JP4827240B2 - Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is equipped with a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a laser beam printer or the like (monochrome or color) in which a developer is stored in advance, a process cartridge equipped with the developing device, and the developing device or the process cartridge . and to a image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus that is shipped with the developing device bundled, take advantage of the characteristics of the detachable developing device, and instead of assembling and fixing it, attach it to the specified development position when installing it on site. It is designed to be assembled.
Conventionally, a developer seal as a developer sealing member has been pulled out by a user's hand when using a developing device or a process cartridge. Therefore, there have been problems such as forgetting to pull out the developer seal and a great force when pulling out the developer seal. Therefore, several measures for preventing forgetting to pull out the developer seal have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

The measures disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 for preventing forgetting to remove the developer seal in the development unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus may be insufficient. In particular, a sealing member (developer seal) ) Forgetting to pull out, or reducing the force when pulling out is required.
Japanese Patent No. 3450569 JP 2000-56657 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-255806

However, the developing device shipped together is detachable, but it requires installation at the site of the initial introduction of the image forming apparatus, which is troublesome.
Further, there is a need for improvement such as prevention of forgetting to pull out the sealing member (developer seal) used in the developing device at the time of shipment or reduction of the force when pulling out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that saves as much time and labor as possible in the field setting at the time of initial introduction of the image forming apparatus in consideration of the above situation.
In addition, it is possible to prevent forgetting to pull out the sealing member (developer seal) or to reduce the force at the time of pulling out, and reliably prevent forgetting to pull out the sealing member (developer seal) with an inexpensive and simple configuration. To provide a developing device , a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1, communicates with the first chamber for accommodating the developing roller, and the second chamber you accommodating a developer, said first and second chambers in the developing device and a sealing member for sealing the connecting port, when the ship with to the image forming apparatus main body in a state in which the developing device is fixed to the developing position of the image forming apparatus main body, the lower There have been partially fixed the sealing member on top of the face plate for positioning and fixing, which is rotatably supported to the support frame of the image forming apparatus main body, by rotating the face plate for the positioning and fixing, the When the face plate is opened , the sealing member is pulled to release the connection port .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealing device for sealing the first chamber for storing the developing roller, the second chamber for storing the developer, and the connection port that connects the first chamber and the second chamber. In a developing device having a member, when the developing device is shipped in the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device being fixed at a developing position in the image forming apparatus main body , the lower part is a support frame of the image forming apparatus main body. wherein optionally a portion of the sealing member is fixed to the upper portion of the outer cover which is rotatably supported, said exterior cover is rotated, upon opening the outer cover, the sealing member is tensile And the connection port is released .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developing device according to the first or second aspect , wherein the second chamber contains a carrier for supplying a developer to the surface of the developing roller. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge including the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects.
The invention according to claim 6, proposes an image forming apparatus characterized by mounting the profile processes cartridge according to claim 4.

According to the present invention, since the detachable developing device is shipped in a state of being fixed at the developing position, it is not necessary to insert a detachable developing device (detachable member) at the time of initial introduction of the image forming apparatus, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can save labor for the setting.
Further, when a part of the sealing member (developer seal) provided in the developing device is fixed to the outer cover of the face plate or the main body and the outer cover of the face plate or the main body is opened, the sealing member (developer seal) is By automatically pulling, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to pull out the sealing member (developer seal) with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. An electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described as an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming unit will be described as a process cartridge.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electrophotographic printer according to the present invention. First, a basic configuration of the printer as an image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 1, the printer A includes four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K). ing.
These use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors as the image formed product, but the other configurations are the same and are replaced when the lifetime is reached. A process cartridge 6Y for generating a Y toner image will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing the process cartridge 6Y of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a drum-shaped photoconductor 1Y, a drum cleaning device 2Y, a charge removal device (not shown), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, and the like are provided. The process cartridge 6Y can be attached to and detached from the printer A main body, and consumable parts can be replaced at a time.
The charging device 4Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y that is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor 1 </ b> Y is exposed and scanned by the laser beam L to carry an electrostatic latent image for Y. The Y electrostatic latent image is developed into a Y toner image by the developing device 5Y using Y toner.
Then, intermediate transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The drum cleaning device 2Y removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the intermediate transfer process. The static eliminator neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 1Y after cleaning. By this charge removal, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is initialized and prepared for the next image formation.
In the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K, M, C, and K toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 1M, 1C, and 1K, and are intermediately transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Returning to FIG. 1, an exposure device 7 is disposed below the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. The exposure device 7 serving as a latent image forming unit irradiates the respective photoconductors in the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K with a laser beam L emitted based on the image information. By this exposure, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.
The exposure device 7 irradiates the photosensitive member through a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors while scanning a laser beam L emitted from a light source with a polygon mirror rotated by a motor.

In the drawing, below the exposure device 7, paper supply means including a paper storage cassette 26, a paper supply roller 27 incorporated therein, a pair of registration rollers 28, and the like are disposed.
The paper storage cassette 26 stores a plurality of transfer papers P, which are recording bodies, and a paper feed roller 27 is in contact with the uppermost transfer paper P.
When the paper feeding roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown), the uppermost transfer paper P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28. The registration roller pair 28 rotationally drives both rollers to sandwich the transfer paper P, but temporarily stops rotating immediately after sandwiching. Then, the transfer paper P is sent out toward a secondary transfer nip described later at an appropriate timing.
In the sheet feeding unit having such a configuration, a conveying unit is configured by a combination of the sheet feeding roller 27 and the registration roller pair 28 which is a timing roller pair. This transport means transports the transfer paper P from a paper storage cassette 26 which is a storage means to a secondary transfer nip described later.

In FIG. 1, an intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed above the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. The intermediate transfer unit 15 moves the endlessly while the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is an intermediate transfer member is stretched. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a cleaning device 10, and the like.
A secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14 and the like are also provided. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotational drive of at least one of the rollers while being stretched around these three rollers.

The primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is moved endlessly as described above between the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form primary transfer nips. Yes. In these methods, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of toner (for example, plus) is applied to the back surface (loop inner peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 8.
All the rollers except the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are electrically grounded. The intermediate transfer belt 8 sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K along with the endless movement thereof, and Y, M, and C on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. , K toner images are superimposed and primarily transferred.
As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the secondary transfer roller 19 and forms a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip.

Untransferred toner that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 8 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by the cleaning device 10. In the secondary transfer nip, the transfer paper P is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 19 whose surfaces move in the forward direction, and is conveyed in the opposite direction to the registration roller pair 28 side. .
When the transfer paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip passes between the rollers of the fixing device 20, the four-color toner image transferred to the surface is fixed by heat and pressure. Thereafter, the transfer paper P is discharged out of the apparatus through a pair of paper discharge rollers 29.
A stack unit 30 is formed on the upper surface of the printer body, and the transfer paper P discharged outside the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30. A bottle container 31 is provided on the lower side of the stack unit 30 to store toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K for each color.

With reference to FIG. 2 again, the configuration of the developing device 5Y in the process cartridge 6Y will be described. The developing device 5Y has a magnetic field generating means therein, and a developing roller 34Y as a developer carrying member that carries and conveys a two-component developer containing magnetic particles and toner, and is carried on the developing roller 34Y. And a doctor 35Y as a developer regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer conveyed.
Here, the place where the developing roller 34Y is accommodated is defined as the first chamber 42Y. Further, a place for storing the developer is a second chamber 36Y, and a toner conveying screw (conveying body) 37Y (first conveying screw 37Ya, second conveying screw 37Yb) for agitating and conveying the toner in the second chamber 36Y. , and a consolidated port 41Y between the toner replenishing port 40Y and first chamber 42Y for taking toner to the second chamber 36Y.

Above the toner supply port 40Y, there are provided a shutter 43Y for closing the toner supply port 40Y and a toner supply port case 44Y provided to hold the shutter 43Y and cover the toner supply port 40Y.
Here, reference numeral 38Y denotes a density detection sensor for detecting the toner density of the developer. When the density detection sensor 38Y detects that the toner density is insufficient in the second chamber 36Y, a replenishment signal from the control unit 39Y The drive motor 33Y rotates and the toner bottle 32Y (FIG. 1) rotates to replenish toner.
The developing device 5Y is roughly formed of a first member 45Y (upper case) including the inner wall of the first chamber 42Y and a second member 46Y (lower case) including the inner wall of the second chamber 36Y. .
As described above, the developing device 5Y includes the first chamber 42Y that stores the developing roller 34Y, the second chamber 36Y that stores the developer and the transport body 37Y that supplies the developer to the surface of the developing roller, and the first chamber 42Y. And a sealing member 47Y (FIGS. 3 to 5), which will be described later, for sealing the connecting port 41Y communicating with the second chamber 36Y.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge 6Y. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part (end portion) of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the upper portion of the positioning and fixing face plate 48 that is rotatably supported by the support frame of the image forming apparatus main body . is there. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the face plate 48 of FIG. 4 is opened. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part (end portion) of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the exterior cover (side exterior cover) 50 of the main body. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the side surface exterior cover 50 of FIG. 6 is opened.

The main part of the present invention will be described below. 3 to 7, in the process cartridge 6Y, as described with reference to FIG. 2, a sealing member 47Y is provided to close the connecting port 41Y between the first chamber 42Y and the second chamber 36Y. The sealing member 47 Y is not extend to the outside of the process cartridge 6Y, it has become possible withdrawal in use.
FIG. 4 shows a state in which a part (end) of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the face plate 48. FIG. The sealing member 47Y is fixed to the face plate 48 using the tape 49Y. (Similar measures are taken for the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K.)

The state in which the face plate 48 is subsequently opened is shown in FIG. 5, and the sealing member 47 </ b> Y is pulled in conjunction with the opening of the face plate 48. Note that the degree of pulling of the sealing member 47Y may be set to be completely pulled out, or may be pulled out halfway. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 indicates a waste toner bottle.
As described above, when the developing device 5Y of this example is shipped in the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device 5Y fixed at the developing position in the image forming apparatus main body, the lower part is the image forming portion. A part of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the upper part of the positioning and fixing face plate 48 rotatably supported by the support frame of the apparatus main body, and the positioning and fixing face plate 48 is rotated so that the face plate 48 is rotated. When the opening is opened, the sealing member 47Y is pulled to open the connection port 41Y. Thereby , it becomes possible to prevent forgetting to pull out the sealing member 47Y or to reduce the force when pulling out. Further, the method of fixing the sealing member 47Y is not limited to the tape 49Y, and any method can be used as long as it can be fixed.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a state in which a part (end portion) of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the exterior cover (side surface exterior cover 50) of the main body. The sealing member 47Y is fixed to the side surface exterior cover 50 using the tape 54Y. (Similar measures are taken for the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K.)
At this time, in the image forming apparatus A, reference numeral 52 indicates a front exterior cover, and 53 indicates an upper exterior cover. Thereafter, the state in which the side surface cover 50 is opened is shown in FIG. 7, and the sealing member 47 </ b> Y is pulled in conjunction with opening the side surface cover 50.

