JP4453405B2 - 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, an image carrier for carrying a latent image and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer. When an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer, the image forming apparatus positions the developing device at a developing position facing the image carrier, and the latent image carried on the image carrier is transferred to the developing device. A developer image is formed by developing with the developer inside, and the developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

  The developing device includes, for example, a housing that has an opening and accommodates the developer, and a developer carrying roller that is provided facing the opening and carries the developer.

In such a developing device, an end seal member is provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller in order to prevent leakage of the developer from the end of the developer carrying roller. The end seal member prevents the developer from leaking while acting a pressure (hereinafter also referred to as a contact pressure) on the developer carrying roller.
JP 2003-295609 A

  By the way, this contact pressure needs to be applied with an appropriate value. This is because when the contact pressure is low, the prevention of developer leakage is insufficient, and when the contact pressure is high, the torque for rotating the developer carrying roller increases.

  However, depending on the relationship between the width of the seal space in which the end seal member between the housing and the developer carrying roller is provided and the width of the end seal member, the contact pressure cannot be applied at an appropriate value. For example, when the width of the seal space and the width of the end seal member are in a relationship such that the compression amount of the end seal member between the housing and the developer carrying roller is larger than a predetermined compression amount. In this case, the contact pressure becomes larger than an appropriate value.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of setting the contact pressure of the end seal member to the developer carrying roller to an appropriate value. An image forming apparatus and an image forming system provided with a developing device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main present invention comprises a housing having an opening and containing a developer,
A developer carrying roller that is provided facing the opening and carries the developer;
An end seal member provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller for preventing leakage of the developer from an end of the developer carrying roller;
The portion of the housing that faces the end seal member has a notch,
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along its axial direction and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
Have
The housing seal member is a rectangular member that is cut out at the center, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short-side seal portions,
The end seal member is configured by overlapping the circumferential seal member and the short-side seal portion,
The peripheral surface sealing member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction,
The short-side seal portion is fixed to a portion of the housing that faces the short-side seal portion and sandwiches the notch portion,
The notch is provided across the entire short-side direction of the peripheral seal member,
In the longitudinal direction of the housing, the outer end of the transversal seal portion and the outer end of the large diameter portion of the developer carrying roller are located outside the notch portion,
In the longitudinal direction of the housing, the short-side seal portion is compressed by the housing and the large-diameter portion at a position outside the notch portion .

  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 housing having an opening for accommodating the developer; a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening; for carrying the developer; and provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller. An end seal member for preventing leakage of the developer from the end of the developer carrying roller, wherein a portion of the housing facing the end seal member is a notch A developing device comprising:
According to such a developing device, for example, since it is possible to prevent the compression amount of the end seal member from increasing, the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller is set to an appropriate value. Is possible.

In the developing device, the cutout portion may be cut out in a rectangular shape.
In the developing device, the notch may be provided such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller.
According to such a developing device, the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller can be set to an appropriate value in a wide range in the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller.

In the developing device, the housing is formed in a portion facing the end seal member, and a contact surface in contact with the end seal member and a portion facing the end seal member are notched. An intersection surface formed at the portion and intersecting with the contact surface, and an angle formed by the contact surface and the intersection surface is 90 at a line of intersection between the contact surface and the intersection surface. It may be smaller than the degree.
When the angle formed by the contact surface and the intersecting surface is smaller than 90 degrees, the end seal member is easily compressed so as to bite into the intersection line between the contact surface and the intersecting surface. This can be surely prevented.

Further, in the developing device, a layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along the axial direction thereof and regulates a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
The end seal member may be configured by overlapping the peripheral surface seal member and the housing seal member.

  From the viewpoint of preventing the leakage of the developer, it is better to configure the end seal member by stacking two members, that is, a peripheral surface seal member and a housing seal member. However, when the two members are overlapped, the end seal member has a large thickness, so that the contact pressure against the developer carrying roller may be larger than an appropriate value. Therefore, the effect of the present invention, that is, the effect that the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller can be set to an appropriate value is more effectively achieved.

Further, in the developing device, the housing seal member is a rectangular member with a central portion cut out, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short direction seal portions, The part seal member may be configured such that the peripheral surface seal member and the transversal seal part are overlapped.
According to such a developing device, it is possible to set the contact pressure of the circumferential surface seal member and the short-side seal portion to an appropriate value with respect to the developer carrying roller.

In the developing device, the peripheral surface seal member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the short direction seal portion is formed in the short direction of the housing. It is good also as fixing to the part which pinched | interposed the said notch part of the part facing a seal | sticker part.
In the developing device, the notch is provided over the entire region in the short-side direction of the peripheral surface seal member, and the outer end of the short-side seal portion and the developer carrying roller in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The outer end of the large-diameter portion is located outside the notch, and in the longitudinal direction of the housing, at the position outside the notch, the short-side seal portion is It may be compressed by the housing and the large diameter portion.
According to such a developing device, the contact pressure that acts on the developer carrying roller at a position outside the notch is different from the contact pressure that acts on the developer carrying roller at a position corresponding to the notch. It becomes possible to prevent becoming excessive.

The developing device further includes a developer supply roller that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and supplies the developer contained in the housing to the developer carrying roller, the developer supply roller including the housing It is good also as providing the supply roller axial part supported rotatably by the said notch part being located between the said supply roller axial part and the said large diameter part.
When the developer supply roller and the developer carrying roller are in contact with each other, the seal space tends to be narrowed. Therefore, by providing a notch portion between the supply roller shaft portion and the large diameter portion, even when the seal space is narrow, the contact pressure of the end seal member to the developer carrying roller is set to an appropriate value. The end seal member can be arranged.

A housing for containing the developer; a developer carrying roller for carrying the developer; and between the housing and the developer carrying roller. An end seal member provided to prevent leakage of the developer from the end of the developer carrying roller,
The portion of the housing that faces the end seal member has a notch,
The notch is cut out in a rectangular shape,
The notch is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller,
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along its axial direction and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
The end seal member is configured by overlapping the peripheral surface seal member and the housing seal member,
The housing seal member is a rectangular member with a central portion cut out, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short-side seal portions, and the end seal member The face seal member and the short direction seal part are configured to overlap,
The circumferential seal member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the short-side seal portion is a portion of the housing facing the short-side seal portion. , Is fixed to a portion sandwiching the notch,
The notch portion is provided over the entire short-side direction of the peripheral surface seal member, and in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the outer end of the short-side seal portion and the outer end of the large-diameter portion of the developer carrying roller Is located outside the notch, and in the longitudinal direction of the housing, at a position outside the notch, the transversal seal is formed between the housing and the large diameter portion. And is compressed by
A developer supply roller that contacts the developer carrying roller and feeds the developer contained in the housing to the developer carrying roller; and the developer supply roller is rotatably supported by the housing. A developing device including a supply roller shaft portion, wherein the notch portion is located between the supply roller shaft portion and the large diameter portion can be realized.

  According to such a developing device, the effect that the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller can be set to an appropriate value is most effectively achieved.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a housing having an opening and containing a developer, and a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening and carrying the developer An end seal member provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller for preventing leakage of the developer from the end of the developer carrying roller, and the developer carrying roller An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer carried on
It is also possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which a portion of the housing facing the end seal member has a notch.
According to such an image forming apparatus, the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller can be set to an appropriate value, and an image forming apparatus superior to the conventional one can be realized. .

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable thereto, comprising an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a housing for containing a developer, and housing the developer, facing the opening. A developer carrying roller for carrying the developer, and provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller, to prevent leakage of the developer from the end of the developer carrying roller. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that develops a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer carried on the developer carrying roller. In the forming system,
An image forming system in which a portion of the housing facing the end seal member has a notch can be realized.
According to such an image forming system, the contact pressure of the end seal member with respect to the developer carrying roller can be set to an appropriate value, and an image forming system superior to the conventional one can be realized. .

=== Overview of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) ===
Next, the overall configuration and operation of the printer 10 will be described using a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus 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.

<Overall Configuration of Printer 10>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a rotator 50 along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier that carries a latent image. , A primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, a cleaning unit 75, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 including a liquid crystal panel that serves as a notification means to the user, and these units. And a control unit 100 that controls the operation of the printer and the like.

  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 rotator 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into a black (K) toner, a magenta (M) toner, and a cyan developing unit 53 accommodated in a black developing unit 51 and a magenta developing unit 52. And a yellow (Y) toner accommodated in the yellow developing unit 54.

  In the present embodiment, the rotating body 50 is capable of moving the positions of the four developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 as an example of a developing device by rotating. That is, the rotating body 50 holds the four developing units 51, 52, 53, 54 by the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54. Is rotatable around the rotation shaft 50e while maintaining the relative position thereof. Each time the photoconductor 20 makes one rotation, the photoconductor 20 is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20, and toner T as an example of a developer accommodated in each of the developing units 51, 52, 53, 54 is used. The latent image formed above is developed. Details of each developing unit 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 member 70 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 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 recording 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 recording medium onto a recording medium such as paper 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 remaining on the photoreceptor 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 is input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 responds to an instruction based on the image signal. The unit is controlled to form an image.

<Operation of Printer 10>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the photosensitive device is controlled by the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The developing roller provided in the body 20, the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54, and the intermediate transfer body 70 rotate. 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. . The rotating member 50 positions the yellow developing unit 54 containing yellow (Y) toner 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 unit 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 is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 in an overlapping manner. . 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 recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording 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 recording medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75, and is charged for forming the next latent image. Prepare. The toner that has been scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

=== Configuration 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 connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer.

  The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, rotating body 50, primary transfer unit 60, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, display unit 95) of the apparatus main body. Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit by receiving signals from the sensors connected thereto.

=== Overview of Development Unit ===
Next, the configuration and operation of the developing unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing unit 54. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH of FIG. 3 and shows the main components of the developing unit 54. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing 540. In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow. 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 unit 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing unit 54 is located at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The rotating member 50 includes a black developing unit 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing unit 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing unit 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and yellow (Y ) A yellow developing unit 54 containing toner can be mounted, but the configuration of each developing unit is the same, so the yellow developing unit 54 will be described below.

<Configuration of development unit>
The yellow developing unit 54 includes a developing roller 510 as an example of a developer carrying roller, an upper seal 520 as an example of an axial seal member, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550 as an example of a developer supply roller, and a layer thickness regulating member. A regulating blade 560, which is an example of the above.

  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 metal and is made of an aluminum alloy such as a 5056 aluminum alloy or a 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like. The region 512a is sandblasted or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing roller 510 has a developing roller shaft portion 511 and a developing roller large diameter portion 512 which is an example of a large diameter portion. The developing roller shaft 511 is supported on the developing roller support 640 of the holder 620 via the bearing 680, so that the developing roller 510 is rotatably supported. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the yellow developing unit 54 faces the photoconductor 20, there is a gap between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing unit 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.

  Further, the developing roller 510 rotates when power from a motor (not shown) or the like is transmitted through a gear (not shown) or the like. Therefore, if the load (pressure) applied to the developing roller 510 becomes excessive, the torque for rotating the developing roller 510 increases accordingly, and an unnecessary load may be applied to the motor.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally molded housing parts, that is, an upper housing part 542 and a lower housing part 544, and contains toner for containing toner T therein. A portion 530 is formed. The toner storage portion 530 has two toner storage portions, that is, a first toner storage portion 530a and a second toner, by a partition wall 541 for partitioning the toner T that protrudes inward from the inner wall (the vertical direction in FIG. 4). It is divided into the accommodating portion 530b. The housing 540 has an opening 572 in the lower part, and the developing roller 510 is disposed in the opening 572 with a part thereof exposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 540 is cut out in a rectangular shape at a portion 545 (hereinafter also referred to as “opposing portion 545”) facing a third seal portion 570 c of a housing seal 570 described later. A notch 547 is provided. A detailed configuration around the notch 547 will be described later.

  In addition, a stirring member for stirring the toner T may be provided in the toner storage unit 530. However, in this embodiment, each developing unit (the black developing unit 51, the magenta developing unit 52) is rotated with the rotation of the rotating body 50. , The cyan developing unit 53 and the yellow developing unit 54) are rotated, whereby the toner T in each developing unit is agitated. Therefore, the toner accommodating portion 530 is not provided with an agitating member.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage unit 530 a described above, and supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage unit 530 a to 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 toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is supplied to the developing roller 510 by the toner supply roller 550 below the toner storage unit 530. The

  The toner supply roller 550 has a supply roller shaft portion 550a (FIG. 9) which is an example of a shaft portion. The supply roller shaft portion 550a is supported by the housing 540, so that the toner supply roller 550 can rotate around the central axis, and the central axis is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, 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 toner supply roller 550 has a function of supplying the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510, and peels off the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after the development from the developing roller 510. It also has a function.

  The upper seal 520 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof to prevent the toner T in the yellow developing unit 54 from leaking out of the device, and the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position. Is collected in the developing unit without scraping off. The details of the upper seal 520 will be described later.

  The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. . The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 561 and a rubber support part 562. The rubber part 561 is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 562 is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The rubber part 561 is supported by the rubber support part 562, and the rubber support part 562 is supported by the restriction blade support part 630 of the holder 620.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the regulating blade support portion 630, 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, the regulating blade 560 supports a peripheral surface seal 527 described later at an end portion 560d (FIG. 8) in the longitudinal direction.

<Operation of development unit>
In the yellow developing unit 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the abutting position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and when the toner T passes through the corresponding contacting position, an electric charge is applied and the layer thickness is regulated. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated reaches the developing position facing the photoconductor 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and is formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. Used for developing the latent image.

  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 520 and is collected in the developing unit without being scraped off by the upper seal 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== About Seal Configuration ===
Next, the configuration of the upper seal 520, the peripheral surface seal 527, and the housing seal 570 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the housing seal 570 is fixed to the housing 540. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing roller 510, the regulating blade 560, the upper seal 520, and the peripheral surface seal 527 are supported by the holder 620. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the regulating blade 560, the upper seal 520, and the peripheral surface seal 527 are supported by the holder 620. FIG.

  As described above, the upper seal 520 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof to prevent the toner T in the yellow developing unit 54 from leaking out of the device, and the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position. The upper toner T is collected in the developing unit without being scraped off. The upper seal 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal 520 is supported by an upper seal support portion 660 of the holder 620 that is an example of an assembly member, and is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510.

  Further, an upper seal urging member 524 made of malt plain or the like is provided on the opposite side of the upper seal 520 to the developing roller 510 side. The upper seal 520 is formed by the elastic force of the upper seal urging member 524. It is pressed against the developing roller 510. Further, the contact position where the upper seal 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The holder 620 is a metal support member for supporting the developing roller 510, the regulating blade 560, the upper seal 520, and the like. As shown in FIG. 8, the holder 620 has an upper seal support portion 660 along the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510), and also in the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510). And a developing roller support portion that is provided outside the upper seal support portion 660 and the restriction blade support portion 630 in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction) and intersects the longitudinal direction (the axial direction). 640. And the upper seal | sticker 520 is supported by the upper seal | sticker support part 660 in the transversal direction edge part (FIG. 4). As described above, the developing roller 510 is supported by the developing roller support 640 at the axial end 515, and the regulation blade 560 is supported at the short end (FIG. 4). , And is supported by a regulating blade support 630.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the holder 620 is assembled with a developing roller 510, a regulating blade 560, a peripheral surface seal 527 which is an example of a peripheral surface seal member, an upper seal 520, and an upper seal urging member 524. In a state where one holder unit 610 is formed, the holder unit 610 is attached to the housing 540 via a housing seal 570 which is an example of a housing seal member.

  The peripheral surface seal 527 abuts along the circumferential direction of the non-toner carrying region 512b of the developing roller 510 at the axial end of the developing roller 510, and from between the peripheral surface of the developing roller 510 and the housing 540. Toner T leakage is prevented. Since no toner is carried on the non-toner carrying area, a larger frictional resistance acts on the abutting member than on the toner carrying area. For this reason, the peripheral surface seal 527 is formed of a nonwoven fabric such as felt, for example, as a material having an appropriate elastic force and hardly shearing deformed from urethane or the like and having a relatively low coefficient of friction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the peripheral surface seal 527 is supported by the regulating blade 560 on one end side in the longitudinal direction (direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the housing 540).

  The housing seal 570 exhibits a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the holder 620 or the above-described member (such as the developing roller 510) assembled to the holder 620. As shown in FIG. 6, the housing seal 570 is obtained by cutting out a central portion (rectangular portion) from a rectangular elastic body such as a malt plane, and a first seal portion 570a which is an example of a longitudinal seal portion. And the second seal portion 570b and two third seal portions 570c, which are examples of the short-side seal portion.

  Here, the first seal portion 570a contacts the upper seal support portion 660 and the housing 540 of the holder 620 (see FIG. 4), and the toner T leaks between the upper seal support portion 660 and the housing 540. Demonstrate the function to prevent. The second seal portion 570b is in contact with the rubber support portion 562 of the restriction blade 560 and the housing 540 (see FIG. 4), and prevents the toner T from leaking between the rubber support portion 562 and the housing 540. Demonstrate. The third seal portion 570c abuts on the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing 540 (see FIG. 9) and exhibits a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing 540.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the housing seal 570 is fixed only to the housing 540 out of the holder 620 and the housing 540. Further, the second seal portion 570b not only has a function of preventing the leakage of the toner T, but also stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 562 and makes the rubber portion 561 uniform contact with the developing roller 510. It also has an improved function.

=== Detailed Configuration around Notch 547 ===
Next, a detailed configuration around the notch 547 provided in the housing 540 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 9, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 3 and shows a configuration around the notch 547. FIG. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of each element around the notch 547. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 10A.

  The housing 540 to which the housing seal 570 is fixed is provided with a facing portion 545 that faces the third seal portion 570c of the housing seal 570. As shown in FIG. 5, a notch portion 547 and a seal fixing portion 546 are formed in the facing portion 545.

  The notch 547 is notched in a rectangular shape, and is provided such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the notch portion 547 is located between the developing roller large diameter portion 512 and the supply roller shaft portion 550a.

  The seal fixing portion 546 is formed with contact surfaces 546a and 546b that come into contact with the third seal portion 570c. The contact surfaces 546a and 546b are surfaces formed with the notch 547 interposed therebetween. The third seal portion 570c is fixed to the contact surfaces 546a and 546b via a double-sided tape or the like.

  As described above, when the holder unit 610 including the holder 620 and the like is fixed to the housing 540 via the housing seal 570, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the third seal portion 570c come into contact with each other and overlap each other. Therefore, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the third seal portion 570c have a function as an end seal that prevents leakage of the toner T from the end portion of the developing roller 510 in a state where the two overlap each other.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 are compressed between the developing roller 510 and the seal fixing portion 546 in the seal fixing portion 546. On the other hand, in the notch 547, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 are compressed in a thickness A state. At this time, a contact pressure F is applied to the developing roller 510 from the compressed peripheral surface seal 527 and housing seal 570.

  Further, the opposing portion 545 is formed with a crossing surface 548a that intersects the contact surface 546a and an intersecting surface 548b that intersects the contact surface 546b by cutting the opposing portion 545 into a rectangular shape. At this time, the angle formed by the contact surface 546a and the intersecting surface 548a (angle α shown in FIG. 9) and the angle formed by the contact surface 546b and the intersecting surface 548b (angle α shown in FIG. 10B) are smaller than 90 degrees. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the notch 547 is provided over the entire region of the circumferential seal 527 in the short direction. That is, the notch 547 is provided so that the intersecting surface 548 b is positioned outside the outer end of the circumferential seal 527 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10B, the outer end of the third seal portion 570c and the outer end 512c of the developing roller large-diameter portion 512 are longer than the notch portion 547 (intersection surface 548b) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. Located on the outside. The third seal portion 570 c is in contact with the developing roller large diameter portion 512 at a position outside the notch portion 547.

  The third seal portion 570c is compressed by the intersecting surface 548b of the housing 540 and the developing roller large diameter portion 512 at a position outside the notch 547 (intersecting surface 548b) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. ing.

=== About the function of the notch 547 ===
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a notch portion 547 is provided in a portion of the housing 540 that faces the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 (end seal), that is, the facing portion 545. . As a result, the contact pressure between the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510 can be set to an appropriate value. Hereinafter, the conventional developing device and the developing device according to the present embodiment will be compared and described in detail.

  A conventional developing device in which the contact pressure has an inappropriate value will be described with reference to FIG. In the developing device shown in FIG. 11, unlike the developing unit 54 shown in FIG. 9, the notch 547 is not provided in the facing portion 545 of the housing 540. At this time, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 are compressed between the facing portion 545 of the housing 540 and the developing roller 510 so that the thickness becomes the thickness B. The compressed peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 exert an inappropriate contact pressure F <b> 2 against the developing roller 510.

  On the other hand, in the developing device according to this embodiment in which the contact pressure is an appropriate value, a notch 547 is provided in the facing portion 545 of the housing 540. At this time, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 are compressed with respect to the developing roller 510 at a position corresponding to the notch portion 547 so that the thickness thereof becomes the thickness A as shown in FIG. . The compressed peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 act on the developing roller 510 with an appropriate contact pressure F1. The proper contact pressure F1 acts for the reason described below.

  In order to apply an appropriate contact pressure to the developing roller 510, the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 need to be compressed by a predetermined compression amount. In order to compress the two seals by a predetermined compression amount, the thickness of the two seals before compression is the distance between the developing roller 510 and the facing portion 545 (hereinafter also referred to as “the width of the seal space”). It is necessary to make the relationship larger than the predetermined value.

  In the case where the notch 547 is not provided as shown in FIG. 11, when the thickness of the two seals becomes larger than the width of the seal space by a predetermined value or more, the seal fixing of the portion facing the developing roller 510 is performed. By being compressed by the portion 546, the contact pressure F2 also becomes larger than an appropriate value. On the other hand, when the notch 547 is provided as shown in FIG. 9, the position corresponding to the notch 547 even if the thickness of the two seals is larger than the width of the seal space by a predetermined value or more. Since the seal fixing portion 546 is not formed, the two seals are compressed by a predetermined compression amount. Therefore, when the notch 547 is provided, an appropriate contact pressure F1 is applied to the developing roller 510.

  It should be noted that the contact pressure with respect to the developing roller 510 needs to be an appropriate value because the leakage of the toner T can be prevented when the contact pressure between the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510 is small. This is because if the contact pressure is insufficient and the contact pressure is large, the torque for rotating the developing roller 510 becomes large. Therefore, such a problem can be solved in the developing device according to this embodiment.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  The present invention includes a housing 540 that includes an opening 572 and accommodates toner T (developer), a developing roller 510 (developer carrying roller) that is provided facing the opening 572 and carries toner T. A peripheral surface seal 527 and a third seal portion 570c (end seal member) provided between the housing 540 and the developing roller 510 for preventing the leakage of the toner T from the end portion of the developing roller 510. The developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 (developing devices) are provided.

  In the above embodiment, the 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, but a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus including the rotary developing device has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a tandem developing device.

  In the above embodiment, the photoconductor as the image carrier has been described as a configuration in which the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductive base material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-like conductive substrate may be used.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, although the notch part 547 was cut out in the rectangular shape, it is not limited to this. For example, the cutout portion 547 may be cut out in a triangular shape.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 547 is provided so that its longitudinal direction is along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, the notch 547 may be provided so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510.

  However, in the case where the longitudinal direction of the notch 547 is provided along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510, the contact pressure F1 of the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510 is set to the developing roller. An appropriate value can be set in a wide range in the circumferential direction 510. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10B, the housing 540 is formed in a portion facing the circumferential seal 527 and the third seal portion 570c (that is, the facing portion 545), and the third seal portion. The contact surfaces 546a and 546b that are in contact with 570c and the facing portion 545 are notched, thereby forming a crossing surface that is formed in the facing portion 545 and intersects the contact surface (the crossing surface 548a for the contact surface 546a, The contact surface 546b and the intersecting surface 548b), and the contact surface 546a and the intersecting surface 548a (contact surface 546b) at the intersection of the contact surface 546a and the intersecting surface 548a (the contact surface 546b and the intersecting surface 548b). And the intersection plane 548b) (angle α shown in FIGS. 9 and 10B) is less than 90 degrees, but is not limited thereto. For example, the angle formed by the contact surface 546a and the intersecting surface 548a (the contact surface 546b and the intersecting surface 548b) may be larger than 90 degrees.

  However, when the angle formed by the contact surface and the intersecting surface is smaller than 90 degrees, the housing seal 570 bites into the intersection line between the contact surface 546a and the intersecting surface 548a (the contact surface 546b and the intersecting surface 548b). It becomes easy to be compressed. For this reason, it is possible to more reliably prevent the toner T from leaking. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a regulating blade 560 (layer thickness regulating member), an upper seal 520 (axial seal member), a circumferential seal 527 (circumferential seal member), and a holder 620 (Assembly member) and a housing seal 570 (housing seal member). As shown in FIG. 9, the end seal member is formed by overlapping a peripheral surface seal 527 and a housing seal 570. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the end seal member may be configured by only one member, for example, the peripheral surface seal 527.

  However, when two members are stacked, the thickness due to the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 tends to be larger than the seal space, and the contact pressure due to the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510. May become larger than the appropriate value F1. Therefore, the effect of the present embodiment by providing the notch portion 547, that is, the effect that the contact pressure between the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510 can be set to an appropriate value is more. Played effectively. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing seal 570 is a rectangular member by which the center part is notched, and it is the 1st seal part 570a and the 2nd seal part 570b (two longitudinal directions). Direction seal portion) and two third seal portions 570c (two short direction seal portions), and the end seal member is configured by overlapping the peripheral seal 527 and the third seal portion 570c. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral surface seal 527 is supported by the regulating blade 560 at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the third seal portion 570 c is the seal fixing portion 546. The contact surface 546a is fixed to the contact surface 546a (the portion of the housing 540 facing the third seal portion 570c with the notch 547 interposed therebetween), but is not limited thereto. For example, both the peripheral surface seal 527 and the third seal portion 570c may be fixed to the contact surface 546a of the seal fixing portion 546.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the notch 547 is provided over the entire region of the circumferential surface seal 527 in the short direction, and in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540, The end and the outer end 512c of the developing roller large-diameter portion 512 are located outside the notch 547, and the third seal is located at a position outside the notch 547 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540. The portion 570c is compressed by the contact surface 546b of the housing 540 and the developing roller large diameter portion 512, but is not limited thereto. For example, both the peripheral surface seal 527 and the third seal portion 570 c may be compressed by the contact surface 546 b of the housing 540 and the developing roller large diameter portion 512.

  However, when only the third seal portion 570 c is compressed by the contact surface 546 b of the housing 540 and the developing roller large-diameter portion 512, the contact applied to the developing roller 510 at a position corresponding to the notch 547. It is possible to prevent the contact pressure acting on the developing roller 510 from being excessive at the position corresponding to the contact surface 546b of the seal fixing portion 546 with respect to the pressure. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the toner supply roller 550 (developer supply roller) that contacts the developing roller 510 and supplies the toner T contained in the housing 540 to the developing roller 510 is provided. The toner supply roller 550 includes a supply roller shaft portion 550 a (shaft portion) that is rotatably supported by the housing 540, and the notch portion 547 is positioned between the supply roller shaft portion 550 a and the developing roller large diameter portion 512. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the toner supply roller 550 may not contact the developing roller 510.

  However, when the toner supply roller 550 is in contact with the developing roller 510, the seal space tends to be narrowed. Therefore, by providing a notch 547 between the supply roller shaft portion 550a and the developing roller large diameter portion 512, the contact pressure of the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 with respect to the developing roller 510 even when the seal space is narrow. It becomes possible to arrange the peripheral surface seal 527 and the housing seal 570 so that becomes an appropriate value. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

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

  FIG. 12 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 10, 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 10, 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, but is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or DVD (Digital Versatile) Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 13 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, an example in which the printer 10 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 the computer 702 and the printer 10, 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 10 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 10 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. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing unit 54. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in FIG. 3, showing the main components of the developing unit 54. It is a perspective view of the housing 540. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a housing seal 570 is fixed to a housing 540. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a developing roller 510, a regulating blade 560, an upper seal 520, and a peripheral surface seal 527 are supported by a holder 620. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a regulating blade 560, an upper seal 520, and a peripheral surface seal 527 are supported by a holder 620. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 3 and shows a configuration around a notch 547. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of each element around the notch 547. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 10A. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional developing device. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an image forming system 700. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system 700 illustrated in FIG. 12.

Explanation of symbols

10 printer, 20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit, 40 exposure unit,
50 Rotating body, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Detachable part, 50e Rotating shaft,
51 black developing unit, 52 magenta developing unit, 53 cyan developing unit, 54 yellow developing unit, 60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member,
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, 113 image memory,
120 CPU, 510 developing roller, 511 developing roller shaft,
512 Developing roller large diameter portion, 512a Toner carrying region, 512b Non-toner carrying region, 512c Outer end, 520 Upper seal, 524 Upper seal urging member, 527 Surface seal,
530 toner container, 530a first toner container, 530b second toner container,
540 housing, 542 upper housing part, 544 lower housing part,
545 facing part, 546 seal fixing part, 546a, 546b contact surface,
547 notch, 548a, 548b crossing surface, 550 toner supply roller,
550a Supply roller shaft portion, 560 regulating blade, 561 rubber portion,
562 rubber support part, 570 housing seal, 570a first seal part,
570b second seal portion, 570c third seal portion, 572 opening,
610 holder unit, 620 holder, 630 regulating blade support,
640 developing roller support, 660 upper seal support, 680 bearing,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device, 710B CD-ROM drive device, 802 internal memory, 804 hard disk drive unit, T toner

Claims (7)

A housing with an opening for containing developer;
A developer carrying roller that is provided facing the opening and carries the developer;
An end seal member provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller for preventing leakage of the developer from an end of the developer carrying roller;
The portion of the housing that faces the end seal member has a notch,
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along its axial direction and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
Have
The housing seal member is a rectangular member that is cut out at the center, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short-side seal portions,
The end seal member is configured by overlapping the circumferential seal member and the short-side seal portion,
The peripheral surface sealing member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction,
The short-side seal portion is fixed to a portion of the housing that faces the short-side seal portion and sandwiches the notch portion,
The notch is provided across the entire short-side direction of the peripheral seal member,
In the longitudinal direction of the housing, the outer end of the short direction seal portion and the outer end of the large diameter portion of the developer carrying roller are located outside the notch portion,
The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the short direction seal portion is compressed by the housing and the large diameter portion at a position outside the notch portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing . The developing device according to claim 1,
The developing device, wherein the cutout portion is cut out in a rectangular shape. The developing device according to claim 2,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is provided such that a longitudinal direction thereof is along a circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller. In the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The housing is
A contact surface formed on a portion facing the end seal member and in contact with the end seal member;
A portion facing the end seal member is cut away to form an intersecting surface that intersects the contact surface.
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by the contact surface and the intersecting surface at an intersection line between the contact surface and the intersecting surface is less than 90 degrees. In the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A developer supply roller that contacts the developer carrying roller and supplies the developer contained in the housing to the developer carrying roller;
The developer supply roller includes a supply roller shaft portion rotatably supported by the housing,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is positioned between the supply roller shaft and the large diameter portion. An image carrier for carrying a latent image, and
A housing having an opening for accommodating the developer; a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening; for carrying the developer; and provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller. An end seal member for preventing leakage of developer from the end of the developer carrying roller, and carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrying roller. A developing device for developing a latent image,
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
The portion of the housing that faces the end seal member has a notch,
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along its axial direction and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
Have
The housing seal member is a rectangular member that is cut out at the center thereof, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short-side seal portions,
The end seal member is configured by overlapping the circumferential seal member and the short-side seal portion,
The peripheral surface sealing member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction,
The short-side seal portion is fixed to a portion of the housing that faces the short-side seal portion and sandwiches the notch portion,
The notch is provided across the entire short-side direction of the peripheral seal member,
In the longitudinal direction of the housing, the outer end of the transversal seal portion and the outer end of the large diameter portion of the developer carrying roller are located outside the notch portion,
The image forming apparatus , wherein the short-side seal portion is compressed by the housing and the large-diameter portion at a position outside the notch portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing . Computer, and
An image forming apparatus connectable to this,
An image carrier for carrying a latent image, and
A housing having an opening for accommodating the developer; a developer carrying roller provided to face the opening; for carrying the developer; and provided between the housing and the developer carrying roller. An end seal member for preventing leakage of developer from the end of the developer carrying roller, and carried on the image carrier by the developer carried on the developer carrying roller. A developing device for developing a latent image,
An image forming apparatus comprising:
In an image forming system comprising:
The portion of the housing that faces the end seal member has a notch,
A layer thickness regulating member that abuts the developer carrying roller along its axial direction and regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying roller;
An axial seal member for contacting the developer carrying roller along its axial direction to prevent developer leakage;
A circumferential surface seal member that contacts the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller at an axial end of the developer carrying roller;
An assembly member for assembling the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, and the peripheral surface seal member;
Between the housing and the unit comprising the developer carrying roller, the layer thickness regulating member, the axial seal member, the peripheral surface seal member, and the assembly member in which these members are assembled. A housing seal member for preventing leakage of developer from
Have
The housing seal member is a rectangular member that is cut out at the center thereof, and includes two longitudinal seal portions and two short-side seal portions,
The end seal member is configured by overlapping the circumferential seal member and the short-side seal portion,
The peripheral surface sealing member is supported by the layer thickness regulating member at one end side in the longitudinal direction,
The short-side seal portion is fixed to a portion of the housing that faces the short-side seal portion and sandwiches the notch portion,
The notch is provided across the entire short-side direction of the peripheral seal member,
In the longitudinal direction of the housing, the outer end of the short direction seal portion and the outer end of the large diameter portion of the developer carrying roller are located outside the notch portion,
The image forming system , wherein the short-side seal portion is compressed by the housing and the large-diameter portion at a position outside the notch portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing .

Images