The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.
In related art, an image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, a drawer, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The drum cartridge is mountable on the drawer. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is capable of accommodating toner supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is mountable on the drum cartridge.
The drawer includes a waste toner conveying pipe and a waste toner shutter. The waste toner conveying pipe has a waste toner receiving port. The waste toner receiving port is capable of receiving waste toner from the drum cartridge mounted on the drawer. The waste toner conveying pipe allows passage of the waste toner. The waste toner shutter opens and closes the waste toner receiving port.
In the image forming apparatus as disclosed in the related art, in a case where the toner cartridge is replaced with respect to the drum cartridge mounted on the drawer, when the toner cartridge is detached from the drum cartridge, the drum cartridge may move together with the toner cartridge, and the drum cartridge and the waste toner conveying pipe may become disconnected.
If the drum cartridge and the waste toner conveying pipe become disconnected during replacement of the toner cartridge, waste toner may leak from a connecting portion between the drum cartridge and the waste toner conveying pipe.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing leakage of waste toner from a connecting portion between a drum cartridge and a waste toner conveying pipe in a case where a toner cartridge is replaced with respect to the drum cartridge mounted on a drawer.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a main body housing; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum; and a toner cartridge capable of accommodating toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum, the toner cartridge being mountable on the drum cartridge; and a drawer movable between an accommodated position where the drawer is accommodated in the main body housing and a drawn-out position where the drawer is drawn out from the main body housing, the drum cartridge being mountable on the drawer, and the drawer including: a waste toner conveying pipe having a waste toner receiving port capable of receiving waste toner from the drum cartridge mounted on the drawer, the waste toner conveying pipe allowing passage of the waste toner therethrough; a lock member movable between a lock position where the lock member locks the drum cartridge to the drawer and an unlock position where the lock member unlocks the drum cartridge from the drawer; and a first waste toner shutter movable between a first closed position where the first waste toner shutter closes the waste toner receiving port and a first open position where the waste toner receiving port is opened, the first waste toner shutter moving from the first closed position to the first open position as the lock member moves from the unlock position to the lock position, and the first waste toner shutter moving from the first open position to the first closed position as the lock member moves from the lock position to the unlock position.
1. Image Forming Apparatus 1
An outline of an image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in
1.1 Main Body Housing 2
The main body housing 2 accommodates the sheet cassette 3, the drawer 4, the plurality of drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, the plurality of toner cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, the exposure device 7, the belt unit 8, the transfer roller 9 and the fixing device 10. The main body housing 2 has an opening 21. The main body housing 2 includes a cover 22.
The opening 21 is located on one side wall of the main body housing 2 in a first direction.
The cover 22 is movable between a cover closed position (see
1.2 Sheet Cassette 3
As shown in
1.3 Drawer 4
As shown in
1.4 Plurality of Drum Cartridge 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K
Each of the plurality of drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K is mountable on the drawer 4. Specifically, each of the plurality of drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K is mountable on the drawer 4 in the state where the drawer 4 is located at the drawn-out position. The plurality of drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K have the same structure. In the following description, the drum cartridge 5Y will be described, and description of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, 5K will be omitted.
As shown in
1.4.1 Photosensitive Drum 11Y
The photosensitive drum 11Y extends in a second direction. In a state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the second direction intersects with the first direction. Preferably, in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The photosensitive drum 11Y is rotatable about a drum axis A1. The drum axis A1 extends in the second direction.
1.4.2 Charging Device 12Y
The charging device 12Y charges a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In the present embodiment, the charging device 12Y is a charging roller. The charging device 12Y may be a scorotron-type charger.
1.4.3 Developing Device 13Y
The developing device 13Y is capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 11Y. Specifically, the developing device 13Y includes a developing housing 131Y and a developing roller 132Y.
1.4.3.1 Developing Housing 131Y
The developing housing 131Y is capable of accommodating the toner from the toner cartridge 6Y. The developing housing 131Y has a developing opening 133. The toner from the toner cartridge 6Y enters the developing housing 131Y through the developing opening 133.
The developing housing 131Y supports the developing roller 132Y.
1.4.3.2 Developing Roller 132Y
The developing roller 132Y is capable of supplying the toner in the developing housing 131Y to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y may be separable from the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y extends in the second direction. The developing roller 132Y is rotatable about a developing axis A2. In a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the developing axis A2 extends in the second direction.
1.6 Plurality of Toner Cartridge 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K
The toner cartridge 6Y is capable of accommodating the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The toner cartridge 6Y is mountable on the drum cartridge 5Y. In the state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner cartridge 6Y is capable of supplying the toner to the developing device 13Y.
The toner cartridge 6M accommodates toner to be supplied to a photosensitive drum 11M. The toner cartridge 6M is mountable on the drum cartridge 5M. In a state where the toner cartridge 6M is mounted on the drum cartridge 5M, the toner cartridge 6M is capable of supplying the toner to a developing device 13M.
The toner cartridge 6C accommodates toner to be supplied to a photosensitive drum 11C. The toner cartridge 6C is mountable on the drum cartridge 5C. In a state where the toner cartridge 6C is mounted on the drum cartridge 5C, the toner cartridge 6C is capable of supplying the toner to a developing device 13C.
The toner cartridge 6K accommodates toner to be supplied to a photosensitive drum 11K. The toner cartridge 6K is mountable on the drum cartridge 5K. In a state where the toner cartridge 6K is mounted on the drum cartridge 5K, the toner cartridge 6K is capable of supplying the toner to a developing device 13K.
1.7 Exposure Device 7
In a state where the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K are mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is located at the accommodated position, the exposure device 7 is capable of exposing circumferential surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K. In the present embodiment, the exposure device 7 is a laser scanning unit.
1.8 Belt Unit 8
In the state where the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K are mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is located at the accommodated position, the belt unit 8 is located below the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K. The belt unit 8 includes an intermediate transfer belt 81 and transfer rollers 82Y, 82M, 82C, 82K.
In the state where the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K are mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 is located at the accommodated position, the intermediate transfer belt 81 is in contact with the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K.
The transfer roller 82Y transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11Y to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82M transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11M to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82C transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11C to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82K transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 11K to the intermediate transfer belt 81.
1.9 Transfer Roller 9
The transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 to the sheet S. Specifically, the sheet S conveyed from the sheet cassette 3 toward the transfer roller 9 is conveyed to the fixing device 10 through the transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 81. At this time, the transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 to the sheet S.
1.10 Fixing Device 10
The fixing device 10 fixes the toner to the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S to which the toner is transferred. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 10 is discharged to an upper surface of the main body housing 2.
2. Details of Drum Cartridge 5Y
Next, the drum cartridge 5Y will be described in detail with reference to
A “first direction” in the following description of the drum cartridge 5Y is the “first direction” “in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4”.
As shown in
2.1 Drum Frame 51
The drum frame 51 supports the photosensitive drum 11Y, the charging device 12Y, the developing device 13Y and the drum cleaner 52.
The drum frame 51 includes drum side plates 511A, 511B, toner guides 512A, 512B, a receiving portion 513, a toner shutter 514, a seal member 515, and cylindrical portions 516A, 516B (see
2.1.1 Drum Side Plates 511A, 511B
The drum side plate 511A is located at one end portion of the drum cartridge 5Y in the second direction. The drum side plate 511A has an outer surface 51 and an inner surface S2. The inner surface S2 is located between the outer surface 51 and the drum side plate 511B in the second direction.
The drum side plate 511B is located at the other end portion of the drum cartridge 5Y in the second direction. The drum side plate 511B is located away from the drum side plate 511A in the second direction. The drum side plate 511B has an outer surface 511 and an inner surface S12. The inner surface S12 is located between the outer surface 511 and the drum side plate 511A in the second direction.
2.1.2 Toner Guides 512A, 512B
The toner guide 512A is located on the inner surface S2 of the drum side plate 511A. The toner guide 512A is located on a side opposite to the developing device 13Y with respect to the receiving portion 513. The toner guide 512A is a recessed groove. The toner guide 512A includes a guide portion 5121A and a lock portion 5122A.
The guide portion 5121A extends in a third direction. The third direction intersects with the first direction and the second direction. Specifically, the third direction intersects with the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction. When the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the guide portion 5121A guides a protrusion 62A of the toner cartridge 6Y (see
The lock portion 5122A is located at the other end portion of the guide portion 5121A. The lock portion 5122A extends in a direction intersecting with the third direction. The lock portion 5122A extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.
The toner guide 512B is located on the inner surface S12 of the drum side plate 511B. The toner guide 512B includes a guide portion 5121B and a lock portion 5122B. The guide portion 5121B has a shape the same as that of the guide portion 5121A. The lock portion 5122B has a shape the same as that of the lock portion 5122A. When the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the guide portion 5121B guides a protrusion 62B of the toner cartridge 6Y (see
2.1.3 Receiving Portion 513
In a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the receiving portion 513 receives a second accommodating portion 612 of the toner cartridge 6Y (see
The toner receiving port 5131 is located at a central portion of the receiving portion 513 in the second direction. The toner receiving port 5131 communicates with the developing opening 133 of the developing housing 131Y (see
The hole 5132A is located between the toner receiving port 5131 and the drum side plate 511A in the second direction. The hole 5132A is located away from the toner receiving port 5131 in the second direction.
The hole 5132B is located between the toner receiving port 5131 and the drum side plate 511B in the second direction. The hole 5132B is located on a side opposite to the hole 5132A with respect to the toner receiving port 5131 in the second direction. The hole 5132B is located away from the toner receiving port 5131 in the second direction.
2.1.4 Toner Shutter 514
The toner shutter 514 is attached to the receiving portion 513. The toner shutter 514 closes the toner receiving port 5131. The toner shutter 514 is movable between a closed position (see
The toner shutter opening 5141 extends in the second direction. In the state where the toner shutter 514 is located at the open position, at least a part of the toner shutter opening 5141 communicates with the toner receiving port 5131. Accordingly, in the state where the toner shutter 514 is located at the open position, the toner receiving port 5131 is opened. On the other hand, as shown in
The through hole 5142A is located between the toner shutter opening 5141 and the drum side plate 511A in the second direction. The through hole 5142A is located away from the toner shutter opening 5141 in the second direction. The through hole 5142A extends in a moving direction of the toner shutter 514. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The through hole 5143B is located between the through hole 5142B and the drum side plate 511B in the second direction. The through hole 5143B is located on a side opposite to the toner shutter opening 5141 with respect to the through hole 5142B in the second direction.
2.1.5 Seal Member 515
As shown in
2.1.6 Cylindrical Portions 516A, 516B
As shown in
As shown in
2.2 Drum Cleaner 52
As shown in
As shown in
2.2.1 Cleaning Housing 521
As shown in
As shown in
2.2.2 Cleaning Member 522
The cleaning member 522 is attached to the cleaning housing 521. The cleaning member 522 extends in the second direction. The cleaning member 522 has a plate shape. The cleaning member 522 cleans the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. Specifically, an edge of the cleaning member 522 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. When the photosensitive drum 11Y rotates, the waste toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y comes into contact with the edge of the cleaning member 522 and is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In other words, the waste toner is removed from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y by the cleaning member 522. The removed waste toner is accommodated in the cleaning housing 521 through the opening 524.
2.2.3 Screw 523
The screw 523 is located in the cleaning housing 521. The screw 523 extends in the second direction. The screw 523 is rotatable about a first axis A11. The first axis A11 extends in the second direction. The screw 523 conveys the waste toner in the cleaning housing 521 toward the waste toner discharge portion 53 (see
2.3 Waste Toner Discharge Portion 53
As shown in
The waste toner discharge port 531 communicates with the internal space of the waste toner discharge portion 53. The waste toner discharge port 531 is capable of discharging the waste toner in the waste toner discharge portion 53.
2.4 Waste Toner Shutter 54
The waste toner shutter 54 is movable between a closed position (see
Specifically, as shown in
As shown in
2.5 Engagement Portion 55
As shown in
Specifically, the engagement portion 55 is a protrusion. The engagement portion 55 protrudes in the second direction from the side surface of the waste toner shutter 54 in the second direction. The engagement portion 55 extends in a radial direction of the waste toner shutter 54. In the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the engagement portion 55 is fitted to a groove 421 of the lock member 42Y (see
3. Details of Drawer 4
The drawer 4 will be described in detail with reference to
A “second direction” in the following description of the drawer 4 is the “second direction” “in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4”.
The drawer 4 includes a first side plate 41A (see
3.1 First Side Plate 41A and Second Side Plate 41B
As shown in
As shown in
The guide 411Y guides mounting of the drum cartridge 5Y on the drawer 4. The guide 411Y is located on the inner surface S22 of the first side plate 41A. The guide 411Y extends in a guide direction. The guide direction intersects with the first direction and the second direction. Specifically, the guide direction intersects with the first direction and is orthogonal to the second direction. The guide 411Y is a recess. The guide 411Y may be a rib. In the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516A of the drum cartridge 5Y (see
As shown in
The second side plate 41B includes a plurality of guides 412Y, 412M, 412C, 412K. The guides 412M, 412C, 412K are not shown. The plurality of guides 412Y, 412M, 412C, 412K are arranged in the first direction at intervals. The plurality of guides 412Y, 412M, 412C, 412K have the same shape. In the following description, the guide 412Y will be described, and description of the guides 412M, 412C, 412K will be omitted.
The guide 412Y guides the mounting of the drum cartridge 5Y on the drawer 4 together with the guide 411Y. The guide 412Y is located on the inner surface S32 of the second side plate 41B. The guide 412Y extends in the guide direction. The guide 412Y is a recess. The guide 412Y may be a rib. In the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the cylindrical portion 516B of the drum cartridge 5Y is fitted to the guide 412Y.
3.2 Plurality of Lock Members 42Y, 42M, 42C, 42K
As shown in
The lock member 42Y is movable between a lock position (see
Specifically, the lock member 42Y has a disk shape. In the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the lock member 42Y faces a side surface of the waste toner shutter 54 of the drum cartridge 5Y (see
In a state where the lock member 42Y is located at the unlock position, the groove 421 extends in the guide direction. Therefore, in a state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4 and the lock member 42Y is located at the unlock position, in a case where the drum cartridge 5Y moves in the guide direction, the engagement portion 55 comes out of the groove 421. Accordingly, in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4 and the lock member 42Y is located at the unlock position, the drum cartridge 5Y is detachable from the drawer 4. That is, in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, in a case where the lock member 42Y is located at the unlock position, the lock member 42Y unlocks the drum cartridge 5Y from the drawer 4.
On the other hand, as shown in
The lock members 42M, 42C, 42K can be described in the same manner as the lock member 42Y. Therefore, description of the lock members 42M, 42C, 42K will be omitted.
3.3 Waste Toner Conveying Pipe 43
As shown in
The image forming apparatus 1 includes the waste toner accommodating portion 20. The waste toner accommodating portion 20 is located in the main body housing 2. The waste toner accommodating portion 20 accommodates the waste toner.
As shown in
The plurality of waste toner receiving ports 431Y, 431M, 431C, 431K are located between one end portion E1 of the waste toner conveying pipe 43 and the other end portion E2 of the waste toner conveying pipe 43 in the first direction. The waste toner receiving port 431Y is capable of receiving the waste toner from the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4 (see
The waste toner discharge port 432 is capable of discharging the waste toner in the waste toner conveying pipe 43. The waste toner discharge port 432 is located at the other end portion E2 of the waste toner conveying pipe 43. As shown in
3.4 Plurality of Waste Toner Shutters 44Y, 44M, 44C, 44K
As shown in
Specifically, the waste toner shutter 44Y has an arc shape. In the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the waste toner shutter 44Y extends along a circumferential surface of the waste toner shutter 54 of the drum cartridge 5Y (see
The waste toner shutter 44Y is located on a side opposite to the first side plate 41A with respect to the lock member 42Y in the second direction. The waste toner shutter 44Y is located between the first side plate 41A and the second side plate 41B (see
The waste toner shutter 44Y moves from the closed position to the open position as the lock member 42Y moves from the unlock position (see
The waste toner shutter 44Y moves from the open position to the closed position as the lock member 42Y moves from the lock position (see
The waste toner shutters 44M, 44C, 44K can be described in the same manner as the waste toner shutter 44Y. Therefore, description of the waste toner shutters 44M, 44C, 44K will be omitted.
3.5 Plurality of Operation Portions 45Y, 45M, 45C, 45K
As shown in
The operation portion 45Y is operated by an operator to move the lock member 42Y. Specifically, the operation portion 45Y is operated by the operator to move the lock member 42Y (see
Specifically, as shown in
The lever 451 is rotatable about the second axis Al2. In the state where the operation portion 45Y is located at the first position, the lever 451 extends in the first direction. In other words, in the state where the operation portion 45Y is located at the first position, the lever 451 extends in a moving direction of the drawer 4. On the other hand, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
When the drawer 4 moves between the accommodated position and the drawn-out position, the receiving groove 23 receives the lever 451. The receiving groove 23 extends in the first direction. In other words, the receiving groove 23 extends in the moving direction of the drawer 4. In the state where the operation portion 45Y is located at the first position, a width W of the receiving groove 23 is longer than a length L1 of the lever 451 in a width direction of the receiving groove 23 (see
On the other hand, in the state where the operation portion 45Y is located at the second position, a length L2 of the lever 451 in the width direction (see
The operation portions 45M, 45C, 45K can be described in the same manner as the operation portion 45Y. Therefore, description of the operation portions 45M, 45C, 45K will be omitted.
3.6 Plurality of Stoppers 46Y, 46M, 46C, 46K
As shown in
The stopper 46Y stops the operation portion 45Y, which moves from the second position to the first position, at the first position. As shown in
The stoppers 46M, 46C, 46K can be described in the same manner as the stopper 46Y. Therefore, description of the stoppers 46M, 46C, 46K will be omitted.
4. Details of Toner Cartridge 6Y
The toner cartridge 6Y will be described in detail with reference to
Each of the toner cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K has a structure the same as that of the toner cartridge 6Y. Therefore, description of the toner cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K will be omitted.
A “second direction” in the following description of the toner cartridge 6Y is the “second direction” “in the state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y”.
As shown in
4.1 Toner Housing 61
In the state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner housing 61 is rotatable between a toner lock position (see
As shown in
4.1.1 First Accommodating Portion 611
The first accommodating portion 611 extends in the second direction. The first accommodating portion 611 has a tubular shape. The first accommodating portion 611 is capable of accommodating the toner. In other words, the toner housing 61 is capable of accommodating the toner.
4.1.2 Second Accommodating Portion 612
The second accommodating portion 612 is located away from the first accommodating portion 611 in a fourth direction. The fourth direction intersects with the second direction. Preferably, the fourth direction is orthogonal to the second direction. The second accommodating portion 612 extends in the second direction. The second accommodating portion 612 has a cylindrical shape. A volume of the second accommodating portion 612 is smaller than a volume of the first accommodating portion 611. The second accommodating portion 612 has a toner discharge port 614. In other words, the toner housing 61 has the toner discharge port 614.
The toner discharge port 614 is located between the protrusion 63A and the protrusion 63B in the second direction. The toner discharge port 614 is located at a center of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The toner discharge port 614 extends in the second direction. The toner discharge port 614 is capable of discharging the toner in the toner housing 61.
4.1.3 Connecting Portions 613A, 613B
The connecting portion 613A is located between one end portion of the first accommodating portion 611 in the second direction and one end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The connecting portion 613A connects one end portion of the first accommodating portion 611 in the second direction and one end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction.
The connecting portion 613B is located between the other end portion of the first accommodating portion 611 in the second direction and the other end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The connecting portion 613B is located to be spaced apart from the connecting portion 613A in the second direction. The connecting portion 613B connects the other end portion of the first accommodating portion 611 in the second direction and the other end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction.
The second accommodating portion 612 communicates with the first accommodating portion 611 via the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B. The toner in the first accommodating portion 611 enters the second accommodating portion 612 through the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B.
