JP2015187718A - Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a channel for a developer to fill a developing device.SOLUTION: There is provided a developing device in which: on a cross section passing through a sealing member 37 and a conveyance part 36a, a storage chamber 31a is divided by the sealing member 37 and the conveyance part 36a into areas, and a larger area X of the areas has an outlet 36e. The sealing member 37 sealing an opening 31c is attached to a conveyance shaft 36b; the rotation of the conveyance shaft 36b peels off the sealing member to open the opening; the opening 31c is located above the conveyance shaft 36b.

Description

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

  Conventionally, as a method of filling a developer in a process cartridge, a filling port for filling a developer is provided in the developer storage chamber, and after filling the developer from the filling port, the filling port is sealed with a sealing member such as a cap. The method of stopping is used. However, in this method, since it is necessary to prepare a sealing member separately, it is indispensable to increase the number of parts and the assembly process.

  There are many examples in which a rotatable transport unit for transporting and transporting the developer is provided in the developer storage chamber, and the transport unit includes a transport shaft and a flexible sheet attached to the transport shaft. Has been. As a method to improve the increase in the number of parts and the increase in assembly man-hours due to the use of the sealing member, the transport shaft of the transport unit is made hollow, and a filling port is provided for filling the developer at one end of the transport shaft. A method of filling a developer through a mouth has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this method, after the developer is filled from the filling port of the hollow conveyance shaft, the filling port of the conveyance shaft is engaged with a drive transmission member for rotationally driving the conveyance unit, and at the same time, the developer in the developer storage chamber. Is sealed. As a result, it is not necessary to separately prepare a sealing member for sealing the opening for allowing the developer to flow in, so that the number of components and the number of assembly steps can be reduced.

  Further, as in Patent Document 3, a configuration has been proposed in which an opening that communicates between the developer storage chamber and the developing chamber is sealed with a seal member, and the seal member is opened with a transport unit. The opening of the seal member at the start of use of the developing device is performed by attaching one end of the seal member to the transport unit so that the seal member is wound with the start of rotation of the transport unit. After opening the seal member, the seal member continues to rotate in the developer storage chamber together with the transport unit. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking due to vibration and impact during distribution of the process cartridge. Further, since the seal member stays in the process cartridge, it is not necessary for the user to remove the seal member before use, and usability is improved.

JP 2002-341635 A JP 2005-257934 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-197288

  Here, when the developer storage chamber is partitioned by the transport unit attached to the transport unit when the developer is filled, the flow path for the developer to flow into the developer storage chamber may be divided, which may prevent the developer from being charged. . Further, when the sealing member is opened, if the peeling force is large, the load on the image forming apparatus during driving increases.

Therefore, the developing device according to the present invention is
A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
Have
A transporting shaft that is rotatable, and a transporting unit that is attached to the transporting shaft and transports the developer in the housing chamber to the developing chamber by rotation of the transporting shaft;
The transport shaft has an outlet that flows the developer that has flowed into the transport shaft into the storage chamber.
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled off by rotation of the transport shaft and the opening is opened.
The cross section that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passes through the seal member and the transport section, and the outlet is the wider area of the storage chamber divided by the seal member and the transport section It is characterized by that.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is
A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
Have
A transporting shaft that is rotatable, and a transporting unit that has one end attached to the transporting shaft and the other end extending toward the opening, and transports the developer in the storage chamber to the developing chamber by rotation of the transporting shaft. In the accommodation chamber,
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, the seal member is peeled off by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened,
The opening is located above the transport shaft.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is
A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developer chamber provided above the storage chamber and provided with a developer carrier for supporting the developer conveyed from the storage chamber through the opening;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passing through the seal member and the opening,
The transport shaft is closer to the developer carrying member in the horizontal direction than the joining position of the frame member joined to the seal member above the opening.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is
A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
The opening is located above the transport shaft,
The folding position of the seal member is located above the developer surface of the developer.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is
A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passing through the seal member and the opening,
The joining position of the frame body joined to the seal member on the lower side of the opening is closer to the conveying shaft than the joining position of the frame body joined to the seal member on the upper side of the opening.

  A process cartridge according to the present invention includes the above-described developing device, and is detachably provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the developing device or the process cartridge.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to secure a developer flow path filled in the developing device. Or the load at the time of opening of a sealing member can be reduced.

Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the image development apparatus concerning a present Example. Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment The schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance unit which concerns on a present Example. The figure which shows the state before combining a 1st image development frame and a 2nd image development frame. Diagram showing the inside of the developer storage chamber The figure which showed a mode that a developing agent storage chamber was filled with a developing agent. A diagram showing the drive transmission gear assembled to the development unit

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

<Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the schematic configuration of the electronic image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the electronic image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, and a word processor. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer as an electronic image forming apparatus will be described. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus for forming a color image that employs an intermediate transfer system that sequentially transfers a developer image to the intermediate transfer belt 9 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image having only one process cartridge 70 may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an image forming apparatus) 100 according to the present embodiment is detachably mountable with a process cartridge 70 integrally including process means for performing an image forming process. I have. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier with information light (laser light) based on image information from the optical system 3. The electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer to form a developer image. In synchronization with the formation of the developer image, the recording medium S is conveyed from the paper feed cassette 17, and the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium S by the secondary transfer unit 69. After the image is fixed on the recording medium S by the fixing means 74, the recording medium S is discharged.

<Configuration of process cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment when new. The process cartridges 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d containing the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers 30 have the same configuration except that the colors of the developers are different. Therefore, hereinafter, the subscripts a to d attached to the reference numerals are omitted unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish them.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 70 includes two units, a drum unit 26 and a developing unit (hereinafter also referred to as a developing device) 4. In the drum unit 26, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the cleaning blade 6 that removes the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 are incorporated in the cleaning frame 27. It is a configuration. In addition, a flexible sheet member 28 is provided on the cleaning frame 27 in order to prevent the developer from leaking between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning frame 27. The developer removed by the cleaning blade 6 is accommodated in a waste developer chamber 27 a provided in the cleaning frame 27 as a waste developer.

  The developing unit 4 has a configuration in which a developing roller 25 as a developer carrying member and a conveying unit 36 as a conveying member are incorporated in a developing frame 31. The developing frame 31 is composed of two frames, a first developing frame 21 and a second developing frame 22. The developing unit 4 has two regions: a developer storage chamber 31a as a storage chamber for storing the developer 30 and a developer supply chamber 31b as a development chamber in which the developing roller 25 is provided. The developing roller 25 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, is supported by the developing frame 31 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3, and is positioned above (above) the developing unit 4. The transport unit 36 transports the developer 30 stored in the developer storage chamber 31a to the developer supply chamber 31b. Further, the developer storage chamber 31a and the developer supply chamber 31b are partitioned by a wall 31d, and the wall 31d is provided with an opening 31c that allows the developer storage chamber 31a and the developer supply chamber 31b to communicate with each other.

A developer supply roller 34 that rotates in contact with the developing roller 25 and a developing blade 35 for thinning the developer 30 on the developing roller 25 are disposed on the circumference of the developing roller 25. Further, a blowout prevention sheet 20 for preventing the developer from leaking from the gap between the developing roller 25 and the developing frame 31 is provided on the developing frame 31. The developer 30 applied on the developing roller 25 is conveyed to a developing position A facing the developing roller 25 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as the developing roller 25 rotates. At the developing position A, the developer 30 on the developing roller 25 is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by a developing bias applied from a power source (not shown). Thereby, the electrostatic latent image is developed and visualized. Here, the developer 30 remaining on the surface of the developing roller 25 without contributing to the development of the electrostatic latent image is returned to the developer supply chamber 31b as the developing roller 25 rotates and is collected.

  The developing unit 4 is configured to be rotatably supported with respect to the drum unit 26. Specifically, there are coupling holes (not shown) provided in the developing frame 31 at both ends in the axial direction of the developing roller 25 and support holes 13 provided in the cleaning frame 27 at both ends in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1. Superimposed. Then, the pins 12 are inserted from both ends of the drum unit 26. With such a configuration, the developing unit 4 is rotatable with respect to the drum unit 26 around the support hole 13 (pin 12). As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 4 is urged by a pressure spring 38, and the developing roller 25 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by the urging force.

<Transport unit>
Next, a schematic configuration of the transport unit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of the transport unit according to the present embodiment. The conveyance unit 36 includes a conveyance shaft 36b and a sheet-shaped conveyance sheet 36a as a conveyance unit attached to the conveyance shaft 36b. As the conveyance shaft 36b rotates, the conveyance sheet 36a rotates, and the developer in the developer storage chamber 31a (storage chamber) is transferred to the developer storage chamber 31a.

  In the present embodiment, a seal member 37 that closes the opening 31c is attached to the transport shaft 36b. As shown in FIG. 3, the part attached to the conveyance shaft 36b in the seal member 37 is defined as a first end 39a. Moreover, let the part attached to the wall 31d among the sealing members 37 be the 2nd end part 39b. Here, a position where the seal member 37 is attached to the wall 31d is defined as a joining position.

  The conveyance shaft 36b rotates in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3, and at the start of use of the developing unit 4, the seal member 37 is peeled off from the wall 31d and wound around the conveyance shaft 36b. By removing the seal member 37, the opening 31c is opened, and the developer 30 can be supplied from the developer storage chamber 31a to the developer supply chamber 31b through the opening 31c.

<Method for filling developer>
Here, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the developer filling method and the configuration of the transport unit for filling the developer in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a longitudinal opening 36c as an inflow port is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b. The longitudinal opening 36c is coupled to a drive transmission gear 40 as a drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force from the outside to the conveyance shaft 36b. The inside of the conveyance shaft 36b is a hollow portion 36d continuous from the longitudinal opening 36c to the other end side 36f, and can be accessed from the longitudinal opening 36c to the other end side 36f through the hollow portion 36d. The transport shaft 36b is provided with a short opening 36e serving as an outlet that communicates with the hollow portion 36d along the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state before the first developing frame and the second developing frame are joined. In FIG. 5, a portion where the conveying shaft 36 b is not visible by the seal member 37 is indicated by a broken line. FIG. 6 is a view showing the inside of the developer accommodating chamber in a state where the first developing frame and the second developing frame are combined. In general, the developing frame 31 is generally composed of two or more frames, and the developing frame 31 of the present embodiment also includes the first developing frame 21 and the first developing frame 21 as shown in FIG. The two divided developing frame members 22 are combined by means such as ultrasonic welding.

  The transport unit 36 is supported by the temporary receiving portion 22a and the temporary receiving portion 22b provided in the second developing frame body 22 in the developer storage chamber 31a during assembly. Next, the second developing frame body 22 is coupled to the first developing frame body 21, whereby the temporary receiving portion 21a and the temporary receiving portion 21b and the temporary receiving portion 22a and the temporary receiving portion 22b of the second developing frame body 22 are combined. Thus, the transport unit 36 is rotatably supported. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal opening 36 c overlaps with the filling port 22 c provided in the second developing frame 22. When viewed from the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b, the other end side 36f of the transport shaft 36b is visible from the filling port 22c.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developer is filled into the developer storage chamber. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which developer charging is started, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state in the middle of developer charging.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the developer is filled, the developing device frame 31 is erected so that the filling port 22c faces upward, and the filling device nozzle 60 is inserted from the filling port 22c into the hollow portion 36d of the transport shaft 36b. When filling of the developer is started in the state where the other end side 36f is inserted, the developer is discharged from the filling device nozzle 60 into the hollow portion 36d and filled into the developer containing chamber 31a through the short opening 36e. It will be done. At this time, it is possible to efficiently fill by filling up the filling device nozzle 60 while gradually raising it as the filled developer surface rises. When the predetermined amount is filled, the filling device nozzle 60 is pulled out from the filling port 22c, and the developer filling is completed.

  Next, assembly of the drive transmission gear 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the drive transmission gear is assembled to the developing unit. After the developer filling is completed, the coupling portion 40a of the drive transmission gear 40 is coupled to the transport shaft 36b through the filling port 22c. In this state, the rotational driving force can be transmitted from the drive transmission gear 40 to the conveyance shaft 36b.

  At this time, it is possible to seal the developer by previously sandwiching a conveyance seal member 41 such as a sponge between the filling port 22c and the drive transmission gear 40. The drive transmission gear 40 is slidably fitted to a drive transmission gear fitting portion 22d provided on the second developing frame 22, and the rotational axis of the drive transmission gear 40 is determined.

(Conveying unit arrangement configuration in developer chamber)
Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the arrangement configuration of the transport unit in the developer storage chamber before the start of use of the developing device (when new) is described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device according to the present embodiment in a new state. In FIG. 1, the developing device is in a posture in which the developing device is used in a normal state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the seal member 37 is attached to the transport shaft 36b at a first end 39a. The other end of the seal member 37 is attached to the transport shaft 36b at the second end 39b. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal member 37 is folded back at the first end portion 39 a and provided so as to extend in the direction in which the opening 31 c is provided. The second end 39b1 is attached to the upper wall 31d of the opening 31c, and the second end 39b2 is attached to the lower wall 31d of the opening 31c via the opening 31c. Thus, the seal member 37 is folded back above the opening 31c, extends below the opening 31c via the opening 31c, surrounds the periphery of the opening 31c, and is attached to the wall 31d so as to close the opening 31c. It is done. Here, a position where the seal member 37 is folded back above the opening 31c is defined as a folding position.

  Further, one end of the transport sheet 36 a is attached to the transport shaft 36 b, the other end (free end 36 a 1) extends toward the opening 31 c, and the free end 36 a 1 is folded back with the portion 37 a before the seal member 37 is folded back. It is provided between the rear portion 37b. As shown in FIG. 1, the developer storage chamber 31a is divided into two regions (a wide region X and a narrow region Y) by the seal member 37 and the transport sheet 36a. As shown in FIG. 1, both the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a extend toward the opening 31c, and the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a are provided in the vicinity so as to be along each other. Thus, by providing the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a in the vicinity, the inside of the developer storage chamber 31a is divided into a wider area X and a narrower area Y. As shown in FIG. 1, in the narrower region Y, the transport shaft 36b is not provided with an opening for allowing the developer to flow out. Even if an opening is provided in the transport shaft 36b in the narrower region Y, the developer flow path formed between the seal member 37 and the transport sheet 36a is narrow, and the developer storage chamber 31a is efficiently disposed. It is difficult to fill the developer.

  On the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveyance shaft 36b and passing through the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a (that is, the upper side in FIG. 1), the short opening 36e is divided by the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a. The region 31a is arranged in the wider region X. With such a configuration, the developer that has flowed into the developer storage chamber 31a through the short opening 36e flows out into the wider region X in the developer storage chamber 31a and fills the wider region X. It will be.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance sheet 36a is provided above the short opening 36e. Further, in FIG. 1, the seal member 37 is provided so that a part thereof is positioned below the short opening 36e. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the entire seal member 37 is the short opening 36e. The structure attached to the conveyance axis | shaft 36b so that it may be located above may be sufficient. Thus, since the seal member 37 and the conveyance sheet 36a are provided above the short opening 36e and extend toward the opening 31c, the flow path of the developer flowing out from the short opening 36e is not obstructed. .

  When the developer is filled from the hollow portion 36d of the transport shaft 36b, the developer flows out from the short opening 36e to the developer storage chamber 31a. As shown in FIG. 1, since the free end 36a1 of the transport sheet 36a extends in the direction of the opening 31c, the developer accommodating chamber 31a is not partitioned and the developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber 31a. An agent flow path D is formed. Further, since the short opening 36 e is open toward the region where the seal member 37 is not present, the developer flow path D is not blocked by the seal member 37.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the opening 31c is disposed above the conveyance shaft 36b, and the leading end of the conveyance sheet 36a extends toward the opening 31c. And the developer charging efficiency is improved. In the present embodiment, the developer that has flowed into the conveyance shaft 36b flows out into the developer storage chamber 31a, and the short opening 36e serving as the outlet is a region where the flow path D is formed. It is in. Therefore, the developer can be efficiently filled.

(Arrangement configuration of seal member, developer carrier, opening and transport shaft)
The seal member 37, the attachment position of the seal member 37 to the opening 31c, and the arrangement configuration of the opening 31c and the conveyance shaft 36b will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the direction defined in the following description defines the direction with respect to the posture when the developing unit 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 and used.

As described above, the seal member 37 is folded back above the opening 31c, so that the opening 31
It is attached to the wall 31d at the position of the second end 39b1 which is the upper attachment position of c and the second end 39b2 which is the lower attachment position. In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b and passing through the seal member 37 and the opening 31c, the shaft center 36g of the transport shaft 36b is positioned below the opening 31c. Further, in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b and passing through the seal member 37 and the opening 31c, the shaft center 36g of the transport shaft 36b is closer to the developing roller 25 in the horizontal direction than the position where the upper portion of the opening 31c is blocked. . In addition, the shaft center 36g of the transport shaft 36b is positioned closer to the developer carrier 25 in the horizontal direction in the posture when the developing unit 4 is used than the second end portion 39b1 that is the upper mounting position of the opening 31c. . By doing so, the peeling direction when the sealing member 37 is peeled off from the wall 31d by the transport shaft 36b can be made closer to the direction along the wall 31d (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as 180 ° direction). The direction of peeling off the seal member 37 can reduce the load for peeling off when peeled off in the 180 ° direction, so that the peeling direction is preferably close to the 180 ° direction. Therefore, by using the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load when the seal member 37 is opened.

  Further, when the seal member 37 is peeled off, the position of the second end portion 39b1 that is the upper mounting position (the position at which the seal member 37 is folded back) from the surface of the developer 30 with respect to the posture when the developing unit 4 is used. Place above. By doing so, the developer 30 does not exist between the seal member 37 before being folded 37a and after being folded 37b. In a state where the developer 30 is present before and after folding when the seal member 37 is peeled off, when the seal member 37 is peeled off, the developer 30 is sandwiched between the folded portions so that the peeling direction is away from the 180 ° direction. Therefore, no state is desirable. Therefore, by using the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load when the seal member 37 is opened.

  In addition, the position of the second end 39b2 that closes the lower side of the opening 31c of the seal member 37 is arranged closer to the axial center 36g of the transport shaft 36b than the position of the second end 39b1 that closes the upper side. More specifically, in the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft 36b and passing through the seal member 37 and the opening 31c, the position of the second end 39b2 is set to the axis of the transport shaft 36b from the position of the second end 39b1. Arranged near the center 36g. By disposing the shaft center 36g near the second end 39b2 that closes the lower side, the peeling direction when peeling the seal member 37 becomes a direction approaching the 180 ° direction. Therefore, by using the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load when the seal member 37 is opened.

  4 ... developing device, 31a ... developer housing chamber (housing chamber), 31b ... developer supply chamber (developing chamber), 31c ... opening, 34 ... developing roller (developer carrier), 36a ... conveying shaft, 36b ... conveying Sheet (conveying part), 36e ... Short opening (outlet), 37 ... Seal member, 36g ... Center of axis

Claims (20)

A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
Have
A transporting shaft that is rotatable, and a transporting unit that is attached to the transporting shaft and transports the developer in the housing chamber to the developing chamber by rotation of the transporting shaft;
The transport shaft has an outlet that flows the developer that has flowed into the transport shaft into the storage chamber.
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled off by rotation of the transport shaft and the opening is opened.
In the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passing through the seal member and the transport section, the outlet is the wider area of the storage chamber divided by the seal member and the transport section A developing device according to claim 1.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer that has flowed into the conveyance shaft flows out to the wider region through the outflow port. The transport shaft is provided with an inlet for flowing developer into the transport shaft,
The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive transmission member that closes the inlet and transmits a rotational driving force to the conveyance shaft.   The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the inflow port is provided at an end portion of the transport shaft in the axial direction.   5. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the outflow port is provided in the transport shaft along the axial direction. 6.   6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the transport unit is attached to the transport shaft, and the other end extends toward the opening.   7. The seal member according to claim 6, wherein, in a posture in which the developing device is used, the seal member is folded back above the opening and extends below the opening through the opening to close the opening. Development device.   8. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the transport unit is provided between a portion of the seal member before being folded and a portion after being folded. 9.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is positioned above the transport shaft in a posture in which the developing device is used.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is provided above the outlet in a posture in which the developing device is used.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is provided above the outflow port in a posture in which the developing device is used. A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
Have
A transporting shaft that is rotatable, and a transporting unit that has one end attached to the transporting shaft and the other end extending toward the opening, and transports the developer in the storage chamber to the developing chamber by rotation of the transporting shaft. In the accommodation chamber,
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, the seal member is peeled off by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened,
The developing device, wherein the opening is located above the transport shaft.   13. The seal member according to claim 12, wherein, in a posture in which the developing device is used, the seal member is folded back above the opening and extends below the opening through the opening to close the opening. Development device.   The developing device according to claim 12, wherein the other end of the transport unit is provided between a portion before the folding of the seal member and a portion after the folding.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is a sheet-like member. A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developer chamber provided above the storage chamber and provided with a developer carrier for supporting the developer conveyed from the storage chamber through the opening;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passing through the seal member and the opening,
2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying shaft is closer to the developer carrying member in a horizontal direction than a joining position of a frame body joined to the seal member above the opening. A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
The opening is located above the transport shaft,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the folding position of the seal member is located above the developer surface of the developer. A storage chamber for storing a developer;
A developing chamber provided with a developer carrying member for carrying the developer conveyed through the opening from the storage chamber;
A sealing member for closing the opening;
A rotatable transport shaft,
Have
The seal member is attached to the transport shaft, and is a developing device in which the seal member is peeled from the opening by rotation of the transport shaft, and the opening is opened.
The seal member is folded back above the opening, extends downward from the opening from the folded position and closes the opening,
In a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the transport shaft and passing through the seal member and the opening,
A developing device in which a joining position of a frame body joined to the seal member on a lower side of the opening is closer to the transport shaft than a joining position of a frame body joined to the seal member on an upper side of the opening. .   A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is detachably provided on an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1, or the process cartridge according to claim 19.