JP2006139151A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus Download PDF

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JP2006139151A
JP2006139151A JP2004329843A JP2004329843A JP2006139151A JP 2006139151 A JP2006139151 A JP 2006139151A JP 2004329843 A JP2004329843 A JP 2004329843A JP 2004329843 A JP2004329843 A JP 2004329843A JP 2006139151 A JP2006139151 A JP 2006139151A
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image forming
shutter
forming apparatus
toner
container
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Hiroyuki Takahashi
寛如 高橋
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost image forming apparatus while surely preventing scattering of toner from a discharge opening by not mounting a toner collection container on the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes the toner collection container detachable from the image forming apparatus, the discharge opening for discharging the toner to the toner collection container, a conveying means for conveying the toner toward the discharge opening, and a shutter for opening and closing the discharge opening. The image forming apparatus includes a drive transmission member provided in the side of an image forming apparatus body and for transmitting drive opening and closing the shutter; and a moving means for opening, closing and moving the shutter through the drive transmission member. The drive transmission member includes a first position for transmitting the drive to the shutter and a second position for transmitting no drive to the shutter. The drive transmission member is moved from the second position to the first position by mounting the toner collection container on the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、着脱可能なトナー回収容器を備えた画像形成装置に関する。   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a removable toner collection container.

一般に、電子写真技術を用いた画像形成装置において、像形成後の像担持体上のトナーをクリーニング手段により除去されたトナーの回収容量の増大化を図るためにクリーニング手段とは別のトナー回収容器を用いて、トナーを回収することが望ましい。また、廃トナー容器はこれが廃トナーで満タンになったときに交換することができるように装置本体に着脱可能な構成にすることが望ましい。
しかしながら、トナー回収容器は、何の方策も講ずることなく、廃トナー容器を装置本体に対して着脱可能に構成すると、廃トナー容器を装置から外す際又は外した際に、クリーニング手段からの廃トナーが装置内外へ飛散して周囲を汚してしまう。
そこで、この容器着脱時のトナー飛散を防止する構成として、廃トナー容器側にシャッタ部材をスライドさせるスライド機構を設け、廃トナー容器が画像形成装置に装着された後にシャッタが開閉するものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 In general, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic technique, a toner collection container separate from a cleaning unit in order to increase the collection capacity of toner obtained by removing toner on an image carrier after image formation by a cleaning unit. It is desirable to collect the toner using The waste toner container is preferably configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body so that the waste toner container can be replaced when the toner is full.
However, if the waste toner container is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body without taking any measures, the waste toner container from the cleaning means is removed when the waste toner container is removed from or removed from the apparatus. Scatters inside and outside the device and contaminates the surroundings.
Therefore, as a configuration for preventing the toner scattering when the container is attached or detached, there is a structure in which a slide mechanism for sliding the shutter member is provided on the waste toner container side, and the shutter opens and closes after the waste toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

特開２０００−２７６０２１号公報JP 2000-276021 A

しかしながら、特許文献１に記載されたような容器脱着時のトナー飛散防止を目的とした構成では、
消耗品である容器にシャッタ機能を設けるためにコストが掛かるという問題がある。 However, in the configuration for the purpose of preventing toner scattering at the time of detaching the container as described in Patent Document 1,
There is a problem that it is expensive to provide a shutter function for a consumable container.

本発明は上記問題に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的とする処は、トナー回収容器が画像形成装置に装着されていないことによる排出口からのトナー飛散を確実に防止しつつ、低コストな画像形成装置を提供することにある。   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to achieve low cost while reliably preventing toner scattering from the discharge port due to the fact that the toner recovery container is not attached to the image forming apparatus. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

上記目的を達成するための本発明の代表的な構成は、画像形成装置に着脱自在なトナー回収容器と、前記トナー回収容器に向けてトナーを排出する排出口と、前記排出口を開閉するシャッタと、を有する画像形成装置において、
前記シャッタを開閉する駆動を前記シャッタへ伝達するための駆動経路を構成する第一の位置とこの第一の位置から退避して駆動経路を遮断する第二の位置とに移動可能な駆動中継部材を有し、前記トナー回収容器の装着動作に伴い前記駆動中継部材が前記第二の位置から前記第一の位置へ移動するように構成したことを特徴とする画像形成装置。 In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention includes a toner recovery container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a discharge port that discharges toner toward the toner recovery container, and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port. In an image forming apparatus having
A drive relay member movable to a first position constituting a drive path for transmitting the drive for opening and closing the shutter to the shutter and a second position for retracting from the first position and blocking the drive path And the drive relay member moves from the second position to the first position in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner collection container.

