JPH03103880A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the flocculation of a developer and to prevent load on a stirring member in a developer container from increasing by forming a closed space where the developer is not packed, on the lower side in the developer container by means of a space forming member at the time of transportation, storage, etc. CONSTITUTION:The main body 21 of the toner container 20 is composed of first and second chambers 22 and 23 whose lower part is shaped like an arc. A part of the circular parts 21a and 21a of the toner container 20 are partitioned by the space forming members 32 and 32 being a sheet-like member whose shape can be fleely changed; thereby the closed spaces 34 and 34 where toner (t) is not packed are formed on the lower part of the toner container 20; the space forming members 32 and 32 can be removed from outside, and the toner (t) flocculated in the lower part of the toner container 20 by transportation, storage, etc. is dispersed in the closed space 34 by the action of self-weight, etc.; thereby the flocculation of the toner (t) is eliminated. Thus, load on the stirring member 24 of the container 20 is not increased at the time of transportation and storage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a developing device for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs electrophotography.

(Prior art) In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, which is an image bearing member, is developed using a developer (a developer containing only toner or a mixture of magnetic material and toner). )
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image and converting it into a toner image is incorporated.

This developing device generally includes a developing section that feeds a developing roller, which is a developer carrier, and supplies toner to a photosensitive drum;
The developer container section holds a certain amount of developer and supplies the developer inside to the developing section via a stirring member. The developing device is detachably disposed within the main body of the image forming apparatus, and when the developer in the developer container runs out, the developing device can be replaced with a new one.

Here, since the developing device is generally specified to face upward in a certain direction during transportation and storage, the developer in the developer container is affected by its own weight, vibration during transportation, and other factors such as temperature during transportation and storage. As a result, the developer closer to the bottom vertically has a higher density and is more likely to aggregate. Therefore, when installing this developing device into the main body of an image forming apparatus, a user or the like has to manually shake the developing device to break up the agglomeration of the developer.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, if the particle size of the toner in the developer is small, the content of magnetic material is high, or the fluidity of the toner is good, the developer will Sometimes it is easy to increase the density. Therefore, it is often impossible to break the agglomeration of the developer by shaking the developing device.

Therefore, if the developer is installed in the developing device or image forming apparatus main body while the developer is coagulated, and if the J'P member falls in the developer container, the high-density developer will cause the starting torque of the agitating member. This causes problems such as deformation of the agitation member, damage to the drive gear of the agitation member, etc., and failure of normal image formation.

The present invention has been made in view of the problem described in L.The purpose of the present invention is that when the developer is transported or stored with a certain direction facing downward, the inside of the developer container is damaged due to its own weight and vibrations during transportation. To provide a developing device in which the rotational load of a stirring member does not increase even if agglomeration occurs in the developer on the vertically lower side.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is designed to be transported, stored, etc. with a certain direction facing downward, and to be removably disposed in an image form or an apparatus main body, and a stirring member. The developer in the developer container is supplied to the developing section by the rotation of the stirring member through a developer replenishment hole provided between the developer container containing the developer and the developing section including the developing roller. In the developing device, a hollow forming member made of a deformable sheet-like member is disposed inside the developer container, and the air forming member allows the air to be formed on the lower side of the developer container during transportation, storage, etc. , a closed space not filled with developer is formed, and the developer is diffused into the closed space by taking out or deforming the space forming member to the outside when it is installed in the image forming device or the main body of the apparatus. do.

(Function) Since a closed space is formed in the lower part of the developer container member through the space forming member and is not filled with developer during transportation, storage, etc., vibrations during transportation and the weight of the developer may cause the closed space to close. Even if the developer around the space is agglomerated due to high density,
Since the developer can be diffused into the closed space by removing or deforming the empty fil 1 forming member to the outside, aggregation of the developer can be easily eliminated. Therefore, the load on the stirring member in the developer container does not increase.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, taking a sheet copying machine as an example.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, an outline of the image forming operation by a copying machine will be explained with reference to FIG.
A transfer charger 4 and a cleaning device 5 are provided. That is, when the photosensitive drum 1 uniformly charged by the primary charger 2 is exposed to image light L from a document (not shown), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 according to the image light L. .

The electrostatic latent image moves toward the developing device 3 as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates, is developed with developer (toner) in the developing device 3, and is visualized and converted into a toner image. This toner image is conveyed from a paper feed system (not shown) by a roller η.
'The image is transferred onto the paper P via the transfer device 4. Next, the transfer paper P carrying the toner image is sent to a fixing device (not shown), and this toner image is fixed as a permanent image on the transfer paper P, and the photosensitive tram L after the transfer is transferred to a cleaning device. The residual toner is cleaned in step 5, and the same operation is repeated thereafter to sequentially form both images on the transfer paper P.

Next, the developing device 3 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. a developing section 10 that supplies toner 1, and an agitating member 2 that is provided on one side of the developing section 10 and transports the toner t held therein.
4.24, and a toner container section 20 which is supplied to the developing section 10 via a toner container 24, and is detachably disposed within the main body of the copying machine.

The developing roller 12 of the developing section 1O is arranged parallel to the photosensitive drum 1 with a certain gap, and rotates in a certain direction to absorb the toner t in the developing section main body 11 onto its outer surface by the action of magnetic force or the like. It has the function of supplying the 1.ner t toward the photosensitive tram 1 while doing so. Further, the container main body 2l of the toner container section 20 is composed of two first and second chambers 22.23 each having an arcuate lower part. The rotating shafts 24b, 24b
A stirring member 24.24 having a . At the tips of the body parts 24a, 24a of the stirring member 24.24, wing parts 24c, 24c made of a flexible member are attached to the container body part 2.
The toner t in the first chamber 22 is moved toward the second chamber 23 by the rotation of the stirring members 24 and 24, The toner t in the second chamber 23 is supplied to the developing section 10 through a supply hole 25 provided between the container main body 21 and the developing section 10 .

Further, 30 is a sealing member for transportation of the supply hole 25, and when the developing device 3 is vibrated during transportation etc. before being attached to the main body of the copying machine, the internal toner t may be removed from around the developing roller 12 of the developing section 10. There is a device for sealing the toner t in the toner container portion 20 so that it does not leak out. One end of the seal member 30 protrudes to the outside through a removal hole so that it can be removed from the outside, and by pulling the one end outward, the seal member 30 can be peeled off and removed. As a result, when the supply hole 25 is opened, the parts 1 to 20 of the container part 20 can be moved toward the developing part 10. In order to prevent the toner t from leaking from the removal hole, a compressive and elastically deformable sealing member 31 such as a sponge is attached to the removal hole.

Generally speaking, the position of the developing device 3 during transportation and storage is determined, that is, which direction should face downward during transportation, storage, etc., and the developing device 3 in this embodiment is also positioned in the eight directions indicated by the arrows in the figure. The container body 2 of the toner container 20 is
It is designed to be transported, stored, etc. with the arcuate portions 21a, 21a of 1 facing downward. Therefore, the toner container section 20
The toner t near the arcuate portions 21a, 21a on the lower side of the toner t becomes denser and tends to aggregate due to its own weight, vibration, etc. during transportation or storage. If the toner t aggregates, the driving torque of the stirring members 24, 24 will increase, causing deformation of the stirring members 24, 24 and damage to the gears of the drive system, thereby preventing normal image formation. I can't do any work.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the arcuate portion 21a of the toner container portion 20 is
, 21a are partitioned by space-forming members 32, 32 which are deformable sheet-like members, and a closed space 34, 34 which is not filled with toner t is formed at the lower part of the toner container portions 1 to 20.
This space forming member 32, 32 is made removable from the outside, and the toner t that has aggregated on the lower side of the toner container section 20 due to transportation, storage, etc. is diffused into this closed space 34, 34 by the action of its own weight, etc. The aggregation of t was eliminated. Here, the space-shaped member 32.32 is attached at its outer periphery to the arcuate portions 21a, 21a of the toner container section 20, and one end thereof protrudes outward from the toner container section 20 through the removal hole. It can be easily peeled off and removed from the outside. In order to prevent the toner t from leaking from the removal hole, a sealing member 33, 33, such as a sponge, which can be compressed and elastically deformed is attached to the removal hole.

Therefore, when attaching the developing device 3 to the copying machine main body,
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the space forming members 32, 32 that form the closed spaces 34, 34 that are not filled with toner t in the toner container section 20 are removed to the valve section, and the closed spaces 1134, 34 are removed from the valve section.
The toner in the toner container section 20 is dispersed into the toner container 34 by its own weight or the like. Next, the sealing member 30 for the supply hole 25 is removed to the outside, and the toner t in the toner container section 20 is transferred to the developing section 10.
We will be able to supply it to people. In this way, the agglomeration of the toner t in the toner container section 20 of the developing device 3 is broken.
．． Even when the stirring member 24 rotates and the developing work is started, the load on the stirring member 24.24 does not rise, and no trouble occurs to the stirring member 24.24 or its drive system, allowing normal image forming work. That will happen.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Incidentally, the same reference numerals are given to the force-operated parts having the same functions as those according to the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Either the functions are completely the same, or the position in the downward direction A during transportation or storage is different from that of the first embodiment.

That is, when the developing device 3A is transported or stored, the toner container section 20 is positioned upward, and the developing section 10 is positioned downward. Therefore, the toner t in the toner container section 20 becomes highly dense and tends to aggregate in the vicinity of the supply hole 25 for the toner t to the developing section IO. Therefore, a deformable and expandable bag-shaped space forming member 35 is provided on the side of the toner container section 20 of the supply hole 25, and the space forming member 35 is expanded under pressure.
A closed space 34 which is not filled with toner t is formed in the space forming member 35, and the space forming member 35 also functions as a sealing member for the supply hole 25.

The space-shaped member 35 is attached around the supply hole 25 on the lower side, and includes a flat seal part 35a that seals the supply hole 25, and a bulge 35b that bulges into the toner container part 20 on the upper side.
A small needle hole 37 is provided in the toner container portion 20 near the space forming member 35 and sealed with a re-adhesive tape 36. and the needle hole 37
A needle-like sharp instrument 38 is sharpened to form a hole in the bulging portion 35b of the space forming member 35 sticking out on the toner container portion 20 side. Further, one end of the seal portion 35a of the empty member 35 is connected to the toner container portion 2 through the removal hole.
It protrudes outward from 0 so that it can be easily peeled off and removed from the outside. Note that a sealing member 31 for preventing leakage of toner t is also attached to this removal hole.

In order to attach the developing device 3A to the main body of the copying machine, the tape 36 is peeled off and a sharp instrument 38 is inserted through the needle hole to make a hole in the bulge 35b of the space forming member 35.
If the pressurized state inside is released, this space forming member 3
The bulging portion 35b of No. 5 is pushed by the weight of the toner t, etc., and is pressed against the seal portion 35a, and contracts as shown in FIG. Therefore, the toner t in the toner container portion 20 is diffused into the space formed by the contraction of the bulging portion 35b of the space forming member 35, and its cohesion is broken.

Furthermore, when the bulging part 35b of the space forming member 35 contracts, as shown in FIG. By pulling the outer end, the bulging portion 35b of the space-shaped member 35 can be easily removed together with the seal portion 35b to the outside of the developing device 3A.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

The developing device 3B according to the present embodiment has one unit in the toner container section 20.
There is only one storage room for the t-ner, and therefore only one stirring member 24 is provided. During transportation or storage, the developing device 3B is positioned so that the arcuate portion 21a of the container main body 2l of the toner container portion 20 faces downward, and the main body portion 24a and wing portions 24c of the stirring member 24 are positioned downward.
is positioned on the lower side of the toner container portion 20 on the side of the circular arc portion 21a.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the main body portion 24 of the stirring member 24 is
A deformable and expandable sheet-like space forming member 39 is disposed so as to wrap around the blade portion a and the wing portion 24c from both sides, and the space forming member 39 is expanded under pressure to form a space forming member 39 on both sides of the stirring member 24 in the toner container portion 20. Two closed spaces 34 without toner t.
34 was formed. Further, the arcuate portion 21 of the toner container portion 20
A pair of needle holes 37 and 37 sandwich the stirring member 24 in a.
By inserting a needle-like sharp member 38 through the needle hole 37, a hole is made in the space forming member 39, and its pressurized and expanded state can be released. Note that the needle holes 37, 37 are usually closed with re-adhesive tape 1536.

In order to attach the developing device 3B to the projection frame, the tape 36 is removed from one side at a time, and the sharps 38 are placed in the needle holes 37 and 37 to make holes in the space forming members 39 on both sides of the stirring member 34. . In this way, the space-shaped member 39 contracts due to the weight of the toner t, etc., and comes into close contact with both sides of the main body portion 24a and the wing portions 24c of the stirring member 24, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the toner t in the toner container section 20
is diffused into the space formed by the contraction of the space forming member 39, and its agglomerated state is broken. Also, the space shape or member 3
Since the toner 9 is stuck to the agitating member 24, it is not necessary to take it out to the outside, and it also has the function of protecting the agitating member 24 from abrasion with the toner t.

Next, the sealing member 30 is attached to the supply hole 2 of the toner container section 20.
Remove the toner container part 20 by peeling it off from around 5 and taking it out.
It is sufficient if the toner t inside can be moved toward the developing section 10.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. Components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

The developing device 3C according to this embodiment is exactly the same as the developing device 3B according to the f53 embodiment in its shape, function, and orientation during transportation and storage. A closed space 34 that is not filled with toner t is formed around the arcuate portion 21a at the lower part of 21 by a space forming member 40, and the sealing member for the toner t supply hole 25 and the space forming member 40 are integrated, and this sealing member The space forming member 40 is also removed to the outside at the same time as the space forming member 40 is removed to the outside.

That is, after the stirring member 24 is positioned laterally and the adhesive part 40a, which is one end of the deformable space forming member 40, is adhered to the one end side of the arcuate part 21a of the container main body 2l of the toner container part 20. The space forming member 40 is passed over the water to the other end side of the arcuate portion 21a to form a closed space 34 in the toner container portion 20 that is not filled with toner t. The space forming member 40 is extended toward the supply hole 25 along the arcuate portion 21a, and the seal portion 40b is inserted into the supply hole 25.
After pasting on the surrounding container body 2l, the container body 21
A pull-out portion 40c, which is the other end portion, is made to protrude from a removal hole 41 provided at the upper end.

Note that a sealing member 42 made of sponge or the like is provided in this removal hole 4l.

When the developing device 3C is attached to the copying machine body, the sealing portion 40b is peeled off from the container body 21 of the toner container portion 20 by pulling the pull-out portion 40c of the space forming member 40 outward. Ru. and a space shape or member 40
As shown in FIG. 9, the toner t inside is pushed upward to the toner container section 20, but then, as shown in FIG. The forming member 40 is removed outwardly. In this case, the toner t in the toner container section 20 is pushed in two directions by the gap forming member 40. After the toner is lifted and pressurized, it is diffused into the closed space 34 formed by the space forming member 40, so that the aggregation of the toner t in the toner container section 20 is more completely broken than in other embodiments. .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing member of the supply hole 25 can be removed and the toner t diffusion space can be formed by simply pulling the space forming member 40 outward, so that compared to other embodiments, the developing device 3C can be removed. This simplifies the work of the quasi-detector before installing it into the main body of the copying machine.

Here, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the case where the developing device is attached to and detached from the copying machine body as a single unit has been explained. Of course, the present invention can be applied even in such cases. Further, although the above description has been made regarding a copying machine, it is not necessary to limit it to this, and it is of course applicable to image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers.

Furthermore, although the above description has been made regarding a developing device having a one-component developer containing only toner t, it also applies to a developing device having a two-component developer containing toner t and a magnetic material. Of course, the present invention is applicable to l 9 .

(Effects of the Invention) The formation of a closed space by the air gap forming member prevents the developer from condensing during transportation or storage within the developer container. The load will not increase.

Therefore, there is no damage to the agitation member, and there is no problem with the drive mechanism of the agitation member, so there is no problem in the development process or operation performed by the developing device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining image forming work by a copying machine, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a developing device according to the first embodiment,
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the operation of the developing device with the space forming member removed, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the developing device according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of the operation of the developing device in which the space forming member is flattened, Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of the developing device according to the third embodiment, and Fig. 7 is the space of the developing device. Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the developing tray according to the 204th embodiment, and Fig. fI'S9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in which the forming member is flattened. FIG. 10 is a state diagram with the space forming member removed from the developing device. 3.3A, 3B, 3C... Developing device, 10... Developing section, l2... Developing roller, 20... Toner container section (
developer container portion), 24... stirring member, 25... supply hole, 32, 35, 39.40... space forming member, 34
Closed space, t...toner (developer).

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Transported, stored, etc. with a certain direction facing downward,
The developer is supplied through a developer replenishment hole that is removably disposed within the image forming apparatus main body and is provided between a developer container section that includes a stirring member and developer, and a development section that includes a development roller. In a developing device in which developer in a container portion is supplied toward a developing portion by rotation of a stirring member, a space forming member made of a deformable sheet-like member is disposed within the developer container portion, and the space forming member This forms a closed space in which the developer is not filled in the lower part of the developer container during transportation, storage, etc., and when the space forming member is removed or deformed to the outside when installed in the image forming apparatus main body. A developing device characterized by dispersing developer in a closed space. (2) Forming the closed space by making the space forming member into a bag shape and pressurizing the inside, and forming a hole in the space forming member from the outside when mounting it on the image forming apparatus main body;
2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the space forming member is contracted into a planar shape by the weight of the developer so that the space member can be taken out. (3) The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the space forming member also serves as a sealing member for transporting the developer supply hole, which is removable from the outside.