JP3326459B2 - Developing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier and visualizing the latent image in an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic system, a developing device is provided around a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, and when a predetermined electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum, the developing device is mounted. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device via a developer, and is visualized as an image.

Here, an example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional developing device. The developing device includes a hopper section 100 for storing toner as a developer and a developing section 101 having a developing sleeve 102 as a developer carrier. And a developing sleeve 1
Photosensitive drum 103 is arranged at a position facing 02
A developer regulating member 107 for regulating the amount and thickness of the toner is in contact with the developing sleeve 102.

A second stirring member 104 for transporting toner to the developing unit 101 is provided inside the hopper unit 100, and a shaft 10 is provided in the developing unit 101.
5a is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
Stirring the toner supplied from the developing sleeve 1
A first agitating member 105 for supplying the mixture to the direction 02 is provided.

Further, in the developing section 101, the developing section 10
1 toner detection member 106 for detecting the amount of toner in
When the amount of toner in the developing section 101 becomes insufficient, a signal from the toner detecting member 106 displays "no toner" on a display panel or the like (not shown), and replenishes the user with toner. Or, prompt the exchange of the developing unit.

By the way, the first and second stirring members 10
5, 104, so that the toner can be supplied as uniformly as possible in the longitudinal direction of the developing sleeve 102.
It is arranged completely in the longitudinal direction.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional developing device, since there is a space between the developing sleeve 102 in the developing section 101 and the toner detecting member 106, the rotational movement of the first stirring member 105 is restricted. As a result, the toner solidifies between the developing sleeve 102 and the toner detecting member 106, and the solidified toner is not sufficiently charged, so that the toner does not uniformly spread on the developing sleeve 102. There is a problem that the detection of the remaining amount of toner becomes unstable due to the output or the hardened toner falling off irregularly.

Further, when the toner having a small diameter adheres to the developing sleeve 102 in a solidified state, the attached toner enters between the developer regulating member 107 and the developing sleeve 102 and damages the developing sleeve 102, thereby causing the developing sleeve 102 to be damaged. There were problems such as making white stripes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to solve the problem of developer sticking between a developer carrying member and a developer remaining amount detecting means, thereby achieving a good image quality. Can be obtained, the remaining amount of the developer can be detected stably, and the structure can be simplified.
That is to provide a developing device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a developer carrying apparatus for carrying a developer.
Agitator for agitating and transporting the developer to the carrier and the developer carrier
In the developing device having a means, a developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the developer, the stirring territory of the stirring means
An auxiliary stirring means for stirring and conveying the developer outside the
The auxiliary stirring means is provided around the developer remaining amount detecting means.
In order to stir and stir between the developer carrier,
It is characterized by comprising an engaging portion that engages with the rotating shaft of the means .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary stirring means includes
An auxiliary stirrer capable of swinging between the body and the developer remaining amount detecting means.
It is characterized by having a stirring member .

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary stirring means is provided with the auxiliary stirring means.
Support both ends of the member and the developer remaining amount detecting means in the longitudinal direction.
Holding means, and the engaging portion is provided on the support means.
It is characterized by being provided .

Further, the invention described in claim 4 is the same as the claim 1.
In the invention according to any one of Items 1 to 3,
The turning shaft includes a crank portion that engages with the engaging portion.
It is characterized by.

[0015]

According to the present invention, the auxiliary stirring means, the developer remaining amount
Agitating between the developer carrier and the detection means
Conventional problem because the developer outside the agitation area of the stage is agitated and transported
Between the developer carrier and the developer remaining amount detecting means
That the problem of adhesive fixation is resolved and a good image is obtained
In addition, the remaining amount of the developer can be stably detected.

Further , according to the present invention, the auxiliary stirring means is provided with
The engaging portion of the stirrer engages with the rotating shaft of the stirring means to stir.
The auxiliary stirring means is driven by the stirring means.
There is no need to provide a new drive system for
No need for a toner seal member by providing a dynamic system
Thus, the structure of the developing device is simplified.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a developing device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first stirring member portion of the developing device.

