an acted surface 13e that receives the force of the cam 15a. The acted surface 13e is located below the cam 15a, faces upward, and is configured to receive a force from the rotating cam 15a in a direction (in this embodiment, a downward direction in the vertical direction) that intersects with the installation direction of the toner container 1 (the direction of arrow D1). When the acted surface 13e receives this force, the lock pawl 13 moves downward (in the direction of arrow M). As a result, the lock pawl 13 moves from the restricted position to the retracted position against the biasing force of the spring 15c, which serves as a biasing member (elastic member) that biases the lock pawl 13 to the restricted position.

[0034] FIG. 15(c) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the locking claw 13 and the lock drive unit 15, showing the process in which the locking claw 13 moves from the restricted position to the retracted position due to the force received from the toner container 1 being inserted (moving in the direction of arrow D1) into the apparatus main body 100. The locking claw 13 has an acted surface (acted portion) 13f, which is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the installation direction (direction of arrow D1) of the toner container 1. The toner container 1 has an acting surface (acting portion) 1f at a tip corner in the installation direction, and the acting surface 1f is configured to abut against the acted surface 13f of the locking claw 13 while the toner container 1 is being installed in the installation portion of the apparatus main body 100. The acted surface 13f is inclined so as to generate a component force in a direction intersecting the installation direction (downward in the vertical direction in this embodiment) in response to the force received from the acting surface 1f in the installation direction of the toner container 1 (direction of arrow D1). Therefore, when the force of inserting the toner container 1 into the mounting portion is applied to the actuating surface 13f via the actuating surface 1f, the locking claw 13 moves in a direction intersecting the mounting direction (the direction of arrow M). At this time, the locking claw 13 can move independently of the lock drive unit 15, and the actuated surface 13e moves away from the cam 15a.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the connection between the air conveyance path 4 and the air supply unit 5, and the connection between the toner discharge unit 8 and the toner conveyance path 9 are in the relationship of L1 < L2. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5(b), when the toner container 1 is moved in the direction of removing it from the apparatus main body 100, first, the connection of the air supply unit 5 to the air conveyance path 4 is disconnected, and the connection of the toner discharge unit 8 to the toner conveyance path 9 remains connected by the connection distance L2x. At this time, the air in the air chamber 1b exits outward in the direction of the arrow, and the internal pressure in the toner container 1 becomes equal to the ambient atmospheric pressure. When the toner container 1 is further moved from the position shown in Fig. 3(b), the state shown in Fig. 3(c) is reached, and the connection of the toner discharge unit 8 to the toner conveyance path 9 is also disconnected.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the toner supply unit in the first embodiment. The toner remaining amount detection means 19 shown in Fig. 6 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the toner T remaining in the toner container 1. The toner remaining amount information detected by the toner remaining amount detection means 19 is sent to the control unit 20. The door open / close detection sensor 18 is a sensor that detects the open / close state of the toner container replacement door 2. The detection result by the door open / close detection sensor 18 is sent to the control unit 20. The motor 12 acts on the pump 3 to supply air to the toner container 1. The motor 12 rotates in the first rotation direction and drives the pump 3 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20. The lock claw 13 is a locking means for the toner container 1 that can move to a position restriction release position where the toner container 1 can be removed from the apparatus main body 100 based on a command from the control unit 20. The operation panel 17 is an operation unit (input unit) used when the user operates the image forming apparatus and receives various operation inputs from the user. For example, when removing the toner container 1 from the image forming apparatus, the user can give such an instruction to the image forming apparatus via the operation panel 17.

[0037] 7 is a flowchart showing the drive control of the pump 3 and the locking pawl 13 by the motor 12 in this embodiment. When an instruction to supply toner T from the toner container 1 to the toner storage unit of the developing device 104 is issued (S1001), the toner remaining amount detection means 19 checks the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 1 (S1002). If the toner T in the toner container 1 is not "empty," i.e., if the toner T is detected as "present" (S1003: No), the motor 12 is driven in the first rotation direction (S1004), and the pump 3 is driven to supply air to the toner container 1 (S1005). The pump 3 is driven for a predetermined time (N seconds) (S1006), to replenish the toner T, and the pump 3 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed (S1007).

[0038] If the toner T in the toner container 1 is detected as "out" (S1003: Yes), the user is notified that there is no toner and prompted to open the toner container replacement door 2 (S1008). With the toner container replacement door 2 open (S1009), the motor 12 is driven in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction (S1010), which drives the lock drive unit 15 (S1011), and the lock claw 13 is moved from the position restriction position to the release position (S1012). When the movement of the lock claw 13 is complete, the position restriction of the empty toner container 1 is released for replacement (S1013), and the empty toner container 1 pops out outside the apparatus main body 100, making it possible to replace it (S1014). The motor 12 continues to drive the locking claw 13 for a predetermined time (N seconds) after moving it to the release position (S1015, S1016, S1017), and then stops at a position where the locking claw 13 detects the restriction position again from the release position and enters a standby state (S1018). After the toner container 1 is replaced (S1019), the toner supply operation described above is performed.

[0039] 8 is a flowchart showing the control when a user operates the operation panel 17 to remove the toner container 1 that still contains a sufficient amount of toner T. When an instruction to remove the toner container 1 is input via the operation panel 17 (S2001), a corresponding signal is sent to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 starts to control the removal of the toner container 1.

[0040] When the control unit 20 receives an instruction to remove the toner container 1, the door open / close detection sensor 18 detects the open / close state of the toner container replacement door 2 (S2002). If the toner container replacement door 2 is detected as "closed" (S2003: No), an instruction to the user to open the toner container replacement door 2 is displayed on the operation panel 17 (S2004). If the toner container replacement door 2 is detected as "open" (S2003: Yes), the motor 12 is driven in the second rotation direction (S2005), the lock drive unit 15 is driven (S2006), and the lock claw 13 is moved from the position restriction position to the release position (S2007). After the lock claw 13 has finished moving, the position restriction of the toner container 1 is released for replacement (S2008), and the toner container 1 is ejected outside the apparatus main body 100, making it possible to replace it (S2009). The motor 12 continues to drive the locking claw 13 for a predetermined time (N seconds) after moving the locking claw 13 to the release position (S2010, S2011, S2012), and the locking claw 13 moves to the home position and stops there (S2013).

[0041] In this way, by connecting the pump drive and the locking claw drive to the same motor and using different directions of rotation for the motor, multiple drives can be achieved with a single drive source, resulting in space-saving drive unit and leading to a more compact device. Furthermore, the pump drive is independent for each color so that each color of toner can be replenished independently, but because the pump drive and lock drive are connected by the same drive source, the lock drive is also independent for each color. This reduces the number of dedicated drive sources and allows each color to be driven independently, which also leads to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0042] Furthermore, by arranging the pump and the locking claw close to each other for the same drive source, the air supply unit, the toner discharge unit, and the locking claw can be arranged close to each other. In this embodiment, the toner transport connection port 9b and the air supply connection port 4b are located downstream of the mounting unit in the installation direction (arrow D1 direction) and overlap with the toner container 1 mounted in the mounting unit when viewed in the installation direction. That is, they are located within the outer shape of the toner container 1 when viewed in the installation direction. The toner transport port 8a and the air supply connection port 5a are provided on the leading end surface of the toner container 1 in the installation direction. The locking claw 13 is located downstream of the center of the mounting unit of the toner container 1 in the device main body 100 and upstream of the toner transport connection port 9b and the air supply connection port 4b in the installation direction. The air supply unit and the toner discharge unit are interfaces between the image forming apparatus and the toner container, and require high-precision positioning to prevent air and toner leakage while aligning the tubes with the air supply unit and the toner discharge unit. As in this embodiment, by arranging the locking section close to the air supply section and the toner discharge section, the dimensions related to the interface section are shortened and the number of parts involved is reduced, leading to highly accurate positioning of the interface section.

[0043] In other words, according to this embodiment, by adopting a configuration in which the air supply means and the position control mechanism of the toner supply container are driven using the same driving source, the unit placement space and the number of parts are reduced, making it possible to provide a compact and simplified image forming apparatus.

[0044] Example 2 An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 10(c). In the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the apparatus main body 100b, the toner container 1, the configuration for transporting the toner T from the toner container 1 to the toner storage section of the developing device 104 by supplying air to the toner container 1 by the pump 3, the air supply section 5, and the toner discharge section 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Here, the configuration of the second embodiment that differs from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Items in the second embodiment that are not specifically described here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0045] Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) are cross-sectional views similar to the cross-sectional view of the device main body 100 viewed from the arrow A in Figure 1. Figures 9(b) and 9(c) are views illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the device main body 100b, from the state in which the toner container 1 is stored in the storage section (mounting section) of the device main body 100b (Figure 9(a)).

[0046] 9(a) is disposed outside the frame 114 of the apparatus main body 100b, which forms a space (mounting portion) for accommodating the toner container 1, as in the first embodiment. The motor 12 is disposed outside the frame 114, as in the pump 3, and is drivingly connected to the pump 3 via the pump drive unit 14.

[0047] As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, when the motor 12 rotates in one direction, the pump drive unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive force to the pump 3, and the toner T is transported by air from the toner container 1 to the developing device 104. In this embodiment, the motor 12 and the pump 3 are connected as a set for each color, but it is also possible to use a single motor 12, and a clutch that is connected to the motor 12 and can connect and disconnect the drive force transmission is connected to each of the pumps 3 for each color.

[0048] The positional regulation of the toner container 1 will now be described. The device main body 100b is provided with a lock lever 21 to prevent the toner container 1 from popping out after being attached to the device main body 100. The toner container 1 is provided with a lock receiving surface 1c that comes into contact with the lock lever 21 of the device main body 100b. When the lock lever 21 enters a position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 and comes into contact with the lock receiving surface 1c, movement of the toner container 1 in the attachment / detachment direction relative to the device main body 100b is restricted, and the toner container 1 will not come out of the device main body 100b. The lock lever 21 is rotatably attached to a lock drive unit 15, and the lock drive unit 15 is drivingly connected to the motor 12. The lock lever 21 is also positioned closer to the motor 12, shortening the driving connection distance with the motor 12.

[0049] 9(b) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the apparatus main body 100b for replacement, etc. The toner container replacement door 2 is an openable / closable door (openable / closable member) that is held rotatable around a door hinge 2a, and opening this door allows the toner container 1 to be replaced.

[0050] The toner container 1 has a recess 1e, which serves as a regulated portion, on the outer bottom surface (lower surface) of the bottom portion. The recess 1e is recessed in a direction (vertical direction) intersecting the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container 1 relative to the device main body 100b. The recess 1e has a lock receiving surface 1c as an engaged surface (engaged portion) and a lock pushing surface 1d as a pressed surface (pressed portion). The lock receiving surface 1c is a surface facing a removal direction (second direction) that is opposite to the attachment direction (first direction) of the toner container 1 relative to the device main body 100b, and the lock pushing surface 1d is a surface facing the attachment direction. The two surfaces face each other in the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container 1 relative to the device main body 100b. The lock lever 21, which serves as a regulating member, has a regulating surface 21c (engagement portion) facing the attachment direction so as to face the lock receiving surface 1c, and a pressing surface 21d (pressing portion) facing the removal direction so as to face the lock pushing surface 1d. That is, the lock lever 21 is a restricting member and is integrally configured with a pressing portion that presses the toner container 1 in the removal direction. The lock lever 21 is provided on the apparatus main body 100b so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of a rotation shaft 21e that runs in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) both the attachment / detachment direction and the up-down direction. The lock lever 21 rotates about the rotation shaft 21e due to the action of the lock drive unit 15 that receives the rotational drive force of the motor 12. This rotation allows the lock lever 21 to change from the restricting posture (restricted position) to a retracted posture (non-restricted posture, non-restricted position, allowable position, retracted position) in which the portion including the restricting surface 21c and the pressing surface 21d is removed from the recess 1e. During this posture change, the pressing surface 21d of the lock lever 21 presses the lock push-out surface 1d of the toner container 1 in the removal direction. As a result, the toner container 1 moves in the removal direction from the installation completion position in the installation portion of the apparatus main body 100b, and at least a part of the toner container 1 becomes exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 100b.

[0051] When the toner container 1 needs to be replaced, the motor 12 rotates in the opposite direction (second rotation direction) to the direction (first rotation direction) that drives the pump 3, thereby driving the lock drive unit 15. The lock drive unit 15 rotates the lock lever 21 in the direction of arrow R (clockwise in the drawing), and the lock lever 21 retreats from the position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1. At this time, the pump 3 is not driven (no driving force is transmitted from the motor 12) and is stopped, as in the first embodiment. As the lock lever 21 retreats, the position restriction on the toner container 1 in the direction of protrusion from the device main body 100b is released. If the lock lever 21 continues to rotate, , and pushes the lock push-out surface 1d of the toner container 1. As a result, the toner container 1 is pushed outward from the device main body 100, and moves in the direction of the arrow while being supported by the upper surface of the opened toner container replacement door 2, making it possible to remove the toner container 1.

[0052] 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the operation of lock lever 21 and the movement of toner container 1. As shown in FIG. 10(a), lock lever 21 is rotatably connected to lock drive unit 15, and is equipped with spring 21a as an elastic member (biasing member) that can apply a predetermined biasing force to toner container 1.

[0053] 10(b), when replacing the toner container 1, the lock lever 21 rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise in the figure) to move away from the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1, thereby releasing the position restriction of the toner container 1. After rotating to the position restriction release position, the lock lever 21 is held in the restriction release position by the spring 21a.

[0054] When the toner container 1 is inserted, the lock lever 21 is stopped in the restriction release position, as shown in FIG. 10(c). The lock lever 21 is driven to move in the release direction (clockwise in the figure), but can move in the restriction direction without being driven because a one-way gear (not shown) provided in the lock drive unit 15 causes the drive to run freely. When the toner container 1 is inserted again into the mounting portion of the apparatus main body 100b, the toner container 1 pushes down the lock lever 21, and the toner container 1 moves over the lock lever 21 to the mounting position. The toner container 1 is provided with an acting surface (acting portion) 1f facing the mounting direction (direction of arrow D1). This acting surface 1f abuts against an acted surface (acted portion) 21f provided on the lock lever 21, applying a force that rotates the lock lever 21 in the restriction direction (counterclockwise in the figure). When the lock lever 21 rotates in the restricting direction beyond a predetermined rotational amount (rotational phase) due to the contact of the operating surface 1f, the manner in which the elastic force (biasing force) of the spring 21a acts on the lock lever 21 changes, and the lock lever 21 changes from the retracted position to the restricting position due to the elastic force of the spring 21a. The spring 21a is provided in a spring-hook and fulcrum relationship that constitutes a so-called toggle mechanism. That is, when the toner container 1 is installed, the spring 21a biases the lock lever 21 to maintain the restricting position, and when the toner container 1 is removed, the spring 21a biases the lock lever 21 to maintain the released position. Therefore, when the lock lever 21 is returned to the restricting position by the spring 21a, it abuts against the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 and is positioned.

[0055] The drive connection configuration between the lock lever 21 and the lock drive unit 15 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 16(a) to 16(c). FIG. 16(a) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the lock lever 21 and the lock drive unit 15, showing the lock lever 21 in the restricted position. The lock drive unit 15 includes, as part of a drive train, a first gear 151 and a second gear 152 that is disposed downstream of the first gear 151 in the drive train and is disposed coaxially with the lock lever 21. The drive force T2 generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the second rotation direction is transmitted sequentially through the drive train of the lock drive unit 15 and rotates the lock lever 21 about the rotation axis of the rotation shaft 21e via the rotation of the first gear 151 and the second gear 152. The second gear 152 is a one-way gear that rotates idly relative to the first gear 151, which rotates due to the drive force generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the first rotation direction.

[0056] 16(b) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the lock lever 21 and the lock drive unit 15, and shows the process in which the lock lever 21 changes (rotates) from the restricted position to the retracted position due to the driving force T2 transmitted from the lock drive unit 15. The lock lever 21 is integrally connected to a second gear 152, which is a one-way gear, and changes from the restricted position to the retracted position due to the rotation of the second gear 152 against the biasing force of a spring 21a that biases the lock lever 21 to position it in the restricted position.

[0057] FIG. 16(c) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the drive connection configuration between the lock lever 21 and the lock drive unit 15, showing the process in which the lock lever 21 changes from the retracted position to the restricted position due to the force received from the toner container 1 being inserted (moving in the direction of arrow D1) into the apparatus main body 100. As described above, the operating surface 1f of the toner container 1 abuts against the actuated surface 21f of the lock lever 21, applying a force that rotates the lock lever 21 in the restricted direction (counterclockwise in the figure). At this time, the second gear 152 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction caused by the driving force T2, i.e., in the first rotation direction, and the one-way gear, the second gear 152, rotates freely relative to the first gear 151. This allows the lock lever 21 to rotate independently of the drive connection of the lock drive unit 15, and with the addition of the biasing force (elastic contraction force) E of the spring 21a, the lock lever 21 rotates from the retracted position back to the restricted position.

[0058] The control when replacing the toner container 1 is the same as in the first embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0059] As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the pump drive and the lock lever drive are connected to the same motor, and the motor's rotation direction is separated, allowing multiple drives to be achieved with a single drive source. This saves space in the drive unit, leading to a more compact device. Furthermore, the pump drive is independent for each color so that each color of toner can be replenished independently. However, because the pump drive and the lock drive are connected by the same drive source, the lock drive is also independently driven for each color. This reduces the number of dedicated drive sources and allows each color to be driven independently, leading to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0060] Furthermore, by using the same drive source, the pump and lock lever can be positioned close to each other, and therefore the air supply unit, toner discharge unit, and lock lever can be positioned close to each other. The air supply unit and toner discharge unit are interfaces between the image forming device and the toner container, and must be positioned with high precision to prevent air and toner leakage while aligning the tubes between the air supply unit and toner discharge unit. By positioning the lock unit close to the air supply unit and toner discharge unit as in this embodiment, the dimensions related to the interface are shortened and the number of parts involved is reduced, leading to high-precision positioning of the interface unit.

[0061] Example 3 An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11(a) to 12. In the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the apparatus main body 100c, the toner container 1, and the configuration in which air is supplied to the toner container 1 by the pump 3 to transport the toner T from the toner container 1 to the toner storage section of the developing device 104 are generally the same as in the first embodiment. Here, the configuration in the third embodiment that differs from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described. Matters in the third embodiment that are not particularly described here are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0062] Figures 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c) are cross-sectional views similar to the cross section of the device main body 100 seen from the arrow A in Figure 1. Figures 11(b) and 11(c) are diagrams illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the device main body 100c, from the state in which the toner container 1 is stored in the storage section (mounting section) of the device main body 100c (Figure 11(a)).

[0063] The pump 3 shown in FIG. 11(a) is arranged outside the frame 114 of the apparatus main body 100c, which forms the space (mounting portion) for accommodating the toner container 1, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, only one pump 3 is provided for the apparatus main body 100c, not for each toner container. The air supply section 5 of the toner container 1 of each color is provided with a valve 22, and the valve 22 for each color is connected to a single pump 3. The motor 12 is arranged outside the frame 114, like the pump 3, and is drivingly connected to the valve 22. In this embodiment, the motor 12 The valves 22 are connected in sets for each color, but it is also possible to use a single motor 12 and connect clutches that are connected to the motor 12 and can connect and disconnect drive transmission to the valves 22 of each color.

[0064] The toner supply operation of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that when the motor 12 rotates in one direction, the valve 22 opens, sending air from the pump 3 to the toner container 1, and the air pressure P transports the toner T from the toner container 1 to the developing device 104. In the third embodiment, the pump 3 is driven by a drive source (motor 12b in FIG. 17(a)) separate from the motor 12.

[0065] The positional regulation of the toner container 1 will now be described. The device main body 100c is provided with a locking claw 13 to prevent the toner container 1 from popping out after being attached to the device main body 100c. The toner container 1 is provided with a locking receiving surface 1c that comes into contact with the locking claw 13 of the device main body 100c. The locking claw 13 enters a position facing the locking receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 and comes into contact with the locking receiving surface 1c, thereby restricting movement of the toner container 1 in the attachment / detachment direction relative to the device main body 100c and preventing the toner container 1 from coming out of the device main body 100c. The locking claw 13 is movably attached to a locking drive unit 15, and the locking drive unit 15 is drivingly connected to the motor 12. The locking claw 13 is also positioned closer to the motor 12, shortening the driving connection distance with the motor 12.

[0066] 11(b) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the apparatus main body 100 for replacement etc. The toner container replacement door 2 is an openable / closable door (openable / closable member) that is held rotatable around a door hinge 2a, and opening this door allows replacement of the toner container 1.

[0067] When toner container 1 needs to be replaced, motor 12 rotates in a direction (second rotation direction) opposite to the direction (first rotation direction) that drives valve 22, closing valve 22 and driving lock drive unit 15. Lock drive unit 15 moves lock claw 13 in the direction of arrow M, i.e., in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction (D1, D2) of toner container 1 to / from device main body 100, and retracts from the position facing lock receiving surface 1c of toner container 1.

[0068] When the motor 12 drives the lock drive unit 15, the valve 22 is not driven (no driving force is transmitted from the motor 12) and is stopped. This is because, as in the first embodiment, a one-way gear (not shown) is provided inside the valve 22 and this acts to stop the valve 22.

[0069] By retracting the locking claw 13, the positional restriction on the toner container 1 in the direction of protrusion from the device main body 100c is released, and the toner container 1 becomes ready to be removed from the device main body 100c. When the positional restriction on the toner container 1 is released, the pressing member 16 pushes the toner container 1 out of the mounting portion of the device main body 100c to a position where at least a part of the toner container 1 is exposed to the outside. The toner container 1 moves in the direction of the arrow while being supported by the upper surface of the opened toner container replacement door 2, and becomes ready to be removed.

[0070] The configuration of the valve 22 and the drive connection configuration between the valve 22 and the motor 12 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 17(a) to 17(c). Figure 17(a) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the configuration of the valve 22 and the drive connection configuration between the valve 22 and the motor 12, showing a state in which the valve element 22a of the valve 22 is seated on the valve seat 22b and the valve 22 is closed. Between the motor 12 and the valve 22, as part of the drive train, there are provided a first gear 121 and a second gear 122 that is disposed downstream of the first gear 121 in the drive train and is connected to the valve element 22a so that the connection position with the valve element 22a can be displaced. The second gear 122 has a connection shaft 22d at a position away from the center of rotation, and the connection shaft 22d reciprocates its connection position relative to the valve element 22a in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the valve element 22a. is displaceably connected to the

[0071] 17(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the valve 22 and the drive coupling configuration between the valve 22 and the motor 12, showing the state in which the valve element 22a of the valve 22 is separated from the valve seat 22b, changing the state of the valve 22 from a closed state to an open state. The driving force T1 generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the first rotation direction is transmitted sequentially through the drive train between the motor 12 and the valve 22, sequentially rotating the first gear 121 and the second gear 122. The rotation of the second gear 122 displaces the position of the connecting shaft 22d, and this displacement of the connecting shaft 22d acts on the valve element 22 to move the valve element 22 in the opening / closing direction relative to the valve seat 22b. This opens the valve 22, allowing air supplied from the pump 3 to flow through the air transport path 4. Figure 17(c) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the configuration of the valve 22 and the drive coupling configuration between the valve 22 and the motor 12, showing a state in which the valve 22 is further opened than the state shown in Figure 17(b). The valve element 22 is configured to repeatedly open and close (reciprocate) with respect to the valve seat 22b as the second gear 122 continues to rotate (as the transmission of the drive force T1 continues). The second gear 122 is a one-way gear, and is configured to rotate idly relative to the first gear 121, which rotates by the drive force generated by the rotation of the motor 12 in the second rotation direction.

[0072] The positional regulation when the toner container 1 is attached is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0073] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for the toner supply unit in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the drive control of the valve 22 and the locking claw 13 by the motor 12. In the drive control of the third embodiment, the control of the pump 3 (S1005, S1007) in the first embodiment is replaced with the control of the valve 22 (S3006, S3008). The drive control of the third embodiment is also different from the drive control of the first embodiment in that pump control (S3004, S3009) is added independently of the control of the motor 12. Other control of the motor 12 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0074] As in Example 1, in Example 3, the valve drive and the lock claw drive are connected to the same motor, and the motor's rotation direction is separated, allowing multiple drives to be achieved with a single drive source. This saves space in the drive unit, leading to a more compact device. Furthermore, the valve drive is independent for each color so that toner for each color can be replenished independently. However, because the valve drive and the lock drive are connected by the same drive source, the lock drive is also independently driven for each color. This reduces the number of dedicated drive sources and allows independent drive for each color, leading to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0075] Furthermore, by using the same drive source, the valve and locking claw can be positioned close to each other, which in turn allows the air supply unit, toner discharge unit, and locking claw to be positioned close to each other. The air supply unit and toner discharge unit are the interface between the image forming device and the toner container, and require highly accurate positioning to prevent air and toner leakage while aligning the tubes between the air supply unit and toner discharge unit. By positioning the locking unit close to the air supply unit and toner discharge unit, as in this embodiment, the dimensions related to the interface are shortened and the number of parts involved is reduced, leading to highly accurate positioning of the interface. Furthermore, by consolidating the pumps previously provided for each toner container into one, costs and size can be reduced.

[0076] Example 4 An image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c). In the fourth embodiment, the basic configuration of the apparatus main body 100d, the toner container 1, and the The outline of the configuration in which the pump 3 supplies air to the toner container 1 to transport the toner T from the toner container 1 to the toner storage section of the developing device 104 is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the control of the toner supply operation and the replacement operation of the toner container 1 in the fourth embodiment is the same as in the third embodiment. Here, the configuration in the fourth embodiment that differs from the first, second, and third embodiments will be mainly described. Items in the fourth embodiment that are not specifically described here are the same as those in the first, second, and third embodiments.

[0077] Figures 14(a), 14(b), and 14(c) are cross-sectional views similar to the cross section of the device main body 100 seen from the arrow A in Figure 1. Figures 14(b) and 14(c) are views illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the device main body 100d, from the state in which the toner container 1 is stored in the storage section (mounting section) of the device main body 100d (Figure 14(a)).

[0078] The pump 3 shown in FIG. 14(a) is disposed outside the frame 114 of the apparatus main body 100d, which forms the space (mounting portion) for accommodating the toner container 1, as in the first embodiment. One pump 3 is provided in the apparatus main body 100d, as in the third embodiment. The air supply portions 5 of the toner containers 1 of each color are provided with valves 22, as in the third embodiment, and the valves 22 of each color are connected to a single pump 3. The motor 12 is disposed outside the frame 114, as in the pump 3, and is drivingly connected to the valves 22. Note that in this embodiment, the motor 12 and the valves 22 are connected as a set for each color, but a configuration in which the motor 12 is unified and a clutch that is connected to the motor 12 and can connect / disconnect drive transmission is connected to each of the valves 22 of each color may also be used.

[0079] As in Example 3, when the motor 12 rotates in one direction, the valve 22 is driven and opened, sending air from the pump 3 into the toner container 1, and the toner T is transported from the toner container 1 to the developing device 104 by the air pressure P.

[0080] Next, the positional regulation of the toner container 1 will be described. The device main body 100d is provided with a lock lever 21 to prevent the toner container 1 from popping out after being attached to the device main body 100d. The toner container 1 is provided with a lock receiving surface 1c that comes into contact with the lock lever 21 of the device main body 100d. When the lock lever 21 enters a position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1 and comes into contact with the lock receiving surface 1c, movement of the toner container 1 in the attachment / detachment direction relative to the device main body 100d is restricted, and the toner container 1 does not come out of the device main body 100d. The lock lever 21 is rotatably attached to a lock drive unit 15, and the lock drive unit 15 is drivingly connected to the motor 12. The lock lever 21 is also positioned closer to the motor 12, shortening the driving connection distance with the motor 12.

[0081] 14(b) is a diagram illustrating the process of removing the toner container 1 from the apparatus main body 100d for replacement, etc. The toner container replacement door 2 is an openable / closable door (openable / closable member) that is held rotatable around a door hinge 2a, and opening it allows the toner container 1 to be replaced.

[0082] When the toner container 1 needs to be replaced, the motor 12 rotates in a direction (second rotation direction) opposite to the direction (first rotation direction) that drives the valve 22, thereby driving the lock drive unit 15. The lock drive unit 15 rotates the lock lever 21 in the direction of arrow R, and retracts it from the position facing the lock receiving surface 1c of the toner container 1. At this time, the valve 22 is not driven (no driving force is transmitted from the motor 12) and is stopped, as in the third embodiment. With the lock lever 21 retracted, the toner container 1 is released from the position restriction in the direction of protrusion from the device main body 100d. If the lock lever 21 continues to rotate, it is configured to push the lock push-out surface 1d of the toner container 1. As a result, the toner container 1 is pushed out of the device main body 100 and is supported on the upper surface of the opened toner container replacement door 2. The toner container 1 moves in the direction of the arrow while being removed, and is ready to be removed. The positional regulation when the toner container 1 is attached is the same as in the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0083] As in the first embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, the valve drive and the lock claw drive are connected to the same motor, and the motor's rotation direction is separated, allowing multiple drives to be achieved with a single drive source. This saves space in the drive unit, leading to a more compact device. Furthermore, the valve drive is independent for each color so that toner for each color can be replenished independently. However, because the valve drive and the lock drive are connected by the same drive source, the lock drive is also independently driven for each color. This reduces the number of dedicated drive sources and allows independent drive for each color, leading to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0084] Furthermore, by using the same drive source, the valve and the locking claw can be positioned close to each other, which in turn allows the air supply unit, the toner discharge unit, and the locking claw to be positioned close to each other. The air supply unit and the toner discharge unit are the interface between the image forming device and the toner container, and require highly accurate positioning to prevent air and toner leakage while aligning the tubes between the air supply unit and the toner discharge unit. By positioning the locking unit close to the air supply unit and the toner discharge unit, as in this embodiment, the dimensions related to the interface are shortened and the number of parts involved is reduced, leading to highly accurate positioning of the interface unit. Furthermore, by consolidating the pumps previously provided for each toner container into one, costs and size can be reduced.

[0085] The configurations of the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other as much as possible.

[0086] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an apparatus main body having a main body containing section for containing a developer and a mounting section; a developer container configured to be mounted by being moved in a mounting direction relative to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body and to be removed by being moved in a removal direction opposite to the mounting direction; Equipped with The developer container is a developer storage chamber that stores a developer and has a discharge port; a filter that allows air to pass through but prevents developer from passing through; an air chamber separated from the developer storage chamber by the filter and having an air intake port for receiving air; an engaged portion; and The device body includes: a developer transport path that is configured to be able to communicate with the interior of the main body accommodating section, has a developer receiving port, and the developer receiving port is connected to the discharge port of the developer container that is attached to a predetermined position of the attachment section, thereby enabling communication between the developer accommodating chamber of the developer container and the interior of the main body accommodating section; an air supply path having an air supply port, the air supply port being connected to the air receiving port of the developer container mounted at the predetermined position of the mounting portion, thereby allowing communication with the air chamber of the developer container; an air supply unit that supplies air from the air intake port of the developer container to the air chamber through the air supply path; a regulating member having an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the developer container so as to regulate the developer container from moving in the removal direction from a predetermined position of the mounting portion; a regulating member movable between a restricting position and an allowable position in which the engaging portion does not engage with the engaged portion so as to allow the developer container to move in the separating direction from the predetermined position; a movement mechanism that moves the restricting member between the restricting position and the allowing position; a drive transmission mechanism including a motor and a drive transmission unit configured to be switchable between a first state in which the drive force of the motor is transmitted to the air supply unit but not to the movement mechanism, and a second state in which the drive force is transmitted to the movement mechanism but not to the air supply unit; a control unit that controls the drive transmission mechanism; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 2) The motor is rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the drive transmission unit is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor in the first state when the motor rotates in the first rotation direction, and in the second state when the motor rotates in the second rotation direction; The control unit controls the rotation direction of the motor. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. (Configuration 3) the developer receiving port and the air supply port are disposed downstream of the mounting portion in the mounting direction, and are positioned so as to overlap with the developer container mounted at the predetermined position of the mounting portion when viewed in the mounting direction; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) the discharge port and the air inlet are provided on an end surface of the developer container in the mounting direction. 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3. (Configuration 5) the engaged portion is disposed downstream of a center of the developer container in the mounting direction and upstream of the developer receiving port and the air supply port. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth configurations. (Configuration 6) the developer transport path is configured such that the developer receiving port is inserted into the developer discharge port in the removal direction, the developer container has a first seal member on an inner periphery of the discharge port, the first seal member being in close contact with an outer periphery of the developer transport path; the air supply path is configured so that the air supply port is inserted into the air inlet in the removal direction, the developer container has a second seal member on an inner periphery of the air inlet that is in close contact with an outer periphery of the air supply path, when the developer container is moved in the removal direction from the mounting portion, a first timing at which the first seal member is no longer in close contact with the outer periphery of the developer transport path is later than a second timing at which the second seal member is no longer in close contact with the outer periphery of the air supply path. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. (Configuration 7) The air supply unit includes a pump driven by the driving force of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth configurations. (Configuration 8) The air supply unit includes a pump and a valve that opens and closes by the driving force of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh configurations. (Configuration 9) the device body has a pressing portion that presses the developer container attached to the predetermined position of the attachment portion in the removal direction; The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth configurations. (Configuration 10) the pressing portion includes an elastic member capable of applying a biasing force acting in the removal direction to the developer container attached to the predetermined position of the attachment portion. 10. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9. (Configuration 11) The developer container is an engaged surface facing the engaging portion of the regulating member in the regulating position in the disengaging direction; a pressed surface facing the pressing portion in the mounting direction; and the restricting member is provided inside the mounting portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects with the mounting direction, the pressing portion is provided integrally with the regulating member, faces the pressed surface after the regulating member has rotated to a rotation phase where the regulating member is at the permissible position, and is configured to press the pressed surface in the removal direction by the rotation of the regulating member. 11. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9 or 10. (Configuration 12) The restricting member is provided inside the mounting portion so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the mounting direction. 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh configurations. (Configuration 13) the air chamber is located below the developer storage chamber; 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to second configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100...apparatus main body, 100A...image forming unit, 104...developing device, 1...toner container, 1a...toner storage chamber, 1b...air chamber, 1c...lock receiving surface, 1d...lock pushing surface, 2...toner container replacement door, 3...pump, 4...air transport path, 4a...air transport tube, 4b...air supply connection port, 5...air supply unit, 5a...air supply port, 5b...O-ring, 6...filter bed, 7...toner discharge path, 8...toner discharge port, 8a...toner transport Feed port, 8b...O-ring, 9...toner transport path, 9a...toner transport tube, 9b...toner transport connection port, 10...toner supply port, 11...deaeration section, 12...motor, 13...locking claw, 14...pump drive unit, 15...locking drive unit, 15a...cam, 16...pressure member, 17...operation panel, 18...door opening / closing detection sensor, 19...toner remaining amount detection means, 20...control section, 21...locking lever, 21a...spring, 22...valve, T...toner

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an apparatus main body having a main body containing section for containing a developer and a mounting section; a developer container configured to be mounted by being moved in a mounting direction relative to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body and to be removed by being moved in a removal direction opposite to the mounting direction; Equipped with The developer container is a developer storage chamber that stores a developer and has a discharge port; a filter that allows air to pass through but prevents developer from passing through; an air chamber separated from the developer storage chamber by the filter and having an air intake port for receiving air; an engaged portion; and The device body includes: a developer transport path that is configured to be able to communicate with the interior of the main body accommodating section, has a developer receiving port, and the developer receiving port is connected to the discharge port of the developer container that is attached to a predetermined position of the attachment section, thereby enabling communication between the developer accommodating chamber of the developer container and the interior of the main body accommodating section; an air supply path having an air supply port, the air supply port being connected to the air receiving port of the developer container mounted at the predetermined position of the mounting portion, thereby allowing communication with the air chamber of the developer container; an air supply unit that supplies air from the air intake port of the developer container to the air chamber through the air supply path; a regulating member having an engaging portion, the regulating member being movable between a regulating position where the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion of the developer container so as to regulate movement of the developer container from a predetermined position of the mounting portion in the removal direction, and an allowing position where the engaging portion does not engage with the engaged portion so as to allow movement of the developer container from the predetermined position in the removal direction; a movement mechanism that moves the restricting member between the restricting position and the allowing position; a drive transmission mechanism including a motor and a drive transmission unit configured to be switchable between a first state in which the drive force of the motor is transmitted to the air supply unit but not to the movement mechanism, and a second state in which the drive force is transmitted to the movement mechanism but not to the air supply unit; a control unit that controls the drive transmission mechanism; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the motor is rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the drive transmission unit is configured to transmit a driving force of the motor in the first state when the motor rotates in the first rotation direction, and in the second state when the motor rotates in the second rotation direction, The control unit controls the rotation direction of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the developer receiving port and the air supply port are disposed downstream of the mounting portion in the mounting direction, and are positioned so as to overlap with the developer container mounted at the predetermined position of the mounting portion when viewed in the mounting direction; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. the discharge port and the air inlet are provided on an end surface of the developer container in the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. the engaged portion is disposed downstream of a center of the developer container in the mounting direction and upstream of the developer receiving port and the air supply port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. the developer transport path is configured such that the developer receiving port is inserted into the developer discharge port in the removal direction, the developer container has a first seal member on an inner periphery of the discharge port, the first seal member being in close contact with an outer periphery of the developer transport path; the air supply path is configured so that the air supply port is inserted into the air inlet in the removal direction, the developer container has a second seal member on an inner periphery of the air inlet that is in close contact with an outer periphery of the air supply path, when the developer container is moved in the removal direction from the mounting portion, a first timing at which the first seal member is no longer in close contact with the outer periphery of the developer transport path is later than a second timing at which the second seal member is no longer in close contact with the outer periphery of the air supply path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. The air supply unit includes a pump driven by the driving force of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

8. The air supply unit includes a pump and a valve that opens and closes by the driving force of the motor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

9. the device body has a pressing portion that presses the developer container attached to the predetermined position of the attachment portion in the removal direction; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. the pressing portion includes an elastic member capable of applying a biasing force acting in the removal direction to the developer container attached to the predetermined position of the attachment portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 .

11. The developer container is an engaged surface facing the engaging portion of the regulating member in the regulating position in the disengaging direction; a pressed surface facing the pressing portion in the mounting direction; and the restricting member is provided inside the mounting portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects with the mounting direction, the pressing portion is provided integrally with the regulating member, faces the pressed surface after the regulating member has rotated to a rotation phase where the regulating member is at the permissible position, and is configured to press the pressed surface in the removal direction by the rotation of the regulating member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The restricting member is provided inside the mounting portion so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

13. the air chamber is located below the developer storage chamber; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

Images