Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that is configured to supply toner from a toner cartridge to a developing housing movable with respect to a photoconductor drum and can prevent leakage of the toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing.SOLUTION: A drum cartridge 4 has a photoconductor drum 41 and a developing device 43. The developing device 43 has a developing roller 431 and a developing housing 432 having a toner receiving port 433. The developing housing 432 is movable with respect to the photoconductor drum 41. The toner cartridge 5 has a toner housing 51 having a toner discharge port 511, a toner shutter 54, and a cushion member 56. The toner shutter 54 opens and closes the toner discharge port 511. The cushion member 56 allows the toner shutter 54 to move with respect to the toner housing 51 with the toner shutter being engaged with the developing housing 432.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum and a developing device. The developing device is capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge, when attached to the drum cartridge, is capable of supplying toner to the developing device. The developing device has a developing roller, a developing housing, and a developing shutter. The developing housing supports the developing roller. The developing housing has a toner receiving port. When the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the toner receiving port is capable of receiving toner from the toner cartridge. The developing shutter opens and closes the toner receiving port. The toner cartridge has a toner housing and a toner shutter. The toner housing is capable of containing toner. The toner housing has a toner discharge port. The toner discharge port discharges toner inside the toner housing. The toner shutter opens and closes the toner discharge port (see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-66815 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in order to suppress fluctuations in the contact state of the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum, it is conceivable to make the developing roller and a developing housing supporting the developing roller movable with respect to the photosensitive drum.

[0005] However, when the developing housing moves, the position of the toner receiving opening relative to the toner shutter changes, and there is a possibility that the toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing will leak.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus that can suppress leakage of toner supplied from a toner cartridge to a developing housing that is movable relative to a photosensitive drum, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to the developing housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main body housing, a drum cartridge, and a toner cartridge.

[0008] The drum cartridge is mountable within the main body housing. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum and a developing device. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum shaft. The drum shaft extends in a first direction. The developing device is capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drum.

[0009] The toner cartridge is mountable within the main body housing. With the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge mounted within the main body housing, the toner cartridge is capable of supplying toner to the developing device.

[0010] The developing device includes a developing roller, a developing housing, and a developing shutter.

[0011] The developer roller is rotatable about a developer shaft that extends in a first direction.

[0012] The developing housing supports a developing roller. The developing housing is movable relative to the photosensitive drum in a second direction. The second direction intersects with the first direction. The developing housing has a toner receiving opening. When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the toner receiving opening is capable of receiving toner from the toner cartridge.

[0013] The developer shutter is movable between a developer closed position and a developer open position. When the developer shutter is in the developer closed position, the developer shutter closes the toner receiving opening. When the developer shutter is in the developer open position, the toner receiving opening is open.

[0014] The toner cartridge includes a toner housing, a toner shutter, and a cushion member.

[0015] The toner housing is capable of containing toner. The toner housing has a toner discharge port. The toner discharge port discharges the toner inside the toner housing.

[0016] The toner shutter is movable between a toner closed position and a toner open position. When the toner shutter is in the toner closed position, the toner shutter closes the toner discharge port. When the toner shutter is in the toner open position, the toner discharge port opens. When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are installed in the main body housing, the toner shutter engages with the developing housing.

[0017] The cushion member is located between the toner housing and the toner shutter.

[0018] When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the development shutter is positioned at the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, and the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the cushion member allows the toner shutter to move relative to the toner housing while engaged with the development housing.

[0019] According to this configuration, the cushion member is located between the toner housing and the toner shutter.

[0020] Therefore, when the drum cartridge and toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing, the development shutter is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the toner shutter can move relative to the toner housing while engaged with the development housing.

[0021] This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the position of the toner receiving opening relative to the toner shutter even when the developing housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum.

[0022] As a result, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to a developing housing that is movable relative to the photosensitive drum, leakage of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing can be suppressed.

[0023] (2) The toner shutter is fixed to the developing housing in a state of engagement with the developing housing. When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing, and the developing housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum in a state in which the developing shutter is located at the developing open position and the toner shutter is located at the toner open position, the toner shutter moves relative to the toner housing in a state in which it is fixed to the developing housing.

[0024] (3) The toner shutter may have a toner shutter opening. When the toner shutter is in the toner closed position, the toner shutter opening does not communicate with the toner discharge port. When the toner shutter is in the toner open position, the toner shutter opening communicates with the toner discharge port. When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the developer shutter is in the developer open position, and when the toner shutter is in the toner open position, the toner shutter opening communicates with the toner receiving port.

[0025] With this configuration, when the drum cartridge and toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing, the development shutter is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the position of the toner receiving port relative to the toner shutter opening can be prevented from changing.

[0026] As a result, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to a developing housing that is movable relative to the photosensitive drum, leakage of toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing can be further suppressed.

[0027] (4) The cushion member may surround the toner discharge port, and may provide a seal between the toner housing and the toner shutter when the toner shutter is in the toner closing position.

[0028] According to this configuration, the cushion member can prevent the toner from leaking from between the toner housing and the toner shutter.

[0029] (5) The cushion member may have a first surface and a second surface. The first surface contacts the toner housing. The second surface contacts the toner shutter.

[0030] (6) The toner shutter may slide over the second surface while in contact with the second surface when moving between the toner closed position and the toner open position.

[0031] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from between the toner shutter and the cushion member when the toner shutter moves between the toner closed position and the toner open position.

[0032] (7) The toner shutter may extend in the first direction. The toner shutter may have a cylindrical shape.

[0033] According to this configuration, the toner shutter can be moved between the toner closed position and the toner open position by rotating the toner shutter.

[0034] Therefore, the space required for the toner shutter to move can be reduced.

[0035] (8) The toner housing may have a cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion has a toner discharge port. The cylindrical portion extends in a first direction. The cylindrical portion is located inside the toner shutter. The cushion member contacts the cylindrical portion.

[0036] (9) With the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge mounted in the main housing, the cushion member may be located between one end of the developing housing in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing in the first direction.

[0037] According to this configuration, the elastic force of the cushion member is applied to the developing housing uniformly in the first direction.

[0038] Therefore, the developing roller can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum with a uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0039] (10) When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the cushion member may be located in the center of the developing housing in the first direction.

[0040] According to this configuration, the developing roller can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum with a more uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0041] (11) The cushion member may have a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contacts the toner shutter. The second layer is located between the first layer and the toner housing. The second layer is softer than the first layer.

[0042] According to this configuration, the first layer supports the toner shutter, while the second layer allows the toner shutter to move.

[0043] (12) When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are installed in the main housing, the development shutter is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned in the toner open position, and the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the first layer does not have to deform, and the second layer may elastically deform.

[0044] According to this configuration, the first layer can support the toner shutter more stably, while the second layer can allow the toner shutter to move.

[0045] (13) The toner cartridge may further have a handle for moving the toner shutter.

[0046] With this configuration, the user can easily move the toner shutter by operating the handle.

[0047] (14) When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are installed in the main body casing, the toner outlet may be located above the toner inlet.

[0048] According to this configuration, the toner in the toner cartridge can be supplied to the developing device by utilizing gravity.

[0049] (15) The toner cartridge may be mountable in a drum cartridge. With the toner cartridge mounted in the drum cartridge, the drum cartridge may be mountable in a main body housing. With the toner cartridge mounted in the drum cartridge, the drum cartridge may be mounted in the main body housing, thereby mounting the toner cartridge in the main body housing.

[0050] (16) The toner cartridge may be positioned relative to the drum cartridge when it is attached to the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge may be positioned relative to the main body housing when it is attached to the main body housing.

[0051] (17) When the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge may be locked relative to the drum cartridge with the developer shutter positioned at the developer open position and the toner shutter positioned at the toner open position.

[0052] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the toner cartridge from being removed from the drum cartridge in a state in which the development shutter is in the development open position and the toner shutter is in the toner open position. Effect of the Invention

[0053] According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to a developing housing that is movable relative to a photosensitive drum, it is possible to prevent toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing from leaking between the toner shutter and the developing shutter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a state in which the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 1 has been removed from the main body housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line AA, showing a state in which the development shutter is located at the development closed position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 4 in a state where the development shutter is located at the development open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 7, showing a state in which the toner shutter is located at the toner closing position. [Figure 9] 9 is a side view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 8 in a state where the toner shutter is located at the toner open position. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the developer shutter is in the developer open position, and the toner shutter is in the toner open position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first modified example, FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second modified example, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] 1. Image forming device 1 An image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 2, a sheet cassette 3, a drum cartridge 4, a toner cartridge 5, an exposure device 6, a transfer device 7, and a fixing device 8.

[0057] 1.1 Main unit 2 The main body housing 2 accommodates a sheet cassette 3, a drum cartridge 4, a toner cartridge 5, an exposure device 6, a transfer device 7, and a fixing device 8.

[0058] 2, the main body housing 2 has an opening 21. The main body housing 2 has a cover 22, a guide 23, and a guide 24.

[0059] The opening 21 is located on one side wall of the main body housing 2 in the first mounting direction. The first mounting direction is the direction in which the drum cartridge 4 moves when the drum cartridge 4 is mounted in the main body housing 2. Specifically, the first mounting direction is the direction in which the guide 23 extends.

[0060] The cover 22 is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) and an open position (see FIG. 2). When the cover 22 is in the closed position, the cover 22 closes the opening 21. When the cover 22 is in the open position, the opening 21 is open.

[0061] The guide 23 guides the protrusion 45A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 4. The protrusion 45A will be described later. The guide 23 extends in the first mounting direction. The guide 23 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 in the first mounting direction. When the cover 22 is in the closed position, the first end E1 is located between the second end E2 and the cover 22 in the first mounting direction. The second end E2 is located away from the first end E1 in the first mounting direction. The guide 23 is a groove. The guide 23 may be a rib.

[0062] The guide 24 guides a protrusion 46A (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 4. The protrusion 46A will be described later. The guide 24 extends in the first mounting direction in parallel with the guide 23. The guide 24 has a first end E11 and a second end E12 in the first mounting direction. When the cover 22 is in the closed position, the first end E11 is located between the second end E12 and the cover 22 in the first mounting direction. The second end E12 is located away from the first end E11 in the first mounting direction. The guide 24 is a groove. The guide 24 may be a rib.

[0063] 1.2 Sheet cassette 3 1, the sheet cassette 3 is capable of containing a sheet S. The sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 is transported toward a photosensitive drum 41 of the drum cartridge 4. The photosensitive drum 41 will be described later.

[0064] 1.3 Drum Cartridge 4 The drum cartridge 4 can be mounted in the main body housing 2. More specifically, the drum cartridge 4 is mounted in the main body housing 2 through the opening 21 (see FIG. 2) with the cover 22 in the open position. The drum cartridge 4 is positioned relative to the main body housing 2 when mounted in the main body housing 2. More specifically, with the drum cartridge 4 mounted in the main body housing 2, the protrusion 45A (see FIG. 3) fits into the second end E2 (see FIG. 2) of the guide 23, and the protrusion 46A (see FIG. 3) fits into the second end E12 (see FIG. 2) of the guide 24. In this state, the drum cartridge 4 is positioned relative to the main body housing 2. With the toner cartridge 5 mounted in the drum cartridge 4, the drum cartridge 4 can be mounted in the main body housing 2. The drum cartridge 4 has a photosensitive drum 41, a charging device 42, and a developing device 43.

[0065] 1.3.1 Photosensitive drum 41 The photosensitive drum 41 extends in a first direction. The first direction intersects with a first mounting direction. Preferably, the first direction is perpendicular to the first mounting direction. The photosensitive drum 41 is rotatable about a drum axis A1. The drum axis A1 extends in the first direction.

[0066] 1.3.2 Charging device 42 The charging device 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. In this embodiment, the charging device 42 is a charging roller. The charging device 42 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The charging device 42 may be a scorotron type charging device.

[0067] 1.3.3 Developing device 43 The developing device 43 is capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 41. The developing device 43 includes a developing roller 431 and a developing housing 432.

[0068] The developing roller 431 extends in a first direction. The developing roller 431 is rotatable about a developing axis A2. The developing axis A2 extends in the first direction. The developing roller 431 is capable of supplying toner in a developing housing 432 to the photosensitive drum 41. In this embodiment, the developing roller 431 contacts the photosensitive drum 41. The developing roller 431 may be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 41 at a predetermined interval.

[0069] The developing housing 432 contains the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 41. The developing housing 432 supports the developing roller 431. The developing housing 432 has a toner receiving port 433.

[0070] When the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the toner receiving opening 433 is capable of receiving toner from the toner cartridge 5.

[0071] 1.4 Toner Cartridge 5 The toner cartridge 5 can be installed in the main body housing 2. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 5 can be installed in the drum cartridge 4 with the drum cartridge 4 removed outside the main body housing 2. With the toner cartridge 5 installed in the drum cartridge 4, the drum cartridge 4 is installed in the main body housing 2, whereby the toner cartridge 5 is installed in the main body housing 2. With the toner cartridge 5 installed in the drum cartridge 4, the toner cartridge 5 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41 with respect to the developing roller 431. The toner cartridge 5 has a toner housing 51.

[0072] The toner housing 51 is capable of containing toner to be supplied to the developing device 43. The toner housing 51 has a toner discharge port 511.

[0073] The toner discharge port 511 discharges the toner in the toner housing 51. When the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 511 is received in the toner receiving port 433. This allows the toner cartridge 5 to supply toner to the developing device 43 when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2. When the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the toner discharge port 511 is located above the toner receiving port 433. This allows the toner in the toner cartridge 5 to be supplied to the developing device 43 by utilizing gravity.

[0074] 1.5 Exposure Equipment 6 With the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 attached to the main body housing 2, the exposure device 6 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 that has been charged by the charging device 42. The development device 43 supplies toner to the exposed surface of the photosensitive drum 41. In this embodiment, the exposure device 6 is a laser scan unit. The exposure device 6 may also be an LED head.

[0075] 1.6 Transfer device 7 The transfer device 7 transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41 onto the sheet S. More specifically, the sheet S from the sheet cassette 3 passes between the transfer device 7 and the photosensitive drum 41. At this time, the transfer device 7 transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 41 onto the sheet S. In this embodiment, the transfer device 7 is a transfer roller. With the drum cartridge 4 mounted in the main body housing 2, the transfer device 7 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 41. With the drum cartridge 4 mounted in the main body housing 2, the transfer device 7 may be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 41 at a predetermined interval.

[0076] 1.7 Fixing device 8 The fixing device 8 fixes the toner to the sheet S. In this embodiment, the fixing device 8 fixes the toner to the sheet S by applying heat and pressure to the sheet S to which the toner has been transferred. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 8 is discharged onto the top surface of the main body housing 2.

[0077] 2. Details of drum cartridge 4 The drum cartridge 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0078] The drum cartridge 4 has the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 41 (see Figure 4), the above-mentioned charging device 42 (see Figure 4), the above-mentioned developing device 43 (see Figure 4), a drum frame 44 (see Figure 3), two protrusions 45A, 45B (see Figure 3), two protrusions 46A, 46B (see Figure 3), and a pressing member 47 (see Figure 4).

[0079] 2.1 Drum Frame 44 As shown in FIG. 3, the drum frame 44 has one side plate 44A in the first direction, the other side plate 44B in the first direction, and a bottom plate 44C.

[0080] 2.1.1 Side plate 44A The side plate 44A is located at one end of the drum frame 44 in the first direction. The side plate 44A extends in the second direction. The second direction intersects with the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Specifically, the second direction is a direction from the development axis A2 toward the drum axis A1. The side plate 44A has an inner surface S1 and an outer surface S2 in the first direction. The inner surface S1 is located between the outer surface S2 and the side plate 44B in the first direction. The side plate 44A has a guide 441A (see FIG. 4), a guide 442A (see FIG. 4), a hole 443A (see FIG. 5), and a hole 444A (see FIG. 5).

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide 441A is located on the inner surface S1 of the side plate 44A. The guide 441A is located between the photosensitive drum 41 and the guide 442A in the second direction. The guide 441A is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 41 with respect to the developing device 43. The guide 441A extends in the second mounting direction. The second mounting direction is the moving direction of the toner cartridge 5 when the toner cartridge 5 is mounted in the drum cartridge 4. The second mounting direction intersects with the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the second mounting direction is perpendicular to the first direction and intersects with the second direction. The guide 441A guides the protrusion 52A (see FIG. 7) of the toner cartridge 5.

[0082] The guide 442A is located on the inner surface S1 of the side plate 44A. The guide 442A is located away from the guide 441A in the second direction. The guide 442A extends in the second mounting direction. The guide 442A guides the protrusion 53A (see FIG. 7) of the toner cartridge 5.

[0083] 5, hole 443A is an elongated hole and extends in the second direction.

[0084] Hole 444A is located away from hole 443A in the second direction. Hole 444A is an elongated hole. Hole 444A extends in the second direction.

[0085] 2.1.2 Side plate 44B As shown in FIG. 3, the side plate 44B is located at the other end of the drum frame 44 in the first direction. The side plate 44B is located away from the side plate 44A in the first direction. The side plate 44B extends in the second direction. The side plate 44B has an inner surface S11 and an outer surface S12 in the first direction. The inner surface S11 is located between the outer surface S12 and the side plate 44A in the first direction. The side plate 44B has a guide 441B, a guide 442B, a hole 443B, and a hole 444B.

[0086] The guide 441B is located on the inner surface S11 of the side plate 44B. The guide 441B has the same shape as the guide 441A. The guide 441B guides the protrusion 52B of the toner cartridge 5 (see FIG. 7).

[0087] The guide 442B is located on the inner surface S11 of the side plate 44B. The guide 442B has the same shape as the guide 442A. The guide 442B guides the protrusion 53B of the toner cartridge 5 (see FIG. 7).

[0088] Hole 443B has the same shape as hole 443A.

[0089] Hole 444B has the same shape as hole 444A.

[0090] 2.1.3 Bottom plate 44C The bottom plate 44C is located between the side plate 44A and the side plate 44B in the first direction. The bottom plate 44C extends in the first direction. One end of the bottom plate 44C in the first direction is connected to the side plate 44A. The other end of the bottom plate 44C in the first direction is connected to the side plate 44B.

[0091] 2.2 Protrusions 45A, 45B, 46A, 46B The protrusion 45A is located on the outer surface S2 of the side plate 44A. The protrusion 45A extends in a first direction. The protrusion 45A has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the protrusion 45A is one end of a shaft that supports the photosensitive drum 41. The protrusion 45A extends along the drum axis A1.

[0092] The protrusion 45B is located on the outer surface S12 of the side plate 44B. The protrusion 45B extends in the first direction. The protrusion 45B has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the protrusion 45B is the other end of the shaft that supports the photosensitive drum 41. The protrusion 45B extends along the drum axis A1.

[0093] The protrusion 46A is located on the outer surface S2 of the side plate 44A. The protrusion 46A is located away from the protrusion 45A in the second direction. The protrusion 46A extends in the first direction. The protrusion 46A has a cylindrical shape.

[0094] The protrusion 46B is located on the outer surface S12 of the side plate 44B. The protrusion 46B is located away from the protrusion 45B in the second direction. The protrusion 46B extends in the first direction. The protrusion 46B has a cylindrical shape.

[0095] 2.3 Details of developing unit 43 The developing device 43 includes the developing roller 431 described above, the developing casing 432 described above, two protrusions 434A and 434B, two protrusions 435A and 435B, a receiving portion 436, and a developing shutter 437.

[0096] 2.3.1 Details of the developing unit 432 The developing housing 432 is located between the side plate 44A and the side plate 44B in the first direction. The developing housing 432 extends in the first direction. The developing housing 432 has one side surface S21 in the first direction and the other side surface S22 in the first direction. The side surface S21 faces the inner surface S1 of the side plate 44A in the first direction. The side surface S22 faces the inner surface S11 of the side plate 44B in the first direction.

[0097] 2.3.2 Protrusions 434A, 434B, 435A, 435B The protrusion 434A is located on the side surface S21. The protrusion 434A extends in the first direction. The protrusion 434A has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the protrusion 434A is one end of the shaft of the developing roller 431. The protrusion 434A extends along the developing axis A2. The protrusion 434A fits into the hole 443A of the side plate 44A.

[0098] The protrusion 434B is located on the side surface S22. The protrusion 434B extends in the first direction. The protrusion 434B has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the protrusion 434B is the other end of the shaft of the developing roller 431. The protrusion 434B extends along the developing axis A2. The protrusion 434B fits into the hole 443B of the side plate 44B.

[0099] The protrusion 435A is located on the side surface S21. The protrusion 435A is located away from the protrusion 434A in the second direction. The protrusion 435A extends in the first direction. The protrusion 435A has a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 435A fits into the hole 444A of the side plate 44A.

[0100] The protrusion 435B is located on the side surface S22. The protrusion 435B is located away from the protrusion 434B in the second direction. The protrusion 435B extends in the first direction. The protrusion 435B has a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 435B fits into the hole 444B of the side plate 44B.

[0101] The developing housing 432 is supported by the drum frame 44 as the protrusion 434A fits into the hole 443A, the protrusion 434B fits into the hole 443B, the protrusion 435A fits into the hole 444A, and the protrusion 435B fits into the hole 444B. With the developing housing 432 supported by the drum frame 44, the developing housing 432 is movable in the direction in which the holes 443A, 443B, 444A, and 444B extend. Thus, with the developing housing 432 supported by the drum frame 44, the developing housing 432 is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 41 in the second direction.

[0102] 2.3.3 Receiving part 436 When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the receiving portion 436 receives the toner shutter 54 (see FIG. 7) of the toner cartridge 5. The toner shutter 54 will be described later. The receiving portion 436 is located between one end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction. The receiving portion 436 is located in the center of the developing housing 432 in the first direction.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 4, the receiving portion 436 is located on the upper surface of the developing housing 432. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 436 is integral with the developing housing 432. The receiving portion 436 may be a component separate from the developing housing 432 and attached to the upper surface of the developing housing 432. As shown in Fig. 3, the receiving portion 436 has one side plate 436A in the first direction, the other side plate 436B in the first direction, and a bottom plate 436C.

[0104] The side plate 436A is located at one end of the receiving portion 436 in the first direction. The side plate 436A extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. The side plate 436A has a locking portion 4361A. In other words, the developing housing 432 has a locking portion 4361A. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking portion 4361A extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. In this embodiment, the locking portion 4361A is a groove. The locking portion 4361A may be a rib.

[0105] 3, the side plate 436B is located away from the side plate 436A in the first direction. The side plate 436B is located at the other end of the receiving portion 436 in the first direction. The side plate 436B extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. The side plate 436B has a locking portion 4361B having the same shape as the locking portion 4361A.

[0106] The bottom plate 436C is located between the side plate 436A and the side plate 436B in the first direction. The bottom plate 436C extends in the first direction and also in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom plate 436C has an arc shape. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 436C has a toner receiving port 433. Note that, in the case where the receiving portion 436 is a separate part from the developing housing 432, the bottom plate 436C may have an opening communicating with the toner receiving port 433 of the developing housing 432.

[0107] Although not shown, the receiving portion 436 preferably has a seal member. The seal member surrounds the toner receiving port 433. The seal member is located on the upper surface of the bottom plate 436C. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the development shutter 437 is located at the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner open position, the seal member comes into contact with the toner shutter 54 to seal between the toner shutter 54 and the receiving portion 436.

[0108] 2.3.4 Development Shutter 437 The developing shutter 437 is movable between a developing closed position (see FIG. 4) and a developing open position (see FIG. 6). The developing shutter 437 is rotatable about an axis A3 between the developing closed position and the developing open position. The axis A3 extends in a first direction. The moving direction of the developing shutter 437 intersects with the second mounting direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the developing shutter 437 is located at the developing closed position, the developing shutter 437 closes the toner receiving port 433. As shown in FIG. 6, when the developing shutter 437 is located at the developing open position, the toner receiving port 433 opens.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 3, the development shutter 437 has a development shutter main body 4371, one side plate 4372A in the first direction, and the other side plate 4372B in the first direction.

[0110] The developing shutter body 4371 is located between the side plate 4372A and the side plate 4372B in the first direction. The developing shutter body 4371 extends in the first direction and also extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. As shown in Fig. 4, the developing shutter body 4371 is an arc-shaped plate.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 3, the side plate 4372A is located at one end of the developing shutter 437 in the first direction. The side plate 4372A faces the side plate 436A of the receiving portion 436 in the first direction. The side plate 4372A extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. As shown in Fig. 4, the side plate 4372A has a groove 4373A. When the developing shutter 437 is located at the developing closed position, the groove 4373A extends in the second mounting direction.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 3, the side plate 4372B is located at the other end of the developing shutter 437 in the first direction. The side plate 4372B faces the side plate 436B of the receiving portion 436 in the first direction. The side plate 4372B extends in the moving direction of the developing shutter 437. The side plate 4372B has a groove 4373B. The groove 4373B has the same shape as the groove 4373A of the side plate 4372A. That is, when the developing shutter 437 is located at the developing closed position, the groove 4373B extends in the second mounting direction.

[0113] 2.4 Pressing member 47 4, the pressing member 47 presses the developing device 43 toward the photosensitive drum 41. In this embodiment, the pressing member 47 is a torsion spring. The pressing member 47 may also be a compression coil spring.

[0114] 3. Toner Cartridge 5 Details Next, the toner cartridge 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 to 11.

[0115] The toner cartridge 5 has the above-mentioned toner housing 51 (see Figure 7), two protrusions 52A, 52B (see Figure 7), two protrusions 53A, 53B (see Figure 7), a toner shutter 54 (see Figure 8), a handle 55 (see Figure 8), and a cushion member 56 (see Figure 8).

[0116] 3.1 Details of toner case 51 7, the toner housing 51 extends in a first direction. The toner housing 51 has one side surface S31 in the first direction and the other side surface S32 in the first direction.

[0117] The toner housing 51 has a toner storage portion 512, a cylindrical portion 513, two connection portions 514A and 514B, and an auger screw 515.

[0118] 3.1.1 Toner storage section 512 As shown in FIG. 8, the toner storage unit 512 is capable of storing toner.

[0119] 3.1.2 Cylindrical part 513 7, the tube portion 513 is located between one end of the toner housing 51 in the first direction and the other end of the toner housing 51 in the first direction. Specifically, the tube portion 513 is located in the center of the toner housing 51 in the first direction. More specifically, the tube portion 513 is located between the connection portion 514A and the connection portion 514B in the first direction.

[0120] 8, the tube portion 513 is located away from the toner storage portion 512. The tube portion 513 extends in a first direction. The tube portion 513 has a cylindrical shape. The tube portion 513 is located inside the toner shutter 54. The tube portion 513 has a toner discharge port 511.

[0121] 3.1.3 Connections 514A, 514B As shown in FIG. 7, the connection portion 514A connects the toner storage portion 512 to one end of the tube portion 513 in the first direction. The connection portion 514A extends from the toner storage portion 512 in the second direction. The connection portion 514A connects to one end of the tube portion 513 in the first direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection portion 514A has a flow path 5141 therein that allows the passage of toner. The flow path 5141 communicates with the internal space of the toner storage portion 512 and the internal space of the tube portion 513. As a result, the toner in the toner storage portion 512 passes through the flow path 5141 and enters the tube portion 513.

[0122] 7, the connection portion 514B is located away from the connection portion 514A in the first direction. The connection portion 514B connects the toner storage portion 512 and the other end of the tube portion 513 in the first direction. The connection portion 514B will be described in the same manner as the connection portion 514A. Therefore, the description of the connection portion 514B will be omitted.

[0123] 3.1.4 Auger screw 515 Auger screw 515 transports toner in connecting portion 514A, connecting portion 514B, and cylindrical portion 513 toward toner discharge port 511. Auger screw 515 extends in a first direction. Auger screw 515 is rotatable about axis A4. Axis A4 extends in the first direction. Auger screw 515 is located within connecting portion 514A, connecting portion 514B, and cylindrical portion 513.

[0124] 3.2 Protrusions 52A, 52B, 53A, 53B As shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 52A is located on the side surface S31. In this embodiment, the protrusion 52A protrudes from the side surface S31 in a first direction. The protrusion 52A may be attached to the side surface S31. As shown in FIG. 9, the protrusion 52A extends in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 513. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 52A extends in the second attachment direction. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 52A fits into the guide 441A (see FIG. 4) of the drum cartridge 4.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 7, the protrusion 52B is located on the side surface S32. In this embodiment, the protrusion 52B protrudes from the side surface S32 in a first direction. The protrusion 52B may be attached to the side surface S32. The protrusion 52B extends in the same direction as the protrusion 52A. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 52B fits into a guide 441B (see Fig. 3) of the drum cartridge 4.

[0126] The protrusion 53A is located on the side surface S31. The protrusion 53A is located away from the protrusion 52A in the second direction. The protrusion 53A protrudes from the side surface S31 in the first direction. The protrusion 53A may be attached to the side surface S31. The protrusion 53A has a cylindrical shape. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 53A fits into a guide 442A (see FIG. 4) of the drum cartridge 4.

[0127] The protrusion 53B is located on the side surface S32. The protrusion 53B is located away from the protrusion 52B in the second direction. The protrusion 53B protrudes from the side surface S32 in the first direction. The protrusion 53B may be attached to the side surface S32. The protrusion 53B has a cylindrical shape. When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 53B fits into a guide 442B (see FIG. 3) of the drum cartridge 4.

[0128] When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the toner housing 51 of the toner cartridge 5 is positioned relative to the drum cartridge 4 by the protrusion 52A fitting into the guide 441A, the protrusion 52B fitting into the guide 441B, the protrusion 53A fitting into the guide 442A, and the protrusion 53B fitting into the guide 442B.

[0129] 3.3 Toner Shutter 54 The toner shutter 54 is movable between a toner closed position (see FIG. 8) and a toner open position (see FIG. 10). The toner shutter 54 is rotatable about an axis A4 between the toner closed position and the toner open position. As shown in FIG. 8, when the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner closed position, the toner shutter 54 closes the toner discharge port 511. As shown in FIG. 10, when the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner open position, the toner discharge port 511 opens.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 7, the toner shutter 54 has a toner shutter main body 541 and two protrusions 542A and 542B.

[0131] 3.3.1 Toner shutter body 541 The toner shutter body 541 extends in the first direction, in other words, the toner shutter 54 extends in the first direction. The toner shutter body 541 has a cylindrical shape. In other words, the toner shutter 54 has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, by rotating the toner shutter 54, the toner shutter 54 can be moved between the toner closed position (see FIG. 8) and the toner open position (see FIG. 10). This makes it possible to reduce the space in which the toner shutter 54 moves.

[0132] 8, the toner shutter body 541 has a toner shutter opening 543. In other words, the toner shutter 54 has a toner shutter opening 543.

[0133] When the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner closed position, the toner shutter opening 543 is located away from the toner discharge port 511. When the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner closed position, none of the toner shutter openings 543 communicates with the toner discharge port 511. When the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner closed position, the toner shutter openings 543 are closed by the toner shutter main body 541. As a result, the toner in the tube portion 513 is not discharged.

[0134] 10, when the toner shutter 54 is in the toner open position, at least a part of the toner shutter opening 543 communicates with the toner discharge port 511. As a result, the toner in the tube portion 513 is discharged through the toner discharge port 511 and the toner shutter opening 543.

[0135] 11, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the development shutter 437 is in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is in the toner open position, the toner shutter opening 543 communicates with the toner receiving port 433. As a result, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 511 passes through the toner shutter opening 543 and the toner receiving port 433 and enters the development housing 432.

[0136] 3.3.2 Protrusions 542A, 542B As shown in Fig. 7, the protrusion 542A is located at one end of the toner shutter body 541 in the first direction. The protrusion 542A is located between the toner shutter body 541 and the protrusion 52A in the first direction. The protrusion 542A is located between the toner discharge port 511 and the protrusion 52A in the first direction. The protrusion 542A extends in the first direction. The protrusion 542A extends from the toner shutter body 541. The protrusion 542A may be attached to the toner shutter body 541.

[0137] The protrusion 542B is located at the other end of the toner shutter body 541 in the first direction. The protrusion 542B is located between the toner shutter body 541 and the protrusion 52B in the first direction. The protrusion 542B is located between the toner discharge port 511 and the protrusion 52B in the first direction. The protrusion 542B extends in the first direction. The protrusion 542B extends from the toner shutter body 541. The protrusion 542B may be attached to the toner shutter body 541.

[0138] With the toner cartridge 5 attached to the drum cartridge 4, the protrusion 542A fits into the groove 4373A (see FIG. 4) of the developing shutter 437, and the protrusion 542B fits into the groove 4373B (see FIG. 3) of the developing shutter 437. As a result, with the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 attached inside the main body housing 2, the toner shutter 54 engages with the developing shutter 437. With the protrusion 542A fitting into the groove 4373A and the protrusion 542B fitting into the groove 4373B, the developing shutter 437 becomes movable together with the toner shutter 54.

[0139] When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the development shutter 437 is located at the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is located at the toner open position, the protrusion 542A fits into the locking portion 4361A (see FIG. 6) of the development device 43, and the protrusion 542B of the toner shutter 54 fits into the locking portion 4361B (see FIG. 3) of the development device 43. As a result, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are attached inside the main body housing 2, the toner shutter 54 engages with the development housing 432.

[0140] The toner shutter 54 is locked to the receiving portion 436 by the projection 542A fitting into the locking portion 4361A and the projection 542B fitting into the locking portion 4361B.

[0141] "The toner shutter 54 is locked to the receiving portion 436" means that the toner shutter 54 is fixed to the receiving portion 436 in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the toner shutter 54. The movement direction of the toner shutter 54 is the direction in which the toner shutter 54 moves between the toner closed position and the toner open position. In other words, when the toner shutter 54 is locked to the receiving portion 436, the toner shutter 54 is movable in the movement direction of the toner shutter 54, but cannot move in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the toner shutter 54.

[0142] By locking the toner shutter 54 to the receiving portion 436, the toner shutter 54 is fixed to the developing housing 432 in a state of being engaged with the developing housing 432. As a result, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the developing shutter 437 is positioned at the developing open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned at the toner open position, when the developing housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the toner shutter 54 moves relative to the toner housing 51 in a state of being fixed to the developing housing 432.

[0143] Furthermore, when the toner shutter 54 is locked to the receiving portion 436, the toner cartridge 5 is locked to the drum cartridge 4. "The toner cartridge 5 is locked to the drum cartridge 4" means that the toner cartridge 5 cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 4.

[0144] When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the development shutter 437 is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, the toner cartridge 5 is locked to the drum cartridge 4, thereby preventing the toner cartridge 5 from being removed from the drum cartridge 4.

[0145] When the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the development shutter 437 is in the development closed position, and the toner shutter 54 is in the toner closed position, the protrusion 542A is disengaged from the locking portion 4361A, and the protrusion 542B is disengaged from the locking portion 4361B. This releases the lock of the toner shutter 54 from the receiving portion 436. The release of the lock of the toner shutter 54 from the receiving portion 436 releases the lock of the toner cartridge 5 from the drum cartridge 4. The release of the lock of the toner cartridge 5 from the drum cartridge 4 allows the toner cartridge 5 to be removed from the drum cartridge 4.

[0146] 3.4 Handle 55 8, the handle 55 extends from the toner shutter body 541. The handle 55 may be attached to the toner shutter body 541. The handle 55 is operated by a user to move the toner shutter 54. The user can easily move the toner shutter 54 by operating the handle 55.

[0147] 3.5 Cushion member 56 The cushion member 56 is positioned between the cylindrical portion 513 of the toner housing 51 and the toner shutter 54 .

[0148] 3.5.1 Material of the cushion member 56 The cushion member 56 is made of a material having elasticity. In this embodiment, the cushion member 56 is made of sponge. The cushion member 56 is positioned between the tube portion 513 and the toner shutter 54 in a slightly compressed state.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 11, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the development shutter 437 is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the cushion member 56 elastically deforms in response to the movement of the toner shutter 54 engaged with the development housing 432.

[0150] Specifically, when the developing housing 432 moves in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 41, the toner shutter 54 moves together with the developing housing 432 in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 41. On the other hand, the toner housing 51 does not move because it is positioned relative to the drum cartridge 4.

[0151] Then, a portion P1 of the cushion member 56 located between the photosensitive drum 41 and the cylindrical portion 513 is compressed between the toner shutter 54 and the cylindrical portion 513. On the other hand, a portion P2 of the cushion member 56 located on the opposite side of the cylindrical portion 513 from the photosensitive drum 41 is restored from the compressed state, and fills the gap between the toner shutter 54 and the cylindrical portion 513.

[0152] Furthermore, when the developing housing 432 moves in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 41, a portion P1 of the cushion member 56 located between the photosensitive drum 41 and the cylindrical portion 513 restores from a compressed state and fills the gap between the toner shutter 54 and the cylindrical portion 513. On the other hand, a portion P2 of the cushion member 56 located on the opposite side of the cylindrical portion 513 from the photosensitive drum 41 is compressed between the toner shutter 54 and the cylindrical portion 513.

[0153] In this way, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are installed in the main housing 2, the development shutter 437 is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the cushion member 56 allows the toner shutter 54 to move relative to the toner housing 51 while engaged with the development housing 432.

[0154] 3.5.2 Shape of the cushion member 56 8, in this embodiment, the cushion member 56 has a cylindrical shape. The cushion member 56 has a first surface S41 and a second surface S42.

[0155] The first surface S41 is an inner surface of the cushion member 56. The first surface S41 contacts the circumferential surface of the tube portion 513 of the toner housing 51. In other words, the cushion member 56 contacts the tube portion 513. The cushion member 56 may be attached to the circumferential surface of the tube portion 513 by an adhesive or the like.

[0156] The second surface S42 is the outer surface of the cushion member 56. The second surface S42 comes into contact with the inner surface of the toner shutter 54. This allows the cushion member 56 to support the toner shutter 54. When the toner shutter 54 moves between the toner closed position and the toner open position, the toner shutter 54 slides on the second surface S42 while being in contact with the second surface S42. This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking from between the toner shutter 54 and the cushion member 56 when the toner shutter 54 moves between the toner closed position and the toner open position.

[0157] The cushion member 56 does not cover the toner discharge port 511. As a result, the cushion member 56 allows the toner to be discharged from the toner discharge port 511. The cushion member 56 surrounds the toner discharge port 511. The cushion member 56 surrounding the toner discharge port 511 contacts the circumferential surface of the tube portion 513 at the first surface S41 and contacts the inner surface of the toner shutter 54 at the second surface S42, so that when the toner shutter 54 is positioned at the toner closing position, the cushion member 56 seals the gap between the toner housing 51 and the toner shutter 54. This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking between the toner housing 51 and the toner shutter 54.

[0158] 3.5.3 Arrangement of cushion member 56 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the toner shutter 54 fits into the receiving portion 436 of the drum cartridge 4. In other words, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are attached inside the main body housing 2, the cushion member 56 (see FIG. 8) is located between one end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction. As a result, the elasticity of the cushion member 56 is applied to the developing housing 432 uniformly in the first direction. Therefore, the developing roller 431 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 41 with a uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0159] More specifically, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the cushion member 56 is located at the center of the developing housing 432 in the first direction. Therefore, the developing roller 431 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 41 with a more uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0160] 4. Effects (1) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the cushion member 56 is located between the cylindrical portion 513 of the toner casing 51 and the toner shutter 54.

[0161] Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the development shutter 437 is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the toner shutter 54 can move relative to the toner housing 51 while engaged with the development housing 432.

[0162] As a result, even if the developing housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the position of the toner receiving opening 433 relative to the toner shutter 54 can be prevented from fluctuating.

[0163] As a result, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing housing 432 that is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 41, leakage of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing housing 432 can be suppressed.

[0164] (2) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 8, the toner shutter 54 has a toner shutter opening 543. The toner shutter opening 543 does not communicate with the toner discharge port 511 when the toner shutter 54 is in the toner closing position.

[0165] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the toner shutter 54 is in the toner open position, the toner shutter opening 543 communicates with the toner discharge port 511 .

[0166] As shown in FIG. 11, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are installed in the main housing 2, the development shutter 437 is in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is in the toner open position, the toner shutter opening 543 communicates with the toner receiving port 433.

[0167] Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the development shutter 437 is positioned in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41, the position of the toner receiving opening 433 relative to the toner shutter opening 543 can be prevented from changing.

[0168] As a result, in a configuration in which toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing housing 432 that is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 41, leakage of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing housing 432 can be further suppressed.

[0169] (3) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 11, when the toner shutter 54 is in the toner closed position, the cushion member 56 seals the gap between the cylindrical portion 513 of the toner casing 51 and the toner shutter 54.

[0170] Therefore, the cushion member 56 can prevent the toner from leaking from between the tube portion 513 of the toner casing 51 and the toner shutter 54.

[0171] (4) According to the image forming device 1, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, when the toner shutter 54 moves between the toner closed position (see FIG. 8) and the toner open position (see FIG. 10), the toner shutter 54 slides on the second surface S42 of the cushion member 56 while being in contact with the second surface S42.

[0172] This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking from between the toner shutter 54 and the cushion member 56 when the toner shutter 54 moves between the toner closed position and the toner open position.

[0173] (5) According to the image forming apparatus 1, the toner shutter 54 extends in the first direction as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The toner shutter 54 has a cylindrical shape.

[0174] Therefore, by rotating the toner shutter 54, it is possible to move the toner shutter 54 between the toner closed position (see FIG. 8) and the toner open position (see FIG. 10).

[0175] This allows the space in which the toner shutter 54 moves to be reduced.

[0176] (6) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 7, the toner shutter 54 is located between one end of the toner housing 51 in the first direction and the other end of the toner housing 51 in the first direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the receiving portion 436 is located between one end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction.

[0177] Therefore, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are installed in the main housing 2, the cushion member 56 (see Figure 8) is positioned between one end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing 432 in the first direction.

[0178] As a result, the elastic force of the cushion member 56 is applied to the developing housing 432 uniformly in the first direction.

[0179] Therefore, the developing roller 431 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 41 with a uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0180] (7) According to the image forming apparatus 1, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main housing 2, the cushion member 56 is located in the center of the developing housing 432 in the first direction.

[0181] This allows the developing roller 431 to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 41 with a more uniform pressing force in the first direction.

[0182] (8) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the toner cartridge 5 has the handle 55 for moving the toner shutter 54.

[0183] Therefore, the user can easily move the toner shutter 54 by operating the handle 55.

[0184] (9) According to the image forming apparatus 1, when the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are installed in the main body 2, the toner discharge port 511 is located above the toner receiving port 433, as shown in FIG.

[0185] Therefore, even if the distance between the toner discharge port 511 and the toner receiving port 433 is increased by making the cushion member 56 thick, the toner in the toner cartridge 5 can be supplied to the developing device 43 by utilizing gravity.

[0186] (10) According to the image forming device 1, as shown in FIG. 11, when the toner cartridge 5 is attached to the drum cartridge 4, the developer shutter 437 is positioned in the developer open position, and the toner shutter 54 is positioned in the toner open position, the toner cartridge 5 is locked to the drum cartridge 4.

[0187] This makes it possible to prevent the toner cartridge 5 from being removed from the drum cartridge 4 in a state in which the development shutter 437 is in the development open position and the toner shutter 54 is in the toner open position.

[0188] 5. Variations The following describes the modified examples with reference to Figures 12A to 12C. In the following modified examples, the same members as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0189] (1) As shown in FIG. 12A, the cushion member 56 may have a first layer 561 and a second layer 562.

[0190] The first layer 561 is located on the outer surface of the cushion member 56. The first layer 561 may be attached to the second layer 562 by an adhesive or the like. The first layer 561 contacts the toner shutter 54. The first layer 561 is made of a material such as hard resin. When the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the development shutter 437 is located in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is located in the toner open position, the first layer 561 does not deform when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41. This allows the first layer 561 to support the toner shutter more stably.

[0191] The second layer 562 is located between the first layer 561 and the tube portion 513 of the toner housing 51. The second layer 562 may be attached to the circumferential surface of the tube portion 513 by an adhesive or the like. The second layer 562 is more flexible than the first layer 561. The second layer 562 is made of an elastic material such as sponge. When the drum cartridge 4 and the toner cartridge 5 are mounted in the main body housing 2, the development shutter 437 is located in the development open position, and the toner shutter 54 is located in the toner open position, the second layer 562 is elastically deformed when the development housing 432 moves relative to the photosensitive drum 41. This allows the second layer 562 to allow the toner shutter 54 to move.

[0192] (2) The cushion member 56 does not have to be cylindrical. The toner cartridge 5 may have a plurality of cushion members 56.

[0193] 12B, the toner cartridge 5 may have two cushion members 56A and 56B. The cushion member 56A surrounds the toner discharge port 511. The cushion member 56B is located on the opposite side of the cushion member 56A with respect to the cylindrical portion 513. In this case, the cushion members 56A and 56B are rod-shaped and extend in the first direction.

[0194] 12C, the toner cartridge 5 may have three cushion members 56A, 56B, and 56C. The cushion member 56A surrounds the toner discharge port 511. The cushion members 56B and 56C are located away from the cushion member 56A in the circumferential direction of the tube portion 513. In this case, the cushion members 56A, 56B, and 56C are rod-shaped and extend in the first direction.

[0195] (3) The tubular portion 513 does not have to be cylindrical. The tubular portion 513 may be, for example, a rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or other angular tubular shape. When the tubular portion 513 is angular tubular, the cushion member 56 may be a tube having a hole of the same shape as the outer shape of the tubular portion 513. In this case, the cushion member 56 does not have to be attached to the peripheral surface of the tubular portion 513. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 1. Image forming device 2 Main unit 4 Drum Cartridge 5 Toner Cartridge 41 Photosensitive drum 43 Developing device 51 Toner case 54 Toner Shutter 55 Handle 56 Cushioning material 431 Developing roller 432 Developing unit 433 Toner receiving port 437 Development Shutter 511 Toner outlet 513 Cylinder part 543 Toner shutter opening 561 1st layer 562 2nd layer A1 Drum shaft A2 development axis S41 Page 1 S42 Side 2

Claims

1. A main body housing; a drum cartridge that can be installed in the main body housing, the drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in a first direction, and a developing device that can supply toner to the photosensitive drum; a toner cartridge that is mountable within the main body housing and that is capable of supplying toner to the developing device when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted within the main body housing; The developing device is a developing roller rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the first direction; a developing housing that supports the developing roller and is movable relative to the photosensitive drum in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the developing housing having a toner receiving opening that can receive toner from the toner cartridge when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing; a development shutter movable between a development closed position at which the toner receiving opening is closed and a development open position at which the toner receiving opening is opened; The toner cartridge includes: a toner housing capable of accommodating toner and having a toner outlet for discharging the toner from within the toner housing; a toner shutter movable between a toner closed position at which the toner discharge port is closed and a toner open position at which the toner discharge port is opened, the toner shutter engaging with the developing housing when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing; a cushion member located between the toner housing and the toner shutter, the toner shutter is fixed to the developing housing in a state of being engaged with the developing housing, The cushion member is when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the development shutter is positioned at the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, when the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the toner shutter is permitted to move relative to the toner housing while being engaged with the development housing, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing, the development shutter is positioned at the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, and the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the toner shutter moves relative to the toner housing while being fixed relative to the development housing.

2. The toner shutter includes: a toner shutter opening that does not communicate with the toner discharge port when the toner shutter is positioned at the toner closed position and communicates with the toner discharge port when the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing, the developer shutter is positioned at the developer open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, the toner shutter opening communicates with the toner receiving port.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member surrounds the toner discharge port and seals a gap between the toner housing and the toner shutter when the toner shutter is in the toner closed position.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member has a first surface that contacts the toner housing and a second surface that contacts the toner shutter.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the toner shutter slides over the second surface while in contact with the second surface when moving between the toner closed position and the toner open position.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner shutter extends in the first direction and has a cylindrical shape.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cushion member supports the toner shutter by contacting an inner surface of the toner shutter.

8. The toner case is a cylindrical portion having the toner discharge port and extending in the first direction, the cylindrical portion being positioned inside the toner shutter; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cushion member is in contact with the cylindrical portion.

9. 9. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are installed in the main housing, the cushion member is positioned between one end of the developing housing in the first direction and the other end of the developing housing in the first direction.

10. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member is located at the center of the developing housing in the first direction when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing.

11. the cushion member has a first layer in contact with the toner shutter and a second layer located between the first layer and the toner housing, 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is softer than the first layer.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main housing, the development shutter is positioned at the development open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, when the development housing moves relative to the photosensitive drum, the first layer does not deform and the second layer elastically deforms.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge further comprises a handle for moving the toner shutter.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner discharge port is located above the toner receiving port when the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted in the main body housing.

15. the toner cartridge is mountable to the drum cartridge, the drum cartridge can be installed in the main body housing with the toner cartridge installed in the drum cartridge; 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted in the drum cartridge, and the drum cartridge is mounted in the main body housing, thereby mounting the toner cartridge in the main body housing.

16. The toner cartridge is positioned relative to the drum cartridge when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the drum cartridge is positioned relative to the main body housing when the drum cartridge is mounted in the main body housing.

17. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the developer shutter is positioned at the developer open position, and the toner shutter is positioned at the toner open position, and the toner cartridge is locked relative to the drum cartridge.

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