Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suitably maintaining the positional relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 1 comprises an apparatus body 2, a photoreceptor drum, a developing unit 63, and a container. The developing unit 63 is pivotably supported relative to the apparatus body 2 with a pivot axis 636, and is movable around the pivot axis 636 to a developing position where the developing roller 634 approaches the photoreceptor drum and a separated position where the developing roller 634 moves away from the photoreceptor drum. The container is detachably provided to the apparatus body 2 and contains toner supplied to the developing unit 63. The pivot axis 636 of the developing unit 63 is equipped with a toner inlet 636a through which toner in the container flows into the developing unit 63.

Claims

1. The main body of the device, An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on its outer surface, The apparatus has a developer carrier that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and a developing unit that is pivotably supported relative to the main body of the apparatus with a pivot axis, and is movable around the pivot axis between a developing position where the developer carrier approaches the image carrier and a separated position where the developer carrier moves away from the image carrier. A container is provided detachably from the main body of the apparatus and contains the toner supplied to the developing unit, Equipped with, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the rotating shaft of the developing unit is provided with a toner inlet through which the toner in the container flows into the developing unit.

2. The developing unit includes a transport member that rotates to transport the toner inside the developing unit while agitating it. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating shaft of the developing unit is arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft of the transport member.

3. The container is equipped with a toner outlet through which the toner flows out toward the developing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the toner inlet of the developing unit is arranged opposite and connected to the toner outlet of the container, and includes a toner inlet through which the toner in the container flows into the developing unit.

4. The container is positioned on the outer periphery of the toner outlet and includes a sealing member that contacts the outer periphery of the toner inlet of the developing unit when mounted on the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the toner inlet of the developing unit is provided with a shutter member that opens and closes the toner inlet by engaging and disengaging with the container when the container is attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus.

Images