Cartridge for use in image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a cartridge having a memory for storing information, in which the toner container is attachable to and detachable from the developing unit capable of preventing the memory from getting dirty with toner.SOLUTION: A toner container has a first end and a second end opposite the first end with respect to the rotation axis direction of a photoconductor drum. A toner inlet is formed at the first end of the toner container, and the memory is provided to the end of the cartridge on the same side as the second end of the toner container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably mountable in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming devices (laser beam printers, LED printers, copiers, etc.), a configuration in which some parts of the image forming device are made into a cartridge and made replaceable is widely adopted. Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge in which a developing unit is provided in a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive drum, and a toner container that stores toner is detachably attached to the developing unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-10243 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of a cartridge in which the toner container is configured to be detachable from the development unit, as in Patent Document 1, toner may scatter when the toner container is attached to or detached from the development unit. Meanwhile, there are cases in which a memory that stores information about the cartridge is provided in the cartridge, and the image forming device controls the image formation process based on the information stored in the memory. If the cartridge in Patent Document 1 is provided with a memory, there is a concern that the memory may become soiled with scattered toner, making it impossible to read the information in the memory provided in the cartridge from the device main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment for solving the above problem is a cartridge configured to be detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a first unit having a photosensitive drum and a first frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum, a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, and a second frame that includes a toner storage section that stores the toner to be carried by the developing roller and has a toner receiving port, the second unit being attached to the first unit, and a toner container configured to be detachably attached to the second unit and storing the toner, ,to Gner outlet a toner container gripping portion extending in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum; With and a second position in which the toner discharge port communicates with the toner receiving port of the toner storage unit when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and the toner discharge port communicates with the toner receiving port of the toner storage unit, so that the toner can be discharged to the toner storage unit through the toner receiving port. The toner container includes a toner container and a memory for storing information, the toner storage unit has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, the toner receiving port is provided at the first end of the toner storage unit, and the memory is provided at an end of the cartridge on the same side as the second end of the toner storage unit. The rotation direction of the toner container from the first position to the second position is a rotation direction in which the toner container gripping portion moves away from the photosensitive drum when viewed in the rotation axis direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In a cartridge in which the toner container is detachable from the developing unit and which has a memory for storing information, the memory can be prevented from being soiled with toner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a developing unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a developing unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a top view of a development unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a photosensitive unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a developing unit and a photosensitive unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the left-right arrangement relationship of the photosensitive unit, the developing unit, the developing roller, and the end seal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a developing unit according to a first embodiment, seen from below; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a toner container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] 1 is a perspective view of a toner container according to a first embodiment, seen from below; [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of a toner container according to Example 1 [Figure 15] 1 is a perspective view of a toner container and a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter of the developing unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter of the toner container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lift mechanism in the process of mounting the toner container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lift mechanism in the process of lifting the toner container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a second embodiment; [Figure 21] Cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to a second embodiment [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a third embodiment; [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 24] Cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to a fourth embodiment [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a modification of the first embodiment; [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a photosensitive unit according to a modification of the first embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, directions are defined relative to the user using the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the "front," the rear side as the "rear," the top side as the "upper," and the bottom side as the "lower." Furthermore, the left side of the image forming apparatus 1 when viewed from the front side is referred to as the "left," and the right side as the "right." The process cartridge 5 and the toner container 9 are also defined in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 1, assuming that they are in the same orientation as when they are installed in the image forming apparatus 1. Directions in each drawing are defined by arrows shown in the drawing. The front-to-back, up-down, and left-to-right directions indicated by these arrows are mutually orthogonal. These directions are the same in all drawings. The up-to-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-to-right and front-to-back directions are parallel to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the left-to-right direction is parallel to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 61 and the rotational axis of the developing roller 71, respectively. The developing unit 7 and the photosensitive unit 6 are integrally mounted and called the process cartridge 5. The insertion direction (mounting direction) S1 when mounting the process cartridge 5 to the apparatus main body 2 and the removal direction S2 are parallel to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction. The process cartridge 5 is removably provided with a toner container 9 for supplying toner to the developing unit 7. The process cartridge 5 and the toner container 9 mounted and integrated are called a cartridge 10.

[0009] <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus> 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 with a cartridge 10 installed, the cross section being parallel to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 mainly comprises a paper feed unit 3 for supplying paper S (recording material) into an apparatus main body 2, an exposure device 4, the cartridge 10 for transferring a toner image onto the paper S, and a fixing device 8 for thermally fixing the toner image transferred onto the paper S.

[0010] The paper feed unit 3 is provided at the bottom of the device main body 2, and mainly includes a paper feed tray 31 and a paper feed mechanism 32. The paper S stored in the paper feed tray 31 is supplied by the paper feed mechanism 32 toward the cartridge 10 (between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63).

[0011] The exposure device 4 is disposed in the upper part of the device main body 2, and includes a laser emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror (shown without reference numerals), a lens, a reflecting mirror, etc. In this exposure device 4, a laser beam based on image data emitted from the laser emitting unit is scanned at high speed over the surface of the photosensitive drum 61, thereby exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0012] The cartridge 10 is disposed below the exposure device 4. It is configured to be inserted into the storage section 23 of the apparatus main body 2 in an insertion direction S1 through an opening formed when a door (opening / closing member) 21 provided on the apparatus main body 2 is opened (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1), and then attached to the apparatus main body 2. When removing the cartridge 10 from the apparatus main body 2, the cartridge 10 is removed by moving it in a removal direction S2.

[0013] This cartridge 10 is made up of a process cartridge 5 and a toner container 9, and the process cartridge 5 mainly includes a photosensitive unit 6 and a developing unit 7. The photosensitive unit 6 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 61, a corona charger 68, a pre-exposure section 69, a collection roller 62, and a transfer roller 63. The developing unit 7 is configured to be detachably attached to the photosensitive unit 6. The developing unit 7 mainly includes a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a layer thickness regulating blade 73, a toner storage section 74 that stores toner, and a first agitator 75A provided in the toner storage section 74.

[0014] <Image formation process> Next, an image forming process using this process cartridge 5 will be described. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 5. The photosensitive drum 61 is rotationally driven during the image forming process. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by a corona charger 68 (charging member), and then exposed to laser light corresponding to image data emitted from the exposure device 4 (Figure 1), thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum 61.

[0015] On the other hand, the toner in the toner storage section 74 is agitated by the first agitator 75A and then supplied to the developing roller 71 via the supply roller 72. The toner supplied to the developing roller 71 then enters between the developing roller 71 and the layer thickness regulating blade 73 and is carried on the developing roller 71 as a thin layer of a constant thickness.

[0016] The toner carried on the developing roller 71 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61. As a result, the toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image, making it visible, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61. Thereafter, the paper S is transported between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the paper S.

[0017] 1, the fixing device 8 is disposed behind the process cartridge 5 and mainly includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The paper S onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through this fixing device 8, during which the paper S is heated and pressurized between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, and the toner image is fixed onto the paper S. After passing through the fixing device 8, the paper S is discharged onto the paper output tray 22.

[0018] The corona charger 68 described above with reference to Figure 5 is a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 in a non-contact manner. The pre-exposure unit 69 includes a light-emitting diode as a light source and a light guide as a light-guiding member, and guides light emitted from the light-emitting diode through the light guide to irradiate the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. Current is supplied to the light-emitting diode from the device main body 2. The surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is neutralized by the light irradiation from the pre-exposure unit 69. In addition, a predetermined voltage is applied from the device main body 2 to the collection roller 62, which collects foreign matter such as paper powder and dirt adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 61, as well as toner.

[0019] <Process cartridge> Next, we will explain each unit of the process cartridge 5. As described above, the process cartridge 5 includes the photosensitive unit 6 (first unit) and the developing unit 7 (second unit).

[0020] <Developing unit> First, the configuration of the developing unit 7 will be described. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 7, taken along the line AA in Fig. 3. The line AA is parallel to the vertical and front-to-rear directions. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the developing unit 7. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the developing unit 7. Fig. 6 is a top view of the developing unit 7, with the top surface of the housing 700 removed for ease of explanation. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the developing unit 7 as seen from below.

[0021] 2, the developing unit 7 has a developing roller 71 rotatably supported at one end of the rear of a housing 700. Hereinafter, the configuration of the developing unit 7 will be described with the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller 71 referred to as the axial direction.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, and the first agitator (first agitating member) 75A are rotatably supported at their respective ends on a left side wall 704 and a right side wall 705 of the housing 700 (second frame). A developing coupling 710, a developing roller gear 711, a supply roller gear 712, a first agitator gear 713, and idle gears 715A and 715B are provided to the left of the left side wall 704 of the housing 700. The developing roller gear 711 is fixed to an end of the developing roller 71, and the supply roller gear 712 is fixed to an end of the supply roller 72. The first agitator gear 713 is fixed to an end of an agitating rod 78A (see FIG. 5) of the first agitator 75A.

