JP3921799B2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of developing devices used in image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and laser facsimiles that form images by electrophotographic technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of developing device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-288875 (known example) is known as a toner storage container that is detachably provided in an electrophotographic printing apparatus.
[0003]
In this known example, a toner storage container having a substantially rotating body is provided with a stirring member 4 having a helical coil shape driven by an outer cylinder 1, an inner cylinder 2 and a gear 5, and both ends of the inner cylinder 2 are provided. The end plates 3a and 3b are detachably supported by the toner cartridge holding portion 7 with the fixing member 6 interposed therebetween, but at least the shaft 63 is engaged with the round hole 71 in the recess 73. Attaching / detaching means such as rotatably supporting the fixing member 6 and engaging the guide 62 with the groove 31 is adopted.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although the above-described known examples can be easily replenished with a removable toner cartridge, there is still room for improvement.
[0005]
That is, in the above-mentioned known example, the structure of the attaching / detaching means for the toner storage container is extremely complicated, requiring many steps for the attaching / detaching operation, and the number of components is not small, so there is a risk of failure. In addition to being there, it required skill for maintenance and inspection.
[0006]
A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that can be locked in a developing cartridge in a predetermined mounting position.
[0007]
The second problem to be solved by the present invention is that operability is good because the toner cartridge can be locked in the developing cartridge by rotating the inner case with a handle so that toner can be supplied. Is to provide things.
[0008]
The third problem to be solved by the present invention is that the toner cartridge can be locked in the developing cartridge without providing any special locking means, and the structure is simplified. It is to be.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above-described problems in the present invention, the following means are provided.
[0010]
(1) In a developing device having a developer carrier and a detachable toner cartridge , the inner shape of the cylindrical shape in which each opening can be aligned by being relatively pivotably fitted to the toner cartridge. An outer case and a flange are provided. The flange is provided with a handle that extends and projects in the radial direction of the flange and drives the inner case to rotate, and a guide means, while the toner cartridge case includes the toner cartridge. Receiving means capable of engaging the guide means, wherein the receiving hole portion of the receiving means comprises a first area where the guide means can slide and a second area where the guide means can be rotated, It said guide means in the second region developing apparatus is characterized by being configured so that each aperture of the inner and outer cases only upon engagement so as not to escape to the receiving hole portion are aligned.
[0011]
(2) The receiving hole portion is a linear guide groove having a relatively small width in the first region, and is a circular hole shape larger than the width in the second region. The developing device according to (1).
[0012]
According to the above-mentioned corresponding means, not only can the guide means be inserted into the receiving means, and the toner cartridge can be easily locked at the required mounting position, but the replacement operation is also easy.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus 1000 using the developing unit 400 according to the present invention.
[0015]
Hereinafter, the outline of the image forming apparatus 1000 will be described, and then the developing cartridge 410 will be described in detail.
[0016]
The image forming apparatus 1000 is an apparatus that can form a full-color image using a developer using four color developers of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black (hereinafter, toner is used as an example, and hence toner T). is there.
[0017]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1100 denotes an outer box of the apparatus. In this outer box 1100, an exposure unit 100, a paper feeding unit 200, a photosensitive cartridge 300, a developing unit 400, an intermediate transfer unit 500, a fixing unit 600 and the like are provided. Yes.
[0018]
The photosensitive cartridge 300 includes a latent image carrier 310, a charging roller 320 as a charging unit that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 310 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface, and a cleaner unit 330. ing.
[0019]
The developing unit 400 includes a developing cartridge 410Y for yellow, a developing cartridge 410C for cyan, a developing cartridge 410M for magenta, and a developing cartridge 410K for black.
[0020]
Each of these developing cartridges 410Y, 410C, 410M, and 410K contains toners of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively.
[0021]
Further, developer carriers 430Y, 430C, 430M, and 430K are provided, respectively, so that only the developer carrier of any one development cartridge can come into contact with the latent image carrier 310.
[0022]
The intermediate transfer unit 500 includes a medium driving roller 510, a scavenging roller 520, a tension roller 530, a secondary transfer roller 540, an intermediate transfer belt 550 stretched around these rollers, and the intermediate transfer belt 550. And a medium cleaner 560 capable of contacting and separating.
[0023]
A backup roller 570 is disposed opposite to the secondary transfer roller 540.
[0024]
The medium drive roller 510 is rotationally driven by transmission means (not shown) at substantially the same peripheral speed as that of the latent image carrier 310, so that the intermediate transfer belt 550 is circulated and driven at substantially the same peripheral speed as that of the latent image carrier 310. It has come to be.
[0025]
The toner image on the latent image carrier 310 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 550 while the intermediate transfer belt 550 is circulated, and the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 550 is transferred to the secondary transfer roller 540. Are transferred to a recording sheet S such as a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 200.
[0026]
The sheet feeding unit 200 includes a tray 210 on which recording sheets S are stacked, a pickup roller 220, and a separation roller 230 that reliably separates the sheets fed by the pickup roller 220 one by one. ing.
[0027]
The recording sheet S fed by the paper feeding unit 200 is supplied between the intermediate transfer belt 550 and the secondary transfer roller 540 by the transport roller 240 and subjected to transfer processing, and is subjected to fixing processing by the fixing unit 600, and the paper transport roller 250. More discharged.
[0028]
The fixing unit 600 includes a fixing roller 610 having a heat source and a pressure roller 620 pressed against the fixing roller 610.
[0029]
The operation of the image forming apparatus 1000 as described above is as follows.
[0030]
(1) When a print command signal (image formation signal) is input from a host computer (not shown), the latent image carrier 310 and the intermediate transfer belt 550 are driven to rotate.
[0031]
(2) The outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 310 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 320.
[0032]
{Circle around (3)} The exposure unit 100 exposes the outer peripheral surface of the uniformly charged latent image carrier 310 according to the first color (for example, yellow) image information to form a yellow electrostatic latent image.
[0033]
(4) The developer carrier 430Y of the development cartridge 410Y for the first color (for example, yellow) starts to rotate and simultaneously contacts the latent image carrier 310, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed, and the first color ( For example, a yellow toner image is formed on the latent image carrier 310, and the developer carrier 430Y of the development cartridge 410Y for the first color is separated from the latent image carrier 310 and stops rotating.
[0034]
(5) The toner image formed on the latent image carrier 310 is transferred from the latent image carrier 310 onto the intermediate transfer belt 550.
[0035]
(6) The toner remaining on the latent image carrier 310 is removed by the cleaner blade 331 of the cleaner unit 330 and then collected by the waste toner screw 332.
[0036]
(7) The second color, the third color, and the fourth color are repeated according to the contents of the print command signal, and toner images according to the contents of the print command signal are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 550. The above operations (2) to (6) are repeated.
[0037]
(8) The recording sheet S is supplied from the paper feeding unit 200 at a predetermined timing, and when the leading edge of the recording sheet S reaches the secondary transfer roller 540, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 550 is transferred onto the recording sheet S. .
[0038]
(9) When the recording sheet S passes through the fixing unit 600, the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet S, and the recording sheet S is discharged out of the case 1100 through the paper conveyance roller 250.
[0039]
The outline of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been described above. Next, the developing unit 400 and the developing cartridge 410 will be described.
[0040]
The developing unit 400 includes four developing cartridges 410 (Y, C, M, and K) that are detachably incorporated.
[0041]
Note that an arbitrary developing cartridge 410 in the outer box 1100 can be attached and detached, and the photosensitive member cartridge 300 can also be attached and detached.
[0042]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the development cartridge 410M.
[0043]
The four developing cartridges 410 (Y, C, M, and K) are slightly different in shape and the like, but the basic structure is common, so that the developing cartridge 410M for magenta is represented. An embodiment will be described.
[0044]
The development cartridge 410 includes a case 420, a developer carrier 430 that supplies the toner T stored in the case 420 to the surface of the latent image carrier 310, and a supply that supplies the toner T to the developer carrier 430. A roller 440, an agitator 451, 452 having two transfer fins 461, 462 for transferring toner T toward the supply roller 440, a toner cartridge 470 that can replenish the toner T, and the developer carrier 430. And a thin layering unit 480 that controls the amount of toner on the developer carrier 430.
