JP6702676B2 - Developing device, cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Description

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

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus) irradiates a photoconductor drum with light corresponding to image data to form an electrostatic image. Then, toner, which is a developer, is supplied from the developing roller of the developing device to the electrostatic image to visualize it as a toner image. The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to a recording material such as recording paper by the transfer device. A recording image is formed by fixing the toner image on the recording material by a fixing device.

In a developing device using a developer, a developing device provided with a seal member between a developing roller and a developing container has been proposed in order to prevent toner leakage at an end portion of a developing blade that regulates a layer thickness of toner on the developing roller. There is.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a developing device including a developing roller, a developing blade, seal members arranged at both axial ends of the developing roller, and a seal pressing member that presses a side surface of the seal member. ing. In this developing device, the seal pressing member presses the side surface of the seal member to bring the seal member into contact with the developing blade disposed on the side surface opposite to the seal member. This prevents the toner from flowing out by bringing the seal member and the developing roller into contact with each other at the end portion of the developing blade. In this way, the seal pressing member brings the seal member into contact with the developing blade to eliminate the gap between the developing blade and the sealing member, thereby suppressing toner leakage between the developing blade and the sealing member.

Patent No. 3093918

The present invention is a further development of the above technique.

In order to achieve the above object, a developing device according to the present invention includes a developing container that contains a developer, a rotatable developer carrier that carries the developer, and a developing container that is fixed to the developing container. A developing member that abuts on the agent carrier at an abutting portion, and that regulates the thickness of the layer of the developer carried on the developer bearing member at a portion located on the tip side of the abutting portion; In order to face the end surface of the restriction member in the axial direction of the agent carrier, a seal member arranged between the developer carrier and the developing container, and the seal member is pressed against the restriction member, A seal pressing member that presses the seal member in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, if at least a part of the contact area where the seal member and the regulation member contact each other and at least a part of the press area where the seal pressing member presses the seal member overlap, The seal pressing member is arranged such that a region of the contact region located closer to the tip than the contact portion is located outside the pressing region.

According to the invention of the present application, it becomes possible to prevent toner from leaking between the developing blade and the seal member. Further, according to the invention of the present application, the contact force between the seal member and the developing blade can be made smaller than the force with which the seal member is pressed by the seal pressing member. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the longitudinal end portion of the developing blade is unlikely to be deformed by the abutting force from the seal member. Further, according to the invention of the present application, even when the force with which the seal member is pressed by the seal pressing member varies due to the dimensional tolerance of the parts, the force with which the seal member and the developing blade contact is stable, so that the quality is improved. It becomes possible to stabilize more.

Schematic sectional view and partial perspective view of the developing device according to Embodiment 1. Schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic configuration diagram showing one end of the developing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the seal member of the developing device according to the first embodiment. Schematic sectional view, partial perspective view and partial enlarged view of a developing device according to a comparative example. Explanatory drawing of pressing positions of Example 1 and Comparative Example Second Embodiment A schematic sectional view and a partial perspective view of a developing device according to a second embodiment. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one end of a developing device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. A schematic configuration diagram showing one end of a developing device according to a modified example of Embodiment 3 and a partially enlarged view of the periphery of a seal member. A schematic configuration diagram showing one end of a developing device according to Embodiment 4 and a partially enlarged view of the periphery of a seal member. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the seal member of the developing device according to the modification of the fourth embodiment. Schematic configuration diagram showing one end of a developing device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, since the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, there is no particular description. As long as it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording material (for example, recording paper) using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, a facsimile machine and a multifunction machine (multifunction printer) thereof.

Further, the process cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge) integrally includes an image carrier (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum) and at least one of a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device as a process unit that acts on the photosensitive drum. It is a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body) is the image forming apparatus portion excluding the cartridge.

<Outline of configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus H including a developing device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the image forming apparatus H will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus H includes a photosensitive drum 1 rotatable in the R1 direction by a driving unit (not shown). The surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is charged to a predetermined potential (for example, -500V) by contacting the charging device 2 to which a DC voltage is applied. The charged surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is exposed by an exposure device 3 having a semiconductor laser 3 that lights up upon receiving an image signal, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed by the developing device 4 to form a toner image.

On the other hand, the recording material P is supplied from a paper cassette (not shown) by a paper feed roller (not shown). Then, the recording material P is sent to the transfer device 5 in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 by a registration roller (not shown), and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is recorded by the operation of the transfer device 5. It is transferred onto the material P. Then, the recording material P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 6, where the toner image is fixed on the recording material P by heat and pressure in the fixing device 6, and finally discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus H. ..

The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording material P in the transfer step is removed by the cleaning device 7 having a rubber blade, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged again by the charging device 2. In this way, after the cleaning step, the charging step, the exposure step, the developing step, the transfer step, and the fixing step are sequentially repeated.

In this embodiment, a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 7 are integrated is formed, and this cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body.

<Overview of developing device configuration>
FIG. 1A shows a vertical sectional view of the developing device 4 of this embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the vicinity of the seal member of the developing device 4 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a layout view of the axial end portion when the opening of the developing device 4 of this embodiment is the front. Although only one end in the axial direction is shown in FIG. 3, the other end in the axial direction is also horizontally inverted. Therefore, one end in the axial direction shown in FIG. 3 will be described as an example. The developing device 4 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the developing device 4 includes a toner storage chamber 41 and a toner developing chamber 42. The toner storage chamber 41 and the toner development chamber 42 are formed so as to be connected to each other via the toner supply opening 16. The toner storage chamber 41 stores the insulating one-component magnetic toner T and the toner transport member 12. The toner developing chamber 42 includes a developing roller 10 (developing agent carrying member) including a developing sleeve 8 and a magnet roller 9, and a developing blade 11 (regulating member). As shown in FIG. 3, the toner developing chamber 42 includes a developing container 40 including a toner developing frame body 40a and side covers 40b provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame body 40a. The developing roller 10 is arranged so as to overlap with the opening of the toner developing chamber 42 so as to extend in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge, and is rotatable with respect to the toner developing frame 40a. It is fixed. The developing blade 11 extends in the rotation axis direction (hereinafter, axial direction) of the developing roller 10, one end of which is fixed to an area of the toner developing frame body 40a which is the edge of the opening of the toner developing chamber 42, and the other end of which is fixed. It is arranged so as to be located between the opening of the toner developing chamber 42 and the developing roller 10. As a result, the toner T in the toner developing chamber 42 is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 8 supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 9 made of a fixed magnet. The toner T carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 8 is frictionally charged by the developing blade 11, and the thickness of the toner layer on the surface of the developing sleeve 8 is regulated.

The developing blade 11 includes a blade portion 11a made of urethane rubber and a support metal plate 11b that supports the blade portion 11a. In this embodiment, the blade portion 11a having a thickness of 1 mm was used. Further, a predetermined gap is formed between the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 by a gap holding member (not shown). In this embodiment, the gap is set to 300 μm.

Further, in order to make the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reversely developed by the toner T and visualized, a voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 8 to apply a predetermined electric field between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 8. To form. In this embodiment, a DC voltage of −400 V, an AC voltage of 1700 Vpp, a frequency of 2400 Hz, and a rectangular wave voltage were applied to the developing sleeve 8. In this way, by applying the voltage to the developing sleeve 8, the toner T can be made to fly between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 8. In this way, the negatively charged toner T is electrically attracted to the latent image portion on the photosensitive drum 1 to perform development (jumping development) to form an image.

<Outline of configuration of seal member and seal pressing member>
As shown in FIG. 3, the seal member 101 that comes into contact with the surface of the developing sleeve 8 is arranged so as to face the axial end surface of the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11, and is fixed to the toner developing frame 40a. In this embodiment, as the seal member 101, a felt having a width of 4 mm, a thickness of 5 mm and an Asker C hardness of 45° is used. The Asker C hardness is measured under the condition of a load of 100 g with a push needle of an Asker C hardness meter (manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.) abutting on the surface of the seal member 101. Then, the seal member 101 and the toner developing frame 40a were fixed by a double-sided tape.

In this embodiment, a gap of 0.7 mm is provided between the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101 in the axial direction. When assembled in a state where there is no gap between the blade portion 11a and the seal member 101, due to the sticking tolerance of the seal member 101, the blade portion 11a and the seal member 101 overlap on the toner developing frame 40a in the axial direction. There is. In this way, when the developing blade 11 overlaps the seal member 101, the contact pressure of the developing blade 11 with respect to the developing sleeve 8 increases at the end of the developing blade 11, and the coarse particles of the toner T are generated by the frictional heat during rotation. It may be formed. When the coarse particles of the toner T are sandwiched between the developing sleeve 8 and the blade portion 11a, the developing sleeve 8 and the blade portion 11a cannot be brought into close contact with each other, and defective regulation of the toner T easily occurs. There is a possibility that the thickness of the toner layer formed on the surface will be uneven.

Therefore, in order to prevent the developing blade 11 from overlapping the sealing member 101, the sealing member 101 is attached at a position spaced apart from the developing blade 11 in the axial direction. ..

Then, the developing sleeve 8 is set at a predetermined position, and as shown in FIG. 3, the seal pressing member 102 is held from the right side in the axial direction toward the center of the developing device 4 with the pressing force F applied thereto. To be done. As a result, the seal member 101 receives the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102, and abuts on the axial end of the blade portion 11a. In this embodiment, the seal pressing member 102 is provided on the side covers 40b attached to both ends of the toner developing frame 40a in the axial direction. The seal pressing member 102 presses the axial end surface of the seal member 101 by the fastening force when fixing the side cover 40b to the toner developing frame 40a, and the seal member 101 and the developing blade 11 facing the seal member 101. And the blade portion 11a of the. The side cover 40b rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the developing roller 10. Further, although the toner developing frame 40a and the side cover 40b are fixed by using screws, the present invention is not limited to this, and other fixing members or means such as welding or adhesion may be used for fixing.

Hereinafter, the pressing position of the seal pressing member 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a pressing position explanatory view of the seal pressing member 102 of the present embodiment as viewed from the axial direction of the developing sleeve 8.

As shown in FIG. 4, the seal pressing member 102 has a pressing region B where the seal pressing member 102 presses the seal member 101 and an abutting region A between the sealing member 101 and the developing blade 11 when viewed in the axial direction. They are arranged so that they do not overlap. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the minimum distance L between the contact area A and the pressing area B on the surface orthogonal to the axial direction when viewed from the axial direction is 0.5 to 0.9 mm, and 0.5 to 0.9 mm. It is arranged so as to have a gap of 0.9 mm.

<Comparative example>
Next, the configuration of a comparative example for verifying the effect will be described. FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device of the comparative example, and FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the vicinity of the seal member of the developing device of the comparative example.

In the comparative example, when viewed from the axial direction, the seal pressing member 102 is in a state in which the pressing region C where the seal pressing member 102 presses the seal member 101 and the contact region A between the seal member 101 and the developing blade 11 overlap each other. Presses the seal member 101.

<Verification result>
Next, the effect verification of this example was performed. In verifying the effect, a comparative experiment was performed with the magnitude of the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102 set to 74 gf. For the load measurement, a digital force gauge FGP-0.5 manufactured by Nidec Shinpo Co., Ltd. was used. Here, the load that the blade portion 11a receives from the seal member 101 under the pressing force F is R.

FIG. 5C shows a layout diagram of the developing roller axial end portion of the developing device of the comparative example, and Table 1 shows the verification results of the present embodiment and the comparative example.

In the comparative example, the load R=72 gf that the blade portion 11a receives from the seal member 101. As shown in FIG. 5C, the toner T is not regulated properly at the axial end portion of the blade portion 11 a, and the toner layer has a non-uniform thickness. However, between the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101. It was possible to suppress the toner leakage.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the load R=22 gf received by the blade portion 11a from the seal member 101. To prevent the toner T from being defectively regulated at the axial end of the blade portion 11a and to prevent the toner layer from having a non-uniform thickness, while suppressing toner leakage between the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101. I was able to.

In this embodiment, a mechanism capable of suppressing the unevenness of the thickness of the toner layer even at the axial end portion of the developing blade 11 will be described. FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a plane consisting of the axial direction and the M line in the state in which the pressing force F is applied in the configuration according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. In the configuration according to the comparative example shown in FIG. 5(a), FIG. 6(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a plane composed of the axial direction and the N line in the state in which the pressing force F is applied.

As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors, the following has been found. In the comparative example, the seal pressing member 102 presses the seal member 101 with the contact area A and the pressing area C overlapping. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102 is applied to the blade portion 11 a via the seal member 101. Therefore, the load R that the blade portion 11a receives from the seal member 101 is approximately equal to the pressing force F. Therefore, the load that the blade portion 11a receives at the axial end portion of the developing blade 11 becomes large, and when the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102 is received, the deformation occurs at the end portion of the blade portion 11a. Conceivable. As a result, the distance between the tip of the blade portion 11a and the developing sleeve 8 becomes non-uniform, defective regulation of the toner T occurs, and the thickness of the toner layer becomes non-uniform.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the contact area A and the pressing area B are arranged so as not to overlap with each other when viewed in the axial direction, and the seal pressing member 102 presses the seal member 101. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102 is absorbed by the deformation of the seal member 101, and the load R received by the blade portion 11 a from the sealing member 101 becomes smaller than the pressing force F. .. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the pressure applied to the blade portion 11a from increasing at the axial end portion of the developing blade 11, and even when the pressing force F by the seal pressing member 102 is received, the blade portion 11a moves in the axial direction. It was possible to suppress deformation at the ends. As a result, it is possible to prevent the distance between the tip portion of the blade portion 11a and the developing sleeve 8 from becoming non-uniform, prevent defective regulation of the toner T, and make the thickness of the toner layer uniform. I was able to stabilize.

On the other hand, also in the present embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction, the pressing area B is arranged so as not to overlap the contact area A, and the seal pressing member 102 presses the seal member 101, thereby sealing the developing blade 11 and the seal. A gap between the members 101 can be eliminated.

If the pressing force F for pressing the seal member 101 with the seal pressing member 102 is reduced, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the toner layer from becoming uneven, but the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101 are prevented. It is easy for toner to leak from the gap.

As described above, by adopting the form according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the toner layer at the axial end portion of the developing blade 11 from becoming uneven, and It is possible to suppress toner leakage that occurs between the seal members 101.

Although the example in which the seal member 101 has a single-layer structure is described in the first embodiment, the seal member 101 is not limited to this. Therefore, as a second embodiment, an example will be described in which a seal member 201 having a plurality of layer structures and having a lower pressing area B pressed by the seal pressing member 102 than the contact area A contacting the developing blade 11 is used. .. In the following, regarding the configuration different from that of the first embodiment, the configuration of the developing device will be described centering on the seal member 201.

FIG. 7A is a vertical sectional view of the developing device 4 of this embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the vicinity of the seal member of the developing device 4 of this embodiment.

The seal member 201 of this embodiment has a three-layer structure in which the surface layer 201a, the intermediate layer 201b, and the adhesive layer 201c are laminated in this order from the developing sleeve 8 toward the toner developing frame 40a. The surface layer 201a contacts at least the blade portion 11a. Specifically, on the end surface that intersects the axial direction of the seal member 201, the contact area A that contacts the developing blade 11 is configured to be an area that partially or entirely overlaps the surface layer 101a. On the other hand, the intermediate layer 201b is pressed by the seal pressing member 102. Specifically, on the end surface that intersects the axial direction of the seal member 201, the pressing area B that is pressed by the seal pressing member 102 is configured to overlap only the intermediate layer 201b.

For the surface layer 201a, it is preferable to use a woven fabric or the like from the viewpoint of preventing the toner T from leaking. In this embodiment, a pile fabric having a thickness of about 2 mm and an Asker C hardness of about 45° is used as the surface layer 201a. Further, the intermediate layer 201b may be an elastic body having a hardness lower than that of the surface layer 201a, that is, a soft elastic body. In this example, a foam layer such as urethane foam having a thickness of about 3 mm and an Asker C hardness of about 16° was used as the intermediate layer 201b. The adhesive layer 201c may be any layer that can fix the intermediate layer 201b to the toner developing frame 40a. In this embodiment, a double-sided tape having a substrate thickness of about 0.05 mm is used as the adhesive layer 201c.

In this embodiment, the hardness of the intermediate layer 201b of the seal member 201 in the pressing region B with which the seal pressing member 102 abuts is lower than that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the intermediate layer 201b of the seal member 201 is more easily deformed by the pressing force F, and the pressing force F can be absorbed better. As a result, the pressure applied to the developing blade 11 when pressed by the seal pressing member 102 was further reduced, and the load R<<the pressing force F received by the blade portion 11a from the seal member 201 could be obtained. Specifically, as in the case of Example 1 and Comparative Example, when the experiment was carried out with the pressing force F of the seal pressing member 102 set to 74 gf, the load R=11 gf received by the blade portion 11 a from the developing sleeve 8. .. In this way, by lowering the hardness of the intermediate layer 201b that is the pressing area B pressed by the seal pressing portion, it is possible to further suppress the deformation of the axial end portion of the developing blade 11.

On the other hand, the surface layer 201a is higher in hardness, that is, harder than the intermediate layer 201b. Thereby, when the intermediate layer 201b is pressed by the seal pressing member 102, the seal member 201 can be suppressed from being deformed so that the contact area with the developing sleeve 8 becomes small. More specifically, the deformation caused by being pressed by the seal pressing member 102 can be stopped in the intermediate layer 201b, and the deformation of the surface layer 201a can be suppressed. As a result, it was possible to prevent the performance of preventing toner T leakage between the developing sleeve 8 and the surface layer 201a from being lowered.

As described above, in this embodiment, as compared with the configuration of the comparative example, it is better to prevent the toner leakage between the developing blade and the seal member and to make the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller uneven. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to increase the tolerance of the attachment position of the seal member 101 in the axial direction, and it is possible to improve the productivity.

Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, a configuration in which the amount of penetration of the seal pressing member 402 with respect to the seal member 101 differs depending on the site will be described. In the following, regarding the configuration different from that of the first embodiment, the configuration of the developing device 4 will be described centering on the seal pressing member 402.

FIG. 8 is a layout view of the end portion in the axial direction seen from the photosensitive drum, showing one end of the developing device 4 including the seal pressing member 402 of the present embodiment.

In the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11, one end having a portion that regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 8 in the direction intersecting the axial direction is the tip portion 11a1 side (tip portion side). Further, in the direction intersecting the axial direction, the other end that faces the front end portion 11a1 side and has a portion fixed to the developing container 40 is the fixed portion 11a2 side (fixed portion side). As shown in FIG. 8, in the seal pressing member 402 of the present embodiment, the length in the axial direction, that is, the direction from the side cover 40b to the developing blade 11 is the same as the tip portion 11a1 side of the blade portion 11a and the fixed portion 11a2 side. Different. In this embodiment, the end surface 101f of the seal member 101 is a surface orthogonal to the axial direction, and the contact surface of the seal pressing member 402 with the seal member 101 is a surface intersecting the axial direction and the end surface 101f of the seal member 101. And Specifically, in the contact surface of the seal pressing member 402 with the seal member 101, the length L1 of the seal pressing member 402 on the tip end portion 11a1 side is shorter than the length L2 of the seal pressing member 402 on the fixed portion 11a2 side. It is set so that As a result, the amount of the seal pressing member 402 entering the seal member 101 in the axial direction is larger on the fixed portion 11a2 side than on the tip portion 11a1 side. Consequently, the pressing force R4b received from the seal member 101 on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a can be made larger than the pressing force R4a received on the tip portion 11a1 side from the seal member 101.

Further, at the end of the blade portion 11a in the axial direction, the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a has higher rigidity than the tip end portion 11a1 side, so that deformation is less likely to occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressing force R4b applied to the blade portion 11a is increased on the side of the fixed portion 11a2. As a result, high toner sealing performance can be secured between the blade portion 11a and the seal member 101, especially on the side of the fixed portion 11a2 of the blade portion 11a while suppressing deformation of the tip portion of the blade portion 11a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the developing device capable of further improving the toner sealing property between the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101 while suppressing the deformation of the axial end portion of the blade portion 11a. 4 can be provided.

In this embodiment, in order to further improve the toner sealing property between the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101, the seal pressing member 402 having a different amount of invasion into the seal member 101 in the axial direction is used. It was composed. However, the method is not limited to this, and another method can be used to improve the toner sealing property. A modification of the third embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the developing device 4 including the seal pressing member 502 of this modification. FIG. 9A is a layout view of axial end portions when the opening of the developing device 4 of the present modification is the front, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the developing device 4 of the present modification. FIG.

In the seal pressing member 502 of this modification, as shown in FIG. 9B, the width H2 of the seal pressing member 502 on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a is the seal pressing member 502 on the tip portion 11a1 side of the blade portion 11a. Width H1. That is, the pressing region B of the seal pressing member 502 to the seal member 101 in the axial direction has a tapered shape from the tip portion 11a1 side to the fixed portion 11a2 side. Therefore, the pressing force R5b that the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a receives from the seal member 101 is larger than the pressing force R5a that the tip portion 11a1 side receives from the seal member 101. As a result, also in this modification, it is possible to secure a high toner sealing property between the blade portion 11a and the seal member 101, particularly on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a while suppressing the deformation of the tip portion of the blade portion 11a. ..

In this embodiment, the seal member 101 having a single layer structure is used. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration using the seal member 201 having a plurality of layer structures may be used.

Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the pressing area E2 pressed by the seal pressing member 602 and the contact area A where the seal member 101 and the developing blade 11 contact each other overlap on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a. In the following, with respect to the configuration different from that of the first embodiment, the configuration of the developing device 4 will be described centering on the seal pressing member 602. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the developing device 4 including the seal pressing member 602 of this embodiment. FIG. 10A is a layout view of axial end portions when the opening of the developing device 4 of the present modification is the front, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the developing device 4 of the present modification. FIG.

The seal pressing member 602 of this embodiment has seal pressing portions 602a and 602b that press the seal member 101 on the axial end surface 101f of the seal member 101 as shown in FIG. 10B. The seal pressing portion 602a presses the pressing area E1 of the seal member 101, and the pressing area E1 is a position that does not overlap the contact area A where the seal member 101 and the developing blade 11 contact. On the other hand, the seal pressing portion 602b presses the pressing area E2 of the sealing member 101, and the pressing area E2 is located at a position where the sealing member 101 and the contact area A with which the developing blade 11 abuts each other. The pressing area E1 is arranged from the tip end portion 11a1 side of the blade portion 11a to the fixing portion 11a2 side, and the pressing area E2 is the fixing portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a with respect to the contact portion between the blade portion 11a and the developing sleeve 8. It is located in. In other words, the pressing area where the seal pressing 602 presses the seal member 101 and the contact area A do not overlap with each other on the tip portion 11a1 side of the blade portion 11a with respect to the contact portion between the blade portion 11a and the developing sleeve 8. To do. On the other hand, on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a with respect to the contact portion between the developing sleeve 8 and the contact portion 11a, the pressing area where the seal pressing 602 presses the seal member 101 and the contact area A at least partially overlap. The configuration.

In this manner, the pressing force R6b received by the seal pressing portion 602b on the fixed portion 11a2 side from the seal member 101 is set to be larger than the pressing force R6a received by the seal pressing portion 602b on the tip portion 11a1 side from the seal member 101. ing.

Particularly, in this embodiment, since the pressing area E2 overlaps the contact area A, the pressing force R6b received from the seal member 101 on the fixed portion 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a can be easily increased. Therefore, the toner sealing property between the fixing member 11a2 side of the blade portion 11a and the seal member 101 can be further improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the axial direction, that is, in the direction from the side cover 40b to the developing blade 11, the seal pressing portion 602b on the fixed portion 11a2 side has a length L4. On the other hand, in the axial direction, that is, in the direction from the side cover 40b to the developing blade 11, the seal pressing portion 602a on the tip end portion 11a1 side has a length L3. In the present embodiment, the length L4 of the seal pressing portion 602b on the fixed portion 11a2 side is shorter than the length L3 of the seal pressing portion 602a on the tip portion 11a1 side. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pressing force R6b received from the seal member 101 from becoming excessive due to the pressing area E2 of the seal pressing portion 602b not overlapping the contact area A.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the toner sealing property between the blade portion 11a of the developing blade 11 and the seal member 101 can be more easily improved while suppressing the deformation of the axial end portion of the blade portion 11a. It is possible to provide the developing device 4. In this embodiment, the seal member 101 having a single layer structure is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration using a seal member 201 having a plurality of layer structures as in the modification of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 may be used. In that case, the seal pressing portion 602a having the pressing area E1 presses the intermediate layer 201b of the seal member 201, and the seal pressing portion 602b having the pressing area E2 covers the surface layer 201a of the seal member 201 or both the surface layer 201a and the intermediate layer 201b. Press.

In this embodiment, the length of the seal pressing portion 602a on the tip end portion 11a1 side and the length of the seal pressing portion 602b on the fixed portion 11a2 side are different in the axial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seal pressing portion 602a and the seal pressing portion 602b may have the same length.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the seal pressing member 102 is provided on the side cover 40b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as in the modified example of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the seal pressing portion 302 integrated with the seal member 301 may be provided and the side cover 40c may be used for pressing.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the developing blade 11 has the blade portion 11a and the supporting metal plate 11b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the blade portion 11a and the supporting metal plate 11b may be integrated into a developing blade.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the width of the tip of the seal pressing member 102 on the seal member 101 side and the width of the base on the side cover 40b side are the same has been described as an example. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the width of the tip of the seal pressing member 102 on the seal member 101 side in the axial direction may be smaller than the width of the base on the side cover 40b side. This makes it easier to aim the pressing area B so as not to overlap the contact area A, and the root of the seal pressing member 102 is less likely to be damaged.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example of the jumping developing method in which charged toner is developed by being electrically attracted to the latent image portion on the photosensitive drum has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a contact developing method in which toner is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum to develop the toner may be used. In addition, although the one-component magnetic toner is used in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a two-component toner or a non-magnetic toner may be used.

1 Photoconductor Drum 2 Charging Device 3 Semiconductor Laser 4 Developing Device 5 Transfer Device 6 Fixing Device 7 Cleaning Device 8 Developing Sleeve 9 Magnet Roller 101, 201, 301 Sealing Member 102, 302, 402, 502, 602 Sealing Pressing Member 11 Developing Blade 11a Blade part 11a1 Blade part tip part 11a2 Blade part fixing part 11b Support sheet metal 12 Toner transport member 16 Toner supply opening 41 Toner accommodating chamber 42 Toner developing chamber A Sealing member/developing blade contact region B, C, D seals A pressing area where the pressing member presses the seal member E1 A pressing area where the seal pressing portion does not overlap the contact area E2 A pressing area where the seal pressing portion overlaps the contact area F Pressing force T Toner P Recording material L Contact area A Distance of pressing area B Load applied to developing blade

Claims (20)

A developer container containing a developer,
A rotatable developer carrier that carries the developer;
Portion secured to said developer container, said contact with the developer carrying member and the contact portion, positioned at the front end side than the thickness the contact portion of the layer of the developer carried on said developer carrying member And a regulation member that regulates
A seal member arranged between the developer carrier and the developing container so as to face the end surface of the regulating member in the axial direction of the developer carrier,
As the seal member is pressed against the regulating member, and a seal pressing member which presses the sealing member toward the axial direction,
In a developing device having
Viewed in the axial direction, and at least a portion of the contact area with the sealing member and the regulating member abuts, at least a portion do not overlap in the press area of the seal pressing member presses said sealing member, Further , the developing device is characterized in that the seal pressing member is arranged such that a region of the contact region located closer to the front end side than the contact portion is located outside the pressing region . The regulation member includes a fixing portion fixed to the developing container,
The seal pressing member is arranged so that the pressing area overlaps the contact area between the contact portion and the fixing portion when viewed in the axial direction. Developing device. The seal pressing member includes a first pressing portion that presses a first area of the pressing area, and a second pressing portion that presses a second area of the pressing area,
The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the second region overlaps the material in the contact region between the contact portion and the fixing portion when viewed in the axial direction. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein, in the axial direction, the first pressing portion projects more toward the seal member side than the second pressing portion. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the seal pressing member is arranged such that the contact region is located outside the pressing region when viewed in the axial direction. A developer container containing a developer,
A rotatable developer carrier that carries the developer;
The fixed portion to the developing container is fixed, the contact with the developer carrying member and the contact portion equivalent, said a regulating member for regulating the thickness of the layer of the developer carrying member the developer carried on the tip portion side ,
A seal member arranged between the developer carrier and the developing container so as to face the end surface of the regulating member in the axial direction of the developer carrier,
A seal pressing member that presses the seal member in the axial direction so that the seal member is pressed against the regulating member ,
In a developing device having
When viewed in the axial direction , on the tip end side of the regulating member with respect to the abutting portion, a pressing region where the seal pressing member presses the seal member, and a contact area where the seal member and the restricting member contact each other. without overlapping and contact region, wherein in the fixing portion of the regulating member with respect to the contact portion, the so said the press area and at least a portion of the contact regions overlap, the seal pressing member is disposed developing apparatus is characterized in that that. In the amount of intrusion into the seal member of the seal pressing member for said axial direction, said penetration amount of the fixed portion side of the regulating member and being smaller than the penetration depth of the front end portion of the regulating member The developing device according to claim 6 . The developing device according to claim 6 , wherein the seal pressing member has a larger pressing force in the axial direction on the fixed portion side than on the tip end side of the regulating member. Claim 8 in the amount of intrusion into the seal member of the seal pressing member for said axial intrusion amount of the fixed portion side may be greater than the entry amount of the tip end of the restricting member The developing device according to 1. The seal pressing member, according to claim 9, the width of the seal pressing member in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, characterized in that the greater in the stationary portion than the distal end portion side of the regulating member Development device. The seal member, the direction from the developer container to the developer carrying member, a developing device according to any one of claims 1, wherein the plurality of layers is obtained by laminating 10. The seal member has a first layer that is in contact with the restriction member, and a second layer that is different from the first layer ,
The developing device according to claim 11 , wherein the seal pressing member is configured to press the second layer . The developing device according to claim 12 , wherein the seal member has a lower hardness of the second layer than that of the first layer. The developing device according to claim 13 , wherein the second layer is a foam layer. The developing container includes a developing frame, and a side cover fixed to an end of the developing frame in the axial direction ,
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the seal pressing member is provided on the side cover. The developing device according to claim 15, wherein the side cover supports the developer carrying member. The seal pressing member, a developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that provided in the sealing member. The seal pressing member is arranged such that at least a part of the regulating member is located between the seal pressing member and the developer carrying member when viewed in the axial direction. 17. The developing device according to any one of 17. A cartridge removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier,
A cleaning device that acts on the image carrier,
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
Have
The cartridge, wherein the developer carrying member is configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrying member. An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier,
A cleaning device that acts on the image carrier,
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
An exposure device that exposes the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image;
Have
The developer carrier is configured to develop the electrostatic latent image.
An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

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