JP4893341B2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device including a detachable toner cartridge in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer.

In a developing device in a laser printer, a toner cartridge is detachably attached to a developing housing of the developing device, and a first blocking member that closes a first opening in the toner cartridge and a second blocking member that closes a second opening in the developing housing. 2. A structure is known that interlocks opening and closing with a blocking member to prevent toner from leaking unnecessarily.
As such a developing device, for example, in the developing device described in Patent Document 1, a second shutter is provided on an arm rotatably provided on a boss portion on the outer periphery of a support groove of a pair of left and right blankets in a case of the developing device. On the other hand, a first shutter is provided on a lever that rotates around a support shaft of the toner cartridge. When the support shaft of the toner cartridge is inserted into the support groove of the developing device and the lever of the toner cartridge is rotated in this state, the engaging protrusion provided on the lever of the toner cartridge rotates the arm of the developing device, The first shutter and the second shutter are overlapped and rotated.

  In such a configuration, if the lever is inadvertently rotated while the toner cartridge is detached from the developing device, the first shutter rotates to open the toner discharge port, and the toner inside the toner cartridge leaks out. There is a fear. Even in the developing device in which the toner cartridge is detached, if the arm is inadvertently rotated, the second shutter is rotated to open the toner introduction port, and the toner in the stirring chamber may leak out. There is.

Therefore, in the toner cartridge described in Patent Document 1, when the toner cartridge is detached from the developing device, the first shutter is maintained with the first shutter closing the toner discharge port. In the developing device, the second shutter is maintained in a state where the second shutter closes the toner inlet. For this reason, the first shutter mechanism and the second lock mechanism cause the first shutter and the second shutter to turn carelessly while the toner cartridge is detached from the developing device, so that the inside of the toner cartridge and the agitating chamber of the developing device. The toner is prevented from leaking from the inside.
JP-A-7-225514

  However, the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism described in Patent Document 1 are each configured by a lock body and a screw, and are configured separately from the first shutter and the second shutter. Further, in order to attach these lock mechanisms to the first shutter and the second shutter, it is necessary to form a pressing pin and a locking hole in the first shutter and the second shutter. This complicates the configuration of the toner cartridge and the developing device.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device that can increase the degree of design freedom and can prevent developer leakage with a simple configuration and easy operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a developer carrying member for supplying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing housing for supporting the developer carrying member. A developing device that is detachable from the developing housing and includes a toner cartridge that contains the developer, wherein the toner cartridge has a first opening for supplying the developer to the developing housing. A toner housing formed; and a first blocking member that opens and closes the first opening. The developing housing is formed with a second opening for receiving the developer supplied from the first opening. The developing housing includes a second blocking member that opens and closes the second opening, and an opening / closing member that is rotatably provided on the developing housing and opens and closes the first blocking member and the second blocking member. And the opening / closing member extends from the developing case to the toner container. A first position in which the cartridge is detached and the second opening is closed; and the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are opened to communicate with each other. The toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening is located between the second position and the first position and the second position. Between the first position and the third position according to the mounting of the toner cartridge to the developing housing. It is characterized by moving.

The front Symbol toner cartridges, wherein in response to mounting the developing housing of the toner cartridge, comprises a first projecting portion to be rotated from the first position to press the closing member to the third position It is characterized by being.
The front Symbol toner housing, the outer housing first aperture is formed, rotatably housed relative to the outer casing, comprising a first blocking member, developing the first opening A third opening for supplying the developer, and an inner housing for containing the developer, wherein the inner housing rotates the opening / closing member from the third position to the second position. In response, the first opening member is opened by rotating the inner housing by being pressed by the opening and closing member to open the first opening, and between the first opening and the third opening. It is characterized by having the 2nd projection part which connects.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the opening / closing member includes a first gripping portion, the toner cartridge includes a second gripping portion, and the opening / closing member is the first gripping portion. When in the second position, the first gripping portion is adjacent to the second gripping portion.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer carrier for supplying a developer to a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a development housing for supporting the developer carrier, and the development housing A toner cartridge that is detachably attachable to the developer housing and stores the developer, the toner cartridge having a first opening for supplying the developer to the developer housing. And a first blocking member that opens and closes the first opening, and the development casing is formed with a second opening for receiving the developer supplied from the first opening. Comprises: a second blocking member that opens and closes the second opening; and an opening / closing member that is rotatably provided on the developing housing and opens and closes the first blocking member and the second blocking member. The toner cartridge is removed from the developing case. A second position where the second opening is closed, and the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are opened to communicate with each other. Between the first position and the second position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening and the second position are closed. The toner cartridge is rotatable between the third position and the third position, and when the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position, It is characterized in that it moves from the mounting position to the housing in the direction of separation.

The front Symbol toner cartridge, when the closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position by being pressed against the closing member, the toner cartridge, mounted to said developing case It is characterized by including a first projecting portion that moves in a direction away from the position.
The front Symbol toner housing, the outer housing first aperture is formed, rotatably housed relative to the outer casing, comprising a first blocking member, developing the first opening A third opening for supplying the developer, and an inner housing for containing the developer, wherein the first projecting portion is provided in the inner housing, and the opening / closing member is moved from the second position. In response to turning to the third position, the opening and closing member is pressed to turn the inner casing to close the first blocking member to close the first opening. It is characterized by blocking between one opening and the third opening.

The invention according to claim 4, claims 1 to in the invention described in any one of 3, wherein the second blocking member opening and closing the second opening, the first by the first blocking member It is characterized by being performed through opening and closing of the opening.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the toner cartridge is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier with respect to the developing housing. The first blocking member is rotatably supported by both side walls of the toner casing in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the second blocking member is rotatably supported by both side walls of the developing housing in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. It is characterized by being.
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6 , wherein the opening and closing member rotates the second blocking member by rotating the first blocking member. .

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the toner cartridge is engaged with the opening / closing member in a mounted state of the toner cartridge with respect to the developing housing, and the opening / closing member A first protrusion that rotates the first blocking member according to an operation to open and close the first opening, and a second protrusion that interlocks with the first protrusion and rotates the second blocking member according to an operation of the opening and closing member. And a second protrusion for opening and closing the second opening.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, rotation of the second blocking member is restricted when the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing. It is characterized by being.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the opening / closing member is provided in the developing case of the developing device, when the toner cartridge is not attached to the developing case of the developing device, the second member provided in the toner cartridge is provided. The opening / closing operation of the 1 blocking member is restricted, and the first opening can be prevented from being inadvertently opened and closed.
When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing housing, the opening / closing member can open and close the first blocking member and the second blocking member. Accordingly, when the first blocking member and the second blocking member are opened by rotating the opening / closing member with the toner cartridge mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are opened and communicated with each other. The developer can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing. Further, when the first blocking member and the second blocking member are closed by rotating the opening / closing member with the toner cartridge mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening and the first opening are closed. Since the gap between the two openings is blocked, the toner cartridge can be detached from the developing housing without the developer leaking from these openings. Therefore, leakage of the developer from the toner cartridge and the developing device can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.

  The opening / closing member is rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position. When the opening / closing member is in the first position, the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing and the second opening is closed. When the opening / closing member is in the second position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are opened to communicate with each other. When the opening / closing member is in the third position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening and the second opening are blocked. The opening / closing member rotates from the first position to the third position in accordance with the mounting of the toner cartridge to the developing housing. At this time, the opening / closing member rotates from the first position to the third position while the state between the first opening and the second opening is blocked. As a result, the first position can be a position away from the gripping hand that grips the toner cartridge during attachment and detachment, and the third position can be a position that approaches the gripping hand. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design can be increased. Further, in this case, the opening / closing member approaches the gripping hand at the third position and is easy to operate.

As a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and developer leakage can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.
Further , the toner cartridge includes a first projecting portion, and the first projecting portion presses the opening / closing member to rotate from the first position to the third position in accordance with the mounting of the toner cartridge to the developing housing. Move. For this reason, the opening / closing member can be rotated from the first position to the third position according to the mounting of the toner cartridge to the developing housing with a simple configuration in which the toner cartridge includes only the first projecting portion.

In addition , the toner housing of the toner cartridge is housed so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer housing having the first opening and the first housing, and includes a first blocking member for supplying the developer to the first opening. A third opening is formed and includes an inner housing for accommodating the developer. As a result, the toner cartridge can have a double structure including the outer casing and the inner casing.

  The inner housing includes a second projecting portion, and the second projecting portion is pressed by the opening / closing member in response to the opening / closing member rotating from the third position to the second position. By rotating the housing, the first blocking member is opened to open the first opening, and the first opening and the third opening are communicated with each other. Therefore, the developer contained in the inner casing of the toner cartridge when the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the second position with a simple configuration in which the second casing is provided in the inner casing. Can be supplied to the developing housing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the opening / closing member is in the second position, the first gripping portion of the opening / closing member is adjacent to the second gripping portion of the toner cartridge. The grip portion can be gripped together. Therefore, the relative position between the developing housing provided with the opening / closing member and the toner cartridge is stabilized, so that the developing device can be moved in a stable state.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the opening / closing member is provided in the developing case of the developing device, when the toner cartridge is not attached to the developing case of the developing device, The opening / closing operation of the 1 blocking member is restricted, and the first opening can be prevented from being inadvertently opened and closed.
When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing housing, the opening / closing member can open and close the first blocking member and the second blocking member. Accordingly, when the first blocking member and the second blocking member are opened by rotating the opening / closing member with the toner cartridge mounted in the developing housing, the second opening and the first opening are opened and communicated with each other. The developer can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing. Further, when the first blocking member and the second blocking member are closed by rotating the opening / closing member with the toner cartridge mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening and the first opening are closed. Since the gap between the two openings is blocked, the toner cartridge can be detached from the developing housing without the developer leaking from these openings. Therefore, leakage of the developer from the toner cartridge and the developing device can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.

