JP2005144841A - Manufacturing method of contact member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a manufacturing method of a contact member constituted so as to properly prevent the deterioration of the capacity of the contact member at the time of takeout of the contact member from a mold. <P>SOLUTION: In the layer thickness regulating member provided to a developing apparatus to regulate the layer thickness of the developer supported on a developer carrier and has the contact member comprising an elastic resin provided in order to be brought into contact with the developer carrier, the contact member is manufactured by injecting the elastic resin in a mold to subject the same to injection molding. This manufacturing method of the contact member has a step for molding the contact member having a handle provided to the longiitudinal end thereof by injection molding and a step for grasping the handle of the contact member molded by injection molding to take the contact member out of the mold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a contact member. In particular, it is a layer thickness regulating member that is provided in the developing device and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, and is made of an elastic resin that comes into contact with the developer carrier. The present invention relates to a contact member manufacturing method in which the contact member of a layer thickness regulating member having a contact member is manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to form the contact member.

  Image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers are already well known. Such an image forming apparatus includes, for example, a photoconductor as an example of an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor by a developer. When an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer, the developing device is positioned at a developing position facing the photosensitive member, and the latent image carried on the photosensitive member is developed with the developer in the developing device. A developer image is formed, the developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

  In order to realize the above-described function of developing the latent image carried on the photosensitive member, the developing device described above includes a developing roller as an example of a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, and the development roller. A regulating blade as an example of a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing roller in contact with the roller is provided. Such a developing device regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing roller by the regulating blade, and develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor with the developer having the regulated layer thickness.

The regulating blade has an abutting member made of an elastic resin that abuts against the developing roller in order to regulate the developer layer thickness. As a method for producing the abutting member, the elastic resin is used as a mold. A method by injection molding in which the abutting member is molded by injection is known.
JP-A-8-95377

  By the way, after the above-described contact member is formed by the injection molding, it is necessary to take out the formed contact member from the mold. As a method for removing a molded product from a mold after injection molding, a method of releasing the molded product from the mold by extruding the molded product with an ejector pin is well known.

  However, when taking out the contact member using such a method, the following problems may occur. That is, when the ejector pin pushes out the contact member, the contact member receives a force from the ejector pin, so that the contact member may be deformed. When the contact member is deformed, the performance is deteriorated, and the layer thickness of the developer is restricted when the layer thickness restricting member having the contact member is used in the developing device. May not be properly displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a contact member that appropriately prevents the performance of the contact member from deteriorating when the contact member is removed from the mold. It is to realize a manufacturing method.

  A main aspect of the present invention is a layer thickness regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of a developer provided on a developing device and carried on a developer carrying member, and an elastic resin for contacting the developer carrying member In the manufacturing method of an abutting member, the abutting member of the layer thickness regulating member having an abutting member is manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to mold the abutting member. Forming a contact member having a handle at a longitudinal end by injection molding; and gripping the handle and removing the contact member formed by injection molding from the mold And a manufacturing method of the contact member.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when taking out a contact member from a type | mold, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the manufacturing method of the contact member which prevents appropriately the performance of a contact member concerned.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A layer thickness regulating member provided in the developing device for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the abutting member made of an elastic resin for coming into contact with the developer carrying member In the manufacturing method of an abutting member manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to mold the abutting member, the layer thickness regulating member having Forming a contact member having a handle portion by the injection molding; and gripping the handle portion and taking out the contact member formed by the injection molding from the mold. The manufacturing method of the contact member characterized by these.
According to this manufacturing method, it is possible to appropriately prevent the performance of the corresponding contact member from being deteriorated when the contact member is taken out of the mold.

Further, the developer carrying member has a facing region that faces a latent image carrying region on the image carrying member, and the contact member formed by the injection molding includes the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. When the layer thickness regulating member is attached to the developing device, the handle portion may be provided at a non-contact end portion that does not contact the facing region.
When a layer thickness regulating member having an abutting member is mounted on a developing device and used, the layer thickness regulating member is more than the developer whose layer thickness is regulated by the non-abutting end of the abutting member. The developer whose layer thickness is regulated by the abutting end that abuts against the facing area when mounted on the developing device is more likely to be used for image formation. Therefore, it is preferable that a handle portion irrelevant to image formation is provided in the non-contact portion.

Moreover, after taking out the said contact member from the said type | mold, it is good also as having a step which removes the said handle part with a part of said non-contact end part from an applicable contact member.
In such a case, the function of the layer thickness regulating member, i.e., the function of regulating the layer thickness of the developer, is irrelevant when the layer thickness regulating member provided with the contact member is used in the developing device. It is more preferable in that the handle is removed from the contact member.

