JP2006301388A - Developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device capable of preventing the occurrence of an image defect by preventing a change in the interval between a developer carrier and an image carrier. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device is a non-magnetic one-component developing device which has the developer carrier, a developer layer regulating member and a holding member for holding the interval with respect to the image carrier, forms an oscillating electric field between the image carrier and the developer carrier and allows developer on the developer carrier to reciprocate in the developing region between the image carrier and the developer carrier by the oscillating electric field, to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, and configured in such a manner that a flying developer control member which prevents a part of the reciprocation of the developer contributing to development in the developing region is arranged. In addition, the developing device includes a shield member which blocks the movement to the holding member of an air flow generated in a space surrounded by the developer carrier, the developer layer regulating member and the flying developer control member, between the flying developer control member and the holding member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device used for a copying machine, a printer or the like that employs an electrophotographic system, and a process cartridge including the developing device.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, and the like.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum as an image carrier are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. To do. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a process cartridge system has been adopted in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are integrated into a cartridge and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. This cartridge system is further improved in operability, and the user can easily perform maintenance of the process means. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatus main bodies.

  Among the developing methods in such a process cartridge, there is a developing method in which an alternating electric field is applied between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum, and development is performed in a non-contact manner. In this method, the developer flying from the developing sleeve is attached to the latent image on the photosensitive drum and is developed.

  For this reason, the latent image on the photosensitive drum moves while the developer flies, and even if the latent image has the same density, more developer may adhere to the rear end of the latent image. In order to meet the recent demand for high image quality, further improvements have been desired.

  In order to solve this, a method of providing a flying developer control member is known (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-022185

  However, the flying developer control member 91 is disposed in a minute gap between the developing sleeve 40 that is a developer carrying member and the photosensitive drum 1, and reciprocates between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 at the tip thereof. In order to regulate the flying of the developer, a part of the developer regulated by the flying developer control member 91 is prevented from reciprocating between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 and floats as scattered toner.

  The floating toner floats in a range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S (FIGS. 1 and 1-A), but the rotation of the developing sleeve as shown in FIG. 1-A. As a result of the airflow, the air travels around the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S so as to vortex.

  This floating toner is generated in the entire longitudinal direction (developing sleeve rotation axis direction) where the flying developer control member 91 is carried, and the floating toner generated in the entire longitudinal direction is generated in the developing sleeve 40. Along with the rotation, it is migrating as indicated by an arrow C in FIG.

  In this way, the floating toner migrating in the entire longitudinal direction moves toward both ends in the longitudinal direction where the range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S is opened (FIG. 3). In the direction of arrow A), and discharged from both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  The discharged floating toner adheres to the gap holding member 57 that holds the minute gap between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 provided at the end in the longitudinal direction more than the open portion, and the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1. There is a possibility that the image gap may be generated by changing the minute gap.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device and a process cartridge that can prevent the occurrence of image defects by preventing a change in the distance between the developer carrier and the image carrier. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developer carrying member for carrying and conveying a developer, a developer layer regulating member for regulating a developer layer on the image carrying member, the image carrying member and the developer. A holding member that holds an interval between the image carrier and the image carrier disposed opposite to the carrier, and forms an oscillating electric field between the image carrier and the developer carrier. An electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier by causing the developer on the developer carrier to reciprocate in the development region between the image carrier and the developer carrier. A non-magnetic one-component developing device for visualizing the above-mentioned flying developer, wherein the flying developer is provided with a flying developer control member for preventing a part of the reciprocating motion of the developer that contributes to development in the developing region. The developer carrying member between the control member and the holding member; A layer regulating member, wherein the air flow generated in a space surrounded by said flying developer control member is provided with a shielding member that prevents towards the retaining member.

  The present invention also provides a developer carrying member for carrying and conveying a developer, a developer layer regulating member for regulating an image layer on the image carrying member, and an image disposed to face the developer carrying member. And a holding member that holds a distance between the image carrier and the developer carrier, and forms an oscillating electric field between the image carrier and the developer carrier. The electrostatic developer formed on the image carrier by reciprocating the developer on the developer carrier in the development area between the image carrier and the developer carrier. A non-magnetic one-component developing device that visualizes a latent image, wherein the flying cartridge includes a flying developer control member that prevents a part of the reciprocating motion of the developer that contributes to development in the developing area. The developer carrier between the developer control member and the holding member Wherein a developer layer regulating member, wherein the flying developer control member and the air flow generated by the enclosed space is provided with a shielding member that prevents towards the retaining member.

  According to the present invention, a longitudinal direction in which a part of the developer regulated by the flying developer control member is opened in a range surrounded by the flying developer control member, the developer carrier, and the developer layer regulating member. Changes in the distance between the developer carrier and the image carrier without preventing the developer from adhering to the holding member that prevents the developer from moving toward the edge and holds the gap between the developer carrier and the image carrier. And the occurrence of image defects can be prevented.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiments of a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration of multicolor image forming apparatus]
First, the overall configuration of the multicolor image forming apparatus will be outlined with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the entire configuration of a full-color laser beam printer 100 which is an aspect of the multicolor image forming apparatus.

  A multicolor image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7 includes four photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. The photosensitive drum 1 as an image bearing member is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in order according to the rotation direction, and a laser beam is irradiated on the basis of image information. A scanner unit 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for forming an electrostatic latent image on the drum 1, and a developing device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for developing the toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image ), An electrostatic transfer device 5 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer material S, and a cleaning device 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6) for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after transfer. 6d) and the like are provided.

  Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrated into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7.

  Hereinafter, the photosensitive drum 1 will be described in detail.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 24 mm, for example. Both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 are rotatably supported by a support member, and a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end, so that the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated counterclockwise. The

  As the charging device 2, a contact charging type can be used. The charging member is a conductive roller formed in a roller shape. The roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is made uniform by applying a charging bias voltage to the roller. To be charged. Since the reversal development system is used in the present embodiment, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged with a negative polarity.

  The scanner unit 3 emits image light corresponding to an image signal to a polygon mirror 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) rotated at high speed by a scanner motor (not shown) by a laser diode (not shown). The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 9 selectively exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 through the imaging lens 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) to form an electrostatic latent image. It is composed.

  The developing device 4 includes toner containers 41 (41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d) that respectively store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, and the toner in the developing container unit 46 is fed by the feeding mechanism 42. Feed into the supply roller 43.

  The toner supply roller 43 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, and supplies toner to the developing sleeve 40 that is a developer carrying member, and peels off the toner from the developing sleeve 40 after developing to the photosensitive drum 1. .

  The toner supplied to the developing sleeve 40 is applied to the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 40 that rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure by a developing blade 44 that is pressed against the outer periphery of the developing sleeve 40 and is given an electric charge.

  Then, by applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 40 facing the photosensitive drum 1 on which the latent image is formed, toner development is performed on the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the latent image.

  The electrostatic transfer device 5 is provided with an electrostatic conveyance belt 11 that circulates and moves so as to face and contact all the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. The electrostatic transport belt 11 is made of a resin film or a multilayer film member having a resin layer provided on a rubber base layer. The electrostatic conveyance belt 11 is stretched around a driving roller 13, driven rollers 14a and 14b, and a tension roller 15. The transfer material S is electrostatically adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface on the left side in the drawing and is attached to the photosensitive drum 1. The transfer material S is circulated so as to contact it. As a result, the transfer material S is conveyed to the transfer position by the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred.

  The transfer roller 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is arranged in parallel at a position in contact with the inside of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and facing the four photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. A positive polarity bias is applied to the transfer rollers 12 during transfer, and positive polarity charges are applied to the transfer material S via the electrostatic transfer belt 11. The negative polarity toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the transfer material S in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by the electric field generated at this time.

  The paper feed unit 16 feeds and conveys the transfer material S to the image forming unit, and a plurality of transfer materials S are stored in the paper feed cassette 17. At the time of image formation, the paper feed roller 18 (half-moon roller) and the registration roller 19 are driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation to separate and feed the transfer material S in the paper feed cassette 17 one by one. After abutting against the registration roller 19 and temporarily forming a loop, the rotation of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the image writing position are synchronized, and the sheet is fed to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by the registration roller 19.

  The fixing unit 20 fixes a plurality of color toner images transferred to the transfer material S, and includes a heating roller 21a that rotates, and a pressure roller 21b that presses and applies heat and pressure to the transfer material S. Consists of.

  That is, the transfer material S to which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred is conveyed by the pressure roller 21b when passing through the fixing unit 20, and is given heat and pressure by the heating roller 21a. As a result, the toner images of a plurality of colors are fixed on the surface of the transfer material S.

  As an image forming operation, the process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are sequentially driven in accordance with the print timing, and the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d rotate counterclockwise in accordance with the drive. Driven. Then, the scanner units 3 corresponding to the respective process cartridges 7 are sequentially driven. By this driving, the charging roller 2 imparts a uniform charge to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the scanner unit 3 exposes the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 according to the image signal to perform photosensitive drum 1. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface. The developing sleeve 40 in the developing device 4 forms (develops) a toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by transferring the toner to the low potential portion of the electrostatic latent image.

  At the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the circumferential surface of the most upstream photosensitive drum is rotated and conveyed to a point facing the electrostatic transfer belt 11, the printing start position of the transfer material S coincides with that point. The registration roller 19 starts rotating and feeds the transfer material S to the electrostatic transfer belt 11.

  The transfer material S is pressed against the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 so as to be sandwiched between the electrostatic adsorption roller 22 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and between the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the electrostatic adsorption roller 22. By applying a voltage, a charge is induced in the transfer material S that is a dielectric and the dielectric layer of the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the transfer material is electrostatically adsorbed on the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11. Yes. As a result, the transfer material S is stably adsorbed to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and conveyed to the most downstream transfer unit.

  While being conveyed in this way, the toner image on each photoconductive drum 1 is sequentially transferred to the transfer material S by an electric field formed between each photoconductive drum 1 and the transfer roller 12.

The transfer material S to which the four color toner images are transferred is separated from the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by the curvature of the belt driving roller 13 and is carried into the fixing unit 20. After the toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing unit 20, the transfer material S is discharged by the paper discharge roller 23 from the paper discharge unit 24 to the outside of the main body with the image surface facing down.
[Process cartridge configuration]
Next, the process cartridge embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 show a main cross section and a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 containing toner. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d have the same configuration.

  The process cartridge 7 develops an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum 1) that is a photosensitive drum, a cleaner unit 50 including a charging unit and a cleaning unit, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing unit 4 is provided with developing means for performing the above operation. This process cartridge only needs to include at least the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing means.

  In the cleaner unit 50, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably attached to the cleaning frame 51 via bearing members 31 (31a, 31b). On the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1, a primary charging unit 2 for uniformly charging the photosensitive layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a developer (residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after transfer. A cleaning blade 60 for removal and a flexible sheet member 80 are provided.

  Further, residual toner (waste toner) removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 60 is stored in a waste toner chamber 55 provided behind the cleaning frame. The transfer residual toner on the drum passes through the drum contact portion of the flexible sheet member 80 and reaches the position of the cleaning blade 60. The residual toner removed from the drum by the cleaning blade 60 is removed from the cleaning frame. The contact condition of the flexible sheet member 80 is set so as not to leak out of the body 51.

  The development unit 4 includes a photosensitive sleeve 1 and a development sleeve 40 that rotates in the arrow Y direction while maintaining a small gap, and development frame bodies 45a and 45b that contain toner.

  The developing frame bodies 45a and 45b are coupled (coupled by ultrasonic welding or the like) to form the developing container unit 46.

  The developing sleeve 40 is rotatably supported by a developing container unit 46 via a bearing member, and a toner supply roller 43 that rotates in the direction of arrow Z in contact with the developing sleeve 40 and the developing on the circumference of the developing sleeve 40. Each blade 44 is arranged. Further, a toner transport mechanism 42 for stirring the toner contained in the developer container unit 46 and transporting it to the toner supply roller 43 is provided.

  In the developing unit 4, the coupling holes 47, 48 provided at both ends of the developing container unit 46 and the support holes 52, 53 provided at both ends of the cleaning frame 51 of the cleaner unit 50 are aligned, and pins 49 are inserted from both ends of the cleaner unit 50. The entire developing unit 4 is suspended so as to be swingable with respect to the cleaner unit 50 by being inserted.

  Further, the developing unit 4 is always urged by the pressure spring 54 so that the developing sleeve 40 contacts the photosensitive drum 1 around the support holes 52 and 53. At the time of development, the toner stored in the toner container 41 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 43 by the toner stirring mechanism 42. A toner supply roller 43 that rotates in the arrow Y direction supplies the toner to the developing sleeve 40 by rubbing against the developing sleeve 40 that rotates in the arrow Z direction, and carries the toner on the developing sleeve 40.

