JP2003029535A - Flange member for developing roller, developing roller using the same, process cartridge, image forming device, and recycling method for developing roller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flange member for a developing roller which can precisely support the developing roller rotatably without causing a rise in cost nor an operation man-hour accompanying the recycling of components nor more complicated constitution and can evade abnormal noise due to contacting between the developing roller and a magnet roller, accurately position the developing roller, and suppress the eccentricity of the developing roller as small as possible, the developing roller which uses it, a process cartridge, an image forming device, and a recycling method for the developing roller. SOLUTION: The flange member is characterized in that a support part which rotatably supports a gap setting member setting the gap between the developing sleeve and an image carrier to a specific value and a bearing part which pivots the flange member rotatably on the shaft member of the magnet roller are constituted overlapping with each other along the axis of the shaft member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flange member for a developing roller used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile which adopts an electrophotographic system, a developing roller using the same, and a process cartridge. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for recycling a developing roller, and in particular, it makes it possible to easily recycle a magnet roller or the like that constitutes the developing roller at low cost, and moreover, it is possible to accurately and rotatably support the developing roller. The present invention relates to a flange member for a developing roller, a developing roller using the same, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a method for recycling the developing roller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles which employ this type of electrophotographic system, effective use of resources has been required, and recycling of parts has been promoted. There is. The applicant is
In order to promote the reuse of resources with the aim of zero waste, a resource recycling recycling system "closed loop system" from the perspective of the entire life cycle from product planning / development / production to collection / processing of used products "1
It was built in 995 and is being promoted. In order to widely provide information about these activities to society, each item of the closed loop system (collection of used products → product reuse / recycling → production by recycling type production →
Recycling design) is evaluated according to the applicant's own evaluation standard, and products that meet this standard are certified as "resource recycling products."

By the way, in the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine and the printer, various types such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposing device, a developing device, a transfer device, a paper feeding device, a cleaning device, a driving device, a power supply device, etc. Parts are used and these various parts are also recycled.

Among these various parts, for example, the developing roller 100 used in the developing device is provided with a magnet roller 1 inside a developing sleeve 101 as shown in FIG.
02 is arranged in a fixed state. The developing sleeve 101 is made of a metal cylindrical member, and the flange members 103,
104 is fixed. The flange members 103 and 104 are made of metal such as aluminum, and are rotatably supported by the shaft 106 of the magnet roller 102 via a bearing member 105 provided as a separate member to the flange members 103 and 104. ing. Further, a tracking roller 108 for setting a gap (DRS) between the developing sleeve 101 and the photosensitive drum 107 to a predetermined value is provided on the outer circumference of the flange members 103 and 104.
It is rotatably attached.

Further, the developing roller 100 prevents the magnet roller 102 and the developing sleeve 101 from coming into contact with each other to generate an abnormal noise and improves the positioning accuracy of the developing roller 100. In order to suppress eccentricity and the like as much as possible, the flange members 103 and 104 provided at both ends of the developing roller 102 are configured to be completely fixed by being bonded to the inside of the developing sleeve 101.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the case of the developing roller 100 used in the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 19, flange members 103 provided at both ends of the developing roller 100,
104 is configured to be adhered to the inside of the developing sleeve 101 and completely fixed. Therefore, the magnet roller 10 disposed inside the developing roller 100 is
In the case of recycling No. 2, as shown in FIG. 20, it is necessary to cut the end portion of the developing sleeve 101 with a lathe or the like to separate the developing sleeve 101 and the flange member 103 (104) and take out the magnet roller 102. However, there is a problem that a processing cost for cutting the developing sleeve 101 and a great number of man-hours are required for removing cutting powder generated by cutting, which leads to an increase in cost and a man-hour required for recycling. .

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the flange members provided at both ends of the developing roller are made non-adhesive, and the flange members are fixed to both ends of the developing roller by press fitting, thereby improving the recyclability of the magnet roller. It can be improved.

However, in this case, it is difficult to avoid abnormal noise due to contact between the magnet roller and the developing sleeve, to accurately position the developing roller with respect to the main body of the developing device, and to suppress eccentricity of the developing sleeve as small as possible. The current situation is that the improvement of the recyclability of the magnet roller is only adopted in some low-end models that do not require such high accuracy.

To explain further, the flange members 103, 104 provided on the developing roller 100 are bearing members for rotatably supporting the flange members 103, 104 on the shaft 106 of the magnet roller 102, as shown in FIG. 105 and a supporting portion 109 that rotatably supports the tracking roller 108,
02 is provided at different positions along the axial direction of the shaft 106. Therefore, the developing roller 100 is
As shown in FIG. 21, when the end portion of the photosensitive drum 107 is pressed against the tracking roller 108, the pressing force F
1 is the developing roller 10 via the tracking roller 108.
However, the developing roller 100 does not have a portion that directly receives the pressure contact force F1 and acts a reaction force. Therefore, the pressure contact force F2 transmitted to the flange members 103 and 104 of the developing roller 100 via the tracking roller 108 is transmitted to the flange members 103 and 104 as F3 and F4, and as a result, is directed in the arrow direction. Since the flange members 103 and 104 are gradually inclined with respect to the developing sleeve 101 during use, the rotational fluctuation of the developing sleeve 101 increases. It was

Therefore, the flange members 103 and 104 provided at both ends of the developing roller 100 are made non-adhesive, and the flange members 103 and 104 are provided at both ends of the developing roller 100.
If the recyclability of the magnet roller 102 is improved by fixing 104 by press-fitting, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the flange members 103 and 104 are inclined with respect to the developing sleeve 101 to avoid noise due to contact between the magnet roller 102 and the developing sleeve 101, and to accurately position the developing roller 100 with respect to the developing device main body. Further, it becomes difficult to suppress the eccentricity of the developing sleeve 101 as much as possible, and the magnet roller 10
At present, the measure to improve the recyclability of No. 2 is adopted only in some low-end models that do not require such high accuracy.

Further, as the prior art which seems to be able to cope with the recycling of the developing roller, for example,
JP-A-5-197280 and JP-A-6-28971
No. 9, JP-A-11-338254, JP-A 20
The one disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 00-267501 has already been proposed.

In the cylindrical member according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-197280, a flange is joined to an end portion of a sleeve, and a space regulating member is provided at the end portion. The flange is press-fitted and connected, and the space restricting portion of the space restricting member is located farther from the end than the press-fitting connecting portion of the flange.

Further, the developing device according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-289719 mentioned above is constructed so that the developing roller is rotationally driven around the magnet body, and the developing gap setting member comes into contact with the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. With a developing device in which a predetermined developing gap between the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier can be set by the developing device in which the magnetic pole angular position of the magnet body is set to the predetermined angular position from the beginning. The developing roller is rotatably supported on the magnet body at one end of the roller and the magnet body, and the shaft for projecting from the magnet body is provided with the member for setting the developing gap and the magnetic pole positioning of the shaft. It is configured to be supported by a bearing member that also serves as a member.

Further, the electric contact part according to the above-mentioned JP-A-11-338254 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developing device. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a conductive flange fitted to one end of a roller and a drive unit provided at one end of the flange for rotationally driving the developing roller. An electric contact part for supplying a bias voltage to the developing roller, which is used in a detachable process cartridge,
(A) A cartridge-side electrode provided in the process cartridge, the cartridge-side electrode being connected to the main body-side electrode provided in the apparatus main body when the process cartridge is removably mounted in the main apparatus And (b) a projecting portion projecting to the side opposite to the side of the connecting portion that is connected to the cartridge-side electrode, between the flange and the drive unit. And a projecting portion that can be inserted.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned JP-A-2000-26750.
The image forming apparatus according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-2003 discloses a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface which rotates and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image, and toner attached to the sleeve surface. Has a developing roller composed of a cylindrical rotating sleeve that conveys the toner to a roller and a magnet roll fixing shaft that rotatably supports the rotating sleeve, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor into a toner image. A developing device and a photoconductor holding member that rotatably supports the photoconductor and is provided at both ends in the rotation axis direction, and the photoconductor holding member that is supported in a state where the outer surface is stationary without rotating. A spacing member that holds the spacing between the surface of the developing roll and the surface of the photoconductor at a predetermined value, the member being fixed to one of the magnet roll fixing shaft, the magnet roll fixing shaft, and the outer surface of the photoconductor holding member, and other Is obtained by configured with said spacing members abutting the.

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-19728.
In the case of the cylindrical member according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 0, since the flange is configured to be press-fitted to the end portion of the sleeve, the magnet roller arranged inside the sleeve can be easily recycled, Since the bearing member of the flange and the abutting portion of the spacer roller are provided at different positions along the axial direction, a rotational moment acts on the flange from the photoconductor drum via the spacer roller, which results in development. There is a problem that the rotation accuracy of the roller cannot be sufficiently improved.

Also, in the case of the developing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-289719, the bearing portion between the magnet body and the developing roller and the tracking roller of the developing roller differ in the axial direction. Since it is provided at the position, after all, from the photoconductor drum via the roller for tracking,
There is a problem that the rotational moment acts on the flange and the rotational accuracy of the developing roller cannot be sufficiently improved.

Further, in the case of the electric contact part disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-338254, since the flange of the developing roller is pivotally supported separately from the magnet roller, not only the structure becomes complicated, but also the flange. Since the bearing member and the spacer are provided at different positions along the axial direction, there is also a problem that the rotation accuracy of the developing roller cannot be sufficiently improved.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned JP-A-2000-26750.
In the case of the image forming apparatus according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1, since the tracking roller is directly supported by the shaft of the magnet roller, the developing roller is not affected by the rotational moment directly, but the developing roller is not developed. Since it is necessary to provide a tracking roller on the outer side of the roller in the axial direction, the developing area of the developing roller becomes significantly shorter than the length of the photosensitive drum, which causes an increase in size of the apparatus and a complicated configuration. Had a point.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to increase the cost associated with the recycling of parts, increase the number of work steps, or complicate the structure. It is possible to rotatably support the developing roller with high accuracy without causing deterioration, and avoiding abnormal noise due to contact between the developing roller and the magnet roller, accurately positioning the developing roller, and biasing the developing roller. (EN) Provided are a flange member for a developing roller capable of keeping a core as small as possible, a developing roller using the same, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a developing roller recycling method.

[0021]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is mounted by press-fitting on the end portion of a cylindrical developing sleeve, and the developing sleeve is magnet roller. In a flange member for a developing roller, which is rotatably attached to the shaft member, a gap setting member for rotatably supporting a gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier is rotatably supported on the flange member. And a bearing part that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller so as to at least partially overlap in the axial direction of the shaft member. It is a flange member for rollers.

The support portion and the bearing portion are constructed so as to at least partially overlap each other in the axial direction of the shaft member. However, the support portion and the bearing portion are entirely overlapped in the axial direction of the shaft member, that is, the support portion. It is desirable that the bearing and the bearing portion be provided at the same position along the axial direction of the shaft member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape is press-fitted to the end portion thereof, and the developing sleeve is rotatably attached to the shaft member of the magnet roller. In the flange member for the developing roller, the flange member includes a support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value, and the flange member is the magnet roller. A bearing portion that rotatably supports the shaft member of, and an attachment portion that attaches the developing roller to the main body,
A flange member for a developing roller, wherein the flange member is configured to at least partially overlap along the axial direction of the shaft member.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the flange member is provided with an engaging portion which is relatively engaged with an engaging portion for rotation stop provided on the developing sleeve. The flange member for a developing roller according to claim 1 or 2.

Further, the invention described in claim 4 is
The flange member is made of a synthetic resin having conductivity, and the support portion and the bearing portion are integrally formed of the synthetic resin forming the flange member. The flange member for the developing roller according to any one of 1.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the press-fitting portion of the flange member is divided into a plurality of portions along the circumferential direction. A flange member for a developing roller.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the tip of the press-fitting part of the flange member is formed in a tapered shape. It is a flange member for.

In the invention described in claim 7, the developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape, the magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and the end portion of the developing sleeve are mounted by press fitting. A developing roller provided with a flange member for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, wherein the flange member sets a gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value. So that a supporting portion that rotatably supports the gap setting member and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller overlap at least partially along the axial direction of the shaft member. The developing roller is characterized in that

Further, in the invention described in claim 8, the developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape, the magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve and the end portion of the developing sleeve are press-fitted to be mounted. A developing roller provided with a flange member for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, wherein the flange member is provided with a developing member on an outer periphery of a protruding portion protruding from an end portion of the developing sleeve. A support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value is provided, and the inner periphery of the protruding portion is the same along the axial direction of the magnet roller. At the position, a bearing portion for rotatably supporting the developing sleeve on the shaft member of the magnet roller is provided, and the gap setting member is brought into contact with the end portion of the image carrier. Which is a developing roller, characterized.

Further, the invention described in claim 9 is
An image forming apparatus main body including at least an image bearing member rotatably arranged to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof, and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member. In the process cartridge removably configured with respect to the above, the developing means includes a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape, a magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a press-fitted portion at an end portion of the developing sleeve. A developing roller which is mounted by means of a flange member for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to the shaft member of the magnet roller, and the flange member of the developing roller includes a developing sleeve and an image carrier. A support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap to a predetermined value, and a shaft that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller. Parts and is, along the axial direction of the shaft member is a process cartridge which is characterized by being configured to overlap at least a portion.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an image bearing member rotatably arranged to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member. In an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge having at least a developing unit for developing an image, which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, the developing unit of the process cartridge includes a cylindrical developing sleeve and the developing sleeve. A developing roller including a magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a flange member that is press-fitted to an end portion of the developing sleeve and rotatably attaches the developing sleeve to a shaft member of the magnet roller. The flange member of the developing roller rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value. An image formation, characterized in that a supporting portion and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller are overlapped at least partially along the axial direction of the shaft member. It is a device.

Further, in the invention described in claim 11, the cylindrical developing sleeve, the magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and the end portion of the developing sleeve are press-fitted to be mounted. In a method for recycling a developing roller including a flange member for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, if at least the magnet roller of the developing roller is reused, The flange member press-fitted at the end is removed by applying a force to the flange member toward the outside in the axial direction of the developing sleeve, and the magnet roller is taken out from the inside of the developing sleeve. When assembling the developing roller, the flange member is used as a space between the developing sleeve and the image carrier. A supporting portion that rotatably supports the gap setting member that sets the gap setting member to a predetermined value, and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller along the axial direction of the shaft member. And a flange member configured to at least partially overlap with each other.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 shows a digital printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

This digital printer is configured to form an image on the basis of image information sent from a personal computer, an image reading device or the like (not shown). Inside the digital printer body 1, a process cartridge 2 in which an image forming member such as a photosensitive drum is integrally unitized is arranged. The process cartridge 2 is configured to be attachable / detachable to / from the printer body 1, and provided on the upper portion of the printer body 1 or the like when the photoconductor drum or the like provided in the process cartridge 2 reaches the end of its life. The cover can be opened and replaced with a new cartridge 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the process cartridge 2 includes a photosensitive drum 3 as an image carrier.
A charging roller 4 as a charging means, a developing device 5 as a developing means, and a cleaning device 6.

As the photoconductor drum 3, for example, one made of an organic photoconductor (OPC) is used. The photoconductor drum 3 is driven at a predetermined rotational speed by a driving means (not shown) along the arrow direction. It is designed to be driven. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is
After being uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller 4, a ROS (Raster Outp) functioning as an exposure unit is obtained.
The image exposure is performed by the ut Scanner 7 (see FIG. 3), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ROS 7 modulates a semiconductor laser on the basis of image information that has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing device 8, and outputs a laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser to a collimator lens, Reflective mirror,
The electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 by scanning and exposing the photoconductor drum 3 through an imaging optical system including a polygon mirror, an f-θ lens, and the like. . Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 3 is developed by the developing device 5 containing the one-component developer (toner) to form a toner image. The developing device 5 may of course use a two-component developer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 3 is transferred onto a recording paper 10 as a recording medium by a transfer roll 9 as a transfer means. The recording paper 10 is fed from the paper feed cassette 12 by the feed roll 11, is separated by the separation roll 13 and the retard roll 14 one by one, is conveyed to the registration roll 15, and is temporarily stopped. Then, the recording paper 10 is conveyed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 by the registration roll 15 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3, and the recording paper 1 is conveyed.
0, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 3 onto the transfer roll 9
Transcribed by

Recording paper 10 on which this toner image is transferred
After being separated from the photoconductor drum 3, the toner is conveyed to the fixing device 16, fixed by heat and pressure by the heating roll 17 and the pressure roll 18 of the fixing device 16, and then discharged by the discharge roll 19 to the printer body 1. The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 20 provided on the upper part of the sheet, and a series of image forming steps is completed.

The cleaning device 6 removes the residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after the toner image transfer step is completed, and prepares for the next image forming step.

FIG. 4 shows a process cartridge of the digital printer.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the process cartridge 2 is composed of an upper cartridge 21 and a lower cartridge 22. The upper cartridge 21 and the lower cartridge 22 are connected so as to be tiltable about the engaging pin 25 by engaging portions 23 and 24 and an engaging pin 25 provided at both ends in the width direction thereof. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, it is biased by a spring 26 provided on the upper surface of the lower cartridge 22, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the photosensitive drum 3 and the developing roller of the developing device 5 are urged. The tracking rolls 28 provided at both ends of 27 are configured to come into pressure contact with each other at a predetermined pressure (for example, 2 kg on one side).

On the upper surface of the lower cartridge 22, as shown in FIG. 8, an irradiation space 29 for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 with the laser beam LB emitted from the ROS 7 is substantially fan-shaped. It is provided in.

At one end of the upper cartridge 21,
As shown in FIG. 4, a photosensitive drum 3 is rotatably mounted, a charging roll 4 is provided on a side of the photosensitive drum 3, and a cleaning device 6 is provided on an upper portion thereof. A cleaning blade 31 is provided. The cleaning device 6 also occupies most of the collected toner conveying member 32 that conveys the collected toner removed by the cleaning blade 31 and the upper cartridge 21 that stores the collected toner conveyed by the collected toner conveying member 21. And a toner storage chamber 33. Further, in the upper cartridge 21,
A cover 34 that covers the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is provided to be openable and closable. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 34 normally covers the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 to prevent the photoconductor drum 3 from being exposed and deteriorated. In the state of being mounted at a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 3, it automatically opens with the mounting operation and comes into contact with the transfer roll 9.

On the other hand, the lower cartridge 22 constitutes the developing device 5 itself. A developing roll 27 is rotatably disposed at one end of the housing 35 of the developing device 5, and the surface of the developing roll 27 is triboelectrically charged with toner and regulates the layer thickness of the toner. The restricting member 36 is in contact with. A toner supply member 37 that supplies toner to the surface of the developing roll 27 is rotatably provided on the back side of the developing roll 27. On the back side of the toner supply member 37, a toner accommodating portion 39 that occupies most of the developing device 5 is integrally provided via a toner supply opening 38. A bottom surface 40 of the toner containing portion 39 is formed by connecting two portions 41 and 42 each having a substantially arcuate cross section.
Inside the toner container 40, the toner is agitated and conveyed, in which the contained toner is agitated and sequentially conveyed from the second toner container 42 on the back side to the first toner container 41 on the developing roller 27 side. The members 43 and 44 are rotatably arranged.

As shown in FIG. 3, a toner sensor 45 for detecting the presence / absence of toner is provided on the bottom surface of the first toner container 41.

By the way, in this embodiment, the developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape is mounted by pressing into the end portion,
A flange member for a developing roller for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, wherein the flange member has a gap setting for setting a gap between the developing sleeve and an image carrier to a predetermined value. A support portion that rotatably supports the member and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller are configured to at least partially overlap each other in the axial direction of the shaft member. ing.

Further, in this embodiment, the flange member is provided with an engaging portion which relatively engages with the rotation preventing engaging portion provided on the developing sleeve.

Further, in this embodiment, the flange member is made of synthetic resin having conductivity, and the support portion and the bearing portion are integrally formed of the synthetic resin constituting the flange member. There is.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tip of the press-fitting portion of the flange member is formed in a tapered shape.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a developing roller according to the first embodiment used in the developing device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the developing roller 27 has a cylindrical developing sleeve 46 made of a non-magnetic metal material such as non-magnetic SUS or aluminum, and is fixed inside the developing sleeve 46. The developing roller 46 and the magnet roller 47 disposed in
It is provided with flange members 49 and 50 for rotatably attaching to the shaft 48 as the shaft member. The magnet roller 47 is formed by integrally fixing a magnetic material 51 in a cylindrical shape on the outer circumference of a metal shaft 48, and the magnetic material 51 is formed along the circumferential direction of the magnetic material 51.
A magnetic pole having a predetermined polarity is magnetized at a predetermined position. Also,
A D-cut portion 52 cut into a substantially D-shaped cross section is provided at one end of the metal shaft 48 in order to attach the magnetic material 51 at a predetermined angle. This metal shaft 48, as shown in FIG.
The D-cut portion 52 is fitted to the one side surface 53 and is attached in a state in which it is not rotated.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are structural views showing the flange member for the developing roller according to the first embodiment, which is used for the developing roller.

Flange member 4 for these developing rollers
9 and 50 are integrally formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate. By mixing and dispersing about 30% by weight of carbon black as a conductivity-imparting agent in the synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, the volume is increased. It is made conductive so that the resistance value is about one digit. Of the flange members 49 and 50 for the developing roller, the flange member 49 located on the OUT (front) side of the apparatus is shown in FIG.
0 and FIG. 12, it is formed in a slightly elongated cylindrical shape. A press-fitting portion 54 that is press-fitted into the developing sleeve 46 is provided at one end of the flange member 49, and the press-fitting portion 54 is formed in a double cylinder shape.
Further, the tip 55 of the press-fitting portion 54 has a developing sleeve 46.
In order to facilitate press-fitting into the pipe, it is formed in a taper shape at an inclination angle of about 15 degrees, and a small diameter portion 5 for guiding having a small diameter is formed at the end of the tip end 55 formed in the taper shape.
6 is provided short. Further, an abutting wall portion 57 for abutting the end portion of the developing sleeve 46 is provided at the inner end portion of the press-fitting portion 54, which is about the same thickness as the developing sleeve 46, or more than the thickness of the developing sleeve 46. It is projected outward in the radial direction so as to be slightly lower.

Further, the abutting wall portion 5 of the flange member 49 is
Inside of 7 (on the side of the press-fitting portion 54), a convex portion 58 as an engaging portion for preventing rotation is formed so as to project, and a concave groove 59 is formed over substantially the entire circumference excluding the convex portion 58.
Are formed. The convex portion 58 is a flange member 49.
Is attached to the developing sleeve 46 only by press fitting, that is, without adhering or the like. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is opposed to the concave groove 60 provided on the developing sleeve 46 as an engaging portion for rotation stopping. Are provided to surely prevent the slip between the flange member 49 and the developing sleeve 46 by the positive engagement. The convex portion 58 is provided inside the press-fitting portion 54, and moreover, the convex portion 5 is provided.
Since the concave groove 59 is formed over substantially the entire circumference except 8, the press-fitting force does not act on the convex portion 58. However, when the convex portion 58 is provided up to the press-fitting portion 54, The concave groove 60 provided in the developing sleeve 46 is prevented from unintentionally expanding due to the pressure input of the press-fitting portion 54, and the developing sleeve 46 is prevented from expanding in diameter.

Further, outside the abutting wall portion 57 of the flange member 49, a gap between the developing sleeve 46 and the photosensitive drum 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 61 as the protruding portion. A support portion 62 that rotatably supports the tracking roller 28 as a gap setting member that is set to a value.
Are formed within a range of a predetermined outer diameter and a predetermined dimensional error. Further, the support portion 62 and the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 are overlapped with each other on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 61 of the flange member 49 along the axial direction of the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47. A bearing portion 63 that rotatably supports the flange member 49 on the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 is formed at the same position along the axial direction so as to have a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined dimensional error. Has been done. The flange member 49 is rotatably supported by the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 by the bearing portion 63. The flange member 49 is in contact with the magnet roller 47 only at the bearing portion 63, and is not supported at other portions. The inner diameter of the flange member 49 other than the bearing portion 63 is set so as not to contact. Further, the flange member 49 includes
In order to form the support portion 62 and the bearing portion 63 within a predetermined outer diameter and inner diameter and within a predetermined dimensional error range,
A void portion 64 is provided between the support portion 62 and the bearing portion 63 over a predetermined length for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of a dimensional error due to the undesired shrinkage of the resin after molding. Note that this void portion 64 does not necessarily have to be provided.

On the outside of the cylindrical portion 61 of the flange member 49, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 12, a bearing member 65 for rotatably supporting the developing roller 27 is interposed. An attachment portion 66 for attaching to the housing 35 of the developing device 5 provided in the process cartridge 2 is provided. As the bearing member 65, for example, one made of a synthetic resin such as POM which is softer than the polycarbonate forming the flange member 49 is used, but other materials and structures may be used.

Further, at the outer end portion of the flange member 49, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 12, a drive portion 68 for mounting a gear 67 for rotationally driving the developing sleeve 46 is provided. The drive unit 68 includes a gear 6
In order to attach 7 to the rotation stop state, it is formed in a double D shape as shown in FIG. The gear 67 attached to the end of the flange member 49 is configured to mesh with a drive gear 69 provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 3, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. There is.

On the other hand, the flange member 4 for the developing roller
Of the members 9 and 50, the flange member 50 located on the IN (back) side of the device is formed in a relatively short cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. This flange member 50
The press-fitting portion 7 is press-fitted into the developing sleeve 46 at one end thereof.
0 is provided, and the press-fitting portion 70 is formed in a double cylindrical shape. Further, the tip 71 of the press-fitting portion 70 is
In order to facilitate press-fitting into the developing sleeve 46, the developing sleeve 46 is formed in a taper shape with an inclination angle of about 15 degrees, and a small diameter portion for guiding with a small diameter is formed at the end of the tip end 71 formed in the taper shape. 72 is provided short. Further, an abutting wall portion 73 for abutting the end portion of the developing sleeve 46 is provided at an outer end portion of the press-fitting portion 70.
Of the developing sleeve 46 or a thickness slightly smaller than the thickness of the developing sleeve 46.

Further, the abutting wall portion 7 of the flange member 49 is
A convex portion 74 as an engagement portion for preventing rotation is formed so as to project inside the 3 (press-fitting portion 70 side), and a concave groove 75 is formed over substantially the entire circumference excluding the convex portion 74.
Are formed. The convex portion 74 is the flange member 50.
Is attached to the developing sleeve 46 only by press fitting, that is, without adhering or the like, so that the flange member 50 and the developing sleeve 46 are relatively engaged with the concave groove 60 provided in the developing sleeve 46. It is provided to surely prevent the slip between the two. The protrusions 58 and 74 are provided on both the flange members 49,
It may be configured such that it is not provided on 50, but only on the drive unit side, that is, on the other flange member 49 side.

Further, on the outer side of the abutting wall portion 73 of the flange member 50, on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 76 thereof, a gap setting for setting the gap between the developing sleeve 46 and the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined value. A supporting portion 77 that rotatably supports the tracking roller 28 as a member is formed so as to be within a range of a predetermined outer diameter and a predetermined dimensional error. Further, on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 76 of the flange member 50, the support portion 77 and the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 are provided.
The flange member 50 is rotatably attached to the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 at the same position along the axial direction of the support portion 62 and the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 so as to be entirely overlapped with each other. The bearing portion 78 to be supported is formed to have a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined dimensional error. The flange member 50
Is rotatably supported on the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 by the bearing portion 78, and the flange member 49 is provided only at the bearing portion 78.
The inner diameter of the flange member 50 other than the bearing portion 78 is set so that the flange member 50 and the other portion do not contact each other.
Further, since the support portion 77 and the bearing portion 78 are formed in the flange member 50 so as to be within a range of a predetermined outer diameter and inner diameter and a predetermined dimensional error, the resin after molding is undesirably contracted. A void 79 is provided between the support 77 and the bearing 78 over a predetermined length for the purpose of preventing a dimensional error caused by the above. It should be noted that this void 79 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Further, in the flange member 50, as shown in FIG. 2, the tracking roller 28 rotatably supported by the supporting portion 77 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. Further, the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 which rotatably supports the flange member 50.
Is attached to the housing 35 of the developing device 5 provided in the process cartridge 2.

In the above-described structure, in the case of the developing roller flange member according to the first embodiment, and the developing roller, the process cartridge, and the image forming apparatus using the same, the developing roller is set as follows. When recycling, etc., without incurring cost increase, work man-hour increase, or configuration complication due to recycling of parts,
It is possible to rotatably support the developing roller with high precision, avoid abnormal noise due to contact between the developing roller and the magnet roller, accurately position the developing roller, and suppress eccentricity of the developing roller as much as possible. It is possible.

That is, in the case of the developing roller or the process cartridge 2 using the flange members 49 and 50 for the developing roller according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. The electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3 of the process cartridge 2 by a predetermined electrophotographic process by mounting the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 3. Similarly, an image is formed by developing with a developing roller of the developing device 5 provided in the process cartridge 2 to form a toner image, and transferring and fixing the toner image on the recording paper 10. .

When the process cartridge 2 is used for a long period of time and an image is formed on a predetermined number of recording sheets 10, the photosensitive drums 3 and the like reach the end of their lives and are replaced with new process cartridges 2.

By the way, the used and recovered process cartridge 2 is collected in a factory, disassembled, and reused as it is, as a synthetic resin material or a metal material.
Divided into reusable parts. Among the various components that make up the process cartridge 2, the magnet roller 47 of the developing device 5 is reused as it is. Further, the developing sleeve 46 of the developing device 5 and the like are also inspected for the outer diameter accuracy and the surface roughness of the developing sleeve 46, and if it is determined that the developing sleeve 46 can be reused, after undergoing processing such as cleaning as necessary. , Reused.

Developing device 5 of the process cartridge 2
As shown in FIG. 1, the developing roller 27 used for the developing roller 27 is removed from the process cartridge 2 and
Specifically, the developing sleeve 46 is fixed by applying a force to the flange members 49 and 50 press-fitted to the end portion of No. 6 toward the outer side in the axial direction of the developing sleeve 46. In the state, magnet roller 4
By pulling the shaft 48 of 7 from one end side,
The magnet roller 47 is removed from the developing sleeve 46, and the magnet roller 47 is taken out from the inside of the developing sleeve 46.

The magnet roller 47 taken out from the developing roller 27 is reused as it is, after being subjected to steps such as air cleaning, if necessary.

When a new developing roller 27 is assembled using the magnet roller 47, as shown in FIG. 1, a flange member 49 for rotatably attaching a new developing sleeve 46 to the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47, 50, the developing sleeve 46 and the photosensitive drum 3
Tracking roller 28 for setting the gap between
Are rotatably supported, and bearing portions 63 and 78 that rotatably support the flange members 49 and 50 on the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 are arranged along the axial direction of the shaft 48. In the present embodiment, new flange members 49, 50 are used that are configured to be fully overlapped so that they at least partially overlap. In addition, if necessary, once used flange members 49, 5
You may reuse 0.

As shown in FIG. 1, the new flange members 49 and 50 are mounted by press-fitting them into both ends of the developing sleeve 46 with the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 inserted through the bearings 63 and 78 thereof. Then, a new developing roller 27 is manufactured. This developing roller 27
As shown in FIG. 4, a new process cartridge 2
And is mounted on the printer body 1 again and used.

