JP6935178B2 - Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developing agent container in which a developing agent for forming an image on a recording medium is housed, and a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum. The present invention also relates to a process cartridge that forms a developer image on a photosensitive drum and is removable from the device body of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a developing agent. There is .

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier or a laser beam printer, first, the photosensitive drum is charged by a charging roller, and the charged photosensitive drum is exposed by the exposure apparatus, so that an electrostatic latent image is generated on the photosensitive drum. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image by a developing roller. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material such as paper by a transfer roller. Further, the toner image transferred to the recording material is fixed to the recording material by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device. In this way, an image is formed on the recording material. Further, it is known that a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charging roller, and the like are integrally configured is detachable from the device main body of the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, the developing apparatus may be provided with a developing agent remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the developing agent has been consumed and notifying the user of the time to replace the process cartridge. As the developer remaining amount detecting means, a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a developer container accommodating the developer, and by detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes, the developer in the developer container is detected. A configuration that detects the remaining amount is known. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the developing roller is an input side electrode, and the output side electrode is provided in the developer container. Then, an AC bias is applied to the developing roller, and the remaining amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container is detected by detecting the capacitance between the developing roller (input side electrode) and the output side electrode. ..

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a current detection unit for detecting the current flowing through the output side electrode is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the output side electrode and the current detection unit provided in the developer container are provided. The developing device is provided with a contact for electrically connecting the and. Then, when an AC bias is applied to the developing roller, a current corresponding to the capacitance between the developing roller (input side electrode) and the output side electrode flows to the current detection unit via the contact. When the current value is detected by the current detection unit, the capacitance between the developing roller (input side electrode) and the output side electrode is detected, and the remaining amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container is detected.

Here, consider a configuration in which a sheet member is provided on the frame as an output side electrode provided in the developer container. Further, it is assumed that one end side of the sheet member is exposed to the outside of the developer container, and the other end side of the sheet member is exposed to the inside of the developer container, that is, the internal space in which the developer is housed. It is assumed that the portion of the sheet member exposed to the outside of the developer container is electrically connected to the current detection unit and is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the developer container. Since the portion of the sheet member exposed to the outside of the developer container and the portion exposed to the inside of the developer container are integrally formed, the portion of the sheet member exposed to the inside of the developer container and the electric current are formed. The electrical connection with the detector is stable. Thereby, the amount of the developer in the developer container can be detected with high accuracy.

Then, in the case of molding the frame by injection molding, in order to bring the portion of the sheet member exposed to the outside of the developer container into close contact with the outer wall surface of the developer container, the sheet member is brought into close contact with one of the molds. In this state, it is necessary to inject the molten resin between the other mold and the sheet member. By doing so, the portion of the sheet member exposed to the outside of the developer container comes into close contact with the outer wall surface of the developer container.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-248371

However, when the molten resin is injected between the other mold and the sheet member while the sheet member is in close contact with one mold, the injected molten resin causes the sheet member to adhere to one mold. There is a risk that the seat member will separate from the mold. In that case, a part of the sheet member is not exposed to the outside of the developer container, and the sheet member and the current detection member cannot be electrically and stably connected.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately detect the amount of the developer in the developer container.

In order to achieve the above object, the developer container of the present invention is used.
A frame that is a frame for accommodating the developer inside the wall and is made of resin.
A first exposed portion exposed on the inner surface of the frame body so as to contact the developer, and a through portion that penetrates the front Kikabe portion extending from the first exposure portion, the frame extending from said penetrating portion Amount of developer contained in the frame , including a second exposed portion that is exposed on the outer surface of the body and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the first exposed portion in the thickness direction of the wall portion. With a conductive sheet for acquiring information that correlates with,
The second exposed portion includes an end portion of the conductive sheet, and is a surface opposite to the first surface and contacts the wall portion with a first surface exposed to the outside of the frame body. A region of the wall portion having a second surface and in contact with the second surface of the second exposed portion of the conductive sheet, which is a region corresponding to the end portion of the conductive sheet and is said to be conductive. The region including the portion where the thickness decreases in the direction from the end portion of the sex sheet toward the penetrating portion is defined as the first region, and the region in the direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion is more than the first region. When the region close to the penetrating portion and having a constant thickness is defined as the second region, the thickness of the first region of the wall portion is thicker than the thickness of the second region of the wall portion. The length of the first region of the wall portion is shorter than the length of the second region of the wall portion in the direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion .

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the developing apparatus of the present invention can be used.
With the above developer container
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
It is characterized in that the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is developed as a developer image by using the developer on the developer carrier.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the process cartridge of the present invention can be used.
A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
With the above developer container
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
It is characterized in that the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed as a developer image by using the developer on the developer carrier.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be used.
With the above developer container
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
Using the developer on the developer carrier, the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed as a developer image.
It is characterized in that an image is formed on a recording medium by using a developer image on the image carrier.

According to the present invention, the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container can be detected with high accuracy.

Schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge having the developing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a detachable process cartridge Perspective view of the developing apparatus according to the first embodiment Schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows how the remaining amount detection member and the electrode member are electrically connected. Perspective view showing a state in which the remaining amount detecting member is arranged in the developing agent container. Cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the connecting portion in the remaining amount detecting member The figure which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which concerns on Example 1. The figure which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which concerns on Example 1. Enlarged view showing the seat fixing portion and the convex portion in the second frame body Cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the connecting portion in the remaining amount detecting member Sectional drawing which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which does not adopt the structure of Example 1. Sectional drawing which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which does not adopt the structure of Example 1. Sectional drawing which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which does not adopt the structure of Example 1. The figure which shows the structure which does not adopt the structure which concerns on Example 1. The figure which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which concerns on Example 2. The figure which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which concerns on Example 3. The figure which shows the method of molding the 2nd frame body which concerns on Example 4.

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied, various conditions, and the like. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments. In the following description, the direction of the rotation center axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 11 (corresponding to the image carrier) is defined as the longitudinal direction.

(Example 1)
First, the configuration of the process cartridge A having the developing device 39 according to the present embodiment and the image forming device B to which the process cartridge A is detachably equipped will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge A having a developing device 39 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus B that is detachably equipped with the process cartridge A according to the present embodiment. The process cartridge A includes a photosensitive drum 11 and process means that act on the photosensitive drum 11. Further, as an example of the process means acting on the photosensitive drum 11, for example, there are a charging roller 12 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 and a developing device 39 for forming a developer image on the photosensitive drum 11. Further, as another example of the process means, for example, there is a cleaning blade 14 for removing the developer (including toner, carriers, etc.) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

<Structure of process cartridge A>
As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge A according to the present embodiment includes a charging roller 12 and a cleaner unit 34 having an elastic cleaning blade 14 around the photosensitive drum 11. Further, the process cartridge A includes a developing device 39 having a developing roller 13 (corresponding to a developing agent carrier), a developing blade 15, and a developing agent container 26 for accommodating the developing agent. The process cartridge A is configured by integrating the cleaner unit 34 and the developing device 39, and is detachable from the device main body of the image forming device B.

<Structure of image forming apparatus B>
As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge A is mounted on the image forming apparatus B and forms a developer image for forming an image on a sheet S (corresponding to a recording medium such as paper). Further, the sheet S such as paper is conveyed by the transfer roller 207 from the sheet cassette 206 mounted on the lower part of the image forming apparatus B. The photosensitive drum 11 is selectively exposed by the exposure device 208 in synchronization with the operation of conveying the sheet, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. On the other hand, the thickness of the developer layer supplied on the developing roller 13 (corresponding to the developing agent carrier) is thinly regulated by the developing blade 15. Then, by applying a development bias to the developing roller 13, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed as a developing agent image by the developing agent. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the sheet S to be conveyed by applying a bias voltage to the transfer roller 209. After that, the sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 210, and the developer image is fixed on the sheet S. Then, the sheet S on which the developer image is fixed is discharged to the discharge section 203 at the upper part of the image forming apparatus B by the discharge roller 201. Then, the cleaning blade 14 transfers the toner image (corresponding to the developer image) on the photosensitive drum 11 (corresponding to the image carrier) to the sheet S, and then the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 (residual developer). Corresponding to). After the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the sheet S, the developing roller 13 may be used to collect the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11. In that case, it is not necessary to have the configuration of the cleaning blade 14 and the like described above.

Next, the developing device 39, the first frame body 17, and the second frame body 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing apparatus 39 according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developing apparatus 39 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the remaining amount detecting member 24 (corresponding to the conductive sheet) and the electrode member 21 are electrically connected.

<Structure of developing device 39>
As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device 39 includes a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, a first frame body 17, a second frame body 18, a bearing 20, and a bearing 25. The developer container 26 for accommodating the developer is formed by joining the first frame 17 and the second frame 18. Further, bearings 20 and 25 are arranged at both ends of the developing device 39 in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 11). The bearing 20 and the bearing 25 rotatably support the developing roller 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an electrode member 21 is attached to the bearing 20.

<Structure of remaining amount detection member 24>
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second frame body 18 has a remaining amount detecting member 24 for acquiring the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 by using the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the developing roller 13. Is formed integrally with the second frame body 18. The remaining amount detecting member 24 is a conductive sheet. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining amount detecting member 24 includes a contact portion 24a (corresponding to the second exposed portion) that comes into contact with the electrode member 21 and a detecting portion 24b located on the inner surface of the second frame body 18. (Corresponding to the first exposed portion) is provided. In the remaining amount detecting member 24, the contact portion 24a having the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is exposed to the outside of the developing agent container 26, and the detecting portion 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is the wall portion of the developing agent container 26. It is embedded in. Further, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the detecting portion 24b in the thickness direction of the wall portion of the developing agent container 26, and is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the developing agent container 26. In this embodiment, the contact portion 24a and the detection portion 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 correspond to the sheet member.

Here, as described above, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is formed of a resin sheet having conductivity, and in this embodiment, the remaining amount detecting member 24 has a thickness of 0.1 mm. In this embodiment, the “conductive” refers to a material having a surface resistivity of about 10 kΩ / sq or less when measured by the measuring method specified in JIS K 7194. On the other hand, "non-conductive" refers to a material having a surface resistivity greater than about 10 kΩ / sq. The surface resistivity of the remaining amount detecting member 24 according to this embodiment is about 1 to 5 kΩ / sq.

Further, as the material of the second frame body 18, a polystyrene (PS) -based resin widely used for the frame body, parts, and the like is used. Further, as the material of the remaining amount detecting member 24 (sheet formed of the conductive resin), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) -based resin in which carbon black is dispersed is used. Then, in this embodiment, the remaining amount detection member, which is a conductive resin sheet, is formed by adhering the EVA-based resin to the PS-based resin by the heat and pressure when molding the second frame body 18. The 24 and the second frame 18 are integrally molded.

However, the material is not limited to the above-mentioned material, and resin sheets having different thicknesses, resin sheets made of different materials, and a second frame body 18 formed of different materials may be used. In this embodiment, the influence on the deformation of the second frame body 18, the adhesiveness when adhering the resin sheet to the second frame body 18, the transferability of the surface of the second frame body 18, and the resin. A 0.1 mm resin sheet was selected in consideration of the conductivity of the sheet. However, the thickness of the resin sheet can be appropriately selected.

Further, in this embodiment, an EVA-based resin having adhesiveness to the material of the second frame 18 was selected as the main material of the resin sheet. However, other adhesive resins may be used. Further, the material of the resin sheet is a compatible resin in which the PS-based resin, which is the material of the second frame 18, and the resin are melted and integrated with the second frame 18 without forming an interface. It may be used as. For example, the resin compatible with the PS-based resin is polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO) -based resin, or the like.

The thermal deformation temperature (glass transition temperature) of the resin used in this example was about 90 ° C. for the polystyrene (PS) -based resin used for the second frame 18. The temperature of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) -based resin used for the remaining amount detecting member 24, which is a conductive resin sheet, was about 80 ° C. The temperature at which the second frame body 18 and the remaining amount detecting member 24 are thermally deformed is an example, and is not limited thereto. Further, it is desirable that the temperature at which the resin forming the remaining amount detecting member 24 is deformed by heat is lower than the temperature at which the resin forming the second frame 18 is deformed by heat (about 90 ° C.). It is not limited.

<Method of detecting the remaining amount of developer>
Next, a method of detecting the amount of the developer in the developer container 26 will be described with reference to FIG. Specifically, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 is detected from the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the inner surface in the internal space of the developer container 26 in the developing device 39. Further, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is electrically connected to the input unit 250 of the developer amount detecting device 251 provided in the image forming apparatus B via the electrode member 21.

When an AC voltage is applied to the developing roller 13, a current corresponding to the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24 flows between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24. Here, the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24 changes according to the amount of the developer located in the space between the detecting unit 24b and the developing roller 13 in the remaining amount detecting member 24. do. The current flowing between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24 is the amount of the developing agent from the detection unit 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 via the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the electrode member 21. It flows to the input unit 250 of the detection device 251. Then, based on the current value input to the developing agent amount detecting device 251, the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 24 is derived, and based on this, the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 is derived. Is calculated sequentially.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the second frame 18, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the bottom surface in contact with the developing agent. As a result, it is possible to know the change in the amount of the developer between the detection unit 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the developing roller 13. Further, in this embodiment, the electrostatic capacity between the detection unit 24b of the remaining amount detection member 24 and the developing roller 13 from the time when the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 is consumed to some extent until the developer runs out. The change in the amount of the developer is measured, and the amount of the developer in the developer container 26 is notified to the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the time point at which the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 starts to be detected can be selected by changing the position where the remaining amount detecting member 24 is arranged. Then, in this embodiment, based on the detection result of the amount of the developer in the developer container 26, the user can be urged to prepare or replace the new process cartridge, for example, via a display means such as a display.

<Structure of contact portion 24a and connecting portion 24c in the remaining amount detecting member 24>
Next, the configurations of the contact portion 24a and the connecting portion 24c (corresponding to the penetrating portion) in the remaining amount detecting member 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the remaining amount detecting member 24 is arranged in the developer container 26. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24. Note that FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (AA cross-sectional view) of the second frame body 18 as viewed from the A direction in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is integrally formed with the second frame body 18. Further, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided near the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the second frame body 18, and the surface of the developer container 26 opposite to the inner surface in contact with the developer (the first surface). It is exposed on the outer wall surface of the second frame 18. With such a configuration, in the remaining amount detecting member 24, the detection unit 24b provided on the inner wall surface of the second frame body 18 and the contact portion 24a provided on the outer wall surface of the second frame body 18 Are continuously connected.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 comes into contact with the electrode member 21 provided in the bearing 20 that rotatably supports the developing roller 13. The electrode member 21 is provided with a leaf spring portion 21a, and the leaf spring portion 21a presses the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 with a pressure of about 100 gf or more and less than 200 gf. Further, the input unit 250 (see FIG. 4) of the developer amount detection device 251 provided in the image forming apparatus B is also provided with a spring portion 250a (see FIG. 5), and the spring portion 250a is an electrode member 21. Is similarly pressed with a pressure of about 100 gf or more and less than 200 gf.

As described above, in this embodiment, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the outer wall surface of the second frame body 18, the contact portion 24a is in contact with the electrode member 21, and the electrode member 21 is developed. It is in contact with the input unit 250 in the dose detection device 251. As a result, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the developer amount detecting device 251 are stably and electrically connected. In this embodiment, the pressing force of the leaf spring portion 21a against the contact portion 24a and the pressing force of the spring portion 250a against the electrode member 21 are not limited to the above-mentioned numerical values, and the dimensions of the image forming apparatus B and the like are not limited. Is appropriately selected from.

Next, regarding the configuration in which the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is exposed to the outer wall surface (the side of the second frame 18 opposite to the inside in contact with the developing agent) which is the outside of the second frame 18. , FIG. 7 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in the remaining amount detecting member 24, a connecting portion 24c is provided between the contact portion 24a and the detecting portion 24b. The connecting portion 24c is sandwiched between the second frame body 18 and is a portion that connects the contact portion 24a and the detecting portion 24b. Here, in FIG. 7, the range L1 is the contact portion 24a, the range L2 is the connecting portion 24c, and the range L3 is the detection unit 24b. Here, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the wall portion of the second frame body 18 that is in close contact with the contact portion 24a and that is in close contact with the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is determined by the remaining amount detecting member. It is thicker than the thickness of the portion that comes into close contact with other than the end portion of 24. In other words, in the wall portion of the second frame body 18, the thickness of the region portion corresponding to the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the region corresponding to the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is determined. It is larger than the thickness of the other region portion away from the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24.

Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, one end side of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is exposed to the outside of the second frame body 18, and the other end side of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is the second frame body. It is embedded in 18 walls. The shape of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is a quadrangle, and the three sides of the contact portion 24a are the ends of the remaining amount detecting member 24. The thickness of the portion of the wall portion of the second frame body 18 that is in close contact with the three sides of the contact portion 24a is thicker than the thickness of the portion that is in close contact with other than the three sides. In other words, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the wall portion of the second frame body 18 that is in close contact with other than the three sides of the contact portion 24a is thinner than the thickness of the portion that is in close contact with the three sides of the contact portion 24a. It will be.

Further, the second frame body 18 has a second sandwiched shape portion 18a (first frame body forming portion / Corresponds to the second molding part). Further, the second frame body 18 has a first sandwiched shape portion 18b (second frame body forming portion) on the outer wall surface side (outer surface side not in contact with the developing agent) of the developer container 26 with respect to the remaining amount detecting member 24.・
Corresponds to the first molded part). Specifically, the second sandwiched shape portion 18a is arranged inside the second frame body 18 with respect to the remaining amount detecting member 24, and is adhered to the remaining amount detecting member 24. Further, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is arranged both inside and outside the second frame body 18 with respect to the remaining amount detecting member 24, and is adhered to the remaining amount detecting member 24. Then, at least a part of the connecting portion 24c is sandwiched between the first sandwiched shape portion 18b and the second sandwiched shape portion 18a. Further, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b formed on one surface side of the remaining amount detecting member 24 faces the second sandwiched shape portion 18a formed on the other surface side of the remaining amount detecting member 24. There is. As described above, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is integrally formed with the second frame body 18. The first sandwiched shape portion 18b and the second sandwiched shape portion 18a are separated by a resin interface.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the wall thickness t2 of the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is thinner than the wall thickness t1 of the second frame body 18 around the connecting portion 24c. Specifically, in this embodiment, the wall thickness t1 of the second frame body 18 around the connecting portion 24c is about 1.5 mm, and the wall thickness t2 of the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is about 0.5 mm. It has become. Further, the wall thickness t3 of the second sandwiched shape portion 18a is about 1.4 mm around the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24. The values of the wall thickness t1, the wall thickness t2, and the wall thickness t3 are not limited to the above-mentioned numerical values, and are appropriately selected depending on the configuration around the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the like.

<Molding method around the contact portion 24a, the detection portion 24b, and the connecting portion 24c>
Next, in the second frame body 18, a method of forming the periphery of the contact portion 24a, the detection portion 24b, and the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of forming the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c in the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the second frame body 18. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view (AA cross-sectional view) of the second frame body 18 as viewed from the A direction (see FIG. 6). Further, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state in which the remaining amount detecting member 24 is mounted on the first mold 100 (corresponding to the second mold), and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state in which the injection unit G is mounted. It is a figure which shows the state which the resin (molten resin) has started to be injected from the above, and is the state before the 2nd sandwich shape part 18a is formed. Further, FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a state after the second sandwiched shape portion 18a is formed.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method of forming the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the second frame body 18. Specifically, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (BB cross-sectional view) of the second frame body 18 as viewed from the B direction (see FIG. 6). The states shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c) correspond to the states shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c), respectively. Further, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a sheet fixing portion 18b1 (corresponding to a recessed portion and a third molded portion) and a convex portion 18a1 in the second frame body 18. Specifically, FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the T portion in FIG. 7, and in the state of FIG. 8C, the first mold 100 and the second mold 101 (first mold). It is the figure which removed (corresponding to). Similarly, FIG. 10B is a diagram in which the first mold 100 and the second mold 101 are removed in the state of FIG. 9C. As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is formed by the second sandwiched shape portion 18a and the remaining amount detecting member 24 at positions corresponding to the ends of the remaining amount detecting member 24. It has a sheet fixing portion 18b1 that fits in between. Further, the remaining amount detecting member 24, the seat fixing portion 18b1 and the second sandwiching shape portion 18a are laminated, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is arranged outside the sheet fixing portion 18b1, and the seat fixing portion 18b1 has the second sandwiching shape. It is arranged outside the portion 18a.

<Molding method around the detection unit 24b in the remaining amount detection member 24>
First, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 9 (a), in order to form the second frame body 18, in this embodiment, the first mold 100 and the second mold 101 and are used. A part of the first mold 100 is a slide piece 103 (corresponding to a slide portion), and the slide piece 103 is slidable (movable) with respect to a part other than the slide piece 103 in the first mold 100. ). The second mold 101 is in contact with one surface of the remaining amount detecting member 24. Further, the first mold 100 is arranged so as to face the second mold 101, and has a fixed portion that can come into contact with the other surface of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and moves relative to the fixed portion. It has a possible slide piece 103. The slide piece 103 can be moved to a position where it comes into contact with the remaining amount detecting member 24 (corresponding to the first position) and a position away from the remaining amount detecting member 24 (corresponding to the second position). When molding the second frame body 18, first, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is mounted on the first mold 100. Specifically, in the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24, a portion other than the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is in close contact with the first mold 100. In this embodiment, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is mounted on the first mold 100 by being sucked in the direction of arrow E3 in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), by moving the second mold 101 in the mold clamping direction (arrow E1 direction), the remaining amount detecting member 24 becomes the first. It is sandwiched between the mold 100 and the second mold 101. In this state, the entire contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the second mold 101 are in close contact with each other, and at the contact portion 24a, the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 103 A gap is formed between them. In this embodiment, the gap is smaller when it is away from the end side of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and closer to the center side of the contact portion 24a than when it is closer to the end side of the remaining amount detecting member 24. ing. It becomes narrower from the end of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 toward the portion where the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 103 come into contact with each other. Then, in order to form the second frame body 18, from the injection portion G, between the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the first mold 100, and the connecting portion 24c and the second gold in the remaining amount detecting member 24. Resin is injected between the mold 101 and the mold 101. Then, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is solidified. In this way, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is formed around the detection portion 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the injection unit G is installed in the first mold 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second mold 101 is not limited thereto. It may be installed in.

<Molding method around the contact portion 24a and the connecting portion 24c in the remaining amount detecting member 24>
As shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), the periphery of the contact portion 24a and the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is also formed. Here, in the present embodiment, the detection unit 24b is attached to the inner wall surface of the second frame 18 in a state where the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is not broken and the elongation is suppressed. The contact portion 24a needs to be attached to the outer wall surface of the second frame body 18. Then, the contact portion 24a needs to be exposed to the outside of the second frame body 18.

In order to have such a configuration, in this embodiment, a part of the first mold 100 is a slide piece 103. As described above, the slide piece 103 is slidable with respect to a portion other than the slide piece 103 in the first mold 100. Here, in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slide piece 103 is indicated by a alternate long and short dash line. Here, the slide piece 103 partially has a fixing portion 103a (width L4) for sandwiching the remaining amount detecting member 24 with the second mold 101.

First, when molding the second frame body 18, the slide piece 103 and the second are in a state where the slide piece 103 is located at the position (first position) as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b). The remaining amount detecting member 24 is sandwiched between the mold 101 and the mold 101. That is, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is fixed by the slide piece 103 and the second mold 101. Then, with the remaining amount detecting member 24 fixed by the slide piece 103 and the second mold 101, resin is injected from the injection portion G between the first mold 100 and the second mold 101. Will be done. When the resin is injected from the injection unit G, the resin first flows into the periphery of the detection unit 24b. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), the resin flows into the periphery of the connecting portion 24c. In this way, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is formed on one side of the connecting portion 24c.

Further, the second frame body 18 is formed around the contact portion 24a in a state where the remaining amount detecting member 24 is pressed against the second mold 101 by the fixing portion 103a of the slide piece 103. Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), a second frame is placed between the end portion 24d1 (corresponding to the exposed portion end portion) and the slide piece 103 on the back surface 24d of the contact portion 24a. The seat fixing portion 18b1 in the body 18 is formed. By providing the sheet fixing portion 18b1 on the second frame body 18, the back surface 24d of the contact portion 24a is fixed to the second mold 101 by the sheet fixing portion 18b1.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b), the sheet fixing portion 18b1 is provided from the outside to the end of the end of the remaining amount detecting member 24 along the surface direction of the remaining amount detecting member 24. It is formed by flowing the resin between the first mold 100 and the second mold 101 so that the resin flows through the mold. Further, due to the pressure of the injected resin, the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is pressed toward the second mold 101 in the pressing direction F1, the pressing direction F2, and the pressing direction F3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the resin from entering between the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the second mold 101. Thereby, when the resin is injected between the first mold 100 and the second mold 101, the contact portion 24a can be positioned with respect to the second mold 101. In this way, in this embodiment, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 can be exposed to the outside of the second frame body 18.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the seat fixing portion 18b1 in the second frame body 18 is lowered toward the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3. It has an inclined portion 18b2 (inclined). Specifically, the inclined portion 18b2 has a first direction P1 and a second direction P2 which are directions from the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 toward the portion where the fixed portion 103a and the remaining amount detecting member 24 come into contact with each other. It is descending toward the third direction P3. The inclined portion 18b2 is a region corresponding to the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the region corresponding to the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24, and the remaining amount detecting member starts from the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24. It slopes downward toward a region that does not correspond to the end of 24.

In this embodiment, in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the lengths of the range L5, the range L7, and the range L9 in which the remaining amount detecting member 24 is fixed by the seat fixing portion 18b1 are 1. It is about 3 mm to 2.5 mm. Here, if the lengths of the range L5, the range L7, and the range L9 are too long, when the resin flows between the end 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 103, the end is caused by the flow of the resin. The part 24d1 moves. As a result, the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 may not be accurately positioned with respect to the second mold 101. Therefore, as described above, the values of the range L5, the range L7, and the range L9 are limited.

However, when the temperature of the resin when molding the second frame 18 or the pressure for injecting the resin is changed, or when a resin different from this embodiment is used, the fluidity of the resin or the like may be affected. Since the physical characteristics change, it is necessary to change the values of the range L5, the range L7, and the range L9. Further, in the present embodiment, in the seat fixing portion 18b1, the height L6, the height L8, and the height L10 of the seat fixing portion 18b1 are about 0.8 mm, and the inclined portion 18b2 in the second frame body 18 The angle θ1, the angle θ2, and the angle θ3 are about 45 °. However, the values such as the height L6, the height L8, and the height L10, the angle θ1, the angle θ2, and the angle θ3 can be appropriately selected, and are not limited to the values of the present embodiment.

Finally, as shown in FIGS. 8 (c) and 9 (c), the slide piece 103 is connected to the second frame body 18 when the periphery of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is solidified to some extent. It is moved to the second position in the direction away from the portion 24c (direction of arrow E4). By sliding the slide piece 103, a space is formed between a part of the solidified second frame body 18, the first mold 100, and the remaining amount detecting member 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the resin flows into this space from the resin inflow surface 18c in the direction of arrow E5. After that, the resin that has flowed between a part of the solidified second frame 18, the first mold 100, and the remaining amount detecting member 24 is solidified.

That is, the resin previously blocked by the slide piece 103 flows into the space formed by separating the slide piece 103 holding the other surface of the connecting portion 24c from the connecting portion 24c. Specifically, in the second sandwiched shape portion 18a, the remaining amount detecting member 24 is covered from the outside of the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 with the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 covered by the sheet fixing portion 18b1. It is formed by the resin flowing toward the end of the. As a result, the second sandwiched shape portion 18a is formed so as to face at least a part of the first sandwiched shape portion 18b via the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24. Here, in FIGS. 6 and 9 (c), in the second frame 18, the surface in contact with the slide piece 103 around the connecting portion 24c, in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 11). The surface closer to the injection portion G is designated as the resin inflow surface 18c.

Here, the timing at which the slide piece 103 is slid is the timing at which the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is solidified, and the timing at which the periphery of the resin inflow surface 18c is not solidified. Since the first sandwiched shape portion 18b and the sheet fixing portion 18b1 are solidified, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is positioned with respect to the second mold 101. Further, since the periphery of the resin inflow surface 18c is not solidified, the resin flows from the resin inflow surface 18c into the space formed by separating the slide piece 103 from the connecting portion 24c. In this embodiment, "solidifying" means that the temperature of the resin constituting the second frame 18 is around 90 ° C, which is the temperature at which the PS-based resin, which is the material of the second frame 18, solidifies. It means that it becomes the following. However, this temperature is not particularly limited because it is appropriately selected depending on the resin and type used.

Here, as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the slide piece 103 has a fixing portion 103a (width is width L4) for sandwiching the remaining amount detecting member 24 with the second mold 101. doing. Therefore, in the range of the width L4 in FIG. 7, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the second sandwiched shape portion 18a overlap. In this embodiment, the width L4 of the fixing portion 103a is about 5.0 mm, but this value is appropriately selected depending on the thickness and rigidity of the remaining amount detecting member 24, and is not particularly limited.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 (c) and 9 (c), the slide piece 103 for forming the seat fixing portion 18b1 is separated from the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the E4 direction, so that the second sandwiching shape is formed. A convex portion 18a1 protruding in the E4 direction is formed at the end portion of the portion 18a. Since the sandwiched shape portion 18a is formed by injecting resin into the space created by sliding the slide piece 103, the convex portion 18a1 has the same shape as the seat fixing portion 18b1.

Here, the convex portion 18a1 has, similarly to the seat fixing portion 18b1, an inclined portion 18a2 that is lowered toward the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3. As described above, in this embodiment, the convex portion 18a1 is provided with the inclined portion 18a2, and the inclined portion 18a2 has an acute angle. In other words, in the space inside the second frame 18, the angle of the portion corresponding to the inclined portion 18a2 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, the region of the corner formed by the convex portion 18a1 provided on the inner wall surface of the second frame body 18 is reduced, and the possibility that the developer remains on the second frame body 18 is reduced. .. This is because when the developer enters the corner formed by the convex portion 18a1, the developer that has entered the corner is not scraped out of the corner by the stirring member (not shown).

<Problems that occur when the configuration according to Example 1 is not adopted>
Issues that may occur when the configuration according to this embodiment is not adopted will be described. The case where the configuration according to the present embodiment is not adopted means that the second frame does not have the seat fixing portion 18b1 and the convex portion 18a1. A case where the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the second frame body that does not adopt the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of molding a portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c with respect to the second frame body that does not adopt the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of molding the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 for the second frame body that does not adopt the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of molding the vicinity of the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 for the second frame body that does not adopt the configuration of the first embodiment. In FIG. 14, the position of the end portion 24d1 on the remaining amount detecting member 24 is unstable. 11 (a) to (c) to 13 (a) to 13 (c) showing a state in which the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted are shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) showing the first embodiment, respectively. ) Corresponds to FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c).

The case where the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted is a configuration in which the seat fixing portion 18b1 is not provided, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The problems that occur in this configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 (b) and 13 (c). When the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted, the slide piece 5103 is moved in the direction away from the connecting portion 24c (arrow E4 direction) as shown in FIGS. 13 (b) and 13 (c). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13C, the resin flows into the space created by moving the slide piece 5103 in the direction of arrow E5 from the resin inflow surface 18c. That is, the resin dammed by the slide piece 5103 flows into the space created by separating the slide piece 5103 holding the surface of the connecting portion 24c from the connecting portion 24c.

At this time, since the back surface 24d of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is not sufficiently fixed, as shown in FIG. 14A, the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is turned over by the flow of the resin in the direction of arrow E5. There is a risk of going up. As a result, the positions of the contact portion 24a and the end portion 24d1 on the remaining amount detecting member 24 may become unstable. This is the first issue. Further, when the resin further flows in the direction of arrow E5, as shown in FIG. 14B, the remaining amount detecting member 24 may break inside the second frame, and as a result, the remaining amount detecting member 24 may break. A part of the contact portion 24a in 24 may be damaged. This is the second issue.

However, in the present embodiment, since the seat fixing portion 18b1 and the convex portion 18a1 are provided on the second frame body 18, as described above, there is a problem that occurs when the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted. Can be resolved. That is, it suppresses the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 from being turned up, and reduces the possibility that the position of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 becomes unstable. Further, the possibility that the remaining amount detecting member 24 is broken inside the wall portion of the second frame body 18 is reduced.

<Effect of this example>
As described above, in the present embodiment, first, the first sandwiched shape portion 18b is molded in the step of molding the second frame body 18. As a result, as described above, even if the resin flows between the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 103, the contact portion 24a does not turn up and is outside the second frame body 18. The contact portion 24a can be stably exposed. Then, the resin flows into the space formed by moving the slide piece 103, so that the second sandwiched shape portion 18a is formed at an appropriate timing. In this embodiment, the wall thickness t1 of the peripheral portion of the first sandwiched shape portion 18b where the remaining amount detecting member 24 is not provided is from the wall thickness t2 of the first sandwiched shape portion 18b. Is getting thicker.

Further, in this embodiment, the detection unit 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the inner surface of the second frame body 18, and the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the outer surface of the second frame body 18. Can be provided. In the remaining amount detecting member 24, the contact portion 24a, the detecting portion 24b, and the connecting portion 24c are integrated. As a result, the electrical connection between the contact portion 24a and the detection portion 24b becomes good, and the amount of the developer in the developer container 26 can be detected with high accuracy. Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is located inside the wall portion of the second frame body 18 in a state where the connecting portion 24c is not broken and is not stretched. As described above, in the present embodiment, in the second frame 18, the configuration around the remaining amount detecting member 24 for detecting the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26 is simplified, and the developer container 26 It simplifies the manufacturing process and assembly process. Thereby, the cost for manufacturing the developer container 26 can be reduced.

Here, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the configuration according to the first embodiment is not adopted. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 15, in a configuration for detecting the capacitance between the developing roller 13 and the remaining amount detecting member 94, the remaining amount detecting member 94 and the contact member 95 are separately formed. rice field. Further, conventionally, the contact point is contacted at the end in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 11) while avoiding the welding rib 98g for ultrasonically bonding the first frame 97 and the second frame 98. A portion 95a was provided. Then, it was necessary to provide the sealing member 91 between the second frame body 98 and the contact member 95. As described above, conventionally, since the member is composed of a large number of parts in order to detect the amount of the developer in the developer container 26, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus B has increased. However, the manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus B can be reduced by adopting the configuration according to the present embodiment and reducing the number of parts of the member in order to detect the amount of the developing agent in the developing agent container 26.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the remaining amount detecting member 24 is sandwiched between the slide piece 103 and the second mold 101, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the second mold 101 Is in close contact with. Further, in a state where the remaining amount detecting member 24 is sandwiched between the slide piece 103 and the second mold 101, a gap is formed between the end portion of the contact portion 24a and the slide piece 103. As a result, when the resin is injected between the first mold 100 and the second mold 101, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is pressed against the second mold 101. The contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is positioned on the second mold 101.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the wall portion of the second frame body 18, the thickness of the portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 that is in close contact with the contact portion 24a is the thickness of the portion that is in close contact with the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24. , It is thicker than the thickness of the portion that is in close contact with the remaining amount detecting member 24 other than the end portion. As a result, in the wall portion of the second frame body 18, the thickness of the portion corresponding to the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is increased, so that the portion is less likely to be deformed, and the remaining amount detection is performed from that portion. It is possible to prevent the member 24 from peeling off.

Further, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the wall portion of the second frame body 18 that is in close contact with the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and that is in close contact with other than the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24. Is thinner than the thickness of the portion in close contact with the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24. As a result, in the wall portion of the second frame body 18, the thickness of the portion corresponding to the portion other than the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 becomes thin, and the capacity of the developer container 26 increases by that amount. Therefore, a large amount of toner can be stored in the developer container 26.

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 will be described. Here, in the present embodiment, the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Here, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a method of molding the second frame body according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a method of molding the second frame body according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the seat fixing portion 18b1 and the convex portion 18a1 are configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16A shows a state in which the resin is started to be injected from the injection portion G and before the second sandwiched shape portion 218a is formed. FIG. 16 (a) corresponds to FIG. 9 (b) in the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 16B shows a state after the second sandwiched shape portion 218a is formed. FIG. 16B corresponds to FIG. 9C in Example 1. In the second embodiment, the seat fixing portion 218b1 and the convex portion 218a1 are continuous in the downward direction from the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 toward the center in the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3. Is inclined. That is, in the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3, the seat fixing portion 218b1 and the convex portion 218a1 are the portions where the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 2103 are in contact with each other from the end portion 24d1. It is continuously inclined in the range up to. In other words, the sheet fixing portion 218b1 is a region corresponding to the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the region corresponding to the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24, and from the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24, It is inclined downward toward a region that does not correspond to the end of the remaining amount detecting member 24.

(Example 3)
Next, Example 3 will be described. Here, in the present embodiment, the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a method of molding the second frame according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the seat fixing portion 318b1 and the convex portion 318a1 are directed from the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 toward the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3. Not tilted.

(Example 4)
Next, Example 4 will be described. Here, in the present embodiment, the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a method of molding the second frame according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the seat fixing portion 418b1 and the convex portion 418a1 are directed from the end portion 24d1 of the remaining amount detecting member 24 toward the first direction P1, the second direction P2, and the third direction P3. It is gradually decreasing. In other words, the sheet fixing portion 418b1 is a region corresponding to the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the region corresponding to the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24, and from the end portion of the remaining amount detecting member 24, It is gradually lowered toward a region that does not correspond to the end of the remaining amount detecting member 24.

In the second to fourth embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, the detection unit 24b of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the inner surface of the second frame, and the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is provided on the inner surface. It can be provided on the outer surface of the second frame. Further, in the remaining amount detecting member 24, the contact portion 24a, the detecting portion 24b, and the connecting portion 24c are integrated. As a result, the electrical connection between the contact portion 24a and the detection portion 24b becomes good, and the amount of the developer in the developer container 26 can be detected with high accuracy. Further, also in this embodiment, the connecting portion 24c of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is located inside the wall portion of the second frame without breaking and extending.

In each embodiment, with respect to the wall portion of the second frame, the portion of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 corresponding to the end portion in the three directions is more than the portion corresponding to the end portion other than the end portion of the contact portion 24a. Is getting thicker. However, it is not always limited to this. For example, the shape of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 may be triangular, and the wall portion of the second frame may be thickened on the two sides corresponding to the end portions of the remaining amount detecting member 24.

Further, in each embodiment, when the remaining amount detecting member 24 is sandwiched between the slide piece 103 and the second mold 101, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the second mold 101 are in close contact with each other. doing. Then, at the ends of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 in the three directions, a gap is formed between the end portion of the contact portion 24a and the slide piece 103. However, it is not always limited to this. For example, the shape of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 may be triangular, and a gap may be formed at the end portions in two directions corresponding to the end portions of the remaining amount detecting member 24.

Further, the shape of the gap formed between the end portion of the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 and the slide piece 103 is not limited to the shape of each embodiment. When resin is injected between the first mold 100 and the second mold 101, the contact portion 24a of the remaining amount detecting member 24 is pressed against the second mold 101. If so, the shape of the gap is not particularly limited.

17 ... 1st frame, 18 ... 2nd frame, 24a ... contact part, 24b ... detection part,
24c ... Connecting part

Claims (15)

A frame that is a frame for accommodating the developer inside the wall and is made of resin.
A first exposed portion that is exposed to the inner surface of the frame body so as to come into contact with a developing agent, a penetrating portion that extends from the first exposed portion and penetrates the wall portion, and the frame body that extends from the penetrating portion and penetrates the wall portion. A second exposed portion that is exposed on the outer surface of the wall and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the first exposed portion in the thickness direction of the wall portion is provided, and the amount of the developer contained in the frame is increased. Has a conductive sheet for acquiring correlated information, and
The second exposed portion includes an end portion of the conductive sheet, and is a surface opposite to the first surface and contacts the wall portion with a first surface exposed to the outside of the frame body. A region of the wall portion having a second surface and in contact with the second surface of the second exposed portion of the conductive sheet, which is a region corresponding to the end portion of the conductive sheet and is said to be conductive. The region including the portion whose thickness decreases in the direction from the end portion of the sheet toward the penetrating portion is defined as the first region, and the region is more than the first region in the direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion. When the region close to the penetrating portion and having a constant thickness is defined as the second region, the thickness of the first region of the wall portion is thicker than the thickness of the second region of the wall portion. A developer container characterized in that the length of the first region of the wall portion is shorter than the length of the second region of the wall portion in the direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion. .. The frame is
A first frame forming portion that is arranged inside the frame with respect to the conductive sheet and is adhered to the conductive sheet.
It has a second frame forming portion that is arranged both inside and outside the frame with respect to the conductive sheet and is adhered to the conductive sheet.
The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion is formed by the first frame body forming portion and the second frame body forming portion. The second frame forming portion includes an intruding portion that is inserted between the first frame forming portion and the conductive sheet in the first region of the wall portion.
In the first region of the wall portion, the conductive sheet, the entrance portion of the second frame body forming portion, and the first frame body forming portion are directed from the outside to the inside of the frame body. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the developer containers are laminated in this order. The developer container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first frame body forming portion and the second frame body forming portion are integrally molded by injection molding. The developer container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an interface is formed between the first frame body forming portion and the second frame body forming portion. The developer container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the conductive sheet is made of a conductive resin. The first region of the wall portion of the frame body has an inclined portion inclined so as to approach the conductive sheet in a direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion. Item 2. The developer container according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The enter portion of the second frame forming unit, to claim 3, characterized in that is inclined so as to approach to the conductive sheet in the direction toward the penetrating portion from said end portion of said conductive sheet The developer container described. The first region of the wall portion of the frame body is characterized in that the thickness gradually decreases so as to approach the conductive sheet in a direction from the end portion of the conductive sheet toward the penetrating portion. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The shape of the second exposed portion is a quadrangle when viewed in the thickness direction of the conductive sheet.
The three sides of the second exposed portion are the edges of the conductive sheet.
The wall portion of the frame body is characterized in that the thickness of the region portion corresponding to the three sides of the region corresponding to the second exposed portion is thicker than the thickness of the other region portion. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the developer container is removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
A developing apparatus characterized in that an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is developed as a developer image by using a developer on the developer carrier. A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
A process cartridge characterized in that an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed as a developer image using a developer on the developer carrier. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and
It has a developer carrier that supports a developer contained in the developer container, and has a developer carrier.
Using the developer on the developer carrier, the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed as a developer image.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that an image is formed on a recording medium by using a developer image on the image carrier. The image according to claim 14, wherein the developer carrier recovers the residual developer remaining on the image carrier after the developer image on the image carrier is transferred to a recording medium. Forming device.

Images