JP2007164021A - Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device whose structure is improved so as to dispense with a high assembling accuracy, and which surely prevents leakage of developer while attaining cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: In the developing device 8, a developing container 30 includes a long and narrow opening 38 for discharging the developer, and a developer carrier 40 that carries the developer in the developing container 30 is arranged so as to rotate around a rotating shaft parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening 38, and a main sealing material 50 and an end part sealing material 52 for preventing the developer from leaking through the opening 38 are provided over the circumferential edge part on one short-side end of the opening 38 and the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier 40. The main sealing material 50 is provided over almost the whole longitudinal length of the opening 38, and the end part sealing material 52 is provided to both of the longitudinal ends of the opening 38. The main sealing material 50 and the end part sealing material 52 are provided in an overlapped state so that the end sealing material 52 is sandwiched between the main sealing material 50 and the developer carrier 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device for supplying a developer to an electrostatic latent image carrier in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer includes a developing device for developing a developer on an electrostatic latent image carried on an electrostatic latent image carrier such as a photosensitive member, The developing device includes a developing container having an elongated opening for discharging the developer, and a developing roller for supplying the developer carried in the developing container to the electrostatic latent image carrier through the opening. The developer carried on the developing roller reaches the developing area facing the electrostatic latent image carrier by the rotation of the developing roller, moves to the outer peripheral surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier in the developing area, and electrostatic latent The image is developed.

  By the way, in recent years, with the improvement of the resolution and sharpness of an image, the diameter of the developer has been reduced and the spheroidization has progressed. In recent years, the developer has good fluidity and is likely to leak even from a slight gap. Therefore, the probability of occurrence of leakage is increasing even with a seal configuration in which no developer leakage has occurred in the past, and there is a need for improved sealing performance in the developing device. In addition, automation of parts assembly is progressing, and for that reason, relaxing the requirement of assembly accuracy is also a cause of developer leakage.

  6 and 7 show a conventional example of the seal structure of the developing device. The developing device includes a main seal material 80 provided over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing container, and end seal materials 82 provided at both longitudinal ends of the opening. The seal material 80 and the end seal material 82 are provided across the peripheral edge of the opening and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 70 in order to prevent the developer from leaking from the opening.

  Further, a developer return material 84 that is in pressure contact with the developing roller 70 is attached to the inner surface of the end seal material 82 in the radial direction of the developing roller 70 (the contact surface with the developing roller 70). As a result, when the developer carried on the developing roller 70 flows toward the end in the longitudinal direction of the opening, the developer hits the developer returning material 84 and is returned to the central portion in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, an elastic pressure contact material 86 is attached to the outer surface of the end seal material 82 in the radial direction of the developing roller 70, and the elastic pressure contact material 86 is in pressure contact with the end seal material 82. As a result, the pressing force of the end seal material 82 against the developing roller 70 is strengthened, and the sealing performance at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening is enhanced. Further, since the pressing force of the developer return material 84 against the developing roller 70 is similarly increased, the developer return material 84 can reliably exhibit the above-described function of returning the developer to the central portion in the opening longitudinal direction. Yes.

  However, in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the seal material 80 and the end seal material 82 are arranged with a slight gap, so that a part or the whole of the gap expands, There was a risk of the developer leaking. Further, if the gap is made as small as possible and the gap is not widened after production, high assembly accuracy is required, making it difficult to automate the assembly. Further, in order to strongly press the end seal material 82 and the developer return material 84 against the developing roller 70, a dedicated member such as the elastic pressure contact material 86 must be prepared, so there is room for improvement in terms of cost. there were.

  In order to improve the sealing performance between the seal material and the end seal material, as shown in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1, the seal material and the end seal material are provided in an overlapping manner. It is conceivable that such a configuration can eliminate the disadvantage that a gap is generated between the seal material and the end seal material. However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1, since the end seal material overlaps the outside in the developing roller radial direction with respect to the seal material, the seal material is pressed from the outside by the end seal material. As a result, the developer roller comes into strong contact. In this case, the developer carried on the developing roller may spill out, and the image quality may be deteriorated. In addition, the configuration in which the end seal material overlaps the outer side in the radial direction of the developing roller with respect to the present seal material is also disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3.

  On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the seal material are tapered, and the contact portion of the seal material with the developing roller is an end seal material. A portion other than the abutting portion in the present sealing material overlaps with the end sealing material. This prevents contact between the seal material and the developing roller by preventing pressure contact by the end seal material while preventing a gap between the seal material and the end seal material from being generated. Can be avoided, and the above-mentioned deterioration in image quality can be avoided.

Japanese Patent No. 2667669 JP 2000-56562 A JP 2000-105501 A

  However, since the developing device shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1 has a precise configuration in which the seal material and the end seal material are not overlapped at a specific portion but are overlapped at other portions. It has a drawback that high assembly accuracy is required. Further, in order to enhance the sealing performance at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening, if the end seal material is to be pressed strongly against the developing roller, a dedicated member for that purpose must be used, and the conventional members shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are used. As with the configuration, cost issues remain.

  Therefore, the present invention improves the structure so that high assembling accuracy is not required, reduces the cost, and reliably prevents the developer from leaking, as well as the process cartridge and image including the same. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention include:
The developer container has an elongated opening for discharging the developer;
A developer carrying member carrying the developer in the developer container is provided rotatably about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening;
The developing device in which the main sealing material and the end sealing material for preventing the developer from leaking from the opening are provided across the peripheral edge on one end side in the short side direction of the opening and the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier. In
The present sealing material is provided over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the opening,
The end seal material is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening,
At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening, the seal material and the end seal material are provided so that the end seal material is sandwiched between the seal material and the developer carrier. It is characterized by.

  Further, the developer carried on the developer carrier is returned from the end side in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier to the center side on the contact surface of the end seal material with the developer carrier. A developer return material is attached.

  According to the present invention, the seal material for preventing leakage of the developer from the opening of the developer container and the end seal material are sandwiched between the seal material and the developer carrier. With a simple configuration such as overlapping, it is possible to improve the sealing performance of the end portion in the longitudinal direction in the opening. Therefore, high assembly accuracy is not required, and it is possible to easily cope with assembly automation.

  In addition, since the seal material and the end seal material are overlapped as described above, the seal material presses the end seal material toward the developer carrier, so the end seal material is pressed. Therefore, a dedicated member that has been conventionally used is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having a combination of these functions. The image forming apparatus 1 may be either used alone or compatible with a network, and may be either monochrome output or color output.

  The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is the same as that of a general electrophotographic image forming apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a photoreceptor 2 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, and a charging device 4, an exposure device 6, a developing device 8, and a transfer device 10 are provided around the photoreceptor 2. A paper feeding device 12 and a fixing device 14 are provided in the paper conveyance path.

  Next, an example of an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be briefly described. The photoconductor 2 that rotates counterclockwise in the figure is charged to a desired potential in a charging region facing the charging device 4. Subsequently, in the exposure region, exposure is performed by, for example, laser light emitted from the exposure device 6, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 2. When the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 2 reaches the developing region facing the developing device 8, a voltage is applied between the voltage applied to the developing roller 40 of the developing device 8 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 2. Due to the applied electric field, the charged toner moves from the developing roller 40 to the photoreceptor 2, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner.

  When the toner image on the photoreceptor 2 formed in this manner reaches the transfer area facing the transfer device 10, the toner image is transferred onto a sheet conveyed between the photoreceptor 2 and the transfer device 10 by the timing roller 16. Is done. The sheet on which the toner image is adhered by this transfer is further conveyed, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing device 14 to fix the toner image on the sheet. Then, the sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roller 18. Note that toner remaining on the photoreceptor 2 without being transferred to the paper is collected by a cleaning device (not shown).

  However, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 2, the charging device 4, the transfer device 10, and the fixing device 14 are illustrated as having a roller shape, but are not necessarily limited to a roller shape, for example, a belt shape. A charging device such as a photosensitive member, a blade, a belt-shaped transfer device, and a belt-shaped fixing device may be used. Further, the exposure apparatus 6 is not limited to the laser system, and an LED system may be used. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a cleanerless type that does not have a cleaning device.

  The developing device 8 is formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the developing device 8 is integrally combined with the photoreceptor 2 to constitute a process cartridge. The process cartridge may be configured by combining other devices in addition to the developing device 8 and the photosensitive member 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 8 includes a developing container 30 for containing a developer. The developing container 30 includes a developing unit 32 for performing development by attaching a developer to the photosensitive member 2, and a replenishing unit 34 for replenishing the developing unit 32 with the developing unit 32 and the replenishing unit. 34 communicates with each other through a communication port 36. Further, the developing container 30 includes an elongated opening 38 for discharging the developer at the developing unit 32.

  The developing section 32 of the developing container 30 is provided with a developing roller 40 as a developer carrying member for carrying the developer in the developing container 30 and a supply roller 42 for supplying the developer to the developing roller 40. The developing roller 40 and the supply roller 42 are provided in contact with each other, and are rotatable about a rotating shaft (not shown) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening 38 of the developing container 30. The rotation shaft of the developing roller 40 and the rotation shaft of the supply roller 42 are connected to the same drive mechanism (not shown) so that the development roller 40 and the supply roller 42 are rotated by operating the drive mechanism. It has become.

  The developing roller 40 is provided so as to close the opening 38 over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the opening 38, and substantially half of the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 is accommodated in the developing container 30. The remaining half is exposed to the outside of the developing container 30.

  The developing roller 40 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, and the developer is supplied from the supply roller 42 in the developer supply region in contact with the supply roller 42. The developer supplied at this time is precharged by friction between the developing roller 40 and the supply roller 42. The developer supplied in this manner adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 and is carried by the developing roller 40, and, for example, in a charged region in contact with the tip of the plate-like developer regulating member 44 by the rotation of the developing roller 40. Reach. In the charging region, the developer layer thickness is regulated by scraping off the excess developer by the tip of the developer regulating member 44, and a predetermined charge is given by frictional charging. The developer thus given a predetermined charge is discharged to the outside of the developing container 30 through the opening 38 by the rotation of the developing roller 40, and reaches a developing region facing the photoreceptor 2. The developer that has reached the development area moves from the developing roller 40 to the photoconductor 2 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image carried by the photoconductor 2, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 2.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the opening 38 of the developing container 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the main seal material 50 and the end seal material 52 for preventing the developer from leaking from the opening 38 are provided on the peripheral edge on one end side in the short side direction of the opening 38 and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40. It is provided across. With the main seal material 52 and the end seal material 52, a sealing property between one end of the opening 38 in the short direction and the developing roller 40 is ensured. The sealing property between the other end in the short direction of the opening 38 and the developing roller 40 is such that the developer dust prevention plate 46 straddles the peripheral edge of the other end in the short direction of the opening 38 and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40. Secured by

  The sealing material 50 is a strip-like film provided along the longitudinal direction of the opening 38, and is provided over substantially the entire length of the opening 38 in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the end seal material 52 is a strip-like film provided along the short direction of the opening 38, and is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 38. As the sealing material 50 and the end sealing material 52, flexible elastic members are used. 4 and 5, the end seal material 52 is overlapped on the contact surface side with the developing roller 40 at both ends in the length direction of the seal material 50, for example, by adhesion. However, the main seal material 50 and the end seal material 52 may be overlapped without being bonded.

  Further, a developer return material 54 for returning the developer carried on the developing roller from the end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller to the center side on the contact surface of the end seal material 52 with the developing roller 40. It is attached. The developer return material 54 is attached so as to be inclined in an oblique direction with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller 40 from one end to the other end in the width direction of the end seal material 52.

  The seal material 50 is fixed to the peripheral edge of one end in the width direction of the opening 38 at one end in the width direction, and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 at the other end in the width direction which is a free end. Are in contact. However, the end sealing material 52 is interposed between the main sealing material 50 and the developing roller 40 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 38.

  One end in the width direction of the sealing material 50 is bonded to the peripheral edge of the opening 38 on the outer surface of the developing container 30, for example. However, the fixing of the seal material 50 to the periphery of the opening 38 is not necessarily limited to adhesion. On the other hand, the other end in the width direction of the sealing material 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 40 by a pressing member 48 made of, for example, a soft resin, and a stable mounting state is ensured.

  The end seal material 52 is fixed to the peripheral edge at one end in the short direction of the opening 38 on one end in the length direction via the seal material 50. However, one end side in the length direction of the end seal material 52 may be directly fixed to the developing container 30 without using the seal material 50.

  On the other hand, the other end in the length direction of the end seal material 52 that is a free end is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the development roller 40 in a state of being interposed between the development roller 40 and the main seal material 50 as described above. They are in contact with each other. That is, the main seal material 50 and the end seal material 52 are overlapped so that the end seal material 52 is sandwiched between the main seal material 50 and the developing roller 40. Thus, no gap is formed between the main seal material 50 and the end seal material 52, and the sealing performance of the opening 38 of the developing container 30 is enhanced.

  Further, since the main seal material 50 and the end seal material 50 are stacked as described above, the main seal material 50 functions as a backup material that presses the end seal material 52 toward the developing roller 40. ing. Therefore, even without using a dedicated member conventionally used to press-contact the end seal material 52, the end seal material 52 and the developing roller 40, and the developer return material 54 and the developing roller 40 can be used. A strong pressure contact force can be obtained between them. Thus, the end seal material 52 can surely exhibit the sealing function, and the developer return material 54 has a function of returning the developer that has flowed to the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 40 toward the center portion in the longitudinal direction. Can be demonstrated.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the developing device shown in FIG. 2. It is the figure which looked at the longitudinal direction edge part and end part sealing material of this sealing material from the developing roller side. It is a perspective view of the longitudinal direction edge part and end part sealing material of this sealing material shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the longitudinal direction edge part and edge part sealing material of this sealing material in the conventional developing device from the developing roller side. It is a perspective view of the longitudinal direction edge part of this sealing material shown in FIG. 6, and a sealing material.

Explanation of symbols

1 image forming apparatus,
8 Development device,
30 developer container,
38 Opening of developer container,
40 Development roller (developer carrier),
50 seals,
52 end seal material,
54 Developer return material.

Claims (4)

The developer container has an elongated opening for discharging the developer;
A developer carrying member carrying the developer in the developer container is provided rotatably about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening;
The developing device in which the main sealing material and the end sealing material for preventing the developer from leaking from the opening are provided across the peripheral edge on one end side in the short side direction of the opening and the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier. In
The present sealing material is provided over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the opening,
The end seal material is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening,
At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening, the seal material and the end seal material are provided so that the end seal material is sandwiched between the seal material and the developer carrier. A developing device.   For returning the developer carried on the developer carrying body from the end side in the longitudinal direction to the center side on the developer carrying body on the contact surface of the end seal material with the developer carrying body. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a developer returning material is attached.   A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.

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