JPH06258911A - Development device and color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Each color that is detachably attached to the main body of the color image forming apparatus by integrally forming a developing device having a developing unit and a developer accommodating unit and a supporting container accommodating the developing unit into a cartridge. For the developing device, the color, remaining amount, and deterioration status of the developer stored in the developer storage portion can be easily visually checked to accurately determine the life of the developing device and to replace it. That is, it is possible to improve operability. A transparent window 21 is provided on at least a part of an outer surface of a toner storage portion 19 of a developing device 12 of a developing cartridge D which is a developing device, and a transparent window 21 is provided on at least a portion of the support container 13 corresponding to the transparent window 21 of the toner storage portion 19. A transparent window 22 is provided. [Effect] The color, the remaining amount, and the deterioration state of the toner t in the storage portion 19 can be easily checked from the outside of the developing cartridge D, and the purpose can be achieved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device and a color image forming device used for forming a color image by an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to a developing device which is made into a cartridge and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming device. Improve the operability when replacing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of color developing devices containing developer of different colors, for example, toner (one-component developer), and a latent image of each color formed on an image carrier is formed. The toner image of each color is obtained by developing with a developing device having a developer of a corresponding color, and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer material such as paper in an overlapping manner to form a color image.

In order to allow the operator of the image forming apparatus to replace a new developing device filled with toner when the toner of the developing device is completely consumed, the developing device for each color is used. A developing unit having a developing unit including an image carrier and a toner storing unit storing toner;
A developing container is integrally formed with a supporting container that rotatably supports and accommodates the developing container, and the developing cartridge is detachably attached to a holding member of a switching mechanism, and the developing mechanism faces the image carrier by the switching mechanism. Attempts have been made to use it to select and switch between developing cartridges that move to position and develop the latent image on the image carrier. The developing cartridge switched at the developing position is used for developing by the developer carrying member of the developing device facing and positioned with respect to the image carrying member through an opening provided on one side of the peripheral surface of the supporting container. .

According to the above-mentioned developing cartridge, since the developing device is almost covered with the supporting container, there is an advantage that the toner can be prevented from being scattered when it is replaced with a new developing cartridge filled with toner or when it is carried. .

[0005]

By the way, the life of the developing cartridge due to consumption or deterioration of the toner is judged, the toner is appropriately exchanged, and the color of the toner of the developing cartridge to be exchanged is known, so that the developing cartridge can be operated with good operability. It is important to be able to exchange.

However, conventionally, since the supporting container of the developing cartridge is opaque, even if a transparent portion is provided on the outer surface of the toner accommodating portion, the apparatus is provided except when the transparent portion is located at the opening of the supporting container. The operator could not check the remaining amount of toner in the storage portion, the deterioration state, the color, etc., from the outside of the developing cartridge.

An object of the present invention is to develop a developing device having a developing portion and a developer accommodating portion and a supporting container accommodating the developing device into a cartridge, which is detachably mounted on the color image forming apparatus main body. Easily check the color, remaining amount and deterioration status of the developer stored in the developer storage section with respect to the device to accurately determine the life of the developing device and replace it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device capable of improving

Another object of the present invention is to insert a developing device for each color, which is formed into a cartridge into a holding member, into a holding member for making it detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus that enables easy and correct insertion at a position to be inserted and has improved operability when the developing device is attached.

[0009]

The above object can be achieved by a developing device and a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides a developing unit having a developing unit having a developer carrier and a developer storing unit containing one of yellow, magenta, cyan, or black developers, and the developing unit. A developing device, which is integrally formed into a cartridge with the supporting container and is detachably attached to the main body of the color image forming apparatus, and is housed in the developer accommodating portion on at least a part of an outer surface of the developer accommodating portion. The developing device is characterized in that a window portion through which the developed developer is visible is provided, and an outer window portion is provided at least in a portion of the support container corresponding to the window portion of the developer accommodating portion. According to one aspect of the present invention, the window portion provided in the developer storage portion is a supply port for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage portion, and the supply port is transparent. It is covered by a lid.

According to the present invention, a color image is provided, which is provided with a developing device in the form of a cartridge for a plurality of colors, and which is independently detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus by inserting the developing device for each color into the holding member. In the forming device, the rear end position in the insertion direction of each insertion portion of the holding member into which the development device of each color is inserted and the front end position in the insertion direction of the development device to be inserted into each insertion portion correspond to each other. The color image forming apparatus is characterized in that a discriminating unit for discriminating a developing device to be inserted into each of the inserting portions is installed according to a geometrical shape. Preferably, the discrimination means provided in each insertion part of the holding member and the developing device to be inserted into each insertion part can be colored in the same color as the developer of the developing device to be inserted.

[0011]

【Example】

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a color image forming apparatus including a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention,
The developing device for each color is made into a cartridge, and is detachably attached to the holding member of the developing cartridge switching mechanism so that the developing device can be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

This image forming apparatus has a drum cartridge C in which a charging member 2 and a cleaner 3 are integrally formed as a cartridge in an image carrier 1 and which is detachably mountable to the apparatus main body, a developing section having a developer carrier, and A developing cartridge D of each color (that is, a yellow developing cartridge Dy, a magenta developing cartridge Dm, a cyan developing cartridge Dc, a black developing cartridge Db) in which a toner storage portion that stores toner that is a component developer is integrally formed into a cartridge, and A developing cartridge switching mechanism that detachably mounts the developing cartridge D on the holding member 108, moves it to a developing position facing the image carrier 1, and selects and switches the developing cartridge D for developing the latent image on the image carrier 1. It has and.

According to the above-described image forming apparatus, first, the sheet 102 is picked up from the cassette 101 by the sheet feeding roller 112, and the reversing roller 114 and the reversing guide 115 are set in a state where the double feeding is prevented by the lead roller 113.
U-turn is carried in the direction of the transfer drum 103 by means of the gripper 1 of the transfer drum 103 at an arbitrary timing.
The tip can be gripped by 03f. The sheet 102 having the leading edge is attracted and held on the transfer drum 103 by electrostatic force as the transfer drum 103 rotates.

On the other hand, the image carrier 1 of the drum cartridge C
A latent image of a cyan image is formed on the upper side by image exposure from the optical unit 107, and the image carrier 1 is moved by movement by the switching mechanism.
The latent image is visualized as a cyan toner image by being developed by a cyan developing cartridge Dc positioned at a developing position opposite to the developing position. The cyan toner image obtained is the paper 102 held on the transfer drum 103.
Transcribed on.

In the same manner, magenta, yellow, and black are formed in the same manner, and latent images of magenta, yellow, and black images are formed by exposure on the image carrier 1, and a magenta, yellow, and black developing cartridge D is formed.
Paper 102 of magenta toner image, yellow toner image, and black toner image obtained by developing with m, Dy, and Db
By superimposing transfer on top, a color image in which a cyan toner image, a magenta toner image, a yellow toner image, and a black toner image are superimposed on the paper 102 is obtained.

Paper 102 on which four color toner images have been transferred
Are then separated from the transfer drum 103 by the separation claw 122 and sent to the fixing unit 104, where they are fixed to mix and fix the toner image, and then the discharge roller 105.
Is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 106.

As described above, in the present invention, the developing device for each color is formed into a cartridge, and each developing cartridge D has a developing device in a cylindrical support container 13 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 12 are rotatably accommodated via rotary support shafts 14 fixed to both ends thereof. Leg portions 13a are provided on both sides of the support container 13 at both ends thereof. An opening 13b is provided on the surface of the support container 13.

The developing device 12 is roughly divided into a toner storage portion 19 and a developing portion 20 adjacent to the toner storage portion 19. The toner storage portion 19 is provided with a stirring / conveying member 18 for stirring toner and conveying the toner to the developing portion 20. The developer carrying member 15 is provided in the developing unit 20, a supply / peeling member 17 for supplying the toner to the developer carrying member 15 and peeling off the undeveloped toner thereon, and the developer carrying member 15. A regulation member 16 that regulates the layer thickness of the toner and imparts an electric charge is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing cartridge switching mechanism has a developing cartridge holding member 10 which is rotatable around a non-rotating central axis parallel to the axis of an image carrier (not shown).
8 and the holding member 108 rotate together to form the support container 13
The inner side developing device 12 is provided with a supporting side plate 7 of a developing device driving mechanism that keeps the posture of the inner developing device 12 constant.

The holding member 108 is provided with accommodating holes 108b formed of substantially semicircular cutouts at four locations along the circumferential direction, and the developing cartridge D has the supporting container 13 in the accommodating hole 108b in the thrust direction. It is housed and detachably attached to the holding member 108. The developing cartridge D mounted on the holding member 108 has an opening 13 b of the support container 13.
Is directed radially outward of the holding member 108, and the support container 13
The leg portions 13a of the
The support container 13 is held non-rotatably with respect to the holding member 108. The switching mechanism rotates the holding member 108 around the non-rotating central axis (not shown) to cause the four-color developing cartridges mounted in the four accommodating holes 108b to face the image carrier. The developing cartridge which moves to the position and develops the latent image on the image carrier is selected and switched.

The developing device driving mechanism includes a central gear (not shown) fixed to the non-rotating central shaft, a mounting gear 10 provided corresponding to the developing cartridge D mounted on the holding member 108, and The mounting gear 10 and the idler gear 9 that meshes with the above-mentioned center gear respectively constitute a planetary gear mechanism.
A concave member 1 having a notch groove 11a with one end opened
1 is provided. In each developing cartridge D mounted on the holding member 108, the parallel portion 14a at the tip of the one rotation support shaft 14 that penetrates the support container 13 of the developing device 12 is fitted into the groove 11a of the concave member 11 of the gear 10, The gear 10 holds the developing device 12 in a fixed posture, for example, in a horizontal developing posture in which the toner storage portion 19 and the developing portion 20 are laterally adjacent to each other.

When the support side plate 7 is rotated integrally with the holding member 108 around the non-rotating central axis, the central gear fixed to the central axis, the idler gear 9 meshed with the central gear, and the mounting gear 10 meshed with the gear 9. Makes a planetary motion, and the developing device 12 held by the gear 10 is maintained in the developing attitude regardless of the movement of the developing cartridge D by the rotation of the holding member 108. Therefore, the latent image on the image carrier can be developed by directly moving the developing cartridge D to the developing position and positioning it with respect to the image carrier.

Now, according to the present invention, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a transparent window 2 made of a transparent material is formed on the outer surface of the abdomen of the toner storage portion 19 of the developing device 12 of the developing cartridge D.
1 is provided, and a transparent window 22 made of a transparent material corresponding to the transparent window 21 is provided on a part of the outer surface of the support container 13 excluding the opening 13a.

Therefore, if the developing device 12 is rotated relative to the support container 13 and the transparent window 22 of the toner container 19 of the developing device 12 is aligned with the transparent window 22 of the support container 13,
Through the transparent windows 22 and 21, the developing cartridge D
The inside of the toner storage unit 19 can be seen from outside, and the operator of the apparatus can easily visually check the color, the remaining amount, and the deterioration state of the toner t in the storage unit 19.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine the life of the developing cartridge D due to consumption or deterioration of the toner, and to know the color of the toner of the developing cartridge to be replaced, and to replace the toner. It is possible to improve the property.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the developing device of the present invention. In the developing device of this embodiment, that is, the developing cartridge D, at least a part of the outer surface of the toner storage portion 19 of the developing device 12 is formed of a transparent member, and the entire surface of the support container 13 is formed of a transparent material. is there. In this example, the toner storage portion 19 is formed of a transparent member on the entire outer surface.

According to this embodiment, the operator can visually check the inside of the toner container 19 from the outside of the developing cartridge D to check the color, the remaining amount and the deterioration state of the toner t in the container 19. In addition to the confirmation, the developer carrying member 15 and the developing section 2
There is also an advantage that the state on the 0 side can be confirmed.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the developing device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the developing device 12 of the developing cartridge D is fixed to the support container 13, and the developing cartridge D is detachably attached to the holding member to move to the developing position facing the developer carrier. The mechanism is the developing device 1
It does not have the attitude control mechanism of No. 2. Development cartridge D
Is attached to the switching mechanism from the beginning in a predetermined posture so that the developer carrying member 15 of the developing device 12 faces the image carrying member when it is located at the developing position.

Now, in the developing cartridge D in which the developing device 12 is fixed to the supporting container 13 as described above,
Since there is no problem of connection and disconnection of the toner replenishment path from the support container 13 to the toner accommodating portion of the developing device 12, toner can be replenished from the outside to the toner accommodating portion relatively easily. For this reason, also in the developing cartridge D of the present embodiment, a toner replenishing port connected from the outside of the supporting container 13 to the toner storing portion of the developing device 12 is provided at the rear end side in the mounting direction to the switching mechanism, Toner is replenished to the toner storage portion from the outside.

In this embodiment, the lid 23 at the connecting portion of the toner supply port with the support container 13 is formed of a transparent member.
Therefore, also in this embodiment, the apparatus operator visually checks the inside of the toner storage unit from the outside of the developing cartridge D,
The color, the remaining amount, and the deterioration status of the toner t in the storage section can be confirmed.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a developing device in a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of this image forming apparatus is basically the same as that of the color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In the following description, FIG. 1 is cited as needed.

In the present embodiment, the four holding holes 108b of the holding member 108 of the switching mechanism shown in FIG.
Color developing cartridges Dc, Dm, D
To make sure that y and Db are inserted and attached,
As shown in (a) to (d), the developing cartridge discriminating means 25m to 25b by the rod-shaped block member 25 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the developing cartridge D in the inserting direction, and the developing cartridge D is inserted into the holding member 108. Around the developing cartridge housing hole 108b at the rear end in the direction, developing cartridge discriminating means 24m to 24b provided with a gap 24 that fits with the block member 25 are provided.

That is, in the case of the cyan developing cartridge Dc shown in FIG. 7A, the discriminating means 25c is provided with two block members 25 adjacent to each other, and the cyan developing cartridge Dc is provided.
The discriminating means 24c on the side of the holding member 108 to which c is mounted is
A gap 24 for two block members is provided. Figure 7
(B) Discriminating means 2 on the side of the magenta developing cartridge Dm
For 5 m, two block members 25 are provided with an appropriate small gap, for example, a gap corresponding to one block member, and the discriminating means 24 m on the holding member 108 side is separated by the gap and the block members 1 are provided on both sides. One gap 24 is provided. Similarly, the discriminating means 25y on the side of the yellow developing cartridge Dy in FIG. 7C is provided with two block members 25, which are slightly larger than the above, for example, with a gap of two block members provided therebetween, and FIG. The black developing cartridge Db side discriminating means 25d is slightly larger, for example, provided with a gap of three block members, and the holding member 108 is provided.
The side discriminating means 24y, 24b are provided with a gap 24 for one block member on both sides, separated by the gap.

Further, the discriminating means 25c on the cyan developing cartridge Dc side and the discriminating means 24c on the holding member 108 side are colored in cyan. Similarly, the discriminating means 25m on the magenta developing cartridge Dm side and the discriminating means 24m on the holding member 108 side are colored magenta, and the discriminating means 25y on the yellow developing cartridge Dy side and the discriminating means 24y on the holding member 108 side are colored yellow. Coloring and determining means 25b and holding member 10 on the side of the black developing cartridge Db
The discrimination means 24b on the eight side is colored black.

Therefore, when the developing cartridge D (developing cartridges Dc to Db) is inserted into the storage hole 108b of the holding member 108 and mounted, the color of the developing cartridge D side determining means 25c to 25b and the holding member 108 side determining means. 24
First, depending on the colors of c to 24b, the storage hole 10 to be inserted
8b can be visually distinguished. Then, the leading end of the developing cartridge D having the same color is placed on the pedestal 16 provided in front of the storage hole 108b, and the developing cartridge D is pushed into the storage hole 108b. Discriminating means 25c to 25b on the developing cartridge D side and discriminating means 2 on the holding member 108 side
Due to the fitting relationship of 4c to 24b, the storage hole 10
Only the developing cartridge of the color to be mounted in 8b can be inserted because there is no interference between the determining means, and the developing cartridge D is correctly mounted in the storage hole 10b to be mounted.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a developing device in another embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention. The present embodiment is characterized in that five adjacent block members 25 are preliminarily integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end in the insertion direction of the developing cartridge D so as to be notched.

Therefore, the discriminating means 25 is removed by removing the extra block member 25 as shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the discriminating means 24c to 24d on the holding member 108 side in FIG.
There is an advantage that the developing cartridges Dc to Db having c to 25b can be arbitrarily obtained and the mold of the developing cartridge D can be made common to the developing cartridges of all colors.

Embodiment 6 FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a developing device in another embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention. In this embodiment, on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the developing cartridge D in the insertion direction, two holes 27, which are separated from each other by an appropriate small interval in the insertion direction, are provided in five rows in the circumferential direction at intervals of the block member 25. On the other hand, the engaging projections 25a are provided on both ends of the block member 25, which are fitted in the holes 27.
Was set up.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the projection 2 is formed in the hole 27.
The block member 25 can be mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the front end in the insertion direction of the developing cartridge D by fitting 5a, and the determination means 24c to 24 on the holding member 108 side in FIG.
By attaching the block member 25 according to d,
Developing cartridge Dc having discriminating means 25c to 25b
~ Db can be obtained arbitrarily.

In this embodiment, the mold of the developing cartridge D can be made common to the developing cartridges of all colors, and the developing cartridge D discrimination means 25c to 25c by changing the mounting position of the block member 25. 25b can be easily changed.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the developing device having the developing portion and the developer accommodating portion and the supporting container accommodating the developing device are integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachably attached to the main body of the color image forming apparatus. In each color developing device that is freely mounted, a window portion is provided on at least a part of the outer surface of the developer accommodating portion, and an outer window is provided on a portion of the supporting container corresponding to at least the window portion of the developer accommodating portion. It is possible to easily visually check the color, the remaining amount, and the deterioration state of the developer stored in the developer storage portion to accurately determine the life of the developing device and improve the operability when replacing the developing device. it can.

Further, the holding member for detachably attaching the developing device for each color to the main body of the color image forming apparatus is inserted into each insertion portion as well as the rear end position of the inserting portion into which the developing device for each color is inserted. When a discriminating means for discriminating the developing device to be inserted into each insertion portion is installed at the tip end position in the insertion direction of the developing device to be inserted into each insertion portion, it should be inserted into each insertion portion. The developing device can be easily identified, correctly inserted, and mounted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a color image forming apparatus including a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing device.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a method of mounting the developing device on the switching mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the developing device of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the developing device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a developing device provided with an insertion determining means and a holding member in one embodiment of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a method of installing insertion determining means in a developing device in another embodiment of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a method of installing the insertion determining means in the developing device in still another embodiment of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 developing device 13 support container 19 toner storage unit 20 developing unit 108 holding member 108b storage hole 21, 22 transparent window 24c to 24b holding member side discriminating means 25c to 25b developing device side discriminating means t toner D developing cartridge

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A developing section provided with a developer carrying member and one of yellow, magenta, cyan and black developers.
A developing device having a developer accommodating portion accommodating one and a support container accommodating the developing device integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachably attached to the main body of the color image forming apparatus, A window portion through which the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion can be viewed is provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the developer accommodating portion, and corresponds to at least the window portion of the developer accommodating portion of the support container. A developing device characterized in that an outer window portion is provided in a portion thereof. 2. The window portion provided in the developer accommodating portion serves as a replenishing port for replenishing the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, and the replenishing port is formed by a transparent lid-like body. The developing device according to claim 1, which is covered. 3. A color image forming apparatus comprising a developing device in the form of a cartridge for a plurality of colors, wherein the developing devices for the respective colors are inserted into a holding member so as to be independently detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. , A geometrical shape corresponding to an insertion direction rear end position of each insertion portion of the holding member into which each color developing device is inserted, and an insertion direction front end position of the development device to be inserted into each insertion portion. A color image forming apparatus, characterized in that a discriminating unit for discriminating a developing device to be inserted into each of the inserting portions is installed according to the shape. 4. The discrimination means provided in each insertion portion of the holding member and a developing device to be inserted into each insertion portion is colored in the same color as the color of the developer of the developing device to be inserted. 3 color image forming apparatus.