[0045]
The toner cartridge 470 is detachably attached to the developing cartridge 410. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner and outer cases 472 and 473 fitted with an elastic member 471 so as to be relatively displaceable. A cylindrical shape is provided, and the toner T can be supplied by aligning the openings 474 and 475 of the inner and outer cases 472 and 473.
[0046]
Reference numeral 479 denotes a flange that is locked to the inner case 472 and rotates integrally with the inner case 472, and is disposed at both ends of the inner case 472 in the longitudinal direction.
[0047]
A handle 476 protrudes from the flange 479 and turns the inner case 472 with respect to the outer case 473.
[0048]
In addition, the toner cartridge 470 is formed in a cylindrical shape by integrally forming two-divided members, and the agitator 477 is supported by a shaft hole 479A provided at the center of a flange 479 that closes both sides of the inner case 472. Thus, the agitator gear 477G is configured to be turned by driving means (not shown).
[0049]
Further, the transverse shape of the guide means GU projecting outward at the position of the shaft hole 479A of the flange 479 is non-circular as shown in FIG. 3, and is preferably substantially oval with parallel straight line portions GU1 and arc portions GU2. It is configured.
[0050]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a receiving means RE is provided at the tail portion of the side wall 423 of the case 420 of the developing cartridge 410 to which the toner cartridge 470 is detachably attached.
[0051]
The receiving means RE is provided with a disk-like support portion RE1 that supports both sides of the flange 479 of the toner cartridge 470, and the support portion RE1 has a receiving hole that is recessed in an inclined manner in the radial direction thereof. Department RE2 is established.
[0052]
Further, rotation stoppers ST1 and ST2 (see FIG. 1) of the outer case 473 are disposed at the tail portions of the outer case 473 of the toner cartridge 470 and the case 420 of the developing cartridge, and the toner cartridge is provided in the developing cartridge 410. When the 470 is mounted, the outer case 473 is fixed to the developing cartridge case 420 so that the inner case 472 can rotate independently of the outer case 473.
[0053]
The shape of the receiving hole part RE2 is composed of an open guide groove RE4 forming a first region and a circular hole RE3 at the center position forming a second region following this, and in particular, this guide groove RE4. Is an oblique straight line, and is preferably oriented so as to be opened to a position above the circular hole RE3.
[0054]
Further, regarding the dimensions of the respective parts, the width D1 of the parallel straight portion GU1 and the curvature R1 of the arc portion GU2 of the guide means GU are respectively received so that the guide means GU can move smoothly in the receiving means RE without rattling. The dimension is slightly smaller than the width D2 of the guide groove RE4 of the RE and the curvature R2 of the circular hole RE3, and is larger than the width D2.
[0055]
Reference numeral 477 denotes an agitator, which is provided with fins 478, which prevents the toner T from coagulating and supports its supply.
[0056]
The developer carrier 430 is rotatably supported by the case 420, and a supply roller 440 that is parallel to the developer carrier 430 and whose surfaces are in pressure contact with each other is also rotatably supported by the case 420. .
[0057]
The toner T thinning means 480 is supported in a cantilever manner on the receiving member 481, and the blade 482 is brought into contact with the developer carrier 430.
[0058]
The case 420 is provided with a toner tank 424 in a substantially semi-cylindrical row, and is held in a wedge-shaped space formed by sliding the fins 461 and 462 of the rotating agitators 451 and 452 in sliding contact with the inner surface 424a of the toner tank 424. In this way, the toner T is transferred.
[0059]
The fins 461 and 462 are formed in a flexible thin plate shape, and when the toner tank 424 is suddenly displaced and released in the vicinity of the supply roller 440, the toner T is transferred so as to be held in the wedge-shaped space. The toner is transferred to the surface of the supply roller by a mechanical conveying force so as to be repelled by the restoring force due to the elasticity of 461 and 462.
[0060]
For the agitators 451 and 452 and the agitator 477 in the toner cartridge 470, the rotational phases thereof are made different to equalize the rotational load. When n toner transfer means are connected in series (n = 3 in this case) ), By shifting the angle of the fins 461, 462, and 478 of the n transfer means by 360 ° / n, the sliding contact lengths of the fins 461, 462, and 478 rotating in sliding contact with the inner surface 421a are set to the agitators 451, 452, 477. It is almost constant regardless of the angle.
[0061]
Since the load fluctuations before and after the toner T is bounced by the agitators 451, 452, and 477 are dispersed, even in a high density toner having poor fluidity, the loads by the agitators 451, 452, and 477 are equalized, and the torque fluctuations of the apparatus are reduced. It can be reduced.
[0062]
The case 420 is detachably attached on the mounting table 1200.
[0063]
Therefore, in order to attach the toner cartridge 470 to the developing cartridge 410, the toner cartridge 470 is disposed as shown in FIG. 3, and the guide means GU is inserted into the receiving hole portion RE2 provided in the support portion RE1 of the receiving means RE. When the toner cartridge 470 is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the guide means GU arrives at the position of the circular hole RE3 established at the central position that forms the second region of the receiving means RE, the toner cartridge 470 has a predetermined mounting position. Correspondingly (see FIG. 4), the curvature R1 of the guide means GU is larger than the width D2 of the guide groove RE4 forming the first region of the receiving means RE, so that the guide means GU can turn only at this position. It is.
[0064]
Therefore, when the handle 476 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B (see FIG. 4), the flange 479 and the flange 479 are integrally attached by the handle 476 because the handle 476 is fixed to the tail of the developing cartridge 420 of the outer case 473. The inner case 472 is turned in the outer case 473, and the openings 474 and 475 are aligned so that the toner T in the inner case 472 can be supplied (see FIG. 5).
[0065]
In this state, the curvature R1 of the guide means GU is larger than the width D2 of the guide groove RE4 forming the first region of the receiving means RE, so that the toner cartridge 470 cannot be removed from the developing cartridge 410. Therefore, the toner cartridge 470 cannot be removed when the openings of the inner case 472 and the outer case 473 of the toner cartridge 470 are aligned.
[0066]
Further, when replacing the toner cartridge 470, the reverse operation procedure is performed, the phases of the opening portions of the inner case 472 and the outer case 473 of the toner cartridge 470 are shifted, and the opening portion of the toner cartridge 470 is closed. Otherwise, the toner cartridge 470 cannot be removed from the developing cartridge 410.
[0067]
In the developing cartridge 410 configured as described above, the toner cartridge 470 is loaded, the inner case 472 is swung by the handle 476 to align the openings 474 and 475, and the agitator 477 swirled by the toner T. The toner is transferred in the directions 452 and 451 and supplied onto the developer carrier 430 through a supply roller 440 that is driven to rotate, and is attached to the latent image carrier 310.
[0068]
Similarly, the development cartridge 410 as described above is detachably attached to the outer box 1100 in a total of four as yellow 410Y, cyan 410C, magenta 410M, and black 410K. Since the function is the same as that of the above-described magenta 410M, repeated description is omitted.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
The specific effects of the present invention described above are as follows.
[0070]
(1) The toner cartridge mounted at a predetermined position in the developing cartridge can be locked so as not to be removable.
[0071]
(2) The toner cartridge can be easily attached and detached.
[0072]
(3) No additional means are required and the structure is simple.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembly diagram of the toner cartridge in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how the toner cartridge in FIG. 1 is attached.
4 is an explanatory diagram of the next mounting process of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the next mounting process of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing cartridge of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a developing cartridge according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
410 Development cartridge 420 Case 470 Toner cartridge GU Guide means RE Receiving means RE4 First region (guide groove)
RE3 Second region (circular hole)

Claims (2)

In a developing device having a developer carrier and a detachable toner cartridge, a cylindrical inner / outer case that is fitted to the toner cartridge so as to be able to rotate relative to each other and the respective openings can be aligned, and A flange is provided, and a handle and a guide means are provided which extend in the radial direction of the flange so as to rotate and drive the inner case, and a guide means for the toner cartridge is provided in the case of the developing cartridge. Receiving means that can be engaged, and the receiving hole portion of the receiving means comprises a first region in which the guide means can slide and a second region in which the guide means can be rotated. developing apparatus is characterized in the guide means that the constructed so that each opening in the inner and outer cases only upon engagement so as not to escape to the receiving hole portion are aligned in the region.   The receiving hole portion is a linear guide groove having a relatively small width in the first region, and has a circular hole shape larger than the width in the second region. The developing device according to 1.

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