  The toner carried on the developing sleeve 40 reaches the developing blade 44 as the developing sleeve 40 rotates, and the developing blade 44 regulates the toner to form a predetermined toner thin layer, and a desired charged charge amount. Is granted. The toner thinned on the developing sleeve 40 is transported to the developing portion where the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 40 approach each other as the developing sleeve 40 rotates. In the developing portion, the developing sleeve 40 is supplied from a power source (not shown). By the developing bias applied to, the latent image is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the latent image.

The toner remaining on the surface of the developing sleeve 40 without contributing to the development of the electrostatic latent image is returned to the developing device with the rotation of the developing sleeve 40, and the developing sleeve is rubbed with the toner supply roller 43. 40 is peeled off and collected. The collected toner is stirred and mixed with the remaining toner by the toner stirring mechanism 42.
[Method of attaching / detaching process cartridge to / from image forming apparatus main body]
Next, a method of attaching / detaching the process cartridge 7 to / from the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a front door 101 that is rotatable. In addition, an electrostatic transfer device 5 is rotatably provided behind the front door 101. With the front door 101 and the electrostatic transfer device 5 opened, the process cartridge 7 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100. A handle member 90 is provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum support at both ends of the process cartridge 7 and protrudes toward the front door of the main body when the cartridge is attached or detached.

In the process cartridge 7, the guide rail portion (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the insertion guide portion (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 7 are engaged, whereby the image forming apparatus. It can be attached to and detached from the main body 100.
[Flying developer control member]
Next, the flying developer control member will be described. FIGS. 4 to 6 show the flying developer control member in the present embodiment.

  The flying developer control member 91 is fixed to the developing blade 44 which is a developer regulating member via a support member 90.

  The support member 90 is positioned by a positioning boss 44j provided on the developing blade 44, and the contact surface of both is in contact with the surface on the side where the developing roller 40 and the developing blade contact. The fixing method may be any of double-sided tape 92, adhesive, and screws.

  In the present invention, the support table 90 is positioned on the developing blade 40 by the boss 44j. However, in order to attach the support table 90 to the developing blade 40 with higher accuracy, a dedicated assembly tool is used to develop the image. When the position is adjusted with respect to the blade 40 and the support base 90 is assembled, a hole in the support base 90 may be provided larger than the positioning boss 44j provided on the developing blade 44 so that the position can be finely adjusted. is there.

  By doing so, the support member 90 and the developing blade 44 can be accurately and stably positioned.

  In the present embodiment, the flying developer control member 91 selects flexible PET resin. The support member 90 is made of polystyrene resin. This is because a developing bias is applied to the developing blade 44 and an electrically insulating material is selected so that the developing bias does not leak to the photosensitive drum 1.

  The flying developer control member 91 attached in this way is disposed in a minute gap between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the developer that reciprocates between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 at the tip thereof. Part of the developer regulated by the flying developer control member 91 is prevented from reciprocating between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 and floats as scattered toner (FIG. 1). -A).

  This floating toner floats in a range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S (FIGS. 1 and 1-A), but the rotation of the developing sleeve as shown in FIG. 1-A. As a result of the airflow, the air travels around the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S so as to vortex.

  This floating toner is generated in the entire longitudinal direction (developing sleeve rotation axis direction) where the flying developer control member 91 is carried, and the floating toner generated in the entire longitudinal direction is generated in the developing sleeve 40. Along with the rotation, it is migrating as indicated by an arrow C in FIG.

  In this way, the floating toner migrating in the entire longitudinal direction moves toward both ends in the longitudinal direction where the range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S is opened (FIG. 3). It is discharged from both ends in the longitudinal direction).

  In order to prevent the discharged floating toner from adhering to the gap holding member 57 that holds the minute gap between the developing sleeve 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 provided at the end in the longitudinal direction more than the open portion. Walls 90a and 90b, which are shielding members, are provided between the opening portion and the gap holding member 57 so as to prevent the floating toner from moving toward the gap holding member 57 due to the airflow (FIGS. 4 to 6).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the walls 90a and 90b are provided so as to close a range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40, and the developing blade 44S. However, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 40 are arranged with a small gap in consideration of deformation due to impact such as tolerance and dropping.

