JP2000105501A - Developing device, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve assembling performance by relaxing the installation accuracy of an end seal, and to prevent toner leakage from a junction surface between the end part of the end seal and a developing vessel. SOLUTION: This developing device is provided with a developing vessel 20b which has an opening for supplying toner to a developing sleeve 20YS, end part seals 39 installed on the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing container 20b and abutting on the outer peripheries of the both ends of the developing sleeve 20YS to prevent the toner leakage, a sheet member 41 installed through almost whole area in the longitudinal direction of the lower part of the opening of the developing container 20b so as to be overlapped with a part of the end part seals 39 and abutting on almost whole surface in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 20 YS to prevent the toner leakage. An elastic member 42 is arranged so as to come into close contact with a position covering a junction surface between the end pats 39a of the end seals 39 on the lower part side of the developing container 20b and the developing container 20b, and the sheet member 41 crushes and overlaps with the elastic member 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachable from an apparatus main body and a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer for forming an image on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a developing sleeve 101 carrying toner to be supplied to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and supplies the toner to the developing sleeve 101. The developing container 102 includes an end seal 103 for preventing leakage of toner from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing container 102, a flexible sheet 104 for preventing blowing of toner from a lower portion of the opening of the developing container 102, and the like. ing.

The flexible sheet 104 is attached to a lower portion of the opening of the developing container 102, and one end in the short direction is a free end. A part of this free end is in contact with the surface of the entire developing sleeve 101 in the longitudinal direction. Further, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flexible sheet 104 are connected to the end seal 10.
3 to prevent toner from escaping outside the opening. Also said end seal
Numerals 103 are attached to both sides of the opening of the developing container 102 and are pressed against the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 101 with a fixed squeezing amount to prevent toner leakage outside the opening.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional developing device, the end seal 103 is generally made of a flexible material such as a felt flocked material and fixed to the developing container 102. Then, the end seal 103 and the developing container 10
In order to maintain airtightness with the end 2, an end 103 a of the end seal 103 on the side of the flexible sheet 104 is abutted against the side of the developing container 102 on which the flexible sheet is adhered.

However, the end of the end seal 103
It is difficult to bring the 103a into contact with the developing container 102 without any gap (especially when the developing sleeve 101 has a small diameter, etc.), and there is a problem that the operation of attaching the end seal 103 requires skill.

When a gap is formed between the end surface 103a of the end seal 103 and the developing container 102 in the mounting operation, toner may leak from the gap to the outside.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the mounting accuracy of the end seal member, improve the assemblability, and
An object of the present invention is to prevent toner from leaking from a joint surface between an end of an end seal member and a developing container.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a representative configuration of the present invention is a developer carrier for supplying a developer to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer carrier for supplying the developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A developer container having an opening for supplying the developer, a developer regulating member for regulating the supply of the developer to the developer carrier, and both ends of the developer carrier provided at both longitudinal ends of the opening of the developer container An end seal member that abuts on an outer peripheral surface to prevent leakage of the developer; and an end seal member that is provided over substantially the entire longitudinal lower region of the opening of the developing container so as to overlap a part of the end seal member. A flexible sheet member that abuts on the surface of substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the body to prevent leakage of the developer; and a joining surface between the end of the end seal member at the lower side of the developing container opening and the developing container. Auxiliary seal at a position to cover As well as arranged to contact a,
The auxiliary seal member is configured to overlap with the flexible sheet member while being crushed.

According to the above construction, the auxiliary seal member is disposed so as to be in close contact with a position at which the end surface of the end seal member at the lower side of the developing container opening and the joint surface between the developing container and the end seal member are covered. Since the joint surface between the end face of the end seal member and the developing container can be easily sealed, the mounting accuracy of the end seal member can be eased, and the assemblability can be improved. Even if it occurs, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the gap. Further, since the flexible sheet member overlaps the end seal member and the auxiliary seal member while being crushed, the auxiliary seal member can fill a gap in the up and down direction, and the development can be performed more reliably. Agent leakage can be prevented.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a developing device to which the present invention is applied is detachable will be described as an example.

First Embodiment A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a developing device according to a first embodiment is detachable will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[Overall Configuration of Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus] First, the overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a color laser printer which is an embodiment of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The image forming section of the color laser printer includes:
Electrophotographic photoreceptor (photoreceptor drum) that rotates at a constant speed 15
, A fixed black developing device 21B, and three rotatable color developing devices (a yellow developing device 20Y, a magenta developing device 20B).
M, cyan developing unit 20C).

Below the image forming section, there is disposed an intermediate transfer member 9 for holding the developed and multiplex-copied color image and further transferring it to the transfer material 2 fed from the feeding section.

The transfer material 2 on which the color image has been transferred
Is transported to the fixing section 25 to fix the color image onto the transfer material 2 and is discharged by discharge rollers 34, 35 and 36 to a discharge section 37 on the upper surface of the apparatus.

The rotatable color developing device and the fixed black developing device are configured to be individually detachable from the printer main body.

Next, the configuration of each part of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

[Electrophotographic Photoconductor Unit] The electrophotographic photoconductor unit 13 includes an electrophotographic photoconductor (photoconductor drum) 15.
And the container 14 of the cleaning means also serving as a holder for the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15. The electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 13 is detachably supported by the printer main body, and is configured such that the unit can be easily replaced in accordance with the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15.

The electrophotographic photoreceptor 15 according to this embodiment is formed by applying an organic photoconductor layer to the outside of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of about 62 mm, and a container 14 of a cleaning means also serving as a holder for the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15. It is supported rotatably.

A cleaning blade 16 and a primary charging means 17 are arranged on the periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15, and a driving force of a drive motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end on the rear side in the figure to thereby provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member. 15 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure in accordance with the image forming operation.

[Charging Means] The charging means 17 uses a contact charging method. The charging roller is brought into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15, and a voltage is applied to the charging roller to charge the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15. This is to charge the surface uniformly.

[Exposure Means] Exposure to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 is performed from the scanner unit 30. That is, when an image signal is given to the laser diode, the laser diode irradiates the polygon mirror 31 with image light corresponding to the image signal.

The polygon mirror 31 is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor, and the image light reflected by the polygon mirror 31 selects the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 on which the image light is rotated at a constant speed via the imaging lens 32 and the reflection mirror 33. Exposure, and as a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15.

[Developing Means] The developing means includes three rotary developing devices 20Y, 20Y, which can develop each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in order to visualize the electrostatic latent image.
20M, 20C and one black developing unit 21B.

The black developing device 21B is a fixed developing device.
A developing sleeve 21BS is provided at a position facing the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15.
Are arranged at a very small interval (about 300 μm) with respect to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15, and by applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 21BS, reverse development (corresponding to the electrostatic latent image of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15) (Jumping development), and is visualized as a toner image on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15.

The toner capacity of the black developing device 21B is set to 15,000 pages (A4, A4, more than twice as large as that of the other color developing devices 20Y, 20M, 20C) in consideration of the documents and image patterns handled by the user and the toner consumption. (5% printing).

As described above, by increasing the capacity of the black developing device 21B, it is possible to reduce the frequency of replacement of the black developing device 21B by the user and to reduce the running cost per print.

The position of the black developing device 21B is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner leaks when the color developing units 20Y, 20M, and 20C rotate by being disposed between the scanner unit 30 as the exposure unit and the color developing units 20Y, 20M, and 20C as the rotary developing units. However, it is possible to prevent scattering to optical components and the like of the scanner section. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the polygon mirror, the image forming lens, the reflection mirror, and the like to hinder the formation of the latent image, and to obtain a clear output image.

Each of the three rotary developing devices 20Y, 20M and 20C is
Includes toner equivalent to 6000 pages (A4, 5% printing)
The developing rotary 23 that rotates about the shaft 22 is detachably held.

At the time of image formation, each developing device is rotated around the shaft 22 while being held by the developing rotary 23, and a predetermined developing device is stopped at a position facing the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15,
Further, after the developing sleeve is positioned so as to face the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 at a small interval (about 300 μm), a visible image is formed corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15.

During the formation of a color image, the developing rotary 23 rotates for each rotation of the intermediate transfer member 9, and the yellow developing device 20Y,
The developing process is performed in the order of the magenta developing device 20M, the cyan developing device 20C, and then the black developing device 21B.

In FIG. 1, the yellow rotary developing device 20Y is
The figure shows a state where it is positioned at a position facing the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 13 and is stationary. The rotary developing device 20Y is fed to the application roller 20YR by a toner feeding mechanism in the container. Application roller 20YR rotating clockwise in the figure
And a developing blade 20YB pressed against the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 20YS, the developing sleeve rotating clockwise in the figure.
A thin layer of toner is applied to the outer periphery of 20YS, and a charge is applied to the toner (frictional charging).

A toner is developed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 in accordance with the latent image by applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 20YS facing the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 on which the latent image is formed.

In the magenta developing device 20M and the cyan developing device 20C, toner development is performed by the same mechanism as described above.

Each developing sleeve of each of the rotary developing devices 20Y, 20M, and 20C is connected to a high-voltage power supply for each color development and a drive provided in the printer body when each developing device is rotated to the developing position. In addition, a voltage is sequentially and selectively applied for each color development, and the driving is connected.

[Intermediate Transfer Body] The intermediate transfer body 9 applies the toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 visualized by each developing device four times (each of four colors of Y, M, C, and B) at the time of forming a color image. Electrophotographic photoreceptor 15
And rotates clockwise in the figure in synchronization with the outer peripheral speed of. Further, the intermediate transfer body 9 that has received the multiple transfer transfers the transfer material 2 between the transfer roller 10 to which a voltage is applied, and conveys the toner image. I do.

The intermediate transfer member 9 according to this embodiment has a diameter of 18
The outer circumference of a 6 mm aluminum cylinder 12 is covered with an elastic layer 11 of medium resistance sponge, medium resistance rubber or the like. The intermediate transfer body 9 is rotated by being driven by a gear (not shown) which is rotatably supported and integrally fixed.

[Cleaning Means] The cleaning means removes the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 after the toner visualized on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 15 by the developing means is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 9. It is to be cleaned. Thereafter, the cleaned waste toner is stored in the container 14. The amount of waste toner stored in the container 14 does not fill the container 14 earlier than the life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15, and therefore, the container 14 is integrally replaced when the life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 15 is replaced.

[Feeding Unit] The feeding unit feeds the transfer material 2 to the image forming unit, and includes a cassette 1 containing a plurality of transfer materials 2, a pickup roller 3, a feed roller 4, a double feed. It mainly comprises a retard roller 5, a feeding guide 6, a registration roller 8 and the like for prevention.

At the time of image formation, the pickup roller 3,
The feed roller 4 and the retard roller 5 are driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, separate and feed the transfer material 2 in the cassette 1 one by one, guided by the guide 6, and registered with the registration roller via the transport roller 7. To 8.

During the image forming operation, the registration roller 8 performs a non-rotational operation of keeping the transfer material 2 stationary and a rotation operation of transporting the transfer material 2 toward the intermediate transfer body 9 in a predetermined sequence. The position of the image and the transfer material 2 at the time of the transfer step, which is the next step, is aligned.

[Transfer Section] The transfer section is composed of a swingable transfer roller 10. The transfer roller 10 has a metal shaft wound with a medium-resistance foam elastic material, and is movable up and down in the figure and has driving. .

While the four-color toner image is being formed on the intermediate transfer member 9, that is, while the intermediate transfer member 9 rotates a plurality of times,
In order not to disturb the image, the transfer roller 10 is located at a lower position as shown by a solid line in FIG.

After the formation of the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer member 9, the transfer roller 10 is shown by a thin line by a cam member (not shown) in accordance with the timing of transferring the color image onto the transfer material 2. It is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 9 at a predetermined pressure via the upper position, that is, the transfer material 2. At this time, a bias is applied to the transfer roller 10 at the same time, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 9 is transferred to the transfer material 2.

Here, since the intermediate transfer member 9 and the transfer roller 10 are driven respectively, the transfer material 2 sandwiched between the two is subjected to the transfer process and at the same time, at a predetermined speed in the left direction in the figure. And sent to the fixing section 25 which is the next step.

[Fixing Unit] The fixing unit 25 includes the developing unit 20
The toner image formed on the transfer material 2 via the intermediate transfer member 9 is fixed on the toner image formed by the intermediate transfer member 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 25 includes a fixing roller 26 for applying heat to the transfer material 2 and a fixing roller 26 for applying the transfer material 2 to the transfer material 2.
, And each roller is a hollow roller. Inside thereof, heaters 28 and 29 are provided, respectively, and are configured to be driven to rotate and to simultaneously transfer the transfer material 2.

That is, the transfer material 2 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27, and the toner is fixed to the transfer material 2 by applying heat and pressure.

[Configuration of Color Developing Unit] Next, FIGS.
The configuration of the rotary developing device as a color developing device will be described in detail using a yellow developing device with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of the developing device, FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a main portion configuration diagram of the developing device.

The container forming the frame of the developing device is configured by welding a toner container 20a for storing toner and a developing container 20b having an opening 38 for supplying the toner to the developing sleeve 20YS. The developing container 20b includes a developing sleeve 20YS as a developer carrier that rotates in the direction of arrow a, and a developer regulating member that coats the toner carried on the developing sleeve 20YS in a uniform thickness and imparts a charge to the toner. Developing blade 20YB, the developing blade 20YB and the developing container 20
b, the seal 40 sealing the gap with the developing container 20b
The developing sleeve 20 is attached to both ends of the opening 38 in the longitudinal direction.
An end seal 39 for contacting the peripheral surfaces of both ends of YS to prevent toner leakage from both sides of the developing sleeve 20YS and the developing container 20b in the lateral direction; a lower opening of the developing container 20b, the developing sleeve 20YS and the end; Sheet members 41 are provided to seal gaps generated between the external seals 39.

Incidentally, end seals 39 provided at both ends of the opening of the developing container 20b are pressed against both ends of the developing sleeve 20YS with a constant squeezing amount so that the toner does not leak outside both ends of the opening 38. The end seal 39 has a two-layer structure in which the surface layer in contact with the developing sleeve 20YS is made of Teflon felt or Teflon pile, and the lower layer is made of an elastic material such as wool felt or Polon.

The developing blade 20YB has oblique cut shapes at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a part of the oblique cut portion has a longitudinal arrangement overlapping with the end seal 39.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the sheet member 41 in the short direction is attached and fixed to the developing container 20b, and the other end is a free end. This free end is in contact with the surface of substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 20YS.

Since the sheet member 41 uses a flexible member, the surface of the developing sleeve 20YS is
, The toner is always in contact with the surface of the developing sleeve 20YS, and the toner does not leak from the developing container 20b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since both ends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet member 41 overlap the end seal 39, the periphery of the sheet member 41 (the lower portion of the opening of the developing container 20b, the developing sleeve 20YS and the end The toner does not leak out from between the part seal 39).

An auxiliary seal member made of a material such as rubber, a foam material, or a fiber such as felt extends from a lower side of the opening 38 of the developing container 20b to an end surface of an end seal 39 which is outside the opening 38. The elastic members 42 are disposed in close contact with each other.

As described above, by disposing the elastic member 42 so as to be in close contact with the position for covering and covering the joint surface between the end portion 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b, the end surface of the end seal 39 and the development Since the contact portion (joining surface) with the container 20b can be easily sealed, the mounting accuracy of the end seal 39 can be reduced, the assemblability can be improved, and the end 39a of the end seal 39 can be easily connected. It is possible to prevent toner from leaking from a contact portion (bonding surface) with the developing container 20b.

Furthermore, the sheet member 41 is provided so as to overlap the end seal 39 and the elastic member 42 while crushing the sheet vertically.

As described above, since the elastic member 42 is in close contact with the sheet member 41 in such a manner as to be crushed in the vertical direction, the gap between the end seal 39 and the sheet member 41 can be filled. It is possible to prevent toner from leaking from between the sheet member 41 and the sheet member 41. For example, as shown in FIG.
Via the gap between the developing container 20b and the end seal 39, an incomplete portion of the contact surface between the end seal 39 and the elastic member 42 (FIG. 4)
When there is an area A), the toner is prevented from blowing upward (arrow B in FIG. 4) from that area.

As described above, the end 39a of the end seal 39
The elastic member 42 is located at a position where the joint surface between the
And the elastic member 42 is configured such that the elastic member 42 overlaps while the sheet member 41 is crushed, so that the mounting accuracy of the end seal 39 is reduced and the assembling property is improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from a contact portion (joining surface) between the end surface of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b.

Second Embodiment An electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a developing device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the developing device according to the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the developing container 20b
A rib 44, which is a convex protrusion, is provided at a portion of the lower end of the opening where the end 39a of the end seal 39 abuts, and the end 39a of the end seal 39 is formed so as to mesh with the rib 44.

As a result, in addition to the same effects as in the above-described embodiment, the contact surface between the end 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b (the rib 44 shown in FIG. 5) becomes complicated. Further, it is possible to more reliably prevent toner leakage from between the end portion 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b.

In this embodiment, the configuration in which the rib 44 having a convex protrusion is provided at the portion where the end of the end seal 39 at the lower part of the opening of the developing container 20b abuts is exemplified. It is not limited, for example, the developing container
Similar effects can be obtained by providing a step in the lower part of the opening of the opening 20b at the part where the end of the end seal 39 abuts and the part where the end of the elastic member 42 abuts.

Third Embodiment An electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a developing device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and FIGS. Since the overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the developing device according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the elastic member 42 as an auxiliary seal member is pressed by the pressing member 45 so as to be in close contact with the lower end of the opening of the developing container 20b and the end surface of the end seal 39 outside the opening of the developing container. It is configured such that the sheet member 41 overlaps while crushing the elastic member.

A rib 44 is provided at a lower portion of the opening of the developing container 20b where the end 39a of the end seal 39 abuts, and the end 39a of the end seal 39 is formed by the rib.
It is formed in a shape that meshes with 44.

As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 42 is a developing container.
20b to the end surface of the end seal 39 outside the opening of the developing container (the end 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20).
The elastic member 42 is pressed by the pressing member 45 toward the end seal 39.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, this pressing member 45 is inserted into the developing container 20b from the lateral direction,
The elastic member 42, which is disposed at a position that covers the joint surface between the end 39a of the 39 and the developing container 20b, is brought into close contact with the end seal 39 by applying a lateral pressure. This prevents toner flowing through the joint surface between the end portion 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b from flowing out.

Further, the sheet member 41 is attached to the end seal 39.
And it is attached so as to overlap with the elastic member 42. Thereby, the developing container 20b and the end seal
Through the gap of 39, the toner is prevented from blowing upward from an imperfect portion of the contact surface (joining surface) between the end seal 39 and the elastic member 42.

In this embodiment, the end seal 39
Although the elastic member 42 stuck at the position covering and covering the joint surface between the developing container 39a and the developing container 20b is pressed by the pressing member 45 toward the end seal 39 to make close contact, the present invention is not limited to this. Not something.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressing member 45 is inserted into the developing container 20b from the side and covers the joint surface between the end surface 105a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b. In a configuration in which the elastic member 42 attached to the pressing member 45 is pressed against the end seal 39 to be in close contact therewith, similarly,
The outflow of the toner passing through the bonding surface to the outside can be prevented.

Further, the sheet member 41 is attached to the end seal 39.
And by attaching the pressing member 45 so as to overlap with the pressing member 45, the gap in the vertical direction of the elastic member 42 can be filled, and the end seal 39 passes through the gap between the developing container 20b and the end seal 39. The toner can be prevented from blowing upward from an incomplete portion of the contact surface (joining surface) of the elastic member 42 and the elastic member 42.

[Fourth Embodiment] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a developing device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the developing device according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the peripheral portion of the joint surface between the end portion 39a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20b and the sheet member 41 overlapping with the joint portion are formed. The configuration is such that a double-sided tape 46 is stuck between them. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent toner from entering between the end seal 39 and the sheet member 41.

In this embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the end surface 105a of the end seal 39 and the developing container 20
an elastic member disposed at a position to cover the joint surface with b
42 is pressed toward the end seal 39 by a pressing member 45, and further, the developing container abuts against the end 39a of the end seal 39.
A rib (not shown) is provided at the lower part of the opening of 20b, and the end of the end seal 39 is formed in a shape to mesh with the rib (not shown).

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment,
Although the color rotary developing device that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained with a black developing device that is detachable from the apparatus main body. Alternatively, the same effect can be obtained in a developing device fixed to the apparatus main body.

A similar effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a process cartridge which is detachable from the apparatus main body and has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means as a process means acting on the photosensitive member.

Although the printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applicable to other electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a word processor. The same effect can be obtained not only in a color type but also in a monochrome type electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the auxiliary seal member is disposed so as to be in close contact with the end of the end seal member at the lower side of the opening of the developing container so as to cover the joint surface between the end seal member and the developing container, the end surface of the end seal member and the developing container Can be easily sealed, the mounting accuracy of the end seal member can be reduced, and the assemblability can be improved. Even if a gap is formed in the joint surface, the developer from the gap is removed. Leakage can be prevented. Further, since the flexible sheet member overlaps the end seal member and the auxiliary seal member while being crushed, the auxiliary seal member can fill a gap in the up and down direction, and the development can be performed more reliably. Agent leakage can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a color laser printer that is an embodiment of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a developing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the rotary developing device according to the first embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a developing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a second embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment viewed from above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment viewed from above.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a fourth embodiment viewed from above.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional developing device viewed from above.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a conventional developing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cassette 2 ... Transfer material 3 ... Pickup roller 4 ... Feed roller 5 ... Retard roller 6 ... Supply guide 7 ... Convey roller 8 ... Regist roller 9 ... Intermediate transfer member 10 ... Transfer roller 11 ... Elastic layer 12 ... Aluminum cylinder 13 ... Electrophotographic photoreceptor unit 14 ... Container 15 ... Electrophotographic photoreceptor 16 ... Cleaning blade 17 ... Charging means 20, 21 ... Developing means 20C ... Cyan developing unit 20M ... Magenta developing unit 20Y ... Yellow developing unit 20YB ... Developing blade 20YR ... Coating roller 20YS developing sleeve 20a toner container 20b developing container 21B black developing unit 21BS developing sleeve 22 shaft 23 developing rotary 25 fixing unit 26 fixing roller 27 pressure roller 28, 29 heater 30 Scanner unit 31… Polygon mirror 32… Imaging lens 33… Reflection mirror 34,35,36… Discharge roller 37… Discharge unit 38 Opening 39 ... end seal 39a ... end 40 ... seal 41 ... sheet member 42 ... the resilient member 44 ... ribs 45 ... pushing member 46 ... double-sided tape

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A developer carrier for supplying a developer to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing container having an opening for supplying the developer to the developer carrier, and a supply of the developer to the developer carrier A developer regulating member that regulates the position of the developer container; an end seal member that is provided at both longitudinal ends of the opening of the developer container and that contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the developer carrier to prevent leakage of the developer; It is provided over substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction below the opening of the developer container so as to overlap with a part of the end seal member, and abuts on the surface of substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier to prevent leakage of the developer. And a flexible sheet member, wherein an auxiliary seal member is provided so as to be in close contact with a position covering and covering a joining surface between an end of the end seal member and the developing container on the lower side of the developing container opening, and The auxiliary seal member is A developing device, wherein the flexible sheet member is configured to overlap while being crushed. 2. A projecting rib is provided at a portion of the lower end of the opening of the developing container where the end of the end seal member abuts, and the end of the end seal member is formed so as to mesh with the rib. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The auxiliary seal member is made of a material such as rubber,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is an elastic member made of a foam material or a fiber such as felt, and is provided in the developing container. 4. The auxiliary sealing member is attached to the developing container so as to be in close contact with the developing container from the lower portion of the opening to the end surface of the end sealing member outside the developing container opening, and a flexible sheet member is attached to the auxiliary sealing member. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device overlaps while crushing. 5. The auxiliary seal member is pressed by a pressing member so as to be in close contact with a portion from the lower portion of the developing container opening to the end surface of the end seal member on the outer side of the developing container opening, and a flexible sheet member holds the auxiliary sealing member. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device overlaps while being crushed. 6. A double-sided tape is attached between a peripheral portion of a joint surface between the end of the end seal member and the developing container and a flexible sheet member overlapping with the peripheral portion. The developing device according to claim 1. 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. 8. A process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photoreceptor; and processing means for acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor. A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 6. 9. The process cartridge is detachable,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein: mounting means for mounting the process cartridge according to claim 8; and transfer means for transferring the image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium.