JP3113010B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image using an electrophotographic process such as a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus, an image is transferred by passing a sheet through an image transfer section of an electrophotographic process unit for performing charging, exposure, development, transfer, peeling, cleaning, and the like. Is passed between the pair of fixing rollers to fix the image onto the sheet.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus of this type, for example, a laser printer, a disposable developer supply device used for supplying a developer (hereinafter, referred to as toner) to a developing unit built in the main body of the apparatus is disposable. The toner refilling cartridge (supply container) is configured to be detachably mounted on a developing unit incorporated in the apparatus main body.

The untransferred toner not transferred to the paper in the image transfer section is scraped off from the photoreceptor by a cleaning device, further transferred to the outside of the process unit, and stored in a disposable cartridge type container. Had been.

[0005] The toner collection cartridge (storage container) is also configured to be detachably and removably loaded into a process unit incorporated in the apparatus main body.

[0006] The apparatus main body detects the empty state of the replenishment toner cartridge and the full state of the collection cartridge, and notifies the operator of the state.

Conventionally, the replenishing container and the storage container are separated from each other, or the replenishing container and the storage container are developed by developing means, cleaning means, It was integrated with the body drum.

[0008]

However, when the supply container and the storage container are separated from each other, the user must replace each container each time the developer is supplied or the used developer is discarded, which takes time. There is a problem.

In the case of the integration, as in the latter case, the labor for replacement is integrated, but the amount of developer for replenishment and the amount of used developer are limited due to the limitation of the size of a practical integrated unit. Is limited. For this reason, the replacement cycle of the entire unit is shortened, and the unit is replaced earlier than the service life of the relatively expensive developing means, cleaning means, and photosensitive drum, and there is a problem that the running cost increases.

In view of the above, the present invention integrates the replenishing means and the storage means and makes the cleaning means and the developing means detachable, so that the number of maintenance operations by the user can be reduced and the running cost can be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing a unit attaching / detaching operation.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a developing means for forming a developer image on an image bearing member.
Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed by the developing means to a transfer material; cleaning means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after transfer by the transfer means; and Replenishing means for replenishing, storing means for storing the developer removed from the image carrier by the cleaning means,
A unit that integrally includes the replenishing unit and the storage unit and that is detachable from the developing unit and the cleaning unit, and a biasing unit that constantly biases the unit in a direction in which the unit is removed from the developing unit and the cleaning unit. And a lock means for fixing the unit at a position during operation of the device against the biasing force of the biasing body and at a predetermined position until the unit is removed from the device body. Things.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the replenishing means and the storing means are integrated to form a unit, and this unit is detachable from the developing means and the cleaning means. Can be exchanged. Further, the unit is always urged by an urging unit in a direction in which the unit is pulled out of the developing unit and the cleaning unit, and a lock unit that fixes the unit at a position during operation of the apparatus against the urging force of the urging body is provided. Since the unit is provided, when the locking operation of the locking means is released, the unit automatically comes out of the mounting position slightly, and subsequent removal becomes easy. In addition, since the unit is locked by the locking means at a position where the unit is pushed in against the urging force of the urging means, the worker can intuitively know the state of the mounting and prevent a mounting failure or the like from occurring. It becomes possible.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a laser printer as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a semiconductor laser, and FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration thereof.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body.
The main control board 2 is arranged in the central part inside. An image forming means 3 for forming an image is arranged behind the main control board 2 (to the right in the state of FIG. 3), and a plurality of function adding control boards 4 , And a paper discharge unit 6 is formed in the upper front part thereof.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a paper feed cassette 11 containing paper P, and reference numeral 12 denotes a paper discharge tray 12.

Further, on the upper surface of the left frame portion 1a of the apparatus main body 1 located on the left side of the paper discharge portion 6, a display LED 13 as a display means, a two-digit status display segment 14, and a switch 15 are arranged. Control panel 16 is disposed. On the other hand, on the rear end face side of the device body 1,
A manual feed tray 17 is mounted.

Next, the structure of the image forming means 3 for executing an image forming process such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, peeling, cleaning and fixing will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier.

Around the photosensitive drum 20, a scorotron 21 as a charging unit, a laser exposure unit 22 as an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a magnetic brush type developing device 23 as a developing unit, A scorotron 24 as a transfer unit, a blade-type cleaner 25 as a cleaning unit, and a light emitting device 26 as a pre-exposure unit are sequentially arranged.

In the drawing, reference numeral 29 denotes a paper transport path formed in the apparatus main body 1, and the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 11 via the paper feed roller 27 or the manual feed from the manual feed tray 17. The paper P thus formed is guided to the paper discharge unit 6 provided on the upper surface side of the apparatus main body 1 through the image transfer unit 28 between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer unit 24.

On the upstream side of the image transfer section 28 of the paper transport path 29, a transport roller pair 30, an aligning roller pair 3
1, a pair of conveying rollers 32 are arranged, and a fixing unit 33 as a fixing unit and a discharge roller unit 34 as a sheet discharging unit are disposed downstream thereof.

In the drawing, reference numeral 35 denotes the conveying roller pair 32.
, A cooling fan unit 36 provided near the aligning roller pair 31, and a transport guide 37 provided near the image transfer unit 28.

The image forming operation by the laser printer having the above-mentioned structure is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore will not be described.

The photosensitive drum 20, the magnetic brush type developing device 23, and the blade type cleaner 25 are integrated as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the unit mounting portion 52 of the apparatus main body 1 (see FIG. 1). ) Constitute an image forming unit 53 which can be inserted into and removed from the image forming unit 53.

Further, at one end side of the image forming unit 53 thus configured, a toner replenishing unit 54 as a toner replenishing unit for replenishing the developing device 23 with the toner t as a developer, and the cleaner 25 Photoconductor drum 2
A kit 56 which is a cartridge type unit integrating a waste toner storage unit 55 as storage means for storing waste developer t ′ as waste developer which is removed from the toner cartridge 0 and discharged through the transport spiral 40 is attached and detached. It is possible.

The kit 56 is configured to be removably inserted into the kit storage section 57 from the side of the right frame 1b of the apparatus main body 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply port 54a formed on the lower surface side of the toner supply section 54 of the kit 56 communicates with the toner supply port 23a formed on the upper end of one end of the developing device 23. I have.

At the same time, a toner discharge portion 25a protruding from one end of the cleaner 25 is inserted into a waste toner receiving port 55a formed in the waste toner storage portion 55 of the kit 56.

FIG. 5 shows a state before the toner discharge section 25a is inserted into the waste toner receiving port 55a, and FIG. 6 shows a state before the toner discharge section 25a is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 6, when inserted, the flange portion 60a of the slide shutter 60 is hooked on the opening edge of the waste toner receiving port 55a and slides against the urging force of the compression spring 61. Then, the waste toner discharge port 62 formed in the toner discharge section 25a is completely opened in the container 55b. Thus, the waste toner t 'sent by the transport spiral 40 is collected without any trouble.

At this time, the cap 63 that closes the waste toner receiving port 55a is pushed by the tip end surface of the toner discharge section 25a and is displaced against the urging force of the spring 64. It has been pushed away.

The spring 64 also serves as urging means for constantly urging the kit 56 in a direction in which the kit 56 is pulled out of the image forming unit 53.

The toner supply section 54 of the kit 56
As shown in FIG. 7, a horizontally long toner storage container 70 having a stirring blade 69 built therein, and a spiral shaft as a toner conveying means internally provided at a position offset to the right side of the bottom of the toner storage container 70 and offset therefrom. And a toner supply unit 72 in which the toner supply unit 71 is incorporated.

The lower surface of the toner supply unit 72 and the transfer direction of the toner t by the spiral shaft 71
A toner supply port 54a for supplying the toner t to the toner supply port 23a is opened, and a rotary shutter 75 and a slide shutter 76 are arranged corresponding to the toner supply port 54a.

The rotary shutter 75 includes a spiral shaft 7
It is attached to one end of a support shaft 77 which is rotatably supported in a state where it is loosely inserted into one hollow shaft. An operation lever 78 is attached to the other end of the support shaft 77,
The notch 75a of the rotary shutter 75 is always kept away from the corresponding position of the toner supply port 54a as shown in FIG. It is in an energized state.

When the kit 56 is stored in the kit storage portion 57 of the apparatus main body 1 and the top cover 50 of the apparatus main body 1 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. The operation lever 78 is pushed by an operation protrusion 80 (see FIG. 1) provided on the inner side surface of the control lever 78. As a result, the support shaft 77 rotates, and the rotary shutter 75 integral therewith rotates, so that the cutout 75a faces downward as shown in FIG. 9 and the upper portion of the toner supply port 54a is opened. I have.

On the other hand, the slide shutter 76 for closing the lower surface of the toner supply port 54a is urged by a compression spring 85 so as to be at a position for closing the toner supply port 54a.