The developing device according to the present embodiment is different from the conventional developing device shown in FIG. 3 in that a new first stirring member 1 and an auxiliary stirring rod 5 driven by this are provided. The structure is the same as that of the conventional developing device. Therefore,
In FIG. 1, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first stirring member 1 has crank portions 1A at both ends thereof, and has an L-shaped cross section at an intermediate portion excluding the crank portion 1A. The stirring plate 2 is welded.

On the other hand, a developing sleeve 1 which is a developer carrier
A known toner detecting member 106 for detecting the remaining amount of toner between the first and second stirring members 02 and 02 is disposed in parallel to the first stirring member 1 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The auxiliary stirring support members 3 and 4 are supported. Two auxiliary stirring rods 5 are arranged between the auxiliary stirring support members 3 and 4 vertically above and below the toner detection member 6. Longitudinal engagement grooves 3a, 4a are formed in the lower portions of the auxiliary stirring support members 3, 4, respectively. The crank portions 1A of the first stirring member 1 are formed in the engagement grooves 3a, 4a. Are engaged with each other.

The first stirring member 1 is provided on a developing sleeve 102 by a gear (not shown) disposed on the inner side of the developing device.
1 is rotated in the direction of an arrow (clockwise) in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the first stirring member 1 in the present embodiment, since the stirring plate 2 is welded to the first stirring member 1 as described above. Of the toner can be increased more than before.

In the above configuration, the second stirring member 104
The toner in the hopper 100 is rotated by the rotation of
When the first stirring member 1 is further rotated clockwise in FIG. 1, the first stirring member 1 is provided with engagement grooves 3 a and 4 a which engage with the crank portion 1 A of the first stirring member 1. The support members 3 and 4 swing about the toner detection member 106. Then, the auxiliary stirrer bar 5 provided on the auxiliary stirrer support members 3 and 4 also swings integrally, and the auxiliary stirrer bar 5 is moved between the developing sleeve 102 and the toner detection member 106 and in the operation area of the first stirrer member 1. The toner in the other area is agitated, and as a result, the sticking of the toner, which has been a problem in the related art, is eliminated, and a good image is obtained.
02 and the toner detecting member 106 and the toner in the region other than the operation region of the first stirring member 1 are evenly stirred, so that the detection of the remaining amount of toner by the toner detecting member 106 is also stabilized.

In this embodiment, the first stirring member 1
Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new driving system for driving the auxiliary stirring bar 5, and a seal member or the like for toner by providing a new driving system is not required. The structure of the developing device is simplified.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary stirring rod 5 is
Although two were provided, one or three or more auxiliary stirring rods 5 were provided.
Is also good.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the development between the developer carrier and the developer remaining amount detecting means is performed.
That the problem of adhesive fixation is resolved and a good image is obtained
In addition, the remaining amount of the developer can be stably detected. Change
In addition, the drive of the auxiliary stirring means is obtained from the rotation shaft of the stirring means.
Seal member to prevent toner leakage
Is unnecessary, and the structure of the developing device can be simplified.
Wear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first stirring member provided in the developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a conventional developing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first stirring member (conveying means) 2 stirring plate 5 auxiliary stirring rod (auxiliary conveying means) 100 hopper section 101 developing section 102 developing sleeve (developer carrier) 106 toner detecting member (developer remaining amount detecting means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A developer carrying member for carrying the developer;
In an image forming apparatus having a stirring means for stirring and transporting a developer to a developer carrying member, and a developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the developer , Assisting stirring and transport of developer
A stirring means, and the auxiliary stirring means is provided around the developer remaining amount detecting means.
In order to rock and stir between the developer carrier,
A developing device comprising: an engaging portion that engages with a rotation shaft of a stirring unit . 2. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein said auxiliary stirring means is provided with said developer carrying member.
Auxiliary stirring capable of swinging between the developer and the developer remaining amount detecting means.
The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a member . 3. The auxiliary stirring member according to claim 1 , wherein
And supporting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer remaining amount detecting means.
Support means, and the engaging portion is provided on the support means.
A developing device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is. 4. A rotating shaft of the stirring means is connected to the engaging portion.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a crank portion that engages.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.