CN105824211B - image forming equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body; a plurality of developing devices arranged in a first direction in the apparatus body; a plurality of developer accommodating containers accommodating developer to be supplied to the plurality of developing devices, arranged in the same direction as the first In the second direction where the directions intersect; a plurality of conveying devices conveys the developer from the plurality of developer accommodating containers to a plurality of developing devices respectively corresponding thereto; A developer image; a transfer device that transfers the developer image from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium. The plurality of developing devices includes: a first developing device that is closer to the transfer device; and a second developing device that is farther from the transfer device than the first developing device. The plurality of conveying devices include: a first conveying device for conveying the developer to the first developing device; a second conveying device for conveying the developer to the second developing device. The conveying distance through which the first conveying device conveys the developer is greater than the conveying distance of the second conveying device.

Description

image forming equipment

technical field

The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses.

Background technique

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-107885 describes an image forming apparatus configured such that the toner cartridge case, in which the toner cartridge is arranged, is perpendicular to the toner conveying unit, the color The dispensing and conveying unit conveys the toner supplied from the toner cartridge.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-156993 describes an image forming apparatus including: a body cover; a plurality of developer accommodating members for accommodating developer; an image forming unit for The developer supplied from the developer accommodating member forms an image on the recording paper. Each developer accommodating member is arranged such that the longitudinal direction faces the side, and each developer accommodating member has a developer supply port on the lower side facing the lower side. At least two of the plurality of developer accommodating members are arranged side by side in a substantially vertical direction, and the respective supply ports are arranged displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating member.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can simplify the arrangement configuration of a plurality of conveying devices that convey respective developers.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an apparatus body; a plurality of developing devices arranged in a first direction in the apparatus body; a plurality of developer accommodating containers , which contain developers to be respectively supplied to the plurality of developing devices, the plurality of developer accommodating containers arranged in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; conveyed from the plurality of developer accommodating containers to the plurality of developing devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of developer accommodating containers; an intermediate transfer body on which the developer developed by the plurality of developing devices is transferred an image; and a transfer device that transfers the developer image from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium. The plurality of developing devices includes: a first developing device positioned closer to the transfer device; and a second developing device positioned farther from the transfer device than the first developing device. The plurality of conveying devices include: a first conveying device that conveys developer to the first developing device; and a second conveying device that conveys developer to the second developing device. The conveying distance through which the developer is conveyed by the first conveying device is greater than the conveying distance through which the second conveying device conveys the developer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the plurality of developing devices can develop developer images having colors different from each other, and the plurality of developer accommodating containers can accommodate the respective Developers having different colors to be used by the plurality of developing devices, the order in the first direction of the colors of the developer images respectively developed by the plurality of developing devices may be the same as that in the plurality of developer accommodating containers. The order in the second direction of the colors of the respectively accommodated developers is the same.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus of the first aspect or the second aspect may further include an output portion to which the recording medium on which the developer image is formed is output. The plurality of developer accommodating containers may be arranged below the output portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects may further include an opening/closing portion openable and closable with respect to the apparatus body. The plurality of developer accommodating containers can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion formed when the opening/closing portion is opened.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects may further include a recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium, the recording medium accommodating portion being able to be pulled from the apparatus body out. The plurality of developer accommodating containers are movable in the same direction as the pulling-out direction of the recording medium accommodating portion and are detachable from the apparatus body, the plurality of developer accommodating containers are movable in the same direction as the recording medium The accommodating portion moves in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction and is attached to the device body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the plurality of developer accommodating containers may be output at the same time as the record on which an image is formed is output from the apparatus body. The medium is movable in the same direction as the direction of the apparatus and detachable from the apparatus body, and the plurality of developer accommodating containers is movable in the direction opposite to the direction in which the recording medium on which the image is formed is output from the apparatus body and is detachable. attached to the device body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the plurality of transport devices may respectively include a plurality of parallel transport sections that transport the developer and are arranged in parallel to each other. , at least one of the parallel conveying portions may convey the developer in a direction opposite to the direction in which the other parallel conveying portions convey the developer.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the parallel conveying portions may be arranged along a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating containers, respectively.

With the first aspect of the present invention, the arrangement configuration of the plurality of conveying means conveying the respective developers can be conveyed by a distance greater than 1000°C over which the developer is conveyed by the first conveying means conveying the developer to the first developing device positioned close to the transfer means. The image forming apparatus in which the developer is conveyed to the distance over which the developer is conveyed by the second conveying device of the second developing device located away from the transfer device is simplified.

With the second aspect of the present invention, the arrangement configuration of the plurality of conveying devices conveying the respective developers can be different from the order in the first direction of the colors of the respective developer images to be developed by the plural developing devices in that the plural developer accommodating The configuration of the order in the second direction of the colors of the respective developers contained in the containers is simplified.

With the third aspect of the present invention, the size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a plurality of developer accommodating containers are arranged at positions other than the position under the output portion.

With the fourth aspect of the present invention, the developer accommodating container can be attached and detached more easily than a configuration in which a plurality of developer accommodating containers are not attached and detached through the opening portion formed when the opening/closing portion is opened.

With the fifth aspect of the present invention, operations of supplying a recording medium by pulling out the recording medium accommodating portion and attaching a plurality of developer accommodating containers to the apparatus body and detaching a plurality of developer containers from the apparatus body can be performed from the same side of the apparatus body. Operation of the agent container.

With the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operation of removing the recording medium on which an image is formed and attaching and detaching a plurality of developer accommodating containers to and from the apparatus body can be performed from the same side of the apparatus body operation.

With the seventh aspect of the present invention, the distance over which the respective developers are conveyed by the plurality of conveying means can be reduced compared to a configuration in which all the parallel conveying portions convey the developers in the same direction.

With the eighth aspect of the present invention, the distance over which the plurality of conveying means conveys the respective developers can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the parallel conveying portions are not arranged along the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating container.

Description of drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following drawings, in which:

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from a right side surface;

2 is a sectional view showing an image forming unit included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the right side surface;

3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a developing device and a developer accommodating container in an apparatus body included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a diagram illustrating attachment of a developer accommodating container to and detachment of the developer accommodating container from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

5A and 5B show a developer accommodating container included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the developer accommodating container when viewed from the right side surface, and FIG. Sectional view taken along line VB-VB;

6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement in an apparatus body of a plurality of developer conveying devices included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the developer conveying device shown in Fig. 6 when viewed from the lower right side;

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the developer conveying device shown in Fig. 6 when viewed from the right side surface;

9A is a cross-sectional view showing an upstream conveying portion included in a developer conveying device that conveys black toner, which is one of the plurality of developer conveying devices shown in FIG. 6 when viewed from the right side surface One, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing an upstream conveying portion included in a developer conveying device that conveys yellow toner, which is a plurality of developer conveying devices shown in FIG. 6 when viewed from the right side surface one of the;

10 is a cross-sectional view showing in an enlarged manner part of an intermediate conveying portion included in a developer conveying device that conveys black developer, which is one of the plurality of developer conveying devices shown in FIG. 6 , Figure 10 shows in an enlarged manner the area enclosed by the dotted line X in Figure 7; and

11 is a cross-sectional view showing in an enlarged manner part of a downstream conveying portion included in a developer conveying device that conveys black developer, which is one of the plurality of developer conveying devices shown in FIG. 6 , FIG. 11 shows in an enlarged manner the area enclosed by the dotted line XI in FIG. 7 .

Detailed ways

Next, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, it is assumed that the direction from the left side to the right side of the image forming apparatus 10 represents the X-axis direction, the direction from the lower side to the upper side represents the Y-axis direction, and the direction from the rear side to the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 Direction represents the Z-axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus body 12 using a surface on an upper side of the apparatus body 12 as an output portion 16 . Paper serving as a recording medium and on which a toner image, ie, a developer image, is formed is output to an output section 16 .

The opening/closing portion 20 is attached to the surface of the front side of the device body 12 . The opening/closing portion 20 is openable and closable with respect to the device body 12 . The opening/closing portion 20 rotates around the shaft member 22 as indicated by arrow a, and thus can be opened and closed relative to the device body 12 (see FIG. 4 for the open state in which the opening/closing portion 20 is open relative to the device body).

