JP6370203B2 - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image carrier and process means acting on the image carrier are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge system is adopted. In general, the process cartridge is configured by combining a unit including an image carrier and a unit including a developer carrier and a developer container for storing the developer. According to the process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be improved at each stage. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  In such a process cartridge, the airtightness in the developing container has been improved by improving the sealing performance of each part in the developing container. For this reason, when the process cartridge is used, the air and developer in the developing container leak from the opening of the developing unit due to the pressure fluctuation in the developing container, and the recording material (recording medium) such as the apparatus main body and paper is soiled. there is a possibility.

  In general, the developing container is divided into a developing chamber having an opening in which the developer carrying member is disposed and a storage chamber for storing the developer supplied to the developing chamber, and before the process cartridge is started to be used. The space between the developing chamber and the storage chamber is sealed with a seal member. At the start of use of the process cartridge, the seal member is removed, and the developer is supplied from the storage chamber to the developing chamber. As a result, during the distribution of the process cartridge, the developer is prevented from leaking from an opening or the like where the developer carrier of the developer container is disposed. However, since the airtightness of the developing container has been improved as described above, there is a possibility that the seal member may be broken or peeled off due to the influence of pressure fluctuation in the storage chamber during distribution of the process cartridge.

  On the other hand, there exists a structure which provides a ventilation part in a developing container (refer patent document 1). The ventilation portion is provided with a ventilation hole and a ventilation member (breathable sealing member) that allows passage of air and prevents passage of developer. With this configuration, the pressure fluctuation in the developing container is alleviated, and damage such as contamination of the apparatus main body and the recording medium due to the developer and tearing or peeling of the seal member as described above is suppressed.

  Further, in order to prevent an operator such as a user from touching the ventilation member (filter) of the ventilation portion when handling the process cartridge and damaging the ventilation member, a protective member that covers the ventilation member in the ventilation portion is provided. (See Patent Document 2). With this configuration, damage to the ventilation member is suppressed while relaxing the pressure fluctuation in the developing container.

JP 2002-268517 A (page 13, FIG. 22) JP 2000-29296 A (page 10, FIG. 1)

  However, it is desired to increase the size of the ventilation member in order to further reduce the influence of pressure fluctuations in the developing container, or to increase the size of the ventilation member as the developer capacity increases. To do. When the size of the ventilation portion is increased, there is a high possibility that a malfunction will occur in the ventilation portion by touching the ventilation portion when an operator handles the process cartridge. For example, there is a possibility that the risk of developer leakage increases by touching the ventilation member and damaging the ventilation member, or the ventilation hole is clogged by touching the ventilation hole and foreign matter adhering to the ventilation hole.

  In this regard, the configuration of Patent Document 2 is provided with a special protective member that protects the ventilation member in the ventilation portion. However, as the size of the ventilation portion increases, the size of the protection member also increases and the cost increases. May lead to up. Therefore, the configuration of Patent Document 2 is not suitable for increasing the size of the ventilation portion.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of problems in the ventilation portion without providing a special protective member regardless of the size of the ventilation portion. .

The above object is achieved by the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention includes a first container that have a waste developer chamber for accommodating the developer collected from the image bearing member an image bearing member is mounted, electrostatic formed on said image bearing member A second container for containing a developer used for developing an image , wherein the waste developer chamber of the first container is in the first container in a posture when the process cartridge is used. It is disposed above the second container, the second container, a surface facing the wall portion forming the bottom of the waste developer chamber of the first container, with the surface of the wall of the second container, the first A vent part provided in an area covered by the surface of the one container, wherein the vent part is provided with a vent hole communicating the inner side and the outer side of the second container; and the passage of the developer provided in the vent hole blocking and be perforated with ventilation member passage of air to allow the the A process cartridge according to claim.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to the present invention, wherein a developer image is formed on a recording material using the developer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a problem from occurring in the ventilation portion without providing a special protective member regardless of the size of the ventilation portion.

It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with an open / close door opened. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an opening / closing door is opened and a tray is pulled out. FIG. 4 is a perspective view when a process cartridge is attached to and detached from the tray in a state where the opening / closing door of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened and the tray is pulled out. 4 is a perspective view of a drive side positioning portion of a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a non-driving side positioning portion of a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view seen from the non-driving side of the process cartridge which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view seen from the drive side of the process cartridge which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from a non-driving side. FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view as viewed from the driving side of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing and the side view of the process cartridge which concern on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sealing member and filling port provided in a developing container. It is sectional drawing of the other example of a process cartridge.

  Hereinafter, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
1. Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus First, referring to FIG. 2, an image forming apparatus 1 in which a process cartridge (hereinafter also simply referred to as “cartridge”) B according to an embodiment of the present invention is detachable. The overall configuration and operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the cartridge B according to this embodiment is mounted on the apparatus main body A. Here, the apparatus main body A of the image forming apparatus 1 is a part of the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the cartridge B. Note that, regarding the image forming apparatus 1, the cartridge B, and these elements of the present embodiment, the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 62 is a longitudinal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). In this longitudinal direction, the side where the photosensitive drum 62 receives the driving force from the apparatus main body A (the front side in FIG. 2) is the driving side, and the opposite side (the back side in FIG. 2) is the non-driving side. . Furthermore, the side (right side in FIG. 2) where the cartridge B of the apparatus main body A is attached and detached is the front side, and the opposite side (left side in FIG. 2) is the rear side.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic technique (electrophotographic image forming process) in which a cartridge B is detachable from the apparatus main body A.

  The cartridge B is provided with a drum-type (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) that is an image bearing member, that is, a photosensitive drum (hereinafter also simply referred to as “drum”) 62. The apparatus main body A is provided with an exposure device (laser scanner unit) 3 which is an exposure means for forming a latent image on the drum 62 when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A. In the apparatus main body A, a sheet tray 4 storing a recording material such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as “sheet”) P as an image forming target is disposed below the cartridge B. Further, the apparatus main body A includes a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, a conveyance roller pair 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, and a discharge device along a conveyance direction D of the sheet P. A roller pair 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

  An outline of the image forming process will be described. Based on the print start signal, the drum 62 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of arrow R in FIG. The outer peripheral surface (surface) of the rotating drum 62 is charged by a charging roller 66 that is a charging unit. The charging roller 66 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and applies a predetermined charging bias to uniformly charge the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. The outer peripheral surface of the charged drum 62 is exposed by the exposure device 3. The exposure device 3 outputs a laser beam L corresponding to the image information. The laser light L passes through a laser opening 71 h provided in the drum support frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. The electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 62 is developed by a developing unit (developing device) 20 that is a developing unit using toner T that is a developer. The developing device unit 20 transfers the toner T carried and conveyed on the outer peripheral surface (front surface) of the developing roller 32 as a developer carrying member to the drum 62 according to the electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the toner. Develop (visualize) as an image.

  In addition, the sheet P is fed from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the conveying roller pair 5c in accordance with the output timing of the laser light L. Then, the sheet P is supplied via a transfer guide 6 to a transfer position N between the drum 62 and a transfer roller 7 as transfer means. At the transfer position N, the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 are in contact with each other to form a transfer nip portion. At the transfer position N, the toner images are sequentially transferred from the drum 62 onto the sheet P that is nipped and conveyed by the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7. In this manner, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment forms a toner image that is a developer image on the recording material P using toner that is a developer.

  The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed along the conveyance guide 8 to the fixing device 9 serving as a fixing unit. In the fixing device 9, the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b are in contact with each other to form a fixing nip portion. The sheet P is nipped and conveyed by the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b and passes through the fixing nip portion. A pressure and heat fixing process is performed at the fixing nip, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet P. The sheet P that has undergone the toner image fixing process is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and is discharged to the discharge tray 11 by the discharge roller pair 10.

  On the other hand, residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 after the toner image is transferred to the sheet P is removed and collected by a cleaning blade (cleaning member) 77 serving as a cleaning unit. Thus, the drum 62 is used again for the image forming process.

  In this embodiment, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means that act on the drum 62.

2. Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, attachment / detachment of the cartridge B to / from the apparatus main body A will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the open / close door 13 opened in order to detach the cartridge B. As shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B in a state where the opening / closing door 13 is opened and the tray 18 is pulled out in order to attach and detach the cartridge B. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B when the cartridge B is attached and detached with the opening / closing door 13 opened and the tray 18 pulled out.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the front side surface of the apparatus main body A, and a cartridge insertion opening 17 is provided when the opening / closing door 13 is opened. A tray 18 for mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A is provided in the cartridge insertion port 17. As shown in FIG. 4, when the tray 18 is pulled out in the direction of arrow C toward the front side of the apparatus main body A, the tray 18 stops at a position where the cartridge B can be attached and detached. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge B can be removed from the apparatus main body A by lifting the cartridge B upward in the direction of arrow E. On the other hand, the cartridge B is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow E in FIG. 5 and placed on the tray 18, and the tray 18 is pushed in the direction opposite to the arrow C in FIG. The cartridge B can be mounted on the apparatus main body A. Thus, in this embodiment, the cartridge B is configured to be inserted from the side surface of the apparatus main body A and attached to the apparatus main body A.

3. Next, a configuration for supporting the process cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. 6 is a perspective view of the drive side positioning portion of the cartridge B in a state where the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the non-drive side positioning portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body A is provided with a driving side plate 15 and a non-driving side plate 16 for supporting the cartridge B. As shown in FIG. 6, the drive side plate 15 is provided with a drive side first support portion 15a, a drive side second support portion 15b, and a drive side rotation support portion 15c as support portions. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the non-driving side plate 16 is provided with a non-driving side first support portion 16a, a non-driving side second support portion 16b, and a non-driving side rotation support portion 16c as support portions. .

  On the other hand, on the drive side of the cartridge B, as a supported portion, a drive side first supported portion 73b and a drive side second supported portion 73d formed on the drum bearing 73 and a drum support frame 71 are formed. A drive-side boss 71a is provided. On the non-driving side of the cartridge B, a non-driving side projection 71f and a non-driving side boss 71g formed on the drum support frame 71 are provided as supported parts.

  Then, the drive side first supported portion 73b is supported by the drive side first support portion 15a, the drive side second supported portion 73d is supported by the drive side second support portion 15b, and the drive side boss 71a is rotated on the drive side. It is supported by the support part 15c. The non-driving side protrusion 71f is supported by the non-driving side first support portion 16a and the non-driving side second support portion 16b, and the non-driving side boss 71g is supported by the non-driving side rotation support portion 16c. In this manner, the cartridge B is positioned within the apparatus main body A.

4). Cartridge Next, the entire configuration of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8 to 12. In order to avoid complications, description will be omitted with respect to arbitrarily-selectable fixing means such as screws for connecting the components.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. As shown in FIG. 1, cartridges B includes a drum unit 60, a developing unit 20, a.

  In general, a process cartridge is a cartridge in which a photosensitive member and at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit acting as a process unit acting on the photosensitive member are integrated into a main body of an image forming apparatus. On the other hand, it is detachable. In the present invention, the process cartridge includes at least a drum support container (first container) 81, which will be described later, and a developing container (second container) 82.

  The drum unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning blade 77, a drum support frame (cleaning frame) 71 that supports them, and a lid fixed to the drum support frame 71 by a fixing means such as welding. Member 72. In the present embodiment, the drum support frame 71 and the lid member 72 constitute a drum support container 81 as a first container in which a waste toner chamber 71b described later is formed.

  In the drum unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning blade 77 are disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. The cleaning blade 77 includes a rubber blade 77a that is a blade-like elastic member formed of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62 in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77a is in contact with the drum 62 such that its free end (tip portion) is disposed upstream of the fixed end in the rotation direction of the drum 62.

  FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the drum support container 81 cut at the position of the cutting line in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12A, the drum support container 81 is provided with a first screw 86, a second screw 87, and a third screw 88 as waste toner conveying members. The waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning blade 77 is conveyed by the first screw 86 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the drum 62 (arrow F direction). Next, the waste toner is conveyed in the direction away from the drum 62 (arrow G direction) by the second screw 87, and then conveyed in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the drum 62 (arrow H direction) by the third screw 88. . In this way, the waste toner is configured to be stored in the waste toner chamber 71 b formed by the drum support frame 71 and the lid member 72. The first screw 86 is rotated by being driven by a gear (not shown). The second screw 87 is rotated by receiving a driving force from the first screw 86, and the third screw 88 is rotated by the second screw 87, respectively. The first screw 86 is disposed in the vicinity of the drum 62, the second screw 87 is disposed at the longitudinal end of the drum support frame 71, and the third screw 88 is disposed in the waste toner chamber 71b. Here, the rotation axes of the first screw 86 and the third screw 88 are parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 62, and the rotation axis of the second screw 87 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  Thus, the toner removed from the drum 62 by the cleaning blade 77 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71 b of the drum unit 60. In addition, a squeeze sheet 65 for suppressing waste toner in the waste toner chamber 71 b from being leaked is provided at the edge of the drum support frame 71 facing the drum 62 so as to contact the drum 62.

  In the drum unit 60, the drum 62 is rotatably attached to the drum support container 81. The drum 62 transmits a driving force of a driving motor (not shown), which is a driving source provided in the apparatus main body A, to the drum unit 60, so that the direction of the arrow R in FIG. Is driven to rotate.

  In the drum unit 60, the charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the drum support container 81. Specifically, the charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the drum support frame body 71 via charging roller bearings 67 on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the drum support frame body 71 constituting the drum support container 81. ing. The charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62 by the charging roller bearing 67 being pressed toward the drum 62 by a pressing spring 68 that is an urging member. The charging roller 66 rotates following the rotation of the drum 62.

On the other hand, the developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32 as a developer carrying member, a developing frame 23 supporting the developing roller 32, a bottom member 22 to the developing frame 2 3 is fixed by fixing means such as welding, Have In the present embodiment, the developing frame 23 and the bottom member 22 constitute a developing container 82 as a second container in which a developing chamber 28 and a storage chamber 29 described later are formed. In this embodiment, the distance from the drum 62 is longer in the developing container (second container) 82 than in the drum supporting container (first container) 81. Further, the developing unit 20 includes a developing blade 42 that is a developer regulating means for regulating the amount of toner T carried on the developing roller 32 (the thickness of the toner layer), and a magnetic field provided inside the developing roller 32. And a magnet roller (fixed magnet) 34 that is a generating means.

  In the developing unit 20, a spacing member 38 (FIGS. 8 and 9) is attached to both ends of the developing roller 32 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 32. As the spacing member 38 and the drum 62 come into contact with each other, the developing roller 32 is held with a slight gap between the developing roller 32 and the drum 62. Further, a blowout prevention sheet 33 for suppressing toner leakage from the developing unit 20 is provided at the edge of the bottom member 22 facing the developing roller 32 so as to contact the developing roller 32. The magnet roller 34 is fixed inside the developing roller 32 so as not to rotate.

  In the developing unit 20, the developing container 82 is supplied to a developing chamber (first chamber) 28 having an opening 74 in which a developing roller 32 that carries the toner T and transports it to the drum 62 is disposed, and is supplied to the developing chamber 28. And a storage chamber (second chamber) 29 for storing the toner T to be stored. The storage chamber 29 is provided with a first transport member 43, a second transport member 44, and a third transport member 50. The first transport member 43, the second transport member 44, and the third transport member 50 agitate the toner T stored in the storage chamber 29 and transport it to the developing chamber 28.

  In the cartridge B having such a configuration, the laser light L (FIG. 2) output according to the image information by the exposure device 3 provided in the apparatus main body A passes through the laser opening 71 h provided in the drum support frame 71. As described above, the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 is scanned and exposed. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. In the developing unit 20, the toner T in the storage chamber 29 is agitated and conveyed by the rotation of the first conveying member 43, the second conveying member 44, and the third conveying member 50, and is sent out to the developing chamber 28. The toner T is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34. While the toner T is frictionally charged by the developing blade 42, the layer thickness on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 is regulated. Then, at the developing position where the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 face each other, the toner T on the developing roller 32 is transferred to the drum 62 according to the electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image. Is done.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, the frame structure and the support structure of each member in the cartridge B will be described in more detail. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of the cartridge B. FIG. 8 shows the non-driving side, and FIG. 9 shows the driving side. 10 and 11 are enlarged exploded perspective views of the cartridge B. FIG. 10 shows the non-driving side, and FIG. 11 shows the driving side.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cartridge B is configured by combining (merging) a drum unit 60 and a developing unit 20.

  The drum unit 60 is provided with a drum support frame 71, a lid member 72, a drum 62, a drum bearing 73 for rotatably supporting the drum 62, a drum shaft 78, and the like. As shown in FIG. 11, on the driving side, the drum 62 is rotatably supported by inserting the drum flange 63 provided at the driving side end of the drum 62 into the hole 73 a of the drum bearing 73. The As shown in FIG. 10, on the non-driving side, the drum shaft 78 is press-fitted into a hole 71 c provided in the drum support frame 71. The drum 62 is rotatably supported by inserting the drum shaft 78 into the hole 64a of the non-driving side drum flange 64 provided at the non-driving side end of the drum 62.

  On the other hand, the developing unit 20 is provided with a bottom member 22, a developing frame 23, a driving side developing side member 26, a developing blade 42, a developing roller 32, and the like. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing frame 23 via bearing members 37 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the drum unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are coupled to each other by a coupling pin 69 so that the cartridge B can be rotated. Specifically, the development frame body 23 is provided with a development first support hole (drive side) 23a and a development second support hole (non-drive side) 23b at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 20. The drum support frame 71 is provided with a first suspension hole (drive side) 71i and a second suspension hole (non-drive side) 71j at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 60. The coupling pin 69 press-fitted and fixed in the first suspension hole 71i and the second suspension hole 71j, the development first support hole 23a, and the development second support hole 23b are fitted together, whereby the drum unit 60 and the development unit 20 are engaged. Are connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

  The first hole 46Ra of the driving side biasing member 46R is hooked on the boss 73c of the drum bearing 73, and the second hole 46Rb is hooked on the boss 26a of the driving side developing side member 26. The first hole 46Fa of the non-driving side biasing member 46F is hooked on the boss 71k of the drum support frame 71, and the second hole 46Fb is hooked on the boss 37a of the bearing member 37. In this embodiment, the driving side urging member 46R and the non-driving side urging member 46F are formed by tension springs. The developing unit 20 is biased toward the drum 62 by biasing the developing unit 20 to the drum unit 60 by the biasing force of the spring. The developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined interval from the drum 62 by a spacing holding member 38 attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, before the cartridge B is used, a seal member is formed between the developing chamber 28 and the storage chamber 29 formed in the developing container 82 of the developing unit 20. The toner T is stored in the storage chamber 29 by being sealed with 83. At the start of use of the cartridge B, the seal member 83 is removed, and the developer is supplied from the storage chamber 29 to the developing chamber 28. Specifically, the developing chamber 28 and the storage chamber 29 are partitioned by a partition wall 85 formed in the developing frame 23 constituting the developing container 82, and a supply port 84 that allows the toner T to pass through the partition wall. Is formed. Then, a sealing member 83 made of a substantially rectangular sheet-like member elongated in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20 is welded to the partition wall 85 so as to close the supply port 84. For example, one end of the seal member 83 can be extended to the outside of the developing unit 20. An operator such as a user can open the supply port 84 by pulling out the seal member 83 in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20 as indicated by an arrow X in FIG. . As a result, the toner T is prevented from leaking from the opening 74 where the developing roller 32 is disposed during the distribution of the cartridge B.

  In this embodiment, the space between the developing chamber 28 and the storage chamber 29 is sealed with a seal member 83 on, for example, a side wall on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 23 constituting the developing container 82. A filling port 86 for filling the toner T inside the storage chamber 29 is provided. The filling port 86 is sealed by fixing the stopper 87 with an appropriate fixing means such as press-fitting, adhesion, or welding after the storage chamber 29 is filled with the toner T.

5. Configuration of Ventilation Hole and Ventilation Member Next, the ventilation portion 90 provided in the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8, and 9.

  In the present embodiment, the developing container 82 has a ventilation portion 90 provided so as to be covered with the drum supporting container 81 at a position facing the drum supporting container 81. In the present embodiment, the ventilation portion 90 includes a ventilation hole 23a and a ventilation member 100 provided in the ventilation hole 23a. More specifically, the developing container 82 is provided with a vent hole 23a that allows the inside and the outside of the developing container 82 to communicate with each other. Further, the developing container 82 is provided with a ventilation member (filter) 100 that blocks the passage of the toner T and allows the passage of air so as to block the ventilation hole 23a. Here, in the developing container 82, the vent hole 23 a is provided in a region that is covered with the drum support container 81 at a position facing the drum support container 81.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the area of the drum support container 81 that faces the developing container 82 is configured by the drum support frame 71 or the lid member 72. A region of the developing container 82 that faces the drum support container 81 is constituted by the developing frame 23. The vent hole 23 a is provided in the region covered with the drum support container 81 at a position facing the drum support container 81 composed of the drum support frame 71 and the lid member 72 of the developing frame 23. Yes. In particular, in this embodiment, the vent hole 23 a and the vent member 100 are provided in the storage chamber 29 in the developing container 82. In the present embodiment, the ventilation member 100 is disposed on the inner surface of the developing device frame 23 on the storage chamber 29 side.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of vent holes 23a having substantially the same shape and size are provided. In particular, in the present embodiment, the plurality of vent holes 23a are arranged in a lattice form in a plurality of rows in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the drum 62 and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (in the present embodiment, the drum 62). 10 rows along the longitudinal direction and 5 rows along the orthogonal direction). In this embodiment, one ventilation member 100 is provided so as to block a plurality of (all in this embodiment) ventilation holes 23a. A plurality of ventilation holes 23a are provided to increase the overall opening area of the ventilation portion 90, thereby improving the air permeability. The ventilation member 100 is attached by closing the plurality of ventilation holes 23a with one ventilation member 100. Etc. can be improved.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the drum support container 81 covers the ventilation hole 23a, so that an operator such as a user can be prevented from touching the ventilation part 90. Therefore, for example, when the operator handles the cartridge B, it is possible to prevent the ventilation member 100 from being touched and damaged. Further, for example, when the operator handles the cartridge B, it is possible to prevent the air holes 23a from being clogged due to foreign matter adhering to the air holes 23a and adhering to the air holes 23a.

  The vent hole 23 a is provided in the developing device frame 23 with a gap with respect to the drum support container 81. Only the ventilation member 100 is disposed between the inside of the developing container 82 and the drum support container 81 through the ventilation hole 23a in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane formed by the ventilation hole 23a. Therefore, the ventilation part 90 is not blocked, and the pressure fluctuation in the storage chamber 29 during use of the cartridge B or during distribution can be effectively reduced.

  The laser opening 71h formed in the drum support frame 71 of the drum support container 81 is sufficiently large to allow the laser light L (FIG. 2) to pass through. It is difficult or substantially impossible to reach 23a.

  The coarseness of the ventilation member 100 can be appropriately selected so as to prevent the toner T from passing and allow the air to pass. Typically, as the ventilation member 100, a material whose mesh is finer than the average particle diameter of the toner T is used. As the ventilation member 100, for example, an arbitrary material having desired air permeability and toner sealability such as foamed urethane foam, nonwoven fabric, and rubber sponge can be appropriately selected and used. As a result, when a pressure fluctuation occurs in the storage chamber 29, the air inside the storage chamber 29 is passed, but the leakage of the toner T can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ventilation member 100 is located above the powder surface 24 of the toner T inside the developing container 82 in the posture of the cartridge B when attached to the apparatus main body A, that is, the posture when the cartridge B is used. Placed in. Therefore, the toner T and the ventilation member 100 are not kept in contact with each other, and clogging of the ventilation member 100 due to the toner T can be suppressed. Although it is effective to dispose the ventilation member 100 above the powder surface 24 of the toner T in this way, the posture of the cartridge B when mounted on the apparatus main body A is not limited to this. Absent.

  Further, the ventilation portion 90 can improve the air permeability in the storage chamber 29 when the storage chamber 29 of the developing container 82 is filled with the toner T. That is, in the present embodiment, the ventilation portion 90 is disposed so as to be covered with the drum support container 81 at a position facing the drum support container 81 of the developing container 82, thereby causing a problem such as touching by the operator. It is suppressed. Therefore, the size of the ventilation part 90 (more specifically, the ventilation hole 23a and the ventilation member 100) can be made larger than before. As a result, when the storage chamber 29 is filled with the toner T, air is vented from the ventilation portion 90 more effectively, leading to a reduction in tact time required for filling the toner T.

  The ventilation member 100 can be attached to the developing frame 23 by any fixing means such as insert molding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, double-sided tape. In the present embodiment, the ventilation member 100 is disposed on the inner surface of the developing frame 23 on the storage chamber 29 side, but the ventilation member 100 may be disposed on the opposite surface of the drum support container 81 so as to block the ventilation hole 23a from the outside. Good.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of vent holes 23a are provided, but a single vent hole 23a may be provided. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ventilation member 100 is configured by one component so as to block the plurality of ventilation holes 23a, but is not limited to this, and the single or plural ventilation holes 23a are provided as necessary. A plurality of ventilation members 100 may be provided so as to be closed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the ventilation portion 90 provided in the developing container 82 is enlarged, the ventilation portion 90 is in a position facing the drum support container 81 and is covered with the drum support container 81. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a problem from occurring in the ventilation portion 90 due to an operator touching the ventilation portion 90 when handling the cartridge B. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems in the ventilation portion 90 regardless of the size of the ventilation portion 90 that adjusts the pressure fluctuation in the developing container 82. Accordingly, it is possible to easily cope with the enlargement of the ventilation portion 90 for coping with further reduction of the influence of the pressure fluctuation in the developing container 82 and increase in the developer capacity. Further, since the ventilation portion 90 provided in the developing container 82 is covered with the drum support container 81, it is not necessary to add a special protective member, and the cost of the cartridge B can be suppressed. Further, since the size of the ventilation portion 90 can be made larger than before, the air permeability of the storage chamber 29 when the toner T is filled can be improved, and the workability of the toner T filling can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the laser light L is configured to scan and expose the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 through the laser opening 71h provided in the drum support frame 71 of the cartridge B. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the laser beam L passes through a gap (optical path) 2 provided between the drum unit 60 and the developing unit 20. Also good. 14, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the cartridge B shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the cartridge B of FIG. 14, the vent hole 23 a is provided in the developing frame 23 with a gap with respect to the drum support container 81 with the optical path 2 interposed therebetween. That is, the vent hole 23a is provided in the developing container 82 at a position facing the drum support container 81 across the optical path 2 through which light for exposing the drum 62 according to image information passes. Only the ventilation member 100 is disposed between the inside of the developing container 82 and the drum support container 81 through the ventilation hole 23a in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane formed by the ventilation hole 23a. Therefore, as in the case of the present embodiment, the ventilation portion 90 is not blocked, and the pressure fluctuation in the storage chamber 29 during the use of the cartridge B or during distribution can be effectively reduced.

20 developing unit 22 bottom member 23 developing frame 23a vent hole 28 developing chamber (first chamber)
29 Storage room (second room)
32 Developing roller 60 Drum unit 62 Photosensitive drum 71 Drum support frame 71b Waste toner chamber 72 Cover member 81 Drum support container (first container)
82 Developer container (second container)
100 Ventilation member A Device body B Process cartridge

Claims (11)

Used for developing a first container that have a waste developer chamber for accommodating a developer image bearing member is recovered from said image bearing member is mounted, an electrostatic image formed on said image bearing member A process cartridge comprising a second container for containing a developer,
In the posture when the process cartridge is used, the waste developer chamber of the first container is disposed above the second container,
The second container, a surface facing the wall portion forming the bottom of the waste developer chamber of the first container, with the surface of the wall of the second container is covered with the surface of the first container Having vents provided in the area ;
Wherein the vent, which organic and vent holes for communicating the inside and the outside of the second container, and the ventilation member said passage of passage of the developer provided in the vent hole is blocked air to allow the Process cartridge. In the direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the second container, only the ventilation member is disposed from the inside of the second container through the ventilation hole to the surface of the first container. a process cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that there. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the surface of the first container and the surface of the second container is smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical image carrier. . The gap between the surfaces of the second container of the first container, according to claim, characterized in that configuring the optical path through which light passes to expose according to said image bearing member to image information 1 The process cartridge as described in any one of -3. In posture during use of said process cartridge, said vent member is a process cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that it is disposed higher than the developing agent in the second container . The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a plurality of the vent holes that are blocked by one vent member. 7. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of vent holes are arranged in a lattice form in a plurality of rows in a direction along each of a longitudinal direction of the image carrier and a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. cartridge. The second container stores a first chamber having an opening in which a developer carrying member that carries the developer and conveys the developer to the image carrier, and a developer supplied to the first chamber. A second chamber,
Before the process cartridge starts to be used, a space between the first chamber and the second chamber is sealed with a seal member, and the developer is stored in the second chamber.
It said vent holes and the vent member, the process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that provided in the second chamber in the second container. The second container has a filling port for filling the inside of the second chamber with a developer in a state where the space between the first chamber and the second chamber is sealed by the seal member. The process cartridge according to claim 8 .   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a developer image is formed on a recording material using the developer.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the process cartridge is inserted from a side surface of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and attached to the apparatus main body.

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