JP2010134089A - Developing device, process unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device that prevents developer from leaking out. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device includes: a developing container 40 disposed oppositely to an image carrier and having an opening; a developer carrier 41 disposed in the opening so as to be rotated; abutting members 45 and 46 which abut on the rotating surface of the developer carrier 41 in the width direction; and an end seal 47 disposed in firm contact with the rotating surface of the developer carrier 41 and the surfaces of the abutting members 45 and 46 and used to prevent developer from leaking out of the developer container 40 from the end of the developer carrier 41 in the width direction. A cut 50 is formed in the pressure-contact face of an end seal 47 formed in pressure-contact with the rotating surface of the developer carrier 41 and the surfaces of the abutting members 45 and 46 so as to intersect the end edges 45a and 46a of the abutting members 45 and 46 disposed on the rotating surface in the width direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device for supplying a developer to the surface of an image carrier to form a visible image, a process unit including the developing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine of these is provided with a developing device that supplies a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an image carrier to form a visible image. Has been.

  As the developing device, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a developing container 800 containing developer T, and a developing roller 200 as a developer carrying member that carries developer T and develops on image carrier 100. A supply roller 300 for supplying the developer T to the developing roller 200, a conveying screw 400, 500 for conveying the developer T to the supply roller 300 while stirring the developer T in the developing container 800, and development. A regulating blade 600 as a regulating member that regulates the thickness of the developer layer supplied to the roller 200, and an inlet that prevents the developer T from leaking to the outside from between the opening of the developing container 800 and the developing roller 200. The flexible sheet 700 is used as a seal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, end seals 900 are disposed at both ends of the developing roller 200. Each end seal 900 abuts against the surface of both end portions of the developing roller 200 with a predetermined pressing force, and the developer leaks from both end portions of the developing roller 200 to the outside of the developing container 800 by these end seals 900. (See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3272126

  As shown in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B of the VV cross-sectional view thereof, the end seal 900 has a regulating blade 600 and a flexible sheet 700 that are in contact with the surface of the developing roller 200. It is arranged so as to cover the top. At the position B where the end seal 900 covers the end edges 600a and 700a in the longitudinal direction (the developing roller width direction) of the regulating blade 600 and the flexible sheet 700, a step is formed on the pressure contact surface 900a of the end seal 900. Therefore, a gap S may be formed between the pressure contact surface 900a and the surface 200a of the developing roller 200.

  As described above, when the gap S is generated between the end seal 900 and the surface of the developing roller 200, the developer enters the gap S, and the developer leaks from the end of the developing roller 200 to the outside. There is a fear. If the developer leaked to the outside adheres to the surface of the image carrier or the like, it causes a defect such as an image defect. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the developer from leaking.

  Accordingly, in view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a developing device capable of preventing leakage of the developer to the outside, a process unit including the developing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container having an opening disposed to face the image bearing member, a developer bearing member rotatably disposed in the opening, and rotation of the developer bearing member. An abutting member that abuts across the width direction of the surface, and is disposed in pressure contact with the rotating surface of the developer carrier and the surface of the abutting member, and the end of the developer carrier in the width direction In the developing device having an end seal for preventing the developer from leaking out of the developer container from the section side, the end seal pressed against the rotating surface of the developer carrying member and the surface of the contact member A notch is formed in the pressure contact surface so as to intersect with an edge of the contact member arranged in the width direction on the rotation surface.

  A gap may be formed between the end seal of the contact member disposed in the width direction on the developer carrier and the developer carrier of the end seal. When such a gap occurs, the developer carried on the developer carrying member enters the gap, and the developer moves along the gap toward the end in the width direction of the developer carrying member. However, in the present invention, since the cut is formed so as to intersect with the edge of the contact member, the developer moving toward the end along the gap is used as the rotational force of the developer carrier. Can be conveyed along the slit. Specifically, since the end seal is pressed against the developer carrier and the contact member, a step is formed along the notch, so that the developer can be conveyed along the step. As a result, the developer can be transported in a direction intersecting the direction toward the end side, and leakage of the developer from the end side of the developer carrying member to the outside can be prevented.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, the notches are arranged in a straight line inclined toward the center in the width direction toward the rotation direction of the developer carrier. is there.

  By providing the cuts in this way, the developer can be conveyed along the cuts and returned to the center side of the developer carrier. Thereby, it is possible to make the leakage of the developer from the end side of the developer carrier less likely to occur.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the second aspect, an inclination angle of the notch with respect to a rotation direction of the developer carrying member is set to be larger than 0 ° and not larger than 45 °.

