Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This provides a new technology for recovering leftover toner. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body; a transfer roller; a cartridge detachable in a first direction, having a photosensitive drum, a blade for scraping off residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred to the recording material, and a developing roller; a residual toner container detachable from the main body in a second direction for containing residual toner scraped off from the photosensitive drum by the blade; and a first exterior member covering the end face of one end of the main body in a second direction from the outside, wherein the residual toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the main body from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a waste toner container that collects attachments such as toner remaining on a photosensitive drum as waste toner without being transferred to a recording material, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that uses an optical sensor to detect whether the waste toner container is full, installed, or uninstalled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention is a development of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a new technique related to the collection of residual toner that has not been transferred to a recording material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a transfer roller; a cartridge detachable from the apparatus body in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, the cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum rotating about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller; a blade in contact with the photosensitive drum for scraping off residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred to the recording material; and a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; and the cartridge being detachable from the apparatus body in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum rotating about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller; a blade in contact with the photosensitive drum for scraping off residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred onto the recording material; and a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; and the cartridge being detachable from the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: a toner container that is detachable and contains toner to be supplied to the cartridge; a residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus in the second direction independently of the toner container and contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container being provided at one end of the main body of the apparatus in the second direction; and a first exterior member that covers the end face of the one end of the main body of the apparatus in the second direction from the outside, wherein the residual toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the main body of the apparatus from the outside.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a transfer roller; a drum cartridge detachable from the apparatus body in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum rotating about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image to a recording material together with the transfer roller; a blade in contact with the photosensitive drum for scraping off residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred to the recording material; and a drum cartridge detachable from the drum cartridge, and in the state mounted on the drum cartridge relative to the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: a detachable developing cartridge having a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; a residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus in the second direction independently of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, and which contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container being provided at one end of the main body of the apparatus in the second direction; and a first exterior member covering the end face of the one end of the main body of the apparatus in the second direction from the outside, wherein the residual toner container is provided with a second exterior member covering the end face of the main body of the apparatus from the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a new technology for recovering residual toner can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective views (a, b) of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the process cartridge and toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A perspective view of a process cartridge and a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Diagram illustrating the process cartridge and toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram of the contact portion and the first waste toner transport portion of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram of the main body contact section and the second waste toner transport section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional views (a, b) showing a part of the process cartridge and a part of the apparatus body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view showing a portion of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing a part of the process cartridge and the second waste toner transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Schematic diagrams (a, b) showing cross-sections of the second waste toner transport unit and waste toner container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the first waste toner transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] Perspective views (a, b) of a waste toner container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] An explanatory diagram of a waste toner container according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] A perspective view of a waste toner container according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] Cross-sectional views (a, b) of a modified drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 《First Embodiment》 Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome laser printer that forms an image on a sheet by performing an electrophotographic process using laser light.

[0011] In the following description, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. One of the horizontal directions is defined as the X-axis direction. The direction orthogonal to both the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the X-axis direction can be referred to as the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1, and the Y-axis direction can be referred to as the width direction or the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1. As necessary, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z illustrated in each drawing are represented by positive signs (+) respectively, and the opposite sides are represented by negative signs (-) respectively.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the +X direction may be referred to as the front side or the front face side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the -X direction may be referred to as the rear side or the back face side of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, when viewing the image forming apparatus 1 from the front face side, the left side (+Y direction) may be referred to as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the opposite side (-Y direction) may be referred to as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 3). Further, the Y-axis direction is the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and the X-axis direction is an example of a direction intersecting the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0013] Also, for units (process cartridge B, toner cartridge C, waste toner container 700, etc.) that are detachable from the apparatus main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1, illustration and description will be made based on the posture in the state where the attachment to the apparatus main body 1A is completed.

[0014] <Appearance of the image forming apparatus> As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A as an image forming apparatus main body, and a process cartridge B, a toner cartridge C, and a waste toner container 700 that are respectively detachable from the apparatus main body 1A.

[0015] The apparatus main body 1A of the present embodiment refers to the part of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the process cartridge B, the toner cartridge C, and the waste toner container 700. The apparatus main body 1A includes a main body frame 1A1 provided with a front opening 1Fa, and a front door 600 supported by the main body frame 1A1. The front opening 1Fa is an opening through which the space inside the main body frame 1A1 is opened forward.

[0016] The main frame 1A1 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing equipped with frame members such as a sheet metal frame. The main frame 1A1 is fitted with a front cover 1F that forms the front exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 1, a rear cover 1B that forms the rear exterior surface, a right cover 1R that forms the right exterior surface, and a left cover 1L that forms the left exterior surface. Each cover is an exterior member that covers the end face of the apparatus body 1A. For example, the right cover 1R is an example of a first exterior member that covers the end face of one end (right end) of the apparatus body 1A from the outside in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction).

[0017] The front door 600 is rotatable around the pivot axis F. The front door 600 is an opening / closing member that can move between an open position (Figure 1(a)) that opens the front opening 1Fa and a closed position (Figure 1(b)) that closes the front opening 1Fa. The front opening 1Fa is an opening that provides access to the mounting space G which houses the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C, and is located inside the main frame 1A1.

[0018] In this embodiment, the rotation axis F of the front door 600 is located on the left end (first end) of the device body 1A in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). If the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 is considered the first rotation axis, then the rotation axis F can be called the second rotation axis. This second rotation axis extends in the direction of gravity from one end (right end) of the device body 1A where the waste toner container 700 is located to the other end (left end) opposite to the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction).

[0019] The front door 600 is provided with a gripping portion 602 on the side opposite the rotation axis F in the left-right direction, which is used to grip the front door 600 for opening and closing operations. The user can open and close the front door 600 by gripping the gripping portion 602 and rotating it in the rotation direction H around the rotation axis F. When the front door 600 is in the open position, the mounting space G is exposed when viewed from the front to the rear. In other words, when the front door 600 is in the open position, the front opening 1Fa (opening) is opened so that the process cartridge B (cartridge) and toner cartridge C (toner container) can be attached to and detached through the front opening 1Fa (opening).

[0020] Process cartridge B and toner cartridge C can be attached to and detached from the device body 1A in the attachment / detachment direction J along the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The attachment / detachment direction J in which process cartridge B and toner cartridge C are mounted to the device body 1A is called the mounting direction J1 of process cartridge B and toner cartridge C. The opposite direction of mounting direction J1 is called the detachment direction J2 of process cartridge B and toner cartridge C.

[0021] Process cartridge B is an example of a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the device body 1A in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity. Toner cartridge C is an example of a toner container that can be attached to and detached from the cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the device body 1A while attached to the cartridge, and which contains toner to be supplied to the cartridge. In other words, in this embodiment, with process cartridge B attached to the device body 1A, toner cartridge C can be attached to and detached from the device body 1A.

[0022] The attachment / detachment direction J is a direction that intersects (preferably perpendicular to) the direction of the rotation axis F of the front door 600. The direction of the rotation axis F of the front door 600 also intersects the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11. The direction of the rotation axis F of the front door 600 may be the Z-axis direction (direction of gravity).

[0023] The main unit 1A of the device has an operation panel (not shown). The operation panel can, for example, notify the user of jam occurrences or the replacement of the waste toner container 700, process cartridge B, or toner cartridge C. The user can also use the operation panel to input setting information to the image forming apparatus 1 or to instruct it to perform image forming operations.

[0024] The waste toner container 700 is detachable from the main unit 1A of the device in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction), independently of the toner cartridge C (toner container). The waste toner container 700 is a container for residual toner that is scraped off from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 (blade), which will be described later. The waste toner container 700 can also be called a waste toner cartridge or a waste toner collection unit. The waste toner container 700 is located at one end (right end) of the main unit 1A in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction).

[0025] The waste toner container 700 is detachably positioned relative to the device body 1A in a detachment direction N that intersects with the detachment direction J of the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C. The detachment direction N in which the waste toner container 700 is attached to the device body 1A is called the attachment direction N1 of the waste toner container 700. The direction opposite to the attachment direction N1 is called the detachment direction N2 of the waste toner container 700.

[0026] The waste toner container 700 includes a waste toner storage section 704 for storing waste toner, an exterior member 705 that, together with the exterior cover of the main body 1A, constitutes the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and a gripping section 706 for gripping the waste toner container 700.

[0027] The exterior member 705 is a second exterior member attached to the waste toner container 700. When the waste toner container 700 is mounted on the device body 1A, the exterior member 705 of the waste toner container 700 covers the right end face of the device body 1A from the outside. In other words, the exterior member 705 of the waste toner container 700, together with the right cover 1R, forms the right (+Y direction) exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0028] The right cover 1R of the main body 1A of the device has an opening 1Ra that accepts a portion of the waste toner container 700. The waste toner container 700 (remaining toner container) is detachable from the main body 1A through the opening 1Ra, and the exterior member 705 is attached to the main body 1A so as to close the opening 1Ra.

[0029] The surface 1Rs (first surface) of the right cover 1R (first exterior member) oriented in the Y-axis direction and the surface 705s (second surface) of the exterior member 705 (second exterior member) of the waste toner container 700 oriented in the Y-axis direction may be parallel. The normal vector of the widest plane of surface 1Rs and the normal vector of the widest plane of surface 705s may coincide.

[0030] Furthermore, the surface 1Rs (first surface) of the right cover 1R and the surface 705s (second surface) of the outer material 705 of the waste toner container 700 may be on the same plane. In other words, there may be no step between the surface 705s of the waste toner container 700 and the surface 1Rs of the right cover 1R.

[0031] Furthermore, the color of the surface 1Rs (first surface) of the right cover 1R and the color of the surface 705s (second surface) of the outer material 705 of the waste toner container 700 may be the same.

[0032] The gripping portion 706 is a recess formed on the surface of the exterior member 705 (second exterior member), and the recess is such that the attachment / detachment direction J (X-axis direction) of the process cartridge B is the longitudinal direction. The user can attach and detach the waste toner container 700 to the opening 1Ra on the right side of the device body 1A by gripping the gripping portion 706 and moving the waste toner container 700 in the attachment / detachment direction N.

