Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of facilitating work for opening / closing a shutter member of a toner container by attaching the toner container to a developing unit, and facilitating attachment of the developing unit to a body housing.SOLUTION: The image forming device 1 is provided with a body housing 2 having an opening part 2A, a developing unit 5 having a drum unit 51, a receiving part 562 and a unit side shutter 83, a top cover 21 movable between a first closing position and a first opening position and having an opening part 21A and an operating member 82, a replenishing cover 22 movable between a second closing position and a second opening position, and a moving mechanism 81 for moving the receiving part 562 to a first position separated from the opening part 21A when the top cover 21 is in the first closing position and the replenishing cover 22 is in the second closing position, and moving the receiving part 562 to a second position closer to the opening part 21A than the first position when the top cover 21 is in the first opening position and the replenishing cover 22 is in the second opening position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a known image forming apparatus in which a developing unit is housed in a main body housing having a first opening, and a toner pack containing toner can be attached to a supply port of the developing unit through a second opening formed in a cover that opens and closes the first opening. In such an image forming apparatus, the toner pack attached to the supply port is rotated 180 degrees to open a shutter member of the toner pack, and toner is replenished from the toner pack into the developing unit.

[0003] In this configuration, if the toner pack attached to the supply port is made of a bag made of a resin that is easily deformed, the toner pack may deform when rotated, resulting in poor operability of the toner pack. To solve this problem, it is conceivable to provide an operating member in the development unit for rotating the shutter member of the toner pack, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-154301 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if an operating member is provided on the developing unit, the operating member will be located inside the main body housing relative to the cover, which may make it difficult to operate. Also, if the supply port of the developing unit housed inside the main body housing is located away from the second opening formed in the cover, it may be difficult to attach the toner pack to the supply port of the developing unit.

[0006] Furthermore, if the image forming device is configured so that the development unit can be attached to the main housing through the first opening, if the operating member is located near the first opening of the main housing, there is a risk that the operating member will interfere with the attachment operation when attaching the development unit through the first opening.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a toner container for replenishing toner is attached to a development unit, making it easy to open and close the shutter member of the toner container and to attach the development unit to the main body housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problem has the following features.

[0009] That is, the image forming apparatus includes a main body housing having a first opening, a drum unit insertable into the main body housing from the first opening, the drum unit having a photosensitive drum, a developing unit insertable into the main body housing from the first opening, the developing unit being configured to be movable relative to the photosensitive drum and having a receiving portion connected to an outlet portion of a toner container for toner replenishment and a unit-side shutter capable of opening and closing the receiving portion, and a first cover provided on the main body housing and movable between a first closed position that closes the first opening and a first open position that opens the first opening, the developing unit being communicable with the receiving portion. The unit includes a first cover having an opening and an operating member for opening and closing the unit-side shutter; a second cover provided on the first cover and movable between a second closed position that closes the second opening and a second open position that opens the second opening; and a moving mechanism that moves the receiving portion to a first position away from the second opening when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position, and moves the receiving portion to a second position that is closer to the second opening than the first position when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position.

[0010] This makes it easy to mount the toner container on the developing unit and open and close the shutter member of the toner container, and also makes it easy to mount the developing unit on the main body housing.

[0011] The movement mechanism also includes a first acting portion provided on the second cover, a first interlocking means provided on the first cover and moved from a third position to a fourth position by the first acting portion in response to the movement of the second cover toward the second open position, a second interlocking means provided on the drum unit and moved from a fifth position to a sixth position in response to the movement of the second cover toward the second open position in response to the movement of the second cover toward the second open position, and an acted portion provided on the developing unit and urged by the second interlocking means moving from the fifth position to the sixth position to bias the receiving portion toward the second opening.

[0012] This allows the receiving section to easily approach the second opening in conjunction with the operation of moving the second cover to the second open position. Also, by providing the first interlocking means on the first cover, when removing the developing unit and drum unit from the main body housing through the first opening, the first interlocking means also retracts when the first cover is moved to the first open position, so removal can be performed without the first interlocking means getting in the way. Furthermore, because the second interlocking means is provided on the drum unit, removing the developing unit and drum unit from the main body housing together with the drum unit prevents them from getting in the way of removal.

[0013] The moving mechanism also includes a spring that urges the second interlocking means toward the fifth position away from the acted-on portion when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position.

[0014] As a result, when the second cover moves to the second closed position, the pressure on the acted-on portion by the second interlocking means is released, allowing the receiving section to move to the first position, and as the second interlocking means moves away from the acted-on portion, the movement of the developing unit relative to the drum unit is not hindered.

[0015] Furthermore, when the first cover is in the first closed position, the receiving portion in the second position is in contact with the first cover, and the receiving portion in the first position is spaced apart from the first cover.

[0016] As a result, when the receiving portion in the second position comes into contact with the first cover, the developing unit is fixed to the main body housing, and the receiving portion of the developing unit and the discharge portion of the toner container can be stably connected. Also, because the receiving portion in the first position is separated from the first cover, when the receiving portion is in the first position, the developing unit can be maintained in a movable state relative to the drum unit.

[0017] Furthermore, when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the developing unit is fixed in position relative to the drum unit, and when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position, the developing unit is movable relative to the drum unit.

[0018] As a result, when the second cover is moved to the second open position to connect the discharge part of the toner container to the receiving part of the developing unit, the developing unit is fixed to the drum unit, allowing for stable connection between the receiving part and the discharge part. Also, when the second cover is moved to the second closed position to not connect the discharge part of the toner container to the receiving part of the developing unit, movement of the developing unit relative to the drum unit is not hindered.

[0019] The operating member also includes a ring-shaped member rotatably mounted on the peripheral edge of the second opening in the first cover, an operating lever extending radially outward from the ring-shaped member, and a first engagement portion provided on the inner surface of the ring-shaped member, and the container-side shutter is opened and closed by rotating the operating member while the first engagement portion is engaged with a first engaged portion that is linked to a container-side shutter provided in the discharge portion of the toner container.

[0020] This allows the container-side shutter to be easily opened and closed simply by operating the operating lever and rotating the operating member.

[0021] The operating member simultaneously opens and closes the container-side shutter and the unit-side shutter.

[0022] This allows the container-side shutter and the unit-side shutter to be opened and closed simultaneously by operating the operating member, making the opening and closing operations easier.

[0023] The toner container has a second engaging portion that interlocks with the first engaged portion, and the developing unit has a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion and interlocks with the unit-side shutter.

[0024] This allows the container-side shutter and the unit-side shutter to be opened and closed simultaneously by simply rotating the operating member.

[0025] Moreover, the first engaged portion and the second engaging portion are provided on the container-side shutter, and the second engaged portion is provided on the unit-side shutter.

[0026] This simplifies the configuration of the discharge portion of the toner container and the receiving portion of the developing unit.

[0027] The developing unit also has a third engaging portion, which engages with a third engaged portion provided on the toner container when the discharge portion of the toner container is connected to the receiving portion of the developing unit.

[0028] This prevents the discharge portion of the toner container from rotating when the operating member rotates, preventing the container-side shutter from being able to open or close.

[0029] In addition, the operating member is rotatable between a first operating position that enables connection between the discharge portion of the toner container and the receiving portion of the developing unit, and a second operating position that disables connection between the discharge portion of the toner container and the receiving portion of the developing unit, and the second cover has a groove portion that can engage with the operating lever of the operating member in the first operating position but does not engage with the operating lever of the operating member in the second operating position.

[0030] This allows the user to easily understand that when the second cover is moved toward the second closed position, the second cover has moved completely to the second closed position, and that the operating member is positioned at the first operating position, which allows connection between the discharge section and the receiving section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, the toner container can be attached to the developing unit, and the shutter member of the toner container can be easily opened and closed, and the developing unit can be easily attached to the main body housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 2 is a central cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front cover is in a first closed position and the supply cover is in a second closed position. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a central cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front cover is in a first closed position and the supply cover is in a second open position. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a central cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the front cover has moved to a first open position and the process cartridge can be removed from the main body housing through the opening. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an exposure unit and a process cartridge of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the receiving section and the moving mechanism when the front cover is in a first closed position and the supply cover is in a second closed position. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a receiving section and a moving mechanism. [Figure 7] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the receiving section and the moving mechanism when the front cover is in a first closed position and the supply cover is in a second open position. FIG. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the operating member in the first operating position and the unit-side shutter in the first shutter-closed position, where (a) is a side cross-sectional view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operating member in the second operating position and the unit-side shutter in the first shutter-open position, in which (a) is a side cross-sectional view and (b) is a plan view. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are diagrams showing the toner container with the container-side shutter in the second shutter closed position, in which FIG. 10A is a side view seen from the left side, and FIG. 10B is a side view seen from the right side. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the toner container with the container-side shutter in the second shutter closed position, in which FIG. 10A is a side cross-sectional view seen from the left side, and FIG. 10B is a side cross-sectional view seen from the right side. [Figure 12] 1A is a bottom view showing the toner container when the container-side shutter is in the second shutter closed position, and FIG. 1B is a bottom view showing the toner container when the container-side shutter is in the second shutter open position. [Figure 13] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the discharge portion of the toner container is connected to the receiving portion of the process cartridge and the operating member is in a first operating position. [Figure 14] 10 is a plan view showing the operating member at the second operating position and the unit side shutter at the first shutter closing position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [Image forming device] An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a laser printer that forms an image on a sheet S by electrophotography.

[0035] In the following description, the right side in Fig. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side in Fig. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are defined as the upper and lower sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0036] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2, a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 5, a fixing unit 6, and a paper discharge unit 7. The main body housing 2 houses the paper feed unit 3, the image forming unit 5, the fixing unit 6, and the paper discharge unit 7.

[0037] 1 to 3, an opening 2A is provided at the upper front portion of the main body housing 2, and the main body housing 2 has a top cover 21 that can open and close the opening 2A. The opening 2A is an example of a first opening, and the top cover 21 is an example of a first cover.

[0038] The top cover 21 is located at the rear end of the top cover 21 and is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 21a extending in the left-right direction. By rotating about the rotation shaft 21a, the top cover 21 can move between a first closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) where the opening 2A is closed and a first open position (position shown in FIG. 3) where the opening 2A is opened.

[0039] The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 10 that supports the sheet S, and a sheet transport unit 30. The paper feed unit 3 is disposed at the bottom of the main body housing 2, and transports the sheet S supported on the paper feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5. The image forming apparatus 1 has a transport path P for the sheet S that runs from the paper feed unit 3 to the paper discharge unit 7 via the image forming unit 5.

[0040] The sheet conveying unit 30 is a conveying mechanism that separates and removes the sheets S supported in the paper feed tray 10 one by one and conveys them toward the image forming unit 5, and is equipped with a paper feed roller 31, a separation roller 32, a separation pad 33, and a conveying roller 34.

[0041] The paper feed roller 31 is a roller for sending the sheet S supported on the paper feed tray 10 toward the separation roller 32. The separation roller 32 is disposed downstream of the paper feed roller 31 in the sheet conveying direction, and the separation pad 33 is disposed opposite the separation roller 32 and is urged toward the separation roller 32.

[0042] The sheets S sent by the paper feed roller 31 toward the separation roller 32 are separated one by one between the separation roller 32 and the separation pad 33. The separated sheets S are sent to a conveying path P by a conveying roller 34. The sheets S sent to the conveying path P are conveyed toward the image forming unit 5.

[0043] The image forming unit 5 is disposed downstream of the paper feed unit 3 in the sheet transport direction, and forms an image on the sheet S transported from the paper feed unit 3. The image forming unit 5 includes a process cartridge 50 that transfers an image onto the surface of the sheet S transported from the paper feed unit 3, and an exposure unit 41 that exposes the surface of a photosensitive drum 53 of the process cartridge 50.

[0044] The process cartridge 50 is detachably mounted in the main body housing 2. The process cartridge 50 includes a drum unit 51 and a developing unit 55, and is mounted in the main body housing 2 with the developing unit 55 attached to the drum unit 51. The process cartridge 50 mounted in the main body housing 2 is disposed above the paper feed unit 3 in the main body housing 2.

[0045] The drum unit 51 has a photosensitive drum 53, a charger 54, and a transfer roller 42. The developing unit 55 has a toner storage chamber 57, a supply roller 58, and a developing roller 59.

[0046] 3, the opening 2A of the main body housing 2 is configured to allow the process cartridge 50 to pass through. Therefore, by moving the top cover 21 to the first open position, the process cartridge 50 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body housing 2 through the opening 2A. The process cartridge 50 attached to the main body housing 2 is removed from the main body housing 2 when, for example, the process cartridge 50 needs to be replaced or when a sheet S has jammed around the photosensitive drum 53 and the transfer roller 42.

[0047] The process cartridge 50 is attached to the main body housing 2 by inserting the drum unit 51 and the developing unit 55 attached to the drum unit 51 together into the main body housing 2. In other words, the drum unit 51 can be inserted into the main body housing 2 from the opening 2A, and the developing unit 55 can be inserted into the main body housing 2 from the opening 2A.

[0048] The process cartridge 50 can be removed from the main body housing 2 by removing the drum unit 51 and the developing unit 55 attached to the drum unit 51 from the main body housing 2 together.

[0049] The photosensitive drum 53 is disposed such that the rotation axis X of the photosensitive drum 53 extends along the left-right direction when the process cartridge 50 is attached to the main body casing 2. The photosensitive drum 53 rotates around the rotation axis X.

[0050] When the process cartridge 50 is attached to the main body casing 2, the developing roller 59 is disposed in such a position that the rotation axis Y of the developing roller 59 is aligned in the left-right direction. The developing roller 59 rotates around the rotation axis Y. The rotation axis Y of the developing roller 59 is disposed parallel to the rotation axis X of the photosensitive drum 53.

[0051] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus can be configured such that the drum unit 51 having the photosensitive drum 53 and the developing unit 55 having the developing roller 59 are separately mounted in the main body casing 2.

[0052] The exposure unit 41 is equipped with a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, etc., and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 53 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 53 with laser light based on image data input to the image forming device 1.

[0053] Toner that will become a developer is stored in toner storage chamber 57. The toner stored in toner storage chamber 57 is sent to supply roller 58 while being stirred by stirring member 571. Supply roller 58 further supplies the toner sent from toner storage chamber 57 to development roller 59.

[0054] The developing roller 59 is disposed in close contact with the supply roller 58, and carries positively charged toner supplied from the supply roller 58 and rubbed at the contact portion between the supply roller 58 and the developing roller 59. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 59 by a bias application means (not shown).

[0055] The photosensitive drum 53 is disposed adjacent to the developing roller 59. The surface of the photosensitive drum 53 is uniformly charged by the charger 54 and then exposed by the exposure unit 41. The exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 53 has a lower potential than the other portions, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 53. Then, positively charged toner is supplied from the developing roller 59 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 53 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

[0056] The transfer roller 42 is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 53, and a transfer bias is applied to it by a bias application means (not shown). With the transfer bias applied to the surface of the transfer roller 42, the sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 53 on which the toner image has been formed and the transfer roller 42, whereby the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 53 is transferred to the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 6.

[0057] The fixing unit 6 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62, and fixes the image transferred onto the sheet S by the process cartridge 50. The heating roller 61 is heated by supplying power from a power source (not shown). The pressure roller 62 is disposed opposite the heating roller 61. One of the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 is biased toward the other by a biasing mechanism (not shown), and the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 are in close contact with each other.

[0058] When the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 6, the sheet S is conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, whereby the sheet S is heated and the toner image transferred onto the conveyed sheet S is fixed. In this way, the fixing unit 6 fixes the toner image onto the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner has been fixed by the fixing unit 6 is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 7.

[0059] The paper discharge unit 7 is located downstream of the fixing unit 6 in the sheet conveying direction, and discharges the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 5 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper discharge unit 7 includes a pair of paper discharge rollers 71, a paper discharge tray 72, and an extension tray 73. The pair of paper discharge rollers 71, the paper discharge tray 72, and the extension tray 73 are provided on the top cover 21. The pair of paper discharge rollers 71 is configured to be able to discharge the sheet S, which has been conveyed from the fixing unit 6 along the conveying path P, to the outside of the main body housing 2. The paper discharge tray 72 supports the sheet S discharged to the outside of the main body housing 2 by the pair of paper discharge rollers 71.

[0060] The extension tray 73 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation center 73a. The extension tray 73 can move between a storage position (position shown in FIG. 1) where it rotates rearward and is folded above the paper discharge tray 72, and an extended position (position shown in FIG. 2) where it rotates forward and is unfolded in front of the paper discharge tray 72. By moving to the extended position, the extension tray 73 can support the sheets S discharged outside the main body housing 2 together with the paper discharge tray 72.

[0061] [Process cartridge] 1 to 4, the process cartridge 50 is detachably attached to the main body housing 2, and when attached to the main body housing 2, is housed within the main body housing 2. As described above, the process cartridge 50 includes the drum unit 51 and the developing unit 55. In other words, the drum unit 51 and the developing unit 55 constitute the process cartridge 50.

[0062] When the process cartridge 50 is attached to the main body casing 2, the drum unit 51 is fixed to the main body casing 2. The developing unit 55 is movable relative to the drum unit 51.

[0063] (drum unit) The drum unit 51 has a drum frame 52 in addition to the photosensitive drum 53, the charger 54, and the transfer roller 42. The drum frame 52 supports the photosensitive drum 53, the charger 54, and the transfer roller 42. The photosensitive drum 53, the charger 54, and the transfer roller 42 are arranged at the rear end of the drum unit 51 in the front-to-rear direction. A support base 521 is formed at the front and right end of the drum frame 52.

[0064] (developing unit) The developing unit 55 has a developing frame 56 in addition to a supply roller 58 and a developing roller 59. The developing frame 56 supports the supply roller 58 and the developing roller 59. The supply roller 58 and the developing roller 59 are disposed at the rear end of the developing unit 55. A toner storage chamber 57 is formed inside the developing frame 56.

[0065] The developing frame 56 is supported on the drum frame 52 by a pivot pin 561. The pivot pin 561 extends in the left-right direction and rotatably supports the developing frame 56. By pivoting about the pivot pin 561, the developing frame 56 can move in a first direction in which the developing roller 59 approaches the photosensitive drum 53, and in a second direction in which the developing roller 59 moves away from the photosensitive drum 53. In other words, the developing unit 55 can move in the first direction and the second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the drum unit 51 and the photosensitive drum 53.

[0066] The developing frame 56 has a receiving portion 562. The receiving portion 562 is a portion to which a toner container 90 (see FIG. 10) for replenishing toner to the process cartridge 50 is connected. The receiving portion 562 is located at the front end and upper end of the developing frame 56. The receiving portion 562 is also located at the right end of the developing frame 56 in the left-right direction. The receiving portion 562 has a cylindrical portion 562a, a bottom portion 562b, a supply port 562c, and a locking pin 562d.

[0067] The tube portion 562a is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends downward. The upper end of the tube portion 562a is open. The bottom portion 562b is a plate-like member that closes the lower end of the tube portion 562a. The supply port 562c opens to the left rear side surface of the tube portion 562a and the left rear portion of the bottom portion 562b.

[0068] The supply port 562c communicates with the toner storage chamber 57. The locking pin 562d is a pin that protrudes upward from the top surface of the bottom portion 562b. The locking pin 562d is an example of a third engagement portion.

[0069] (Compression spring) A compression spring 501 is interposed between the drum frame 52 and the developing frame 56 at the front lower portion of the process cartridge 50. The compression spring 501 biases the developing frame 56 relative to the drum frame 52 in a first direction.

[0070] The developing roller 59 is pressed in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 53 by the biasing force of the compression spring 501. As a result, if the developing roller 59 has an outer diameter deviation, the outer diameter deviation of the developing roller 59 can be absorbed, and the developing roller 59 can be rotated smoothly.

[0071] [Top cover and replacement cover] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top cover 21 has an opening 21A that penetrates in the vertical direction when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position. The opening 21A is formed in a circular shape. The opening 21A is an example of a second opening. The opening 21A is located above the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55 when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position.

[0072] The main body housing 2 is provided with a supply cover 22 that is provided on the top cover 21 and opens and closes the opening 21A. The supply cover 22 is an example of a second cover. The supply cover 22 is located at the rear end of the supply cover 22 and is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 22a that extends in the left-right direction. By rotating around the rotation shaft 22a, the supply cover 22 can move between a second closed position (position shown in FIG. 1) that closes the opening 21A and a second open position (position shown in FIG. 2) that opens the opening 21A.

[0073] The receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55 is located below the opening 21A of the top cover 21 when it is in the first closed position, and the opening 21A can communicate with the receiving portion 562. When the top cover 21 is moved to the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is moved to the second open position, the receiving portion 562 is exposed to the outside through the opening 21A. Therefore, by moving the supply cover 22 to the second open position, the toner container 90 can be easily attached to and detached from the receiving portion 562 through the opening 21A.

[0074] Furthermore, when the top cover 21 is moved to the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is moved to the second closed position, the receiving portion 562 and the opening 21A are covered from above by the supply cover 22. Therefore, by moving the supply cover 22 to the second closed position, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the receiving portion 562.

[0075] [Moving mechanism] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a moving mechanism 81 that moves the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55 between a first position spaced apart from the opening 21A of the top cover 21 and a second position that is closer to the opening 21A than the first position.

[0076] The movement mechanism 81 includes a cam 221, an interlocking pin 811, a first spring 812, an interlocking arm 813, a second spring 814, and an acted-on pin 562e. The cam 221 is an example of a first acting portion. The interlocking pin 811 is an example of a first interlocking means, the interlocking arm 813 is an example of a second interlocking means, and the acted-on pin 562e is an example of an acted-on portion. The second spring 814 is an example of a spring that biases the second interlocking means.

[0077] The cam 221 is provided on the supply cover 22, and protrudes rearward from the rotation shaft 22a when the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position (see FIG. 5). The cam 221 protrudes downward from the rotation shaft 22a when the supply cover 22 is in the second open position (see FIG. 7).

[0078] The interlocking pin 811 is formed by a pin member that extends in the vertical direction, and is provided on the top cover 21. The interlocking pin 811 is inserted into a through-hole 211 formed in the top cover 21 so as to be able to move up and down. The interlocking pin 811 has an upper end 811a and a lower end 811b. The upper end 811a protrudes upward from the through-hole 211, and is configured to be able to come into contact with the cam 221. The lower end 811b protrudes downward from the through-hole 211.

[0079] The first spring 812 is a compression spring interposed between the top cover 21 and an engaging portion 811c formed at a position above the through-hole 211 of the interlocking pin 811. The first spring 812 biases the interlocking pin 811 in a direction such that the upper end portion 811a moves away from the top cover 21. When the top cover 21 is in the first closed position, the interlocking pin 811 is biased upward by the first spring 812.

[0080] The interlocking pin 811 is movable between a third position where it is moved upward by the biasing force of the first spring 812, and a fourth position where it is moved downward from the third position against the biasing force of the first spring 812.

[0081] The interlocking arm 813 has a rotating shaft 813a that is rotatably supported on the support base 521 of the drum frame 52, a pressed arm 813b that extends rearward from the rotating shaft 813a, and an acting arm 813c that extends forward from the rotating shaft 813a.

[0082] The lower end 811b of the interlocking pin 811 can come into contact with the pressed arm 813b. When the interlocking pin 811, which is moving downward, comes into contact with the pressed arm 813b, the interlocking arm 813 rotates in the direction in which the pressed arm 813b moves downward, and the acting arm 813c moves upward.

[0083] The second spring 814 is a compression spring interposed between the support base 521 of the drum frame 52 and the pressed arm 813b of the interlocking arm 813. The second spring 814 biases the interlocking arm 813 in the direction that moves the pressed arm 813b upward.

[0084] The interlocking arm 813 is movable between a fifth position in which the pressed arm 813b moves upward due to the force of the second spring 814, and a sixth position in which the pressed arm 813b moves downward from the fifth position against the force of the second spring 814.

[0085] The acted-up pins 562e are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cylindrical portion 562a in the receiving portion 562. The left acted-up pin 562e protrudes leftward from the left side surface of the cylindrical portion 562a, and the right acted-up pin 562e protrudes rightward from the right side surface of the cylindrical portion 562a.

[0086] The acting arm 813c of the interlocking arm 813 can come into contact with the acted-on pin 562e from below, and as the acting arm 813c moving upward comes into contact with the acted-on pin 562e, the acted-on pin 562e is pressed upward by the acting arm 813c. By pressing the acting pin 562e upward by the acting arm 813c, it is possible to move the receiving portion 562 from the first position to the second position.

[0087] [Moving the receiving section by the moving mechanism] As shown in Figure 5, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position, the cam 221 and the interlocking pin 811 are separated, and the interlocking pin 811 is moved to the third position by the biasing force of the first spring 812.

[0088] The interlocking pin 811, which has moved to the third position, is separated from the pressed arm 813b of the interlocking arm 813, and the interlocking arm 813 is located at the fifth position where it has been rotated in the direction in which the pressed arm 813b moves upward due to the biasing force of the second spring 814. In this state, the acting arm 813c of the interlocking arm 813 has moved downward and is separated from the acted upon pin 562e of the receiving portion 562. In other words, the fifth position of the interlocking arm 813 is a position where the acting arm 813c is separated from the acted upon pin 562e.

[0089] In this way, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position, the second spring 814 urges the interlocking arm 813 to the fifth position away from the acted-on pin 562e. In a state in which the interlocking arm 813 is away from the acted-on pin 562e, the developing frame 56 is moved in the first direction by the urging force of the compression spring 501, and the receiving portion 562 is moved to the first position away from the opening 21A of the top cover 21.

[0090] 5 toward the second open position, as shown in FIG. 7, the interlocking pin 811 is pressed downward by the cam 221 in accordance with the movement of the replenishing cover 22. When the interlocking pin 811 is pressed downward, it moves downward against the biasing force of the first spring 812 and presses the pressed arm 813b of the interlocking arm 813 downward. When pressed downward, the pressed arm 813b moves downward against the biasing force of the second spring 814.

[0091] That is, the interlocking pin 811 is moved from the third position to the fourth position by the cam 221 in response to the movement of the supplying cover 22 toward the second open position. Also, the interlocking arm 813 moves from the fifth position to the sixth position in response to the movement of the supplying cover 22 toward the second open position, interlocking with the interlocking pin 811 moving from the third position to the fourth position.

[0092] When pressed arm 813b moves downward and interlocking arm 813 moves from the fifth position to the sixth position, acting arm 813c of interlocking arm 813 moves upward and presses acted-on pin 562e of receiving portion 562 upward. In other words, acted-on pin 562e is pressed toward receiving portion 562 toward opening 21A by interlocking arm 813 moving from the fifth position to the sixth position. As acted-on pin 562e is pressed upward, receiving portion 562 moves from the first position to the second position against the biasing force of compression spring 501.

[0093] In this way, the moving mechanism 81 is equipped with a cam 221, an interlocking pin 811, an interlocking arm 813, and an acted-on pin 562e, and is configured to easily move the receiving portion 562 closer to the opening 21A in conjunction with the action of moving the supply cover 22 to the second open position.

[0094] Furthermore, by providing interlocking pin 811 on top cover 21, when developing unit 55 and drum unit 51 are removed from main body housing 2 through opening 2A, interlocking pin 811 is also retracted by moving top cover 21 to the first open position, so that removal can be carried out without interlocking pin 811 getting in the way. Furthermore, because interlocking arm 813 is provided on drum unit 51, removing developing unit 55 and drum unit 51 from main body housing 2 together with interlocking arm 813 prevents interlocking arm 813 from getting in the way of removal.

[0095] Conversely, as shown in Fig. 7, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position, the supply cover 22 is in the second open position, and the receiving portion 562 is moved to the second position, and the supply cover 22 moves toward the second closed position, the pressure of the cam 221 on the interlocking pin 811 is released in accordance with the movement of the supply cover 22, as shown in Fig. 5. When the pressure of the cam 221 is released, the interlocking pin 811 moves from the fourth position to the third position due to the biasing force of the first spring 812.

[0096] When interlocking pin 811 moves from the fourth position to the third position, interlocking pin 811 is released from pressing arm 813b of interlocking arm 813. When pressing arm 813b by interlocking pin 811 is released, it moves upward due to the biasing force of second spring 814, and interlocking arm 813 moves from the sixth position to the fifth position.

[0097] When the pressed arm 813b moves upward and the interlocking arm 813 moves to the fifth position, the acting arm 813c moves downward and separates from the acted pin 562e. When the acting arm 813c separates from the acted pin 562e, the developing frame 56 moves in the first direction due to the biasing force of the compression spring 501, and the receiving portion 562 moves from the second position to the first position.

[0098] In other words, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 moves to the second closed position, the second spring 814 biases the interlocking arm 813 in a direction that moves it away from the acted-on pin 562e, so that the interlocking arm 813 no longer presses the acted-on pin 562e, allowing the receiving portion 562 to move to the first position. In addition, the act of the interlocking arm 813 moving away from the acted-on pin 562e does not impede the movement of the developing unit 55 relative to the drum unit 51.

[0099] In this way, the moving mechanism 81 is configured to move the receiving portion 562 to the first position when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position, and to move the receiving portion 562 to the second position when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second open position.

[0100] As shown in Figure 4, the receiving section 562 and the moving mechanism 81 are positioned outside the irradiation range of the laser light onto the photosensitive drum 53 of the exposure unit 41, so that the irradiation of the laser light onto the photosensitive drum 53 of the exposure unit 41 is not obstructed.

[0101] [Unit side shutter] 6, 8, and 9, the developing unit 55 has a unit-side shutter 83 that can open and close the supply port 562c of the receiving portion 562. The unit-side shutter 83 is housed in the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55, and has a cylindrical portion 831, a bottom portion 832, an opening 833, and an engaging protrusion 834. The engaging protrusion 834 is an example of a second engaged portion.

[0102] The tube portion 831 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the tube portion 831 is open. The bottom portion 832 is a plate-like member that closes the lower end of the tube portion 831.

[0103] The outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 831 of the unit-side shutter 83 faces the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 562a of the receiving portion 562. The lower surface of the bottom portion 832 of the unit-side shutter 83 faces the upper surface of the bottom portion 562b of the receiving portion 562. An elongated hole 832a extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the bottom portion 832. The locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 is inserted into the elongated hole 832a from below.

[0104] The opening 833 is formed in the tubular portion 831 and the bottom portion 832. The engagement protrusion 834 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 831 toward the inner diameter side and extends in the vertical direction. The engagement protrusion 834 is located at the upper part of the tubular portion 831 in the vertical direction. The opening 833 and the engagement protrusion 834 are arranged, for example, at positions that are out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 831. In this embodiment, when the engagement protrusion 834 is located on the front side of the tubular portion 831, the opening 833 is arranged to be located on the right rear side of the tubular portion 831 and the bottom portion 832. Furthermore, when the engagement protrusion 834 is located on the right side of the tubular portion 831, the opening 833 is located on the left rear side of the tubular portion 831 and the bottom portion 832.

[0105] The unit-side shutter 83 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the up-down direction within the receiving portion 562. By rotating about the rotation axis, the unit-side shutter 83 is movable between a first shutter closed position (position shown in FIG. 8) where the opening 833 is located on the rear right side, and a first shutter open position (position shown in FIG. 9) where the opening 833 is located on the rear left side.

[0106] When the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter closed position, the supply port 562c of the receiving section 562 and the opening 833 of the unit side shutter 83 are positioned out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction, and the supply port 562c is blocked by the unit side shutter 83.

[0107] When the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter open position, the supply port 562c of the receiving section 562 and the opening 833 of the unit side shutter 83 are in positions where their circumferential phases are aligned, and the supply port 562c is opened by the unit side shutter 83.

[0108] When the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter closed position, the engagement protrusion 834 is located on the front side, and when the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter open position, the engagement protrusion 834 is located on the right side. The engagement protrusion 834 moves between the front side and the right side in conjunction with the movement of the unit side shutter 83 between the first shutter closed position and the first shutter open position.

[0109] The locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 is movable relative to the elongated hole 832a of the bottom portion 832 of the unit-side shutter 83, and moves within the elongated hole 832a as the unit-side shutter 83 rotates.

[0110] When the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter closed position, the locking pin 562d is located at the upstream end of the elongated hole 832a in the clockwise direction when viewed from above (see FIG. 8(b)). When the unit side shutter 83 is in the first shutter open position, the locking pin 562d is located at the downstream end of the elongated hole 832a in the clockwise direction when viewed from above (see FIG. 9(b)).

[0111] [Operating parts] 5 and 7 to 9, the top cover 21 has an operating member 82. The operating member 82 includes a ring-shaped member 821, an operating lever 822, and an engaging protrusion 823. The engaging protrusion 823 is an example of a first engaging portion.

[0112] The ring-shaped member 821 is formed in an annular shape and is rotatably provided on the periphery of the opening 21A in the top cover 21. The operating lever 822 extends radially outward from the ring-shaped member 821.

[0113] The operating member 82 can be rotated by gripping the operating lever 822 with fingers and moving it in the circumferential direction. The engaging protrusion 823 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped member 821 toward the inner diameter side, and extends in the vertical direction.

[0114] The operating lever 822 and the engaging protrusion 823 are disposed, for example, at the same phase in the circumferential direction. In Figures 5, 7 and 8, the operating lever 822 and the engaging protrusion 823 are located on the front side of the operating member 82. In Figure 9, the operating lever 822 and the engaging protrusion 823 are located on the right side of the operating member 82.

[0115] The position of the operating member 82 where the operating lever 822 and the engagement protrusion 823 are located on the front side is the first operating position, and the position of the operating member 82 where the operating lever 822 and the engagement protrusion 823 are located on the right side is the second operating position. The operating member 82 is rotatable between the first operating position and the second operating position. The engagement protrusion 823 moves between the front side and the right side in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 82 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

[0116] [Toner container] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, a toner container 90 for toner supply includes a container body 91 for storing toner, a discharge portion 92 that can be connected to the receiving portion 562 of the process cartridge 50, and a container-side shutter 93 provided on the discharge portion 92.

[0117] The container body 91 is formed by bonding flexible film-like members together in a bag shape. The discharge portion 92 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending downward from the lower end of the container body 91. The discharge portion 92 has an inlet 921 opening on the top surface of the discharge portion 92, an outlet 922 opening on the outer circumferential surface and the left rear portion of the bottom surface of the discharge portion 92, an outlet flow path 923 connecting the inlet 921 and the outlet 922, and a pin groove 924 formed on the lower end surface of the discharge portion 92.

[0118] The toner stored in the container body 91 enters the discharge section 92 from the inlet 921, flows through the discharge flow path 923, and can then be discharged to the outside of the toner container 90 from the discharge outlet 922.

[0119] The discharge portion 92 can be inserted into the opening 21A of the top cover 21. After being inserted into the opening 21A from above, the discharge portion 92 can be inserted into the receiving portion 562 of the process cartridge 50. By inserting the discharge portion 92 into the receiving portion 562, the discharge portion 92 and the receiving portion 562 are connected to each other. When the discharge portion 92 is connected to the receiving portion 562, the locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 is inserted into the pin groove 924 of the discharge portion 92 (see FIG. 13). The pin groove 924 is an example of a third engaged portion.