  By arranging the cuts in this way, it is possible to prevent the developer from accumulating in the cuts and the end seal durability from being lowered.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, the notches are arranged in a curved line shape that approaches the central side in the width direction toward the rotation direction of the developer carrier. .

  By providing the cuts in this way, the developer can be conveyed along the cuts and returned to the center side of the developer carrier. Thereby, it is possible to make the leakage of the developer from the end side of the developer carrier less likely to occur.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a plurality of the slits are arranged in parallel on the pressure contact surface of the end seal.

  Since the slits are arranged side by side, even if the developer toward the end side passes through the first slit, the developer is moved in the width direction of the developer carrier by the next slit or the subsequent slit. It can be transported in the intersecting direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer more reliably.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, when the end seal is not pressed against the developer carrier and the contact member, the notch is used as a boundary. The pressure contact surface of the end seal is configured in a stepped shape, and the pressure contact surface on the end side in the width direction with respect to the notch is more than the pressure contact surface on the center side in the width direction with respect to the notch. It is arranged so as to protrude toward the developer carrying member.

  By configuring the pressure contact surface of the end seal in a stepped shape, the pressure contact force of the end seal can be varied with the notch as a boundary. By making the pressure contact force different from each other with the notch as a boundary, a step is easily formed at the notch position. Thereby, it becomes easy to convey the developer along the cut. Further, the pressure contact surface on the end side in the width direction with respect to the notch is disposed so as to protrude toward the developer carrying member than the pressure contact surface on the center side in the width direction with respect to the notch. The pressure contact force on the pressure contact surface can be increased. As a result, it is possible to improve the sealing performance on the end portion side of the developer carrying member and effectively prevent leakage of the developer from the end portion.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the end seal is in contact with the developer carrier and the abutting member, and the sliding layer It is comprised by the elastic layer which supports a layer.

  Since the end seal has a sliding layer, it is possible to ensure slidability between the end seal and the developer carrier, and to maintain a smooth rotating operation of the developer carrier. is there. Further, since the end seal has the elastic layer, the end seal can be reliably brought into pressure contact with the developer carrying member and the abutting member, and sealing performance can be ensured.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the seventh aspect, the notch is completely cut in the thickness direction of the sliding layer, and the elastic layer has a thickness thereof from the sliding layer side. It is formed by cutting in the direction.

  By forming the cut from the sliding layer to the elastic layer, a step along the cut is easily formed when the end seal is pressed against the developer carrier and the contact member. Further, by inserting a cutting blade from the sliding layer side, it is possible to easily form cuts in the sliding layer and the elastic layer.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the eighth aspect, the cutting depth of the elastic layer for forming the notch reaches 50% or more of the thickness of the elastic layer. is there.

  Since the cut depth of the elastic layer reaches 50% or more of the thickness of the elastic layer, when the end seal is pressed against the developer carrier and the abutting member, a step along the notch is formed. It becomes easier to form.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the sliding layer is made of felt and the elastic layer is made of foamed polyurethane.

  Thereby, an end seal can be manufactured at low cost.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the developing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the cut is formed in a slit shape or a groove shape having a width.

  By forming the slit into a slit shape or a groove shape having a width, the developer can be easily conveyed along the slit.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the developing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the contact member abuts against a rotation surface of the developer carrying member and causes the developer on the rotation surface to flow. It is a regulating member that makes a uniform thin layer.

  Even if there is a gap between the end seal and the developer carrying member at the edge of the regulating member disposed across the width direction on the developer carrying member, the developer that has entered the gap Leakage from the end side of the developer carrying member can be prevented.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the developing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the abutting member abuts against a rotation surface of the developer carrying body and the developer carrying body and the developing device. It is an inlet seal that prevents the developer from leaking from the gap with the opening of the container.

  Even if there is a gap between the end seal and the developer carrier at the edge position of the inlet seal disposed across the width direction on the developer carrier, the developer that has entered the gap Leakage from the end side of the developer carrying member can be prevented.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a process unit including at least the developing device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects and configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Thereby, the process unit which can prevent the leakage of the developer from the end side of the developer carrying member can be provided.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus including the developing device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the leakage of the developer from the end side of the developer carrying member.

  According to the present invention, the developer moving toward the end of the developer carrying member can be transported in a direction intersecting with the direction toward the end. As a result, the developer can be prevented from leaking from the end side of the developer carrying member, and the image quality can be maintained satisfactorily.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1BK. Each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1BK is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body H.

  The process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1BK have the same configuration except that they contain toners of different colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black corresponding to the color separation components of the color image. Therefore, the configuration of one process unit 1Y will be described as an example.

  The process unit 1Y includes a photosensitive member 2 as an image carrier, a charging roller 3 as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 2, and a developing device 4 as a developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive member 2. And a photosensitive member cleaning blade 5 as a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member 2.

  Above each of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1BK, an exposure device 7 is disposed as an exposure unit that exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 2. An intermediate transfer unit 6 is disposed below each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1BK. The intermediate transfer unit 6 has an intermediate transfer belt 10 constituted by an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is stretched around a driving roller 8 and a driven roller 9 and is configured to be able to run around in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10, four primary transfer rollers 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11BK are disposed as primary transfer means. Each of the primary transfer rollers 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11BK is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 at a position facing the photoreceptor 2, and each photoreceptor 2 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10 by this pressure contact. A primary transfer nip is formed in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface.

  A secondary transfer roller 12 as a secondary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the driving roller 8 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 10. The secondary transfer roller 12 is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and forms a secondary transfer nip at the pressure contact portion.

  The intermediate transfer unit 6 includes a belt cleaning device 21 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10. A waste toner container 22 for storing waste toner is disposed below the intermediate transfer unit 6. A waste toner transfer hose (not shown) extending from the belt cleaning device 21 is connected to the entrance of the waste toner container 22.

  Under the image forming apparatus main body H, a recording medium accommodating portion 13 that accommodates a recording medium P such as paper or an OHP sheet is disposed. The recording medium accommodating portion 13 is provided with a supply roller 14 for carrying out the recording medium P and the like.

  In the image forming apparatus main body H, a transport path R for guiding the recording medium P upward from the recording medium accommodating portion 13 is disposed. A pair of registration rollers 15a and 15b are disposed on the upstream side (downward in the drawing) of the transport path R with respect to the secondary transfer nip formed by the drive roller 8 and the secondary transfer roller 12. In addition, the fixing device 16 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer nip in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path R (upward in the drawing). The fixing device 16 includes a heating roller 17 and a pressure roller 18. The heating roller 17 and the pressure roller 18 are in pressure contact with each other, and a fixing nip is formed at the pressure contact portion.

  A pair of discharge rollers 19 a and 19 b are disposed at the downstream end of the transport path R in the transport direction. A stock unit 20 for loading the recording media P is formed by indenting the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body H inward.

The basic operation of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.
In the process unit 1Y, the photosensitive member 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the surface of the photosensitive member 2 is charged to a uniform high potential by the charging roller 3. Next, a laser beam is irradiated from the exposure device 7 to the surface of the photoconductor 2 based on the image data, and the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image. The toner charged by the developing device 4 is electrostatically transferred to the portion of the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 to form a yellow toner image (visualization).

  The primary transfer roller 11Y is applied with a constant voltage or a constant current controlled voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner. As a result, a transfer electric field is formed in the primary transfer nip between the primary transfer roller 11Y and the photoreceptor 2. Then, in the primary transfer nip, the toner image on the rotating photoconductor 2 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 running in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

  In each of the other process units 1C, 1M, and 1BK, similarly, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 2, and the four color toner images are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 10 so as to overlap each other.

  Further, the surface of the photoreceptor 2 after the primary transfer process is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning blade 5 to remove residual toner. Further, the residual charge remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is neutralized by a neutralizing lamp (not shown).

  On the other hand, the recording medium P accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portion 13 is sent out to the conveyance path R by rotating the supply roller 14. The sent recording medium P is temporarily stopped by the registration rollers 15a and 15b.

  Further, a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 12 to form a transfer electric field in the secondary transfer nip. Alternatively, a similar transfer electric field may be formed by applying a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner to the driving roller 8 facing the secondary transfer roller 12. Thereafter, the driving of the registration rollers 15a and 15b is resumed, and the recording medium P is sent to the secondary transfer nip in synchronism with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is secondarily transferred collectively onto the recording medium P by the transfer electric field formed in the secondary transfer nip. Further, after the secondary transfer, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is removed by the belt cleaning device 21, and the removed toner is collected in the waste toner container 22.

  The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 16. The recording medium P sent to the fixing device 16 is sandwiched between the heating roller 17 and the pressure roller 18 and heated and pressurized, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium P. Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the stock unit 20 by the discharge rollers 19a and 19b.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing one configuration of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1BK. In FIG. 2, Y, M, C, and BK that indicate the distinction of colors are omitted. Moreover, in the same figure, the code | symbol same as FIG. 1 has shown the same member.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 4 configured integrally with the process unit 1 includes a developing container 40 containing toner T as a developer. An opening 40 a is formed in the lower portion of the developing container 40 in the figure, and the opening 40 a is disposed so as to face the photoreceptor 2. A developing roller 41 is disposed in contact with the photoreceptor 2 at the opening 40 a of the developing container 40.

  The developing container 40 contains a supply roller 42 for supplying toner to the developing roller 41 and two conveying screws 43 and 44 for conveying the toner T in the developing container 40 to the supply roller 42 while stirring. Yes.

  In FIG. 2, a regulating member 45 that regulates the thickness of the toner layer supplied to the developing roller 41 is provided on the upper edge of the opening 40 a of the developing container 40 on the surface (rotating surface) of the developing roller 41. It is arranged in contact with the pressing force. On the other hand, at the lower edge of the opening 40a, an inlet seal 46 for preventing the toner from leaking outside between the opening 40a of the developing container 40 and the developing roller 41 is provided on the surface (rotating surface) of the developing roller 41. ) With a predetermined pressing force.

  The regulating member 45 is made of a metal plate material (blade). On the other hand, the inlet seal 46 is composed of a flexible sheet made mainly of urethane rubber, PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin), high molecular weight polyethylene or the like. In addition, in order to improve the separation of the toner from the developing roller 41 and to make it difficult for the toner to adhere to the entrance seal 46, the entrance seal 46 is composed of a conductive blade, and the conductive blade A bias may be applied from an electrode terminal provided in the image forming apparatus.

3A is a view of the developing roller 41 viewed from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and FIG. 3B is an XX sectional view or a YY sectional view of FIG. 3A.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, end seals 47 are disposed at both ends of the developing roller 41, respectively. Each end seal 47 is pressed against the surface of both end portions of the developing roller 41 with a predetermined pressing force, and the end seal 47 prevents toner from leaking from both end portions of the developing roller 41 to the outside of the developing container 40. It is preventing. Further, each end seal 47 is in pressure contact so as to cover the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46 that are in contact with the developing roller 41. The end seal 47 is attached to the developing container 40 by a double-sided adhesive tape (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the end seal 47 includes a sliding layer 48 that presses against the developing roller 41, the regulating member 45, and the inlet seal 46, and an elastic layer 49 that supports the sliding layer 48. Yes. Various materials can be used as the material of the sliding layer 48 and the elastic layer 49. In the present embodiment, in order to manufacture at low cost, the sliding layer 48 is made of, for example, felt having a sliding property, and the elastic layer 49 is made of, for example, foamed polyurethane having elasticity.

FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a view showing one end portion of the developing roller 41, and FIG. 4B is a ZZ cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a notch 50 is formed on the pressure contact surface 47 a of the end seal 47 that is in pressure contact with the developing roller 41, the regulating member 45, and the inlet seal 46. In this embodiment, one straight cut 50 is formed on the pressure contact surface 47 a of the end seal 47. The slit 50 may be slit-shaped or groove-shaped having a width.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, one notch 50 is pressed against the inlet seal 46 from a portion pressed against the regulating member 45 (on the pressure contact surface 47a) through a portion pressed against the developing roller 41. It is formed over the part. In FIG. 4A, when the lateral direction is referred to as the width direction on the rotation surface of the developing roller 41, the notch 50 is an end of the regulating member 45 disposed across the width direction on the surface of the developing roller 41. It arrange | positions so that it may cross | intersect with respect to the edge 45a (henceforth the edge 45a of the width direction). Similarly, the notch 50 also intersects the edge 46a of the inlet seal 46 (hereinafter referred to as the widthwise edge 46a) disposed in the width direction on the surface of the developing roller 41. It is arranged. In FIG. 4A, an arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the developing roller 41. Here, the notches 50 are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation direction A thereof.

  4A and 4B, the configuration on the one end portion side of the developing roller 41 has been described, but the same configuration is configured on the other end portion on the opposite side.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the end seal 47.
In order to form the cut 50 in the end seal 47, for example, it is possible to cut from the pressure contact surface 47a side of the end seal 47 with a blade such as a cutter. Further, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the sliding layer 48 is completely cut in the thickness direction, and the elastic layer 49 is cut (from the sliding layer 48 side) to an intermediate position in the thickness direction. As a result, a cut 50 is formed. In this case, it is possible to easily form a cut in the sliding layer 48 and the elastic layer 49 by inserting a cutting blade from the sliding layer 48 side. The cutting depth d of the elastic layer 49 is desirably 50% or more of the thickness t of the elastic layer 49 in order to improve the toner leakage preventing effect of the end seal 47.

  In addition, when the double-sided adhesive tape for attaching the end seal 47 to the developing container 40 is attached to the back surface of the elastic layer 49, the elastic layer 49 is completely attached from the front surface (on the sliding layer side) to the back surface. Even when cut, the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape closes the cut-off opening on the back surface side, so there is no possibility of toner leakage from the back surface side of the elastic layer 49.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the second embodiment, four notches 50 are formed in the end seal 47. Here, two slits 50 are juxtaposed with each other so as to intersect the width direction edges 45a, 46a of the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46. Further, each notch 50 is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation direction A of the developing roller 41.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a view showing one end of the developing roller 41, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are enlarged views of the main part of FIG. 7A.
As shown in FIG. 7A, in the third embodiment, two cuts 50 are provided so as to intersect with the edge 45a of the regulating member 45 in the width direction. Further, two notches 50 are arranged so as to intersect with the edge 46 a in the width direction of the inlet seal 46.

  7B, of the two cuts 50 that intersect the edge 45a in the width direction of the regulating member 45, the cut 50 on the right side of the drawing is arranged so as to be parallel to the rotation direction A of the developing roller 41. It is installed. On the other hand, the notch 50 on the left side of the figure is arranged so as to incline toward the rotation direction A toward the center side (left side of the figure) in the width direction of the developing roller 41.

  7C, of the two cuts 50 that intersect the edge 46a in the width direction of the inlet seal 46, the cut 50 on the right side of the drawing is parallel to the rotation direction A of the developing roller 41. It is arranged. On the other hand, the notch 50 on the left side of the figure is arranged so as to incline toward the rotation direction A toward the center side (left side of the figure) in the width direction of the developing roller 41.

  7B and 7C, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to the rotation direction A of the left notch 50 prevent toner from accumulating in the notch 50 and the durability of the end seal 47 from being deteriorated. Therefore, it is preferable that the angle is set to be greater than 0 ° and 45 ° or less.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the fourth embodiment, one long cut 50 and two short cuts 50 are provided. The long slit 50 is disposed so as to cross over the widthwise edges 45a and 46a of both the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46. Further, the long cut 50 is inclined toward the center side (left side in the drawing) in the width direction of the developing roller 41 in the rotation direction A. On the other hand, the two short cuts 50 are arranged so as to intersect one edge of each of the width direction edges 45a and 46a of the restricting member 45 and the inlet seal 46, respectively. The short cuts 50 are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation direction A, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
In the fifth embodiment, the two slits 50 are arranged so as to cross over both the widthwise edges 45 a and 46 a of both the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46. In addition, one (left side in the figure) cut 50 is arranged so as to be parallel to the rotation direction A, and the other (right side in the figure) cut 50 in the width direction of the developing roller 41 toward the rotation direction A. Inclined to the center (left side in the figure).

  In each embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inclination angle of the notch 50 with respect to the rotation direction A is set to be greater than 0 ° and not more than 45 ° for the same reason as described in FIG. Is preferred.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
In the sixth embodiment, unlike the above embodiments, the cuts 50 are arranged in a curved shape. Further, the notch 50 is disposed so as to be bent toward the central side (left side in the drawing) in the width direction of the developing roller 41 in the rotation direction A. Here, the curved cuts 50 are arranged so as to intersect one edge of each of the width direction edges 45a and 46a of the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46, but two or more are arranged. May be.

  Note that in the second to sixth embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, configurations other than those described above are the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention, so description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 11A shows a state in which the developing roller 41, the regulating member 45, and the inlet seal 46 are removed from the developing container 40, and FIG. 11B shows the developing roller 41, the regulating member 45, and the inlet seal 46 that are in the developing container. The state attached to 40 is shown. 11A and 11B, the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46 are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the end seal 47 is in a state where the developing roller 41, the regulating member 45, and the inlet seal 46 (hereinafter also referred to as the end seal 47) are not pressed against the developing container 40. The pressure contact surface 47a of the end seal 47 is formed in a step shape with the notch 50 as a boundary. Specifically, a stepped portion e is formed at an attachment site of the developing container 40 to which the end seal 47 is attached, and end seals 47 having the same thickness are attached to both sides of the stepped portion e. Further, the right side of the stepped portion e protrudes upward from the left side of the drawing. Therefore, pressure contact surface 47a is pressed against surface 47a on the center side in the width direction to cut 50 than pressing surface 47a ₁ of the (left-hand side in the drawing), the width direction end portion side of the slit 50 (the right side in the figure) ₂ is in a state of projecting to the developing roller 41 side by a height h.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, in a state where the end seal 47 is in pressure contact with the developing roller 41 or the like, the end seal 47 is compressed by receiving a pressing force from the developing roller 41 or the like. In the pressed state, the pressure contact surface 47a of the end seal 47 is flat at least at the pressed position.

Further, as in the eighth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 12, the end seal 47 may be provided with two cuts 50, and the pressure contact surface 47a may be formed in a step shape with each cut 50 as a boundary. In this case, the pressure contact surface on the side in the width direction (right side in the drawing) protrudes toward the developing roller 41 rather than the pressure contact surface on the center side in the width direction (left side in the drawing) with respect to each notch 50. ing. Specifically, in FIG. 12, the pressure contact surface 47a _{2 at} the center protrudes by a height h1 from the pressure contact surface 47a _{1 at the} left end, and the pressure contact surface 47a _{3 at the} right end is a height h2 higher than the pressure contact surface 47a _{2 at the} center. Only protruding. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the pressure contact surface 47a has a three-stage configuration, but it may be configured to have four or more stages.

  Also in the case of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, in the state where the end seal 47 is in contact with and pressed against the developing roller 41, the pressure contact surface 47a of the end seal 47 is a flat surface at least at the pressed position. (Not shown).

  Note that in the seventh and eighth embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the configurations other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration of each embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the configuration of each embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately selected and combined.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the present invention will be described.
First, the movement of the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 41 will be described with reference to FIG. When image formation is performed, toner is carried on the surface of the developing roller 41, but since end seals 47 are provided at both ends of the developing roller 41, toner leakage from both ends of the developing roller 41 occurs. Is basically prevented. However, there is a gap between the pressure contact surface of the end seal 47 and the surface of the developing roller 41 at the position B where the end seal 47 covers the end edges 45 a and 46 a in the width direction of the regulating member 45 and the inlet seal 46. May occur. When a gap is generated at the position of symbol B, as shown by an arrow T1 in FIG. 4A, the toner carried on the developing roller 41 enters the gap, and the toner moves along the gap to the end of the developing roller 41. Move to the club side.

  Such movement of the toner toward the end portion of the developing roller 41 (movement in the T1 direction) is not limited to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4A, and other embodiments of the present invention. Can occur in the same way.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, a step is formed along the notch 50 when the end seal 47 is in pressure contact with the developing roller 41 or the like. For example, in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention, when the toner moving in the direction of the arrow T1 along the gap reaches the position of the cut 50, the toner is cut into the cut 50 by the conveying force due to the rotation of the developing roller 41. Along the direction indicated by the arrow T2 in FIG. In this manner, the moving direction of the toner that has entered the gap can be changed from the direction toward the (width direction) end of the developing roller 41 (the T1 direction) to the direction intersecting it (the T2 direction). As a result, it is possible to prevent the leakage of toner from the end side of the developing roller 41 to the outside.

  Also in the second to fifth embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the toner on the developing roller 41 moves in the T1 direction in each figure as in the first embodiment, but the moving direction is cut off. It is changed to the T2 direction that intersects the T1 direction at 50 positions.

  Further, in each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the cuts 50 are arranged side by side. Therefore, even if the toner passes through the first cuts 50 and moves in the T3 direction, at the position of the next cuts 50. It is possible to change the movement of the toner from the T3 direction to the T4 direction intersecting therewith. For this reason, it is possible to prevent toner leakage more reliably.

  Further, when the cut 50 is inclined toward the rotation direction A toward the center side in the width direction of the developing roller 41 (left side in the drawing), the toner can be returned to the center side along the cut 50. . As a result, toner leakage from the end side of the developing roller 41 can be made more difficult to occur.

  The inventor conducted a test on the relationship between the inclination angle θ of the cut 50 with respect to the rotation direction A and the effect of preventing toner leakage.

  In this test, as shown in FIG. 13, the inclination angle θ of the notch 50 with respect to the rotation direction A is (a) 0 °, (b) greater than 0 ° and less than 45 °, and (c) greater than 45 ° and less than 90 °. , (D) -90 ° or more and less than 0 °, and in each case, the toner leakage prevention effect was examined under the same conditions as the image forming operation normally performed. The evaluation is shown in Table 1 below. In FIG. 13, the left side of the drawing is the center side of the developing roller, and the right side of the drawing is the end side.

  As shown in Table 1 above, the evaluation of the effect of preventing toner leakage was good in the case of (A), and the case of (A) was most preferred. In the case of (c) and (d), the evaluation was not very favorable.

  The reason for the above evaluation will be described in detail. (A) When θ = 0 °, the toner moving direction can be changed from the direction from the center side to the end side of the developing roller to the direction orthogonal to the direction. The toner leakage on the end side of the developing roller could be prevented. However, in this case, toner accumulation may occur in the cut 50.

  (A) When 0 ° <θ ≦ 45 °, the toner can be returned to the center side of the developing roller, and toner leakage on the end side of the developing roller can be prevented. In addition, there was no toner accumulation and the best results were obtained.

  (C) In the case of 45 ° <θ ≦ 90 °, the toner moving direction was changed to prevent toner leakage on the end side, but there was a problem with the durability of the end seal, and the notch 50 Damage such as fraying was observed on the felt constituting the end seal 47 on the downstream side in the rotation direction A. Since there was a concern about the occurrence of foreign matters due to this damage, the evaluation was not very favorable.

  (D) When −90 ° ≦ θ <0 °, the movement of the toner from the central side to the end side of the developing roller could be delayed, but toner leakage occurs at the end of the developing roller. In some cases, the evaluation was unfavorable.

  For the above reasons, it can be said that the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the notch 50 with respect to the rotation direction A are preferably greater than 0 ° and not greater than 45 °.

  In the case of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the first embodiment, the toner on the developing roller 41 moves to the end portion side of the developing roller 41 indicated by an arrow T1. In the sixth embodiment, since the notch 50 is bent toward the rotation direction A so as to approach the center side in the width direction of the developing roller 41 (left side in the figure), as shown by the arrow T2, the toner Can be returned to the center side of the developing roller 41 along the notch 50. As a result, toner leakage from the end side of the developing roller 41 can be made more difficult to occur.

Further, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, when the pressure contact surface 47a of the end seal 47 is formed in a stepped shape, the pressure contact surface 47a is in pressure contact with the developing roller 41 and the like, and the notch 50 is cut. On the other hand, the amount of compression differs between the left part and the right part of the figure. Thus, pressure contact surface 47a ₁ and the right side of the press contact force of the contact face 47a ₂ of the left side are different with respect to cut 50. In this way, it is easy to form a step along the notch 50 by making the contact pressures on both sides different from each other with the notch 50 as a boundary. Thereby, it is possible to easily convey the toner along the cut 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, since the right pressure contact surface 47a ₂ protrudes more than the pressure contact surface 47a ₁ on the left side of the notch 50, the end seal 47 on the right side has a notch 50 as a boundary. The pressure contact force is larger than that on the left side. As described above, the sealing performance on the end side of the developing roller 41 is improved by increasing the pressure contact force of the end seal 47 on the right side of the drawing with respect to the notch 50, that is, on the end side of the developing roller 41. Can be made. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent toner leakage from the end portion.

Further, in the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the pressure contact surface 47a is formed in a stepped shape in three steps with two notches 50 as a boundary. Also in this case, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 11 described above, it is easy to form a step along the notch 50 by making the contact pressures on both sides different from each other with the notch 50 as a boundary. Further, in this case, the step-shaped pressure contact surfaces 47a ₁ , 47a ₂ , 47a ₃ are arranged so as to protrude more toward the end portion side (the right side in the drawing) of the developing roller 41. The pressing force of ₁ , 47a ₂ and 47a _{3 to} the developing roller 41 and the like increases toward the end of the developing roller 41. As a result, the sealing performance can be improved toward the end of the developing roller 41, and toner leakage from the end can be effectively prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the cut 50 is formed in the end seal 47, the toner moving toward the end of the developing roller 41 can be conveyed in a direction intersecting the direction toward the end. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the end portion side of the developing roller 41, and it is possible to maintain good image quality.

  In addition, by forming the slit 50 in a slit shape or groove shape having a width, it is possible to facilitate toner conveyance along the slit 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 50 is formed not only in the sliding layer 48 but also in the elastic layer 49, so that when the end seal 47 is pressed against the developing roller or the like, the notch 50 extends along the notch. A step is easily formed. Furthermore, in order to easily form a step along the cut 50, it is desirable that the cut depth of the elastic layer be 50% or more of the thickness of the elastic layer. As a result, the toner can be easily conveyed along the cut 50, and an improvement in the effect of preventing toner leakage can be expected.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the developing device according to the present invention is mounted on a so-called tandem indirect transfer type color image forming apparatus, but a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that directly transfers an image formed on a photoreceptor to a recording medium. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a so-called revolver type color image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images of respective colors on one photoconductor, or other image forming apparatuses.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of a process unit. (A) is the figure which looked at the developing roller from the direction orthogonal to an axial direction, (B) is XX sectional drawing or YY sectional drawing of (A). (A) is a figure which shows the one end part of a developing roller, (B) is ZZ sectional drawing of (A). It is an expanded sectional view of an end seal. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating one end portion of a developing roller, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are enlarged views of a main portion of FIG. It is a figure which shows 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows 7th Embodiment of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows the state which removed the developing roller etc., (B) is a figure which shows the state which attached the developing roller. It is a figure which shows 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the inclination-angle of a notch. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of a common image development apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the conventional image development apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the conventional image development apparatus, Comprising: (A) is a figure which shows the one end part of a developing roller, (B) is VV sectional drawing of (A).

Explanation of symbols

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1BK Process unit 2 Photoconductor 4 Developing device 40 Developing container 41 Developing roller 45 Restricting member 46 Entrance seal 47 End seal 47a Pressure contact surface 48 Sliding layer 49 Elastic layer 50 Notch A Rotation direction θ1 Inclination angle θ2 Inclination angle

Claims (15)

A developer container having an opening disposed to face the image carrier, a developer carrier rotatably disposed in the opening, and a width direction of a rotation surface of the developer carrier An abutting member that is in contact with the rotating surface of the developer carrying member and the surface of the abutting member are disposed in pressure contact with the developer carrying member from the end in the width direction of the developer carrying member. In the developing device having an end seal that prevents the developer from leaking outside,
On the pressure contact surface of the end seal pressed against the rotation surface of the developer carrying member and the surface of the contact member, on the edge of the contact member disposed in the width direction on the rotation surface A developing device characterized in that a cut is formed so as to cross each other.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the slits are arranged in a straight line inclined toward the center side in the width direction toward the rotation direction of the developer carrier.   The developing device according to claim 2, wherein an inclination angle of the cut with respect to a rotation direction of the developer carrying member is set to be greater than 0 ° and equal to or less than 45 °.   2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the notches are arranged in a curved line shape that approaches a center side in the width direction toward a rotation direction of the developer carrying member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the slits are arranged in parallel on the pressure contact surface of the end seal.   In a state where the end seal is not pressed against the developer carrier and the abutting member, the press contact surface of the end seal is formed in a step shape with the notch as a boundary, and the width direction with respect to the notch 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure contact surface on the end side is disposed so as to protrude toward the developer carrying member with respect to the notch than the pressure contact surface on the center side in the width direction. Development device.   7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the end seal is configured by a sliding layer that presses against the developer carrier and the contact member, and an elastic layer that supports the sliding layer. .   The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the cut is formed by completely cutting the sliding layer in the thickness direction and cutting the elastic layer in the thickness direction from the sliding layer side.   The developing device according to claim 8, wherein a cutting depth of the elastic layer for forming the cut reaches 50% or more of a thickness of the elastic layer.   The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the sliding layer is made of felt and the elastic layer is made of foamed polyurethane.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed in a slit shape or a groove shape having a width.   12. The development according to claim 1, wherein the abutting member is a regulating member that abuts on a rotating surface of the developer carrying member to make the developer on the rotating surface a uniform thin layer. apparatus.   2. The inlet seal, wherein the contact member is an inlet seal that contacts the rotating surface of the developer carrier and prevents the developer from leaking from a gap between the developer carrier and the opening of the developer container. The developing device according to any one of 11 to 11.   14. A process unit comprising at least the developing device according to claim 1 and configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.

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