JP2003270938A - Developing device, image forming apparatus and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a developing device having sealing structure where developer hardly leaks. <P>SOLUTION: A sealing member 521 is provided along the shaft direction of a developer carrying roller 510 so as to prevent the developer from leaking from the space between the roller 510 and a housing 540, and is constituted so that its margin for adhesion on the end side in the shaft direction of the roller 510 is larger than that on the center side thereof. <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 developing device for developing with a developer, an image forming apparatus having this developing device,
And a computer system provided with this image forming apparatus.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART As a developing device of an image forming apparatus, for example,
A developing device is known which develops a latent image formed on a photoconductor using a toner or the like as a developer. In such a developing device, in order to supply toner and the like to the photoconductor via the developer carrying roller, the developer carrying roller faces the photoconductor. Therefore, an opening for exposing the developer carrying roller to the outside must be provided in the housing for containing the toner. If the housing for containing the toner and the like is provided with the opening, the toner and the like may leak from the gap between the housing and the developer carrying roller. For this reason,
A rectangular seal member is provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. This seal member is, for example, provided with an adhesive margin with a uniform width in the longitudinal direction and adhered to the housing side, and the free end side is urged so as not to generate a gap with the developer carrying roller. It is in contact with the agent carrying roller.

[0003]

By the way, the developer carrying roller carries the developer on its surface and rotates to convey the developer to the developing position. At this time, a tensile force is generated in the rotation direction of the developer carrying roller by the frictional force on the seal member which is urged and is in contact with the developer carrying roller. This tensile force acts on the bonding margin of the seal member. At this time, with respect to the tensile force generated on the central side in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, the seal member is in stable contact with the developer carrying roller because it is held by the bonding margin in a wide range. . However, since the adhesive margin of the seal member is provided with a uniform width in the longitudinal direction, the adhesive margin for holding the seal member against the tensile force is increased as the position where the tensile force is generated is closer to the end side of the seal member. The range of becomes narrow.
Therefore, on the end side where the bonding margin is narrow and the holding force is low, there is a problem that a twist or wrinkle is generated in the seal member to cause a gap, and the toner or the like leaks from the gap.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device having a seal member in which the developer does not easily leak, an image forming apparatus equipped with such a developing device, And to realize a computer system equipped with this image forming apparatus.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main invention is to provide a housing having an opening and containing a developer, and a developing device provided facing the opening and carrying the developer. In order to prevent the developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller, the developer carrying roller and the housing, the developer carrying roller is provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is bonded to the housing side and the other is In a developing device including a seal member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller,
In the developing device, the adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end of the developer carrying roller is larger than the adhesive margin on the center side. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0006]

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

A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller which faces the opening and carries the developer, and a developing device provided between the developer carrying roller and the housing. In order to prevent the leakage of the developer, one end is bonded to the housing side along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, and the other end is a seal member abutting against the developer carrying roller. In the developing device, the developing device is characterized in that a bonding margin of the seal member on an axial end side of the developer carrying roller is larger than a bonding margin on a central side. According to such a developing device, since the adhesive margin on the end side of the seal member is larger than that on the center side, the adhesive force is strengthened and the holding force of the seal member is increased, so that the seal member is rotated by the rotation of the developer carrying roller. Twists and wrinkles are less likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking.

Further, in such a developing device, it is desirable that the seal member is in contact with a non-carrying region of the developer carrying roller at the end side. In order to improve the sealing property, it is desirable to bring the seal member into contact with not only the developer carrying region but also the non-bearing region on the end side of the developer carrying roller. However, the non-bearing area of the developer carrying roller has a larger frictional force than the developer carrying area because the developer is not carried. Therefore, a tensile force larger than that of the carrying region acts on the portion of the sheet member that is in contact with the non-bearing region. However, according to the developing device as described above, since the adhesive force on the end side that abuts the non-bearing region is strengthened, the sheet member is brought into abutment with the non-bearing region to improve the sealing property, and the twisting is performed. By providing a seal member that is less likely to cause wrinkles and wrinkles, it is possible to further improve the sealability.

Further, in such a developing device, it is desirable that an adhesion margin of the seal member on the end side of the developer carrying roller extends in a direction away from the developer carrying roller. According to such a developing device, the adhesion margin does not spread in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, and the developer is extended to the housing side in which the developer is stored, so that the developing device is not enlarged. It is possible to strengthen the adhesive force of the seal member.

Further, in such a developing device, the extension part has a first extension part and a second extension part following the first extension part, and the first extension part and the second extension part are predetermined. It is desirable to make an angle. According to such a developing device, since the extending portion is bent at the boundary portion between the first extending portion and the second extending portion, the seal member is wound around the bent portion and the seal member in the extending portion is bent. The adhesive force is further strengthened, and it becomes possible to hold with a high holding force.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that a direction of a tip of a side of the seal member, which is in contact with the developer carrying roller, is a rotational direction of the developer carrying roller. According to such a developing device, when the direction in which the tip of the sealing member is directed is the rotation direction of the developer carrying roller, the sheet member is more susceptible to the tensile force due to the rotation of the roller, The increased strength makes it less likely to twist or wrinkle. Further, since the seal member abuts along the rotation direction of the developer carrying roller, there is no fear of scraping off the developer on the developer carrying roller.

Further, it is desirable that the sealing member is a sheet-shaped film. According to such a developing device, since the seal member made of a film is elastically deformed by bending, the seal member is brought into contact with the developer carrying roller even by the elastic force of the seal member, and since it is sheet-shaped, it runs along the developer carrying roller. Therefore, the sealing property is improved.

A housing having an opening for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying roller for facing the opening and carrying the developer, and a portion between the developer carrying roller and the housing. To prevent the developer from leaking,
In a developing device including a seal member provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other of which is in contact with the developer carrying roller, the seal member is a sheet-like member. Of the film, the tip on the side in contact with the developer carrying roller faces in the rotation direction of the developer carrying roller, and the margin of adhesion of the seal member is
The end side that abuts the non-bearing region of the developer carrying roller is
Extending away from the developer carrying roller, the bonding margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the developer carrying roller is set larger than the bonding margin on the center side,
The extension part has a first extension part and a second extension part following the first extension part, and the first extension part and the second extension part form a predetermined angle. It is a developing device.

According to such a developing device, the adhesive force on the end side which comes into contact with the non-bearing region is strengthened and the holding force of the seal member is increased, so that the sheet member can be brought into contact with the non-bearing region. Therefore, even if a large tensile force acts on the end side of the seal member, it is possible to effectively prevent the developer from leaking. In addition, since it is possible to provide a seal member that is unlikely to be twisted or wrinkled, it is possible to improve the sealing property.

A housing having an opening for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, and between the developer carrying roller and the housing. To prevent the developer from leaking,
An image forming apparatus having a developing device provided along an axial direction of a developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to a housing side and the other of which is abutted against the developer carrying roller. It is also possible to realize an image forming apparatus characterized in that the adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the agent carrying roller is larger than the adhesive margin on the center side.

Further, a computer main body, a housing connected to the computer main body, having an opening and containing a developer, and a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, In order to prevent the developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller and the housing, the developer carrying roller is provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other is provided on the developer carrying roller. In a computer system including an image forming apparatus including a developing device including a seal member that is in contact with the seal member, the adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the developer carrying roller is equal to the central side. It is also possible to realize a computer system characterized by being larger than the generation.

=== Outline of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) === Next, referring to FIG. 1, a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 10 will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.
The outline will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main constituent elements of the printer 10. Note that, in FIG. 1, 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 device 50, the primary transfer unit 60, the intermediate transfer member 70, and the cleaning unit are arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 that is a latent image carrier that carries a latent image. It has a unit 75, and further includes a secondary transfer unit 80 and a fixing unit 9.
0, a display unit 95 including a liquid crystal panel, which does not notify the user, and a control unit 100 (FIG. 2) that controls these units and the like to operate as a printer.

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. 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 device 50 includes the photoconductor 20.
The latent image formed on the black (K) as a developer
Toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner,
And an apparatus for developing with yellow (Y) toner. These toners are respectively stored in the black developing device 51, the magenta developing device 52, the cyan developing device 53, and the yellow developing device 54 included in the YMCK developing device 50.

In this embodiment, the YMCK developing device 50 is rotated to move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53 and 54. That is, this YMCK developing device 50
Holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by four holding portions 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, and the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54.
Can rotate about the central axis 50a while maintaining their relative positions. Then, the photoconductor 20
Developing devices 51, 52, 5 corresponding to the latent image formed on the
The latent images on the photoconductor 20 are developed with the toners stored in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, respectively. The details of each developing device will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring the monochromatic toner image formed on the photosensitive member 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 substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 transfers the single-color toner image or the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 onto paper, film,
This is a device for transferring to a recording medium such as cloth.

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.

=== Operation of Printer 10 === Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above 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 1 based on a command from the main controller 101.
By the control of 02, the photoconductor 20, the developing roller 510 (FIG. 3) as a developer carrying roller provided in the developing device, and the intermediate transfer body 70 rotate. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating. At this time, the charged region of the photoconductor 20 reaches the exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and the latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed on the region by the exposure unit 40. It is formed. In the YMCK developing device 50, the yellow developing device 54 containing the yellow (Y) toner is located at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the developing position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 20.
The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. 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 the respective colors corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 70 in an overlapping manner. . As a result, the intermediate transfer member 70
A full color toner image is formed on top. Intermediate transfer member 7
The full-color toner image formed on the
With the rotation of 0, it reaches the secondary transfer position and is transferred onto the recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. 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 of the cleaning unit 75, and the toner is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare
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 primary transfer unit 60, the cleaning unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, the display unit 95) and the YMCK developing device 50 are electrically connected to each unit by receiving signals from the sensors provided therein. And the state of the YMCK developing device 50 is detected, and each unit and the YMCK developing device 50 are controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101.

The CPU 120 provided in the unit controller 102 has a serial interface (I / I).
F) 121 is connected to a nonvolatile storage element (hereinafter, referred to as main body side memory) 122 such as a serial EEPROM. Further, the CPU 120 has a main body side memory 12
2 as well as the developing device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, 5 provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54.
4a is also connected via a serial interface 121, and data can be transferred between the main body side memory 122 and the developing device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and each development is performed via an input / output port 123. The chip select signal CS can be input to the device side memories 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a. Further, the CPU 120 is also connected to the HP detection unit 31 via the input / output port 123.

=== Outline of Developing Device === Next, an outline of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the developing device. Note that, similarly to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 also shows the up-down direction by arrows, and for example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. In addition, in FIG.
The yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state of being located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing device 50 includes 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 a yellow developing device. (Y) The yellow developing device 54 containing the toner is provided, but since the configurations of the respective developing devices are the same,
The yellow developing device 54 will be described below.

The yellow developing device 54 includes a housing 540 containing a yellow toner T as a developer, a developing roller 510 as a developer carrying roller, and a toner supply roller 55 for supplying the toner T to the developing roller 510.
0, a regulating blade 560 for regulating the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and a seal unit 520 provided with various seal members.

The housing 540 is manufactured by joining an integrally molded upper housing and lower housing, and the inside thereof is restricted by a regulating wall 545 extending upward from the lower portion (upward and downward in FIG. 3). , The first storage portion 530 and the second
It is divided into a housing portion 535. These first storage parts 5
The upper portion of the second storage portion 535 is in communication with the second storage portion 535, and the movement of the toner T is regulated by the regulation wall 545. In addition,
Although a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the first storage portion 530 and the second storage portion 535 may be provided, in the present embodiment, each developing device (as the YMCK developing device 50 rotates) ( Black developing device 51, magenta developing device 52, cyan developing device 53, yellow developing device 5
4) rotates, whereby the toner T in each developing device is agitated, so that the first container 530 and the second container 535 are mixed.
No stirring member is provided in the.

An opening 541 communicating with the outside of the housing 540 is provided in the lower portion of the first accommodating portion 530.
A toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first accommodating portion 530 with its peripheral surface facing the opening 541, and is rotatably supported by the housing 540. Further, from the outside of the housing 540, the peripheral surface is exposed to the opening 541,
A developing roller 510 is provided, and a toner supply roller 550 is provided.
Is pressed and abutted against. A seal unit 520 is attached to the opening 541 to prevent toner from leaking between the housing 540 forming the opening 541 and the developing roller 510. The structure of the seal unit 520 and its seal structure will be described later.

The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of aluminum, stainless steel, iron or the like, and if necessary, nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like, and the toner carrying region is sandblasted or the like. Further, the developing roller 510 is rotatable around the central axis, and as shown in FIG.
It rotates in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) to the rotation direction of 0 (clockwise in FIG. 3). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, 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 toner supply roller 550 is connected to the first containing portion 5
The toner T stored in the second storage unit 535 and the toner storage unit 535 is supplied to the developing roller 510. This toner supply roller 550
Is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the first storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the first storage unit 530 and the second storage unit 530 is below the first storage unit 530. Is supplied to the developing roller 510. 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. 3) to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). In addition,
The toner supply roller 550 includes a first storage portion 530 and a second storage portion 530.
The toner T stored in the storage portion 535 is supplied to the developing roller 510.
In addition to having a function of supplying the toner T to the developing roller 510, the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after development is peeled off from the developing roller 510.

The regulating blade 560 is used for 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 regulation blade 560 has a rubber portion 560a and a rubber support portion 560b. The rubber portion 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber, or the like, and has a rubber supporting portion 560b.
Is a thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze and stainless steel. The rubber portion 560a is supported by the rubber supporting portion 560b, and one end of the rubber supporting portion 560b is fixed to the blade supporting metal plate 562. Blade support sheet metal 56
2 is fixed to a seal frame 526 described later, and together with the regulation blade 560, a seal unit 52 described later.
It is attached to the housing 540 in the form of part of zero. In this state, the rubber portion 560a is replaced by the rubber support portion 560.
It is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending of b.

Further, the developing roller 5 of the regulation 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 T from entering between the rubber supporting portion 560b and the housing 540, and the rubber supporting portion 560
In addition to stabilizing the elastic force due to the bending of b,
The rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the rubber portion 560a toward the developing roller 510 from the backside of 60a. Therefore, the blade backing member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the rubber portion 560a with the developing roller 510 and the sealing property.

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 separated 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.

The yellow developing device 5 thus constructed
4, the toner supply roller 550 has the first storage portion 53
0 and the toner T stored in the second storage portion 535 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. Toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated
When the developing roller 510 is further rotated, the toner reaches a developing position facing the photoconductor 20 and is used for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by the further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the seal member 520.

=== Structure of Seal Unit and Its Seal Structure === Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the structure of the seal unit,
The seal structure will be described. 4 is a perspective view of the yellow developing device 54 seen from the developing roller 510 side, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing roller is removed, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a seal unit, and FIG. 7 is a seal. 8 is an enlarged view for explaining the structure, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the seal structure of the opening, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining the shape of the upper seal and the positional relationship with the developing roller.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seal unit 5
Reference numeral 20 denotes an upper seal 521 for preventing toner from leaking between the developing roller 510 and a portion of the housing 540 forming an upper edge portion of the opening 541, the developing roller 510 and the opening 541.
The regulation blade 56 that also has a function of preventing toner from leaking from a portion of the housing 540 that forms the lower edge portion.
0, a seal frame 526 to which the upper seal 521 and the regulation blade 560 are attached and which is integrally fixed to the housing 540, and the regulation blade 560.
It is fixed to the rubber supporting portion 560b of the developing roller 510 and has two end seals 527 at both ends of the developing roller 510 as circumferential sealing members that prevent the toner T from leaking in the axial direction of the developing roller 510.

As shown in FIG. 6, the seal frame 526
Is an axial frame portion 526a formed of sheet metal and provided along the axial direction of the developing roller 510, left and right frame side portions 526b bent and raised at both ends of the axial frame portion 526a, and left and right frame side portions. The lower portions of 526b are bent and raised inward, and the blade supporting sheet metal 562 is
And a supporting sheet metal fixing portion 526c for fixing the. As shown in FIG. 5, the axial frame portion 526a is
The left and right frame side portions 526b are brought into contact with the portion of the housing 540 that forms the upper edge of the opening 541, and
It is arranged so as to face a side portion of the housing 540 in which ten bearing portions are formed. The seal frame 526 is
Blade support sheet metal 56 to which the regulating blade 560 is fixed
2 is mounted so as to bridge between the left and right support sheet metal fixing portions 526c, and the housing 54 is attached along the opening 541.
It becomes a frame shape that abuts against 0, and is fixed to the housing 540 from the side portion 526b side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rubber supporting portion 560b of the regulating blade 560 is provided longer than the rubber portion 560a in the axial direction of the developing roller 510, and the rubber portion 560a.
Are extended from both ends. Rubber support 560
At the extended portion of b, a non-woven fabric end seal 527 having a thickness thicker than that of the rubber portion 560a is provided.
It is attached to the same surface as 0a. Specifically, felt is used as the end seal 527 made of non-woven fabric. At this time, the end surface of the rubber portion 560a is in contact with the side surface of the end seal 527. Note that, in FIG. 7, for convenience, the blade support sheet metal 562 and the upper seal 521 are removed.

The end seal 527 is provided so as to contact the non-toner carrying area at the end of the developing roller 510 when the developing roller 510 is attached, and has a width extending from the end of the developing roller 510 to the outside. ing. Also, the end seal 5
27 is extended sufficiently longer than the tip of the rubber portion 560a of the regulation blade 560. The seal frame 526 to which the regulation blade 560 is attached is the housing 540.
And the end seal 527 is attached to the housing 5 formed to face the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 510.
40 along the end 40 of the end seal 527.
7a has a length to reach the axial frame portion 526a. The axial frame portion 526a has two cutout portions 526d at positions where the end seals 527 are arranged.
Is provided, and the tip portion 527a slightly projects from the cutout portion 526d.

As shown in FIG. 6, the axial frame portion 52
Between the two cutouts 526d of 6a is a sticker sticking part 526e to which the sheet-shaped upper sticker 521 made of polyethylene film or the like is stuck. As shown in FIG. 8, the sticker attaching portion 526e has a sticker frame 52.
6 and the developing roller 510 are attached to the housing 540, the tip thereof is the center of the developing roller 510,
It is formed by bending so as to face the outer peripheral surface. That is, the axial frame portion 526a has an abutting portion 526f that abuts on the housing 540 and a seal attaching portion 526e, and the abutting portion 526f and the seal attaching portion 526e are bent at a predetermined angle. Has been. Then, the upper sticker 521 stuck to the sticker sticking portion 526e.
Is provided along the seal adhering portion 526e when the developing roller 510 is removed, and is bent along the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 510 when the developing roller 510 is attached. Therefore, the upper seal 521 is in pressure contact with the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending deformation.

Further, the upper seal 521 has a width wider than the width between the two cutout portions 526d, and
The tip portion 527a of the end seal 527 protruding to 6d is
An upper seal 521 is provided so as to be bent along the housing 540 and cover the housing 540. That is, the center side of the upper seal 521 in the axial direction of the developing roller 521 is attached to the seal attaching portion 526e, and the end side is attached to the seal attaching portion 526e and the contact portion 526f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, on the end side of the upper seal 521, the developing roller 510 extends from the center side to the end from the boundary between the developer carrying portion and the non-bearing portion of the developing roller 510 that is abutted. An extending portion 522 extending in a direction away from is provided. The extension portion 522 strengthens the adhesive force and enhances the holding force of the seal member 521. Further, the extending portion 522 has a first extending portion 522a attached to the contact portion 526f and a second extending portion 522b attached to the seal attaching portion 526e, and is attached. The adhesive force is further strengthened by being bent at an angle formed by the contact portion 526f and the seal attaching portion 526e and being wound around the seal frame 526 to be attached.

The integrated seal unit 520 is attached to the housing 540, and further the developing roller 51 is attached.
By attaching 0, each seal is pressed and the open portion of the developing device is sealed. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the housing 540, the blade back member 570, the upper seal 521, and the developing roller 510 are attached.
A seal biasing member 524 that biases the side is provided.
The blade back member 570 and the seal urging member 524 are both elastic members such as maltoprene, and are compressed when the developing roller 510 is attached, and urge the regulating blade 560 and the upper seal 521 toward the developing roller 510 side. A biasing force is generated. Here, the blade back member 5
70 is the back side of the two end seals 527 and the rubber part 56.
0a, the seal urging member 524 is provided so as to enter between the two end seals 527. When the seal unit 520 is attached, the inner surface of the end seal 527 is attached. Is arranged so that the end surface of the seal biasing member 524 abuts.

Therefore, when the developing roller 510 is attached, the developing roller 510 is located below the opening 541.
The restriction blade 560 is pressed against the blade backing member 57.
Housing 54 in which 0 is compressed to form opening 541
The area between 0 and the developing roller 510 is closed. At both ends of the developing roller 510, the end seals 527 are compressed by the housing 540 and the developing roller 510, and the housing 540 and the developing roller 510 are closed.
On the upper side of the opening 541, the upper seal 521 is provided so as to cover the end seals 527 slightly protruding on both end sides of the axial frame portion 526a, and the end seals 527 are provided.
Is sandwiched between the housing 540 and the upper seal 521 at the cutout portion 526d of the axial frame portion 526a.

The upper seal 521 is inserted between the developing roller 510 and the portion of the housing 540 forming the opening 541, and extends over the seal biasing member 524 and the end seal 527 to cover them. Therefore, the upper seal 52
1 is pressed toward the developing roller 510 by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524 and the end seal 527, and the developing roller 510 and the part of the housing 540 forming the opening 541 are closed. At this time, the upper seal 521 is
Since it is also provided so as to cover the end seal 527,
The end seal 527 is also brought into contact with the non-carrying area of the developing roller 510. That is, the upper seal 521 is
The center side contacts the developer carrying area of the developing roller 510,
The end side is brought into contact with the non-carrying region. Then, as described above, a larger tensile force acts on the end side of the upper seal 521 abutting on the non-bearing area than on the center side abutting on the developer carrying area, but it extends to this end side. Since the adhesive force, that is, the holding force of the upper seal 521 is strengthened by providing the portion 522, the upper seal 521 is not twisted or wrinkled,
It is possible to prevent the toner from leaking out, and it is possible to realize a high sealing property.

=== Other Embodiments === The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention facilitate understanding of the present invention. It is for the purpose of not limiting the present invention. 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.

Further, the present invention has a rotatable toner supply member for supplying toner to the developer carrying roller, and the rotating direction of the toner supplying member is opposite to the rotating direction of the developer carrying roller. This is particularly effective for a certain developing device, but it is also applicable to a developing device in which the rotation direction of the toner supply member is the same as the rotation direction of the developer carrying roller.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, the toner supply member is disposed below the toner accommodating portion, and the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion is the toner. This is particularly effective for a developing device in which the toner supply member supplies the developer carrying roller at the lower part of the container, but the toner supply member is arranged above the toner container, It is also applicable to a developing device in which the toner accommodated in the toner is supplied to the developer carrying roller by the toner supply member above the toner containing portion.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment,
Although an intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, the present invention is applicable to various image forming apparatuses such as a full-color laser beam printer other than the intermediate transfer type, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like. Applicable.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is not limited to the device having the structure described in the above-mentioned embodiment, but at least a developer carrying roller carrying and moving the developer, and a housing. The developing device can be applied to any developing device as long as it is a developing device that requires a sealing structure for sealing the gap between and.

For example, the developer carrying roller may be magnetic, non-magnetic, electrically conductive, insulating, metal, rubber, resin, or any other material that can constitute the developer carrying roller. . For example, in terms of material, metals such as aluminum, nickel, stainless steel, iron, natural rubber,
Silicon rubber, urethane rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, rubber such as NBR, styrene resin, vinyl chloride resin, polyurethane resin, polyethylene resin, methacrylic resin, nylon resin and the like can be used. It goes without saying that the upper layer of these materials can be coated and used. In that case, as the coating material, polyethylene, polystyrene,
Polyurethane, polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc. can be used. Further, as the form, a non-elastic body, an elastic body,
Any one of a single layer, a multilayer, a film, a roller and the like can be used. The developer is not limited to toner, and may be a two-component developer mixed with a carrier.

The same applies to the toner supply member, and as the material, in addition to the polyurethane foam described above, polystyrene foam, polyethylene foam, polyester foam, ethylene propylene foam, nylon foam, silicone foam, etc. can be used. . The foam cells of the toner supply means may be either single cells or open cells. The material is not limited to the foam material, and a rubber material having elasticity may be used. For more information,
Silicone rubber, urethane rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, acrylic rubber with conductive agents such as carbon dispersed and molded Can be used. === Configuration of Computer System etc. === Next, an embodiment of a computer system, a computer program, and a recording medium recording the computer program, which is an example of an embodiment according to the present invention,
A description will be given with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 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. 11 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 includes 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.

[0065]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a developing device having a seal structure in which the developer does not easily leak, an image forming apparatus and a computer system equipped with such a developing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

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

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the yellow developing device as viewed from the developing roller side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a developing roller is removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a seal unit.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view for explaining the seal structure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a seal structure of an opening.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the shape of the upper seal and the positional relationship with the developing roller.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a computer system.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Laser beam printer 20 photoconductor 30 charging unit 40 exposure unit 50 YMCK device 50a central axis 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e holding part 51 black developing device 52 Magenta Developing Device 53 Cyan developing device 54 yellow developing device 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a Developing device side memory 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 121 serial interface 122 Main unit side memory (storage element) 123 I / O port 510 developing roller (developer carrying roller) 520 seal unit 521 Top seal (seal member) 522 extension 522a First extension portion 522b Second extension part 524 Seal biasing member 526 seal frame 526a Axial frame part 526b side 526c Support sheet metal fixing part 526d Notch 526e Sticker attachment part 526f Abutting part 527 End seal (circumferential seal member) 527a tip 530 First toner storage unit 535 Second toner container 540 housing 541 opening 545 regulatory wall 550 Toner supply roller (toner supply member) 560 regulation blade 560a rubber part 560b rubber support 562 blade support sheet metal 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 (9)

[Claims] 1. A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller which faces the opening and carries the developer, and a space between the developer carrying roller and the housing. And a seal member provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other of which is in contact with the developer carrying roller to prevent the developer from leaking. In the apparatus, the adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the developer carrying roller is larger than the adhesive margin on the center side. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is in contact with a non-carrying region of the developer carrying roller at the end side. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesion margin of the seal member on the end side of the developer carrying roller is extended in a direction away from the developer carrying roller. Developing device. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the extension portion has a first extension portion and a second extension portion that follows the first extension portion, and the first extension portion and the second extension portion. The developing device is characterized in that it forms a predetermined angle with the section. 5. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seal member has a direction in which a tip on a side in contact with the developer carrying roller faces the developer carrying roller. The developing device is characterized in that it is in the rotating direction. 6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a sheet-shaped film. 7. A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller which faces the opening and carries the developer, and between a space between the developer carrying roller and the housing. And a seal member provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other of which is in contact with the developer carrying roller to prevent the developer from leaking. In the apparatus, the seal member is made of a sheet-like film, a tip on a side in contact with the developer carrying roller faces in a rotation direction of the developer carrying roller, and an adhesive margin of the seal member is An end side of the developer carrying roller, which is in contact with the non-bearing area, extends in a direction away from the developer carrying roller, and an adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the developer carrying roller is at the center side. The extension portion has a first extension portion and a second extension portion subsequent to the first extension portion, and the first extension portion and the second extension portion have a predetermined angle. A developing device characterized in that it is not provided. 8. A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, and between a space between the developer carrying roller and the housing. And a seal member provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other of which is in contact with the developer carrying roller to prevent the developer from leaking. An image forming apparatus having an apparatus, wherein an adhesive margin of the seal member on an axial end side of the developer carrying roller is larger than an adhesive margin on a central side. 9. A computer main body, a housing that is connected to the computer main body and has an opening for containing a developer, and a developer carrying roller that faces the opening and holds the developer. In order to prevent the developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller and the housing, the developer carrying roller is provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one of which is adhered to the housing side and the other is provided on the developer carrying roller. In a computer system including an image forming apparatus having a developing device including a seal member that is in contact with the seal member, the adhesive margin of the seal member on the axial end side of the developer carrying roller is equal to the central side. A computer system characterized by being larger than the generation.