JP2003270934A - Supporting member, developing device, image forming apparatus and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a supporting member for making the layer thickness of developer uniform, a developing device, an image forming apparatus and a computer system. <P>SOLUTION: The supporting member has a 1st folded part, a supporting part and a 2nd folded part formed by folding a rectangular member in its longitudinal direction, and the supporting part supports a layer thickness regulating member. The folding direction of the 1st folded part is a reverse direction to the folding direction of the 2nd folded part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a supporting member, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and a computer system.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART As an image forming apparatus of this type, for example,
A plurality of developing devices for developing a latent image formed on a photoconductor by toner as an example of a developer are provided, and a rotary type developing unit in which these developing devices are arranged radially around a rotation axis is provided. Image forming apparatuses and the like are known. When an image signal is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer, these image forming apparatuses rotate one of the plurality of developing devices to a developing position facing the photoconductor by rotating the developing unit around the rotation axis. Position. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor is developed to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate medium. At this time,
Similarly, while sequentially switching a plurality of developing devices, development and transfer are repeated to form a color image by superposing a plurality of toner images.

In order to realize the above-mentioned function of developing a latent image formed on a photoconductor, the above-mentioned developing device
It has a developing roller as a developer carrying member, a toner storage portion, a toner supply roller, a regulating blade as a layer thickness regulating member, and the like. The regulation blade is attached to the developing device via a supporting member for supporting the regulation blade, abuts on the developing roller to regulate the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller, and also the developing roller. An electric charge is applied to the carried toner.

If the regulation blade is bent for some reason, the contact position of the regulation blade with the developing roller may be displaced. The improper abutment of the regulation blade may cause the toner layer thickness to be nonuniform, and the nonuniformity of the layer thickness may cause the toner chargeability to be nonuniform. .
On the other hand, since the regulation blade is attached to the developing device via the support member for supporting the regulation blade, when the deflection occurs in the support member, the regulation blade also bends. However, the above problem may occur. Therefore, in order to make the toner layer thickness uniform, a method for suppressing the bending of the supporting member to reduce the bending of the regulating blade supported by the supporting member is desired.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a support member, a developing device, and an image forming device for making the layer thickness of the developer uniform. It is to realize an apparatus and a computer system.

[0006]

The present invention is mainly a supporting member for supporting a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of a developer carried on a developer carrying member, wherein the supporting member is It has a first bent portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction, a support portion, and a second bent portion, the support portion supporting the layer thickness regulating member, and the first bent portion. The bending direction of is a direction opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS At least the following will be made clear by the description in the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

In a supporting member for supporting a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the supporting member bends a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction. The first bending portion, the supporting portion, and the second bending portion formed by the above, the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the bending direction of the first bending portion is the same as that of the second bending portion. A support member characterized by being in a direction opposite to a bending direction. The supporting member has a first bending portion, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction, and the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, The bending direction of the first bending portion is opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion, so that the bending of the support member is suppressed and the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member is reduced. As a result, the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform.

Further, at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the support portion,
A screw hole for fixing the supporting member to the developing device may be provided. By doing so, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the occurrence of bending of the support member.

Further, the layer thickness regulating member may be fixed to the supporting portion by welding. By doing so, since the occurrence of bending of the support member is more likely to affect the layer thickness regulating member supported by the support member, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the support member is suppressed, By reducing the flexure of the layer thickness regulating member supported by, the effect that the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

The layer thickness regulating member has an elastic body that abuts the surface of the developer carrying member and an elastic body supporting member for supporting the elastic body, and the elastic body supporting member supports the elastic body. It may be fixed to the portion by welding. By doing so, since the occurrence of bending of the support member is more likely to affect the layer thickness regulating member supported by the support member, the above-mentioned effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the support member is suppressed,
By reducing the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member, the effect that the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

When the one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion which is closer to the elastic body is defined as the first bent portion, the supporting portion is a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion. It may be warped to the first bent portion side with respect to both ends thereof. With this configuration, the flexure of the layer thickness regulating member is offset by the flexure generated in the layer thickness regulating member by being pressed by the developer carrying member, and the flexure of the layer thickness regulating member is reduced.

The thickness of the supporting member may be 1.8 mm or more. In such a case, since the bending of the supporting member is likely to occur due to the thickness of the supporting member, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the supporting member is suppressed, and thus the thickness of the layer supported by the supporting member is reduced. The effect that the bending of the regulating member can be reduced and the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

Next, in the supporting member for supporting the layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, the supporting member is a rectangular member in the longitudinal direction thereof. It has a 1st bending part formed by bending along, a supporting part, and a 2nd bending part, The said supporting part supports the said layer thickness control member, The bending direction of the said 1st bending part is the said 2nd. It is opposite to the bending direction of the bending portion, and has screw holes for fixing the supporting member to the developing device at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion, and the layer thickness regulating member is a developer carrying member. An elastic body that contacts the surface of the elastic body, and an elastic body supporting member for supporting the elastic body, the elastic body supporting member being fixed to the supporting portion by welding, and the first bending portion and the second bending portion. Of the parts, close to the elastic body When was the first fold,
The support portion is warped toward the first bent portion side with respect to both ends of the support portion at a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the support portion, and the thickness of the support member is 1.8 mm or more. Element. By doing so, all the effects described above are achieved, and the object of the present invention is achieved more effectively.

Next, a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a layer thickness regulating member are provided. In a developing device having a supporting member for supporting the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrying body, the supporting member is a rectangular member. It has a first bending portion and a supporting portion and a second bending portion formed by bending along the longitudinal direction, the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, the bending direction of the first bending portion, A developing device, which is in a direction opposite to a bending direction of the second bending portion.

The support member has a first bent portion, a support portion and a second bent portion formed by bending a rectangular member along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the support portion includes the layer thickness regulating member. The bending direction of the first bending portion is opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion, so that the bending of the supporting member is suppressed and the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member is suppressed. By reducing the above, it becomes possible to make the layer thickness of the developer uniform.

The supporting member may be fixed to the developing device at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion by screws. By doing so, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the occurrence of bending of the support member.

Further, the layer thickness regulating member may be fixed to the supporting portion by welding. By doing so, since the occurrence of bending of the support member is more likely to affect the layer thickness regulating member supported by the support member, the above-mentioned effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the support member is suppressed,
By reducing the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member, the effect that the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

Further, the layer thickness regulating member has an elastic body that comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member and an elastic body supporting member for supporting the elastic body. It may be fixed to the support portion by welding.
By doing so, since the occurrence of bending of the support member is more likely to affect the layer thickness regulating member supported by the support member, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the support member is suppressed, By reducing the flexure of the layer thickness regulating member supported by, the effect that the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

When the one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, which is closer to the elastic body, is the first bent portion, the supporting portion is the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion. It may be warped to the first bent portion side with respect to both ends thereof. With this configuration, the bending of the layer thickness regulating member is offset by the bending of the layer thickness regulating member caused by being pressed by the developer carrying member, and the bending of the layer thickness regulating member is reduced.

The thickness of the elastic member supporting member is 1 m.
It may be m or less. In such cases,
Due to the thinness of the elastic body supporting member, the layer thickness regulating member is
Since it becomes easy to be influenced by the bending of the support member, the above-mentioned effect, that is, the occurrence of the bending of the supporting member is suppressed, so that the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member is reduced and the layer thickness of the developer is reduced. It is possible to more effectively exert the effect that it becomes possible to make uniform.

The thickness of the support member is 1.8 mm.
This may be the above. In such a case, since the bending of the supporting member is likely to occur due to the thickness of the supporting member, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the supporting member is suppressed, and thus the thickness of the layer supported by the supporting member is reduced. The effect that the bending of the regulating member can be reduced and the layer thickness of the developer can be made uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

Next, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and the layer thickness regulating member are provided. And a supporting member for supporting, wherein the supporting member is a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrying body. A first bending portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion, the supporting portion supporting the layer thickness regulating member, and the first bending portion. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a bending direction of the portion is opposite to a bending direction of the second bending portion. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to make the layer thickness of the developer uniform by suppressing the occurrence of bending of the supporting member and reducing the bending of the layer thickness regulating member supported by the supporting member. Become.

