JP2011237607A - Seal mechanism, development device, cleaning device, image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a secure sealing between a housing and a regulation blade without deteriorating economical efficiency.SOLUTION: A housing 21 is provided with support faces 21s with which each longitudinal end of a regulation blade 25 comes into pressed contact, and a recessed portion 21w is disposed between both the support faces 21s. A seal member 26 is compressedly fit in the recessed portion 21w in the longitudinal direction, and is compressed with the regulation blade 25. The seal member 26 except for both longitudinal ends thereof is fixed in the recessed portion 21w with a double-sided adhesive tape 29. The seal member 26 is deformed in such a manner that each longitudinal end thereof is stretched on a blade support 21n by means of compression by the regulation blade 25 and is housed in a seal housing portion 21h of the blade support 21n. The seal housing portion 21h is provided with a linear projection 21x to apply a local pressure onto a deformation portion 26f of the seal member 26.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device provided in an image forming apparatus, between a regulating blade as a long member and a housing, or in a cleaning device provided in an image forming apparatus, as a cleaning blade and a housing as long members. The present invention relates to a sealing mechanism that seals between a blade and a housing, such as between the developing device and the cleaning device, and further, an image forming apparatus having such a developing device or cleaning device.

  In image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers that form toner images by electrophotography, the photosensitive drum becomes rotatable, and the photosensitive drum is charged to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. A charger, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with toner, and a toner image developed on the photosensitive drum, directly or via a transfer belt, onto a recording sheet or the like There are provided a fixing device for fixing after transfer, a cleaning device for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the like.

  In the developing device, the developer (toner and carrier) in the housing is conveyed by a rotating developing roller, and the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. It is supposed to be. The housing is provided with a regulating blade along the axial direction of the developing roller, and the amount of developer conveyed on the developing roller is regulated by the regulating blade.

  The regulating blade is a long member extending along the axial direction of the developing roller, and is usually spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller in a state along the longitudinal direction of the opening provided in the housing. Arranged and screwed at both ends to the housing. The regulating blade and the housing are sealed by a sealing member so that toner inside the housing does not leak to the outside.

  However, since the regulating blade is a long member, there is a problem in dimensional accuracy that it is not easy to make the entire size uniform, and the long blade is bent in the housing. May be attached. Due to these influences, the gap between the end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade and the housing cannot be reliably sealed by the sealing member, and toner may leak out from the both end portions of the regulating blade. .

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a seal member that seals between each end of the regulating blade of the developing device and the housing is pressed against each end on both sides of the regulating blade by a seal auxiliary member. ing. With such a configuration, the sealing performance between each end portion of the regulating blade and each sealing member can be enhanced.
However, in such a configuration, the seal member must be attached to each end of the regulating blade so as to be in a predetermined pressure contact state by the seal auxiliary member, and the work for that is troublesome. There is. In addition, a dedicated seal auxiliary member must be used, which may impair the economy.

Furthermore, the housing of the developing device and the regulating blade may be sealed with a long sealing member along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade. FIG. 19A is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a sealing mechanism in which the housing of the developing device and the regulating blade are sealed by a sealing member, and FIG. 19B is an enlarged view of the main part thereof. is there.
A regulating blade 63 is attached to the housing 61 of the developing device. The restriction blade 63 is attached along an opening (not shown) provided in the housing 61. A concave portion 61b is provided along the opening at a portion of the housing 61 where the regulation blade 63 is provided. The recess 61b communicates the inside and the outside of the housing 61.

A seal member 62 that seals between the regulating blade 63 and the housing 61 is fitted in the recess 61b. The sealing member is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape substantially the same as that of the recess 61b by an elastic body such as a flexible polyurethane foam.
The sealing member 62 has a double-sided tape 65 attached to the entire side surface 62a facing the bottom surface 61g of the recess 61b. The seal member 62 and the double-sided tape 65 are formed, for example, by sticking a double-sided tape over the entire surface of the elastic sheet serving as the seal member 62 and punching it into a predetermined shape.

  As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the seal member 62 having a predetermined shape with the double-sided tape 65 attached thereto is fitted into the recess 61b in a compressed state along the longitudinal direction, and the double-sided tape 65 is inserted. Is fixed in the recess 61b by being attached to the bottom surface 61g of the recess 61b. The end surfaces 62b on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 62 are in pressure contact with the side surfaces 61m on both sides of the recess 61b by the elastic force of the seal member 62 itself.

In the state where the sealing blade 62 fitted in the recess 61b is compressed in the depth direction of the recess 61b, the regulation blade 63 has end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the housing 61 on both sides of the recess 61b. The self-tapping screw 64 is attached.
With such a configuration, the seal member 62 is pressed against the regulation blade 63 along the longitudinal direction, and the seal member 62 seals between the regulation blade 63. Further, the end surfaces 62b on both sides of the seal member 62 are in pressure contact with the side surfaces 61m on both sides of the recess 61b, whereby the seal member 62 seals between the side surfaces 61m on both sides of the recess 61b.

JP 2005-84533 A

However, in such a seal mechanism, when the seal member 62 is compressed by the regulating blade 63, the ends on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 62 are deformed so as to spread outward, and the respective deformed portions are There is a risk of riding on the outer surface of the housing 61 on both sides of the recess 61b.
In this state, the regulating blade 63 is lifted from the outer surface of the housing 61 by the deformed portion of the seal member 62, and the toner particle size is between the outer surface of the housing 61 and the regulating blade 63. A larger gap may be formed. In this case, the toner in the housing 61 leaks outside through the gap.

  In addition, since the double-sided tape 65 is applied to the entire side surface 62a of the seal member 62, the double-sided tape 65 is compressed when the seal member 62 is compressed along the longitudinal direction so as to fit in the recess 61b. Wrinkles will be formed at each end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the sealing member 62 fitted inside the recess 61b has a weak pressure contact force between the respective end surfaces 62b and the side surfaces 61m on both sides of the recess 61b, and the end surface 62b of the seal member 62f and the side surface 61m of the recess 61b There is a risk that the sealing performance between the two will deteriorate.

  In order to improve the sealing performance between the end surface 62b of the seal member 62 and the side surface 61m of the recess 61b, a configuration is also proposed in which a magnet sheet is provided on each of the end surface 62b of the seal member 62 and the side surface 61m of the recess 61b. In this case, the developer carrier is adsorbed between the two magnet sheets, thereby preventing the toner from leaking out of the housing 61.

  However, in such a configuration, a pair of magnet sheets must be used to seal between each end surface 62b of the seal member 62 and the side surface 61m of the concave portion 61b facing each other. A magnet sheet is required. Since magnet sheets are expensive, the use of four magnet sheets impairs economic efficiency.

The above-described problems related to the sealing mechanism that seals between the regulating blade of the developing device and the housing may also occur in the sealing mechanism that seals between the cleaning blade and the housing in the cleaning device.
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to reliably seal between the end portions on both sides of a blade such as a regulating blade and the housing without impairing the economy. It is to provide a sealing mechanism that can be used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device and a cleaning device having such a sealing mechanism. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having such a developing device or cleaning device.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the sealing mechanism according to the present invention, an opening in the longitudinal direction is opened in a housing in which toner is accommodated, and one side edge in the longitudinal direction of the long blade is formed in the opening. The blade is mounted along the opening edge of the housing in a face-to-face state, and a pair of support portions are formed on the opening edge so that the back surfaces of both ends of the blade are attached in a surface contact state. In addition, a seal in which an intermediate portion sandwiched between the pair of support portions is a recess recessed with respect to each support portion, and a seal member is elastically press-fitted between the recess and the back surface of the blade A mechanism between each of the pair of support portions and the end portions on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the blade in the concave portion, toward the outside at each end portion on both sides of the seal member. An accommodating portion for accommodating the shaped portion is formed on the blade or the opening edge, and a protrusion protruding toward the deformed portion is formed in the accommodating portion along the longitudinal direction of the blade. It is characterized by being.

The developing device according to the present invention is a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member in a state where a developer conveyed by a developing roller provided in a housing is regulated by a regulating blade. And between the said control blade and the said housing is sealed by the said sealing mechanism, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
In addition, the cleaning device according to the present invention is a cleaning device that scrapes off the toner adhering to the image carrier into the housing by the cleaning blade, and the sealing mechanism seals between the cleaning blade and the housing. It is characterized by being.

Furthermore, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the developing device.
Furthermore, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the cleaning device.

  In the sealing mechanism of the present invention, at each end portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member, the portion compressed and deformed by the blade in the depth direction of the recess is accommodated in the accommodating portion. It is possible to prevent floating by force. And since a local pressure is added to the deformation | transformation part of a sealing member with the protrusion provided in the accommodating part, the deformation | transformation part is press-contacted strongly with respect to an accommodating part. As a result, it is possible to securely seal between the ends on both sides of the blade and the housing.

Preferably, the cross section of the protrusion is tapered from the proximal end portion toward the distal end side.
Preferably, the seal member is fitted into the recess in a compressed state along the longitudinal direction.
Preferably, the seal member is fixed in the recess in the longitudinal direction by a double-sided tape, and the double-sided tape is disposed with a space from each end face on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member. It is characterized by being.

  Preferably, the sealing member is made of a flexible polyurethane foam.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a tandem color digital printer that is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device and a cleaning device provided in the printer shown in FIG. 1. It is an enlarged view of the developing device. It is an enlarged view of the cross section of the seal mechanism provided in the developing device. (A) is an exploded side view schematically showing the structure of the sealing mechanism in a simplified manner, and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by P in (a). It is a perspective view of the housing of the developing device in a state where the developing roller, the regulating blade, and the seal member are removed, with the opening portion facing upward. It is a perspective view of the principal part of a seal mechanism in the state where a regulation blade was removed. FIG. 8 is a side view of the sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seal mechanism shown in FIG. 7 with a seal member removed. It is a front view of one edge part of the longitudinal direction in a seal mechanism. It is sectional drawing along the SS line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing of one edge part of the longitudinal direction in a sealing mechanism. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing of a structure of the modification of the protrusion provided in the housing, respectively. (A) is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of a regulating blade in another example of a sealing mechanism in a developing device in a simplified manner, and (b) is a perspective view in a state where the front and back sides of the regulating blade are reversed. (C) is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of a control blade. (A) is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a sealing mechanism using the regulating blade shown in FIG. 14 in a simplified manner, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part thereof. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the cleaning apparatus to which the sealing mechanism of this embodiment was applied. It is sectional drawing of the principal part in the cleaning apparatus, and the longitudinal cross-section of the cleaning blade is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the sealing mechanism provided in the cleaning apparatus in the state which removed the sealing member. (A) is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a sealing mechanism between a regulating blade and a housing in a conventional developing device, and (b) is an enlarged view of a main part thereof.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a tandem color digital printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) that is an image forming apparatus provided with a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the printer receives an instruction to execute a print job, the printer forms a full-color or monochrome image on a recording sheet such as a recording sheet or an OHP sheet by a known electrophotographic method based on the instruction.

The printer includes an image forming unit A that forms toner images of toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) on a recording sheet, and a lower part of the image forming unit A. And a paper feed unit B having a plurality of paper feed cassettes in which recording sheets supplied to the image forming unit A are accommodated.
The image forming unit A includes an intermediate transfer belt 41 which is wound around a pair of belt rotation rollers 42 and 43 in a horizontal state and can move around in a substantially central portion of the printer. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is moved in a direction indicated by an arrow X by a motor (not shown).

Below the intermediate transfer belt 41, a process unit 10Y for sequentially forming toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 41 with toners of the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged in that order from the upstream side in the circumferential movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41.
The three process units 10Y, 10M, and 10C have the same configuration, and the process unit 10K that forms a toner image with K-color toner is larger in size than the other process units 10Y, 10M, and 10C. It is getting bigger. Since all the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have the same function except that the color of the toner to be used is different, the configuration of the process unit 10Y will be mainly described below. .

  The process unit 10Y is provided with a photosensitive drum 11 disposed to face the intermediate transfer belt 41. The photosensitive drum 11 has an axial direction along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and extends linearly from the front end to the inner back end of the printer. Each photosensitive drum 11 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow E.

  Below each photoconductor drum 11, an exposure device 13Y that irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image is provided. The exposure device 13Y is attached to the image forming unit A. Exposure apparatuses 13M, 13C, and 13K that expose the photosensitive drum 11 in the other process units 10M, 10C, and 10K are also attached to the image forming unit A, respectively.

  The process unit 10Y includes a charging device 12 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 on the upstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the surface position of the photosensitive drum 11 irradiated with laser light from the exposure device 13Y. The developing device 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11 and on the downstream side in the rotation direction. The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 11 is charged by the charging device 12 and then an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser light emitted from the exposure device 13Y. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 20.

Above the photosensitive drum 11, a primary transfer roller 15 </ b> Y disposed opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is provided. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 developed by the developing device 20 is transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the primary transfer roller 15Y. The primary transfer roller 15Y is attached to the image forming unit A.
Primary transfer rollers 15M, 15C, and 15K that transfer images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 41 on the photosensitive drums 11 in the other process units 10M, 10C, and 10K, respectively. The toner images attached to the image forming unit A and formed on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are respectively placed on the same area on the intermediate transfer belt 41 by the primary transfer rollers 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K. Transcribed.

  The process unit 10Y includes a cleaning device 30 that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 on which the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a static eliminator that neutralizes the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 cleaned by the cleaning device 30. 17 is provided. The cleaning device 30 scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 into the housing 31 by a cleaning blade 32 (see FIG. 2).

  The intermediate transfer belt 41 conveys the toner images transferred by the primary transfer rollers 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K to one belt rotation roller 42 disposed in the vicinity of the process unit 10K. A secondary transfer roller 44 is disposed opposite to the belt rotation roller 42 with an intermediate transfer belt 41 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 44 is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a transfer nip for transferring the toner image to the recording sheet is formed in the pressure contact portion.

  A recording sheet in a paper feeding cassette provided in the paper feeding unit B is conveyed to the transfer nip. The recording sheet is conveyed by the timing roller pair 45 in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is conveyed to the transfer nip. When the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is pressed against the recording sheet passing through the transfer nip, the toner image is collectively transferred onto the recording sheet by the electrostatic force of the electric field formed by the secondary transfer roller 44. .

  The toner that forms the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 may not be completely transferred onto the recording sheet depending on the electrostatic force of the secondary transfer roller 44, and a part of the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 41. However, the residual toner is electrically and mechanically provided by the residual toner removing device 46 disposed opposite to the other belt circumferential roller 43 disposed in the vicinity of the process unit 10Y via the intermediate transfer belt 41. It is supposed to be removed.

  The recording sheet that has passed through the transfer nip is conveyed to a fixing unit 50 provided in the upper part of the image forming unit A. The fixing unit 50 is provided with a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52 that are in pressure contact with each other, and a fixing nip is formed between the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 by being in pressure contact with each other. Has been. A heater lamp (not shown) is arranged at the axial center of the heating roller 51, and the heating roller 51 is heated by the heater lamp.

The toner image of the recording sheet that passes through the transfer nip and is conveyed to the fixing unit 50 is fixed on the recording sheet by being heated and pressed while the recording sheet passes through the fixing nip. The recording sheet on which the toner image is fixed in the fixing unit 50 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 48 provided at the top of the printer with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward.
The developing device 20 provided in each of the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K develops the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K with a two-component developer (carrier and toner). The toners of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K are supplied from the toner hoppers 47Y, 47M, 47C, and 47K provided above the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the developing devices 20. The developing devices 20 provided in each of the three process units 10Y, 10M, and 10C other than the process unit 10K have the same configuration.

<Configuration of developing device>
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 20 and the cleaning device 30 provided in each of the process units 10Y, 10M, and 10C. The developing device 20 and the cleaning device 30 provided in the process unit 10K are the same as the developing device 20 and the cleaning device 30 provided in each of the other process units 10Y, 10M, and 10C, although their sizes are different. Since it has a function, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the developing device 20 shown in FIG. The developing device 20 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with a two-component developer (carrier and toner). The developing device 20 has a housing 21 that extends long along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11. The interior of the housing 21 is vertically divided into two by a partition wall portion 21f. The upper portion is a developing chamber 21a and the lower portion is a stirring chamber 21b.

  A first stirring screw 22 is provided in a substantially horizontal state inside the lower stirring chamber 21b. The first agitating screw 22 agitates and mixes with the carrier in the developing chamber 21b while conveying the toner supplied from the toner hopper to the developing chamber 21b in the horizontal direction. The toner and carrier stirred and mixed by the first stirring screw 22 pass through a communication port (not shown) provided in the partition wall portion 21 f on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first stirring screw 22, and the upper developing chamber. It is conveyed to 21a.

  A second stirring screw 23 is provided in a horizontal state inside the developing chamber 21a. The second agitating screw 23 conveys the toner and the carrier in the direction opposite to the conveying direction by the first agitating screw 22. Further, a developing roller 24 is provided in the developing chamber 21a in a horizontal state parallel to the second stirring screw 23. In the lower part of the developing chamber 21a, an opening 21g is formed in a long rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 11 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 11, and the developing roller 24 is located in the opening 21g. Is opposed to the photosensitive drum 11 (see FIG. 1).

  The developing roller 24 has a cylindrical developing sleeve 24a and a magnet roller 24b fixedly provided in the developing sleeve 24a. The developing sleeve 24a is shown in FIG. 2 along the outer peripheral surface of the magnet roller 24b. Rotate in the direction indicated by arrow F. The toner and the carrier conveyed by the second agitating screw 23 are supplied to the developing roller 24 during the conveyance, and are conveyed by forming a magnetic brush on the developing sleeve 24a of the developing roller 24 which has been rotated. .

  The developing sleeve 24a rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow F rotates in the opening 21g of the housing 21 from the upper side to the lower side. The housing 21 is provided with a regulating blade 25 on the upper portion of the housing 21 that is upstream of the opening 21g in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 24a. The regulating blade 25 constitutes a regulating member that regulates the amount of the two-component developer conveyed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 24a as the developing sleeve 24a rotates.

  The toner supplied into the housing 21 is agitated and mixed with the developer carrier while being conveyed through the agitating chamber 21 b by the first agitating screw 22 to be in a predetermined charged state. The developer including the charged toner and the carrier is conveyed from the stirring chamber 21b to the developing chamber 21a, and while being conveyed through the developing chamber 21a by the second stirring screw 23, the developer and the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 24a. The toner is regulated to a predetermined amount by a regulating blade 25 arranged at a predetermined interval, and is supplied onto the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 24 a in the developing roller 24.

<Sealing mechanism of regulation blade>
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a cross section of the sealing mechanism of the regulating blade 25 attached to the housing 21. Note that the developing devices 20 provided in all the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are provided with a seal mechanism having the same configuration, and the seal mechanism between the housing 21 and the regulating blade 25 is provided by each seal mechanism. It is sealed.

  The regulating blade 25 has a strip-like blade body 25a extending long along the axial direction of the developing sleeve 24a. The blade body 25a is made of sheet metal, and one side edge along the longitudinal direction forms a gap of about 0.3 mm with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 24a in the developing roller 24 throughout. Thus, it attaches along the opening edge part adjacent to the opening part 21g in the housing 21. As shown in FIG.

On the blade body 25a, a reinforcing member 25c configured in a strip shape substantially the same as the blade body 25a is laminated on the housing 21 side with the auxiliary blade 25b interposed therebetween. The auxiliary blade 25b is made of a sheet metal similar to the blade body 25a.
The auxiliary blade 25b stacked between the blade body 25a and the reinforcing member 25c is made of a sheet metal thinner than each of the blade body 25a and the reinforcing member 25c, and extends to the developing roller 24 side from the reinforcing member 25c. The developing sleeve 24a is bent toward the upstream side in the rotation direction. The auxiliary blade 25b coarsely adjusts the amount of developer on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 24a in a bent portion near the developing sleeve 24a before being conveyed to the blade body 25a.

In the regulation blade 25 having such a three-layer structure, both end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction are respectively attached to both end portions of the opening edge portion of the housing 21 by self-tapping screws 27. The regulation blade 25 is sealed along the longitudinal direction by the seal member 26 with respect to the opening edge of the housing 21.
FIG. 5A is a schematic exploded view for explaining the configuration of the mounting portion of the regulating blade 25 in the housing 21, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by P in FIG. FIG. In FIG. 5A, the photosensitive drum 11 is provided in the direction indicated by the arrow G. Further, as described above, the regulation blade 25 has a three-layer structure, but in FIG. 5A, it is simplified and shown as a one-layer structure. The housing 21 is also schematically shown in a simplified manner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the housing 21 of the developing device 20 with the developing roller 24, the regulating blade 25, and the seal member 26 removed, and the regulating blade 25 with the opening 21g facing upward. The side part to which is attached is shown as the front side. 5A corresponds to the side surface viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow H in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, the housing 21 has blade support portions 21 n for supporting the ends on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25 at the ends on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Is provided.

  Each blade support portion 21n protrudes toward the photosensitive drum 11 in the direction indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 5A, and is depressed between both blade support portions 21n with respect to both blade support portions 21n. A recess 21w into which the seal member 26 is fitted is formed. The recess 21w is in a state of being depressed with respect to both blade support portions 21n. The seal member 26 is fixed in the recess 21 w by a double-sided tape 29. The tip of each blade support portion 21n in the protruding direction indicated by the arrow G is a flat support surface 21s against which each end portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25 is abutted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the recess 21w is provided with a flat sticking surface 21m that faces the fitted seal member 26 with a double-sided tape 29 interposed therebetween. The seal sticking surface 21m is parallel to the support surface 21s of each blade support portion 21n. Each blade support portion 21n is provided with a seal compression portion 21k that compresses the seal member 26 fitted in the recess 21w in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the recess 21w.

  7 is a perspective view of one end of the recess 21w with the self-tapping screw 27 and the regulating blade 25 removed, FIG. 8 is a side view of that portion, and FIG. 9 is a seal from the recess 21w in FIG. It is a perspective view in the state where member 26 was removed. 7 and 9 show a state where the self-tapping screw 27 is removed, and a screw hole 21t formed by the self-tapping screw 27 is shown.

  The seal compression part 21k has a seal side surface 21p that is in a state perpendicular to the seal application surface 21m of the recess 21w. The seal side surface 21p forms the side surface of the recess 21w. The seal pressure contact surface 21q is continuous with the seal side surface 21p so as to be located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the recess 21w on the side opposite to the seal application surface 21m. The seal pressure contact surface 21q is perpendicular to the seal side surface 21p.

  The seal pressure contact surface 21q is parallel to the support surface 21s of the blade support portion 21n, and the distance from the seal application surface 21m is shorter than the support surface 21s. A step 21j of at least 0.5 mm is formed between the seal pressure contact surface 21q and the support surface 21s. Further, the seal pressure contact surface 21q has a length La (see FIG. 5B) along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25, for example, 3 mm.

  The seal pressure contact surface 21q is provided with a protrusion 21x that protrudes toward the restriction blade 25 at the center in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the restriction blade 25. The protrusion 21x is formed continuously from the seal side surface 21p to the support surface 21s along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25. The ridges 21x have a triangular shape with a tapered cross section as they move away from the base end. The tip of the protrusion 21x is located on the same plane as the support surface 21s of the blade support portion 21n.

  The seal member 26 fitted into the recess 21w is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25 by an elastic material. The seal member 26 is made of, for example, a flexible polyurethane foam (PUR foam). The seal member 26 is compressed in a state of being compressed at a compression rate of about 30 to 40% along the longitudinal direction by the seal side surface 21p of the seal compression portion 21k and in the depth direction of the recess 21w by the regulating blade 25. It is fitted in 21w.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the sealing member 26 has a first surface 26 a facing the seal application surface 21 m via a double-sided tape 29, and a regulating blade 25 pressed against the first surface 26 a on the opposite side. A second surface 26b, an inner surface 26d positioned on the lower side so as to face the developing roller 24 provided inside the housing 21, an outer surface 26e positioned on the upper side opposite to the developing roller 24, 5 (a) and 5 (b), each end face 26c is located on each side end in the longitudinal direction.

The width dimension of the seal member 26 is substantially the same as the width dimension of the regulating blade 25. The inner surface 26d and the outer surface 26e of the seal member 26 are parallel to each other. The end surfaces 26c on both sides in the longitudinal direction are perpendicular to the first surface 26a and the second surface 26b, and the inner surface 26d and the outer surface 26e, respectively.
Double-sided tape 29 is affixed to first surface 26a of seal member 26, and double-sided tape 29 is affixed to flat seal affixing surface 21m of recess 21w. The length of the double-sided tape 29 along the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length along the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26, and 0.1 to 0.3 mm from each end face 26 c on both sides of the seal member 26. The seal member 26 is affixed to the first surface 26a with an equal interval of about 3 mm.

  The seal member 26 is fitted in the recess 21w in a compressed state in the longitudinal direction, and the double-sided tape 29 attached to the first surface 26a is attached to the seal application surface 21m, so that the inside of the recess 21w. It is fixed to. The end surfaces 26c on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26 are in pressure contact with the seal side surfaces 21p of the seal compression portions 21k located on both sides of the recess 21w.

The length in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26 is about 3 mm longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the recess 21 w (distance between the seal side surfaces 21 p of the seal compression portions 21 k on both sides) in a state where the seal member 26 is not compressed.
The distance (thickness) between the first surface 26a and the second surface 26b in the seal member 26 is longer than the depth of the recess 21w (the length from the seal application surface 21m to the support surface 21s of each blade support portion 21n). In the state where the double-sided tape 29 is applied to the seal application surface 21m and the regulation blade 25 is not pressed, the second surface 26b of the seal member 26 is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. From the support surface 21s of the blade support part 21n, it is in a state of projecting about 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, each blade support portion 21n is provided with a positioning pin 28 for positioning each longitudinal end portion of the regulating blade 25 in the vicinity of each seal compression portion 21k. It is provided in a state protruding from the surface 21s.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the end portion of the regulating blade 25 attached to one blade support portion 21n as viewed from the photosensitive drum 11, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SS in FIG. is there. FIG. 4 corresponds to a cross section taken along the line TT in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, positioning holes 25e into which the positioning pins 28 placed on the blade support portions 21n are respectively inserted at the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25 having the three-layer structure. Is provided. The positioning hole 25e penetrates the regulation blade 25 having a three-layer structure in the thickness direction.
In addition, a through hole 25d (see FIG. 11) through which the self-tap screw 27 passes is provided at each longitudinal end of the regulating blade 25. The through hole 25d also penetrates the regulation blade 25 having a three-layer structure in the thickness direction.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the regulating blade 25 having a three-layer structure has a reinforcing member 25c abutted against the second surface 26b of the seal member 26 in a state of protruding from the recess 21w, so that the seal member 26 is moved in the thickness direction. In the compressed state, the end portions on both sides of the reinforcing member 25c are abutted against the support surfaces 21s of the blade support portions 21n. In this case, the positioning pin 28 is inserted into the positioning hole 25e of the regulating blade 25, and the regulating blade 25 is positioned.

  End portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25 are attached to the blade support portions 21n by self-tapping screws 27, respectively. The self-tapping screw 27 is inserted into the through-hole 25d of the regulating blade 25 and rotated by a predetermined rotational torque, thereby forming a screw hole 21t in each blade supporting portion 21n by self-tapping, and each blade supporting portion 21n. Are respectively screwed together.

  The seal member 26 is compressed in the thickness direction by the reinforcing member 25c of the regulating blade 25, so that the second surface 26b of the seal member 26 is positioned in the same plane as the support surface 21s of each blade support portion 21n. It has been transformed into. In this case, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 7 and 8, the end portions of both sides of the seal member 26 protrude from the seal pressure contact surface 21q of the seal compression portion 21k, and the seal pressure contact surface 21q and the protrusion 21x. It has been deformed to spread outward on both sides so that it rides up.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of each deformation portion 26f of the seal member 26 placed on the seal pressure contact surface 21q in the seal compression portion 21k and housed in the seal housing portion 21h. As shown in FIG. 12, the deformed portion 26 f of the seal member 26 that rides on the protrusion 21 x is pressed against the seal pressure contact surface 21 q and the protrusion 21 x by the reinforcing member 25 c of the restriction blade 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each deformed portion 26 f has an end that spreads outward in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26, and a step between each seal pressure contact surface 21 q and the support surface 21 s of each blade support portion 21 n. 21j is in pressure contact state.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the seal compression portion 21k is formed with a seal accommodation portion 21h in which the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is accommodated.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, since the double-sided tape 29 is not affixed to the both ends in the longitudinal direction on the first surface 26a of the sealing member 26, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member 26 are provided. The seal member 26 is compressed by the regulating blade 25 in the thickness direction, so that the seal member 26 is fitted between the end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the double-sided tape 29 and the seal side surfaces 21p. The first surface 26a is in direct pressure contact with the seal sticking surface 21m without using the double-sided tape 29. As a result, the first surface 26a of the seal member 26 and the seal application surface 21m are in a close contact state where the toner in the housing 21 does not flow out.

  In this case, the end portions on both sides of the first surface 26a of the seal member 26 are not likely to be pulled by the double-sided tape 29 because the double-sided tape 29 is not applied, and the end surfaces 26c on both sides of the seal member 26 are not pulled. The entire surface is pressed against the seal side surface 21p of the seal compression portion 21k. Thereby, each end surface 26c of the seal member 26 and the seal side surface 21p are brought into a close contact state in which the toner in the housing 21 does not flow out to the outside.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, each deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 placed on the seal pressure contact surface 21q in the seal compression portion 21k and housed in the seal housing portion 21h When the ends on both sides in the longitudinal direction are in pressure contact with the support surface 21s of the blade support portion 21n, the regulating blade 25 presses the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 toward the seal pressure contact surface 21q and the protrusion 21x.

  In this case, a load (pressure) is intensively applied to the central portion in the width direction of the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 by the protrusion 21x. As a result, the central portion in the width direction of the deformed portion 26f is compressed into a very thin state between the tip of the protrusion 21x and the regulating blade 25. As a result, the lifting amount of the regulating blade 25 with respect to the support surface 21s of the blade support portion 21n can be made smaller than the particle size (about 4 to 6 μm) of the toner.

  Therefore, there is no possibility that a gap larger than the particle diameter of the toner is formed between the deformed portion 26 f of the seal member 26 and the regulating blade 25, and the deformed portion 26 f is almost flat with respect to the regulating blade 25. It is pressed in a state. As a result, it is possible to reliably seal between the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 and the regulating blade 25 so that the toner does not pass therethrough.

  In this case, since the protrusion 21x is tapered on the protruding side, the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 may be broken at the center in the width direction. In such a state, since the seal member 26 does not exist between the tip of the protrusion 21x and the reinforcing member 25c of the restriction blade 25, the restriction blade 25 may be lifted with respect to the support surface 21s of the blade support portion 21n. Absent.

  In addition, in this case, the deformed portions 26f of the seal member 26 are in close contact with the reinforcing member 25c of the regulating blade 25 in a flat state on both sides of the ridge 21x. As a result, it is possible to reliably seal between the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 and the reinforcing member 25c of the regulating blade 25 so that the toner does not pass therethrough.

  In the above description, the protrusion 21x to which the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is press-contacted is configured to have a triangular cross section extending along the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the portion pressed against the seal member 26 may have a square cross-sectional shape with a flat surface. Moreover, as shown in FIG.13 (b), it is good also as a cross-sectional trapezoid shape in which the part press-contacted to the sealing member 26 became a flat surface.

  In these cases, the length of the flat surface portion of the protrusion 21x pressed against the seal member 26 along the width direction of the seal member 26 (the length along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 25) Lc is 2 mm or less. It is preferable that Thus, by satisfying Lc ≦ 2 mm, the pressure on the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 can be increased, the amount of compression of the deformed portion 26f on the protrusion 21x is increased, and the portion is thinned. can do.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.13 (c), it is good also considering the protrusion 21x as the semi-cylinder shape used as the cross-sectional semicircle shape.
As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the total pressure applied to the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 in the ridge 21x is F, the strength of the pressure applied to the ridge 21x (the pressure per unit area) Size) P1 is P1 = F / (La × Lc). However, La is the protrusion length from the end surface 26c in the deformation | transformation part 26f of the sealing member 26, Lc is the length along the width direction of the seal member 26 in the flat surface which contact | abuts the deformation | transformation part 26f in the protrusion 21x. It is. Therefore, “La × Lc” is an area of a region where pressure is applied to the protrusion 21x.

On the other hand, when the protrusion 21x is not provided on the seal pressure contact surface 21q, the strength P2 of the pressure applied to the seal pressure contact surface 21q is P2 = F / (La × Ld). However, Ld is the length along the width direction of the seal member 26 on the seal pressure contact surface 21q.
Here, since Lc is sufficiently small with respect to Ld (Ld >> Lc), the pressure strength (the magnitude of pressure per unit area) P1 applied to the protrusion 21x is the seal pressure contact surface 21q. Is sufficiently larger than the pressure P2 applied to the pressure (P1 >> P2). As a result, a high pressure is applied to the protrusion 21x.

  In this case, assuming that the Young's modulus of the seal member 26 is E, the strain amount ε of the seal member 26 has a relationship of ε = σ / E with respect to the stress σ, and accordingly, FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). By providing the protrusion 21x as shown, the strength of the pressure applied to the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is sufficiently increased by the protrusion 21x, so that the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 can be more reliably secured. The pressure contact force with the seal housing portion 21h can be increased.

  For example, when Ld = 5 mm, if there is no protrusion 21x, the pressure of P2 = F / 5a is applied to the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 by the seal pressure contact surface 21q. On the other hand, since the protrusion 21x with Lc = 0.2 mm is provided, the deformation portion 26f of the seal member 26 has a pressure strength of P1 = F / 0.2a due to the protrusion 21x. Join. Therefore, by providing the protrusion 21x as shown in FIG. 13A or 13B, the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 has a pressure 25 times that when the protrusion 21x is not provided. Will be added.

  As described above, the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is increased in compressive force applied to the deformed portion 26f when a high pressure is applied by the protrusion 21x. As a result, the amount of compression of the deformed portion 26 f increases, and the restriction blade 25 is prevented from being lifted by the seal member 26. As a result, the distance between the regulating blade 25 and the housing 21 can be 4 μm or less at which the toner does not pass, and the toner in the housing 21 can be prevented from leaking.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 21x is a triangle, or as shown in FIG. The protrusion 21x is in a line contact state with respect to the deformed portion 26f, and the width direction length Lc of the contact portion is further smaller than that of the protrusion 21x having the configuration shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and (b). It becomes almost 0 (Lc≈0). Accordingly, the pressure applied to the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 by the protrusion 21x further increases, and the amount of lifting of the deformed portion 26f by the protrusion 21x can be further reduced. The sealing performance between the two can be further improved.

<Modification of developing device>
Note that the seal accommodation portion 21h in which the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is accommodated is not limited to the configuration provided in the housing 21, but may be provided in the regulation blade 25. 14A is a perspective view of a main part schematically showing the configuration of the regulation blade 25 in this case in a simplified manner, and FIG. 14B is a diagram of the main part in a state where the front and back of the regulation blade 25 are reversed. FIG. 14C is a perspective view showing the main part of the regulation blade 25 in a cutaway manner.

  On the back surface of the regulating blade 25 that is pressed against the seal member 26, a seal housing that accommodates the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 in the vicinity of the through hole 25d and the positioning hole 25e provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Each part 25k is provided. Each seal accommodating portion 25k is open toward the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26, and has a groove shape along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26. Each seal housing portion 25k has a constant opening width and depth. Accordingly, a step 25j is formed between the back surface of the regulating blade 25 and the bottom surface of each seal housing portion 25k.

  On the bottom surface 25p of the seal housing portion 25k, a protrusion 25x protruding toward the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 at the center in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26 extends in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26. It is provided along. The protrusion 25x has a triangular cross section in which the tip side, which is the protruding side, is tapered. The tip of the ridge 25x is located on the same plane as the back surface of the regulating blade 25.

  FIG. 15A is a schematic side view for explaining the configuration of the sealing mechanism that seals between the regulating blade 25 having such a configuration and the housing 21, and FIG. FIG. The housing 21 of the developing device 20 is not provided with the seal compression portion 21k at each blade support portion 21n located on both sides of the recess 21w, and the seal side surface 21p is continuous with the support surface 21s of each blade support portion 21n. Each is provided. The other configuration of the developing device 20 is the same as the configuration of the developing device 20 described above.

  Even with such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 15B, the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 is housed inside the seal housing portion 25k and is pressed against the step 25j. Also in this case, since the protrusion 25x of the regulating blade 25 is pressed against the deformed portion 26f, it is possible to prevent the regulating blade 25 from being lifted, and between the deformed portion 26f of the seal member 26 and the regulating blade 25. Can be reliably sealed in a state where toner does not pass through.

  In each of the sealing mechanisms described above, only one protrusion 21x or 25x is provided along the longitudinal direction of the seal member 26. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when an impact or the like is applied. In the case of improving the sealing function, a plurality of protrusions 21x or 25x along the longitudinal direction of the sealing member 26 may be provided at appropriate intervals. Further, the developing device is not limited to a configuration in which a two-component developer including toner and carrier is used, and can be applied to a configuration in which a one-component developer is used.

<Cleaning device>
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the cleaning device 30 provided in each of the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the cleaning device 30 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 11 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow E, and has a housing 31 that extends long along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11. ing. The housing 31 is provided with an opening 31 a along the longitudinal direction so as to face the photosensitive drum 11.

  A lower side surface portion of the opening 31a in the housing 31 is a blade attachment portion 31b to which the cleaning blade 32 is attached. The cleaning blade 32 is attached to the blade attachment portion 31b. The cleaning blade 32 has a two-layer structure of a strip plate-like blade body 32 a that is elongated along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11 and a reinforcing member 32 b that is disposed on the inner side of the housing 31 with respect to the blade body 32 a. It has become.

  The cleaning blade 32 having a two-layer structure is attached to the blade attachment portion 31 b of the housing 31 by self-tapping screws 34 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The cleaning blade 32 is sealed by a seal member 33 except for the end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The seal member 33 is fixed to the blade attachment portion 31b by a double-sided tape 35.

The tip of the blade body 32 a of the cleaning blade 32 is in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 along the axial direction. As a result, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is scraped off into the housing 31 by the blade body 32a.
A conveying screw 36 is provided inside the housing 31 so as to face the opening 31a. The conveying screw 36 is disposed along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11, and the toner scraped off inside the housing 31 by the cleaning blade 32 is a toner collection box (not shown) provided outside the housing 31. Z)).

<Sealing mechanism of cleaning blade>
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the cleaning device 30 and shows the cleaning blade 32 in a longitudinal section along the longitudinal direction. The blade attachment portion 31b of the housing 31 is provided with a concave portion 31d along the longitudinal direction. A seal member 33 is fitted into the concave portion 31d and is fixed in the concave portion 31d by a double-sided tape 35. . The recess 31d opens along the opening 31a (see FIG. 16). The sealing member 33 is formed in a thin strip shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32 by an elastic material such as a flexible polyurethane foam (PUR foam).

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the main part of the housing of the cleaning device 30 with the cleaning blade 32 and the seal member 33 removed. In FIG. 18, the direction indicated by the arrow U is upward, and the opening 31a of the housing 31 is located adjacent to the recess 31d in the direction indicated by the arrow U. The recess 31d is formed at a certain depth from the outer surface of the blade mounting portion 31b in the housing 31, and the opening 31a side is opened so that the inside of the recess 31d communicates with the opening 31a.

  The blade attachment portion 31b of the housing 31 is provided with blade support portions 31n that support both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32 adjacent to both longitudinal sides of the recess 31d. Each of the blade support portions 31n is a flat surface 31s that is brought into pressure contact with the respective end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32.

The concave portion 31d is provided with a flat seal sticking surface 31m facing the seal member 33 to be fitted. The sticking surface 31m is parallel to the flat surface 31s of each blade support portion 31n.
Each blade support portion 31n is provided with a seal compression portion 31k that compresses the seal member 33 fitted in the recess 31d in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the recess 31d.

The seal compression part 31k has a seal side surface 31p that forms a side surface of the recess 31w in a state perpendicular to the seal sticking surface 31m. The seal pressure contact surface 31q is continuous with the seal side surface 31p so as to be positioned outside the recess 31w on the side opposite to the seal sticking surface 31m. The seal pressure contact surface 31q is perpendicular to the seal side surface 31p.
The seal pressure contact surface 31q is parallel to the flat surface 31s of the blade support portion 31n, and the distance from the seal application surface 31m is shorter than the flat surface of the blade support portion 31n. A step 31j of at least 0.5 mm is formed between the seal pressure contact surface 31q and the flat surface 31s of the blade support portion 31n. Further, the seal pressure contact surface 31q has a length Lb along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32 of, for example, 3 mm.

  The seal pressure contact surface 31q is provided with a protrusion 31x that protrudes toward the cleaning blade 32 at the center in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32. The protrusion 31x has a triangular prism shape in which the tip side that is the protrusion side is tapered, and is continuously formed from the seal side surface 31p to the flat surface of the blade support portion 31n along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32. . The tip of the protrusion 21x is located on the same plane as the flat surface of the blade support portion 31n.

  The seal member 33 is formed in a state where the seal member 33 is compressed at a compressibility of about 30 to 40% along the longitudinal direction by the seal side surface 21p of the seal compression portion 31k and in the depth direction of the recess 31d by the cleaning blade 32. It is fitted in 31d. Therefore, the seal member 33 in an uncompressed state has a length in the longitudinal direction that is about 3 mm longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the recess 31d, and a thickness that is about 2 mm longer than the depth of the recess 31d. Yes.

  The seal member 33 is affixed to the flat seal affixing surface 31m of the recess 31d by a double-sided tape 35. The double-sided tape 35 has a length along the longitudinal direction shorter than a length along the longitudinal direction of the seal member 33, and an equal interval (about 3 mm) from each end face on both sides of the seal member 33. In the opened state, it is affixed to the seal member 33.

The thickness of the seal member 33 is longer than the depth of the concave portion 31d, and the seal member 33 is attached to the seal application surface 31m by the double-sided tape 35 and the cleaning blade 32 is not pressed. The blade support portion 31n protrudes from the flat surface by about 1.0 to 2.0 mm.
The cleaning blade 32 having a two-layer structure protrudes into the opening 31a and extends to the opposite side of the opening 31a so as to cover the recess 31d. The cleaning blade 32 is abutted against the seal member 33 protruding from the recess 31d, and in a state where the seal member 33 is compressed in the thickness direction, each end portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction is set to each blade support portion 31n. It is abutted against the flat surface 31s. The cleaning blade 32 is attached to the blade attachment portion 31b by self-tapping screws 34 (see FIG. 15), respectively, at the portions extending to the opposite side of the opening portion 31a with respect to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the recess 31d. ing.

Note that a screw hole 31t (see FIG. 18) is formed in the blade attachment portion 31b when the self-tapping screw 34 is screwed.
The seal member 33 is deformed so as to be positioned in the same plane as the flat surface 31s of each blade support portion 31n by being compressed in the thickness direction by the cleaning blade 32. In this case, the end portions on both sides of the seal member 33 are in a state of spreading outwardly such that portions protruding from the seal pressure contact surface 31q of the seal compression portion 31k ride on the seal pressure contact surface 31q and the protrusion 31x. Deform.

  The deformed portion 33f (see FIG. 17) of the seal member 33 riding on the ridge 31x is pressed against the seal pressure contact surface 31q and the ridge 31x by the cleaning blade 32. Moreover, each deformed portion 33f is in pressure contact with the step 31j between the seal pressure contact surface 31q and the flat surface 31s of each blade support portion 31n at the end that extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 33. As described above, the seal compression portion 31k is formed with the seal accommodation portion 31h in which the deformed portion 33f of the seal member 33 is accommodated.

When the seal member 33 is compressed in the thickness direction by the cleaning blade 32, the end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the seal member 33 are located between the end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the double-sided tape 35 and each seal side surface 31p. To be in a state of being pressed against the sticker sticking surface 31m.
In this case, the end portions on both sides of the seal member 33 are not pulled by the double-sided tape 35 because the double-sided tape 35 is not applied, and the end surfaces on both sides of the seal member 33 are covered with the seal side surface 31p over the entire surface. Pressure contacted. Thereby, each end surface of the seal member 33 and the seal side surface 31p are in a close contact state in which the toner in the housing 21 does not flow out.

Further, each deformed portion 33f of the seal member 33 placed on the seal pressure contact surface 31q in the seal compression portion 31k and housed in the seal housing portion 31h has end portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 32. When pressed against the flat surface of the blade support 31n, a load (pressure) is intensively applied to the portion where the protrusion 21x is pressed by the protrusion 21x.
As a result, the central portion in the width direction of the deformed portion 33f of the seal member 33 is compressed into a very thin state between the tip of the protrusion 31x and the cleaning blade 32. As a result, the lifting amount of the cleaning blade 32 with respect to the flat surface of the blade support portion 31n can be made smaller than the particle size (about 4 to 6 μm) of the toner, and the deformation portion 33f of the seal member 33 and the cleaning blade 32 can be reduced. The gap can be reliably sealed so that the toner does not pass therethrough.

<Modification of cleaning device>
Also in such a cleaning device 30, the protrusion 31 x that is pressed against the deformed portion 33 f of the seal member 33 may be provided on the cleaning blade 32. The configuration of the cleaning blade 32 in this case may be the same as the configuration of the regulating blade 25 shown in FIGS.

<Modification of Image Forming Apparatus>
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, both the developing device 20 and the cleaning device 30 each having the sealing mechanism having the above-described configuration are provided, but a configuration in which either one is provided may be employed. In addition, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a tandem color digital printer, and may be a printer that forms a monochrome image. The image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a copier, a FAX, or a copier capable of forming a color or monochrome image. It can also be applied to MFP (Multiple Function Peripheral).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a technique for sealing between a blade attached in a housing that accommodates toner and the housing.

A Image forming section B Paper feeding section 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Process unit 11 Photosensitive drum 20 Developing device 21 Housing 21g Opening 21j Step 21k Seal compression section 21m Seal application surface 21n Blade support section 21p Seal side surface 21q Seal pressure contact surface 21s Support surface 21w Concave portion 21x Projection 24 Development roller 24a Development sleeve 25 Restriction blade 25j Step 25k Seal accommodating portion 25x Projection 26 Seal member 26c End surface 26f Deformed portion 27 Self-tapping screw 29 Double-sided tape 30 Cleaning device 31 Housing 31a Opening 31b Mounting portion 31d Recessed portion 31h Seal accommodating portion 31j Step difference 31k Seal compression portion 31m Seal application surface 31n Blade support portion 31p Seal side surface 31s Flat surface 31x Projection 32 Leaning blade 33 sealing member 33f deformed portion 34 self-tapping screws 35 double-sided tape

Claims (9)

An opening along the longitudinal direction is opened in the housing in which the toner is accommodated, and one side edge in the longitudinal direction of the long blade faces the opening along the opening edge of the housing. The blade is mounted, and at the opening edge portion, a pair of support portions to which the back surfaces of both end portions of the blade are attached in a surface contact state are formed, and an intermediate portion sandwiched between the pair of support portions Is a recessed portion that is recessed with respect to each of the support portions, and a sealing mechanism in which a sealing member is elastically press-fitted between the recessed portion and the back surface of the blade,
A housing for accommodating a portion deformed outwardly at each end portion on both sides of the seal member between each of the pair of support portions and an end portion on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the blade in the recess. Part is formed on the blade or the opening edge,
The seal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion protruding toward the deformed portion is formed along the longitudinal direction of the blade.   The seal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the protrusion is tapered from the proximal end portion toward the distal end side.   The seal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is fitted in the recessed portion in a compressed state along the longitudinal direction. The seal member is fixed along the longitudinal direction in the recess by a double-sided tape,
The sealing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the double-sided tape is disposed at a distance from each end face on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member.   The seal mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seal member is made of a flexible polyurethane foam. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor in a state where a developer conveyed by a developing roller provided in a housing is regulated by a regulating blade,
A developing device in which the space between the regulating blade and the housing is sealed by the sealing mechanism according to claim 1. A cleaning device that scrapes off toner adhering to an image carrier into a housing by a cleaning blade,
6. A cleaning device, wherein the cleaning blade and the housing are sealed by the sealing mechanism according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 6.   An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning device according to claim 7.

Images