JP5282943B2 - Developer container, image forming apparatus, and developing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer container of high operability, capable of closing surely an opening by a container side shutter when not set to an image forming device body, and capable of opening surely the opening by the container side shutter when set to the image forming device body, an image forming device, and a developing device. <P>SOLUTION: The developer container 1 includes the container side shutter 4 for opening and closing the opening 3a for discharging a developer to an inside of the developer container 1, and locking mechanisms 3c, 4a for stopping the container side shutter 4 in an opening 3a closed position. The locking mechanisms 3c, 4a are released interlocked with a mounting operation onto a developer storage part 3d, the opening 3a is thereby opened by the container side shutter 4, the container side shutter 4 closes the opening 3a interlockedly with a separation operation from the developer storage part 3d, and the container side shutter 4 is stopped by the locking mechanisms 3c, 4a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a developer container for supplying a developer to a developer container of a main body of an image forming apparatus or collecting a developer from a developer container of a main body of an image forming apparatus, and a detachable installation thereof The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof, there is a technique for providing a shutter (container-side shutter) at an opening of a developer container that contains a developer. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, a developer container (toner cartridge) that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body is provided with an opening (opening) for discharging the developer contained in the container. It has been. Furthermore, a container-side shutter (shutter) is provided at the opening of the developer container so as to be freely opened and closed.
When the developer container is not set in the image forming apparatus main body, the opening is closed by the container side shutter so that the developer does not leak from the opening of the developer container. On the other hand, when the developer container is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the container-side shutter moves to open the opening in order to supply the developer from the developer container toward the developing device.

JP 2008-8952 A

  Since the conventional developer container described above does not have a mechanism for locking the container-side shutter in a position where the opening is closed, a user or a serviceman mistakenly detects that the developer container is not set in the image forming apparatus main body. If the container-side shutter is touched to open the opening, there is a possibility that a developer leaks from the opening.

  In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to provide a lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at a position where the opening is closed. However, in that case, when the developer container is set in the image forming apparatus main body, there is a problem that the developer is not supplied from the developer container toward the developing device without performing the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism. there is a possibility.

Such a problem is not limited to the developer container that supplies the developer to the image forming apparatus body (developer container), but the developer that collects the developer from the image forming apparatus body (developer container). This is common to containers (collecting a developer to be discarded).
That is, if there is no mechanism for locking the container-side shutter at the position where the opening is closed, when the developer container is taken out of the image forming apparatus main body, the user or the like accidentally touches the container-side shutter to open the opening. As a result, the developer collected inside leaks from the opening. On the other hand, even if a lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter is provided at a position where the opening is closed, when the developer container is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the lock mechanism is not released and the development is not performed. There is a possibility that the developer may not be collected in the developer container.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and when not set in the image forming apparatus main body, the opening is securely closed by the container side shutter, and when set in the image forming apparatus main body. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer container, an image forming apparatus, and a developing device that are reliably opened by a container-side shutter and have high operability.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer container supplies or collects the developer to the developer accommodating portion by opening the main body side shutter installed in the developer accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, a developer container that is detachably installed in the developer accommodating portion, a container-side shutter that opens and closes an opening for discharging or feeding the developer into the container, and the opening is closed A lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at the position where the container-side shutter is disposed, and the lock mechanism is installed on the container-side shutter, and is disposed on the container-side shutter. A container engaging member that engages with the engaging portion and restricts movement of the container-side shutter in the opening direction, and is interlocked with the operation of setting the developer containing portion from above or below. Contact with developer container The container engaging member is elastically deformed, and after the engagement between the container engaging member and the container engaged portion is released, the operation is pushed forward with respect to the developer accommodating portion. With the container-side shutter fixed, the opening is opened and the main body-side shutter is pushed so that the opening and the main body-side opening of the developer accommodating portion communicate with each other.
The opening is closed by the container-side shutter fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, and the main body-side shutter is closed, and then the upper portion with respect to the developer accommodating portion. Alternatively, the elastic deformation of the container engaging member due to the contact with the developer accommodating portion is released in conjunction with the downward movement, and the container engaging member and the container engaged portion are engaged. It is.

The developer container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the first aspect, wherein the container engaging member is a claw member, and the container engaged portion is a protrusion. Is.

The developer container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the container engaging member and the container engaged portion are in front of the opening. Thus, they are respectively disposed on both sides of the opening.

The developer container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the third aspect, wherein the pair of container engaging members are inclined so that their tip portions are closer to each other than the root portion. Is formed.

The developer container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the container engaging member is tapered toward the side facing the developer containing portion. And the developer accommodating portion is provided with a tapered portion on the side facing the container engaging member .

A developer container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the developer container is interlocked with an operation of setting the developer container from above or below. And an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of the main body side shutter to determine a position with respect to the main body side shutter.

The developer container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the sixth aspect, wherein the engaging portion is in front of the container-engaged portion and above the developer containing portion. Alternatively, it is provided below or above the container engaging member with respect to the setting direction from below.

  The developer container according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the container according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, wherein the container is fixed in conjunction with an operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion. When the opening is closed by the side shutter, the engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion is pulled and the main body side shutter closes the main body side opening.

A developer container according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the container is interlocked with an operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer containing portion. When the opening is opened while the side shutter is fixed, a second lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at a position where the opening is opened, and an operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion And a release lever for releasing the parking of the container-side shutter by the second lock mechanism.

A developer container according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the container according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the container is interlocked with an operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer containing portion. When the opening is opened while the side shutter is fixed, the operation of abutting and pushing out the developer accommodating portion at the position where the opening is opened is restricted.

A developer container according to an invention of claim 11 is the container body according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a container main body for containing the developer, the container main body, and the container main body. And an inclined conveying section for conveying the developer in an oblique direction between the container body and the opening, and the inclined conveying section. A handle extending in a horizontal direction rearward from a connection position with the opening and extending in a vertical direction to a connection position between the inclined conveyance unit and the container main body.

  A developer container according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the developer accommodating portion is located at a position where the main body side opening is closed. A main body side locking mechanism that parks the shutter; the main body side locking mechanism is released in conjunction with the mounting operation to the developer accommodating portion; the main body side shutter opens the main body side opening; The main body side shutter closes the main body side opening in conjunction with the detachment operation from the agent container, and the main body side shutter is parked by the main body side lock mechanism.

  A developer container according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the main body side locking mechanism is provided in a hole formed in the main body side shutter and the developer containing portion. And a movable pin that engages with the hole and restricts movement of the main body side shutter, and engages with the hole of the main body side shutter. The engaging pin engages with the hole portion in conjunction with an operation of setting the developer containing portion from above or below with respect to the developer containing portion, and pushes the movable pin to move the hole portion and the movable portion. After the engagement with the pin is released, the opening is opened and the main body side shutter is pushed in a state where the container side shutter is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer containing portion. The body side The opening is closed and communicated with the opening, and the opening is closed by the container-side shutter fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, and the body-side shutter After the opening is closed, the push of the movable pin by the engagement pin is released in conjunction with the operation of detaching upward or downward with respect to the developer container, and the hole and the movable pin are engaged. To match.

  A developer container according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the developer is any one of a two-component developer, a toner, and a carrier. It is.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the developer container according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects is detachably installed in the developer accommodating portion. .

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the developer container is the developer container according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and a first main body side opening for supplying a developer accommodated in the developer container installed with the opening facing downward. Is provided with the opening facing upward, and a second main body side opening for collecting the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion into the developer container, the first main body The main body side shutters are respectively installed in the side opening and the second main body side opening.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the first main body side opening and the second main body side opening are at positions facing each other in the vertical direction. It is arranged.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, wherein the first main body side opening is formed larger than the second main body side opening. It is a thing.

  An image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect is the invention according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein the developer container according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects is A non-compatible member for distinguishing the color of the developer accommodated in the interior; and the developer accommodating portion is configured to supply the developer accommodated in the developer container to the developer accommodating portion. When a developer container is set, a fitting portion that fits only the corresponding incompatible member is provided in the vicinity of the first main body side opening, and the developer contained in the developer containing portion is developed. When the developer container is collected, the developer container is set in the second main body side opening regardless of the shape of the incompatible member.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the incompatible member is installed on the container-side shutter.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fifteenth to twentieth aspects, wherein the developer containing portion is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is installed in the installed developing device.

  A developing device according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is a developing device that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developing device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects. The developer container is provided with a developer container detachably installed.

  The present invention provides a lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at a position where the opening of the developer container is closed, and the lock mechanism is released in conjunction with the mounting operation to the developer container so that the container-side shutter opens. And the container-side shutter closes the opening in conjunction with the detachment operation from the developer accommodating portion, and the container-side shutter is parked by the lock mechanism. Thereby, the opening is reliably closed by the container side shutter when not set in the image forming apparatus main body, and the opening is surely opened by the container side shutter when set in the image forming apparatus main body, and the operability is high. A developer container, an image forming apparatus, and a developing device can be provided.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an image forming unit thereof, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a developing device. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a developer replenishment path from the agent cartridge to the developing device. Further, FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the developer container is set in the developing device at the time of unpacking or changing the developer.

As shown in FIG. 1, four agent cartridges 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are detachably attached to the cartridge housing portion 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is installed (changeable).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the cartridge housing portion 31. Image forming units (photosensitive drums 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K and developing devices 23Y, 23M, and 22K) corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 18 of the intermediate transfer unit 15. 23C, 23K, etc. are installed).

Referring to FIG. 2, each color image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 24, a developing device 23, a cleaning unit 22, and a charge eliminating unit (not shown) disposed around the photosensitive drum 21. .) Etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 21, and an image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.
Since the image forming portions of the respective colors have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner used is different, in the drawings other than FIG. 1, the developing device and the photosensitive drum are indicated by alphabets (Y, C, M). , BK) is shown.

Referring to FIG. 1, each of the photosensitive drums 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a drive motor (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 24 (this is a charging process). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure apparatus, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure scanning at this position (this is an exposure process).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 reaches a position facing the developing device 23, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 18 and the first transfer bias roller 17, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 21.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 22, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected at this position (cleaning step).
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 21 is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 21 is completed.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt 18 onto which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are transferred in a superimposed manner through the development process is illustrated as a secondary transfer roller 19. Reach the opposite position. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 18 between the secondary transfer roller 19 and forms a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 18.
Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 18 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning unit. At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is a thing.
Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation drive has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 18, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller. Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged out of the apparatus as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device 23 will be described in detail.
Referring to FIG. 2, the developing device 23 includes a first developing roller 23a1, a second developing roller 23a2, transport screws 23b1 to 23b3 (auger screws), a doctor blade 23c, a carrier collecting roller 23k, a scraper 23m, and a fourth transport. It is comprised by the screw 23n etc. In addition, in the developing device 23, three developer transport portions B1 to B3 that transport the developer to form a circulation path are formed.

  Each of the first developing roller 23a1 and the second developing roller 23a2 has a sleeve formed of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel, or conductive resin in a cylindrical shape. It is configured to be rotated. In the sleeves of the developing rollers 23a1 and 23a2, a magnet for forming a magnetic field is fixed so as to cause the developer to rise on the peripheral surface of the sleeve. The carrier in the developer spikes in a chain shape on the sleeve so as to follow the normal magnetic field lines emitted from the magnet. The charged toner is attached to the carrier spiked in a chain shape to form a magnetic brush. The magnetic brush is transferred in the same direction (clockwise) as the sleeve by the rotation of the sleeve. In the first developing area where the first developing roller 23a1 and the photosensitive drum 21 face each other and in the second developing area where the second developing roller 23a2 and the photosensitive drum 21 face each other, The toner adheres to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 to form a toner image.

  The doctor blade 23c is installed on the upstream side of the developing area, and regulates the developer carried on the first developing roller 23a1 to an appropriate amount. The doctor blade 23c in the present embodiment is a plate-like member having a thickness of about 2 mm formed of a nonmagnetic metal material (including a weak magnetic metal material) such as SUS316 or XM7.

