Fitting protecting apparatus of developer cartridge and image forming apparatus having the same

A fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge includes a housing storing liquid developer. The housing has at least one connection fitting connected to an outside corresponding connection fitting. A cover part is movably disposed between a first position of sealing the connection fitting to prevent exposure and a second position of opening the connection fitting to provide access thereto. The cover part is disposed in the housing. An operation part moves the cover part between the first and second positions. When a developer cartridge is taken out of a main body of an image forming apparatus or while being stored, the connection fitting connected to the outside corresponding connection fitting is covered, thereby preventing developer exposure through the connection fitting, pollution of the connection fitting by alien substances, such as dust, and damage of the connection fitting by external collisions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-57372 filed on Jul. 22, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a wet-type electrophotographic printer, using liquid developer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge for protecting a connection fitting of a developer cartridge for storing and supplying liquid developer, and to an image forming apparatus having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image forming apparatus, such as a wet-type electrophotographic printer, typically includes a developer supply system for supplying liquid developer to a developing part. The developer supply system may be either a one-body type in which a developer cartridge is formed in one body with a developing part, and a separation type in which a developer cartridge is separated from a developing part through a connection with a connection tube.

In a separation type developer supply system, liquid developer is supplied from a developer cartridge to a developing part and is recollected from the developing part to the developer cartridge through a connection tube by using a developer supply pump and/or a developer re-collection pump. The developer cartridge is connected to the connection tube through a coupling part such as a fitting.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a general wet-type electrophotographic printer10employing a separation type developer supply system.

Referring toFIG. 1, the wet-type electrophotographic printer10includes an image forming part11and a developer supply part21.

The image forming part11includes a photoconductive body1, such as an OPC drum (Organic Photoconductive Drum), a laser scanning part33, a charge part6, an antistatic part7, a developing part26and a cleaning blade8. These components mutually work and provide a desired image to the photoconductive body1through sequential image formation procedures such as charge, discharge, and exposure and developing procedures.

The developing part26includes a developing chamber27through which liquid developer48flows, a developing roller2disposed under the photoconductive body1, a deposit roller5for applying electric force to the liquid developer48to form a charged developer layer around the developing roller2, a metering roller3for limiting the charged developer layer formed around the developing roller2by the deposit roller to a predetermined toner volume or density (percent solid) and to supply the charged developer layer to a nip between the developing roller2and the photoconductive body1, a cleaning roller4for cleaning the developing roller2, and a recollection chamber28for recollecting liquid developer48overflowing from the developing chamber27.

A developer supply part21is disposed to supply liquid developer48to a developing chamber27of the developing part26.

The developer supply part21includes a developer cartridge50for storing liquid developer48, first and second connection tubes22and23for connecting the developer cartridge50to a developing chamber27of a developing part26, a developer supply pump18disposed between the first and second connection tubes22and23, a developer recollection pump19disposed between third and fourth connection tubes20and24, and a controller29for controlling motors of the developer supply pump18and the developer recollection pump19.

With reference toFIG. 2, the developer cartridge50includes a housing12provided as a developer storage space for storing liquid developer48, and a liquid developer agitator35for agitating the liquid developer48within the housing12.

On an upper part of the housing12, a first developer discharge part17and a first developer influx part16are installed. The first developer discharge part17is connected to a second developer influx part13of a developing chamber27of a developing part through first and second connection tubes22and23, to supply liquid developer48of a housing10to the developing chamber27. The first developer influx part16is connected to a second developer discharge part14of a recollection chamber28of the developing part26through third and fourth connection tubes20and24, to recollect the liquid developer48from a recollection chamber2.

The first developer discharge part17includes a first female fitting17a, a developer suction tube40, and a first male fitting17b. The first female fitting17ais disposed on the housing12. The developer suction tube40is extended from the first female fitting17ato the bottom of the housing12. The first male fitting17bis disposed at the end of the first connection tube to couple with the first female fitting17awhen the housing12is accommodated in a printer body (not shown).

The first developer influx part16includes a second female fitting16aand a second male fitting16b, as in the first developer discharge part17. A configuration of the second female fitting16aand the second male fitting16bis the same as the construction of the first female fitting17aand the first male fitting17b, except that the suction tube40is not connected to the second female fitting16a.

However, by a structural characteristic of such a conventional wet-type printer10, when a developer cartridge50is separated from the printer body for maintenance or when the developer cartridge is not installed in the printer body, a first female fitting17aof a first developer discharge part17and a second female fitting16aof a first developer influx part16are exposed. Developer stains on portions of the exposed first and second female fittings17aand16aare exposed to a user, and portions of the exposed first and second female fittings17aand16amay become polluted by outside foreign substances, such as dust and the like, or portions of the first and second female fittings17aand16aexposed in handling the developer cartridge50may be damaged by falling or an external collision.

In situations where developer stains on portions of the exposed first and second female fittings17aand16aare exposed to a user, the user may be further transfer such developer and secondarily pollute or stain other components of the printer.

When portions of the exposed first and second female fittings17aand16aare polluted with foreign substances, it is inconvenient to remove the foreign substances adhering on the portions of the polluted first and second female fittings17aand16abefore installing the developer cartridge50in the printer body. Furthermore, if the developer cartridge50is installed in the printer body in a state that the foreign substances are not completely removed, the foreign substances may flow in the liquid developer48, thus polluting the liquid developer48and lowering the quality of the image formed by a developing part26.

Also, if portions of the exposed first and second female fittings17aand16aare damaged by outside collision, a sealing state between a first female fitting17aand a first male fitting17bof a first developer discharge part17and between a second female fitting16aand a second male fitting16bof a first developer influx part16is not optimal, thus causing leakage of liquid developer48and polluting its periphery.

Thus, a need exists for a fitting protecting apparatus for a developer cartridge of an image forming apparatus that protects a connection fitting of the developer cartridge that stores and supplies liquid developer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same, which are capable of preventing a connection fitting of a developer cartridge connected to the outside to supply liquid developer, from being exposed, thereby being susceptible to being polluted and damaged.

According to an aspect of the invention, a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge includes a housing that stores liquid developer and that has at least one connection fitting connected to an outside corresponding connection fitting. A cover part is movably disposed between a first position of sealing the connection fitting to not be exposed when not connected and a second position of opening a connection fitting, the cover part being disposed in the housing. An operation part moves the cover part between the first and second positions.

The cover part according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is constructed of a cover member covering a connection fitting. A support member supports the cover member to the housing so that the cover member rotatably moves between the first position and the second position. The cover member may be constructed of a plate larger than a flat area of a connection fitting, and the support member may be desirably constructed of a support axis fixed to the housing. A support axis hole is formed in the cover member and is adapted to receive and support the support axis.

The operation part is constructed of a pinion gear formed in one end part of the cover member. A rack member has a rack gear engaging the pinion gear, thereby rotatably moving the cover member.

The rack member may be substantially immovably fixed to a main body of an image forming apparatus. That is, when the housing is installed in or taken out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the rack member rotatably moves the cover member between the first and second positions by rotatably moving the pinion gear engaging the rack gear through use of a movement force of the housing.

The rack member may be installed to move in the housing, instead of being fixed to the main body. In this case, the rack member moves by a force applied by a user when an outside corresponding connection fitting is connected to or disconnected from a connection fitting of the housing, thus a pinion gear engaging with a rack gear moves rotatably, thereby rotatably moving the cover member between first and second positions.

Selectively, the operation part may be constructed of a protrusion formed in one end part of the cover member, and a corresponding protrusion member that engages with the protrusion, thereby rotatably moving the cover member.

The fitting protecting apparatus of the invention may further include a return part for returning the cover member of the cover part from a second position to a first position when the housing is taken out of a main body of an image forming apparatus or when the outside corresponding connection fitting is disconnected from a connection fitting of the housing.

The return part is constructed of an elastic spring which is installed in the housing and of which one end part is supported by a first support boss formed in the housing and another end part is supported by a second support boss formed in the cover member.

Selectively, the return part may be constructed of an elastic spring which is installed in the support member of the cover part and of which one end part is supported by a first support boss formed in the housing and another end part is supported by a second support boss formed in the cover member.

The fitting protecting apparatus of the invention may further include an exterior cover member that is installed in the housing to prevent exposing the cover part and the return part when outside. The exterior cover member has an aperture exposing a connection fitting in the outside so that an outside corresponding connection fitting is connected to a connection fitting.

According to another aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming part having a developing part forming an image by using liquid developer. A developer cartridge has a housing that has at least one connection fitting connected to a corresponding connection fitting of at least one connection tube that is connected to the developing part so as to supply liquid developer to the developing part. The developer cartridge includes a cover part disposed in the housing to be moved between a first position of sealing a connection fitting to prevent being exposed and a second position of opening a connection fitting. A fitting protecting part has an operation part for moving the cover part to the second position when an outside corresponding fitting is connected to a connection fitting of the housing and that covers a connection fitting.

The cover part according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is constructed of a cover member covering a connection fitting, and a support member supporting the cover member to the housing so as to rotatably move the cover member between a first position and a second position. The cover member may be constructed of a plate larger than a flat area of a connection fitting, and the support member may be constructed of a support axis fixed to the housing. A support axis hole is formed in the cover member, and is adapted to receive and support the support axis.

The operation part is constructed of a pinion gear formed in one end part of the cover member; and a rack member having a rack gear engaging the pinion gear, thus rotatably moving the cover member.

The rack member may be substantially immovably fixed to a main body. That is, when the developer cartridge is installed in or taken out of the main body, the rack member rotatably moves the cover member between the first and second positions by rotatably moving the pinion gear engaging the rack gear through use of a movement force of the housing.

The rack member may be installed to move by a predetermined distance in the housing, instead of being fixed to the main body. In this case, the rack member moves by an external force when an outside corresponding connection fitting is connected to or disconnected from a connection fitting of the housing, thereby rotatably moving a pinion gear engaging a rack gear to rotatably move the cover member between first and second positions.

Selectively, the operation part may be constructed of a protrusion formed in one end part of the cover member, and a corresponding protrusion member that engages the protrusion, thereby rotatably moving the cover member.

The fitting protecting part of the invention may further include a return part returning the cover member of the cover part from a second position to a first position when the developer cartridge is taken out of a main body of an image forming apparatus or when the outside corresponding connection fitting is disconnected from a connection fitting of the housing.

The return part is constructed of an elastic spring that is installed in the housing and of which one end part is supported by a first support boss formed in the housing and another end part is supported by a second support boss formed in the cover member.

Selectively, the return part may be constructed of an elastic spring that is installed in the support member of the cover part and of which one end part is supported by a first support boss formed in the housing and another end part is supported by a second support boss formed in the cover member.

The fitting protecting part of the invention further includes an exterior cover member that is installed in the housing prevent exposing the cover part and the return part. The exterior cover member has an aperture exposing a connection fitting in the outside so that an outside corresponding connection fitting is connected to a connection fitting.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are more fully described in detail with reference toFIGS. 3 through 7. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and to convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same will be described in detail referring to the accompanied drawings, as follows.

A wet-type electrophotographic printer employing a fitting protecting apparatus200of a developer cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an image forming part (not shown) and a developer supply part100.

A configuration of an image forming part is similar to the configuration of the wet-type electrophotographic printer10described above referring toFIG. 1, thus its detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 3illustrates a developer supply part100of a wet-type electrophotographic printer to which a fitting protecting apparatus200of a developer cartridge is applied.

The developer supply part100includes a developer cartridge150storing liquid developer148, first and second connection tubes122and123for connecting the developer cartridge150to a developing chamber127of a developing part126, a developer supply pump118disposed between the first and second connection tubes122and123and driven by a motor129, and a third connection tube124for connecting the developer cartridge150to a recollection chamber128of the developing part126.