[0023] A toner container 9 for supplying toner can be attached to the developing unit 7. The toner storage section 74 stores the toner to be carried by the developing roller 71 and has a toner receiving section 770 for receiving the toner supplied by the toner container 9. It also has a lift mechanism 760 for holding and lifting up the toner container 9.

[0024] 3, the developing unit 7 is provided with a first electrical contact 720A that is electrically connected to the developing roller 71 and through which a voltage is applied to the developing roller 71. Also, a second contact 720B that is electrically connected to the supply roller 72 and through which a voltage is applied to the supply roller 72 is provided. These electrical contacts come into contact with a power supply contact (not shown) that is provided in the apparatus main body 2, thereby supplying power to the developing roller 71 and the supply roller 72.

[0025] Next, the drive configuration of the developing unit 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In conjunction with the operation of closing the door 21 (Fig. 1) provided in the apparatus main body 2, a developing drive transmission member (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 2 moves to a position for engaging with the developing coupling 710. Conversely, in conjunction with the operation of opening the door 21 (Fig. 1), the developing drive transmission member (not shown) moves to a position for releasing the engagement with the developing coupling 710.

[0026] When the apparatus main body 2 is operated after the door 21 (FIG. 1) is closed, a driving force is transmitted (input) from a developing drive transmission member (not shown) to a developing coupling 710 serving as a driving force receiving member. Next, the developing roller 71 becomes rotatable via a developing roller gear 711 and a supply roller 72 becomes rotatable via a supply roller gear 712 from gears provided on the circumferential surface of the developing coupling 710. The developing drive transmission member (not shown) is configured to transmit a driving force to the developing coupling 710 while allowing for positional deviation of the developing coupling 710 within a predetermined range. Axial movement of the developing coupling 710, the developing roller gear 711, and the supply roller gear 712 is restricted by a side holder 719 attached to the housing 700.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit 7 employs a first agitator 75A to agitate the toner in the toner storage section 74 so that it can be used up to the last drop. The first agitator 75A includes an agitating rod 78A and an agitating sheet 79A. The first agitator 75A is rotatable by receiving a driving force from the developing coupling 710 via an idle gear 715A and a first agitator gear 713 (see FIG. 6). The toner near the first agitator 75A in the toner storage section 74 is agitated by the first agitator 75A, then supplied to the supply roller 72, and then further supplied to the developing roller 71 by the supply roller 72.

[0028] <Photoconductor unit> Next, the detailed configuration of the photosensitive unit 6 will be described. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 5. Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of the photosensitive unit 6. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the developing unit 7 and the photosensitive unit 6. Fig. 10 is a top view showing the left-right positional relationship between the photosensitive unit 6, the developing unit 7, and the developing roller 71.

[0029] 9, the photosensitive unit 6 includes a frame 610 (first frame) having a pair of left sidewalls 611 and right sidewalls 612, and a photosensitive drum 61 rotatably supported by the frame 610. In the front-rear direction intersecting the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61, the photosensitive drum 61 is supported at one rear end of the frame 610, and a gripping portion 617 is provided at the other front end. In the front-rear direction, a mounting portion 615 into which the developing unit 7 can be mounted is provided between the photosensitive drum 61 and the gripping portion 617. In addition, a pressing member 640 is provided on the frame 610 to press the developing unit 7 so that the developing roller 71 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 61.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, the toner storage portion 74 of the developing unit 7 mounted in the mounting portion 615 is disposed between the left side wall 611 and the right side wall 612 in the left-right direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 9, receiving portions 641 for receiving the rotary bearing members 746A and 746B (Figure 7) of the developing roller 71 are formed on the left side wall 611 and the right side wall 612 of the frame 610, ahead of the photosensitive drum 61. The receiving portions 641 are generally U-shaped recesses that are open on the front side, and the rotary shaft (not shown) of the developing roller 71 is inserted into them. The receiving portions 641 support the developing unit 7 on the photosensitive unit 6.

[0032] 10, protrusions 643 protruding upward are provided on both left and right ends of the bottom surface 613 of the frame 610. These protrusions 643 support the developing unit 7 by abutting against bosses 718 provided on the bottom of the housing 700 of the developing unit 7, as shown in FIG.

[0033] In addition, in the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a pressing member 650 is provided to prevent the development unit 7 from being removed when the development unit 7 is attached to the photosensitive unit 6.

[0034] 9, the pressing members 640 are provided at both ends in the left-right direction on the front of the frame 610, and are biased in the front-to-rear direction by compression springs 640A (FIG. 10) serving as biasing members. Therefore, the biasing force of the compression springs 640A (FIG. 10) causes the pressing members 640 to press bosses 718 (FIG. 11) provided on the housing 700 of the developing unit 7. By pressing the developing unit 7 with the pressing members 640, the developing roller 71 is biased toward the photosensitive drum 61.

[0035] 8, a photosensitive gear (first gear) 65 and a transfer gear (second gear) 66 are fixed to the left end of the photosensitive drum 61, and are configured to rotate integrally with the photosensitive drum 61. When the process cartridge 5 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, a drive gear (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 meshes with the photosensitive gear 65, transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer gear 66, making them rotatable. Furthermore, the transfer gear 66 meshes with a transfer roller gear (third gear) 67 (FIG. 1) fixed to the left end of the transfer roller 63, making the transfer roller 63 also rotatable.

[0036] <Toner container> Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the toner container 9. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 9, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the toner container 9 as seen from below, and Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 9.

[0037] 12, the toner container 9 mainly includes a container member 911, a bottom member 912, a T-side holder L92, a T-side holder R93, a discharge port forming member 94, a discharge-side shutter 95, a conveying screw 96, and a second agitator 97. In addition, the toner container 9 includes a conveying screw gear 980, a T idle gear 981, and a second agitator gear 982 for transmitting driving force.

[0038] 13, a toner container 910 is formed by a container member 911 and a bottom member 912, and toner is stored inside. An outlet forming member 94 is fixed to one longitudinal end of the toner container 910. The outlet forming member 94 has an outlet forming surface 94C on its outer periphery, and an outlet 94A (toner outlet) for discharging toner to the outside is formed in the outlet forming surface 94C.

[0039] 14, the conveying screw 96 and the second agitator 97 are rotatably provided inside the toner container 910. The conveying screw 96 and the second agitator 97 are rotated by the driving force transmitted by a conveying screw gear 980 and a second agitator gear 982 provided outside the toner container 910 (see FIG. 12). The second agitator 97 is composed of a second agitating rod 98 and a second agitating sheet 99, similar to the first agitator 75A. The toner contained inside the toner container 910 is agitated and conveyed by the second agitator 97 toward the conveying screw 96, and then conveyed by the conveying screw 96 toward the discharge port 94A shown in FIG. 13 and discharged from the discharge port 94A.

[0040] 12, a discharge-side shutter 95 (second shutter) configured to open and close the discharge port 94A is rotatably provided inside the discharge port forming member 94. The discharge-side shutter 95 is provided with a toner passage hole 95A and a closing portion 95B, and toner can be discharged when the toner passage hole 95A and the discharge port 94A are aligned. On the other hand, when the closing portion 95B faces the discharge port 94A, toner is prohibited from being discharged, preventing the toner inside from leaking during transportation, etc.

[0041] <Support structure of toner container> Next, the support structure of the toner container 9 will be described. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the toner container 9 and the process cartridge 5, where (a) shows the state before the toner container 9 is installed, (b) shows the state in which the toner container 9 is being installed, and (c) shows the state after the toner container 9 is completely installed. As shown in Figure 15, the toner container 9 is configured to be detachable from the development unit 7. First, a container member 911 of the toner container 9 is provided with a handle portion 911A as a second unit grip portion. A T-side holder L92 and a T-side holder R93 are fixed to both longitudinal ends of the toner container 9. The T-side holder 92 and the T-side holder 93 are respectively provided with a supported protrusion 92A (first supported portion) and a supported protrusion 93A (second supported portion) for being supported by the development unit 7. The developing unit 7 is also provided with a support portion 730 (first support portion) and a support portion 731 (second support portion) for supporting the supported projections 92A and 93A.

[0042] When the toner container 9 is attached to the developing unit 7, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the toner container 9 is moved in the direction of arrow S3 from above the developing unit 7 while gripping the handle portion 911A. After the toner container 9 is moved in the direction of arrow S3, the supported protrusions 92A and 93A are temporarily supported by the support portions 730 and 731, as shown in FIG. 15(b). The cartridge position in this state is referred to as the first position. The toner container 9 is then rotated from the first position around the center of the supported protrusions 92A and 93A, completing the attachment process, as shown in FIG. 15(c). The position of the toner container 9 when the toner container 9 is completely attached to the developing unit 7 is referred to as the second position. In addition, in the completely attached state, the conveying screw gear 980 of the toner container 9 can mesh with the idle gear 715B of the developing unit 7. This allows the driving force of the developing unit 7 to be transmitted to the toner container 9. The lifespan of the toner container 9, which is determined by the amount of toner stored in the toner container 9, is set to be shorter than the lifespan of the process cartridge 5, which is determined by the lifespan of the photosensitive drum 61 and the developing roller 71. Therefore, it is necessary to replace only the toner container 9 that has reached the end of its lifespan, separately from the process cartridge 5. In this case, the toner container 9 can be replaced simply by opening the door 21 (FIG. 1), and the user can perform the replacement work without removing the process cartridge 5 from the apparatus main body 2.

[0043] <Receiving side shutter> Next, the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter (first shutter) will be described. Figure 16 shows the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter of the developing unit 7, where (a) shows the receiving-side shutter in a closed state, and (b) shows the receiving-side shutter in an open state.

[0044] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the toner receiving portion 770 of the developing unit 7 is composed of a toner receiving port 771 provided on the top surface of the housing 700, a receiving-side shutter seal 772, a receiving-side shutter 773, a receiving port cover 774, and a connecting seal 775. Each component is provided with holes 772A, 773A, 774A, and 775A. The holes 772A, 774A, and 775A of the receiving-side shutter seal 772, the receiving port cover 774, and the connecting seal 775 are assembled in a state where they are aligned with the toner receiving port 771. The receiving-side shutter 773 also has a shielding portion 773B in addition to the hole 773A, and is assembled in a state where it can slide. This sliding movement opens and closes the toner receiving port 771.

[0045] 16, the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter 773 is performed in conjunction with the installation and removal operation of the toner container 9. Here, a driving protrusion group 94B is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge port forming member 94 of the toner container 9. In addition, a driven protrusion group 773C is arranged on the receiving-side shutter 773.

[0046] As described above, the toner container 9 moves to the installation complete state by performing a rotational movement during the installation process to the development unit 7. Figure 16(a) shows the state before the rotational movement during the installation process, in which the shielding portion 773B of the receiving-side shutter 773 faces the toner receiving opening 771, closing the toner receiving opening 771. At this time, the driving protrusion group 94B and the driven protrusion group 773C are engaged with each other.

[0047] Next, the toner container 9 is rotated to reach the installation-completed state, as shown in Figure 16(b). At this time, the toner container 9 is rotated while the drive protrusion group 94B and the driven protrusion group 773C remain engaged, and the receiving-side shutter 773 slides in conjunction with the rotation of the toner container 9. As a result, the hole 773A of the receiving-side shutter 773 and the toner receiving opening 771 are aligned, and the toner receiving opening 771 is opened.

[0048] Similarly, when the toner container 9 is removed from the developing unit 7, the receiving-side shutter 773 slides in conjunction with the rotation of the toner container 9, and the toner receiving opening 771 is closed.

[0049] As described above, when the toner container 9 is attached to the developing unit 7, the toner receiving opening 771 is open, allowing toner to enter the inside of the developing unit 7. On the other hand, when the toner container 9 is not attached to the developing unit 7, the toner receiving opening 771 is closed, preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the developing unit 7 and toner from leaking to the outside.

[0050] <Discharge side shutter> Next, we will explain the opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter 95. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter 95 of the toner container 9, where (a) shows the state in which the discharge-side shutter 95 is closed, and (b) shows the state in which the discharge-side shutter 95 is open.

[0051] As described above, the discharge port 94A is in an open state when the positions of the discharge port 94A of the discharge port forming member 94 shown in Fig. 12 and the toner passage hole 95A of the discharge-side shutter 95 are aligned. Also, the discharge port 94A is in a closed state when the closing portion 95B of the discharge-side shutter 95 faces the discharge port 94A. The opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter 95 is also performed in conjunction with the rotational operation when the toner container 9 is attached or detached, similar to the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter 773 described above.

[0052] 17, the discharge-side shutter 95 is provided with a locking projection 95C, which is disposed radially inward of the supported projection R93A. Also, the support portion R731 of the developing unit 7 is provided with a locking portion 731A and a notch 731B.

[0053] 17(a) shows the state before the rotational movement in the installation process of the toner container 9, in which the closing portion 95B (FIG. 12) of the discharge-side shutter 95 and the discharge opening 94A (FIG. 12) face each other, so the discharge opening 94A (FIG. 12) is closed. At this time, the locked protrusion 95C is sandwiched between the locking portion 731A, and the rotational movement of the discharge-side shutter 95 relative to the developing unit 7 is prohibited.

[0054] Next, the toner container 9 is rotated to reach the installation-completed state, as shown in Figure 17(b). At this time, the toner container 9 is rotated relative to the developing unit 7 while the rotation of the discharge-side shutter 95 is prohibited. Here, the supported protrusion R93A can fit into the cutout portion 731B, so the rotation of the toner container 9 other than the rotation of the discharge-side shutter 95 is not hindered.

