JP2017067882A - Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and manufacturing method of developer container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer container that can reduce damage to components arranged inside the developer container in attaching a sealing member to an opening.SOLUTION: A developer container 24 comprises: a piller part 24a1 that is provided projecting from a lateral wall 24d of the developer container and includes a hollow part 24a3 (first opening); a stationary part 24a2 that is arranged opposite to the lateral wall 24d with a predetermined interval W and includes a hole part 24a4 (second opening) communicating with the hollow part 24a3 (first opening); and a sealing member 26 that is fixed at the stationary part 24a2 to seal the hole part 24a4 (second opening). The outer diameter of the stationary part 24a2 is larger than the outer diameter of the piller part 24a1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container, a developing apparatus, and a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus, and further relates to a method for manufacturing a developer container.

  Here, the cartridge refers to a cartridge that has at least one of a developer, a photosensitive drum, and an image forming process unit, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  A typical example of the cartridge is a process cartridge. In this process cartridge, an image carrier and an image forming process means acting on the image carrier are formed into a cartridge and are detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) printer, an electrophotographic printer such as a laser beam printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a word processor.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a cartridge system in which a process cartridge is attached to and detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus by a user is employed. According to this cartridge system, maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person. For this reason, operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  The process cartridge includes a developer container for storing the developer. The developer container is provided with an opening for filling the developer. After the developer is filled, the opening is sealed with a sealing member. The structure to do is known. At that time, in order to securely seal the developer so as not to leak from the opening, a configuration is known in which the opening and the sealing member are coupled by ultrasonic welding or the like as shown in Patent Document 1. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-222839

  In order to stably connect the opening and the sealing member, or to damage the parts arranged in the developer container due to ultrasonic vibration or reduce the generation of coarse particles of the developer, the sealing member and the opening are reduced as much as possible. It is required to apply ultrasonic vibration while holding the vicinity of the joint portion.

  In Patent Document 1, the inside of the developer container is held near the joint between the sealing member and the opening. However, it is difficult to hold the inside of the developer container after filling with the developer.

  Therefore, a typical configuration of the developer container according to the present invention is a developer container for storing the developer, the pillar portion protruding from the side wall of the developer container and having a first opening, A fixed portion having a second opening that is disposed to face the side wall at a predetermined interval and communicates with the first opening; and a sealing member that is fixed to the fixed portion and seals the second opening; The outer diameter of the fixed part is larger than the outer diameter of the column part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce breakage of components arranged in the developer container when the opening and the sealing member are coupled.

1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of a process cartridge according to the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the process cartridge which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit including the developer container according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit including the developer container of the first embodiment. (B) is sectional explanatory drawing cut | disconnected by the plane H2 of (a). (A) is a perspective explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the developer container and sealing member in 1st Embodiment. (B) is sectional explanatory drawing cut | disconnected by the plane H1 of (a). (A) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows the state before couple | bonding the developer container and sealing member of 1st Embodiment by ultrasonic welding. (B) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows the state which heat-melted the convex part protruded from the fixing | fixed part of the developer container of 1st Embodiment by ultrasonic vibration, and couple | bonded this developer container and the sealing member. is there. (A) is a perspective explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the developer container and sealing member of 2nd Embodiment. (B) is sectional explanatory drawing cut | disconnected by the plane H3 of (a).

  An embodiment of a developer container, a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a developer container manufacturing method according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  It should be noted that the functions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. .

  First, the configuration of a first embodiment of a developer container, a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a developer container manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Hereinafter, as an example of the image forming apparatus A, an example when applied to a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic system will be described. A process cartridge B is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus A (the main body of the image forming apparatus).

  In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is as follows. This is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the photosensitive drum 62 serving as an image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image shown in FIG. 3 is formed. Further, the direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 32 serving as a developer carrying member for supplying the developer t in the developer container 24 (in the developer container) containing the developer t to the surface of the photosensitive drum 62. It is.

  The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus A, and is a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording material P. In the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B, the side on which the photosensitive drum 62 receives the rotational force from the main body of the image forming apparatus A is referred to as a driving side, and the opposite side is referred to as a non-driving side.

<Image forming apparatus>
The configuration of the image forming apparatus A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus A according to the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 forms an image (toner image) with a developer on a recording material P by an electrophotographic image forming process according to image information communicated from an external device such as a personal computer.

  Examples of the recording material P include recording paper, label paper, an OHT (Over Head Transparency) sheet made of a transparent sheet used for OHP (Over Head Projector), and cloth. The image forming apparatus A is provided with a process cartridge B that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus A by a user. The main body of the image forming apparatus A refers to a portion obtained by removing the process cartridge B from the image forming apparatus A.

  In the image forming apparatus A, based on the print start signal, the photosensitive drum 62 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of arrow R in FIG. The surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is uniformly charged by a charging roller 66 serving as a charging unit to which a charging bias voltage is applied from a charging bias power source provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus A.

  Then, the laser beam L corresponding to the image information is irradiated onto the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 62 from the laser scanner 3 serving as an image exposure unit. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is developed as a toner image by being supplied with a developer t (toner) from the developing device 1 serving as a developing unit.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus A is provided with a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller 5b, a conveying roller 5c, a registration roller 5d, and a transfer guide 6 along the recording material P conveying direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. Yes. Further, a transfer roller 7 serving as a transfer unit, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9 serving as a fixing unit, a conveyance roller 2, a discharge roller 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b that incorporate a heater 9c serving as a heat source.

  On the other hand, the recording material P accommodated in the feeding tray 4 is fed out by the pickup roller 5a in synchronism with the formation of the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62, and is separated from the separation pad 5e in pressure contact with the surface of the pickup roller 5a. Are fed separately one by one.

  The recording material P separated and fed one by one from the feeding tray 4 is nipped and conveyed by the feeding roller 5b and the conveying roller 5c, and the leading end of the recording material P comes into contact with the temporarily stopped registration roller 5d. The skew is corrected by the strength of.

  Thereafter, the recording material P is directed toward the transfer nip portion 7a by the registration roller 5d in accordance with the timing when the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 reaches the transfer nip portion 7a where the photosensitive drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 abut. Transport.

  The recording material P sandwiched and conveyed by the registration roller 5d reaches the transfer nip portion 7a via the transfer guide 6. The transfer roller 7 is urged by an urging means (not shown) so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

  When the recording material P passes through the transfer nip 7a, a transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is applied to the transfer roller 7 from a transfer bias power source (not shown). As a result, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is transferred to the recording material P.

  The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 and is conveyed along the conveyance guide 8 to the fixing device 9. The recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image conveyed to the fixing device 9 is heated and pressed when passing through the fixing nip portion 9d between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, so that the toner image is thermally melted. Then, it is thermally fixed to the recording material P. As a result, a toner image is formed on the recording material P. Thereafter, the recording material P is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller 2 and the discharge roller 10 and discharged onto the discharge tray 11.

<Process cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the process cartridge B. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the process cartridge B. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B of this embodiment includes a developing unit 20 including the developing device 1 and a cleaning unit 60 including a cleaning device 12 serving as a cleaning unit.

  The developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, a developer container 24, a magnet roller 34, a developer conveying member 43, a developer t, and the like serving as a developer carrying member.

  The cleaning unit 60 includes a photosensitive drum 62 rotatably provided on the cleaning frame 71, a cleaning blade 77 supported on the cleaning frame 71, a charging roller 66 rotatably provided on the cleaning frame 71, and the like. I have.

  The developer t stored in the developer container 24 is transported from the opening 24f to the developing chamber 24g by the developer transport member 43 that rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 about the rotation shaft 43a.

  The developer t conveyed to the developing chamber 24 g is attracted to the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 built in the developing roller 32.

  The developing blade 42 as a developer regulating means for regulating the layer thickness of the developer t carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 includes a support member 42a made of sheet metal and an elastic member made of an elastic body such as urethane rubber. 42b. The elastic member 42b is provided so as to elastically contact the surface of the developing roller 32 with a constant contact pressure.

  The developing roller 32 rotates in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. At this time, the amount of developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 32 is defined by the developing blade 42, and triboelectric charge is imparted to the developer t. As a result, a layer of developer t is formed on the surface of the developing roller 32.

  Then, the developing roller 32 to which the developing bias voltage is applied from the developing bias power source provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus A is rotated in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. As a result, the developer t is supplied to the developing region on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 facing the developing roller 32.

  Around the photosensitive drum 62, there is provided a charging roller 66 that is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 71 and urged by an urging means (not shown) so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 62. .

  The charging roller 66 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 with a charging bias voltage applied from a charging bias power source (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus A main body.

  Thereafter, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 by irradiating a laser beam L corresponding to image information emitted from the laser scanner 3 serving as an image exposure unit.

  The developer t carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 with respect to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 in the developing region on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 facing the developing roller 32. The electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image and visualized.

  The cleaning blade 77 is provided in elastic contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 62. After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is transferred to the recording material P, the developer t remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 77.

  The developer t scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 by the cleaning blade 77 is stored in a collected developer storage portion 71 a provided in the cleaning frame 71 to which the cleaning blade 77 is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge B is configured by combining a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20. The cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 of this embodiment are coupled to each other by shaft-shaped coupling members 75a and 75b so as to be rotatable.

  Arm portions 24aL and 24aR are provided at both ends of the developer container 24 in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 32). Rotating holes 24bL and 24bR each having a through hole parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 32 are provided at the distal ends of the arm portions 24aL and 24aR.

  On the other hand, insertion holes 71bL and 71bR for inserting coupling members 75a and 75b are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71, respectively.

  Then, the rotation hole 24bL provided in the arm portion 24aL of the developing unit 20 is aligned with the insertion hole 71bL provided in the cleaning unit 60. Further, the rotation hole 24bR provided in the arm portion 24aR of the developing unit 20 and the insertion hole 71bR provided in the cleaning unit 60 are made to coincide. Thereby, the developing unit 20 and the cleaning unit 60 are aligned.

  Then, the coupling member 75a is inserted into the rotation hole 24bL and the insertion hole 71bL, and the coupling member 75b is inserted into the rotation hole 24bR and the insertion hole 71bR. As a result, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are coupled so as to be rotatable about the coupling members 75a and 75b.

  One end portions of urging members 46L and 46R made of coil springs are fixed to the respective base portions of the arm portions 24aL and 24aR. The other end portions of the urging members 46L and 46R are in contact with contact portions 71cL and 71cR provided on the cleaning frame 71.

  Accordingly, the developing roller 32 of the developing unit 20 is urged toward the photosensitive drum 62 of the cleaning unit 60 with the coupling members 75a and 75b as the rotation center. As a result, the developing roller 32 is reliably pressed in the direction of the photosensitive drum 62.

  The position of the developing roller 32 is regulated at a predetermined distance from the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 by interval holding members 17L and 17R provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 32.

<Developer container and developer storage unit>
Next, the configuration of the developer container 24 and the developer storage unit 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the developer storage unit 25. FIG. 5A is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the developer storage unit 25. FIG. 5B is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along a plane H2 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  FIG. 6A is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration around the opening 24 a of the developer container 24. FIG. 6B is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along a plane H1 indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developer storage unit 25 includes a developer storage frame 21, a developer storage lid 22, a developer container 24 composed of a sealing member 26, and an interior of the developer container 24. It is configured to have a developer conveying member 43 and the like that are rotatably accommodated.

  The developer conveying member 43 is rotatably supported by a support portion 24c of the developer container 24 at a first end portion 43a1 disposed on the non-driving side shown on the left side of FIGS. 4 and 5 in the direction of the rotation axis 43a.

  Further, the developer conveying member 43 is rotatably supported by a support member 44 shown in FIG. 4 at a second end 43a2 disposed on the drive side shown on the right side of FIGS. 4 and 5 in the direction of the rotation axis 43a.

  Further, the support member 44 is connected to a drive transmission means that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) that is disposed outside the developer container 24 and serves as a drive source (not shown).

  As a result, the developer conveying member 43 is rotationally driven from a motor serving as a driving source (not shown) disposed outside the developer container 24 via a support member 44 connected to a driving transmission means (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the developer container 24 is configured by combining a developer storage frame 21 and a developer storage lid 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the space formed inside the developer container 24 is configured as a developer storage portion 24b that stores the developer t.

  4 and 5B, the developer container 24 is provided with an opening 24a in the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 so that the developer container 24b shown in FIG. 2 can communicate with the outside. It has been. In the present embodiment, the developer t is filled into the developer storage portion 24b from the opening 24a.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the opening 24a provided in the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 is as follows. A hollow column portion 24a1 that protrudes from the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 and forms a hollow portion 24a3 serving as a first opening communicated with the developer container 24b inside the developer container 24 is provided. Have.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), a hole serving as a second opening is disposed to face the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 with a predetermined interval W and communicates with the hollow portion 24a3 serving as the first opening. And a fixed portion 24a2 having a portion 24a4.

  The fixing portion 24a2 is disposed outside the column portion 24a1 in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left direction in FIG. 6B), and is a planar shape provided to face the side wall 24d of the developer container 24. It is comprised. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the column portion 24a1 protrudes from the side wall 24d is the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left direction in FIG. 6B), and also in the axial direction of the developing roller 32 that is a developer carrier. is there. However, it is not limited to this direction.

  The distance W between the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 and the fixing portion 24a2 in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 shown in the left-right direction in FIG. 6B is as follows. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), when the fixing portion 24a2 and the sealing member 26 are welded, the interval W at which the backup member 100 of an ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) that serves as a support member for supporting the fixing portion 24a2 can be disposed. Set to

  In the present embodiment, the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion 24a3 of the pillar portion 24a1 and the inner diameter d2 of the hole portion 24a4 provided through the center of the fixing portion 24a2 are set to the same size.

  In addition, the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion 24a3 of the column portion 24a1 and the inner diameter d2 of the hole portion 24a4 provided through the center of the fixing portion 24a2 may be set to different dimensions.

  The fixing portion 24a2 is provided with a protruding portion 24a5 that protrudes from the fixing portion 24a2 to the side opposite to the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 along the outer periphery of the fixing portion 24a2.

  Further, the fixed portion 24a2 is formed with an annular convex portion 24a6 continuous along the circumferential direction of the fixed portion 24a2. A sealing member 26 is provided which is fixed to a fixing portion 24a2 provided on the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 and seals the hole portion 24a4.

  An annular convex portion 24a6 continuous along the circumferential direction of the fixing portion 24a2 is formed on the side facing the flange portion 26a provided on the sealing member 26 so as to surround the outer periphery of the hole portion 24a4.

  In this embodiment, the column part 24a1 and the protrusion part 24a5 are comprised by the cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG.6 (b), both are arrange | positioned coaxially. In addition, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the column portion 24a1 and the protruding portion 24a5 are arranged (the left-right direction in FIG. 6B), the circle (outer peripheral surface) of the column portion 24a1 is the protrusion 24a5. Located in the circle (inside the inner circumference).

  The outer peripheral surface of the sealing member 26 is in a circle (inside the inner peripheral surface) of the protruding portion 24a5 and is larger than a circle (outer peripheral surface) of the column portion 24a1.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the tip 24a5a of the protruding portion 24a5 is formed in a state where the sealing member 26 is fixed to the fixing portion 24a2 and the hole 24a4 (second opening) is sealed. Rather than the side wall 24d of the developer container 24.

  In the present embodiment, the outer diameter D2 (outer diameter) of the fixing portion 24a2 is formed larger than the outer diameter D1 (outer diameter) of the column portion 24a1.

  Thus, a space S1 into which the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) can be inserted is formed by the side wall 24d of the developer container 24, the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 24a1, and the fixing portion 24a2.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a cylindrical opening 24a will be described. In addition, the opening 24a may be configured by a square tube having a rectangular cross section, a column portion 24a1 having an elliptical cross section, or the like. In this case, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the pillar portions 24a1 having various cross-sectional shapes.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion 24a3 of the column portion 24a1 is taken into consideration. Furthermore, the inner diameter d2 of the hole 24a4 provided through the center of the fixed portion 24a2 is considered. Further, the outer diameter D1 of the pillar portion 24a1, the inner diameter d3 of the protruding portion 24a5, and the outer diameter D2 of the fixed portion 24a2 are considered. These dimensions have the relationship shown in the following equation (1). However, it is not limited to this.

[Equation 1]
d1 = d2 <D1 <d3 <D2

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the sealing member 26 includes a planar flange portion 26a facing the fixing portion 24a2 and a protruding portion inserted into the hollow portion 24a3 of the column portion 24a1. 26b and has a hat shape in cross section. And the sealing member 26 is arrange | positioned so that it may fit in the internal peripheral surface side of the protrusion part 24a5 of the opening 24a.

  The flange portion 26a is formed to have a size that covers the convex portion 24a6 provided in the fixing portion 24a2 of the opening 24a.

  As a result, the protrusion 24a5 prevents the protrusion 24a6 that has been thermally melted by the ultrasonic vibration from spreading outside the opening 24a. Further, the protruding portion 24a5 prevents the convex portion 24a6 thermally melted by ultrasonic vibration from coming into contact with the adhesive portion 26d shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B where the opening 24a and the sealing member 26 are coupled. .

<Method for joining developer container and sealing member>
Next, a method for coupling the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state before the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are joined by ultrasonic welding.

  FIG. 7B is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state in which the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are coupled by thermally melting the convex part 24a6 protruding from the fixing part 24a2 of the developer container 24 by ultrasonic vibration. It is.

  The developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are made of a compatible combination of the same materials (or compatible materials) such as polystyrene resin and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin. Then, the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are joined by ultrasonic welding using an ultrasonic welding device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are coupled, the sealing member 26 is attached to the fixing portion 24 a 2 of the developer container 24. At this time, a backup member that serves as a support member of an ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) in the space S1 (inside the space) formed by the side wall 24d of the developer container 24, the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 24a1, and the fixing portion 24a2. 100 is inserted.

  Then, the abutting portion 100a of the backup member 100 is abutted against the holding portion 24a7 provided on the side wall 24d side of the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 to support the fixing portion 24a2.

  Further, the oscillating portion 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is pressed against the pressed portion 26 c of the flange portion 26 a of the sealing member 26.

  Thereby, the annular convex part 24a6 provided in the fixing part 24a2 of the developer container 24 comes into contact with the flange part 26a of the sealing member 26 facing the convex part 24a6.

  In this state, the oscillation unit 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is ultrasonically vibrated. Then, the convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 and the adhesive portion 26d of the flange portion 26a of the sealing member 26 are rubbed by the ultrasonic vibration of the oscillating portion 101. As a result, frictional heat is generated at the boundary between the convex portion 24a6 and the adhesive portion 26d of the flange portion 26a.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is melted by ultrasonic vibration, and the convex portion 24a6 and the adhesive portion 26d of the flange portion 26a Join.

  At this time, the convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the hole portion 24a4. Therefore, the convex portion 24a6 thermally melted by ultrasonic vibration is interposed between the fixed portion 24a2 and the adhesive portion 26d of the flange portion 26a of the sealing member 26. As a result, the path filled with the developer t is sealed, and the developer t is prevented from leaking from the developer container 24.

  When the oscillating portion 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) oscillates ultrasonic vibration, the oscillating portion 101 is pressed against the pressed portion 26 c of the flange portion 26 a of the sealing member 26. Then, the vibration and pressing force of the oscillating unit 101 are transmitted from the sealing member 26 to the developer container 24.

  In the present embodiment, the developer container 24 is supported by a pressed portion 26c where the oscillation unit 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is pressed at a position away from the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 and the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown). Holding part 24a7.

  Further, a backup member 100 of an ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is provided between the side wall 24d of the developer container 24, the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 24a1, and the holding portion 24a7 formed of a wall surface facing the side wall 24d of the fixing portion 24a2. A space S1 for insertion was provided.

  As a result, the part of the developer container 24 away from the side wall 24d is vibrated by the oscillation unit 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown). The vicinity of the sealing member 26 where the vibration of the oscillating portion 101 propagates can be supported by a backup member 100 of an ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown).

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the developer container 24 from being deformed during ultrasonic welding and the propagation of ultrasonic vibrations to the developer container 24.

  When ultrasonic vibration propagates to the developer container 24 during ultrasonic welding, the following problems occur. Due to the ultrasonic vibration, there is a possibility that the first end portion 43a1 of the developer conveying member 43 shown in FIG. 4 and the support portion 24c of the developer container 24 cause pseudo welding, and the developer conveying member 43 cannot be rotated. .

  In the present embodiment, the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are coupled. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the backup member 100 and the oscillation unit 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) are not shown in the vicinity of the coupling portion between the opening 24 a of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26. And hold between.

  As a result, parts provided in the developer container 24 are damaged, pseudo welding between the developer container 24 and the developer transport member 43 due to ultrasonic vibration propagated to the developer container 24, generation of coarse particles of the developer t, and the like. Can be prevented. Further, the opening 24a of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 can be stably coupled.

  In order to more stably couple the opening 24a of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is as large as possible with respect to the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1. It is preferable to do.

  As a result, the area of the holding portion 24a7 composed of the surface facing the side wall 24d of the fixing portion 24a2 that contacts the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) can be secured over a wide range. Accordingly, the holding portion 24a7 can be reliably held by the backup member 100.

  In order to make the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 as large as possible with respect to the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is set as large as possible, or the outer diameter of the column portion 24a1 is increased. It is necessary to make the diameter D1 as small as possible.

  The outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1 is set so that the developer t appropriately passes through the hollow portion 24a3. The inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion 24a3 is set by the inner diameter d1 of the hollow portion 24a3. The size of the diameter D1 is determined.

  The outer diameter D2 of the fixed portion 24a2 is set in consideration of the shape around the fixed portion 24a2, the arrangement of parts, and the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is such that the fixing portion 24a2 does not overlap the support portion 24c when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left and right direction in FIG. 6B). It is set to a large size. Further, the size is set such that the fixing portion 24a2 can be accommodated in the developer storage frame 21 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left and right direction in FIG. 6B).

  In this embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 shown in FIG. 6B is set to be about 1.3 times the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1. The outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 only needs to be larger than the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1.

  The design conditions vary depending on the shape of the developer container 24 and the shape of the image forming apparatus A, but the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is designed to be 1.1 times or more the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1. It is preferable to do. In the shape of the present embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the fixing portion 24a2 is often designed to be 1.1 times or more and 1.5 times or less of the outer diameter D1 of the column portion 24a1.

  The convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is as follows. When viewed from the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left-right direction in FIG. 6B), at least a portion overlaps (overlaps) the holding portion 24a7 that is a surface facing the side wall 24d side of the fixing portion 24a2. Are arranged as follows.

  With this arrangement, the holding portion 24a7 overlaps (overlaps) the flange portion 26a of the sealing member 26 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left-right direction in FIG. 6B). ) Is arranged as follows.

  Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is as follows. The vicinity of the convex part 24a6 pressed by the ultrasonic vibration of the oscillation part 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) can be supported via the flange part 26a of the sealing member 26.

  For this reason, the holding part 24a7 which consists of the surface facing the side wall 24d side of the fixing part 24a2 of the developer container 24 can be effectively supported by the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown).

  Further, the convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is at least partially formed on the column portion 24a1 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left and right direction in FIG. 6B). They are arranged to overlap (overlap).

  Accordingly, the convex portion 24a6 protruding from the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is pressed through the flange portion 26a of the sealing member 26 by the ultrasonic vibration of the oscillating portion 101 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown). At that time, the column portion 24a1 can support the convex portion 24a6 to be deformed.

  In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 can be more stably coupled with the above configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is provided with an annular protruding portion 24a6 continuous along the circumferential direction of the fixing portion 24a2, and the protruding portion 24a6 and the flange portion 26a of the sealing member 26 are provided. The configuration in which the contact is made has been described.

  In addition, an annular convex portion that is continuous along the circumferential direction of the flange portion 26 a is provided on the flange portion 26 a side of the sealing member 26, and the convex portion is brought into contact with the fixing portion 24 a 2 of the developer container 24. It may be configured.

  In order to prevent the backup member 100 supporting the holding portion 24a7 from bending during ultrasonic welding or to suppress the propagation of ultrasonic vibration to the developer container 24 as much as possible, the distance between the side wall 24d and the fixing portion 24a2. It is preferable to increase W.

  As a result, the opening 24a of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 are more stably coupled, and pseudo welding between the developer container 24 and the developer transport member 43 and generation of coarse particles of the developer t are prevented. You can do it.

  The interval W between the side wall 24d and the fixing portion 24a2 is set in consideration of the shape around the fixing portion 24a2, the arrangement of components, and the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the interval W between the side wall 24d and the fixing portion 24a2 is as follows.

  Viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the developer container 24 (left-right direction in FIG. 6B). At that time, the holding portion 24a7 is accommodated inside the developer container 24 in the longitudinal direction from the connecting portion 24h between the developer storage frame 21 and the developer storage lid 22 shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). The size is set.

  Further, the developer container 24 is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 6B). At that time, the size is set such that the support portion 24c fits in the interval W between the side wall 24d and the fixing portion 24a2.

  In addition to the process cartridge B, the present invention can be applied to a developing cartridge provided with a developing roller 32.

  In addition to forming a single color image, the process cartridge B can be provided with a plurality of developing devices 1 as developing means. The present invention can also be applied to the process cartridge B of each color that forms a multi-color image (for example, a two-color image, a three-color image, or a full-color image of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black).

  In the present embodiment, the spacing members 17L and 17R shown in FIG. 3 are brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 62, and the developing roller 32 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 62. In addition, for example, the configuration may be such that the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 is directly brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 without using the spacing members 17L and 17R.

  Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the developer container, the developing device, the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus, and the developer container manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  FIG. 8A is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the developer container and the sealing member of the present embodiment. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the developer container and the sealing member of the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a reinforcing portion 24e having an L-shaped cross section is provided so as to reinforce the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24. A part of the reinforcing part 24e is fixed to the side wall 24d of the developer container 24, and the other part is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the protruding part 24a5 provided in the fixing part 24a2. Thereby, the deformation of the fixing portion 24a2 can be further suppressed.

  An end portion 24e2 that is a part of the reinforcing portion 24e is connected to a side wall 24d of the developer container 24. An end 24e1, which is another part of the reinforcing portion 24e, is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 24a5 of the developer container 24.

  Further, a space S1 is formed between the side wall 24d of the developer container 24 shown in FIG. 8B, the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 24a1, and the fixing portion 24a2. A part of the space S1 is open to the outside so that the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be inserted into the space S1.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the end 24e1 on the left side in FIG. 8B of the reinforcing portion 24e and the end 24e2 on the opposite side (right side in FIG. 8B) are connected to the developer container 24. It is connected to the side wall 24d.

  As a result, the backup member 100 of the ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown) is inserted into the space S1, and the holding portion 24a7 composed of the surface facing the side wall 24d of the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 is supported.

  Further, the holding portion 24a7 itself is also reinforced by the reinforcing portion 24e, so that deformation can be suppressed. Thereby, the fixing portion 24a2 of the developer container 24 and the sealing member 26 can be more stably coupled. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

  In carrying out the present invention, the configurations and arrangements of the respective embodiments may be appropriately selected and combined.

W: Distance between the side wall 24d and the fixing portion 24a2 24 ... Developer container 24a1 ... Column portion 24a2 ... Fixing portion 24a3 ... Hollow portion (first opening)
24a4 ... hole (second opening)
24d ... side wall 26 ... sealing member

Claims (14)

A developer container containing a developer,
A pillar portion protruding from the side wall of the developer container and having a first opening;
A fixed portion having a second opening that is disposed to face the side wall at a predetermined interval and communicates with the first opening;
A sealing member that is fixed to the fixing portion and seals the second opening;
Have
The developer container, wherein an outer diameter of the fixed portion is larger than an outer diameter of the column portion. The fixing portion has a protruding portion that protrudes on the opposite side to the side wall,
The distal end of the protruding portion is located at a position farther from the side wall than the sealing member in a state in which the sealing member is fixed to the fixing portion and the second opening is sealed. Item 4. The developer container according to Item 1.   The space between the side wall and the fixing portion is an interval at which a support member that supports the fixing portion can be disposed when welding the fixing portion and the sealing member. The developer container according to claim 2.   The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the column portion and the protruding portion are cylindrical.   5. The development according to claim 4, wherein a circle of the column part is located in a circle of the protrusion part when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to a direction in which the column part and the protrusion part are arranged. Agent container.   The developer container according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member is within a circle of the protruding portion and is larger than a circle of the column portion.   7. The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing portion that is partially fixed to the side wall and that is partially fixed to the fixing portion. The sealing member has a flange portion facing the fixed portion,
In either one of the fixed portion and the flange portion, an annular convex portion that is continuous along the circumferential direction is provided,
The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is in contact with the fixed portion or the flange portion facing the convex portion.   The developer container according to claim 8, wherein the sealing member and the fixing portion are joined by melting the convex portion.   The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the sealing member and the fixing portion are coupled by thermally melting the convex portion by ultrasonic vibration. A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer container to the surface of the image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
A developing device comprising: In a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
At least one of the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the developing device according to claim 11,
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
A process cartridge comprising:   At least one of the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the developing device according to claim 11, or the process cartridge according to claim 12 is configured to be removable. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. In a method for producing a developer container for containing a developer,
A column portion that protrudes from the side wall of the developer container and has a first opening, and a fixing portion that has a second opening that is disposed to face the side wall at a predetermined interval and communicates with the first opening. And a sealing member that is fixed to the fixing portion and seals the second opening, and the developer container has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the column portion. A manufacturing method comprising:
When attaching the sealing member to the fixed portion, a support member is inserted into a space formed by the side wall of the developer container, the outer peripheral surface of the column portion, and the fixed portion, and the support member A method of manufacturing a developer container, wherein the fixing portion is supported by the method.

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