When the kit 56 is loaded into the apparatus main body 1, the abutment plate 86 provided at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 23a of the developing device 23 is inserted into the slide groove 87 of the kit 56. , The slide shutter 76,
The slider is slid against the biasing force of the compression spring 85 in the opening direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower portion of the toner supply port 54a is opened, and the opening 86a formed in the abutment plate 86 corresponds to the toner supply port 54a. A state in which the supply operation of t can be performed is established.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lock lever 9 is provided corresponding to a kit storage portion 57 in which a kit 56 is stored.
0 is provided rotatably. The lock lever 90 is
As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, it is swingably attached via a support shaft portion 90a that is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 1 side. A first locking claw 90b is provided on the lower surface of one end of the lock lever 90, and a second locking claw 90c is provided on the lower surface of the other end.
Are projected from each other.

Further, the lock lever 90 is in a state where the upper surface on one end side on which the first locking claw 90b is formed is pressed by the elastic piece 100 provided on the apparatus main body 1 side.

On the other hand, on the upper surface side of the waste toner accommodating portion 55 of the kit 56, a first engaging concave portion 101 as a first engaging portion engaging and disengaging from the first engaging claw 90b is provided. A second engaging portion that engages with and disengages from the second locking claw 90c
Are formed. Further, a relief groove 103 is formed corresponding to the first engagement concave portion 101.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the first locking claw 90b is tilted so that the front end side becomes the inclined upper end.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second locking claw 90c has an inclined surface 106 such that a front end side is an inclined upper end.

The lock lever 90 provided on the apparatus main body 1 side, the engaging recesses 101 and 102 formed in the kit 56, and the escape groove 103 constitute a unit lock device 110 as a lock means. doing.

The kit 56 is pressed against urging forces of urging members such as a compression spring 85 for urging the slide shutter 76 and a spring 64 for the cap 63 for opening and closing the waste toner receiving port 55a. The first in operation of the device
And a second lock position protruding from the first lock position.

When the kit 56 is mounted in the kit storage section 57, as shown in FIG.
The first locking claw 90b of the kit 56 is in a state of being engaged with the first engagement concave portion 101, and the locking portion 107 formed by the rear end surface of the first locking claw 90b Engagement recess 1
01 is hooked on the rear wall surface. Thus, the kit 56 includes the compression spring 85 and the spring 64
And the like, and is fixed to the first locked position, which is the mounting position, against the urging force of the urging body such as

When the kit 56 is to be removed from the kit storage portion 57, as shown in FIG.
The knob 90d formed on the upper surface on the other end side of the elastic piece 10
Push as shown by arrow A against the urging force of zero. As a result, the lock lever 90 is moved around the support shaft portion 90a as shown in FIG.
1 in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the first locking claw 90b of the lock lever 90 moves upward as shown by the arrow C and comes out of the first engagement concave portion 101, and the second locking claw 90c moves as shown by the arrow D. It moves downward and enters the second engagement recess 102.

Then, when the engagement between the first engaging claw 90b and the first engaging recess 101 is released, the kit 5
6 projects forward by an urging force of an urging body such as the compression spring 85 or the spring 64 as shown by an arrow E in FIG. 11 and FIG. Then, the locking portion 108 formed of the rear end surface of the second locking claw 90c is fixed to the second lock position where the locking portion 108 is hooked on the rear wall surface of the second engagement concave portion 102.

In this state, if the hand is released from the knob 90d, the lock lever 90 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. Is disengaged from the engagement recess 102 and the first
The locking claw 90b is dropped into the escape groove 103. Thereby, the kit 56 can be taken out in the direction shown by the arrow E.

The reason for having the second lock position is that the kit 56 unlocked at the first lock position is pushed out by a strong force of the urging body such as the compression spring 61 and the spring 64. If it does not stop at the second position, it will jump out of the apparatus body 1.

Therefore, a second lock position is provided at a position where the kit 56 has moved by L by the operation of releasing the lock. The distance L is, as shown in FIG.
The distance between the first rear wall surface and the rear wall surface of the second engagement concave portion 102 is the same.

The distance L is set so that the force of the urging member for pushing the kit 56 can be sufficiently reduced, and the knob 90d is released to release the lock operation at the second lock position. Even if the kit 56 does not fly out.

Therefore, the kit storage portion 57 of the kit 56
Can be easily and safely taken out.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the kit 56 is pushed in the direction shown by the arrow F, the first
The kit 56 is attached to the locking claw 90b and the second locking claw 90c.
However, the first locking claw 90b and the second locking claw 90c are pushed away by the action of the inclined surfaces 105 and 106 and escape upward. Thereby, it can be easily mounted by simply pushing the kit 56.

FIG. 16 shows a state where the image forming unit 53 is removed with the kit 56 being removed, and FIG. 17 shows a state where the image forming unit 53 is attached to the unit mounting portion 52.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 18, and 19, the kit storage portion 57 has a predetermined number of pins 120... (Two pins 120 in the embodiment) corresponding to the type of the device.
a, 120b) are projected. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4, 18, and 19, the kit 56 includes a predetermined number of recesses 12 corresponding to the type of the toner t stored therein.
1 (two concave portions 121a and 121b in the embodiment) are formed.

If the kit 56 is suitable for the apparatus, the numbers and positions of the pins 120 and the recesses 121 are in the same state as in this embodiment, and they are securely fitted as shown in FIG. Thus, the kit 56 can be pushed into a predetermined position.

However, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
If the device has a third pin 120c in addition to the pins 120a and 120b, the two recesses 121a,
The kit 56 having 121b cannot be mounted. Also,
The kit 56 has only the concave portion 121a and the pin 120
The same applies to the case where there are a and 120b. Therefore, it is needless to say that a large number of combinations are possible by changing the numbers and positions of the pins 120 and the concave portions 121.

As described above, since only the specific kit 56 can be mounted on the specific device, for example, only the kit 56 containing the special toner t having a different color, component, or the like due to partial modification of the device can be used. If the user wants to install the apparatus or sells the apparatus to several companies, it is possible to install only the kit 56 containing the toner t for each company. This makes it possible to maintain an appropriate image forming operation that meets specifications and the like.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0060]

According to the present invention, as described above, since the unit is constituted by integrating the developer replenishing means and the used developer storing means, the replacement operation of the replenishing means and the storing means can be performed at one time. Can be performed, and workability can be improved.

Further, since the unit can be attached to and detached from the cleaning means and the developing means, the unit can be replaced independently, and the cleaning means and the developing means need not be replaced wastefully, which is economical.

Further, the unit is constantly urged by the urging means in a direction in which the unit is pulled out of the developing means and the cleaning means, and the unit is fixed at a position during operation of the apparatus against the urging force of the urging body. Since the locking means is provided, when the locking operation of the locking means is released, the unit automatically comes out of the mounting position slightly, and subsequent removal becomes easy. In addition, since the unit is locked by the locking means at a position where the unit is pushed in against the urging force of the urging means, the worker can intuitively know the state of the mounting and prevent a mounting failure or the like from occurring. It has the effect of being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an internal structure of the laser printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a connection state between an image forming unit and a kit which is a cartridge type unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before connection between a toner discharge unit and a waste toner receiving port.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state after the connection between the toner discharge unit and the waste toner receiving port.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of the developer supply device.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the developer supply device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of the developer supply device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a lock operation of a first lock position by a lock unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a lock operation of a second lock position by a lock unit.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the lock lever.

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the lock lever.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an operation of taking out a kit.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the mounting operation of the kit.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a removal operation of the image forming unit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting operation of the image forming unit.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the mounting of the kit is regulated.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a mounting state of a kit.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 20 photoconductor drum (image carrier), 23 magnetic brush developing device (developing device), 24 scorotron (transfer device), 25 cleaner (cleaning device), 52 unit mounting portion, 53 image forming unit , 54: toner supply unit (toner supply unit), 55: waste toner storage unit (storage unit), 56: kit (cartridge type unit), 64
... Spring (biasing means), 85 ... Compression spring (biasing means), 90 ... Lock lever, 90a ... Support shaft part, 90b ...
First locking claw, 90c: second locking claw, 90d: knob portion, 101: first engagement recess (first engagement portion), 102
... Second engaging concave portion (second engaging portion), 103 ... Escape groove, 110 ... Unit lock device (lock means), t ...
Toner (developer), t ': Waste toner (waste developer).

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page Examiner Masahisa Kunida (56) References JP-A-3-200987 (JP, A) JP-A-58-31367 (JP, A) JP-A-4-208945 (JP, A) Kaihei 1-85764 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 15/08 G03G 21/10 G03G 21/16-21/18

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A developing means for forming a developer image on an image carrier; a transferring means for transferring the developer image formed by the developing means to a transfer material; Cleaning means for removing the developer remaining on the body; replenishing means for replenishing the developing means with the developer; storing means for storing the developer removed from the image carrier by the cleaning means; and the replenishing means. A unit integrally provided with a storage means and detachably attached to the developing means and the cleaning means; an urging means for constantly urging the unit in a direction in which the unit is removed from the developing means and the cleaning means; An image forming apparatus comprising: a lock unit for fixing the unit at a position during operation of the apparatus against the urging force of the body and at a predetermined position until the unit is removed from the apparatus main body. .