JP6324853B2 - Toner supply device and toner cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner supply device and a toner cartridge provided in the toner supply device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electrophotographic technology, a toner cartridge containing toner is attached to a toner cartridge holding member of an image forming apparatus to replenish the toner. Such a toner cartridge is provided with a shutter for closing the toner outlet of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is removed. This prevents toner remaining in the toner cartridge from being discharged through the discharge port when the toner cartridge is removed. A toner cartridge having such a shutter is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP-A-6-222664

  In a toner cartridge having such a shutter, it is required to reliably close the toner discharge port with a simple configuration. For example, in the toner cartridge described in Patent Document 1, the shutter is slid to the closed position by the urging force of the spring, but the configuration is complicated, and the shutter is slid reliably depending on variations in the urging force of the spring and the like. It is thought that it is impossible.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a toner replenishing device and a toner cartridge that can reliably close the discharge port of the toner cartridge with a shutter.

The present invention includes a toner cartridge that includes a toner container and a shutter that closes a toner discharge port provided in the toner container, and a toner cartridge holding member that is removed when the toner cartridge is slid. A toner replenishing device. The shutter is provided with a shutter side engaging portion that protrudes toward the toner cartridge holding member. The toner cartridge holding member is provided with a holding portion side engaging portion, a toner cartridge position restricting portion, and a guiding portion. The holding portion side engaging portion engages with the shutter side engaging portion when the toner containing portion is slid in the toner cartridge removing direction, and slides the shutter with respect to the toner containing portion to close the discharge port. . The toner cartridge position restricting portion engages the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion at the sliding position of the toner containing portion until the toner containing portion is slid in the toner cartridge removing direction and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. The movement of the toner cartridge in the direction in which the engagement with the part is released is restricted. The guide portion is configured to move the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion at a slide position of the toner containing portion after the toner containing portion is slid in the toner cartridge removing direction and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. The toner cartridge is guided in a direction to release the engagement, and the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released . The toner accommodating portion includes a shutter side engaging portion and a holding portion side engaging portion at a sliding position of the toner accommodating portion until the toner accommodating portion is slid in the removing direction of the toner cartridge and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. There is provided a shutter position restricting portion for restricting the movement of the shutter in the direction in which the engagement with the shutter is released.

  In this toner replenishing device, the shutter closes the discharge port by a sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge. For this reason, the discharge port can be reliably closed by the shutter with a simple configuration without providing another mechanism for sliding the shutter. After the discharge port is closed by the shutter, the toner cartridge is guided by the guiding portion in a direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released. As described above, the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion can be released with a simple configuration by the sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge. The shutter position restricting portion restricts the movement of the shutter until the discharge port is closed by the shutter. Further, the toner cartridge position restricting portion restricts the movement of the toner cartridge in the direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released. Thereby, the shutter side engaging part and the holding part side engaging part can be reliably engaged, and the shutter can be reliably slid to the closed position of the discharge port.

  It is desirable that the engagement height a between the shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement portion and the guide height b at which the guide portion guides the toner cartridge satisfy the relationship of a ≦ b. By setting each part so as to satisfy this relationship, when the toner cartridge is guided by the guiding part, the shutter side engaging part can easily get over the holding part side engaging part. Therefore, the sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge can be easily performed.

  The shutter may be movable with respect to the toner accommodating portion in a direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released at the closed position of the discharge port. In this case, since the shutter also moves in the direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released, the shutter is moved and the toner cartridge is moved by the guiding portion. The engagement between the side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion can be released. That is, as compared with the case where the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released only by the movement of the toner cartridge by the guide portion, the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion are separated. The movement width of the toner cartridge in the direction of releasing the engagement can be reduced. As described above, since the moving width of the toner cartridge for releasing the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion can be reduced, the toner replenishing device can be downsized.

  Engagement height a between the shutter side engagement part and the holding part side engagement part, a guide height b at which the guide part guides the toner cartridge, and a movement height c at which the shutter can move at the closed position of the discharge port Preferably satisfies the relationship of a−b ≦ c and c ≠ 0. By setting each part so as to satisfy this relationship, the engagement state between the shutter side engaging part and the holding part side engaging part can be reliably released while closing the discharge port by the shutter.

  The main body of the toner cartridge holding member may be provided with a toner replenishing port that communicates with the discharge port when the toner container is located at the toner supply position. The toner supply position is a position where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member and the toner is supplied from the toner containing portion to the toner cartridge holding member side. The toner cartridge holding member may further include a holding unit side seal member and a holding unit side shutter. The holding portion side seal member encloses the gap between the toner containing portion and the main body portion of the toner cartridge holding member when the toner containing portion is located at the toner supply position while surrounding the toner supply port. The holding unit side shutter closes the toner supply port by sandwiching the holding unit side seal member between the main body of the toner cartridge holding member when the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication. The holding part side seal member may be made of an elastic body. When the holding portion side seal member is sandwiched by the holding portion side shutter when the thickness d of the holding portion side seal member when the toner container is located at the toner supply position and the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication with each other It is desirable to satisfy the relationship d ≦ e with the thickness e of the holding portion side seal member.

  When the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication and the holding unit side seal member is sandwiched by the holding unit side shutter, the holding unit side seal is more effective than when the discharge port and the toner supply port are connected. The thickness of the member is large. That is, when the toner supply port is closed by sliding the holding unit side shutter on the upper surface of the holding unit side seal member, the upper surface of the holding unit side seal member is more than when the discharge port and the toner supply port are in communication. Is a high position (the same height position when d = e). Here, when the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication, the supply of toner is stopped. Therefore, when the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication, the height position of the upper surface of the holding portion side seal member is higher than the upper surface of the toner facing the toner supply port (when d = e, the same height position). Becomes). The toner at which the holding unit side shutter faces the toner supply port when the holding unit side shutter slides on the upper surface of the holding unit side seal member at a position higher than or at the same height as the upper surface of the toner facing the toner supply port. Scratching can be suppressed. Therefore, the scattering of the toner from the toner replenishing port can be suppressed, and the inside of the toner replenishing device can be prevented from being contaminated by the toner.

  The toner cartridge may further include a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the discharge port and is made of an elastic material. The toner cartridge holding member may further include an attracting portion that guides the toner storage portion to approach the main body side of the toner cartridge holding member. The attracting portion has a cartridge side seal member and a holding portion side seal when the toner accommodating portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the toner cartridge removing direction and viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port. Compared to the case where the cartridge side seal member and the holding part side seal member do not overlap at the sliding position of the toner containing part from the overlapping of the member to the toner supply position, the toner containing part is placed on the main body side of the toner cartridge holding member. Guide you closer to.

  By guiding the toner accommodating portion by the attracting portion, the degree of adhesion between the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member is increased, and toner leakage can be reliably suppressed. Further, after the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member overlap each other when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port, the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member are brought into close contact with each other by the drawing portion. Thereby, when the toner storage portion is slid, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the cartridge side seal member and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member from being caught. Therefore, damage to the end portion of the cartridge side seal member and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member can be suppressed.

  The cartridge side sealing member may enclose the periphery of the discharge port and seal the gap between the toner containing portion and the shutter when the discharge port is closed by the shutter. The shutter may include a sliding engagement portion. The engaging portion for sliding is at a sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the toner accommodating portion is slid in the toner cartridge removing direction and the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released. Engage with the toner container. The sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released is defined as a first sliding position. A direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge is removed and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the discharge port are defined as a first direction. When the toner storage portion is located at the first slide position, the discharge port is formed between one end and the other end of the slide engagement portion along the toner cartridge removal direction when viewed from the first direction. It may be located between.

  By sliding the toner container in the removal direction, the discharge port is closed by the shutter. After the discharge port is closed, the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released by the shutter side engaging portion riding on the holding portion side engaging portion. When the shutter side engaging portion rides on the holding portion side engaging portion, the point at which the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion engage with each other acts as a power point. As a result, the shutter is pressed against the toner accommodating portion side so as to crush the cartridge side seal member. In addition, when the shutter side engaging portion rides on the holding portion side engaging portion, one end portion and the other end portion of the sliding engaging portion act as a fulcrum on the side far from the power point. To do. That is, the shutter rotates around the fulcrum as viewed from the first direction so that the end portion on the side where the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion engage is closer to the toner containing portion side. Further, the discharge port is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the sliding engagement portion when viewed from the first direction. That is, the fulcrum when the shutter rotates is located outside the discharge port as viewed from the first direction. Thereby, when the shutter rotates about the fulcrum and the cartridge side seal member is crushed, excessive deformation of the cartridge side seal member can be suppressed. Further, the cartridge side seal member can be uniformly crushed by the shutter around the edge of the discharge port. Therefore, toner leakage can be suppressed.

  The toner cartridge may further include a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the periphery of the discharge port and seals a gap between the toner storage portion and the shutter when the discharge port is closed by the shutter. The cartridge side seal member may be made of an elastic body. The shutter may include a sliding engagement portion. The engaging portion for sliding is at a sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the toner accommodating portion is slid in the toner cartridge removing direction and the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released. Engage with the toner container. The sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released is defined as a first sliding position. A direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge is removed and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the discharge port are defined as a first direction. When the toner storage portion is located at the first slide position, the discharge port is formed between one end and the other end of the slide engagement portion along the toner cartridge removal direction when viewed from the first direction. It may be located between.

  By sliding the toner container in the removal direction, the discharge port is closed by the shutter. After the discharge port is closed, the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released by the shutter side engaging portion riding on the holding portion side engaging portion. When the shutter side engaging portion rides on the holding portion side engaging portion, the point at which the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion engage with each other acts as a power point. As a result, the shutter is pressed against the toner accommodating portion side so as to crush the cartridge side seal member. In addition, when the shutter side engaging portion rides on the holding portion side engaging portion, one end portion and the other end portion of the sliding engaging portion act as a fulcrum on the side far from the power point. To do. That is, the shutter rotates around the fulcrum as viewed from the first direction so that the end portion on the side where the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion engage is closer to the toner containing portion side. Further, the discharge port is located between one end portion and the other end portion of the sliding engagement portion when viewed from the first direction. That is, the fulcrum when the shutter rotates is located outside the discharge port as viewed from the first direction. Thereby, when the cartridge side sealing member is crushed by the shutter, excessive deformation of the cartridge side sealing member can be prevented. Further, the cartridge side seal member can be uniformly crushed by the shutter around the edge of the discharge port. Therefore, toner leakage can be suppressed.

  The shutter may include an operation restricting portion that restricts a sliding operation with respect to the toner accommodating portion at a position where the discharge port is closed.

  At the position where the shutter closes the discharge port, the sliding operation of the shutter is regulated by the operation regulating unit. Therefore, the shutter is prevented from sliding from a position where the discharge port is closed by an unexpected load, and toner leakage can be suppressed.

  The toner cartridge holding member may further include a holding portion side shutter engaging portion and a restriction releasing portion. The holding portion side shutter engaging portion engages with the shutter to open the discharge port when the toner accommodating portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the toner cartridge removing direction. Slide against the receiving part. The restriction release unit releases the restriction on the sliding operation of the shutter in the operation restriction unit when the toner cartridge is slid in the mounting direction and the holding unit side shutter engaging unit is engaged with the shutter.

  When the toner cartridge is slid in the mounting direction and the holding portion side shutter engaging portion is engaged with the shutter, the restriction on the sliding operation of the shutter in the operation restricting portion is released by the restriction releasing portion. As described above, the restriction of the sliding operation of the shutter in the operation restricting part is released only when the holding part side shutter engaging part is engaged with the shutter to open the discharge port. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the discharge port in an unexpected case.

  The restriction release unit slides the shutter in the operation restriction unit when the toner storage unit is slid in the toner cartridge removal direction and the engagement between the shutter side engagement unit and the holding unit side engagement unit is released. May be permitted.

  Thus, when the toner cartridge is slid in the removing direction and the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released, the sliding operation of the shutter with respect to the toner accommodating portion is performed by the operation restricting portion. Be regulated. As described above, when the toner cartridge is removed, the sliding operation of the shutter is restricted after the discharge port is closed by the shutter. Therefore, the shutter does not slide due to an unexpected load and the discharge port does not open, and the toner can be prevented from leaking from the discharge port.

  The toner cartridge may further include a slide guide extending along the sliding direction of the toner cartridge. The guide portion may be slidably contacted with the slide guide when the toner cartridge is attached and detached. The slide guide may include a first guide part and a second guide part. The second guide part is located closer to the cartridge removal direction than the first guide part. The first guide portion protrudes toward the guide portion from the second guide portion in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member. The guide part may include a third guide part and a fourth guide part. The fourth guide portion is located closer to the cartridge removal direction than the third guide portion. The fourth guide portion protrudes toward the slide guide from the third guide portion in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member. Let b be the guide height at which the fourth guide portion protrudes from the third guide portion and the guide portion guides the toner cartridge. Let g be the protrusion height at which the first guide portion protrudes from the second guide portion. It is desirable that the guide height b and the protrusion height g satisfy the relationship of b ≦ g.

  When the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member, the first guide portion and the third guide portion may contact each other. Thereby, the position of the toner cartridge with respect to the toner cartridge holding member is defined. In this state, by satisfying the relationship of b ≦ g, the second guide portion and the fourth guide portion do not interfere with each other. Therefore, when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member, the position of the toner cartridge can be stably defined by the first guide portion and the third guide portion. As described above, since the position of the toner cartridge is stabilized, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the communication portion between the toner storage portion and the toner cartridge holding portion.

  The toner cartridge may further include a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the discharge port and is made of an elastic material. A toner supply port may be provided in the main body of the toner cartridge holding member. The toner supply port communicates with the discharge port when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member and the toner container is located at a toner supply position for supplying toner from the toner container to the toner cartridge holding member. The toner cartridge holding member may further include a holding portion side seal member made of an elastic body and surrounding the toner supply port, and an attracting portion. The attracting portion has a cartridge side seal member and a holding portion side seal when the toner accommodating portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the toner cartridge removing direction and viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port. Compared to the case where the cartridge side seal member and the holding part side seal member do not overlap at the sliding position of the toner containing part from the overlapping of the member to the toner supply position, the toner containing part is placed on the main body side of the toner cartridge holding member. Guide you closer to.

  By guiding the toner accommodating portion by the attracting portion, the degree of adhesion between the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member is increased, and toner leakage can be reliably suppressed. Further, when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port, the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member overlap each other, and then the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal member are brought into close contact with each other by the drawing portion. Thereby, when the toner storage portion is slid, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the cartridge side seal member and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member from being caught. Therefore, damage to the end portion of the cartridge side seal member and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, the discharge port of the toner cartridge can be reliably closed by the shutter.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a discharge port provided on the lower surface of the toner cartridge, and shows a state in which the discharge port is exposed by sliding a shutter. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view around a discharge port provided in the toner cartridge, and shows a state where the discharge port is closed by a shutter. It is a figure which shows a shutter, (a) is the perspective view seen from one side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the other side. FIG. 6 is a side view of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge holding member when the discharge port is open. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing along the VII-VII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the IX-IX line of FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge holding member in a state where the discharge port is closed. It is sectional drawing which shows the engaging part periphery of a shutter side engaging part and a holding | maintenance part side engaging part in the state in which the discharge port was closed. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which engagement with the cartridge side guide part and the shutter side convex part was cancelled | released in the state in which the discharge port was closed. It is sectional drawing which shows a movement of a shutter in the state by which engagement with the cartridge side guide part and the shutter side convex part was cancelled | released. It is sectional drawing which shows the periphery of a discharge port in the state where the discharge port was closed. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a state in which the discharge port of the toner cartridge is closed by a shutter. It is a perspective view of a shutter. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement state between a shutter and a restriction release portion of a toner cartridge holding member. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing a state of the shutter in which the restriction of the sliding operation is released, in which FIG. 5A is a state immediately after the restriction is released, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the state made. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a state of the seal member when the toner cartridge is slid in the mounting direction, in which FIG. 4A is a side view of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge holding member, and FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a state of the seal member when the toner cartridge is slid in the mounting direction, in which FIG. 4A is a side view of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge holding member, and FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a state of the seal member when the toner cartridge is slid in the mounting direction, in which FIG. 4A is a side view of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge holding member, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the discharge port and the opening part connected. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration in which a toner storage portion is guided to a support portion side of a toner cartridge holding member. It is a side view which shows the contact state of a cartridge side guide part and a holding part side guide part. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of a shutter when engagement with a shutter side engaging part and a holding | maintenance part side engaging part is cancelled | released. It is sectional drawing which shows the rotation state of a shutter when engagement with a shutter side engaging part and a holding | maintenance part side engaging part is cancelled | released. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the opening part was closed by the holding | maintenance part side shutter.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a toner supply device and a toner cartridge according to the present invention are applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a recording medium transport unit 10, a transfer unit 20, a photosensitive drum 30, four developing units (developing devices) 100, and a fixing unit 40. .

  The recording medium conveyance unit 10 accommodates a sheet P as a recording medium on which an image is finally formed, and conveys the sheet P onto the recording medium conveyance path. The paper P is stacked and accommodated in a cassette. The recording medium transport unit 10 causes the paper P to reach the secondary transfer region R at the timing when the toner image transferred to the paper P reaches the secondary transfer region R.

  The transfer unit 20 conveys the toner image formed by the developing unit 100 to the secondary transfer region R where the toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P. The transfer unit 20 includes a transfer belt 21, suspension rollers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d that suspend the transfer belt 21, a primary transfer roller 22 that sandwiches the transfer belt 21 together with the photosensitive drum 30, and a transfer belt together with the suspension roller 21d. And a secondary transfer roller 24 that sandwiches 21.

  The transfer belt 21 is an endless belt that is circulated and moved by suspension rollers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. The primary transfer roller 22 is provided so as to press the photosensitive drum 30 from the inner peripheral side of the transfer belt 21. On the other hand, the secondary transfer roller 24 is provided so as to press the suspension roller 21 d from the outer peripheral side of the transfer belt 21. Further, the transfer unit 20 may further include a belt cleaning device or the like that removes toner attached to the transfer belt 21.

  The photosensitive drum 30 is an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an image is formed on a peripheral surface, and is made of, for example, OPC (Organic PhotoConductor). The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of forming a color image. For example, four photosensitive drums 30 are arranged in the moving direction of the transfer belt 21 corresponding to each color of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. It is provided along. As shown in FIG. 1, a charging roller 32, an exposure unit 34, a developing unit 100, and a cleaning unit 38 are provided on the circumference of each photosensitive drum 30.

  The charging roller 32 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit 34 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 charged by the charging roller 32 according to an image formed on the paper P. As a result, the potential of the portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 exposed by the exposure unit 34 changes, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The four developing units 100 are supplied with toner from a toner cartridge 600 of a toner replenishing device 60 provided corresponding to each developing unit 100 via a toner supply path 65. The four toner cartridges 600 are filled with a replenishment developer in which magenta, yellow, cyan, and black toners and a carrier are mixed. The developing unit 100 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 with the toner supplied from the toner replenishing device 60, and generates a toner image.

  The cleaning unit 38 collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 30 after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 21. As the cleaning unit 38, for example, a configuration in which the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 30 is removed by bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 can be employed. A neutralizing lamp for resetting the potential of the photosensitive drum 30 may be disposed on the circumference of the photosensitive drum 30 between the cleaning unit 38 and the charging roller 32 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 30.

  The fixing unit 40 attaches and fixes the toner image secondarily transferred from the transfer belt 21 to the paper P to the paper P. The fixing unit 40 includes, for example, a heating roller 42 and a pressure roller 44. The heating roller 42 is a cylindrical member that can rotate around a rotation axis, and a heat source such as a halogen lamp is provided therein. The pressure roller 44 is a cylindrical member that can rotate around the rotation axis, and is provided to press the heating roller 42. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44, for example, a heat-resistant elastic layer such as silicon rubber is provided. The toner image is melted and fixed on the paper P by passing the paper P through a fixing nip portion which is a contact area between the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with discharge rollers 52 and 54 for discharging the paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 40 to the outside of the apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image signal of an image to be recorded is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 32 based on the received image signal. To charge. Then, the control unit irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 with laser light by the exposure unit 34 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  On the other hand, in the developing unit 100, the developer is adjusted such that the toner and carrier are adjusted to have a desired mixing ratio, and further mixed and stirred to uniformly disperse the toner and give an optimum charge amount. This developer is carried on the developing roller 110. Then, when the developer is transported to a region facing the photosensitive drum 30 by the rotation of the developing roller 110, toner in the developer carried on the developing roller 110 is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. The electrostatic latent image is developed and the electrostatic latent image is developed. The toner image formed in this way is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 30 to the transfer belt 21 in a region where the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer belt 21 face each other. On the transfer belt 21, toner images formed on the four photosensitive drums 30 are sequentially stacked to form one stacked toner image. The laminated toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P conveyed from the recording medium conveyance unit 10 in the secondary transfer region R where the suspension roller 21d and the secondary transfer roller 24 face each other.

  The sheet P on which the laminated toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 40. By passing the paper P between the heating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44 while applying heat and pressure, the laminated toner image is melted and fixed on the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge rollers 52 and 54. On the other hand, when the transfer belt 21 includes a belt cleaning device, the toner remaining on the transfer belt 21 may be removed by the belt cleaning device after the laminated toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P.

(Configuration of toner supply device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner supply device 60 includes a toner cartridge 600 and a toner cartridge holding member 700. The toner cartridge holding member 700 holds the toner cartridge 600 in a detachable manner. For example, the toner cartridge 600 is removed from the toner cartridge holding member 700 when the toner contained therein is exhausted, and a new toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 600 is attached to or detached from the toner cartridge holding member 700 by sliding the toner cartridge 600 with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700. A toner supply path 65 is connected to the toner cartridge holding member 700.

(Configuration of toner cartridge)
As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 600 includes a toner storage unit 610 and a shutter 650. The toner storage unit 610 is a long container having a space for storing toner therein. A discharge port 620 for discharging the toner in the toner storage unit 610 is provided on the lower surface of one end of the toner storage unit 610. A seal member 630 is attached around the discharge port 620 on the lower surface of the toner container 610. The seal member 630 is provided with an opening 630 a at a position facing the discharge port 620. Seal member 630 fills the gap between toner container 610 and shutter 650 when discharge port 620 is closed by shutter 650. The seal member 630 is preferably formed of an elastic body such as urethane foam.

  A pair of cartridge side guide portions (shutter position restricting portions) 611 extending along the extending direction of the toner containing portion 610 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 620 on the outer surface of the toner containing portion 610. The pair of cartridge side guide portions 611 is provided so as to sandwich the discharge port 620 when the toner storage portion 610 is viewed from the lower side, and protrudes in a direction away from the discharge port 620. The cartridge side guide portion 611 extends from the end of the toner storage portion 610 on the side where the discharge port 620 is provided to a predetermined position beyond the discharge port 620.

  A pair of cartridge-side guide portions 612 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in a strip shape are provided on the lower surface of the toner storage portion 610. The cartridge side guiding portion 612 extends along the extending direction of the toner accommodating portion 610. The pair of cartridge side guide portions 612 is provided at a position where an extension line of the pair of cartridge side guide portions 612 sandwiches the discharge port 620 when the toner storage portion 610 is viewed from below. The cartridge side guiding portion 612 protrudes downward from the lower side surface of the toner storage portion 610. The cartridge-side guide portion 612 has a protruding height from the outer surface of the toner storage portion 610 that is higher from the middle portion toward the other end portion from the end portion on the side where the discharge port 620 is provided. In the cartridge side guiding portion 612, a portion where the height changes is referred to as a step portion 612a. An inclined surface is formed on the step portion 612a. The position where the step portion 612a is provided will be described in detail later.

  The shutter 650 is attached to the toner accommodating portion 610 so as to be slidable along the cartridge side guide portion 611. By sliding the shutter 650, the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 can be closed by the shutter 650. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the shutter 650 includes a shutter main body 651, a pair of side wall portions 652, a pair of shutter side engagement portions 653, and a pair of shutters. The shutter side convex portion 654, a plurality of slide engaging portions 655, and a lower surface side convex portion 656 are configured.

  The shutter main body 651 is formed in a flat plate shape. The shutter main body 651 covers and closes the discharge port 620 when the shutter 650 is slid to a position where the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 is closed. The pair of side wall portions 652 rises from the opposing edge portions of the shutter main body portion 651, respectively. The distance between the pair of side wall portions 652 is such that the pair of cartridge side guide portions 611 can be inserted therebetween (see FIG. 3).

  The plurality of slide engaging portions 655 protrude inward from the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 652. The shutter 650 is fitted into the toner accommodating portion 610 so that the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner accommodating portion 610 is positioned between the sliding engagement portion 655 and the shutter main body portion 651. As a result, the shutter 650 can slide with the cartridge side guide portion 611 as a guide.

  The pair of shutter side engaging portions 653 is provided on the lower surface of the end portion on the fitting side of the shutter 650 into the toner containing portion 610. The shutter side engaging portion 653 protrudes in a mountain shape toward the toner cartridge holding member 700 side (lower side). The pair of shutter-side convex portions 654 are respectively provided at positions near the pair of shutter-side engaging portions 653 on the upper surface of the shutter main body portion 651. The lower surface side convex portion 656 is provided on the lower surface of the shutter main body portion 651. The shutter side engaging portion 653, the shutter side convex portion 654, and the lower surface side convex portion 656 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the configuration of each part in a state where the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. The toner cartridge holding member 700 is fixed to the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The toner cartridge holding member 700 holds the toner cartridge 600 in a state where the toner cartridge 600 is placed. The toner cartridge holding member 700 is long like the toner cartridge 600.

  The toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700 by being slid with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700 so as to be inserted into a mounting space provided in the image forming apparatus 1. When the toner cartridge 600 is slid so as to be held by the toner cartridge holding member 700, the lower surface side convex portion 656 of the shutter 650 contacts the end 710 a of the toner cartridge holding member 700 (see FIG. 5), and the shutter 650. The slide is regulated. As a result, only the toner container 610 slides with the shutter 650 fixed, and the discharge port 620 of the toner container 610 is opened.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the toner cartridge holding member 700 includes a support portion (main body portion) 710, a pair of holding portion side engaging portions 711, and a pair of holding engaging portions (toner cartridge position regulating portions) 713. , And a pair of holding part side guide parts (guide parts) 714. The support portion 710 is a long member and supports the lower surface of the toner cartridge 600. The support portion 710 is provided with an opening 710b. The opening 710b faces the discharge port 620 when the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700 (see FIG. 9). As described above, the end portion 710a of the support portion 710 where the opening 710b is provided contacts the lower surface side convex portion 656 of the shutter 650 when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  The pair of holding portion side engaging portions 711 protrude in a mountain shape from the upper surface of the support portion 710 upward. As shown in FIG. 7, the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is provided at a position that engages with the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 in a state where the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700. ing. More specifically, the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is provided at a position closer to the drawing direction side (left side in FIG. 7) of the toner cartridge 600 than the shutter side engaging portion 653.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the pair of holding engaging portions 713 are provided in the vicinity of the opening 710 b in the support portion 710 and engage with the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner storage portion 610. Each of the pair of holding engaging portions 713 includes an upright portion 713a and a convex portion 713b. The upright portion 713 a is provided on the upper surface of the support portion 710 and extends along the extending direction of the support portion 710. The distance between the pair of raised portions 713a is such that the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner storage portion 610 can be inserted therebetween. The pair of convex portions 713b are provided at the upper ends of the raised portions 713a, respectively, and extend along the extending direction of the raised portions 713a. The pair of protrusions 713b protrude toward the opening 710b.

  When the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700, the pair of cartridge side guide portions 611 is located between the pair of upright portions 713a, and the cartridge side guide portion is between the support portion 710 and the convex portion 713b. The toner cartridge 600 is slid so that 611 is positioned. As a result, the holding engaging portion 713 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are engaged. When the holding engagement portion 713 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 engage with each other, the toner cartridge 600 is prevented from being lifted with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the pair of holding portion side guiding portions 714 are provided on the upper surface of the support portion 710. The holding part side guiding part 714 is formed in a belt shape and extends along the extending direction of the support part 710. The upper end portion of the holding portion side guiding portion 714 faces the lower end portion of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 of the toner storage portion 610. The holding part side guiding part 714 has a low protruding height from the support part 710 from the middle part from the end on the side where the opening 710 b is provided to the other end. In the support portion 710, a portion where the height changes is referred to as a step portion 714a. An inclined surface is formed on the stepped portion 714a. The position where the stepped portion 714a is provided will be described later in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, when the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700, the discharge port 620 is opened, and the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 and the opening of the support unit 710 are opened. 710b faces. As a result, toner can be supplied from the toner container 610 to the developing unit 100 via the toner cartridge holding member 700, the toner supply path 65, and the like.

  When the discharge port 620 is in an open state, the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 may be engaged (see FIG. 7). Further, the shutter-side convex portion 654 of the shutter 650 is in contact with the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611 of the toner storage portion 610, and the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge-side guide portion 611 are connected. They are engaged (see FIG. 8). Thereby, the end of the shutter 650 on the shutter-side convex portion 654 side is restricted from being lifted from the support portion 710. As a result, the engagement state between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 is maintained.

  Although the engagement between the sliding engagement portion 655 of the shutter 650 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner storage portion 610 is released, the shutter side engagement portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion of the support portion 710 are released. Since the side engaging portion 711 is engaged, and the holding engaging portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are engaged, the shutter 650 is moved to the toner cartridge holding member. No drop off from 700. Further, when the holding engaging portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are engaged, the toner cartridge 600 is prevented from being lifted with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700. By restricting the lifting of the toner cartridge 600, the engagement state between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 is more reliably maintained.

  Next, a case where the toner cartridge 600 is slid and removed from the state where the toner cartridge 600 is held by the toner cartridge holding member 700 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, when the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the removal direction (the method indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 10 to 12 and 14) with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700, the shutter side of the shutter 650 is closed. Since the engaging portion 653 is engaged with the holding portion side engaging portion 711, only the toner containing portion 610 slides. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 is covered and closed by the shutter 650.

  When the toner storage portion 610 slides, the discharge port 620 of the toner storage portion 610 is closed by the shutter 650, and then the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner storage portion 610 and the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 are retained. Is disengaged. Then, the cartridge side guide portion 611 engages with the sliding engagement portion 655 of the shutter 650 (see FIG. 12). As a result, the toner cartridge 600 can be detached from the toner cartridge holding member 700. Even when the toner cartridge 600 is detached from the toner cartridge holding member 700, the shutter 650 is attached to the toner storage unit 610.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the shutter side convex portion 654 and the cartridge side guide portion of the shutter 650 until the toner storage portion 610 is slid in the removal direction and the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650. The lower surface of 611 is in contact. When the toner storage portion 610 is slid to a position where the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the contact between the shutter-side convex portion 654 of the shutter 650 and the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611 is released ( (See FIG. 12). Accordingly, until the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the shutter-side protrusion 654 of the shutter 650 is in contact with the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611, so that the lifting of the shutter 650 is restricted. In addition, the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are engaged, and the lifting of the cartridge is restricted. Thus, the engagement state between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 is reliably maintained. Therefore, when the toner storage unit 610 is slid, the discharge port 620 can be reliably closed by the shutter 650. Further, after the shutter 650 closes the discharge port 620, the shutter 650 can move toward the toner containing portion 610 while compressing the seal member 630 as shown in FIG. 13. This moving direction is a direction for releasing the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710.

  The shutter side engaging portion 653 is formed in a mountain shape. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the toner storage portion 610 is further slid from the state where the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the shutter side engagement portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engagement portion 711. The shutter 650 moves. Even in this case, as described above, since the engagement between the cartridge side guide portion 611 and the shutter side convex portion 654 of the shutter 650 is released, the shutter side engagement portion 653 is engaged with the holding portion side. The movement of the shutter 650 due to riding on the portion 711 is not hindered.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the step portion 612 a of the cartridge side guide portion 612 is connected to the step portion 714 a of the holding portion side guide portion 714 at the slide position of the toner storage portion 610 when the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650. Abut. When the toner accommodating portion 610 is further slid from this state, the step portion 612a of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 rides on the step portion 714a of the holding portion side guiding portion 714. As a result, the toner cartridge 600 is guided in a direction to be lifted with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700. That is, the toner cartridge 600 moves in a direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 is released.

  Here, the engagement height a between the shutter side engagement portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engagement portion 711 of the support portion 710 is defined as an engagement height a (see FIG. 11). The height at which the toner cartridge 600 is guided by the stepped portion 612a of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 riding on the stepped portion 714a of the holding portion side guiding portion 714 is defined as a guiding height b (see FIG. 11). In a state in which the shutter 650 closes the discharge port 620, a height at which the shutter 650 can move toward the toner storage portion 610 while compressing the seal member 630 is defined as a moving height c (see FIG. 13). In this case, the height of each part is set so that the engagement height a, the guide height b, and the moving height c satisfy the relationship of “a−b ≦ c and c ≠ 0”. ing.

  Alternatively, in the present embodiment, the engagement height a and the guide height b may satisfy the relationship of a ≦ b. When the toner cartridge 600 is guided by the holding portion side guiding portion 714, the guide height b is set to be equal to or higher than the engaging height a, so the shutter side engaging portion 653 causes the holding portion side engaging portion 711 to move. It will be easier to get over. Therefore, a sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge 600 can be easily performed.

  When the toner container 610 is further slid from the state where the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the engagement between the shutter-side convex portion 654 of the shutter 650 and the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611 is released, and the shutter 650 is moved. It becomes possible to move to the toner storage unit 610 side. Further, the engagement between the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 is released, and the toner cartridge 600 can move in the floating direction. Further, the stepped portion 612a of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 rides on the stepped portion 714a of the holding portion side guiding portion 714. Further, the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710. Thus, the toner cartridge 600 is pulled out from the toner cartridge holding member 700 in a state where the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650.

  This embodiment is configured as described above. In the toner replenishing device 60, the shutter 650 closes the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 by a sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge 600. For this reason, the discharge port 620 can be reliably closed by the shutter 650 with a simple configuration without providing another mechanism for sliding the shutter 650. After the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the stepped portion 714a of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 rides on the stepped portion 714a of the holding portion side guiding portion 714, whereby the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the support portion of the shutter 650 are supported. The toner cartridge 600 is guided in a direction in which the engagement with the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of 710 is released. As described above, the sliding operation for removing the toner cartridge 600 can release the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 with a simple configuration.

  Until the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650, the shutter-side convex portion 654 of the shutter 650 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611, and the movement of the shutter 650 is restricted. Further, the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are engaged with each other, and the lifting of the cartridge is restricted. Thus, the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 can be reliably engaged, and the shutter 650 can be reliably slid to the closed position of the discharge port 620.

  When the shutter 650 is disengaged between the shutter-side convex portion 654 and the lower surface of the cartridge-side guide portion 611 at the closed position of the discharge port 620, the shutter-side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion-side engaging portion 711 are released. It is possible to move in the direction in which the engagement with is released. In this case, the shutter 650 also moves in a direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released. Accordingly, the shutter-side engaging portion 653 is moved by the movement of the shutter 650 and the movement of the shutter 650 caused by the step 612a of the cartridge-side guiding portion 612 riding on the step 714a of the holding portion-side guiding portion 714. And the holding portion side engaging portion 711 can be released. That is, as compared with the case where the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released only by the guidance of the shutter 650 by the holding portion side guiding portion 714 and the cartridge side guiding portion 612, the shutter side The movement width of the toner cartridge 600 in the direction in which the engagement between the engagement portion 653 and the holding portion side engagement portion 711 is released can be reduced. Therefore, the movement width of the toner cartridge 600 for releasing the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 can be reduced, and the toner replenishing device 60 can be downsized. .

  The engaging height between the shutter side engaging portion 653 of the shutter 650 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 of the support portion 710 is defined as an engaging height a. The height at which the toner cartridge 600 is guided by the stepped portion 612a of the cartridge side guiding portion 612 riding on the stepped portion 714a of the holding portion side guiding portion 714 is defined as a guiding height b. In a state where the shutter 650 closes the discharge port 620, the height at which the shutter 650 can move toward the toner storage unit 610 while compressing the seal member 630 is defined as a moving height c. In this case, the height of each part is set so that the engagement height a, the guide height b, and the moving height c satisfy the relationship of “a−b ≦ c and c ≠ 0”. ing. By setting each part so as to satisfy this relationship, it is possible to reliably release the engagement between the shutter side engaging part 653 and the holding part side engaging part 711 while closing the discharge port 620 by the shutter 650. .

  The holding engaging portion 713 and the cartridge side guide portion 611 are a toner containing portion from when the discharge port 620 is opened until the toner containing portion 610 is slid in the removing direction and the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650. At the 610 slide position, they are engaged with each other. In this case, the lifting of the toner cartridge 600 from the toner cartridge holding member 700 is restricted until the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650. Therefore, the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 can be reliably engaged. Thereby, the shutter 650 can be reliably slid to the closed position of the discharge port 620.

  Next, a toner replenishing device including a toner cartridge according to another embodiment will be described. The toner supply device according to the present embodiment is obtained by partially changing the configuration of the toner supply device according to the above-described embodiment, such as the configuration of the shutter 650. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the shutter 650 </ b> A is attached to the toner storage unit 610. A pair of cartridge-side guide portions 611 extending along the extending direction of the toner storage portion 610 is provided on the outer surface of the toner storage portion 610 (see FIG. 2).

  The shutter 650A is attached to the toner accommodating portion 610 so as to be slidable along the cartridge-side guide portion 611 as in the above-described embodiment. A discharge port 620 is provided on the lower surface of the toner container 610 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 15, the discharge port 620 is closed by a slid shutter 650A.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the shutter 650A includes a shutter main body 651, a pair of side wall portions 652, a pair of shutter side engaging portions 653, a pair of shutter side convex portions 654, and a plurality of slide engaging portions. 655, a lower surface convex portion 656, and a pair of operation restricting portions 658. The pair of operation restricting portions 658 are respectively attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 652. The operation restricting portion 658 is formed in a plate shape. One end of the operation restricting portion 658 in the sliding direction of the shutter 650 </ b> A is connected to the outer surface of the side wall portion 652. Here, one end portion of the operation restricting portion 658 is an end portion on the attachment direction side of the toner cartridge 600 among both end portions of the operation restricting portion 658 in the sliding direction of the shutter 650A. The attachment direction is a direction opposite to the direction in which the toner cartridge 600 is removed from the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  The other end of the operation restricting portion 658 is separated from the outer surface of the side wall portion 652. That is, the pair of operation restricting portions 658 are attached to the side wall portion 652 so as to gradually spread from the pair of side wall portions 652 toward the end portion on the removal direction side from the end portion on the attachment side of the toner cartridge 600.

  The toner storage unit 610 includes a pair of wall portions 615. The distance between the pair of wall portions 615 is such that the shutter main body portion 651 of the shutter 650A can be inserted therebetween. The pair of wall portions 615 face the pair of side wall portions 652 when the shutter 650A is attached to the cartridge side guide portion 611, respectively. The operation restricting portion 658 restricts the sliding operation of the shutter 650A with respect to the toner accommodating portion 610 at a position where the shutter 650A closes the discharge port 620. Specifically, at the position where the shutter 650A closes the discharge port 620, the distal end portion of the operation restricting portion 658 extending away from the side wall portion 652 is engaged with the step portion 615a provided on the wall portion 615. This restricts the shutter 650A from sliding in the direction in which the toner cartridge 600 is removed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17, FIG. 18 (a) and FIG. 18 (b), the restriction of the sliding operation of the shutter 650A and the release of the restriction will be described. In FIG. 17, the toner container 610 and the like are not shown in order to illustrate the periphery of the shutter 650A.

  The toner cartridge holding member 700 includes a pair of restriction release portions 718. The restriction release unit 718 is formed to rise from the surface of the support unit 710 on the side where the toner cartridge 600 is attached. The restriction release unit 718 extends along the sliding direction of the toner cartridge 600. The distance between the pair of restriction release portions 718 is such that the shutter main body portion 651 of the shutter 650A can be inserted therebetween. In addition, the distance between the pair of restriction release portions 718 is an interval at which the pair of operation restriction portions 658 engage with each other when the shutter main body portion 651 is inserted therebetween.

  First, the movement of the shutter 650A when the toner cartridge 600 is attached will be described. Similar to the above-described embodiment, when the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the mounting direction, the lower surface side convex portion 656 of the shutter 650 contacts the end portion (the holding portion side shutter engaging portion) 710a of the toner cartridge holding member 700. Touch. At this time, the end portions of the pair of restriction release portions 718 come into contact with the pair of operation restriction portions 658, respectively. Thereby, the space | interval of a pair of movement control part 658 is narrowed by the control cancellation | release part 718. FIG.

  By narrowing the distance between the pair of motion restricting portions 658, the engagement between the distal end portion of the motion restricting portion 658 and the step portion 615a of the wall portion 615 is released. By releasing the engagement, the shutter 650 </ b> A can slide with respect to the toner storage unit 610. That is, the restriction on the sliding operation of the shutter 650A by the action restricting unit 658 is released. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18A show a state immediately after the engagement between the distal end portion of the operation restricting portion 658 and the step portion 615a of the wall portion 615 is released.

  When the restriction of the slide operation by the operation restriction unit 658 is released and the toner storage unit 610 is further slid in the mounting direction, only the toner storage unit 610 slides with the shutter 650 fixed to the support unit 710. As a result, the discharge port 620 of the toner storage unit 610 is opened. FIG. 18B shows a state where only the toner storage unit 610 is further slid from the state shown in FIG. 18A and the discharge port 620 is opened.

  Next, the movement of the shutter 650A when removing the toner cartridge 600 will be described. When the toner storage unit 610 is slid in the removal direction, the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650A, and then the end 710a of the support unit 710 and the lower surface convex portion 656 are separated from each other. At this time, the engagement between the end of the restriction release portion 718 and the operation restriction portion 658 is released. Furthermore, at this time, when the shutter side engaging portion 653 gets over the holding portion side engaging portion 711, the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released. As described above, the engagement between the end of the restriction release unit 718 and the operation restriction unit 658 is released, so that the operation restriction unit 658 restricts the sliding operation of the shutter 650A with respect to the toner storage unit 610. That is, when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released, the restriction releasing portion 718 allows the operation restricting portion 658 to restrict the sliding operation of the shutter 650A.

  The configuration around the seal member (cartridge side seal member) 630 will be described with reference to FIGS. The toner cartridge 600 includes a seal member 630 as in the above-described embodiment. The seal member 630 is provided so as to surround the discharge port 620. The seal member 630 is made of an elastic body.

  The toner cartridge holding member 700 includes a holding unit side seal member 760. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the support portion 710 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 is provided with an opening (toner supply port) 710b. The holding part side seal member 760 is made of an elastic body.

  The opening 710b communicates with the discharge port 620 when the toner container 610 is positioned at a toner supply position for supplying toner from the toner container 610 to the toner cartridge holding member 700 (see FIG. 22).

  The holding portion side seal member 760 surrounds the periphery of the opening 710b and seals the gap between the seal member 630 and the support portion 710 when the toner storage portion 610 is located at the toner supply position.

  19 to 22 show a state in which the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700. In FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22, the toner cartridge 600 is shown sliding in the mounting direction. Specifically, FIG. 19 shows a state before the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the mounting direction and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap each other. FIG. 20 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 600 is further slid in the mounting direction, and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap each other.

  FIG. 21 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 600 is further slid in the mounting direction, and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 are further overlapped. 21 shows a state in which the toner accommodating portion 610 is guided (pulled) toward the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700, and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 are partially crushed. Is shown. FIG. 22 shows a state in which the toner cartridge 600 is further slid in the mounting direction, and the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b communicate with each other. FIG. 22 shows a state in which the toner accommodating portion 610 is guided to the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 are crushed.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, as the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the mounting direction with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700, the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap each other. When the toner cartridge 600 is further slid after the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap, the toner storage portion 610 is drawn to the support portion 710. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 21, the seal member 630 and the holding | maintenance part side seal member 760 are crushed mutually. When the toner cartridge 600 is further slid, the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b communicate with each other as shown in FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 23, a configuration for guiding the toner storage portion 610 to the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700 will be described.

  As described above, the holding engagement portion 713 of the toner cartridge holding member 700 is provided with the convex portion 713 b that engages with the cartridge side guide portion 611 of the toner cartridge 600. The convex portion 713b is located on the cartridge side in the sliding position of the toner storage portion 610 from the overlap of the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 to the toner supply position when the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the mounting direction. Engages with the guide portion 611. Here, the overlapping of the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 means that the seal member 630 and the holding portion when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port 620 (the direction along the axis U in FIG. 25). That is, the side seal member 760 overlaps.

  The convex portion 713 b engages with the cartridge side guide portion 611 to guide the toner storage portion 610 so as to approach the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700. That is, when the cartridge side guide portion 611 is slid and the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap each other, the convex portion 713b does not overlap the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760. As compared with the case, the toner storage portion 610 is drawn closer to the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700. Thus, the convex portion 713 b functions as an attracting portion that guides the toner storage portion 610 to the support portion 710 side of the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the relationship between the cartridge side guiding portion (slide guide) 612 provided in the toner cartridge 600 and the holding portion side guiding portion 714 provided in the toner cartridge holding member 700 will be described.

  The cartridge side guiding part 612 includes a first guide part 660a and a second guide part 660b. The second guide portion 660b is located on the removal direction side of the toner cartridge 600 from the first guide portion 660a. The first guide portion 660a protrudes toward the holding portion side guiding portion 714 from the second guide portion 660b when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  The holding part side guiding part 714 includes a third guide part 715a and a fourth guide part 715b. The fourth guide portion 715b is located closer to the cartridge removal direction than the third guide portion 715a. The fourth guide portion 715b protrudes toward the cartridge side guiding portion 612 from the third guide portion 715a in a state where the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  Here, the height at which the first guide portion 660a protrudes from the second guide portion 660b is defined as a protrusion height g. The height at which the fourth guide portion 715b protrudes from the third guide portion 715a and the holding portion side guide portion 714 guides the toner cartridge 600 is referred to as a guide height b. The guide height b and the protrusion height g satisfy the relationship of b ≦ g. By satisfying this relationship, when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700 and the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b communicate with each other, the first guide portion 660a and the third guide portion 715a Abut.

  A configuration in which the shutter 650A rotates when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released will be described with reference to FIGS. As described in the above embodiment, the sliding engagement portion 655 of the shutter 650A engages with the cartridge side guide portion 611 by sliding the toner storage portion 610 in the removal direction. The shutter 650 </ b> A covers the discharge port 620 in a state where the slide engaging portion 655 is engaged with the cartridge side guide portion 611. The shutter 650A covers the discharge port 620 with the seal member 630 sandwiched between the shutter 650A and the toner container 610 (see FIG. 25).

  Here, as described in the above embodiment, when the toner container 610 is further slid after the discharge port 620 is closed, the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711. When the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711, the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 in a state where the cartridge side guide portion 611 is sandwiched between the sliding engaging portion 655 and the shutter main body portion 651. Is disengaged.

  Here, the slide position of the toner storage portion 610 when the engagement between the shutter side engagement portion 653 and the holding portion side engagement portion 711 is released is defined as a first slide position. Note that when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released, in addition to when the engagement is released (moment released), FIG. 25 and FIG. As shown, the shutter side engaging portion 653 includes a state where the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711 and a state where the riding starts. A direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge 600 is removed and perpendicular to the direction of the axis U of the discharge port 620 is defined as a first direction (a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 17). When the toner storage portion 610 is positioned at the first slide position, the discharge port 620 has one end portion along the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600 in the slide engagement portion 655 and the other end when viewed from the first direction. It is located between the ends.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, two sliding engagement portions 655 are provided on one side wall portion 652, and two sliding engagement portions 655 are provided on the other side wall portion 652. . Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the two sliding engagement portions 655 provided on the one side wall portion 652 have a predetermined distance from each other along the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600 when viewed from the first direction. Is provided. For convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 25, among the sliding engagement portions 655 provided along the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600, the sliding engagement portion 655 on the removal direction side of the toner cartridge 600 is provided. It is set as the engaging part 655a for a slide. The sliding engagement portion 655 on the mounting direction side of the toner cartridge 600 is referred to as a sliding engagement portion 655b.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, both end portions of the sliding engagement portion 655a along the direction in which the toner cartridge 600 is removed are referred to as an end portion 655ax and an end portion 655ay. The end portion 655ax is located closer to the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600 than the end portion 655ay. Both end portions of the sliding engagement portion 655b along the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600 are defined as an end portion 655bx and an end portion 655by. The end portion 655bx is located closer to the removal direction of the toner cartridge 600 than the end portion 655by.

  In the present embodiment, when the toner storage portion 610 is positioned at the first slide position, the discharge port 620 is connected to the end portion 655ax of the slide engagement portion 655a and the slide engagement portion when viewed from the first direction. It is located between the end portion 655by of 655b. As described above, when a plurality of slide engaging portions 655 are provided along the sliding direction of the toner cartridge 600, the discharge port 620 may be positioned between the outermost ends in the sliding direction.

  As shown in FIG. 27, when the discharge port 620 and the opening 710 b are not in communication, the opening 710 b is closed by the holding unit side shutter 753. The opening 710b closes the opening 710b in a state where the holding part side seal member 760 is sandwiched between the opening 710b and the support part 710 on which the opening 710b is formed. The holding unit side shutter 753 is slidably attached to the support unit 710. When the toner storage unit 610 is slid in the removal direction, the holding unit side shutter 753 engages with the toner storage unit 610 and slides together with the toner storage unit 610. Accordingly, the opening 710b is closed by the holding unit side shutter 753. Further, when the toner storage unit 610 is slid in the mounting direction, the toner storage unit 610 engages with the toner storage unit 610 and slides together with the toner storage unit 610 to open the opening 710b. That is, the holding unit side shutter 753 is slid on the upper surface of the holding unit side seal member 760 to close or open the opening 710b.

  The thickness of the holding portion side seal member 760 when the discharge port 620 and the opening portion 710b are not in communication and the opening portion 710b is closed by the holding portion side shutter 753 is defined as a thickness e. Here, as shown in FIG. 22, the thickness of the holding portion side seal member 760 when the toner storage portion 610 is located at the toner supply position is defined as a thickness d. That is, the thickness of the holding portion side seal member 760 when the holding portion side seal member 760 is crushed by the seal member 630 is defined as a thickness d. At this time, the thickness d and the thickness e satisfy the relationship d ≦ e. Specifically, the slide height of the holding unit side shutter 753 with respect to the support unit 710 or the amount of guidance by which the convex portion 713b guides the toner storage unit 610 to the support unit 710 side is set so as to satisfy the above relationship. ing.

  The toner replenishing device 60 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and provides the following operational effects in addition to the operational effects of the above-described embodiment. That is, as described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 27, the thickness of the holding portion side seal member 760 when the toner storage portion 610 is located at the toner supply position is defined as the thickness d. The thickness of the holding portion side seal member 760 when the holding portion side seal member 760 is sandwiched by the holding portion side shutter 753 when the discharge port 620 and the opening portion 710b are not in communication is defined as a thickness e. At this time, the thickness d and the thickness e satisfy the relationship d ≦ e. That is, when the opening 710b is closed by the holding part side shutter 753, the height position of the upper surface of the holding part side seal member 760 is higher than when the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b are in communication (d = In the case of e, it is the same height position). Here, the supply of toner is stopped when the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b are not in communication. Therefore, when the discharge port 620 and the opening 710b are not in communication, the height position of the upper surface of the holding portion side seal member 760 is higher than the upper surface of the toner facing the opening 710b (when d = e, the same height). Position). When closing the opening 710b, the holding unit side shutter 753 is slid on the upper surface of the holding unit side seal member 760 at a position higher than or at the same height as the upper surface of the toner facing the opening 710b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the holding unit side shutter 753 from scraping off the toner facing the opening 710b. Accordingly, the scattering of toner from the opening 710b is suppressed, and the inside of the toner supply device 60 can be suppressed from being contaminated by the toner.

  As described with reference to FIG. 23, the convex portion 713b of the toner cartridge holding member 700 engages with the cartridge side guide portion 611 when the toner cartridge 600 is slid in the mounting direction. The convex portion 713b guides the toner storage portion 610 so as to approach the support portion 710 side. By guiding the toner storage portion 610 by the convex portion 713b, the degree of adhesion between the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 increases. Thereby, it is possible to reliably suppress the toner from leaking from the contact portion between the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760. Further, after the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 overlap when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port 620, the seal member 630 and the holding portion side seal member 760 are brought into close contact with each other by the convex portion 713b. . Thereby, when the toner storage portion 610 is slid, it is possible to suppress the end portion of the seal member 630 and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member 760 from being caught. Therefore, damage to the end portion of the seal member 630 and the end portion of the holding portion side seal member 760 can be suppressed.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, when the toner storage portion 610 is located at the first slide position, the discharge port 620 is viewed from the first direction, and the end portion 655ax of the slide engagement portion 655a. And the end portion 655by of the sliding engagement portion 655b. Here, the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650A by sliding the toner container 610 in the removal direction. After the discharge port 620 is closed, the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711, so that the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 is released. . When the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711, the point where the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 are engaged is a force point Q as shown in FIG. Works. Accordingly, the shutter 650A is pressed against the toner storage unit 610 side so as to crush the seal member 630. As shown in FIG. 26, when the shutter side engaging portion 653 rides on the holding portion side engaging portion 711, the end portion 655ax of the sliding engaging portion 655a and the end portion 655by of the sliding engaging portion 655b are arranged. Of these, the end portion 655ax located on the far side from the force point Q acts as the fulcrum S. That is, the shutter 650 </ b> A has the end on the side where the shutter side engaging portion 653 and the holding portion side engaging portion 711 engage with each other, approaching the toner containing portion 610, with the fulcrum S as the center. Rotate like so. Further, the discharge port 620 is located between the end portion 655ax of the sliding engagement portion 655a and the end portion 655by of the sliding engagement portion 655b when viewed from the first direction. That is, the fulcrum S when the shutter 650A rotates is located outside the discharge port 620 when viewed from the first direction. Thereby, when the shutter 650A rotates around the fulcrum S and the seal member 630 is crushed, excessive deformation of the seal member 630 can be suppressed. Further, the seal member 630 can be uniformly crushed around the edge of the discharge port 620 by the shutter main body 651 of the shutter 650A. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the gap between the seal member 630 and the shutter main body 651 of the shutter 650A.

  As described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like, the sliding operation of the shutter 650A is restricted by the operation restricting portion 658 at the position where the shutter 650A closes the discharge port 620. Therefore, the shutter 650A is prevented from sliding from a position where the discharge port 620 is closed due to an unexpected load. Thereby, leakage of toner from the toner storage unit 610 can be suppressed.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B, the restriction release portion 718 has the toner storage portion 610 slid in the mounting direction, and the end portion 710a of the support portion 710 is the shutter. When contacting with 650A, the restriction of the sliding operation of the shutter 650A by the action restricting portion 658 is released. As described above, the restriction of the sliding operation of the shutter 650A in the operation restricting portion 658 is released only when the end portion 710a contacts the lower surface side convex portion 656 of the shutter 650A to open the shutter 650A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the discharge port 620 when it is not expected.

  The restriction release unit 718 is configured to release the shutter in the operation restriction unit 658 when the toner storage unit 610 is slid in the removal direction and the engagement between the shutter side engagement unit 653 and the holding unit side engagement unit 711 is released. The regulation of the sliding motion of 650A is allowed. Thus, when the toner cartridge 600 is removed, the sliding operation of the shutter 650A is restricted after the discharge port 620 is closed by the shutter 650A. Therefore, the shutter 650A does not slide and the discharge port 620 does not open due to an unexpected load. As a result, the toner can be prevented from leaking from the discharge port 620.

  As described with reference to FIG. 24, when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700, the first guide portion 660a and the third guide portion 715a come into contact with each other. As a result, the position of the toner cartridge 600 with respect to the toner cartridge holding member 700 is defined. In this state, the second guide portion 660b and the fourth guide portion 715b do not interfere with each other by satisfying the above-described relationship of b ≦ g. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 600 is attached to the toner cartridge holding member 700, the position of the toner cartridge 600 can be stably defined by the first guide portion 660a and the third guide portion 715a. As described above, since the position of the toner cartridge 600 is stabilized, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the communication portion between the toner container 610 and the toner cartridge holding member 700.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the tandem type image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus using the toner replenishing device 60 and the toner cartridge 600 according to the present embodiment. The toner cartridge 600 can be applied to various types of image forming apparatuses. Further, the toner replenishing device 60 and the toner cartridge 600 according to the present embodiment may be used in an image forming apparatus that performs monochromatic printing, instead of the image forming apparatus 1 that can perform color printing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 60 ... Toner replenishing apparatus, 600 ... Toner cartridge, 610 ... Toner accommodating part, 611 ... Cartridge side guide part (shutter position control part), 620 ... Discharge port, 650, 650A ... Shutter, 653 ... Shutter Side engaging portion, 700 ... toner cartridge holding member, 711 ... holding portion side engaging portion, 713 ... holding engaging portion (toner cartridge position regulating portion), 714 ... holding portion side guiding portion (guiding portion).

Claims (13)

Toner comprising a toner container and a toner cartridge provided with a shutter for closing a toner discharge port provided in the toner container, and a toner cartridge holding member from which the toner cartridge is removed by sliding the toner cartridge A replenishing device,
The shutter is provided with a shutter side engaging portion that protrudes toward the toner cartridge holding member.
In the toner cartridge holding member,
A holding portion that engages with the shutter side engaging portion and slides the shutter with respect to the toner containing portion to close the discharge port when the toner containing portion is slid in the removing direction of the toner cartridge. A side engaging portion;
The shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement at the slide position of the toner storage portion until the toner storage portion is slid in the removal direction of the toner cartridge and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. A toner cartridge position restricting portion for restricting movement of the toner cartridge in a direction in which the engagement with the portion is released;
The shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement at the slide position of the toner storage portion after the toner storage portion is slid in the removal direction of the toner cartridge and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. A guide unit that guides the toner cartridge in a direction to release the engagement with the unit and releases the engagement between the shutter side engagement unit and the holding unit side engagement unit ,
In the toner accommodating portion, the shutter side engaging portion is in a sliding position of the toner accommodating portion until the toner accommodating portion is slid in the removing direction of the toner cartridge and the discharge port is closed by the shutter. A toner replenishing device provided with a shutter position restricting portion for restricting movement of the shutter in a direction in which the engagement between the holding portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released. The engagement height a between the shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement portion and the guide height b at which the guide portion guides the toner cartridge are:
a ≦ b
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, satisfying the relationship:   2. The shutter is movable with respect to the toner accommodating portion in a direction in which the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released at a closed position of the discharge port. Or the toner replenishing device according to 2; The engagement height a between the shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement portion, the guide height b at which the guide portion guides the toner cartridge, and the shutter moves at the discharge port closed position The possible moving height c is
a−b ≦ c and c ≠ 0
The toner replenishing device according to claim 3, satisfying the relationship: The main body of the toner cartridge holding member has the toner containing portion at a toner supply position where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member and supplies the toner from the toner containing portion to the toner cartridge holding member side. A toner replenishing port that communicates with the discharge port when positioned,
The toner cartridge holding member is
A holder-side sealing member that surrounds the toner replenishing port and seals a gap between the toner container and the main body of the toner cartridge holding member when the toner container is located at the toner supply position;
A holding unit side shutter that closes the toner supply port by sandwiching the holding unit side seal member between the main body of the toner cartridge holding member when the discharge port and the toner supply port are not in communication; Prepared,
The holding part side seal member is made of an elastic body,
When the toner storage portion is located at the toner supply position, the holding portion side seal is held by the holding portion side shutter when the thickness d of the holding portion side seal member is not in communication with the discharge port and the toner supply port. The thickness e of the holding part side seal member when the member is sandwiched is
d ≦ e
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing device satisfies the relationship: The toner cartridge further includes a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the discharge port and is made of an elastic body.
The toner cartridge holding member is
When the toner storage portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the removal direction of the toner cartridge and viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port, the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal The toner accommodating portion is moved to the toner cartridge more than the case where the cartridge side sealing member and the holding portion side sealing member do not overlap at the sliding position of the toner accommodating portion from the overlapping of the member to the toner supply position. The toner replenishing device according to claim 5, further comprising an attracting portion that guides the holding member toward the main body portion side. The cartridge-side seal member surrounds the periphery of the discharge port and seals a gap between the toner container and the shutter when the discharge port is closed by the shutter;
The shutter slides in the toner container when the toner container is slid in the removal direction of the toner cartridge and the engagement between the shutter side engaging part and the holding part side engaging part is released. A sliding engagement portion that engages with the toner storage portion at a position;
The sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released is a first slide position,
A direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge is removed and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the discharge port are defined as a first direction,
When the toner storage portion is located at the first slide position, the discharge port has one end portion in the slide engagement portion along the removal direction of the toner cartridge as viewed from the first direction. The toner replenishing device according to claim 6, which is located between the other end portion. The toner cartridge further includes a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the periphery of the discharge port and seals a gap between the toner container and the shutter when the discharge port is closed by the shutter.
The cartridge side seal member is made of an elastic body,
The shutter slides in the toner container when the toner container is slid in the removal direction of the toner cartridge and the engagement between the shutter side engaging part and the holding part side engaging part is released. A sliding engagement portion that engages with the toner storage portion at a position;
The sliding position of the toner accommodating portion when the engagement between the shutter side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion is released is a first slide position,
A direction perpendicular to the direction in which the toner cartridge is removed and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the discharge port are defined as a first direction,
When the toner storage portion is located at the first slide position, the discharge port has one end portion in the slide engagement portion along the removal direction of the toner cartridge as viewed from the first direction. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, which is located between the other end portion. 9. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter includes an operation restricting portion that restricts a sliding operation of the shutter with respect to the toner accommodating portion at a position where the discharge port is closed. The toner cartridge holding member is
When the toner storage portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the removal direction of the toner cartridge, the shutter is moved to the toner storage portion in a direction to engage the shutter and open the discharge port. A holding-unit-side shutter engaging portion that slides against
Wherein when the toner cartridge is the holder-side shutter engaging portion is slid in the mounting direction is engaged with the shutter, restriction releasing portion for releasing the restriction of the sliding movement of the shutter that by the movement limiting portion The toner replenishing device according to claim 9, further comprising: The restriction release portion is configured to restrict the operation when the toner storage portion is slid in the removal direction of the toner cartridge and the engagement between the shutter side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement portion is released. It said allowing regulation of the slide operation of the shutter that by the section, the toner supply device according to claim 10. The toner cartridge further includes a slide guide extending along a sliding direction of the toner cartridge,
The guide portion slidably contacts the slide guide when the toner cartridge is attached and removed,
The slide guide includes a first guide part and a second guide part,
The second guide portion is located closer to the toner cartridge removal direction than the first guide portion,
The first guide portion protrudes toward the guide portion rather than the second guide portion in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member,
The guide portion includes a third guide portion and a fourth guide portion,
The fourth guide part is located on the side of the toner cartridge removal direction with respect to the third guide part,
The fourth guide portion protrudes toward the slide guide rather than the third guide portion in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member,
The fourth guide part protrudes from the third guide part, the guide part guides the toner cartridge, and the first guide part protrudes from the second guide part. The protruding height g is
b ≦ g
The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing device satisfies the relationship: The toner cartridge further includes a cartridge-side seal member that surrounds the discharge port and is made of an elastic body.
The main body of the toner cartridge holding member has the toner containing portion at a toner supply position where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge holding member and supplies the toner from the toner containing portion to the toner cartridge holding member side. A toner replenishing port that communicates with the discharge port when positioned,
The toner cartridge holding member is
A holder-side seal member that surrounds the toner supply port and is made of an elastic body;
When the toner storage portion is slid in the mounting direction opposite to the removal direction of the toner cartridge and viewed along the axial direction of the discharge port, the cartridge side seal member and the holding portion side seal The toner accommodating portion is moved to the toner cartridge more than the case where the cartridge side sealing member and the holding portion side sealing member do not overlap at the sliding position of the toner accommodating portion from the overlapping of the member to the toner supply position. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, further comprising an attracting portion that guides the holding member so as to approach the main body portion side.

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