JP4139040B2 - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like and a developing device used therefor, and more specifically, a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier and a toner in the developing unit The present invention relates to a developing device that is provided by dividing a toner hopper for replenishing toner, and uses the developing unit and the toner hopper in combination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the developing device, a sealing member made of foaming polyurethane (hereinafter referred to as foaming PUR) is sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the joint between the developing unit and the toner hopper, where toner or the like is likely to leak to the outside, and the sealing member is compressed. A sealing method for preventing toner leakage is well known.
[0003]
Hereinafter, a conventional example of the sealing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 (a), 5 (b), and 6.
FIG. 2 shows a development unit 100 that develops an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier and a toner hopper 200 that replenishes toner in the development unit 100. The development unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are coupled to each other. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 which are separately provided are coupled. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coupling portion on the developing unit 100 side, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coupling portion on the toner hopper 200 side.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the developing device 4 of this conventional example, the toner hopper 200 is located on the opposite side of the developing unit 100 from the side on which the developer carriers 11 and 12 facing the latent image carrier. 100 to be coupled. As shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit 100 case has an opening 107 as a toner supply path. As shown in FIG. 6, the toner hopper 200 case has an opening 207 as a toner supply path. The developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are configured such that the opening 107 of the developing unit 100 case and the opening 207 of the toner hopper 200 case are connected to each other, and the toner hopper 200 and the mating surface 106 that is the outer periphery of the opening 107 of the developing unit 100 case. It joins by overlapping with the mating surface 206 which is the outer periphery of the opening 207 of a case (refer FIG. 4).
[0004]
In the developing device 4, in order to prevent the toner from leaking from the joint between the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, the developing unit 100 is made of foamed PUR on the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case or the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. A seal member is provided. In the developing device 4 of the conventional example, a sealing member 101 made of foamed PUR is provided only on one side of the developing unit 100 case on the opposite side of the mating surface 106 facing the latent image carrier. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the seal member 1010 provided on the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case. The seal member 101 is not only attached to the portion 101a on the mating surface 106 but also along the outer wall of the case of the development unit 100 in order to remove the influence of the attachment to the development unit or the elastic deformation at the end of the seal member. It has an extended portion 101b. On the other hand, on the toner hopper 200 side, seal members 201, 202, 203, and 204 made of foamed PUR are provided on the entire circumference of the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. Among them, the seal member 201 provided on one side opposite to the side facing the latent image carrier is attached to the toner hopper 200 or elastically deformed at the end of the seal member, like the seal member 101. In order to remove the influence, not only the portion 201a on the mating surface 206 but also a portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the toner hopper 200 is provided.
[0005]
When the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are coupled, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion 101 a on the mating surface 106 of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the mating surface 206 of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 are placed. A portion 201 a is sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case while overlapping each other. Further, the seal members 202, 203, and 204 are sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. In this way, the seal member is sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case and compressed so that the internal toner does not leak outside.
[0006]
By the way, recent image forming apparatuses tend to use toner having a smaller particle diameter or toner having improved fluidity in order to improve image quality. When such a toner is used, the toner may ooze out even though a small amount from the gap between the bubbles of the foamed PUR as the sealing member. In particular, at a position where the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 are sandwiched as indicated by A in FIG. 2, the portion 101 a and the toner hopper 200 on the mating surface 106 of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100. The toner oozes from the portion 201a on the mating surface 206 of the seal member 201 to the portions 101b and 201b extending along the outer walls of the respective cases. In this way, the toner inside leaks out to the outside by bleeding out from the seal members 101, 201 provided on the mating surfaces of the coupling portion to the portions 101b, 201b extending to the outside of the case. The toner that oozes out to the portions 101b and 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal members 101 and 201 is easily affected by the air current around the developing device 4, and is scattered to the surroundings and soiled during maintenance. May cause malfunction.
[0007]
In some high-speed image forming apparatuses, a cooling fan 8 is provided to blow air toward the case of the developing device 4 in order to suppress the temperature rise of the developing device 4. Since the air flow generated by the cooling fan 8 hits the outside of the case of the developing device 4, a small amount of toner that oozes out to the portions 101 b and 201 b extending along the case outer wall of the seal members 101 and 201 is generated by the air flow of the cooling fan 8. It will scatter all over the plane. When the toner spreads throughout the machine, various problems such as paper, hand stains during processing, optical system stains, charger stains, filter clogging, and the like may occur.
[0008]
As a method for improving the sealing performance of the joint portion, a method of improving the sealing performance by using rubber as a sealing material can be considered. However, rubber is generally high in hardness, and there is a problem that the resin part of the developing unit 100 case and the toner hopper 200 case to be attached at the time of compression is deformed or cannot be applied to a complicated shape part. There are many.
[0009]
In addition to toner oozing out from the sealing member of the coupling portion, the toner may adhere to the portions 101b and 201b extending along the case outer walls of the sealing members 101 and 201 of the developing device 4. In the developing device 4, maintenance is performed by dividing the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200. During the detaching operation of dividing the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, the toner may spill on the portions 101b and 201b of the seal members 101 and 201 extending along the case outer wall.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the image forming apparatus using various toners, the image forming apparatus configured to actively generate an air flow in the vicinity of the developing device, and the maintenance for dividing the developing unit and the toner hopper. It is difficult to completely prevent the toner scattering from the connecting portion between the developing unit and the toner hopper.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to divide a developing unit and a toner hopper for supplying toner to the developing unit, and connect the developing unit and the toner hopper. By providing a developing device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent toner adhering to a seal member provided at a joint portion between a developing unit and a toner hopper in a developing device to be used and an image forming apparatus employing the same. is there.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier and a toner hopper for supplying toner to the developing unit. The toner hopper and the toner hopper, and a portion sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the coupling portion coupling the developing unit and the toner hopper, and a portion extending from the mating surface to the outside of the case.Made of foamed elastic bodyIn the developing device provided with a seal member on at least one of the developing unit case and the toner hopper case,The portion of the seal member that extends to the outside of the case extends along the outer wall of the case where the seal member is provided,Above of the sealing memberA film-like shape that covers a portion extending along the outer wall of the case and is attached to the toner hopper case and the outside of the developing unit caseA covering member is provided.
[0013]
  In the developing device according to claim 1, even when toner adheres to a portion extending from the mating surface of the seal member provided at the joint between the developing unit and the toner hopper to the outside of the case, the outside of the developing unit case of the seal member and the toner By providing a covering member that covers the exposed portion on the outside of the hopper case, the toner is prevented from scattering to the surroundings.
Further, since the fixing unit case and the toner hopper case are fixed on both sides, the covering member can be securely fixed so as to cover the outside of the mating surface. Further, during maintenance, the attached covering member is peeled off, and the developing unit and the toner hopper are attached and detached. At this time, the cover member can be replaced with a new cover member and used even if the cover member deteriorates due to deformation or the like.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the first aspect, the covering member is made of an elastic member.
[0015]
In the developing device of the second aspect, since the covering member is an elastic member, it can be deformed. Therefore, when the development unit and the toner hopper are attached and removed for maintenance, even if the covering member comes into contact with a peripheral member or an operator or gets in the way, it can be deformed to improve the workability. can do. As a comparative example, if the covering member is a rigid body, it cannot be deformed, which is obstructive and has poor workability.
[0016]
  The invention of claim 3 is the developing device according to claim 1 or 2,The seal member is provided in each of the unit case and the toner hopper case.It is characterized by this.
[0018]
  The invention of claim 44. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the covering member is formed of a transparent member.It is characterized by this.
[0021]
  The invention of claim 55. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is provided with a bent portion that bends along the shape of the outer wall portion of the developing unit case and the toner hopper case in the vicinity of the coupling portion.It is characterized by this.
[0023]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier; and a blower for the developing device. In the apparatus, the developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is used as the developing device.
[0024]
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the developing device having a blowing unit for the developing device, the cover member extends from the mating surface of the seal member provided at the coupling portion between the developing unit and the toner hopper to the outside of the case. The toner adhering to the toner is prevented from being exposed to the airflow by the blowing means. Therefore, the toner can be prevented from spreading throughout the machine due to the airflow.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a copier according to the present embodiment.
The copying machine shown in FIG. 1 electrostatically irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a charging device 2 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 around the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier, and writing light such as a laser beam. Formed on the exposure device 3 for forming the latent image, the developing device 4 for forming the toner image by attaching the charged toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1, and formed on the photosensitive drum 1 A transfer device 5 for transferring the toner image onto a transfer sheet as a transfer member, a cleaning device 6 for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer, and the like are sequentially disposed. In addition, a paper feeding / conveying device (not shown) that feeds transfer paper from a paper feeding tray (not shown) and a fixing (not shown) for fixing the toner to the transfer paper after the transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred are separated from the photosensitive drum 1. And a device. In the copying machine of the present embodiment, a cooling fan 8 for cooling the developing device 4 is mounted substantially parallel to the side of the developing device 4 opposite to the side facing the photosensitive drum 1.
[0026]
In the copying machine configured as described above, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 2 and then irradiated with the writing light of the exposure device 3 based on the image information. A latent image formation is formed on top. A toner image is formed by attaching toner charged by the developing device 4 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. On the other hand, the transfer paper is fed from a paper feed tray by a paper feed / conveying device (not shown), and then conveyed to a transfer portion where the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer device 5 face each other. The transfer device 5 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer paper by applying a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 and sent to a fixing device (not shown), and an image is obtained by fixing the toner to the transfer paper.
[0027]
Next, the developing device 4 employed in the copying machine will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 4 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the developing device 4 is detached from the copying machine main body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 which are separately provided are coupled.
The developing device 4 contains a two-component developer composed of a carrier and toner, and is divided into a developing unit 100 that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 and a toner hopper 200 that replenishes toner in the developing unit 100. The developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are combined and used. The developing unit 100 carries and conveys the two-component developer, and supplies the toner in the two-component developer to the photosensitive drum 1, the first sleeve 11, the second sleeve 12, the first sleeve 11, and the second sleeve 12. A paddle 13 for stirring the two-component developer supplied to the toner, a stirring roller 14 for stirring the toner replenished from the toner hopper 200 and the two-component developer, and a doctor for regulating the layer thickness of the two-component developer on the first sleeve 11. 16, a T sensor 19 for detecting the toner concentration of the two-component developer in the developing unit 100, and the like. The toner hopper 200 includes a toner supply roller 21, an agitator 22, a toner hopper partner end sensor 23, and the like.
[0028]
In the developing device 4 of the present embodiment, the toner hopper 200 is connected to the developing unit 100 on the side opposite to the side where the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 facing the photosensitive drum 1 of the developing unit 100 are disposed. Configured to join. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coupling portion on the developing unit 100 side, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coupling portion on the toner hopper 200 side. As shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit 100 case has an opening 107 as a toner supply path. As shown in FIG. 6, the toner hopper 200 case has an opening 207 as a toner supply path. The developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are configured such that the opening 107 of the developing unit 100 case and the opening 207 of the toner hopper 200 case are connected to each other, and the toner hopper 200 and the mating surface 106 that is the outer periphery of the opening 107 of the developing unit 100 case. It joins by overlapping with the mating surface 206 which is the outer periphery of the opening 207 of a case (refer FIG. 4).
[0029]
When the toner concentration in the two-component developer in the developing unit 100 decreases, the toner is supplied from the toner hopper 200 to the developing unit 100 via the toner supply roller 21. The replenished toner and the two-component developer are stirred by the stirring roller 14, then sent to the paddle 13, and further stirred by the paddle 13. The first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 pump up the two-component developer sufficiently stirred by magnetic force, and supply only the toner from the two-component developer to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. When such an operation is performed, the temperature of the developing device 4 gradually increases, and various adverse effects are exerted on the toner image to be formed. Therefore, in order to suppress the temperature rise of the developing device 4, the cooling fan 8 blows air toward the developing device 4 case.
[0030]
In addition, the seal of the joint between the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 in the developing device 4 will be described.
In the developing device 4, in order to prevent the toner from leaking from the joint between the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, the developing unit 100 is made of foamed PUR on the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case or the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. A seal member is provided. In the developing device 4, a sealing member 101 made of foamed PUR is provided only on one side of the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case opposite to the side facing the photosensitive drum 1. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the seal member 101 provided on the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case. The seal member 101 is not only attached to the portion 101a on the mating surface 106 but also along the outer wall of the case of the development unit 100 in order to remove the influence of the attachment to the development unit or the elastic deformation at the end of the seal member. It has an extended portion 101b. On the other hand, on the toner hopper 200 side, seal members 201, 202, 203, and 204 made of foamed PUR are provided on the entire circumference of the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. Among them, the seal member 201 provided on one side opposite to the side facing the photosensitive drum 1 is attached to the toner hopper 200 or elastically deformed at the end of the seal member, like the seal member 101. In order to remove the influence, not only the portion 201a on the mating surface 206 but also a portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the toner hopper 200 is provided.
[0031]
When the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are combined, as shown in FIG. 7, the portion 101 a on the mating surface 106 of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the mating surface 206 of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 are disposed. A portion 201 a is sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case while overlapping each other. Further, the seal members 202, 203, and 204 are sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case. In this way, the seal member is sandwiched between the mating surface 106 of the developing unit 100 case and the mating surface 206 of the toner hopper 200 case and compressed so that the internal toner does not leak outside.
[0032]
However, when a toner having a reduced particle diameter or a toner having improved fluidity is used, the toner may ooze out, though a small amount, from the gap between the bubbles of the foamed PUR as the sealing member. In particular, at a position where the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 are sandwiched as indicated by A in FIG. 7, the portion 101 a and the toner hopper 200 on the mating surface 106 of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 are shown. The toner oozes from the portion 201a on the mating surface 206 of the seal member 201 to the portions 101b and 201b extending along the outer walls of the respective cases.
In the developing device 4, the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are divided and maintenance is performed. However, when the detaching operation is performed to divide the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are arranged along the outer wall of the case. Toner may spill on the extended portions 101b and 201b.
As a result, the toner adheres to the portions 101b and 201b extending from the seal members 101 and 201 provided on the mating surfaces of the coupling portions to the outside of the case.
[0033]
Therefore, in the developing device 4 of the present embodiment, the portion 101b extending along the outer wall of the case of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 across the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, and the outer case of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200. A covering member 301 is provided to cover the portion 201b extending along the line. That is, a covering member 301 that covers the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 that is exposed to the outside of the case is provided. The covering member 301 is a transparent PET film that is an elastic member, and is attached and fixed to the developing unit 100 case and the toner hopper 200 case with a double-sided tape. By providing this covering member 301, the air flow of the cooling fan 8 extends along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the part of the toner hopper 200 along the case outer wall of the seal member 201. The toner adhering to the portion 101b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 is removed. It will not be scattered throughout.
[0034]
Further, by making the color of the covering member 301 transparent, it is easy to check the degree of contamination of the seal members 101 and 201 during maintenance. The cover member 301 is replaced during maintenance such as developer replacement. At the time of replacement, the double-sided tape (not shown) is peeled off, the old covering member 301 is removed, and the new covering member 301 is attached to the same place with the double-sided tape. The pasting procedure is shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b).
[0035]
[Modification 1]
Modification 1 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the above embodiment, the covering member 301 is made of a transparent PET film and is fixed to the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 with a double-sided tape. However, the developing unit uses another resin as the covering member. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only one of 100 and toner hopper 200 is fixed.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 4 according to the first modification. In the developing device 4, the portion 101 b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 across the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200. A covering member 302 that covers 201b is provided. The covering member 302 is made of polystyrene resin and is fixed to the toner hopper 200 case. As a method of fixing the covering member 302 to the toner hopper 200 case, a method of forming the covering member 302 integrally with the case 205 of the toner hopper 200, a method of attaching the covering member 302 to the toner hopper 200 case by means such as adhesion, and the like. Can be mentioned. By providing the cover member 302, the airflow of the cooling fan 8 extends along the outer wall of the case of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200. The toner adhering to the portion 101b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 is removed. It will not be scattered throughout.
[0036]
[Modification 2]
Next, a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 4 according to the second modification. In the developing device 4, the portion 101 b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 across the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200. A cover member 303 is provided to cover 201b. The covering member 303 is a transparent PET film that is an elastic member, and is attached to the lower developing unit 100 case with a double-sided tape. By providing the cover member 303, the airflow of the cooling fan 8 extends along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the part of the toner hopper 200 that extends along the case outer wall of the seal member 201. The toner adhering to the portion 101b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 is removed. It will not be scattered throughout. Further, by making the color of the cover member 303 transparent, it is easy to check the degree of contamination of the seal members 101 and 201 during maintenance.
[0037]
Further, in the developing device 4 of Modification 2, since the covering member 303 is fixed to the lower developing unit 100 case, when the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are attached / detached, the portion 101b extending to the outside of the case of the seal member 101 or Even if the toner adhering to the portion 201b extending to the outside of the case of the seal member 201 falls, the toner can be received by the covering member 303 fixed to the case of the developing unit 100 below. Therefore, the toner is prevented from dropping below the developing device 4.
[0038]
As a comparative example, in the developing device in which the covering member is fixed to the upper toner hopper 200 case, when the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are attached / detached, from between the covering member and the developing unit 100 case located below, There is a possibility that the toner adhering to the portions 101b and 201b extending outside the case of the seal members 101 and 201 may fall below the developing device. If the toner falls below the developing device, there is a risk of touching the operator's hand during maintenance or spreading the dirt to contaminate the transfer member. Therefore, in the developing device of Modification 2, such a problem can be prevented by preventing the toner from dropping below the developing device 4.
[0039]
Further, in the developing device 4 of Modification 2, the covering member 303 is fixed only to the case of the developing unit 100 and is not fixed to the toner hopper 200. Therefore, when performing maintenance, the toner hopper 200 to which the covering member 303 is not fixed and the developing unit 100 to which the covering member 303 is fixed can be attached and detached without being restricted by the covering member 303. As a comparative example, in the case where the covering member is fixed on both sides of the developing unit 100 case and the toner hopper 200 case, in order to attach and detach the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200, it is necessary to release and fix one of the covering members. is necessary. As described above, the configuration in which the developing unit 100 case or the toner hopper case 200 is fixed to only one side facilitates maintenance for attaching and detaching the developing unit and the toner hopper.
[0040]
Furthermore, since an elastic member is used as the covering member 303, the covering member can be deformed. Therefore, when the development unit 100 and the toner hopper 200 are attached and detached for maintenance, even if the cover member 303 comes into contact with a peripheral member or an operator or gets in the way, it can be deformed to work. Can be improved. As a comparative example, if the covering member is a rigid body, it cannot be deformed, which is obstructive and has poor workability.
[0041]
[Modification 3]
A third modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 4 according to the third modification. In the developing device 4, the portion 101 b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 across the developing unit 100 and the toner hopper 200. A covering member 304 that covers 201b is provided. As the material of the covering member 304, the same transparent PET film as that of the second modification was used. And it was set as the shape which provided the bending B in two places of the transparent PET film so that the covering member 304 may follow the developing unit 100 case and toner hopper 200 case shape of a coupling | bond part vicinity. By providing this cover member 304, the airflow of the cooling fan 8 extends so that the portion 101 b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion of the toner hopper 200 extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201. The toner adhering to the portion 101b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 is removed. It will not be scattered throughout.
[0042]
Furthermore, by making the covering member 304 conform to the shape of the developing unit 100 case and the toner hopper 200 case in the vicinity of the coupling portion, the gap between the developing unit 100 case and the toner hopper 200 case and the covering member 304 is reduced, and the airflow Becomes difficult to wrap around. Therefore, it is further ensured that the toner adhering to the portion 101b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 and the portion 201b extending along the case outer wall of the seal member 201 of the toner hopper 200 spreads in the apparatus. Can be prevented. This covering member 304 is only obtained by bending a PET film, and can be made at low cost.
[0043]
As described above, various toners are used by providing a covering member that covers the portion of the seal member 101 of the developing unit 100 exposed to the outside of the case and the portion of the toner hopper 200 exposed of the seal member 201 to the outside of the case. Copiers that are configured to actively generate airflow in the vicinity of the developing device, and also at the joint between the developing unit and the toner hopper, corresponding to the time of maintenance when the developing unit and the toner hopper are divided. The toner adhering to the sealing member can be prevented from scattering.
In the above embodiment, the developing device using the two-component developer has been described. However, if the developing unit and the toner hopper are separately provided and the developing unit and the toner hopper are combined, The present invention can be applied to a developing device using a one-component developer, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the developing unit and the toner hopper for supplying toner to the developing unit are provided separately, and the developing unit is used by combining the developing unit and the toner hopper, and image forming employing the same. In the apparatus, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the toner adhering to the seal member provided at the joint portion between the developing unit and the toner hopper from being scattered.
[0045]
In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the workability of attaching / detaching the developing unit and the toner hopper can be improved during maintenance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional developing device.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing device is detached from the copying machine main body.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a developing unit and a toner hopper are coupled.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a coupling portion on the developing unit side.
(B) The enlarged view of the sealing member provided in the mating surface of the developing unit case.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a coupling portion on a toner hopper side.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device of the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a first modification.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a second modification.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to a third modification.
FIG. 11A is a view for explaining a procedure for attaching a covering member;
(B) The figure which shows the state after sticking a covering member.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Photoconductor
2 Charging device
3 Exposure equipment
4 Development device
5 Transfer device
6 Cleaning device
7 Static eliminator
8 Cooling fan
11 First sleeve
12 Second sleeve
13 paddles
14 Stirring roller
15 Separator
16 Doctor
17 Conveying screw
18 Development filter
19 T sensor
21 Toner supply roller
22 Agitator
23 Toner Hot Partner End Sensor
100 Development unit
101 Seal member
101a A portion on the mating surface of the seal member
101b A portion of the seal member extending along the outer wall of the developing unit case
106 Development unit case mating surface
107 Development unit case opening
200 Toner Hopper
201 Seal member
201a The part on the mating surface of the seal member
201b A portion of the seal member extending along the outer wall of the toner hopper case
202, 203, 204 Seal member
206 Toner hopper case mating surface
207 Toner hopper case opening

Claims (6)

A developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier and a toner hopper for supplying toner to the developing unit are provided separately, the developing unit and the toner hopper are used in combination, and the developing unit is used. At least one of the developing unit case and the toner hopper case includes a sealing member made of a foamed elastic body having a portion sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the coupling portion coupling the unit and the toner hopper and a portion extending from the mating surface to the outside of the case. In the developing device provided in
The portion of the seal member that extends to the outside of the case extends along the outer wall of the case where the seal member is provided,
A film-like covering member is provided that covers a portion of the sealing member that extends along the outer wall of the case, and is attached to the toner hopper case and the outside of the developing unit case. A developing device. The developing device according to claim 1.
A developing device characterized in that the covering member is made of an elastic member.   The developing device according to claim 1 or 2,
A developing device, wherein the seal member is provided in each of the unit case and the toner hopper case.   The developing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
A developing device, wherein the covering member is formed of a transparent member.   In the developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
  2. A developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said covering member is provided with a bent portion that bends along the shape of the outer wall portion of said developing unit case and toner hopper case in the vicinity of said connecting portion. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier; and a blowing unit for the developing device.
An image forming apparatus using the developing device of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 as the developing device.

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