JP2010191314A - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device, facilitating insertion to a nip part between a regulating blade and a developing roller utilizing the characteristics of the developing roller formed by rolling, and efficiently cleaning the nip part between the developing roller and the regulating blade without wearing the regulating blade; and to provide an image forming apparatus including the same. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device includes: the developing roller where inclined grooves intersecting by rolling are formed on the surface; the regulating blade abutting on the developing roller; and a cleaning member inserted in a nip part between the developing roller and the regulating blade. A ridge of a projecting portion surrounded by the intersecting inclined grooves on the surface of the developing roller is formed so that the insertion resistance of the cleaning member to the nip part is smaller than the withdrawal resistance of the cleaning member from the nip part. The ridge is a portion where the surface and the sides of the projecting portion intersect each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

An image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer has a photoconductor as an example of an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor by toner. In order to develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor, the developing device includes a developing chamber having an opening and containing toner, and a developing roller provided facing the opening and carrying the toner. Yes. The latent image carried on the photosensitive member is developed with the toner carried on the developing roller.

In the developing device, a supply roller is disposed in a developing chamber containing toner. The supply roller abuts on the developing roller to supply the toner to the developing roller, and removes the remaining toner from the developing roller after development. The regulating blade is in contact with the developing roller and regulates the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller. The seal member contacts the developing roller that has passed the developing position, allows the toner remaining on the developing roller to move into the developing chamber, and restricts the movement of the toner in the developing chamber to the outside of the developing chamber.

In such a developing device, foreign matter such as agglomerated toner and paper dust may adhere to the nip portion between the regulating blade and the developing roller as the printing time and the number of printed sheets increase. If foreign matter adheres to the nip between the regulating blade and the developing roller, problems such as streaks on the toner transport surface and toner leakage occur. Since these appear as image defects, the life of the developing unit is determined despite the life of the regulating blade itself. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-275784, in order to solve such a problem, a cleaning jig provided with a polishing body for cleaning the surface of the regulating blade is inserted into the nip portion between the developing roller and the regulating blade. A regulated blade cleaning device is disclosed.

JP 2008-275784 A

However, since the conventional regulation blade cleaning device has a polishing body on the surface of the cleaning jig, it is difficult to insert into the developing roller and the regulation blade, and the surface of the regulation blade is polished with the polishing body. Therefore, there is a problem in that the surface of the regulation blade is worn to clean, and as a result, the life of the regulation blade is shortened.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art by utilizing the characteristics of the developing roller formed by rolling, and can be easily inserted into the nip portion between the regulating blade and the developing roller to remove the removed foreign matter. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of efficiently cleaning the nip portion without scattering outside the developing unit and an image forming apparatus including the developing device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the developing device of the present invention includes a developing roller having inclined grooves formed on the surface thereof by rolling, a regulating blade in contact with the developing roller, the developing roller, and the regulating blade. A cleaning member to be inserted into the nip portion, and the ridge portion of the convex portion surrounded by the inclined grooves intersecting the surface of the developing roller is inserted into the nip portion of the cleaning member, The cleaning member is formed so as to be smaller than a pulling resistance from the nip portion. (The ridge is the part where the surface and side of the convex part intersect.) Easy insertion into the nip part between the developing roller and the regulating blade, and the foreign material in the nip part is pushed out by the tip of the cleaning member during insertion. Sometimes the foreign matter adhering to the tip of the cleaning member can be cut at the ridge portion having a high pulling resistance and accommodated in the inclined groove to be removed, so that the foreign matter can be prevented from scattering out of the developing unit.

Further, the developing device of the present invention is characterized in that burrs are formed on a ridge portion of the convex portion on the upstream side in the drawing direction of the cleaning member from the nip portion. When pulling out the cleaning member, the burr functions like a blade of a knife so that the foreign matter adhering to the tip of the cleaning member can be cut and accommodated in the inclined groove for removal.

In the developing device of the present invention, the angle α formed between the surface and the side surface of the convex portion on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member into the nip portion, and the direction in which the cleaning member is pulled out from the nip portion. The angle β formed by the surface and the side surface of the convex portion on the upstream side is formed such that α <β. It is easy to insert the cleaning member into the nip of the developing roller and the regulating blade, and when the cleaning member is pulled out, the foreign material attached to the tip of the cleaning member is cut at the edge portion where the angle between the surface of the convex portion and the side surface is large, and the inclined groove It can be housed and removed.

The developing device of the present invention is characterized in that the direction in which the cleaning member is inserted into and withdrawn from the nip is perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing roller. The nip portion extending in the axial direction of the developing roller and the regulating blade can be cleaned at a time.

The developing device of the present invention is characterized in that the direction in which the cleaning member is inserted into and pulled out from the nip is the axial direction of the developing roller. The nip portion between the developing roller and the regulating blade can be cleaned with a cleaning member having a short width.

The developing device of the present invention is characterized in that the tip of the cleaning member in the insertion direction is shaped to reduce the insertion resistance to the nip portion. It is possible to more easily insert the cleaning member into the nip portion between the developing roller and the regulating blade.

In the developing device of the present invention, the cleaning member may be inserted into and removed from the nip portion at least during a predetermined printing time, a predetermined number of printed sheets, a printing duration with a high duty ratio, and a toner cartridge replacement. It is characterized by being carried out when one condition is reached. It is possible to clean the nip portion between the regulating blade and the developing roller before an image defect due to the inclusion of foreign matter in the regulating blade occurs.

The developing device of the present invention is characterized in that the data of each condition is stored in a storage unit of a printer main body or a storage unit built in a toner cartridge. A warning is given to the user before reaching the limit value where foreign matter is caught in the regulating blade, and the nip portion of the regulating blade can be cleaned.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner and develops the toner image on the latent image carrier, A transfer device that transfers the toner image of the latent image carrier to a transfer medium, and the developing device is any one of the above
One developing device. By efficiently cleaning the nip portion between the regulating blade and the developing roller, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the image quality and to realize the long life of the regulating blade.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a developing unit. FIG. 4 is a partial view of a developing unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the image development roller and the partial enlarged view of the surface. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the nip part of a control blade and a developing roller. It is a figure which shows the rolling apparatus which rolls the developing roller suitable for 1st Embodiment of a cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the formation location of the burr | flash at the time of rolling with the rolling apparatus shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the effect | action of the burr | flash at the time of the cleaning of a nip part. It is a figure which shows another embodiment which makes insertion resistance to a cleaning member nip part smaller than pulling resistance pulled from a nip part. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the nip part of a control blade and a developing roller. It is a figure which shows the 1st rolling process of the developing roller suitable for 2nd Embodiment of a cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the 2nd rolling process of the developing roller suitable for 2nd Embodiment of a cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the formation location of the burr | flash at the time of rolling in the rolling process of FIG. 11, FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes four image forming stations 15 (Y, M,
C, K), an intermediate transfer belt 70, a secondary transfer unit 80, and a fixing unit 9
0, a display unit 95 formed of a liquid crystal panel, and a control unit 100 that controls these units and controls the operation as an image forming apparatus.

The image forming station 15 (Y, M, C, K) has a function of forming an image with toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.
Since the configuration of the image forming station 15 (Y, M, C, K) is the same, the image forming station 15Y will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming station 15Y includes a photosensitive member 2 as an example of an image carrier.
Along the 0Y rotation direction, the charging unit 30Y, the exposure unit 40Y, and the developing unit 50
Y, has a primary transfer unit.

The photoreceptor 20Y has a cylindrical base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and can rotate around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20Y rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow. To do.

The charging unit 30Y is a device for charging the photoconductor 20Y. Exposure unit 40
From Y, a latent image is formed on the charged photoreceptor 20Y by laser irradiation.

The exposure unit 40Y has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and is charged with a modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Irradiate onto the photoconductor 20Y.

The development unit 50Y is a device for developing the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y using yellow (Y) toner. In the developing unit 50Y, a developing roller 51Y and a supply roller 52Y are disposed in a developing chamber to which toner is supplied from a replaceable toner cartridge. A regulating blade 53Y contacts the developing roller 51Y to thin the toner on the developing roller 51Y. Stratify.

In the primary transfer unit, a primary transfer bias is applied by the primary transfer roller 65Y in the primary transfer portion B1, and the yellow toner image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70. When the four color toners are sequentially transferred in the primary transfer portions B 1, B 2, B 3 and B 4, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70.

The intermediate transfer belt 70 is an endless belt stretched around a belt driving roller 71a and a driven roller 71b, and is rotationally driven while being in contact with the photoreceptor 20 (Y, M, C, K).

The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 onto a transfer material such as paper, film, or cloth.

The fixing unit 90 includes a fixing roller 90a and a pressure roller 90b, and is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a transfer material to the transfer material to obtain a permanent image.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller of the image forming apparatus via an interface, the photoconductor 20Y and the developing unit are controlled by a unit controller based on a command from the main controller. The developing roller 51Y provided in 50Y, the intermediate transfer belt 70, and the like rotate. The photoconductor 20Y is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30Y at the charging position while rotating.

The charged area of the photoconductor 20Y reaches the exposure position as the photoconductor 20Y rotates, and a latent image corresponding to yellow Y image information is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40Y.

The latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y reaches the development position as the photoreceptor 20Y rotates, and is developed by the development unit 50Y. Thereby, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20Y.

The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y is transferred to the primary transfer portion B1 as the photoreceptor 20Y rotates.
At this position, the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70 by the primary transfer unit. At this time, in the primary transfer unit, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied from the primary transfer roller 65Y. As a result, the four color toner images formed on the respective photoreceptors 20 (Y, M, C, K) are transferred to overlap the intermediate transfer belt 70, and a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70. Is done.

The intermediate transfer belt 70 is driven by transmitting a driving force from a belt driving means such as a motor via a belt driving roller 71a.

The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 is transferred to a transfer material such as paper by the secondary transfer unit 80. Such a transfer material is fed from the paper feed tray to the paper feed roller 9.
4a, and conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the registration roller 94b.

The full-color toner image transferred to the transfer material is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the transfer material. After passing through the fixing unit 90, the paper is discharged by a paper discharge roller 94c.

On the other hand, the photosensitive member 20 (Y, M, C, K) is neutralized by a neutralizing unit (not shown) after passing through the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, B4 to form the next latent image. Prepare for charging.

An intermediate transfer belt cleaning device (not shown) is installed on the driven roller 71b side of the intermediate transfer belt 70 after the secondary transfer, and cleans the intermediate transfer belt 70 after the secondary transfer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the developing unit 50Y of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial view of the developing unit 50Y of this example.

The developing unit 50Y includes a developing roller 51Y that transports the toner T to the photoreceptor 20Y, a supply roller 52Y that is pressed against the developing roller 51Y and supplies the toner T, and the developing roller 51.
A regulating roller 53Y that regulates the toner T that is pressed against Y and conveyed to the photoreceptor 20Y, a toner agitating / conveying member 54Y that agitates and conveys the toner T, a toner T that is conveyed by the toner agitating / conveying member 54Y, and a supply roller A toner receiving member 55Y for guiding the toner 52Y, a seal member 56Y for preventing toner leakage while contacting the developing roller 51Y in a direction for collecting the toner T remaining after development, and a developing chamber 57Y for accommodating the toner T. I have.

The developing roller 51Y is formed in a cylindrical shape with a conductive material such as a metal such as iron, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or an alloy. The supply roller 52Y is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic material such as foamed urethane rubber or silicon rubber, or is formed by winding a flocked sheet around a cylindrical body. By rotating the developing roller 51Y and the supply roller 52Y in contact with each other, the toner T is supplied onto the developing roller 51Y, and a toner layer having a predetermined thickness is formed on the developing roller 5.
1Y is formed. The regulating blade 53Y comes into contact with the developing roller 51Y supplied with the toner T, and regulates the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 51Y. The toner is charged by frictional charging on the developing roller 51Y.

As shown in FIG. 3, spacers 58Y are fixed to both ends of the developing roller 51Y. When these spacers 58Y are pressed against the image non-carrying surface of the photoreceptor 20Y, a developing gap g is formed between the toner carrying surface of the developing roller 51Y and the image carrying surface of the photoreceptor 20Y facing the toner carrying surface. Is formed.

The developing gap g is adjusted to a desired size by appropriately selecting the thickness of the spacer 58Y. As a result, this developing device performs non-magnetic one-component developer non-contact jumping development using toner T which is a non-magnetic one-component developer. In this case, in this example, the photosensitive member 20Y is set to rotate clockwise and the developing roller 51Y and the supply roller 52Y are both rotated counterclockwise. The photoreceptor 2
The peripheral speed of 0Y and the peripheral speed of the spacer 58Y on the developing roller 51Y are set to be the same or substantially the same. In the present embodiment, the non-contact development method has been described, but a contact development method may be used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the developing roller of the present invention and a partially enlarged view of the surface thereof, and the partially enlarged view (inside the dotted circle) of FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the surface portion of the developing roller 51Y of this example. .

In order to improve toner transportability and toner chargeability, a first inclined groove 51a that is spirally continuous on the surface of the developing roller 51Y with a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and a first inclination The groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b that is continuous in a spiral shape that is inclined in the axial direction and the circumferential direction in the opposite direction are formed to intersect. The side 51 is surrounded by the first inclined groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b.
A quadrangular convex portion 51c having d is formed. The developing roller 51Y of the present invention employs a regulation system that transports toner mainly through the groove portions of the first inclined groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b formed on the surface thereof. Since the developing roller 51Y is formed of a conductive material such as a metal such as iron, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel or an alloy, a mirror image force acts on the charged toner conveyed in the groove and is stable. The toner is conveyed to the development nip. In addition, when a small particle size toner having a volume average particle size of 5 μm or less is used as the toner, the image quality can be improved, and the small particle size toner has higher chargeability than a toner having a large particle size. It is suitable for a regulation system in which toner is mainly conveyed in a groove. In addition, the surface of the developing roller 51Y may be subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary. The average circularity of the toner is 0.95.
A toner having a particle diameter of ˜0.99, preferably 0.972 to 0.983 may be used. As a result, the charge amount can be stabilized and the transportability can be improved. As a method for adjusting the circularity of the toner, in the emulsion polymerization method, by controlling the temperature and time during the aggregation process of the secondary particles,
The degree of circularity can be freely changed, and the range can be 0.94 to 1.00. In the suspension polymerization method, a true spherical toner can be produced, and the circularity can be in the range of 0.98 to 1.00. In order to set the average circularity to 0.95 to 0.99, it can be appropriately adjusted by heat-deforming at a temperature equal to or higher than the Tg temperature of the toner.

The regulating blade 53Y for regulating the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 51Y
1Y is provided with a restricting portion 53a that abuts against 1Y and a metal leaf spring member 53b that supports the restricting portion 53a. The developing roller 51Y causes the restricting portion 53a to move with a constant contact pressure by the urging force of the leaf spring member 53b.
Abut.

Foreign matter such as agglomerated toner and paper dust adheres to the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y, resulting in problems such as streaks on the toner conveying surface and toner leakage.

FIG. 5 shows a first example of cleaning the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y.
It is a figure which shows embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the cleaning member 53c supported by the cleaning support member 53d.
Is inserted into the nip portion between the developing roller 51Y and the regulating blade 53Y in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y, and is removed for cleaning. Cleaning member 53c is PET
It is formed of a film or the like, and the tip in the insertion direction is a mountain shape to facilitate insertion into the nip portion.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rolling device 200 that rolls inclined grooves that intersect the surface of the developing roller 51Y suitable for cleaning according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The rolling device 200 used for the rolling process includes a first die 201 including a first inclined blade 201a inclined in the axial direction and the circumferential direction for forming the first inclined groove 51a in the developing roller 51Y.
A second die 202 provided with a second inclined blade 202a inclined in the axial direction and circumferential direction opposite to the first inclined blade 201a for forming the second inclined groove 51b in the developing roller 51Y; A guide table 203 is provided below the second die 202.

The rolling device 200 is arranged at an opposing position and rotates in a clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow.
A work (here, unprocessed developing roller 51Y) is transported between the dice 201 and the second dice 202 and the guide table 203 to perform rolling processing. During the rolling process, the first die 201 and the second die
A die 202 is pressed against the workpiece to apply a processing pressure. The workpiece is rolled by rotating in the counterclockwise direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first die 201 and the second die 202. The first die 201 and the second die 202 may be rotated counterclockwise and the workpiece may be rotated in the clockwise direction.

The first die 201 and the second die 201 are respectively provided with a first inclined blade 201a and a second inclined 202a for forming the first inclined groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b described above. The 1st inclination blade 201a and the 2nd inclination blade 202a are the 1st inclination grooves 5 which cross | intersect the surface of a workpiece | work.
A convex portion 51c having a truncated quadrangular frustum shape having 1a, a second inclined groove 51b, and a side surface 51d is formed.

The shape of the convex quadrangular frustum-shaped convex portion 51c has a square shape when the inclination angles of the first and second inclined grooves 51a and 51b are 45 ° and their pitches are set to be the same, When the inclination angles of the first and second inclined grooves 51a and 51b are angles other than 45 ° and their pitches are set to be the same, they have a rhombus shape. The shape of the quadrangular convex portion 51c is as follows:
When the inclination angles of the first and second inclined grooves 51a and 51b are 45 ° and their pitches are set to be different from each other, the first and second inclined grooves 51a and 51bb have a rectangular shape.
When the inclination angle is set to an angle other than 45 ° and the pitches thereof are different from each other, a parallelogram shape is exhibited.

Further, at the time of this rolling process, the first die 201 and the second die 202 are formed at both ends of the workpiece.
So that there is no smooth surface on both ends. That is,
The convex portion 51c where the first die 201 and the second die 202 are not in contact with each other at the center portion of the developing roller 51Y, and both end portions not to be processed by the rolling process are non-processed surfaces.

In the rolling process, the first inclined blade 201a of the first die 201 and the second of the second die 202 are second.
The inclined blade 202a does not actively cut the workpiece, but acts to crush the workpiece with a pressing force to form a recess. Therefore, a raised portion is formed at the ridge portion of the raised quadrangular frustum-shaped convex portion 51c surrounded by the first inclined groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b formed after the rolling process. The raised portions formed on the ridges on the two sides located on the upstream side in the rotation direction (rear side in the rotation direction) during the rolling process of the workpiece are crushed by the guide table 203 to the outside (protrusions). A burr 51e projecting from the ridge line of the portion 51c to the groove portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction during the rolling process of the workpiece is formed. The raised portion is also formed on the ridge portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction (the front side in the rotation direction), but the bulge portion on the downstream side is crushed on the upper surface of the convex portion 51c and protrudes to the outside of the ridge portion. There is nothing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the formation location of the burr 51e when the first inclined groove 51a and the second inclined groove 51b are simultaneously rolled by the rolling device 200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, burrs 51e are formed on two ridges on either side of the direction (rotating direction of the developing roller) orthogonal to the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y. The two ridges where the burr 51e is formed are on the upstream side in the rotational direction (the rear side in the rotational direction) during development of the developing roller 51Y.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the action of the burr 51e when cleaning the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y. As shown in FIG. 7, the burr 51e is formed by the cleaning member 5
Since the cleaning member 53c is inserted into the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y, the burr 51e is inserted from the two ridge portions where the burr 51e is not formed. So it can be inserted smoothly. By inserting the cleaning member 53c into the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y, the foreign matter in the nip portion is pushed out by the tip portion of the cleaning member 53c.

When the cleaning member 53c is pulled out from the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y, the ridge portion where the burr 51e is formed is located on the upstream side in the pulling direction. It becomes larger than the insertion resistance of the cleaning member 53c into the nip portion. When pulling out the cleaning member 53c from the nip portion,
The foreign matter adhering to the tip of the cleaning member 53c is caused by the burr 51e formed on the two ridges upstream in the pulling direction of the cleaning member 53c acting like a knife blade, and the tip of the cleaning member 53c. The foreign matter adhering to the surface is cut, and the cut foreign matter is
It is accommodated in 1a and 51b and removed. Therefore, the foreign matter removed by pulling out the nip portion of the cleaning member 53c is prevented from scattering outside the developing unit.

FIG. 9 shows that the cleaning member 53c can be easily inserted into the nip portion of the developing roller 51Y and the regulating blade 53Y, and foreign matter attached to the tip portion of the cleaning member 53c is pulled out from the nip portion of the cleaning member 53c. It is a figure which shows embodiment of the developing roller formed by another rolling process cut and removed.

In this embodiment, the convex portion 51c and the side surface 5 on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member 53c.
Rolling is performed so that the angle α formed with 1d ′ and the angle β formed with the convex portion 51c on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member 53c and the side surface 51d have a relationship of α <β.

The ridge portion of the convex portion 51c on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member 53c has a small angle α formed between the surface of the convex portion 51c and the side surface 51d ′, so that the cleaning member 53c can be easily inserted, and the developing roller 51Y and the regulating blade The foreign matter in the nip portion of 53Y is pushed out by the tip of the cleaning member 53c.

When the cleaning member 53c is pulled out from the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y, the angle β formed between the surface of the convex portion 51c on the upstream side in the pulling direction and the side surface 51d is large. The pull-out resistance is larger than the insertion resistance of the cleaning member 53c into the nip portion. When the cleaning member 53c is pulled out from the nip portion, the foreign matter attached to the tip of the cleaning member 53c is removed by the cleaning member 5
Since the angle β formed between the surface of the convex portion 51c and the side surface 51d is formed large at the ridge portion on the upstream side in the drawing direction of 3c, the ridge portion acts as an edge, and the tip portion of the cleaning member 53c The foreign matter adhering to can be cut, and the cut foreign matter can be accommodated in the inclined grooves 51a and 51b and removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter removed by pulling out the nip portion of the cleaning member 53c from being scattered outside the developing unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment in which the nip portion is cleaned between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y.

In the second embodiment, the cleaning member 53c that is slidably supported by the cleaning support member 53d is inserted into the nip portion of the developing roller 51Y and the regulating blade 53Y in the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y, and is pulled out for cleaning. Cleaning member 53c is PET
It is formed of a film or the like, and the tip in the insertion direction is inclined to facilitate insertion into the nip portion.

FIG. 11 shows a developing roller 5 suitable for the cleaning device of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the 1st rolling process which rolls the inclined groove | channel which cross | intersects the surface of 1Y.

In the cleaning device of the second embodiment, the burr 51e is formed on two ridges facing either one of the axial directions in order to insert and pull out the cleaning member 53c in the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y.

The first rolling step shown in FIG. 11 is a first step in which the guide table 203 includes the first inclined blade 201a.
This is performed by a rolling device 200 in which a die 201 and a bladeless die 204 are arranged to face each other.
In the present embodiment, the inclination angle in the axial direction of the first inclined blade 201a is 45 °, and the developing roller 51Y.
The interval between the grooves formed on the substrate was set to an equal pitch. In the first rolling process, the first die 201 and the bladeless die 204 rotate counterclockwise as indicated by arrows in FIG. Unprocessed developing roller 51Y
Is rotated in the clockwise direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first die 201 and the bladeless die 204 from both ends A and B in the direction of the end A, and from the one side of the rolling device 200, the first Dice 201,
It is conveyed between the bladeless die 204 and the guide table 203. During the rolling process, the first die 201
The bladeless die 204 applies a processing pressure in a direction in which the unprocessed developing roller 51Y is pressed.

As a result of the first rolling step, a first inclined groove 51a that is continuous in a spiral shape is formed on the developing roller 5Y. At the time of rolling the first inclined groove 51a, the developing roller 51 of the belt-shaped portion that has not been rolled.
Burrs 51 on the ridge line on the upstream side in the Y rotation direction and on the upstream side in the feed direction of the unprocessed developing roller 51Y (the rear side in the feed direction, that is, the side facing the one axial direction of the developing roller 51Y).
e is formed.

The second rolling step shown in FIG. 12 uses a rolling device 200 ′ different from the rolling device 200 used in the first rolling step. In the rolling apparatus 200 ′, a second die 202 provided with a second inclined blade 202a inclined in the axial direction and the circumferential direction in a direction opposite to the first inclined blade 201a and a bladeless die 204 are disposed opposite to each other on a guide table 203. ing. In the present embodiment, the angle of inclination of the second inclined blade 202a in the axial direction is 45 °, and the interval between the grooves formed in the developing roller 51Y is equal pitch.

In the second rolling step, the second die 202 and the bladeless die 204 rotate in the clockwise direction opposite to the first rolling step as indicated by the arrows in FIG. The developing roller 51Y in which the first inclined groove 51a is formed is connected to the second die 202 and the bladeless die 20 from both ends A and B from the end A.
The second die 202 of the rolling device 200 ′ by rotating it in the counterclockwise direction opposite to the rotational direction of 4,
It is conveyed between the bladeless die 204 and the guide table 203. During the rolling process, the second die 202
The bladeless die 204 applies a processing pressure in the direction in which the developing roller 51Y is pressed.

As a result of the second rolling step, a second inclined groove 51b that intersects the first inclined groove 51a that is spirally continuous at an intersecting angle of 90 ° is formed on the developing roller 51Y. In the first step and the second step shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, two rolling devices 200 and 200 ′ are used, but the rolling device 200 used in the first rolling step is replaced with the second rolling device. The first die 201 may be replaced with the second die 202 in the manufacturing process.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a place where the burr 51e is formed by the rolling process shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 13, burrs 51e are formed on two ridges facing one side in the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y.

The two ridges where the burr 51e is formed, the cleaning member 53c and the developing roller 51Y
And the upstream side in the direction of pulling out along the axial direction from the nip portion of the regulating blade 53Y. By doing so, there exists an effect | action and effect similar to 1st Embodiment.

Also in the cleaning for inserting and withdrawing the cleaning member 53c in the axial direction of the developing roller 51Y, the angle α formed between the convex portion 51c on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member 53c and the side surface 51d ′ shown in FIG. Projection 51c on the downstream side in the insertion direction
And a roll processed so that the angle β formed between the side surface 51d and the side surface 51d satisfies the relationship α <β.

The cleaning timing of the nip portion between the regulating blade 53Y and the developing roller 51Y by the cleaning member 53c is performed when any one of the printing time, the number of prints, and the printing duration time with a high printing duty ratio is reached. Data for each condition of printing time, number of printed sheets, and printing duration with high printing duty ratio is stored in the storage means of the printer main body or the storage means built in the developing device, and is restricted by the user when each condition is reached. Instructing the blade 53Y to be refreshed. When the toner cartridge is replaced, the regulating blade 53Y automatically
The refresh may be performed.

10: Image forming apparatus, 15 (Y, M, C, K): Image forming station, 20 (Y, M
, C, K): photoconductor, 30 (Y, M, C, K): charging unit, 40 (Y, M, C, K)
: Exposure unit, 50 (Y, M, C, K): development unit, 51Y: development roller, 51
a: first inclined groove, 51b: second inclined groove, 51c: convex portion, 51d: side surface, 51e: burr, 5
2Y: supply roller, 53Y: regulating blade, 53a: regulating portion, 53b: leaf spring, 53c
: Cleaning member, 53d: cleaning support member, 54Y: toner stirring and conveying member, 5
5Y: toner receiving member, 56Y: seal member, 57Y: developing chamber, 58Y: spacer, 70:
Intermediate transfer belt, 80: secondary transfer unit, 90: fixing unit, 100: control unit, 200: rolling device, 201: first die, 201a: first inclined blade, 202: second die, 202a: second Inclined blade, 203: Guide base, 204: Die without blade

Claims (9)

A developing roller having inclined grooves formed on the surface by crossing by rolling, and
A regulating blade in contact with the developing roller;
A cleaning member inserted into a nip portion between the developing roller and the regulating blade;
With
The ridge portion of the convex portion surrounded by the inclined grooves intersecting the surface of the developing roller is set so that the insertion resistance of the cleaning member to the nip portion is smaller than the pulling resistance of the cleaning member from the nip portion. A developing device characterized in that the developing device is formed. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a burr is formed at a ridge portion of the convex portion on the upstream side in the drawing direction of the cleaning member from the nip portion. The angle α formed between the surface and the side surface of the convex portion on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the cleaning member into the nip portion, and the surface of the convex portion on the upstream side in the pulling direction from the nip portion of the cleaning member The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an angle β formed with the side surface is formed such that α <β. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the cleaning member is inserted into and withdrawn from the nip is perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing roller. 5. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the cleaning member is inserted into and withdrawn from the nip portion is an axial direction of the developing roller. 5. 6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the cleaning member in the insertion direction is shaped to reduce insertion resistance to the nip portion. The cleaning member is inserted into and removed from the nip portion when at least one of a predetermined printing time, a predetermined number of prints, a high duty cycle printing time, and a toner cartridge replacement is reached. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the data of each condition is stored in a storage unit of a printing press main body or a storage unit built in the developing device. A latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner and developing the toner image on the latent image carrier;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image of the latent image carrier to a transfer medium;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device is the developing device according to claim 1.

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