JPH09329965A - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve accuracy in gap and parallelism between a developing sleeve and an image carrier and to stably form an image by fixing color developing units in relative positions by means of precisely-formed connecting members. SOLUTION: Projections 1451 are set on the sides of developing-unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, and 145C, three on the sides situated on the paper front-side and two on the sides situated on the paper rear-side. Projections 1461 are set on the sides of a yellow-developing-unit cover 146, three on the side situated on the paper front-side and two on the side situated on the paper rear-side. They are so set as to be fitted in the support holes 511 and 521 of developing- unit side plates 51 and 52. The relative positions are fixed between both ends of the developing-unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, and 145C and yellow- developing-unit cover 146 and the developing-unit side plates 51 and 52. At this time, the developing-unit side plates 51 and 52 are set almost perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing-unit bottom plates 145Y, 145M, and 145C and yellow-developing-unit cover 146.

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 developing an electrostatic latent image with a developer, which is used in an electrophotographic device or the like, and in particular, maintains stable image formation in an integrated developing device. And a technique for reducing the number of parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, toner images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are sequentially formed, and finally the toner images of the respective colors are overlaid on a sheet to form a color image. It has gained. Therefore, the developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with the toner of each color requires the above four colors. In order to arrange the plurality of developing devices as efficiently as possible, the plurality of developing devices are integrated (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-280467).

Further, in order to improve the developing efficiency, the developing device generally forms an electric field with the image carrier, and the electric power required for forming the electric field is the image forming apparatus. The power is supplied to the plurality of developing devices through a cord. Further, a toner concentration sensor is provided to detect the concentration of toner contained in the developing device, and exchanges an electric signal with the control board.

[0004]

However, in the plurality of integrated developing devices, the relative positional relationship between the developing devices is determined by the contact between the components forming the adjacent developing devices. When high assembly accuracy is required, high molding accuracy is required over the entire contact surface, which requires a lot of man-hours to ensure accuracy, resulting in lower production efficiency and higher production cost. Was invited. On the other hand, in a color image forming apparatus, in order to improve color reproducibility and resolution, high precision is required also in the control of the electric field. In order to attract the toner,
There is a demand for high accuracy in the gaps and parallelism between the developing sleeve and the image carrier for transporting each color toner to the vicinity of the image carrier.

Further, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices, the power supply for forming the electric field and the electric signal transmission / reception are performed for each developing device. The objects may be complicatedly handled in the image forming apparatus, and contact with other parts, damage due to friction, and electric leakage may occur. Also, because of the priority on handling, a plurality of codes are bundled, which causes one of adverse effects on image formation such as poor control due to deterioration of signal transmission efficiency due to mutual interference between signals transmitted in adjacent codes. Was there. In particular, the electric signal transmitted and received between the toner concentration sensor and the control board is easily affected by the high-voltage current supplied to the developing device for forming an electric field between the developing sleeve and the image carrier, and thus is accurate. In some cases, the toner density could not be detected, and proper image output could not be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining highly accurate image forming conditions.

[0007]

For this reason, the developing device according to claim 1 and the image forming apparatus according to claim 18 include:
At least a first developing unit that contains a first developer and a second developing unit that is adjacent to the first developing unit and contains a second developer. Fixing the relative position of the means and the second developing means,
The configuration has a coupling member for coupling.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the first developing means has at least a first developer accommodating portion for accommodating a first developer, and the second developing means has at least a second developing means. A second developer accommodating portion adjacent to the first developer accommodating portion and accommodating a second developer, wherein the developing device further includes the first developer accommodating portion and the second developer accommodating portion. The developer accommodating portion partition wall member forming a part of the developer accommodating portion is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first developing means, at least a first forming member forming a part of the first developer accommodating portion and the developer accommodating portion partition member. The second developing means is composed of at least a second forming member forming a part of the second developer containing portion and the developer containing portion partition member.
Moreover, the coupling member is configured to fix the relative positions of the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating section partition member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device, the coupling member is at least two of each of the first forming member, the second forming member and the developer accommodating section partition member.
The structure is such that the relative position is fixed at each position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of each of the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating section partition member is adjacent to each other via an elastic member. It was done.

Further, in a developing device according to a sixth aspect and an image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the first developing means has at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer. The second developing means has a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer, and the coupling member is provided with respect to the first developer carrying surface and the second developer carrying surface. The first developing means and the second developing means are connected to each other on a surface which is substantially vertical.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first developing means, the first developing means further supports a first rotating shaft for endlessly moving the first developer carrying surface, and the first rotating shaft. The second developing means further comprises a second supporting shaft for moving the second developer carrying surface endlessly, and a second supporting shaft for supporting the second rotating shaft. A support member is provided, and the coupling member has the first rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
The developing means and the second developing means are combined.

Further, in the developing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the connecting member is configured to fix the relative position at least at two positions of each of the first developing means and the second developing means. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention and a twentieth aspect of the image forming apparatus, the first developing means and the second developing means are adjacent to each other in a plane having the maximum projected area. It is what

Further, in a developing device according to a tenth aspect of the invention, the connecting member is configured to fix a relative position at least at two positions of each of the first developing means and the second developing means. .

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, at least part of the first developing means and the second developing means are fitted together.

Further, in a developing device according to a twelfth aspect, at least a part of the first developing means and the second developing means are adjacent to each other via an elastic member.

Further, in a developing device according to a thirteenth aspect and an image forming apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, the first developing means has at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, and the first developing device carrying surface. A first rotating shaft for moving the first developer carrying surface endlessly, and a first rotating shaft for supporting the first rotating shaft.
And a second developing means at least,
A second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer, a second rotating shaft for endlessly moving the second developer carrying surface,
And a second supporting member that supports the second rotating shaft, and the coupling member has a drive transmitting unit that transmits a rotational driving force to the first rotating shaft or the second rotating shaft. .

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the first developing means or the second developing means has at least a conductive member, and the coupling member has a conductive path that contacts the conductive member. It is configured to have.

Further, in the developing device according to claim 15 and the image forming device according to claim 22, the first developing means has at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, and the first developing device carrying surface. A second developer carrying surface having a first conductive member for applying a voltage to the first developer carrying surface, wherein the second developing means carries at least a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer;
A configuration including a second conductive member that applies a voltage to the second developer carrying surface, and the coupling member including a conductive path that contacts the first conductive member or the second conductive member. I am trying.

In the developing device according to claim 16 and the image forming device according to claim 23, at least the first developing means or the second developing means has a conductive member for transmitting and receiving an electric signal, The electrical signal flows through the conductive path.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the first developing means, at least the first developing means stores a first developer containing portion containing the first developer, and the developer in the first developer containing portion. It has a first developer concentration detecting means composed of at least a conductive member for detecting the density and generating an electric signal, and the second developing means contains at least a second developer containing the second developer. An accommodating portion, and a second developer concentration detecting means including at least a conductive member for detecting the developer concentration in the first developer accommodating portion and emitting an electric signal,
An electric signal generated by the first developer concentration detecting means or the second developer concentration detecting means flows through the conductive path.

An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention is
At least an image carrier, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier, a first developing means for developing the latent image with a first developer, and adjacent to the first developing means,
At least one of a second developing unit that develops the latent image with a second developer, a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the first developing unit, or an exchange of an electric signal with the first developing unit. An electric signal transmitting / receiving unit is provided, and a conductive member that connects the power supply unit or the electric signal transmitting / receiving unit to the first developing unit is installed to penetrate the second developing unit. It is configured.

An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention is
A first electric signal transfer unit for supplying or receiving an electric signal to or from a first power supply unit for supplying electric power to the first developing unit or the first developing unit, and the second developing unit. A second power supply section for supplying power to the means or a second power supply means for transmitting or receiving an electric signal from the second developing means.
Electrical signal transfer unit, the first power supply unit, or the first
Of the electric signal transfer unit and at least one of the second power supply unit and the second electric signal transfer unit.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to claim 26 is
The conductive member is configured to be substantially linear.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 27 is
The conductive member is formed in a plate shape.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 28 is
The second developing means further includes a support member that supports the conductive member.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 29 is
The image carrier is installed so as to be movable relative to the first developing unit and the second developing unit, and the first developing unit and the second developing unit have a maximum projected area with respect to each other. The adjacent surfaces are adjacent to each other and parallel to the relative movement direction of the image carrier.

An image forming apparatus according to a thirtieth aspect of the invention is
The first developing means has at least a first developer accommodating portion for accommodating a first developer, and the second developing means at least adjoins the first developer accommodating portion and has a first developer accommodating portion. Two
A second developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, and the image forming apparatus further includes a developer accommodating portion that constitutes part of the first developer accommodating portion and the second developer accommodating portion. The partial partition member is provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to claim 31 is
A power supply unit that supplies power to at least the first developing unit, an electric signal transfer unit that performs at least one of transmission and reception of an electric signal with at least the first developing unit, the power supply unit, and the first developing unit. A conductive member for power supply for connecting to the means, a conductive member for signal transfer for connecting the electric signal transfer unit and the first developing means, and separated from the conductive member for power supply. However, at least one of the conductive member for power supply and the conductive member for signal transfer is installed so as to penetrate the second developing unit.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 32 is
A first electric signal transfer unit for supplying or receiving an electric signal to or from a first power supply unit for supplying electric power to the first developing unit or the first developing unit, and the second developing unit. A second power supply section for supplying power to the means or a second power supply means for transmitting or receiving an electric signal from the second developing means.
Electrical signal transfer unit, the first power supply unit, or the first
34. The image forming according to claim 33, further comprising a wiring board on which at least one of the electric signal transmitting / receiving unit and the second power supply unit or the second electric signal transmitting / receiving unit is installed. The device is a power board on which the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are installed, or a signal on which the first electric signal transfer unit and the second electric signal transfer unit are installed. It has a structure including a substrate.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the construction of a color printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus. This color printer superimposes toner images of respective colors sequentially formed on an image carrier, transfers the toner images onto a transfer material at one time at a transfer portion to form a color image, and thereafter, the transfer material is separated by a separating unit. Is a color image forming apparatus of a type in which the image is separated from the surface of the image carrier.

In FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 10, which is an image bearing member according to the present invention, is an organic photosensitive member coated and formed on a drum base, and is driven and rotated clockwise in the drawing. The scorotron charger 12 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 10 by corona discharge.

After the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged, the image exposure means 13 performs image exposure based on the image signal.
The image exposing means 13 uses a laser diode (not shown) as a light emitting source, and has a polygon mirror 131 rotating at a high speed and an fθ lens 13
2. The optical path is bent by the reflection mirror 134 through the cylindrical lens 133 to perform the main scanning on the photoconductor drum 10. In addition to that, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the rotation (sub-scanning) of the photoconductor drum 10. To be done.

Around the photosensitive drum 10, there are built-in two-component developers including toners such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and a carrier, respectively. 14Y, 14M, 14C and 14K are provided. The developing cartridge C according to the developing device of the present invention,
It has developing devices 14Y, 14M and 14C relating to the developing means of the present invention. The developing cartridge K has a developing device 14K. The developing cartridge C and the developing cartridge K are placed on a support frame (not shown) and fixed at a prescribed position on the support frame by a lock mechanism (not shown).

In the color printer shown in FIG. 1, first, development is carried out by the yellow developing device 14Y. The developing sleeve 141 has a built-in magnet and holds a two-component developer and rotates.
The two-component developer comprises a carrier having ferrite as a core and an insulating resin coating therearound, and a toner containing a polyester as a main material and a pigment according to a color and a charge control agent, silica, titanium oxide or the like. Then, the layer is regulated to a layer thickness of 100 to 600 μm on the developing sleeve 141 and is conveyed to the developing area where the developing sleeve 141 and the photosensitive drum 10 face each other. The gap between the developing sleeve 141 and the photosensitive drum 10 in the developing area is 0.2 to 1.0 mm, which is larger than the layer thickness of the developer, and AC bias and D
A C bias is superposed and applied to form a developing electric field. The yellow toner, which has been given a chance to be separated from the carrier by the AC bias, does not adhere to a portion having a higher potential than the DC bias, but adheres to a portion having a lower potential than the DC bias to visualize.

After the visualization of the first color is completed, the process proceeds to the image forming process of the magenta of the second color, and the scorotron charger 12 again.
The electrostatic latent image is formed by the image exposure means 13 by the image data of the second color, and the magenta developing device 14M visualizes the electrostatic latent image by the magenta toner. An image forming process similar to that of the magenta of the second color is performed for the cyan of the third color and the black of the fourth color, and a visible image of four colors is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

On the other hand, one sheet of transfer material (plain paper, OHP sheet, etc.) P that has been carried out from the paper feed cassette 15 via the half-moon roller 16 is temporarily stopped, and when the transfer timing is adjusted, the registration of the paper feed unit is completed. By the rotation operation of the roller pair 17, the paper is fed to the transfer area where the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 18 face each other. In the transfer area, the transfer roller 18 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 10 in synchronization with the transfer timing, and the supplied transfer material P is nipped to transfer a multicolor image at once.

Next, the transfer material P is discharged at almost the same time by the separating means 19 which is brought into a pressure contact state, separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and conveyed to the fixing device 21, where the heat roller 211 and the pressure roller 212 are heated. After the toner is fused by pressure, it is ejected to the outside of the apparatus through the paper ejection roller 22. The transfer roller 18 and the separating means 19 are retracted and separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer material P has passed, to prepare for the next toner image formation.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 from which the transfer material P is separated
Removes and cleans the residual toner by pressing the blade 231 of the cleaning device 23 and starts the next image forming process. The blade 231 moves immediately after cleaning the surface of the photoconductor and retracts from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 10.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the developing device according to the present invention. The developing cartridge C has developing devices 14Y, 14M and 14C. Each developing device has a developer accommodating portion 147 Y, 147, respectively.
M, 147 C, stirring screw 142 Y, 142 M, 142 C,
Supply paddles 143 Y, 143 M, 143 C, developing sleeve 141
Y, 141 M, 141 C, layer thickness regulating member 144 Y, 144 M, 14
4C, and is arranged at a specified position with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. The operation of the developing device 14Y will be described below.
The toner supplied to 7 Y is stirred and mixed with the carrier by a pair of stirring screws 142 Y that rotate in opposite directions, and is charged to a predetermined charge amount by frictional charging. The agitated two-component developer is conveyed to the developing sleeve 141Y via the supply paddle 143Y, the layer thickness is regulated by the layer thickness regulating member 144Y, and conveyed to the developing area of the photoconductor drum 10 under appropriate developing conditions. To develop the electrostatic latent image. In this developing method, the developing process is carried out in a non-contact state between the spikes of the developer and the photoconductor drum 10, and the non-contact two-component development is carried out by the developing electric field in which the AC bias and the DC bias are superposed. Similarly to the developing device 14Y, the developing devices 14M and 14C also develop the electrostatic latent image.

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the developing device according to the present invention. The developing cartridge C includes a yellow developing device lid 146 according to the first forming member of the present invention, a yellow developing device bottom plate 145 Y and a magenta developing device bottom plate 145 M according to the developer accommodating section partition member of the present invention, and a second developing device of the present invention. Cyan developing device bottom plate 145 C relating to the forming member of Developer bottom plate 145
The Y, 145 M, 145 C and yellow developing device lid 146 form the outer wall of the developing device of the present invention, and are made of injection-molded, blow-molded, or carved ABS resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like. Used.

Each of the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, and 145 C has one developing device mounted thereon. For example, the developing device bottom plate 145 C located at the bottom is a pair of stirring screws 142 C.
Further, a component in which the rotating shaft of the supply paddle 143 C is supported by an integrated bearing (not shown) and a component in which the developing sleeve 141 C and the layer thickness regulating member 144 C are supported by the rotating side plate 148 are placed. The stirring screw 142C and the supply paddle 143C supported by the integrated bearing are fitted on the upper surface of the developing device bottom plate 145C to ensure the rotation accuracy and to facilitate the assembling work and the disassembling work after use. It is supposed to be.

The developing cartridge C is the developing device bottom plate 145.
The yellow developing device lid 146 is further placed on the uppermost yellow developing device bottom plate 145 Y of the Y, 145 M, and 145 C overlapped with each other, and the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 to be described later are placed. Thus, both ends of the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146 are fixed. Developing device bottom plate 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and yellow developing device lid 146
Is fixed by fitting the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52, and molds 61Y, 61M and 61C relating to the elastic member of the present invention are installed between the developing device bottom plates and between the developing device lids. . Here, at least one of the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146 directly or indirectly contacts another bottom plate or developing device lid, and preferably overlaps in the projection direction. Exist adjacent to each other, that is, adjacent to each other. It is preferable that the photosensitive drum 10 and the photosensitive drum 10 are adjacent to each other in substantially parallel to the rotation direction, whereby the installation area and the volume can be reduced. Further, the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146 are partially fitted to each other, so that the developer can be prevented from leaking.

