JP2002268356A - Shutter device, developer supply container, developer cartridge, process cartridge, developer supply container and developer cartridge, developer supply container and process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To fully confirm a shutter fully opened and closed when a shutter for opening and closing a toner discharge opening of a toner supply container and a shutter for opening and closing a toner receiving opening of a process cartridge are engaged. An opening / closing member (9bA) for opening and closing an opening (9c) for receiving toner of a process cartridge is provided with a protruding portion (9bA) that can be displaced by elasticity, and concave portions (9eA, 9eB) are provided on a guide rib (9e) for guiding the opening / closing member (9bA). When the projection 9bB is engaged with the recess 9eA, the opening and closing member 9
bA is fully closed, and when the projection 9bB is engaged with the recess 9eB, the opening 9c is fully open. When the opening / closing member 9bA is moved by an operation member (not shown), it is possible to determine whether the opening / closing member is fully opened or closed by a click feeling.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shutter device, a developer supply container, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, a developer supply container used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer. The present invention relates to a developing cartridge, a developer supply container and a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, and a word processor.

A process cartridge is a unit in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Further, at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system detachable from the main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0005] In addition, a cartridge configuration in which the process means are divided into those having a long service life and those having a short service life, and each of the process means is formed into a cartridge, and which can be used in accordance with the life of the main process means has been realized. For example, a developing cartridge in which a toner storage unit and a developing unit are integrally formed,
Alternatively, a drum cartridge integrally including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit is employed.

[0006]

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image. (1) Low running cost (2) Small space (3) Low power (4) High image quality (5) High speed (6) Improvement in operability It is expected that a color image forming apparatus that can achieve the six items of (1) will be introduced.

In order to meet the low running cost of (1), it is conceivable to further extend the life of the above-mentioned process means.

However, the amount of toner corresponding to the life of the processing means is proportional to the life. For example, when the life of the process unit is 50,000 sheets, the required toner amount is 1.25 to 1.5 kg. When this large amount of toner is stored in a cartridge,
There is a concern that the weight and volume of the entire cartridge will be significantly increased, resulting in reduced operability.

Further, since the space occupied by the entire cartridge is increased, it may be difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus main body. Furthermore, a frame structure or the like for supporting a heavy-weight cartridge with high accuracy is required, which may increase the cost as a whole.

In order to solve such problems, an independent toner supply container containing toner and a cartridge (process cartridge or developing cartridge) connectable to the toner supply container are attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Some are configured so that they can be mounted independently.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge (a process cartridge or a developing cartridge) which can be connected to a toner replenishing container in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Insufficient cartridge installation, toner replenishment (toner leak / toner scatter / toner supply shortage) due to malfunction of shutter member at the time of container installation / replacement
An object of the present invention is to provide a shutter device, a developer supply container, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, a combination of a developer supply container and a developing cartridge or a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of realizing prevention.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachable from an image forming apparatus main body and a shutter device used for a cartridge having a developing unit. An opening provided to supply the developer to the cartridge having the developing means and a shutter member provided in the cartridge having the developing means to open and close each of the openings for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are operably held, When the shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with the cartridge having the developer supply container and the developing means, the shutter member opens each opening, and the developer in the cartridge having the developer supply container and the developing means. Features a click function that applies resistance when the supply paths are connected and matched, or when each opening is closed A shutter device that.

A second invention according to the present application has a guide portion provided on a developer supply container for guiding a shutter, and a guide portion provided on a cartridge having a developing means for guiding a shutter. A counterpart member having a shutter or a guide for guiding the shutter between a shutter provided on the container and a guide for guiding the shutter or between a shutter provided for the cartridge having the developing means and the guide for guiding the shutter. The shutter device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a recess is provided in any one of the above, and the other has a projection which can enter the recess with elasticity and escape from the concave against the elasticity by movement of the shutter. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container and a developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, an opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing cartridge, and a developing cartridge. A shutter member that opens and closes each of the openings that receive the developer from the developer supply container and that can open and close the shutter members, wherein each shutter member opens and closes when each shutter member opens and closes. The developer supply container and the developer cartridge are provided with a click function that applies resistance when the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the developer cartridge are connected or coincide with each other, or each opening is closed. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is developed using a developer. And an opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the process cartridge, and a developer provided in the process cartridge. And a shutter member for opening and closing each of the openings for receiving the developer from the developer supply container. Each of the shutter members opens when the respective shutter members open and close in conjunction with each other. A click function that applies resistance when the developer supply path of the container and the process cartridge are connected and matched, or with each opening closed A developer supply container and process cartridge according to claim ever.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body configured to supply a developer from a developer supply container to a process cartridge. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor using a developer, a cartridge frame having an opening for receiving the developer from a developer supply container, and supplying the developer to the opening for receiving the developer A shutter member that opens and closes in an interlockable manner with a shutter member that opens and closes an opening for discharging the developer of the container;
When each shutter member opens and closes each opening in conjunction with each other, each opening is opened and the toner supply path of the developer supply container and the process cartridge is connected and matched, or each opening is closed. A process cartridge having a click function of applying a resistance to a shutter member in a state.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body configured to replenish developer to a developing cartridge from a developer replenishing container. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image using toner; a cartridge frame supporting the developing means and having an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container; and an opening for receiving the developer being provided in the developer supply container. A shutter member that opens and closes an opening for discharging the developer and a shutter member that opens and closes in an interlockable manner, and when each shutter member opens and closes in an interlocked manner, each opening opens and the developer supply container It has a click function that applies resistance to the shutter member when the developer supply paths of the cartridge are connected and aligned, or when each opening is closed. It is a developing cartridge.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body for supplying developer to a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. A main body, and a shutter member that is provided in the container main body and communicates with an opening of the process cartridge to open and close the opening that can supply the developer to the process cartridge so that it can be linked with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the process cartridge. When each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with each other, each opening is opened and the toner supply path of the developer supply container and the process cartridge is connected and matched, or each opening is closed, Is a developer supply container provided with such a click function.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container which is removably attachable to the image forming apparatus main body for replenishing the developer to the developing cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.
A container body for storing the developer and an opening provided in the container body and connected to the opening of the developing cartridge so that the developer can be supplied to the developing cartridge can be linked with a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the developing cartridge. A shutter member that opens and closes, and when each shutter member opens and closes in an interlocked manner, each opening is opened and the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the developing cartridge are connected and aligned, or each opening is A developer supply container having a click function of applying a resistance when a part is closed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a developer supply container and a developing cartridge for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing cartridge and a shutter member provided in the developing cartridge for opening and closing each of the openings for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are operably connected. When the shutter members are opened and closed in conjunction with each other, the shutter members are opened in a state where the respective openings are opened and the developer supply paths of the developer supply container and the developer cartridge are connected and matched, or in a state where the respective openings are closed. Mounting means for removably mounting a developer supply container having a click function and a developing cartridge with resistance; b. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveyance unit for conveying a recording medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge and a developer supply container are detachably mountable, a developer is supplied from the developer supply container to the process cartridge, and an image is formed on a recording medium. , A. A cartridge frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, and an opening for supporting the developing means and receiving the developer from a developer supply container A shutter member for opening and closing the opening for receiving the developer and a shutter member for opening and closing the shutter member for opening and closing the opening for discharging the developer in the developer supply container. When opening and closing the opening, the opening has a click function in which resistance is applied to the shutter member in a state where the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the process cartridge are connected and matched, or each opening is closed. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridge; b. The container body that stores the developer and the opening that is provided in the container body and that can supply the developer to the process cartridge by communicating with the opening of the process cartridge can be linked with the shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the process cartridge. A shutter member that opens and closes, and when each shutter member opens and closes in an interlocked manner, each opening is opened and the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the process cartridge are connected and aligned, or each opening is Device means for removably mounting a developer supply container having a click function to which a resistance is applied in a state where the part is closed; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveyance unit for conveying a recording medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developer cartridge and a developer supply container are detachably mountable, a developer is supplied from the developer supply container to the developer cartridge, and an image is formed on a recording medium. , A. An electrophotographic photoreceptor; b. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, a cartridge frame having an opening for supporting the developing means and receiving the developer from a developer supply container; A shutter member that opens and closes an opening for receiving the developer in the developer supply container and a shutter member that opens and closes in an interlockable manner with each other when the respective shutter members open and close in conjunction with each other. Mounting means for detachably mounting the developing cartridge having a click function that applies resistance to the shutter member in a state where the portion is opened and the developer supply container and the toner supply path of the developing cartridge are connected and matched, or each opening is closed. , C. A container body for storing the developer and an opening provided in the container body and connected to the opening of the developing cartridge so that the developer can be supplied to the developing cartridge can be linked with a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the developing cartridge. A shutter member that opens and closes, and when each shutter member opens and closes in an interlocked manner, each opening is open and the toner supply path of the developer supply container and the developing cartridge is connected and matched, or each opening is Device means for removably mounting a developer supply container having a click function that applies a resistance in a closed state, and d. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveyance unit for conveying a recording medium.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction and the same direction as the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The left and right are the left and right as viewed from above in the transport direction of the recording medium. Further, upper and lower are upper and lower in the mounted state of the cartridge.

[Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus] First, the overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall configuration of a color laser beam printer which is an embodiment of a color toner image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge.

The image forming section of the color laser beam printer includes four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) having a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier. , Above the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K,
Exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K (laser beam optical scanning system) corresponding to each color are arranged in parallel.

Below the image forming section, a feeding means for feeding the recording medium 2 and a photosensitive drum 7 (7Y, 7M, 7) are provided.
C, 7K), and an intermediate transfer belt 4a for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and a secondary transfer roller 4d for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a to the recording medium 2. Further, a fixing unit for fixing the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred, and a discharging unit for discharging the recording medium 2 out of the apparatus and stacking the recording medium 2 are provided.

Here, as the recording medium 2, for example, paper,
An OHP sheet, cloth, or the like.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a cleaner-less system device. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is taken into a developing unit, and a dedicated cleaner for collecting and storing the transfer residual toner is a process. Not located in cartridge. Next, the configuration of each section of the image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

[Sheet Feeding Unit] The sheet feeding unit feeds the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit, and includes a feeding cassette 3a loaded with a plurality of recording media 2 and a feeding roller 3b. It mainly comprises a retard roller 3c for feeding prevention, a feeding guide 3d, and a registration roller 3g.

The feed roller 3b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and separates and feeds the recording media 2 in the feed cassette 3a one by one. The recording medium 2 is guided by a feed guide 3d, and is conveyed to registration rollers 3g via conveyance rollers 3e and 3f.

Immediately after the recording medium 2 is conveyed, the registration roller 3g stops rotating, and the recording medium 2 is corrected for skew by hitting the nip.

During the image forming operation, the registration roller 3g
A non-rotating operation of keeping the recording medium 2 stationary and a rotating operation of transporting the recording medium 2 toward the intermediate transfer belt 4a are performed in a predetermined sequence, and the toner image and the recording medium in the next transfer process, which is the next process, are performed. 2 is aligned.

In the above, the feeding cassette 3a, the feeding roller 3b, the retard roller 3c, the feeding guide 3d, the conveying rollers 3e and 3f, the registration rollers 3g, and the discharging rollers 3
The feeding means 3 is constituted by h and 3i.

[Process Cartridge] The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are integrally formed by arranging a charging unit and a developing unit around the photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier. The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K can be easily removed from the apparatus main body 100 by the user, and are replaced when the photosensitive drum 7 reaches the end of its life.

In the present embodiment, for example, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 7 is counted, and when the number exceeds the predetermined count, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
K informs that the life has expired.

The photosensitive drum 7 of the present embodiment is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, and has a normally used photosensitive member layer on an aluminum drum base having a diameter of about 30 mm. Is provided. Then, it is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed, about 117 mm / sec in this embodiment.

The charge injection layer uses a coating layer of a material in which, for example, ultrafine SnO2 particles are dispersed as conductive fine particles in a binder of an insulating resin.

As shown in FIG. 19, a drum flange 7b is fixed to the rear end of the photosensitive drum 7, and a non-drive flange 7d is fixed to the front end. Drum flange 7
The drum shaft 7a penetrates through the center of b and the non-drive flange 7d, and the drum shaft 7a, the drum flange 7b, and the non-drive flange 7d rotate integrally. That is,
The photosensitive drum 7 is rotated around a drum shaft 7a.

The front end of the drum shaft 7a is rotatably supported by a bearing 7e, and the bearing 7e is fixed to a bearing case 7c. The bearing case 7c is fixed to the frame 9d of the process cartridge.

[Charging means] The charging means uses a contact charging method. In the present embodiment, a magnetic brush charging device 8 using magnetic particles as a charging member is used.

More specifically, the charging member has a magnetic brush portion formed by magnetically constraining conductive magnetic particles. The magnetic brush portion is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and a voltage is applied to the photosensitive drum 7 to apply light. The body is charged.

Such a charging method (charging of a member to be charged by direct injection of charges) is referred to as “injection charging”. By using this injection charging method, a cleaning mechanism (cleaning blade, cleaning roller, etc.) for mechanically scraping and removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 becomes unnecessary. This cleanerless system will be described later.

In addition, the injection charging method of the present embodiment does not use a discharge phenomenon in which the charged object is charged using a corona charger, so that the applied charging bias required for charging is not desired. This is a completely ozone-less, low-power-consumption type charging that only has the surface potential of the object to be charged and generates no ozone.

Next, the magnetic brush charging device 8 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[Magnetic Brush Charging Apparatus] The magnetic brush charging apparatus 8 forms a magnetic brush layer of magnetic particles on a charging sleeve 8a containing a magnet roller 8b, and the photosensitive brush is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 by a brush. The drum 7 is charged to a desired potential.

In FIG. 2, the charging sleeve 8a is disposed so that the substantially right half circumferential surface of the charging sleeve 8a projects into the opening 8h of the charging container 8e for housing the magnetic particles, and the left substantially half circumferential surface is exposed to the outside. are doing. On the surface of the charging sleeve 8a, the surface is appropriately roughened and irregularities are formed in order to carry the magnetic particles well.

The non-rotating magnet roller 8b provided inside the charging sleeve 8a is magnetized in four poles in the circumferential direction. In order to prevent the magnetic particles from adhering to the photosensitive drum 7 and being taken along with the rotation, one magnetic pole,
Specifically, the magnet roller 8b is fixed so that the S1 pole faces the center direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

A non-magnetic plate-shaped regulating blade 8c is arranged at a predetermined gap from the surface of the charging sleeve 8a. The magnetic particles are held by the magnet roller 8b and conveyed in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the charging sleeve 8a. Then, the magnetic particles form a magnetic brush portion on the charging sleeve 8a with a predetermined thickness by the regulating blade 8c.

The charging sleeve 8a is opposed to the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the magnetic brush contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to form a charging nip. The width of the charging nip has an effect on the charging property to the photosensitive drum 7, and in the present embodiment, the width of the nip is about 6 mm.
The gap is adjusted so that

The charging sleeve 8a is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of arrow B in the drawing so that the peripheral surface moves in the counter direction at the opposing portion with respect to the photosensitive drum 7, which is the charged body. In the present embodiment, the charging sleeve 8a is rotated in the counter direction at a speed ratio of V2 ≒ 1.5 × V1 with respect to the rotation speed V1 of the photosensitive drum 7. As the relative rotation speed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the magnetic brush portion increases, the chance of contact increases, so that the charging uniformity becomes better and the transferability of the transfer residual toner to the magnetic brush tends to be improved.

A predetermined charging bias is applied to the magnetic brush portion from a charging bias power supply (not shown) via a charging sleeve 8a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is contact-charged to a predetermined polarity and potential at a charging nip portion. .

As the conductive magnetic particles constituting the magnetic brush portion, magnetic metal particles such as ferrite and magnetite, and those obtained by binding these conductive magnetic particles with a resin can be used.

The stirring member 8f is substantially parallel to the charging sleeve 8a, and is rotatably supported by bearings between the wall surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the charging container 8e so as to be disposed above the charging sleeve 8a.

The charging brush 8g is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum surface with a penetration amount of about 1 mm, and applies a predetermined voltage. By the contact of the charging brush 8g, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly scattered, and further the charge is removed, so that the charging in the next step is performed uniformly.

Next, a description will be given of a cleanerless system in a reversal developing system in which the photosensitive member is negatively charged and the negatively charged toner is developed on the low potential portion of the exposed portion. [Cleanerless system] First, of the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer, the toner having a particularly positive charge is once electrostatically taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 and is forcibly applied by the brush. Other items are collected by squishing. Then, the toner is charged to a negative polarity by friction with magnetic particles in the magnetic brush charging device 8 and then discharged onto the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the negatively charged toner among the transfer residual toner is hardly taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 and is collected by the developing device 10 together with the toner discharged from the magnetic brush charging device 8 (development). Simultaneous cleaning).

The toner is taken into the developing device 10 during the simultaneous development cleaning by using a fogging bias (a fog removing potential difference which is a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing device and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7) during development. I have.

According to this method, the transfer residual toner is partially collected via the magnetic brush charging device, and the remainder is directly collected by the developing device and used for the next and subsequent steps.
Maintenance work can be reduced. In addition, the cleaner-less system has a great advantage in terms of space, and can greatly reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

[Exposure Unit] In the present embodiment, the exposure to the photosensitive drum 7 is performed by using a laser exposure unit. That is, when an image signal is sent from the apparatus main body 100, the laser beam L modulated according to this signal is scanned and exposed on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 7. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is selectively formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

Laser exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K
Is a solid-state laser element (not shown) as shown in FIG.
Polygon mirror 1a, imaging lens 1b, reflection mirror 1c
And so on. On / off light emission control of the solid-state laser element is performed at a predetermined timing by a light emission signal generator (not shown) based on the input image signal. Laser light L emitted from the solid-state laser element is converted into a substantially parallel light beam by a collimator lens system (not shown), and scanned by a polygon mirror 1a rotating at high speed. Then, a spot image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the imaging lens 1b and the reflection mirror 1c.

As described above, the exposure in the main scanning direction by laser beam scanning and the exposure in the sub-scanning direction by rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 are performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, so that the exposure distribution according to the image signal is obtained. can get.

That is, by the irradiation and non-irradiation of the laser beam L, a bright portion potential with a reduced surface potential and a dark portion potential with a lower surface potential are formed. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed by the contrast between the light portion potential and the dark portion potential.

[Developing Means] The developing device serving as the developing means includes:
This is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device), in which a developer including a carrier and a toner is held on a developing sleeve 10a which is a developer carrier including a magnet roller 10b. A regulating blade 10c is provided on the developing sleeve 10a with a predetermined gap, and a thin layer of developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a as the developing sleeve 10a rotates in the direction of arrow C.

The developing sleeve 10a is disposed so as to have a predetermined gap from the photosensitive drum 7. At the time of development, the developer formed on the developing sleeve 10a is
It is set so that development can be performed in a state of contact with. The developing sleeve 10a is provided on the photosensitive drum 7 in the developing section.
2 is rotated counterclockwise at a predetermined peripheral speed as shown by arrow C in FIG. 2 so that the peripheral surface of the facing portion moves in the counter direction with respect to the moving direction of the peripheral surface.

The toner used in the present embodiment is a negatively charged toner having an average particle diameter of 6 μm, and the magnetic carrier has a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm ^{3 and} an average particle diameter of 35 μm.
A μm magnetic carrier was used. A mixture of toner and carrier at a weight ratio of 6:94 is used as a developer.

The developer container 10h in which the developer is circulated
Are divided into two by a longitudinal partition 10d except for both ends. Then, the stirring screws 10eA, 10e
B is arranged with the partition 10d interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 19, the stirring screws 10eA and 10eB are rotatably supported on the cartridge frame by bearings 10j.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
The toner supplied from 12K is supplied to the stirring screw 10e.
B falls to the near side, is stirred while being sent to the far side in the longitudinal direction, and passes through the portion 10d1 without the partition 10d at the far side end. Then, it is further sent to the near side in the longitudinal direction by the stirring screw 10eA, and the portion 10 without the partition 10d on the near side is fed.
Through d2, the mixture is stirred while being sent by the stirring screw 10eB, and the circulation is repeated.

Here, the developing step of visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by a two-component magnetic brush method using a developing device and the circulating system of the developer will be described.

With the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, the developer in the developing container is pumped up to the surface of the developing sleeve 10a by the N3 pole of the magnet roller 10b and transported.

In the course of transport, the thickness of the developer is regulated by a regulating blade 10c arranged perpendicular to the developing sleeve 10a, and a thin layer developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a. When the thin layer developer is conveyed to the developing pole N1 corresponding to the developing section, a spike is formed by magnetic force. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the toner in the developer formed in the spike shape. In this example, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

The thin layer developer on the developing sleeve 10a that has passed through the developing section continues to enter the developing container with the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, and is separated from the developing sleeve 10a by the repelling magnetic field of N2 pole and N3 pole to develop. It is returned to the developer reservoir in the container.

A direct current (DC) voltage and an alternating current (AC) voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 10a from a power source (not shown). In the present embodiment, a DC voltage of -500 V and an AC voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V at a frequency of 2000 Hz are applied to selectively develop only the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7.

In general, in the two-component development method, when an AC voltage is applied, the development efficiency is increased and the image quality is high, but on the contrary, there is a risk that fogging is likely to occur. For this reason, fog is generally prevented by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing sleeve 10a and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7. More specifically, a bias voltage having a potential between the potential of the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7 and the potential of the non-exposed portion is applied.

The potential difference for preventing fogging is called a fog removing potential (Vback). The potential difference prevents toner from adhering to a non-image area (non-exposed portion) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 during development, and The cleaner-less system apparatus also collects transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 (simultaneous development cleaning).

When the toner is consumed by the development, the toner concentration in the developer decreases. In the present embodiment, a sensor 10g for detecting the toner concentration is arranged at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the stirring screw 10eB. When the sensor 10g detects that the toner density in the developer has dropped below a predetermined density level, the toner supply containers 12Y and 12Y
M, 12C, and 12K issue a command to supply toner into the developing device 10. By this toner replenishing operation, the toner concentration of the developer is constantly maintained at a predetermined level.

[Toner Supply Container] Next, the toner supply container according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 12, and 17. FIG.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
12K is the process cartridge 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
They are arranged in parallel above K, and are mounted for each color from the front of the apparatus main body 100. Toner supply container 12Y, 1
2M, 12C, and 12K have toners TY, TM, TC, and TK of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.
Is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 17, the toner supply container main body 1
A stirring plate 12b and a screw 12a fixed to a stirring shaft 12c are arranged inside 2r, and a discharge opening 12f for discharging toner is formed on the bottom surface of the container. Stir plate 12
b is made of a flexible material such as a plastic thin plate. Both ends of the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c are rotatably supported by bearings 12d, respectively, and a drive coupling (concave) 12e is arranged at one of the extreme ends. The drive coupling (concave) 12 e receives drive transmission from the drive coupling (convex) 24 of the apparatus main body 100 and is driven to rotate.

The outer shape of the screw 12a has a spiral rib shape, and the twist direction of the spiral is reversed around the discharge opening 12f. By the rotation of the drive coupling (convex) 24, the screw 12a is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction. Then, the toner is conveyed toward the discharge opening 12f, and the toner is allowed to freely fall through the opening of the discharge opening 12f.
Supply toner to M, 9C, 9K.

The tip of the agitating plate 12b in the rotational radius direction is inclined, and when it comes into sliding contact with the wall surface of the toner supply container main body 12r, the tip comes into contact with a certain angle.
Specifically, the distal end side of the stirring plate 12b is twisted to be in a spiral state. As described above, the tip side of the stirring plate 12b is twisted and inclined, so that a conveying force in the axial direction is generated,
The toner is fed in the longitudinal direction.

The toner supply container of the present embodiment is
The toner can be supplied not only to the two-component developing method but also to a process cartridge or a developing cartridge using the one-component developing method.
It goes without saying that the toner is not limited to the toner, and may be a so-called two-component developer in which a toner and a magnetic carrier are mixed.

[Transfer Means] The intermediate transfer unit 4 serving as a transfer means performs a secondary transfer of a plurality of toner images, which are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed sequentially from the photosensitive drum 7, to the recording medium 2 collectively. is there.

The intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 4a that runs in the direction of the arrow, and runs at the same peripheral speed as the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 7 in the clockwise direction of the arrow. The intermediate transfer belt 4a is an endless belt having a peripheral length of about 940 mm, and is stretched over three rollers: a driving roller 4b, a secondary transfer facing roller 4g, and a driven roller 4c.

In the intermediate transfer belt 4a, transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC, and 4fK are rotatably disposed at positions opposing the photosensitive drum 7, respectively.
Is pressed in the center direction.

The transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC,
4fK is supplied with power from a high-voltage power supply (not shown), charges the toner with a polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and sequentially transfers the toner images on the photosensitive drum 7 to the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a sequentially.

In the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer roller 4d as a transfer member is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 4a at a position facing the secondary transfer opposing roller 4g. Secondary transfer roller 4
d can swing up and down in the figure and rotate. At this time, a bias is applied to the transfer belt 4a at the same time, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer unit 4 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

Here, the intermediate transfer belt 4a and the secondary transfer roller 4d are each driven. When the recording medium 2 enters the secondary transfer section, a predetermined bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 4d.
, And the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4 a is secondarily transferred to the recording medium 2.

At this time, the recording medium 2 sandwiched between the two
Is carried at a predetermined speed to the left in the figure at the same time as the transfer process is performed, and is carried to the fixing device 5 which is the next process.

At a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 4a, which is the most downstream side of the transfer step, a cleaning unit 11 is provided which can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a. The remaining transfer toner is removed.

In the cleaning unit 11, a cleaning blade 11a for removing untransferred toner is arranged. The cleaning unit is swingably mounted around a rotation center (not shown), and the cleaning blade 11a is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 4a in a direction to bite. The transfer residual toner taken into the cleaning unit 11 is transported and stored in a removed toner tank (not shown) by the feed screw 11b.

Here, a belt made of polyimide resin can be used as the intermediate transfer belt 4a. Other materials are not limited to polyimide resins, such as polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyetheretherketone resin, polyethersulfone resin, and polyurethane resin. Alternatively, a fluorine-based or silicon-based rubber can be suitably used.

[Fixing Section] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the developing means is transferred onto the recording medium 2 via the intermediate transfer belt 4a. And the fixing device 5
The toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 is fixed on the recording medium 2 using heat and pressure.

As shown in the figure, the fixing device 5 is provided with a recording medium 2.
And a pressure roller 5b for pressing the recording medium 2 against the fixing roller 5a, and each roller is a hollow roller. Each of them has a heater (not shown) therein. Then, the recording medium 2 is simultaneously conveyed by being driven to rotate.

That is, the recording medium 2 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 5a and the pressing roller 5b, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged by discharge rollers 3h and 3i, and is stacked on a tray 6 on the apparatus main body 100.

[Mounting of Process Cartridge and Toner Supply Container] Next, the mounting procedure of the process cartridge and the toner replenishing container will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 17, 19 and 20. As shown in FIG. 20, a front door 27 that can be freely opened and closed is disposed on the front of the apparatus main body 100. When the front door 27 is opened to the front, the process cartridge 9 is opened.
Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12
Openings 100a, 100 for inserting M, 12C, 12K
b is exposed.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
A centering plate 25 rotatably supported is disposed in the opening 100b into which the 9K is inserted (see FIG. 19). When the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are taken in and out, the centering plate 25 is used. 25 after opening and closing.

As shown in FIG. 15, a guide rail 21 for guiding the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, and a toner supply container 12 are provided in the apparatus main body 100.
A guide rail 20 for guiding the mounting of Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is fixed. On the other hand, the process cartridges 9 </ b> Y, 9 </ b> M, 9 </ b> C, and 9 </ b> K are provided with guide portions 9 i in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7. Process cartridge 9Y,
When the 9M, 9C, and 9K are attached to and detached from the apparatus main assembly 100, the guide portions 9i are engaged with the guide rails 21 so that the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
Press or pull C, 9K. The guide portion 12r2 of the toner supply container main body 12r is attached to and detached from the guide rail 20.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12
The mounting direction of K is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7, and the guide rails 21 and 20 are also arranged in the same direction. Process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K
Is once slid from the near side to the far side inside the apparatus main body 100 along the guide rails 21 and 20, and inserted.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When 9K is inserted to the innermost part, the inner end of the drum shaft 7a is moved to the centering shaft 26 of the apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG.
And the rotation center position on the back side of the photosensitive drum 7 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drum flange 7b and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, so that the photosensitive drum 7 can be driven to rotate. Further, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
A support pin 22 for positioning C, 9K is disposed, and this support pin 22 is
M, 9C, 9K is inserted into the hole 9d1 of the frame 9d,
The positions of the frames of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K are fixed.

A rotatable centering plate 25 is arranged on the front side of the apparatus main body 100. The holes of the centering plate 25 are fitted into the bearing cases 7c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K. To support and fix the bearing case 7c.
By these series of insertion operations, the photosensitive drum 7 and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K are moved to the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.
Is positioned with respect to

On the other hand, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 1
When 2C and 12K are inserted to the innermost portion, as shown in FIG. 17, the holes 12r1 of the container main body 12r are fitted into the support pins 28 protruding from the rear plate 23, and the toner supply containers 12Y and 12K are inserted.
12M, 12C, and 12K are fixed to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drive coupling (concave) 12
e and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, and the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c can be rotationally driven.

(Embodiment 1) [Opening and Closing Member of Process Cartridge and Toner Supply Container] Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11. , FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. However, FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is used to describe only the opening and closing configuration of the opening and closing member.

As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge 9
Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 1 are provided on the upper surface of the frame 9d.
A supply opening 9c, which is a hole for supplying toner from 2K, is provided. The guide rib 9 is provided on the frame 9d.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9bA is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e. The guide rib 9e is provided in the left-right direction in parallel with the paper surface of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 (however, FIG. 21 and FIG.
0 gear (large) 13b meshes with the rack 9g,
The opening and closing member 9bA is opened and closed.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, the supply opening 9c is sealed by the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA, and the opening 9c is closed. The replacement of the process cartridge is performed in a state where the opening 9c is closed. A seal member 9a is attached around the opening 9c. The seal member 9a is annular and can be in close contact with the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a part of the bottom of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K is
A discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container is arranged, and an opening 12f1 is formed at the center thereof.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the discharge opening 12f is arranged on the back side of the container main body 12r on which the screw 12a transmits the driving force. An annular seal member 12g is attached around the opening 12f1 (see FIG. 18).

A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged with the container main body 12r below the discharge opening 12f. The opening / closing member 14 has a first position for opening the discharge opening 12f and a second position for sealing the discharge opening 12f.
Can move to position. This opening / closing member 14 is a sealing member 12
g (see FIG. 16).

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K
Any of these may be mounted first on the apparatus main body 100, but when mounted, the cartridge engaging portion (concave) of the opening / closing member 9bA.
The first opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14a of the opening / closing member 14 fits into 9h (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 15 and 16 and passes through the opening / closing member 9bA). Here, when the rotating lever 13c (see FIGS. 21 and 22, but the guide ribs of the open / close members 12bA and 14 are not shown) fixed to the rotating shaft 13a is turned in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The fixed gear 13b drives the rack 9g to move the opening / closing members 9bA and 14 to the left from FIG. 16 so that the openings 9c, 9f and 12f1 coincide with each other as shown in FIG. 15 to supply toner from the toner supply container to the process cartridge. Becomes possible.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, the opening / closing member 14 is engaged with a toner supply container engaging portion (convex) 12h provided on the guide portion main body 12i fixed to the container main body 12r, so that the opening / closing member 14 extends in the longitudinal direction. It is guided at right angles to this. These engaging portions 12h and 12j are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and are horizontal. FIG. 11 schematically shows only the attachment of the opening / closing member 14 to the toner supply container main body 12r.

[Click Mechanism of Opening / Closing Member of Process Cartridge and Toner Supply Container] Process Cartridge 9
Before use of Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the supply opening 9c is sealed by the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA as shown in FIG. 6, and a deformable projection provided on the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA at that position. 9bB is lightly engaged with the concave portion 9eA provided in the guide rib 9e, has a click feeling, prevents movement by applying an inadvertent force, and opens and closes at a predetermined position shown in FIG. The position at which the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA has moved to the position where the
A, the deformable protrusion 9bB provided on the guide rib 9e is lightly engaged with the concave portion 9eB provided on the guide rib 9e, and has a click feeling.
e is prevented from falling off. The cartridge replacement is performed in the state of FIG. 6 in which the opening 9c is closed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the projection 9bB is provided with a key-shaped slit at the edge of the plate-like portion 9bA1 of the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA so that the edge surrounded by the key is offset upward. The portion 9bB is formed integrally with the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA by resin and has elasticity. Therefore, the projection 9bB can move up and down. The rectangular upper part of the protruding portion 9bB is the cartridge opening / closing member 9
The corners of the sides crossing in the forward and backward directions of bA are chamfered.
Due to the size of the chamfer, the click feeling when the projection 9bB enters and exits the recesses 9eA and 9eB of the guide rib 9e is made appropriate.

The process cartridge 9 described above is used.
The guide ribs 9e on the upper surfaces of the Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are used to connect the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K to the main assembly 1 of the apparatus.
The guide ribs 9e are long in the direction orthogonal to the direction of attachment and detachment at 00, and the guide ribs 9e on both sides are on a horizontal plane.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
As shown in FIG. 12, a discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container body 12r is arranged at a part of the bottom surface of the 12K, and an opening is formed at the center thereof.

A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged with the lower side of the discharge opening 12f. The first position shown in FIG. It can be moved to the second position shown in FIG. 12A for sealing the opening 12f.

The structure in which the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is movable is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a toner replenishing container engaging portion 12h is provided in the container main body 12r of the toner replenishing containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K with a discharge opening 12f therebetween in the form of an L-shaped guide rail. It is. On the other hand, the guide portion 1 slidably held by the toner supply container engaging portion 12h is provided on the toner supply container opening / closing member 14.
4e and an L-shaped ridge 14d are provided. This ridge 1
A protrusion (protrusion) 14b is provided at the edge of 4d.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Like the 9K opening / closing member 9bA and the guide rib 9e, the protrusion 14b provided on the opening / closing member 14 is lightly engaged with the concave portion 12hA provided on the engaging portion 12h, and has a click feeling, and an inadvertent force is applied. The toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is prevented from moving, and even at a position where the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 has moved to a predetermined position by the opening / closing operation, the projecting portion 14b provided on the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 has the guide rib 12h. Is engaged with a concave portion (having the same shape as 12hA, not shown) provided in the toner supply container and has a click feeling, and prevents the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 from coming off from the engaging portion 12h serving as a guide rib.

Here, the protrusion 14b is provided with a key-shaped slit at the edge of the L-shaped ridge 14d of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14, so that the edge surrounded by the key is offset upward. 14b is a toner supply container opening / closing member 14
It is molded integrally with resin and has elasticity.

Therefore, the projection 14b can move up and down. The upper part of the square of the protruding portion 14b is chamfered at the corner of the side crossing the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 in the reciprocating direction. Due to the size of the chamfer, the click feeling when the protrusion portion 14b enters and exits the concave portion 12hA of the toner supply container engaging portion 12h is appropriate.

The above-described toner supply container engaging portion 12h
Is longer in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100;
In addition, the engaging portions 12h on both sides exist on a horizontal plane.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 1.
4, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG.

As shown in FIG.
Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 1 are provided on the upper surface of the frame 9d.
Replenishing opening 9 which is a hole for replenishing toner from 2K
c is arranged. The guide rib 9e is provided on the frame 9d.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9bA is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, as shown in FIG. 9, the supply opening 9c is sealed by the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA, and the projection 9d provided on the frame 9d at that position.
A is a concave portion 9 provided in the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA.
bC is lightly engaged and has a click feeling, prevents movement by the application of an inadvertent force other than the opening / closing operation, and performs a predetermined position shown in FIG.
At the position where the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA has moved to the position where the cartridge 9 opens.
dB is lightly engaged with the concave portion 9bC provided in the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA and has a click feeling, and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9 of the cartridge opening / closing member 9bA.
The C and 9K are prevented from coming off the guide rib 9e. Here, the protruding portions 9dA, 9dB are at the tip of the cantilever cut and raised by the slit 9s in the moving direction of the opening / closing member 9bA, and can be pushed downward against the elasticity. Then, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
FIG. 9 shows that the supply opening 9c is closed when replacing C and 9K.
It is performed in the state of.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner supply container 12
A discharge opening 12f for discharging toner to the outside of the container is arranged at a part of the bottom surface of Y, 12M, 12C, 12K, and an opening is formed at the center thereof. In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the discharge opening 12f is disposed on the drive transmission side of the screw 12a, that is, on the back side of the container.

A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged below the discharge opening 12f, and a first position shown in FIG. 12B for opening the discharge opening 12f, and a discharge position. It can be moved to the second position shown in FIG. 12A for sealing the opening 12f.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the toner replenishing container engaging portion 12h and the toner replenishing container opening / closing member 14 reversed from FIG. A protrusion 12hB is provided on the toner supply container engaging portion 12h, and a concave portion 14c is provided on a protrusion 14d of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14. Here recess 1
Reference numeral 4c is provided at one position of the ridge 14d of the toner supply container opening / closing member 14, and the protrusion 12hB on the container body 12r side.
Are provided at two positions where the concave portion 14c of the opening / closing member 14 is engaged at a position where the opening / closing member 14 opens the opening 12f1 and at a position where the opening / closing member 14 is closed.

This also applies to the process cartridges 9Y, 9M,
Like the opening and closing members 9bA of 9C and 9K and the guide rib 9e,
The recessed portion 14c shown in FIG. 14 provided on the opening / closing member 14 is lightly engaged with the protrusion 12hB provided on the guide rib 12h, has a click feeling, and moves by applying an inadvertent force other than the opening / closing operation. Even when the cartridge opening / closing member 14 is moved to a predetermined position by the opening / closing operation, the concave portion 14c provided in the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is provided with the protrusion (not shown in FIG. 12hB) provided in the engaging portion 12h. Shape) and has a click feeling.
This prevents the toner supply container opening / closing member 14 from coming off the engagement portion 12h.

The embodiment is similar to the case where the toner is supplied from the toner supply container to the process cartridge. The same applies to the case where the toner is supplied from the toner supply container to the developing cartridge which has the developing means and is detachable from the apparatus main body. Applied. Further, the present invention is also applied to a toner supply container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus having a stationary developing device.

[0129]

As described above, the shutter member, the developer replenishing container, the developing cartridge, the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention have a cartridge (process cartridge or developing cartridge) connectable to the developer replenishing container. When the cartridge and the developer supply container are independently mounted, the position of the shutter member when installing and replacing the cartridge and the developer supply container is confirmed by a click feeling, so that the opening of the developer supply container for discharging the developer is provided. In addition, since the opening of the cartridge corresponding to this opening is completely opened and completely closed, a developer replenishment error (toner leakage,
Toner scatter and insufficient toner supply), and furthermore, the leakage of the developer from the removed cartridge can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a color laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the outer appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external schematic perspective view of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the outer appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic external perspective view of a toner supply container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic perspective views of the toner supply container according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the open / close member is opened and closed;

FIG. 13 is a partial schematic perspective view of a toner supply container and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a partial schematic perspective view of a toner supply container and an opening / closing member according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of a toner supply container and a process cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toner supply container and a process cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view (open state) of the toner supply container and the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

18 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the apparatus main body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an operation mechanism of an opening / closing member of a process cartridge.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an operation mechanism of an opening / closing member of the process cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

L ... Laser light 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K ... Exposure means 1a ... Polygon mirror 1b ... Imaging lens 1c ... Reflection mirror 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Supply means 3a ... Supply cassette 3b ... Supply roller 3c ... Retard roller 3d: feeding guide 3e, 3
f: conveyance roller 3g: registration roller 3h, 3i ...
Discharge roller 4 ... Intermediate transfer unit 4a ... Intermediate transfer belt 4b ...
Driving roller 4c: driven roller 4d: secondary transfer roller 4fY, 4fM, 4fC, 4fK: transfer charging roller
4g: Secondary transfer facing roller 5: Fixing device 5a: Fixing roller 5b: Pressure roller 6: Tray 7: Photosensitive drum 7a: Drum shaft 7b: Drum flange 7c: Bearing case 7d: Non-drive flange 7e: Bearing 8: Magnetic Brush charging device 8a ... Charging sleeve 8b ...
Magnet roller 8c: regulating blade 8e: charging container 8f: stirring member 8g: charging brush 8h: opening 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K: process cartridge 9a
... Seal member 9bc ... Recess 9bA ... Cartridge opening and closing member 9bA1 ... Plate part 9bB ... Projection part opening and closing member part 9c ... Supply opening 9d ... Frame 9dA ...
Projection 9e Guide rib 9eA Depression 9eB
Concave portion 9f Opening 9g Rack 9h First cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9i Guide portion 9s Slit 10 Developing device 10a Developing sleeve 10b Magnet roller 10c Regulating blade 10d Partition wall
10d1, 10d2: Part without partition 10eA, 10
eB stirring screw 10g sensor 10h developer storage unit 10j bearing 11 cleaning unit 11a cleaning blade 11b feed screw 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K toner supply container 1
2a Screw 12b Stirring plate 12c Stirring shaft
12d: Bearing 12e: Drive coupling (concave) 12
f: discharge opening 12f1 opening 12g ... sealing member 12h ... toner replenishing container engaging part (convex) 12hA ... concave part 12i ... guide part main body 12j ... toner replenishing container engaging part (concave) 12r ... container main body 12r1 ... hole 12r
Reference numeral 13a: rotating shaft 13b: opening / closing gear (large) 13c: rotating lever 14: toner supply container opening / closing member 14a: first toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14b: toner supply container opening / closing member guide Rail projection 14c ... recess 1
4d Projection 14e Guide part 20, 21 Guide rail 22 Support pin (process cartridge) 23 Rear plate 24 Drive coupling (convex) 25 Centering plate 26 Centering shaft 27 Front door 28 Support pin (toner supply container) 100: Main body 100a, 100b: Opening

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A shutter device used in a cartridge having a developer supply container and a developing unit detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter device is provided in the developer supply container and supplies the developer to the cartridge having the developing unit. An opening and a shutter member for opening and closing each of the openings provided in the cartridge having the developing means and for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are operably connected to each other, and the shutter member controls the developer supply container and the developing means. When each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with the cartridge having the cartridge, each opening is opened, and the developer supply path of the cartridge having the developer supply container and the developing unit is connected and matched, or each opening is opened. A shutter device having a click function that applies resistance in a closed state. A shutter provided in the developer supply container, the guide having a guide portion provided in the developer supply container for guiding the shutter, and a guide portion provided in the cartridge having the developing means for guiding the shutter. Between the guide portion for guiding the shutter or the shutter provided on the cartridge having the developing means, and between the guide portions for guiding the shutter, a concave portion is formed in one of the shutter and the counterpart member having the guide portion for guiding the shutter. 2. The shutter device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter device further includes a projection portion which is provided on the other side with elasticity and can enter the concave portion and escape from the concave portion against the elasticity by movement of the shutter. An opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing cartridge; and an opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing cartridge. A shutter member for opening and closing each of the openings to be received from the agent supply container so as to be interlocked with each other, wherein the shutter member is
When each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction,
A developer replenishing container characterized in that each opening is opened and the developer replenishing container is provided with a click function that applies resistance in a state where the developer replenishing path of the developing cartridge is connected to and coincides with the developer replenishing path, or in a state where each opening is closed. Development cartridge. 4. A developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, and a developing unit. And an opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the process cartridge, and an opening provided in the developer supply container for receiving the developer from the developer supply container. It has a shutter member for opening and closing each of the openings so as to be interlockable,
When the shutter members are opened and closed in conjunction with each other, each opening is opened and the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the process cartridge are connected and matched, or each opening is closed. A developer supply container and a process cartridge characterized by having a click function to apply resistance. 5. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body configured to supply a developer from a developer supply container to a process cartridge, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; Developing means for developing the latent image using a developer, a cartridge frame having an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, and discharging the developer from the developer supply container through the opening for receiving the developer And a shutter member that opens and closes in an interlockable manner with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening. When each shutter member opens and closes each opening in conjunction with each other, each opening opens and a developer supply container and a process cartridge. The shutter function has a click function that applies resistance to the shutter member when the toner supply paths are connected and matched, or when each opening is closed. Process cartridge and butterflies. 6. A developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body configured to replenish developer to a developing cartridge from a developer replenishing container, wherein an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member is removed from the developer. A cartridge frame having an opening for supporting the developing means and receiving the developer from the developer supply container; and an opening for discharging the developer in the developer supply container having the opening for receiving the developer. And a shutter member that opens and closes in an interlockable manner with a shutter member that opens and closes the unit. When each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with each other, each opening opens and the toner supply path of the developer supply container and the developing cartridge is changed. A developing cartridge having a click function of applying resistance to a shutter member in a state where the shutters are connected or in a state where each opening is closed. . 7. A developer supply container detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus main body for supplying a developer to a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the container main body stores the developer, and the developer supply container is provided on the container main body. A shutter member that opens and closes so that the opening that can communicate with the opening of the process cartridge to supply the developer to the process cartridge can be linked with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the process cartridge. When the shutter member is opened and closed in conjunction with each other, a click function is provided in which each opening is opened and the toner supply path of the developer supply container and the toner supply path of the process cartridge are connected and matched, or when each opening is closed, resistance is applied. A developer supply container, characterized in that: 8. A developer supply container detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus main body for replenishing developer to a developing cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a container main body for storing a developer; An opening through which the developer can be supplied to the developing cartridge by communicating with the opening of the cartridge,
A shutter member that opens and closes so as to be able to interlock with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the developing cartridge, wherein each opening opens when each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with the developer supply container and the developing cartridge. A developer supply container having a click function in which resistance is applied in a state where the developer supply paths are connected to each other or each opening is closed. 9. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a developer supply container and a developing cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An opening provided in the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing cartridge and a shutter member provided in the developing cartridge for opening and closing each of the openings for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are operably connected. A state in which each opening is opened and the developer supply path of the developer supply container and the developer supply cartridge are connected and matched when the respective shutter members open and close in conjunction with each other,
Or mounting means for removably mounting a developer supply container having a click function and a developing cartridge to which resistance is applied in a state where each opening is closed; b. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium. 10. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and a developer supply container and supplies a developer from the developer supply container to the process cartridge to form an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor; developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor using a developer; and a cartridge frame having an opening for supporting the developing means and receiving the developer from a developer supply container. A shutter member for opening and closing the opening for receiving the developer and a shutter member for opening and closing the opening for opening and closing the opening for discharging the developer in the developer supply container. When opening and closing the opening, the opening has a click function in which resistance is applied to the shutter member in a state where the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the process cartridge are connected and matched, or each opening is closed. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridge; b. The container body that stores the developer and the opening that is provided in the container body and that can supply the developer to the process cartridge by communicating with the opening of the process cartridge can be linked with the shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the process cartridge. A shutter member that opens and closes, and each shutter member is opened and closed in conjunction with each other, each opening is opened and the developer supply container and the developer supply path of the process cartridge are connected and aligned, or each opening is Device means for removably mounting a developer supply container having a click function to which a resistance is applied in a state where the portion is closed; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium. 11. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably mounting a developer cartridge and a developer supply container, replenishing a developer from the developer supply container to the developer cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor; b. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a developer, a cartridge frame having an opening for supporting the developing means and receiving the developer from a developer supply container; A shutter member that opens and closes the receiving opening so as to be able to open and close an opening for discharging the developer of the developer supply container, and a shutter member that opens and closes in an interlocking manner. Mounting means for detachably mounting the developing cartridge having a click function that applies resistance to the shutter member in a state where the portion is opened and the developer supply container and the toner supply path of the developing cartridge are connected and matched, or each opening is closed. , C. A container main body for storing the developer, and an opening provided in the container main body and capable of supplying the developer to the developing cartridge by communicating with the opening of the developing cartridge.
A shutter member that opens and closes so as to be able to interlock with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the developing cartridge, wherein each opening opens when each shutter member opens and closes in conjunction with the developer supply container and the developing cartridge. Device means for detachably mounting a developer supply container having a click function that applies resistance in a state where the toner supply paths of the toner supply passages are connected to each other or each opening is closed, d. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying a recording medium.