JP4038302B2 - Developer container removal jig - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer container removing jig used in a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer. Specifically, the developer container is disposed in a developer container by rotating from a release position to a set position. The developer replenishment of the developer container is engaged with the engaged portion and the engaged portion provided in the developer replenishing device at the set position, and is latched and fixed to the developer replenishing device. Used in a state of being mounted on the developer container when removed from the apparatus, and the movement in a predetermined direction is converted into a movement that moves at least one of the engaging part and the engaged part. A disengagement member that releases the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion, and a storage container moving member that converts the movement in the predetermined direction into a movement that rotates the developer storage container to the release position. Development characterized by It relates container removal jig.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a support that rotates about a rotation axis is provided opposite to the latent image carrier, and a plurality of developing devices disposed on the support are sequentially placed at a development position that faces the latent image carrier. A rotating type developing device (hereinafter referred to as a revolver developing device) has been developed in which a latent image on the latent image carrier is developed with each color developer by rotating.
[0003]
In Japanese Patent Application No. 10-347514, the applicant of the present invention is a cylindrical developer that is revolved around the rotation axis of the revolver developing device and that can supply the developer without using an agitator. A container was disclosed.
[0004]
The developer container is fixed to the developer replenishing device, and is fixedly engaged with the developer supply device. The developer container is rotatably engaged with the fixed portion and is driven to rotate by container rotation driving means. The developer container is composed of a rotating part having a guide part integrated with the developer container for conveying the developer in the developer container toward the opening.
The developer container is independently rotated by the container rotation driving means while the developer container is mounted on the support. Further, as the developer container is rotated, the developer guide unit integral with the developer container transports the developer in the developer container toward the developer inlet of the developer supply device. Is done.
[0005]
Here, FIGS. 8A and 8B are a top view and a front view when the developer container is in a release position with respect to the revolver developing device. 9A and 9B are a top view and a front view when the developer container is in the set position with respect to the revolver developing device.
As shown in FIG. 8B, a lock lever 461 is disposed on the end surface of the fixed portion of the developer container. 9B, the lock lever tip claw 461a of the lock lever 461 is engaged with and locked with the groove 421a of the case 421 of the revolver developing device 420, whereby the revolver developing device 420 is locked. Also, the fixing portion of the developer container 46k is not loosened and removed by the revolution of the container and the rotational drive by the container rotational drive means.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the lock lever 461 is movably supported around the support pin 462 by a support pin 462 disposed on the end surface of the fixing portion of the developer container 46k. Further, a spring member 463 is disposed at the rear end portion 461b of the lock lever 461, and the lock lever tip claw portion 461a is moved to the case 421 side by the elastic force of the spring member 463 (FIG. 9A). In the upper side).
[0006]
In order to mount the developer container 46k on the revolver developing device 420, the developer container 46k is inserted into a predetermined mounting portion of the revolver developing device 420 as shown in FIG. Then, by rotating the lock lever 461 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 9B, the lock lever tip claw portion 461a is engaged with the groove portion 421a of the case 421, so that the developer container 46k is provided. The fixing part is fixed so as not to rotate.
At the same time, a convex portion (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed portion stored in the revolver developing device 420 of the developer container 46k, and a concave portion (not shown) formed on the mounting portion of the revolver developing device 420 And the developer container 46k is fixed so as not to come out in the longitudinal direction.
[0007]
When the developer in the developer container 46k is no longer consumed, the developer container 46k can be removed by performing the operation opposite to that described above.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory views when the developer container 46k is removed.
First, as shown in FIG. 10A, the lock lever tip claw portion 461a is pulled toward the front side to release the engagement between the lock lever tip claw portion 461a and the groove portion 421a of the case 421. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the developer container 46k is rotated to the release position by turning the lock lever 461 toward the release position with the lock lever tip claw 461a pulled toward the front side. By grasping and pulling out the central portion of the lock lever 461 at this release position, the developer container 46k can be removed from the revolver developing device 420 as shown in FIG.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when removing the developer container, as described above, the lock mechanism of the developer container, after performing the operation of pulling out the lock lever tip claw from the groove of the case of the revolver developing device during the release operation. There is a problem that it is necessary to perform two operations of rotating the lock lever to the release position, and the operability at the time of release is slightly complicated.
