JP2006201206A - Developing device, processing cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a toner feed amount from a second storage chamber to a first storage chamber as equal as possible without being affected by a toner charge of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber of a developing device while enabling a miniaturization of a developing device at a low cost without providing a toner liquid surface sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The first storage chamber 54 and the second storage chamber 55 are provided on the developing device 16 to communicate with a communicating opening 56 blocked by a check valve 66. A plurality of blades 60 and 61 for carrying the toner to a developer feed member 50 by rotating are provided on a first toner feed member 57 of the first storage chamber. One of the plurality of the blades is made long, and the check valve is struck one per one rotation of the first toner feed member by the long blade 61 to feed the toner of the second storage chamber 55 to the first storage chamber 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. In particular, electrophotographic image formation such as monochrome, two-color, full-color, etc., in which the toner image formed on the photoreceptor is directly or indirectly transferred and recorded on a transfer material such as a sheet, OHP film, etc. Relates to the device. The present invention also relates to a process cartridge that includes at least a photosensitive member and a developing device in such an image forming apparatus, and is detachable in a lump with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. The present invention also relates to a developing device that is provided in such an image forming apparatus or process cartridge and that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by attaching toner to the photosensitive member.

  The developing devices used in the image forming apparatus include a one-component developing device that uses a one-component developer containing only toner and a two-component developing device that uses a two-component developer composed of toner and a carrier. Comparing the one-component developing device and the two-component developing device, the one-component developing device is more advantageous in that no carrier or toner concentration sensor is required.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the one-component developing device includes a first storage chamber 101 and a second storage chamber 102 that communicate with each other through a communication port 103 in a developing case 100. In the first storage chamber 101, a roller-shaped developer carrier 105 that partially exposes the opening 104 of the developer case 100, a roller-shaped developer supply member 106 that presses against the developer carrier 105, and A first toner supply member 108 for supplying toner to the developer regulating member 107 and the developer supply member 106 is provided. Two second toner supply members 109 are provided side by side in the second storage chamber 102.

  Then, the toner in the second storage chamber 102 is fed into the first storage chamber 101 through the communication port 103 by the rotation of the second toner supply member 109, and the developer supply member 106 is supplied by the first toner supply member 108 and developed. The toner is supplied to the developer carrier 105 by the developer supply member 106, the toner on the developer carrier 105 is thinned by the developer regulating member 107, and attached to the photoconductor 110 by the developer carrier 105, The electrostatic latent image on the body 110 was developed.

  However, even in this one-component developing device, the developer regulating member 107 is pressed together with the developer supply member 106 against the developer carrying member 105 and further rotated with a linear speed difference. There is a problem that the additive is peeled off or the charging ability is lowered by being buried in the base material. Further, since the small particle size toner is selectively consumed from the developer carrier 105, the degree of toner deterioration between the toner in the first storage chamber 101 and the toner in the second storage chamber 102 over time, There was a problem that caused a difference in particle size distribution.

  Under such circumstances, when the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber 102 to the first storage chamber 101 becomes excessive, the charging capacity of the first storage chamber 101 decreases with time and the particle size increases as described above. A large amount of toner having a small particle diameter, which maintains a predetermined charge amount, enters the toner from the second storage chamber 102 side, and there is a problem that the toner becomes bipolar and causes soiling. Further, there is a problem that the powder pressure increases around the developer carrying member 105 and toner is ejected from the opening 104.

  On the other hand, when the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber 102 to the first storage chamber 101 is insufficient, there is a problem that a development failure due to a tracking failure occurs when an image with a high image area ratio per transfer material is formed. . Further, there is a problem that the toner amount in the first storage chamber 101 is reduced and the deterioration of the toner in the first storage chamber 101 is promoted.

  Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, in order to solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 9, the communication port 103 between the first storage chamber 101 and the second storage chamber 102 has an elastic check. The valve 111 is provided, and the check valve 111 is pushed open by the rotation of the second toner supply member 109 to feed the toner in the second storage chamber 102 into the first storage chamber 101 through the communication port 103, and the first toner supply member There are some which supply the toner in the second storage chamber 102 into the first storage chamber 101 through the communication port 103 by hitting the check valve 111 four times per rotation with the four blades 112 by the rotation of 108.

  Also, there is a type in which a toner liquid level sensor is provided in the first storage chamber 101 and the toner supply amount is stabilized by controlling the rotation of the first toner supply member 108 and the second toner supply member 109 based on the detection result. .

JP 2002-162817 A JP 2002-229318 A

  However, in the one-component developing apparatus as shown in FIG. 9, when the toner filling amount stored in the first storage chamber 101 is small and the toner filling amount stored in the second storage chamber 102 is large, the first storage chamber 102 starts from the first storage chamber 102. An excessive amount of toner is supplied to the storage chamber 101, causing problems such as background contamination and toner ejection as described above. On the other hand, when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber 101 is large and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber 102 is small, the toner supply amount from the second storage chamber 102 to the first storage chamber 101 is insufficient, and the above-described case. As described above, problems such as poor tracking of a large image area and promotion of toner deterioration occurred.

  Further, in the method of providing a toner liquid level sensor in the first storage chamber 101 and controlling it according to the detection result, there is a problem that the cost is increased by the provision of the toner liquid level sensor and the developing device is also increased in size.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner liquid level sensor or the like in the developing device to increase the number of parts, and without increasing the cost or increasing the size of the developing device, the first storage chamber and the second chamber of the developing device. The toner supply amount from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber is made as equal as possible regardless of the toner filling amount in the storage chamber.

In order to achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured to press the developer supply member and the developer regulating member against the developer carrying member in the first storage chamber and to rotatably provide the first toner supply member. On the other hand, a developing device comprising a second toner supply member in the second storage chamber, a communication port provided between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, and a check valve provided in the communication port;
By rotating the second toner supply member, toner is supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber by pushing the check valve through the communication port and supplying the toner to the first storage chamber. 1 Rotate the toner replenishing member to replenish the toner, attach the toner to the developer carrying member with the developer supplying member, and thin the layer with the developer regulating member, and apply the thinned toner to the photoreceptor In the developing device that attaches and visualizes the electrostatic latent image of the photoreceptor,
The first toner replenishing member is provided with a blade that conveys toner to the developer supplying member, and the check valve is struck by the blade once, and the first toner replenishing member is struck once per rotation. The toner in two storage chambers is supplied to the first storage chamber.

  The maximum number of times the toner in the second storage chamber is supplied to the first storage chamber by striking with the blades of the first toner replenishment member is set to 1 degree per rotation of the first toner replenishment member, and the second storage is performed by striking with the blades. The amount of toner supplied from the chamber to the first storage chamber is minimized or eliminated, particularly when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is small and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is large. To do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, a plurality of the blades are provided on the first toner supply member, one of the plurality of blades is made long, and the long blade is made. Then, the check valve is tapped once by one rotation of the first toner replenishing member, and the toner in the second storage chamber is supplied to the first storage chamber.

  The toner supply amount when the toner amount supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber by hitting with a blade is minimized, and the toner storage amount in the first storage chamber is small and the toner storage amount in the second storage chamber is large. On the other hand, the toner supply amount when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is full and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is small is increased.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, the first toner replenishing member is provided with a plurality of blades, all of the plurality of blades are made short, and the short blades are formed. The check valve is never touched by one rotation of the first toner supply member, and the toner in the second storage chamber is transferred to the first storage chamber only by rotating the second toner supply member. It is characterized by supplying.

  Then, the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber is eliminated by striking with a blade, and the toner supply amount when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is small and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is large is reduced. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge comprising the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects. The process cartridge is integrated with at least a photoconductor and a developing device, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. This makes it possible to improve the maintainability by exchanging the entire process cartridge itself when the component parts or the component devices are damaged, and to reduce the size of the component parts and the component devices by making them smaller.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, comprising the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, comprising the process cartridge according to the fourth aspect.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner is supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber through the communication port through the communication port, and the toner is supplied to the first toner supply member. A blade is provided for conveying to the supply member, and the check valve is struck by the blade once and the toner in the second storage chamber is supplied to the first storage chamber by one rotation of the first toner replenishment member at a maximum. Since the toner supply amount is reduced when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is small and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is large, a toner liquid level sensor or the like is provided to increase the number of parts and increase the cost. The toner supply from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber is stabilized without being influenced by the toner filling amount of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber without increasing the size of the first storage chamber. While preventing the occurrence of dirt and toner ejection, Including promotion of the follow-up failure and the deterioration of toner of a high image area due to toner supply shortage can be prevented.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of blades provided on the first toner replenishing member is made long, and the check valve is made by the long blade, and one check is made by one rotation of the first toner replenishing member. The amount of toner charged in the first storage chamber is minimized by supplying the toner in the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber by tapping the blade and minimizing the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber by hitting the blade. Since the toner supply amount when the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is small and the toner filling amount is small is reduced, the toner supply amount when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is full and the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber is small is increased. In addition, the toner level sensor is provided to increase the number of parts, without increasing the cost and increasing the size of the developing device, and without being influenced by the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber. 2 Toner supply from storage chamber to first storage chamber is stabilized While preventing such occurrence of background contamination and toner jetting by excessive toner supply amount, it is possible to prevent a promotion of the follow-up failure and the deterioration of toner of a high image area due to the toner supply shortage.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber is eliminated by striking with a blade, and the toner charging amount in the second storage chamber is small because the toner charging amount in the first storage chamber is small. Since the toner supply amount is reduced when there is a large amount of toner, a toner liquid level sensor or the like is provided to increase the number of parts without increasing the cost or increasing the size of the developing device, and the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber. The toner supply from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber is stabilized regardless of the toner filling amount of the toner, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of background contamination or toner ejection due to excessive toner supply amount, while the toner supply amount is insufficient. It is possible to prevent the follow-up failure of a large image area and the promotion of the deterioration of the toner.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge includes the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a process cartridge including the developing device having the above effect can be provided. .

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the image forming apparatus includes the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus including the developing device having the above-described effect is provided. Can do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the image forming apparatus includes the process cartridge according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge having the effect according to the fourth aspect. it can.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an internal mechanism of a color laser printer. The illustrated color laser printer is an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In the printer apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) A of the illustrated color laser printer, a photoconductor device 10 is provided substantially at the center. The photoconductor device 10 is provided with an endless belt-like photoconductor 12 that is wound around a plurality of rollers 11. An organic photosensitive layer is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12.

  Around the photosensitive device 10, a charging device 14, a writing device 15, a one-component developing device 16 for each color, an intermediate transfer device 17, a cleaning device 18 and the like are provided. The charging device 14 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 12 by applying a high voltage.

  The writing device 15 emits laser light from a laser diode (not shown) based on a color image signal from a computer, for example, and emits the laser light via a polygon mirror 20, an f / θ lens 21, a reflection mirror 22, and the like. Writing corresponding to the image signals of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow is performed to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 12.

  The one-component developing device 16 accommodates black, cyan, magenta, or yellow non-magnetic one-component developer, and is provided in a detachable manner in multiple stages. Then, the roller-like developer carrier 25 that is selectively close to the photoconductor 12 and accommodated in the developing case 24 is brought into contact with or close to the photoconductor 12.

  The intermediate transfer device 17 has an intermediate transfer belt 28 that is an endless belt and is wound around a plurality of rollers 27. In addition, an intermediate transfer roller 31 is provided around the transfer material conveyance path 30, and a cleaning device 32 for the intermediate transfer belt 28 is provided.

  The cleaning device 18 for the photoreceptor 12 is formed by pressing a cleaning blade against the photoreceptor 12. Similarly, the cleaning device 32 for the intermediate transfer belt 28 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 28.

  By the way, a paper feed cassette 34 is attached to the bottom of the printer apparatus main body A of the laser printer so as to be freely inserted and removed. The transfer material in the paper feed cassette 34 is fed out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 35, sent into the transfer material transport path 30, transported by the transport roller 36, and timed by the registration roller 37 and intermediate transfer belt 28 and intermediate transfer. It feeds between the rollers 31.

  A discharge roller 39 is provided downstream of the transfer material conveyance path 30 following the fixing device 38. Further, on the printer apparatus main body A, a paper discharge stack unit 40 for stacking recorded transfer materials face down is provided.

  When recording is performed with this laser printer, the rollers 11 and 27 are rotated to rotate and convey the photosensitive member 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 28 in the directions indicated by the arrows in the drawing, and the sheet feeding roller 35 is rotated to transfer the transfer material. Is transferred between the intermediate transfer belt 28 and the intermediate transfer roller 31 through the transfer material conveyance path 30.

  Then, the surface of the photoconductor 12 is charged by the charging device 14, and writing is performed by the writing device 15 to form an electrostatic latent image for each color sequentially on the photoconductor 12. Next, toner charged with a charge opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image is electrostatically attached by the developing device 16 and visualized by color. Each color image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 28 for each color by applying a charge opposite to that of toner, and four colors are combined to form a color image.

  The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is transferred to the transfer material by applying an opposite charge to the toner by the intermediate transfer roller 31. The transfer material after the image transfer is fixed by the fixing device 38 and then discharged by the paper discharge roller 39 and stacked on the paper discharge stack unit 40.

  After the image transfer, the photoreceptor 12 is prepared for the next image formation by removing the transfer residual toner with the cleaning blade of the cleaning device 18. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 28 after image transfer is also prepared for the next image formation by removing the transfer residual toner by the cleaning member of the cleaning device 32.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the one-component developing device 16 for each color provided in the color laser printer of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the one-component developing device 16 for each color has an opening 43 in the developing case 24, and a developer carrier 25 is provided to face the photoreceptor 12 through the opening 43. The developer carrier 25 rotates in the same direction as the photoconductor 12 at a facing position at a linear speed ratio of 1.1 to 2.0 times. A roller-shaped developer regulating member 44 is pressed against the developer carrier 25.

  The developer regulating member 44 is configured such that the shaft 45 is supported by the developing case 24 via a bearing 46, and the bearing 46 is urged by the urging member 47 and pressed against the developer carrier 25. Then, it rotates in the counter direction with respect to the developer carrier 25 at the pressing position. The tip of the scraping member 48 is pressed against the developer regulating member 44. The scraping member 48 scrapes off toner adhering to the surface of the developer regulating member 44.

  Further, the developer supply member 50 is brought into contact with the developer carrier 25 with a predetermined nip. The developer supply member 50 is in the form of a roller and is made of a foam material 51 such as polyurethane, silicon, EPDM, and polycarbonate, and a metal cored bar 52. The contact position may be in any direction, but in the illustrated example, it rotates in the counter direction with a relative linear velocity difference with respect to the developer carrier 25.

  By the way, in the developing case 24, the first storage chamber 54 and the second storage chamber 55 are provided in communication with each other through a small communication port 56 opened in the partition wall 67. In the first storage chamber 54, together with the developer carrier 25, the developer regulating member 44, the developer supplying member 50, etc., the first toner replenishing member 57 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing in the drawing. Provide freely. The first toner supply member 57 is configured by attaching two blades 60 and 61 for supplying toner to the developer supply member 50 around the rotation shaft 58. One of the two blades 60 and 61 is a blade 60 made short, and the other one is a blade 61 made long. The number of blades is not limited to two, and a plurality of blades can be provided, and the blades are made long so that at most one of them can touch a check valve 66 described later.

  On the other hand, two second toner replenishing members 62 are provided side by side in the second storage chamber 55, and each store black, cyan, magenta, or yellow non-magnetic one-component developer. In this example, each of the second toner supply members 62 is configured by attaching one blade 64 around the rotation shaft 63, and in the illustrated example, the second toner supply member 62 is provided to be rotatable counterclockwise in the drawing. Here, the blades 64 of the second toner replenishing member 62 are made of a soft material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), rotate in close contact with the inner wall of the second storage chamber 55, and reliably convey the toner. To do.

  Then, the communication port 56 between the first storage chamber 54 and the second storage chamber 55 is non-returned from the first storage chamber 54 side so that the toner does not flow backward from the first storage chamber 54 to the second storage chamber 55. Close with valve 66. The check valve 66 is made of an elastic material such as PET and is provided with an upper portion attached to the partition wall 67. The first toner replenishment is made at the tip of the blade 61 which is made longer as the first toner replenishment member 57 rotates. The toner in the second storage chamber 55 is supplied to the first storage chamber 54 by hitting the member once and pushing it down.

  The second storage chamber forming portion of the developing case 24 is detachable by sliding in a direction perpendicular to the drawing with respect to the first storage chamber forming portion, so that the toner in the second storage chamber 55 is exhausted. Sometimes the second storage chamber forming part can be replaced with a new one. Although not shown, each developing device 16 is urged away from the photoconductor 12 by a spring (not shown), and a contact cam (not shown) is disposed on the rear side. Thus, the developing device 16 is brought close to the photosensitive member 12 against the spring, while the developing device 16 can be separated from the photosensitive member 12 based on the biasing force of the spring.

  Then, the rotation of the second toner supply member 62 conveys the toner in the second storage chamber 55, passes through the communication port 56, pushes the check valve 66 open, and sends it into the first storage chamber 54. With the rotation of the toner supply member 57, the check valve 66 is tapped once per rotation with the long blade 61, and the toner in the second storage chamber 55 is sent into the first storage chamber 54 through the communication port 56, The toner in one storage chamber 54 is pumped up by the first toner supply member 57 and supplied to the developer supply member 50, and the toner is supplied to the developer carrier 25 by the developer supply member 50, and the developer carrier 25. The upper toner is thinned by the developer regulating member 44 and attached to the photoreceptor 12 by the developer carrier 25 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 12.

  In this case, the number of times that the first toner supply member 57 is struck by the blade 61 of the first toner supply member 57 and the toner in the second storage chamber 55 is supplied to the first storage chamber 54 is set to 1 degree per rotation of the first toner supply member 57. 61, the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber 55 to the first storage chamber 54 is minimized, especially when the toner storage amount of the first storage chamber 54 is small and the toner storage amount of the second storage chamber 55 is large. Reduce toner supply.

  As a result, a toner liquid level sensor or the like is provided to increase the number of parts, and the amount of toner charged in the first storage chamber 54 and the second storage chamber 55 can be changed without increasing the cost or increasing the size of the developing device 16. In addition, the toner supply from the second storage chamber 55 to the first storage chamber 54 is stabilized to prevent scumming or toner ejection due to an excessive toner supply amount. It is possible to prevent poor tracking of the image area and promotion of toner deterioration.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of another example of the one-component developing device 16.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, both the two blades 60 are made short, and the short blades 60 are prevented from touching the check valve 66 by the rotation of the first toner supply member 57. The toner in the second storage chamber 55 is supplied to the first storage chamber 54 only by rotating 62. The other configurations are the same as those of the developing device 16 shown in FIG. 2, and the reference numerals used in the corresponding parts in FIG.

  In this case, the number of times the toner in the second storage chamber 55 is supplied to the first storage chamber 54 by hitting with the blade of the first toner supply member 57 is set to 0 degree by one rotation of the first toner supply member 57, and the blade is used. The amount of toner supplied to the first storage chamber 54 from the second storage chamber 55 is eliminated by hitting the toner supply amount when the toner storage amount in the first storage chamber 54 is small and the toner storage amount in the second storage chamber 55 is large. Reduce.

  In FIG. 4, when the toner supply amount from the second storage chamber 55 is the largest, that is, when the second storage chamber 55 is new and the toner is full, the toner filling amount of the first storage chamber 54 is 150 g to 200 g. A change in the amount of toner supplied from the second storage chamber 55 to the first storage chamber 54 with 5% image consumption at a certain time is shown. 3, a is the case of the developing device shown in FIG. 3, b is the case of the developing device shown in FIG. 4, and c is the case of the conventional developing device shown in FIG. d is a target value, and the aim is to supply toner as much as it is consumed. Therefore, 5% image is 2.5 g / 100 sheets.

  As can be seen from the figure, when the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber 55 is full, the toner supply amount is reduced by 60% in the FIG. 3 type and by 90% in the FIG. 4 type. The toner supply to the chamber 54 can be stabilized. In the type shown in FIG. 4, since the supply by pushing down the check valve 66 is not performed, the toner supply amount is slightly smaller than the target value, but it can be corrected by controlling the rotation of the second toner supply member 62.

  On the other hand, in the conventional type, when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is small, the supply by depressing the check valve overlaps the supply by the rotation of the second toner replenishing member, and the supply amount is considerably excessive. On the contrary, when the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is large, the back flow into the second storage chamber due to the depression of the check valve is larger than the supply due to the rotation of the second toner supply member, and the toner supply amount is a negative value. This indicates that there is a considerable supply shortage.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber 54 and the background dirt.
When the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber 54 is 150 g to 200 g, the background stain is considerably good. However, the background stain tends to worsen as the toner filling amount increases, and the background stain rank of 3.5 is broken when the toner filling amount is around 240 g.

  FIGS. 6 to 8 show that the first storage chamber is filled with 150 g of toner and the second storage chamber is filled with 480 g of toner to output a 5% image, and the toner filling amount of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber over time. And a graph showing the transition of the toner supply amount from the second storage chamber to the first storage chamber. 6 shows the case of the conventional developing device shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 7 shows the case of the developing device shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 shows the case of the developing device shown in FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 6, in the conventional type, the toner supply amount is excessive when the second storage chamber is nearly full, and the toner supply amount continues to be excessive until the first storage chamber is full. When one storage chamber is full, only the consumed amount is supplied. After that, when the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber becomes lower than a certain level, the toner supply amount rapidly decreases and the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber is reached. Is falling.

  As can be seen from FIG. 7, in the type shown in FIG. 3, the toner supply amount is stable, and the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber 54 is stable around 200 g. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 8, in the type shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply amount is stable, and the toner filling amount in the first storage chamber 54 is stable around 150 g.

  As described above, according to FIG. 3 type and FIG. 4 type, the first storage chamber 54 is provided without increasing the number of parts by providing a toner liquid level sensor or the like and increasing the cost or increasing the size of the developing device 16. In addition, the toner supply from the second storage chamber 55 to the first storage chamber 54 is stabilized without being affected by the toner filling amount in the second storage chamber 55, and the occurrence of scumming or toner ejection due to excessive toner supply amount. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the follow-up failure of the high image area and the promotion of the toner deterioration due to the insufficient toner supply amount.

  In the above-described example, the case where the present invention is applied to a color laser printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile, and is not limited to a color. The present invention can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. Further, in such an image forming apparatus, the present invention can also be applied to a process cartridge integrated with at least a photoreceptor and a developing device. The present invention can also be applied to a developing device provided in such an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

It is a whole schematic block diagram of the internal mechanism of a color laser printer. It is a block diagram of each color one-component developing device with which the color laser printer is equipped. It is a block diagram of the other example of a one-component developing device. 11 is a graph showing a change in toner supply amount at 5% image consumption when the toner supply amount in the first storage chamber is 150 g to 200 g when the toner supply amount from the second storage chamber is the largest. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the toner filling amount of a 1st storage chamber, and background dirt. The first storage chamber is filled with 150 g of toner and the second storage chamber is filled with 480 g of toner to output a 5% image. The amount of toner filling in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber over time and the second storage chamber from the second storage chamber 9 is a graph showing a change in the amount of toner supplied to one storage chamber, which is the case of the conventional developing device shown in FIG. This is the case of the developing device shown in FIG. This is the case of the developing device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the conventional developing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Photoconductor 16 Developing device 25 Developer carrier 44 Developer control member 50 Developer supply member 54 First storage chamber 55 Second storage chamber 56 Communication port 57 First toner supply member 60 Short blade 61 Long blade 62 Second toner supply member 66 Check valve

Claims (6)

The developer supply member and the developer regulating member are pressed against the developer carrier in the first storage chamber, and the first toner supply member is rotatably provided, while the second toner supply member is provided in the second storage chamber, A communication port is provided between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, and a check valve is provided at the communication port, and the communication from the second storage chamber by rotating the second toner supply member. Through the opening, the check valve is pushed open to supply toner to the first storage chamber, and in the first storage chamber, the first toner supply member is rotated to supply toner, and the developer supply member A developing device that attaches toner to the developer carrying member and thins it with the developer regulating member, attaches the thinned toner to the photoreceptor, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image of the photoreceptor In
The first toner replenishing member is provided with a blade that conveys toner to the developer supplying member, and the check valve is struck by the blade once, and the first toner replenishing member is struck once per rotation. 2. A developing device that supplies toner in two storage chambers to the first storage chamber.   The first toner replenishing member is provided with a plurality of blades, one of the plurality of blades is made long, the checker valve is made with the long made blade, and the rotation of the first toner replenishing member once. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner in the second storage chamber is tapped to supply the toner to the first storage chamber.   The first toner replenishing member is provided with a plurality of blades, all of the plurality of blades are made short, and the short blades are made to the check valve once in one rotation of the first toner replenishing member. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner in the second storage chamber is supplied to the first storage chamber only by rotating the second toner replenishing member so as not to be touched.   A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 4.

Images