JP2008040356A - Shaft member, shaft member insertion method, shaft member inserting apparatus, development apparatus equipped with shaft member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shaft member carrying out an image formation of high quality by eliminating the occurrence of turning up of a lip when a shaft member main body is inserted into a seal with lip by eliminating movement in the direction of turning up the lip, excelling in durability, preventing leaking and mixture of foreign matters. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided with; the shaft member main body 1 attached inside an apparatus, the seal with lip 2 preventing the contents in the apparatus from leaking outside to which the shaft member main body 1 is attached to and intrusion of the foreign matters from outside into the apparatus to be attached to, an insertion part shaft member 11 on one side dividing the shaft body main body 1 inserted from a reverse direction of the direction that the lip 20 is turned up to the seal with lip 2, and a connecting means 3 connecting the insertion part shaft member 11 and an end part of a non insertion part shaft member 12 on the other side dividing the shaft member main body 1 which is not inserted into the seal with lip 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a shaft member, a shaft member insertion method thereof, a shaft member insertion device, a developing device including the shaft member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus. Specifically, a shaft member that is inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside, a shaft member insertion method that inserts the shaft member into the seal with a lip, a shaft member insertion device, A developing device that includes the shaft member and converts the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier into a toner image, a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming device, a printing device that forms a recorded image on a recording medium, and an electrostatic recording system The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a complex machine for forming a toner recording image by a process such as a digital camera.

  In a conventional shaft member, a shaft member insertion method thereof, a shaft member insertion device, a developing device including the shaft member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, leakage of contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside is prevented. A shaft member inserted into a lip seal is used in a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft member 1000 before the conventional shaft member main body 1001 is inserted into the lip seal 1002.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft member 1000 after the conventional shaft member main body 1001 is inserted into the lip seal 1002.
11 and 12, the lip-attached seal 1002 is such that the tip of a lip 1020 mainly made of an elastic member such as rubber is in close contact with the shaft member main body 1001, and the contents in the lip-attached seal 1002 such as oil, powder, etc. The toner in the container of the developing device or process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus is prevented from leaking to the outside, and the inside of the seal 1002 with the lip of the container of the developing device or process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus from the outside By preventing the entry of foreign matter, such as dust, paper dust, and the like, the quality of the formed image is prevented from deteriorating.

For example, a seal 1002 with a lip illustrated in FIG. 11 has a structure in which a funnel-shaped lip 1020 is provided on the inner periphery of an annular main body, and the lip 1020 protrudes leftward in the drawing. When the shaft member main body 1001 that is the other end of the lip 1020 is inserted into the seal 1002 with the lip first, the lip 1020 turns over and enters the seal 1002 with the lip as shown in FIG. May end up.
In such an attached state, it becomes impossible to sufficiently prevent the above-described leakage and foreign matter from being mixed, and the quality of the formed image is deteriorated in the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, in an annular seal having a funnel-shaped lip on the inner periphery and fitted to the outside of the cylindrical member with the tip direction of the lip first, the annular seal holding member and the holding member are held by the holding member. A guide rod that is arranged concentrically with the annular seal and on the opposite side of the protruding direction of the lip, can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction, and expands and penetrates the lip when advanced, and the lip is expanded. Inserting the annular seal without causing the lip to turn up by providing an insertion hand that abuts the cylindrical member to the tip of the penetrating guide rod and retracts the guide rod and causes the cylindrical member to enter the lip. A seal fitting device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

A seal insertion method has also been proposed in which a seal having a lip is inserted into the shaft body, and then the shaft body is moved left and right to return the lip to its original position (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
However, in any of the above prior arts, since there is contact with an object such as a cylindrical member or a shaft member body in the turning direction with respect to the lip of the lip seal, there is a risk of lip turning and The durability is also lowered, and it becomes impossible to sufficiently prevent leakage and mixing of foreign matter, and the quality of the formed image is lowered in the image forming apparatus.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-76331 Japanese Patent No. 3654403 JP-A-11-207538

  In a conventional shaft member, a shaft member insertion method thereof, a shaft member insertion device, a developing device including the shaft member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, an object, for example, a cylinder, is turned in a turning direction with respect to a lip of a seal with a lip Contact with the main body and the shaft member main body, the risk of lip turning and the durability of the lip are reduced, and it becomes impossible to prevent leakage and mixing of foreign matter. There was a problem that the quality of the product deteriorated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems. In other words, it eliminates the movement of the lip in the direction of turning and eliminates the occurrence of lip turning when the shaft member body is inserted into the seal with lip, so it has excellent durability, prevents leakage and contamination, and produces high-quality images. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaft member, a shaft member insertion method, a shaft member insertion device, a developing device including the shaft member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is mounted in an apparatus with a shaft member inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside. A shaft member main body, a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of contents inside the device to which the shaft member main body is mounted, or a foreign material from entering the device to be mounted, and a lip on the seal with the lip. The insertion part shaft member that divides the shaft member body inserted from the direction opposite to the turning direction, and the other side that divides the shaft member body without being inserted into the insertion part shaft member and the seal with lip. Coupling means for coupling the end portions of the non-insertion partial shaft members.
Alternatively, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the first aspect, the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member that are divided by the shaft member main body are shaft members having different materials. It is characterized by that.

Alternatively, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the first or second aspect, the insertion portion shaft member is made of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of the non-insertion portion shaft member. It is characterized by being.
Alternatively, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the first, second, or third aspect, the non-insertion partial shaft member is made of a material suitable for a purpose of use.
Alternatively, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the lip is a shaft member including a funnel-shaped elastic member.
Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 6 is the shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outer diameter of the insertion portion shaft member inserted into the seal with a lip is an inner diameter of the lip. It is characterized by comprising so that it may become larger.

Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 7 is the shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of or on the outer periphery of the insertion portion shaft member inserted into the lip-attached seal It is a shaft member provided with protrusions on the entire circumference.
Alternatively, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the seventh aspect, the projecting portion is a shaft member including a plurality in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion shaft member.
Alternatively, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the projecting portion is a shaft member including a semicircular shape portion.
Alternatively, according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the projection is a shaft member including a triangular portion.

Alternatively, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the coupling means includes end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. Is provided so as to be detachable.
Alternatively, according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the coupling means includes end portions of the insertion part shaft member and the non-insertion part shaft member. It is a shaft member provided with the press-fit coupling part which press-fits and couple | bonds.
Alternatively, according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the coupling means includes end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. It is a shaft member provided with the pinching coupling part pinched and couple | bonded.

  Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 14 is a shaft member insertion method in which the shaft member body is inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside. The holding part shaft member to be divided, the non-inserting part shaft member and the lip-attached seal 2 are held in predetermined positions, and the insert part shaft member held in the holding process is lipped to the seal with lip. The insertion step of inserting from the direction opposite to the direction of turning over, the insertion portion shaft member inserted into the lip seal in the insertion step, and the ends of the non-insertion portion shaft body not inserted into the lip seal And a holding state releasing step of releasing the holding state of the insertion portion shaft member after the insertion portion shaft member is inserted into the lip-attached seal in the insertion step. Characterized in that it is a obtain shaft member insertion process.

Alternatively, according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the shaft member inserting method according to the fourteenth aspect, in the coupling step, the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member are press-fitted and coupled. It is a shaft member insertion method provided with a process, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
Alternatively, in the present invention described in claim 16, in the shaft member inserting method according to claim 14, the coupling step includes a step of sandwiching and joining the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. It is a shaft member insertion method provided with, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 17 is a shaft member insertion device in which a shaft member is inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside, and the shaft member main body is divided. An insertion part shaft member holding means for holding one of the insertion part shaft members, a non-insertion part shaft member holding means for holding the other non-insertion part shaft member dividing the shaft member main body, and a seal with a lip. A seal holding means with a lip to hold, the insertion part shaft member that divides the shaft member main body, the center of the non-insertion part shaft body, and the center of the seal with the lip are aligned in a straight line, and the insertion part shaft member is provided with a lip. Shaft member insertion means comprising insertion portion shaft member moving means for guiding and moving in a vertical direction with respect to the seal to join the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft body with the joining means. It is an input device.

Alternatively, the present invention described in claim 18 is the shaft member insertion device according to claim 17, wherein the insertion portion shaft member holding means holds the insertion portion shaft member or releases the holding state. It is a shaft member insertion apparatus provided with this, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 19 is the shaft member insertion device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the non-insertion part shaft member holding means is non-insertion for fixing the non-insertion part shaft member in a predetermined position. It is a shaft member insertion device provided with a partial shaft member fixing means.
Alternatively, the present invention according to claim 20 is a developing device for converting an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier into a toner image, a developer carrier that is rotatably held and carries and conveys the developer; A developing device comprising the shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Alternatively, according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including the image forming process unit and the shaft member according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. It is characterized by being.
Alternatively, according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that forms a recorded image on a recording medium, the image forming unit that forms the recorded image on the recording medium, and any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. An image forming apparatus comprising the shaft member according to the item.
Alternatively, the present invention described in claim 23 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the image forming unit forms a toner recording image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic image forming process. It is a device.

  According to the present invention, the movement of the lip in the direction in which the lip is turned up is eliminated, the occurrence of lip turning is eliminated when the shaft member body is inserted into the seal with the lip, the durability is excellent, leakage and foreign matter mixing is prevented, and high quality is achieved. A shaft member on which image formation is performed, a shaft member insertion method thereof, a shaft member insertion device, a developing device including the shaft member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus can be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a basic configuration of a shaft member 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a shaft member 10 to be inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside is attached to a shaft member main body 1 to be installed in the apparatus and the shaft member main body 1. A seal 2 with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents in the apparatus to the outside or intrusion of foreign matter into the apparatus to be installed, and a funnel-shaped elastic member in the direction of the arrow (A) shown in the figure with the lip seal 2 The shaft member main body 1 inserted from the direction opposite to the direction in which the lip 20 is turned up is divided, and the shaft member main body 1 is divided without being inserted into the insertion portion shaft member 11 and the seal 2 with the lip. And a coupling means 3 for coupling the end of the non-insertion partial shaft member 12 on the other side.
Accordingly, the insertion member shaft member 11 on one side that divides the shaft member main body 1 can be inserted into the seal 2 with lip without applying a force in the turning direction of the lip 20 of the seal 2 with lip. The trouble by turning over can be eliminated.

When the insertion part shaft member 11 is inserted into the seal 2 with a lip by providing a plurality of protrusions 4 on the outer periphery of the insertion part shaft member 11 to be inserted into the seal 2 with a lip. In addition, the lip 20 can be pushed in a direction in which the protrusion 4 of the insertion portion shaft member 11 is not turned over. Further, a plurality of projections 4 may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part shaft member 11.
As shown in the figure, the shaft member main body 1 to be inserted into the lip seal 2 is divided into an insertion part shaft member 11 and a non-insertion part shaft member 12.
Further, since the shaft member main body 1 is divided into the insertion part shaft member 11 and the non-insertion part shaft member 12, the insertion part shaft member 11 and the non-insertion part shaft member 12 using different materials can be formed.
Accordingly, the insertion portion shaft member 11 is made of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of the non-insertion portion shaft member 12, and the non-insertion portion shaft member 12 is used for the purpose of the shaft member body 1, for example, high temperature resistance, Since a material such as a load-bearing material can be used, the shaft member 10 can be formed in accordance with the function of the shaft member main body 1 while improving durability due to friction between the lip 20 and the insertion portion shaft member 11. it can.

The lip-attached seal 2 is held so as not to move by a holding member such as a case or a jig (not shown). The insertion part shaft member 11 of the shaft member main body 1 is inserted into the seal 2 with lip so that it can be inserted in the vertical direction of the arrow (A) shown in the figure with respect to the seal 2 with lip using a jig or the like.
The outer diameter of the insertion portion shaft member 11 of the shaft member main body 1 is larger than the inner diameter of the lip 20 of the lip seal 2, and the insertion portion shaft member 11 has the lip 20 of the lip seal 2 shown in FIG. Insert from a direction that does not turn.
When the insertion part shaft member 11 is inserted into the seal 2 with a lip, the outer diameter of the insertion part shaft member 11 is larger than the inner diameter of the lip 20, so that a force is applied only in a direction in which the lip 20 is not turned up. In this way, the insertion part shaft member 11 can be set on the seal 2 with the lip without causing the lip 20 to be turned up.

After the insertion part shaft member 11 of the shaft member body 1 has been set on the seal 2 with the lip, the insertion part shaft member 11 and the non-insertion part shaft member 12 of the shaft member body 1 are joined by the coupling means 3.
When the insertion part shaft member 11 and the non-insertion part shaft member 12 of the shaft member main body 1 are coupled by the coupling means 3, the non-insertion part shaft member 12 of the shaft member main body 1 is connected to the shaft member using a jig (not shown). The insertion portion shaft member 11 of the main body 1 can be set so as to be aligned.
As a method for connecting the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member 11 and the non-insertion portion shaft member 12 of the shaft member body 1, a detachable connection method by press-fitting with the press-fit connection portion 30 or a non-insertion portion shaft member of the shaft member body 1 is possible. For example, a connecting method in which the end portion of the insertion portion shaft member 11 is sandwiched between the end portions of the twelve ends and the connecting portion 31 is used.
The coupling state of the insertion part shaft member 11 and the non-insertion part shaft member 12 of the shaft member main body 1 is a movement in the disengagement direction equal to or greater than the press-fitting coupling force in the press-fitting coupling part 30, and the clamping part 31 Since it can be easily released by removing the lip, parts such as the seal 2 with a lip and the inserted part shaft member 11 and the non-inserted part shaft member 12 of the shaft member body 1 are replaced or disassembled during recycling. Etc. can be easily performed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the semicircular portion 40 of the protrusion 4 of the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the triangular portion 41 of the protrusion 4 of the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3, the insertion member shaft member 11 of the shaft member body 1 is formed with a semicircular portion 40 of the protrusion 4 of the insertion portion of the lip 20 of the lip seal 2 as shown in FIG. Prepared.

