Developing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developing device that, when it is separated to the outside of an image forming apparatus, prevents a developer cartridge from being unintentionally separated from a developing device body.SOLUTION: A developing device to which the present invention is applied has: a developing device body; a developer cartridge that is removably attached to the developing device body; a first lever and a second lever that are each provided on the developing device body and include an operation part; and a first part to be engaged that forms first engagement with a first engaging part included in the first lever and a second part to be engaged that forms second engagement with a second engaging part included in the second lever, which are provided on the developer cartridge. The first engaging part urges the first part to be engaged with an urging force of a first urging member. When the operation part is operated by a first pressing force, the first engagement is released, and when the operation part is operated by a second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force, the first lever transmits the pressing force to the second lever to release the second engagement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional developer cartridge contains developer to be supplied to a developing device, and is configured to be detachable from the developing device of an image forming apparatus.

[0003] Furthermore, in the case of a developing device in which the developer cartridge is detachable from the developing device main body and removable from the image forming apparatus, a fixing mechanism is provided to prevent the developer cartridge from coming off the developing device main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-096422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional developing devices, the developing device body and the developer cartridge may unintentionally separate, causing soiling of the inside and outside of the printer.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and its purpose is to provide a developing device that prevents the developing device main body and the developer cartridge from unintentionally separating from each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this objective, a developing device to which the present invention is applied includes a developing device main body, a developer cartridge configured to be detachable from the developing device main body, a first lever and a second lever provided on the developing device main body and having an operating portion, a first engaged portion provided on the developer cartridge and forming a first engagement with a first engaging portion provided on the first lever, and a second engaged portion provided on the developer cartridge and forming a second engagement with a second engaging portion provided on the second lever. The first engaging portion urges the first engaged portion by the urging force of a first urging member, and when the operating portion is operated with a first pressing force, the first engagement is released, and when the operating portion is operated with a second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force, the first lever transmits the pressing force to the second lever to release the second engagement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult for the developing device to be unintentionally separated outside the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are an external perspective view and a plan view of a developing device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a developing device main body 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a developing device main body 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a toner cartridge 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of a shutter unit 41 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the state in which the developing device 11 is unlocked and locked by operating the shutter lever Lv when the developing device 11 is placed on a horizontal surface in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a view of a lock mechanism 50L on the side plate SL side as viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a first lever 51L on the side plate SL in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 50 illustrating an intermediate state in which the surface fr of the operation portion 51-3 is pressed with a second pressing force in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 50 when the surface fr of the operation portion 51-3 is pressed with a second pressing force in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 50 immediately after the surface fr of the operation portion 51-3 is pressed with a second pressing force in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 11 during the process of attaching or detaching the toner cartridge 22 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device 10 when installed in a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a developing device 11 and a printer 10 as an image forming apparatus will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 is an image forming device that includes a housing Cs of the printer 10, a developing device 11, an LED head 12, a transfer roller 13, and a fuser 14. A paper feed cassette 15 is disposed below the housing Cs as a medium storage unit. Paper sheets P as a medium are stacked and stored in the paper feed cassette 15. A paper feed mechanism including a paper feed roller 16 is disposed adjacent to the paper feed cassette 15. The paper feed roller 16 separates the paper sheets P one by one, and then the paper sheets P are fed into a paper transport path that serves as a medium transport path. The paper sheets P fed in the Rt1 direction by the paper feed mechanism are supplied to an image forming unit Q. The image forming unit Q includes the developing device 11, the LED head 12, and the transfer roller 13, and an image is formed by the image forming unit Q.

[0012] In the figure, the horizontal direction is the X axis, and the direction in which paper is transported from the downstream side of image forming unit Q (described below) toward fuser 14 is the positive direction, as shown in Figure 1. The vertically upward direction is the positive Z axis, and the width direction of the paper (main scanning direction) perpendicular to both the X and Z axes, which is the right side when viewing printer 10 from the negative X axis, is the positive Y axis. In the following, the Y axis direction is also referred to as the first direction.

[0013] The LED head 12 is disposed above and facing the photosensitive drum 31 of the developing device 11. The developing device 11 extends longitudinally in the Y-axis direction and is disposed so as to be freely insertable into and removable from the housing Cs. The LED head 12 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 based on print data to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0014] Here, the photosensitive drum 31 is an organic photosensitive member formed by sequentially laminating a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer as photoconductive layers on a conductive support made of an aluminum metal pipe.

[0015] The transfer roller 13 is disposed below and facing the photosensitive drum 31. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred by the transfer roller 13 onto a sheet of paper P fed between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 13.

[0016] Thereafter, the paper P is transported in the direction Rt2 along the paper transport path and sent to the fixing device 14. In the fixing device 14, the toner image on the paper P heated by the heating roller 19 is fixed to the paper P by pressure applied by the pressure roller 20, and an image is formed on the paper P.

[0017] The paper P discharged from the fixing unit 14 is conveyed in the direction Rt3 by a conveying roller 17 as a conveying member, and is discharged by a paper discharge roller 18 to the outside of the housing Cs.

[0018] FIG. 2-a is an external perspective view of the developing device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2-b is a plan view of the developing device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The developing device 11 includes a developing device main body 21 and a toner cartridge 22 that is detachably mounted in the developing device main body 21. The developing device main body 21 receives a supply of unused toner (hereinafter simply referred to as "toner") as a developer from the toner cartridge 22. The user grips the grip portions X1 and X2 provided on the negative side of the X-axis of the toner cartridge 22 to insert or remove the developing device 11 into or from the printer 10. The toner cartridge 22 is detachable from the developing device main body 21, and the user similarly grips the grip portions X1 and X2 when inserting or removing the toner cartridge 22.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The toner cartridge 22 has an outer frame Fr1 that houses a toner storage compartment Rm1 that stores toner, a waste toner storage compartment Rm2 that stores waste toner as waste developer, and a shutter unit 41. A toner discharge port h1 is formed at the bottom of the toner storage compartment Rm1, in this embodiment, at the lower part of the outer frame Fr1, and the shutter unit 41 opens and closes the toner discharge port h1 by operating a shutter lever Lv (FIG. 2). A recovery spiral 39 for recovering waste toner is rotatably disposed in the waste toner storage compartment Rm2. Rotatable agitation members Mx1 and Mx2 are provided inside the toner storage compartment Rm1 and the shutter unit 41, respectively.

[0021] The developing device main body 21 has a base frame Fr2 extending in the Y-axis direction and equipped with various elements for performing the image formation process. The base frame Fr2 has a toner supply port h3 as a supply port for receiving the toner discharged from the toner discharge port h1 of the toner cartridge 22, and a toner storage unit Rm3 as a developer storage unit for storing the toner supplied from the toner supply port h3.

[0022] Here, the elements housed inside the developing device main body 21 include the photosensitive drum 31, the charging roller 32 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, the developing roller 33 that holds toner, the supply roller 34 that supplies toner to the developing roller 33, the developing blade 35 that uniformly thins the toner supplied onto the developing roller 33, the cleaning blade 37 that constitutes the cleaning unit 36, and the spiral 38 that conveys the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 37. Also disposed in the toner storage section Rm3 are agitating members Mx3-1 and Mx3-2 that agitate the toner.

[0023] In addition, the photosensitive drum 31, charging roller 32, developing roller 33, supply roller 34, etc. are connected to a drive motor (drum motor) not shown as a drive unit for image formation, and are rotated by driving the drive motor.

[0024] 4 and 5 are external perspective views of the developing device main body 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 includes an enlarged view of the right end portion of the developing device main body 21 when viewed from the negative side of the X axis, and Fig. 5 includes an enlarged view of the left end portion.

[0025] The developing device main body 21 includes side plates SL and SR formed at one end and the other end in the Y-axis direction of the base frame Fr2. Mounting / removal guides GmL and GmR are formed on the inside of the side plates SL and SR, respectively, to guide the mounting and removal of the toner cartridge 22. The mounting / removal guides GmL and GmR are recesses that are recessed from the inside to the outside of the developing device main body 21 in the Y-axis direction, and extend in the mounting / removal direction dir of the toner cartridge 22. The mounting / removal guides GmL and GmR have a symmetrical structure.

[0026] The inside of the developing device main body 21 in the Y-axis direction means, for example, the positive side of the Y-axis on the side of the side plate SL, and the negative side of the Y-axis on the side of the side plate SR.

[0027] In the following description, the direction in which the toner cartridge 22 is mounted to the developing device main body 21 is referred to as a mounting direction dir1, and the direction in which it is removed is referred to as a removal direction dir2.

[0028] Posts 21-1L and 21-1R are provided on the inner sides of the side plates SL and SR, closer to the mounting direction dir1 than the mounting / detachment guides GmL and GmR, respectively. These posts protrude from the side plates SL and SR in the Y-axis direction toward the inside of the developing device main body 21. Note that only 21-1R is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0029] In this embodiment of the present invention, the developing device main body 21 has first springs 71R and 71L at both ends in the Y-axis direction, which urge the outer frame Fr1 of the toner cartridge 22 in the removal direction dir2. Note that only the first spring 71R is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0030] The side plates SL and SR each extend from the base frame Fr2 toward the removal direction dir2 on the outside of the developing device 11 in a first direction (Y-axis direction in the present invention) perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction dir. A first lever 51L and a second lever 52L that fix the position of the toner cartridge 22 relative to the developing device main body 21 are provided on the side plate SL so as to be able to swing relative to the side plate SL. The side plate SR side has a symmetrical structure, and the first lever 51R and the second lever 52R are provided so as to be able to swing relative to the side plate SR. The side plates SL and SR serve as holding portions that hold the first lever 51 and the second lever 52.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a toner cartridge 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 22 is composed of a bottomed outer frame Fr1 extending in the Y-axis direction, and side covers ScL and ScR that respectively cover one end and the other end of the outer frame Fr1 in the Y-axis direction. A shutter lever Lv is provided between the side cover ScL and the outer frame Fr1 and is disposed so as to be able to swing freely relative to the outer frame Fr1. Mounting guides 22-1R and 22-1L that protrude toward the outside of the toner cartridge 22 in the Y-axis direction are provided on the side surfaces of the side covers ScL and ScR, respectively. Note that only the non-mounting guide 22-1L is shown in FIG. 6.

[0032] The attachment / detachment guides 22-1R and 22-1L move within the attachment / detachment guides GmL and GmR, respectively, when the toner cartridge 22 is attached or detached. As a result, the movement of the toner cartridge 22 is guided in the attachment / detachment direction dir by the attachment / detachment guides GmL and GmR. Additionally, the attachment / detachment guides 22-1L and 22-1R include a first recess 61 as a first engaged portion that engages with the first lever 51 and a second recess 62 as a second engaged portion that engages with the second lever 52 when the toner cartridge 22 is attached to the developing device main body 21 while the developing device 11 is outside the printer 10. Hereinafter, the engagement between the first lever 51 and the first recess 61 will be referred to as the "first engagement," and the engagement between the second lever 52 and the second recess 62 will be referred to as the "second engagement." The specific structure will be described later.

[0033] 7 is an external perspective view of shutter unit 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shutter unit 41 is composed of shutter member 41-1 and lever member 41-2. Pinion gears 41-4 and 41-5 provided on shutter member 41-1 and lever member 41-2, respectively, engage with each other. Lever member 41-2 is equipped with shutter lever Lv. Shutter member 41-1 is disposed extending in the Y-axis direction so that it can rotate around rotation axis ax1 around the Y-axis by operating shutter lever Lv.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a state in which the shutter member 41-1 is in the closed position, where the toner discharge port h1 (Figure 3) does not overlap with the shutter opening h2, as shown in Figure 3. When the shutter member 41-1 is in the closed position, the shutter member 41-1 closes the toner discharge port h1 (Figure 3), as shown in Figure 3, and the supply of toner from the toner accommodating unit Rm1 (Figure 3) to the toner storage unit Rm3 (Figure 3) can be stopped.

[0035] When the shutter lever Lv is pushed in the R1 direction from a state in which the shutter member 41-1 is in the closed position, and the lever member 41-2 is operated so as to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the negative side of the Y axis, force is transmitted to the shutter member 41-1 through the pinion gears 41-4 and 41-5, causing the shutter member 41-1 to rotate clockwise when viewed from the negative side of the Y axis. As a result, the toner discharge port h1 (FIG. 3) moves to the open position where it overlaps with the shutter opening h2, allowing toner to be replenished from the toner accommodating unit Rm1 (FIG. 3) to the toner storage unit Rm3 (FIG. 3).

[0036] Conversely, when the shutter lever Lv is pushed in the R2 direction from a state in which the shutter unit 41 is in the open position, and the lever member 41-2 is operated to rotate clockwise, the shutter member 41-1 moves to the open position.

[0037] Furthermore, U-shaped members 41-6L and 41-6R are provided on both ends of the shutter member 41-1 in the Y-axis direction. The U-shaped members 1-6L and 41-6R engage with posts 21-1R and 21-1L (FIG. 4), respectively, when the toner cartridge 22 is attached to the developing device main body 21. Specific operations will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0038] Using the above configuration and with reference to FIG. 3, the movement of toner inside the developing device 11 and the operation of image formation will be described.

[0039] As described above, when the shutter member 41-1 is moved from the closed position as shown in FIG. 3 to the open position where the toner discharge port h1 overlaps with the shutter opening h2 (FIG. 7), the toner contained in the toner storage section Rm1 is discharged from the toner discharge port h1 through the shutter opening h2 formed in the shutter unit 41, and the toner is replenished to the toner storage section Rm3 through the toner supply port h3.

[0040] 3, when the developing roller 33 and the supply roller 34 are rotated counterclockwise by the drive motor, the toner that has been frictionally charged by the supply roller 34 is supplied to the developing roller 33. Then, as the developing roller 33 rotates, the toner supplied to the developing roller 33 is sent to the contact portion between the developing roller 33 and the developing blade 35, and is formed into a thin layer by the developing blade 35.

[0041] The photosensitive drum 31 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 by the drive motor, and the charging roller 32 is rotated counterclockwise accordingly. After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 32, and the photosensitive drum 31 is exposed to light by the LED head 12 (FIG. 1), forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface. Then, toner on the developing roller 33 is electrostatically attached to the electrostatic latent image, forming a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to paper P by the transfer roller 13 (FIG. 1).

[0042] The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the toner image is transferred is scraped off by the cleaning blade 37 as the photosensitive drum 31 rotates, falls to the bottom of the cleaning unit 36, and is collected as waste toner in the waste toner storage chamber Rm2 by the rotation of the spiral 38.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows the developing device 11 in an embodiment of the present invention when placed on a horizontal surface, with the shutter lever Lv operating to release and secure the developing device 11. Specifically, it is a view taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 2-b. FIG. 8-a shows a state in which the toner cartridge 22 is separable from the developing device main body 21. At this time, the shutter member 41-1 (FIG. 7) is in the closed position. FIG. 8-b shows a state in which the toner cartridge 22 is secured to the developing device main body 21. At this time, the shutter member 41-1 (FIG. 7) is in the open position. When the developing device 11 or the developing device main body 21 is placed on a horizontal surface, the legs 21-2R and 21-2L on both side plates SR and SL prevent the device from tipping over, allowing it to be placed stably as shown in FIG. 8. The lengths of the legs 21-2R and 21-2L are adjusted so that the attachment / detachment direction dir is approximately horizontal. Note that only the side plate SR side is shown in FIG. 8. The side plate SL side has a symmetrical structure.

[0044] FIG. 8-a shows the state in which the toner cartridge 22 is attached to the developing device main body 21, with the posts 21-1L and 21-1R on the side plates SL and SR, respectively, fitting into the engaging grooves 41-3L and 41-3R on the U-shaped members 41-6L and 41-6R, respectively. Then, the shutter lever Lv (FIG. 7) is operated to rotate the shutter member 41-1 (FIG. 7) from the closed position to the open position, thereby engaging the U-shaped members 41-6L and 41-6R with the posts 21-1L and 21-1R, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8-b. In FIG. 8-b, the attachment / detachment direction dir and the extending direction of the engaging groove 41-3R intersect, so that the relative positions of the toner cartridge 22 and the developing device main body 21 can be fixed while allowing toner to be supplied from the toner cartridge 22 to the developing device main body 21. Hereinafter, the engagement between the U-shaped members 41-6L and 41-6R and the posts 21-1L and 21-1R, respectively, will be referred to as a third engagement.

[0045] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8-b, when the toner cartridge 22 is fixed to the developing device main body 21 by the third engagement, by operating the shutter lever Lv (Fig. 7) to rotate the shutter member 41-1 (Fig. 7) to the closed position with the posts 21-1L and 21-1R fitted into the engaging and fixing grooves 41-3L and 41-3R, the state shown in Fig. 8-a is achieved. Since the attachment / detachment direction dir and the extending direction of the engaging and fixing grooves then become substantially parallel, the toner cartridge 22 can be detached from the developing device main body 21 in a state in which toner cannot be supplied from the toner cartridge 22 to the developing device main body 21. In other words, the third engagement is released.

[0046] As described above, by operating the shutter lever Lv, the toner cartridge 22 is gripped in the state where the third engagement is formed, and when it is pulled out in the detachment direction, the developing device 11 is detached from the printer 10.

[0047] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 22 is gripped and pulled out in a state in which the third engagement is released by operating the shutter lever Lv, only the toner cartridge 22 is detached from the developing device main body 21.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a diagram of the locking mechanism 50L on the side plate SL side as viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis in an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 10-a and 10-b are external perspective views of the first lever 51L on the side plate SL side in an embodiment of the present invention. The locking mechanism 50L is composed of the first lever 51L, the second lever 52L, the first engaged portion 61L, the second engaged portion 62L, and a second spring 72L (described below). Furthermore, because the side plate SR side has a symmetrical structure, the engaged states of the locking mechanism 50L will be described in the following explanations and drawings of Figs. 9 to 17 with some of the symbols R and L used to distinguish between left and right.

[0049] The locking mechanism 50 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. As described above, the side plate SL of the developing device main body 21 is provided with a first lever 51 and a second lever 52. In the embodiment of the present invention, the first lever 51 is a resin member attached to the side plate SL as shown in Figure 10, and the second lever 52 is a resin member formed integrally with the side plate SL.

[0050] First, the first lever 51, the first recess 61, and the first engagement will be described.

[0051] The first lever 51 is pivotally supported on the side plate SL around a shaft 51-1 serving as a first pivot support. Specifically, the shaft 51-1 has two holes spaced apart in the Z-axis direction. The positive side of the shaft 51-1 is designated 51-1U, and the negative side is designated 51-1D. Posts (not shown) on the side plate SL extending in the positive direction of the Z-axis are inserted into the holes in the shafts 51-1U and 51-1D, thereby supporting the first lever 51 pivotally. The shaft 51-1 has an operating portion 51-3 on the detachment direction dir2 side and a first protrusion 51-2 on the attachment direction dir1 side, serving as a first engagement portion that engages with the first recess 61. The axis ax2 shown in FIG. 10 is the pivotal axis of the first lever 51. The shafts 51-1 are spaced apart in the Z-axis direction, and the space between them forms part of the attachment / detachment guide Gm. When the outside of the developing device 11, i.e., the surface that receives operation by pressing from the user, of the operating portion 51-3 is defined as the front surface fr, the back surface ba is urged toward the outside of the developing device 11 by the second spring 72. The back surface ba of the operating portion 51-3 is provided with a second spring holding portion 51-5 that holds the second spring 72. The urging force of the second spring 72 causes the operating portion 51-3 to protrude outside the side plate SL.

[0052] The first recess 61 is located closer to the mounting direction dir1 than the first protrusion 51-2, and is a recess recessed in the Y-axis direction, having a first engaging surface 61-1 facing the first protrusion 51-2 in the mounting / detaching direction dir, and a first regulating surface 61-2 that regulates the angle by which the first protrusion 51-2 rotates due to the biasing force of the second spring 72.

[0053] The first engagement indicates a state in which the first protrusion 51-2 and the first engaged surface 61-1 face each other in the attachment / detachment direction dir. When the first engagement is formed, the first protrusion 51-2 abuts against the first engaged surface 61-1, thereby preventing the toner cartridge 22 from being detached from the developing device main body 21.

[0054] Next, the second lever 52, the second recess 62, and the second engagement will be described.

[0055] The second lever 52 extends in the detachment direction dir2 from an extension origin 52-1 serving as a second swing support portion of the side plate SL and is provided so as to be swingable relative to the side plate SL. The extension origin 52-2 is provided on the detachment direction dir2 side with a second protrusion 52-2 serving as a second engagement portion that engages with the second recess 62.

[0056] The second recess 62 is located closer to the mounting direction dir1 than the second protrusion 52-2, and is a recess recessed in the Y-axis direction, having a second engaging surface 62-1 that faces the second protrusion 52-2 in the mounting / detaching direction dir, and a second regulating surface 62-2 that regulates the angle at which the second protrusion 52-2 swings.

[0057] The second engagement indicates a state in which the second protrusion 52-2 and the second engaged surface 62-1 face each other in the attachment / detachment direction dir. When the second engagement is formed, the second protrusion 52-2 abuts against the second engaged surface 62-1, thereby preventing the toner cartridge 22 from being detached from the developing device main body 21.

[0058] Furthermore, since the first protrusion 51-2 has the notch 51-4, the first lever 51 and the second lever 52 are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction when the first engagement is formed.

[0059] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present invention, the angles at which the first engaged surface 61-1 and the second engaged surface 62-1 extend from the inside of the developing device 11 (the positive side of the Y axis on the side plate SL side) in the XY plane in Figure 9 are both inclined toward the mounting direction dir1 with respect to the Y axis. For example, on the side plate SL side, the angle θ1 at which the first engaged surface 61-1 is inclined with respect to the negative direction of the Y axis is 6 degrees smaller than the angle θ2 at which the second engaged surface 62-1 is inclined with respect to the negative direction of the Y axis. Additionally, the length of the second engaged surface 62-1 in the Y axis direction is shorter than the length of the first engaged surface 61-1 in the Y axis direction. With the above configuration, the engaging force in the second engagement is weaker than the engaging force in the first engagement.

[0061] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which both the first engagement and the second engagement are formed. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 8-a. Note that Figs. 12 to 15 and 17 all correspond to the cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 8-a.

[0062] As described above, when the first engagement is formed, the first engagement surface 61-1 faces the first protrusion 51-2 in the installation / removal direction dir. Therefore, when a user attempts to remove the toner cartridge 22 by pulling it out in the removal direction dir2, the first engagement surface 61-1 abuts against the protrusion 51-2, preventing removal. When the toner cartridge 22 is installed in the developing device main body 21 and the front surface fr of the operation portion 51-3 is not subjected to a pressing force, the back surface ba is biased by the second spring 72 (FIG. 9), causing the first lever 51 to rotate and maintaining the first protrusion 51-2 in abutment against the first restricting surface 61-2. This maintains the first engagement, in which the first engagement surface 61-1 faces the first protrusion 51-2 in the installation / removal direction dir. Therefore, the first engagement can be maintained unless a pressing force equal to or greater than a certain level is applied to the front surface fr of the operation portion 51-3. In the following, the pressing force on the surface fr that releases the first engagement is referred to as the first pressing force, and the biasing force that the first convex portion 51-2 applies to the first concave portion 61 due to the biasing force of the second spring 72 (Figure 9) on the operating portion 51-3 is referred to as the first biasing force.

[0063] The second lever 52 maintains its shape due to its own elasticity. As a result, when the second engagement is formed, the second protrusion 52-2 biases the second recess 62. Hereinafter, this biasing force will be referred to as the second biasing force. The second engaged surface 62-1 faces the second protrusion 52-2 in the attachment / detachment direction dir, and when the second engagement is formed, the second engaged surface 62-1 abuts against the second protrusion 52-2. This maintains the second engagement, preventing the toner cartridge 22 from being removed.

[0064] Here, the second biasing force applied by the second convex portion 52-2 to the second concave portion 62 is generated by the elastic force of the second lever 52 itself, and is therefore configured to be weaker than the first biasing force applied by the first convex portion 51-2 to the first concave portion 61.

[0065] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 22 is mounted to the developing device main body 21 outside the printer 10 against the biasing force of the first spring 71 (FIG. 4), the second protrusion 52-2 abuts against the second regulating surface 62-2 to form a second engagement, and the first protrusion 51-2 abuts against the first regulating surface 61-2 to form both the first and second engagements. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the second protrusion 52-2 abuts against the second engaged surface 62-1 to restrict removal of the toner cartridge 22. Therefore, the toner cartridge 22 is positioned relative to the developing device main body 21 by forming the second engagement.

[0066] Positioning is achieved by the second engagement, so that the first protrusion 51-2 does not come into contact with the first engaged surface 61-1, as shown in Fig. 12. This prevents deterioration of the operability of the operating part 51-3 due to friction between the first lever 51 and the first engaged surface 61-1.

[0067] Furthermore, because the first convex portion 51-2 has a notch portion 51-4, the first convex portion 51-2 and the second convex portion 52-2 are separated when the first engagement is formed. As a result, a pressing force of a certain level or more is applied to the surface fr of the operating portion 51-3, and after the first lever 51 rotates and the first engagement is released, the first convex portion 51-2 and the second convex portion 52-2 come into contact with each other. Therefore, no pressing force is transmitted from the first lever 51 to the second lever 52 unless the first convex portion 51-2 and the second convex portion 52-2 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the second engagement can be maintained even when the first engagement is released. Hereinafter, the pressing force on the surface fr that releases both the first engagement and the second engagement will be referred to as the second pressing force.

[0068] Furthermore, the engagement force in the second engagement is configured to be stronger than the biasing force of the first spring 71 (FIG. 4). Therefore, the length of the second regulating surface 62-2 in the Y-axis direction is adjusted. As a result, the second engagement is not released by the first spring 71, and the state in which the second engagement is formed is maintained even if the toner cartridge 22 is released after installation. This eliminates the need to, for example, grip the grip portions X1 and X2 (FIG. 2) with one hand and push the toner cartridge 22 in the installation direction dir1 while operating the shutter lever Lv with the other hand when installing the toner cartridge 22 in the developing device main body 22, thereby improving operability.

[0069] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the lock mechanism 50 illustrating an intermediate state when the surface fr of the operation portion 51-3 is pressed with a second pressing force in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] When a pressing force is applied to the surface fr of the operating portion 51-3, the first lever 51 rotates against the biasing force of the second spring 72 (FIG. 9). Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the first convex portion 51-2 of the first lever 51 comes into contact with the second lever 52. Hereinafter, the minimum pressing force on the surface fr required for the first engagement to be released and for the first convex portion 51-2 to come into contact with the second lever 52 will be referred to as the third pressing force. When a pressing force stronger than the third pressing force is applied to the surface fr, the first convex portion 51-2 and the second lever 52 are in contact, and the first lever 51 further rotates, causing the first convex portion 51-2 and the second convex portion 52-2 to come into contact with each other, transmitting the force to the second lever 52 and causing the second lever 52 to begin to follow.

[0071] As described above, the first protrusion 51-2 and the second lever 52 are separated by the notch 51-4, and the second engagement is formed when they are separated. Therefore, the second engagement is not released unless the surface fr of the operating part 51-3 is pressed with a second pressing force that is stronger than the third pressing force. Therefore, the developing device main body 21 and the toner cartridge 22 are unlikely to be unintentionally separated not only by a user operation but also when, for example, an object hits the surface fr of the operating part 51-3 and applies a pressing force.

[0072] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 50 when the surface fr (Figure 12) of the operating unit 51-3 in an embodiment of the present invention is pressed with a second pressing force, and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 50 immediately after the surface fr of the operating unit 51-3 (Figure 12) in an embodiment of the present invention is pressed with the second pressing force.

[0073] When the operation unit 51-3 is pressed with the second pressing force, as described above, a force is transmitted from the first protrusion 51-2 to the second protrusion 52-2, and the second lever 52 begins to move following the first lever 51. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the second lever 52 rotates and both the first engagement and the second engagement are released. In FIG. 14, because both the first engagement and the second engagement are released, the toner cartridge 22 is urged in the removal direction dir2 by the first spring 71 (FIG. 4), and the toner cartridge 22 pops out in the removal direction dir2 as shown in FIG. 15. This eliminates the need to pull the toner cartridge 22 while pressing the operation unit 51-3, making it easier to remove the toner cartridge 22.

[0074] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 22 is installed in the developing device main body 21, the states transition in the order of FIG. 15 → FIG. 13 → FIG. 12. At that time, the inclined surface 22-2 ( FIG. 15 ) provided on the installation / detachment guide 22-1 of the toner cartridge 22 on the installation direction dir1 side presses the inclined surface 51-21 ( FIG. 15 ) of the first lever 51, causing the first lever 51 to swing against the pressing force of the second spring 72 ( FIG. 9 ), and the first lever 51 does not interfere with the installation of the toner cartridge 22. In addition, as described above, the second lever 52 follows the first lever 51, and therefore the second lever 52 does not interfere with the installation of the toner cartridge 22. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second lever 52 has the inclined surface 52-21 ( FIG. 15 ) on the removal direction dir2 side of the second lever 52 that slopes inward toward the developing device main body 21 as it moves in the installation direction dir1, making it less likely that the second lever 52 will interfere with the installation of the toner cartridge 22.

[0075] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 11 during the installation / removal process of the toner cartridge 22 in this embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 2-b when the developing device 11 has been removed from the printer 10 and placed on a horizontal surface. Figure 16-a is a cross-sectional view when the shutter member 41-1 is in the closed position due to the operation of the shutter lever Lv, as described above.

[0076] Fig. 16-b is a cross-sectional view of the state immediately after the operation portion 51-3 is pressed with the second pressing force, and is a cross-sectional view of the state of Fig. 15 as seen from the side. Fig. 16-c is a view of the state when the user has gripped the grip portions X1 and X2 and removed the toner cartridge.

[0077] In the state shown in FIG. 16-a, no pressing force is applied to the surface fr (FIG. 12) of the operation unit 51-3, so the locking mechanism 50 is in the state shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, the toner cartridge 22 is positioned relative to the developing device main body 21 by the second engagement, and the toner cartridge 22 is firmly engaged by the first engagement, so the developing device main body 21 and the toner cartridge 22 do not separate. As described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, when the surface fr (FIG. 12) of the operation unit 51-3 is pressed by the second pressing force from the state shown in FIG. 16-a, both the first and second engagements are released, and the toner cartridge 22 pops out in the removal direction due to the biasing force of the first spring 71, as shown in FIG. 16-b. From this state, when the user grips the gripping portions X1 and X2 and pulls the toner cartridge 22 in the removal direction, the toner cartridge is removed as shown in FIG. 16-c.

[0078] Conversely, when the toner cartridge 22 is moved in the installation direction dir1 from the state in Figure 16-c to the state in Figure 16-b, the first spring 71 comes into contact with the outer frame Fr1 of the toner cartridge 22 in Figure 16-b. Thereafter, when the toner cartridge 22 is further pushed in the installation direction dir1 against the biasing force of the first spring 71, the first spring 71 compresses and the toner cartridge 22 is installed.

[0079] 17 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 10 when it is installed in the printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing Cs (FIG. 1) of the printer 10 has a housing surface Cs-1 that is provided so as to fit along the side plate SL when the developing device 11 is installed. Therefore, the operating unit 51-3 is pressed by the housing surface Cs-1 with a third pressing force that releases the first engagement. As a result, when the developing device 11 is installed in the printer 10, the first engagement of the locking mechanism 50 is released and the second engagement is formed.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first engagement is released by the first pressing force, which is weaker than the third pressing force, but the thickness of the first lever 51 in the Y-axis direction or the length of the first engaged surface 61-1 may be adjusted so that the first engagement is released by the third pressing force. Also, this is not limited to this embodiment, and the housing surface Sc-1 may be provided so that the surface fr of the operation unit 51-3 is pressed by the first pressing force when the developing device 11 is attached to the printer 10. That is, it is sufficient that the first engagement is released by the housing surface Sc-1 and the second engagement is formed when the developing device 11 is attached to the printer 10.

[0081] Conventionally, the position of the toner cartridge 22 relative to the developing device main body 21 was fixed by the third engagement, but if the shutter lever Lv was not operated correctly, the developing device 11 could be removed from the printer 10 without being properly fixed, and the developing device 21 and toner cartridge 22 could then separate outside the printer 10, resulting in a problem of insufficient locking function outside the printer 10. To address this, in the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, locking mechanisms 50R and 50L are provided at both ends in the Y-axis direction to fix the position of the toner cartridge 22 relative to the developing device main body 21. As a result, when the developing device 11 is removed outside the printer 10, the locking mechanisms 50L and 50R are engaged, making it difficult for the developing device 11 to be unintentionally separated.

[0082] Additionally, when the toner cartridge 22 is installed in the printer 10, it can be attached and detached using conventional operations without impairing user operability. Specifically, when the developing device 11 is installed inside the printer, the third engagement is formed by operating the shutter lever Lv, and when the toner cartridge 22 is gripped and pulled out in the detachment direction with the relative positions of the toner cartridge 22 and the developing device main body 21 fixed, the developing device 11 is detached from the printer 10. After the detachment, no pressing force is applied to the operating portion 51-3, and the biasing force of the first spring 72 forms the first engagement as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, if the pressing force applied to the surface fr of the operating portion 51-3 is smaller than the second pressing force, the second engagement is formed even if the first engagement is released, making it difficult for the developing device 11 to be unintentionally separated.

[0083] On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 22 is pulled out with the third engagement released by operating the shutter lever Lv (Figure 2), the first engagement is released as described above, and the engagement force of the second engagement is configured to be weaker than the engagement force of the first engagement, so that the second engagement is released as the toner cartridge 22 is pulled out, and only the toner cartridge 22 can be detached from the developing device main body 21.

[0084] 2, the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the developing device 11, and therefore the locking mechanisms 50R and 50L are provided at both ends of the developing device 11 in the Y-axis direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the locking mechanisms 50R and 50L may be provided at only one end in the first direction.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the first springs 71 (FIG. 4) are provided at both ends of the developing device main body 21 in the Y-axis direction, but one or more may be provided in the middle, for example. The springs may be provided on the toner cartridge 22 side instead of the developing device main body 21 side, as appropriate. The biasing force may also be varied depending on the position of the first spring.

[0086] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the second lever 52 is provided closer to the mounting direction dir1 than the first lever 51, but this is not limited to this. The first lever 51 may be provided closer to the mounting direction dir1 than the second lever 52.

[0087] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first spring 71 serves as a second biasing member, and the second spring 72 serves as a first biasing member. The U-shaped members 41-6L and 41-6R serve as a third engaging portion, and the posts 21-1L and 21-1R serve as a third engaged portion.

[0088] The present invention can be applied to developer cartridges in image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10... printer, Cs... printer housing, Cs-1... housing surface, 11... developing device, 12... LED head, 13... transfer roller, 14... fixing unit 21...developing device body, Fr2...base frame, SL, SR...side plate, GmL, GmR...attachment / detachment guide, Rm3...toner storage section, h3...supply port, 21-1L, 21-1R...post 22... toner cartridge, Fr1... outer frame, ScL, ScR... side cover, Rm1... toner storage section, h1... toner discharge port, 22-1L, 22-1R... attachment / detachment guide 41... shutter unit, 41-1... shutter member, 41-2... lever member, 41-3... engagement fixing groove, Lv... shutter lever, h2... shutter opening, 41-4 and 41-5... pinion gear, 41-6... U-shaped support member (third engagement portion) 31...photosensitive drum, 32...charging roller, 33...developing roller, 34...supply roller, 35...developing blade, 36...cleaning unit 50L, 50R...lock mechanism 51...first lever, 51-1...shaft portion (first swing support portion), 51-2...first protrusion portion (first engagement portion), 51-3...operation portion, 51-4...notch portion, 51-5...biasing member holding portion 52... second lever, 52-1... extension base (second swing support portion), 52-2... second protrusion (second engagement portion), 52-21... inclined surface 61...first recess (first engaged portion), 61-1...first engaged surface, 61-2...first restriction surface 62... second recess (second engaged portion), 62-1... second engaged surface, 62-2... second restricting surface 71L, 71R... second spring (second biasing member), 72L, 72R... first spring (first biasing member)

Claims

1. a developing device main body including a developer carrier; a developer cartridge configured to be detachable from the developing device main body; a first lever and a second lever provided on the developing device main body and each having an operating portion; a first engaged portion provided on the developer cartridge and configured to form a first engagement with a first engaging portion of the first lever, and a second engaged portion configured to form a second engagement with a second engaging portion of the second lever; and The first engaging portion biases the first engaged portion by a biasing force of a first biasing member, When the operating portion is operated with a first pressing force, the first engagement is released, When the operating portion is operated with a second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force, the first lever transmits the pressing force to the second lever to release the second engagement. A developing device characterized by:

2. When the pressing force on the operation unit is smaller than a third pressing force, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are spaced apart, When operated with the third pressing force, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion come into contact with each other, When operated with a pressing force greater than the third pressing force, the first engaging portion transmits the pressing force to the second engaging portion, and the second lever is thereby moved.

2. The developing device according to claim 1.

3. The engagement force in the first engagement is stronger than the engagement force in the second engagement.

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

4. When the first engagement is formed, the first biasing member biases the operating portion toward the outside of the developing device with a first biasing force; When the second engagement is formed, the second engaging portion biases the second engaged portion with a second biasing force due to the elastic force of the second lever; The second biasing force is weaker than the first biasing force.

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

5. When the first engagement and the second engagement are formed and the removal of the developer cartridge is restricted, The first engaged portion is a first engaging surface that is exposed on a detachment direction side, which is a direction in which the developer cartridge is detached from the developing device main body, and that abuts against the first engaging portion; The second engaged portion is a second engaged surface exposed on the detachment direction side and adapted to come into contact with the second engaging portion; a developer cartridge mounting direction that is opposite to the detachment direction, the developer cartridge being mounted to the developing device main body, and a first direction that is a direction in which the developer cartridge mounted to the developing device main body extends in a longitudinal direction, An angle at which the first engaged surface extends from the inside of the developing device with respect to the first direction is: an angle smaller than the angle at which the second engaged surface extends from the inside of the developing device with respect to the first direction; 5. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is a developing unit.

6. The length of the second engaged surface in the first direction is a length of the first engaged surface in the first direction 6. The developing device according to claim 5.

7. The first lever is the first engaging portion is provided on a mounting direction side, which is a direction in which the developer cartridge is mounted to the developing device main body, the operation portion is provided on a detachment direction side, which is a direction opposite to the mounting direction and in which the developer cartridge is detached from the developing device main body, The second lever is The second engaging portion is provided on the detachment direction side.

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

8. When the direction in which the developer cartridge is attached to the developing device main body is defined as an attachment direction, the direction in which the developer cartridge is detached from the developing device main body is defined as a detachment direction, and the direction in which the developer cartridge attached to the developing device main body extends in the longitudinal direction is defined as a first direction, The developing device main body includes: a holding portion extending in the developer cartridge removal direction at least one end in the first direction perpendicular to the developer cartridge installation direction and configured to hold the first lever and the second lever; the first engaging portion is provided on the mounting direction side of the developer cartridge with respect to the first swing support portion of the first lever, the second engaging portion is provided on the detachment direction side of the second swing support portion of the second lever, The operation unit includes: the first lever is provided on the detachment direction side of the first swing support portion, The developing device is protruded from the holding portion to the outside by the biasing force of the first biasing member.

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

9. a second biasing member provided in at least one of the developing device main body and the developing device; The second biasing member is The developer cartridge is biased in a removal direction in which the developer cartridge is removed from the developing device main body, and The biasing force of the second biasing member is The engagement force is weaker than that in the second engagement.

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

10. An image forming apparatus to which the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is attached, The developing device main body includes: a holding portion extending in a detachment direction of the developer cartridge relative to the developing device main body and holding the first lever and the second lever; the image forming apparatus, a housing surface provided along the holding portion; and When the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus, The operating portion of the first lever is pressed by the housing surface of the image forming apparatus with the first pressing force. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

11. the developer cartridge has a third engagement portion, the developing device main body has a third engaged portion that forms a third engagement with the third engaging portion, When the developer cartridge is removed, When the third engagement is formed, the developing device is detached from the image forming device, When the third engagement is released, the developer cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

Images