JP2818126B2 - Developing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile
Use one-component developer of image forming apparatus such as printer and printer
The present invention relates to a developing device. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A developing roller, toner supply means,
Regulator for regulating the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller
One-component developing devices having steps are known. [0003] Such a developing device using a one-component developer.
At the factory, and therefore at the time of its first commissioning
No toner is present on the developing roller. This place
If the developing device is a developing roller,
Is configured to directly contact and form a thin toner layer.
The friction coefficient between the developing roller and the blade
High, blade tip caught in developing roller
It may cause permanent deformation. [0004] [0005] [Purpose] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and
Even if there is no fastener, the regulating means may cause permanent deformation.
IsNot likeAn object is to provide a developing device. [0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides
If there is no toner between the control means and the developing roller,
Reduces the friction between the regulating means and the developing roller
Between the regulating means and the developing roller.
The developing roller of the regulating means when no toner
Characterized in that fine powder of lubricant was applied to the contact area with
You. [0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG.
This will be described based on an example. Prior to the description of the present invention, the present invention is applied.
An example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus.
Shows a linter, and is fed in the direction of arrow A from the sheet feeding device 1.
The recording paper 2 is timed by a pair of registration rollers 3.
And transported to a latent image carrier comprising a drum-shaped photoconductor 4
It is. The photosensitive member 4 is driven to rotate clockwise, and the
When the surface is charged by the charging charger 5, the laser light
Is irradiated with the laser beam L from the science system 6 and an electrostatic latent
An image is formed. This latent image is developed by the developing unit 17.
When passing through the roller 22, the toner image is visualized by the toner.
Visible image is transferred to recording paper 2 conveyed to photoconductor 4 and charged
The visible image on the recording paper transferred by the scanner 8 is fixed.
The image is fixed by the attaching device 9. Recording paper exiting the fixing device 9
Is due to the upper wall surface of the printer body 10 as shown by the arrow B.
The paper is discharged to the formed paper discharge unit 11. On the other hand, the photosensitive member after the transfer of the visible image
Cleaning device having a cleaning blade 12
The residual toner is removed by the
Receive The toner removed from the photoconductor 4 is
The toner is collected by the toner collecting chamber 15 in the toner collecting chamber 15 and is stored here.
Is done. In the illustrated laser printer, FIG.
As shown, the latent image carrier composed of the photoreceptor 4 and the related
Parts are configured as one carrier unit 16,
An image forming unit including the unit 16 and the developing unit 17
Can be separately attached to and detached from the imaging unit case 18, respectively.
It is supported by. The carrier unit 16 is shown in FIGS.
As shown, a box-shaped case 19 is provided.
A support shaft 4a of the photoconductor 4 is rotatably supported. Also
The case 19 receives the laser beam from the laser optical system 6.
A hole 20 for injection is formed.
The described toner collecting chamber 15 is partitioned. More
Charger 5 in case 19 of FIG.
13, the impeller 14 and the cleaning blade 12
Respectively, and these constitute a carrier unit 16.
ing. The developing unit 17 is clearly shown in FIG.
The main body case 21 containing the toner T and the photoconductor 4
The developing roller 22 and the toner on the developing roller
Is a regulation means that regulates the layer thickness of the toner to an even thin layer
Supply to supply toner to blade 24 and developing roller 22
The roller 23 agitates the toner T in the main body case 21.
A jig 62 is provided, and a support shaft 22a of the developing roller 22 is
4, it is rotatably supported by the main body case 21.
The supply roller 23 and the agitator 62 are also
21 rotatably supported. The regulating blade 24 is also attached to the main body case 21.
It is assembled. Further, the toner case is
The cartridge 25 is detachably attached to the main body case 21.
When the toner level in the printer is low,
Cartridge 25 that has been
Replace the cartridge with a cartridge and supply toner to the case 21.
Can be As is well known per se, the main body is used for the developing operation.
The supply roller 23 rotates the toner T in the case 21.
Is supplied to the developing roller 22 and rotates counterclockwise.
The toner supplied to the developing roller 22 is regulated by a regulating blade 24.
And the photosensitive member 4 and the developing roller 22 are opposed to each other.
And electrostatically transferred to the latent image on the photoreceptor. The printer main body 10 includes a main body upper part 10a and a main body.
The figure divided into two parts of the lower part 10b and provided on the back side
Main body upper part 10a around the hinge not shown
The lower part 10b is configured to be able to open and close.
In this case, the imaging unit case 18 is
Therefore, the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit
17 also belongs to the lower body 10b and opens the upper body 10a.
The upper portions of both units 16 and 17 are exposed. Work
The image unit case 18 is vertically turned around the lower part 10b of the main body.
Movably supported by the locking device,
Locked against. The developing unit 17 is an image forming unit case 1
The case 18 is formed by a stopper 29 formed integrally with the case 18.
Is locked. This stopper 29 is connected to the stop claw 31
It has a knob 30 and is made of synthetic resin, for example.
It is elastically deformable in the direction of arrow C. The developing unit 17
When stored in the imaging unit case 18,
The stopper claw 31 of the package 29 is
The developing unit is engaged with the engaging portion 21a formed on the developing unit 21.
G17 is held. Also, maintenance and inspection of the developing unit 17,
Or remove it for the purpose of replacement, etc.
Pull the knob 30 to the right in FIG.
The claw 31 is elastically deformed in the direction of the mark C to remove it from the engagement portion 21a.
Then, the developing unit 17 is lifted up. Conversely,
When the knit 17 is mounted, the developing unit 17 is
And press the stopper 29 to the right to deform it elastically.
Then, the pawl 31 is engaged with the engaging portion 21a. After engagement, strike
The hopper 29 elastically attaches the developing unit 17 to the left side in FIG.
Energize. The carrier unit 16 is also connected to the developing unit 17.
Detachable to the imaging unit case 18 in exactly the same way
Can be Carrier unit 16 and developing unit 1
When attaching / detaching 7 to / from case 18, lower body 10b and case
18 is in a horizontal position so work in a comfortable position
be able to. The carrier unit 16 is connected to an image forming unit case.
When the photoconductor 4 is supported on the bottom of the case 18
It projects into the opening 61 formed in the wall and is attached to the support shaft 4a.
The attached gear (not shown) also enters the opening 61 and
Gears (not shown) supported by the lower part 10b of the
Is driven. Similarly, the developing roller support shaft 22a
Gear 63 and gear of supply roller 23 and agitator 62
(Not shown) also engages with the gear on the lower
Each is driven to rotate. An image forming unit attached to the main body 10 of the printer.
Each unit 16, 17 is stored in a knit case 18, and
This case 18 is locked by the main body 1
0, in the example shown
The unit 16, 17
By locking the unit, these units 16 and 17
Can be positioned and set with respect to main body 10
You. One end side of the developing device 17 is the first side as shown in FIGS.
An image forming unit is formed by the support member 28a and the second support member 28b.
The developing unit 1 is positioned with respect to the knit case 18 and
7 is an image forming unit case by the stopper 29
18, the developing unit 17 is moved to the image forming unit.
Position it correctly with respect to the
Can be. In the present embodiment, development on the carrier unit 16 is performed.
In order to easily and correctly set the position of the unit 17,
The rear pressure spring 33 is connected to the imaging unit case 18 in FIGS.
3 holds the right wall surface 18c and the developing unit 17
It is stretched between the pieces 32. The pressure spring 33 is used for the developing unit.
The knit 17 is pressed to the left in FIG. At this time, the support shaft 22a of the developing roller 22 is
On the upper surface of the flat support member 28, it can be moved in the horizontal direction.
The developing unit 17 is urged to the left.
The developing roller 22 is pressed against the photoconductor 4.
It is. At this time, the photosensitive member 4 has its support shaft 4a
To the groove-shaped support portion 27 of the
The developing roller 22 and the photoconductor 4 are mutually
To the entire length in the longitudinal direction. like this
And simply and reliably the relative position between the photosensitive member 4 and the developing roller 22.
Determine the position correctly and check the parallelism and distance between the axes, etc.
Increase the positioning accuracy and keep the pressure contact force between the two within a predetermined appropriate value
be able to. This configuration allows the developing roller 22 to be
It is possible to adopt when both surfaces are made of rigid body.
When at least one is made of an elastic body, this elastic body
It is appropriately elastically deformed by the pressing force of the spring 33,
The contact area required for both images can be maintained at an appropriate size.
This is particularly advantageous. When the printer operates, the photoconductor 4
Or, even if the developing roller 22 vibrates somewhat, the spring 33
Since both are elastically pressed, the contact area is
Obtain a high-quality visible image without any significant fluctuation
It is possible. The developing roller and the photoconductor are separated by a predetermined gap.
The biasing force of the spring 33 etc.
The developing roller is urged toward the photosensitive member by the
Position both by applying shaft to stopper
It is possible. As the spring 33, a coil spring, a plate
And the like can be appropriately selected. A biasing means other than the spring 33 may be used.
Also, the pressing force of the urging means is directly applied to the developing unit 17.
You may make it contact. Apply the urging means to the developing unit
It is also possible to support. As described above, the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit
After the unit 17 is held in the imaging unit case 18,
The printing operation is performed by closing the upper part 10a as shown in FIG.
However, at this time, the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit 17
Locked to the imaging unit case 18 by the stopper
However, due to the external force acting on each unit 16, 17
These units 16 and 17 are attached to the operation unit case 18.
On the other hand, it may move up and down or vibrate.
It is. If this happens, the recording paper
Image quality of the visible image may be degraded. So illustrated
In the printer, the bottom of the imaging unit case 18 and the
Main body frame (hereinafter referred to as upper frame) 3 of portion 10a
4 and sponge as shown, or rubber, foam
Or an elastic body 35, 3 made of a compression coil spring or the like
6 is attached or attached and the upper body 10a is closed.
The upper frame 34 is in contact with the carrier unit 16 and the developing unit.
The knit 17 is pressed via the elastic body 36, and
Both units 16 and 17 are at the bottom of imaging unit case 18
To be elastically pressed through the elastic body 35.
Is configured. This allows both units 16, 17
It is held elastically and firmly in the vertical direction,
Moves or vibrates with respect to the image unit case 18
Inconvenience is prevented or suppressed. Each unit 1
6 and 17 are housed in the imaging unit case 18 and
The imaging unit case 18 is formed by the stopper 29 and the like described above.
When the unit 1 is locked, the elastic body 35
In order to urge 6, 17 upward, stop by stopper
It can be more reliable. The elastic bodies 35 and 36
Between the upper body 10a and both units 16 and 17, or
Between these units 16 and 17 and the imaging unit case 18
And the elastic members 35 and 36
It may be attached to the units 16 and 17
Of course. The configuration using the elastic body is the same as the carrier unit.
The image unit is one unit that is integrated
It can be adopted when it is configured. Provision of elastic bodies 35 and 36 as described above
Up and down movement of both units 16 and 17
Can prevent vibration. However, illustrated
In the printer, the developing roller 22 that rotates counterclockwise
Rotates at a higher peripheral speed than the photoreceptor that rotates clockwise.
Therefore, the developing roller 22 is obliquely indicated by an arrow D in FIG.
Strong external force from the photoconductor side. For this reason
To the upper part 10a of the main body via the elastic bodies 35 and 36 described above
The pressing unit keeps the developing unit 17 vertically immovable.
It can be difficult to hold. Example shown there
In FIG. 5, the developing unit holding member shown in FIGS.
A clever 37 is provided. This lock lever 37 is
It is rotatably attached to the shaft 22a. Development unit
Lock lever 37 is a spring when setting
At 38, it is attached in one direction. After the developing unit 17 is set in the apparatus,
When the upper body 10a is closed, it is on the upper body 10a side
Diagram of lock lever 37 by pressure lever (not shown)
The part where the arrow is written is pressed in the direction of arrow E
3 that rotates and is fixed to the imaging unit case
9 is engaged. The driving side of the developing unit 17 with the gear 23
Side is vertical by engagement of lock lever 37 and stopper
Operation side opposite to the drive side
The part is a roller as the first support member 28a and a compression coil spring.
36 'vertically sandwiched from above and below
Is held. Further, the developing roller 22 of the developing unit 17
The center part of the end opposite to the side supporting the
Only the lower surface is supported by the rollers as the material 28b. A first support member 28a and a second support member 28b
Is the vertical position of the main body case 21 of the developing unit 17
Is restricted, but movement is allowed only in a certain range in the horizontal direction.
Remove the developing unit 17 from the imaging unit case 18
The upper body 10a to open the lock.
Clever 37 and compression coil spring 36 'both automatically
Released and developing unit 17 can be easily removed
Becomes FIGS. 1 and 2 show the image forming unit case 18.
When placed in the mounting device shown in FIG.
b Position and hold correctly with respect to the lower frame 54
For this purpose, a lock device 57 is provided. This lock
The device 57 includes a pair of members projecting from the imaging unit case 18.
The pivot member 59 movably supported by the support pin 58
The member 59 has a pair of lock claws 65 and a knob 6
6 are formed integrally. Also, a part of the rotating member 59
A receiving portion 67 formed by cutting and bending, and an imaging unit case
18 and the horizontally formed portion 68.
The member 69 is press-fitted and rotated by the spring 69.
9 is given a clockwise rotation behavior in FIG.
You. A pair of locking holes 70 are formed in the lower frame 54.
The imaging unit case 18 is mounted in the mounting position shown in FIG.
When the lock claw 65 of the rotating member 59 is
The stopper 69 is engaged with the stopper 70 by the action of the spring 69. This place
In the illustrated example, the imaging unit case is as shown in FIG.
18, a compression coil spring 71 is provided.
Since the lower end is pressed against the lever 72 of the lower body 10b,
When the imaging unit case 18 is stored in the mounting position,
The imaging unit case 18 is pivoted by a spring 71 to pivot pins 52.
Is biased in the counterclockwise direction. Lock for this
The pawl 65 presses against the upper wall that defines the locking hole 70, and
The body case 21 is securely locked and held at the mounting position.
You. A locking claw is provided on the lower part of the main body, and this is engaged
The hole may be provided on the side of the imaging unit case 18
Of course. When opening the imaging unit case 18,
The knob 66 of the moving member 59 is pulled upward in FIG. This
The revolving member 59 rotates counterclockwise around the support pin 58.
The lock pawl 65 is disengaged from the lock hole 70,
Is released, and the imaging unit case 18 is not hindered.
It can be pivoted about pivot pin 52 and opened.
To return the imaging unit case 18 to the position shown in FIG.
It turns and pushes it against the lower part 10b of the main body.
The locking claw 65 is engaged with the locking hole 70 and the image forming unit
The case 18 is locked. With simple operations like this,
The image unit case 18 can be held. The pivot member of the lock device is rotatably supported.
Instead, the lock claw is elastically deformed to lock and
May be configured to be able to be canceled. By the way, as described above, the recording paper is
Photoconductor 4 is timed by pair of gyst rollers 3
The registration roller pair 3 is identified from FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And a moving roller 3b. In this case, the driving roller 3a
The driven roller 3b is supported by the side plate so as to be stationary.
Is pivotable on the lever 72, whose support shaft is simply shown earlier.
The lever 72 is attached to the side plate by a pin 80.
It is pivotably supported. The imaging unit case 18
When held in the mounting position shown in FIG.
The aforementioned spring 71 attached to the case 18 is connected to the lever 72.
Press. As a result, the driven roller 3b is
a, and they cooperate to transport the recording paper.
it can. When the imaging unit case 18 is opened, the lever 72
The pressing action by the spring 71 is released. Accordingly
And easily swing the lever 72 around the pin 80 by hand.
The recording paper jams between the rollers 3a and 3b.
When this happens, it can be easily removed. Les
Connect the paper transport rollers other than the
And press it in the same way, or release it
It is possible to configure so that it is possible. The recording paper is placed under the image forming unit case 18.
Although it passes, the illustrated embodiment focuses on this point and has already been described.
Of the lower part of the rotating member 59 constituting the locking device 57 of FIG.
It is used as a paper guide 82. Image formation by this
Another independent guide section on the right side of the unit case 18
This eliminates the need for additional materials, reduces the number of parts, and
When the knit case 18 is turned up and lifted,
Access to jammed paper and easy handling of jam paper
Points are also obtained. Under the imaging unit case 18 for the same purpose
A plurality of ribs arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
81 so that the recording paper can be guided
It is composed. As described above, the image forming unit case 18
Press and release the registration rollers
Configuration to guide the recording paper.
The function of the case 18 can be expanded,
The score can be reduced. In the illustrated embodiment, the image forming unit is carried.
Body unit and developing unit.
To the main body of the image forming apparatus via the image unit case
Although it was configured so that it can be locked, the imaging unit
It can be stopped or divided into three or more.
The imaging unit is locked directly to the main unit without
It is also possible to make it. In addition, the image forming unit case
Instead of supporting it rotatably with respect to the body,
May be supported so that it can be
Can also be fixed. Stopper is an imaging unit
It may be provided on the side of the case or use an imaging unit case.
If it does, provide a stopper directly on the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Can also be. The present invention relates to various image types other than a laser printer.
Machine, such as a copying machine, facsimile, etc.
You. In the developing device according to the present invention, the developing device shown in FIG.
The toner supplied as shown in FIGS.
-T is stirred by the agitator 62,
Is transferred to the developing roller 22 and adheres electrostatically. That
When each roller is rotated in the direction of the arrow,
A certain bias potential is set for the developing roller 22 and the developing roller 22.
You. The toner layer adhered to the developing roller 22 is evenly distributed.
The regulating blade 24 is a holding arm as a regulating means for making a thin layer.
41 with both ends of the guide groove 41 a facing the developing roller 22.
Slidably inserted and pressed by the spring 42. Development
Excess toner on the roller 22 is regulated by the regulating blade 24.
The edge of the regulating blade 24 is now
It is contacted in parallel with the image roller 22. The regulating blade 24 is a blade for scraping off toner.
Blade 24a and holder 2 for supporting the blade 24a
4b and the peeling prevention attached to the upper part of the holder 24b.
And a stop plate 24c. The holding arm 41 is connected to the shaft 22a of the developing roller 22.
It is rotatably supported by a bearing 43 and has a positioning portion.
41b, and the positioning portion 41b is
The holding arm 41 fixed to the body case 21 is positioned.
You. The holder 24b is provided in the guide groove 41a of the holding arm 41.
Mated. The blade 24a of the regulating blade 24 has an end.
Longer than developing roller 22 to prevent toner from falling
The long part is attached to both ends of the developing roller 22
Can be in contact with the sealing member 44
The seal member 44 is configured to fit into the seal member 44 by pressurization.
You. Conventionally, the blade 24a is made of metal,
The tip of the blade 24d.
When the toner sticks or dust adheres, the toner layer
Causes unevenness, and the thin layer is not evenly distributed.
I was born. In the present invention, the material of the blade 24a is
Silicon rubber, for example, methyl vinyl polysiloxane
Or other resin material is used. The developing roller 22 is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 4 and
It is necessary to have a certain contact width for imaging. others
The developing roller 22 is made of an elastic material such as urethane.
Form a film layer of conductive particles on the surface layer using materials such as
I do. The developing toner includes the blade 24a.
Material as a toner or abrasive which is harder than the material, for example S
iC, SiO_Two, TiO_TwoAnd other substances. As needed
It is possible to mix both hard toner and abrasive.
You. As a result, the toner adhered to the blade 24a.
Even if dust or the like enters and adheres, the blade 24a
Wear due to friction with
It has become possible to let. For example, 65 ° -95 according to JIS C 2123
° silicon rubber blade and SiC Hv30
Self-cleaning property in combination with toner mixed with 00
Was found to be good. The elastic layer of the developing roller 22 is
Approx. 30 ° with JIS hardness A type, which is softer than toner and
The developing roller 22 is formed with a supply roller.
23, the toner is attached, and the blade 24a
When the toner layer is regulated, the blade 24a is hardened in the toner.
Polished with toner or abrasive,
Uniform layer with stable toner adhesion over a long period
Thickness can be regulated. The spring 42 for pressing the regulating blade 24 is
The tip 24d of the blade 24 is pressed against the image roller 22 with a uniform pressure.
To ensure proper toner coverage
Secured. An appropriate toner adhesion amount is 0.4 mg / cm
^Two~ 0.5mg / cm^TwoIs selected.
Problems such as density and soiling occur. The proper amount is
Set of the above conditions of the developer 24a, the developing roller 22 and the toner
In addition to matching, select the amount of pressurization to 24-36 gf / cm
is required. When the rotation of the developing roller 22 starts, the toner
It can happen that it is not on the image roller. At this time,
The coefficient of friction between the image roller 22 and the blade 24a is very low.
The tip 24d of the blade 24a is
Is pulled by the frictional force in the rotational direction by the
Permanent deformation occurs at the tip 24d of the door 24a. For example,
The first is a blade 24a shaped as shown in FIG. 11a.
Is deformed as shown in FIG. 11b. This transformation is indispensable
It does not necessarily cover the entire length of the blade 24,
Deformation occurs. If this deformation is present, the developing roller 22
Unevenness in the thickness of the thin layer of toner
Will occur. The toner is placed between the developing roller and the blade 24a.
The presence of the
There is no elephant. Solve the problem when this toner is missing
To the tip 24d of the blade 24a in advance.
Vinylidene fluoride or SiC or SiO_TwoFine powder
Apply an appropriate amount, As the installed statedeep. By this, Present
Unused when there is no toner on the blade contact surface on the image roller
Between the blade 24a and the developing roller 22 only in the use stage
Fine powder of these friction reducing agents will be interposed,Tona
Friction coefficient and toner when toner is
It will be possible to drop to Luku. Tona for reference
Of friction and development with and without
Table 1 shows an example of the magnitude of the roller torque.
You. The developing roller torque is a torque that includes other load factors.
It is. [0056] [Table 1] Both ends of the blade 24a are formed by springs 42.
It is configured to be pressurized and bite into the seal member 44
As the rotation of the developing roller 22 advances, the blade 24a
Although the wear of the tip portion 24d proceeds, only the end portions on both sides are sealed.
Because it has penetrated into the material 44, it remains without being worn. sticker
Since the member 44 is adhered to the holding arm 41, time elapses.
Then, both ends of the blade 24a are further sealed with the sealing member 4.
Dig into 4. Therefore, the developing row is used as the seal member 44.
It is sufficiently softer than the
Reaction force to such an extent that the pressure applied by the spring 42 does not fluctuate.
It is convenient to use a material having a small particle size. In addition, the blade
Even if it is soft and distorted against 24a
Use a material that can be maintained. As this material, for example, Toyo Poly
Rubycell, polyvinyl alcohol, soft urethane
Tan foam, polyethylene sintered body, rubber sponge, etc.
Foam is good. This results in uniform blade wear and edge
It is possible to balance toner sealability. The sealing member 44
What is necessary is just to arrange | position one by one at both ends of the developing roller 22,
It can be arbitrarily deformed depending on the shape of the holding arm 41 and the like. Seal part
The material 44 is attached to the boss of the holding arm 41 in FIG.
The ring-shaped seal member 44a and the end of the developing roller 22
A contacting sealing member 44b and the ring-shaped sealing member
44a, and the end of the blade 24 bites into contact.
The seal piece 44c formed to touch
The holding member 44b is held by, for example, a double-sided tape 44d.
41. [0058] According to the present invention, the current state until the first development is performed
In an unused state where no toner is present on the image roller,
Such as polyvinylidene fluorideDue to the presence of the fine powder,
Since the fine powder acts as a friction reducing agent,Developing roller and
The coefficient of wear between the regulating means is reduced.That is, this
With such a configuration, the regulating means is permanently changed until the start of development.
Shape was to be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a unit configuration of an image forming unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit is disassembled. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the developing device. FIG. 6 is a side view of the developing device. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the developing device. FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the developing device. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a relationship between a developing roller and a regulating blade. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of FIG. 9; 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating deformation of a blade, in which FIG. 11A illustrates a state before deformation and FIG. 11B illustrates a state after deformation. [Description of Signs] 22 Developing roller 23 Supply roller (toner supply unit) 24 Restriction blade (restriction unit) T Toner

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-111268 (JP, A) JP-A-59-195672 (JP, A) JP-A-53-58186 (JP, A) JP-A-58-104172 (JP, A) , A) JP-A-61-105316 (JP, A) JP-A-62-292996 (JP, A) JP-A-1-100149 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB (Name) G03G 15/08

Claims (1)

(57) In a one-component developing apparatus having a developing roller and a regulating unit for regulating the thickness of a toner layer on the developing roller, a one-component developing device is provided between the regulating unit and the developing roller. In order to reduce friction between the regulating unit and the developing roller when toner is not interposed, contact of the regulating unit with the developing roller when toner is not interposed between the regulating unit and the developing roller is reduced. A developing device, wherein a fine powder of a lubricant is applied to the region.