  By providing the walls 90a and 90b, the toner floating and floating in the entire longitudinal direction is discharged from both ends in the longitudinal direction where the range surrounded by the flying developer control member 91, the developing sleeve 40 and the developing blade 44S is opened. Even if it is (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5), the discharged floating toner is directed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 and does not adhere to the gap holding member 57.

  The walls 90a and 90b are formed integrally with the support member 90 as an embodiment, but the same effect can be obtained by providing them as separate members.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the developing device which concerns on a prior art example. It is an enlarged view which shows an example of the developing device which concerns on a prior art example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a developing device according to a conventional example. It is a developing device figure concerning a conventional example. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the developing device which concerns on this invention. It is an enlarged view showing an example of a developing device according to the present invention. It is a developing device figure concerning the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a developing device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus main body according to the present invention when the process cartridge is mounted. It is sectional drawing which shows the process cartridge which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view showing a process cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus main body according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 (1a to 1d) Photosensitive drum 2 (2a to 2d) Charging device 3 (3a to 3d) Scanner unit 4 (4a to 4d) Developing device, developing unit 5 Electrostatic transfer means 6 (6a to 6d) Cleaning device 7 ( 7a to 7d) Process cartridge 9 Polygon mirror 10 Imaging lens 11 Electrostatic transfer belt 12 Transfer roller 13 Drive roller 14a, 14b Driven roller 15 Tension roller 16 Paper feed unit 17 Paper feed cassette 18 Paper feed roller 19 Registration roller 20 Fixing unit 21a Heating roller 21b Pressure roller 22 Electrostatic adsorption roller 23 Paper discharge roller 24 Paper discharge part 31 Bearing member 40 (40a to 40d) Development sleeve (developer carrier)
42 Toner feeding mechanism 43 Toner supply roller 44 Developing blade (developer regulating member)
45a, 45b Development frame body 45c, 45d First positioning portion 45b Second positioning portion 46 Developer container unit 47, 48 Connection hole 49 Pin 50 Cleaner unit 51 Cleaning frame body 52, 53 Support hole 54 Pressure spring 55 Waste toner Chamber 57 Gap holding member 60 Cleaning blade 71, 72 Screw 80 Flexible sheet member 90 Support base 90a, 90b Wall (shielding member)
91 Restriction member (flying developer restriction member)
100 Image forming apparatus main body 101 Front door A Developer longitudinal movement direction B Wall developer movement direction C Floating developer migration direction

Claims (4)

A developer carrier for carrying and conveying the developer; a developer layer regulating member for regulating a developer layer on the image carrier; and an image carrier disposed opposite to the image carrier and the developer carrier. A holding member that holds a gap between the image carrier and the developer carrier, and forms a vibrating electric field between the image carrier and the developer carrier, and the developer on the developer carrier is A non-magnetic one-component developing device that visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier by reciprocating the developer in a development region between the image carrier and the developer carrier. In the developing device comprising a flying developer control member for preventing a part of the reciprocating motion of the developer that contributes to development in the developing region,
Airflow generated in a space surrounded by the developer carrying member, the developer layer regulating member, and the flying developer control member between the flying developer control member and the holding member is transferred to the holding member. A developing device, characterized in that a shielding member is provided to prevent heading.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member is integrated with a member for attaching the flying developer control member to the developing device. A developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer; a developer layer regulating member that regulates the image layer on the image carrier; an image carrier disposed to face the developer carrier; and the image A holding member that holds an interval between the carrier and the developer carrier, and an oscillating electric field is formed between the image carrier and the developer carrier, and the developer carrier is generated by the oscillating electric field. The electrostatic developer formed on the image carrier is visualized by reciprocating the developer in the development region between the image carrier and the developer carrier. In the process cartridge, which is a magnetic one-component developing device and has a flying developer control member arranged to prevent a part of the reciprocating motion of the developer that contributes to development in the development region,
Airflow generated in a space surrounded by the developer carrying member, the developer layer regulating member, and the flying developer control member between the flying developer control member and the holding member is transferred to the holding member. A process cartridge, characterized in that a shielding member is provided to prevent heading.   4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the shielding member is integral with a member for attaching the flying developer control member to a developing device.

Images