  The opening / closing member is rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position. When the opening / closing member is in the first position, the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing and the second opening is closed. When the opening / closing member is in the second position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are opened to communicate with each other. When the opening / closing member is in the third position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening are closed, and the first opening and the second opening are blocked. Then, when the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position, the toner cartridge moves from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing in the detaching direction. As a result, the toner cartridge can be removed from the developing housing with the simple operation of simply rotating the opening / closing member from the third position to the first position, with the gap between the first opening and the second opening being blocked. You can leave. In addition, the first position can be a position that does not prevent the toner cartridge from being attached or detached. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

As a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and developer leakage can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.
Further, the toner cartridge includes a first projecting portion, and the first projecting portion is pressed by the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position. The toner cartridge is moved away from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing. Therefore, when the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position with a simple configuration in which the toner cartridge includes only the first projecting portion, the toner cartridge is removed from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing. Can be moved to.

In addition, the toner housing of the toner cartridge is housed so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer housing having the first opening and the first housing, and includes a first blocking member for supplying the developer to the first opening. A third opening is formed and includes an inner housing for accommodating the developer. As a result, the toner cartridge can have a double structure including the outer casing and the inner casing.

  The first projecting portion is provided on the inner casing, and is pressed by the opening / closing member and rotates the inner casing as the opening / closing member rotates from the second position to the third position. The first blocking member is closed to close the first opening and block between the first opening and the third opening. Therefore, the developer contained in the inner casing of the toner cartridge when the opening / closing member is rotated from the second position to the third position with a simple configuration in which only the first projecting portion is provided in the inner casing. Supply to the developing case can be restricted.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the state in which the toner cartridge is detached from the developing case, the second blocking member closes the second opening even if the opening / closing member is operated in the developing case. In the toner cartridge, the first blocking member can be maintained in a state where the first opening is closed.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the toner cartridge can be attached to and detached from the developing housing in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, the first opening and the second opening are formed in the toner. The cartridge can be provided so as to face the developer carrying member in a mounted state with respect to the developing housing. Therefore, the arrangement positions and sizes of the first opening and the second opening can be freely set. That is, the developer can be reliably supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing.

  Further, since the first blocking member is rotatably supported by the both side walls of the toner casing, the first opening can be opened and closed stably. When the support portion of the first blocking member is formed on both side walls of the toner casing, no extra mechanism is disposed in the first opening. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing casing, the toner cartridge and the developing casing Can be brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, the leakage of the developer between the toner cartridge and the developing housing can be prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the second blocking member is rotatably supported by the both side walls of the developing housing, the second opening can be opened and closed stably. When the support portion of the second blocking member is provided on both side walls of the developing case, no extra mechanism is disposed in the second opening. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing case, the toner cartridge and the developing case Can be brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, the leakage of the developer between the toner cartridge and the developing housing can be prevented.

In addition, by forming the support portion of the second blocking member on both side walls of the developing case, a space is formed in the central portion between the side walls of the developing case. Access to the developing housing of the toner cartridge can be facilitated.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the first blocking member is not rotated, the second blocking member cannot be rotated. Therefore, the second opening can be reliably maintained in a closed state, and the development can be performed. Leakage of developer from the housing can be prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is not attached to the developing case of the developing device, the first protrusion of the toner cartridge is not engaged with the opening / closing member provided in the developing case. The rotation of the first blocking member provided in the cartridge is restricted, and the first opening can be prevented from being inadvertently opened and closed.
When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing housing, the first protrusion is engaged with the opening / closing member, and the rotation of the first blocking member by the first protrusion, that is, the opening of the first opening, according to the operation of the opening / closing member. The opening and closing and the rotation of the second blocking member by the second protrusion interlocked with the first protrusion, that is, the opening and closing of the second opening can be performed.

Therefore, when the first opening and the second opening are opened while the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing housing, the first opening and the second opening communicate with each other, and the developer is supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing housing. be able to.
Further, when the first opening and the second opening are closed in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing housing, the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing without leaking the developer from the first opening and the second opening. be able to.

Further, in a state where the toner cartridge is detached from the developing case, the second opening member is not rotated in the developing case even if the opening / closing member is operated. Therefore, the second opening is kept closed. In the toner cartridge, as described above, since the first blocking member is not rotated, the first opening can be kept closed.
As a result, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from the toner cartridge and the developing device with a simple configuration.

Further, the opening and closing operations of the first opening and the second opening described above can be performed with a simple configuration in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are provided on the toner cartridge.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing, the rotation of the second blocking member is restricted, so that the second opening can be reliably maintained in a closed state. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing housing.

1. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 forms a main body casing 2, a feeder unit 4 for feeding paper 3 accommodated in the main body casing 2, and an image on the fed paper 3. And an image forming unit 5 for the purpose.
(1) Main Body Casing An attachment / detachment opening 6 for allowing the process cartridge 20 to pass through when the process cartridge 20 as an example of a developing device described later is attached / detached is formed on one side wall of the main body casing 2. A front cover 7 is provided to cover 6 so as to be openable and closable.

In the following description, in a state where the process cartridge 20 is mounted on the main casing 2, the side on which the front cover 7 is provided is referred to as a front side (front side), and the opposite side is referred to as a rear side (back side). The front side in the paper thickness direction in FIG. 1 is the left side, and the back side in the paper thickness direction in FIG. 1 is the right side. Also, the left-right direction may be referred to as the width direction.
The front cover 7 is rotatably supported by a cover shaft 8 provided at the lower end portion thereof. When the front cover 7 is closed using the cover shaft 8 as a fulcrum, the attachment / detachment port 6 is closed by the front cover 7. When the front cover 7 is opened using the cover shaft 8 as a fulcrum, the attachment / detachment port 6 is opened. Thus, the process cartridge 20 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2.
(2) Feeder unit The feeder unit 4 is provided at the bottom of the main body casing 2, and includes a paper feed tray 9, a separation roller 10, a separation pad 11, a paper feed roller 12, a paper dust removing roller 13, a pinch roller 14, and a registration roller. 15 is provided.

The paper feed tray 9 includes a paper pressing plate 16 inside and a lever 17 at the front end thereof. The front end of the paper pressing plate 16 is lifted upward by the lever 17.
The paper 3 placed on the paper pressing plate 16 is transported to the separation position between the separation roller 10 and the separation pad 11 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 12, and after being separated one by one at the separation position, the paper 3 It passes between the powder removal roller 13 and the pinch roller 14 and is conveyed toward the registration roller 15.

The sheet 3 conveyed to the registration roller 15 is conveyed to a transfer position between a photosensitive drum 28 as an example of a photoconductor described later and a transfer roller 31.
(3) Image Forming Unit The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 19, a process cartridge 20, and a fixing unit 21.
(A) Scanner Unit The scanner unit 19 is provided in the upper part of the main casing 2 and includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror 22 that is driven to rotate, an fθ lens 23, a reflecting mirror 24, a lens 25, and a reflecting mirror 26. Yes. The laser beam based on the image data emitted from the laser light source is deflected by the polygon mirror 22 and passes through the fθ lens 23 as shown by a chain line, and then the optical path is turned back by the reflecting mirror 24. Then, after passing through the lens 25, this laser beam is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 of the process cartridge 20 by further bending the optical path downward by the reflecting mirror 26.
(B) Process Cartridge FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of the process cartridge in the laser printer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 3 is a left sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows a state in which the toner cartridge is omitted from the process cartridge in FIG. 2 and the opening / closing lever is in the contact position and the toner introduction port is opened. FIG. In (a), the opening / closing lever is in the third position and the toner introduction port is closed. FIG. 4C shows a state in which, in FIG. 4A, the open / close lever is in the first position and the toner inlet is closed.

FIG. 5A is a left perspective view of the toner cartridge in the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the upper rear side, showing a state in which the toner discharge port is opened, and FIG. 5A shows a state in which the toner discharge port is closed, and FIG. 5C is a left perspective view of the inner casing of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 5A as viewed from the upper rear side.
FIG. 6 shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is detached and the opening / closing lever is in the first position in FIG. 2 together with the detached toner cartridge, and FIG. 7 is a state in which the opening / closing lever is in the third position in FIG. An aspect is shown.

  8 is a left side sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a left side sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 7, showing an aspect in which the swinging portion is in the second state. FIG. 10 is a left side sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 7 and shows a mode in which the swinging portion is in the third state. FIG. 11 is a side view of the main part of the process cartridge for explaining the state in which the toner cartridge is attached and detached, and shows the opening / closing lever, the first width direction protrusion, and the second width direction protrusion. 11A shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is detached and the opening / closing lever is in the first position, and FIG. 11B shows a state in which the toner cartridge is displaced from the mounting position in the removing direction, and the opening / closing lever is in the first position. FIG. 11C shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is in the mounting position and the opening / closing lever is in the third position, and FIG. 11D shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is in the mounting position. An embodiment in two positions is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge 20 is provided below the scanner unit 19 in the main body casing 2, and is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 via the attachment / detachment port 6. The process cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the main casing 2 in a diagonally downward direction (attachment direction) and an obliquely upward direction (detachment direction) on the front side, as indicated by the bold arrows in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 20 includes a developing case 62 and a toner cartridge 40 that is detachably attached to the developing case 62. As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 28, a scorotron charger 29, a transfer roller 31, a supply roller 101, a developing roller 104 as an example of a developer carrying member, and a developing drum 62. And a layer thickness regulating blade 107.
(B-1) Developing Case As shown in FIG. 2, the developing case 62 includes a right side wall 69, a left side wall 70, a bottom wall 75, a rear side wall 77, a top wall 115, and a front side wall 64 (see FIG. 3). It is integrally formed.