Though it was exemplarily described above that the developer cartridge150is directly connected to the recollection chamber128of the developing part126through the third connection tube124, the developer cartridge150may be installed over the recollection chamber128. The developer cartridge150is connected to the recollection chamber128of the developing part126through third and fourth connection tubes20and24and a developer recollection pump19disposed therebetween, as in the printer10described with reference toFIG. 1.

The developer cartridge150includes a housing101provided as a developer storage spacer for storing liquid developer148, and a liquid developer agitator135for agitating liquid developer48within the housing101.

In a sidewall101bof one end part of the housing101, a handle109(FIG. 4) is disposed adapted to be grasped by a user. A concave part is formed on one side of a top plate101aof the housing101near the sidewall101bin which the handle109is disposed.

A first developer discharge part170and a first developer influx part160are disposed in the concave part105. The first developer discharge part170and the first developer influx part160are spaced apart with a determined interval therebetween, and are preferably askew with respect to one another.

The first developer discharge part170is connected to a second developer influx part113of a developing chamber127through first and second connection tubes122and123to supply liquid developer148of the housing101to the developing chamber127. The first developer influx part160is connected to a second developer discharge part114of the recollection chamber128of the developing part126through a third connection tube124to recollect the liquid developer148from the recollection chamber128.

The first developer discharge part170includes a first female fitting180disposed in the concave part105of the top plate101aof the housing101and a first male fitting171adapted in an end part of the first connection tube122. The first male fitting171being opposite to and being connected to the first female fitting180.

The first male fitting171is supported to be elastically engaged with a frame107(FIG. 4) of a printer body (not shown) by a well-known fitting elevator (not shown) operating in association with an open and close operation of an external cover (not shown) of the printer or operating by a sensor (not shown) for sensing an open and close operation of the external cover. Thus, when the external cover is opened to install the housing101on the frame107of the printer body or take it out of the frame107, the first male fitting171is lifted by the fitting elevator and is then disconnected from the first female fitting180. When the external cover is closed, the first male fitting171descends by the fitting elevator and is then connected to the first female fitting180.

Though it was described herewith that the first male fitting171was connected to or disconnected from the first female fitting180by the fitting elevator, the first male fitting171may be adapted to be pressed and supported to a first female fitting180by an elastic member (not shown), such as an elastic spring. In this case, the first male fitting171is connected to or disconnected from the first female fitting180manually by a user.

The first female fitting180is sealed by an inventive fitting protecting apparatus200, which is described below, when the housing101is taken out of the frame107of a printer body for maintenance of the developer cartridge150or during storage of the developer cartridge while not in use.

The first female fitting180includes a first female fitting tube181fixedly installed to the concave part105, and a developer suction tube140extended from a lower part of the first female fitting tube181to a bottom of the housing101.

A substantially T-shaped valve plate183is disposed within the first female fitting tube181of the first female fitting180and is elastically pressurized by a first elastic spring184. When the first male fitting171is separated from the first female fitting180, in which an internal connection tube175of the first male fitting171to be described later is removed from an upper aperture182of the first female fitting tube181, the substantially T-shaped valve plate183together with a first packing member186of the upper aperture182seals the upper aperture182. Thus, liquid developer148is prevented from being leaked from the developer suction tube140of the housing101through the upper aperture182of the first female fitting tube181.

The first male fitting171includes a first male fitting tube172having an internal connection ring part172athat is locked with an outer connection ring part181aof the first female fitting tube181when the first male fitting171is connected to the first female fitting180in a lower part.

Within the first male fitting tube172of the first male fitting171, an internal connection tube175and a second packing member173are disposed.

In an upper part, the internal connection tube175is connected to a first connection tube122. In a lower part thereof, the internal connection tube175has a liquid developer suction aperture176for sucking liquid developer148flowing through a lower aperture185of the first female fitting tube180.

A second packing member173is pressurized toward a lower side elastically by a second elastic spring174. Thus, when the first male fitting171is separated from the first female fitting180, the second packing member173is provided with a girth of the internal connection tube175to seal the liquid developer suction aperture176to substantially prevent leakage of the liquid developer148from the first connection tube122through the liquid developer suction aperture176of the internal connection tube175.

That is, when the first female fitting180is connected with the first male fitting171, the liquid developer148may be supplied from the developer suction tube140of the housing101to the first connection tube122through the lower aperture185of the first fitting tube181and the liquid developer suction aperture176of the internal connection tube175.

The first developer influx part160includes a second female fitting180′ installed in the concave part105of the top plate101aof the housing101, A second male fitting171′ is installed in an end part of the third connection tube124, and is substantially opposite to the second female fitting180′ to be connected to the second female fitting180′.

Configuration and operation of the second female fitting180′ is substantially similar to the first female fitting180of the first developer supply part170, except that a liquid developer discharge aperture187is provided at an outer circumferential face of the second female fitting tube181′ instead of the developer suction tube140being provided at a lower part thereof of the first female fitting180of the first developer discharge part170. Configuration and operation of the second male fitting171′ is substantially similar to the first male fitting171of the first developer supply part170.

As shown inFIGS. 3 through 5B, the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge includes a cover part210for sealing or opening first and second female fittings180and180′ of a developer cartridge150, and an operation part220operating the cover part210to seal or open the first and second female fittings180and180′.

The cover part210includes a cover member211for covering the first and second female fittings180and180′ formed in the concave part105. A support member215supports the cover member211for rotatable movement thereof in the concave part105. The cover member211is supported by the support member215and rotates between a first position (FIG. 5A) and a second position (FIG. 5B). The first position seals the first and second female fittings180and180′ so as not to be exposed and the second position opens the first and second female fittings180and180′ to be exposed.

The cover member211is preferably formed in a longish oval plate larger than a flat area sum of the first and second female fittings180and180′ to cover the first and second female fittings180and180′, as shown inFIG. 5A. Preferably, the cover member211is substantially tear-drop shaped. The oval plate is constructed of an extension face211afor covering the first and second female fittings180and180′, and a reduction face211bin which a support axis hole218of the support member215, which is described later, and a pinion gear221of the operation part220are formed.

The support member215is constructed of a support axis216formed near the first female fitting180in the concave part105, and the support axis hole218in which the support axis216is inserted and supported. The support axis hole is formed in the reduction face211aof the cover member211.

The support axis216has a base216a(FIG. 3) fixedly supported to the concave part105, and an upper end part216bsupported in an aperture257(FIG. 4) formed in a square shape plate251of an exterior cover member250described later. The base216asupports the cover member211apredetermined distance from a bottom of the concave part105, thus providing an operation space for a toggle spring231of a return part230and a second support boss243(FIG. 3) supporting a second end part231bof the toggle spring231.

The operation part220operates to move the cover member211of the cover part210between the first position and the second position when the developer cartridge150is installed in or taken out of the frame107, or when first and second male fittings171and171′ are connected with or disconnected from the first and second female fittings180and180′.

Referring toFIG. 6, the operation part220includes a pinion gear221formed in an outer edge of the reduction face211bof the cover member211, and a rack member225having a rack gear227that engages the pinion gear221to rotate the cover member211.

The rack member225is rigidly fixed to the frame107of the printer body through use of fixation members229, such as screws. Thus, when the developer cartridge150is installed in or taken out of the frame107of the printer body, the rack member225rotates the pinion gear221engaging the rack gear227by using a movement force of the housing101, thereby rotating the cover member211between the first position shown inFIG. 5Aand the second position shown inFIG. 5B. The rack member225and the frame107are slidingly contact a slide flute260along an edge of one side of the housing top plate101a.

Alternatively, the rack member225may be installed in the housing101to be slidable a predetermined distance along the slide flute260of the housing101when the rack gear227engages the pinion gear221instead of being fixed to the frame107of the printer body. In this case, when the housing101is installed in or taken out of the frame107, or when the first and second male fittings171and171′ are connected with or disconnected from the first and second female fittings180and180′, the rack member225slides along the slide flute260by pushing or pulling force of a user, thus rotating the pinion gear221engaging the rack gear227and rotating the cover member211between the first and second positions.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5B, the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge may further include a return part230for returning the cover member211of the cover part210from the second position (FIG. 5B) to the first position (FIG. 5A) when the housing101is taken out of the frame107, or when the first and second male fittings171and171′ are disconnected from the first and second female fittings180and180′.

