Developing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent leakage of developer.SOLUTION: A developing device comprises a developing device body and a developer cartridge. The developer cartridge has an opening and closing member that is movable between a closing position for closing a supply port and an opening position for opening the supply port, an operating part that moves the opening and closing member between the closing position and the opening position, and a first engagement part that moves integrally with the opening and closing member. The developing device body has a retaining member that has a second engagement part provided in correspondence with the first engagement part, wherein the second engagement part is movable in an attaching / detaching direction between a first position where it faces the first engagement part and a second position where it is retreated from the first position, and a first regulation part that, when the retaining member is at the second position, regulates the movement of the retaining member to the first position. When the opening and closing member is at the closing position and the retaining member is at the first position, if the operating member is operated to move the opening and closing member to the opening position, the retaining member moves from the first position to the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a developing device for forming an image and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A developing device for an image forming apparatus includes a developing device main body and a detachable developer cartridge containing developer. The developer cartridge has an openable / closable supply port for supplying developer to the developing device main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-96422 A (see, for example, the Abstract) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an image forming apparatus is shipped, the developer cartridge is attached to the developing device body and transported with the supply port open. However, with the supply port open, there is a possibility that the developer may leak to the outside.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to suppress leakage of developer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The developing device of the present disclosure includes a developing device main body having a supply port for receiving developer, and a developer cartridge configured to be attachable to and detachable from the developing device main body in a predetermined attachment / detachment direction, having a supply port corresponding to the supply port, and supplying developer from the supply port to the developing device main body. The developer cartridge has an opening / closing member movable between a closed position that closes the supply port and an open position that opens the supply port, an operating member that moves the opening / closing member between the closed position and the open position, and a first engaging portion that moves integrally with the opening / closing member. The developing device main body has a second engaging portion provided corresponding to the first engaging portion, and a fixed member movable between a first position where the second engaging portion faces the first engaging portion in the attachment / detachment direction and a second position retracted from the first position, and the fixed member is 1st position If in Second position When the opening / closing member is in the closed position and the fixing member is in the Second position When the operating member is operated and the opening / closing member moves to the open position, the fixing member Second position from 1st position Go to. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the present disclosure, the opening / closing member is positioned at the closed position to close the supply port, and the fixing member is Second position When the user starts using the device, the fixed member is moved to the open position by operating the operating member, and the developer is transported in the open position. 1st position and the second engaging portion does not face the first engaging portion in the attachment / detachment direction, so that the developing device can be used and the developer cartridge can be removed as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a developing device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a developing device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment with a side cover removed. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment, with the shutter at a closed position (A) and at an open position (B). [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a fitting portion on the L side of the toner cartridge and a support post of the developing device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view showing a fitting portion on the R side of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support post and a retainer of the developing device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side cover of the developing device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the attached state of the retainer in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a retainer according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A to 10E are diagrams showing the relationship between the fitting portion of the toner cartridge and the support post of the main body of the developing device before shipping (A) to (C) and during use (D) and (E). [Figure 15] 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the function of the retainer of the embodiment. [Figure 16] 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the function of the retainer of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Configuration of image forming device> First, a description will be given of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a printer that forms an image using an electrophotographic process.

[0010] The image forming device 1 includes a medium supply unit 6 that supplies a medium P such as printing paper, a developing device 7 that forms an image, a fixing device 8 that fixes the image on the medium P, a medium discharge unit 9 that discharges the medium P, and a device housing 1A that houses these components.

[0011] The medium supply unit 6 includes a medium cassette 60 , a pickup roller 61 , a feed roller 62 , a retard roller 63 , a registration roller 65 , and a transport roller 66 .

[0012] The medium cassette 60 stores media P such as printing paper. The pickup roller 61 pulls out the media P from the medium cassette 60 one by one. The feed roller 62 and the retard roller 63 separate the pulled out media P one by one and send them to a conveying path 64. The registration roller 65 corrects the skew of the media P sent out to the conveying path 64 and conveys them further. The conveying roller 66 conveys the media P to the developing device 7.

[0013] The developing device 7 has a developing device main body 10 and a toner cartridge 20 as a developer cartridge. The developing device main body 10 has a photosensitive drum 71 as an image carrier, a charging roller 72 as a charging member, a developing roller 74 as a developer carrier, and a supply roller 75 as a supply member. The toner cartridge 20 is detachably mounted in the developing device main body 10.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 71 is a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer on the surface of a conductive support. The photosensitive layer is a laminate of a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer. The photosensitive drum 71 rotates clockwise in the figure.

[0015] An exposure head 73 serving as an exposure device is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 71. The exposure head 73 has an LED array in which LEDs (light emitting diodes) serving as light emitting elements are arranged, and a lens array, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 with light. The exposure head 73 is suspended and supported by a top cover 1B that covers the top of the device housing 1A.

[0016] The charging roller 72 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 71, and rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 71. A charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 72, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is uniformly charged.

[0017] The developing roller 74 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 71, and rotates in the opposite direction (the direction in which the surface moves at the contact point is the forward direction) to the photosensitive drum 71. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 74, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is developed with toner.

