Developing unit and image forming apparatus including the same

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes a body, a developing unit detachably installed within the body, and a body cover installed at one side of the body, to open or close an opening for installation of the developing unit. The developing unit includes a developing cartridge provided with a waste developing agent outlet, and a developing agent cartridge provided with a waste developing agent inlet. The waste developing agent outlet is closed by a second shutter member when the opening is opened. The waste developing agent inlet is closed by a first shutter member when the developing agent cartridge is separated from the developing cartridge. Accordingly, there is no leakage of waste developing agent during replacement of the developing cartridge or developing agent cartridge.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a body; a developing cartridge detachably installed within the body through an opening provided at the body, the developing cartridge being provided with a waste developing agent outlet to discharge waste developing agent; a developing agent cartridge detachably mounted to the developing cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing agent storage section to supply developing agent to the developing cartridge, and a waste developing agent storage section provided with a waste developing agent inlet to receive the waste developing agent discharged from the waste developing agent outlet; a body cover to open or close the opening of the body; a first shutter member to open the waste developing agent inlet when the developing agent cartridge is mounted to the developing cartridge installed within the body; and a second shutter member to open the waste developing agent outlet when the body cover closes the opening after mounting the developing agent cartridge, wherein the first shutter member closes the waste developing agent inlet when the developing agent cartridge is separated from the developing cartridge.