JPH075764A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a developing device which can eliminate such a problem that toner drops out or scatters outside when the developing device is carried and transferred or set in an image forming device main body. CONSTITUTION:As for the developing device constituted so that lock mechanism 13 and 14 are provided between a hopper part 1 which is provided with an agitator 3 and which stores developer T and a developer part 8 provided with a developer carrier 5 and a developer replenishment device 4, the developer T is sealed in the hopper part 1 and the hopper part 1 provided with a partition member 11 for preventing the developer from flowing in the developing part 8 at an unuse time and the developing part 8 are integrated, and the mechanisms 13 and 14 are manually released, so that the partitions member 11 is rotated in the direction of the carrier 5 up to a stopper part 81 installed at the developing part 8 with a shaft 10 installed on the longitudinal side of the upper part of the partition member 11 as a supporting point by a spring member installed on the shaft 10. Thus, the aperture part 9 of the hopper part 1 is opened and the developer T can be moved to the developing part 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a laser printer and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a laser printer, etc., a toner magazine type developing in which a hopper portion containing toner and a developing portion are integrated Although a developing device is known, in such a developing device, in order to prevent toner from spilling from the developing portion during transportation or setting in the image forming apparatus main body, the developing portion and the hopper portion are used before use. A sealing member made of vinyl or the like for partitioning is used to seal the toner in the hopper, and when the main body is set, the toner is pulled out to allow the toner to flow from the hopper into the developing section.

[0003]

However, in the above-described sealing mechanism, when the sealing member is pulled out before use, the operator may be contaminated by the toner attached to the sealing member,
There is a risk that the toner is scattered from the opening for pulling out the seal member and the peripheral portion is contaminated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can solve the problems of toner spillage and scattering to the outside during transportation / transfer or setting on the image forming apparatus main body. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a hopper portion having an agitator for accommodating a developer, and a developing portion having a developer carrier and a developer replenishing device. The developing unit is integrally formed with the hopper unit that has a locking mechanism between the two, seals the developer in the hopper unit, and has a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing unit when not in use. In the developing device, by manually releasing the lock mechanism, a spring member installed on the shaft serves as a developer with the shaft installed on the upper longitudinal side of the partition member serving as a fulcrum. It is characterized in that the hopper is opened and the developer can be moved to the developing unit by rotating the bearing unit toward the stopper unit installed in the developing unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock mechanism between a hopper portion having an agitator for accommodating a developer and a developing portion having a developer carrier and a developer replenishing device. In the developing device in which the hopper portion and the developing portion having a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing portion when not in use are sealed, the locking mechanism is manually operated. By releasing, with the shaft provided on the upper longitudinal side of the partition member as a fulcrum, the partition member has a degree of freedom of rotation in the developer carrying member direction,
The agitator installed so as to come into contact with the partition member rotates, comes into contact with the partition member, and the partition member rotates toward the developer carrying member, so that the hopper portion is opened and the developer is developed. It is characterized by being able to move to the department.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is the developing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a releasing means of the lock mechanism of the partition member is provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developing means is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. The feature is that the lock mechanism is released by mounting the device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first and second aspects, the releasing mechanism for the lock mechanism of the partition member is provided on the front cover of the image forming apparatus main body, and the developing unit is provided on the image forming apparatus main body. After mounting the device, the lock mechanism is released by closing the front cover of the main body.

[0009]

In the developing device of the present invention, a developer inflow preventing partition member is provided between the hopper portion having the agitator for storing the developer and the developing portion having the developer carrier and the developer replenishing device. It has a lock mechanism, and before releasing the lock mechanism, the opening between the hopper section and the developing section is closed by the partition member for preventing developer inflow.
Since the toner is sealed in the hopper portion and cannot move to the developing portion side during transportation or before being attached to the image forming apparatus main body, spilling and scattering of toner from the developing portion is prevented. Further, if the lock mechanism is released when the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the partition member rotates toward the developer carrying member to open the hopper portion, and the developer can move to the developing portion. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the work of pulling out the seal member for partitioning the developing unit and the hopper unit to the outside is not necessary, and the problem of toner scattering to the outside when pulling out the seal member is solved.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a developing device showing an embodiment of claim 1, and shows a state when the developing device is attached to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Developing device hopper (toner hopper), 2 is a static eliminating brush, 3 is an agitator (stirring blade),
Reference numeral 4 is a developer supply unit, 5 is a developer carrier, 6 is a layer thickness regulating member, 7 is a belt-shaped photoreceptor on the image forming apparatus main body side, 8 is a developing unit of the developing device, 9 is a developing unit and a toner hopper. Between them, 11 is a shutter (partitioning member), and 10 is a shutter shaft (rotating shaft).

In FIG. 1, when the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and the lock mechanism described later is released, the shutter 11 of the developing device is rotated to the position shown by the broken line in the drawing, and the opening of the toner hopper 1 is opened. The portion 9 is opened, the toner T contained in the toner hopper 1 is forced toward the toner supply member 4 by the agitator (stirring blade) 3, and the toner T is supplied to the toner supply member 4. It On the other hand, the developer carrying member 5 that has completed development rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The toner supply member 4 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the developer carrying member 5 to adhere the toner onto the developer carrying member 5. Further, the developer carrying member 5 rotates, and the toner adhered on the developer carrying member 5 reaches the developing area while being charged while the thickness is controlled by the toner layer thickness regulating member (elastic blade) 6. Then, in the development area, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 7 is developed by contact or non-contact development. Here, if necessary, bias such as direct current, alternating current, direct current superposed alternating current, and pulse can be applied to the developer carrying member 5, the photosensitive member 7, the toner supply member 4, etc. to control an optimum image. .

Next, the embodiment of claim 1 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1. In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a shutter is provided so as to partition the hopper portion 1 and the developing portion 8 at an opening 9 between them. 11 is attached. The shutter 11 is rotatably locked to the hopper portion 1 by a shaft 10 and elastically biased in the rotation direction A by a torsion coil spring 12. A shaft 13 that is movable in the longitudinal direction C and is non-rotatably attached is provided below the opening 9 of the hopper unit 1. The shutter 11 is attached to the shaft 13 at the lower portion thereof. Stopper 1
It is pressed against the seal member 16 by 4, 15 to seal the hopper portion 1 and block the toner from entering the developing portion 8. A release switch portion 131 is provided at one end of the shaft 13, and is elastically biased in the longitudinal direction D by a spring 18 installed at the other end of the shaft 13.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the release switch unit 131
A retaining device 21 is provided in the device, and a safety device 20 is attached between the shaft 13 of the switch unit 131 and the retaining device 21 before the developing device is used, so that the shaft 13 does not move during transfer. It is locked. The shaft 13 and the stopper 1
4, 15, the spring 18, the release switch portion 131, the safety device 20, and the retainer 21 constitute a lock mechanism of the shutter 11.

When the developing device is used, as shown in FIG.
First, the safety device 20 is pulled out to make the shaft 13 movable. Then, the release switch portion 131 of the shaft 13 is pushed in the longitudinal direction (C direction in the drawing). As a result, when the stoppers 14 and 15 attached to the shaft 13 move and reach the notches 111 and 112 provided on the shutter 11 side, the pressing force of the stoppers 14 and 15 on the shutter 11 is released, and the torsion coil spring is released. By the elastic force of 12,
The shutter 11 opens. Here, the developing unit 8 shown in FIG.
When the shutter 11 is in contact with the stopper portion indicated by reference numeral 81 on the side, it stops. As a result, the toner T in the hopper portion 1 flows into the developing portion 8 through the opening portion 9 and becomes ready for development. If the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body and used in this state, the development can be performed as described above.

Next, an embodiment of claim 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional configuration diagram of a developing device showing an embodiment of claim 2, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 4, and the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. It is a component. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a shutter 11 is provided so as to partition the hopper 1 and the developing unit 8 at an opening 9 between them.
Is attached. The shutter 11 is rotatably locked to the hopper unit 1 by a shaft 10.
Further, in the lower portion of the opening 9 of the hopper unit 1, the longitudinal direction C
Is provided with a shaft 13 which is movable and non-rotatably attached to the shutter 11. The shutter 11 is pressed at its lower portion by a seal member 16 by stoppers 14 and 15 attached to the shaft 13 to seal the hopper unit 1. However, the toner is blocked from entering the developing unit 8. Also, axis 1
A release switch unit 131 is provided at one end of the switch 3. Further, as in FIG. 3, the safety device 20 is attached to the switch portion 131 before use of the developing device, and the shaft 13 is locked so as not to move during transfer or the like. The shaft 13, the stoppers 14 and 15, the release switch unit 131, the safety device 20, and the retainer 21 prevent the shutter 11 from moving.
Constitutes the lock mechanism of. Here, in the present embodiment, the rotation radius R of the agitator 3 is set to be longer than the distance X from the shaft center to the shutter 11.

When using the developing device, first, the safety device 20 of the lock mechanism is pulled out to make the shaft 13 movable. Then, the release switch portion 131 of the shaft 13 is pushed in the longitudinal direction (C direction in the drawing). As a result, when the stoppers 14 and 15 attached to the shaft 13 move and reach the notches 111 and 112 provided on the shutter 11 side, the pressing force of the stoppers 14 and 15 on the shutter 11 is released, and the shutter 11 is released. Is in a free state where it can be opened. Further, at this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stopper 101 provided on the hopper side engages with the recess 132 provided at the end of the shaft 13 opposite to the release switch portion 131, and the shaft 13 is locked. It is fixed in the released state. When the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and operated, the agitator 3 is rotated by the drive from the main body. At this time, since the rotation radius R of the agitator 3 is longer than the distance X from the axial center to the shutter 11 as described above, the tip portion 31 of the agitator 3 contacts the shutter 11. Due to this abutting force, the rotatable shutter 11 is rotated in the direction A in the figure and the opening 9 is opened, so that the toner T in the hopper 1 is opened.
Then, it flows into the developing section 8 and becomes ready for development.

Next, as an embodiment of claim 3, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the release switch portion 13 of the shaft 13 on the developing device side when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.
If the projection 22 is provided on the wall surface of the image forming apparatus body facing the image forming apparatus 1, when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus body,
When the release switch portion 131 of the lock mechanism comes into contact with the protrusion 22 and the shaft 13 is pushed in, the shaft 13 automatically moves in the unlocking direction, and the pressing of the shutter 14 by the stoppers 14 and 15 is released. Shutter 11
Can be opened automatically when the developing device is attached.

Further, as an embodiment of claim 4, as a pressing means of the release switch portion 131 on the developing device side, a protrusion 22 similar to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided on the front cover side of the image forming apparatus main body. Thus, if the front cover is closed after mounting the developing device, the release switch portion 131 of the shaft 13 is pushed by the pressing means (projection or the like) on the cover side, and the shaft 13 is automatically moved to cause the stopper 14, Since the pressing of the shutter 11 by 15 is released, the shutter 11 can be automatically opened at the same time when the front cover is closed.

[0018]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, between the hopper portion having the agitator for storing the developer and the developing portion having the developer carrier and the developer replenishing device. In a developing device having a lock mechanism, a developer sealed in the hopper portion, and a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing portion when not in use, the developing portion and the developing portion are integrated. By manually releasing the locking mechanism, a spring member installed on the shaft is used as a fulcrum with a shaft installed on the upper longitudinal side of the partition member as a fulcrum, and the partition member is moved toward the developer carrier. By rotating the developing device to a stopper part installed in the developing part, the hopper part is opened and the developer can be moved to the developing part. Attach to the device body In this case, the developer inflow preventing partition member that separates the developing section and the hopper section is configured to open in the developing device and accommodated inside the developing device. There is no need to pull out the partition member to the outside, and the problem at the time of pulling out the conventional seal, that is, the problem that the toner is scattered to the outside and the worker or the inside of the image forming apparatus main body and the installation place of the apparatus are contaminated, is obviated. It is possible to prevent the generation of dust.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, a lock mechanism is provided between the hopper portion having the agitator for storing the developer and the developing portion having the developer carrier and the developer replenishing device, In a developing device in which the developer is sealed in the hopper unit and has a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing unit when not in use, and the developing unit is an integral type, the locking is manually performed. By releasing the mechanism, the partition member has a degree of freedom of rotation in the direction of the developer carrying member with the shaft installed on the upper longitudinal side of the partition member as a fulcrum, and contacts the partition member. The agitator installed at the position rotates to come into contact with the partition member, and the partition member rotates toward the developer carrying member, whereby the hopper portion opens and the developer can move to the developing portion. Is characterized by Ri, configuration of the opening mechanism of the partition member from the configuration of claim 1 is simplified, it is possible to reduce the number of parts can be achieved more cheaply same effect as claim 1.

Further, as described in claims 3 and 4, by providing the image forming apparatus main body or the front cover thereof with the releasing means for releasing the lock mechanism in association with the mounting of the developing apparatus to the image forming apparatus main body, The lock mechanism of the partition member is automatically released after the developing device is mounted, the effects of the above-described claims 1 and 2 can be achieved, and the operator does not forget to release the lock mechanism of the partition member. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of a developing device according to an embodiment of claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a safety device of a lock mechanism of the developing device shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional configuration diagram of a developing device showing an embodiment of claim 2;

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG.

6 is an explanatory view of a shaft stopper portion of the lock mechanism of the developing device shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 3, and is an explanatory diagram of a lock mechanism on the developing device side and a releasing means on the image forming apparatus main body side.

8 is an explanatory diagram of a release switch section of the developing device side locking mechanism and a releasing means on the image forming apparatus main body side shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hopper part (toner hopper) 2 ... Static elimination brush 3 ... Agitator (stirring blade) 4 ... Developer supply part 5 ... Developer carrier 6 ... Layer thickness control member ( Elastic blade) 7 ... Photosensitive member 8 ... Developing part 9 ... Opening part 10 ... Shaft (rotating shaft of shutter) 11 ... Shutter (partitioning member) 12 ... Torsion coil spring 13. -Lock mechanism shafts 14 and 15-Lock mechanism stopper 16-Seal member 17-Seal member 18-Lock mechanism spring 19-Gear 20-Lock mechanism safety device 21 ... Locking mechanism lockout 22 ... Projection (release means) on the image forming apparatus main body side 101 ... Stoppers 111, 112 ... Notch portion 131 ... Lock mechanism release switch portion 132 ...・ Axis side Part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A lock mechanism is provided between a hopper portion having an agitator for storing a developer and a developing portion having a developer carrier and a developer replenishing device, and the developer is sealed in the hopper portion. In a developing device in which the hopper portion having a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing portion when not in use and the developing portion are integrated, the partition is formed by manually releasing the lock mechanism. With a shaft provided on the upper longitudinal side of the member as a fulcrum, a spring member installed on the shaft rotates the partition member toward the developer carrier to a stopper part installed on the developing unit. By opening the hopper,
A developing device, wherein the developer can move to the developing section. 2. A lock mechanism is provided between a hopper portion having an agitator for accommodating a developer and a developing portion having a developer carrier and a developer replenishing device to seal the developer in the hopper portion. In a developing device in which the hopper portion having a partition member for preventing the developer from flowing into the developing portion when not in use and the developing portion are integrated, the partition is formed by manually releasing the lock mechanism. With the axis installed on the upper long side of the member as the fulcrum,
The partition member has the freedom of rotation in the direction of the developer carrying member, the agitator installed so as to contact the partition member rotates, contacts the partition member, and the partition member faces the developer carrying member. The developing device is characterized in that the hopper portion is opened by rotating the developing device to a position where the developer can move to the developing portion. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the releasing mechanism of the lock mechanism of the partition member is provided on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body to lock the developing device. A developing device characterized by releasing the mechanism. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the releasing mechanism of the lock mechanism of the partition member is provided on the front cover of the image forming apparatus main body, and after the developing apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, A developing device characterized in that the lock mechanism is released by closing the front cover.