Unlocking toner cartridge by click operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12422775-B2
Application number	US-202218701716-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 5, 2022
Priority date	Oct 21, 2021
Publication date	Sep 23, 2025
Grant date	Sep 23, 2025

Abstract

An example image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge movable to a mounting position in which the toner cartridge is mounted to a mounting portion and a click position further proceeded from the mounting position in a mounting direction; an elastic member to apply elastic force to the toner cartridge in a direction returning from the click position to the mounting position; a locking member to selectively allow removal of the toner cartridge from the mounting portion in accordance with a click operation by which the toner cartridge is moved to the click position and the mounting position; and a click restricting member to selectively allow movement of the toner cartridge from the mounting position to the click position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a mounting portion;
a toner cartridge movable between a mounting position, in which the toner cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, and a click position that further proceeds from the mounting position in a mounting direction;
an elastic member to apply an elastic force to the toner cartridge in a direction returning from the click position;
a locking member to selectively allow removal of the toner cartridge from the mounting portion in accordance with a click operation by which the toner cartridge is moved between the click position and the mounting position; and
a click restricting member to selectively allow movement of the toner cartridge between the mounting position and the click position.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a coupler motor arranged at the mounting portion to drive the toner cartridge located at the mounting position,
wherein the click restricting member is driven by the coupler motor.

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the click restricting member comprises:
a click restricting shaft; and
a blocking member connected to the click restricting shaft and movable between a first position and a second position in which movement of the toner cartridge to the click position is respectively blocked and allowed according to rotation of the click restricting shaft.

4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the locking member comprises:
a locking pin arranged at the mounting portion; and
a locking path arranged at the toner cartridge to guide the locking pin between a locking position, in which the toner cartridge is locked at the mounting position, and a releasing position, in which removal of the toner cartridge is allowed in accordance with the click operation of the toner cartridge.

5. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a door movable between an opening position and a closing position, in which the mounting portion is respectively opened or closed, and a pressed position, in which the toner cartridge is moved to the click position,
wherein the locking member is to selectively lock the door at the closing position.

6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a door movable between an opening position and a closing position, in which the mounting portion is respectively opened or closed, and a pressed position, in which the toner cartridge is pushed and moved to the click position,
wherein the locking member comprises:
a locking pin arranged at the mounting portion; and
a locking path arranged at the door to guide the locking pin between a locking position, in which the door is locked at the closing position, and a releasing position, in which movement of the door to an opening position is allowed in accordance with movement of the door between the closing position and click position.

7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rotational handle provided at the toner cartridge to rotate between a locking position, in which the toner cartridge is locked at the mounting position, and a releasing position, in which removal of the toner cartridge is allowed,
wherein the locking member is to selectively lock the rotational handle at the locking position.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a mounting portion on which a toner cartridge is mounted;
a door movable between an opening position and a closing position, in which the mounting portion is respectively opened or closed, and a pressed position that proceeds from the closing position;
a locking member to selectively allow opening of the door in accordance with a press operation by which the door is moved between the closing position and the pressed position; and
a click restricting member to selectively allow movement of the door between the closing position and the pressed position.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the click restricting member comprises:
a blocking member movable between a blocking position, in which movement of the door from the closing position to the pressed position is blocked, and a retraction position retracted from the blocking position; and
an actuator to move the blocking member between the blocking position and the retraction position.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising an elastic member to apply an elastic force to the door in a direction returning from the pressed position.

11. The image forming apparatus of claim 8 ,
wherein the door is to push the toner cartridge by movement of the door between the closing position and the pressed position and between a mounting position and a click position, and
wherein the click restricting member is to selectively allow movement of the toner cartridge between the mounting position and the click position.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a coupler motor arranged at the mounting portion to drive the toner cartridge located at the mounting position; and
an elastic member to apply an elastic force to the toner cartridge in a direction returning from the click position,
wherein the click restricting member is driven by the coupler motor.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a mounting portion;
a toner cartridge removable from the mounting portion;
a rotational handle, arranged at the toner cartridge, rotatable between a locking position, in which the toner cartridge is locked at the mounting position, and a releasing position, in which removal of the toner cartridge is allowed, and movable between a holding position, in which rotation between the locking position and the releasing position is blocked, and a pressed position, in which the rotation between the locking position and the releasing position is allowed;
an elastic member to apply an elastic force to the rotational handle in a direction returning from the pressed position; and
a click restricting member to selectively allow movement of the rotational handle to the pressed position.

14. The image forming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the click restricting member comprises:
a blocking member movable between a blocking position, in which movement of the rotational handle from the holding position to the pressed position is blocked, and a retraction position spaced apart from the blocking position; and
an actuator to move the blocking member between the blocking position and the retraction position.

15. The image forming apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a trip groove arranged at the mounting portion; and
a trip protrusion, arranged at the rotational handle, to be held by the trip groove so that the rotational handle located at the holding position and the locking position is not rotated to lock the toner cartridge at the mounting position, and to be released from the trip groove in a case where the rotational handle is located at the pressed position.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Lee Changwoo
• Yu Jaeil
• Kim Heonjoo
• Park Jeongyeon

Classifications

• G03G21/1676

  for the developer unit · CPC title

• G03G21/1633

  using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G15/0865

  Arrangements for supplying new developer · CPC title

• G03G2221/1657

  transmitting mechanical drive power · CPC title

• G03G2221/1654

  Locks and means for positioning or alignment · CPC title