JP6586817B2 - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a first opening for transferring developer from a stirring chamber to a developing chamber, a second opening for transferring developer from the developing chamber to the stirring chamber, a developing chamber and a stirring chamber A partition that divides the first opening and the second opening so as to seal the developer in the stirring chamber (with a sealing sheet) and a seal portion that can be driven and opened. There is known an image forming apparatus that is configured such that the opening timing of the first opening is earlier than the timing of opening the second opening (see the following patents). Reference 1). Patent Document 1 includes a rotation shaft that can rotate along the rotation axis direction of the developer carrier as an unsealing mechanism, and the seal portion (sealing sheet) is wound around the rotation shaft by driving the rotation shaft. An example configuration is shown.

JP 2014-81665 A

  According to the present invention, it is possible to open the discharge port for allowing a part of the developer stored in the storage chamber of the housing to overflow and discharge it for the first time when it can be used at the first use place. A developing device and an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device are provided.

The developing device of this invention (A1)
A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
Equipped with a,
The film material is attached so as to exist in a state of being inserted between the outlet and the opening and closing member and closing the outlet.
Wherein said discharge port is formed portion of the housing, it is shall have provided both ends restricting protrusion which is arranged in a state close to the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film material.
The developing device of the present invention (A2)
A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
With
The winding member is disposed so as to extend along the rotation axis direction and intersects at the center of rotation, and a protrusion that exists at the center of the upper end of each intersecting plate-like portion of the body And is configured as a member having a form,
The film material is attached between the discharge port and the opening / closing member so as to exist in a state of closing the discharge port, and is a portion near the tip portion wound up by the winding member Are provided with a plurality of fitting holes into which the protruding portions are fitted.
Furthermore, the developing device of the present invention (A3)
A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
With
A central regulating protrusion is provided in a region where the film material passes in a portion where the discharge port of the housing is formed,
The film material is inserted so as to be inserted between the discharge port and the opening / closing member so as to close the discharge port, and the central restricting projection is formed at a central portion in a longitudinal position. Is provided with a long hole-like restriction hole that is fitted into the upper end and contacts both ends in the longitudinal direction.

The developing device according to the present invention (A 4 ) is configured such that, in the developing device according to any one of the above-described inventions A1 to A3 , the winding member is rotationally driven using rotational power input to the developing device. Is.
The developing device of this invention (A 5 ) is the developing device according to any one of the above inventions A1 to A4 , wherein the winding member is connected to the rotating shaft of the agitating and conveying member or extends the rotating shaft. It is what has been.
A developing device of the present invention (A 6), in any one of the developing apparatus A 5 from the invention A1, which said take-up member has a mounting portion for mounting by inserting one end portion of the film material It is.
The developing device according to the present invention (A 7 ) is the developing device according to any one of the above-mentioned inventions A 1 to A6 , wherein the opening / closing member is disposed before the film member is wound up by the winding member. Even when it is moved to a position where it is opened, it is attached so as to be held in a state where the discharge port is closed.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention (B1) has a one of the developing apparatus A 7 from the invention A1, the discharge port and facing the receptacle of the developing apparatus, the developer is discharged from the discharge port And a detachable collection container for receiving and storing the container from the receiving port.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (B2) is the image forming apparatus according to the aforementioned invention B1, wherein the image forming apparatus with the recovery container mounted is installed at the first use place and the main power supply is turned on for the first time. The winding member in the developing device is configured to rotate when it is started.

According to the developing devices of the above inventions A1 , A2 and A3 , when the discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer stored in the housing chamber of the housing is made available at the first use place Can be opened for the first time. Further, according to this developing device, even when the opening / closing member that opens and closes the discharge port is moved to the position where the discharge port is closed, the film material can be easily attached and the discharge port is closed. it can.

In the developing apparatus of the invention A 4, compared to when not configured to drive rotation using a rotary power input to the winding member in the developing device, the effect of the invention A1, A2 and A3 with a simpler configuration Can be obtained.
The developing device of the invention A 5, as compared with the case of not constructed using stirring and conveying member winding member, it is possible to obtain the effect according to the invention A1, A2 and A3 by a simpler configuration.
The developing device of the invention A 6, as compared with the case take-up member does not have a mounting portion, the mounting of one end of the film member can be easily.
In the developing apparatus of the invention A 7, even if there is when the closing member is moved to a position opening the discharge opening before the film material is wound around the winding member, is prevented leakage of the developer from the outlet The

  According to the image forming apparatus of the above-described invention B1, when the discharge port for allowing a part of the developer stored in the storage chamber of the developing device casing to overflow and be discharged can be used at the first use place. Can be opened for the first time.

  In the image forming apparatus of the invention B2, the effect of the invention B1 can be obtained even when the collection container is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing a part of an appearance (an appearance with an exterior cover opened) of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing a part of the appearance of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 with a developer recovery container removed. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a part of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 (one image forming apparatus and its peripheral part). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the developing device according to Embodiment 1 when viewed from the side where the developing roll can be seen. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the developing device in FIG. 5 when viewed from the side where the developing roll cannot be seen. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating components such as a discharge unit, a film material, and a winding member in the developing device of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a discharge unit or the like in the developing device of FIG. 7 as viewed from below. It is a perspective view shown in the state when components, such as a discharge part and a film material, in the developing device of FIG. 7 are seen from another angle. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view along a part of the Q1-Q1 line in the developing device of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a part of the line Q2-Q2 in the developing device of FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows structural parts (except a film material), such as a discharge part and a winding member in the developing device of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating components such as a discharge unit and a winding member in the developing device of FIG. 12 in a state where the open / close shutter is moved to a position where the discharge port is opened. 7A is a top view showing components such as the discharge portion of the developing device in FIG. 7 in a state where the open / close shutter is in a position to close the discharge port, and FIG. 7B is a configuration of the discharge portion and the like of the developing device in FIG. It is a top view which shows a state in a state when an opening-and-closing shutter exists in the position which opens a discharge port. It is a perspective view which shows the opening-and-closing shutter of the discharge port in the developing device of FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the developing device of FIG. 10 in a state where the open / close shutter is in a position to open the discharge port. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a developer recovery container in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 when viewed from the inner surface side. FIG. 18 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state where a part of the developer recovery container of FIG. 17 is connected to a discharge unit of the developing device. FIG. 18 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state when the developer recovery container of FIG. 17 and the discharge unit of the developing device are connected. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the discharge portion of the developing device when connected to the developer recovery container of FIG. 19 is looked up from below (a state where the open / close shutter is in a position to open the discharge port). FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing components such as a discharge unit and a winding member in the developing device of FIG. 20 together with a cross section taken along line QQ. It is a schematic sectional drawing in alignment with the QQ line in the developing device of FIG. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in the middle after the film material winding operation in the developing device of FIG. 22 is started. FIG. 23 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state when the film material winding operation in the developing device of FIG. 22 is completed. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the developing device of FIG. 16 in a state when the film material is wound up. The other example of a structure of the winding member in a developing device is shown, (a) is a perspective view which shows components, such as the discharge part and winding member in the developing device, (b) is a cross section of the winding member in (a). It is explanatory drawing. FIG. 4 shows still another example of the configuration of the winding member in the developing device, (a) is a perspective view showing components such as a discharge portion and a winding member in the developing device, and (b) is a drawing of the winding member in (a). FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other structural example of the control protrusion which controls the film material in a developing device.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
1 to 5 show an image forming apparatus using the developing device according to the first embodiment. 1 shows a part of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus when the exterior cover is opened, and FIG. 2 shows a part of the external appearance after the developer recovery container is removed from the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 conceptually shows an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4 conceptually shows a main part of the image forming apparatus (one image forming apparatus and its peripheral devices). Arrows indicated by reference signs X, Y, and Z in all drawings including the above figures are orthogonal coordinate axes (directions) indicating respective directions of the width, height and depth of the three-dimensional space assumed in the respective drawings. ).

<Configuration of entire image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 forms an image composed of a developer on a recording sheet 9 as an example of a recording medium. For example, an image input from an external device such as an information terminal The printer is configured to receive information and form an image. Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 1 can also be configured as a copying machine having a facsimile function, for example, when a document reading apparatus is also provided.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has a housing 10 having an overall box-like appearance. The housing 10 is a structure configured using a support member, an exterior cover, and the like. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and the like, the housing 10 is provided with an accommodating portion 12 for discharging and accommodating the recording paper 9 after the image is formed on the upper surface portion thereof. An exterior cover 13 is provided that moves around the shaft portion 13a to open and close a part of the inside of the housing 10. Further, the housing 10 has a first mounting portion 10a for mounting a developer collecting container (100) to be described later, and a developing portion to be described later on the upper portion of the first mounting portion 10a after the exterior cover 13 is opened. A mounting portion 10c for mounting and removing the agent supply container (14) is formed. Further, the housing 10 is formed with a second mounting portion 10b for mounting an image forming device (20) to be described later on a part of the first mounting portion 10a after the developer collecting container is removed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus 20 that forms a toner image composed of toner as a developer in an internal space of the housing 10, and an image forming apparatus 20. An intermediate transfer device 30 that transports the toner image to be formed after being held by primary transfer and then transports the toner image to a secondary transfer position where the toner image is finally transferred to the recording paper 9, and is supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 30 A paper feeding device 40 for receiving and feeding the recording paper 9 to be sent, and a fixing device 45 for fixing the toner image secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 30 to the recording paper 9 are disposed. A one-dot chain line shown in FIG. 3 is a main conveyance path of the recording paper 9 inside the housing 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes four image forming apparatuses 20Y, 20M, 20M, 20M, 20M, 20M, 20M, 20M, 20M, and 20D respectively forming developer (toner) images of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 20C and 20K are used. The image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) in the first embodiment is arranged in a state (inclined state) where the position gradually increases in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow in the internal space of the housing 10. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the four image forming devices 20 (Y, M, C, and K) all have a photosensitive drum 21 that is rotated and an image holding surface on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. A charging device 22 for charging to a required potential, and light (dotted line with arrows) separated into each color component (Y, M, C, K) based on image information are applied to the charged image forming surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Then, an exposure device 23 for forming an electrostatic latent image of each color component, and developing the electrostatic latent image by supplying toner of each color component to develop the toner image of each color (Y, M, C, K). The developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) for visualizing, the primary transfer device 25 for primarily transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer device 30 (the intermediate transfer belt 31), and the photosensitive drum 21. Drum to remove unnecessary materials such as toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface It is composed of a sweep apparatus 26 or the like.

  Each of the four image forming apparatuses 20 (Y, M, C, and K) has a photosensitive drum 21 that is a drum-shaped photosensitive member that is rotationally driven in a direction indicated by an arrow A, and an image forming area on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. A charging device 22 in the form of a roll for charging the portion to be a required potential, and the outer peripheral surface after charging of the photosensitive drum 21 is irradiated with light decomposed into each color component based on required image information. An electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 and a developing device 5 (Y, M, Y) that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 with the toner of each color component and visualizes the toner image of each color. C, K), a primary transfer device 25 that primarily transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer device 30 (the intermediate transfer belt 31 thereof), toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface after the primary transfer of the photosensitive drum 21, and the like. Remove the unnecessary material and clean it. It is composed of a beam cleaning device 26 or the like.

  Among these, the developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is a two-component developing device that uses a two-component developer 8 containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier made of each color component (Y, M, C, K). Is adopted. The developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) includes a detachable and replaceable developer supply container 14 (Y, M, C, and K) that individually stores a supply developer (toner only or toner and carrier). K), a replenishment developer of a necessary amount is supplied through the supply device 15. Details of the developing device 5 will be described later.

  Further, the drum cleaning device 26 contacts the casing 26a provided with a cleaning work opening and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after passing through the primary transfer position from the cleaning work opening so as to remove unnecessary materials such as residual toner. A plate-like member 26b and a rotating brush 26c for removing the toner, and a delivery member 26d such as a screw auger for rotating the removed matter such as the removed toner and sending it to the developer recovery container (100). The drum cleaning device 26 includes a tubular discharge portion 261 that conveys and removes a removed matter such as toner delivered by the delivery member 26 d to the developer recovery container (100) in the second mounting portion 10 b of the housing 10. It is provided in a state of protruding outward (FIG. 2).

The intermediate transfer device 30 is arranged in a slightly inclined state corresponding to the inclined arrangement state of the group of image forming devices 20 on the upper side of the four image forming devices 20 (Y, M, C, K).
The intermediate transfer device 30 is indicated by an arrow B while passing through a primary transfer position between the photosensitive drum 21 and the primary transfer device 25 (primary transfer roll) in each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K). Intermediate transfer belt 31 that rotates in the direction, a plurality of support rolls 32a to 32d that hold the intermediate transfer belt 31 in a desired state from its inner peripheral surface, and are supported by the support roll 32b. The secondary transfer roll 35 as a secondary transfer device that rotates in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 at a predetermined pressure, and the outer peripheral surface portion that has passed through the secondary transfer roll 35 of the intermediate transfer belt 31 remain. And a belt cleaning device 36 for removing unnecessary materials such as toner and paper dust.

Of these, the support roll 32a is configured as a drive roll and tension applying roll, the support roll 32b is configured as a secondary transfer backup roll, and the support rolls 32c and 32d are configured as surface-exposing rolls that hold the primary transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31. Has been.
Further, the belt cleaning device 36 has a cleaning member 36b such as an elastic plate and a rotary brush 36c that removes unnecessary materials such as residual toner in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31 inside the housing 36a of the device, and removal thereof. A delivery member 36d such as a screw auger is provided to rotate the removed matter such as toner and send it toward the developer recovery container (100). The belt cleaning device 36 includes a tubular discharge portion 361 that conveys and removes a toner or other removed matter delivered by the delivery member 36d to the developer recovery container (100) in the second mounting portion 10b of the housing 10. It is provided in a state of protruding outward (FIG. 2).

The paper feeding device 40 is disposed at a position on the lower side in the gravity direction of the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K).
The paper feed device 40 is attached to the housing 10 so as to be freely drawn out, and stores a paper storage body 41 for storing recording paper 9 of a desired size and type on the stacking plate 42, and a paper storage A feeding device 43 for feeding the recording paper 9 from the body 41 one by one is provided. In the paper feeding device 40, when an image is formed, the required recording paper 9 is sent out one by one from the paper container 41 by the sending device 43. The recording paper 9 sent out from the paper feeding device 40 advances along a conveyance path indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the intermediate transfer device 30 is matched with the secondary transfer timing by a conveyance timing adjustment roll pair 44 arranged on the conveyance path. To the secondary transfer position (the portion where the secondary transfer roll 35 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31).

The fixing device 45 is disposed at a position on the upper side in the gravity direction of the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 30.
The fixing device 45 is driven to rotate in the form of a roll or belt in which the surface temperature is maintained at the required temperature by being driven to rotate in a required direction and heated by a heating means inside the casing 46 of the apparatus. The body 47 and a pressurizing rotating body 48 such as a roll form or a belt form rotating in contact with a required pressure so as to substantially follow the rotation axis direction of the heating rotating body 47 are installed. ing. In this fixing device 45, the region where the heating rotator 47 and the pressing rotator 48 contact is formed as a fixing processing section where the recording paper 9 holding the toner image is introduced and fixing processing (pressing and heating) is performed. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 10 has a discharge port 11 after passing through a secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device 30 and a fixing processing unit in the fixing device 45 from the feeding device 43 in the paper feeding device 40 in this order. The main paper transport path for transporting the recording paper 9 is arranged up to. This sheet conveyance path is composed of a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 44a to 44e and a conveyance guide material (not shown). In particular, the transport roll pair 44c is configured as a resist roll pair having functions such as adjusting the transport timing and transport posture of the recording paper 9 to the secondary transfer position. The pair of transport rolls 44e is configured as a discharge roll that discharges the recording paper 9 from the discharge port 11 toward the storage unit 12.

  The image forming apparatus 1 selects and operates all or a part (at least a plurality of colors of toner) of the image forming apparatus 20 (Y, M, C, K), thereby operating four colors (Y, M, C). , K), it is possible to form a multicolor image formed by combining all or some of a plurality of colors. Further, by operating one of the image forming devices 20 (Y, M, C, K), it is also possible to form a single color image composed of a single color toner such as black.

<Basic Image Forming Operation by Image Forming Apparatus>
Actually, the basic image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 is performed as follows. Here, a case where a multicolor image constituted by combining toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K), that is, a so-called full color image is described as an example.

First, when an image forming operation (print) request command is received, toner images are formed in substantially the same manner in the four image forming apparatuses 20 (Y, M, C, K).
That is, in each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), each photosensitive drum 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and each charging device 22 is generated based on the charging bias supplied to the charging roll. As a result of this discharge, the image holding surface of each photosensitive drum 21 is charged to a required polarity (eg, negative polarity in the first embodiment) and a potential. After this charging, the exposure device 23 performs exposure based on the image signal transmitted after being separated into four color components (Y, M, C, K) and transmitted to the charged image holding surface of each photosensitive drum 21. Light irradiation). Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of each color component constituted by a predetermined potential difference is individually formed on the image forming surface of each photosensitive drum 21.
Subsequently, in each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) electrostatics each color component formed on the image holding surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The latent image is developed by supplying toner of each color (Y, M, C, K) in the two-component developer 8. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image of each color component on each photosensitive drum 21 is visualized as a toner image of four colors (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the color component.

Next, each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 of each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) is transferred to the recording paper 9 via the intermediate transfer device 30.
That is, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 21 are conveyed to the primary transfer positions where the photosensitive drums 21 and the primary transfer device 25 are in contact with each other with the rotating intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed therebetween. At each primary transfer position, the intermediate transfer field is generated by a primary transfer electric field formed between the photosensitive drum 21 based on a primary transfer bias supplied to the transfer roll of the primary transfer device 25 (with the intermediate transfer belt 31 interposed). The primary transfer is electrostatically performed on the transfer belt 31.
Subsequently, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is conveyed to the secondary transfer position by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 31, and then, at the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer roll 35 (or the support roll 32b). ) To the recording paper 9 fed from the paper feeding device 40 and conveyed at a required timing via the paper conveyance path by the secondary transfer electric field formed based on the secondary transfer bias supplied to Then, the secondary transfer is electrostatically performed.

Finally, the toner image transferred to the recording paper 9 is fixed by the fixing device 45.
That is, the recording paper 9 for which the secondary transfer has been completed in the intermediate transfer device 30 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 31 and then conveyed to the fixing device 45. In the fixing device 45, the recording paper 9 onto which the toner image has been transferred is introduced into a fixing processing section between the heating rotator 47 in the form of a belt and the pressing rotator 48 and heated and pressed. As a result, the toner constituting the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper 9. The recording paper 9 after the fixing is completed is sent to the discharge port 11 via the paper conveyance path and then discharged to the storage portion 12 and stored when the image is only formed on one side. The

  With the image forming operation described above, a full color image formed by combining four color toner images is formed on one side of one recording sheet 9.

<Configuration of developing device>
Next, the developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 and the like, the developing devices 5 (Y, M, C, K) all have a housing 50 as a housing for accommodating the two-component developer 8 and the housing 50. The developing roller 61, two screw augers 62 and 63 as an example of a stirring and conveying member, a regulating plate 64 as an example of a regulating member, and a discharge port (55) to be described later in the housing 50 are installed in a closed state. the film material 70, the film member 70 one end attached to, comprising a take-up member 75 a or the like to an open outlet winds the film material 70 and rotated in a required time (55) ing.

  The housing 50 has an external shape that is long in one direction. The housing 50 accommodates the two-component developer 8 and a developing opening 52 that opens a portion of the housing 51 that faces the photosensitive drum 21. A replenishment section 53 for receiving the developer replenished in the storage chamber 51, a discharge section 54 for overflowing and discharging a part of the two-component developer 8 in the storage chamber 51 (for trickle development system), and the like. It is a formed structure. 5, 6, etc., reference numeral 501 denotes a plate-like attachment member for attaching the front end portion of the housing 50 to the second attachment portion 10 b of the housing 10, and reference numeral 502 denotes a front end portion of the developing device 5. This is an operation lever for performing an operation for positioning the part with respect to the photosensitive drum 21 and an operation for releasing the positioning.

  The housing chambers 51 in the housing 50 are connected to each other so that they can circulate at both ends in the longitudinal direction and are partitioned by the partitioning part 51a at the other central part. It is formed in a shape having a first circulation conveyance path 51b and a second circulation conveyance path 51c). The development opening 52 is formed in a rectangular shape having a slightly larger dimension than the image formation effective area in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

The developing roll 61 is provided so as to exist inside the housing 50 so as to rotate while being partially exposed from the developing opening 52 and to be fixed in the cylindrical space of the sleeve. It consists of a magnet roll. The developing roll 61 makes a required gap with respect to an outer peripheral surface portion where the sleeve becomes a developing area of the photosensitive drum 21 by bringing a spacing holding roll 61 d provided at shafts on both ends of the sleeve into contact with the photosensitive drum 21. It is used by placing it in a non-contact state.
Rotational power is transmitted to the sleeve from a rotary drive device (not shown) on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 via a detachable coupling tool (sprocket or the like) 61e attached to the shaft portion at one end portion thereof. Rotate in the direction shown. Further, a developing bias for forming a developing electric field with the photosensitive drum 21 is supplied to the sleeve from a power supply device (not shown). As the developing bias, for example, a DC voltage on which an AC component is superimposed is supplied.

  Each of the screw augers 62 and 63 has a structure in which plate-like conveying blades (62b and 63b) are spirally wound around the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft (62a and 63a). The screw augers 62 and 63 (hereinafter, also referred to as “first screw auger 62 and second screw auger 63”) are respectively present in the two rows of circulation conveyance paths 51b and 51c in the housing chamber 51 of the housing 50. The developer 8 disposed in both the transport paths 51b and 51c is rotated in a required direction so as to transport each developer 8 in a certain direction (in the first embodiment, the opposite direction across the partition portion 51a). It is attached. The screw augers 62 and 63 are arranged in parallel with the developing roll 61, and the second screw auger 62 arranged on the side closer to the developing roll 61 among them is the two-component developer 8 to be conveyed. A part is supplied to the developing roll 61.

Screw augers 62 and 63 are triangular transmission drives 57 provided on the outside of the discharge section 54, and transmission gears (62g: FIG. 10) fixed to one end of each rotation shaft are both transmission gears. And a relay gear that meshes at the same time at the upper middle part. The second screw auger 63 has a transmission gear fixed to the rear end of the shaft portion of the developing roll 61 (sleeve), and a transmission gear fixed to the rear end of the rotation shaft. It is meshed via a relay gear.
As a result, the rotational power distributed from the developing roll 61 is transmitted to the first screw auger 62 via the second screw auger 63, and as a result, for example, the screw augers 62 and 63 are rotated in the same direction (clockwise in FIG. 4). Direction).

  The regulation plate 64 is made of a rectangular plate having a constant thickness and a length (long side) equal to or exceeding the length (effective development area) of the developing roll 61 in the rotation axis direction. ing. Further, the regulation plate 64 is maintained such that its end (upper long side) faces the surface of the developing roll 61 (sleeve) with a required gap (regulation interval) and faces along the axial direction. The housing 50 is attached in a fixed state at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

Further, the replenishment section 53 in the developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) has one end of the housing chamber 51 of the housing 50 on the back side (outside) from one end of the developing roll 61 as shown in FIG. ) And extended as an extended portion. The replenishment part 53 in Embodiment 1 is formed as a part in a state where one end part of the part where the first circulation transfer region 51b is formed extends from the one end part of the storage chamber 51 to the back side.
Further, the replenishing portion 53 is provided with a receiving port 53a for receiving the replenishing developer on the upper surface portion, and an open / close shutter 53b that moves to open and close the receiving port 53a. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving port 53a is connected to a replenishing device 15 for feeding a replenishing two-component developer contained in a replenishing developer container 14 (Y, M, C, K). A developer supply pipe 16 is connected.
Further, the replenishing section 53 extends the rotation shaft of the first screw auger 62 in the extended first circulation conveyance region 51b and arranges the developer replenished on the rotation shaft on the first circulation conveyance region 51b side. The conveyance blade part which conveys so that it may send in is formed.

Further, the discharge portion 54 in the developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is configured such that the other end portion of the housing chamber 51 of the housing 50 is the other end portion of the developing roll 61 as shown in FIGS. It is formed as a portion in a state of extending and projecting to the near side (outside). The discharge part 54 in the first embodiment is formed as a part extended by projecting the other end of the part of the storage chamber 51 where the first circulation transport path 51b is formed toward the front side (outside).
The discharge portion 54 is provided with a discharge port 55 for dropping and discharging the overflowing two-component developer 8 on the lower surface (bottom surface) portion of the discharge portion 54, and an open / close shutter 56 that moves to open and close the discharge port 55. Is provided.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the discharge part 54 is formed with a discharge path 54 a having a bottom surface that is higher than the bottom of the first circulation transport path 51 b by a required dimension and shifted upward. Further, the shaft portion 62a of the first screw auger 62 is extended in the discharge passage 54a. The first screw auger 62 discharges the two-component developer 8 that flows onto the shaft portion 62 a existing in the discharge path 54 a from the first circulation transfer path 51 b to the discharge path 54 a higher than the first circulation transfer path 51 b toward the discharge port 55. A portion 62c is provided. In addition, the first screw auger 62 is one connecting passage that is open so as to connect the end of the first circulation transfer path 51b and the end of the second circulation transfer path 51c without the partition 51a in the storage chamber 51. The shaft portion 62a existing in 51d is provided with a delivery conveyance blade portion 62d that conveys the two-component developer 8 so as to be sent from the first circulation conveyance path 51b toward the second circulation conveyance path 51c.
The discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 is, for example, rectangular at a portion (bottom surface portion) that is below the gravity direction of the portion where the discharge blade portion 62c of the first screw auger 62 is provided at least in the discharge passage 54a. Are formed as openings. Further, the discharge port 55 is connected so as to face the recovery port (142) of the recovery receiver (140) in the developer recovery container (100) described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 and the like, the open / close shutter 56 that opens and closes the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 includes a plate-like main body portion 56a and a mounting column portion 56e that rises substantially vertically from the main body portion 56a. It is mainly composed.

A body 56 a of the opening / closing shutter 56 has an opening on the upper surface thereof facing the portion including the opening 5 6 b configured to pass the two-component developer 8 discharged from the discharge port 55 and the discharge port 55 of the discharge unit 54. The developer leakage prevention member 5 6 c existing in the range including 5 6 b and the contact portion (145) of the collection receiving portion when the developer collection container (100) is attached to a position where the opening / closing shutter 56 is opened. Protruding part 5 6 d to be moved is provided.
On the other hand, the mounting post portion 56e of the open / close shutter 56 is fitted into an elongated mounting space S1 formed between the discharge portion 54 and the winding member 75 (actually, between the discharge portion 54 and the shutter mounting portion 50k). The shape is formed. In addition, the mounting support column 56e is provided with a cylindrical top 56f having an accommodation space 56g in which a coil spring 58 that elastically pushes the opening / closing shutter 56 so as to exist at a position where the discharge port 55 is closed is provided at the upper end. .
Note that the cylindrical top portion 56f has a structure that can be detachably coupled to the upper end portion of the mounting column portion 56e, for example, from the viewpoint of performing the mounting operation. For the developer leakage prevention member 5 6 c, for example, a material that can be elastically deformed (specifically, urethane foam, felt, or the like) is applied.

The opening / closing shutter 56 is attached so that the attachment column portion 56e can be fitted in the attachment space S1 and can move in directions indicated by arrows D1 and D2. At this time, the main body portion 56a comes into contact with a portion (bottom surface portion) where the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 is formed. Further, at this time, the cylindrical top portion 56f of the mounting support column portion 56e protrudes upward in the gravity direction from the top portion of the discharge portion 54 and the top portion of the winding member 75A.
In addition, the open / close shutter 56 is configured such that the coil spring 58 having one end accommodated in the accommodating space 56g of the cylindrical top 56f tries to extend in a state where the other end is in contact with the one side wall surface 50m of the housing 50. The entire shutter is elastically pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 (to the front end of the developing device 5) and stopped. As a result, when no external force is applied, the open / close shutter 56 is located at a position where the discharge port 55 is closed as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 12, and the like. Reference numerals 50n in FIGS. 7, 10 and the like are columnar protrusions that exist in the inner space of the coil portion and supplementarily hold the coil spring 58.

  Next, the winding member 75A is configured as a structure connected to the front side end portion of the rotation shaft of the second screw auger 63, as shown in FIGS.

  The winding member 75A is provided in a cylindrical main body portion in a state where a plurality of film insertion holes 76 that open linearly along the rotation axis direction are penetrated through a surface portion located on the opposite side of the main body portion. This is a structure. The film insertion hole 76 can be inserted into the one end portion 70a of the film material 70, and the leading end portion of the film material 70 is held in the insertion hole 76 when the winding member 75A is driven to rotate, so that the film insertion hole 76 is not easily removed. Formed.

  Further, the winding member 75 </ b> A has a connecting portion 77 at one end (back end) connected to the rotation shaft of the second screw auger 63 and fixed. Further, the winding member 75A is connected at its other end (front end) to a rotating shaft that fixes a transmission gear (not shown) for the second screw auger 63 that is rotatably disposed in the drive transmission unit 57. Is fixed. The winding member 75 </ b> A is rotated in the same direction as the second screw auger 63 by receiving rotational power from the rotating shaft of the second screw auger 63.

  A part of the film material 70 (one end part 70a) is attached to the winding member 75A (film insertion hole 76), and a part other than the part (part near the other end part 70b) discharge port of the supply part 54. 55 can be disposed in a closed state, and can be wound around the winding member 75A by rotational driving of the winding member 75A.

  The film material 70 in Embodiment 1 has a strip shape that is long in one direction, and is made of a synthetic resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The film material 70 is attached, for example, after the other end portion 70b is sandwiched between the portion including the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 and the opening / closing shutter 56, and then the portion other than the other end portion 50b is discharged. The outer surface of the portion 54 and the outer surface of the cylindrical top portion 56f of the opening / closing shutter 56 are passed through in this order, and finally the portion near the one end portion 70a is inserted into the film insertion hole 76 of the winding member 75A and held. be able to.

Further, in the developing device 5, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, the developing device 5 is disposed on the outer surface of the discharge portion 54 in a state of being close to both side ends (long sides) 70 c and 70 d in the longitudinal direction of the film material 70. Both-end regulating projections 85A and 85B are provided.
The both end restricting projections 85A and 85B are displaced (displaced) by the film material 70 following the movement of the opening / closing shutter 56 when the opening / closing shutter 56 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 and is displaced to the position where the discharge port 55 is opened. ) And the function of stabilizing the movement in the direction (H) in which the film material 70 is wound around the winding member 75A.
Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 9, 13, 14 (b), 16, etc., the film material 70 is provided with the opening / closing shutter 56 before the winding member 75 </ b> A is wound, and the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54. Even when it is moved to a position where it can be opened, the discharge port 55 is held closed.

The developing device 5 is mounted and attached to the second mounting portion 10 b in the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1.
By this mounting, the developing device 5 is positioned with respect to the housing 10 on the back side, which is the downstream end in the mounting direction, and the connector 61e of the developing roll 61 is installed on the housing 10 side. It is connected with the connecting member of the drive transmission shaft of the rotary drive device that does not. As a result, the developing device 5 is in a state where rotational power can be input.
Further, the developing device 5 is connected to a developer supply pipe 16 connected to the supply device 15 of the supply developer container 14 (Y, M, C, K) at the back side thereof. As a result, the developing device 5 can be replenished with the developer.
Further, the developing device 5 is positioned with respect to the housing 10 via the mounting member 501 on the near side that is the upstream end in the mounting direction, and the discharge unit 45 together with the drive transmission unit 57 is the second mounting unit. It will be in the state protruded from 10b (FIG. 2).

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 equipped with the developing device 5, when the new image forming apparatus 1 is installed at the first use place (place where the user actually uses) and the main power supply is turned on for the first time. The initialization operation is started, and operating devices such as the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer device 30, and the fixing device 45 are started.
Thereby, in each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is also started and the developing roll 61 and the screw augers 62, 63 are rotated. While starting to drive, the winding member 75 </ b> A also starts to rotate as the second screw auger 63 starts rotating.
As a result, in each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K), the winding of the film material 70 by the winding member 75A is started.

  In the case of performing pre-shipment work such as operation check on the manufactured image forming apparatus 1 before shipping the image forming apparatus 1 to which the developing device 5 is mounted to the user's place of use, The film material 70 is attached to the developing device 5 that has been operated at the time after completion of the pre-shipment operation (immediately before the shipment).

<Configuration for collecting developer, etc.>
In the image forming apparatus 1, the toner and the like scraped and removed by the drum cleaning devices 26 in the four image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, and K) and the belt cleaning device 36 in the intermediate transfer device 30. The removed product and the two-component developer discharged from the discharge unit 54 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) adopting the trickle method are finally used as one detachable developer collecting container 100. It is configured to collect and collect.

  The developer recovery container 100 is a horizontally long hollow structure that can be mounted on the first mounting portion 10a of the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. Further, the developer recovery container 100 includes four recovery receivers 120 (Y, M, and Y) in which the discharge portions 261 of the respective drum cleaning devices 26 are fitted and connected to the inner wall surface 100a facing the first mounting portion 10a. C, K), one collection receiving portion 130 to which the discharge portion 361 of the belt cleaning device 36 is fitted and connected, and the discharge portion 54 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) are fitted. Four collection receiving portions 140 (Y, M, C, K) that are inserted and connected are provided. Reference numeral 105 in FIG. 17 is arranged on the housing 10 side on the axis of a rotating leveling member that smoothes the piles of toner, two-component developer 8 and the like collected in the storage space of the developer recovery container 100. It is a connector for transmitting the rotational power of a rotary drive device (not shown).

  The collection receiving unit 120 (Y, M, C, K) and the collection receiving unit 130 include hole spaces 121 and 131 into which the discharge unit 261 or the discharge unit 361 are fitted, a collection port (not shown), and an open / close shutter that opens and closes the collection port. Are provided. The opening / closing shutter is configured to move to a position where each recovery port is opened by being pushed by the discharging portion 261 or the discharging portion 361 to be fitted.

  Further, the collection receiving portion 140 (Y, M, C, K) is a hole space into which the discharge portion 54 (actually including the drive transmission portion 57) of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is fitted. 141, a recovery port 142 disposed on the lower surface portion of the hole space 141, an open / close shutter 143 that opens and closes the recovery port 142, and a shutter abutment portion that is stopped by abutting the protruding portion 56d of the open / close shutter 56 of the discharge portion 54 145 is provided. The open / close shutter 143 of the recovery port 142 continues to exist at a position where each recovery port 142 is closed when the developer recovery container 100 is not mounted on the mounting unit 10, while when the developer recovery container 100 is mounted, a hole space is provided. 141 is configured to move to a position where each recovery port 142 is opened by being pushed by the side surface of the drive transmission portion 57 fitted in 141.

<Status until the image forming apparatus is first installed>
In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, at the stage of shipment from a factory, the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) or the like is mounted on the second mounting portion 10 b of the housing 10 and a developer recovery container. 100 is mounted on the first mounting portion 10 a of the housing 10.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) or the like mounted on the second mounting portion 10 b of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the developer recovery container 100 is mounted on the first mounting portion 10a on which the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) or the like is mounted, and finally the exterior cover 13 is mounted. Closed.

At this time, in each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) of the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), as shown in FIGS. The discharge port 55 is closed by the opening / closing shutter 56 and is also blocked by the film material 70 (see particularly FIGS. 10 and 11).
At this time, after the other end portion 70 b is sandwiched between the portion including the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 and the opening / closing shutter 56, the film material 70 at this time is a portion other than the other end portion 50 b of the discharge portion 54. After passing through the outer surface and the outer surface of the cylindrical top portion 56f of the opening / closing shutter 56 in this order, the portion near the one end portion 70a is finally inserted and held in the film insertion hole 76 of the winding member 75A. ing.

  At the stage where the developer recovery container 100 is mounted, the four recovery receivers 120 (Y, M, C, K), one recovery receiver 130, and four recovery receivers 140 (Y of the developer recovery container 100 are provided. , M, C, K), the discharge portion 261 of each drum cleaning device 26, the discharge portion 361 of the belt cleaning device 36, and the discharge portion 54 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) are fitted respectively. It is put in and connected.

  At this time, the discharge unit 54 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is, first, as shown in FIGS. C, K), when the drive transmission unit 57 located on the front side of the discharge unit 54 pushes the opening / closing shutter 143 of the collection port 142 of the collection receiving unit 140, the opening / closing shutter 143 opens the collection port 142. It will be in the state moved to the position. Thereafter, the discharge portion 54 is stopped by the projection 56 d of the opening / closing shutter 56 of the discharge port 55 coming into contact with the shutter abutting portion 145 of the collection receiving portion 140, so that the opening / closing shutter 56 has a spring force of the coil spring 58. Against this, it is moved relative to the discharge part 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 and moved to a position where the discharge port 55 is opened.

Moreover, since the film portion 70 is not wound up at the discharge portion 54 at this stage, the portion including the rear end portion 70b of the film material remains in the state where the discharge port 55 is closed (FIG. 19 to FIG. 19). 22). As a result, the discharge port 55 of the discharge unit 54 is also closed by a part of the film material 70 at this stage.
Incidentally, when the discharge portion 54 is fitted into the collection receiving portion 140 of the developer collection container 100, the opening / closing shutter 56 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D2, so that the cylindrical top portion 56f of the opening / closing shutter 56 is also integrally formed in the same direction. Although the movement of the end portions 70c and 70d in the longitudinal direction of the film material 70 is restricted by the both end restricting projections 85A and 85B (actually, the movement of the end portion 70c is restricted by the both end restricting projections 85A) The film material 70 does not move in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 following the movement of the cylindrical top 56f (FIG. 14). Thus, the film material 70 is reliably maintained in a state where the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 is closed even when the opening / closing shutter 56 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 (FIGS. 19 to 22).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory and finally carried into the user's first place of use, there may be fluctuations such as vibration and inclination during transportation and installation. However, a part of the two-component developer 8 accommodated in the accommodating chamber 51 in the housing 50 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is not discharged from the discharge port 55 through the discharge path 54 a of the discharge portion 54. The film material 70 prevents the two-component developer 8 from being easily discharged, and a part of the two-component developer 8 does not fall into the developer recovery container 100 through the discharge path 54a and is not stored.

For this reason, according to the image forming apparatus 1, even when the developer collection container 100 is mounted and shipped (transported), each developing device is installed until the developer is installed at the first use place. 5 (Y, M, C, K), part of the two-component developer 8 is carelessly discharged from the discharge path 54a of the discharge portion 54, thereby reducing the initial developer storage amount. There is no risk of a malfunction that would occur.
Further, since the image forming apparatus 1 can be shipped (transported) with the developer recovery container 100 mounted in this manner, for example, the developer recovery container 100 is packed separately from the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry it by a separate flight, and the transportation cost can be reduced accordingly.

<State after the image forming apparatus is first installed>
Next, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed at the first use place, the main power supply is turned on for the first time (the main power switch is turned on).

  As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, a required initialization operation is started, and operating devices such as the image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), the intermediate transfer device 30, and the fixing device 45 are started. At this time, in each image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K), each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is also started, so that the developing roll 61 and the screw augers 62, 63 are moved. While starting to rotate, the winding member 75A also starts to rotate when the second screw auger 63 starts rotating.

In each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K), as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, etc., the winding member 75A rotates as indicated by the arrow E to wind the film material 70. Winding is started so as to be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the member 75A, and the discharge port 55 of the discharge portion 54 is opened. As a result, the discharge port 55 in the discharge portion 54 of each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) is the first time that it can be used at the first use place of the image forming device 1 (at the same time, each developing device 5). Opened (FIGS. 24 and 25).
The winding operation of the film material 70 is automatically executed while the developer recovery container 100 is mounted. For this reason, in the image forming apparatus 1, for example, after the developer collection container 100 is once removed from the first mounting portion 10a after the installation at the first use place, an operation for winding the film material 70 is manually performed. In addition, it is not necessary to separately perform another operation for opening the discharge port 55 of the discharge unit 54. In addition, since there is no need to perform manual work, workers such as users do not get dirty.

  Further, when the image forming operation is started thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 has its first circulation conveyance path in each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) as shown in FIG. In 51b, the two-component developer 8 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow J by the conveying force of the first screw auger 62, and most of the two-component developer 8 is sent into the second circulation conveyance path 51c in the connection passage 51d. It is conveyed to.

In addition, in each of the developing devices 5 (Y, M, C, K) after the image forming operation is started, a (surplus) part of the two-component developer 8 is transferred to the first circulation conveyance path 51b (connection path 51d). ) May enter the discharge path 54a of the discharge portion 54, which is a position one step higher than the first circulation transport path 51b. Subsequently, the two-component developer 8 that has entered the discharge path 54 a is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow M by the conveyance force of the discharge conveyance unit 62 c on the rotation shaft of the first screw auger 62, and then naturally discharged from the discharge port 55. It is discharged to fall. Two-component developer 8 that is discharged from the discharge port 55 passes through the opening 5 6 b of the opening and closing the shutter 56 is accommodated in the developer recovery container 100 through the recovery port 142 of the developer recovery container 100.

Thus, in each of the developing devices 5 (Y, M, C, K), the discharge port 55 of the discharge unit 54 is surely opened at the stage where the first use is started at the first use place. The discharge operation of the component developer 8 from a part of the discharge ports 55 and the recovery operation to the developer recovery container 100 are normally performed.
Thereby, for example, when the discharge port 55 in the developing device 5 is accidentally closed at the stage of using the image forming apparatus 1, a part of the two-component developer 8 discharged through the discharge unit 54 is discharged. The discharge part 54 discharged from 55 may clog and aggregate in the discharge path 54a. In this case, the clogged developer acts as a load during the rotation operation of the first screw auger 62 and has an adverse effect. In the worst case, the first screw auger 62 is completely obstructed and the developing device 5 fails. However, there is a risk of developing a trouble in which the developing device 5 must be replaced. However, in the image forming apparatus 1 provided with the developing device 5, there is no possibility of inducing such adverse effects and troubles.

In addition, the film material 70 in each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) remains wound as a whole while being wound around the winding member 75A as illustrated in FIG. . Thereafter, the film member 70 is wound around the winding member 75A because the winding member 75A is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow E every time the developing device 5 is operated and the second screw auger 63 is rotationally driven. It rotates with the winding member 75A in the state.
However, for each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K), even if the film material 70 is wound around the winding member 75A, there is no problem in the operation of the developing device 5 or the like. Absent. In addition, the winding member 75A is in a state of being covered with, for example, a part of the attachment member 501 in a range in which the upper portion reaches the upper portion of the cylindrical top portion 56f of the opening / closing shutter 56.

  Further, when the film material 70 is wound around the winding member 75A by the rotational drive of the winding member 75A, both end portions 70c and 70d in the longitudinal direction thereof are regulated by the both-end regulating projections 85A and 85B (FIG. 9, 14 and 23), it moves so as to travel smoothly along the winding direction H without being displaced, and is finally normally wound around the winding member 75A.

[Other embodiments]
The winding member 75 in the developing device 5 is not limited to the configuration of the winding member 75A in the first embodiment, and other configurations can be applied. As the winding member 75 having other configurations, for example, the following members can be applied.

  For example, a winding member 75B illustrated in FIG. 26 can be applied. The winding member 75B is arranged in a state in which, for example, four rod-shaped members 78 extending along the rotation axis direction are separated from each other without contacting each other at the rotation center portion so that a film passing gap 73 exists. Of structure. In addition, the attachment of the film member 70 to the winding member 75B on one end side is, for example, along the two rod-shaped members 78 at the facing positions, and one rod-shaped member existing between the two rod-shaped members 78. It is carried out by inserting and holding in such a state that the gap 73 between it and 78 is passed.

  Further, a winding member 75C illustrated in FIG. 27 can be applied. The winding member 75C has a configuration in which a plate-like main body 74 that intersects in a cross shape, for example, extending along the rotation axis direction is disposed, and a protrusion 79 is present at the center of the upper end of each plate. Of the structure. When this winding member 75C is applied, the film material 70 is provided with a plurality of fitting holes 70e into which the projections 79 are fitted in the portion near the tip 70a. In addition, the film material 70 is attached to the winding member 75C by, for example, holding the fitting hole 70e existing on the leading end portion 70a side of the film 70 in a state of being fitted into the protruding portion 79 of the winding member 75C. Done in

Moreover, in Embodiment 1, although the structure which provides the both-ends control protrusion 85A and 85B which control the both ends 70c and 70d of the longitudinal direction of the film material 70 was shown, other than this, for example, the center control protrusion shown in FIG. A configuration in which 86 is provided may be employed.
The center restricting protrusion 86 is fitted with a long hole-like restricting hole 70f provided at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of the film material 70, and is in contact with both ends of the restricting hole 70f in the longitudinal direction. This restricts unnecessary displacement of the entire film material particularly when the opening / closing shutter 56 moves in the directions indicated by the arrows D1 and D2.
Incidentally, in the developing device 5, for example, when the opening / closing shutter 56 moves in the direction indicated by the arrows D1, D2, when there is no possibility that the film material 70 is displaced following the movement of the opening / closing shutter 56, the both-end regulating projections 85A, There is no problem even if the provision of the 85B and the center regulating protrusion 86 is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the rotational power when the winding member 75 (75A, 75, 75C) is rotationally driven uses the rotational power input to the developing device 5 (actually the developing roll 61). Although shown, if necessary, rotational power may be input exclusively to the winding member 75.
Moreover, in Embodiment 1, although the structural example which consists of another member connected to the rotating shaft of the 2nd screw auger 63 as the winding member 75 was shown, as the winding member 75, for example, the 2nd screw auger 63 It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the winding member 75 is integrally formed by extending the rotation shaft.
Furthermore, as the winding member 75, it is possible to apply another configuration to the configuration for attaching the one end portion 70a of the film material 70. Other configurations include, for example, a configuration that is attached using a double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

  In addition, when an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image, a method that does not use an intermediate transfer device (recording paper P is transferred to each primary transfer device in each image forming device). A so-called direct transfer format in which the toner image is directly transferred onto the recording paper by being conveyed so as to pass through the position may be adopted. Further, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied may be a device that forms a monochrome image such as a black and white image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 5 ... Developing apparatus 8 ... Two-component developer (an example of developer)
50 ... Housing (an example of a housing)
51 .. Storage chamber 52... Development opening 55... Ejection port 56 .. Opening / closing shutter (an example of an opening / closing member)
61... Development rollers 62 and 63... Screw auger (an example of a stirring and conveying member)
70 ... film material 70a ... tip part (an example of one end part)
73 ... Gap (an example of a mounting portion)
75 ... Winding member 76 ... Film insertion hole (an example of an attachment part)
100: Developer collection container (an example of a collection container)
D1... Direction in which the opening / closing shutter moves to a position for closing the discharge port D2... Direction in which the opening / closing shutter moves to a position for opening the discharge port

Claims (9)

A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
Equipped with a,
The film material is attached so as to exist in a state of being inserted between the outlet and the opening and closing member and closing the outlet.
Wherein said discharge port is formed portion of the housing, a developing device that has provided at both ends restricting protrusion which is arranged in a state close to the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the film material. A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
With
The winding member is disposed so as to extend along the rotation axis direction and intersects at the center of rotation, and a protrusion that exists at the center of the upper end of each intersecting plate-like portion of the body And is configured as a member having a form,
The film material is attached between the discharge port and the opening / closing member so as to exist in a state of closing the discharge port, and is a portion near the tip portion wound up by the winding member A developing device provided with a plurality of fitting holes into which the protruding portions are fitted . A housing chamber containing a developer; a developing opening continuous with a part of the housing chamber; and a housing having a discharge port for overflowing and discharging a part of the developer housed in the housing chamber. ,
A developing roll rotatably disposed inside the developing opening of the housing;
An agitating and conveying member that is rotatably disposed in the housing chamber of the housing and agitates and conveys the developer;
A film material attached in a state of closing the discharge port of the housing;
One end of the film material is attached, a winding member that rotates and winds up the film material when opening for the first time at the first use place, and opens the discharge port;
An opening / closing member that moves between a position for opening and closing a discharge port of the housing; and
With
A central regulating protrusion is provided in a region where the film material passes in a portion where the discharge port of the housing is formed,
The film material is inserted so as to be inserted between the discharge port and the opening / closing member so as to close the discharge port, and the central restricting projection is formed at a central portion in a longitudinal position. A developing device provided with a long hole-like regulating hole which is fitted into the longitudinal direction and contacts both ends in the longitudinal direction . The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the winding member is configured to be rotationally driven using rotational power input to the developing device. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the winding member is configured to be connected to a rotating shaft of the stirring and conveying member or extend the rotating shaft . The winding member, a developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 has a mounting portion for mounting by inserting one end portion of the film material. The film material is attached to be held in a state where the discharge port is closed when the opening / closing member moves to a position where the discharge port of the housing is opened before being wound by the winding member. The developing device according to claim 1 . A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A detachable collection container having a receiving port facing the discharge port of the developing device, and receiving and storing the developer discharged from the discharging port from the receiving port;
An image forming apparatus. A configuration in which the winding member in the developing device is rotationally driven when the image forming apparatus with the collection container mounted is installed at the first use place and the main power source is first turned on and started. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

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