JP5382246B1 - Development device manufacturing apparatus and development device manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve the yield of a developing device.
An apparatus for manufacturing a developing device 180B includes a developing unit 184 that is supported by a casing 182 and holds a developer magnetically on an outer peripheral surface, and a developer that is disposed and held with a gap on the outer peripheral surface. An assembly 180A having a restricting portion 186 made of a magnetic material that restricts the amount of the support, and a support 120 that supports the restricting portion 186 on the lower side of the developing portion 184; From the above-mentioned values, the held object 130 that is held in contact with the part shifted in the circumferential direction from the gap in the surface and the regulating part 186, the measurement unit 140 that measures a value corresponding to the inclination of the held object 130, and The size of the gap is adjusted by moving the transmission unit 190 for transmitting information about the size of the obtained gap or whether the size is within a predetermined range and the regulating unit 186. Adjustment unit 150 and With.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device manufacturing apparatus, a developing device manufacturing method, and an inspection apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a retroreflective member 26 is provided on the inner wall of the casing 21, and light is emitted toward the retroreflective member 26 from the outside of the developing device 20 by the light emitting means 51. A method for measuring the doctor gap G by detecting the light reflected by the retroreflective member 26 by the light detection means 52 is disclosed.

  Further, a half mirror 53 is provided in the middle of the optical path between the light emitting means 51 and the doctor gap G, the light is irradiated from the light emitting means 51 to the retroreflective member 26 through the half mirror 53, and the light reflected by the retroreflective member 26 is reflected by the half mirror 53. And a method of measuring the gap by detecting with the light detection means 52 is disclosed.

JP 2012-58309 A

  An object of the present invention is to improve the yield of a developing device.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device manufacturing apparatus comprising: a developing unit that is supported by a casing and that holds a developer magnetically on an outer peripheral surface; and a developer that is disposed and held with a gap in the outer peripheral surface. A support member that supports an assembly having a restricting portion made of a magnetic material that restricts the amount, with the restricting portion positioned below the developing portion, and the gap on the outer peripheral surface. Means a held object that is held in contact with the part displaced in the circumferential direction and the regulating part, a measuring part that measures a value corresponding to the inclination of the held object, and the size of the gap obtained from the value Or a transmission unit that transmits information about whether or not the size is within a predetermined range, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the gap by moving the regulation unit. It is characterized by that.

  A developing device manufacturing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the developing device manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a weight is disposed on a portion of the held body that is inclined and is located below the gravity direction. It is characterized by that.

  A developing device manufacturing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the developing device manufacturing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the measuring section is an inclination sensor and also serves as the weight.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device manufacturing method comprising: a developing unit that is supported by a housing and that holds a developer magnetically on an outer peripheral surface; and a developer that is disposed and held with a gap between the outer peripheral surfaces. A step of supporting the assembly having a restricting portion made of a magnetic material that restricts the amount on the support by positioning the restricting portion below the developing portion, and the gap on the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction. A step of inserting a shifted portion and a held body that is held in contact with the restricting portion into the gap, a step of measuring a value corresponding to an inclination of the held body, and a size of the gap from the value And a step of removing the assembly from the support when the size is within a predetermined range.

  The developing device manufacturing method according to claim 5 of the present invention is the developing device manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein when the size is not within the predetermined range, the size is set to the predetermined range. After the adjusting step, the assembly is removed from the support in the removing step.

  A developing device manufacturing method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the developing device manufacturing method according to the fifth aspect, wherein in the step of adjusting the size to the predetermined range, the size obtained in the obtaining step. The adjustment is performed with reference to the above.

  In the developing device manufacturing method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the adjusting step according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the regulating portion is moved from a position where the size of the gap is larger than an upper limit in the determined range. It is performed by moving in a direction approaching the developing unit.

  According to the developing device manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the yield of the developing device is improved as compared with the case where the adjusting unit, the measuring unit, and the transmitting unit of the present invention are not provided.

  According to the developing device manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, when the restricting portion is fixed to the housing, the restricting portion is prevented from shifting upward as compared with the case where there is no weight.

  According to the developing device manufacturing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, an increase in the number of parts is suppressed as compared with a case where the inclination sensor is not also used as a weight.

  According to the developing device manufacturing method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the developing device can be manufactured by measuring the gap without arranging an auxiliary member in the housing.

  According to the developing device manufacturing method of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the yield of the developing device is improved as compared with the case where there is no step of adjusting the size of the gap to a predetermined range.

  According to the developing device manufacturing method of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing time of the developing device is shorter than when the gap size is not referred to in the step of adjusting the size of the gap to a predetermined range. Shortened.

  According to the developing device manufacturing method of the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the size of the gap is adjusted, the developing device can be adjusted more easily than when the regulating portion is moved away from the developing portion. Can be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a developing device manufactured by a developing device manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or an assembly inspected by an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view seen from the direction of (B) is the perspective view seen from the other direction. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a developing device manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the manufacturing apparatus main body of the image development apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the assembly was attached to the manufacturing apparatus of the developing device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the assembly was attached to the manufacturing apparatus of the developing device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of a developing unit, a regulating unit, a held body, and a held body holding base in FIG. 4 or FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section in the 7-7 line | wire of the assembly in FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the principle which inserts a to-be-held body in the outer peripheral surface and regulation part of the image development part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and measures the magnitude | size of the clearance gap. It is the schematic which shows the state which displayed the information of the magnitude | size of the clearance gap between the outer peripheral surface of a image development part, and a control part by the display part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) And (B) is the top view and side view which show the to-be-held body based on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state at the time of attaching an assembly to the apparatus which measures the magnitude | size of the clearance gap of the assembly using a laser beam and a CCD camera which is a comparative example, Comprising: (A) is with this apparatus. Schematic diagram in the case of an assembly capable of measurement, (B) is a schematic diagram in the case of an assembly difficult to measure with this apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the manufacturing process of the developing device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the test | inspection process of the test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
≪Configuration of development equipment manufacturing equipment≫
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the developing device will be described. Next, the relationship between the developing device and the assembly will be described. Further, the configuration of the developing device manufacturing apparatus will be described. Finally, the operation of the developing device manufacturing apparatus will be described.

[Development equipment]
The developing device 180B is attached to an image forming apparatus (not shown), and is disposed so as to face an image holding member (not shown) as an example of a photosensitive member, and is visible to a latent image formed on the image holding member. Used to form an image (developer image). As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 180B includes a housing 182, a developing roll 184 attached to the housing 182, a trimmer bar 186, and a member 189 for stirring the developer (see FIG. 7). Yes. The developing roll 184 is an example of a developing unit, and the trimmer bar 186 is an example of a regulating unit.

  Further, a magnetic body (not shown) is accommodated inside the developing roll 184. The developing roll 184 holds the magnetic developer by applying the magnetic force of the magnetic body to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The trimmer bar 186 is a plate having magnetism. The trimmer bar 186 is used to transport the developer held on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 184 to a regulated amount within a predetermined range. That is, the trimmer bar 186 is disposed so as to form a gap within a predetermined range with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 184 (see FIG. 6). The trimmer bar 186 is fixed to the housing 182 with screws 186A (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

  Further, a shaft portion 184A and a shaft portion 188B are provided on both end sides of the developing roll 184 in the developing device 180B. The shaft portion 184A and the shaft portion 188B function as positioning shafts when attached to the image forming apparatus.

[Relationship between developing device and assembly]
The assembly 180A refers to a part of the developing device 180B that lacks some parts.

[Development equipment manufacturing equipment]
Next, a developing device manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the developing device manufacturing apparatus. The developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a developing device manufacturing apparatus main body 110, a control unit 170 that controls the developing device manufacturing apparatus main body 110, and a gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 that constitute the assembly 180A. And a display unit 190 that displays information of size G.

  The developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 performs a (manufacturing) process in which the size of the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 is set to a predetermined range with respect to the assembly 180A manufactured in another manufacturing process. Is. The assembly 180A adjusted to the range determined in this step is attached with other components or filled with a developer if necessary by an apparatus other than the developing apparatus manufacturing apparatus 100. The developing device 180B is obtained.

  In the following description, the directions indicated by arrows X and -X in FIG. 3 are the apparatus depth direction (front side and back side of the apparatus depth direction, respectively), and the directions indicated by arrows Y and -Y are the apparatus width direction (respectively right side of the apparatus width direction). , Left side), and the direction indicated by arrows Z and -Z is the device height direction (upper side and lower side of the device height direction). 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, a symbol with “X” in “◯” indicates an arrow from the front to the back, and a symbol with “•” in “○” It means an arrow from the back to the front. The device height direction is the vertical direction.

[Development device manufacturing equipment body]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the developing apparatus manufacturing apparatus main body 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the developing device manufacturing apparatus main body 110 includes a pair of supports 120R and 120L that support the assembly 180A, and holding members 130R and 130L that are inserted into a gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186. And inclination sensors 140R and 140L that measure values corresponding to the inclinations of the held bodies 130R and 130L, and adjustment units 150R and 150L that adjust the size G of the gap by moving the trimmer bar 186. Is done. Here, the objects to be held 130R and 130L are examples of objects to be held, and the inclination sensors 140R and 140L are examples of measuring units.

  Here, R and L after the reference numerals respectively indicate the Y side and the −Y side with respect to the center in the apparatus width direction. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish R and L, R and L after the symbol are omitted.

(Support)
The support 120 includes a base 128 common to the two supports 120R and 120L, support pillars 122R and 122L provided symmetrically in the width direction of the base 128, and support pillars 122R and 122L. Cylindrical first support portions 124R, 124L (see FIG. 5) and cylindrical second support portions 126R, 126L (see FIG. 5) are provided.

  The support 120 is configured to support the assembly 180A by fitting shaft portions 184A (see FIG. 1) at both ends of the developing roll 184 into the first support portions 124R and 124L. Further, the support 120 is configured to support the assembly 180A by fitting shaft portions 188A and 188B (see FIG. 1) provided in the housing 182 into the second support portions 126R and 126L.

  As described above, when the support 120 supports the assembly 180A, the trimmer bar 186 is arranged on the lower side in the vertical direction of the developing roll 184 as shown in FIG. 4 shows a state where the assembly 180A is attached to the manufacturing apparatus main body 110 of the developing device.

(Holder)
Next, the object to be held will be described with reference to FIG. 6A shows the developing roll 184, the trimmer bar 186, the held body 130, and the held body holding stand 136 that holds the held body 130 from the lower side in the vertical direction in FIG. 4 and FIG. The schematic seen from the direction side is shown. As shown in FIG. 6A, the held body 130 includes a held body main body 132 and a stopper 134 provided on the held body main body 132. The held object holding stand 136 is attached to a tip portion of a pneumatic cylinder 138 (see FIG. 4 or FIG. 5) arranged on the lower side in the vertical direction, and is moved in the vertical direction by the pneumatic cylinder 138. ing. Further, a tilt sensor 140 described later is attached to the upper surface of the held body 130 on the nearer side of the apparatus depth direction than the stopper 134. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the shape of the to-be-held body 130 is plate shape.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the initial position in the vertical direction of the holder holding base 136 corresponds to the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186. When the held body 130 is moved in the apparatus depth direction in this state, the held body 130 is inserted into the gap as shown in FIG. 6B. Further, the held body 130 is configured such that the stopper 134 comes into contact with the developing roll 184 and cannot move further in the depth direction of the apparatus.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), when the pneumatic support cylinder 136 is operated to move the held object holding base 136 downward in the vertical direction, the held object 130 is separated from the tip of the trimmer bar 186. With the contact P as a fulcrum, the near side in the apparatus depth direction moves downward in the gravitational direction. Further, the held member 130 is provided so as to be inserted into two places on both ends of the developing roll 184. These two places are set at predetermined positions in the apparatus width direction.

  Instead of the stopper 134, a mark for preventing excessive insertion may be provided on the held body 130. Further, the means for moving the held object holding base 136 in the vertical direction may not be the pneumatic cylinder 138 described above, and for example, a rack and pinion and a motor may be used.

(Measurement part)
As described above, the tilt sensor 140 is attached to the held body 130 (see FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8). The tilt sensor 140 can measure the tilt angle θ (see FIG. 8) of the held body 130 with respect to the horizontal direction (device depth direction). Here, the inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction is an example of a value corresponding to the inclination of the held object 130.

  In addition, since the held member 130 is provided corresponding to the two positions on both ends of the developing roll 184, two tilt sensors 140 are also provided.

  Here, the relationship between the inclination angle θ and the gap size G will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. Let Q be the intersection of an imaginary straight line connecting the fulcrum P of the support 130 and the center O of the cross section of the developing roll 184 and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 184. Also, let R be the intersection of the perpendicular to the held body 130 passing through the center O of the cross section of the developing roll 184 and the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 184 (or the intersection with the held body 130). Thus, when the to-be-held body 130 is inclined by θ with respect to the horizontal direction, ∠POR is also θ. The size G of the gap (the length of the line segment PQ) has a relationship of cos θ = (r + t) / (G + r). That is, r corresponds to the radius of the developing roll 184, and t corresponds to the thickness of the held member 130. Therefore, if θ is known from the above relational expression, G can be derived. Note that, as described above, by providing a plurality of places where the object 130 is inserted apart in the apparatus width direction, the accuracy of adjusting the gap size G is improved.

  Note that the measurement unit is not limited to the tilt sensor 140, and the amount (angle, distance) changed with respect to the reference posture of the held object 130, such as an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor arranged in non-contact with the held object 130. , Height, etc.) can be used.

(Adjustment part)
The adjustment unit 150 includes an upper surface portion 152, an adjustment portion main body 155 for moving the upper surface portion 152 upward in the vertical direction, and a fixing portion 156 for fixing the trimmer bar 186 to the housing 182 with screws 186A. Consists of. The adjustment unit 150 is used to adjust the size G of the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 to a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as an allowable range).

  The upper surface portion 152 of the adjustment unit 150 is arranged on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the trimmer bar 186. The upper surface portion 152 moves upward in the vertical direction when the adjustment screw 154 provided in the adjustment portion main body 155 is rotated clockwise, and moves downward in the vertical direction when rotated counterclockwise. When the upper surface portion 152 is moved in the Z direction, the lower side of the trimmer bar 186 is pressed by the upper surface portion 152, and the trimmer bar 186 is moved upward in the vertical direction. Further, when the upper surface portion 152 is moved downward in the vertical direction, the trimmer bar 186 is moved downward in the vertical direction by gravity (including gravity by a weight described later).

  Further, when the size G of the gap is within the allowable range, the trimmer bar 186 is fixed to the housing 182 by screws 186A on both the left and right sides by the fixing portion 156. In addition, when fixing the trimmer bar 186 to the housing 182, it is not fixed by the screw 186 </ b> A, but after applying the ultraviolet curable adhesive to a part of the trimmer bar 186, the position of the trimmer bar 186 is adjusted, and the application portion May be irradiated with ultraviolet rays and fixed to the housing 182.

(Control part)
The control unit 170 is configured to convert the measurement result input from the tilt sensor 140 into a gap size G. In addition, the measurement result by the tilt sensor 140 is output to the display unit 190 described later. Furthermore, the control unit 170 performs control to move the pneumatic cylinder 138 described above.

[Display section]
Next, the display unit 190 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an example of a display mode showing the display unit 190. The display unit 190 is an example of a transmission unit. The display unit 190 is used to notify the information converted from the measurement result by the inclination sensor 140 into the gap size G. For example, using the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100, an operator who manufactures the developing device 180 </ b> B can convert the information converted into the gap size G (the value of the measured gap size G, the G value being acceptable). This is used to inform the user of information within the range.

  The display unit 190 in FIG. 9 indicates the size of the gap at a predetermined position in the width direction (device width direction) of the developing roll 184. Specifically, there are two predetermined positions, which are displayed as right and left, respectively. For example, the value of the gap G on the right side in the apparatus width direction in FIG. 4 is 0.6174 [mm], and the value of the gap G on the left side in the apparatus width direction is 0.6075 [mm] on the left side. A value of size G is displayed.

  In addition, information on the measured gap G is also displayed on the display unit 194 on the left side of the value of each measurement position. Specifically, the range of the defined gap size G is from a lower limit (196) 0.58 to an upper limit (198) 0.62 [mm], that is, a center value of 0.60 [mm]. The tolerance is ± 0.02 [mm]. The display unit 194 displays the measured value of the gap G as a line 192. Accordingly, when there is no gap G in the range between the lower limit 198 and the upper limit 196, the line 192 is displayed on the hatched portion of the display unit 194, and therefore the size G of the gap is not within the allowable range. This is made to let the worker recognize it through vision.

  Note that the content displayed on the display unit 190 as shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the information described above, and it may be simply displayed whether the size G of the gap is within the allowable range. Further, whether or not the gap size G is within the allowable range is transmitted by means other than display (for example, sound or the like) to determine whether or not the gap size G is within the allowable range. You may make it recognize about.

≪Operation of development equipment manufacturing equipment≫
Next, the operation of the developing device manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram (flowchart) illustrating a developing device manufacturing process by the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100.

  First, the gap G between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 constituting the assembly 180A is adjusted in advance to be within an allowable range. In this case, for example, if the design value of the gap size G is 0.6 ± 0.05 [mm] (center value: 0.6 [mm], tolerance ± 0.05 [mm]), the thickness is 0. The trimmer bar 186 is fixed to the housing 182 with an adjustment plate (not shown) of 6 ± 0.01 [mm] sandwiched between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186.

  When the assembly 180A is thus prepared, the assembly 180A is supported on the support 120 as shown in step S100 (showing S100 in FIG. 12).

  Next, as shown in step S110, the support 130 is inserted into the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 (see FIG. 6B). Thereafter, the held object holding stand 136 is moved downward in the vertical direction. Then, the held body 130 is held in contact with the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 with the contact point P with the tip of the trimmer bar 186 as a fulcrum and inclined in the horizontal direction (FIG. 6 ( C)).

  Next, as shown in step S120, a value corresponding to the inclination of the object 130 is measured. Here, the tilt sensor 140 is attached to one end side of the held body 130 (the lower side in the gravity direction when the held body 130 is tilted). Then, as a value corresponding to the inclination of the object 130, the inclination (inclination angle) with respect to the horizontal direction is measured.

  Next, as shown in step S130, the gap size G is obtained from the inclination angle measured in step S120. In this case, the information on the inclination measured in step S120 is transmitted to the control unit 170, and then the gap size G is obtained by the control unit 170.

  Next, as shown in step S140, it is determined whether or not the gap size G is within an allowable range. Specifically, the gap size G obtained from the actually measured tilt angle is displayed on the display unit 190, and the operator determines whether or not it is within the allowable range based on the displayed content. to decide.

  As described above, the assembly 180A is adjusted using the adjustment plate so that the gap size G is within an allowable range in advance. At this adjustment stage, the trimmer bar 186 is positioned on the housing 182 with the screws 186A or the like. As a result, the gap size G may eventually shift. Further, even when positioning is performed using an ultraviolet curable adhesive, deviation may occur at the stage of irradiating the ultraviolet curable adhesive with ultraviolet rays and curing. Then, finally, the size G of the gap may be outside the allowable range.

  Next, when it is determined that the size G of the gap is within the allowable range, as shown in step S150, the assembly 180A is removed from the support 120, and the manufacturing process of the developing device according to this manufacturing method ends. Note that the assembly 180A removed from the support 120 has completed the manufacturing process according to this manufacturing method, and thus the next process (for example, charging of the developer) is performed to complete the developing device 180B.

  Further, when it is determined in step S140 described above that the gap size G is not within the allowable range, the display unit 190 displays the gap size G so as to be within the allowable range, as shown in step S145. The position of the trimmer bar 186 is adjusted by the adjustment unit 150 while referring to the size G of the gap. Specifically, the screw 186A for fixing the trimmer bar 186 to the housing 182 is loosened by the fixing portion 156, and the trimmer bar 186 is movable in the vertical direction. Thereafter, the upper surface portion 152 of the adjustment unit 150 is moved in the vertical direction while referring to the gap size G displayed by the display unit 190, and the gap size G is adjusted to an allowable range. Thereafter, as shown in step S150, the assembly 180A is removed from the support 120, and the manufacturing process of the developing device according to this manufacturing method ends.

  Here, it demonstrates, referring FIG. 11 which is a comparative example of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state in which the assembly is attached to an apparatus for measuring the size of the gap in the assembly using a laser beam and a CCD camera.

  FIG. 11A shows a schematic view of an assembly 180C capable of measuring the gap size G by this apparatus. In the assembly 180C, the reflecting member 204 is provided in a part of the housing 182C. The laser light emitted from the light source 200 is deflected by the reflecting member 204, passes through the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186, and enters the CCD camera 202, and the size G of the gap is measured. The reflecting member 204 is used only for measuring the gap size G.

  FIG. 11B shows a schematic view of an assembly in which it is difficult to measure the gap size G using this apparatus. In the case of the assembly 180A, unlike the assembly 180C, a member 189 that stirs the developer is provided inside the housing 182. For this reason, it is difficult to measure the gap by disposing the reflecting member 204 on either the outer wall or the inner wall of the housing 182 and providing an optical path inside the housing 182.

  On the other hand, according to the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the assembly 180A is attached to the support 120, the trimmer bar 186 is disposed below the developing roll 184. Then, the held object 130 is inserted into the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186, and the inclination G of the held object 130 is measured by the inclination sensor 140, whereby the size G of the gap is displayed.

  Accordingly, the developing device is manufactured by measuring the size G of the gap without arranging an auxiliary member (for example, the reflecting member 204 (see FIG. 11A)) in the housing 182 of the assembly 180A. be able to.

  Further, the measured gap size G is displayed on the display unit 190. Further, referring to the display unit 190, the adjustment unit 150 moves the position of the trimmer bar 186 (changes the size G of the gap) and adjusts so that the tip of the trimmer bar 186 is within the allowable range. be able to. Therefore, the productivity of the developing device is improved as compared with the case where the adjusting unit 150 or the display unit 190 is not provided.

The trimmer bar 186 always receives a magnetic force from the developing roll 184 toward the developing roll 184. Under such a relationship, when the assembly 180A is supported by the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100, the trimmer bar 186 is disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the developing roll 184. The force due to its own weight works in the opposite direction of the magnetic force. Since the held body 130 to which the tilt sensor 140 functioning as a weight is attached is located above the trimmer bar 186 in the vertical direction, the trimmer bar 186 is further subjected to gravity due to the weight.
In the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100, the gravity acting on the trimmer bar 186 is set larger than the magnetic force.

  Therefore, when the gap size G is adjusted to an allowable range, the trimmer bar 186 is prevented from being shifted due to the influence of the magnetic force, compared to the case where the relationship between the magnetic force acting on the trimmer bar 186 and the gravity is not in the above relationship. . In addition, an increase in the number of parts is suppressed as compared with a case where the tilt sensor 140 is not also used as a weight.

<Modification of the first embodiment>
Next, a modified example (modified example 1) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram (flow chart) illustrating each process of the first modification.

  This modification 1 is different in that step S145 of FIG. 12 is step S146. Specifically, when it is determined in step S140 that the gap size G is not within the allowable range, in the second modification, the process proceeds to step S147. In step S147, when the gap size G is adjusted to be within the allowable range, the trimmer bar 186 is moved closer to the developing roll 184 from a position where the gap size G is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range. It is supposed to be moved only. Here, the position where the size G of the gap is larger than the upper limit in the allowable range refers to a position where the tip of the trimmer bar 186 is vertically below the position that is the upper limit of the allowable range.

  In step S146, when the gap size G is adjusted to the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S150, the assembly 180A is removed from the support 120, and the manufacturing process of the developing device according to this manufacturing method ends. .

  A magnetic force from the developing roll 184 acts on the trimmer bar 186. The strength of the magnetic field is almost inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the trimmer bar 186 and the developing roll 184. Therefore, when the position of the trimmer bar 186 is adjusted, the position of the trimmer bar 186 can be stopped by intentionally aiming at a place close to the upper limit in the allowable range of the gap size G. And since the influence of the magnetic force in the trimmer bar 186 becomes relatively small at a position close to the upper limit of the allowable range, a deviation that may occur when the trimmer bar 186 is fixed with the screw 186A is suppressed.

  Moreover, by adjusting in this way, the trimmer bar 186 moves from the vertical direction lower side to the upper side. Then, the trimmer bar 186 is stopped aiming at a position slightly smaller than the upper limit of the allowable range while referring to the position information of the tip of the trimmer bar 186 obtained from the display unit 190. In this case, the trimmer bar 186 is stopped while being supported by the upper surface portion 152 of the adjusting portion 150 from the lower side in the vertical direction.

  Therefore, when the trimmer bar 186 is screwed to the housing 182, even if a positional shift accompanying this occurs, the shift of the trimmer bar 186 downward in the vertical direction is suppressed. Further, even if the trimmer bar 186 is displaced upward in the vertical direction, it is suppressed that the trimmer bar 186 is further smaller than the lower limit of the allowable range. This is particularly effective when the screw 186A is used to fix the trimmer bar 186 to the housing 182.

  Note that the above-mentioned “position slightly smaller than the upper limit of the allowable range” is, for example, vertically below the position that is the central value of the allowable range, and further, the upper limit of the allowable range beyond this central value. A position that is close to.

  Further, when the trimmer bar 186 is fixed to the housing 182 with the screw 186A, if the screw 186A is a clockwise rotation screw, the left screw 186A in the apparatus width direction is screwed, and then the right screw 186A is screwed. It is good. That is, while the left screw 186A is tightened, the trimmer bar 186 tries to rotate right about the left screw 186A. However, the lower side of the trimmer bar 186 in the vertical direction is supported by the upper surface portion 152 of the adjustment unit 150, and the trimmer bar 186 cannot move. Then, after fixing the trimmer bar 186 with the left screw 186A and then screwing it with the right screw 186A, the trimmer bar 186 that attempts to rotate right around the right screw 186A moves upward in the vertical direction. I can't. Therefore, after the right screw is fixed, the displacement due to the screw fixing is suppressed as compared with the case where the left screw is fixed.

  Also, when fixing the trimmer bar 186 to the housing 182 with the screw 186A, if the left screw 186A is a right-handed screw and the right screw 186A is a left-handed screw, either screw is tightened first. In addition, displacement due to screw fixing is suppressed.

<Modification 2 of the first embodiment>
Next, another modified example (modified example 2) of the first embodiment will be described. In the description so far, when the assembly 180A is attached to the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100, the adjustment plate described above is used so that the size G of the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 in the assembly 180A is within an allowable range in advance. It was in an adjusted state. That is, the trimmer bar 186 is fixed to the housing 182 with the screw 186A.

  However, in the second modification, the assembly 180A in a state where the trimmer bar 186 is not fixed to the housing 182 with the screw 186A is attached to the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 so that the gap size G is adjusted to an allowable range. It has become.

  In the second modification, the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 is used to include an adjustment step of adjusting the size of the gap to be within an allowable range in advance. Therefore, according to the second modification example, the adjustment step before attaching the assembly 180A to the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 can be omitted as compared with the case where the size of the gap is adjusted in advance to be within the allowable range. . Other operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

<Modification 3 of the first embodiment>
Next, another modified example (modified example 3) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B with a focus on differences from the above description.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show held bodies 130A and 130B, which are modifications of the held body 130, respectively. 10A and 10B, a front view is shown on the left side, and a side view is shown on the right side. In addition, the alternate long and short dash line described in each front view is a portion that comes into contact with the tip of the trimmer bar 186 and becomes a tangent line when used in the manufacturing apparatus main body 110 of the developing device.

  130 A of to-be-held bodies are formed in the wide width | variety of the side which inclines and becomes the lower side of a gravitational direction. Moreover, the to-be-held body 130B is formed so that the thickness on the side which inclines and becomes the lower side of the gravity direction is thick. As a result, the gravitational force acting on the to-be-held bodies 130A and 130B is larger than that on the to-be-held body 130. In the developing apparatus manufacturing apparatus main body 110 to which the held bodies 130A and 130B are attached, the influence of the magnetic force is relatively reduced as compared with the case where the held body 130 is attached.

<Modification 4 of the first embodiment>
Next, another modified example (Modified Example 4) of the first embodiment will be described focusing on portions different from those described so far.

  When the developing device 180B is manufactured using the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 described above, all processes are not automated, and the operator manufactures the developing device 180B while operating the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100. It was like that.

  However, in the fourth modification, the developing device 180B can be manufactured more efficiently by automating some or all of the steps.

  For example, after the assembly 180A is attached to the support 120, the operation of inserting the support 130 into the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186, the operation of moving the support holding base 136 after the insertion, and the like are controlled. The unit 170 may be used for automatic control. Further, the size of the gap may be automatically adjusted by automatically controlling the movement of the adjustment unit main body 155 using the control unit 170. In this case, without using the display unit 190, a transmission unit that transmits information about the size of the measured gap to the control unit 150 may be used as the transmission unit.

<Second Embodiment>
<Configuration of inspection device>
Next, the inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with a focus on differences from the above description.

  The developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 described above is used for manufacturing the developing device by measuring the size G of the gap between the developing roll 184 and the trimmer bar 186 and further adjusting the size G of the gap. . On the other hand, the inspection apparatus 102 (not shown) according to the second embodiment is attached to the assembly 180A with the gap G adjusted, so that the gap G is within the allowable range. Used to determine (inspect) only whether or not there is.

  The inspection apparatus 102 is different from the developing apparatus manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in that the adjustment unit 150 is not provided. That is, the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 can be used as the inspection apparatus 102 as the inspection apparatus 102.

The inspection apparatus 102 can also be used when a magnetic material is not housed inside the developing roll 184. That is, when the assembly 180A is attached to the support, the trimmer bar 186 does not have to be supported on the lower side in the vertical direction of the developing roll 184 as in the developing device manufacturing apparatus 100. The reason why these two points are different is that the inspection apparatus 102 is used for simply measuring the size G of the gap and inspecting it.

<Operation of inspection device>
The inspection apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14 with a focus on differences from the above description. FIG. 14 is a diagram (flow chart) showing an inspection process by the inspection apparatus 102.

  In this inspection process, steps S145 and S146 in FIGS. 12 and 13 are changed to step S147, and steps S100 and S150 in FIGS. 12 and 13 correspond to steps S102 and S152, respectively. The developing device 180B is different.

  Specifically, when it is determined in step S140 that the gap size G is not within the allowable range, in this inspection process, the process proceeds to step S147. In step S147, the developing device 180B is removed from the inspection device 102, the screw 186A of the trimmer bar 186 fixed to the housing 182 is further loosened, and the gap size G is again within the allowable range. adjust. Thereafter, the process from step S100 is performed again. If it is determined in step S140 that the gap size G is within the allowable range, the assembly 180A is removed from the support 120 in step S150, and the inspection apparatus 102 The inspection process ends.

  According to this inspection apparatus 102, the size G of the gap is measured without arranging an auxiliary member (for example, the reflection member 204 or the like (see FIG. 11A)) on the housing 182 of the assembly 180A. The developing device can be inspected.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. . For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement and the moving direction of the trimmer bar 186 with respect to the developing roll 184 have been described as shown in FIG. 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement of the trimmer bar 186 is not limited thereto. The direction may move toward a location different from the center O of the developing roll 184. In this case, the calculation method of the value corresponding to the inclination of the object 130 is only modified.

  It can also be used not only when developing devices are manufactured and when developing devices are inspected before shipment, but also for other purposes such as inspection and repair (adjustment) of developing devices after they are put on the market. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Developing device manufacturing apparatus 102 Inspection apparatus 120 Support body 130 Hold object 130A Hold object 130B Hold object 140 Tilt sensor (an example of a measurement unit, an example of a weight)
150 Adjustment Unit 180A Assembly 180B Development Device 182 Case 184 Development Roll (Example of Development Unit)
186 Trimmer bar (an example of a regulation section)
190 Display unit (an example of a transmission unit)

Claims (7)

A set having a developing unit supported by a housing and holding the developer magnetically on the outer circumferential surface, and a regulating unit made of a magnetic material that regulates the amount of the developer that is arranged and held with a gap on the outer circumferential surface. A support body that supports the three-dimensional body by positioning the restriction portion below the developing portion;
A held body that is inserted into the gap and is held in contact with the portion that is displaced in the circumferential direction from the gap on the outer peripheral surface and the regulating portion;
A measurement unit for measuring a value corresponding to the inclination of the held body;
A transmission unit for transmitting information on the size of the gap obtained from the value or whether the size is in a predetermined range;
An adjusting unit that adjusts the size of the gap by moving the regulating unit;
An apparatus for producing a developing device. A weight is disposed on a portion of the held body that is inclined to be below the gravitational direction.
The developing device manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. The measurement unit is an inclination sensor and is also used as the weight.
The apparatus for manufacturing a developing device according to claim 2. A set having a developing unit supported by a housing and holding the developer magnetically on the outer circumferential surface, and a regulating unit made of a magnetic material that regulates the amount of the developer that is arranged and held with a gap on the outer circumferential surface. A step of supporting the three-dimensional body on the support body by positioning the restriction portion below the developing portion;
A step of inserting, into the gap, a portion that is shifted in the circumferential direction from the gap on the outer peripheral surface and a held body that is held in contact with the restriction portion;
Measuring a value corresponding to the inclination of the object to be held;
Determining the size of the gap from the value;
Removing the assembly from the support when the size is in a defined range;
A developing device manufacturing method including: If the size is not within the predetermined range, after the step of adjusting the size to the predetermined range, after removing the assembly from the support in the removal step,
The method for manufacturing a developing device according to claim 4. In the step of adjusting the size to the predetermined range, adjustment is performed with reference to the size obtained in the obtaining step.
A method for manufacturing a developing device according to claim 5. The adjusting step according to claim 5 or 6 is performed by moving the restricting portion in a direction approaching the developing portion from a position where the size of the gap is larger than the upper limit in the determined range.
A method for manufacturing a developing device.