Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This design helps to suppress toner leakage from the container while also facilitating container installation. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises a main body, a container, and a cover that is rotatably supported and on which the container is mounted. The container has a supply port, a shutter, and a sealing member that seals the gap between the outer edge of the supply port and the shutter. The image forming apparatus further comprises a shutter opening and closing mechanism. The shutter has a shutter engaging portion, and the shutter opening and closing mechanism has a first engaging portion. When the cover reaches the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the inside of the main body, thereby sliding the shutter from the closed position to the open position.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventional image forming apparatuses perform printing using toner. The toner is accommodated in a container (toner cartridge). The container has a replenishment port (toner discharge port), and the toner flows out from the replenishment port and is replenished to the developing device. 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] For example, a shutter is provided at the replenishment port of the container. When the container is not mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the replenishment port is blocked by the shutter. Then, when the container is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the shutter is pressed by a member disposed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the shutter is displaced and the replenishment port is opened.

[0005] In this configuration, in order to suppress the leakage of toner from the gap between the outer edge portion of the replenishment port and the shutter, a seal member is disposed in the gap between the outer edge portion of the replenishment port and the shutter. Therefore, the shutter slides with respect to the seal member and is displaced between a position where the replenishment port is opened and a position where the replenishment port is blocked.

[0006] By placing a sealing member in the gap between the outer edge of the supply port and the shutter, toner leakage from the gap can be suppressed. However, when attaching the container to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the sliding resistance between the shutter and the sealing member may make it difficult to attach the container (requiring a large amount of force to attach the container), which can be inconvenient.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily attach a container to the main body of the image forming apparatus while suppressing toner leakage from the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a main body in which a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image is arranged; a container detachably attached to the main body and containing toner supplied to the developing device; and a cover supported so as to be rotatable around a predetermined axis perpendicular to the vertical direction of the main body, having a mounting area on which the container is mounted, and displaceable between an open position in which the container in the mounting area is exposed to the outside of the main body by rotating around the predetermined axis, and a closed position in which the container in the mounting area is mounted inside the main body. The container has a supply port that opens downward when mounted inside the main body to allow toner to flow to the developing device, a shutter that is slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction which is the opening direction of the supply port, has an opening that penetrates in the first direction, and displaceable between a closed position in which the supply port is closed by sliding in the second direction, and an open position in which the supply port and the opening overlap in the first direction, and a sealing member that seals the gap between the outer edge of the supply port and the shutter in the first direction. When the cover with the container attached is in the open position, the shutter is held in the closed position, while when the cover with the container attached is in the closed position, the shutter is held in the open position. The image forming apparatus further includes a shutter opening and closing mechanism located inside the main body. The shutter has a shutter engaging portion that protrudes in a first direction. The shutter opening and closing mechanism has a first engaging portion. When the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the inside of the main body, causing the shutter to slide in a second direction from the closed position to the open position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This invention makes it possible to easily attach a container to the main body of an image forming apparatus while suppressing toner leakage from the container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [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 a perspective view of the developing apparatus of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the toner receiving section of the developing device. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the toner supply section of a container attached to an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment (a view showing the container shutter in the closed position). [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the toner supply section of a container attached to an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment (a view showing the container shutter in the open position). [Figure 14] This diagram shows the toner supply unit as shown in Figure 13, with the shutter mount and container shutter omitted. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the container shutter of a container mounted on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container with a container shutter in the closed position, which is mounted on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where a container shutter of a container attached to an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment is in an open position. [Figure 18] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of a container shutter when an outer cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment rotates toward a closed position. [Figure 19] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of a container shutter when an outer cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment reaches a closed position. [Figure 20] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of a container shutter when an outer cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment has reached a closed position. [Figure 21] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of a container shutter when an outer cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment starts to rotate from a closed position toward an open position.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 to 21, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 is installed on a substantially horizontal and flat floor surface FL. And the vertical direction perpendicular to the floor surface FL is the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100. Also, among the horizontal directions, one direction is the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and the other direction orthogonal to that one direction is the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] In the drawings referred to in the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is shown for easy understanding. The Z direction is the vertical direction and is the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The floor surface FL is a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The arrow direction of the Z axis is upward, and the opposite direction is downward.

[0013] The X direction is one direction of the horizontal direction, and the Y direction is the other direction of the horizontal direction. For example, the X direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The Y direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0014] <Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main unit MB. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes containers 2. Containers 2 contain the toner used for printing. Containers 2 are installed inside the main unit MB. There are four containers 2. Each of the four containers 2 corresponds to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each container 2 contains the toner of the corresponding color.

[0015] Each container 2 is detachable from the main unit MB. The user manually attaches and detaches each container 2. For example, when any container 2 becomes empty, the empty container 2 is removed and a new container 2 is installed.

[0016] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the main unit MB is equipped with a sheet cassette CA. The sheet cassette CA is detachably attached to the main unit MB. The sheet cassette CA contains the sheets S used for printing. When printing is performed, the sheets S in the sheet cassette CA are supplied to the main transport path MP, and the sheets S are transported along the main transport path MP. The main transport path MP passes from the sheet cassette CA through the transfer position and fixing position in that order, and then reaches the discharge tray ET.

[0017] The main unit MB is equipped with four image forming units P, each corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. 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 includes a developing device 1. The image forming unit P also includes a photosensitive drum 101, a charging device 102, an exposure device 103, and a cleaning device 104.

[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 carried 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 the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101.

[0021] The developing device 1 receives toner of the corresponding color from the container 2 and stores the toner. The developing device 1 uses the corresponding color toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101 into a toner image. The cleaning device 104 removes any remaining toner from the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 101.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the main body MB includes an intermediate transfer belt 105. The intermediate transfer belt 105 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 105 is stretched by a plurality of tension rollers (not shown).

[0023] The intermediate transfer belt 105 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 105. The intermediate transfer belt 105 rotates with the toner image on its outer surface. This transports the toner image on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 105 toward the transfer position.

[0024] The main unit MB is equipped with primary transfer rollers 106. There are four primary transfer rollers 106 installed. One primary transfer roller 106 is assigned to each photoreceptor drum 101. An intermediate transfer belt 105 is placed between each primary transfer roller 106 and the corresponding photoreceptor drum 101.

[0025] The main unit MB is equipped with a secondary transfer roller 107. The secondary transfer roller 107 presses against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 105 at the transfer position, forming a transfer nip between it and the intermediate transfer belt 105. The main transport path MP passes through the transfer nip.

[0026] 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 106 transfers the toner image to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 105. The intermediate transfer belt 105 rotates carrying the toner image. The secondary transfer roller 107 transfers the toner image to the sheet S as it passes through the transfer position.

[0027] The main body MB also includes a fixing section F. The fixing section 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] <Container holding mechanism> Container 2 has the configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6. Of Container 2, the side shown in Figure 5 faces the inside of the main unit MB, and the side shown in Figure 6 faces the outside of the main unit MB. The basic configuration of each Container 2 is the same as that of the others. Note that the capacity of Container 2 containing black toner may be larger than the capacity of Container 2 containing other colored toners.

[0035] 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. The outer cover 3 corresponds to a "cover".

[0036] The mechanism shown in Figure 7 is assigned to each container 2. That is, the outer cover 3 is assigned to each container 2. Similarly, the inner cover 4 is assigned to each container 2.

[0037] 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 MB from the outside. That is, the outer cover 3 has an exterior surface 31.

[0038] The outer cover 3 is attached to the main body MB in a way that allows it to be opened and closed. 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.

[0039] The outer cover 3 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the main body MB around the axis of the outer cover shaft A1. The outer cover 3 opens and closes by rotating around the axis of the outer cover shaft A1. The outer cover shaft A1 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction (X direction). In other words, the outer cover shaft A1 is an axis perpendicular to the up-down direction. The outer cover shaft A1 corresponds to a "predetermined axis".

[0040] 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 outer cover shaft A1 and extends in the axial direction of the outer cover shaft A1. On the other hand, the main body MB, although not shown, has a pair of pivot holes. Each of the pair of pivot holes of the main body MB is positioned on the axis of the outer cover shaft A1 and opens in the axial direction of the outer cover shaft A1. Each of the pair of pivot pins 300 fits into a pair of pivot holes in the main body MB. Each of the pair of pivot pins 300 is slidable around the axis of the outer cover shaft A1 relative to the pivot hole into which it fits. As a result, the outer cover 3 is rotatable with the outer cover shaft A1 as the pivot point.

[0041] 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 MB). 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 outer cover shaft A1, the outer cover 3 can be moved to a position where the container 2 can be attached and detached.

[0042] Specifically, the outer cover 3 can be displaced between an open position and a closed position by rotating around the axis of the outer cover shaft A1. The outer cover 3 is open in the open position and closed in the closed position.

[0043] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, the inside of the main body MB is covered from the outside. Also, the mounting area 3A is housed inside the main body MB. That is, the container 2 of the mounting area 3A is mounted inside the main body MB. Then, the container 2 mounted inside the main body MB is covered from the outside of the main body MB by the outer cover 3.

[0044] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position (i.e., when the container 2 is installed inside the main unit MB), the container 2 is positioned inside the main unit MB. Also, the container 2 is connected to the developing unit 1. This allows toner to be supplied from the container 2 to the developing unit 1.

[0045] When the outer cover 3 is in the open position, the interior of the main body MB is exposed. Also, the mounting area 3A is exposed to the outside of the main body MB. That is, the container 2 of the mounting area 3A is exposed to the outside of the main body MB. This makes it possible to attach and detach the container 2 to the mounting area 3A. In the open position, the outer cover 3 accepts the attachment and detachment of the container 2 to the mounting area 3A.

[0046] Furthermore, the rotation angle of the outer cover 3 between the open and closed positions, centered on the outer cover 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).

[0047] 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 MB. When the container 2 is mounted in the mounting area 3A, it is covered from the outside of the main body MB by the outer cover 3 and from the inside of the main body MB 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.

[0048] The inner cover 4 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the outer cover 3 around the axis of the inner cover axis A2. The inner cover axis A2 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction (X direction). In other words, the inner cover axis A2 is an axis parallel to the outer cover axis A1.

[0049] 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 inner cover shaft A2 and extends in the axial direction of the inner cover shaft A2. On the other hand, the outer cover 3 has a pair of pivot holes (not shown). The pair of pivot holes of the outer cover 3 are positioned on the axis of the inner cover shaft A2 and open in the axial direction of the inner cover 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 inner cover shaft A2 relative to the pivot hole into which it fits. As a result, the inner cover 4 is rotatable with the inner cover shaft A2 as the pivot point.

[0050] The inner cover 4, within the main body MB, clamps the container 2 of the mounting area 3A between itself and the outer cover 3 with its portion 41 above the inner cover axis A2. In the following description, the upper portion 41 of the inner cover 4 will be referred to as the upper inner cover portion 41. The upper inner cover portion 41 is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the outer cover 3 around the axis of the outer cover axis A1. That is, the upper inner cover portion 41 is displaced according to the position of the outer cover 3.

[0051] Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a torsion coil spring (not shown). The torsion coil spring is positioned on at least one of a pair of pivot pins 400. That is, the torsion coil spring is positioned on the inner cover shaft A2. Although not shown, one arm of the torsion coil spring engages with the outer cover 3, and the other arm engages with the inner cover 4. The biasing force of the torsion coil spring causes the upper part 41 of the inner cover to be biased away from the outer cover 3.

[0052] When the outer cover 3 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 8, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 MB, the main body member MB1 (see Figure 9), which is positioned inside the main body MB, 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 MB1 presses the upper part 41 of the inner cover from the inside to the outside of the main body MB. At this time, the upper part 41 of the inner cover rotates around the axis of the inner cover 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.

[0055] When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, the pressure applied by the main body member MB1 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.

[0056] 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 outer cover shaft A1, causing the upper part of the inner cover 41 to be displaced away from the main body member MB1. Finally, contact between the main body member MB1 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 inner cover shaft A2 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, 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.

[0057] Here, the four outer covers 3, each corresponding to one of the four containers 2 (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), are independently displaceable between an open position and a closed position. Each outer cover 3 moves from the open position to the closed position with the corresponding container 2 mounted in the mounting area 3A, thereby mounting the corresponding container 2 inside the main body MB.

[0058] In Figures 8 and 9, a dot pattern is added to container 2 to clearly distinguish it. Also, in Figures 8 and 9, the side indicated by the arrow "IN" is the inside of the main unit MB, and the side indicated by the arrow "OUT" is the outside of the main unit MB.

[0059] <Toner replenishment mechanism> The developing device 1 has a toner receiving section 1A, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The container 2 has a toner supply section 2A (see Figures 5 and 6). When the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the toner supply section 2A and the toner receiving section 1A are connected. In this state, toner can flow between the toner supply section 2A and the toner receiving section 1A. This allows toner to be supplied from the container 2 to the developing device 1.

[0060] The developing device 1 has a developing container 111 whose longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction (Y direction). The developing container 111 contains toner supplied from the container 2. Inside the developing container 111 are an agitation screw and developing rollers. The agitation screw rotates to agitate and transport the toner. The developing rollers carry the toner agitated by the agitation screw on their outer surface and rotate. The developing device 1 supplies the toner on the developing rollers to the photoreceptor drum 101.

[0061] The toner receiving section 1A has a cylindrical body 110 that protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape from the developing container 111 in one direction (left or right). The cylindrical body 110 protrudes from the developing container 111 toward the outside of the main body MB. The interiors of the cylindrical body 110 and the developing container 111 are in communication with each other.

[0062] In the following explanation, the central axis of the cylindrical body 110 will be referred to as the cylindrical central axis. The direction in which the cylindrical central axis extends will be simply referred to as the axial direction, the radial direction of the circle centered on the cylindrical central axis will be simply referred to as the radial direction, and the circumferential direction of the circle centered on the cylindrical central axis will be simply referred to as the circumferential direction. The axial direction is the left-right direction (Y direction).

[0063] The cylindrical body 110 has an inlet 10. The inlet 10 opens upward (i.e., radially). The inlet 10 communicates with the inside of the cylindrical body 110. Through this inlet 10, toner supplied from the container 2 flows into the inside of the cylindrical body 110.

[0064] The cylindrical body 110 has its interior as a toner flow path. Part of the agitation screw is positioned inside the cylindrical body 110. The toner inside the cylindrical body 110 is transported while being agitated by the agitation screw and reaches the developing container 111. In other words, the toner moves axially inside the cylindrical body 110.

[0065] Here, the toner receiving unit 1A has a shutter opening / closing mechanism OC. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a shutter opening / closing mechanism OC located inside the main body MB. To put it another way, the shutter opening / closing mechanism OC is located in the developing apparatus 1. The shutter opening / closing mechanism OC is a mechanism for opening and closing the container shutter 21, which will be described later. The shutter opening / closing mechanism OC has a first engaging part 11 and a second engaging part 12.

[0066] The first engaging portion 11 is positioned above the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110. For example, a member having the first engaging portion 11 is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110. The member has the first engaging portion 11 at the tip end (outside the main body MB) of the portion that extends axially above the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110.

[0067] The second engaging portion 12 is positioned above the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110 and on the outer side of the main body MB than the first engaging portion 11. The first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and face each other. For example, a plate-like member is positioned at the outer end of the cylindrical body 110 that is on the outer side of the main body MB, protruding above the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110. The upper end of this plate-like member is the second engaging portion 12.

[0068] The shutter opening / closing mechanism OC opens and closes the container shutter 21 by bringing the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 into contact with the container shutter 21, which will be described later. Details will be described later.

[0069] Furthermore, the toner receiving section 1A has a rotating shutter 13. The rotating shutter 13 is substantially cylindrical and is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 110. The rotating shutter 13 is slidable in the circumferential direction relative to the cylindrical body 110. However, the rotating shutter 13 is biased in one direction in the circumferential direction by a biasing member (hereinafter referred to as the rotating shutter biasing member), which is not shown.

[0070] The rotary shutter 13 has an opening (reference numeral omitted). The opening of the rotary shutter 13 (hereinafter referred to as the rotary shutter opening) opens radially. The rotary shutter 13 can be displaced by sliding in the circumferential direction between a position that closes the receiving port 10 and a position where the receiving port 10 and the rotary shutter opening overlap radially.

[0071] If no force is generated that opposes the biasing force of the rotating shutter biasing member, the rotating shutter 13 closes the receiving opening 10. If the container 2 is not installed inside the main body MB, the receiving opening 10 is closed.

[0072] On the other hand, if a force is generated that opposes the biasing force of the rotating shutter biasing member, the rotating shutter 13 will be displaced in the circumferential direction, and the receiving port 10 and the rotating shutter opening will overlap in the radial direction. In other words, the rotating shutter 13 will not block the receiving port 10 but will remain open. The receiving port 10 is opened when the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB.

[0073] For example, the rotary shutter 13 has a pressed portion 13a on its outer circumferential surface. The rotary shutter 13 is displaced against the biasing force of the rotary shutter biasing member when a force is generated that presses the pressed portion 13a in the tangential direction.

[0074] On the other hand, the toner replenishment unit 2A has the configuration shown in Figures 12 to 14. The toner replenishment unit 2A has a replenishment area (not shown in numerals). This replenishment area is an area that penetrates in the left-right direction (Y direction) when the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB. When the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the toner receiving unit 1A is located in the replenishment area of ​​the toner replenishment unit 2A.

[0075] The toner replenishment unit 2A has a replenishment port 20. When the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the replenishment port 20 is located above the receiving port 10 and opens downwards. In the following description, the opening direction of the replenishment port 20 is denoted by the symbol D10 and referred to as the first direction D10, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction D10 is denoted by the symbol D20 and referred to as the second direction D20. When the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the first direction D10 is the vertical direction (Z direction), and the second direction D20 is the horizontal direction (Y direction).

[0076] The replenishment port 20 overlaps the receiving port 10 in the vertical direction when the container 2 is installed inside the main unit MB. As a result, the replenishment port 20 allows the toner from the container 2 to flow to the developing unit 1 when the container 2 is installed inside the main unit MB. In other words, by installing the container 2 inside the main unit MB, it becomes possible to replenish the toner from the container 2 to the developing unit 1.

[0077] For example, the main body of container 2 has an opening (hereinafter referred to as the container opening). This container opening is closed by a base member 200. However, the base member 200 has an opening that penetrates in the first direction D10. Therefore, toner inside container 2 can flow out to the outside through the opening in the base member 200. In this configuration, the opening in the base member 200 becomes the refill port 20.

[0078] The toner supply unit 2A has a container shutter 21. The container shutter 21 corresponds to a "shutter". The container shutter 21 is an elastically deformable member. The container shutter 21 is, for example, a resin molded product.

[0079] The container shutter 21 is positioned below the base member 200. That is, the container shutter 21 is positioned below the supply opening 20. The container shutter 21 is supported so as to be slidable in the second direction D20.

[0080] Figure 15 shows a single-unit view of the container shutter 21. The container shutter 21 has an opening 210 in the shutter base SB. The shutter base SB is roughly plate-shaped with the second direction D20 as the longitudinal direction and the first direction D10 as the thickness direction. The opening 210 is located on one end of the shutter base SB in the second direction D20. The opening 210 penetrates the shutter base SB in the first direction D10.

[0081] The container shutter 21 can be displaced between a closed position and an open position by sliding in the second direction D20. As the opening 210 is displaced in the second direction D20, the supply port 20 is closed or opened.

[0082] The position of the container shutter 21 shown in Figures 12 and 16 is the closed position. When the container shutter 21 is in the closed position, it blocks the supply port 20 from below. As a result, when the container shutter 21 is in the closed position, the outflow of toner from the inside to the outside of the container 2 is suppressed. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the toner supply section 2A cut by a plane parallel to both the first direction D10 and the second direction D20.

[0083] The position of the container shutter 21 shown in Figures 13 and 17 is the opening position. When the container shutter 21 is in the opening position, it opens the supply port 20. Specifically, when the container shutter 21 is in the opening position, the supply port 20 and the opening 210 overlap in the first direction D10. This allows toner to flow out from the inside to the outside of the container 2. In other words, it becomes possible to supply toner from the container 2 (toner supply unit 2A) to the developing unit 1 (toner receiving unit 1A). Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the toner supply unit 2A cut by a plane parallel to both the first direction D10 and the second direction D20.

[0084] Furthermore, the container shutter 21 has a shutter engaging portion 211. The shutter engaging portion 211 is located on the other end of the second direction D20 of the shutter base SB (i.e., on the side opposite to the side where the opening 210 is located). The shutter engaging portion 211 extends downward from the other edge of the second direction D20 of the shutter base SB. When viewed from the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to both the first direction D10 and the second direction D20), the shutter engaging portion 211 is inclined diagonally downward from the other end to the one end of the second direction D20 of the shutter base SB.

[0085] The shutter engaging portion 211 has a first inclined surface 211a and a second inclined surface 211b, which are inclined diagonally downward from one end to the other end in the second direction D20 of the shutter base SB. When the container 2 is mounted inside the main body MB, the first inclined surface 211a faces the inside of the main body MB, and the second inclined surface 211b faces the outside of the main body MB. Furthermore, when viewed from the front-rear direction (corresponding to the "axial direction of a predetermined axis"), the first inclined surface 211a and the second inclined surface 211b each inclin diagonally downward from the outside to the inside of the main body MB.

[0086] The container shutter 21 also has a relief portion 212. The relief portion 212 is an opening that penetrates the shutter base SB in the first direction D10. The relief portion 212 is located on the other end side of the shutter base SB in the second direction D20 (i.e., the side where the shutter engaging portion 211 is located). The opening as the relief portion 212 reaches the other end edge of the shutter base SB in the second direction D20. This makes the other end side of the shutter base SB in the second direction D20 more susceptible to elastic deformation. The relief portion 212 is an opening that allows the stopper 24, which will be described later, to move out of the way.

[0087] Furthermore, the toner supply unit 2A has a sealing member 22. The sealing member 22 is an elastically deformable member. The sealing member 22 is positioned between the outer edge of the supply port 20 and the container shutter 21 in a first direction D10. That is, the sealing member 22 is positioned between the base member 200 and the container shutter 21 in a first direction D10. The position of the sealing member 22 is shown in Figure 14. In Figure 14, the members below the sealing member 22 are omitted from the illustration in order to clearly show the sealing member 22.

[0088] The sealing member 22 is compressed in the first direction D10 between the outer edge of the supply port 20 and the container shutter 21. As a result, the sealing member 22 seals the gap between the outer edge of the supply port 20 and the container shutter 21 in the first direction D10. By positioning the sealing member 22 between the outer edge of the supply port 20 and the container shutter 21 in the first direction D10, toner leakage from the gap between the outer edge of the supply port 20 and the container shutter 21 in the first direction D10 can be suppressed.

[0089] The sealing member 22 is a sheet-like member with the first direction D10 as its thickness direction, and has an opening (not shown in numerals) that penetrates the first direction D10. The sealing member 22 is positioned so that its opening aligns with the supply port 20 and the first direction D10. As a result, the sealing member 22 is positioned between the outer edge of the supply port 20, the container shutter 21, and the first direction D10.

[0090] Furthermore, the toner supply unit 2A has a shutter mount 23. The shutter mount 23 has at least a portion that is positioned below the sealing member 22. The shutter mount 23 has an opening (not shown) that penetrates in the first direction D10. The shutter mount 23 is positioned so that its opening overlaps the supply port 20 in the vertical direction.

[0091] The shutter mount 23 sandwiches the container shutter 21 between it and the sealing member 22 in a first direction D10. This guides the sliding of the container shutter 21 in a second direction D20.

[0092] The shutter mount 23 is formed in a roughly U-shape that points downward when viewed from the second direction D20. That is, the shutter mount 23 has a pair of side walls 231 that face each other in directions perpendicular to both the first direction D10 and the second direction D20. The supply port 20 and the receiving port 10 are connected in the region sandwiched between the pair of side walls 231. Therefore, in the following description, the region sandwiched between the pair of side walls 231 will be referred to as the connection region. Note that, for convenience, the pair of side walls 231 are not shown in Figures 16 and 17.

[0093] When the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the toner receiving port 10 and its surrounding area of ​​the toner receiving section 1A are positioned in the connection area. At least the rotating shutter 13 is positioned in the connection area. When the rotating shutter 13 is positioned in the connection area, the inner surface of one of the pair of side walls 231 comes into contact with the pressed portion 13a of the rotating shutter 13, causing the rotating shutter 13 to rotate in a direction against the biasing force of the rotating shutter biasing member. As a result, the receiving port 10 is opened.

[0094] Furthermore, the toner supply unit 2A has a stopper 24. The stopper 24 is provided on the base member 200. The stopper 24 protrudes downward from the base member 200. That is, the stopper 24 protrudes downward from above the container shutter 21. As a result, the stopper 24 faces the shutter engaging portion 211 in the second direction D20 and can engage with the shutter engaging portion 211 in the second direction D20.

[0095] When the container shutter 21 is in the closed position, the shutter engaging portion 211 contacts the stopper 24 in the second direction D20, thereby restricting the sliding of the container shutter 21 from the closed position to the open position (see Figures 12 and 16). This prevents the supply port 20 from being opened unintentionally.

[0096] <Container shutter behavior> The behavior of the container shutter 21 during opening and closing will be explained below with reference to Figures 18 to 21. For convenience, the drawings referenced in the following explanation omit the illustration of a pair of side walls 231 of the shutter mount 23. Also, for the toner receiving section 1A, only the first engaging section 11 and the second engaging section 12 are shown.

[0097] Figures 18 to 21 schematically show the cross-sectional structure of the toner supply unit 2A and its surroundings when cut in a plane parallel to both the first direction D10 and the second direction D20 (i.e., the YZ plane). In Figures 18 to 21, the side indicated by the arrow "IN" is the inside of the main body MB, and the side indicated by the arrow "OUT" is the outside of the main body MB.

[0098] When container 2 is not installed inside the main body MB, the stopper 24 restricts the sliding of the container shutter 21 in the second direction D20. This holds the container shutter 21 in the closed position.

[0099] When container 2 is installed inside the main unit MB, the outer cover 3 is opened and container 2 is installed in the installation area 3A of the outer cover 3. Then, in that state, the outer cover 3 is closed. That is, the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position. At the start of the rotation of the outer cover 3 from the open position to the closed position, the container shutter 21 remains in the closed position.

[0100] After the outer cover 3 begins to rotate from the open position to the closed position, the state shown in Figure 18 occurs. That is, the shutter engaging portion 211 approaches the second engaging portion 12 from the outside of the main body MB. When the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position, if the container shutter 21 is held in the closed position, the shutter engaging portion 211 passes above the second engaging portion 12.

[0101] When the outer cover 3 rotates from the open position to the closed position, it reaches the state shown in Figure 19. Specifically, the first engaging portion 11 contacts the shutter engaging portion 211 from the inside of the main body MB. In other words, the first engaging portion 11 presses the shutter engaging portion 211 from the inside of the main body MB toward the outside. As a result, the first engaging portion 11 slides the container shutter 21 in the second direction D20 from the closed position toward the open position.

[0102] At this time, the first engaging portion 11 contacts the first inclined surface 211a of the shutter engaging portion 211 from the inside of the main body MB. As a result, the shutter engaging portion 211 is displaced downward along the first inclined surface 211a. That is, the shutter engaging portion 211 undergoes elastic deformation downward. Specifically, the other end of the shutter base SB of the container shutter 21 in the second direction D20 undergoes elastic deformation downward. Then, by undergoing elastic deformation downward, the shutter engaging portion 211 overcomes the stopper 24 from below.

[0103] When the container shutter 21 reaches the open position, that is, when the outer cover 3 reaches the closed position, the state shown in Figure 20 is reached. When the outer cover 3 reaches the closed position, the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB. In this state, the supply port 20 opens downwards and is positioned above the receiving port 10, and the supply port 20 and the receiving port 10 overlap in the vertical direction (first direction D10). As a result, the supply port 20 and the receiving port 10 are in communication. Consequently, toner can be supplied from the container 2 to the developing device 1.

[0104] When the container shutter 21 reaches the open position, the stopper 24 is positioned in the relief portion 212. The stopper 24 protrudes downward from the relief portion 212. This prevents the container shutter 21 from sliding in the second direction D20 from the open position towards the closed position.

[0105] On the other hand, when the outer cover 3 begins to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the state shown in Figure 21 occurs. Specifically, the second engaging portion 12 contacts the shutter engaging portion 211 from the outside of the main body MB. In other words, the second engaging portion 12 presses the shutter engaging portion 211 from the outside of the main body MB toward the inside. As a result, the second engaging portion 12 slides the container shutter 21 in the second direction D20 from the open position toward the closed position.

[0106] At this time, the second engaging portion 12 contacts the second inclined surface 211b of the shutter engaging portion 211 from the outside of the main body MB. As a result, the shutter engaging portion 211 is displaced downward along the second inclined surface 211b. That is, the shutter engaging portion 211 undergoes elastic deformation downward. Specifically, the other end of the shutter base SB of the container shutter 21 in the second direction D20 undergoes elastic deformation downward. Then, by undergoing elastic deformation downward, the shutter engaging portion 211 overcomes the stopper 24 from below.

[0107] Subsequently, the outer cover 3 continues to rotate from the closed position to the open position, reaching the state shown in Figure 18, before the outer cover 3 reaches the open position. At the point when the outer cover 3 reaches the open position, the container shutter 21 remains held in the closed position. Therefore, with the container shutter 21 in the closed position, the container 2 is removed from the mounting area 3A of the outer cover 3.

[0108] In this embodiment, when the container 2 is installed inside the main body MB, the first engaging portion 11 comes into contact with the container shutter 21, which rotates around a predetermined axis (i.e., the outer cover axis A1) as a pivot point, causing the container shutter 21 to slide from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the container shutter 21 slides against the sealing member 22.

[0109] Here, if container 2 (i.e., container shutter 21) is inserted horizontally into the main body MB, the sliding resistance between container shutter 21 and sealing member 22 makes it difficult to slide container shutter 21.

[0110] On the other hand, when the container 2 is rotated with a predetermined axis as a pivot point toward the inside of the main body MB, the container shutter 21 can be slid from the closed position to the open position with less force compared to when the container 2 is inserted horizontally toward the inside of the main body MB. As a result, toner leakage from the container 2 can be suppressed while making it easier to install the container 2 inside the main body MB.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when sliding the container shutter 21 from the open position to the closed position, the container 2 is rotated around a predetermined axis (i.e., the outer cover axis A1) as a fulcrum, and the container shutter 21 is pressed by bringing the second engaging portion 12 into contact with the shutter engaging portion 211 of the container shutter 21. As a result, the container shutter 21 can be slid from the open position to the closed position with less force, similar to when sliding the container shutter 21 from the closed position to the open position.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the container shutter 21 is slid from the closed position to the open position, the first engaging portion 11 contacts the first inclined surface 211a of the shutter engaging portion 211 from the inside of the main body MB. As a result, even if the sliding of the container shutter 21 is restricted by the stopper 24, the shutter engaging portion 211 is more easily elastically deformed downward, so that the container shutter 21 can be slid from the closed position to the open position with less force.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the container shutter 21 is slid from the open position to the closed position, the second engaging portion 12 contacts the second inclined surface 211b of the shutter engaging portion 211 from the outside of the main body MB. As a result, even if the sliding of the container shutter 21 is restricted by the stopper 24, the shutter engaging portion 211 becomes more elastically deformable downwards, allowing the container shutter 21 to be slid from the open position to the closed position with less force.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shutter opening / closing mechanism OC is located in the developing device 1. Specifically, the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are each the shutter opening / closing mechanism OC. This simplifies the configuration of the shutter opening / closing mechanism OC.

[0115] 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]

[0116] 1. Developing device 2 containers 3. Outer cover (cover) 3A mounting area 11 First engagement part 12 Second engaging part 20 Supply port 21 Container shutter (shutter) 22 sealing member 24 Stopper 100 Image forming apparatus 210 Opening 211 Shutter engagement part 211a 1st slope 211b 2nd slope A1 Outer cover shaft (specified shaft) D10 1st direction D20 2nd direction MB main unit

Claims

1. The main unit contains a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image, A container that is detachably attached to the main body and contains toner supplied to the developing device, The main body is supported so as to be rotatable around a predetermined axis perpendicular to the vertical direction, and has a mounting area on which the container is mounted, and includes a cover that can be displaced between an open position in which the container in the mounting area is exposed to the outside of the main body and a closed position in which the container in the mounting area is mounted inside the main body by rotating around the predetermined axis, The aforementioned container is When installed inside the main body, it has a supply port that opens downwards to allow the toner to flow to the developing device, A shutter that is slidable in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction which is the opening direction of the supply port, has an opening that penetrates in the first direction, and is displaceable between a closed position that closes the supply port and an open position where the supply port and the opening overlap in the first direction by sliding in the second direction, It has a sealing member that seals the gap between the outer edge of the supply port and the shutter in the first direction, When the cover on which the container is attached is in the open position, the shutter is held in the closed position, while when the cover on which the container is attached is in the closed position, the shutter is held in the open position. The main body further comprises a shutter opening and closing mechanism located inside the main body, The shutter has a shutter engaging portion that protrudes in the first direction, The shutter opening and closing mechanism has a first engaging portion, Image forming apparatus, wherein when the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the inside of the main body, thereby sliding the shutter in the second direction from the closed position toward the open position.

2. The shutter opening and closing mechanism has a second engaging portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cover begins to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the second engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the outside of the main body, thereby sliding the shutter in the second direction from the open position to the closed position.

3. The container has a stopper that protrudes downward from above the shutter, When the shutter is in the closed position, the shutter's sliding to the open position is restricted by the shutter engaging portion contacting the stopper in the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the inside of the main body, and the shutter engaging portion elastically deforms downward and overcomes the stopper, thereby moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position.

4. The shutter engaging portion has a first inclined surface, When the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the first inclined surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined diagonally downward from the outer side to the inner side of the main body when viewed from the axial direction of the predetermined axis.

5. The container has a stopper that protrudes downward from above the shutter, When the shutter is in the closed position, the shutter's sliding to the open position is restricted by the shutter engaging portion contacting the stopper in the second direction. When the cover rotates from the open position to the closed position, the first engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the inside of the main body, and the shutter engaging portion elastically deforms downward and overcomes the stopper, causing the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the cover begins to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the second engaging portion contacts the shutter engaging portion from the outside of the main body, and the shutter engaging portion elastically deforms downward and overcomes the stopper, causing the shutter to move from the open position to the closed position.

6. The shutter engaging portion has a second inclined surface, When the cover begins to rotate from the closed position to the open position, the second engaging portion contacts the second inclined surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined diagonally downward from the outer side to the inner side of the main body when viewed from the axial direction of the predetermined axis.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shutter opening and closing mechanism is arranged in the developing apparatus.

Images