JP4221047B2 - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine, and a developing device and a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a complex toner using a two-component developer including a toner and a magnetic carrier. Developing device having self-toner density control mechanism capable of controlling toner density of developer on developer carrying member to a certain range without using replenishing device, image forming apparatus developing device and process cartridge having the same It is about.

Conventionally, as a developing device of this type, the amount of developer carried and transported by a developer carrier having a magnetic field generating means disposed therein is regulated by the developer regulating member, and scraped off by the developer regulating member. The developer stored in the developer storage section, and the toner stored in the toner storage section from the toner supply port adjacent to the developer storage section from the upstream side in the developer transport direction and facing the surface of the developer carrier. There is known a developing device for replenishing the developer on the developer carrying member (see, for example, JP-A-9-22178). In this developing device, the toner in contact with the transported developer carried and transported on the developer carrier at the toner replenishing port is the contact between the transported developer and the stored developer stored in the developer storage section. It is taken into the developer so as to be drawn from the interface. When the toner density of the developer on the developer carrying member increases, the volume of the developer increases, so that the accommodated developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion extends to cover the toner supply port. Further, the toner intake from the toner storage portion at the toner supply port to the developer on the developer carrying member is suppressed. Thereby, the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrying member can be controlled within a certain range.
Further, a developing device is known in which a second developer regulating member having a predetermined gap with respect to the surface of the developer carrying member is provided between the developer containing portion and the toner replenishing port of the toner containing portion. (For example, see JP-A-9-197833). In this developing device, when the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrying member increases, the layer thickness of the developer increases, and the passage of the increased developer is restricted by the second developer regulating member. The regulated developer covers the toner replenishing port adjacent to the second developer regulating member from the upstream side in the developer conveyance direction, and is carried and conveyed on the developer carrier from the toner container. Suppresses toner uptake into the agent. Thereby, the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrying member can be controlled within a certain range.

  Thus, according to the developing device that controls the toner density of the developer on the developer carrying member within a certain range (hereinafter referred to as “self toner density control”), the toner density sensor is not necessary, and the paddle screw Therefore, the toner replenishing device can be simplified. Furthermore, compared with the conventional two-component development system, the number of magnetic carriers can be reduced, and the torque of the apparatus can be greatly reduced. From these things, there exists an advantage that size reduction and cost reduction of an apparatus can be achieved. Furthermore, since the toner in the toner container can be directly replenished to the developer on the developer carrying member that has passed through the development area, the toner on the developer carrying member on which the toner concentration has decreased is quickly increased. Can be replenished. Therefore, there is also an advantage that black solid followability is good.

  In a developing device that controls self toner density with a small amount of magnetic carrier as compared with the conventional two-component developing system, it is necessary to set the initial developer uniformly on the developer carrier, so that the developer container An initial developer container is provided in the vicinity, and when the user starts use, the seal member separating the developer container and the initial developer container is peeled off and the initial developer is set in the developer container. ing. Also, a seal member is provided to separate the toner replenishing portion and the toner accommodating portion in order to avoid toner aggregation in the toner replenishing portion having the toner replenishing opening on the developer carrier side and toner scattering from the toner accommodating portion. This is also designed to be removed when the user starts using it. After these seal members are peeled off, the developer supply body and the toner supply member provided in the toner container are simultaneously rotated via gears to set the initial developer on the developer support body. Toner supply to the toner supply unit is started.

  However, in order to secure a working space for pulling and removing the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, that is, in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrying member, the developing device is inclined at a place where the above-mentioned seal member is removed and removed. In some cases, the sealing member may be pulled and removed. When the seal member is removed while the developing device is inclined as described above, the initial developer in the initial developer container moves to one end side in the central axis direction of the developer carrier, and the initial developer is The developer carrier is set on the developer carrier non-uniformly in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier. For this reason, excessive toner is supplied to the developer shortage area where the amount of developer is low, resulting in an increase in the toner density and an abnormal image of scumming. In contrast, in the area where there is a lot of developer, the developer is scattered. Could occur. In addition, since this type of developing device does not have a mechanism for stirring while circulating the developer in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier, once the initial developer is set in a non-uniform state, However, the uneven state of the developer was not resolved, and the above-mentioned abnormal image of background contamination and the scattering of the developer tended to continue to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is to develop a developer even when the seal member attached to the initial developer charging opening of the initial developer containing portion is removed while the developing device is inclined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge that can uniformly supply an initial developer in a central axis direction of a carrier.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a developer carrying member having a magnetic field generating means therein and moving on the surface so as to carry and carry a developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the developer carrying member, the initial developer accommodating portion for accommodating the unused initial developer to be introduced into the developer accommodating portion, the initial developer container A seal member that seals an opening for introducing an initial developer provided on the developer accommodating portion side of the developer, and is detachably attached by being pulled out in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier when the developing device is used. In the developing device, a plurality of partition portions are formed in the initial developer accommodating portion so as to divide the interior of the initial developer accommodating portion into a plurality of partition spaces in the central axis direction of the developer carrier. each partition portion is the seal member is removed A is formed in the interior of the initial developer storage section is also the partition surface facing the said partition off the space of the partition part, based on the initial developer turned for opening side, of the developer carrying member The developer carrying member is inclined toward one end side in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrying member with respect to a virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the central axis , and the partition surfaces of the plurality of partition portions are respectively sides on which the seal member of the developing device is pulled out It is characterized in that it is inclined in the direction opposite to the end of the.

In the developing device according to claim 1, at the start of use, the end side in the direction in which the partition surface of the partition portion is inclined is positioned below the vertical direction among the both ends of the developer carrier central axis direction of the developing device. In addition, with the developing device tilted, the seal member that seals the initial developer charging opening of the initial developer container is removed. When the developing device is tilted in this manner, the direction in which the seal member is removed becomes an oblique direction inclined from the horizontal direction. Therefore, the horizontal direction for removing the seal member is smaller than when the seal member is pulled in the horizontal direction and removed. It becomes easy to secure a work space.
Moreover, when the developing device is tilted in the predetermined direction, the initial developer charging opening side of the partition surface facing from the lower side to the partition space divided by each partition formed in the initial developer accommodating portion The difference in height in the vertical direction between the end portion of the first portion and the opposite end portion is smaller than that of a conventional device configured to follow the virtual vertical surface without tilting the partition surface, or The height in the vertical direction of the end of the partition surface on the opening side of the initial developer is higher than the end on the opposite side. As a result, compared to the conventional apparatus, the initial developer in each partition space is less likely to move to the opening side of the initial developer and the initial developer is easily held in each partition space. Therefore, even if the seal member is removed while the developing device is tilted in the predetermined direction, the initial developer in each partition space can be prevented from falling into the developer accommodating portion due to gravity.
Then, after the work for removing the seal member is completed, when the developing device is returned from the state inclined in the predetermined direction to the state without inclination during normal use, it exists in each partition space of the initial developer accommodating portion. Since the initial developer is gradually introduced into the developer container provided along the surface of the developer carrier, the initial developer can be supplied uniformly in the central axis direction of the developer carrier. .

  As described above, the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrier is controlled within a certain range in a state where the initial developer is uniformly supplied in the central axis direction of the developer carrier and the developer is not biased. Since self toner density control is performed, it is possible to prevent background contamination due to an increase in toner density in the developer deficient area and scattering of the developer in the developer excess area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, an angle of inclination of the partition surface with respect to the virtual vertical surface is in a range of 20 ° or less and 45 ° or less.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, the inclination of the partition surface is such that when the seal member is lifted up to pull out the end portion of the partition portion on the opening side for the initial developer charging. The opposite end is set to be low.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member and conveyed toward the developing region, A toner container having a toner replenishing port facing the surface of the developer carrier at a position adjacent to the developer container from the upstream side in the developer transport direction, and the developer container is formed by the developer regulating member. It is characterized in that it contains a developer whose conveyance toward the development region is restricted.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the developer moves on the developer carrying member and the developer moves on the developer carrying member according to the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrying member. The toner in the toner container is taken into the developer.
The developing device according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the toner container is located between the toner supply port facing the surface of the developer carrying member and the developer container, and the opposite part of the toner container. A second developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer on the developer carrier carried and conveyed from the developer container to the developer container, and the developer toner on the developer carrier A gap between the second developer regulating member and the surface of the developer carrying member may be set so that the regulated amount of the developer increases as the density increases.
In this case, by using the second developer regulating member, stable toner concentration control can be performed without being affected by magnetic force unevenness on the developer carrying member.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the developing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the partition portion is formed in a flat plate shape, and each partition portion is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane. It is.

In the developing device according to claim 6 , by tilting the partition portion formed in a flat plate shape, the inclination of the partition surface can be easily set, and a dead space in the initial developer accommodating portion is generated by providing each partition portion. Can be minimized.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the sixth aspect , the initial developer accommodating portion has a side wall portion perpendicular to the partition surface of the partition portion, and the side end of each partition portion is provided on the side wall portion. An opening is formed so as to be exposed, and after the initial developer is put in each partition space of the initial developer accommodating portion, a sealing member for sealing the opening formed in the side wall portion of the initial developer accommodating portion is provided. It is characterized by that.

In the developing device according to claim 7, when the initial developer accommodating portion is formed using a mold, the mold is slid along the partition surface of each partition portion through the opening formed in the side wall portion and removed. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a mold having a special structure for forming the initial developer containing portion having the inclined partition portion therein.
Further, after putting the initial developer in each partition space of the initial developer accommodating portion, by sealing the opening used for removing the mold formed on the side wall portion of the initial developer accommodating portion with a sealing member, Since each partition space is sealed, leakage of the initial developer can be prevented.

As the sealing member, for example, a heat-sealing sheet member having a proven record in the field of a developing device or the like can be used. This heat-fusible sheet member covers the opening of the initial developer accommodating portion, and heats and fuses the periphery of the opening and the side edges of the partition exposed at the opening, thereby The opening can be sealed.
The sealing member may be attached by ultrasonic fusion or vibration fusion in addition to the thermal fusion, or may be attached by double-sided tape or adhesive.

The invention according to claim 8 is a latent image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier, and a developing device for developing a latent image on the latent image carrier to form a toner image. If, in an image forming apparatus having a transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer material the toner image on the latent image bearing member, developing device, one of the claims 1 to 7 detachable from the image forming apparatus main body it is characterized in that it is one of the developing apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the seal member is removed by removing the seal member in a state where the developer apparatus is inclined in the predetermined direction before the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Space can be easily secured, and the initial developer in the initial developer container can be supplied uniformly in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier. In this way, by using the developing device mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the initial developer is supplied uniformly, it is possible to prevent background contamination and scattering of the developer.

The invention of claim 9 includes a latent image carrier and a developing device that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier to form a toner image, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body as an integral structure. In the structured process cartridge, the developing device is any one of claims 1 to 7 .

The process cartridge according to claim 9 is for removing the seal member by removing the seal member in a state where the process cartridge provided with the developing device is inclined in the predetermined direction before being attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. It becomes easy to secure a working space, and the initial developer in the initial developer container can be supplied uniformly in the central axis direction of the developer carrier. In this way, by using the process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the initial developer is supplied uniformly, it is possible to prevent background contamination and developer scattering.

  The process cartridge may include at least one of a charging unit that charges the latent image carrier and a cleaning unit that cleans the latent image carrier, in addition to the latent image carrier and the developing device. .

According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the seal member is removed in a state where the developing device is inclined in order to secure a work space for removing the seal member attached to the initial developer charging opening of the initial developer container. However, the initial developer is temporarily held in each partition space in the initial developer accommodating portion, and the initial developer existing in each partition space is returned to the developer accommodating portion when the developing device is returned to a state without inclination during normal use. Therefore, the initial developer can be supplied uniformly in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrying member.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, the effect of the inclination of the partition surface together can be easily set, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dead space in the initial developer accommodating portion by providing the partition portion to a minimum is there.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 7, the initial developer accommodating portion having the inclined partition portion therein can be formed without preparing a mold having a special structure, and from the initial developer accommodating portion. There is an effect that leakage of the initial developer can be prevented.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a developing device of a laser printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the outline of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier is uniformly charged by a charging roller 50 as a charging means that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and charges its surface while being driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A in the figure. Thereafter, scanning exposure is performed based on the image information by an optical writing unit 51 as an exposure unit, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. In the present embodiment, the latent image forming unit is configured by the charging roller 50 and the optical writing unit 51. However, other types of charging unit and exposure unit may be used. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed by a developing device 20 described later, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred from a paper feed cassette 54 through a paper feed roller 55 and a resist roller pair 56 by a transfer unit having a transfer roller 53 as a transfer device (transferring material (transfer). The material is transferred onto a sheet 52 as a material. After the transfer, the paper 52 is fixed with a toner image by the fixing unit 57 and discharged outside the apparatus. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 that has not been transferred is removed from the photosensitive drum 1 by a cleaning unit 58 as a cleaning means. Residual charges on the photosensitive drum 1 are removed by the charge eliminating lamp 59.

  In addition, the printer of this embodiment is configured such that a process cartridge including at least the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 20 is detachable from the printer main body. By removing this process cartridge from the printer main body, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 20 can be replaced. The process cartridge may be configured to include at least one of the charging roller 50 and the cleaning unit 58 in addition to the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 20.

Next, the overall configuration of the developing device according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire developing device 20. The developing device 20 is disposed on the side of the photosensitive drum 1, and a toner and magnetic material partially exposed from the opening inside the developing casing 2 in which the opening is formed toward the photosensitive drum 1. A developing sleeve 4 made of a non-magnetic material as a developer carrying member carrying a developer 3 made of a carrier on the surface, and a magnetic roller 5 and a developing sleeve 4 carried as a magnetic field generating means fixedly arranged inside the developing sleeve 4 Doctor 6 as a developer regulating member that regulates the amount of developer being conveyed, developer containing case 7, toner hopper 8 as a toner containing unit, and initial developer containing unit for storing unused initial developer As an initial developer case 10 or the like.
In addition, the code | symbol D in a figure is the center axis line of the developing sleeve 4 extended in the direction perpendicular | vertical to a paper surface.

Between the developer storage case 7 and the developing sleeve 4, a developer storage portion S that stores the developer that is not supplied to the developing region opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 and is prevented from advancing by the doctor 6. Is forming. In the magnet roller 5 fixedly arranged inside the developer sleeve 4, the developer 3 in the developer accommodating portion S is placed on the developing sleeve 4 at a position facing the developer accommodating portion S as described later. A magnetic pole 5a is disposed on the top.
Further, the front end portion (eave portion) of the developer accommodating case 7 adjacent to the developing sleeve 4 regulates the amount of the developer 3 that is supplied with toner from the toner hopper 8 and proceeds toward the developer accommodating portion S. It is used as a predoctor 7a as a second developer regulating member.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of magnetic poles extending in the direction along the central axis direction of the magnet roller 5 are formed on the surface portion of the magnet roller 5. Specifically, a main pole (N pole: N1) is formed at a position facing the developing area, and a magnetic field is applied to the developer accommodating portion S from the position facing the predoctor 7a to the developing area. A magnetic pole (S pole: S2) is arranged. Further, on the surface of the magnet roller 5, similarly to a general developing device, a transport magnetic pole (S pole: S 1, N pole: N 2) for transporting the developer on the developing sleeve 4 while continuing to carry it. Arranged appropriately.
In the present embodiment, a fixed magnet body, that is, a so-called block-type magnet roller in which a magnet piece is fitted and fixed to a base material is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is a matter of course that a so-called ferrite-based integral plastic magnet roller produced by magnetizing a plastic magnet material molded into a predetermined shape simultaneously with magnetic orientation may be used.

  The toner hopper 8 has a toner replenishing port 8a adjacent to the upstream side of the developer accommodating portion S in the developer transport direction and facing the surface of the developing sleeve 4, and a space adjacent to the toner replenishing port 8a (toner replenishment). The toner replenishment agitator 9 as a toner replenishing member that feeds the new toner 11a in the toner hopper 8 while stirring toward the toner replenishing port 8a is disposed on the road). The toner replenishment agitator 9 is adjusted so that the position of the rotating shaft and the length of the wings are adjusted, and the outermost orbit of the toner replenishment agitator is not shaken by the developer as indicated by the broken line in the figure. The toner replenishment agitator 9 is rotationally driven via gears 90 and 91 as drive transmission members.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control unit as a control unit of the printer according to the present embodiment. Image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer is processed by the image data processing unit 110. An engine control unit 100 that controls each unit in the apparatus based on data sent from the image data processing unit 110 includes an engine control CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an I / O interface 104, and the like. The engine control unit 100 is connected to a photosensitive drum driving unit 105, a latent image forming unit driving unit 106, a driving unit 107 of the developing device 2, a toner replenishment agitator driving unit 108, and the like. The engine control CPU 101 follows the control program read from the ROM 102 and responds to an input signal from the image data processing unit 110 and performs various recognitions and judgments including the operation timings of the various drive units to issue operation commands to the respective units. The output is performed and a predetermined operation is performed.

  In the developing device 20 configured as described above, the developer 3 carried on the developing sleeve 4 is transported to the doctor 6 side on the sleeve as the developing sleeve 4 rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure. It is regulated and thinned. The thinned developer 3 is conveyed to a developing region facing the photosensitive drum 1 rotating in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. In this development area, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in contact or non-contact, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized. The developer 3 on the developing sleeve 4 that has passed through the developing region is further conveyed as the developing sleeve 4 rotates, and reaches a position facing the toner supply port 8a. In the toner supply port 8a, the toner 3a in the toner hopper 8 is sent out by the toner supply agitator 9 and stays in contact with the developer 3 on the developing sleeve 4. After the new toner 3a is taken in at the toner supply port 8a, the process returns to the developer accommodating portion S. The internal pressure of the developer 3 containing the new toner 3 a increases at the restriction portion by the doctor 6. The toner is charged by frictional charging with the carrier in the developer having an increased internal pressure. In this way, the toner in the developer 3 on the developing sleeve 4 can be charged by the internal pressure of the developer 3 in the developer accommodating portion S, so a paddle, a screw or the like for charging or stirring the developer is used. This eliminates the need for complicated stirring and conveying mechanisms.

  On the other hand, a part of the developer 3 that is not supplied to the developing region and is prevented from advancing by the doctor 6 enters the toner replenishing port 8a of the toner hopper 8 by the internal pressure and gravity of the developer 3 itself in the developer container S. Move towards. The developer 3 that has moved to the vicinity of the toner replenishing port 8a is regulated by a pre-doctor 7a that is a second developer regulating member disposed on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the developing sleeve of the doctor 6 and is developed by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole 5a. When the developing sleeve 4 is rotated again, it is conveyed to the doctor 6 side as the developing sleeve 4 rotates.

Further, in the developing device 20 configured as described above, when the amount of toner supplied to the developer 3 increases and the toner density increases, the volume of the developer 3 increases accordingly, so that the developer 3 moves toward the predoctor 7a. The developer 3 that moves and is regulated by the predoctor 7a but cannot be regulated forms the developer retaining portion 3b and covers the opening of the toner supply port 8a. For this reason, the amount of toner taken into the developer 3 on the developing sleeve 4 is reduced. Due to the reduction in the toner intake amount, the toner concentration of the developer 3 is always kept below a certain concentration. On the contrary, when the toner concentration of the developer 3 is lowered, the volume of the developer 3 is reduced, so that the developer retaining portion 3b does not block the toner supply port 8a. The toner is taken in, and the toner density of the developer 3 is always kept at a certain density or higher.
When it is desired to change the toner density, the volume of the agent can be changed and controlled by changing the amount of the magnetic carrier accommodated in the developer accommodating portion S. For example, if the amount of the magnetic carrier is reduced from a certain amount, the volume of the agent is reduced, so that the toner intake from the toner supply port 8a is increased and the toner concentration of the developer 3 can be increased.
Thus, since the toner density can be controlled within a substantially constant range, a complicated toner density control mechanism using a toner density sensor, a toner replenishing member, or the like is unnecessary.

Next, a method of charging an unused initial developer at the start of use of the developing device of the present embodiment, a configuration of the initial developer case 10 and a manufacturing method thereof will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the developing device 20 before the start of use. The initial developer case 10 containing the unused initial developer 3 c is mounted above the developer containing portion S of the developing device 20. The initial developer 3 c in the initial developer case 10 is a developer that forms an initial developer charging opening 10 a formed on the lower side of the initial developer case 10 and a developer accommodating portion S of the developing device 20. The developer can be put into the developer accommodating portion S through the developer receiving port 7b formed on the upper surface of the accommodating case 7.

  The initial developer case 10 is provided with a developer seal member 11 for sealing the initial developer charging opening 10a from the inside. The developer seal member 11 separates the developer accommodating portion S from the inside of the initial developer case 10 during transportation before the start of use, and the initial developer 3c in the initial developer case 10 is separated from the developer accommodating portion. It does not leak into S. The developer seal member 11 is attached so that the user can remove it while pulling it in the direction of the central axis D of the developing sleeve 4, that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  Further, a toner seal member 12 that seals the communication port is attached to the communication port of the toner hopper 8 that communicates with a space (toner supply path) adjacent to the toner supply port 8a. The toner seal member 12 separates the toner replenishing port 8a from the inside of the toner hopper 8 at the time of transportation before the start of use. The toner hopper 8 agglomerates toner in a space (toner replenishment path) adjacent to the toner replenishing port 8a. From the toner can be prevented.

  When the new initial developer 3c is set in the developing device 20 having the above-described configuration and used, the initial developer 3c needs to be set uniformly on the developing sleeve, so that it is attached to the initial developer case 10. The developer seal member 11 is pulled and removed, and the initial developer 3c is set in the developer accommodating portion S. The toner seal member 12 that separates the space (toner supply path) adjacent to the toner supply port 8a and the inside of the toner hopper 8 is also peeled off when the user uses it. In this way, when the user uses the device, first, the seal members 11 and 12 are peeled off, and then the process cartridge including the developing device 20 is set in the printer body, and the toner provided in the developing sleeve 4 and the toner hopper 8 is set. The replenishment agitator 9 is simultaneously rotated through a gear, and the initial developer 3c is set on the developing sleeve 4 and toner replenishment is started.

  Here, in the conventional developing device, the initial developer 3c is set on the developing sleeve 4 and toner is replenished at the same time. Therefore, when the seal members 11 and 12 are peeled off, the process cartridge including the developing device is tilted. The initial developer 3c moves in the developer accommodating portion S in the longitudinal direction (center axis direction) of the developing sleeve 4, and the initial developer 3c is set on the developing sleeve 4 unevenly in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the toner is excessively supplied to the portion where the developer is low, the toner density increases, and an abnormal image of the background stain is generated. On the contrary, the developer is scattered in the portion where the developer is high. There is a risk that.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the side view of FIG. 1, the initial development is performed so that the interior of the initial developer case 10 is divided into a plurality of partition spaces 10 b along the direction of the central axis D of the development sleeve 4. A plurality of partition portions 10c are formed inside the agent case. The partition surface F facing the partition space 10b of each partition portion 10c is developed with respect to a virtual vertical surface G perpendicular to the central axis D of the developing sleeve 4 with respect to the initial developer charging opening 10a side. The sleeve 4 is inclined toward one end side H (rightward in FIG. 1) in the central axis direction.
The inclination angle θ1 of the partition surface F of each partition portion 10c with respect to the virtual vertical surface G is preferably about 20 ° to 45 °. The inclination angle θ1 is set so that the initial developer 3c can be reliably held in the partition space 10b when the end of the process cartridge is naturally lifted to pull out the developer seal member 11, that is, the partition portion 10c. It is preferable that the initial developer charging opening 10a side is high and the opposite end is low.
In addition, the direction of inclination of the partition surface F of each partition portion is positioned on the lower side in the vertical direction when the developing device is tilted to peel off the developer seal member 11 in both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 20. Set to end side.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of the initial developer case 10 when the developing device including the initial developer case 10 in which the partition portion 10c is formed in a state where the developer seal member 11 is not peeled is tilted. . In this figure, the developing device 20 is inclined by θ2 = 70 ° from the horizontal line with the predetermined end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 20 facing down. Even when the developing device is tilted in this manner, even if the developer seal member 11 that seals the opening 10a for initial developer is pulled and removed, the initial development is performed in each partition space 10b in the initial developer case 10. The developer 3c is held, and the developer can be prevented from being introduced into the developer accommodating portion S and moving to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve. When the developing device 20 from which the developer seal member 11 has been pulled out is returned to the horizontal state, the initial developer 3c remaining in the partitioning space 10b can be set on the developing sleeve 4 directly below each partitioning space 10b. it can.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the developer seal member 11 is pulled out with the process cartridge including the developing device tilted, the initial developer 3c concentrates on one end side in the direction of the central axis D of the developing sleeve 4. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent partial toner oversupply, suppress an abrupt increase in toner density, prevent the occurrence of background contamination, and suppress the scattering of the developer.

In the conventional developing device in which the partition surface of the partition portion in the initial developer case 10 is formed so as to be orthogonal to the central axis D of the developing sleeve 4, θ2 = 45 when the developer seal member 11 is pulled out. If it is tilted up to °, no abnormal image will be generated, but if it is tilted further, scattering of the developer and background smearing will occur.
On the other hand, in the developing device of this embodiment, it was confirmed that even when the developer seal member 11 was pulled out at an angle of θ2 = 90 °, the developer was not scattered or the background was not soiled.

  Note that the initial developer case 10 ′ has been conventionally molded from a resin as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B in order to reduce the cost and weight. Here, the parting line PL of the initial developer case 10 ′ used in the conventional developing device is set to be vertical as viewed from the side of the component as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Since the partition 10c ′ in the case 10 ′ is also automatically perpendicular to the parting line PL, there is no problem in the structure of the mold.

  However, since the partition portion 10 in the initial developer case 10 is slanted as in this embodiment, the parting line PL is simply set vertically as viewed from the lateral direction of the initial developer case 10 as in the prior art. If set, in order for the partition 10c to be perpendicular to the parting line PL, it is necessary to dispose the initial developer case 10 obliquely with respect to the mold, which is practically difficult.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 10 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, the side edge of each partition portion 10 c is arranged on the side wall portion perpendicular to the partition surface F of the partition portion 10 c of the initial developer case 10. 10 d is formed so as to be exposed, and after the initial developer 3 c is put in each partition space 10 b of the initial developer case 10, sealing is performed to seal the opening 10 d formed in the side wall portion of the initial developer case 10. A member 13 is provided. By forming the opening 10d, a special mold structure can be obtained by removing the parts so that the mold slides in the direction indicated by the arrow I in FIG. 11 when the initial developer case 10 is molded. The initial developer case 10 can be easily manufactured.
The opening 10d opened in the side wall portion of the initial developer case 10 is sealed with the sealing member 13 after the initial developer 3c is set. As this sealing member 13, the heat welding sheet | seat which can be used also as the other sealing members 11 and 12 can be used, for example. In addition to attaching and sealing this heat-welding sheet by heat-sealing, other materials can be attached by ultrasonic fusion or vibration fusion, or by adhering with double-sided tape or adhesive. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the process cartridge including the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 20 is configured to be detachable from the printer main body. However, in the present invention, the developing device 20 alone is attached to the printer main body. The present invention can also be applied to a case where it is configured to be detachable, and similar effects can be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the developing device including the pre-doctor as the second developer regulating member disposed so as to face the developing sleeve surface with a predetermined gap has been described. It can be applied to the case where it is not provided, and the same effect can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of the laser printer and the developing device used in the printer has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a FAX and the developing device used in the image forming apparatus. Can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an initial developer case of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device of the printer. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a developing sleeve and a magnet roller of the developing device. The block diagram of the control part of the developing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device before start of use. The perspective view which shows the mode inside the initial stage developer case of the image development apparatus inclined for the removal of a sealing member. (A) And (b) is the perspective view which looked at the conventional initial developer case from the mutually opposite direction, respectively. Sectional drawing of the initial stage developer case. (A) And (b) is the perspective view which looked at the initial developer case which concerns on this embodiment from the mutually reverse direction, respectively. Sectional drawing of the initial stage developer case.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Developer casing 3 Developer 3a Toner 3b Developer retention part 3c Initial developer 4 Developing sleeve 5 Magnet roller 6 Doctor 7 Developer storage case 7a Predoctor 8 Toner hopper 8a Toner replenishment port 9 Toner replenishment agitator 10 Initial developer Case 10a Initial developer charging opening 10b Partition space 10c Partition 11 Developer seal member 12 Toner seal member 13 Sealing member 20 Developing device 50 Charging roller 51 Optical writing unit

Claims (9)

A developer carrier having a magnetic field generating means therein and moving on the surface so as to carry and convey a developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier, and development containing the developer supplied to the developer carrier developer container and an initial developer accommodating portion for accommodating the initial developer unused to be introduced into the developer accommodating portion, the initial developer charged provided the developer accommodating portion side of the initial developer container A developing device comprising a sealing member that seals the opening for use and is detachably attached by being pulled out in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier at the start of use of the developing device.
A plurality of partitions are formed inside the initial developer container so as to divide the interior of the initial developer container into a plurality of partition spaces in the direction of the central axis of the developer carrier;
Each partition is formed inside the initial developer container even after the seal member is removed,
The partition surface of each partition portion facing the partition space with respect to a virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the central axis of the developer carrier with reference to the opening side for introducing the initial developer. tilt the central axis line one end side in the direction of,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the partition surfaces of the plurality of partition portions are inclined in a direction opposite to an end portion of the developing device on a side where the seal member is pulled out .   The developing device according to claim 1.
  The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an angle of inclination of the partition surface with respect to the virtual vertical surface is in a range of 20 ° or less and 45 ° or less.   The developing device according to claim 1.
  The inclination of the partition surface is set such that when the seal member is lifted up to pull out, the end of the partition on the opening side for the initial developer is high and the end on the opposite side is low. A developing device.   In the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
  A developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member and conveyed toward the developing region;
  A toner container having a toner replenishing port facing the surface of the developer carrier at a position adjacent to the developer container from the upstream side in the developer transport direction;
  The developing device, wherein the developer containing portion contains a developer whose conveyance toward the developing region is restricted by the developer restricting member.   The developing device according to claim 4.
  According to a feature of the present invention, the developer in the toner carrier is taken into the developer according to the toner concentration of the developer on the developer carrier by the movement of the developer accompanying the developer conveyance on the developer carrier. Development device. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The partition is formed in a flat plate shape,
A developing device characterized in that each partition portion is inclined with respect to the virtual vertical plane. The developing device according to claim 6 .
The initial developer accommodating portion has a side wall portion perpendicular to the partition surface of the partition portion;
In the side wall portion, an opening is formed so that a side end of each partition portion is exposed,
A developing device, comprising: a sealing member that seals an opening formed in a side wall portion of the initial developer accommodating portion after the initial developer is placed in each partition space of the initial developer accommodating portion. A latent image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the latent image carrier, a developing device for developing a latent image on the latent image carrier to form a toner image, and the latent image carrier In an image forming apparatus comprising a transfer device for transferring the toner image on the transfer material,
Developing device, an image forming apparatus which is a one of a developing device of a removable claims 1 to 7 to the image forming apparatus main body. In a process cartridge comprising a latent image carrier and a developing device that develops a latent image on the latent image carrier and forms a toner image, and is configured to be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
A process cartridge developing device, characterized in that it is a one of a developing device according to claim 1 to 7.

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