本発明によれば、トナー回収容器が画像形成装置に装着されていないことによる排出口からのトナー飛散を確実に防止しつつ、低コストを図ることができる。   According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve low cost while reliably preventing toner scattering from the discharge port due to the toner collection container not being mounted on the image forming apparatus.

以下に本発明の実施の形態を添付図面に基づいて説明する。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

先ず、本発明に係るカラープリンタの基本構成と画像形成プロセスを図１に基づいて説明する。   First, the basic configuration and image forming process of a color printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

図１はカラープリンタの基本構成を示す縦断面図であり、図示のカラープリンタにおいては、例えば、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックの各色のトナー像を形成する画像形成媒体である４つの感光体ドラムａ（イエロー），ｂ（マゼンタ），ｃ（シアン），ｄ（ブラック）が並設され、これら感光ドラムａ〜ｄの上部には、これらを縦断する態様で中間転写ベルト２が配置されている。   FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a basic configuration of a color printer. In the illustrated color printer, for example, four photosensitive drums which are image forming media for forming toner images of colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. a (yellow), b (magenta), c (cyan), and d (black) are juxtaposed, and an intermediate transfer belt 2 is disposed above the photosensitive drums a to d in a manner of cutting them vertically. .

そして、上記感光体ドラムａ〜ｄの周囲には、それぞれ不図示の帯電器、現像器、クリーナが配置され、それらがプロセスカートリッジ１ａ〜１ｄとしてユニット化されている。   A charger, a developer, and a cleaner (not shown) are arranged around the photosensitive drums a to d, respectively, and are unitized as process cartridges 1a to 1d.

而して、各感光体ドラムａ〜ｄをそれぞれ帯電器により帯電し、色分解したイエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックの各色の光像を露光装置６により露光することによって感光体ドラムａ〜ｄにイエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックの潜像をそれぞれ形成し、それぞれの潜像を現像器により現像して感光体ドラムａ〜ｄ上にイエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックのトナー像を各々形成する。   Thus, each of the photosensitive drums a to d is charged by a charger, and each color image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is subjected to light exposure by the exposure device 6 to be applied to the photosensitive drums a to d. A yellow, magenta, cyan, and black latent image is formed, and each latent image is developed by a developing device to form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums a to d, respectively.

現像された各トナー像は、感光体ドラムａ〜ｄの回転に伴い感光体ドラムａ〜ｄと中間転写ベルト２とが当接する一次転写部位に到来すると、各感光体ドラムａ〜ｄに対向して配設された１次転写ローラ２ａ〜２ｄに電装基板から一次転写バイアスを印加することによって、中間転写ベルト２へ順次転写される。   When the developed toner images arrive at the primary transfer site where the photosensitive drums a to d and the intermediate transfer belt 2 come into contact with the rotation of the photosensitive drums a to d, the developed toner images face the photosensitive drums a to d. The primary transfer rollers 2a to 2d disposed in this manner are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 by applying a primary transfer bias from the electrical substrate.

転写材Ｐは、給紙カセット４に収納されている。給紙カセット４は、図中矢印右方向Ａに引き出し可能に構成されており、例えば、転写材Ｐの補給や給紙カセット４内のジャム時のジャム処理等は、給紙カセット４を図示矢印Ａ方向に引き出すことにより可能な構成となっている。   The transfer material P is stored in the paper feed cassette 4. The paper feed cassette 4 is configured to be able to be pulled out in the right direction A of the arrow in the figure. For example, the replenishment of the transfer material P or the jam processing when jamming in the paper feed cassette 4 shows the paper feed cassette 4 as shown in the arrow. It is configured to be able to be pulled out in the A direction.

而して、転写材Ｐは、給紙カセット４よりピックアップローラ８により１枚ずつ送り出され、紙搬送路を経てレジストローラ９でタイミングを合わされた後、２次転写ローラ３と中間転写ベルト２で構成されるニップ部に搬送され、中間転写ベルト２上のトナー像が該転写材Ｐ上に転写される。   Thus, the transfer material P is fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 4 by the pickup roller 8 and is timed by the registration roller 9 through the paper transport path, and then is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 2. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred onto the transfer material P by being conveyed to the nip portion.

その後、トナー像が転写された転写材Ｐは、定着器５に搬送され、そこで熱及び圧力を受けて定着され、これにより各色のトナーが溶融混色して該転写材Ｐに固定されたフルカラーのプリント画像とされた後、転写材Ｐは、定着器５の下流に設けられた排紙搬送手段２１によって排紙トレイ７に排紙される。   Thereafter, the transfer material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 5 where it is fixed by receiving heat and pressure, whereby the toner of each color is melted and mixed and fixed to the transfer material P. After the print image is formed, the transfer material P is discharged to the discharge tray 7 by the discharge conveying means 21 provided downstream of the fixing device 5.

次に、画像形成装置の廃トナーの流れと廃トナー回収容器の交換方法について図１及び図２を用いて説明する。尚、図２はカラープリンタの斜視図である。   Next, the flow of waste toner and the replacement method of the waste toner collection container of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the color printer.

中間転写ベルト２に一次転写されないで感光体ドラムａ〜ｄ上に残った廃トナーと、転写材Ｐに二次転写されないで中間転写ベルト２上に残った廃トナーは、不図示のクリーニング手段とトナー搬送手段によって廃トナー搬送路４１に回収されて搬送され、プリンタの手前側（図１のＡ側）へと搬送される。そして、搬送された廃トナーは、プリンタ手前側近傍の側面に配置された廃トナー回収用の廃トナー容器４０に回収される。廃トナー容器４０内の廃トナーは、これが所定量溜まると、不図示の満タン検知手段によって満タンが検知される。   Waste toner remaining on the photosensitive drums a to d without being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2 and waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 2 without being secondarily transferred to the transfer material P are transferred to cleaning means (not shown). It is collected and transported to the waste toner transport path 41 by the toner transport means, and transported to the front side (A side in FIG. 1) of the printer. The conveyed waste toner is collected in a waste toner container 40 for collecting waste toner disposed on the side surface near the front side of the printer. When a predetermined amount of waste toner in the waste toner container 40 is accumulated, a full tank detection unit (not shown) detects a full tank.

次に、廃止トナー容器４０の交換方法について説明する。   Next, a method for replacing the obsolete toner container 40 will be described.

先ず、プリンタの前扉２０を開けると不図示の電源遮断手段により電源が遮断され、動作が停止する。次に、その状態で容器保持カバー４２を開けて廃トナー容器４０を交換する。即ち、新品の廃トナー容器４０を容器保持カバー４２にセットし、容器保持カバー４２を閉じた後に前扉２０を閉じることによってプリンタは電源が通電し、スタンバイ状態に入る。   First, when the front door 20 of the printer is opened, the power is cut off by a power cut-off means (not shown), and the operation is stopped. Next, in this state, the container holding cover 42 is opened and the waste toner container 40 is replaced. That is, by setting a new waste toner container 40 on the container holding cover 42 and closing the front door 20 after closing the container holding cover 42, the printer is energized and enters a standby state.

次に、本発明の要旨を図３〜図６に基づいて説明する。   Next, the gist of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

図３は通常動作時の廃トナー搬送路と廃トナー回収容器の接続部を拡大した断面図であり、（ａ）はプリンタ左側面から見た断面図、
（ｂ）はプリンタ後面側から見た断面図である。 FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the waste toner conveyance path and the waste toner collection container during normal operation, and (a) is a cross-sectional view seen from the left side of the printer.
(B) is a cross-sectional view as seen from the rear side of the printer.

前扉２０の突起部が回転レバー４４の突起部（図３（ｂ）の４４）を付勢することによって、回転レバー４４とスライドシャッタ４３が図示矢印Ｂ方向に移動した状態となり、
搬送路４１の開口部が開放されている。 When the projection of the front door 20 urges the projection of the rotation lever 44 (44 in FIG. 3B), the rotation lever 44 and the slide shutter 43 are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B,
The opening of the conveyance path 41 is opened.

次に、 廃トナー容器４０を取り出す際のシャッタの動きを図３〜図５に従って説明する。   Next, the movement of the shutter when the waste toner container 40 is taken out will be described with reference to FIGS.

