CN101010642A - Layer thickness regulating member re-mounting method, development device, image formation device, image formation system, and development device reproducing method - Google Patents
Layer thickness regulating member re-mounting method, development device, image formation device, image formation system, and development device reproducing method Download PDFInfo
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- CN101010642A CN101010642A CN 200580028964 CN200580028964A CN101010642A CN 101010642 A CN101010642 A CN 101010642A CN 200580028964 CN200580028964 CN 200580028964 CN 200580028964 A CN200580028964 A CN 200580028964A CN 101010642 A CN101010642 A CN 101010642A
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Abstract
A layer thickness regulating member can be re-mounted on a development device by a simple method. The method for re-mounting the layer thickness regulating member includes the following steps: a step for removing a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of developing agent having a contact portion in contact with a developing agent carrier and carried on the developing agent carrier, from a developing device; a step for adjusting the length of the layer thickness regulating member re-mounted again on the developing device according to information recorded in the developing device and indicating the length from the tip end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion; and a step for re-mounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length has been adjusted, on the developing device.
Description
Technical Field
The invention relates to a method of remounting a layer thickness regulating member, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a method of regenerating a developing device.
Background
Image forming apparatuses such as laser printers are already known. Such an image forming apparatus includes, for example: a photoconductor for carrying a latent image; and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor with a developer. When an image signal or the like is sent from an external apparatus such as a host computer, the image forming apparatus positions the developing device at a developing position opposite the photoconductor, forms a developer image by developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor with the developer in the developing device, transfers the developer image onto a medium, and finally forms an image on the medium.
The developing device described above includes: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that comes into contact with the developer carrier at a contact portion to regulate the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier or the like so as to perform the above-described function of developing a latent image carried on the photoconductor or other similar functions. Such ｃA developing device develops ｃA latent image carried on ｃA photoconductor with ｃA developer carried on ｃA developing roller, the thickness of which developer is limited by ｃA layer thickness limiting member (see JP- ｃA-2003-270934).
Disclosure of Invention
Incidentally, the developing device is generally recycled (reused) from the viewpoint of resource saving, environmental protection, and cost reduction. When the developer in the developing device is exhausted with the use of the developing device, the developing device is collected by a supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with the developer to regenerate the developing device.
In such a case, the layer thickness regulating member is sometimes replaced along with refilling of the developer. With respect to the layer thickness regulating member, the contact member that contacts the developer carrier wears with use of the developing device, and therefore the layer thickness regulating member is replaced as needed after checking its condition. Specifically, if the layer thickness regulating member is worn to a significant extent, the layer thickness regulating member is removed and a new layer thickness regulating member is remounted.
In view of the fact that the layer thickness regulating member is mounted to the developing device at once when the developing device is made a new device (i.e., not a recycled developing device), there is a need for a more simplified method for mounting the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is remounted.
The present invention has been devised in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to remount a layer thickness regulating member to a developing device with a simple method.
A principal aspect of the present invention is a method for remounting a layer thickness limiting member, comprising the steps of: removing the layer thickness regulating member from the developing device provided with the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; adjusting a length of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, based on information stored in the developing device and indicating the length; and remounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length is regulated to the developing device.
The developing device is shipped after assembly (in other words, after the developer carrier, the layer thickness regulating member, and the like are mounted to the developing device). In some cases, before shipment (and also after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device), data indicating the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier is obtained by actual measurement.
For example, at the first rotation of the developer carrier after the developing device is assembled, the developer carrier tends to leak from between the contact portion and the developer carrier. Therefore, before shipping the developing device (before the purchaser obtains the developing device), the following process is generally performed: the developer carrier is rotated until the developer carrier stops leaking. When this process is performed, data indicating the degree of leakage of the developer bearing member can be obtained as the data, based on the time required until the developer bearing member stops leaking by actual measurement, or the like. (it should be noted that if it is found through this process that the target developing device exhibits an excessive developer carrying leakage degree, and the regulation for the developer carrying leakage degree cannot be satisfied, such a developing device cannot be shipped).
In the plurality of developing devices, the above-described characteristics of the developer bearing member that has passed between the contact portion and the developer bearing member are different. For example, when such a characteristic of the developer is related to the developer leakage degree, among the developing devices that have satisfied the regulation for the developer leakage degree in the above process and are to be shipped, some developing devices are better in terms of the characteristic (in other words, there is little leakage), while others are worse in terms of the characteristic (in other words, there is large leakage).
Incidentally, the developing device is generally reused from the viewpoints of resource saving, environmental protection, cost reduction, and the like. When the toner in the developing device is exhausted as the developing device is used, the developing device is collected by its supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with toner to remanufacture the developing device.
When remanufacturing the developing device, it is desirable that the developing device poor in terms of the characteristics be remanufactured as a developing device good in terms of the characteristics.
The present invention has been devised in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the performance of a developing device when remanufacturing the developing device.
Another broad aspect of the invention is a method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of: refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; determining whether or not to modify a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier, based on data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device; and modifying the relative position when it is determined that the relative position is to be modified.
Depending on the relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrying member, the surface roughness of the developer carrying member, the type (lot) of the developer used to fill the developing device, and the like, it is possible to know whether the characteristics of the developer in the developing device (e.g., the transportability or chargeability of the developer) are good or bad.
Therefore, when manufacturing the developing device, the above-mentioned 3 parameters are selected so that the characteristics are good in some cases. For example, a plurality of options are provided as options for the adjusted relative position, the surface roughness of the developer carrying member mounted to the developing device, and the developer filling the developing device, respectively. A selection is appropriately selected from each of the selection groups to select a selection combination that makes the characteristic good.
Incidentally, the developing device is generally reused from the viewpoints of resource saving, environmental protection, cost reduction, and the like. When the developer in the developing device is exhausted as the developing device is used, the developing device is collected by its supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with the developer to remanufacture the developing device.
Also in such a case, the surface roughness of the developer carrying member provided in the remanufactured developing device may be different from the surface roughness of the developer carrying member of the developing device when manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device). Such a situation may occur, for example, when the developer carrying member is replaced at the time of remanufacturing the developing device due to significant wear of the developer carrying member. Also, the type (lot) of the developer used to refill the developing device may be different from the type (lot) of the developer used to fill the developing device when the developing device is manufactured as a new developing device.
In such a case, it is necessary to select a combination that makes the characteristics good again, but the process of remanufacturing the developing device is complicated by selecting such a combination from the beginning.
The present invention has been devised in view of these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to simplify the process for remanufacturing a developing device.
Another broad aspect of the invention is a method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of: refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier is stored in the developing device; acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with a developer; and modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier in accordance with the acquired value and the surface roughness information.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent by reading the description of the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a view showing main constituent elements when constituting a printer 10.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the printer 10 of fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the developing device.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing main constituent elements of the developing device.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the restriction blade 560.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the holder 526.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper sealing member 520, the restriction blade 560, and the developing roller 520 are mounted to the bracket 526 in a combined manner.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holder 526 is mounted to the housing 540.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reinstalling a restriction blade 560 according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a schematic view for describing a procedure of adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a first working example of a method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a schematic view for describing a procedure of adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a view showing four levels of relative positions according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a second working example of the method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 15 is a view showing four levels of the developing roller 510 according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a third working example of the method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 17 is a view showing four levels of toner according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a first working example of a method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 19 is a schematic view for describing a method of adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 20 is a view showing four levels of the developing roller 510 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 21 is a view showing four levels of relative positions according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a second working example of the method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 23 is a view showing four levels of toner according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a third working example of the method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a fourth working example of the method for regenerating the yellow developing device 54 according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram describing a peripheral configuration of the image forming system.
Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in fig. 26.
Description of the reference symbols
10 laser printer
20 photo conductor
30 charging unit
40 Exposure Unit
50 YMCK developing unit
50a center shaft
51 black developing device
51a developing device side memory
52 magenta developing device
52a developing device side memory
53 cyan developing device
53a developing device side memory
54 yellow developing device
54a developing device side memory
55a, 55b, 55c and 55d holding portions
60 first transfer unit
70 intermediate transfer body
75 cleaning unit
76 cleaning blade
80 secondary transfer unit
90 fixing unit
92 paper feed tray
94 paper feed roller
95 display unit
96-register adjusting roller
100 control unit
101 master controller
102 unit controller
112 interface
113 image memory
120 CPU
121 serial interface
122 main unit side memory
510 developing roller
510a shaft portion
510b large diameter portion
510c axial end portion
520 upper sealing member
520a short lateral end
520b contact surface
520c opposite surface
524 upper seal biasing member
526 support
526a upper seal support part
526b developing roller supporting part
526c restriction blade supporting part
530 toner container
530a first toner containing portion
530b second toner containing portion
540 casing
542 upper housing portion
544 lower housing part
545 dividing wall
546 shell seal
550 toner supply roller
560 restriction blade
560a front end
562 rubber part
562a contact part
564 rubber supporting part
564a sheet
564b sheet support portion
564c long lateral end
564d short lateral end
564e short lateral another end
570 shim
572 opening
574 end seal
576 bearing
700 image forming system
702 computer
704 display device
706 printer
708 input device
708A keyboard
708B mouse
710 reading device
710A floppy disk drive unit
710B CD-ROM drive unit
802 internal memory
804 hard disk drive unit
T toner
Detailed Description
At least the following will become apparent from the description of the specification and the description of the drawings.
A method for remounting a layer thickness limiting member, comprising the steps of:
removing the layer thickness regulating member from the developing device provided with the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
adjusting a length of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, based on information stored in the developing device and indicating the length; and
remounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length is regulated to the developing device.
With such a method for remounting the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by a simple method.
The layer thickness restricting member may include: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof, wherein the method comprises the steps of: adjusting a distance of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier, according to information stored in the developing device and indicating the distance, and wherein in the step of remounting the layer thickness regulating member to the developing device, the layer thickness regulating member, the distance and the length of which are adjusted, is remounted to the developing device.
With such a method for remounting the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by a simpler method.
In the adjusting the distance, the distance of the layer thickness regulating member remounted to the developing device may be adjusted based on information stored in the developing device and indicating a thickness of the contact member.
With such a method for remounting the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by a simpler method.
The information may be stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
Such a method is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
A method for remounting a layer thickness limiting member, comprising the steps of:
removing the layer thickness regulating member from the developing device provided with the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
adjusting a length of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, based on information stored in the developing device and indicating the length;
remounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length is regulated to the developing device; and
adjusting a distance of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a reference position to another end portion of a supporting member provided in the layer thickness regulating member and for supporting the contact member at one end portion thereof in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier, according to information stored in the developing device and indicating the distance in which the contact member is provided in the layer thickness regulating member and contacts the developer carrier,
wherein in the step of remounting the layer thickness regulating member to the developing device, the layer thickness regulating member whose distance and length are regulated is remounted to the developing device,
wherein in the step of adjusting the distance, the distance of the layer thickness regulating member remounted to the developing device is adjusted in accordance with information stored in the developing device and indicating a thickness of the contact member, and
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
With such a method, all the effects can be achieved, and the object of the present invention is achieved more efficiently.
A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
information indicating a length from a front end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
With such a developing device, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by a simpler method.
The layer thickness restricting member may include: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a supporting member for supporting the contact member at one end portion thereof, and the developing device has information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end portion of the supporting member in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier.
With such a developing device, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by an even simpler method.
The developing device may include information indicating a thickness of the contact member.
With such a developing device, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device by an even simpler method.
The information may be stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
Such a method is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion;
information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end of a supporting member in a direction from a contact member, which is provided in the layer thickness regulating member and is for supporting the contact member at one end thereof, toward the developer carrier, the contact member being provided in the layer thickness regulating member and contacting the developer carrier; and
information indicating the thickness of the contact member,
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
With such a developing device, all of the effects can be achieved, and the object of the present invention is achieved more efficiently.
An image forming apparatus includes:
a developing device, the developing device comprising: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
In such an image forming apparatus, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device provided in the image forming apparatus by a simpler method.
An image forming system includes:
a computer; and
an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, the image forming apparatus including a developing device having: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
In such an image forming system, the layer thickness regulating member can be remounted to the developing device provided in the image forming system by a simpler method.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
modifying the relative position when it is determined that the relative position is to be modified, by determining whether to modify the relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier, based on data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, it is possible to improve the performance of the developing device at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
In the step of modifying the relative position, a degree of modification of the relative position may be changed according to the data.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the performance of the developing device can be more appropriately improved at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
Relative position information indicating a relative position before the relative position is modified may be stored in the developing device, and wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the process of the method for remanufacturing a developing device can be simplified.
The relative position information may be information indicating a length from the layer thickness restricting member to the contact portion, and wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the length is modified using the information indicating the length.
