JP2005227602A - Developing device, image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a developing device appropriately preventing developer from being leaked from a boundary part between an abutting member and a seal member in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member, and to realize an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device has a developer carrier for carrying the developer, a layer thickness regulating member equipped with an abutting member for abutting on the developer carrier and a supporting member for supporting the abutting member, and regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier by making the abutting member abut on the developer carrier, and the seal member provided on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member and preventing the leakage of the developer, and develops a latent image carried on an image carrier with the developer carried on the developer carrier. In the developing device, the boundary part between the abutting member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member is covered with the supporting member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  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 includes a contact member for contacting the developing roller, and a support member for supporting the contact member, and the developing device further includes a longitudinal direction of the contact member. A seal member is provided on the outer side to prevent developer leakage.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-29114

  By the way, since the sealing member described above is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member of the regulating blade, the developer may leak from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately prevent the developer from leaking from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. An object is to realize a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  The main present invention includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a contact member for contacting the developer carrying member, and a support member for supporting the contact member. A contact thickness member provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member; and a layer thickness regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier by contacting the developer carrier. A developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrying member, in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. In the developing device, a boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member is covered with the support member.

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

  According to the present invention, the developing device, the image forming apparatus, and the image forming system that appropriately prevent the developer from leaking from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member is realized. It becomes possible to do.

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

A developer carrying member for carrying the developer, a contact member for contacting the developer carrying member, and a support member for supporting the contact member, wherein the contact member is the developing member. A layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the developer carrying member and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a seal provided on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member to prevent developer leakage A developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrier, and the contact member and the seal in the longitudinal direction of the contact member A developing device characterized in that a boundary with a member is covered with the support member.
According to such a developing device, it is possible to appropriately prevent the developer from leaking from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member.

Further, a surface of the contact member opposite to the contact surface is fixed to the support member, and the support member extends beyond the boundary portion to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. It is good to be.
The seal member may be located on the same side as the contact member as viewed from the support member, and the seal member may be fixed to the support member.
In such a case, the sealing member is more desirably fixed.

Moreover, the said sealing member is good also as being fixed to the extension part extended to the longitudinal direction outer side of the said contact member of the said supporting member.
In such a case, the sealing member is more preferably fixed more steadily.

Moreover, the said sealing member is good also as being fixed to the said extension part with the double-sided tape.
In such a case, it is more desirable in that the seal member can be fixed by a simple method.

Further, the contact member and the seal member may be fixed to the support member with a common double-sided tape.
In such a case, it is more preferable that the boundary portion is covered with a double-sided tape.

A developer carrying member for carrying the developer; a contact member for contacting the developer carrying member; and a support member for supporting the contact member. A layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the developer carrying member to regulate the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member to prevent developer leakage. A developing device that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrier, and the contact member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member; A boundary portion with the seal member is covered with the support member, and a surface of the contact member opposite to the contact surface is fixed to the support member, and the support member is It extends beyond the boundary part to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member, and the front The seal member is located on the same side as the contact member when viewed from the support member, the seal member is fixed to the support member, and the seal member is formed on the support member. The seal member is fixed to the extension portion with double-sided tape, and the contact member and the seal member are attached to the support member. A developing device characterized by being fixed by a common double-sided tape 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.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developer carrier for carrying a developer, a contact member for contacting the developer carrier, and a support member for supporting the contact member A layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body by contacting the developer carrying body, and a longitudinal direction of the contact member A developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer carried on the developer carrier, and a seal member that is provided on the outside in the direction and prevents leakage of the developer; In the image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus, a boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in a longitudinal direction of the contact member may be covered with the support member. is there.
According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately prevent the developer from leaking from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member.

Further, a computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developer carrier for carrying a developer, and the developer carrier An abutting member for abutting, and a supporting member for supporting the corresponding abutting member, wherein the abutting member abuts on the developer carrying member and the developer carried on the developer carrying member A layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness; and a seal member that is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member and prevents leakage of the developer. The developer carried on the developer carrier An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier; and a boundary between the contact member and the seal member in a longitudinal direction of the contact member Part is covered by the support member Image forming system comprising also feasible that you are.
According to such an image forming system, it is possible to appropriately prevent the developer from leaking from the boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. 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 an image signal 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.

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. Under the control, the photosensitive member 20, the developing roller as an example of the developer carrying member, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated. 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.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each unit (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) of the apparatus main body. Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor included in them.

=== Configuration Example 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 main components of the developing device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the toner-carryable area 510c and the opposed 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 as an example of a layer thickness regulating member, 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. Further, the upper seal support sheet metal 522 constitutes a part of a frame 526 described later.

  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 and its surroundings 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.

=== Regulated blade and its surrounding structure ===
Next, the configuration of the regulating blade 560 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the regulating blade 560. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a state in which the regulating blade 560 is fixed to the blade support metal plate 566. FIG. 7A shows the contact surface 562a of the contact member 562 to the developing roller 510 in front. FIG. 7B is a front view of the surface of the contact member 562 that is opposite to the contact surface 562a of the contact member 562 with respect to the developing roller 510. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blade support sheet metal 566. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the regulating blade 560 having the end seal 527 fixed to the support member 564 is fixed to the blade support metal plate 566. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a position on the support member 564 to which the double-sided tape is attached. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the layer thickness regulating unit 563. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the layer thickness regulating unit 563 is mounted on the housing 540. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing roller 510 is supported by the bearing member 580.

  As described above, the regulating blade 560 regulates the layer thickness of the toner T as the developer carried on the developing roller 510 as the developer carrying member, and also applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the regulation blade 560 includes a contact member 562 for contacting the developing roller 510 and a support member 564 for supporting the corresponding contact member 562. The contact member 562 is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like having a thickness of about 2 mm, and the support member 564 is a thin plate having a thickness of 1 mm or less having a spring property such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 4, the contact surface 562 a of the contact member 562 is in contact with the developing roller 510 and exerts the above function on the toner T carried on the developing roller 510.
Further, the contact member 562 is supported by a support member 564 as shown in FIG. More specifically, the surface opposite to the contact surface 562a of the contact member 562, that is, the back surface 562b (FIG. 4) is fixed to one end portion in the short direction of the support member 564 with double-sided tape. Thus, the contact member 562 is supported by the support member 564.

  The support member 564 presses the contact member 562 against the developing roller 510 by its urging force. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the support member 564 has its other end in the short direction fixed to the blade support metal plate 566. The blade support metal plate 566 is, for example, a steel plate having a galvanized layer.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the blade support metal plate 566 is formed by bending a rectangular member having a thickness of 1.8 mm or more along the longitudinal direction thereof, a first bent portion 566 a, a support portion 566 b, and a second member. A bent portion 566c is provided. The bending directions of the first bent portion 566a and the second bent portion 566c are opposite directions, and the cross section is formed in a so-called Z shape as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, of the first bent portion 566a and the second bent portion 566c, the one closer to the contact member 562 is defined as the first bent portion 566a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7A, and 7B, the support member 566b supports the regulating blade 560 with the support member 564 fixed to the support portion 566b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an end seal 527 as an example of a seal member is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 of the regulation blade 560. The end seal 527 is located on the same side as the contact member 562 when viewed from the support member 564. The end seal 527 is formed of a nonwoven fabric and has a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the peripheral surface and the housing 540 at the axial end of the developing roller 510. The thickness of the end seal 527 is larger than the thickness of the contact member 562 of the regulating blade 560 described above, and the thickness is about 2.6 mm. FIG. 9 shows only one longitudinal end portion of the regulating blade or the like, but the same applies to the other end.

  Further, the end seal 527 is fixed to the support member 564 of the regulating blade 560. More specifically, the support member 564 has an extension portion 564a (FIG. 6) extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562, and the end seal 527 is attached to the extension portion 564a with a double-sided tape. It is fixed with. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, the boundary portion 528 between the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 extends beyond the boundary portion 528 in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. It is covered by the support member 564 extending to the surface.

  As described above, the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 are both fixed to the support member 564 with double-sided tape, but both members are common. It is fixed to the support member 564 with double-sided tape. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the double-sided tape is pasted from one end 564b in the longitudinal direction of the support member 564 to the other end 564c (the position where the double-sided tape is pasted in FIG. The contact member 562 and the end seal 527 are bonded to a single double-sided tape attached to the member 564, whereby both members are fixed to the support member 564.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the blade support metal plate 566 has screw holes 566d for fixing the blade support metal plate 566 to the developing device at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 566b. The blade support metal plate 566 is fixed to the frame 526 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 566b by screws 567.

  In the present embodiment, the unit shown in FIG. 11 in which the regulating blade 560, the blade support metal plate 566 to which the regulating blade 560 is fixed, and the frame 526 are integrated is referred to as a layer thickness regulating unit 563. .

  As shown in FIG. 12, the layer thickness regulating unit 563 is attached to the housing 540 described above. As is clear from FIG. 12, the housing 540 has an end seal 527 at a portion of the housing 540 formed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 510 in a state where the layer thickness regulating unit 563 is mounted on the housing 540. It is configured to be laid along.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the layer thickness regulating unit 563 is positioned by a bearing member 580 for receiving the shaft portion 510 a of the developing roller 510. Further, the developing roller 510 is provided outside the developing roller passage hole 568 in a state where the shaft portion 510a passes through the developing roller passage hole 568 (FIG. 11) and the hole provided in the housing 540. Supported by a bearing member 580. In this state, the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 are in contact with the toner-carryable region 510c and the non-toner-carryable region on the surface of the developing roller 510, respectively. Demonstrate the function.

  Further, the end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade support metal plate 566, that is, the free end is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and is a portion separated from the free end by a predetermined distance. However, it contacts the developing roller 510 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. Further, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that the free end 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.

  Further, a blade back member 570 (FIG. 4) made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560. The blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from leaking between the restriction blade 560 and the housing 540, prevents the toner T from leaking from the space, and stabilizes the elastic force of the support member 564 of the restriction blade 560. Let Further, the blade back member 570 presses the contact member 562 against the developing roller 510 by urging the contact member 562 from the back of the contact 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.

  11 to 13 show only one longitudinal end portion of the regulating blade or the like, but the same applies to the other end.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the boundary portion 528 between the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562 is covered with the support member 564. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent the toner T from leaking from the boundary portion 528.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Absent. 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-described embodiment, the intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  Also, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller, which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the surface of the contact member 562 opposite to the contact surface 562a, that is, the back surface 562b is fixed to the support member 564, and the support member 564 is connected to the boundary portion. Although it is assumed that the contact member 562 extends to the outside in the longitudinal direction beyond 528, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rear end surface of the contact member located at the rear end in the short direction of the contact member may be fixed to the support member 564.

In the above embodiment, the end seal 527 is located on the same side as the contact member 562 when viewed from the support member 564, and the end seal 527 is fixed to the support member 564. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the end seal may be fixed to a member (for example, a frame or a housing) other than the support member.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the end seal 527 is fixed steadily.

In the above embodiment, the end seal 527 is fixed to the extended portion 564a of the support member 564 that extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the contact member 562. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, it is good also as fixing to the position (it shows with a shaded part in Drawing 14) near the blade support sheet metal rather than the extension part in the transversal direction of a support member.
However, the above embodiment is more desirable in that the end seal 527 can be fixed more steadily. FIG. 14 is a view showing a position on the support member for fixing the end seal.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the edge part seal | sticker 527 was fixed to the said extension part 564a with the double-sided tape, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be fixed with an adhesive.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the end seal 527 can be fixed by a simple method.

In the above-described embodiment, the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 are fixed to the support member 564 with a common double-sided tape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact member 562 and the end seal 527 may be fixed with separate double-sided tapes.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the boundary portion 528 is also covered with a double-sided tape.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

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 a perspective view of a restriction blade 560. FIG. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a state in which the regulating blade 560 is fixed to the blade support metal plate 566. FIG. It is a perspective view of a blade support sheet metal 566. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a regulating blade 560 having an end seal 527 fixed to a support member 564 is fixed to a blade support metal plate 566. It is the figure which showed the position on the support member 564 where a double-sided tape is stuck. 5 is a perspective view showing a layer thickness regulating unit 563. FIG. It is the figure which showed the state where the layer thickness control unit 563 is mounted in the housing 540. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developing roller 510 is supported by a bearing member 580. It is the figure which showed the position on the support member which fixes an edge part seal | sticker. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 15.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser beam printer 20 Photosensitive body 22 Latent image holding | maintenance area | region 30 Charging unit 40 Exposure unit 50 YMCK developing unit 50a Center axis 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
510 Developing roller 510a Shaft portion 510b Large diameter portion 510c Toner carrying region 510d Opposing region 520 Upper seal member 522 Upper seal support sheet metal 524 Upper seal biasing member 526 Frame 527 End seal 528 Boundary portion 530 Toner container 530a First toner Housing portion 530b Second toner housing portion 540 Housing 542 Upper housing portion 544 Lower housing portion 545 Partition wall 550 Toner supply roller 560 Restriction blade 562 Contact member 562a Contact surface 562b Back surface 563 Layer thickness restriction unit 564 Support member 564a Extension portion 564b One end 564c The other end 566 Blade support sheet metal 566a First bent portion 566b Support portion 566c Second bent portion 566d Screw hole 567 Screw 568 Development roller passage hole 570 Blade Member 572 opening 580 bearing member 700 imaging system 702 computer 704 display device 706 printer 708 input device 708A keyboard 708B mouse 710 reader 710A flexible disk drive device 710B CD-ROM drive device 802 internal memory 804 hard disk drive unit T toner

Claims (9)

A developer carrier for carrying the developer;
A contact member for contacting the developer carrying member; and a support member for supporting the contact member, wherein the contact member abuts the developer carrying member to the developer carrying member. A layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the carried developer;
A seal member that is provided on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member and prevents leakage of the developer,
In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrier,
A developing device, wherein a boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in a longitudinal direction of the contact member is covered with the support member. The developing device according to claim 1,
A surface of the contact member opposite to the contact surface is fixed to the support member;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the support member extends beyond the boundary portion to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member. The developing device according to claim 2,
The developing device, wherein the seal member is located on the same side as the contact member when viewed from the support member, and the seal member is fixed to the support member. The developing device according to claim 3,
The sealing member is
An extension portion of the support member that extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the contact member;
A developing device characterized in that it is fixed to the developing device. The developing device according to claim 4,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is fixed to the extending portion with a double-sided tape. The developing device according to claim 5,
The developing device, wherein the contact member and the seal member are fixed to the support member with a common double-sided tape. A developer carrier for carrying the developer;
A contact member for contacting the developer carrying member; and a support member for supporting the contact member, wherein the contact member abuts the developer carrying member to the developer carrying member. A layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the carried developer;
A seal member that is provided on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member and prevents leakage of the developer,
In the developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrier,
A boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the contact member is covered with the support member;
A surface of the contact member opposite to the contact surface is fixed to the support member;
The support member extends beyond the boundary portion to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the contact member,
The seal member is located on the same side as the contact member when viewed from the support member, and the seal member is fixed to the support member;
The sealing member is
An extension portion of the support member that extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the contact member;
Is fixed to
The seal member is fixed to the extension part with a double-sided tape,
The developing device, wherein the contact member and the seal member are fixed to the support member with a common double-sided tape. An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A developer carrying member for carrying the developer, a contact member for contacting the developer carrying member, and a support member for supporting the contact member, wherein the contact member is the developing member. A layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the developer carrying member and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a seal provided on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member to prevent developer leakage A developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer carried on the developer carrier;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
An image forming apparatus, wherein a boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in a longitudinal direction of the contact member is covered with the support member. A computer and an image forming apparatus that can be connected to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developer carrier for carrying a developer, and abutting against the developer carrier An abutting member for supporting the corresponding abutting member, and a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member when the abutting member abuts on the developer carrying member A layer thickness regulating member that regulates the length of the contact member, and a seal member that is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the abutting member and prevents leakage of the developer, and the image is formed by the developer carried on the developer carrier. An image forming system comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on a carrier;
An image forming system, wherein a boundary portion between the contact member and the seal member in a longitudinal direction of the contact member is covered with the support member.

Images