In addition, a carrier collecting roller 23k is installed below the second developing roller 23a2 (on the downstream side in the rotation direction) and at a position facing the photosensitive drum 21. Further, a scraper 23m is installed at a position where it abuts on the carrier collecting roller 23k.
The carrier collecting roller 23k is a cylindrical body made of stainless steel or the like in which a magnet for forming a predetermined magnetic field is fixed, and the carrier that moves (flys) from the inside of the developing device 23 and adheres to the photosensitive drum 21. It is for collecting. The carrier collecting roller 23k is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

The three transport screws 23b1 to 23b3 are each formed with a screw portion in a spiral shape on the shaft portion, and the developer accommodated in the developing device 23 is in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). ) While stirring, mix and mix.
The first transport screw 23b1 is disposed in a position facing the first developing roller 23a1 in the first developer transporting section B1, and transports the developer in the horizontal direction, and on the first developing roller 23a1. Supply developer.
The second transport screw 23b2 is installed in the second developer transport unit B2. The second transport screw 23b2 is disposed below the first transport screw 23b1 and at a position facing the second developing roller 23a2. Then, the developer separated from the second developing roller 23a2 (the developer forcibly separated from the second developing roller 23a2 by the agent separation pole after the developing process) is conveyed in the horizontal direction.
The first transport screw 23b1 and the second transport screw 23b2 are arranged so that the rotation axis is substantially horizontal, like the developing rollers 23a1 and 23a2 and the photosensitive drum 21.

  The third transport screw 23b3 is installed in the third developer transport unit B3. The third conveyance screw 23b3 is disposed obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction so as to linearly connect the downstream side of the conveyance path by the second conveyance screw 23b2 and the upstream side of the conveyance path by the first conveyance screw 23b1. Has been. The third transport screw 23b3 transports the developer transported by the second transport screw 23b2 to the upstream side of the transport path by the first transport screw 23b1, and falls from the downstream side of the transport path by the first transport screw 23b1. The developer circulated through the path is transported upstream of the transport path by the first transport screw 23b1.

A transport path (first developer transport section B1) by the first transport screw 23b1, a transport path by the second transport screw 23b2 (second developer transport section B2), and a transport path (first transport by the third transport screw 23b3). 3 developer transport section B3) is isolated from the wall.
Although illustration is omitted, the downstream side of the second developer transport unit B2 and the upstream side of the third developer transport unit B3 communicate with each other via the first relay unit. In addition, the downstream side of the third developer transport unit B3 and the upstream side of the first developer transport unit B1 communicate with each other via the second relay unit. In addition, the downstream side of the first developer transport unit B1 and the upstream side of the third developer transport unit B3 communicate with each other via a dropping path.

With such a configuration, a circulation path for circulating the developer in the longitudinal direction in the developing device 23 is formed by the three developer conveying portions B1 to B3 (conveying screws 23b1 to 23b3).
Note that a magnetic sensor (not shown) is installed in the third developer conveyance section B3. Then, based on the toner density information detected by the magnetic sensor, a developer having a predetermined toner density is supplied from the agent cartridge 32 into the developing device 23.

  Here, the developing device 23 in the present embodiment is configured to discharge a part of the developer contained in the developing device 23 to the outside (agent storage container) on the wall portion of the first developer conveying portion B1. A discharge port (not shown) is provided. Specifically, the discharge port has a predetermined level of the developer surface (upper surface) of the developer that is supplied from the agent cartridge 32 into the developing device 23 and the amount of developer in the device 23 is increased and conveyed to that position. When the temperature exceeds the limit, the excess developer is discharged toward the agent storage container (not shown). Then, after the excess developer discharged from the discharge port is transported by the fourth transport screw 23n, it is further discharged toward the agent storage container. As described above, since the carrier deteriorated by being contaminated by the toner base resin or the external additive is automatically discharged to the outside of the developing unit, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the image quality over time.

Here, the developer in each of the agent cartridges 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K installed in the cartridge housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100 corresponds to the toner consumption in the developing devices 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K of the respective colors. The toner is appropriately supplied from the supply port 23p shown in FIG. 3 into the developing device 23 through a supply path provided for each toner color.
Specifically, with reference to FIG. 4, the developer in the agent cartridge 32 is transported to the replenishing device 59 via the tube 71 and then supplied to the developing device 23 via the replenishing port 23p. The four-color replenishment paths have substantially the same structure except that the toner colors used in the image forming process are different.

  More specifically, when the agent cartridge 32 is set in the cartridge housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the nozzle 70 of the cartridge housing portion 31 is connected to the cap portion 34 of the agent cartridge 32. At this time, the plug member 34d of the agent cartridge 32 opens the developer discharge port of the cap portion 34 while being sandwiched between the nozzle 70 and the claw 76 (biased by the leaf spring 77). Thereby, the developer accommodated in the cartridge main body 33 of the agent cartridge 32 is conveyed into the nozzle 70 via the developer discharge port.

On the other hand, the other end of the nozzle 70 is connected to one end of the tube 71. The tube 71 is made of a flexible material excellent in toner resistance, and the other end thereof is connected to a screw pump 60 (Mono pump) of a replenishing device.
The tube 71 is formed so that the inner diameter is 4 to 10 mm. As the material of the tube 71, a rubber material such as polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM, or silicon, or a resin material such as polyethylene or nylon can be used. By using such a flexible tube 71, the degree of freedom of the layout of the supply path is increased, and the image forming apparatus is downsized.

  The screw pump 60 is a suction type uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and includes a rotor 61, a stator 62, a suction port 63, a universal joint 64, a motor 66, and the like. The rotor 61, the stator 62, the universal joint 64, etc. are accommodated in a case (not shown). The stator 62 is an internally threaded member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a double pitch spiral groove is formed in the stator 62. The rotor 61 is a male screw-like member formed by spirally twisting a shaft made of a rigid material such as metal, and is fitted into the stator 62 so as to be freely rotatable. One end of the rotor 61 is rotatably connected to a motor 66 via a universal joint 64.

