JP2006065173A - Developing device, image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a developing device appropriately doing developing operation, and also to realize an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device which is attached to/detached from an image forming apparatus main body has: a developer carrying roller for carrying developer; a 1st driving wheel for driving the developer carrying roller, provided at the end of the developer carrying roller; a 2nd driving wheel for transmitting driving force to the 1st driving wheel by receiving the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; and a metallic positioning member for positioning the 1st driving wheel and the 2nd driving wheel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,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 has, for example, a photoconductor for carrying a latent image, and a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor by a developer and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. 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 moved with the developer in the developing device. Development is performed to form a developer image, the developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

  The developing device has a developer carrying roller for carrying a developer in order to realize the above-described function of developing the latent image carried on the photosensitive member. Such a developing device develops the latent image carried on the photosensitive member with the developer carried on the developer carrying roller.

Further, the developing device is provided at an end portion of the developer carrying roller, and a first driving wheel for driving the developer carrying roller and a second drive for transmitting a driving force to the first driving wheel. And a ring. The second driving wheel receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmits the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. As a result, the developer carrying roller is driven.
JP 2004-191524 A

  By the way, in order to appropriately drive the developer carrying roller, it is necessary to accurately position the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel described above. In the developing device in which the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel are not accurately positioned, the developer carrying roller is not driven appropriately, and thus an inappropriate developing operation is performed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to realize a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that can appropriately execute a developing operation. .

  A main aspect of the present invention is a developing device that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and is provided with a developer carrying roller for carrying a developer and an end of the developer carrying roller. In a state where the first driving wheel for driving the image forming apparatus and the developing device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the driving force is received from the image forming apparatus main body, and the driving force is applied to the first driving wheel. A developing device comprising: a second drive wheel for transmitting; and a metal positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.

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

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

A developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer, and an end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller In a state where the first driving wheel and the developing device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a first driving wheel receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmits the driving force to the first driving wheel. A developing device comprising: two driving wheels; and a metal positioning member for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel.
In such a case, the developer carrying roller is appropriately driven by positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel with high accuracy. Therefore, a developing device that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized.

The second driving wheel has a third driving wheel that serves as a medium for transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel, and the second driving wheel has the developing device attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In a mounted state, the driving force is received from the image forming apparatus main body, and the driving force is transmitted to the first driving wheel via the third driving wheel. It may be positioned by a member.
In such a case, the first driving wheel, the second driving wheel, and the third driving wheel are accurately positioned, so that the developer carrying roller is appropriately driven. Therefore, a developing device that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized.

The first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the third drive wheel are a first drive gear, a second drive gear, and a third drive gear, respectively, and the positioning member is the A first support portion for rotatably supporting the developer carrying roller, a second support portion for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, and a third support gear for rotatably supporting the third drive gear. A second support gear supported by the second support portion, and the third drive gear supported by the third support portion mesh with each other. The three drive gears and the first drive gear provided on the developer carrying roller supported by the first support portion may mesh with each other.
In such a case, the configuration of the drive system member is simplified.

A developer supply roller for supplying the developer to the developer carrying roller; and a fourth drive wheel provided at an end of the developer supply roller for driving the developer supply roller; The second driving wheel receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmits the driving force to the fourth driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The fourth drive wheel may be positioned by the positioning member.
In such a case, the developer supply roller is appropriately driven by accurately positioning the fourth drive wheel. Therefore, a developing device that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized.

The first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, the third drive wheel, and the fourth drive wheel are respectively a first drive gear, a second drive gear, a third drive gear, and a The positioning member includes a first support part for rotatably supporting the developer carrying roller, a second support part for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, A third support portion for rotatably supporting the third drive gear, and a fourth support portion for rotatably supporting the developer supply roller, and is supported by the second support portion. The second driving gear and the third driving gear supported by the third supporting portion mesh with each other, and the developer carrying supported by the third driving gear and the first supporting portion. The first drive gear provided on the roller meshes with the first drive gear. The moving gear and the fourth driving gear provided on the developer supply roller supported by the fourth support portion may be engaged with each other.
In such a case, the configuration of the drive system member is simplified.

The positioning member may include a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body.
In such a case, the developer carrying roller or the like is driven more appropriately.

Further, the developing device is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is provided with a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer, and an end of the developer carrying roller, and drives the developer carrying roller. A first driving wheel for receiving the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. A second positioning wheel, and a positioning member made of metal for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel, wherein the second driving wheel applies the driving force to the first driving wheel. The second drive wheel receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The driving force is applied to the first driving wheel via the third driving wheel. The third driving wheel is positioned by the positioning member, and is provided at a developer supply roller for supplying the developer to the developer carrying roller, and an end of the developer supply roller, A fourth drive wheel for driving the developer supply roller, and the second drive wheel is driven from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Receiving the force and transmitting the driving force to the fourth driving wheel, and the fourth driving wheel is positioned by the positioning member, the first driving wheel, the second driving wheel, the third driving The wheel and the fourth drive wheel are a first drive gear, a second drive gear, a third drive gear, and a fourth drive gear, respectively, and the positioning member rotates the developer carrying roller. A first support for freely supporting, A second support part for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, a third support part for rotatably supporting the third drive gear, and a developer support roller for rotatably supporting the developer supply roller; A fourth support portion, and the second drive gear supported by the second support portion meshes with the third drive gear supported by the third support portion, The third drive gear and the first drive gear provided on the developer carrying roller supported by the first support portion mesh with each other, and the first drive gear and the fourth support portion The developer driving roller supported by the fourth drive gear is meshed with the positioning member, and the positioning member has a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body. Realized a developing device featuring Is possible.
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 forming apparatus main body; a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer; a first drive wheel provided at an end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller; A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel; and a metal made for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. An image forming apparatus including a developing device having a positioning member can also be realized.
In such a case, the developer carrying roller is appropriately driven by positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel with high accuracy. Therefore, an image forming apparatus that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized.

The positioning member includes a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus main body including a fitting hole into which the positioning pin can be fitted, and the second A fifth driving wheel for applying a driving force to the driving wheel, and the positioning pin is fitted into the fitting hole, whereby the developing device is positioned in the image forming apparatus main body, and the second The driving wheel may receive driving force from the fifth driving wheel and transmit the driving force to the first driving wheel.
In such a case, the relative positions of the fifth drive wheel and the second drive wheel are accurately positioned, and the developer carrying roller and the like are driven more appropriately.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, the image forming apparatus main body; a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer; and an end of the developer carrying roller; A first driving wheel for driving the developer carrying roller; a second driving wheel for receiving the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel; An image forming system having an image forming apparatus including a developing device having a driving wheel and a metal positioning member for positioning the second driving wheel can also be realized.
In such a case, the developer carrying roller is appropriately driven by positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel with high accuracy. Therefore, an image forming system that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized.

=== 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, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 20. A cleaning unit 75, and further, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 configured as a liquid crystal panel as a means for notifying a user, and a control for controlling these units and the like and controlling the operation as a printer. A unit 100 is included.

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 detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, more specifically, the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d of the YMCK developing unit 50. It is possible. When the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d, positioning pins 592 described later provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 form an image. The developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are connected to the positioning pin fitting hole 58 as an example of a fitting hole provided in the apparatus main body and into which the positioning pin 592 can be fitted. Positioned on the body (FIG. 12). 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 roller, 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 perspective view of the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the toner supply roller 550 is attached to the housing 540. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the developing roller 510 is attached to the holder 526 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520 and the regulating blade 560 are assembled to the holder 526. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the side plate 580. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520, the regulating blade 560, and the developing roller 510 are assembled to the assembly member 525. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached to the housing 540 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective reference view showing a state in which the side plate 580 is removed from the assembly member 525 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the holding portion 55d of the YMCK developing unit 50. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bracket 630 is provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54. FIG. 14 is a perspective reference view showing a state of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54 before the bracket 630 is provided. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the back side of the bracket 630.

 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 housing 540, a toner supply roller 550 as an example of a developer supply roller, a developing roller 510, an upper seal member 520, a regulating blade 560, an assembly member 525 as an example of a positioning member, and the like. .

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally formed resin housing parts, that is, an upper housing part 542 and a lower housing part 543, and accommodates the toner T therein. The toner container 538 is formed. The toner containing body 538 has two toner containing portions, that is, a first toner containing portion 538a and a second toner, by a partition wall 545 for partitioning the toner T projected inwardly (in the vertical direction in FIG. 4) from the inner wall. It is divided into a housing portion 538b. The upper portions of the first toner storage portion 538a and the second toner storage portion 538b are in communication, 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 538a and the second toner accommodating portion 538b is once collected on the communicating portion side on the upper side at the developing position. When returning to the state shown in FIG. 4, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 538a and the second toner storage portion 538b. 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 538 is not provided with a stirring member, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner container 538 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 538 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and a developing roller 510 described later is provided so as to face the opening 572. . Further, a pin 544a that can be fitted into a pin fitting hole 588 provided in an assembly member 525 (side plate 580) to be described later, on the side wall 544 located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540 (yellow developing device 54). Is provided (FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 538a described above, and supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 538a to the developing roller 510 described later. At the same time, the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after the development 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 538a, and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 538a is transferred by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner storage portion 538a. Supplied to the developing roller 510. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply roller 550 has one end side supply whose shaft is located at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the two supply roller bearings 578, that is, the toner supply roller 550 (yellow developing device 54) by the housing 540. By being supported via a roller bearing 578a and the other end side supply roller bearing 578b located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, the roller bearing 578a is rotatably supported. More specifically, one end side supply roller fitting hole into which the one end side supply roller bearing 578a can be fitted as the supply roller fitting hole 546 into which the supply roller bearing 578 can be fitted into the housing 540. 546a and the other end side supply roller fitting hole 546b into which the other end side supply roller bearing 578b can be fitted, and the toner supply roller 550 is fitted into the one end side supply roller fitting hole 546a. One end side supply roller bearing 578a and the other end side supply roller fitting hole 546b are rotatably supported by the housing 540 through the other end side supply roller bearing 578b. . As shown in FIG. 4, 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 central axis is below the rotational central axis of the developing roller 510. In addition, a supply roller drive gear 610 as an example of a fourth drive wheel (fourth drive gear) for driving the toner supply roller 550 is provided at an end portion (one axial end side) of the toner supply roller 550. (FIG. 3).

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.
As shown in FIG. 6, the developing roller 510 has a shaft 510a and a large diameter portion 510b. The developing roller 510 includes two developing roller bearings 576, that is, one end developing roller bearings 576a positioned on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 510 (yellow developing device 54) by a holder 526, which will be described later. It is rotatably supported by being supported via the other end side developing roller bearing 576b located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. 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. A developing roller driving gear 612 as an example of a first driving wheel (first driving gear) for driving the developing roller 510 is provided at an end portion (one axial end side) of the developing roller 510. (Figure 3).

  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 abuts the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move into the housing 540, and The movement of the toner T in the housing 540 to the outside of the housing 540 is restricted. 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 portion 527 of a holder 526, which will be described later, and is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 (FIG. 7). The contact position where the upper seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  4, the surface of the upper seal member 520 opposite to the contact surface 520b that contacts the developing roller 510 (this surface is also referred to as the opposite surface 520c), and the upper seal support portion An upper seal urging member 524 made of an elastic material such as malt plain is provided between the 527 and the 527 in a compressed state. The upper seal biasing member 524 presses the upper seal member 520 against the developing roller 510 by biasing the upper seal member 520 toward the developing roller 510 with the biasing force.

The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and gives electric charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. To do. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 560b is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel.
The rubber part 560a is supported by the rubber support part 560b, and the rubber support part 560b presses the rubber part 560a against the developing roller 510 by its urging force. The rubber support portion 560b is attached to the restriction blade support portion 528 in a state where one end thereof is supported by the restriction blade support portion 528 of the holder 526 described later.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the regulating blade support portion 528, 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 developed. The 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.

  Further, an end seal 574 (FIG. 7) is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the rubber portion 560a of the regulating blade 560. The end seal 574 is formed of a non-woven fabric and abuts along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 at the axial end of the developing roller 510, and from between the peripheral surface and the housing 540. The function of preventing the leakage of the toner T is exhibited.

  The assembly member 525 is a metal member for assembling various members such as the developing roller 510 and the driving gear, and mainly includes two members, that is, one end in the longitudinal direction of the holder 526 and the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54). It is comprised from the side plate 580 located in the side (FIG. 9).

 The holder 526 is a metal member, and as shown in FIG. 7, the upper seal support portion 527 along the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510) and the longitudinal direction thereof (that is, the developing roller 510). A regulating blade support portion 528 along the axial direction), and provided outside the upper seal support portion 527 and the regulating blade support portion 528 in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction), and intersects the longitudinal direction (the axial direction). And a developing roller support portion 529.