The mold includes a gate and a passage for guiding the elastic resin to the gate, and the non-contact end portion includes a portion formed by the gate and the passage. The abutting member may have the handle portion at a portion formed by the gate and the passage.
In such a case, the handle portion is more desirable in that it is located at a position farther away than the abutting end portion described above.

Moreover, the said handle part protrudes from the said longitudinal direction edge part, and the protrusion direction is good also as crossing the longitudinal direction of the said contact member.
In such a case, the handle portion can be easily gripped when the contact member is taken out.

The protruding direction may be along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact member.
In such a case, the handle can be more easily gripped when the contact member is taken out.

In addition, when the contact member formed by the injection molding is taken out from the mold by holding the handle portion, the longitudinal direction of the contact member may be along the vertical direction.
In such a case, the contact member can be taken out more smoothly.

  Further, the layer thickness regulating member has a metal support member for supporting the contact member, and the injection molding is performed by placing the elastic resin in a state where the support member is inserted into the mold as an insert. It is good also as insert molding which injects | emits to a type | mold and shape | molds the said contact member integrally with the said support member.

  Moreover, the said handle part of the said contact member shape | molded by the said insert shaping | molding is good also as protruding to the said supporting member side beyond the said supporting member from the said longitudinal direction edge part.

  When the handle portion protrudes on the side opposite to the support member side, when the grip portion is gripped and the contact member formed integrally with the support member is taken out, the contact member is removed from the support member. A force works in the direction of peeling. On the other hand, when the handle part projects beyond the support member to the support member side, it is more preferable in that the problem does not occur when the contact member is taken out.

  The elastic resin may be a thermoplastic elastomer.

  Further, a layer thickness regulating member provided in the developing device for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier, which is made of an elastic resin for contacting the developer carrier. In a manufacturing method of an abutting member, the longitudinal end of the abutting member of the layer thickness regulating member having an abutting member is manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to mold the abutting member A step of forming a contact member having a handle portion on the portion by the injection molding, and a step of grasping the handle portion and taking out the contact member formed by the injection molding from the mold. The developer carrying member has a facing region that faces a latent image carrying region on the image bearing member, and the contact member formed by the injection molding includes, among the end portions in the longitudinal direction, The layer thickness regulating member is mounted on the developing device. The non-contact end portion that does not contact the facing region is provided with the handle portion, and after the contact member is taken out of the mold, the non-contact end portion is removed from the contact member. A step of removing the handle part together with the part, wherein the mold has a passage for guiding the gate and the elastic resin to the gate, and the non-contact end portion includes the gate and the passage. The contact member has the handle portion on the portion formed by the gate and the passage, and the handle portion protrudes from the longitudinal end portion. The projecting direction intersects the longitudinal direction of the contact member, and the projecting direction is along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact member, and the contact formed by the injection molding. Grip the handle and hold the handle When taking out from the mold, the longitudinal direction of the contact member is along the vertical direction, and the layer thickness regulating member has a metal support member for supporting the contact member, and the injection molding Is insert molding in which the elastic resin is injected into the mold in a state where the support member is mounted on the mold as an insert, and the contact member is molded integrally with the support member, and is molded by the insert molding. The handle portion of the abutted member protrudes from the longitudinal end portion beyond the support member to the support member side, and the elastic resin is a thermoplastic elastomer. A member manufacturing method can also be realized.

  In this way, the effects of the present invention can be achieved more effectively because all the effects described above can be achieved.

=== Regulated blades ===
As described above, the regulating blade as an example of the layer thickness regulating member is provided in the developing device provided in the image forming apparatus or the like, and the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developing roller as an example of the developer carrying member. regulate.
Here, first, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus, and a developing device and a regulating blade will be described in order.

<<< Example of Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus >>>
First, the outline of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the printer 10 of FIG. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a YMCK developing unit 50, and a primary transfer unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier. 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning unit 75, and further controls a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 formed of a liquid crystal panel as a means for notifying a user, and these units. It has a control unit 100 that controls the operation as a printer.

The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.
The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on image information input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into toner T as an example of a developer accommodated in the developing device, that is, black (K) toner, magenta accommodated in the black developing device 51. An apparatus for developing using magenta (M) toner contained in the developing device 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing device 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing device 54 It is.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by rotating with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 mounted. Yes. That is, the YMCK developing unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 is rotatable around the central axis 50a while maintaining the relative position thereof. Each time image formation for one page is completed, it is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20 and is formed on the photoconductor 20 with the toner T contained in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54. The latent images are sequentially developed. Each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 described above is detachable from the holding portion of the YMCK developing unit 50. Details of each developing device will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is disposed on the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. After the toner image is transferred, the toner T remaining on the photoconductor 20 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image. That is, the main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes units of the apparatus main body (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, YMCK developing unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, display unit 95). Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving signals from sensors that are electrically connected and provided.

Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The photosensitive member 20, the developing roller, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated by the control. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . In the YMCK developing unit 50, a yellow developing device 54 that contains yellow (Y) toner is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.
The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner T is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.
The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

<<< Example of configuration of developing device >>>
Next, a configuration example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the developing device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the toner carrying area 510c and the facing area 510d on the developing roller 510. FIG. Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 represents a cross-section obtained by cutting the developing device along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 4, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 4, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and a yellow ( Y) Although a yellow developing device 54 containing toner is provided, the configuration of each developing device is the same, so the yellow developing device 54 will be described below.
The yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510, an upper seal member 520, a toner container 530, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550, a regulating blade 560, and the like.

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like, and is subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary.

  The developing roller 510 has a shaft portion 510a and a large diameter portion 510b, and the developing roller 510 is rotatably supported by supporting the shaft portion 510a. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 4). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the developing roller 510 has a toner-carrying region 510c capable of carrying the toner T on the large-diameter portion 510b. The yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image carried on the photoreceptor 20 with the toner T carried on the toner carrying area 510c. In order to appropriately develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20, the developing roller 510 faces the photoconductor 20 as described above. However, in the region where the latent image can be carried on the photoconductor 20. A region on the developing roller 510 (this region is referred to as a facing region 510d) facing a certain latent image bearing region 22 (indicated by a thick line with respect to the photoconductor 20 in FIG. 5) is from the toner bearing region 510c. Is also a slightly narrower range. As shown in FIG. 5, the facing area 510d is located on the center side of the toner carrying area 510c.

  Further, a gap exists between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 faces the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

  The upper seal member 520 prevents the toner T in the yellow developing device 54 from leaking outside the apparatus, and collects the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position into the developing apparatus without being scraped off. The upper seal member 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal member 520 is supported by an upper seal support sheet metal 522 and is attached to the housing 540 via the upper seal support sheet metal 522. Further, an upper seal urging member 524 made of malt plain or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the upper seal member 520, and the upper seal member 520 is an elastic force of the upper seal urging member 524. Is pressed against the developing roller 510. The contact position where the upper seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally molded housing parts, that is, an upper housing part 542 and a lower housing part 544, and contains toner for containing toner T therein. A body 530 is formed. The toner containing body 530 has two toner containing portions, that is, a first toner containing portion 530a and a second toner, by a partition wall 545 for dividing the toner T projected inwardly (in the vertical direction in FIG. 4) from the inner wall. It is divided into the accommodating portion 530b. The upper portions of the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b communicate with each other, and the movement of the toner T is restricted by the partition wall 545 in the state shown in FIG. However, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner accommodated in the first toner accommodating portion 530a and the second toner accommodating portion 530b is once collected on the upper communicating side of the developing position. When returning to the state shown in FIG. 4, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b. That is, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner T in the developing device is appropriately agitated.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the toner container 530 is not provided with a stirring member, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner container 530 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 530 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and the developing roller 510 is provided so as to face the opening 572.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 530a described above, supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a to the development roller 510, and remains on the development roller 510 after development. The toner T is peeled off from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the first toner storage portion 530a, and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a is transferred by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner storage portion 530a. Supplied to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4).

  The regulating blade 560 regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and gives an electric charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The configuration of the regulating blade will be described in detail later.

  In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T stored in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and the layer thickness is regulated and electric charge is applied when passing through the contact position. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 to which the layer thickness is regulated and the electric charge is applied reaches the developing position facing the photosensitive member 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and the photosensitive member is subjected to an alternating electric field at the developing position. The latent image formed on 20 is subjected to development. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal member 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

<<< Configuration example of regulated blade >>>
Next, a configuration example of the regulating blade 560 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the regulating blade 560. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the restriction blade 560 and the developing roller 510 in the longitudinal direction of the restriction blade 560.

  The regulating blade 560 is provided so as to extend from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the developing roller 510, contacts the developing roller 510, regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and Then, a charge is applied to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The regulation blade 560 includes an elastic resin contact member 562 for contacting the developing roller 510 and a support member 564 for supporting the contact member 562. The contact member 562 according to the present embodiment is made of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and has a hardness of 60 degrees or more and 95 degrees or less according to JIS-A. The support member 564 is a thin metal plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel.

  The contact member 562 has four surfaces along its longitudinal direction, that is, a contact surface 562a that contacts the developing roller 510, a front end surface 562b that is positioned at the front end of the regulating blade 560 in the short direction, and opposite to the front end surface 562b. A rear end surface 562c located on the side, and a contact surface 562d located on the opposite side of the contact surface 562a and contacting the support member 564 via an adhesive. The contact member 562 is bonded to the contact member 562 by an adhesive interposed between the contact surface 562d of the contact member 562 and the contact surface 564a (FIG. 8) of the support member 564 to the contact member 562. Is glued. The support member 564 is attached to the housing 540 via the blade support sheet metal 566 with one end thereof supported by the blade support sheet metal 566 (FIG. 4). Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560.

  Here, the contact member 562 is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending of the support member 564. Further, the blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the support member 564 and the housing 540, stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the support member 564, and makes contact from the back of the contact member 562. The contact member 562 is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the member 562 toward the developing roller 510. Therefore, the blade back member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the contact member 562 to the developing roller 510.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade support metal plate 566, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is the developing roller. 510 is in contact with a width. That is, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the belly. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact. The contact position where the regulating blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

  Focusing on the positional relationship between the regulating blade 560 and the developing roller 510 in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 560, as shown in FIG. 7, the positions of both ends of the contact member 562 of the regulating blade 560 are the developing roller 510. Are located outside the both end positions of the above-described facing region 510d. That is, the abutting member 562 has a portion that does not abut against the opposing region 510d at both ends thereof (this portion is referred to as a non-abutting end portion 562h). FIG. 7 shows a diagram in which both members are not in contact with each other in order to easily explain the positional relationship between the developing roller 510 and the regulating blade 560. It is in contact.

=== About the manufacturing method of the contact member ===
In the present embodiment, the above-described contact member 562 is manufactured by injection molding in which a thermoplastic elastomer is injected into a mold 202 as an example of a mold to form the contact member 562. Further, the contact member 562 is an insert for injecting a thermoplastic elastomer into the mold 202 in a state where the support member 564 is mounted on the mold 202 as an insert, and molding the contact member 562 integrally with the support member 564. Manufactured by molding. In this section, the manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing procedure of the contact member 562. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an adhesive is applied to the contact surface 564 a of the support member 564. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an injection molding machine. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of the mold 202. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the mold 202. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the XX cross section of FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the YY cross section of FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a ZZ cross section of FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is a view showing the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564. FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a state in which the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 is taken out from the mold 202. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing how the handle portion 562i and the like are cut and removed from the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564.

  In addition, the left figure of FIG. 12 represents the mode when the left figure of FIG. 11 is seen from the direction of the white arrow shown by the symbol A in FIG. Similarly, the right diagram of FIG. 12 shows a state when the right diagram of FIG. 11 is viewed from the direction of the white arrow indicated by the symbol B in FIG. Further, the lower diagram of FIG. 16 shows a state when the upper diagram of FIG. 16 is viewed from the direction of the white arrow. 11 shows a state where the mold 202 is opened, and FIGS. 13 to 15 show a state where the mold 202 is closed. 12 to 15 show the state of the mold 202 when the support member 564 is attached to the second mold 206. FIG. Further, in FIGS. 11 to 14 and FIG. 17, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, an adhesive (shown by hatched portions in FIG. 9) is uniformly applied to the contact surface 564 a of the support member 564 described above. And in order to dry an adhesive agent, the said supporting member 564 is left to stand for 1 hour or more (step S2).

  Next, the dried support member 564 is mounted on the mold 202 as an insert (step S4). As will be described in detail later, in order to facilitate removal of the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564, the mold 202 is divided into two molds (in the present embodiment, the two molds are used). , Which are referred to as a first mold 204 and a second mold 206, respectively). The support member 564 is attached to the second mold 206. The second mold 206 has a positioning pin, and the support member 564 has a positioning hole. By fitting the positioning pin into the positioning hole, the support member 564 is attached to the second mold 206. It can be accurately positioned at a predetermined position.

  Next, the mold 202 is closed, and the thermoplastic elastomer melted from the known injection molding machine 252 shown in FIG. 10 is injected into the mold 202 to mold the contact member 562 (step S6). That is, the thermoplastic elastomer is charged into the hopper 252a of the injection molding machine 252, and the charged thermoplastic elastomer is heated and melted in the injection cylinder 252b. The heat-melted thermoplastic elastomer is then injected into the mold 202 attached to the mold attachment portion 252c of the injection molding machine 252. The thermoplastic elastomer injected into the mold 202 includes a sprue 212 that is a receptacle for the thermoplastic elastomer injected from the injection molding machine 252, a runner 214 that is a passage for guiding the thermoplastic elastomer from the sprue to the gate, a cavity The cavities 218 in the mold 202 are filled through the gates 216, which are the inlets of 218. The temperature of the mold 202 is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the thermoplastic elastomer, and the thermoplastic elastomer in the mold 202 is cooled by the mold 202 so that the contact member 562 is integrated with the support member 564. Will be molded. Note that the adhesive on the contact surface 564a of the support member 564 dried in step S2 exhibits a function as an adhesive by reacting with the heat of the thermoplastic elastomer injected into the mold 202, and the support member 564 and the thermoplastic elastomer (that is, the contact member 562) are bonded.

  Here, the structure of the mold 202 and the shape of the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 by the mold 202 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the mold 202 includes two molds, that is, the first mold 204 and the second mold 206. As shown in FIG. 11, the first mold 204 has a guide bush 208, and the second mold 206 has a guide pin 210, and the guide pin 210 is fitted into the guide bush 208. Thus, the relative positions of the first mold 204 and the second mold 206 are accurately positioned.

  Further, the mold 202 includes the sprue 212, the runner 214, the gate 216, and the cavity 218, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sprue 212 is mainly provided in the second mold 206, and its inlet is located on the surface of the second mold 206 opposite to the surface on which the support member 564 is mounted. doing. The sprue 212 penetrates the second mold 206 from the entrance and reaches the first mold 204, and is adjacent to the runner 214 in the first mold 204.
The runner 214 is provided in the first mold 204, and is adjacent to the sprue 212, the second passage 214b adjacent to the first passage 214a, the second passage 214b, and to the gate 216. And a third passage 214c. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 12, the first passage 214a and the third passage 214c are provided along the vertical direction, and the second passage 214b is provided along the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 14, a handle forming portion 215 for forming the handle portion 562i is provided at a position of the second mold 206 facing the third passage 214c. The handle portion 562i will be described in detail later.

As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, the gate 216 is provided adjacent to the third passage 214 c and the cavity 218 of the runner 214 at the upper part in the vertical direction of the first mold 204.
As shown in FIG. 12 left and FIG. 14, the cavity 218 is provided adjacent to the gate 216 at the lower part in the vertical direction when viewed from the gate 216, and the longitudinal direction thereof is along the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the cavity 218 is provided at a position facing the contact surface 564 a of the support member 564 mounted on the second mold 206. With this configuration, the contact member 562 formed by the cavity 218 is bonded to the support member 564 by the adhesive applied to the contact surface 564a, and the contact member 562 is formed integrally with the support member 564. It will be.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the first mold 204 has a contact surface forming portion 204a for forming the contact surface 562a of the contact member 562 and a tip for forming the tip surface 562b. A surface forming portion 204b and a rear end surface forming portion 204c for forming the rear end surface 262c are provided. In other words, the first mold 204 joins the contact surface forming portion 204a and the front end surface forming portion 204b, which are formed of different members, and also has a contact surface forming portion 204a of the separate member. And a rear end face forming portion 204c.

  The contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 by such a mold 202 has a shape as shown in FIG.

  The length in the longitudinal direction of the portion of the contact member 562 formed by the cavity 218 is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 of the regulating blade 560 (FIG. 6) provided in the developing device after the manufacture is completed. It is getting longer. In other words, the length of the contact member 562 in the longitudinal direction of the aforementioned non-contact end portion 562h provided in the molded contact member 562 is provided in the contact member 562 shown in FIG. The non-contact end portion 562h is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, unlike the regulating blade 560 (FIG. 6) provided in the developing device after completion of manufacture, the contact member 562 is a portion formed by the sprue 212 (in this embodiment, the portion is a sprue portion 562e. A portion formed by the runner 214 (in this embodiment, this portion is referred to as a runner portion 562f), and a portion formed by the gate 216 (in this embodiment, the portion is a gate). Part 562g). The gate portion 562g and a part of the runner portion 562f (that is, a portion formed by the third passage 214c described above) constitute a part of the non-contact end portion 562h. That is, the non-contact end portion 562h includes a portion formed by the gate 216 and the runner 214.

  Furthermore, the contact member 562 is a non-contact end portion 562h of the contact member 562, and includes a handle portion 562i at a portion formed by the gate 216 and the runner 214 described above. The handle portion 562i is for gripping the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 when the contact member 562 is taken out from the mold 202 in a step (step S8) described later. Further, the handle portion 562i protrudes from the longitudinal end portion of the contact member 562, and the protruding direction intersects the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. More specifically, the protruding direction is along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. The handle portion 562i protrudes from the end portion in the longitudinal direction beyond the support member 564 to the support member 564 side. The handle portion 562i is cut and removed from the contact member 562 together with a part of the non-contact end portion 562h in a step (step S10) described later.

  Here, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the description of the manufacturing method of the contact member 562 is continued. When the thermoplastic elastomer is sufficiently cooled by the mold 202 (step S6), the mold 202 is opened. Therefore, the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 by injection molding is taken out from the mold 202 (step S8). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the handle 562 i is grasped from the opened mold 202 and the contact member 562 is taken out from the mold 202. As is clear from FIG. 17, when the contact member 562 is grasped by the handle portion 562i and taken out from the mold 202, the contact member 562 is described above with the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 being along the vertical direction. The contact member 562 is taken out from the first mold 204.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the handle portion 562i together with a part of the non-contact end portion 562h described above is cut and removed from the extracted contact member 562 (step S10). More specifically, by cutting the abutting member 562 at the cutting portion 572j in FIG. 18, a part of the non-abutting end portion 562h (the gate portion 562g and the third passage 214c of the runner portion 562f). The sprue part 562e, the runner part 562f, and the handle part 562i are separated from the contact member 562 and removed. Finally, the regulating blade 560 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, that is, the regulating blade 560 that is finally mounted on the developing device is manufactured.

  As described above, the manufacturing method of the contact member according to the present embodiment is formed by the step of forming the contact member having the handle portion at the longitudinal end thereof by the injection molding, and the injection molding. Gripping the handle portion and removing the contact member from the mold. If the contact member is manufactured by such a manufacturing method, it is possible to appropriately prevent the performance of the contact member from deteriorating when the contact member is removed from the mold.

  That is, as explained in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, after the contact member is formed by injection molding, it is necessary to take out the formed contact member from the mold. A method of releasing a molded product from a mold by extruding the molded product with a pin is well known.

  However, when taking out the contact member using such a method, the following problems may occur. That is, when the ejector pin pushes out the contact member, the contact member receives a force from the ejector pin, so that the contact member may be deformed. When the contact member is deformed, the performance is deteriorated, and the layer thickness of the developer is restricted when the layer thickness restricting member having the contact member is used in the developing device. May not be properly displayed.

  Therefore, a contact member 562 having a handle portion 562i at its longitudinal end is formed by injection molding, and the contact member 562 formed by the injection molding is gripped by the handle portion 562i, and a mold is formed. Suppose that it takes out from 202. In this way, when the contact member 562 is taken out, an inappropriate force is applied to the contact member 562, and the contact member 562 is deformed to avoid the above-mentioned problem. Can do. When the regulating blade 560 provided with the contact member 562 is mounted on the developing device and used, the function of regulating the layer thickness of the toner T is appropriately exhibited.

  As described above, if the contact member 562 is manufactured by the manufacturing method described above, it is possible to appropriately prevent the performance of the contact member 562 from deteriorating when the contact member 562 is removed from the mold 202. Is possible.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The manufacturing method of the contact member according to the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is limited. Not what you want. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the developing roller 510 has a facing area 510d that faces the latent image carrying area 22 on the photoconductor 20, and the contact member 562 formed by injection molding corresponds to the corresponding contact member 562. When the regulating blade 560 is mounted on the developing device, the handle portion 562i is provided at the non-contact end portion 562h that does not contact the facing region 510d. It is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the contact member 562 formed by injection molding is opposed to the opposite end when the regulating blade 560 is attached to the developing device among the longitudinal ends of the contact member 562. It is good also as providing the said handle part 562i in the contact edge part contact | abutted to the area | region 510d.

  When the regulating blade 560 having the abutting member 562 is mounted on a developing device and used, the abutting end is more than the toner whose layer thickness is regulated by the non-abutting end 562h of the abutting member 562. The toner T whose layer thickness is regulated by the portion is more likely to be used for image formation. Therefore, it is preferable that the handle portion 562i irrelevant to image formation is provided in the non-contact portion 562h, and in this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable. FIG. 19 is a view showing a variation of the formed contact member 562.

  In the above embodiment, after removing the contact member 562 from the mold 202, the handle 562i is removed from the contact member 562 together with a part of the non-contact end portion 562h. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as not having the said step which removes a handle part.

  When the regulating blade 560 having the contact member 562 is mounted on the developing device and used, the handle portion 562i irrelevant to the function of the regulating blade 560, that is, the function of regulating the layer thickness of the toner T, It is preferable that it is removed. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mold 202 includes the gate 216 and the runner 214, and the non-contact end portion 562h includes a portion formed by the gate 216 and the runner 214. The contact member 562 has the handle portion 562i at the portion formed by the gate 216 and the runner 214, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, it is good also as having the handle part 562i in the part shape | molded by the cavity 218 among the said non-contacting edge parts 562h.
However, the above-described embodiment is more preferable in that the handle portion 562i is located at a position farther away than the above-described contact end portion. FIG. 20 is a view showing a variation of the formed contact member 562.

In the above embodiment, the handle portion 562i protrudes from the longitudinal end portion of the contact member 562, and the protruding direction intersects the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. It is not limited to this. For example, the handle portion 562i may not protrude from the contact member 562.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the handle 562i can be easily gripped when the contact member 562 is taken out.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the said protrusion direction was along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the protruding direction may not be along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the handle portion 562i can be more easily gripped when the contact member 562 is taken out. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a variation of the formed contact member 562. In FIG.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the contact member 562 formed by injection molding is gripped by the handle portion 562i and taken out from the mold 202, the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 is in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, when the contact member 562 is taken out, the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 may be along a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the removal of the contact member 562 becomes smoother. FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing a state in which the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 is taken out from the mold 202.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the regulation blade 560 has a metal support member 564 for supporting the abutting member 562, and the injection molding is mounted on the mold 202 using the support member 564 as an insert. In this state, the elastic resin is injected into the mold 202 and the abutting member 562 is integrally formed with the support member 564. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the contact member is formed by the injection molding, and after the molded contact member is taken out from the mold, the contact member 562 and the support member 562 are bonded to manufacture the regulating blade 560. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the handle portion 562i of the contact member 562 formed by the insert molding protrudes from the longitudinal end portion of the contact member 562 to the support member 564 side beyond the support member 564. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the support member 564 may protrude to the opposite side.

  When the handle portion 562i protrudes on the side opposite to the support member 564 side, the handle portion 562i is gripped and the contact member 562 formed integrally with the support member 564 is taken out from the mold 202. At this time, a force acts in a direction in which the contact member 562 is peeled off from the support member 564. On the other hand, in the case where the handle portion 562i protrudes beyond the support member 564 toward the support member 564, the above embodiment is more preferable in that no problem occurs when the contact member 562 is taken out. . FIG. 23 is a view showing a variation of the formed contact member 562. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the elastic resin is a thermoplastic elastomer. However, the elastic resin is not limited to these and may be other materials.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the handle part 562i was provided only in the longitudinal direction one side edge part of the contact member 562, it is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the handle portions 562 i may be provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. FIG. 24 is a view showing a variation of the formed contact member 562.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer 10 in FIG. 1. It is a conceptual diagram of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the image development apparatus. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a toner carrying area 510c and a counter area 510d on the developing roller 510. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a regulating blade 560. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a positional relationship between the regulating blade 560 and the developing roller 510 in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 560. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing procedure of the contact member 562. It is a figure which shows a mode that the adhesive agent was apply | coated to the contact surface 564a of the supporting member 564. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an injection molding machine. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of a mold 202. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal structure of a mold 202. It is the schematic diagram which showed the XX cross section of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the YY cross section of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the ZZ cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the contact member 562 shape | molded integrally with the support member 564. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a contact member 562 formed integrally with a support member 564 is taken out from a mold 202. It is the schematic diagram which showed a mode that the handle part 562i etc. were cut | disconnected and removed from the contact member 562 shape | molded integrally with the support member 564. FIG. It is a figure which shows the variation of the shape | molded contact member 562. FIG. It is a figure which shows the variation of the shape | molded contact member 562. FIG. It is a figure which shows the variation of the shape | molded contact member 562. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a contact member 562 formed integrally with a support member 564 is taken out from a mold 202. It is a figure which shows the variation of the shape | molded contact member 562. FIG. It is a figure which shows the variation of the shape | molded contact member 562. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser beam printer 20 Photosensitive body 22 Latent image carrying | support area | region 30 Charging unit 40 Exposure unit 50 YMCK developing unit 50a Rotating shaft 51 Black developing device 52 Magenta developing device 53 Cyan developing device 54 Yellow developing device 55 Support frame 55a, 55b, 55c , 55d holder 60 primary transfer unit 70 intermediate transfer member 75 cleaning unit 76 cleaning blade 80 secondary transfer unit 90 fixing unit 92 paper feed tray 94 paper feed roller 95 display unit 96 registration roller
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control unit 101 Main controller 102 Unit controller 112 Interface 113 Image memory 120 CPU
202 Mold 204 First mold 204a Contact surface forming portion 202b Front end surface forming portion 204c Rear end surface forming portion 206 Second die 208 Guide bush 210 Guide pin 212 Sprue 214 Runner 214a First passage 214b Second passage 214c Third Passage 215 Handle molding part 216 Gate 218 Cavity 252 Injection molding machine 252a Hopper part 252b Injection cylinder 252c Mold mounting part 510 Developing roller 510a Shaft part 510b Large diameter part 510c Toner carrying area 510d Opposing area 520 Upper seal member 522 Upper seal support sheet metal 524 Upper seal urging member 530 Toner container 530a First toner container 530b Second toner container 540 Housing 542 Upper housing part 544 Lower housing part 545 Partition wall 550 Toner supply Roller 560 Restricting blade 562 Contact member 562a Contact surface 562b Front end surface 562c Rear end surface 562d Contact surface 562e Sprue portion 562f Runner portion 562g Gate portion 562h Non-contact end portion 562i Handle portion 562j Cutting portion 564 Support member 564a Blade support sheet metal 570 Blade back member 572 Opening T Toner

Claims (11)

A layer thickness regulating member provided in the developing device for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the abutting member made of an elastic resin for coming into contact with the developer carrying member A layer thickness regulating member having
In the manufacturing method of the contact member, the contact member is manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to form the contact member.
Forming a contact member having a handle at its longitudinal end by injection molding;
And a step of grasping the handle portion and taking out the contact member formed by the injection molding from the mold. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to claim 1,
The developer carrying member has a facing region facing a latent image carrying region on the image carrying member,
The contact member formed by the injection molding is
Of the longitudinal ends,
When the layer thickness regulating member is mounted on the developing device, a non-contact end portion that does not contact the facing region;
And a handle member manufacturing method. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to claim 2,
A method for producing a contact member, comprising: removing the handle portion together with a part of the non-contact end portion from the contact member after the contact member is taken out of the mold. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to claim 3,
The mold has a gate and a passage for guiding the elastic resin to the gate,
The non-contact end portion includes a portion formed by the gate and the passage,
The contact member has the handle at a portion formed by the gate and the passage. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said handle part protrudes from the said longitudinal direction edge part, The protrusion direction cross | intersects the longitudinal direction of the said contact member, The manufacturing method of the contact member characterized by the above-mentioned. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to claim 5,
The method of manufacturing a contact member, wherein the protruding direction is along a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the contact member. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the contact member formed by the injection molding is gripped by the handle and taken out from the mold, the contact member is characterized in that a longitudinal direction of the contact member is along a vertical direction. Manufacturing method of member. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The layer thickness regulating member has a metal support member for supporting the contact member,
The injection molding is insert molding in which the elastic resin is injected into the mold in a state where the support member is mounted on the mold as an insert, and the contact member is molded integrally with the support member. A manufacturing method of the contact member. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to claim 8,
The method of manufacturing a contact member, wherein the handle portion of the contact member formed by the insert molding protrudes from the end in the longitudinal direction beyond the support member toward the support member. In the manufacturing method of the contact member according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The method for manufacturing a contact member, wherein the elastic resin is a thermoplastic elastomer. A layer thickness regulating member provided in the developing device for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, the abutting member made of an elastic resin for coming into contact with the developer carrying member A layer thickness regulating member having
In the manufacturing method of the contact member, the contact member is manufactured by injection molding in which the elastic resin is injected into a mold to form the contact member.
Forming a contact member having a handle at its longitudinal end by injection molding;
Gripping the handle portion and taking out the contact member formed by the injection molding from the mold, and
The developer carrying member has a facing region facing a latent image carrying region on the image carrying member,
The contact member formed by the injection molding is
Of the longitudinal ends,
When the layer thickness regulating member is mounted on the developing device, a non-contact end portion that does not contact the facing region;
Provided with the handle part,
Removing the handle portion together with a part of the non-contact end portion from the contact member after the contact member is removed from the mold;
The mold has a gate and a passage for guiding the elastic resin to the gate,
The non-contact end portion includes a portion formed by the gate and the passage,
The contact member has the handle portion in a portion formed by the gate and the passage,
The handle portion protrudes from the longitudinal end portion, and the protruding direction intersects the longitudinal direction of the contact member,
The protruding direction is along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the contact member,
When the abutting member molded by the injection molding is gripped by the handle portion and taken out from the mold, the longitudinal direction of the abutting member is along the vertical direction,
The layer thickness regulating member has a metal support member for supporting the contact member,
The injection molding is insert molding in which the elastic resin is injected into the mold in a state where the support member is mounted on the mold as an insert, and the contact member is molded integrally with the support member,
The handle portion of the abutting member formed by the insert molding protrudes from the longitudinal direction end portion to the support member side beyond the support member,
The method for manufacturing a contact member, wherein the elastic resin is a thermoplastic elastomer.

Images