[0018] The supply roller 75 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the developing roller 74, and rotates in the same direction as the developing roller 74 (the direction in which the surface moves in the contact area is opposite to that of the developing roller 74). A supply voltage is applied to the supply roller 75, and the supply roller 75 supplies toner to the developing roller 74.

[0019] The toner cartridge 20 contains toner as a developer and supplies the toner to the developing device main body 10. The toner cartridge 20 has a toner storage chamber 25 that contains the toner, a toner supply port 28 formed at the bottom thereof, and a shutter 30 that opens and closes the toner storage chamber 25, which will be described later. The toner is, for example, black toner, but is not limited to this.

[0020] A transfer roller 76 serving as a transfer unit is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 71. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 76, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the medium P passing between the photosensitive drum 71 and the transfer roller 76.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to form a monochrome image using the developing device 7, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be configured to form a color image by arranging multiple image forming units for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, etc. in the transport direction of the medium P.

[0022] The fixing device 8 is disposed downstream of the developing device 7 in the transport direction of the medium P. The medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 8 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 71.

[0023] The fixing device 8 has a fixing roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The fixing roller 81 has a built-in heater 83 such as a halogen lamp, and the pressure roller 82 is pressed against the fixing roller 81. The fixing roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 heat and pressurize the medium P to fix the toner image to the medium P. The configuration of the fixing device 8 will be described later.

[0024] The medium discharge unit 9 has discharge rollers 91 and 92 that transport the medium P that has passed through the fixing device 8 along a transport path 93 and discharge the medium P from a discharge opening. A stacker unit 94 on which the discharged medium P is placed is formed in the top cover 1B.

[0025] In Figure 1, the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 71 is the X direction. The X direction is the axial direction of each roller in the image forming apparatus 1 and is also the width direction of the medium P being transported. The direction of movement of the medium P as it passes through the developing device 7 is the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is the Z direction. Here, the Z direction is the up-down direction.

[0026] Regarding the Y direction, the transport direction when the medium P passes through the developing device 7 is the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is the -Y direction. Regarding the X direction, the right hand direction when facing the +Y direction is the +X direction (R side), and the left hand direction is the -X direction (L side). Regarding the Z direction, the upward direction in Figure 1 is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. Note that these directions do not limit the orientation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0027] <Configuration of the developing device> Next, we will explain the configuration of the developing device 7. The developing device 7 is made up of the developing device main body 10 and the toner cartridge 20, as described above.

[0028] 2 and 3 are perspective views of the developing device main body 10 viewed from different directions. The developing device main body 10 has side plates 11L and 11R facing each other in the X direction and a bottom 12 connecting them. Side plate 11L is located on the -X side, and side plate 11R is located on the +X side.

[0029] Between the side plates 11L and 11R, there is formed a receiving portion 16 that receives the bottom of the toner cartridge 20. The receiving portion 16 is formed with a supply port 17 that is long in the X direction and that receives toner supplied from the toner supply port 28 of the toner cartridge 20.

[0030] Note that below the receiving portion 16 (in the -Z direction), the photosensitive drum 71, charging roller 72, developing roller 74, and supply roller 75 (FIG. 1) are arranged, but are hidden in FIGS.

[0031] The side plates 11L and 11R are formed with guide portions 13L and 13R that guide the installation and removal of the toner cartridge 20. The guide portions 13L and 13R are rail-shaped members that extend in one direction. The extension direction of the guide portions 13L and 13R defines the installation and removal direction D of the toner cartridge 20.

[0032] The side plates 11L, 11R are also formed with support posts 15L, 15R that engage with the toner cartridge 20. The support posts 15L, 15R protrude inward in the X direction from the side plates 11L, 11R, that is, toward the toner cartridge 20 side.

[0033] Both the support posts 15L and 15R are shaft members whose axial direction is in the X direction. The support posts 15L and 15R are fitted into fitting portions 40L and 40R of the toner cartridge 20, which will be described below.

[0034] 4 and 5 are perspective views of the toner cartridge 20 viewed from different directions. The toner cartridge 20 has a housing 21 that covers the toner storage chamber 25 (FIG. 1), a side cover 22L that covers the -X side of the housing 21, and a side cover 22R that covers the +X side of the housing 21.

[0035] The side cover 22L is formed with a slide portion 23L (FIG. 5) that engages with the guide portion 13L of the developing device main body 10. The side cover 22R is formed with a slide portion 23R (FIG. 4) that engages with the guide portion 13R of the developing device main body 10. The toner cartridge 20 is attached to the developing device main body 10 by the slide portions 23L, 23R being guided by the guide portions 13L, 13R.

[0036] An opening 29L is formed in the side cover 22L. A fitting portion 40L (FIG. 5) configured to be connectable with the shutter 30 protrudes from this opening 29L. The fitting portion 40L is rotatably supported by the inner periphery of the opening 29L. The fitting portion 40L fits into a support post 15L of the developing device main body 10.

[0037] An opening 29R is formed in the side cover 22R. A fitting portion 40R (FIG. 4) connected to the shutter 30 protrudes from this opening 29R. The fitting portion 40R fits into a support post 15R of the developing device main body 10.