The layer thickness restricting member may include: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a supporting member for supporting the contact member at one end portion thereof, and the relative position information is a distance indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end portion of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, and in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
by determining whether or not to replace the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the developer carrier is replaced with the another developer carrier when it is determined that the developer carrier is to be replaced, based on data indicating the characteristics of the developer that has passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, it is possible to improve the performance of the developing device at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
In the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier may be selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other, according to the data.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the performance of the developing device can be more appropriately improved at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
Surface roughness information may be stored in the developing device, the surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of a developer carrier that has been provided in the developing device before replacement of the developer carrier and being a surface roughness when the developer carrier has been mounted to the developing device, and in the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier may be selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other, using the surface roughness information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the process of the method for remanufacturing a developing device can be simplified.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrying body at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body,
wherein in the step, the developer selected in accordance with data that is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device and that indicates the characteristics of the developer that has passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier is used for refilling.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, it is possible to improve the performance of the developing device at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
Developer information specifying a developer filled in the developing device before refilling with the developer may be stored in the developing device, and in the step, the developer used for refilling the developing device is selected using the developer information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the process of the method for remanufacturing a developing device can be simplified.
The data may be stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
Such a method for remanufacturing the developing device is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
modifying the relative position when it is determined that the relative position is to be modified, by determining whether or not to modify the relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier, based on data indicating the characteristics of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device,
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, a degree of modification of the relative position is changed in accordance with the data,
wherein relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device,
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information,
wherein the relative position information is information indicating a length from the layer thickness restricting member to the contact portion,
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the length is modified using the information indicating the length,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
wherein the relative position information is indicative of a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier,
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance, an
The data is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, all of the effects can be achieved, and the object of the present invention is achieved more efficiently.
A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
a storage element for storing data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
With such a developing device, the performance of the developing device can be improved upon remanufacturing the developing device.
An image forming apparatus includes:
a developing device having: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and a storage element for storing data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
With such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the performance of the developing device at the time of remanufacturing the developing device.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier is stored in the developing device;
acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with a developer; and
modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the acquired value and the surface roughness information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, a process for remanufacturing the developing device can be simplified.
In the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value may be acquired by measuring a surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, an accurate surface roughness value can be obtained.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and that specifies developer information of the developer to be stored in the developing device;
acquiring second developer information specifying a developer for refilling; and
modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the developer information stored in the developing device and the acquired second developer information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, a process for remanufacturing the developing device can be simplified.
Relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified may be stored in the developing device, and in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, a process for remanufacturing the developing device can be simplified.
The relative position information may be information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, and the length may be modified using the information indicating the length in the step of modifying the relative position.
The layer thickness regulating member may have: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a supporting member for supporting the contact member at one end portion thereof, the relative position information being information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end portion of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, and in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with a developer carrier for carrying the developer, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier being stored in the developing device; and
acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with the developer,
wherein in the step of refilling with the developer, the developer selected in accordance with the acquired value and the surface roughness information is used for refilling.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, a process for remanufacturing the developing device can be simplified.
In the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value may be acquired by measuring a surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, an accurate surface roughness value can be obtained.
Developer information specifying a developer filled in the developing device before refilling with the developer may be stored in the developing device, and in the step of refilling with the developer, the developer used to refill the developing device is selected using the developer information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the process for remanufacturing the developing device can be further simplified.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with a developer carrying body for carrying the developer, and developer information specifying the developer being stored in the developing device;
acquiring second developer information specifying a developer for refilling; and
replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other in accordance with the developer information stored in the developing device and the acquired second developer information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, a process for remanufacturing the developing device can be simplified.
Surface roughness information may be stored in the developing device, the surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of a developer carrier that has been provided in the developing device before replacement of the developer carrier and being a surface roughness when the developer carrier has been mounted to the developing device, and in the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier may be selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other, using the surface roughness information.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, the process for remanufacturing the developing device can be further simplified.
A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier is stored in the developing device;
acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with a developer; and
modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the acquired value and the surface roughness information,
wherein,
in the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value is acquired by measuring the surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner,
relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device,
modifying the relative position using the relative position information in the step of modifying the relative position,
the relative position information is information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion,
modifying said length using said information indicating said length in said step of modifying said relative position,
the layer thickness regulating member has: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
the relative position information is information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, an
In the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
With such a method for remanufacturing a developing device, all of the effects can be achieved, and the object of the present invention is achieved more efficiently.
An example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus
Next, referring to fig. 1, an overview of the image forming apparatus will be described taking a laser printer 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "printer") as an example. Fig. 1 is a view showing main constituent elements constituting a printer 10. It should be noted that the vertical direction of the printer 10 is shown by an arrow in fig. 1. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at a lower portion of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at an upper portion of the printer 10.
As shown in fig. 1, the printer 10 of the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a YMCK developing unit 50, a first transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning unit 75, all of which are arranged in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20, and the printer 10 further includes a second transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 constituted by a liquid crystal display panel and serving as a notification means for a user or the like, a control unit 100 for controlling the printer operation by controlling these units, and the like.
The photoconductor 20 has a cylindrical conductive base and a photoconductive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive base, and is rotatable about its central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoconductor 20 rotates clockwise as shown by the arrow in fig. 1.
The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20. The exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the charged photoconductor 20 by irradiating laser light thereon. The exposure unit 40 has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F- θ lens, and the like, and irradiates a modulated laser beam toward the charged photoconductor 20 according to an image signal input from a host (not shown) such as a personal computer, a word processor, and the like.
The YMCK developing unit 50 is a device for developing a latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 with toner T (in this specification, toner T refers to a mixture of toner particles and various external additives), which is an example of a developer contained in a developing device, that is, black (K) toner contained in a black developing device 51, magenta (M) toner contained in a magenta developing device 53, cyan (C) toner contained in a cyan developing device 52, and yellow (Y) toner contained in a yellow developing device 54.
The YMCK developing unit 50 rotates together with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 mounted thereto, whereby the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be moved. Specifically, the YMCK developing unit 50 clamps four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by four clamping portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55 d. The four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can rotate about the central axis 50a while maintaining their relative positions. Each time when the image formation corresponding to one page is completed, the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20, and the latent images formed on the photoconductor 20 are sequentially developed with the toner T contained in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. It should be noted that each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 may be attached to and detached from the nip portion of the YMCK developing unit 50. The developing device will be described in detail later.
The first transfer unit 60 is a means for transferring the monochrome toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 onto the intermediate transfer body 70. When the toner images of the four colors are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 70.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt which is made by providing an aluminum deposition layer on the surface of a PET film and forming a semiconductor coating layer on the surface thereof. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring the single-color toner image or the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 onto a medium such as paper, film, cloth, or the like.
The fixing unit 90 is a device for fixing the monochrome toner image or the full-color toner image, which has been transferred to the medium, onto the medium to make it a permanent image.
The cleaning unit 75 is a device provided between the first transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30, has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20, and is used to scrape off and remove the toner T remaining on the photoconductor 20 with the cleaning blade 76 after the first transfer unit 60 transfers the toner image onto the intermediate transfer body 70.
As shown in fig. 2, the control unit 100 is composed of a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. The main controller 101 receives as inputs an image signal and a control signal. The unit controller 102 forms an image by controlling various units and the like according to an instruction based on an image signal and a control signal.
Next, the operation of the printer 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.
When an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 through an interface (I/F)112, the photoconductor 20, the developing roller as an example of a developer carrying body, and the intermediate transfer body 70 are rotated under the control of the unit controller 102 based on an instruction from the main controller 101. While rotating, the photoconductor 20 is continuously charged at the charging position by the charging unit 30.
As the photoconductor 20 rotates, the charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches the exposure position. A latent image corresponding to image information of a first color (e.g., yellow Y) is formed in the region by the exposure unit 40. The YMCK developing unit 50 is at a developing position where the yellow developing device 54 accommodating yellow (Y) toner therein is opposed to the photoconductor 20.
As the photoconductor 20 rotates, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches a developing position and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. In this way, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 20.
As the photoconductor 20 rotates, the yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the first transfer position, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the first transfer unit 60. At this time, a first transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner T is applied to the first transfer unit 60. It should be noted that during this time, the photoconductor 20 and the intermediate transfer body 70 are in contact, but the secondary transfer unit 80 remains separated from the intermediate transfer body 70.
By sequentially performing the above-described processes for the second, third, and fourth colors with the respective developing devices, the toner images of the four colors corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 in a superimposed manner. Thereby, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 70.
As the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the second transfer position, and is transferred onto a medium by the second transfer unit 80. It should be noted that the medium is conveyed from the sheet supply tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 by the sheet supply roller 94 and the registration rollers 96. When the transfer operation is performed, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70, and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full-color toner image transferred onto the medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fixed onto the medium.
Meanwhile, after the photoconductor 20 passes through the first transfer position, the toner T adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75, and the photoconductor 20 is ready to be charged to form the next latent image. The scraped-off toner T is collected in a residual toner collector of the cleaning unit 75.
Summary of the control unit
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to fig. 2. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is electrically connected to a host through an interface 112, and is provided with an image memory 113 for storing image signals received from the host. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each of the main units of the apparatus (the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, the YMCK developing unit 50, the first transfer unit 60, the cleaning unit 75, the second transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, and the display unit 95), and controls the units according to a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor provided in the unit.
The CPU 120 provided in the unit controller 102 is connected to a nonvolatile storage element (hereinafter referred to as "main unit side memory 122") such as an EEPROM through a serial interface 121. The CPU 120 is electrically connected to developing device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 (to be described below) through a serial interface 121 in addition to a main unit side memory 122.
Then, the main unit-side memory 122 and the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a can communicate with each other. That is, the information stored in the main unit-side memory 122 may be transferred to the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, and the information stored in the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a may be transferred to the main unit-side memory 122.
It should be noted that the electrical connection (serial interface 121) between the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a and the CPU 120 may be realized by connecting signal transmission lines on the sides of the developing devices and the main unit when the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are mounted to the YMCK developing unit 50, or may be realized by wireless.
Exemplary configurations of the developing device
Next, an exemplary configuration of the developing device will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the developing device. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing main constituent elements of the developing device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the restriction blade 560. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the holder 526. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper sealing member 520, the restriction blade 560, and the developing roller 520 are mounted to the bracket 526 in a combined manner. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holder 526 is mounted to the housing 540. The sectional view shown in fig. 4 shows a cross section obtained by cutting the developing device by a plane perpendicular to the long side direction shown in fig. 3. In fig. 4, the arrow indicates the vertical direction as in fig. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is located below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. A state in which the yellow developing device 54 is at the developing position opposite to the photoconductor 20 is also described in fig. 4.
The YMCK developing unit 50 is provided with: a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner; a magenta developing device 52 that accommodates magenta (M) toner; a cyan developing device 53 that accommodates cyan (C) toner; and a yellow developing device 54 that accommodates yellow (Y) toner. Since the developing devices have similar configurations, the configuration of the yellow developing device 54 is described below.
The yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510, an upper sealing member 520, a toner container 530, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550, a regulating blade 560 as an example of a layer thickness regulating member, a holder 526, a developing device side memory 54a (fig. 2), and the like.
The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position opposite the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like, and is plated with nickel, chromium, or the like as necessary.
The developing roller 510 has a shaft portion 510a and a large diameter portion 510 b. The developing roller 510 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 510a supported by a developing roller supporting portion 526b of a holder 526 (described below) via a bearing 576 (fig. 7). As shown in fig. 4, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise direction in fig. 4) opposite to the rotational direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise direction in fig. 4). The central axis of the developing roller 510 is located at a position below the central axis of the photoconductor 20.
When the yellow developing device 54 is opposed to the photoconductor 20, a gap exists between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20. That is, in a non-contact state, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20. It should be noted that, when the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.
The housing 540 is formed by fusing a plurality of integrally formed housing portions (that is, an upper housing portion 542 and a lower housing portion 544) together. A toner container 530 for containing toner T is formed inside the housing 540. The toner container 530 is partitioned into two toner containing portions, i.e., a first toner T containing portion 530a and a second toner containing portion 530b, by a partition wall 545 for partitioning the toner T, the partition wall 545 protruding inward (in the vertical direction of fig. 4) from an inner wall thereof. The first and second toner containing portions 530a and 530b communicate at the top, and in the state shown in fig. 4, the movement of the toner T is regulated by the partition wall 545. However, when YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner contained in first toner containing portion 530a and second toner containing portion 530b is temporarily concentrated on the side where this top side communicates with the developing position, and when YMCK developing unit 50 returns to the state shown in fig. 4, the toner is mixed and returned to first toner containing portion 530a and second toner containing portion 530 b. That is, by rotating the YMCK developing unit 50, the toner T in the developing device is appropriately stirred.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the toner container 530 is not provided with the stirring member, but an stirring member for stirring the toner T contained in the toner container 530 may be provided. Also, as shown in fig. 4, the housing 540 (particularly, the first toner containing portion 530a) has an opening 572 at a lower portion thereof, and the developing roller 510 is disposed so as to oppose this opening 572.
The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner containing portion 530a described above, and supplies the toner T contained in the first toner containing portion 530a to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 scrapes toner remaining on the developing roller 510 after development from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of, for example, urethane foam, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supplying roller 550 is disposed at a lower portion of the first toner containing portion 530a, and the toner T contained in the first toner containing portion 530a is supplied to the developing roller 510 by the toner supplying roller 550 located at the lower portion of the first toner containing portion 530 a. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about its central axis. The center axis of the toner supply roller 550 is located below the rotation center axis of the developing roller 510. Also, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise direction in fig. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise direction in fig. 4).
The upper sealing member 520 allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move to the inside of the housing 540 by contacting on the developing roller 510 in the axial direction thereof, and restricts the movement of the toner T inside the housing 540 to the outside of the housing 540. The upper sealing member 520 is a seal made of, for example, a polyethylene film. The upper seal member 520 is supported by an upper seal supporting portion 526a of a holder 526 (to be described later), the long side direction of which is arranged along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 (fig. 7). It should be noted that the contact position where the upper sealing member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.
An upper seal biasing member 524 made of an elastic body such as polyester foam (moltplane) is disposed in a compressed state between a surface on the opposite side of the contact surface 520b that is in contact with the developing roller 510 (this surface is also referred to as an opposite surface 520c) and an upper seal supporting portion 526 a. The upper seal biasing member 524 biases the upper seal member 520 toward the developing roller 510 with its biasing force, thereby pressing the upper seal member 520 against the developing roller 510.
The restriction blade 560 restricts the thickness of the toner T carried by the developing roller 510, or applies an electric charge to the toner T carried by the developing roller 510 by contacting the developing roller 510 at the contact portion 562a in the axial direction thereof. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the restriction blade 560 includes a rubber portion 562 (which is an example of a contact member) and a rubber support portion 564 (which is an example of a support member).
The rubber portion 562 is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510.
The rubber supporting portion 564 is constituted by a thin plate 564a and a thin plate supporting portion 564b, and supports the rubber portion 562 at one end 564d in the short side direction (i.e., the end on the side of the thin plate 564 a). The thin plate 564a is made of, for example, phosphor bronze or stainless steel, and has elasticity. The thin plate 564a supports the rubber portion 562, and presses the rubber portion 562 against the developing roller 510 with its biasing force. The thin plate supporting portion 564b is a metal steel plate disposed at the other end 564e in the short side direction of the rubber supporting portion 564, and is connected to the thin plate 564a while supporting the thin plate 564a at the side end opposite to the side supporting the rubber portion 562.
The restriction blade 560 is mounted to the restriction blade support portion 526c in a state in which: the long-side-direction end 564c of the thin plate support portion 564b is supported by a restriction blade support portion 526c of the holder 526 (described below).
The tip (that is, the leading end 560a) of the restriction blade 560 on the side opposite to the thin plate supporting portion 564b is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion (that is, the contact portion 562a) at a predetermined distance from the leading end 560a contacts the developing roller 510 with a certain width. Specifically, the restriction blade 560 does not contact the developing roller 510 at its edge but at its middle portion. Also, the restriction blade 560 is arranged with its leading end 560a facing the upstream side in the rotational direction of the developing roller 510, which forms so-called reverse contact. It should be noted that the contact position where the restriction blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is lower than the central axis of the developing roller 510 and lower than the central axis of the toner supply roller 550. The restriction blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 in its axial direction, thereby functioning to prevent the toner T from leaking from the toner container 530.
On the outer side in the long side direction of the rubber portion 562 of the restriction blade 560, an end seal 574 (fig. 7) is provided. The end seal 574 is made of a nonwoven fabric, and an end in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 contacts the developing roller 510 in its circumferential direction to function to prevent toner T from leaking between the circumferential surface of the developing roller 510 and the housing 540.
The bracket 526 is a metal member to which various members such as the developing roller 510 are mounted in an assembled manner. As shown in fig. 6, the holder 526 includes: an upper seal supporting portion 526a arranged in a long side direction of the holder 526 (i.e., an axial direction of the developing roller 510); a developing roller supporting portion 526b provided outside the upper seal supporting portion 526a in the long side direction (axial direction); and intersects with the long side direction (axial direction); and a restriction blade supporting member 526c intersecting the developing roller supporting portion and opposing the long side direction end of the upper seal supporting portion 526 a.
As shown in fig. 7, the upper seal member 520 is supported at the short-side-direction end 520a (fig. 4) by the upper seal support portion 526 a. The developing roller 510 is supported at an axial end 510c by a developing roller supporting portion 526 b.
Further, the restriction blade 560 is supported by the restriction blade support portion 526c at the long side direction end 564 c. The restriction blade 560 is mounted to the restriction blade support portion 526c with screws, thereby being fixed to the holder 526. It should be noted that, in order to restrict the positional arrangement of the blade 560 with respect to the holder 526, one or more spacers 570 (fig. 10) are provided between the long-side-direction end 564c and the restriction blade support portion 526c as necessary.
In this way, as shown in fig. 8, the upper seal member 520, the developing roller 510, and the holder 526 to which the regulating blade 560 is assembled are mounted to the above-described housing 540 via the housing seal 546 (fig. 4), the housing seal 546 serving to prevent the toner T from leaking between the holder 526 and the housing 540.
In the yellow developing device 54 configured as above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510. With the rotation of the developing roller 510, the toner T that has been supplied onto the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the restriction blade 560, and when the toner T passes through the contact position, the toner is charged and the layer thickness thereof is restricted. With further rotation of the developing roller 510, the charged toner T on the developing roller 510, the layer thickness of which has been limited, reaches a developing position opposite the photoconductor 20, and is used to develop a latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in an alternating electric field at the developing position. With further rotation of the developing roller 510, the toner T on the developing roller 510, which has passed through the developing position, passes through the upper sealing member 520 and is collected by the upper sealing member 520 into the developing device without being scraped off. Also, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 may be peeled off by the toner supplying roller 550.
Since it is noted that the yellow developing device 54 is also provided with the developing device side memory 54a (fig. 2) described above. The developing device side memory 54a is a nonvolatile storage element such as an EEPROM, which is capable of storing various types of information. The developing device side memory 54a has a storage area for storing various information. In the developing device-side memory 54a of the present embodiment, as such information, ID information, manufacturing data information, a destination, a production line, receivable equipment, a remaining toner amount, data indicating a toner leakage degree described below, restriction blade related information as an example of relative position information described below, surface roughness information described below, toner information as an example of developer information described below, and the like of the yellow developing device 54 are stored in a storage area.
First embodiment (method for remounting the restriction blade 560) ═ first embodiment
As described in the section "summary of the invention", the developing device is generally reused from the viewpoints of saving resources, environmental protection, reducing costs, and the like. When the toner in the developing device is exhausted as the developing device is used, the developing device is collected by its supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with toner to remanufacture the developing device.
In such a case, the restriction blade is sometimes replaced with refilling of toner. With respect to the restriction blade, the above-described rubber portion is worn away with the use of the developing device, and therefore, after checking the worn condition thereof, the restriction blade is replaced as needed. Specifically, if the restraining blade has a significant degree of wear, the worn restraining blade is removed and a new restraining blade is reinstalled.
Here, a method for the purpose of detaching the restriction blade 560 from the above-described developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 (more specifically, the above-described holder 526) and remounting the new restriction blade 560 for reuse or the like of the developing devices is described with reference to fig. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reinstalling a restriction blade 560. Fig. 10 is an exemplary view for describing a process for adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560. It should be noted that in the following description, among the black developing device 51, the magenta developing device 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54, the yellow developing device 54 is used as an example.
First, the restriction blade 560 is detached from the yellow developing device 54 in which the restriction blade 560 is provided (step S2). In such a case, a subsequent process is performed to facilitate the removal of the restriction blade 560. Specifically, first, the yellow developing device 54 is disassembled into the holder 526 and the casing 540, with the restriction blade 560 and the developing roller 510 mounted on the holder 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the restriction blade 560 is detached from the holder 526 from which the developing roller 510 has been detached.
Subsequently, a process for attaching the new restriction blade 560 (i.e., the restriction blade 560 shown in fig. 5) to the holder 526 (i.e., the holder 526 shown in fig. 6) from which the restriction blade 560 has been detached is performed. Prior to installation, the mounting position of the new restriction blade 560 relative to the bracket 526 is adjusted. As the adjustment means of the mounting position, two types of adjustment are performed, that is, adjustment of the length from the front end 560a of the restriction blade 560 to the contact portion 562a (hereinafter, such length is also referred to as "projecting amount") and adjustment of the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510.
When such adjustment is performed, the above-described restriction blade related information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used. The restriction blade related information is, for example, information on the restriction blade 560 that has been set in the yellow developing device 54 (i.e., the restriction blade 560 detached in step S2), and is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device). In the present embodiment, information indicating the amount of protrusion, information indicating the distance, and information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562 are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as restriction blade related information.
Adjustment of the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 10.
First, a distance h from a reference position (such a position is denoted by symbol B in fig. 10) to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in a direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 (such a direction is denoted by symbol X in fig. 10) is adjusted (step S4). In such a case, the distance h of the restriction blade to be remounted to the yellow developing device 54 is adjusted based on the information indicating the distance ho and the information indicating the thickness to stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a. Specifically, when the thickness t of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted is equal to the thickness to, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted so that the distance h is equal to the distance ho stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a. On the other hand, when the thickness t of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted is larger (smaller) than the thickness to, the difference Δ t is calculated, and the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted so that the value of the distance h is larger (smaller) by Δ t than the distance ho stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a.
It should be noted that the adjustment of the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is performed by interposing the spacer 570 between the long side direction end 564c of the restriction blade 560 and the restriction blade supporting portion 526c of the holder 526. In other words, at this stage, the height of the restraining blade 560 relative to the mount 526 is adjusted.
The reference position may be any position. In the present embodiment, the reference position is set to a position (the position is indicated by symbol B in fig. 10) corresponding to the center of the hole of the developing roller supporting portion 526B into which the bearing 576 is fitted. However, for example, the reference position may be the top of the restriction blade supporting portion 526c (in fig. 10, this position is indicated by symbol B').
Next, the protrusion amount is adjusted (step S6). As shown in fig. 10, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted in a direction intersecting the above-described direction X (such direction is denoted by symbol Y in fig. 10) to adjust the amount of protrusion. As in step S4, in such a case, the protruding amount of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted to the yellow developing device 54 is adjusted based on the information indicating the protruding amount stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a. In the present embodiment, as an example of the information specifying the protruding amount, the distance lo in the Y direction from the reference position B to the leading end 560a of the restriction blade 560 is stored in the developing-device-side memory 54 a. The mounting position of the new restriction blade 560 is adjusted so that such a distance l is equal to the distance lo stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a.
In this way, the restriction blade 560 for which the distance h in the direction X from the reference position B to the short side direction other end 564e of the rubber support portion 564 and the protruding amount of the restriction blade 560 are adjusted is fixed to the restriction blade support portion 526c of the holder 526 with a screw, thereby being finally fixed to the holder 526. Thereafter, the developing roller 510 is mounted to the holder 526 to which the new restriction blade 560 is fixed. The holder 526 to which the developing roller 510 is mounted to the housing 540, thereby completing the remounting of the restriction blade 560 (step S8).
As described above, the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 of the present embodiment includes the step of adjusting the protruding amount of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted to the developing device based on the information indicating the protruding amount of the restriction blade 560 stored in the developing device, and therefore, the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 can be more simplified. In other words, by using the information specifying the protruding amount stored in the developing device when adjusting the protruding amount of the restriction blade 560, the restriction blade 560 can be mounted to the developing device in a simpler manner than in the case where the restriction blade 560 is mounted to the developing device as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device) when manufacturing the developing device.
Further, the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 of the present embodiment is utilized because the method includes the steps of: the distance of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted to the developing device is adjusted based on the information indicating the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 and the information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562 stored in the developing device, so the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 can be further simplified.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the first exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determining a value of the first parameter
The method for remounting the layer thickness regulating member of the present invention and the like are described based on the foregoing first embodiment. However, the foregoing examples of the present invention are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Changes and modifications may of course be made to the invention without departing from its essence and the invention includes functional equivalents.
It should be noted that in the foregoing embodiments, the intermediate image transfer type full-color laser printer was described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is also applicable to various other types of image forming apparatuses such as a full-color laser printer that is not an intermediate image transfer type, a monochrome laser printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine.
The photoconductor is also not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller (which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive material), but may be configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive material.
In the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 of the previous embodiment, the method includes the steps of: the distance of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted to the developing device is adjusted based on the information indicating the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 and the information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562 stored in the developing device. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the distance may be adjusted based on only the information indicating the distance without using the information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562.
For example, in the case where the rubber portion 562 can be manufactured with good accuracy, the thickness t described above is likely to be equal to the thickness to stored in the developing device-side memory 54 a. Therefore, in such a case, by performing adjustment based only on the information indicating the distance without using the thickness information indicating the rubber portion 562, the method for remounting the restriction blade 560 can be further simplified without lowering the accuracy of the position adjustment of the restriction blade 560. It should be noted that, naturally, in such a case, it is not necessary for the developing device to have information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562.
Also, the step of adjusting the distance of the restriction blade 560 to be remounted to the developing device may be omitted. In other words, in the method for remounting the restraining blade 560 of the previous embodiment, the position adjustment in the direction X shown in step S4 and the position adjustment in the direction Y shown in step S6 are performed to adjust the position of the restraining blade 560. However, only the latter of the two adjustments may be made.
For example, in the case where the rubber portion 562 can be manufactured with good accuracy, and the spacer 570 mounted to the developing device is reused at the time of remounting the restriction blade 560, the distance h and the thickness t described above are likely to be equal to the distance ho and the thickness to stored in the developing device-side memory 54a without performing the position adjustment in the direction X shown in step S4. Therefore, in such a case, by omitting the position adjustment in the direction X shown in step S4, the method for remounting the restraining blade 560 can be further simplified without reducing the accuracy of the position adjustment of the restraining blade 560. It should be noted that, naturally, it is not necessary for the developing device to have information indicating the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 and information indicating the thickness of the rubber portion 562.
Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the information is stored in the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing device. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, information may be written on the developing device using a writing device, a label, or the like.
However, the foregoing embodiment is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
In the foregoing embodiment, remounting of the new restriction blade 560 to the developing device is used as an example for describing a method of remounting the restriction blade 560. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to a case where the restriction blade 560 is inspected for the wear condition after being detached from the developing device, and when it is determined that it is not necessary to replace the restriction blade, the restriction blade 560 is reattached to the developing device.
Also in the foregoing embodiment, the method of remounting the restriction blade 560 is described for the following case: the restriction blade 560 is remounted to the developing device for the purpose of recycling (reuse) of the developing device. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to the following cases: when newly manufacturing the developing device, it is necessary to perform remounting of the restriction blade to the developing device.
Second embodiment (method for remanufacturing a developing device)
As described in the "summary of the invention" section, the developing device is shipped after being assembled (in other words, after the developing roller 510, the restriction blade 560, and the like are mounted to the developing device). In some cases, before shipment (and also after the developing roller 510 and the restriction blade 560 are mounted to the developing device), data indicating the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 is obtained by actual measurement.
For example, when the developing roller 510 is rotated for the first time after the developing device is assembled, toner tends to leak from between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510. Therefore, before shipping the developing device (before the purchaser obtains the developing device), the following process is generally performed: the developing roller 510 is rotated until toner stops leaking. When this process is performed, data indicating the degree of toner leakage can be obtained from the time required until toner stops leaking by actual measurement or the like. (it should be noted that if it is found through this process that the target developing device exhibits an excessively large toner leakage degree, and the regulation for the toner leakage degree cannot be satisfied, such a developing device cannot be shipped).
In the plurality of developing devices, the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 are different. For example, when such characteristics are related to the toner leakage degree, among the developing devices that have satisfied the regulations for the toner leakage degree in the above-described process and are to be shipped, some developing devices are better in terms of the characteristics (in other words, there is little leakage), while other developing devices are worse in terms of the characteristics (in other words, there is large leakage).
Incidentally, the developing device is generally recycled (reused) from the viewpoint of resource saving, environmental protection, cost reduction, and the like. When the toner in the developing device is exhausted as the developing device is used, the developing device is collected by its supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with toner to remanufacture the developing device.
When remanufacturing the developing device, it is preferable that the developing device which is not good in terms of the characteristics is remanufactured as a developing device which is good in terms of the characteristics.
In the present embodiment, to achieve such an object, actual measurement indicates the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 (in this example, the toner leakage degree), and such measurement data is stored in the developing device. When remanufacturing the developing device, according to such data stored in the developing device, a measure is taken by which the developing device poor in terms of the characteristic can be remanufactured as a developing device good in terms of the characteristic.
Here, first, data indicating the degree of leakage is described, and three working examples of a method for remanufacturing the developing device to achieve the above-described object are described. It should be noted that in the following description, among the black developing device 51, the magenta developing device 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54, the yellow developing device 54 is used as an example.
< < < data indicating toner leakage degree > >)
As described above, in shipping the developing device (before the purchaser obtains the developing device), in the process in which the developing roller 510 is rotated until the toner stops leaking, data indicating the degree of toner leakage is actually measured. A process of actually measuring such data and storing it in the developing device will now be described.
This process is performed after the developing device is assembled, specifically, after the developing roller 510, the restriction blade 560, and the like are mounted to the developing device. In the process of the present embodiment, first, the developing roller 510 provided in the developing device is rotated for 3 minutes, and the operator visually observes the toner leakage degree (the leaked toner adheres to the developing device, and the amount of the adhered toner is visually observed). Then, if toner leakage is significant, the toner having adhered to the developing device is removed, and the developing roller 510 provided in the developing device is rotated for another 3 minutes (6 minutes in total). The operator again visually observes the toner leakage degree. If toner leakage is still noticeable at this time, the developing roller 510 provided in the developing device is rotated for another 3 minutes (9 minutes in total) after removing toner that has adhered to the developing device. The operator again visually observes the toner leakage degree.
When the leak becomes insignificant (has stopped), the process ends. Also, when toner leakage is still noticeable even after the developing roller 510, which is again provided in the developing device, is rotated for 9 minutes, the process ends. Such a developing device is determined not to satisfy the regulation for the toner leakage degree and is not shipped.
Next, the operator causes data indicating the degree of toner leakage to be stored in the developing device to be shipped. More specifically, "equal level a (excellent)" is stored as data indicating the degree of toner leakage in the developing device in which there is no significant toner leakage after rotating the developing roller 510 for 3 minutes, "equal level B (good)" is stored in the developing device in which there is no significant toner leakage after rotating the developing roller 510 for 6 minutes, and "level C (general)" is stored in the developing device in which there is no significant toner leakage after rotating the developing roller 510 for 9 minutes. In this embodiment, data is stored in the storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a described above.
< method for remanufacturing developing apparatus > >)
Next, three working examples are described with respect to the method for remanufacturing the developing device. It should be noted that the developing roller 510 provided in the developing device or the restriction blade 560 wears down as the developing device is used. However, in this embodiment, among the developing devices collected by suppliers and the like, a developing device having a slight degree of wear is remanufactured.
< about the first working example >
Now, a first working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 11 to 13. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a first working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. Fig. 12 is a schematic view for describing a method for adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560. Fig. 13 is a view showing four levels of relative positions.
First, the operator refers to the data indicating the degree of toner leakage stored in the storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a, and determines whether to modify the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, based on the data (step S2). More specifically, if the data indicates "equal level B" or "equal level C" (equal level B "or" equal level C "in step S2), it is determined to modify the relative position. If the data indicates "level A" (equal level A in step S2), it is determined not to modify the relative position.
Once it is decided to modify the relative position, the following procedure is performed to facilitate the modification. That is, the yellow developing device 54 is first disassembled into the holder 526 and the casing 540, with the restriction blade 560 and the developing roller 510 mounted on the holder 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the restriction blade 560 is detached from the holder 526 from which the developing roller 510 has been detached. (Steps S4 and S6)
Subsequently, a process for remounting the restriction blade 560 (i.e., the restriction blade 560 shown in fig. 5) to the holder 526 from which the restriction blade 560 has been detached (i.e., the holder 526 shown in fig. 6) is performed. In the mounting process, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the holder 526 is modified (in other words, the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 is modified).
Now, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) is described. Before describing the modification method, a method for adjusting the mounting position (relative position) which is performed when manufacturing the yellow developing device 54 or the like as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device) is first described with reference to fig. 12, and thereafter, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) is described.
When the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), the restriction blade 560 is mounted to the holder 526. Prior to installation, the installation position (relative position) of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the holder 526 is adjusted. As such adjustment means, two types of adjustment are performed, that is, adjustment of the length from the front end 560a of the restriction blade 560 to the contact portion 562a (hereinafter, such length is also referred to as "projection amount") and adjustment of the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510.
First, the distance h from the reference position (such a position is denoted by symbol B in fig. 12) to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 (such a direction is denoted by symbol X in fig. 10) is adjusted. As an option for the adjusted distance h, 4 options (level 1 to level 4) shown in fig. 13 are provided, and the distance h is adjusted to one of the 4 levels.
It should be noted that the adjustment of the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is performed by interposing the spacer 570 between the long side direction end 564c of the restriction blade 560 and the restriction blade supporting portion 526c of the holder 526. In other words, at this stage, the height of the restraining blade 560 relative to the mount 526 is adjusted. Further, the reference position may be any position. In the present working example, the reference position is set to a position (this position is indicated by symbol B in fig. 12) corresponding to the center of the hole of the developing roller supporting portion 526B into which the bearing 576 is fitted. However, the reference position may be provided on the top of the restriction blade supporting portion 526c (in fig. 12, this position is indicated by symbol B').
Subsequently, the protrusion amount is adjusted. As shown in fig. 12, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted in a direction intersecting the above-described direction X (such direction is denoted by symbol Y in fig. 12) to adjust the amount of protrusion. In the present working example, the distance l in the direction Y from the reference position B to the leading end 560a of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted to adjust the protrusion amount. Further, as with the distance h, as a plurality of choices for the adjusted distance l, 4 choices (level 1 to level 4) shown in fig. 13 are provided. The distance l is adjusted to one of 4 levels.
Next, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) when remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described. In modifying the mounting position, at least one of the above-described distance h and distance l is modified to increase the number of stages shown in fig. 13. If the distance h is modified to increase the number of steps, the distance h becomes short, which increases the load of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, and the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases. Also, if the distance l is modified to increase the number of stages, the distance l becomes long (because the protrusion amount decreases), which reduces the amount of toner transported, and the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases (because the contact portion 562a can efficiently charge a small amount of toner). Therefore, when the distance h or the distance l is adjusted to increase the number of stages in relation to the level, it is possible to make toner leakage less. Therefore, the yellow developing device 54 that is not good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree) can be reproduced as the yellow developing device 54 that is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree).
Further, in the present working example, the degree of modification of the relative position (mounting position) is changed based on the data. More specifically, if the data indicates "level B", one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 1. If the data indicates "level C", one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 2, or both the distance h and the distance l are modified to increase their number of levels by 1.
In order to smoothly perform the above-described modification of the relative position (mounting position), information on the relative position before the relative position is modified is necessary. In the present working example, the restriction blade related information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a is used as such information. That is, the restriction blade related information is information indicating a relative position (mounting position) before the relative position (mounting position) is modified. For example, as with the above-described data indicating the degree of toner leakage, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not a reused developing device), the restriction blade related information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer. In the present working example, information indicating the amount of protrusion (i.e., distance l) and information indicating the distance (distance h) are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the restriction blade related information.
Returning to the flowchart, continuing the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54, it is assumed that "l 3" (level 3) and "h 2" (level 2) are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as information indicating the amount of protrusion and information indicating the distance, respectively.
If the data indicates "level B" (the "equal level B" in step S2), after the restriction blade 560 is detached (step S4), the relative position (mounting position), that is, one of the distance h and the distance l, is modified to increase the number of levels by 1 (step S8). In this case, the distance l is modified from "l 3" (level 3) to "l 4" (level 4).
If the data indicates "level C" (equal level C in step S2), after the restriction blade 560 is detached (step S6), one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 2, or both the distance h and the distance l are modified to increase their number of levels by 1 (step S10). In this case, since it is impossible to modify the distance l to increase the number of steps thereof by 2, the distance h is modified from "h 2" (2 nd level) to "h 4" (4 th level).
Thus, the restriction blade 560 whose relative position (mounting position) is modified is fixed to the restriction blade support portion 526c of the holder 526 with a screw, thereby being finally fixed to the holder 526. Thereafter, the developing roller 510 is mounted to the holder 526 to which the restriction blade 560 is fixed. The holder 526 with the developing roller 510 mounted thereon is mounted to the housing 540, whereby the remounting of the restriction blade 560 and the like (the remounting of the yellow developing device 54) is completed (step S12).
Then, the assembled yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S14) to be remanufactured.
It should be noted that in step S2, if the data indicates "level a" (equal level a in step S2), it is determined that the yellow developing device 54 is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree), and it is determined not to modify the relative position, as described above. In such a case, the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner without modifying the relative position (step S14) to be remanufactured.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the steps of: determining whether to modify the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, based on data that is actually measured after the developing roller 510 and the restriction blade 560 are mounted to the yellow developing device 54 and that is stored in the yellow developing device 54 and that indicates the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510; and modifying the relative position when it is determined that the modification is to be made. Therefore, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the performance of the yellow developing device 54 can be improved.
It should be noted that in the foregoing working example, in the step of modifying the relative position, the degree of modification of the relative position is changed in accordance with the data. However, there is no limitation thereto. In other words, in the foregoing working example, if the data indicates "level B", one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 1, and if the data indicates "level C", one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 2, or both the distance h and the distance l are modified to increase their number of levels by 1. However, there is no limitation thereto. Whether the data indicates "level B" or "level C", one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 1.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the performance thereof can be more appropriately improved when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
Also in the foregoing working example, the restriction blade related information is stored in the yellow developing device 54, and indicates the relative position before the relative position is modified. In the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the restriction blade related information. However, there is no limitation thereto.
For example, the restriction blade related information may not be stored in the yellow developing device 54, and the relative position before the relative position is modified may be measured and obtained before the restriction blade 560 is detached from the yellow developing device 54 in steps S4 and S6, and the obtained relative position may be used to modify the relative position.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps included in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
< about the second working example >
Next, a second working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 14 and 15. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a second working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. Fig. 15 is a view showing four levels of the developing roller 510.
First, the operator refers to the data indicating the degree of toner leakage stored in the storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a, and determines whether to replace the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 based on the data (step S102). More specifically, if the data indicates "equal level B" or "equal level C" (equal level B "or" equal level C "in step S102), it is determined that the developing roller 510 is replaced. If the data indicates "level a" (equal level a in step S102), it is determined that the developing roller 510 is not replaced.
Now, a method of replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 is described.
When the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), one developing roller 510 is selected from a plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other, and the selected developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54. In the present working example, as shown in fig. 15, the developing roller 510 is classified into 4 levels according to its surface roughness (in this working example, 10-point average roughness Rz is employed, but not limited thereto). A developing roller 510 belonging to one of these levels is mounted to the yellow developing device 54.
When the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510, the developing roller 510 is replaced to increase the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, as compared with the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs. By performing the replacement in this manner, the 10-point average surface roughness Rz of the developing roller 510 after the replacement is smaller than the 10-point average surface roughness Rz of the developing roller 510 before the replacement. Therefore, the transport amount of toner is reduced, and the charge amount of toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 is increased (so the contact portion 562a can efficiently charge such a small amount of toner). Therefore, the yellow developing device 54 whose developing roller 510 is thus replaced has less toner leakage, and the yellow developing device 54 that is not good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree) can be remanufactured to the yellow developing device 54 that is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage).
Further, in the present working example, according to the data, another developing roller 510 is selected from the plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other. More specifically, if the data indicates "level B", another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1, compared to the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs. If the data indicates "level C", another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 2 as compared with the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs.
In order to smoothly perform the replacement of the developing roller 510 described above, information on the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before the replacement is necessary. In the present working example, the surface roughness information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used as such information. In other words, the surface roughness information is information indicating the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before replacement thereof, which has been provided in the yellow developing device 54, the surface roughness being the surface roughness when the developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54. For example, as with the above-described data indicating the degree of toner leakage, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), the surface roughness information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer. In the present working example, the level to which the developing roller 510 belongs, i.e., one of the 1 st level to the 4 th level, is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the surface roughness information.
Returning to the flowchart, the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is continued assuming that "level 2" is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the surface roughness information.
If the data indicates "level B" (level B in step S102), another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1 compared to the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs (step S108). Specifically, in this case, the developing roller 510 belonging to the 3 rd level is selected.
If the data indicates "level C" (equal level C in step S102), another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 2 compared to the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs (step S110). Specifically, in this case, the developing roller 510 belonging to the 4 th level is selected.
Then, in order to replace the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 selected, first, the yellow developing device 54 is disassembled into the bracket 526 and the housing 540, in which the developing roller 510 is mounted on the bracket 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the developing roller 510 selected in step S108 or step S110 is mounted on the bracket 526. Further, the bracket 526 with the developing roller 510 mounted thereon is mounted to the housing 540, thereby completing the reassembly of the yellow developing device 54 (replacement of the developing roller 510) (step 112).
Then, the assembled yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S114) to be remanufactured.
It should be noted that in step S102, if the data indicates "level a" (level a "in step S102), it is determined that the yellow developing device 54 is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree), and it is determined that the developing roller 510 is not replaced with another developing roller 510 as described above. In such a case, the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner without replacing the developing roller 510 (step S114) to be remanufactured.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the steps of: determining whether to replace the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510, based on data that is actually measured after the developing roller 510 and the restriction blade 560 are mounted to the yellow developing device 54 and stored in the yellow developing device 54 and that indicates the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510; and when it is determined that replacement is to be performed, the developing roller 510 is replaced. Therefore, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the performance of the yellow developing device 54 can be improved.
It should be noted that in the foregoing working example, in the step of replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510, the another developing roller 510 is selected from the plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other based on the data, but there is no limitation thereto. In other words, in the foregoing working example, if the data indicates "level B", another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1 as compared with the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs, and if the data indicates "level C", another developing roller 510 is selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 2 as compared with the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs. However, there is no limitation thereto. Whether the data indicates "level B" or "level C", another developing roller 510 may be selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1, compared to the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs.
However, the foregoing working examples are more preferable because the performance thereof can be more appropriately improved when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
Also in the foregoing working example, the surface roughness information indicating the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before replacement thereof, which has been provided in the yellow developing device 54, is stored in the yellow developing device 54, which is the surface roughness when the developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54. In the step of replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510, the another developing roller 510 is selected from the plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other using the surface roughness information. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the surface roughness information may not be stored in the yellow developing device 54, and the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 before replacement thereof may be obtained from a separately saved material related to the developing roller 510, and the obtained surface roughness may be used to select the other developing roller 510.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps included in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
< about the third working example >
Next, a third working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 16 and 17. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a third working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. Fig. 15 is a view showing four levels of toner.
First, the operator refers to the data indicating the degree of toner leakage stored in the storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a, and selects the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 according to the data (step S202).
Now, a method of selecting the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is described more specifically.
When the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reusable developing device), the toner for filling the yellow developing device 54 is selected from a plurality of batches. In the present working example, as shown in fig. 7, 4-level batches are prepared, and the yellow developing device 54 is filled with one of the batches.
When the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner, toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected from 4-level batches according to the data. More specifically, if the data indicates "level B" or "level C", the toner used to refill the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of steps to which the toner refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 1, compared to the number of steps to which the toner filling the developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs.
The 4-level batches differ from each other in the type or amount of the external additive contained therein, and the transportability and chargeability of the toner differ due to such a difference. In the present working example, as the number of stages increases, the transport amount of toner tends to decrease, and the charge amount of toner tends to increase. Therefore, when the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected in the above-described manner, the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 refilled with the toner has less toner leakage. Therefore, the yellow developing device 54 that is not good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree) can be reproduced as the yellow developing device 54 that is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage).
Also in the present working example, if the data indicates "level B", the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 1, compared with the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the developing device 54 before being refilled with toner belongs. If the data indicates "level C", the toner used to refill the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of steps to which the toner refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 2 compared to the number of steps to which the toner filling the developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs.
It should be noted that if the data indicates "level a", it is determined that the yellow developing device 54 is good in terms of toner characteristics (toner leakage degree), and a lot of the same type as the lot in which the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with toner is selected as the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54.
In order to smoothly perform the above-described selection of the toner, information on the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with the toner is necessary. In the present working example, toner information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used as such information. In other words, the surface roughness information is information that specifies the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with the toner. For example, as with the above-described data indicating the degree of toner leakage, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), the toner information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer. In the present working example, the toner lot information, i.e., one of the 1 st lot (1 st level) to the 4 th lot (4 th level), is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the toner information.
Returning to the flowchart, the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is continued assuming that "2 nd lot (2 nd level)" is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the toner information.
If the data indicates "level a" (equal level a in step S202), the same lot (same level) as the lot in which the yellow developing device 54 was filled before refilling with toner is selected as the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 (step S204). Specifically, in this case, the 2 nd lot (2 nd grade) is selected.
If the data indicates "level B" (equal level B in step S202), the toner used to refill the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of steps to which the toner refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 1 compared to the number of steps to which the toner filling the developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs (step S206). Specifically, in this case, the 3 rd lot (3 rd level) is selected.
If the data indicates "level C" (equal level C in step S202), the toner used to refill the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of steps to which the toner refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 2 compared to the number of steps to which the toner filling the developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs (step S208). Specifically, in this case, the 4 th lot (4 th level) is selected.
Then, the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with the toner selected in one of the steps S204, S206, and S208 (step S210) to reproduce the yellow developing device 54.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the step of refilling with toner selected as data indicating the characteristics of the toner having passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510, which is actually measured after the developing roller 510 and the restriction blade 560 are mounted to the yellow developing device 54 and stored in the yellow developing device 54. Therefore, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the performance of the yellow developing device 54 can be improved.
It should be noted that in the foregoing working example, toner information specifying the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling the toner is stored in the yellow developing device 54, and in the step of refilling with the toner, the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected in accordance with the toner information. However, there is no limitation thereto.
For example, the toner information may not be stored in the re-yellow developing device 54, and the toner information specifying the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling the toner may be obtained from a separately held toner-related material, and the obtained information may be used to select the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps included in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
In a further embodiment according to the second embodiment, the first and second embodiments are different from each other
A method for remanufacturing a developing device according to the present invention, for example, is described based on the foregoing second embodiment. However, the foregoing examples of the present invention are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Changes and modifications may of course be made to the invention without departing from its essence and the invention includes functional equivalents.
It should be noted that in the foregoing embodiments, the intermediate image transfer type full-color laser printer was described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is also applicable to various other types of image forming apparatuses such as a full-color laser printer that is not an intermediate image transfer type, a monochrome laser printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine.
The photoconductor is also not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller (which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive material), but may be configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive material.
In the foregoing embodiments, as examples of the method for remanufacturing the developing device, three working examples were described. However, they may be used in combination. For example, if the data indicates "level C", another developing roller 510 may be selected to increase the number of levels to which the another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1 compared to the number of levels to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs, and the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 may be selected to increase the number of levels to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 1 compared to the number of levels to which the toner for refilling the developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs.
Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the data indicating the degree of toner leakage, the restriction blade related information, the surface roughness information, and the toner information are stored in the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing device. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, information may be written on the developing device using a writing device, a label, or the like.
However, the foregoing embodiment is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
In the foregoing embodiment, as data indicating the characteristics of the toner having passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510, which is actually measured after the developing roller 510 and the restriction blade 560 are mounted to the developing device and stored in the developing device, data indicating the degree of toner leakage is used as an example. However, there is no limitation thereto. Any data may be used as long as it indicates the characteristics of the toner that has passed between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510. Also, in the foregoing embodiment, when the process in which the developing roller 510 is rotated until toner stops leaking is performed, the time required until toner stops leaking is actually measured to obtain data indicating the degree of toner leakage. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, when such a process is performed, data indicating the toner leakage degree may be obtained by actually measuring the toner leakage degree according to visual observation or other methods.
Third embodiment (method for remanufacturing a developing device)
As described in the section of "summary of the invention", depending on the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, the surface roughness of the developing roller 510, the type (lot) of toner used to fill the developing device, and the like, it is possible to know whether the characteristics of toner in the developing device (for example, transportability or chargeability of toner) are good or not good.
Therefore, when manufacturing the developing device, the above-mentioned 3 parameters are selected so that the characteristics are good in some cases. For example, a plurality of options are provided as options for the adjusted relative position, the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 mounted to the developing device, and the toner filling the developing device, respectively. A selection is appropriately selected from each of the selection groups to select a selection combination that makes the characteristic good.
Incidentally, the developing device is generally reused from the viewpoints of resource saving, environmental protection, cost reduction, and the like. When the toner in the developing device is exhausted as the developing device is used, the developing device is collected by its supplier or the like. The supplier or the like refills the developing device with toner to remanufacture the developing device.
Also in such a case, the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 provided in the remanufactured developing device may be different from the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 of the developing device when being manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device). Such a situation may occur, for example, when the developing roller 510 is replaced at the time of remanufacturing the developing device due to significant wear of the developing roller 510.
In such a case, it is necessary to select a combination that makes the characteristics good again, but the process of remanufacturing the developing device is complicated by selecting such a combination from the beginning.
In the present embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, when a combination that makes the characteristics good is reselected, such a combination is not selected from the beginning, but toner information specifying toner for refilling (such toner information should be referred to as second toner information, which is an example of second developer information) is obtained, and modification of the relative position or selection of another developing roller 510 (replacement with another developing roller 510) is made in accordance with the obtained second toner information and the first toner information in the storage re-developing device (specifically, for example, in accordance with information on toner for filling when the developing device is manufactured as a new developing device), thereby reselecting the combination that makes the characteristics good.
Two working examples (referred to as first and second working examples) for the former method for remanufacturing a developing device and two working examples (referred to as third and fourth working examples) for the latter method for remanufacturing a developing device are described below. It should be noted that in the following working example, among the black developing device 51, the magenta developing device 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54, the yellow developing device 54 is used as an example.
< < < about the first working example > >)
Next, a first working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 18 to 21. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a first working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. Fig. 19 is a schematic view for describing a method for adjusting the mounting position of the restriction blade 560. Fig. 20 is a view showing four levels of the developing roller 510. Fig. 21 is a view showing four levels of relative positions. It should be noted that, since the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 wears out as the yellow developing device 54 is used, in this working example, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510. Also, the type (lot) of toner used to refill the yellow developing device 54 is the same as the type (lot) of toner that the yellow developing device 54 is filled with before being refilled with toner.
First, the operator refers to the above-described surface roughness information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54, and obtains information on the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before replacement (step S2).
It should be noted that the surface roughness information is information indicating the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before replacement thereof, which has been provided in the yellow developing device 54, the surface roughness being the surface roughness when the developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54. For example, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), the surface roughness information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer.
Further, when the yellow developing device 54 and the like are manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), one developing roller 510 is selected from a plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other, and the selected developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54. In the present working example, as shown in fig. 20, the developing roller 510 is classified into 4 levels according to its surface roughness (in this working example, 10-point average roughness Rz is employed, but not limited thereto). The grade to which the developing roller 510 belongs, i.e., one of the 1 st grade to the 4 th grade, is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the surface roughness information.
Then, the operator obtains the surface roughness value of the other developing roller 510 after the replacement, i.e., the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 when the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S4). In the present working example, in order to obtain an accurate value, the surface roughness value is obtained by measuring the surface roughness value.
Subsequently, based on the surface roughness information obtained in step S2 and the surface roughness value obtained in step S4, the operator modifies the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 ("case B" and "case C" in step S6).
In such a case, first, the following procedure is performed to facilitate modification. That is, first, the yellow developing device 54 is disassembled into the holder 526 and the casing 540, with the restriction blade 560 and the developing roller 510 mounted on the holder 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the restriction blade 560 is detached from the holder 526 from which the developing roller 510 has been detached (steps S8 and S10).
Subsequently, a process for remounting the restriction blade 560 (i.e., the restriction blade 560 shown in fig. 5) to the holder 526 (i.e., the holder 526 shown in fig. 6) from which the restriction blade 560 has been detached is performed. In the mounting process, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the holder 526 is modified (in other words, the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 is modified).
Now, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) is described. Before describing such a modification method, a method for adjusting the mounting position (relative position) which is performed when manufacturing the yellow developing device 54 or the like as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device) is first described with reference to fig. 19, and thereafter, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) is described.
When the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reused developing device), the restriction blade 560 is mounted to the holder 526. Prior to installation, the installation position (relative position) of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the holder 526 is adjusted. As such adjustment means, two types of adjustment are performed, that is, adjustment of the length from the front end 560a of the restriction blade 560 to the contact portion 562a (hereinafter, such length is also referred to as "projection amount") and adjustment of the distance from the reference position to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510.
First, the distance h from the reference position (such a position is denoted by symbol B in fig. 19) to the short-side direction other end portion 564e of the rubber supporting portion 564 in the direction from the rubber portion 562 toward the developing roller 510 (such a direction is denoted by symbol X in fig. 19) is adjusted. As a selection for the adjusted distance h, 4 selections (level 1 to level 4) shown in fig. 21 are provided, and the distance h is adjusted to one of the 4 levels.
It should be noted that the adjustment of the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is performed by interposing the spacer 570 between the long side direction end 564c of the restriction blade 560 and the restriction blade supporting portion 526c of the holder 526. In other words, at this stage, the height of the restraining blade 560 relative to the mount 526 is adjusted. Further, the reference position may be any position. In the present working example, the reference position is set to a position (this position is indicated by symbol B in fig. 19) corresponding to the center of the hole of the developing roller supporting portion 526B into which the bearing 576 is fitted. However, the reference position may be provided on the top of the restriction blade supporting portion 526c (in fig. 19, this position is indicated by symbol B').
Subsequently, the protrusion amount is adjusted. As shown in fig. 19, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted in a direction intersecting the above-described direction X (such direction is denoted by symbol Y in fig. 19) to adjust the amount of protrusion. In the present working example, the distance l in the direction Y from the reference position B to the leading end 560a of the restriction blade 560 is adjusted to adjust the protrusion amount. Further, as with the distance h, as a plurality of choices for the adjusted distance l, 4 choices (level 1 to level 4) shown in fig. 21 are provided. The distance l is adjusted to one of 4 levels.
Next, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) when remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described. In modifying the mounting position, first, it is determined to which one of the four levels shown in fig. 20 the surface roughness value obtained in step S4 belongs. Then, the degree to which the specified number of steps (i.e., the level to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs) is reduced (increased) as compared with the number of steps (i.e., the level to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs) associated with the surface roughness information obtained in step S2 is obtained. If the specified number of steps is decreased (increased), at least one of the above-described distance h and distance l is modified in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction of increasing (decreasing) the number of steps shown in fig. 20.
When the other developing roller 510 after the replacement belongs to a smaller number of stages than the developing roller 510 before the replacement, in other words, when the 10-point average roughness Rz of the other developing roller 510 after the replacement is larger than the 10-point average roughness Rz of the developing roller 510 before the replacement, the transport amount of the toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes larger than an appropriate transport amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device. Therefore, the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be lower than an appropriate amount of charge that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
If the distance h is modified to increase the number of steps, the distance h becomes short, which increases the load of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, and the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases. As a result, if the distance h is modified to increase the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount. Also, if the distance l is modified to increase the number of stages, the distance l becomes long (because the protrusion amount decreases), which reduces the amount of toner transported, and the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases (because the contact portion 562a can efficiently charge a small amount of toner). As a result, if the distance l is modified to increase the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount and the transport amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and transport amount, respectively.
In contrast, when the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to a larger number of stages than the developing roller 510 before replacement, in other words, when the 10-point average roughness Rz of the other developing roller 510 after replacement is smaller than the 10-point average roughness Rz of the developing roller 510 before replacement, the transport amount of the toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes smaller than the appropriate transport amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device. Therefore, the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be larger than an appropriate amount of charge that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
If the distance h is modified to decrease by stages, the distance h becomes long, which reduces the load of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, and the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 decreases. As a result, if the distance h is modified to reduce the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount. Also, if the distance l is modified to decrease the number of steps, the distance l becomes short (because the protrusion amount increases), which increases the amount of toner transportation, and the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 decreases (because the contact portion 562a cannot efficiently charge the toner due to the increase in the amount of toner transportation). As a result, if the distance l is modified to reduce the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount and the transport amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and transport amount, respectively.
Further, in the present working example, the degree of modification of the relative position (mounting position) is changed in accordance with the degree to which the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is increased (decreased) as compared with the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs. For example, in the case of decreasing by 1 level, one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 1. In the case of decreasing by 2 levels, one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 2, or both the distance h and the distance l are modified to increase their number of levels by 1.
Further, in order to smoothly perform the above-described modification of the relative position (mounting position), information on the relative position before the relative position is modified is necessary. In the present working example, the restriction blade related information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used as such information. That is, the restriction blade related information is relative position information indicating a relative position (mounting position) before the relative position (mounting position) is modified. For example, as with the surface roughness information described above, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not a reused developing device), the restriction blade related information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer. In the present working example, information indicating the amount of protrusion (i.e., distance l) and information indicating the distance (distance h) are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the restriction blade related information.
Returning to the flowchart, continuing the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54, it is assumed that "l 3" (level 3) and "h 2" (level 2) are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as information indicating the amount of protrusion and information indicating the distance, respectively.
When the other developing roller 510 after the replacement belongs to the number of steps smaller than the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before the replacement belongs ("case B" in step S6), after the restriction blade 560 is detached (step S8), the relative position (mounting position), that is, at least one of the distance h and the distance l, is modified to increase the number of steps (step S12). For example, in the case where the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs to the 3 rd level and the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to the 2 nd level, the distance h is modified from "h 2" (the 2 nd level) to "h 3" (the 3 rd level).
Further, when the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to a number of stages greater than the developing roller 510 before replacement ("case C" in step S6), after the restriction blade 560 is detached (step S10), the relative position (mounting position), that is, at least one of the distance h and the distance l, is modified to reduce the number of stages (step S14). For example, in the case where the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs is the 2 nd stage, and the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is the 4 th stage, the distance l is modified from "l 3" (the 3 rd stage) to "l 1" (the 1 st stage).
Thus, the restriction blade 560 whose relative position (mounting position) is modified is fixed to the restriction blade support portion 526c of the holder 526 with a screw, thereby being finally fixed to the holder 526. Thereafter, another developing roller 510 is mounted to a holder 526 to which a restriction blade 560 is fixed. The holder 526 mounted with the other developing roller 510 is mounted to the housing 540, thereby completing remounting of the restriction blade 560 and the like, replacement of the developing roller 510 with the other developing roller 510, and the like (reassembly of the yellow developing device 54) (step S16).
Then, the assembled yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S20), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
It should be noted that in step S6, if the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to the number of steps equal to the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs ("case a" in step S6), the relative position is not modified. In such a case, after the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510 (step S18), the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S20), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the following two steps: the surface roughness value of the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 is obtained when the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner, and the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 is modified based on the obtained value and the surface roughness information stored in the yellow developing device 54. As a result, in the case where the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 provided in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 is different from the roughness of the developing roller 510 when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device at the time of reselecting a combination such that the characteristics are good, it is not necessary to reselect such a combination from the beginning. Therefore, the process of remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
It should be noted that in step S4 of the preceding working example, the surface roughness value of another developing roller 510 after replacement was obtained by measurement. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the surface roughness value may be obtained from a separately maintained material associated with the other developer roller 510.
However, the foregoing working examples are more preferable because an accurate surface roughness value can be obtained.
Further, in the foregoing working example, the restriction blade related information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the yellow developing device 54, and in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the restriction blade related information. However, there is no limitation thereto.
For example, the restriction blade related information may not be stored in the yellow developing device 54, and the relative position before the relative position is modified may be measured and obtained before the restriction blade 560 is detached from the yellow developing device 54 in steps S8 and S10, and the obtained relative position may be used to modify the relative position.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps involved in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
< < < about the second working example > >)
Next, a second working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 20, 22 and 23. Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a second working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. Fig. 23 is a view showing four levels of toner. It should be noted that also in this working example, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510.
First, the operator performs the same processes as steps S2 and S4 of the first working example described above (step S102 and step S104), and selects toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 according to the surface roughness information obtained in step S102 and the surface roughness value obtained in step S104 (step S106).
Now, a method of selecting the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is described more specifically.
When the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reusable developing device), the toner for filling the yellow developing device 54 is selected from a plurality of batches. In the present working example, as shown in fig. 23, 4-level batches are prepared, and the yellow developing device 54 is filled with one of the batches.
When the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner, toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected from 4-level batches according to the surface roughness information obtained in step S102 and the surface roughness value obtained in step S104. In selecting the toner, first, it is determined to which one of the four levels shown in fig. 20 the surface roughness value obtained in step S4 belongs. Then, a degree to which the specified number of steps (i.e., the level to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs) is reduced (increased) as compared with the number of steps (i.e., the level to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs) associated with the surface roughness information obtained in step S102 is obtained. If the specified number of steps is decreased (increased), the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase (decrease) the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs, compared to the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the developing device 54 before it is refilled with toner belongs.
As described above, when the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to the number of stages smaller (larger) than the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs to, the transport amount of toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes larger (smaller) than the appropriate transport amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device. Therefore, the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be smaller (larger) than an appropriate charge amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
On the other hand, the 4-level batches differ from each other in the type or amount of the external additive contained therein, and the transportability and chargeability of the toner differ due to such a difference. In the present working example, as the number of stages increases, the transport amount of toner tends to decrease, and the charge amount of toner tends to increase.
Therefore, when the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected in the above-described manner, the charge amount and the transport amount of the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and an appropriate transport amount, respectively.
Also in this working example, when selecting the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54, the degree to which the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is reduced (increased) compared to the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs is considered. For example, in the case of decreasing by 1 level, the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase by 1 the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs, compared with the number of steps to which the toner for filling the developing roller 510 before refilling with the toner belongs. In the case of decreasing by 2 levels, the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase by 2 the number of levels to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs, compared with the number of levels to which the toner for filling the developing roller 510 before refilling with the toner belongs.
It should be noted that if the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to the same number of stages as the developing roller 510 before replacement, the same lot as the lot of toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with toner is selected as the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54.
Further, in order to smoothly perform the above toner selection, information on the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with the toner is necessary. In the present working example, the first toner information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used as such information. That is, the first toner information is information that specifies the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with toner. For example, as with the surface roughness information described above, when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device (i.e., not as a reusable developing device), the first toner information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the developing device-side memory 54a by the manufacturer. In the present working example, the toner lot information, i.e., one of the 1 st lot (1 st level) to the 4 th lot (4 th level), is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the toner information.
Returning to the flowchart, the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is continued assuming that "2 nd lot" (2 nd level) is stored in the developing device-side memories 54a, respectively, as toner information.
If the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to the number of stages equal to the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs ("case C" in step S106), a batch of the same type (same level) as the batch of the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with the toner is selected as the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 (step S108). Specifically, in this case, the 2 nd lot (2 nd level) is selected.
When the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to a number of stages smaller than the developing roller 510 before replacement (case B in step S106), the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to increase the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs, compared to the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs (step S110). For example, in the case where the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs is the 3 rd stage, and the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is the 1 st stage, the 4 th lot (the 4 th stage) is selected.
When the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs to a number of stages greater than the developing roller 510 before replacement ("case C" in step S106), the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected to reduce the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs, as compared with the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with toner belongs (step S112). For example, in the case where the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs is the 2 nd stage, and the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is the 3 rd stage, the 1 st lot (1 st stage) is selected.
Then, after the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510 (step S114), the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with the selected toner in one of steps S108, S110, or S112 (step S116) to remanufacture the yellow developing device 54.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the following two steps: the surface roughness value of the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 is obtained when the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner, and refilling is performed with toner selected based on the obtained value and the surface roughness information stored in the yellow developing device 54. As a result, in the case where the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 provided in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 is different from the roughness of the developing roller 510 when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device at the time of reselecting a combination such that the characteristics are good, it is not necessary to reselect such a combination from the beginning. Therefore, the process of remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
Further, in the foregoing working example, the first toner information specifying the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling the toner is stored in the yellow developing device 54, and in the step of refilling with the toner, the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 is selected in accordance with the first toner information. However, there is no limitation thereto.
For example, the first toner information may not be stored in the re-yellow developing device 54, and the information specifying the toner that fills the yellow developing device 54 before refilling the toner may be obtained from a separately held toner-related material, and the obtained information may be used to select the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps included in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
< < < about the third working example > >)
Next, a third working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 19, 21, 23 and 24. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a third working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. It should be noted that in this working example, although the developing roller 510 provided in the yellow developing device 54 wears out as the yellow developing device 54 is used, only the yellow developing device 54 having a slight degree of wear is remanufactured among the yellow developing devices 54 and the like collected by a supplier and the like.
First, the operator refers to the above-described first toner information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54, and obtains information about the toner filled in the yellow developing device 54 before refilling the toner (step S202). In other words, a batch of toner (toner belonging level) is obtained.
Next, the operator obtains second toner information specifying toner for refilling (step S204). In this working example, information on the lot (toner belonging level) of toner is obtained from the toner-related material held separately.
Subsequently, based on the first toner information obtained in the first step S202 and the second toner information obtained in step S204, the operator modifies the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 (cases B and C in step S206).
In such a case, first, the following procedure is performed to facilitate modification. That is, first, the yellow developing device 54 is disassembled into the holder 526 and the casing 540, with the restriction blade 560 and the developing roller 510 mounted on the holder 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the restriction blade 560 is detached from the holder 526 from which the developing roller 510 has been detached (steps S208 and S210).
Subsequently, a process for remounting the restriction blade 560 (i.e., the restriction blade 560 shown in fig. 5) to the holder 526 (i.e., the holder 526 shown in fig. 6) from which the restriction blade 560 has been detached is performed. In the mounting process, the mounting position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the holder 526 is modified (in other words, the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 is modified).
Now, a method for modifying the mounting position (relative position) is described. When the mounting position is modified, first, a degree to which the number of stages related to the second toner information (i.e., the level to which the toner refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs) is reduced (increased) compared to the number of stages related to the first toner information (i.e., the level to which the toner filling the yellow developing device 54 belongs before refilling with toner) is determined. When the specified number of stages is decreased (increased), at least one of the above-described distance h and distance 1l is modified in the opposite manner, that is, in a manner of increasing (decreasing) the number of stages shown in fig. 20.
As described above, 4-level batches of toner are prepared, and as the number of stages increases, the toner transportation amount tends to decrease and the toner charge amount tends to increase. Therefore, when the number of steps to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs is smaller than that to which the toner for filling the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with the toner belongs, the transportation amount of the toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes larger than an appropriate transportation amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 is manufactured as a new developing device or the like. Therefore, the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be smaller than an appropriate amount of charge which is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
If the distance h is modified to increase the number of steps, the distance h becomes short, which increases the load of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, and the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases. As a result, if the distance h is modified to increase the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount. Also, if the distance l is modified to increase the number of stages, the distance l becomes long (because the protrusion amount decreases), which reduces the amount of toner transported, and the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases (because the contact portion 562a can efficiently charge a small amount of toner). As a result, if the distance l is modified to increase the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount and the transport amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and transport amount, respectively.
In contrast, when the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is refilled increases as compared with the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with the toner, the transportation amount of the toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes smaller than the appropriate transportation amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device. Therefore, the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be larger than an appropriate amount of charge that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
If the distance h is modified to decrease by stages, the distance h becomes long, which reduces the load of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510, and the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 decreases. As a result, if the distance h is modified to reduce the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount. Also, if the distance l is modified to decrease the number of steps, the distance l becomes short (because the protrusion amount increases), which increases the amount of toner transportation, and the amount of charge of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 decreases (because the contact portion 562a cannot efficiently charge the toner due to the increase in the amount of toner transportation). As a result, if the distance l is modified to reduce the number of stages in the above case, the charge amount and the transport amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and transport amount, respectively.
Further, in the present working example, the degree of modification of the relative position (mounting position) is determined according to the degree to which the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is reduced (increased) as compared to the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs before being refilled with the toner. For example, in the case of decreasing by 1 level, one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 1. In the case of decreasing by 2 levels, one of the distance h and the distance l is modified to increase the number of levels by 2, or both the distance h and the distance l are modified to increase their number of levels by 1.
Further, in order to smoothly perform the above-described modification of the relative position (mounting position), information on the relative position before the relative position is modified is necessary. In the present working example, the information specifying the amount of protrusion (i.e., distance l) and the information specifying the distance (i.e., distance h) stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 are used as such information.
Returning to the flowchart, continuing the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54, it is assumed that "l 3" (level 3) and "h 2" (level 2) are stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as information indicating the amount of protrusion and information indicating the distance, respectively.
When the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is decreased as compared with the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with the toner ("case B" in step S206), after the restriction blade 560 is detached (step S208), the relative position (mounting position), that is, at least one of the distance h and the distance l, is modified to increase the number of steps (step S212). For example, in the case where the number of the stages to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with the toner is the 3 rd stage, and the number of the stages to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is refilled is the 2 nd stage, the distance h is modified from "h 2" (the 2 nd stage) to "h 3" (the 3 rd stage).
When the number of stages to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is increased as compared with the number of stages to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with the toner ("case C" in step S206), after the restriction blade 560 is removed (step S210), the relative position (mounting position), that is, at least one of the distance h and the distance l, is modified to decrease the number of stages (step S214). For example, in the case where the number of the toner to which the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with toner is the 2 nd level, and the number of the toner to which the yellow developing device 54 is refilled is the 4 th level, the distance l is modified from "l 3" (the 3 rd level) to "11" (the 1 st level).
Thus, the restriction blade 560 whose relative position (mounting position) is modified is fixed to the restriction blade support portion 526c of the holder 526 with a screw, thereby being finally fixed to the holder 526. Thereafter, the developing roller 510 is remounted to the holder 526 to which the restriction blade 560 is fixed. The holder 526 with the developing roller 510 mounted thereon is mounted to the housing 540, whereby remounting of the restriction blade 560 and the like (remounting of the yellow developing device 54) is completed (step S216).
Then, the assembled yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S218), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
It should be noted that in step S206, if the number of stages to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is refilled belongs is equal to the number of stages to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is refilled before refilling with the toner ("case a" in step S206), the relative position is not modified. In such a case, the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S218), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured without modifying the relative position.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the following two steps: obtaining second toner information specifying a toner for refilling; and modifying the relative position of the restriction blade 560 with respect to the developing roller 510 based on the first toner information stored in the yellow developing device 54 and the obtained second toner information. As a result, in the case where the lot of the toner for refilling is different from the lot of the toner for filling when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device, when a combination that makes the characteristics good is reselected, it is not necessary to reselect such a combination from the beginning. Therefore, the process of remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
< < < about the fourth working example > >)
Next, a fourth working example of a method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is described with reference to fig. 20, 23 and 25. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a fourth working example of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54. It should be noted that, also in this working example, among the yellow developing devices 54 collected by the suppliers, only the yellow developing devices 54 having a slight degree of wear were remanufactured.
First, the operator performs the same process as step S202 and step S204 of the third embodiment described above (step S302 and step S304), and replaces the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 ("case B" and case "C" in step S306) based on the first toner information obtained in step S302 and the second toner information obtained in step S304, wherein the another developing roller 510 selects a plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other.
Now, a method of replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 is described. When the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510, first, a degree to which the number of steps related to the second toner information (i.e., the level to which the toner that refills the yellow developing device 54 belongs) is reduced (increased) is determined as compared to the number of steps related to the first toner information (i.e., the level to which the toner that refills the yellow developing device 54 belongs). If the specified number of steps is decreased (increased), the developing roller 510 is replaced to increase (decrease) the number of steps to which another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, as compared with the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs.
As described above, 4-level batches of toner are prepared. As the number of stages increases, the transport amount of toner tends to decrease and the toner charge amount tends to increase. Therefore, when the number of stages to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is smaller (larger) than the number of stages to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs before being refilled with the toner, the transportation amount of the toner in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 becomes larger (smaller) than an appropriate transportation amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device. Therefore, the charge amount of the toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 may be smaller (larger) than an appropriate charge amount that is appropriately adjusted when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device.
When the developing roller 510 is replaced to increase (decrease) the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, as compared with the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs, the 10-point average roughness Rz of the other developing roller 510 after replacement is smaller (larger) than the 10-point average roughness Rz of the developing roller 510 before replacement, which reduces (increases) the amount of toner transportation, and the amount of charge of toner passing between the contact portion 562a and the developing roller 510 increases (decreases). Therefore, in the above case, when the developing roller 510 is replaced to increase (decrease) the number of stages to which another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, as compared with the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs, the charge amount and the transport amount in the remanufactured yellow developing device 54 can be adjusted to an appropriate charge amount and transport amount, respectively.
Also, in the present working example, when selecting another developing roller 510, the degree to which the number of steps to refill the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is reduced (increased) compared to the number of steps to refill the toner of the yellow developing device 54 before refilling with toner is considered. For example, in the case of decreasing by 1 level, the other developing roller 510 is selected so as to increase the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 1, compared with the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs. In the case of decreasing by 2 steps, another developing device is selected to increase the number of steps to which another developing roller 510 after replacement belongs by 2 compared to the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs.
In order to smoothly perform the replacement of the developing roller 510 described above, information on the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 before the replacement is necessary. In this working example, the above-described surface roughness information stored in the developing device-side memory 54a of the yellow developing device 54 is used as such information.
Returning to the flowchart, the description of the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 is continued assuming that "level 2" is stored in the developing device-side memory 54a as the surface roughness information.
In the case where the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is smaller than the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs before being refilled with toner ("case B" in step S306), the other developing roller 510 is selected so as to increase the number of steps to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, compared with the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs (step S308). For example, in the case where the number of the toner belonging to the yellow developing device 54 filled before refilling with toner is the 3 rd level, and the number of the toner belonging to the yellow developing device 54 refilled is the 1 st level, another developing roller 510 belonging to the 4 th level is selected.
Further, when the number of steps to which the toner of the refilled yellow developing device 54 belongs is larger than the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 is filled before being refilled with toner ("case C" in step S306), the other developing roller 510 is selected so as to reduce the number of steps to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs, compared to the number of steps to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs (step S310). For example, in the case where the number of the toner to which the yellow developing device 54 is filled before refilling with toner is the 2 nd level, and the number of the toner to which the yellow developing device 54 is refilled is the 3 rd level, another developing roller 510 belonging to the 1 st level is selected.
Then, in order to replace the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510 selected, first, the yellow developing device 54 is disassembled into the bracket 526 and the housing 540, in which the developing roller 510 is mounted on the bracket 526. Next, the developing roller 510 is detached from the holder 526. Then, the developing roller 510 selected in step S308 or step S310 is mounted on the bracket 526. Further, the bracket 526 with the developing roller 510 mounted thereon is mounted to the housing 540, thereby completing the reassembly of the yellow developing device 54 (replacement of the developing roller 510) (step 312).
Then, the assembled yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S314), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured.
It should be noted that, in step S306, when the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 refilled belongs is equal to the number of steps to which the toner of the yellow developing device 54 filled before refilled with the toner belongs ("case a" in step S306), the developing roller 510 is not replaced. In such a case, the yellow developing device 54 is refilled with toner (step S314), and the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured without replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510.
As described above, the method for remanufacturing a developing device of the present working example includes the following two steps: obtaining second toner information specifying a toner for refilling; and replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510, wherein the another developing roller 510 is selected from a plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other, based on the first toner information and the obtained second toner information stored in the yellow developing device 54. As a result, in the case where the lot of the toner for refilling is different from the lot of the toner for filling when the yellow developing device 54 or the like is manufactured as a new developing device, when a combination that makes the characteristics good is reselected, it is not necessary to reselect such a combination from the beginning. Therefore, the process of remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
Also in the foregoing working example, the surface roughness information indicating the surface roughness information of the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 that has been set in the yellow developing device 54 before the replacement thereof, which is the surface roughness information when the developing roller 510 is mounted to the yellow developing device 54, is stored in the yellow developing device 54. In the step of replacing the developing roller 510 with another developing roller 510, another developing roller 510 is selected from the plurality of developing rollers 510 having different surface roughness from each other based on the surface roughness information. However, there is no limitation thereto.
For example, the surface roughness information may not be stored in the yellow developing device 54, and the information on the surface roughness of the developing roller 510 disposed in the yellow developing device 54 before replacement thereof may be obtained from a separately held material related to the developing roller 510, and the obtained surface roughness may be used to select another developing device 510.
However, the foregoing working example is more preferable because the process steps involved in the method for remanufacturing the yellow developing device 54 can be simplified.
In a further embodiment according to the third embodiment, the first and second embodiments are different from each other
A method for remanufacturing a developing device according to the present invention, for example, is described based on the foregoing third embodiment. However, the foregoing examples of the present invention are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Changes and modifications may of course be made to the invention without departing from its essence and the invention includes functional equivalents.
It should be noted that in the foregoing embodiments, the intermediate image transfer type full-color laser printer was described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is also applicable to various other types of image forming apparatuses such as a full-color laser printer that is not an intermediate image transfer type, a monochrome laser printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine.
Further, the photoconductor is also not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller (which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive material), but may be configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive material.
Further, in the foregoing embodiments, as examples of the method for remanufacturing the developing device, four working examples were described. However, they may be used in combination. For example, if the number of stages to which the other developing roller 510 after replacement belongs is reduced by 2 compared to the number of stages to which the developing roller 510 before replacement belongs, the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 may be selected to increase the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 belongs by 1 compared to the number of stages to which the toner for refilling the yellow developing device 54 before with toner belongs, and further, one of the above-described distance h and distance l may be modified to increase the number of stages by 1.
Further, in the first and second working examples, when the yellow developing device 54 is remanufactured, the developing roller 510 is replaced with another developing roller 510. However, there is no limitation thereto, and the developing roller 510 may not be replaced. In this case, after the surface roughness value of the developing roller 510 provided in the collected developing device is measured and obtained in step S104 or step S204, the subsequent steps are performed.
Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the restriction blade related information, the surface roughness information, and the toner information are stored in the developing device-side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing device. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, information may be written on the developing device using a writing device, a label, or the like. However, the foregoing embodiment is more preferable in terms of avoiding contamination of the developing device.
Image forming system and the like have a configuration
Next, an embodiment of an image forming system as one example of the embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a peripheral configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display apparatus 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a small vertical housing, but this is not limiting. For example, a CRT (cathode ray tube), a plasma display, or a liquid crystal display device is often used as the display device 704, but this is not limitative. The printer described above is used as the printer 706. In this embodiment, a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B are used as the input device 708, but this is not limitative. In this embodiment, a flexible disk drive unit 710A and a CD-ROM drive unit 710B are used as the reading means 710, but this is not restrictive, and other devices such as an MO (magneto optical) disk drive device and a DVD (digital versatile disk) may be used.
Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in fig. 26. Inside a casing that houses the computer 702, an internal memory 802 such as a RAM, and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are provided.
Further, in the above description, an example is described in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display apparatus 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to constitute the image forming system, but this is not limitative. For example, the image forming system may be constituted by the computer 702 and the printer 706, and not all of the display apparatus 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 are to be provided in the image forming system.
Further, for example, the printer 706 may have some of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input apparatus 708, and the reading apparatus 710. As an example, the printer 706 may be configured to have an image processing portion for performing image processing, a display portion for performing various displays, and a recording medium attachment/detachment portion into and from which a recording medium storing image data acquired by a digital camera or the like is inserted and removed.
The image forming system thus obtained becomes superior to the conventional system as a whole.
Claims (38)
1. A method for remounting a layer thickness limiting member, comprising the steps of:
removing the layer thickness regulating member from the developing device provided with the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
adjusting a length of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, based on information stored in the developing device and indicating the length; and is
Remounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length is regulated to the developing device.
2. The method for remounting a layer thickness regulating member as recited in claim 1,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
wherein the method comprises the following steps: adjusting a distance of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier, according to information stored in the developing device and indicating the distance
Wherein in the step of remounting the layer thickness regulating member to the developing device, the layer thickness regulating member whose distance and length are regulated is remounted to the developing device.
3. The method for remounting a layer thickness regulating member as recited in claim 2,
wherein in the step of adjusting the distance, the distance of the layer thickness regulating member remounted to the developing device is adjusted in accordance with information stored in the developing device and indicating a thickness of the contact member.
4. The method for remounting a layer thickness regulating member as recited in claim 1,
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
5. A method for remounting a layer thickness limiting member, comprising the steps of:
removing the layer thickness regulating member from the developing device provided with the layer thickness regulating member, the layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
adjusting a length of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, based on information stored in the developing device and indicating the length;
remounting the layer thickness regulating member whose length is regulated to the developing device; and is
Adjusting a distance of the layer thickness regulating member to be remounted to the developing device from a reference position to another end portion of a supporting member provided in the layer thickness regulating member and for supporting the contact member at one end portion thereof in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier, according to information stored in the developing device and indicating the distance in which the contact member is provided in the layer thickness regulating member and contacts the developer carrier,
wherein in the step of remounting the layer thickness regulating member to the developing device, the layer thickness regulating member whose distance and length are regulated is remounted to the developing device,
wherein in the step of adjusting the distance, the distance of the layer thickness regulating member remounted to the developing device is adjusted in accordance with information stored in the developing device and indicating a thickness of the contact member, and
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
6. A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
information indicating a length from a front end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
7. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the developing device,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof, and
wherein the developing device has information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact member toward the developer carrier.
8. The developing device according to claim 7, comprising:
information indicating a thickness of the contact member.
9. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the developing device,
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
10. A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier;
information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion;
information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end of a supporting member in a direction from a contact member, which is provided in the layer thickness regulating member and is for supporting the contact member at one end thereof, toward the developer carrier, the contact member being provided in the layer thickness regulating member and contacting the developer carrier; and
information indicating the thickness of the contact member,
wherein the information is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
11. An image forming apparatus includes:
a developing device, the developing device comprising: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
12. An image forming system includes:
a computer; and
an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, the image forming apparatus including a developing device having: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion.
13. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
modifying the relative position when it is determined that the relative position is to be modified, by determining whether to modify the relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier, based on data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
14. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 13,
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, a degree of modification of the relative position is changed in accordance with the data.
15. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 13,
wherein relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device, and
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information.
16. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 15,
wherein the relative position information is information indicating a length from the layer thickness restricting member to the contact portion, and
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the length is modified using the information indicating the length.
17. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 15,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
wherein the relative position information is indicative of a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, and
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
18. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and is
By determining whether or not to replace the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the developer carrier is replaced with the another developer carrier when it is determined that the developer carrier is to be replaced, based on data indicating the characteristics of the developer that has passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
19. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 18,
wherein, in the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier is selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other according to the data.
20. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 18,
wherein surface roughness information is stored in the developing device, the surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of a developer carrier that has been provided in the developing device before replacement of the developer carrier, and being a surface roughness when the developer carrier has been mounted to the developing device, and
wherein, in the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier is selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other using the surface roughness information.
21. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrying body at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body,
wherein in the step, the developer selected in accordance with data that is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device and that indicates the characteristics of the developer that has passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier is used for refilling.
22. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 21,
wherein developer information specifying a developer filled in the developing device before refilling with the developer is stored in the developing device, and
wherein in the step, a developer for refilling the developing device is selected using the developer information.
23. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 13,
wherein the data is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
24. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; and a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and is
Modifying the relative position when it is determined that the relative position is to be modified, by determining whether or not to modify the relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier, based on data indicating the characteristics of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured and stored in the developing device after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device,
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, a degree of modification of the relative position is changed in accordance with the data,
wherein relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device,
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information,
wherein the relative position information is information indicating a length from the layer thickness restricting member to the contact portion,
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the length is modified using the information indicating the length,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
wherein the relative position information is indicative of a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier,
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance, and
the data is stored in a storage element provided to the developing device.
25. A developing device comprising:
a developer carrying body for carrying a developer;
a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and
a storage element for storing data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
26. An image forming apparatus includes:
a developing device having: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member contacting the developer carrier at a contact portion for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; and a storage element for storing data indicating a characteristic of the developer having passed between the contact portion and the developer carrier, which is actually measured after the developer carrier and the layer thickness regulating member are mounted to the developing device.
27. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier is stored in the developing device;
acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with a developer; and is
Modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the acquired value and the surface roughness information.
28. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 27,
wherein in the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value is acquired by measuring the surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner.
29. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and that specifies developer information of the developer to be stored in the developing device;
acquiring second developer information specifying a developer for refilling; and is
Modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the developer information stored in the developing device and the acquired second developer information.
30. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 27,
wherein relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device, and
wherein, in the step of modifying the relative position, the relative position is modified using the relative position information.
31. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 30,
wherein the relative position information is information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion, and
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the length is modified using the information indicating the length.
32. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 30,
wherein the layer thickness regulating member has: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
wherein the relative position information is information indicating a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, and
wherein in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
33. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with a developer carrier for carrying the developer, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier being stored in the developing device; and is
Acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with the developer,
wherein in the step of refilling with the developer, the developer selected in accordance with the acquired value and the surface roughness information is used for refilling.
34. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 33,
wherein in the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value is acquired by measuring the surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner.
35. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 33,
wherein developer information specifying a developer filled in the developing device before refilling with the developer is stored in the developing device, and
wherein in the step of refilling with the developer, the developer for refilling the developing device is selected using the developer information.
36. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with a developer carrying body for carrying the developer, and developer information specifying the developer being stored in the developing device;
acquiring second developer information specifying a developer for refilling; and is
Replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other in accordance with the developer information stored in the developing device and the acquired second developer information.
37. The method for remanufacturing a developing device according to claim 36,
wherein surface roughness information is stored in the developing device, the surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of a developer carrier that has been provided in the developing device before replacement of the developer carrier, and being a surface roughness when the developer carrier has been mounted to the developing device, and
wherein, in the step of replacing the developer carrier with another developer carrier, the another developer carrier is selected from a plurality of developer carriers having different surface roughness from each other using the surface roughness information.
38. A method for remanufacturing a developing device comprising the steps of:
refilling a developing device with a developer, the developing device being provided with: a developer carrying body for carrying a developer; a layer thickness regulating member that contacts the developer carrier at a contact portion, for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and surface roughness information indicating a surface roughness of the developer carrier is stored in the developing device;
acquiring a surface roughness value of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with a developer; and is
Modifying a relative position of the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the developer carrier according to the acquired value and the surface roughness information,
wherein,
in the step of acquiring the value, the surface roughness value is acquired by measuring the surface roughness of the developer carrier provided in the developing device at the time of refilling with toner,
relative position information indicating the relative position before the relative position is modified is stored in the developing device,
modifying the relative position using the relative position information in the step of modifying the relative position,
the relative position information is information indicating a length from a leading end of the layer thickness regulating member to the contact portion,
modifying said length using said information indicating said length in said step of modifying said relative position,
the layer thickness regulating member has: a contact member that contacts the developer carrier; and a support member for supporting the contact member at one end thereof,
the relative position information is indicative of a distance from a reference position to the other end of the supporting member in a direction from the contact portion toward the developer carrier, and
in the step of modifying the relative position, the distance is modified using the information indicating the distance.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2004248937A JP2006065099A (en) | 2004-08-27 | 2004-08-27 | Method for reattaching layer thickness regulating member, developing device, image forming apparatus and image forming system |
| JP248937/2004 | 2004-08-27 | ||
| JP229912/2005 | 2005-08-08 | ||
| JP229913/2005 | 2005-08-08 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN101010642A true CN101010642A (en) | 2007-08-01 |
| CN100517108C CN100517108C (en) | 2009-07-22 |
Family
ID=36111638
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2005800289646A Expired - Fee Related CN100517108C (en) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-08-26 | Layer thickness regulating member re-mounting method, development device, image formation device, image formation system, and development device reproducing method |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2006065099A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100517108C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP5136582B2 (en) * | 2010-03-24 | 2013-02-06 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Developer cartridge |
-
2004
- 2004-08-27 JP JP2004248937A patent/JP2006065099A/en active Pending
-
2005
- 2005-08-26 CN CNB2005800289646A patent/CN100517108C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2006065099A (en) | 2006-03-09 |
| CN100517108C (en) | 2009-07-22 |
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Granted publication date: 20090722 Termination date: 20110826 |