JP6112856B2 - Developing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device that develops an image carrier (a development target). The present invention also relates to a process cartridge including the developing device, and an image forming apparatus (image recording apparatus) such as a printer including the developing device.

  Conventionally, a magnetic non-contact developing method is often used as a developing method using a magnetic one-component developer (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In the magnetic non-contact development method, a developer is carried on a development sleeve (developer carrier) containing a magnet. Then, development is performed by causing the photosensitive member to face the developing sleeve with a predetermined minute gap from the surface and causing the developer to fly from the developing sleeve toward the photosensitive member. The developer in the developing device is conveyed to the developing sleeve by a mechanical stirring mechanism or gravity. Further, the magnetic one-component developer is supplied to the developing sleeve under a certain magnetic force by a magnet contained in the developing sleeve.

  As another development method using a magnetic one-component developer, a magnetic contact development method has also been proposed (see Patent Document 3). This magnetic contact development system combines the characteristics of the nonmagnetic contact development system (see, for example, Patent Document 4) used as a development system using a nonmagnetic developer and the above-described magnetic noncontact development system. In the magnetic contact development method, unlike the above-described magnetic non-contact development method, the development is performed by bringing the development sleeve and the photosensitive member into contact by forming an elastic layer on the surface of the development sleeve. On the other hand, in the magnetic contact development method, similarly to the nonmagnetic contact development method, a magnet is disposed inside the developing sleeve, and the developer is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve under the magnetic force of the magnet.

JP 54-43027 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-18656 JP 2005-173485 A JP 2001-92201 A

  When a magnetic one-component developer is used, in a magnetic non-contact developing method often used, the magnetic developer is held on the surface of the developing sleeve by the action of the magnetic force of the magnet contained in the developing sleeve. Further, end seal members are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve. The end seal member closes the space between the developing sleeve and the developing device and prevents the developer from leaking out of the developing device.

  However, if the magnetic force of the magnet contained in the developing sleeve acts on the area where the end seal member is provided, the developer attracted by the magnetic force may enter between the end seal member and the developing sleeve. is there. The developer that has entered may be fixed between the end seal and the developing sleeve, and a gap may be provided between the end seal member and the developing sleeve, and leakage of the developer may be induced from the gap. This is one of the major technical problems due to the recent increase in the speed of image formation and the longer life of the cartridge.

  As a countermeasure against this, a method of reducing the amount of developer entering between the end seal member and the developing sleeve by reducing the magnetic force of the magnet at the position of the end seal member is conceivable. However, this is difficult to implement due to the following problems.

  In the magnetic non-contact developing method, the flying of the developer is controlled by the balance between the magnetic force of the magnet arranged inside the developing sleeve and the voltage difference (developing bias) between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum. More specifically, an electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve by applying a bias in which an AC bias is superimposed on the DC bias between the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve. Due to this electric field, the developer held in the developing sleeve flies off the magnetic force received from the magnet contained in the developing sleeve and flies to the latent image on the photosensitive drum to develop the latent image.

  Therefore, if there is a part on the surface of the developing sleeve where the magnetic force of the magnet is weakened, the force to hold the developer on the developing sleeve will be weak, and in this part, more developer will fly from the developing sleeve to the photosensitive drum. become. As a result, a defective image such as so-called fogging occurs in which the developer is transferred to an area where no latent image is formed.

  That is, in the magnetic non-contact developing method, when the magnetic force is weakened at the position of the end seal member to reduce the amount of the developer that enters between the end seal member and the developing sleeve, the end seal member In the vicinity, fogging occurs. As a result, the developer may adhere to both ends of the printing paper during image formation.

  For the above reasons, it is difficult to weaken the magnetic force of the magnet at the position of the end seal member. Therefore, in practice, measures are taken such as reducing the amount of developer that enters between the end seal and the developing sleeve by increasing the adhesion between the end seal member and the developing sleeve.

  However, if the adhesion between the end seal and the developing sleeve is too high, the frictional force generated between the developing sleeve and the end sealing member increases, and the torque when rotating the developing sleeve increases. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the sealability of the developer by the end seal member while balancing the adhesion between the development sleeve and the end seal member and the torque for rotating the development sleeve. It is necessary to sufficiently increase the dimensional accuracy of the developing sleeve and the end seal member.

The present invention is proposed in view of the above circumstances, and employs a magnetic contact method instead of a magnetic non-contact development method. Thus, it is possible to provide a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus that have a simple configuration, suppress the occurrence of a defective image, and suppress the leakage of the developer from between the seal member and the developer carrying member. With the goal.

A typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present application includes an image carrier, a developer, a developer container that contains the developer, and a developer carrier that carries the developer supplied from the developer container. Provided in the developer container, and a magnetic field generating member that is provided inside the developer carrier and generates a magnetic field for attracting the developer to the developer carrier from a magnetic field generation region. A seal member for restricting leakage of the developer from a gap between a longitudinal end of the developer carrier and the developer container, and an opening for supplying the developer to the developer carrier from the inside of the developer container And the developer is a magnetic one-component developer, and the end of the magnetic field generating region of the magnetic field generating member is longer than the inner end of the seal member in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. Is further arranged inside, said The image carrier carries the latent image formed on the image carrier in contact with the image carrier with the developer, and the length of the magnetic field generation region in the longitudinal direction is the length of the opening. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is shorter.

As described above, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration, while suppressing the occurrence of a defective image, the developing device that suppresses the leakage of the developer from between the seal member and the developer carrier , A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus can be provided.

Schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus Schematic configuration diagram of the developing device Schematic configuration diagram of the developing device In the developing device according to Embodiment 1, the position of each member and the magnetic flux density are represented. The figure showing the position and magnetic flux density of each member in a comparative example In the developing device according to Embodiment 2, the position of each member and the magnetic flux density are represented. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment.

<Example 1>
1 and 2 are schematic configuration diagrams of an image forming apparatus (image recording apparatus) 100 using a developing device applied to the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a laser printer using an electrophotographic process. Although details will be described later, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment uses a magnetic contact development system as a development system.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes an image carrier, which is a rotating drum type negative-polarity OPC photosensitive member (negative photosensitive member, hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) having a diameter of 24 mm in this example. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow at the constant speed of 85 mm / sec (= process speed PS, printing speed) as indicated by an arrow Y1 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a charging roller as charging means for the photosensitive drum 1. The charging roller 2 is a conductive elastic roller. In this example, the charging roller 2 rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.

  A DC voltage of -1300V is applied to the charging roller 2 as a charging bias to uniformly contact and charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to a charging potential (dark portion potential) of -700V.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a laser beam scanner (exposure device) including a laser diode, a polygon mirror, and the like. When the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed entirely with laser light, the laser power is adjusted so that the potential of the photosensitive drum surface becomes −150V.

  An electrostatic latent image corresponding to target image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 rotated by the scanning exposure L.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a developing device (developer). The toner t is a developer for developing the latent image, and has a constant charge due to frictional charging. Here, a developing bias voltage is applied between the developing roller sleeve 3 b as a developer carrying member (developer carrying member, toner carrying member) and the photosensitive drum 1 by a developing bias applying power source (not shown). The toner t moves from the developing roller sleeve 3b to the photosensitive drum 1 in the developing portion (developing area) a by this developing bias, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized. The developing device 3 will be described later.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a transfer roller as a contact transfer hand throw, which is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined force. A transfer material P as a recording medium is fed to the transfer portion from a paper feed portion (not shown) at a predetermined timing, and a predetermined transfer bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 6. Accordingly, the toner image (developer image) on the photosensitive drum 1 side is sequentially transferred onto the surface of the transfer material P fed to the transfer nip portion.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a fixing device such as a heat fixing method. The transfer material P that has received the transfer of the toner image at the transfer portion is separated from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and introduced into the fixing device 7, and the toner image is fixed to form an image formed product (print copy). It is discharged outside.

  A photosensitive drum cleaning device (drum cleaner) 8 scrapes off the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 with a cleaning blade 8a and collects it in a waste toner container 8b.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is charged again by the charging device (charging roller 2) and repeatedly used for image formation.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a process cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the developing device 3, and the drum cleaner 8 are integrally formed, and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 100 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The developing device 3 of this embodiment will be described. The developing roller sleeve 3b is a developer carrying member (developer carrying member) that encloses a magnet roller 3a as a magnetic field generating member and carries toner (developer) t on the surface thereof. The developing roller sleeve 3b is a roller formed by forming a nonmagnetic conductive elastic layer 3b2 with a thickness of 1.0 mm on a φ12 mm aluminum cylinder (aluminum sleeve) 3b1. Hereinafter, the developing roller sleeve 3b is simply referred to as a developing sleeve 3b. The developing sleeve 3b rotates in the arrow Y2 direction.

  For the conductive elastic layer, a rubber containing a conductive agent can be used. In this embodiment, a silicon rubber base layer in contact with the aluminum cylinder 3b1 and a two-layer structure of a urethane rubber layer formed on the silicon rubber. It was.

  If the conductive elastic layer 3b2 is too thick, the effect of the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3a included is weakened. Therefore, it is desirable to design the conductive elastic layer 3b2 in consideration of the balance with the magnetic force. The developing sleeve 3b is disposed in the opening 3g of the developer container 3e, faces the photosensitive drum 1, and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a certain amount of pressure. The opening of the developer container 3e extends along the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b. The longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b is a direction in which the rotation axis of the developing sleeve 3b extends or a direction parallel to this direction. Hereinafter, when there is no notice, the longitudinal direction is simply the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b.

  The magnet roller 3a is a roller made of a magnet (magnet) fixed to the developer container 3e, and is a magnetic field generating member whose substantially entire region is a magnetic field generating region. As will be described in detail later, the magnet roller 3a generates a magnetic field for carrying toner on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b.

  The magnet roller 3a has four magnetic poles arranged along the circumferential direction. This magnetic pole generates a magnetic force at a predetermined peak density at each location of the developing unit a, the conveying unit, the supplying unit, and the collecting unit.

  Specifically, the magnet roller 3a has magnetic poles of S pole, N pole, S pole, and N pole from the developing section a toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 3b, and each of the developing section a (S pole). ), The peak density of the magnetic field is generated in the collection part (N pole), the supply part (S pole), and the transport part (N pole). Part of the toner t reaching the developing section a moves from the developing sleeve 3b to the photosensitive drum 1 and develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The toner t that is not consumed in the developing unit a moves to the collecting unit located downstream of the developing unit a in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 3b, and is collected in the developer container 3e. Since the magnetic field peak density is generated in the collecting portion, the toner t in the developer container 3e is prevented from being blown out.

  In this way, the toner t that has reached the collection unit is conveyed downstream of the collection unit to a supply unit located in the developer container 3e. The magnetic field formed by the magnet roller 3b in the supply unit attracts the toner t in the developer container 3e to the developing sleeve 3b. As a result, the toner t that has not been consumed by the developing unit a and has reached the collecting unit is mixed with the toner t that is newly supplied by the supply unit. The toner t mixed in this manner and carried on the developing sleeve 3b is conveyed to a conveying unit located downstream of the supply unit and reaches the developing unit again. This realizes continuous supply of toner t to the developing unit a.

  The toner t used as the developer is a one-component magnetic toner (magnetic one-component developer), and is produced by a suspension polymerization method in this embodiment, and has an average circularity of 0.976.

  The toner t has a constant layer thickness by passing between the regulating blade 3c and the developing sleeve 3b in the process of being conveyed on the developing sleeve 3b while receiving the magnetic force from the magnet roller 3a. That is, the regulating blade 3c is a developer layer thickness regulating means that regulates the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing sleeve 3b to a constant level, and the developer that regulates the amount of toner t carried by the developing sleeve 3b to a constant level. It is a quantity regulation means. In addition, the toner t is charged by receiving a charge from the regulating blade 3c.

  Reference numeral 3d denotes a stirring member that circulates the toner t in the developer container 3e and sequentially conveys the toner t within a magnetic force reachable range around the developing sleeve 3b.

  The toner t coated on the developing sleeve 3b is conveyed to a developing portion (developing region portion) a that is a portion opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 3b by the rotation of the developing sleeve 3b. A developing bias voltage (DC voltage -450 V) is applied to the developing sleeve 3b from a developing bias applying power source (not shown). The developing sleeve 3b is driven with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined peripheral speed. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 side is reversely developed with the toner t.