[0038] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 20 shown in Figure 5 with the side cover 22L removed. The toner cartridge 20 has a shutter 30 as an opening / closing member. The shutter 30 is generally cylindrical and rotatable around a rotation center Ax in the X direction. An operating member 35 for rotating the shutter 30 is provided adjacent to the -Y side of the shutter 30.

[0039] 7(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing the internal configuration of toner cartridge 20. A toner storage chamber 25 for storing toner is provided inside housing 21 of toner cartridge 20. A toner supply port 28 corresponding to refill port 17 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of developing device main body 10 is formed at the bottom of toner storage chamber 25. Although not shown in FIGS. 7(A) and (B), stirring bars 26a and 26b (FIG. 1) for stirring toner may be provided inside toner storage chamber 25.

[0040] The shutter 30 has a shutter portion 31 extending in an arc shape in a plane perpendicular to the rotation center Ax, and an opening portion 32. When the shutter portion 31 faces the toner supply port 28 as shown in FIG. 7A, the shutter 30 closes the toner supply port 28. When the opening portion 32 faces the toner supply port 28 as shown in FIG. 7B, the shutter 30 opens the toner supply port 28. In other words, the toner supply port 28 can be opened and closed by rotating the shutter 30.

[0041] 6, the −X direction end of the shutter 30 protrudes outside the housing 21. On the outer periphery of the protruding portion of the shutter 30, a gear portion 30b, which is an arc-shaped sector gear centered on the rotation center Ax, is formed.

[0042] The operating member 35 is disposed adjacent to the shutter 30 in the -Y direction and rotates around a rotation axis 35c in the X direction. The operating member 35 has a gear portion 35b, which is a sector gear that meshes with the gear portion 30b of the shutter 30, on the side facing the shutter 30. The operating member 35 also has an operating lever 35a, which is operated by the user, on the side opposite the gear portion 35b. The operating lever 35a protrudes from the toner cartridge 20 in the -Y direction.

[0043] When the user operates the operating lever 35a in the direction indicated by the arrow Q1 (referred to as the Q1 direction), the gear portion 35b and the gear portion 30b mesh together, causing the shutter 30 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow R1 (referred to as the R1 direction), thereby opening the toner supply port 28 (Figure 7(B)).

[0044] When the user operates the operating lever 35a in the direction opposite to the Q1 direction (referred to as the Q2 direction), the gear portion 35b and the gear portion 30b mesh together, causing the shutter 30 to rotate in the direction opposite to the R1 direction (referred to as the R2 direction), thereby closing the toner supply port 28 (Figure 7(A)).

[0045] The fitting portion 40L is disposed adjacent to the −X side of the shutter 30. The fitting portion 40L has a substantially annular outer peripheral rib 45 and a groove 46 extending radially inward from the outer peripheral rib 45.

[0046] The center of the fitting portion 40L is coaxial with the rotation center Ax of the shutter 30. A lock pin 24 is provided on the shutter 30 on the rotation center Ax. The lock pin 24 connects and disconnects the shutter 30 and the fitting portion 40L to each other. The lock pin 24 is movable in the X direction and is biased in the -X direction by a biasing member (not shown).

[0047] When the lock pin 24 is pushed in the +X direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, the connection between the shutter 30 and the fitting portion 40L is released. With the lock pin 24 pushed in the +X direction, the fitting portion 40L can be rotated to a locked position (FIG. 8) described below while the shutter 30 and the lock pin 24 remain stationary.

[0048] When the mating portion 40L is rotated to the locked position in this manner, the engagement between the lock pin 24 and the mating portion 40L is released, and the toner cartridge 20 remains fixed to the developing device main body 10.

[0049] When the user operates the operating lever 35a to rotate the shutter 30 from the closed position to the open position, the lock pin 24 provided on the shutter 30 also rotates. When the shutter 30 reaches the open position, the lock pin 24 engages with the fitting portion 40L. The lock pin 24 moves in the -X direction due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the shutter 30 and the fitting portion 40L are connected via the lock pin 24.

[0050] The reason why the connection state between the shutter 30 and the fitting portion 40L is switched by the lock pin 24 is because the fitting portion 40L and the shutter 30 need to be rotated separately before shipping the image forming apparatus 1. The lock pin 24 is pushed in by an operator before shipping.

[0051] The groove 46 of the fitting portion 40L fits into the support post 15L of the developing device main body 10. As shown in Figure 6, when the extending direction of the groove 46 of the fitting portion 40L is approximately parallel to the attachment / detachment direction D, the support post 15L can be inserted into and removed from the fitting portion 40L. The rotational position of the fitting portion 40L at this time is referred to as the unlocked position.

[0052] 8 is a diagram showing the fitting portion 40L and the support post 15L. As shown in FIG. 8, when the fitting portion 40L is rotated a predetermined angle in the R1 direction from the position shown in FIG. 6, the groove 46 of the fitting portion 40L becomes approximately perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction D. This makes it impossible for the support post 15L to be detached from the fitting portion 40L. The rotational position of the fitting portion 40L at this time is referred to as the locked position.