When the insertion portion shaft member 11 of the shaft member main body 1 is inserted into the seal 2 with a lip by providing the semicircular portion 40 of the projection 4 at the insertion portion of the lip 20 of the lip seal 2 of the insertion portion shaft member 11. Further, the lip 20 can be pushed in a direction in which no turning occurs at the semicircular portion 40 of the projection 4 of the insertion portion shaft member 11.
Insertion portion of shaft member main body 1 As the shape of the protrusion 4 of the insertion portion of the lip 20 of the lip seal 2 of the shaft member 11, in addition to the semicircular shape portion 40, as shown in FIG. There are things.
When the insertion portion shaft member 11 of the shaft member main body 1 is inserted into the seal 2 with the lip, the triangular portion 41 can further push the lip 20 in a direction in which no turning is generated.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram before insertion of the shaft member insertion method of the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a state diagram after insertion of the shaft member insertion method of the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the shaft member insertion step 50 of the method for inserting the seal 2 with the lip of the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 to 6, the shaft member inserting method for inserting the shaft member main body into the seal with a lip that prevents the leakage of the contents to the outside or the entry of foreign matter from the outside is an insertion partial shaft for dividing the shaft member main body 1. The holding step 51 for holding the member 11, the non-insertion partial shaft member 12 and the lip-attached seal 2 in each predetermined position, and the arrow (A) shown in FIG. Of the insertion part shaft 52 inserted into the seal 2 with a lip in the insertion process 52 and the non-insertion part shaft body 12 not inserted into the seal 2 with a lip. Each of the end portions is press-fitted by a press-fitting joint portion 30 of the joining means 3, or a joining step 53 in a step of sandwiching and joining by a sandwiching joint portion 31, and an insertion part shaft portion in an insertion step 52 11 and a holding state release step 54 for releasing the holding state of the insert shaft member 11 after inserting the lipped seal 2.
Therefore, when the shaft member body 1 is inserted into the lip seal 2 without moving the lip 20 in the turning direction, the lip 20 is not turned over, and the durability is excellent. It is possible to provide a method of inserting the lip seal 2 of the shaft member 10 on which quality image formation is performed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the basic configuration of the shaft member insertion device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, a shaft member inserting device 100 for inserting a shaft member into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside is one insertion part shaft member that divides the shaft member main body 1. The insertion part shaft member holding means 101 holding 11, the non-insertion part shaft member holding means 102 holding the other non-insertion part shaft member 12 dividing the shaft member body 1, and the lip-attached seal 2 are lightly press-fitted. The lip-attached seal holding means 103 for holding the case 130 and the like, the insertion part shaft member 11 that divides the shaft member main body 1, the center of the non-insertion part shaft body 12, and the center of the lip-attached seal 2 are arranged on a straight line 104 The insertion partial shaft member holding means 101 for holding the partial shaft member 11 is guided in the vertical direction with respect to the lip seal 2 in the direction of the arrow (A) shown in the figure and driven manually or not shown It is fixed to the predetermined position the insert shaft member moving means 105 for joining the ends of the move by the driving force insert shaft member 11 and the non-insert portion shaft 12 by coupling means 3 on the substrate 106.

The insertion part shaft member holding means 101 includes holding state releasing means 110 that holds the insertion part shaft member 11 or releases the holding state.
The holding state releasing means 110 is fitted to the upper and lower sides of the feed screw 112 by the rotation of the feed screw 112 held vertically by the support column 111 and rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a driving source (not shown). The inserted partial shaft member 11 is held or released by the upper arm 113 and the lower arm 114 that move up and down by fitting together or left-handedly.
After the insertion part shaft member 11 is inserted into the seal 2 with the lip, the holding state is released by the rotation of the feed screw 112 of the holding state release means 110 and released, and the column 111 of the insertion part shaft member moving means 105 is released. The insertion portion shaft member holding means 101 is returned to a predetermined position and fixed by the projection 150 provided on the guide 106 being guided by the guide groove 151 formed on the substrate 106.

The non-insertion portion shaft member holding means 102 that holds the other non-insertion portion shaft member 12 that divides the shaft member main body 1 includes a non-insertion portion shaft member fixing means 120 that fixes the non-insertion portion shaft member 12 in a predetermined position. An engaging portion 121 is provided so that the connecting portion 3 does not move when the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member 11 and the non-insertion portion shaft body 12 that divide the shaft member main body 1 are connected by the connecting means 3.
Further, the non-insertion partial shaft member fixing means 120 is, for example, when the non-insertion partial shaft member 12 has the lip seals 2 at both ends and the ends of the insertion partial shaft member 11 are coupled by the coupling means 3 from both sides. If there is a condition that almost the same force is applied from both sides, the locking portion 121 is not necessary.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the basic configuration of the developing device 200 including the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, a developing device 200 that converts an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier into a toner image includes a developing sleeve of a developer carrier 201 that is rotatably held and carries and conveys the developer (D); The shaft member 10 according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is provided.
As the developer (D), a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner is used, and a developer carrying member that is held rotatably with the developer regulating member 211 and carries the developer (D). A developing unit 202 in which a developing sleeve of the body 201 is disposed, a stirring unit 203, a toner replenishing unit 204, and the like are provided.

The agitating unit 203 conveys the two-component developer of developer (D) while agitating it, and supplies it to the developing sleeve of the developer carrying member 201 for adhesion. The stirring unit 203 is provided with two parallel screws 230, and the two screws 230 are partitioned by a partition plate 231 except for both ends.
The developing case 210 has a toner density sensor 212 attached to the bottom, and a developing sleeve of the developer carrier 201 and two screws 230 are rotatably held on the side wall via the shaft member 10 to develop the developing case 210. By preventing the agent (D) from leaking to the outside of the toner or entering foreign matter such as dust and paper dust, the quality of the formed image is prevented from deteriorating.

The developing unit 202 conveys and transfers the toner of the developer (D) attached to the developing sleeve of the developer carrier 201 onto the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 of the image forming apparatus 400. A developer carrier 201 is provided through the opening of the developing case 210 to face the photoconductor of the image carrier 410. Further, a developer regulating member 211 is provided that is opposed to the surface of the developer carrying member 201 and is held with a gap spaced apart by a certain distance.
The developer carrying member 201 has a non-magnetic rotatable sleeve shape, and a plurality of magnets are disposed inside. The magnet is fixed so that magnetic force acts when the developer (D) passes through a predetermined place. The developer (D) forms a magnetic brush with a magnet and is carried on the developer carrier 201. The developer carrying member 201 is disposed in the developing region on the magnet side where the magnetic brush of the developer (D) is formed so as to face the photoconductor of the image carrier 410.

In the developing device 200 having such a configuration, the developer (D) is conveyed and circulated while being stirred by the two screws 230 and supplied onto the developer carrier 201. The developer (D) supplied onto the developer carrier 201 is drawn up and held by a magnet, and forms a magnetic brush on the developer carrier 201.
With the rotation of the developer carrier 201, the magnetic brush is cut by an appropriate amount by the developer regulating member 211 and regulated. The developer (D) is regulated and eliminated so that a uniform amount is carried with respect to the axial direction of the developer carrying member 201.

On the other hand, the toner in the developer (D) on the developer carrier 201 is transferred to the image carrier 410 by the development bias voltage applied to the developer carrier 201 and is electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 410. Is converted into a toner image. After the toner image formation, the developer (D) remaining on the developer carrying member 201 leaves the developer carrying member 201 and returns to the stirring unit 203 without the magnetic force of the magnet. By repeating this, when the toner concentration in the stirring unit 203 becomes light, this is detected by the toner concentration sensor 212, and the toner is supplied from the toner supply unit 204.
Accordingly, the developing device 200 including the shaft member 10 that is excellent in durability, prevents leakage of toner of the developer (D), and foreign matter such as dust and paper dust and performs high-quality image formation is provided. I can do it.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the basic configuration of a process cartridge 300 including the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 9, a process cartridge 300 that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus includes an image forming process unit 301 and the shaft member 10 according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
The image forming process unit 301 performs an image forming process such as the developing device 200 or the drum-shaped photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 and the cleaning unit 416 for cleaning the surface of the charging drum 411 or the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410. Related members and units are integrated into the main body case 302 so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 400.

On the side wall of the main body case 302, a drum-shaped photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410, a charging roller of the charging unit 411, a cleaning roller of the cleaning unit 416 and the like are rotatably held via the shaft member 10.
Therefore, the shaft is excellent in durability, and prevents high-quality image formation by preventing leakage of the developer (D) toner or the like to the outside or entry of foreign matter such as dust and paper powder. A process cartridge 300 including the member 10 can be provided.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus 400 including the shaft member 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, an image forming apparatus 400 that forms a recorded image on a recording medium includes an image forming unit 401 that forms a recorded image on a recording sheet of a recording medium (P), and any one of claims 1 to 13. The shaft member 10 according to the item is provided.
In the image forming apparatus 400, a document image reading apparatus 402 is disposed above the image forming unit 401. The image forming unit 401 is held on the recording medium feeding unit 403.

The image forming unit 401 is configured to form a high-speed, high-quality toner recording image on a recording sheet of a recording medium (P), which is excellent in convenience and versatility in an electrophotographic image forming process.
In the document image reading device 402, the document image of the document (O) set on the document setting unit 420 is read by the CCD of the photoelectric conversion element 421 through the optical system.
The document image read by the photoelectric conversion element 421 is imaged on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 of the image forming unit 401 by the writing unit 412.

The photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 is rotatably held on the side plate 417 of the image forming unit 401 via the shaft member 10.
Therefore, it has excellent durability, and high-quality image formation is performed by preventing leakage of the developer (D) toner or the like to the outside or entry of foreign matters such as dust and paper dust.
The photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 held rotatably via the shaft member 10 rotates clockwise in the direction of the arrow (B) shown in the figure, and at this time, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging means 411. A document image is formed on the charged surface by the laser beam of the writing means 412.
As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing device 200 including the shaft member 10.

On the other hand, the recording medium (P) recording paper is fed from the recording medium feeding unit 403 toward the image carrier 410, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 is recorded by the transfer unit 413. Transferred to the medium (P).
The recording medium (P) passes through the fixing device 414, and the recorded image of the toner transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium (P). Then, the recording medium (P) is discharged to the discharge tray 416. Stored. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 410 is removed by the cleaning unit 416 and prepared for the next process.
Therefore, the shaft member 10 is excellent in durability and prevents high-quality image formation by preventing leakage of developer toner or the like, or entry of foreign matter such as dust and paper powder. An image forming apparatus 400 can be provided.

It is sectional drawing of the basic composition of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the semicircle-shaped part of the projection part of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the triangular part of the projection part of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is a state figure before the insertion of the shaft member insertion method of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is a state figure after insertion of the shaft member insertion method of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the shaft member insertion process of the insertion method of the seal with a lip of the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the basic composition of the shaft member insertion apparatus concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the basic composition of the image development apparatus provided with the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the basic composition of a process cartridge provided with the shaft member concerning the embodiment of this invention. 1 is a front view showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus including a shaft member according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the shaft member before inserting the conventional shaft member main body into the seal | sticker with a lip | rip. It is sectional drawing of the shaft member after inserting the conventional shaft member main body in the seal | sticker with a lip | rip.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shaft member main body, 2 Seal with lip, 3 Coupling means, 4 Protrusion part, 10 Shaft member, 11 Insertion part shaft member, 12 Non-insertion part shaft body, 20 Lip, 30 Press-fit joint part, 31 Insertion joint part, 40 Half Circular part, 41 Triangular part, 50 Shaft member inserting step, 51 Holding step, 52 Inserting step, 53 Joining step, 54 Holding state releasing step, 100 Shaft member inserting device, 101 Inserting part shaft member holding means, 102 Non-insertion Partial shaft member holding means, 103 Lip seal holding means, 104 straight line, 105 Inserting partial shaft member moving means, 106 Substrate, 110 Holding state releasing means, 111 Post, 112 Feed screw, 113, 114 On arm, below arm, 120 Non-insertion partial shaft member fixing means, 121 locking portion, 130 case, 150 protrusion, 151 guide groove, 20 Developing device, 201 Developer carrying member, 202 Developing unit, 203 Stirring unit, 204 Toner replenishing unit, 210 Developing case, 211 Developer regulating member, 212 Ton concentration sensor, 230 Screw, 231 Partition plate, 300 Process cartridge, 301 Image process unit, 302 Main body case, 400 Image forming apparatus, 401 Image forming unit, 402 Document image reading apparatus, 403 Recording medium feeding unit, 410 Image carrier, 411 Charging unit, 412 Writing unit, 413 Transfer unit, 414 Fixing means, 415 discharge tray, 416 cleaning means, 417 side plate, 420 document setting unit, 1000 shaft member, 1001 shaft member body, 1002 seal with lip, 1020 lip

Claims (23)

  A shaft member inserted into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of the contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside, a shaft member main body to be mounted in the apparatus, and the contents in the apparatus to which the shaft member main body is mounted One side that divides the shaft member main body that is inserted from the opposite direction to the direction in which the lip is turned up to the seal with the lip, and a seal with a lip that prevents leakage to the outside or intrusion of foreign matter from the outside into the apparatus to be installed An insertion portion shaft member, and a coupling means for coupling the end portion of the non-insertion portion shaft member on the other side that divides the shaft member main body without being inserted into the seal with the insertion portion shaft member and the lip. A shaft member characterized by the above.   2. The shaft member according to claim 1, wherein the insertion part shaft member and the non-insertion part shaft member that are divided by the shaft member main body are made of different materials.   3. The shaft member according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion shaft member is made of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of the non-insertion portion shaft member.   The shaft member according to claim 1, wherein the non-insertion partial shaft member is made of a material suitable for a purpose of use.   The shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lip includes a funnel-shaped elastic member.   6. The shaft member according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the insertion portion shaft member inserted into the seal with a lip is configured to be larger than an inner diameter of the lip. A characteristic shaft member.   The shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of protrusions are provided on the outer periphery of the insertion portion shaft member to be inserted into the lip seal. A shaft member to be used.   The shaft member according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the projecting portions are provided in a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion shaft member.   The shaft member according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the protrusion includes a semicircular portion.   The shaft member according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the protrusion includes a triangular portion.   The shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the coupling means is provided to be configured such that end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member are detachable. A characteristic shaft member.   The shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the coupling means includes a press-fit coupling portion that press-fits and joins end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. A shaft member characterized by the above.   The shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the coupling means includes a sandwiching coupling portion that sandwiches and joins end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. A shaft member.   In the shaft member insertion method of inserting a shaft member body into a seal with a lip that prevents leakage of contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside, the insertion part shaft member and the non-insertion part that divide the shaft member body A holding step of holding the shaft member and the lip-attached seal 2 in each predetermined position, and an insertion step of inserting the insertion part shaft member held in the holding step from the direction opposite to the direction in which the lip is turned up. A coupling step of joining the insertion portion shaft member inserted into the lip seal in the insertion step and each end portion of the non-insertion shaft body not inserted into the lip seal, and the insertion portion in the insertion step. A shaft member insertion method comprising a holding state releasing step of releasing the holding state of the insertion part shaft member after the shaft member is inserted into the seal with a lip. .   15. The shaft member insertion method according to claim 14, wherein the coupling step includes a step of press-fitting and coupling the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member. .   15. The shaft member insertion method according to claim 14, wherein the coupling step includes a step of sandwiching and coupling the end portions of the insertion portion shaft member and the non-insertion portion shaft member.   In a shaft member insertion device for inserting a shaft member into a lip seal that prevents leakage of contents to the outside or entry of foreign matter from the outside, insertion for holding one of the insertion portion shaft members that divides the shaft member body Partial shaft member holding means, non-insertion partial shaft member holding means for holding the other non-insertion partial shaft member that divides the shaft member main body, lip-attached seal holding means for holding a lip-attached seal, and the shaft member The insertion part shaft member that divides the main body, the center of the non-insertion part shaft body, and the center of the seal with the lip are aligned, and the insertion part shaft member is guided and moved in a direction perpendicular to the seal with the lip. A shaft member insertion device comprising: an insertion part shaft member moving means for joining the insertion part shaft member and the end of the non-insertion part shaft body by the joining means.   18. The shaft member insertion device according to claim 17, wherein the insertion part shaft member holding means includes holding state release means for holding the insertion part shaft member or releasing the holding state.   19. The shaft member insertion device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the non-insertion part shaft member holding means includes non-insertion part shaft member fixing means for fixing the non-insertion part shaft member at a predetermined position. Shaft member insertion device.   14. A developing device that converts an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier into a toner image, a developer carrier that is rotatably held and carries and conveys the developer, and the developer carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A developing device comprising the shaft member described above.   14. A process cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming process unit; and the shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 13.   An image forming apparatus that forms a recorded image on a recording medium, comprising: an image forming unit that forms a recorded image on a recording medium; and the shaft member according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Image forming apparatus.   23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the image forming unit forms a recorded image of toner on a recording medium by an electrophotographic image forming process.

Images