JP6380358B2 - Unit for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus unit comprising: an detachable device that is detachably attached to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus; and a protective cover that at least partially covers the detachable apparatus that is detached from the apparatus main body. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine includes an apparatus main body and a detachable device that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

  In such an image forming apparatus, when the detachable device is transported in an exposed state at the time of shipment or replacement of the detachable device, a part of the detachable device may be damaged by an external light or an impact. . Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a detachable device is covered with a protective cover.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus as described above, when the opening for toner replenishment or toner discharge is provided in the detachable device, the opening is exposed to the outside with the detachable device removed from the apparatus main body. When exposed, there is a risk of toner leaking from this opening. In view of this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a configuration in which a toner discharge opening provided in a detachable device is closed with a shutter.

JP2013-167787A

  In patent document 1, since said shutter is provided in the attachment / detachment apparatus, the structure of an attachment / detachment apparatus will become complicated. On the other hand, if the opening is closed with another member such as a tape or a cap in order to avoid complication of the configuration of the detachable device, the shipping cost of the detachable device increases or the shipping work of the detachable device becomes complicated. There is a risk that.

  Therefore, the present invention suppresses damage to the detachable device, and does not complicate the configuration of the detachable device, increase the shipping cost of the detachable device, and complicate the shipping operation of the detachable device. The purpose is to prevent toner leakage.

  An image forming apparatus unit of the present invention comprises: a detachable device that is detachably attached to an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus; and a protective cover that at least partially covers the detachable device in a state of being detached from the apparatus main body. The detachable device has an opening for supplying or discharging toner, and the protective cover includes a shutter that covers the opening in a state in which the detachable device is mounted on the protective cover. It is characterized by.

  By covering at least partly the detachable device removed from the apparatus main body with the protective cover as described above, it is possible to suppress damage to the detachable device at the time of shipment or replacement.

  In addition, by covering the opening of the detachable device with the shutter of the protective cover as described above, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the opening without complicating the configuration of the detachable device. Furthermore, toner leakage from the opening can be prevented without blocking the opening with another member such as a tape or a cap, thereby suppressing an increase in shipping cost of the detachable device and complication of the shipping work of the detachable device. Is possible.

  The attachment / detachment device includes a cylindrical portion having the opening, and a flange portion protruding from an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, and the shutter includes a main body that covers the opening, and the main body. An opposing portion that is opposed to each other with an interval, and when the detachable device is attached to the protective cover, the collar portion may be sandwiched between the main body portion and the opposing portion.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the shutter from being lifted with respect to the cylindrical portion, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the opening.

  The attachment / detachment device is provided so as to be attached to the protective cover along a predetermined attachment direction, and a device-side fitting portion is provided on a wall portion on the back side in the attachment direction of the attachment / detachment device, and the protection A cover side fitting portion is provided on the wall portion on the back side in the mounting direction of the cover, and when the detachable device is attached to the protective cover, the device side fitting portion is fitted into the cover side fitting portion. In addition, the movement of the detachable device in a direction crossing the mounting direction may be restricted.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably suppress the displacement of the detachable device with respect to the protective cover. Accordingly, the opening can be surely covered by the shutter, and toner leakage from the opening can be reliably prevented.

  A lever is provided at a portion of the attachment / detachment device on the near side in the mounting direction, an engagement portion is provided at a portion of the protection cover on the near side of the attachment direction, and the attachment / detachment device is attached to the protection cover. Then, the lever may engage with the engaging portion, and movement of the detachable device in the mounting direction may be restricted.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress the displacement of the detachable device with respect to the protective cover. As a result, the opening can be more reliably covered with the shutter, and toner leakage from the opening can be more reliably prevented.

  The detachable device includes a carrier that carries toner and a housing that rotatably supports the carrier, and at least a part of the carrier is exposed to the outside of the detachable device, and the protective cover May comprise a cover body that covers the exposed portion of the carrier, and the shutter may be provided integrally with the cover body.

  By covering the exposed portion of the carrier with the cover body as described above, it is possible to prevent external light from hitting the exposed portion of the carrier, and to prevent deterioration of the carrier. Further, since the shutter is provided integrally with the cover body as described above, the configuration of the protective cover can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the protective cover can be reduced.

  At least a part of the shutter may be exposed to the outside of the protective cover.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to visually confirm that the opening of the detachable device is covered with the shutter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage to the detachable device, and from the opening of the detachable device without complicating the configuration of the detachable device, increasing the shipping cost of the detachable device, and complicating the shipping operation of the detachable device. It is possible to prevent toner leakage.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the unit for multifunction devices which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is III-III sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the front part of the unit for multifunction devices which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the protective cover which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the developing device is attached to a protective cover in the multifunction machine unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developing device is in the middle of being mounted on the multifunction device main body in the multifunction device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a developing device is mounted on a main body of a multifunction device in the multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of the developing device being attached to the protective cover in the multifunction device unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a multifunction peripheral 1 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, Lo attached to the respective drawings respectively indicate the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the multifunction machine 1.

  First, an outline of the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a box-shaped multifunction machine body 2 (apparatus body). An image reading device 3 for reading a document image is provided at the upper end portion of the multifunction machine main body 2. A paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the lower side of the image reading device 3 in the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2. Four toner containers 5 are provided on the lower side of the paper discharge tray 4 at the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2. The four toner containers 5 correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners sequentially from the left side.

  An intermediate transfer belt 6 is accommodated below the four toner containers 5 in a substantially central portion of the multifunction machine body 2. Four image forming units 7 are accommodated below the intermediate transfer belt 6 in a substantially central portion of the multifunction machine main body 2. The four image forming units 7 correspond to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners sequentially from the left side. Each image forming unit 7 includes a photosensitive drum 8, a charging device 9, a developing device 10, a primary transfer roller 11, and a cleaning device 12. The intermediate transfer belt 6 is sandwiched between the primary transfer roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 8, and a primary transfer nip N <b> 1 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the photosensitive drum 8. The photosensitive drum 8, the charging device 9, and the cleaning device 12 are integrated to form a drum unit 20.

  An exposure device 13 is accommodated below the four image forming units 7 in the lower part of the multifunction device main body 2. A sheet feeding cassette 14 is accommodated below the exposure device 13 at the lower end of the multifunction machine main body 2. The paper feed cassette 14 stores paper S (recording medium).

  A conveyance path 15 for the paper S is provided on the right side of the multifunction machine main body 2. A paper feed unit 16 is provided at the lower end (upstream end) of the transport path 15. A secondary transfer roller 17 is provided in the midstream portion of the transport path 15. A secondary transfer nip N2 is formed between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 6. A fixing device 18 is provided in the upper part (downstream part) of the transport path 15. A paper discharge unit 19 is provided at the upper end (downstream end) of the transport path 15.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  When the MFP 1 is instructed to start printing, first, the charging device 9 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 8. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 by light from the exposure device 13 (see arrow P in FIG. 1). Next, the developing device 10 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 8, whereby the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is developed, and the toner image is carried on the photosensitive drum 8. This toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 at the primary transfer nip N1. By performing the above operation in each image forming unit 7, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 8 is removed by the cleaning device 12.

  Further, the paper S taken out from the paper feed cassette 14 by the paper feed unit 16 is transported downstream in the transport path 15 and enters the secondary transfer nip N2. The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is secondarily transferred onto the paper S at the secondary transfer nip N2. The sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is further conveyed downstream along the conveyance path 15 and enters the fixing device 18. In the fixing device 18, the toner image is fixed on the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4 by the paper discharge unit 19.

  Next, a multifunction device unit 21 (image forming apparatus unit) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the right side in FIG. 2 is the front side of the multifunction device unit 21. 3, 5, and 6 are drawings from the rear side, the right-and-left relation in the drawing and the actual right-and-left relation are reversed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the multifunction device unit 21 includes the above-described developing device 10 (detachable device) and a protective cover 22 to which the developing device 10 is detachably mounted. Note that an arrow X appropriately attached to each drawing indicates a mounting direction of the developing device 10 to the protective cover 22 (in this embodiment, the front-rear direction). Hereinafter, when simply described as “mounting direction”, it refers to the mounting direction of the developing device 10 to the protective cover 22.

  First, the developing device 10 of the multifunction device unit 21 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing device 10 includes a housing 24, a lever 25 attached to the front end of the housing 24, and a coil spring 26 (biasing member) attached to the lever 25. A pair of left and right mixers 28 housed in the lower portion of the housing 24, a magnetic roller 29 housed in the center of the housing 24, and the housing 24 And a developing roller 30 (carrying member) accommodated in the upper right portion.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the housing 24 of the developing device 10 has a long shape in the front-rear direction. A housing space S is provided inside the housing 24. In the storage space S, for example, a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, an insertion tube portion 32 is provided in front of the housing space S in front of the housing space S. The insertion cylinder part 32 is extended along the up-down direction. At the front end portion of the housing 24, a flange portion 33 is provided on the front upper side of the insertion tube portion 32. The collar portion 33 extends along the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a window portion 34 is provided in the upper right portion of the housing 24. Guided portions 35 project from the lower ends of the left and right side surfaces of the casing 24 along the front-rear direction. A fitting hole 42 (apparatus side fitting portion) is provided in the rear wall portion (wall portion on the back side in the mounting direction) of the casing 24.

  A cylindrical portion 36 is provided at the rear portion (portion on the back side in the mounting direction) of the casing 24. The cylindrical portion 36 extends along the vertical direction. The lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 36 communicates with the accommodation space S. A toner replenishing port 37 (a toner replenishing opening) is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 36. On the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 36, a flange portion 38 is projected. A plurality of concave portions 39 are provided on the upper portion of the flange portion 38. A shaft 40 is provided on the right side of the cylindrical portion 36. The shaft 40 extends along the front-rear direction. A drive input gear 41 is rotatably supported on the shaft 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the lever 25 of the developing device 10 is provided at the front portion (the portion on the front side in the mounting direction) of the developing device 10. The lever 25 includes a mounting cylinder part 44, an extending part 45 that extends downward from the mounting cylinder part 44, and a gripping part 46 that protrudes from the mounting cylinder part 44 toward the front side.

  The mounting cylinder portion 44 of the lever 25 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. The mounting cylinder portion 44 is inserted into the insertion cylinder portion 32 of the housing 24. Thereby, the lever 25 is movable along the vertical direction (direction intersecting the front-rear direction) between the engagement position (see the solid line in FIG. 4) and the disengagement position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). Thus, it is supported by the casing 24. 4 indicates the moving direction of the lever 25 (in this embodiment, the vertical direction).

  The extension part 45 of the lever 25 extends along the vertical direction. An inclined surface 48 that is inclined upward toward the rear side (back side in the mounting direction) is provided on the lower end portion of the rear surface (back side in the mounting direction) of the extending portion 45.

  The grip portion 46 of the lever 25 extends along the front-rear direction. The grip 46 protrudes to the front side (front side in the mounting direction) from the front end of the protective cover 22 in a state where the developing device 10 is mounted on the protective cover 22 (see FIG. 4 and the like). The upper side of the grip portion 46 is covered with the flange portion 33 of the housing 24.

  The coil spring 26 of the developing device 10 is mounted on the mounting cylinder portion 44 of the lever 25. The coil spring 26 is provided along the up-down direction (the moving direction of the lever 25). The coil spring 26 is interposed between the flange portion 33 of the housing 24 and the mounting cylinder portion 44 of the lever 25. The coil spring 26 urges the lever 25 to the engagement position (see the solid line in FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the seal member 27 of the developing device 10 is fixed to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 36 of the housing 24. A communication port 50 is provided in the seal member 27 at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 37 of the cylindrical portion 36. The seal member 27 includes an elastic layer 51 and a surface layer 52 that covers the upper side and the front side of the elastic layer 51. The elastic layer 51 is made of, for example, a sponge. The surface layer 52 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, each mixer 28 and magnetic roller 29 of the developing device 10 extend along the front-rear direction. Each mixer 28 and magnetic roller 29 are rotatably supported by the housing 24. Each mixer 28 and magnetic roller 29 are accommodated in the accommodating space S of the housing 24.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the developing roller 30 of the developing device 10 extends along the front-rear direction. The developing roller 30 is rotatably supported by the housing 24. The developing roller 30 is housed in the housing space S of the housing 24. The upper right portion of the developing roller 30 is exposed to the outside of the developing device 10 through the window portion 34 of the housing 24.

  Next, the protective cover 22 of the multifunction device unit 21 will be described.

  The protective cover 22 is a rigid body and is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. The protective cover 22 extends along the front-rear direction.

  6 and the like, the protective cover 22 includes a cover main body 60, a shutter 61 provided on the rear side of the cover main body 60, a holding piece 62 provided on the rear side of the cover main body 60 and on the right side of the shutter 61. It is equipped with.

  The cover body 60 of the protective cover 22 has a substantially square cylindrical shape. A plurality of first reinforcing ribs 81 are arranged on the outer surface of the upper wall portion and the right wall portion of the cover main body 60 at intervals in the front-rear direction. Each first reinforcing rib 81 extends along a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. A pair of second reinforcing ribs 82 are provided on the outer surface of the right wall portion of the cover main body 60 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each second reinforcing rib 82 extends along the front-rear direction and intersects with each first reinforcing rib 81. A notch 65 is provided on the left side surface of the cover body 60.

  A pair of left and right guide rails 63 are provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the cover body 60. Each guide rail 63 is composed of a plurality of rail pieces 64 provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. When the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22, each guide rail 63 is provided with each rail piece 64. Each guided portion 35 (see FIG. 5 and the like) of the housing 24 of the developing device 10 is configured to be guided along the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, an engagement groove 66 (engagement portion) is provided on the front portion (portion on the front side in the mounting direction) of the bottom wall portion of the cover main body 60 toward the lower side. A contact surface 67 is provided at the bottom of the engagement groove 66. The contact surface 67 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the vertical direction (movement direction of the lever 25). That is, the contact surface 67 is provided horizontally. A pressing portion 68 is provided on the front end of the bottom wall portion of the cover body 60 on the front side (front side in the mounting direction) of the engagement groove 66.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, a columnar fitting protrusion 69 (cover-side fitting portion) is provided on the inner surface of the rear wall portion (wall portion on the back side in the mounting direction) of the cover main body 60. The fitting protrusion 69 is located on the front side of the shutter 61.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the shutter 61 of the protective cover 22 is provided integrally with the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22. The rear end of the shutter 61 is exposed to the outside of the protective cover 22.

  The shutter 61 of the protective cover 22 includes a main body portion 71 extending in the horizontal direction, a pair of connecting portions 72 extending downward from the left and right side portions of the main body portion 71, and inward in the left-right direction from the lower end portions of the connecting portions 72. A pair of facing portions 73 extending toward the bottom and a pair of reinforcing portions 74 extending downward from the inner ends of the facing portions 73 in the left-right direction are provided. Each facing portion 73 is opposed to the left and right side portions of the main body portion 71 with an interval therebetween. A fitting recess 75 is provided in a space surrounded by the left and right side portions of the main body 71, the connecting portions 72, and the facing portions 73.

  The holding piece 62 of the protective cover 22 is provided integrally with the cover main body 60 and the shutter 61 of the protective cover 22. The holding piece 62 is provided adjacent to the shutter 61. The holding piece 62 is provided with a circular bearing hole 76.

  Next, a method for attaching / detaching the developing device 10 to / from the multifunction machine main body 2 will be described.

  When the developing device 10 is mounted on the multifunction device main body 2, as indicated by a white arrow A in FIG. 8, the developing device 10 is inserted in the mounting portion 91 provided on the multifunction device main body 2 along the front-rear direction. To do. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the developing device 10 is attached to the multifunction device main body 2.

  Thus, when the developing device 10 is mounted on the multi-function device main body 2, the lever 25 is held at the engagement position (see the solid line in FIG. 9) by the urging force of the coil spring 26, and the mounting portion 91 of the multi-function device main body 2 is attached. The lower end portion of the extending portion 45 of the lever 25 engages with the provided engaging recess 92. As a result, the removal of the developing device 10 from the multifunction device main body 2 is restricted.

  On the other hand, when the developing device 10 is removed from the multi-function device main body 2, the lower surface of the grip portion 46 of the lever 25 is pressed upward, and the lever 25 is engaged with the urging force of the coil spring 26 ( It is moved from the disengagement position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) to the separation position (see the solid line in FIG. 9). As a result, the lower end portion of the extending portion 45 of the lever 25 is detached from the engaging recess 92 of the mounting portion 91 of the multifunction device main body 2. In this state, as shown by the white arrow B in FIG. 9, when the developing device 10 is pulled out from the mounting portion 91 of the multifunction device main body 2 along the front-rear direction, the developing device 10 is detached from the multifunction device main body 2. As described above, the developing device 10 is detachably attached to the multifunction device main body 2.

  Next, a method for supplying toner from the developing device 10 to the photosensitive drum 8 will be described.

  As described above, when the developing device 10 is mounted on the multifunction device main body 2, the developing device 10 is connected to the toner container 5 (see FIG. 1). When the two-component developer is discharged from the toner container 5 in this state, the two-component developer is introduced into the cylindrical portion 36 of the housing 24 of the developing device 10 through the toner supply port 37, and the cylindrical portion The storage space S of the housing 24 is supplied from the lower end of 36.