[0033] When the waste toner container 700 is attached to or detached from the device body 1A, the exterior member 705 is attached to or detached from the device body 1A as part of the waste toner container 700. In other words, there is no opening / closing member (door, opening / closing cover) that can move between a closed position that restricts access to the waste toner container 700 and an open position that allows access to the waste toner container 700. If an openable / closable door were added to the right side of the device body 1A, and the waste toner container 700 were attached or detached after the door was opened, then the task of opening and closing the door on the right side would be required when replacing the waste toner container 700. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the task of opening and closing the door on the right side is not required when replacing the waste toner container 700, thus reducing the effort required for replacement and improving usability.

[0034] The waste toner storage section 704 and the exterior member 705 (second exterior member) may be integrally molded. For example, the exterior member 705 may be integrally molded together with at least a part of the inner wall of the waste toner storage section 704 by a method such as injection molding. Alternatively, the waste toner storage section 704 and the exterior member 705 may be molded separately and then joined together. The joining method is not particularly limited and examples include bonding using adhesive, ultrasonic fusion, and mechanical joining by snap-fit. In other words, the waste toner container 700 only needs to have an exterior member 705 (second exterior member) provided, and the exterior member 705 may be integrally molded with the waste toner storage section 704 or may be a separate member.

[0035] Here, process cartridge B and toner cartridge C are replaced relatively frequently due to reasons such as jamming and cartridge lifespan. On the other hand, the amount of waste toner generated is small compared to the amount of toner consumed during image formation, so the waste toner container 700 is replaced less frequently.

[0036] The attachment / detachment direction N for the waste toner container 700 to and from the device body 1A intersects with the attachment / detachment direction J for the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C. By making the attachment / detachment direction N intersect with the attachment / detachment direction J, it is possible to separate the direction for replacing the waste toner container 700, which is replaced infrequently, from the direction for replacing the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C, which are replaced relatively frequently. This reduces the risk of user errors and operational burden. For example, it reduces the possibility of a user accidentally attaching or detaching the waste toner container 700 when replacing the process cartridge B or toner cartridge C, or accidentally coming into contact with the waste toner container 700 and scattering waste toner.

[0037] In this embodiment, the attachment / detachment direction N in which the waste toner container 700 is attached to and detached from the device body 1A may be parallel to the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0038] Furthermore, while the waste toner container 700 is located on the right side of the main body 1A of the device, the rotation axis F of the front door 600 is located at the left end of the main body 1A, which is opposite the waste toner container 700 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). With this configuration, when the user opens the front door 600 in the rotation direction H around the rotation axis F, the front door 600 moves away from the waste toner container 700.

[0039] Let's consider the case where the rotation axis F of the front door 600 is located at the right end of the main body 1A of the device. In this case, when the front door 600 is opened, it intrudes between the first work area for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C in the attachment / detachment direction J, and the second work area for attaching and detaching the waste toner container 700 in the attachment / detachment direction N. Therefore, for example, when replacing the waste toner container 700 and replacing the process cartridge B or toner cartridge C at the same time, the front door 600 protrudes between the first and second work areas, which may hinder the user's work. In contrast, according to this embodiment, when the front door 600 is opened, it moves away from the waste toner container 700, thus improving the workability of cartridge replacement.

[0040] Next, the main unit 1A, process cartridge B, and toner cartridge C will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C according to this embodiment.

[0041] <Device body> As shown in Figure 2, the main body 1A of the device comprises a cassette 103a, a feed roller 103b, a sheet transport path 103, a laser scanner 101, a transfer roller 104, a fixing unit 105, a pair of discharge rollers 106, and a discharge tray 107. Each of these components is supported by the main body frame 1A1.

[0042] Cassette 103a is a sheet storage section in which sheets S, which are recording materials (recording media), are loaded and stored. As sheets S, a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, such as plain paper and cardboard, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, plastic film, and cloth. Feeding roller 103b is an example of a feeding member that feeds sheets S. Laser scanner 101 is an exposure unit that uses a laser oscillator as a light source. Alternatively, an LED exposure device that uses multiple LED elements arranged in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 as a light source may be used as the exposure unit.

[0043] The transfer roller 104 is a transfer member for transferring an image (toner image) from the photosensitive drum 11 to the sheet S. When the process cartridge B is installed in the main body 1A, the photosensitive drum 11 comes into contact with the transfer roller 104 and together with the transfer roller 104 forms a transfer portion Nt as a transfer nip portion for transferring the toner image to the sheet S. Note that the transfer roller 104 may be provided in the process cartridge B instead of the main body 1A.

[0044] The fixing unit 105 is a device that heat-fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet S to the sheet S. The fixing unit 105 includes a heating roller that contacts the toner image on the sheet S, a pressure roller that is pressed against the heating roller to form a fixing nip, and a heating means such as a halogen lamp that heats the heating roller. A cylindrical film or a belt stretched over multiple rollers may be used instead of the heating roller and the pressure roller. Alternatively, a coil may be used as the heating means to generate heat in the conductive layer of the heating roller by induction heating.

[0045] The discharge roller pair 106 is a discharge unit that discharges the sheet S from the inside to the outside of the main frame 1A1. The discharge tray 107 is a loading section on which the sheets S with the image formed on them are stacked. In this embodiment, the discharge tray 107 is part of the upper surface of the main frame 1A1.

[0046] The sheet transport path 103 is a transport path for the sheet S from the feed roller 103b through the transfer section Nt and fixing nip to the discharge roller pair 106. The apparatus body 1A includes a plurality of transport guides that form the sheet transport path 103. Part of the sheet transport path 103 may be formed by transport guide surfaces provided on the process cartridge B.

[0047] <Processing Cartridge> As shown in Figure 3, the process cartridge B according to this embodiment includes a cleaning unit 10 (photosensitive drum unit, latent image unit) and a developing unit 15.

[0048] The cleaning unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, a charging cleaner 14, a cleaning blade 17, and a cleaning frame 10F.

[0049] The photosensitive drum 11 rotates around a rotation axis E (Figure 3) that extends in the Y-axis direction (second direction), which intersects both the insertion / removal direction J of the process cartridge B and the direction of gravity. The photosensitive drum 11 is an electrophotographic photoreceptor in which a photosensitive layer is formed on the outer circumference of a cylindrical conductive substrate made of, for example, aluminum. The photosensitive drum 11 functions as an image carrier that holds the latent image and the developer image (toner image). The photosensitive drum 11 is rotationally driven by the driving force of a drive source (motor) located in the main body 1A of the apparatus.

[0050] The charging roller 12 is positioned to contact the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The charging roller 12 is an example of a charger that charges the photosensitive drum 11; for example, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum 11 by corona discharge may be used. The charging roller 12 is configured to rotate in accordance with the photosensitive drum 11.

[0051] The electrostatic cleaner 14 is a roller positioned to contact the surface (outer surface) of the electrostatic roller 12. The electrostatic cleaner 14 is configured to clean the surface of the electrostatic roller 12 while rotating in accordance with the electrostatic roller 12.

[0052] The cleaning frame 10F is the frame of the cleaning unit 10. The photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, and the charging cleaner 14 are each rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 10A and rotate around a rotation axis extending in the Y-axis direction. Inside the cleaning frame 10F, a waste toner primary storage section 10a is formed, which is a space for temporarily storing waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17.

[0053] The cleaning blade 17 is a blade that contacts the surface (outer surface) of the photosensitive drum 11 and scrapes off any deposits such as residual toner that remain on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 without being transferred to the sheet S in the transfer section Nt. Hereinafter, the deposits such as residual toner removed from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 will be collectively referred to as waste toner.

[0054] The cleaning blade 17 is elastic, its base is supported by the cleaning frame 10F, and its tip is pressed against the photosensitive drum 11. The direction of contact of the cleaning blade 17 may be either in the direction upstream of the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 11 (counter direction), or with its tip facing downstream of the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 11 (trailing direction, width direction). Furthermore, the cleaning blade 17 is just one example of a cleaning member; for example, a roller or brush positioned to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 can also be used as a cleaning member.

[0055] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 10 has a first waste toner transport unit 900 (Figure 4) that transports waste toner from the primary waste toner storage unit 10a to the waste toner container 700. Details of the first waste toner transport unit 900 will be described later.

[0056] The developing unit 15 includes a developing roller 16, a supply roller 19, a developing blade 18, and a developing frame 15F.

[0057] The developing frame 15F is the frame of the developing unit 15. The developing roller 16 and the supply roller 19 are rotatably supported by the developing frame 15F. Inside the developing frame 15F, there is a toner storage section 15a2 for storing toner as a developer, and a toner receiving chamber 15a3 for receiving toner from the toner cartridge C. The toner receiving chamber 15a3 and the toner storage section 15a2 are in communication. The toner storage section 15a2 is configured to store toner to be carried on the developing roller 16 and to be supplied with toner from the toner cartridge C (toner container). In addition, the developing frame 15F has a supply port 21 that penetrates from the outer surface of the developing frame 15F into the toner receiving chamber 15a3.

[0058] The developing roller 16 carries the toner stored in the toner storage section 15a2 and supplies it to the photosensitive drum 11 in order to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 into a toner image. The supply roller 19 supplies (coats) the toner from the toner storage section 15a2 to the developing roller 16.

[0059] The developing blade 18 is positioned to contact the surface of the developing roller 16 and regulates the amount of toner (toner layer thickness) that reaches the opposing portion of the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 11 while supported on the surface of the developing roller 16. In other words, the developing blade 18 is an adjustment means for adjusting the amount of toner supplied. Furthermore, the developing blade 18 rubs against the toner on the developing roller 16, thereby imparting a charge of the normal polarity to the toner through triboelectric charging.

