JP2005308860A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner scattering from a developing means, especially, toner scattering caused by air flowing out from the end in the axial direction of a developing roller. <P>SOLUTION: Space is provided between the housing of the developing means and the end of the developing roller, and the space is partitioned to 1st space and 2nd space by a partitioning member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic process, and more particularly to improvement of a developing device.

  In a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image using dry toner, such as a magnetic brush developing device, toner scattering becomes a problem, and measures against toner scattering are taken.

  The toner scattering will be described with reference to FIG.

  The developing roller 2 rotates with respect to the photosensitive member 1 and a magnetic brush 3 is formed between the photosensitive member 1 and the developing roller 2 to perform development. , An air flow 4 as indicated by an arrow is generated. This air flow 4 is promoted by the developer layer formed around the developing roller 2 and becomes a remarkable flow. Then, as a result of the air current 4 being blocked by the magnetic brush 3, as shown in FIG. 1B, a parallel air current 4a is generated in the central portion of the developing roller, but the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 2 at both ends. It becomes the non-parallel air flow 4b which goes outside.

  Since the toner is contained in the airflows 4a and 4b, when these airflows blow out of the housing 5 of the developing device, toner scattering occurs. In particular, the air flow 4b tends to blow out of the housing 5 of the developing device, and becomes a main cause of toner scattering.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a seal member is provided on the surface of the developing device housing, the developing roller, and the supporting members at both end shaft portions of the developing device that are opposed to the photosensitive drum. Yes.

Further, in Patent Document 2, the space between the developing device and the transfer device is closed with a film, a notch is provided in the film, air is introduced into the space, and the introduced air is sucked to prevent toner scattering. It is preventing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-48949 JP 2001-117363 A

  The toner scattering measures adopted in Patent Documents 1 and 2 prevent toner scattering by removing the toner contained in the flowing out airflow with a filter or the like on the assumption that the airflow outflows from the developing device. Met.

  For this reason, there is a problem that toner scattering cannot be sufficiently prevented.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, since the seal member is in pressure contact with the photosensitive member, there is a problem that the anti-scattering performance is deteriorated due to deterioration with time.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, although toner scattering in the airflow flowing downward from the developing device can be prevented, toner scattering due to the airflow flowing in the other direction, for example, a developing roller as indicated by an arrow 4b in FIG. There is a problem in that toner scattering due to an airflow flowing in the axial direction cannot be prevented.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which the conventional toner scattering prevention technology has been insufficient, and there is no need to provide special parts for preventing toner scattering, and toner scattering is sufficiently prevented. For the purpose.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following invention.
1.
A photosensitive member; a charging unit that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photosensitive member to an image; and an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to a transfer material.
The developing means includes a developing roller that carries the developing agent and conveys the developing agent to the developing region by rotation, a developing roller shaft attached to the developing roller, and a housing provided with a bearing that holds the developing roller shaft. And a space is provided between both ends of the rotation axis of the developing roller and the housing, and the space is in contact with the bearing and a first space that is in contact with an end of the developing roller for storing toner. An image forming apparatus, wherein the second space is partitioned by a partition member.
2.
2. The image forming apparatus according to 1 above, wherein the second space is an exhaust space.
3.
3. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2, wherein a distance d between both end portions of the developing roller and the partition member is 1/2 to 3 times a diameter h of an outer periphery of the developing roller.
4).
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein an exhaust unit that exhausts air from the second space is provided.
5).
5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first space is provided on the downstream side of the developing region with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller.
6).
6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first opening for exhausting air from the second space to the outside of the housing is provided.
7).
6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5, wherein a second opening for exhausting air from the first space or the second space to the mixing / stirring chamber is provided.
8).
8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7, wherein a hindrance member for airflow in the first space is provided.
9.
7. The image forming apparatus according to 6, wherein a filter is provided in the second opening.
10.
5. The image forming apparatus according to 4, wherein the exhaust unit is provided on the developing roller shaft.
11.
A photosensitive member; a charging unit that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photosensitive member to an image; and an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to a transfer material.
The developing means includes a developing roller that carries the developing agent and conveys the developing agent to the developing region by rotation, a developing roller shaft attached to the developing roller, and a housing provided with a bearing that holds the developing roller shaft. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a space that satisfies the following condition and communicates with an opening for exhaust is provided between both ends of the rotation axis of the developing roller and the housing;
(1/2) × h ≦ d ≦ 3h
However, h is the diameter of the outer periphery of the developing roller, and d is the length of the space in the axial direction of the developing roller.
12
12. The image forming apparatus as described in 11 above, wherein the exhaust opening is for exhaust to the outside.
13.
12. The image forming apparatus as described in 11 above, wherein the exhaust opening is for exhaust to the mixing / stirring chamber.

  According to the invention of any one of claims 1 to 13, there is no problem such as deterioration of scattering prevention performance due to deterioration with time, and toner scattering due to the anti-sudging effect of the magnetic brush formed in the development region is extremely effectively prevented. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent toner scattering over a period. Further, since the toner is prevented from entering the bearing portion of the developing roller from the developing means, the bearing performance of the developing roller bearing is maintained at the term performance for a long period of time, and stable development is performed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since no air flows out from the end portion of the developing roller, toner scattering from the end portion is almost completely prevented.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the air flow including the toner is introduced into the developer accommodating portion, the toner scattering can be prevented with a configuration in which the removing means for removing the toner from the air flow flowing out from the end portion of the developing roller is not provided. It becomes possible.

  According to the invention of claim 10, it is not necessary to provide a special driving means for the exhaust means.

  FIG. 2 is an overall view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder M1, an image reading unit M2, and an image forming unit M3.

  The automatic document feeder M1 automatically conveys the documents placed on the document feed tray 1 one by one, supplies them to the image reading position, and discharges them to the sheet discharge tray 2.

  The image reading unit M2 illuminates the document with the document illumination lamp 3, and causes reflected light from the document to enter the image pickup device 6 with the three mirrors 4 and the imaging lens 5, thereby generating digital image data.

  The image forming unit M3 forms an image on a recording material P as a transfer material by an electrophotographic method, and a drum-like image forming body is formed by a latent image forming unit including a charging unit 11 and an exposure unit 12. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 10 and the formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 13 to form a toner image on the photoconductor 10.

  The formed toner image is transferred to the recording material P by the transfer means 14. After the transfer, the photoreceptor 10 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 15.

  The recording material P is stored in the recording material storage tray 20, conveyed one by one by the paper feed roller 21, adjusted in timing by the registration roller 22, and supplied between the photoconductor 10 and the transfer unit 14.

  The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer unit 14 is fixed by the fixing unit 16, conveyed by the paper discharge roller 24, and discharged to the paper discharge tray 25.

  The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member as a transfer material. As is well known, an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member as a transfer material transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive member by an electrophotographic process to the intermediate transfer member, and then transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a recording material. By doing so, an image is formed on the recording material.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developing means with the lid member removed from the developing means according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing means taken along line XX in FIG.

  In the developing means 13, a developing roller 131, a rotary conveying member 133, and conveying / stirring screws 134 and 135 are arranged substantially horizontally in parallel in a bowl-shaped housing 130 as illustrated. A magnet 132 having a plurality of magnetic poles is disposed inside the developing roller 131.

  The photosensitive member 10 rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow A1, the developing roller 131 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow A2, and the photosensitive member 10 and the developing roller 131 move in the same direction in the developing region G. Thus, the electrostatic latent image is developed and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 10.

  The developing roller 131 is supported by bearings 141A and 141B supported by the housing 130 and rotates. A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 131 by a bias power supply EC. The development bias voltage is preferably a DC voltage having the same polarity as the toner charge or a voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage, and reverse development is preferably performed, and the development bias in which the AC voltage is superimposed on the DC voltage. Voltage is particularly preferred.

  By the rotation of the developing roller 131, the developer is continuously supplied to the developing region G, and a developing brush is formed by the magnet 132 to perform development.

  As a developing method, either a contact method in which the ears of the developing brush come into contact with the photosensitive member 10 or a non-contact method in which the brush does not contact may be used.

  Further, the developing roller 131 and the photosensitive member 10 may move in opposite directions in the developing region G.

  The rotation conveyance member 133 is a conveyance member having four paddle-shaped wings parallel to the rotation axis thereof, conveys the developer by rotation, and supplies the developer to the developing roller 131. The rotary conveying member 133 conveys the developer only in the rotation direction, and does not convey the developer in the rotation axis direction.

  Reference numeral 136 denotes a regulating member that regulates the amount of developer supplied from the rotary conveyance member 133 to the developing roller 131.

  The conveyance / stirring screws 134, 135 rotate to convey the developer in the rotation direction, convey the developer in the rotation axis direction, stir / convey the developer, and supply the developer to the rotation conveyance member 133. In the process of conveying and stirring the developer, the toner is charged by friction with the carrier. In this embodiment in which reversal development is performed using the negatively chargeable photoconductor 10, the toner is negatively charged.

In FIG. 3, a first space 150A and a second space 151A are provided at the left end of the developing roller 131, and a first space 150B and a second space 151B are provided at the right end of the developing roller 131. It is done.
These spaces 150 </ b> A, 150 </ b> B, 151 </ b> A, 151 </ b> B are formed by increasing the distance between the side wall portions 13 </ b> A <b> 0 and 130 </ b> B of the housing 130 with respect to the length of the developing roller 131. The first space 150A and the second space 150B are partitioned by a partition member 137A, and the first space 150B and the second space 151B are partitioned by a partition member 137B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper part of the developing roller 131 and the rotary conveying member 133 is closed by a lid member 130C, and the upper part of the first space 150A and the second space 151A is a seal such as a pet film. It is sealed with a member 139A, and the upper part of the first space 150B and the second space 151B is sealed with a seal member 139B such as a pet film.

  Each of the sealing members 139A and 139B is provided with an opening 152A located above the second space 151A and an opening 152B located above the second space 151B. Although not shown, it is desirable that an exhaust pipe is connected to the openings 152A and 152B to exhaust the air outside the image forming apparatus. In the exhaust flow path to the outside, it is desirable to provide toner removing means for removing toner from the exhaust, for example, by providing a filter in the openings 152A and 152B.

  The developing means having the structure described above operates as follows to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 10 to form a toner image.

  In FIG. 4, the photosensitive member 10 rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow A1, and the developing roller 131 rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow A2, and development is performed.

  The developer on the developing roller 131 is continuously supplied from the rotary conveying member 133 and is regulated by the regulating member 136 to always form a layer having a constant thickness.

  A developer is continuously supplied to the rotary conveyance member 133 by conveyance and stirring screws 134 and 135. Due to the development, the consumed toner is replenished from the replenishment opening 140, and the toner concentration in the developer is maintained at a predetermined value.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 1, due to the rotation of the developing roller 131, an air flow directed outward in the axial direction is generated at both ends of the developing roller 131.

  In the present embodiment, such an air flow flows from the first space 150A to the second space 151A, as indicated by arrows WA and WB in FIG. 3, and from the first space 150B to the second space 151B. It flows to.

  The right end portion of the developing roller 131 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, but the left end portion of the developing roller 131 has a similar structure.

  The upper part of the first space 150B and the second space 151B is sealed by a seal member 139B made of a pet film or the like, and an opening 152B is formed in a portion of the seal member 139B located above the second space 151B. Provided.

  The first space 150B has a length in the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 131, that is, a distance d between the end of the developing roller 131 and the partition member 137B (a distance in the space in the developing roller axial direction) d. The partition member 137B is provided so as to satisfy the inequality, ½h ≦ d ≦ 3h, with respect to the diameter h of.

  The first space 50B is a buffer chamber for accumulating toner carried by the airflow indicated by WB. Since the volume of the first space 150B is small when the length d is less than 1 / 2h, the buffering action is provided. And the toner scatters from the gap, particularly in the vicinity of the end portion of the developing roller 131. On the other hand, if the length d is greater than 3h, the apparatus becomes unnecessarily large due to an increase in volume that does not contribute to the toner scattering prevention effect.

  By providing such a first space, it is possible to prevent the toner in the airflow blown from the end portion of the developing roller 131 from temporarily accumulating in the spaces 15A and 15B and scattering outside the developing unit. .

  In addition, since the second space 151B is provided outside the first space 150B, the toner flowing out from the first space 150B accumulates in the second space 151B, and the toner is scattered or leaked outside. It is more strictly prevented.

  An opening 152B is provided in the seal member 151B, and air is discharged from the opening 152B to the outside through an exhaust pipe (not shown). It is desirable to provide a filter for removing toner in the opening 152B or the exhaust pipe.

  By providing the second space 151B outside the first space 150B, only a small amount of toner accumulates in the second space 151B. Therefore, other problems such as toner scattering, for example, the bearing of the developing roller 131 The problem of entering into 141B and lowering the bearing function is solved.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, by providing a cross flow fan 142B as an exhaust means at a portion facing the opening 152B of the shaft 131B of the developing roller 131, the exhaust from the opening 152B is promoted, and the toner Scattering is prevented more effectively. Of course, the cross flow fan shown in FIG. 5B is also provided on the shaft 131A at the left end of the developing roller 131 in FIG.

  6 and 7 show the developing roller end portion in another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  The housing 130 is formed in a double structure including two plates 130D and 130E at the bearing portion of the developing roller 131. An opening 154A is formed in the inner plate 130D, and the air flow WC generated at the end of the developing roller 131 flows from the opening 154A to a space 153A between the plates 130D and 130E. Therefore, the toner contained in the airflow WC accumulates in the space 153A.

  Since the air flow WC is generated on the downstream side of the developing roller 131 with respect to the developing region G, the space 153A may be provided on the downstream side of the developing region G. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the space 153 </ b> A is provided below the developing roller 131.

  The structure described above and shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be configured by providing an opening 154A in a housing 130 of a conventional developing unit and attaching a plate 130E formed in a box shape so as to cover the opening 154A. .

  Although the left end portion in FIG. 3 of the developing roller 131 has been described, the right end portion has a similar structure.

  FIG. 8 shows an end portion of the developing roller in still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8 in the first spaces 150A and 150B in the developing means shown in FIG. 3 (in FIG. 8, only the first space 150A is shown, but the first space 150B is shown. This also applies to the first space 150A at the end of the developing roller 131. A protrusion 143A that serves as an obstacle to the air current WA is provided.

  The protruding portion 143A stops the toner contained in the airflow indicated by WA in the first space 150A, and the protruding portion 143A can more effectively prevent toner scattering.

  FIG. 9 shows an end portion of the developing roller in still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, by lowering the height of the partition member 137A, a gap is formed between the partition member and the lid member 130C, and air flowing into the first and second spaces 150A and 151A from the gap is formed. Conveying / stirring screws 134 and 135 are provided and configured to be discharged into the mixing / stirring chamber. A filter 144A is provided in the gap to prevent foreign matters from being mixed into the toner returned to the stirring chamber.

  9 shows the left end in FIG. 3 of the developing roller 131 provided with the partition member 137A and the filter 144A, the right end of the developing roller 131 has the same configuration.

It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in a developing means. 1 is an overall view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the developing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention with a cover member removed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the enlarged view of a developing roller edge part, and a crossflow fan. It is a figure which shows the developing roller edge part in the further another example of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of the end portion of the developing roller in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the actual form of this invention. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the actual form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

13 Developing means 131 Developing rollers 131A, 131B Shafts 141A, 141B Bearings 150A, 150B First space 151A, 151B Second space

Claims (13)

A photosensitive member; a charging unit that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photosensitive member to an image; and an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to a transfer material.
The developing means includes a developing roller that carries the developing agent and conveys the developing agent to the developing region by rotation, a developing roller shaft attached to the developing roller, and a housing provided with a bearing that holds the developing roller shaft. And a space is provided between both ends of the rotation axis of the developing roller and the housing, and the space is in contact with the bearing and a first space that is in contact with an end of the developing roller for storing toner. An image forming apparatus, wherein the second space is partitioned by a partition member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second space is an exhaust space. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance d between both ends of the developing roller and the partition member is 1/2 to 3 times a diameter h of an outer periphery of the developing roller. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust unit configured to exhaust air from the second space. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first space is provided on the downstream side of the developing region with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first opening for exhausting air from the second space to the outside of the housing is provided. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening for exhausting air from the first space or the second space to the mixing / stirring chamber. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an obstruction member against an airflow in the first space. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a filter is provided in the second opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the exhaust unit is provided on the developing roller shaft. A photosensitive member; a charging unit that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photosensitive member to an image; and an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive member to a transfer material.
The developing means includes a developing roller that carries the developing agent and conveys the developing agent to the developing region by rotation, a developing roller shaft attached to the developing roller, and a housing provided with a bearing that holds the developing roller shaft. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a space that satisfies the following condition and communicates with an opening for exhaust is provided between both ends of the rotation axis of the developing roller and the housing;
(1/2) × h ≦ d ≦ 3h
However, h is the diameter of the outer periphery of the developing roller, and d is the length of the space in the axial direction of the developing roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the exhaust opening is for exhaust to the outside. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the exhaust opening is for exhausting to the mixing / stirring chamber.

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