In addition, with the recent miniaturization of equipment due to the demand for reducing the installation space of the equipment, there is also a problem that the operability is slightly worse because the handle portion of the lock lever of the developer container is reduced.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to release the lock once when the developer container is replaced in the developer container lock mechanism used in the developing device. A developer container removing jig that can improve the operability by reducing the handle lever portion of the developer container as the equipment is downsized, and can improve the deterioration of operability due to the reduction in the handle portion of the container It is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided from the release position to the set position. Developer container Times Rolled By The An engaging portion which is a lock lever disposed in the developer container and an engaged portion provided in the developer supply device; Is Axial direction of rotation of the engaging part What To engage each other at the set position. The When the developer container that is locked and fixed to the developer supply device is removed from the developer supply device The Used in a developer container A developer container removing jig , By having an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developer container removing jig, and rotating the developer container removing jig around the rotation axis of the developer container, The inclined part moves the engaging part. The engaging portion and the above An engagement release member for releasing the engagement with the engaged portion; By rotating the developer container removing jig around the rotation axis of the developer container Rotate the developer container to the release position The The present invention relates to a developer container removing jig having a container moving member formed integrally with the disengagement member.
[0012]
Claim 2 The invention of claim 1's In the developer container removing jig, the container container moving member has a fitting part for fitting with an engaging part arranged in the developer container and rotating the developer container. It is characterized by this.
[0013]
Claim 3 The invention of claim 2 In the developer container removing jig, the fitting portion of the container moving member is By rotating the developer container removing jig around the rotation axis of the developer container Until the engagement release member releases the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion, The It has a relief portion for preventing the developer container from rotating.
[0014]
Claim 4 The invention of claim 1, 2, Or 3 The developer container removing jig has a mounting guide mark for allowing an operator to easily mount the developer container removing jig on the developer container. It is what.
[0015]
Claim 5 The invention of claim 1, 2, 3, Or 4 The developer container removing jig of the present invention is characterized in that it has a gripping part that allows an operator to easily grip and operate the developer container removing jig.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color electrophotographic printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to the present embodiment. The photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier is uniformly charged by a charging charger 2 as a uniform charging means while being rotated in the direction of an arrow A, and then scanning exposure is performed by a laser optical device 3 based on image information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. Here, the image information to be exposed is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color information. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners as predetermined developers by a rotary developing device (hereinafter referred to as a “revolver developing device”) 420. Thus, each color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1.
[0017]
Each color image formed on the photoconductive drum 1 is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 that rotates in the direction of arrow B in the drawing in synchronization with the photoconductive drum 1 for each of monochrome colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Is done. The transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt is performed by applying a predetermined bias voltage to the transfer bias roller 51 in a contact state between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred from the double-sided copying / automatic sheet feeding cassette 7 or the manual sheet feeding tray 7a through the sheet feeding rollers 8, 8a and the registration roller 9. Are collectively transferred by the secondary transfer charger 11 onto the transfer paper 10 conveyed to the front. After the transfer, the transfer paper 10 is fixed with a toner image by a fixing device 12 and discharged out of the apparatus as a full color print.
[0018]
The toner on the photoconductive drum 1 that has not been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 is removed from the photoconductive drum 1 by the photoconductor cleaner 13, and the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 5 that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper 10. The toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 5 by an intermediate transfer belt cleaner (not shown).
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the revolver developing device 420. The revolver developing device 420 has an opening toward the photosensitive drum 1 and is provided with four developing devices 420K, 420Y, 420M, and 420C having substantially the same shape in the circumferential direction, and for supplying the four developing devices. Four toner replenishing devices 45K, 45Y, 45M, and 45C for replenishing toner are provided. In the example shown in the figure, the black developing device 420K containing black toner and carrier is located at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1, and the yellow developing device containing yellow toner and carrier in the counterclockwise order in the figure. 420Y, a magenta developing unit 420M that contains magenta toner and a carrier, and a cyan developing unit 420C that contains cyan toner and a carrier.
[0020]
Here, since the internal structures of the four developing devices 420K, 420Y, 420M, and 420C are exactly the same, the internal structure will be described below taking the black developing device 420K at the developing position as an example, and the internal structures of other developing devices. As for the reference numerals of the corresponding members, the same reference numerals with Y, M, and C subscripts attached to the same numerals as those in the black developer units are used to distinguish the yellow, magenta, and cyan developer units. Omitted.
[0021]
The developing device 420K includes first and second agitators for agitating a developing roller 41K as a developer carrying member and a two-component developer (hereinafter referred to as a developer) composed of black toner and a carrier accommodated in the casing portion. Screws 42K and 43K are provided.
[0022]
The revolver developing device 420 having the above-described configuration moves each developing device to a developing position that sequentially faces the photosensitive drum 1 by rotation in the direction of arrow B, so that the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visible. Image.
[0023]
Of the developer in the developing device 420K, the toner is consumed for each development. When the decrease in the toner density is detected by a toner density sensor (not shown), toner is supplied from the toner bottle 46K as the developer container of the toner replenishing device 45K into the developing device. As a result, the toner density is kept at a predetermined density, and the image density is kept constant.
[0024]
The revolver developing device 420 is supported by a unit support 200 that can be pulled out of the printer apparatus main body 100 by sliding. The unit support 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit support 200. FIG. 4 is a front view of the unit support 200. FIG. 4 is a front view of the unit support 200 when the black developing device 420K of the revolver developing device is in the developing position. Further, illustration of the toner bottles other than the toner bottle 46K for storing toner for supply to the black developing device is omitted. In the illustrated example, the unit support 200 also functions as a support for the photoconductor unit 300 including the photoconductor drum 1, and the photoconductor unit 300 is a unit support as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 200.
[0025]
The unit support 200 includes a front side plate 201, a rear side plate 202, and a total of four stay members on the left and right and the center. A toner receiver 203 configured to be easily detachable by being bent is provided below the mounting portion where the revolver developing device 4 is mounted on the unit support 200. In order to enable such easy attachment and detachment, the toner receiver may be made of a flexible material such as PET. Acculide slide rails 204 are attached to both side portions of the unit support 200 (see FIG. 4), thereby enabling the unit support 200 to slide toward the front side of the apparatus main body. The above-described developing device 420K is detachably attached to the revolver developing device 420 supported by the unit support 200. Specifically, the developing device 420K is mounted on the revolver developing device 420 as indicated by an arrow D in FIG. In the unit support 200, as shown in FIG. 3, with the revolver developing device 420 supported, the unit support 200 is pulled out toward the front of the device, and in this state, the developing device 420K of the revolver developing device 420 is exposed. In order to be in a state, a configuration is adopted in which the slide can be pulled out more than the entire length of the developing device. Specifically, as the above-described Acculide slide rail 204, a two-stage Accuride is adopted in which the length when the rail is stored is 500 mm and the slide amount is 650 mm.
[0026]
When the toner cartridge 46k is replaced, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 46k is changed through a toner cartridge attaching / detaching opening 201a formed in the front plate 201 of the unit support 200.
[0027]
Next, a toner cartridge removal jig according to the present invention will be described. 5A is a top view of the removal jig 500, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a rear view. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the removal jig 500 is attached to the toner cartridge 46k when the toner cartridge 46k is removed.
The toner cartridge removal jig 500 is mainly composed of a front end operation portion 510 and a grip portion 520. The tip operation section 510 and the grip section 520 are formed by integrally molding, for example, ABS resin with an injection molding machine.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 6, the tip operation portion 510 of the removal jig 500 includes two arcuate left and right tip guide portions 511a and 511b inserted into the two recesses 460a and 460b on the end surface of the toner cartridge 46k, and the toner. Two flange-like stopper portions 512a and 512b that abut against the cartridge end surface to limit the insertion allowance of the removal jig, and a right stopper portion 512a for lifting the lock lever 461 to release the lock. The left and right contact portions 514a and 514b (see FIG. 5B) provided on the inner side of the tip operation portion 510 to rotate the lock lever 461 in contact with the inclined portion 513 and the side surface of the lock lever 461. ).
Moreover, as shown in FIG.5 (c), the escape space 516a, 516b formed from the part enclosed by the two contact parts 514a and 514b and the dashed-dotted line in the figure is provided.
[0029]
The inclined portion 513 has an inclined surface 513a from the flange surface of the stopper portion 512a toward the rear side (lower side in FIG. 5A), and when the removal jig 500 is rotated, The lock lever 461 enters the inside, and the lock lever tip claw portion 461a is pushed up so that the lock by the engagement with the groove portion 421a of the case 421 can be completely released (see FIG. 6). More specifically, the inclination is such that the inclined portion 513 is pushed up by 5 mm when the rotational direction length is 7 mm.
[0030]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the grip portion 520 has a cylindrical handle shape that can be comfortably placed on the palm of the operator and can be easily attached to the developer container. As a mounting guide mark, an arrow 521 and five convex portions 522 for preventing slipping are formed.
[0031]
Next, an operation for removing the toner cartridge 46k by the removal jig 500 will be described.
9A and 9B, when the toner cartridge 46k is set in the revolver developing device 420, the lock lever tip claw portion 461a of the toner cartridge 46k is moved to the case by the elastic force of the spring member 463. It is locked by engaging with a groove portion 421a provided in 421. In order to change the toner cartridge 46k from the locked state to the released state, it is necessary to pull out the lock lever tip claw 461a toward the front, and then rotate it counterclockwise to turn it to the released position.
[0032]
7A is a top view of a state in which the removal jig 500 is mounted on the toner cartridge 46k, FIG. 7B is a view seen from the front of the removal jig 500, and FIG. 7C is a removal jig. It is the figure seen from the front when the tool 500 is rotated by the predetermined angle counterclockwise direction F. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operator grasps the grip 520 of the toner cartridge removal jig 500 with his / her hand, and the front end of the arrow 521 which is the mounting guide mark and the longitudinal center of the lock lever 461 approximately coincide. In this manner, the front end guide portions 511a and 511b are inserted into the concave portions 460a and 460b on the end surface of the toner cartridge.
When the flange-shaped stopper portions 512a and 512b come into contact with the end surface of the toner cartridge, the removal jig 500 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction F as shown in FIG. When rotated by a predetermined angle, the inclined portion 513 enters the inside of the lock lever 461 and pushes up the lock lever 461 by the inclined surface 513a of the inclined portion 513 (the state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 9A). The engagement between 461a and the groove 421a of the case 421 is released, and the lock is released. In this state, the removal jig 500 is provided with relief spaces 516a and 516b, so that the inclined portion 513 simply pushes up the lock lever 461 to release the lock, thereby rotating the toner cartridge 46k itself. There is no.
Simultaneously with the release of the lock, the left and right contact portions 514a and 514b of the removal jig 500 contact the side surfaces of the lock lever 461 as shown in FIG. When the removal jig 500 is further rotated counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 8B, the inclined portion 513 rotates the toner cartridge 46k to the release position while keeping the lock lever 461 pushed up. Can do.
[0033]
When the toner cartridge 46k rotates to the release position, the removal jig 500 is rotated counterclockwise until the inclined portion 513 and the lock lever 461 are disengaged, and the removal jig 500 is removed from the toner cartridge 46k. The toner cartridge 46k can be removed from the revolver developing device 420 by directly grasping and pulling out the central portion of the lock lever 461 of the toner cartridge 46k.
Alternatively, when the removal jig 500 is rotated and the toner cartridge 46k is rotated to the release position, the inclined portion 513 pulls the lock lever 461 by pulling the removal jig 500 to the near side. The toner cartridge 46k can be detached from the revolver developing device 420.
[0034]
The removing jig 500 according to the present invention is particularly effective when removing the toner cartridge 46k, but can also be used when attaching the toner cartridge 46k.
That is, after the toner cartridge 46k is inserted into the toner cartridge guide 51k of the revolver developing device 420 shown in FIG. 2, the removal jig 500 is attached to the toner cartridge 46k and rotated clockwise to thereby rotate the toner cartridge 46k. Is rotated from the release position to the set position, and the lock lever tip claw portion 461a automatically engages with the groove portion 421a to be locked.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
Claims 1 to 5 According to the invention of For removing developer container Jig Rotates around the rotation axis of the developer container Just let Of developer container With engagement part Developer supply device Since the engagement with the engaged portion can be released and the developer container can be rotated to the release position, there is an excellent effect that the operability can be improved.
[0037]
In particular, the claims 2 According to the invention, since the developer container removing jig has the fitting portion for fitting the engaging portion to rotate the developer containing container, the disengagement is performed. If the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released by the member, the developer container can be removed from the set position by rotating it from the set position to the released position. effective.
[0038]
In particular, the claims 3 According to the invention, since the developer container removing jig has the relief portion, the developer container replacement jig is mounted in a state where the developer container is in the set position. Around the rotation axis of the developer container Even if the developer container is rotated, there is an excellent effect that the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be released without rotating the developer container.
[0039]
In particular, the claims 4 According to the invention, since the mounting guide mark is provided on the developer storage container removing jig, the operator operates the mounting guide mark as a guide so that the developer storage container removing jig is operated. Can be easily attached to the developer container, and the operability can be improved.
[0040]
In particular, the claims 5 According to the invention, the developer container removing jig is provided with a grip portion that can be operated by an operator, so that the developer container can be removed when the device is downsized. There is an excellent effect that the deterioration of the operability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a revolver developing device 420 of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a unit support 200 of the printer.
4 is a front view of the unit support 200. FIG.
FIG. 5A is a top view of a removal jig. (B) is a front view of the jig for removal. (C) is a rear view of the removal jig.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view when a removal jig is set on a toner cartridge.
FIG. 7A is a top view when the removal jig is set on the toner cartridge. FIG. 6B is a front view of the removal jig when the removal jig is set on the toner cartridge. (C) is a front view when the removal jig is rotated by a predetermined angle.
FIG. 8A is a top view when the toner cartridge is in a release position of the revolver developing device. FIG. 7B is a front view when the toner cartridge is in a release position of the revolver developing device.
FIG. 9A is a top view when the toner cartridge is at the set position of the revolver developing device. FIG. 6B is a front view when the toner cartridge is at the set position of the revolver developing device.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory views when the toner cartridge is removed from the revolver developing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Photosensitive drum
2 Charger charger
3 Laser optics
5 Intermediate transfer belt
8, 8a Paper feed roller
9 Registration roller
10 Transfer paper
11 Secondary transfer charger
12 Fixing device
13 Photoconductor cleaner
201a Opening / detaching toner cartridge
41K, 41Y, 41M, 41C Developing roller
45K, 45Y, 45M, 45C Toner supply device
46A Rotating container part of toner cartridge
46B Toner cartridge fixed container
46K, 46Y, 46M, 46C toner cartridge
51K, 51Y, 51M, 51C Toner Cartridge Guide
420 Revolver developing device
420K black developer
420C cyan developer
420M Magenta developer
420Y Yellow developer
421a Case groove
461 Lock lever
461a Lock lever tip claw
463 Spring member
500 Toner cartridge removal jig
510 Tip operation section
513 Inclined part
513a inclined surface
514a, 514b contact part
516a, 516b escape space
520 gripping part
521 Arrow for wearing guide mark

Claims (5)

By rotating the developer container from the release position to the set position, is the engaging portion and the engaged portion provided in the developer supply device is a lock lever disposed in said developer container removal from the developer replenishing apparatus of the developer accommodating container is locked stationary with respect to developer supplying device engage each other in the set position movement in the axial direction of the rotation of the engagement portion sometimes, a developer container removal jig that is used in a state of being mounted on the developer container,
By having an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the rotational axis direction of the developer container removing jig, and rotating the developer container removing jig around the rotation axis of the developer container, a disengagement member in which the inclined portion to release the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is moved to the engaging portion,
The developer container by rotating the developer container removal jig to the rotation axis of the developer accommodating container Ru rotated to the release position, is formed integrally with the engagement release member contained A developer accommodating container removing jig comprising a container moving member . In 請 Motomeko first developer container removal jig,
The developer container removing member characterized in that the container container moving member has a fitting part for engaging with an engaging part arranged in the developer container and rotating the developer container. Jig. In the developer container removing jig according to claim 2 ,
The fitting portion of the container container moving member rotates the developer container removing jig around the rotation axis of the developer container so that the disengagement member is engaged with the engaging portion and the engaged portion. until it disengaged from the developer container removal jig characterized by having a relief portion for preventing rotate the developer container. In the developer container removing jig according to claim 1, 2, or 3 ,
A developer container removing jig, comprising an attachment guide mark that allows an operator to easily attach the developer container removing jig to the developer container. In the developer container removing jig according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 ,
A developer container removing jig, comprising: a grip portion that allows an operator to easily grip and operate the developer container removing jig.

Images