[0055] As described above, due to the rotational movement of the toner container 9 during the installation process, the discharge-side shutter 95 rotates relatively inside the toner container 9. As a result, the toner passage hole 95A (FIG. 12) of the discharge-side shutter 95 and the discharge outlet 94A (FIG. 12) are aligned with each other, and the discharge outlet 94A (FIG. 12) is opened.

[0056] Similarly, when the toner container 9 is removed from the developing unit 7, the discharge-side shutter 95 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the toner container 9, and the discharge opening 94A (FIG. 12) is closed.

[0057] <Toner container lift mechanism> Next, the lift mechanism 760 for the toner container 9 will be described. Figure 18 shows the movement of the lift mechanism 760 during the process of installing the toner container 9, with (a) showing the state in which the toner container 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760 during the installation process. (b) showing the state in which the lift mechanism 760 is opened during the installation process of the toner container 9. (c) showing the state in which the installation of the toner container 9 is complete.

[0058] Figure 19 shows the movement of the toner container 9 in an installed state being moved to a lifted-up state by the lift mechanism 760. (a) shows the state in which the toner container 9 has been completely installed. (b) shows the state in which the toner container 9 is being lifted up by the lift mechanism 760. (c) shows the state in which the toner container 9 has reached the lifted-up state. Note that for the sake of explanation, the side holders 719 of the developing unit 7 are omitted from Figure 19.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 19, a protrusion 92B is provided on the T-side holder L92 of the toner container 9, and the protrusion 92B has a contact surface 92C, a holding surface 92D, and a receiving surface 92E. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the lift mechanism 760 is made up of a boss 719A provided on the side holder 719 of the developing unit 7, a lift member 761, and a torsion coil spring 762. The lift member 761 and the torsion coil spring 762 are attached to the boss 719A and are rotatable around the boss 719A. The lift member 761 has a contact portion 761A, an operating portion 761B, and a lifting portion 761C. The lift member 761 is biased in the direction of arrow R1 by the torsion coil spring 762.

[0060] First, the movement of the lift mechanism 760 during the process of mounting the toner container 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] As the toner container 9 is rotated during the installation process, the contact surface 92C and the contact portion 761A come into contact with each other, and the toner container 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760, as shown in FIG. 18(a). Next, as the toner container 9 continues to be rotated, the lift member 761 is pushed by the contact surface 92C and rotates in the direction of arrow R2, as shown in FIG. 18(b), allowing the toner container 9 to rotate. When the toner container 9 is further rotated and the installation is completed, the contact portion 761A falls off the contact surface 92C and comes into contact with the holding surface 92D, as shown in FIG. 18(c). This allows the lift member 761 to hold the toner container 9 in the completed installation state.

[0062] Next, the movement of the toner container 9 from the installation completion state to the lifted state will be described with reference to FIG. 19 . As shown in FIG. 19( a), when the toner container 9 is in the installation completion state, the contact portion 761A of the lift member 761 contacts the holding surface 92D, preventing the toner container 9 from being removed. To remove the toner container 9, as shown in FIG. 19( b), the operating portion 761B of the lift member 761 is operated to rotate the lift member 761 in the direction of arrow R2. This causes the lifting portion 761C of the lift member 761 to contact the receiving surface 92E, allowing the toner container 9 to be rotated. When the operating portion 761B is then released, the lift member 761 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 762, as shown in FIG. 19( c). The contact surface 92C and the contact portion 761B come into contact, and the toner container 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760 in a lifted state. This allows the toner container 9 to be removed.

[0063] <Memory tag placement> Next, the arrangement of the memory tag 500 (memory) as a storage member in the first embodiment will be described.

[0064] 15, the process cartridge 5 is equipped with a memory tag 500, which has an information transmission contact 500A. The memory tag 500 is capable of storing and transmitting various information, and transmits information by electrical contact between a tag contact (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 and the information transmission contact 500A.

[0065] If the information transmission contact 500A of the memory tag 500 becomes dirty, poor electrical contact with the tag contact (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 occurs, increasing the possibility of poor information transmission, so it is desirable to position the memory tag 500 in a location that is as unlikely to become dirty as possible. Also, the areas around the toner receiving port 771 (FIG. 5) of the developing unit 7 and the discharge port 94A of the toner container 9 are locations where toner is likely to scatter during the operation of attaching and detaching the toner container 9 to and from the process cartridge 5.

[0066] 7, the toner storage unit 74 has a right end R (first end) and a left end L (second end) opposite thereto in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61. The toner receiving opening 771 (FIG. 7) and the discharge opening 94A are provided at the end R of the toner storage unit 74. Meanwhile, the memory tag 500 is provided at the end of the process cartridge 5 on the same side as the end L of the toner storage unit 74 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0067] That is, the memory tag 500 is disposed at a position away from the toner receiving opening 771 (FIG. 7) and the discharge opening 94A in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61. This is to prevent the scattered toner that is scattered when the toner container 9 is attached to or detached from the developing unit 7 from adhering to the memory tag 500.

[0068] The specific arrangement of the memory tag 500 in the process cartridge 5 will be described.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner receiving opening 771 is positioned closer to the grip portion 617 than the photosensitive drum 61 in the front-to-back direction, and the memory tag 500 is positioned closer to the photosensitive drum 61 than the grip portion 617. By positioning the memory tag 500 away from the toner receiving opening 771 in the front-to-back direction, scattered toner is less likely to adhere to the memory tag 500. Furthermore, by positioning the memory tag 500 away from the grip portion 617 in the front-to-back direction, the memory tag 500 is less likely to be touched by the user. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the memory tag 500 is positioned so as to overlap the photosensitive drum 61 and the charging member 68 when viewed in the top-to-bottom direction (second direction). The memory tag 500 is positioned so that the charging member 68 is located between the photosensitive drum 61 and the memory tag 500. 5, the memory tag 500 is provided at a position away from the toner receiving opening 771 in the direction from the transfer roller 63 toward the photosensitive drum 61 (from the bottom to the top) in the up-down direction. The memory tag 500 is provided on the opposite side of the transfer roller 63 with the photosensitive drum 61 in between.

[0070] By devising the arrangement of the memory tag 500 in this way, it is possible to prevent the scattered toner that is scattered when the toner container 9 is attached to or detached from the developing unit 7 from adhering to the memory tag 500.

[0071] <Variations> The memory tag 500 is not limited to the position of this embodiment as long as it is provided at the end of the process cartridge 5 on the same side as the end L of the toner storage compartment 74 in the left-right direction (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum). The configurations of Modifications 1 and 2 of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b). In FIG. 25(a), the memory tag 500 is provided on the surface of the frame 610 opposite the surface (bottom surface 613) on which the developing unit 7 is attached. In FIG. 25(b), the frame 610 has an opening on the surface facing the housing 700 of the developing unit 7, and the memory tag 500 is provided in the area of ​​the housing 700 exposed through the opening. The surface opposite the surface on which the toner receiving port 771 is provided is less susceptible to scattered toner.

[0072] 26 shows the configuration of a third modified example of this embodiment. The memory tag 500 is provided on the same side of the frame 610 as the end L of the toner storage section 74. The configuration of the third modified example can ensure the longest distance from the toner receiving opening 771 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0073] The up-down direction mentioned here is a direction that intersects both the front-rear direction (first direction) and the left-right direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum 61).

[0074] Modifications 1, 2, and 3 also have the effect of preventing scattered toner that is scattered when the toner container 9 is attached to or detached from the developing unit 7 from adhering to the memory tag 500.

[0075] Example 2 Next, a description will be given of Example 2. Here, only the parts that are different from Example 1 will be described. Other parts are the same as Example 1, and the description will be omitted.

[0076] <Memory tag placement> The arrangement of the memory tag 500 in the second embodiment will be described. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the cartridge 10 in the second embodiment. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 taken along the line BB in Figure 20 .

[0077] As described above with reference to FIG. 15, the user replaces the toner container 9 while gripping the handle 911A. At this time, the user performs the replacement work from the front side in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore, from the viewpoint of visibility and operability of the handle 911A, the handle 911A is generally disposed on the front side of the toner container 9. Furthermore, it is considered that the area through which the toner container 9 passes during such a replacement work of the toner container 9 is forward of the fully installed position of the toner container 9. Therefore, toner scattering during the replacement work of the toner container 9 is concentrated forward of the toner receiving opening 771 (FIG. 5) and the discharge opening 94A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0078] 20, the memory tag 500 is provided at one end of the developing roller 71 (FIG. 4) in the axial direction, similar to the toner receiving opening 771 and the discharge opening 94A (not shown) in the left-right direction. However, as shown in FIG. 21, the memory tag 500 is located on the opposite side of the handle portion 911A of the toner container 9 in the front-rear direction, with the toner receiving opening 771 as the boundary.

