Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This prevents containers from shifting position during the container loading process. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises a main body, a container, an outer cover that can be displaced between an open position and a closed position by rotating around a first axis, and an inner cover that is supported so as to be rotatable around a second axis relative to the outer cover. The inner cover clamps the container between itself and the outer cover at a point above the second axis. After the outer cover rotates toward the closed position and the inner cover enters the main body, the inner cover is pressed toward the outside of the main body, causing the upper part of the inner cover to rotate around the second axis and move toward the container. The inner cover has an engaging portion at a point below the second axis. When the inner cover is not pressed toward the outside of the main body, the container and the engaging portion engage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a container that houses toner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional image forming apparatuses perform printing using toner. The toner is housed in a container (toner cartridge). Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The container is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the container becomes empty, the empty container is removed and a new container is installed. In this configuration, when the container is installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the container may be displaced. When the container is displaced, inconveniences such as, for example, the cover that covers the container from the outside cannot be closed occur.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing displacement of a container during the operation of mounting the container on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a main body including a printing unit, a container for storing toner used for printing in the printing unit, an outer cover rotatably supported around a first axis perpendicular to the vertical direction of the main body and having a mounting area on which the container is detachably mounted, and which can be displaced between an open position where the mounting area is exposed to the outside of the main body to accept the attachment and detachment of the container to the mounting area and a closed position where the container of the mounting area is housed inside the main body by rotating around the first axis, and an inner cover rotatably supported around a second axis parallel to the first axis of the outer cover and clamps the container of the mounting area between itself and the outer cover. The inner cover clamps the container of the mounting area between itself and the outer cover in the portion above the second axis inside the main body. After the outer cover rotates from the open position to the closed position and the upper portion of the inner cover enters the inside of the main body, the upper portion of the inner cover is pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body, causing the upper portion of the inner cover to rotate around the second axis and be displaced in a direction approaching the container of the mounting area. The inner cover has an engaging portion below the second axis. When the upper portion of the inner cover is not pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body, the container in the mounting area engages with the engaging portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In this invention, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the container during the process of attaching the container to the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with one of its outer covers in the open position. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the image forming section and its surrounding area of ​​the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5]This is a perspective view of a container attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a container attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a container attached to the outer cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and its surroundings. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the container and the inner cover when the outer cover of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is in the open position. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the container and the inner cover when the outer cover of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is in the closed position. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged plan view of the engaging projection of the inner cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment and its surrounding area. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged perspective view of the engagement recess and surrounding area of ​​a container mounted on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The image forming apparatus 100 is installed on a substantially horizontal and flat floor surface FL. The vertical direction perpendicular to the floor surface FL is the up-down direction of the image forming apparatus 100. Of the horizontal directions, one direction is the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and the other direction perpendicular to that direction is the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0010] For ease of understanding, the diagrams referenced in the following explanation show the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The Z direction is the vertical direction and corresponds to the up and down direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The floor surface FL is perpendicular to the Z direction. The direction of the arrow on the Z axis is upward, and the opposite direction is downward.

[0011] The X direction is one horizontal direction, and the Y direction is the other horizontal direction. For example, the X direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The Y direction corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body 1. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a container 2. The container 2 stores toner used for printing. The container 2 is attached to the main body 1. The number of containers 2 that can be attached is four. Each container 2 corresponds to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each container 2 stores toner of the corresponding color.

[0013] Note that each container 2 is detachable from the main body 1. The user manually performs the attachment and detachment operations of each container 2. For example, when one of the containers 2 becomes empty, the empty container 2 is removed and a new container 2 is attached.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 1 includes a printing unit 10. The printing unit 10 prints an image on a sheet S. The sheet S used for printing is stored in a sheet cassette CA. The sheet cassette CA is detachably attached to the main body 1.

[0015] The printing unit 10 has a main conveyance path MP. The main conveyance path MP passes through the transfer position and the fixing position in this order from the sheet cassette CA and reaches the discharge tray ET.

[0016] In the printing by the printing unit 10, the sheet S in the sheet cassette CA is supplied to the main conveyance path MP, and the sheet S is conveyed along the main conveyance path MP. Also, an image using toner is formed. Then, the image is printed on the sheet S being conveyed. In other words, the transfer process (specifically, secondary transfer) of the image onto the sheet S being conveyed is performed at the transfer position. At the fixing position, the fixing process of the image onto the sheet S is performed.

[0017] The printing unit 10 includes four image forming units P corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors respectively. Each image forming unit P forms an image using toner of the corresponding color.

[0018] The following description focuses on one image forming unit P, but the configuration of each image forming unit P is the same. Therefore, the descriptions of the configurations of the other image forming units P will be omitted, as they will be based on the description below.

[0019] The image forming unit P has the configuration shown in Figure 4. The image forming unit P comprises a photosensitive drum 101, a charging device 102, an exposure device 103, a developing device 104, and a cleaning device 105.

[0020] The photoreceptor drum 101 is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction (Y direction). The photoreceptor drum 101 rotates with a toner image on its outer surface. The charging device 102 charges the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101. The exposure device 103 exposes the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101 to form an electrostatic latent image on its outer surface. The developing device 104 receives toner from a container 2 containing toner of the corresponding color. The developing device 104 uses the toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101 into a toner image. The cleaning device 105 removes any remaining toner from the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the printing unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 106. The intermediate transfer belt 106 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 106 is stretched by a plurality of tension rollers (not shown).

[0022] The intermediate transfer belt 106 is positioned so that its outer surface contacts the outer surface of each photoreceptor drum 101. The toner image on the outer surface of each photoreceptor drum 101 is first transferred to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 106. The intermediate transfer belt 106 rotates with the toner image on its outer surface. This transports the toner image on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 106 toward the transfer position.

[0023] The printing unit 10 is equipped with primary transfer rollers 107. There are four primary transfer rollers 107. One primary transfer roller 107 is assigned to each photosensitive drum 101.

[0024] The printing unit 10 includes a secondary transfer roller 108. The secondary transfer roller 108 presses against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 106 at the transfer position, forming a transfer nip between it and the intermediate transfer belt 106. The main transport path MP passes through the transfer nip.

[0025] In a printing job, the sheet S is transported toward the transfer position (i.e., the transfer nip). Each image forming unit P forms a toner image using toner of the corresponding color. Each primary transfer roller 107 transfers the toner image to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 106. The intermediate transfer belt 106 rotates carrying the toner image. The secondary transfer roller 108 transfers the toner image to the sheet S as it passes the transfer position.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a fixing unit F. The fixing unit F includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller has a built-in heater. The pressure roller is pressed against the heating roller. The heating roller and the pressure roller are pressed against each other, forming a fixing nip at the fixing position.

[0027] In a print job, the sheet S passes through the fixing position (i.e., the fixing nip). The fixing unit F heats the sheet S as it passes through the fixing position and applies pressure to the sheet S. By heating and applying pressure to the sheet S, the fixing unit F fixes the toner image to the sheet S. The fixed sheet S is discharged into the discharge tray ET.

[0028] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a double-sided printing transport path DP. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to perform not only single-sided printing jobs, which print an image on only one side of the sheet S, but also double-sided printing jobs, which print an image on both sides of the sheet S.

[0029] The duplex printing transport path DP branches off from the main transport path MP at a branching point downstream of the fixing position in the sheet transport direction. Then, the duplex printing transport path DP rejoins the main transport path MP at a merging point upstream of the transfer position in the sheet transport direction.

[0030] If the execution job is a single-sided printing job, the sheet S passes through the transfer position only once, and the transfer process is performed on the sheet S while it is passing through the transfer position. After the first transfer process, the sheet S is then discharged into the output tray ET.

[0031] If the execution job is a duplex printing job, the transfer process is performed once on each side of the sheet S, so the sheet S passes through the transfer position twice. Specifically, when the sheet S passes through the transfer position for the first time, the transfer process is performed on one side of the sheet S. After the first transfer process, after the rear end of the sheet S has passed the branching position but before the sheet S is completely discharged into the discharge tray ET, the sheet S is switched back. This causes the sheet S to be drawn into the duplex printing transport path DP from its rear end.

[0032] Subsequently, the sheet S is transported along the double-sided printing transport path DP, and then returned to the main transport path MP from the merging point. This causes the sheet S to pass through the transfer position again. At this time, the orientation of the front and back sides of the sheet S is reversed compared to when it passed through the transfer position the first time. As a result, when the sheet S passes through the transfer position for the second time, the transfer process is performed on the opposite side of the sheet S to the previous side.

[0033] <Container holding mechanism> Container 2 has the configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6. Of container 2, the side indicated by arrow 2A faces the inside of main body 1, and the side indicated by arrow 2B faces the outside of main body 1. The basic configuration of each container 2 is the same as that of the others. Note that the capacity of the container 2 that holds the black toner may be larger than the capacity of the containers 2 that hold the other color toners.

[0034] A mechanism as shown in Figure 7 is used to hold container 2. Container 2 is held by an outer cover 3 and an inner cover 4. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an outer cover 3 and an inner cover 4.

[0035] The outer cover 3 is made of resin. The outer cover 3 may also be made of sheet metal. The outer cover 3 is part of the exterior that covers the inside of the main body 1 from the outside. That is, the outer cover 3 has an exterior surface 31.

[0036] The outer cover 3 is attached to the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. When the user attaches or detaches the container 2, the outer cover 3 is opened and closed manually. For example, the outer cover 3 has a handle 311 that is cut out downwards from the upper edge of the outer surface 31. When opening or closing the outer cover 3, the user's fingers are placed on the handle 311.

[0037] The outer cover 3 is supported on the main body 1 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the first axis A1. The outer cover 3 opens and closes by rotating around the axis of the first axis A1. The first axis A1 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction (X direction). In other words, the first axis A1 is an axis perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0038] The outer cover 3 has a pair of pivot pins 300. Each of the pair of pivot pins 300 is positioned on the axis of the first shaft A1 and extends in the axial direction of the first shaft A1. On the other hand, the main body 1, although not shown, has a pair of pivot holes. Each of the pair of pivot holes of the main body 1 is positioned on the axis of the first shaft A1 and opens in the axial direction of the first shaft A1. Each of the pair of pivot pins 300 fits into a pair of pivot holes in the main body 1. Each of the pair of pivot pins 300 is slidable around the axis of the first shaft A1 relative to the pivot hole into which it fits. As a result, the outer cover 3 is rotatable with the first shaft A1 as the pivot point.

[0039] The outer cover 3 has a mounting area 3A on the back side of the outer surface 31 (i.e., the inside side of the main body 1). The container 2 is mounted in the mounting area 3A. The container 2 is detachable from the mounting area 3A. By displacing the outer cover 3 around the axis of the first axis A1, the outer cover 3 can be moved to a position where the container 2 can be attached and detached.

[0040] Specifically, the outer cover 3 can be displaced between an open position and a closed position by rotating around the axis of the first shaft A1. The outer cover 3 is open in the open position and closed in the closed position.

[0041] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, the mounting area 3A is housed inside the main body 1. That is, the container 2 of the mounting area 3A is housed inside the main body 1. Then, the container 2 housed inside the main body 1 is covered from the outside of the main body 1 by the outer cover 3.

[0042] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position (i.e., when the container 2 is housed inside the main body 1), the container 2 is positioned inside the main body 1. The container 2 and the developing device 104 are connected via a toner flow path (not shown). This enables toner to be supplied from the container 2 to the developing device 104.

[0043] When the outer cover 3 is in the open position, the mounting area 3A is exposed to the outside of the main body 1. That is, the container 2 of the mounting area 3A is exposed to the outside of the main body 1. This allows the container 2 to be attached to and detached from the mounting area 3A. In the open position, the outer cover 3 accepts the attachment and detachment of the container 2 to and from the mounting area 3A.

[0044] Furthermore, the rotation angle between the open and closed positions of the outer cover 3 around the first axis A1 is less than 90°, and the outer cover 3 cannot be opened any further. Therefore, the direction D for attaching and detaching the container 2 to and from the mounting area 3A is inclined with respect to both the vertical and horizontal directions. That is, when the container 2 is attached to the mounting area 3A, the container 2 is moved diagonally downward (attachment direction D1). When the container 2 is removed from the mounting area 3A, the container 2 is moved diagonally upward (removal direction D2).

[0045] The inner cover 4 is made of resin. The inner cover 4 may also be made of sheet metal. The inner cover 4 covers the container 2 in the mounting area 3A from the inside of the main body 1. When the container 2 is mounted in the mounting area 3A, it is covered from the outside of the main body 1 by the outer cover 3 and from the inside of the main body 1 by the inner cover 4. In other words, the container 2 is positioned between the outer cover 3 and the inner cover 4. To put it another way, the area between the outer cover 3 and the inner cover 4 becomes the mounting area 3A.

[0046] The inner cover 4 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the outer cover 3 around the axis of the second axis A2. The second axis A2 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction (X direction). In other words, the second axis A2 is an axis parallel to the first axis A1.