先ず、廃トナー容器４０を取り出すためには、プリンタの前扉２０を開ける。このとき、前扉２０による回転レバー４４の規制がなくなるため、
スライドシャッタ４３は回転レバー４４と共にシャッタバネ４５の弾発力によって矢印Ａ方向に移動し、シャッタストッパ４７で規制される位置まで移動する。この動作によって搬送路４１の開口部が遮断されるため、
廃トナー容器４０の取り出し動作を行う前にトナーが開口部から飛散することがなくなる。 First, in order to take out the waste toner container 40, the front door 20 of the printer is opened. At this time, the restriction of the rotation lever 44 by the front door 20 is eliminated.
The slide shutter 43 moves in the direction of arrow A by the elastic force of the shutter spring 45 together with the rotation lever 44 and moves to a position regulated by the shutter stopper 47. Because the opening of the conveyance path 41 is blocked by this operation,
The toner does not scatter from the opening before the waste toner container 40 is taken out.

図５は廃トナー容器４０の取り出し動作を示す図であり、（ａ）は容器保持カバー４２を開ける前の状態を示し、（ｂ）は容器保持カバー４２を開けた状態を示す。   FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an operation of taking out the waste toner container 40, where FIG. 5A shows a state before the container holding cover 42 is opened, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the container holding cover 42 is opened.

回転バネ４６（図６参照）により図５（ｂ）の矢印Ｃ方向に押圧されている回転レバー４４は、廃トナー容器４０により付勢され、廃トナー容器４０が配置された位置で静止している（図５（ａ）参照）。このとき、前扉からの駆動をシャッタに伝達する駆動伝達部材（駆動中継部材）としての回転レバー４４の突起部は、前扉２０が閉じたときに該前扉２０の突起部の先端と接触する位置（前扉からの駆動を受ける第一の位置）にある（図３（ｂ）参照）。このように画像形成装置本体側にシャッタ駆動伝達部材としての回転レバー４４を設けることで、トナー回収容器が装置に装着された場合にのみシャッタが開閉可能となり、トナー容器が装着されていないことによる排出口からのトナー飛散を確実に防止することができ、更にシャッタ機構を全て画像形成装置本体側に設けている為、トナー回収容器
の交換のたびにシャッタ機構が交換されることがなく、無駄がなくなりコストダウンが図れる。 The rotation lever 44 pressed by the rotation spring 46 (see FIG. 6) in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5B is urged by the waste toner container 40 and stops at the position where the waste toner container 40 is disposed. (See FIG. 5A). At this time, the protrusion of the rotation lever 44 as a drive transmission member (drive relay member) that transmits the drive from the front door to the shutter contacts the tip of the protrusion of the front door 20 when the front door 20 is closed. It is in the position (the 1st position which receives the drive from a front door) (refer FIG.3 (b)). By providing the rotation lever 44 as a shutter drive transmission member on the image forming apparatus main body side in this way, the shutter can be opened and closed only when the toner collection container is attached to the apparatus, and the toner container is not attached. The toner scattering from the discharge port can be reliably prevented, and the shutter mechanism is provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus, so that the shutter mechanism is not replaced every time the toner collection container is replaced. The cost is reduced.

廃トナー容器４０の取り出しは、容器保持カバー４２の回動により行う。即ち、容器保持カバー４２を回動させと、保持された廃トナー容器４０の位置も回動するため、回転レバー４４への廃トナー容器４０による規制がなくなり、該回転レバー４４は、回転バネ４６の付勢力によって図５（ｂ）の矢印Ｃ方向に回動し、回転ストッパ４８で規制される位置（前扉からの駆動を受けない第二の位置）まで回動する（図５（ｂ）参照）。このとき、回転レバー４４の突起部の位相は、回転レバー４４の回動角だけずれる。   The waste toner container 40 is taken out by rotating the container holding cover 42. That is, when the container holding cover 42 is rotated, the position of the held waste toner container 40 is also rotated, so that there is no restriction on the rotation lever 44 by the waste toner container 40, and the rotation lever 44 has a rotation spring 46. 5b is rotated by the urging force in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 (b), and is rotated to the position regulated by the rotation stopper 48 (second position not receiving drive from the front door) (FIG. 5 (b)). reference). At this time, the phase of the protrusion of the rotation lever 44 is shifted by the rotation angle of the rotation lever 44.

図６は廃トナー容器４０を取り出した状態で前扉２０を閉じた状態を示す断面図であり、（ａ）はプリンタ左側面から見た断面図、（ｂ）はプリンタ後面側から見た断面図である。   FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the front door 20 is closed with the waste toner container 40 taken out. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view viewed from the left side of the printer, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view viewed from the rear side of the printer. FIG.

図６（ｂ）から分かるように、廃トナー容器４０を取り出した状態では、回転レバー４４の突起部と前扉２０の突起部の位相がずれているため、回転レバー４４と前扉２０の各突起部は接触しない。よって、回転レバー４４は、図６（ａ）の矢印Ｂ方向に移動することがなく、
廃トナー容器４０が無い状態でスライドシャッタ４３が開放されることはない。尚、この状態で廃トナー容器４０を設置しても、回転レバー４４が回転しないように容器保持カバー４２と前扉２０にはストッパ（不図示）が設けられているため、無理に廃トナー容器４０を保持した状態で容器保持カバー４２を閉じることによって、回転レバー４４や前扉２０の突起部が破損しないようになっている。つまり、廃トナー容器４０を保持した容器保持カバー４２を閉じた後に、前扉２０を閉じることで初めてスライドシャッタ４３を開放し得る構成となっている。 As can be seen from FIG. 6B, the phase of the protrusion of the rotation lever 44 and the protrusion of the front door 20 are out of phase when the waste toner container 40 is taken out. The protrusion does not touch. Therefore, the rotation lever 44 does not move in the direction of arrow B in FIG.
The slide shutter 43 is not opened without the waste toner container 40. Even if the waste toner container 40 is installed in this state, a stopper (not shown) is provided on the container holding cover 42 and the front door 20 so that the rotation lever 44 does not rotate. By closing the container holding cover 42 while holding 40, the rotating lever 44 and the protrusion of the front door 20 are prevented from being damaged. That is, the slide shutter 43 can be opened only after the front door 20 is closed after the container holding cover 42 holding the waste toner container 40 is closed.

尚、スライドシャッタ４３と回転レバー４４は一定のガタを有しており、前扉２０と回転レバー４４との接触面を安定させ、
スライドシャッタ４３をこじることなく矢印Ｂ方向へ移動させるためには突起部の数が多いほど好ましい。しかし、突起部が多いと、廃トナー容器４０を設置していない状態で前扉２０を閉じたときに、
突起部同士が接触しないようにするスペースが少なくなってしまう。又、突起部を少なくして回転角を必要以上に確保することは、回転バネ４６のスペースが大きくなるという問題と作動力が大きくなるという問題もあるために好ましくない。よって、突起部の数は回転レバー４４の面を決めるのに必要十分である３つとすることが望ましい。 The slide shutter 43 and the rotation lever 44 have a certain backlash, and the contact surface between the front door 20 and the rotation lever 44 is stabilized.
In order to move the slide shutter 43 in the direction of arrow B without twisting, it is preferable that the number of protrusions is large. However, if there are many protrusions, when the front door 20 is closed without the waste toner container 40 being installed,
The space for preventing the protrusions from contacting each other is reduced. Also, it is not preferable to reduce the protrusions to ensure an unnecessarily large rotation angle because there is a problem that the space of the rotation spring 46 is increased and an operating force is increased. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of protrusions be three, which is necessary and sufficient for determining the surface of the rotary lever 44.

又、シャッタ機構におけるシールを完全にするために、搬送路４１とスライドシャッタ４３との間と、シャッタストッパ４７と廃トナー容器４０との間にシール部材４９を設ければ、トナー飛散を防ぐことが可能となる。このとき、シール部材４９とスライドシャッタ４３の摺動抵抗は、トナーの飛散量及びシール部材４９の潰し量により変化するが、
それらの最悪条件でも動作するバネ力をスライドバネ４５に持たせている。 Further, in order to completely seal the shutter mechanism, toner scattering can be prevented by providing seal members 49 between the conveyance path 41 and the slide shutter 43 and between the shutter stopper 47 and the waste toner container 40. Is possible. At this time, the sliding resistance between the seal member 49 and the slide shutter 43 varies depending on the amount of scattered toner and the amount of crushing of the seal member 49.
The spring spring 45 has a spring force that operates even under these worst conditions.

更に、本実施の形態では、スライドシャッタ４３をスライドさせる力を前扉２０の開閉動作で発生させており、
モータ等の電気的な駆動手段を用いていないためにコストを低く抑えることができる。そして、本実施の形態では、スライドシャッタ４３の作用点が前扉２０の回動軸近傍に位置しているため、前扉２０の開閉動作において、スライドシャッタ４３の摺動抵抗の影響は非常に少なくなっている。 Further, in the present embodiment, a force for sliding the slide shutter 43 is generated by the opening / closing operation of the front door 20.
Since no electric drive means such as a motor is used, the cost can be kept low. In this embodiment, since the action point of the slide shutter 43 is located in the vicinity of the rotation axis of the front door 20, the sliding resistance of the slide shutter 43 is greatly influenced by the opening / closing operation of the front door 20. It is running low.

本実施の形態のように、廃トナー容器４０をプリンタの手前側に配置するためには搬送路４１によってトナーを手前側に搬送する必要がある。又、廃トナー容器４０の容量を確保し、搬送路４１内でのトナー詰まりを防止するためには、廃トナー容器４０をプリンタ側面の下方に配置する必要がある。プリンタの下部に持ち運び用の把手を設けた場合、廃トナー容器４０を搬送方向に平行な軸回りに回動させて取り出す構成は、把手の内側のスペースも廃トナー容器４０のスペースとして利用できるため、プリンタ下方のスペースを有効に活用できる。そして、容器保持カバー４２の回動角を、廃トナー容器４０を１方向で取り出し可能で且つ開口部からトナーが漏れない角度とすることによって、廃トナー容器４０の取り出しが容易になる。   As in this embodiment, in order to dispose the waste toner container 40 on the front side of the printer, it is necessary to transport the toner to the front side through the transport path 41. Further, in order to secure the capacity of the waste toner container 40 and prevent the toner clogging in the conveyance path 41, it is necessary to dispose the waste toner container 40 below the side surface of the printer. When a carrying handle is provided at the lower part of the printer, the configuration in which the waste toner container 40 is rotated and taken out about an axis parallel to the transport direction can also use the space inside the handle as the space for the waste toner container 40. The space below the printer can be used effectively. Further, by setting the rotation angle of the container holding cover 42 so that the waste toner container 40 can be taken out in one direction and the toner does not leak from the opening, the waste toner container 40 can be easily taken out.

本発明に係るカラープリンタの概略断面図である。1 is a schematic sectional view of a color printer according to the present invention. 本発明に係るカラープリンタの斜視図である。1 is a perspective view of a color printer according to the present invention. 本発明に係るカラープリンタの通常動作時の廃トナー搬送路と廃トナー回収容器の接続部を拡大した断面図であり、（ａ）はプリンタ左側面から見た断面図、（ｂ）はプリンタ後面側から見た断面図である。FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connection portion between a waste toner conveyance path and a waste toner collection container during normal operation of the color printer according to the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view seen from the left side of the printer, and (b) is a rear surface of the printer. It is sectional drawing seen from the side. 本発明に係るカラープリンタにおいて前扉を開けた状態を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the state which opened the front door in the color printer which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係るカラープリンタにおいて廃トナー容器の取り出し動作を示す図であり、（ａ）は容器保持カバーを開ける前の状態を示す図、（ｂ）は容器保持カバー４２を開けた状態を示す図である。4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation of taking out a waste toner container in the color printer according to the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state before the container holding cover is opened, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state where the container holding cover 42 is opened. It is. 本発明に係るカラープリンタにおいて廃トナー容器を取り出した状態で前扉を閉じた状態を示す断面図であり、（ａ）はプリンタ左側面から見た断面図、（ｂ）はプリンタ後面側から見た断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the front door is closed with the waste toner container being taken out in the color printer according to the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view seen from the left side of the printer, and (b) is a view seen from the rear side of the printer. FIG.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

Ｐ 転写材
ａ〜ｄ 感光体ドラム
１ａ〜１ｄ プロセスカートリッジ
２ 中間転写ベルト
２ａ〜２ｄ １次転写ローラ
３ ２次転写ローラ
４ 給紙カセット
５ 定着器
６ 露光装置
７ 排紙トレイ
８ ピックアップローラ
９ レジストローラ
１０ 上扉
２０ 前扉
２１ 排紙搬送手段
２５ 紙搬送路
４０ 廃トナー回収容器（容器）
４１ 廃トナー搬送路（紛体搬送路）
４２ 容器保持カバー（容器保持手段）
４３ スライドシャッタ（開閉部材）
４４ 回転レバー（係合部材）
４５ シャッタバネ
４６ 回転バネ
４７ シャッタストッパ
４８ 回転ストッパ P transfer material a to d photosensitive drum 1a to 1d process cartridge 2 intermediate transfer belt 2a to 2d primary transfer roller 3 secondary transfer roller 4 paper feed cassette 5 fixing device 6 exposure device 7 paper discharge tray 8 pickup roller 9 registration roller DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Upper door 20 Front door 21 Paper discharge conveyance means 25 Paper conveyance path 40 Waste toner collection container (container)
41 Waste toner transport path (powder transport path)
42 Container holding cover (container holding means)
43 Slide shutter (opening / closing member)
44 Rotating lever (engaging member)
45 Shutter spring 46 Rotation spring 47 Shutter stopper 48 Rotation stopper

Claims (3)

画像形成装置に着脱自在なトナー回収容器と、前記トナー回収容器に向けてトナーを排出する排出口と、前記排出口を開閉するシャッタと、を有する画像形成装置において、
前記シャッタを開閉する駆動を前記シャッタへ伝達するための駆動経路を構成する第一の位置とこの第一の位置から退避して駆動経路を遮断する第二の位置とに移動可能な駆動中継部材を有し、前記トナー回収容器の装着動作に伴い前記駆動中継部材が前記第二の位置から前記第一の位置へ移動するように構成したことを特徴とする画像形成装置。 An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner collection container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus; a discharge port that discharges toner toward the toner collection container; and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port.
A drive relay member movable to a first position constituting a drive path for transmitting a drive for opening and closing the shutter to the shutter and a second position for retracting from the first position and blocking the drive path And the drive relay member is moved from the second position to the first position in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner recovery container. 前記トナー回収容器を交換するための開閉カバーを有し、前記開閉カバーの閉動作に伴う駆動力によって前記シャッタを開封することを特徴とする請求項１記載の画像形成装置。   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an opening / closing cover for replacing the toner collection container, wherein the shutter is opened by a driving force accompanying a closing operation of the opening / closing cover. 前記トナー容器を本体から取り外すと前記駆動中継部材が前記第二の位置に付勢する手段を有することを特徴とする請求項１または２記載の画像形成装置。   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for urging the drive relay member to the second position when the toner container is removed from the main body.
JP2004329843A 2004-11-12 2004-11-12 Image forming apparatus Pending JP2006139151A (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008216278A (en) * 2007-02-28 2008-09-18 Sharp Corp Waste toner collection container and image forming apparatus using the same
US8331843B2 (en) 2008-07-28 2012-12-11 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Toner recovery unit and image forming device

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JPH04166975A (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-06-12 Sharp Corp Detecting device for waste toner bottle
JPH04120976U (en) * 1991-04-12 1992-10-29 カシオ電子工業株式会社 Image forming device
JP2000162944A (en) * 2000-01-01 2000-06-16 Sharp Corp Image forming device
JP2001152726A (en) * 1999-11-26 2001-06-05 Kyocera Corp Interlock mechanism
JP2002169441A (en) * 2000-12-04 2002-06-14 Seiko Epson Corp Image forming device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03179384A (en) * 1989-12-07 1991-08-05 Seikosha Co Ltd Toner collection device in electrophotographic recorder
JPH04166975A (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-06-12 Sharp Corp Detecting device for waste toner bottle
JPH04120976U (en) * 1991-04-12 1992-10-29 カシオ電子工業株式会社 Image forming device
JP2001152726A (en) * 1999-11-26 2001-06-05 Kyocera Corp Interlock mechanism
JP2000162944A (en) * 2000-01-01 2000-06-16 Sharp Corp Image forming device
JP2002169441A (en) * 2000-12-04 2002-06-14 Seiko Epson Corp Image forming device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008216278A (en) * 2007-02-28 2008-09-18 Sharp Corp Waste toner collection container and image forming apparatus using the same
US8331843B2 (en) 2008-07-28 2012-12-11 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Toner recovery unit and image forming device

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