[0053] The groove 46 of the fitting portion 40L has a pair of opposing groove walls 46a, 46b and a groove bottom 46c formed therebetween. The extending direction of the groove 46 is the same as the extending direction of the groove walls 46a, 46b. The outer peripheral rib 45 is also formed with a protrusion 47 that can be used as a finger hook when rotating the fitting portion 40L separately from the shutter 30.

[0054] The support post 15L has a cross-sectional shape that is long in the attachment / detachment direction D. On the groove bottom 46c side of the groove 46, the distance between the groove walls 46a, 46b is slightly wider than the length of the support post 15L. The support post 15L is held in the portion where the distance between the groove walls 46a, 46b is wider.

[0055] When the fitting portion 40L and the shutter 30 are connected, the fitting portion 40L is in the unlocked position when the shutter 30 is in the closed position, and the fitting portion 40L is in the locked position when the shutter 30 is in the open position.

[0056] 9 is a diagram showing the fitting portion 40R of the toner cartridge 20. The fitting portion 40R has a semicircularly extending outer peripheral rib 43 and a groove 41 extending radially inward from the outer peripheral rib 43. The groove 41 has a pair of opposing groove walls 41a, 41b and a groove bottom 41c formed therebetween.

[0057] When the extension direction of the groove 41 of the fitting portion 40R (i.e., the extension direction of the groove walls 41a, 41b) is approximately parallel to the attachment / detachment direction D, the support post 15R can be inserted into or removed from the fitting portion 40R. The rotational position of the fitting portion 40R at this time is referred to as the unlocked position.

[0058] 9 by a predetermined angle in the R1 direction, the extension direction of the groove 41 of the fitting portion 40R becomes approximately perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction D. This makes it impossible for the support post 15R to be detached from the fitting portion 40R. The rotational position of the fitting portion 40R at this time is called the locked position.

[0059] The fitting portion 40R is connected to the shutter 30 and rotates integrally with it. When the shutter 30 is in the closed position, the fitting portion 40R is in the unlocked position, and when the shutter 30 is in the open position, the fitting portion 40R is in the locked position.

[0060] An engaging protrusion 42 serving as a first engaging portion extending radially inward is formed on the outer peripheral rib 43 of the fitting portion 40R. The engaging protrusion 42 extends from the outer peripheral rib 43 toward the groove bottom 41c. The engaging protrusion 42 is a portion that engages with an engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50, as will be described later.

[0061] 10 is a perspective view showing the side plate 11R of the developing device main body 10. The side plate 11R is provided with the support post 15R. The support post 15R is substantially cylindrical. A retainer 50 serving as a fixing member is rotatably attached to the support post 15R.

[0062] The retainer 50 has a stopper 51 as a plate-like piece, an engaging portion 52 as a second engaging portion, a convex portion 53 as an attachment portion, and a protruding portion 54 as a pressed portion.

[0063] 11 is a perspective view showing the side plate 11R with the retainer 50 removed. An arc-shaped groove 15a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support post 15R as a position restriction portion. A protrusion 53 of the retainer 50 engages with the groove 15a of the support post 15R. The length of the groove 15a in the circumferential direction is longer than the width of the protrusion 53 in the same direction.

[0064] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the retainer 50 and the support post 15R. As shown in Fig. 12, the protrusion 53 of the retainer 50 engages with the groove 15a of the support post 15R, thereby positioning the retainer 50 in the axial direction of the support post 15R, i.e., in the X direction. The retainer 50 is rotatable within a predetermined range along the outer periphery of the support post 15R.

[0065] 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the retainer 50. The retainer 50 is a substantially C-shaped member centered on the rotation center Ax, and has a front surface 50a, which is the surface opposite to the side plate 11R (FIG. 11), and a back surface 50b that faces the side plate 11R. The front surface 50a and the back surface 50b are parallel to the YZ plane.

[0066] The retainer 50 also has an inner peripheral surface 50c and an outer peripheral surface 50d. An opening 55 is formed at one location in the circumferential direction of the retainer 50, extending from the inner peripheral surface 50c to the outer peripheral surface 50d. The inner peripheral surface 50c of the retainer 50 faces the outer periphery of the support post 15R. A protrusion 53 that protrudes radially inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface 50c of the retainer 50.

[0067] The stopper 51 is formed on the opposite side of the rotation center Ax from the opening 55, and extends in a tangential direction to the outer peripheral surface 50d of the retainer 50. The stopper 51 is plate-shaped and has a front surface 511 that is the surface opposite the side plate 11R, and a back surface 512 that faces the side plate 11R. The thickness direction of the stopper 51 is the X direction. The stopper 51 is located at the end of the retainer 50 in the +X direction.

[0068] The stopper 51 has an end face 51a as a first restricting surface at one end in the longitudinal direction, and an end face 51b at the other end in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 13 shows the R1 and R2 directions with the support post 15R as the center, with the end face 51a being the end face in the R2 direction and the end face 51b being the end face in the R1 direction.

[0069] The stopper 51 has a rib 51d that protrudes in the -X direction from its surface 511. The rib 51d reaches a position in the X direction that is substantially the same as the surface 50a of the retainer 50. Of the surface 511 of the stopper 51, the surface between the rib 51d and the end face 51b forms an opposing surface 51c.

[0070] An inclined surface 51e serving as a second restricting surface is formed on the rear surface 512 of the stopper 51 on the side of the end face 51a (i.e., the end side in the R2 direction). The inclined surface 51e is inclined so as to be displaced in the +X direction (toward the side plate 11R) as it approaches the end face 51a. The angle A formed by the inclined surface 51e with respect to the circumferential direction about the rotation center Ax (i.e., the rotation direction of the retainer 50) is an acute angle.

[0071] The engaging portion 52 is formed in the R1 direction relative to the stopper 51. The engaging portion 52 protrudes in the -X direction beyond the surface 50a of the retainer 50. The engaging portion 52 extends radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 50d of the retainer 50. A protruding portion 52a that protrudes in the R2 direction is formed at the radially inner end of the engaging portion 52.

[0072] The protrusion 54 protrudes radially outward beyond the outer circumferential surface 50d of the retainer 50, and is formed in the R2 direction relative to the stopper 51.

[0073] 11, the side plate 11R is formed with a restricting rib 101 as a first restricting portion that abuts against the end face 51a of the stopper 51 when the retainer 50 is in a first position described below. The restricting rib 101 abuts against the end face 51a of the stopper 51, thereby restricting rotation of the retainer 50 in the R2 direction.

[0074] The side plate 11R also has a contact rib 102 that contacts the rear surface 512 of the stopper 51 when the retainer 50 is in the first position. The contact rib 102 contacts the rear surface 512 of the stopper 51, thereby restricting movement of the retainer 50 in the +X direction.

[0075] Side plate 11R also has a receiving portion 103 formed thereon that abuts against end face 51b, opposing surface 51c, and rib 51d of stopper 51 when retainer 50 is in the first position. Receiving portion 103 abuts against end face 51b and rib 51d of stopper 51 in the Z direction and against opposing surface 51c in the X direction, thereby restricting rotation of retainer 50 in the R1 direction and movement in the -X direction.

[0076] The side plate 11R also has a restricting rib 106 formed thereon as a second restricting portion that abuts against the inclined surface 51e of the stopper 51 when the retainer 50 is at a second position rotated in the R2 direction from the first position. The restricting rib 106 abuts against the inclined surface 51e of the stopper 51, thereby restricting the rotation of the retainer 50 in the R1 direction.

[0077] In this way, the retainer 50 is rotatable between the first position and the second position, and the rotation from the first position to the second position ( R2 The rotation from the second position to the first position ( R1 The rotation of the shaft (or the direction of the shaft) is restricted by the restricting rib 106.

[0078] <Printing operation of image forming device> Next, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. When the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print command and print data from a host device, it starts the printing operation (image forming operation).

[0079] When the printing operation starts, the pickup roller 61 and feed roller 62 of the medium supply unit 6 rotate to send the media P from the medium cassette 60 one by one to the conveyance path 64. Then, the registration roller 65 and conveyance roller 66 convey the media P to the developing device 7.

[0080] In the developing device 7, a charging voltage, a developing voltage, and a supply voltage are applied to the charging roller 72, the developing roller 74, and the supply roller 75, respectively. Furthermore, as the photosensitive drum 71 rotates, the charging roller 72, the developing roller 74, and the supply roller 75 also rotate. The charging roller 72 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 71. The exposure head 73 exposes the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 71 to light to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0081] The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is developed by toner attached to the developing roller 74, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 71. When a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 76, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the medium P passing between the photosensitive drum 71 and the transfer roller 76. The medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 8.

[0082] In the fixing device 8, the fixing roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 rotate, and the fixing roller 81 is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature. The medium P is heated and pressurized at the nip between the fixing roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, and the toner image is fixed to the medium P.

[0083] The medium P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged by discharge rollers 91 and 92 of the medium discharge unit 9, and is stacked on the stacker unit 94. This completes the image formation on the medium P.

[0084] <effect> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. During the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 1, the toner cartridge 20 is attached to the developing device main body 10 before shipping. At this time, not only is the toner cartridge 20 locked to the developing device main body 10, but the toner supply port 28 is also closed with the shutter 30 to prevent toner leakage.

[0085] First, the operator confirms that the operating lever 35a of the toner cartridge 20 is rotated in the Q2 direction to the lower position (FIG. 6). When the operating lever 35a is in the lower position, the shutter 30 is in the closed position that closes the toner supply port 28. In this state, the operator fills the toner cartridge 20 with toner.

[0086] 14(A) to 14(C) are diagrams showing the relationship between the fitting portion 40R and the retainer 50 during the process of mounting the toner cartridge 20 to the developing device main body 10 before shipping. In the state shown in Fig. 14(A), the retainer 50 is in the first position.

[0087] When the retainer 50 is in the first position, the stopper 51 is aligned with the support post 15R in the attachment / detachment direction D, and the engagement portion 52 is located below the support post 15R (in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction D).

[0088] When the shutter 30 is in the closed position, the extending direction of the grooves 46, 41 of the fitting portions 40L, 40R is parallel to the mounting / removal direction D. In this state, the operator mounts the toner cartridge 20 into the developing device main body 10.

[0089] The toner cartridge 20 is mounted in the developing device main body 10 by engaging the slide portions 23L, 23R (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the toner cartridge 20 with the guide portions 13L, 13R (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the developing device main body 10.

[0090] 14(B), the support post 15R of the developing device main body 10 fits into the groove 41 of the fitting portion 40R of the toner cartridge 20. Also, the support post 15L of the developing device main body 10 fits into the fitting portion 40L of the toner cartridge 20 (FIG. 8).

[0091] 5 in the +X direction. This releases the connection between the shutter 30 and the fitting portion 40L, allowing the fitting portion 40L to rotate while the shutter 30 remains stationary. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the fitting portion 40L is rotated in the R1 direction, preventing the support post 15L from being detached from the fitting portion 40L, and locking the toner cartridge 20 to the developing device main body 10.

[0092] At this time, the other fitting portion 40R is still in a rotational position where the extending direction of the groove 41 is parallel to the attachment / detachment direction D.

[0093] Fig. 15(A) is an enlarged view of Fig. 14(B), and Fig. 15(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15B-15B shown in Fig. 15(A).

[0094] 15(B), when the retainer 50 is in the first position, the end face 51a of the stopper 51 abuts against the restricting rib 101 of the side plate 11R, and the back face 512 of the stopper 51 abuts against the abutting rib 102 of the side plate 11R. In addition, the end face 51b, the opposing face 51c, and the rib 51d of the stopper 51 abut against the receiving portion 103 of the side plate 11R. This holds the retainer 50 in the first position.

[0095] In FIG. 15(B), a gap C1 is provided between the end face 51a of the stopper 51 and the restriction rib 101, but it is not necessary to provide such a gap C1.

[0096] The worker inserts a rod-shaped jig through the through-hole 105 of the side plate 11R and deforms the stopper 51 toward the toner cartridge 20. Because the stopper 51 is plate-shaped, it can be easily deformed in the thickness direction. When the stopper 51 is deformed, the position restriction by the restriction rib 101 is released, and the stopper 51 becomes rotatable in the R2 direction.

[0097] In this state, the worker uses a tool such as a screwdriver to press the protrusion 54 and rotate the stopper 51 in the R2 direction, causing the retainer 50 to rotate in the R2 direction and reach the second position, as shown in Figure 14(C).

[0098] When the retainer 50 is in the second position, the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50 abuts against the engaging protrusion 42 of the fitting portion 40R in the R2 direction. Furthermore, the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50 is sandwiched between the groove bottom 41c and the engaging protrusion 42 in the installation / removal direction D. When an attempt is made to move the toner cartridge 20 in the installation / removal direction D, the engaging portion 52 abuts against the groove bottom 41c or the engaging protrusion 42, thereby restricting movement of the toner cartridge 20 in the installation / removal direction D.

[0099] Fig. 16(A) is an enlarged view of Fig. 14(C). Fig. 16(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B in Fig. 16(A). As shown in Fig. 16(B), when the retainer 50 is in the second position, the restricting rib 106 of the side plate 11R abuts against the inclined surface 51e of the stopper 51. This restricts rotation of the retainer 50 in the R1 direction.

[0100] Furthermore, the protrusion 53 of the retainer 50 abuts against the end of the groove 15a of the support post 15R in the R2 direction, and rotation of the retainer 50 in the R2 direction is also restricted.

[0101] In this way, the shutter 30 closes the toner supply port 28, the toner cartridge 20 is locked to the developing device main body 10 (by the engagement of the fitting portion 40L with the support post 15L), and the retainer 50 is positioned in the second position, and the image forming device 1 is shipped in this state. Since the image forming device 1 is transported with the toner supply port 28 closed, toner leakage is prevented.

[0102] 14(D) and (E) are diagrams showing the relationship between the fitting portion 40R and the retainer 50 when the image forming apparatus 1 is first used.

[0103] As shown in Figure 14(D), when a user starts using the image forming apparatus 1, the user operates the operating lever 35a shown in Figure 6 in the direction Q1. This causes the shutter 30 to rotate in the direction R1 and reach the open position, opening the toner supply port 28. The toner in the toner cartridge 20 is supplied to the developing device main body 10 via the toner supply port 28 and the refill port 17.

[0104] Furthermore, when the shutter 30 reaches the open position, the lock pin 24 (FIG. 5) is moved in the −X direction by the biasing member as described above, and the fitting portion 40L and the shutter 30 are connected via the lock pin 24. Thereafter, the fitting portion 40L rotates together with the shutter 30.

[0105] On the other hand, since the fitting portion 40R always rotates integrally with the shutter 30, it rotates in the R1 direction as shown in Fig. 14(D). Accordingly, the engaging protrusion 42 of the fitting portion 40R urges the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50 in the R1 direction. Because the angle A (Fig. 13) with respect to the rotation direction (R1 direction) is an acute angle, the inclined surface 51e of the stopper 51 can climb over the restricting rib 106, and as a result, the retainer 50 rotates in the R1 direction and returns to the first position.