[0120] When the discharge portion 92 is connected to the receiving portion 562 and the locking pin 562d is inserted into the pin groove 924, the locking pin 562d engages with the pin groove 924 to restrict the rotation of the discharge portion 92 when the discharge portion 92 attempts to rotate in a rotational direction about an axis extending in the vertical direction. In the state in which the discharge portion 92 is connected to the receiving portion 562, the supply port 562c of the receiving portion 562 and the discharge port 922 of the discharge portion 92 are in phase with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0121] The container-side shutter 93 is disposed so as to cover the outside of the discharge portion 92, and has a cylindrical portion 931, a bottom portion 932, an opening 933, and an engagement groove 934. The engagement groove 934 is an example of a first engaged portion and a second engaging portion.

[0122] The tubular portion 931 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The upper end of the tubular portion 931 is open. The bottom portion 932 is a plate-like member that closes the lower end of the tubular portion 931. The discharge portion 92 enters the container-side shutter 93 from the upper end of the tubular portion 931, the tubular portion 931 covers the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 92, and the bottom portion 932 covers the lower end surface of the discharge portion 92.

[0123] The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 931 faces the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 92. The upper surface of the bottom portion 932 faces the lower end surface of the discharge portion 92. A long hole 932a extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the bottom portion 932. The locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 can be inserted into the long hole 932a from below.

[0124] The opening 933 is formed in the cylindrical portion 931 and the bottom portion 932. The engagement groove 934 is a groove recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 931 toward the inner diameter side, and extends in the up-down direction. The engagement groove 934 is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 931. In this embodiment, the engagement groove 934 is formed in the shape of a slit that is cut out so as to penetrate a portion of the cylindrical portion 931 in the thickness direction in the circumferential direction. The opening 933 and the engagement groove 934 are arranged, for example, at positions that are out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 931.

[0125] The container-side shutter 93 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the up-down direction. By rotating about the rotation axis, the container-side shutter 93 can move between a second shutter closed position (position shown in FIG. 12(a)) where the opening 933 is located on the rear right side and a second shutter open position (position shown in FIG. 12(b)) where the opening 933 is located on the rear left side.

[0126] When the container side shutter 93 is in the second shutter closed position, the discharge outlet 922 of the discharge section 92 and the opening 933 of the container side shutter 93 are positioned out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction, and the discharge outlet 922 is blocked by the container side shutter 93.

[0127] When the container side shutter 93 is in the second shutter open position, the discharge outlet 922 of the discharge section 92 and the opening 933 of the container side shutter 93 are in a position where their circumferential phases are aligned, and the discharge outlet 922 is opened by the container side shutter 93.

[0128] When the container-side shutter 93 is in the second shutter-closed position, the engagement groove 934 is located on the front side, and when the container-side shutter 93 is in the second shutter-opened position, the engagement groove 934 is located on the right side. The engagement groove 934 moves between the front side and the right side in conjunction with the movement of the container-side shutter 93 between the second shutter-closed position and the second shutter-opened position.

[0129] The locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 is movable relative to the elongated hole 932a of the bottom portion 932 of the container-side shutter 93, and moves within the elongated hole 932a as the container-side shutter 93 rotates.

[0130] When the container-side shutter 93 is in the second shutter-closed position, the locking pin 562d is located at the downstream end of the slot 932a in the clockwise direction as viewed from below (see FIG. 12(a)). When the container-side shutter 93 is in the second shutter-opened position, the locking pin 562d is located at the upstream end of the slot 932a in the clockwise direction as viewed from below (see FIG. 12(b)).

[0131] [Replenishing toner from a toner container to a process cartridge] 2, in the image forming apparatus, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position, the supply cover 22 can be moved to the second open position to expose the receiving portion 562 of the developing frame 56 to the outside. By exposing the receiving portion 562 to the outside, the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 can be connected to the receiving portion 562.

[0132] When connecting the discharge part 92 of the toner container 90 to the receiving part 562, the discharge part 92 of the toner container 90 is inserted into the receiving part 562 with the container-side shutter 93 in the second shutter closed position. Furthermore, when connecting the discharge part 92 of the toner container 90 to the receiving part 562, the unit-side shutter 83 is in the first shutter closed position and the operating member 82 is rotated to the first operating position.

[0133] 13, when the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is inserted into the receiving portion 562, the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93 is in circumferential phase with the engagement protrusion 823 of the operation member 82 and the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83, so that the engagement groove 934 engages with the engagement protrusion 823 and the engagement protrusion 834. In this case, the portion of the engagement groove 934 that engages with the engagement protrusion 823 is the first engaged portion, and the portion of the engagement groove 934 that engages with the engagement protrusion 834 is the second engaging portion.

[0134] In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion 823 and the engaging protrusion 834 are engaged with the same engaging groove 934, but it is also possible to form separate engaging grooves for engaging with the engaging protrusion 823 and for engaging with the engaging protrusion 834. In this case, the engaging groove for engaging with the engaging protrusion 823 and the engaging groove for engaging with the engaging protrusion 834 are formed so as to interlock with each other.

[0135] Furthermore, when the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is inserted into the receiving portion 562, the locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 is inserted into the long hole 832a of the unit side shutter 83 and the long hole 932a of the container side shutter 93, and is also inserted into the pin groove 924 of the discharge portion 92, thereby connecting the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 and the receiving portion 562.

[0136] When the discharge portion 92 and receiving portion 562 of the toner container 90 are connected, and the operating lever 822 is operated to rotate the operating member 82 from the first operating position to the second operating position, the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 engages with the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93, so that the container-side shutter 93 moves from the second shutter closed position to the second shutter open position in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 82, as shown in Figure 12(b).

[0137] Furthermore, since the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit side shutter 83 engages with the engagement groove 934 of the container side shutter 93, as shown in Figure 9, the unit side shutter 83 moves from the first shutter closed position to the first shutter open position in conjunction with the movement of the container side shutter 93 from the second shutter closed position to the second shutter open position.

[0138] That is, the container-side shutter 93 is opened by rotating the operating member 82 from the first operating position to the second operating position while the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 is engaged with the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93. The container-side shutter 93 and the unit-side shutter 83 are simultaneously opened by the operating member 82.

[0139] In this case, the locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 engages with the pin groove 924 of the discharge portion 92, restricting the rotation of the discharge portion 92, thereby preventing the discharge portion 92 from rotating when the container side shutter 93 moves from the second shutter closed position to the second shutter open position.

[0140] When the container-side shutter 93 moves to the second shutter-open position, the circumferential phases of the discharge port 922 of the discharge section 92 and the opening 933 of the container-side shutter 93 match, and the discharge port 922 of the discharge section 92 is opened by the container-side shutter 93. Furthermore, when the unit-side shutter 83 moves to the first shutter-open position, the circumferential phases of the supply port 562c of the receiving section 562 and the opening 833 of the unit-side shutter 83 match, and the supply port 562c of the receiving section 562 is opened by the unit-side shutter 83.

[0141] This connects the discharge port 922 of the discharge section 92 and the supply port 562c of the receiving section 562 to the toner storage chamber 57 of the developing unit 55, and the toner stored in the container body 91 is replenished into the toner storage chamber 57 through the discharge port 922 and the supply port 562c.