4.2 Protrusions 62A, 62B
The protrusion 62A is located at one end portion of the toner cartridge 6Y in the second direction. The protrusion 62A is located at one end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The protrusion 62A protrudes in the second direction from one end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The protrusion 62A extends in a radial direction of the second accommodating portion 612. The protrusion 62A extends in the fourth direction.
The protrusion 62B is located at the other end portion of the toner cartridge 6Y in the second direction. The protrusion 62B is located at the other end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The protrusion 62B protrudes in the second direction from the other end portion of the second accommodating portion 612 in the second direction. The protrusion 62B extends in the radial direction of the second accommodating portion 612. The protrusion 62B extends in the fourth direction.
4.3 Protrusions 63A, 63B
The protrusion 63A is located between the toner discharge port 614 and the protrusion 62A in the second direction. The protrusion 63A is located between the toner shutter 64 and the protrusion 62A in the second direction. The protrusion 63A is located on a side opposite to the first accommodating portion 611 with respect to the second accommodating portion 612 in the fourth direction. The protrusion 63A extends in the fourth direction from a circumferential surface of the second accommodating portion 612.
The protrusion 63B is located away from the protrusion 63A in the second direction. The protrusion 63B is located on a side opposite to the protrusion 63A with respect to the toner discharge port 614 in the second direction. The protrusion 63B is located between the toner discharge port 614 and the protrusion 62B in the second direction. The protrusion 63B is located on a side opposite to the protrusion 63A with respect to the toner shutter 64 in the second direction. The protrusion 63B is located between the toner shutter 64 and the protrusion 62B in the second direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the side opposite to the first accommodating portion 611 with respect to the second accommodating portion 612 in the fourth direction. The protrusion 63B extends in the fourth direction from the circumferential surface of the second accommodating portion 612.
4.4 Toner Shutter 64
The toner shutter 64 is located between the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B in the second direction. The toner shutter 64 is located on the circumferential surface of the second accommodating portion 612. The toner shutter 64 is movable with respect to the toner discharge port 614 between a toner closed position (see
As shown in
4.5 Protrusions 65A, 65B
As shown in
The protrusion 65B is located away from the protrusion 65A in the second direction. The protrusion 65B is located on a side opposite to the protrusion 65A with respect to the opening 641 in the second direction. The protrusion 65B is located on the circumferential surface of the toner shutter 64. The protrusion 65B extends from the circumferential surface of the toner shutter 64. The protrusion 65B is located between the opening 641 and the protrusion 63B in the second direction.
4.6 Toner Conveying Member 66
As shown in
5. Replacement Operation of Toner Cartridge 6Y
Replacement operation of the toner cartridge 6Y will be described with reference to
As shown in
In the state where the drawer 4 is located at the drawn-out position, the operation portion 45Y is located at the first position as shown in
Next, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Next, the operator draws out the toner cartridge 6Y from the drum cartridge 5Y in the third direction. Then, the toner cartridge 6Y is detached from the drum cartridge 5Y. That is, in a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the drawer 4 is located at the drawn-out position, and the lock member 42Y is located at the lock position, the toner cartridge 6Y is detachable from the drum cartridge 5Y.
At this time, since the drum cartridge 5Y is locked to the drawer 4, movement of the drum cartridge 5Y in the third direction together with the toner cartridge 6Y can be prevented.
Accordingly, as shown in
Next, in order to mount the toner cartridge 6Y on the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4 located at the drawn-out position, the operator first fits the protrusion 62A (see
Accordingly, the second accommodating portion 612 of the toner cartridge 6Y is guided toward the receiving portion 513 by the toner guide 512A and the toner guide 512B. As shown in
Then, the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y. At this time, the toner housing 61 is located at the toner unlock position.
In a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 is located at the toner unlock position, the protrusion 65A (see
The protrusion 63A (see
Next, as shown in
Then, the toner shutter 64 is located from the closed position to the open position with respect to the toner housing 61 by movement of the toner housing 61 from the toner unlock position to the toner lock position. The toner shutter 514 moves from the closed position to the open position as the toner housing 61 moves from the toner unlock position to the toner lock position.
As shown in
Next, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the drawn-out position to the accommodated position. Thereby, the replacement operation of the toner cartridge 6Y is completed.
6. Replacement Operation of Drum Cartridge 5Y
Next, replacement operation of the drum cartridge 5Y will be described with reference to
The drum cartridge 5Y may be replaced in the state where the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y or may be replaced in a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is detached from the drum cartridge 5Y.
As shown in
In the state where the drawer 4 is located at the drawn-out position, the operation portion 45Y is located at the first position as shown in
Next, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, in order to mount the drum cartridge 5Y on the drawer 4 located at the drawn-out position, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Then, in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4, the waste toner discharge port 531 communicates with the waste toner receiving port 431Y (see
Next, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the drawn-out position to the accommodated position. Thereby, the replacement operation of the drum cartridge 5Y is completed.
7. Operational Effects
(1) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Therefore, disconnection between the drum cartridge 5Y and the waste toner conveying pipe 43 during the replacement of the toner cartridge 6Y can be prevented.
As a result, leakage of the waste toner from the connecting portion between the drum cartridge 5Y and the waste toner conveying pipe 43 can be prevented.
As shown in
The operator can close the waste toner receiving port 431Y of the waste toner conveying pipe 43 by moving the lock member 42Y from the lock position (see
As a result, the operator can smoothly replace the drum cartridge 5Y.
(2) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Therefore, the operator can open not only the waste toner receiving port 431Y of the waste toner conveying pipe 43 but also the waste toner discharge port 531 of the drum cartridge 5Y by moving the lock member 42Y from the unlock position to the lock position. Accordingly, the operator can perform the operation of locking the drum cartridge 5Y to the drawer 4, the operation of opening the waste toner receiving port 431Y of the waste toner conveying pipe 43, and operation of opening the waste toner discharge port 531 of the drum cartridge 5Y by one action.
Further, in the state where the drum cartridge 5Y is mounted on the drawer 4 and the engagement portion 55 of the drum cartridge 5Y is engaged with the lock member 42Y, the waste toner shutter 54 of the drum cartridge 5Y (see
Therefore, the operator can close not only the waste toner receiving port 431Y of the waste toner conveying pipe 43 but also the waste toner discharge port 531 of the drum cartridge 5Y by moving the lock member 42Y from the lock position to the unlock position. Accordingly, the operation of unlocking the drum cartridge 5Y from the drawer 4, the operation of closing the waste toner receiving port 431Y of the waste toner conveying pipe 43, and operation of closing the waste toner discharge port 531 of the drum cartridge 5Y can be performed by one action.
As a result, the operator can more smoothly replace the drum cartridge 5Y.
(3) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Therefore, the operator can open the toner discharge port 614 by moving the toner housing 61 from the toner unlock position (see
Accordingly, the operator can perform operation of locking the toner cartridge 6Y to the drum cartridge 5Y and operation of opening the toner discharge port 614 by one operation.
The operator can close the toner discharge port 614 by moving the toner housing 61 from the toner lock position (see
As a result, the operator can smoothly replace the toner cartridge 6Y.
(4) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Therefore, the operator can easily access the operation portion 45Y from the side opposite to the second side plate 41B with respect to the first side plate 41A (that is, outside of the drawer 4).
Therefore, the operator can move the lock member 42Y between the first side plate 41A and the second side plate 41B (that is, inside of the drawer 4) from the outside of the drawer 4 by operating the operation portion 45Y.
As a result, the operator can easily move the lock member 42Y inside the drawer 4 from the outside of the drawer 4.
(5) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Accordingly, the operation portion 45Y can be moved from the second position to the first position by using movement of the drawer 4 from the drawn-out position to the accommodated position.
Therefore, the operator can more smoothly replace the drum cartridge 5Y.
(6) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in
Therefore, the lever 451 of the operation portion 45Y located at the second position can be brought into contact with the inner surface 231 of the receiving groove 23.
8. Modification
The toner cartridge 6Y may be a developing cartridge including the developing roller 132Y. In this case, the drum cartridge 5Y does not include the developing device 13Y and the receiving portion 513.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2020-119498 | Jul 2020 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/372,395 filed on Jul. 9, 2021 which in turn is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from prior Japanese patent application No. 2020-119498, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17372395 | Jul 2021 | US |
Child | 17823059 | US |