Image forming apparatus having waste toner collecting function from a plurality of photosensitive drums

• US 9,946,221 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2017
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Sato, Shougo, Fukui, Atsushi, Fukuchi, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Sophia S
• Application Number:
  US15/484,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20170219996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 399110, 399111, 399112, 399358
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/007 Arrangement or disposition of parts of the cleaning unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/10 Collecting or recycling waste developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/105 Arrangements for conveying toner waste
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1633 using doors or covers G03G21/1638 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1814 Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing G03G21/1835 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1842 for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1853 the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/1647 Cleaning of transfer member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1624 transporting cleaned toner into separate vessels, e.g. photoreceptors, external containers
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1684 using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1869 Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of process cartridges, a cartridge-supporting body, a belt, a waste toner cartridge, a contact-separation mechanism, and a collective conveying unit. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum cleaning unit collecting waste toner on the drum. The cartridge-supporting body is movable between an internal position inside the frame and an external position outside the frame. The belt confronts the process cartridges in the internal position. The waste toner cartridge accommodates the waste toner collected from the drums. The contact-separation mechanism moves the cartridge-supporting body between a contact position where the drums are in contact with the belt and a separated position where the drums are out of contact with the belt. The collective conveying unit aggregates waste toner collected from drums and conveys collectively the aggregated waste toner to the waste toner cartridge.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a casing including;

a first wall; and

a second wall facing the first wall in an array direction;

a first process cartridge including;

a first photosensitive drum; and

a first drum-cleaning unit configured to collect waste toner on the first photosensitive drum;

a second process cartridge including;

a second photosensitive drum; and

a second drum-cleaning unit configured to collect waste toner on the second photosensitive drum;

a cartridge-supporting body including;

a third wall;

a fourth wall arranged between the third wall and the second wall in the array direction;

a first guide rail; and

a second guide rail,

the cartridge-supporting body being configured to support the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge, the cartridge-supporting body being movable between an internal position inside the casing and an external position outside the casing, the first process cartridge being arranged between the third wall and the fourth wall, the second process cartridge being arranged between the third wall and the fourth wall; and

a waste toner cartridge arranged between the first wall and the second wall and configured to accommodate both the waste toner collected from the first photosensitive drum by the first drum-cleaning unit and the waste toner collected from the second photosensitive drum by the second drum-cleaning unit,

wherein the casing further includes;

a first guiding wall arranged between the first wall and the third wall in the array direction and configured to guide the first guide rail so that the first guide rail can slide in a direction in which the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge are arranged;

a second guiding wall arranged between the fourth wall and the second wall in the array direction and configured to guide the second guide rail so that the second guide rail can slide in the direction in which the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge are arranged,

a first positioning plate arranged between the third wall and the fourth wall in the array direction, the first positioning plate having a first recess for receiving one end portion of the first process cartridge and a second recess for receiving one end portion of the second process cartridge; and

a second positioning plate arranged between the first positioning plate and the fourth wall in the array direction, the second positioning plate having a third recess for receiving another end portion of the first process cartridge such that the first process cartridge is supported by the first recess and the third recess and a fourth recess for receiving another end portion of the second process cartridge such that the second process cartridge is supported by the second recess and the fourth recess, the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate being arranged in the array direction,

wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises;

a conveying unit extending in the direction in which the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge are arranged, the conveying unit configured to convey the waste toner collected by the first drum-cleaning unit and the waste toner collected by the second drum-cleaning unit, the conveying unit being disposed between the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate in the array direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the casing further includes a side-wall connecting plate, the side-wall connecting plate being disposed between the first wall and the second wall, and

wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate connect with the side-wall connecting plate.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate are disposed below the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first guiding wall has a first guiding groove, the first guiding groove being formed in an inner surface of the first guiding wall,

wherein the second guiding wall has a second guiding groove, the second guiding groove being formed in an inner surface of the second guiding wall, and

wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate are disposed below the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge-supporting body supporting both the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge is located at the internal position, the first process cartridge is connected with both the first recess and the third recess and the second process cartridge is connected with both the second recess and the fourth recess.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge-supporting body supporting both the first process cartridge and the second process cartridge is located at the external position, the first process cartridge is disconnected with both the first recess and the third recess and the second process cartridge is disconnected with both the second recess and the fourth recess.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate has an L-shape when viewed in the array direction.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a casing including;

a first wall; and

a second wall facing the first wall in an array direction;

a first developing cartridge configured to accommodate toner therein and arranged between the first wall and the second wall;

a second developing cartridge configured to accommodate toner therein and arranged between the first wall and the second wall;

a drawer unit including;

a first photosensitive drum;

a first drum-cleaning unit configured to collect waste toner on the first photosensitive drum;

a second photosensitive drum;

a second drum-cleaning unit configured to collect waste toner on the second photosensitive drum;

a third wall;

a fourth wall;

a first guide rail; and

a second guide rail; and

a waste toner cartridge arranged between the first wall and the second wall and configured to accommodate both the waste toner collected from the first photosensitive drum by the first drum-cleaning unit and the waste toner collected from the second photosensitive drum by the second drum-cleaning unit,

wherein the casing further includes;

a first guiding wall arranged between the first wall and the third wall in the array direction and configured to guide the first guide rail so that the first guide rail can slide in a direction in which the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are arranged;

a second guiding wall arranged between the fourth wall and the second wall in the array direction and configured to guide the second guide rail so that the second guide rail can slide in the direction in which the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are arranged;

a first positioning plate arranged between the third wall and the fourth wall in the array direction, the first positioning plate having a first recess for receiving one end portion of the first photosensitive drum and a second recess for receiving one end portion of the second photosensitive drum; and

a second positioning plate arranged between the first positioning plate and the fourth wall in the array direction, the second positioning plate having a third recess for receiving another end portion of the first photosensitive drum such that the first photosensitive drum is supported by the first recess and the third recess, and the second positioning plate having a fourth recess for receiving another end portion of the second photosensitive drum such that the second photosensitive drum is supported by the second recess and the fourth recess, the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate being arranged in the array direction, and

wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises;

a conveying unit extending in the direction in which the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are arranged, the conveying unit being configured to convey the waste toner collected by the first drum-cleaning unit and the waste toner collected by the second drum-cleaning unit, the conveying unit being disposed between the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate in the array direction.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the casing further includes a side-wall connecting plate, the side-wall connecting plate being disposed between the first wall and the second wall, and

wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate connect with the side-wall connecting plate.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate are disposed below the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

wherein the first guiding wall has a first guiding groove, the first guiding groove being formed in an inner surface of the first guiding wall,

wherein the second guiding wall has a second guiding groove, the second guiding groove being formed in an inner surface of the second guiding wall, and

wherein the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate are disposed below the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the drawer unit is located at an internal position, the first photosensitive drum is connected with both the first recess and the third recess and the second photosensitive drum is connected with both the second recess and the fourth recess.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the drawer unit is located at an external position, the first photosensitive drum is disconnected with both the first recess and the third recess and the second photosensitive drum is disconnected with both the second recess and the fourth recess.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate has an L-shape when viewed in the array direction.

15. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a plurality of process cartridges, each including a photosensitive drum and a drum-cleaning blade contacting the photosensitive drum;

a cartridge-supporting body including a support-body frame, the support-body frame including a pair of side support-body walls separated from each other in an array direction, each of the pair of side support-body walls including a guide rail which protrudes outward in the array direction;

a main casing including;

a pair of outer casing side walls spaced apart from each other in the array direction;

a pair of guiding walls spaced apart from each other in the array direction, each including a guiding groove, the cartridge-supporting body being movable between an internal position inside the main casing and an external position outside the main casing while the plurality of process cartridges are mounted in the support-body frame with the guide rails inserted in the guiding grooves of the pair of guiding walls, each of the pair of guiding walls being positioned inward of a corresponding one of the pair of outer casing side walls and outward of a corresponding one of the pair of side support-body walls of the cartridge-supporting body at the internal position in the array direction; and

a pair of positioning plates spaced apart from each other in the array direction and positioned between the pair of side support-body walls in the array direction, each including a plurality of positioning recesses spaced at intervals along an arranging direction in which the plurality of process cartridges mounted in the support-body frame at the internal position are arranged, each of the plurality of positioning recesses receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of process cartridges when the plurality of process cartridges are mounted in the support-body frame at the internal position;

a waste toner cartridge positioned between the pair of outer casing side walls when the waste toner cartridge is mounted in the main casing; and

a conveying unit including a collective conveying tube extending along the arranging direction, the collective conveying tube being disposed between the pair of positioning plates, the conveying unit connecting the waste toner cartridge and the plurality of process cartridges when the plurality of process cartridges is mounted in the support-body frame at the internal position and the waste toner cartridge is mounted in the main casing.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15,

wherein the main casing further includes a side-wall connecting plate, and

wherein the pair of positioning plates connect with the side-wall connecting plate.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pair of positioning plates are positioned below the pair of guiding walls.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein bottom ends of the pair of positioning plates are bent.

19. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a plurality of developing cartridges, each accommodating toner therein;

a cartridge-supporting body including;

a support-body frame including a pair of side support-body walls separated from each other in an array direction, each of the pair of side support-body walls including a guide rail which protrudes outward in the array direction;

a plurality of photosensitive drums rotatably supported in the support-body frame;

a plurality of drum-cleaning frames formed continuously with the support-body frame; and

a plurality of drum-cleaning blades, each contacting a corresponding one of the plurality of photosensitive drums and disposed in a corresponding one of the drum-cleaning frames;

a main casing including;

a pair of outer casing side walls spaced apart from each other in the array direction;

a pair of guiding walls spaced apart from each other in the array direction, each including a guiding groove, the cartridge-supporting body being movable between an internal position inside the main casing and an external position outside the main casing while the plurality of developing cartridges are mounted in the support-body frame with the guide rails inserted in the guiding grooves of the pair of guiding walls, each of the pair of guiding walls being positioned inward of a corresponding one of the pair of outer casing side walls and outward of a corresponding one of the pair of side support-body walls of the cartridge-supporting body at the internal position in the array direction; and

a pair of positioning plates spaced apart from each other in the array direction and positioned between the pair of side support-body walls in the array direction, each including a plurality of positioning recesses spaced at intervals along an arranging direction in which the plurality of photosensitive drums in the cartridge-supporting body at the internal position are arranged, each of the plurality of positioning recesses receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of photosensitive drums of the cartridge-supporting body at the internal position;

a waste toner cartridge positioned between the pair of outer casing side walls when the waste toner cartridge is mounted in the main casing; and

a conveying unit including a collective conveying tube extending along the arranging direction, the collective conveying tube being disposed between the pair of positioning plates, the conveying unit connecting the waste toner cartridge and the plurality of drum-cleaning frames when the cartridge-supporting body is at the internal position.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19,

wherein the main casing further includes a side-wall connecting plate positioned below the cartridge-supporting body at the internal position, and

wherein the pair of positioning plates connect with the side-wall connecting plate.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19,

wherein the pair of positioning plates are positioned below the pair of guiding walls.

22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19,

wherein bottom ends of the pair of positioning plates are bent.