JP3557788B2 - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image with a developer, which is used in an electrophotographic device or the like, and in particular, maintains stable image formation and reduces the number of parts in an integrated developing device. It relates to the technology to do.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, four color toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed, and a color image is finally obtained by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors on paper. Therefore, a developing device that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with toner of each color needs the four colors. In order to arrange the plurality of developing devices as efficiently as possible, a plurality of developing devices are integrated (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-280467).
[0003]
Further, the developing device generally forms an electric field between the developing device and the image carrier in order to increase the developing efficiency. Power required for forming the electric field is supplied from a power supply of the image forming apparatus. The developer is supplied to the plurality of developing devices via a cord. Further, a toner density sensor is provided to detect the toner density stored in the developing device, and exchanges an electric signal with the control board.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the integrated plurality of developing devices, the relative positional relationship between the developing devices is determined by the contact between components forming adjacent developing devices. However, when accurate assembly accuracy is required, However, it is required that the molding accuracy be high over the entire contact surface, and many man-hours are required to secure the accuracy, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency and an increase in production cost. On the other hand, in a color image forming apparatus, in order to enhance color reproducibility and resolution, high precision is also required for controlling the electric field, and accordingly, each color is added to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier. In order to adsorb the toner, it is required that the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier, which conveys each color toner to the vicinity of the image carrier, and the parallel accuracy be high.
[0005]
Further, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units, power supply for forming an electric field and transmission and reception of electric signals are performed for each developing unit. It may be complicatedly handled in the forming apparatus and may cause contact with other parts, breakage due to friction, and leakage. In addition, since the priority is given to the routing, a plurality of codes are bundled, which causes adverse effects on image formation such as poor control due to a reduction in signal transmission efficiency due to mutual interference between signals transmitted in adjacent codes. I was In particular, the electric signal transmitted and received between the toner concentration sensor and the control board is easily affected by the high voltage current supplied to the developing device for forming the electric field between the developing sleeve and the image carrier, and is accurate. In some cases, the toner density cannot be detected, and an appropriate image output cannot be obtained.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining highly accurate image forming conditions.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The developing device according to claim 1.Is a developing device comprising at least a first developing means for storing a first developer, and a second developing means which is adjacent to the first developing means and stores a second developer,
Fixing the relative positions of the first developing means and the second developing means so as to be sandwiched by two side plates;
A drive transmitting means for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first developing means and the second developing means is provided on one of the two side plates.
[0008]
3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the first developing unit is, A first forming member and a developer accommodating section partition member, the second developing means is constituted by a second forming member and the developer accommodating section partition member, and the two side plates are Fixing the relative positions of the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition member so as to sandwich the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition memberIt is configured.
[0009]
The developing device according to claim 3,The first developing unit and the second developing unit are fitted.It is configured.
[0010]
The developing device according to claim 4,The first developing means and the second developing means are adjacent to each other via an elastic member.It is configured.
[0011]
The developing device according to claim 5,The first developing means or the second developing means has a conductive member, and the side plate has a conductive path for contacting the conductive member.It is configured.
[0012]
The developing device according to claim 6.The first developing means has at least a first developer carrying surface for carrying the first developer, and a first conductive member for applying a voltage to the first developer carrying surface. ,
The second developing unit has at least a second developer carrying surface that carries the second developer, and a second conductive member that applies a voltage to the second developer carrying surface,
The side plate has a conductive path that contacts the first conductive member or the second conductive member.It is configured.
[0013]
Claim 7The image forming apparatus includes at least an image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier, a first developing unit that develops the latent image with a first developer, and the first developing unit. And an image forming apparatus comprising second developing means for developing the latent image with a second developer,
Fixing the relative positions of the first developing means and the second developing means so as to be sandwiched by two side plates;
A drive transmitting means for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first developing means and the second developing means is provided on one of the two side plates.
[0014]
Claim 8In the image forming apparatus, the first developing unit includes a first forming member and a developer accommodating section partition member, and the second developing section includes a second forming member and the developer accommodating section partition member. And the two side plates fix their relative positions so as to sandwich the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition member.It is configured.
[0015]
Claim 9In the image forming apparatus, the first developing unit and the second developing unit are fitted.It is configured.
[0016]
Claim 10In the image forming apparatus, the first developing unit and the second developing unit are adjacent to each other via an elastic member.It is configured.
[0017]
Claim 11In the image forming apparatus, the first developing unit or the second developing unit includes a conductive member, and the side plate includes a conductive path that contacts the conductive member.It is configured.
[0018]
Further, according to claim 12In the image forming apparatus, the first developing unit may include at least a first developer carrying surface that carries the first developer, and a first conductive member that applies a voltage to the first developer carrying surface. Has,
The second developing unit has at least a second developer carrying surface that carries the second developer, and a second conductive member that applies a voltage to the second developer carrying surface,
The side plate has a conductive path that contacts the first conductive member or the second conductive member.ConfigurationIs.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus. This color printer superimposes each color toner image sequentially formed on an image carrier, transfers the color image once onto a transfer material at a transfer unit to form a color image, and then separates the transfer material by a separating unit. Is a color image forming apparatus of a type in which is peeled from an image carrier surface.
[0035]
In FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 10, which is an image bearing member according to the present invention, is formed by coating an organic photosensitive member on a drum base, and is driven and rotated clockwise in the drawing. The scorotron charger 12 applies uniform charging to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by corona discharge.
[0036]
After the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged, the image exposure unit 13 performs image exposure based on the image signal. The image exposure means 13 uses a laser diode (not shown) as a light emitting light source, and the optical path is bent by a reflection mirror 134 via a polygon mirror 131, an fθ lens 132, and a cylindrical lens 133 which rotate at high speed, and the main scanning of the photosensitive drum 10 is performed. In addition, an electrostatic latent image is formed by rotation (sub-scan) of the photosensitive drum 10.
[0037]
Developing units 14Y and 14M, each of which contains a two-component developer composed of a toner such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) and a carrier, are provided around the photosensitive drum 10. , 14C and 14K are provided. The developing cartridge C according to the developing device of the present invention has the developing devices 14Y, 14M, and 14C according to the developing unit of the present invention. The developing cartridge K has a developing device 14K. The developing cartridge C and the developing cartridge K are mounted on a support frame (not shown), and are fixed at predetermined positions on the support frame by a lock mechanism (not shown).
[0038]
In the color printer of FIG. 1, first, development is performed by the yellow developing unit 14Y. The developing sleeve 141 contains a magnet and rotates while holding the two-component developer. The two-component developer is composed of a carrier in which an insulating resin is coated around ferrite as a nucleus, and a toner in which a pigment corresponding to a color and a charge control agent, silica, titanium oxide, etc. are added using polyester as a main material. Is regulated to a layer thickness of 100 to 600 μm on the developing sleeve 141, and is conveyed to a developing area where the developing sleeve 141 and the photosensitive drum 10 are opposed to each other. The gap between the developing sleeve 141 and the photosensitive drum 10 in the developing area is set to 0.2 to 1.0 mm, which is larger than the layer thickness of the developer. It is formed. The yellow toner which has been triggered to be separated from the carrier by the AC bias does not adhere to a portion having a higher potential than the DC bias, but adheres to a portion having a lower potential than the DC bias to perform visualization.
[0039]
After the visualization of the first color is completed, the image forming process for the magenta of the second color is started, and the uniform charging is again performed by the scorotron charger 12, and the electrostatic latent image based on the image data of the second color is formed by the image exposure unit 13. Then, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by magenta toner by the magenta developing device 14M. Then, the same image forming process as that for the second color magenta is performed for the third color cyan and the fourth color black, and a four-color visual image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10.
[0040]
On the other hand, one transfer material (plain paper, OHP sheet, etc.) P conveyed from the paper feed cassette 15 via the half-moon roller 16 is temporarily stopped, and when the transfer timing is adjusted, the registration roller pair 17 of the paper feed unit is stopped. The paper is fed to a transfer area where the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 18 are opposed to each other by the rotation of. In the transfer area, the transfer roller 18 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 in synchronization with the transfer timing, and the multi-color image is collectively transferred by sandwiching the fed transfer material P.
[0041]
Next, the transfer material P is substantially neutralized by the separating means 19 brought into a pressure contact state almost simultaneously, separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and conveyed to the fixing device 21, and heated and pressed by the heat roller 211 and the pressure roller 212. After the toner is welded, the toner is discharged to the outside of the apparatus via the discharge roller 22. The transfer roller 18 and the separating unit 19 are retracted and separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after passing the transfer material P to prepare for the formation of the next toner image.
[0042]
On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 from which the transfer material P has been separated removes and cleans the residual toner by pressing the blade 231 of the cleaning device 23, and enters the next image forming process. The blade 231 moves immediately after the cleaning of the surface of the photoconductor and moves away from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 10.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the developing device according to the present invention. The developing cartridge C has developing units 14Y, 14M, and 14C. Each developing device includes a developer accommodating section 147Y, 147M, 147C, a stirring screw 142Y, 142M, 142C, a supply paddle 143Y, 143M, 143C, a developing sleeve 141Y, 141M, 141C. And a layer thickness regulating member 144Y, 144M, 144C, and is disposed at a prescribed position with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. The operation of the developing device 14Y will be described. Toner supplied from a toner supply box (not shown) to the developer accommodating portion 147Y is stirred and mixed with the carrier by a pair of stirring screws 142Y rotating in opposite directions, and predetermined by frictional charging. Charge amount. The agitated two-component developer is conveyed to the developing sleeve 141Y via the supply paddle 143Y, and is conveyed to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 10 with the layer thickness regulated by the layer thickness regulating member 144Y. An electrostatic latent image is developed depending on conditions. In this development method, development is performed in a state where the developer is not in contact with the photoconductor drum 10, and non-contact two-component development is performed by a development electric field in which an AC bias and a DC bias are superimposed. Similarly to the developing device 14Y, the developing devices 14M and 14C also develop the electrostatic latent image.
[0044]
FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the developing device according to the present invention. The developing cartridge C includes a yellow developing device cover 146 according to the first forming member of the present invention, a yellow developing device bottom plate 145Y and a magenta developing device bottom plate 145M according to the developer accommodating portion partition member of the present invention, and a second developing device of the present invention. And a bottom plate 145C for the cyan developing device according to the forming member of the above. The developing unit bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing unit cover 146 form the outer wall of the developing device of the present invention, and are formed by injection molding, blow molding, cut-out molded ABS resin, polyester resin, A polycarbonate resin or the like is used.
[0045]
Each of the developing device bottom plates 145Y, 145M, and 145C has one developing device mounted thereon. For example, the developing device bottom plate 145C located at the lowermost portion includes a part in which the rotation shafts of the pair of stirring screws 142C and the supply paddle 143C are supported by an integrated bearing (not shown), a developing sleeve 141C, and a layer thickness regulating member 144. The component supporting C by the rotating side plate 148 is placed. In addition, the stirring screw 142C and the supply paddle 143C supported by the integrated bearing are fitted on the upper surface of the developing device bottom plate 145C, thereby ensuring rotation accuracy, and assembling and disassembling after use. It is simple.
[0046]
In the developing cartridge C, a yellow developing unit lid 146 is further placed on the uppermost yellow developing unit bottom plate 145Y of the developing unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, and 145C, which will be described later. Both ends of the developing device bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing device cover 146 are fixed by the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52. The fixing of the developing unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing unit cover 146 is performed by fitting the developing unit side plate 51 and the developing unit side plate 52, and between each developing unit bottom plate and the developing unit cover. Sets the molds 61Y, 61M, 61C according to the elastic member of the present invention. Here, at least one of the developing unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing unit cover 146 is in direct or indirect contact with another bottom plate or the developing unit cover, and preferably overlaps in the projection direction. Adjacent to, ie, adjacent to. Preferably, the photoconductor drum 10 is disposed substantially parallel to the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 10, so that the installation area and the volume can be reduced. Further, since the developing unit bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C and a part of the yellow developing unit cover 146 are fitted to each other, leakage of the developer can be prevented.
[0047]
The molds 61Y, 61M, and 61C fill the gaps formed between the components of each developing device to prevent the developer from leaking, and are fixed by the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52. Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing unit cover 146 are provided for the purpose of maintaining a certain interval so that the assembly accuracy of the developing cartridge C is not affected by the contact between the yellow developing unit cover 146 and the yellow developing unit cover 146. FIG. 4 is a view of the developing device bottom plate 145C as viewed from directly above, and the mold 61C is provided so as to surround the developer accommodating portion 147C. The interval is preferably 2 mm to 5 mm. The molds 61Y, 61M and 61C are made of an elastically deformable material, preferably a rubber material such as latex rubber or silicone rubber, or a synthetic resin such as polyurethane or polyethylene. Is applied to the surface of each of the developing device bottom plates 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing device cover 146 at the time of assembling the developing cartridge C of the present invention, and the foaming of the self-foaming polyurethane is performed. It is preferable to join other parts before the start of the operation in terms of airtightness of the developing cartridge C and an assembling operation of the developing cartridge C.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device according to the present invention. A projection 1451 is provided on the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C, three locations are provided on the side surface on the near side of the drawing, and two locations are provided on the side surface on the back side of the drawing. Are provided at three places on the front side of the drawing and two places on the side on the back side of the drawing. Support holes 511 and 521 provided in the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 described later are provided. It is installed to fit with. The relative positions of the developing unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing unit cover 146 are fixed so as to be sandwiched between the developing unit side plate 51 and the developing unit side plate 52 from both ends. At this time, the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 are installed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing device bottom plates 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing device cover 146. That is, the photoconductor drum 10 is installed so as to be perpendicular to the developing area where the developing sleeve 141 and the photosensitive drum 10 are opposed to each other.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a front view and a side view of the developing device side plate 51 according to the connecting member of the present invention. For the developing device side plate 51, an ABS resin, a polyester resin, a polycarbonate resin, or the like, which is injection-molded, blow-molded, or cut and molded, is used. The developing device side plate 51 is provided with a total of 12 support holes 511, three in a row, four in a row, and a projection 1451 provided on the side of the developing device bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C, and yellow. The protrusion 1461 provided on the side of the developing device lid 146 and each forming member are fitted at three places. The tips of the projections 1451 and 1461 are formed to be slightly smaller in diameter than the root, so that the insertion position can be shifted at the initial stage of insertion into the support hole 511. As the protrusions 1451 and 1461 are inserted deeper into the support holes 511, the gap formed between the bases of the protrusions 1451 and 1461 and the support holes 511 decreases, and the developing device bottom plate 145Y, 145M, 145C and the yellow developing device cover 146 and the developing device side plate 51 are firmly fixed. Since the developing device side plate and the developing device lid are each fixed by fitting two or more projections and support holes, the relative positions of the developing devices 14Y, 14M, and 14C are displaced in the direction facing the photosensitive drum 10. do not do.
[0050]
FIG. 7 is a front view and a side view of the developing device side plate 52 according to the coupling member of the present invention. The developing device side plate 52 is made of the same material as the developing device side plate 51, and has a total of eight support holes 521. Further, like the developing device side plate 51, the projections 1451 and 1461 are fitted.
[0051]
The developing device side plate 52 further has a conductive member 522. The conductive member 522 transmits an electric signal generated by a toner concentration detecting unit (not shown) built in the developing device to a control board (not shown). In the toner density detecting means, the toner density is detected by a magnetic permeability detecting method, and an electric signal of this output frequency is transmitted to the control means of the present invention. The amount of toner supplied from the toner supply box to the developer storage units 147Y, 147M, and 147C is controlled. For the conductive member 522, a lead wire, a metal jumper wire, a wire, a metal plate, a conductive resin, or the like is used. Preferably, a metal plate material or a flexible printed board in which a metal is thinly coated on a flexible resin film is used. Is used. The electric signal transmitted by the conductive member 522 may be an AC bias or a DC bias applied to the developing sleeve 141 in addition to the electric signal generated by the toner density detecting means.
[0052]
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the developing device side plate 52 according to the connecting member of the present invention. The developing device side plate 52 is composed of two plate-like members, and a group of gears, which are supported by the drive transmission member of the present invention, are supported between the plate-like members. A part of the gear 543 is exposed outside the developing device, and meshes with a drive gear (not shown). The gear 544 that meshes with the gear 543 meshes with the gear 42 that is coaxial with the rotating shaft 36 of the developing sleeve 141, and transmits the rotational drive from the driving source to the developing sleeve 141. A gear 525 (not shown) coaxial with the gear 523 meshes with a gear 526 (not shown), and a gear 527 (not shown) coaxial with the gear 526 meshes with the gear 45 shown in FIG. 9 to drive the stirring screw 142. Furthermore, if necessary, an elastic connecting member may be provided between the rotation shafts of these gears, or the surface of the gears may be coated with a vibration absorbing material, so that the vibration from the driving source is hardly transmitted to the developing sleeve. The rotation of the developing sleeve can be stabilized, and the toner supply to the developing area can be stabilized.
[0053]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part around the developing sleeve 141Y related to the developer carrying surface of the present invention. Although FIG. 9 shows the developing sleeve 141Y included in the developing cartridge C, the same configuration is applied to the developing sleeve 141M and the periphery of the developing sleeve 141C.
[0054]
The rotating shaft 36 of the developing sleeve 141Y is rotatably held on the rotating side plate 148 by the bearing 30. The rotating pin 149 has one end fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145Y. The rotation side plate 148 has a rotation pin 149 inserted through the insertion hole. Therefore, the rotation side plate 148 and the rotation pin 149 can hold the developing sleeve 141Y so as to be freely rotatable and can also hold the developing sleeve 141Y so as to be displaceable with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. The bearing 31 is fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145Y, and rotatably holds the supply paddle 143Y. The bearing 32 is fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145, and rotatably holds the stirring screw 142Y.
[0055]
The abutting rollers 35 maintain the distance between the developing sleeve 141Y and the photosensitive drum 10, and are disposed at both ends of the developing sleeve 141Y. When the developing cartridge C is located at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 10, the roller 35 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, and the roller 35 receives a pressing force generated between the photosensitive drums 10. The cartridge displacement portion including the rotation side plate 1411, the development sleeve 141, and the rotation shaft 1413 of the development sleeve is rotationally displaced about the rotation pin 1412, and the position of the cartridge displacement portion is determined. That is, the difference between the diameter of the roller 35 and the developing sleeve 141 is the distance between the developing sleeve 141Y and the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, even if the rotation center of the image carrier is eccentric due to the improper installation of the rotating shaft of the image carrier or the bearing, the cartridge displacement portion follows even if the curved surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uneven, so that the photosensitive drum The distance between the developing sleeve 10 and the developing sleeve 141Y can be properly maintained.
[0056]
The gear 41 was fixed coaxially with the rotation shaft 36 of the developing sleeve 141Y. The gear 42 and the gear 43 are a pair of gears for transmitting the drive to the supply paddle 143Y. The gear 42 is fixed coaxially with the rotating shaft 36, and the gear 43 is fixed coaxially with the rotating shaft of the supply paddle 143Y. The drive of the gear 41 is transmitted from the gear 524 of FIG. The gears 44 and 45 are a pair of gears that transmit power to the stirring screw 142 and are coaxially fixed to the stirring screw 142 so that the pair of stirring screws rotate in opposite directions. The gear 45 is driven by a gear 527 (not shown) to rotate a coaxial stirring screw. Since the developer is conveyed to the developing area by the developing sleeve 141 during image formation, the supply paddle 143 for supplying the developer to the developing sleeve 141Y and the developing sleeve 141Y are simultaneously rotated.
[0057]
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conductive member and a power supply path according to the present invention. The electrode plate 33 and the electrode plate 34 according to the conductive member of the present invention are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, and the developing sleeve 141, the electrode plate 33, and the electrode plate 34 are electrically connected to each other and are electrically connected to the electrode plate 34. A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 141 by a power supply (not shown). The electrode plate 33 and the electrode plate 34 have contact surfaces for maintaining the contact state even when the rotation side plate 148 is displaced. The electrode plate 33 has spring elasticity, and a contact pressure between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 35 is generated by the contact pressure with the power supply path and the spring elasticity, thereby determining the position of the cartridge displacement unit. Help. The electrode may be a conductive brush, and the brush may be constantly in contact with the rotating shaft 1413 of the developing sleeve to supply power. However, in order to generate a sufficient pressing force, the rotating shaft 1413 of the developing sleeve is supported. A plate-like metal having spring elasticity is preferable.
[0058]
The electrode plate 34Y of the yellow developing device 14Y is a metal plate arranged along the shape of the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145Y, and is in contact with the power supply path 35Y on the rear surface of the developing device, that is, on the wall surface facing the developing sleeve. ing. The surface of the electrode plate 34Y that comes into contact with the power supply path 35Y is folded back to form a rib shape, and has a structure that makes good contact with the power supply path 35Y. The power supply path 35Y is a metal plate that extends to the center of the developing device along the back surface facing the developing sleeve of the developing device, and is bent at the center to extend and connect to a bias power supply located vertically below. The power supply path 35Y passes through a space formed by the groove 351Y of the developing device bottom plate 145Y and the groove 352Y of the developing device bottom plate 145M, and further passes through the space 353Y penetrating the developing device bottom plate 145M and the developing device bottom plate 145. The developing cartridge C is exposed to the lower surface of the developing cartridge C through a space 354Y penetrating the developing cartridge C. The exposed power supply path 35Y is in contact with the electrode 37Y with a bias power supply.
[0059]
Similarly to the yellow developing device 14Y, the electrode plate 34M of the magenta developing device 14M is a metal plate arranged along the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145M, and has a rear surface of the developing device, that is, a wall surface facing the developing sleeve. Is in contact with the power supply path 35M. The power supply path 35M is a metal plate that extends to the center of the developing unit along the back surface facing the developing sleeve of the developing unit, and is bent at the center to extend and connect to a bias power supply vertically downward. The power supply path 35M passes through a space formed by the groove 351M of the developing device bottom plate 145M and the groove 352M of the developing device bottom plate 145C, and further passes through a space 353M penetrating the developing device bottom plate 145C. It is exposed on the lower surface of the cartridge C. The exposed power supply path 35M is in contact with the electrode 37M with a bias power supply.
[0060]
The electrode plate 34C of the cyan developing device 14C is a metal plate arranged along the shape of the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145C, and is in contact with the power supply path 35C on the rear surface of the developing device, that is, on the wall surface facing the developing sleeve. ing. The power supply path 35C extends to the center of the developing device along the back surface facing the developing sleeve of the developing device, and is exposed at the lower surface of the developing cartridge C by a metal plate bent at the center and extended vertically downward. The exposed part of the power supply path 35C is in contact with the electrode 37C of the bias power supply.
[0061]
At this time, it is preferable to use an insulating material for the inner walls of the groove 351, the groove 352, the space 353, and the space 354 in order to avoid an electric leakage or the like. It may be a material. Also, by using an electromagnetic wave absorbing material on the inner walls of the groove 351, the groove 352, the space 353, and the space 354, or by covering the power supply path 35Y with the electromagnetic wave absorbing material, other electric components due to signal disturbance due to external noise or noise leakage, It is possible to prevent electromagnetic wave interference to other electronic devices and the like installed around.
[0062]
Further, at this time, the power supply path 35 for supplying power to the developing sleeve and the electrode plates 33 and 34 are separated from the conductive member 522 in FIG. 8 by a bottom plate, so that electric signal or current leakage and electromagnetic interference do not occur. .
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the developing device and the developing device according to claim 1 are described.7According to the image forming apparatus described above, since the relative positions of the respective color developing devices are not contacted with each other, but are fixed by the coupling members molded with high precision, the processing accuracy of each component constituting each developing device is conventionally the same. As it is, higher processing accuracy can be obtained, and the accuracy of the gap and parallelism between the developing sleeve and the image carrier can be increased. As a result, stable image formation can be achieved.
In addition, by collecting the drive transmission components in the coupling member, the number of components required for drive transmission can be reduced, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the places where vibrations from the driving source may be transmitted to the developing device, thereby enabling stable image formation. In addition, the number of cleaning locations and inspection locations at the time of failure can be reduced, making simple maintenance possible.
[0064]
A developing device according to claim 2.And an image forming apparatus according to claim 8.According to this, the number of components can be reduced by using a common wall surface in a plurality of developing devices, and it is possible to reduce the number of components that need to be aligned in order to secure assembly accuracy.
[0065]
Also, BasisBy fixing the relative positions of the main parts by the connecting means, it is possible to further increase the assembly accuracy.
[0066]
Also,PreviousSince the connecting member, the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition member are fixed, the relative positions of the developing units can be accurately fixed. Become.
[0068]
MaWasBy joining the side surfaces perpendicular to the developer carrying surface to each other by the coupling member, it is easy to secure the accuracy of the gap between the image carrier and the developer carrying surface, And good image formation becomes possible.
[0069]
Also, PresentBy joining the side surfaces perpendicular to the rotation axis supporting the image material carrying surface to each other by the coupling member, the gap between the endlessly moving developer carrier and the same endlessly moving image carrier can always be maintained with high accuracy. In particular, it is preferable to keep the image carrier and the developer carrying surface parallel, and it is possible to form a stable and good image all the time.
[0070]
Also,next toThe relative positional relationship between the developer carrying surfaces of the plurality of developing units in contact with each other does not shift in the direction facing the image carrier, and the relative positions of the developing units can be accurately fixed. . In particular, it is preferable to keep the image carrier and the developer carrying surface parallel, and good image formation is possible.
[0071]
Also,AlsoTherefore, the developing device can be configured to be compact, and the strength required for the coupling member can be reduced.
[0072]
Also,setThe relative position can be fixed more effectively without increasing the work load at the time of setting.
[0073]
Claims3Developing device describedAnd an image forming apparatus according to claim 9.According to the first aspect, the fitting of the first developing means and the second developing means prevents the developer from leaking from the developer accommodating portion and prevents the inside of the image forming apparatus from being contaminated with the developer. It becomes possible.
[0074]
Claims4Developing device describedAnd an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from each of the developing units and to prevent the first developing unit and the second developing unit from interfering with each other and hindering high-precision assembly. It becomes.
[0076]
Claims5Developing device describedAnd an image forming apparatus according to claim 11.According to the present invention, by providing a conductive path in the coupling member and mediating the connection between the power supply unit or the control board and each of the developing units, the mounting of each of the developing units, a portion that requires a connection work at the time of replacement is reduced. It is possible to reduce the number of places to take electrical noise countermeasures because the conductive path, which is a source of electrical noise or a location susceptible to electrical noise, can be concentrated at one place. Further, by reducing the number of exposed portions of the bundled wires, it is possible to extremely reduce damage to the conductive path when replacing the developing device or replacing other cartridges.
[0077]
Claims6Developing device and claim12According to the image forming apparatus described above, since the conductive path through which the high voltage flows can be concentrated at one location, it is possible to easily take measures against electrical noise at a location that may be a source of electrical noise. In addition, it has become possible to easily take measures against electric leakage and electric shock.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a developing cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the developing cartridge.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a developing cartridge.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a developing cartridge.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a side plate.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the side plate.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the side plate.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an arrangement of drive transmission means.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a power supply path.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Photoconductor drum
14 Developing device
C developing cartridge
40 Drive gear
41 Follower gear
140 support frame
141 developing sleeve
145 Bottom plate of developing unit
1451, 1461 Projection
146 Yellow developer lid
148 rotating side plate
149 Rotating pin
33, 34 electrode plate
35 Power supply path
51, 52 side plate
61 Mold

Claims (12)

In a developing device including at least a first developing unit that stores a first developer, and a second developing unit that is adjacent to the first developing unit and stores a second developer,
Fixing the relative positions of the first developing means and the second developing means so as to be sandwiched by two side plates;
A developing device comprising: a drive transmitting means for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first developing means and the second developing means on one of the two side plates . The first developing means includes a first forming member and a developer accommodating portion partition member, and the second developing device includes a second forming member and the developer accommodating portion partition member. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the two side plates fix their relative positions so as to sandwich the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition member . The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are fitted . The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are adjacent via an elastic member . The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first developing unit or the second developing unit has a conductive member, and the side plate has a conductive path that contacts the conductive member . The first developing unit has at least a first developer carrying surface that carries the first developer, and a first conductive member that applies a voltage to the first developer carrying surface,
The second developing unit has at least a second developer carrying surface that carries the second developer, and a second conductive member that applies a voltage to the second developer carrying surface,
The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the side plate has a conductive path that contacts the first conductive member or the second conductive member . At least an image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier, a first developing unit that develops the latent image with a first developer, and the first developing unit. In an image forming apparatus including a second developing unit that develops a latent image with a second developer,
Fixing the relative positions of the first developing means and the second developing means so as to be sandwiched by two side plates;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a drive transmitting means for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first developing means and the second developing means on one of the two side plates. The first developing means includes a first forming member and a developer containing portion partition member, and the second developing means includes a second forming member and the developer containing portion partition member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two side plates fix their relative positions so as to sandwich the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating portion partition member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are fitted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are adjacent via an elastic member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first developing unit or the second developing unit has a conductive member, and the side plate has a conductive path that contacts the conductive member. The first developing unit has at least a first developer carrying surface that carries the first developer, and a first conductive member that applies a voltage to the first developer carrying surface,
The second developing means has at least a second developer carrying surface that carries the second developer, and a second conductive member that applies a voltage to the second developer carrying surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the side plate has a conductive path that contacts the first conductive member or the second conductive member.

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