JP2010128008A - Visible image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce adverse influence on an image. <P>SOLUTION: Visible image forming apparatuses (Uy to Uk) include: image carriers (PRy to PRk); a developer carrier (14) which develops a latent image on the image carriers (PRy to PRk) into a visible image with developer; bearings (16 to 16") having an inner ring (21), an outer ring (22) and a rolling element (23) supporting the developer carrier (14) and having parts to be regulated (22a, 22a' and 22d) regulating the movement of the outer ring (22); bearing support parts (17 to 17") which have regulating parts (17d, 17d' and 17h) corresponding to the parts to be regulated (22a, 22a' and 22d); and contact parts (1c, 1d and 2a) which are provided in the image carriers (PRy to PRk) and are in contact with the outer ring (22), to position the developer carrier (14) with respect to the image carriers (PRy to PRk). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a visible image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, development is performed with a developer holder disposed opposite to the surface of the image carrier. In such an image forming apparatus, various techniques for positioning the image holding member and the developer holding member with preset accuracy are used, and the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below are known. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-166492 as Patent Document 1 discloses a drum unit (31a to 31d) having a photosensitive drum (2a to 2d) and a developing unit (32a to 32d) having a developing roller (4a to 4d). , A tandem type full-color printer (Z1) is described.
In Patent Document 1, a support member (41, 41) having a substantially V-shaped notch (42d to 42d) and a substantially V-shaped notch (43d to 43d) is provided as a tandem full-color printer (Z1). ) Are installed on the front and back of the main body, and the notch portions (42d to 42d) support the bearing portions at the ends of the photosensitive drums (2a to 2d), and the notch portions (43d to 43d) support the developing rollers (4a to 4d). ) A technique for positioning the drum unit (31a to 31d) and the developing unit (32a to 32d) by supporting the bearing portion at the end is described.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the photosensitive drums (2a to 2d) and the developing rollers (4a to 4d) are supported by the support members (41, 41) formed in exactly the same shape on the front and rear sides. Positioned in a parallel arrangement.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-243180 as Patent Document 2 discloses a photoconductor shaft (121), a back photoconductor bearing (122) and a front photoconductor bearing (123) that rotatably support the photoconductor shaft (121). A developing roller shaft (125), a back side developing roller bearing (126) and a front side developing roller bearing (127) that rotatably support the developing roller shaft (125), An image forming apparatus (100) is described that is detachably disposed in a direction parallel to the developing roller (116) having the above.
In Patent Document 2, in the image forming apparatus (100), a near side positioning member (124) attached to a near side photoreceptor bearing (123) is brought into contact with a near side developing roller bearing (127), and A gap (G) set in advance with respect to the developing roller (116) is brought into contact with the back side photosensitive member bearing (122) by bringing the back side positioning member (128) attached to the back side developing roller bearing (126). ) Describes a technique for positioning the photoconductor (111).
In the technique described in Patent Document 2, general-purpose bearings are used for the back side photoreceptor bearing (122) and the front side developing roller bearing (127) with which the positioning members (124, 128) abut.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-16063 as Patent Document 3 describes an image forming apparatus having an apparatus frame (11) and a photosensitive drum (1) supported by the apparatus frame (11). .
In Patent Document 3, in the image forming apparatus, a pair of inner blocks (15) in which guide grooves (16) for guiding the developing device (12) are formed are provided on both inner sides of the device frame (11). The bearings (12c) on both ends of the roll shaft (12b) of (12) are moved along the guide grooves (16) on both sides, and the magnet roll (12a) of the developing device (12) is moved to the photosensitive drum (1). And a technique of disposing them facing each other through a preset gap.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-166592 ("0008" to "0009", FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-243180 (“0070” to “0082”, FIGS. 2 to 5) JP-A-8-16063 ("0014" to "0017", FIG. 1)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce adverse effects on images.

In order to solve the technical problem, a visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
An image carrier,
A developer holder that is disposed opposite to the image carrier and holds a developer on the surface thereof, and that develops a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image with a developer. Holding body,
An inner ring that supports the developer holder, an outer ring that is concentrically arranged with the inner ring and that has a larger diameter than the inner ring, and that is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and that rotates the inner ring and the outer ring relative to each other. A rolling element that supports the rolling element, the bearing having a regulated portion that is formed on the outer ring and restricts movement of the outer ring, and
A bearing support portion for supporting the bearing, the bearing support portion having a restriction portion corresponding to the restricted portion;
A contacted portion provided on the image holding member, wherein the outer ring contacts the contacted portion, and the position of the developer holding member relative to the image holding member is determined;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
By being formed on a support frame that supports the image carrier, the contacted portion provided indirectly on the image carrier,
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 3 is the visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
By being formed in a bearing that supports the image carrier, the contacted portion provided indirectly on the image carrier is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the visible image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The regulated portion configured by a recess formed in the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a convex portion formed corresponding to the restricted portion;
It is provided with.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the visible image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The regulated portion configured by a convex portion formed on the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a recess formed corresponding to the restricted portion;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 6 is the visible image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
A gap is formed along the radial direction of the bearing between the concave portion and the convex portion in a state where the convex portion is attached to the concave portion.

The invention according to claim 7 is the visible image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The regulated portion configured by a flat portion formed on the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a support-side flat portion formed corresponding to the flat portion;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 8 is the visible image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The outer ring having an arcuate edge having a larger diameter than the outer ring and having a portion facing the image carrier cut away;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes:
A visible image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A transfer device for transferring the visible image to a medium;
A fixing device for fixing the visible image transferred to the medium to the medium;
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the adverse effect on the image as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the position of the developer holder relative to the image carrier can be determined by bringing the outer ring into contact with the support frame that supports the image carrier.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the position of the developer holder relative to the image carrier can be determined by bringing the outer ring into contact with the bearing that supports the image carrier.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the movement of the bearing can be regulated by the concave portion of the outer ring of the bearing and the convex portion of the bearing support portion.
According to the invention described in claim 5, the movement of the bearing can be restricted by the convex portion of the outer ring of the bearing and the concave portion of the bearing support portion.
According to the invention described in claim 6, compared to the case where no gap is formed along the radial direction, the regulated portion of the outer ring of the bearing is pushed in the radial direction from the bearing support portion, and the bearing moves, It is possible to reduce the movement of the rotation center of the developer holder.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the movement of the bearing can be restricted by the plane portion of the outer ring of the bearing and the support side plane portion of the bearing support portion.
According to invention of Claim 8, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, a bearing can be supported in a stable state by a bearing support part.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the adverse effect on the image is reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes an automatic document feeder U1 and an image forming apparatus body U2 that supports the automatic document feeder U1 and has a transparent document reading surface PG at the upper end.
The automatic document feeder U1 includes a document feeding unit TG1 that accommodates a plurality of documents Gi to be copied and a document feeding unit TG1 that is fed from the document feeding unit TG1 and passes a document reading position on the document reading surface PG. And a document discharge portion TG2 from which the document Gi conveyed is discharged.
The image forming apparatus main body U2 includes an operation unit UI through which a user inputs an operation command signal for starting an image forming operation, an exposure optical system A, and the like.

Reflected light from a document conveyed on the document reading surface PG by the automatic document feeder U2 or a document manually placed on the document reading surface PG is passed through the exposure optical system A by the solid-state image sensor CCD. It is converted into red R, green G, and blue B electrical signals.
The image information conversion unit IPS converts the RGB electrical signals input from the solid-state imaging device CCD into black K, yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C image information and temporarily stores them, and stores the image information in advance. At a set time, it is output to the latent image forming apparatus driving circuit DL as image information for forming a latent image.
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black K is input to the latent image forming device driving circuit DL.
The latent image forming device drive circuit DL has drive circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and is arranged for each color at a predetermined time according to input image information. To the latent image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
1 and 2, the visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, and Uk arranged in the center of the gravity direction of the image forming device U are visible images of colors Y, M, C, and K, respectively. Is a device for forming
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk respectively enter the rotating image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. In the first embodiment, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are constituted by so-called LED arrays.
The Y visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating image carrier PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a transfer device T1y, and an image carrier cleaner CLy. In the first exemplary embodiment, the image carrier PRy, the charger CRy, and the image carrier cleaner CLy are configured as an image carrier unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U2.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y visible image forming apparatus Uy.

1 and 2, the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the latent image forming devices LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed on the developer holders of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk in the development areas Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k. Thus, a toner image as an example of a visible image is developed.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are preliminarily supplied from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At the set time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

  The toner images on the image carriers PRy to PRk are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  Above the image carriers PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can move up and down and can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer body drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of an intermediate transfer body stretching member, and a walking roll as an example of a meandering prevention member. Rw, an idler roll Rf as an example of a driven member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer region facing member, and the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by a belt support roll Rd + Rt + Rw + Rf + T2a as an example of an intermediate transfer member support member constituted by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, and T2a.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed so as to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a. A secondary transfer device T2 is constituted by the rolls T2a and T2b. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B face each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are the secondary transfer areas. Transported to Q4.

  Below the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided, and the guide rail GR has a sheet feed as an example of a paper feed container. The trays TR1 to TR3 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The recording sheets S as an example of media stored in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 are taken out by a pick-up roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member, and are separated one by one by a separating roll Rs as an example of a medium spreading member. The The recording sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path SH, which is an example of a medium transport path, by a plurality of transport rolls Ra, which is an example of a medium transport member, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. Is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of the transferred transfer area conveyance timing adjusting member. The sheet conveyance path SH, the sheet conveyance roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, etc. constitute a sheet conveyance apparatus SH + Ra + Rr as an example of a medium conveyance apparatus.

The registration roll Rr conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b has a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.
Further, the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the intermediate transfer belt B constitute transfer devices T1y to T1k + T2 + B according to the first embodiment.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred has a fixing region Q5 which is a pressure contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressing fixing member. And heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region. The heat-fixed recording sheet S is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to a discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge portion.
Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roll is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent application device Fa.

  Above the belt module BM, developer cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk, which are examples of developer supply containers that store yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K developers, are disposed. The developer contained in each developer cartridge Ky, Km, Kc, Kk is transferred to each developer Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk according to the consumption of developer in the developer Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk. To be replenished. In Example 1, the developer is composed of a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a toner provided with an external additive.

In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes an upper frame UF and a lower frame LF, and the upper frame UF includes the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk and the visible image forming apparatus Uy. A member arranged above -Uk, that is, a belt module BM and the like are supported.
The lower frame LF includes a guide rail GR that supports the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 and the paper feed members that feed paper from the trays TR1 to TR3, that is, a pickup roll Rp, a separation roll Rs, A sheet conveying roll Ra and the like are supported.

(Description of each member of the visible image forming apparatus)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship among the image carrier, the latent image forming apparatus, and the developing device in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows that the developing device has moved to the developing device approach position and FIG. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to the latent image forming apparatus approaching position, and FIG. 3B illustrates a state in which the developing unit has moved to the developing unit separation position and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  Next, image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk, developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk, and latent image forming, which constitute the visible image forming apparatuses Uy, Um, Uc, Uk of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The devices LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk will be described. Since the members of the respective colors are configured in the same manner, only the Y color will be described, and detailed descriptions of the other colors will be omitted.

(Description of image carrier)
In FIG. 4, bearing support portions 1a and 1b as examples of bearing support portions are formed at both front and rear ends of an image carrier housing 1 as an example of a support frame. Further, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the bearing support portions 1a and 1b of the image carrier housing 1 on the developing device Gy side, the contact surfaces 1c and 1d as an example of the contacted portions are formed.
An image carrier PRy is rotatably supported by the bearing support portions 1a and 1b via a bearing 2 as an example of a bearing. An image carrier gear 3 as an example of a gear that transmits a driving force of a drive source (not shown) to the image carrier PRy is supported at the rear end of the image carrier PRy.

(Explanation of developer)
In FIG. 3, the developing device Gy of Example 1 has a developing container 11 in which a developer is accommodated. A first auger 12 and a second auger 13 as an example of a pair of agitating and conveying members that convey the developer inside while being agitated are rotatably supported in the developing container 11. 3 and 4, the developer agitated by the augers 12 and 13 is transported to the developing container 11 to a developing region Q2y that is held on the surface and is opposed to the image carrier PRy. A developing roll 14 as an example of a developer holder is disposed.

  The developing container 11 is supported by a frame (not shown), that is, a so-called developing unit frame so as to be rotatable about a rotating shaft 15. Therefore, the developing unit Gy is shown in FIG. 3A in which the developing roll 14 is arranged to face the image carrier PRy, and in FIG. 3B in which the developing roll 14 is separated from the image carrier PRy. It is supported so as to be movable between the developing device isolation position.

  In FIG. 4, the developing roll 14 includes a supporting shaft 14a, a developing sleeve 14b as an example of a cylindrical member rotatably supported by the supporting shaft 14a, and cylindrical shafts 14c formed at both front and rear ends of the developing sleeve 14b. And having. The cylindrical shaft 14c is supported by a bearing holder 17 as an example of a bearing support portion provided in the developing container 11 via a grooved bearing 16 as an example of a bearing. A developing roll gear 18 as an example of a gear is supported on the rear cylindrical shaft 14c.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the grooved bearing of the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the bearing, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the bearing.
In the first embodiment, a pair of front and rear grooved bearings 16 is used. However, the description of the front grooved bearing 16 configured similarly to the rear side is omitted, and only the rear grooved bearing 16 is described. .

In FIG. 5, the grooved bearing 16 has an inner race 21 as an example of an inner ring that supports the cylindrical shaft 14 c of the developing roll 14.
The grooved bearing 16 has an outer race 22 that is arranged concentrically with the inner race 21 and is an example of an outer ring having a larger diameter than the inner race 21. A groove 22a as an example of a recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer race 22 along the axial direction. 5B, the groove 22a according to the first embodiment is formed so as to have a depth d1 along the radial direction with the outer peripheral surface of the outer race 22 as a reference.
Further, the grooved bearing 16 is disposed between the inner race 21 and the outer race 22, and includes a plurality of balls 23 as an example of rolling elements that rotatably support the inner race 21 and the outer race 22. Have.
That is, the grooved bearing 16 of the first embodiment is configured by a so-called ball bearing.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the developing container of Example 1 and is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder. FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing a state where the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state supported.
4 and 6, a bearing holder 17 is provided in front of and behind the developing container 11 at a position corresponding to the abutted surfaces 1 c and 1 d of the image carrier housing 1.
Hereinafter, since the front bearing holder 17 is configured in the same manner as the rear bearing holder 17, the rear bearing holder 17 will be described, and a detailed description of the front bearing holder 17 will be omitted.

  In FIG. 6, the bearing holder 17 has an image carrier-facing surface 17a on the image carrier PRy side. A bearing protrusion opening 17b corresponding to the outer shape of the grooved bearing 16 is formed in the image carrier facing surface 17a. The bearing holder 17 is formed with a bearing support surface 17 c that is connected to the upper and lower ends of the bearing protruding opening 17 b and has an arcuate cross section corresponding to the outer diameter of the outer race 22. Above the bearing support surface 17c, a raised portion 17d as an example of a convex portion formed corresponding to the groove 22a of the grooved bearing 16 is formed along the axial direction. The raised portion 17d of Example 1 is formed such that the height along the radial direction with respect to the bearing support surface 17c is a distance d2 smaller than the distance d1.

4 and 6, axial restricting portions 17e are formed before and after the bearing support surface 17c. A circular shaft hole 17f that is larger than the inner diameter of the inner race 21 of the grooved bearing 16 and smaller than the outer diameter of the outer race 22 is formed in the axial direction restricting portion 17e.
The bearing support space 17c, the raised portion 17d, and the axial direction restricting portion 17e constitute the bearing housing space 17c + 17d + 17e of the first embodiment. Further, the bearing holder 17 of the first embodiment is configured by the image carrier facing surface 17a, the bearing protruding opening 17b, the bearing support surface 17c, the raised portion 17d, and the axial direction regulating portion 17e. In addition, the bearing holder 17 of Example 1 is comprised so that division | segmentation is possible up and down, and it is assembled | attached at the time of use and the bearing holder 17 is comprised.