  The screw pump 60 configured as described above generates a suction force at the suction port 36 by rotating the rotor 61 in the stator 62 in a predetermined direction by the motor 66 (the air in the tube 71 is sent out to the tube). A negative pressure is generated in 71). As a result, the developer in the agent cartridge 32 is sucked into the suction port 63 through the tube 71 together with air. The developer sucked up to the suction port 63 is fed into the gap between the stator 62 and the rotor 61, and is sent to the other end side along the rotation of the rotor 61. The delivered developer is discharged from the delivery port 67 of the screw pump 60 and is replenished to the developing device 23 through the replenishing port 23p (the movement in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. 4).

  Note that the four substantially cylindrical agent cartridges 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, which are detachably installed in the cartridge accommodating portion 31, respectively, reach the end of their lives (almost all the developer contained is consumed and empty). Is replaced with a new one. The replacement operation of the agent cartridges 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is performed by opening and closing a cover (not shown) of the cartridge housing portion 31.

Here, when the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is delivered and installed to the user (or when the developer in the developing device 23 is replaced with a new one), an empty developing device 23 is provided by a service person. A developer (initial agent) is supplied to. Specifically, the main body cover of the apparatus main body 100 is opened and closed to expose the developer accommodating portion 23d of the developing device 23, and the developer container 1 accommodating the developer is attached to the developer accommodating portion 23d (FIG. 5 ( This is the state of A). At this time, the developer container 1 is set from above the developer accommodating portion 23d, and the main body side shutter 23e installed in the developer accommodating portion 23d is opened in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer container 1, and the developer is opened. Developer is supplied from the container 1 to the empty developing device 23 via the developer accommodating portion 23d. Then, the developer container 1 after supplying the developer is detached from the developer accommodating portion 23d and removed from the apparatus main body 100.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the developer in the developing device 23 is replaced with a new one (the developer is deteriorated even if the above-described developer replenishment / discharge is performed). )), The developer (deteriorating agent) is collected in the empty developer container 1 by the service person. Specifically, the main body cover of the apparatus main body 100 is opened and closed to expose the developer accommodating portion 23d of the developing device 23, and the empty developer container 1 is attached to the developer accommodating portion 23d (state of FIG. 5B). .) At this time, the developer container 1 is set from the lower side of the developer container 23d, and in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer container 1, the main body side shutter 23g installed in the developer container 23d is opened to develop the developer container 1 The developer is collected from the apparatus 23 into the empty developer container 1 through the developer container 23d. Then, the developer container 1 after the developer has been collected is detached from the developer accommodating portion 23 d and removed from the apparatus main body 100.
As described above, the developer container 1 in the present embodiment functions as a container that supplies the developer to the empty developing device 23 and also functions as a container that collects the deteriorated developer from the developing device 23. Become.
The supply of the developer into the developing device 23 via the developer accommodating portion 23d and the recovery of the developer from the inside of the developing device 23 via the developer accommodating portion 23d are the fourth conveying screw 23n. Can be performed by rotationally driving in the forward and reverse directions.

Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the developer container 1 and the developer container 23d, which are characteristic in the present embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the developer container 1 includes a container body 2, a handle 3, a container side shutter 4, an elastic material 5, a seal material 6, a packing 7, and the like.
The container body 2 is a bottle made of PS resin (polystyrene resin) or the like, and a cap 2c is installed in the filling hole. A decal seal 2b is attached to the ceiling surface of the container body 2, and an auxiliary seal 2a is attached to the side surface of the container body 2 (from the container-side shutter 4 to the handle 3 when the developer container 1 is recovered). Is attached together with the mount.

The handle 2 is made of PE resin, ABS resin, or the like, and forms an inclined conveyance portion K together with the container body 2, and has an opening 3a for discharging the developer at its tip (also functioning as an opening for collecting the developer) Is provided).
Referring to FIG. 6, the inclined conveyance portion K of the developer container 1 includes a container main body 2 and an opening 3 a disposed in front of the container main body 2 (in the left direction in FIG. 6). It is formed between the container body 2 and the opening 3a to convey the developer in an oblique direction. By providing the inclined conveyance portion K, the developer accommodated in the container body 2 flows smoothly toward the opening 3a (or the developer is collected smoothly from the opening 3a toward the container body 2). Will be.)
Further, the handle 3 extends horizontally from the connection position between the inclined conveyance section K and the opening 3a to the rear (in the right direction in FIG. 6), so that the connection position between the inclined conveyance section K and the container body 2 is reached. It extends in the vertical direction. In this way, by providing the handle 3 by making the maximum use of the space formed by providing the inclined conveyance section K, the developer container 1 is highly operable without being enlarged (easy to grip). A developer container 1 can be provided.
Further, the handle 3 is formed with an engaging portion 3b, two projecting portions 3c, two engaging pins 3d, two release levers 3e, etc. in the vicinity of the opening 3a. explain in detail.

The container-side shutter 4 is made of PE resin, ABS resin, or the like, and opens and closes an opening 3 a for discharging or feeding the developer into the container of the developer container 1. That is, when the developer container 1 is used for supplying the developer, the container-side shutter 4 opens and closes the opening 3a for discharging the developer from the inside of the container. On the other hand, when the developer container 1 is used for collecting the developer, the container-side shutter 4 opens and closes the opening 3a for collecting the developer inside the container. The groove 4c (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the container-side shutter 4 engages with a convex portion formed in the vicinity of the opening 3a of the handle 3. As a result, the container-side shutter 4 moves relative to the developer container 1 in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 6). 9 is a view (front view, top view, side view, bottom view) showing the container-side shutter 4 from four directions, and FIGS. 10A and 10B show different views of the container-side shutter 4. It is a perspective view shown from.
The container-side shutter 4 is also provided with a claw member 4a that functions as a lock mechanism, an incompatible protrusion 4b as an incompatible member, and the like, which will be described in detail later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a packing 7 is inserted between the members 2 and 3 in order to prevent leakage of the developer from the joint portion between the container body 2 and the handle 3.
Moreover, in order to improve the sealing performance between the container side shutter 4 and the opening 3 a of the handle 3, an elastic material 5 made of foamed polyurethane or the like is installed between the both. One surface of the elastic material 5 is adhered to the container-side shutter 4 with a double-sided tape, and a highly slidable material such as Mylar is adhered to the other surface.
Further, a sealing material 6 having an adhesive surface around the opening 3a extends rearward along the handle 3 from the position of the opening 3a. The seal material 6 is for further sealing the opening 3a closed by the container side shutter 4 in the new developer container 1 containing the developer, and is removed by the operator when unpacking. Is.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, the developer accommodating portion 23 d is an upper portion of the developing device 23 and corresponds to the front side (corresponding to the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). It corresponds to.). A main body side opening 23f (a first main body side opening, which is an opening for supplying the developer from the developer container 1) is formed above the developer accommodating portion 23d. A freely configured main body side shutter 23e is installed. Further, a second main body side opening 23h (an opening for collecting the developer into the developer container 1 and facing the first main body side opening 23f is disposed below the developer accommodating portion 23d. A main body side shutter 23g configured to be openable and closable is installed (see FIG. 15 and the like). The inside of the developer accommodating portion 23d communicates with the inside of the developing device 23 via a conveyance portion by the fourth conveyance screw 23n.
The developer accommodating portion 23d of the developing device 23 is provided with a movable pin 23d1, an incompatible hole 23d4 as a fitting portion, a compatible hole 23d5, and the like. Further, the main body side shutter 23e is provided with an engaged portion 23e1, a hole 23e2, and the like. These will be described in detail later.

  In the developer container 1 and the developer container 23d configured as described above, the lock mechanisms 3c and 4a that park the container-side shutter 4 at the position where the opening 3a of the developer container 1 is closed are provided in the developer container 23d. The container side shutter 4 is released in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer container 1 to open the opening 3a. In conjunction with the detaching operation of the developer container 1 from the developer container 23d, the container side shutter 4 closes the opening 3a, and the container side shutter 4 is parked by the lock mechanisms 3c and 4a.

  Specifically, the locking mechanism of the developer container 1 is a protrusion 3c (integrated with the handle 3) installed in the vicinity of the opening 3a or a protrusion with reference to FIGS. A claw member 4a (installed on the container-side shutter 4) that engages with the portion 3c to restrict the movement of the container-side shutter 4 in the opening direction is configured. The claw member 4a and the protrusion 3c are in front of the opening 3a (on the left side in FIG. 6 and in a direction in which the main body side shutters 3e and 3g are pushed to open) and sandwich both sides of the opening 3a. Are disposed at the respective positions. Referring to FIG. 6, the pair of claw members 4 a are formed so as to be inclined by an angle θ such that their tip portions are closer to each other than the root portion. And the main part 4a1 (refer FIG. 9) of the nail | claw member 4a engages with the projection part 3c, and the container side shutter 4 does not move to an open | release direction (it is the left direction of FIG. 6). Limited.

  11 and 12 and the like, the developer container 1 is set from above with respect to the developer container 23d when the developer is supplied (set from below when the developer is collected). Then, after the claw member 4a is elastically deformed by the contact with the wall portion 23d3 of the developer accommodating portion 23d (the angle θ is reduced), the engagement between the claw member 4a and the protruding portion 3c is released. The opening 3a is opened while the container side shutter 4 is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing the developer container 1 forward with respect to the developer container 23d, and the main body side shutter 23e is pushed to open the opening 3a. And the main body side opening 23f communicate with each other.

More specifically, the mounting operation of the developer container 1 when supplying the developer will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the developer container 1 is placed on the developer accommodating portion 23d from above. In conjunction with the operation at this time, the claw member 4a is pushed and spread while abutting against the wall 23d3 of the developer accommodating portion 23d, and the lock mechanisms 3c and 4a are released (in the state of FIG. 12A). is there.). At the same time, the engaging portion 3b (which is a through hole) of the developer container 1 is engaged with the engaged portion 23e1 (which is a projection shaft) of the main body side shutter 23e, so that the main body side shutter 23e is engaged. The position of the developer container 1 is determined, and the subsequent opening operation of the main body side shutter 23e and the container side shutter 4 is stably performed.
In the present embodiment, the claw member 4a is formed with a taper portion 4g (see FIG. 10) on the side facing the wall portion 23d3 of the developer accommodating portion 23d. Further, the wall portion 23d3 of the developer accommodating portion 23d is also formed with a tapered portion (see FIG. 11 and the like) on the side facing the claw member 4a. As a result, the operation of elastically deforming the claw member 4a when the developer container 1 is set from above with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d is smoothly and reliably performed.
Referring to FIG. 6, engagement portion 3a is forward by distance δ1 with respect to protrusion 3c, and distance δ2 is greater than claw member 4a in the set direction from above with respect to developer accommodating portion 23d. Is only provided below. Thereby, the positioning operation of the developer container 1 with respect to the main body side shutter 23e is smoothly and reliably performed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12B, the developer container 1 is pushed forward (in a direction away from the operator and on the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 1) with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d. As a result, the movement of the container-side shutter 4 is restricted and the opening 3a is opened while the container-side shutter 4 is in contact with the wall of the developer accommodating portion 23d. At the same time, the main body side shutter 23e is pushed to the tip of the handle 3 of the developer container 1, and the main body side shutter 23e moves to the left in FIG. 12B, and the main body side opening 23f is opened. .
Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, finally, the opening 3a and the main body side opening 23f are completely opened at the position where the tip of the handle 3 of the developer container 1 abuts against the wall of the developer accommodating portion 23d. And communicate. That is, the developer container 1 is restricted from being pushed out by abutting against the developer accommodating portion 23d at the position where the opening 3a is opened, and the mounting operation of the developer container 1 is completed (the state shown in FIG. 11). ). Then, the developer is supplied from the developer container 1 to the developer accommodating portion 23d (developing device 23) through the communicating opening 3a and the main body side opening 23f.

Here, referring to FIG. 13, main body side locking mechanisms 23 d 1, 23 d 2, and 23 e 2 that park the main body side shutter 23 e at positions where the main body side opening 23 f is closed are provided in the developer accommodating portion 23 d in the present embodiment. (The second main body side opening 23h is also configured similarly). The main body side locking mechanisms 23d1, 23d2, and 23e2 are released in conjunction with the mounting operation of the developer container 1 to the developer containing portion 23d, and the main body side shutter 23e opens the main body side opening 23f, thereby containing the developer. The main body side shutter 23e closes the main body side opening 23f in conjunction with the detachment operation of the developer container 1 from the portion 23d, and the main body side shutter 23e is parked by the main body side lock mechanisms 23d1, 23d2, and 23e2.
13A is a top view showing the developer accommodating portion 23d, FIG. 13B is a side sectional view showing the developer accommodating portion 23d, and FIG. 13C is a developer accommodating portion. FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a state where the developer container 1 is placed on 23d (the state shown in FIG. 12A).

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, the main body side locking mechanism engages with the hole 23e2 and the hole 23e2 formed in the main body side shutter 23e, and the main body side shutter 23e is engaged. The movable pin 23d1 that restricts the movement, the compression spring 23d2 that biases the movable pin 23d1 upward, and the like. The movable pin 23d1 is installed to be movable in the vertical direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 13B) with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 13C and the like, the handle 3 of the developer container 1 is provided with an engagement pin 3d that engages with the hole 23e2 of the main body side shutter 23e.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the engaging pin 3d is engaged with the hole 23e2 in conjunction with the operation of setting the developer container 1 with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d from above when the developer is supplied. At the same time, the movable pin 23d1 is pushed against the urging force of the compression spring 23d2, and the engagement between the hole 23e2 and the movable pin 23d1 is released. Thereafter, as described above, the opening 3a and the main body side opening 23f are opened in conjunction with the operation of pushing the developer container 1 forward with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d.
On the other hand, when the developer container 1 is removed, as described above, first, the opening 3a and the main body side opening 23f are interlocked with the operation of pulling the developer container 1 backward with respect to the developer container 23d. Closed. Thereafter, in conjunction with the operation of releasing the developer container 1 upward with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d, the push of the movable pin 23d1 by the engagement pin 3d is released, and the movable member 23 is urged by the compression spring 23d2 to move. The pin 23d1 moves upward, and the hole 23e2 and the movable pin 23d1 engage with each other (locking by the main body side locking mechanism is performed).
By providing the main body side locking mechanism in this manner, when the developer container 1 is not set in the developer accommodating portion 23d, the main body side opening 23f is reliably closed by the main body side shutter 23e, and the developer container 1 is developed. Since the main body side opening 23f is reliably opened by the main body side shutter 23e when set in the agent accommodating portion 23d, the main body side shutter 23e is opened except when the developer is supplied, and foreign matter enters the developing device 23. The trouble and the trouble that the main body side shutter 23e is not opened when the developer is supplied and the developer is not supplied into the developing device 23 are suppressed.
In the present embodiment, when the engaging pin 3d engages with the hole 23e2, the developer container 1 is positioned with respect to the main body shutter 23e as well as the engaging portion 3b and the engaged portion 23e1. Will be done reliably.

On the other hand, the detachment operation of the developer container 1 at the time of supplying the developer is performed in a procedure almost opposite to the operation at the time of mounting described above.
That is, the opening 3a is closed by the container-side shutter 4 fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling the developer container 1 backward (right side in FIG. 12) with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d, and the main body-side shutter. After 23e is closed, the wall 23d3 of the developer container 23d is interlocked with the operation of separating the developer container 1 upward with respect to the developer container 23d (removed downward when the developer is recovered). The elastic deformation of the claw member 4a due to contact with the claw member 4a is released, and the claw member 4a and the projection 3c are engaged (locking by the lock mechanism is performed).
Here, when the opening 3a is closed in conjunction with the operation of pulling the developer container 1 backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d, the engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion 3b of the developer container 1 23e1 is pulled and the main body side shutter 23e closes the main body side opening 23f.

Referring to FIG. 14, in developer container 1 in the present embodiment, container-side shutter 4 is parked at a position where opening 3a is opened (the position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12C). And a release lever 3e for releasing the parking of the container-side shutter 4 by the second lock mechanisms 3e1, 4e. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the release lever 3e is installed on both sides of the handle 3 so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction of FIG. Yes. A locking portion 3e1 is formed at the center of the release lever 3e, and at the same time as the mounting of the developer container 1 is completed (at the same time as the main body side opening 23f and the opening 3a are opened), the locking portion 3e1 becomes the main body. The container-side shutter 4 is parked at the position by being locked by the locked portion 4e of the side shutter 4 (the state shown in FIG. 14B).
Then, the release lever 23e is operated prior to the operation of pulling the developer container 1 backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d (the operation at the time of separation). Specifically, a force is applied to the release lever 23e in the state of FIG. 14 (B) to elastically deform it to the state of FIG. 14 (C). Thereby, the locking between the locking portion 3e1 and the locked portion 4e is released, and the developer container 1 (the handle 3) can be moved in the right direction in FIG. Thereafter, the developer container 1 is detached according to the procedure described above.

  The attaching / detaching operation of the developer container 1 at the time of collecting the developer is substantially the same as the attaching / detaching operation of the developer container 1 at the time of supplying the developer, except that the setting direction and the setting position with respect to the developer accommodating portion 23d are different. Therefore, the description is omitted.

15A is a top view showing the developer accommodating portion 23d, FIG. 15B is a side sectional view showing the developer accommodating portion 23d, and FIG. 15C shows the developer accommodating portion 23d. It is a bottom view shown.
Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15C, as described above, the developer container 1 is installed in the developer container 23d of the developing device 23 with the opening 3a facing downward. The first main body side opening 23f for supplying the developer accommodated in 1 and the developer container 1 with the opening 3a facing upward are accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 23d (developing device 23). A second main body side opening 23h for collecting the developed developer in the developer container 1 is provided. Body side shutters 23e and 23g are installed in the first body side opening 23f and the second body side opening 23h, respectively.

Here, since the first main body side opening 23f and the second main body side opening 23h are arranged at positions facing each other in the vertical direction, an operator who performs the developer supply operation and the developer recovery operation is Thus, only the setting direction of the developer container 1 is taken care of, and the respective operations are performed in substantially the same procedure. Therefore, the workability of the developer supply work and the developer recovery work is improved.
Referring to FIG. 15B, the first main body side opening 23f is compared with the second main body side opening 23h in order to prevent the scattering of the developer at the time of supplying the developer and at the time of collecting the developer. Largely formed. That is, since the opening 3a of the developer container 1 is set above the first main body side opening 23f when the developer is supplied, the first main body side opening 23f is formed to be large so as to cover the opening 3a. Thus, the developer is less likely to be scattered outside the first main body side opening 23f. Similarly, since the opening 3a of the developer container 1 is set below the second main body side opening 23h when the developer is collected, the second main body side opening 23h is formed small so as to be covered by the opening 3a. This makes it difficult for the developer to scatter outside the opening 3a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the developer container 1 is positioned in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 16) at the position of the second main body side opening 23h of the developer accommodating portion 23d. An auxiliary shutter 23r that rotates in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation is provided. By providing the auxiliary shutter 23r in this way, when the developer container 1 is set at the position of the second main body side opening 23h during the recovery of the developer, the second main body side opening 23h is suddenly opened and the developer is set. The problem that the developer flows from the container 23r to the developer container 1 at once and the developer is scattered is suppressed.

Referring to FIG. 9 and the like, the container-side shutter 4 of the developer container 1 according to the present embodiment is used as an incompatible member as an incompatible member for distinguishing the color of the developer accommodated therein. A protrusion 4b is formed. Specifically, the incompatible protrusion 4b (incompatible member) is formed so that the arrangement of the four protrusions differs depending on the color of the developer (black, yellow, magenta, cyan).
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15A, the developer accommodating portion 23d of the developing device 23 responds when the developer container 1 is set to supply the developer accommodated in the developer container 1. A non-compatible hole 23d4 is provided in the vicinity of the first main body side opening 23f as a fitting portion to be fitted only by the non-compatible protrusion 4b. That is, in FIG. 15A, since the incompatible hole 23d4 is formed by three holes arranged continuously from below, the corresponding incompatible protrusion 4b (continuously from the corresponding position) is formed. It is possible to set only the developer container 1 having three projections arranged side by side). With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a problem that the developer containers 1 having different developer colors are erroneously attached to the developer accommodating portion 23d. For example, the developer container 1 for yellow is set only in the developer accommodating portion 23d for yellow without being set in the developer accommodating portion 23d for black, magenta, and cyan.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the developer container 23d of the developing device 23 collects the developer stored in the developer container 23d into the developer container 1, the incompatible protrusion 4b. Regardless of the shape (arrangement of protrusions), the developer container 1 is set in the second main body side opening 23h. Specifically, in the vicinity of the second main body side opening 23h, a compatible hole 23d5 is formed in which the incompatible protrusions 4b of all colors can be fitted. This is because the developer container 1 used when recovering the deteriorated developer has no relation to the color of the developer previously accommodated if the developer container 1 is empty. Regardless, all the developer containers 1 can be used for collecting the developer. Therefore, the convenience when collecting the developer is improved.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the lock mechanisms 3c and 4a for parking the container-side shutter 4 are provided at the position where the opening 3a of the developer container 1 is closed, and the developer container 23d is connected to the developer container 23d. The lock mechanisms 3c and 4a are released in conjunction with the mounting operation, the container side shutter 4 opens the opening 3a, and the container side shutter 4 closes the opening 3a in conjunction with the detachment operation from the developer accommodating portion 23d. At the same time, the container-side shutter 4 is parked by the lock mechanisms 3c and 4a. As a result, when the developer container 1 is not set in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (developer accommodating portion 23d), the opening 3a is securely closed by the container side shutter 4, and the developer container 1 is in the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is possible to provide the developer container 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 (or the developing device 23) that are reliably opened by the container-side shutter 4 when set in the (developer containing portion 23d) and have high operability. it can.

  In the first embodiment, the developer housed in the developer container 1 (or the developer collected in the developer container 1) is a two-component developer, but is housed in the developer container 1. The developer (or the developer collected in the developer container 1) can be used as toner or carrier. Even in these cases, the same effects as those of the present embodiment described above can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, part or all of the image forming unit may be a process cartridge. In the first embodiment, only the toner can be replenished from the agent cartridge 32 to the developing device 23, and development from the agent cartridge 32 to the developing device 23 is not performed without discharging the developer from the developing device 23. It is also possible to supply only the medicine.
Further, the developer container 1 in the present embodiment is not limited to the developer supply or developer collection installed in the developer accommodating portion 23d of the developing device 23.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. is there. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image formation part. It is a perspective view which shows a developing device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a developer supply path from a developer cartridge to a developing device. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a developer container is set in a developing device. It is the top view and side view which show a developer container. It is a perspective view which shows a developer container. FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a developer container. It is a figure which shows a container side shutter from 4 directions. It is a perspective view which shows a container side shutter. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the developer container was installed in the developer accommodating part. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a procedure for mounting a developer container in a developer container. It is a block diagram showing the vicinity of the main body side shutter of the developer accommodating portion. FIG. 6 is a top view showing a procedure for removing a developer container from a developer container. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the vicinity of a first main body side opening and a second main body side opening of a developer accommodating portion. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a developer container is set in a developer container for collecting developer.

Explanation of symbols

1 developer container,
2 container body,
3 Handle,
3a opening, 3b engaging part, 3c protrusion,
3d engagement pin, 3e release lever,
4 Container side shutter,
4a claw member, 4b incompatible protrusion (incompatible member),
23, 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K developing device,
23d developer container,
23d1 movable pin,
23d4 non-compatible hole (fitting part), 23d5 compatible hole,
23e, 23g Body side shutter,
23e1, 23g1 engaged portion, 23e2 hole portion,
23f Main body side opening (first main body side opening),
23h second body side opening,
100 Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body), K inclined conveyance section.

Claims (22)

The main body side shutter installed in the developer accommodating portion of the image forming apparatus main body is opened to supply or collect the developer to the developer accommodating portion, and development that is detachably installed in the developer accommodating portion. A drug container,
A container-side shutter that opens and closes an opening for discharging or feeding the developer into the container; and
A lock mechanism that parks the container-side shutter at a position where the opening is closed;
With
The lock mechanism is installed in the container-engaged portion installed in the vicinity of the opening and the container-side shutter and engages with the container-engaged portion to move the container-side shutter in the opening direction. A container engaging member to be regulated,
The container engaging member is elastically deformed by the contact with the developer containing portion in conjunction with the operation of setting the developer containing portion from above or below, and the container engaging member and the container engaged state are engaged. After the engagement with the part is released, the opening is opened and the main body side shutter is pushed while the container side shutter is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer containing part. Moved to communicate the opening and the main body side opening of the developer container,
The opening is closed by the container-side shutter fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, and the main body-side shutter is closed, and then the upper portion with respect to the developer accommodating portion. Alternatively, the elastic deformation of the container engaging member due to contact with the developer accommodating portion is released in conjunction with the downward movement operation, and the container engaging member and the container engaged portion are engaged. A developer container. The container engaging member is a claw member,
The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the container engaged portion is a protrusion. Said container engaging member and the container engaged portion is claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is respectively disposed at positions of both sides of the opening a front with respect to said opening Developer container. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the pair of container engaging members are formed so as to be inclined so that their front end portions are closer to each other than the base portion. The container engaging member includes a tapered portion on a side facing the developer accommodating portion,
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the developer accommodating portion includes a tapered portion on a side facing the container engaging member . An engaging portion is provided that engages with an engaged portion of the main body side shutter in conjunction with an operation of setting the developer containing portion from above or below to determine a position with respect to the main body side shutter. developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,. The engaging portion is provided in front of the container engaged portion and below or above the container engaging member with respect to the set direction from above or below the developer accommodating portion. The developer container according to claim 6.   When the opening is closed by the container-side shutter fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, the engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion is pulled. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the main body side shutter closes the main body side opening. When the opening is opened in a state where the container-side shutter is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, the container-side shutter is parked at a position where the opening is opened. A second locking mechanism;
A release lever that is operated prior to the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, and that releases the parking of the container-side shutter by the second lock mechanism;
Developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a. When the opening is opened in a state where the container-side shutter is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing forward with respect to the developer accommodating portion, the developer accommodating portion is contacted at the position where the opening is opened. developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that contact with pushing operation is limited. A container body for containing a developer;
An inclined conveyance unit that is installed between the container main body and the opening disposed in front of the container main body and conveys the developer in an oblique direction between the container main body and the opening. When,
A handle extending in the horizontal direction rearward from the connecting position between the inclined conveying section and the opening and extending in the vertical direction to the connecting position between the inclined conveying section and the container body,
Developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that with a. The developer accommodating portion includes a main body side locking mechanism that parks the main body side shutter at a position where the main body side opening is closed,
The main body side locking mechanism is released in conjunction with the mounting operation to the developer accommodating portion, the main body side shutter opens the main body side opening, and in conjunction with the detachment operation from the developer accommodating portion, the The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the main body side shutter closes the main body side opening and the main body side shutter is parked by the main body side lock mechanism. The main body side locking mechanism is installed so as to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to a hole portion formed in the main body side shutter and the developer accommodating portion, and engages with the hole portion to engage the main body side shutter. A movable pin that regulates movement,
An engagement pin that engages with the hole of the body-side shutter;
The engaging pin engages with the hole portion in conjunction with the operation of setting the developer containing portion from above or below, and pushes the movable pin to engage the hole portion with the movable pin. After the release, the opening is opened while the container-side shutter is fixed in conjunction with the operation of pushing forward to the developer accommodating portion, and the main body-side shutter is pushed and the main body is pushed. A side opening is opened to communicate with the opening;
After the opening is closed by the container-side shutter fixed in conjunction with the operation of pulling backward with respect to the developer containing portion and the main body side opening is closed by the main body-side shutter, the developer containing 13. The push of the movable pin by the engagement pin is released in conjunction with an operation of detaching upward or downward with respect to the portion, and the hole and the movable pin are engaged with each other. The developer container as described.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer is any one of a two-component developer, a toner, and a carrier.   15. An image forming apparatus, wherein the developer container according to claim 1 is detachably installed in the developer accommodating portion. The developer container is
The first main body side opening for the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to be installed in a state in which the opening is directed downward and the developer contained in the developer container to be supplied When,
The developer container according to claim 1 is installed with the opening facing upward, and the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion is collected in the developer container. A second body side opening;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the main body side shutter is installed in each of the first main body side opening and the second main body side opening.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first main body side opening and the second main body side opening are disposed at positions facing each other in a vertical direction.   18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first main body side opening is formed larger than the second main body side opening. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a non-compatible member for distinguishing the color of the developer accommodated therein,
The developer container is
When the developer container is set to supply the developer accommodated in the developer container to the developer accommodating portion, the fitting portion that only the corresponding incompatible member is engaged with is provided in the first container. In the vicinity of the opening on the body side,
When the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion is collected in the developer container, the developer container is set in the second main body side opening regardless of the shape of the incompatible member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the incompatible member is installed in the container-side shutter.   21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the developer accommodating portion is installed in a developing apparatus that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body. A developing device that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body,
15. A developing device comprising the developer accommodating portion in which the developer container according to claim 1 is detachably installed.

Images