JPH04121763A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a toner shielding member from being moved caused by misoperation or the like before it is mounted by providing a fixing means which fixes the movement of the toner shielding member on a developing device side and releasing the fixation of the fixing member by a releasing member provided on an image forming device main body side. CONSTITUTION:The developing device is constituted of a developing part 1, a toner hopper 2 being as a toner replenishment part and a developer housing part 3. Then, it is mounted by being inserted in the image forming device. When it is mounted, a shutter 2c is relatively moved in a direction shown by an arrow with respect to the hopper 2 by the actions of the fixing means 20 and an extruding pin 21 being as the releasing member. Besides, the aperture part 2b of the hopper 2 and the aperture part 2c-1 of the shutter 2c are aligned and the aperture part 2b is opened. Then, the toner can be replenished in the developing part 1. Besides, when the shutter 2c is slided, a bottom plate 3a is not supported and it is turned. As the result, the developer is also supplied to the developing part 1 at the same time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention supplies toner contained in a toner replenishing section to a developing section, and an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier of an image forming apparatus by a developing roller. a toner shielding member that is moved relative to the toner replenishing section to open a toner replenishing port of the toner replenishing section when the developing device is installed in the image forming apparatus; Regarding things that have.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a two-component developing device that uses toner and developer, which is a developing device used in an image forming device such as an electrophotographic copying machine, until the developing device is installed in the image forming device, Toner is placed in a toner hopper, and when the developing device is installed, a toner shielding member that is movable relative to the toner hopper is moved to open a toner supply port of the toner hopper, allowing toner to be supplied to the developing section. There is a device that can cause the condition.

However, when the toner shielding member has such a movable structure, there is a risk that the toner shielding member may be moved to an unnecessary window or by erroneous operation before the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus. As a result, toner in the toner hopper is replenished into the developing section more than necessary due to vibrations and other causes during transportation of the device, causing problems such as scumming and toner scattering due to excessive toner concentration during image formation.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and solves the problem that the toner stored in the toner replenishing section is replenished into the developing section due to an erroneous operation before the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly safe developing device that is free from oxidation.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention as claimed in claim 1 is directed to replenishing the toner stored in the toner replenishing section to the developing section and using the developing roller to replenish the latent image carrier of the image forming apparatus. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image forming apparatus, the developing device being moved relative to the toner replenishing section when the developing device is installed in the image forming apparatus to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the toner replenishing section. The toner shielding member for opening the toner replenishment port includes a fixing means for fixing the movement on the developing device side, and a fixing means for fixing the movement on the developing device side, and a fixing device for fixing the movement of the toner shielding member for opening the toner replenishment port. The invention according to claim 2 further comprises: a release member that engages with the fixing means to release the fixing of the fixing means and move the toner shielding member; a claw-like member having a surface for fixing the movement and a surface for releasing the fixation; and a pushed part that is pushed to move the toner shielding member after the fixation by the claw-like member is released. is an end of the toner shielding member on the opposite side of the direction in which the toner is moved, and has a protrusion on the toner replenishing unit side that abuts the fixing surface, and the releasing member When the image forming apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes a releasing part that comes into contact with the releasing surface to release the fixation, and a pushing part that comes into contact with the pushed part and pushes it. Features.

According to the invention of claim 1, the fixing means for fixing the movement of the toner shielding member is provided on the developing device side, and the fixing of the fixing means can be released by the release member provided on the image forming apparatus main body side. The toner shielding member will not be moved due to erroneous operation or the like before being installed.

According to the invention of claim 2, since the fixing means includes the claw-like member, the pushed part, and the protruding part for fixing the claw-like member, and the release member is formed by the release part and the pushing part, it is inexpensive. WIi
The above-mentioned effects can be achieved by a unique configuration.

Song Dynasty” 1-Example FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a developing device according to an embodiment.

The developing device includes a developing section 1, a toner hopper 2 as a toner replenishing section, and a developer storage section 3.

In the developing section 1, a developing roller 5, a paddle 6, and a stirring plate 7 are provided from the side of the photosensitive drum 4 serving as a latent image carrier. The magnetic carrier as a developer is stored in the developer storage section 3.
The toner is emitted from the toner and placed in the developing section 1, while the toner is
The toner replenishing member 2a of the toner hopper 2 supplies toner from the toner replenishing port 2b into the developing section l through the shutter 2C serving as a toner shielding member.

In the developing section 1, the magnetic carrier and toner are moved by a stirring plate 7.
are mixed and stirred by the paddle 6 and supplied to the developing roller 5 by the paddle 6.

The developing roller 5 has a rotating sleeve on its outer surface and a magnet inside. The developing roller 5 attracts and supports the supplied magnetic carrier and toner on its surface by the action of the magnet, and transfers them to an appropriate position using a doctor blade 8. After the amount is regulated, it is transported to a developing position close to the photoreceptor 4, and the electrostatic latent image thereon is developed with toner.

The developing section I is further equipped with a separator 9 and a horizontal stirring screw I.
The surplus toner and magnetic carriers regulated by the doctor blade 8 pass onto the separator 9, and at that time, a part of them falls into the separator 9 and spreads to the side inside the separator 9. The stirring screw 10 stirs in the width direction of the developing device.

A magnetic carrier is accommodated in the developer storage section 3 until the developing device is attached to an image forming apparatus main body (not shown). A bottom plate 3a is provided at the boundary between the developer accommodating section 3 and the developing section 1, and is rotatably mounted from a position holding the developer to a position discharging the developer. The position of the solid line indicates the held state, and the position of the broken line indicates the rotating state.

The developing device is attached to an image forming apparatus (not shown) by being inserted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. At that time, the shutter 2C is moved relative to the toner hopper 2, and the opening 2b of the toner hopper 2 and the shutter 2c are moved.
The opening 2 cm 1 coincides with the opening 2b, and the opening 2b is opened, and the toner can be supplied into the developing section 1. In this embodiment, the shutter 2c also supports the bottom plate 3a, and when the shutter 2c slides, it no longer supports the bottom plate 3a, and the bottom plate 3a rotates. That is, by attaching the developing device to the image forming apparatus, the developer is also supplied to the developing section 1 at the same time.

FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective view of the end of the shutter 2c.

When the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus, the fixing means 20
By the action of the push-out pin 21 as a release member, the shutter 2c is moved relative to the toner hopper 2 in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(1)) show an example of the fixing means 20 and the push-out pin 21.

The fixing means 20 includes a claw-like member 20a provided at the opposite end of the shutter 2C in the sliding direction, a pin 20b serving as a pushed part, and a bearing part 2d attached to the flange part of the toner hopper 2. A protruding portion 20c provided inside.

The claw-like member 20a is a surface 2 that fixes the movement of the shutter 2c.
0a-1 and a surface 20a2 for releasing fixation.

On the other hand, the push-out pin 21 as a release member is fixed to the main body 100 side of the image forming apparatus, and the release portion 21a and the receiver that contact the surface 20a-2 for releasing the fixation of the claw-like member 20a are the push-out pins 21 that contact the pin 20b. It includes a moving part 21b.

With this configuration, when the developing device is installed in the image forming apparatus from the state shown in FIG. 3(a) before being installed in the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 comes into contact with the release part 21a of the push-out pin 21,
The claw-like member 20a is pushed down to release the fixation in the moving direction, and then the pin 20b of the receiver comes into contact with the pushing part 21b of the push-out pin 21, and the shutter 2c moves in the direction of the arrow relative to the toner hopper 2. will be moved.

When the fixing means and the release member are provided in this way, the shutter 2c is moved just by installing the developing device in the image forming apparatus, making it possible to replenish toner, but the shutter 2c does not open before being installed. This prevents the inconvenience of toner being replenished into the developing section 1. In this case, the third
If the fixing means and the release member are combined as shown in the figure, even if you use something like a normal stick, the tip will not be able to come into contact with the surface 20a-2 to release the fixation.
The fixation is not released, and the shutter 2c does not slide either intentionally or by erroneous operation.

In particular, when the pin 20b of the receiver protrudes from the tip of the claw-like member 20a as shown in the figure, erroneous operation can be more completely prevented. However, the pin 20b of the receiver may be omitted and the tip of the claw-like member 20a may be used as the pushed part.

In the developing device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the developing device supply section 3 is provided, and the bottom plate 3a thereof is rotated in conjunction with the movement of the shutter 2C. If applied, the developer will not be released into the developing section I due to erroneous operations before the developing device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and deterioration of the developer will be prevented. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a developing device that is not equipped with such a developing side supply section.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, in the invention of claim 1, by providing the fixing means and the release member for the toner shielding member, the toner shielding member cannot be moved until the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus. Since the toner does not fall to the developing section, background smearing and toner scattering due to excessive toner concentration can be prevented.

In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the second aspect of the invention allows the fixing means and the release member to have a simple and inexpensive structure.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the developing device of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the end of the toner shielding member, and FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are the fixing means and release before and after installation, respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between members. 1...Developing section 2...Toner hopper (toner supply section) 2b...
... Toner supply port 2C ... Shutter (toner shielding member) 4 ...
- Photosensitive drum (latent image carrier) 5...Developing roller 20...Fixing means 20a-Claw-like member 20a
-1...Fixing surface 20a-2...Fixing release surface 20b...Receiver is a bottle (pressed part) 20c...Protrusion part 21...Extrusion pin (release member) 21a ...Release part 21b...Pushing part (a) (bo)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A developing device that replenishes toner stored in a toner replenishing portion to a developing portion and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier of an image forming device with a developing roller, the developing device comprising: In the image forming apparatus, the toner shielding member is moved relative to the toner replenishing section to open the toner replenishing port of the toner replenishing section when attached to the image forming apparatus, wherein the toner shielding member is moved toward the developing device side. a fixing means for fixing; and a fixing means attached to the image forming apparatus, which engages with the fixing means when the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus, releases the fixing of the fixing means, and moves the toner shielding member. A developing device comprising: a release member. (2) The fixing means includes a claw-like member having a surface for fixing the movement and a surface for releasing the fixation, and is pushed to move the toner shielding member after the fixation by the claw-like member is released. a pushed portion at an end of the toner shielding member opposite to the moving direction, and a protruding portion that abuts the fixing surface on the toner replenishing portion side, the releasing member When the developing device is installed in the image forming apparatus, a releasing part contacts the releasing surface to release the fixation, and a pushing part contacts the pushed part to push it. The developing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has: