JP2000321858A - Rotary type developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of rotating operation times of a developing device when excessive developer amount stored on an excessive developer storing surface becomes equal to or above storable developer amount in the case of printing black-and-white images on many sheets. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a developing container V supported by a developing container supporting member H, successively stopped at a developing position P1 where a latent image of each color component on the surface of a photoreceptor is developed to a toner image, provided with developer stirring and carrying areas 18+19 where two-component developer is stirred and an excessive developer storing member 31 having the excessive developer storing surface 31a constituted so that the excessive developer can be stored to the specified storable developer amount and the storable developer amount of K (black) may be larger, and developing the image in each toner color. The container V is equipped with the member 31 constituted so that the developer on the surface 31a may be discharged to a developer discharge path 1 when the container V is rotated from the position P1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary developing device for developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor (photoreceptor) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer into a toner image. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotary developing device in which a plurality of developing containers each containing a developer of a different color are supported by a rotating developing container support member, and are sequentially moved to a developing position and stopped to perform development. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following technology (J01) is conventionally known as a rotary developing device. (J01) Technology shown in FIG. 31 FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional rotary developing device. The rotary developing device shown in FIG. 31 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 10-158076 (JP-A-Hei), 10-239154 (JP-A-Hei) and -298922 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
No.) etc. In FIG. 31, the surface of the rotating photosensitive member PR is uniformly charged by a charging member (not shown), and then an electrostatic latent image is formed by a latent image writing device (not shown). When moving to Q2, the toner image is developed by the rotary developing device G. The rotary developing device G includes a rotating shaft GA and developing devices GY, GM, G mounted on the rotating shaft GA.
C, GK. Each developing unit GY, GM, GC, G
K sequentially rotates and moves to the development area Q2 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor PR into a toner image of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). .

Each of the developing units GY, GM, GC, GK includes a developing container V, a developing roll R0, a first stirring and conveying member R, respectively.
1. It has a second stirring and conveying member R2. Each of the developing containers V has a container body V1 and a container cover V2, and the container cover V2 is formed with a developer discharge port Va. The developer outlet Va is arranged above when the developing container V moves to the developing area Q2. A shutter 01 rotatable by the action of gravity is provided inside the developer outlet Va. As can be seen from FIG. 31, in a state where the developing container V has moved to the developing area Q2, the shutter 01 is rotated inside the developing container V and is held at an opening position where the developer outlet Va is opened. When the developing container V is rotationally moved from the developing area Q2, the shutter 01 is rotationally moved to a closing position for closing the developer outlet Va by the action of gravity and the movement of the amount of developer in the container.

The developer in the developing container V is composed of a carrier and a toner. Each of the developing units GY, GM,
The toner in the developing container V is consumed by the developing operation of GC and GK. New toner and carrier are supplied into the developing container V in accordance with the consumption of the toner. The first
The stirring and conveying member R1 and the second stirring and conveying member R2 charge the carrier and the toner in opposite polarities (for example, the toner is charged to-(minus) and the carrier is charged to + (plus)).
The developer is circulated in the developing container V while stirring.

For example, in the case of continuously developing a K (black) toner image, when a K (black) developing unit GK moves to the developing area Q2 and a developing operation is performed, a developing container is brought along with the developing operation. The toner in V is consumed, and new toner and carrier are supplied into the developing container V. When the amount of the carrier replenished in the developing container V increases, the amount of the developer in the developing container V (the amount of the developer in the container) increases, and the upper surface position of the developer in the container rises. At this time, a part of the circulating developer moves to the upper surface of the shutter 01. The developer moved to the upper surface of the shutter 01 and stored therein is rotated when the shutter 01 rotates from the opening position to the closing position (the rotation shaft GA).
, Ie, when the developing container V is rotated from the developing area Q2).

The developer discharged from the developing container V is supplied to a discharged developer conveying path GA1 formed inside the rotary shaft GA.
Through the collection container (not shown). As described above, the developer in each developing container V of the rotary developing device G is maintained at an appropriate predetermined amount.

[0007]

The prior art (J01)
When printing a large number of black and white images,
The developing operation is continuously performed while the (black) developing device GK is moved to the developing area Q2. At this time, when the amount of the developer moved to the upper surface of the shutter 01 of the K (black) developing container V reaches a predetermined amount (the upper limit of the amount of storable developer), more developer is transferred to the upper surface of the shutter 01. It can no longer be stored. In this case, if the developing operation of the K (black) developing device GK is continued, the amount of developer in the K (black) developing container V increases, and the amount of developer in the container deviates from an appropriate range. The image quality is adversely affected.

In view of the above, the above-mentioned prior art (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-29) is disclosed.
No. 8922 (the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 9-92) discloses that during a continuous developing operation of the developing container V stopped in the developing area Q2, the developer replenishment time T and the set time (developer continuous replenishment allowable time) T0 are changed. In comparison, when T ≧ T0, the developer container V is rotated together with the rotation axis GA, and the shutter
The developer stored on the upper surface is discharged. When the developer continuous supply allowable time T0 is short, it is necessary to frequently rotate the rotary developing device G when printing a large number of monochrome images. In that case, there is a problem that the production efficiency of the print image is reduced.

However, since the developing units GY, GM, GC, and GK of the conventional rotary developing device G have the same configuration, the developing units GY, GM, GC, and GK can be stored on the shutter 01. The developer amount is determined by each of the developing units GY, GM, G
C and GK have the same configuration. For this reason, the amount of developer that can be stored on the shutter 01 of the K (black) developing container V that frequently performs continuous printing depends on the developing units GY and G of other colors.
The number is set relatively small similarly to the development containers V of M and GC. Therefore, conventionally, when a large number of black and white images are printed, it is necessary to frequently rotate the rotary developing device G, and there is a problem that the production efficiency of the printed image is low. For this reason, there is a problem that the time required until the print job is completed becomes longer and the productivity is reduced.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is a rotary developing device which performs a developing operation by sequentially rotating a plurality of developing containers supported by a rotating developing container support member to a developing position. It is configured to store the developer in the container increased by the replenishment developer to the developing container during operation in an excess developer storage portion provided on the upper wall of the container, and the amount of the stored excess developer can be stored. The following description (O01) is a technical problem of a rotary developing device that rotates the developing container when the above occurs and discharges the stored excess developer to a developer discharging path. (O01) When printing a large number of black-and-white images, the number of rotations of the developing device when the surplus developer amount stored in the surplus developer storage unit becomes equal to or larger than the storable developer amount is reduced.

[0011]

Next, a description will be given of the present invention which has solved the above-mentioned problems. In the description of the present invention, reference numerals in parentheses added after constituent elements of the present invention denote constituent elements of the present invention. Reference numerals of corresponding components of the embodiment described later. The reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the components of the embodiments described later is to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(Invention) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a rotary developing apparatus of the invention has the following requirements (A01) to (A).
(A01) Y (yellow), M according to image information by an image writing device (ROS)
Latent images of each color component of (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are sequentially written and arranged adjacent to the rotating photoreceptor surface, and can be rotated by fixed frames (F1, F2). A developing container supporting member (H) having a supported rotating shaft (GA); (A02) the photosensitive member supported by the developing container supporting member (H), with the rotation and stop of the rotating shaft (GA); The latent image of each color component on the surface is sequentially stopped at a developing position (P1) where the latent image of each color is developed into a toner image of each color, and a developing roll accommodating portion (17) and a toner and a carrier adjacent to the developing roll accommodating portion (17) are provided. A developer agitating / transporting area (18 + 19) in which the two-component developer is circulated while being agitated / transported; a developer supply port (36) for replenishing the two-component developer in the developer agitating / transporting area (18 + 19). ,Previous When the amount of the developer in the container becomes more than a predetermined amount due to the replenishment of the developer during the developing operation at the developing position (P1) and the surplus developer is generated, the surplus developer to be stirred and conveyed is the predetermined amount of the storable developer. A surplus developer storage part (31a) capable of storing the surplus developer to be stirred and conveyed to the surplus developer storage part (31a). The developer containers (V) for developing the toner images of the respective colors; (A03) the developer stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a) when the developer container (V) rotates from the developing position (P1); Is stored in the developer agitating / transporting area (18 + 19), and the two-component developer is stored in the surplus developer reservoir (31a), (A04) configured to be discharged to the developer discharge path (1). Is stirred and transported, and the developing roll storage section (
7) a stirring and conveying member (R1) for supplying the two-component developer
+ R2), (A05) developing the latent image on the photoconductor (PR) into a toner image when the developing container (V) is housed in the developing roll housing part (17) and moves to the developing position (P1). Developing roller (R0) for transporting the two-component developer to the developing area (Q2) to be developed, (A06) the developer discharging path (1)
Developer transport member (11) for transporting the developer discharged to the discharge developer collection container (VT), (A07) the storable developer amount of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) Each of the surplus developer storage sections (31a) configured to increase the amount of developer that can be stored in K (black).

(Operation of the Present Invention) In the rotary developing device of the present invention having the above-mentioned features, the developing container supporting member (H)
Is Y according to image information by an image writing device (ROS).
(Yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K
A latent image of each color component (black) is sequentially written, and is arranged adjacent to the surface of the rotating photosensitive member. The rotation axis (GA) of the developing container support member (H) is fixed to a fixed frame (F).
1, F2) to be rotatably supported. Each developing container (V) corresponding to each color supported by the developing container support member (H) converts a latent image of each color component on the surface of the photoconductor into a corresponding color with the rotation and stop of the rotation shaft (GA). Are sequentially stopped at the developing position (P1) where the toner image is developed.

The developing roll accommodating portion (1) of the developing container (V)
The stirring / transporting member (R1 + R2) accommodated in the developer stirring / transporting area (18 + 19) adjacent to (7) agitates / transports the two-component developer including the toner and the carrier, and simultaneously transfers the two-component developer to the developing roll containing section (17). The two-component developer is supplied. The developing roll (R0) housed in the developing roll housing part (17) develops the latent image on the photoconductor (PR) into a toner image when the developing container (V) moves to the developing position (P1). The two-component developer is conveyed to the developing area (Q2) to be developed. As the developer in the developer container (V) decreases due to the development of the toner image, the developer is supplied from the developer supply port (36) of the developer container (V) to the developer stirring / transport area (18 + 19). The two-component developer is replenished.
The replenished toner of the two-component developer is consumed by the developing operation, but the carrier of the replenished two-component developer is not consumed and remains in the developing container (V). When the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, surplus developer is generated.

The storage section transfer connection ports (32, 32) of the developing container (V) transfer the surplus developer to be stirred and conveyed to the surplus developer storage section (31a). In the surplus developer storage section (31a), the agitated and conveyed surplus developer can be stored up to a predetermined storable developer amount. However, when the amount of stored developer stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a) increases and approaches the storable developer amount,
Since the surplus developer hardly moves to the surplus developer reservoir (31a), the surplus developer in the developing container (V) increases without being discharged. For this reason, it is necessary to discharge the stored developer in the surplus developer storage section (31a) to the outside of the developing container (V). The developer stored in the surplus developer reservoir (31a) is stored in the developing container (V) at the developing position (P1).
Is discharged to the developer discharge path (1) when rotated. The discharged developer conveying member (11) is connected to the developer discharging path (1).
Is transported to a discharged developer collection container (VT).

In each of the surplus developer storage sections (31a), the amount of storable developer of K (black) is larger than the amount of storable developer of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan). It is configured to be. Therefore, the K (black)
During the continuous printing of the image, the excess developer in the excess developer storage section (31a) for K (black) increases, and the excess developer hardly moves to the excess developer storage section (31a). Time to get longer. For this reason, it is possible to lengthen the interval of the rotation operation of the K (black) developing container (V), which is executed every time the excess developer becomes difficult to move. Therefore, the rotary developing device (G) of the present invention
Indicates that the K (black) image is continuously printed when the K (black) image is continuously printed.
The number of rotation operations of the (black) developing container (V) is small, and the productivity is improved.

[0017]

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of a rotary developing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the present invention has the following requirements (A08) to (A010). (A08) The container upper wall (V
2b) The developer outlet (27a) formed in (b), (A09) When the developer outlet (27a) is upward, it is separated from the inner surface of the developer outlet (27a) to the inside of the container by the action of gravity. When the developer discharge port (27a) is turned downward to open the developer discharge port (27a) and the developer discharge port (27a) is downward, the developer discharge port (2
7a) an excess developer storage member (31) constituted by a shutter (31) rotating to a closed position to close the developer discharge port (27a) by contacting the inner surface of the developer discharge port (27a), (A010) the shutter (31) The surplus developer reservoir (31a) constituted by the upper surface.

(Operation of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the developer discharge port (27a) is stopped at the developing position (P1). Is formed on the upper wall (V2b) of the container in the developer stirring / conveying area (18 + 19). At the developing position (P1), the developer outlet (27a) is connected to the developing container (V).
Looking upward from inside. The surplus developer storage member (3)
When the developer discharge port (27a) is upward, the shutter (31) constituting 1) is rotated to the open position by the action of gravity to separate from the inner surface of the developer discharge port (27a) to the inside of the container. Then, the developer discharge port (27a) is opened. On the upper surface of the shutter (31) constituting the surplus developer storing portion (31a) of the shutter (31) rotated to the opening position, the agitated and conveyed surplus developer is stored in a predetermined storable developer. Up to a quantity can be stored. But,
When the amount of the stored developer stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a) increases, the surplus developer becomes difficult to move to the surplus developer storage section (31a). The developer increases. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge the stored developer in the surplus developer storage section (31a) to the outside of the developing container (V).

The developing container (V) is located at the developing position (P
When rotating from 1) and the developer discharge port (27a) faces downward, the shutter (31) rotates to the closed position by the action of gravity. When the shutter (31) is turned to the closed position, the developer stored in the upper surface of the shutter (31) (the surplus developer storage section (31a)) is discharged to the developer discharge path (1). You. The shutter (31) rotated to the closed position contacts the inner surface of the developer discharge port (27a) and closes the developer discharge port (27a). Also in the first embodiment, the surplus developer storage section (31a) formed by the upper surface of the shutter (31), which is the surplus developer storage member (31), includes the Y (yellow),
Since the amount of storable developer of K (black) is configured to be larger than the amount of storable developer of M (magenta) and C (cyan), a large number of K (black) images are printed. The rotation operation of the K (black) developing container (V) executed each time the accumulated developer on the shutter (31) increases and the excess developer hardly moves to the shutter (31). The interval can be lengthened.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the rotary developing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the present invention has the following requirements (A011) and (A012).
[0111] A developer outlet (27a) formed in the container upper wall (V2b) of the developer stirring / transport area (18 + 19) when stopped at the developing position (P1), (A012) the developer outlet (27a) facing the developer outlet (27a)
A storage part transfer connection path (3) capable of transferring the developer in the container to the surplus developer storage part (31a) disposed inside the container.
0, 30) is formed between the outer periphery of the developer discharge port (27a) and the inner surface of the container upper wall (V2b), and the storage section transfer connection is provided at the upstream end of the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30). A reservoir transfer connecting member (29) having a transfer path forming portion (29a) forming a port (32, 32);

In the rotary developing device according to the second embodiment, the "excess developer reservoir (31a)" is provided with an inner developer outlet (29b) disposed inside the developer outlet (27a). Can be formed on the upper surface of a rotatable shutter (excess developer storage member) (31) that opens and closes, or can be formed on the upper surface of a fixed plate member (excess developer storage member) that cannot rotate. is there. The amount of storable developer on the surplus developer developer storage section (31a) is determined by the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) and the developer discharge port (2).
The cross-sectional area of 7a) can be changed or the surplus developer reservoir (31a)
It can be adjusted by changing the area.

(Operation of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the developer discharge port (27a) is stopped at the developing position (P1). Is formed on the container upper wall (V2b) in the developer stirring / transport area (18 + 19). The transfer path forming part (29a) of the storage part transfer connection member (29) is configured to connect the storage part transfer connection path (30, 30) to the inner surface of the container upper wall (V2b) on the outer peripheral part of the developer discharge port (27a). The storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) is formed between the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) and the storage section transfer connection port (3) at the upstream end of the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30).
2, 32). The storage section transfer connection port (32,
The developer in the container which has flowed into the developer outlet (27) is disposed inside the developer outlet (27a) in opposition to the developer outlet (27a) through the reservoir transfer connection path (30, 30). It is transferred to and stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a). When the developer stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a) reaches the predetermined storable developer amount, the developing container (V) rotates from the developing position (P1) and is stored during the rotation. The surplus developer reservoir (31a)
The upper developer is discharged to the developer discharge path (1). Due to this discharge, the surplus developer reservoir (31a) becomes empty, and the excess developer is easily transported onto the empty surplus developer reservoir (31a). Also in the second embodiment, the surplus developer storage member (31) has a storable developer K (black) larger than the storable developer amounts Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). Since the configuration is such that the amount is large, the same operation as that of the present invention is provided.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A013) to (A015) of Embodiment 2 are provided.
(A013) The storage section transfer connection member (29) having an inner developer outlet (29b) formed at a position facing the developer outlet (27a), (A014) The inner developer outlet (29b). ) Is upward, the inner developer is separated from the inner surface of the inner developer outlet (29b) to the inside of the container by the action of gravity, and is rotated to an opening position to open the inner developer outlet (29b). When the developer discharge port (29b) is downward, the shutter is rotated by a gravity force to a closed position in which the inner developer discharge port (29b) is closed by contacting the inner surface of the inner developer discharge port (29b). 3
Surplus developer storage member (31) constituted by 1),
(A015) The surplus developer reservoir (31a) constituted by the upper surface of the shutter (31).

(Operation of the Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment of the rotary type developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, the inner developer discharge port (29) of the storage section transfer connection member (29) is used.
b) is formed at a position facing the developer discharge port (27a). At the developing position (P1), the developer outlet (27a) formed in the container upper wall (V2b) faces upward when viewed from inside the developing container (V), and faces the developer outlet (27a). The inner developer discharge port (29b) formed at the position where the ink flows is also directed upward.

The shutter (31) constituting the surplus developer storage member (31) is provided with the inner developer discharge port (29).
When b) is upward, the inner developer outlet (29b) is opened by being separated from the inner surface of the inner developer outlet (29b) to the inside of the container by rotating to the open position by the action of gravity. The surplus developer to be agitated and conveyed is transferred to and accumulated on the upper surface (excess developer reservoir (31a)) of the shutter (31) rotated to the opening position. If the surplus developer increases in
It becomes difficult to transfer the surplus developer to the surplus developer reservoir (31a).

Then, the developing container (V) is rotated from the developing position (P1) to rotate the inner developer discharging port (29).
When b) is turned downward, the shutter (31) rotates to the closed position by the action of gravity. The shutter (31)
When the shutter is rotated to the closed position, the developer stored on the upper surface of the shutter (31) is discharged to the developer discharge path (1), and the shutter (31) rotated to the closed position is moved to the inside of the shutter (31). The inner developer discharge port (29b) is closed by contacting the inner surface of the developer discharge port (29b). Embodiment 3
In this case, the shutter (31), which is the surplus developer storage member (31), is more K (black) than the storable developer amount of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan).
Since the amount of developer that can be stored is increased, the same operation as in the second embodiment can be achieved.

Further, the shutter (31) is pushed up to the inner developer discharge port (29b) due to the increase of surplus developer in the developing container (V), and the inner developer discharge port (29b) is closed. In this case, the increased amount of the developer in the container is transferred to the transfer path forming portion (29a) of the storage portion transfer connecting member (29) and the inner surface of the container upper wall (V2b) at the outer peripheral portion of the developer discharge port (27a). The storage section transfer connection port (32, 32) formed between the storage section transfer connection path (30, 3).
0), the developer is transferred to and stored in a surplus developer reservoir (31a) on the upper surface of the shutter (31) that closes the inner developer outlet (29b).

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 of the rotary developing device according to the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A016) are satisfied in Embodiment 2 (A016). An excess developer storage portion (31a) formed at a position facing the discharge port (27a) and configured to store excess developer transferred from the storage portion transfer connection port (32, 32); The storage section transfer connection member (29) having an excess developer storage member (31).

(Operation of the Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment of the rotary developing device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the excess developer storage member (3) of the storage connection member (29) is used.
1) The surplus developer reservoir (31a) formed on the upper surface is
It is arranged at a position facing the developer discharge port (27a). In the surplus developer storage section (31a), surplus developer transferred from the storage section transfer connection port (32, 32) is stored. The surplus developer stored in the surplus developer storage section (31a) is discharged to the developer discharge path (1) when the developing container (V) rotates.

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A017) are provided in Embodiments 2 to 6.
(A017) Cross section of the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) of K (black) than the cross section shape of the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The reservoir transfer connecting member (2) having a large shape is formed.
9).

(Effect of Embodiment 5) In Embodiment 5 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the storage section transfer connecting member (29) is composed of Y (yellow) and M (magenta). , C (cyan) storage section transfer connection path (30, 3
0 (K) than the sectional shape of the storage section transfer connection path (3)
(0, 30) is formed large. The developer discharge port (27) is connected to the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30).
The developer in the container transferred to the surplus developer storage section facing a) is stored in a state of closing the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30). When the sectional shape of the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) is small, the developer discharge port (27a)
The developer in the container is less likely to move to the surplus developer storage section due to the developer stored in a state where the developer is closed. For this reason, since the excess developer in the container increases and immediately deviates from an appropriate range, the rotation of the developing container for discharging the developer in the container is frequently performed. However, Embodiment 5
Since the cross-sectional shape of the K (black) storage section transfer connection path (30, 30) is formed large, the excess developer storage section (31) is connected to the storage section transfer connection path (30, 30).
a) the amount of developer in the container transferred to
The rate of increase of the surplus developer in the (black) container decreases. Therefore, K (black) for discharging the developer in the container
The rotation of the developing container (V) of K (black) can be lengthened during the continuous printing of the image of K (black) because the rotation of the developing container (V) is not frequently performed. .

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A018) are provided in Embodiments 2 to 5.
(A018) The storage section transfer connection in which the length of the storage section transfer connection path of K (black) is shorter than the length of the storage section transfer connection path of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). Element.

(Effect of Embodiment 6) In Embodiment 6 of the rotary type developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the storage section transfer connecting members are Y (yellow), M (magenta), C ( K) than the length of the reservoir transfer connection path for cyan)
The length of the storage connection transfer connection path (black) is formed short. For this reason, the developer in the container transferred from the K (black) storage portion transfer connection path to the surplus developer storage portion is:
The developer in the container, which is transferred to the Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) surplus developer reservoirs, is more easily transported, and the K (black) developer in the container can be stored. The developer amount increases. Therefore, the amount of the K (black) developer in the container does not immediately increase to an amount outside the appropriate range, and the rotation of the developing container for discharging the container developer out of the container is not performed frequently.

(Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A019) are provided in Embodiments 2 to 6.
(A019) The storage section transfer connection path (30) formed by the developer transfer grooves (27d, 27d) formed on the inner surface of the container upper wall (V2b) facing the storage section transfer connection member (29). , 30).

(Operation of the Seventh Embodiment) In the seventh embodiment of the rotary type developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the storage part transfer connection path (30, 30) is provided with the storage part transfer connection member. And a developer transfer groove (27d, 27d) formed on an inner surface of the container upper wall (V2b) facing the container (29), and the developer in the container is provided with a developer transfer groove (27).
(d, 27d) and is transferred to the surplus developer reservoir (31a).

(Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the following requirements (A020) are provided in the present invention or Embodiments 1 to 7. (A020) Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) agitated and transported members have a developer transfer force of K to transfer the developer in the container to the surplus developer storage section, which is K.
The stirring and conveying member in which the developer transfer force of the stirring and conveying member (black) is set to be large.

(Effect of the Eighth Embodiment) In the eighth embodiment of the rotary developing apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, the stirring members are Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The developer transferring force of the stirring and conveying member of K (black) is set to be larger than the developer transferring force of transferring the developer in the container to the surplus developer storing portion of the stirring and conveying member. For this reason, the amount of storable developer transferred to and stored in the K (black) surplus developer storage section is equal to the Y (yellow),
More than M (magenta) and C (cyan). Therefore, the amount of the K (black) developer in the container does not immediately increase to an amount outside the appropriate range, and the rotation of the developing container for discharging the container developer out of the container is not performed frequently.

[0038]

Next, examples (embodiments) of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. To facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The directions indicated by Z, -Z or the sides indicated are forward, rearward, rightward, leftward, upward, downward,
Or, the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side.
Also, in the figure, those with “•” in “○” mean arrows pointing from the back of the paper to the front, and those with “x” in “○” indicate the arrow on the paper. From the back to the back.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus provided with a rotary developing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus U includes a digital copying machine U1 as an image forming apparatus main body having a platen glass (transparent document table) PG on an upper surface, and an automatic removably mounted on the platen glass PG. A document feeder (auto document feeder, ADF) U2 is provided. The automatic document feeder U2 includes a document feed tray TG1 on which a plurality of documents Gi to be copied are placed in an overlapping manner.
have. The plurality of documents Gi placed on the document feed tray TG1 are configured to sequentially pass through a copy position on the platen glass PG and be discharged to a document discharge tray TG2. The automatic document feeder U2 is rotatable with respect to the copying machine U1 by a hinge shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction provided at a rear end (-X end).
The document Gi is turned upward when the operator places the document Gi on the platen glass PG by hand.

The copying machine U1 includes a UI (user interface), an IIT (image input terminal) as an image reading unit, and an IOT as an image recording operating unit sequentially arranged below the platen glass PG.
(Image output terminal) and an IPS (image processing system) provided between the IIT and the IOT. The UI includes an input operation member such as a copy start key, a copy set number input key (not shown) for a user of the image forming apparatus U to input an operation command signal such as a copy start, and a current operation of the image forming apparatus U. A display unit (not shown) for displaying information related to the setting state.

In the ADF mode in which copying is performed using the automatic document feeder (auto document feeder) U2, the exposing optical system A is stopped at the home position, and the copying position on the platen glass PG is sequentially changed. Each passing document Gi is exposed. In the case of the platen mode in which the operator places the original Gi on the platen glass PG by hand and performs copying,
The exposure optical system A scans an original (not shown) on the platen glass PG while moving. The exposed original G
The reflected light from i passes through the exposure optical system A
(Solid-state imaging device). The CCD converts the document reflected light converged on the imaging surface into R (red), G
(Green) and B (blue).

The IPS converts the read image signal input from the IIT CCD into a digital image write signal and outputs the digital image write signal to the IOT laser drive signal output device DL. The laser drive signal output device DL outputs a laser drive signal corresponding to the input image data to an ROS (image writing device). A photoconductor PR composed of a photoconductor drum disposed below the ROS rotates in the direction of arrow A.
After the surface of the photoconductor PR is uniformly charged by the charger CC, the surface is exposed and scanned by the laser beam L of the ROS (latent image writing device) at the latent image writing position Q1 to form an electrostatic latent image. You. To form a full-color image, use K
(Black), Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) electrostatic latent images corresponding to four color images are sequentially formed,
In the case of a monochrome image, only an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a K (black) image is formed. Laser beam L to the photoconductor PR
Is started after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the reference mark Bm provided on the non-image portion of the intermediate transfer belt B by the belt position sensor SNb. In the case of a full-color image, the colors are superimposed, so that the time from when the belt position sensor SNb detects the reference mark Bm to when the laser beam L starts to write the latent image is the same for each color. The surface of the photoreceptor PR on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is rotated and sequentially passes through the development area Q2 and the primary transfer area Q3.

The rotary developing device G for developing the electrostatic latent image in the developing area Q2 includes a rotating shaft GA and K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta) mounted around the rotating shaft GA. ), C (cyan) four-color developing device G
K, GY, GM, and GC. One of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC for each color develops the electrostatic latent image passing through the developing area Q2 into a toner image. A toner image density sensor SNd for detecting the density of a small area density detection toner image (that is, a patch) formed on the photoconductor PR is disposed between the development area Q2 and the primary transfer area Q3. ing. The primary transfer area Q3 is an intermediate transfer belt B that rotates and moves in the direction of arrow A.
Is a region which is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor PR by the roll-shaped primary transfer device T1. The primary transfer unit T1 is supplied with a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developing toner used in the rotary developing device G from a power supply circuit E. The power supply circuit E is controlled by a controller C.

The toner image Tn developed on the surface of the photoreceptor PR is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer device T1 in the primary transfer area Q3. After the primary transfer,
The surface of the photoconductor PR is neutralized by a static eliminator JR, and the residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor PR is cleaned by a photoconductor cleaner CL1. The intermediate transfer belt B rotating and moving in the direction of the arrow A includes a driving roll Rd, a tension roll R
t, a walking roll Rw, a free roll (idler roll) Rf, and a backup roll T2a. On the backup roll T2a, a secondary transfer roll T2b is disposed so as to be able to be separated and pressed (separable) with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. ) Forms the secondary transfer area Q4. Also,
A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner is supplied to the backup roll T2a from a power supply circuit E.
A secondary transfer unit T2 is constituted by the rolls T2a and T2b.

When a full-color image is formed, a first-color electrostatic latent image is formed at the latent-image writing position Q1, and a first-color toner image Tn is formed at the developing region Q2. When the toner image Tn passes through the primary transfer area Q3,
The next transfer unit T1 electrostatically puts 1 on the intermediate transfer belt B.
Next is transferred. Thereafter, similarly, the second color and the third color are placed on the intermediate transfer belt B carrying the first color toner image Tn.
The color toner image Tn and the fourth color toner image Tn are sequentially superimposed and primary-transferred, and finally a full-color multiple toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. When forming a single-color monocolor image, a single-color toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B using only one developing unit.

The recording sheets S stored in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are transferred to the secondary transfer area Q by the sheet supply path SH1.
Conveyed to 4. That is, the recording sheets S on the trays TR1 to TR4 are taken out by the pickup roll Rp at a predetermined timing, separated one by one by the separating roll Rs, and conveyed to the registration roll Rr by a plurality of conveying rolls Ra. The recording sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr is moved from the pre-transfer sheet guide SG1 to the secondary transfer area Q4 at the same time as the primary transferred multi-toner image or single-color toner image moves to the secondary transfer area Q4. The sheet is transported to the transfer area Q4. In the secondary transfer area Q4, the secondary transfer unit T2 electrostatically and collectively transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B to the recording sheet S collectively. After the secondary transfer, the residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt B by the belt cleaner CL2.

The belt cleaner CL2 is disposed so as to be able to freely contact (separate and press) the intermediate transfer belt B. When a color image is formed, the unfixed toner image of the final color is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B. It is separated from the intermediate transfer belt B until the primary transfer is performed on the belt B. The recording sheet S onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to a fixing area Q5 by a sheet guide SG2 and a sheet conveying belt BH, and passes through a heating roll Fh and a pressure roll Fp when passing through the fixing area Q5.
Is heated and fixed by a fixing device F having The recording sheet S on which the unfixed toner image has been heated and fixed by the fixing device F is discharged from a discharge roller Rh to a discharge tray TR4.

A switching gate GT1 disposed downstream of the fixing device F is connected to a sheet discharge path SH2 connected to a discharge tray TR4 in a conveying direction of the recording sheet S passing through the fixing device F.
Alternatively, the direction is switched to one of the sheet reversing paths SH3. A plurality of sheet transport rolls Ra are arranged along the sheet reversing path SH3. The sheet-shaped and comb-shaped mylar gate GT2 provided at the connection portion between the sheet reversing path SH3 and the sheet circulation path SH4 has a recording sheet S due to elastic deformation when the passing recording sheet S is conveyed downward. When the recording sheet S that has passed through the mylar gate GT2 is conveyed upward after being switched back, the recording sheet S is directed toward the sheet circulation path SH4. A plurality of sheet transport rolls Ra are arranged along the sheet circulation path SH4. In the case of double-sided copying, the recording sheet S on which the toner image on the first side has been transferred and fixed.
Is reversed by the sheet reversing path SH3 and then re-sent to the secondary transfer area Q4, where the toner image is transferred to the second surface. The symbols SH1 to SH4, Rp, Rs, Rr, Ra, GT1,
A sheet transporting device SH is configured by components such as GT2.

(Rotary Developing Apparatus) FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the rotary developing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion different from FIG. 2 of Embodiment 1 of the rotary developing device of the present invention. 2 and 3, the developing container supporting member H is provided with each of the developing units GK to GK.
A pair of rotating plates PL, described below, before and after the Y is mounted
1, PL2 (see FIG. 5) and a rotation axis GA.

During the operation of the image forming apparatus U, each of the developing units GK to GK is rotated with the rotation of the developing container supporting member H.
GY is a first stop position (development position) P1 facing the photoconductor PR, and 90 degrees clockwise from the first stop position P1.
It rotates sequentially to the second stop position P2 rotated by °, the third stop position P3 rotated by 180 °, and the fourth stop position P4 rotated by 270 °, and stops. The rotational force is transmitted to the developing rolls R0 of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC stopped at the first stop position P1, and the developing operation can be executed. Further, the developing devices GK, G stopped at the first stop position P1.
New developer is supplied to Y, GM and GC, and the deteriorated developer can be discharged. These will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing container supporting member used in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the developing device of the embodiment is mounted on a rotating developing container supporting member. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rotary shaft provided in the rotary developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line VIA-VIB in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a fixed-side rotational force transmitting member for transmitting rotational force to a rotary developing device that rotates.

4 to 7, the image forming apparatus main body U
1 has a front fixed frame F1 and a rear fixed frame F2, and a fixed cylindrical member F1a (described later) is fixed to the front surface of the front fixed frame F1. The rotary shaft GA of the rotary developing device G has a square cylindrical portion GA0 having a square cross-section at the center in the axial direction, and a front cylindrical portion GA at a front portion in the axial direction.
1, and a rear cylindrical portion GA2 of the rear portion in the axial direction. The front cylindrical portion GA1 and the rear cylindrical portion GA2 are rotatably supported by the fixed cylindrical member F1a and the rear fixed frame F2 via bearings BR1 and BR2, respectively.

At the front end and the rear end of the square tube portion GA0,
The front rotation plate PL1 and the rear rotation plate PL2 are fixed. The rotation axis GA, the front rotation plate P
L1, and the rear rotation plate PL2, the K, Y,
A developing container supporting member H that rotates while supporting the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC of the four colors M and C is configured. Four studs S are provided on the rear surface of the rear rotation plate PL2.
The ring gear G1 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) is fixed via TD (see FIG. 7). The ring gear G1 meshes with a gear G2 connected to the output shaft of a developing container supporting member rotation drive motor M1 (see FIG. 7) supported by the rear fixed frame F2. Therefore, the ring gear G1 rotates when the developing container supporting member rotation drive motor M1 rotates, and the developing container supporting member H rotates with the rotation of the ring gear G1.

The rotary shaft GA is formed with a developer discharge passage 1 (see FIG. 6A) having a circular cross section penetrating in the axial direction. A collection container communication port 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6A) is formed on the side surface of the front end of the front cylindrical portion GA1. 5 and 6
, The rear end of the rectangular cylindrical portion GA0 of the rotary shaft GA is provided with the developer discharge passage 1 from four side surfaces extending in the axial direction.
Is formed with a discharged developer inflow hole 3 (see FIG. 3) that communicates with the liquid developer. A pin insertion hole 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) is formed on each side surface of the square tube portion GA0. The pin insertion hole 4 is a hole into which a protruding pin (described later) of each of the developing devices GK, GY, GM, and GC is inserted, and is a hole used for positioning and fixing each developing device.

In FIG. 6, a developer discharge cylinder 7 is disposed in the developer discharge path 1 of the rotation shaft GA. The rear end (-X end) of the developer discharge cylinder 7 is fixed to a rear discharge cylinder fixing member F2a, and the rear discharge cylinder fixing member F2a is fixed to the rear fixing frame F2. The front end (X end) of the developer discharge tube 7 is supported by the developer conveying hole 1 of the rotating shaft GA via a bearing 8, and the front end of the developer discharge tube 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The rotation axis G
A is formed shorter in the axial direction than the front end of A. In FIG. 6B, an inflow path connection port 7a is formed at an upper portion on the rear end (the end in the −X direction) of the developer discharge cylinder 7, and the inflow path connection port 7a is formed at an angle of the rotation axis GA. Each of the discharged developer inflow holes 3 (see FIGS. 3 and 6A) of the cylindrical portion GA0 has the same axial position. Front end of the developer discharge cylinder 7 (end in the X direction)
Is formed with a discharge tube outlet 7b.

In FIG. 6B, a magnet seal 9 is adhered and fixed to a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the fixedly supported developer discharge cylinder 7 adjacent to the inflow path connection port 7a. The magnet seal 9 has a sheet communication port 9a.
(See FIG. 6B), which is always in communication with the inflow path connection port 7a of the developer discharge cylinder 7. A small gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the magnet seal 9 and the inner peripheral surface (developer discharge path 1) of the rotary shaft GA so that contact frictional resistance does not occur when the rotary shaft GA rotates. . The magnet seal 9 moves the developer through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the developer discharge cylinder 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the rotary shaft GA to another discharged developer inflow hole 3 of the rotary shaft GA. This is a member for preventing the operation.

In FIG. 6B, in the developer discharge cylinder 7, a discharge developer transport member (discharge developer transport) having a discharge rotary shaft 11a and a rotary blade 11b fixed to the outer periphery of the discharge rotary shaft 11a. Screw) 11 is disposed. The discharging rotary shaft 1 of the discharged developer conveying member 11
1a is the rear end support member 12 of the transport member (FIGS. 5 and 6).
A), and the transport member rear end support member 12 is fixed to the rear end of the developer discharge cylinder 7. The front end of the discharge rotation shaft 11a is rotatably supported by the front end of the rotation shaft GA. The discharge rotating shaft 11a of the discharged developer conveying member 11 extends rearward (-X) through the conveying member rear end support member 12, and has a gear G3 (FIGS. 5 and 6A) at the rear end. reference)
Is fixed, and a gear G4 (see FIG. 5) for transmitting a rotational force is meshed with the gear G3. The rotating force of a developer discharging motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear G4. When the developer discharging motor is driven, the gear G3,
The gear G4 and the discharge rotary shaft 11a are integrally driven to rotate. In the first embodiment, the discharged developer conveying member 11 is configured such that the developing units GK to GY are connected to the first stop position P1.
When stopped at a position other than, rotation is stopped.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the rear rotating plate PL2 has four input gears G5 according to the developing units GK to GC and four input gears G5 which rotate integrally with the input gears G5. An integral rotating gear G6 is provided. Input gear G5
Is disposed on the rear side of the rear rotation plate PL2,
The four integrally rotating gears G6 are connected to a rear rotating plate PL2.
Is provided on the front side. The input gear G5 is connected to the gear G7 when the corresponding developing device GK to GC moves to the first stop position P1, and is separated from the gear G7 when the corresponding developer unit GK moves away from the first stop position P1. The rear end of the rotating shaft of the gear G7 passes through the inside of the ring gear G1 to form the ring gear G1.
The gear G8, which is rotatably supported by the rear rotation plate PL2 on the rear side and is coaxial with the gear G7 on the rear surface side of the rear rotation plate PL2, meshes with a gear G9 for rotational driving. The rotating force of a developing device driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear G9. A supply shaft mounting hole 13 (only one is shown in FIG. 4) is provided adjacent to each of the four integrally rotating gears G6 that rotate integrally with the input gear G5. The replenishing transport shaft mounting hole 13 is a member that rotatably supports a rear end of a replenishing rotary shaft 15a described later.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the developing container shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state in which a developer supply cylinder is removed from the developing container, and FIG. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an arrangement of gears provided at the end portions, and FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a state in which a developer supply cylinder is attached to the developing container. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG.
10A and 10B are explanatory views of a mounting structure of a developing device to a developing container supporting member, FIG. 10A is a front view of a rear rotating plate of the developing container supporting member, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XB-XB of FIG. is there.

A developer replenishing member Th (see FIGS. 5 and 8C) for replenishing a new developer into the developing container V of each of the developing units GK to GY moved to the first stop position P1 includes a developer. The replenishing cylinder 14 and a replenishing developer conveying member 15 for conveying the replenishing developer in the developer replenishing cylinder 14 are provided. The developer supply cylinder 14 has a developer carrying-in port 14a opened at the front end (the end in the X-axis direction) and a supply connection port 14b (see FIG. 2) connected to the developing container V. In FIG. 8C, the replenishment developer conveying member 15 is
5a and a screw 15b fixed around the supply rotary shaft 15a.

The front end (the end in the X direction) of the supply rotary shaft 15a extends forward from the opening (developer carry-in port) 14a at the front end (the end in the X axis) of the developer supply cylinder 14.
The bearing 16 is mounted as shown in FIG. 8C.
The rear end of the replenishment rotary shaft 15a is located at the replenishment conveyance shaft mounting hole 1
3 (see FIG. 4). A gear G10 is mounted on the rear end of the replenishing rotary shaft 15a. When the rear end of the replenishing rotary shaft 15a is mounted on the replenishing transport shaft mounting hole 13, the gear G10 is The gear meshes with the gear G6 (see FIG. 4). The bearing 16 at the front end of the replenishing rotary shaft 15a is connected to the fixed cylindrical member F1a.
Each rotating cylindrical member Bk, which will be described later, which is rotatably supported inside,
Bearing housing holes 68c for By, Bm, and Bc (see FIG. 22)
It is attached to the accommodation. In this state, the developer carrying-in port 14
The developer is carried in from a. The details will be described later.

Since each of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC has the same configuration, the developing units GK
Will be described. 2, 3, 5, and 8,
The developing container V of the developing device GK is configured by connecting a container main body V1 forming the lower part of the container and a container cover V2 forming the upper part of the container. Containing a two-component developer made of a magnetic carrier to be used. 8A, the container body V1 has a pair of front and rear projecting pins V1 on its outer surface.
a, V1a and locking claws V1b, V1b (see FIG. 18B). Has been inserted. The protruding pins V1a, V1a are used for positioning the developing container V.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the developing container V
The developing device includes a developing roll housing portion 17 for housing the developing roll R0, a first developer reservoir 18 adjacent to the developing roll housing portion 17, and a second developer reservoir 19 adjacent to the first developer reservoir 18. In the developing roll housing 17,
A layer thickness regulating member 20 for regulating the layer thickness of the developer on the developing roll R0 is provided. Further, a first stirring and conveying member R1 is disposed in the first developer reservoir 18, and a second stirring and conveying member R2 is disposed in the second developer reservoir 19. The first and second stirring and conveying members R1,
A stirring and conveying member (R1 + R2) is constituted by R2. Further, the first developer reservoir 18 and the second developer reservoir 19 constitute a developer agitating / transporting area (18 + 19).

As shown in FIG. 9, the first developer reservoir 1
A partition wall 21 is provided between the first and second developer reservoirs 18 at portions other than both ends thereof, and the first and second developer reservoirs 18 and 19 are arranged in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). ) The connection is made at the connection portions E at both ends. In FIG. 9, the first stirring and conveying member R1 disposed in the first developer reservoir 18 includes a rotating shaft R1a extending in the conveying direction of the two-component developer and a rotating shaft fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft R1a. Wing R1b. The second stirring and conveying member R2 disposed in the second developer reservoir 19 also has a rotating shaft R2a and a rotating blade R2b, and the rotating blade R2b is
It has a normal conveying section R2c having the same conveying force as the rotary blade R1b and a low conveying section R2d having a low conveying force. The low transport section R
2d is provided downstream of a developer discharge port (described later) formed in the container cover V2 in the developer transport direction.

The developing roll R shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.
Numeral 0 is a conventionally known one provided with a sleeve outside the magnet roll. The developer in the first developer reservoir 18 is moved by the magnetic force of the magnet roll to the developing roll R0.
Adsorbed on the surface of the developing area Q2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3)
To be transported.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, 5, 8B and 9, both ends of the rotation axis (roll axis) R0A (see FIGS. 8B and 9) of the developing roll R0 extend from the end wall of the developing container V. Bearings R0B and R0B are mounted on the outer end of the roll shaft R0A, and a gear G11 is mounted on a rear end of the roll shaft R0A. In FIG. 9, both ends of the rotating shafts R1a and R2a of the first stirring and conveying member R1 and the second stirring and conveying member R2 are rotatably supported by end walls of the developing container V. The rear end protrudes outward. The first and second stirring and conveying members R1,
Gears G12 and G13 are provided at the rear end of each shaft R1a, R2a of R2.
Is fixed. In FIG. 8B, the gears G12 and G13 are engaged, and the gears G11 and G12 are connected via an intermediate gear G14.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the inflow path forming member provided on the container upper wall of the developing container. FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIA-XIIIA of FIG. 12, FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIB-XIIIB of FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIIIC-XIIIC in FIG. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 11, and is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

In FIG. 8, the container cover V2
A container wall V2a forming the developing roll container 17 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), a container upper wall V2b disposed on the second developer reservoir 19 of the container main body V1, and It has a locked side wall V2c extending downward from the right side of the wall V2b and abutting against the side wall of the container body V1. When the container cover V2 is mounted on the container main body V1, a locking opening V2d formed in the locked side wall V2c of the container cover V2.
(See FIG. 18B) is locked by locking claws V1, V1 (see FIG. 18B) formed on the outer surface of the container body V1. In FIG. 3, the upper wall 2 for the concave portion forming bulging upward is provided at the rear (-X side) of the container upper wall V2b of the second developer reservoir 19 stopped at the developing position (developing position) P1.
7. 11 and 13, a lower protruding portion 28 is provided on the right side of the upper wall 27 for forming the concave portion. A developer outlet 27a is formed at the center of the upper wall 27 for forming the concave portion, and locking portions 27b, 27b (see FIG. 13B) are formed at left and right side edges of the developer outlet 27a. I have.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a developer outlet formed in the container upper wall and an inner surface side of the container upper wall adjacent to the developer outlet. FIG. 15A is an arrow XV of FIG.
FIG. 15B is a view from A of FIG.
It is a B sectional view. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a storage section transfer connection member mounted on the developer discharge port and a shutter rotatably supported by the storage section transfer connection member, showing a state before being mounted on the developer discharge port. FIG. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which the storage section transfer connection member and the shutter shown in FIG. 16 are mounted on the developer discharge port. 18A and 18B are views showing a state in which the storage portion transfer connection member and the shutter mounted on the developer discharge port are in the developing container, FIG. 18A is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 18B is FIG.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XVIIIB-XVIIIB of FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of the storage section transfer connection member shown in FIG.
9A is a plan view as viewed from the lower surface (the surface on the −Z side) in the state of FIG. 16, FIG. 19B is a view as viewed from the arrow XIXB in FIG. 19A, and FIG. Z
19B is a plan view as viewed from the side of FIG.
FIG. 19D shows the XIXD-XIX of FIG. 19C.
It is D sectional drawing.

In FIGS. 15A and 16A, developer transfer grooves 27d, 27d, which are recessed upward, are formed on the inner surface 27c of the upper wall before and after the developer discharge port 27a. The width of each developer transfer groove 27d increases at a position apart from the developer discharge port 27a. 16 to 18, a substantially rectangular storage section transfer connection member 29 is mounted below the developer discharge port 27a. In FIG. 19, the storage section transfer connection member 29 is a rectangular transfer path forming section 2.
9a and a rectangular inner developer outlet 29b formed at the center of the transfer path forming portion 29a. As shown in FIG. 18A, in the first embodiment, the inner developer outlet 29b is formed larger than the developer outlet 27a. As shown in FIG. 18A, when the storage section transfer connection member 29 is mounted inside the developer discharge port 27a, the transfer path forming section 29a and the transfer path forming section 29a are formed.
Is connected to the developer transfer groove 27d formed on the inner surface of the container cover V2 facing the container cover V2.
0, 30 are formed. The storage section transfer connection paths 30 and 3
0 indicates that the excess developer in the developing container V
This is a transfer path that is transferred to the a side.

In FIG. 19C, locked portions 29c, 29c are formed on the upper surface of the transfer path forming portion 29a on both long sides (left and right sides) of the rectangular inner developer discharge port 29b. The locked portions 29c, 29c are elastically movable as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the developer outlet 27a is locked by locking portions 27b, 27b on the left and right side edges. 19A, 19B, and 19D, a pair of front and rear shutter support portions 29d, 29d is formed on the left end side of the lower surface of the transfer path forming portion 29a.
A shutter engaging portion 29e is formed at an intermediate portion between 9d and 29d. 16 and 17, a shutter (excess developer storage member) is provided on the shutter support portions 29d, 29d.
The left end (the end in the −Y direction) of 31 is rotatably supported. On the upper surface of the shutter 31, a surplus developer reservoir 31a (see FIG. 16) is provided. Assuming that the width of the shutter 31 in the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction) of the second stirring and conveying member R2 is L1 (see FIG. 18A), in the first embodiment, the shutter 31 of the K (black) developing container V The width L1 is defined as Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
Each of the (cyan) shutters 31 is set to be twice as large as the width L1.

The shutter 31 has an opening position (see FIG. 18B and a first stop position P1 in FIG. 3) which is locked by the shutter locking portion 29e and a closing position (FIG. 18B) which closes the inner developer discharge port 29b. 3 (see third stop position P3). In the surplus developer storage portion 31a of the shutter 31 rotated to the opening position, the surplus developer having an increased upper surface height can be stored up to a predetermined storable developer amount. The developer loaded on the front surplus developer storage section 31a is discharged from the developer discharge port 27a through the inner developer discharge port 29b when the shutter 31 rotates to the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the developer agitating / transporting area (1
8 + 19) are formed. In FIG. 18A, the storage portion transfer connection ports 32, 32 are provided above the inner developer discharge port 29b at a first stop position P1, which is a development position,
It is always open. Due to the increase of the surplus developer in the developing container V, the shutter 31 is pushed up to the inner developer outlet 29b, and the inner developer outlet 29b is pushed.
When the developer is closed, the increased amount of the developer in the container flows into the storage part transfer connection paths 30, 30 when the developer reaches the storage part transfer connection ports 32, 32, and flows into the developer discharge port 27a.
Is transferred to the surplus developer storage section 31a of the shutter 31 through the above, and is stored in the surplus developer storage section 31a up to a predetermined storable developer amount. Assuming that the width of the inner developer discharge port 29b in the rotation axis direction of the second stirring and conveying member R2 is L2 (see FIG. 18A), in the first embodiment, the K (black) inner developer discharge port 29b is The width L2 in the rotation axis direction is set to be twice as large as the width L2 of each of the Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) inner developer discharge ports 29b.

In FIGS. 3, 6, 11 to 14, an inflow path forming member 34 in which a discharged developer temporary accommodating space 33 is formed is provided above the developer discharge port 27a. . In FIG. 11, the inflow path forming member 34
A connection port 34a is provided at the right end of the developing container V. The connection port 34a is connected to the developing container supporting member H (FIG. 5).
) When mounted on the rectangular tube portion GA0 of the rotary shaft GA.
And is connected to the developer discharge cylinder 7 in the rotary shaft GA by being connected to the discharged developer inflow hole 3 (see FIG. 3) formed in the rotary shaft GA. The developer discharged from the discharged developer temporary accommodating space 33 is configured to be collected in a discharged developer collection container VT disposed at a front end side through a developer discharge cylinder 7 in the rotation shaft GA. I have.

In FIG. 11, the inflow path forming member 34
The discharged developer temporary accommodating space 33 is partitioned by a backflow preventing partition wall 34b into a developer discharge space 33a connected to the developer discharge port 27a and a backflow developer storage space 33b. When the developer flows backward from the connection port 34a, the backflow developer flows into the backflow developer storage space 33b along the backflow prevention partition wall 34b.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, the second
On the upper surface of the developer reservoir 19, a developer supply port 36 is formed on the upstream side in the developer transport direction from the developer discharge port 27a. In the first embodiment, the developer supply port 36 and the developer discharge port 27a are connected to each other so that the new developer supplied from the developer supply port 36 is not discharged from the developer discharge port 27a immediately after the supply. It is formed at a position far away. In FIG. 8, a supply cylinder support member 37 having a pair of cylinder receiving arc surfaces is provided before and after the developer supply port 36 on the surface of the development container V. The pair of cylinder receiving arc surfaces of the supply cylinder support member 37 abut on the cylindrical outer surface of the developer supply cylinder 14. Note that the symbols 17 to 37, G
Each of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC is composed of elements indicated by 11 to G14, R0, R1, R2, and V.

4 and 10, four bearing mounting grooves 41 are formed in the front rotation plate PL1 and the rear rotation plate PL2. A pair of projecting pins V1a, V1a of the developing container V are inserted and positioned in pin insertion holes 4, 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) of the rotary shaft GA, and bearings R0B, ROB is mounted in each bearing mounting groove 41 and clamped by a clamper 42. The clamper 42 is a member rotatable around a hinge shaft 42a.
A screw (not shown) penetrating through b (see FIG. 10B) is screwed into a screw hole 43a (see FIG. 10B) of the clamper fixing member 43 and fixed to the clamper fixing member 43.

In the state where each of the developing units GK to GC is mounted on the developing container supporting member H (a member constituted by the rotation shaft GA, the front rotation plate PL1 and the rear rotation plate PL2), the roll The gear G11 at the rear end of the shaft R0A meshes with the integrally rotating gear G6. For this reason,
When a rotational force is input to the input gear G5, the input gear G5
The rotational force is transmitted from the gear G6 rotating integrally with the gear G11 to the gear G11 at the rear end of the roll shaft R0A, and the rotational force is sequentially transmitted from the gear G11 to the gears G14, G12, G13. Gear G11, G
When the rollers 12 and G13 rotate, the developing roll R0 and the stirring and conveying member (R1 + R2) rotate. Due to the rotation of the stirring and conveying member (R1 + R2), the developer in the first and second developer reservoirs 18, 19 circulates while being conveyed in opposite directions. Since the gear G10 at the rear end of the replenishing rotary shaft 15a is also meshed with the integral rotary gear G6, the rotational force is also transmitted to the replenishing rotary shaft 15a.

FIG. 20 shows K, Y, M, and K having the same configuration.
FIG. 20A is an explanatory view of a ring-shaped connecting member for C and a rotatable cylindrical member rotatably supported therein. FIG.
FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along line XA-XXA, and FIG.
It is XXB line sectional drawing. FIG. 21 shows XXI of FIG. 20A.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XXI. FIG. 22 shows XXI of FIG. 20A.
It is an I-XXII line sectional view. In FIGS. 5, 21, and 22, a fixed cylindrical member F1a is fixed to the front side (X side) of the front fixed frame F1, which is the front side (X direction) of the developer supply cylinder 14. The fixed cylindrical member F1a
Is configured by connecting a plurality of ring-shaped members sealed in a back-and-forth direction so that toners of the respective colors supplied to the developing container V do not mix. That is, the fixed cylindrical member F
1a is a frame fixing ring-shaped connecting member Lb connected to the front surface of the front fixed frame F1, and a K (black) ring connected to the front surface side in order to replenish the developer of each color to the developing container V. FIG. 20A, FIG.
22), Y (yellow) ring-shaped connecting member L
y, M (magenta) ring-shaped connecting member Lm, C (cyan) ring-shaped connecting member Lc (FIGS. 20B, 21, and 2)
2), and a front wall ring-shaped connecting member Lf.

In FIG. 5, FIG. 21, and FIG.
Each ring-shaped connecting member Lk, Ly, Lm, Lc for Y, M, C
Has a ring-shaped connecting member main body 56, the frame fixing ring-shaped connecting member Lb has a thin ring-shaped connecting member main body 56 ', and the front wall ring-shaped connecting member Lf has a cylindrical portion Lf1. Have. 20, 21, and 22, each of the ring-shaped connecting member main bodies 56 and 56 'has three connecting fixing portions 56a and 56a' formed on the outer periphery thereof, and three connecting connecting portions 56a and 56a 'are also formed on the cylindrical portion Lf1. A fixing portion 56a "is formed. Each of the ring-shaped connecting member main bodies 56, 5 is formed.
6 'and the cylindrical portion Lf1 are connected using three screws N1 and fixed to the front fixed frame F1.
Further, the ring-shaped connecting member main body 5 for K, Y, M, and C is used.
A developer supply section 56b (see FIG. 20) is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sheet 6, and a supply developer supply port 56c (see FIGS. 20 and 18) is formed inside the developer supply section 56b. ing. A sponge-shaped cylindrical transfer pipe receiving member 57 (see FIG. 20A) is adhered to the open end surface (upper end surface) of the supply developer supply port 56c. The transfer pipe receiving member 57 is provided with a developer supply case Tc (see FIGS. 23 and 2).
4 (described later).

In FIGS. 21 and 22, elastic ring-shaped seal members 58, 58 are attached to both ends in the axial direction of the inner surface of the ring-shaped connecting member main body 56. Each of the ring connecting members Lk, Ly, L for K, Y, M, C
m and Lc respectively denote a ring-shaped connecting member main body 56, a conveying pipe receiving member 57 (see FIG. 20), and the pair of seal members 58, 58 mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped connecting member main body 56. It is composed of Ring-shaped spacers 59 are provided on the inner surfaces of the connecting portions of the ring-shaped connecting member bodies 56, 56 adjacent to the ring-shaped connecting members Lk, Ly, Lm, Lc so as to be sandwiched by the seal members 58, 58.
(See FIGS. 21 and 22).

5, 21, and 22, the front wall ring-shaped connecting member Lf has a cylindrical portion Lf1 having the same diameter as the ring-shaped connecting member main body 56, and is provided on the front end face of the cylindrical portion Lf1. Has a flat plate portion Lf2. The cylindrical portion Lf1 and the flat plate portion Lf2 are integrally formed. The head of each screw N1 protrudes forward from the connection fixing portion 56a "of the cylindrical portion Lf1. The center of the flat plate portion Lf2 of the front wall ring-shaped connection member Lf has the rotation shaft GA. Front cylindrical part G
A1 penetrates and is rotatably supported by the bearing BR1. Each of the ring-shaped connecting members Lb, L
The fixed cylindrical member F1a is constituted by k, Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lf.

In FIG. 5, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG.
A plurality of rotating cylindrical members B are provided inside the fixed cylindrical member F1a.
A rotating cylindrical member B composed of k, By, Bm, Bc, and Bf is arranged. The rotary cylindrical member B has a central portion fitted and supported by the front cylindrical portion GA1 of the rotary shaft GA, and is configured to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft GA. The rotating cylindrical member B is a K (black) cylindrical member Bk that supports the front end of the developer supply cylinder 14 of the developing container V of each toner color along the front cylindrical portion GA1 of the rotating shaft GA.
A cylindrical member By for Y (yellow) By, a cylindrical member Bm for M (magenta), a cylindrical member Bc for C (cyan) and a front cylindrical member Bf are sequentially connected.

Each of the cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm, and Bc has a cylindrical member main body 60 (see FIGS. 20 and 22). The cylindrical member main body 60 has an outer cylinder portion 61, and the outer cylinder portion 61
Has a rear-side large-diameter outer cylinder portion 62 and a front-side small-diameter outer cylinder portion 63. The outer diameter of the front-side small-diameter outer cylinder portion 63 is formed to be the same as the inner diameter of the rear-side large-diameter outer cylinder portion 62.
1. As shown in FIG. 22, when the Y cylindrical member By is connected to other cylindrical members back and forth, the front small-diameter outer cylindrical portion 6
3 is fitted into the rear large-diameter outer cylindrical portion 62. A replenishment developer receiving port 63a is provided on a side surface of the front small-diameter outer cylindrical portion 63.
(See FIGS. 20 to 22) are formed at positions on both sides in the circumferential direction of the replenishment developer receiving port 63a.
As shown in FIG. 5, an inner bent portion 63b whose tip extends in the center direction and is bent, and an outer bent portion 63c whose tip extends outward and is bent. The symbols 63a and 63
the front-side small-diameter outer cylindrical portion 6 having the elements indicated by b and 63c.
3. A developer supply member (14 to 16) on the rotation side by a developer supply cylinder 14, a supply rotation shaft 15, a bearing 16, and the like.
+63).

The cylindrical member main body 60 has an inner cylindrical portion 64 at the center thereof, and the inner cylindrical portion 64 (see FIGS. 21 and 22) has a cylindrical front-side large-diameter inner cylindrical portion 66 and a rear-side small-diameter inner cylindrical portion. It has a part 67. The outer diameter of the rear-side small-diameter inner cylinder portion 67 is formed to be the same size as the inner diameter of the front-side large-diameter inner cylinder portion 66, and as shown in FIGS. When the front and rear cylindrical members Bc and Bk are connected to each other, the rear-side small-diameter inner cylinder portion 67 fits into the front-side large-diameter inner cylinder portion 66,
The end surfaces of the front-side large-diameter inner cylinder portion 66 of the inner cylinder portion 64 come into contact with each other to perform positioning in the front-rear direction. The cylindrical member main body 60 has a ring-shaped connecting wall 68 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) connecting the outer cylindrical portion 61 and the inner cylindrical portion 64 and a front side surface (X-side surface) of the connecting wall 68. , 90 ° total 4
It has four ribs 69 (see FIG. 20) for strength reinforcement formed individually.

The inner cylindrical portion 64 is formed with a rotary shaft fitting hole 64a (see FIGS. 21 and 22) at a rear portion thereof and a small-diameter inner cylindrical portion fitting hole 64b at a front portion thereof. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating shaft fitting hole 64a is fitted and mounted on the front cylindrical portion GA1 of the rotating shaft GA, and the small diameter inner cylindrical portion fitting hole 64b is fitted to the rear small diameter inner cylindrical portion. 67
(See FIG. 22).

The connecting wall 68 is provided with the four ribs 6.
9, a supply cylinder through hole 68 is formed in each wall portion divided into four.
a is formed, and a bearing through hole 68b (see FIG. 22) having a small inner diameter is formed in one wall portion. In FIG. 22, a replenishment developer receiving port 63a is formed on the front side (X side) of the bearing through hole 68b, and a bearing accommodating hole 68c having the same diameter as the inside diameter of the bearing through hole 68b (FIG. 22). Reference) is formed. This bearing housing hole 68c is provided in the above-mentioned FIG.
Is a hole for accommodating the bearing 16 shown in FIG. In FIG. 22, the developer supply cylinder 14 and the bearing 16 are
The bearing 16 passes through the supply cylinder through hole 68a from the rear to the front, and the bearing 16 passes through the bearing through hole 68b and is accommodated in the bearing accommodation hole 68c. At this time, since the developer supply cylinder 14 cannot penetrate the bearing through-hole 68b, the front end of the developer supply cylinder 14 is positioned in contact with the connection wall 68 in which the bearing through-hole 68b is formed. At this time, the replenishment developer receiving port 63a between the bearing through hole 68b and the bearing receiving hole 68c shown in FIG.
Is arranged.

20 and 22, a ring cover 70 is mounted on the outer surface of the large-diameter outer cylindrical portion 62 on the rear side of the cylindrical member main body 60. The cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm, and Bc for K, Y, M, and C are constituted by the cylindrical member body 60 and the ring cover 70, respectively.

As can be seen from FIGS. 21 and 22, the ring-shaped connecting members Lk, Ly, Lm and Lc are arranged in order from the rear to the front along the X-axis. The supply developer supply ports 56c shown in FIG. 20 of the shape-like connecting members Lk, Ly, Lm, Lc are arranged in order along the X-axis direction. Then, each of the ring-shaped connecting members Lk,
Each of the replenishment developer receiving ports 63a (see FIGS. 20A and 20B) of each of the cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm, and Bc disposed inside each of Ly, Lm, and Lc is connected to the rotation shaft G.
It is arranged at 90 ° around A.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
In a state where the replenishment developer inlet 63a of the cylindrical member Bk is connected to the replenishment developer supply port 56c, the replenishment developer inlet 63a of the cylindrical member Bc is connected to the replenishment developer supply port 56c (FIG. 20A). 2) counterclockwise from
It is arranged at a position rotated by 70 ° (see FIG. 20B). The replenishment developer receiving port 63a of each of the other cylindrical members By and Bm is 90 ° counterclockwise from a position (see FIG. 20A) connected to the replenishment developer supply port 56c.
And 180 ° rotated (not shown). In FIG. 20, the rotation axis GA is 90 °.
As each of the cylindrical members By rotates clockwise, the cylindrical members By,
The supply developer inlets 63a for Bm and Bc are sequentially moved to positions connected to the supply developer supply port 56c (see FIG. 20).

The developer supplied from the replenishment developer supply port 56c shown in FIG. 20 is supplied from a replenishment developer receiving port 63a (FIGS. 20, 21 and 22) formed on the side surface of the front small-diameter outer cylindrical portion 63. The developer is supplied to the developer carrying inlet 14a (see FIG. 22), and the developer is conveyed rearward (-X direction) through the developer replenishing cylinder 14 by the replenishing developer conveying member 15. 5 and 6, the inside of the developer supply cylinder 14 is rearward (-
The developer transported in the X direction) is supplied to the supply connection port 14b.
(See FIG. 2) and the developer supply port 36 is supplied to the inside of the developing container V.

In FIGS. 5, 21, and 22, the front cylindrical member Bf is disposed on the front surface of the cylindrical member Bc for C, and is fixed by four fixing screws N2 (see FIGS. 20 to 22). , Bm, By, and Bk. The tip of the fixing screw N2 is screwed to a nut (not shown) fixed to the front rotation plate PL1. The space between each of the rotating cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm, and Bc and each of the fixedly supported ring-shaped connecting members Lk, Ly, Lm, and Lc is:
Each of the cylindrical members Bk, By, B
m and Bc are sealed. Therefore, the two-component developer having a new carrier and toner supplied from the replenishment developer supply port 56c to the replenishment developer receiving port 63a is supplied to the cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm, Bc and the ring-shaped connection. In the space between the parts Lk, Ly, Lm, Lc, it is prevented from moving toward another cylindrical member.

(Explanation of the developer discharge section) In FIG. 4, the discharge is performed to collect the developer discharged from the discharge tube outlet 7b and discharged from the collection container communication port 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6A). The developer collection container VT includes the fixed cylindrical member F1a.
The container is detachably mounted at the position shown in FIG. The collection container communication port 2 rotates around the rotation axis GA together with the rotation of the developing container support member H, and when the collection container communication port 2 faces downward, the developer in the rotation shaft GA discharges the developer. The developer is discharged into the developer collection container VT. Note that the discharged developer collecting container VT may be configured and detached in any manner.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the developer supply case and the developer supply device. FIG.
5 is a partial cross-sectional view as viewed from the arrow XIV. FIG. 23, FIG.
In 4, the developer supply case Tc is disposed above the fixed cylindrical member F1a. The developer supply case Tc includes K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta),
Storage containers 76k, 76y, and 7 storing a two-component developer containing toner and carrier of C and cyan (C).
6m, 76c and a developer stirring container 77 provided therebelow.
k, 77y, 77m, and 77c. In the first embodiment, the two-component developer stored in the developer storage containers 76k to 76c is a two-component developer having a high toner concentration (hereinafter, referred to as a "high-concentration developer").

The high-concentration developer supplied from the developer storage containers 76k to 76c to the developer stirring containers 77k to 77c is
The developer is stirred while being circulated in the developer stirring containers 77k to 77c. The high-concentration developer stirred in the developer stirring containers 77k to 77c is supplied to the pipe connection holes 78k, 78y, 78.
m, 78c to developer supply pipes 79k, 79y, 79m,
79c. Each of the developer supply pipes 79k-7
In 9c, supply screws 81k, 81y, and 8 are provided respectively.
1m and 81c (see FIG. 24) are rotatably arranged. The shafts (conveying shafts) of the supply screws 81k to 81c are connected to the electromagnetic clutches CLk, CLy, C at the ends (see FIG. 23) of the developer supply pipes 79k to 79c.
Gears 82k, 82y, 82m and 82c are mounted via Lm and CLc. The torque of the developer supply motor M4 is transmitted to the gear 82k.
c is engaged in sequence. Therefore, when the developer supply motor Mh rotates, the gears 82k to 82c rotate.

Then, only the conveying screw corresponding to the ON clutch among the electromagnetic clutches CLk to CLc rotates. Although not shown, the rotational force of the rotating transport screw is transmitted to a stirring member (not shown) in the developer stirring containers 77k to 77c corresponding to the transport screw. By rotating the supply screws 81k to 81c of the developer supply pipes 79k to 79c, new developer in the developer storage containers 76k to 76c is transported to the supply developer supply port 76c. The elements indicated by reference numerals 76 to 82 constitute the fixed developer supply members (76 to 82).

(Operation of Embodiment 1) FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing container stopped at the developing position. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a state in which the developer outlet and the inner developer outlet face downward. FIG. 27 shows that, for some reason, the developer in the developer container is increased, the shutter is pushed up, and the developer in the developer container is transported in a state where the pushed shutter closes the inner developer outlet. It is a figure which shows the state discharged | emitted from the storage part transfer connection port of the downstream of the direction. FIG.
8 is a state in which the developer in the developer container increases in the developer container for some reason, the shutter is pushed up, and the pushed shutter closes the inner developer discharge port. It is a figure which shows the state discharged | emitted from the storage part transfer connection port of the upstream and downstream sides. 2 and 3,
A plurality of developing devices G supported by the developing container supporting member H;
K, GY, GM, and GC are first stop positions (development position, developer supply position) where the latent image on the surface of the image carrier PR is developed into a toner image as the developer container support member H rotates and stops. P1, a second stop position (a developer discharge position at which the developer is discharged from the developing container V) P2, a third stop position P3, and a fourth stop position P4 are sequentially stopped.

(Operation of First Stop Position P1) In FIGS. 5 and 7, each of the developing containers V of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC is moved to the first stop position P1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). When stopped, the developing roll R0, the first stirring and conveying member R1, the second stirring and conveying member R2, and the replenishment developer conveying member 15 rotate.
By the rotation of these members, the following operations (1) to (3) are performed at the first stop position P1.

(1) Developing operation In the developing container V, a stirring and conveying member (R1 + R2)
Supplies the developer to the developing roll R0. Development roll R0
Transports a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier to a development area Q2 facing the surface of the image carrier PR.
At this time, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier PR is developed into a toner image by the toner transported. By this developing operation, the toner in the developing container V is consumed.

(2) Developer supply operation New developer (high-concentration developer) in the developer supply case Tc
Is transported to the supply developer supply port 56c (see FIG. 23) of each of the ring-shaped connecting members Lk, Ly, Lm, and Lc. The supply developer supply port 56c is connected to the cylindrical members Bk, By, Bm,
Bc communicates with any one of the supply developer receiving ports 63a, and is supplied from the supply developer receiving port 63a into the developer supply cylinder 14 through the developer carrying-in port 14a (see FIGS. 8C and 22). You. The supplied developer is supplied to the developer supply cylinder 14.
The developer is transported to the developer supply port 36 (see FIG. 5) of the developing container V by the rotational driving of the supply developer transport member 15 therein, and the new developer is supplied into the developing container V from the developer supply port 36.

The replenished two-component developer toner is consumed by the developing operation, but the replenished two-component developer carrier is not consumed and remains in the developing container.
When the amount of developer in the container exceeds a predetermined amount, excess developer is generated. The developer discharging operation for discharging the developer (surplus developer including deteriorated carriers) increased by the replenishment of the developer during the developing operation is performed at the first and second stop positions P1 and P2. (3) Developer Discharge Operation at First Stop Position At the first stop position P1, the shutter 31 that opens and closes the inner developer discharge port 29b downstream of the second developer reservoir 19 is opened by its own weight (FIG. 3). ), And the inner developer outlet 29b is opened. FIG.
In FIG. 9, the second stirring / conveying member R of the second developer reservoir 19 is located downstream of a developer discharge port 27a formed in the container upper wall V2a above the second developer reservoir 19.
The low conveying section R2d of the two rotating blades R2b is arranged. The low-conveyance section R2d having a small diameter of the rotary blade R2b
The conveying force of the two-component developer is lower than that of the normal conveying section R2c, which is another part on 2a. For this reason, the two-component developer in the second developer reservoir 19 is supplied to the low-conveyance section R
25d, the developer discharge port 27a stays in the region where the developer discharge port 27a is arranged, and as shown by an arrow Td in FIG. It is locally higher than the area. In FIG. 25, when the amount of the developer in the container increases and the upper surface height of the surplus developer in the container reaches a predetermined height, the surplus developer in the locally increased portion becomes the surplus developer in the shutter 31. Agent reservoir 3
Get on 1a. In addition, a part of the surplus developer in the locally raised portion is discharged from the reservoir transfer connection port 32 via the reservoir transfer connection path 30 to the opening position of the shutter 31 which is rotated to the opening position. It is transferred to the agent reservoir 31a.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, when the shutter 31 is pushed up by the developer in the container to close the inner developer discharge port 29b, the developer in the container The upper surface reaches the storage section transfer connection ports 32, 32 on the downstream side in the developer transfer direction, and the developer is transferred to the storage section by the transfer force of the developer due to the rotation of the first and second stirring and conveying members R1, R2. The toner is pushed into the passages 30 and 30 and is transferred to the surplus developer reservoir 31a of the shutter 31 which closes the inner developer outlet 29b.

(Developer Discharge Operation at Second Stop Position P2) In FIG. 3, the developing containers V of the developing units GK, GY, GM, and GC move from the first stop position P1 to the second stop position P2. When stopped, the shutter 31 that has been rotated to the open position at the first stop position P1 is rotated to the closed position by its own weight and the gravity of the developer in the developing container V,
The inner developer outlet 29b is closed. At the time of the closing, the developer stored on the surplus developer storage portion 31a at the first stop position P1 is discharged from the developer container V via the inner developer discharge port 29b through the developer discharge port 27a and outside the developing container V. It is discharged into the agent temporary storage space 33. The developer discharged into the discharged developer temporary storage space 33 is:
The developer is collected in the discharged developer collecting container VT on the tip side of the developer discharged cylinder 7 through the inside of the developer discharged cylinder 7 of the rotating shaft GA.

In the first embodiment, the width L1 of the K (black) shutter 31 in the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction) of the second stirring and conveying member R2 is Y (yellow), M (magenta), C The width is set to twice the width L1 of the (cyan) shutter 31 in the rotation axis direction. Therefore, the storable developer amount of the K (black) shutter 31 is larger than the storable developer amounts of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). In addition, the K (black) inner developer discharge port 27b of the second stirring and conveying member R2 in the direction of the rotation axis (X
The width L2 in the axial direction) is also large. Therefore, the shutter 3
1 closes the inner developer outlet 27b and stores the K (black) shutter 31 even if the developer in the container is transferred from the storage connection path 30 to the surplus developer storage 31a. The possible developer amount is larger than the storable developer amount of the shutter 31 of a toner color other than K (black). For this reason, the time until the surplus developer hardly moves to the surplus developer reservoir 31a becomes longer. Therefore, when printing a large number of K (black) images, the amount of the stored developer on the surplus developer storage section 31a of the shutter 31 increases, and the developer in the container is transferred to the surplus developer storage section 31a. It is possible to lengthen the interval of the rotation operation of the K (black) developing container V that is executed each time it becomes difficult.

(Operation at Third Stop Position P3) In FIG. 3, the developing devices GK, GY, GM,
When the GC moves to and stops at the third stop position P3, the inner developer outlet 29b faces downward, but the inner developer outlet 29b receives gravity and the pressure of the developer in the developing container V. The developer in the developing container V is closed by the shutter 31 that is in
Not emitted from In the third stop position P3, FIG.
As shown in (2), the developer outlet 27a faces downward, and the developer is present on the storage part transfer connection ports 32, 32.
The developer in the container flows into the storage portion transfer connection paths 30, 30 from the storage portion transfer connection ports 32, 32. But,
In this case, the developer that has passed through the storage portion transfer connection paths 30, 30 is transferred to the S1 portion of the container upper wall V2b (see FIG. 26).
Is stored. Therefore, the storage section transfer connection path 3
The developer that has flowed into the reservoirs 0 and 30 passes through the reservoir transfer connection paths 30 and 30 immediately after the developer outlet 27a.
Will not be discharged from

(Operation of Fourth Stop Position P4) In FIG. 3, the developing device G moved to the fourth stop position P4 and stopped.
The shutters 31 of K, GY, GM, and GC do not open due to the pressure of the developer in the developer container V, and the developer in the developer container V is not discharged.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the rotary developing device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 18A. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but has the same configuration as the first embodiment in other points.
In FIG. 18A, in the second embodiment, the K (black) storage section transfer connection path is smaller than the sectional shape of the Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) storage section transfer connection paths 30, 30. The cross-sectional shapes of 30, 30 are formed large. That is, in the second embodiment, the container upper wall V
(2) The opening height of the storage portion transfer connection ports 32, 32, which is the distance between the inner surface (the bottom surfaces of the developer transfer grooves 27d, 27d) and the upper surface of the transfer path forming portion 29a of the storage portion transfer connection member 29. Is L3 (see FIG. 18A), the K (black)
The opening height L3 of the storage section transfer connection ports 32, 32 is set to be twice as large as the opening height L3 of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan).

For this reason, in the second embodiment, when the developer in the container increases in a state where the shutter 31 is moved to the opening position, a part of the increased excess developer is discharged to the shutter 3.
One part is directly transferred to the upper surface, and another part is transferred through the storage part transfer connection ports 32, 32. Since the cross-sectional shape of the K (black) storage section transfer connection passages 30 and 30 is formed large, it is easy to transfer to the surplus developer storage section 31a. For this reason, the surplus developer reservoir 31
The amount of developer that can be stored in a increases. For this reason, the surplus developer amount in the K (black) developing container V is difficult to increase, so that when printing a large number of K (black) images,
The rotation of the developing container V for discharging the excess developer in the (black) developing container V is not frequently performed, and the interval of the rotation operation of the K (black) developing container V can be increased.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 29 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a rotary developing device of Embodiment 3 and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 30 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the developing container of the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 18B. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points, but has the same configuration as the first embodiment in other points. In addition,
In the description of the third embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 29 and 30, in the third embodiment, the storage portion transfer connecting member 29 of the first embodiment is omitted, and the left end (the end in the -Y direction) of the shutter 31 of the third embodiment.
The side is rotatably hinged to the inner surface of the container upper wall V2b. The right end (the end in the Y-direction) of the shutter 31 is arranged inside a frame-shaped shutter engaging member 86 provided inside the container upper wall V2b. The shutter 31 is configured such that the developing container V
When stopped at the stop position P1, the developer container V is opened inside by the action of gravity and locked by the shutter locking member 86. At this time, the storage portion transfer connection ports 32, 32 are formed between both end portions of the shutter 31 in the rotation axis R2a direction of the second stirring and conveying member R2 and the inner surface of the container upper wall V2b. In the locked position, the developer in the container conveyed by the first and second stirring / conveying members R1 and R2 is stored in the surplus developer storing portion 31a of the shutter 31.

The K (black) shutter 31 of the third embodiment
The width L2 of the second stirring / conveying member R2 in the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction) is two times the width L2 of the toner 31 other than K (black) in the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction). The width of the K (black) developer discharge port 27a in the rotation axis direction (X-axis direction) is twice the width of the developer discharge port 27a other than K (black). Because it is formed,
The amount of developer that can be stored in the excess developer storage part 31a of the shutter 31 increases. Therefore, in the third embodiment, when printing a large number of K (black) images,
The interval between the rotation operations of the (black) developing container V can be extended.

(Modification) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
Various design changes can be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims. Modified embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below. (H01) The present invention relates to a developing device in which a discharge port is formed on a side surface of a developing device stopped at a developing position (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-18 / 1998).
No. 6854). (H02) In the first and second embodiments, instead of the shutter 31 that opens and closes the inner developer outlet 29b of the storage part transfer connection member 29, a fixed plate member that always closes the inner developer outlet 29b is used. It is possible to discharge the developer in the container to the upper surface of the plate member (excess developer storage section) only from the storage section connection ports 32, 32 and the storage section transfer path connection paths 30, 30. (H03) In the first and second embodiments, the developer transfer concave grooves 27d formed on the inner surface of the K (black) container cover V2.
The portion of the transfer path forming part 29a of the storage part transfer connection member 29 facing the 27d is shortened in the direction of the rotation axis R2b of the second stirring and conveying member R2, and the K (black) storage part transfer connection path 3
By reducing the lengths of 0 and 30, it is possible to adjust the amount of developer that can be stored in the surplus developer storage section 31a. (H04) In the first to third embodiments, the rotation speed of the first and second stirring and conveying members R1 and R2 of the K (black) is increased so that the developer in the container is transferred to the storage section transfer connection paths 30 and 30. The amount of developer that can be stored in the excess developer storage section 31a can be adjusted by increasing the developer transfer force that is pushed into the excess developer storage section 31a and transferred to the excess developer storage section 31a. (H05) The amount of developer that can be stored in the surplus developer storage section 31a can be adjusted by the material of the toner or the carrier.

[0113]

According to the present invention, there is provided a rotary developing device for performing a developing operation by sequentially rotating the plurality of developing containers supported by the rotating developing container support member to a developing position, and to the developing container during the developing operation. Is configured to store the developer in the container increased by the replenishment developer in the excess developer storage portion provided on the container upper wall, and when the amount of the stored excess developer becomes equal to or more than the storable developer amount. The following effects can be obtained in a rotary developing device that rotates the developing container to discharge the stored excess developer to a developer discharging path. (E01) When printing a large number of black-and-white images, the number of rotations of the developing device when the surplus developer amount stored in the surplus developer storage unit becomes equal to or larger than the storable developer amount can be reduced.

[0114]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a rotary developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a rotary developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion different from FIG. 2 of Embodiment 1 of the rotary developing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a developing container supporting member used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the developing device of the embodiment is mounted on a rotating developing container supporting member.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a rotary shaft provided in the rotary developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIA-VIA of FIG. 5, and FIG. VI
It is a B-VIB sectional view.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a fixed-side rotational force transmitting member for transmitting rotational force to a rotary developing device that rotates.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the developing container shown in FIG. 5;
8A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developer supply cylinder is removed from the developing container, FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of gears provided at a rear end of the developing container in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating the developing container. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a developer supply cylinder is attached to the printer.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG.

10 is an explanatory view of a mounting structure of a developing device to a developing container supporting member. FIG. 10A is a front view of a rear rotating plate of the developing container supporting member, and FIG. 10B is an XB-XB of FIG. 10A. It is a line sectional view.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an inflow path forming member provided on a container upper wall of the developing container.

FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 11, and FIG.
13B is a sectional view taken along line XIIIA, and FIG.
FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB, and FIG.
It is IC sectional drawing.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inflow path forming member shown in FIG. 11, and is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

15 is an explanatory diagram of a developer outlet formed in the container upper wall and an inner surface side of the container upper wall adjacent to the developer outlet. FIG. 15A is an arrow XV of FIG.
FIG. 15B is a view from A of FIG.
It is a B sectional view.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a storage section transfer connection member mounted on the developer discharge port and a shutter rotatably supported by the storage section transfer connection member, which is mounted on the developer discharge port. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state before the operation.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state in which the storage section transfer connection member and the shutter shown in FIG. 16 are mounted on the developer discharge port.

18 is a view showing a state in which the storage portion transfer connection member and the shutter mounted on the developer discharge port are inside the developing container, FIG. 18A is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 18B is a view showing XVIIIB- of FIG. 18A. It is XVIIIB line sectional drawing.

19 is an explanatory view of the storage section transfer connection member shown in FIG. 16; FIG. 19A is a plan view and a view seen from a lower surface (−Z side surface) in the state of FIG. 16; 19B is a view from the arrow XIXB in FIG. 19A, FIG. 19C is a plan view from the upper surface (Z-side surface) in the state in FIG. 16, and is a view from the arrow XIXC in FIG. 19B, and FIG. It is XIXD-XIXD line sectional drawing of 19C.

FIG. 20 shows K, Y, M, and K having the same configuration.
FIG. 20A is an explanatory view of a ring-shaped connecting member for C and a rotatable cylindrical member rotatably supported therein. FIG.
FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along line XA-XXA, and FIG.
It is XXB line sectional drawing.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line XXI-XXI in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line XXII-XXII of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a developer supply case and a developer supply device.

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view as seen from the arrow XIV in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing container stopped at the developing position.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developer outlet and an inner developer outlet face downward;

FIG. 27 shows a state in which the developer in the developing container increases for some reason, the shutter is pushed up, and the pushed-up shutter closes the inner developer outlet.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developer in the developing container is discharged from a storage part transfer connection port on a downstream side in a developer conveying direction.

FIG. 28 shows a state in which the developer in the developing container increases for some reason, the shutter is pushed up, and the pushed-up shutter closes the inner developer outlet.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developer in the developing container is discharged from a storage part transfer connection port on the upstream and downstream sides in the developer conveying direction.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a rotary developing device according to a third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the developing container of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 18B.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional rotary developing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

F1, F2: fixed frame, GA: rotating shaft, GK, GY,
GM, GC: developing unit, H: developing container supporting member, ROS:
Image writing device, PR: photoreceptor, R1 + R2: stirring and conveying member, P1: developing position, V: developing container, V2b: container upper wall,
VT: discharged developer collection container, 1: developer discharge path, 11 ...
Discharged developer transport member, 17: developing roll storage section, 18+
19: developer stirring / transport area, 27a: developer outlet,
27d, 27d: concave groove for developer transfer, 29: storage section transfer connection member, 29a: transfer path forming section, 29b ... inner developer discharge port, 31 ... surplus developer storage member (shutter), 31a ...
Excess developer storage section, 32, 32 ... storage section transfer connection port, 3
6: developer supply port,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Ryuji Hattori 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirohisa Kawano 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Yukita 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shino Yokoyama 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. 2274 Hongo, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigemi Murata 2274 Hongo, Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture F Term in Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H030 AD07 AD12 AD16 AD17 BB24 BB38 BB42 BB54 BB56 BB63 2H077 AA12 AB02 AB14 AB15 AC02 AC16 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD18 BA01 BA03 BA08 BA09 CA02 CA19 D A04 DA05 DA47 DA63 DB02 EA01 GA13

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary developing device having the following requirements (A01) to (A07): (A01) Y (yellow), M (magenta) corresponding to image information by an image writing device , C (cyan) and K (black) latent images of the respective color components are sequentially written and arranged adjacent to the surface of the rotating photosensitive member, and has a rotating shaft rotatably supported by a fixed frame. A container support member, (A02) supported by the developing container support member, and sequentially stopped at a developing position where a latent image of each color component on the surface of the photoreceptor is developed into a toner image of each color with the rotation and stop of the rotation shaft; At the same time, the two-component developer composed of the toner and the carrier is stirred and
A developer agitating / transporting area circulating while being transported, a developer replenishing port for replenishing the two-component developer to the developer agitating / transporting area, and developing in the container by replenishing the developer during the developing operation at the developing position When the amount of the developer becomes a predetermined amount or more and surplus developer is generated, the surplus developer to be agitated and conveyed is stored in a surplus developer storage portion capable of storing up to a predetermined storable developer amount; A developing container for developing the toner image of each color having a storage portion transfer connection port capable of transferring a developer to the surplus developer storing portion; and (A03) the surplus development when the developing container is rotated from the developing position. The surplus developer reservoir configured to discharge the developer stored in the developer reservoir to a developer discharge passage; and (A04) the two-component developer stored in the developer stirring / transport area. Stirring and transporting (A05) a stirring and conveying member for supplying the two-component developer to the developing roll housing, and (A05) a toner image stored in the developing roll housing and a latent image on the photoconductor when the developing container is moved to the developing position; A developing roll for transporting the two-component developer to a developing area for developing the developer, (A06) a discharged developer transporting member for transporting the developer discharged to the developer discharge path to a discharged developer collection container, and (A07) the Y Each of the surplus developer storage sections, wherein the amount of the storable developer of K (black) is larger than the amount of the storable developer of (Yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). 2. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the following requirements (A08) to (A010) are provided.
(A08) a developer outlet formed in the upper wall of the container in the developer stirring / conveying area when stopped at the developing position;
09) When the developer discharge port is upward, the developer discharge port is separated from the inner surface of the developer discharge port to the inside of the container by the action of gravity and opens to open the developer discharge port. Is downward, an excess developer storage member constituted by a shutter which is brought into contact with the inner surface of the developer discharge port by the action of gravity to rotate to a closed position for closing the developer discharge port, and (A010) the shutter The surplus developer reservoir configured by an upper surface. 3. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the following requirements (A011) and (A012) are provided.
(A011) a developer outlet formed on the upper wall of the container in the developer stirring / conveying area when stopped at the developing position;
(A012) A storage part transfer connection path through which the developer in the container can be transferred to the surplus developer storage part disposed inside the developer discharge port opposite to the developer discharge port is connected to the developer discharge port. The storage section transfer connection member having a transfer path forming portion formed between the outer peripheral portion of the container and the inner surface of the container upper wall and forming the storage section transfer connection port at the upstream end of the storage section transfer connection path.