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper containing portion 600 . The paper accommodating portion 600 is used as the recording medium accommodating portion. The paper accommodating portion 600 can be pulled out from the apparatus body 12 toward the front side, as indicated by arrow b1. The paper accommodating portion 600 can be pushed into the apparatus body 12 toward the rear side, as indicated by arrow b2. Therefore, the paper accommodating portion 600 is mounted to the apparatus body 12 .

The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an image forming portion 100 and a fixing device 500 . A paper transport path 700 is formed in the apparatus body 12 .

The image forming section 100 includes an intermediate transfer belt 110 . On the intermediate transfer belt 110 , toner images (developer images) respectively formed by developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K (described later) are transferred. The intermediate transfer belt 110 is supported by, for example, two support rollers 112 and 114 and rotates in the arrow c direction.

The image forming section 100 includes a plurality (for example, four) of image forming units 140 . More specifically, the image forming section 100 includes: an image forming unit 140Y that forms a yellow toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a yellow toner image); an image forming unit 140M that forms a magenta toner image (hereinafter, Herein, referred to as a magenta toner image); an image forming unit 140C that forms a cyan toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a cyan toner image); an image forming unit 140K that forms a black toner image ( Hereinafter, referred to as a black toner image).

The image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K include photoconductor drums 142Y, 142M, 142C, and 142K serving as image holding bodies, respectively, and include developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K, respectively. In this case, the arrangement direction of the developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K indicated by arrow d (see FIG. 3 ) represents the first direction. Subsequently, details of the image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K are described.

The image forming section 100 also includes first transfer rollers 120Y, 120M, 120C, and 120K. The first transfer rollers 120Y, 120M, 120C, and 120K transfer the toner images formed by the photoconductor drums 142Y, 142M, 142C, and 142K, respectively, onto the intermediate transfer belt 110 .

The paper transport path 700 includes a main transport path 710 and a reverse transport path 750 . The main conveyance path 710 is a conveyance path for conveying paper from the above-mentioned paper accommodating portion 600 to the above-mentioned output portion 16 . The delivery roller 610 , the registration roller 712 , the secondary transfer roller 122 , the fixing device 500 , and the output roller 716 are arranged along the main conveyance path 710 in this order from the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction.

The send-out roller 610 sends out the top sheet among the sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 600 to the sheet conveyance path 700 . The registration roller 712 temporarily stops the movement of the leading edge of the paper sent out by the delivery roller 610 , and restarts the movement of the leading edge of the paper when the image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 110 reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 122 .

A secondary transfer roller 122 is used as a transfer device that transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 110 to paper. The secondary transfer roller 122 transfers the toner image to paper supplied from the registration roller 712 .

The fixing device 500 fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller 122 to the paper using, for example, heat and pressure. The fixing device 500 includes, for example, a heat roller 502 and a pressure roller 504 .

The output roller 716 outputs the sheet with the toner image fixed by the fixing device 500 to the output portion 16 . However, after the toner image is formed on one surface of the paper, if the toner image is also formed on the other surface of the paper, the output roller 716 rotates in the reverse direction, and the paper on which the toner image is formed on one surface is sent to the reverse transport path 750 from the trailing edge side.

The reverse conveying path 750 is a conveying path for conveying the sheet of paper on which a toner image is formed on one surface toward the upstream side of the registration roller 712 while reversing the sheet. For example, two transport rollers 752 are arranged along the reverse transport path 750 . The paper sent out from the output roller 716 to the reverse transport path 750 is transported to the main transport path 710 by the transport roller 752 .

The image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, four toner accommodating containers 200 , the number of which is equal to the number of developing devices 150 . More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K (only the toner accommodating container 200K is shown in FIG. 1 , and as for the other toner accommodating containers, see FIG. 3 ). The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K are used as developer accommodating containers, respectively accommodating yellow toner (hereinafter, referred to as yellow toner) to be supplied to the developing device 150Y, yellow toner to be supplied to the developing device 150Y, and yellow toner to be supplied to the developing device 150Y, respectively. Magenta toner (hereinafter, referred to as magenta toner) of the device 150M, cyan toner (hereinafter, referred to as cyan toner) to be supplied to the developing device 150C, to be supplied to the developing device 150C, The black toner of the device 150K (hereinafter, referred to as black toner). In this case, the arrangement direction of the toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K indicated by arrow e (see FIG. 3 ) represents the second direction.

The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K are arranged below the output portion 16 in the direction of gravity (see also FIG. 4 ).

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an attachment device 280 to which the toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K are attached.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, four toner conveying devices 300 equal in number to the number of developing devices 150 and the number of toner accommodating containers 200 . More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 includes toner conveying devices 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K. The toner conveying device 300Y conveys the yellow toner from the toner storage container 200Y to the developing device 150Y, the toner conveying device 300M conveys the magenta toner from the toner containing container 200M to the developing device 150M, and the toner conveying device 300C conveys the cyan toner. The toner is conveyed from the toner container 200C to the developing device 150C, and the toner conveying device 300K conveys the black toner from the toner container 200K to the developing device 150K. Subsequently, details of the toner conveying devices 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K are described.

FIG. 2 shows the image forming unit 140Y. Image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the image forming unit 140Y is described below, and the description of the image forming units 140M, 140C, and 140K is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the image forming unit 140Y includes the above-described photoconductor drum 142Y and the above-described developing device 150Y. The image forming unit 140Y further includes: a charging device 154Y that charges the photoconductor drum 142Y; a latent image forming device 156Y that forms a latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 142Y by irradiating light on the surface of the photoconductor drum 142Y charged by the charging device 154Y. Like; a cleaning device 158Y that removes toner and the like remaining on the photoconductor drum 142Y after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 110 by the first transfer roller 120Y, thereby cleaning the photoconductor drum 142Y.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K and the toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K in the apparatus body 12 .

The developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K are arranged in the first direction indicated by the arrow d as described above. The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K are arranged in the second direction indicated by the arrow e as described above. The second direction intersects the first direction, as shown in FIG. 3 .

Order in the First Direction of Colors of Developer Images Formed by Developing Devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K, and Colors of Toners (Developers) Respectively Accommodated in Toner Accommodating Containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K The order in the second direction of is the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black and is therefore identical.

FIG. 4 shows attachment of the toner storage containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K to the apparatus body 12 and detachment of the toner storage containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K from the apparatus body 12 . The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K are attached to the apparatus body 12 through opening portions 24 formed when the opening/closing portion 20 is opened.

The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K move in the direction indicated by the arrow f1 and are detached from the apparatus body 12 in the same direction as the direction in which the paper accommodating portion 600 is pulled out from the apparatus body 12 indicated by the arrow b1; The storage containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K move in the direction indicated by the arrow f2 and are attached to the apparatus body 12 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the paper accommodating portion 600 is pulled out from the apparatus body 12 indicated by the arrow b1.

The toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K move in the direction indicated by the arrow f1 and are detached from the apparatus body 12 in the same direction as the arrow g in FIG. ; the toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K move in the direction indicated by the arrow f2 and are attached to the apparatus in the direction opposite to the arrow g in FIG. Ontology12.

5A and 5B illustrate the toner housing container 200Y. The toner housing containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the toner accommodating container 200Y is described below, and the description of the toner accommodating containers 200M, 200C, and 200K is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B , the toner container 200Y includes, for example, a cylindrical container body 202Y. The housing container body 202Y accommodates yellow toner therein. The storage container body 202Y also has a discharge port 204Y for discharging the contained yellow toner. The housing container body 202Y has an agitating member 210Y attached thereto using a rotation shaft 212Y. In the toner storage container 200Y, the rotation shaft 212Y rotates together with the agitation member 210Y, so the yellow toner contained in the storage container body 202Y is agitated, the agitated yellow toner is discharged from the discharge port 204Y, and the discharged yellow toner The toner is supplied to the toner conveying device 300Y.

The discharge port in the toner storage container 200M that discharges the magenta toner is a discharge port 204M (not shown), and the discharge port in the toner storage container 200C that discharges the cyan toner is a discharge port 204C (not shown). The discharge port in the toner accommodating container 200K of black toner is a discharge port 204K (not shown).

6 , 7 , and 8 illustrate toner transport devices 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K. As shown in FIGS. 6 , 7 and 8 , the toner conveying device 300K includes an upstream conveying portion 310K, an intermediate conveying portion 320K, and a downstream conveying portion 330K. Each of the upstream transport portion 310K, the intermediate transport portion 320K, and the downstream transport portion 330K has a tube shape, and transports the black toner by guiding the black toner through the tube.

The upstream transfer portion 310K has an insertion opening 312K formed at a position on the front side and facing the upper side. Black toner discharged from the discharge port 204K (see FIG. 9A ) of the toner accommodating container 200K is inserted into the upstream conveying portion 310K through the insertion opening 312K. The upstream transport portion 310K transports the inserted black toner from the front side to the rear side (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6 ). A rear end portion of the upstream transfer portion 310K is coupled to one end portion of the intermediate transfer portion 320K.

One end of the intermediate transfer portion 320K is coupled to the upstream transfer portion 310K, and the other end of the intermediate transfer portion 320K is coupled to the downstream transfer portion 330K. The intermediate conveying portion 320K conveys the black toner conveyed from the upstream conveying portion 310K to the downstream conveying portion 330K.

An upper end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330K is coupled to the intermediate conveying portion 320K, and a developing device connection portion 340K is attached to a lower end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330K. The developing device connection portion 340K is a mechanism to which the developing device 150K (for example, see FIG. 3 ) is connected. The downstream conveying portion 330K conveys the black toner conveyed from the intermediate conveying portion 320K to the developing device 150K through the developing device connecting portion 340K.

The toner conveying device 300C includes an upstream conveying portion 310C, an intermediate conveying portion 320C, and a downstream conveying portion 330C. Each of the upstream transport portion 310C, the intermediate transport portion 320C, and the downstream transport portion 330C has a tube shape, and transports the cyan toner by guiding the cyan toner through the tube.

The upstream transfer portion 310C has an insertion opening 312C formed at a position on the front side and facing the upper side. Cyan toner discharged from a discharge port 204C (not shown, see discharge port 204Y shown in FIG. 5A ) of the toner accommodating container 200C is inserted into the upstream conveying portion 310C through the insertion opening 312C. The upstream conveying portion 310C conveys the inserted cyan toner from the front side to the rear side. The rear end portion of the upstream transfer portion 310C is coupled to one end portion of the intermediate transfer portion 320C.

One end of the intermediate transfer portion 320C is coupled to the upstream transfer portion 310C, and the other end of the intermediate transfer portion 320C is coupled to the downstream transfer portion 330C. The intermediate conveying portion 320C conveys the cyan toner conveyed from the upstream conveying portion 310C to the downstream conveying portion 330C.

An upper end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330C is coupled to the intermediate conveying portion 320C, and a developing device connection portion 340C is attached to a lower end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330C. The developing device connection portion 340C is a mechanism to which the developing device 150C (for example, see FIG. 3 ) is connected. The downstream conveying portion 330C conveys the cyan toner conveyed from the intermediate conveying portion 320C to the developing device 150C through the developing device connecting portion 340C.

The toner conveying device 300M includes an upstream conveying portion 310M, an intermediate conveying portion 320M, and a downstream conveying portion 330M. Each of the upstream conveying portion 310M, the intermediate conveying portion 320M, and the downstream conveying portion 330M has a tube shape, and the magenta toner is conveyed by guiding the magenta toner through the tube.

The upstream transfer portion 310M has an insertion opening 312M formed at a position on the front side and facing the upper side. Magenta toner discharged from a discharge port 204M (not shown, see discharge port 204Y shown in FIG. 5A ) of the toner housing container 200M is inserted into the upstream conveying portion 310M through the insertion opening 312M. The upstream conveying portion 310M conveys the inserted magenta toner from the front side to the rear side. A rear end portion of the upstream transfer portion 310M is coupled to one end portion of the intermediate transfer portion 320M.

