JP2005043798A - Image forming apparatus and processing cartridge used in it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner leakage from the connecting parts of a container and to prevent deformation of the container. <P>SOLUTION: Each end of the seat face of the container, to which a seal member 95 which is injected in a liquid form and solidifies to seal the connecting part of the container is applied, has a clearance groove 97 for preventing the seal member 95 from flowing out to the outside of the container and to the opening of the container when the seal member 95 is compressed and flattened. Each end also has an anti-outflow ribs 98a and 98b formed outside the groove 97. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.) A facsimile machine and a word processor are included.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of charging means, developing means and cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. is there.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge method is adopted. According to this process cartridge system, since the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, the operability can be remarkably improved. This process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  In the developing device in such a process cartridge, the frame body constituting the developer is generally formed of a low-cost and mass-productive thermoplastic resin. Though conceivable, ultrasonic welding is generally performed from the viewpoint of assembly.

  The frame of the process cartridge that performs ultrasonic welding has a protrusion (welding rib) in the longitudinal direction on the joining surface of one frame, and a groove (welding groove) on the joining surface of the other frame. Or a combination of one having a welding rib and a welding groove on the joining surface of one frame and a joining portion of the other frame being a flat surface. The rib resin is melted and joined. At both ends in the longitudinal direction, an elastic seal member such as urethane foam is interposed between the joint surfaces to prevent the developer from flowing out in the developing device. In addition, when the joining surface is not a flat surface but has a complicated shape, a foamable sealing member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state can be used, so that the sealing member sufficiently enters even at the intricate joining surface. It can seal (for example, refer patent document 1).

Further, even when the container is warped due to the repulsive force of the seal member, the crushing amount of the seal member is changed to ensure the sealing performance.
JP-A-8-69242

The present invention is a further development of the above-described conventional technique, and in the seal configuration of the frame joint portion of the developing device,
Ensuring the sealing performance of the developing device frame joint.
Reduces the resilience of the seal member and prevents warping and deformation of the developer container.
Prevents the seal member from protruding to the outside of the developing unit and into the development opening.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which the above effect can be obtained.

  The invention according to the present invention is as follows.

(1) In a process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer container that is a second frame that contains the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing the joint between the developer container and the developer container at the longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
There is a ridge for compressing and deforming the seal member on either the developer container or the developer container.
On the other side, a seat surface to which a seal member is applied, a relief groove portion into which a seal member compressed and deformed by a convex strip portion enters on both sides of the seat surface, and the seal member on the side of the relief groove portion on the frame outer side and the opening side Ribs that prevent it from protruding,
It is a process cartridge characterized by having.

(2) In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer container that is a second frame that contains the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing the joint between the developer container and the developer container at the longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
Either one of the developer container and the developer container has a protruding strip portion for compressing and deforming the seal member, and on both sides of the protruding strip portion, there is an escape groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the protruding strip portion enters.
On the other side, a seat surface to which a seal member is applied, and ribs that prevent the seal member from protruding to the outside of the frame and the opening side on both sides of the seat surface,
It is a process cartridge characterized by having.

  As described above, if the present invention is organized and summarized, it can be integrated into the following configurations.

(1) In a process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
There is a ridge portion for compressing and deforming the seal member in either one of the developer container and the developer container.
On the other side, a seat surface to which the seal member is applied, a relief groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the convex ridge portion enters both sides of the seat surface, and the seal member is a frame on a side portion of the relief groove portion. A rib that prevents it from protruding to the outside and the opening side;
A process cartridge comprising:

(2) In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
A convex strip for compressing and deforming the seal member enters either one of the developing container or the developer container, and a seal member compressed or deformed by the convex strip on both sides of the convex strip. There is a relief groove,
On the other side, a seat surface on which the seal member is applied, and ribs that prevent the seal member from protruding to the outside of the frame and the opening side on both sides of the seat surface;
A process cartridge comprising:

(3) a developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing container that is a first frame having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
There is a ridge portion for compressing and deforming the seal member in either one of the developer container and the developer container.
On the other side, a seat surface to which the seal member is applied, a relief groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the convex ridge portion enters both sides of the seat surface, and the seal member is a frame on a side portion of the relief groove portion. A mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge, characterized by having a rib for preventing the outer side and the opening side from protruding.
Drive means for driving the process cartridge;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

(4) a developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing container which is a first frame having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
A convex strip for compressing and deforming the seal member enters either one of the developing container or the developer container, and a seal member compressed or deformed by the convex strip on both sides of the convex strip. There is a relief groove,
The process cartridge is characterized in that it has a seat surface to which the seal member is applied and a rib that prevents the seal member from protruding to the outside of the frame and the opening side on both sides of the seat surface. Mounting means for mounting;
Drive means for driving the process cartridge;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

As described above, according to the present invention, the sealing member that is applied and solidified in a liquid form for sealing the joint at the longitudinal end of the joint between the developing container and the toner container in the frame structure of the developing unit. The developer container and the developer container have a ridge for compressing and deforming the seal member, and the other has a seat surface on which the seal member is applied, and both sides of the seat surface. A relief groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the convex ridge portion enters, and a rib for preventing the seal member from protruding to the outer side of the frame and the opening side on the side portion of the relief groove portion,
With the configuration having the following, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) Sealing performance is ensured by sufficiently compressing the sealing member with ribs.

  (2) By providing the relief groove, even if the seal member is sufficiently compressed, the repulsive force is alleviated and the container is not warped or deformed. Thereby, the dimensional accuracy of the container is maintained, and good image formation is stably performed.

  (3) Even if the toner container is provided with a seal member application surface, a relief groove and a protrusion prevention rib, the seal member is applied, and the developer container is provided with a rib for compressing the seal member. The effects as described are obtained as well.

  (4) Even when the relief grooves are provided on both sides of the rib for compressing the seal member of the toner container, the effects described in (1) and (2) can be obtained similarly.

  Next, examples of the present invention will be described.

[Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus]
First, the overall configuration of the color image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a laser printer which is an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the color laser printer forms an image having process cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk having an image carrier (photosensitive drum) 21 that rotates at a constant speed for each color of Y, M, C, and Bk. The intermediate transfer body 35 that holds the color image developed and multiple-transferred by the image forming unit and further transferred to the transfer material P fed from the feeding unit, and fixes the color image to the transferred transfer material P The fixing unit 50 includes a discharge roller group 53, 54, and 55 that discharges the transfer material P onto a discharge tray 56 on the upper surface of the apparatus. The four-color process cartridges 2 are individually detachable from the printer body.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

[Image carrier]
The photosensitive drum 21 (21Y, 21M, 21C, 21Bk), which is an image carrier, is configured by applying an organic photoconductive layer to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotatably supported by the container 24 of the photosensitive drum 21. ing. In addition, by transmitting a driving force of a driving motor (not shown) to one rear end in the figure, the photosensitive drum 21 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing according to an image forming operation.

[Charging means]
The charging means 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C, 23Bk) uses a contact charging method. A conductive charging roller formed in a roller shape is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and the charging roller 23 is contacted with the charging roller 23. By applying a voltage, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged.

[Exposure means]
The exposure to the photosensitive drum 21 is performed from the scanner unit 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk). When the image signal is given to the laser diode, the laser diode irradiates the polygon mirror 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11Bk) with the image light 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10Bk) corresponding to the image signal. The polygon mirror 11 is rotated at high speed by a scanner motor 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12Bk), and the image light 10 reflected by the polygon mirror 11 is fixed at a constant speed via an imaging lens 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13Bk). The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 21 is selectively exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 as a result.

[Development means]
The developing means is composed of four developing units 25 that can develop each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in order to visualize the electrostatic latent image. Each of the four color developing devices 25 faces the photosensitive drum 21 and is disposed at a position where the developing roller 22 (22Y, 22M, 22C, 22Bk) contacts the photosensitive drum 21 while rotating. A visible image is formed with toner.

[Intermediate transfer member]
The intermediate transfer member 35 rotates in the clockwise direction in synchronization with the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 21 in order to multiplex-transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 visualized by each developing unit 2b (see FIG. 7) during the color image forming operation. Rotate to. The toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 21 is arranged at a position facing the photoconductive drum 21 with the intermediate transfer body 35 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roller 34 (34Y, 34M, 34C, 34Bk) to which a voltage is applied. Multiple transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer body 35 at the primary transfer portion T1 (T1Y, T1M, T1C, T1Bk) which is a contact. The intermediate transfer member 35 that has received the multiple transfer sandwiches and conveys the transfer material P by the secondary transfer roller 51 to which a voltage is applied in the secondary transfer portion T2, thereby transferring each color toner image on the intermediate transfer member 35 to the transfer material 2. Simultaneous multiple transfer.

  The intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt) 35 according to this embodiment is formed of a seamless resin belt having a circumferential length of about 620 mm, and is stretched around three axes of a drive roller 31, a secondary transfer counter roller 32, and a tension roller 33. Further, both ends of the tension roller 33 are loaded with springs, and even when the peripheral length of the intermediate transfer belt 35 changes due to temperature and humidity in the main body and changes with time, the amount of change can be absorbed.

  A guide rib (not shown) made of rubber is affixed to the entire circumference of one side edge portion inside the intermediate transfer member 35 with an adhesive. Further, a flange (not shown) made of resin is disposed at one end of the tension roller 33, and a guide rib (not shown) and a flange (not shown) are connected to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer body 35. It regulates the movement in the direction that goes straight (hereinafter referred to as “slip”).

  The intermediate transfer member 35 is supported by the main body with the driving roller 31 as a fulcrum, and the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end of the driving roller 31 at the rear of the drawing, so that the intermediate transfer member 35 is subjected to an image forming operation. It is made to rotate clockwise in the figure.

[Paper Feeder]
The sheet feeding unit feeds the transfer material P to the image forming unit. From the cassette 7 storing a plurality of transfer materials P, the sheet feeding roller 41, the separation pad 42, the sheet feeding guide 43, and the registration roller pair 44. Mainly composed. At the time of image formation, the paper feed roller 41 is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and the transfer material P in the cassette 7 is separated and fed one by one, guided by the guide plate 43, and registered via the conveyance roller. 44. During the image forming operation, the registration roller 44 performs a non-rotating operation for causing the transfer material P to stand still and a rotating operation for conveying the transfer material P toward the intermediate transfer body 35 in a predetermined sequence, and is the next step. The image and the transfer material P are aligned in the transfer process.

[Transfer section]
The transfer unit is composed of a swingable transfer roller 51. The transfer roller 51 has a metal shaft wound with a medium resistance foamed elastic body, is movable in the vertical direction in the figure, and has a drive. In accordance with the timing of transferring the color image to the transfer material P, the transfer roller 51 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 35 by a cam member (not shown) at an upper position, that is, via the transfer material P. At the same time, a bias is applied to the transfer roller 51 and the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 35 is transferred to the transfer material P. Here, since the intermediate transfer body 35 and the transfer roller 51 are respectively driven, the transfer material P sandwiched between the two is transported at a predetermined speed in the left direction in the drawing at the same time as the transfer process is performed. The belt 52 conveys the toner toward the fixing device 50 as the next process.

[Fixing part]
The fixing unit 50 fixes the toner image formed on the transfer material P via the intermediate transfer body 35 with the toner image formed by the developing means, and includes a ceramic heater 63 for applying heat to the transfer material P. It comprises a built-in film guide unit 61 and a pressure roller 62 for pressing the transfer material P against the film guide unit 61. That is, the transfer material P holding the toner image is conveyed by the film guide unit 61 and the pressure roller 62, and the toner is fixed to the transfer material P by applying heat and pressure.

[Image forming operation]
Next, an operation when image formation is performed by the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the sheet feeding roller 41 shown in FIG. 2 is rotated to separate one sheet of the transfer material P in the sheet feeding cassette 7 and conveyed to the registration roller 44.

  On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 21 and the intermediate transfer member 35 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow at a predetermined outer peripheral speed V (hereinafter referred to as a process speed).

  The photosensitive drum 21 whose surface is uniformly charged by the charging unit 23 is subjected to laser 10 exposure to form an image.

  Since the image forming operation for each color is the same, a yellow image will be described here.

(Yellow image formation)
The scanner unit 1Y irradiates a yellow image with a laser 10Y to form a yellow latent image on the photosensitive drum 21Y. Simultaneously with the formation of the latent image, the yellow developing unit 22Y is driven to apply a voltage having the same polarity as the charged polarity of the photosensitive drum 21Y so that yellow toner adheres to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21Y. Develop. At the same time, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 21Y is primarily transferred onto the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 35 at the first transfer position T1Y downstream of the developing unit. At this time, primary transfer is performed by applying a voltage having a reverse characteristic to that of the yellow toner to the intermediate transfer member 35.

  In the same manner as described above, magenta, cyan, and black images are formed, and latent images are formed and developed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and toner transfer to the intermediate transfer member 35 is performed at the primary transfer positions T1Y, T1M, and T1C. , T1K, and a full-color image composed of four types of toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 35.

  Before the transfer of the black toner to the intermediate transfer body 35 is completed, that is, before the leading edge of the intermediate transfer body 35 that has formed the full color image after the primary transfer of the black toner of the fourth color reaches the second transfer portion T2. In addition, the transfer material P that has been waiting by the above-described registration roller 44 is transported at the same timing. At the time of image formation of each color on the four-color intermediate transfer member 35, the transfer roller 51 that waits downward and is not in contact with the intermediate transfer member 35 is simultaneously moved upward by a cam (not shown) to transfer material. At the same time, P is pressed at the second transfer portion T2 of the intermediate transfer body 35, and simultaneously, a full-color image on the intermediate transfer body 35 is simultaneously transferred to the transfer material P on the transfer material P by applying a bias opposite to the toner to the transfer roller 51. To do. The transfer material P that has passed through the second transfer portion T2 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer body 35, conveyed to the fixing portion 50, and after toner fixing, the image is transferred onto the discharge tray 56 at the top of the main body via the discharge roller pairs 53, 54, and 55. The sheet is discharged with the surface facing downward, and the image forming operation is completed.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state when the open / close door of the image forming apparatus is opened.

  The main body opening / closing door 16 has a center of rotation on the lower front side of the color image forming apparatus A. Since the above-described intermediate transfer body 35 is provided on the opening / closing door 16 side, the process cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk can be accessed by opening the opening / closing door 16.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a CRG holding plate that integrally holds the process cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk. The pivot point of the CRG holding plate 101 is provided above the apparatus and is connected to the open / close door 16 by a link mechanism described later. As a result, when the open / close door 16 is opened, the CRG holding plate 101 and the process cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk are rotated about the pivot point so as to be held at a predetermined angle. In this embodiment, the angle at this time is about 45 degrees.

  In this state, there is no obstruction when the process cartridge is attached and detached in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the operation becomes easy.

  I will explain in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the periphery of the process cartridge held by the CRG holding plate 101. For convenience of explanation, the process cartridges 2Bk and 2C are not shown.

  101a is a CRG holding right side plate for holding each process cartridge 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk, and 101b is a CRG holding left side plate for holding each process cartridge 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk. In this embodiment, the holding member is separated and the CRG holding right side plate 101a and the CRG holding left side plate 101b are provided in order to realize low cost. However, the holding members may be integrated or connected by separate members. It doesn't matter.

  This time, the holding member is the CRG holding right side plate 101a and the CRG holding left side plate 101b which are separate bodies. It is a holding member.

  Both the CRG holding right side plate 101a and the CRG holding left side plate 101b are provided with guide ribs 101a-a and 101b-a for supporting the lower side of the process cartridge when inserting the process cartridge and for smooth insertion. Further, pivot portions 101a-b and 101b-b are provided as rotation centers when the process cartridges are integrated together. In addition, openings 101a-c and 101b-c for escaping the driving-side coupling portions of the process cartridges 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk and the non-driving-side positioning bearing portions are provided. Further, two bosses 101a-d and 101b-d (not shown), which are connecting portions to a link mechanism described later, are provided.

  Next, the connection of the CRG holding plate 101 with the link mechanism and the actual movement will be described.

  4, 5, and 6 are schematic perspective views of the inside of the apparatus showing details of a link mechanism that is connected to the CRG holding right side plate 101 a and the CRG holding left side plate 101 b. FIG. 4 shows the state of the link mechanism at the position during image formation, and FIG. 5 shows the state of the link mechanism when the open / close door 16 is fully opened.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the link mechanism portion in the state of FIG.

  A state in which the open / close door 16 is closed will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The CRG holding plate 101 is pushed in and held by the holding spring 109 by the link member group connected to the open / close door 16, the door connecting plate 105, the intermediate rod 104, the rotating rod 103, and the CRG holding plate connecting rod 102. Yes. At that time, each process cartridge 2 has bearings 27 for the photosensitive drums 21 provided at both ends of the process cartridge 2 on the rear and lower two end faces of the printer main body of the positioning hole 106a provided in the central plate 106 on the main body. It is biased by a spring (not shown) so as to press (not shown). In this way, the positioning of the process cartridge 2 is performed on the main body side separately from the CRG holding plate 101, so that the CRG holding plate 101 functions only as a rough guide when the CRG is mounted. You can do rough movements. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to mount the process cartridge 2 while confirming whether or not the process cartridge 2 is properly mounted, and the operability is improved.

  Finally, a state where the open / close door 16 is completely opened will be described with reference to FIG. The CRG holding plate 101 is positioned at the time of image formation as shown in FIG. 5 by the link member group connected to the open / close door 16, the door connecting plate 105, the intermediate rod 104, the rotating rod 103, and the CRG holding plate connecting rod 102. Compared to the position having an angle of about 45 degrees. By moving the process cartridge 2 to such a position, access to the process cartridge 2 is improved, and attachment and removal are facilitated.

  Next, the process cartridge 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge 2, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic perspective views. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black cartridges have the same configuration.

  The process cartridge 2 is divided into a photosensitive drum unit 2a having a photosensitive drum 21, a charging unit 23 and a cleaning unit 26, and a developing unit 2b having a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21.

  In the photosensitive drum unit 2a, the photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably attached to the cleaning frame via a bearing 27 (not shown). In order to remove the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging roller 23 which is a primary charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 on the circumference of the photosensitive drum 21. The residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the cleaning blade 28 is sequentially sent to a waste toner chamber 30 provided behind the photosensitive drum frame 24 by the toner feeding mechanism 29. . Then, the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end at the rear of the drawing, so that the photosensitive drum 21 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing according to the image forming operation.

  The developing unit 2b includes a developing roller 22 that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 and rotates in the arrow Y direction, and a toner container 70 and a developing container 71 that contain toner. The developing roller 22 is rotatably supported by a developing container 71 via a bearing member, and a toner supply roller 72 and a developing blade 73 that rotate in the direction of arrow Z in contact with the developing roller 22 on the periphery of the developing roller 22. Are arranged respectively. Further, in the toner container 70, a toner stirring mechanism 74 for stirring the contained toner and transporting it to the toner supply roller 72 is provided.

  The developing unit 2b is configured such that the entire developing unit 2b is swingable with respect to the photosensitive drum unit 2a by pins 77a around support holes 77 provided in bearing members 75 and 76 attached to both ends of the developing unit 2b. When the process cartridge is a single unit (not attached to the main body), it is supported by a pressure spring so that the developing roller 22 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 due to a rotational moment about the support hole 77 in the state of being supported. Unit 2b is always energized.

  At the time of development, when the toner accommodated by the toner stirring mechanism 74 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 72, the toner supply roller 72 rotating in the arrow Z direction slides with the developing roller 22 rotating the toner in the arrow Y direction. The toner is supplied to the developing roller 22 by rubbing and is carried on the developing roller 22. The toner carried on the developing roller 22 reaches the developing blade 73 as the developing roller 22 rotates, and the developing blade 73 regulates the toner to give a desired charge amount, and a predetermined toner thin layer. To form. As the developing roller 22 rotates, the regulated toner is conveyed to the developing unit where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 22 are in contact with each other, and the developing unit 22 is exposed to the direct current developing bias applied to the developing roller 22 from a power source (not shown). The toner remaining on the surface of the body drum 21 is peeled off and collected from the developing roller 22. The collected toner is stirred and mixed with the remaining toner by the toner stirring mechanism 74.

  In the contact development method in which the development is performed with the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 22 in contact as in the present invention, the photosensitive drum 21 is preferably a rigid body, and the developing roller 22 is preferably a roller having an elastic body. As this elastic body, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin coating in consideration of charge imparting property to toner is used.

(Developer unit frame structure)
Next, the frame structure of the developing unit 2b according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  10 is a schematic perspective view of a developing container according to the present invention, FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view of a state where a seal member is applied to the developing container according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a joint portion of the toner container according to the present invention. FIGS. 13 and 13 are schematic configuration explanatory views of a developing container and a toner container according to the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a joint portion of the developing unit according to the present invention.

  As for the joining of the developing container 71 and the toner container 70, the welding ribs 94a and 94b are provided extending in the longitudinal direction on the upper side and the lower side of the developing container 71, and the welding ribs 94a and 94b are melted by ultrasonic welding. Join.

  At both ends in the longitudinal direction, a seal member 95 is provided between the welding ribs 94a and 94b and joined so that the toner does not flow outside. The seal member 95 is a foamable seal member that solidifies after being applied in liquid form. The seal member 95 is solid at normal temperature, and after being heated in the filling tank to be liquefied, is mixed with nitrogen gas under high pressure inside the discharge device, and when discharged under atmospheric pressure, the nitrogen gas As the liquid expands and is cooled and solidified and foamed, the gaps between the containers can be filled. In the shape where the joint surface is complicated with curved surfaces, steps, etc., like the container shape of this example, by using such a sealing member that foams and solidifies after applying in liquid, It is easy for the sealing member to enter up to the gap, and the sealing performance can be secured stably.

  Application of the seal member 95 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The seal member 95 is applied to the joint surface of the developing container 71 that faces the joint surface of the toner container 70. The application portions provided at both ends of the joining surface in the longitudinal direction include rib-shaped application surfaces 96 for applying the seal member 95, concave relief grooves 97 provided at both ends of the application surface 96, and escape grooves 97. One of the side portions is provided with a sealing member protrusion preventing rib 98a to the outside of the developing container, and the other is provided with a sealing member protrusion prevention rib 98b to the developing opening side.

  The seal member 95 is discharged and applied along the joint surface on the application surface 96 between the protrusion preventing ribs 98a and 98b. At the beginning and end of application, application is performed so that the seal member 95 is placed on the upper and lower welding ribs 94a, 94b of the container. The applied seal member 95 is foamed and solidified, and is disposed on the application surface 96 so as to have a thickness sufficient to fill the space between the joint surfaces of the developing container 71 and the toner container 70.

  The joining of the developing container 71 and the toner container 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A crushing rib 99 for compressing the seal member 95 is provided on the joint surface of the toner container 70 facing the seal member 95 disposed in the developing container 71. The developing rib 71 and the toner container 70 are joined by melting the welding ribs 94a and 94b on the upper side and the lower side of the developing opening 71a. The seal member 95 is compressed by the crushing ribs 99 of the toner container 70 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The clearance between the tip of the crushing rib 99 and the coating surface 96 of the developing container 71 is set to about 0.5 to 1 mm in the joined state, and the seal member 95 is sufficiently crushed, so that the toner flows out to the outside. Can be reliably sealed.

  The seal member 95 compressed by the crushing rib 99 is deformed so as to be pushed out to both ends of the crushing rib 99, and the outflow to the outside of the developing container 71 and into the developing opening 71a is restricted by the protrusion preventing ribs 98a and 98b. Then, it enters into the recessed relief grooves 97 provided on both sides of the coating surface 96. The seal member 95 is restricted from flowing out to the side after being compressed, but the repelling force against the developing container 71 and the toner container 70 is alleviated by entering the escape groove 97. The developing container 71 and the toner container 70 receive almost no repulsive force from the seal member 95 and can prevent warping and deformation of the container.

  In this embodiment, the application surface 96 of the seal member 95, the escape groove 97, and the protrusion prevention ribs 98a and 98b are provided, and the crushing rib 99 for compressing the seal member 95 is provided in the toner container 70. The application surface 96 of the seal member 95, the escape groove 97, and the protrusion prevention ribs 98a and 98b may be provided on the container 70 to apply the seal member 95, and the developing container 71 may be provided with a crushing rib 99 that compresses the seal member 95. .

  In the above description, the escape groove 97 that allows the seal member 95 to enter is provided on both sides of the application seating surface 96 to which the seal member 95 is applied. However, as shown in FIG. Even if the sealing member 95 is provided on both sides of the crushing rib 99 for compressing 95, the sealing member 95 enters the escape groove 97 after being compressed, so that the repulsive force against the developing container 71 and the toner container 70 is alleviated. Therefore, the developing container 71 and the toner container 70 receive almost no repulsive force from the seal member 95, can also prevent the container from warping and deformation, and the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when an open / close door is opened. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state during operation of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the periphery of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of an operating state of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when an open / close door is opened. 1 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a part of an internal state of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention during operation. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a developing container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic explanatory drawing of a state where a seal member is applied to a developing container according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a joining portion of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a developing container and a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic sectional view of the joint of the developing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention Schematic cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the developing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

2 Process cartridge 2a Photosensitive drum unit 2b Developing unit 16 Open / close door 21 Photosensitive drum 22 Developing roller 23 Charging roller,
24 photosensitive drum frame 25 developing device 26 cleaning means,
27 Bearing 28 Cleaning blade,
29 Toner feeding mechanism 30 Waste toner chamber 35 Intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt)
70 toner container 71 developing container 71a developing opening 72 toner supply roller 73 developing blade 74 toner stirring mechanism,
75, 76 Bearing member 77 Support hole 77a Pin 78 Photosensitive drum drive transmission part 79 Development drive transmission part,
80 Guide portions 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d Guide surface 81 Electrical contact portion 82 Rotation restricting portion 82a Rotation positioning surface 82b Separation rotation stop surface 84 Drum shutter 85 Shielding member 86 Shutter bar 92 Action receiving portion 93 Pressure spring 93a Pressure compression Spring 93b Pressure tension spring 94a, 94b Welding rib 95 Sealing member 96 Application surface 97 Escape groove 98a, 98b Overflow prevention rib 99 Crushing rib 101 CRG holding plate 101a CRG holding right side plate 101b CRG holding left side plate 101a-a, 101b-a Guide rib 101a-c, 101b-c Opening 101a-f CRG positioning surface 101a-g CRG separation rotation receiving surface 102 CRG holding plate connection rod 103 Rotating rod 104 Intermediate rod 105 Door connection plate 110 Separation means 111 Action part (separation plate)
112 Shutter opening and closing member

Claims (4)

In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
There is a ridge portion for compressing and deforming the seal member in either one of the developer container and the developer container.
On the other side, a seat surface to which the seal member is applied, a relief groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the convex ridge portion enters both sides of the seat surface, and the seal member is a frame on a side portion of the relief groove portion. A rib that prevents it from protruding to the outside and the opening side;
A process cartridge comprising: In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body
A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
A convex strip for compressing and deforming the seal member enters either one of the developing container or the developer container, and a seal member compressed or deformed by the convex strip on both sides of the convex strip. There is a relief groove,
On the other side, a seat surface on which the seal member is applied, and ribs that prevent the seal member from protruding to the outside of the frame and the opening side on both sides of the seat surface;
A process cartridge comprising: A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
There is a ridge portion for compressing and deforming the seal member in either one of the developer container and the developer container.
On the other side, a seat surface to which the seal member is applied, a relief groove portion into which the seal member compressed and deformed by the convex ridge portion enters both sides of the seat surface, and the seal member is a frame on a side portion of the relief groove portion. A mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge, characterized by having a rib for preventing the outer side and the opening side from protruding.
Drive means for driving the process cartridge;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A developing unit frame for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first container having an opening for supplying a developer to the developing carrier;
A developer containing container which is a second frame containing the developer;
A seal member that is applied and solidified in a liquid state for sealing a joint portion between the developer container and the developer container at a longitudinal end of the cartridge frame;
Have
A convex strip for compressing and deforming the seal member enters either one of the developing container or the developer container, and a seal member compressed or deformed by the convex strip on both sides of the convex strip. There is a relief groove,
The process cartridge is characterized in that it has a seat surface to which the seal member is applied and a rib that prevents the seal member from protruding to the outside of the frame and the opening side on both sides of the seat surface. Mounting means for mounting;
Drive means for driving the process cartridge;
Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images