JPH03140980A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent developer from leaking from both end parts of a developing roller by fixing and disposing a specified fixing member to a side frame between the side surface of the developing roller and a side frame and pressing a periphery by a regulating member. CONSTITUTION:The fixing member 8 is fixed and disposed to the side frame 5a on the side surfaces of both end parts of the developing roller 1 and constituted so as to be pressed by the regulating member 3. The outside diameter of the fixing member 8 is larger than that of the developing roller 1 and the hardness thereof is smaller than that of the developing roller 1. Therefore, adhesive force sufficient enough to prevent the outflow of the developer acts between the regulating member 3 and the fixing member 8, and the developer is sealed by making the elasticity thereof flexibly comply with the mechanical error which is caused by the developing roller 1. Thus, the developer is easily prevented from outflowing from a gap between the regulating member 3 and the fixing member 8 to a space between the regulating member 3 and the side frame 5a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a non-magnetic component developing device that visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor using a non-magnetic component developer. It is related to.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as shown in cross section in FIG. 4 and perspectively in FIG. The developer 6 is held in the space formed by the frame 5a and the regulating member 3.3a, and the developer 6 is formed into a thin layer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 1 by the regulating member 3.3a. At the same time, a non-magnetic material is used to apply a charge, send it to an electrostatic latent image holder (not shown), and deposit a developer on the electrostatic latent image to develop it into a visible image.
Component developing devices are known.

As a sealing means for the developer 6 in such a non-magnetic component developing device, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
A seal 7 made of urethane foam or the like is attached to the side frame 5a.
and the gap between the regulating member 3.3a and the side frame 5a.
The developer is disposed so as to fill the gap between the developer roller and the circumferential surface of the developing roller 1, and is sealed to prevent the developer from spilling.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the case of the developing device having the above configuration, the surface where the sealing material 7 and the developing roller 1 are in close contact is such that the developer easily passes through the surface as the developing roller 1 rotates. As a result, the developer 6 is inconveniently scattered outside the hopper. In particular, leakage is likely to occur from point P in the figure, that is, from the region where the regulating member 3.3a contacts the circumferential surface of the developing roller 1. This leakage of the developer 6 can be prevented, for example, by strongly bringing the seal 7 into close contact with the developing roller 1. However, on the other hand, this increases the rotational driving force of the developing roller 1, resulting in additional power consumption. Problems arise in terms of the drive mechanism. In other words,
The developer tends to break up mainly because the parts that have the power to transport the developer are sealed, so when sealing the circumferential surface of the developing roller, it must be tightly sealed or it will spill out. As a result, the driving force has to increase.

Furthermore, there is a problem in that the urethane foam used for the seal deteriorates and no longer performs a sufficient sealing function.

As a remedy for the above problem, JP-A-60-135
Japanese Patent No. 965 discloses means for disposing a fixing member between the side surface of the developing roller 1 and the side frame 5. According to this means, no force is applied to the developer formed on the circumferential surface of the developing roller toward the end of the circumferential surface of the developing roller, and
Since the regulating member, the side frame, and the fixing member are each fixed to the developer in the hopper, there is no ability to transport the developer. Therefore, developer is easily prevented from flowing out between the regulating member and the side frame or between the regulating member and the fixing member. Therefore, even if the developing roller has the ability to transport the developer by rotation, the developer cannot easily pass between the developing roller and the fixed member because the direction of the transporting force is radially outward. However, in this toner sealing method, since the developing roller and the fixed member have the same diameter, slight mechanical errors such as eccentricity of the developing roller may cause the regulating member and the fixed member to separate or come into contact with each other. The power may become weak and the developer may leak.

Further, the pressure force between the regulating member and the developing roller changes, causing unevenness in the thin layer of developer and deteriorating image quality. Furthermore, when the developing roller is a rigid body, the regulating member does not come into much pressure contact with the fixed member, causing developer leakage.On the other hand, when the developing roller is an elastic body and the fixing member is rigid, the regulating member does not press against the developing roller. There is not much pressure contact, and a thin layer of developer cannot be formed uniformly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a non-magnetic component developing device in which there is no leakage of developer from both ends of a developing roller and a uniform developer layer can be easily formed.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A developer is supplied to the circumferential surface of a developing roller having elasticity in a hopper provided with a side frame whose one side is in contact with the side surface of the developing roller, and the developer is supplied to the circumferential surface of a developing roller having elasticity. Forming a thin layer of developer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller and applying an electric charge to it, bringing it close to the electrostatic latent image holder, and causing the developer to adhere on the electrostatic latent image to develop it into a visible image. In the developing device, a fixing member having a lower hardness and a larger outer diameter than the developing roller is fixed to the side frame between the side surface of the developing roller and the side frame, and the circumferential edge is pressed by the regulating member. This is the main point.

In the above configuration, in order to maintain a good condition, the difference in outer diameter between the developing roller and the fixing member should be 0.3 to 3 mm, preferably 0.5 to lllIn, and the hardness of the developing roller should be 20 mm.
(JISA type) or less, 0.3 to 1I%, and 20 to 40 degrees, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The hardness of the fixing member at this time is preferably 15 degrees or less, preferably 10 degrees or less, and 10 kg or more (sponge hardness, A type hardness is 10 degrees or less).
(below) is better. In addition, when the hardness of the developing roller is 40 degrees or more, the difference in outer diameter is 0.5 to 2II1.
m is good, and the hardness of the fixing member is the same as above. Furthermore, the shape of the fixing member is preferably a hollow cylindrical shape, or as long as the portion that contacts the regulating member satisfies the above conditions, the other portions may not necessarily satisfy the above conditions. For example, if the part in contact with the bottom of the hopper matches the shape of the bottom, it will prevent the container from breaking, or it may be bonded to the bottom. Furthermore, when using a developing method that brings the latent image holder into contact with the developing roller, even in a non-contact development method, if the fixing member comes into contact with the latent image holder and a problem occurs, it is necessary to It is desirable to change the shape of the parts so that they do not come into contact with each other, so that there are no obstacles.

(Function) According to the developing device of the present invention, a force directed toward the end of the developing roller circumferential surface does not act on the developer formed on the developing roller circumferential surface, and the developer in the hopper is Since the regulating member, side frame and fixing member are each fixed,
It also does not have the ability to transport developer. Therefore, developer is easily prevented from flowing out between the regulating member and the side frame or between the regulating member and the fixing member. Although there is the ability to transport the developer between the developing roller and the fixed member by the rotation of the developing roller, the direction of the transporting force is radially outward, so the developer cannot easily pass through.

Therefore, in the present invention, the identification part (") is fixed to the side surface of the side frame, and its outer diameter is larger than that of the developing roller, and its hardness is smaller than that of the developing roller, so that the regulating member and the fixing member are Sufficient adhesion force (pressure contact force) acts between them to prevent the developer from flowing out, and even if a mechanical error occurs in the developing roller, its elasticity flexibly responds and seals the developer.

Further, at this time, since the pressing force between the developing roller and the regulating member is not affected, the image quality does not deteriorate.

Moreover, when looking at the driving force of the developing device, in the case of the present invention, the developer is mainly caused to break down between the fixing member and the developing roller. Since the direction is radial, the adhesion force may be weaker than that of conventional adhesives. Further, even if the pressure is suppressed with the same degree of adhesion force, the rotation torque of the roller will be small because the suppression is performed on a surface close to the center of rotation.

For example, if the outer diameter of the developing roller is φ20ml,
Even when the torque is 1/2 to 1/3 of the conventional torque, it is possible to prevent the developer from crumbling.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagonal N views showing a developed example of the configuration of the main parts of the developing device according to the present invention, and the same parts as the conventional device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 have the same numbers. has been attached.

The basic 1111 of this embodiment or the same as that of a conventional device is provided with side frames 5 on both end sides of the developing roller.
A fixing member 8 is fixed and disposed at a.

Therefore, the outer diameter of the developing roller is, for example, 18n+
m, the hardness is 30 degrees (JISA type), the outer diameter of the fixing member 8 is 19I, the hardness is 7 degrees (JISA type), and the hardness is 7 degrees (JISA type).
(manufactured by Inoue MTP) into a ring shape.

Further, the surface of the Poron fixing part +A8 (the part that comes into contact with the developing roller) has lubricating properties, which can contribute to reducing the driving force of the developing device. In this configuration, in order to extend the service life, lubricating seals 7a and 7b made of, for example, Teflon and having an outer diameter of 16II1 m and smaller in diameter than the developing roller are attached to the end side surface of the developing roller and the boron fixing member 8. interposed between. In other words, the lubricating seal member 7b is adhered to the fixing member 8, and the lubricating seal member 7a is adhered to the developing roller 1. Furthermore, the lubricating seal member 7a is provided with electrical conductivity to contribute to maintaining electrical continuity between the surface of the developing roller 1 and the shaft. The developing roller] and the fixing part +A' are integrally pressed together via a slippery seal member 7a17b, and preferably, the peripheral surface of the fixing member 8 is surrounded by the tape part +A'9 as shown in the figure. Then, the tape portion 9 is adhered to the circumferential surface of the fixing member 8 with a part thereof exposed. Therefore, a second
As shown in the figure, the structure is such that the regulating member 3 is pressed, and preferably a sponge or the like is filled between the regulating member 3 and the sight frame 5a. Here, the outer diameter of the lubricating seal parts 7a and 7b is preferably set to an outer diameter that allows for deformation when the developing roller 1 is pressed against the regulating member 3, but even if the outer diameter is smaller than that, The fixing member 8 deforms and closes the gap, preventing developer from leaking.

In addition, in the above figure, 2 is!・The toner supply roller is made of conductive urethane foam made of +M, and 010 is made by gluing mylar onto the sponge so that the mylar surface is in contact with the developing roller 1 and the fixing member 8 or the tape member 9, or by making a cover. It's Bugetsu.

Next, another embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, which shows an exploded and perspective view of the main structure. The configuration is almost the same as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the length of the toner supply roller 2 is set to 3 on both ends of the developing roller 1.
It is a short comb of ~15o++a. This makes it difficult for the developer to be supplied to both ends of the developing roller 1, and not only can spillage be more reliably prevented, but also the driving force can be reduced. Furthermore, by providing the second fixing member 11 between the toner supply roller 2 and the side frame 5a, it is possible to safely and reliably prevent the developer from being supplied to the end of the developing roller 1.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the developing device according to the present invention configured as described above, even if the developing roller has a mechanical error or is made of an elastic body, the developing roller, etc. can be moved with a relatively small driving force. Not only can the developer be driven, but the developer can also be prevented from spilling from the contact area between the developing roller and the side frame of the hopper that accommodates the developer, or the contact area between the developing roller and the regulating member. Always functions as a developing device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are exploded perspective views showing examples of the configuration of main parts of a one-component developing device according to the present invention, and FIG. The exploded perspective view, FIGS. 4 and 5 show the main structure of a conventional developing device, with FIG. 4 being a partially cutaway sectional view and FIG. 5 being a perspective view. 1...Developing roller 2...Toner supply roller 3...Regulating member 4...Supporting member 5...Hopper member 5a...Side frame 6...Developer 7...Seal shrine 2 7a, 7b...Lubricating seal member 8...Fixing member 9...Tape material 10...Recovery member 11...Second fixing member

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A developer is supplied to the circumferential surface of the developing roller having elasticity in a hopper equipped with a side frame, one side of which is in contact with the side surface of the developing roller, and a regulating member is used to develop the developer onto the circumferential surface of the developing roller. In a developing device that forms a thin layer of a developer and applies an electric charge, brings it close to an electrostatic latent image carrier, and causes a developer to adhere to the electrostatic latent image to develop it into a visible image, the developing roller A fixing member having a lower hardness and a larger outer diameter than the developing roller is fixed to the side frame between the side surface and the side frame, and the fixing member is pressed by the regulating member. developing device.