One end of the intermediate transfer portion 320M is coupled to the upstream transfer portion 310M, and the other end of the intermediate transfer portion 320M is coupled to the downstream transfer portion 330M. The intermediate conveying portion 320M conveys the magenta toner conveyed from the upstream conveying portion 310M to the downstream conveying portion 330M.

An upper end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330M is coupled to the intermediate conveying portion 320M, and a developing device connection portion 340M is attached to a lower end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330M. The developing device connection portion 340M is a mechanism to which the developing device 150M (for example, see FIG. 3 ) is connected. The downstream conveying portion 330M conveys the magenta toner conveyed from the intermediate conveying portion 320M to the developing device 150M through the developing device connecting portion 340M.

As described above, the toner conveying devices 300M, 300C, and 300K include the intermediate conveying portions 320M, 320C, and 320K, respectively. In contrast, the toner conveying device 300Y does not include an intermediate conveying portion, and includes an upstream conveying portion 310Y and a downstream conveying portion 330Y. More specifically, the toner conveying device 300Y includes a tubular upstream conveying portion 310Y and a tubular downstream conveying portion 330Y, and conveys the yellow toner by guiding the yellow toner through the tube.

The upstream transfer portion 310Y has an insertion opening 312Y formed at a position on the rear side in the arrangement in the apparatus body 12 and facing the upper side. The yellow toner discharged from the discharge port 204Y (see FIG. 5A ) of the toner accommodating container 200Y is inserted into the upstream conveying portion 310Y through the insertion opening 312Y. The upstream conveying portion 310Y conveys the inserted yellow toner from the rear side to the front side (transports from the right side to the left side in FIG. 6 ) in the arrangement in the apparatus body 12 . In addition, the downstream conveying portion 330Y is coupled to the upstream conveying portion 310Y at a position on the front side in the arrangement in the apparatus body 12 .

An upper end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330Y is coupled to the upstream conveying portion 310Y, and a developing device connecting portion 340Y is attached to a lower end portion of the downstream conveying portion 330Y. The developing device connection portion 340Y is a mechanism to which the developing device 150Y (for example, see FIG. 3 ) is connected. The downstream conveying portion 330Y conveys the yellow toner conveyed from the upstream conveying portion 310Y to the developing device 150Y through the developing device connecting portion 340Y.

Figure 9A shows an upstream transfer portion 310K. As shown in FIG. 9A , the upstream transfer portion 310K has a rotating body 314K formed with a protruding portion protruding in a spiral shape. When the rotating body 314K receives transmission from a driving source (not shown) and thus rotates, the upstream conveying portion 310K conveys the black toner from the side of the insertion opening 312K to the side of the intermediate conveying portion 320K, that is, from the front side to the rear. side. The rotating body 314K has a shaft portion formed with a spiral protrusion, and the thickness of the shaft portion differs depending on the position. Since the thickness of the shaft portion differs depending on the position, the upstream conveying portion 310K can adjust the amount of black toner to be supplied to the intermediate conveying portion 320K.

FIG. 9B shows the upstream transfer portion 310Y. As shown in FIG. 9B , the upstream transfer portion 310Y has a rotating body 314Y formed with a protruding portion protruding in a spiral shape. The upstream conveying portion 310Y conveys the yellow toner when the rotating body 314Y receives transmission from a driving source (not shown) and thus rotates. The upstream conveying portion 310K conveys the black toner from the front side to the rear side (see FIG. 9A ). In contrast, the upstream conveying portion 310Y conveys the yellow toner from the rear side to the front side. Then, the upstream conveying portion 310Y conveys the yellow toner from the insertion opening 312Y side to the downstream conveying portion 330Y side.

The rotating body 314Y has a shaft portion formed with a spiral protrusion, and the thickness of the shaft portion differs depending on the position. Since the thickness of the shaft portion differs depending on the position, the upstream conveying portion 310Y can adjust the amount of yellow toner to be supplied to the downstream conveying portion 330Y.

The upstream transfer portion 310K has a rotary body 314K and the upstream transfer portion 310Y has a rotary body 314Y. Similarly, the upstream transfer section 310M has a rotary body 314M (not shown), and the upstream transfer section 310C has a rotary body 314C (not shown). The rotary body 314M conveys the magenta toner from the front side to the rear side. The rotary body 314C conveys the cyan toner from the front side to the rear side.

FIG. 10 shows the intermediate transfer portion 320K. As shown in FIG. 10 , the intermediate transfer portion 320K has a rotating body 322K formed with a protruding portion protruding in a spiral shape. When the rotary body 322K receives transmission from a driving source (not shown) and thereby rotates, the rotary body 322K conveys black toner. The intermediate transfer section 320K has a rotating body 322K. Similarly, the intermediate transfer section 320Y has a rotary body 322Y (not shown), the intermediate transfer section 320M has a rotary body 322M (not shown), and the intermediate transfer section 320C has a rotary body 322C (not shown). The rotary body 322Y conveys yellow toner while rotating, the rotary body 322M conveys magenta toner while rotating, and the rotary body 322C conveys cyan toner while rotating.

Figure 11 shows the downstream delivery section 330K. As shown in FIG. 11, the downstream transfer portion 330K has a breaking member 332K. The breaking member 332K is a member that breaks up the solidified black toner in the downstream conveyance portion 330K to prevent the toner from staying in the downstream conveyance portion 330K in which the black toner is conveyed, so that the black toner falls.

The crushing member 332K may use, for example, a member formed by bending an elongated rod-shaped member into a spiral shape. The upper end portion of the crushing member 332K is coupled to, for example, the rotating body 322K. Therefore, when the rotating body 322K rotates, the crushing member 332K repeatedly moves in the up and down direction. When the crushing member 332K moves repeatedly in the up and down direction, the solidified black toner in the downstream conveying portion 330K is crushed.

The downstream transfer portion 330K has a breaking member 332K. Similarly, downstream transfer portion 330Y has a breaking member 332Y (not shown), downstream transfer portion 330M has a breaking member 332M (not shown), and downstream transfer portion 330C has a breaking member 332C (not shown). The crushing member 332Y moves repeatedly in the up and down direction, thus crushing the solidified yellow toner in the downstream conveying portion 330Y. The crushing member 332M repeatedly moves in the up and down direction, thus crushing the solidified magenta toner in the downstream conveying portion 330M. The crushing member 332C repeatedly moves in the up and down direction, thus crushing the solidified cyan toner in the downstream conveying portion 330C.

In the toner conveying devices 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K configured as described above, the upstream conveying sections 310Y, 310M, 310C, and 310K are arranged in parallel to each other, and are used as parallel conveying sections. At least one of the upstream conveying portions 310Y, 310M, 310C, and 310K conveys the toner in a direction opposite to that of the other conveying portions. More specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the upstream conveyance portion 310Y conveys the toner from the rear side to the front side (transports from the right side to the left side in FIG. , 310C, and 310K (both transport the toner from the front side to the rear side (transfer from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6 )) in opposite directions.

In addition, the upstream transport portions 310Y, 310M, 310C, and 310K are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating containers 200Y, 200M, 200C, and 200K.

In addition, as the toner conveying devices 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K convey the developer to the developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K at a smaller distance from the secondary transfer roller 122 , the toner conveying devices 300Y, 300M, 300C and 300K to transport the developer through a longer distance.

That is, the toner conveying device 300K that conveys the toner to the developing device 150K at the smallest distance from the secondary transfer roller 122 conveys the toner at the largest distance. The toner conveying device 300C that conveys the toner to the developing device 150C at the second small distance from the secondary transfer roller 122 conveys the toner at the second largest distance. The toner conveying device 300M that conveys the toner to the developing device 150M at the third shortest distance from the secondary transfer roller 122 conveys the toner at the third largest distance. The toner conveying device 300Y that conveys the toner to the developing device 150Y at the largest distance from the secondary transfer roller 122 conveys the toner at the smallest distance.

That is, among the developing devices 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K that are a plurality of developing devices, for example, the developing device 150K is used as a first developing device positioned close to the secondary transfer roller 122; for example, the developing device 150C Used as a second developing device positioned farther from the secondary transfer roller 122 than the developing device 150K; for example, a toner conveying device 300K is used as a first conveying device that conveys toner to the developing device 150K; for example, the toner The conveying device 300C is used as the second conveying device for conveying the toner to the developing device 150C; the conveying distance of the toner conveying device 300K used as the first conveying device is longer than that for conveying the toner used as the second conveying device. The conveying distance of the toner of the toner conveying device 300M of the device.

As described above, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, or facsimiles.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The description of these embodiments was chosen in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand various embodiments of the invention and their various aspects as suited to the particular use contemplated. modified form.

Claims (7)

1. a kind of image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus include:

Apparatus body；

Relative to the apparatus body can open wide and what can be closed opens wide/closing section；

Multiple developing apparatus are arranged in a first direction in the apparatus body；

Multiple developer-accommodating vessels accommodate the developer that be supplied to the multiple developing apparatus respectively, the multiple aobvious Shadow agent accommodates receptacle in the second direction intersected with the first direction, and the multiple developer-accommodating vessel is located at institute It states above multiple developing apparatus；

Multiple transmission devices, respectively by the developer from the multiple developer-accommodating vessel be transmitted to respectively with it is described more The corresponding the multiple developing apparatus of a developer-accommodating vessel；

Middle transfer body transfers the developer image to develop by the multiple developing apparatus above；And

The developer image is transferred to recording medium from the middle transfer body by transfer device,

Wherein, the multiple developing apparatus includes

First developing apparatus is located proximate to the transfer device, and

Second developing apparatus, position than first developing apparatus far from the transfer device,

Wherein, the multiple transmission device includes

Developer is transmitted to first developing apparatus by second conveyer, and

Developer is transmitted to second developing apparatus by second conveyer,

Wherein, the transmitting range that the second conveyer transmits that the developer passes through is transmitted greater than the second conveyer The transmitting range that the developer passes through,

Wherein, by the opening portion formed when the unlimited/closing section opens wide, by the multiple developer-accommodating vessel It is attached to the apparatus body and dismantles the multiple developer-accommodating vessel from the apparatus body, and

Wherein, the first angle between the second conveyer and first developing apparatus is different from the second transmission dress Set the second angle between second developing apparatus.

2. image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

Wherein, the multiple developing apparatus development has the developer image of mutually different color,

Wherein, the multiple developer-accommodating vessel, which accommodates, has different colours for what the multiple developing apparatus used respectively Developer, and

Wherein, order and institute on the first direction of the color for the developer image that the multiple developing apparatus develops respectively The order stated in the second direction of the color of the developer accommodated respectively in multiple developer-accommodating vessels is identical.

3. image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, described image forms equipment further include:

Output par, c, the recording medium for being formed with developer image are output to the output par, c,

Wherein, the multiple developer-accommodating vessel is arranged in below the output par, c.

4. image forming apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 2, described image forms equipment further include:

The recording medium accommodating portion of housing recording, the recording medium accommodating portion can be drawn from the apparatus body Out,

Wherein, the multiple developer-accommodating vessel is on direction identical with the pull-out direction of the recording medium accommodating portion It is mobile and disassembled from the apparatus body, the multiple developer-accommodating vessel with the recording medium accommodating portion The opposite direction of pull-out direction on move and be attached to the apparatus body.

5. image forming apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 2, wherein the multiple developer-accommodating vessel It moves on direction identical with the direction of recording medium for being formed with image from apparatus body output and is set from described Standby ontology disassembles, and the multiple developer-accommodating vessel is situated between with the record for being formed with image from apparatus body output It is moved on the contrary direction of matter and is attached to the apparatus body.

6. image forming apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 2,

Wherein, the multiple transmission device respectively includes transmitting the developer and parallel arranged multiple parallel transmission Part, and

Wherein, at least one of described parallel translator unit is in the direction for transmitting the developer with other parallel translator units Opposite side is passed up the developer.

7. image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the parallel translator unit is respectively along the developer Accommodate the longitudinal direction arrangement of container.