[0060] Process cartridge B is configured to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage section 15a2 by a remaining amount detection means. The remaining amount detection means may be an optical sensor including, for example, a sensor substrate attached to process cartridge B having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and a light guide that guides the light emitted by the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element via an optical path passing through the inside of the toner storage section 15a2. The control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 mounted on the main body 1A acquires the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage section 15a2 based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection means, and when the remaining amount of toner falls below a predetermined threshold, it performs a toner replenishment operation using toner cartridge C. The toner discharged from toner cartridge C by the replenishment operation falls into the toner receiving chamber 15a3 via the replenishment port 21, and is further transported to the toner storage section 15a2 by a transport member in the toner receiving chamber 15a3.

[0061] <Toner Cartridge> The toner cartridge C includes a replenishment toner storage section 30, a toner discharge port 34a, a discharge screw 35, and a stirring and conveying unit 36.

[0062] The replenishment toner storage section 30 forms a storage space in which toner for supply to process cartridge B is stored. The toner discharge port 34a is an opening that communicates with the replenishment toner storage section 30 from the outside of toner cartridge C. The discharge screw 35 is a conveying member that conveys toner toward the toner discharge port 34a. The agitation and conveying unit 36 ​​is located in the replenishment toner storage section 30 and agitates the toner in the replenishment toner storage section 30 and conveys the toner toward the discharge screw 35.

[0063] The portion of the toner storage section 30 corresponding to the discharge screw 35 is provided with a curved section 31d that follows the rotational trajectory of the tip of the blades of the discharge screw 35. The toner discharge port 34a is located below the curved section 31d.

[0064] With the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C installed in the main unit 1A, the toner discharge port 34a of toner cartridge C and the replenishment port 21 of process cartridge B are connected while being isolated from the outside by a sealing member to prevent toner leakage. As a result, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 34a is supplied to the toner storage section 15a2 via the replenishment port 21 and toner receiving chamber 15a3 of process cartridge B. The stirring and conveying unit 36 ​​of toner cartridge C is rotationally driven by the driving force of a drive source (motor) located in the main unit 1A.

[0065] <Image Formation Process> Next, the image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained using Figure 2. The image forming operation is a series of operations in which the image forming apparatus 1 transports sheets S one by one, forms an image on the sheets S, and discharges it as a finished product.

[0066] The control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 starts executing the image forming operation when it receives image information from, for example, an external computer. When the image forming operation starts, the photosensitive drum 11 is rotated, and the charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanner 101 is driven by a video signal generated by the control unit based on the image information, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light to perform exposure. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The developing roller 16 carries toner and supplies it to the photosensitive drum 11, developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

[0067] In parallel with the formation of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11, the sheet S is transported from the cassette 103a toward the transfer section Nt. Specifically, the feed roller 103b rotates in contact with the uppermost sheet S in the cassette 103a, feeding the sheet S. The fed sheet S undergoes skew correction and timing adjustment in the sheet transport path 103 before being transported toward the transfer section Nt. Then, by applying a transfer voltage to the transfer roller 104, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 to the sheet S as it passes through the transfer section Nt.

[0068] After passing through the transfer section Nt, the sheet S undergoes image fixing processing in the fixing section 105. The fixing section 105 fixes the toner image on the sheet S by heating and pressurizing it while holding and transporting the sheet S with fixing nip. After passing through the fixing section 105, the sheet S is transported via the sheet transport path 103 to the discharge roller pair 106, discharged by the discharge roller pair 106, and loaded onto the discharge tray 107.

[0069] <Removing and installing process cartridges and toner cartridges> Next, the procedure for attaching and detaching process cartridge B and toner cartridge C to and from the device body 1A will be explained using Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view of process cartridge B and toner cartridge C. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the process cartridge B and toner cartridge C have been attached to the device body 1A. Figure 5 shows the guide members (300a~300c), which are part of the device body 1A, along with process cartridge B and toner cartridge C, as viewed in the Y-axis direction.

[0070] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the side wall of the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11) is provided with a first guided portion 202 and a second guided portion 203. The first guided portion 202 and the second guided portion 203 are, for example, cylindrical projections (bosses). In the mounting direction J1 of the process cartridge B, the first guided portion 202 is positioned downstream of the second guided portion 203. In addition, a drum shaft 201 is provided on the side wall of the process cartridge B. The drum shaft 201 is a cylindrical projection provided on the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, the main body 1A of the device is equipped with guide members 300 (guide rails) that guide the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C. In Figure 5, only the front guide member 300 is shown when viewed in the Y-axis direction, but the guide members 300 are arranged on both sides in the Y-axis direction with respect to the mounting space G (Figure 1) for the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C. The shape of one guide member 300 shown in Figure 5 and the other guide member 300 in the Y-axis direction may be the same. In addition, the first guided portion 202, the second guided portion 203, and the drum shaft 201 are provided on the side walls on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B.

[0072] The guide member 300 extends along the insertion / removal direction J of the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C. The guide member 300 includes a first guide portion 300a, a second guide portion 300b, and a third guide portion 300c, extending from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction J1. The first guide portion 300a extends substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. The second guide portion 300b is inclined downward toward the mounting direction J1. The third guide portion 300c extends below the first guide portion 300a and substantially parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0073] During the process of mounting the process cartridge B into the mounting space G (see Figure 1) within the apparatus body 1A, the first guided portion 202 and the second guided portion 203 are guided by the guide member 300. First, the first guided portion 202 engages with the first guide portion 300a of the guide member 300 and is guided. As the process cartridge B is further inserted in the mounting direction J1, the second guided portion 203 engages with the first guide portion 300a and is guided. The first guided portion 202 also moves downward along the inclination of the second guide portion 300b and moves in the mounting direction J1 along the third guide portion 300c.

[0074] The apparatus body 1A also includes a positioning part 301 that engages with the drum shaft 201 and a biasing member 302 that biases the drum shaft 201. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus body 1A along the guide member 300, the drum shaft 201 engages with the positioning part 301. The engagement of the drum shaft 201 and the positioning part 301 determines the position of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 relative to the apparatus body 1A. The biasing member 302 also biases the drum shaft 201 so as to press it against the positioning part 301.

[0075] The position of the process cartridge B where the drum shaft 201 engages with the positioning unit 301 is defined as the completed mounting position of the process cartridge B. The completed mounting position is the position of the process cartridge B when the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation using the process cartridge B.

[0076] When process cartridge B is in the fully mounted position, the first guided portion 202 of process cartridge B faces the first guide portion 300a and the second guided portion 203 faces the second guide portion 300b. When drive is input to the photosensitive drum 11 while process cartridge B is in the fully mounted position, the second guided portion 203 comes into contact with the second guide portion 300b, thereby restricting the rotation of process cartridge B around the rotation axis E. At that time, a gap is formed between the first guided portion 202 and the third guide portion 300c.

[0077] Next, the configuration for guiding the insertion and removal of the toner cartridge C will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the toner cartridge C has third guided portions 350 and projections 351 on both side walls in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11). The third guided portions 350 are projections that extend along the insertion and removal direction J of the toner cartridge C.

[0078] During the process of installing the toner cartridge C into the mounting space G (see Figure 1) within the main body 1A of the device, the third guided portion 350 is guided by the first guide portion 300a of the guide member 300. The toner cartridge C is inserted in the mounting direction J1 until the toner discharge port 34a (Figure 3) faces the replenishment port 21 of the process cartridge B.

[0079] Furthermore, the main body of the device 1A has a biasing member 303 that biases the projection 351 of the toner cartridge C. When the toner cartridge C is mounted on the main body of the device 1A along the guide member 300, the biasing member 303 comes into contact with the projection 351. The biasing member 302 also biases the toner cartridge C so that the third guided portion 350 is pressed against the first guide portion 300a of the guide member 300. This biasing force restricts the movement of the toner cartridge C in the direction away from the toner discharge port 34a.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the process cartridge B is provided with a rib 304 extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11, and the toner cartridge C has a groove 352 that can receive the rib 304. When the toner cartridge C is installed in the device body 1A, the rib 304 engages with the groove 352, thereby determining the position of the toner cartridge C relative to the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11). This improves the positioning accuracy of the toner discharge port 34a and the replenishment port 21 in the longitudinal direction, and reduces toner leakage.

[0081] As explained above, the toner cartridge C (toner container) mounted on the main unit 1A is positioned relative to the main unit 1A with respect to the attachment / detachment direction J (first direction) and the direction of gravity. On the other hand, the toner cartridge C (toner container) mounted on the main unit 1A is positioned relative to the process cartridge B with respect to the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction). Therefore, toner leakage in the toner transfer section (34a, 21) from the toner cartridge C (toner container) to the process cartridge B (cartridge) can be reduced.

[0082] <Contact configuration> Next, the configuration of the electrical contacts of process cartridge B and the main unit 1A, and the configuration for transporting waste toner from process cartridge B to the main unit 1A, will be explained using Figures 6 to 8(b).

[0083] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B according to this embodiment, illustrating the contact unit 310 and the first waste toner transport unit 900. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the main body 1A of the device according to this embodiment, illustrating the main body contact unit 800 and the second waste toner transport unit 950.

[0084] As shown in Figure 6, the process cartridge B has a contact unit 310 (contact portion) for receiving power from the device body 1A. The contact unit 310 is located at the downstream end of the process cartridge B in the mounting direction J1. In other words, the contact unit 310 is located on the leading end side in the direction in which the process cartridge B is mounted to the device body 1A. Furthermore, the contact unit 310 is located on the opposite side from the drive source of the device body 1A for driving the photosensitive drum 11 in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction) (see also Figure 4).

[0085] The contact unit 310 has a first contact 311 electrically connected to the developing blade 18, a second contact 312 electrically connected to the supply roller 19, and a third contact 313 electrically connected to the developing roller 16. The contact unit 310 is located below the first guided portion 202 described above (Figure 5). The first contact 311, the second contact 312, and the third contact 313 are arranged in this order from top to bottom. However, the order of the first contact 311, the second contact 312, and the third contact 313 is not limited to this.

[0086] The first contact 311 and the developing blade 18 are electrically connected via wiring 361. The second contact 312 and the supply roller 19 are electrically connected via wiring 362. The third contact 313 and the developing roller 16 are electrically connected via wiring 363. Note that the wirings 361 to 363 shown are schematic representations, and for example, a conductive resin portion provided on the developing frame 15F or the cleaning frame 10F may constitute part of the wirings 361 to 363 as conductive paths. Furthermore, the contact unit 310 has resin (insulating) ribs 314 surrounding each contact when viewed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the mounting direction J1, in order to ensure creepage distance between each contact and to make it difficult for the user to touch each contact.

[0087] As shown in Figure 7, the main body 1A has a main body contact portion 800 as a main body-side contact unit. The main body contact portion 800 is a main body-side connector portion that can engage with the contact unit 310 (connector portion) of the process cartridge B.

[0088] The main contact section 800 has a first contact 811, a second contact 812, and a third contact 813, which correspond to the first contact 311, the second contact 312, and the third contact 313, respectively. Each contact of the main contact section 800 is electrically connected to the electrical circuit board 51 (Figure 11) of the device body 1A. The main contact section 800 also has a resin (insulating) engagement guide 814 that surrounds each contact when viewed in the mounting direction J1.

[0089] The electrical circuit board 51 (Figure 11) is equipped with multiple voltage generation circuits that generate a developing blade voltage to be applied to the developing blade 18, a supply roller voltage to be applied to the supply roller 19, and a developing roller voltage (developing voltage) to be applied to the developing roller 16. Each voltage generation circuit can apply a predetermined voltage to the developing blade 18, the supply roller 19, and the developing roller 16 when the contacts of the contact unit 310 of the process cartridge B are in contact with the contacts of the main body contact section 800.

[0090] Figures 8(a) and 8(b) are cross-sectional views showing a part of the process cartridge B and a part of the device body 1A according to this embodiment, and are diagrams for explaining the engagement between the contact unit 310 and the main body contact portion 800. Figure 8(a) shows the process cartridge B being mounted onto the device body 1A. Figure 8(b) shows the state after the process cartridge B has been mounted onto the device body 1A.

[0091] As the process cartridge B is inserted into the device body 1A in the mounting direction J1, the contact unit 310 facing downstream in the mounting direction J1 faces the main body contact portion 800 facing upstream in the mounting direction J1, as shown in Figure 8(a). As shown in Figure 8(b), when the process cartridge B reaches the mounting completion position, each contact (311, 312, 313) of the contact unit 310 makes contact with the corresponding contacts (811, 812, 813) of the main body contact portion 800. As a result, the electrical circuit board 51 of the device body 1A is electrically connected to the developing roller 16, supply roller 19, and developing blade 18 in the process cartridge B, which are the targets of power supply.

[0092] Furthermore, during the transition from the state shown in Figure 8(a) to the state shown in Figure 8(b), the engagement guide 814 of the main contact portion 800 engages with the rib 314 of the contact unit 310. This adjusts the relative position of the main contact portion 800 and the contact unit 310 so that the contacts make contact more reliably. At least one of the main contact portion 800 and the contact unit 310 may be configured to be movable in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction J (float support).

[0093] Here, we will explain the positional relationship between the first waste toner transport unit 900 provided in process cartridge B, the second waste toner transport unit 950 provided in the main body 1A of the device, and the contact unit 310 and the main body contact unit 800.

[0094] As shown in Figure 6, the process cartridge B has a first waste toner transport unit 900 located below the contact unit 310. The first waste toner transport unit 900 functions as a first discharge unit for discharging the remaining toner collected by the cleaning blade 17. The first waste toner transport unit 900 has a first transport pipe 901 with a first discharge port 902 formed therein for discharging waste toner from the process cartridge B.

[0095] As shown in Figure 7, the main body 1A of the device has a second waste toner transport unit 950 located below the main body contact portion 800. The second waste toner transport unit 950 is a transport unit that receives waste toner from the process cartridge B and transports it toward the waste toner container 700. The second waste toner transport unit 950 has a receiving portion 950A (first receiving portion) for receiving waste toner from the process cartridge B and a discharge portion 950B (second discharge portion, see Figure 11(b)) for discharging waste toner toward the waste toner container 700. The receiving portion 950A includes a receiving port 952. The discharge portion 950B includes a second discharge port 956 (Figure 11(b)).

[0096] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), during the process of installing the process cartridge B into the main body 1A, the first waste toner transport unit 900 engages with the second waste toner transport unit 950. Furthermore, when the installation of the process cartridge B is complete, the first discharge port 902 of the first waste toner transport unit 900 communicates with the receiving port 952 of the second waste toner transport unit 950.

[0097] Here, the first engagement direction in which the contact unit 310 engages with and disengages the main body contact portion 800 is substantially parallel to the second engagement direction in which the first waste toner transport unit 900 engages with and disengages the receiving portion 950A of the second waste toner transport unit 950. Therefore, by operating the process cartridge B into the main body 1A, the engagement between the contact unit 310 and the main body contact portion 800, and the engagement between the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 can be advanced simultaneously.

[0098] Note that the first engagement direction and the second engagement direction do not have to be strictly parallel to the attachment / detachment direction J of the process cartridge B. For example, while the process cartridge B moves along the guide member 300 described above, the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the process cartridge B and the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane may change. In this case, it is preferable that the direction of movement of the downstream end of the attachment direction J1 of the process cartridge B is substantially parallel to the first engagement direction and the second engagement direction at the earlier of the following timing: when the contact unit 310 begins to engage with the main body contact portion 800 or when the first waste toner transport unit 900 begins to engage with the second waste toner transport unit 950.

[0099] In the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction), the contact unit 310 (contact portion) and the first waste toner transport portion 900 (first discharge portion) are concentrated and arranged at one end of the process cartridge B (Figure 4). This allows for miniaturization of the process cartridge B. In this case, to minimize the impact of waste toner leakage, it is preferable that the first waste toner transport portion 900 be positioned below the contact unit 310. Furthermore, in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11, the main body contact portion 800 and the second waste toner transport portion 950 are concentrated and arranged at one end of the mounting space G. This allows for miniaturization of the device body 1A.

[0100] The contact unit 310, the main contact section 800, the first waste toner transport section 900, and the second waste toner transport section 950 are located on the main body 1A of the device and are positioned on the opposite side from the drive source (motor) that drives the photosensitive drum 11, etc. In this embodiment, the motor, which serves as the drive source, is located on the left side of the mounting space G in the main body 1A of the device (i.e., on the opposite side from the right side where the waste toner container 700 is located). Furthermore, the main contact section 800, the first waste toner transport section 900, and the second waste toner transport section 950 are located on the right side of the center of the main body 1A in the left-right direction (i.e., on the same side as the waste toner container 700). This eliminates the need for the waste toner transport path to bypass the drive source and shortens the transport distance of waste toner from the first waste toner transport section 900 to the waste toner container 700.

[0101] It is preferable that the contact unit 310 and the first waste toner transport unit 900 at least partially overlap when viewed in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11. It is also preferable that the main body contact unit 800 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 at least partially overlap when viewed in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0102] In this embodiment, the contact unit 310 and the first waste toner transport unit 900 overlap when viewed in the direction of gravity. Also, in this embodiment, the main body contact unit 800 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 overlap when viewed in the direction of gravity.

[0103] As explained above, the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 are positioned below (in the direction of gravity) the contact unit 310 and the main body contact unit 800. Therefore, even if waste toner falls when the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 engage, the toner is less likely to adhere to the contact unit 310 and the main body contact unit 800, making it possible to connect the contacts more stably.

[0104] In this embodiment, a contact unit 310 is illustrated as including contacts related to the developing unit 15 as an example of contacts provided by the process cartridge B, but the process cartridge B may have other contacts. For example, the contact unit 310 may have contacts for applying voltage to the charging roller 12 or the charging cleaner 14. Also, when a memory tag storing information about the process cartridge B (such as a manufacturing identification number) is attached to the process cartridge B, the contact unit 310 may have contacts for electrically connecting the memory tag and the control unit of the device body 1A.

[0105] <First waste toner transport unit and second waste toner transport unit> Next, the details of the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 6 to 10. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the primary waste toner storage unit 10a and the first waste toner transport unit 900 of the process cartridge B, and represents the cross-section of the process cartridge B along the FF line in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the main body contact unit 800 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 of the device body 1A, and a part of the process cartridge B mounted in the device body 1A.

[0106] As shown in Figures 6 and 8(a)(b), the first waste toner transport unit 900 includes a first transport pipe 901 with a first discharge port 902, a first discharge shutter 903, and a first shutter spring 906. As shown in Figure 4, the first waste toner transport unit 900 is positioned at the downstream end of the process cartridge B in the mounting direction J1.

[0107] The first transport pipe 901 extends in a direction along the loading / unloading direction J of the process cartridge B. The upstream end of the first transport pipe 901 in the loading direction J1 is in communication with the waste toner primary storage section 10a, and the downstream end of the first transport pipe 901 in the loading direction J1 is closed (Figure 9). The first discharge port 902 is provided near the tip of the first transport pipe 901 in the loading direction J1 and opens downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0108] The first discharge shutter 903 is movable between a closed position that closes the first discharge port 902 and an open position that opens the first discharge port 902. The first discharge shutter 903 is biased toward the closed position by a first shutter spring 906. As shown in Figure 8(a), before the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 engage, the first discharge shutter 903 is in the closed position, preventing waste toner from leaking from the first discharge port 902. As shown in Figure 8(b), when the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 engage, the first discharge shutter 903 is in the open position, allowing waste toner to be discharged through the first discharge port 902.

[0109] As shown in Figure 9, a first transport member 904 for transporting waste toner is arranged inside the first transport pipe 901 and the waste toner primary storage section 10a. The first transport member 904 in this embodiment is a coil spring and can rotate while bent along the bend in the connection between the first transport pipe 901 and the waste toner primary storage section 10a. Alternatively, a screw may be placed in both the first transport pipe 901 and the waste toner primary storage section 10a as the first transport member 904.

[0110] One end of the first transport member 904 is connected to a first transport gear 905 provided at one end of the waste toner primary storage section 10a in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11. The first transport gear 905 is rotatably supported on the cleaning frame 10F. The sliding portion between the cleaning frame 10F and the first transport gear 905 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown) to prevent waste toner leakage.

[0111] The first transport gear 905 is engaged with the first drum gear 11a, which is provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 11. The first drum gear 11a rotates due to the driving force of a drive source provided in the main body 1A of the device, causing the first transport gear 905 to rotate. The first transport member 904 rotates together with the first transport gear 905 and can transport the waste toner in the waste toner primary storage section 10a in a transport direction M from one end to the other in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0112] The first transport pipe 901 includes a first portion extending in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 and a second portion extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (along the attachment / detachment direction J), and has an L-shaped bend. The first portion of the first transport pipe 901 is fitted into a through hole formed in the cleaning frame 10F, thereby communicating with the waste toner primary storage section 10a. The first discharge port 902 is formed in the second portion of the first transport pipe 901. The first transport member 904 rotates while bent along the bend of the first transport pipe 901, allowing waste toner to be transported even at the bend.

[0113] Next, the second waste toner transport section 950 of the main body 1A of the device will be described. As shown in Figures 8(a) and 10, the second waste toner transport section 950 includes a second engagement section 951, a second transport pipe 953, a second transport member 954, a second transport gear 955, a second discharge shutter 958, and a second shutter spring 957.

[0114] The second engaging portion 951 is the portion that engages with the first engaging portion 901a of the first waste toner transport unit 900. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 901a is the outer circumferential surface on the tip side of the first transport pipe 901 in the mounting direction J1, and the second engaging portion 951 is a cylindrical recess that receives the outer circumferential surface on the tip side of the first transport pipe 901. In this embodiment, the engagement direction of the first engaging portion 901a and the second engaging portion 951 is the direction of the central axis Ax1 of the cylindrical second engaging portion 951. The engagement direction of the first engaging portion 901a and the second engaging portion 951 is along the mounting direction J1 and may be parallel to the mounting direction J1.

[0115] The second transport pipe 953 is located below the second engagement portion 951. An inlet 952 is formed at the top of the second transport pipe 953. The second transport pipe 953 has a first portion 953a that extends substantially parallel to the attachment / detachment direction J of the process cartridge B, and a second portion 953b (Figure 10) that is bent in a direction intersecting the attachment / detachment direction J. The extension direction of the second portion 953b is along the attachment / detachment direction N of the waste toner container 700.

[0116] The second conveying member 954 is located inside the second conveying pipe 953. In this embodiment, the second conveying member 954 is a coil spring and can rotate while bent along the curved portion of the second conveying pipe 953. Alternatively, screws may be placed in the first portion 953a and the second portion 953b of the second conveying pipe 953, respectively, as the second conveying member 954.

[0117] One end of the second transport member 954 is connected to the second transport gear 955. The second transport gear 955 is located on the outside of the second transport pipe 953. The second transport gear 955 is connected via a gear train (not shown) to the second drum gear 11b, which is located at the end of the photosensitive drum 11 opposite to the first drum gear 11a (Figure 9). As a result, the second transport gear 955 is rotationally driven as the photosensitive drum 11 rotates, and the second transport member 954 is rotationally driven as the second transport gear 955 rotates.

[0118] The second discharge port 956, the second discharge shutter 958, and the second shutter spring 957 provided in the second transport pipe 953 will be described later.

[0119] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), when the process cartridge B is inserted into the device body 1A in the mounting direction J1, the first engaging portion 901a of the first waste toner transport unit 900 engages with the second engaging portion 951 of the second waste toner transport unit 950. In other words, the tip of the first transport pipe 901 (first engaging portion 901a) enters the recess (second engaging portion 951) of the second waste toner transport unit 950. At that time, the end face of the opening of the second engaging portion 951, which is facing in the opposite direction to the mounting direction J1, comes into contact with the contact portion 903a, which is the end face of the first discharge shutter 903 in the mounting direction J1. As a result, the first discharge shutter 903 slides against the biasing force of the first shutter spring 906 and moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0120] As the first discharge shutter 903 moves to the open position, the first discharge port 902 is exposed. Also, once the process cartridge B is installed in the main body 1A, the first discharge port 902 faces the receiving port 952 of the second transport pipe 953. This connects the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950, enabling the movement of waste toner from the first transport pipe 901 to the second transport pipe 953.

[0121] With the process cartridge B installed (Figure 8(b)), the flow of waste toner transport from process cartridge B to the second waste toner transport unit 950 will be explained. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 (Figure 3) is stored in the waste toner primary storage unit 10a of process cartridge B. The waste toner stored in the waste toner primary storage unit 10a is transported by the first transport member 904 in the transport direction M along the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (Figure 9). Furthermore, the first transport member 904 passes through the bend of the first transport pipe 901 and is transported in the transport direction along the attachment / detachment direction J of process cartridge B. The waste toner is then discharged from the first discharge port 902 of the first transport pipe 901 and received into the second transport pipe 953 through the receiving port 952 of the second waste toner transport unit 950.

[0122] With the above configuration, the contact unit 310 is positioned above the first waste toner transport unit 900, while the direction of waste toner discharge from the first discharge port 902 of the first waste toner transport unit 900 (the opening direction of the first discharge port 902) is downward with respect to gravity. Therefore, even if waste toner falls from the first discharge port 902 when the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 engage, it is possible to make it difficult for toner to adhere to the contact unit 310 and the main body contact portion 800. In other words, by preventing the adhesion of waste toner, it becomes possible to connect the contacts of the contact unit 310 and the main body contact portion 800 more stably.

[0123] <Second waste toner transport section and waste toner container> Next, the configuration of the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700 will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11(a) and (b). Figures 11(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the engagement and disengagement of the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700. Figures 11(a) and (b) show cross-sections of the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700 in a virtual plane extending in the N and Z axis directions of attachment and detachment of the waste toner container 700. Figure 11(a) shows the state before the waste toner container 700 is engaged with the second waste toner transport unit 950. Figure 11(b) shows the state after the waste toner container 700 is engaged with the second waste toner transport unit 950.

[0124] As shown in Figure 10, the second waste toner transport unit 950 has a second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953, which serves as a third engaging portion. The second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953 extends from the bend between it and the first portion 953a in the direction opposite to the mounting direction N1 of the waste toner container 700 (detachment direction N2). The tip of the second transport pipe 953 in the detachment direction N2 is closed.

[0125] As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), a second discharge port 956 is formed at the lower part of the second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953. The second discharge port 956 opens downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0126] The second discharge shutter 958 is attached to the outer circumference of the second transport pipe 953 and is movable between a closed position that closes the second discharge port 956 and an open position that opens the second discharge port 956. The second discharge shutter 958 is biased toward the closed position by a second shutter spring 957. As shown in Figure 11(a), before the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700 engage, the second discharge shutter 958 is in the closed position, preventing waste toner from leaking from the second discharge port 956. As shown in Figure 11(b), when the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700 engage, the second discharge shutter 958 is in the open position, allowing waste toner to be discharged through the second discharge port 956.

[0127] Next, the waste toner container 700 will be described. As shown in Figures 11(a) and (b), the waste toner container 700 has the aforementioned waste toner storage section 704 and outer casing member 705, a receiving opening 701, a receiving shutter 702, and a fourth engaging section 703.

[0128] The receiving opening 701 is a through hole that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the waste toner storage section 704. The receiving opening 701 opens toward the mounting direction N1 of the waste toner container 700. The receiving opening 701 functions as a receiving section (second receiving section) that receives the remaining toner discharged from the discharge section 950B (second discharge section) of the second waste toner transport section 950.

[0129] The receiving shutter 702 is movable between a closed position that closes the receiving opening 701 and an open position that opens the receiving opening 701. In this embodiment, the receiving shutter 702 is rotatably supported with respect to the waste toner storage section 704 so as to move from the closed position to the open position by rotating so as to tilt toward the direction N2 toward the removal direction of the waste toner container 700. However, the receiving shutter 702 may be slidably supported in the direction N toward the attachment and detachment direction of the waste toner container 700, for example. Furthermore, the receiving shutter 702 is biased toward the closed position by a biasing member (not shown).

[0130] The fourth engaging portion 703 is configured to engage with the second portion 953b (third engaging portion) of the second transport pipe 953. In this embodiment, the fourth engaging portion 703 is the inner wall of the receiving opening 701.

[0131] As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), during the process of mounting the waste toner container 700 onto the device body 1A in the mounting direction N1, the third engaging portion of the second waste toner transport unit 950 engages with the fourth engaging portion 703 of the waste toner container 700. In other words, the second portion 953b (third engaging portion) of the second transport pipe 953 enters the receiving opening 701 (fourth engaging portion) of the waste toner container 700. At this time, the end face of the waste toner container 700, which is the peripheral end face of the receiving opening 701 and faces the mounting direction N1, comes into contact with the contact portion 958a, which is the end face of the second discharge shutter 958 opposite to the mounting direction N1. As a result, the second discharge shutter 958 slides against the biasing force of the second shutter spring 957 and moves from the closed position to the open position. When the second discharge shutter 958 moves to the open position, the second discharge port 956 is exposed.

[0132] Furthermore, when the tip 953b1 of the second transport pipe 953 enters the waste toner storage section 704 through the receiving opening 701 of the waste toner container 700, it presses against the receiving shutter 702, causing it to move from the closed position to the open position.

[0133] As shown in Figure 11(b), when the waste toner container 700 is installed, the second discharge port 956 is opened in the internal space of the waste toner storage section 704. This connects the second waste toner transport section 950 and the waste toner container 700, enabling the movement of waste toner from the second transport pipe 953 to the waste toner storage section 704.

[0134] With the waste toner container 700 installed (Figure 11(b)), the flow of waste toner transport from the second waste toner transport unit 950 to the waste toner container 700 will be explained. The toner received from the first waste toner transport unit 900 into the second waste toner transport unit 950 is transported by the second transport member 954 in the second transport pipe 953. The second transport member 954 transports the waste toner through the bend in the second transport pipe 953 and then through the second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953, which is parallel to the attachment / detachment direction N of the waste toner container 700. The waste toner is then discharged from the second discharge port 956 of the second transport pipe 953 into the waste toner storage section 704 of the waste toner container 700.

[0135] As explained above, when the process cartridge B and the waste toner container 700 are installed in the main unit 1A of the device, a transport path is established from the primary waste toner storage section 10a of the process cartridge B to the waste toner storage section 704 of the waste toner container 700. Therefore, with the process cartridge B and the waste toner container 700 installed in the main unit 1A, the waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 can be sequentially transported to the waste toner storage section 704.

[0136] Therefore, the volume of the primary waste toner storage section 10a in process cartridge B can be kept small. The volume of the primary waste toner storage section 10a in process cartridge B may be smaller than the volume of the waste toner storage section 704 in waste toner container 700. By reducing the volume of the primary waste toner storage section 10a, process cartridge B can be made smaller. In addition, the size of the mounting space G that accepts process cartridge B can be reduced. In other words, even if the waste toner container 700 is made larger to reduce the frequency of replacement of the waste toner container 700, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of process cartridge B and the main unit 1A of the device.

[0137] For example, in this embodiment, the fuser unit 105 is located downstream of the process cartridge B in the mounting direction J1 of the process cartridge B. Therefore, by reducing the volume of the waste toner primary storage unit 10a, the distance from the transfer roller 104 facing the photosensitive drum 11 to the fuser unit 105 in the mounting direction J1 can be shortened. In other words, even if the waste toner container 700 has a large capacity, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus 1 in which the distance between the transfer roller 104 and the fuser unit 105 is short.

[0138] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first waste toner transport section 900 of the process cartridge B engages and disengages with the receiving section 950A of the second waste toner transport section 950 in a direction along the attachment / detachment direction J of the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the device body 1A. In other words, the first discharge section of the cartridge is configured to engage and disengage with the first receiving section in a direction along the first direction when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the device body. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the receiving opening 701 of the waste toner container 700 engages and disengages with the discharge section 950B of the second waste toner transport section 950 in a direction along the attachment / detachment direction N of the waste toner container 700 when the waste toner container 700 is attached to and detached from the device body 1A. In other words, the second receiving section of the remaining toner container is configured to engage and disengage with the second discharge section in a direction along the second direction when the remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the device body.

[0139] As a result, the receiving section 950A of the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 can be engaged and disengaged by a simple operation of moving the process cartridge B in a predetermined attachment / detachment direction J. Also, the discharge section 950B of the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the waste toner container 700 can be engaged and disengaged by a simple operation of moving the waste toner container 700 in a predetermined attachment / detachment direction N.

[0140] <Relationship with side panels> The relationship between the second waste toner transport unit 950 and the right-side plate 50 of the main body 1A of the device will be explained using Figures 11(a) and 11(b).

[0141] The apparatus body 1A has a right side plate 50 (first side plate) and a left side plate 49 (second side plate), each having a surface facing the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction) (Figure 1(a)). The right side plate 50 is provided on the first end side of the apparatus body 1A in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction), and the left side plate 49 is provided on the second end side of the apparatus body 1A, opposite to the first end side. Mounting spaces G are formed in the right side plate 50 (first side plate) and the left side plate 49 (second side plate) into which the process cartridge B (cartridge) is mounted.

[0142] The process cartridge B, including the first waste toner transport unit 900, is mounted in the mounting space G on the inner (left) side of the right side plate 50. On the other hand, the waste toner container 700 is mounted in the outer (right) opening 1Ra (Figure 1(a)) of the right side plate 50. The receiving section 950A (first receiving section) of the second waste toner transport unit 950, which engages with the first waste toner transport unit 900, is located on the same side as the mounting space G with respect to the right side plate 50. The discharge section 950B (second discharge section) of the second waste toner transport unit 950, which engages with the waste toner container 700, is located on the opposite side of the mounting space G with respect to the right side plate 50.

[0143] In this embodiment, the second waste toner transport unit 950, which transports waste toner from the first waste toner transport unit 900 to the waste toner container 700, is provided with a through-hole that can pass through the right side plate 50 to transport waste toner. The right side plate 50 has a through-hole 50a that penetrates in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). A part of the second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953 is a through-hole that passes through the through-hole 50a. In other words, the second waste toner transport unit 950 can transport waste toner from the inside to the outside of the right side plate 50 (first side plate) via the second portion 953b of the second transport pipe 953, which acts as a through-hole.

[0144] The main body of the device 1A may have a plate-shaped electrical circuit board 51 that is substantially parallel to the right side plate 50. In this case, the electrical circuit board 51 may be provided with a through hole 51a or groove formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 50a of the right side plate 50, and the second transport pipe 953 may be inserted through the through hole 51a or groove. Instead of providing a through hole 51a or groove, two circuit boards arranged to avoid overlapping with the through hole 50a may be used as the electrical circuit board 51.

[0145] <Layout of the first waste toner transport unit> Next, with reference to Figure 12, the arrangement of the first waste toner transport unit 900 in process cartridge B will be explained. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of process cartridge B according to this embodiment, cut by a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0146] As shown in Figure 12, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11 (second direction), the first line Y1, the second line X1, and the third line X2 are defined as follows: The first line Y1 is a virtual line passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller 12 and the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11. The second line X1 is a virtual line passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller 16 and the rotation axis E of the photosensitive drum 11. The third line X2 is a virtual line parallel to the second line X1 and passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller 12. The direction of the first line Y1 intersects at least the attachment / detachment direction J (first direction) of the process cartridge B to the apparatus body 1A. The direction of the third line X2 intersects at least the direction of gravity (Z-axis direction).

[0147] In this case, it is preferable that at least a portion of the first waste toner transport unit 900 is positioned in the lower right region Q defined by the first straight line Y1 and the third straight line X2. Region Q is the region downstream of the mounting direction J1 of the process cartridge B in the attachment / detachment direction J (first direction) with respect to the first straight line Y1, and below the third straight line X2.

[0148] The above arrangement allows the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 to engage without compromising the operability when installing the process cartridge B into the device body 1A. A simple transport path for waste toner from the process cartridge B to the device body 1A can be realized. In addition, the impact of waste toner leakage and scattering can be reduced.

[0149] If the first waste toner transport unit 900 is positioned upstream of the first straight line Y1 in the mounting direction J1, the configuration for engaging the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 as the process cartridge B moves in the mounting direction J1 becomes complex. Also, if the entire first waste toner transport unit 900 is positioned upstream of the first straight line Y1 in the mounting direction J1, a configuration is required to transport the waste toner from the cleaning unit 10 to the first waste toner transport unit 900 in the opposite direction of the mounting direction J1. As a result, the waste toner transport path becomes complex, leading to an increase in the size of the process cartridge B and an increase in the number of parts.

[0150] Furthermore, if the first waste toner transport unit 900 is positioned above the third straight line X2, the impact of waste toner leakage when the first waste toner transport unit 900 and the second waste toner transport unit 950 engage may be greater. In other words, leaked waste toner may adhere to the main unit 1A or the process cartridge B located below the first waste toner transport unit 900, potentially causing image defects or contamination of the sheet S.

[0151] According to the arrangement of this embodiment, the above-mentioned inconveniences can be avoided, and a process cartridge B and image forming apparatus 1 with excellent waste toner handling capabilities can be provided.

[0152] <Waste toner container> Next, the waste toner container 700 will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are perspective views showing the external appearance of the waste toner container 700. As mentioned above, the exterior member 705 of the waste toner container 700, together with the exterior of the main body 1A of the image forming apparatus 1, constitutes the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0153] The gripping portion 706 of the waste toner container 700 is a recess formed in the outer casing member 705. Therefore, when a user replaces the waste toner container 700, the waste toner storage unit 704 together with the outer casing member 705 can be removed from the main body 1A of the device, thereby improving usability.

[0154] 《Second Embodiment》 Next, with reference to Figures 14 and 15, a waste toner container 750 according to a second embodiment, which modifies some of the embodiments described above, will be described. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the waste toner container 750 according to the second embodiment with the container unit 760 removed from the outer unit 750A. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the container unit 760 attached to the outer unit 750A according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, elements with reference numerals common to the embodiments described above will have basically the same configuration and operation as those described in the embodiments described above unless otherwise specified, and the parts that differ from the embodiments described above will be mainly described.

[0155] As shown in Figure 14, the waste toner container 750 of this embodiment includes an outer unit 750A and a container unit 760 that is detachable from the outer unit 750A.

[0156] The exterior unit 750A includes an exterior member 705 (second exterior member), a receiving opening 701, a receiving shutter 702, an intermediate discharge port 755, an intermediate shutter 751, and a shutter spring 753.

[0157] The intermediate discharge port 755 is located below the receiving opening 701 and opens downwards. The intermediate shutter 751 is movable between a position that closes the intermediate discharge port 755 and a position that opens the intermediate discharge port 755, and is biased toward the closed position by a shutter spring 753. The exterior unit 750A also has guide parts 754a and 754b that guide the intermediate shutter 751.

[0158] The container unit 760 includes a container body 761 for containing waste toner, an intermediate receiving port 762, and a sealing member 763. The container unit 760 is a remaining toner storage section that can be attached to and detached from the portion of the waste toner container 750 to which the outer casing member 705 (second outer casing member) is attached.

[0159] When the container unit 760 is attached to the outer unit 750A in the direction of arrow P, the contact surface 761a of the container body 761 comes into contact with the projection 751a of the intermediate shutter 751, causing the intermediate shutter 751 to open. The direction of arrow P intersects with the attachment / detachment direction N of the waste toner container 750. Also, when viewed in the attachment / detachment direction N, the outer unit 750A covers the entire container body 761 attached to the outer unit 750A from the outside.

[0160] As shown in Figure 15, once the container unit 760 is attached to the outer unit 750A, the intermediate discharge port 755 and the intermediate receiving port 762 are connected. The sealing member 763 seals the gap between the intermediate discharge port 755 and the intermediate receiving port 762 to prevent leakage of waste toner. With the intermediate discharge port 755 and the intermediate receiving port 762 connected, the waste toner received from the second waste toner transport section 950 of the device body 1A through the receiving opening 701 can move into the container body 761 of the container unit 760.

[0161] As explained above, by separating the outer casing unit 750A and the container unit 760 of the waste toner container 750, it becomes possible to replace only the container unit 760 when it becomes full of waste toner. The outer casing unit 750A can be used even after the container unit 760 has been replaced. Therefore, the scope of replacement can be reduced compared to the first embodiment in which the outer casing member 705 of the waste toner container 700 is also replaced together with the waste toner storage section 704.

[0162] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the process cartridge B, as a cartridge, has a photosensitive drum 11, a developing roller 16, and a toner storage section 15a2 that supplies toner to the developing roller 16. However, as shown in Figures 16(a) and (b), a cartridge (drum cartridge 40) having a photosensitive drum 11 but without a developing roller and toner storage section, and a toner container (developing cartridge 70) having a developing roller 16 and a toner storage section 15a2 may also be used. In other words, the cleaning unit 10 in the above-described embodiment may be configured as a cartridge (drum cartridge 40) that can be attached to and detached from the main body 1A of the device independently of the developing unit 15.

[0163] In Figures 16(a) and 16(b), elements that share the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have essentially the same configuration and function as those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0164] As shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b), the drum cartridge 40 has a developer cartridge support section 401 (developer cartridge mounting section). Figure 16(a) shows the drum cartridge 40 with the developer cartridge 70 (toner container) mounted, and Figure 16(b) shows the drum cartridge 40 with the developer cartridge 70 (toner container) removed. The developer cartridge 70 is detachable from the device body 1A while mounted on the drum cartridge 40. The drum cartridge 40 with the developer cartridge 70 mounted can be called process cartridge B. The part corresponding to toner cartridge C (a unit that stores toner for supply to the toner storage section 15a2) may be formed as part of the developer cartridge 70. The transfer roller 104 may be provided on the drum cartridge 40 instead of the device body 1A.

[0165] In each of the embodiments described above, the waste toner container (residual toner container) is detachable from the main body 1A of the device, independently of the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 70. Furthermore, the detailed configuration of the waste toner container (residual toner container) in the modified examples shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b) may be the same as in the embodiments described above.

[0166] In this modified example, the contact unit 310 (see Figures 5 to 8(b)) as a contact point only needs to be provided on at least one of the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 70. For example, the contact unit 310 may be provided on the developer cartridge 70 and connectable to the main contact point 800 through an opening (hole, notch, etc.) provided on the drum cartridge 40. Alternatively, the contact unit 310 may be provided on the drum cartridge 40. In this case, power can be supplied from the contact unit 310 to the powered object in the developer cartridge 70 by the contact of the intermediate contacts provided on the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 70, respectively. Furthermore, for example, some of the contacts of the contact unit 310 may be provided on the drum cartridge 40 and some of the contacts may be provided on the developer cartridge 70.

[0167] Alternatively, the developing unit 15 and the toner cartridge C in the above-described embodiment may be integrated and configured as a toner container (developing cartridge) that can be attached to and detached from the main unit 1A of the device, which is independent of the cleaning unit 10.

[0168] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the toner cartridge C is attached to the device body 1A after the process cartridge B has been attached to the device body 1A. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and the toner cartridge C (toner container) may be attached to the process cartridge B (cartridge) in advance, and the process cartridge B with the toner cartridge C attached may be attached to and detached from the device body 1A.

[0169] Summary of this disclosure This disclosure includes at least the following: (Composition 1) An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, Transfer roller and A cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, A photosensitive drum that rotates about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller, A blade that contacts the photosensitive drum, the blade scrapes off any remaining toner that has not been transferred to the recording material and has remained on the photosensitive drum; A developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, A cartridge having, A toner container that is detachable from the main body of the device, comprising a toner container for containing toner to be supplied to the cartridge, A residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the device in the second direction independently of the toner container, and which contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container provided at one end of the main body of the device in the second direction, A first exterior member that covers the end face of one end of the device body in the second direction from the outside, Equipped with, The remaining toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the device body from the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Configuration 2) The transfer roller is provided in the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 3) The first exterior member has an opening, The remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the device body through the opening, and the second exterior member is mounted on the device body such that it closes the opening. An image forming apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) The first surface of the first exterior member facing the second direction and the second surface of the second exterior member facing the second direction are parallel. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The first surface of the first exterior member and the second surface of the second exterior member are on the same plane. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that... (Composition 6) The first exterior member and the second exterior member have the same color. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized by the above. (Composition 7) The surface of the second exterior member is provided with a recess whose first direction is the longitudinal direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6 characterized by the above. (Composition 8) The cartridge has a toner storage section that houses toner to be carried on the developing roller, and a toner storage section from which toner is supplied from the toner container. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The device body comprises a main frame with an opening, and an opening / closing member that is movable between an open position that opens the opening to allow the cartridge and the toner container to be inserted and removed through the opening, and a closed position that closes the opening. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8 characterized by the above. (Composition 10) When the aforementioned axis of rotation is defined as the first axis of rotation, The opening and closing member is configured to rotate between the closed position and the open position at the other end of the device body opposite to the one end in the second direction, about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described therein. (Composition 11) The cartridge has a first discharge section for discharging the remaining toner, The main body of the apparatus includes a first receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the first discharge section, and a second discharge section for discharging the remaining toner toward the remaining toner container, and has a transport unit for transporting the remaining toner. The remaining toner container has a second receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the second discharge section. The first discharge portion of the cartridge engages with and disengages from the first receiving portion in a direction along the first direction when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the device body, respectively. The second receiving portion of the remaining toner container is configured to engage with and disengage from the second discharge portion in a direction along the second direction when the remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device, respectively. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized by the above. (Composition 12) The cartridge has a contact portion for receiving power from the main body of the device, The contact portion and the first discharge portion are arranged at one end of the cartridge in the second direction. The first discharge section is located below the contact section. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 11, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 13) The first discharge section has a discharge port that opens in a direction that intersects the first direction and faces downward with respect to the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12, characterized in that... (Composition 14) When viewed in the direction of gravity, the contact point and the first discharge point overlap. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 12 or 13, characterized by the above. (Composition 15) The contact portion includes a contact for applying voltage to the developing roller. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 12 to 14, characterized by the above. (Composition 16) The device body has a surface facing the second direction and a first side plate provided on the first end side of the device body in the second direction, and a second side plate having a surface facing the second direction and provided on the second end side of the device body on the opposite side from the first end side in the second direction, and a mounting space for mounting the cartridge is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The transport unit has a through portion that penetrates the hole provided in the first side plate, The first receiving portion is positioned on the same side as the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the second direction. The second discharge section is positioned on the side opposite to the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the direction of the second direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 15, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 17) The cartridge has a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum, When viewed in the second direction, if we define a first line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, a second line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, and a third line as a virtual straight line parallel to the second line and passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller, The direction of the first line intersects the first direction, and the direction of the third line intersects the direction of gravity. At least a portion of the first discharge section is located in a region downstream of the mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the device body, in the first direction relative to the first straight line, and in a region below the third straight line. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 16, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 18) The toner container mounted on the main body of the device is positioned relative to the main body of the device in the first direction and the direction of gravity, and is positioned relative to the cartridge in the second direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, characterized by the above. (Composition 19) The remaining toner container has a remaining toner storage section that is detachable from the portion to which the second outer casing member of the remaining toner container is attached. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 18, characterized by the above. (Composition 20) An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, Transfer roller and A drum cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, A photosensitive drum that rotates about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller, A blade that contacts the photosensitive drum, the blade scrapes off any remaining toner that has not been transferred to the recording material and has remained on the photosensitive drum; A drum cartridge having, A developing cartridge that is detachable from the drum cartridge and detachable from the main body of the device when mounted on the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge having a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, A residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the device in the second direction independently of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, and which contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container provided at one end of the main body of the device in the second direction, A first exterior member that covers the end face of one end of the device body in the second direction from the outside, Equipped with, The remaining toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the device body from the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 21) The transfer roller is provided in the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 20, characterized in that... (Composition 22) The first exterior member has an opening, The remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the device body through the opening, and the second exterior member is mounted on the device body such that it closes the opening. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 20 or 21, characterized by the above. (Composition 23) The first surface of the first exterior member facing the second direction and the second surface of the second exterior member facing the second direction are parallel. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 22, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 24) The first surface of the first exterior member and the second surface of the second exterior member are on the same plane. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 23, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 25) The first exterior member and the second exterior member have the same color. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 24, characterized by the above. (Composition 26) The surface of the second exterior member is provided with a recess whose first direction is the longitudinal direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 25, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 27) The device body comprises a main frame with an opening, and an opening / closing member that is movable between an open position that opens the opening to allow the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge to be inserted and removed through the opening, and a closed position that closes the opening. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 26 characterized by the above. (Composition 28) When the aforementioned axis of rotation is defined as the first axis of rotation, The opening and closing member is configured to rotate between the closed position and the open position at the other end of the device body opposite to the one end in the second direction, about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 27, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 29) The drum cartridge has a first discharge section for discharging the remaining toner, The main body of the apparatus includes a first receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the first discharge section, and a second discharge section for discharging the remaining toner toward the remaining toner container, and has a transport unit for transporting the remaining toner. The remaining toner container has a second receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the second discharge section. The first ejection section of the drum cartridge engages with and disengages from the first receiving section in a direction along the first direction when the drum cartridge is attached to and detached from the device body, respectively. The second receiving portion of the remaining toner container is configured to engage with and disengage from the second discharge portion in a direction along the second direction when the remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device, respectively. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 27, characterized by the above. (Composition 30) At least one of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge has a contact portion for receiving power from the main body of the device. The contact portion and the first discharge portion are arranged in the second direction at at least one end of the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge. The first discharge section is located below the contact section. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 29, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 31) The first discharge section has a discharge port that opens in a direction that intersects the first direction and faces downward with respect to the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 30, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 32) When viewed in the direction of gravity, the contact point and the first discharge point overlap. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 30 or 31, characterized by the above. (Composition 33) The contact portion includes a contact for applying voltage to the developing roller. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 30 to 32, characterized by the above. (Composition 34) The device body has a surface facing the second direction and a first side plate provided on the first end side of the device body in the second direction, and a second side plate having a surface facing the second direction and provided on the second end side of the device body on the opposite side from the first end side in the second direction, and a mounting space for mounting the drum cartridge is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The transport unit has a through portion that penetrates the hole provided in the first side plate, The first receiving portion is positioned on the same side as the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the second direction. The second discharge section is positioned on the side opposite to the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the direction of the second direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 29 to 33, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 35) The drum cartridge has a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum, When viewed in the second direction, if we define a first line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, a second line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, and a third line as a virtual straight line parallel to the second line and passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller, The direction of the first line intersects the first direction, and the direction of the third line intersects the direction of gravity. At least a portion of the first discharge section is located in a region downstream of the mounting direction in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body of the device, in the first direction relative to the first straight line, and in a region below the third straight line. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 29 to 34, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 36) The remaining toner container has a remaining toner storage section that is detachable from the portion to which the second outer casing member of the remaining toner container is attached. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 20 to 35, characterized by the features described herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0170] B...Process cartridge (cartridge) / C...Toner container (toner cartridge) / 1A...Device body / 1R...Right cover (first exterior component) / 11...Photosensitive drum / 16...Developing roller / 17...Cleaning blade (blade) / 40...Drum cartridge / 70...Developing cartridge / 104...Transfer roller / 700, 750...Waste toner container (residual toner container) / 705...Exterior component (second exterior component)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, Transfer roller and A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, A photosensitive drum that rotates about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller, A blade that contacts the photosensitive drum, the blade scrapes off any remaining toner that has not been transferred to the recording material and has remained on the photosensitive drum; A developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, A cartridge having, A toner container that is detachable from the main body of the device, comprising a toner container for containing toner to be supplied to the cartridge, A residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the device in the second direction independently of the toner container, and which contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container provided at one end of the main body of the device in the second direction, A first exterior member covers the end face of one end of the device body in the second direction from the outside, Equipped with, The remaining toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the device body from the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The transfer roller is provided in the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The first exterior member has an opening, The remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device through the opening, and the second exterior member is mounted on the main body of the device such that it closes the opening. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The first surface of the first exterior member facing the second direction and the second surface of the second exterior member facing the second direction are parallel. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The first surface of the first exterior member and the second surface of the second exterior member are on the same plane. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The first exterior member and the second exterior member have the same color. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The surface of the second exterior member is provided with a recess whose first direction is the longitudinal direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The cartridge has a toner storage section that houses toner to be carried on the developing roller, and a toner storage section from which toner is supplied from the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The device body comprises a main frame with an opening, and an opening / closing member that is movable between an open position that opens the opening to allow the cartridge and the toner container to be inserted and removed through the opening, and a closed position that closes the opening. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. When the aforementioned axis of rotation is defined as the first axis of rotation, The opening and closing member is configured to rotate between the closed position and the open position at the other end of the device body opposite to the one end in the second direction, about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to feature 9.

11. The cartridge has a first discharge section for discharging the remaining toner, The apparatus body includes a first receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the first discharge section, and a second discharge section for discharging the remaining toner toward the remaining toner container, and has a transport unit for transporting the remaining toner. The remaining toner container has a second receiving section that receives the remaining toner discharged from the second discharge section, The first discharge portion of the cartridge engages with and disengages from the first receiving portion in a direction along the first direction when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the device body, respectively. The second receiving portion of the remaining toner container is configured to engage with and disengage from the second discharge portion in a direction along the second direction when the remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The cartridge has a contact portion for receiving power from the main body of the device, The contact portion and the first discharge portion are arranged at one end of the cartridge in the second direction. The first discharge section is located below the contact section. The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

13. The first discharge section has a discharge port that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and facing downward with respect to the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to feature 12.

14. When viewed in the direction of gravity, the contact point and the first discharge portion overlap. The image forming apparatus according to feature 12.

15. The contact portion includes a contact for applying voltage to the developing roller. The image forming apparatus according to feature 12.

16. The device body has a surface facing the second direction and a first side plate provided on the first end side of the device body in the second direction, and a second side plate having a surface facing the second direction and provided on the second end side of the device body on the opposite side from the first end side in the second direction, and a mounting space for mounting the cartridge is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The transport unit has a through portion that penetrates the hole provided in the first side plate, The first receiving portion is positioned on the same side as the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the second direction. The second discharge section is positioned on the side opposite to the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the direction of the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

17. The cartridge has a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum, When viewed in the second direction, if we define a first line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, a second line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, and a third line as a virtual straight line parallel to the second line and passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller, The direction of the first line intersects the first direction, and the direction of the third line intersects the direction of gravity. At least a portion of the first discharge section is located in a region downstream of the mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the device body, in the first direction relative to the first straight line, and in a region below the third straight line. The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

18. The toner container mounted on the main body of the device is positioned relative to the main body of the device in the first direction and the direction of gravity, and is positioned relative to the cartridge in the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. The remaining toner container has a remaining toner storage portion that is detachable from the portion to which the second outer casing member of the remaining toner container is attached. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, Transfer roller and A drum cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device in a first direction intersecting the direction of gravity, A photosensitive drum that rotates about a rotation axis extending in a second direction intersecting both the first direction and the direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum forming a transfer nip portion for transferring a toner image onto a recording material together with the transfer roller, A blade that contacts the photosensitive drum, the blade scrapes off any remaining toner that has not been transferred to the recording material and has remained on the photosensitive drum; A drum cartridge having, A developing cartridge that is detachable from the drum cartridge and detachable from the main body of the device when mounted on the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge having a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, A residual toner container that is detachably attached to the main body of the device in the second direction independently of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, and which contains residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum by the blade, the residual toner container provided at one end of the main body of the device in the second direction, A first exterior member covers the end face of one end of the device body in the second direction from the outside, Equipped with, The remaining toner container is provided with a second exterior member that covers the end face of the device body from the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

21. The transfer roller is provided in the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 20.

22. The first exterior member has an opening, The remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device through the opening, and the second exterior member is mounted on the main body of the device such that it closes the opening. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 20.

23. The first surface of the first exterior member facing the second direction and the second surface of the second exterior member facing the second direction are parallel. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 20.

24. The first surface of the first exterior member and the second surface of the second exterior member are on the same plane. The image forming apparatus according to feature 23.

25. The first exterior member and the second exterior member have the same color. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 20.

26. The surface of the second exterior member is provided with a recess whose first direction is the longitudinal direction. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 20.

27. The device body comprises a main frame with an opening, and an opening / closing member that is movable between an open position that opens the opening to allow the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge to be inserted and removed through the opening, and a closed position that closes the opening. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 26.

28. When the aforementioned axis of rotation is defined as the first axis of rotation, The opening and closing member is configured to rotate between the closed position and the open position at the other end of the device body opposite to the one end in the second direction, about a second rotation axis extending in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to feature 27.

29. The drum cartridge has a first discharge section for discharging the remaining toner, The apparatus body includes a first receiving section for receiving the remaining toner discharged from the first discharge section, and a second discharge section for discharging the remaining toner toward the remaining toner container, and has a transport unit for transporting the remaining toner. The remaining toner container has a second receiving section that receives the remaining toner discharged from the second discharge section, The first discharge portion of the drum cartridge engages with and disengages from the first receiving portion in a direction along the first direction when the drum cartridge is attached to and detached from the device body, respectively. The second receiving portion of the remaining toner container is configured to engage with and disengage from the second discharge portion in a direction along the second direction when the remaining toner container is attached to and detached from the main body of the device, respectively. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 26.

30. At least one of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge has a contact portion for receiving power from the main body of the device. The contact portion and the first discharge portion are arranged in the second direction at at least one end of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge. The first discharge section is located below the contact section. The image forming apparatus according to feature 29.

31. The first discharge section has a discharge port that opens in a direction intersecting the first direction and facing downward with respect to the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 30.

32. When viewed in the direction of gravity, the contact point and the first discharge portion overlap. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 30.

33. The contact portion includes a contact for applying voltage to the developing roller. The image forming apparatus according to the feature described in 30.

34. The device body has a surface facing the second direction and a first side plate provided on the first end side of the device body in the second direction, and a second side plate having a surface facing the second direction and provided on the second end side of the device body on the opposite side from the first end side in the second direction, and a mounting space for mounting the drum cartridge is formed between the first side plate and the second side plate. The transport unit has a through portion that penetrates the hole provided in the first side plate, The first receiving portion is positioned on the same side as the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the second direction. The second discharge section is positioned on the side opposite to the mounting space relative to the first side plate in the direction of the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 29.

35. The drum cartridge has a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum, When viewed in the second direction, if we define a first line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, a second line as a virtual straight line passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, and a third line as a virtual straight line parallel to the second line and passing through the rotation axis of the charging roller, The direction of the first line intersects the first direction, and the direction of the third line intersects the direction of gravity. At least a portion of the first discharge section is located in a region downstream of the mounting direction in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body of the device, in the first direction relative to the first straight line, and in a region below the third straight line. The image forming apparatus according to feature 29.

36. The remaining toner container has a remaining toner storage portion that is detachable from the portion to which the second outer casing member of the remaining toner container is attached. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 26.

Images