Image forming unit, image forming apparatus, and developer cartridge

Abstract

Reduces staining caused by the developer. [Solution] An image forming unit having a device body and a developer cartridge that is detachably attached to the device body, wherein when the developer cartridge is positioned in an abnormal position during the process of mounting the developer cartridge, a first contact portion of the developer cartridge contacts a second contact portion provided on the device body, maintaining a state in which a restricting portion that restricts the movement of an opening / closing member provided on the developer cartridge to the open position and a release portion that contacts the restricting portion and releases the movement restriction by the restricting portion are separated.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming unit, an image forming apparatus, and a developer cartridge. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an image forming unit included in an image forming apparatus, which is constituted by an apparatus main body having a receiving port for receiving a developer and a developer cartridge having a supply port for supplying the developer and being detachably attachable to the apparatus main body. As such an image forming unit, there is known one in which an openable / closable shutter is provided at the supply port of the developer cartridge, and the shutter is moved to an open position (that is, the shutter is opened) after the developer cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, thereby enabling the developer to be supplied from the supply port to the receiving port (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-175039 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional image forming unit, the movement of the shutter from the closed position to the open position is restricted by a restricting portion, and the restriction is released when the restricting portion abuts against a restriction releasing portion of the apparatus main body when the developer cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. In this configuration, there has been a case where the restricting portion abuts against the restriction releasing portion of the apparatus main body and the restriction is released even when the developer cartridge is incorrectly mounted.

[0005] In this case, the shutter opens in a state where the receiving port and the supply port are separated from each other, and there has been a problem that a peripheral portion of the supply port and the like are contaminated by the developer leaking out from the supply port.

[0006] This invention was made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an image forming unit, an image forming apparatus, and a developer cartridge that can reduce staining caused by the developer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming unit comprising a device body and a developer cartridge detachably attached to the device body, wherein the developer cartridge has a supply port for supplying developer provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the supply port, a restricting part provided on the one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction for restricting the movement of the opening / closing member from a closed position to an open position, a first engaging part provided on one end in the longitudinal direction, and a second engaging part provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction The device body has a contact portion and a receiving port for receiving developer, which is located at a position where it is connected to the supply port when the developer cartridge is installed, a second engaging portion located at a position opposite one end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction, which engages with the first engaging portion of the developer cartridge when the developer cartridge is positioned in the correct position during the process of installing the developer cartridge, and a restriction release portion which contacts the restricting portion when the developer cartridge is positioned in the correct position to release the restriction on the movement of the opening and closing member. The developer cartridge has a second contact portion provided at a location opposite to the other end in the longitudinal direction, which contacts the first contact portion of the developer cartridge when the developer cartridge is positioned in an abnormal position during the process of the developer cartridge being installed, thereby maintaining a state in which the restricting portion and the release portion are separated.

[0008] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the image forming unit described above. Furthermore, the developer cartridge of the present invention is a developer cartridge that is detachably attached to the device body and has a supply port for supplying developer provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an opening / closing member that can open and close the supply port, a restricting part provided on the one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that restricts the movement of the opening / closing member from a closed position to an open position, a first engaging part provided on one end in the longitudinal direction, and a first contact part provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction. When the developer cartridge is positioned in the correct position during the process of being attached to the device body, the first engaging part engages with a second engaging part provided on the device body, and the restricting part comes into contact with a release part provided on the device body, thereby releasing the restriction on the movement of the opening / closing member. When the developer cartridge is positioned in an incorrect position during the process of being attached to the device body, the first contact part comes into contact with a second contact part provided on the device body, maintaining a state in which the restricting part and the release part are separated.

[0009] The present invention prevents the opening and closing member from opening and prevents developer from leaking out of the supply port when the developer cartridge is positioned in an incorrect position (a position where, if the developer cartridge is installed as is, the supply port and the receiving port are not connected and the release portion comes into contact with the restricting portion), that is, when the developer cartridge is installed incorrectly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming unit, an image forming apparatus, and a developer cartridge that can reduce contamination caused by the developer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the printing mechanism of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming unit. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the image forming unit. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration (1) of the drum unit. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration (2) of the drum unit. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration (1) of the toner cartridge. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration (2) of the toner cartridge. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the operation (1) when installing a toner cartridge using the correct installation method. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the operation (2) when installing a toner cartridge using the correct installation method. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the operation of the rotating part of the toner cartridge and the supply port shutter that is linked to it. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the operation when a toner cartridge is installed in a way that differs from the correct installation method (1). [Figure 12] This diagram shows the operation when a toner cartridge is installed in a way different from the correct installation method (2). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [1. Configuration of the printing mechanism of an image forming apparatus] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the printing mechanism of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. This image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer and has a printing mechanism inside the roughly box-shaped apparatus body 2 for printing on a recording medium such as printing paper using toner as a developer. Here, the right side of the apparatus body 2 in the figure is the right side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side is the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side is the front of the image forming apparatus 1, the back side is the rear of the image forming apparatus 1, the top side is the top of the image forming apparatus 1, and the bottom side is the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] On the top surface of the apparatus body 2, a stacker 3 for discharging recording media printed by the image forming apparatus 1 is provided. Inside the apparatus body 2, a paper feed cassette 4 for storing recording media is arranged at the lower part thereof. Furthermore, inside the apparatus body 2, a conveyance path R that connects between the paper feed cassette 4 and the stacker 3 and serves as a path for the recording medium is formed.

