JP2005049760A - Developing frame, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing frame, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which toner is prevented from leaking near a sealing member. <P>SOLUTION: In the developing frame provided with the developer, a developing roller for carrying the developer, a developer control member for controlling the quantity of the developer carried by the developing roller, and the sealing member for sealing the developer in the longitudinal end of the developing roller, the developing frame is provided with a rib nearly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, the rib is provided with a control member abutting surface coming into contact with the developer control member, and a wall going from the rib to a developing chamber at nearly the same height of the rib is arranged near the sealing member in the developing frame, and the wall is provided with an abutting surface coming into contact with the developer control member and leading to the control member abutting surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing frame, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus that prevent a developer from flowing out between both ends of a developing roller and a developing frame.

  An image forming apparatus such as a printer using an electrophotographic technique forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member), and the latent image is developed with toner. At the same time, the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image.

  In such an apparatus, the photosensitive drum, the charger, the developing unit, the cleaning member, and the like are integrated into a single cartridge to form a cartridge. The ones that make it possible to supply and replace the photosensitive drum parts that have reached the end of life and facilitate maintenance by the user are widely used.

  In such a developing device for a process cartridge, seal members for preventing the developer from flowing out of the developing area are provided at both ends of the rotating developer carrying member.

  Conventionally, an elastic member such as felt or foamed rubber has been used as the seal member for preventing the developer from flowing out. In addition to this, a magnetic seal member in which the inner peripheral surface is magnetized in multiple poles with NS poles. Is used with the configuration shown in Patent Document 1.

  The magnetic seal member is arranged in a non-contact manner with a constant gap on the developer carrier, and prevents the developer from flowing out by a concentrated magnetic field formed between the magnetic seal member and the magnet in the developer carrier. It has become. Unlike the above-described elastic members such as felt and foam rubber, the magnetic seal member is not in contact with the developer carrying member, which is advantageous in terms of increased torque and deterioration of the seal member.

  Also, recently, a magnetic brush portion of conductive magnetic particles in which conductive magnetic particles are carried and conveyed to an image carrier by a magnetic particle carrier having magnets disposed therein, and are magnetically restrained and held by the magnetic particle carrier. There is a magnetic brush type charging device for contacting the image carrier and rotating the magnetic particle carrier to circulate and convey the magnetic brush to the contact portion with the image carrier to charge the surface of the image carrier. Even in such an apparatus, the magnetic seal member is effective as a means for preventing the conductive magnetic particles from flowing out from both ends of the magnetic particle carrier.

JP-A-11-143225

  The present invention is a further development of the above-described conventional example, and provides a developing frame, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which toner leakage from the periphery of a seal member is prevented.

  In order to achieve the above object, a representative configuration according to the present invention includes a developer, a developing roller carrying the developer, and a developer regulation for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developing roller. A developing frame having a member and a seal member that seals the developer at a longitudinal end of the developing roller, the developing frame having a rib substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. The rib has a regulating member abutting surface that abuts the developer regulating member, and in the vicinity of the seal member, the developing frame body is substantially flush with the rib from the rib to the developing chamber. An opposing wall is provided, and the wall has an abutting surface that abuts on the developer regulating member and is continuous with the regulating member abutting surface.

  According to the present invention, toner leakage from the periphery of the seal member can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction that intersects with a direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (a direction that is substantially orthogonal, an axial direction of the image carrier) and is parallel to the surface of the recording medium. And a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal to) the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the left and right are left or right when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. In addition, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above when the process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

<Embodiment 1>
This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge, and FIG. 2 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of a process cartridge. Here, as an order of description, the overall configuration of the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described first, and then the detailed configuration related to the present invention will be described.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer, hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus”) A emits information light based on image information from an exposure apparatus 1 as an optical means. Irradiation to a photographic photoreceptor (hereinafter referred to as “photoreceptor drum”) 7 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 7, and this electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”). Thus, a toner image is formed.

  In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium (recording sheet, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 is separated and fed one by one from the cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c that presses the recording medium. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B along the guide 3f1 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as transfer means, and the recording medium 2 is transferred along the conveyance guide 3f2. It is conveyed to the fixing unit 5.

  The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b, and a fixing rotating body 5d composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a supporting body 5c. Is applied to fix the transferred toner image. The recording medium 2 is transported by a discharge roller 3d and discharged to the discharge unit 6 through a reverse transport path.

  In this embodiment, the pickup means 3b, the pressure contact member 3c, the discharge roller 3d, etc. constitute the conveying means 3.

(Process cartridge)
On the other hand, the process cartridge B includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a toner for cleaning the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There are cleaning means and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 7 that is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 8 that is a charging unit to apply the voltage to the photosensitive drum. The surface of the drum 7 is uniformly charged, and information light (light image) based on the image information from the exposure apparatus 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9b, thereby exposing the photosensitive drum 7 to light. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by developing means 10 as a developing device.

(Developer)
Next, the developing device D incorporated in the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The developing device D includes parts for supplying power to the first developing frame 10f1, the second developing frame 10f2, the end member 10g, and the developing roller 10d as the developer carrying member, which form the toner storage portion 10a. A developing roller 10d as a developer carrying member, a developing blade 10e as a developer regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the developing roller 10d, and toner leakage from both ends of the developing roller 10d are prevented. It consists of a magnetic seal member 10r (see FIG. 3).

  In the developing device D, the toner in the toner storage portion 10a is sent out by a rotatable feed member 10b that is a toner feeding means. Then, the developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotator (developer carrying member) incorporating the fixed magnet 10c, is rotated, and the toner layer to which frictional charge is applied by the developing blade 10e, which is a developer regulating member, is applied to the developing roller 10d. The toner image is formed on the surface and transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image and making it visible.

  The first developing frame 10f1 is supported rotatably with respect to the cleaning frame 11d so that the developing roller 10d of the developing device D can face the photosensitive drum 7 in parallel with a predetermined interval. A gap holding member 10m (see FIG. 3) for holding the gap between the developing roller 10d and the photosensitive drum 7 is disposed at both ends of the developing roller 10d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, there are holder members (hereinafter referred to as “end members”) 10g on both side surfaces of the first developing frame 10f1, and a coupling hole 10g8 for rotatably hanging on a cleaning device described later. The arm portion 10g7 is formed.

  The toner storage portion 10a and the developing chamber 10i are formed by combining a first developing frame 10f1 and a second developing frame 10f2. In other words, the developing device frame according to the present embodiment includes the first developing device frame 10f1 and the second developing device frame 10f2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first developing frame 10f1 includes a stirring shaft 10b1 for supplying toner and a sheet member 10b2 fixed to the stirring shaft 10b1, and regulates drive transmission and the length of the stirring shaft 10b1. A transport gear 10b3 is coupled to the stirring shaft 10b1 together with a seal member 10b4 that prevents the toner from flowing out of the first developing frame 10f1.

  Further, the first developing frame 10f1 is provided with a toner passage opening 10k through which the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 10a passes when supplied to the developing roller 10d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a toner seal member 27 is heated and fixed to the seal mounting portion 10h along the four edges of the toner passage opening 10k. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a toner filling port 10u for filling toner into the toner storage portion 10a is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first developing frame 10f1, and the cap member 10j after toner filling is provided with the cap member 10j. Sealed.

  The developing device D sends out the toner stored in the toner storage portion 10a by the feeding member 10b, forms a toner layer on the developing roller 10d by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet 10c, and supplies the toner layer. The latent image formed in 7 is developed with toner to make a visible image. The toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4.

  The configuration of the toner seal at the end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d will be described later.

(Cleaning device)
Next, the configuration of the cleaning device C will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7.

  The toner image developed by the developing means as described above is transferred to the recording medium 2 in the transfer portion, but the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer is scraped off by the cleaning blade 11a and scraped off by the squeeze sheet 11b. Residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed and stored by the cleaning means 11 collected in the removed toner storage portion 11c.

  The cleaning unit 11 is a unit that removes and stores toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer from the photosensitive member. The above-described cleaning blade 11a, squeeze sheet 11b, and removed toner storage portion 11c as removal means, and further, a first seal member 11e that prevents toner leakage from both sides of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a from the removal toner storage portion 11c as storage means. A second seal member 11h that prevents toner leakage behind the cleaning blade is fixed to a predetermined position of the cleaning frame 11d with a double-sided tape or the like.

  Next, the cleaning blade is fixed to a predetermined position of the cleaning frame 11d with screws, the cleaning blade 11a is prevented from leaking toner from both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a, and the wiping off member such as toner on the photosensitive drum is wiped off. The third sealing member 11f and the squeeze sheet 11b as a scooping member are fixed to the cleaning frame 11d by a double-sided tape 11g or the like.

  The cleaning device C supplies power to the cleaning unit 11, the photosensitive drum 7, the drum shutter 12, and the charging roller 8 from the image forming apparatus main body A, and further supplies power to the charging roller 8 from the electrode 8c. , A roller bearing 8b serving as a bearing, the other bearing 8a, and the like.

  The electrode 8c is fitted into the cleaning frame 11d, the roller bearing 8b and the other bearing 8a are incorporated into the cleaning frame, and the shaft portion of the charging roller 8 is fitted into the bearings 8a and 8b.

  The process cartridge B shown in this embodiment includes a cleaning device C that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 7 and a developing device D that develops a visible image on the photosensitive drum 7.

  A predetermined pressure is applied between the developing device D and the cleaning device C in order to maintain a gap.

  The photosensitive drum 7 is coupled to one side with a triangular coupling portion 70 for driving transmission, a developing roller 10, a gear for driving transmission to the transfer roller 4, a ground gear, and the like, and a drum gear 71 integrated with the other. The flange 85 which has is couple | bonded. The photosensitive drum 7 is supported by being press-fitted into the cleaning frame 11d so that the bearing 18c is coupled to the triangular coupling portion 70 side by a screw, and the other positioning pin 18d is accommodated in the positioning portion 18b.

  In the process cartridge B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a drum shutter 12 capable of integrally covering the transfer opening 9a and the exposure opening 9b facing the transfer roller 4 of the photosensitive drum 7 has a cleaning frame. The body 11d is rotatably provided.

(Drum shutter)
Here, the configuration of the drum shutter 12 will be briefly described.

  The drum shutter 12 includes a drum protection unit 12 a that can cover the transfer opening 9 a where the photosensitive drum 7 contacts the transfer roller 4. A rotating shaft 12b (see FIG. 2) for rotatably supporting the cleaning frame 11d in the vicinity of the charging roller 8 includes a sliding portion 12b1 that slides on the cleaning frame 11d at both ends of the rotating shaft 12b, and both ends. A connecting portion 12b3 that connects the sliding portion 12b1 is provided.

  The drum shutter 12 has connecting portions 12c provided at two left and right positions connecting both ends of the drum protection portion 12a and the outer side of the rotating shaft 12b. There is a rib 12e disposed on the outer side of the rotating shaft 12b1 and provided on the right connecting portion 12c and extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the drum shutter 12 (see FIG. 7). The rib 12e is a shutter on the image forming apparatus main body side. The posture that the drum shutter 12 is opened is held by the guide surface.

  A biasing force is applied to the drum shutter 12 in the direction in which the drum shutter 12 covers the photosensitive drum 7 by the spring force of the shutter spring 12d. Thereby, in a state where the process cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body, the drum shutter 12 maintains a closed state covering the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7 in the state shown in FIGS. On the other hand, in the state where the image forming operation is possible in the apparatus main body, the drum shutter opening / closing means on the image forming apparatus main body side is rotated to expose the transfer opening 9a as shown in FIGS. The posture is such that the transfer roller 4 can come into contact.

(Magnetic seal member and mounting method in developing device)
Next, a seal configuration for preventing toner leakage in the developing device D described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a magnetic seal. FIG. 8A shows the positional relationship among the first developing frame 10f1, the second developing frame 10f2, the developing roller 10d, the elastic member 30, and the magnetic seal member 10r. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the magnetic seal member 10r, and FIG. 5C is an explanatory view showing a magnetic field generation state in the magnetic seal member 10r. 9A and 9B show the positional relationship between the magnet 10r1 and the magnetic plate 10r2 of the magnetic seal member. FIG. 9A is an overall view, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the magnetic seal member 10r is attached to the first developing frame 10f1 and the second developing frame 10f2, and between this and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 10d. A gap g2 is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, a magnetic plate 10r2 made of a magnetic material is joined to the side surface of the magnet 10r1 in the width direction (longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d) of the magnetic seal member 10r. The magnet 10r1, which is a constituent element of the magnetic seal member 10r, is an injection-molded product having a width of 2.5 mm provided with a nylon binder containing Nd—Fe—B magnetic powder, and bonded to the side thereof. The magnetic plate 10r2 is made of an iron material having a thickness of 0.5 mm, and both are joined by insert molding by injection molding.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, a plurality of NS poles are magnetized on the inner peripheral surface 10r3 of the magnet 10r1 (the surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 10d), and the gap g2 with the developing roller 10d is formed. Magnetic brushing is formed to prevent toner leakage from the end of the developing roller 10d. In the present embodiment, the gap g2 is set to 0.1 to 0.7 mm, and the magnetic flux density due to the magnetic force of the magnetic seal member 10r at that time is about 1000 to 2000 Gs on the developing roller 6.