The molds 61Y, 61M and 61C fill the gaps formed between the components of each developing device to prevent the developer from leaking, and the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 are provided.
Is installed for the purpose of maintaining a certain distance so that the assembling accuracy of the developing cartridge C is not affected by the contact between the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146. FIG. 4 is a view of the developing device bottom plate 145 C viewed from directly above, and the mold 61 C is a developer accommodating portion 147 C.
It is installed to surround. The interval is preferably 2 mm to 5 mm. A material that is elastically deformable is used for the molds 61Y, 61M, and 61C, preferably a rubber material such as latex rubber or silicon rubber, a synthetic resin such as polyurethane or polyethylene, and a material that has elasticity and self-foams after application. The self-foaming polyurethane is a bottom plate of the developing device 14 when the developing cartridge C of the present invention is assembled.
5 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146 are applied to the surfaces in contact with each other, and it is the airtightness of the developing cartridge C that joins other parts before the foaming of the self-expanding polyurethane starts. It is preferable for assembling the developing cartridge C and the developing cartridge C.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device according to the present invention. The projections 1451 are provided on the side surfaces of the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, and 145 C, three on the front side of the paper, and two on the back side of the paper.
The projections 1461 are provided on the side surface of the paper, three places on the front side of the paper surface, and two on the side surface on the back side of the paper surface. The supporting holes 51 are provided in the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 described later.
Installed to mate with 1 and 521. Developing device bottom plate 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and yellow developing device lid 146
The relative positions of the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 are fixed so as to be sandwiched from both ends thereof. At this time, the developing device side plate 51 and the developing device side plate 52 are the developing device bottom plate 145Y,
145M, 145C and the yellow developing device lid 146 are installed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. That is, the developing sleeve 141 and the photoconductor drum 10 are installed so as to be perpendicular to the facing developing area.

FIG. 6 is a side plate of a developing device according to the connecting member of the present invention.
FIG. 51 is a front view and a side view of 51. The developing device side plate 51 is made of injection-molded, blow-molded, or carved-out ABS resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like. In the developing device side plate 51, three supporting holes 511 are provided in each row,
There are 12 rows in total, and the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 14
The protrusions 1451 provided on the side portions of the 5M and 145C and the protrusions 1461 provided on the side portion of the yellow developing device lid 146 are fitted to the respective forming members at three locations. The tips of the protrusions 1451 and 1461 are formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than the root,
At the initial stage of insertion into the support hole 511, deviation of the insertion position can be allowed. Protrusions 1451 and 1461 are supported holes 51
As it is deeply inserted into the first developing device 1, the gaps formed between the bases of the protrusions 1451 and 1461 and the supporting holes 511 become smaller, and the developing device bottom plates 145 Y, 145 M, 145 C and the yellow developing device lid 146.
And the side plate 51 of the developing device are firmly fixed. Since the developing device side plate and the developing device lid are fixed by fitting the projections and supporting holes at two or more places, the developing devices 14Y, 14M,
The relative position of 14C is not displaced in the direction facing the photoconductor drum 10.

FIG. 7 is a side plate of a developing device according to the connecting member of the present invention.
52 is a front view and a side view of 52. FIG. The developing device side plate 52 is also made of the same material as the developing device side plate 51, and has eight support holes 521 in total. Further, like the developing device side plate 51, the protrusions 1451 and 1461 are fitted together.

The developing device side plate 52 further has a conductive member 522. The conductive member 522 transmits an electric signal generated by a toner concentration detecting means (not shown) incorporated in the developing device to a control board (not shown). In the toner density detecting means, the toner density is detected by the magnetic permeability detecting method, and the electric signal of this output frequency is transmitted to the control means of the present invention, and the control means is not shown in order to maintain the proper toner density. From the toner replenishing box to the developer container 147 Y, 147
The amount of toner supplied to M and 147 C is controlled. A lead wire, a metal jumper wire, a wire, a metal plate, a conductive resin, or the like is used for the conductive member 522, preferably a metal plate material or a flexible printed circuit board in which a metal is thinly coated on a flexible resin film. Is used. Conductive member
The electric signal transmitted by 522 is an AC signal applied to the developing sleeve 141 in addition to the electric signal generated by the toner concentration detecting means.
Bias and DC bias may be used.

FIG. 8 is a side plate of a developing device according to the connecting member of the present invention.
FIG. 52 is a sectional view of 52. The developing device side plate 52 is composed of two plate-shaped members, and a group of shaft-supported gears, which is the drive transmission member of the present invention, is installed between them. A part of the gear 543 is exposed to the outside of the developing device and meshes with a drive gear (not shown). The gear 544 meshing with the gear 543 is a developing sleeve.
It meshes with a gear 42 that is coaxial with the rotary shaft 36 of 141, and transmits the rotational drive from the drive source to the developing sleeve 141.
Further, a gear 525 (not shown) coaxial with the gear 523 meshes with a gear 526 (not shown), and a gear 527 (not shown) coaxial with the gear 526 meshes with the gear 45 of FIG. 9 to drive the stirring screw 142. Further, if necessary, an elastic coupling member may be provided in the middle of the rotating shafts of these gears, or the surface of the gears may be coated with a vibration absorbing material to prevent the vibration from the drive source from being transmitted to the developing sleeve. The rotation of the developing sleeve can be made stable, and the toner supply to the developing area can be stabilized.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part around the developing sleeve 141Y related to the developer carrying surface of the present invention. Although FIG. 9 shows the developing sleeve 141 Y included in the developing cartridge C, the developing sleeve 141 M and the peripheral portion of the developing sleeve 141 C have the same structure.

The rotary shaft 36 of the developing sleeve 141 Y is rotatably held by the bearing 30 on the rotary side plate 148. The rotary pin 149 has one end fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145Y. The rotating side plate 148 has a rotating pin 149 inserted through an insertion hole. Therefore, the rotary side plate 148 and the rotary pin 149 can rotatably hold the developing sleeve 141Y and can hold the developing sleeve 141Y so as to be displaceable with respect to the photosensitive drum 10.
The bearing 31 is fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145 Y and rotatably holds the supply paddle 143 Y. The bearing 32 is fixed to the developing device bottom plate 145, and the stirring screw 142
Hold Y rotatably.

The abutting roller 35 is a roller for maintaining the distance between the developing sleeve 141 Y and the photosensitive drum 10, and the developing sleeve 14
It is arranged at both ends of 1Y. When the developing cartridge C is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the photosensitive drum 10, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 abuts the abutting roller 35, and the abutting roller 35 abuts.
35 receives the pressing force generated between the photoconductor drums 10, and rotates the side plate 1411, the developing sleeve 141, and the rotating shaft 1413 of the developing sleeve.
The cartridge displacing section is rotatably displaced about the pivot pin 1412, and the position of the cartridge displacing section is determined. That is, the difference in diameter between the developing sleeve 141 and the abutting roller 35 is the distance between the developing sleeve 141 Y and the photosensitive drum 10. Further, even if the rotation center of the image carrier is eccentric due to improper mounting of the rotary shaft of the image carrier or the bearing is defective, or the curved surface of the photoconductor drum 10 is unevenly processed, the cartridge displacement portion follows the photoconductor drum. 10 and developing sleeve 14
The 1 Y interval can be maintained properly.

The gear 41 is a rotary shaft 36 of the developing sleeve 141Y.
It was fixed coaxially with. Gear 42 and gear 43 are supply paddles 143 Y
The gear 42 is fixed to the rotary shaft 36 coaxially, and the gear 43 is fixed to the rotary shaft of the supply paddle 143 Y coaxially. The drive of the gear 41 is transmitted by the gear 524 of FIG. The gear 44 and the gear 45 are a pair of gears that drive-transmit to the stirring screw 142, and are fixed coaxially to the stirring screw 142, so that the pair of stirring screws rotate in opposite directions. The gear 45 is driven by a gear 527 (not shown) to rotate the coaxial stirring screw. Since the developer is conveyed to the developing area by the developing sleeve 141 during image formation, the supply paddle 143 for supplying the developer to the developing sleeve 141 Y and the developing sleeve 141 Y are configured to rotate simultaneously.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conductive member and a power feeding path according to the present invention. The electrode plate 33 and the electrode plate 34 relating to the conductive member of the present invention are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, and the developing sleeve 141, the electrode plate 33, and the electrode plate 34 are electrically connected to each other and electrically connected to the electrode plate 34. A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 141 by a power source (not shown). The electrode plate 33 and the electrode plate 34 have contact surfaces for maintaining a contact state even if the rotating side plate 148 is displaced. Further, the electrode plate 33 has spring elasticity, and by the contact pressure with the power feeding path and the spring elasticity, a pressing force is generated between the photoconductor drum 10 and the developing roller 35 to determine the position of the cartridge displacement portion. To help. The electrode is a conductive brush, and the brush may be in constant contact with the rotary shaft 1413 of the developing sleeve to supply power, but in order to generate sufficient pressing force, the rotary shaft 1413 of the developing sleeve is rotatably supported. A plate-shaped metal having spring elasticity is preferable.

The electrode plate 34Y of the yellow developing device 14Y is a metal plate arranged along the shape of the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145Y, and the power feeding path 35Y is provided on the rear surface of the developing device, that is, on the wall surface facing the developing sleeve. Is in contact with. Electrode plate 34
The surface of Y that comes into contact with the power feeding path 35Y is folded back to form a rib shape, and has a structure that makes good contact with the power feeding path 35Y. The power supply path 35Y is a metal plate that extends along the back surface of the developing device facing the developing sleeve to the central portion of the developing device, bends at the central portion, and extends to connect to a bias power source vertically below. The power supply path 35Y is connected to the developing device bottom plate 145.
A space 354 that passes through the space formed by the groove 351 Y of Y and the groove 352 Y of the developing device bottom plate 145 M and further penetrates the developing device bottom plate 145 M and the space 354 that penetrates the developing device bottom plate 145 C.
It passes through Y and is exposed on the lower surface of the developing cartridge C. The exposed power supply path 35Y is a bias power source and is an electrode 37.
It is in contact with Y.

Similar to the yellow developing device 14Y, the electrode plate 34M of the magenta developing device 14M is a metal plate arranged along the shape of the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145M, and serves as a rear surface of the developing device, that is, a developing sleeve. Power supply path 35 on the opposite wall
It is in contact with M. The power supply path 35M extends to the central portion of the developing device along the back surface facing the developing sleeve of the developing device,
It is a metal plate that bends in the center and extends to connect to the bias power source vertically below. The power supply path 35M passes through a space formed by the groove 351M of the developing device bottom plate 145M and the groove 352M of the developing device bottom plate 145C, and further passes through a space 353M penetrating the developing device bottom plate 145C, and then the developing cartridge. It is exposed on the lower surface of C. The exposed power supply path 35M is in contact with the electrode 37M by the bias power supply.

The electrode plate 34C of the cyan developing device 14C is a metal plate arranged along the shape of the side surface of the developing device bottom plate 145C, and the power supply path 35C is provided on the rear surface of the developing device, that is, on the wall surface facing the developing sleeve. Is in contact with. Power supply path 35
C is a metal plate that extends to the central portion of the developing device along the back surface facing the developing sleeve of the developing device, is bent at the central portion, and extends vertically downward, and is exposed on the lower surface of the developing cartridge C. The exposed portion of the power supply path 35C is in contact with the electrode 37C of the bias power supply.

At this time, the groove 351, the groove 352, the space 353, the space
For the inner wall of 354, it is preferable to use an insulating material for the purpose of avoiding electric leakage and the like, but a conductive material may be used as long as the power feeding path 35Y is covered with an insulating material. Also the groove
351, the groove 352, the space 353, the inner wall of the space 354, using an electromagnetic wave absorbing material, or by covering the power supply path 35Y with an electromagnetic wave absorbing material, other electrical parts due to signal interference or noise leakage due to noise from the outside, installed around It is possible to prevent electromagnetic interference to other electronic devices that have been stored.

At this time, the power supply path 35 for supplying power to the developing sleeve and the electrode plates 33 and 34 are separated from the conductive member 522 of FIG. 8 by the bottom plate, and the electric signal or current is leaked or the electromagnetic wave is disturbed. Does not occur.

[0063]

As described above, according to the developing device of the first aspect and the image forming apparatus of the eighteenth aspect, the color developing devices are not brought into contact with each other but by the accurately formed coupling member. Since the relative position is fixed,
The processing precision of each part that makes up each developing unit remains the same as before.
Higher processing accuracy can be brought out, the accuracy of the gap between the developing sleeve and the image carrier and the parallelism can be increased, and as a result, stable image formation is possible.

According to the developing device of the second aspect,
By using the same wall surface for multiple developing devices, the number of parts has been reduced, and it has become possible to reduce the number of parts that require alignment to ensure assembly accuracy.

According to the developing device of the third aspect,
By associating the relative positions of the basic parts with each other by the connecting means, the assembly accuracy can be further improved.

According to the developing device of the fourth aspect,
Since the coupling member, the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating section partition member are fixed, the relative positions of the developing units can be accurately fixed. Become.

According to the developing device of the fifth aspect,
While preventing the developer from leaking from the developing means,
It is possible to prevent the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer accommodating section partition member from interfering with each other and hindering highly accurate assembly.

According to the developing device of the sixth aspect and the image forming apparatus of the nineteenth aspect, the side surface perpendicular to the developer carrying surface is connected to each other by the connecting member, so that the image carrying member and the developing device are developed. It is easy to ensure the accuracy of the gap with the agent carrying surface, and in particular, it is preferable to keep the image carrying member and the developer carrying surface parallel to each other, and good image formation becomes possible.

According to the developing device of claim 7,
By connecting the side surfaces that are perpendicular to the rotation axis that supports the developer carrying surface to each other by the connecting member, the gap between the endlessly moving developer carrying body and the endlessly moving image carrying body can always be maintained accurately. In particular, it is preferable to keep the image carrier and the developer carrying surface parallel to each other, and stable and good image formation is possible from beginning to end.

According to the developing device of claim 8,
It is possible to accurately fix the relative position of each developing means without the relative positional relationship of each developer carrying surface in a plurality of adjoining developing means being displaced in the direction facing the image carrier. Become. In particular, it is preferable to keep the image carrier and the developer carrier surface parallel to each other, and good image formation is possible.

Further, according to the developing device of the ninth aspect and the image forming apparatus of the twentieth aspect, the developing device can be constructed in the most compact manner, and the strength required for the connecting member should be small. Is possible.

According to the developing device of the tenth aspect, the relative position can be more effectively fixed without increasing the work load during assembly.

According to the developing device of the eleventh aspect, the developer does not leak from the developer accommodating portion due to the fitting of the first developing device and the second developing device, and the image forming apparatus. It is possible to prevent the inside from being contaminated with the developer.

Further, according to the developing device of the twelfth aspect, leakage of the developer from each of the developing means is prevented, and the first developing means and the second developing means interfere with each other, It becomes possible to prevent the high precision assembly from being disturbed.

According to the developing device of the thirteenth aspect and the twenty-first aspect, by collecting the drive transmission components in the coupling member, the number of components required for the drive transmission can be reduced and the number of assembling steps can be reduced. It became possible to do.
Further, it is possible to reduce the number of places where the vibration from the driving source may propagate to the developing device, and it is possible to form a stable image. In addition, the number of areas to be cleaned and the areas to be inspected at the time of failure can be reduced, and simple maintenance is possible.

Further, according to the developing device of the fourteenth aspect, by providing a conductive path in the coupling member so as to mediate the connection between the power supply unit or the control board and the developing means, each of the developing devices is formed. It is possible to reduce the number of locations that require connection work when mounting or replacing the equipment, and concentrate the conductive path, which is the source of electrical noise or the location susceptible to electrical noise, in one location. It is possible to reduce the number of measures taken,
Further, by reducing the exposed portions of the bundled wires, it is possible to extremely reduce the damage of the conductive path when the developing device is replaced or other cartridges are replaced.

Further, according to the developing device of the fifteenth aspect and the image forming apparatus of the twenty-second aspect, since the conductive paths through which the high voltage flows can be concentrated at one place, they may become a source of electrical noise. It has become possible to easily take countermeasures against electrical noise at a certain location, and also to take measures against leakage and electric shock.

Further, according to the developing device of the sixteenth aspect and the image forming apparatus of the twenty-third aspect, since the conductive paths susceptible to the electrical noise can be concentrated in one place, the place where the electrical noise countermeasure is taken. It has become possible to reduce

According to the developing device of the seventeenth aspect, the path of the electric signal generated by the developer concentration detecting means built in the developing means, which is extremely susceptible to the influence of electrical noise, can be concentrated at one place. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of locations where electrical noise countermeasures are taken.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect, it is possible to reduce the exposed portions of the cords, and reduce the influence of the damage of the cords, the mutual interference with the signals of other cords and the like. Furthermore, the length of the conductive member that connects the electric signal transfer unit and the first developing unit can be made as short as possible, and the electric signal flowing through the conductive member prevents interference of electric noise. It has become possible to reduce the risk of receiving it.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-fifth aspect, when the developing devices are attached and detached, the electrical connection and the electrical connection disconnection may be performed on one substrate, and the cords may be damaged. Can be made lower.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-sixth aspect, the length of the conductive member can be made as short as possible, and the electric signal flowing through the conductive member is less likely to be interfered with from the outside. it can. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of steps and the number of parts without requiring complicated jigs when assembling the developing device. Further, even when the image forming apparatus is disassembled, the conductive member can be easily separated, and the conductive member can be easily recycled.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-seventh aspect, the space required for installing the conductive member can be reduced.
In addition, handling during assembly work becomes easy.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-eighth aspect, it is possible to reduce the exposure of the conductive member, and even when a thin plate-shaped conductive member is used,
It is possible to avoid damaging the conductive member. In addition, since a conductive member for signal transmission or power supply is housed inside the plurality of integrated developing devices, care should be taken when handling the cords when replacing the plurality of integrated developing devices. Therefore, the risk of damaging the conductive member during replacement can be extremely low.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-ninth aspect, the developing device can be constructed in the most compact manner, and the number of parts can be reduced by making the length of the conductive member short. Becomes

According to the image forming apparatus of the thirtieth aspect, the length of the conductive member can be made shorter, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the size of the conductive member can be reduced. It is possible to increase the strength.

According to the image forming apparatus of the thirty-first aspect, by separating the conductive member for power supply and the conductive member for signal transfer, the power supplied to each developing unit and each developing unit. It is possible to minimize the mutual interference between the electric signals transmitted and received between the control board and the control board. In addition, it is possible to avoid a connection error when mounting each developing means.

Further, claim 32 and claim 33
According to the described image forming apparatus, mounting of each developing unit,
At the time of detachment, the operation of electrical connection and disconnection of electrical connection may be performed on one substrate, and damage to the cords can be further reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a developing cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a developing cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a developing cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a developing cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example of a side plate.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a side plate.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a side plate.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the arrangement of drive transmission means.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a power feeding path.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 photoconductor drum 14 developing device C developing cartridge 40 driving gear 41 driven gear 140 supporting frame 141 developing sleeve 145 developing device bottom plate 1451,1461 protrusion 146 yellow developing device lid 148 rotating side plate 149 rotating pin 33,34 electrode plate 35 power supply path 51,52 Side plate 61 Mold

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A developing device comprising at least a first developing means for accommodating a first developer, and a second developing means adjacent to the first developing means and accommodating a second developer. , A developing device having a coupling member for fixing and coupling the relative positions of the first developing means and the second developing means. 2. The first developing means comprises at least a first developing means.
Second developer containing at least a first developer containing portion containing the second developer, wherein the second developing means is at least adjacent to the first developer containing portion and contains the second developer. 2. The developer accommodating portion partition member, which has a developer accommodating portion, and which further constitutes a part of the first developer accommodating portion and the second developer accommodating portion. Developing device. 3. The first developing means comprises at least a first forming member forming a part of the first developer containing portion and the developer containing portion partition member, and the second developing means.
Developing means is composed of at least a second forming member forming a part of the second developer containing portion and the developer containing portion partition wall member, and the coupling member is the first forming member, The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the relative positions of the second forming member and the developer containing section partition member are fixed. 4. The coupling member is the first forming member,
The developing device according to claim 3, wherein a relative position is fixed at at least two positions of each of the second forming member and the developer containing section partition member. 5. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of each of the first forming member, the second forming member, and the developer containing section partition member is adjacent to each other via an elastic member. 6. The first developing means has at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, and the second developing means carries the second developer. The second developing agent carrying surface has two developer carrying surfaces, and the coupling member is a surface substantially perpendicular to the first developer carrying surface and the second developer carrying surface. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a means. 7. The first developing means further comprises the first developing means.
A first rotating shaft for endlessly moving the developer carrying surface, and a first supporting member for supporting the first rotating shaft,
The second developing means further includes a second rotation shaft that moves the second developer carrying surface endlessly, and a second support member that supports the second rotation shaft, and the coupling member is 7. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are coupled to each other on a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft. 8. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling member fixes a relative position in at least two places of each of the first developing unit and the second developing unit. 9. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first developing means and the second developing means are adjacent to each other in a plane having a maximum projected area. 10. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member fixes a relative position in at least two places of each of the first developing unit and the second developing unit. 11. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first developing means and the second developing means are engaged with each other. 12. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first developing means and the second developing means are adjacent to each other via an elastic member. 13. The first developing means includes at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, a first rotating shaft for endlessly moving the first developer carrying surface, and The second developing device has a first supporting member that supports the first rotating shaft, and the second developing device holds at least a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer, and the second developer. A second rotating shaft for endlessly moving the supporting surface, and the second rotating shaft
2. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second supporting member that supports a rotating shaft of the rotating member, and the coupling member includes a drive transmitting unit that transmits a rotational driving force to the first rotating shaft or the second rotating shaft. apparatus. 14. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first developing unit or the second developing unit has at least a conductive member, and the coupling member has a conductive path in contact with the conductive member. . 15. The first developing means includes at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, and a first conductive member applying a voltage to the first developer carrying surface. The second developing means includes at least a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer, and a second conductive member applying a voltage to the second developer carrying surface. 15. The developing device according to claim 14, wherein the coupling member has a conductive path that comes into contact with the first conductive member or the second conductive member. 16. The first developing device or the second developing device has at least a conductive member for transmitting and receiving an electric signal, and the electric signal flows through the conductive path.
The developing device according to 1. 17. The first developing means detects at least a first developer accommodating portion for accommodating a first developer, and a developer concentration in the first developer accommodating portion, and emits an electric signal. A first developer concentration detecting means including at least a conductive member, and the second developing means at least,
A second developer accommodating portion for accommodating a second developer, the first developer
Has a second developer concentration detecting means including at least a conductive member for detecting the developer concentration in the developer containing portion and generating an electric signal, and the first developer concentration detecting means in the conductive path. 17. The developing device according to claim 16, wherein an electric signal generated by the second developer concentration detecting means flows. 18. At least an image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier, first developing means for developing the latent image with a first developer, and second latent image for the latent image.
In the image forming apparatus apparatus which is developed by the developer of No. 1 and includes the second developing unit adjacent to the first developing unit, the relative position of the first developing unit and the second developing unit is fixed, An image forming apparatus having a joining member for joining. 19. The first developing unit carries at least the first developer and faces the image carrier.
The developer carrying surface of the second developing means, and the second developing means includes the second developing means.
Has a second developer carrying surface facing the image carrier, and the coupling member is substantially perpendicular to the first developer carrying surface and the second developer carrying surface. 19. The developing device according to claim 18, wherein the first developing unit and the second developing unit are combined with each other on the surface that becomes 20. The image carrier is installed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the first developing unit and the second developing unit, and the first developing unit and the second developing unit are separated from each other. ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image carriers are adjacent to each other in parallel to the relative movement direction of the image carrier. 21. The first developing means includes at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer, a first rotating shaft for endlessly moving the first developer carrying surface, and the first developing shaft. A first support member that supports the first rotation shaft,
The second developing means includes at least a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer, a second rotary shaft for endlessly moving the second developer carrying surface, and the second rotary shaft. A second supporting member that supports the first rotating shaft, the image forming apparatus further includes a drive source that rotationally drives the first rotating shaft or the second rotating shaft, and the coupling member has the first rotating shaft. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a drive transmission unit that transmits a rotational drive force to the shaft or the second rotation shaft. 22. The image forming apparatus further includes a power supply section for supplying electric power, and the first developing means at least a first developer carrying surface carrying the first developer,
A first developer carrying surface for applying a voltage to the first developer carrying surface, and the second developing means includes at least a second developer carrying surface carrying the second developer; A second conductive member for applying a voltage to the second developer carrying surface, wherein the coupling member is the first conductive member or the second conductive member.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a conductive path that connects the conductive member of (1) and the power supply unit. 23. The image forming apparatus further has an electric signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting or receiving an electric signal, and the first developing unit or the second developing unit is at least a conductive unit for transmitting and receiving the electric signal. A member, the coupling member,
The developing device according to claim 18, further comprising an electric signal conductive path that connects the conductive member and the electric signal transmitting / receiving unit. 24. At least an image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier, first developing means for developing the latent image with a first developer, and the first developing means. Adjacent to the second developing means for developing the latent image with a second developer.
In the image forming apparatus having the developing unit, an electric power supply unit for supplying electric power to the first developing unit or an electric signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving an electric signal to / from the first developing unit is installed. In the image forming apparatus, a conductive member that connects the power supply unit or the electric signal transfer unit and the first developing unit is installed to penetrate the second developing unit. 25. The image forming apparatus further performs one of transmission and reception of an electric signal with a first power supply unit that supplies power to the first developing unit or with the first developing device. A first electric signal transfer unit, a second electric power supply unit for supplying electric power to the second developing unit, or a second electric signal transfer for transmitting or receiving an electric signal of the second developing unit. Section, at least one of the first power supply unit or the first electric signal transfer unit, and at least one of the second power supply unit or the second electric signal transfer unit is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24. 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the conductive member is formed in a substantially linear shape. 27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the conductive member is formed in a plate shape. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the second developing unit further includes a support member that supports the conductive member. 29. The image carrier is installed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the first developing means and the second developing means, and the first developing means and the second developing means are provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the image forming apparatuses are adjacent to each other in a plane having a maximum projected area and are adjacent to each other in parallel to the relative movement direction of the image carrier. 30. The first developing means has at least a first developer accommodating portion for accommodating a first developer, and the second developing means at least the first developer accommodating portion. The image forming apparatus further includes a second developer accommodating portion adjacent to the second developer accommodating portion and accommodating a second developer, and the image forming apparatus further includes a part of the first developer accommodating portion and the second developer accommodating portion. 25. The developing device according to claim 24, further comprising a partition wall member for a developer accommodating portion. 31. The image forming apparatus further includes at least one of an electric power supply unit for supplying electric power to at least the first developing unit and an electric signal exchange for exchanging an electric signal with at least the first developing unit. Section, a power supply conductive member that connects the power supply unit and the first developing unit, a power supply conductive member that connects the electric signal transfer unit and the first developing unit, and Has an isolated conductive member for signal transfer, and at least one of the conductive member for power supply and the conductive member for signal transfer is installed to penetrate the second developing means. Item 24. The image forming apparatus according to Item 24. 32. The image forming apparatus further performs either one of transmission and reception of an electric signal with a first power supply unit that supplies power to the first developing unit or with the first developing device. A first electric signal transfer unit, a second electric power supply unit for supplying electric power to the second developing unit, or a second electric signal transfer for transmitting or receiving an electric signal of the second developing unit. Section, at least one of the first power supply unit or the first electric signal transfer unit, and at least one of the second power supply unit or the second electric signal transfer unit is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31. 33. The image forming apparatus further performs one of transmission and reception of an electric signal to and from a first power supply unit that supplies power to the first developing unit and the first developing device. A first electric signal transmitting / receiving unit, a second electric power supplying unit for supplying electric power to the second developing unit, and a second electric signal transmitting / receiving for exchanging an electric signal of the second developing unit. Section, a power board on which the first power supply section and the second power supply section are installed, or a signal board on which the first electric signal transfer section and the second electric signal transfer section are installed The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: