JP4193802B2 - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

  Image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers are already well known. Such an image forming apparatus has, for example, a photoconductor for carrying a latent image, and a developing device that develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor by a developer and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. When an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer, the developing device is positioned at a developing position facing the photosensitive member, and the latent image carried on the photosensitive member is moved with the developer in the developing device. Development is performed to form a developer image, the developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

In the developing device, the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is opposed to the antenna provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus via a gap so as to communicate with the antenna wirelessly. Some have possible elements.
International Publication No. 03/087952 Pamphlet

 By the way, when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, a radio wave propagates in the gap between the element and the antenna. Therefore, if excessive noise enters the gap from the outside, appropriate wireless communication is hindered. Therefore, a method for reducing the amount of noise entering the gap is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to develop a device that appropriately reduces the amount of noise that enters the gap between the element and the antenna when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna. An apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system are realized.

A main aspect of the present invention is a developing device that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and is an element provided at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the developing apparatus, and the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. And an element provided in the image forming apparatus main body so as to be opposed to each other through a gap and capable of wireless communication with the antenna, and a longitudinal end portion of the developing device on which the element is located A metal plate positioned outside the element in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, and the element is connected to the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. And a metal plate at least a part of which is located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna when performing wireless communication. An image device.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body so as to face an antenna provided on the image forming apparatus main body through a gap. An element capable of wireless communication with the antenna, and when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and outside the gap and from the element. And a metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction toward the antenna.
In such a case, when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, a developing device that appropriately reduces the amount of noise that enters the gap between the element and the antenna is realized.

A developer carrying roller provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device for carrying the developer; and a first roller for driving the developer carrying roller provided at one end of the developer carrying roller. A second wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the driving wheel and the developing device are mounted on the image forming apparatus body. Drive wheel, and the metal plate may be a positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.
In such a case, it is more efficient in that one member has a plurality of functions.

The element may be provided at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and on an end portion on the side where the first driving wheel is located.
In such a case, since the element is positioned closer to the metal plate, the metal plate can more appropriately reduce the amount of noise that enters the gap.

An image forming apparatus main body having an antenna, and a developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, with the antenna and the gap interposed therebetween. Opposite to the antenna, and when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, outside the gap, and An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device having a metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna.
In such a case, when the element performs wireless communication with the antenna, an image forming apparatus that appropriately reduces the amount of noise that enters the gap between the element and the antenna is realized.

  The image forming apparatus main body includes a rotatable rotator having a detachable part to which the developing device is detachably attached. The image forming apparatus main body rotates the rotator while the developing device is attached to the detachable part. Accordingly, when the element provided in the developing device faces the antenna via a gap, the element may wirelessly communicate with the antenna.

The developing device is provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device, and is provided with a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer, and at one end of the developer carrying roller. In a state where the first driving wheel for driving and the developing device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the driving force is received from the image forming apparatus main body, and the driving force is transmitted to the first driving wheel. And the metal plate may be a positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.
In such a case, it is more efficient in that one member has a plurality of functions.

The element may be provided at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the developing device and on an end portion on the side where the first driving wheel is located.
In such a case, since the element is positioned closer to the metal plate, the metal plate can more appropriately reduce the amount of noise that enters the gap.

The image forming apparatus main body may include a motor, and the metal plate may be positioned between the motor and the gap when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna.
In such a case, the effect described above, that is, the effect of appropriately reducing the amount of noise entering the gap is more effectively exhibited.

The image forming apparatus main body is at least partially located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in the direction from the element toward the antenna when the element performs wireless communication with the antenna. It is good also as having the main body side metal plate to do.
In such a case, when the element performs wireless communication with the antenna, it is possible to more appropriately reduce the amount of noise that enters the gap between the element and the antenna.

An image forming apparatus main body having an antenna, and a developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, with the antenna and the gap interposed therebetween. Opposite to the antenna, and when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, outside the gap, and A developing device having a metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna, and the image forming apparatus main body is detachable from the developing device. A rotatable rotating member having an attaching / detaching portion, and the developing device is rotated with the rotation of the rotating device in a state where the developing device is attached to the attaching / detaching portion, and is provided in the developing device. When the element is opposed to the antenna via a gap, the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, and the developing device is provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device to carry the developer A developer carrying roller, a first drive wheel provided at one end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller, and the developing device being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel, and the metal plate includes the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. A positioning member for positioning the second driving wheel, wherein the element is provided at a longitudinal end portion of the developing device and on an end portion on the side where the first driving wheel is located, The image forming apparatus main body has a motor, and the element is When the wireless communication with the antenna is performed, the metal plate is positioned between the motor and the gap, and the image forming apparatus main body is disposed outside the gap when the element communicates with the antenna. An image forming apparatus comprising a main body side metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna.
In this way, the effects of the present invention can be achieved more effectively because all the effects described above can be achieved.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, the main body of the image forming apparatus having an antenna, and a developing device detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is the image forming apparatus. An element that is opposed to the antenna through a gap while being mounted on the forming apparatus main body, and that is capable of wirelessly communicating with the antenna, and the element that is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body A metal plate at least a part of which is located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna when wirelessly communicating with the antenna; An image forming system having an image forming apparatus including the above can be realized.
In such a case, when the element performs wireless communication with the antenna, an image forming system that appropriately reduces the amount of noise that enters the gap between the element and the antenna is realized.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a YMCK developing unit 50 as an example of a rotating body, and a primary transfer unit 60 along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20. The intermediate transfer member 70, the cleaning unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 formed of a liquid crystal panel as a means for notifying the user, and a printer that controls these units. The control unit 100 is in charge of the operation.
The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into toner T as an example of a developer accommodated in the developing device, that is, black (K) toner, magenta accommodated in the black developing device 51. An apparatus for developing using magenta (M) toner contained in the developing device 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing device 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing device 54 It is.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by rotating with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 mounted. Yes. That is, the YMCK developing unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d as an example of four attaching / detaching portions. 51, 52, 53, and 54 are rotatable around the central axis 50a while maintaining their relative positions. Each time image formation for one page is completed, it is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20 and is formed on the photoconductor 20 with the toner T contained in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54. The latent images are sequentially developed. Each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 described above is a printer main body 12 as an example of an image forming apparatus main body, more specifically, the holding portions 55a, 55b, and 55c of the YMCK developing unit 50. , 55d. When the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d, positioning pins 592 provided on the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 will be described later. 12 and is fitted into a positioning pin fitting hole 58 into which the positioning pin 592 can be fitted, whereby the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are positioned on the printer main body 12 (FIG. 12). . Details of the YMCK developing unit 50 and each developing device will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is disposed on the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. After the toner image is transferred, the toner T remaining on the photoconductor 20 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

Next, an operation at the time of image formation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Under the control, the photosensitive member 20, the developing roller as an example of the developer carrying roller, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . In the YMCK developing unit 50, a yellow developing device 54 that contains yellow (Y) toner is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.
The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner T is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.
The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is electrically connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, YMCK developing unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, display unit 95). Each unit is controlled based on the signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit by receiving signals from the sensors included in them.

  The CPU 120 included in the unit controller 102 is electrically connected to a nonvolatile storage element such as an EEPROM (hereinafter referred to as a main body side memory 122) via a serial interface (I / F) 121. The CPU 120 also includes an element 51 a provided in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54 via a serial interface 121, a transmission / reception circuit 123, and a main body side antenna (element communication antenna) 124 as an example of an antenna. , 52a, 53a, and 54a can be wirelessly communicated. During wireless communication, the main body antenna 124 writes information in the elements 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, respectively. The main body antenna 124 can also read information from the elements 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a.

 Thus, the main body side memory 122 and the elements 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a can communicate with each other. That is, the information recorded in the main body side memory 122 is transferred to the elements 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a, and the information recorded in the elements 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a is transferred to the main body side memory 122. Has been realized.

=== Configuration Example of Developing Device ===
Next, a configuration example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the toner supply roller 550 is attached to the housing 540. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the developing roller 510 is attached to the holder 526 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520 and the regulating blade 560 are assembled to the holder 526. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the side plate 580. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520, the regulating blade 560, and the developing roller 510 are assembled to the assembly member 525. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached to the housing 540 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective reference view showing a state in which the side plate 580 is removed from the assembly member 525 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the holding portion 55d of the YMCK developing unit 50. FIG. 13 is a plan perspective view showing the configuration of the element 54a. FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the element 54a.

 Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 represents a cross-section obtained by cutting the developing device along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 4, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 4, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at a developing position facing the photoreceptor 20.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and a yellow ( Y) Although a yellow developing device 54 containing toner is provided, the configuration of each developing device is the same, so the yellow developing device 54 will be described below.

  The yellow developing device 54 includes a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550, a developing roller 510, an upper seal member 520, a regulating blade 560, an assembly member 525, an element 54a, and the like.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally formed resin housing parts, that is, an upper housing part 542 and a lower housing part 543, and accommodates the toner T therein. The toner container 538 is formed. The toner containing body 538 has two toner containing portions, that is, a first toner containing portion 538a and a second toner, by a partition wall 545 for partitioning the toner T projected inwardly (in the vertical direction in FIG. 4) from the inner wall. It is divided into a housing portion 538b. The upper portions of the first toner storage portion 538a and the second toner storage portion 538b are in communication, and the movement of the toner T is restricted by the partition wall 545 in the state shown in FIG. However, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner accommodated in the first toner accommodating portion 538a and the second toner accommodating portion 538b is once collected on the communicating portion side on the upper side at the developing position. When returning to the state shown in FIG. 4, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 538a and the second toner storage portion 538b. That is, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner T in the developing device is appropriately agitated. For this reason, in this embodiment, the toner container 538 is not provided with a stirring member, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner container 538 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 538 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and a developing roller 510 described later is provided so as to face the opening 572. . Further, a pin 544a that can be fitted into a pin fitting hole 588 provided in an assembly member 525 (side plate 580) to be described later, on the side wall 544 located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540 (yellow developing device 54). Is provided (FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 538a described above, and supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 538a to the developing roller 510 described later. At the same time, the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after the development is peeled off from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the first toner storage portion 538a, and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 538a is transferred by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner storage portion 538a. Supplied to the developing roller 510. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply roller 550 has one end side supply whose shaft is located at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the two supply roller bearings 578, that is, the toner supply roller 550 (yellow developing device 54) by the housing 540. By being supported via a roller bearing 578a and the other end side supply roller bearing 578b located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, the roller bearing 578a is rotatably supported. More specifically, one end side supply roller fitting hole into which the one end side supply roller bearing 578a can be fitted as the supply roller fitting hole 546 into which the supply roller bearing 578 can be fitted into the housing 540. 546a and the other end side supply roller fitting hole 546b into which the other end side supply roller bearing 578b can be fitted, and the toner supply roller 550 is fitted into the one end side supply roller fitting hole 546a. One end side supply roller bearing 578a and the other end side supply roller fitting hole 546b are rotatably supported by the housing 540 through the other end side supply roller bearing 578b. . As shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4). The central axis is below the rotational central axis of the developing roller 510. Note that a supply roller driving gear 610 for driving the toner supply roller 550 is provided at an end portion (one axial end side) of the toner supply roller 550 (FIG. 3).

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like, and is subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary.

  The developing roller 510 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54, and has a shaft 510a and a large diameter portion 510b. The developing roller 510 includes two developing roller bearings 576, that is, one end developing roller bearings 576a positioned on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 510 (yellow developing device 54) by a holder 526, which will be described later. It is rotatably supported by being supported via the other end side developing roller bearing 576b located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 4). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. A developing roller driving gear 612 as an example of a first driving wheel for driving the developing roller 510 is provided at one end portion (one axial end side) of the developing roller 510 (FIG. 3).

  Further, a gap exists between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 faces the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

  The upper seal member 520 abuts the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move into the housing 540, and The movement of the toner T in the housing 540 to the outside of the housing 540 is restricted. The upper seal member 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal member 520 is supported by an upper seal support portion 527 of a holder 526, which will be described later, and is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 (FIG. 7). The contact position where the upper seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  4, the surface of the upper seal member 520 opposite to the contact surface 520b that contacts the developing roller 510 (this surface is also referred to as the opposite surface 520c), and the upper seal support portion An upper seal urging member 524 made of an elastic material such as malt plain is provided between the 527 and the 527 in a compressed state. The upper seal biasing member 524 presses the upper seal member 520 against the developing roller 510 by biasing the upper seal member 520 toward the developing roller 510 with the biasing force.

  The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and gives electric charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. To do. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 560b is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel.

  The rubber part 560a is supported by the rubber support part 560b, and the rubber support part 560b presses the rubber part 560a against the developing roller 510 by its urging force. The rubber support portion 560b is attached to the restriction blade support portion 528 in a state where one end thereof is supported by the restriction blade support portion 528 of the holder 526 described later.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the regulating blade support portion 528, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is developed. The roller 510 is in contact with a width. That is, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the belly. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact. The contact position where the regulating blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

  Further, an end seal 574 (FIG. 7) is provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the rubber portion 560a of the regulating blade 560. The end seal 574 is formed of a non-woven fabric and abuts along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 at the axial end of the developing roller 510, and from between the peripheral surface and the housing 540. The function of preventing the leakage of the toner T is exhibited.

  The assembling member 525 is a member for assembling various members such as the developing roller 510 and the driving gear, and is mainly provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of two members, that is, the holder 526 and the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54). It is comprised from the side plate 580 as an example of the metal plate located (FIG. 9).

 The holder 526 is a metal member, and as shown in FIG. 7, the upper seal support portion 527 along the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510) and the longitudinal direction thereof (that is, the developing roller 510). A regulating blade support portion 528 along the axial direction), and provided outside the upper seal support portion 527 and the regulating blade support portion 528 in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction), and intersects the longitudinal direction (the axial direction). And a developing roller support portion 529.

 The developing roller support portion 529 has one end side developing roller support portion 529a located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54) and the other end located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the holder 526 (yellow developing device 54). And a side developing roller support portion 529b. Further, the one end side developing roller support portion 529a and the other end side developing roller support portion 529b are provided as developing roller fitting holes 530 into which the developing roller bearings 576 can be fitted, respectively. One end side developing roller fitting hole 530a that can be fitted, and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b into which the other end side developing roller bearing 576b can be fitted. The developing roller 510 is for one end side developing roller fitting hole 530a and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b and the other end side developing roller fitting hole 530b. It is rotatably supported by a holder 526 via a bearing 576b (FIG. 6). The one end side developing roller support portion 529a is provided with an intermediate gear support portion 531 for rotatably supporting an intermediate gear 614 described later.

 Further, the upper seal member 520 is supported by the upper seal support portion 527 at the short-side end portion 520a (FIG. 4), and the regulating blade 560 is at the short-side end portion 560c (FIG. 4). Thus, it is supported by the regulating blade support portion 528. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulating blade 560 supports an end seal 574 at its longitudinal end 560d.

 The side plate 580 is a metal member, and as shown in FIG. 8, the support portion fitting hole 582 in which the intermediate gear support portion 531 can be fitted and the one end side developing roller bearing 576a can be fitted. A developing roller fitting hole 584, a supply roller fitting hole 586 into which the one-end-side supply roller bearing 578a can be fitted, a pin fitting hole 588 into which the pin 544a can be fitted, and a second drive wheel described later. As an example, a developing device side gear support 590 for rotatably supporting a developing device side gear 616 and a positioning pin 592 for positioning the yellow developing device 54 to the printer main body 12 are provided.

 As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate gear support 531 and the one end side development roller of the holder 526 in which the developing roller 510 and the like are attached to the support portion fitting hole 582 and the developing roller fitting hole 584 of the side plate 580. The assembly member 525 is configured by fitting the bearings 576a.

 As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the assembly member 525 configured in this way is provided with a housing seal 602 (FIG. 4) for preventing leakage of the toner T from between the assembly member 525 and the housing 540. The housing 540 is provided with the toner supply roller 550 shown in FIG. At this time, at one end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54, one end provided in a housing 540 provided with a toner supply roller 550 in the supply roller fitting hole 586 and the pin fitting hole 588 of the assembly member 525. The side supply roller bearing 578a and the pin 544a are fitted to each other. Therefore, the toner supply roller 550 is rotatably supported by the supply roller fitting hole 586 of the assembly member 525 and the supply roller fitting hole 546 of the housing 540 described above.

  In the above description, it has been described that the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are provided at the end portions (one axial end side) of the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 54 includes a developing device side gear 616 and an intermediate gear 614 in addition to these gears.

  The developing device side gear 616 receives a driving force from the printer main body 12, more specifically, a main body side gear 56 described later in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the printer main body 12, and develops the developing roller. This is a gear for transmitting a driving force to the driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610. The developing device side gear 616 is rotatably supported by the developing device side gear support portion 590 described above.

  The intermediate gear 614 is a gear serving as a medium when the developing device side gear 616 transmits a driving force to the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610. That is, the developing device side gear 616 receives a driving force from the printer main body 12 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the printer main body 12, and the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller via the intermediate gear 614. A driving force is transmitted to the driving gear 610. The intermediate gear 614 is rotatably supported by the intermediate gear support portion 531 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device side gear 616 and the intermediate gear 614 mesh with each other, the intermediate gear 614 and the developing roller driving gear 612 mesh with each other, and the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are connected. Meshed. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the developing device side gear 616 meshes with a main body side gear 56 provided in the printer main body 12.

 The main body side gear 56 applies a driving force received from a developing device driving motor 57 (FIG. 17) as an example of a motor to the developing device side gear 616. The developing device side gear 616 transmits the driving force received from the main body side gear 56 to the developing roller driving gear 612 via the intermediate gear 614. The driving force transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612 is also transmitted to the supply roller driving gear 610 by the meshing of the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610.

  As described above, the element 54a is a member capable of wireless communication with the main body antenna 124. The element 54 a has an adhesive surface on the back side, and is attached to a recess provided in the housing 540. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the position where the element 54a is adhered is the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54 and the end portion on the side where the developing roller driving gear 612 is located.

 As shown in FIG. 13, the element 54a has a non-contact IC chip 54b, a resonance capacitor 54c formed by etching a metal film, and a planar coil as an antenna 54d. And is covered with a transparent cover sheet. As shown in FIG. 14, the non-contact IC chip 54b includes a rectifier 54e, a signal analysis unit RF (Radio Frequency) 54f, a control unit 54g, and a memory cell 54h. The memory cell 54h is an electrically readable / writable non-volatile memory such as a NAND flash ROM, and can store written information and read the stored information from the outside. .

  The antenna 54d of the element 54a and the main body side antenna 124 communicate with each other wirelessly, and read information stored in the memory cell 54h and write information into the memory cell 54h. Further, a high frequency signal generated by the transmission / reception circuit 123 of the printer main body 12 is induced as a high frequency magnetic field via the main body side antenna 124. This high frequency magnetic field is absorbed through the antenna 54d of the element 54a, rectified by the rectifier 54e, and becomes a DC power source that drives each circuit in the non-contact IC chip 54b.

  The operation during development of the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above will be described below. The toner supply roller 550 rotates to supply the toner T stored in the toner storage body 538 to the developing roller 510. At this time, the toner supply roller 550 is driven to rotate by the driving force transmitted to the supply roller driving gear 610. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and the layer thickness is regulated and electric charge is applied when passing through the contact position. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 to which the layer thickness is regulated and the electric charge is applied reaches the developing position facing the photosensitive member 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and the photosensitive member is subjected to an alternating electric field at the developing position. The latent image formed on 20 is subjected to development. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal member 520 and is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the upper seal member 520. The developing roller 510 is driven to rotate by the driving force transmitted to the developing roller driving gear 612. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

<<< About positioning of gears >>>
In order to drive the developing roller 510 appropriately, the developing device side gear 616 and the developing roller driving gear 612 need to be accurately positioned. In the developing device in which the developing device side gear 616 and the developing roller driving gear 612 are not accurately positioned, the developing roller 510 is not driven appropriately, and thus an inappropriate developing operation is performed. Similarly, when the toner supply roller 550 is provided in the developing device, the supply roller driving gear 610 needs to be accurately positioned in order to drive the toner supply roller 550 appropriately. Further, when the developing device is provided with the intermediate gear 614, the intermediate gear 614 needs to be positioned with high accuracy.

  Here, how these gears are positioned in the yellow developing device 54 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, in the support portion fitting hole 582 and the developing roller fitting hole 584 of the side plate 580, the intermediate gear support portion 531 and the one end side developing roller bearing 576a of the holder 526 to which the developing roller 510 and the like are attached are provided. Each is fitted. Thus, the relative position between the side plate 580 and the holder 526 to which the developing roller 510 or the like is attached is positioned.

 A supply roller fitting hole 586 of the side plate 580 is fitted with a bearing 578a for one end side supply roller. Further, the side plate 580 is a developing device for rotatably supporting the developing device side gear 616. The side gear support portion 590 and the holder 526 are provided with an intermediate gear support portion 531 for rotatably supporting the intermediate gear 614. Thus, the relative positions of the developing device side gear support portion 590, the intermediate gear support portion 531, the one end side developing roller bearing 576a, and the one end side supply roller bearing 578a are positioned.

 The developing device side gear 616 is supported by the developing device side gear support portion 590, the intermediate gear 614 is supported by the intermediate gear support portion 531, and the developing roller driving gear 612 and the supply roller driving gear 610 are developed by the developing roller 510. And an end portion (one axial end side) of the toner supply roller 550. Thus, the relative positions of the developing device side gear 616, the intermediate gear 614, the developing roller drive gear 612, and the supply roller drive gear 610 are positioned.

  As described above, the side plate 580 cooperates with the holder 526 to position the above-described gears (the developing device side gear 616, the developing roller driving gear 612, the intermediate gear 614, and the supply roller driving gear 610). It plays a role as a positioning member.

=== Overview of YMCK Development Unit ===
Next, an outline of the YMCK developing unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C. The YMCK developing unit 50 has a central shaft 50a positioned at the center thereof, and a support frame 55 for holding the developing device is fixed to the central shaft 50a. The central shaft 50a forms a casing of the printer 10. It spans between two frame side plates (not shown) and both ends thereof are supported. The axial direction of the central axis 50a intersects the vertical direction.
The support frame 55 includes four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d on which the above-described four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are detachably held at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction.
A pulse motor (not shown) is connected to the central shaft 50a via a clutch. By driving the pulse motor, the support frame 55 is rotated, and the above four phenomenon devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are connected to a predetermined axis. It can be positioned at a position.

  15A, 15B, and 15C are diagrams showing three stop positions of the rotating YMCK developing unit 50, and FIG. 15A is a standby position when waiting for execution of image formation. FIG. 15B shows a home position position (hereinafter referred to as “HP position”) which is also a stop position serving as a reference position in the rotational direction of the YMCK developing unit 50. FIG. FIG. 15C shows the attachment / detachment positions of the yellow developing device 54, respectively.

  Here, in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the communication position and the attachment / detachment position are shown for the yellow developing device 54, but when the YMCK development unit 50 is rotated by 90 °, the communication position and the attachment / detachment position of each developing device are Become.

  First, the HP position shown in FIG. 15A will be described. An HP detector (not shown) for detecting the HP position is provided on one end side of the central shaft 50a of the YMCK developing unit 50. The HP detection unit is composed of a signal generating disk fixed to one end of the central shaft 50a, and an HP sensor including a photo interrupter and the like provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The peripheral part of the disk is arranged so as to be positioned between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the HP sensor, and when the slit part formed in the disk moves to the detection position of the HP sensor, the output from the HP sensor The signal changes from “L” to “H”. Then, the HP position of the YMCK developing unit 50 is detected based on the change in the signal level and the number of pulses of the pulse motor, and each developing device can be positioned at the communication position or the like based on the HP position. Yes.

  FIG. 15B shows a communication position of the yellow developing device 54 in which the pulse motor is rotated by a predetermined number of pulses from the HP position. At the communication position of the yellow developing device 54 shown in FIG. 15B, the element 54 a of the yellow developing device 54 communicates wirelessly with a main body side antenna 124 provided in the printer main body 12. The communication position with respect to the yellow developing device 54 is the developing position of the black developing device 51 with the developing roller 510 of the black developing device 51 and the photoconductor 20 facing each other. That is, the communication position of the YMCK developing unit 50 related to the yellow developing device 54 is the developing position of the YMCK developing unit 50 related to the black developing device 51. Further, when the pulse motor rotates the YMCK developing unit 50 by 90 ° counterclockwise, the communication position of the black developing device 51 and the developing position of the cyan developing device 53 are obtained, and every time the YMCK developing unit 50 is rotated by 90 °. The communication position and the development position of each developing device are sequentially obtained.

  The positional relationship between the element 54a and the main body antenna 124 at the communication position will be described in detail later.

  In addition, a detachable opening 37 through which one developing device can pass is provided in one of the two frame side plates that support the YMCK developing unit 50 and form the housing of the printer 10. When the YMCK developing unit 50 is rotated to stop at the attachment / detachment position set for each developing device, the dedicated attachment / detachment port 37 is shown in FIG. It is formed at a position where only the device 54) can be pulled out in the direction along the central axis 50a and removed. Further, the detachable opening 37 is formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the developing device, and at the detaching position, not only the developing device is removed but also a new developing device is made to enter the direction along the central axis 50a through the detachable opening 37. The developing device can be mounted on the support frame 55. While the YMCK developing unit 50 is located at a position other than the attaching / detaching position, the attaching / detaching of the developing device is restricted by the frame side plate.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 is provided with a lock mechanism (not shown) in order to securely position and fix the YMCK developing unit 50 at the above-described position.

=== Regarding Positional Relationship between Element, Main Body Side Antenna, and Peripheral Members ===
As described above, at the communication position of the developing device as the stop position of the YMCK developing unit 50, the elements of the developing device communicate wirelessly with the main body side antenna 124 provided in the printer main body 12. Here, the positional relationship between the element and the main body side antenna 124 when the element performs wireless communication with the main body side antenna 124 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the element 54a and the main body side antenna 124 when the element 54a communicates with the main body side antenna 124 wirelessly. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the position of the developing device driving motor 57.

 Note that the communication position of the developing device includes the communication position of the black developing device 51, the communication position of the magenta developing device 52, the communication position of the cyan developing device 53, and the communication position of the yellow developing device 54. Since the positional relationship with the main body side antenna 124 is the same at any communication position, the positional relationship between the element 54a of the yellow developing device 54 and the main body side antenna 124 will be described below. In the following, not only the positional relationship between the element 54a and the main body antenna 124 but also the positional relationship between these and peripheral members will be considered.

 As shown in FIG. 16, at the communication position of the yellow developing device 54, the element 54a is connected to the main body side so that the element 54a of the yellow developing device 54 can appropriately communicate with the main body antenna 124 provided in the printer main body 12. The antenna 124 and the gap 150 are opposed to each other. That is, the yellow developing device 54 rotates with the rotation of the YMCK developing unit 50 in a state where it is mounted on the holding portion 55d, and the element 54a of the yellow developing device 54 passes through the main body side antenna 124 and the gap 150. When facing each other, the element 54a wirelessly communicates with the main body antenna 124. The distance d between the element 54a and the main body side antenna 124 (in other words, the width d of the gap 150) when the element 54a faces the main body side antenna 124 is about 8 mm.

  Further, as described above, the yellow developing device 54 is provided with the metal side plate 580. 10 and 16, when the element 54a wirelessly communicates with the main body antenna 124, a part of the side plate 580 (in this embodiment, the upper part 580a) is outside the gap 150, and In the direction from the element 54a toward the main body antenna 124 (the direction is indicated by a symbol X in FIG. 16), the position corresponding to the gap 150 (the corresponding position is indicated by a symbol P in FIG. 16). Will be.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the printer main body 12 is provided with a metal plate (this plate is called a main body side metal plate 126) so as to surround the main body side antenna 124. A part of the body-side metal plate 126 (the lower part 126a in the present embodiment) is also outside the gap 150 and from the element 54a to the body-side antenna when the element 54a wirelessly communicates with the body-side antenna 124. It is located at a position P corresponding to the gap 150 in the direction X toward 124.

The upper part 580a of the side plate 580 and the lower part 126a of the main body side metal plate 126 exhibit the effect of reducing the amount of noise that enters the gap 150 between the element 54a and the main body side antenna 124, respectively.
That is, as described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, when the element 54a performs wireless communication with the main body antenna 124, radio waves propagate in the gap 150 between the element 54a and the main body antenna 124. Therefore, when excessive noise enters the gap 150 from the outside, appropriate wireless communication is hindered. In the present embodiment, the side plate 580 (the upper portion 580a thereof) and the main body side metal plate 126 (the lower portion 126a thereof), both of which are made of metal, are used when the element 54a wirelessly communicates with the main body side antenna 124. Since it is located outside and at a position P corresponding to the gap 150 in the direction X from the element 54a toward the main body side antenna 124, the intrusion of noise from the outside to the gap 150 is appropriately blocked. Therefore, the amount of noise entering the gap 150 is appropriately reduced, and appropriate wireless communication is performed.

In the present embodiment, the side plate 580 is positioned between the developing device driving motor 57 and the gap 150 when the element 54a communicates with the main body antenna 124 wirelessly. That is, the developing device driving motor 57 is provided at a position indicated by a black frame in FIG. 17 and on the opposite side to the element 54a when viewed from the side plate 580 (the yellow developing device 54 is positioned at one end portion in the longitudinal direction). The developing device driving motor 57 is provided further in the above direction than the yellow developing device 54. The developing device driving motor 57 is provided in the printer main body 12 so that the element 54a and the side plate 580 are located on the back side in the direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG. The yellow developing device 54 rotates with the rotation of the YMCK developing unit 50 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is mounted on the holding portion 55d, so that the element 54a moves between the main body antenna 124 and the gap 150. When facing each other, the side plate 580 is positioned between the developing device driving motor 57 and the gap 150.
Since the developing device driving motor 57 is a noise generation source, in the present embodiment, the above-described effect of the side plate 580, that is, the effect of appropriately reducing the amount of noise entering the gap 150, Will be exhibited more effectively.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Absent. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, such as a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  Also, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller, which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt may be used.