 The developing roller support portion 529 has one end side developing roller support portion 529a located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54) and the other end located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54). And a side developing roller support portion 529b. Furthermore, the one end side developing roller support portion 529a and the other end side developing roller support portion 529b are respectively formed as developing roller fitting holes 530 as an example of a first supporting portion into which the developing roller bearing 576 can be fitted. One end side developing roller fitting hole 530a into which the one end side developing roller bearing 576a can be fitted, and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b into which the other end side developing roller bearing 576b can be fitted. ing. The developing roller 510 is for one end side developing roller fitting hole 530a and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b. It is rotatably supported by a holder 526 via a bearing 576b (FIG. 6). The one end side developing roller support portion 529a has an intermediate portion as an example of a third support portion for rotatably supporting an intermediate gear 614 as an example of a third drive wheel (third drive gear) described later. A gear support portion 531 is provided.

 Further, the upper seal member 520 is supported by the upper seal support portion 527 at the short-side end portion 520a (FIG. 4), and the regulating blade 560 is at the short-side end portion 560c (FIG. 4). Thus, it is supported by the regulating blade support portion 528. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulating blade 560 supports an end seal 574 at its longitudinal end 560d.

 The side plate 580 is a metal member, and as shown in FIG. 8, the support portion fitting hole 582 in which the intermediate gear support portion 531 can be fitted and the one end side developing roller bearing 576a can be fitted. A developing roller fitting hole 584, a supply roller fitting hole 586 as an example of a fourth support part into which the one end side supply roller bearing 578a can be fitted, and a pin fitting hole 588 into which the pin 544a can be fitted. A developing device side gear support portion 590 as an example of a second support portion for rotatably supporting a developing device side gear 616 as an example of a second driving wheel (second driving gear) described later, and yellow Positioning pins 592 for positioning the developing device 54 on the image forming apparatus main body.

 Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate gear support 531 and the one end side development roller of the holder 526 in which the developing roller 510 and the like are attached to the support portion fitting hole 582 and the developing roller fitting hole 584 of the side plate 580. The assembly member 525 is configured by fitting the bearings 576a.

 As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the assembly member 525 configured in this way is provided with a housing seal 602 (FIG. 4) for preventing leakage of the toner T from between the assembly member 525 and the housing 540. The housing 540 is provided with the toner supply roller 550 shown in FIG. At this time, at one end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54, one end provided in a housing 540 provided with a toner supply roller 550 in the supply roller fitting hole 586 and the pin fitting hole 588 of the assembly member 525. The side supply roller bearing 578a and the pin 544a are fitted to each other. Therefore, the toner supply roller 550 is rotatably supported by the supply roller fitting hole 586 of the assembly member 525 and the supply roller fitting hole 546 of the housing 540 described above.

  In the above description, it has been described that the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are provided at the end portions (one axial end side) of the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 54 includes a developing device side gear 616 and an intermediate gear 614 in addition to these gears.

  The developing device side gear 616 is, in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, more specifically from the main body side gear 56 as an example of a fifth drive wheel described later. , And a gear for transmitting the driving force to the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610. The developing device side gear 616 is rotatably supported by the developing device side gear support portion 590 described above.

  The intermediate gear 614 is a gear serving as a medium when the developing device side gear 616 transmits a driving force to the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610. That is, the developing device side gear 616 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the developing roller driving gear 612 or the like via the intermediate gear 614. A driving force is transmitted to the supply roller driving gear 610. The intermediate gear 614 is rotatably supported by the intermediate gear support portion 531 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device side gear 616 and the intermediate gear 614 mesh with each other, the intermediate gear 614 and the developing roller driving gear 612 mesh with each other, and the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are connected. Meshed. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the developing device side gear 616 meshes with a main body side gear 56 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

 The main body side gear 56 applies a driving force received from a driving source (not shown) to the developing device side gear 616. The developing device side gear 616 transmits the driving force received from the main body side gear 56 to the developing roller driving gear 612 via the intermediate gear 614. The driving force transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612 is also transmitted to the supply roller driving gear 610 by the engagement of the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610.

  In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 rotates to supply the toner T stored in the toner container 538 to the developing roller 510. At this time, the toner supply roller 550 is driven to rotate by the driving force transmitted to the supply roller driving gear 610. 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. The developing roller 510 is driven to rotate by the driving force transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== About positioning of gears ===
As described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, in order to drive the developing roller 510 appropriately, the developing device side gear 616 and the developing roller driving gear 612 need to be accurately positioned. is there. In the developing device in which the developing device side gear 616 and the developing roller driving gear 612 are not accurately positioned, the developing roller 510 is not driven appropriately, and thus an inappropriate developing operation is performed. Similarly, when the toner supply roller 550 is provided in the developing device, the supply roller driving gear 610 needs to be accurately positioned in order to drive the toner supply roller 550 appropriately. Further, when the developing device is provided with the intermediate gear 614, the intermediate gear 614 needs to be positioned with high accuracy.

  Here, how the gears are positioned in the developing device according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, in the support portion fitting hole 582 and the developing roller fitting hole 584 of the side plate 580, the intermediate gear supporting portion 531 and the one end side developing roller bearing 576a of the holder 526 to which the developing roller 510 and the like are attached are provided. Each is fitted. Thus, the relative position between the side plate 580 and the holder 526 to which the developing roller 510 or the like is attached is positioned.

 A supply roller fitting hole 586 of the side plate 580 is fitted with a bearing 578a for one end side supply roller, and the development device for rotatably supporting the developing device side gear 616 is supported on the side plate 580. The side gear support portion 590 and the holder 526 are provided with an intermediate gear support portion 531 for rotatably supporting the intermediate gear 614. Thus, the relative positions of the developing device side gear support 590, the intermediate gear support 531, the one end side developing roller bearing 576a, and the one end side supply roller bearing 578a are positioned.

 The developing device side gear 616 is supported by the developing device side gear support portion 590, the intermediate gear 614 is supported by the intermediate gear support portion 531, and the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are developed by the developing roller 510. And an end portion (one axial end side) of the toner supply roller 550. Thus, the relative positions of the developing device side gear 616, the intermediate gear 614, the developing roller drive gear 612, and the supply roller drive gear 610 are positioned.

  As described above, the assembly member 525 including the holder 526 and the side plate 580 serves to position the above-described gear. Further, since the assembly member 525 is made of metal, the above-described gears are positioned with high accuracy, so that the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are appropriately driven, and accordingly, the developing operation can be appropriately performed. A developing device that can be used is realized.

  Further, as described above, the metal assembly member 525 (side plate 580) has the positioning pin 592, and the metal positioning pin 592 is provided in the positioning pin fitting hole 58 provided in the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, the developing device is accurately positioned on the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, the relative position between the main body side gear 56 and the developing device side gear 616 provided in the image forming apparatus main body is accurately positioned. Accordingly, the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are more appropriately driven.

 At the other end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the relative positions of the other end side developing roller bearing 576b and the other end side supply roller bearing 578b are positioned. A bracket 630 is provided. As shown in FIG. 15, the bracket 630 includes a first recess 630a in which the other end side developing roller bearing 576b can be fitted, a second recess 630b in which the other end side supply roller bearing 578b can be fitted, The other end side developing roller bearing 576b is fitted in the first recess 630a, and the other end side supply roller bearing 578b is fitted in the second recess 630b, whereby the other end side developing roller bearing 576b is fitted. And the other end side supply roller bearing 578b are positioned relative to each other. As a result, the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are more appropriately driven.

=== 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 embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, such as a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. 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.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the assembly | attachment member 525 was comprised from two members, ie, the holder 526, and the side plate 580, it is not limited to this, It is one member. It is good.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the developing device side gear 616 has the intermediate gear 614 that serves as a medium when the driving force is transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612, and the developing device side gear 616 is configured so that the developing device forms an image. In a state where the image forming apparatus main body is mounted, the driving force is received from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612 via the intermediate gear 614. The intermediate gear 614 is received by the assembly member 525. Although it has been determined that it is positioned, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a developing device that does not have the intermediate gear 614 and the developing device side gear 616 directly transmits the driving force to the developing roller driving gear 612.

In the above embodiment, the first driving wheel, the second driving wheel, and the third driving wheel are the developing roller driving gear 612, the developing device side gear 616, and the intermediate gear 614, respectively. The member 525 rotates the developing roller fitting hole 530 for rotatably supporting the developing roller 510, the developing device side gear support 590 for rotatably supporting the developing device side gear 616, and the intermediate gear 614. A developing device side gear 616 supported by the developing device side gear support portion 590, and an intermediate gear 614 supported by the intermediate gear support portion 531. , And the intermediate gear 614 and the developing roller driving gear 612 provided on the developing roller 510 supported by the developing roller fitting hole 530 are meshed with each other. It was decided to have, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the third drive wheel are belt wheels, respectively, and the second drive wheel and the third drive wheel, and the third drive wheel and the first drive wheel. It is good also as a belt being hung around each ring.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the configuration of the drive system member is simplified.

  In the above embodiment, the developing device is provided at the end of the toner supply roller 550 for supplying the toner T to the developing roller 510 and for driving the toner supply roller 550. The developing device side gear 616 receives a driving force from the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and supplies the driving roller driving gear 610 with the supply roller driving gear 610. The driving force is transmitted and the supply roller driving gear 610 is positioned by the assembly member 525. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the toner supply roller 550 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are provided. The present invention can be applied to a developing device that does not.

 In the developing device having the toner supply roller 550 and the supply roller drive gear 610, the supply roller drive gear 610 is positioned by, for example, another member made of resin instead of the metal assembly member 525. Also good. However, since the supply roller driving gear 610 is positioned with high accuracy, the toner supply roller 550 is appropriately driven, and therefore, a developing device that can appropriately execute the developing operation is realized. This form is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the first driving wheel and the fourth driving wheel are the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610, respectively, and the assembly member 525 supports the toner supply roller 550 in a freely rotatable manner. A developing roller drive gear 612 and a toner supply roller 550 supported by the supply roller fitting hole 586 are meshed with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first driving wheel and the fourth driving wheel are belt wheels, and a belt may be stretched between the first driving wheel and the fourth driving wheel.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the configuration of the drive system member is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the assembly member 525 has a positioning pin 592 for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body, and the image forming apparatus main body is fitted with a positioning pin to which the positioning pin 592 can be fitted. The developing device side gear 616 is provided with a hole 58 and a main body side gear 56 that applies a driving force to the developing device side gear 616, and the positioning pin 592 is fitted into the positioning pin fitting hole 58, whereby the developing device is positioned on the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device side gear 616 receives the driving force from the main body side gear 56 and transmits the driving force to the developing roller driving gear 612. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the assembly member 525 may not have the positioning pin 592.
However, as described above, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the relative position between the main body side gear 56 and the developing device side gear 616 is accurately positioned and the developing roller 510 and the like are driven more appropriately. .

=== 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. 16 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. 17 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 perspective view of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the image development apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a toner supply roller 550 is attached to a housing 540. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a developing roller 510 is attached to the holder 526 illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper seal member 520 and a regulating blade 560 are assembled to a holder 526. It is a perspective view of the side plate 580. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper seal member 520, a regulating blade 560, and a developing roller 510 are assembled to the assembly member 525. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached to the housing 540 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a perspective reference diagram illustrating a state in which the side plate 580 is removed from the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a yellow developing device is mounted on a holding portion 55d of a YMCK developing unit 50. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bracket 630 is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective reference view showing a state of the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device before the bracket 630 is provided. 6 is a perspective view showing the back side of a bracket 630. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser beam printer 20 Photoconductor 30 Charging unit 40 Exposure unit 50 YMCK developing unit 50a Central axis 51 Black developing device 52 Magenta developing device 53 Cyan developing device 54 Yellow developing device 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d Holding unit 56 Main body side gear 58 Positioning pin fitting hole 60 Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer body 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 510 Developing roller 510a Shaft 510b Large diameter part 520 Upper seal member 520a Short side end part 520b Abutting surface 520c Opposite surface 524 Upper seal biasing member 525 Assembly member 526 Holder 527 Upper seal support portion 528 Restriction blade support portion 529 Development roller support portion 529a One end side development roller support portion 529b Other end side development roller support portion 530 Development roller fitting hole 530a One end side development roller fitting hole 530b Other end side development Roller fitting hole 531 Intermediate gear support part 538 Toner container 538a First toner container 538b Second toner container 540 Housing 542 Upper housing part 543 Lower housing part 544 Side wall 544a pin 545 partition wall 546 supply roller fitting hole 546a one end side supply roller fitting hole 546b other end side supply roller fitting hole 550 toner supply roller 560 regulating blade 560a rubber part 560b rubber support part 560c short direction end part 560d long length Direction end 572 Opening 574 End seal 576 Developing roller bearing 576a One end developing roller bearing 576b The other end developing roller bearing 578 Supply roller bearing 578a One end supplying roller bearing 578b The other end supplying roller bearing 580 Side plate 582 Support portion fitting hole 584 Development roller fitting hole 586 Supply roller fitting hole 588 Pin fitting hole 590 Developing device side gear support portion 592 Positioning pin 602 Housing seal 610 Supply roller driving gear 612 Developing roller driving gear 6 4 intermediate gear 616 developing device side gear 630 bracket 630a first recess 630b second recess 700 image forming system 702 computer 704 display device 706 printer 708 input device 708A keyboard 708B mouse 710 reading device 710A flexible disk drive device 710B CD-ROM drive device 802 Internal memory 804 Hard disk drive unit T Toner

Claims (10)

A developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
A developer carrying roller for carrying the developer;
A first drive wheel provided at an end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller;
A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
A developing device, comprising: a metal positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The developing device according to claim 1,
The second driving wheel has a third driving wheel that serves as a medium when transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel;
The second driving wheel receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the first driving wheel via the third driving wheel. Transmitting the driving force to
The developing device, wherein the third drive wheel is positioned by the positioning member. The developing device according to claim 2,
The first driving wheel, the second driving wheel, and the third driving wheel are a first driving gear, a second driving gear, and a third driving gear, respectively.
The positioning member rotates a first support portion for rotatably supporting the developer carrying roller, a second support portion for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, and the third drive gear. And a third support part for freely supporting,
The second drive gear supported by the second support portion meshes with the third drive gear supported by the third support portion,
The developing device, wherein the third drive gear meshes with the first drive gear provided on the developer carrying roller supported by the first support portion. In the developing device according to claim 2 or 3,
A developer supply roller for supplying a developer to the developer carrying roller;
A fourth drive wheel provided at an end of the developer supply roller for driving the developer supply roller;
The second driving wheel receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and transmits the driving force to the fourth driving wheel.
The developing device, wherein the fourth driving wheel is positioned by the positioning member. The developing device according to claim 4,
The first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, the third drive wheel, and the fourth drive wheel are a first drive gear, a second drive gear, a third drive gear, and a fourth drive, respectively. Gears,
The positioning member rotates a first support portion for rotatably supporting the developer carrying roller, a second support portion for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, and the third drive gear. A third support for freely supporting, and a fourth support for rotatably supporting the developer supply roller,
The second drive gear supported by the second support portion meshes with the third drive gear supported by the third support portion,
The third drive gear meshes with the first drive gear provided on the developer carrying roller supported by the first support portion,
The developing device, wherein the first drive gear and the fourth drive gear provided on the developer supply roller supported by the fourth support portion are meshed with each other. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member includes a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body. A developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
A developer carrying roller for carrying the developer;
A first drive wheel provided at an end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller;
A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
A metal positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel;
The second driving wheel has a third driving wheel that serves as a medium when transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel;
The second driving wheel receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the first driving wheel via the third driving wheel. Transmitting the driving force to
The third driving wheel is positioned by the positioning member;
A developer supply roller for supplying a developer to the developer carrying roller;
A fourth drive wheel provided at an end of the developer supply roller for driving the developer supply roller;
The second driving wheel receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and transmits the driving force to the fourth driving wheel.
The fourth driving wheel is positioned by the positioning member;
The first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, the third drive wheel, and the fourth drive wheel are a first drive gear, a second drive gear, a third drive gear, and a fourth drive, respectively. Gears,
The positioning member rotates a first support portion for rotatably supporting the developer carrying roller, a second support portion for rotatably supporting the second drive gear, and the third drive gear. A third support for freely supporting, and a fourth support for rotatably supporting the developer supply roller,
The second drive gear supported by the second support portion meshes with the third drive gear supported by the third support portion,
The third drive gear meshes with the first drive gear provided on the developer carrying roller supported by the first support portion,
The first drive gear meshes with the fourth drive gear provided on the developer supply roller supported by the fourth support portion;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member includes a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus main body;
A developer carrying roller for carrying the developer, a first drive wheel provided at an end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller, and a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body. And a developing device having a second driving wheel for transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel, and a metal positioning member for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The positioning member has a positioning pin for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus main body has a fitting hole into which the positioning pin can be fitted, and a fifth driving wheel that applies a driving force to the second driving wheel,
When the positioning pin is fitted in the fitting hole, the developing device is positioned on the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second driving wheel receives a driving force from the fifth driving wheel and transmits the driving force to the first driving wheel. Computer and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; a developer carrying roller for carrying a developer; and an end of the developer carrying roller. A first driving wheel for driving; a second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel; the first driving wheel; An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device having a metal positioning member for positioning the two drive wheels;
An image forming system.

Images