JP2000155466A - Magnetic seal member, developing device, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a magnetic seal member which can be easily positioned at a developing frame body whose size in the longitudinal direction is not sufficient and a developing device, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming device constituted so that a developer regulation member and the magnetic seal member can be stably made to abut on each other. SOLUTION: The magnetic seal member 201 is provided with a positioning part 201d for positioning it at the developing frame body 12 at the surface thereof being opposite to the surface thereof abutting on the developer regulation member 9d. In the developing device, the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming device, the positioning part 201d of the seal member 201 is pressed by an elastic member 202 so that the abutting surface is pressed to the regulation member 9d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a magnetic seal member,
The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed as a cartridge. Is a process cartridge system that allows the cartridge to be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman.
Operability was significantly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

In such a process cartridge, a magnetic seal member having a magnetic material such as a magnetic seal is attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of a developing frame of a developing device built in the process cartridge, and a developing roller (a developer carrying member) is provided. Outflow of toner from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the body. The positioning of the magnetic seal member with respect to the developing frame is performed by an arm provided on the magnetic sealing member, which protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame.

An elastic member such as a malt plane is attached to the back surface of the magnetic seal member on the side of the developing frame, and the resilient member repels the magnetic seal member to regulate a toner layer thickness of a developing roller. (A developer regulating member). As a result, the developing blade, the developing roller, and the magnetic seal member are set to the same potential.

The present invention is a further development of the above prior art.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic seal member which can be easily positioned with respect to a developing frame having no long dimension.

Another main object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of stably abutting a developer regulating member and a magnetic seal member.

Another main object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge capable of stably abutting a developer regulating member and a magnetic seal member, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached. Is to provide.

[0009]

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows: (1) At least a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member is used. A developer carrying member,
Used in a developing device having a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member, and a developing frame for holding the developer carrying member and the developer regulating member. In the magnetic seal member, the magnetic seal member may be a magnet or a magnet arranged on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. A magnetic member, wherein the magnet or the magnetic member is provided on an abutting surface that abuts on the developer regulating member and on a surface opposite to the abutting surface to position the magnetic seal member on the developing frame body. And a positioning part for performing the operation.

(2) In a developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a developer carrier for carrying at least a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member; A developer regulating member for regulating the amount of developer carried by the developer carrier, a developing frame for holding the developer carrier and the developer regulating member, and a magnet arranged on the developing frame. A seal member, an elastic member that presses the magnetic seal member toward the developer regulating member,
A magnetic or magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. A magnet and a magnetic member are provided on a contact surface that contacts the developer regulating member and a surface opposite to the contact surface to position the magnetic seal member on the developing frame. The elastic member presses the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press the contact surface against the developer regulating member. .

(3) In a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing agent for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer. A developing frame for holding the developing unit, a magnetic seal member disposed on the developing frame, and an elastic member for pressing the magnetic seal member against the developing unit; Has a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, and a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member, and the magnetic seal member has A magnet or a magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, wherein the magnet or the magnetic member is The current A contact surface abutting the agent regulating member,
A positioning portion provided on a surface opposite to the contact surface for positioning the magnetic seal member on the developing frame;
Wherein the elastic member presses a positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press a contact surface against the developer regulating member.

(4) An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably attaching a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a) at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and an electrostatic member formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Developing means for developing the latent image with a developer, a developing frame for holding the developing means, a magnetic seal member disposed on the developing frame, and pressing the magnetic seal member against the developing means An elastic member, wherein the developing means includes: a developer carrying member for carrying the developer; and a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member. A magnet or a magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. Having A magnet or a magnetic member, a contact surface that comes into contact with the developer regulating member, and a positioning portion provided on a surface opposite to the contact surface for positioning the magnetic seal member on the developing frame; Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge which presses a positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press a contact surface against the developer regulating member, and An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

(Operation) In the above magnetic seal member,
The positioning portion provided on the surface opposite to the contact surface that comes into contact with the developer regulating member can be positioned on the developing frame. This makes it possible to easily position the magnetic seal member with respect to the developing frame having no sufficient longitudinal dimension.

In the above-described developing device, the magnetic seal member can be positioned on the developing frame by the positioning portion provided on the surface opposite to the contact surface that comes into contact with the developer regulating member. This makes it possible to easily position the magnetic seal member with respect to the developing frame having no long dimension.

The elastic member presses the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press the contact surface against the developer regulating member.
Thereby, the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member can be stably contacted. The elastic member is a conducting member, and a part of the conducting member is brought into contact with a conducting portion of the developer regulating member, thereby conducting conduction between the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member at both longitudinal ends of the developer carrier. It is possible to use two systems in parallel. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member from floating or coming into contact with each other and to be in an electrically unstable state, and to prevent leakage due to the electrically unstable state and noise caused by the leakage. Generation can be suppressed.

In the above-described process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the magnetic seal member may be positioned on the developing frame by a positioning portion provided on a surface opposite to a contact surface that contacts the developer regulating member. it can. This makes it possible to easily position the magnetic seal member with respect to the developing frame having no long dimension.

Further, the elastic member presses the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press the contact surface against the developer regulating member.
Thereby, the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member can be stably contacted. The elastic member is a conducting member, and a part of the conducting member is brought into contact with a conducting portion of the developer regulating member, thereby conducting conduction between the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member at both longitudinal ends of the developer carrier. It is possible to use two systems in parallel. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member from floating or coming into contact with each other and to be in an electrically unstable state, and to prevent leakage due to the electrically unstable state and noise caused by the leakage. Generation can be suppressed.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the short direction of the process cartridge B is the direction in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 14, and coincides with the transport direction of the recording medium. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is a direction (substantially orthogonal) that intersects with the direction in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 14, and intersects (substantially orthogonal) the recording medium conveyance direction. The upper surface of the process cartridge B is a surface located above when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) to which the present embodiment is applied.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view thereof. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from above (upper surface).

(Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge) First, a laser beam printer as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the process cartridge B.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A uses a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP) by an electrophotographic image forming process.
(Sheet, cloth, etc.) 2. Then, a toner image is formed on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum) 7. More specifically, the photoconductor drum 7 is charged by the charging unit 8, and then the photoconductor drum 7 is irradiated with laser light corresponding to the image information from the optical unit 1, and the photoconductor drum 7 is statically charged according to the image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The latent image is developed by the developing means 9 to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the cassette 3a is reversely conveyed by the pickup roller 3b, the conveying roller pairs 3c and 3d, and the registration roller pair 3e. Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveyance guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5c and a fixing roller 5b including a heater 5a. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the passing recording medium 2 to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 3g, 3h, 3i, and discharged to a discharge tray 6 through a reversing path 3j. The discharge tray 6 is provided on an upper surface of an apparatus main body (electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body) 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus A of the present embodiment
Operates the swingable flapper 3k, and the recording medium 2 is moved by the discharge roller pair 3m without passing through the reversing path 3j.
Can also be carried out. Further, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A of the present embodiment, the pickup roller 3
b, transport roller pair 3c, 3d, registration roller pair 3e,
The conveyance means 3 is constituted by the conveyance guide 3f, the discharge roller pairs 3g, 3h, 3i and the discharge roller pair 3m.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge B, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and the surface thereof is made uniform by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 serving as a charging means. Charge. Next, a laser beam light corresponding to the image information from the optical system 1 is applied to the exposure opening 1.
Irradiate the photosensitive drum 7 via the e to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the latent image is developed by developing means 9 using toner as a developer. That is, the charging roller 8 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and charges the photosensitive drum 7. The charging roller 8 is driven and rotated by the photosensitive drum 7. The developing unit 9 supplies toner to a developing area of the photoconductor drum 7 to develop a latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 7. The optical system 1 has a laser diode 1a, a polygon mirror 1b, a lens 1c, and a reflection mirror 1d.

Here, the developing means 9 includes the toner container 1
The toner in 1A is rotated by rotation of the toner feeding member 9b.
The developer is sent to a developing roller 9c as a developer carrier. Then, a developing roller 9c containing a fixed magnet (hereinafter, referred to as "magnet") 9g is rotated, and a toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by a developing blade 9d as a developer regulating member is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c. And supplies the toner to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 7. Then, the toner image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image. Here, the developing blade 9d regulates (regulates) the toner amount on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c. In the vicinity of the developing roller 9c, toner stirring members 9e and 9f for circulating the toner in the developing chamber are rotatably mounted.

Then, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2.
By 0, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed.
Here, the cleaning means 10 scrapes off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 7 by an elastic cleaning blade 10a provided in contact with the photoconductor drum 7 and collects it in the removed toner reservoir 10b.

The process cartridge B has a toner frame 11 having a toner container (toner storage section) 11A for storing toner and a developing frame 12 for holding developing means 9 such as a developing roller 9c. The photosensitive drum 7, a cleaning means 10 such as a cleaning blade 10a, and a cleaning frame 13 to which a charging roller 8 is attached are combined with the photosensitive drum 7. The process cartridge B is detachable from the apparatus main body 14 by an operator.

The process cartridge B is provided with an exposure opening 1e for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with light corresponding to image information and a transfer opening 13n for facing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2. is there. More specifically, the exposure opening 1e is provided in the cleaning frame 13, and the transfer opening 13n is formed between the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13.

The process cartridge B according to the present embodiment has a housing in which a toner frame 11 and a developing frame 12 are connected and a cleaning frame 13 is rotatably connected thereto. A cartridge is formed by accommodating the drum 7, the charging roller 8, the developing means 9, the cleaning means 10, and the like. Then, the process cartridge B is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting means provided on the apparatus main body 14.

(Structure of Housing of Process Cartridge) As described above, the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment has a housing formed by combining the toner frame 11, the developing frame 12, and the cleaning frame 13. Next, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, a toner feeding member 9b is rotatably attached to the toner frame 11. A developing roller 9c and a developing blade 9d are mounted on the developing frame 12, and stirring members 9e and 9f for circulating toner in the developing chamber are rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. Further, an antenna rod 9h is attached substantially in parallel with the developing roller 9c so as to face the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded (in this embodiment, ultrasonic welding) to form a developing unit D as an integral second frame which is a developing device.
Is composed.

Each member of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 13. Further, when the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body 14, the photosensitive drum 7 is covered, and a drum shutter member 18 for protecting the photosensitive drum 7 from being exposed to light for a long time or from contact with foreign matter is attached to the photosensitive drum 7 as a first frame. The cleaning unit C is configured.

The process cartridge B is constituted by connecting the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C to each other by a connecting member 22 so as to be rotatable. That is, the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12 (the developing roller 9
Rotation shafts 20 are provided at the distal ends of the arm portions 19 formed on both sides (axial direction of c). On the other hand, the cleaning frame 13
At two locations on both sides in the longitudinal direction, there are provided recesses 21 for positioning and locking the rotation shaft 20. The developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably connected about the rotation shaft 20 by engaging the rotation shaft 20 with the concave portion 21 and attaching the coupling member 22 to the cleaning frame 13. At this time, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by urging the developing frame 12 downward by the compression spring 22a to which the connecting member 22 is attached. Therefore, by attaching spacer rollers (not shown) having a diameter larger than that of the developing roller 9c to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c, the rollers are pressed against the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c are separated from each other. They face each other at regular intervals (about 300 μm). Therefore,
The developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are
Can rotate about each other. Therefore, the positional relationship between the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c can be maintained by the elastic force of the compression spring 22a.

(Configuration of Guide Unit for Process Cartridge) Next, a guide unit for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, guide means are provided on both outer side surfaces of the housing 100, which is a cartridge frame of the process cartridge B, as guides for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14. .
The guide means includes a cylindrical guide 13a as a first guide member and a longitudinal guide 12a as a second guide member.
And a short guide 13b as a third guide member.

The cylindrical guide 13a is a cylindrical member, and is disposed on the side surface of the cleaning frame 13 so as to protrude outward coaxially with the axis of the photosensitive drum 7. The cylindrical member supports a drum shaft (not shown) supporting the photosensitive drum 7 so as not to rotate.
The longitudinal guide 12a is disposed on a side surface of the developing frame 12 so as to extend over a continuous side surface of the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13. Further, the short guide 13
b is the cylindrical guide 1 on the side surface of the cleaning frame 13.
It is arranged at a position above 3a. Here, in detail, the longitudinal guide 12 a is integrally formed with the developing holders 40 and 41 fixed to the developing frame 12. The cylindrical guide 13a and the short guide 13b are formed integrally with the cleaning frame 13.

The longitudinal guide 12a extends in the process cartridge insertion direction (the direction of the arrow X), and its inclination is set to be substantially the same as the insertion angle of the process cartridge B. The cylindrical guide 13a is disposed on an extension of the longitudinal guide 12a extending in the process cartridge insertion direction. The short guide 13b is arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the long guide 12a. The cylindrical guide 13a, the second guide member 12a, and the third guide member 13b are arranged in the same shape and the same position on the side surface (one side surface) opposite to the side surface (the other side surface) shown in FIG. Has been established. The three guides are formed so as to protrude from the outer flat surfaces of the cleaning frame 13 and the developing frame 12 at substantially the same height.

Next, the upper surface 13 of the cleaning unit C
i, the restriction contact portion 13e and the release contact portion 13f
Will be described. Here, the upper surface is a surface located above when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14.

In the present embodiment, the right end 13c of the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C in the direction orthogonal to the process cartridge mounting direction (the direction of the arrow X).
A restriction contact portion 13e and a release contact portion 13f are provided on the left end 13d. The restricting contact portion 13e defines the position of the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14. That is, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the regulating contact portion 13e comes into contact with a fixed member 25 (see FIG. 5) provided on the apparatus main body 14, and the position of the process cartridge B is regulated. Is done. The release contact portion 13f functions when removing the process cartridge B from the apparatus main body 14. That is, when removing the process cartridge B from the apparatus main body 14, the process cartridge B comes into contact with the fixed member 25 so that the process cartridge B can be smoothly removed by the action of the moment.

(Configuration of Attaching Means of Apparatus Body) Next,
A mounting means for making the process cartridge B detachable from the apparatus main body 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, when the operator rotates and opens the opening / closing member 35 about the fulcrum 35a, as shown in FIG.
A cartridge mounting space S is provided, and the apparatus body 1
The cartridge mounting guide member 16 is mounted on the left and right inner side surfaces of the cartridge 4. The left and right guide members 16 are provided with two guides for guiding the guide of the process cartridge B, respectively.
First guide portion 16a and second guide portion 16b of the muscle
Are provided facing each other. The process cartridge B is inserted along the guides 16a and 16b, and the opening / closing member 35 is opened.
Is closed, the mounting of the process cartridge B on the apparatus main body 14 is completed. The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 14 in a direction crossing the axis of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown in FIG. More specifically, it is attached and detached from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis. The developing unit D is mounted with the cleaning unit C facing forward and the developing unit D facing backward.

In order to make it easier for the operator to hold the process cartridge B when attaching and detaching the process cartridge B, the process cartridge B is provided with a concave portion (see FIG. 4) as a handle portion 17 along its longitudinal direction. Then, the operator grips the handle 17 with both hands to mount and remove the process cartridge B.

Further, the process cartridge B is provided with a drum shutter member 18 (see FIG. 3) for opening and closing the transfer opening 13n in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation. The member 18 is closed to protect the transfer area of the photosensitive drum 7. As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter member 18 is supported by being pivotally attached to respective ends of an arm 18a and a link member 18b rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 13, respectively. This shutter member 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a fulcrum 18c that supports the shutter arm 18a. The tip of a lever 23 whose root is fixed to the arm 18a is attached to the apparatus main body 14 when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. When the process cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body 14, it is opened by abutting against a fixed stopper (not shown) and closed by the elastic force of a torsion spring (not shown).

The first guide portion 16a is provided below the guide member 16 as shown in FIG.
2a and the cylindrical guide 13a. The first guide portion 16a has a main guide portion 16al, a step 16a2, a relief portion 16a from the upstream side to the downstream side with respect to the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow X) of the process cartridge B.
3, a sub guide portion 16a4 and a positioning groove 16a5 are provided. The main guide portion 16al guides the longitudinal guide 12a and the cylindrical guide 13a. The sub guide 16a4 guides the cylindrical guide 13a to the positioning groove 16a5. further,
The positioning groove 16a5 defines the position of the process cartridge B by fitting the cylindrical guide 13a. Further, the second guide portion 16b is provided above the guide member 16, and the short guide 13
Guide b. The second guide portion 16b is provided with a rising slope 16bl from the upstream side to the downstream side with respect to the mounting direction of the process cartridge B, and a relief portion 16b2 on the downstream side.

In the cartridge mounting space S of the apparatus main body 14, fixed members (rotation restricting members) 25 fixed to stays 27 are provided at both left and right ends. The fixed member 25 contacts the regulation contact portion 13e to regulate the process cartridge B from rotating clockwise in FIG. Therefore, the cylindrical guide 13a is provided with the groove 16a5.
And the regulating contact portion 13e is fixed to the fixed member 2.
5, the process cartridge B is correctly mounted at a predetermined mounting position. When the process cartridge B is taken out, the fixed member 25 comes into contact with the release contact portion 13f so that the process cartridge B can be taken out smoothly.

Further, in the cartridge mounting space S,
Pressing members 26 are provided at both left and right ends. The pressing member 26 is rotatable around a fulcrum (not shown).
It is urged in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5 by the elastic force of a coil spring (not shown). The pressure member 26 elastically presses the upper surface of the process cartridge B to prevent the process cartridge B from vibrating due to the vibration of the image forming apparatus A or the like.

(Toner Frame) Next, the toner frame 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The toner frame 11 is composed of two parts, an upper frame 11a and a lower frame 11b. The upper frame 11a is provided with a concave portion 17 from the outside along the upper longitudinal direction, and has the above-mentioned handle function. When the process cartridge B is configured, a number of ribs 11c parallel to the longitudinal direction are arranged on the outer surface of the lower frame 11b serving as the bottom at intervals of about 5 mm in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the operator holds the concave portion 17 and the rib 11 with both hands.
Hold c. The rib 11c serves as a non-slip when the process cartridge B is held. The lower frame 11b is aligned with the upper frame 11a at the welding surface U, and the welding ribs (not shown) are melted by forced vibration to integrate the two frames 11a and 11b. However, the joining method is not limited to vibration welding, and may be performed by, for example, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or bonding.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The slope K of the lower frame body 11b naturally falls when toner is consumed, that is, the slope K of the process cartridge B mounted on the apparatus main body 14 with the apparatus main body 14 being horizontal and the horizontal line. Angle θ with Z is about 60
Degree is preferred. Further, the rotation area of the toner feeding member 9b extends below the slope K. Therefore, the lower frame 11b has a concave portion 11g below so as to escape the rotation area of the toner feeding member 9b. Toner feed member 9b
Has a rotation diameter of about 30 mm (according to the present embodiment, it is depressed by about 3.6 mm from the bottom surface of the lower frame 11b).
The recess from the bottom surface of the lower frame 11b is about 2.0 mm.
-10 mm or so). This is because if the rotation area of the toner feeding member 9b is above the slope K, the toner that has naturally fallen from above the slope K is near the toner feeding member 9b, and the toner for the distance between the toner feeding member 9b and the slope K is Although it is expected that the toner will not be sent into the developing frame 12 and the toner will remain, in the present embodiment, the toner can be reliably sent from the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12.

As described above, the toner frame 11 is connected to the upper frame 11
a and a lower frame 11b, and by providing a concave portion 11g on the bottom surface of the lower frame 11b as a relief for the toner feeding member 9b, stable toner feeding without increasing the cost even in a large-capacity process cartridge. Performance is obtained.

When the process cartridge B is shipped from the factory,
It is expected that the toner in the toner frame 11 will move abruptly due to vibrations, impacts, and the like during transportation during the transfer to the user.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of partition plates 11p are provided in the upper frame 11a of the toner frame 11 in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the partition plate 11p is provided at three places, and its edge faces the toner feed member 9b and surrounds a substantially quadrant of the toner feed member 9b. It has a shape having a body 11b and an edge green 11p2 with a minute gap. The edge 11pl facing the toner feeding member 9b is disposed at a position where the partition plate 11p covers a part of the toner filling port 11d when viewed from the longitudinal direction.

Here, in order to prevent the toner from moving in the toner container 11A, it is better that the partition plate 11p is as large as possible. However, when filling the toner with the toner filling port 11d directly above, if the partition plate 11p is directly below the toner filling port 11d and completely covers the toner filling port 11d, the toner is filled all the way into the toner container 11A. It's hard to make. Therefore, as described above, when the partition plate 11p is configured as shown in the present embodiment, the toner is filled to the back through the space in which the filling port 11d is not covered by the partition plate 11p. Further, since the partition plate 11p occupies the inner cross section of the toner frame 11 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at a sufficiently large ratio (see FIG. 3), even if the process cartridge B is vibrated or impacted, the partition plate 11p is There is no hindrance to movement and no compression of the toner.

(Developing Frame) Next, the developing frame 12 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the developing frame 12 has a developing roller 9c, a developing blade 9d, and toner stirring members 9e and 9f.
And an antenna rod 9h for detecting the remaining amount of toner.

The developing blade 9d has a thickness of 1
Urethane rubber 9d2 is fixed to a sheet metal 9dl of about 2 mm with hot melt, double-sided tape, or the like, and regulates the amount of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c. The flatness of the blade abutting plane 12i (see FIG. 6) as a blade attachment portion provided on the developing frame 12 is regulated to about 0.05 mm. The dowel 12 is provided on this plane 12i.
il and a screw hole 12i2 are provided. Therefore, a hole (not shown) provided in the sheet metal 9dl is formed in the dowel 12i.
l. Thereafter, the sheet metal 9 is inserted through a screw (not shown) provided in the sheet metal 9dl and the screw hole 12i2.
dl is screwed to the plane 12i. The developing frame 12
An elastic seal member (not shown) such as a malt plane is attached along the upper side of the sheet metal 9dl to prevent toner from entering. Further, an arcuate surface 12j extending from both ends of the elastic seal member and continuing along the developing roller 9c.
Up to this point, the magnetic seal member 201 is attached. An elastic seal member 201c such as a malt plane for preventing a gap between the developing frame 12 and the magnetic seal 201 is attached to the back side of the magnetic seal member 201. Further, a thin elastic seal member (not shown) that is in contact with the generatrix of the developing roller 9c is attached to the lower jaw 12h. An elastic seal member 12s3 for preventing toner leakage from the side of the urethane blade (urethane rubber) 9d2.
(Refer to FIG. 6) is the developing frame 1 next to the magnetic seal member 201.
2 attached.

Here, the mounting groove 203 for mounting the magnetic seal member 201 of the developing frame 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the developing frame 12 is provided with a mounting groove 203 for the magnetic seal member 201 from the blade abutting plane 12i to the arcuate surface 12j. The mounting groove 203 has an arc groove 203a along the arc of the arc surface 12j and a blade abutting plane 12i.
Vertical groove 203b along the magnetic seal member 2
No. 01 and a positioning groove 203c in the depth direction into which an arm (positioning portion) 201d to be described later just fits. The entrance of the positioning groove 203c is an inclined portion 203d like a C chamfer. The arm portion 20 of the magnetic seal member 201 is provided on the inclined portion 203d of the positioning groove 203c.
Arm portion 2 of a spring member 202, described later, for pressing 1d
There is provided a groove 203e for dropping 02a.

(Magnetic Seal Member) Next, the magnetic seal member 201 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic seal member 201 includes a magnet 201a and a magnetic member 201b. The magnet 201a is an injection-molded product provided with a nylon binder containing magnetic powder of Nd-Fe-B, and the magnetic member 201b is an iron material. The magnetic seal member 201 is formed in a shape that fits into the mounting groove 203 of the developing frame 12. That is, the magnetic seal member 201
Is a circular arc portion 201f that fits into the circular groove 203a of the mounting groove 203, and a linear groove 203b of the mounting groove 203.
And the arm portion 2 as a positioning portion that fits into the positioning groove 203c of the mounting groove 203.
01d. Then, the magnetic seal member 20
1, an elastic seal member 201c such as a malt plane is attached to the back surfaces of the arc portion 201f and the straight portion 201g.

The magnetic seal member 201 is provided in the developing frame 1
2, the mounting grooves 20 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
3 is arranged. More specifically, the magnet 201a or the magnetic member 201b is attached to the developing frame 12 while maintaining a gap S (about 0.1 to 0.7 mm in this embodiment) as a gap with the developing roller 9c (FIG. 7). reference). The magnet 201a and the magnetic member 201b attract the toner by a magnetic force, thereby preventing the toner from flowing out from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c.

The arm 201d is connected to the magnetic seal member 20.
1 for positioning the developing device 1 on the developing frame 12,
Linear portion 201 in contact with sheet metal 9dl of developing blade 9d
It is provided on the surface (back surface) opposite to the contact surface (front surface) 201h of g (see FIG. 7). Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the arm 201 d is positioned in the positioning groove 20 of the developing frame 12.
The contact surface 201h is pressed against the sheet metal 9d1 of the developing blade 9d by being pressed toward the developing blade 9d by a spring member 202 as a conductive elastic member attached inside 3c. Thus, the magnetic seal member 201 can be reliably brought into contact with the developing blade 9d.

The spring member 202 partially has an arm 202a extending toward the developing blade 9d. And
The arm portion 202a comes into contact with the sheet metal 9dl of the developing blade 9d, so that the magnetic seal member 201 and the developing blade 9d are contacted.
The conduction of d can be taken in parallel. Thus, the surface potential of the sheet metal 9dl of the developing roller 9c, the developing blade 9d, and the magnetic seal member 201 can be more stably set to the same potential, and noise due to leak described later can be prevented.

(Assembly of Magnetic Seal Member) Next, a method of assembling the magnetic seal member 201 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In mounting the magnetic seal member 201 in the mounting groove 203 of the developing frame 12, the positioning groove 2
The spring member 202 is inserted into the inside of the spring member 03c, and the arm 202a of the spring member 202 is dropped into the groove 203e (see FIG. 7). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, after the magnetic seal member 201 is brought into the mounting groove 203 of the developing frame 12 as shown by the arrow, as shown in FIG. The circular arc portion 201f of the magnetic seal member 201 is fitted. Thereafter, the arm 201d is lightly pressed in the direction of the arrow along the inclined portion 203d so that the lower end surface of the magnetic seal member 201 is aligned with the lower end surface of the mounting groove 203. Thereby, the elastic sealing member 2
The lower part 201e of 01c is compressed, and the tip of the arm 201d fits into the positioning groove 203c. In this state, the pressure for pushing up the magnetic seal member 201 by the spring member 202 provided inside the positioning groove 203c is weak, and the contact surface 201h of the magnetic seal member 201 with the developing blade 9d is the blade abutting surface 12i of the developing blade 9d. It is in a more floating state. Then, in this state, the developing blade 9
By attaching d to the blade butting surface 12i,
When the contact surface 201h of the magnetic seal member 201 is in contact with the sheet metal 9dl of the developing blade 9d, the magnetic seal member 201 is contacted.
Are positioned and fixed to the developing frame 12 (see FIG. 7).

(Developing Blade) One end 9dla of the sheet metal 9dl of the developing blade 9d is bent at substantially 90 ° as shown in FIG. The bent portion 9dla makes contact with a developing bias contact (not shown) held by the developing holder 40 shown in FIG. 4 to make the sheet metal 9dl the same potential as the developing roller 9c. This is because the amount of toner is detected by a change in the capacitance between the antenna rod 9h for detecting the remaining amount of toner and the developing roller 9c, so that the capacitance is not irregularly changed by the influence of the sheet metal 9dl. To do that.

(Developing Roller Bearing) Next, the developing roller 9
The developing roller bearing 9j for positioning c in the developing frame 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The developing roller bearing 9j is provided with a developing roller 9c.
Hole 9j2 for rotatably fitting the developing holder 40 with the developing holder 40
The developing frame 1 is inserted by inserting pins (not shown)
2 is provided with a hole 9jl. When the developing roller gear 9k for rotating the developing roller 9c is driven (arrow r) from the photosensitive drum gear 7b provided on the photosensitive drum 7 (see FIG. 11), the developing roller 9c is driven by the arrow shown in FIG. It falls in the direction of y. In order to prevent the developing roller 9c from dropping and to secure a gap S between the developing roller 9c and the magnetic seal member 201, the developing roller bearing 9j is provided with a convex rib 9j3 on the side of the arc surface 12j along the developing roller 9c. Have been. At the time of driving, the rib 9j3 comes into contact with the rib 12jl provided on the circular arc surface 12j along the developing roller 9c of the developing frame 12, and this rib 1j
By receiving the developing roller bearing 9j at 2jl, the drop of the developing roller 9c can be reduced.

(C-Type Stopper) Next, a c-type stopper 9o for keeping the developing roller bearing 9j at a fixed position of the developing roller 9c will be described with reference to FIGS.

