Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent developer charged therein from leaking out.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a toner introduction port 305 that is provided in a unit housing 301 and through which toner is introduced from a mounted toner cartridge; and a shutter member 310 that closes the toner introduction port 305. When the toner cartridge is mounted, the shutter member 310 is pressed by the toner cartridge, rotates centered on a rotation fulcrum 311, and opens the toner introduction port 305.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus into which toner is introduced from an attached toner cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is provided. In image forming apparatuses, the developing device is detachable in consideration of work efficiency during maintenance, etc. (For example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-81286 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has an image carrier, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image, and a supplying means that supplies developer to the developing device. The developing device is provided with a supply port that receives developer from the supplying means, and a shutter member that opens and closes the supply port. The developing device also has a separating means that moves the developing device, and a moving means that moves the shutter member in conjunction with the separating means moving the developing device.

[0005] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, in order to move the shutter member, a contact means and a moving means are operated, and the developing device and the shutter member are indirectly linked, which causes a problem that the structure becomes complicated. In addition, since multiple members are provided between the developing device and the shutter member, and many of the members interfere with the opening and closing of the shutter member, there is a concern that the shutter member may open due to unintended movement. In recent years, in order to reduce the labor required for installation, the image forming apparatus may be shipped with developer pre-filled, but there is a problem that the developer may leak out if the shutter member opens.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the filled developer from leaking out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a toner inlet provided in a housing, through which toner is introduced from a toner cartridge attached to the housing, and a shutter member for closing the toner inlet, The housing is provided with an installation path that guides the toner cartridge along an installation direction in which the toner cartridge is installed in the housing, and the shutter member has a rotation fulcrum that is provided upstream of the toner inlet in the installation direction, a closing portion that closes the toner inlet, and an extension portion that extends from the rotation fulcrum toward the closing portion, and the extension portion is positioned so as to cross the installation path when the shutter member is in a closing position in which the toner inlet is closed, and when the toner cartridge is installed in the housing, the shutter member pressed against the toner cartridge moves in the direction of the installation. The toner introduction port is opened by rotating about a rotation fulcrum.

[0009] The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be configured so that a shutter side locking portion is provided at the end of the shutter member opposite the pivot point, and a housing side locking portion is provided on the housing, and when the shutter member is in a state where it closes the toner inlet, the housing side locking portion locks the shutter side locking portion.

[0010] The image forming device of the present invention may be configured so that an elastic member is provided around the toner inlet, and the elastic member is compressed and deformed so as to be pressed down by the shutter member when the housing side engagement portion engages the shutter side engagement portion.

[0011] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to further include a biasing member that biases the shutter member in a direction in which the shutter member closes the toner inlet port.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the housing may be provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is installed. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, since the toner inlet is closed by the shutter member, it is possible to prevent the filled developer from leaking out of the toner inlet during shipping, etc. Also, since the toner inlet can be opened simply by mounting the toner cartridge, it is possible to improve the work efficiency during installation. Furthermore, since the shutter member closes the toner inlet when it is in a position intersecting the mounting direction of the toner cartridge, it is possible to easily confirm that the toner inlet is closed by the position of the shutter member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing members around the toner transport unit. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a member around the toner transport unit. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a cartridge shutter of the toner cartridge is in a closed position. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a cartridge shutter of the toner cartridge is in an open position. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a toner inlet provided in the toner transport unit is closed by a shutter member; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a toner inlet is open. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit with the toner inlet closed; FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit in a state where the toner cartridge is in contact with the shutter member. FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit with the toner inlet open; FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the toner transport unit of FIG. 12 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic front view showing the toner transport unit of FIG. 12 as viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing members around a toner transport unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] (First embodiment) An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Image forming device 100 is a multifunction device having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, etc., and transmits an image of an original document read by image reading device 110 to the outside (corresponding to the scanner function), and forms an image of the read original document or an image received from the outside on paper in color or monochrome (corresponding to the copy function, printer function, and facsimile function).