  The two-component developer replenished in the housing space S of the casing 24 in this way is stirred by each mixer 28. The two-component developer stirred by each mixer 28 is supplied to the magnetic roller 29 and supplied from the magnetic roller 29 to the developing roller 30. The toner contained in the two-component developer supplied to the developing roller 30 is supplied from the developing roller 30 to the photosensitive drum 8.

  Next, a method for attaching / detaching the developing device 10 to / from the protective cover 22 will be described.

  When the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22, the developing device 10 removed from the multifunction device main body 2 is moved back and forth with respect to the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22 as indicated by the white arrow C in FIG. Insert along the direction. As a result, the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22 as shown in FIGS.

  When the developing device 10 is thus attached to the protective cover 22, the upper and lower surfaces and the right side surface of the developing device 10 are covered with the protective cover 22 as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the upper right portion (exposed portion) of the developing roller 30 of the developing device 10 is covered with the upper right portion of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22. As described above, since the notch 65 is provided on the left side surface of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22, the left side surface of the developing device 10 is not covered by the protective cover 22.

  When the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22 as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner supply port 37 provided in the cylindrical portion 36 of the housing 24 of the developing device 10 is protected by the protective cover. The main body 71 of the 22 shutters 61 is covered. Further, the flange portion 38 of the cylindrical portion 36 is fitted into the fitting recess 75 of the shutter 61, and the flange portion 38 is sandwiched together with the seal member 27 by the main body portion 71 and the facing portion 73 of the shutter 61. Further, the shaft 40 of the developing device 10 is inserted into the bearing hole 76 of the holding piece 62 of the protective cover 22.

  When the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22 as described above, the fitting hole 42 of the housing 24 of the developing device 10 is fitted to the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22 as shown in FIG. It fits into the protrusion 69. As a result, the movement of the developing device 10 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (direction intersecting the front-rear direction) is restricted.

  When the developing device 10 is mounted on the protective cover 22 as described above, the lever 25 is held in the engaged position (see the solid line in FIG. 4) by the urging force of the coil spring 26, as shown in FIG. The lower end portion of the extending portion 45 of the lever 25 engages with the engaging groove 66 provided in the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22. Thereby, the movement of the developing device 10 in the front-rear direction is restricted, and the removal of the developing device 10 from the protective cover 22 is restricted. Further, as the lower end portion of the extending portion 45 is engaged with the engaging groove 66 as described above, the lower end portion of the extending portion 45 comes into contact with the contact surface 67 of the engaging groove 66.

  On the other hand, when the developing device 10 is removed from the protective cover 22, the lower surface of the grip portion 46 of the lever 25 is pressed upward, and the lever 25 is engaged with the biasing force of the coil spring 26 (see FIG. 4) (see the solid line 4) to the disengagement position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). Thereby, the lower end portion of the extending portion 45 of the lever 25 is detached from the engaging groove 66 of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22. In this state, as shown by the white arrow D in FIG. 4, when the developing device 10 is pulled out from the protective cover 22 along the front-rear direction, the developing device 10 is removed from the protective cover 22. Thus, the developing device 10 is detachably attached to the protective cover 22.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the developing device 10 removed from the multi-function device body 2 is partially covered with the protective cover 22. Therefore, damage to the developing device 10 at the time of shipment or replacement can be suppressed. Further, by covering the toner supply port 37 of the developing device 10 with the shutter 61 of the protective cover 22 as described above, toner leakage from the toner supply port 37 can be prevented without complicating the configuration of the developing device 10. Is possible. Further, since leakage of toner from the toner replenishing port 37 can be prevented without blocking the toner replenishing port 37 with another member such as a tape or a cap, the shipping cost of the developing device 10 is increased and the shipping operation of the developing device 10 is performed. It becomes possible to suppress complication.

  Further, as described above, it is not necessary to block the toner replenishing port 37 with another member such as a tape or a cap. Therefore, when the developer 10 is used, the operator forgets to remove the other member and transfers the toner container 5 from the toner container 5 to the developer 10. The inconvenience that the toner cannot be replenished can be avoided.

  Further, when the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22, the collar portion 38 of the cylindrical portion 36 is sandwiched between the main body portion 71 and the facing portion 73 of the shutter 61. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the shutter 61 from being lifted with respect to the cylindrical portion 36, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the toner supply port 37.

  Further, when the developing device 10 is attached to the protective cover 22, the fitting hole 42 of the housing 24 of the developing device 10 is fitted to the fitting protrusion 69 of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22, so The movement of the developing device 10 in the direction (direction intersecting with the front-rear direction) is restricted. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably suppress the displacement of the developing device 10 with respect to the protective cover 22. Accordingly, the toner replenishing port 37 can be reliably covered by the shutter 61, and toner leakage from the toner replenishing port 37 can be reliably prevented.

  Further, the lower end portion of the extending portion 45 of the lever 25 is engaged with the engaging groove 66 of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22 so that the movement of the developing device 10 in the front-rear direction is restricted. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress the displacement of the developing device 10 with respect to the protective cover 22. Accordingly, the toner replenishing port 37 can be more reliably covered by the shutter 61, and toner leakage from the toner replenishing port 37 can be more reliably prevented.

  Further, by covering the upper right part (exposed part) of the developing roller 30 with the upper right part of the cover main body 60 of the protective cover 22 as described above, external light (particularly direct sunlight) hits the upper right part of the developing roller 30. Can be suppressed, and the deterioration of the developing roller 30 can be prevented. In addition, since the shutter 61 is provided integrally with the cover body 60 as described above, the configuration of the protective cover 22 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the protective cover 22 can be reduced. .

  Further, as described above, the rear end portion of the shutter 61 is exposed to the outside of the protective cover 22. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to visually confirm that the toner supply port 37 is covered with the shutter 61.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the developing device 10 removed from the multi-function device main body 2 is partially covered with the protective cover 22 has been described. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the developing device 10 removed from the multi-function device main body 2 may be entirely covered with the protective cover 22.

  In this embodiment, the case where the engaging groove 66 having the contact surface 67 is used as the engaging portion has been described. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, it is good also considering the through-hole which does not have the contact surface 67 as an engaging part.

  In this embodiment, the case where the toner supply port 37 (the toner supply opening) is covered with the shutter 61 has been described. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the toner discharge port (toner discharge opening) may be covered by the shutter 61.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the developing device 10 is a detachable device has been described. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, devices other than the developing device 10 such as the drum unit 20 may be used as detachable devices.

  In the present embodiment, the case where development processing is performed using a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier has been described. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the development process may be performed using a one-component developer composed of only toner.

  In this embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the multifunction device 1 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus other than the multifunction device 1 such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. May be applied.

1 MFP (image forming device)
2 MFP body (device body)
10 Developer (detachable device)
21 Unit for MFP (Unit for image forming device)
22 Protective cover 24 Case 25 Lever 30 Developing roller (carrier)
36 Cylindrical part 37 Toner supply port (opening part for toner supply)
38 flange 42 fitting hole (equipment side fitting part)
60 Cover body 61 Shutter 66 Engaging groove (engaging part)
69 Fitting protrusion (cover side fitting part)
71 Body part 73 Opposite part

Claims (4)

A detachable device that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus;
A protective cover that at least partially covers the detachable device in a state of being detached from the apparatus main body,
The detachable device has an opening for supplying toner or discharging toner,
The protective cover includes a shutter that covers the opening in a state where the detachable device is attached to the protective cover ,
The detachable device is provided to be attached to the protective cover along a predetermined attachment direction,
The wall portion on the back side in the mounting direction of the detachable device is provided with a device side fitting portion,
A cover-side fitting portion is provided on the wall portion on the back side in the mounting direction of the protective cover,
When the detachable device is attached to the protective cover, the device-side fitting portion is fitted to the cover-side fitting portion, and movement of the detachable device in a direction crossing the mounting direction is restricted,
A lever is provided on the front side of the attaching / detaching device in the mounting direction,
An engagement portion is provided on the front side of the protective cover in the mounting direction,
The image forming apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein when the detachable device is mounted on the protective cover, the lever is engaged with the engaging portion to restrict movement of the detachable device in the mounting direction . The removable device is
A cylindrical portion having the opening;
And a collar portion protruding from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion,
The shutter is
A main body covering the opening;
An opposing portion that opposes the main body portion with a gap therebetween,
The image forming apparatus unit according to claim 1, wherein when the detachable device is attached to the protective cover, the collar portion is sandwiched between the main body portion and the facing portion. The removable device is
A carrier carrying toner; and
A housing that rotatably supports the carrier,
At least a part of the carrier is exposed to the outside of the detachable device,
The protective cover includes a cover body that covers an exposed portion of the carrier,
The shutter, the image forming apparatus unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that provided integrally with the cover body. At least in part, an image forming apparatus for unit according to any one of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that is exposed to the outside of the protective cover of the shutter.

Images