The c-type stopper 9o has an annular shape.
The developing roller 9c has two claw portions 9o1 for engaging with the developing roller flange 9cl provided at one longitudinal end of the developing roller 9c. The claw portions 9o1 are adapted to engage with grooves 9c3 of two D-cut portions 9c2 provided at one end 9g1 of the magnet 9g to prevent rotation of the developing roller gear 9k. This engagement prevents the developing roller gear 9k from moving or disengaging in the longitudinal direction. Here, the c-shaped stopper 9o has a c-shaped shape, and the c-shaped stopper 9o can expand in the direction V. Therefore, the force applied to the claw 9o1 when the c-shaped stopper 9o is assembled to the developing roller flange 9cl is reduced. C-type stopper 9
o becomes easy to assemble. As the material of the c-type stopper 9o, POM, nylon resin, or the like is used.

(Structure of Electric Contact) Next, a contact for electrically connecting the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 will be described.

The process cartridge B is provided with a plurality of electrical contacts. That is, in order to ground the photosensitive drum 7 with respect to the apparatus main body 14, a conductive ground contact electrically connected to the photosensitive drum 7, and to apply a charging bias from the apparatus main body 14 to the charging roller 8. A conductive charging bias contact electrically connected to the charging roller shaft 8a; a conductive developing bias contact electrically connected to the developing roller 9c to apply a developing bias from the apparatus body 14 to the developing roller 9c; In order to detect the amount, four contacts of the conductive toner remaining amount detection contact electrically connected to the antenna rod 9h are provided so as to be exposed from one side surface (right side surface) of the cartridge frame (housing 100). It is. The four contacts are all provided on one side surface (right side surface) of the cartridge frame with a distance that does not cause electrical leakage between the contacts.

Next, the connection between the contacts provided on the process cartridge B and the contact members provided on the apparatus main body 14 will be described.

On the inner surface on one side of the cartridge mounting space S of the apparatus body 14, four contact members (which can be connected to the respective contacts of the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted) are provided. A ground contact member electrically connected to the ground contact; a charging contact member electrically connected to the charging bias contact; a developing contact member electrically connected to the developing bias contact; a toner detection contact electrically connected to the toner detection contact Member) is provided.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the process cartridge B is guided by the guide member 16 and is mounted at a predetermined mounting position, each of the contacts is securely connected to each of the contact members.

In this embodiment, after all the contacts of the process cartridge B are arranged on one side surface of the cartridge frame 100, the process cartridge B is elastically urged by the leaf spring 45 shown in FIG. Thus, the electrical contacts on the process cartridge B side are electrically stably connected to the contact members on the apparatus main body 14 side.

As described above, in this embodiment, the arm 201d for positioning the magnetic seal member 201 on the developing frame 12 is provided on the contact surface 201h of the magnetic seal member 201 with the developing blade 9d. Provided. Therefore, the magnetic seal member 201 can be positioned relative to the developing frame 12 by the arm portion 201d in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the magnetic seal member 201 can be easily positioned and attached to the developing frame 12 having the positioning dowels 12i1 and the screw holes 12i2 of the developing plate 9d on the blade abutting planes 12i at both ends in the longitudinal direction. .

When the magnetic seal member 201 is not grounded, the magnetic seal member 201 is
c, the voltage supplied to the developing blade 9d, or the friction between the developing roller 9c and the toner existing between the magnetic seal member 201 and the electric charge is accumulated. And
When the magnetic seal member 201 and the developing blade 9d come close to each other instantaneously due to the vibration of the intersection of the parts or some impact,
Leakage occurs between the developing roller 9c and the magnetic seal member 201,
As a result, noise may easily occur. Further, even when the developing blade 9d and the magnetic seal member 201 are in an electrically unstable state such as electrically floating or in contact with each other, there is a possibility that a leak occurs between the developing blade 9d and the magnetic seal member 201.

In the present embodiment, the arm 201d of the magnetic seal member 201 is pressed by the spring member 202 to press the contact surface 201h against the sheet metal 9d1 of the developing blade 9d. Thereby, the developing blade 9d and the magnetic seal member 201 can be stably contacted. By bringing the arm 202a of the spring member 202 into contact with the sheet metal 9d1 of the developing blade 9d, conduction between the developing blade 9d and the magnetic seal member 201 is made parallel in two systems at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the magnetic seal member 201 and the developing blade 9d from floating or coming into contact with each other and to be in an electrically unstable state, thereby preventing a leak due to the unstable state, and preventing a noise due to the leak.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the contact point between the magnetic seal member 201 and the developing blade 9 d is
Since it can be securely taken by the second arm 202a,
Noise due to leakage can be prevented.

The contact surface 201 of the magnetic seal member 201
h is pressed against the sheet metal 9d1 of the developing blade 9d fixed to the developing frame body 12 by the spring member 202, so that the fixed gap S between the magnetic seal member 201 and the developing roller 9c is fixed.
Can be prevented from changing by driving.

(Other Embodiments) The case where the process cartridge B shown in the above-described embodiment forms a single color image has been exemplified. However, the process cartridge according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means, and a plurality of color images are formed. (For example, a two-color image,
The present invention can be suitably applied to a cartridge for forming a three-color image or a full-color image.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum 7 and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (O
PC) and the like. As the shape on which the photoconductor is mounted, for example, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. It has been worked.

As the developing method, it is possible to use various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method.

In the above-described embodiment, a so-called contact charging method is used for the structure of the charging means. However, as another structure, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a conventionally used tungsten wire. It goes without saying that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photoreceptor drum, and the surface of the drum is uniformly charged.

The charging means may be a blade (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type, or the like, in addition to the roller type.

As a method of cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The above-described process cartridge includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of processing means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing unit are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means and a charging means are integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachable from the apparatus main body. In some cases, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means, and the cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachable from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-described process cartridge is one in which charging means or cleaning means, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and developing means are integrally made into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. . And a device in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body by the user. Therefore, the maintenance of the apparatus main body can be performed by the user himself.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, etc. Naturally, it can be used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0090]

As described above, according to the magnetic seal member of the present invention, it is possible to easily position the magnetic seal member with respect to the developing frame having no margin in the longitudinal dimension.

Further, according to the developing device of the present invention, the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member can be stably contacted.

Further, according to the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, the developer regulating member and the magnetic seal member can be stably contacted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

4 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a magnetic seal member and a mounting portion of a developing frame body to which the magnetic seal member is attached.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a developing frame body in a state where a magnetic seal member and a developing blade are attached.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how to attach the magnetic seal member to the developing frame.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing how to attach the magnetic seal member to the developing frame.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a developing roller bearing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a developing roller bearing is attached to a developing frame.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for assembling a developing roller gear to one end of the developing roller by a c-type stopper;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a c-type stopper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 conveying means 7 electrophotographic photoreceptor 8 charging roller (charging means) 9c developing roller (developer carrier) 9d developing blade (developer regulating member) 9d1 sheet metal (conducting part) 10 cleaning means 12 developing frame 201 magnetic seal member 201a Magnet 201b Magnetic member 201h Contact surface 201d Arm (positioning portion) 202 Spring member (elastic member) 202a Arm (part of conducting member) B Process cartridge D Developing unit (developing device)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yo Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H077 AD06 AD13 AD23 BA09 CA15 EA02 EA03 GA13

Claims (10)

[Claims] At least a developer carrying member for developing a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member is regulated. A magnetic seal member used for a developing device having a developer regulating member, and a developer frame that holds the developer carrying member and the developer regulating member. The magnetic seal member includes the developer carrying member. A magnet or a magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrying member at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the body; A contact surface that contacts the developer regulating member, and a positioning portion provided on a surface opposite to the contact surface for positioning the magnetic seal member on the developing frame. Magnetic seal member. 2. The magnetic seal member according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. 3. A developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a developer carrier for carrying at least a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member; A developer regulating member for regulating an amount of developer carried by the carrier, a developing frame for holding the developer carrier and the developer regulating member, and a magnetic seal disposed on the developing frame A member, and an elastic member for pressing the magnetic seal member toward the developer regulating member, wherein the magnetic seal member has an outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both longitudinal ends of the developer carrier. A magnet or a magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the developing member, wherein the magnet or the magnetic member has a contact surface that contacts the developer regulating member; And is provided on the opposite side A positioning portion for positioning the magnetic seal member on the developing frame, wherein the elastic member presses the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press the contact surface against the developer regulating member. ing,
A developing device, characterized in that: 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein said positioning portion protrudes in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of said developer carrier. 5. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the elastic member is a conductive member, and a part of the conductive member is in contact with a conductive portion of the developer regulating member. 6. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer. And a developing frame for holding the developing unit, a magnetic seal member disposed on the developing frame, and an elastic member for pressing the magnetic seal member against the developing unit. A developer carrying member for carrying the developer, and a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of the developer carried by the developer carrying member, wherein the magnetic seal member comprises the developer A magnet or a magnetic member arranged on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, wherein the magnet or the magnetic member is Developer A contact surface that contacts the regulating member, and a positioning portion provided on a surface opposite to the contact surface for positioning the magnetic seal member on the developing frame body; The contact surface is pressed against the developer regulating member by pressing the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member,
A process cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a conductive member, and a part of the conductive member is in contact with a conductive portion of the developer regulating member. 9. The process cartridge includes at least one of a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning unit for removing a developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing unit are integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 10. The process cartridge is detachable,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a) at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer. A developing frame for holding the developing unit, a magnetic seal member disposed on the developing frame, an elastic member for pressing the magnetic seal member against the developing unit,
The developing means has a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, and a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member, The magnetic seal member has a magnet or a magnetic member disposed on the developing frame so as to form a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, The magnet or the magnetic member has a contact surface that contacts the developer regulating member, and a positioning portion that is provided on a surface opposite to the contact surface and positions the magnetic seal member on the developing frame. Mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge which presses the positioning portion of the magnetic seal member to press the contact surface against the developer regulating member, b) conveying the recording medium An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: