JPS62178284A - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a setting-up time and to attain the loading of a developing device only in the normal operating state of a developing device body by providing a stopper for preventing the developing device body from being inserted into a mounting pat under the fitting state of an aperture part closing cover to the developing device body on the cover. CONSTITUTION:Due to the cover 65 is fitted to the developing device body in the free state of the developing device 9 which is not loaded into the mounting part, the aperture part 41 of the developing device body is closed and rotary roller 33 is prevented from rotation. Insertion preventing stoppers 75, 75 are protrusively provided to both the end parts of the cover body 67, and if the developing device is tried to be inserted into the mounting part under the covered state, the stoppers 75, 75 are engaged with the aperture edge part of the aperture part of a copying device body to interrupt the insertion. Said constitution make it possible to shorten the setting-up time and to load the developing device body only in the normal operation state of the uncovered developing device body.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a developing device applied to an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine. The present invention has a developing roller that is partially exposed through the opening and conveys the developer as it rotates, and is detachable from the mounting portion formed in the image forming apparatus (II. .

(Prior Art) In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, a developing device is configured to be detachable from a mounting portion formed in the image forming apparatus, and a developing device containing carriers of different colors is used. A device that can be replaced with another device as appropriate has been put into practical use.

However, in the conventional developing device of this type of image forming apparatus, when the developing device is used alone, the developing device 0-Ra is always exposed.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) For this reason, if the developer is packed and transported while stored in the developing device, the developer will spill out due to vibrations and the rotation of the developing roller caused by the vibrations. It is necessary to package and transport the device separately from the developing device, which is not only inefficient, but also has the problem that developer must be added during setup, which is extremely troublesome and time-consuming. Also, when the developing device is left unattended or transported, it generates garbage.

There is a problem that impurities such as dust and metal powder are mixed into the developer.

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to have a simple structure, yet be able to contain developer in advance during packaging and transportation of the developing device.
The setup time can be shortened, and when the developing device is left alone or transported, it is possible to reliably prevent impurities such as dust, dust, and metal powder from getting into the developer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device that can be attached to a mounting portion only in a normal operable state.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention exposes a part of the developing device body through an opening formed in the main body, and as it rotates, the developer is removed. In a developing device that has a developing roller that conveys the image and is detachable from a mounting portion formed in an image forming apparatus, an opening of the developing device main body is sealed and rotation of the developing roller is prevented. A cover is provided to be detachably attached to the main body of the developing device, and an insertion prevention stopper is provided to prevent the cover from being inserted into an attached portion formed within the image forming device when the cover is attached.

(Function) That is, the present invention seals the opening of the developing device body and prevents the rotation of the developing roller by attaching a cover to the developing device body when the developing device is not attached to a mounting portion. By preventing the developer from spilling, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from spilling, and since the developer can be stored in advance without having to be packaged separately as in the past, it is possible to shorten the set-up time. It is possible to reliably prevent impurities such as dust, flakes, and metal powder from getting into the developer when the device is left alone or transported.In addition, the developing device can be operated with the cover attached. When attempting to attach the cover to the attachment target, the insertion prevention stopper provided on the cover gets in the way and prevents insertion, and the cover can only be attached in a normal operable state with the cover removed.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device of the present invention, and its configuration is as follows.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the copying apparatus, and a document table 2 is provided on the top surface of the main body 1 so as to be able to freely move back and forth, and an operation panel is provided on the front edge of the top surface.

Further, a paper feed cassette 3 is attached to the right side of the copying apparatus main body 1, and a cassette cover 4 of the paper feed cassette 3 serves as a manual paper feed table 5 for manually feeding paper P as appropriate.

A drum-shaped photoreceptor 6 is provided approximately at the center of the main body 1 of the copying apparatus, and a charging device 7 is provided around the drum-shaped photoreceptor 6. Exposure device 8. Developer @9. Transfer device 10, peeling device @11.
and a cleaning device 12 are arranged in sequence.

Further, in the lower part of the main body 1 of the copying machine, paper P supplied from an automatic paper feeder 15 equipped with a paper cassette 3 and paper P supplied from a manual paper feed tray 5 are connected to the photoreceptor 6. A paper transport path 18 is formed that leads to a paper discharge tray 17 provided on the left side of the copying apparatus main body 1 via an image transfer section 16 between the copying apparatus 10 and the copying apparatus main body 1 .

Further, a pair of aligning rollers 20 is arranged on the upstream side of the image transfer section 16 of the paper transport path 18, and a fixing device 21 and a pair of paper discharge rollers 22 are arranged on the downstream side.

During the copying operation, the photoreceptor 6 is driven in the direction of the arrow (clockwise in the state shown in FIG. 2) by a drive groove (not shown) in synchronization with the movement of the document table 2, and the exposure device 8 is exposed to light. The lamp 23 lights up. First, the strip is uniformly charged by the band M device 7, and the exposure device 8
As a result, the original image set on the original platen 2 is imaged onto the photoreceptor 6, and an electrostatic latent image thereof is formed. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 6 is sent as a developer image to the transfer device 10 side by a developing device 9 that uses a two-component developer consisting of toner a and carrier b.

On the other hand, a sheet P that is automatically or manually fed is fed through a pair of aligning rollers 20, and the developer image previously formed on the photoreceptor 6 is transferred to the sheet P by the action of the transfer device 10.
transcribed into. Then, the paper P is peeled off from the photoreceptor 6 by a peeling device 11 using AC corona discharge, passes through a conveyance path 18, and is sent to a fixing device. Here, after the developer image is fused and fixed on the paper P, it is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 17 by a pair of paper discharge rollers 22 .

On the other hand, after the developer image is transferred onto the paper P, 9! remains on the photoreceptor 6! The U-retention toner is cleaned by a cleaning device 12,
The next copy operation is now possible.

Further, the developing device @9 has a structure as shown in detail in FIG. 4.

That is, this developing device 9 is comprised of a lower unit 30a and an upper unit 30b, and the lower unit 30a is comprised of a developing compartment 31 and a developer stirring part 32.

The developing mechanism section 31 also includes a developing roller 533 disposed facing the opening 41 in the lower casing 40a of the developing device main body 40, and a developer magnetic brush D' formed on the surface of the developing roller 33. A doctor 35 is provided at the sliding contact portion with the photoreceptor 6, that is, upstream of the development position 34, and regulates the thickness of the developer magnetic brush D', and a developer magnetic brush D' whose thickness is regulated by the doctor 35. It has a thin plate member 36 that smoothes the surface. Further, the developer stirring section 32 includes first and second developer stirring bodies 38 accommodated in a developer accommodating section 37 in the upper casing 40b of the developing device main body 40.
．． It has 39.

Further, the developing roller 33 is composed of a magnetic roll 33a having five magnetic pole parts, and a rotating sleeve 33b that is fitted onto the outside of the magnetic roll 33a and rotates counterclockwise in the figure.

The rotary sleeve 33b is in a so-called with mode in which it rotates counterclockwise in the figure to perform development, and slides the developer brush D' held on its surface in a direction that follows the flow of the image on the photoreceptor 6. By bringing them into contact with each other, sufficient development time is ensured, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 6 is developed in a high-quality image state.

Further, the upper unit 30b includes an upper casing 40b of the developing device main body 40, a toner hopper 50 that is detachable from the upper casing 40b, and the developer storage section 3.
A developer concentration detector 51 (in the case of a color ZXa, this is installed at a position 51' indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4), which detects the developer concentration in 7, and this developer concentration detector The toner hopper 51 receives a detection signal from the toner hopper 51.The toner hopper 51 includes a replenishment device driving means (not shown) for driving the replenishment roller 52 incorporated in the toner hopper 51 as necessary.

The upper unit 30b is fixed and integrated with the lower unit 30a via a plurality of screws (not shown), and can be lifted via a handle 60 attached to the upper unit 30b. ing.

Further, the developing device @ 9 configured in this way has an opening 6 formed on the upper surface side of the copying device main body 1 as shown in FIG.
1, it is configured to be detachable from a mounting portion formed in the main body 1 of the copying apparatus. Note that the opening 6
1 can be exposed by sliding the document table 2 and then opening the upper cover 62.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the developing device 9, which is detachably attached to the attachment portion formed in the copying apparatus main body 1, includes a developing roller 33 of the developing device main body 40.
The structure is such that a cover 65 that seals the opening 41 exposing a portion of the developing roller 533 and prevents rotation of the developing row 533 can be attached.

This cover 65 includes a cover body 67 having a fixing portion 66 for attaching it to the phenomenon device body 40, and a cover body 67.
The first and second plates are provided in the opening 41 and can contact at least the peripheral edge of the opening 41 and the developing roller 33 via the film 68.
The structure includes flexible members 69° and 70°.

The mounting and fixing portion 66 is integrally molded on the upper edge of the cover body 67 and engages with an engagement hole 71.71 as a secured portion formed near the upper edge of the opening of the developing device body 40. a claw member 72.72 as a first engagement part for positioning;
A developing port 33 is integrally molded on both ends of the cover main body 67.
It consists of tongue piece members 73 and 73 with elongated holes serving as second engagement parts for preventing slipping off and engaging with both ends of the shaft 33a.

The first flexible member 69 affixed along the lower edge of the cover body 67 is a little hard and is in close contact with the lower edge of the opening of the current device body 40, and is attached along the upper edge of the cover body 67. The attached second flexible member 70 is soft and comes into close contact with the upper edge of the opening of the developing device main body 40 and the developing roller 33, as shown in FIG.

Further, when the flexible member 69.70 is a foamed member, the film 68 provided on the front side of the flexible member 69.70 prevents the developer from entering the foam holes, and protects the cover 67. This prevents the developer from spilling out when attaching and detaching.

Furthermore, stoppers 75 and 75 for preventing insertion are protruded from both ends of the cover main body 67, so that if an attempt is made to insert the cover 65 into the attached part with the cover 65 still attached, the opening 61 of the copying apparatus main body 1 Insertion prevention stoppers 75 and 75 are caught on the edge of the opening to prevent insertion.

Therefore, when the developing device 9 is in a stand-alone state where it is not attached to a mounting portion, by attaching the cover 65 to the developing device main body 40 as shown in FIG.
By sealing the opening 41 and preventing rotation of the developing roller 33, spilling of the developer can be reliably prevented, so the developer can be stored in advance without having to be packaged separately as in the past. This makes it possible to shorten the setup time. Further, it is possible to reliably prevent impurities such as dust, flakes, and metal powder from entering the developer when the developing device is left alone or transported.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention has a developing roller that is partially exposed through an opening formed in the developing device main body and that transports developer as it rotates, and that is capable of forming an image. In a developing device that is detachably attached to a mounting portion formed in the device, a cover that seals an opening of the developing device body and prevents the rotation of the developing roller is detachably attached to the developing device body; An insertion prevention stopper is provided to prevent the cover from being inserted into a mounting portion formed within the image forming apparatus when the cover is mounted. Therefore, although the configuration is simple, the developer can be stored in advance during packaging and transportation of the developing device, and the setup time can be shortened. It is possible to reliably prevent impurities such as lumps and metal powder from being mixed into the phenomenon agent. Also, if you try to attach the developing device to the attachment target with the cover attached, the insertion prevention stopper provided on the cover will get in the way, making it impossible to insert it, and it can only be attached when the cover is removed and it is in normal operating condition. This has the advantage that it is possible to provide a developing device that has the following characteristics.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the main part with the cover removed, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device of the present invention. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the main part with the cover attached; FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of the developing device; FIG.
The cause is the perspective view showing the state of insertion and removal from the image forming apparatus, No. 6.
The figure is a front view of the main part of the cover, and Figure 7 is the ■- of Figure 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line (2) and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixed state of the developing roller. 1... Image forming apparatus main body (copying apparatus main body), 9...
Developing device, 33... Developing roller, 33a... Shaft, 40... Developing device main body, 41... Opening, 65
...Cover, 66...Mounting fixing part, 67...Engaged part (engaging hole), 69.70...Flexible member, 72...
・First engaging part (claw member), 73... second engaging part (
tongue piece member with long hole), 75...stopper for preventing insertion. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 8

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) The developing device has a developing roller that is partially exposed through an opening formed in the main body and conveys developer as it rotates, and is attached to a mounting portion formed in the image forming device. In the removable developing device, a cover that seals the opening of the developing device main body and prevents rotation of the developing roller is removably provided with respect to the developing device main body, and
A developing device characterized by being provided with an insertion prevention stopper that prevents the cover from being inserted into a mounted portion formed within the image forming apparatus when the cover is mounted. (2) The cover is characterized by comprising a cover main body having a fixing portion for attaching to the developing device main body, and a flexible member provided on the cover main body and capable of coming into contact with at least the opening periphery and the developing roller. A developing device according to claim 1. (3) a first engaging portion for positioning in which the mounting fixing portion engages with an engaged portion formed on the opening edge of the developing device main body;
3. The developing device according to claim 2, further comprising a second engaging portion for preventing the developing roller from coming off, which engages with the shaft of the developing roller.