Next, a computer main body, a display device connectable to the computer main body, and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer main body, the developer carrying body for carrying a developer, and the developer carrying body. A developer carried on the developer carrying body, which has a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the body, and a supporting member for supporting the layer thickness regulating member. An image forming apparatus including a developing device for developing a latent image carried on an image carrier by the supporting member, wherein the supporting member is a first bending portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction. An image forming in which the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the bending direction of the first bending portion is opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion. Equipped with equipment Computer system according to claim Rukoto. The computer system realized in this way is superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Overall Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus === An outline of an example of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a printer 10.
It is the figure which showed the main components which comprise. Note that FIG.
In the drawing, the up and down directions are indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is arranged in the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is arranged in the upper part of the printer 10.

The printer 10 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, the YMCK developing unit 50, the primary transfer unit 60, the intermediate transfer member 70, along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 as an example of the image carrier that carries the latent image. A cleaning unit 75 is provided, and further, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 which is a liquid crystal panel without a notification means to the user, and control of these units and the like to control the operation as a printer. It has a unit (Fig. 2).

The photosensitive member 20 has a cylindrical conductive base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable about the central axis. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 20 shown in FIG. Rotate clockwise as shown by the arrow.

The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the charged photoconductor 20 by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like,
Based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor, a modulated laser is irradiated onto the charged photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes the photoconductor 20.
The latent image formed on the black (K) toner as an example of the developer accommodated in the black developing device 51,
A device for developing using magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing device 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing device 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing device 54. is there.

In the present embodiment, the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates to move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53 and 54. That is, this YMCK developing unit 5
0 designates the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 as 4
The four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are held by one holding portion 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d.
Can rotate about the central axis 50a while maintaining their relative positions. Then, the photoconductor 20
Each time it makes one revolution, it selectively faces the photoconductor 20 and develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 with the toner contained in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring the monochromatic toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer member 70. When the four color toners are sequentially transferred in an overlapping manner, the intermediate transfer member 70 is transferred. A full-color toner image is formed on. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is rotationally driven at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20. The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring the single-color toner image or the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 onto a recording medium such as paper, film, cloth or the like.

The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a recording medium to a recording medium such as paper to form a permanent image.

The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 which is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The primary transfer unit 60 makes an intermediate transfer. After the toner image is transferred onto the body 70, the cleaning blade 76 scrapes and removes the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 20.

The control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 1 as shown in FIG.
Image signals are input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 controls the units and the like in accordance with a command based on the image signals to form an image.

Next, the printer 10 configured as described above
The operation will be described with reference to other components.

First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 of the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Control the photoconductor 20,
A developing roller as an example of a developer carrier provided in the developing device and an intermediate transfer body 70 rotate. Photoconductor 20
While rotating, the charging unit 30 at the charging position
Are sequentially charged.

The charged area of the photoconductor 20 is equal to that of the photoconductor 2.
With the rotation of 0, the exposure position is reached, and the exposure unit 40 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, in the area. Further, the YMCK developing unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing the yellow (Y) toner at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is
Reaches the developing position with the rotation of the yellow developing device 54.
Is developed with yellow toner. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 20. Photoconductor 2
The yellow toner image formed on 0 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and the primary transfer unit 60
Is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer body 70.

By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the toner images of four colors corresponding to the respective image signals are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 70. Transcribed. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70. The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. In addition,
The recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied. The full-color toner image transferred to the recording medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium.

On the other hand, after the photoconductor 20 has passed the primary transfer position, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 to form the next latent image. Prepare for charging. The scraped off toner is collected by the residual toner collecting section of the cleaning unit 75.

=== Outline of Control Unit === Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40,
The YMCK developing unit 50, the primary transfer unit 60, the cleaning unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, and the display unit 95) are electrically connected to each other by receiving signals from the sensors provided therein. Each unit is controlled based on the signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of.

=== Example of Configuration of Developing Device === Next, an example of the configuration of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main constituent elements of the developing device. In addition,
The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the developing device taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. Also,
In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 1, the up and down directions are indicated by arrows, and for example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 as an example of the developer carrying member is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 4, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state of being located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing unit 50 has a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and ,
Yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner
However, since the configuration of each developing device is the same, the yellow developing device 54 will be described below.

The yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510 as a developer carrying member, a seal member 520, a toner accommodating portion 530, a frame 540, and a toner supply roller 55.
0, and a regulation blade 560 as a layer thickness regulation member.

The developing roller 510 carries a toner T, which is an example of a developer, and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of an aluminum alloy such as a 5056 aluminum alloy or a 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like, and is plated with nickel or chrome as necessary. Further, the developing roller 510 is rotatable about the central axis,
As shown in FIG. 4, the photoconductor 20 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) (counterclockwise in FIG. 4). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the yellow developing device 54 faces the photoconductor 20, there is a gap between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

The seal member 520 is a yellow developing device 5.
4 prevents the toner T inside 4 from leaking to the outside of the device, and the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position.
Are collected in the developing device without being scraped off. The seal member 520 is a seal made of polyethylene film or the like. The seal member 520 is a seal support metal plate 522.
Supported by the seal support sheet metal 522 and attached to the frame 540. Further, a seal urging member 524 made of maltoprene or the like is provided on the opposite side of the seal member 520 from the developing roller 510 side, and the seal member 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. It is pressed against 510. The contact position where the seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

The toner storage portion 530 is a portion for storing the toner T, and is constituted by a part of the frame 540. The toner T stored in the toner storage portion 530
Although a stirring member may be provided to stir the developing device, in the present embodiment, each developing device (black developing device 51, magenta developing device 52,
Since the cyan developing device 53 and the yellow developing device 54) rotate and the toner T in each developing device is agitated, the toner container 530 is not provided with an agitating member.

The toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T contained in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is elastically deformed in the developing roller 5
It is in contact with 10. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is the toner storage unit 530.
At the lower part of the developing roller 5 by the toner supply member 530.
Supplied to 10. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the central axis of rotation of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4). The toner supply roller 550 is
The developing roller 510 has a function of supplying the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510, and the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after the development
It also has the function of stripping from 10.

The regulation blade 560 is connected to the developing roller 510.
The thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 is regulated, and an electric charge is applied to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The configuration of the regulation blade 560 and its periphery will be described later in detail.

The frame 540 is manufactured by joining a plurality of integrally molded frames (upper frame, lower frame, etc.). As shown in FIG.
40 has an opening in the lower part, and the developing roller 510 is arranged in this opening with a part thereof exposed.

The yellow developing device 5 thus constructed
4, the toner supply roller 550 has the toner storage unit 5
The toner T contained in 30 is supplied to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 with the rotation of the developing roller 510, and when passing through the contact position, the layer thickness is regulated and an electric charge is applied. To be done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated is
Is further rotated to reach a developing position facing the photoconductor 20, and the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed under an alternating electric field at the developing position. The developing roller 5 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510.
The toner T on 10 passes through the seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the seal member 520. Further, the toner still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== Regulation Blade and Its Surrounding Configuration =
== Next, the configuration of the regulation blade 560 as a layer thickness regulation member and its periphery will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the regulation blade 560. Figure 6
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the regulation blade 560 is fixed to the blade supporting sheet metal 562. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blade supporting sheet metal 562. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the regulation blade 560 attached to the frame 540 via the blade supporting sheet metal 562. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As described above, the regulation blade 560 is
The layer thickness of the toner T as a developer carried on the developing roller 510 as a developing carrier is regulated, and the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 is charged.

As shown in FIG. 5, this regulating blade 56
Reference numeral 0 has a rubber portion 560a as an elastic body and a rubber supporting portion 560b as an elastic body supporting member. The rubber portion 560a is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like,
The rubber support portion 560b is a thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze and stainless steel and having a thickness of 1 mm or less. Rubber part 56
No. 0a is supported by the rubber supporting portion 560b as shown in FIG. 5, and its surface is brought into contact with the surface of the developing roller 510 and carried by the developing roller 510 as shown in FIG. The above function is exhibited for the toner T.

The rubber support portion 560b presses the rubber portion 560a against the developing roller 510 by its elastic force. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the rubber support portion 560b is fixed by welding to a blade support sheet metal 562 as an example of a support member for supporting the layer thickness regulating member. In FIG. 6, the rubber portion 56 is shown in FIG.
FIG. 6B is a front view of the contact surface of the developing roller 51 with the developing roller 510 of 0a. FIG. 6B shows the developing roller 51 of the rubber portion 560a.
It is the figure which showed the back surface of the contact surface to 0 to the front.

As shown in FIG. 7, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 has a first bending portion 562a and a supporting portion 562b formed by bending a rectangular member having a thickness of 1.8 mm or more along its longitudinal direction. And the second bent part 5
It has 62c. The first bending portion 562a and the second bending portion 562b are bent in opposite directions, and as shown in FIG. 4, their cross sections are formed in a so-called Z shape. In this embodiment, one of the first bent portion 562a and the second bent portion 562b which is closer to the rubber portion 560a is the first bent portion 562.
a.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the support portion 562b has the rubber support portion 560b corresponding to the support portion 562b.
By being fixed to b by welding, the regulation blade 5
Supports 10.

Further, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 562b,
It has a screw hole 564 for fixing the blade supporting sheet metal 562 to the developing device. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is fixed to the frame 540 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion 562b by screws 566. Although FIG. 8 shows only one end of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 in the longitudinal direction, the same applies to the other end.

Although not shown in FIG. 8,
The developing roller 510 is supported by the developing roller support holes 568 provided at both ends of the frame 540 in the longitudinal direction. That is, in FIG. 8, the developing roller 510 is
Will be located on the upper side when viewed from the regulation blade 560. Therefore, the developing roller 510 comes close to the first bent portion 562a, and the first bent portion 562a is in contact with the developing roller 510 and the regulation blade 56.
It can play a role of preventing the toner T from being pushed out from the contact portion of 0 and the like. On the other hand, the second bent portion 562c
As shown in FIG. 8, by contacting the outer edge of the frame 540, can play a role of appropriately positioning the restriction blade 560.

The support portion 562b is the support portion 562.
It is configured such that the central portion of 2b in the longitudinal direction is slightly warped toward the first bent portion side rather than both ends thereof. That is, in FIG. 9, the central portion of the support portion 562b in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing) is more warped in the arrow direction than both end portions in the longitudinal direction. The warp can be realized by devising the shape of the mold for manufacturing the blade supporting sheet metal 562.

Further, the developing roller 5 of the regulating blade 560
A blade backing member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the 10 side. Blade backing member 57
0 prevents the toner from entering between the rubber supporting portion 560b and the frame 540, stabilizes the elastic force of the rubber supporting portion 560b, and causes the rubber portion 560a to face the developing roller 510 from directly behind the rubber portion 560a. The rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by being urged to. Therefore, the blade backing member 570 is
Uniform contact of the rubber portion 560a with the developing roller 510 is improved.

The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562, that is, the tip, is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and the portion apart from the tip by a predetermined distance. , Is in contact with the developing roller 510 with a certain width. That is, the regulation blade 560 is
The developing roller 510 is not in contact with the edge at the edge but is in contact with the abdomen. Further, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that its tip end faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in contact with what is called a counter.
The contact position where the regulation blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

Thus, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is
Is a first bent portion 562a and a support portion 56 formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction.
2b and the second bent portion 562c, the support portion 562b
Supports the regulation blade 560, and the first bent portion 562
The bending direction of a is opposite to the bending direction of the second bending portion 562c. This makes it possible to make the layer thickness of the developer uniform.

That is, as described in the background art section, when the restriction blade 560 is bent for some reason, the contact position of the restriction blade 560 with the developing roller 510 may be displaced. The improper contact of the regulation blade 560 may make the layer thickness of the toner T non-uniform, and the non-uniformity of the layer thickness causes the toner T
There is a possibility that the electrification property of is not uniform.

The above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows the developing roller 510 and the regulation blade 56.
It is sectional drawing which shows the mode of contact with 0. As described above, the regulation blade 560 has the developing roller 5 at the tip thereof.
The non-contact portion 560c that does not come into contact with the developing roller 510 forms a gap 561 between the non-contact portion 560c and the developing roller 510. Excessive toner T is accumulated in the gap 561 when the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 is evenly leveled by the regulation blade 560, and is accumulated in the gap 561 when the toner T is insufficient. Toner T is supplied.

In this situation, if the restriction blade 560 is bent for some reason, the restriction blade 56
There is a possibility that the contact position of 0 with the developing roller 510 may shift. Due to such a shift, the width of the non-contact portion 560c on the leading end side of the regulation blade 560 is not uniform in the longitudinal direction of the regulation blade 560 (for example, narrowed at both ends in the longitudinal direction and widened in the center). For this reason, the toner T is more likely to be collected in the direction in which the width is wide in the longitudinal direction, and the layer thickness of the toner on the developing roller 510 may not be uniform. Then, such nonuniformity of the layer thickness may cause a disadvantage that the charging property of the toner T becomes nonuniform.

On the other hand, since the regulating blade 560 is attached to the developing device via the blade supporting sheet metal 562 as a supporting member for supporting the regulating blade 560, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is bent. If the restriction blade 560 is bent,
The above problem may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562.

The above will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows the blade supporting sheet metal 5 according to the present embodiment.
62 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the blade support metal plate 562 according to Comparative Example 62 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. FIG. 11A shows a blade supporting sheet metal 5 according to this embodiment.
62, and FIG. 11B shows the blade supporting sheet metal 562.
Blade support sheet metal 56 as a comparative example for comparison with
Represents 2. As is clear from the figure, the difference between the two is that the blade support sheet metal 562 as a comparative example does not have the second bent portion 562c included in the blade support sheet metal 562 according to the present embodiment. That is,
The cross section of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 according to the present embodiment is
In contrast to the so-called Z-shape, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 as a comparative example has a so-called L-shape in cross section.

Blade support sheet metal 56 according to the present embodiment
When 2 is compared with the blade support sheet metal 562 as a comparative example, the blade support sheet metal 562 according to the present embodiment is less likely to cause bending. This is because the blade support sheet metal 562 as a comparative example is formed by only bending a rectangular member in the longitudinal direction and bending it once, while the blade support sheet metal 5 according to the present embodiment is not shown.
62 is because the rectangular member is bent twice in the longitudinal direction and the two bending directions are different directions.

Thus, by suppressing the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is
It is possible to reduce the bending of the regulation blade 560 supported by. Therefore, the layer thickness of the toner T can be made uniform.

=== Other Embodiments === The supporting member and the like according to the present invention have been described based on the above-described embodiments, but the above-described embodiments of the present invention facilitate understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiments, the intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer, monochrome laser beam printer, and copying machine. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as a facsimile and a facsimile.

Further, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller constituted by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive base material, but a photosensitive layer is provided on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive base material. A so-called photosensitive belt configured as described above may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the blade supporting sheet metal 56 is provided at both ends of the supporting portion 562b in the longitudinal direction.
Although the screw hole for fixing 2 to the developing device is provided, the present invention is not limited to this.

However, according to the above-mentioned embodiment,
The above embodiment is more preferable in that the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 can be suppressed more appropriately.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the regulation blade 560 is fixed to the support portion 562b by welding, but the invention is not limited to this.

However, in such a situation, the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 causes the blade supporting sheet metal 56.
Since the regulation blade 560 supported by the blade support plate 562 is more likely to be affected, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of the deflection of the blade support sheet metal 562 is suppressed, so that the deflection of the regulation blade 560 supported by the blade support sheet metal 562 is prevented. The above embodiment is more preferable in that the effect of reducing the thickness and making the layer thickness of the toner T uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the regulation blade 560 has the rubber portion 560a which comes into contact with the surface of the developing roller 510 and the rubber supporting portion 560b for supporting the rubber portion 560a. Support part 560b
Is fixed to the support portion 562b by welding, but the invention is not limited to this.

However, in such a situation, the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 causes the blade supporting sheet metal 56.
Since the regulation blade 560 supported by the blade support plate 562 is more likely to be affected, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of the deflection of the blade support sheet metal 562 is suppressed, so that the deflection of the regulation blade 560 supported by the blade support sheet metal 562 is prevented. The above embodiment is more preferable in that the effect of reducing the thickness and making the layer thickness of the toner T uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

Further, in the above embodiment, when one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion which is closer to the rubber portion 560a is the first bent portion 562a, the supporting portion 562b is the supporting portion. Although it is assumed that the central portion of the portion 562b in the longitudinal direction is warped to the first bent portion 562a side rather than both end portions thereof, the present invention is not limited to this.

As described above, the main object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 and to reduce the bending of the regulating blade 560 supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562, whereby the layer thickness of the toner T is reduced. Is to be uniform. However, it is impossible to completely eliminate the bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562. Therefore, if the direction of such bending is the direction described in the above embodiment,
The bending direction of the regulation blade 560 also depends on this direction,
The bending of the regulation blade 560 is offset by the bending generated in the regulation blade 560 by being pressed by the developing roller 510. Therefore, in this respect, the above embodiment is more preferable.

In the above embodiment, the blade supporting sheet metal 562 has a thickness of 1.8 mm or more, but the thickness is not limited to this.

However, when the thickness of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is 1.8 mm or more, the blade supporting sheet metal 5
Since the thickness of 62 facilitates the bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562, the above-described effect, that is, the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is suppressed, and thus the bending of the regulation blade 560 supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is suppressed. The above-described embodiment is more preferable in that the effect of reducing the toner thickness and making the layer thickness of the toner T uniform can be more effectively exhibited.

In the above embodiment, the thickness of the rubber supporting portion 560b is 1 mm or less.
It is not limited to this.

However, the thickness of the rubber supporting portion 560b is 1 m.
When the thickness is less than m, due to the thinness of the rubber supporting portion 560b, the regulation blade 560 is not supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 56.
The above-mentioned effect,
That is, by suppressing the occurrence of bending of the blade supporting sheet metal 562, it is possible to reduce the bending of the regulating blade 560 supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562 and to make the layer thickness of the toner T uniform. The above-described embodiment is more preferable in that it is effectively exhibited.

=== Configuration of Computer System etc. ==
= Next, an embodiment of a computer system, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the external structure of the computer system. Computer system 100
0 is a computer main body 1102 and a display device 1104.
A printer 1106, an input device 1108, and a reading device 1110. Computer 1102
In the present embodiment, is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited to this. Display device 1104
In general, a CRT (CathodeRay Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like is used, but the invention is not limited to this. Printer 11
For 06, the printer described above is used.
The input device 1108 is the keyboard 110 in this embodiment.
8A and mouse 1108B are used, but are not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the reading device 1110 includes flexible disk drive devices 1110A and C.
Although the D-ROM drive device 1110B is used, the D-ROM drive device 1110B is not limited to this.
o Optical) Disk drive device or DVD (Digital V
ersatile disk) and the like.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system shown in FIG. An internal memory 1202 such as a RAM and a hard disk drive unit 1204 are housed in a housing accommodating the computer main body 1102.
An external memory such as is further provided.

In the above description, the printer 1
Reference numeral 106 denotes a computer main body 1102 and a display device 110.
4, an example in which the computer system is configured by being connected to the input device 1108 and the reading device 1110 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the computer system may include the computer main body 1102 and the printer 1106, and the computer system may not include any of the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110.

Further, for example, the printer 1106 may include the computer main body 1102, the display device 1104, and the input device 1.
108, and a part of each function or mechanism of the reading device 1110. As an example, the printer 1106 includes an image processing unit for performing image processing, a display unit for performing various displays, and a recording medium attaching / detaching unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium recording image data photographed by a digital camera or the like. It may be configured to have.

The computer system thus realized is superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

[0091]

According to the present invention, a supporting member for making the layer thickness of a developer uniform, a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and
It becomes possible to realize a computer system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main constituent elements constituting an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of a developing device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a regulation blade 560.

FIG. 6 is a view showing that the regulation blade 560 has a blade supporting sheet metal 56.
It is a perspective view showing the state where it was stuck to 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blade supporting sheet metal 562.

FIG. 8 shows a frame 54 through a blade supporting sheet metal 562.
It is a perspective view showing the regulation blade 560 attached to 0.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing how the developing roller 510 and the regulation blade 560 come into contact with each other.

FIG. 11 is a blade support sheet metal 562 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the blade supporting sheet metal 562 according to Comparative Example taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a computer system.

13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Laser beam printer (main unit) 20 photoconductor 30 charging unit 40 exposure unit 50 YMCK development unit 50a rotating shaft 51 black developing device 52 Magenta Developing Device 53 Cyan developing device 54 yellow developing device 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d Holding section 60 Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer body 75 cleaning unit 76 cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer unit 90 fixing unit 92 paper feed tray 94 paper feed roller 95 display unit 96 cash register 100 control unit 101 Main controller 102 unit controller 112 interface 113 image memory 120 CPU 510 developing roller 520 seal member 522 Seal support sheet metal 524 Seal biasing member 530 toner container 540 frames 550 Toner supply roller 560 regulation blade 560a rubber part 560b rubber support 560c Non-contact part 561 gap 562 blade support sheet metal 562a First bent portion 562b support 562c Second bent portion 564 screw holes 566 screws 570 Blade back member 1000 computer system 1002 computer body 1104 display device 1106 printer 1108 Input device 1108A keyboard 1108B mouse 1110 reader 1110A flexible disk drive device 1110B CD-ROM drive device 1202 internal memory 1204 hard disk drive unit T toner

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A support member for supporting a layer thickness regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on a developer carrying body, wherein the supporting member is a rectangular member along a longitudinal direction thereof. A first bending portion, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion, which are formed by bending the second bending portion, the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the bending direction of the first bending portion is the second bending portion. A support member, which is in a direction opposite to a bending direction of the portion. 2. The support member according to claim 1, wherein screw holes for fixing the support member to a developing device are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support portion. 3. The support member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the layer thickness regulating member is fixed to the support portion by welding. 4. The support member according to claim 3, wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes an elastic body that comes into contact with the surface of the developer carrying member, and an elastic body supporting member that supports the elastic body. A support member, wherein the elastic body support member is fixed to the support portion by welding. 5. The support member according to claim 4, wherein one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, which is closer to the elastic body, is a first bent portion, and the support portion is A support member, characterized in that the support member is warped toward the first bent portion side with respect to both end portions of the support portion in the longitudinal direction. 6. The support member according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a thickness of 1.8 mm or more. 7. A support member for supporting a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of a developer carried on a developer carrying member, wherein the supporting member is a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction. Has a first bending portion, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion formed by bending the first bending portion, and the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the bending direction of the first bending portion is the second bending portion. And a screw hole for fixing the supporting member to the developing device, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion, the layer thickness regulating member is a developer carrier. An elastic body that comes into contact with the surface, and an elastic body support member for supporting the elastic body, the elastic body support member being fixed to the support portion by welding, the first bending portion and the second bending portion Of which is closer to the elastic body When the first bent portion is used, the support portion is warped toward the first bent portion side with respect to both ends of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the support portion, and the thickness of the support member is 1.8 mm. The support member characterized by the above. 8. A developer carrier for carrying a developer, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrier, and a support for the layer thickness regulating member. In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image bearing member by the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the supporting member is a rectangular member It has a first bending part and a supporting part and a second bending part formed by bending along a direction, the supporting part supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the bending direction of the first bending part is A developing device, which is in a direction opposite to a bending direction of the second bending portion. 9. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the supporting member is fixed to the developing device at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting portion by screws. 10. The developing device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the layer thickness regulating member is fixed to the supporting portion by welding. 11. The developing device according to claim 10, wherein the layer thickness regulating member includes an elastic body that abuts a surface of the developer carrying member, and an elastic body supporting member that supports the elastic body. A developing device having the elastic body supporting member fixed to the supporting portion by welding. 12. The developing device according to claim 11, wherein one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion, which is closer to the elastic body, is a first bent portion, and the supporting portion is A developing device, characterized in that the central portion of the supporting portion in the longitudinal direction is curved toward the first bent portion side rather than both end portions thereof. 13. The developing device according to claim 11, wherein the elastic body supporting member has a thickness of 1 mm or less. 14. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein the supporting member has a thickness of 1.8 mm or more. 15. A developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrying member, and a support for the layer thickness regulating member. In the image forming apparatus having a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image bearing member by the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the supporting member, It has a first bending portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion, the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, and the first bending portion. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the bending direction of is the opposite direction to the bending direction of the second bending portion. 16. A computer main body, a display device connectable to the computer main body, and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer main body, the developer carrying body for carrying a developer, and the developer carrying body. A layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the substrate, and a supporting member for supporting the layer thickness regulating member, An image forming apparatus comprising a developing device for developing a latent image carried on an image carrier,
The supporting member has a first bending portion, a supporting portion, and a second bending portion formed by bending a rectangular member along its longitudinal direction, and the supporting portion supports the layer thickness regulating member, A computer system, comprising: an image forming apparatus in which a bending direction of the first bending portion is opposite to a bending direction of the second bending portion.