[0079] As a result, the memory tag 500 is positioned close to the toner receiving port 771 and the discharge port 94A in the axial direction of the developing roller 71 (Figure 4), but the toner scattered when replacing the toner container 9 is less likely to adhere to the memory tag 500.

[0080] Example 3 Next, a description will be given of Example 3. Here, too, only the parts that are different from Example 1 will be described. Other parts are the same as Example 1, and the description will be omitted.

[0081] <Memory tag placement> The arrangement of the memory tag 500 in the third embodiment will be described below. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the cartridge 10 in the third embodiment.

[0082] 22, a wall portion 774B is provided further outward in the axial direction of the developing roller 71 (FIG. 4) than the toner receiving opening 771. The memory tag 500 is provided further outward in the axial direction of the developing roller 71 (FIG. 4) than the wall portion 774B. In other words, the wall portion 774B is disposed between the toner receiving opening 771 and the memory tag 500.

[0083] This makes it possible for the wall portion 774B to prevent toner scattered during the replacement of the toner container 9 from adhering to the memory tag 500.

[0084] Example 4 Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Here, too, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described. The other parts are the same as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] <Memory tag placement> The arrangement of the memory tag 500 in the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 23 is a perspective view of the cartridge 10 in the fourth embodiment as seen from below. Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 taken along the line CC in Figure 23 .

[0086] 24, the inlet cover 774 has an opposing surface 774C that faces the discharge outlet forming surface 94C of the toner container 9. Here, the memory tag 500 is provided on the opposite side of the opposing surface 774C from the discharge outlet forming surface 94C, with the opposing surface 774C as the boundary. As a result, toner that scatters during the replacement work of the toner container 9 is blocked by the opposing surface 774C, and therefore, the memory tag 500 can be prevented from becoming soiled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 5 Process cartridge 6 Photoconductor unit 7 Development unit 9 Toner container 10 cartridges 61 Photosensitive drum 63 Transfer roller 68 Corona charger 71 Developing roller 74 Toner storage compartment 94A Toner outlet 95 Discharge side shutter 500 Memory Tags 610 frames 700 cabinet 771 Toner receiving port 910 Toner container

Claims

1. A cartridge configured to be detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, a first unit having a photosensitive drum and a first frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum; a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum; and a second frame that includes a toner storage section that stores the toner to be carried by the developing roller and has a toner receiving port, a second unit attached to the first unit; a toner container configured to be detachable from the second unit and configured to store the toner, the toner container having a toner discharge port and a toner container grip portion extending in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, the toner container configured to be rotatable with respect to the second frame between a first position in which the toner discharge port does not communicate with the toner receiving port of the toner storage unit when viewed in the rotational axis direction, and a second position in which the toner discharge port communicates with the toner receiving port of the toner storage unit and toner can be discharged to the toner storage unit through the toner receiving port; a memory for storing information; Equipped with the toner storage section has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, the toner receiving port is provided at the first end of the toner storage section, the memory is provided at an end of the cartridge on the same side as the second end of the toner containing portion, a rotation direction of the toner container from the first position to the second position is a rotation direction in which the toner container grip portion moves away from the photosensitive drum when viewed in the rotation axis direction; A cartridge characterized by:

2. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first frame supports the photosensitive drum at one end in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction, has a grip portion at the other end, and has a mounting portion for mounting the second unit between the photosensitive drum and the grip portion.

3. the toner receiving port is provided at a position closer to the gripping portion than the photosensitive drum in the intersecting direction, 3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the memory is provided at a position closer to the photosensitive drum than the grip portion in the intersecting direction.

4. the first unit has a charging member that charges the photosensitive drum, A cartridge as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that when the intersecting direction is defined as a first direction, the memory overlaps with the charging member when viewed in a second direction that intersects both the first direction and the rotational axis direction.

5. A cartridge as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that when the intersecting direction is defined as a first direction, the memory overlaps with the photosensitive drum when viewed in a second direction that intersects both the first direction and the rotation axis direction.

6. A cartridge as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first unit has a transfer roller for transferring an image from the photosensitive drum to a recording material, and when the intersecting direction is defined as a first direction, the memory is located at a position away from the toner receiving port in a direction from the transfer roller toward the photosensitive drum in a second direction that intersects both the first direction and the rotation axis direction.

7. 7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the memory is provided on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum from the transfer roller in the second direction.

8. the first unit has a charging member that charges the photosensitive drum, 8. A cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the memory is provided so that the charging member is located between the photosensitive drum and the memory.

9. 9. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the memory is held by the first frame.

10. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first frame has an opening on a surface facing the second frame of the second unit, and the memory is provided on the second frame exposed from the opening.

Images