[0015] Inside the apparatus body 2, along the conveyance path R, an image forming unit 5, a transfer roller 6, and a fixing device 7 are provided in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction (that is, the side closer to the paper feed cassette 4). Also inside the apparatus body 2, various rollers for conveying the recording medium along the conveyance path R are provided.

[0016] The paper feed cassette 4 is a component that accommodates recording media, and has a hopping roller 8 that feeds the accommodated recording medium out to the conveyance path R. The recording medium fed out from the paper feed cassette 4 to the conveyance path R is conveyed along the conveyance path R to the image forming unit 5 and the transfer roller 6.

[0017] The image forming unit 5 is composed of a drum unit 20 having a photosensitive drum 9 as an image carrier, and a toner cartridge 21 that accommodates toner. The drum unit 20 is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body 2 and is replaceable. The toner cartridge 21 is also attachable to and detachable from the drum unit 20 and is replaceable. A detailed description of the configuration of the image forming unit 5 will be given later. Below the photosensitive drum 9, the transfer roller 6 is arranged with the conveyance path R interposed therebetween. Above the photosensitive drum 9, an LED head 10 serving as an exposure device is arranged.

[0018] The LED head 10 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 based on print data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9. The image forming unit 5 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 using toner supplied from the toner cartridge 21. As a result, a developer image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9.

[0019] The transfer roller 6 transfers the developer image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 9 to the recording medium as the recording medium passes between the photoreceptor drum 9 and the transfer roller 6.

[0020] The fixing device 7 heats and pressurizes the recording medium while it is being transported with the recording medium sandwiched between the heating and pressurizing sections, thereby fixing the developer image transferred to the recording medium. The recording medium on which the developer image has been fixed by the fixing device 7 is discharged to the stacker 3.

[0021] [2. Configuration of the Image Forming Unit] Figures 2 and 3 show the configuration of the image forming unit 5. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view with the left side of the image forming unit 5 cut off, and Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming unit 5 viewed from the front left diagonally upward direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the image forming unit 5 consists of a drum unit 20 and a toner cartridge 21.

[0022] The drum unit 20 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped unit body 22 that is elongated in the left-right direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the photoreceptor drum 9. The unit body 22 is detachably attached to the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the photoreceptor drum 9 is provided inside the unit body 22. Furthermore, the unit body 22 is equipped with a charging roller 23, a developing roller 24, a developing blade 25, a supply roller 26, and a cleaning blade 27.

[0023] The charging roller 23 is a component that uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 9. The developing roller 24 is a component that carries toner and develops it by adhering the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 9. The developing blade 25 is a component that thins the toner carried on the developing roller 24. The supply roller 26 is a component that supplies toner supplied from the toner cartridge 21 to the drum unit 20 to the developing roller 24. The cleaning blade 27 is a component that scrapes off any remaining toner that was not transferred from the photoreceptor drum 9 to the recording medium.

[0024] Figures 4 and 5 show the external configuration of the drum unit 20 with the toner cartridge 21 removed. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the drum unit 20 seen from the upper left, and Figure 5 is an external perspective view seen from the upper right rear.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the drum unit 20 has a mounting space Sc1 formed in the upper cover frame 22U that forms the upper part of the unit body 22 for mounting the toner cartridge 21. The mounting space Sc1 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction with an open top surface, and is large enough to accommodate the toner cartridge 21 except for the upper end. The drum unit 20 is configured to mount the toner cartridge 21 by inserting the toner cartridge 21 into this mounting space Sc1.

[0026] Furthermore, the upper cover frame 22U has a left end groove 31 formed on the left wall surface 30L, which is located at the left end of the mounting space Sc1 in the longitudinal direction. This groove extends downward from the upper end of the central part in the front-rear direction of the left wall surface 30L and is recessed one step relative to the left wall surface 30L. Inside this left end groove 31, there is a roughly rectangular prism-shaped left end projection 32 that protrudes to the right. In other words, the left wall surface 30L has a left end groove 31 formed at the upper end of the central part in the front-rear direction, which is shaped like a U rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

[0027] Furthermore, the upper cover frame 22U has a rib-shaped right-end projection 33 formed on the right wall surface 30R, which is located at the right end, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the mounting space Sc1. This projection extends upward from near the lower end of the central part of the front-to-back direction of the right wall surface 30R and protrudes to the left. The lower end of this right-end projection 33 is located slightly above the bottom surface 30B, which is located at the lower end of the mounting space Sc1. In other words, a gap is provided between the lower end of the right-end projection 33 and the bottom surface 30B of the mounting space Sc1. Furthermore, the upper end of the right-end projection 33 is located near the center in the vertical direction of the right wall surface 30R.

[0028] Furthermore, the right wall surface 30R is an inclined surface that slopes downwards, becoming closer to the left wall surface 30L as it extends downwards.

[0029] Furthermore, on the right wall surface 30R, rib-shaped cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E are formed in front of and behind the right end projection 33, with the right end projection 33 in between, extending upward from the lower end of the right wall surface 30R and projecting to the left. In other words, the cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E are formed on the right wall surface 30R so as to sandwich the right end projection 33 in the front-to-back direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting space Sc1.

[0030] The cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E have the same shape, and their vertical length is about half that of the right-end projection 33. In other words, the upper ends of the cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E are located below the upper end of the right-end projection 33. Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E to the left from the right wall surface 30R is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the right-end projection 33. In addition, the upper ends of the cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E are located below the lower end of the left-end projection 32 provided on the left wall surface 30L of the mounting space Sc1. In other words, the left-end projection 32 is located upstream of the cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 21.

[0031] Furthermore, the upper cover frame 22U has a toner receiving port 35 formed at a position towards the rear of the center of the left-right (longitudinal) portion of the bottom surface 30B for receiving toner into the drum unit 20. Note that the bottom surface 30B is not flat, but is a curved surface in the shape of an arc that is recessed downward when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the mounting space Sc1, matching the shape of the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 21. In addition, an elastic sealing member 36 is provided around the toner receiving port 35. In other words, the toner receiving port 35 is surrounded by the elastic sealing member 36.

[0032] Furthermore, the bottom surface 30B is provided with a stopper release projection 37 that protrudes upward at a position between the toner receiving port 35 and the right end projection 33 (i.e., near the right end). The drum unit 20 is configured as described above.

[0033] Figures 6 and 7 show the external configuration of the toner cartridge 21. Here, the up-down and left-right directions of the toner cartridge 21 are defined as the up-down and left-right directions when it is mounted on the drum unit 20. Figure 6 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge 21 viewed from the front left diagonal upward direction, and Figure 7 is an external perspective view viewed from the right diagonal downward direction.

[0034] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the toner cartridge 21 has a cartridge frame 40 that is roughly rectangular in shape and elongated in the left-right direction, and a roughly cylindrical rotating member 50 that is rotatably provided at the right end of the cartridge frame 40.

[0035] The cartridge frame 40 is capable of housing toner inside. The lower surface 40B of the cartridge frame 40 is not flat, but is a curved, arc-shaped surface that is recessed downward when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame 40, along the outer circumference of the rotating member 50.

[0036] Furthermore, on the lower surface 40B of the cartridge frame 40, a toner supply port 41 is formed at a position towards the rear of the central part in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction), that is, at a position opposite the toner receiving port 35 of the drum unit 20 when the toner cartridge 21 is installed in the drum unit 20, for discharging the toner contained inside the cartridge frame 40 to the outside.

[0037] Furthermore, the toner supply port 41 is provided with a supply port shutter 42 that can move between a closed position that shields (i.e., closes) the toner supply port 41 and an open position that opens (i.e., opens) the toner supply port 41. This supply port shutter 42 moves in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 50.

[0038] Specifically, when the rotating member 50 rotates in the direction of arrow Ar1 shown in Figure 7, the supply port shutter 42 moves to the open position, and when the rotating member 50 rotates in the direction of arrow Ar2, which is opposite to arrow Ar1, the supply port shutter 42 moves to the closed position. The direction of arrow Ar1 is also called the shutter opening direction, and the direction of arrow Ar2 is also called the shutter closing direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the left side surface 40L of the cartridge frame 40 is provided with a left-end projection 43 that protrudes to the left from the left side surface 40L, near the upper end of the central portion in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the cartridge frame 40, this left-end projection 43 has a shape like a U rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and a groove (referred to as the left-end groove) 43G is formed extending to the right from the tip of the left-end projection 43.

[0040] This left-end projection 43 is the part that is inserted into the left-end groove 31 of the drum unit 20 when the toner cartridge 21 is installed in the drum unit 20. When the left-end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the left-end groove 31 of the drum unit 20, the left-end projection 32 formed on the inside of the left-end groove 31 is inserted into the left-end groove 43G from the tip side of the left-end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21.

[0041] On the other hand, the rotating member 50 located at the right end of the cartridge frame 40 is provided with an operating lever 51 that protrudes from the outer circumference at a predetermined location on its outer circumference (the upper part in Figure 7). The toner cartridge 21 is operated by operating this operating lever 51 to rotate the rotating member 50.

[0042] Furthermore, on the side of the rotating member 50 opposite to the operating lever 51 on its outer circumference (the lower side in Figure 7), a rotating member side groove 52 is formed, extending from the right end of the rotating member 50 in a leftward direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member 50. This rotating member side groove 52 is a groove through which the projection 33 on the right end of the drum unit 20 passes when the toner cartridge 21 is installed in the drum unit 20.

[0043] Furthermore, the portion of the outer circumference of the rotating member 50 adjacent to the upstream side of the rotating member groove 52 in the shutter opening direction is the rotating member side engaging portion 53, which engages with the right end side projection 33 of the drum unit 20.

[0044] As will be explained in more detail later, when the right end projection 33 of the drum unit 20 has passed through the groove 52 on the side of the rotating member (i.e., the right end projection 33 has passed through the groove 52 on the side of the rotating member 50) and the rotating member 50 is rotated in the shutter opening direction, the rotating member 53 fits into the gap between the lower end of the right end projection 33 and the bottom surface 30B of the mounting space Sc1, and engages with the right end projection 33, thereby fixing the toner cartridge 21 so that it does not come out of the drum unit 20.

[0045] Furthermore, the rotating member 50 is provided with a regulating rib 54 located on the inner side of the rotating member groove 52 (i.e., on the center side of the rotating member 50 as seen from the rotating member groove 52) and extending in the direction of the rotation axis (left-right direction) of the rotating member 50. As will be described in more detail later, this regulating rib 54 is a member that, when the toner cartridge 21 is about to be inserted into the mounting space Sc1 in the wrong orientation, comes into contact with the upper end of the right end projection 33 that has passed through the rotating member groove 52, thereby preventing the toner cartridge 21 from being inserted any further.

[0046] Furthermore, the distance D1 from the rotating member side groove 52 to the regulating rib 54 is slightly longer than the vertical length D2 of the right end side projection 33 (see Figure 4).

[0047] Furthermore, a stopper 55 is provided on the outer circumference of the rotating member 50, at a position to the left of the rotating member-side engagement portion 53, and extending in the shutter opening direction. This stopper 55 is a member that can be elastically deformed in the radial direction of the rotating member 50, and its tip contacts a stopper contact portion 44 provided at the right end of the lower surface 40B of the cartridge frame 40 (near the rotating member 50), thereby preventing the rotating member 50 from rotating any further in the shutter opening direction indicated by arrow Ar1.

[0048] In other words, as shown in Figure 7, when the tip of the stopper 55 is in contact with the stopper contact portion 44, the supply port shutter 42 cannot be moved to the open position. Also, at this time, the rotating member 50 is in a rotational position that allows the projection 33 on the right end of the drum unit 20 to pass through the groove 52 on the side of the rotating member when the toner cartridge 21 is mounted on the drum unit 20.

[0049] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 21 is not installed in the drum unit 20, the tip of the stopper 55 abuts against the stopper contact portion 44, and the toner supply port 41 is shielded (closed) by the supply port shutter 42.

[0050] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 21 is installed in the drum unit 20, the stopper 55 comes into contact with the stopper release projection 37 (see Figure 4) of the drum unit 20 and is elastically deformed by being pushed upward by the stopper release projection 37.

[0051] When the stopper 55 undergoes elastic deformation in this manner, the tip of the stopper 55 detaches above the stopper contact portion 44 (i.e., inside the rotating member 50), allowing the rotating member 50 to rotate together with the stopper 55 in the shutter opening direction. In other words, the rotating member 50 can be rotated in the shutter opening direction by operating the operating lever 51. The toner cartridge 21 is configured as described above.

[0052] [3. Installing the toner cartridge] Next, we will explain in detail the operation of installing the toner cartridge 21 into the drum unit 20. First, Figure 8(A) shows a front view of the toner cartridge 21 and drum unit 20 as they begin to be installed into the drum unit 20.

[0053] Figure 8(A) shows the correct method for installing the toner cartridge 21 into the drum unit 20. In the correct installation method, as shown in Figure 8(A), the user inserts the toner cartridge 21 into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 at an angle such that the left end, which is one end in the longitudinal direction, is positioned lower than the right end, which is the other end (i.e., the left end is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 before the right end).

[0054] This is because, as shown in Figure 8(B), which is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 viewed from the front, when installing the toner cartridge 21 into the drum unit 20, the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is first inserted into the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21.

[0055] To insert the left-side projection 32 of the drum unit 20 into the left-side groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21, first position the toner cartridge 21 to the right so that the left-side groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21 is to the right of the left-side projection 32 of the drum unit 20. Then, lower the left side of the toner cartridge 21 until the left-side groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21 is facing the left-side projection 32 of the drum unit 20, and from there, position the toner cartridge 21 to the left.

[0056] In this manner, the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in a tilted position such that the left end is lower than the right end, and the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is inserted into the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21.

[0057] By inserting the toner cartridge 21 into the mounting space Sc1 in this manner, the left-end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is inserted into the left-end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21. Then, as shown in Figure 9(A), the right end of the toner cartridge 21 is lowered, and the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 until the portion of the toner cartridge 21 excluding the upper end is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 (i.e., the insertion completion position).

[0058] When the toner cartridge 21 is inserted to the insertion completion position in this manner, as shown in Figure 9(B), the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is inserted inside the left end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 (i.e., into the left end groove 43G).

[0059] Here, Figure 9(C) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the toner inlet 35 of the drum unit 20 as seen from the front, and Figure 10(C) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the toner inlet 35 of the drum unit 20 as seen from the left. As shown in Figures 9(C) and 10(C), at this time, the toner supply port 41 provided on the lower surface 40B (Figure 9(C)) of the toner cartridge 21 reaches a position where it contacts (or is close to) the toner inlet 35 provided on the bottom surface 30B (Figure 9(C)) of the drum unit 20. At this time, the toner supply port 41 is shielded by the supply port shutter 42. Also at this time, the elastic sealing member 36 provided around the toner inlet 35 comes into contact with the lower surface 40B of the toner cartridge 21, so that the toner supply port 41 and the toner inlet 35 are connected without any gaps.

[0060] Here, Figure 9(D) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the right end projection 33 of the drum unit 20 as seen from the front, and Figure 10(A) shows a side view of the rotating member 50 of the toner cartridge 21 as seen from the left. As shown in Figures 9(D) and 10(A), at this time, the right end projection 33 of the drum unit 20 passes through the groove 52 on the side of the rotating member of the toner cartridge 21 and enters the inside of the rotating member 50. At this time, the upper end of the right end projection 33 of the drum unit 20 and the regulating rib 54 provided on the inside of the rotating member 50 are in a positional relationship where they do not come into contact.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(D), at this time, the stopper release projection 37 provided on the bottom surface 30B of the drum unit 20 comes into contact with the stopper 55 provided on the bottom surface 40B of the toner cartridge 21, causing the stopper 55 to elastically deform, which allows the rotating member 50 of the toner cartridge 21 to be rotated in the shutter opening direction by the operating lever 51.

[0062] In this manner, the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 with its left end lower than its right end, and the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is inserted into the inside of the left end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 (left end groove 43G) (Figures 8(A), (B)). Then, the toner cartridge 21 is mounted into the mounting space Sc2 with its right end lower, and the position of the toner cartridge 21 when it is inserted to the complete insertion position and the stopper release projection 37 of the drum unit 20 contacts the stopper 55 of the toner cartridge 21 (i.e., the position shown in Figures 9(A) to (D)) is called the normal position.

[0063] In this way, after inserting the toner cartridge 21 to the insertion completion position (i.e., after placing it in the correct position), finally, as shown in Figure 10(B), the installation is completed by rotating the rotating member 50 of the toner cartridge 21 in the shutter opening direction using the operating lever 51.

[0064] At this time, the rotating member side engaging portion 53 of the rotating member 50 enters the gap between the lower end of the right end side projection 33 of the drum unit 20 and the bottom surface 30B of the mounting space Sc1, and engages with the right end side projection 33, thereby fixing the toner cartridge 21 to the drum unit 20.

[0065] At this time, as shown in Figure 10(B), the toner supply port shutter 42 of the toner cartridge 21 moves to the open position, opening the toner supply port 41 and making it possible to supply toner from the toner supply port 41 to the toner receiving port 35. The above describes the operation when the toner cartridge 21 is installed in the drum unit 20 using the correct installation method.

[0066] Next, we will explain what happens when you try to install the toner cartridge 21 into the drum unit 20 using a method different from the correct installation method described above.

[0067] First, as shown in Figure 11(A), we will explain the operation when inserting the toner cartridge 21 into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in an inclined position such that the right end is positioned lower than the left end (i.e., the right end is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 before the left end).

[0068] In this case, as shown in Figure 11(D), at the right end of the mounting space Sc1, the toner cartridge 21 is tilted so that its right end is lower than its left end. Therefore, before the stopper 55, which is located closer to the center than the right end of the toner cartridge 21, comes into contact with the stopper release projection 37 of the drum unit 20, the right end portion of the regulating rib 54, which is located at the right end of the toner cartridge 21, comes into contact with the upper end of the projection 33 on the right end of the drum unit 20.

[0069] In other words, because the toner cartridge 21 is tilted so that its right end is lower than its left end, the position of the upper end of the right-side projection 33 as seen from the stopper 55 is relatively lower compared to when the toner cartridge 21 is not tilted. As a result, the right end portion of the regulating rib 54 of the toner cartridge 21 comes into contact with the upper end of the right-side projection 33 of the drum unit 20 before the stopper 55 comes into contact with the stopper release projection 37.

[0070] In this manner, the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 in a tilted position such that the right end is lower than the left end, and the position of the toner cartridge 21 when it is inserted to a predetermined position before the stopper 55 of the toner cartridge 21 contacts the stopper release projection 37 of the drum unit 20 (i.e., the position shown in Figures 11(A) to (D)) is called the non-standard position.

[0071] At this time, as shown in Figure 11(B), at the left end of the mounting space Sc1, the left end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 is resting on top of the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 (that is, the left end projection 32 is in contact with the lower end of the left end projection 43, which is downstream in the mounting direction), and the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21 and the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 are separated in the vertical direction. Also at this time, as shown in Figure 11(C), at the center of the mounting space Sc1 in the left-right direction, the toner supply port 41 is separated from the toner receiving port 35.

[0072] In this manner, when the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in a tilted position with its right end lower than its left end, when it is inserted to a predetermined position before the stopper 55 contacts the stopper release projection 37, the regulating rib 54 of the toner cartridge 21 comes into contact with the upper end of the right end projection 33 of the drum unit 20 at the right end of the mounting space Sc1, and the left end projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 comes into contact with the upper end of the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 at the left end of the mounting space Sc1. This restricts downward movement, preventing further insertion of the toner cartridge 21, resulting in an incorrect installation.

[0073] Therefore, when the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in a tilted position with the right end lower than the left end, the stopper 55 will not come into contact with the stopper release projection 37, and it will not be possible to move the supply port shutter 42 to the open position by operating the operating lever 51. The operation when the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in a tilted position with the right end lower than the left end is as described above.

[0074] Next, as shown in Figure 12(A), we will explain the operation when inserting the toner cartridge 21 into the mounting space Sc1 of the drum unit 20 in a nearly horizontal position without tilting it (that is, a position in which the left end and the right end are inserted into the mounting space Sc1 almost simultaneously).

[0075] In this case, as shown in Figure 12(B), the toner cartridge 21 is inserted with the left end of the left-side projection 43 of the toner cartridge 21 in contact with the right end of the left-side projection 32 of the drum unit 20 at the left end of the mounting space Sc1.

[0076] At this time, the toner cartridge 21 is positioned closer to the right end of the mounting space Sc1 compared to the state shown in Figure 9(B), that is, the state in which the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20 is inserted into the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21.

[0077] Therefore, as shown in Figure 12(C), the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 with the right end of the rotating member 50 in contact with the right wall surface 30R of the mounting space Sc1, and along the way, the lower end of the right end portion of the rotating member 50 comes into contact with the upper ends of the cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E that protrude from the right wall surface 30R.

[0078] Furthermore, the cartridge orientation correction guides 34F and 34E are provided at the front and rear, with the right-end projection 33 in between. As a result, the upper end of the cartridge orientation correction guide 34F contacts the portion of the right end of the rotating member 50 that is located in front of the rotating member side groove 52, while the upper end of the cartridge orientation correction guide 34E contacts the portion of the rotating member side groove 52 that is located behind the rotating member side groove 52 (i.e., the rotating member side engagement portion 53).

[0079] At this time, the toner cartridge 21 is restricted from moving downward at its right end. On the other hand, the toner cartridge 21 is not restricted from moving downward at its left end. As a result, the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 while tilting so that its left end is positioned lower than its right end.

[0080] Then, the left end of the toner cartridge 21 is lowered until the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21 faces the left end projection 32 of the drum unit 20, and from there the toner cartridge 21 is moved to the left and the left end projection 32 is inserted into the left end groove 43G.

[0081] At this time, as the toner cartridge 21 shifts to the left, the lower end of the rightmost portion of the rotating member 50 detaches from the upper ends of the cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E on the right side of the toner cartridge 21, thereby releasing the restriction on downward movement. Subsequent operations are the same as those performed when installing using the correct installation method.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(C), the left end surfaces 60 of the cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E, which are provided on the right wall surface 30R of the mounting space Sc1, may be inclined surfaces that, like the right wall surface 30R, approach the left wall surface 30L as they extend downwards.

[0083] In this way, when inserting the toner cartridge 21 in a nearly horizontal position without tilting it, the right end portion of the rotating member 50 can be aligned with the right wall surface 30R of the mounting space Sc1 and the left end surface 60 of the cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E, thereby guiding the toner cartridge 21 to move gradually to the left.

[0084] [4. Summary and Effects] As described above, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an image forming unit 5 having a unit body 22 which is an example of the main body of a developing apparatus, and a toner cartridge 21 which is an example of a developer cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the unit body 22.

[0085] The toner cartridge 21 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a toner supply port 41, which is an example of a supply port for supplying toner as a developer, located on the bottom surface 40B side, which is one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a supply port shutter 42, which is an example of an opening and closing member that can open and close the toner supply port 41; a stopper 55, which is an example of a restricting part that restricts the movement of the supply port shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position, located on the bottom surface 40B side; a left end groove 43G, which is an example of a first engaging part, located on the left end side, which is one end in the longitudinal direction; and a restricting rib 54, which is an example of a first contact part, located on the right end side, which is the other end in the longitudinal direction.

[0086] The unit body 22 has a toner receiving port 35, which is an example of a receiving port that can receive toner, located at a position where it connects to the toner supply port 41 when the toner cartridge 21 is installed, and a left end projection 32, which is an example of a second engaging portion that engages with the left end groove 43G of the toner cartridge 21 (i.e., is inserted into the left end groove 43G) when the toner cartridge 21 is tilted in the process of being installed so that the left end approaches the unit body 22 before the right end (i.e., when it is installed in the correct installation method), and when the toner cartridge 21 is in the correct position The unit includes a stopper release projection 37, which is an example of a restriction release part that contacts the stopper 55 when positioned in a certain location to release the restriction on the movement of the supply port shutter 42, and a right-end projection 33, which is an example of a second contact part that is provided at a location facing the right end of the toner cartridge 21 and contacts the regulating rib 54 of the toner cartridge 21 when the toner cartridge 21 is positioned in an unconventional position in which the toner cartridge 21 is tilted so that the right end approaches the unit body 22 before the left end (i.e., when it is installed in a way different from the correct installation method), thereby maintaining a state in which the stopper 55 and the stopper release projection 37 are separated.

[0087] In this way, the image forming unit 5 prevents the supply port shutter 42 from opening if the toner cartridge 21 is positioned incorrectly during the process of mounting the toner cartridge 21 to the unit body 22 (i.e., if the toner cartridge 21 is mounted as is, the toner supply port 41 and the toner receiving port 35 are not connected and the stopper release projection 37 comes into contact with the stopper 55), that is, if the toner cartridge 21 is mounted incorrectly. This prevents toner from leaking out of the toner supply port 41 and soiling the area around the toner supply port 41 or the inside of the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, the image forming unit 5 can reduce toner contamination.

[0088] Furthermore, in the process of installing the toner cartridge 21, if the toner cartridge 21 is positioned in an unconventional position with its right end approaching the unit body 22 before its left end, the regulating rib 54 provided on the right end of the toner cartridge 21 contacts the right end projection 33 of the unit body 22, thereby restricting the movement of the toner cartridge 21 in the installation direction (downward) on its right end. Additionally, the left end projection 43, an example of a cartridge-side projection provided on the left end of the toner cartridge 21, contacts the left end projection 32, an example of a device body-side projection of the unit body 22 (by riding up on the left end projection 32), thereby restricting the movement of the toner cartridge 21 in the installation direction (downward) on its left end.

[0089] By doing this, if the toner cartridge 21 is positioned incorrectly during the installation process, the image forming unit 5 can prevent the toner cartridge 21 from moving any further in the installation direction, allowing the user to re-install the toner cartridge 21.

[0090] Furthermore, the image forming unit 5 has cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E, which are examples of posture correction parts. These guides are provided on the unit body 22 at a location facing the right end of the toner cartridge 21. When the toner cartridge 21 is mounted in an upright position (i.e., mounted on the unit body 22 with both the left and right ends approaching the unit body 22 almost simultaneously), the left end groove 43G provided on the left end of the toner cartridge 21 engages with the right end of the toner cartridge 21 before engaging with the left end projection 32 of the unit body 22. This engagement continues until the left end groove 43G engages with the left end projection 32, thereby restricting the movement of the right end of the toner cartridge 21 in the mounting direction (downward), and tilting (i.e. correcting) the posture of the toner cartridge 21 so that it is positioned correctly.

[0091] By doing this, the image forming unit 5 can tilt the toner cartridge 21 to the correct position during installation, even if the toner cartridge 21 is installed in an upright position, thus enabling the toner cartridge 21 to be installed correctly.

[0092] [5. Other Embodiments] [5-1. Other Embodiments 1] In the embodiment described above, an elastically deformable elastic member was used as the stopper 55. However, the stopper 55 is not limited to this; any member that can be released from the stopper contact portion 44 by contacting the stopper release projection 37 and being pushed upward is acceptable.

[0093] For example, a member 55 may be used as the stopper 55, which is supported by a rotating member 50 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and when the toner cartridge 21 is not mounted on the drum unit 20, is held in a position to contact the stopper contact portion 44 by its own weight or the biasing force of a spring, and when the toner cartridge 21 is mounted on the drum unit 20, it comes into contact with the stopper release projection 37 and is pushed upward, thereby disengaging from the stopper contact portion 44.

[0094] [5-2. Other Embodiments 2] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention was applied to an image forming unit 5 in which the toner cartridge 21 is inserted into the mounting space Sc1 provided in the drum unit 20 from above, that is, an image forming unit 5 in which the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 21 is downward. However, it is not limited to this, and can also be applied to an image forming unit 5 in which the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 21 is lateral.

[0095] For example, this can be applied to an image forming unit in which a drum unit is provided with a mounting space on its left side that is open, and a toner cartridge is inserted into the mounting space from the left side of the mounting space.

[0096] [5-3. Other Embodiments 3] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, two cartridge posture correction guides 34F and 34E were provided on the unit body 22 of the drum unit 20, but the invention is not limited to this, and one cartridge posture correction guide or three or more guides may be provided.

[0097] [5-4. Other Embodiments 4] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention was applied to an image forming unit 5 consisting of a unit body 22 of a drum unit 20 detachably provided on the image forming apparatus 1, and a toner cartridge 21 detachably provided on the unit body 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various image forming units having an apparatus body and a developer cartridge detachably provided on the apparatus body.

[0098] For example, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming unit, which consists of an image forming apparatus body and a developer cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus body. In other words, it can also be applied to an image forming unit in which a developer device is fixed to the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus and a developer cartridge is attached to the apparatus body. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to image forming apparatus 1, but can be applied to various image forming apparatuses equipped with an image forming unit. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to toner cartridge 21, but can be applied to various developer cartridges detachably attached to the apparatus body.

[0099] [5-5. Other Embodiments 5] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the present invention was applied to an image forming apparatus 1 which is a monochrome printer with a removable toner cartridge 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as color printers, copiers, facsimile machines, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals), etc., with removable developer cartridges.

[0100] [5-6. Other Embodiments 6] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and other embodiments. That is, the scope of the present invention also extends to embodiments that arbitrarily combine some or all of the embodiments described above and other embodiments. [Industrial applicability]

[0101] The present invention can be widely used, for example, in image forming apparatuses having detachable toner cartridges. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1...Image forming apparatus, 2...Apparatus body, 5...Image forming unit, 20...Drum unit, 21...Toner cartridge, 22...Unit body, 22U...Upper cover frame, 31...Left end groove, 32...Left end projection, 33...Right end projection, 34E, 34F...Cartridge posture correction guide, 35...Toner receiving port, 36...Elastic sealing member, 37...Stopper release projection, 40...Cartridge frame, 41...Toner supply port, 42...Supply port shutter, 43...Left end projection, 43G...Left end groove, 44...Stopper contact part, 50...Rotating member, 51...Operating lever, 52...Rotating member side groove, 53...Rotating member side engagement part, 54...Regulating rib, 55...Stopper, Sc1...Mounting space.

Claims

1. An image forming unit having a main body and a developer cartridge that is detachable from the main body, The aforementioned developer cartridge is A supply port for supplying developer is provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, An opening / closing member that can open and close the supply port, A restricting portion is provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which restricts the movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position, The first engaging portion provided on one end in the longitudinal direction, The first contact portion provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction and It has, The main body of the aforementioned device is A receiving port capable of receiving developer is provided at a position that connects to the supply port when the developer cartridge is installed, A second engaging portion is provided at a location opposite to one end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction, and engages with the first engaging portion of the developer cartridge when the developer cartridge is positioned correctly during the process of the developer cartridge being installed. When the developer cartridge is positioned correctly, a restriction release unit comes into contact with the restricting unit to release the restriction on the movement of the opening / closing member, A second contact portion is provided on the other end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction, and when the developer cartridge is positioned in an abnormal position during the process of the developer cartridge being installed, it contacts the first contact portion of the developer cartridge to maintain a state in which the restricting portion and the release portion are separated. has An image forming unit characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned normal position is, This is the position in which the developer cartridge is positioned during the installation process, when the developer cartridge is mounted on the device body in a tilted position such that one end approaches the device body before the other end in the longitudinal direction. The image forming unit according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned normal position is, This is the position where the first contact portion and the second contact portion come into contact after the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion have engaged. The image forming unit according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned non-normal position is, This is the position in which the developer cartridge is positioned during the installation process, when the developer cartridge is mounted on the device body in a tilted position such that the other end approaches the device body before one end in the longitudinal direction. The image forming unit according to claim 2.

5. The first engaging portion, provided on one end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction, is a groove provided on the tip side of a cartridge-side projection that protrudes from that end in the longitudinal direction. The second engaging portion provided on the device body is a device body side projection that is inserted into the groove from the tip side of the cartridge side projection. The image forming unit according to feature 4.

6. When the developer cartridge is positioned in the non-standard location, the projection on the device body side abuts against the downstream side of the projection on the cartridge side in the mounting direction, thereby restricting the movement of the other end of the developer cartridge in the mounting direction. The image forming unit according to feature 5.

7. The main body of the aforementioned device is The device further includes a posture correction part provided at a location facing the other end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction, which, when the developer cartridge is mounted to the device body in a position where one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction approach the device body almost simultaneously, engages with the other end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction during the mounting process, thereby restricting movement of the other end in the mounting direction and tilting the posture of the developer cartridge so that the developer cartridge is positioned in the correct position. The image forming unit according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The posture correction unit releases engagement with the other end of the developer cartridge in the longitudinal direction as the developer cartridge moves towards the second engagement portion of the device body when the first engagement portion of the developer cartridge and the second engagement portion of the device body engage. The image forming unit according to feature 7.

9. The second engagement portion is located upstream of the posture correction portion in the direction in which the developer cartridge is installed. The image forming unit according to feature 8.

10. The main body of the aforementioned device is This is the main body of a developing device that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus. The image forming unit according to feature 1.

11. Having the image forming unit described in claim 1 An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

12. A developer cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the device, A supply port for supplying developer is provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, An opening / closing member that can open and close the supply port, A restricting portion is provided on one end in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which restricts the movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position, The first engaging portion provided on one end in the longitudinal direction, The first contact portion provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction and It has, During the process of mounting the developer cartridge onto the device body, when the developer cartridge is positioned correctly, the first engaging portion engages with the second engaging portion provided on the device body, and the restricting portion comes into contact with the release portion provided on the device body, thereby releasing the restriction on the movement of the opening / closing member. If the developer cartridge is positioned incorrectly during the process of being mounted to the device body, the first contact portion will come into contact with the second contact portion provided on the device body, thereby maintaining a state in which the restricting portion and the release portion are separated. A developer cartridge characterized by the following features.

Images