  The primary role of the magnet roller 3a in the developing system of this embodiment is a supply unit and a collection unit. The toner t is supplied to the surface of the developing sleeve 3b by the magnetic force of the magnet roller acting on the magnetic toner t. The toner t supplied to the developing sleeve 3b passes through the elastic blade and is held on the developing sleeve 3b when a charge is applied.

  The magnetic pole arrangement of the magnet roller 3a described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. There is no problem even if the magnetic roller magnetic poles do not have a peak density in the developing unit and the transport unit.

  In order to prevent leakage of toner t from the vicinity of the end portion of the developing sleeve 3b to the outside, that is, so-called toner leakage, an end seal member 3f that contacts the vicinity of the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b is provided. .

  Here, the end of the opening of the developer container will be further described with reference to FIG. However, since the following description is about the end of the opening of the developing device, the developing sleeve 3b is omitted in the drawings shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). FIG. 3C shows a diagram in which the developing sleeve 3b is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the developing device 3 includes an opening 3g, and the toner t is conveyed toward the opening 3g by the magnetic force of the magnet roller and the stirring member as described above. End seal members 3f are arranged at both ends of the opening 3g as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3C, the end seal member 3f and the surface of the developing sleeve 3b are in close contact with each other to ensure the sealing property of the toner t and prevent the toner t from leaking outside. Further, the side surface portions of the end seal member 3f are disposed so as to contact the side surface portions on both ends of the regulating blade 3c, thereby preventing the toner t from leaking from both end portions of the regulating blade 3c. At that time, in order to further secure the sealing performance, another seal member may be provided at the end of the end seal member 3f. Alternatively, the end seal member 3f and the regulation blade 3c may be overlapped to ensure sealing performance.

  The end seal member 3f is preferably made of a fiber material such as wool felt or PTFE pile, or a foam material such as polyurethane foam or sponge rubber. In this embodiment, wool felt is used.

(Explanation regarding dimensions and arrangement of each member in this embodiment)
Next, the relationship between the longitudinal length of the magnet roller 3a of this embodiment and the arrangement of the end seal member 3f will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that the end of the magnet roller 3a is disposed further inside than the inner end of the end seal member 3f in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b. That is, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the magnet roller 3a is made shorter than the interval between the two end seal members 3f arranged on both ends of the opening 3g. This prevents the toner t from leaking out of the developing device 3 from the gap between the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3f, and will be described below.

  FIG. 4A shows the positional relationship among the longitudinal lengths of the opening 3g, the end seal member 3f, the developing sleeve 3b, and the magnet roller 3a. In the figure, reference numeral 3j denotes a shaft portion of the magnet roller 3a, which is a support portion for supporting the magnet roller 3a inside the developer container 3e (see FIG. 1). That is, the magnet roller 3a is fixed to the developer container by fixing the shaft portion 3j to the developer container 3e.

  FIG. 4B shows a distribution when the magnitude (unit: Tesla) of the magnetic flux density generated by the magnet roller in the longitudinal direction is measured. In the developing part a (see FIG. 1), the magnitude of the magnetic flux density generated on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b is measured.

  In a region outside the longitudinal end portion (A in the drawing) of the magnet roller 3a, the magnetic flux density distribution becomes small. This characteristic is the same in each place of the developing unit a, the transport unit, the supply unit, and the collection unit. As described above, the toner t is conveyed on the developing sleeve 3b while receiving a magnetic force from the magnet roller 3a. Therefore, the amount of toner t on the developing sleeve 3b also depends on the magnitude of the magnetic force generated by the magnet roller 3a. If this magnetic force is small, the amount of toner t is also reduced.

  In this embodiment, the end of the magnet roller 3a does not reach the position of the end seal member 3f. Therefore, the magnetic force attracting the toner to the developing sleeve 3b on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b at the position of the end seal member 3f is reduced. Since the magnetic force by the magnet roller 3a is reduced, the force for holding the toner t on the developing sleeve 3b is reduced. Further, since the toner t is attracted toward a stronger magnetic force, the toner t on the developing sleeve 3b is difficult to move to the end of the developing sleeve 3b where the magnetic force is weakened.

  That is, the toner t is unlikely to reach the position of the end seal member 3f. By this action, the amount of toner t entering the end seal member 3f is reduced, so that the toner t can be prevented from leaking out of the developing device 3 from between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b. Further, the toner t can be prevented from sticking between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b, and the end seal member 3f can reliably suppress the leakage of the toner.

(Difference between this example and non-contact development method)
In the present embodiment, the contact development method was adopted, so that the relationship between the longitudinal length of the magnet roller 3a and the arrangement of the end seal member 3f could be as described above. This will be described in detail below.

  Conventionally, in the non-contact developing method often used as a developing method using magnetic toner, the developing sleeve and the photosensitive member are separated from each other, so that the toner is caused to fly from the developing sleeve toward the photosensitive member. At this time, the flying of the toner is controlled by the balance between the magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the surface of the developing sleeve and the voltage (developing bias) applied to the developing sleeve.

  More specifically, in the non-contact development method, a development bias in which an AC bias is superimposed on a DC bias is applied to the development sleeve, and an electric field is formed between the development sleeve and the photosensitive drum. A force is applied to the charged toner by this electric field. When this force exceeds the magnetic force of the magnet contained in the developing sleeve, the toner held on the developing sleeve will fly to the photosensitive drum. That is, the toner (developer) can fly toward the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, thereby developing the latent image.

  Therefore, in the non-contact developing method, if there is a portion where the magnetic force by the magnet is weak on the surface of the developing sleeve, the force with which the toner is held by the developing sleeve becomes weak. As a result, more toner than the desired amount will fly from the developing sleeve to the photosensitive drum. As a result, a defective image such as fog (toner adheres to a portion where an image is not originally formed) is generated. That is, in the non-contact development method, it is necessary to sufficiently lengthen the magnet roller disposed inside the developing sleeve so that a portion where the magnetic force by the magnet roller is weakened is not formed on the developing sleeve. Therefore, unlike the present embodiment, the end of the magnet roller cannot be disposed further inside than the inner end of the end seal member.

  In contrast, in this embodiment, although magnetic toner is used, a contact development method is used instead of the conventional non-contact development method. In this contact development method, the developing sleeve 3b is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 as described above, and only the DC bias is applied to the developing sleeve 3b. Since the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 3b are in contact with each other, a larger electric field acts between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 3b than in the non-contact developing method.

  That is, in the contact development method, the electric field is dominant in the force applied to the toner t when developing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and the action of the magnetic force by the magnet roller 3a is small. Therefore, the difference in the force applied to the toner t is small when the magnetic roller 3a has a magnetic force, and the difference in the influence of the magnetic roller 3a on the generation of the fog image is very small.

  That is, if the developing bias is appropriately set so that a fogging image does not occur in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b, the fogging image is generated even in the vicinity of the end seal member 3f where the magnetic force by the magnet roller 3a is reduced. The possibility of occurring is small.

(Description of comparative example)
Next, a comparative example in which the positional relationship and the dimensional relationship between the magnet roller 3a and the end seal member 3f in the longitudinal direction are different from those of the present application will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a comparative example, and are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the arrangement of each member and the magnetic flux density of the magnet roller in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 5A shows the positional relationship of the opening 3g, the end seal member 3f, the developing sleeve 3b, and the magnet roller 103a in the comparative example in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve.

  In this comparative example, unlike the example, the end of the magnet roller 3a is provided outside the inner end of the end seal member 3f.

  B in the figure indicates the position of the end of the magnet roller 103a. FIG. 5B shows the distribution of magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction of the magnet roller.

  Since the end seal member 3f is outside the opening 3g of the developer container 3e in the longitudinal direction, the toner t is directly supplied from the developer container 3e to the developing sleeve 3b at a position where the end seal member 3f is present. There is nothing.

  However, the magnetic force of the magnet roller 103a is exerted on the toner t on the developing sleeve 3b at the position of the end seal member 3f. Therefore, along the magnetic force of the magnet roller 103a, the end seal member 3f is also conveyed onto the developing sleeve 3b. The toner t that has entered between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b receives friction with the developing sleeve 3b. As a result, the toner t in this portion adheres to the surface of the developing sleeve 3b. The stuck toner t creates a gap between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b, and may induce toner leakage. In addition, the pressing amount of the developing sleeve 3b against the photosensitive drum 1 is also affected, and image problems such as low density and banding may occur.

