JP2007065453A - Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device that is equipped with a first developer agitating and conveying member which supplies a developer to a developer carrier while agitating and conveying the developer, a second developer conveying member which agitates and conveys a developer in the opposite direction from the developer agitating and conveying direction of the first developer carrying member, and a partition wall which partitions off the first developer agitating and conveying member and second developer agitating and conveying member, and is capable of stable development of high image quality, and a process cartridge equipped with the same and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A gap 46 between an upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44 is hermetically sealed by providing Mylar(R) as an elastic member which has its end brought into close contact with the lower surface of an upper casing 42 on the partition wall 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device used for a copying machine, a fax machine, a printer, and the like, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus using the developing device.

  In a developing device using a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier, it is necessary to block the developer from outside air when the developing device is shipped and transported. This is because the performance of the toner component in the developer deteriorates depending on the humidity and temperature conditions. Further, because the environment when the developing device is transported is harsh and the developer is powder, the developer may flow out of the developing device due to vibration during transport.

  Therefore, conventionally, the following method has been taken. (1) A developer composed of toner and a carrier is sealed and transported in a sealed container different from the developing device, and the developer is supplied from the sealed container to the developing device at a delivery destination. (2) A container in which a developer composed of toner and a carrier is hermetically sealed is set at an installation position on the main body side of a toner container in which toner to be replenished to the developing device is hermetically sealed. At the time of image formation, a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner to the developing device is used to supply a developer composed of toner and carrier to the developing device. (3) In the developing device, since the developer carrier is an opening at a position facing the photoconductor, the installation position of the developer carrier and the developer are spatially blocked. In other words, a box-shaped sealing member that seals and encloses the developer is provided in the developing device, and the developer is supplied to the developer carrier by opening the space between the sealing member and the developer carrier by some operation at the delivery destination. . For example, a developer preset case is provided above the developer stirring and conveying member as a sealing member for hermetically sealing the developer. At the delivery destination, the developer is dropped from the developer preset case to the developer agitating and conveying member by peeling off the seal member that seals the opening of the developer preset case, and the developer agitating and conveying member holds the developer. Supply developer to the body.

The method (1) is sufficient as an environmental measure at the time of transportation, but the trouble of introducing the developer into the developing device at the delivery destination occurs. In method (2), the developer (carrier + toner) and the toner alone have different fluidity as powder, and the responsiveness of the powder to a given conveying force is different. It is technically difficult to control the supply amount of the developer composed of toner and carrier using the apparatus. The method (3) is becoming mainstream because it is technically simple and easy to operate. As described in (3), a developing device including a preset case includes the one described in Patent Document 1.

Further, as a developing device, there is a developing device that includes two agitation and conveyance screws that convey developer in opposite directions to a developer accommodating portion, and supplies the developer from one agitation and conveyance screw to the developing roller. This developing device partitions between two stirring and conveying screws, and both ends of the two stirring and conveying screws have partition walls serving as openings through which the developer can pass. The developer is transported through the two spaces partitioned by the partition wall, and circulates in the developer accommodating portion by passing through the openings at both ends.
Further, there is a known developing device in which the above-described method (3) is applied to a developing device provided with two stirring and conveying screws. Hereinafter, a conventional developing device including two stirring and conveying screws and applying the method (3) will be described with reference to FIG.

The developing device 12 shown in FIG. 9 includes a first screw 17 and a second screw 18 as two agitating and conveying screws in a developer container 41 formed by a lower casing 43 and an upper casing 42. The first housing portion 47 including the first screw 17 and the second housing portion 48 including the second screw 18 are partitioned by the partition wall 44 and communicate with each other through openings at both ends of the partition wall 44.
A preset case 14 for storing the developer before use is installed above the second storage portion 48, and communicates with the developer storage portion 41 through an upper opening 49 provided in the upper casing 42. ing. In the state before the developer is used, the upper opening 49 is closed by the seal member 45 as shown in FIG. When the developer is used, the upper opening 49 is opened by pulling the seal member 45 to the front side (or the back side) in the figure, and the developer in the preset case 14 is transferred to the developer container 41. To be supplied.

The developer supplied to the developer accommodating portion 41 circulates in the developer accommodating portion 41 by the second screw 18 and the first screw 17, and is conveyed to the first screw 17 in the first accommodating portion 47, while developing roller 15. Is supplied. The developer supplied to the surface of the developing roller is conveyed to a developing area facing the photoreceptor 10, and toner contained in the developer is supplied to the latent image on the photoreceptor 10 for development.
Further, according to the amount of toner used for development, toner is supplied from a toner supply port (not shown) provided above the second storage portion 48 on the upstream side in the developer transport direction of the second screw 18. By being transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the second screw 18 while being stirred with the carrier by the second screw 18, the replenished toner is dispersed in the developer and charged.

JP 2002-268353 A

However, a gap 46 as a slight space is required between the upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44 so that the seal member 45 provided below the preset case 14 is easily separated from the lower surface of the upper casing 42 by being pulled out. Become. Then, the gap 46 after the seal member is pulled out becomes a gap, and if the developer moves from the gap, an abnormal image is generated for the following reason.
The toner is replenished to the upstream side in the developer conveying direction in the second accommodating part 48 by increasing the conveying distance until the replenishing toner reaches the first accommodating part 47 that supplies the developer to the developing roller 15. There is an aim to disperse the toner in the developer. However, when the developer reaches the first container 47 through the gap 46 from the second container 48, undispersed / uncharged toner flows into the first container 47, and this undispersed / uncharged toner flows. Toner flows out and is developed, resulting in an abnormal image.

  Note that the trouble caused by the movement of the toner from the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 as described above is limited to the developing device 12 in which the seal member 45 is provided above the second storage portion 48. Absent. Even in the developing device 12 that blocks the space between the first housing portion 47 and the second housing portion 48 by bringing the upper end of the partition wall 44 and the lower surface of the upper casing 42 into contact with each other, the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 The toner may move. This is because it is difficult to tightly contact the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 which are rigid bodies, and a gap is formed between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42, and the second accommodating portion 48 passes through this gap. If undispersed / uncharged toner flows out from the first storage portion 47 and is developed, an abnormal image may be formed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a first developer stirring and conveying member that supplies a developer to the developer carrying member while stirring and conveying the developer, Partition the second developer conveying member that stirs and conveys the developer in the direction opposite to the developing conveyance direction of the one developer conveying member, and the first developer agitating and conveying member and the second developer agitating and conveying member. A developing device including a partition wall and capable of developing with high image quality stably, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus provided with the developing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a developer containing portion that contains a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier, the developer is carried on the surface, and the latent image carrier is opposed. A developer carrying member for supplying the toner to the latent image on the latent image carrying member, and a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member in the developing region. The developer in the developer container is rotated by the first developer agitating and conveying member that stirs and conveys the developer in the developer container and supplies the developer to the developer carrier. A second developer agitating and conveying member for agitating the developer and conveying the developer in a direction opposite to the developer conveying direction of the first developer agitating and conveying member; the first developer agitating and conveying member; and the second development. And a rotating shaft of the first developer agitating / conveying member, which is separated from the agent agitating / conveying member. In the developing device comprising a lower casing and an upper casing that covers the upper portion of the lower casing, the developer containing portion has a partition wall serving as an opening through which the developer can pass. The partition wall is provided with an elastic member whose end is in close contact with the upper casing.
Further, the invention of claim 2 is the developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-use developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating the developer before use above the upper casing of the developer accommodating portion. The developer accommodating portion and the developer accommodating portion communicate with each other through an upper opening provided in the upper casing, and the upper opening is closed and at least a part of the developer accommodating portion before the developer is used. Comprises a sealing means between the partition wall and the upper casing, and the developer in the pre-use developer accommodating portion is removed from the upper opening by pulling out the sealing means from the outside of the developing device. It is supplied to the developer accommodating portion.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the second aspect, the sealing means is in the form of a sheet and is bonded to the upper opening by thermocompression bonding.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first, second, or third aspect, the first developer agitating and conveying member and the second developer agitating and conveying member are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A stirring fin for stirring the developer is provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the first, second, third or fourth aspect, the elastic member is a mylar.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the fifth aspect, the mylar is deformed so as to fall down toward the developer carrying member along the lower surface of the upper casing.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, the elastic member is made of a sponge material.
The invention of claim 8 is a process cartridge comprising at least developing means, and is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developing means of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 A device is provided.
The invention of claim 9 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image by depositing toner on a latent image carrier and developing the latent image on the latent image carrier. A developing device according to 4, 5, 6 or 7 or a process cartridge according to claim 8 is provided.

  In the developing device according to the first to ninth aspects, the partition wall and the upper casing can be hermetically sealed by providing an elastic member whose end is in close contact with the upper casing at the upper part of the partition wall. Thereby, the gap between the partition wall and the upper casing can be closed, and the developer on the second stirring and conveying member side can be prevented from passing over the partition wall and moving to the first stirring and conveying member side. it can.

  According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the developer on the second agitating / conveying member side is prevented from passing over the partition wall and moving to the first agitating / conveying member side, thereby increasing the conveying distance. It is possible to prevent undispersed and uncharged toner from reaching the first developer conveying section. As a result, a developer suitable for development can be supplied to the developer carrying member, and there is an excellent effect that stable and high-quality development can be performed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tandem type color copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a printer 100) which is an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine includes a plurality of photosensitive units 3Y, 3M, 3C for forming, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images. 3K.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photoreceptor unit 3Y for yellow (Y) among the photoreceptor units as a process cartridge.
Each photoconductor unit 3 includes drum-shaped photoconductors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that are image carriers, and charging devices 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K that charge the photoconductor 10, and latent images formed on the photoconductor 10. Developing devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K for developing an image are provided. Each photoconductor unit 3 includes cleaning devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K that clean residual toner on the photoconductor 10. The photoconductor unit 3 is configured as a process cartridge that integrally supports the photoconductor 10, the charging device 11, the developing device 12, and the cleaning device 13, and is detachable from the apparatus main body.

Below each of the photoreceptor units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, an optical unit 40 that includes light emitting elements 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K that form electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K by exposure. Is provided. Above the photoreceptor units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, an intermediate transfer belt 20 to which a toner image formed by the photoreceptor units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K is secondarily transferred is provided.
The intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided with primary transfer rollers 24 </ b> Y, 24 </ b> M, 24 </ b> C, and 24 </ b> K that are stretched by a plurality of rollers and transfer the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 10 to the intermediate transfer belt 20. A belt cleaning device 26 is provided around the intermediate transfer belt 20 to clean the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 20 that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper P. Further, a secondary transfer roller 25 for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto the transfer paper P, a paper transfer belt 27, and a fixing unit 6 for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper are provided. Above the photosensitive unit 3, toner bottles 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K for supplying toner of each color to the developing device are provided.

  Next, the process of obtaining a color image in the printer 100 will be described. First, in the photoreceptor units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are uniformly charged by the charging devices 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. Thereafter, the light emitting elements 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are scanned and exposed based on the image information to form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. The latent images on the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are developed with toners of the respective colors carried on the developing rollers 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K of the developing devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, and are visible as toner images. Imaged. The toner images on the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 that is rotated counterclockwise by the action of the primary transfer rollers 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. The image forming operation of each color at this time is shifted in timing from the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the downstream side so that the toner image is transferred to the same position on the intermediate transfer belt 20. Executed. The surfaces of the photoreceptors 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K after the completion of the primary transfer are cleaned by the cleaning devices 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, and are prepared for the next image formation.

On the other hand, the transfer paper P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 25 by the registration roller pair 28 at a predetermined timing. Then, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the transfer paper P in the secondary transfer portion. The transfer paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing unit 6 to be fixed, and is discharged outside the apparatus. Similar to the photoconductor 10, the transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is cleaned by a belt cleaning device 26 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 20.
The new toner filled in the toner bottles 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K is supplied to the toner supply devices 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, and is stored in the toner hoppers of the toner supply devices 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. The toner stored in the toner hopper portion is supplied with a predetermined amount of toner when the toner density detecting means in the developing devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K determines that the toner concentration in the developing device is low. Supply to 12M, 12C, 12K.

Next, the developing device 12 will be described. Hereinafter, since the developing devices 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K have the same structure except for the color of the toner used, only one developing device 12 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developing device 12 before starting the use of the developer.
The developing device 12 is disposed to face the photosensitive member 10 that is a latent image carrier, and includes a developer accommodating portion 41 that accommodates a two-component developer composed of a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier when the developer is used. And a developing roller 15 as a developer carrying member for carrying the developer in the accommodating portion 41. Further, on the upstream side in the surface movement direction (arrow B in the figure) of the developing roller 15 with respect to the developing region which is the opposing portion of the developing roller 15 and the photosensitive member 10, the height of the developer carried on the developing roller 15 is increased. A doctor blade 16 for regulation is provided.

The developer accommodating portion 41 is formed by a lower casing 43 and an upper casing 42 that covers the upper side of the lower casing 43, and is a first screw 17 that is a first developer agitating and conveying member and a second developer agitating and conveying member. And a second screw 18. The first screw 17 and the second screw 18 are installed so that their rotation axes are parallel to the axis of the developing roller 15, and the first screw 17 and the second screw 18 are rotated so that the developer is applied in opposite directions. Transport while stirring. The first accommodating portion 47 including the first screw 17 and the second accommodating portion 48 including the second screw 18 of the developer accommodating portion 41 are partitioned by a partition wall 44, and are opened at both ends of the partition wall 44. Communicate.
Above the second storage portion 48, a preset case 14 is installed as a pre-use developer storage portion for storing the initial developer before use, and the developer is opened by an upper opening 49 provided in the upper casing 42. It communicates with the accommodating part 41. In the state before using the developer, the upper opening 49 is closed by the seal member 45 as shown in FIG.
Also, Mylar 50 (made of PET) as an elastic member is provided on the upper portion of the partition wall 44, and is deformed so as to fall toward the developing roller 15 along the lower surface of the upper casing 42 due to its elasticity. The upper casing 42 is in close contact with the lower surface.
When the initial developer is started to be used, the upper opening 49 is opened as shown in FIG. A developer is supplied to the developer container 41.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developing device 12 after starting the use of the initial developer.
The developer supplied to the developer accommodating portion 41 is agitated and conveyed by the second screw 18 and the first screw 17 and circulates in the developer accommodating portion 41 through the openings at both ends of the partition wall 44. In the first accommodating portion 47, the developing roller 15 is supplied while being conveyed to the first screw 17.
The surface of the developing roller 15 has a rotatable sleeve shape made of a non-magnetic material, and a magnet for generating a magnetic field is fixedly disposed inside. The developing roller 15 having a sleeve with a built-in magnet carries and conveys a layer of the two-component developer whose layer thickness is regulated by the doctor blade 16 to the developing region, and toner is transferred to the photosensitive member 10 in the developing region facing the photosensitive member 10. To develop the electrostatic latent image even formed on the photoreceptor 10.
Further, according to the amount of toner used for development, toner is supplied from a toner supply port (not shown) provided above the second storage portion 48 on the upstream side in the developer transport direction of the second screw 18. By being transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the second screw 18 while being stirred with the carrier by the second screw 18, the replenished toner is dispersed in the developer and charged.

Further, when the seal member 45 is pulled out, the deformation amount of the mylar 50 is reduced by the amount that the seal member 45 is removed, but the upper part 42 is deformed so as to fall toward the developing roller 15 along the lower surface of the upper casing 42. The state is in close contact with the lower surface of the casing 42.
When the mylar 50 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42, the gap 46 between the upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44 can be sealed. By sealing the gap 46 with the mylar 50, the gap 46, which is the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42, can be closed, and a shortcut for the developer in the second storage portion 48 to pass through the upper part of the partition wall 44. And it can prevent moving to the 1st accommodating part 47. FIG. Since the developer in the second storage portion 48 reaches the first storage portion 47 after being transported to the downstream end in the transport direction of the second screw 18 without performing a shortcut, the distance for stirring and transporting is increased. It is possible to prevent undispersed and uncharged toner from reaching the first storage portion 47. As a result, a developer suitable for development can be supplied to the developing roller 15, and development with high image quality can be performed stably.

In addition, the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 above the partition wall 44 is sealed with a mylar 50 that is an elastic member, so that the toner from above the partition wall 44 between the first screw 17 and the second screw 18 can be obtained. And the movement of the developer can be prevented. Further, since the mylar 50 is an elastic body, the sealing member 45 that is a sheet-like sealing means can be pulled out from below the upper casing 42.
In this embodiment, the mylar is made of a PET material. However, the mylar is not limited to a PET material, and an elastic material can be processed into a sheet to prevent the toner from passing therethrough. I just need it.
In addition, the mylar 50 may be creased so as to be surely deformed in a state of being tilted to the developing roller 15 side. If the mylar 50 is deformed so as to fall not on the developing roller 15 side but on the upper opening 49 side, the sealing member 45 is pressed by the elastic force of the mylar 50, and the force for pulling out the sealing member 45 increases. End up. In addition, when the upper opening 49 is followed, the preset initial developer rides on the surface facing the upper side of the mylar 50, and there is a problem that the initial developer that has been put on is not used. By deforming the mylar 50 into the upper body that has fallen toward the developing roller 15, the increase in the pulling-out force of the seal member 45 can be minimized by providing the mylar 50, and the developer is placed above the mylar 50. It is also possible to prevent the problem of getting on.

Further, as the second screw 18, a stirring fin may be provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the developer transport direction, and the developer may be stirred in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the second screw 18 provided with stirring fins. As shown in FIG. 5, the dispersion effect of the second screw 18 can be improved by providing a flat stirring fin 18 c on the shaft portion 18 a between the wing portions 18 b of the second screw 18. Further, by providing the stirring fin 18c in the vicinity of the detection means for detecting the toner concentration in the developer, it is possible to prevent the developer from staying in the vicinity of the detection means.
Providing such a stirring fin 18c facilitates the movement of the developer in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. In the developing device 12 having the second screw 18 provided with such fins, if there is a gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42, the second housing portion 48 is more likely than the screw without the stirring fin 18c. The outflow of the developer and the toner from the partition wall 44 to the first accommodating portion 47 is accelerated.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mylar 50 provided on the upper portion of the partition wall 44 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42, thereby sealing the gap 46 between the upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44. The developer and the toner can be prevented from flowing out from above the partition wall 44. By providing the stirring fin 18c on the second screw 18 of the developing device 12 including the mylar 50, the dispersion effect at the time of stirring and transporting by the second screw 18 is improved, and the outflow of undispersed and uncharged toner is prevented. Therefore, more stable development can be performed. As described above, the configuration in which the mylar 50 is provided on the upper portion of the partition wall 44 is very effective for the developing device 12 in which the second screw 18 is provided with the stirring fin 18c intended to increase the stirring performance. It is. The stirring fin is not limited to the second screw 18 and may be provided in the first screw 17 in the same manner.

Next, the seal member 45 will be described.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the seal member 45. 6A is an exploded view of the upper and lower casings of the developing device 12 provided with the seal member 45, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the upper casing rear side end portion indicated by a region α in FIG. 6A. 6 (c) is an explanatory diagram of a method for pulling out the seal member 45.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the seal member 45 has a sheet shape, and the seal crimping portion 45a is bonded by thermocompression bonding so as to close the upper opening 49 provided in the upper casing. ing. Thus, the initial developer in the preset case 14 and the outside air can be shut off by pressing the seal member 45 on the lower surface of the upper casing 42 that forms the upper opening 49.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the seal member 45 forms a folded portion 45b on the back side, which is the end opposite to the extraction portion 45d, and includes a seal crimp portion 45a and a non-crimp portion 45c. Are provided so as to overlap each other, and the leading end of the non-crimping part 45c is a drawing part 45d.
As shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the sealing member is such that the front side of the seal crimping part 45a is the withdrawal part 45d instead of being folded back at the back side, the entire crimping surface is peeled off at once. It is difficult to pull out.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the folded portion 45b is formed on the back side of the seal crimping portion 45a, and the tip of the non-crimping portion 45c is pulled, so that it is pulled from the back side of the seal crimping portion 45a. Then, it will be peeled off one after another. Since the pressure-bonding surface is peeled off as much as it is pulled, the force for pulling out the seal member 45 is minimal, and the pull-out becomes easy.

Further, the developing device 12 has a first accommodating portion 47 provided with the first screw 17 substantially below the developing roller 15, and a second accommodating portion 48 provided with the second screw 18 substantially below the preset case 14. Is arranged. With such an arrangement, the layout is compact and suitable for downsizing of the developing device. By using a developing device having a layout such as the developing device 12 for a color image forming device having a plurality of developing devices, the overall size of the image forming device can be reduced.
Further, since the developing device is compact, it is very suitable for user operation and replacement. Further, a seal member that can be easily pulled out is also suitable for use in a process cartridge because of its high user handling.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gap between the upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44 is provided by providing the mylar 50 that is an elastic member whose end is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42 at the top of the partition wall 44. 46 can be sealed. Therefore, the gap 46 that is the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 can be closed, and the developer in the second storage portion 48 passes through the top of the partition wall 44 and moves to the first storage portion 47. Can be prevented. Then, after being transported to the downstream end in the transport direction, the first container 47 is reached, so that the agitating / conveying distance can be increased, and undispersed and uncharged toner reaches the first container 47. This can be prevented. As a result, a developer suitable for development can be supplied to the developing roller 15, and development with high image quality can be performed stably.
Further, a preset case 14 which is a pre-use developer accommodating portion is provided above the upper casing 42, and in a state before using the developer, an upper opening 49 which communicates the preset case 14 and the developer accommodating portion 41 is closed, In the developing device 12 including the sealing member 45 as a sealing means, a part of which is between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42, even when the sealing member 45 is pulled out when the developer is used, compared to before the mylar 50 is pulled out. Thus, the mylar 50 comes into close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42 only by reducing the deformation amount of the mylar 50. Thereby, even if it is the structure provided with the sealing member 45 pulled out at the time of use of a developer, it is possible to perform development with high image quality stably.
Further, the seal member 45 has a sheet shape and is bonded to the upper opening 49 by thermocompression bonding, so that the developer in the preset case 14 can be blocked from the outside air. Moreover, since it is folded and arranged on the opposite side to the drawing direction, the sealing member 45 can be pulled out easily.
Further, by providing the mylar 50 on the upper part of the partition wall 44, the second screw 18 is provided with an agitating fin 18c for agitating the developer in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Since the outflow of undispersed and uncharged toner can be prevented while improving, more stable development can be performed.
Moreover, since the force which presses the sealing member 45 can be suppressed by using the mylar 50 as an elastic member, extraction of the sealing member 45 becomes easy. Furthermore, by deforming the mylar 50 so as to fall toward the developing roller 15 along the lower surface of the upper casing 42, the force for pressing the seal member 45 can be further reduced.
Further, since the photosensitive unit 3 is detachable from the printer 100 main body as a process cartridge including the developing device 12, the photoconductor unit 3 includes a seal member 45 that can be easily pulled out and a compact developing device 12. Is easy to handle.
Further, the printer 100 as an image forming apparatus including the developing device 12 as a developing unit is compact and has excellent user handling.

[Modification]
In the present embodiment, a sheet-like mylar 50 made of an elastic material is used as an elastic member provided on the upper portion of the partition wall 44 and in close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42. Any elastic member may be used as long as it closes the gap 46 between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42 and is not limited to Mylar.
Hereinafter, a modification using a sponge member as the elastic member will be described. Since the elastic member is the same as that of the embodiment except that the elastic member is different, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 12 according to the first modification before the use of the developer is started. As shown in FIG. 7, the sponge 60 as the elastic member contracts and is in close contact with the upper casing 42 with the seal member 45 interposed therebetween.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 12 according to the first modification after the start of use of the developer. When the seal member 45 is pulled out, the sponge 60 is in close contact with the upper casing 42 in a state of being extended from the state of FIG. 7 as shown in FIG. Since the sponge 60 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper casing 42, the gap 46 between the upper casing 42 and the partition wall 44 can be sealed. As a result, the gap 46, which is the gap between the partition wall 44 and the upper casing 42, can be closed, and the developer in the second storage portion 48 can be used as a shortcut for passing through the upper portion of the partition wall 44, thereby providing the first storage portion 47. Can be prevented. Therefore, after the second screw 18 is conveyed to the downstream end in the conveying direction, the first container 47 is reached, so that the agitating / conveying distance can be increased, and undispersed and uncharged toner is first accommodated. Reaching the portion 47 can be prevented. As a result, a developer suitable for development can be supplied to the developing roller 15, and development with high image quality can be performed stably.

By using the sponge 60 as the elastic member, it is possible to more closely contact the upper casing 42 than the mylar, so that the toner shortcut can be prevented more reliably. Further, in the developing device having a high process speed, the rotational speed of the second screw 18 is also increased, and the force acting on the developer toward the direction perpendicular to the axis is increased. In such a case, when sealed with Mylar, there is a risk that it will not be possible to cope with it, but it is possible to cope with high speed machines by providing the sponge 60 in a state where the compression rate of the sponge is high. .
Further, in the case of the developing device 12 that does not include the sealing member 45 and blocks the space between the first housing portion 47 and the second housing portion 48 by contacting the upper end of the partition wall 44 and the lower surface of the upper casing 42, the partition wall 44. Sponge 60 may be provided at the upper end of the plate. By providing the sponge 60, which is an elastic member, in the contact portion where the rigid bodies contact each other, as shown in FIG. 8, the occurrence of a gap that occurs between the rigid bodies due to component accuracy and vibration during operation is prevented. It is possible to prevent undispersed and uncharged toner from flowing out from the top of the toner.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photoconductor unit according to the printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing device before starting use of the developer according to the printer. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing device after starting use of the developer according to the printer. The schematic side view of the 2nd screw provided with the stirring fin. Explanatory drawing of a sealing member, (a) is an exploded view of upper and lower casings of a developing device provided with a sealing member, (b) is a partially enlarged view of (a), and (c) is an explanatory view of a drawing method. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing device before starting use of a developer according to a modified example. The schematic sectional drawing of the image development apparatus after the start of use of the developer concerning a modification. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional developing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Photoconductor unit 4 Light emitting element 6 Fixing unit 7 Toner bottle 8 Toner supply device 10 Photoconductor 11 Charging device 12 Developing device 13 Cleaning device 14 Preset case 15 Developing roller 16 Doctor blade 17 First screw 18 Second screw 20 Intermediate transfer belt 24 primary transfer roller 25 secondary transfer roller 26 belt cleaning device 27 paper transfer belt 28 registration roller pair 41 developer accommodating portion 42 upper casing 43 lower casing 44 partition wall 45 seal member 46 gap 47 first accommodating portion 48 second accommodating portion 49 Upper opening 50 Myra 60 Sponge 100 Printer

Claims (9)

A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a two-component developer including toner and a carrier;
A developer carrying member for carrying the developer on the surface and supplying the toner to a latent image on the latent image carrying member in a development region opposed to the latent image carrying member;
A developer regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying body;
A first developer agitating and conveying member for rotating and agitating and conveying the developer in the developer container and supplying the developer to the developer carrying member;
A second developer agitating and conveying member that agitates the developer in the developer container by rotating and conveys the developer in a direction opposite to the developer conveying direction of the first developer agitating and conveying member;
A partition between the first developer agitating and conveying member and the second developer agitating and conveying member is partitioned, and both ends of the first developer agitating and conveying member and the second developer agitating and conveying member in the rotation axis direction are the development A partition wall that serves as an opening through which the agent can pass;
In the developing device comprising the lower casing and the upper casing that covers the upper portion of the lower casing,
A developing device comprising an elastic member having an end portion in close contact with the upper casing at an upper portion of the partition wall. The developing device according to claim 1.
A pre-use developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating the developer before use is provided above the upper casing of the developer accommodating portion, and the pre-use developer accommodating portion and the developer accommodating portion are provided in the upper casing. Communicated through the upper opening formed,
Sealing means for closing the upper opening in a state before using the developer, at least a part of which is between the partition wall and the upper casing,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer in the pre-use developer accommodating portion is supplied to the developer accommodating portion from the upper opening by pulling out the sealing means from the outside of the developing device. The developing device according to claim 2.
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is in the form of a sheet and is bonded to the upper opening by thermocompression bonding. The developing device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A developing device, wherein the first developer agitating and conveying member or the second developer agitating and conveying member is provided with an agitating fin for agitating the developer in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
A developing device, wherein the elastic member is Mylar. The developing device according to claim 5.
A developing device, wherein the mylar is deformed so as to fall down toward the developer carrying member along the lower surface of the upper casing. The developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
The development mounting characterized in that the elastic member is made of a sponge material. In a process cartridge that includes at least developing means and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 as the developing means. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by developing a latent image on a latent image carrier by depositing toner on the latent image carrier,
An image forming apparatus comprising: the developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, or the process cartridge according to claim 8.

Images