[0047] The inner cover 4 has a pair of pivot pins 400. Each of the pair of pivot pins 400 is positioned on the axis of the second shaft A2 and extends in the axial direction of the second shaft A2. On the other hand, the outer cover 3 has a pair of pivot holes (not shown). The pair of pivot holes in the outer cover 3 are positioned on the axis of the second shaft A2 and open in the axial direction of the second shaft A2. Pivot holes are formed in a pair of side walls 32 of the outer cover 3 that are opposite each other in the front-rear direction. Each of the pair of pivot pins 400 fits into the pair of pivot holes of the outer cover 3. Each of the pair of pivot pins 400 is slidable around the axis of the second shaft A2 with respect to the pivot hole into which it fits. As a result, the inner cover 4 is rotatable with the second shaft A2 as the pivot point.

[0048] The inner cover 4, within the main body 1, clamps the container 2 of the mounting area 3A between itself and the outer cover 3 with its portion 41 above the second axis A2. In the following description, the upper portion 41 of the inner cover 4 will be referred to as the upper part of the inner cover 41. The upper part of the inner cover 41 is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the outer cover 3 around the axis of the first axis A1. That is, the upper part of the inner cover 41 is displaced according to the position of the outer cover 3.

[0049] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a torsion coil spring 5 (see Figure 10). The torsion coil spring 5 corresponds to a "biasing member". The torsion coil spring 5 is positioned on at least one of the pair of pivot pins 400. That is, the torsion coil spring 5 is positioned on the second axis A2. Although not shown, one arm of the torsion coil spring 5 engages with the outer cover 3, and the other arm engages with the inner cover 4. The biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5 causes the upper part 41 of the inner cover 4 to be biased away from the outer cover 3.

[0050] When the outer cover 3 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 8, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5 causes the upper part 41 of the inner cover to be separated from the outer cover 3 to its maximum extent. In other words, the mounting area 3A is opened. This makes it possible to attach and detach the container 2 to the mounting area 3A.

[0051] When attaching or detaching container 2 to or from mounting area 3A, the user moves container 2 in the attachment / detachment direction D. At this time, the upper part 41 of the inner cover acts as a guide. The upper part 41 of the inner cover guides the movement of container 2 in the attachment / detachment direction D. Once container 2 is attached to mounting area 3A, the user closes the outer cover 3. That is, the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position.

[0052] As the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position and the upper part 41 of the inner cover enters the interior of the main body 1, the main body member 11 (see Figure 9) positioned inside the main body 1 comes into contact with the upper part 41 of the inner cover. Subsequently, as the rotation of the outer cover 3 from the open position to the closed position continues, the main body member 11 presses the upper part 41 of the inner cover from the inside to the outside of the main body 1. At this time, the upper part 41 of the inner cover rotates around the axis of the second shaft A2, and the upper part 41 of the inner cover is displaced in a direction that approaches the container 2 in the mounting area 3A, against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5.

[0053] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, the pressure applied by the main body member 11 to the upper part 41 of the inner cover is maintained, as shown in Figure 9. As a result, the container 2 in the mounting area 3A is held between the outer cover 3 and the upper part 41 of the inner cover.

[0054] As the outer cover 3 rotates toward the open position from the state shown in Figure 9, the upper part of the inner cover 41 rotates together with the outer cover 3 around the axis of the first axis A1, causing the upper part of the inner cover 41 to be displaced away from the main body member 11. Finally, contact between the main body member 11 and the upper part of the inner cover 41 is released. Furthermore, the upper part of the inner cover 41 rotates around the axis of the second axis A2 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5, causing the upper part of the inner cover 41 to be displaced away from the outer cover 3. This results in the state shown in Figure 8.

[0055] In Figures 8 and 9, a dot pattern is added to container 2 to make it clearly identifiable.

[0056] Here, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a container detection unit 6. The container detection unit 6 detects whether or not a container 2 is attached to the main body 1. When the outer cover 3 is rotated from the open position to the closed position while the container 2 is attached to the mounting area 3A, the container detection unit 6 detects that the container 2 is attached to the main body 1. When the outer cover 3 is rotated from the closed position to the open position while the container 2 is attached to the mounting area 3A, the container detection unit 6 detects that the container 2 is not attached to the main body 1.

[0057] The container detection unit 6 is equipped with a main body-side contact 61. The main body-side contact 61 is located inside the main body 1. The main body-side contact 61 is a leaf spring made of conductive metal. The main body-side contact 61 is connected to the control unit CON (see Figure 3). The control unit CON includes a CPU and memory, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 to control the image forming apparatus 100.

[0058] The container detection unit 6 includes a container-side contact 62. The container-side contact 62 is located on the outer surface of the lower end of the container 2. For example, a circuit board 620 is located on the outer surface of the container 2, and the container-side contact 62 is located on the circuit board 620.

[0059] When the outer cover 3 is in the open position (as shown in Figure 8), the main body contact 61 and the container contact 62 do not make contact. At this time, the control unit CON detects that the main body contact 61 and the container contact 62 are not in contact (i.e., they are not electrically connected). When the main body contact 61 and the container contact 62 are not in contact, the control unit CON determines that the container 2 is not attached to the main body 1.

[0060] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position (as shown in Figure 9), the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 are in contact. At this time, the control unit CON detects that the container side contact 62 is in contact with the main body side contact 61 (i.e., that they are electrically connected). When the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 are in contact, the control unit CON determines that the container 2 is attached to the main body 1.

[0061] When the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 come into contact. At this time, the control unit CON detects that the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 have come into contact and determines that the container 2 has been attached to the main body 1. When the outer cover 3 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the contact between the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 is released. At this time, the control unit CON detects that the contact between the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 has been released and determines that the container 2 has been removed from the main body 1.

[0062] <Suppression of container misalignment> As the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the container-side contact 62 comes into contact with the main body-side contact 61, causing the main body-side contact 61 to elastically deform. At this time, the biasing force of the main body-side contact 61 biases the container-side contact 62. This maintains contact between the main body-side contact 61 and the container-side contact 62.

[0063] Depending on the shape of the leaf spring acting as the main body contact 61, a biasing force in the removal direction D2 may be applied to the container-side contact 62 after the main body contact 61 and the container-side contact 62 come into contact. In other words, a biasing force in the removal direction D2 may be applied to the container 2 in the mounting area 3A.

[0064] If, during the attachment and detachment of container 2, the outer cover 3 is closed (i.e., when the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position), the biasing force of the main body-side contact 61 causes container 2 in the mounting area 3A to be displaced in the removal direction D2, which hinders the rotation of the outer cover 3 from the open position to the closed position. In this case, the outer cover 3 must be closed while holding down container 2, which may be inconvenient for some users.

[0065] To suppress such inconveniences, the inner cover 4 has an engaging projection 40 (see Figure 10). The engaging projection 40 corresponds to the "engaging portion". The engaging projection 40 protrudes in a hook shape from the lower end of the inner cover 4.

[0066] Container 2 has an engaging recess 20 (see Figure 11). The engaging recess 20 is located on the side opposite to the inner cover 4 (the inside side of the main body 1).

[0067] The engaging projection 40 can engage with the engaging recess 20. That is, the engaging projection 40 can engage with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A. By engaging with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A, the engaging projection 40 restricts the container 2 in the mounting area 3A from shifting relative to the outer cover 3.

[0068] The engaging projection 40 is positioned on the part of the inner cover 4 below the second axis A2 (i.e., below the upper part 41 of the inner cover). As a result, when the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the upper part 41 of the inner cover rotates around the axis of the second axis A2 and moves closer to the container 2 in the mounting area 3A, while the engaging projection 40 rotates around the axis of the second axis A2 and moves away from the container 2 in the mounting area 3A. When the outer cover 3 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the upper part 41 of the inner cover rotates around the axis of the second axis A2 and moves away from the container 2 in the mounting area 3A, while the engaging projection 40 rotates around the axis of the second axis A2 and moves closer to the container 2 in the mounting area 3A.

[0069] Here, when the upper part 41 of the inner cover is not being pressed by the main body member 11 from the inside to the outside of the main body 1 (see Figure 8), the container 2 in the mounting area 3A engages with the engaging projection 40. That is, the engaging recess 20 engages with the engaging projection 40. This restricts the displacement of the container 2 in the mounting area 3A in the removal direction D2.

[0070] In this embodiment, when the upper part 41 of the inner cover is not pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body 1, the engagement projection 40 with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A restricts the displacement of the container 2 relative to the outer cover 3. As a result, when the user closes the outer cover 3 with the container 2 mounted in the mounting area 3A (i.e., the operation of mounting the container 2 to the main body 1), the container 2 is prevented from floating up. In other words, displacement of the container 2 during the operation of mounting the container 2 to the main body 1 can be suppressed.

[0071] In this configuration, when attaching container 2 to the main unit 1, it is not necessary to hold container 2 in place. In other words, only the operation of closing the outer cover 3 is required. For example, if you were to close the outer cover 3 while holding container 2 in place, it would require both hands. On the other hand, if it is not necessary to hold container 2 in place, it can be done with just one hand, which is more convenient for the user.

[0072] When removing container 2 from mounting area 3A, it is sufficient to slightly move the inner cover 4 around the axis of the second shaft A2. This releases the engagement between the engaging projection 40 and the engaging recess 20. Alternatively, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5 is relatively small. Therefore, even without intentionally moving the inner cover 4, the force required to move container 2 in the removal direction D2 releases the engagement between the engaging projection 40 and the engaging recess 20.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position and the upper part 41 of the inner cover enters the interior of the main body 1, the upper part 41 of the inner cover is pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body 1 by the main body member 11, causing the engaging projection 40 to rotate around the axis of the second axis A2 and be displaced away from the container 2 in the mounting area 3A. Subsequently, as the rotation of the outer cover 3 from the open position to the closed position continues, the engagement between the container 2 in the mounting area 3A and the engaging projection 40 is released. That is, the shape of the engaging recess 20 and the engaging projection 40 is released.

[0074] As a result, when the outer cover 3 is in the open position (see Figure 9), the engaging projection 40 does not engage with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A. Consequently, the inconvenience of the engaging projection 40 with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A inside the main body 1 negatively affecting the positioning of the container 2 inside the main body 1 can be suppressed. In other words, the container 2 can be positioned correctly inside the main body 1.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner cover 4 is biased by the torsion coil spring 5. As a result, when the upper part 41 of the inner cover is not pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body 1 by the main body member 11, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 5 ensures that the engagement of the engaging projection 40 with the container 2 in the mounting area 3A is reliably maintained.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a leaf spring is used as the main body side contact 61. This ensures that contact between the main body side contact 61 and the container side contact 62 is reliably maintained when the outer cover 3 is in the closed position. In addition, in this embodiment, even when a leaf spring is used as the main body side contact 61, displacement of the container 2 during the container 2 mounting process can be suppressed.

[0077] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and furthermore, all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1 Main unit 2 containers 3. Outer cover 3A mounting area 4. Inner cover 5. Torsion coil spring (biasing member) 6. Container detection unit 10 Printing Department 40 Engagement protrusion (engagement part) 41. Upper part of the inner cover 61 Main unit side contacts 62 Container-side contacts 100 Image forming apparatus A1 First Axis A2 2nd axis

Claims

1. The main body including the printing section, A container for storing toner used for printing in the aforementioned printing unit, An outer cover is supported so as to be rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to the vertical direction relative to the main body, and has a mounting area on which the container is detachably attached, and is displaceable between an open position in which the mounting area is exposed to the outside of the main body to accept the attachment and detachment of the container to the mounting area, and a closed position in which the container of the mounting area is housed inside the main body, The outer cover is supported so as to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and the inner cover sandwiches the container in the mounting area between itself and the outer cover, The inner cover, within the main body, sandwiches the container in the mounting area between itself and the outer cover in the portion above the second axis. After the outer cover rotates from the open position to the closed position and the upper portion of the inner cover enters the interior of the main body, the upper portion of the inner cover is pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body, causing the upper portion of the inner cover to rotate around the second axis and be displaced in a direction approaching the container in the mounting area. The inner cover has an engaging portion in the part below the second shaft, An image forming apparatus in which, when the upper portion of the inner cover is not pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body, the container in the mounting area and the engaging portion engage.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover rotates from the open position to the closed position so that the upper portion of the inner cover enters the interior of the main body, and thereafter the upper portion of the inner cover is pressed from the inside to the outside of the main body, the engaging portion rotates around the second axis and is displaced in a direction away from the container of the mounting area, thereby releasing the engagement between the container of the mounting area and the engaging portion.

3. Equipped with a biasing member, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner cover is biased in a direction such that the upper portion is separated from the outer cover by the biasing force of the biasing member.

4. The system includes a container detection unit that detects whether or not the container is attached to the main body, The container detection unit is The main body is provided with a main body-side contact made of a leaf spring, The container has a container-side contact which is arranged in the container and electrically connected to the main body-side contact, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container-side contact is separated from the main body-side contact when the outer cover is in the open position, and contacts the main body-side contact when the outer cover is in the closed position.

Images