4 and 6B, the grooved bearing 16 is accommodated in the bearing accommodating space 17c + 17d + 17e, and a part of the grooved bearing 16 on the image carrier PRy side protrudes from the bearing protruding opening 17b to the image carrier PRy side. In this state, the bearing holder 17 is mounted.
At this time, the raised portion 17d of the bearing holder 17 is fitted into the groove 22a of the grooved bearing 16, and the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the gear train of the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 7, the developing container 11 has a rear end wall 11a. In FIG. 7, a driven gear 27 as an example of a driven gear for transmitting a driving force is rotatably supported below the rear end wall 11a. The driven gear 27 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a motor as an example of a driving source (not shown).
On the upper right of the driven gear 27, a first auger gear 28 as an example of a first agitating / conveying member gear meshing with the driven gear 27 in a first meshing region 28a is disposed. The first auger gear 28 is supported by the rear end of the rotary shaft 12a of the first auger 12 that extends rearward through the rear end wall 11a. Drive is transmitted from the driven gear 27 via 28.

Above the driven gear 27, a second auger gear 29 as an example of a second agitating / conveying member gear meshing with the driven gear 27 in the second meshing region 29a is disposed. The second auger gear 29 is supported by the rear end of the rotary shaft 13a of the second auger 13 that extends rearward through the rear end wall 11a. Drive is transmitted from the driven gear 27 via 29.
On the left side of the second auger gear 29, an intermediate gear 31 as an example of an intermediate gear is supported so as to be rotatable about a gear shaft 31a. The intermediate gear 31 meshes with the second auger gear 29 in the third meshing region 31b, and the drive is transmitted.
The developing roll gear 18 at the rear end of the developing roll 14 is arranged to mesh with the intermediate gear 31 in a fourth meshing region 32 above the intermediate gear 31. As a result, drive is transmitted from the intermediate gear 31 to the developing roll 14 via the developing roll gear 18.

Accordingly, when the drive is transmitted to the driven gear 27, the augers 22, 23 and the developing roll 14 are driven via the gears 27 to 31, 18 respectively.
At this time, the driven gear 27 rotates clockwise as viewed from the rear as indicated by an arrow 33 in FIG. Further, the auger gears 28 and 29 engaged with the driven gear 27 rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the rear, as indicated by an arrow 34 in FIG. Further, in FIG. 4, the intermediate gear 31 that meshes with the second auger gear 29 rotates clockwise when viewed from the rear, and the developing roll gear 32 that meshes with the intermediate gear 31 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the rear. .
The driven gear 27, the first auger gear 28, the second auger gear 29, the intermediate gear 31, and the developing roll gear 18 constitute a gear train 36 as an example of the gear mechanism of the developing device of the first embodiment. ing.

4 and 7, one end of a coil spring 37 as an example of a pair of front and rear urging members is supported above the developing container 11. The other end of the coil spring 37 is supported by a frame of a developing unit (not shown), and biases the developing container 11 toward the image carrier PRy.
As a result, the outer race 22 of the grooved bearing 16 supported in a protruding state by the bearing holder 17 of the developing container 11 is held in contact with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the image carrier housing 1. That is, the developing roll 14 is held in a state of being positioned at a preset position with respect to the image holding member PRy.

Further, when performing maintenance, inspection, replacement, etc. of each unit, an external force that rotates the developing device Gy in a direction away from the image holding member PRy by operating an operation unit (not shown) is applied to the developing device. When applied to Gy, the developing device Gy rotates around the rotation shaft 15 against the force of the coil spring 37 and moves from the developing device approaching position shown in FIG. 3A to the developing device isolation position shown in FIG. 3B. . At this time, the grooved bearing 16 is separated from the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the image carrier housing 1, and the developing roll 14 is separated from the image carrier PRy.
The rotating shaft 15 and the coil spring 37 constitute the developing device contact / separation mechanism 15 + 37 of the first embodiment.

(Description of latent image forming apparatus)
3 and 7, the latent image forming apparatus LHy according to the first embodiment includes an contacting / separating member 41 extending in the front-rear direction. The contact / separation member 41 is supported by a moving mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the image carrier PRy.
Above the contact / separation member 41, an image writing light irradiation unit 42 is supported. The image writing light irradiation unit 42 includes a base member 42a as an example of a base portion extending in the axial direction of the image carrier PRy, and is supported on the image carrier PRy side of the base member 42a, and a latent image is formed on the image carrier PRy. And a light irradiator 42b as an example of a latent image forming member for forming the image. In the first embodiment, the light irradiation unit 42b is configured by a so-called LED array, and the light source that forms a latent image on the surface of the image carrier PRy is the axial direction of the image carrier PRy, that is, the main scanning direction. Are arranged side by side.

At both front and rear ends of the base member 42a, abutting portions 43 as an example of a latent image forming positioning member projecting toward the image carrier PRy are supported. Hereinafter, the rear abutting portion 43 will be described, and a detailed description of the front abutting portion 43 configured in the same manner as the rear abutting portion 43 will be omitted.
In FIG. 3, the abutting portion 43 contacts the image carrier housing 1 of the image carrier PRy at the latent image forming apparatus approaching position shown in FIG. 3A.
That is, the abutting portion 43 configured to be movable integrally with the light irradiating portion 42b via the base member 42a moves to the latent image forming apparatus approaching position, whereby the light irradiating portion 42b for the image holding member PRy. Is determined. As a result, the interval between the light irradiation unit 42b and the surface of the image carrier PRy is held at a preset interval so that the focus of the latent image writing light emitted from the light irradiation unit 42b becomes the surface of the image carrier PRy. Retained.

  When maintenance and inspection of each unit, replacement, and the like are performed, an operator operates an operation unit (not shown) so that the contact / separation member 41 moves in a direction away from the image holding body PRy, thereby causing a latent image. The forming apparatus LHy moves from the latent image forming apparatus approach position shown in FIG. 3A to the latent image forming apparatus separation position shown in FIG. 3B. At this time, the abutting portion 43 is separated from the image carrier housing 1, and the light irradiation portion 42b is separated from the image carrier PRy.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the image forming apparatus U of Example 1 having the above-described configuration, the surfaces of the image carriers PRy to PRk are uniformly charged by the charging devices CRy to CRk in the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk. Then, latent images are formed on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy to PRk by the latent image forming devices LHy to LHk. The latent images formed on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy to PRk are developed into visible images with a developer by the developing devices Gy to Gk. The developed visible image is transferred to the recording sheet S by the transfer devices T1y to T1k + T2 + B, and then fixed by the fixing device F to record an image.

  At this time, in the developing devices Gy to Gk of Embodiment 1, the grooved bearing 16 that rotatably supports the developing roll 14 is in contact with the image carrier housing 1 that is indirectly provided on the image carriers PRy to PRk. The developer is supplied from the developing roll 14 to the image carriers PRy to PRk in contact with the surfaces 1c and 1d and the position of the developing roller 14 relative to the image carriers PRy to PRk being determined.

  Here, when positioning the developing roll 14 by supporting the grooved bearing 16 at the end of the developing roll 14 on the other member for positioning, for example, the frame, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the frame and the like. Easy to convert. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the grooved bearing 16 of the developing roll 14 is directly brought into contact with the image holding body housing 1 without using a frame or the like, and the developing roll 14 is positioned with respect to the image holding bodies PRy to PRk. Compared with the case where other members are used for positioning, positioning with high accuracy is performed with an inexpensive configuration.

  Further, in the developing devices Gy to Gk of the first embodiment, the grooved bearing 16 is mounted on the bearing holder 17, and the raised portion 17 d of the bearing holder 17 is fitted in the groove 22 a of the outer race 22. Therefore, even if a force in the direction of rotating the outer race 22 is generated, the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted by the contact between the groove 22a as the restricted portion and the raised portion 17d as the restricting portion.

  7, when the driven gear 27 receives a driving force in the gear train 36 provided on the rear end side of the developing units Gy to Gk according to the first embodiment, the driven gear 27 is indicated by an arrow 33 in FIG. 7. The first auger gear 28 and the second auger gear 29 that rotate in the clockwise direction and mesh with the driven gear 27 rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The intermediate gear 31 that meshes with the second auger gear 29 rotates in the direction of arrow 33, and the developing roll gear 18 that meshes with the intermediate gear 31 rotates in the direction of arrow 34.

Accordingly, in the gear train 36 of the developing units Gy to Gk, a force in the upper direction of the image carrier PRy to PRk indicated by the arrow F1 is generated in the first meshing region 28a, and the image carrier indicated by the arrow F2 in the second meshing region 29a. A force in the PRy to PRk side direction is generated, an upward force indicated by the arrow F3 is generated in the third meshing region 31b, and a force in the image carrier PRy to PRk side direction indicated by the arrow F4 is generated in the fourth meshing region 32. Arise. That is, as a whole, the developing devices Gy to Gk generate a resultant force directed upward from the image carriers PRy to PRk, which is indicated by an arrow Fa in which the forces of the arrows F1 to F4 are combined.
Therefore, the developing devices Gy to Gk receive the resultant force Fa having a radial component that is a direction approaching the image carrier PRy and a tangential component that is a direction to move upward, and the gear train 36 The rear ends of the provided developing devices Gy to Gk are more affected by the force than the front ends.

  At this time, in the conventional configuration in which the rotation of the outer race 22 is not restricted, the outer race 22 that contacts the contacted surface 1c on the rear end side of the image carrier housing 1 by the action of the resultant force Fa is placed on the contacted surface 1c. The developing devices Gy to Gk are easily moved upward while being rotated along the image carrier housing 1.

  That is, in the configuration in which the rotation of the outer race 22 is not restricted, when the rear end side is moved upward by the driving of the gear train 36, the load is applied between the front end side and the rear end side of the developing units Gy to Gk. Unbalance occurs, and the entire developing devices Gy to Gk are twisted from the front end side to the rear end side. As a result, the distance between the developing roller 14 and the image carriers PRy to PRk is different from the preset state, and the positions of the front end and the rear end of the developing roller 14 with respect to the image carriers PRy to PRk are set in advance. The distance between the developing roll 14 and the image holders PRy to PRk varies along the axial direction, and the developer supplied from the developing roll 14 to the image carriers PRy to PRk varies.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the first embodiment in which the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted, the outer race 22 does not rotate along the contacted surface 1c, and the rear end sides of the developing devices Gy to Gk move upward. Hateful.
Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, even if the load is unbalanced between the front end side and the rear end side of the developing devices Gy to Gk, the developing devices Gy to Gk are difficult to move so as to be twisted, and the developing roller 14 and the image are formed. The developer is supplied from the developing roll 14 to the image holders PRy to PRk in a state in which the variation along the axial direction is reduced while the interval between the holders PRy to PRk is held in advance.