  Therefore, it can be seen that the present embodiment is more preferable than the comparative example in suppressing defective images.

(Summary)
In summary, in this embodiment, by adopting the magnetic contact development method, the end of the magnetic field generating member (magnet roller 3a) can be disposed inside the end seal 3f, and magnetic non-contact development is possible. The problem in the method could be solved. That is, it is possible to suppress the toner t from entering between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b and to prevent the toner t from leaking to the outside of the developing device 3 while suppressing the occurrence of the fog image.

  In some cases, the magnet roller 3a and the shaft portion 3j (see FIG. 4A) are integrated. In such a case, the shaft portion 3j may also generate a magnetic field. However, the influence of the magnetic field generated by the shaft portion 3j having a smaller diameter than the magnet roller 3a is very small on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b. It may be considered that the part that actually generates an effective magnetic field (magnetic field generation region) is only the magnet roller 3a. That is, in this embodiment, even when the magnet roller 3a is integrated with the shaft portion 3j or when the shaft portion 3j generates a magnetic field, the end of the magnetic field generating member or the end of the magnetic field generating region is used. In this case, the end of the magnet roller 3a is pointed. The end of the magnetic field generating member and the end of the magnetic field generating region do not indicate the end of the support portion (shaft portion 3j) of the magnet roller 3a.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generating member (magnet roller 3a) is a cylindrical member, but the shape of the magnetic field generating member is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

  As described above, the toner sticking on the developing sleeve 3b at the position of the end seal member 3f is caused by friction caused by the contact of the toner t with the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3f. Therefore, the longer the time for which the developer container 3e is used, the more easily toner sticking occurs, and the toner container 3e is more likely to occur in the second half of the life of the developer container 3e.

  Here, the distance separating the end of the magnet roller 3a from the inside of the end seal member 3f in the longitudinal direction, that is, the length of the magnet roller 3a in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted. Accordingly, the magnitude of the magnetic force on the developing sleeve 3b can be adjusted at the position of the end seal member 3f. It may be adjusted depending on the life of the developing device 3.

  When the life of the developing device 3 is long, the length of the magnet roller 3a may be shortened in order to greatly separate the end of the magnet roller 3a from the inside of the end seal member 3f. As a result, the function of preventing toner sticking can be enhanced.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the length of the magnet roller 3a is made shorter than the length of the opening 3g of the developer container 3e in order to reliably separate the end of the magnet roller 3a from the end seal member 3f. That is, in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b, the end portion of the magnet roller 3a is disposed more inside than the end portion of the opening 3g.

<Example 2>
In this embodiment, another method for reducing the magnetic force on the developing sleeve at the position of the end seal member 3f will be described. The magnet roller 3a used in the first embodiment has an almost entire region which is a region for generating a magnetic field (magnetic field generation region). In this embodiment, only a part of the magnet roller 3a is a magnetic field generation region. 3i is used.

  As the magnet roller 3i used in this embodiment, a magnetic roller and a resin binder as main components are used. By injecting these molten materials into a production mold in which magnets are arranged, the magnet roller 3i is manufactured, and the magnet roller 3i is magnetized and oriented. It is possible to change the longitudinal range (width) magnetized by the magnet roller 3i by shortening the magnet for magnetizing and orienting the production mold with respect to the longitudinal length of the magnet roller 3i.

  6A and 6B are views showing the relationship between the longitudinal position of each member in the present embodiment and the magnitude of the magnetic flux density on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b. In the present embodiment, there is no correlation between the longitudinal length of the magnet roller 3i (the interval between C and C in the figure) and the longitudinal distribution of the magnetic flux density. The longitudinal distribution of the magnetic flux density is set by changing the longitudinal region (magnetic field generation region) i in which the magnet roller 3i is magnetized. This reduces the magnetic force applied to the toner in the vicinity of the end seal member 3f.

  In this embodiment, when the magnitude of the magnetic flux density generated by the magnet roller 3i is measured on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b, the maximum value is Bp, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux density is within 50% of the maximum value Bp. The region was defined as a magnetic field generation region i. That is, the position (half position) Bi where the magnitude of the magnetic flux density is halved to 50% of the maximum value Bp is defined as the end of the magnetic field generation region i.

  In the present embodiment, the length of the region (magnetic field generation region i) where the magnet roller 3i generates a magnetic field is shorter than the interval between the two end seal members f disposed on both ends of the opening g.

  That is, in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 3b, the end of the magnetic field generation region i is disposed further inside than the inner end of the end seal member 3f.

  This reduces the magnetic force applied to the toner from the magnet roller 3i at the position of the end seal member 3f. That is, here, the force for holding the toner t on the developing sleeve 3b is reduced. Further, since the toner t is attracted toward a stronger magnetic force, it is difficult for the toner t on the developing sleeve 3b to reach the position of the end seal member 3f. That is, the magnetic field generation area i substantially coincides with an area (developer carrying area) in which toner can be carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 3b by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3i. The end of the region where the toner is carried on the developing sleeve 3b by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3i is disposed further inside than the inner end of the end seal member 3f.

  As a result, the amount of toner t entering between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b is reduced. The toner t can be prevented from leaking out of the developing device 3 from between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b. Further, the toner t can be prevented from sticking between the end seal member 3f and the developing sleeve 3b, and the end seal member 3f can reliably suppress the leakage of the toner.

  Also in this embodiment, the magnitude of the magnetic force on the developing sleeve 3b at the position of the end seal member 3f may be adjusted depending on the life of the developing device 3. When the life of the developing device 3 is long, the magnetic field generation region i is shortened, and the magnetic force acting from the magnet roller 3i at the position of the end seal member 3f should be as weak as possible. As a result, the function of preventing toner sticking can be enhanced.

  Particularly in this embodiment, the length of the magnetic field generation region i is made longer than the length of the opening 3g of the developer container 3e in order to reliably separate the end of the magnetic field generation region i of the magnet roller 3i from the end seal member 3f. Slightly shortened. That is, in the longitudinal direction, the end of the magnetic field generation region i is arranged on the inner side than the end of the opening 3g. That is, the end portion of the developer carrying region where the toner is carried on the developing sleeve 3b by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3i is disposed slightly inside the end portion of the opening 3g. Thereby, it is possible to reliably reduce the toner carried on the developing sleeve 3b from leaking out of the developing device from between the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3f.

  In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, a contact development method is used in which development is performed by bringing the developing sleeve 3b and the photosensitive drum 1 into contact with each other. Therefore, even if the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3i is weak at the position of the end seal member 3f, unlike the non-contact development method, it is possible to prevent a defective image from being generated near the end seal member 3f. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the magnitude of the magnetic flux density generated by the magnet roller 3i is measured at the position where the developing sleeve 3b faces the photosensitive drum 1, that is, the developing section a (see FIG. 1), and thereby the magnetic field generation region. i was defined. That is, the magnetic flux density generated by the magnetic pole (S pole in this embodiment) of the magnet roller 3a closest to the photosensitive drum 1 was measured, and the result was used.

  However, even when the magnetic flux density at the other S pole and N pole of the magnet roller 3a is intended, the distribution of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction of the magnet roller 3a shows the same tendency as the magnetic field generation region i.

<Example 3>
In Example 1 described above, the wool felt that contacts the developing sleeve 3b is used as the end seal member 3f. When the end seal member 3f that contacts the developing sleeve 3b is used, there is a possibility that the toner adheres between the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3f. Therefore, it is particularly effective to shorten the length of the magnet roller 3a and reduce the amount of toner entering between the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3f.

  However, even if the end seal member is not in contact with the developing sleeve 3b, it is effective to shorten the length of the magnet roller 3a. Therefore, in this embodiment, a magnet (magnetic seal member) disposed at a predetermined distance from the developing sleeve 3b is used as the end seal member. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the configuration common to the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. As described above, in this embodiment, the end seal member 3h is arranged at a predetermined interval h from the developing sleeve 3b. The end seal member 3h is a magnet. The end seal member 3h prevents the toner t that has entered between the developing sleeve 3b and the end seal member 3h from being attracted by a magnetic force so as not to leak out of the developing device.

  Also in this embodiment, if the end of the magnet roller 3a is arranged inside the end seal member 3h by shortening the magnet roller 3a as in the first embodiment, the developing sleeve 3a and the end seal member 3h The toner t entering between them is reduced. This is a configuration in which the end seal member 3h is used instead of the end seal member 3f in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Thus, a large amount of toner t does not enter between the end seal member 3h and the developing sleeve 3a, and the toner t can be more reliably prevented from leaking outside the developing device.

  Alternatively, as in the second embodiment, the magnetic roller generation region i is shortened by using the magnet roller 3i, and the end of the magnetic field generation region i (developer carrying region) is arranged inside the end seal member 3h. There is an effect. In FIG. 6, an end seal member 3h is arranged instead of the end seal member 3f.

  In this embodiment, contact development is employed as in the first and second embodiments. Therefore, even if the magnetic force of the magnet roller 3a is weak in the vicinity of the end seal member 3h, unlike the non-contact development method, it is possible to prevent a defective image from being generated in the vicinity of the end seal member 3h. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Charging roller 3 Developing device 3a Magnet roller 3b Developing roller sleeve (Developing sleeve)
3c regulating blade 3d stirring member 3e developer container 3f end seal member 3g opening 4 laser beam scanner 6 transfer roller 7 fixing device 8 cleaning device 9 process cartridge

Claims (16)

An image carrier;
Developer,
A developer container for accommodating the developer,
A developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer container,
Provided inside the developer carrying member, and the magnetic field generating member for generating a magnetic field for attracting the developer on the developer carrier from the magnetic field generating region,
Wherein provided on the developer container, a seal member for regulating a from the gap between the longitudinal end portion and the developer container of the developing agent carrier of the developer from leaking,
An opening for supplying the developer from the inside of the developer container to the developer carrier;
With
The developer is a magnetic one-component developer;
In the longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member, an end portion of the magnetic field generating region of the magnetic field generating member, wherein are disposed further inward than the inner end of the sealing member, the developer carrying member, the image bearing member the latent image formed on the image bearing member while contacting developed with the developer and,
In the longitudinal direction, the length of the magnetic field generating region of the image forming apparatus characterized by less than the length of the opening. The seal member is provided on both ends of the developer container in the longitudinal direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the length of the magnetic field generation region is shorter than the interval between the two seal members. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the magnetic field generating member is disposed further inside than an inner end portion of the seal member. The seal member is provided on both ends of the developer container in the longitudinal direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein in the longitudinal direction, the length of the magnetic field generating member is shorter than an interval between the two seal members. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a length of the magnetic field generating member is shorter than a length of the opening in the longitudinal direction. The sealing member, by contact with the longitudinal end of said developer carrying member, any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said developer is regulated from leaking to the outside of the developer container 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. The developer regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a side surface of the seal member is in contact with a side surface of the developer regulating member. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The sealing member is a magnet which is arranged at the developer carrying member with a gap, that attract the developer by the magnetic force, it regulates the developer from leaking to the outside of the developer container the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when developing the latent image formed on the image carrier, only a DC voltage is applied to the developer carrier. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating member has a cylindrical shape. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer carrying member has a conductive elastic layer on a surface thereof. Developer,
A developer container containing the developer;
A developer carrier for carrying the developer supplied from the developer container;
A magnetic field generating member that is provided inside the developer carrier and generates a magnetic field for attracting the developer to the developer carrier from a magnetic field generation region;
A seal member that is provided in the developer container and regulates leakage of the developer from a gap between a longitudinal end of the developer carrier and the developer container;
A developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying body;
With
The developer is a magnetic one-component developer;
In the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, the end of the magnetic field generating member is disposed further inside than the inner end of the seal member,
The developer carrying body develops the latent image formed on the image carrying body with the developer while in contact with the image carrying body,
The seal member restricts the developer from leaking to the outside of the developer container by coming into contact with the longitudinal end of the developer carrier, and the side surface of the seal member is the developer restricting member. A developing device that is in contact with a side surface of the developing device. An opening for supplying the developer from the inside of the developer container to the developer carrying member is provided, and the length of the magnetic field generating member is shorter than the length of the opening in the longitudinal direction. The developing device according to claim 12. The developing device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein when developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, only a DC voltage is applied to the developer carrier. The developing device according to claim 12, wherein the developer carrying member has a conductive elastic layer on a surface thereof. The image carrier;
A developing device according to any one of claims 12 to 15 ,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images