JPH09166949A - Image producing unit and toner carrying mechanism applied to image forming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently and accurately match the toner discharging aperture of a toner carrying pipe member with the toner receiving aperture of a toner recovering container by using a comparatively simple and inexpensive positioning member in an image producing unit. SOLUTION: The positioning member 70 for mutually and accurately positioning the toner carrying pipe member 46 and the toner recovering container is disposed. A shutter member 108 for the toner discharging aperture formed on the side surface of the toner carrying pipe member 46 moves along the member 46, and also moves in a direction separating from and coming close to the side surface of the member 46. The member 48 is made of synthetic rubber.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to an image forming machine such as a copying machine, a printing machine or a facsimile machine of a type that develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image and transfers the toner image onto a transfer member. , An image forming unit and a toner transport mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming machine of the type that develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image and transfers the toner image onto a transfer member, an image forming unit is mounted at a predetermined position in a housing. The image forming unit is provided with a frame means, and the frame means is usually provided with a developing means and a cleaning means together with an image carrying means. The image carrying means is expediently composed of a rotating drum on the surface of which the electrostatic photoconductor is arranged. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image bearing means by an appropriate method, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the action of the developing means, and then the toner image is transferred to a transfer member such as plain paper. After that, the toner remaining on the image carrying means is removed by the action of the cleaning means.

The cleaning means includes a toner recovery container which is detachably mounted, and the toner removed from the image bearing means is transported by the toner transport mechanism and recovered in the toner recovery container. A typical example of the toner transport mechanism is
The toner conveying pipe member is elongated and elongated, and the metallic coil member is disposed in the toner conveying pipe member and is rotationally driven. A toner discharge opening is formed in the toner conveying pipe member, a toner receiving opening is formed in the toner collecting container, and the toner conveyed through the toner conveying pipe member is passed through the toner discharging opening and the toner receiving opening. Sent in. Free to move between the closed position to close the toner discharge opening and the open position to open the toner discharge opening to prevent the toner from scattering from the toner discharge opening to the surroundings when the toner collection container is not installed A shutter member is attached to the shutter member, and a seal member that is compressed between the toner transport pipe member and the shutter member when the shutter member is set to the closed position is provided.

[0004]

The conventional image forming unit as described above, however, has the following problems to be solved.

First, the toner that is transported through the toner transport pipe member and discharged from the toner discharge opening formed in the toner transport pipe is formed in the toner recovery container without being scattered around. In order to allow the toner receiving opening to enter the toner collecting container, the toner discharging opening and the toner receiving opening should be aligned sufficiently well so that the toner collecting container and the toner carrying pipe member are positioned relative to each other. is important. However, the means for mutually positioning the toner recovery container and the toner transport pipe member are considerably complicated, which increases the manufacturing cost. Especially when the toner transport pipe member is made of a flexible material, the position of the portion of the toner transport pipe member where the toner discharge opening is formed is unstable unless otherwise specified. It is necessary to regulate the position of a required portion of the toner transport pipe member in addition to the regulation with sufficient precision, which requires a considerably complicated positioning means.

Secondly, when the toner discharging opening is formed on the side surface of the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member for the toner discharging opening is attached to the frame member separately from the toner carrying pipe member, the toner carrying pipe is used. When associating the shutter member and the shutter member with each other as required, the inner surface of the shutter member or the toner transfer pipe member is compressed while the seal member interposed between the side surface of the toner transfer pipe member and the inner surface of the shutter member is compressed. The seal member may be moved relative to the side face of the seal member, which may damage the seal member.

Thirdly, when the metal coil member extending inside the toner conveying pipe member is driven to rotate, especially when the toner conveying pipe member does not have a sufficient amount of toner, the coil member conveys toner. A considerable amount of noise is generated by rubbing the inner peripheral surface of the pipe member.
When a sufficient amount of toner is present in the toner transport pipe member, the toner functions as a so-called lubricant, which reduces the noise.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its first technical problem is to provide a toner discharge opening of a toner conveying pipe member and a toner of a toner collecting container by a relatively simple and inexpensive positioning member. It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved imaging unit which is sufficiently precisely aligned with the receiving aperture.

A second technical object of the present invention is to include a toner carrying pipe member and a shutter member for opening and closing a toner discharge opening formed on a side surface of the toner carrying pipe member, the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member. In the image forming unit, which is mounted separately from the frame means and has a seal member which is compressed between the side surface of the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member, the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member are It is an improvement to ensure that the sealing members are prevented from being damaged when they are mutually related as required.

A third technical object of the present invention is to improve a toner carrying mechanism composed of a toner carrying pipe member and a metallic coil member extending in the toner carrying pipe member and being rotationally driven. Thus, even when there is not a sufficient amount of toner in the toner transport pipe member, the noise generated when the coil member is rotated can be made sufficiently small.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above first technical object, a first connection which is connected to a toner conveying means in the vicinity of a toner discharge opening. A positioning member having a second connecting means connected to the toner collecting container in the vicinity of the toner receiving opening, the positioning means is disposed on the frame means, and the toner discharging opening of the toner conveying pipe member is provided through the positioning member. The toner collecting container and the toner receiving opening of the toner collecting container are positioned relative to each other.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, as an image forming unit that achieves the above-mentioned first technical problem, frame means, image carrying means mounted on the frame means, and the frame means are provided. A toner image is formed on the image bearing means, the toner image is transferred to a transfer member, and the toner remaining on the image bearing means after the toner image is transferred. The cleaning means removes the toner from the image carrying means, and the cleaning means carries the toner through the toner carrying pipe member that defines the carrying path of the toner removed from the image carrying means, and the toner carrying pipe member. Toner transporting means,
A toner collecting container detachably combined with the toner carrying pipe member, a toner discharge opening is formed in the toner carrying pipe member, and a toner receiving opening is formed in the toner collecting container; In the image forming unit applied to the image forming machine, in which the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening are communicated with each other when the toner transporting pipe member is combined with the toner collecting container, a positioning member is arranged on the frame member. The positioning member is provided with a first connecting means connected to the toner conveying means near the toner discharge opening and a second connecting means connected to the toner collecting container near the toner receiving opening. Connecting means of the toner collecting pipe of the toner conveying pipe member and the toner collecting container of the toner collecting container via the positioning member. And the toner receiving opening is positioned to each other, the image forming unit is provided, characterized in that.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned second technical problem, a toner discharge opening is formed on the side surface of the toner conveying pipe member, and the toner discharge opening is closed and the toner discharge opening is closed. A shutter member that is movable between an open position that releases the opening and the open position is provided in the frame means, and when the shutter member is positioned at the closed position, the shutter member is compressed between the side surface of the toner transport pipe member and the inner surface of the shutter member. And a guide means for restricting the movement path of the shutter member between the closed position and the open position, and the guide means prevents the shutter member from moving along the toner carrying pipe member. It is configured such that it is allowed and also is allowed to move toward and away from the side surface of the toner transport pipe member.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, as an image forming unit for achieving the above-mentioned second technical problem, frame means, image carrying means mounted on the frame means, and the frame means are provided. A toner image is formed on the image bearing means, the toner image is transferred to a transfer member, and the toner remaining on the image bearing means after the toner image is transferred. The cleaning means removes the toner from the image carrying means, and the cleaning means carries the toner through the toner carrying pipe member that defines the carrying path of the toner removed from the image carrying means, and the toner carrying pipe member. Toner transporting means,
A toner collecting container detachably combined with the toner carrying pipe member, a toner discharge opening is formed in the toner carrying pipe member, and a toner receiving opening is formed in the toner collecting container; In an image forming unit applied to an image forming machine, the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening are communicated with each other when the toner collecting container is combined with the toner carrying pipe member. A shutter member is formed on the side surface of the member, and a shutter member is provided on the frame means so as to be movable between a closed position for closing the toner discharge opening and an open position for releasing the toner discharge opening. A seal member is provided that is compressed between the side surface of the toner transport pipe member and the inner surface of the shutter member when the member is positioned at the closed position. Guide means for restricting the movement path of the shutter member between the closed position and the open position is provided, and the guide means moves the shutter member along the toner transport pipe member. Is provided and is allowed to move toward and away from the side surface of the toner transport pipe member.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third technical object, the toner carrying pipe member is formed of synthetic rubber.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, as a toner carrying mechanism for achieving the third technical problem, a toner carrying pipe member and a toner for carrying the toner through the toner carrying pipe member are provided. And a transport means,
The toner conveying means is composed of a metal coil member that extends in the toner conveying pipe member and is rotationally driven. In the toner conveying mechanism, the toner conveying pipe member is formed of synthetic rubber. A toner transporting mechanism is provided.

The positioning member is preferably made of synthetic resin. Preferably, the tip of the toner carrying pipe member is opened, and the first connecting means of the positioning member is inserted into the toner carrying pipe member from the opened end of the toner carrying pipe member, The position of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member is regulated and the tip of the toner carrying pipe member is sealed. Further, a regulation groove is formed in the toner collection container, and the second connecting means of the positioning member is inserted into the regulation groove of the toner collection container to regulate the position of the toner collection container.

The synthetic rubber has a hardness of 5 according to the spring type hardness test A type specified in JIS-K-6301.
It is preferably 0 to 70, particularly 55 to 65.

In a preferred embodiment, elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position is provided, and the shutter member is provided with an abutted portion so that the toner collecting container is provided with the abutted portion. Is formed with an abutting portion, and when the toner collecting container is combined with the toner carrying pipe member, the abutting portion acts on the abutted portion and the shutter is resisted against the action of the elastic biasing means. The member is moved from the closed position to the open position. When the shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the guide means moves along the toner carrying pipe member, and then moves in a direction away from the side surface of the toner carrying pipe member. The frame means is also equipped with a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrying means into a toner image, and the developing means is a developing means for elastically pressing the image carrying body. A roller and a detachable toner cartridge, the toner recovery container is attached to the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is attached to the frame means by attaching the toner cartridge to the toner conveying pipe member. The elastic biasing force applied from the elastic biasing means to the toner collecting container via the shutter member in the state where the shutter member is positioned at the open position is the pressing force of the developing roller against the image carrying means. It is a direction that does not substantially affect.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an image forming unit constructed according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of an image forming unit constructed according to the present invention. The imaging unit comprises frame means, generally designated by the reference numeral 2. The frame means 2 can be formed of an appropriate synthetic resin. The frame means 2 includes an image carrying means 4
At the same time, charging means 6, developing means 8 and cleaning means 10 are mounted. The image bearing means 4 is composed of a rotary drum 12 having an electrostatic photosensitive member arranged on its peripheral surface, and the rotary drum 12 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by an arrow 14. The charging means 6 is composed of a corona discharger for charging the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 to a specific polarity.

The developing means 8 includes a developing housing 16, and a developing roller 18, a developer regulating member 20, a developer replenishing roller 22, a developer conveying member 24 and a toner cartridge 26 are mounted on the developing housing 16. .
The developer used in the developing means 8 may be a so-called one-component developer composed only of toner sent from the toner cartridge 26. The developer is conveyed to the developer replenishing roller 22 by the action of the developer conveying member 24 which is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 28, and the developer replenishing roller 22 rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 30 is the developing roller. Deliver developer onto 18. The layer thickness of the developer held on the developing roller 18 which is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 32 is regulated to a required value by the developer regulating member 20. The developing roller 18 can be composed of a metal shaft member 33 and a synthetic rubber roller member 34 arranged on the peripheral surface of the shaft member 33. Developing housing 16
Is mounted so as to be movable in a direction toward and away from the rotary drum 12, and the rotary drum 1
Suitable elastic means (not shown) in the direction of approaching 2
The developing roller 18 is elastically biased against the rotating drum 12 by the elastic biasing. As will be further referred to later, the toner cartridge 26 is removably mounted on the developer housing 16.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, the cleaning means 10 together with the cleaning housing 36
A cleaning blade 38 and a spiral blade member 40 arranged in the cleaning housing 36 are included. The cleaning blade 38 is made of a flexible material such as synthetic rubber, and the tip portion thereof is the rotary drum 1.
It is pressed against the peripheral surface of 2. Spiral blade member 40
Is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 42.

The image forming unit as described above is detachably attached to a required position of a body housing (not shown) of an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine. Then, the rotary drum 12 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 14, the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 is uniformly charged to a specific polarity in the charging area 35, and then the exposure area 37.
In the above, the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 12 is irradiated with light by an appropriate optical system (not shown) so as to correspond to the image to be created, and thus an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 12. Then, in the developing area 39, the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 12 is developed into a toner image by the action of the developing roller 18 of the developing means 8. In the transfer area 41, a transfer member (not shown) which may be plain paper is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12, and the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 is transferred onto the transfer member. To be done. The transfer member on which the toner image is transferred is the rotating drum 1.
Fixing means (not shown) separated from the peripheral surface of No. 2
Then, the toner image is fixed by the action of the fixing device and then discharged to the outside of the machine housing. In the cleaning area 43, the residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 after the transfer is removed from the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 by the action of the cleaning blade 38. The toner removed from the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12 is caused to flow toward the spiral blade member 40, and is transferred backward by the action of the spiral blade member 40 rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 42 (the spiral blade member 40. The action of will be mentioned later).

Thus, the above-described structure and operation of the illustrated image forming unit does not constitute a novel feature of the illustrated image forming unit constructed according to the present invention, and their own structure is appropriate. A detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present specification because it may be well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together with FIG. 1, the cleaning means 10 also includes a toner transport mechanism 44. The toner carrying mechanism 44 is composed of a toner carrying pipe member 46 and a coil member 48 extending in the toner carrying pipe member 46.
The toner transport pipe member 46 has an upstream end 50 extending in the direction of the central axis of the rotary drum 12 (vertical direction in FIG. 3).
And a curved portion 52 and a main portion 54 that linearly extends substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the rotary drum 12. Curved part 5
2, the upstream end portion 50 and the main portion 5 which are continuous with each other.
The angle 4 and the angle 4 are substantially 90 degrees. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, a circular opening 58 is formed in the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2, and a cylindrical projection 60 is formed so as to project rearward from the peripheral edge of the circular opening 58. The rear end portion of the spiral blade member 40 of the cleaning means 10 is projected through the circular opening 58 into the cylindrical protrusion 60. The upstream end of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is made to have a slightly larger diameter than the other portions, and the inner diameter thereof corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical projection 60, more specifically, slightly smaller than this. . The upstream end portion of the toner transport pipe member 46 is elastically deformed to some extent, and the cylindrical projection 6 is formed.
By forcibly fitting it to 0, the cylindrical protrusion 6
0, and thus the inside of the toner transport pipe member 46 is communicated with the inside of the cleaning housing 36 through the circular opening 58. The main portion 54 of the toner transport pipe member 46 extends rearward (downward in FIG. 3) of the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 while being inclined upward toward the downstream side. The upstream end of the coil member 48, which may be formed from any suitable metal wire, such as stainless steel wire, has a spiral blade member 4 as shown clearly in FIG.
When the spiral blade member 40 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 42 (FIG. 1), the coil member 48 is also driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 42. To be Thus, the toner that has been transported backward (downward in FIG. 3) in the cleaning housing 36 by the action of the spiral blade member 40 that is rotationally driven is delivered from the cleaning housing 36 into the toner transport pipe member 46, and then the coil member. By the action of 48, the toner is transported in the toner transport pipe member 46. As can be understood by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower surface of the downstream end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is locally made to be a flat surface, and the rectangular toner opening on the flat surface is used. A discharge opening 62 is formed (the configuration related to the downstream end of the toner carrying pipe member 46 will be described in further detail later).

The toner carrying pipe member 46 of the toner carrying mechanism 44 is preferably made of synthetic rubber. In particular, it is preferable to use a synthetic rubber having a hardness of 50 to 70, particularly 55 to 65, according to the spring type hardness test A type specified in JIS-K-6301. As a synthetic rubber suitable for forming the toner carrying pipe member 46, urethane rubber can be cited. According to the experience of the present inventors, when the toner carrying pipe member 46 is made of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, the coil is formed especially before a sufficient amount of toner is delivered into the toner carrying pipe member 46. When the member 48 is driven to rotate, the coil member 48 scrapes the inner peripheral surface of the toner carrying pipe member 46, thereby generating a considerable noise. When a considerable amount of toner is present in the toner transport pipe member 46, the toner functions as a lubricant to reduce the noise. On the other hand, when the toner carrying pipe member 46 is made of synthetic rubber, the generation of noise is sufficiently suppressed even before a sufficient amount of toner is delivered into the toner carrying pipe member 46. If the hardness of the synthetic rubber forming the toner carrying pipe member 46 is excessively increased, the noise suppressing effect becomes insufficient and it becomes difficult to form the toner carrying pipe member 46 into a desired shape. On the other hand, the toner transport pipe member 4
If the hardness of the synthetic rubber forming 6 is excessively reduced, the so-called shape maintaining property becomes too small, and the toner transport pipe member 46 has its own weight and the coil member 4 existing inside.
8 and the toner tends to be deformed due to the weight of the toner.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 together with FIG. 2, the outer surface of the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 has an ABS.
A positioning member 70, which can be formed of an appropriate synthetic resin such as resin, is fixed. This positioning member 7
0 is a base portion 7 extending along the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2.
2 and a main portion 74 extending rearward from the tip (left end in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the base 72. The main portion 74 is projected rearward substantially perpendicular to the base portion 72. The base 72 of the positioning member 70 extends obliquely upward to the left in FIGS. 4 and 5. Base 7
2 has a protrusion protruding upward, and a hole 76 is formed in the protrusion. By screwing a set screw 77 (FIG. 5) through the hole 76 into a screw hole 78 (FIGS. 6 and 7) formed in the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2, the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 is screwed. The positioning member 70 is fixed. A pair of holes 79 and 80 are also formed in the base 72 of the positioning member 70 at intervals in the longitudinal direction. The frame means 2 is provided in the pair of holes 79 and 80.
A pair of guide pins 82 and 84 formed on the rear wall 56.
The tip of (FIGS. 6 and 7) is inserted. A pair of guide pins 82 and 84 are projected rearward from the rear wall 56 substantially horizontally (the function of the guide pins 82 and 84 will be described later). Main part 7 of positioning member 70
The first connecting means 86 and the second connecting means 88 are formed on the surface 4. The outer shape of the main portion 74 of the positioning member 70,
More specifically, the first connecting means 86 and the second connecting means 88.
The outer shape of the portion located between and is substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the downstream end portion of the toner transport pipe member 46 described above, and the lower edge is not arcuate but linear. The first connecting means 86 is composed of a cylindrical main portion 90 protruding rightward in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a substantially rectangular projection 92 formed on the upper surface of the base end portion of the cylindrical main portion 90. ing. The outer diameter of the cylindrical main portion 90 is the same as the toner transport pipe member 46 described above.
Corresponding to the inner diameter of the tip, more specifically, slightly larger than that. Further, the projection 92 is made to correspond to a substantially rectangular notch 93 formed on the upper surface of the tip portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46. Second connecting means 88
Is projected in the direction opposite to the first connecting means 86 and thus to the left in FIGS. 4 and 5. The second connecting means 88 is composed of a cylindrical base portion 94 and a conical tip portion 96. The outer diameter of the cylindrical base portion 94 is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical main portion 90 of the first connecting means 86. As clearly understood by referring to FIG. 5, the central axis of the cylindrical main portion 90 of the first connecting means 86 and the central axis of the cylindrical base portion 94 and the conical tip portion 96 of the second connecting means 88. Are aligned with each other and also with the central axis of the main portion 54 of the toner carrying pipe member 46 described above.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
A sealing member 98, which is preferably made of sponge, is attached to the positioning member 70 described above. The seal member 98 has a mounting portion 100 and a band-shaped sealing portion 102 extending downward from the lower end of the mounting portion 100 toward the right in FIGS. A circular opening 104 is formed at the center of the mounting portion 100. A rectangular opening 106 is formed in the seal portion 102. The inner diameter of the circular opening 104 formed in the mounting portion 100 corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical base portion 94 of the second connecting means 88 disposed in the positioning member 70,
As can be seen by referring to FIG. 5, the cylindrical base 94 is forced to extend through the opening 104 of the mounting portion 100 to allow the main portion 74 of the positioning member 70 to be extended.
The seal member 98 is attached to the. As will be described later, the upstream end of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is positioned by the positioning member 7.
0 to the first connecting means 86, the sealing member 9
The seal portion 102 of No. 8 extends along the lower surface of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46, and the opening 106 formed in the seal portion 102 is aligned with the toner discharge opening 62 formed in the toner carrying pipe member 46. To be

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 together with FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer surface of the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 includes:
A shutter member 108, which may be formed from a metal sheet such as a stainless steel sheet, is also mounted. The shutter member 108 has a base portion 110 extending along the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 and a main portion 112 extending rearward from the lower end edge of the base portion 110. A slot 114 is formed in the base 110. The slot 114 is connected to the main portion 116 that linearly extends in the longitudinal direction of the base 110, the first inclined portion 117 that extends inclining upward after the main portion 116, and the first inclined portion 117. And a second inclined portion 118 which extends further upward and is inclined, and the main portion 11
The inclination angle of the second inclined portion 118 with respect to 6 is the main portion 116.
Is slightly larger than the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 117 with respect to. The width of the slot 114 may be substantially the same throughout. At the tip of the base 110 (the left end in FIGS. 6 and 7), a contacted portion 120 protruding forward is formed. Also, the rear end of the base 110 (see FIGS. 6 and 7)
At the right end), a locking portion 122 protruding forward is formed. The cross-sectional shape of the main portion 112 of the shutter member 108 is a channel shape, and the width thereof corresponds to the width of the flat lower surface of the downstream end portion of the toner transport pipe member 46 (and the width of the seal portion 102 of the seal member 98). It has been confused. The base 110 of the shutter member 108 is located between the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 and the base 72 of the positioning member 70, and the base 11 of the shutter member 108 is positioned.
The pair of guide pins 82 and 84, which are projected substantially horizontally rearward from the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2, are inserted into the slots 114 formed in the 0. Thus, the shutter member 108 is movably mounted between the closed position shown in FIG. 6 and the open position shown in FIG.
The slot 114 and the pair of guide pins 82 and 84 cooperate with each other to form a guide means and define a movement path of the shutter member 112 between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position shown in FIG. 6, the guide pin 82 abuts the rear end of the slot 114, and in the open position shown in FIG.
4 is in contact with or close to the tip of the slot 114. Guide pin 82 and locking portion 122 of shutter member 108
A tension coil spring 124 is stretched between and. The spring 124, which constitutes the elastic biasing means, is the shutter member 10.
8 is elastically biased to the closed position shown in FIG.

As can be understood by referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70. More specifically, the tip end portion of the toner conveying pipe member 46 is elastically deformed to some extent, and the positioning member 70 is formed.
The cylindrical main portion 90 of the first connecting means 86 formed on the
And the open end of the toner transport pipe member 46 is sealed. Notch 93 formed on the top surface of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46
Are engaged with the projections 92 of the first connecting means 86. By thus connecting the tip end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46 (that is, the vicinity of the toner discharge opening 62 is formed) to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70, the tip end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46. Is positioned at a predetermined position, and accordingly, the toner discharge opening 62 formed on the lower surface of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is positioned at a predetermined position. When the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is not connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70, due to the flexibility of the toner carrying pipe member 46 made of synthetic rubber, the toner carrying pipe member 46 is formed. It should be noted that the position of the tip of 46, and thus the position of the toner discharge opening 62, is rather unstable.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 together with FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner carrying pipe member 46 is connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70 as described above.
When connecting the front end portions of the shutter members 108, for example,
It is important to move the shutter member 108 to the open position shown in FIG. 7 against the elastic biasing effect of the coil spring 124 by pushing the contacted part 120 of the finger with a finger, and to hold the shutter member 108 in the open position. Is. Then, the positioning member 70
After the tip portion of the toner transport pipe member 46 is connected to the first connecting means 86 of the shutter member 108 as required, the finger is released from the contacted portion 120 of the shutter member 108, and the shutter member 108 is moved by the elastic biasing action of the coil spring 124. Return to the closed position illustrated in FIGS. When the distal end of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70 as required, the seal member 102 of the seal member 98 is replaced by the toner, as will be understood by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. Extending along the lower surface of the tip of the transport pipe member 46,
The opening 106 formed in the seal portion 102 of the seal member 98 is aligned with the toner discharge opening 62 formed in the lower surface of the front end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46. Next, when the shutter member 108 is returned to the closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the seal portion 102 of the seal member 98 is positioned between the lower surface of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member 46 and the main portion 112 of the shutter member 108. The toner is discharged, and thus the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is sufficiently and reliably sealed. When the shutter member 108 is positioned at the closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the leading end of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is not connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70, Main part 11
2 and the tip portion of the toner conveying pipe member 46, the seal portion 102 of the seal member 98 is compressed into an undesired shape, which causes the tip portion of the toner conveying pipe member 46 to move to the first position of the positioning member 70. The desired connection to the connection means 86 is hindered and also the sealing part 102 of the sealing member 98 tends to be damaged.
When the shutter member 108 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the guide pin 84 causes the slot 1 of the shutter member 108 to move, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 6 and FIG.
Since the shutter member 108 is relatively moved along the main portion 116 of the fourteenth portion, the first inclined portion 117 and the second inclined portion 118, the shutter member 108 has the cylindrical main portion 90 of the first connecting member 86.
Along the direction (thus, along the toner carrying pipe member 46 connected to the first connecting member 86) and then in a direction away from the cylindrical main portion 90 (hence, the first connecting means). The toner carrying pipe member 46 connected to 86 is moved in the direction away from the lower surface of the front end portion. Therefore, the shutter member 108 is held in the open position shown in FIG. 7, in other words, the shutter member 108 is kept away from the lower surface of the toner transport pipe member 46, and the first connection of the positioning member 70 is performed. By connecting the end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46 to the means 86, the connecting operation can be performed sufficiently easily without causing an undesirable deformation of the seal portion 102 of the seal member 98.

Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 2, the cleaning means 10 further includes a toner recovery container 126. A rectangular toner receiving opening 128 is formed on the upper surface of the toner recovery container 126 which can be formed of an appropriate synthetic resin. The seal member 1 surrounding the toner receiving opening 128 is provided on the upper surface of the toner collecting container 126.
30 is stuck. The sealing member 130 can be made of a flexible material such as sponge. As clearly shown in FIG. 8, the toner recovery container 126 is formed with a protruding portion 132 adjacent to the toner receiving opening 128 and protruding upward, and the protruding portion 132 is formed with a regulation groove 134. Has been done. The groove 134 has an arc-shaped bottom surface, and the top surface is open. The radius of curvature of the arcuate bottom surface of the groove 134 corresponds to the radius of curvature of the cylindrical base portion 94 of the second connecting means 88 formed on the positioning member 70. A contact portion 136 is also formed on the protruding portion 132 of the toner recovery container 126. The contact portion 136 has a first contact end 138 and a second contact end 140, and the first contact end 138 and the second contact end 140.
An inclined surface 142 is extended between and. The engaging means 1 is provided on one surface of the protruding portion 132 of the toner collecting container 126.
44 is also formed.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, a receiving piece 146 is formed on the outer surface of the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2. The receiving piece 146 has a portion 148 that projects rearward from the rear wall 56, a portion 150 that extends downward from the tip of the portion 148, and a portion 152 that extends from the lower end of the portion 150 toward the rear wall 56. The toner carrying pipe member 46 extends above the portion 148 of the receiving piece 146.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning means 10
The toner recovery container 126 is connected to one side of the toner cartridge 26 in the developing means 8, that is, the rear side. As shown in FIG. 2, the locked means 154 is provided on the rear side of the toner cartridge 26, and the locked means 15 is provided.
The toner collecting container 126 is detachably connected to the toner cartridge 26 by locking the locking means 144 of the toner collecting container 126 to the toner cartridge 4. The toner cartridge 26 is attached to the developing housing 16 of the developing means 8 by moving it in the direction shown by an arrow 156 in FIGS. 6 and 7, and is developed by moving it in the direction shown by an arrow 158 in FIGS. 6 and 7. The means 8 is removed from the developing housing 16. Toner collection container 126
Is attached to the toner cartridge 26, and is connected to the frame means 2
Of the frame means 2 and is also disengaged from the required position of the frame means 2. Coupling mode between the toner cartridge 26 and the toner collection container 126 and the developing housing 1
The manner in which the toner cartridge 26 is mounted on the toner cartridge 6 does not form a novel feature of the image forming unit constructed according to the present invention, and a well-known appropriate manner can be adopted. The detailed description is omitted in the present specification.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 together with FIGS. 2 and 5, when the toner cartridge 26 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 156 and attached to the developing housing 16, the toner cartridge 26 is moved. Accompanying this, the toner recovery container 126 is also moved in the direction indicated by arrow 156, and is also moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. When the toner collecting container 126 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 7, the toner collecting container 12
6, the front end of the frame 6 is inserted between the outer surface of the rear wall 56 of the frame means 2 and the receiving piece 146 when viewed in the moving direction indicated by the arrow 156. And again, as can be understood by reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, the toner collection container 12
When 6 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7 in the direction shown by arrow 156, the second connecting means 88 formed on the positioning member 70 causes the second connecting means 88 to be formed in the toner collecting container 126. Accepted within 134. The radius of curvature of the arcuate bottom surface of the regulation groove 134 of the toner recovery container 126 is made to correspond to the radius of curvature of the cylindrical base portion 94 of the second connecting means 88 formed on the positioning member 70. Cylindrical base 94 of the connecting means 88
Is received in the regulation groove 134, the protruding portion 132 of the toner recovery container 126 is positioned at a required position, and thus the toner receiving opening 128 formed on the upper surface of the toner recovery container 126 is positioned at a required position. The movement of the toner recovery container 126 with respect to the positioning member 70 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and the upward movement in FIGS. 5 and 7 is performed by the cylindrical base portion 94 of the second connecting means 88.
It is blocked by being received within 4. Further, the movement of the toner collection container 126 with respect to the positioning member 70 in the downward direction in FIGS.
Is blocked by abutting the front end of the upper surface of the portion 152 of the receiving piece 146.

Further, as will be clearly understood by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the toner recovery container 126 is shown in FIG.
7 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 7, the abutting portion 136 of the toner recovery container 126 abuts the abutted portion 120 of the shutter member 108, and the elastic biasing action of the coil spring 124 is exerted. Against the shutter member 108
Is moved from the closed position shown in FIG. 6 to the open position shown in FIG. When the shutter member 108 is moved to the open position, the toner discharge opening 62 formed in the toner transport pipe member 46 is released, and the released toner discharge opening 62 is the toner receiving opening 12 of the toner collecting container 126.
It is possible to communicate with 8. Therefore, the toner conveyed in the toner conveying pipe member 46 and discharged from the toner discharging opening 62 is collected in the toner collecting container 126 through the toner receiving opening 128. As described above, the tip end portion of the toner carrying pipe member 46 is connected to the first connecting means 86 of the positioning member 70, whereby the positioning member 70
The toner discharge opening 6 of the toner carrying pipe member 46
2 is positioned at a required position, and the second connecting means 88 of the positioning member 70 is also connected to the regulation groove 134 of the toner collecting container 126 so that the positioning member 70 is positioned.
To the toner receiving opening 128 of the toner collecting container 126
Is positioned at the required position and therefore the toner discharge opening 6
2 and the toner receiving opening 128 are sufficiently accurately aligned with each other to communicate with each other.

Regarding the movement of the shutter member 108 when the toner recovery container 126 is mounted, the following facts should be noted. In the initial stage when the shutter member 108 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the first contact end 138 of the contact part 136 formed in the toner recovery container 126 is the contacted part of the shutter member 108. 120, and the shutter member 108 is attached to the toner carrying pipe member 4
Move along 6. However, the guide pin 84
Slot 114 formed in the shutter member 108
When the shutter member 108 is relatively moved along the second inclined portion 118 from the first inclined portion 117, the shutter member 108 is moved in a direction away from the toner transport pipe member 46. Thus, the toner collection container 126
The inclined surface 142 of the contact portion 136 of the shutter member 1 is
When the shutter member 108 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 7, the second contact end 140 of the contact portion 136 contacts the contact portion 120 of the shutter member 108. Contact the contact part. The first contact end 138 of the contact portion 136 is the contacted portion 1 of the shutter member 108.
In the state of being in contact with 20, the coil spring 124
The force applied from the shutter member 108 to the toner collection container 126 due to the elastic biasing force of the shutter is in the direction indicated by the arrow 158. However, as shown in FIG. When it comes into contact with the contacted portion 120 of the member 108, due to the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 124, the toner recovery container 126 is removed from the shutter member 108.
Is applied in a direction indicated by arrow 160 which is substantially perpendicular to arrow 158. As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the developing housing 16 of the developing means 8 is used.
Is a rotating drum 12 by elastic means (not shown).
Is elastically biased in the direction of approaching the developing roller 18, and thereby the developing roller 18 is elastically pressed against the rotating drum 12. Thus, the toner cartridge 26
Also, when the toner recovery container 126 is mounted at a required position, the force applied to the toner recovery container 126 is transmitted to the developing housing 16 via the toner cartridge 26. When the force is in the direction indicated by the arrow 158, this direction is the direction for pressing the developing roller 18 against the rotating drum 12, so that the force applied to the toner collecting container 126 due to the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 124. ,
The pressing state of the developing roller 18 against the rotating drum 12 may be adversely affected. However, the toner collection container 1
If the force applied to 26 is in the direction indicated by arrow 160, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction indicated by arrow 158, the force exerted on toner recovery container 126 due to the elastic biasing force of coil spring 124. By the rotating drum 12
There is practically no possibility that the pressing state of the developing roller 18 against will be adversely affected.

When substantially all the toner in the toner cartridge 26 has been consumed, the toner cartridge 26 will move to the arrow 1
The developing housing 16 is moved in the direction indicated by 58.
Be separated from. And the toner cartridge 2
The toner collecting container 126 is also detached from the frame means 2 in association with such detachment. In order to continue using the image forming unit, a new toner cartridge 26
And, a new toner collection container 126 attached to this is attached.

[0040]

In the image forming unit constructed according to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner discharge opening of the toner conveying pipe member and the toner receiving opening of the toner collecting container are provided by the relatively simple and inexpensive positioning member. Can be matched with sufficient precision.

In the image forming unit constructed according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member are associated with each other as required, a space between the side surface of the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member. It is possible to reliably avoid damaging the seal member compressed by.

In the toner carrying mechanism constructed according to the third aspect of the present invention, noise generated when the coil member is rotated is generated even when the toner carrying pipe member does not yet have a sufficient amount of toner. It can be made small enough.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of an image forming unit constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an upstream end portion of a toner conveying mechanism arranged in the image forming unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a positioning member, a seal member, and a shutter member in the toner transport mechanism arranged in the image forming unit shown in FIG.

5 is a rear view showing a part of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 1 in section.

FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing a shutter member used in the image forming unit shown in FIG. 1 in a state before a toner recovery container is attached.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a shutter member used in the image forming unit shown in FIG. 1 in a state after a toner recovery container is mounted.

8 is a perspective view showing a toner recovery container used in the image forming unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Frame means 4: Image carrying means 6: Charging means 8: Developing means 10: Cleaning means 12: Rotating drum 16: Developing housing 18: Developing roller 26: Toner cartridge 36: Cleaning housing 38: Cleaning blade 40: Spiral blade member 44: Toner transport mechanism 46: Toner transport pipe member 48: Coil member 62: Toner discharge opening 70: Positioning member 82: Guide pin (guide means) 84: Guide pin (guide means) 86: First connecting means 88: No. Second connecting means 98: Sealing member 108: Shutter member 114: Slot (guide means) 120: Abutted portion of shutter member 124: Tensile coil spring (elastic biasing means) 126: Toner collection container 128: Toner receiving opening 134: Regulating groove 136: contact part

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A toner image is formed on the image bearing means, comprising a frame means, an image bearing means attached to the frame means, and a cleaning means attached to the frame means. Is transferred to the transfer member, the toner remaining on the image carrying means after the transfer of the toner image is removed from the image carrying means by the cleaning means, and the cleaning means is removed from the image carrying means. A toner transport pipe member that defines a toner transport path; toner transport means for transporting toner through the toner transport pipe member; and a toner collection container that is detachably combined with the toner transport pipe member. A toner discharge opening is formed in the conveying pipe member, and a toner receiving opening is formed in the toner collecting container. In the image forming unit applied to an image forming machine, in which the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening are communicated with each other when the material is combined with the toner collecting container, a positioning member is provided on the frame member. The positioning member has a first connecting means connected to the toner conveying means near the toner discharging opening and a second connecting means connected to the toner collecting container near the toner receiving opening. Is formed, and the toner discharge opening of the toner transport pipe member and the toner receiving opening of the toner recovery container of the toner recovery container are mutually positioned through the positioning member. Imaging unit. 2. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member is made of synthetic resin. 3. The toner carrying pipe member has an open end, and the first connecting means of the positioning member is inserted into the toner carrying pipe member through the opened open end of the toner carrying pipe member. 3. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the position of the tip of the toner carrying pipe member is regulated and the tip of the toner carrying pipe member is sealed. 4. A restriction groove is formed in the toner recovery container, and the second connecting means of the positioning member is inserted into the restriction groove of the toner recovery container to position the toner recovery container. The image forming unit according to claim 1, which is regulated. 5. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying pipe member is made of synthetic rubber. 6. The image forming unit according to claim 5, wherein the synthetic rubber has a hardness of 50 to 70 according to a spring type hardness test A type defined in JIS-K-6301. 7. The image forming unit according to claim 6, wherein the synthetic rubber has a hardness of 55 to 65 according to a spring type hardness test A type defined in JIS-K-6301. 8. The toner discharge opening is formed on a side surface of the toner conveying pipe member, and the frame means is provided between a closed position for closing the toner discharge opening and an open position for releasing the toner discharge opening. A shutter member is movably provided, and a seal member is provided that is compressed between a side surface of the toner transport pipe member and an inner surface of the shutter member when the shutter member is positioned at the closed position. Guide means for restricting the movement path of the shutter member between the closed position and the open position is provided, and the guide means moves the shutter member along the toner transport pipe member. 8. The image forming unit according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is allowed to move in a direction in which the side surface of the toner transport pipe member is separated from and approached. 9. An elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position is provided, an abutting portion is formed on the shutter member, and an abutting portion is provided on the toner collecting container. When the toner collecting container is combined with the toner conveying pipe member, the contact portion acts on the contacted portion and the shutter member is closed against the action of the elastic biasing means. The image forming unit according to claim 8, which is moved from the position to the open position. 10. The guide means moves along the toner carrying pipe member when the shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and then is separated from a side surface of the toner carrying pipe member. The image forming unit according to claim 9, which is movable in a direction. 11. The frame means is also equipped with developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrying means into a toner image, and the developing means is elastic to the image carrying body. A developing roller that is pressed against the toner cartridge and a detachable toner cartridge, the toner recovery container is attached to the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is attached to the frame means by attaching the toner cartridge to the developing means.
The elastic biasing force applied to the toner collecting container from the elastic biasing means via the shutter member in a state of being combined with the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member being positioned at the open position is the image carrying means. 11. The image forming unit according to claim 10, which is in a direction that does not substantially affect the pressing force of the developing roller against. 12. A toner image is formed on the image carrying means, comprising a frame means, an image carrying means installed on the frame means, and a cleaning means installed on the frame means. Is transferred to the transfer member, the toner remaining on the image carrying means after the transfer of the toner image is removed from the image carrying means by the cleaning means, and the cleaning means is removed from the image carrying means. A toner transport pipe member that defines a toner transport path; toner transport means for transporting toner through the toner transport pipe member; and a toner collection container that is detachably combined with the toner transport pipe member. A toner discharge opening is formed in the conveying pipe member, and a toner receiving opening is formed in the toner collecting container. In an image forming unit applied to an image forming machine, wherein when the toner collecting container is combined with a member, the toner discharging opening and the toner receiving opening are communicated with each other, the toner discharging opening is a side surface of the toner conveying pipe member. The frame member is provided with a shutter member movably between a closed position that closes the toner discharge opening and an open position that releases the toner discharge opening. A seal member is provided that is compressed between the side surface of the toner transport pipe member and the inner surface of the shutter member when the shutter member is positioned in the closed position, and the shutter member between the closed position and the open position. Guide means for restricting the movement path of the toner transport pipe is provided, and the guide means allows the shutter member to move along the toner transport pipe member. An image forming unit characterized in that it is allowed to move in a direction away from and to a side surface of a member. 13. An elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position is provided, an abutted portion is formed on the shutter member, and an abutting portion is provided on the toner collecting container. When the toner collecting container is combined with the toner conveying pipe member, the contact portion acts on the contacted portion and the shutter member is closed against the action of the elastic biasing means. 13. Move from the position to the open position.
The described image forming unit. 14. The guide means is moved along the toner carrying pipe member when the shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and then separated from the side surface of the toner carrying pipe means. The image forming unit according to claim 13, wherein the image forming unit is movable in a direction. 15. The frame means is also equipped with developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing means into a toner image, and the developing means is elastic to the image bearing body. A developing roller that is pressed against the toner cartridge and a detachable toner cartridge, the toner recovery container is attached to the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge is attached to the frame means by attaching the toner cartridge to the developing means.
The elastic biasing force applied to the toner collecting container from the elastic biasing means via the shutter member in a state of being combined with the toner carrying pipe member and the shutter member being positioned at the open position is the image carrying means. 15. The image forming unit according to claim 14, which is in a direction that does not substantially affect the pressing force of the developing roller against. 16. A toner transport pipe member and a toner transport means for transporting toner through the toner transport pipe member, the toner transport means extending in the toner transport pipe member and rotationally driven. A toner transporting mechanism composed of a metal coil member, wherein the toner transporting pipe member is made of synthetic rubber. 17. The synthetic rubber is JIS-K-6301.
The toner transport mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the hardness is 50 to 70 according to the spring type hardness test A type defined in. 18. The synthetic rubber is JIS-K-6301.
The toner transport mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the hardness is 55 to 65 according to the spring type hardness test A type defined in.