JP2010250018A - Stirring member and developing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stirring member, capable of attaching the flexible film to the stirring member body, without any backlash, thereby, capable of improving the positional accuracy of a flexible film with respect to a stirring member body, and to provide a developing cartridge provided with the stirring member. <P>SOLUTION: An agitator body 51 includes a first elastic part 65 and a second elastic part 66. The first elastic part 65 elastically presses one surface 75 of a wiper 53. The second elastic part 66 elastically presses the other surface 76 of the wiper 53. In other words, one surface 75 and the other surface 76 of the wiper 53 are respectively pressed by the first elastic part 65 and the second elastic part 66. Thus, the wiper 53 is held by the agitator body 51, in a state such that the wiper is held between the first elastic part 65 and the second elastic part 66 and one end of the wiper is a free end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stirring member and a developing cartridge including the stirring member.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing cartridge for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. Yes.
The developing cartridge is formed with a toner storage chamber in which toner is stored. A toner detection window for detecting the remaining amount of toner is formed on the side wall of the toner storage chamber. An agitator for stirring the toner is provided in the toner storage chamber. The agitator is provided with a wiper for cleaning the toner detection window (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The wiper is fixed to a fixing member provided in the agitator. Specifically, the fixing member is provided with a support plate and a sandwiching plate that are arranged to face each other, and a boss that protrudes toward the sandwiching plate is formed on the support plate. The wiper is made of an elastic material such as urethane rubber, and a through hole corresponding to the boss is formed at one end thereof. A wiper is inserted into a slit formed between the support plate and the sandwiching plate, and a boss is inserted through the through hole of the wiper, whereby the wiper made of an elastic material is fixed to the fixing member.

JP 2006-308688 A

In order to reduce the material cost of the wiper, it is conceivable to use a flexible film made of a synthetic resin instead of the elastic material as the material.
In the configuration using an elastic material as the material of the wiper, even if the diameter of the through hole is smaller than that of the boss, the boss can be inserted into the through hole by expanding the diameter of the through hole by its elasticity. However, in the configuration using a flexible film as the material of the wiper, it is necessary to make the diameter of the through hole larger than that of the boss so that the boss can be surely inserted into the through hole. Therefore, play (play) occurs between the flexible film and the fixing member, and the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the fixing member decreases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a flexible film to be attached to the stirring member body without backlash, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the stirring member body and the stirring member. The present invention provides a developing cartridge including a member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a stirring member for stirring the developer, wherein the sheet-like flexible film and one surface of the flexible film are made elastic. And a second elastic portion that elastically presses the other surface opposite to the one surface of the flexible film, and one end of the flexible film is a free end. It is characterized by comprising a stirring member main body that is held in such a state.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the stirring member body has a first fixing portion for fixing the other end of the flexible film opposite to the one end. It is characterized by having.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the stirring member main body fixes a middle portion between the one end of the flexible film and the other end on the opposite side. It has the 2nd fixing | fixed part for this.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the stirring member body is orthogonal to the one surface and the other surface of the flexible film, and It has an orthogonal surface extending along the flexible film, and the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion protrude from the orthogonal surface to the side where the flexible film is disposed.
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, further comprising a shaft protruding from the stirring member main body toward the one end side of the flexible film, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. Are each provided alternately in a direction parallel to the axis, extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and are formed so that the length thereof becomes shorter in the direction parallel to the axis. .

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4, further comprising a shaft projecting from the stirring member body toward the one end side of the flexible film, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. Is characterized by extending in a direction parallel to the axis.
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 4, further comprising a shaft projecting from the stirring member body toward the one end of the flexible film, wherein the first elastic part and the second elastic part. Is characterized by extending in a direction intersecting the axis.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are each formed in a V shape that opens toward one side in a direction parallel to the axis. It is characterized by being.
The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexible film is made of a synthetic resin.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge, comprising: a housing in which a developer is accommodated; and a stirring member disposed in the housing, wherein the stirring member is any one of the first to ninth embodiments. A stirring member according to claim 1 is used.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the casing is formed with a light transmission window that transmits light for detecting the amount of developer in the developer containing chamber. The stirring member body is rotatably supported by the casing, and the flexible film is a wiper whose free end slides against the light transmission window by the rotation of the stirring member body. It is said.

  According to invention of Claim 1 and 10, the stirring member for stirring a developing agent is equipped with the sheet-like flexible film and the stirring member main body. The stirring member body has a first elastic part and a second elastic part. The first elastic portion elastically presses one surface of the flexible film. The second elastic portion elastically presses the other surface of the flexible film. That is, the one surface and the other surface of the flexible film are pressed by the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion, respectively. Thereby, a flexible film is pinched | interposed into a 1st elastic part and a 2nd elastic part, and is hold | maintained at the stirring member main body in the state in which the end becomes a free end. Therefore, the flexible film is attached to the stirring member main body without rattling between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. As a result, the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the stirring member body can be improved.

  According to invention of Claim 2, the stirring member main body has a 1st fixing | fixed part. The other end of the flexible film is fixed by the first fixing portion. Therefore, the other end of the flexible film is fixed, and one surface and the other surface of the flexible film are pressed by the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion, respectively. Thereby, tension is generated in the flexible film between at least the first fixing portion and the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion closer to the first fixing portion, and the flexible film is stirred. It is attached to the member body in a stable state without rattling. As a result, the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the stirring member body can be further improved.

  According to invention of Claim 3, the stirring member main body has a 2nd fixing | fixed part. The middle portion between one end and the other end of the flexible film is fixed by the second fixing portion. Therefore, the middle part between the one end and the other end of the flexible film is fixed, and the one surface and the other surface of the flexible film are pressed by the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion, respectively. Thereby, tension is generated in the flexible film between at least the second fixing portion and the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion closer to the second fixing portion, and the flexible film is stirred. It is attached to the member body in a stable state without rattling. As a result, the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the stirring member body can be further improved.

  Further, the stirring member main body has both the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and between the other end of the flexible film and the intermediate portion fixed to the second fixing portion, When the first surface and the second surface are pressed by the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion, respectively, tension is generated in the portion between the other end and the middle portion of the flexible film, and the portion does not rattle the stirring member body. Not mounted in a stable state. As a result, the positional accuracy of the flexible film with respect to the stirring member body can be further improved.

  According to invention of Claim 4, the stirring member main body has the orthogonal surface orthogonal to the one surface and other surface of a flexible film. The orthogonal plane extends along the flexible film. The first elastic part and the second elastic part protrude from the orthogonal plane. The flexible film is attached to the stirring member main body by elastically deforming the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion and being sandwiched between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. At this time, by bringing the edge of the flexible film into contact with the orthogonal surface, the direction in which the flexible film is orthogonal to the orthogonal surface with respect to the stirring member body (the protruding direction of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion) ) Can be positioned.

  According to invention of Claim 5, the stirring member is provided with the axis | shaft which protrudes from the stirring member main body to the one end side of a flexible film. A plurality of first elastic portions and second elastic portions are provided alternately in a direction parallel to the axis. Further, the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion extend in a direction orthogonal to the axis, and are formed so that the length thereof becomes shorter in the direction parallel to the axis. Therefore, the flexible film is placed between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion adjacent to each other so that the flexible film contacts the long one of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion in order. By inserting from the orthogonal direction, the flexible film can be easily deformed into a corrugated shape. Therefore, the flexible film can be easily attached to the stirring member body.

According to invention of Claim 6, the stirring member is provided with the axis | shaft which protrudes from the stirring member main body to the one end side of a flexible film. The first elastic part and the second elastic part extend in a direction parallel to the axis. Therefore, the flexible film can be easily attached to the stirring member main body by inserting the flexible film between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion from the direction parallel to the axis.
According to invention of Claim 7, the stirring member is equipped with the axis | shaft which protrudes from the stirring member main body to the one end side of a flexible film. The first elastic part and the second elastic part extend in a direction intersecting the axis. Therefore, the flexible film can be easily attached to the stirring member main body by inserting the flexible film between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion from the direction parallel to the axis.

According to invention of Claim 8, the 1st elastic part and the 2nd elastic part are each formed in the V shape opened toward one side of the direction parallel to an axis | shaft. Accordingly, the flexible film can be deformed into a wave shape on both sides of a straight line connecting the V-shaped apex formed by the first elastic portion and the V-shaped apex formed by the second elastic portion.
According to invention of Claim 9, a flexible film consists of synthetic resins. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of a flexible film can be reduced compared with the structure where a flexible film consists of rubber | gum.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the casing is formed with a light transmission window that transmits light for detecting the amount of developer in the casing. The stirring member main body is rotatably supported by the housing. By rotating the stirring member, the flexible film functions as a wiper whose free end slides on the light transmission window. Thereby, the rotation of the stirring member causes the free end of the flexible film to be rubbed against the light transmission window, so that the developer attached to the light transmission window can be removed.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 3A as viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator, and shows a state where the wiper is removed. 4B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 4A when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the wiper held by the wiper holding portion shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator, and shows a state where the wiper is being attached to the wiper holding member. 6B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 7A as viewed from the opposite side to the perspective direction of FIG. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 7A and shows a state where the wiper is removed. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 8A on one side in the width direction when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction in FIG. 8A. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the wiper held by the wiper holding portion shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 10 is a side view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 7A and shows a state where the wiper is attached to the wiper holding member. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 11A when viewed from the opposite side to the perspective direction of FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 11A and shows a state where the wiper is removed. 12B is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 12A when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a side view of the end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 12A. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the wiper held by the wiper holding portion shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 14 is a side view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15B is a perspective view when an end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 15A is viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. 15A.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a main body casing 2.
Four process cartridges 3 are provided in the main casing 2. The four process cartridges 3 (3K, 3Y, 3M, 3C) are provided corresponding to the respective colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the black from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P by the transport belt 11 described later. Are arranged at equal intervals in the order of yellow, magenta and cyan. Each process cartridge 3 can be mounted on the inside of the main casing 2 from above with the top cover 4 provided on the upper surface of the main casing 2 being opened.

Each process cartridge 3 includes a photosensitive drum 5. In each process cartridge 3, a scorotron charger 6, a developing roller 7, a cleaning mechanism 8, and the like are disposed to face the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 5.
On the other hand, in the main body casing 2, four LED units 9 corresponding to the respective colors are provided corresponding to the respective process cartridges 5. The tip portion of each LED unit 9 is disposed opposite to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

  As the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is uniformly charged by the scorotron charger 6 and then exposed by an LED (not shown) provided at the tip of the LED unit 9. . As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5. When the electrostatic latent image faces the developing roller 7 as the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

  A paper feed cassette 10 that accommodates the paper P is disposed at the bottom of the main casing 2. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 10 is transported onto the transport belt 11 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 11 is disposed facing the four photosensitive drums 5 from below. A transfer roller 12 is disposed at each position facing each photosensitive drum 5 across the upper portion of the transport belt 11. The paper P transported on the transport belt 11 sequentially passes between the transport belt 11 and each photosensitive drum 5 as the transport belt 11 travels. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred to the paper P by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 12 when facing the paper P.

A fixing device 13 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the conveyance belt 11. The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 13. In the fixing device 13, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by heating and pressing. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 14 on the upper surface of the main body casing 2 by various rollers.
After the transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 5 to the paper P, the residual toner adhering to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 5 and the adhering matter such as paper dust of the paper P are cleaned as the photosensitive drum 5 rotates. When facing the mechanism 8, it is collected by the cleaning mechanism 8.

In the following description, the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P by the conveyance belt 11 is the front side (front side), and the downstream side opposite to the upstream side is the rear side (back side). In addition, when the color printer 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right reference is used.
2. Process Cartridge FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. In FIG. 2, the process cartridge is shown in a state where the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are laid in a substantially horizontal direction from the state shown in FIG.
(1) Overall Configuration of Process Cartridge The process cartridge 3 includes a frame 20. The frame 20 includes a holding unit 34 that holds the photosensitive drum 5, the scorotron charger 6, and the cleaning mechanism 8, and a cartridge mounting unit 35 that is provided on one side of the holding unit 34 and to which the developing cartridge 21 is mounted. Yes.

The developing cartridge 21 includes a developing casing 27 as an example of a housing. The developing casing 27 is formed in a box shape having an opening 36 on the surface facing the photosensitive drum 5 in a state where the developing cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 35.
The interior of the developing casing 27 is partitioned by a partition wall 28 into a toner hopper 29 and a developing unit 30 provided on the photosensitive drum 5 side with respect to the toner hopper 29. The partition wall 28 is formed with a communication hole 31 that allows the toner hopper 29 and the developing unit 30 to communicate with each other.

  In the toner hopper 29, toner corresponding to each color is accommodated as a developer. Further, light transmission windows 32 are respectively provided at opposite positions in the width direction on both side walls of the developing casing 27 in the width direction (the same as the left-right direction). The light transmission window 32 is formed by forming a circular hole in the side wall of the developing casing 27 and fitting a transparent disk into the circular hole.

  The main casing 2 (see FIG. 1) is provided with a toner empty sensor (not shown). The toner empty sensor includes a light emitting element disposed at a position facing one light transmitting window 32 in a state where the process cartridge 3 (developing cartridge 21) is mounted in the main body casing 2, and the other light transmitting window. And a light receiving element disposed at a position opposite to 32. Detection light emitted from the light emitting element enters the toner hopper 29 from one light transmission window 32, passes through the toner hopper 29, exits from the other light transmission window 32, and is received by the light receiving element. . While the toner in the toner hopper 29 is scraped up by an agitator 33 as an example of the stirring member described below, the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 29 is detected by measuring the detection time of the detection light by the light receiving element. be able to.

In the toner hopper 29, an agitator 33 as an example of a stirring member for stirring the toner is provided. The agitator 33 is integrally provided with an agitator rotating shaft 50 and an agitator main body 51 as an example of a stirring member main body.
The agitator rotating shaft 50 is rotatably supported on both side walls of the developing casing 27 at a substantially central portion of the toner hopper 29.

The agitator main body 51 extends along the agitator rotation shaft 50 and is formed in a lattice shape having a width in the radial direction of the agitator rotation shaft 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as “radial direction”).
The agitator main body 51 holds a stirring film 52. The stirring film 52 is made of a synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and has flexibility. The width in the width direction of the stirring film 52 is formed to be substantially the same as the width in the width direction of the agitator body 51. One end of the agitator film 52 in the direction orthogonal to the width direction is held on the radially outer end face of the agitator body 51, and the other end opposite to the one end is a free end.

A wiper 53 as an example of a flexible film is held at both ends of the agitator main body 51 in the width direction. The wiper 53 protrudes from the agitator main body 51 in the width direction, and is provided so that the free end thereof is in contact with the side wall in the width direction of the developing casing 27.
When a driving force is input to the agitator rotating shaft 50, the agitator rotating shaft 50 is rotated, and the agitator main body 51 moves in the toner hopper 29 along the circumferential direction of the agitator rotating shaft 50 around the agitator rotating shaft 50. . As a result, the toner in the toner hopper 29 is stirred by the stirring film 52. Further, the wiper 53 is rubbed against the inner surface in the width direction of the light transmission window 32, whereby the light transmission window 32 is cleaned (the toner attached to the light transmission window 32 is wiped off).

The developing unit 30 is provided with a developing roller 7 and a supply roller 24.
The developing roller 7 is disposed so as to close the opening 36 of the developing casing 27, and the circumferential surface thereof is exposed from the developing casing 27. In a state where the developing cartridge 21 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 35 of the frame 20, a portion of the peripheral surface of the developing roller 7 exposed from the developing casing 27 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 5.

The supply roller 24 is disposed between the developing roller 7 and the communication hole 31, and the peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 7.
The toner stirred by the agitator 33 passes through the communication hole 31 and is supplied to the surface of the supply roller 24. Then, the toner is supplied from the supply roller 24 to the surface of the developing roller 7 by the rotation of the supply roller 24 and the developing roller 7.
3. Agitator FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 3A as viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG.
(1) Agitator main body The agitator main body 51 is disposed with a space from the agitator rotation shaft 50 and extends in the width direction (direction parallel to the agitator rotation shaft 50), and the parallel portion 80 and the agitator rotation shaft. 50 and a plate-like portion 82 provided on the opposite side of the parallel portion 80 with respect to the agitator rotating shaft 50 and extending along the agitator rotating shaft 50 are integrally provided.

A light shielding plate 55 and a wiper holding portion 56 are integrally formed at both ends of the agitator main body 51 in the width direction.
(2) Light Shielding Plate The light shielding plate 55 is provided between the parallel portion 80 and the agitator rotating shaft 50, and is on one side of the agitator rotating shaft 50 along a plane orthogonal to the agitator rotating shaft 50 from the agitator main body 51. It is formed in the substantially rectangular plate shape which protrudes. The light shielding plate 55 is provided to improve detection accuracy of the remaining amount of toner by shielding the detection light of the toner empty sensor at regular intervals.
(3) Wiper holding member FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator, and shows a state where the wiper is removed. 4B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 4A when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG.

The wiper holding unit 56 holds the wiper 53.
Since the wiper holding part 56 and the wiper 53 on one side in the width direction and the wiper holding part 56 and the wiper 53 on the other side have symmetrical structures in the width direction, respectively, the wiper holding part on the one side will be described below. The configuration of the wiper 53 and the wiper 53 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the wiper holding portion 56 and the wiper 53 on the other side will be omitted.

  The wiper holding part 56 is formed in a substantially U shape. Specifically, the wiper holding portion 56 extends in the width direction, and has a plate-like fixing portion 60 fixed to the agitator rotating shaft 50 and the light shielding plate 55, and is spaced from the fixing portion 60 in the radial direction. And a plate-like facing portion 83 that extends in the width direction to the same length as the fixing portion 60, and a plate-like connecting portion 61 that connects the ends of the fixing portion 60 and the facing portion 83 on the inner sides in the width direction, Is integrated.

A first fixing portion 62 is formed on the end surface of the fixing portion 60 on the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. The first fixing portion 62 is formed in a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape. A gap slightly larger than the thickness of the wiper 53 is formed between the portion of the first fixing portion 62 on the agitator main body 51 side and the fixing portion 60.
A second fixing portion 63 is formed on the end surface of the facing portion 83 opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. The second fixing portion 63 is formed in a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape. In the second fixing portion 63, the radially outer portion of the agitator shaft 50 protrudes from the radially outer surface of the facing portion 83.

  The outer surface in the width direction of the connecting portion 61 is a flat surface extending in the radial direction, and is an orthogonal surface 64 orthogonal to the one surface 75 and the other surface 76 of the wiper 53 (see FIG. 3A). The orthogonal surface 64 is formed with a first elastic portion 65 and a second elastic portion 66 that protrude outward in the width direction. The 1st elastic part 65 and the 2nd elastic part 66 are formed in the column shape of the same diameter, and have the same length as the fixing | fixed part 60 and the opposing part 83 in the width direction. The orthogonal surface 64 has a width about twice the diameter of the first elastic portion 65 in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction of the fixed portion 60 and the opposing portion 83.

The first elastic portion 65 is provided with a space from the fixed portion 60. Further, when viewed in the width direction, the first elastic portion 65 is in contact with an arc formed by the peripheral surface of the first elastic portion 65 and a straight line formed by an end surface of the connecting portion 61 on the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes. Is arranged.
The second elastic portion 66 is provided on the facing portion 83 side with respect to the first elastic portion 65. Further, the second elastic portion 66 has a circular arc formed by the peripheral surface of the first elastic portion 65 and a straight line formed by an end surface opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 in the connecting portion 61 when viewed in the width direction. Are arranged such that a straight line extending in the opposing direction of the fixed portion 60 and the opposing portion 83 and in the direction orthogonal to the width direction is in contact with each arc formed by the peripheral surfaces of the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66. Has been.
(4) Wiper FIG. 5 is a plan view of the wiper.

The wiper 53 is a flexible film made of a synthetic resin such as PET and formed into a flexible film.
The wiper 53 has a shape in which one corner of a rectangular flexible film is cut out in a substantially L shape.
Specifically, the wiper 53 is continuous in a direction perpendicular to the width direction with respect to the one end portion 70 having a width larger than the fixing portion 60 and the facing portion 83 of the wiper holding portion 56 in the width direction. The intermediate portion 72 having substantially the same width as the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66 in the width direction, and the intermediate portion 72 is continuous to the opposite side of the one end portion 70 with respect to the intermediate portion 72. The other end 71 has a small width. Edges on the inner side in the width direction of the one end portion 70, the midway portion 72, and the other end portion 71 are arranged on the same straight line.

A substantially rectangular hole 73 through which the second fixing portion 63 can be inserted is formed in a corner portion on the inner side in the width direction of the one end portion 70.
A substantially rectangular hole 74 through which the first fixing portion 62 can be inserted is formed in a substantially central portion of the other end portion 71.
(3) Fixing of wiper to wiper holding member FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator, and shows a state where the wiper is being attached to the wiper holding member. 6B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG.

The wiper 53 is attached to the wiper holding part 56 as follows.
First, the wiper 53 is disposed on the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes with respect to the wiper holding portion 56. In this state, in the wiper 53, the surface facing the wiper holding portion 56 is the one surface 75, and the opposite surface is the other surface 76.
Next, the wiper 53 is moved in a direction approaching the wiper holding portion 56 as a whole, and the first fixing portion 60 is fixed to the hole 74 formed in the other end portion 71 of the wiper 53 as shown in FIG. 6A. The part 62 is inserted. At this time, the other end side edge of the hole 74 enters a gap formed between the portion of the first fixing portion 62 on the agitator main body 51 side and the fixing portion 60, and the agitator main body with respect to the first fixing portion 62. It abuts from the 51 side. Thereby, the other end portion 71 of the wiper 53 is fixed to the wiper holding portion 56.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the midway portion 72 of the one surface 75 of the wiper 53 is curved along the peripheral surface of the first elastic portion 65, and the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66 are Passed between. Further, the midway portion 72 is curved along the peripheral surface of the second elastic portion 66, and the one end portion 70 of the wiper 53 is directed toward the facing portion 83.
Then, the second fixing portion 63 of the direction portion 83 is inserted into the hole 73 formed in the one end portion 70 of the wiper 53. At this time, the end edge of the hole 73 on the facing portion 83 side is disposed above the protruding portion of the second fixing portion 63 and abuts against the second fixing portion 63 from the facing portion 83 side. 3A and 3B, the one end portion 70 of the wiper 53 is fixed to the wiper holding portion 56, and the attachment of the wiper 53 to the wiper holding portion 56 is achieved.
4). As described above, the agitator 33 for stirring the toner includes the sheet-like wiper 53 and the agitator main body 51. The agitator main body 51 has a first elastic part 65 and a second elastic part 66. The first elastic portion 65 elastically presses the one surface 75 of the wiper 53. The second elastic portion 66 elastically presses the other surface 76 of the wiper 53. That is, the one surface 75 and the other surface 76 of the wiper 53 are pressed by the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66, respectively. Accordingly, the wiper 53 is sandwiched between the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66 and is held by the agitator main body 51 with one end thereof being a free end. Therefore, the wiper 53 is attached to the agitator main body 51 without backlash between the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66. As a result, the positional accuracy of the wiper 53 with respect to the agitator main body 51 can be improved.

  Further, the agitator main body 51 has both the first fixing portion 62 and the second fixing portion 63, and one surface of the wiper 53 is between the other end of the wiper 53 and the middle portion fixed to the second fixing portion 63. 75 and the other surface 76 are pressed by the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66, respectively, so that tension is generated in the portion between the other end portion 71 and the intermediate portion 72 of the wiper 53, and this portion is the agitator body. 51 is attached in a stable state without rattling. As a result, the positional accuracy of the wiper 53 relative to the agitator main body 51 can be further improved.

  The agitator main body 51 has an orthogonal surface 64 that is orthogonal to the one surface 75 and the other surface 76 of the wiper 53. The orthogonal surface 64 extends along the wiper 53. The first elastic part 65 and the second elastic part 66 protrude from the orthogonal surface 64. The wiper 53 is attached to the agitator main body 51 by elastically deforming the first elastic part 65 and the second elastic part 66 and being sandwiched between the first elastic part 65 and the second elastic part 66. At this time, the wiper 53 is positioned in the width direction (the protruding direction of the first elastic portion 65 and the second elastic portion 66) with respect to the agitator body 51 by bringing the edge of the wiper 53 into contact with the orthogonal surface 64. Can do.

The wiper 53 is made of a synthetic resin. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the wiper 53 can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the wiper 53 is made of rubber.
The developing casing 27 is formed with a light transmission window 32 that transmits light for detecting the amount of toner in the developing casing 27. The agitator body 51 is rotatably supported by the developing casing 27. Due to the rotation of the agitator 33, the free end of the wiper 53 is rubbed against the light transmission window 32, and the toner adhering to the light transmission window 32 can be removed.
5). Second Embodiment FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 7A on one side in the width direction when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction in FIG. 7A. 7A and 7B, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are denoted by the same reference numerals as those given to the respective parts. In the following, description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

In the agitator 33 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a wiper holding unit 100 and a wiper 101 are provided in place of the wiper holding unit 56 and the wiper 53 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
(1) Wiper holding member FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 7A and shows a state where the wiper is removed. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the agitator shown in FIG. 8A on one side in the width direction when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction in FIG. 8A.

Since the wiper holding part 100 and the wiper 101 on one side in the width direction and the wiper holding part 100 and the wiper 101 on the other side have a symmetric configuration in the width direction, respectively, the wiper holding part on the one side will be described below. 100 and the configuration of the wiper 101 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the wiper holding unit 100 and the wiper 101 on the other side will be omitted.
The wiper holding portion 100 extends in the width direction, and faces the plate-like fixing portion 102 fixed to the agitator rotating shaft 50 and the light shielding plate 55 with a radial interval from the fixing portion 102. A plate-like facing portion 115 extending in the same length as the fixing portion 60 in the direction, a plate-shaped inner connecting portion 103 that connects the ends of the fixing portion 102 and the facing portion 115 on the inner side in the width direction, and the fixing portion 102 And a plate-like outer coupling portion 104 that couples the widthwise outer ends of the opposing portion 115 to each other. The thickness of the outer connecting portion 104 is smaller than the thickness of the fixed portion 102 and the facing portion 115.

Further, the outer surface in the width direction of the inner connecting portion 103 is a flat surface extending in the radial direction, and is an orthogonal surface 106 orthogonal to the one surface 112 and the other surface 113 of the wiper 101 (see FIG. 7A). The orthogonal surface 106 is formed with a first elastic portion 107 and a second elastic portion 108 that protrude outward in the width direction.
Two first elastic portions 107 are arranged in parallel along the radial direction at the end of the orthogonal surface 106 on the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. The length of the first elastic portion 107 in the width direction (left-right direction) is slightly smaller than the length of the fixed portion 102 and the facing portion 115 in the width direction. The cross-sectional shape when the first elastic portion 107 is cut in the direction orthogonal to the width direction is a semicircular shape that is convex in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the light shielding plate 55. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, a first inclined surface 109 is formed at the outer end in the width direction of the first elastic portion 107 so as to be inclined toward the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 toward the outer side in the width direction. Yes. The outer ends in the width direction of the first elastic portions 107 are connected to each other.

Three second elastic portions 108 are arranged in parallel along the radial direction at the end of the orthogonal surface 106 opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55.
The second elastic portion 108 on the fixed portion 102 side has substantially the same length in the width direction as the fixed portion 102 and is formed integrally with the fixed portion 102. The cross-sectional shape when the second elastic portion 108 on the fixed portion 102 side is cut in a direction orthogonal to the width direction is such that the inner side in the arrangement direction of the second elastic portion 108 is an arc on the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. It has a fan-like shape.

The second elastic portion 108 on the facing portion 115 side has substantially the same length in the width direction as the facing portion 115 and is formed integrally with the facing portion 115. The cross-sectional shape when the second elastic portion 108 on the facing portion 115 side is cut in the direction orthogonal to the width direction is such that the inner side in the arrangement direction of the second elastic portion 108 is an arc on the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes. It has a fan-like shape.
The length in the width direction of the central second elastic portion 108 is slightly smaller than the length in the width direction of the first elastic portion 107. The cross-sectional shape when the central second elastic portion 108 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the width direction is a semicircular shape that is convex toward the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. In addition, on the convex surface of the second elastic portion 108 at the center, a fixing protrusion 110 as an example of a columnar first fixing portion that protrudes to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 is formed on the inner side in the width direction. Has been.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a second inclined surface 105 is formed at the outer end in the width direction of each second elastic portion 108 so that the outer side in the width direction is inclined toward the side opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. Has been.
Moreover, the convex surface of each 1st elastic part 107 and the convex surface of each 2nd elastic part 108 are arrange | positioned so that it may overlap in those arrangement directions.
(2) Wiper FIG. 9 is a plan view of the wiper.

The wiper 101 is a flexible film made of a synthetic resin such as PET and formed into a flexible film.
The wiper 101 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction and the direction orthogonal to the width direction. The length in the width direction of the wiper 101 is larger than the length in the width direction of the fixed portion 102 and the facing portion 115. The radial width of the wiper 101 is slightly larger than the distance between the fixed portion 102 and the facing portion 115.

Further, the wiper 101 is formed with a circular hole 111 through which the fixing protrusion 110 can be inserted, at a position offset to one side (inward in the width direction) of the center portion.
(3) Fixing of wiper to wiper holding member FIG. 10 is a side view of the wiper holding member, showing a state where the wiper is mounted on the wiper holding member.

First, the front end portion (left end portion in FIG. 9) of the wiper 101 is disposed on the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes with respect to the outer connecting portion 104. In this state, the surface of the wiper 101 on which the light shielding plate 55 protrudes is the one surface 112, and the opposite surface is the other surface 113.
Next, the wiper 101 is moved inward in the width direction. By this movement, the tip of the wiper 101 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 109 of the first elastic portion 107 and the second inclined surface 105 of the second elastic portion 108. After this contact, the wiper 101 is further moved, so that the tip of the wiper 101 is guided between the outer connecting portion 104 and the first elastic portion 107 and the second elastic portion 107. Guided on a convex surface.

When the wiper 101 is further moved, the wiper 101 is deformed into a corrugated shape in order from the tip. Then, when the tip of the wiper 101 is disposed at a position where it abuts on the orthogonal surface 106, the fixing protrusion 110 formed on the upper surface of the central second elastic portion 108 is inserted into the hole 111 formed in the wiper 101. . Thereby, as shown to FIG. 7A and 7B, attachment of the wiper 101 with respect to the wiper holding | maintenance part 100 is achieved.
(4) Function and Effect As described above, the wiper 101 can be easily attached to the agitator main body 51 by inserting the wiper 101 between the first elastic portion 107 and the second elastic portion 108 from the outside in the width direction.
6). Third Embodiment FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 11A when viewed from the opposite side to the perspective direction of FIG. 11A. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are denoted by the same reference numerals as those given to the parts. In the following, description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

In the agitator 33 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a wiper holding member 150 and a wiper 151 are provided instead of the wiper holding portion 56 and the wiper 53 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
(1) Wiper holding member FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 11A and shows a state where the wiper is removed. 12B is a perspective view of the end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 12A when viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a side view of the end portion on one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 12A.

Since the wiper holding member 150 and the wiper 151 on one side in the width direction and the wiper holding member 150 and the wiper 151 on the other side have symmetrical configurations in the width direction, respectively, the wiper holding member on the one side will be described below. 150 and the configuration of the wiper 151 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the wiper holding member 150 and the wiper 151 on the other side will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the wiper holding member 150 extends in the width direction and is fixed to the agitator rotating shaft 50 and the light shielding plate 55, and the width direction inner end of the fixing portion 152. A plate-like extending portion 153 that extends in a direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the protruding direction of the light shielding plate 55 (hereinafter simply referred to as “extending direction”) is integrally provided.

The surface on the base end side in the extending direction of the fixing portion 152 is a flat surface extending in the width direction, and is an orthogonal surface 154 orthogonal to the one surface 161 and the other surface 162 of the wiper 151 (see FIG. 11A). The orthogonal surface 154 is formed with a first elastic portion 155 and a second elastic portion 156 that protrude toward the leading end side in the extending direction.
Three first elastic portions 155 are arranged in parallel along the width direction at the end of the orthogonal surface 154 on the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55.

The first elastic part 155 on the inner side in the width direction is formed integrally with the extension part 153. The extension portion 153 has substantially the same length in the extending direction. As illustrated in FIG. 12C, a first inclined surface 157 that is inclined toward the protruding direction of the light shielding plate 55 is formed on the outer surface in the width direction of the first elastic portion 155 that is the innermost in the width direction.
The first elastic portion 155 on the outer side in the width direction extends from the outer end portion in the width direction of the fixing portion 152 toward the distal end side in the extending direction, and has the same length in the extending direction as the first elastic portion 155 on the innermost side in the width direction. have. On the inner side surface in the width direction of the first elastic portion 155 on the outer side in the width direction, an inclined surface is formed that is inclined toward the protruding direction of the light shielding plate 55.

  The central first elastic portion 155 extends from the central portion in the width direction of the fixed portion 152 toward the distal end side in the extending direction, and has a length in the extending direction that is smaller than the other two first elastic portions 155. Yes. The central first elastic portion 155 is formed in a substantially isosceles triangular cross section so that the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 is the bottom. Specifically, in the central first elastic portion 155, the surface opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 is directed from the outer end in the width direction toward the central portion in the width direction of the first elastic portion 155. The first inclined surface 157 extending to the opposite side to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55, and the light shielding plate 55 from the widthwise inner end of the first inclined surface 157 toward the widthwise inner end of the first elastic portion 155. An inclined surface extending to the protruding side is formed.

Further, the first elastic part 155 on the innermost side in the width direction and the first elastic part 155 on the outermost side in the width direction are connected to each other in the extending direction.
Two second elastic portions 156 are arranged in parallel along the width direction at the end of the orthogonal surface 154 opposite to the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes.
The second elastic part 156 on the inner side in the width direction is disposed at a position between the first elastic part 155 on the inner side in the width direction and the first elastic part 155 at the center when viewed from the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. . The second elastic part 156 on the inner side in the width direction is smaller than the first elastic part 155 on the inner side in the width direction and has a length in the extending direction that is larger than the first elastic part 155 at the center. The second elastic portion 156 on the inner side in the width direction is formed in a substantially isosceles triangle shape in cross section such that the side opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 is the base. Specifically, in the second elastic portion 156 on the inner side in the width direction, the light shielding plate 55 is shielded from the outer side end portion in the width direction toward the central portion in the width direction of the second elastic portion 156. A second inclined surface 158 extending to the protruding side of the plate 55, and a protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 from the inner end in the width direction of the second inclined surface 158 toward the inner end in the width direction of the second elastic portion 156. And an inclined surface extending on the opposite side. The second inclined surface 158 is formed such that at least a part thereof overlaps the first inclined surface 157 of the first elastic portion 155 when the wiper holding member 150 is viewed in the width direction.

  The second elastic part 156 on the outer side in the width direction is disposed at a position between the first elastic part 155 on the outer side in the width direction and the first elastic part 155 at the center when viewed from the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes. . The second elastic part 156 on the outer side in the width direction is smaller than the first elastic part 155 on the outer side in the width direction and has a length in the extending direction that is larger than the first elastic part at the center. The second elastic part 156 on the outer side in the width direction has the same shape as the second elastic part 156 on the inner side in the width direction. That is, the second elastic portion 156 on the outer side in the width direction has a second inclined surface 158 extending from the outer end portion in the width direction toward the central portion in the width direction of the second elastic portion 156 to the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes, The second inclined surface 158 has an inclined surface extending from the inner side end portion in the width direction toward the inner end portion in the width direction of the second elastic portion 156 on the opposite side to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55.

In addition, on the surface of the second elastic portion 156 on the outer side in the width direction on the side where the light shielding plate 55 projects, a columnar shape projecting toward the direction parallel to the projecting direction of the light shielding plate 55 at the center in the front-rear direction. A fixing protrusion 159 as an example of the first fixing portion is formed.
The second elastic portion 156 on the inner side in the width direction and the second elastic portion 156 on the outer side in the width direction are connected to each other in the extending direction.
(2) Wiper FIG. 13 is a plan view of the wiper.

The wiper 151 is a flexible film made of a synthetic resin such as PET and formed into a flexible film.
The wiper 151 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction and the direction orthogonal to the width direction. The width of the wiper 151 in the width direction is larger than the width of the fixed portion 152 in the width direction. The width of the wiper 151 in the direction orthogonal to the width direction is substantially the same as the length of the extending portion 153 in the extending direction.

Further, a circular hole 160 through which the fixing protrusion 159 can be inserted is formed through the central portion of the wiper 151.
(3) Fixing of wiper to wiper holding member FIG. 14 is a front view of the wiper holding member, and shows a state where the wiper is attached to the wiper holding member.

First, the wiper 151 is disposed at a position on the outer side in the width direction with respect to the wiper holding member 150. In this state, the surface of the wiper 151 on which the light shielding plate 55 protrudes is the one surface 161, and the opposite surface is the other surface 162.
When the wiper 151 is moved inward in the width direction, the tip of the wiper 151 passes through the side opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 with respect to the first elastic part 155 on the outer side in the width direction, and the outer side in the width direction. It abuts on the second inclined surface 158 formed on the second elastic portion 156 from the outside in the width direction.

When the wiper 151 is further moved, the front end portion of the wiper 151 is guided along the second inclined surface 158, and the first inclined surface 157 formed in the central first elastic portion 155 is contacted from the outside in the width direction. Touch.
When the wiper 151 is further moved, the front end portion of the wiper 151 is guided along the first inclined surface 157, and the widthwise outer side with respect to the second inclined surface 158 formed on the second elastic portion 156 on the inner side in the width direction. Abut.

When the wiper 151 is further moved, the tip of the wiper 151 is guided along the second inclined surface 158, and the first inclined surface 157 formed on the first elastic portion 155 at the innermost side in the width direction is guided. Contact from the outside in the width direction.
Thereafter, when the tip of the wiper 151 is disposed along the first inclined surface 157 at the inner end in the width direction of the first inclined surface 157, the fixing protrusion 159 is inserted into the hole 160 (see FIG. 13) formed in the wiper 151. (See FIG. 12A) is inserted. Thereby, as shown to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, attachment of the wiper 151 with respect to the wiper holding member 150 is achieved.
(4) Operational Effects As described above, a plurality of the first elastic portions 155 and the second elastic portions 156 are alternately provided in the width direction. And the 1st elastic part 155 and the 2nd elastic part 156 are formed so that the length may be extended in the extending direction orthogonal to the agitator rotating shaft 50, and the length may become short in order in the width direction. Therefore, the wiper 151 is arranged in the width direction between the first elastic portion 155 and the second elastic portion 156 adjacent to each other so that the wiper 151 comes into contact with the first elastic portion 155 and the second elastic portion 156 in order from the longest one. By inserting from the outside, the wiper 151 can be easily deformed into a wave shape. Therefore, the wiper 151 can be easily attached to the agitator main body 51.
7). Fourth Embodiment FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an end portion on one side in the width direction of an agitator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15B is a perspective view when an end of one side in the width direction of the agitator shown in FIG. 15A is viewed from the side opposite to the perspective direction of FIG. 15A. In FIGS. 15A and 15B, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are denoted by the same reference numerals as those given to the parts. In the following, description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted. 15A and 15B, the wiper is not shown.

In the agitator 33 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a wiper holding member 200 is provided instead of the wiper holding part 56 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
(1) Wiper holding member Since the wiper holding member 200 on one side in the width direction and the wiper holding member 200 on the other side have configurations symmetrical in the width direction, the wiper holding on one side will be described below. The configuration of the member 200 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the wiper holding member 200 on the other side will be omitted.

  The wiper holding member 200 extends in the width direction and opposes the plate-like fixing portion 201 fixed to the agitator rotating shaft 50 and the light shielding plate 55 with a radial interval from the fixing portion 201. A plate-like opposing portion 215 extending to the same length as the fixing portion 201 in the width direction, a plate-like inner connecting portion 202 that connects the ends of the fixing portion 201 and the opposing portion 215 in the width direction, and a fixing portion 201 and the opposing part 215 are each integrally provided with a plate-like outer connecting part 203 that connects the outer ends in the width direction.

  Between the inner connection part 202, the fixed part 201, and the opposing part 215, four first connection parts 205 extending in the direction intersecting the width direction are formed on the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55. Specifically, the two first connecting portions 205 extend in a direction intersecting the width direction so as to connect the inner connecting portion 202 and the fixing portion 201, and the remaining two first connecting portions 205 are connected to the inner connecting portion 205. It extends in a direction intersecting the width direction so as to connect the portion 202 and the facing portion 215. The four first connecting portions 205 are symmetrical in the extending direction with respect to the central portion in the extending direction of the inner connecting portion 202 and have two V-shapes that open toward the outside in the width direction.

Further, a substantially triangular locking member 206 extending inward in the width direction is formed at the center in the extending direction of the outer connecting portion 203. In each first connecting portion 205 and locking member 206, the first elastic member having a semicircular cross section protruding in the opposite direction is formed on the surface opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55, as shown in FIG. 15B. A portion 207 is formed.
On the other hand, between the inner connection portion 202 and the fixed portion 201 and the facing portion 215, four second connections extending in the direction intersecting the width direction are provided between the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55 and the opposite end portion. A portion 208 is formed. Specifically, the two second connecting portions 208 extend in a direction crossing the width direction so as to connect the inner connecting portion 202 and the fixing portion 201, and the remaining two second connecting portions 208 are connected to the inner connecting portion 208. It extends in a direction intersecting the width direction so as to connect the portion 202 and the facing portion 215. The four second connecting portions 208 are symmetrical in the extending direction with respect to the central portion in the extending direction of the inner connecting portion 202 and have two V-shapes that open toward the outside in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 15A, a second elastic portion 209 having a semicircular cross section that protrudes in the protruding direction is formed on the surface of the light shielding plate 55 on the protruding side. The second elastic portion 209 is formed so that the protruding portion thereof faces at least a part of the first elastic portion 207 when viewed in the width direction.
(2) Fixing of wiper to wiper holding member First, a wiper is disposed at a position on the outer side in the width direction with respect to the wiper holding member 200. When the wiper is moved inward in the width direction toward the wiper holding member 200 as a whole, the tip of the wiper is inserted between the outer connecting portion 203 and the second connecting portion 208.

When the wiper is further moved inward in the width direction, the tip of the wiper comes into contact with the first elastic portion 207 from the side opposite to the protruding side of the light shielding plate 55, and the wiper is deformed along the convex surface. To do. Further, the tip of the wiper comes into contact with the second elastic portion 209 from the side where the light shielding plate 55 protrudes, and the wiper is deformed along the convex surface.
Then, the wiper is further moved inward in the width direction, and the tip of the wiper abuts against the outer side surface 204 in the width direction of the inner connecting portion 202. Thereby, attachment of the wiper to the wiper holding member 200 is achieved.
(3) Operational Effects As described above, the first elastic part 207 and the second elastic part 209 extend in a direction intersecting the agitator rotation shaft 50. Therefore, the wiper 53 can be easily attached to the agitator main body 51 by inserting the wiper 53 between the first elastic portion 207 and the second elastic portion 209 from the outside in the width direction.

  Moreover, the 1st elastic part 207 and the 2nd elastic part 209 are each formed in the V shape opened toward the width direction outer side. Accordingly, the wiper can be deformed into a wave shape on both sides of a straight line connecting the V-shaped apex formed by the first elastic portion 207 and the V-shaped apex formed by the second elastic portion 209.

21 Developing Cartridge 27 Developing Casing 32 Light Transmitting Window 33 Agitator 50 Agitator Rotating Shaft 51 Agitator Main Body 53 Wiper 62 First Fixed Part 63 Second Fixed Part 64 Orthogonal Surface 65 First Elastic Part 66 Second Elastic Part 75 One Side 76 Other Direction 101 Wiper 106 Orthogonal surface 107 First elastic portion 108 Second elastic portion 110 Fixed protrusion 112 One surface 113 Other surface 151 Wiper 154 Orthogonal surface 155 First elastic portion 156 Second elastic portion 159 Fixed protrusion 161 One surface 162 Other surface 201 Wiper 207 1st elastic part 209 2nd elastic part

Claims (11)

A stirring member for stirring the developer,
A sheet-like flexible film;
A first elastic portion that elastically presses one surface of the flexible film, and a second elastic portion that elastically presses the other surface opposite to the one surface of the flexible film, An agitation member comprising an agitation member body that holds the flexible film in a state where one end thereof is a free end.   The stirring member according to claim 1, wherein the stirring member body has a first fixing portion for fixing the other end of the flexible film opposite to the one end.   The said stirring member main body has the 2nd fixing | fixed part for fixing the middle part between the said one end of the said flexible film, and the other end of the other side, The Claim 1 or 2 Stirring member. The stirring member body has an orthogonal surface that is orthogonal to the one surface and the other surface of the flexible film and extends along the flexible film;
The stirring member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion protrude from the orthogonal plane to a side where the flexible film is disposed. A shaft projecting from the stirring member body toward the one end of the flexible film;
The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are alternately provided in a direction parallel to the axis, extend in a direction orthogonal to the axis, and the length thereof decreases in order in the direction parallel to the axis. The stirring member according to claim 4, which is formed as described above. A shaft projecting from the stirring member body toward the one end of the flexible film;
The stirring member according to claim 4, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion extend in a direction parallel to the axis. A shaft projecting from the stirring member body toward the one end of the flexible film;
The stirring member according to claim 4, wherein the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion extend in a direction intersecting the axis.   The stirring member according to claim 7, wherein each of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion is formed in a V shape that opens toward one side in a direction parallel to the axis.   The stirring member according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film is made of a synthetic resin. A housing for containing the developer;
A stirring member disposed in the housing,
A developing cartridge in which the stirring member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used as the stirring member. The casing is formed with a light transmission window that transmits light for detecting the amount of developer in the developer containing chamber.
The stirring member body is rotatably supported by the housing.
11. The developing cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the flexible film is a wiper whose free end slides on the light transmission window by rotation of the stirring member main body.

Images