JPH08123180A - Electrophotographic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the torque required for rotating a rotary member and to restrain the contact sound between a transporting member and the inside face of a housing room. CONSTITUTION: A first rotary member 12a disposed in a first housing room 10a is rotated in the direction of the arrow D and a first transporting member 13 composed of an elastic body such as the polyphenylene sulfide is fixed at the tip end part of the first rotary member 12a so as to be approximately orthogonal with respect to the radial direction of the first rotary member 12a. As to the first transporting member 13a, on the contact/apart part in the vicinity of the tip end part brought in contact with/apart from the inside face of the first housing room 10a, the contact sound reduction member 18a is arranged, which is capable of absorbing the vibration and provided with the coefficient of friction larger than the coefficient of friction of the surface of the first transporting member 13a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic developing apparatus applied to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a printer and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image carrier and a conventional developing device in an image forming apparatus. This type of developing device is attached to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body such as a printer, a facsimile or a copying machine, and is replaced with a new one every time a predetermined number of images are formed.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 101 denotes a drum-shaped image bearing member having a photoconductor on the surface thereof and a fixed magnet 102 included therein. The surface of the image bearing member 101 is a laser from an optical writing unit (not shown). The light forms a charge pattern corresponding to the image. 104 is a supply chamber for supplying a developer 115 for developing a charge pattern on the developer image 116, and 105 is a fixed magnet.
A collection member that encloses 106 and rotates the outer peripheral portion made of a conductor in the direction of arrow B, 108 is a plate-shaped scraper whose tip is pressed against the surface of the collection member 105, and 109 is a collection member facing the image carrier 101. The developing part, which is the closest part to 105, 110
a is a first storage chamber that is provided with the supply chamber 104 and has a first opening 111a communicating with the supply chamber 104, and 112a is a first storage chamber 110a.
A first rotating member that is provided inside and rotates in the direction of arrow D;
Reference numeral 3a is a first conveying member whose one end is fixed to the first rotating member 112a and whose other end slides on the inner surface of the first storage chamber 110a.

110b is provided with the first storage chamber 110a, and has a second storage chamber in which a second opening 111b communicating with the first storage chamber 110a is opened. 112b is provided in the second storage chamber 110b in the direction of arrow E. The rotating second rotating member 113b has one end fixed to the second rotating member 112b and the other end that slides against the inner surface of the second storage chamber 110b.
It is a transport member. Here, in a state before being attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, in the first storage chamber 110a and the second storage chamber 110b,
A predetermined amount of magnetic developer 115 is filled in advance. Further, 114 is disposed near the bottom of the first storage chamber 110a, detects the remaining amount of the developer 115 in the first storage chamber 110a based on the change in the magnetic permeability of the surroundings, and responds to the remaining amount of the developer 115. It is a magnetic sensor that outputs a direct current voltage.

The operation of the developing device configured as described above will be described. First, the image carrier 101 having the charge pattern formed on its surface rotates in the direction of arrow A to move the area having the charge pattern to the developing unit 109. On the other hand, the developer 115 in the supply chamber 104 is attracted by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet 102 and adheres to the surface of the image carrier 101, and then moves to the developing unit 109 together with the image carrier 101. In the developing unit 109, the charge pattern of the image carrier 101 is a developer in an exposed area or a non-exposed area due to the action of an electric field formed by a power supply means (not shown) and a magnetic field formed by the fixed magnets 102 and 106. By selectively adhering 115, a visible developer image 116 is developed.

After that, the developer image 116 is transferred onto a recording medium such as recording paper by a transfer means (not shown), and is fixed on the surface of the recording medium by applying heat and pressure by the fixing means. Output image.

On the other hand, the excess developer 115 in the developing section 109 adheres to the surface of the collecting member 105, and is conveyed into the supply chamber 104 by the rotation of the collecting member 105, and the scraper 1
After being scraped off by 08, it circulates in the supply chamber 104 and again adheres to the image carrier 101 by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet 102.
At this time, in the supply chamber 104, the developer 115 flows to form a swirl in the direction of arrow C.

Also, the first storage chamber 110a and the second storage chamber 11
The developer 115 filled in 0b is supplied to the supply chamber 104 in the following manner.
Is supplied to. First, by rotating the first rotating member 112a in the direction of the arrow D, the first conveying member 113a moves toward the first rotating member.
It rotates together with 112a. At this time, the developer 115 is pressed by the first transfer member 113a in the direction of the arrow F, and is transferred to the vicinity of the first opening 111a along the inner surface of the first storage chamber 110a. Then, a part of the developer 115 transported to the vicinity of the first opening 111a falls into the supply chamber 104 by the action of gravity. Thus, the developer in the first storage chamber 110a
115 is supplied to the supply chamber 104, and the developer 115 consumed when the developer image 116 is formed in the developing unit 109 is replenished.

Further, the developer 115 in the second storage chamber 110b is
The second rotating member 112b rotates in the direction of the arrow E to rotate the second conveying member.
By being pressed in the direction of arrow G by 113b, it is conveyed to the vicinity of the second opening 111b along the inner surface of the second storage chamber 110b. After that, a part of the developer 115 transported to the vicinity of the second opening 111b falls into the first storage chamber 110a by the action of gravity. When the developer 115 is conveyed, the first rotating member 112a and the second rotating member 112b are configured to rotate while maintaining the same phase, which allows the first conveying member 113a and the first conveying member 113a to rotate. It is held substantially parallel to the member 113b.

The control unit of the image forming apparatus (not shown) determines the remaining amount of the developer 115 in the electrophotographic developing device from the value of the output voltage from the magnetic sensor 114, and the remaining amount of the developer 115 is determined. When it is determined that the amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the display unit displays to the user that it is time to replace the developing device.

[0011]

However, the above-mentioned conventional developing device has the following problems. First
However, when a large amount of the developer 115 is filled in the storage chambers 110a and 110b, the driving torque necessary to rotate the rotating members 112a and 112b becomes excessive. The cause is that the developer 11 transported by the transport members 113a and 113b.
This is because the amount of 5 increases, and further, the transport members 113a, 1a
The direction in which 13b presses the developer 115 (arrows F and G directions) is different from the direction in which the developer 115 is actually conveyed.
Due to the deviation toward the inner surface of 10b, the rotating member 112
This is because when the a and 112b rotate, a large drag force from the inner surfaces of the storage chambers 110a and 110b acts on the transport members 113a and 113b via the developer 115.

The second problem is that the conveying members 113a, 11a are
The point 3b is that abnormal noise is generated by contact with the inner surfaces of the accommodation chambers 110a and 110b. In particular, the transport members 113a and 113b are
A large contact noise is generated when the lower ends of the opening portions 111a and 111b are separated from the inner surfaces of the accommodation chambers 110a and 110b and the upper ends of the opening edges again contact the inner surfaces of the accommodation chambers 110a and 110b.

A third problem is that the density of the developer image 116 decreases with time when the charge pattern of the image carrier 101 is developed by the developing device under the environment of high temperature and high humidity. . This is because the moisture absorption of the developer 115 is promoted under the environment of high temperature and high humidity, so that the fluidity of the developer 115 is lowered. When the fluidity of the developer 115 is reduced, the amount of the developer 115 transported by the transport members 113a and 113b (hereinafter, referred to as the transport amount) is reduced, and the developer is dropped from the opening 111a into the supply chamber 104. 115 is reduced, and further the developer 11 attached on the first transport member 113a
A backflow phenomenon occurs in which 5 drops into the second storage chamber 110b. As a result, the amount of the developer 115 in the supply chamber 104 decreases and the developing unit 109
Due to insufficient supply of developer 115 to the developer image 1
The concentration of 16 decreases.

The fourth problem is that the conveyance amount is decreased and the developer to the second storage chamber 110b is explained in the third problem.
When the backflow phenomenon occurs in the storage chambers 110a and 110b, a large amount of the developer 115 that cannot be supplied to the first storage chamber 110a and the supply chamber 104 remains in the storage chambers 110a and 110b.
The point is that if a large amount of developer 115 is not filled in 10a and 110b, the electrophotographic developing device cannot be used in a short period of time.

The fifth problem is that the reliability of the replacement time of the developing device determined by the control unit of the image forming apparatus is low. The first cause of this is that when the backflow of the developer 115 from the first storage chamber 110a to the second storage chamber 110b occurs, the storage amount of the developer 115 in the first storage chamber 110a greatly changes. As a result, even if the amount of the developer 115 contained in the entire developing device is constant, the magnetic sensor 114
The amount of the developer 115 around the fluctuates. Further, the second cause is that the first rotating member 112a and the second rotating member 112b rotate in the same phase, which causes
After the developer 115 is transported by the transport member 113a, the developer 115 is supplied to the first storage chamber 110a by the second transport member 113b. Therefore, the magnetic sensor during one rotation of the first rotating member 112a. This is because the output voltage from 114 changes greatly. Due to these first and second causes, the output voltage from the magnetic sensor 114 causes the developer 1 in the storage chambers 110a and 110b to
Since it does not correspond to the storage capacity of 15, it is difficult for the control unit to accurately determine the replacement time of the developing device.

The present invention solves the above problems and provides an electrophotographic developing apparatus having the following performances (1) to (5) as compared with the conventional electrophotographic developing apparatus. To aim.

(1) The drive torque required to rotate the rotating member is reduced.

(2) The contact noise between the conveying member and the inner surface of the storage chamber is suppressed.

(3) It is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality under high temperature and high humidity environment.

(4) The amount of developer filled in the storage chamber is reduced without shortening the replacement cycle of the electrophotographic developing device.

(5) The amount of developer contained is detected with high accuracy by a magnetic sensor.

[0022]

In order to solve the above problems, an electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a developing section for developing a charge pattern into a visible image with a developer,
A supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing section; an accommodation chamber for accommodating the developer, the accommodation chamber for accommodating the developer; a rotating member provided in the accommodation chamber and rotating in one direction; At least one end is fixed to the rotary member, and at least a part of the rotary member is provided with a conveying member made of an elastic body provided substantially orthogonal to a rotation radius direction of the rotary member.

Further, the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the second aspect is characterized in that the conveying member is formed of polyphenylene sulfide.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the conveying member and the inner surface of the accommodating chamber are in contact with the contact / separation portion of the conveying member that contacts / separates at least the inner surface of the accommodating chamber. It is characterized in that a contact noise reduction member that absorbs vibration at that time is arranged.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing device according to the present invention, the contact noise reducing member has a friction coefficient with respect to the developer that is larger than a friction coefficient of the surface of the conveying member.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing device according to the present invention, a frictional force generating member having a friction coefficient larger than that of the surface of the conveying member with respect to the developer is arranged on the surface of the conveying member. It is characterized by

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the present invention, at least a part thereof is formed substantially parallel to the center of rotation of the rotating member, and is agitating so as to rotate outside the radius of rotation of the rotating member. It is characterized by comprising a member.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, a developer having magnetism is used, and the remaining amount of the developer contained in the containing chamber is detected based on the change of the magnetic permeability of the surroundings. A magnetic sensor is provided.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the present invention, the developer which is provided in the accommodation chamber on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the carrying member with respect to the opening and is carried by the carrying member. It is characterized in that it is provided with a protrusion for making it flow toward the supply chamber.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the present invention, the distance R1 between the lower end of the protrusion and the center of rotation of the rotating member and the distance R2 between the lower end of the opening edge of the opening and the center of the rotating member. And satisfy the relationship of R1 <R2.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the developer, which extends from the lower end of the projecting portion toward the supply chamber, and guides the developer flowing toward the supply chamber by the projecting portion into the supply chamber. It is characterized by having a first guide surface.

The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 11 is characterized in that the second guide surface is made to face the lower end of the opening edge of the opening and extends to the upper surface of the supply chamber.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 12, the second magnetic field generating means is included, the first magnetic field generating means is included, and the electrophotographic developing device is opposed to an image carrier having a surface on which a charge pattern is carried. A collecting member that constitutes a developing unit, and a developer that adheres to the collecting member after the completion of development on the image carrier,
Separating means for separating the developer in the supply chamber to generate a swirl of the developer in the supply chamber, wherein the first guide surface causes the developer flowing in the direction of the supply chamber by the protruding portion to move above the swirl. It is characterized by being guided to.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 13, the electrophotographic developing device is provided on the storage chamber side with respect to an imaginary plane hanging from the lower end of the opening edge of the opening, and from the lower end of the opening edge to the bottom surface of the storing chamber. A second guide surface that extends toward the opening and guides the developer conveyed by the conveying member to the opening is provided.

An electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 14 is characterized in that: a developing section for developing a charge pattern into a visible image with a developer having magnetism; a supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing section; A first accommodating chamber having a first opening communicating with the supply chamber and accommodating the developer; and a second opening communicating with the first accommodating chamber, and accommodating the developer. Two storage chambers, a magnetic sensor for detecting the storage amount of the developer stored in the first storage chamber based on a change in the magnetic permeability of the surroundings, and a developer provided in the first storage chamber. A first transport member that transports the developer to the supply chamber and a second transport chamber that is provided in the second storage chamber, and synchronizes the developer with the first transport member in synchronization with the timing at which the developer around the magnetic sensor is transported. At least a second transfer member for supplying to the first storage chamber. .

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 15, a developing section for developing a charge pattern into a visible image by a developer, a supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing section, and a communication with the supply chamber A second storage chamber having a first opening for storing the developer and a second storage opening having a second opening communicating with the first storage chamber for storing the developer. A first transport member that is provided in the first storage chamber and rotates in one direction to transport the developer to the supply chamber; and a second transport member that is provided in the second storage chamber and rotates in one direction. A second transport member that transports the developer to the first storage chamber, and the first transport member that is provided in the first storage chamber and that is located at the upper edge of the opening edge of the second opening.
And a backflow preventing member which is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the conveying member and drops the developer held in the first conveying member into the first accommodating chamber.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 16, the backflow preventing member is provided at a position in contact with the first conveying member, and the backflow preventing member makes the first backflow member when contacting with the first conveying member. Is characterized by elastically deforming the carrying member.

Further, in the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 17, the backflow preventing member has an end portion supported substantially parallel to the rotation center of the first conveying member, and the first end portion is provided by the end portion. It is characterized in that the developer adhering to the conveying member is scraped off.

[0039]

According to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the rotating member is rotated and the conveying member is elastically deformed in response to the drag force from the developer in the accommodating chamber. The developer rotates in this state, and the developer is conveyed by applying frictional force and pressing force to the developer. As a result, the developer is preferentially transported from the upper side of the developer stored in the storage chamber by the transport member, and the direction of the frictional force that the transport member acts on the developer is the developer transport direction. Since they substantially match, even if the amount of the developer accommodated in the accommodating chamber is large, the torque required to rotate the conveying member can be suppressed, and the drag force acting on the conveying member via the developer can be suppressed. Can be reduced. As a result, the rotary member can be rotated with a small driving torque when the developer is supplied to the supply chamber.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the second aspect, since the polyphenylene sulfide has a small creep even after long-term storage or long-term use in a state of being elastically deformed, the polyphenylene sulfide can be removed from the developer in the accommodating chamber for a long time. Deformation and restoration are stably repeated according to the drag force of. Therefore, even when the developer storage amount is small, the developer near the bottom of the storage chamber can be reliably pressed by the transport member, so that the developer can be stably transported without being affected by the developer filling amount. be able to.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing device of the third aspect, the contact noise reducing member absorbs vibration caused by the contact between the conveying section and the inner surface of the accommodating chamber, so that the occurrence of contact noise can be suppressed.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing device of the fourth aspect, since the frictional force acting on the developer when the conveying member is rotated can be increased by the contact noise reducing member, the amount of the developer conveyed by the conveying member can be increased. Since it is not necessary to provide a special member for increasing the frictional force with respect to the developer on the conveying member, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the frictional force exerted on the developer by the frictional force generating member when the conveying member is rotated can be increased, so that the amount of the developer conveyed by the conveying member can be increased. Can be increased.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the sixth aspect, even if the fluidity of the developer accommodated in the accommodation chamber is lowered and the developer is aggregated, the developer is finely divided by the stirring member. Since the fluidity of the developer can be improved, the amount of the developer carried by the carrying member becomes stable.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the seventh aspect, since the density distribution of the developer in the accommodating chamber is made uniform by the agitation by the agitating member, the magnetic sensor detects the amount of the developer in the accommodating chamber. The accuracy can be improved, and for example, the replacement time of the electrophotographic developing device can be accurately determined using the output voltage from the magnetic sensor.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing device of the eighth or ninth aspect, the projecting portion provided in the accommodation chamber on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transport member with respect to the opening is transported by the transport member. Since the developer is dammed and made to flow toward the supply chamber, the developer conveyed to the vicinity of the opening by the conveying member is efficiently supplied to the supply chamber.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the first guide surface extending from the lower end of the protrusion to the inside of the supply chamber allows the developer stopped by the protrusion to be supplied to the inside of the supply chamber. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from flowing back from the supply chamber to the storage chamber.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the opening of the opening is formed by making the first guide surface face the lower end of the opening edge of the opening and extending to the upper surface of the supply chamber. The developer conveyed by the conveying member in a state of being separated from the lower end of the edge can be supplied to the supply chamber by the protrusion and the first guide surface.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing device of the twelfth aspect, the developer separated from the collecting member by the separating means generates a vortex in the supply chamber, and the first guide surface is conveyed by the conveying member. By guiding the developing agent above the vortex flow, it is possible to prevent the vortex flow from being disturbed by the developer, so that it is possible to stabilize the amount of the developer flowing from the supply chamber to the developing unit. The image quality can be improved by preventing uneven density in the developed visible image.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the second guide surface is provided on the storage chamber side with respect to the virtual surface hanging from the lower end of the opening edge, and is accommodated from the lower end of the opening edge. By extending toward the chamber bottom, the developer existing in the vicinity of the lower surface of the storage chamber smoothly flows into the supply chamber, so that the developer can be prevented from staying near the lower portion of the opening in the storage chamber.

The operation of the electrophotographic developing apparatus according to the first to thirteenth aspects described above is the same as the apparatus having a plurality of accommodating chambers. The same is obtained when supplying the developer to the storage chamber and when supplying the developer from the storage chamber adjacent to the supply chamber to the supply chamber.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, the timing at which the second carrying member provided in the second containing chamber carries the developer around the magnetic sensor by the first carrying member. By supplying the developer to the first accommodating chamber in synchronism with the above, the first conveying member conveys the developer around the magnetic sensor and at the same time, the developer is supplied from the second accommodating chamber to the first accommodating chamber. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the variation in the amount of the developer around the magnetic sensor. As a result, the first transport member is 1
Since the short-term fluctuation of the output voltage of the magnetic sensor during the rotation cycle becomes small, the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor with respect to the amount of the developer in the apparatus can be improved. For example, the output voltage from the magnetic sensor can be used for electrophotography. It is possible to accurately determine the replacement time of the developing device.

Further, according to the electrophotographic developing device of the fifteenth, sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, the backflow preventing member is located upstream of the upper edge of the opening edge of the second opening in the rotational direction of the first conveying member. However, by dropping the developer held by the first transport member into the first storage chamber, it is possible to prevent the developer from flowing back from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber. In the developing device, the amount of the developer remaining in the second storage chamber can be reduced, and as a result, the waste of the developer inside the developing device can be suppressed and the developer can be used efficiently.

[0054]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image carrier having a photoconductor on the surface thereof and containing a fixed magnet 2 therein.
A charge pattern corresponding to an image is formed by laser light from an optical writing unit (not shown). Reference numeral 4 is a supply chamber for supplying the developer 15 for developing the charge pattern on the developer image 16, 5 is a collecting member for containing the fixed magnet 6, and rotating the outer peripheral portion of the conductor in the direction of arrow B. A scraper, which is a plate-shaped peeling member having its tip pressed against the surface of the collecting member 5, and a developing unit 9 which is the closest portion to the collecting member 5 facing the image carrier 1.

10a and 10b are a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber,
11a is a first opening communicating with the supply chamber 4 and the first storage chamber 10a,
11b is a second communication chamber that connects the first storage chamber 10a and the second storage chamber 10b.
An opening, 12a is a first rotating member that is provided in the first housing chamber 10a and rotates in the direction of arrow D, and 13a has one end fixed to the first rotating member 12a and the other end sliding on the inner surface of the first housing chamber 10a. First contact
It is a transport member. 12b is a second rotating member which is provided in the second storage chamber 10b and rotates in the direction of arrow E, and 13b is a second rotating member 1.
The second transport member has one end fixed to 2b and the other end slidingly contacting the inner surface of the second storage chamber 10b.

Numeral 14 is arranged near the bottom of the first storage chamber 10a, detects the remaining amount of the developer 15 in the first storage chamber 10a based on the change in the magnetic permeability of the surroundings, and determines the remaining amount of the developer 15. A magnetic sensor for outputting a corresponding DC voltage, 15 is a magnetic developer, and 21 is a guide surface extending from the bottom of the second storage chamber 10b to the lower end of the opening edge of the second opening 11b.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first rotating member and the first conveying member shown in FIG. The first rotating member 12a includes a first stirring member 17a protruding in a symmetrical direction with respect to the rotation center L, and the first rotating member 12a and the first stirring member 17a are integrally formed. The first conveying member 13a has a sheet-like contact noise reducing member 18a made of urethane rubber attached to at least a contacting / separating portion which comes into contact with / separates from the inner surface of the first storage chamber 10a near the tip. The second rotating member 12b and the second conveying member 13b are also provided with the second stirring member 17b and the contact sound reducing member 18b, respectively, like the first rotating member 12a and the first conveying member 13a.

The operation of the developing device configured as described above will be described. Also in the developing device of the first embodiment, as in the conventional developing device described with reference to FIG. 14, the charge pattern formed on the image carrier 1 is developed by the developer 15 into a developer image 16 which is a visible image. To be done. During the execution of the developing operation, the first rotating member 12a rotates in the direction of the arrow D together with the first conveying member 13a and the first stirring member 17a, and the second rotating member 12b rotates the second conveying member 13b and the second conveying member 13b. Stirring member 17
Rotate in the direction of arrow E with b. At this time, the mounting angle of the second rotating member 12b is adjusted so that the second rotating member 12b rotates with a phase delay of 90 ° with respect to the first rotating member 12a.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the amount of developer in the accommodating chamber is large in the developing device of the first embodiment. Containment room 10
When the amount of the developer 15 in a and 10b is large, the first conveying member
In the vicinity of the bottoms of the storage chambers 10a and 10b where the reaction force from the developer 15 is large, the 13a and the second transport member 13b rotate in a state where the elastic deformation amount in the bending direction is large, and the reaction force from the developer 15 is small. The upper portions of the chambers 10a and 10b rotate with a small amount of elastic deformation in the bending direction. As a result, the transport members 13a and 13b exert a large pressing force on the developer 15 above the storage chambers 10a and 10b and preferentially transport from the developer 15 above the storage chambers 10a and 10b. . In addition, the transfer members 13a and 13b have a large amount of deformation in the storage chamber 10
In the vicinity of the bottoms of a and 10b, the direction of the frictional force acting on the developer 15 is substantially the same as the direction in which the developer 15 is conveyed, so the drag force from the developer 15 received by the conveying members 13a and 13b can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the rotating members 12a and 12b with a small driving torque and stably convey the developer 15 to the supply chamber 4 or the first storage chamber 10a.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the amount of the developer in the accommodating chamber is small in the developing device of the first embodiment.
When the amount of the developer 15 in the storage chambers 10a, 10b is small, the first transport member 13a and the second transport member 13b always rotate with a small elastic deformation amount in the bending direction, and the storage chambers 10a, 1b
The developer 15 near the bottom portion of 0b is pressed by the tip portion and conveyed.
At this time, since the drag force from the developer 15 received by the conveying members 13a and 13b is small, the driving torque required to rotate the rotating members 12a and 12b is small.

The conveying members 13a and 13b are formed of polyphenylene sulfide sheets. Polyphenylene sulfide has a characteristic that the creep is small even if it is stored or used for a long period of time in an elastically deformed state. For example, the conveyance members 13a and 13b have a characteristic of 80% R at 33 ° C.
Even when used for a long time under high temperature and high humidity environment of H
No creep occurred in 13a and 13b. As described above, when the transport members 13a and 13b stably and repeatedly deform and restore in response to the drag force from the developer 15 in the storage chambers 10a and 10b for a long period of time, the amount of the developer 15 filled is small. However, since the developer 15 near the bottoms of the storage chambers 10a, 10b can be reliably pressed by the transport members 13a, 13b, the developer 15 can be stably transported without being affected by the filling amount of the developer 15. You can

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the developing device for explaining the projecting portion and the guide surface in the first embodiment, respectively. FIG. 6 shows the second projecting portion 19b from the second accommodating chamber 10b. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device that has been removed. Reference numeral 19a is a first protrusion provided in the first storage chamber 10a, and 19b is a second storage chamber 10
It is the 2nd protrusion part provided in b. The first protruding portion 19a is
In the first storage chamber 10a, it is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the first transport member 13a with respect to the first opening 11a, and the second projecting portion 19b is provided.
Is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the second transport member 13b with respect to the second opening 11b in the second storage chamber 10b. Further, a distance R1 between the lower ends of the protrusions 19a and 19b and the rotation center L of the rotating members 12a and 12b, and a distance R2 between the lower ends of the opening edges of the openings 11a and 11b and the rotation center L of the rotating members 12a and 12b. ,
It is configured such that R1 <R2.

Reference numeral 21 is a guide surface provided on the second storage chamber 10b side with respect to the virtual surface H hanging from the lower end of the opening edge of the second opening portion 11b. The guide surface 21 is the second opening portion 11b. Extends from the lower end of the opening edge toward the bottom of the second storage chamber 10b.

The developer 15 carried to the vicinity of the second opening 11b by the second carrying member 13b falls partially into the first storage chamber 10a due to gravity, and the rest is held by the second carrying member 13b. Can be lifted upwards. The developer 15 held by the second transport member 13b is scraped off from the second transport member 13b by the protrusion 19b. After that, the developer 15 scraped off from the second transport member 13b is transferred to the next one of the second transport member 13b.
It is pressed by the succeeding developer 15 that has been conveyed by rotation, and flows in the direction of arrow J, which is the direction that hits the upper surface of the first storage chamber 10a. Further, the succeeding developer 15 reverses in the direction of arrow K while pressing the developer flowing in the direction of arrow J and drops into the first storage chamber 10a.

On the other hand, when the second storage chamber 10b does not have the second projecting portion 19b, the developer 15 held on the second transport member 13b.
Passes through the inside of a region having a radius R2 from the rotation center L of the first rotating member 12a to the lower edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b. Therefore, the lower end of the second protrusion 19b and the second rotating member 1
The distance R1 from the rotation center L of 2b is smaller than the distance R2 between the lower edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b and the rotation center L of the second rotating member 12b, so that the second conveying member 13b holds the same. The developer 15 can be efficiently supplied into the first storage chamber 10a.

Further, by providing the first projecting portion 19a in the first accommodating chamber 10a, the first projecting portion 19a provided in the first accommodating chamber 10a is also similar to the second projecting portion 19b in the second accommodating chamber 10b. Since it works, the developer 15 held by the first transport member 13a can be efficiently supplied into the supply chamber 4.

A part of the developer 15 carried by the second carrying member 13b flows along the lower surface of the second containing chamber 10b, but the entire second containing chamber 10b is curved by a constant radius. When formed, the developer 15 flowing along the lower surface of the second storage chamber 10b receives a large reaction force from the lower surface of the second storage chamber 10b near the lower end of the lower edge of the opening of the second opening portion 11b, and this reaction force is exerted. Since it acts on the second transport member 13b, the transport efficiency of the developer 15 is reduced, and the developer 15 easily stays.
In the developing device of the first embodiment, the guide surface 21 is extended from the lower end of the opening edge of the second opening 11b toward the bottom of the second storage chamber 10b, so that the second surface is formed in the second storage chamber 10b.
The developer 15 existing below the lower end of the opening edge of the opening 11b.
Can smoothly flow into the first storage chamber 10a, so that it is possible to prevent the developer 15 existing near the lower end of the lower edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b in the second storage chamber 10b from staying for a long period of time. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the developer 15 from aggregating in the second storage chamber 10b near the lower end of the lower edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b.

If a guide surface extending from the lower end of the opening edge of the first opening portion 11a toward the bottom portion of the first storage chamber 10a and provided substantially parallel to the guide surface 21 is provided in the first storage chamber 10a, 1 accommodation room
Since the developer 15 existing in the vicinity of the lower end of the opening edge of the first opening 11a in 10a flows smoothly into the supply chamber 4, the developer 15 existing in the lower portion of the lower end of the opening edge of the first opening 11a in the first storage chamber 10a. It goes without saying that the developer 15 existing in the vicinity can be prevented from staying for a long period of time.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the developing device for explaining the movement of the conveying member in the first embodiment. When the second conveying member 13b having elasticity is separated from the vicinity of the lower end of the opening edge of the second opening 11b, the second conveying member 13b is restored from the bent state and the second projecting portion 19b.
Collide with At this time, the contact noise reduction member 18b arranged at the contact / separation portion at the tip of the second transport member 13b absorbs the vibration caused by the collision with the first protrusion 19a. In addition, the first transport member 13a
Also moves near the first opening 11a in the same manner as the second transport member 13b and collides with the first projecting portion 19a. The vibration at this time is absorbed by the contact sound reduction member 18a. Contact noise reduction member 18a,
By absorbing the vibration generated when 18a collides with the projecting portions 19a and 19b, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise from the developing device during development, so that the quietness of the device can be improved.

Further, the contact noise reducing members 18a and 18b have a friction coefficient with respect to the developer 15 that is larger than the friction coefficient of the surfaces of the conveying members 13a and 13b. By increasing the friction coefficient of the contact noise reduction members 18a, 18b having a large contact area with the developer 15, the developer 15 is rotated when the transport members 13a, 13b rotate.
Since the frictional force acting on the transfer members 13a, 1 can be increased.
The amount of the developer 15 conveyed by 3b can be increased. In addition, the friction coefficient of the contact noise reduction members 18a, 18b can be calculated by the transfer member 13a,
By increasing the friction coefficient of the surface of 13b, it is not necessary to separately provide a frictional force generating member, which is a member for increasing the frictional force with respect to the developer 15, on the transport members 13a and 13b. Can be reduced.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the developing device for explaining the operation of the stirring member in the first embodiment. Containment room 10
When the amount of the developer 15 filled in a and 10b is large,
The transport members 13a and 13b rotate in a state of being largely elastically deformed and exert a pressing force radially outward on the developer 15. This pressing force applies the developer 15 to the inner surfaces of the accommodating chambers 10a and 10b outside the area (area hatched in FIG. 8) N in the movement trajectory when the tips of the transport members 13a and 13b rotate. It works by pressing and aggregating. Here, the stirring member 17 supported in parallel with the rotation center L of the rotating members 12a and 12b.
The tips of a and 17b move along a circular locus outside the region N, and the developer outside the region N inside the storage chambers 10a and 10b.
Since the developer 15 is agitated, the developer 15 can be always maintained in a fine state, and the agitating members 17a and 17b are entirely accommodated in the accommodating chamber.
Since the developer 15 is agitated with respect to the rotation center L located substantially in the center of the interiors of the storage chambers 10a and 10b, the developer is stored in the storage chambers 10a and 10b.
The density distribution of 15 can be made uniform.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the waveform of the output voltage from the magnetic sensor in the developing devices of the conventional and first embodiments. Reference numeral 51 denotes an output voltage output from the magnetic sensor 114 during development in the conventional developing device shown in FIG.
Is a magnetic sensor 14 during development in the developing device of the first embodiment.
It shows the output voltage output from the. Here, the conventional developing device and the developing device of the first embodiment have the same inner volume as the storage chambers 10a, 1
0b, 110a, 110b, the same amount of developer 15, 115 are filled, and further, they can be mounted on a common image forming apparatus. Further, the controller of the image forming apparatus, not shown, determines that the filling amount of the developer 15, 115 in the developing device is high when the output voltage 51, 52 from the magnetic sensor 14, 114 is lower than the threshold value Vt. It is judged that the developing amount has dropped below the predetermined amount and the developing device is to be replaced.

In the conventional developing device, since the amount of the developer 115 around the magnetic sensor 114 varies as described above, the magnetic sensor 114 during one rotation of the first rotating member 112a.
The output voltage 51 from fluctuates greatly. Therefore, in the conventional developing device, the output voltage 51 from the magnetic sensor 114 is periodically generated even though the developer 115 is sufficiently filled.
May occur below the threshold value Vt.
When the control unit of the image forming apparatus determines the replacement time of the developing device based on the output voltage 51 from the magnetic sensor 114, the output voltage 51 does not correspond to the storage amount of the developer 115 in the storage chambers 110a and 110b. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately determine the replacement time.

On the other hand, in the developing device of the first embodiment, the second carrying member 13b is adjusted so as to rotate with the phase delayed by about 90 ° with respect to the first carrying member 13a. By this,
In the developing device of the first embodiment, the timing at which the second transport member 13b starts supplying the developer 15 in the second storage chamber 10b to the first storage chamber 10a, and the first transport member 13a in the first storage chamber 10a.
Is set so that the timing at which the developer 15 around the magnetic sensor 14 starts to be conveyed toward the first opening 11a substantially coincides. The developer 15 in the second storage chamber 10b is transferred to the first storage chamber 10a.
By substantially matching the timing of starting the supply of the developer 15 around the magnetic sensor 14 and the timing of starting the transport of the developer 15 around the magnetic sensor 14, the fluctuation of the amount of the developer 15 around the magnetic sensor 14 in the first storage chamber 10a can be suppressed. Can be suppressed. As a result, the first transport member
Output voltage 5 from the magnetic sensor 14 in the cycle in which 13a makes one rotation 5
2 is suppressed, the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 14 with respect to the amount of the developer 15 in the developing device can be improved, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus uses the output voltage 52 from the magnetic sensor 14 to develop the developing device. It becomes possible to accurately determine the replacement time.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The members described with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals are given to the members corresponding to, and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 20a is a guide surface extending from the lower end of the first protruding portion 19a into the supply chamber 4, and 20b is a guide surface extending from the lower end of the second protruding portion 19b into the first accommodating chamber 10a. The guide surface 20a is the first
The first protrusion 19a is arranged to face the lower end of the opening edge of the opening 11a.
From the lower end to the upper surface of the supply chamber 4. Also,
The guide surface 20b is disposed so as to face the lower end of the opening edge of the second opening 11b, and extends from the lower end of the second projecting portion 19b to the inside of the first storage chamber 10a.

The operation of the developing device of the second embodiment will be described. The developer 15 scraped off from the second transport member 13b by the second projecting portion 19b is indicated by an arrow P along the guide surface 20b.
It flows in the direction and drops into the first storage chamber 10a. In the developing device of the first embodiment, there is a phenomenon that the developer 15 stays near the second opening 11b after passing through the second transport member 13b, and a part of the stayed developer 15 flows back into the second storage chamber 10b. However, in the developing device of the second embodiment, the second
A guide surface extending from the lower end of the protruding portion 19b into the first storage chamber 10a
By providing 20b, the developer 15 scraped off from the second transport member 13b by the first projecting portion 19a can be removed by the arrow P in a short time.
Flow in the direction of the developer, and the developer 15 near the second opening 11b.
Since the space in which the developer stays is small, it is possible to prevent the developer 15 from flowing back into the second storage chamber 10b. As a result, it is possible to reduce the developer 15 remaining in the second storage chamber 10b in the replaced developing device, suppress waste of the developer 15 inside the developing device, and use the developer 15 efficiently. Further, since the guide surface 20b extends from the lower end of the second projecting portion 19b in the second storage chamber 10b to the inside of the first storage chamber 10a, the developer 15 can be reliably supplied into the first storage chamber 10a. it can.

Further, by providing the guide surface 20a extending from the lower end of the first protruding portion 19a to the upper surface of the first accommodating chamber 10a,
The developer 15 scraped off from the first transport member 13a by the first projecting portion 19a starts to flow toward the inside of the first storage chamber 10a in a short time, and the developer 15 stays near the first opening 11a. Since the space becomes smaller, the developer 15 is stored in the first storage chamber 10
Backflow to a can be suppressed. As a result, the developer 15 remaining in the first accommodating chamber 10a can be reduced in the replaced developing device, the waste of the developer 15 inside the developing device can be suppressed, and the developer 15 can be used efficiently.

Further, in the developing device of the second embodiment, the recovery member 5 contains the fixed magnet 6 which is the second magnetic field generating means,
The developing unit 9 is opposed to the image carrier 1 that includes the fixed magnet 2 that is the first magnetic field generating means and that has a charge pattern formed on the surface thereof.
And a scraper 8 as a peeling means, which is attached to the collecting member 5 after the development of the image carrier 1 is completed.
By peeling 15 in the supply chamber 4, the developer 15 peeled from the recovery member 5 by the scraper 8 generates a vortex in the direction of arrow C in the supply chamber 4. At this time, the developer 15 supplied to the supply chamber 4 is guided above the vortex flow in the supply chamber 4 by the guide surface 20a. By this,
Since it is possible to prevent the vortex flow in the supply chamber 4 from being disturbed, the supply chamber 4
It is possible to stabilize the amount of the developer 15 flowing from the developing unit 9 into the developing unit 9, and as a result, the developer image developed on the image carrier 1 is developed.
It is possible to prevent uneven density from occurring in 16.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The members described with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals are given to the members corresponding to, and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 22 denotes a plate-shaped backflow prevention member provided in the first storage chamber 10a. The backflow prevention member 22 is provided in the first storage chamber 10a.
Inside the second opening 11b, the upstream side in the rotation direction of the first transport member 13a and the downstream side of the first projecting portion 19a are arranged, and the lower end portion of the backflow prevention member 22 has a lower end of the first transport member 13a. It is supported substantially parallel to the center of rotation L.

The operation of the developing device of the third embodiment will be described. Part of the developer 15 carried by the first carrying member 13a is not scraped off by the first projecting portion 19a, and is attached to the first carrying member 13a so that the second opening 11b is formed.
Move in the direction of. If you leave this developer 15
Most of the developer 15 on the first transport member 13a is removed by the first transport member 13a being separated from the first storage chamber 10a near the upper edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b and the bent shape being restored. The first transport member 13a drops into the second storage chamber 10b.

In the developing device of the third embodiment, the first carrying member
Each time 13a makes one rotation, the lower end of the backflow prevention member 22 scrapes off the developer 15 from the first transport member 13a after contacting the first projecting portion 19a and drops it into the first storage chamber 10a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the developer 15 from flowing back into the second storage chamber 10b, and thus the second storage chamber 10 in the replaced developing device.
The developer 15 remaining in b can be reduced, and as a result, the waste of the developer 15 inside the developing device can be suppressed and the developer 15 can be used efficiently.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the schematic construction of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a backflow prevention in the developing apparatus of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a member, and the members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 23 is a backflow prevention member provided in the first storage chamber 10a. The backflow prevention member 23 is provided in the first storage chamber 10a.
Inside, it is arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the first transport member 13a with respect to the second opening 11b, and on the downstream side of the first projecting portion 19a. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the backflow preventing members 23 composed of a plurality of plates are arranged at equal intervals so as to equally divide the space near the corner of the first storage chamber 10a.

The operation of the developing device of the fourth embodiment will be described. Part of the developer 15 carried by the first carrying member 13a is not scraped off by the first projecting portion 19a, and is attached to the first carrying member 13a so that the second opening 11b is formed.
Move in the direction of. If you leave this developer 15
Most of the developer 15 on the first transport member 13a is removed by the first transport member 13a being separated from the first storage chamber 10a near the upper edge of the opening edge of the second opening 11b and the bent shape being restored. The first transport member 13a drops into the second storage chamber 10b.

In the developing device of the fourth embodiment, the first carrying member
Each time 13a makes one rotation, the backflow preventing member 23 causes the first conveying member 1 to move.
The first transport member 13a is elastically deformed by coming into contact with 3a. As a result, the developer 15 attached to the vicinity of the tip of the first transport member 13a can be separated from the first transport member 13a and dropped into the first storage chamber 10a by gravity, and the developer 15 Can be prevented from flowing back into the second storage chamber 10b.
The developer 15 remaining inside can be reduced, and as a result, waste of the developer 15 inside the developing device can be suppressed and the developer 15 can be used efficiently.

Further, the backflow preventing member 23 is the first conveying member 13
By elastically deforming a, the developer 15 is separated from the first transport member 13a, and the developer 15 on the first transport member 13a is dropped by gravity. Therefore, mechanical stress applied to the surface of the first transport member 13a. Is small, and the first transport member 13a can be stably used for a long period of time.

In the developing devices of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the conveying members 13a and 13b are formed of polyphenylene sulfide sheets, but a material having sufficient flexibility, such as polyester, is used. The same action and effect can be obtained with a resin sheet such as the above or a metal thin plate such as phosphor bronze.
The material of is not limited to the structure described in each embodiment.

In the developing devices of the first to fourth embodiments, in the case of the developing system in which the supply chamber 4 is formed by the image carrier 1 and the recovery member 5, and the magnetic one-component developer 15 is used. Other developing methods, for example, a developing method of forming a thin layer of developer on the developing roller and then transferring the developer to a charge pattern on the image carrier, a non-magnetic one-component developer Even in the case of the developing system using the developing method using the developer and the developing apparatus using the two-component developer, the same action and effect can be obtained by adopting the same configuration as each embodiment.

[0088]

As described above, according to the electrophotographic developing apparatus described in the claims of the present invention, the driving torque required to rotate the rotating member can be reduced, and therefore the apparatus can be made compact. Can be realized at low cost.

Further, since the contact noise between the conveying member and the inner surface of the accommodating chamber can be suppressed, the quietness of the image forming apparatus in which the developing device is mounted can be improved.

Further, it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating under the environment of high temperature and high humidity, and it is possible to form a high quality image on the image bearing member without density unevenness due to the developer.

Further, since it is possible to reduce the developer to be filled in the accommodating chamber without shortening the replacement cycle of the electrophotographic developing device, it is possible to reduce the amount of the developer to be pre-filled in the developing device and to reduce the cost. Can be realized.

Since the magnetic sensor can detect the filling amount of the developer with high accuracy, the developing device can be replaced at an appropriate time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first rotating member and a first conveying member shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the amount of developer in the storage chamber is large in the developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the amount of developer in the storage chamber is small in the developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device for explaining a protrusion and a guide surface in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device for explaining the protrusion and the guide surface in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the developing device for explaining the movement of the conveying member in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the developing device for explaining the operation of the stirring member in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the waveform of the output voltage from the magnetic sensor in the developing device of the related art and the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the schematic arrangement of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus and a developing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a backflow prevention member in a developing device of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image carrier and a conventional developing device in the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image carrier, 2, 6 ... Fixed magnet, 4 ... Supply chamber,
5 ... Recovery member, 8 ... Scraper, 10a ... 1st accommodation chamber, 10b ... 2nd accommodation chamber, 11a ... 1st opening part, 11b ... 2nd opening part, 13a ... 1st conveyance member, 13b ... 2nd conveyance member , 19a ... First protrusion, 19b ... Second protrusion, 20a, 2
0b, 21 ... Guide surface, 22, 23 ... Backflow prevention member.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location G03G 21/16 (72) Inventor Hirotsugu Omata 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuma Hayashi 1006, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 1006 Kadoma, Ichi, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Ogawa, 1006, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A developing unit for developing a charge pattern into a visible image with a developer, a supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing unit, and an opening communicating with the supply chamber for accommodating the developer. An accommodation chamber, a rotating member that is provided in the accommodation chamber and rotates in one direction, one end of which is fixed to the rotating member, and at least a part of which is substantially orthogonal to a rotation radius direction of the rotating member. An electrophotographic developing device comprising at least a conveying member formed of an elastic body provided. 2. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member is formed of polyphenylene sulfide. 3. A contact noise reduction member that absorbs vibration when the transport member and the inner surface of the storage chamber contact each other, at a contact / separation portion of the transport member that contacts / separates with respect to at least the inner surface of the storage chamber. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrophotographic developing apparatus is arranged. 4. The electrophotographic developing device according to claim 3, wherein the contact noise reducing member has a friction coefficient with respect to the developer that is larger than a friction coefficient of the surface of the conveying member. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a frictional force generating member having a friction coefficient with respect to the developer that is larger than a frictional coefficient of the surface of the conveying member is arranged on the surface of the conveying member. Photo development equipment. 6. A stirring member, at least a part of which is formed substantially parallel to the center of rotation of the rotating member and which rotates outside the radius of rotation of the rotating member. 1. The electrophotographic developing device described in 1. 7. A developer having magnetism is used,
7. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a magnetic sensor that detects the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage chamber based on a change in magnetic permeability of the surroundings. 8. A projecting portion is provided in the storage chamber, which is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transport member with respect to the opening, and which causes the developer transported by the transport member to flow toward the supply chamber. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 9. The distance R1 between the lower end of the protrusion and the center of rotation of the rotating member and the distance R2 between the lower end of the opening edge of the opening and the center of the rotating member satisfy a relationship of R1 <R2. The electrophotographic developing device according to claim 8, wherein 10. A first guide surface extending from the lower end of the protrusion toward the supply chamber and guiding the developer, which has flowed toward the supply chamber by the protrusion, into the supply chamber. The electrophotographic developing device according to claim 8 or 9. 11. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first guide surface is made to face the lower end of the opening edge of the opening and extends to the upper surface of the supply chamber. 12. A recovery member which constitutes the developing section, and which opposes an image carrier which contains a second magnetic field generating means and which contains a first magnetic field generating means and carries a charge pattern on the surface, and the image. And a peeling means for peeling the developer adhering to the recovery member after completion of development on the carrier in the supply chamber to generate a swirl flow of the developer in the supply chamber, wherein the first guide surface has the protrusion. 12. The electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the developer, which has flowed in the direction of the supply chamber by the section, is guided above the vortex flow. 13. The container is provided on the storage chamber side with respect to a virtual surface hanging from the lower end of the opening edge of the opening, extends from the lower end of the opening edge toward the bottom surface of the storage chamber, and is conveyed by the conveying member. 2. An electrophotographic developing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide surface for guiding the developing agent to the opening. 14. A developing unit for developing a charge pattern into a visible image with a developer having magnetism, a supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing unit, and a first opening communicating with the supply chamber. A first storage chamber having a developer and storing the developer;
Of the second accommodating chamber for accommodating the developer and the accommodating amount of the developer accommodated in the first accommodating chamber to the change of the surrounding magnetic permeability. Based on the magnetic sensor, a first transport member provided in the first storage chamber for transporting the developer to the supply chamber, and a first transport member provided in the second storage chamber. Includes at least a second transport member that supplies the developer to the first storage chamber in synchronism with the timing of transporting the developer around the magnetic sensor. 15. A developing unit for developing a charge pattern into a visible image with a developer, a supply chamber for supplying the developer to the developing unit, and a first opening communicating with the supply chamber, A second storage chamber that stores a developer, a first storage chamber that stores the developer, and a second opening that communicates with the first storage chamber; and a second storage chamber that stores the developer are provided in the first storage chamber. A first transport member that rotates in one direction to transport the developer to the supply chamber,
A second transport member that is provided in the second storage chamber and that rotates in one direction to transport the developer to the first storage chamber; and an opening of the second opening provided in the first storage chamber. At least a backflow preventing member that is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the first conveying member with respect to the upper edge of the edge and drops the developer held in the first conveying member into the first storage chamber is provided. An electrophotographic developing device characterized in that 16. The backflow prevention member is provided at a position in contact with the first transport member, and the backflow prevention member elastically deforms the first transport member when contacting the first transport member. The electrophotographic developing device according to claim 15. 17. The backflow prevention member has an end portion supported substantially parallel to the center of rotation of the first conveying member, and scrapes off the developer adhering to the first conveying member by the end portion. 17. The electrophotographic developing device according to claim 15, which is characterized in that: