EP3349066B1 - Unit, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Unit, process cartridge and image forming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3349066B1
EP3349066B1 EP17200587.8A EP17200587A EP3349066B1 EP 3349066 B1 EP3349066 B1 EP 3349066B1 EP 17200587 A EP17200587 A EP 17200587A EP 3349066 B1 EP3349066 B1 EP 3349066B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
opening
developing
bearing member
toner
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17200587.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3349066A1 (en
Inventor
Hisashi Taniguchi
Takayoshi Kihara
Shuhei Kawasaki
Shota Nakamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP3349066A1 publication Critical patent/EP3349066A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3349066B1 publication Critical patent/EP3349066B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0887—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity
    • G03G15/0891—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity for conveying or circulating developer, e.g. augers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
    • G03G15/0898—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894 for preventing toner scattering during operation, e.g. seals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1814—Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/20—Humidity or temperature control also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control
    • G03G21/206—Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1853—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G2221/1869—Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a unit according to the preamble of claim 1, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
  • a generic unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is shown by WO 2016/136241 A1 .
  • This document also shows a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.
  • Another unit, process cartridge and image forming apparatus are shown by US 2011/008068 A1 .
  • a process cartridge type image forming apparatus e.g. copier, printer
  • a configuration separated into a plurality of units such as a photosensitive member unit which includes a photosensitive drum, a developing unit which includes a developing means, and a toner unit which supplies toner (developer)
  • the developing unit (developing apparatus) in the image forming apparatus normally includes a developer container, a developing roller which is a developer bearing member disposed at the developing opening of the developer container, and a developing blade which extends toward the developing roller to control the layer thickness of toner.
  • a sheet member which extends toward the developing roller, is installed in order to prevent toner leakage inside the developer container through the developing opening and gaps with the developing roller. Further, on both ends of the developing opening in the longitudinal direction, seal members to fill the gaps with the developing roller, the developing blade and the sheet member are installed.
  • the developing unit places importance on first-printout-time (FPOT), whereby the developing chamber, in which the developing roller is installed, is disposed above the toner storing member, and a sheet type toner conveying member is rotatably installed in the toner storing member.
  • the toner conveying member may convey air that exists in the toner storing chamber, along with toner, and may increase the internal pressure of the developing chamber considerably.
  • printers become faster with a longer life span, supplying more toner to the developing chamber is demanded, and for this, an increase in the rotation speed of the toner conveying member and an increase in the thickness of the conveying unit are required.
  • This may further increase the internal pressure of the developing chamber, and cause toner leakage through the sheet member which is in light contact, and the end seal member which has a configuration that easily generates a gap.
  • toner may directly contact the filter member when toner is supplied, or toner lifted up by the driving of the developing toner or the toner supplying roller may adhere to the filter member, causing the filter member to clog. This may cause a drop in the ventilation capability of the filter member, and diminish the effect of suppressing the internal pressure of the developing chamber.
  • the present invention provides a technique to suppress the rise of the internal pressure of a unit in which the developer is stored.
  • the technique is provided by a unit having the features of claim 1, by a process cartridge comprising this unit, and by an image forming apparatus comprising this unit. Further advantageous developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
  • the present invention provides a unit as specified in claims 1 to 13.
  • the present invention provides a process cartridge as specified in claim 14.
  • the present invention provides an image forming apparatus as specified in claim 15.
  • the present invention is applicable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developing unit, a photosensitive member unit (also called a “cleaning unit”), a process cartridge and the like are detachable from the apparatus main body.
  • the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereafter also called “image forming apparatus”) forms an image on a recording material (recording medium) using an electrophotographic image forming system.
  • the image forming apparatus include: a copier, a printer (e.g. laser beam printer, LED printer), a facsimile machine, a wordprocessor, and an integrated machine thereof (a multifunction printer).
  • the apparatus main body refers to a component of the image forming apparatus excluding the above units and cartridges.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge 7.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this example.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting a state of process cartridges 7 which are installed in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 has a plurality of image forming units, which are a first, second, third and fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC and SK to form images having yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) colors respectively.
  • the configuration and operation of the first to fourth image forming units are essentially the same, except that the color of the image to be formed is different. Therefore in the following, the image forming unit is described with omitting Y, M, C and K unless a distinction is necessary.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 has four photosensitive drums 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) as the image bearing members.
  • the photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the arrow A direction, as indicated in FIG. 1 .
  • a charging roller 2 and a scanner unit (exposing apparatus) 3 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the charging roller 2 here is a charging unit to evenly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the scanner unit 3 is an exposing unit to form an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photosensitive drum 1 by irradiating a laser based on the image information.
  • a developing apparatus (hereafter called “developing unit”) 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and a cleaning blade 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K), which is a cleaning unit, are disposed.
  • the photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2, and a cleaning blade 6 constitute a photosensitive member unit 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) having a removed developer storing portion (hereafter called a "waste toner storing portion") 14a (14aY, 14aM, 14aC, 14aK).
  • untransferred toner (waste toner)
  • the developing unit 4 performs contact development by contacting a developing roller 22, which is a developer bearing member to carry toner (developer), on the photosensitive drum 1. For the toner, a non-magnetic one component developer is stored.
  • the developing unit 4 and the photosensitive member unit 13 are integrated to a process cartridge 7.
  • the process cartridge 7 is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 via an inserting unit, such as an inserting guide and a positioning member (not illustrated), disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the process cartridge 7 can be inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in the arrow G direction in FIG. 3 , which is the axis line direction of the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the shape of the process cartridge 7 for each color is identical, and in the process cartridge 7 for each color, toner T (TY, TM, TC, TK) of each yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) color is stored respectively.
  • the intermediate transfer belt 5 contacts all the photosensitive drums 1, and rotates in the arrow B direction in FIG. 2 .
  • the intermediate transfer belt 5 is wound around a plurality of supporting members (driver roller 26, secondary transfer counter roller 29, and driven roller 28).
  • Four primary transfer rollers 8 (8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K), which are primary transfer units, are disposed in parallel on the inner surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, so as to face each photosensitive drum 1.
  • a secondary transfer roller 9, which is a secondary transfer unit, is disposed on the outer surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at a position facing the secondary transfer counter roller 29.
  • the developing unit 4 has a developing frame 18 which supports various composing elements in the developing unit 4.
  • yhe developing roller 22 which is a developer bearing member, is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 1, and rotate in the arrow D direction in FIG. 1 (counterclockwise). Both ends of the developing roller 22, in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis line direction), are rotatably supported by the developing frame 18 via bearings.
  • the developing frame 18 includes a developer storing chamber (hereafter called “toner storing chamber”) (first chamber) 18a as the developer storing portion, a developing chamber (second chamber) 18b, and a developer supply opening (first opening) (hereafter called “toner supply opening”) 18c.
  • the developer supply opening 18c connects the toner storing chamber 18a and the developing chamber 18b.
  • the developer supply opening 18c is formed at a partition portion (partition portion 18m in FIG. 1 ), which separates the toner storing chamber 18a and the developing chamber 18b.
  • the developing chamber 18b is located above the toner storing chamber 18a.
  • a toner supply roller 20, that is, a supply member which contacts the developing roller 22 and rotates in the arrow E direction, and a developing blade 21, that is, a developer controlling member to control the toner layer on the developing roller 22, are disposed.
  • the developing blade 21 contacts the surface of the developing roller 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the developing roller 22 and the toner supply roller 20 rotate such that the surface of the developing roller 22 and the surface of the toner supply roller 20 move in the same direction at a mutually contacting portion.
  • the rotation direction of the developing roller 22 and the rotation direction of the toner supply roller 20 are the opposite from each other.
  • a stirring member (conveying member) 23 which stirs the stored toner T, allows the toner to flow into the developing chamber 18b via the toner supply opening 18c, and then conveys the toner to the toner supply roller 20, is disposed.
  • the stirring member 23 includes a rotation shaft 23a disposed in parallel with the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 22, and a stirring sheet 23b, which is a flexible sheet member of which one end is installed in the rotation shaft 23a, stirs and conveys the toner.
  • the directions of the rotation axis line of the stirring member 23 and the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b are parallel with the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22, and the center of the rotation shaft 23a is the rotation axis lines of the stirring member 23 and the stirring sheet 23b.
  • the photosensitive member unit 13 includes a cleaning frame 14, which is a frame to support various composing elements in the photosensitive member unit 13.
  • the photosensitive drum 1 is installed so as to be rotatable in the arrow A direction (clockwise) in FIG. 1 via a bearing member.
  • a charging roller bearing 15 is installed along the line passing through the rotation center of the charging roller 2 and the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the charging roller bearing 15 is installed to be movable in the arrow C direction in FIG. 1 .
  • the charging roller 2 is rotatably installed on the charging roller bearing 15.
  • the charging roller bearing 15 is biased by a charging roller pressurizing spring 16, which is a biasing unit, so as to press the charging roller 2 against the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 6 drops into the space formed by the cleaning blade 6 and the cleaning frame 14 in the gravity direction, and is stored in the waste toner storing portion 14a.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the developing unit 4 of this example.
  • FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 in the state when the bearing unit 26 and the developing roller 22 are removed from the state in FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 in the state when an elastic sheet 24, a developing blade 21 and an end seal member 25 are removed from the state in FIG. 4B.
  • FIG. 4D is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit 4 in the state in FIG. 4B .
  • the developing chamber 18b includes: an upper edge portion 18h, a lower edge portion 18j, and both side portions 18k.
  • the developing roller 22, which carries toner is rotatably installed via the bearing unit 26, such that a part of the developing roller 22 is exposed outside the developing frame 18 via the developing opening 18d.
  • the developing blade 21, which extends toward the surface of the developing roller 22 so as to control the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 22, is installed on the lower edge portion 18j side of the developing opening 18d.
  • the elastic sheet 24 (corresponding to the sealing sheet) is installed on the upper edge portion 18h side of the developing opening 18d.
  • the upper edge portion 18h is a fixed portion to which the elastic sheet 24 is fixed.
  • the base portion of the elastic sheet 24 is installed in the developing frame 18, and the tip portion of the elastic sheet 24 contacts the developing roller 22, so as to prevent developer leakage from the developing unit 4.
  • the length of the developing opening 18d in the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22 is longer than the length of the developing opening 18d in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22.
  • the longitudinal direction of the developing opening 18d is the same as the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22.
  • the transverse direction of the developing opening 18d is the same as the direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22.
  • the upper edge portion 18h and the lower edge portion 18j are edge portions extending along the longitudinal direction of the developing opening 18d.
  • Both side edge portions 18k correspond to the end portions of the developing openings 18d in the longitudinal direction.
  • both side edge portions 18k are edge portions extending along the transverse direction of the developing opening 18d.
  • the end seal member 25 is disposed on both side edge portions 18k of the developing opening 18d respectively, so as to seal each gap with the developing frame 18, the developing roller 22, the developing blade 21, and the elastic sheet 24.
  • the end seal member 25 is a flexible member that press-contacts the peripheral surface of the developing roller 22, the rear surface of the developing blade 21, and the rear surface of the elastic sheet 24 when the end seal member 25 is installed in the developing unit 4. Thereby the developing unit 4 is sealed in the axis direction of the developing roller 22. In other words, as illustrated in FIGS.
  • the elastic sheet 24 contacts the developing roller 22 in the area between the inner end portion of the end seal member 25 disposed on one end and the inner end portion of the end seal member 25 disposed on the other end.
  • the elastic sheet 24 and the end seal member 25 both have a function of a sealing member which prevents developer leakage through an area between the developing frame 18 and the developing roller 22.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5E are schematic cross-sectional views of the process cartridge 7.
  • the stirring sheet 23b which is a convey unit, contacts the inner wall surface of the toner storing chamber 18a, and the stirring member 23, which is a developer conveying member, rotates at 100 rpm in the state where the stirring sheet 23b is bent.
  • the toner storing chamber 18a has a release position 18e where the stirring sheet 23b is released from the bent state.
  • the stirring sheet 23b flips up the toner laying on the stirring sheet 23b by the force generated when the stirring sheet 23b is released from the bent state, and conveys the toner to the toner supply roller 20 inside the developing chamber 18b through the toner supply opening 18c.
  • the stirring sheet 23b is deformable, and conveys toner by release of this deformation.
  • the tip portion of the stirring sheet 23b, the rotation shaft 23a, and the toner supply opening 18c are disposed to satisfy the following relationship in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b.
  • the length of the stirring sheet 23b is set such that even the toner on the bottom 18f of the toner storing chamber 18a can be stirred and conveyed.
  • the length W0 from the center of the rotation shaft 23a to the tip portion of the stirring sheet 23b, with respect to the length W1 from the center of the rotation shaft 23a to the bottom 18f of the toner storing chamber 18a satisfies W0 > W1.
  • the length W0 is set such that the relationship, with respect to the length W2 from the center of the rotation shaft 23a to the lower end of the toner supply opening 18c, satisfies W0 > W2.
  • the distance between the tip of the stirring sheet 23b in the undeformed state and the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b is longer than the shortest distance between the opening 18c and the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b.
  • FIG. 5A depicts the state of toner when the stirring sheet 23b is in the phase of starting to push the upper surface (interface) of the deposited toner. Then the stirring sheet 23b rotates in the arrow F direction in FIGS. 5A to 5E . The stirring sheet 23b, which reached the phase in FIG. 5B , lifts up and conveys the toner. Then the stirring sheet 23b rotates in the arrow F direction, and the stirring sheet 23b reaches the phase of the release position 18e, as illustrated in FIG. 5C .
  • the toner in-convey is on the stirring sheet 23b, and immediately after the stirring sheet 23b passes the release position 18e, the stirring sheet 23b is released from the bent state, and the toner is flipped up toward the toner supply opening 18c. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5D , the stirring sheet 23b conveys the toner to the toner supply opening 18c using the force that returns from the bent state to the released state, and collides with the toner supply opening 18c so as to push the toner into the developing chamber 18b. Then the stirring sheet 23b rotates in the arrow F direction, and enters the phase of the stirring sheet 23b in FIG. 5A again.
  • the stirring sheet 23b rotates continuously in the arrow F direction, and toner on the stirring sheet 23b is flipped up every time the stirring sheet 23b passes the phase of the release position 18e, whereby toner is successively conveyed to the developing chamber 18b through the toner supply opening 18c.
  • the developing opening 18d is an opening which connects the toner storing chamber 18a and the developing chamber 18b, so that the toner in-convey can pass from the toner storing chamber 18a to the developing chamber 18b.
  • the toner conveyed from the toner storing chamber 18a passes through the toner supply opening 18c, passes above the toner supply roller 20, and is conveyed toward the developing opening 18d (arrow H direction in FIG. 5D ). Further, the toner conveyed to the developing opening 18d is conveyed to the contact portion between the supply roller 20 and the developing roller 22, and a part of the toner is supplied to the developing roller 22.
  • the toner, not supplied to the developing roller 22, is conveyed to a region J, which is surrounded by the developing blade 21, the developing roller 22, the toner supply roller 20, and the lower end of the toner supply opening 18c in the developing chamber 18b, by the rotation of the developing roller 22 and the toner supply roller 20.
  • the length W0 from the rotation shaft 23a to the tip of the stirring sheet 23b, with respect to the length W2 from the rotation shaft 23a to the lower end of the toner supply opening 18c is set to be W0 > W2, this means that at this time, the string sheet collides with the portion where the toner supply opening 18c is formed in the portion wall 18m.
  • toner leakage caused by an increase in the pressure inside the developing chamber 18b, is effectively suppressed by disposing the ventilation opening (second opening) 18g and the filter member (hereafter called "filter") 27.
  • the stirring member 23 rotates at 100 rpm (rotates 100 times per minute). This is because a high-speed processing speed is demanded (conventionally about 75 rpm).
  • the pressure inside the frame 18 can be easily increased by the rotation of the stirring member 23, and if the internal pressure is high, toner more easily scatters and toner leakage, as mentioned above, is a concern.
  • FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the process cartridge 7
  • FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 in the state when the filter 27 is removed.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is a surface constituting the developing chamber 18b, and is extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 4, so as to connect to outside the developing unit 4.
  • the ventilation opening 18g connects inside the developing chamber 18b with outside the developing frame 18 in the cross-sectional direction, which is orthogonal to the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b (orthogonal direction with respect to the direction of the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b).
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed in a wide rectangular region which is long in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 4, so as to extend from one end to the other end of the developing roller 22.
  • the length of the ventilation opening 18g in the rotation axis line direction of the stirring sheet 23b is longer than the length of the ventilation opening 18g in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis line direction of the stirring sheet 23b (transverse direction of the developing unit 4).
  • the ventilation opening 18g and the opening 18c are configured to intersect with a single cross-section of the stirring member 23 in the orthogonal direction with respect to the rotation axis line of the stirring member 23.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 4D the ventilation opening 18g and the opening 18c are configured to intersect with a single cross-section of the stirring member 23 in the orthogonal direction with respect to the rotation axis line of the stirring member 23.
  • the ventilation opening 18g and the opening 18c face each other so that a rectangular virtual region can be formed by the ventilation opening 18g, the opening 18c, and two virtual lines (L1, L2) connecting the ends of the ventilation opening 18g and the opening 18c when viewing the cross-section orthogonal to the rotation axis line of the stirring member 23.
  • L1, L2 virtual lines connecting the ends of the ventilation opening 18g and the opening 18c when viewing the cross-section orthogonal to the rotation axis line of the stirring member 23.
  • the range of the ventilation opening 18g and the range of the opening 18c at least partially overlap with each other in the axis line direction of the rotation shaft 23a (longitudinal direction).
  • the ventilation opening 18g connects inside the developing chamber 18b and outside the developing frame 18 ( FIG. 1 ).
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed in at least one location, and as the area of the ventilation opening 18g becomes larger, the effect of releasing pressure improves.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed in two locations, in order to obtain a sufficient rigidity in the frame and a high ventilation effect.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed on two locations in this example.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is not disposed at the center of the developing opening 18d in the longitudinal direction of the developing opening 18d.
  • each ventilation opening 18g is disposed in a position that is shifted from the center position of the developing opening 18d respectively.
  • the center position of the developing opening 18d overlaps with the position of the connection wall 18n of the ventilation opening 18g.
  • connection wall 18n which is the wall surface closest to the developing opening 18d
  • pressure can be effectively decreased in an area near the developing opening 18d.
  • rigidity of the developing frame 18 especially the connection wall 18n
  • the rigidity of the developing frame 18 can be improved at the center area in the longitudinal direction.
  • a convex portion 18p is disposed around the ventilation opening 18g.
  • the rigidity of the developing frame 18 can be improved in an area around the ventilation opening 18g.
  • the convex portion 18p extends along the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the ventilation opening 18g respectively.
  • Each convex portion 18p is disposed for both ventilation openings 18g.
  • the convex portion 18p may have a portion which extends in the transverse direction at the center of the longer side of the opening 18c, so as to cross the ventilation opening 18g.
  • the line connecting one end of the ventilation opening 18g and one end of the opening 18c in the direction orthogonal to the rotation shaft 23c is the first line L1.
  • the line connecting the other end of the ventilation opening 18g and the other end of the opening 18c is the second line L2.
  • the region between the first line L1 and the second line L2 is a region which includes the shortest path out of the paths for the air that passed through the opening 18c to reach the ventilation opening 18g.
  • at least a part of the supply roller 20 is located outside the region between the first line L1 and the second line L2.
  • connection wall 18n is connected to the fixed portion (upper edge portion 18h).
  • the connection wall 18n extends in the orthogonal direction (direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis line of the developing roller 22, or the rotation axis line of the stirring sheet 23b), so as to cross the extending direction of the elastic sheet 24.
  • the connection wall 18n can be regarded as a wall surface which supports the fixed portion (upper edge portion 18h) in the thickness direction of the elastic sheet 24.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed on the upper surface (connection wall 18n) of the developing frame 18. In this case, the region J inside the developing chamber 18b is always filled with toner, and the ventilation opening 18g should be disposed on a surface which does not constitute the region J.
  • the wall surface on which the ventilation opening 18g is disposed is a wall surface of which one side forms the inner wall of the developing chamber 18b, and the other side forms a part of the outer wall of the developing frame 18.
  • the size of the ventilation opening 18g can be increased by disposing the ventilation opening 18g on the largest wall surface among such wall surfaces.
  • the ventilation opening 18g is disposed at the upstream side of the developing opening 18d on the toner conveying path (arrow mark H in FIG. 5D ). Therefore the air conveyed from the toner storing chamber 18a is discharged from the ventilation opening 18g before reaching the developing opening 18d, where toner leakage more easily occurs. Thereby the pressure inside the developing chamber 18b can be effectively decreased, and toner leakage can be suppressed. Furthermore, the ventilation opening 18g is disposed in the developing chamber 18b in an area close to both the ends. Thereby the increase in pressure toward the end seal member 25 disposed in the end portion of the developing opening 18d can be effectively suppressed, and toner leakage can be controlled.
  • the filter 27 is disposed to cover the ventilation opening 18g, and is constituted by a material which prevents toner leakage inside the developing unit 4 (passing of toner through the ventilation openings 18g), and allows air, inside the developing unit 4, to pass through.
  • the filter 27 allows air to pass through the ventilation opening 18g, and stops toner from passing through.
  • the filter 27 is larger than the ventilation opening 18g when viewed in the normal line direction of the surface on which the filter 27 is fixed. It is preferable that the material of the filter 27 has high air permeability. The higher the air permeability, the more the ventilation effect improves, and a higher inner pressure reduction effect can be achieved. This means that a greater effect in preventing toner leakage can be obtained.
  • the filter 27 is welded to the developing frame 18 from outside the wall surface of the developing frame 18.
  • the method for fixing the filter 27 to the developing frame 18 is not limited to welding, but may be double-sided tape, adhesive or the like.
  • the filter 27 may be fixed from inside the developing unit 4.
  • the filter 27 may also be integrated with the developing frame 18, such as insert-molded in the developing unit.
  • the filter 27 can be fixed in any way as long as air can pass, and toner leakage through the ventilation opening 18g can be prevented.
  • the number of filters 27 is one or more, and is not limited to a specific number.
  • two filters 27 cover the two ventilation openings 18g.
  • the number of ventilation openings 18g and the number of filters 27 need not be the same, and, for example, one filter 27 may cover a plurality of ventilation openings 18g.
  • the ventilation openings 18g and the filter 27 may be disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8C show examples of the positions of the ventilation openings 18g and the filters 27 according to this example.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8C show schematic diagrams when the ventilation openings 18g, the filters 27, the opening 18c and the developing opening 18d are viewed in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis line direction of the stirring sheet 23b.
  • the arrow P indicates the rotation axis line direction of the stirring sheet 23b.
  • portions other than the ventilation openings 18g, the filters 27, the opening 18c and the developing opening 18d are omitted.
  • one region and the other region of the developing opening 18d may have a single ventilation opening 18g respectively (each ventilation opening 18g covers approximately the entire area of each region respectively).
  • the shape of the ventilation opening 18g is not limited to a rectangle as illustrated, but may be various different shapes, such as a rectangle with rounded corners, and an ellipse.
  • a plurality of ventilation openings 18g may be disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction in the above mentioned one region and the other region respectively (each ventilation opening 18g in FIG. 8A is divided in the longitudinal direction).
  • the number of ventilation openings 18g disposed in each region is not limited to the number illustrated in FIG. 8B , but may be two, or more than three respectively.
  • the shape and size of each ventilation opening 18g may be the same shape and size as illustrated in FIG. 8B , or may be different from each other.
  • each ventilation opening 18g the length in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis line direction of the stirring sheet 23b) may be longer or shorter than the length in the transverse direction (transverse direction of the developing unit 4), which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
  • a plurality of ventilation openings 18g may be disposed side by side in the transverse direction for each region of the developing opening 18d.
  • the number of ventilation openings 18g disposed in the transverse direction is not limited to the number illustrated in FIG. 8C , but may be three or more.
  • the number of ventilation openings 18g of each row disposed in the transverse direction, the shapes and sizes thereof, and the arrangement thereof are not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8C , where the number of ventilation openings 18g is different between rows, and the shapes and sizes of the ventilation openings 18g are different from one another, and the ventilation openings 18g in the top and bottom rows are disposed alternately.
  • the ventilation openings 18g may be disposed in a lattice, where the same number, the same shape and the same size of the ventilation openings 18g are disposed and aligned in each row.
  • the material of the filter is a non-woven fabric, of which the average pore diameter is 5 ⁇ m, in order to obtain both collectability and permeability.
  • the photosensitive drum 1 ( ⁇ 30 perfect circle) is initially rotating at 300 rpm in the arrow A direction. Then the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2.
  • the charging roller 2 is a ⁇ 20 conductive rubber roller, and is driven and rotated by pressing the roller portion against the photosensitive drum 1, and a predetermined DC voltage is applied to the core metal of the charging roller 2 in the charging step for the photosensitive drum 1. Thereby a uniform dark electric potential (Vd) is formed.
  • an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined light electric potential (Vl) is formed in the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 1
  • an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined dark electric potential (Vd) is formed in the unexposed portion on the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 contact with toner which the developing unit 4 conveyed to the developing roller 22, is developed, and becomes a toner image.
  • Toner that is used in this example has a degree of agglomeration of 5% to 40%, and an average particle diameter of 8 ⁇ m in non-used state. In order to ensure the flowability of toner for its entire lifespan, it is desirable to use toner having this degree of agglomeration.
  • the degree of agglomeration of toner was measured as follows.
  • a powder tester made by Hosokawa Micro Corporation
  • a digital vibration meter Digital Vibration Meter Model 1332, manufactured by Showa Sokki Corporation
  • 390 mesh, 200 mesh and 100 mesh sieves were stacked up on a vibration table in the sequence of smaller sieve openings, that is, in the sequence of the 390 mesh, 200 mesh and 100 mesh sieves, with the 100 mesh sieve on top.
  • an accurately measured 5 g sample (toner) is placed on the 100 mesh sieve that is set as mentioned above
  • the displacement value of the digital vibration meter was adjusted to 0.60 mm (peak-to-peak), and vibration was applied for 15 seconds.
  • the mass of the sample remaining on each sieve was measured, and the degree of agglomeration was obtained based on the following expression.
  • the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 (primary transfer) by the function of the primary transfer roller 8.
  • the above mentioned processing is sequentially performed by the first to fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC and SK, and a toner image of each color is sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 as the primary transfer. Then synchronizing with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit. Then by the function of the secondary transfer roller 9, which is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 via the recording material 12, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred onto the recoding material 12 in batch as the secondary transfer.
  • the recording material 12, on which the toner image was transferred is conveyed to the fixing apparatus 10, which is a fixing unit.
  • the toner image is fixed to the recording material 12 by the fixing apparatus 10 applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12, and the recording material 12 is discharged at about a 60 ppm speed.
  • the removed untransferred toner (waste toner) is discharged to a waste toner box (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 can also form a single color or a multi-color image using only a desired single or some (not all) image forming units.
  • FIG. 7A is a schematic enlarged view of the filter position when an image is formed (developing contact time)
  • FIG. 7B is a schematic enlarged view of the filter position when an image is not formed (developing separation time).
  • the process cartridge 7 is configured such that the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be in contact/separated, and the relative position of the developing unit 4 (first unit) and the photosensitive member unit 13 (second unit) can be changeable.
  • the developing unit 4 (developing frame 18) rotates around the developing contact/separation support point 17, and changes the position (angle with respect to the photosensitive member unit 13) depending on whether a pressurized unit 18i is pressed by a pressurizing unit 80 of a developing contact/separation mechanism disposed in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the developing unit 4 takes a position with respect to the photosensitive member unit 13: either a contacted state where the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 22 are in contact (corresponding to the contact position or the second position); or a separated state where the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 22 are separated (corresponding to the separated position or the first position). This makes the developing separation of the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 22 possible.
  • the developing unit 4 can move between the contact position and the separation position (the contact position can be displaced with respect to the apparatus main body).
  • the second position of the developing frame 18 may be a position where the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in proximity separated by a gap.
  • the developing unit 4 of this example is configured such that the distance between the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 1 at the first position of the developing frame 18 is longer than the distance between the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 1 at the second position of the developing frame 18.
  • the position of the developing unit 4, with respect to the photosensitive member unit 13 changes (rotates) with the developing contact/separation support point 17 at the predetermined rotation shaft as the support point, and the developing roller 22 separates from the photosensitive drum 1.
  • the developing frame 18 rotates around the support point 17.
  • the developing separation amount is 10 mm, and the upper surface (corresponding to the filter installation surface) on which the filter 27 is disposed, becomes horizontal in the separation state.
  • the exposed surface of the filter 27 (surface of the filter 27 on the developing storing unit side), which is exposed to the inside of the developing frame 18 (developer storing portion), is also horizontal or at an angle close to horizontal.
  • the angle between the horizontal surface and the exposed surface is 0° or close to 0°.
  • the developing unit 4 rotates around the developing contact/separation support point 17, and is displaced with respect to the photosensitive member unit 13 by the elastic force (biasing force) of a developing contact spring 181 which is an biasing member.
  • the biasing force to change the position of the developing frame 18 with respect to the cleaning frame 14 from the separation position to the contact position, is always applied.
  • the upper surface becomes 30° with respect to the horizontal direction.
  • the surface of the filter 27, exposed to the inside of the developing frame 18, also has a 30° or closer angle.
  • the angle between the horizontal surface and the exposed surface is 30° or close to 30°.
  • the angle between the horizontal surface and the exposed surface changes between the contact state and the separation state.
  • the angle between the horizontal surface and the exposed surface in the separation state is smaller than the angle between the horizontal surface and the exposed surface in the contact state.
  • the position of the filter 27 can also be changed as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B .
  • toner is gradually collected in the concave portions on the surface of the filter 27 by the supply of toner from the stirring member 23, and by the scattering of toner due to the rotation of the toner supply roller 20 and the developing roller 22.
  • toner adheres to the exposed surface of the filter 27, which is exposed to the inside the developing frame 18.
  • countless filter holes 27a, which are open in the filter 27, clog, and the ventilation capability drops considerably.
  • the filter 27 is located in a position more distant from the rotation support point 17 of the developing unit 4, compared with the developing roller 22 and the toner supply roller 20, and is disposed so that the displacement amount in the contact/separation operation is more than that of the developing roller 22 and the like.
  • the filter 27 is disposed such that the distance between the filter 27 and the rotation support point 17 (center of the rotary displacement) (the shortest distance, such as the distance between the right end of the filter 27 and the rotation support point 17 in the portion overlapping with the opening 18g in the cross-section in FIG.
  • the distance between the developing roller 22 and the rotation support point 17 is longer than the distance between the developing roller 22 and the rotation support point 17 (the longest distance, such as a distance between the point most distant from the rotation support point 17 on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 22 and the rotation support point 17 in the cross-section in FIG. 1 ). Thereby vibration is more easily generated on the filter 27 by the contact/separation operation, and the adhering toner can be more effectively separated.
  • the developing contact operation is performed during prior rotation, before forming the image, and the developing separation operation is performed during the post-rotation, after forming the image.
  • the developing unit 4 is in the developing contact state while the image forming operation is performed.
  • the developing unit 4 is in the developing separation state while the image forming operation is not performed.
  • the filter installation surface and the developer contact surface of the filter 27 maintain the horizontal state, or at an angle close to the horizontal state while the image forming operation is not performed.
  • continuous printing is interrupted every 500 prints, and the post-rotation operation is executed to perform the developing contact/separation operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is desirable to set the number of prints at which printing is interrupted in accordance with the configuration of the developing apparatus. Further, in this example, continuous printing is forcibly interrupted at every predetermined number of prints, and the post-rotation operation is performed so as to perform the developing contact/separation operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the drive instruction to the developing apparatus is interrupted and the developing contact/separation operation is repeated in a state of stopping the supply of toner, a better effect to separate toner is obtained.
  • the developing separation amount is zero in Comparative Example 1, and is increased respectively by 5 mm in the sequence of Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 3 and this example. Except for this difference, the configuration of the process cartridge and the general configuration of the image forming apparatus according to Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 3 are the same as this example.
  • Table 1 shows the verification result.
  • Presence of toner leakage Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2 Comparative Example 3 This example Developing contact /separation NO YES YES YES Developing separation amount 0 mm 5 mm 10 mm 15 mm Filter angle 30° 20° 10° 0° 0K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 10K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 20K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 30K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 40K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 50K prints - ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 60K prints - - ⁇ ⁇ ⁇
  • Comparative Example 1 will be described first.
  • the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 22 are constantly in contact, and a small amount of toner leakage was observed at 30K prints, and extreme toner leakage was generated at 40K prints. In this state, toner clogged and ventilation performance dropped considerably.
  • Comparative Example 2 will be described next.
  • Comparative Example 2 a small amount of toner leakage was observed at 40K prints, and extreme toner leakage was generated at 50K prints.
  • an improvement was observed by 10K prints. This may be because the developing separation amount was set to 5 mm for the developing separation, whereby the angle of the filter member became closer to horizontal by 10° compared with Comparative Example 1, and more toner, collected in the concave portions of the filter, fell, and a drop in ventilation capability was suppressed.
  • the target 60K prints was not implemented.
  • Comparative Example 3 will be described next. In the case of Comparative Example 3, a small amount of toner leakage was observed at 50K prints, and extreme toner leakage was generated at 60K prints.
  • Comparative Example 4 the developing separation is forcibly performed at every 750 prints
  • Comparative Example 5 the developing separation is forcibly performed at every 1000 prints. Except for this difference, the configuration of the process cartridge and the general configuration of the image forming apparatus of Comparative Example 4 and Comparative Example 5 are the same as this example.
  • Table 2 shows the presence of toner leakage in this example and in the comparative examples.
  • Presence of toner leakage Comparative Example 4 Comparative Example 5 This example Developing contact timing 1000 750 500 0K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 5K prints ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 10K prints - ⁇ ⁇ 20K prints - ⁇ ⁇ 30K prints - - ⁇ 40K prints - - ⁇ 50K prints - - ⁇ 60K prints - - ⁇
  • Comparative Example 4 First Comparative Example 4 will be described. In the case of Comparative Example 4, the developing separation is executed at every 1000 prints, and extreme toner leakage was generated at 5K prints.
  • Comparative Example 5 Next Comparative Example 5 will be described.
  • the developing separation is executed at every 750 prints, and a small amount of toner leakage was observed at 10K prints. Then extreme toner leakage was generated at 20K prints. Even performing the developing separation every 750 prints was insufficient to suppress toner clogging.
  • the developing separation amount is set to 15 mm, and the developing contact/separation operation is performed every 500 prints, as described above.
  • the angle of the filter member becomes closer to horizontal, and toner collected in the concave portions of the filter can easily fall by the contact/separation operation.
  • the developing apparatus and the filter member are impacted by the developing contact/separation operation, whereby the toner is more easily separated from the filter member.
  • filter clogging can be suppressed, and a drop in ventilation performance can be prevented, as verified in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2.
  • an increase in the internal pressure of the developing chamber can be reduced or suppressed, and toner leakage from the developing unit can be prevented.
  • an increase in the internal pressure of the unit in which the developer is stored can be suppressed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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  • Ecology (AREA)
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EP17200587.8A 2016-11-09 2017-11-08 Unit, process cartridge and image forming apparatus Active EP3349066B1 (en)

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JP2016218761 2016-11-09
JP2017193639A JP7009150B2 (ja) 2016-11-09 2017-10-03 ユニット、プロセスカートリッジ及び画像形成装置

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JP (1) JP7009150B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
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JP7206614B2 (ja) * 2018-04-04 2023-01-18 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 現像装置および画像形成装置
JP7200655B2 (ja) * 2018-12-19 2023-01-10 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 現像装置、現像ユニットおよび画像形成装置
EP3998512B1 (en) * 2019-09-17 2024-07-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Cartridge and image formation device
JP2024110594A (ja) 2023-02-03 2024-08-16 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像装置およびそれを備えた画像形成装置

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JPH08146745A (ja) * 1994-11-21 1996-06-07 Canon Inc 現像剤収納容器及びプロセスカートリッジ
JP2003270939A (ja) 2002-03-18 2003-09-25 Seiko Epson Corp 現像装置、画像形成装置、及びコンピュータシステム
JP4674798B2 (ja) 2004-05-06 2011-04-20 株式会社リコー 現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ、及び、画像形成装置
JP4628856B2 (ja) 2005-04-28 2011-02-09 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置、現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ
JP4790676B2 (ja) 2007-08-02 2011-10-12 株式会社リコー 現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ及び画像形成装置
JP5327573B2 (ja) 2007-10-31 2013-10-30 株式会社リコー 現像装置、プロセスユニット及び画像形成装置
JP5020109B2 (ja) 2008-01-24 2012-09-05 株式会社リコー 現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ、画像形成装置、カラー画像形成装置
JP5111238B2 (ja) * 2008-05-27 2013-01-09 キヤノン株式会社 プロセスカートリッジ
JP5418895B2 (ja) * 2009-03-13 2014-02-19 株式会社リコー 現像装置、並びに、これを備えた画像形成装置及びプロセスカートリッジ
JP5317935B2 (ja) 2009-11-26 2013-10-16 キヤノン株式会社 現像装置、及び、プロセスカートリッジ
JP6512864B2 (ja) * 2015-02-27 2019-05-15 キヤノン株式会社 カートリッジ、プロセスカートリッジ、画像形成装置

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JP7009150B2 (ja) 2022-01-25
SG10201709190VA (en) 2018-06-28
KR20180052092A (ko) 2018-05-17
JP2018081301A (ja) 2018-05-24
EP3349066A1 (en) 2018-07-18

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