The return part230has a toggle spring231in which a center part231bis movably supported to a fixation boss242formed in the concave part105of the housing101in the vicinity of the second female fitting180′. One end part231aof the toggle spring231is supported to the first support boss241formed in the vicinity of the second female fitting180′ distanced from the fixation boss242. Another end part231cis supported to a second support boss243(FIG. 3) formed in a lower face of the extension face211aof the cover member211.

Alternatively, the return part230may be constructed of a compression spring (not shown) in which a center part is rotatably supported by the support axis216of the support member211instead of having the toggle spring231rotatably supported by the fixation boss242. In this case, one end part of the compression spring is supported to a first support boss (not shown) formed in the concave part105and another end part is supported to a second boss (not shown) formed in a lower face of the extension face211aof the cover member211.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge further includes an exterior cover member250for sealing up the concave part105of the housing101in which the cover part210and the return part230are installed so as not to expose it.

The exterior cover member250is constructed of a square shape plate251having first, second and third protrusion edges251a,251band251c, which extend a predetermined height toward the concave part105to provide the installation and operation space for the toggle spring231of the return part230and the cover member211on the concave part105of the housing101.

The square shape plate251is fixed to a corresponding fixation part255′ of the concave part105through a fixation member255such as screw.

In the square shape plate251near the second protrusion edge251b, a cut open part251bis formed to be connected with the slide flute260. The cut open part251bexposes the pinion gear221of the operation part220formed in the reduction face211bof the cover member211to the outside and provides a space in which the rack member225of the operation part220may slide.

The square shape plate251has first and second circular apertures252and253for exposing the first and second female fittings180and180′ in the outside. The first and second circular apertures252and253are formed corresponding to the first and second female fittings180and180′ so that the first and second male fittings171and171′ are connected with the first and second female fittings180and180′.

As described above, the exterior cover member250seals the cover part210and the return part230to prevent exposing them, thereby components of the printer body, including the first and second male fittings171and171′, are prevented from being contacted with the toggle spring231of the return part230and the cover member211when the developer150is installed in or taken out of the frame107.

Though it was above exemplarily described in the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge that the operation part220has the pinion gear221and the rack member225having the rack gear227; as shown inFIG. 7, the operation part may be constructed of a protrusion221′ formed in an outer edge of the reduction face211band a corresponding protrusion member225′ that extends toward the protrusion221′ to engage the protrusion221′.

Though it was described above exemplarily that the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge150had the first and second female fittings180and180′ formed on the top plate101aof the housing101; the invention is not so limited. For example, if one of the first and second female fittings180and180′ is installed in the top plate101aof the housing101and another is installed in a sidewall101b, it may be configured to cover only the female fitting installed in the top plate101a.

As described above, the fitting protecting apparatus200of the developer cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention seals the first and second female fittings180and180′ when the housing101is taken out of the frame107of the printer body for maintenance of the developer cartridge150or while the developer cartridge is being stored, thereby preventing a user from being exposed to developer and other components from being polluted secondarily through the first and second female fittings180and180′. In addition, the first and second female fittings180and180′ are prevented from being polluted with foreign substances and debris, such as dust, or from being damaged by an external collision.

An operation of a wet-type electrophotographic printer having such a fitting protecting apparatus200of a developer cartridge will be described referring toFIGS. 3 through 6.

First, an operation of installing the developer cartridge150in the frame107of the printer body is described.

When an external cover is opened to install a developer cartridge150in a frame107of the printer body, first and second male fittings171and171′ are lifted to a position not obstructing a movement of the developer cartridge150, through a fitting elevator operating in association with an open and close operation of the external cover.

Subsequently, the developer cartridge150is caught by a handle109of a housing101and then is pushed in a direction indicated by arrow A into the frame107of the printer body, as shown inFIGS. 5B and 6.

At this time, in the developer cartridge150, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5A, a cover member211is positioned on a first position of sealing up first and second apertures252and253of a square shape plate251to substantially prevent exposing first and second female fittings180and180′, particularly when the developer cartridge is not installed in the printer.

When the housing101is inserted a predetermined distance into the frame107of the printer body, a pinion gear221disposed on a reduction face211bof the cover member211engages a rack gear227of a rack member225fixed to the frame107, thereby rotating the cover member211clockwise about a support axis216and against an elastic force of toggle spring231of a return part230.

When the housing101is completely installed in the frame107, as shown inFIG. 5B, the cover member211is moved from a first position to a second position, and the first and second apertures252and253of the exterior cover member250are accessible.

At this time, the first and second female fittings180and180′ are positioned under first and second male fittings171and171′ that are lifted by a fitting elevator.

Next, when the external cover is closed, the first and second male fittings171and171′ descend by the fitting elevator operating in association with an open and close operation of the external cover and are then inserted into the first and second apertures252and253. After that, as shown inFIG. 3, as internal connection ring part172aof first and second male fitting tubes172are locked with an outer connection ring part181aof the first and second female fitting tubes181and181′, the first and second male fittings171and171′ are connected respectively with the first and second female fittings180and180′.

That is, in each of the first and second male fittings171and171′, a second packing member173is pushed up by first and second female fitting tubes181and181′ to open a liquid developer suction aperture176of an internal connection tube175. In each of the first and second female fittings180and180′, a substantially T-shaped valve plate183is pushed up into the interior of the first and second female fitting tubes181and181′ by the internal connection tube175.

Thus, liquid developer148is supplied from a developer suction tube140of the housing101to a first connection tube122through a lower aperture185of the first female tube181and a liquid developer suction aperture176of the internal connection tube175, or is recollected from a third connection tube124to the interior of the housing101through the liquid developer suction aperture176of the internal connection tube175, the lower aperture185of the second female fitting tube181′ and a liquid developer discharge aperture187.

An operation of removing the developer cartridge150from the frame107of the printer body will be described as follows.

Referring back toFIG. 3, when an external cover is opened, the first and second male fittings171and171′ are disconnected from the first and second female fittings180and180′ by a fitting elevator operating in association with an open and close operation of the external cover, and are then lifted toward the outside of the first and second apertures252and253of the exterior cover member250.

In this state, the housing101of the developer cartridge150is taken out of the frame107by a handle109being pulled by a user in a direction indicated by arrow B, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 6.

When the housing101is taken out of the frame107, the cover member211is rotated counterclockwise by a pinion gear221engaging a rack gear227of a rack member225to move the cover member211from a second position shown inFIG. 5Bto a first position shown inFIG. 5A. Hence, as shown inFIG. 4, the first and second apertures252and253of the exterior cover member250are sealed by the cover member211.

At this time, a toggle spring231of the return part230helps the cover member211move to a first position. After the cover member211reaches the first position, the toggle spring substantially maintains the cover member in the first position.

Then, when the housing101is removed from the frame107, the operation of taking out the developer cartridge150from the frame107of the printer body is completed.

As described above, in a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, female fittings connected to male fittings of connection tubes are sealed and protected when the developer cartridge is taken out of a main body of the image forming apparatus for maintenance or while being stored. Developer exposure through the female fittings is substantially prevented. Pollution of female fittings with foreign substances and debris, such as dust, and damage of female fittings by an outside collision are also substantially prevented. That is, when dealing with a developer cartridge, a user's secondary pollution of components through developer exposure, image-quality deterioration through pollution of liquid developer, and leakage of liquid developer may be prevented.

Additionally, in a fitting protecting apparatus of a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an operation part operating a cover part has a simplified structure of operating by using a movement force provided when a developer cartridge is installed in or taken out of a main body, or manually by a force exerted by a user, thereby providing an easy operation without obstructing a connection or disconnection operation between male fittings and female fittings.