JP2003295609A - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a developing device having a seal structure that hinders developer leak. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device has: a pressing member 524 that presses an axial sealing member 521 from its rear side, the axial sealing member 521 being used to prevent a leak of developer from a gap between a developer carrying roller 510 and a housing 540; and peripheral sealing members 527, constituted of a member different from that of the pressing member 524, which seal gaps between the peripheral faces of both ends of the developer carrying roller 510 and the housing 540. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,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,
There is known a developing device that develops a latent image formed on a photoconductor using a toner as a developer. In such a developing device, in order to supply the toner to the photoconductor via the developer carrying roller, the developer carrying roller faces the photoconductor. For this reason, an opening for exposing the developer carrying roller to the outside must be provided in the housing containing the toner.

If the housing for containing the toner is provided with the opening as described above, the toner may leak from the gap between the developer carrying roller and the housing. Therefore, an axial sealing member is provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. This axial seal member is provided, for example, on the housing located on the back side so that one end side is adhered to the housing side along the longitudinal direction and the free end side does not create a gap with the developer carrying roller. It is pressed by the seal pressing portion of the pressing member and abuts on the developer carrying roller. FIG. 12 shows a pressing member of the axial sealing member. The pressing member 70 is made of urethane foam or the like, and the seal pressing portion 76 is provided along the developer carrying roller. In addition, this seal pressing portion 76
At both ends of the developer carrying roller, a circumferential direction seal portion 74, which is in contact with the circumferential surface of the developer carrying roller at both sides thereof and prevents toner from leaking between the housing 72 and the circumferential surface thereof, is integrally formed with the same member. It is formed by.

[0004]

However, although the axial seal member and the circumferential seal portion 74 have the same function of preventing the developer from leaking by being brought into contact with the developer carrying roller, the developer has the same function. The position of contact with the carrying roller is different. That is, the axial seal member carries the developer of the developer carrying roller and is brought into contact with the developer carrying region having a small frictional resistance, and the circumferential seal portion 74 is brought into contact with the non-bearing region having a large frictional resistance. Therefore, it is desirable that the seal pressing portion 76 that presses the axial sealing member and the circumferential sealing portion 74 are formed of members made of different materials. Also,
If the seal pressing portion 76 and the circumferential sealing portion 74 are formed of the same integral member, the axial sealing member and the circumferential sealing portion 74 are developed by a pressing force suitable for the area where they are in contact. When the pressing force is too high and the developer cannot be brought into contact with the developer carrying roller, the developer is scraped from the carrying area of the developer carrying roller, and when it is too low, the circumferential seal portion 74 side is provided. There is a problem that the developer may leak from the device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a developing device having a seal structure 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.

[0006]

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. A developing device including a developer carrying roller and an axial sealing member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and prevents the developer from leaking from between the developer carrying roller and the housing. In the above, the pressing member for pressing the axial direction sealing member from the back side to the developer carrying roller side and the both ends of the developer carrying roller are sealed between the peripheral surface and the housing, respectively, and the pressing And a circumferential seal member formed of a member different from the member. 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.

A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller provided facing the opening and carrying the developer, and abutting along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. A developing device having an axial seal member for preventing developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller and the housing, the axial seal member being pressed from the back side to the developer carrying roller side. And a circumferential sealing member formed of a member different from the pressing member, which seals between the peripheral surface and the housing at both ends of the developer carrying roller. Developing device. According to such a developing device, the pressing member of the axial direction sealing member and the circumferential direction sealing member are different members, so that a member suitable for the axial direction sealing member and the circumferential direction sealing member can be selected. Is possible. Thus, the pressing force that presses the axial sealing member and the circumferential sealing member against the developer carrying roller is selected from materials having different materials, and leakage of the developer is prevented by using a more suitable material. It is possible to improve the function.

Further, in the developing device, the circumferential sealing member presses the developer carrying roller, and the pressing force is preferably larger than the pressing force of the pressing member. According to such a developing device, it is possible to prevent the developer from being scraped off from the developer carrying roller and to prevent the developer from leaking from the circumferential seal member side.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that the circumferential sealing member is made of a material having elasticity larger than that of the pressing member. According to such a developing device, the pressing force of the circumferential seal member is made higher than the pressing force of the axial seal member by the pressing member, so that the developer in the developer carrying region is not scraped off, It is possible to improve the sealing property on the end side.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that the circumferential sealing member is made of a non-woven fabric and the pressing member is made of urethane.
According to such a developing device, it is possible to further improve the sealing property by using the nonwoven fabric suitable as the circumferential sealing member and the urethane suitable as the pressing member.

Further, in such a developing device, it is desirable that the pressing member is in contact with the circumferential sealing member. According to such a developing device, even if the circumferential seal member and the pressing member are formed of different members, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from between them.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that both end portions of the pressing member are surrounded by the circumferential sealing member. According to such a developing device, since no gap that linearly communicates the inside and the outside of the housing is formed between both end portions of the pressing member and the circumferential direction sealing member, leakage of the developer is further prevented. It becomes possible.

Further, in such a developing device, the circumferential seal member has a cutout portion that is open toward the inner side in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, and both end portions of the pressing member are fitted into the cutout portion. It is desirable that According to such a developing device, since both ends of the pressing member are fitted in the notches of the circumferential seal member, it is possible to improve the sealing property.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that the cutout portion is formed in a rectangular shape. According to such a developing device, the notch has a rectangular shape, that is, has three surfaces, and the circumferential sealing member and the pressing member are in contact with each other on the three surfaces, so that the developer does not easily come around. Therefore, it becomes possible to further improve the sealing property.

Further, in such a developing device, it is preferable that both ends of the pressing member are press-fitted into the circumferential sealing member. According to such a developing device, since the circumferential sealing member and the pressing member are press-fitted, the adhesion between them is high, and the developer is less likely to wrap around, so that the sealing property can be further improved. Becomes

Further, a housing having an opening for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying roller for facing the opening and carrying the developer, and an abutting member along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. In a developing device provided with an axial seal that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and prevents the developer from leaking between the housing and the housing, the axial seal is pressed from the back side to the developer carrying roller side. A urethane pressing member, and at both ends of the developer carrying roller, a non-woven circumferential sealing member for sealing between the circumferential surface and the housing, respectively, the circumferential sealing member, The circumferential sealing member is made of a material having elasticity larger than that of the pressing member, and the circumferential sealing member is open toward the inner side in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and has a rectangular cutout portion. Both end portions of the pressing member is a developing apparatus is characterized in that fitted in press-fitting state. According to such a developing device, it is possible to form the pressing member and the circumferential sealing member by members suitable for them, respectively, and bring both ends of the pressing member into contact with the circumferential sealing member with high adhesion. Since it is possible, it is possible to realize a developing device having a higher sealing property.

Further, a housing having an opening for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying roller for facing the opening and carrying the developer, and a housing provided along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. In an image forming apparatus having a developing device that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and an axial seal that prevents the developer from leaking between the housing,
A pressing member that presses the axial seal from the back side toward the developer carrying roller side, and a member that seals between the peripheral surface and the housing at both ends of the developer carrying roller, and is different from the pressing member. According to the image forming apparatus having the circumferential sealing member formed in step 1, it is possible to realize the image forming apparatus including the developing device in which the developer hardly leaks.

Further, a computer main body, a housing connected to the computer main body and having an opening for accommodating a developer, and a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, An image forming apparatus having a developing device, which is abutted along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and includes an axial seal for preventing the developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller and the housing, In a computer system including: a pressing member that presses the axial seal from the back side to the developer carrying roller side; and a seal member between the peripheral surface and the housing at both ends of the developer carrying roller. According to the computer system having the circumferential sealing member formed of a member different from the pressing member, the developer does not easily leak. A developing device, it is possible to realize an excellent computer system than conventional.

=== Outline of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) === Next, referring to FIG. 1, a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as printer) 10 will be taken 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. 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 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 an 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,
The developing roller 510 (FIG. 3) as a developer carrying roller provided in the developing device and the intermediate transfer member 70 rotate. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

At this time, the charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches the exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and the exposure unit 40 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y. It is formed in the area. Also, YM
In the CK developing device 50, a yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner is located at a 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 is
As the photoconductor 20 rotates, it reaches the primary transfer position 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. In addition,
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.

Further, 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 and a regulating blade 560 are pressed against the developing roller 510. A seal unit 520 including a regulation blade 560 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 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. Further, the regulation blade 560 also functions as a seal member on the upstream side of the developing position in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510. The regulation blade 560 is used for the developing roller 51.
It has a rubber portion 560a as an abutting member that abuts along the axial direction of 0 and a rubber supporting portion 560b as a supporting member that supports the rubber portion 560a. Rubber part 56
0a is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like, and the rubber supporting portion 560b is provided with the rubber portion 560a.
A sheet-like thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel is used because it also has a function of urging to the side.
One end of the rubber supporting portion 560b has a blade supporting sheet metal 5
It is fixed to 62. The blade supporting sheet metal 562 is fixed to a seal frame 526 described below, and together with the regulation blade 560, forms a part of a seal unit 520 described below and is attached to the housing 540. The seal unit 520 is attached to the housing 540,
Further, with the developing roller 510 attached, the rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber supporting portion 560b.

Further, the developing roller 5 of the regulating blade 560
A blade backing member 570 is provided on the side opposite to the 10 side to prevent the toner T from entering between the rubber supporting portion 560b and the housing 540, and at the same time, to the rubber portion 56.
The rubber portion 560a is pressed from the backside of 0a toward the developing roller 510, and the rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510. Details of the blade back member 570 will be described later.

The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562, that is, the tip end, is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and the portion separated from the tip end 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 an upper seal 521 described later and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal 521.

=== Configuration of Seal Unit === Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the configuration of the seal unit,
The seal structure will be described. 4 is a perspective view of the yellow developing device 54 as viewed from the developing roller side, and FIG.
6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing roller is removed, FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a seal unit, FIG. 7 is a conceptual view showing the arrangement of an end seal and a seal pressing member, FIG. 8 is an enlarged view for explaining the seal structure, and FIG. 9 is an opening seal structure. It is sectional drawing shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, the seal unit 520
Is an upper seal 521 that prevents toner from leaking between the developing roller 510 and a portion of the housing 540 that forms the upper edge of the opening 541, and the housing that forms the developing roller 510 and the lower edge of the opening 541 (FIG. 5). Regulating blade 5 also having a function of preventing toner from leaking from the area of 540
60, 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 56.
No. 0 rubber supporting portion 560b is fixed to the developing roller 510.
Two end seals 527 as circumferential seal members that prevent the toner T from leaking in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 are provided at both ends.

As shown in FIG. 6, the seal frame 526
Is an axial frame portion 526a provided along the axial direction of the developing roller 510, left and right frame side portions 526b bent and bent at both ends of the axial frame portion 526a,
The lower parts of the left and right frame side parts 526b are bent and bent inward, respectively, and are composed of a supporting metal plate fixing part 526c for fixing the blade supporting metal plate 562. As shown in FIG. 5, the axial frame portion 526a is affixed with the upper seal 521, and is brought into contact with a portion of the housing 540 which constitutes the upper edge portion of the opening 541. The left and right frame side portions 526b are the housing 54 in which the bearing portion of the developing roller 510 is formed.
It is arranged so as to face the side portion of 0. The seal frame 526 becomes a frame shape that abuts the housing 540 along the opening 541 when the blade support sheet metal 562 having the restriction blade 560 fixed is mounted between the left and right support sheet metal fixing portions 562c, and the side portion 526b side. Is fixed to the housing 540.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rubber support 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.
Both ends in the axial direction of are located inside the both ends of the rubber support portion 560b. That is, the rubber support portion 560b
Has extended support portions 560c outside both ends of the rubber portion 560a. Therefore, the rubber portion 560a
Will also receive the biasing force of the expansion support portion 560c at the end portion, and it is possible to obtain the biasing force equivalent to that at the central portion side. Therefore, the regulating blade 560 is abutted against the developing roller 510 with a uniform pressing force over the entire area of the developing roller 510 in the axial direction, the sealing property is improved, and the original layer thickness of the regulating blade 560 is evened. It also improves the function.

Further, the expansion support portion 560c includes a rubber portion 5
An end seal 527 having the same thickness as 60a is attached to the same surface as the rubber part 560a. Therefore, the rubber portion 560a and the end seal 527 are different from each other in the rubber support portion 560b.
Is brought into contact with the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending deformation. At this time, no step is formed at the boundary portion between the end seal 527 and the rubber portion 560a that are attached to the same surface and have the same thickness. That is, the end seal 527 and the rubber portion 5
Since there is no gap between the 60a and the peripheral surface of the developing roller 510, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from this boundary portion.

Further, at the end of the rubber portion 560a, the end surface 560d and the rubber portion 5 in the circumferential direction of the developing roller are formed.
The end surface 560e of the tip 60a is in contact with the end seal 527 and is bonded to each other. More specifically, the end seals 527 are arranged so as to come into contact with both ends of the developing roller 510, and an elongated rectangular rubber part 560a is provided between the end seals 527. This rubber part 5
The longitudinal direction of 60a is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510, and the end portion seal 527 is provided at the axial end portion.
And is recessed at a right angle into the recess 527b. The concave portion 527b is composed of a first flat surface 527c formed along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 and a second flat surface 527d formed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and enters the concave portion 527b. Rubber part 56
The end surface 560d of 0a abuts on the second flat surface 527d, and a part of the front end side surface 560e in the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 and the first flat surface 527c are in contact with each other and are bonded to each other with a double-sided tape or the like. . Therefore, the rubber portion 560a and the end seal 527 are in contact with each other in two orthogonal planes.
Since a joint for linearly connecting the developing roller 510 side and the outside of the housing 540 is not formed, the toner hardly leaks. Further, since the contact surfaces are adhered to each other and the gap is closed, toner or the like does not leak,
It is possible to secure high sealing performance.

The end seal 527 is provided so as to come into contact with a 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. Both ends of the developing roller 510 are located inside the outer ends of the two end seals 527. Since the toner is not carried in the non-toner carrying area, a frictional resistance larger than that of the toner carrying area acts on the abutting member. Therefore, the end seal is made of a non-woven fabric such as felt, which has an appropriate elastic force and is more resistant to shear deformation than urethane or the like.

When the seal frame 526 to which the regulating blade 560 is attached is attached to the housing 540, the end seal 527 is provided along the portion of the housing 540 formed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 510, The end portion 527a of the end seal 527 has a length that reaches the axial frame portion 526a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the axial frame portion 52
The 6a is provided with cutouts 526d at two positions where the end seals 527 are arranged, and the tip 527a slightly projects from the cutouts 526d. A sheet-shaped upper seal 521 made of a polyethylene film or the like is attached between the two cutouts 526d. The upper seal 521 has a width wider than the width between the two cutout portions 526d, and the tip portion 527 protruding into the cutout portion 526d.
The a is bent along the housing 540, and an upper seal 521 is provided so as to cover the a.
The free end side of the upper seal 521 extends toward the rubber portion 560a side of the regulation blade 560.

Further, the end seal 527 is provided on the housing side when the seal frame 526 is attached to the housing 540, and the upper seal 521 is provided with the upper seal 521.
A notch 528 is provided in which the end of the seal pressing member 524 that presses the 10 side enters. This notch 528
Has a U-shape that is open inward in the axial direction of the developing roller, is formed along the axial direction of the developing roller, and is formed along two axial planes 528a facing each other and the circumferential direction of the developing roller. Formed circumferential plane 528b. The contact state between the seal pressing member 524 and the end seal 527 will be described in detail later.

=== Sealing Structure of Developing Device === As shown in FIG. 9, in the housing 540, the above-mentioned blade back member 570 and the upper seal 521 are provided on the developing roller 5.
A seal pressing member 524 that presses to the 10 side is provided. Blade back member 570 and seal pressing member 524
Are formed of an elastic member such as a color foam, that is, a polyether-based polyurethane foam, and a moltoprene, that is, a polyester-based polyurethane, and when the seal unit 520 is attached to the housing 540, the blade backing member 570 causes the regulation blade 560 to move. Rubber member 5
The seal pressing member 524 is attached to a portion located on the back side of the upper seal 521 and the seal pressing member 524 to a portion located on the back side of the upper seal 521.

The developing roller 51 is provided on the housing 540 side.
When 0 is attached, two ribs 543 each having a flat plate shape and orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing roller 510 are formed at intervals wider than both ends of the large diameter portion of the developing roller 510 including the developer carrying area. It is erected toward the 510 side. Between these two ribs 543, a blade backing member 570 is provided along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 so as to extend over the entire area of the back side of the two end seals 527 and the back side of the rubber portion 560a. . At this time, the blade back member 570 is formed to be slightly longer than the interval between the two ribs 543, and presses the rib 543 outward in the attached state.

Further, the seal pressing member 524 is arranged so that both ends thereof are press-fitted into the notches 528 provided in the two end seals 527. That is, the notch portion 528 has a U-shape as described above, but the width between the two axial planes 528a is slightly narrower than the width of the seal pressing member 524 in the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510. The circumferential plane 52 of the two cutouts 528.
The end seals 527 are arranged so that the interval between the 8b is slightly smaller than the length of the seal pressing member 524 in the axial direction of the developing roller 510. Therefore, when the seal unit 520 is attached to the housing 540, the end seal 527 is along the housing 540 and the end of the seal pressing member 524 is fitted into the cutout 528. At this time, the end portion of the seal pressing member 524 has the cutout portion 5
28 is press-fitted to improve the adhesion, and the end seal 527
It is surrounded and contacted.

When the seal unit 520 and the developing roller 510 are attached, on the lower side of the opening 541,
The regulation blade 560 is pressed against the developing roller 510, the blade back member 570 is compressed, and the portion of the housing 540 forming the opening 541 and the developing roller 510 are closed. That is, the blade backing member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540, and the repulsive force due to the compression causes the rubber portion 560a to extend from the backside of the rubber portion 560a to the developing roller 5.
The elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b is stabilized by pressing in the direction of 10 to improve the uniform contact property of the regulation blade 560 with the developing roller 510 and the sealing property.

At both ends of the developing roller 510, end seals 527 are provided on the housing 540 and the developing roller 510.
Is compressed by the housing 540 and the developing roller 51.
The space between 0 and 0 is closed.

On the upper side of the opening 541, the upper seal 521
Is inserted between the developing roller 510 and the portion of the housing 540 forming the opening 541, and the seal pressing member 52
4 and the end seal 527. That is, the upper seal 521 has the seal pressing member 5 from the back side.
24 and the end seal 527 allow the developing roller 510 to
It will be pressed to the side. Therefore, on the upper side of the opening 541, the developing roller 510 and the opening 541 are formed by the upper seal 521 that covers the housing 540, the seal pressing member 524, and the end seal 527, and the seal pressing member 524 and the end seal 527. A double block will be formed between the housing 540 and the site. In particular, even if the seal pressing member 524 and the end seal 527 are formed of different members suitable for their functions, the seal pressing member 524 is fitted and surrounded by the cutout portion 528 of the end seal 527. Since they are press-fitted in the state, it is possible to improve the sealing property of their boundary portions.

=== Other Embodiments === The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment of the present invention facilitates 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 rotation direction of the toner supply member is opposite to the rotation 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 for 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, as the developer carrying roller, any material such as magnetic, non-magnetic, conductive, insulating, metal, rubber, resin, etc. can be used as long as it 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.

[0076]

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 a conceptual diagram showing an arrangement of an end seal and a seal pressing member.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view for explaining the seal structure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a seal structure of an opening.

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.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the background art.

[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 524 Seal biasing member 526 seal frame 526a Axial frame part 526b side 526c Support sheet metal fixing part 526d Notch 527 End seal (circumferential seal member) 527a tip 527b recess 527c First plane 527d Second plane 528 Notch 528a Axial plane 528b Circumferential plane 530 First toner storage unit 535 Second toner container 540 housing 541 opening 542 mounting surface 543 rib 544 slope 545 regulatory wall 550 Toner supply roller 560 Control blade (layer thickness control member) 560a Rubber part (contact member) 560b Rubber supporting portion (supporting member) 560c extended support 560d end face 560e Surface of rubber part on tip side 562 blade support sheet metal 570 Blade backing member (pressing 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 (12)

[Claims] 1. A housing having an opening for accommodating a developer, a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, and an abutting member along an axial direction of the developer carrying roller. A developing device provided with an axial seal member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and prevents the developer from leaking between the housing, and the axial seal member from the back side to the developer carrying roller side. And a circumferential sealing member formed of a member different from the pressing member, which seals between the peripheral surface of the developer carrying roller and the housing at both ends of the developer carrying roller. Characteristic developing device. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential sealing member presses the developer carrying roller, and the pressing force is larger than the pressing force of the pressing member. Development device. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential sealing member is made of a material having elasticity greater than that of the pressing member. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential sealing member is made of a non-woven fabric, and the pressing member is made of urethane. Development device. 5. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is in contact with the circumferential sealing member. 6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the pressing member are surrounded by the circumferential sealing member. 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential seal member has a cutout portion that is open inward in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. A developing device, wherein both end portions of the pressing member are fitted in the cutout portions. 8. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the notch is formed in a rectangular shape. 9. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein both ends of the pressing member are press-fitted into the circumferential sealing member. 10. A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer, and an abutting member along an axial direction of the developer carrying roller. In a developing device provided with an axial seal that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and prevents the developer from leaking between the housing, the axial seal is pressed from the back side to the developer carrying roller side. A pressing member made of urethane, and at both ends of the developer carrying roller, a circumferential direction sealing member made of a non-woven fabric that seals between the circumferential surface and the housing, respectively, the circumferential direction sealing member, The circumferential sealing member is made of a material having elasticity larger than that of the pressing member, and the circumferential sealing member is opened toward the inner side in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and has a notch formed in a rectangular shape. A developing device, wherein both ends of the pressing member are fitted into the portion in a press-fitted state. 11. A housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller which faces the opening and carries the developer, and an abutting member along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. In an image forming apparatus having a developing device that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and an axial seal that prevents the developer from leaking from between the housing, the axial seal is provided with a developer carrying film from the back side. A pressing member that presses against the roller, and a circumferential sealing member that is formed of a member different from the pressing member that seals between the peripheral surface of the developer carrying roller and the housing at both ends. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 12. 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. An image forming apparatus having a developing device, which is abutted along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and includes an axial seal for preventing the developer from leaking between the developer carrying roller and the housing, In a computer system including: a pressing member that presses the axial seal from the back side to the developer carrying roller side; and a seal member that seals between the peripheral surface and the housing at both ends of the developer carrying roller. A computer system having a circumferential seal member formed of a member different from the pressing member.