[0106] 15B, the restricting rib 101 faces the end face 51a of the stopper 51, restricting the rotation of the retainer 50 in the R2 direction. In this state, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a printing operation.

[0107] If the user continues to use the image forming apparatus 1 and needs to replace the toner cartridge 20, the user operates the operating lever 35a in the direction Q2, which causes the shutter 30 to rotate in the direction R2 and reach the closed position, thereby closing the toner supply port 28.

[0108] As a result, the fitting portions 40L, 40R rotate in the R2 direction together with the shutter 30. The fitting portions 40L, 40R rotate to a rotation position where the extending direction of the grooves 46, 41 becomes parallel to the attachment / detachment direction D.

[0109] On the other hand, when the fitting portion 40R rotates in the R2 direction, the engaging protrusion 42 of the fitting portion 40R moves away from the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50. Furthermore, the rotation of the retainer 50 in the R2 direction is restricted by the restricting rib 101. Therefore, the retainer 50 does not rotate and remains in the first position. When the retainer 50 is in the first position, the engaging portion 52 is outside the range of movement of the fitting portion 40R when it is attached or detached.

[0110] As a result, the support posts 15L and 15R can be removed in the attachment / detachment direction D from the fitting portions 40L and 40R.

[0111] 14(E), the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50 is positioned outside the movement range of the fitting portion 40R, so the user can remove the toner cartridge 20 from the developing device main body 10.

[0112] In the above description, the retainer 50 is configured to be rotatable between the first position and the second position, but the retainer 50 may be configured to reciprocate between the first position and the second position.

[0113] Furthermore, retainer 50 is provided on side plate 11R on the +X side, but it may also be provided on side plate 11L on the -X side, or on both side plates 11L and 11R.

[0114] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, the developing device 7 of this embodiment includes the developing device main body 10 and the toner cartridge 20. The toner cartridge 20 has a shutter 30 that is movable between a closed position that closes the toner supply port 28 and an open position that opens the toner supply port 28, an operating member 35 that moves the shutter 30 between the closed position and the open position, and an engaging protrusion 42 that moves integrally with the shutter 30. The developing device main body 10 has a retainer 50 that has an engaging portion 52 that is provided corresponding to the engaging protrusion 42. The retainer 50 is in a first position (see FIG. 14 ( D )) and the second position (Fig. 14( C The retainer 50 is movable between the 1st position If in Second position The movement of the shutter 30 to the position where the retainer 50 is in the closed position is restricted by the restricting rib 101. Second position When the shutter 30 is operated and moved to the open position (FIG. 14(C)), the retainer 50 Second position from 1st position (Figure 14(D)).

[0115] Therefore, the shutter 30 is positioned at the closed position, and the retainer 50 is Second position By shipping the toner cartridge 20 in this position, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the toner cartridge 20 during transportation. When starting use, the user can move the shutter 30 from the closed position to the open position using the operating member 35, thereby enabling printing. When the shutter 30 is moved to the open position, the retainer 50 Second position from 1st position , and the engaging portion 52 does not face the engaging protrusion 42 in the attachment / detachment direction D, so that the toner cartridge 20 can be removed.

[0116] Also, the shutter 30 is in the open position and the retainer 50 is 1st position When the operating member 35 is operated to move the shutter 30 to the closed position (FIG. 14(D)), the restricting rib 101 restricts the retainer 50. 1st positionTherefore, the state in which the engaging portion 52 does not face the engaging projection 42 is maintained, and therefore the toner cartridge 20 can be removed.

[0117] The retainer 50 is attached to a side plate 11R of the developing device main body 10. Second position from 1st position Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is transported (when the shutter 30 is closed When the retainer 50 is in the Second position , and the toner cartridge 20 is locked to the developing device main body 10.

[0118] Furthermore, movement of retainer 50 from the first position to the second position is restricted by restricting rib 101, but movement from the second position to the first position is permitted. Therefore, when image forming apparatus 1 starts to be used, retainer 50 can be moved to the first position by moving shutter 30 to the open position, and thereafter retainer 50 can be reliably maintained at the first position.

[0119] The restricting ribs 101 and 106 are ribs that protrude from the side plate 11R toward the toner cartridge 20, and the retainer 50 has an end surface 51a that is perpendicular to the moving direction of the retainer 50 and a Second position from 1st position The end surface 51a of the retainer 50 contacts the restriction rib 101, and the inclined surface 51e is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement of the retainer 50. Second position When the inclined surface 51e abuts against the restricting rib 106, the movement of the retainer 50 is restricted. 1st position Movement to is restricted.

[0120] Therefore, the retainer 50 can be moved from the second position to the first position by moving the shutter 30 to the open position, but the retainer 50 cannot be moved from the first position to the second position without using a jig or the like. Therefore, while the image forming apparatus 1 is in use (i.e., when the shutter 30 is in the open position), the retainer 50 can be held in the first position.

[0121] The developing device main body 10 also has a support post 15R that protrudes from the side plate 11R toward the toner cartridge 20, and the retainer 50 is attached to the support post 15R and moves between the first position and the second position by rotating around the support post 15R. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the toner cartridge 20 can be locked and unlocked relative to the developing device main body 10.

