num="0074">A transfer voltage is applied from a high voltage transferring power supply to the transfer roller 7, and the toner image borne on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the recording material P conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 5c. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 9, and, at a time of passing through a nip portion between the heating roller 9a and the press roller 9b of the fixing unit 9, the toner image is heated and pressed. Thereby, the toner particle is melted, and, by being adhered thereafter, the toner image is fixed on the recording material P. The recording material P having passed through the fixing unit 9 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 15 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (external to the apparatus) by the sheet discharge roller pair 10, and loaded on the sheet discharge tray 14. After the toner image has been transferred onto the recording material P, the toner remained on the photosensitive drum 11 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 13.

To be noted, while the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of forming the image only on one side of the recording material P, it is not limited to this. For example, it is acceptable to configure such that, by disposing a duplex conveyance path for inverting the recording material P on whose first surface the image has been formed, the image forming apparatus 1 is capable of forming the image on both surfaces of the recording material P.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1, the back cover 73 that is supported in an openable and closable manner is disposed. The back cover 73, serving as an opening/closing member, covers the process unit 40 in a closed state, and, by being opened, exposes the process unit 40.

Further, by opening the back cover 73, a conveyance path 19 (refer to FIG. 2) through which the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 5c passes is opened. That is, the back cover 73 is movable between a closed position H1 covering the conveyance path 19 and an opening position H2 exposing the conveyance path 19 to the outside. Thereby, it is possible to detach a jam that has occurred in the conveyance path 19.

On an outer surface 73b of the back cover 73, that is, a surface constituting an exterior surface of the casing 72, a gripping portion 73c which a user can grip at a time of opening and closing the back cover 73 is disposed. On an inner surface 73d on a side opposite to the outer surface 73b of the back cover 73, a rib 74 and a support portion 75 rotatably supporting the transfer roller 7 are disposed. The rib 74 extends from the inner surface 73d toward a direction in which the back cover 73 is closed.

In the image forming apparatus 1, an opening portion 76 arranged in a position corresponding to the rib 74 in a state in which the back cover 73 is closed is disposed, and an opening/closing detection sensor 80 is disposed inside of the opening portion 76. To be noted, it is acceptable to dispose the opening portion 76 either in the process unit 40 or in a component of the image forming apparatus 1 other than the process unit 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the opening/closing detection sensor 80 includes a flag portion 81 and a sensor portion 82, and, when the flag portion 81 is pressed by the rib 74 of the back cover 73, the sensor portion 82 makes transition, for example, from an off state to an on state. Further, when the back cover 73 is opened, the rib 74 of the back cover 73 is separated from the flag portion 81, and the sensor portion 82 makes transition, for example, from the on state to the off state. As described above, the opening/closing detection sensor 80 can detect the opening/closing of the back cover 73.

Developer Container

Next, using FIGS. 4 and 5, the developer container 230 and configurations adjacent to the developer container 230 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the developer container 230 is constituted from the storage portion 18 and a replenishment portion 200, serving as an attaching portion and a receiving portion. The replenishment portion 200 includes an operation portion 201, a cylindrically shaped toner receiving portion 202, a replenishment path portion 203 connecting the toner receiving portion 202 and the storage portion 18, and an apparatus body shutter portion 206, serving as an apparatus body shutter. In an inner wall of the toner receiving portion 202, a side opening 205 leading to the replenishment path portion 203 is formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a replenishment pack 210, described below, is attached to the replenishment portion 200, and the toner discharged from the replenishment pack 210 is replenished to the storage portion 18 through an opening 207 of the apparatus body shutter portion 206, the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202, and the replenishment path portion 203.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the replenishment path portion 203 is connected to a side of a first end of the storage portion 18 in a longitudinal direction of the developer container 230, that is, in the X direction. In an interior of the storage portion 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5, an agitation member 60 rotating around a rotation shaft 60a extending in the X direction as a center is disposed. The agitation member 60 includes a blade portion 60b secured to the rotation shaft 60a, and, by being rotatably driven by a drive motor 311, conveys the toner toward the developing roller 12, in conjunction with agitating the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18. To be noted, while, in the present embodiment, the agitation member 60 is constituted by the rotation shaft 60a and the blade portion 60b, it is acceptable to use a helical shape agitation member as a configuration that distributes the toner over the whole length of the storage portion 18.

Further, the agitation member 60 has a role of uniformizing the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 by circulating the toner that has not been used for developing but has been stripped from the developing roller 12. To be noted, the agitation member 60 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, it is acceptable to apply an agitation member in a swinging form. Further, it is acceptable to dispose yet another agitation member besides the agitation member 60.

Further, a remaining amount detection sensor 312, serving as a sensor for detecting a toner amount in the interior of the storage portion 18, is disposed in the storage portion 18, and the remaining amount detection sensor 312 includes a light emitting portion 312a and a light receiving portion 312b. Light emitted from the light emitting portion 312a passes through the interior of the storage portion 18, and is received by the light receiving portion 312b. That is, the light emitting portion 312a and the light receiving portion 312b form a light path Q1 in the interior of the storage portion 18. To be noted, the light emitting portion 312a and the light receiving portion 312b may be disposed by arranging each of a light emitting element and a light receiving element in the interior of the storage portion 18, or it is acceptable to guide the light to the inside and outside of the storage portion 18 using light guiding portions by arranging each of the light emitting element and the light receiving element in the outside of the storage portion 18.

Further, the light emitting portion 312a and the light receiving portion 312b are disposed in a center section of the storage portion 18 in the X direction. By arranging the light emitting portion 312a and the light receiving portion 312b in the center section of the storage portion 18, it is possible to satisfactorily detect a remaining amount of the toner in the storage portion 18. That is, the developer (toner) is sometimes unevenly distributed in end portions of the storage portion 18 in the X direction, but, since an uneven distribution of the developer is less in the center section, it is possible to detect a realistic remaining amount of the toner.

To be noted, in the present embodiment, the LED is used for the light emitting portion 312a, and a photoresistor that is turned into an on state by the light from the LED is used for the light receiving portion 312b, however, it is not limited to this. For example, it is acceptable to apply a halogen lamp and a fluorescent lamp to the light emitting portion 312a, and acceptable to apply a photodiode and an avalanche photodiode to the light receiving portion 312b.

The light receiving portion 312b that is the photoresistor receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion 312a, and outputs a signal (electrical current) corresponding to a light amount of received light. This signal is converted into voltage, and input to an engine controller 130 (refer to FIG. 21). That is, the light receiving portion 312b changes an output value based on the amount of the toner (developer) stored in the storage portion 18.

Based on a voltage level that has been input, the engine controller 130 judges whether or not the light receiving portion 312b receives the light from the light emitting portion 312a. Based on a duration of time during which the light receiving portion 312b has detected each light at a time of agitating the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 for a certain time, the engine controller 130 calculates the amount of the toner (amount of developer) in the interior of the storage portion 18. That is, a read-only memory (ROM) of the engine controller 130 has stored beforehand a table capable of outputting the remaining amount of the toner from a light reception time when the agitation member 60 has conveyed the toner, and, based on this table, the engine controller 130 estimates/calculates the remaining amount of the toner.

When the remaining amount of the toner is large, since the light path Q1 is easily blocked by the toner, the duration of the time during which the light receiving portion 312b receives the light is shortened. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the toner is small, the duration of the time during which the light receiving portion 312b receives the light is lengthened. Therefore, as described above, the engine controller 130 can judge a level of the remaining amount of the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 based on the light reception time of the light receiving portion 312b.

To be noted, a detection/estimation method of the remaining amount of the toner is not limited to the method described above, and it is possible to apply various well-known methods as the detection/estimation method of the remaining amount of the toner. For example, by arranging equal to or more than two plates or sheets of a metal plate or a conductive resin sheet extending in a longitudinal direction of the developing roller 12 on an inner wall of the storage portion 18, it is acceptable to estimate/calculate the remaining amount of the toner by measuring an electrostatic capacity between two metal plates or two conductive resin sheets. Alternatively, by disposing a load cell in a form that supports the developer container 230 from below, it is acceptable to calculate the remaining amount of the toner based on weight measured by the load cell.

Replenishment Portion

Next, using FIGS. 6A to 8C, the replenishment portion 200 will be described. The sheet discharge tray 14 is supported in an openable and closable manner between a closed position, capable of loading the recording material P, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, and an opening position, opened with respect to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 1, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. The sheet discharge tray 14 covers the replenishment portion 200 in the closed position. When the sheet discharge tray 14 is opened to the opening position, a top surface portion 240 and the replenishment portion 200 arranged on the top surface portion 240 is exposed. The replenishment portion 200 is configured such that it is possible to attach and detach a replenishment pack 210 as illustrated in FIG. 6C, and configured such that the user and the service man can replenish the toner from the outside without detaching the developer container 230 from the casing 72.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the operation portion 201, serving as an operation member, is arranged on the top surface portion 240, and forms a replenishment port 204 that is a receiving port for replenishing the toner. In the X direction, the width of the replenishment port 204 is narrower than the width of the storage portion 18. Further, the operation portion 201 is disposed so as to enclose the replenishment port 204, and includes a ring portion 201a rotatably supported by the top surface portion 240 or the toner receiving portion 202 and a lever portion 201b disposed integrally with the ring portion 201a. The operation portion 201 is a member for manipulating an opening/closing of the apparatus body shutter portion 206 and a pack shutter portion 214 from the outside.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, guide portions 247 and 248 disposed inside of the apparatus body shutter portion 206 and integrated with the toner receiving portion 202 are disposed in the toner receiving portion 202. The apparatus body shutter portion 206 is a cylindrically shaped member that is concentric with the toner receiving portion 202, and is rotatably disposed inside of the toner receiving portion 202. The apparatus body shutter portion 206 includes an opening 207 (refer to FIG. 7C), and the opening 207 and the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202 are misaligned in a closed position illustrated in FIG. 7A. A seal member 243 is secured to the apparatus body shutter portion 206 so as to enclose a circumference edge portion of the opening 207.

To be noted, since the side opening 205 is covered by the apparatus body shutter portion 206 positioned in the closed position, the side opening 205 is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 7A. Therefore, the side opening 205 is shielded by the apparatus body shutter portion 206, and the toner is not discharged to the replenishment path portion 203. When the replenishment pack 210 is not attached, the operation portion 201 is regulated in a rotational direction by a first lock mechanism 250, described below. By this first lock mechanism 250, before attaching the replenishment pack 210, it is possible to prevent inability to attach the replenishment pack 210 due to a phase misalignment between an operation portion drive transmission projection 201d and an apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a.

Further, when the apparatus body shutter portion 206 is positioned in an opening position illustrated in FIG. 7C, the opening 207 overlaps the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the toner, replenished from the replenishment pack 210 (refer to FIG. 6C) attached to the replenishment portion 200, to the replenishment path portion 203 via the side opening 205 and the opening 207.

The apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a is disposed to the apparatus body shutter portion 206, and, while details will be described below, the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a is used for receiving drive from the replenishment pack 210 so as to pivot the apparatus body shutter portion 206. By rotationally manipulating the operation portion 201 with the replenishment pack 210 attached to the replenishment portion 200, the apparatus body shutter portion 206 moves between the closed position and the opening position.

The operation portion drive transmission projection 201d that projects more inwardly in a radial direction than an inner circumferential surface of the toner receiving portion 202 is disposed to the operation portion 201. The operation portion drive transmission projection 201d is engaged with the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a via a pair of drive transmission surfaces 214b (refer to FIG. 9B) of the pack shatter portion 214 of the replenishment pack 210. A lock release concave portion 201f, described below, is disposed to the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a. When the user rotates the lever portion 201b of the operation portion 201 by 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction, the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a moves from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 7A to the open position illustrated in FIG. 7C.

At a time of forming the image on the recording material P, it is necessary to block the side opening 205 by the apparatus body shutter portion 206 such that the toner does not leak from the side opening 205 because of the agitation of the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 by the agitation member 60 (refer to FIG. 5). Therefore, at the time of forming the image, the operation portion 201 is positioned in an operating position illustrated in FIG. 7A so as to position the apparatus body shutter portion 206 in the closed position. On the other hand, at a time of replenishing the toner from the replenishment pack 210, described below, it is necessary to open the side opening 205. Therefore, at the time of replenishing the toner, the operation portion 201 is positioned in a replenishing position illustrated in FIG. 7C so as to position the apparatus body shutter portion 206 in the opening position.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the operation portion 201 is rotatably supported by a support portion 240a of the top surface portion 240. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the operation portion 201 includes a retaining portion 201j, an engaged portion 201k, and an opening portion 201e. In the rotational direction of the operation portion 201, the retaining portion 201j is arranged substantially in the same position as the lever portion 201b, and the engaged portion 201k is arranged in a position different from the retaining portion 201j. It is possible to insert a lever lock press portion 227a of a lever lock member 227, described below, into the opening portion 201e. By inserting the lever lock press portion 227a into the opening portion 201e, the operation portion 201 is regulated in the rotation in a state of being positioned in the operating position.

As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the operation portion 201 is attached with respect to the support portion 240a by positioning the retaining portion 201j to a groove portion 240d disposed in the support portion 240a. To be noted, at a time when the operation portion 201 is positioned in the operating position or the replenishing position, the retaining portion 201j and the groove portion 240d are positioned in positions not overlapping each other when viewed in a rotational axis direction of the operation portion 201. Further, in a range in which the operation portion 201 pivots between the operating position and the replenishing position, the retaining portion 201j and the groove portion 240d do not overlap each other when viewed in the rotational axis direction of the operation portion 201. That is, at a time when the operation portion 201 is manipulated between the operating position and the replenishing position, the operation portion 201 is retained with respect to the support portion 240a of the top surface portion 240.

Replenishment Pack

Next, using FIGS. 9A to 11B, a configuration of the replenishment pack 210 will be described. FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views illustrating the replenishment pack at a time when the pack shutter portion 214 is positioned in a closed position. FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrating the replenishment pack at a time when the pack shatter portion 214 is positioned in an opening position. FIGS. 11A and 11B are exploded perspective views illustrating the replenishment pack.

The replenishment pack 210, serving as a toner container, includes a pouch portion 211, serving as a bag containing the toner for replenishment, a cylindrically shaped insertion portion 212 that is inserted into the replenishment port 204, and the pack shutter portion 214, serving as a container shutter. The insertion portion 212, serving as a nozzle portion, communicates with the pouch portion 211. An opening 213, serving as an opening through which the toner in an interior of the pouch portion 211 is discharged outside, is formed in the insertion portion 212. To be noted, while the pouch portion 211 is constituted from a plastic bag body that is easily deformed, it is not limited to this. For example, the pouch portion 211 may be constituted from a resin bottle container and from containers made of paper and vinyl.

Further, a holding portion 215 is disposed at a tip portion of the insertion portion 212, and a pouch end portion 216 is formed at an end opposite to the insertion portion 212. The pouch portion 211 has a flat shape toward the pouch end portion 216, and the pouch end portion 216 extends in a radial direction perpendicular to a rotational axis direction of the pack shutter portion 214.

The pack shutter portion 214 is a cylindrical member that is concentric with the insertion portion 212, and disposed outside in a radial direction of the insertion portion 212. The pack shutter portion 214 includes an opening 214c, and, by rotating with respect to the insertion portion 212, can make transition between the closed position that shields the opening 213 of the insertion portion 212 and the opening position that opens the opening 213. When the opening 214c of the pack shutter portion 214 overlaps the opening 213 of the insertion portion 212, it is possible to replenish the toner from the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200.

Further, a seal member 231 capable of sliding and rubbing an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 212 is secured to an inner circumferential surface of the pack shutter portion 214, and the seal member 231 shields the opening 213 of the insertion portion 212 at a time when the pack shutter portion 241 is positioned in the closed position.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, a guided portion 232 that is recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 212 is formed in the insertion portion 212, and the guided portion 232 includes one pair each of first guided portions 232a and second guided portions 232b. When the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, guide portions 247 and 248 integrated with the toner receiving portion 202 are inserted into the guided portion 232. Thereby, a relative movement between the insertion portion 212 and the toner receiving portion 202 in a circumferential direction around the rotational axis of the pack shutter 214 as a center is regulated by each other.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, an outer circumferential surface of the pack shutter portion 214 includes a positioning portion 217 engaging with the operation portion 201 and the drive transmission surfaces 214b facing across the positioning portion 217. That is, on the outer circumferential surface of the pack shatter portion 214, a groove shape (concave portion that is recessed inwardly in the radial direction of the pack shatter portion 214) in which the positioning portion 217 serves as a groove bottom surface and the drive transmission surfaces 214b serve as groove side surfaces are formed. This groove portion is open at an end portion of the outer circumferential surface of the pack shutter portion 214 in an insertion direction of the insertion portion 212. When the drive transmission surfaces 214b receive force from the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d of the operation portion 201 in the circumferential direction, the pack shutter portion 214 rotates with respect to the insertion portion 212. A lever lock release rib 214a that releases the first lock mechanism 250, described below, of the operation portion 201 is disposed between the drive transmission surfaces 214b. By disposing the lever lock release rib 214a between the drive transmission surfaces 214b, at a time of attaching the replenishment pack 210, it is possible to accurately release the first lock mechanism 250 of the operation portion 201.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a memory tag 219, serving as a memory, is held at the holding portion 215 disposed at the tip of the insertion portion 212. The memory tag 219 stores predetermined authentication information.

At a time when the pack shutter portion 214 is positioned in the closed position, the insertion portion 212 is brought into a state in which the opening 214c disposed in the pack shutter portion 214 and the guided portion 232 disposed in a manner of being recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 212 overlap each other in a rotational phase in the circumferential direction.

In this state, the guide portions 247 and 248 of the replenishment portion 200 are inserted into the guided portion 232 of the replenishment pack 210, and the opening 214c is brought into a state of engaging with a circumference edge of the seal member 243 disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the apparatus body shutter member 206. In the state where the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, in the guided portions 232, the first guided portions 232a on an upstream side in an insertion direction are brought into a state of engaging with the guide portion 247, and the second guided portions 232b on a downstream side are brought into a state of facing the guide portion 248. A surface, which is a step portion between the first and second guided portions 232a and 232b and extends in the circumferential direction engages with respect to a surface, which is a step portion between the guide portions 247 and 248 and extends in the circumferential direction, in the insertion direction, and determines a position between the insertion portion 212 and the operation portion 212 in the insertion direction. The opening 214c has a shape of widening toward the tip side of the insertion portion 212 and opening in a notched shape. A pair of facing portions that form the opening 214c and face each other in the circumferential direction are brought into a state of sandwiching the seal member 243 in the circumferential direction.

In conjunction with engaging with the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d of the operation portion 201, the drive transmission surfaces 214b of the pack shutter portion 214 engage with the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a of the apparatus body shutter portion 206. In conjunction with being moved (rotated) by the operation (motion) force of the operation portion 201, the pack shutter portion 214 moves the apparatus body shutter portion 206 by transmitting the operation force. That is, as a force receiving region, the drive transmission surface 214b includes a region for engaging with and coming into contact with the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d. The operation portion drive transmission projection 201d has a shape of a projecting portion extending inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the operation portion 201 in the radial direction, and, as a force applying region, the drive transmission surface 214b has a region for engaging with and coming into contact with the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a.

Description of First Lock Mechanism

With reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 12A to 13B, the first lock mechanism 250 will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIG. 12B, the first lock mechanism 250 includes the lever lock member 227, a lever lock release link 229, and a pressing spring 228. The lever lock release link 229 includes a contact surface 229b that comes into contact with the lever lock member 227, and the lever lock member 227, serving as a second regulation member, is pressed to the contact surface 229b by the pressing spring 228. At a time when the replenishment pack 210 is not attached, the operation portion 201 is regulated in the rotational direction by the first lock mechanism 250, and is in the operating position, serving as an initial position.

Ata time when the lever lock member 227 is locked by being positioned in a regulation position F1, serving as a second regulation position, a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the operation portion 201 and the first lock mechanism 250 are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. At a time when the lever lock member 227 is unlocked by being positioned in a release position F2, serving as a second regulation release position, a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the operation portion 201 and the first lock mechanism 250 are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, in a case where the first lock mechanism 250 is in a lock state, the lever lock member 227 is pressed by the pressing spring 228 and positioned in the regulation position F1. Then, the lever lock press portion 227a of the lever lock member 227 is inserted into the opening portion 201 of the operation portion 201. When the operation portion 201 is pivoted in that state, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, an inner wall of the opening portion 201 pivots along pivot loci R1 and R2. P1 indicates a switching portion between a rotation regulation surface 227b and an inclined surface 227d, and P2 indicates a switching portion of a rotation regulation surface 227c. In the case where the first lock mechanism 250 is in the lock state, P1 and P2 are disposed so as to be located inside of the pivot loci R1 and R2. Therefore, the inner wall of the opening portion 201e comes into contact with and locks the rotation regulation surfaces 227b and 227c that are surfaces perpendicular with respect to the rotational direction, and a pivot of the operation portion 201 is regulated. That is, the lever lock member 227 regulates the movement of the operation portion 201 in the regulation position F1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the replenishment pack 210 is attached, the lever lock release rib 214a passes through the lock release concave portion 201f, and comes into contact with the lever lock release link 229. The lever lock release link 229 includes an inclined surface shape 229a that comes into contact with the lever lock release rib 214a. The lever lock release link 229 receives force, for moving the lever lock member 227 from the regulation position F1 to the release position F2, from the pack shutter portion 214 through contact between the inclined surface shape 229a and the lever lock release rib 214a. The inclined surface shape 229a has a shape of being inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the replenishment pack 210 into the operation portion 201. That is, the inclined surface shape 229a is configured to be inclined such that a component force that acts in a direction of moving the lever lock release link 229 to a pressing position is included in force received from the lever lock release rib 214a.

As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the lever lock release link 229 is brought into a state in which the inclined surface shape 229a is pressed in an arrow direction by the force received from the lever lock release rib 214a and an end portion, on which the inclined surface portion 229a is disposed, rides on a side surface of the lever lock release rib 214a. Thereby, the lever lock release link 229 moves to the pressing position in which the contact surface 229b moves the lever lock member 227 to the release position F2. Thereby, while resisting against the urging force of the pressing spring 228, the lever lock member 227 that is in contact with the lever lock release link 229 moves to the release position F2 in the arrow direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 13A, when the lever lock member 227 is positioned in the release position F2, P1 moves outside of the pivot locus R1, and P2 is retained inside of the pivot locus R2. Therefore, when the lever portion 201b is pivoted in the arrow direction, the inclined surface 227d comes into contact with the inner wall of the opening portion 201e, and, by the component force, the lever lock member 227 can ride over the inclined surface 227d by receding further outward than the release position F2 in the radial direction. Therefore, by allowing the lever portion 201b to pivot in the arrow direction, the lever lock member 227 can pivot the operation portion 201 to the replenishing position.

When the lever lock member 227 is positioned in the release position F2, since P2 is retained inside of R2, a pivot of the lever portion 201b in a direction opposite to an arrow direction in FIG. 13A is regulated. That is, the lever lock member 227 releases regulation on the movement of the operation portion 201 in the release position F2. In the present embodiment, by disposing an assembly phase of the operation portion 201 in a direction in which the pivot is regulated, after assembly, the operation portion 201 is prevented from pivoting to the assembly phase, while, simultaneously, being allowed to pivot to the replenishing position.

Procedure for Replenishing Toner

Next, using FIGS. 6A to 14, a procedure for replenishing the toner using the replenishment pack 210 will be described. First, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the user detaches the recording material P on the sheet discharge tray 14, and opens the sheet discharge tray 14 from the closed position to the opening position. Thereby, the replenishment portion 200 is exposed. Since the replenishment portion 200 is disposed on an upper front surface of the image forming apparatus 1, it is easy to perform the replenishment of the toner.

In a state where the sheet discharge tray 14 is opened to the opening position and the replenishment portion 200 is exposed, the pivot of the operation portion 201 is regulated by the first lock mechanism 250 described above. Then, the operation portion 201 is positioned in the operating position.

Then, the user attaches the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200 by aligning the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d (refer to FIG. 7A) disposed to the replenishment portion 200 with the positioning portion 217 (refer to FIG. 11B) disposed in the replenishment pack 210. It is configured such that, in a case where positions of the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d and the positioning portion 217 do not match, the replenishment pack 210 interferes with the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d and the insertion of the replenishment pack 210 is not allowed.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustration a state in which the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, at a time when an arrow D direction that is an extending direction of the pouch end portion 216 is parallel to the X direction, it is possible to attach the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200. When the replenishment pack is inserted to the back of the replenishment portion 200, the drive transmission surfaces 214b forming the positioning portion 217 engage with the operation portion drive transmission projection 201d of the operation portion 201. Further, the drive transmission surfaces 214b of the pack shutter portion 214 engage with the apparatus body shutter portion drive transmission projection 206a.

That is, the rotation of the operation portion 201 is transmitted to the pack shutter portion 214, and the rotation of the pack shutter portion 214 is transmitted to the apparatus body shutter portion 206. Thereby, the apparatus body shutter portion 206 and the pack shutter portion 214 are brought into an integrated state by engaging with each other, and the pack shutter portion 214 and the apparatus body shutter portion 206 are interlocked. Further, when the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, the lock of the operation portion 201 by the first lock mechanism 250 is released, and the operation portion 201 becomes rotatable. To be noted, in a state in which the replenishment pack 210 is not attached to the replenishment portion 200, the operation portion 201 and the apparatus body shutter portion 206 are not interlocked with each other.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200. In FIG. 14, the operation portion 201 is positioned in the operating position, and the apparatus body shutter portion 206 and the pack shutter portion 214 are positioned in the closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 14, an apparatus body contact 170, serving as an electrical contact, is disposed in the toner receiving portion 202. When the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the back of the replenishment portion 200, the memory tag 219 secured to the tip of the replenishment pack 210 comes into electrical contact with the apparatus body contact 170. Thereby, the apparatus body contact 170 communicates with the memory tag 219, and can read the authentication information as a predetermined information of the memory tag 219.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the user rotates the lever portion 201b of the operation portion 201 by 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. Thereby, the operation portion 201 rotates from the operating position to the replenishing position, and the pack shutter portion 214 and the apparatus body shutter portion 206 rotate from the closed position to the opening position. As a result, the opening 214c of the pack shutter portion 214, the opening 213 of the insertion portion 212 of the replenishment pack 210, the opening 207 of the apparatus body shutter portion 206, and the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202 overlap. Thereby, the toner in the interior of the replenishment pack 210 is discharged to the storage portion 18 by passing through the replenishment path portion 203.

In other words, when the operation portion 201 is positioned in the replenishing position, the replenishment portion 200 is brought into a replenishable state in which it is possible to replenish the toner from the replenishment pack 210 to the storage portion 18. At this time, the opening 213 of the replenishment pack 210 and the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202 communicate.

When the replenishment of the toner from the replenishment pack 210 to the storage portion 18 has been completed, the user returns the operation portion 201 from the replenishing position to the operating position. That is, the user rotates the lever portion 201b of the operation portion 201 by 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. Thereby, the pack shutter portion 214 and the apparatus body shutter portion 206 rotate from the opening position to the closed position.

In other words, when the operation portion 201 is positioned in the operating position, the replenishment portion 200 is brought into a non-replenishable state in which it is impossible to replenish the toner from the replenishment pack 210 to the storage portion 18. At this time, the opening 213 of the replenishment pack 210 and the side opening 205 of the toner receiving portion 202 do not communicate with each other.

Then, the user detaches the replenishment pack 210 from the replenishment portion 200. As described above, since, in a state in which the replenishment pack 210 is detached from the replenishment portion 200, the pack shutter portion 214 is positioned in the closed position, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the toner from the opening 213 of the replenishment pack 210.

Description of Second Lock Mechanism

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 25B, a second lock mechanism 400 will be described. In the present embodiment, the operation portion 201 is regulated in the rotation by the second lock mechanism 400 in addition to the first lock mechanism 250. The first lock mechanism 250 regulates the rotation of the operation portion 201 in the state in which the replenishment pack 210 is not attached to the replenishment portion 200. Even in the state in which the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, the second lock mechanism 400 regulates the rotation of the operation portion 201 under predetermined conditions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17B, the second lock mechanism 400 is secured to a side plate 500 that is a frame member of the image forming apparatus 1. To be noted, in FIGS. 15 to 17B, only part of the side plate 500 is shown. The second lock mechanism 400 includes a holding member 401 secured to the side plate 500, a solenoid unit 402, a lock lever 403, a lock spring 404, and a display member 405 (refer to FIG. 18A).

The holding member 401 includes positioning portions 401a and 401b and a holding portion 401c holding the lock lever 403, and, by inserting the positioning portions 401a and 401b into holes 500a and 500b of the side plate 500, is positioned with respect to the side plate 500. The solenoid unit 402 includes a plunger 402a, a solenoid 402b that can draw the plunger 402a by being energized, and a solenoid frame 402c. The solenoid frame 402c holds the solenoid 402b, serving as an actuator.

The holding member 401 and the solenoid frame 402c are secured with respect to the side plate 500 by being fastened together with screws 501 and 502 with respect to fixation holes 500c and 500d of the side plate 500. The lock lever 403, serving as a regulation member and a first regulation member, includes a lock portion 403a that is locked to a pin 402d of the plunger 402a, and is rotatably held with respect to the holding portion 401c of the holding member 401. More particularly, the holding portion 401c includes a shaft supporting portion 401d rotatably supporting a shaft portion 403b of the lock lever 403, and the lock lever 403 is configured to be pivotable around the shaft portion 403b, supported by the shaft supporting portion 401d, as a center.

The lock spring 404 is a coil spring held by the shaft portion 403b, and a first end and a second end are respectively locked to the holding portion 401c of the holding member 401 and the lock lever 403. The lock lever 403 is urged by the lock spring 404 in an arrow LC1 direction, and, by the plunger 402a that is drawn by the solenoid 402b, pivots in an arrow LC2 direction opposite to the arrow LC1 direction.

Further, an abutment portion 401 against which the lock lever 403 abuts is formed in the holding portion 401c of the holding member 401. In a state in which the solenoid 402b is in a non-energized state, the lock lever 403 abuts against the abutment portion 401 by the urging force of the lock spring 404. Thereby, the lock lever 403 is held in a lock position illustrated in FIG. 17. By drawing the plunger 402a by the solenoid 402b which is in an energized state, the lock lever 403 pivots in the arrow LC2 direction, and moves to an unlock position E2 illustrated in FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 17A and 18A are perspective views illustrating the second lock mechanism 400 in a state in which the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position. FIGS. 17B and 18B are perspective views illustrating the second lock mechanism 400 in a state in which the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2. As illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 18B, the lock lever 403 includes a first engagement portion 403c and a second engagement portion 403d formed so as to project farther upward than the first engagement portion 403c and outward from the shaft portion 403b in a radial direction.

At a time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1, serving as a regulation position and a first regulation position, the first engagement portion 403c, serving as an engagement portion, is positioned in a position that projects to a movement locus 420 (refer to FIG. 24B) of the engaged portion 201k. Further, at a time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2, serving as a regulation release position and a first regulation release position, the engagement portion 403c is positioned in a position that is receded from the movement locus 420 (refer to FIG. 23B) of the engaged portion 201k. That is, at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1, the first engagement portion 403c becomes possible to engage with the engaged portion 201k of the operation portion 201. By the engagement of the engaged portion 201k with the first engagement portion 403c, the operation portion 201 is regulated in the rotation. Then, since, at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2, the engaged portion 201k does not engage with the first engagement portion 403c, the operation portion 201 is not regulated in the rotation by the first engagement portion 403c.

FIG. 19A is a bottom view illustrating the display member 405 at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1. FIG. 19B is an enlarged view of FIG. 19A. FIG. 19C is a bottom view illustrating the display member 405 at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2. FIG. 20A is a perspective view from an upper surface side, illustrating the display member 405 and the top surface portion 240 at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1. FIG. 20B is a perspective view from the upper surface side, illustrating the display member 405 and the top surface portion 240 at the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 19B, the display member 405 is rotatably supported with respect to the top surface portion 240 around a pivot shaft 405a as a center. The display member 405 includes a display portion 405b formed in a substantially fan-shaped plate shape and a boss portion 405c projecting downward from the display portion 405b. The display member 405 is urged in an arrow LC3 direction by a coil spring 406 held by the pivot shaft 405a. A first end and a second end of the coil spring 406 are respectively locked to the top surface portion 240 and the display member 405.

At the time when the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1, the boss portion 405c of the display member 405 that is urged in the arrow LC3 direction by the coil spring 406 abuts against an abutment surface 240c disposed on a bottom surface side of the top surface portion 240. Thereby, the display member 405 is positioned in a lock display position G1, serving as a first position. As illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B, a hole-shaped window portion 240b is formed in the top surface portion 240, serving as a cover, and a first display 405d and a second display 405e are disposed on an upper surface of the display portion 405b of the display member 405.

The first display 405d and the second display 405e are arranged in positions different from each other in a pivot direction (LC3 and LC4 directions) of the display member 405. In the present embodiment, the first display 405d has an inscription “Lock” signifying that, as the lock lever 403 is positioned in the lock position E1, the movement regulation of the operation portion 201 is applied. The second display 405e has an inscription “Unlock” signifying that, as the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2, the movement regulation of the operation portion 201 is not applied.

As illustrated in FIG. 20A, at the time when the display member 405 is positioned in the lock display position G1, it is possible to visually confirm the first display 405d from an upper surface side of the image forming apparatus 1 via the widow portion 240b. To be noted, while, in the present embodiment, by an abutment of the boss portion 405c of the display member 405 against the abutment surface 240c of the top surface portion 240, the display member 405 is positioned in the lock display position G1, it is not limited to this. For example, it is acceptable to position the display member 405 in the lock display position G1 by an abutment of a part of the display member 405, other than the boss portion 405c, against the top surface portion 240. Further, it is acceptable to position the display member 405 in the lock display position G1 by an abutment of any part of the display member 405 with respect to the side plate 500.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18b, 19B, and 20B, when the solenoid 402b has been energized and the lock lever 403 has moved from the lock position E1 to the unlock position E2, the boss portion 405c is pressed by the second engagement portion 403d of the lock lever 403. Thereby, while resisting against the urging force of the coil spring 406, the display member 405 pivots in the arrow LC4 direction opposite to the arrow LC3 direction. Then, by holding the boss portion 405c by the second engagement portion 403d of the lock lever 403 positioned in the unlock position E2, the display member 405 is held in an unlock display position G2, serving as a second position illustrated in FIGS. 18B, 19B, and 20B. At this time, since the boss portion 405c comes into pressure contact with the second engagement portion 403d by the urging force of the coil spring 406, the display member 405 is not displaced from the unlock display position G2.

As illustrated in FIG. 20B, at a time when the display member 405 is positioned in the unlock display position G2, it is possible to visually confirm the second display 405e from the upper surface side of the image forming apparatus 1 via the window portion 240b. When the solenoid 402b has been brought into the non-energized state from the energized state, by the urging force of the lock spring 404, the lock lever 403 moves from the unlock position E2 to the lock position E1. Thereby, the engagement of the second engagement portion 403d of the lock lever 403 with the boss portion 405c of the display member 405 is disengaged, and, by the urging force of the coil spring 406, the display member 405 moves from the unlock display position G2 to the lock display position G1.

That is, the display member 405 is configured to move in conjunction with the operation of the solenoid 402b such that, when the lock lever 403 is in the lock position E1, the display member 405 is in the lock display position G1 and, when the lock lever 403 is in the unlock position E2, the display member 405 is in the unlock display position G2.

Control Block

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a function of the circuit board 100 of the present embodiment. The circuit board 100 includes a low voltage power supply portion 110 and a high voltage power supply portion 120. The low voltage power supply portion 110 acquires power from an external power source via a power input portion, not shown, attached onto an end portion of the board, and converts an alternating voltage into a stable direct current voltage via a rectifying/smoothing circuit including an electrolytic capacitator. Thereafter, after having converted the direct current voltage into a high frequency alternating voltage by a switching element such as a transistor, the low voltage power supply portion 110 inputs the high frequency alternating voltage to a low voltage power transformer. The low voltage power transformer converts the high frequency alternating voltage that is an input voltage into an alternating voltage (output voltage) that has a desired voltage value. The low voltage power supply portion 110 again converts the alternating voltage into the direct current voltage, and outputs the obtained direct current voltage to the high voltage power supply portion 120. Further, since losses in each circuit component appear as heat, a heat sink, not shown, manufactured of aluminum and iron is disposed in the low voltage power supply portion 110 for dissipating the heat.

The high voltage power supply portion 120 converts voltage (for example, 24 volts (V)) supplied from the low voltage power supply portion 110 into a high voltage required for image forming processes such as charging, developing, and transferring. The voltage supplied from the low voltage power supply portion 110 is converted into a charging voltage by a charging transformer, and supplied to the charge roller 17. The voltage supplied from the low voltage power supply portion 110 is converted into a developing voltage by a developing transformer 123, and supplied to the developing roller 12. The voltage supplied from the low voltage power supply portion 110 is converted into a transferring voltage by a transferring transformer 124, and supplied to the transfer roller 7.

The low voltage power supply portion 110 supplies the voltage (for example, 3.3 V or 5V) not only to the high voltage power supply portion 120 but also to the scanner unit 50, the drive motor 311, the engine controller 130, and a video controller 140. Here, the engine controller 130, serving as a control unit, has a role of coordinating and controlling various process members, and controls the solenoid 402b. The engine controller 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU), not shown, a random access memory (RAM), not shown, used for calculations and the temporary storage of data required for controlling the image forming apparatus 1, and the ROM, not shown, storing programs and various data for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. The video controller 140 receives print data by communicating with external apparatuses such as a personal computer, and has a role of notifying the engine controller 130 of a result obtained by analyzing the print data. To be noted, it is acceptable to dispose the engine controller 130 and the video controller 140 either on a different board from the circuit board 110 or on the same board.

Further, the alternating-current power that the power supply input portion has received from a commercial power supply is supplied not only to the low voltage power supply portion 110 but also to the fixing heater 9c. To be noted, the drive of such as rollers in the fixing unit 9 is performed by the drive motor 311.

Energization of Solenoid

Next, using a flowchart of FIG. 22, an energization judgement process of the solenoid 402b will be described. In other words, energization conditions of the solenoid 402b are determined along the flowchart of FIG. 22, and, if the energization conditions, serving as predetermined conditions, are met, an energization is performed.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, upon starting the energization judgement process of the solenoid 402b, the engine controller 130 judges whether or not the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is on (STEP S1). In a case where it is judged that the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is on (STEP S1: Yes), the engine controller 130 judges whether or not the opening/closing detection sensor 80 is on (STEP S2). As described in FIGS. 3A to 3C, when the opening/closing detection sensor 80 is on, it means that the back cover 73 is in the closed position.

In a case where it is judged that the opening/closing detection sensor 80 is on (STEP S2: Yes), the engine controller 130 judges whether or not communication with the memory tag 219 has been succeeded (STEP S3). The communication with the memory tag 219 means that replenishment pack 210 has been attached to the replenishment portion 200, and that the authentication information of the memory tag 219 disposed in the replenishment pack 210 has been read by the apparatus body contact 170.

In a case where the communication with the memory tag 219 has been succeeded (STEP S3: Yes), the engine controller 130 judges whether or not the remaining amount of the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor 312 is not full, that is, not a filled full state (STEP S4). In a case where the remaining amount of the toner in the interior of the storage portion 18 is less than a predetermined amount, it is judged that the remaining amount of the toner is considered to be not full. More particularly, in a case where signal strength (voltage) transmitted by the remaining amount detection sensor 312 is within a predetermined range, it is considered that the remaining amount of the toner is not full. In a case where it is judged that the remaining amount of the toner is not full (STEP S4: Yes), the engine controller 130 energizes the solenoid 402, and brings the second lock mechanism 400 into the unlock state in which the lock lever 403 is positioned in the unlock position E2.

That is, the abovementioned predetermined conditions include that the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is on, that the opening/closing detection sensor 80 is on, that the communication with the memory tag 219 has been succeeded, and that the remaining amount of the toner is not full. Then, in a case where the predetermined conditions are met, the engine controller 130 controls the solenoid 402b to release the movement regulation of the operation portion 201.

At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 23A, when the image forming apparatus 1 with the sheet discharge tray 14 opened is viewed from the upper surface side, it is possible to visually confirm the second display 405e of the display member 405 via the window portion 240b. Therefore, the user can easily visually confirm that it is possible to perform the replenishment of the toner to the replenishment portion 200 by the replenishment pack 210, so that it is possible to improve usability. Further, in the case where the image forming apparatus 1 with the sheet discharge tray 14 opened is viewed from the upper surface side, it is not possible to visually confirm the engaged portion 201k of the operation portion 201 and the lock lever 403. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accidental contact of the lock lever 403 by the user.

Since. as illustrated in FIG. 23B, the first engagement portion 403c of the lock lever 403 positioned in the unlock position E2 is receded from the movement locus 420 of the engaged portion 201k of the operation portion 201, the operation portion 201 is not regulated in the rotation by the lock lever 403. Further, the second engagement portion 403d of the lock lever 403 positioned in the unlock position E2 holds the boss portion