As described above, in the case of the developing roller flange member according to the first embodiment, and the developing roller, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the same,
The flange members 49 and 50 are configured to be press-fitted to both ends of the developing sleeve 46 formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, when the magnet roller 46 is reused, the flange members 49 and 50 need to be attached. By pulling out from the end of the developing sleeve 46, the magnet roller 47
Since it is not necessary to cut the developing sleeve 46 as in the conventional case, it is possible to increase costs and work man-hours involved in recycling the developing roller 27 when recycling the developing roller 27. Never.

The flange members 49 and 50 are supporting portions 62 and 77 that rotatably support the tracking roller 28 that sets the gap between the developing sleeve 46 and the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined value, and the flange members. Bearing portions 63 and 78 that rotatably support 49 and 50 on the shaft 48 of the magnet roller 47 are configured so as to be entirely overlapped along the axial direction of the shaft 48. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the end portion of the photosensitive drum 3 is brought into pressure contact with the tracking roller 28 of the developing roller 27, the pressing force F1 is transmitted to the developing roller 27 via the tracking roller 28. However, the developing roller 27 applies the pressure contact force F1 transmitted to the developing roller 27 via the tracking roller 28 to the magnet roller 4
7, so that all of them are superposed along the axial direction, that is, the support portions 62, 77 and the bearing portions 63, 78 provided at the same position along the axial direction of the magnet roller 47 directly receive the reaction force F2. It is possible to do. Therefore, the pressure contact force F1 transmitted to the flange members 49 and 50 of the developing roller 27 through the tracking roller 28 is the cylindrical portions 61 and 7 of the flange members 49 and 50.
6 acts as a force for compressing 6 but does not act as a moment for inclining the flange members 49, 50, so that the flange members 49, 50 are always aligned with the developing sleeve 46 at their centers. That is, the developing roller 27 is hardly eccentric, and the developing roller 27 can be rotatably supported with high precision.
It is possible to avoid abnormal noise due to contact between the developing roller 27 and the magnet roller 47, accurately position the developing roller, and suppress eccentricity of the developing roller as small as possible.

The present inventors measured the total shake of the developing sleeve 46, that is, the rotational fluctuation toward both outer sides in the radial direction. As shown in FIG. 16, the total shake of the developing sleeve 46 was 0.03 mm. It was found that the developing sleeve 46 can be rotationally driven with extremely high rotational accuracy. Further, the change over time of the total shake of the developing sleeve 46 was also satisfactory even when about 350 kcycle was used.

Further, the flange members 49 and 50 are
Since it is integrally formed of synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, unlike the conventional flange member, it is not necessary to use a cutting process such as aluminum or a bearing member as a separate member, and the configuration is very simple. It is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, the present inventors have found that the flange members 49 and 50 made of polycarbonate have a long service life, especially, the supporting portion 6
When the amount of wear of 2, 77 and the bearings 63, 78 was measured, the amount of wear of the support parts 62, 77 and the bearings 63, 78 was 0.005 even when about 350 kcycle was used.
It was very small (mm) and was satisfactory.

In the first embodiment described above, the case where the press-fitting portions 54 and 70 of the flange members 49 and 50 are formed in a cylindrical shape has been described, but the flange members 49 and 50 are described.
In order to reduce the press-in force of the flange member, a plurality of press-fitting portions (for example, 6
It may be configured to be divided into two). In this case, although the press input can be reduced, the flange member 4
It is desirable to set the length of the non-divided press-fitted portion to be long in order to reduce the press-fitting retaining force of the entire members 9 and 50.

Second Embodiment FIG. 17 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals. In a flange member for a developing roller, which is mounted by press-fitting on an end portion of a cylindrical developing sleeve and is rotatably attached to a shaft member of a magnet roller, the flange member includes: A support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image bearing member to a predetermined value; and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller. The mounting portion for mounting the developing roller on the main body is configured to at least partially overlap in the axial direction of the shaft member.

That is, in the flange member 49 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A support portion 62 that rotatably supports the tracking roller 28 that sets the gap between the photosensitive drum 3 and the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined value.
And the flange member 49 to the magnet roller 47.
A bearing portion 63 that is rotatably supported on the shaft 48, and an attachment portion 80 that attaches the developing roller 27 to the main body.
In the illustrated embodiment, all of the support portion 62 and the bearing portion 63, and all of the mounting portion 80 and the bearing portion 63 are arranged so that they overlap at least partially along the axial direction of the shaft 48.
It is configured to overlap each other, that is, to be provided at the same position.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the first and second embodiments, the accuracy of the main body sleeve can be ensured even if the flange is not adhered, and it is not necessary to cut the main body sleeve when the magent roller is recycled. No cost required for removing cutting powder by cutting, assembly / disassembly even in a place where there is no special equipment (no need to rely on assay maker), and cost reduction of parts by using resin .

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to accurately and rotatably support the developing roller without increasing costs, increasing man-hours, or complicating the structure due to recycling of parts.
Flange member for developing roller capable of avoiding abnormal noise due to contact between the developing roller and magnet roller, accurate positioning of the developing roller, and minimizing eccentricity of the developing roller, and developing roller using the same It is possible to provide a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a developing roller recycling method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a developing roller using a flange member for a developing roller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a developing roller using a flange member for the developing roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing a digital printer as an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a process cartridge used in a digital printer as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge used in a digital printer as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge used in a digital printer as the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a part of the process cartridge used in the digital printer as the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a part of a process cartridge used in the digital printer as the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a part of the process cartridge used in the digital printer as the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a flange member.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a flange member.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a flange member.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a flange member.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the developing roller using the flange member for the developing roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the developing roller using the flange member for the developing roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a chart showing measurement results.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a developing roller using a flange member for a developing roller according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the flange member for the developing roller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a conventional developing roller.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional developing roller recycling method.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a conventional developing roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

2: process cartridge, 3: photosensitive drum, 5: developing device, 27: developing roller, 28: tracking roller, 46: developing sleeve, 47: magnet roller, 48:
Magnet roller shaft, 49, 50: flange member, 54, 70: press-fitting portion, 58, 74: convex portion (engagement portion for rotation stop), 60: concave portion (engagement portion for rotation stop), 6
2, 77: support portion, 63, 78: bearing portion.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Miyamoto             Fuji Zero, 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture             X Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H031 AC08 FA00                 3J103 AA02 AA25 AA74 CA25 CA72                       EA08 FA30 GA02 GA57 GA58                       GA60 HA08 HA45

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A flange member for a developing roller, which is mounted by press-fitting on an end portion of a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape and for rotatably attaching the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, the flange comprising: The member includes a support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image bearing member to a predetermined value, and the flange member that is rotatably supported by the shaft member of the magnet roller. A flange member for a developing roller, characterized in that the bearing portion is configured to at least partially overlap in the axial direction of the shaft member. 2. A flange member for a developing roller, which is mounted by press-fitting on an end portion of a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape, and which rotatably attaches the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller, wherein the flange. The member includes a support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image bearing member to a predetermined value, and the flange member that is rotatably supported by the shaft member of the magnet roller. A flange member for a developing roller, characterized in that a bearing portion and an attaching portion for attaching the developing roller to the main body are configured to at least partially overlap each other in the axial direction of the shaft member. 3. The engagement member according to claim 1, wherein the flange member is provided with an engaging portion that relatively engages with an engaging portion for rotation prevention provided on the developing sleeve. Flange member for developing roller. 4. The flange member is made of synthetic resin having conductivity, and the support portion and the bearing portion are integrally formed of synthetic resin forming the flange member. A flange member for a developing roller according to claim 1. 5. The press-fitting portion of the flange member is divided into a plurality of pieces along the circumferential direction.
5. A flange member for a developing roller according to any one of 4 to 4. 6. The flange member for a developing roller according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the press-fitting portion of the flange member is formed in a tapered shape. 7. A cylindrical developing sleeve, a magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a magnetic sleeve mounted on the end portion of the developing sleeve by press-fitting the developing sleeve. A developing roller provided with a flange member for rotatably mounting with respect to the above, the flange member rotatably supports a gap setting member for setting a gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value. A developing roller, characterized in that the supporting portion and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the flange member on the shaft member of the magnet roller are overlapped at least partially along the axial direction of the shaft member. . 8. A developing sleeve having a cylindrical shape, a magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a press-fitted end portion of the developing sleeve, the developing sleeve being mounted on a shaft member of the magnet roller. And a flange member for rotatably attaching to the developing roller, the flange member having a predetermined gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier on the outer periphery of the protruding portion protruding from the end portion of the developing sleeve. A support portion that rotatably supports the gap setting member that is set to the value of
At the same position along the axial direction of the magnet roller,
A developing roller, wherein a bearing portion for rotatably supporting the developing sleeve on a shaft member of a magnet roller is provided, and the gap setting member is brought into contact with an end portion of the image carrier. 9. An image carrier, which is rotatably arranged and on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier. A process cartridge detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing means includes a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape,
Development comprising a magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a flange member that is press-fitted to the end portion of the developing sleeve and rotatably attaches the developing sleeve to a shaft member of the magnet roller. A supporting portion having a roller, the flange member of the developing roller rotatably supporting a gap setting member for setting a gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value, and the flange member for the magnet roller. And a bearing portion rotatably supported by the shaft member so as to at least partially overlap in the axial direction of the shaft member. 10. An image carrier, which is rotatably arranged and on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, a developing means of the process cartridge includes a developing sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape and a magnet disposed inside the developing sleeve. A developing roller comprising a roller and a flange member that is press-fitted to an end portion of the developing sleeve and rotatably attaches the developing sleeve to a shaft member of a magnet roller. Includes a support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value, and the flange member. A bearing portion for rotatably supported by a shaft member of the serial magnet roller, the image forming apparatus characterized by being configured to overlap at least a portion along the axial direction of the shaft member. 11. A developing sleeve having a cylindrical shape,
A magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve, and a flange member that is press-fitted to an end portion of the developing sleeve and that rotatably attaches the developing sleeve to a shaft member of the magnet roller. In the method for recycling a developing roller, when at least the magnet roller of the developing roller is reused, a force is applied to the flange member, which is pressed into the end portion of the developing sleeve, in the axial direction of the developing sleeve. When assembling a new developing roller using the magnet roller after removing the magnet roller from the inside of the developing sleeve by operating it,
As the flange member, a support portion that rotatably supports a gap setting member that sets the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier to a predetermined value, and the flange member that is rotatably supported by the shaft member of the magnet roller. The method of recycling a developing roller, characterized in that a flange member configured to at least partially overlap the bearing portion along the axial direction of the shaft member is used.