[0018] An original transport device 120 (ADF) is provided above the image reading device 110 and is supported so as to be freely opened and closed relative to the image reading device 110. When the original transport device 120 is opened, the top of the image reading device 110 is opened, and an original (paper) can be placed manually. The original transport device 120 automatically transports a placed original onto the image reading device 110. The image reading device 110 reads the placed original or the original transported from the original transport device 120 to generate image data.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to include an exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner device 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt device 6, a fixing device 7, a paper feed tray 81, a manual feed tray 82, a paper output tray 91, and a paper transport path S, and forms multi-color and monochrome images on a specified paper sheet according to image data transmitted from outside.

[0020] Image data handled by the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each of the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, four developing devices 2, photoconductor drums 3, chargers 5, and cleaner devices 4 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color, and are set to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, to form four image stations.

[0021] The photoconductor drum 3 is disposed approximately in the center of the image forming apparatus 100. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The exposure device 1 exposes the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The development device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3. Through the series of operations described above, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 3. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 after development and image transfer.

[0022] The intermediate transfer belt device 6 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 3, and includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 65. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to the image stations for each color of YMCK.

[0023] Intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and intermediate transfer roller 64 are configured to stretch intermediate transfer belt 61 and move the surface of intermediate transfer belt 61 in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow D in the figure).

[0024] The intermediate transfer belt 61 rotates in the direction of arrow D, and residual toner is removed and collected by an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 65. The toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed to form a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a secondary transfer device 10 including a transfer roller 10a. A nip area is formed between the transfer roller 10a and the intermediate transfer belt 61, and the paper conveyed through the paper conveying path S is sandwiched in the nip area and conveyed. When the paper passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transferred to the paper.

[0026] The paper feed tray 81 is a tray for accumulating paper sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure device 1. The manual feed tray 82 is a tray that is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be freely opened and closed, and can be opened to place paper sheets used for image formation thereon. The paper discharge tray 91 is provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 100, and is a tray for placing paper sheets on which an image has been formed.

[0027] The paper transport path S includes a main path S1 formed in an S-shape and a reversing path S2 that branches off from the main path S1 and rejoins the main path S1, and along the main path S1, a pickup roller 11a, a manual pickup roller 11b, a pre-registration roller 12a, a registration roller 13, a secondary transfer device 10, a fixing device 7, and a paper discharge roller 12b are arranged. The reversing path S2 branches off between the fixing device 7 and the paper discharge roller 12b, passes through a reversing transport roller 12c and a reversing transport roller 12d, and rejoins the pre-registration roller 12a and the registration roller 13.

[0028] Pickup roller 11a is provided near the end of paper feed tray 81 and is a pickup roller that feeds paper one sheet at a time from paper feed tray 81 to paper transport path S. Registration roller 13 temporarily holds paper being transported from paper feed tray 81 and transports the paper to transfer roller 10a at a timing that aligns the leading edge of the toner image on photosensitive drum 3 with the leading edge of the paper. Pre-registration roller 12a is a small roller that assists in facilitating the transport of the paper.

[0029] In the fixing device 7, a pressure roller 72 is pressed against a fixing roller 71, and a heating section 73 is provided for heating the fixing roller 71. The fixing device 7 receives a sheet of paper on which an unfixed toner image has been formed, and conveys the sheet by sandwiching it between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72. After fixing, the sheet is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 91 by a paper discharge roller 12b.

[0030] Furthermore, when forming an image on the back side of the paper as well as the front side, the paper is transported in the reverse direction from the paper discharge rollers 12b to the inversion path S2 to invert the paper, and the paper is guided again to the registration rollers 13, where an image is formed on the back side in the same manner as on the front side, and the paper is then discharged to the paper discharge tray 91.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting section 141 in which a toner cartridge 200 is mounted. A plurality of cartridge mounting sections 141 may be provided, and in this embodiment, four cartridge mounting sections 141 are provided corresponding to the respective colors for YMCK. The toner filled in the toner cartridge 200 is supplied to the developing device 2 via a toner transport unit 300. Next, the toner transport unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing members in the periphery of the toner transport unit, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the members in the periphery of the toner transport unit.

[0033] 2 and 3 show a set of toner cartridge 200, toner transport unit 300, and developing device 2. The number of toner transport units 300 may be adjusted according to the number of toner cartridges 200 and developing devices 2 provided in image forming apparatus 100, and in this embodiment, four toner transport units 300 are provided corresponding to four toner cartridges 200 and developing devices 2.

[0034] The toner cartridge 200 is a container having a space therein for accommodating toner, and is configured to be mounted in the cartridge mounting section 141 and then mounted in the image forming apparatus 100. A drive section 400 is provided at the back of the cartridge mounting section 141, and a screw 202 and the like provided in the toner cartridge 200 can be driven by a driving force transmitted from the drive section 400 to convey the toner accommodated inside the toner cartridge 200 to the toner transport unit 300. As will be described in detail later, when the toner cartridge 200 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 141, a toner supply port 203 (see FIG. 5 described later) of the toner cartridge 200 and a toner introduction port 305 (see FIG. 7 described later) of the toner transport unit 300 are connected.

[0035] The toner transport unit 300 is disposed in the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be connected to the developing device 2, and sends the toner taken in through the toner inlet 305 to the developing device 2 through the toner outlet 303 (see FIG. 6). The detailed structure of the toner transport unit 300 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0036] In this embodiment, the developing device 2 is located below the toner cartridge 200, and the toner transport unit 300 is disposed between the developing device 2 and the toner cartridge 200.

[0037] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a cartridge shutter of the toner cartridge is in a closed position, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a cartridge shutter of the toner cartridge is in an open position.

[0038] The toner cartridge 200 is provided with a cartridge shutter 210 at the bottom end on the side where the drive connection part 201 connected to the drive part 400 is provided. When the toner cartridge 200 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the toner cartridge 200 is in a position to cover the toner supply port 203 and closes it to prevent toner from leaking out, as shown in Fig. 4. When the toner cartridge 200 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the cartridge shutter 210 slides along the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 200 in a direction away from the drive connection part 201, as shown in Fig. 5, and the toner supply port 203 is opened.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which toner inlet 305 provided in toner transport unit 300 is closed by shutter member 310, and Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the toner inlet is open. Arrow X shown in Figs. 6 and 7 indicates mounting direction X of toner cartridge 200. Note that in Figs. 6 and 7, some members such as shutter member 310 are shown in a simplified manner in consideration of ease of viewing the drawings.

[0040] The toner transport unit 300 includes a unit housing 301 and a shutter member 310. The unit housing 301 is provided with a toner inlet 305 at the top and a toner outlet 303 at the bottom. A cylindrical rotation support shaft 308 (an example of a rotation support) is provided at the top of the unit housing 301. A rotation hole 311 (an example of a rotation support) provided in the shutter member 310 is attached to the rotation support shaft 308 so as to be rotatable around the rotation support shaft 308. The mounting screw 316 is a retainer for preventing the shutter member 310 from coming off the rotation support shaft 308, and is attached to a screw hole provided in the rotation support shaft 308.

[0041] Here, the shutter member 310 opens and closes the toner inlet 305 by rotating around the pivot 308. A shutter side locking portion 312 is provided at the tip of the shutter member 310, i.e., the end opposite to the pivot 311, and the unit housing 301 is provided with a housing side locking portion 304 for locking the shutter side locking portion 312. Specifically, the shutter side locking portion 312 is a protrusion that protrudes from the surroundings. The housing side locking portion 304 is a protrusion with an opening at a position corresponding to the shutter side locking portion 312. The housing side locking portion 304 locks the shutter side locking portion 312 inserted into the opening when the shutter member 310 closes the toner inlet 305. In this way, by locking the shutter member 310 to the unit housing 301, it is possible to prevent the toner inlet 305 from being opened due to an impact or the like. The detailed structure of the shutter member 310 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0042] Elastic member 302 is attached around toner inlet 305. Elastic member 302 is provided with an opening corresponding to toner inlet 305 so as not to impede the supply of toner from toner cartridge 200. Elastic member 302 is disposed so as to be compressed and deformed by being pressed toward unit housing 301 by shutter member 310 when shutter member 310 closes toner inlet 305. With this configuration, the sealing performance between toner inlet 305 and elastic member 302 can be improved.

[0043] In this embodiment, a porous sponge material having a thickness of 2 mm in a direction perpendicular to the toner inlet 305 is used as the elastic member 302, and when the shutter member 310 is in the closed position, the elastic member 302 is compressed by 0.6 mm by the shutter member 310 (the thickness of the elastic member 302 in a direction perpendicular to the toner inlet 305 in the compressed state is 1.4 mm). Due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member 302, no gap is generated between the elastic member 302 and the shutter member 310, and high sealing performance can be obtained. Furthermore, the shutter member 310 receives a force in a direction away from the toner inlet 305 due to a reaction force of the deformation force that compresses and deforms the elastic member 302. When the shutter member 310 closes the toner inlet 305, this reaction force acts in a direction that moves the shutter side locking portion 312 toward the housing side locking portion 304, so that the contact friction force between the shutter side locking portion 312 and the housing side locking portion 304 increases, and the shutter member 310 can be firmly locked.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a top view showing the shutter member, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the shutter member.

[0045] 8 and 9 show the shutter member 310 removed from the toner transport unit 300. The shutter member 310 has a closing portion 317 that closes the toner inlet 305, and an extension portion 313 that extends from the pivot point 311 toward the closing portion 317. In other words, the extension portion 313 is provided in a portion of the shutter member 310 that is between the pivot point 311 and the tip of the shutter member 310 (the shutter side locking portion 312) and is close to the pivot point 311.

[0046] In the shutter member 310, a shutter guide portion 314 is provided along the side of the extension portion 313. The shutter guide portion 314 is a rib that protrudes outward from the side of the extension portion 313. The shutter guide portion 314 will be described in detail together with its positional relationship with the toner cartridge 200 shown in Figures 10 to 12.

[0047] 9, shutter member 310 is a member having some thickness, but may be made lighter by removing the weight from the upper surface side to create a recess while leaving the bottom surface facing toner inlet 305. Furthermore, when assembling image forming apparatus 100 (for example, when the image forming apparatus is shipped), a user can insert and move a finger into the recess formed by removing the weight, thereby easily rotating shutter member 310 to the closed position (when a biasing member, described later, is not provided).

[0048] Next, the movement of the shutter member 310 when the toner cartridge 200 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. In Figures 10 to 12, for ease of viewing, only a part of the container of the toner cartridge 200 near the toner supply port 203 and the cartridge shutter 210 are shown, and other parts are omitted.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit with the toner inlet closed.

[0050] 10 shows the positional relationship between the toner transport unit 300 and the toner cartridge 200 as viewed from above, and shows the state before the tip of the toner cartridge 200 comes into contact with the shutter member 310. The shutter member 310 has a kick spring 315 (an example of a biasing member) attached to a rotation fulcrum 311. The shutter member 310 is biased by the kick spring 315 to rotate in a closing direction R1 in which the shutter member 310 closes the toner introduction port 305, and stops when the shutter side locking portion 312 is locked with the housing side locking portion 304. In other words, the kick spring 315 biases the shutter member 310 so as to maintain the state in which the shutter side locking portion 312 is locked with the housing side locking portion 304. Note that this is not limiting, and the kick spring 315 may not be provided.

[0051] The toner cartridge 200 is inserted into the cartridge mounting section 141 along the mounting direction X (downward in FIG. 10). That is, the path of the toner cartridge 200 moved downstream in the mounting direction X from the state shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the insertion path of the toner cartridge 200. The cartridge shutter 210 is provided with two side abutment parts 211 extending along the mounting direction X, and the toner supply port 203 is located between the side abutment parts 211. The unit housing 301 is provided with a side guide part 306 (an example of a regulating part) extending along the mounting direction X. The side guide part 306 is provided in a position slightly shifted from the side abutment part 211 near the downstream side in the mounting direction X. As shown in FIG. 12 described later, when the toner cartridge 200 is pushed in the mounting direction X, the side guide part 306 is located at a position adjacent to the side abutment part 211.

[0052] Further, the cartridge shutter 210 is provided with a front end abutment portion 212 extending in the mounting direction X. The unit housing 301 is provided with a shutter receiving portion 307 (an example of a regulating portion) on the downstream side in the mounting direction X of the front end abutment portion 212, and the shutter receiving portion 307 is disposed at a position where the front end abutment portion 212 comes into contact when the toner cartridge 200 is pushed in the mounting direction X.

