JP6047321B2 - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing device that uses a two-component developer composed of toner and a carrier and an image forming device that forms an image using the developing device are widely known. At the time of image formation, the toner is fixed on the recording paper and consumed, but the carrier is hardly consumed and remains in the developing device. Accordingly, when the developing device is replenished with only toner and the carrier is repeatedly used, the carrier is worn and deteriorated. As a result, the image quality of the formed image is degraded.

  As apparatuses for solving such problems, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a developing apparatus capable of replacing a deteriorated carrier with a new carrier. The developing device described in Patent Document 1 is connected to a replenishing device that stores a two-component developer composed of toner and a new carrier. The two-component developer is replenished little by little from the replenishing device, and the carrier deteriorated with toner. A two-component developer consisting of The developing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a mechanism for preventing an undesirably increased amount of the two-component developer to be discharged. With this mechanism, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 prevents the amount of the two-component developer discharged from becoming larger than the amount of the two-component developer to be replenished.

  Specifically, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a developing tank for storing a two-component developer, a developing roller for supplying the developer to an image carrier (photoconductor), and two in the developing tank. It has an auger screw consisting of a rotating shaft member and a spiral blade for conveying the component developer to the developing roller, and the discharge port for discharging the deteriorated carrier is the conveying direction of the developing tank by the auger screw Formed in the downstream portion. As a result, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 can discharge the deteriorated carrier at the downstream side in the transport direction of the developing tank, where the two-component developer transported in the developing tank tends to stay. The two-component developer is scattered by the spiral blade near the discharge port, and the discharge amount of the two-component developer is prevented from increasing undesirably. Further, the developing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a block member that faces the discharge port above the auger screw in the developing tank, and the two-component developer scattered at a position away from the discharge port passes through the discharge port. The amount of the two-component developer discharged is prevented from increasing undesirably.

JP 2009-63991 A

  When the toner or carrier in the two-component developer is deteriorated, the fluidity of the two-component developer is lowered, and the surface of the two-component developer conveyed by the auger screw is wavy. The developing device described in Patent Document 1 cannot cope with the surface wavy phenomenon of the two-component developer.

  Specifically, as in the developing tank of the developing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the two-component developer is likely to stay in the two-component developer even if a discharge port is provided in the downstream portion of the developing tank in the transport direction. When the fluidity of the agent decreases and the surface of the two-component developer to be transported undulates, the part with the high wave height and the part with the low wave height alternately alternate the upstream part in the transport direction of the discharge port. In the upstream portion of the conveyance direction, a large amount of two-component developer is discharged at a portion where the wave height is high, and a small amount of two-component developer is discharged at a portion where the wave height is low. As described above, the amount of the two-component developer to be discharged varies. When the amount of the two-component developer discharged in this way varies, the amount of the two-component developer to be replenished cannot be balanced, and a good image cannot be formed.

  Further, the developing tank of the developing device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the capacity in the vicinity of the discharge port is reduced by the block member, whereby the height of the surface of the two-component developer is temporarily increased. However, even if the height suddenly increases in the vicinity of the discharge port, the waviness on the surface of the two-component developer is hardly eliminated, and it is simply shifted upward, and is discharged as described above. The amount of the two-component developer varies. Further, the capacity near the discharge port is suddenly reduced by the block member, so that stress is generated in the two-component developer and the deterioration of the two-component developer is accelerated.

  The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and a developing device and an image that can suppress rapid deterioration of the developer and suppress variation in the amount of the developer discharged from the developing tank. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

The present invention relates to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier.
A developer tank for storing a developer, wherein a part of the developer tank exceeds a predetermined height in a vertical direction with the bottom of the developer tank at the bottom and the ceiling of the developer tank at the top. A developing tank in which a discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the developing tank is formed;
In the developing tank, a transport member that transports the developer in a transport direction that intersects the vertical direction,
A guide member partially deformable by a pressing force by a developer in the developing tank, and a guide member constituting a hollow body in the developing tank together with a part of the developing tank surrounding the discharge port; Prepared,
The hollow body is a hollow body in which the discharge port is located in a side wall portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction is opened.
The guide member guides a part of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance member to the upper side in the vertical direction through the opening, and discharges the developer from the discharge port .
The guide member is
An upstream plate extending perpendicularly to the transport direction and provided upstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A downstream plate that is spaced apart from the upstream plate, extends perpendicularly to the transport direction, and is provided downstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A connection plate extending in the transport direction and connecting the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
In the developing device, the lower end of the upstream plate in the up-down direction is positioned above the lower end of the discharge port in the up-down direction in the up-down direction.

The present invention also provides a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier.
A developer tank for storing a developer, wherein a part of the developer tank exceeds a predetermined height in a vertical direction with the bottom of the developer tank at the bottom and the ceiling of the developer tank at the top. A developing tank in which a discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the developing tank is formed;
In the developing tank, a transport member that transports the developer in a transport direction that intersects the vertical direction,
A guide member partially deformable by a pressing force by a developer in the developing tank, and a guide member constituting a hollow body in the developing tank together with a part of the developing tank surrounding the discharge port; Prepared,
The hollow body is a hollow body in which the discharge port is located in a side wall portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction is opened.
The guide member guides a part of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance member to the upper side in the vertical direction through the opening, and discharges the developer from the discharge port .
The guide member is
An upstream plate extending perpendicularly to the transport direction and provided upstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A downstream plate that is spaced apart from the upstream plate, extends perpendicularly to the transport direction, and is provided downstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A connection plate extending in the transport direction and connecting the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
At least one of the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate is formed with a cut extending from the lower end in the vertical direction to a position spaced a predetermined distance from the upper end in the vertical direction,
In the guide member, one of the upstream plate, the downstream plate, and the connection plate sandwiching the notch is displaced with respect to the other by the pressing force of the developer in the developer tank. It is characterized by being deformed.

Further, the present invention includes a developing tank cover that becomes a ceiling portion of the developing tank,
The guide member is fixed to the developing tank cover.

  Further, the present invention is directed to the vertical direction so that the notch is separated from the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate adjacent to the notch as it goes downward in the vertical direction. And is formed obliquely.

The present invention also provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device.

According to the present invention, a part of the developer transported in the transport direction in the developing tank is a hollow body formed by the guide member and the developing tank when the bulk of the developer in the developing tank increases. It moves through the inside of the hollow body through the opening at the lower end of the upper part and moves upward in the vertical direction. At this time, the developer surface of the developer moving upward in the vertical direction is flattened by the pressing force generated by the weight of the developer or the weight of the developer outside the hollow body. Therefore, even when the developer fluidity is reduced and the developer surface of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction is wavy, the developer surface of the developer moving up and down the vertical direction In this state, a part of the developer moving upward in the vertical direction is discharged from the discharge port in a state where the height difference of the developer surface is suppressed. Thereby, even when the developer surface of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction is wavy, variation in the amount of the developer discharged from the developing tank through the discharge port can be suppressed. Further, since the guide member is configured to be partially deformable by the pressing force of the developer in the developing tank, it is possible to reduce the load generated on the developer and suppress rapid deterioration of the developer. In addition, this increases the communication portion between the space inside the hollow body and the space outside the hollow body and facilitates the movement of the developer, so that the height of the developer in the hollow body in the first direction Z decreases. As a result, when the developer fluidity is extremely reduced, even when the volume of the developer in the developer tank increases, a part of the developer can be reliably discharged from the discharge port. It is possible to prevent the developer from being compressed and the deterioration due to the compression.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the upstream plate of the guide member extends perpendicularly to the transport direction, the developer transported by the transport member can be easily retained, whereby the developer surface of the transported developer is corrugated. In this case, the height difference in the vertical direction of the developer surface can be suppressed. Further, since the downstream plate of the guide member extends perpendicularly to the conveyance direction, when the developer moves in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, the developer is blocked and the developer is undesirably discharged from the discharge port. Can be prevented. Further, since the connecting plate of the guide member extends in the transport direction, the flow of the developer transported in the transport direction is not hindered. Further, at least one of the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate is formed with a cut extending from a position away from the upper end in the vertical direction to the lower end in the vertical direction, and one of the portions sandwiching the cut is relative to the other. The guide member can be more easily deformed by being displaced by the pressing force of the developer in the developing tank.