  Further, when the rotation of the outer race 22 is not restricted, if the developing devices Gy to Gk are twisted, the meshing failure of the gears 27 to 32 in the gear train 36 supported by the developing devices Gy to Gk increases, and the gears Vibrations due to poor meshing 27 to 32 are likely to occur. In addition, a striped image defect, so-called banding, or the like may occur due to vibration.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the first embodiment in which the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted, the developing devices Gy to Gk are difficult to twist, vibration due to poor meshing of the gears 27 to 32 is reduced, and banding is also reduced. ing.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the twists and vibrations of the developing units Gy to Gk are reduced as compared with the case where the rotation of the outer race 22 is not restricted, and the state where the developing units Gy to Gk are positioned at the preset position is maintained. In this state, the developer is supplied from the developing roll 14 to the image carriers PRy to PRk, and the adverse effect on the image is reduced.

  In FIG. 6, in Example 1, the distance d2 of the height of the raised portion 17d is shorter than the distance d1 of the depth of the groove 22a. Therefore, a gap is formed along the radial direction between the groove 22a and the raised portion 17d in a state where the raised portion 17d is fitted in the groove 22a. That is, the outer race 22 is not pushed by the raised portion 17d and the center of the grooved bearing 16 is not displaced, and only the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted. Therefore, in the first embodiment, an image is formed with the developing roll 14 supported by the grooved bearing 16 having a small deviation from a preset state, and adverse effects on the image are reduced.

  Further, in the first exemplary embodiment, the grooved bearing 16 of the developing units Gy to Gk and the abutting portion 43 of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are in contact with and separated from the image carrier housing 1 that supports the image carriers PRy to PRk. The developing units Gy to Gk and the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are positioned. The developing unit having the developing units Gk to Gy and the image holding unit having the image holding units PRy to PRk are different from each other. It is configured as a unit. Therefore, for example, when the image quality deteriorates as a result of continued use, and only the developing roll 14 needs to be replaced or only the image carriers PRy to PRk need to be replaced, only the unit including the deteriorated member is used. Will be replaced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

8A and 8B are explanatory views of the bearing of the second embodiment, FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the bearing, and corresponds to FIG. 5A of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the bearing, and FIG. It is a corresponding figure.
9 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder of the second embodiment, FIG. 9A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, a view corresponding to FIG. 6A of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state by which the bearing was supported, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6B of Example 1. FIG.

  In the second embodiment, instead of the grooved bearing 16 and the bearing holder 17, a bearing with a protrusion 16 'as an example of a bearing and a bearing holder 17' as an example of a bearing support portion are used. In the second embodiment, a pair of front and rear bearings 16 ′ and a bearing holder 17 ′ are used. However, hereinafter, the rear bearing 16 ′ and the bearing holder 17 ′ will be described and configured similarly to the rear side. The description of the front bearing 16 'and the bearing holder 17' is omitted.

  In FIG. 8, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer race 22 of the protrusion-equipped bearing 16 ′, a protrusion 22a ′ as an example of a convex portion is formed instead of the groove 22a of the first embodiment. The protrusion 22a 'according to the second embodiment is formed to have a height of a distance d1' along the radial direction with reference to the outer peripheral surface of the outer race 22 '.

  In FIG. 9, a concave portion formed corresponding to the protrusion 22a 'of the bearing 16' with protrusions is provided above the bearing support surface 17c of the bearing holder 17 'instead of the raised portion 17d of the first embodiment. As an example, a protrusion restricting hole 17d 'is formed. The protrusion restricting hole 17d ′ according to the first embodiment is formed such that the depth along the radial direction with reference to the bearing support surface 17c is a distance d2 ′ larger than the distance d1 ′.

  In FIG. 9B, in the state where the bearing 16 ′ with protrusion is mounted on the bearing holder 17 ′, the protrusion 22a ′ of the outer race 22 in the bearing 16 ′ with protrusion is fitted in the protrusion restricting hole 17d ′.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, a bearing 16 ′ with a protrusion mounted on the bearing holder 17 ′ is replaced with the bearing 16 with a groove mounted on the bearing holder 17 according to the first embodiment. The developing roller 14 is positioned with respect to the image carriers PRy to PRk in contact with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the holder housing 1.
At this time, in the outer race 22 of the bearing 16 'with the protrusion of the second embodiment, the protrusion 22a' as the restricted portion and the protrusion restricting hole 17d 'as the restricting portion are in contact with each other, and the outer race 22 rotates. It is regulated.
Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the outer race 22 does not rotate in the second embodiment, and adverse effects on the image are reduced.

  In Example 2, the distance d2 ′ of the depth of the protrusion restricting hole 17d ′ is larger than the distance d1 ′ of the height of the protrusion 22a ′, and the protrusion 22a ′ is fitted in the protrusion restricting hole 17d ′. In this state, a gap is formed along the radial direction between the protrusion regulating hole 17d ′ and the protrusion 22a ′. That is, the protrusion 22a 'is not pushed in the radial direction by the bearing holder 17', and only the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an image is formed in a state where there is little deviation from the state in which the developing roll 14 is set in advance, and adverse effects on the image are reduced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the bearing of the third embodiment, FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the bearing and corresponds to FIG. 5A of the first embodiment, FIG. 11B is a plan view of the bearing, and FIG. It is a corresponding figure.

  In the third embodiment, instead of the grooved bearing 16 and the bearing holder 17 of the first embodiment, a flanged bearing 16 ″ as an example of a bearing and a bearing holder 17 ″ as an example of a bearing support portion are used. In the third embodiment, a pair of front and rear flanged bearings 16 ″ and a bearing holder 17 ″ are used. Hereinafter, the rear flanged bearing 16 ″ and the bearing holder 17 ″ will be described and configured in the same manner as the rear side. Description of the front flanged bearing 16 ″ and the bearing holder 17 ″ will be omitted.

In FIG. 11, the groove 22a of the first embodiment is omitted in the outer race 22 of the flanged bearing 16 ″.
A flange portion 22 b as an example of an edge portion having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outer race 22 is formed at the front end portion of the outer race 22 along the outer shape of the outer race 22. The flange portion 22b has an image carrier side cutout portion 22c corresponding to the bearing protruding opening 17b at a portion facing the image carrier PRy. That is, the flange portion 22b is formed in an arc shape.
Further, the flange portion 22b is formed with a restricting cut portion 22d as an example of a flat portion formed by cutting a part of the outer periphery of the flange portion 22b into a flat shape. The restricting cutout portion 22d of the third embodiment is formed on the opposite side of the image carrier side cutout portion 22c across the center of the flanged bearing 16 ″.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder of the third embodiment, FIG. 12A is an explanatory view showing a state where the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, a view corresponding to FIG. 6A of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is a figure of the state in which the bearing was supported, and is XIIB-XIIB line principal part sectional drawing in FIG.
11 and 12, an arc-shaped flange groove portion 17g corresponding to the outer diameter of the flange portion 22b of the flanged bearing 16 ″ is formed at the front end portion of the bearing support surface 17c of the bearing holder 17 ″. . The flange groove portion 17g is formed with a support side plane portion 17h formed on the side opposite to the bearing protruding opening portion 17b so as to correspond to the restriction cutout portion 22d.

  In FIG. 12B, the flanged bearing 16 ″ is mounted on the bearing holder 17 ″ with the flange portion 22b fitted in the flange groove portion 17g. At this time, the restricting cutout portion 22d of the bearing 16 ″ with the flange extends along the support side flat portion 17h of the bearing holder 17 ″, and the outer race 22 corresponding to the image carrier side cutout portion 22c has a bearing protrusion opening. Projecting from the portion 17b to the image carrier PRy side.

(Operation of Example 3)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, the flanged bearing 16 ″ mounted on the bearing holder 17 ″ is replaced with the grooved bearing 16 mounted on the bearing holder 17 according to the first embodiment. The developing roller 14 is positioned with respect to the image carriers PRy to PRk in contact with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the holder housing 1.
At this time, even if the outer race 22 of the flanged bearing 16 ″ is about to rotate, the rotation of the outer race 22 is restricted by the contact between the restricting cutout portion 22c as the restricted portion and the support side flat portion 17h as the restricting portion. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the adverse effect on the image is reduced also in the third embodiment.

In the flanged bearing 16 ″ of Example 3, a portion of the outer race 22 corresponding to the image carrier side cut-out portion 22c protrudes from the bearing projection opening 17b toward the image carrier PRy, and the flange portion 22b is formed. A portion of the outer race 22 that is not in contact is in contact with the contact surfaces 1 c and 1 d of the image carrier housing 1.
Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the wider outer race 22 is in contact with the contacted surfaces 1c and 1d of the image carrier housing 1 in comparison with the case where the narrow flange portion 22b is in contact with the contacted surfaces 1c and 1d. It has been broken.

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG.
In the image carrier housing 1 ′ according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the bearing support portions 1a and 1b have bearing protruding openings 1c ′ and 1d opened on the developing device Gy side instead of the contacted surfaces 1c and 1d. 'Is formed.
That is, in the image carrier housing 1 ′ of the fourth embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 2 that supports the image carrier PRy projects from the bearing projecting openings 1c ′ and 1d ′ to the developing device Gy side. The outer race 22 of the grooved bearing 16 of the developing device Gy comes into contact with the exposed portion 2a of the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 2 as a contacted portion provided indirectly on the PRy.

(Operation of Example 4)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, the grooved bearing 16 in which the rotation of the developing devices Gy to Gk is restricted is replaced with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the image carrier housing 1 according to the first embodiment. Thus, it is in direct contact with the exposed portion 2a on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 2 protruding from the bearing protruding openings 1c 'and 1d'.
Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the cumulative error is reduced as compared to the case where the developing roll 14 and the image carriers PRy to PRk are positioned via the image carrier housing 1 as in the first embodiment. Compared to the first embodiment, positioning with higher accuracy is performed, and adverse effects on the image are reduced.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H08) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration using a copying machine is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus U. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is there. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In each of the embodiments, the bearings 16 to 16 of the developing roll 14 are placed on the contact surfaces 1c and 1d of the image carrier housing 1 indirectly provided on the image carriers PRy to PRk or the exposed portion 2a of the bearing 2. Although the configuration in which the developing roller 14 is positioned with respect to the image carriers PRy to PRk by bringing 16 ″ into contact is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a contacted portion is provided at the end of the surface of the image carriers PRy to PRk. Further, it is possible to position the developing roller 14 with respect to the image carriers PRy to PRk by directly contacting the bearings 16 to 16 ″ of the developing units Gy to Gk with the image carriers PRy to PRk.
(H03) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the developing roll 14 is rotatably supported by only the pair of front and rear bearings 16 to 16 ″ contacting the contacted portions 1c, 1d, and 2a is exemplified. In addition to 16 to 16 ″, it is also possible to provide a support-dedicated bearing at the front and rear to support the developing roll 14 rotatably.

(H04) In each of the above embodiments, each of the bearings 16 to 16 ″ is provided with only one groove 22a, a protrusion 22a ′, and a restricting cutout 22d as a restricted portion. A configuration in which a plurality of the portions 22a ′ and the restricting cut portions 22d are provided is also possible.
(H05) In the third embodiment, the flanged bearing 16 ″ may have a configuration in which the regulating cutout portion 22d is formed in the outer race 22 instead of the flange portion 22b.
(H06) In the third embodiment, it is desirable that the portion of the outer race 22 where the flange portion 22b is not formed be in contact with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d, but the image carrier side cutout portion 22c is omitted, for example. A configuration in which the flange portion 22b is brought into contact with the contact surfaces 1c and 1d using the flanged bearing 16 ″ may be used.

(H07) In the first, second, and fourth embodiments, the bearings 16 and 16 'are not formed with an edge portion, but may be formed with an edge portion.
(H08) In the fourth embodiment, the bearing 2 that supports the image carriers PRy to PRk is not configured to be restricted in rotation, but is configured such that rotation is restricted as in the bearings 16 to 16 ″. It is also possible.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship among the image carrier, the latent image forming apparatus, and the developing device in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows that the developing device has moved to the developing device approach position and FIG. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the latent image forming apparatus has moved to the latent image forming apparatus approach position, and FIG. 3B illustrates a state in which the developing device has moved to the developing device separation position and the latent image forming apparatus has moved to the latent image forming apparatus separation position. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the grooved bearing of the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the bearing, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the bearing. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the developing container of Example 1 and is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder. FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing a state where the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state supported. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a gear train of the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 8A and 8B are explanatory views of the bearing of the second embodiment, FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the bearing, and corresponds to FIG. 5A of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the bearing, and FIG. It is a corresponding figure. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder of the second embodiment, FIG. 9A is an explanatory view showing a state in which the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, a view corresponding to FIG. 6A of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state by which the bearing was supported, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6B of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the bearing of the third embodiment, FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the bearing and corresponds to FIG. 5A of the first embodiment, FIG. 11B is a plan view of the bearing, and FIG. It is a corresponding figure. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing holder of the third embodiment, FIG. 12A is an explanatory view showing a state where the bearing is not supported by the bearing holder, a view corresponding to FIG. 6A of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is a figure of the state in which the bearing was supported, and is XIIB-XIIB line principal part sectional drawing in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the relationship between the image carrier and the developing device in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,1 '... support frame,
1c, 1d, 2a ... contacted part,
2 ... Bearing,
14 ... developer holder,
16, 16 ', 16 "... bearings,
17, 17 ', 17 "... bearing support,
17d ... restricting part, convex part,
17d '... regulator, recess,
17h ... restriction part, support side plane part,
21 ... Inner ring,
22 ... Outer ring,
22a: restricted portion, recess,
22a '... regulated part, convex part,
22b ... edge,
22d: restricted part, flat part,
F: Fixing device,
PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk ... Image carrier,
S ... medium,
T1y to T1k + T2 + B ... transfer device,
U: Image forming apparatus,
Uy, Um, Uc, Uk: Visible image forming apparatus.

Claims (9)

An image carrier,
A developer holder that is disposed opposite to the image carrier and holds a developer on the surface thereof, and that develops a latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image with a developer. Holding body,
An inner ring that supports the developer holder, an outer ring that is concentrically arranged with the inner ring and that has a larger diameter than the inner ring, and that is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and that rotates the inner ring and the outer ring relative to each other. A rolling element that supports the rolling element, the bearing having a regulated portion that is formed on the outer ring and restricts movement of the outer ring, and
A bearing support portion for supporting the bearing, the bearing support portion having a restriction portion corresponding to the restricted portion;
A contacted portion provided on the image holding member, wherein the outer ring contacts the contacted portion, and the position of the developer holding member relative to the image holding member is determined;
A visible image forming apparatus comprising: By being formed on a support frame that supports the image carrier, the contacted portion provided indirectly on the image carrier,
The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the contacted portion that is indirectly provided on the image holding body by being formed on a bearing that supports the image holding body. The regulated portion configured by a recess formed in the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a convex portion formed corresponding to the restricted portion;
The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The regulated portion configured by a convex portion formed on the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a recess formed corresponding to the restricted portion;
The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The gap according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a gap is formed along a radial direction of the bearing between the concave portion and the convex portion in a state where the convex portion is mounted on the concave portion. Visual image forming apparatus. The regulated portion configured by a flat portion formed on the outer ring;
The restricting portion configured by a support-side flat portion formed corresponding to the flat portion;
The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The outer ring having an arcuate edge having a larger diameter than the outer ring and having a portion facing the image carrier cut away;
The visible image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A visible image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A transfer device for transferring the visible image to a medium;
A fixing device for fixing the visible image transferred to the medium to the medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images