JP5498823B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine using an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a toner supply container is detachable.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, in order to visualize a latent image formed on an image carrier made of a photoconductor as a toner image, toner is supplied to the photoconductor by a developing device. Further, when the toner of the developing device is consumed, the toner is supplied to the developing device using a toner supply container such as a toner cartridge or a toner container. The toner supply container is provided with a shutter member that opens only when the toner contained in the container main body is attached to the developing device, preventing the toner in the container main body from leaking out, and removing the toner supply container from the apparatus main body. In this case, the shutter member is closed to prevent the toner remaining in the container body from leaking out and contaminating the surroundings.

  In addition, since image forming apparatuses have diversified performances such as differences in printing speed and document size, or monochrome printing and color printing, image forming units including developing units are required to be diversified accordingly. In response to such demands, in an image forming unit in which a toner replenishing container is detachably attached to the apparatus main body, a variety of images are used in order to shorten the product development period of this unit and to reduce manufacturing costs. The unit in the forming apparatus is made common.

  However, when sharing the image forming unit, the toner type such as the polarity of the toner to be developed may be different due to the difference in the image forming process. Even if the toner type is the same, the difference in printing speed may occur. The toner supply amount may be different. Further, in the color image forming apparatus, it is necessary to prevent the toner supply containers having different toner colors from being erroneously mounted.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-260260, a toner cartridge is provided so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus. When the toner cartridge is inserted into the holder of the apparatus main body, the toner cartridge is inserted by being guided by guide means provided in the longitudinal direction of the holder. Further, when the toner cartridge is rotated, the shutter member is opened, and the replenishing port provided in the toner cartridge communicates with the opening on the apparatus main body side, so that the toner can be replenished. As the guide means, the holder is provided with a longitudinal groove, and the shutter member is provided with a longitudinal projection that fits into the groove. In an apparatus using a plurality of colors of toner, the protrusions formed on the shutter member and the grooves formed on the holder are shifted in the circumferential direction for each toner color, and are erroneously placed in other places. To prevent that.

JP 2000-162861 A (paragraphs [0016], [0020], [0039], FIGS. 1 and 6)

  However, in the above-described prior art, the groove portion for preventing erroneous mounting is formed in the holder, the holder holds the container body of the toner cartridge, the shutter member is fitted, and the toner cartridge and the shutter member are further slid. It is a basic member to guide. Since the outer shape of the toner cartridge is the same even if the color of the toner is different, the holder part of the container body of the holder, the fitting part of the toner cartridge and the shutter member, and the sliding guide part have the same shape, but the groove part of the toner cartridge Each color is shifted in the circumferential direction, and four types of basic members (holders) must be manufactured according to the color of the toner, resulting in high costs and complicated management of the members. There was an inconvenience.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and prevents the toner replenishment container from being erroneously attached to the apparatus main body with a low-cost and simple configuration, and also provides a shutter member for the toner replenishment container. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably opening and closing a toner replenishing port.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a container main body having a supply port for supplying toner to a developing device and containing toner, an open position for opening the supply port to the container main body, and the supply port. A toner replenishing container that is detachable with respect to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, and has a shutter member that can be slid to a closed position that closes the developing device and a replenishment-side incompatible key that can be mounted on the apparatus main body by selecting a developing device. A first abutting portion that abuts on the shutter member in conjunction with an operation of mounting the toner replenishing container on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, and moves the shutter member from a closed position to an open position; and the toner replenishment In contact with the shutter member in conjunction with the operation of removing the container from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the contact with the shutter member is released after the shutter member is moved from the open position to the closed position. A container incompatible member that is integrally formed with a contact portion and a main body side incompatible key that can be engaged with the replenishment side incompatible key, and is disposed on the wall surface of the mounting portion of the apparatus main body. It is a feature.

  According to this configuration, when the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the supply side incompatible key engages with the main body side incompatible key, and the shutter member of the toner supply container is in the open position with respect to the container main body. The toner can be supplied to the developing device from the supply port. On the other hand, when the toner supply container is removed from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the shutter member slides to the closed position with respect to the container main body, and the supply port is closed by the shutter member.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first and second contact portions are arranged side by side in the vicinity of the sliding direction, and the main body-side incompatible key is in the vicinity of the first and second contact portions. It is characterized by being arranged.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the main body side incompatible key is formed to protrude from a flat plate-like main body portion of the container incompatible member, and the replenishment side incompatible key is formed to protrude from the container main body. The apparatus main body and the toner replenishing container are in contact with each other when compatibility of mounting is suitable.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the incompatible container member forms a guide portion for guiding the container main body of the toner supply container in the sliding direction.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second abutting portion is urged so as to be swingable toward a side abutting on the shutter member.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the main body side incompatible key is provided with a toner replenishing container that supplies toner to each of the plurality of developing devices, and can be engaged with the replenishing side incompatible key of each toner replenishing container. It is characterized by being formed in different shapes.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the supply-side incompatible key is engaged with the main body-side incompatible key, and the shutter member of the toner supply container is the container main body. Thus, the toner can be supplied to the developing device from the replenishing port by sliding it to the open position, thereby preventing the toner replenishing container from being erroneously attached to the apparatus main body. When the toner supply container is removed from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the shutter member slides to the closed position with respect to the container main body, the supply port is closed by the shutter member, and the supply port is reliably opened and closed by the shutter member of the toner supply container. To be done. In addition, a container incompatible member is prepared for each main body incompatible key. For example, it is only necessary to replace the container incompatible member regardless of the difference in the toner supply amount of the toner supply container, and the apparatus main body can be made common. Thus, an image forming apparatus with low cost can be obtained. In addition, since the main body side incompatible key and the first and second contact portions are formed integrally with the container incompatible member, the positional accuracy of the main body side incompatible key and the first and second contact portions is improved. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the first and second contact portions and the main body side incompatible key are arranged in the vicinity of the container incompatible member, the container incompatible member is small. Thus, even if a container incompatible member is attached to the apparatus main body, it is not bulky.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the main body side incompatible key has a simple structure in which it protrudes from the flat plate-like main body portion, and the container incompatible member can be molded from a synthetic resin and is low in cost. In addition, the main body side incompatible key surely comes into contact with the supply side incompatible key.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the main body side incompatible key and the guide portion are formed integrally with the container incompatible member, the positional accuracy of both is improved, and when the toner supply container is mounted on the apparatus main body. The main body side and replenishment side incompatible keys are securely engaged.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the second abutting portion is biased toward the abutting side of the shutter member, when the toner supply container is removed from the apparatus main body, the shutter member is against the container main body. The replenishing port is securely closed by the shutter member.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in the color image forming apparatus, it is only necessary to replace the container incompatible member with respect to the apparatus main body, and the basic portion of the apparatus main body such as a holding unit for holding each toner supply container. Have the same configuration and a simple apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus using a toner supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an insertion portion of a supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a toner supply container used in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows typically the insertion part and toner supply container of the image forming apparatus which concern on embodiment The perspective view which shows the container incompatible member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an incompatible key of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shutter member of a toner supply container used in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shutter member of a toner supply container used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the periphery thereof. Sectional drawing which shows the movement state of the shutter member of the toner supply container used for the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Further, the use of the invention and the terms shown here are not limited thereto.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tandem type color printer showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is disposed above the paper feeding unit 10 that stores the paper 11, the four image forming units 30a to 30d disposed above the paper feeding unit 10, and the image forming units 30a to 30d. The exposure devices 33a to 33d, the fixing unit 40 disposed on the left side of the image forming units 30a to 30d, the sheet conveyance path 20 disposed on the right side of the sheet feeding unit 10, and the image forming apparatus 1. Is provided with a discharge unit 50 for discharging the paper 11.

  The paper feed unit 10 includes a feed roller 21 that feeds the paper 11 placed in the paper feed cassette 13 one by one to the exit side of the paper feed cassette 13, and transports the fed paper 11 to the paper transport path 20. The sheet conveyance path 20 includes a conveyance roller, a conveyance guide, and the like, and conveys the sheet 11 toward the image forming units 30a to 30d. The manual feed tray 23 separately supplies paper of a size that is not placed on the paper supply unit 10, and transports the paper 11 to the paper transport path 20 by the feed roller 22.

  The image forming units 30a to 30d are arranged corresponding to toners of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in order from the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction (right side in FIG. 1). Each of the image forming units 30a to 30d includes a cylindrical photosensitive member 31a to 31d that is freely rotatable. Further, around each of the photosensitive members 31a to 31d, a charger 32a to 32d, a developing unit 34a to 34d, and a transfer unit. It has rollers 35a to 35d and cleaning devices 36a to 36d.

  The photoconductors 31a to 31d are amorphous silicon photoconductors as photosensitive materials for forming the photosensitive layer, and are arranged corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The photosensitive layer may be an organic photoreceptor (OPC photoreceptor). The developing units 34a to 34d are arranged on the right side of the photoconductors 31a to 31d, have a developing roller and a toner stirring member, and supply toner to the photoconductors 31a to 31d. The chargers 32a to 32d are arranged on the upstream side of the developing units 34a to 34d with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive member and opposed to the surfaces of the photosensitive members 31a to 31d, and uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive members 31a to 31d. .

  The exposure units 33a to 33d are arranged on the photosensitive members 31a to 31d from the downstream side of the charging units 13a to 13d in the rotation direction of the photosensitive members based on the document image data input to the image input unit (not shown) from a personal computer or the like. The surface is irradiated with laser light as indicated by the broken line in FIG. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 31a to 31d by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent images are developed by the developing units 34a to 34d.

  The endless sheet conveying belt 38 is stretched between the driving roller 62 and the driven roller 61. The driving roller 62 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the paper conveying belt 38 is circulated and driven by the rotation of the driving roller 62.

  The transfer rollers 35a to 35d face the photoconductors 31a to 31d with the paper transport belt 38 interposed therebetween, and are in pressure contact with the paper transport transfer belt 38 to form a transfer nip portion. In each of the transfer nip portions, the toner images of the photoreceptors 31a to 31d are sequentially transferred onto the sheet 11 conveyed from the sheet conveying path 20 at a predetermined timing with respect to the rotation of the sheet conveying belt 38. As a result, four color toner images of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are superimposed on the paper 11 to form a color toner image.

  The toner cartridges 70a to 70d are detachably disposed above the image forming units 30a to 30d, and respectively store cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toners. The toner of each color is supplied from the toner cartridges 70a to 70d to the developing devices 34a to 34d.

  The fixing unit 40 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 30d in the sheet conveyance direction, and the toner image is melted and fixed on the sheet 11 by heating and pressing the sheet 11 on which the toner image is transferred. The sheet 11 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit 50 through the sheet conveyance path 15.

  Next, a toner cartridge that is a toner supply container will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insertion portion of a toner cartridge provided in the image forming apparatus 1. In FIG. 2, the toner cartridges 70a and 70b are mounted, and the toner cartridges 70c and 70d are not mounted.

  Insertion portions 91a to 91d as mounting portions are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 90 of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the toner cartridges 70a to 70d can be attached and detached from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. The insertion portions 91a to 91d are openings in a space extending from the front side of the apparatus main body 90 toward the back side, and store the toner cartridges 70a to 70d. Driving shafts 92a to 92d (the driving shafts 92a and 92b are invisible) are rotatably held on the inner wall surfaces of the insertion portions 91a to 91d. When the toner cartridges 70a to 70d are attached to the insertion portions 91a to 91d, the driving shafts 92a to 92d are engaged with drive shafts described later.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed from below. Note that FIG. 3 is not attached to the apparatus main body 90, but shows a state where the toner supply port is open for convenience. In the following description, the configuration of the toner cartridge 70a in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. However, the configuration of the toner cartridges 70b to 70d is the same as that of the toner cartridge 70a, and the description is omitted. In the following description, reference numerals a to d are omitted, and reference numerals a to d are given when necessary.

  The toner cartridge 70 has a rectangular parallelepiped container body 71 in the longitudinal direction, and accommodates toner in the container body 71. In the rear wall portion of the toner cartridge 70, a filling port 71c for filling toner into the container body 71 is formed, and a detachable cap 77 is attached to the filling port 71c. A drive shaft 75 is rotatably provided on the rear wall portion of the toner cartridge 70. When the toner cartridge 70 is mounted on the apparatus main body 90, the drive shaft 75 is engaged with the driving shaft 92 (see FIG. 2). To do. When the drive shaft 75 is rotated by the driving shaft 92, a screw (not shown) provided in the container main body 71 rotates, and the toner in the container main body 71 is stirred and conveyed. Further, a handle 74 is formed on the front wall portion of the toner cartridge 70, and the toner cartridge 70 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 90 while holding the handle 74.

  A shutter mounting portion 73 is formed on the rear wall side of the lower wall portion of the toner cartridge 70. The shutter mounting portion 73 is integrally formed so as to protrude downward from the container main body 71, and a supply port 71a for supplying the toner in the container main body 71 to the developing device 34 (see FIG. 1) is formed. Further, the shutter mounting portion 73 holds the shutter member 76 slidable in the longitudinal direction. The shutter member 76 is disposed to face the supply port 71a, and the supply port 71a is opened and closed by sliding the shutter member 76.

  Further, a replenishment-side incompatible key 72 is formed on the rear wall side of the lower wall portion of the toner cartridge 70. The replenishment-side incompatible key 72 is disposed in the vicinity of the lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the shutter mounting portion 73, and prevents the toner cartridge 70 from being erroneously mounted together with a main body-side incompatible key 84 (see FIG. 5) described later. The prevention of erroneous mounting will be described in detail later.

  A lock claw 71 b is formed on the front wall side of the lower wall portion of the toner cartridge 70. The lock claw 71b is formed to protrude downward, and can be engaged with a protrusion 95 (see FIG. 4) provided on the apparatus main body 90.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90.

  In order to attach the toner cartridge 70 to the insertion portion 91, the handle 74 of the toner cartridge 70 is held, and when the toner cartridge 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 91, the lock claw 71 b of the toner cartridge 70 pushes the protrusion 95 of the apparatus main body 90. The toner cartridge 70 is caught by the lock claw 71b and the projection 95. At this time, the toner cartridge 70 is pushed downward by the urging force of the spring 93 provided on the upper wall of the insertion portion 91, and the lower wall of the toner cartridge 70 is in contact with and held by the lower wall of the insertion portion 91.

  Thus, in a state where the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the insertion portion 91, the shutter member 76 slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the container body 71, and the supply port 71a is opened. Then, the toner in the container main body 71 is supplied from the supply port 71a to the developing device side (the arrow Y direction side in FIG. 4).

  In order to slide the shutter member 76 relative to the container main body 71, a first contact portion 81 is provided on the apparatus main body 90 side. The first abutting portion 81 is formed on a container incompatible member 80. The container incompatible member 80 includes a second abutting portion 82, a body-side incompatible key 84 and a guide, which will be described later, in addition to the first abutting portion 81. And is fixed to a predetermined position on the bottom wall surface of the insertion portion 91 with an adhesive.

  A detailed configuration of the container incompatible member 80 is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a container incompatible member. The container incompatible member 80 is formed of a synthetic resin and includes a first contact portion 81, a second contact portion 82, a guide portion 83, and a main body side incompatible key 84 on a rectangular flat plate portion 85.

  The main body side incompatible key 84 protrudes from the flat plate portion 85 and is formed in a step shape in the sliding direction of the toner cartridge 70. The shape of the main body side incompatible key 84 is suitable for mounting the toner cartridge 70a containing cyan toner. The supply side incompatible key of the cyan toner cartridge 70a has the shape shown in FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the main body side and replenishment side incompatible keys fitted to each other, FIG. 6 (a) is an incompatible key for cyan, FIG. 6 (b) is an incompatible key for magenta, FIG. 6 (c) shows an incompatible key for yellow, and FIG. 6 (d) shows an incompatible key for black.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the main body side incompatible key 84a has four convex portions whose positions are different in the sliding direction, and the replenishment side incompatible key 72a is opposed to the main body side incompatible key 84a. It has a convex part. When the toner cartridge 70a is attached to the apparatus main body 90, the four convex portions of the replenishment side incompatible key 72a abut on the four convex portions of the main body side incompatible key 84a. 70a is appropriately attached to the apparatus main body 90.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the replenishment side and main body side incompatible keys 72b to 72d and 84b to 84d for the other colors are cyan replenishment side and main body side incompatible keys 72a and 84a. Is different from the contact position of the four convex portions. Also, the contact positions of the four convex portions are different from each other on the replenishment side and main body side incompatible keys 72b to 72d and 84b to 84d of other colors, and the toner cartridges 70a to 70d are erroneously attached to the apparatus main body 90. Is preventing.

  In other words, since the toner cartridges 70a to 70d contain toners of different colors and the outer shapes of the toner cartridges 70a to 70d are the same, the toner cartridge 70 is erroneously attached to another insertion portion 91 (see FIG. 2). Sometimes. If there is such an erroneous mounting, the replenishment side incompatible key 72 and the main body side incompatible key 84 will not be in a predetermined engagement state, whereby the drive shaft 75 (see FIG. 3) is engaged with the driving shaft 92. In addition, since the shutter member 76 (see FIG. 3) does not open the supply port 71a, the toner does not leak to the outside. That is, only when the supply side incompatible key 72 and the main body side incompatible key 84 are in a predetermined engagement state, the drive shaft 75 is engaged with the driving shaft 92, and the shutter member 76 is further slid to supply the supply port 71a. From this, the toner can be supplied to the developing device 34.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion 83 of the container incompatible member 80 is disposed in the vicinity of the right side of the main body side incompatible key 84, and two guide portions 83 are formed with the first contact portion 81 interposed therebetween. Between the two guide portions 83, both end portions on the lateral side of the shutter mounting portion 73 (see FIG. 3) of the toner cartridge 70 are slidably engaged. While the toner cartridge 70 is being attached to the apparatus main body 90, the shutter mounting portion 73 is engaged between the two guide portions 83, and the shutter mounting portion 73 slides along the guide portion 83. The installation of is guided.

  The first and second contact portions 81 and 82 are disposed in the vicinity of the right side of the main body-side incompatible key 84, and are further arranged side by side in the vicinity of each other in the longitudinal direction (sliding direction of the toner cartridge).

  The first contact portion 81 is formed so as to protrude from the flat plate portion 85, and contacts the shutter member 76 when the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 90. When the toner cartridge 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 91 (see FIG. 4), the shutter member 76 comes into contact with the first contact portion 81 and slides, whereby the supply port 71a of the toner cartridge 70 is opened.

  The second contact portion 82 is formed so as to be inclined upward from the flat plate portion 85, and can swing in the vertical direction with elastic deformation. When the toner cartridge 70 is pulled out from the insertion portion 91, the shutter member 76 contacts and slides against the second contact portion 82, thereby closing the supply port 71 a of the toner cartridge 70. In order to apply the urging force to the second contact portion 82, the intersection (hinge portion) between the second contact portion 82 and the flat plate portion 85 is made thin, and the second contact portion 82 is inclined. The second contact portion 82 may be resin molded. Alternatively, the second contact portion 82 is provided separately and supported swingably on the flat plate portion 85 of the container incompatible member 80, and a torsion spring is attached between the second contact portion 82 and the flat plate portion 85. May be.

  Next, the opening and closing of the toner replenishing port by the first and second contact portions and the shutter member will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter member of the toner cartridge as viewed from below, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shutter member and its periphery as viewed from below, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the moving state of the shutter member. It is. FIGS. 9A and 9B show a state where the toner cartridge is being installed in the apparatus main body, and FIG. 9C shows that the toner cartridge has been installed in the apparatus main body, and the shutter member opens the supply port. 9D shows a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body, and FIG. 9E shows a state in which the shutter member closes the supply port while the toner cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the shutter member 76 is formed of a synthetic resin into a rectangular plate shape, and a rectangular opening 76a is formed on one end side of the plate-like portion 76e. A first locking portion 76c and a second locking portion 76d are formed at the other end of the plate-like portion 76e, and the first locking portion 76c and the second locking portion 76d stand upright from the plate-like portion 76e, and They are formed parallel to each other. An elastic deformation portion 76b is formed on the plate-like portion 76e immediately adjacent to the first and second locking portions 76c and 76d. The elastic deformation part 76b is formed thinner than the other plate-like part 76e, and has a shape capable of elastic deformation in the vertical direction. When not elastically deformed, the elastic deformation portion 76b has a flat shape together with the plate-like portion 76e.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter member 76 is slidably held by a pair of shutter guide portions 73 a formed on the shutter mounting portion 73. When the shutter member 76 slides (moves in the lower right direction in FIG. 8) and the opening 76a (see FIG. 7) of the shutter member 76 is at a position facing the container opening 73f of the shutter mounting portion 73, the shutter member 76 The opening 76a of the container 76 is also opposed to the supply port 71a (see FIG. 3) of the container body 71, and the toner in the toner cartridge 70 is transferred via the supply port 71a, the opening 76a, and the container opening 73f. It is supplied to the developing device 34 (see FIG. 1).

  The shutter attaching portion 73 is formed with a pair of inner standing walls 73g, and the inner standing wall 73g is formed with a lock groove 73b, a lock release portion 73c, and a relief groove 73d, respectively. The lock groove 73b is a rectangular groove (see also FIG. 9A) formed on the end surface of the inner standing wall 73g, and can contact the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76. The escape groove 73d is a triangular groove (see also FIG. 9C) formed on the end surface of the inner standing wall 73g, and the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 is not in contact with the shutter mounting portion 73. To do. The unlocking portion 73c is formed on an end surface between the locking groove 73b and the escape groove 73d, and comes into contact with the elastically deforming portion 76b of the shutter member 76 (see FIGS. 9B and 9D). The deformation portion 76b is displaced downward against the biasing force.

  The shutter mounting portion 73 is formed with a pair of outer standing walls 73h outside the inner standing wall 73g. A pressing portion 73e is formed on the outer standing wall 73h. The pressing portions 73e are respectively formed on the end surface of the outer standing wall 73h and come into contact with the second contact portion 82 of the container incompatible member 80 (see FIGS. 9A and 9E). The portion 82 is displaced downward against the biasing force.

  An operation of opening the toner supply port by the shutter member will be described. At the beginning of sliding the toner cartridge 70 for mounting on the apparatus main body 90, the container main body 71 and the shutter member 76 move together, and at the position of FIG. 9A, the first locking portion 76c of the shutter member 76. Is in contact with the first contact portion 81 of the apparatus main body 90. At this position, the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 contacts the lock groove 73b of the container main body 71, and the second contact portion 82 of the apparatus main body 90 is attached by the pressing portion 73e of the container main body 71. It is pushed down against the forces. When the toner cartridge 70 is slid in the arrow A direction from this state, the toner cartridge 70 is in the position shown in FIG.

  9B, since the first locking portion 76c of the shutter member 76 is in contact with the first contact portion 81 on the apparatus main body 90 side, the shutter member 76 is stopped and the container main body 71 is moved. It has moved in the direction of arrow A. By this movement, the contact between the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 and the lock groove 73b of the container body 71 is released, and the elastic deformation portion 76b of the shutter member 76 contacts the lock release portion 73c. Further, the movement of the container main body 71 in the arrow A direction releases the pressing by the pressing portion 73e (see FIG. 9A) of the container main body 71, and the second abutting portion 82 on the apparatus main body 90 side is caused by the biasing force. It comes to a position facing the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76. When the toner cartridge 70 is slid in the direction of arrow B from this state, the toner cartridge 70 is positioned as shown in FIG.

  In the position of FIG. 9C, the movement of the container body 71 in the direction of arrow B causes the escape groove 73 d of the container body 71 to face the second locking portion 76 d of the shutter member 76, and the second of the shutter member 76. The locking portion 76d is restored upward by the urging force of the elastic deformation portion 76b. Further, since the first locking portion 76c of the shutter member 76 is in contact with the first contact portion 81 on the apparatus main body 90 side, the shutter member 76 is stopped and the container main body 71 is moved in the arrow B direction. It will be. When the container main body 71 has moved relative to the shutter member 76 so far, the container opening 73f (see FIG. 8) of the container main body 71 (shutter mounting portion 73) and the replenishing port 71a (see FIG. 3) become the opening 76a of the shutter member 76. The shutter member 76 opens the supply port 71a, and the toner in the toner cartridge 70 is supplied to the developing device 34. The position of the shutter member 76 in FIG. 9C is an open position of the shutter member 76 with respect to the container body 71.

  Next, an operation for closing the toner supply port with the shutter member will be described. 9C, the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 faces the second contact portion 82 on the apparatus main body 90 side. When the toner cartridge 70 is slid to the right in FIG. 9C from the state of FIG. 9C, the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 contacts the second contact portion 82 on the apparatus main body 90 side. When the toner cartridge 70 is further slid to the right side in FIG. 9C, the shutter member 76 stops due to contact with the second contact portion 82, and the container main body 71 moves to the right side in FIG. 9C. By this movement, the clearance groove 73d of the container main body 71 and the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 are opposed to each other, and the elastic deformation portion 76b of the shutter member 76 comes into contact with the unlocking portion 73c of the container main body 71, so that the toner The cartridge 70 is as shown in FIG.

  9D, the elastic deformation portion 76b of the shutter member 76 is on the lower side against the urging force due to the contact with the lock release portion 73c of the container main body 71, and the second position on the apparatus main body 90 side. The abutting portion 82 and the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 are surely in abutment. When the toner cartridge 70 is slid in the direction of arrow C from this state, the toner cartridge 70 is positioned as shown in FIG.

  9E, the lock groove 73b of the container main body 71 comes into contact with the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 by the movement of the container main body 71 in the direction of arrow C, and the pressing portion of the container main body 71 is pressed. 73e engages with the second contact portion 82 on the apparatus main body 90 side, and the contact between the second contact portion 82 and the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 is released. While the container main body 71 is moving to the right side of FIG. 9 from the position of FIG. 9C to the position of FIG. 9E, the shutter member 76 is stopped, so that the shutter member at the position of FIG. 76 closes the supply port 71a (see FIG. 3) of the container body 71. The position of the shutter member 76 in FIG. 9E is the closed position of the shutter member 76 with respect to the container body 71.

  9E, the second locking portion 76d of the shutter member 76 is released from contact with the second contact portion 82 on the apparatus main body 90 side, and from the position of FIG. 9E. When the toner cartridge 70 is slid in the direction of arrow D, the shutter member 76 moves in the direction of arrow D together with the container main body 71, and the replenishing port 71 a of the container main body 71 is closed by the shutter member 76, and the toner cartridge 70. Is removed from the apparatus main body 90.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has the supply port 71 a that supplies toner to the developing device 34 and has the container main body 71 that stores the toner, and the supply port 71 is opened to the container main body 71. A shutter member 76 that is slidable between an open position and a closed position that closes the replenishing port 71, and a developing device 34 that can be attached to the apparatus main body 90 by being detachable. A toner cartridge 70 having a supply-side incompatible key 72 is provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 contacts the shutter member 76 in conjunction with the operation of mounting the toner cartridge 70 on the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90, and moves the shutter member 76 from the closed position to the open position. In contact with the shutter member 76 in conjunction with the operation of removing the portion 81 and the toner cartridge 70 from the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90 and moving the shutter member 76 from the open position to the closed position, A container non-compatible member 80 is integrally formed of a second contact portion 82 that is released from contact and a main body-side incompatible key 84 that can be engaged with the refill-side incompatible key 72. The container incompatible member 80 is disposed on the wall surface of the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90.

  According to this configuration, when the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90, the replenishment side incompatible key 72 is engaged with the main body side incompatible key 84 and the shutter member 76 of the toner cartridge 70 is moved to the container main body 71. In contrast, the toner can be supplied to the developing device 34 from the replenishing port 71a by sliding to the open position, and erroneous mounting of the toner cartridge 70 on the apparatus main body 90 can be prevented. When the toner cartridge 70 is removed from the insertion portion 91 of the apparatus main body 90, the shutter member 76 slides to the closed position with respect to the container main body 71, the replenishment port 71a is closed by the shutter member 76, and the shutter member 76 of the toner cartridge 70. The replenishing port 71a is reliably opened and closed. Further, a container incompatible member 80 is prepared for each main body side incompatible key 84a to 84d, and the insertion portions 91a to 91d for inserting and holding the toner cartridge 70 have the same configuration, and the apparatus becomes simple. Further, since the main body side incompatible key 84 and the first and second contact portions 81 and 82 are formed integrally with the container incompatible member 80, the main body side incompatible key 84 and the first and second contact portions 81 are formed. 82, the positional accuracy is improved.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the first and second contact members 81 and 82 are arranged side by side in the vicinity of the sliding direction, and the main body side incompatible key 84 corresponds to the first and second contact members 81 and 82. By being arranged in the vicinity, the container incompatible member 80 becomes small, and even if the container incompatible member 80 is attached to the apparatus main body 90, it is not bulky.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the main body side incompatible key 84 is formed to protrude from the flat plate portion 85 of the container incompatible member 80, and the replenishment side incompatible key 72 is formed to protrude from the container main body 71. When the compatibility of mounting between the apparatus main body 90 and the toner cartridge 70 is matched, they contact each other. As a result, the main body side incompatible key 84 has a simple configuration, and the container incompatible member 80 can be molded from a synthetic resin and is low in cost. The main body side incompatible key 84 is also a supply side incompatible key. 72 abuts securely.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the container incompatible member 80 forms the guide portion 83 that guides the container main body 71 of the toner cartridge 70 in the sliding direction, so that the main body side incompatible key 84 and the guide portion 83 are non-containable. It is formed integrally with the compatible member 80, and the positional accuracy of both is good. When the toner cartridge 70 is mounted, the replenishment side and main body side incompatible keys 72 and 84 are reliably engaged.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, when the toner cartridge 70 is removed from the apparatus main body 90 by the second contact portion 82 being slidably biased toward the contact side with the shutter member 76, the shutter member 76 is It moves reliably with respect to the container main body 71, and the supply port 71 a is reliably closed by the shutter member 76.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. In a monochrome image forming apparatus, the type of toner and the amount of toner used per unit printing differ depending on the model, but a container of a toner cartridge that contains toner may be commonly used regardless of the model. In this case, the replenishment-side incompatible key and the shutter member are provided in the toner cartridge, and the main body-side incompatible key that differs for each model and the first and second abutting portions that have a common shape regardless of the model. Are provided on the container incompatible member, and the container incompatible member is fixed to the apparatus main body, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 2nd contact part 82 of the container incompatibility member 80 inclined upwards and showed the structure which can be elastically deformed to an up-down direction, this invention is not limited to this, 2nd contact The portion may be formed so as to protrude from the flat plate portion 85 of the container compatible portion 80 material, the pressing portion 73e and the escape groove 73d of the container body 71 of the present embodiment may be deleted, and the lock release portion 73c may be extended to the escape groove 73d. . Also in this case, when the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 90, the second contact portion of the container incompatible member 80 can be contacted at the open position of the shutter member 76, and the toner cartridge 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 90. The second abutting portion of the container incompatible member 80 releases the abutting with the shutter member 76 in conjunction with the operation to remove the replenishing port 71 a by the shutter member 76.

  In the above embodiment, the main body side and the replenishment side incompatible key are each configured to have four contact portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main body side and the replenishment side incompatible key are two or two. A configuration having three, five, or six abutting portions may be used. In the above embodiment, the main body side and the supply side incompatible key are both convex incompatible keys. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one of the main body side and the supply side incompatible key is The convex type and the other type may be concave, and the positions of the non-compatible keys may be different in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction so that they can be fitted to each other when the mounting compatibility is matched.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine using an electrophotographic method, and particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which a toner supply container is detachable. Can do.

1 Image forming apparatus 34, 34a to 34d Developer 70, 70a to 70d Toner cartridge (toner supply container)
71 Container body 71a Supply port 71b Lock claw 72, 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d Supply side incompatible key 73 Shutter mounting portion 73a Shutter guide portion 73b Lock groove 73c Lock release portion 73d Escape groove 73e Pressing portion 73f Container opening 73g Inner vertical wall 73h Outside standing wall 74 Handle 75 Drive shaft 76 Shutter member 76a Opening portion 76b Elastic deformation portion 76c First locking portion 76d Second locking portion 76e Plate-shaped portion 80 Container incompatible member 81 First contact portion 82 Second contact Part 83 guide part 84, 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d body side incompatible key 85 flat plate part 90 apparatus body 91, 91a-91d insertion part (mounting part)

Claims (5)

A container main body having a replenishing port for supplying toner to the developing unit and containing toner, and a shutter slidable between an open position for opening the replenishing port and a closed position for closing the replenishing port with respect to the container main body A toner replenishing container detachably attached to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, having a member and a replenishment-side incompatible key that can be mounted on the apparatus main body by selecting a developing device;
A first contact portion that contacts the shutter member in conjunction with an operation of mounting the toner supply container on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, and moves the shutter member from a closed position to an open position;
In contact with the shutter member in conjunction with the operation of removing the toner supply container from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the contact with the shutter member is released after the shutter member is moved from the open position to the closed position. A container non-compatible member that is integrally formed with a second abutting portion and a main body-side incompatible key that can be engaged with the replenishment-side incompatible key, and is disposed on a wall surface of the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, With
The main body side incompatible key is formed so as to protrude from a flat plate-like main body portion of the container incompatible member, and the replenishment side incompatible key is formed so as to protrude from the container main body. An image forming apparatus characterized in that they come into contact with each other when mounting compatibility is matched . A container main body having a replenishing port for supplying toner to the developing unit and containing toner, and a shutter slidable between an open position for opening the replenishing port and a closed position for closing the replenishing port with respect to the container main body A toner replenishing container detachably attached to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, having a member and a replenishment-side incompatible key that can be mounted on the apparatus main body by selecting a developing device;
A first contact portion that contacts the shutter member in conjunction with an operation of mounting the toner supply container on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, and moves the shutter member from a closed position to an open position;
In contact with the shutter member in conjunction with the operation of removing the toner supply container from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the contact with the shutter member is released after the shutter member is moved from the open position to the closed position. A container non-compatible member that is integrally formed with a second abutting portion and a main body-side incompatible key that can be engaged with the replenishment-side incompatible key, and is disposed on a wall surface of the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, With
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second abutting portion is urged so as to be swingable toward a side abutting on the shutter member . A container main body having a replenishing port for supplying toner to the developing unit and containing toner, and a shutter slidable between an open position for opening the replenishing port and a closed position for closing the replenishing port with respect to the container main body A toner replenishing container detachably attached to the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, having a member and a replenishment-side incompatible key that can be mounted on the apparatus main body by selecting a developing device;
A first contact portion that contacts the shutter member in conjunction with an operation of mounting the toner supply container on the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, and moves the shutter member from a closed position to an open position;
In contact with the shutter member in conjunction with the operation of removing the toner supply container from the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, the contact with the shutter member is released after the shutter member is moved from the open position to the closed position. A container non-compatible member that is integrally formed with a second abutting portion and a main body-side incompatible key that can be engaged with the replenishment-side incompatible key, and is disposed on a wall surface of the mounting portion of the apparatus main body, With
A toner replenishing container for supplying toner to each of the plurality of developing devices is provided, and the main body side incompatible key that can be engaged with the replenishing side incompatible key of each toner replenishing container is formed in a different shape. An image forming apparatus. 2. The first and second contact portions are arranged side by side in the vicinity of the sliding direction, and the main body-side incompatible key is disposed in the vicinity of the first and second contact portions. The image forming apparatus according to any one of? The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container incompatible member forms a guide portion that guides a container body of the toner supply container in a sliding direction .

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