JP7481674B2 - Developer layer regulating member, developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer layer regulating member and a developing device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a developing device arranged in an image forming apparatus, a one-component developing type device that performs a developing process using toner as a one-component developer has been widely known.
The developing device includes, for example, a developer carrier (developing roller), a supplying member (supply roller), a developer layer regulating member (blade), a developer stirring member, and the like.
The toner container is adapted to receive the toner from the toner storage unit through a toner supply port so that the toner in the toner storage unit does not run short. The toner supplied to the toner storage unit is stirred by a developer stirring member together with the toner already stored in the toner storage unit.

The toner contained in the container is supplied onto the developing roller by a supply roller that is in sliding contact with the developing roller, and the toner carried on the developing roller is made into an appropriate thin layer by a developer layer regulating member.
The toner formed into a thin layer on the developing roller is supplied to the latent image on the photosensitive drum, forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum.

In recent years, there has been a demand for higher image quality and higher speeds in image formation processes. To achieve this, the developer layer on the developing roller must be carried with the desired developer thickness distribution, and the developer thickness must be regulated with high precision. To achieve this, the developer layer regulating member must also be a high-precision member with high dimensional accuracy and surface properties.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mold for producing elastomer molded bodies as a mold that can maintain good peelability and demoldability over a long period of time in order to obtain high-precision electrophotographic blade members.

As a developer layer regulating member, for example, a technique is known in which an elastic material is cut, the tip portion is bent, and a part made of a different material is joined to ensure springiness and chargeability.
However, there are problems in that it is difficult to make the radius of curvature uniform in the bending process, and damage and distortion due to the bending process are unavoidable. Furthermore, in order to assemble the processed member, a process of welding the member to a sheet metal holder or a process of fixing the member by means of caulking or the like is required. When assembling the member to the sheet metal holder, distortion may occur because the elastic material of the developer layer regulating member is thin (for example, 0.1 mm or less).

If the developer layer regulating member is distorted during the processing or assembly process, the amount of developer adhering to the developing roller will fluctuate, making it difficult to regulate the developer layer thickness with high precision, which will cause uneven image density when applied to a developing device.

The present invention aims to provide a developer layer regulating member that can regulate the developer layer thickness with high precision while suppressing the occurrence of distortion caused by the processing and assembly processes.

In order to solve the above problems, the developer layer regulating member of the present invention is a developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a single-component development method, and has a flat mounting portion having a surface that abuts against the mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which the mounting member is inserted, and a regulating portion that protrudes from the mounting portion and regulates the developer passing between the developing device and the developer carrier of the developing device at the short-side tip side which is the free end, the mounting portion and the regulating portion are formed integrally from metal without any seams, the average thickness of the mounting portion is thicker than the average thickness of the regulating portion, the regulating portion protrudes curvedly from the mounting portion, has an opposing area where the regulating portion and the mounting portion face each other, and an elastic member is arranged in the opposing area .

In addition, the developer layer regulating member of the present invention is a developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a single-component development method, and has a flat mounting portion having a surface that abuts against the mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which the mounting member is inserted, and a regulating portion that protrudes from the mounting portion and regulates the developer passing between the developer carrier of the developing device and the flat mounting portion at the short-side tip side which is the free end, the mounting portion and the regulating portion are formed integrally from resin without any seams, the short-side tip side of the regulating portion is metal plated, the average thickness of the mounting portion is thicker than the average thickness of the regulating portion, the regulating portion protrudes curvedly from the mounting portion, has an opposing region where the regulating portion and the mounting portion face each other, and an elastic member is arranged in the opposing region .

The present invention provides a developer layer regulating member that can suppress the occurrence of distortion caused by the processing and assembly processes and regulate the developer layer thickness with high precision.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a process cartridge equipped with a developing device, and FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of a portion where a developer layer regulating member is attached. 5A and 5B are a side view and a perspective view showing an example of a developer layer regulating member. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating adhesion of an elastic member of a developer layer regulating member. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the thickness of a regulating portion of a developer layer regulating member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a developer layer regulating member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a developer layer regulating member. 4 is a partial enlarged view of one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer layer regulating member; FIG. 6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of arrangement of through holes in a developer layer regulating member; 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of fixing the developer layer regulating member to a mounting portion. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a developer layer regulating member. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a developer layer regulating member. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a developer layer regulating member.

The developer layer regulating member and developing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified within the scope of what a person skilled in the art can imagine, including other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc., and any aspect is within the scope of the present invention as long as it achieves the functions and effects of the present invention.

[Developing device]
An example of a developing device to which a developer layer regulating member according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The developing device is detachably (replaceably) installed in an image forming apparatus together with other image forming members as a process cartridge, for example.
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a process cartridge, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged view of a portion where a developer layer regulating member is attached.

The developing device 5 is a one-component developing device, and a developer container 60 that contains developer (toner) to be replenished to the developing device 5 is detachably installed.
The developing device 5 is composed of a developer carrier (hereinafter also referred to as the "developing roller") 51, a supply member (hereinafter also referred to as the "supply roller") 53, a developer layer regulating member 30, an agitating member (hereinafter also referred to as the "agitating paddle") 54, a transport member (hereinafter also referred to as the "transport screw") 55, a supply port 57 through which developer is replenished from a developer container 60, and a storage section 61 in which the developer is stored.

The developing roller 51, which serves as a developer carrier, is disposed in the storage section 61 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1) while carrying the developer.

The supply roller 53, which serves as a supply member, is disposed in the storage section 61 so as to be in sliding contact with the developing roller 51, and supplies developer to the developing roller 51. The supply roller 53 also has the function of removing from the developing roller 51 any developer on the developing roller 51 that has not been used in the developing process in the development area with the photosensitive drum 1.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the developer layer regulating member 30 is attached to the mounting portion 52 of the developing device and is arranged so that its tip abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 51 at a predetermined angle with a predetermined pressure, thereby regulating the amount of developer carried by the developing roller 51.
The developer layer regulating member 30 according to the present invention will be described in detail later.

The stirring paddle 54, which serves as a stirring member, is disposed in the storage section 61 so as to be positioned above the supply roller 53, and stirs the developer in the storage section 61. The stirring paddle 54 stirs the developer above the supply roller 53, and supplies the developer onto the supply roller 53 in a state in which the developer has high fluidity.

The conveying screw 55, which serves as a conveying member, is disposed in the storage section 61 so as to be positioned above the stirring paddle 54.

Gears are installed on the shafts of the developing roller 51, the supply roller 53, the stirring paddle 54, and the transport screw 55, forming a gear train that also includes an idler gear. A driving force is input from a drive motor (driving means) to these gear trains, causing the developing roller 51, the supply roller 53, the stirring paddle 54, and the transport screw 55 to rotate. Note that the direction of rotation of each rotating member is not limited to the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1.

Developers include, for example, toners manufactured by pulverization or polymerization methods, to which nano-sized particles such as silica, titanium, and resin beads are applied as external additives to assist charging and ensure fluidity.

Here, a predetermined voltage is applied from a power source to the developing roller 51 , the supply roller 53 and the developer layer regulating member 30 , and the movement of the developer on the developing roller 51 is promoted.
For example, an AC voltage can be applied to the developing roller 51 so that the developer reciprocates in the development area between the developing roller 51 and the photosensitive drum 1. Note that the voltage (developing bias) applied to the developing roller 51 is not limited to this, and a DC bias can also be applied to the developing roller 51.

The developing device 5 configured in this manner operates as follows.
First, the developer appropriately supplied from the developer container 60 to the storage section 61 through the supply ports 57 and 63 is stirred and mixed by the stirring paddle 54 together with the developer already contained in the storage section 61. Then, a part of it is supplied to the supply roller 53 and carried by it. The developer carried by the supply roller 53 is frictionally charged at the pressure contact portion (contact position) with the development roller 51, and then moves onto the development roller 51 and is carried by it. After that, the developer carried on the development roller 51 is thinned and uniformed at the contact position with the developer layer regulating member 30, and then reaches the position facing the photosensitive drum 1 (development area). Then, at this position, the developer is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the electric field (development electric field) formed in the development area.

[Developer Layer Regulating Member]
A developer layer restricting member 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The developer layer regulating member 30 of this embodiment is used in a developing device 5 of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method, and has a flat mounting portion 31 having a surface that contacts an attached portion 52 of the developing device and a through hole 35 through which the mounting member is inserted, and a regulating portion 32 that protrudes from the mounting portion 31 and regulates the developer passing between the developer carrier 51 of the developing device 5 and the lateral tip side, which is the free end, and the mounting portion 31 and the regulating portion 32 are formed integrally from metal or resin without any boundary. In addition, in a mode formed from resin, the lateral tip side of the regulating portion 32 is metal plated.
The average thickness of the attachment portion 31 (the average thickness indicated by T2 in FIG. 2A) is greater than the average thickness of the restriction portion 32 (the average thickness indicated by T1 in FIG. 2A).

Since the developer layer regulating member 30 of this embodiment is an integrally formed member, the occurrence of distortion caused by the processing and assembly process of assembling multiple members is suppressed, and the dimensional accuracy in the longitudinal direction is high, enabling the formation of a uniform developer layer.
The tip shape and thickness T1 of the regulating portion 32 can be appropriately designed according to the characteristics of the developer and the developer carrier (developing roller) 52.

In a mode in which the developer layer regulating member 30 is integrally formed from metal, it can be formed, for example, by a metal 3D modeling apparatus.
In addition, in a form in which the component is integrally formed from resin, the component can be formed, for example, by injection molding using a 3D modeling device or a mold.
Furthermore, if necessary, a secondary process such as polishing or grinding may be performed on the tip of the developer layer regulating portion side of the developer layer regulating member 30 formed by these methods, thereby making it possible to obtain a highly accurate regulating surface.

The restricting portion 32 is curved and protrudes from the mounting portion 31. The protruding restricting portion 32 and the mounting portion 31 have an opposing region where they face each other, and an elastic member 33 is disposed in the opposing region.
By providing the elastic member 33, the elasticity of the restricting portion 32 can be ensured.
Examples of the elastic member 33 include a leaf spring, rubber, a sponge, a microcellular polymer sheet, etc. Among these, a microcellular polymer sheet is particularly preferable from the viewpoints of small residual compression set and an appropriate elastic modulus.

The elastic member 33 abuts against the restricting portion 32 and the mounting portion 31 .
As shown in FIG. 3, the contact with the mounting portion includes a portion that directly contacts the mounting portion 31 and a portion 40 a that contacts the mounting portion 31 via an adhesive member 40 .
The portion 40a that comes into contact via the adhesive member 40 is preferably provided on the end side in the lateral direction of the attachment portion 31 that is close to the developer carrier 51 when the attachment portion 31 is disposed in the developer device.
By using such an adhesive method, the workability of attaching the elastic member 33 can be improved.
Examples of the adhesive member 40 include an adhesive agent, a double-sided tape, etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of assembly efficiency, a double-sided tape is particularly preferable.

By appropriately adjusting and optimizing the thickness T1 of the regulating portion 32, it is possible to make the pressure applied to the developer carrier (developing roller) 52 uniform. In addition, by adjusting the shape of the short-side tip, which is the free end of the regulating portion 32, it is possible to fine-tune the sealing ability against the developer and the thickness T1.

Considering the influence of bending of the developer carrier, it is preferable that the thickness T1 of the regulating portion 32 be different between the central portion and the end portions in the longitudinal direction.
In the example shown in Figure 4, the thickness T1 (see Figure 4(B)) at the longitudinal center of the regulating portion 32 indicated by b in Figure 4(A) is thinner than the thickness T1 at both longitudinal ends indicated by a and c.
Similarly, it is preferable that the thickness of the free end of the restricting portion 32 in the lateral direction be different between the central portion and the end portions in the longitudinal direction.
Furthermore, the free end of the restricting portion 32, that is, the tip in the lateral direction, can have different shapes at the center and the end sides in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, by appropriately adjusting and optimizing the thickness T2 of the mounting portion 31, the pressure applied to the developer carrier (developing roller) 52 can be made uniform. In addition, the distortion rigidity of the developer layer regulating member 30 can be improved.

5, a rib 34 protruding in the longitudinal direction can be provided on the surface of the mounting portion 31 from which the restricting portion 32 protrudes, at a position that does not interfere with the restricting portion 32. The thickness T2 of the mounting portion 31 including the rib 34 is greater at the longitudinal center indicated by b than at both longitudinal ends indicated by a and c.
By providing the ribs 34 in this manner and further making the thickness of the central portion greater than the thickness of both end portions, the distortion rigidity of the developer layer restricting member 30 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness T2 of the attachment portion 31 can be formed to be different between the central portion and the end portions in the longitudinal direction.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the thickness T2 at the longitudinal center of the attachment portion 31 indicated by b is greater than the thickness T2 at both longitudinal ends indicated by a and c.
This makes it possible to make the pressure applied to the developer carrier (developing roller) 52 uniform.

The developer layer restricting member 30 of this embodiment is attached to the attachment portion 52 of the developing device 5 by an attachment member that is inserted into the through hole 35 of the attachment portion 31 .
Examples of the mounting member include fastening members such as screws, bosses, etc. When the mounting member is a boss, the boss formed on the mounting portion is passed through the through hole 35, and the tip of the boss is welded by ultrasonic waves or heat to mount the mounting member.
It is preferable that the through hole 35 of the mounting portion 31 has a shape in which the diameter in the short side direction of the mounting portion 31 is larger than the diameter in the long side direction of the mounting portion 31. This allows the position in the short side direction to be adjusted in the mounted state, and the position of the regulating portion 32 with respect to the developer carrier (developing roller) 52 to be appropriately adjusted.

Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a position adjustment means that enables fine adjustment of the position of the attached developer layer regulating member 30.
An example of the position adjustment means is a flat screw 44 attached to an attachment portion 52 of the developing device 5 as shown in the example of FIG.
The developer layer regulating member 30 is fixed to the mounting portion 52 of the developing device 5 by inserting a mounting member 36 such as a screw through an elongated through hole 35 whose short-side diameter is larger than the long-side diameter of the mounting portion 31 and fastening it at a screw hole 36a. By loosening the flat screw 44 attached to the mounting portion 52 shown in Figure 7, it becomes possible to move the mounting portion 31 within the range of the elongated hole indicated by the arrow in the figure, and the position can be finely adjusted. In other words, after the position of the developer layer regulating member 30 is adjusted within the movable range of the elongated hole, the flat screw 44 is tightened to fix it.

An example of the arrangement of the through holes 35 is shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in Figure 8 (A), the mounting portion 31 has areas at both longitudinal ends where the regulating portions 32 do not protrude, and one through hole 35 is provided in each of the areas at both longitudinal ends where the regulating portions 32 do not protrude (areas where the through holes 35 do not face the regulating portions 32 at both longitudinal ends of the mounting portion 31).
Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8 (B), there is an embodiment in which the mounting portion 31 has an area at both longitudinal ends where the regulating portion 32 does not protrude, and a through hole 35 is provided in each of the longitudinal ends in the areas where the regulating portion 32 does not protrude, and in an area between the longitudinal ends which does not face the protruding regulating portion 32 (three in the example of Figure 8 (B)).
As shown in Figure 8 (B), by increasing the number of through holes 35, bending of the developer layer regulating member 30 can be suppressed, and it is possible to prevent a deterioration in the layer thickness regulation accuracy due to bending, a gap being generated between the developer regulating member 30 and the mounting portion 52, which would cause developer leakage, etc.

Another example of the attachment of the developer layer regulating member 30 to the attachment portion 52 of the developing device 5 is shown in FIG.
As described above, the developing device is attached to the developing device by inserting the attachment member 36 such as a screw through the through hole 35, and in addition, in the example of Fig. 9, at least a part of the contact surface between the attachment portion 31 and the attached portion 52 is joined by welding. In Fig. 9, the welded portion is shown as a welded portion 41.
By using welding in combination, leakage of developer between the mounting portion 31 and the mounted portion 52 can be prevented.

In the embodiment in which the developer layer restricting member 30 is made of resin, the resin material is preferably a conductive resin having an electric resistance value of 10 ⁵ Ω or less.
The conductive resin may be, for example, a synthetic resin containing a conductive filler such as carbon or metal.

As shown in FIG. 10, the developer layer regulating member 30 preferably has a conductive layer 42 formed by applying a conductive material having an electrical resistance value of 10 ⁵ Ω or less on the surface facing the developer carrier 51.
Examples of the application of a conductive material include metal plating treatment using silver, copper, palladium, nickel, etc., and a method of applying a conductive ink or a conductive adhesive using a 3D printer or the like. From the viewpoint of adhesive strength, metal plating treatment is preferred.

The developer layer restricting member 30 is preferably made of a material having flame retardancy or is provided with flame retardancy.
11, in a mode in which the developer layer regulating member 30 is made of resin, it is preferable that the surface of the regulating portion 32 away from the surface that abuts against the attached portion 52 of the developing device 5 (the surface exposed to the outside of the developing device 5) has a flame-retardant layer 43 formed by applying a flame-retardant paint or attaching a flame-retardant tape. In the figure, an arrow 56 indicates the outward direction of the developing device.
The flame-retardant paint or flame-retardant tape is not particularly limited, and any known material can be used. Examples of the flame-retardant paint or tape include flame-retardant magnesium alloy paint, plating treatment, and tapes made of flame-retardant polyimide or flame-retardant polyester.

12, the developer layer restricting member 30 may be provided with a protective portion for preventing combustion. In the figure, an arrow 56 indicates the outside direction of the developing device.
The developer layer regulating member 30 in Figure 12 protrudes on the opposite side to the surface that abuts against the attached portion 52 of the developing device 5 (the surface exposed to the outside of the developing device 5) and has a protective portion 37 with a predetermined thickness, and the resin material is a resin that has flame retardancy of V1 or higher according to the UL94 flame retardancy standard at the thickness of the protective portion 37.

In a mode in which the developer layer regulating member 30 is made of resin, a voltage is applied between the developer carrier 51 and the metal-plated portion of the regulating portion 32 so as to generate a potential difference for moving the developer toward the developer carrier 51. That is, in the developing device 5 having the above-mentioned developer layer regulating member 30 and the developer carrier 51, a voltage is applied between the metal-plated portion of the regulating portion 32 and the developer carrier 51 so as to generate a potential difference.
The voltage to be applied is appropriately adjusted depending on the type of developer.

5 Developing device 30 Developer layer regulating member 31 Mounting portion 32 Regulating portion 32 Plating 33 Elastic member 34 Rib 35 Through hole 36 Mounting member 37 Protective portion 40 Adhesive member 41 Welded portion 42 Conductive layer 43 Flame retardant layer 44 Position adjustment member (flat screw)
51 Developer carrier (developing roller)
52 Mounting portion

Japanese Patent No. 5055047

Claims (19)

A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion protruding from the mounting portion and configured to regulate developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion on a lateral direction tip side,
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed integrally from metal,
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
A developer layer regulating member, characterized in that the regulating portion protrudes in a curved manner from the mounting portion, has an opposing area where the regulating portion and the mounting portion face each other, and an elastic member is disposed in the opposing area. A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion protruding from the mounting portion and configured to regulate developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion on a lateral direction tip side,
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed of resin as a single unit, and a front end of the restricting portion in the lateral direction is metal-plated.
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
A developer layer regulating member, characterized in that the regulating portion protrudes in a curved manner from the mounting portion, has an opposing area where the regulating portion and the mounting portion face each other, and an elastic member is disposed in the opposing area. the elastic member has a portion that directly contacts the mounting portion and a portion that contacts the mounting portion via an adhesive member,
The developer layer regulating member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portion that abuts via the adhesive member is provided on the end side of the mounting portion in the short direction in the direction in which the regulating portion curves and protrudes from the mounting portion. A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion protruding from the mounting portion and configured to regulate developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion on a lateral direction tip side,
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed integrally from metal,
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
a rib protruding in a longitudinal direction from a surface of said attachment portion from which said regulating portion protrudes, said rib being located at a position not interfering with said regulating portion; A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion protruding from the mounting portion and configured to regulate developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion on a lateral direction tip side,
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed of resin as a single unit, and a front end of the restricting portion in the lateral direction is metal-plated.
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
a rib protruding in a longitudinal direction from a surface of said attachment portion from which said regulating portion protrudes, said rib being located at a position not interfering with said regulating portion; A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion that protrudes from the mounting portion in a curved manner and that regulates developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion in a lateral direction;
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed integrally from metal,
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
the mounting portion has regions at both ends in a longitudinal direction where the restricting portion does not protrude, and has regions facing the protruding restricting portion,
A developer layer regulating member characterized in that the through holes are provided in one area at each of the longitudinal ends where the regulating portion does not protrude, and in at least one area between the longitudinal ends where the regulating portion does not face the protruding regulating portion. A developer layer regulating member used in a developing device of an image forming apparatus using a one-component development method,
a flat-plate-shaped mounting portion having a surface that comes into contact with a mounting portion of the developing device and a through hole through which a mounting member is inserted;
a regulating portion that protrudes from the mounting portion in a curved manner and that regulates developer passing between the mounting portion and a developer carrier of the developing device at a free end of the regulating portion in a lateral direction;
The mounting portion and the restricting portion are seamlessly formed of resin as a single unit, and a front end of the restricting portion in the lateral direction is metal-plated.
The average thickness of the mounting portion is greater than the average thickness of the restricting portion,
the mounting portion has regions at both ends in a longitudinal direction where the restricting portion does not protrude, and has regions facing the protruding restricting portion,
A developer layer regulating member characterized in that the through holes are provided in one area at each of the longitudinal ends where the regulating portion does not protrude, and in at least one area between the longitudinal ends where the regulating portion does not face the protruding regulating portion. 8. The developer layer regulating member according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the regulating portion is different between a central portion and an end portion in the longitudinal direction. 9. The developer layer regulating member according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of a free end of the regulating portion in a lateral direction is different between a central portion and an end portion in a longitudinal direction. 10. The developer layer restricting member according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the attachment portion is different between a central portion and an end portion in the longitudinal direction. 11. The developer layer restricting member according to claim 1, wherein the through hole of the attachment portion has a diameter in a lateral direction of the attachment portion larger than a diameter in a longitudinal direction of the attachment portion. 8. The developer layer restricting member according to claim 2, 5 or 7 , wherein the resin is a conductive resin having an electric resistance value of 10 ⁵ Ω or less. 8. The developer layer regulating member according to claim 2, further comprising a conductive layer formed by applying a conductive material having an electric resistance value of 10 ⁵ Ω or less on a surface facing the developer carrying member. 8. The developer layer regulating member according to claim 2, further comprising a flame-retardant layer on a surface of said regulating portion away from a surface of said regulating portion that abuts against the mounting portion of the developing device. a protective portion having a predetermined thickness protruding from a surface of the developing device that is in contact with the mounting portion,
8. The developer layer restricting member according to claim 2 , wherein the resin has a flame retardancy of V1 or higher according to the UL94 flame retardancy standard at the thickness of the protective portion. A developing device comprising the developer layer regulating member according to claim 1 . 8. A developing device comprising the developer layer regulating member according to claim 2, 5 or 7 , and the developer carrier, wherein a voltage is applied so as to generate a potential difference between the developer carrier and a metal-plated portion of the regulating portion. 16. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer layer regulating member according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 16 .

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