JPH10282774A - Developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a heavy load generated in a stirring/carrying means during rotation and to enhance the slidability on the inside wall of a housing part with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: In an agitator 120, a carrying member 126 provided with a base part 128 whose elastic deformation is small and a top end part 130 whose elastic deformation is large, which are constituted of elastic members respectively, is attached to an agitator shaft 122 with a holding member 124. In such an agitator 120, when a toner quantity is large, the top end part 130 is drastically elastic-deformed by a load applied to the agitator 120, to be wound on the base part 128, so that the radius of the rotation is small and toner is stirred while the load is reduced. On the other hand, when the toner quantity is small, the top end part 130 returns to an original state, to slide on the inside wall 114 of a toner tank 112 and carry the toner with its excellent slidability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device and a process cartridge, and more particularly, to an electrophotographic system in which an electrostatic latent image formed by charging a photosensitive drum in accordance with image information is visualized with toner. A developing device and a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing device having a photosensitive drum, a storage portion for storing toner therein, and sending toner from an outlet provided in front and supplying the toner to the photosensitive drum, a charging device, and the like. In a process cartridge provided with a cleaning device, a toner agitator that agitates the toner in the storage unit and sends the toner to the delivery port while transporting the toner to the outlet is provided, and an agitator as the agitator / transporter integrated with the toner transporter is provided. I have.

As shown in FIG. 11A, generally,
The agitator 500 is rotatably supported at both ends and has a shaft portion 502 whose central portion is bent in the radial direction and is disposed at a position away from the rotation center C. A holding portion 504 is attached to a central portion of the shaft portion 502. This holding portion 504 is provided with a rotation direction (FIG. 11).
The transport section 506 is connected at a position on the arrow A) front side in (B). When the agitator 500 rotates, the holding portion 5
A transport unit 506 connected to the agitator 04 agitates the toner in the storage unit of the process cartridge, transports the toner along the inner wall of the storage unit, and sends it out to the outlet.

When a process cartridge having such an agitator 500 is allowed to stand still, the volume of the toner contained therein is reduced, and a large resistance is generated because the toner is scraped. Therefore, a large load is applied to the agitator 500 that stirs and transports such toner when the use of the process cartridge is started. Since the maximum value of the load occurs when the use of the process cartridge is started, it is necessary to consider the load at this time in the configuration and strength of the agitator 500. In order to make the agitator 500 capable of withstanding such a large load, the mechanism is complicated, the cost is increased, and the inconvenience of restricting the toner filling amount has occurred.

In order to eliminate such inconveniences, the distance between the center of rotation of the shaft and the transport section (the agitator 5 shown in FIG.
There is an agitator in which an elastic member is disposed at portions corresponding to the bent portions on both sides of the shaft portion 504 in FIG. 00 to reduce the resistance when the stationary toner is scraped (for example, JP-A-3-149576). reference). In such an agitator, when the toner is rotated when a large amount of toner is filled, a load is applied to both end portions of the transport unit apart from the center of rotation, and the elastic member is deformed to reduce the radius of rotation. As a result, the load during rotation can be reduced. On the other hand, when the amount of toner decreases, the elastic member returns to its original state, so that the toner can be sufficiently conveyed.

Further, there is an agitator in which a shaft has a crank shape to reduce the resistance when scraping toner (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-204466). In such an agitator, the shaft portion has a crank shape, so that the length of each transport portion that is attached to the shaft portion away from the center of rotation and attached in parallel is short, so that even if the rotation shaft starts to rotate, the toner At the same time, the contact area is reduced, and as a result, the resistance of the toner during agitation can be reduced to reduce the load. In addition, when the rotation is started with a small load, the toner is loosened from the edges, so that the load applied to the central transport portion can also be reduced, thereby ensuring that the toner is transported with a small load. I can do it.

On the other hand, if the agitator is made up of a plurality of members, the structure becomes complicated and assembly becomes difficult, and a load is applied to the connecting portions of the members during agitation and transport, so that the members are disassembled during rotation. Occurs. In order to solve this problem, there is an apparatus in which a holding section held by a shaft section and a transport section are integrally formed by an elastically deformable member (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-191768). Such an agitator has no joint, and can solve the problem that the transport section is disassembled during rotation.

[0008]

However, even when elastic members are provided at both ends of the transfer section or when the shaft section is formed in a crank shape, the transfer section itself is separated from the center of rotation by the holding section. When the rotation is started, a large load is applied not only to the transport section but also to the holding section itself, and there is a problem that the gear driving the agitator jumps or breaks. In addition, when the transfer section and the holding section are integrally formed of resin, if the load at the tip portion is applied, the load is applied to the entire agitator. Must be molded. For this reason, the friction between the toner container and the wall surface of the toner accommodating portion increases in accordance with the thickness, so that the rubbing state is not smooth and the rubbing property is poor. Due to such deterioration of the rubbing property, a large load is irregularly applied to the agitator at the time of rotation, and the rotation may fluctuate every rotation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and has a simple configuration of a developing device which reduces a large load generated on the stirring and conveying means and has excellent rubbing properties against the inner wall of the storage section. It is an object to provide a process cartridge provided with such a developing device.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing portion provided with an outlet for housing toner and sending out the toner inside, and a rotary member rotatably supported in the housing portion. A stirring and conveying unit connected to a shaft and conveying the toner along the inner wall while stirring the toner stored in the storage unit by rotating the rotation shaft, and sending out the toner from the outlet. In the above, the stirring / conveying means is arranged radially outside the base on the rotation shaft side having a predetermined elastic deformation and slidably rubs the inner wall of the housing portion, and the elastic deformation is larger than the base. And a transport member having a tip portion.

According to the present invention, since the stirring and conveying means is provided with the conveying member having the base portion and the distal end portion having different elastic deformations, when the stirring and conveying means rotates, a load is applied to the conveying member. The base part having small elastic deformation is slightly elastically deformed to disperse the load, and the tip part is largely elastically deformed, so that the radius of rotation can be changed. As a result, even if the load increases, the radius of rotation can be reduced accordingly, and the load during rotation can be greatly reduced. Further, when the load decreases due to a decrease in the amount of toner, the leading end returns to the original state, and the toner can be conveyed along the inner wall with good slidability and sent to the outlet.

Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to reduce a large load generated on the stirring and conveying means during rotation, and to smoothly rub the inner wall of the storage section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the transporting member comprises:
It is characterized by comprising a first member corresponding to the base and a second member corresponding to the tip.

According to the present invention, since the transport member is composed of the two members having different elastic deformation magnitudes, the load generated on the second member capable of rubbing the inner wall of the storage portion is reduced by the second member.
Is dispersed by the elastic deformation of the member, and does not directly join the first member. Accordingly, it is not necessary to increase both the thickness of the first member and the thickness of the second member in order to increase the strength of the transport member, and the slidability with respect to the storage portion is not impaired.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transporting member comprises:
It is characterized in that it is attached to the rotating shaft via a holding member arranged at the center of rotation of the stirring and conveying means.

According to the present invention, since the holding member for holding the conveying member is disposed at the center of rotation of the stirring and conveying means, the conveying member is securely attached to the rotating shaft and the load during rotation applied to the holding portion is reduced. It can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the base of the conveying member is directly held by the holding unit, the rotation load applied to the stirring and conveying means can be further reduced.

Incidentally, in order to change the magnitude of the elastic deformation,
When the first member and the second member are each formed of the same member, they can have different thicknesses.
When each is formed by a different member, it can be of a different thickness or of the same thickness.

In the case where the thickness of the base portion and the tip portion of the transfer member is made different, any thickness may be used as long as the magnitude of elastic deformation is different. The first member and the second member of the member each have a thickness that satisfies a> 2b when the thickness of the first member is a and the thickness of the second member is b. Is preferred.

The transporting member may be made of any material as long as it can be elastically deformed, but is preferably a biaxially stretched film made of polyester or the like, as in the invention according to claim 4. As in the invention according to claim 5, it is most preferable to use at least one selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and polyphenylene sulfide. When the first member and the second member are made of different substances,
Any combination can be used as long as the relationship of the magnitude of the elastic deformation between the base and the tip can be maintained, and is appropriately selected.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the base has a passage opening which opens along the rotation direction of the stirring and conveying means.

According to the present invention, since the passage is provided in the base, even if the conveying member rotates and stirs in the container in which a large amount of toner is stored, the passage of the base is provided. Thus, the load applied to the base by passing the toner without resistance can be reduced. Further, when the amount of toner is small, the toner can be reliably agitated and conveyed by the front end portion having no passage opening. Accordingly, in addition to the above effects, when a large amount of toner is stored in the storage unit, the toner in the storage unit is agitated with a smaller load, and when a small amount of toner is stored, the toner in the storage unit is reliably provided. Can be stirred and transported.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the length from the center of rotation of the transport member to the tip of the tip part differs at least partially along the rotation axis.

According to the present invention, at least a part of the length up to the distal end is different along the rotation axis, so that the position of the distal end, which is located outside the distal end with respect to the rotation axis, is at least partially different. Therefore, even when the sliding end with the inner wall of the housing is provided and the tip of the tip separates from the inner wall, the tips of the tip do not separate simultaneously along the rotation axis direction, and the separation does not occur. Can be shifted in the axial direction. As a result, it is possible to shift the opening of the distal end portion from the inner wall of the housing portion in the axial direction to reduce the impact caused by the distal end portion separating at one time along the axial direction, and to prevent rotation fluctuation due to the impact. it can.
Therefore, the rubbing property on the inner wall of the housing portion can be further smoothed.

The length of the tip portion up to the tip may be at least partially different along the rotation axis. For example, the length of the tip portion gradually varies along the rotation axis. In addition, as in the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to be characterized in that the difference is made stepwise along the rotation axis. If the distance is gradually changed along the rotation axis, the timing of separation from the inner wall of the housing portion can be gradually shifted along the rotation axis, and the occurrence of an impact that occurs when the separation portion is further separated can be suppressed. For example, such a front end portion corresponds to a front end portion whose length is gradually reduced from both end portions to a central portion. In addition, if the tip is made different in a stepwise manner along the rotation axis, the impact generated when the tip of the tip separates from the inner wall of the housing portion can be reduced in a stepwise manner. In such a tip, for example,
The tip portion in which the tip portion has an irregular shape corresponds to the tip portion.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing portion provided with an outlet for housing toner and sending out the toner inside, and a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the housing portion. A stirring and conveying unit that conveys the toner along the inner wall and sends out the toner from the outlet while stirring the toner stored in the storage unit by rotating the rotation shaft; The stirring / conveying means includes a conveying member having a base on the rotating shaft side having a predetermined elastic deformation and a distal end disposed radially outside the base and having a larger elastic deformation than the base. And

Since the process cartridge according to the eleventh aspect includes the developing device according to the first aspect, similarly to the first aspect, the load due to the rotation is reduced and the process cartridge is accommodated. It has excellent rubbing properties with respect to the inner wall of the portion, whereby a high quality image can be stably formed.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a process cartridge 100 includes a developing device 110 and a developing roll 102.
And a photosensitive drum 106 and a cleaning device and a charging device (not shown).

The developing device 110 has a toner tank 112 for storing toner. Case 1 in toner tank 112
The developing roller 102 is rotatably supported on the side wall of the case 116 so as to be rotatable.
The shaft portion 02 is provided with a gear mechanism (not shown) for rotating the developing roll 102. A photosensitive drum 106 is disposed near the developing roll 102,
The photosensitive drum 106 and the photosensitive drum 106 are in contact with each other. Note that a charging blade 104 for charging the developing roll 102 is in contact with the developing roll 102.

The developing tank 1 is provided in the toner tank 112.
1, a toner supply port 118 is formed at the upper left of FIG.
The toner contained in the cartridge 12 is sent to the case 116.

The toner sent to the case 116 is attracted by the magnetic force of the developing roll 102, forms a thin layer on the surface of the developing roll 102, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 106. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the photosensitive drum 106.

On the other hand, in the toner tank 112, two agitators 120, which are agitating and transporting means for agitating and transporting the stored toner, are arranged at predetermined intervals. Since the two agitators 120 arranged in the toner tank 112 have the same configuration, only one will be described below, and the description of the other agitator 120 will be omitted.

The agitator 120 is provided with an agitator shaft 122 which is rotatably supported along the longitudinal direction of the toner tank 112 (the depth direction in FIG. 1).
The agitator shaft 122 has an agitator shaft 1
A rotation drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the rotation of the motor 22 at a predetermined speed is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a holding member 124 is fixed to the agitator shaft 122 along the axial direction of the agitator shaft 122. The holding member 124 is a rectangular member whose longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the agitator shaft 122, and is provided on one surface of the holding member 124 so as to be forward in the rotation direction of the agitator 120 (the direction of arrow R in FIG. 1). A transport member 126 made of an elastic material is attached to the second member.

The transport member 126 is attached to the holding member 124 and extends radially outward with respect to the rotation of the agitator shaft 122. The transport member 126 is located radially outward of the base 128 and forward in the rotational direction (arrow R). And a tip 130 attached to the position.
The base 128 and the tip 130 are both made of an elastic material, and the conveying member 126 rubs the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 with the tip 130.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the holding member 124 and the base 128 and the tip 130 of the transport member 126 are attached so as to partially overlap. Therefore, when a load is generated by the rotation of the agitator 120, the distal end portion 130 is supported by the base portion 128 at the radially inner end, and the base portion 128 is supported by the holding member 124 at the radially inner end portion. In addition, since the base 128 and the distal end 130 of the transport member 126 are supported at only one end thereof, the ends on the outer side in the rotation radial direction are respectively in the direction of the arrow S in the case of the base 128,
In the case of the tip portion 130, it can be bent in the direction of arrow T.

Base 128 and tip 1 of transport member 126
30 is made of an elastic member, and is preferably made of a biaxially stretched film made of polyester or the like, for example, a film of a member selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene sulfide, polyethylene naphthalate, etc. ing. As a result, both the base 128 and the tip 130 can be elastically deformed according to the load. The base 128 and the tip 130 are
The members may be formed of the same member or different members.

The base 128 and the tip 130 are thicker at the base 128 than at the tip 130. As a result, the distal end portion 130 can be elastically deformed larger than the base portion 128.

It is preferable that the thickness of the base 128 be at least twice the thickness of the tip 130. For this reason, the thickness of the base 128 is 140 to 240 μm, preferably 16 to 240 μm.
The thickness is in the range of 0 to 200 μm, and the thickness of the tip portion 130 is in the range of 30 to 80 μm, preferably 40 to 60 μm. If the thickness of the base 128 is 140 μm or less, the amount of set when the tip 130 is attached and the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 is rubbed becomes too large, resulting in poor toner transportability. Since elastic deformation can be expected, the load generated when the front end portion 130 is attached and the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 is rubbed cannot be sufficiently dispersed, which is not preferable. When the thickness of the tip portion 130 is 30 μm or less, the toner transportability is poor. On the other hand, when the thickness exceeds 80 μm, the rubbing with the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 is poor, which is not preferable.

The lengths of the base 128 and the tip 130 vary depending on the elastic modulus of the elastic member used and the size of the toner tank 112.
The distance D (see FIG. 2) to the outer end in the radial direction is such a length that the toner can be conveyed while being elastically deformed by contacting the inner wall 114 when rotated in the toner tank 112 when the toner amount is small. A base 128 and a tip 130
Is made of the same member having a thickness of about 1: 3, the length can be about 3: 1 to 3: 2. If the length of the base 128 is too long, the tip 130
Even if is elastically deformed, the load generated on the agitator 120 cannot be sufficiently reduced. On the other hand, if the length of the distal end portion 130 is too long, the toner transportability is poor, which is not preferable.

As described above, the agitator 120 is formed of an elastic member, and the transport member 126 having the base portion 128 and the distal end portion 130 whose distal end portion 130 has larger elastic deformation.
To the agitator shaft 122 via the holding member 124.
, So that the toner contained in the toner tank 112 can be agitated and transported to the toner supply port 118.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. Process cartridge 10 having developing device 110
0 is loaded into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and when the power is turned on, the agitator 120 rotates.

Normally, since the developing device 110 is mounted in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and is in a stationary state until the power is turned on, the toner contained in the toner tank 112 is reduced in bulk by its own weight, and is aggregated. I have.

Therefore, the aggregated toner is scraped by the agitator 120 while the toner supply port 1
18 is conveyed.

At this time, when a large amount of toner is stored in the toner tank 112, a large load that hinders the rotation of the agitator 120 in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the agitator 120 (ie, the rotation direction R). Take it.

In the agitator 120, when a load is applied to the base 128 and the tip 130 of the transport member 126, the tip 130 having a large elastic modulus is greatly elastically deformed according to the load. The base 128 is elastically deformed smaller than the tip 130. Therefore, the agitator 120 rotates in a state in which the distal end portion 130 that is largely elastically deformed is wound around the base portion 128 that is slightly elastically deformed, and the radius of rotation is substantially reduced.

The base 128 is smaller than the tip 130, but is elastically deformed in accordance with the generated load.
The toner is surely agitated while dispersing the load generated in the above.

Since the holding member 124 is arranged at the center of rotation of the agitator 120, the load applied to the holding member 124 during stirring is very small.

As a result, when a large amount of toner is stored in the toner tank 112, the load that increases as the rotation radius increases can be significantly reduced by reducing the rotation radius of the agitator 120. .

The toner agitated and conveyed by the agitator 120 in this manner is supplied to the case 116 through the toner supply port 118, and then supplied to the developing roll 102 charged by the charging blade 104. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 106 is charged by a charging device (not shown),
Exposure according to image information is performed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 106 is
By supplying the toner to the developing roll 102,
It is visualized.

On the other hand, when the toner in the toner tank 112 is consumed, the amount of toner is reduced.
The toner inside 12 is arranged at a position far from the agitator shaft 122.

At this time, the load generated when the agitator 120 is agitated and conveyed is smaller than when a large amount of toner is stored. Therefore, when a large amount of toner is present, the agitator 120 is greatly deformed and is wound around the base 128. The tip 130 returns to its original state by elasticity according to the magnitude of the load.

As a result, depending on the magnitude of the load, the base 1
The tip portion 130, which has been returned to its original state, has been wound around 28,
The tip of the tip portion 130 having a sufficient rubbing property is attached to the toner tank 1
12 is rubbed smoothly and satisfactorily while being elastically deformed by contact with the inner wall 114 of the toner supply port 11.
To 8.

As described above, when the amount of toner is large, the agitator 120 surely agitates the toner while reducing the load applied to the agitator 120 by reducing the rotation radius. On the other hand, when the amount of toner is small, Indicates that the leading end 130 returns to the original state and the inner wall 1 of the toner tank 112
14 is reliably rubbed, and the rubbing property of the leading end portion 130 allows the toner to be transported reliably and with good rubbing property.

Therefore, the agitator 120 has a simple structure.
The toner can be stably agitated and conveyed to the toner supply port 118 by rubbing the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 smoothly, and a stable high quality image can be formed. .

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described below.

Note that the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that only the conveying member according to the present invention is different. Therefore, members other than the conveying member are different from those of the first embodiment. Components having the same functions and effects as those described in the above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the agitator 140 according to the second embodiment is the same as the base 128 according to the first embodiment except that a plurality of openings 146 are provided along the axial direction. A transport member 142 having a base 144 and a tip 130 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the base 144
The opening 146 provided along the agitator 140 opens in the rotation direction (arrow R) of the agitator 140. Also, the base 144
Since the opening 146 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the distal end portion 130, the opening 146 does not affect the deformation of the distal end portion 130.

The base 144 having the opening 146 is twice as thick as the tip 130, and
It is smaller than 0 and can be elastically deformed.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described. The agitator 140 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R by the rotational drive of the agitator shaft 122, and agitates and transports the toner disposed inside the toner tank 112.

At this time, if a large amount of toner is placed in the toner tank 112, the bulk of the toner
12 from the position of the tip 130 rubbing the inner wall 114
It has reached the position of the base 128 connected to the tip 130.

Therefore, when the agitator 140 starts stirring, the resistance of the toner is applied not only to the tip 130 but also to the base 144.

When the resistance of the toner is applied to the front end portion 130, the front end portion 130 is elastically deformed and winds around the base portion 144, so that the actual radius of rotation is reduced. As a result, the load applied to the tip portion 130 can be reduced, and the load applied to the entire agitator 140 can be reduced.

Further, a toner tank 1 for storing a large amount of toner
When the agitator 140 is rotated at 12, the toner passes through the opening 146 in the base 144. Thus, the opening 14
6 passes through the base 144 without resistance, the resistance of the toner applied to the base 144 decreases, and as a result, the load generated on the agitator 140 can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the toner is consumed,
When the volume of the toner becomes smaller, the opening 146 of the base 144 is reduced.
The toner does not pass through the opening 146 because the toner is not disposed in the portion where the is provided. Since the resistance decreases as the amount of toner decreases, the leading end portion 130 returns to the original state and reliably returns to the toner tank 1.
The inner wall 114 is rubbed.

Thus, when a large amount of toner is stored in the toner tank 112, the toner can be agitated with a smaller load, and when the amount of toner in the toner tank 112 decreases, excellent rubbing performance can be obtained. The toner can be reliably conveyed to the toner supply port 118 by rubbing the inner wall of the toner tank 112.

Further, since a plurality of openings 146 are provided in the base portion 144 along the axial direction, the flow of the toner at the time of stirring can be complicated, and the stirring property can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the opening 146 is a circle provided along the rotation direction, but the shape of the opening 146 is not limited to a circle. For example, it may be formed in a rectangular shape or a slit shape. Also, the number provided is not particularly limited.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that only the conveying member according to the present invention is different. Therefore, the members other than the conveying member are different from those of the first embodiment. Components having the same functions and effects as those described in the above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the agitator 150 according to the third embodiment has a tip portion 154 having a distance D from the center of rotation C to the tip along the axial direction of the base 128 and the agitator shaft 122. And a transport member 152 having the following.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the tip 15
No. 4 has a shape in which the distance Dc at the center is smaller than the distance De at both ends in the axial direction, and is therefore gradually inclined from both ends to the center.

The central portion where the distance D is the shortest is long enough to ensure sufficient rubbing with the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112.

For this reason, when the agitator 150 rotates, the tip 154 contacts the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 and rubs while elastically deforming. When the tip 154 separates from the inner wall 114, the end 154 is at the end of the tip 154. Gradually separates along the shape of.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. When the agitator 150 rotates, the toner tank 11
If a large amount of toner is stored in
30 is largely elastically deformed by the load during rotation, and the actual radius of rotation is reduced. Thus, the toner can be stirred with a small load.

When the amount of toner contained in the toner tank 112 is reduced, the tip 154 wound around the base 128 is returned to the original state, and the outer end of the tip 154 in the radial direction becomes the toner. The inner wall 114 of the tank 112 is rubbed while being elastically deformed by contact.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 of the process cartridge 156 having the conveying member 152 has a step on the rubbing surface due to the toner supply port 118, and the inner wall 114 is rubbed. Tip 1
When the toner reaches the toner supply port 118, it separates from the inner wall 114. The tip portion 154 is used for the inner wall 114 during rubbing.
When it is separated, it is released from contact with the inner wall 114 and returns to its original shape by elasticity.

At this time, since the shape of the radially outer end of the distal end portion 154 is a shape that is gradually inclined from both end portions toward the central portion, the separation from the inner wall 114 is the distance D.
Is generated from the shortest (distance Dc) central portion, and the separated portion gradually moves to both end portions according to the shape of the radially outer end portion.

When the separation is gradually performed in accordance with the shape of the end portion from the center portion, the elastic deformation of the tip portion 154 is gradually returned accordingly, and both ends having the longest distance D (distance De) are the slowest. By doing so, the deformation is completely returned.

As a result, the timing of the separation of the distal end portion 154 can be shifted from both ends toward the central portion, and the distal end portion 154 does not separate from the inner wall 114 at once. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an impact when the stress which has caused the tip portion 154 to be separated from the inner wall 114 at once and giving the deformation is released at a stretch, and the rotational fluctuation of the agitator 150 caused by such an impact can be prevented. And smoother rubbing properties can be ensured. Therefore,
When the leading end of the conveying member 152 moves away from the inner wall 114 at once, rotation fluctuation occurs, and the agitator 15 is displayed on the image.
It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of the image quality failure according to the 0 rotation pitch.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the tip 154 is gradually inclined from both ends to the center, but if the timing at which the tip 154 separates from the inner wall 114 can be shifted, the distance D can be shifted. May be shortened except for the central portion, and a plurality of portions having the shortest distance D may be provided.

FIG. 6A shows another transport member 16.
An agitator 160 with two is shown. The tip 164 of the agitator 160 is connected to the agitator shaft 1
22 has a length that gradually changes from one end to the other end.
Therefore, the distal end portion 164 gradually separates from the inner wall 114 from one end side to the other end side, and as a result, the timing of separation along the axial direction can be shifted. As a result, the rotation fluctuation of the agitator 160 can be prevented as described above.

FIG. 6B shows another transport member 1.
An agitator 170 with 72 is shown. The agitator 170 is provided with a tip 164 in which the distance D changes stepwise along the axial direction. In this agitator 170, since the distance D changes in three stages along the axial direction, the leading end 164 is formed on the inner wall 11 of the toner tank 112.
In the case of separation by rubbing 4, separation is performed in three stages. For this reason, the impact generated when the distal end portion 174 separates from the inner wall 114 at one time can be dispersed in three stages, which can also prevent the rotation fluctuation of the agitator 120 from occurring.

In this embodiment, the distance D may be at least partially different in the axial direction.
May be divided into two portions having different distances D.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the holding member 124
The holding member 124 is arranged at the center of rotation C by arranging the agitator shaft 122 at the center of the shaft. However, if the base 128 connected to the holding member 124 can arrange the end near the center of rotation C, It is not limited to. For example, if the end of the base 128 is disposed near the rotation center C, the holding member 124
2 and may be arranged to extend in the direction of the radius of rotation.

If the transport member 126 can be directly attached to the agitator shaft 122, the holding member 1
24 may not be required.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the transport member 126
Is composed of two members, the base 128 and the distal end 130, which are made of an elastic member. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 shows an agitator 180 attached to the holding member 124 and having an integral transfer member 182 made of an elastic body. As shown in FIG. 7B, the outer end of the rotation radius of the conveying member 182 has
A distal end portion 184 that is cut away from the rear in the rotational direction R and that is thinner than the inner end portion in the rotational radius is provided.

Since the transport member 182 is made of an elastic material, it is elastically deformed by a size corresponding to the thickness. For this reason,
Since the holding-side end 186 held by the holding member 124 of the transport member 182 is thicker than the tip 184, it is elastically deformed smaller than the tip 184.

In such an agitator 180, when the resistance of the toner is applied to the front end portion 184 by rotating when the toner amount is large, the thick holding side end portion 18
6 is slightly elastically deformed, but is greatly deformed at the thin end portion 184 and is bent backward in the rotation direction R. As a result, the actual radius of gyration decreases, and the load applied to the agitator 180 decreases.

On the other hand, when the amount of toner decreases and the resistance due to the toner decreases, the elastic deformation of the tip portion 184 returns according to the load, returns to the original state, and slides on the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112. At this time, the distal end portion 184 rubs the inner wall with good slidability by elastic deformation according to its thickness, and reliably transports the toner.

Therefore, when the load during rotation is large, the load can be reduced by changing the radius of rotation with a simple configuration, and when the load becomes small with a small amount of toner, the inner wall 114 of the toner tank 112 has good slidability. , The toner can be transported reliably.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the process cartridge 100 is provided with a pair of agitators 120, but the agitator 120 depends on the size of the toner tank 112.
May be one, or three or more.

[0095]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

The agitator 10 of Example 1 was obtained using polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 188 μm and a polyphenylene sulfide film having a thickness of 50 μm as the base 12 and the tip 14, respectively (see FIG. 8C). The distance L between the holding member 16 to which the base 12 is attached and the rotation center C is 0 mm.

The base 12 of Example 1 having a thickness of 50 μm
A transport member 22 made of the same film (polyethylene terephthalate) was attached to a holding member 24 arranged at a position distant from the rotation center C to obtain an agitator 20 according to Comparative Example 1 (FIG. 8A). reference). That is, the agitator 20 of Comparative Example 1 is configured by one transport member 22, and the distance L between the holding member 24 and the rotation center C is 14 m
m.

Thickness 100 μm (Comparative Example 2), Thickness 125
The same film (polyethylene terephthalate) as the base 12 of Example 1 having a thickness of μm (Comparative Example 3) and a thickness of 188 μm (Comparative Example 4) is attached to the holding member 14, respectively, and the integrated transport member 32 is attached. The agitator 30 according to Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 4 having the following was obtained (only one of them is shown in FIG. 8). The distance L between the holding member 16 to which the conveying member 32 is attached and the rotation center C is 0 mm.
It is.

Each agitator of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 obtained as described above was provided in a process cartridge, agitated and conveyed, and the rotational torque at the start of use of the cartridge was measured. Further, the set amount of the transfer member during high-temperature storage was measured. As shown in FIG. 9 (the case of Comparative Example 2 is shown in FIG. 9), the amount of set-off depends on the load of toner when each of the transport members 14, 22, and 32 rotates inside the toner tank. R indicates the amount of change (arrow B) when elastically deformed rearward, and was evaluated as a measure of deformation when rubbing against the inner wall of the toner tank. Further, the toner transportability of the toner in the toner tank to the toner and the rubbing property with the inner wall of the toner tank were visually evaluated. Table 1 shows the results.

[0100]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, the rotational torque at the start of use of the cartridge was relatively small, and the set amount of the transfer member during high-temperature storage was moderate. It also has excellent toner transportability and rubbing with the inner wall,
The rotation torque could be sufficiently reduced, the amount of set-off could be set within an appropriate range, and the toner transportability and rubbing property and the load during rotation could be maintained in a good balance.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the toner transporting property and the rubbing property with the inner wall of the toner tank were the same as those in Example 1, but the rotating torque was large even if the transporting member was thinned. Since the set amount was small, it was found that the load generated when the cartridge was used was applied to the entire agitator.

In Comparative Examples 2 to 4, the rotational torque could be reduced substantially in the same manner as in Example 1.
In Comparative Examples 2 and 3, which have a large amount of set as compared with, the toner transportability was significantly inferior, and the rubbing performance was slightly inferior. Also, it was found that even in Comparative Example 4 in which the set amount was smaller than in Comparative Examples 2 and 3, the rubbing property against the inner wall was inferior to that in Example 1.

In particular, when the thickness is more than 100 μm in the case of an integral transfer member, it becomes clear that the rubbing property on the inner wall is deteriorated and the rubbing state is not smooth, and that rotation fluctuation due to agitation tends to occur at every rotation. Was. Such a phenomenon was not observed in Example 1 similarly made of an elastic body exceeding 100 mm.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the set amount and the agitator rotation torque. In this graph,
It is shown that the rotation torque can be reduced to 8 kgf / cm or less by configuring the transport member so that the set amount is 10 mm or less. Thus, by setting the amount of set to 10 mm or less, an agitator in which the load applied to the agitator can be effectively reduced can be obtained.

[0106]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the stirring and conveying means is provided with the conveying member having the base portion and the tip end portion having different elastic deformations, the large size of the stirring and conveying means generated during rotation. Both characteristics of reducing the load and smoothing the rubbing property on the inner wall of the housing portion can be provided with a simple configuration. As a result, since the configuration is simple and there is no need to use new parts, there are no restrictions such as an increase in cost and a limitation on the amount of charged toner.

When the carrying member is composed of two members having different elastic deformations, it is necessary to increase both the thickness of the first member and the thickness of the second member in order to increase the strength of the carrying member. In addition, at the same time, the slidability with respect to the storage portion is not impaired. As a result, the load applied to the toner every time the toner is rubbed in the storage section is small, and the occurrence of toner deterioration due to peeling of the external additive of the toner can be effectively suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the agitator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of an agitator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of an agitator according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of another agitator according to a modified example of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of another agitator according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of another agitator according to another modification of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 8A is a side view of an agitator of Comparative Example 1,
(B) is a side view of the agitator according to Comparative Examples 2 to 4, and (C) is a side view of the agitator of Example 1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the agitator for explaining a set amount of the transfer member during high-temperature storage in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the set amount of the transfer member and the agitator rotation torque during high-temperature storage in the present embodiment.

11A is a plan view of a conventional agitator, and FIG.
(A) is a side view of (A).

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Process cartridge 110 Developing device 112 Toner tank (housing section) 114 Inner wall 118 Toner supply port (outlet / outlet) 120 Agitator (stirring / conveying means) 122 Agitator shaft (rotating shaft) 124 Holding member (holding section) 126 Transporting member 128 Base ( Base part, first member) 130 Tip part (tip part, second member) 146 Opening (passing port)

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A storage section for storing toner and having an outlet for sending out toner therein, and a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the storage section, and the rotary shaft is driven to rotate. A stirring and conveying unit that conveys the toner along the inner wall and sends out the toner from the outlet while stirring the toner stored in the storage unit, wherein the stirring and conveying unit performs a predetermined elastic deformation. A conveying member having a base portion on the rotating shaft side and a tip portion disposed radially outside of the base portion and rubbing against the inner wall of the housing portion and having a larger elastic deformation than the base portion. Developing device. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport member includes a first member corresponding to the base and a second member corresponding to the tip. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member is attached to the rotating shaft via a holding member disposed at a center of rotation of the stirring and conveying means.
3. The developing device according to claim 1. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport member is formed of a biaxially stretched film. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein said biaxially stretched film is at least one selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and polyphenylene sulfide. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said base and said tip of said transport member have a thickness such that a> 2b, where a is a thickness of said base and b is a thickness of said tip. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the base has a passage opening that opens along a rotation direction of the stirring and conveying unit. 8. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a length from a rotation center of the transport member to a tip of the tip portion is at least partially different along a rotation axis. 9. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein a length from a rotation center of the transport member to a tip of the tip portion gradually changes along a rotation axis. 10. The developing device according to claim 8, wherein a length from a rotation center of the transport member to a tip of the tip portion varies stepwise along a rotation axis. 11. A housing for storing toner and having an outlet for sending out toner therein, and a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the housing, the rotating shaft being rotationally driven. A stirring and conveying unit that conveys the toner along the inner wall and sends out the toner from the outlet while stirring the toner stored in the storage unit. A process member having a base portion on the rotating shaft side having elastic deformation described above and a tip portion disposed radially outside of the base portion and having a larger elastic deformation than the base portion.