JPH058570U - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing spillage of a developer and mixing of foreign matter that occur when the developing device is detached. [Structure] A locking means 5 is provided which operates so as to release the lock of the developing device 1 with respect to the apparatus body in association with the mounting operation of the toner supply container 2 to the apparatus body.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

  The present invention relates to a two-component developing type image forming apparatus.

[0002]

[Prior art]

  Toner storage unit, stirring member that stirs the toner stored in this storage unit, storage unit Toner replenishment control member, stirring member, and toner for controlling the amount of toner replenishment to the developing unit -Toner replenishment container composed of a drive member that drives the replenishment control member -In a two-component developing type image forming apparatus that performs a replenishment operation, there is a toner replenishment container. In order to replace the toner replenishing container and the developing device, it can be attached to and detached from the device body. There are many known configurations.

[0003]   For example, in JP-A-60-61773, a developing unit and a toner cartridge are disclosed. Replace the shutter as an integrated structure, and open and close the shutter depending on the installation and removal from the device. A technique for providing the opening has been proposed.   In addition, other than JP-A-60-198567, only the toner cartridge is replaced. Instead, a technique of providing a seal member in the opening has been proposed.   In addition, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-49360 and other documents include toner cartridges, photoconductors, Technology to replace the cleaning unit, the charger unit, and the development unit as a unit Is proposed.   Further, in JP-A-62-102262, the toner hopper is attached to the developing device. By attaching a cover that can open and close the toner supply port in conjunction with the removal operation, Techniques have been proposed to prevent the scattering of the toner.   Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 173076/1991 discloses an opening for replenishing a toner cartridge. A removable lid is provided at the mouth, and if the lid is not attached, the cartridge or developing device is installed. A technique has been proposed that prevents the main body from being detached.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]   However, among the above conventional techniques,   Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 60-61773 discloses in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-49360. Simpler to construct than the process cartridge shown, but still room for improvement However, there were problems with high running costs, waste disposal after use, and disassembly work.   In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-198567, only the toner cartridge is replaced. It is a method of replacing the toner and has a simple structure, but supplies toner to the toner replenishing section. Therefore, the opening of the container becomes large, and a seal member is installed especially when detaching from the device. However, there is a problem that toner leakage easily occurs from the gap of the opening even if it is removed.   In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-49360 and others, it is a process cartridge, Operability is good, but there is no need to replace the development section, photoconductor, and charger unit. Therefore, the configuration is complicated and the running cost is high. Also, magnets, metal, Since it is a composite of various materials such as photoconductor and rubber blade, it is disposed of after use and disassembled. Work is very difficult.   In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-102262, the toner flying from inside the toner hopper is Although the scattering is taken into consideration, the surface of the developer is The toner adheres due to the agitation and the hand is contaminated with the toner at the time of replacement.   In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-173076, the lid is separate from the developing device and the cartridge. It is necessary to store the lid that is soiled with toner outside the machine when using the device. However, if the lid squirts out, the developing device and cartridge will be dirty. There was a problem that the device could not be removed from the device.

[0005]   In the present invention, the toner replenishing container and the developing device are separately attached to and detached from the main body of the device. When removing the developing device with a large opening in the existing image forming device, keep the developer The purpose is to prevent blurring and foreign matter from entering the developing device.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

  The purpose is to control the replenishment amount while stirring the developing device and the toner stored inside. However, two-component development including a toner supply container for supplying toner to this developing device Type image forming apparatus, the operation of mounting the toner replenishing container to the main body of the apparatus continues. Lock that operates to release the lock on the main body of the developing device. It is achieved by providing means.

[0007]

[Action]

  A developing device and a toner replenishing container are attached, and when attaching or detaching these devices The lock release part that is integrally attached to the leaf spring is attached to the mount that guides the sliding movement. The lock means consisting of the lock part has the lock release part and the lock part with respect to the surface of the mounting base. It is provided so that it can appear and disappear freely.   Then, the developing device is prevented from being separated from the main body of the device by the lock part. However, when the toner supply container is set, the toner supply container is When sliding on the mount to the back of the body, the lock release part is pushed by the toner supply container. Evacuate downwards from the surface of the mount. At the same time, the lock part also retracts, so this At this point, the developing device can be pulled out to the outside. In other words, toner supply It is possible to pull out (remove) the developing device to the outside only when the container is set. Become.

[0008]

【Example】

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.   FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. Places related to the present invention Explaining only, 1 is a developing device including a developing sleeve, a stirring member, a driving member, and the like. Reference numeral 2 designates a toner storage unit, a stirring member, a toner replenishment control member, a driving member and the like. It is a replenishing container. The developing device 1 and the toner replenishing container 2 themselves are well known. The configuration is adopted. 3 is a mount for mounting the developing device 1 and the toner supply container 2; Reference numeral 4 is a photosensitive drum.

[0009]   FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developing unit according to the embodiment, in which the surface (guide surface) of the mounting base 3 is , The lock releasing portion 5a and the lock portion 5b of the locking means 5 (shown in FIG. 3) are projected. The lock portion 5b engages with the developing device 1 and is pulled out from the main body of the developing device 1. We are going to lock in the direction. The lock releasing unit 5a is a device of the toner supply container 2. It is located in the sliding area when it is attached to and detached from the main unit. -When the supply container 2 is slid on the surface of the mounting base 3 and pushed into the main body of the device, And is retracted from the surface of the mounting base 3.

[0010]   FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting base 3 according to the embodiment, in which the lock release portion 5a and the lock release portion 5a are attached to the leaf spring. The locking means 5 configured by integrally mounting the hook portion 5b is provided on the rear surface side of the mounting base 3. The lock releasing portion 5a and the lock portion 5b are fixed to each other so that they are free ends. The lock releasing portion 5a and the lock portion 5b appear and disappear with respect to the cutout portions 3a and 3b, respectively. It is at your disposal.

[0011]   With such a configuration, the developing device 1 is normally locked by the lock portion 5b. However, as described above, when the toner supply container 2 is set in the main body of the apparatus, Since the hook release section 5a is pushed and retracts, and the lock section 5b is retracted in conjunction with this, At this point, the developing device 1 can be pulled out of the main body of the device. That is, toner Only when the replenishment container 2 is set (mainly during development) The developing device 1 can be pulled out.

[0012]

[Effect of device]

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the toner supply container is set, the toner Make sure that the developing device cannot be pulled out from the main unit by itself unless it is supplied with the supply container. Therefore, the developer spillage that occurs when the developing device is pulled out by itself and the developing device It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the storage.   According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two members of the lock releasing portion and the lock portion are provided as the toner. The above effects can be obtained with a simple configuration that only affects the supply container and the developing device. To be   According to the third aspect of the invention, the lock releasing portion and the lock portion are integrally attached to the leaf spring. Since it is attached, cost reduction by reducing the number of parts and elimination of dimensional variation between parts The accuracy can be improved by.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Development device 2 Toner supply container 3 mounting base 5 Lock means 5a Lock release section

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A two-component development type image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device; and a toner replenishing container for replenishing the toner contained in the developing device while controlling the replenishment amount while stirring the toner stored therein. An image forming apparatus comprising: a locking unit that operates so as to release a lock of the developing device with respect to the apparatus main body in association with an operation of mounting the toner supply container to the apparatus main body. 2. The lock releasing unit according to claim 1, wherein the lock releasing unit that is displaced by the toner supply container and the developing device are locked, and the lock releasing unit operates in conjunction with the displacement of the lock releasing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a lock unit that is displaced to a position. 3. The lock releasing portion and the lock portion according to claim 2, wherein the lock releasing portion and the lock portion are integrally attached to a leaf spring, and the lock releasing portion and the lock portion are attached to a guide surface of a mounting base that guides sliding when the developing device and the toner supply container are attached and detached. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is arranged so that it can appear and disappear freely.