  By the way, the positional relationship between the magnet 10r1 and the magnetic plate 10r2 in the magnetic seal member 10r is such that the magnet 10r1 is disposed on the opening side of the first developing frame 10f1, as shown in FIG. The magnetic plate 10r2 is arranged on the outer side (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d).

  As described above, by arranging the magnet 10r1 on the opening side of the first developing frame 10f1 and the magnetic plate 10r2 on the outside of the opening, the magnetic lines of force of the magnetic seal member 10r are shown in FIG. 9B. Thus, since the magnetic plate 10r2 is formed between the magnet 10r1 and the magnetic plate 10r2 and enters the magnetic plate 10r2 having a high magnetic permeability, no lines of magnetic force are generated that extend outside the width of the magnetic seal member 10r. Accordingly, since the toner on the magnetic seal member 10r does not spread outward from the magnetic plate 10r2, it is possible to reliably hold the toner in a range where the magnetic force of the surface of the magnetic seal member 10r is strong. Even when an impact or the like is applied to the main body of the image forming apparatus when it is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body, a good sealing property that prevents toner from leaking is obtained.

  Next, a method for attaching the magnetic seal member 10r will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the magnetic seal member 10r, FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view of an attaching portion of the magnetic seal member 10r, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a method of attaching the magnetic seal member 10r. 13 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining the attachment portion of the magnetic seal member 10r of the first developing frame, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional explanation on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction for explaining the frame contact end surface 10r6 of the magnetic seal member 10r. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 10, the magnetic seal member 10r has a semicircular inner peripheral surface 10r3 that forms a gap g2 with the developing roller 10d on the inner peripheral side (developing roller 10d side). The outer peripheral side (the first development frame body 10f1 and the second development frame body 10f2 side) located on the side opposite to the inner peripheral surface 10r3 is in contact with the first development frame body 10f1 and the second development frame body 10f2. It has a semicircular arc-shaped circumscribed surface 10r4.

  Further, an elastic member 30 (see FIG. 8A) that is compressed and disposed between the sheet metal portion 10e1 (see FIG. 8A) of the developing blade 10e attached to the first developing frame 10f1 and the magnetic seal member 10. ) Has an elastic member contact surface 10r5.

  Further, it has a frame contact end surface 10r6 that is on the opposite side of the inner peripheral surface 10r3 as viewed from the elastic member outer surface 10r4 and contacts the second developing frame.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first developing frame 10f1 is provided with a mounting arc portion 10f14 that contacts the circumscribed surface 10r4 of the magnetic seal member 10r.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the second developing frame 10f2 is provided with a mounting arc portion 10f24 that comes into contact with the outer surface 10r4 of the magnetic seal member 10r, and the frame support of the magnetic seal member 10r. An attachment end surface 10f25 that abuts against the contact end surface 10r6 is provided. As shown in FIG. 8A, the magnetic seal member 10r is attached in a state where the first development frame body 10f1 and the second development frame body 10f2 are coupled, but the attachment end face 10f25 is more easily explained. Therefore, in FIG. 11B, only the second developing frame 10f2 is shown, and the first developing frame 10f1 is omitted.

  When assembling the magnetic seal member 10r to the developing frame consisting of the first developing frame 10f1 and the second developing frame 10f2, first, as shown in FIG. 12A, the mounting arc of the first developing frame 10f1 It is brought in until the circumscribed surface 10r4 of the magnetic seal member 10r comes into contact with the portion 10f14, and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the frame contact end surface 10r6 of the magnetic seal member 10r rotates until it abuts against the attachment end surface 10f25 of the second developing frame 10f2, the magnetic seal member 10r is rotated. It is determined at a predetermined position.

  In order to avoid the back surface 10r7 of the elastic member contact surface 10r5 from hitting the first developing / developing frame body 10f1, a gap s1 is provided. The gap s1 adopts a value that can absorb a shape error in manufacturing the first developing frame 10f1, the second developing frame 10f1, and the magnetic seal member 10r.

  The longitudinal end surfaces 10r8 and 10r9 (see FIG. 8B) of the magnetic seal member 10r are inserted between the positioning surfaces 10f15 and 10f16 (see FIGS. 11A and 13) of the first developing frame 10f1. By doing so, the magnetic seal member 10r is positioned in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, a non-contact surface 10f20 (see FIG. 11A) of the first developing frame 10f1 that does not contact the magnetic seal member 10r with a gap s1 with respect to the back surface 10r7 of the elastic member contact surface 10r5. Is provided.

  Next, a configuration for preventing toner leakage will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 22B, the toner enters the gap s1 between the non-contact surface 10f20 of the first developing frame 10f1 and the magnetic seal member 10r from the developing chamber 10i in the direction of the arrow xx1 in the drawing, and the gap s1. In order to prevent toner from leaking out of the process cartridge through the first developing device frame 10f1, the gap s1 and the developing chamber 10i are cut off in the first developing frame 10f1, and one side as shown in FIG. There is provided a rib 10f4 formed of a positioning surface 10f16 that defines the position of the magnetic seal member 10r.

  The rib 10f4 has a contact portion 10f17 (see FIGS. 20B and 23) other than the magnetic seal member 10r and the positioning surface 10f16 (see FIGS. 20B and 23), and is formed at a height that does not interfere with the elastic member 30 and the developing blade 10e. The thickness of 10f4 is appropriately designed.

  By the rib 10f4, toner does not enter from the developing chamber 10i into the gap s1 between the non-contact surface 10f20 of the first developing frame 10f1 and the magnetic seal member 10r, and toner leakage can be reliably prevented. is there.

  Further, the rib 10f4 increases the contact area between the positioning surface 10f16 (see FIG. 13) of the first developing frame and the magnetic seal member 10r, so that the magnetic seal member 10r is connected to the first developing frame 10f1 and the first developing frame 10f1. Assembling to the developing frame consisting of the two developing frame 10f2 becomes easy, and the process cartridge can be easily assembled.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a developing frame that can prevent the magnetic particles from flowing out from the gaps of the magnetic seal member with a simple configuration and can easily assemble the magnetic seal member.

  Next, the elastic member 30 is disposed on the elastic member contact surface 10r5 of the magnetic seal member 10r. The elastic member 30 is attached to the elastic member contact surface 10r5 using an adhesive means such as a double-sided tape.

  Next, the developing blade 10e is fixed to the first developing frame 10f1 using fixing means such as screws. The thickness of the elastic member 30 is set in advance by a compression allowance so that an elastic force is generated on the magnetic material abutting surface 10r5 in a state of being compressed and held between the sheet metal portion 10e1 of the developing blade 10e and the elastic member abutting surface 10r5. .

  Due to the elastic force generated by the elastic member 30, a rotational force is generated in the magnetic seal member 10r in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. The frame contact end surface 10r6, which is the rotation stop in the direction of arrow A, does not leave the circumscribed surface 10r4 from the mounting arc portion 10f14 of the first developing frame 10f1 and the mounting arc portion 10f24 of the second developing frame 10f2 by the rotational force. It is set so as to bite.

  This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The center of rotation when rotating the magnetic seal member 10r in the direction of arrow A is P1. The center P1 coincides with the center of the arc of the circumscribed surface 10r4. On the other hand, a line obtained by extending the frame contact end face 10r6 is L1, and two regions partitioned by L1 are A1 and A2. The region A1 is on the magnetic seal member 10r side, and the region A2 is on the attachment end surface 10f25 side.

  By setting the center P1 on the region A2 side, the rotational force acts on the side pressing the magnetic seal member 10r against the circumscribed surface 10r4 side, so that the outer circumscribed surface 10r4 of the magnetic seal member 10r is in contact with the first developing frame 10f1. The mounting arc portion 10f14 and the mounting arc portion 10f24 of the second developing frame 10f2 are not separated from each other. Therefore, the interval g1 between the developing roller 10d and the magnetic seal member 10r is fixed.

  Seal members 10s (see FIG. 3) that prevent toner leakage at both ends of the developing blade 10e are attached to the first developing frame body 10f1 and the second developing frame body 10f2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing blade 10e is fixed to the first developing frame 10f1 by screws with scraping members 10t for scraping off the toner at the ends of the developing roller 10d at both ends of the sheet metal portion 10e1. At this time, the rib 10f3 with the thin tip of the first developing frame 10f1 is set to have a size that always bites into the developing blade rubber portion 10e2.

  Alternatively, a double-sided tape (not shown) may be disposed on the developing blade rubber portion 10e2, and the rib 10f3 may be set to have a size that always bites into the adhesive layer of the double-sided tape.

  The rib 10f3 with the thin tip of the first developing frame 10f1 is set to have a size that always bites into the developing blade rubber portion 10e2, and therefore, as shown in FIG. A gap s11 is formed between the developing frame 10f1.

  Toner flows into the gap s11 from the developing chamber 10i, and the toner that has flowed advances in the direction of the arrow x1, the arrow x2, and the arrow x3 shown in FIG.

  The toner traveling in the direction of the arrow x1 in the figure is securely sealed by the rib 10f3 of the first developing frame 10f1 and the developing blade rubber portion 10e2, so there is no risk of toner leakage outside the process cartridge.

  Further, the toner traveling in the direction of the arrow x2 in the drawing is disposed at a position where the longitudinal position abuts against the developing blade rubber portion 10e2, is provided continuously with the rib 10f3, and has a wall 10f50 having substantially the same height as the rib 10f3. The toner flow in the x2 direction can be prevented by the rib 10f5 of the first developing frame 10f1 and the developing blade rubber portion 10e2.

  The toner traveling in the x3 direction is provided continuously with the rib 10f3, and the toner flow from the x3 direction can be prevented by configuring the wall 10f51 having the same height as the rib 10f3.

  The above-mentioned wall 10f50 and wall 10f51 are appropriately set in thickness and configured as ribs of the first developing frame 10f1.

  In the case where the rib 10f3 bites into the double-sided tape, if the wall 10f50 and the wall 10f51 are set to a height that bites into the developing blade rubber portion 10e2 or the double-sided tape, toner leakage can be similarly prevented.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the gap s11 between the developing blade rubber portion 10e2 and the first developing frame 10f1 with a simple configuration.

(Combination of developing device and cleaning device)
The developing device D and the cleaning device C are connected as follows as shown in FIG.

  An arm portion 10g7 protrudes from the two end members 10g toward the cleaning frame body 11d. A longitudinal coupling hole 10g8 provided at the tip of the arm portion 10g7 and a coupling (not shown) provided in the cleaning frame body 11d. The cleaning frame 11d and the end member 10g can be rotatably coupled by the pin 60 fitted into the hole.

  A compression coil spring 10g9a whose inner diameter is fitted to the spring stopper of one end member 10g is contracted between the cleaning frame 11d, and on the other hand, a tension spring 10g9b is hung on the cleaning frame 11d and the end member 10g. Then, the gap holding member 10m on both sides of the developing roller 10d and the photosensitive drum 7 are pressed against each other, the developing roller 10d and the photosensitive drum 7 are held with a predetermined gap, and the process cartridge B is completed.

  When the user purchases and uses the process cartridge B, the user holds the toner seal end portion 27a of FIG. 16 and pulls it out to open the toner passage opening 10k of the first developing frame 10f1, and from the toner storage portion 10a. The toner can be sent out to the developing chamber 10i and can be prepared for insertion into the image forming apparatus main body A.

(Removal of process cartridge B to / from image forming apparatus main body)
In order to mount the process cartridge B assembled as described above to the image forming apparatus main body, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, an arc portion 18c1 provided on one side surface of the process cartridge and The rotation stopper 18c2 is provided along a guide member Ga (see FIG. 18) as a mounting means provided on the apparatus main body, and a positioning section 18b and a protrusion 18e provided on the other side surface are provided as a mounting means provided on the apparatus main body. It mounts | wears by inserting along the member Gb (refer FIG. 19). When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the triangular coupling unit 70 is fitted to the drive transmission unit 90 (see FIG. 18) of the apparatus main body, so that the drive can be transmitted to the cartridge.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, an example in which a developer is used as an example of magnetic particles has been described. However, as described in the conventional example, in a magnetic brush charging type charging device using conductive magnetic particles, It is also possible to apply to a magnetic seal member as a means for preventing the conductive magnetic particles from flowing out from both ends of the particle carrier. That is, the same effects as those described in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the magnetic seal member 10r is attached across the two frames of the first developing frame and the second developing frame is shown. Is not essential, and there is no problem even if it is attached to one frame as in the conventional example, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the developing frame has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developing frame can be suitably applied to a process cartridge or an image forming apparatus using the developing frame.

  Although the process cartridge shown in the above-described embodiment is exemplified for forming a single color image, the process cartridge according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means, and a plurality of color images (for example, two-color images, three-color images, or The present invention can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a full color or the like.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoreceptor, and examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and organic photoconductor (OPC). As the shape for mounting the photoconductor, for example, a drum-like or belt-like one is used. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited on a cylinder made of aluminum alloy or the like. Is a coating.

  As the developing method, various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, cascade developing method, touch-down developing method, and cloud developing method can be used.

  In addition, the so-called contact charging method is used in the above-described embodiment for the structure of the charging means. However, as another structure, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of the tongue wire that has been conventionally used. Of course, it is also possible to use a configuration in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the surface of the photosensitive drum are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum and the surface of the drum is uniformly charged.

  In addition to the roller type, the charging means may be a blade (charging blade), pad type, block type, rod type, wire type, or the like.

  Further, as a method for cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning unit may be configured using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush, or the like.

  The process cartridge described above includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is an apparatus that combines an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a charging unit or a cleaning unit into a single cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

  That is, the above-described process cartridge refers to a cartridge in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be performed by the user himself.

  In the above-described embodiment, the laser beam printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, electrophotographic printers such as electrophotographic copying machines and LED printers, facsimile apparatuses, The present invention can be applied to an arbitrary electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a word processor or a multifunction machine (multifunction printer or the like).

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a process cartridge. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of a cleaning apparatus. It is a perspective explanatory view of a cleaning device. It is a perspective explanatory view of a cleaning device. It is explanatory drawing of a magnetic body seal. It is explanatory drawing of the positional relationship of the magnet of a magnetic body sealing member, and a magnetic board. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of a magnetic body sealing member. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing of the attachment part of a magnetic body sealing member. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows the magnetic body sealing member attachment method. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a magnetic seal member mounting portion of the first developing frame. It is sectional explanatory drawing in the surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction explaining the frame body contact end surface of a magnetic body sealing member. It is explanatory drawing which divided | segmented the image development apparatus and the cleaning apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a developing device and a cleaning device are combined. It is side surface explanatory drawing of a process cartridge. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge mounting guide of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge mounting guide of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a magnetic seal member of a first developing frame. FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional explanatory view of the vicinity of the magnetic seal member of the first developing frame. FIG. 6 is an explanatory perspective view of the vicinity of a magnetic seal member of a first developing frame. FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a magnetic seal member of a first developing frame.

Explanation of symbols

A Image forming device B Process cartridge C Cleaning device D Developing device P1 Center of rotation g2 Gap s1, s11 Gap 1 Exposure device 2 Recording medium 3 Conveying means 3a Cassette 3b Pickup roller 3c Pressure contact member 3d Discharge roller 3f1 Conveying guide 3f2 Conveying guide 4 Transfer Roller 5 Fixing means 5a Driving roller 5b Heater 5c Support 5d Fixing rotator 6 Discharge portion 7 Photosensitive drum 8 Charging roller 8a Bearing 8b Roller bearing 8c Electrode 9a Transfer opening 9b Exposure opening 10 Developing means 10a Toner storage portion 10b 1 Feeding member 10b1 Agitation shaft 10b2 Sheet member 10b3 Conveying gear 10b4 Seal member 10c Fixed magnet 10d Developing roller 10e Developing blade 10e1 Sheet metal part 10e2 Developing blade rubber part 10f1 First developing frame 10f14 Attached arc portion 10f15, 10f16 Positioning surface 10f17 Contact location 10f2 Second developing frame 10f20 Non-contact surface 10f24 Mounting arc portion 10f25 Mounting end surface 10f3, 10f4, 10f5 Rib 10f50, 10f51 Wall 10g End member 10g7 Arm portion 10g8 Joint hole 10g9a Compression coil spring 10g9b Tensile spring 10h Seal mounting portion 10i Developing chamber 10j Cap member after toner filling 10k Toner passage opening 10m Gap holding member 10r Magnetic seal member 10r1 Magnet 10r10 Protruding portion 10r11 Abutting surface 10r3 Inner surface 10r3 Inner surface 10r3 Inner surface 10r3 Surface 10r5 Elastic member contact surface 10r6 Frame body contact end surface 10r7 Back surface 10r8, 10r9 Longitudinal end surface 10s Seal member 10t Scraping member 10u Toner filling port 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cleaning means 11a Cleaning blade 11b Squee sheet 11c Removal toner accommodating part 11d Cleaning frame 11e, 11f, 11h Sealing member 11g Double-sided tape 12 Drum shutter 12a Drum protection part 12b Rotating shaft 12b1 Sliding part 12b3 Connecting part 12c Connecting part 12d Shutter spring 12d Rib 18b Positioning part 18c Bearing 18c1 Arc part 18c2 Anti-rotation part 18d Positioning pin 18e Projection 27 Toner seal member 27a Toner seal end part 30 Elastic member 60 Pin 70 Triangular coupling part 71 Drum gear 85 Flange 90 Drive transmission part

Claims (24)

A developer, a developing roller carrying the developer, a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developing roller, and the developer roller sealed at a longitudinal end of the developing roller; A developing frame having a sealing member to be stopped,
The developing frame has a rib that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, the rib has a regulating member abutting surface that abuts the developer regulating member, and in the vicinity of the seal member, A wall facing the developing chamber from the rib at substantially the same height as the rib is provided on the developing frame, and the wall is in contact with the developer regulating member and is in contact with the regulating member contacting surface. A developing frame, characterized by having:   A second wall facing the seal member from the rib or the wall is provided on the seal member side of the wall at substantially the same height as the rib, and the second wall is in contact with the developer regulating member, The developing frame according to claim 1, further comprising a contact surface continuous with the contact surface of the restriction member.   The developing frame according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a magnetic developer.   The developing device frame according to claim 1, wherein the developer regulating member includes a sheet metal portion and a rubber portion.   The said regulating member contact surface is a contact surface of the adhesive member which has an adhesive layer on both surfaces affixed on the said developer control member, and the said rib, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The developing frame described in 1.   The developing frame according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a magnetic seal member.   The developing frame according to claim 1, wherein the wall is a rib provided on the developing frame.   The developing frame according to claim 1, wherein the second wall is a rib provided on the developing frame. A developer, a developing roller carrying the developer, a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developing roller, and the developer roller sealed at a longitudinal end of the developing roller; A process cartridge having a sealing member to be stopped,
The developing frame has a rib substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, and the rib has a regulating member abutting surface that abuts the developer regulating member, and in the vicinity of the seal member, A wall facing the developing chamber from the rib is provided on the developing device frame at substantially the same height as the rib, and the wall is in contact with the developer regulating member and has a contacting surface continuous with the regulating member contacting surface. Process cartridge characterized by having.   A second wall facing the seal member from the rib or the wall is provided on the seal member side of the wall at substantially the same height as the rib, and the second wall is in contact with the developer regulating member, The process cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a contact surface that is continuous with the contact surface of the restriction member.   11. The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the developer is a magnetic developer.   The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the developer regulating member includes a sheet metal part and a rubber part.   13. The contact surface between the rib and the adhesive member having an adhesive layer on both surfaces attached to the developer regulating member and the rib. Process cartridge according to.   The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the seal member is a magnetic seal member.   The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the wall is a rib provided on the developing device frame.   The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the second wall is a rib provided on the developing device frame. A developer, a developing roller carrying the developer, a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developing roller, and the developer roller sealed at a longitudinal end of the developing roller; An image forming apparatus having a sealing member to be stopped.
The developing frame has a rib substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, and the rib has a regulating member abutting surface that abuts the developer regulating member, and in the vicinity of the seal member, A wall facing the developing chamber from the rib is provided on the developing device frame at substantially the same height as the rib, and the wall is in contact with the developer regulating member and has a contacting surface continuous with the regulating member contacting surface. An image forming apparatus comprising:   A second wall facing the seal member from the rib or the wall is provided on the seal member side of the wall at substantially the same height as the rib, and the second wall is in contact with the developer regulating member, The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a contact surface that is continuous with the control member contact surface.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the developer is a magnetic developer.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the developer regulating member includes a sheet metal part and a rubber part.   21. The contact surface between the rib and the adhesive member having an adhesive layer on both surfaces affixed to the developer regulating member, and the rib. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the seal member is a magnetic seal member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the wall is a rib provided on the developing device frame.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the second wall is a rib provided on the developing device frame.

Images