The right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70 are opposed to each other with a space therebetween in the width direction. The right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70 are respectively formed with first insertion holes 97 penetrating the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70 in the width direction in the front-rear direction.
The rear side wall 77 is constructed between the rear end edges of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70.
The top wall 115 is laid between the rear upper end edges of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70. In other words, the top wall 115 is not constructed between the upper end edges on the front side of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70, and the front side of the developing case 62 is open upward. A laser incident light 78 for irradiating the photosensitive drum 28 with a laser beam from the scanner unit 19 is formed midway in the front-rear direction of the top wall 115.

  The front side wall 64 is constructed between the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70. As shown in FIG. 3, the front side wall 64 has a vertical wall 120 that extends upward from the middle in the front-rear direction of the bottom wall 75, and is bent backward from the upper end edge of the vertical wall 120, bent again, and extended upward, 115 is integrally provided with a bent wall 121 connected in the middle of the front-rear direction. The vertical wall 120 is formed to be substantially inferior arc from the connection position with the bottom wall 75 to the middle.

  The bottom wall 75 is constructed between the lower end edges of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70. The substantially front half of the bottom wall 75 is integrally formed with a first bottom wall portion 160 connected to the vertical wall 120 and a second bottom wall portion 123 extending forward from the front edge of the first bottom wall portion 160. I have. The first bottom wall portion 160 is formed so that the side cross section thereof is substantially inferior arc, and the front side edge is connected to the rear end edge of the second bottom wall portion 123. The second bottom wall portion 123 is formed in a substantially L shape in a side sectional view that extends forward from the rear end edge, bends, and extends upward. In addition, an engaged portion 124 having a side cross-sectional view shape is formed integrally with the front end portion and the upper end portion of the second bottom wall portion 123 in the width direction center portion, bent at the upper end edge and slightly extending forward. Has been.

Hereinafter, the substantially inferior arc-shaped portion of the vertical wall 120 and the first bottom wall portion 160 are collectively referred to as a curved wall 122 (see FIG. 3).
Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, a prism 89 is integrally provided in the vicinity of the connection position with the vertical wall 120 on each inner side surface in the width direction of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70. The rectangular column 89 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction, and a guide groove 119 having a front end surface recessed rearward is formed at an upper end portion thereof. A rib 90 is integrally provided below the guide groove 119 on the inner side surface in the width direction of the prism 89. The rib 90 is formed so as to protrude inward in the width direction so that the side cross section thereof becomes a substantially inferior arc, and is substantially along the curved wall 122 and with respect to the curved wall 122 as shown in FIG. In the radial direction, there is a slight gap.

In such a developing housing 62, the right side wall 69, the left side wall 70, the front side wall 64, and the portion of the bottom wall 75 that is partitioned by the first bottom wall portion 160 and the second bottom wall portion 123 are the toner cartridge 40. The toner cartridge storage chamber 71 stores the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge housing chamber 71 is formed in a bottomed frame shape whose upper side and front side are opened.
A toner introduction port 88 as an example of a second opening penetrating the vertical wall 120 in the thickness direction is formed at the central position in the width direction of the vertical wall 120. The toner introduction port 88 has a rectangular shape elongated in the width direction, and the toner cartridge accommodation chamber 71 and the development chamber 72 are communicated with each other through the toner introduction port 88. The developing chamber 72 is a portion partitioned by the right side wall 69, the left side wall 70, the front side wall 64, and the photosensitive drum 28.
The photosensitive drum 28 is rotatably supported between the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70, and the outermost layer is formed of a positively chargeable photosensitive layer.
The scorotron charger 29 is supported by the top wall 115 at an oblique upper rear side of the photosensitive drum 28, and is opposed to the photosensitive drum 28 so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 28.
The transfer roller 31 is provided below the photosensitive drum 28, is opposed to and contacts the photosensitive drum 28 in the vertical direction, and is disposed so as to form a nip with the photosensitive drum 28. This nip is a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 28 and the transfer roller 31 described above. The transfer roller 31 is rotatably supported between the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70.
The supply roller 101 is disposed obliquely below the rear side of the toner introduction port 88 and is rotatably supported between the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70.
The developing roller 104 is long in the width direction, and is disposed in an obliquely upper rear side of the supply roller 101 so as to be in contact with the supply roller 101 so as to be compressed between the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70. It is supported rotatably. The developing roller 104 is disposed on the front side of the photosensitive drum 28 so as to face and contact the photosensitive drum 28.

The layer thickness regulating blade 107 is made of a leaf spring material, and includes a pressing portion 148 having a substantially semicircular cross section at its free end. The base portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 107 is supported by the developing housing 62 above the developing roller 104, so that the pressing portion 148 is pressed against the developing roller 104 by the elastic force of the layer thickness regulating blade 107. Yes.
(B-2) Shutter The toner cartridge housing chamber 71 is provided with a shutter 111 as an example of a second blocking member.

  The shutter 111 is a thin plate formed as an inferior arc having a slightly shorter circumference than the curved wall 122 in a side sectional view. At the center in the width direction of the upper half portion of the shutter 111, as shown in FIG. 4B, a through hole 112 that is rectangular in a front view and penetrates the shutter 111 in the thickness direction is formed. Further, at the upper end and the lower end of the shutter 111 at both ends in the width direction, cutout portions 136 that are cut out in a substantially L shape in front view are formed. Further, the upper end portion of the shutter 111 is engaged with the second radial protrusions 57 of the toner cartridge 40 when the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the process cartridge 20 at the inner side in the width direction than the notches 136. The engaged portions 139 are provided respectively.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 111 has ribs by inserting both end portions in the width direction of the shutter 111 between the curved wall 122 and the ribs 90 of the prisms 89 inside the toner cartridge housing chamber 71. A right side wall 69 and a left side wall 70 are rotatably supported along the 90 side sectional shape.
The shutter 111 closes the toner introduction port 88 at a portion where the through hole 112 is not formed in the shutter 111, that is, the development closed position in which the toner introduction port 88 is closed (see FIG. 8); When the through hole 112 and the toner introduction port 88 face each other, the toner introduction port 88 can be rotated to a development opening position (see FIG. 3) that opens the toner introduction port 88 forward. Here, the shutter 111 is in a development closed position in a state in which a toner cartridge 40 described later is detached from the development housing 62, and its rotation is restricted.

In addition, a seal member 125 is interposed between the curved wall 122 and the shutter 111. The seal member 125 is formed in a sheet shape made of felt or the like, for example, and is attached to the front side surface of the curved wall 122 so as not to block the toner introduction port 88.
(B-3) Open / Close Lever The toner cartridge housing chamber 71 is provided with an open / close lever 113 as an example of an open / close member.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the opening / closing lever 113 is formed in a substantially U shape in plan view, and integrally includes a right support portion 108, a left support portion 109, and a lever grip portion 110.
The right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109 are formed in a thin plate shape that is substantially P-shaped when viewed from the right side, and the right support portion 108 is positioned substantially at the center of the rear half of the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109. And the round hole 114 which penetrates the left support part 109 in the thickness direction is formed, respectively.

Support cylinders 135 having the same inner diameter as the round holes 114 and projecting outward in the width direction are provided at positions corresponding to the round holes 114 on the respective width direction outer surfaces of the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109. ing. The outer diameter of the support cylinder 135 is slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the first insertion holes 97 of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70 described above.
In addition, in the upper part of the round hole 114 of the right support part 108 and the left support part 109, a receiving part 117 whose upper end edge is recessed in a substantially U shape in a side view toward the round hole 114 is formed. . Here, for convenience of explanation, in the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109, a portion forming the rear end edge of each receiving portion 117, that is, a portion on the rear side of the receiving portion 117 is referred to as a rear portion 151. A portion forming the front edge of 117, that is, a portion in front of the receiving portion 117 is referred to as a front portion 152. In the arrangement direction of the rear portion 151 and the front portion 152 (the front-rear direction in FIG. 4A), the circle center of the round hole 114 is located between the rear portion 151 and the front portion 152.

  The lever gripping part 110 is formed between the front end parts of the right support part 108 and the left support part 109, and is formed in a thin plate shape having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. A grip portion 118 is formed as an example of a first grip portion that is recessed toward. In the lever gripping part 110, contact protrusions 141 each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape projecting toward the round hole 114 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the side surface on the round hole 114 side.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the opening / closing lever 113, the support cylinders 135 of the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109 are fitted in the first insertion holes 97 of the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70, respectively. Thus, the circular hole 114 is rotatably supported on the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70 with the center of rotation as the center of rotation. The opening / closing lever 113 is in a first position (see FIGS. 4C, 6, 8, 11 A, and 11 B) that is out of the attachment / detachment path X of the toner cartridge 40 to be described later with respect to the developing housing 62. ), And a third position (see FIGS. 4B, 7, 9, 10 and 11C) and a second position (FIGS. 2, 3, 4) that interfere with the attachment / detachment path X. a) and FIG. 11 (d)). Here, when the opening / closing lever 113 is in the first position, the lever gripping portion 110 is at the lowest position in the rotation range of the opening / closing lever 113 and further below the attachment / detachment path X (see FIG. 8). When the opening / closing lever 113 is in the third position, the lever gripping portion 110 is in the middle position in the rotation range of the opening / closing lever 113, more specifically, in an upper position than when the opening / closing lever 113 is in the first position, It is located in the middle of the attachment / detachment route X (see FIG. 9). When the opening / closing lever 113 is in the second position, the lever gripping portion 110 is at the highest position in the rotation range of the opening / closing lever 113, more specifically, at an upper position than when the opening / closing lever 113 is in the third position, It is located in the middle of the attachment / detachment route X (see FIG. 3). Further, when viewed with reference to the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109, when the opening / closing lever 113 is in the second position, the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109 are substantially along the horizontal direction (FIG. 11 ( d)). When the open / close lever 113 is in the third position, the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (see FIG. 11C). When the open / close lever 113 is in the first position, the right support portion 108 and the left support portion 109 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction as compared to when the open / close lever 113 is in the third position (FIG. 11A). ) And FIG. 11 (b)). Thus, the third position is between the second position and the first position. In a state where the toner cartridge 40 is not mounted (removed) from the developing housing 62, the open / close lever 113 is in the first position by its own weight, and each receiving portion 117 is exposed to the front side (FIG. 11). (See (a)).

Regardless of the position of the opening / closing lever 113, the grip portion 118 is always exposed to the outside from the toner cartridge housing chamber 71 in a side view as shown in FIG.
(B-4) Toner Cartridge As described above, the toner cartridge 40 is detachably attached to the toner cartridge housing chamber 71 of the developing housing 62. The toner cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the main body casing 2 by attaching and detaching the process cartridge 20 to and from the main body casing 2 through the attachment / detachment opening 6 while being attached to the process cartridge 20. The toner cartridge 40 is detachable from the developing housing 62 in a state where the process cartridge 20 is mounted on the main casing 2. That is, the toner cartridge 40 is detachable from the main casing 2 as a single unit. The attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge 40 with respect to the developing housing 62 of the process cartridge 20 is a rear obliquely downward (attachment direction) and a front obliquely upward (detachment direction) that are nearly horizontal, and the attachment / detachment path X is shown in FIG. 8, 9 and 11. Further, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge 40 is attached to and detached from the developing housing 62 is the width direction.

Since the toner cartridge storage chamber 71 is located on the front side of the process cartridge 20, as shown in FIG. 1, when the front cover 7 is opened and the attachment / detachment opening 6 is opened, the toner cartridge 40 is exposed from the attachment / detachment opening 6.
As shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 40 has an approximately σ shape when viewed from the left side cross section, and includes an outer casing 41 and an inner casing 42 as an example of a toner casing formed of resin or the like.
(B-4-i) Outer Housing The outer housing 41 has a substantially σ shape when viewed from the left side of the toner cartridge 40 and is integrally provided with a cylindrical portion 43 and a guide lever 44.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the cylindrical portion 43 is formed as a hollow cylindrical body that is long in the width direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and the width direction of the outer peripheral wall 45 and the outer peripheral wall 45. And a pair of outer side end walls 46 formed as both end faces.
A first toner discharge port 49 as an example of a first opening penetrating the outer peripheral wall 45 in the thickness direction is formed at the center position in the vertical and horizontal directions on the rear side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45. The first toner discharge port 49 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction.

  Further, upper guide grooves 129 penetrating the outer peripheral wall 45 in the thickness direction are formed at both ends in the width direction on the rear side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45 at positions above the first toner discharge port 49. ing. In the both ends of the outer peripheral wall 45 in the width direction, lower guide grooves 130 that penetrate the outer peripheral wall 45 in the thickness direction are formed at positions below the first toner discharge port 49, respectively. . The upper guide groove 129 and the lower guide groove 130 have a rectangular shape when viewed from the back in the circumferential direction, and the circumferential length is about twice the circumferential length of the first toner discharge port 49. Is set to be about a half of the circumferential length of the first toner discharge port 49.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion exposing hole 149 is formed at the approximate center in the width direction of the lower portion of the front side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45. The protrusion exposure hole 149 is formed in a rectangular shape and penetrates the outer peripheral wall 45 in the thickness direction.
Further, contacted members 142 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the lower portion of the front side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45. The contacted member 142 is formed in a substantially arc shape in left side view that protrudes from the front side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45 toward the front side, and the width direction dimension is the width of the contact protrusion 141 of the opening / closing lever 113 described above. It is almost equal to the direction dimension.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, second insertion holes 126 penetrating each outer side end wall 46 in the width direction are formed at substantially central positions in the front and rear vertical directions of the respective outer side end walls 46. . Further, each outer side end wall 46 has a concentric inferiority to the second insertion hole 126 in the radially outer position of the second insertion hole 126, specifically, in the range from the 12 o'clock position to the 2 o'clock position in the left side view. An insertion groove 127 that is an arc and penetrates each outer side end wall 46 in the width direction is formed.

  Each outer side end wall 46 is integrally formed with a positioning projection 131 that extends rearward at a position corresponding to the upper end edge of the upper guide groove 129, bends and protrudes outward in the width direction. The portion of the positioning protrusion 131 that protrudes outward in the width direction is formed in a columnar shape having an outer diameter smaller than the groove width of the guide groove 119 (see FIG. 4A) of the process cartridge 20 described above.

The guide lever 44 is disposed at the upper end of the front side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45 and at the center in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide lever 44 and a toner cartridge side grip 91 as an example of the second grip The moving part 92 is provided.
The toner cartridge side holding portion 91 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, which is long in the width direction, and its rear end portion is fixed to the outer peripheral wall 45 as shown in FIG.

The swinging part 92 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and in a substantially T shape in a side sectional view, and integrally includes a grip part 93, a first restricting part 94, and a second restricting part 95.
The grip part 93 and the second restricting part 95 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.
The first restricting portion 94 is formed in a rectangular shape in a front view and a substantially J shape in a left sectional view, and a first engagement portion 132 and a second engagement portion 133 are formed at the lower end portion in order from the top. Is formed. The first engaging portion 132 is formed as a groove extending in the width direction so that the rear side surface of the lower end portion of the first restricting portion 94 is recessed to the front side. The second engaging portion 133 is formed in a substantially bowl shape in the left sectional view, with the lowermost end portion of the first restricting portion 94 slightly bent to the rear side below the first engaging portion 132.

Further, the rear end portion of the grip portion 93, the upper end portion of the first restricting portion 94, and the front end portion of the second restricting portion 95 are connected. A shaft insertion hole 96 that penetrates the grip portion 93 and the first restricting portion 94 in the width direction is formed at a connection position between the rear end portion of the grip portion 93 and the upper end portion of the first restricting portion 94.
A pair of shaft support portions 98 projecting forward so as to sandwich the grip portion 93 of the swinging portion 92 in the width direction are integrally provided on the front side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45, and a pair of shaft supports The oscillating portion 92 is swingably supported by the outer peripheral wall 45 by inserting the insertion shaft 37 installed between the portions 98 into the shaft insertion hole 96 of the oscillating portion 92.

In addition, the rear end portion of the toner cartridge side grip 91 and the second restricting portion 95 of the swinging portion 92 are connected by an elastic body 128. Specifically, the elastic body 128 is a leaf spring or the like, one end of which is screwed to the rear end of the toner cartridge side grip 91 by a screw 134 and the other end is locked to the second restricting portion 95. Yes. As a result, the swinging portion 92 is always urged in the clockwise direction around the insertion shaft 37 so that the second restricting portion 95 approaches the toner cartridge side holding portion 91 by the urging force of the elastic body 128. Has been.
(B-4-ii) Inner casing The inner casing 42 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape that is long in the width direction and smaller than the cylindrical portion 43 of the outer casing 41 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical inner peripheral wall 51 as an example of the first blocking member is integrally formed with a pair of flat disk-shaped inner end walls 52 that close both side surfaces of the inner peripheral wall 51 in the width direction. In preparation. As shown in FIG. 3, an agitator rotation shaft 53 is installed at the center of the circle of each inner side end wall 52 facing in the width direction. The agitator rotation shaft 53 is rotatable by each inner side end wall 52. It is supported by. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the agitator rotating shaft 53 is provided with an agitator 56.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, both end portions in the width direction of the agitator rotating shaft 53 protrude from the inner side end walls 52 outward in the width direction. A collar 100 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the second insertion hole 126 (see FIG. 5A) of the outer casing 41 is externally fitted to each protruding portion of the agitator rotating shaft 53.
In each inner side end wall 52, at a position radially outward from the agitator rotation shaft 53 and facing each other in the width direction, a first protrusion 145 as an example of a first protrusion and a first protrusion, A second protruding portion and a second width direction protrusion 150 as an example of the first protrusion are provided.

  The first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150 are formed in a substantially columnar shape that protrudes outward in the width direction at each inner side end wall 52. Specifically, the first width direction protrusions 145 and the second width direction protrusions 150 have slightly smaller radial dimensions than the groove widths of the insertion grooves 127, and the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral wall 51 in each inner side end wall 52. Are spaced apart from each other. This interval is about one half of the circumferential length of the insertion groove 127 of the outer casing 41 described above. Here, with reference to FIG. 5C, the first width direction protrusion 145 is located behind the second width direction protrusion 150. The first width direction protrusions 145 in the inner side end walls 52 face each other in the width direction, and the second width direction protrusions 150 in the inner side end walls 52 face each other in the width direction.

  Further, a position shifted by about 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction with respect to one place on the circumference in the center in the width direction of the inner peripheral wall 51, specifically, the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150 in the left side view. A second toner discharge port 55 as an example of a third opening that penetrates the inner peripheral wall 51 in the thickness direction is formed. The second toner discharge port 55 is formed in a rectangular shape having substantially the same dimensions as the first toner discharge port 49 of the outer casing 41 when viewed from the outside in the radial direction. The first width direction protrusion 145 is located closer to the second toner discharge port 55 than the second width direction protrusion 150.

The inner peripheral wall 51 is provided with a first radial protrusion 48 that protrudes radially outward along the periphery of the second toner discharge port 55. The first radial protrusion 48 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the outside in the radial direction, and is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or a sponge sheet.
Further, at both ends in the width direction of the inner peripheral wall 51, second radial protrusions as an example of second protrusions protruding outward in the radial direction at positions slightly above the upper edge of the first radial protrusion 48. 57 are integrally provided. Then, at both ends in the width direction of the inner peripheral wall 51, third radial protrusions 63 as an example of second protrusions protruding outward in the radial direction are provided at positions below the lower end edge of the first radial protrusion 48. Each is provided integrally. The second radial protrusion 57 and the third radial protrusion 63 are formed with the same dimensions, and the width direction length is smaller than the groove widths of the upper guide groove 129 and the lower guide groove 130 of the outer casing 41. Is set to

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral wall 51 protrudes radially outward at a position opposite to the second toner discharge port 55 with respect to the axial center of the inner casing 42 and extends along the width direction. A provided fourth radial protrusion 99 is formed. The width direction dimension of the fourth radial protrusion 99 is set to be smaller than the width direction dimension of the protrusion exposing hole 149 of the outer casing 41.
(B-4-iii) Assembly of inner casing to outer casing In such a toner cartridge 40, the inner casing 42 is accommodated in the outer casing 41, and as shown in FIG. Both ends in the width direction of the agitator rotation shaft 53 of the housing 42 are fitted into the second insertion holes 126 of the outer housing 41 together with the collar 100 described above. And each 1st width direction protrusion 145 and each 2nd width direction protrusion 150 of the inner side housing | casing 42 are made to protrude in the width direction outer side from each insertion groove | channel 127 of the outer side housing | casing 41. FIG. Further, the second radial protrusions 57 of the inner casing 42 are protruded radially outward of the inner casing 42 from the upper guide grooves 129 of the outer casing 41, and the respective third radial protrusions of the inner casing 42 are projected. 63 is projected from each lower guide groove 130 of the outer casing 41 to the radially outer side of the inner casing 42. Further, the fourth radial protrusion 99 of the inner casing 42 is exposed in the protrusion exposure hole 149 of the outer casing 41 (see FIG. 8).

  Accordingly, the inner casing 42 is assembled to the outer casing 41, and the inner casing 42 is rotatably supported by each outer side end wall 46 of the outer casing 41. Accordingly, the first width direction protrusions 145 and the second width direction protrusions 150 are slidable along the insertion grooves 127, and the second radial direction protrusions 57 are slid along the upper guide grooves 129. Each third radial protrusion 63 is slidable along each lower guide groove 130.

When the toner cartridge 40 assembled in this way is not attached to the process cartridge 20 as shown in FIG. 8, the first engaging portion 132 in the first restricting portion 94 of the outer housing 41 is the inner housing 42. Is engaged with the fourth radial protrusion 99, and the rotation of the inner casing 42 relative to the outer casing 41 is restricted. The state of the swinging part 92 at this time is referred to as a first state.
In the first state described above, when the toner cartridge side gripping portion 91 and the swinging portion 92 are gripped together, the swinging portion 92 resists the urging force of the elastic body 128 and the counterclockwise shown in the drawing with the insertion shaft 37 as the center. Swings around. After a while after grasping the toner cartridge side holding portion 91 and the swinging portion 92 together, the swinging portion 92 stops swinging. The state of the swinging part 92 at this time is referred to as a second state.

In the second state, as shown in FIG. 9, the first engaging portion 132 of the first restricting portion 94 described above is separated from the fourth radial protrusion 99 of the inner housing 42, and the first engaging portion 132 is separated from the first engaging portion 132. Although the engagement with the fourth radial protrusion 99 is released, the rear end portion of the second restricting portion 95 abuts on the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner housing 42, so The rotation is restricted.
Therefore, when the swinging portion 92 is in the third state between the first state and the second state, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the first engaging portion 132 and the fourth radial protrusion 99 And the rear end portion of the second restricting portion 95 is not in contact with the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner casing 42, so that the restriction of the rotation of the inner casing 42 relative to the outer casing 41 is released. The In this case, when the inner casing 42 is rotated with respect to the outer casing 41, the first width direction protrusions 145 and the second width direction protrusions 150 are inserted into the insertion grooves 127, as shown in FIG. The second radial protrusions 57 are guided in the upper guide grooves 129, and the third radial protrusions 63 are guided in the lower guide grooves 130. When the inner casing 42 is rotated with respect to the outer casing 41, the first radial protrusion 48 of the inner casing 42 slides on the inner side surface of the outer peripheral wall 45 of the outer casing 41 as shown in FIG. By being in contact, the outer casing 41 and the inner casing 42 are kept airtight and liquid-tight.

  Further, when the swinging portion 92 is in the third state, the inner casing 42 can be moved to the toner closing position shown in FIG. At this time, the first toner discharge port 49 of the outer casing 41 is blocked by a portion other than the second toner discharge port 55 on the inner peripheral wall 51. That is, the first toner discharge port 49 is closed, and the inside of the outer casing 41 and the inner casing 42 are sealed. Each second radial protrusion 57 abuts on the upper edge of each upper guide groove 129, each third radial protrusion 63 abuts on the upper edge of each lower guide groove 130, and each second width protrusion 150. Comes into contact with the front end edge of each insertion groove 127. Here, each first width direction protrusion 145 is separated from the rear end edge of each insertion groove 127. On the other hand, the inner casing 42 can be moved to the toner release position shown in FIG. At this time, the first toner discharge port 49 is opened, the first toner discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port 55 face each other, and the inside of the outer casing 41 and the inner casing 42 are opened. Each second radial protrusion 57 abuts on the lower end edge of each upper guide groove 129, each third radial protrusion 63 abuts on the lower end edge of each lower guide groove 130, and each first width direction protrusion 145. Comes into contact with the rear edge of each insertion groove 127. Here, each second width direction protrusion 150 is separated from the front edge of each insertion groove 127. As described above, the first toner discharge port 49 is opened and closed by the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner casing 42.

In the inner casing 42, positively charged nonmagnetic one-component toner is accommodated as a developer.
(B-5) Attaching / detaching the toner cartridge to / from the process cartridge (b-5-i) Mounting the toner cartridge to the process cartridge As shown in FIG. 11A, the opening / closing lever 113 is at the first position, and the shutter 111 is The toner cartridge 40 in which the inner casing 42 is in the toner closed position is mounted along the attachment / detachment path X in the toner cartridge housing chamber 71 of the developing casing 62 of the process cartridge 20 in the development closing position. At this time, each positioning protrusion 131 of the toner cartridge 40 is guided to each guide groove 119 in the toner cartridge storage chamber 71 of the process cartridge 20. Further, the swinging portion 92 of the toner cartridge 40 is in the first state (see FIG. 8), and the rotation of the inner casing 42 with respect to the outer casing 41 is restricted.

  During the mounting of the toner cartridge 40, as shown in FIG. 11B, each first width direction projection 145 has a rear end edge of each receiving portion 117 corresponding to the opening / closing lever 113, that is, a corresponding right support portion 108. Alternatively, it abuts against each rear portion 151 of the left support portion 109 from the front side. In this state, when the toner cartridge 40 is further moved in the mounting direction, each first width direction protrusion 145 presses each rear portion 151 forward, and accordingly, with respect to the rotation shaft of the opening / closing lever 113. The lever gripping portion 110 on the opposite side of each rear portion 151 rotates about the rotation axis of the opening / closing lever 113 and rises. That is, the opening / closing lever 113 that has been in the first position rotates toward the third position.

  When each positioning protrusion 131 reaches the deepest portion of each guide groove 119 and comes into contact with the deepest portion, the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62 is completed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11C, the pressing of each first width direction protrusion 145 against each rear portion 151 is stopped, and accordingly, the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113 is also stopped. Here, the opening / closing lever 113 is in the third position. Further, each first width direction protrusion 145 continues to abut against each rear portion 151 from the front side, and each second width direction protrusion 150 corresponds to the front end edge of each receiving portion 117 corresponding to the opening / closing lever 113, that is, each The front portion 152 is in contact with the front portion 152 from the front side. That is, according to the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62, each first width direction protrusion 145 presses the opening / closing lever 113 to rotate the opening / closing lever 113 from the first position to the third position. The first width direction protrusion 145 and each second width direction protrusion 150 are engaged with the opening / closing lever 113 at the receiving portion 117. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each second radial protrusion 57 of the toner cartridge 40 is engaged with each engaged portion 139 of the shutter 111 of the toner cartridge housing chamber 71, and the shutter 111 is in the rotating direction. The second radial protrusions 57 and the third radial protrusions 63 are sandwiched. The swinging part 92 is in the third state (see FIG. 10) when the second engaging part 133 engages with the engaged part 124.

  Thereby, the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62 is completed, and the position of the toner cartridge 40 at this time is set as the mounting position. In the state where the toner cartridge 40 is in the mounting position, as shown in FIG. 9, the grip portion 118 of the opening / closing lever 113 in the third position is predetermined below the toner cartridge side grip portion 91 of the toner cartridge 40. Are spaced apart from each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact protrusions 141 of the lever gripping part 110 are slightly in contact with the front side surfaces of the corresponding contacted members 142 in the toner cartridge 40.

  Then, in the state where the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing case 62 is completed, as described above, since the swinging portion 92 is in the third state, the inner case 42 rotates relative to the outer case 41. It becomes movable. Therefore, when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the second position (see FIGS. 2 and 11D), the first width direction protrusion 145 and the first protrusion 145 are interlocked with the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113. The inner casing 42 engaged with the opening / closing lever 113 by the two-width direction projection 150 rotates from the toner closing position (see FIG. 10) to the toner releasing position (see FIG. 3). Specifically, the second width-direction protrusion 150 rotates the inner casing 42 by being pressed by the opening / closing lever 113 in the receiving portion 117 along the rotation direction from the third position to the second position. .

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral wall 51 is opened in response to the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113, the first toner discharge port 49 is opened, and the first toner discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port are opened. The outlet 55 faces and communicates therewith. Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the inner casing 42, that is, in conjunction with the rotation of the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150, the second radial protrusions 57 of the inner casing 42 and The shutter 111 held between the third radial protrusions 63 is also rotated from the development closed position (see FIG. 9) to the development open position according to the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113. As a result, the through hole 112 of the shutter 111 and the toner introduction port 88 of the toner cartridge storage chamber 71 face each other, and the toner introduction port 88 is opened. As described above, the opening of the toner introduction port 88 by the shutter 111 is performed through the opening of the first toner discharge port 49 by the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner casing 42. Specifically, the opening / closing lever 113 rotates the shutter 111 by rotating the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner casing 42. Then, the open / close lever 113 opens the shutter 111 and the inner peripheral wall 51.

As the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the second position, the lever gripping portion 110 is rotated upward. Therefore, when the opening / closing lever 113 is in the second position, the grip portion 118 is moved to the toner cartridge. Adjacent to the side grip 91.
Thus, when the open / close lever 113 is in the second position, the shutter 111 is in the development opening position, and the inner casing 42 is in the toner opening position. As a result, the through hole 112 and the toner introduction port 88 in the toner cartridge storage chamber 71 facing each other face the first toner discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port 55 in the toner cartridge 40 facing each other. Communicate. Therefore, the inside of the inner housing 42 of the toner cartridge 40 and the inside of the developing chamber 72 of the developing housing 62 are connected via the toner introduction port 88, the through hole 112, the first toner discharge port 49, and the second toner discharge port 55. Communicate.

  Note that, as described above, the first radial protrusion 48 provides airtightness between the outer casing 41 where the first toner discharge port 49 is formed and the inner casing 42 where the second toner discharge port 55 is formed. The seal member 125 is interposed between the shutter 111 in which the through hole 112 is formed and the curved wall 122 in which the toner introduction port 88 is formed. Therefore, leakage of toner from the toner introduction port 88, the through hole 112, the first toner discharge port 49, and the second toner discharge port 55 to the outside is prevented.

Further, as described above, when the lever gripping portion 110 is rotated as the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the second position, as shown in FIG. 141 rotates upward while passing through the front side surface of the contacted member 142. When the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113 to the second position is completed, the contact protrusion 141 of the lever gripping portion 110 is moved from the upper end portion of the front side surface of the contacted member 142 to the third position. (See FIG. 7) at a higher contact pressure from the front side (downstream in the direction of separation of the toner cartridge 40 with respect to the developing housing 62) against each contacted member 142 (at the third position). It is called “contact” to distinguish it from “contact”.) For this reason, even if a force that moves the toner cartridge 40 in the detaching direction (front side) is applied to the toner cartridge 40, the toner cartridge 40 is moved forward relative to the developing housing 62 on the front side of the toner cartridge 40. Can be regulated. Thereby, the mounting state of the toner cartridge 40 with respect to the developing housing 62 can be reliably maintained.
(B-5-ii) Separation of toner cartridge from process cartridge When the shutter 111 is in the development opening position and the inner housing 42 is in the toner opening position, the opening / closing lever 113 in the second position is shown in FIG. As shown, rotate to the third position. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D, the first width direction protrusion 145 is formed on the opening / closing lever 113 in the receiving portion 117 in the direction of rotation from the second position to the third position. The inner casing 42 is rotated by being pressed along. Here, in conjunction with the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner housing 42 rotates from the toner opening position to the toner closing position. As a result, the inner peripheral wall 51 is closed according to the rotation of the open / close lever 113, and the first toner discharge port 49 of the outer peripheral wall 45 of the outer casing 41 is in the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner casing 42. The portion other than the second toner discharge port 55 is blocked. Therefore, the first toner discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port 55 are blocked, and the inside of the outer casing 41 and the inner casing 42 are sealed. Further, in conjunction with the rotation of the inner casing 42, that is, in conjunction with the rotation of the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150, each second radial protrusion 57 and each third radial direction. The protrusion 63 also rotates. Accordingly, the shutter 111 held between the second radial protrusions 57 and the third radial protrusions 63 is also rotated from the development opening position to the development closing position in accordance with the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113. As a result, the toner introduction port 88 of the toner cartridge housing chamber 71 is blocked by a portion other than the through hole 112 in the shutter 111. Thus, when the open / close lever 113 is in the third position, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are closed, and the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are blocked. . Further, the closing of the toner introduction port 88 by the shutter 111 is performed through the closing of the first toner discharge port 49 by the inner peripheral wall 51 of the inner housing 42. The opening / closing lever 113 causes the shutter 111 and the inner peripheral wall 51 to be closed when rotating from the second position to the third position.

  Further, as the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated to the third position, the lever gripping portion 110 is rotated downward, so that the contact protrusion 141 of the lever gripping portion 110 is contacted as shown in FIG. It turns downward while getting over the front side of the contact member 142. When the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113 to the third position is completed, the contact protrusion 141 faces the front side surface of the contacted member 142 and slightly contacts it. That is, when the open / close lever 113 is in the third position, the contact state of the contact protrusion 141 with respect to the contacted member 142 is released.

  In the state where the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated to the third position, as shown in FIG. 10, the first restricting portion 94 is in the third state, and the second engaging portion 133 is engaged with the engaged portion 124. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the swinging portion 92 is swung to the second state, and the engagement between the second engaging portion 133 and the engaged portion 124 is released. Then, the toner cartridge 40 is pulled out from the toner cartridge housing chamber 71 obliquely upward in the front direction while the swinging portion 92 remains in the second state (while the swinging portion 92 is held). At this time, each positioning protrusion 131 (see FIG. 6) of the toner cartridge 40 is guided to each guide groove 119 (see FIG. 6) in the toner cartridge housing chamber 71. Then, when the hand is released from the pulled out toner cartridge 40, the swinging portion 92 is in the first state (see FIG. 8).

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the positioning protrusions 131 are disengaged from the guide grooves 119, and the first width direction protrusions 145 and the second width direction protrusions 150 are engaged with the receiving portions 117 (see FIG. 7). When the engagement between the second radial protrusions 57 and the engaged portions 139 is released, the toner cartridge 40 is completely detached from the developing housing 62 of the process cartridge 20.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the opening / closing lever 113 in the third position is further rotated to the first position shown in FIG. 11B, the rear portion 151 of the opening / closing lever 113 opens and closes. It rotates around the rotation axis of the lever 113, and specifically moves to the front side. Therefore, the first width direction protrusion 145 engaged with the receiving portion 117 is pressed from the rear side toward the front side by the corresponding rear portion 151. The front-side pressing force is applied to the entire toner cartridge 40 via the first width direction protrusion 145 and moves the toner cartridge 40 to the front side. More specifically, this pressing force forcibly releases the engagement (see FIG. 10) between the second engaging portion 133 and the engaged portion 124 described above, and the toner cartridge 40 is in the mounting position (FIG. 11 (c)). (Refer to FIG. 11B). In other words, the first width direction protrusion 145 moves the toner cartridge 40 from the mounting position in the detaching direction when the opening / closing lever 113 in the third position is rotated to the first position. Then, the opening / closing lever 113 is changed to the guide lever 44 and the toner cartridge 40 is pulled out obliquely upward on the front side. As described above, each positioning protrusion 131 is disengaged from each guide groove 119, and the engagement (see FIG. 7) between each first width direction protrusion 145 and each second width direction protrusion 150 and each receiving portion 117 is released, When the engagement between each second radial protrusion 57 and each engaged portion 139 is released, the separation of the toner cartridge 40 from the developing housing 62 of the process cartridge 20 is completed.
(B-6) Development Transfer Operation As described in (b-5-i) above, and as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the development housing 62 of the process cartridge 20 to form a toner cartridge. When an image is formed by the laser printer 1 after being stored in the storage chamber 71, a driving force from a motor (not shown) is input to the agitator rotating shaft 53. Then, the agitator rotation shaft 53 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the left side, and the agitator 56 moves in the inner casing 42 of the toner cartridge 40 in the circumferential direction around the agitator rotation shaft 53. Then, the toner in the toner cartridge 40 is agitated by the agitator 56, supplied from the second toner discharge port 55 to the first toner discharge port 49, and then supplied to the developing housing 62 via the first toner discharge port 49. Then, it is received by the through hole 112 and the toner introduction port 88 and discharged into the developing chamber 72.

  The toner discharged from the toner introduction port 88 into the developing chamber 72 is supplied to the developing roller 104 by the rotation of the supply roller 101. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged to the positive polarity between the supply roller 101 and the developing roller 104. The The toner supplied onto the developing roller 104 enters between the pressing portion 148 of the layer thickness regulating blade 107 and the developing roller 104 as the developing roller 104 rotates, and forms the developing roller 104 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. Supported on.

As the photosensitive drum 28 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 is first uniformly charged to a positive polarity by the scorotron charger 29 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 19. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the paper 3 is formed.
Next, the toner carried on the developing roller 104 and charged positively by the rotation of the developing roller 104 is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 when it contacts and faces the photosensitive drum 28. It is supplied to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 28 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28.

Thereafter, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 is transferred while the sheet 3 conveyed by the registration roller 15 (see FIG. 1) passes through the transfer position between the photosensitive drum 28 and the transfer roller 31. The image is transferred to the paper 3 by a transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 31. Then, the sheet 3 on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 21.
(C) Fixing Unit As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 21 is provided on the rear side of the process cartridge 20, and is disposed at a distance from the photosensitive drum 28 of the process cartridge 20 in the substantially front-rear direction. The fixing unit 21 includes a heating roller 60 and a pressure roller 61.

In the fixing unit 21, the toner image transferred onto the paper 3 at the transfer position is thermally fixed while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 61. The sheet 3 on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the sheet discharge side conveyance path, conveyed to the sheet discharge roller 47 by the conveyance roller 155, and then discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 58 by the sheet discharge roller 47. The paper discharge tray 58 is formed on the upper surface of the main casing 2.
2. Effects of the Present Embodiment In the process cartridge 20, the open / close lever 113 is provided in the developing housing 62 of the process cartridge 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the toner cartridge 40 is not attached to the developing housing 62 of the process cartridge 20, the opening and closing operation of the inner peripheral wall 51 provided in the toner cartridge 40 is restricted, and the first toner discharge is performed. It is possible to prevent the outlet 49 from being inadvertently opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing housing 62, the open / close lever 113 can open and close the inner peripheral wall 51 and the shutter 111. Accordingly, when the inner lever wall 51 and the shutter 111 are opened by rotating the opening / closing lever 113 in a state where the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the developing case 62, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are opened. Accordingly, the toner can be supplied to the developing case 62 from the toner cartridge 40 in communication with each other. As shown in FIG. 10, when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated and the inner peripheral wall 51 and the shutter 111 are closed while the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the developing housing 62, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner are removed. The introduction port 88 is closed and the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are blocked. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 40 can be detached from the developing housing 62 without the toner leaking from the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88. Therefore, toner leakage from the toner cartridge 40 and the process cartridge 20 can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.

  The opening / closing lever 113 is rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position. When the open / close lever 113 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 40 is detached from the developing housing 62 and the toner introduction port 88 is closed. When the open / close lever 113 is in the second position, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the developing case 62, and the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are opened to communicate with each other. When the open / close lever 113 is in the third position, as shown in FIG. 10, the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the developing housing 62, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are closed, and the first toner discharge port is closed. 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are blocked. Then, according to the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62, the opening / closing lever 113 rotates from the first position to the third position as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C. At this time, the open / close lever 113 rotates from the first position to the third position while the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are blocked (see FIG. 10). As a result, the first position can be a position away from the gripping hand that grips the toner cartridge 40 during attachment and detachment, and the third position can be a position that approaches the gripping hand. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design can be increased. Further, in this case, the opening / closing lever 113 approaches the gripping hand at the third position and is easy to operate.

As a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and toner leakage can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the toner cartridge 40 includes a first width direction protrusion 145, and the first width direction protrusion 145 corresponds to the attachment of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62 in FIG. 11 ( As shown in FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C, the opening / closing lever 113 is pressed and rotated from the first position to the third position. Therefore, the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the first position to the third position in accordance with the mounting of the toner cartridge 40 to the developing housing 62 with a simple configuration in which the toner cartridge 40 includes only the first width direction protrusion 145. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner cartridge 40 is accommodated as an example of a toner case, an outer case 41 in which a first toner discharge port 49 is formed, and a rotatable manner with respect to the outer case 41. And a second toner discharge port 55 for supplying toner to the first toner discharge port 49, and an inner housing 42 for containing the toner. As a result, the toner cartridge 40 can have a double structure including the outer casing 41 and the inner casing 42.

  The inner housing 42 is provided with a second width direction protrusion 150, and the second width direction protrusion 150 is changed as shown in FIG. 11 (in response to the opening / closing lever 113 rotating from the third position to the second position). c) and the open / close lever 113 is pressed as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the second width direction protrusion 150 rotates the inner casing 42 to open the inner peripheral wall 51 to open the first toner discharge port 49, and thereby the first toner. The discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port 55 are communicated with each other. For this reason, when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the second position with a simple configuration in which the inner casing 42 is provided with only the second width direction protrusion 150, the inner casing 42 of the toner cartridge 40 is moved to the inner casing 42. The stored toner can be supplied to the developing case 62.

  When the open / close lever 113 is in the second position, the grip 118 of the open / close lever 113 is adjacent to the toner cartridge-side grip 91 of the toner cartridge 40, so the grip 118 and the toner cartridge-side grip 91 are together. Can be gripped. For this reason, the relative position between the developing housing 62 provided with the opening / closing lever 113 and the toner cartridge 40 is stabilized, so that the process cartridge 20 can be moved in a stable state.

  On the other hand, when the open / close lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the first position, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, the toner cartridge 40 is moved from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing 62. Move in the direction of withdrawal. As a result, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are kept disconnected from each other by an easy operation of simply rotating the open / close lever 113 from the third position to the first position (see FIG. 10). ), The toner cartridge 40 can be detached from the developing case 62. In addition, the first position can be a position that does not prevent the toner cartridge 40 from being attached or detached. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

As a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and toner leakage can be prevented with a simple configuration and easy operation.
Further, the first width direction protrusion 145 pushes the opening / closing lever 113 as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the first position. As a result, the toner cartridge 40 is moved in the direction of detachment from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing 62. Therefore, when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the third position to the first position with a simple configuration in which the toner cartridge 40 is simply provided with the first width direction protrusion 145, the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing case 62. It can be moved away from the mounting position.

  Then, the first width direction protrusion 145 is provided on the inner housing 42, and in accordance with the rotation of the opening / closing lever 113 from the second position to the third position, as shown in FIGS. 11 (c) and 11 (d). As shown, the opening / closing lever 113 is pressed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the first width direction protrusion 145 causes the inner casing wall 51 to be closed by rotating the inner casing 42 to close the first toner discharge port 49, and thereby the first toner. The gap between the discharge port 49 and the second toner discharge port 55 is blocked. Therefore, when the opening / closing lever 113 is rotated from the second position to the third position by a simple configuration in which the first width direction protrusion 145 is simply provided on the inner case 42, the inner case 42 of the toner cartridge 40 is moved to the inner case 42. The supply of the stored toner to the developing case 62 can be restricted.

  In the state where the toner cartridge 40 is detached from the developing case 62, the shutter 111 closes the toner introduction port 88 in the developing case 62 even if the open / close lever 113 is operated as shown in FIG. In the toner cartridge 40, the inner peripheral wall 51 can be maintained with the first toner discharge port 49 closed.

  Further, since the toner cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the developing case 62 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the developing roller 104 as described above, the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 88 can be provided so as to face the developing roller 104 when the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing housing 62. Therefore, the arrangement positions and sizes of the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 can be freely set. That is, the toner can be reliably supplied from the toner cartridge 40 to the developing case 62.

  Further, since the inner peripheral wall 51 is rotatably supported by both side walls (outer side end walls 46) of the toner cartridge 40, the first toner discharge port 49 can be opened and closed stably. When the support portion of the inner peripheral wall 51 is the outer side end wall 46, an extra mechanism is not disposed at the first toner discharge port 49, so that the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing case 62 of the toner cartridge 40. And the developing case 62 can be brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, toner leakage between the toner cartridge 40 and the developing housing 62 can be prevented.

  Further, since the shutter 111 is rotatably supported by both side walls (the right side wall 69 and the left side wall 70) of the developing case 62, the toner introduction port 88 can be opened and closed stably. When the support portions of the shutter 111 are formed on both side walls of the developing case 62, no extra mechanism is disposed at the toner introduction port 88. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing case 62, the toner cartridge 40 and the developing case 62 are developed. The housing 62 can be brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, toner leakage between the toner cartridge 40 and the developing housing 62 can be prevented.

In addition, by using the support portions of the shutter 111 as both side walls of the developing case 62, a space is formed in the central portion between the both side walls of the developing case 62, and the toner cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the developing case 62. , The toner cartridge 40 can be easily accessed to the developing housing 62.
Further, when the inner peripheral wall 51 is not rotated, the shutter 111 cannot be rotated. Therefore, the toner introduction port 88 can be reliably maintained in a closed state, and toner leakage from the developing housing 62 is prevented. can do.

  When the toner cartridge 40 is not attached to the developing case 62 of the process cartridge 20, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first width of the toner cartridge 40 is set to the opening / closing lever 113 provided in the developing case 62. The direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150 are not engaged. Accordingly, the rotation of the inner peripheral wall 51 provided in the toner cartridge 40 is restricted, and the first toner discharge port 49 can be prevented from being inadvertently opened and closed.

  When the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the developing case 62, the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150 are opened and closed as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D. Is engaged. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, according to the operation of the opening / closing lever 113, the rotation of the inner peripheral wall 51 by the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150, that is, the first toner discharge port 49. And the rotation of the shutter 111 by the second radial projection 57 and the third radial projection 63 interlocked with the first width direction projection 145 and the second width direction projection 150, that is, the toner introduction port 88 can be opened and closed. It becomes.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are opened while the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the developing housing 62, the first toner discharge port 49, the toner introduction port 88, Can communicate with each other and supply toner from the toner cartridge 40 to the developing case 62.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the first toner discharge port 49 and the toner introduction port 88 are closed while the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the developing housing 62, the first toner discharge port is shown in FIG. The toner cartridge 40 can be detached from the developing housing 62 without the toner leaking from the toner 49 and the toner introduction port 88.

  Further, in a state where the toner cartridge 40 is detached from the developing case 62, the shutter 111 is not rotated in the developing case 62 even when the opening / closing lever 113 is operated. Therefore, the toner introduction port 88 is closed. In the toner cartridge 40, as described above, the inner peripheral wall 51 is not rotated, so that the first toner discharge port 49 can be maintained in a closed state.

As a result, toner leakage from the toner cartridge 40 and the process cartridge 20 can be prevented with a simple configuration.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner cartridge 40 has a simple configuration in which the first width direction protrusion 145, the second width direction protrusion 150, the second radial direction protrusion 57, and the third radial direction protrusion 63 are provided. One toner discharge port 49 and toner introduction port 88 can be opened and closed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the toner cartridge 40 is detached from the developing housing 62, the rotation of the shutter 111 is restricted, so that the toner introduction port 88 can be reliably maintained in a closed state, and the developing is performed. Toner leakage from the housing 62 can be prevented.
3. In the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge 20 is integrally provided with the photosensitive drum 28 and the developing roller 104, and the process cartridge 20 is detachably attached to the main body casing 2. In addition, for example, the developing device may not include the photosensitive drum 28, but another unit including the photosensitive drum 28 may be provided, and the developing device may be detachably attached to this unit. Further, the first width direction protrusion 145 and the second width direction protrusion 150 may be formed as a single body.

1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of a process cartridge in the laser printer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front upper side. FIG. 3 is a left sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 2. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the toner cartridge is omitted from the process cartridge in FIG. 2 and the opening / closing lever is in the contact position and the toner introduction port is opened. FIG. In (a), the opening / closing lever is in the release position and the toner inlet is closed. FIG. 4C shows a state in which, in FIG. 4A, the open / close lever is in the release position and the toner inlet is closed. FIG. 5A is a left perspective view of the toner cartridge in the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the upper rear side, showing a state in which the toner discharge port is opened, and FIG. 5A shows a state in which the toner discharge port is closed, and FIG. 5C is a left perspective view of the inner casing of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 5A as viewed from the upper rear side. In FIG. 2, a mode in which the toner cartridge is detached and the opening / closing lever is in the first position is shown together with the detached toner cartridge. FIG. 2 shows a mode in which the open / close lever is in the third position. FIG. 7 is a left sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a left side cross-sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 7 and shows a mode in which the swinging portion is in the second state. FIG. 8 is a left cross-sectional view of the process cartridge of FIG. 7, showing a mode in which the swinging portion is in a third state. FIG. 11 is a side view of a main part of the process cartridge for explaining how the toner cartridge is attached and detached, with the opening / closing lever, the first width direction protrusion, and the periphery of the second width direction protrusion extracted and shown in FIG. FIG. 11B shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is detached and the open / close lever is in the first position, and FIG. 11B shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is displaced from the mounting position in the release direction and the open / close lever is in the first position. FIG. 11C shows a mode in which the toner cartridge is in the mounting position and the opening / closing lever is in the third position, and FIG. 11D is a state in which the toner cartridge is in the mounting position and the opening / closing lever is in the second position. An aspect is shown.

Explanation of symbols

20 Process cartridge 28 Photosensitive drum 40 Toner cartridge 41 Outer casing 42 Inner casing 46 Outer end wall 49 First toner outlet 51 Inner peripheral wall 55 Second toner outlet 57 Second radial protrusion 62 Developing casing 63 First Three radial projections 69 Right side wall 70 Left side wall 88 Toner introduction port 91 Toner cartridge side grip portion 104 Developing roller 111 Shutter 113 Opening / closing lever 118 Grip portion 145 First width direction projection 150 Second width direction projection

Claims (9)

A developer carrying member for supplying a developer to a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing case for supporting the developer carrying member; and a detachable attachment to the developing case. A developing device including a toner cartridge to be housed,
The toner cartridge includes a toner housing in which a first opening for supplying a developer to the developing housing is formed, and a first blocking member that opens and closes the first opening,
A second opening for receiving the developer supplied from the first opening is formed in the developing housing,
The developing case includes a second blocking member that opens and closes the second opening, and an opening / closing member that is rotatably provided on the developing case and opens and closes the first blocking member and the second blocking member. ,
The opening / closing member is
A first position in which the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing and the second opening is closed;
A second position in which the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing and the first opening and the second opening are opened and communicated with each other;
Between the first position and the second position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are closed to close the first opening and the second opening. Can be pivoted between the third position where the gap is blocked,
In response to the mounting of the toner cartridge to the development housing, the toner cartridge rotates from the first position to the third position ;
The toner cartridge is
A first projecting portion that presses the opening and closing member to rotate from the first position to the third position in response to mounting of the toner cartridge to the developing housing;
The toner casing is
An outer housing in which the first opening is formed;
An inner casing that is rotatably accommodated with respect to the outer casing, includes the first blocking member, has a third opening for supplying developer to the first opening, and stores the developer; With
The inner housing is
As the opening / closing member rotates from the third position to the second position, the opening / closing member is pressed by the opening / closing member to rotate the inner casing to open the first blocking member, thereby A developing device comprising: a second projecting portion that opens the first opening and communicates between the first opening and the third opening . The opening / closing member includes a first grip portion,
The toner cartridge includes a second grip portion,
When the closing member is in the second position, said first gripping unit is characterized in that adjacent to the second gripping unit, a developing device according to claim 1. A developer carrying member for supplying a developer to a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing case for supporting the developer carrying member; and a detachable attachment to the developing case. A developing device including a toner cartridge to be housed,
The toner cartridge includes a toner housing in which a first opening for supplying a developer to the developing housing is formed, and a first blocking member that opens and closes the first opening,
A second opening for receiving the developer supplied from the first opening is formed in the developing housing,
The developing case includes a second blocking member that opens and closes the second opening, and an opening / closing member that is rotatably provided on the developing case and opens and closes the first blocking member and the second blocking member. ,
The opening / closing member is
A first position in which the toner cartridge is detached from the developing housing and the second opening is closed;
A second position in which the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing and the first opening and the second opening are opened and communicated with each other;
Between the first position and the second position, the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing housing, and the first opening and the second opening are closed to close the first opening and the second opening. Can be pivoted between the third position where the gap is blocked,
When the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position, the toner cartridge moves from the mounting position to the developing housing in the detaching direction ,
The toner cartridge is
When the opening / closing member is rotated from the third position to the first position, the opening / closing member is pressed to move the toner cartridge from the mounting position with respect to the developing housing in the detaching direction. With one protruding part,
The toner casing is
An outer housing in which the first opening is formed;
An inner casing that is rotatably accommodated with respect to the outer casing, includes the first blocking member, has a third opening for supplying developer to the first opening, and stores the developer; With
The first projecting portion is provided in the inner casing, and is pressed by the opening / closing member in response to the opening / closing member rotating from the second position to the third position. A developing device characterized in that, by rotating, the first blocking member is closed to close the first opening, thereby blocking between the first opening and the third opening . Wherein the second shielding member the second opening of the opening and closing, characterized in that it is performed via the opening and closing of the first opening according to the first blocking member, according to any one of claims 1 to 3 Development device. The toner cartridge can be attached to and detached from the developing housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier,
Wherein the first blocking member, in both side walls of the toner casing in the longitudinal direction of said developer carrying member, characterized in that it is rotatably supported, in any one of claims 1 to 4 The developing device described. The developing device according to claim 5 , wherein the second blocking member is rotatably supported by both side walls of the developing housing in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. The developing device according to claim 6 , wherein the opening / closing member rotates the second blocking member by rotating the first blocking member. The toner cartridge is
A first protrusion that engages with the opening / closing member and rotates the first blocking member according to an operation of the opening / closing member to open / close the first opening in a mounted state of the toner cartridge with respect to the developing housing; ,
In conjunction with the first protrusion, characterized in that it comprises a second protrusion configured to open and close the second opening by rotating the second blocking member in response to operation of said opening and closing member, according to claim 7 Development device. The toner cartridge and in the disengaged state with respect to the developing case of the rotation of the second blocking member is characterized by being regulated, the developing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

Images