JP5515356B2 - Sealing structure, housing, and developer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing structure, a housing, and a developing device.

  For example, in a device in which powder or fluid is stored, such as a developing device that supplies developer in the image forming apparatus and performs development, when the casing is composed of a plurality of members such as a lid and a main body. It is known to have a sealing structure that prevents leakage of contents by sandwiching a sealing material in a gap between these members. In such a sealing structure, when manufacturing the casing, for example, a force for narrowing the interval between the plurality of members is applied by screwing, and the sealing material is elastically deformed to ensure adhesion.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a process cartridge provided with a seal member that seals developer leakage, and the seal member includes a smooth surface seal having a sealing property and an elastic body. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a process cartridge in which leakage of developer is prevented by solidifying liquid elastomer.

JP-A-8-314269 JP 2002-207409 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing structure, a casing, and a developing device in which distortion of members is avoided.

The blocking structure according to claim 1 is:
A first member;
A second member that exerts a force to narrow the gap with the first member, and a hook portion that is applied to the first member indirectly through another member or directly by itself to generate the force; A second member having a projecting portion projecting toward the member and having a hem extending from the top,
It is sandwiched between the top of the protruding portion and the first member, and is deformed by the force to seal between the first member and the second member. Some of them are provided with unreachable sealing materials.

  The sealing structure according to claim 2 is characterized in that the sealing material is elastic even when applied and cured in a liquid state, and changes its shape by an external force.

  The sealing structure according to claim 3 is characterized in that the projecting portion is a ridge extending along the first member.

  The sealing structure according to claim 4 is characterized in that the second member protrudes in the same direction as the protrusion of the protruding portion next to the protruding portion, and the sealing material has a wall that contacts at least during deformation. Features.

The blocking structure according to claim 5 is for blocking material leakage from one side of the blocking structure to the other,
The wall is located on a side where a substance leaking from the protruding portion is accommodated.

The housing according to claim 6 is:
A first housing portion;
A second housing part that forms a space for accommodating an object in cooperation with the first housing part and is applied with a force to reduce a distance from the first housing part. A hook portion that is applied to the first casing portion indirectly through a member or directly by itself to generate the above force, and a protruding portion that protrudes toward the first casing portion and has a hem extending from the top portion. A second housing portion having;
The deformation between the first housing part and the second housing part is deformed by being deformed by the force sandwiched between the top of the protruding part and the first housing part. However, at least a part of the skirt of the protruding portion is provided with an unreached sealing material.

The developing device according to claim 7 is:
A first housing portion;
A second casing part that forms a storage tank for storing the developer therein in cooperation with the first casing part and that is applied with a force to reduce the distance from the first casing part; A hook part that is applied to the first casing part indirectly through another member or directly by itself, and a projecting part that projects toward the first casing part and has a hem extending from the top part A second housing portion having
The deformation between the first housing part and the second housing part is deformed by being deformed by the force sandwiched between the top of the protruding part and the first housing part. Even at least a part of the hem of the protruding portion,
And a developer conveying mechanism for developing the member to be developed by conveying the developer contained in the container to the member to be developed.

  According to the sealing structure according to the first aspect, distortion of the member is avoided.

  According to the sealing structure according to claim 2, a reliable sealing structure can be produced.

  According to the blocking structure according to the third aspect, a linear blocking line can be reliably manufactured.

  According to the sealing structure according to the fourth aspect, the lack of reaction force of the sealing material is reduced as compared with the structure having no wall.

  According to the housing according to the sixth aspect, distortion of the housing portion is avoided.

  According to the developing device of the seventh aspect, distortion of the housing portion is avoided.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the developing device shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which simplified and showed the structure of the housing | casing shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view in section A of a case shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the main body member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the cover member shown in FIG. 3 was fixed to the main body member with the screw. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of housing | casing shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing in the cross section B of the housing | casing of the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the comparative example with respect to 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the comparative example corresponded to FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example corresponding to FIG. 9. It is a figure explaining another method of forming the blocking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of main body member and cover member which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of main body member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 5th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 6th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 7th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 8th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the developing device of 9th Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, an exposure device 12 is applied to the surface of a photoconductor 10 that is given a predetermined charge by a charging roll 11 and rotates in the direction of arrow A, based on image data transmitted from the outside. The electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating with the exposure light generated in Step 1, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with the developer contained in the developing device 2 having the developing roll 21 rotating in the direction of arrow C. . The developed image obtained by this development is drawn from a paper cassette (not shown), transferred onto a recording paper conveyed in the direction of arrow B by a transfer roll 14 rotating in the direction of arrow D, and fixed in a fixing device 15. The image is formed on the recording paper by being fixed by. Residues remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 10 are removed by the cleaning device 16.

  Each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 constitutes a replaceable cartridge as a single unit or a plurality of combinations. For example, the developing device 2 constitutes a cartridge that can be replaced independently. However, the developing device 2 may constitute a replaceable cartridge, for example, in combination with the photoreceptor 10.

  The developer 2 shown in FIG. 1 contains a developer for development, and the cleaning device 16 contains a residue containing the developer removed from the photoreceptor 10. Therefore, each of the developing device 2 and the cleaning device 16 employs a structure for avoiding leakage of the stored items. Since the basic structure for avoiding leakage is the same between the developing device 2 and the cleaning device 16, the structure of the developing device 2 will be described here as an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the developing device shown in FIG.

  A developing device 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a developing roll 21 that conveys toner to a photoreceptor 10 (see FIG. 1) as a member to be developed, an agitating and conveying member 23 that conveys the toner while stirring, a developing roll 21 and an agitating member. A housing 20 that supports the conveying member 23 and accommodates a developer containing toner. The housing 20 includes a main body member 22, a lid member 24 that covers the opening of the main body member 22, and a sealing material 25 that fills a gap between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24. Note that FIG. 2 shows the housing 20 in an unfinished state in which the lid member 24 is detached from the main body member 22. The developer is accommodated in an internal space formed by attaching the lid member 24 to the main body member 22.

  The edge of the opening of the main body member 22 has a double annular structure. Although the detailed structure will be described later, the main body member 22 includes an inner wall portion 222 that forms an inner ring of the double rings, and an outer wall that extends outside the inner wall portion 222 in a ring shape along the inner wall portion 222. Part 221. A sealing material 25 is applied to the top of the outer wall portion 221. A screw hole 222 h is formed at the top of the inner wall portion 222. The lid member 24 is turned upside down from the posture shown in FIG. 2, is attached so as to cover the opening of the main body member 22, and is fastened to the main body member 22 with screws. At this time, the sealing material 25 is sandwiched and deformed between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24, and is in close contact with the lid member 24 to seal between the lid member 24 and the main body member 22. Thereby, the leakage of the toner in the housing 20 to the outside is avoided. However, the main body member 22 is provided with a hole closed by the developing roll 21, and a part of the toner conveyed in the main body member 22 by the stirring and conveying member 23 passes through the hole to the developing roll 21. Supplied.

  3 and 4 are views showing the structure of the housing shown in FIG. 2 in a simplified manner. 3 is a perspective view. In order to make the structure of the housing 20 easier to see, the developing roll 21 and the stirring and conveying member 23 shown in FIG. 2 are omitted, and the shapes of the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 are simplified. Yes. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the casing shown in FIG. 3 and 4 show a state immediately before the housing 20 is completed with the lid member 24 separated from the main body member 22.

  As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the main body member 22 is formed with an inner wall portion 222 and an outer wall portion 221 that protrude from the bottom portion 220 toward the lid member 24. The inner wall portion 222 surrounds the space S in which toner is accommodated from four sides and extends in an annular shape. Further, the outer wall portion 221 extends in an annular shape along the inner wall portion 222 outside the inner wall portion 222. Both the inner wall portion 222 and the outer wall portion 221 are formed in a shape extending along the lid member 24 in a state where the lid member 24 is attached to the main body member 22.

  Here, the lid member 24 is attached to the main body member 22, and the housing 20 in a completed state is an embodiment of the housing and the sealing structure according to the present invention. The casing 20 corresponds to an example of a storage tank according to the present invention, and the developing roll 21 corresponds to an example of a developer transport mechanism according to the present invention. The lid member 24 corresponds to an example of the first member according to the present invention, the main body member 22 corresponds to an example of the second member according to the present invention, and the outer wall portion 221 corresponds to an example of the protruding portion according to the present invention. The sealing material 25 corresponds to an example of a sealing material according to the present invention. Further, the inner wall portion 222 corresponds to an example of what serves as a hanging portion and a wall according to the present invention.

  The outer wall part 221 has a shape in which the bottoms 221B and 221C are wider than the top part 221A. More specifically, the outer wall portion 221 has slopes formed on both sides of the inner side which is the accommodation space S side and the outer side which is the opposite side, and has a trapezoidal cross section.

  The inner wall portion 222 is provided with a screw hole 222 h and is fastened to the lid member 24 by the screw 26. That is, when the inner wall portion 222 is indirectly applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, the main body member 22 is applied with a force that narrows the distance from the lid member 24. The lid member 24 is tightened by the screw 26 to a position where it hits the top of the inner wall portion 222.

  The sealing material 25 is provided so as to cover the top part 221 </ b> A of the outer wall part 221. As shown in FIG. 3, the sealing material 25 extends in an annular shape along the outer wall portion 221. The sealing material 25 is applied in a liquid state on the top portion 221A of the outer wall portion 221, and then cured. This liquid sealing material has elasticity even when cured, and changes its shape due to external force. By applying and curing the liquid sealing material, a reliable sealing structure in which the sealing material is in close contact with the top portion 221A of the outer wall portion 221 is formed. As a material of the sealing material 25, for example, a heated thermoplastic elastomer is employed. For applying the sealing material, a coating device (not shown) provided with a nozzle for discharging the sealing material is used to discharge the liquid sealing material from the nozzle and move the nozzle relative to the main body member 22. As a result, the liquid sealing material 25 is supplied to the top of the outer wall portion 221. The coating apparatus applies a sealing material to the top portion 221A while moving along the outer wall portion 221 of the main body member 22 with a certain point of the top portion 221A of the annular outer wall portion 221 as a coating start point, and returns to the coating start point. Finish application. In this way, the sealing material 25 is applied in an annular shape. In the vicinity of the application start point and the application end point, there is a deviation in the application amount of the sealing material 25 due to the speed change caused by acceleration / deceleration of the application apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the main body member shown in FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the height of the top portion 221 </ b> A of the outer wall portion 221 is formed to be lower by the dimension D than the height of the top portion of the inner wall portion. For this reason, if the lid member 24 is attached to the main body member 22 without the sealing material 25, a gap of dimension D is generated between the top portion 221A of the outer wall portion 221 and the lid member 24. Actually, this gap is filled with the sealing material 25. When the lid member 24 is fastened to the main body member 22 by a screw 26 (see FIG. 4), the sealing member 25 is an outer wall portion shown by hatching in FIG. 5 by the fastening force applied between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24. Deform in the space around 221. More specifically, the sealing material 25 moves toward the hems 221B and 221C on both sides by being pressed against the lid member 24. Here, the cross section of the space around the outer wall portion 221 indicated by hatching in FIG. 5 is larger than the cross section of the space occupied by the seal material 25 before deformation, which is indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid member shown in FIG. 3 is fixed to the main body member with a screw.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 are tightened by the screws 26 and the housing 20 is completed, the sealing material 25 is sandwiched between the outer wall portion 221 of the main body member 22 and the lid member 24. The space between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 is sealed. Accordingly, the toner in the housing 20 is prevented from leaking outside except for the amount supplied to the developing roll 21.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6, the sealing material 25 is deformed by a force that narrows the distance between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24, specifically, a tightening force that is applied between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24. .

  Here, the housing 20 in the state shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the housing and the sealing structure according to the present invention.

  7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the housing shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the casing in the state B shown in FIG.

  The structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 blocks the stored toner from leaking out of the internal storage space S. Here, the inner wall portion 222 stores the toner leaking from the outer wall portion 221. It is located in the accommodation space S side. For this reason, it is avoided that the sealing material 25 is contaminated with toner.

  7 and 8 is deformed by the tightening force applied between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24, but between the top portion 221A of the outer wall portion 221 and the lid member 24, Since there is an interval of the dimension D shown in FIG. 5, the sealing material 25 is not divided at the top portion 221A and remains on the top portion 221A. Even when the sealing material 25 is in a cured state, if the tightening force is temporarily released and the lid member 24 is detached from the main body member 22, the sealing material 25 is deformed in a direction to return to the original shape shown in FIG. Has elasticity. For this reason, the deformed sealing material 25 is pressed against and closely contacts the lid member 24 and the outer wall portion 221 by a reaction force due to elasticity, and thereby the shielding between the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 is maintained. ing.

  Further, since the outer wall portion 221 has a shape in which the skirts 221B and 221C are wider than the top portion 221A, the sealing material 25 escapes from the vicinity of the top portion 221A by the force received from the lid member 24, and near the skirts 221B and 221C. Deforms to move toward. However, the sealing material 25 does not reach the lower portions of the bottoms 221B and 221C of the outer wall portion 221 even in a deformed state. That is, the periphery of the bottoms 221B and 221C is not completely filled with the sealing material 25, and the sealing material 25 has a room for further deformation. As described above, since the periphery of the bottoms 221B and 221C is not completely filled with the sealing material 25 during the deformation, when the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 are tightened by the screw 26, the reaction force of the sealing material 25 is moderate. The distortion of the lid member 24 is avoided.

  In addition, the sealing material 25 is particularly compressed between the top portion 221 </ b> A of the outer wall portion 221 and the lid member 24. Here, the outer wall part 221 has a shape in which the bottoms 221B and 221C are wider than the top part 221A. That is, the outer wall portion 221 has a width W1top of the top portion 221A that is narrower than the width W1bot at the bottom of the bottoms 221B and 221C. For this reason, the part especially compressed among the sealing materials 25 is limited to the narrow range of the upper part of 221 A of narrow top parts. Therefore, the reaction force by the sealing material 25 is within a range where the lid member 24 is not deformed.

  Further, in a state where the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 are tightened by the screws 26, the deformed sealing material 25 comes into contact with the inner wall portion 222. Since the sealing material 25 receives a reaction force from the inner wall portion 222 due to deformation, the lack of reaction force of the sealing material 25 against the lid member 24 is reduced as compared with a structure without the inner wall portion 222.

  Here, as a comparative example, the case where the reaction force by the sealing material is excessive will be described.

  10 to 12 are diagrams showing a structure of a comparative example with respect to the above-described first embodiment.

  10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is the same as FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. FIG.

  The outer wall portion 9221 of the main body member 9022 in the comparative example shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the width W2 of the root portion 9221B is maintained up to the top portion 9221A.

  In this comparative example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the lid member 9024 is fastened to the main body member 9022 with a screw 9026, the sealing material 9025 protrudes outside and has no escape space. For this reason, the deformation of the sealing material 9025 is suppressed while the main body member 9022 and the lid member 9024 are tightened by the screw 9026, and the reaction force by the sealing material 9025 increases rapidly. Further, since the area of the top portion 9221A that sandwiches the sealing material 9025 with the lid member 9024 is large, the lid member 9024 is pushed upward by a large reaction force of the sealing material 9025. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the distance between the lid member 9024 and the outer wall portion 221 increases particularly in a place away from the screw 9026.

  As described above, in the comparative example, the lid member 9024 is distorted by the reaction force of the sealing material 9025. However, in the case of the first embodiment described above, in the case of the first embodiment, the outer wall portion 221 is used. However, since the bottoms 221B and 221C are wider than the top 221A, the reaction force of the sealing material 25 is smaller than the structure of the comparative example. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, distortion of the lid member 24 is avoided.

  Moreover, in the structure of 1st Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the width | variety of the top part 221A which pinches | interposes the sealing material 25 between the cover members 24 is narrow, and the part especially compressed among the sealing materials 25 Is limited to a narrow range. For this reason, even if there is a deviation in the application amount of the sealing material, distortion of the lid member 24 is avoided.

  For example, when a liquid sealing material is applied by a coating apparatus, there may be a deviation in the amount of sealing material applied due to acceleration / deceleration of nozzle movement in the vicinity of the application start point and the application end point. For this reason, when the main body member 22 and the lid member 24 are tightened, a deviation also occurs in the interval between the top portion 221A and the lid member 24 where the reaction force of the sealing material is appropriate. However, in the structure of the first embodiment, the portion of the sealing material 25 that is particularly compressed is limited to a narrow range, and the reaction force rises slowly during tightening, so the interval between the top 221A and the lid member 24 The range in which the reaction force of the sealing material is appropriate is wide. For this reason, even if there is a deviation in the application amount of the sealing material, the reaction force of the sealing material is within an appropriate range at each position, and distortion of the lid member 24 is avoided. As a result, there is a margin in controlling the coating amount of the sealing material in the coating process.

  In the description of the first embodiment described above, the method of applying the liquid sealing material along the outer wall portion 221 of the main body member 22 has been described. However, the method for manufacturing the housing is not limited to this.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another method of forming the blocking structure of the first embodiment.

  In the method shown in FIG. 13, a liquid sealing material is applied to the lid member 24. More specifically, the sealing material 25 is annularly applied to a position corresponding to the top portion 221 </ b> A of the outer wall portion 221 of the main body member 22 in the lid member 24. After the sealing material is cured, the lid member 24 is fixed to the main body member 22 to complete the structure in which the sealing material is sandwiched between the top portion 221A of the outer wall portion 221 and the lid member 24 as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the following embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the main body member and the lid member according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The main body member 32 shown in FIG. 14 is different from the first embodiment in that the outer wall portion 321 and the inner wall portion 322 are integrated up to the top portion 321A and project as a whole. The slope following the top 321A is formed on one side. Except this point, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

  When the lid member 34 is fastened to the main body member 32 by the screw 26, the sealing material 25 is deformed so as to move toward the bottom 321B of the outer wall portion 321, but does not reach the bottom 321B. For this reason, as in the first embodiment, the reaction force of the sealing material 25 increases gently, so that distortion of the lid member 24 is avoided. Here, what integrated the outer wall part 321 and the inner wall part 322 corresponds to an example of the protrusion part said to this invention.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the main body member according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The main body member 42 shown in FIG. 15 is different from the first embodiment in that the outer wall portion 421 has a curved surface shape, and more specifically has a bowl shape. Except this point, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Even if the outer wall portion 421 has a curved surface shape, a sudden increase in the reaction force of the sealing material 25 is avoided as in the first embodiment, so that distortion of the lid member is avoided.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the first embodiment.

  From the first embodiment to the third embodiment described above, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the structure in which the inner wall portion 222 is provided inside the housing and the outer wall portion 221 is provided outside is described. However, the hanging portion or protruding portion according to the present invention is not limited to the shape and positional relationship described above, and includes various forms. Here, another embodiment different from the above-described embodiment will be described with respect to the hook portion and the protruding portion according to the present invention.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the fourth embodiment.

  The main body member 52 shown in FIG. 17 has a columnar body 522 that protrudes toward the lid member 24 instead of the wall shape inside the outer wall portion 221. Here, the columnar body 522 corresponds to an example of the hanging portion according to the present invention.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 17, the columnar body 522 is applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, whereby a force for narrowing the interval between the main body member 52 and the lid member 24 is applied. Moreover, the deformation | transformation of the cover member 24 is avoided similarly to the said 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the fifth embodiment.

  A main body member 62 shown in FIG. 18 has a wall-like body 621 (an outer wall portion referred to in the fourth embodiment) in which a columnar body 622 protruding toward the lid member 24 is sandwiched with a sealing material (not shown). 221). Here, the columnar body 622 corresponds to an example of the hanging portion according to the present invention.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 18, the columnar body 622 is applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, whereby a force to narrow the distance between the main body member 62 and the lid member 24 is applied. Moreover, the deformation | transformation of the cover member 24 is avoided similarly to the said 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the sixth embodiment.

  A main body member 72 shown in FIG. 19 has a lid member outside the first wall-like body 721 (corresponding to the outer wall portion 221 in the fourth embodiment) sandwiching a sealing material (not shown) with the lid member 24. 24 has a second wall-like body 722 protruding toward 24. Here, the 2nd wall-shaped body 722 is equivalent to an example of what serves as the hanging portion and the wall in the present invention.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 19, the second wall-like body 722 is applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, whereby a force that narrows the interval between the main body member 72 and the lid member 24 is applied. Moreover, the deformation | transformation of the cover member 24 is avoided similarly to the said 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the seventh embodiment.

  A main body member 82 shown in FIG. 20 has a first wall-like body 821 sandwiching a sealing material (not shown) between the lid member 24 and both the inner and outer sides of the wall-like body 821. And a pair of second wall-like bodies 822 protruding toward the top. Here, the pair of second wall-like bodies 822 corresponds to an example of the combination of the hanging portion and the wall according to the present invention.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 20, the second wall-like body 822 is applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, whereby a force that narrows the interval between the main body member 82 and the lid member 24 is applied. Moreover, the deformation | transformation of the cover member 24 is avoided similarly to the said 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing of the eighth embodiment.

  A main body member 92 shown in FIG. 21 protrudes toward the lid member 24 on an extension in a direction in which a wall-like body 921 sandwiching a sealing material (not shown) between the body member 92 and the lid member 24 extends along the lid member 24. The columnar body 922 is provided. Here, the columnar body 922 corresponds to an example of the hanging portion according to the present invention.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 21, the columnar body 922 is applied to the lid member 24 via the screw 26, whereby a force to narrow the distance between the main body member 92 and the lid member 24 is applied. Moreover, the deformation | transformation of the cover member 24 is avoided similarly to the said 1st Embodiment.

  In the embodiments described so far, the columnar body or the wall-like body corresponding to the hanging portion according to the present invention is provided adjacent to the wall-like body corresponding to the protruding portion sandwiching the sealing material with the lid member. However, the hook portion and the protruding portion according to the present invention may be formed at positions separated from each other.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the structure of the developing device of the ninth embodiment.

  A developing device 1002 shown in FIG. 22 is provided with a partition wall 1225 that partitions the space at the center of the main body member 22 constituting the housing 1020, and a screw hole 1225 h is formed at the top of the partition wall 1225. A screw hole 1024h is also provided in the center of the lid member 1024. Here, the partition wall 1225 corresponds to an example of the hanging portion according to the present invention.

  In the developing device 1002, the lid member 1024 is fastened to the main body member 22 with one screw 1026. In this manner, even when the partition wall 1225 that is applied to the lid member 1024 via the screw 1026 and generates a tightening force is separated from the position of the seal member 25, distortion of the lid member 1024 is avoided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the structure that is indirectly hooked by a screw has been described as an example of the hooking portion according to the present invention. However, the hooking portion according to the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a snap on the lid member. A fit or a key claw may be formed, and the lid member itself may be directly applied to the lid member to generate a force that attracts the main body member.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, although the cover member was demonstrated as an example of the 1st member said to this invention, and the main body member was demonstrated as an example of the 2nd member, the 1st member and 2nd of the sealing structure said to this invention The member is not limited to this, and for example, the second member may function as a lid member, and the first member may function as a main body member. Further, the first member and the second member may be leakage preventing walls that are not intended to be accommodated and that simply suppress the outflow of the substance.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the inner wall part 222 and the outer wall part 221 are extended annularly surrounding the accommodation space S, the protrusion mentioned in this invention does not need to extend annularly, and leaks out. The part other than the part to be prevented may be open, or may be linearly extended.

  In addition, the protruding portions referred to in the present invention may not have a structure that continuously extends at the same height, for example, a structure in which a plurality of columnar bodies having different heights are continuously arranged, A structure in which the gap is closed may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sealing material applied in liquid form and cured as an example of the sealing material according to the present invention has been described. However, the sealing material according to the present invention is not limited to this, for example, rubber These members may be bonded. However, according to the sealing material that is applied and cured in liquid form, a reliable sealing structure can be manufactured.

2,1002 Developing unit 20,1020 Case 21 Developing roll 22,32,42,52,62,72,82,92 Main body member 24,34,1024 Lid member 25 Sealing material 221,321,421 Outer wall portion 221A, 321A Top portion 221B, 221C, 321B Bottom 222 Inner wall portion 25 Sealing material 522 Columnar body 621, 921 Wall-shaped body 622,922 Columnar body 721,821 First wall-shaped body 722,822 Second wall-shaped body 922 Columnar body 1225 Partition Wall S Storage space

Claims (3)

  A container for containing a developer;
  A cover covering the container;
  A sealing agent that is applied in liquid form and can change shape, has elasticity even when cured, and seals the container and the cover;
  A coupling structure comprising a coupling means for coupling the container and the cover by coupling with a coupled portion of the container,
  The container is provided on an outer edge side of the container with respect to the coupled part, and has a projecting part that projects toward the cover and is coated with at least a part of the blocking agent. The surface outside the protrusion is parallel to the cover or away from the cover so that the blocking agent whose shape has changed outward from the protrusion can flow out of the container. Being
Sealing structure characterized by   A container for containing a developer;
  A cover covering the container;
  A sealing agent that is applied in liquid form and can change shape, has elasticity even when cured, and seals the container and the cover;
  A coupling means for coupling the container and the cover by coupling with a coupled portion of the container;
  The container is provided on an outer edge side of the container with respect to the coupled part, and has a projecting part that projects toward the cover and is coated with at least a part of the blocking agent. The surface outside the protrusion is parallel to the cover or away from the cover so that the blocking agent whose shape has changed outward from the protrusion can flow out of the container. Being
A housing characterized by.   A container for containing a developer;
  A cover covering the container;
  A sealing agent that is applied in liquid form and can change shape, has elasticity even when cured, and seals the container and the cover;
  Coupling means for coupling the container and the cover by coupling with a coupled portion of the container;
  A developer transport mechanism that develops a latent image on the developing member by transporting the developer contained in the container to the developing member;
  The container is provided on an outer edge side of the container with respect to the coupled part, and has a projecting part that projects toward the cover and is coated with at least a part of the blocking agent. The surface outside the protrusion is parallel to the cover or away from the cover so that the blocking agent whose shape has changed outward from the protrusion can flow out of the container. Being
A developing device characterized by.

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