JP2007121419A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device having an agitating means which is capable of achieving extension of the lifetime at a low cost using a simple constitution, without requiring additional power, and is capable of removing toner of details. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device comprises a stirring means for stirring a developer and a driving means for rotating the stirring means. The stirring means includes a shaft rotated by the driving means and a stirring member which is supported so as to be shaken relative to the shaft and is rotated, accompanying the rotation of the shaft that stirs the developer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, and more particularly to a developing device having a swinging stirring means.

In the conventional developing device, as shown in FIG. 1, the stirring means for stirring and transporting the developer is such that the shaft J and the stirring member K are integrated, and the stirring member K is spirally provided around the shaft J. It was a configuration. The stirring means having such a configuration does not have a function of removing the adhered toner by itself, so that the toner adheres, and the adhered toner aggregates and grows, thereby deteriorating the function of stirring and conveying the toner. There was a problem.
For this reason, conventionally, there has been proposed a developing device configured to scrape off the adhering toner by bringing a comb-like member or the like into contact with the stirring means.
Further, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a vibrating means that generates vibration by electric power, and agitates the developer toner by applying vibration to the developer.
JP 2002-229323 A

However, a conventional developing device configured to scrape off toner adhering by bringing a comb-shaped member or the like into contact with the stirring means has a problem that its life is short because the stirring means is damaged by the scraping action.
In addition, the conventional agitation means has a configuration in which the agitation member is integrated with the shaft although the shape and angle of the agitation member are various, and there is a problem that it is difficult to remove toner adhering to details such as the root of the agitation member. there were.
On the other hand, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it requires a space for providing vibration means and electric power for using the vibration means, which is expensive.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to achieve a long life with a simple configuration, low cost, and without requiring new power. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device provided with a stirring means capable of removing fine toner.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developing device comprising a stirring means for stirring the developer and a driving means for rotating the stirring means, wherein the stirring means is rotated by the driving means. And a stirring member that is supported so as to be able to swing relative to the shaft and that rotates as the shaft rotates to stir the developer. It is configured.
As the stirring member swings in this way, the function of removing the toner adhering to the shaft and the stirring member by itself is exhibited, so that a simple configuration and low cost can be achieved without newly requiring power. It is possible to provide a developing device including an agitation unit that can achieve a long life and can remove toner in detail.
Specifically, the agitating member is supported so as to be swingable within a range of a predetermined regulation angle around a support shaft provided on the shaft.
Moreover, it is preferable that the stirring member is a substantially fan-shaped wing-like member as a simple structure as much as possible.
With such a configuration, the agitating member has a function of sufficiently agitating the toner by rotation and is capable of swinging, so that it is difficult for the toner to adhere to the details of the agitating member.
Further, it is preferable that the driving means enables the shaft to rotate forward and backward, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the shaft is rotated reversely for a predetermined time.
By the reverse rotation, the stirring member that has been tilted in the forward direction so far swings in the reverse direction, so that the toner adhering to the stirring member when it rotates forward is removed from the stirring member and the shaft.
Specifically, the predetermined condition is that the stirring process by the stirring means is completed.
This is because if the stirring process is being performed, the developer is conveyed in the reverse direction due to the reverse rotation.
In addition, it is conceivable to further include a contact means that vibrates the stirring member by contacting the stirring member each time the shaft rotates by the driving means.
In this manner, when the shaft is rotated by the driving means, the stirring member vibrates when it contacts the stirring member, so that the toner adhering to the stirring member is removed.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the contact means and / or the stirring member is an elastic member.
If the contact means and / or the agitation member is an elastic member, the agitation member is not damaged, so that a long life can be achieved. Further, the stirring member can be vibrated more easily than when the contact means and / or the stirring member is an inelastic member, and the toner adhering to the stirring member is removed.

  According to the present invention, development with an agitating means that can achieve a long life with a simple configuration, low cost, and can remove fine toner without requiring new power. An apparatus can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional stirring roller or supply roller, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing device X1 and a developer container Y according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the stirring roller 13 or the supply roller 12 provided in the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 relates to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the stirring roller 13 or the supply roller 12 when the stirring members 1 are alternately provided in the developing device X1, and FIG. 6 shows the stirring roller 13 or the supply provided in the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the stirring member 1 and the support member 2 provided on the roller 12, and FIG. 7 shows the stirring member 1 provided on the developing roller X1 or the supply roller 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Parallel to the substantially fan-shaped surface FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the procedure of the developing process executed by the control unit 10 of the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 relates to the example. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the stirring roller 113 or the supply roller 112 and the contact member 120 provided in the developing device X2 according to the embodiment.

The developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus.
Specific examples of the image forming apparatus to which the developing device X1 can be applied include a copying machine, a FAX device, and a printer device.

First, the schematic configuration of the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic sectional view of FIG. 2 and the sectional view of FIG.
The developing device X1 includes a developing roller 11 that carries the developer on the surface, a supply roller 12 that stirs the developer and supplies the developer to the developing roller 11, and a developer that stirs the developer and supplies the developer to the supply roller 12. An unillustrated motor 14 for rotating the supply roller 12 and the agitating roller 13, a developer replenishing port 15 as an inlet for replenishing the developer, and an unillustrated for controlling the motor 14. The control part 10 is comprised.
Here, the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 correspond to stirring means for stirring the developer. The motor 14 corresponds to drive means.
The developing roller 11 is a cylindrical roller and carries the developer supplied by the supply roller 12.

Next, the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 are provided with a substantially fan-shaped stirring member 1 in plan view, a support member 2 that supports the stirring member 1, and the support member 2. The shaft 3 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 4, the stirring member 1 is a substantially fan-shaped wing-like member having a semicircular shape in plan view. Further, the stirring member 1 is tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft 3 at a predetermined interval in the direction of the shaft 3 and is supported by a hinge-type support member 2 so that the stirring member 1 can swing on the shaft 3. Is provided. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the stirring member 1 may be provided on the shaft 3 by being supported by the support member 2 alternately up and down.
As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 2 includes a support shaft 2a provided on the shaft 3 and having a hole 2c having a long cross-sectional shape on one end side and a hole 2d having a circular cross section on the other end side. Yes. The support shaft 2a is provided with a penetrating member 2b-1 inserted into the hole 2c having a long cross-sectional shape and a penetrating member 2b-2 inserted into the hole 2d having a circular cross section. Here, the support shaft 2a is provided with a hole 2c having an elongated cross section and a hole 2d having a circular section, but the shape of the hole is not limited thereto. The penetration members 2b-1 and 2b-2 are both fixed to the stirring member 1. Therefore, the stirring member 1 is within a range in which the penetrating member 2b-1 can move within the hole 2c having a long hole in the cross section, with the penetrating member 2b-2 penetrating into the hole 2d having a circular cross section as the center. As far as possible.
With such a configuration, the stirring member 1 can swing within a range of a predetermined restriction angle around the support shaft 2a, and the stirring member 1 rotates as the shaft 3 rotates. Stir the developer.
The shaft 3 has a cylindrical shape and is rotated by the motor 14.
Thus, when the stirring roller 13 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 (in the direction of arrow P1), the stirring member 1 provided in the stirring roller 13 receives pressure in the direction of arrow A in FIG. It swings within an angle range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section.
Similarly, when the supply roller 12 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 (in the direction of arrow P2), the stirring member 1 provided in the supply roller 12 receives pressure in the direction of arrow A in FIG. It swings within an angle range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section.
On the other hand, when the stirring roller 13 rotates counterclockwise (arrow P11 direction) in FIG. 2, the stirring member 1 provided in the stirring roller 13 receives pressure in the arrow B direction in FIG. It swings within an angle range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section.
Similarly, when the supply roller 12 rotates counterclockwise (arrow P12 direction) in FIG. 2, the stirring member 1 provided in the supply roller 12 receives pressure in the arrow B direction in FIG. Oscillates within an angular range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section.

  The motor 14 is a motor that rotates when a signal is input by the control unit 10. When a user instructs an image forming process by an operation input unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus provided with the developing device X1, the control unit 10 inputs a signal for rotating the motor 14. To do. The motor 14 rotates in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, so that the shaft 3 provided in the stirring roller 13 and the shaft 3 provided in the supply roller 12 are rotated in the forward and reverse directions.

  The developer replenishing port 15 is connected to a developer accommodating portion Y described later. This is a receiving port for the developer conveyed from the developer accommodating portion Y described later.

Next, the schematic configuration of the developer accommodating portion Y will be briefly described with reference to the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG.
The developer accommodating portion Y accommodates the developer accommodating container 16 that accommodates the developer, the transport roller 17 that stirs and conveys the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating container 16, and the developer accommodating container 16. A transport roller 18 is provided for transporting the developed developer to the developer supply port 15 of the developing device X1.

Next, an example of the procedure of the developing process executed by the control unit 10 of the developing device X1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In the figure, S10, S20,... Indicate process procedure (step) numbers, and the process starts from step S10.

The developer conveyed by the conveying roller 18 provided in the developer accommodating portion Y is replenished from the developer accommodating portion Y to the developing device X1 through the developer replenishing port 15.
First, in step S10, the control unit 10 causes the motor 14 to rotate the stirring roller 13 in the clockwise direction (arrow P1 direction) in FIG. Specifically, the shaft 14 provided in the stirring roller 13 is rotated by the motor 14, and the stirring member 1 provided in the stirring roller 13 applies pressure in the direction of arrow A in FIG. In response to this, it swings within an angle range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section. As a result, the developer replenished from the developer replenishing port 15 is agitated and conveyed to the supply roller 12, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, the control unit 10 causes the motor 14 to rotate the supply roller 12 in the clockwise direction (arrow P2 direction) in FIG. Specifically, the shaft 14 provided in the supply roller 12 is rotated by the motor 14, and the stirring member 1 provided in the supply roller 12 applies pressure in the direction of arrow A in FIG. In response to this, it swings within an angle range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section. As a result, the developer conveyed by the agitation roller 13 is agitated and conveyed to the development roller 11, and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the developing roller 11 rotates counterclockwise (arrow P3 direction) in synchronization with the supply roller 12 rotating in the clockwise direction (arrow P2 direction) in FIG. The developed developer is carried, and the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the toner contained in the developer carried by the developing roller 11 is attracted to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (not shown) pressed against the developing roller 11 and moves. The electrostatic latent image is developed, and the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, the control unit 10 determines whether the stirring process has been completed. If there is no new image formation instruction from the user by an operation input unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus provided with the developing device X1, the control unit 10 determines that the stirring process has been completed ( The process proceeds to step S60. If there is a new image formation instruction from the user by an operation input unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus provided with the developing device X1, the control unit 10 determines that the stirring process has not ended. Then, the process returns to step S10.
The completion of the stirring process corresponds to an example of satisfaction of a predetermined condition in the present invention.

In step S60, the control unit 10 causes the motor 14 to move the stirring roller 13 counterclockwise (arrow P11 direction) and the supply roller 12 counterclockwise (arrow P12 direction) in FIG. ) To rotate. The shaft 14 provided to the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 is rotated by the motor 14, and the stirring member 1 provided to the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. In response to the pressure in the B direction, it swings within an angular range regulated by the hole 2c having a long hole in the cross section.
When the supply roller 12 and the stirring roller 13 are rotated in the reverse direction, the stirring member 1 that has been inclined in the forward direction is swung in the reverse direction. It is wiped off from the stirring member 1 and the shaft 3.

  In the conventional developing device, the supply roller and the agitation roller for agitating and conveying the developer are integrated with the shaft J and the agitation member K as shown in FIG. 1, and the agitation member K is spirally provided around the axis J. It was the composition that has been. Since the supply roller and the agitation roller having such a configuration do not have a function of removing the adhered toner by itself, the toner adheres to the root of the spiral agitating member K, and the adhered toner is difficult to be removed. As described above, the supply roller 12 and the agitation roller 13 are swung within an angle range regulated by the shaft 3 rotated by the motor 14 and the hole 2c having a long hole in cross section, By comprising the stirring member 1 that rotates with the rotation of the shaft and stirs the toner, it is possible to achieve a long life with a simple configuration, low cost, and no need for new power. , It becomes possible to remove the fine toner.

The following embodiment is an example of a developing device further provided with contact means for vibrating the agitating member by contacting the agitating member each time the shaft is rotated by a motor.
Only the difference between the developing device X2 used in this example and the developing device X1 according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 and the schematic diagram of FIG.

The developing device X2 differs from the developing device X1 in that a contact member 120 is provided as shown in FIG.
The contact member 120 is provided on the wall surface between the supply roller 112 and the stirring roller 113 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the contact member 120 is provided so as to contact the stirring member 101. The contact member 120 is an elastic member such as rubber. When the shaft 114 provided on the supply roller 112 and the stirring roller 113 is rotated by the motor 114, the stirring member 101 provided on the supply roller 112 or the stirring roller 113 comes into contact with the contact member 120. The stirring member 101 oscillates within an angular range regulated by a hole 102c having a long cross-sectional shape provided in the support shaft 102a. As a result, the toner adhering to the stirring member 101 is shaken off.
In addition, although the said contact member 120 is a rectangle here, it is not restricted to this shape.
Further, here, the contact member 120 is an elastic member, but the agitation member 101 may be an elastic member, or both the contact member 120 and the agitation member 101 may be elastic members. Absent.

The schematic diagram of the conventional stirring roller or supply roller. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing device X1 and a developer storage unit Y according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a stirring roller 13 or a supply roller 12 provided in the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the stirring roller 13 or the supply roller 12 when the stirring members 1 are alternately provided in the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The enlarged view of the stirring member 1 and the supporting member 2 which were provided in the stirring roller 13 provided in the developing device X1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, or the supply roller 12. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram viewed from a direction parallel to the substantially fan-shaped surface of the stirring member 1 provided in the stirring roller 13 or the supply roller 12 provided in the developing device X1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the example about the procedure of the developing process performed by the control part 10 of the image development apparatus X1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of developing device X2 concerning an example. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a stirring roller 113 or a supply roller 112 and a contact member 120 provided in the developing device X2 according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Agitation member 2,102 ... Support member 2a, 102a ... Support shaft 2b-1, 2b-2 ... Penetration member 2c, 102c ... Cross-sectionally long hole-shaped hole 2d ... Cross-section circular hole 3, 103 ... Shaft 10 ... Control units 11, 111 ... Developing rollers 12,112 ... Supply rollers 13,113 ... Agitating rollers 14,114 ... Motors 15,115 ... Developer replenishment port 16 ... Developer storage containers 17,18 ... Conveying rollers 120 ... Contact members

Claims (7)

A developing device comprising a stirring means for stirring the developer and a driving means for rotating the stirring means,
The stirring means includes a shaft that is rotated by the driving means, and a stirring member that is supported so as to be able to swing relative to the shaft and that rotates as the shaft rotates to stir the developer. A developing device characterized by comprising:   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the agitating member is supported so as to be swingable within a range of a predetermined restriction angle around a support shaft provided on the shaft.   2. The drive means for allowing the shaft to rotate forward and reverse, and rotating the shaft in reverse for a predetermined time when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 3. The developing device according to any one of 2 above.   The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition is that the stirring process by the stirring unit is completed.   5. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising contact means for vibrating the agitating member by contacting the agitating member each time the shaft rotates by the driving means.   The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the contact means and / or the stirring member is an elastic member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring member is a substantially fan-shaped wing-shaped member.

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