JP4332472B2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a laser printer, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing device that ships a developer while being placed in a developing device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This developer performs auto toner adjustment at the factory at the time of shipment, and seals the toner replenishing port with a seal attached to the bottom opening of the upper unit while the developer used in this auto toner adjustment is put in, The cover attached to the opening of the lower unit covers the opening of the lower unit.

JP 62-229170 A (page 9, FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the developing device as in Patent Document 1, each color developing roller is always in contact with the developer in the state of shipment, so that the surface of the developing roller is scratched and easily deteriorated due to rubbing during transfer. There was a point.

  Accordingly, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art, and in the developing device that houses the developing roller and has the toner supply port, the developer can be easily adjusted while ensuring the durability of the developing roller. An object is to provide a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a developing roller, a first chamber in which the developing roller is accommodated , and a conveyance body that supplies developer to the surface of the developing roller through a communication port. And a second chamber having a toner supply port, an upper case including an inner wall of the first chamber and having the toner supply port formed therein, and the second chamber A lower case including an inner wall, a developer regulating member fixed to the lower case, facing the developing roller from below and regulating a layer thickness on the developing roller, and sealing the toner supply port. A detachable sealing member, wherein the lower case has side walls that define both longitudinal ends of the first chamber and the second chamber, and the communication port is the first chamber. Formed in a frame that is placed between the room and the second room Is and and is folded intermediate portion is adhered to the frame body in a state folded in two, that is withdrawn is covered by a removable adhesive sheet, the frame, the second in the lower case The L-shaped section in the short direction of the frame body is abutted against the partition wall that partitions the short direction of the room and is set in the lower case along the longitudinal direction of the transport body. By being assembled to the lower case, it is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case, and the developer is preset in the second room in a shipping state. To do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the developing roller generates a magnetic field, and the frame is a non-metallic material. A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect , the adhesive sheet is disposed so as to face above the upper surface of the developer stored in the second chamber.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge comprising the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects. A sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to the fourth aspect.

The present invention is as described above, and stores a developing roller, a first chamber for storing the developing roller, a transport body for supplying developer to the surface of the developing roller through a communication port, and a toner. In a developing device comprising a second chamber having a supply port, an upper case including the inner wall of the first chamber, the toner supply port being formed, and a lower case including the inner wall of the second chamber A developer regulating member that is fixed to the lower case and faces the developing roller from below and regulates the layer thickness on the developing roller, and the toner supply port is sealed and removable. The lower case has side walls that define both longitudinal ends of the first room and the second room, and the communication port includes the first room and the second room. Formed in the frame placed between Folded back part is bonded to the frame in a state folded in two, that is withdrawn is covered by a removable adhesive sheet, the frame has a lateral direction of the second chamber in the lower case The L-shaped section in the transverse direction of the frame body is abutted against the partition wall to be partitioned and set in the lower case along the longitudinal direction of the transport body, and the upper case is assembled to the lower case. Thus, the developer is preset in a state of being shipped between the upper case and the lower case, and the developer roller is preset in the second chamber by the adhesive sheet. Deterioration due to contact with the developer in the apparatus can be prevented. That is, it is possible to prevent scratches caused by the preset developer flowing in the developing device during the transfer of the developing device and rubbing against the developing roller. Further, since the developer is sealed in the apparatus by the sealing member , when the developer is a two-component developer of toner and carrier, adjustment of the developer (optimization of the mixing ratio of toner and carrier) can be performed at the time of use. Easy.

  Hereinafter, an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described as an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the invention is applied. The image forming unit will be described as a process cartridge.

  First, the basic configuration of the printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a printer main body, which includes four process cartridges 6Y, M, C, and K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K). I have. These use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors as the image forming material, but the other configurations are the same and are replaced when the lifetime is reached.

  Taking a process cartridge 6Y for generating a Y toner image as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a drum-shaped photosensitive member 1Y, a drum cleaning device 2Y, a charge eliminating device (not shown), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, etc. I have. The process cartridge 6Y can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 100 so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  The charging device 4Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y that is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor 1 </ b> Y is exposed and scanned by the laser beam L to carry an electrostatic latent image for Y. The Y electrostatic latent image is developed into a Y toner image by the developing device 5Y using Y toner. Then, intermediate transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The drum cleaning device 2Y removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the intermediate transfer process. The static eliminator neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 1Y after cleaning. By this charge removal, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is initialized and prepared for the next image formation.

  In the other process cartridges 6M, C, and K, M, C, and K toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 1M, C, and K, and are intermediately transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. In FIG. 1 shown above, an exposure device 7 is disposed below the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. The exposure device 7 serving as a latent image forming unit irradiates the respective photosensitive members in the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K with a laser beam L emitted based on the image information. By this exposure, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The exposure device 7 irradiates the photosensitive member through a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors while scanning a laser beam L emitted from a light source with a polygon mirror rotated by a motor.

  On the lower side of the exposure apparatus 7 in the figure, paper supply means including a paper storage cassette 26, a paper supply roller 27 incorporated therein, a registration roller pair 28, and the like are disposed. The paper storage cassette 26 stores a plurality of transfer papers P as recording bodies, and a paper feed roller 27 is in contact with the uppermost transfer paper P. When the paper feeding roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown), the uppermost transfer paper P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28. The registration roller pair 28 rotationally drives both rollers to sandwich the transfer paper P, but temporarily stops rotating immediately after sandwiching. Then, the transfer paper P is sent out toward a later-described secondary transfer nip at an appropriate timing. In the sheet feeding unit having such a configuration, a conveying unit is configured by a combination of the sheet feeding roller 27 and the registration roller pair 28 corresponding to the timing roller. This transport means transports the transfer paper P from a paper storage cassette 26 serving as a storage means to a secondary transfer nip described later.

  Above the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, an intermediate transfer unit 15 that moves the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is an intermediate transfer member endlessly while stretching is disposed. The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes, in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, M, C, and K, a cleaning device 10, and the like. A secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14 and the like are also provided. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotational drive of at least one of the rollers 12, 13, and 14 while being stretched around these three rollers 12, 13, and 14. The primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, M, C, and K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 moved endlessly in this manner from the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K to form primary transfer nips, respectively. Yes. In these methods, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of toner (for example, plus) is applied to the back surface (loop inner peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  All of the rollers except the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are electrically grounded. The intermediate transfer belt 8 sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K along with the endless movement thereof, and Y, M, and C on the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K are sequentially transferred. , K toner images are superimposed and primarily transferred. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the secondary transfer roller 19 and forms a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip. Untransferred toner that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 8 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by the cleaning device 10. At the secondary transfer nip, the transfer paper P is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 19 whose surfaces move in the forward direction, and is conveyed in the opposite direction to the registration roller pair 28 side. When the transfer paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip passes between the rollers of the fixing device 20, the four-color toner image transferred to the surface is fixed by heat and pressure.

  Thereafter, the transfer paper P is discharged out of the apparatus through a pair of paper discharge rollers 29. A stack unit 30 is formed on the upper surface of the printer main body 100, and the transfer paper P discharged to the outside by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30. Note that toner bottles 32Y, M, C, and K for each color are provided below the stack portion 30. Reference numeral 31 denotes a toner bottle holder.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the configuration of the developing device 5Y in the process cartridge 6Y will be described. The developing device 5Y includes a magnetic field generating means inside, a developing roller 51Y as a developer carrying member that carries and conveys a two-component developer containing magnetic particles and toner, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y. And a doctor 52Y as a developer regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the conveyed developer. Here, a place where the developing roller 51Y is accommodated is a first chamber 53Y. Further, the place where the developer is accommodated is the second chamber 54Y, and in the second chamber 54Y, a toner conveying screw (conveying body) 55Y for agitating and conveying the toner and the toner in the second chamber 54Y are taken in. The toner replenishing port 58Y and the communication port 59Y with the first chamber 53Y are provided. Reference numeral 56Y denotes a density detection sensor for detecting the toner density of the developer. When the density detection sensor 56Y detects that the toner density is insufficient in the second chamber 54Y, a drive motor 41Y is generated by a replenishment signal from the control unit 57Y. , And the toner bottle 32Y rotates to replenish the toner. Above the toner supply port 58Y, there are provided a shutter 71Y for closing the toner supply port 58Y and a toner supply port case 72Y that holds the shutter 71Y and is provided so as to cover the toner supply port 58Y.

  The developing device 5Y is largely formed of a first member 75Y (upper case) including the inner wall of the first chamber 53Y and a second member 76Y (lower case) including the inner wall of the second chamber 54Y. . As will be described later, the developing device 5Y is provided with a second sealing member 73Y for closing the communication port 59Y and a first sealing member 74Y for closing the toner supply port 58Y. It is possible to preset the developer in the room 54Y. Therefore, since the developer does not adhere to the developing roller 51Y in the shipping state, it is not rubbed and damaged during the transfer.

  Further, since the first sealing member 74Y and the second sealing member 73Y are arranged so as to face above the upper surface of the developer stored in the second chamber 54Y, the transfer of the developing device 5Y is performed. During the transfer, the developer (carrier) preset in the developing device 5Y is not rubbed and damaged.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows a view when the communication port 59Y is closed and opened. FIG. 3A is a diagram in which the communication port 59Y connecting the first chamber 53Y and the second chamber 54Y is closed with the second sealing member 73Y. By closing the communication port 59Y with the second sealing member 73Y, it is possible to prevent the developer from moving to the developing roller 51Y side when the developer is preset. FIG. 3B is a view after the second sealing member 73Y is pulled out. This state is a state where the developing device 5Y is first used. The second sealing member 73Y is eliminated, the communication port 59Y is opened, and the developer can move to the developing roller 51Y. The second sealing member 73Y is composed of a frame body 73Y-b in which a communication port 59Y is formed and a sheet 73Y-a bonded to the frame body so as to cover the communication port 59Y, and the sheet 73Y is pulled out. -A. Although there is usually the first member 75Y which is the upper case, the first member 75Y is omitted for easy understanding.

  In FIG. 4, the second sealing member 73Y will be described in detail. As described above, the second sealing member 73Y includes a sheet 73Y-a and a frame body 73Y-b. The sheet 73Y-a is bonded to the frame 73Y-b in a double-folded state by folding back the intermediate portion with a double-sided tape. This configuration is simple, and the second sealing member 73Y, specifically, the sheet 73Y-a can be easily detached from the developing device 5Y, and the operability is improved.

  In FIG. 5, the set state of the second sealing member 73Y will be described. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the second sealing member 73Y is placed on the second member 76Y (lower case). The frame 73Y-b of the second sealing member 73Y has an L-shaped cross section, and the L-shaped portion is set so as to ride on the partition wall of the second member 76Y (lower case). Thereafter, when the first member 75Y (upper case) is assembled, the second sealing member 73Y is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the second member 76Y (lower case) and the first member 75Y (upper case). FIG. 5B shows a state in which the first member 75Y (upper case), the second sealing member 73Y, and the second member 76Y (lower case) are assembled. Therefore, the second sealing member 73Y can be easily set.

  The assembly process of the developing device 5Y will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the toner conveying screw (conveying body) 55Y is set on the second member 76Y (lower case). When the second sealing member 73Y is set in this state, FIG. It will be in the state of (b). When the developing roller 51Y is set from this state, the state shown in FIG. Furthermore, when the first member 75Y (upper case) is set in this state, the state shown in FIG. 6-2 (d) is obtained, and when the first sealing member 74Y is finally set, the state shown in FIG. 6-2 (e). It becomes. In this way, the second sealing member 73Y and the first sealing member 74Y are connected to the second member 76Y (lower case), the developing roller 51Y, and the first member 75Y (upper) in the assembly process of the developing device 5Y. The case is set sequentially with the set of cases, and the set becomes easy.

  In the above description, the frame 73Y-b of the second sealing member 73Y is desirably a non-metallic material, for example, a resin such as PET, so as not to affect the magnetic field generated by the developing roller 51Y. Since the process cartridge 6Y and the image forming apparatus using the developing device 5Y or the process cartridge 6Y can be understood from the above description, no detailed description will be given.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the developing roller generates a magnetic field, and the frame is made of a non-metallic material. Therefore, the frame does not affect the magnetic field generated by the developing roller.

In the invention according to claim 3 , since the adhesive sheet is disposed so as to face the upper surface of the developer stored in the second chamber, the adhesive sheet is preset in the developing device during the transfer of the developing device. It is possible to prevent scratches caused by the developed developer flowing and rubbing against the adhesive sheet . Further, since the adhesive sheet is disposed above the preset developer, it is difficult for the developer to be contaminated, and there is little stain when removed.

The invention according to claim 4, by mounting the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to provide a process cartridge with either effects of the claims 1 to 3.

The invention according to claim 5, by having a developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with one action and effect of claims 1 to 3.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge according to the fourth aspect is provided, so that an image forming apparatus having any of the effects of the first to fourth aspects can be provided.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the periphery of the yellow (Y) process cartridge and the photosensitive drum. (A), (b) is a perspective view when the communication port is closed and opened. It is an enlarged view explaining in detail the 2nd sealing member which block | closed the communication port same as the above. It is drawing explaining the setting state of a 2nd sealing member, (a) does not have a 1st member, (b) shows the state with a 1st member. (A)-(c) is drawing explaining the assembly | attachment process of the image development apparatus same as the above. (D), (e) is drawing explaining the assembly | attachment process of the image development apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

100 Printer body 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Photoconductor 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Cleaning device 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Charging device 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Developing device 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K Process cartridge 7 Exposure Device 8 Intermediate transfer belt 15 Intermediate transfer unit 51Y Developing roller 52Y Doctor 53Y First chamber 54Y Second chamber 55Y Toner conveying screw (conveying body)
58Y Toner supply port (toner supply port)
59Y Communication port 71Y Shutter 72Y Toner supply port case 73Y Second sealing member 73Y-a Sheet 73Y-b Frame 74Y First sealing member 75Y First member (upper case)
76Y 2nd member (lower case)

Claims (6)

A developing roller;
A first chamber containing the developing roller ;
A second chamber having a toner supply port and a carrier for supplying a developer to the surface of the developing roller via a communication port;
In a developing device comprising:
An upper case including an inner wall of the first chamber and formed with the toner supply port;
A lower case including an inner wall of the second room ;
A developer regulating member fixed to the lower case and facing the developing roller from below to regulate the layer thickness on the developing roller;
Sealing the toner supply port, and a removable sealing member;
With
The lower case has side walls that define both longitudinal ends of the first room and the second room,
The communication port is
It is formed in a frame that is arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber, and is attached to the frame in a folded state by folding the middle part and removable by being pulled out. Covered with an adhesive sheet,
The frame is
In the lower case , an L-shaped section in the short direction of the frame body is abutted against a partition wall that partitions the short direction of the second room, and is set in the lower case along the longitudinal direction of the transport body. Moreover, the upper case is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case by being assembled to the lower case,
2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein a developer is preset in the second room in a shipped state.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developing roller generates a magnetic field, and the frame is a non-metallic material.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive sheet is disposed so as to face an upper surface of a developer stored in the second chamber.   A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 4.

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