 Further, in the above embodiment, the elements provided in the developing device rotate with the rotation of the YMCK developing unit 50 in a state where the developing device is mounted on the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d. The element is wirelessly communicated with the main body side antenna 124 when facing the main body side antenna 124 via the gap 150, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the developing device does not rotate and the developing device is mounted on the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d, the element provided in the developing device always faces the main body antenna 124 via the gap 150. It is also possible to do that.

Further, in the above embodiment, the metal plate (side plate 580) of the developing device is a positioning member for positioning the developing roller driving gear 612 and the developing device side gear 616, but is not limited thereto. is not. That is, the metal plate of the developing device has both the function of reducing the amount of noise entering the gap 150 between the element and the main body side antenna 124 and the function as the positioning member, but is not limited thereto. It is good also as not having a function as a positioning member.
However, the above embodiment is more efficient in that one member has a plurality of functions.

In the above-described embodiment, the element is provided at the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing device and on the end portion on the side where the developing roller driving gear 612 is located. It is not something. For example, the element may be provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the developing device.
When the element is provided at the end in the longitudinal direction of the developing device and on the end on the side where the developing roller driving gear 612 is located, the element is positioned closer to the side plate 580. Therefore, the side plate 580 can more appropriately reduce the amount of noise that enters the gap 150. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the side plate 580 is positioned between the motor and the air gap 150 when the element wirelessly communicates with the main body antenna 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 580 may not be positioned between the motor and the gap 150. In the above embodiment, the developing device driving motor 57 is exemplified as the motor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any motor may be used. For example, the side plate 580 may be positioned between the YMCK developing unit driving motor and the gap 150, or the side plate 580 may be positioned between the medium transport motor and the gap 150.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the element 12 wirelessly communicates with the main body antenna 124, the printer main body 12 corresponds to the air gap 150 outside the air gap 150 and in the direction from the element toward the main body antenna 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main body side metal plate 126 may not be provided.
However, when the element wirelessly communicates with the main body side antenna 124, the amount of noise entering the gap between the element and the main body side antenna 124 can be more appropriately reduced. Is desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the metal plate of the developing device is provided outside the element in the longitudinal direction of the developing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the metal plate of the developing device is not necessarily provided in the region A in FIG. 18 and may be provided in the region B, the region C, and the region D. Moreover, it is good also as providing in the some area | region among the area | regions A thru | or the area | region D. FIG. FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the element shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above, and is a diagram for explaining variations in the installation position of the metal plate.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the element 54a performs wireless communication with the main body antenna 124, a part of the side plate 580 is outside the air gap 150 and in the direction X from the element 54a toward the main body antenna 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the entire side plate 580 corresponds to the gap 150 outside the gap 150 and in the direction X. It may be located at the position P.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, when the element 54a performs wireless communication with the main body side antenna 124, a part of the main body side metal plate 126 is located outside the gap 150 and from the element 54a toward the main body side antenna 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the entire body-side metal plate 126 is located outside the gap 150 and in the direction X. It is good also as being located in the position P corresponding to the said space | gap 150.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer 10 in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the image development apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a toner supply roller 550 is attached to a housing 540. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a developing roller 510 is attached to the holder 526 illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper seal member 520 and a regulating blade 560 are assembled to a holder 526. It is a perspective view of the side plate 580. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper seal member 520, a regulating blade 560, and a developing roller 510 are assembled to the assembly member 525. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 9 is attached to the housing 540 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a perspective reference diagram illustrating a state in which the side plate 580 is removed from the assembly member 525 illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a yellow developing device is mounted on a holding portion 55d of a YMCK developing unit 50. It is a plane perspective view which shows the structure of the element 54a. It is a block diagram for explaining an internal configuration of the element 54a. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing HP positions. FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a communication position of the yellow developing device 54. FIG. 15C is a view showing the attachment / detachment position of the yellow developing device 54. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the element 54a and the main body side antenna 124 when the element 54a performs wireless communication with the main body side antenna 124. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a developing device driving motor 57. It is a figure for demonstrating the variation of the installation position of a metal plate. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 19.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser beam printer 12 Printer main body 20 Photoconductor 30 Charging unit 37 Detachable exclusive port 40 Exposure unit 50 YMCK developing unit 50a Center axis 51 Black developing device 52 Magenta developing device 53 Cyan developing device 54 Yellow developing device 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a Element 55 Support frame 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d Holding portion 56 Main body side gear 57 Developing device drive motor 58 Positioning pin fitting hole 60 Primary transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer body 75 Cleaning unit 76 Cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer unit 90 Fixing Unit 92 Paper feed tray 94 Paper feed roller 95 Display unit 96 Registration roller 100 Control unit 101 Main controller 102 Unit controller 112 Interface 1 13 Image memory 121 Serial interface (I / F)
122 main body side memory 123 transmission / reception circuit 124 main body side antenna 126 main body side metal plate 126a lower portion 150 gap 510 developing roller 510a shaft 510b large diameter portion 520 upper seal member 520a short side end portion 520b contact surface 520c opposite surface 524 with upper seal Force member 525 Assembly member 526 Holder 527 Upper seal support portion 528 Restriction blade support portion 529 Development roller support portion 529a One end side development roller support portion 529b Other end side development roller support portion 530 Development roller fitting hole 530a One end side development roller fitting Hole 530b Other end side developing roller fitting hole 531 Intermediate gear support 538 Toner container 538a First toner container 538b Second toner container 540 Housing 542 Upper housing part 543 Lower housing part 544 Side wall 544a 545 Partition wall 546 Supply roller fitting hole 546a One end side supply roller fitting hole 546b Other end side supply roller fitting hole 550 Toner supply roller 560 Regulator blade 560a Rubber portion 560b Rubber support portion 560c Short end portion 560d Longitudinal direction End 572 Opening 574 End seal 576 Developing roller bearing 576a One end developing roller bearing 576b Other end developing roller bearing 578 Supply roller bearing 578a One end supplying roller bearing 578b Other end supplying roller bearing 580 Side plate 580a Upper part 582 Support part fitting hole 584 Development roller fitting hole 586 Supply roller fitting hole 588 Pin fitting hole 590 Developing device side gear support part 592 Positioning pin 602 Housing seal 610 Supply roller driving gear 612 Developing roller driving gear 14 intermediate gear

616 Developing device side gear 700 Image forming system 702 Computer 704 Display device 706 Printer 708 Input device 708A Keyboard 708B Mouse 710 Reading device 710A Flexible disk drive device 710B CD-ROM drive device 802 Internal memory 804 Hard disk drive unit T Toner

Claims (11)

A developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
An element provided at an end in a longitudinal direction of the developing device, and facing the antenna provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus through a gap in a state where the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. An element capable of wireless communication with the antenna;
A metal plate that is provided at a longitudinal end of the developing device and on an end on a side where the element is located, and is located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device with respect to the element; When the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna while being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, at least a part of the element is located outside the gap and in a direction corresponding to the gap in the direction from the element to the antenna. A metal plate on which is located,
A developing device comprising: The developing device according to claim 1,
A developer carrying roller provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device for carrying the developer;
A first drive wheel provided at one end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller;
A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Have
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is a positioning member for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. The developing device according to claim 2,
The element is
An end of the developing device in the longitudinal direction, the end on the side where the first drive wheel is located,
A developing device provided in the apparatus. An image forming apparatus main body having an antenna;
A developing device that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and is an element provided at a longitudinal end of the developing device, wherein the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. to face through the antenna with a gap, said antenna and capable of wireless communication devices, provided on the end portion on the side where the element is located a longitudinal end of said developing device, the than the element A metal plate positioned outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, and when the element communicates wirelessly with the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, A developing device having a metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The image forming apparatus main body includes:
A rotatable rotating body having a detachable part to which the developing device is detachable;
With
When the developing device rotates with the rotation of the rotating member in a state where the developing device is attached to the detachable portion, and the element provided in the developing device faces the antenna via a gap, An image forming apparatus, wherein the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein:
The developing device includes:
A developer carrying roller provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device for carrying the developer;
A first drive wheel provided at one end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller;
A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Have
The image forming apparatus, wherein the metal plate is a positioning member for positioning the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The element is
An end of the developing device in the longitudinal direction, the end on the side where the first drive wheel is located,
An image forming apparatus provided in the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
The image forming apparatus main body has a motor,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the metal plate is positioned between the motor and the gap when the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
The image forming apparatus main body includes:
When the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, at least a part of the body-side metal plate is located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in the direction from the element toward the antenna;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus main body having an antenna;
A developing device that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and is an element provided at a longitudinal end of the developing device, wherein the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. to face through the antenna with a gap, said antenna and capable of wireless communication devices, provided on the end portion on the side where the element is located a longitudinal end of said developing device, the than the element A metal plate positioned outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, and when the element communicates wirelessly with the antenna in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, A developing device having a metal plate at least a part of which is located at a position corresponding to the gap in a direction from the element toward the antenna;
With
The image forming apparatus main body includes:
A rotatable rotating body having a detachable part to which the developing device is detachable;
With
When the developing device rotates with the rotation of the rotating member in a state where the developing device is attached to the detachable portion, and the element provided in the developing device faces the antenna via a gap, The element communicates wirelessly with the antenna;
The developing device includes:
A developer carrying roller provided along the longitudinal direction of the developing device for carrying the developer;
A first drive wheel provided at one end of the developer carrying roller for driving the developer carrying roller;
A second driving wheel for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and transmitting the driving force to the first driving wheel in a state where the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Have
The metal plate is a positioning member for positioning the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel,
The element is
An end of the developing device in the longitudinal direction, the end on the side where the first drive wheel is located,
It is provided in
The image forming apparatus main body has a motor,
When the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, the metal plate is located between the motor and the gap,
The image forming apparatus main body includes:
When the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna, at least a part of the body-side metal plate is located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in the direction from the element toward the antenna;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Computer and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image forming apparatus main body having an antenna; and a developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, provided at a longitudinal end of the developing apparatus. An element that is opposed to the antenna via a gap and wirelessly communicates with the antenna in a state in which the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and a longitudinal end of the developing device. A metal plate that is provided at an end on the side where the element is located and is located outside the element in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, and the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. When the element wirelessly communicates with the antenna in a state where the element is in a position, at least a part thereof is located outside the gap and at a position corresponding to the gap in the direction from the element toward the antenna. There the image forming apparatus and a developing device having a metal plate positioned,
An image forming system.

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