JP2013186401A - Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus including the same.SOLUTION: A developing device 2 comprises: a developer tank 61 that has an opening 611 facing a photoreceptor 32 and houses developer 60; a developer carrier 62 that is provided inside the developer tank at a position facing the photoreceptor, carries the developer on its surface and supplies the developer to the photoreceptor via the opening; a developer regulation member 65 that is provided inside the developer tank and includes a regulation section 67 for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the surface of the developing carrier by pressing the surface; and an opening/closing mechanism for opening/closing the opening. The opening/closing mechanism opens/closes the opening by moving the developer regulation member.

Description

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

  In recent years, with the widespread use of color inkjet image forming apparatuses, there has been a demand for downsizing and cost reduction of image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic system. Under such circumstances, as a developing device for electrophotography, a non-magnetic one-component developing system that has a simple structure and can be miniaturized is useful, and development of an improved technique is ongoing. Non-magnetic one-component development methods include a contact development method in which development is performed in contact with a latent image carrier, and a non-contact development method in which development is performed with a predetermined gap from the latent image carrier. The structures of the developing devices are similar to each other and both have a compact feature, but the material of the developing roller may be different.

  In the case of contact development, in order to obtain uniform contact in the development area, the developing roller is composed of an elastic member such as conductive rubber. In particular, a configuration using a rigid body such as a photosensitive drum as the latent image carrier is effective from the viewpoint of preventing damage due to a malfunction in the contact state. In the case of a rubber roller, as a doctor blade for forming a toner layer on the developing roller, a rubber blade, a roller blade made of a metal shaft, a blade of a single metal plate, or the like is used. In particular, a blade made of a metal plate is widely used because it can be provided at low cost.

  On the other hand, in the case of non-contact development, since it is necessary to accurately maintain a gap with the latent image carrier, a roller or sleeve made of a rigid body such as a metal is often used as the developing roller. This is because it is effective for improving the polishing accuracy of the surface and suppressing the eccentricity of the drive shaft and the surface as compared with the rubber roller. Moreover, since there is no contact, there is no possibility of being damaged by contact. In this case, several types of doctor blades can be adopted as in the contact type described above, but from the viewpoint of preventing contact stabilization and scratching at the toner layer regulating portion, a rubber blade Is often used. Known rubber blades include an elastic support member such as a metal plate and a toner layer regulating portion in which a rubber material is disposed on an edge portion thereof.

  As for the developing device having the above-described features, a cartridge type that can be easily detached from the image forming apparatus main body for each color is widely used, and a new cartridge is replaced with an old cartridge so that the image forming apparatus can be used again. Available to users.

  By the way, these developing rollers are exposed to the outside because they are opposed to the photoconductor through the opening provided in the container of the developing device. When the developing device is taken out in this state, the toner adhering to the surface of the developing roller may be released to the inside or outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus with a force to take out the developing device. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a developing device including a shutter that covers the surface of the developing roller has been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-102304 A

  However, in order to further reduce the size and cost of developing devices in recent years, without adding new parts such as a shutter, toner leakage from the opening is prevented when taking out from the main body of the image forming apparatus. In addition, a developing device that protects the surface of the developing roller has been demanded.

  The present invention is provided with a developer tank having an opening facing the photoreceptor and containing the developer, and provided in a position facing the photoreceptor in the interior of the developer tank, and carrying the developer on the surface. A developer carrier to be supplied to the photoreceptor through the opening, and an amount of the developer carried on the surface by pressing the surface of the developer carrier inside the developer tank. A developer regulating member having a regulating part for regulating and an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the opening, wherein the opening / closing mechanism provides a developing device that moves the developer regulating member to open / close the opening. It is.

  According to the present invention, since the opening / closing mechanism for moving the developer regulating member to open and close the opening is provided, the existing developer regulating member can be used as a shutter, and a new part needs to be added. Therefore, it is possible to realize a developing device that prevents toner leakage from the opening and protects the surface of the developing roller with low cost and space saving.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the developing device in FIG. 1 in an open state and a closed state. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the structure of the developing device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the photoreceptor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the drive mechanism of the developing device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a structure of an opening / closing mechanism of the developing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a stopper member that fixes a closed state of the developing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the stopper member and the like of FIG. 6 are fixed to the developing device of FIG. 1.

  The present invention is provided with a developer tank having an opening facing the photoreceptor and containing the developer, and provided in a position facing the photoreceptor in the interior of the developer tank, and carrying the developer on the surface. A developer carrier to be supplied to the photoreceptor through the opening, and an amount of the developer carried on the surface by pressing the surface of the developer carrier inside the developer tank. A developer regulating member having a regulating part for regulating and an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the opening, wherein the opening / closing mechanism provides a developing device that moves the developer regulating member to open / close the opening. It is.

  “Supply” includes not only supply by non-contact development but also supply by contact development.

In the developing device according to the present invention, the developer carrying member is a developing roller supported rotatably around a predetermined support shaft, and the developer regulating member includes a holding unit that holds the regulating unit, The opening / closing mechanism may be configured to open and close the opening by moving the developer restricting member so that the holding portion rotates around the support shaft.
In this case, when the position of the developer restricting member is changed, the developer restricting member is moved so that the holding portion rotates around the support shaft to open and close the opening. The developer restricting member can be moved to open and close the opening without applying unnecessary stress to the restricting member or the roller.

The present invention may be an image forming apparatus including the developing device.
In this way, since the developing device having the opening / closing mechanism for moving the developer regulating member to open and close the opening is provided, the existing developer regulating member can be used as a shutter, and a new part Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus provided with a developing device that prevents toner leakage from the opening and protects the surface of the developing roller with low cost and space saving.

[First Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 including a developing device 2 (developing cartridge) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is roughly divided into a document reading unit 10, a paper feeding unit 20, a printing unit 30, and a paper discharge unit 40, and the document reading unit 10 is arranged above the paper feeding unit 20. The paper discharge unit 40 is disposed at an intermediate position between the document reading unit 10 and the paper supply unit 20.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a copier mode (copy mode), a printer mode, and a FAX mode as print modes, and receives an operation input from an operation unit (not shown) and a print job from an external host device such as a personal computer. A printing mode corresponding to the above is selected by a control unit (not shown).
Hereinafter, the operation in the copier mode among the above processing modes will be described.

  After the user places a document on the platen glass 11 of the document reading unit 10 (scanner unit), the sheet (recording paper) is placed on the sheet feeding cassette 21 of the sheet feeding unit 20 or the manual feed tray 23 provided on the side of the apparatus. When a condition input key (number of printed sheets / printing magnification, etc.) on an operation panel (not shown) that is mounted and further disposed on the exterior front portion of the apparatus is input, the copy operation is started by operating the start key on the operation panel.

  When the start key is operated, a main drive motor (not shown) starts and each drive gear rotates. Thereafter, the paper feed roller 22 or 22a rotates to feed (feed) the paper into the apparatus, and the fed paper reaches the registration roller 31 (roller pair) and is captured. The registration roller 31 temporarily stops the paper so as to synchronize with the leading edge (image formation start part) of the image formed on the photosensitive member (image carrier) 32, and the leading edge of the paper is uniformly registered. The paper 31 is pressed against the roller 31 to correct the leading edge position of the paper.

  On the other hand, in the document reading section 10, the copy lamp 12a (light source) is turned on, and exposure is started when the copy lamp unit 12 moves in the direction of the arrow Rt2. Irradiation light applied to the original by the copy lamp 12a becomes reflected light (reflected light from the original) including image information of the original, and the reflected light is transmitted from the first mirror 12b provided in the copy lamp unit 12 to the second light. Reading is performed by inputting to the CCD 16 from the mirror 13, the third mirror 14, and the optical lens 15.

  The image information read in this way is converted into an electrical signal by a signal conversion circuit (not shown), and the image information signal is subjected to image processing under a set condition, and the laser scanner unit. 33 as print data.

  On the other hand, a part of the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 32 is charged to a predetermined charging potential over the entire axial direction by the charging unit 34 (charging means), and when the photoconductor 32 rotates, the entire peripheral surface is negatively charged. It is charged to the charged potential.

  Next, in the laser scanner unit 33 (exposure means), a photosensitive member while the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected by a polygon mirror (rotating polygonal mirror) having a plurality of reflecting surfaces in the rotation direction and various optical systems. 32 is irradiated. As a result, the laser beam is scanned on the photosensitive member 32 charged by the charging unit 34, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member 32.

  Thereafter, the toner (an example of the developer) in the developing tank 61 is moved in the direction of the arrow R0 by the developer carrier 62 (developing means) applied to the negative DC potential in the developing tank 61 provided in the developing device 2. The electrostatic latent image is supplied onto the surface of the rotating photoconductor 32 and is visualized (developed) by this toner in accordance with the potential gap on the photoconductor 32.

  In addition, paper (recording paper) to be imaged is conveyed in the direction of the photoconductor 32 by the registration roller 31 in time, and the toner on the photoconductor 32 is transferred to the paper by the transfer unit 36 (corona charger (transfer means)). Is transferred to. The toner remaining on the photoconductor 32 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 37 a of the drum unit and collected by the cleaner unit 37.

  The surface of the photoreceptor 32 from which the toner has been removed by the cleaning blade 37a is neutralized as necessary by a neutralization device 39 (static neutralization means) while moving to the charging unit 34.

  On the other hand, the paper on which the toner has been transferred passes between the heating roller 38a and the pressure roller 38b of the fixing device 38 (fixing process), and heat and pressure are applied, so that the unfixed toner on the paper is transferred to the paper. Then, the sheet is melted and fixed by the sheet discharge roller 41 and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 42. The heating roller 38a is heated by a heater 38c provided therein.

  Further, when it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that a document is placed on the document tray 19 provided in the document reading unit 10, it is supplied when a predetermined start key operation is performed on an operation unit (not shown). The paper roller 51 rotates, and the document placed on the document tray 19 is sent into the document reading unit 10 and conveyed through a predetermined conveyance path Rt1. Note that a double feed prevention roller 52 is provided between the paper feed roller 51 and the transport path Rt1 in order to prevent double feeding of the paper.

A registration roller 53 is provided on the conveyance path Rt1, and after the original is captured by the registration roller 53 and positioned at the leading edge of the original, it is conveyed to the original reading position at a predetermined timing. Then, the document being conveyed is exposed while the copy lamp unit 12 is stopped at a predetermined stop position (document reading position). The process of reading the document image by the reflected light from the document obtained by this exposure is as described above.
The document whose image has been read in this manner is discharged to the document discharge unit 18.

Next, a schematic configuration of the developing device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the developing device in FIG. 1 in an open state and a closed state.
2A is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the developing device in FIG. 1 in an open state.

  The developing device 2 is a so-called cartridge type and can be detached from the image forming apparatus 1, and includes a developer carrying member 62 (so-called developing roller) carrying the developer 60 and a developing tank 61 containing the developer 60. .

  The developing tank 61 is a container member made of, for example, hard synthetic resin, and has an opening 611 on the surface facing the photoconductor 32.

  The developer carrier 62 is a developing roller that is rotatably provided in the developing tank 61. The developer carrying member 62 is disposed so as to face the photoconductor 32 through the opening 611 of the developing tank 61 and its axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the photoconductor 32. Supported.

In the first embodiment, the developer carrier 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R1.
The distance t1 between the surface of the developer carrying member 62 and the surface of the photosensitive member 32 is 150 μm.

  As the developer 60 carried on the developer carrier 62, a non-magnetic one-component developer is used. A toner supply roller 66 provided upstream of the developing roller attracts the toner to the surface and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R2 to supply a certain amount of toner onto the developing roller 62.

  A developer regulating member 65 is provided above the developer carrier 62. The developer regulating member 65 includes a regulating unit 67, a doctor blade 68, sheet metals 71 and 72, and screws 73. The holding portion of the present invention is realized by the sheet metals 71 and 72.

  The doctor blade 68 is a thin metal plate having elasticity, and the elasticity presses the regulating portion 67 onto the developer carrier 62 with a constant pressure. As a result, a constant charged toner layer is carried on the developer carrying member 62. The toner having these charges is supplied from the developer carrier 62 to the photoconductor 32 in accordance with the potential difference between the developer carrier 62 and the photoconductor 32 to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. .

  At the tip of the doctor blade 68, there is a restricting portion 67 integrated with the doctor blade 68, and the other end is sandwiched by a screw 73 with the doctor blade 68 sandwiched between sheet metals 71 and 72 which are fixing sheet metals.

  In the first embodiment, the combined thickness t2 of the sheet metals 71 and 72 is 120 μm. The restricting portion 67 is made of urethane rubber, and its thickness t2 is 1 mm.

  A boss 721 is formed in the lower part of the sheet metal 72, and the developer regulating member 65 is brought into a predetermined position in the developing tank 61 by fitting with a first locking portion 615 provided in the developing tank 61. Lock.

  The toner supply roller 66 is provided with a cylindrical, porous porous member such as urethane foam around the core metal, and slides the surface of the developer carrying member 62 while adsorbing toner in the hole. The toner is supplied to the developer carrying member 62 by rubbing, and also has a role of cleaning an excess toner layer remaining on the surface of the developer carrying member 62 after development.

Next, the structure of the developing device 2 when the opening of the developing device 2 is closed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the developing device in FIG. 1 in a closed state.

  When the developing device 2 is in the closed state, the developer regulating member 65 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R3 about the rotation axis of the developer carrying member 62 by rotating the position adjusting member 74 (FIG. 3). As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, the leading end portion of the sheet metal 72 abuts against the second locking portion 616 of the developing tank 61 and stops, and the opening 611 is closed by the developer regulating member 65.

  At this time, since the developer 60 accommodated in the developing tank 61 is closed by the developer regulating member 65, it does not leak out from the opening 611. Further, since the developer regulating member 65 covers the surface of the developer carrier 62, the possibility of accidentally scratching the developer carrier 62 when taking out the developing device 2 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is extremely small. Become.

  Furthermore, since the doctor blade 68 changes its position while rotating around the rotation axis of the developer carrier 62, the pressure contact force between the regulating portion 67 and the developer carrier 62 is not changed. Can be closed. Therefore, even when the opening / closing operation is repeated, there is no possibility that an irregular load is applied to the restricting portion 67, the developer carrier 62, and the developer 60 to accelerate deterioration.

  In the first embodiment, the thickness t2 of the restricting portion 67 is 1 mm, and the distance t1 between the surface of the developer carrying member 62 and the surface of the photosensitive member 32 is 150 μm. It is larger than the distance between the surface of the carrier 62 and the surface of the photoreceptor 32. As described above, when the thickness t2 of the restricting portion 67 is larger than the distance t1 between the surface of the developer carrying member 62 and the surface of the photosensitive member 32, when the developer restricting member 65 is moved to the closed state, the photosensitive member There is a risk of contact with the body 32. Therefore, after the developing device 2 is taken out from the image forming apparatus 1 and the surface of the developer carrying member 62 is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 32, the developer regulating member 65 is moved to close the developing device 2.

  Before removing the developing device 2 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the developing device 2 is moved away from the photoreceptor 32 using a support member such as a rail provided inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. After the distance between the surface of the photosensitive member 32 and the surface of the developer carrying member 62 is larger than the thickness t2 of the regulating member 67, the developer regulating member 65 is moved to bring the developing device 2 into a closed state. Good.

Next, based on FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the structure of the drive mechanism of the developing device of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the structure of the developing device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the photosensitive member.
FIG. 3A is a view corresponding to FIG. 2A showing the structure of the developing device in FIG.
FIG. 3B is a view corresponding to FIG. 2B showing the structure of the developing device in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the developing device 2 includes a driving mechanism of the developing device 2 on one end surface thereof (that is, the right end surface in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The developing device 2 includes a developing roller gear 621 on the developing roller shaft 621, a supply roller gear 83 on the supply roller shaft 661, and a connecting gear 84 that connects the developing roller gear 82 and the supply roller gear 83.

  Here, when the developing device 2 is mounted at a predetermined position inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the developing roller gear 82 meshes with the driving gear 81 provided on the driving roller shaft 601 of the main body, and the driving roller shaft 601. In conjunction with the rotation, the developing roller shaft 621 and the supply roller shaft 661 rotate.

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory view showing the structure of the drive mechanism of the developing device of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the developing roller gear 82 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive gear 81, and the connecting roller 84 is engaged between the developing roller gear 82 and the supply roller gear 83, whereby the developing roller gear 82 and The supply roller gear 83 is rotated in the same direction (arrow R1 direction and R2 direction, respectively).

FIG. 4B is a modified example of the drive mechanism of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the developing roller gear 82 and the supply roller gear 83 are directly engaged with each other without the connecting gear 84 being interposed between the developing roller gear 82 and the supply roller gear 83. May be rotated in opposite directions (arrow R1 direction and R5 direction, respectively).

Next, the structure of the opening / closing mechanism of the developing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.
5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the structure of the opening / closing mechanism of the developing device of FIG.
FIG. 5A is a view corresponding to FIG. 2A showing the structure of the closing mechanism in the open state of the developing device of FIG.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the present invention is realized by a position adjusting member 74, a position adjusting gear 75, a bearing 741, arm portions (first arm 742a and second arm 742b), and fixing metal plates 72a and 72b.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a position adjusting member 74 is attached to the end surface on the opposite side to the drive mechanism of the developer carrier 62 (that is, the left end surface when viewed from the photoreceptor 32). ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a bearing 741 is provided between the position adjusting member 74 and the developing roller shaft 621, and the position adjusting member 74 is rotatable around the developing roller shaft 621. It is supported. The position adjustment member 74 includes an L-shaped arm portion including a first arm 742a and a second arm 742b that are orthogonal to each other. The first arm 742a extends in a direction perpendicular to the developing roller shaft 621, and the second arm 742b extends in a direction parallel to the developing roller shaft 621 through an end surface opening 613 provided on one end surface of the developing device 2. The tip portion engages with an end surface groove portion 614 provided on the other end surface of the developing device 2.

  Similar to the position adjustment member 74, a bearing 741 is also provided between the first arm 742a and the developing roller shaft 621, and the first arm 742a is also supported rotatably around the developing roller shaft 621, It rotates together with the adjustment member 74. Further, the second arm 742b also rotates together with the position adjustment member 74.

  On the other hand, the sheet metal 72 constituting a part of the developer regulating member 65 extends in a direction parallel to the developing roller shaft 621 and includes fixing sheet metals 72a and 72b at both ends thereof. Through holes are provided in the center of the fixing metal plates 72a and 72b. By passing the second arm 742b through these through holes, the developer regulating member 65 is fixed to the second arm 742b. The second arm 742b is supported by the end face opening 613 and the end face groove 614 so that the distance between the restriction portion 67 and the developer carrier 62 is kept constant during the rotation of the developer restricting member 65. Is done.

  In this manner, the rotation of the developer regulating member 65 around the developing roller shaft 621 in conjunction with the position adjusting member 74 is realized.

  In the open state, the distal end portion of the first arm 742a is in the S position as shown in FIG. 5A, and the restricting portion 67 is in a position for layer restriction on the surface of the developer carrier 62. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the surface of the developer carrying member 62 is partially exposed through the opening 611, and the developer 60 can be supplied to the photoconductor 32.

Next, consider the case where the developing device 2 is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 for replacement of the developing device 2 or the like.
FIG. 5B is a view corresponding to FIG. 2B showing the structure of the closing mechanism of the developing device of FIG. 1 in the closed state.

  In order to change the developing device 2 from the open state to the closed state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the position adjusting gear 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R4. Since the position adjusting member 74 and the position adjusting gear 75 both have a spur gear portion and mesh with each other, the position adjusting member 74 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 in conjunction with the rotation of the position adjusting gear 75. The tip of the first arm 742a extending from 74 moves from the S position to the R position. Further, the second arm 742b fixed to the tip of the first arm 742a also rotates in the direction of the arrow R3.

  At this time, since the metal plates 71 and 72 fixed to the fixing metal plates 72a and 72b into which the second arm 742b is inserted also rotate in the direction of the arrow R3, the doctor blade 68 and the regulation are controlled along with the rotation of the metal plates 71 and 72. The part 67 also rotates in the direction of the arrow R3 along the surface of the developer carrier 62. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the opening 611 is closed by the movement of the developer regulating member 65, so that the developer 60 does not leak from the opening 611 and the surface of the developer carrier 62. The developing device 2 can be taken out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 without damaging the surface.

  When the replacement of the developing device 2 is completed and returned to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the position adjusting gear 75 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow R4 to open the opening 611, and then the developing device 2 is moved to the image. It is inserted into a predetermined position in the forming apparatus 1.

  It should be noted that the predetermined stopper members 77 and 77a are developed in the closed state and the open state in order to prevent the position adjusting member 75 from rotating against the user's will during the operation or replacement of the developing device 2. Attach to device 2.

The structure of the stopper member 77 that fixes the open / close state of the developing device 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of a structure of a stopper member for fixing the closed state of the developing device of FIG.
6A to 6D are a front view, a left side view, a plan view, and a perspective view of the stopper member 77 as viewed from the opening / closing mechanism side of the developing device 2, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stopper member 77 includes a support portion 771 and a locking convex portion 772. Examples of the material of the stopper member 77 include elastic synthetic rubber and synthetic resin.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory view showing an example in which the stopper member of FIG. 6 is fixed to the developing device of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the position adjustment gear 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R4 to move the tip of the first arm 742a of the position adjustment member 74 from the S position to the R position. The stopper member 77 is fitted and the position adjusting member 74 is fixed so that the locking projection 772 is inserted into the opening 613.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, a stopper member 77a having a shape for fixing the tip end portion of the first arm 742a to the S position and closing the end face opening 613 is inserted into the locking projection 772a. The position adjusting member 74 is fixed by being fitted so as to be fitted.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the position adjusting member 75 from rotating against the user's will. Further, since the end surface opening 613 is closed by the stopper members 77 and 77a, leakage of the developer 60 from the inside of the developing device 2 can be prevented.

  Finally, an example of a procedure for taking out the developing device 2 from the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 2 is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 in the operating state. Here, when it is desired to take out the developing device 2 from the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 for replacement or the like, after the stopper member 77a is removed from the end surface opening 613, the position adjusting gear 75 is operated to operate the position adjusting member 74. Rotate. After confirming that the tip of the first arm 742a rotates in the direction of the arrow R3 to reach the R position and the developing device 2 is in the closed state, the stopper member 77 is fitted into the end surface opening 613, The developing device 2 is taken out from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Note that when the developing device 2 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 after the replacement of the developing device 2, the above procedure may be reversed.

  In this way, by rotating the developer regulating member 65 and using it as a shutter, it is possible to prevent the developer 60 from leaking out of the developing device 2 without adding new parts, and to carry the developer. It becomes possible to prevent the surface of the body 62 from being damaged.

1: Image forming apparatus 2: Developing apparatus 32: Photoconductor 60: Developer 61: Developer tank 62: Developer carrier 65: Developer regulating member 66: Toner supply roller 67: Restricting section 68: Doctor blades 71 and 72: Sheet metal 74: Position adjustment member 75: Position adjustment gear 77, 77a: Stopper member 601: Drive roller shaft 611: Opening portion 613: End surface opening portion 615: First locking portion 616: Second locking portion 742a: First arm 742b: second arms 72a, 72b: fixing metal plates 771, 771a: support portions 772, 772a: locking projections

Claims (3)

A developing tank having an opening facing the photosensitive member and containing a developer; and provided inside the developing tank at a position facing the photosensitive member and carrying the developer on a surface thereof; A developer carrying member that is supplied through the opening, and a regulating unit that is inside the developing tank and presses the surface of the developer carrying member to regulate the amount of the developer carried on the surface. A developer regulating member having an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the opening,
The opening / closing mechanism is a developing device that moves the developer regulating member to open and close the opening. The developer carrying member is a developing roller supported rotatably around a support shaft,
The developer regulating member includes a holding unit that holds the regulating unit,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism opens and closes the opening by moving the developer restricting member so that the holding portion rotates around the support shaft.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.