[0142] When the replenishment of toner from the toner container 90 to the toner storage chamber 57 is completed, the operating lever 822 is operated to rotate the operating member 82 from the second operating position to the first operating position. When the operating member 82 rotates from the second operating position to the first operating position, the container-side shutter 93 moves from the second shutter-open position to the second shutter-closed position in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 82. Furthermore, the unit-side shutter 83 moves from the first shutter-open position to the first shutter-closed position in conjunction with the movement of the container-side shutter 93 from the second shutter-open position to the second shutter-closed position.

[0143] As a result, the discharge port 922 of the discharge part 92 is closed by the container-side shutter 93, and the supply port 562c of the receiving part 562 is closed by the unit-side shutter 83.

[0144] That is, the container-side shutter 93 is closed by rotating the operating member 82 from the second operating position to the first operating position while the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 is engaged with the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93. The container-side shutter 93 and the unit-side shutter 83 are simultaneously closed by the operating member 82.

[0145] The operating member 82 is rotated from the second operating position to the first operating position to close the discharge port 922 of the discharge portion 92 and the supply port 562c of the receiving portion 562, and then the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is removed from the receiving portion 562.

[0146] After the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is removed from the receiving portion 562, the supply cover 22 is moved to the second closed position to close the opening 21A. By closing the opening 21A with the supply cover 22 and covering the upper side of the receiving portion 562 with the supply cover 22, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the receiving portion 562 through the opening 21A when the toner container 90 is not connected to the receiving portion 562.

[0147] In this way, the operating member 82 is configured to be able to open and close the container side shutter 93 provided on the discharge portion 92 for opening and closing the discharge outlet 922 of the discharge portion 92 when the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is connected to the receiving portion 562.

[0148] Therefore, the container-side shutter 93 of the toner container 90 connected to the receiving portion 562 can be easily opened and closed using the operating member 82. Furthermore, when connecting the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 to the receiving portion 562, the refill cover 22 has been moved to the second open position, and the receiving portion 562 has been positioned at the second position closer to the opening 21A by the moving mechanism 81, making it easy to attach the discharge portion 92 to the receiving portion 562. In this way, the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 can be attached to the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55, and the container-side shutter 93 of the toner container 90 can be easily opened and closed.

[0149] Furthermore, since the operating member 82 is provided on the top cover 21 and moves together with the top cover 21 as the top cover 21 is opened or closed, the operating member 82 does not get in the way when the process cartridge 50 is attached to or detached from the main body housing 2 through the opening 2A. This makes it easy to attach and detach the process cartridge 50 to or from the main body housing 2.

[0150] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the container-side shutter 93 is opened and closed by rotating the operating member 82 while the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 is engaged with the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93. Therefore, the container-side shutter 93 can be easily opened and closed simply by operating the operating lever 822 and rotating the operating member 82.

[0151] Furthermore, the operating member 82 is configured to simultaneously open and close the container-side shutter 93 and the unit-side shutter 83. Therefore, by operating the operating member 82, the container-side shutter 93 and the unit-side shutter 83 can be simultaneously opened and closed, making the opening and closing operations easier.

[0152] Furthermore, the container-side shutter 93 of the toner container 90 has an engagement groove 934 that engages with the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82, and the developing unit 55 has an engagement protrusion 834 that engages with the engagement groove 934 and moves in conjunction with the unit-side shutter 83. Therefore, by simply rotating the operating member 82, it is possible to simultaneously open and close the container-side shutter 93 and the unit-side shutter 83.

[0153] In addition, since the engagement groove 934 is provided on the container side shutter 93 and the engagement protrusion 834 is provided on the unit side shutter 83, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 and the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55.

[0154] Furthermore, the locking pin 562d of the receiving portion 562 engages with the pin groove 924 of the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 when the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 and the receiving portion 562 are connected, so that when the operating member 82 rotates, the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating member 82, preventing the container-side shutter 93 from being unable to open or close.

[0155] Furthermore, in the image forming device 1, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position, the interlocking arm 813 of the moving mechanism 81 is spaced apart from the acted-on pin 562e of the receiving portion 562, and the developing unit 55 is movable relative to the drum unit 51.

[0156] On the other hand, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position and the supply cover 22 is in the second open position, the interlocking arm 813 presses the acted-on pin 562e of the receiving portion 562 upward, and the receiving portion 562 is moved to the second position by the moving mechanism 81 against the biasing force of the compression spring 501. Therefore, the position of the developing unit 55 relative to the drum unit 51 is fixed.

[0157] As a result, when the supply cover 22 is moved to the second open position to connect the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 to the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55, the developing unit 55 is fixed to the drum unit 51, making it possible to stably connect the receiving portion 562 and the discharge portion 92. Furthermore, when the supply cover 22 is moved to the second closed position to not connect the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 to the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55, movement of the developing unit 55 relative to the drum unit 51 is not hindered.

[0158] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, when the top cover 21 is in the first closed position, there is a gap between the receiving portion 562 that has moved to the second position and the top cover 21, but it is also possible to configure the receiving portion 562 that has moved to the second position to come into contact with the top cover 21.

[0159] In this way, by configuring the receiving portion 562 in the second position to come into contact with the top cover 21, the developing unit 55 is fixed to the main body housing 2, and it is possible to stably connect the receiving portion 562 of the developing unit 55 and the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90. Furthermore, since the receiving portion 562 in the first position is separated from the top cover 21, when the receiving portion 562 is in the first position, the developing unit 55 can be maintained in a movable state relative to the drum unit 51.

[0160] [Relationship between the operating parts and the supply cover] As shown in Figure 13, when the operating member 82 is rotated to the first operating position, the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 and the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit side shutter 83 are both located on the front side and are in phase with each other in the circumferential direction.

[0161] Therefore, in this state, when the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 is inserted into the receiving portion 562 through the opening 21A, the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93 can engage with both the engagement protrusion 823 and the engagement protrusion 834. In other words, the first operating position of the operating member 82 is a position that enables connection between the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 and the receiving portion 562 of the process cartridge 50.

[0162] 14, when the operating member 82 is rotated from the first operating position to the second operating position with the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 not inserted into the receiving portion 562, the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 moves from the front side to the right side. However, because the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 and the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83 are separated, the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83 remains positioned at the front side. In other words, the phase of the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 and the phase of the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83 are misaligned.

[0163] In this way, when the operating member 82 is rotated to the second operating position and an attempt is made to insert the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 into the receiving portion 562, the engagement groove 934 of the container side shutter 93 and the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 can be engaged with each other by aligning the phases of these engaging grooves 934 and 823.

[0164] However, because the phase of the engagement protrusion 823 of the operating member 82 is out of phase with the phase of the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83, the engagement groove 934 of the container-side shutter 93 cannot be further engaged with the engagement protrusion 834 of the unit-side shutter 83, and the discharge portion 92 cannot be inserted into the receiving portion 562. In other words, the second operating position of the operating member 82 is a position where the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90 cannot be connected to the receiving portion 562 of the process cartridge 50.

[0165] 5 and 7, the supply cover 22 has a groove 22b recessed upward from the underside of the supply cover 22 when the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position. In this embodiment, the groove 22b passes through the supply cover 22 in the vertical direction when the supply cover 22 is in the second closed position. However, the groove 22b may be formed so that the upper end is closed without passing through the supply cover 22.

[0166] The groove 22b is formed in a position and shape that allows it to fit with the operating lever 822 of the operating member 82 that is in the first operating position when the supply cover 22 is moved to the second closed position. Moreover, the groove 22b does not fit with the operating lever 822 that is in a position shifted from the first operating position, such as the second operating position.

[0167] Therefore, when the operating lever 822 is in the first operating position, moving the supply cover 22 from the second open position toward the second closed position causes the operating lever 822 to engage with the groove portion 22b, and the supply cover 22 can be moved to the second closed position.

[0168] On the other hand, when the operating lever 822 is in the second operating position displaced from the first operating position, if the supply cover 22 is moved from the second open position toward the second closed position, the operating lever 822 does not engage with the groove 22b and comes into contact with the underside of the supply cover 22, preventing the supply cover 22 from moving to the second closed position. In other words, when the operating lever 822 is in the second operating position, the supply cover 22 cannot be completely closed.

[0169] As a result, when the user moves the supply cover 22 toward the second closed position, the user can confirm that the supply cover 22 has moved completely to the second closed position, and can easily understand that the operating member 82 is positioned in the first operating position, which allows connection between the discharge section 92 and the receiving section 562.

[0170] [Modifications of the first engaging portion, the first engaged portion, the second engaging portion, and the second engaged portion] In this embodiment, an engagement protrusion 823, which is a first engagement portion, is formed on the operating member 82, and an engagement protrusion 834, which is a second engaged portion, is formed on the unit side shutter 83, and an engagement groove 934, which is a first engaged portion that engages with the engagement protrusion 823 and a second engaging portion that engages with the engagement protrusion 834, is formed on the container side shutter 93.

[0171] However, it is also possible to form an engagement groove as a first engagement portion in the operating member 82 and an engagement groove as a second engaged portion in the unit side shutter 83, so that the container side shutter 93 is formed with a first engaged portion that engages with the engagement groove of the operating member 82 and an engagement protrusion that serves as a second engagement portion that engages with the engagement groove of the unit side shutter 83.

[0172] In addition, an engaging protrusion as a first engaging portion may be formed on the operating member 82, and an engaging groove as a second engaged portion may be formed on the unit side shutter 83, so that the container side shutter 93 is formed with an engaging groove as a first engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion of the operating member 82, and an engaging protrusion as a second engaging portion that engages with the engaging groove of the unit side shutter 83.

[0173] Furthermore, an engagement groove as a first engagement portion may be formed in the operating member 82, and an engagement protrusion as a second engaged portion may be formed in the unit side shutter 83, so that the container side shutter 93 is formed with an engagement protrusion as a first engaged portion that engages with the engagement groove of the operating member 82, and an engagement groove as a second engagement portion that engages with the engagement protrusion of the unit side shutter 83.

[0174] [Modifications of the third engaging portion and the third engaged portion] In this embodiment, a locking pin 562d serving as a third engaging portion is formed in the receiving portion 562, and a pin groove 924 serving as a third engaged portion that engages with the locking pin 562d is formed in the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90. However, it is also possible to form a locking pin serving as a third engaged portion in the discharge portion 92 of the toner container 90, and form a pin groove in the receiving portion 562 that serves as a third engaging portion that engages with the locking pin of the discharge portion 92. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1. Image forming device 2 Main unit housing 2A (Main body housing) opening 21 Top cover 21A (Top cover) opening 22 Refill cover 22b Groove 50 Process cartridge 51 Drum unit 52 Drum Frame 53 Photosensitive drum 55 Development unit 56 Developing Frame 81 Moving mechanism 82 Operating member 83 Unit side shutter 90 Toner container 92 Discharge section 93 Container side shutter 221 Cam 562 Acceptance Department 562d Locking pin (third engagement part) 562e Target pin 811 Interlocking pin 813 Interlocking Arm 814 Second Spring 821 Ring-shaped member 822 Operating lever 823 Engagement protrusion (first engagement part) 834 Engagement protrusion (second engaged part) 924 Pin groove (third engaged part) 934 Engagement groove (first engaged part, second engaged part)

Claims

1. a main body housing having a first opening; a drum unit that can be inserted into the main body housing through the first opening and has a photosensitive drum; a developing unit that can be inserted into the main body housing through the first opening, the developing unit being configured to be movable relative to the photosensitive drum, and having a receiving portion connected to a discharge portion of a toner container for toner replenishment, and a unit-side shutter that can open and close the receiving portion; a first cover provided on the main body housing and movable between a first closed position that closes the first opening and a first open position that opens the first opening, the first cover having a second opening that can communicate with the receiving portion and an operating member for operating to open and close the unit-side shutter; a second cover provided on the first cover and movable between a second closed position that closes the second opening and a second open position that opens the second opening; a movement mechanism that moves the receiving portion to a first position away from the second opening when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position, and that moves the receiving portion to a second position that is closer to the second opening than the first position when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The moving mechanism includes: a first action portion provided on the second cover; a first interlocking means provided on the first cover and moved from a third position to a fourth position by the first acting portion in response to a moving operation of the second cover toward the second open position; a second interlocking means provided in the drum unit and moving from a fifth position to a sixth position in association with the first interlocking means moving from the third position to the fourth position in response to the movement of the second cover toward the second open position; a receiving portion provided in the developing unit, the receiving portion being biased toward the second opening by the second interlocking means that moves from the fifth position to the sixth position; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving mechanism includes a spring that urges the second interlocking means toward the fifth position away from the acted-on portion when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position.

4. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the first cover is in the first closed position, the receiving portion in the second position is in contact with the first cover, and the receiving portion in the first position is spaced apart from the first cover.

5. when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second open position, the position of the developing unit relative to the drum unit is fixed; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the first cover is in the first closed position and the second cover is in the second closed position, the developing unit is movable relative to the drum unit.

6. The operating member is a ring-shaped member rotatably provided on a peripheral edge portion of the second opening in the first cover; an operating lever extending radially outward from the ring-shaped member; and a first engaging portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion is engaged with a first engaged portion that is linked to a container-side shutter provided in the discharge portion of the toner container, and the operating member is rotated to open and close the container-side shutter.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operating member simultaneously opens and closes the container-side shutter and the unit-side shutter.

8. the toner container has a second engaging portion that interlocks with the first engaged portion, 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developing unit has a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion and moves in conjunction with the unit-side shutter.

9. the first engaged portion and the second engaging portion are provided on the container-side shutter, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second engaged portion is provided on the unit-side shutter.

10. the developing unit has a third engaging portion, An image forming device described in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the third engaging portion engages with a third engaged portion provided on the toner container when the discharge portion of the toner container is connected to the receiving portion of the developing unit.

11. the operating member is rotatable between a first operating position that allows connection between the discharge portion of the toner container and the receiving portion of the developing unit, and a second operating position that prevents connection between the discharge portion of the toner container and the receiving portion of the developing unit, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cover has a groove portion that can be fitted with the operating lever of the operating member when it is in the first operating position, but does not fit with the operating lever of the operating member when it is in the second operating position.

Images