[0053] The pivot point 311 is provided on the upstream side of the shutter member 310 in the mounting direction X, and the extension portion 313 extends toward the downstream side in the mounting direction X. When the toner inlet 305 of the shutter member 310 is in a closed state, the extension portion 313 extends so as to be inclined with respect to the mounting direction X, and crosses the insertion path of the toner cartridge 200.

[0054] The shutter guide portion 314 is provided on one of the sides of the extension portion 313, on the upstream side in the mounting direction X (the upper side in FIG. 10). In other words, the extension portion 313 is disposed at a position that comes into contact with the toner cartridge 200 when the toner cartridge 200 is pushed in the mounting direction X.

[0055] In the state shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge shutter 210 is positioned below the toner supply port 203 as in FIG.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit with the toner cartridge in contact with the shutter member.

[0057] Fig. 11 shows a state in which toner cartridge 200 has been pushed in mounting direction X from the state shown in Fig. 10, and toner cartridge 200 abuts against shutter member 310. Pressed by toner cartridge 200, shutter member 310 rotates against the biasing force of kick spring 315 in opening direction R2 that opens toner inlet 305, and a portion of toner inlet 305 is opened.

[0058] 11, the side guide portion 306 is adjacent to one of the side abutment portions 211. A rib is provided on the upper portion of the side guide portion 306 so as to protrude so as to cover the upper side of the side abutment portion 211, and restricts the cartridge shutter 210 from moving sideways and upwards.

[0059] 11 , the other side abutment portion 211 is located below the shutter guide portion 314 and presses the side of the extension portion 313. The shutter guide portion 314 can guide the toner supply port 203 toward the toner introduction port 305 while restricting the movement of the cartridge shutter 210.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view showing the toner transport unit with the toner inlet open.

[0061] 12 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 200 has been further pushed in the mounting direction X from the state shown in FIG. 11. In this state, the front end abutment portion 212 abuts against the shutter receiving portion 307, and as a result, the movement of the cartridge shutter 210 in the mounting direction X is restricted. Incidentally, in the toner cartridge 200, the cartridge shutter 210 is configured to slide relative to the container having the toner supply port 203. Therefore, even if the movement of the cartridge shutter 210 is restricted, if there is no member that holds the container, the container can be further pushed in the mounting direction X. By further pushing the toner cartridge 200 with the cartridge shutter 210 held down, only the container moves in the mounting direction X, and the toner supply port 203 is opened as shown in FIG.

[0062] The shutter member 310 is pushed by the container of the toner cartridge 200 mounted to the rear, and rotates further in the opening direction R2 than in the state shown in Fig. 11, and the toner inlet 305 is completely opened (Fig. 12). Then, in the toner cartridge 200 pushed to the rear, the toner supply port 203 moves to above the toner inlet 305. The position and shape of the cartridge mounting part 141 are designed so that it can receive the toner cartridge 200 with the toner supply port 203 and the toner inlet 305 connected.

[0063] 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the toner transport unit of FIG. 12 as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the toner transport unit of FIG. 12 as viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction.

[0064] 13 and 14 show the toner transport unit of FIG. 12 as viewed from different viewpoints. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower surface of the shutter guide portion 314 is inclined downward toward the tip end side of the shutter member 310. In other words, when the cartridge shutter 210 abuts against the shutter member 310, the gap at the bottom of the shutter guide portion 314 is wide on the upstream side in the mounting direction X, so that the side abutment portion 211 smoothly enters under the shutter guide portion 314. Also, the gap at the bottom of the shutter guide portion 314 becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the mounting direction X, so that as the cartridge shutter 210 is pushed in, the room for the cartridge shutter 210 to rattle becomes smaller, and movement can be reliably restricted.

[0065] Either or both of the tip contact portion 212 and the shutter receiving portion 307 may be inclined, and as the cartridge shutter 210 is pushed downstream in the mounting direction X, the cartridge shutter 210 may be pushed upward.

[0066] In recent years, in order to efficiently arrange the components in the image forming apparatus 100, the components are densely packed together, and there are few gaps where components are not arranged. Therefore, the field of view may be restricted when visually inspecting the components during the assembly process or the like.

