JPH0633159U - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To prevent inadvertent leakage of the initial developer or developer from the developing device unit at the time of product shipment or unit replacement for toner reinforcement. [Structure] The developer supply unit 3 is a case 23 of the developing device 4.
When the upper cover body is rotated downward in a detachably mounted state, the engaging portion 39 on the lower surface of one side of the developer supply unit 3 causes the locking pin 52 to rotate downward, and the spring 51. The vertical piece 48a of the lever 48 in a substantially vertical (vertical) direction, and the upper end surface of the vertical piece 48a pivots the first driven cam 46 upward to open the shutter 29 in the opening direction. Along with the rotation, the second driven cam 47 at the upper position of the first driven cam 46 is rotated upward to rotate the opening 41 of the initial developer storage unit 28 downward by a predetermined angle. Is.
When the developer supply unit 3 is not attached, the vertical piece 4
The upper end surface of 8a does not interfere with the first driven cam 46.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a structure of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine, and more specifically, to a developer supply unit and a developing unit inside a body case and an upper cover body. The present invention relates to a device in which a developing device unit composed of and a photoconductor unit are arranged.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In electrophotographic devices such as laser beam printers, copiers, facsimile machines, etc., which have been used as output devices for computers in recent years, the initial developer (initial toner, carrier and toner) is previously formed on the surface of the developing sleeve in the developing device. Mixture)) to form a magnetic brush with a predetermined height on the surface of the developing sleeve, and to supply the developer (toner) to the surface during operation during duplication, magnetize it to make the electrostatic latent image visible. It is configured to be imaged, that is, developed.

Further, in the electrophotographic apparatus of this type, when the above-described development is repeated, the powdery developer (toner and carrier) in the developing apparatus is consumed, so the developer should be replenished at an appropriate time. I have to. At the time of replenishing the developer, a developing device unit including at least a developer supply unit and an imager, and a photoconductor unit are usually disposed inside the main body case of the electrophotographic device and the upper cover body. When the upper cover is opened, remove the old (empty) developer replenishing unit from the opening (supply port) at the connection point of the developing unit located on the lower surface side of the upper cover and replace it with a new one. Connect the developer supply unit.

In this case, in order to prevent the developer from overflowing the outside of the electrophotographic apparatus, in the conventional electrophotographic apparatus, a shutter for opening and closing the opening portion at the connection point and the supply of the initial developer are provided. Some shutters are configured to open in conjunction with the closing operation of the upper cover body with respect to the main body case.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 When shipping an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with such a shutter from the factory or in a new state, the upper cover should be closed with the main body case removed and the developer supply unit removed. Since it is common to carry out the above process, the shutter is conveyed with the shutter open, and the initial developer is scattered in the mechanical portion of the electrophotographic apparatus. If the initial developer is sprinkled on the surface of the developing sleeve when the electrophotographic apparatus is shipped from the factory, the initial developing agent may peel off from the developing sleeve surface due to shock or vibration during transportation of the apparatus. There is a problem that it ends up.

Further, when the developer supply unit is replaced with respect to the electrophotographic apparatus installed in an office or the like, if the upper cover body is closed without forgetting to attach the unit to the developing apparatus, the developing unit is already attached. There is also a problem that the contained initial developer or developer leaks into the mechanism section from the opened shutter portion. The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus in which the leakage of the initial developer and the developer does not occur.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a main body case and an upper cover body which is vertically rotatably and openably attached to the main body case. The upper cover body includes a photoconductor unit and an image forming apparatus unit. In the electrophotographic apparatus, a developer supply unit is detachably attached to a developing device fixed to the developing device unit, and the developing device includes a developing sleeve and a developing sleeve. A shirt that rotates about the horizontal axis is provided between the opening of the developer supply unit and an initial developer storage section that can be rotated by a support shaft that is parallel to the horizontal axis. The initial developer storage portion is provided with an opening for dropping the initial developer on the developing sleeve side by rotating it by a predetermined angle, and is provided in the developing device unit in association with the horizontal axis and the support shaft. Driven cam mechanism and book The drive cam mechanism provided on the case side is arranged so as to approach each other according to the closing rotation of the upper cover body, and the engaging portion of the developing agent supply unit when mounted on the developing device unit is The drive cam mechanism is operated in response to the closing rotation of the cover body, and the driven cam mechanism is associated with the opening operation of the shutter and the predetermined angle rotation operation of the initial developer storage section. Is.

[0008]

【Example】

 Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electrophotographic apparatus capable of recording images such as characters and figures on a sheet by an electrophotographic method. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state in which an upper cover body 2 is closed with respect to a main body case 1 of a laser beam printer as an electrophotographic apparatus.

A developing device unit 5 including at least a developer supply unit 3 and a developing device 4 and a photoconductor unit 6 are arranged inside the main body case 1 and the upper cover body 2. . A paper cassette 7 is detachably attached to the lower side of the main body case 1, and a manual feed tray 10 is provided on the front surface of the main body case 1. Paper (not shown) supplied from any of these is The image is sent to the image forming unit 11.

The image forming unit 11 is based on a photosensitive drum 15 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), a charger (not shown) that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 15, and an output signal for image formation from a computer or the like. An exposure device 20 such as a laser scanner for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 to form an image, and a developing device 4 including a drum-shaped developing sleeve 21 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure. It also has a transfer unit 16 for transferring the developed latent image onto a sheet, and a static eliminator (not shown) for eliminating the charge to separate the sheet from the photosensitive drum 15 after the transfer.

The papers in the paper cassette 7 are separated one by one by a paper feed roller 9, and are sent toward a pair of registration rollers 13 through a conveyance path 12. After the paper detection sensor 14 in the transport path 12 detects the leading edge of the paper, the detection signal causes the registration roller pair 13 to start rotating at a predetermined time, and the paper is skewed at the rolling contact position of the registration roller pair 13. After the line is corrected, it is sent between the photoconductor drum 15 and the transfer device 16 in the photoconductor unit 6 on the downstream side of the conveyance, and the developer is transferred to the surface of the paper as described later based on the output signal of the computer (not shown). Is transcribed to. After that, the paper is sent to the fixing device 17 provided on the main body case 1 side, where the developer is fixed by heat and pressure, and then discharged from the discharge port 18 and placed on the upper portion of the upper cover body 2. Overlaid on.

Next, the structure of a specific example of the developing device unit 5 will be described. The developing device unit 5 and the photoconductor unit 6 are detachably attached to a frame frame 22 which is detachable from the lower surface of the upper cover body 2. The developing device 4 in the developing device unit 5 is arranged in a case 23 whose front and bottom surfaces are partially open, and a rear storage chamber 24 of the case 23, and is arranged so as to face the photosensitive drum 15 and be driven to rotate. A sleeve 21, a doctor blade 26 that regulates the height of the magnetic brush at the upper outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 21 having a magnetic material on the inner diameter side, and an initial developer 27 at the upper part of the rear accommodation chamber 24 An initial developer storage portion 28 that has been put in, and a horizontally long cylindrical shutter 29 that is rotatably provided so as to face the supply port 30 of the developer supply unit 3 that can be removably inserted from the front side of the case 22. Has been done.

The developer supply unit 3 includes a replenishment toner storage chamber 31 for accommodating a developer composed of replenishment toner and a carrier, and a waste toner for accommodating an extra waste toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 15 after the transfer. The supply port 30 in the replenishment toner storage chamber 31 is sealed with a sealing tape until it is used. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the guide bodies 33, 33 formed on the outer surfaces on both the left and right sides of the developer supply unit 3 in the front-rear direction are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 23a, 23a of the case 23. The guide rails 34, 34, which are long in the front-rear direction, can be guided and inserted to be supported. The locking lever 36 pivotally supported on the inner surface of the one side plate 23a by a support shaft 35 so as to be vertically rotatable, and biased upward to a notch in the middle of the one guide rail 34 is a case lever 23. In the developer supply unit 3 inserted therein, it engages with the engagement recess 37 formed in the one guide body 33 to make it impossible to remove. Further, the developer supply unit 3 can be pulled out by rotating the locking lever 36 downward with the handle 38 on the outside of the side plate 23a.

Further, on the lower surface of one side of the developer supply unit 3, there is provided a guide groove-shaped engaging portion 39 which is open downward so as to be connected to a drive cam mechanism described later. On the other hand, both ends of a support shaft 40 attached to the horizontally long initial developer storage portion 28 of the developing device 4 are rotatably supported by the left and right side plates 23a, 23a of the case 23. The opening 41 on one side of 28 is turned downward by the rotation of the support shaft 40 at a predetermined angle, so that the initial developer 27 (a powdery mixture of carrier and toner) in the initial developer storage unit 28 is discharged. It can be sprinkled on the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 21. Further, when the locking claw 42 provided on the inner surface of the rear storage chamber 24 is locked in the cutout portion of the initial developer storage unit 28, the opening 41 is opened even if the upper cover body 2 is rotated upward. It is configured so that the initial developer storage unit 28 can be held in a posture in a downward state.

The cylindrical shutter 29 is provided with a conduction port 43 which is long along the longitudinal circumferential surface thereof and which penetrates the inner diameter portion and communicates with the supply port 30 and the rear accommodation chamber 24. . The shutter 29 is biased in the closing direction by a torsion spring or the like (not shown). One side of the horizontal shaft 44 that supports the shutter 29 projects outward from the one side plate 23a of the case 23, and a pin-shaped first follower that projects laterally outward is attached to a support plate 45 that is attached to the end of the horizontal shaft 44. While the cam 46 is provided, one end of the support shaft 40 of the initial developer storage unit 28 is bent into an L-shape and the like, and the second driven cam 47 extending in the upper surface direction of the first driven cam 46 causes the driven cam to move. Configure the mechanism.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the main body case 1 is provided with a drive cam mechanism including a lever 48 and the like having a substantially T shape in a lateral direction in side view. That is, a pivot shaft 49 attached to the lower end of the vertical piece 48a of the lever 48 is rotatably supported by the frame 50 of the main body case 1 and urged in a direction in which the horizontal piece 48b of the lever 48 is turned upward. While the ridge 51 is thus mounted, the locking pin 52 is laterally inwardly projected on the horizontal piece 48b of the lever 48.

With this configuration, the electrophotographic apparatus is installed in a predetermined place such as an office, and as shown in FIG. 3, the upper cover body 2 is mounted with the developer supply unit 3 attached to the case 23. When it is rotated downward so as to be closed, as shown in FIG. 8, the engaging portion 39 on the lower surface of one side of the developer supply unit 3 rotates the locking pin 52 downward to resist the force of the spring 51. The vertical piece 48a of the lever 48 is erected in a substantially vertical (vertical) direction, and the first driven cam 46 is rotated upward at the upper end surface of the vertical piece 48a to open the shutter 29 (arrow A in FIG. 7). Direction) and then the second driven cam 47 at the upper position of the first driven cam 46 is turned upward so that the opening 41 of the initial developer storage portion 28 faces downward. In the direction of arrow B of 7 It is rotated by a fixed angle.

Therefore, in this state, the conduction port 43 of the shutter 29 communicates between the supply port 30 of the developer supply unit 3 and the rear storage chamber 24, so that the inside of the image developer supply unit 3 is closed. The developer flows into the rear accommodation chamber 24. Further, since the opening 41 of the initial developer storage unit 28 faces downward and faces the upper surface of the developing sleeve 21, the initial developer 27 in the initial developer storage unit 28 is reflected on the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 21 (sprinkled). ) It will be.

On the other hand, when the developer supply unit 3 is not installed in the case 23 such as when the product is shipped, the developing device 4 is attached to the upper cover body 2 and the upper cover body 2 is attached to the main body case 1. When it is moved downward, the horizontal piece 48b of the lever 48 is in the upward state and the vertical piece 48b is in the inclined state by the urging force of the spring 51, as shown in FIG. In this state, the locking pin 52 of the drive cam mechanism is loosely fitted into the notch portion 53 formed in the one side plate 23a of the case 23 so as to open downward. Then, the upper end of the vertical piece 48a of the lever 48 is in a state of being disengaged from the first driven cam 46 and the second driven cam 47, so that the shutter 29 is in the closed state and the initial developing agent storage unit 28 is also in the closed state. Since the posture of the opening 41 is maintained in the upward state, the initial developer 27 in the initial developer storage unit 28 does not leak into the rear storage chamber 24.

Therefore, when the electrophotographic apparatus is shipped in a new state, even when the upper cover body 2 is closed and carried in the main body case 1 without mounting the developer supply unit 3, the initial developer 27 remains in the apparatus. Never leaks out. When the developer is used up and the developer supply unit 3 is replaced, the upper cover body 2 is pivoted upward and opened. In response to this movement, the vertical piece 48a of the lever 48 is disengaged from the first driven cam 46. Since the shutter 29 is biased in the closing direction, the shutter 29 is automatically rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow A so that the communication port 43 becomes substantially vertical, so that the rear accommodation chamber 24 and the developer supply unit 3 are closed. The communication with the supply port 30 is cut off. Therefore, even if the developer supply unit 3 is pulled out from the case 23, the developer in the rear accommodation chamber 24 does not leak out.

Since the initial developer 27 only needs to be applied to the developing sleeve 21 once, the posture of the initial developer storage portion 28 once rotated downward is held by the locking claw 42, and the second driven member is driven. The position of the cam 47 does not change. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a facsimile machine and a copying machine.

[0022]

[Operation and effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the main body case and the upper cover body that is vertically rotatably openable and closable with respect to the main body case are provided. The provided electrophotographic apparatus is configured such that a developer supply unit is detachably attached to the developing device unit fixed to the developing device unit, and the developing device includes a developing sleeve and a developing sleeve. A shirt that rotates about a horizontal axis is provided between the developing sleeve and the opening of the developer supply unit, and an initial developer storage section that can rotate on a spindle parallel to the horizontal axis is provided. The initial developer storage unit is provided with an opening for dropping the initial developer on the developing sleeve side when the initial developer storage unit rotates by a predetermined angle.

A driven cam mechanism provided on the developing device unit in association with the horizontal axis and the support shaft and a drive cam mechanism provided on the main body case side are provided according to the closing rotation of the upper cover body. The engaging portions of the developer supply unit, which are arranged so as to approach each other and are mounted on the developing device unit, actuate the drive cam mechanism in response to the closing rotation of the upper cover body, and thereby the driven cam. Since the mechanism is associated with the opening operation of the shutter and the rotation operation of the initial developer storage section by a predetermined angle, at the start of normal device operation, the initial developer in the initial developer storage section is removed. The developing sleeve can be sprinkled or the developer can be replenished from the developer supply unit.

On the other hand, in the state where the developer supply unit is removed and the upper cover body is closed with respect to the main body case as in the shipment of the electrophotographic apparatus from the factory, the developer supply unit is Since the engagement portion does not operate the drive cam mechanism, the shutter maintains the closed state and the initial developer storage portion does not rotate. Therefore, the initial developer in the initial developer storage section does not leak into the developing device or the apparatus, does not contaminate the mechanical section of the apparatus, and the initial developer may be damaged by shock or vibration during transportation of the apparatus. This has the effect of avoiding the inconvenience of peeling off from the surface.

Then, when the developer supply unit is replaced, etc., if the upper cover member is closed while the unit is forgotten to be attached to the developing device, the shutter changes to the closed state. This has the effect of eliminating the inconvenience of the developer and the developer leaking from the shutter location into the mechanism section.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state where an upper cover body of the electrophotographic apparatus is opened.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a developing device unit, a driven cam mechanism, and a drive cam mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a cross section of a developer supply unit and a developing device.

5 is a partial cross-sectional plan view taken along the line VV of FIG.

6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a driven cam mechanism and a drive cam mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation when the developer supply unit is attached.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the action at the time of shipping.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body Case 2 Upper Cover Body 3 Developer Supply Unit 4 Developer 5 Development Device Unit 6 Photoconductor Unit 15 Photosensitive Drum 21 Development Sleeve 23 Case 24 Rear Storage Room 27 Initial Developer 28 Initial Developer Storage 29 Shutter 30 Supply Port 31 Replenishment Toner Storage Chamber 39 Engagement Part 40 Support Shaft 41 Opening 42 Locking Claw 43 Conduction Port 44 Horizontal Axis 46 First Driven Cam 47 Second Driven Cam 48 Lever 48a Vertical Piece 48b Horizontal Piece 51 Spring 52 Locking Pin 53 Notch

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a main body case; and an upper cover body mounted so as to be vertically rotatable and openable and closable with respect to the main body case, wherein the upper cover body includes a photoconductor unit and a developing device unit. The developing device unit is configured such that a developer supply unit is detachably attached to a developing device fixed to the developing device unit, and the developing device has a developing sleeve and an opening portion of the developing sleeve and the developer supplying unit. And a shirt that rotates about a horizontal axis, and an initial developer storage unit that is rotatable on a support shaft that is parallel to the horizontal axis. An opening portion for dropping the initial developer on the developing sleeve side by the rotation of the predetermined angle is provided, while a driven cam mechanism provided in the developing device unit in association with the horizontal shaft and the support shaft and a main body case side. Drive cam mechanism provided And are arranged so as to approach each other in response to the closing rotation of the upper cover body, and the engaging portion in the developer supply unit when mounted on the developing device unit has the engaging portion according to the closing rotation of the upper cover body. An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the drive cam mechanism is operated so that the driven cam mechanism is associated with the opening operation of the shutter and the rotation operation of the initial developer storage unit by a predetermined angle.