  According to the present invention, since the guide member is fixed to the developing tank cover, it is not necessary to fix the guide member to the developing tank, and the guide member can be configured to be more easily deformed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the lower end in the vertical direction of one of the portions sandwiching the cut is provided apart from the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate adjacent to the cut, so that two or more cuts are made. When formed, interference between the displaced parts can be made difficult to occur.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the developing device can suppress variation in the amount of developer discharged from the developing tank, the amount of developer supplied to the developing tank and the amount of developer discharged from the developing tank Balance can be taken. Further, the developing device can suppress the deterioration of the developer. As a result, a high quality image can be formed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a developer cartridge 300. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a developer cartridge 300 taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a developing device 200. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 200 in which a line VV shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 200 in which a line VI-VI shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the image development apparatus 200 which makes the line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6 a cut surface line. FIG. 8 is an external view of the developing device 200 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 7. 5 is a perspective view of a guide member 209. FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the part of the guide member 209 vicinity of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the upstream board 209a. It is a figure which shows the movable part of the upstream board 209a and the downstream board 209b. It is a figure which shows the movable part of the connection board 209c. FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12 and showing a portion corresponding to a movable portion of the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b when the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b are formed of a highly rigid material. FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 13 and showing a portion corresponding to a movable portion of the connection plate 209 c when the connection plate 209 c is formed of a highly rigid material. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a guide member 209 in a second modification of the developing device 200.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 including the developing device 200 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having both a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, and forms a full-color or monochrome image on a recording medium according to transmitted image information. The image forming apparatus 100 has three types of printing modes, ie, a copier mode (copy mode), a printer mode, and a facsimile mode, and an operation input from an operation unit (not shown), a personal computer, a portable terminal device, and an information recording medium A print mode is selected by a control unit (not shown) in response to reception of a print job from an external device using the memory device.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner image forming unit 20, a transfer unit 30, a fixing unit 40, a recording medium supply unit 50, a discharge unit 60, and a control unit unit (not shown). The toner image forming unit 20 includes photosensitive drums 21b, 21c, 21m, and 21y, charging units 22b, 22c, 22m, and 22y, an exposure unit 23, developing devices 200b, 200c, 200m, and 200y, a cleaning unit 25b, 25c, 25m, 25y, developer cartridges 300b, 300c, 300m, 300y, and developer supply pipes 250b, 250c, 250m, 250y. The transfer unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, a driving roller 32, a driven roller 33, intermediate transfer rollers 34 b, 34 c, 34 m and 34 y, a transfer belt cleaning unit 35, and a transfer roller 36.

  The photosensitive drum 21, the charging unit 22, the developing device 200, the cleaning unit 25, the developer cartridge 300, the developer supply pipe 250, and the intermediate transfer roller 34 are black (b) and cyan (c) included in the color image information. In order to correspond to the image information of each color of magenta (m) and yellow (y), four each are provided. In this specification, when distinguishing each member provided by four according to each color, an alphabet representing each color is added to the end of a number representing each member as a reference symbol, and when each member is collectively referred to Only numerals representing each member are used as reference numerals.

  The photosensitive drum 21 is supported by a drive unit (not shown) so as to be rotatable about an axis, and includes a conductive substrate (not shown) and a photoconductive layer formed on the surface of the conductive substrate. The conductive substrate can take various shapes, and examples thereof include a cylindrical shape, a columnar shape, and a thin film sheet shape. The photoconductive layer is formed of a material that exhibits conductivity when irradiated with light. As the photosensitive drum 21, for example, a cylindrical member (conductive base) formed of aluminum, and amorphous silicon (a-Si), selenium (Se), and the like formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, Alternatively, a film including a thin film (photoconductive layer) made of an organic optical semiconductor (OPC) can be used.

  The charging unit 22, the developing device 200, and the cleaning unit 25 are arranged in this order around the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 21, and the charging unit 22 is arranged below the developing device 200 and the cleaning unit 25 in the vertical direction. The

  The charging unit 22 is a device that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The charging unit 22 is installed along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 21. In the case of the contact charging method, the charging unit 22 is installed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. In the case of the non-contact charging method, the charging unit 22 is installed so as to be separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The charging unit 22 is installed around the photosensitive drum 21 together with the developing device 200, the cleaning unit 25, and the like. The charging unit 22 is preferably installed at a position closer to the photosensitive drum 21 than the developing device 200, the cleaning unit 25, and the like. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the charging failure of the photosensitive drum 21.

  As the charging unit 22, a brush-type charging device, a roller-type charging device, a corona discharge device, an ion generation device, or the like can be used. The brush type charging device and the roller type charging device are contact charging type charging devices. As the brush type charging device, there are a type using a charging brush and a type using a magnetic brush. The corona discharge device and the ion generator are non-contact charging devices. Corona discharge devices include those using wire-like discharge electrodes, those using sawtooth discharge electrodes, and those using needle-like discharge electrodes.

  The exposure unit 23 is arranged such that light emitted from the exposure unit 23 passes between the charging unit 22 and the developing device 200 and is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The exposure unit 23 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drums 21b, 21c, 21m, and 21y with laser beams corresponding to the image information of the respective colors, so that each of the photosensitive drums 21b, 21c, 21m, and 21y is exposed. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information of each color is formed on the surface. As the exposure unit 23, for example, a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser irradiation unit and a plurality of reflection mirrors can be used. As the exposure unit 23, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array, a unit in which a liquid crystal shutter and a light source are appropriately combined, or the like may be used.

  The developing device 200 is a device that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 with toner. A developer supply pipe 250 that is a cylindrical member is connected to the upper part of the developing device 200 in the vertical direction. Details of the developing device 200 will be described later.

  The developer cartridge 300 is disposed vertically above the developing device 200 and stores a two-component developer composed of unused toner and a carrier. A developer supply pipe 250 is connected to the lower part of the developer cartridge 300 in the vertical direction. The developer cartridge 300 supplies the two-component developer to the developing device 200 via the developer supply pipe 250. Details of the developer cartridge 300 will be described later.

  The cleaning unit 25 is a member that removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer belt 31 and cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. . As the cleaning unit 25, for example, a plate-like member for scraping off toner and a container-like member for collecting the scraped toner are used.

  According to the toner image forming unit 20, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 that is uniformly charged by the charging unit 22 is irradiated with laser light corresponding to image information from the exposure unit 23 to form an electrostatic latent image. . A toner image is formed by supplying toner from the developing device 200 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21. This toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 31 described later. After the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is removed by the cleaning unit 25.

  The intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt-like member that is disposed above the photosensitive drum 21 in the vertical direction. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is stretched by the driving roller 32 and the driven roller 33 to form a loop-shaped path, and moves in the direction of the arrow A4.

  The drive roller 32 is provided so as to be rotatable around its axis by a drive unit (not shown). The drive roller 32 moves the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the direction of the arrow A4 by its rotation. The driven roller 33 is provided so as to be able to rotate following the rotation of the driving roller 32, and generates a certain tension on the intermediate transfer belt 31 so that the intermediate transfer belt 31 does not loosen.

  The intermediate transfer roller 34 is provided in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 21 via the intermediate transfer belt 31 and rotatable about its axis by a drive unit (not shown). As the intermediate transfer roller 34, for example, a metal (for example, stainless steel) roller having a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm on which a conductive elastic member is formed can be used. The intermediate transfer roller 34 is connected to a power source (not shown) for applying a transfer bias, and has a function of transferring the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  The transfer roller 36 is provided in pressure contact with the drive roller 32 via the intermediate transfer belt 31 and is rotatable about an axis by a drive unit (not shown). At the pressure contact portion (transfer nip portion) between the transfer roller 36 and the drive roller 32, the toner image carried and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred to a recording medium fed from a recording medium supply unit 50 described later. The

  The transfer belt cleaning unit 35 is provided so as to face the driven roller 33 through the intermediate transfer belt 31 and to be in contact with the toner image carrying surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The transfer belt cleaning unit 35 is provided for removing and collecting the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the toner image is transferred to the recording medium. If toner remains on the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the toner image is transferred to the recording medium, the residual toner may adhere to the transfer roller 36 due to the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 31. When toner adheres to the transfer roller 36, the toner contaminates the back surface of the recording medium to be transferred next.

  According to the transfer unit 30, when the intermediate transfer belt 31 moves while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 21, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 34. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31. The toner images of the respective colors respectively formed on the photosensitive drum 21y, the photosensitive drum 21m, the photosensitive drum 21c, and the photosensitive drum 21b are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 in this order, thereby transferring full color. A toner image is formed. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is conveyed to the transfer nip portion by the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 31, and transferred to the recording medium at the transfer nip portion. The recording medium on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit 40 described later.

  The recording medium supply unit 50 includes a paper feed box 51, pickup rollers 52 a and 52 b, transport rollers 53 a and 53 b, registration rollers 54, and a paper feed tray 55. The paper feed box 51 is a container-like member that is provided in the lower part of the image forming apparatus 100 in the vertical direction and stores a recording medium inside the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feed tray 55 is a tray-like member that is provided on the outer wall surface of the image forming apparatus 100 and stores a recording medium outside the image forming apparatus 100. Examples of the recording medium include plain paper, color copy paper, overhead projector sheet, and postcard.

  The pickup roller 52a is a member that takes out recording media stored in the paper feed box 51 one by one and feeds it to the paper transport path A1. The transport rollers 53a are a pair of roller-like members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and transport the recording medium toward the registration rollers 54 in the paper transport path A1. The pickup roller 52b is a member that takes out the recording medium stored in the paper feed tray 55 one by one and feeds it to the paper transport path A2. The transport rollers 53b are a pair of roller-like members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and transport the recording medium toward the registration rollers 54 in the paper transport path A2.

  The registration rollers 54 are a pair of roller-like members provided so as to come into pressure contact with each other, and the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is conveyed to the transfer nip portion of the recording medium fed from the conveyance rollers 53a and 53b. In synchronization with this, the sheet is fed to the transfer nip portion.

  According to the recording medium supply unit 50, the recording medium is transferred from the paper feed box 51 or the paper feed tray 55 to the transfer nip portion in synchronization with the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 31 being conveyed to the transfer nip portion. The toner image is transferred to the recording medium.

  The fixing unit 40 includes a heating roller 41 and a pressure roller 42. The heating roller 41 is controlled to have a predetermined fixing temperature. The pressure roller 42 is a roller that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 41. The heating roller 41 nips the recording medium together with the pressure roller 42 while heating, thereby melting and fixing the toner constituting the toner image on the recording medium. The recording medium on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to a discharge unit 60 described later.

  The discharge unit 60 includes a conveyance roller 61, a discharge roller 62, and a discharge tray 63. The conveyance roller 61 is a pair of roller-like members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other in the vertical direction above the fixing unit 40. The conveyance roller 61 conveys the recording medium on which the image is fixed toward the discharge roller 62.

  The discharge roller 62 is a pair of roller-like members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other. In the case of single-sided printing, the discharge roller 62 discharges the recording medium on which single-sided printing has been completed to the discharge tray 63. In the case of duplex printing, the discharge roller 62 conveys the recording medium on which single-sided printing has been completed to the registration roller 54 via the paper conveyance path A <b> 3, and discharges the recording medium on which duplex printing has been completed to the discharge tray 63. The discharge tray 63 is provided on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100 and stores a recording medium on which an image is fixed.

  Image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit unit is provided, for example, at an upper part in the vertical direction in the internal space of the image forming apparatus 100, and includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores various setting values via an operation panel (not shown) arranged on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100, detection results from sensors (not shown) arranged at various locations inside the image forming apparatus 100, external devices, and the like. The image information from is input. A program for executing various processes is written in the storage unit. Examples of the various processes include a recording medium determination process, an adhesion amount control process, and a fixing condition control process.

  As the storage unit, those commonly used in this field can be used, and examples thereof include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). As the external device, an electric or electronic device that can form or acquire image information and can be electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 100 can be used. For example, a computer, a digital camera, a television receiver, a video recorder DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, HDDVD (High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, Blu-ray disc recorder, facsimile apparatus, portable terminal apparatus, and the like.

  The calculation unit retrieves various data (image formation command, detection result, image information, etc.) written in the storage unit and various processing programs, and performs various determinations. The control unit performs operation control by sending a control signal to each device provided in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the determination result of the calculation unit.

  The control unit and the calculation unit include a processing circuit realized by a microcomputer, a microprocessor, or the like provided with a central processing unit (CPU). The control unit unit includes a main power source together with the processing circuit, and the power source supplies power not only to the control unit unit but also to each device provided in the image forming apparatus 100.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the developer cartridge 300. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developer cartridge 300 taken along line III-III shown in FIG. The developer cartridge 300 is a device that supplies a two-component developer to the developing device 200 via the developer supply pipe 250. The developer cartridge 300 includes a developer storage container 301, a developer scooping member 302, a developer discharge member 303, and a developer discharge container 304.

  The developer container 301 is a container-like member having a substantially semi-cylindrical internal space. In the internal space, the developer scooping member 302 is rotatably supported, and two-component development composed of unused toner and carrier is used. Contains the agent. Note that the mixing ratio (toner concentration) of the toner with respect to the carrier in the two-component developer in the developer container 301 is set higher than that of the two-component developer in the developing device 200.

  The developer discharge container 304 is a container-like member having a substantially semi-cylindrical internal space provided along the longitudinal direction of the developer storage container 301, and the developer discharge member 303 is rotatably supported in the internal space. To do. The internal space of the developer storage container 301 and the internal space of the developer discharge container 304 communicate with each other via a communication port 305 formed along the longitudinal direction of the developer storage container 301.

  The developer discharge container 304 has a discharge port 306 formed in the lower part in the vertical direction. A developer supply pipe 250 is connected to the developer discharge container 304 at a discharge port 306.

  The developer scooping member 302 includes a rotating shaft 302a, a base 302b, and a sliding portion 302c. The rotation shaft 302 a is a columnar member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the developer container 301. The base 302b is a plate-like member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the developer container 301, and is attached to the rotation shaft 302a at the center in the width direction and the thickness direction. The sliding portion 302c is a flexible member attached to both ends in the width direction of the base body 302b, and is formed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In the developer scooping member 302, the base 302b rotates as the rotary shaft 302a rotates about its axis, and as a result, the sliding portions 302c provided at both ends in the width direction of the base 302b become the developer container 301. The two-component developer in the developer container 301 is pumped up to the developer discharge container 304 by rubbing the inner wall surface.

  The developer discharge member 303 is a member that conveys the two-component developer in the developer discharge container 304 toward the discharge port 306 while stirring. The developer discharge member 303 is an auger screw-like member that includes a discharge rotation shaft 303a that is a columnar member and discharge blades 303b that are members that are provided by spirally surrounding the discharge rotation shaft 303a.

  According to the developer cartridge 300, unused two-component developer in the developer container 301 is pumped up to the developer discharge container 304 by the developer pumping member 302. Then, the two-component developer pumped up in the developer discharge container 304 is conveyed to the discharge port 306 by the discharge blade 303b of the developer discharge member 303 as the developer discharge member 303 rotates. The two-component developer conveyed to the discharge port 306 is discharged from the discharge port 306 to the outside of the developer discharge container 304 and is supplied to the developing device 200 via the developer supply pipe 250.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that toner and carrier are simultaneously supplied from the developer cartridge 300 to the developing apparatus 200. However, instead of the developer cartridge 300, a toner cartridge and a carrier cartridge are provided, and the toner and carrier The carrier may be individually replenished to the developing device 200.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the developing device 200. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 200 in which the line VV shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 200 with the line VI-VI shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 200 taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an external view of the developing device 200 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG.

  The developing device 200 is a device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The developing device 200 includes a developing tank 201, a first conveying member 202, a second conveying member 203, a developing roller 204, a developing tank cover 205, a doctor blade 206, a partition wall 207, and a toner concentration detection sensor 208. , A guide member 209, a waste developer transport container 210, a waste developer transport member 211, and a waste developer collection container 212.

  The developing tank 201 is a member in which an internal space is formed by the side wall portions 201a and 201b and the bottom wall portion 201c, and stores a two-component developer composed of toner and a carrier in the internal space. The side wall parts 201a and 201b and the bottom wall part 201c may be integrally formed, or may be separate members. The developing tank 201 is made of a resin material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, and ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin).

  The developing tank 201 is provided with a developing tank cover 205 above the vertical direction. In the internal space, the first conveying member 202, the second conveying member 203, the developing roller 204, the doctor blade 206, the partition wall 207, and the guide member 209 are provided. Is provided. In addition, a toner concentration detection sensor 208 is provided at a lower portion (bottom portion) in the vertical direction of the developing tank 201.

  The developing tank 201 is provided with an opening between the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 204. The developing roller 204 includes a magnet roller, carries the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 on the surface, and supplies toner contained in the carried two-component developer to the photosensitive drum 21. A power supply (not shown) is connected to the developing roller 204, and a developing bias voltage is applied. The toner carried on the developing roller 204 moves to the photosensitive drum 21 in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 21 by electrostatic force due to the developing bias voltage.

  The doctor blade 206 is a rectangular plate-like member extending in the axial direction of the developing roller 204, one end in the width direction is fixed to the developing tank 201, and the other end is provided at a distance from the surface of the developing roller 204. It is done. An interval (doctor gap) between the doctor blade 206 and the developing roller 204 is, for example, 0.4 mm to 2.0 mm. The doctor blade 206 is provided at a distance from the surface of the developing roller 204, thereby restricting the amount of the two-component developer carried on the developing roller 204 to a predetermined amount. Examples of the material of the doctor blade 206 include stainless steel, aluminum, and synthetic resin.

  The partition wall 207 is a member that extends along the longitudinal direction of the developing tank 201 at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the developing tank 201. The partition wall 207 is provided between the bottom wall portion 201 c of the developing tank 201 and the developing tank cover 205, and is provided so that both end portions in the longitudinal direction are separated from the side wall portions 201 a and 201 b of the developing tank 201. The partition 207 divides the internal space of the developing tank 201 into a first conveyance path P, a second conveyance path Q, a first communication path R, and a second communication path S.

  The second transport path Q is a substantially semi-cylindrical space extending along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 207 and is a space facing the developing roller 204. The first transport path P is a substantially semi-cylindrical space extending along the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 207 and is a space facing the second transport path Q across the partition wall 207. The first communication path R is a space that communicates the first transport path P and the second transport path Q on the longitudinal end 207a side of the partition wall 207. The second communication path S is a space that communicates the first transport path P and the second transport path Q on the side of the other end 207 b in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 207.

  The two-component developer surface has a predetermined height on the bottom wall 201c of the developing tank 201 in the first direction Z (vertical direction) in which the bottom of the developing tank 201 is downward and the ceiling of the developing tank 201 is upward. A discharge port 201d is formed for discharging a part of the two-component developer to the outside of the developing tank 201 when exceeding the limit. In the developing device 200, the discharge port 201d is formed facing the portion of the first transport path P that is continuous with the first communication path R. In the developing device 200, the first direction Z is a vertical direction.

  The developing tank cover 205 is a ceiling part of the developing tank 201, is detachably provided above the developing tank 201 in the vertical direction, and has a supply port 205a. A developer supply pipe 250 is connected to the developer tank cover 205 at a supply port 205a. The supply port 205a is an opening in which an opening for supplying the two-component developer to the developing tank 201 is formed. The two-component developer housed in the developer cartridge 300 is connected to the developer supply pipe 250 and The toner is supplied into the developing tank 201 through the opening.

  The supply port 205a is provided in the vicinity of the second communication path S in the vertical direction above the first transport path P. More specifically, the opening formed in the supply port portion 205 a is provided so as to face the first transport path P and be at the same position as the second communication path S in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 207.

  The first transport member 202 is provided in the first transport path P. The first conveying member 202 conveys the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 from the other end 207b in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 207 toward the one end 207a in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the conveyance direction of the two-component developer by the first conveyance member 202 is referred to as a second direction X1. The second direction X1 is a direction perpendicular to the first direction Z, and is also a direction from the second communication path S toward the first communication path R. A direction perpendicular to the first direction Z and the second direction X1 is referred to as a “third direction Y”.

  The first transport member 202 is an auger screw-like member including a first rotating shaft member 202a, a first spiral blade 202b, and a first gear 202c. The first rotating shaft member 202a is a cylindrical member having a diameter of 4 mm to 10 mm, and is connected to the first gear 202c at the downstream end in the second direction X1. The first rotating shaft member 202a is rotatably supported around the axis by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the side wall 201a of the developing tank 201 and a bearing (not shown) fixed to the side wall 201b of the developing tank 201. A first spiral blade 202b that is a member that spirally surrounds the side surface is provided on the side surface of the first rotating shaft member 202a.

  The 1st rotating shaft member 202a, the 1st spiral blade 202b, and the 1st gear 202c are formed from resin materials, such as polyethylene, a polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, ABS resin, polyacetal, for example. Moreover, the 1st rotating shaft member 202a may be formed from metal materials, such as SUS and SUM. The first rotating shaft member 202a and the first spiral blade 202b are preferably integrally molded from the same material.

The first conveying member 202 is rotated at 150 rpm to 600 rpm around the axis of the first rotating shaft member 202a through the first gear 202c by a rotation driving source such as a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. To do. At this time, the first spiral blade 202b rotates around the axis of the first rotating shaft member 202a. Specifically, the first direction Z portion located on top of the first spiral blade 202b is away from the partition wall 207, rotational movement in the rotational direction _{G 1} closer to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developer tank 201. As a result of such rotational movement, the two-component developer stored in the first conveyance path P is conveyed downstream in the second direction X1. As described above, the supply port 205a of the developer tank cover 205 is formed in the vicinity of the second communication path S above the first transport path P in the vertical direction, so that the unused two components in the developer cartridge 300 are formed. The developer is first supplied to the first transport path P, and then transported downstream of the first transport path P in the second direction X1 by the first transport member 202.

The first spiral blade 202b is provided in a position that does not face the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1, and is provided in a position that faces the discharge port 201d, and the large diameter spiral blade 202ba, 202bb. , 202bc and a small-diameter spiral blade 202bd whose outer diameter is smaller than that of 202bc. A large-diameter spiral blade 202bc is provided downstream of the small-diameter spiral blade 202bd in the second direction X1, a large-diameter spiral blade 202bb is provided upstream in the second direction X1, and a large-diameter spiral blade 202ba is further provided upstream. It is done. Diameter spiral blade 202 ba, 202 bb, the outer diameter _{L 1} of 202bc is, for example, 20Mm～30mm, the outer diameter _{L 2} of the small-diameter spiral blade 202bd is, for example, 7Mm～12mm.

The large diameter spiral blade 202bb has a multiple spiral structure. Here, the multiple spiral structure means that a plurality of spiral blades are arranged at the same position in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft member 202a and different positions in the circumferential direction of the first rotating shaft member 202a. Refers to the structure surrounding the side. In the developing device 200, the large-diameter spiral blade 202bb has a double spiral structure including two spiral blades, but more preferably has a triple or more spiral structure. In the developing device 200, the length of the large-diameter spiral blade 202bb in the second direction X1 is larger than the length of the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1 (length L ₇ shown in FIG. 10 described later). preferable.

  The second transport member 203 is provided in the second transport path Q. The second conveying member 203 conveys the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 from the longitudinal one end 207a side to the longitudinal other end 207b side of the partition wall 207. Hereinafter, the transport direction of the two-component developer by the second transport member 203 is referred to as a direction X2.

  The second conveying member 203 is an auger screw-like member including a second rotating shaft member 203a, a second spiral blade 203b, and a second gear 203c. The second rotating shaft member 203a is a cylindrical member having a diameter of 4 mm to 10 mm, and is connected to the second gear 203c at the upstream end in the direction X2. The second rotating shaft member 203a is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the side wall 201a of the developing tank 201 and a bearing (not shown) fixed to the side wall 201b of the developing tank 201.

A second spiral blade 203b that is a member that spirally surrounds the side surface is provided on the side surface of the second rotating shaft member 203a. The outer diameter L3 of the second spiral blade 203b is, for example, 20 mm to ₃₀ mm.

  The 2nd rotating shaft member 203a, the 2nd spiral blade 203b, and the 2nd gear 203c are formed from resin materials, such as polyethylene, a polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, ABS resin, polyacetal, for example. Moreover, the 2nd rotating shaft member 203a may be formed from metal materials, such as SUS and SUM. The second rotating shaft member 203a and the second spiral blade 203b are preferably integrally formed from the same material.

The second conveying member 203 is rotated at 150 rpm to 600 rpm around the axis of the second rotating shaft member 203a via the second gear 203c by a rotation driving source such as a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. To do. At this time, the second spiral blade 203b rotates around the axis of the second rotating shaft member 203a. Specifically, the first direction Z part positioned at the top of the second helical blade 203b is away from the partition wall 207, rotational movement in the rotational direction _{G 2} to approach the bottom wall portion 201c of the developer tank 201. As a result of such rotational movement, the two-component developer stored in the second conveyance path Q is conveyed downstream in the direction X2.

  The toner concentration detection sensor 208 is mounted at the bottom of the developing tank 201 below the second transport member 203 in the vertical direction, and is provided so that the sensor surface is exposed at the center of the second transport path Q. The toner concentration detection sensor 208 is electrically connected to a toner concentration control unit (not shown).

  The toner density control unit rotates the developer discharge member 303 of the developer cartridge 300 according to the toner density detection result detected by the toner density detection sensor 208 and supplies the two-component developer containing toner into the developing tank 201. Control. More specifically, the toner density control unit determines whether or not the toner density detection result by the toner density detection sensor 208 is lower than a predetermined set value. A control signal is sent to the rotation drive source to rotate, the developer discharge member 303 is rotated, and the two-component developer is supplied into the developing tank 201.

  A power source (not shown) is connected to the toner concentration detection sensor 208. The power supply applies to the toner concentration detection sensor 208 a drive voltage for driving the toner concentration detection sensor 208 and a control voltage for outputting the toner concentration detection result to the toner concentration control unit. Application of a voltage to the toner concentration detection sensor 208 by the power source is controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As the toner concentration detection sensor 208, a general toner concentration detection sensor can be used. For example, a transmitted light detection sensor, a reflected light detection sensor, a magnetic permeability detection sensor, or the like can be used. Among these toner concentration detection sensors, it is preferable to use a magnetic permeability detection sensor. Examples of the magnetic permeability detection sensor include TS-L (trade name, manufactured by TDK Corporation), TS-A (trade name, manufactured by TDK Corporation), TS-K (trade name, manufactured by TDK Corporation), and the like. It is done.

  The guide member 209 is provided in the first transport path P. The guide member 209 forms a hollow body together with a portion surrounding the discharge port 201d in the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201. This hollow body is a hollow body in which a discharge port 201d is formed in a side wall portion and a lower end portion in at least the first direction Z is opened, like a hollow body T1 and a hollow body T2 shown in FIG. In the developing device 200, the upper end of the guide member 209 in the first direction Z is fixed to the developing tank cover 205, and the portion of the guide member 209 that faces the bottom wall 201c of the developing tank 201 is the bottom wall 201c. Is not fixed, and the upper end of the hollow body in the first direction Z is not open. However, when the first direction Z upper end portion of the guide member 209 facing the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c, the first direction Z upper end portion may be open. . In this case, the upper end portion in the first direction Z of the guide member 209 is separated from the developing tank cover 205.

  The guide member 209 is a member that guides a part of the two-component developer transported in the second direction X1 by the first transport member 202 in the first direction Z and discharges it from the discharge port 201d. More specifically, a part of the two-component developer conveyed in the second direction X1 is an opening at the lower end portion in the first direction Z of the hollow body formed by the guide member 209 and the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201. Then, it passes through the inside of the hollow body, moves upward in the first direction Z, and is discharged from the discharge port 201d formed in the side wall portion of the hollow body. At this time, the two-component developer moving in the first direction Z is flattened by the pressing force generated by the weight of the two-component developer or the weight of the two-component developer outside the hollow body. Is done. As a result, the height difference in the first direction Z of the two-component developer surface is suppressed, and a part of the two-component developer is discharged from the discharge port 201d in a state where the height difference is suppressed.

  The waste developer transport container 210 is a container for storing the toner and the carrier discharged from the discharge port 201d and guiding them to the waste developer recovery container 212, and includes a waste developer transport member 211 therein. The waste developer transport container 210 is a cylindrical member that is bent into a substantially L shape, and includes a first cylindrical portion 210a and a second cylindrical portion 210b that continues to the first cylindrical portion 210a.

  One end portion of the first cylinder portion 210a faces the discharge port 201d and extends downward from the one end portion in the first direction Z. The internal space of the first cylinder portion 210a communicates with the internal space of the developing tank 201 through the discharge port 201d. The second cylinder part 210b has one end connected to the other end of the first cylinder part 210a and extends from the one end in the second direction X1. A waste developer conveying member 211 is provided in the second cylindrical portion 210b along the bottom of the second cylindrical portion 210b. The internal space of the second cylindrical portion 210b communicates with the internal space of the waste developer collection container 212 via a second discharge port 210ba formed at the bottom of the second cylindrical portion 210b.

  The waste developer conveying member 211 is an auger screw-like member including a cylindrical rotary shaft member and a spiral blade that spirally surrounds the rotary shaft member. The waste developer conveying member 211 is rotated around the axis of the rotation shaft member by a rotation drive source such as a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The waste developer transport member 211 is transported toward the second discharge port 210ba by rotating the toner and the carrier discharged from the discharge port 201d and accommodated in the waste developer transport container 210, and the second discharge port 210ba. To drain.

  The waste developer collection container 212 is a container for storing the toner and carrier discharged from the second discharge port 210ba, and communicates with the waste developer transport container 210 through a receiving port 212a formed in the upper part. . The waste developer collection container 212 is configured to be detachable from the waste developer transport container 210. The waste developer collection container 212 has a sensor (not shown) inside. When the waste developer collection container 212 is filled with toner or carrier, this sensor senses, and as a result, the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the user. In contrast, the fact that the waste developer collection container 212 is full is notified. Thus, the user can replace the waste developer collection container 212 when the waste developer collection container 212 becomes full.

  According to the developing device 200 configured as described above, in the developing tank 201, the two-component developer contains the first transport path P, the first communication path R, the second transport path Q, the second communication path S, It is circulated and conveyed in the order. A part of the two-component developer circulated and conveyed is carried on the surface of the developing roller 204 in the second conveyance path Q, and the toner in the carried two-component developer moves to the photosensitive drum 21. Are consumed sequentially. When the toner concentration detection sensor 208 detects that a predetermined amount of toner has been consumed, unused toner and carrier are supplied from the developer cartridge 300 into the first transport path P. The supplied toner and carrier are transported in the first transport path P and diffused in the already stored two-component developer. As a result, the toner concentration of the two-component developer stored in the developing tank 201 increases, and the volume of the two-component developer stored in the developing tank 201 increases. As the volume of the two-component developer increases, surplus two-component developer is discharged from the discharge port 201d. As a result, instead of unused toner and carrier, deteriorated toner and carrier are removed from the developing tank. 201 can be discharged.

  Since the developing device 200 includes the guide member 209 that flattens the two-component developer surface, the height difference in the first direction Z of the two-component developer surface is suppressed in the vicinity of the discharge port 201d, and the height difference is reduced. The two-component developer can be discharged from the discharge port 201d in a suppressed state. As a result, even when the fluidity of the two-component developer is lowered and the two-component developer surface is wavy, variation in the amount of the two-component developer discharged from the discharge port 201d can be suppressed.

  Further, in the developing device 200, since the large-diameter spiral blade 202bb having a multiple spiral structure is provided on the upstream side in the second direction X1 from the discharge port 201d, when the two-component developer surface is undulated, the wave pitch is changed. As a result, the two-component developer surface can be easily flattened by the guide member 209.

Further, in the developing device 200, a small diameter spiral blade 202bd is provided at a position facing the discharge port 201d in the first transport member 202, and a large diameter spiral blade 202ba, 202bb, 202bc is provided at a position not facing the discharge port 201d. The small-diameter spiral blade 202bd and the large-diameter spiral blades 202ba, 202bb, 202bc cause the two-component developer to move up and down in the first direction Z by friction during rotation, but the outer diameter L _The small-diameter spiral blade 202bd where ₂ is relatively small is relatively far from the two-component developer surface, and it is relatively difficult for the two-component developer surface to be wavy. Therefore, the small-diameter spiral blade 202bd can convey the two-component developer in the second direction X1 while suppressing the undulation of the two-component developer surface, and can be used as the two-component developer in the first direction Z below the two-component developer surface. The retention of the developer can be suppressed.

  Further, in the developing device 200, the discharge port 201d is formed facing a portion that is continuous with the first communication path R on the downstream side in the second direction X1 of the first conveyance path P where the first conveyance member 202 is provided. This portion is a portion where the two-component developer conveyed by the first conveying member 202 is likely to stay, and the discharge port 201d is formed facing the portion where such two-component developer tends to stay, The two-component developer can be easily discharged from the discharge port 201d in a state where the undulation of the two-component developer surface is suppressed.

Further, in the developing device 200, the first spiral blade 202b is a portion positioned in the first direction Z uppermost rotational movement in the rotational direction _{G 1} closer to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developer tank 201, thereby, the second direction The two-component developer is conveyed to X1. The present invention is an apparatus in which a guide member 209 is provided around the discharge port 201d of the developing tank 201, and the two-component developer is less likely to be discharged from the developing tank 201 compared to an apparatus in which the guide member 209 is not provided. It is but a developing device 200, since the first spiral blade 202b is rotated in the rotation direction G _1, 2 since the component developer has likely moved in the vicinity of the discharge port 201d, increasing the bulk of the two-component developer The two-component developer can be discharged reliably.

  Next, the guide member 209 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the guide member 209. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion in the vicinity of the guide member 209 in FIG.

  The guide member 209 includes an upstream plate 209a, a downstream plate 209b, and a connection plate 209c, each of which is a rectangular plate member. The upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are each formed from a material such as urethane rubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymer resin, or PET resin to a thickness that allows elastic deformation. Although depending on the material, the thicknesses of the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are, for example, 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. The upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are preferably integrally formed from the same material.

  The guide member 209 is configured to be elastically deformable as described above, so that at least a part of the guide member 209 is deformed by the pressing force of the two-component developer in the developing tank 201. Therefore, the guide member 209 is provided in the developing tank 201, thereby reducing the load generated in the two-component developer due to the partial reduction of the volume in the developing tank 201, and the rapid development of the two-component developer. Deterioration can be suppressed.

  The upstream plate 209a is a rectangular plate-like member that has a main surface perpendicular to the second direction X1 and is provided on the upstream side of the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1. The downstream plate 209b is a rectangular plate-like member that has a main surface perpendicular to the second direction X1 and is provided downstream of the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1. The connection plate 209c is a rectangular plate member that has a main surface parallel to the second direction X1 and connects the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b.

  The rectangular main surfaces of the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b are formed by two sides extending in the first direction Z and two sides extending in the third direction Y. The rectangular main surface of the connection plate 209c is formed by two sides extending in the first direction Z and two sides extending in the second direction X1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, one end portion in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b is in contact with the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201 and is not fixed. The other end is provided at an interval from the partition wall 207 and is connected by a connection plate 209c. The upper ends of the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c in the first direction Z are fixed to the developing tank cover 205. Note that the upper end of the first direction Z at the one end in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b may be fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201.

  As shown in FIG. 9, since the upstream plate 209a extends perpendicularly to the second direction X1, the two-component developer conveyed in the second direction X1 by the first conveying member 202 can be easily damped, and as a result, the first plate When the two-component developer surface of the two-component developer conveyed by the conveying member 202 is undulating, the height difference in the first direction Z of the two-component developer surface can be suppressed. Further, since the downstream plate 209b extends perpendicularly to the second direction X1, when the two-component developer moves in the direction opposite to the second direction X1, the two-component developer is dammed and not discharged from the discharge port 201d. It is possible to prevent the two-component developer from being discharged as desired. Further, since the connecting plate 209c extends in the second direction X1, the flow of the two-component developer conveyed in the second direction X1 is not hindered. The upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c may each be a curved plate member.

In the developing device 200, the downstream plate 209b is provided such that the lower end in the first direction Z is lower in the first direction Z than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d. The first direction Z lower end of the downstream plate 209b to the first direction Z lower end of the outlet 201d, the distance _{L 10} in the first direction Z, 20% of the length _{L 9} in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d to 50 %, For example, 2 mm to 5 mm. In this way, by providing the downstream plate 209b so that the lower end in the first direction Z of the downstream plate 209b is lower in the first direction Z than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d, the first of the developing tank 201 is provided. In the conveyance path P, it is possible to prevent the two-component developer staying in the portion downstream of the downstream plate 209b in the second direction X1 from falling into the discharge port 201d.

  In the developing device 200, the length of the connection plate 209 c in the first direction Z is equal to the length of the downstream plate 209 b in the first direction Z. Accordingly, the lower end in the first direction Z of the connection plate 209c is located below the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d, and the connection plate 209c is in the discharge port 201d in the first direction Z. It extends to the lower side. When the lower end of the first direction Z of the connecting plate 209c is higher than the lower end of the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d in the first direction Z, when the two-component developer is scattered by the first spiral blade 202b, the two components Although the developer may be undesirably discharged from the discharge port 201d, in the developing device 200, the connection plate 209c is provided to extend below the discharge port 201d in the first direction Z. It is possible to block the component developer from reaching the discharge port 201d, and to prevent undesired discharge of the two-component developer.

In the developing device 200, the length of the upstream plate 209a in the third direction Y and the length of the downstream plate 209b in the third direction Y are equal to each other. The length _{L 4} shown in FIG. 9, shown in FIG. 4, is set to 30% to 60% of the length _{L 5} in the third direction Y of the first conveyance path P, for example, a 7Mm～18mm.

Further, in the developing device 200, shown in FIG. 10, the length _{L 6} in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c is set to 150% to 250% of the length _{L 7} in the second direction X1 of the discharge port 201d, For example, it is 15 mm to 25 mm. The upstream plate 209a is provided, for example, 2 mm to 7 mm apart from the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1, and the downstream plate 209b is provided, for example, 3 mm to 8 mm apart from the discharge port 201d in the second direction X1. It is done.

In the developing device 200, the upstream plate 209a is provided such that the lower end in the first direction Z is higher in the first direction Z than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d. In the first direction Z lower end of the upstream plate 209a and the first direction Z lower end of the outlet 201d, the distance _{L 8} in the first direction Z, the 20% of the length _{L 9} in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d to 50 %, For example, 2 mm to 5 mm.

  As described above, by providing the upstream plate 209a so that the lower end in the first direction Z of the upstream plate 209a is higher than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d, the bulk of the two-component developer is provided. The two-component developer is reliably discharged from the discharge port 201d when the two-component developer is bulky while the two-component developer is bulky while the two-component developer is compressed. The effect of preventing deterioration due to is obtained.

  This effect will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the lower end in the first direction Z of the upstream plate 209a is lower in the first direction Z than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d. This corresponds to the first modification. As described above, a part of the two-component developer conveyed in the second direction X1 is formed by the guide member 209 and the bottom wall 201c when the bulk of the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 increases. It is discharged from the discharge port 201d through the hollow body T1. The hollow body T1 has a shape in which a lower end portion in the first direction Z is opened and a discharge port 201d is formed in a side wall portion. If the fluidity of the two-component developer is slightly reduced, the two-component developer can be reliably discharged from the discharge port 201d through the opening at the lower end portion in the first direction Z of the hollow body T1. However, when the fluidity of the two-component developer is extremely reduced, the two-component developer that rises in the first direction Z inside the hollow body T1 through the opening at the lower end of the first direction Z of the hollow body T1. A part of the toner remains undischarged from the discharge port 201d, and further rises as new two-component developer is replenished, reaches the developing tank cover 205, and may be compressed.

  Therefore, in the developing device 200, as shown in FIG. 11B, the upstream plate 209a has an upstream plate in which the lower end in the first direction Z is higher in the first direction Z than the lower end in the first direction Z of the discharge port 201d. By providing 209a, the two-component developer is prevented from being compressed. In the hollow body T2 shown in FIG. 11B, the lower end portion in the first direction Z is opened, the discharge port 201d is formed in the side wall portion, and further, the notch is formed below the first direction Z of the upstream plate 209a. It becomes a shape.

  As a result, the communication portion between the space inside the hollow body T2 and the space outside the hollow body T2 is increased, and the two-component developer can easily move. Therefore, the first direction Z of the two-component developer in the hollow body T2 is increased. The height at is lowered. As a result, in the case where the fluidity of the two-component developer is extremely lowered, even if the bulk of the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 is increased, a part of the two-component developer is discharged from the outlet. Accordingly, the two-component developer can be reliably discharged and the deterioration due to the compression can be prevented.

  Furthermore, as described above, the guide member 209 is configured to be elastically deformable in order to prevent deterioration of the two-component developer. However, in the developing device 200, the cuts W1 to W4 shown in FIG. 9 are formed. Thus, the structure is more easily deformed.

The cut W1 is formed along the first direction Z on the connection plate 209c side of the upstream plate 209a, and the upper end of the cut W1 in the first direction Z is the first direction from the upper end of the upstream plate 209a in the first direction Z. There at a position separated by a distance L ₁₁ in the Z, the first direction Z lower end of該切inclusive W1 is in the same position as the first direction Z lower end of the upstream plate 209a. The distance _{L 11} is set to a length in the first direction Z of the upstream plate 209a _(L 9 -L ₈₎ 0% to 50% (50% or less greater than 0%), for example, from 0Mm～4mm (0 mm 4 mm or less). Further, the cut W1, the distance _{L 12} in the third direction Y from the third direction Y the other end of the upstream plate 209a is set to 0% to 40% of the length _{L 4} in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a For example, 0 mm to 3 mm.

  The upstream plate 209a is not fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201 at one end in the third direction Y, and the cut W1 is formed on the other side in the third direction Y, so that the upstream plate 209a is third than the cut W1. The portion on the one end side in the direction Y becomes a movable portion, and can be displaced in the second direction X1 and the opposite direction with respect to the portion on the other end side in the third direction Y with respect to the cut W1. Note that one end in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a may be fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201, and a second cut may be formed on the one end side in the third direction Y.

The cut W2 is formed along the first direction Z on the connection plate 209c side of the downstream plate 209b, and the upper end of the first direction Z of the cut W2 is the first direction from the upper end of the downstream plate 209b in the first direction Z. There at a position separated by a distance L ₁₃ in the Z, the first direction Z lower end of該切inclusive W2 is in the same position as the first direction Z lower end of the downstream plate 209 b. The distance _{L 13} is set to 0% to 50% of the length in the first direction Z of the downstream plate _{209b (L 9 + L 10)} , for example, a 0Mm～7mm. Further, the cut W2, the distance _{L 14} in the third direction Y from the third direction Y the other end of the downstream plate 209b is set to 0% to 40% of the length _{L 4} in the third direction Y of the downstream plate 209b For example, 0 mm to 3 mm.

  The downstream plate 209b is not fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201 at one end in the third direction Y, and the third direction Y is formed with a cut W2 on the other side, so that the downstream plate 209b is third than the cut W2. The portion on the one end side in the direction Y becomes a movable portion, and can be displaced in the second direction X1 and the opposite direction with respect to the portion on the other end side in the third direction Y with respect to the cut W2. Note that one end in the third direction Y of the downstream plate 209b may be fixed to the bottom wall portion 201c of the developing tank 201, and a second cut may be formed on the one end side in the third direction Y.

The cut W3 is formed on the upstream plate 209a side of the connection plate 209c along the first direction Z. The first direction Z upper end of the cut W3 is the first direction from the upper end of the connection plate 209c in the first direction Z. There at a position separated by a distance L ₁₅ in the Z, the first direction Z lower end of該切inclusive W3 is in the same position as the first direction Z lower end of the connecting plate 209c. The distance _{L 15} is set to 0% to 50% of the length in the first direction Z of the connecting plate _{209c (L 9 + L 10)} , for example, a 0Mm～7mm. Further, the cut W3, the distance _{L 16} in the second direction X1 from the second direction X1 upstream end of the connecting plate 209c is set to 10% to 30% of the length _{L 6} in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c For example, 2 mm to 6 mm.

The cut W4 is formed along the first direction Z on the downstream plate 209b side of the connection plate 209c. The first direction Z upper end of the cut W4 is the first direction from the upper end of the connection plate 209c in the first direction Z. There at a position separated by a distance L ₁₇ in the Z, the first direction Z lower end of該切inclusive W4 is in the same position as the first direction Z lower end of the connecting plate 209c. The distance L ₁₇ is set to 0% to 50% of the length (L ₉ + L ₁₀ ) in the first direction Z of the connection plate 209c, and is, for example, 0 mm to 7 mm. Further, the cut W4, the distance _{L 18} in the second direction X1 from the second direction X1 downstream end of the connecting plate 209c is set to 10% to 30% of the length _{L 6} in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c For example, 2 mm to 6 mm.

  The connection plate 209c is formed with a cut W3 and a cut W4, so that a portion sandwiched between the cut W3 and the cut W4 becomes a movable portion, and is a part upstream of the cut W3 in the second direction X1 and the cut W4. It can be displaced in the third direction Y with respect to the downstream portion of the two directions X1.

  The effect of forming the cuts W1 to W4 in the guide member 209 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 show that the fluidity of the two-component developer D in the developing tank 201 is lowered, and the bulk of the two-component developer D in the developing tank 201 is increased by replenishment of a new two-component developer. It shows the situation when FIG. 12 shows the movable parts of the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b, and FIG. 13 shows the movable parts of the connection plate 209c. FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG. 12, and the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b are not formed with the cuts W1 and W2, and the upstream plate 209a and the downstream plate 209b are formed of a highly rigid material. The part corresponding to the movable part of the board 209a and the downstream board 209b is shown. FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. 13 and corresponds to the movable part of the connection plate 209c when the notches W3 and W4 are not formed in the connection plate 209c and the connection plate 209c is formed of a highly rigid material. Shows the part.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large and the cut W1 is not formed in the upstream plate 209a and the rigidity is high, When the two-component developer D is conveyed from the upstream side in the second direction X1 of the plate 209a toward the upstream plate 209a, the two-component developer D that has reached the upstream plate 209a is further downstream in the second direction X1. It cannot proceed to the side, and is compressed between the subsequent two-component developer D and deteriorated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in the state where the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large, a cut W1 is formed in the upstream plate 209a, which can be elastically deformed. In this case, when the two-component developer D is conveyed from the upstream side of the upstream plate 209a in the second direction X1 toward the upstream plate 209a, the two-component developer D that has reached the upstream plate 209a By pressing the plate 209a and displacing the movable part downstream in the second direction X1, a part of the movable part can advance downstream in the second direction X1, and compression of the two-component developer D is less likely to occur. Deterioration is suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large, the cut W2 is not formed in the downstream plate 209b, and the rigidity is high. The two-component developer D staying downstream in the second direction X1 of the downstream plate 209b is blocked by the downstream plate 209b and cannot move upstream in the second direction X1 even if the staying amount increases. As the amount increases, the downstream plate 209b and the side wall 201a of the developing tank 201 are compressed and deteriorated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in the state where the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large, a cut W2 is formed in the downstream plate 209b, which can be elastically deformed. In this case, when the retention amount of the two-component developer D staying in the downstream side of the downstream plate 209b in the second direction X1 increases, the downstream plate 209b is pressed by the two-component developer D so that the movable portion is moved in the second direction. Displacement to the X1 upstream side, and thereby a part of the two-component developer D staying downstream in the second direction X1 of the downstream plate 209b can advance to the second direction X1 upstream side, and the two-component developer The compression of D becomes difficult to occur, and the deterioration is suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large, the cuts W4 and W5 are not formed in the connection plate 209c, and the rigidity is high. the two-component developer D being conveyed by the first conveying member 202 rotates in the rotation direction G _1, even by the first transfer member 202 is urged in the direction of rotation G ₁ reaches the connecting plate 209c, We can not proceed to further rotation direction G ₁ downstream, is compressed between the subsequent two-component developer D, deteriorate. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, in the state where the fluidity of the two-component developer D is low and the bulk of the two-component developer D is large, cuts W4 and W5 are formed in the connection plate 209c, and elastic deformation occurs. where possible, is transferred by the first transfer member 202 which rotates in the rotation direction G _1, 2-component developer D having reached the energized by connecting plate 209c in the rotation direction G ₁ by the first conveying member 202 , by displacing the movable portion in the third direction Y one side and presses the connecting plate 209c, a part becomes possible to proceed to the rotation direction G ₁ downstream, compression of the two-component developer D is generated It becomes difficult to suppress deterioration.

  According to the developing device 200 configured as described above, the guide member 209 can suppress variation in the amount of the two-component developer discharged from the developing tank 201 through the discharge port 201d, as described above. The load generated in the two-component developer can be reduced, and rapid deterioration of the two-component developer can be suppressed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 including the developing device 200 can form a high quality image.

  In the developing device 200, cuts are formed in all of the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c, but it is only necessary that a cut is formed in at least one of these plates. Further, in the developing device 200, although the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are all formed from an elastically deformable material, at least one of these plates is formed from an elastically deformable material. It only has to be done. Moreover, about the movable part in these, only the 1st direction Z upper part may be formed from the material which can be elastically deformed, and the 1st direction Z lower part may be formed from a highly rigid material.

  In addition, the movable portions of the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are formed so that the thickness of the upper portion in the first direction Z is reduced, and the thickness is gradually increased toward the lower side in the first direction Z. You may form as follows. By forming each movable part in this manner, when the volume of the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 is small, the deformation of the guide member 209 is suppressed, the two-component developer surface is stabilized, and the discharge port 201d. The effect of guiding and discharging the two-component developer easily, and when the bulk of the two-component developer in the developing tank 201 is large, the effect of reducing the load due to the compression of the two-component developer and suppressing deterioration Can be made easy to exhibit.

  The guide member 209 connects and reinforces the portion on the other side in the third direction Y with respect to the cut W1 of the upstream plate 209a and the portion on the upstream side in the second direction X1 with respect to the cut W3 of the connection plate 209c. May be included. Further, the guide member 209 connects and reinforces the portion on the other side in the third direction Y with respect to the cut W2 of the downstream plate 209b and the portion on the downstream side in the second direction X1 with respect to the cut W4 of the connection plate 209c. May be included. By providing such a reinforcing member, it is possible to suppress displacement of the guide member 209 other than the movable part, so that the two-component developer surface is stabilized and the two-component developer is guided to the discharge port 201d and discharged. The effect of reducing the load caused by compression of the two-component developer and suppressing the deterioration can be easily achieved.

  Next, a second modification of the developing device 200 will be described. In the second modification, the configuration is the same as that described above except for the configuration of the guide member 209 of the developing device 200. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the guide member 209 in the second modified example, and corresponds to FIG. The following description is all about modifications.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the cut W1 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z on the connection plate 209c side of the upstream plate 209a. More specifically, the cut W1 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z so as to be separated from the connection plate 209c as it goes downward in the first direction Z. Therefore, the movable part of the upstream plate 209a tapers as it goes downward in the first direction Z.

The distance L ₁₉ in the first direction Z from the upper end of the upstream plate 209a in the first direction Z of the cut W1 is 0% to 50% of the length (L ₉ -L ₈ ) in the first direction Z of the upstream plate 209a. For example, 0 mm to 4 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₀ in the third direction Y from the other end in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a at the upper end of the cut W1 in the first direction Z is 0% of the length L ₄ in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a. It is set to ˜20%, for example, 0 mm to 1.5 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₁ in the third direction Y from the other end in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a at the lower end in the first direction Z of the notch W1 is 20% of the length L ₄ in the third direction Y of the upstream plate 209a. It is set to ˜40%, for example, 1.5 mm to 3 mm.

  The cut W2 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z on the connection plate 209c side of the downstream plate 209b. More specifically, the cut W2 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z so as to be separated from the connection plate 209c as it goes downward in the first direction Z. Therefore, the movable part of the downstream plate 209b tapers as it goes downward in the first direction Z.

The distance L ₂₂ in the first direction Z from the upper end of the first direction Z of the downstream plate 209b of the cut W2 is set to 0% to 50% of the length (L ₉ + L ₁₀ ) of the downstream plate 209b in the first direction Z. For example, it is 0 mm to 7 mm. Further, in the first direction Z upper end of the incision W2, the distance _{L 23} in the third direction Y from the third direction Y the other end of the downstream plate 209b is 0 length _{L 4} in the third direction Y of the downstream plate 209b% It is set to ˜20%, for example, 0 mm to 1.5 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₄ in the third direction Y from the other end of the downstream plate 209b in the third direction Y at the lower end in the first direction Z of the notch W2 is 20% of the length L ₄ in the third direction Y of the downstream plate 209b. It is set to ˜40%, for example, 1.5 mm to 3 mm.

  The cut W3 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z on the upstream plate 209a side of the connection plate 209c. More specifically, the cut W3 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z so as to be separated from the upstream plate 209a as it goes downward in the first direction Z. Further, the cut W4 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z on the downstream plate 209b side of the connection plate 209c. More specifically, the cut W4 is formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z so as to be separated from the downstream plate 209b as it goes downward in the first direction Z. Therefore, the movable part of the connection plate 209c tapers as it goes downward in the first direction Z.

The distance L ₂₅ in the first direction Z from the upper end of the connection plate 209c in the first direction Z of the cut W3 is set to 0% to 50% of the length (L ₉ + L ₁₀ ) in the first direction Z of the connection plate 209c. For example, it is 0 mm to 7 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₆ in the second direction X1 from the upstream end of the connection plate 209c in the second direction X1 at the upper end in the first direction Z of the cut W3 is 10% of the length L ₆ in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c. It is set to ˜20%, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₇ in the second direction X1 of the lower end of the cut W3 in the first direction Z from the upstream end in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c is 20% of the length L ₆ of the connection plate 209c in the second direction X1. It is set to -30%, for example, 4 mm to 6 mm.

The distance L ₂₈ in the first direction Z from the upper end of the connection plate 209c in the first direction Z of the cut W4 is set to 0% to 50% of the length (L ₉ + L ₁₀ ) in the first direction Z of the connection plate 209c. For example, it is 0 mm to 7 mm. Further, the distance L ₂₉ in the second direction X1 from the downstream end of the connection plate 209c in the second direction X1 at the upper end of the cut W4 in the first direction Z is 10% of the length L ₆ in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c. It is set to ˜20%, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm. The distance L ₃₀ in the second direction X1 from the downstream end of the connection plate 209c in the second direction X1 at the lower end in the first direction Z of the cut W4 is 20% of the length L ₆ in the second direction X1 of the connection plate 209c. It is set to -30%, for example, 4 mm to 6 mm.

  As described above, in the second modification of the developing device 200, the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c of the guide member 209 are separated from the adjacent plates as they go downward in the first direction Z. It is formed in a taper. Accordingly, when the movable portions of the upstream plate 209a, the downstream plate 209b, and the connection plate 209c are displaced, the movable portions are unlikely to interfere with each other. Therefore, the displacement of each movable part becomes difficult to be inhibited, and as a result, the load caused by the compression of the two-component developer can be further reduced.

  Note that all the cuts W1 to W4 are formed obliquely with respect to the first direction Z, but it is sufficient that at least one cut is formed obliquely. Further, all of the cuts W1 to W4 shown in FIG. 16 are formed in a linear shape, but may be formed in a curved shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Toner image formation part 30 Transfer part 40 Fixing part 50 Recording medium supply part 60 Discharge part 100 Image forming apparatus 200,200b, 200c, 200m, 200y Developing apparatus 201 Developing tank 201d Discharge port 202 1st conveyance member 202a 1st rotating shaft Member 202b first spiral blade 202ba, 202bb, 202bc large diameter spiral blade 202bd small diameter spiral blade 204 developing roller 205 developing tank cover 207 partition 209 guide member 209a upstream plate 209b downstream plate 209c connecting plate 250, 250b, 250c, 250m, 250y development Agent supply pipe 300, 300b, 300c, 300m, 300y Developer cartridge

Claims (5)

In a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier,
A developer tank for storing a developer, wherein a part of the developer tank exceeds a predetermined height in a vertical direction with the bottom of the developer tank at the bottom and the ceiling of the developer tank at the top. A developing tank in which a discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the developing tank is formed;
In the developing tank, a transport member that transports the developer in a transport direction that intersects the vertical direction,
A guide member partially deformable by a pressing force by a developer in the developing tank, and a guide member constituting a hollow body in the developing tank together with a part of the developing tank surrounding the discharge port; Prepared,
The hollow body is a hollow body in which the discharge port is located in a side wall portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction is opened.
The guide member guides a part of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance member to the upper side in the vertical direction through the opening, and discharges the developer from the discharge port .
The guide member is
An upstream plate extending perpendicularly to the transport direction and provided upstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A downstream plate that is spaced apart from the upstream plate, extends perpendicularly to the transport direction, and is provided downstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A connection plate extending in the transport direction and connecting the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the upstream plate in the vertical direction is positioned above the lower end of the discharge port in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. In a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier,
A developer tank for storing a developer, wherein a part of the developer tank exceeds a predetermined height in a vertical direction with the bottom of the developer tank at the bottom and the ceiling of the developer tank at the top. A developing tank in which a discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the developing tank is formed;
In the developing tank, a transport member that transports the developer in a transport direction that intersects the vertical direction,
A guide member partially deformable by a pressing force by a developer in the developing tank, and a guide member constituting a hollow body in the developing tank together with a part of the developing tank surrounding the discharge port; Prepared,
The hollow body is a hollow body in which the discharge port is located in a side wall portion and a lower end portion in the vertical direction is opened.
The guide member guides a part of the developer conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance member to the upper side in the vertical direction through the opening, and discharges the developer from the discharge port .
The guide member is
An upstream plate extending perpendicularly to the transport direction and provided upstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A downstream plate that is spaced apart from the upstream plate, extends perpendicularly to the transport direction, and is provided downstream of the discharge port in the transport direction;
A connection plate extending in the transport direction and connecting the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
At least one of the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate is formed with a cut extending from the lower end in the vertical direction to a position spaced a predetermined distance from the upper end in the vertical direction,
In the guide member, one of the upstream plate, the downstream plate, and the connection plate sandwiching the notch is displaced with respect to the other by the pressing force of the developer in the developer tank. A developing device that is deformed. A developing tank cover that serves as a ceiling of the developing tank,
The guide member, a developing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is fixed to the developing tank cover. The cut is formed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction so as to be separated from the upstream plate, the downstream plate, or the connection plate adjacent to the cut as it goes downward in the vertical direction. The developing device according to claim 2 . In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images