[0067] As described above, in the toner transport unit 300, the shutter member 310 crosses the insertion path of the toner cartridge 200, and is configured so that the toner cartridge 200 presses and rotates the shutter member 310 to open the toner inlet 305. In other words, before the toner cartridge 200 is inserted, the shutter member 310 blocks the path of the toner cartridge 200, and the extension portion 313 of the shutter member 310 is present at a position corresponding to the cartridge shutter 210 in FIG.

[0068] Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the toner cartridge 200 is inserted from the front to the back in the mounting direction X, and the toner transport unit 300 is provided at a recessed position in the cartridge mounting portion 141. In a visual inspection, when viewed from the front side of the cartridge mounting portion 141, it can be confirmed that the toner inlet 305 is closed depending on whether the shutter member 310 is attached so as to block the path of the toner cartridge 200.

[0069] As described above, since the toner inlet 305 is closed by the shutter member 310, it is possible to prevent the filled developer from leaking out of the toner inlet 305 during shipping, etc. Also, since the toner inlet 305 can be opened simply by installing the toner cartridge 200, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the installation work. Also, since the extension portion 313 is pressed by the installed toner cartridge 200, the shutter member 310 can be opened smoothly in conjunction with the installation of the toner cartridge 200.

[0070] In image forming apparatus 100, drive unit 400 is provided at the back of toner transport unit 300. Therefore, the direction in which shutter member 310 that closes toner inlet 305 can be moved when opening it is restricted, making it difficult to configure the shutter member 310 to slide backward to open it. However, in this embodiment, shutter member 310 is configured to rotate around rotation fulcrum 311, so that toner inlet 305 can be opened and closed without being restricted in movement by drive unit 400.

[0071] Second embodiment Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the structure of the toner transport unit 300 is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the second embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, the description will be omitted and only the differences will be described.

[0073] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing members around a toner transport unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the toner transport unit 300 is an intermediate hopper. When the toner transport unit 300 is an intermediate hopper, the driving force of the drive unit 400 may be transmitted to the toner transport unit 300, and the toner stored in the intermediate hopper is stirred by a stirring member or the like. The toner is supplied from the intermediate hopper to the developing device 2 according to the toner usage status.

[0075] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to provide a basis for a restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 2. Developing device 100 Image forming device 200 toner cartridges 203 Toner supply port 210 Cartridge Shutter 211 Side abutment 212 Tip abutment 300 Toner transport unit 301 Unit housing (example of housing) 302 Elastic Members 303 Toner outlet 304 Housing side locking part 305 Toner inlet 306 Side guide portion (an example of a restricting portion) 307 Shutter receiving part (an example of a regulating part) 308 Pivot shaft (an example of a pivot point) 310 Shutter parts 311 Pivot hole (an example of a pivot point) 312 Shutter side locking part 313 Extension section 314 Shutter guide part (an example of a regulating part) 315 Kick spring (an example of a biasing member) 316 Mounting screw 317 Closing part

Claims

1. a toner inlet provided in the housing and through which toner is introduced from a toner cartridge attached to the housing; a shutter member for closing the toner inlet, a mounting path is provided in the housing to guide the toner cartridge along a mounting direction in which the toner cartridge is mounted in the housing; The shutter member is a rotation fulcrum provided upstream of the toner inlet in the mounting direction; a closing portion for closing the toner inlet; An extension portion extending from the pivot point toward the closing portion, the extension portion is positioned to cross the mounting path when the shutter member is in a closing position to close the toner inlet, When the toner cartridge is attached to the housing, the shutter member pressed against the toner cartridge rotates about the rotation fulcrum to open the toner inlet. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, A shutter side locking portion is provided at an end portion of the shutter member opposite to the pivot point, The housing is provided with a housing side locking portion, When the shutter member closes the toner inlet, the housing-side locking portion locks the shutter-side locking portion. An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, an elastic member is provided around the toner inlet, The elastic member is compressively deformed so as to be pressed down by the shutter member in a state in which the housing-side locking portion locks the shutter-side locking portion. An image forming apparatus comprising:

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The shutter member is provided with a biasing member that biases the shutter member in a direction in which the toner inlet is closed. An image forming apparatus comprising:

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The housing includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images