JP2006154431A - Developing device, image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent developer from being leaked from space between a housing and a bearing. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device has the housing for storing the developer, a turning member provided in the housing and capable of turning around a turning shaft, a bearing for receiving the turning shaft of the turning member, and a seal member provided between the housing and the bearing and preventing the developer from being leaked from the space between the housing and the bearing. <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 includes, for example, a photoconductor for carrying a latent image and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor by a developer, and from an external device such as a host computer. When an image signal or the like is transmitted, the developing device is positioned at a developing position facing the photosensitive member, and the latent image carried on the photosensitive member is developed with the developer in the developing device to form a developer image. The developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

This developing device has a container for containing a developer. A rotating member that can rotate around a rotation axis is provided in the housing. Further, the developing device is provided with a bearing for receiving the rotating shaft of the rotating member.
JP 2004-86059 A

  By the way, since the developer accommodated in the container is fine particles, if there is a gap or an opening, the developer leaks from the gap or the like. Since the bearing and the container are separate parts, a gap may be generated between the bearing and the container even if the bearing is in contact with the container. Then, the developer may leak from the gap.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main present invention includes a container for accommodating a developer, a rotating member provided in the container and rotatable about a rotation axis, and the rotation A bearing for receiving the rotating shaft of the member, and a seal member provided between the container and the bearing, and for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing And a developing device.

  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 container for accommodating the developer, a rotation member provided in the container and rotatable about a rotation axis, and a bearing for receiving the rotation axis of the rotation member; A developing device, comprising: a seal member provided between the container and the bearing for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing.
According to such a developing device, the seal member fills a gap formed between the container and the bearing, thereby preventing the developer contained in the container from moving between the container and the bearing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing.

The developing device may further include a developer carrier for carrying the developer, and the rotating member may supply the developer contained in the container to the developer carrier. It may be a developer supply roller.
From the viewpoint of stably supplying the developer to the developer carrying member by the developer supply roller, a large amount of developer exists around the developer supply roller, so that the developer is likely to leak from between the container and the bearing. . Therefore, when the rotating member is a developer supply roller, the effect that the leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing can be prevented by providing the seal member is more effective. Played.

In the developing device, the developer supply roller may be provided vertically below the container.
When the developer supply roller is provided vertically below the container, even if the amount of the developer stored in the container is small, the developer is present around the developer supply roller. The developer is likely to leak from between. Therefore, when the developer supply roller is provided vertically below the container, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing by providing the seal member. , Is played more effectively.

In the developing device, the seal member may be provided in a compressed state by the container and the bearing.
In such a case, since the gap generated between the container and the bearing can be appropriately filled, it is possible to more effectively prevent the developer from leaking between the container and the bearing.

In the developing device, the seal member may not be attached to either the container or the bearing.
If the seal member is affixed to another member, the seal member may be wrinkled. Due to this wrinkle, the seal member cannot adequately fill the gap formed between the container and the bearing, so that the developer tends to leak from between the container and the bearing. On the other hand, when the seal member is not affixed to either the container or the bearing, the wrinkles are less likely to occur, so the seal member is more appropriately developed from between the container and the bearing. It becomes possible to prevent the leakage of the agent.

Further, in this developing device, the bearing receives the rotating shaft of the rotating member and includes a cylindrical large diameter portion and a small diameter portion arranged along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. And the container includes a fitting hole that can be fitted to the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion, and the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion may be fitted to the fitting hole. .
When the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion are fitted in the fitting hole, the fitting hole has a function as an appropriate guide member for the bearing when the bearing is attached to the housing. For this reason, since the bearing can be prevented from being attached obliquely to the container, the bearing can appropriately receive the rotating shaft of the rotating member.

Further, in this developing device, the seal member is circular and includes a circular hole, the small diameter portion of the bearing is fitted with the hole, and the seal member is It is provided in a compressed state by the container and the large-diameter portion of the bearing, and the diameter of the hole before the small-diameter portion is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion. Also good.
When the diameter of the hole before the small diameter part is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter part, the hole and the small diameter part are in an interference fit relationship. It becomes difficult for the sealing member to come off from the small diameter portion. The assembly of the developing device can be improved by fitting the bearing and the fitting hole in a state where the seal member is fitted to the small diameter portion.

In the developing device, the outer diameter of the seal member may be smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion when the small-diameter portion is fitted in the hole.
In such a case, since the sealing member does not protrude from the large diameter portion, it is possible to appropriately fit the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion with the fitting hole.

  In the developing device, the seal member may be made of a foam.

Also, a container for containing the developer, a rotation member provided in the container and rotatable about a rotation axis, and a bearing for receiving the rotation axis of the rotation member And a seal member that is provided between the container and the bearing and prevents leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing, and carries the developer. A developer carrying member for supplying the developer contained in the container to the developer carrying member, and the developer supply roller comprises: The seal member is provided in a state of being compressed by the container and the bearing, and the seal member is provided on either the container or the bearing. Is not affixed, and the bearing A cylindrical large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion that are aligned along the axial direction of the rotational shaft, and the container is fitted with the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The large diameter portion and the small diameter portion are fitted with the fitting hole, and the seal member is circular and includes a circular hole portion, and the bearing The small diameter portion is fitted into the hole portion, and the seal member is provided in a compressed state by the container and the large diameter portion of the bearing, and the small diameter portion is fitted. The diameter of the hole portion before joining is smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion, and in the state where the small diameter portion is fitted in the hole portion, the outer diameter of the seal member is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion. The developing device is small, and the seal member is made of a foam.
According to such a developing device, the effect of being able to prevent leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing is most effectively achieved.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier, the container for containing a developer, and the container A rotation member that is rotatable around a rotation axis, a bearing for receiving the rotation axis of the rotation member, and provided between the housing and the bearing. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device having a seal member for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing.
According to such an image forming apparatus, since it is possible to prevent the leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing and the developing apparatus is provided, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus superior to the conventional one. Is possible.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image carrier for carrying a latent image; and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier. A container for accommodating the developer, a rotation member provided in the container and rotatable about a rotation axis, and for receiving the rotation axis of the rotation member; A developing device having a bearing and a seal member provided between the container and the bearing, and for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing; An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus.
According to such an image forming system, since it is possible to prevent the leakage of the developer from between the container and the bearing and the developing device is provided, it is possible to realize an image forming system superior to the conventional one. Is possible.

=== Overview of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, a configuration example and an operation example will be described using a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus 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.

<Configuration of Printer 10>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a developer holding unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier that carries a latent image. A unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning unit 75; a secondary transfer unit 80; a fixing unit 90; A control unit 100 for controlling the unit and the like and controlling the operation as a printer.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

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

  In the present embodiment, the developing device holding unit 50 is capable of moving the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by rotating. That is, the developing device holding unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, and 53 are provided. , 54 can rotate around the central axis 50e while maintaining their relative positions. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20 each time the photoconductor 20 makes one rotation, and is stored in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. Develop. 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 member 70 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 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 recording 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 recording medium onto a recording medium such as paper 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 is input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 responds to an instruction based on the image signal. The unit is controlled to form an image.

<Operation of Printer 10>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the photosensitive device is controlled by the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The developing roller 510 and the intermediate transfer member 70 provided on the body 20, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 rotate. 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. . Further, the developing device holding unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner 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 is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 in an overlapping manner. . 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 recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording 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 recording medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has elapsed, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 to prepare for charging for forming the next latent image. The toner scraped off is collected in a waste toner container.

=== 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, developing device holding 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 the signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit by receiving signals from the sensors connected to each other.

=== Overview of Developer ===
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 the 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. 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 developing device holding 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 yellow. (Y) A yellow developing unit 54 containing toner is provided. Since the configuration of each developing unit is the same, the yellow developing unit 54 will be described below.

<Configuration of Yellow Developer 54>
The yellow developing device 54 includes a housing 540 as an example of a container that contains toner T, a toner supply roller 550 as an example of a rotating member, a developing roller 510 as an example of a developer carrier, an upper seal 520, and a regulating blade. 560 etc.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally formed resin housing parts, that is, the upper housing part 542 and the lower housing part 544, and in order to accommodate the toner T therein. The toner container 530 is formed. The toner storage portion 530 is divided into two toner storage portions, that is, a first toner storage portion 530a and a second toner, by a partition wall 545 for partitioning the toner T that protrudes inwardly (in the vertical direction in FIG. 4) from the inner wall. It is divided into the accommodating portion 530b.

  The upper portions of the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b communicate with each other, and the movement of the toner T is restricted by the partition wall 545 in the state shown in FIG. However, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the toner stored in the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b is temporarily moved to the upper communicating side of the developing position. When the toner is collected and returns to the state shown in FIG. 4, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b. That is, as the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the toner T in the developing device is appropriately stirred. For this reason, in this embodiment, the stirring member is not provided in the toner storage portion 530, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner storage portion 530 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 530 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and a developing roller 510 described later is provided facing the opening 572.

  The housing 540 includes a fitting hole 547 on one end side in the longitudinal direction and a fitting hole 546 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The fitting hole 547 can be fitted with the one end side supply roller bearing 640, and the fitting hole 546 can be fitted with the other end side supply roller bearing 620 (FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 530a (inside the housing 540), and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a will be described later. This is a developer supply roller that supplies the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 peels off the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after development 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 provided vertically below the first toner storage portion 530a. The toner T accommodated in the first toner accommodating portion 530a is supplied to the developing roller 510 by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner accommodating portion 530a. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply roller 550 has a rotation shaft 550 a as an example of a rotation shaft and a housing 540 for two supply roller bearings, that is, one end in the axial direction of the toner supply roller 550 (yellow developing device 54). Is supported via one end side supply roller bearing 640 located on the other side and the other end side supply roller bearing 620 located on the other end side in the axial direction, thereby being supported around the rotation shaft 550a. Has been.

  More specifically, the toner supply roller 550 includes one end-side supply roller bearing 640 fitted in the fitting hole 547 and the other end-side supply roller bearing 620 fitted in the fitting hole 546. And is rotatably supported by the housing 540. 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 rotation shaft 550 a is below the rotation center axis of the developing roller 510.

  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 metal and is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, or an iron alloy such as STKM, and is subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing roller 510 is supported at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is rotatable about the central axis. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 4, there is a gap 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 520 prevents the toner T in the yellow developing device 54 from leaking out of the device, and collects the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position into the developing device without being scraped off. The upper seal 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal 520 is supported by a seal support sheet metal 522 and is attached to the housing 540 via the seal support sheet metal 522. A seal urging member 524 made of malt plain or the like is provided on the opposite side of the upper seal 520 from the developing roller 510 side. The upper seal 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. 510 is pressed. The contact position at which the upper seal 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The regulating blade 560 applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. 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 a rubber support part 560b, and the rubber support part 560b is supported by being sandwiched between a pair of blade support metal plates 562 via the blade support metal plate 562. Is attached. Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560.

  Here, the rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force caused by the bending of the rubber support portion 560 b. Further, the blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540, stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b, and provides rubber from the back of the rubber portion 560a. The rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the portion 560 a toward the developing roller 510. Therefore, the blade back member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the rubber portion 560a to the developing roller 510.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade support metal plate 562, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is the developing roller. 510 is in contact with a width. That is, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the belly. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact. The contact position where the regulating blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

<Operation of Yellow Developer 54>
In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the abutting position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and when the toner T passes through the corresponding contacting position, an electric charge is applied and the layer thickness is regulated. Is done.

  The charged toner T on the developing roller 510 reaches a developing position facing the photoconductor 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and a latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. For 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 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== Configuration around the other end side supply roller bearing 620 ===
The developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 according to this embodiment include a seal member that prevents leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the supply roller bearing, between the housing 540 and the supply roller bearing. have. In such a case, leakage of the toner T from the housing 540 is appropriately prevented (a specific description will be given later). Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the seal member is provided only on the other end side of the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, that is, only between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. As an example, a bearing seal 630 is provided. Therefore, the configuration around the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 provided on the other end side of the housing 540 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply roller 550 when the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 and the bearing seal 630 are attached to the housing 540. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing one end side of the toner supply roller 550 in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply roller 550 when the bearing seal 630 is attached to the housing 540. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the bearing seal 630 is attached to the bearing 620 for the other end side supply roller. FIG. 10 is a view showing the other end side supply roller bearing 620. FIG. 11 is a view showing the bearing seal 630.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other end side supply roller bearing 620 receives the rotation shaft 550 a of the toner supply roller 550 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply roller 550. As shown in FIG. 7, the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 includes a cylindrical large-diameter portion 621 and a small-diameter portion 622 that are arranged along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 550a. The large diameter portion 621 and the small diameter portion 622 receive the rotation shaft 550 a of the toner supply roller 550. Moreover, the large diameter part 621 and the small diameter part 622 are fitted in fitting holes 546 provided in the housing 540 as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a bearing seal 630 is provided between the other end side supply roller bearing 620 and the housing 540. The bearing seal 630 has a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. The bearing seal 630 is made of a foamed material such as foamed polyethylene.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the bearing seal 630 is circular and includes a circular hole 632. As shown in FIG. 9, the small diameter portion 622 of the other end side supply roller bearing 620 is fitted into the hole portion 632. The diameter of the hole 632 before the small diameter portion 622 is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 622. Therefore, when the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted, the hole portion 632 is expanded, and when the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted into the hole portion 632, the small-diameter portion 622 and the hole portion 632 have a so-called interference fit relationship. It is in. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer diameter of the bearing seal 630 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 621 when the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted in the hole portion 632.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the bearing seal 630 is provided in a compressed state by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. More specifically, the bearing seal 630 is provided in a compressed state by the housing 540 and the large diameter portion 621 of the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. Even if the bearing seal 630 is compressed by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 and extends in the radial direction, the outer diameter of the bearing seal 630 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 621.

  Further, the bearing seal 630 is not attached to either the housing 540 or the other end side supply roller bearing 620. For this reason, wrinkles do not occur when the bearing seal 630 is compressed by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 and extends in the radial direction.

  Note that a second bearing seal 626 is press-fitted into the small diameter portion 622 as shown in FIG. The second bearing seal 626 has a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the rotation shaft 550 a of the toner supply roller 550 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. A portion of the second bearing seal 626 that is in contact with the rotation shaft 550a is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and the portion and the rotation shaft 550a are in a so-called interference fit relationship. It is preventing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the seal member is provided only on the other end side of the one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, that is, between the housing 540 and the other end side supply roller bearing 620. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seal member may be provided only on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, that is, only between the housing 540 and the one-end-side supply roller bearing 640. Alternatively, the seal member is provided on both one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, that is, between the housing 540 and the other end side supply roller bearing 620, and between the housing 540 and the one end side supply roller bearing. It is good also as being provided between 640.

=== Effectiveness of Developer According to this Embodiment ===
The developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 (developing devices) according to the present embodiment are provided in a housing 540 (container) for housing the toner T (developer), the housing 540, and a rotating shaft. A toner supply roller 550 (rotating member) rotatable around 550a (rotating shaft), a supply roller bearing 620 (bearing) on the other end side for receiving the rotating shaft 550a of the toner supply roller 550, and a housing 540 Bearing seal 630 (seal member) for preventing leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the other end supply roller bearing 620. And having. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the toner T from leaking between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. This will be described in detail below.

  Since the toner T accommodated in the housing 540 is fine particles, if there is a gap or opening, the toner T leaks from the gap or the like. Since the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 that receives the toner supply roller 550 and the housing 540 are separate parts, even if the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 is in contact with the housing 540, the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 A gap may be formed between the housing 540 and the housing 540. Then, when the toner T accommodated in the housing 540 moves toward the gap, the toner T may leak from the gap (between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are provided between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. A bearing seal 630 for preventing leakage of the toner T from between the end side supply roller bearing 620 is provided.
In such a case, the bearing seal 630 fills a gap generated between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. Therefore, since the toner T accommodated in the housing 540 can be prevented from moving between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620, the toner T received from between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 can be prevented. It is possible to prevent leakage of the toner T.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the 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, but a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus including the rotary type developing device has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a tandem developing device.

  In the above embodiment, the photoconductor as the image carrier has been described as a configuration in which the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductive base material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-like conductive substrate may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 have the developing roller 510 (developer carrier) for carrying the toner T. The rotating member is a toner supply roller 550 (developer supply roller) for supplying the toner T accommodated in the housing 540 to the developing roller 510. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the rotating member may be a stirring member that stirs the toner T contained in the housing 540 while swinging.
However, from the viewpoint that the toner supply roller 550 stably supplies the toner T to the developing roller 510, a large amount of toner T exists around the toner supply roller 550, so the housing 540 and the other end side supply roller bearing 620 are provided. The toner T is likely to leak from between. Therefore, when the rotation member is the toner supply roller 550, it is possible to prevent leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the other-end supply roller bearing 620 by providing the bearing seal 630. This effect is more effective. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply roller 550 is provided vertically below the housing 540, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the toner supply roller 550 may be provided vertically above the housing 540.
However, if the toner supply roller 550 is provided vertically below the housing 540, the toner T exists around the toner supply roller 550 even if the amount of toner T contained in the housing 540 decreases. And the other end side supply roller bearing 620 easily leaks toner T. Therefore, when the toner supply roller 550 is provided vertically below the housing 540, the leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the other-end supply roller bearing 620 is prevented by providing the bearing seal 630. The effect that can be performed is more effectively achieved. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the bearing seal 630 is provided in a compressed state by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. It is not limited. For example, the bearing seal 630 may be provided in a state where it is not compressed by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620.
However, when the bearing seal 630 is provided in a compressed state by the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620, a gap generated between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. Therefore, the toner T can be more effectively prevented from leaking between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the bearing seal 630 is not attached to either the housing 540 or the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. However, the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the bearing seal 630 may be attached to at least one of the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 via a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like.
However, if the bearing seal 630 is affixed to another member, the bearing seal 630 may be wrinkled. Because of this wrinkle, the bearing seal 630 cannot properly fill the gap formed between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620, and therefore from between the housing 540 and the other-end-side supply roller-bearing 620. The toner T is likely to leak. On the other hand, when the bearing seal 630 is not attached to either the housing 540 or the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620, the wrinkles are less likely to occur. Therefore, the bearing seal 630 can more appropriately prevent the leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the other end side supply roller bearing 620. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 receives the rotation shaft 550a of the toner supply roller 550 and is arranged along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 550a. The cylindrical large-diameter portion 621 and the small-diameter portion 622 are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 540 includes a fitting hole 546 that can be fitted to the large diameter portion 621 and the small diameter portion 622. Further, the large diameter part 621 and the small diameter part 622 are fitted in the fitting holes 546. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the housing 540 may include a fitting hole that can be fitted only to the small diameter portion 622.
However, when the large-diameter portion 621 and the small-diameter portion 622 are fitted in the fitting hole 546, the fitting hole 546 attaches the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 to the housing 540 at the other end side. The supply roller bearing 620 has a function as an appropriate guide member. Therefore, the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 can be prevented from being attached to the housing 540 at an angle, so that the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 can properly receive the rotation shaft 550a of the toner supply roller 550. It becomes possible. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the bearing seal 630 is circular and includes a circular hole 632. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the small-diameter portion 622 of the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 is engaged with the hole portion 632. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the bearing seal 630 is provided in a compressed state by the housing 540 and the large-diameter portion 621 of the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620. The diameter of the hole 632 before the small diameter portion 622 is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 622. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the diameter of the hole 632 before the small diameter portion 622 is fitted may be larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 622.
However, when the diameter of the hole 632 before the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 622, the hole 632 and the small-diameter portion 622 are in a close-fitting relationship. When fitted with the hole 632, the bearing seal 630 is difficult to come off from the small diameter portion 622. The assembly of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 is improved by fitting the bearing 620 for the other end side supply roller and the fitting hole 546 in a state where the bearing seal 630 is fitted to the small diameter portion 622. It becomes possible to make it. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer diameter of the bearing seal 630 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 621 when the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted in the hole portion 632. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer diameter of the bearing seal 630 may be larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 621 when the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted in the hole 632.
However, when the outer diameter of the bearing seal 630 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 621 in a state where the small-diameter portion 622 is fitted in the hole portion 632, the bearing seal 630 does not protrude from the large-diameter portion 621. Appropriately, the large-diameter portion 621 and the small-diameter portion 622 can be fitted into the fitting hole 546. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the bearing seal 630 is made of a foam, but is not limited to this. For example, the bearing seal 630 may be made of a material other than the foam.

=== 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. 12 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 10, 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 10, 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. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 13 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, an example in which the printer 10 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 the computer 702 and the printer 10, 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 10 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 10 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. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. It is a perspective view of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a toner supply roller 550 is attached to a housing 540. 7 is a perspective view showing one end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply roller 550 when the other-end-side supply roller bearing 620 and the bearing seal 630 are attached to the housing 540. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one end side in the longitudinal direction of a toner supply roller 550. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one end side in the longitudinal direction of a toner supply roller 550 when a bearing seal 630 is attached to a housing 540. FIG. It is the figure which showed the state in which the bearing seal | sticker 630 was attached to the bearing 620 for other end side supply rollers. It is the figure which showed the bearing 620 for other end side supply rollers. It is the figure which showed the bearing seal 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

10 printer, 20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit, 40 exposure unit,
50 Developer holding unit, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Detachable part,
50e central axis, 51 black developer,
51a, 52a, 53a, 54a Developer side memory,
52 magenta developer, 53 cyan developer, 54 yellow developer,
60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member, 75 cleaning unit,
76 Cleaning blade, 80 Secondary transfer unit, 90 Fixing unit,
92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller,
100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 111 CPU, 112 interface,
113 Image memory, 114 Main controller side memory,
114a EEPROM, 114b RAM,
116 Unit controller side memory, 116a EEPROM,
120 CPU, 121 serial interface (I / F),
122 body side memory, 123 input / output port,
510 developing roller, 520 upper seal, 522 seal support sheet metal,
524 seal urging member, 530 toner accommodating portion, 530a first toner accommodating portion,
530b second toner storage portion, 540 housing, 542 upper housing portion,
544 lower housing part, 546 fitting hole, 547 fitting hole,
550 toner supply roller, 550a rotating shaft, 560 regulating blade,
560a rubber part, 560b rubber support part, 562 blade support sheet metal,
570 Blade backing member, 572 opening,
620 Bearing for other end side supply roller, 621 large diameter portion, 622 small diameter portion,
626 second bearing seal, 630 bearing seal, 632 hole,
640 bearing for one end side supply roller,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 Internal memory, 804 hard disk drive unit, T toner

Claims (12)

A container for containing the developer;
A rotation member provided in the housing and rotatable about a rotation axis;
A bearing for receiving the pivot shaft of the pivot member;
A seal member provided between the container and the bearing, for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing;
A developing device comprising: The developing device according to claim 1,
A developer carrier for carrying the developer;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a developer supply roller for supplying the developer stored in the container to the developer carrier. The developing device according to claim 2,
The developing device, wherein the developer supply roller is provided vertically below the container. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is provided in a compressed state by the container and the bearing. The developing device according to claim 4,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is not attached to either the container or the bearing. The developing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
The bearing is
A cylindrical large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion that receive the rotating shaft of the rotating member and are arranged along the axial direction of the rotating shaft,
With
The container includes a fitting hole that can be fitted to the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion,
The developing device, wherein the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion are fitted in the fitting hole. The developing device according to claim 6,
The sealing member is circular and includes a circular hole;
The small diameter portion of the bearing is fitted with the hole portion,
The seal member is provided in a state compressed by the container and the large diameter portion of the bearing,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the hole portion before the small diameter portion is fitted is smaller than an outer diameter of the small diameter portion. The developing device according to claim 7,
The developing device, wherein an outer diameter of the seal member is smaller than an outer diameter of the large diameter portion in a state where the small diameter portion is fitted in the hole portion. A developing device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is made of a foam. A container for containing the developer;
A rotation member provided in the housing and rotatable about a rotation axis;
A bearing for receiving the pivot shaft of the pivot member;
A seal member provided between the container and the bearing, for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing;
Have
A developer carrier for carrying the developer;
The rotating member is a developer supply roller for supplying the developer accommodated in the container to the developer carrier.
The developer supply roller is provided vertically below the container,
The seal member is provided in a compressed state by the container and the bearing,
The seal member is not attached to either the container or the bearing,
The bearing is
A cylindrical large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion that receive the rotating shaft of the rotating member and are arranged along the axial direction of the rotating shaft,
With
The container includes a fitting hole that can be fitted to the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion,
The large diameter portion and the small diameter portion are fitted with the fitting hole,
The sealing member is circular and includes a circular hole;
The small diameter portion of the bearing is fitted with the hole portion,
The seal member is provided in a state compressed by the container and the large diameter portion of the bearing,
The diameter of the hole portion before the small diameter portion is fitted is smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion,
In a state where the small diameter portion is fitted in the hole portion, the outer diameter of the seal member is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is made of a foam. An image carrier for carrying a latent image, and
A developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier, which is provided in a container for containing a developer, and is rotatable around a rotation axis. A rotating member, a bearing for receiving the rotating shaft of the rotating member, and the container and the bearing are provided between the container and the bearing. A developing device having a seal member for preventing leakage,
An image forming apparatus comprising: Computer, and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image carrier for carrying a latent image; and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier. A container for housing, a pivot member provided in the container and pivotable about a pivot shaft, a bearing for receiving the pivot shaft of the pivot member, and the container An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device provided between the housing and the bearing, and a seal member for preventing leakage of developer from between the container and the bearing;
An image forming system comprising:

Images