At this time, a waste toner bottle 51 similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is shown. Note that the degree of pulling of the sealing member 47Y may be set to be completely pulled out, or may be pulled out partway.
As described above, the developing device 5Y shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is shipped when the developing device 5Y is bundled with the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing apparatus 5Y is fixed at the developing position in the image forming apparatus main body. A part of the sealing member 47Y is fixed to the upper part of the outer cover 50 whose lower part is rotatably supported by the support frame of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the outer cover 50 is rotated to rotate the outer cover 50. When the opening is opened, the sealing member 47Y is pulled to open the connection port 41Y. Thereby , it becomes possible to prevent forgetting to pull out the sealing member 47Y or to reduce the force when pulling out. Further, the method of fixing the sealing member 47Y is not limited to the tape 54Y, and any method can be used as long as it can be fixed.
Although the above-described embodiment has been described as a process cartridge, the same invention can be implemented with a single developing device. Of course, a developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge that implement the above-described invention are also conceivable. However, since it is considered that the above description can be fully understood, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, a case where the second sealing member 55Y is added to the process cartridge 6Y so as to close the toner replenishing port 40Y will be described as the same idea as the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a second sealing member is added to the process cartridge so as to close the toner supply port. In FIG. 8, the same thing as said invention can be considered also when the 2nd sealing member 55Y is provided.
By fixing the second sealing member 55Y to the face plate 48 (FIG. 7) or the side exterior cover 50, it becomes possible to prevent the second sealing member 55Y from being forgotten to be pulled out or to reduce the force when pulling out. In FIG. 8, as in FIG. 2, reference numeral 1Y denotes a photosensitive member, 2Y denotes a drum cleaning device, 5Y denotes a developing device, and 6Y denotes a process cartridge.
In addition, regarding the fixing of the sealing member 47Y and the second sealing member 55Y, only the sealing member 47Y or only the second sealing member 55Y may be used, or the sealing member 47Y and the second sealing member 55Y may be connected. Combinations are free, as they can be combined.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the process cartridge is set in the image forming apparatus main body, and the face plate and the respective exterior covers are opened. FIG. 9 is merely shown as a reference, and the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are set in the image forming apparatus main body A, and the fixing face plate 48 and the respective exterior covers (the side exterior cover 50 including the waste toner bottle 51). The front exterior cover 52 and the upper exterior cover 53) are in an open state.
Since the sealing members (developer seals) 47Y and 55Y are hard to pull out (force is required), the operability is improved by pulling out even a little. At this time, the sealing member (developer seal) may be pulled out completely or may be pulled out halfway.

  As for defects such as images, forgetting to pull out the sealing members (developer seals) 47Y and 55Y can be prevented, so that an abnormal image such as a blank sheet is generated or replenished without consumption of toner. In addition, it is possible to provide a developing device that does not suffer from problems such as scumming caused by an increase in the toner concentration in the second chamber and toner scattering.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an electrophotographic printer of the present invention. It is the schematic which expands and shows the process cartridge 6Y of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows process cartridge 6Y. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fixed a part (end part) of the sealing member to the face plate. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the face plate of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fixed a part (end part) of the sealing member to the exterior cover (side surface exterior cover) of the main body. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the side surface exterior cover of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a second sealing member is added so as to block a toner supply port in a process cartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the process cartridge is set in the image forming apparatus main body, and the face plate and each exterior cover are opened.

Explanation of symbols

5Y developing device 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K process cartridges 34Y developing roller 36Y second chamber 37Y carrier
41 Y connecting port 42Y first chamber 47Y sealing member 48 face plate <br/> 50 armor cover

Claims (6)

A first chamber for accommodating the developing roller, and the second chamber you accommodating a developer, in the developing device and a sealing member for sealing the connecting port communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber, the Positioning and fixing with the lower part rotatably supported by the support frame of the image forming apparatus main body when the developing apparatus is shipped in the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being fixed at the developing position in the image forming apparatus main body. A part of the sealing member is fixed to the upper part of the face plate for use, and when the face plate for positioning and fixing is rotated to open the face plate , the sealing member is pulled and the connection A developing device characterized in that a mouth is released . A developing device comprising: a first chamber that houses a developing roller; a second chamber that contains a developer; and a sealing member that seals a connection port that communicates the first chamber and the second chamber. device when ship with to the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being fixed to the developing position of the image forming apparatus main body, the lower part of the outer cover which is rotatably supported to the support frame of the image forming apparatus main body some of the sealing member at the top is fixed, said exterior cover is rotated, upon opening the outer cover, said sealing member is pulled, said connection hole is released current image device characterized. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a transport body that supplies a developer to the surface of the developing roller is accommodated in the second chamber . A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1 . Images forming device you further comprising a developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Image forming apparatus characterized by mounting the profile processes cartridge according to claim 4.

Images