[0122] Further, the shutter 30 has a fitting portion 40R that fits into the support post 15R, and the fitting portion 40R has an engaging protrusion 42. When the shutter 30 rotates from the closed position to the open position, the engaging portion 52 of the retainer 50 is urged by the engaging protrusion 42 of the fitting portion 40R. 1st position Therefore, with a simple configuration, the rotation of the shutter 30 to the open position and the engagement portion 52 of the retainer 50 can be 1st position This can be linked to movement to.

[0123] Also, End face 51a is formed on the elastically deformable stopper 51, and the developing device main body 10 has a through-hole 105 through which a jig for deforming the stopper 51 is inserted. Therefore, by inserting a jig through the through-hole 105 and elastically deforming the stopper 51, the engagement between the end surface 51a and the restricting rib 101 can be released.

[0124] Although the preferred embodiments have been specifically described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made.

[0125] The image forming apparatuses according to the embodiments can be used as, for example, printers, copiers, facsimiles, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals), and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus, 6 medium supply section, 7 developing device, 8 fixing device, 9 medium discharge section, 10 developing device main body, 11L, 11R side plate, 13L, 13R guide groove (guiding section), 15L, 15R support post, 17 supply port, 20 toner cartridge (developer cartridge), 22L, 22R side cover, 23L, 23R rail section (guided section), 24 lock pin, 25 toner storage chamber, 28 toner supply port (supply port), 30 shutter (opening / closing member), 31 shutter section, 32 opening, 35 operating member, 40L, 40R fitting section, 41, 46 groove, 42 protrusion (first engaging section), 47 protruding section, 50 retainer (fixing member), 51 Stopper, 51a end surface (first regulating surface), 51b end surface, 51c opposing surface, 51d rib, 51e inclined surface (second regulating surface), 52 engaging portion (second engaging portion), 53 protruding portion, 54 convex portion, 71 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 72 charging roller (charging member), 73 exposure head (exposure device), 74 developing roller (developer carrier), 75 supply roller (supply member), 76 transfer roller (transfer member), 101 regulating rib (first regulating portion), 102 abutting rib, 103 receiving portion, 105 through hole, 106 regulating rib (second regulating portion).

Claims

1. a developing device body having a supply port for receiving a developer; a developer cartridge configured to be detachable from the developing device main body in a predetermined attachment / detachment direction, having a supply port corresponding to the supply port, and supplying developer from the supply port to the developing device main body; Equipped with The developer cartridge comprises: an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the supply port and an open position that opens the supply port; an operating member that moves the opening / closing member between the closed position and the open position; a first engaging portion that moves integrally with the opening / closing member; and The developing device main body includes: a fixing member having a second engaging portion provided corresponding to the first engaging portion, the fixing member being movable between a first position where the second engaging portion faces the first engaging portion in the attachment / detachment direction and a second position where the second engaging portion is retracted from the first position; a first restricting portion that restricts movement of the fixing member to the second position when the fixing member is in the first position; and When the opening / closing member is in the closed position and the fixing member is in the second position, if the operating member is operated to move the opening / closing member to the open position, the fixing member moves from the second position to the first position. A developing device characterized by:

2. When the opening / closing member is in the open position and the fixing member is in the first position, if the operating member is operated to move the opening / closing member to the closed position, the first restricting portion restricts the fixing member to the first position.

2. The developing device according to claim 1.

3. the developing device main body has a side plate facing one end of the developer cartridge attached to the developing device main body, the fixing member is attached to the side plate, The side plate is provided with a second restricting portion that restricts movement of the fixing member from the second position to the first position when the fixing member is in the second position.

3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is a developing unit.

4. The movement of the fixing member from the first position to the second position is restricted by the first restricting portion, and the movement of the fixing member from the second position to the first position is permitted.

4. The developing device according to claim 3.

5. the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion are both ribs that protrude from the side plate toward the developer cartridge, The fixing member is a first restriction surface perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixing member; a second restriction surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to the moving direction of the fixing member from the second position to the first position; and When the first restricting surface abuts against the first restricting portion, movement of the fixing member to the second position is restricted, The second restricting surface abuts against the second restricting portion, thereby restricting movement of the fixing member to the first position.

5. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the developing device is a developing unit.

6. the fixing member has an elastically deformable plate-like piece having the first restriction surface, the developing device main body has a through hole through which a jig for deforming the plate-like piece is inserted, The engagement between the first restricting surface and the first restricting portion is released by the elastic deformation of the plate-like piece.

6. The developing device according to claim 5.

7. The developing device main body includes: a side plate facing one end of the developer cartridge attached to the developing device main body; a support post protruding from the side plate toward the developer cartridge; and The fixed member is attached to the support post and moves between the first position and the second position by rotating about the support post.

7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is a developing unit.

8. the opening / closing member has a fitting portion that fits onto the support post when the developer cartridge is attached to the developing device main body, The first engaging portion is provided on the fitting portion.

8. The developing device according to claim 7,

9. A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a medium supply unit that supplies a medium to the developing device; a fixing device that fixes the developer image formed by the developing device and transferred to the medium onto the medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images