JP5515903B2

JP5515903B2 - Developing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and assembling method of developing device

Info

Publication number: JP5515903B2
Application number: JP2010061038A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 直志早川; 伸茅原; 博臣田村; 卓也菅沼; 友祐三谷; 秀樹田中
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-17
Filing date: 2010-03-17
Publication date: 2014-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-17
Also published as: JP2011197091A

Description

本発明は現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ、それらを搭載する画像形成装置及び現像装置の組立方法に係り、更に詳しくは、現像ローラと、前記現像ローラを支持する第１ハウジングと、予めに現像剤が配置される第２ハウジングと、前記第２ハウジング内の現像剤をその軸方向に沿って搬送し、且つ前記現像ローラに現像剤を搬送する回転式の第１現像剤搬送部材と、前記第１現像剤搬送部材がその軸方向の一端側近傍まで搬送した現像剤を受け取り、前記第１現像剤搬送部材の他端部側近傍まで搬送することで第１現像剤搬送部材とで現像剤循環搬送経路を前記第２ハウジング内に形成する第２現像剤搬送部材とを備えた現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ、画像形成装置及び現像装置の組立方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus on which the developing cartridge is mounted, and an assembling method of the developing device. More specifically, the developing roller, a first housing that supports the developing roller, and a developer are disposed in advance. A second housing to be transported, a first developer transporting member that transports the developer in the second housing along the axial direction thereof, and transports the developer to the developing roller, and the first development. The developer transport member receives the developer transported to the vicinity of one end side in the axial direction, and transports it to the vicinity of the other end portion side of the first developer transport member, whereby the developer circulation transport path with the first developer transport member The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a method for assembling the developing device.

複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ、或いはこれらの複合機等の画像形成装置において、工場出荷時に予め現像剤を現像装置内に封入し、それを画像形成装置に組み込むことが広く行われている。このような現像装置においては、一般に、現像剤を収容した現像ハウジングとそれに装着した現像ローラとの隙間から現像剤が漏出しないように、封止部材（シール部材）を配置している。
上記画像形成装置を使用するには、現像装置に配置されているシール部材を取り外す操作を行う必要がある。特許文献１には、予め現像剤を封入したケースの下面の開口を塞いだ短冊状のシール部材の端部をユーザーが引っ張って剥がし、現像剤を搬送部材に落下させる構造を備えた現像装置構成が記載されている。また特許文献２には、機外に配置されたハンドルを回転駆動させることによりシール部材を取り外す現像装置が記載されている。
また、特許文献３には、画像形成装置に現像装置を配置すると、画像形成装置本体に配置したモータを駆動して自動的にシール部材を巻き取り、現像装置からシール部材を取り外すことができるものが記載されている。
そして、特許文献４には、シール部材を現像装置のトナー攪拌部材の駆動軸で巻き取るものが記載されている。即ち、この現像装置では、シール部材の引き抜き方向を変更して前記駆動軸の回転方向に合わせるためのシール部材の捻り部を備えている。 In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine of these, it is widely performed that a developer is sealed in a developing device in advance at the time of shipment from a factory and then incorporated into the image forming device. In such a developing device, generally, a sealing member (seal member) is disposed so that the developer does not leak from a gap between a developing housing that contains the developer and a developing roller attached thereto.
In order to use the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to perform an operation of removing the seal member disposed in the developing device. Patent Document 1 discloses a developing device configuration having a structure in which a user pulls and peels off an end of a strip-shaped seal member that closes an opening on a lower surface of a case in which a developer is previously sealed, and drops the developer onto a conveying member Is described. Patent Document 2 describes a developing device that removes a seal member by rotationally driving a handle disposed outside the apparatus.
Further, in Patent Document 3, when a developing device is disposed in an image forming apparatus, a motor disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus can be driven to automatically wind up the sealing member and remove the sealing member from the developing device. Is described.
Patent Document 4 describes that a seal member is wound around a drive shaft of a toner stirring member of a developing device. That is, the developing device includes a twisting portion of the seal member for changing the pulling direction of the seal member to match the rotation direction of the drive shaft.

しかし、特許文献１及び特許文献２に記載の現像装置は、ユーザーがシール部材を引き抜き忘れたままで現像装置が像形成装置本体にセットされることがあり、この場合、現像装置が駆動されると現像剤がないままの動作になり、濃度センサ等の異常を引き起こしかねないという問題がある。
また、特許文献２及び特許文献３に記載の現像装置は、シール部材の巻取装置は、ハウジング外に配置された巻取機構専用の駆動部及び巻き取り軸を備える必要があり、装置の大型化は避けがたいという問題がある。更に、このような巻取装置は、巻き取り部が近傍の駆動ギアに対して露出していることから、巻き取り時に駆動ギアへのトナー飛散は避けがたく、歯面へのトナー固着による駆動不良が発生するという問題もある。
また、特許文献４に記載の現像装置は、シール部材を捻じって巻き取り方向を変える捻り部を配置するためのスペースが必要となり、装置の大型化を招くという問題がある。
そこで本発明は、シール部材の取り忘れを確実に防止することができ、しかもシール部材取り外しに必要な機構を小型化することができる現像装置、プロセスカートリッジ、画像形成装置及び現像装置の組立方法を提供することを目的とする。 However, in the developing devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the user may forget to pull out the seal member and set the developing device in the image forming apparatus main body. In this case, when the developing device is driven, There is a problem that the operation is performed without the developer, which may cause an abnormality of the density sensor or the like.
Further, in the developing devices described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the winding device for the seal member needs to include a drive unit and a winding shaft dedicated to the winding mechanism disposed outside the housing, and the large size of the device. There is a problem that conversion is inevitable. Further, in such a winding device, since the winding portion is exposed to a nearby driving gear, it is difficult to avoid toner scattering on the driving gear at the time of winding, and driving by toner fixing to the tooth surface. There is also a problem that defects occur.
In addition, the developing device described in Patent Document 4 requires a space for arranging a twisted portion that changes the winding direction by twisting the seal member, and there is a problem that the size of the device is increased.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a developing device, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an assembling method of the developing device that can surely prevent forgetting to remove the sealing member and can downsize the mechanism necessary for removing the sealing member. The purpose is to provide.

本発明はかかる課題を解決するために、請求項１は、現像剤を担持する現像ローラと、前記現像ローラを支持する第１ハウジングと、予めに現像剤が配置される第２ハウジングと、前記第２ハウジング内の現像剤を該第２ハウジングの軸方向に沿って搬送し、且つ前記現像ローラに現像剤を搬送する回転式の第１現像剤搬送部材と、前記第１現像剤搬送部材が該第１現像剤搬送部材の軸方向の一端側近傍まで搬送した現像剤を受け取り、前記第１現像剤搬送部材の他端部側近傍まで搬送することで第１現像剤搬送部材とで現像剤循環搬送経路を前記第２ハウジング内に形成する第２現像剤搬送部材と、前記現像ローラと前記第１現像剤搬送部材の間に配置され、前記現像ローラ側と前記第２現像剤搬送部材側とを連通する開口部を備える枠体と、前記枠体に貼り付けられ、前記開口部を遮断する短冊状のシール部材と、を備え、前記シール部材は該シール部材の貼り付け面の一端部から折り返す余剰部を備え、前記余剰部の一部は前記第２ハウジング内の前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転に伴って前記枠体から前記シール部材が剥がされて巻き取られるように前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に固定されており、前記枠体は、前記シール部材に当接し、前記余剰部を前記シール部材の長手方向に対して斜めに折り返す角度を有する稜線部を備えた平板状部材を備えることを特徴とする現像装置である。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a developing roller for carrying a developer, a first housing for supporting the developing roller, a second housing in which a developer is disposed in advance, A rotary first developer conveying member that conveys the developer in the second housing along the axial direction of the second housing and conveys the developer to the developing roller, and the first developer conveying member. The developer transported to the vicinity of one end side in the axial direction of the first developer transport member is received and transported to the vicinity of the other end side of the first developer transport member, whereby the developer is developed with the first developer transport member. a second developer conveying member to form a circulation transport path within the second housing, wherein is placed between the developing roller first developer conveying member, the developing roller side to the second developer conveying member Frame having an opening communicating with the side , Affixed to the frame, and a strip-shaped seal member for blocking the opening, the sealing member comprises a surplus portion folded from one end of the sticking face of the seal member, the surplus portion some are fixed to the rotating shaft of the second developer conveying member so that said sealing member is taken by take-stripped from the frame in accordance with the rotation of the second developer conveying member in the second housing And the frame body includes a flat plate member having a ridge line portion that abuts the seal member and has an angle at which the surplus portion is folded back with respect to the longitudinal direction of the seal member. Device.

請求項２は、前記第２現像剤搬送部材は、現像剤を搬送する搬送部と、前記シール部材を巻き取る巻取部とを備え、前記第１ハウジングは前記搬送部と前記巻取部とを仕切る仕切部を備える請求項１に記載の現像装置を特徴とする。
請求項３は、前記平板状部材は、前記余剰部を折り返して前記第２現像剤搬送部材へと案内するガイド部材である請求項１又は２に記載の現像装置を特徴とする。
請求項４は、前記ガイド部材は、前記余剰部を折り返して前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に対して略直交する方向から巻き付けるように案内する請求項３に記載の現像装置を特徴とする。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second developer transport member includes a transport unit that transports the developer, and a winding unit that winds up the seal member, and the first housing includes the transport unit, the winding unit, and the like. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising a partitioning portion for partitioning.
Claim 3, wherein the flat plate-like member, you said developing device according to claim 1 or 2 a guide member is folded back the surplus portion is guided to the second developer conveying member.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the guide member guides the excess portion to be folded back and wound from a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second developer transport member. To do.

請求項５は、請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置と、感光体と、前記感光体を回転可能に保持した感光体ハウジングとを一体に構成したことを特徴とするプロセスカートリッジを特徴とする。
請求項６は、請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置又は請求項５に記載のプロセスカートリッジを備えた画像形成装置を特徴とする。
請求項７は、請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置の組立方法であって、前記シール部材を前記枠体に接着し、接着した前記シール部材の余剰部を前記枠体の前記平板状部材で折り返して前記シール部材を前記枠体に配置し、該シール部材を取り付けた前記枠体を予め前記第１現像剤搬送部材及び前記第２現像剤搬送部材を組み付けた前記第２ハウジングに組み付け、前記平板状部材によって折り返した前記シール部材の余剰部を前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に取り付け、前記シール部材のたるみを除去するよう前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸を回転して前記シール部材を巻き取ることを特徴とする現像装置の組立方法である。
請求項８は、前記枠体を配置した前記第２ハウジングに予め前記現像ローラを組み付けた前記第１ハウジングを組み付けることを特徴とする請求項７に記載の現像装置の組立方法である。 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the developing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the photosensitive member, and the photosensitive member housing that rotatably holds the photosensitive member are integrally configured. Features a cartridge .
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention , there is provided an image forming apparatus including the developing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects or the process cartridge according to the fifth aspect.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the developing apparatus assembling method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the seal member is bonded to the frame body, and an excess portion of the bonded seal member is attached to the frame body. The sealing member is folded on the flat plate member, the sealing member is disposed on the frame body, and the frame body to which the sealing member is attached is assembled in advance with the first developer conveying member and the second developer conveying member. 2 The surplus portion of the seal member that is assembled to the housing and folded back by the flat plate member is attached to the rotation shaft of the second developer transport member, and the second developer transport member is rotated so as to remove the slack of the seal member. A developing apparatus assembling method, wherein a shaft is rotated to wind up the seal member.
An eighth aspect of the present invention is the developing apparatus assembling method according to the seventh aspect, wherein the first housing in which the developing roller is assembled in advance is assembled to the second housing in which the frame is disposed.

本発明によれば、画像形成装置内に現像装置を配置して後の最初の駆動で、第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸でシール部材が巻き取られて枠体から剥がされるので、巻き取り専用の駆動部品を装置外に設ける必要がなく、装置のコンパクト化を図ることができる。また、シール部材が巻き取られ配置される個所は第２現像剤搬送部材と同じ第２ケーシング内であるので、シール部材に付着したトナーがハウジング内に漏れることはなく駆動ギア等への飛散の心配がない。
また、第２現像剤搬送部材と同軸にして自動巻取りを達成するシール部材は、並列する第１及び第２現像剤搬送部材にまたがって配置されるため組み付けが困難になりがちであるが、本発明では、シール部材を予め接着して取り付けた枠体を準備すると共に、現像剤担持体を備える第１ハウジング、第１現像剤搬送部材及び第２現像剤搬送部材を備えた第２ハウジングを個別に準備しておき、これらを順次組み立てることができる。
この際、シール部材を組み付けた枠体は、その端部近傍からシール部材の余剰部を垂らした状態となり、そのシール部材の余剰部を第２現像剤搬送部材の軸に取り付けた後に、この枠体を第２ハウジングに組み付けるという簡単な作業で組み立てることができる。また、枠体を第２ハウジングに組み付けた後に行うシール部材のたるみ取り操作は、第２ハウジング単独で行うことができるので第１ハウジングの現像ローラをも回転させる必要がなく、低トルクで容易に行うことができる。 According to the present invention, the developing device is arranged in the image forming apparatus, and the seal member is wound around the rotating shaft of the second developer conveying member and peeled off from the frame body in the first drive after that. There is no need to provide a dedicated drive component outside the apparatus, and the apparatus can be made compact. Further, the place where the seal member is wound and disposed is in the same second casing as the second developer conveying member, so that the toner adhering to the seal member does not leak into the housing and is scattered to the drive gear or the like. There is no worry.
In addition, the seal member that achieves automatic winding coaxially with the second developer conveying member tends to be difficult to assemble because it is disposed across the parallel first and second developer conveying members. In the present invention, a frame body to which a seal member is attached in advance is prepared, and a first housing including a developer carrying body, a second housing including a first developer transport member and a second developer transport member are provided. They can be prepared separately and assembled sequentially.
At this time, the frame body assembled with the seal member is in a state where the surplus portion of the seal member is hung from the vicinity of the end, and after the surplus portion of the seal member is attached to the shaft of the second developer conveying member, The body can be assembled by a simple operation of assembling the body to the second housing. Further, the slack removal operation of the seal member performed after the frame body is assembled to the second housing can be performed by the second housing alone, so that it is not necessary to rotate the developing roller of the first housing, and it can be easily performed with low torque. It can be carried out.

画像形成装置の概略構成を示す図である。1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. 作像装置の構成を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of an image forming apparatus. 図２に示した作像装置における磁力の分布を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows distribution of the magnetic force in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 現像装置の構成を示す分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a developing device. 現像装置におけるシール部材の取り付け状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the seal member in a developing device. 現像装置の構成を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a developing device. 現像装置におけるガイド部を示す拡大斜視図である。It is an expansion perspective view which shows the guide part in a developing device. シール部材を配置した枠体を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the frame which has arrange | positioned the sealing member. シール部材の第２搬送スクリュー軸への取り付け状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state to the 2nd conveyance screw shaft of a sealing member. 第２の実施形態例における現像装置のガイド部を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a guide portion of a developing device according to a second embodiment. 図１０に示したガイド部を示す拡大斜視図である。It is an expansion perspective view which shows the guide part shown in FIG.

以下、図面を用いて本発明を適用した画像形成装置の実施の形態について説明する。以下、本発明を図に示した実施形態を用いて詳細に説明する。但し、この実施形態に記載される構成要素、種類、組み合わせ、形状、その相対配置などは特定的な記載がない限り、この発明の範囲をそれのみに限定する主旨ではなく単なる説明例に過ぎない。以下の実施形態では、画像形成装置としてフルカラーの画像形成が可能な電子写真方式のプリンタを例示している。
図１は画像形成装置の概略構成を示す図である。この画像形成装置１００は、プロセスカートリッジとしての４色分の作像装置１０Ｙ（イエロー）、１０Ｃ（シアン）、１０Ｍ（マゼンダ）、１０Ｋ（黒）が、装置本体１側に形成された対応する図示しない画像形成ステーションに着脱自在になっており、レーザー光を照射可能な露光手段としての光学ユニット２０、中間転写体ユニット３０、給紙ユニット４０、及び定着ユニット５０等を備えている。
作像装置１０Ｙ、１０Ｃ、１０Ｍ、１０Ｋの構造は同一であり、それぞれ潜像担持体としての感光体ドラム１２Ｙ、１２Ｃ、１２Ｍ、１２Ｋ、これに作用するプロセス手段として、各感光体ドラムを帯電する帯電装置１３Ｙ、１３Ｃ、１３Ｍ、１３Ｋ、感光体ドラムに残留した現像剤等を除去するクリーニング装置１５Ｙ、１５Ｃ、１５Ｍ、１５Ｋが一体的にそれぞれ構成されており、これに各感光体ドラムに形成された潜像を現像する現像装置１４Ｙ、１４Ｃ、１４Ｍ、１４Ｋが連結する構成になっている。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. . In the following embodiment, an electrophotographic printer capable of forming a full-color image is exemplified as the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus 100, image forming apparatuses 10Y (yellow), 10C (cyan), 10M (magenta), and 10K (black) for four colors as process cartridges are formed on the apparatus main body 1 side. The image forming station is detachable and includes an optical unit 20, an intermediate transfer body unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, a fixing unit 50, and the like as exposure means capable of irradiating laser light.
The image forming apparatuses 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K have the same structure, and the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K as latent image carriers are charged, and the photosensitive drums are charged as process means that act on the photosensitive drums. The charging devices 13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K and cleaning devices 15Y, 15C, 15M, and 15K for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum are integrally configured, and formed on each photosensitive drum. The developing devices 14Y, 14C, 14M, and 14K for developing the latent images are connected.

中間転写体ユニット３０は、中間転写体としての転写ベルト３１、該転写ベルト３１を回転可能に支持する複数（ここでは３つ）ローラ３２、３３、３４、各感光体ドラム１２に形成されたトナー像を転写ベルト３１にそれぞれ転写する一次転写ローラ３５、及び転写ベルト３１上に転写されたトナー像を更に記録紙Ｐに転写する二次転写ローラ３６を備えている。
給紙ユニット４０は、給紙カセット４１或いは手差し給紙トレイ４２から記録紙Ｐを二次転写領域に搬送する給紙ローラ４３、レジストローラ４４等を備えている。定着ユニット５０は、定着ローラ５１及び加圧ローラ５２を備え、記録紙Ｐ上のトナー像に熱と圧を加えることで定着を行う周知の構成が採られている。
このような構成において、まず１色目、イエローの作像装置１０Ｙにおいて、感光体ドラム１２Ｙが帯電装置１３Ｙによって一様に帯電された後、光学ユニット２０から照射されたレーザー光によって潜像が現像装置１４によって現像されてトナー像が形成される。感光体ドラム１２上に形成されたトナー像は、一次転写ローラ３５の作用によって転写ベルト３１上に転写される。一次転写が終了した感光体ドラム１２Ｙはクリーニング装置１５Ｙによってクリーニングされ、次の画像形成に備える。クリーニング装置１５Ｙによって回収された残留トナーは、作像装置１０Ｙの取出方向（感光体ドラムの回転軸方向）に設置された廃トナー回収ボトル１６に貯蔵される。廃トナー回収ボトル１６は、貯蔵量が満杯になると交換できるように画像形成装置本体１に対して着脱自在とされている。同様の画像形成工程がＣ、Ｍ、Ｋ用の各作像装置１０Ｃ、１０Ｍ、１０Ｋにおいても行われて各色のトナー像が形成され、先に形成されたトナー像に順次重ねて転写される。 The intermediate transfer body unit 30 includes a transfer belt 31 as an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of (here, three) rollers 32, 33, and 34 that rotatably support the transfer belt 31, and toner formed on each photosensitive drum 12. A primary transfer roller 35 for transferring the image to the transfer belt 31 and a secondary transfer roller 36 for transferring the toner image transferred onto the transfer belt 31 to the recording paper P are provided.
The paper feed unit 40 includes a paper feed roller 43 and a registration roller 44 that convey the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette 41 or the manual paper feed tray 42 to the secondary transfer region. The fixing unit 50 includes a fixing roller 51 and a pressure roller 52, and has a known configuration in which fixing is performed by applying heat and pressure to the toner image on the recording paper P.
In such a configuration, first, in the first color yellow image forming device 10Y, the photosensitive drum 12Y is uniformly charged by the charging device 13Y, and then the latent image is developed by the laser light emitted from the optical unit 20. 14 is developed to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred onto the transfer belt 31 by the action of the primary transfer roller 35. The photosensitive drum 12Y after the primary transfer is cleaned by the cleaning device 15Y to prepare for the next image formation. The residual toner collected by the cleaning device 15Y is stored in a waste toner collection bottle 16 installed in the take-out direction of the image forming device 10Y (the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum). The waste toner collection bottle 16 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 1 so that it can be replaced when the storage amount is full. A similar image forming process is performed in each of the image forming apparatuses 10C, 10M, and 10K for C, M, and K to form toner images of the respective colors, which are sequentially transferred to the previously formed toner images.

一方、給紙カセット４１、又は手差し給紙トレイ４２から二次転写領域に搬送された記録紙Ｐには、二次転写ローラ３６の作用によって転写ベルト３１上に形成されたトナー像が転写される。トナー像を転写された記録紙Ｐは定着ユニット５０に搬送され、この定着ユニット５０の定着ローラ５１と加圧ローラ５２のニップ部にてトナー像が定着され、排紙ローラ５５によって装置上部の排紙トレイ５６に排紙される。
画像形成装置１００の装置本体１上部には、後述するトナー補給口１４５への補給トナーがそれぞれ収納されたトナーボルトＹ１、Ｃ１、Ｍ１、Ｋ１が各作像装置と個別に装置本体１から着脱可能に装着されている。 On the other hand, the toner image formed on the transfer belt 31 by the action of the secondary transfer roller 36 is transferred to the recording paper P conveyed from the paper feed cassette 41 or the manual paper feed tray 42 to the secondary transfer region. . The recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 50, where the toner image is fixed at the nip portion between the fixing roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 of the fixing unit 50, and the discharge roller 55 discharges the upper part of the apparatus. The paper is discharged to the paper tray 56.
At the upper part of the apparatus main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100, toner bolts Y1, C1, M1, and K1 each storing toner to be supplied to a toner replenishing port 145, which will be described later, are detachable from the apparatus main body 1 separately from each image forming apparatus. It is attached to.

次に作像装置と現像装置の構成について説明する。各装置構成は、供給される現像剤としてのトナーの色が異なる以外は、同一構成であるので、以下、作像装置１０Ｙを例に説明する。
図２は作像装置の構成を示す断面図、図３は図２に示した作像装置における磁力の分布を示す断面図である。作像装置１０Ｙに設けられた帯電装置１３Ｙは、帯電ローラ１３１と帯電ローラ１３１の表面を清掃するクリーニングローラ１３２とを備えている。クリーニング装置１５Ｙは、感光体ドラム表面に接触するクリーニングブラシ１５１とクリーニングブレード１５２及び、クリーニングブラシ１５１とクリーニングブレード１５２で掻き取られたトナーを廃トナー回収ボトル１６へ向かって搬送するトナー回収コイル１５３とを備えている。 Next, the configuration of the image forming device and the developing device will be described. Each apparatus configuration is the same except that the color of the supplied toner as the developer is different, and therefore the image forming apparatus 10Y will be described below as an example.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the distribution of magnetic force in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The charging device 13Y provided in the image forming device 10Y includes a charging roller 131 and a cleaning roller 132 that cleans the surface of the charging roller 131. The cleaning device 15Y includes a cleaning brush 151 and a cleaning blade 152 that are in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a toner recovery coil 153 that transports the toner scraped off by the cleaning brush 151 and the cleaning blade 152 toward the waste toner recovery bottle 16. It has.

現像装置１４Ｙは、二成分現像剤のトナーを担持して感光体ドラム１２Ｙと対向する現像領域に図２において反時計回りに回転移動することで搬送する現像ローラ１４１と、現像ローラ１４１と対向配置され、現像ローラ１４１の表面に担持されたトナーの層厚を規制する現像剤規制部としてのドクタギャップＳを現像ローラ１４１の表面との間に形成するドクタブレード１４６、現像装置１４Ｙ内に収納されている現像剤とトナー補給口１４５から供給される補給トナーとを攪拌しながら感光体ドラム１２Ｙの軸線方向に往復搬送させつつ現像ローラ１４１に案内する第２現像剤搬送部材である第２搬送スクリュー１４２及び第１現像剤搬送部材である第１搬送スクリュー１４３と、これら各部材を収納支持する現像ケーシング１４４とを備えている。ドクタブレード１４６は現像ケーシング１４４に挟まれるように支持されている。本例では、現像ケーシング１４４は、前記現像ローラ１４１を保持する第１ハウジング１４４Ａと、搬送スクリュー１４２、１４３を保持する第２ハウジング１４４Ｂとに分割して構成されている。図３中に第１ハウジング１４４Ａと第２ハウジング１４４Ｂの分割個所をＡ−Ａ線で示した。
第１ハウジング１４４Ａには、現像ローラ１４１、ドクタブレード１４６、トナー補給口１４５を支持、又は構成する。また、第１ハウジング１４４Ａと、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂとは、後述するシール部材１６０を引き抜ける程度の軽圧接状態で両ハウジングの間に前記シール部材１６０の糊代部を挟むように固定される。本例では、この状態で、シール部材１６０を引き抜いて剥がすときのガイド作用をなす。 The developing device 14Y carries the toner of the two-component developer and conveys it by rotating it counterclockwise in FIG. 2 to a developing region facing the photosensitive drum 12Y, and the developing device 141 is disposed facing the developing roller 141. The doctor blade 146 that forms a doctor gap S as a developer restricting portion for restricting the layer thickness of the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 141 between the surface of the developing roller 141 and the developing device 14Y is housed. The second conveying screw, which is a second developer conveying member that guides the developing roller 141 while agitating the developer being supplied and the replenishing toner supplied from the toner replenishing port 145 while reciprocally conveying in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 12Y. 142 and a first conveying screw 143 that is a first developer conveying member, and a developing casing 144 that accommodates and supports these members. Eteiru. The doctor blade 146 is supported so as to be sandwiched between the developing casings 144. In this example, the developing casing 144 is divided into a first housing 144A that holds the developing roller 141 and a second housing 144B that holds the conveying screws 142 and 143. In FIG. 3, the division | segmentation location of 144 A of 1st housings and the 2nd housing 144B was shown by the AA line.
The first housing 144A supports or configures the developing roller 141, the doctor blade 146, and the toner supply port 145. Further, the first housing 144A and the second housing 144B are fixed so as to sandwich the adhesive margin portion of the seal member 160 between the two housings in a light pressure contact state in which the seal member 160 described later is pulled out. In this example, in this state, a guide action is performed when the seal member 160 is pulled out and peeled off.

ここで、第１搬送スクリュー１４３は、前記第２搬送スクリュー１４２がその軸方向の一端側近傍まで搬送した現像剤を受け取り、前記第１搬送スクリュー１４３の他端部側近傍まで搬送することにより第１ハウジング１４４Ａで現像剤循環搬送経路を前記第２ハウジング１４４Ｂ内に形成する。
現像ローラ１４１の内部には、複数の図示しない磁石が配設されている。これら磁石による法線方向の磁力の分布を図３中に符号Ｐ１からＰ５で示す。本形態では、ドクタブレード１４６の対向極としてＰ５があり、Ｐ１：１０５ｍＴ、Ｐ２：９５ｍＴ、Ｐ３：４５ｍＴ、Ｐ４：４５ｍＴ、Ｐ５：８４ｍＴとなっている。
ドクタブレード１４６よりも現像ローラ１４１の移動方向上流側には、現像ケーシング１４４に支持された受け部材１４７が設けられている。現像ローラ１４１、ドクタブレード１４６及び受け部材１４７は、感光体ドラムの軸線方向に延設されている。受け部材１４７はその形状が略直角三角形をしていて、現像ケーシング１４４の内部となる第１搬送スクリュー１４３によってトナーが汲み上げられて滞留する空間部１４８に向かって、このケーシングから突出している。具体的には、直角三角形の頂部が現像ローラ１４１の表面に向かって位置するように突出して、ドクタブレード１４６に隣接されている。受け部材１４７には、空間部１４８からドクタブレード１４６に向かって移動するトナーの受け面１４７ａが設けられている。受け部材１４７の頂部は、ドクタブレード１４６の先端とほぼ同一か、幾分低い位置とされている。 Here, the first transport screw 143 receives the developer transported to the vicinity of one end side in the axial direction by the second transport screw 142, and transports it to the vicinity of the other end portion side of the first transport screw 143. A developer circulation conveyance path is formed in the second housing 144B by one housing 144A.
A plurality of magnets (not shown) are disposed inside the developing roller 141. The distribution of the magnetic force in the normal direction by these magnets is indicated by symbols P1 to P5 in FIG. In this embodiment, there is P5 as an opposite pole of the doctor blade 146, P1: 105 mT, P2: 95 mT, P3: 45 mT, P4: 45 mT, and P5: 84 mT.
A receiving member 147 supported by the developing casing 144 is provided upstream of the doctor blade 146 in the moving direction of the developing roller 141. The developing roller 141, the doctor blade 146, and the receiving member 147 are extended in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The receiving member 147 has a substantially right-angled triangle shape, and protrudes from the casing toward the space 148 where the toner is pumped up and retained by the first conveying screw 143 inside the developing casing 144. Specifically, the top of the right triangle protrudes so as to be located toward the surface of the developing roller 141 and is adjacent to the doctor blade 146. The receiving member 147 is provided with a toner receiving surface 147 a that moves from the space portion 148 toward the doctor blade 146. The top of the receiving member 147 is substantially the same as or somewhat lower than the tip of the doctor blade 146.

このような構成の現像装置１４Ｙによると、トナーが滞留してドクタブレード１４６に向かって流れる空間部１４８の、ドクタブレード１４６の層厚規制部周辺に受け部材１４７を設けているので、ドクタギャップＳ以外は、受け部材１４７で隠蔽されることになる。この結果、ドクタギャップＳにかかるトナーの剤圧が減少し、ドクタギャップＳの変位を抑制されるため、感光体ドラム１２Ｙへ供給するトナーのばらつきが極めて少なくなる。
ドクタブレード１４６の背面側に受け部材１４７を設けているが、ドクタブレード１４６の背面側と受け部材１４７との間に隙間でできてしまうと、両者の間にトナーが貯まることがあり、ドクタギャップＳを狭めかねない。このため、ドクタブレード１４６の背面側と受け部材１４７との間に隙間Ｓ１を予め設け、この隙間Ｓ１にシール部材となる板状の弾性部材１５０を挿み込むことにより介装させことで、この隙間に対するトナーの貯まりや剤の落ちを防止することができる。 According to the developing device 14Y having such a configuration, the receiving member 147 is provided around the layer thickness regulating portion of the doctor blade 146 in the space portion 148 where the toner stays and flows toward the doctor blade 146. Other than that, it is concealed by the receiving member 147. As a result, the toner pressure applied to the doctor gap S is reduced, and the displacement of the doctor gap S is suppressed, so that the variation in the toner supplied to the photosensitive drum 12Y is extremely reduced.
The receiving member 147 is provided on the back side of the doctor blade 146. However, if a gap is formed between the back side of the doctor blade 146 and the receiving member 147, toner may accumulate between the two, and the doctor gap S can be narrowed. For this reason, a gap S1 is provided in advance between the back side of the doctor blade 146 and the receiving member 147, and a plate-like elastic member 150 serving as a seal member is inserted into the gap S1, thereby interposing this. It is possible to prevent toner accumulation and agent dropping with respect to the gap.

また、本形態においは、各トナーボトルが各作像装置と個別に装置本体１から着脱可能とされているので、各トナーボトルと各作像装置の交換とを個別に行えるので、不要な交換をしなくてすみ、部品交換時のユーザーの出費を低減することができる。また、装置の他の部分の開閉や出し入れの回数が減るため、トナー飛散も防止できるようになり、メンテナンス性の向上を図れる。
本形態でも用いるトナーに、球形度が０．９３以上のものを使用することができる。すなわち、画像の画質を向上させるには、トナー粒径を小さくすることが知られているが、小粒径化を行う場合、従来の粉砕型のトナーでは粒径分布がブロードになってしまい扱いにくいという特性がある。そのため重合法等によってトナーの円形度を上げ、粒径分布もシャープなものとして高画質化を実現することができる。方法が一般的になっている。しかし、トナーの円形度を上げると球形に近づくために、クリーニング装置１５Ｙでのクリーニングが非常に難しくなるが、本形態では、受け部材１４７を設けているので、ドクタギャップＳの変位による感光体ドラム１２Ｙへのトナー供給量のばらつきが無くなるので、重合法等による球形トナーを使用してもクリーニング性能を維持することができる。 Further, in this embodiment, each toner bottle can be attached to and detached from each image forming apparatus individually from the apparatus main body 1, so that each toner bottle and each image forming apparatus can be exchanged individually, so that unnecessary replacement is possible. This eliminates the need to reduce the user expense when replacing parts. Further, since the number of times of opening / closing and taking in / out of other parts of the apparatus is reduced, it is possible to prevent toner scattering and improve maintainability.
A toner having a sphericity of 0.93 or more can also be used as the toner used in this embodiment. In other words, it is known to reduce the toner particle size in order to improve the image quality of the image, but in the case of reducing the particle size, the conventional pulverized toner has a particle size distribution that is broad. There is a characteristic that it is difficult. Therefore, it is possible to achieve high image quality by increasing the circularity of the toner by a polymerization method or the like and by making the particle size distribution sharp. The method has become commonplace. However, when the circularity of the toner is increased, the toner approaches a spherical shape, so that cleaning with the cleaning device 15Y becomes very difficult. However, in this embodiment, since the receiving member 147 is provided, the photosensitive drum due to the displacement of the doctor gap S is provided. Since there is no variation in the amount of toner supplied to 12Y, the cleaning performance can be maintained even when spherical toner obtained by polymerization or the like is used.

次に現像装置におけるシール部材の取り付け取り外しの状態について説明する。図４は現像装置の構成を示す分解斜視図、図５は現像装置におけるシール部材の取り付け状態を示す斜視図、図６は現像装置の構成を示す断面図である。本例では、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂにシール部材１６０を配置して、第１搬送スクリュー１４３と現像ローラ１４１の間を塞いでおき、画像形成装置１００の使用時にシール部材１６０を自動的に剥がし、画像形成装置１００の使用を可能なものとするものである。なお、図中符号６１、６２は第１搬送スクリュー１４３及び第２搬送スクリュー１４２駆動用の歯車、符号６３は、前記第１搬送スクリュー１４３駆動用の歯車６１に噛合して現像ローラ１４１を駆動するローラ駆動歯車を示している。 Next, the state of attaching and removing the seal member in the developing device will be described. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the developing device, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of the seal member in the developing device, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developing device. In this example, the seal member 160 is disposed in the second housing 144B, the gap between the first conveying screw 143 and the developing roller 141 is closed, and the seal member 160 is automatically peeled off when the image forming apparatus 100 is used, and the image The forming apparatus 100 can be used. In the figure, reference numerals 61 and 62 denote gears for driving the first conveying screw 143 and the second conveying screw 142, and reference numeral 63 denotes a gear 61 for driving the first conveying screw 143 to drive the developing roller 141. The roller drive gear is shown.

ここで、本例に係る第２ハウジング１４４Ｂの内部には、現像剤が充填されており、第１搬送スクリュー１４３及び第２搬送スクリュー１４２の現像剤搬送路の両方に充満しているが、第２搬送スクリュー１４２の上側は、第１ハウジング１４４Ａで塞がれており、図４に示すように、現像ローラ１４１と第１搬送スクリュー１４３との間に位置する開口１５５のみ閉塞する。
シール部材１６０は、合成樹脂製の薄材で形成されており同一幅寸法の短冊状に形成されている。シール部材１６０は、まず枠体１７０に接着した状態とされ、このシール部材１６０を取り付けた枠体１７０を第２ハウジング１４４Ｂに嵌合、接着、ねじ止め等の方法で固定されることにより取り付けられる。なお枠体１７０は、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂと一体として構成することができるが、ここで、示したように枠体１７０を別体としてシール部材１６０を接着した後、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂに組み付けるようにすると、現像装置の組み立が容易となる。 Here, the inside of the second housing 144B according to the present example is filled with a developer and fills both the developer conveyance paths of the first conveyance screw 143 and the second conveyance screw 142. The upper side of the second conveying screw 142 is closed by the first housing 144A, and only the opening 155 located between the developing roller 141 and the first conveying screw 143 is closed as shown in FIG.
The seal member 160 is formed of a thin material made of synthetic resin and is formed in a strip shape having the same width. The seal member 160 is first attached to the frame 170, and is attached by fixing the frame 170 attached with the seal member 160 to the second housing 144B by a method such as fitting, bonding, and screwing. . The frame 170 can be configured integrally with the second housing 144B. However, as shown in the figure, after the seal member 160 is bonded to the frame 170 as a separate body, the frame 170 is assembled to the second housing 144B. This facilitates the assembly of the developing device.

枠体１７０は、金属製或いは合成樹脂性の部材であり、開口部１７２を備える枠部１７１と、前記シール部材１６０を折り返して方向を変更するガイド部１８０が配置される平板部１７３とからなる。
シール部材１６０を前記枠体１７０に取り付けると、シール部材１６０は折り曲げられ、図５に示すように、前記開口１５５を閉塞する閉塞部１６０Ａ、閉塞部１６０Ａから１８０度反転される反転部１６０Ｂ、反転部１６０Ｂから閉塞部１６０Ａに対向して配置される延設部１６０Ｃ、前記ガイド部１８０により同一平面内で９０度折り返される折返辺部１６０Ｄ、１６０Ｄから延設される折返延設部１６０Ｅ、折返延設部１６０Ｅの先端に位置する先端部１６０Ｆをなす。本例では、前記反転部１６０Ｂ、延設部１６０Ｃ、折返辺部１６０Ｄ、折返延設部１６０Ｅ、先端部１６０Ｆがシール部材１６０の余剰部をなす。なお、図５では、枠体１７０にシール部材１６０を取り付けていない状態であり、また枠体１７０は、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂに取り付けられた状態を示している。 The frame 170 is a metal or synthetic resin member, and includes a frame portion 171 having an opening 172 and a flat plate portion 173 on which a guide portion 180 that turns the seal member 160 to change the direction is disposed. .
When the seal member 160 is attached to the frame body 170, the seal member 160 is bent and, as shown in FIG. 5, a closing portion 160A that closes the opening 155, a reversing portion 160B that is reversed 180 degrees from the closing portion 160A, and a reversing portion. An extended portion 160C arranged to face the closing portion 160A from the portion 160B, a folded side portion 160D folded by 90 degrees in the same plane by the guide portion 180, a folded extended portion 160E extended from 160D, a folded extension A tip portion 160F located at the tip of the installation portion 160E is formed. In this example, the reversing portion 160B, the extending portion 160C, the folded side portion 160D, the folded extending portion 160E, and the tip portion 160F form the surplus portion of the seal member 160. In FIG. 5, the seal member 160 is not attached to the frame 170, and the frame 170 is shown attached to the second housing 144B.

また、前記枠部１７１の上面は前記シール部材１６０を接着するための糊代となり、シール部材１６０のシール部材１６０が４周縁部でホットメルト接着されている。このホットメルト接着の強度は、前記１８０度折り返した方向へ延設部１６０Ｃを引っ張るとき、人力や軽い機械力で引き剥がし可能な程度のものとしている。
ガイド部１８０は、コロ部材１８１と、前記枠体１７０の平板部１７３の２個所に形成され、前記コロ部材１８１を回動可能に支持するＣ字状のフック部１８２、１８３とからなる。前記フック部１８２、１８３は、前記コロ部材１８１を回動可能であり且つ離脱しないように保持し、前記コロ部材１８１が前記延設部１６０Ｃの延設方向に対して略４５度に傾斜するよう配置されている。この構成により、ガイド部１８０は、前記折返辺部１６０Ｄでシール部材１６０が９０度折り返される折返延設部１６０Ｅが第２搬送スクリュー１４２のスクリュー軸１４２ａに対して直角に配置されるよう案内する。
このようにして、シール部材１６０は、図６及び図７に示すように、第２搬送スクリュー１４２のスクリュー軸１４２ａに巻き取れるように構成される。ここで、スクリュー軸１４２ａは、第２搬送スクリュー１４２による現像剤の搬送方向と前記シール部材１６０の巻き取り方向を一致させてある。また、前記開口１５５により、第１搬送スクリュー１４３と現像ローラ１４１が配置されている空間は連通されており、汲み上げられた現像剤（図６中矢印Ｂ）と、現像ローラ１４１から剥離された現像剤（同矢印Ｃ）が行き来することになる。 Further, the upper surface of the frame portion 171 serves as a margin for bonding the seal member 160, and the seal member 160 of the seal member 160 is hot-melt bonded at the four peripheral portions. The strength of the hot-melt adhesion is such that it can be peeled off by human power or light mechanical force when the extending portion 160C is pulled in the direction folded 180 degrees.
The guide portion 180 is formed at two locations of the roller member 181 and the flat plate portion 173 of the frame body 170, and includes C-shaped hook portions 182 and 183 that rotatably support the roller member 181. The hook portions 182 and 183 hold the roller member 181 so that the roller member 181 can rotate and is not detached, and the roller member 181 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the extending portion 160C. Has been placed. With this configuration, the guide portion 180 guides the folding extension portion 160E where the sealing member 160 is folded 90 degrees at the folding side portion 160D so as to be disposed at right angles to the screw shaft 142a of the second conveying screw 142.
In this manner, the seal member 160 is configured to be wound around the screw shaft 142a of the second conveying screw 142, as shown in FIGS. Here, the screw shaft 142a has the developer conveying direction by the second conveying screw 142 and the winding direction of the seal member 160 matched. In addition, the space where the first conveying screw 143 and the developing roller 141 are arranged communicates with each other through the opening 155, and the developer that has been pumped up (arrow B in FIG. 6) and the development separated from the developing roller 141. The agent (arrow C) will come and go.

次にシール部材１６０とスクリュー軸１４２ａの取り付け状態について説明する。本例は、シール部材１６０は先端部１６０Ｆでスクリュー軸１４２ａに固定される。図９はシール部材の第１搬送スクリュー軸への取り付け状態を示す斜視図である。この例では、スクリュー軸１４２ａにシール部材１６０の固定用のクリップ部１５７を形成している。このクリップ部１５７は弾性のある素材で形成され、先端部１６０Ｆを弾性的に挟み込むものである。そして、このクリップ部１５７でシール部材１６０の先端部１６０Ｆを挟んだ後、第２搬送スクリュー１４２を回動させることにより折返延設部１６０Ｅをスクリュー軸１４２ａに巻き込んでシール部材１６０を固定する。
また、本例では、図７に示すように、第２搬送スクリュー１４２の配置領域と、シール部材１６０の巻き取り領域との間に、隔壁１７４を設けており、巻き取ったシール部材が第２搬送スクリュー１４２の配置領域に侵入しないようにしている。
従って本例に係る画像形成装置によれば、シール部材１６０の自動巻取りを第２搬送スクリュー１４２のスクリュー軸１４２ａで行わせるので、画像形成装置内にセット後の最初の駆動でシール部材は第２ハウジング１４４Ｂから剥がすことができ、この処理に際して、巻き取り専用の駆動部品を装置外に設ける必要がなく、装置のコンパクト化を達成できる他、シール部材１６０をクリーニングローラ１３２が配置される第２ハウジング１４４Ｂ内に巻き取るので、剥がした際のシール部材に付着したトナーの駆動ギア等への飛散を防止できる。 Next, the attachment state of the seal member 160 and the screw shaft 142a will be described. In this example, the seal member 160 is fixed to the screw shaft 142a at the distal end portion 160F. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the seal member is attached to the first conveying screw shaft. In this example, a clip portion 157 for fixing the seal member 160 is formed on the screw shaft 142a. The clip portion 157 is made of an elastic material and elastically sandwiches the tip portion 160F. And after pinching the front-end | tip part 160F of the sealing member 160 with this clip part 157, the 2nd conveyance screw 142 is rotated, the folding extension part 160E is wound in the screw shaft 142a, and the sealing member 160 is fixed.
Moreover, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the partition 174 is provided between the arrangement | positioning area | region of the 2nd conveyance screw 142, and the winding area | region of the sealing member 160, and the sealing member wound up is 2nd. The arrangement area of the conveying screw 142 is prevented from entering.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of this example, the automatic winding of the seal member 160 is performed by the screw shaft 142a of the second conveying screw 142, so that the seal member is the first drive after being set in the image forming apparatus. 2 and can be peeled off from the housing 144B. In this process, it is not necessary to provide a drive part dedicated to winding up outside the apparatus, so that the apparatus can be made compact. In addition, the seal member 160 is provided with a second cleaning roller 132. Since it is wound up in the housing 144B, it is possible to prevent the toner adhering to the seal member when peeled off from being scattered to the drive gear or the like.

次に本例に係る現像装置の組立方法について説明する。現像装置の組立に際しては、まず、第１搬送スクリュー１４３及び第２搬送スクリュー１４２を前記歯車６１、６２と共に第２ハウジング１４４Ｂに組み付けておく。同様に、第１ハウジング１４４Ａにも、現像ローラ１４１、ローラ駆動歯車６３等を組み付けておく。次にシール部材１６０の閉塞部１６０Ａをホットメルト接着で枠体１７０の枠部１７１に接着し、シール部材１６０を反転部１６０Ｂで折り曲げ、延設部１６０Ｃをガイド部１８０側に延設する。そして、シール部材１６０の先端をコロ部材１８１に潜らせて９０度折り返し、折返延設部１６０Ｅから折返延設部１６０Ｅ、先端部１６０Ｆを引き出す。これにより、シール部材１６０が枠体１７０に取り付けられた状態となり（図８参照）、この状態でシール部材１６０の先端部１６０Ｆは枠体１７０に対して自由度を持ち、枠体１７０全体として自由に移動させることができる。 Next, a method of assembling the developing device according to this example will be described. In assembling the developing device, first, the first conveying screw 143 and the second conveying screw 142 are assembled together with the gears 61 and 62 to the second housing 144B. Similarly, the developing roller 141, the roller driving gear 63, and the like are also assembled in the first housing 144A. Next, the closing portion 160A of the seal member 160 is bonded to the frame portion 171 of the frame body 170 by hot melt bonding, the seal member 160 is bent at the reversing portion 160B, and the extending portion 160C is extended to the guide portion 180 side. Then, the front end of the seal member 160 is hidden in the roller member 181 and folded back by 90 degrees, and the folded extension portion 160E and the leading end portion 160F are pulled out from the folded extension portion 160E. As a result, the seal member 160 is attached to the frame body 170 (see FIG. 8). In this state, the distal end portion 160F of the seal member 160 has a degree of freedom with respect to the frame body 170, and the frame body 170 as a whole is free. Can be moved to.

そして、シール部材１６０を取り付けた枠体１７０を第２ハウジング１４４Ｂに近づけ、シール部材１６０の先端部１６０Ｆをクリップ部１５７に挟み込む。このとき枠体１７０を第１ハウジング１４４Ａに対して移動させることができる他、シール部材１６０の先端部１６０Ｆは、枠体１７０に固定されていないので、作業が容易となる。その後、シール部材１６０にたるみを持たせたまま、枠体１７０を第２ハウジング１４４Ｂの上面に、はめ込み、接着、ねじ止め等の方法で固定する。
そして、第２搬送スクリュー１４２の駆動用の歯車６２を回してシール部材１６０のたるみを取る。この作業は、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂのみを対象とするので、第２ハウジング１４４Ｂと現像ローラを備えた第１ハウジング１４４Ａとを一体としたときより、歯車６２の駆動力が小さくてもすむ。即ち、この段階では、歯車６１とローラ駆動歯車６３とは噛合しておらず、駆動力は小さいものとなる。よってたるみ取り作業であるギアの手動回転を容易に行える。
そして、現像装置を完成させるには、シール部材１６０、枠体１７０、第２搬送スクリュー１４２、第１搬送スクリュー１４３、歯車６１、６２等を組み付けた状態の第２ハウジング１４４Ｂと、現像ローラ１４１、ローラ駆動歯車６３等を組み付けた状態の第１ハウジング１４４Ａとを、歯車が噛合するように組み付けねじ等で固定すればよい。 Then, the frame body 170 to which the seal member 160 is attached is brought close to the second housing 144B, and the distal end portion 160F of the seal member 160 is sandwiched between the clip portions 157. At this time, the frame body 170 can be moved with respect to the first housing 144A, and the distal end portion 160F of the seal member 160 is not fixed to the frame body 170, so that the operation is facilitated. Thereafter, the frame member 170 is fitted onto the upper surface of the second housing 144B while the seal member 160 is slackened, and is fixed by a method such as adhesion or screwing.
Then, the driving gear 62 of the second conveying screw 142 is turned to remove the slack of the seal member 160. Since this operation is intended only for the second housing 144B, the driving force of the gear 62 can be smaller than when the second housing 144B and the first housing 144A provided with the developing roller are integrated. That is, at this stage, the gear 61 and the roller driving gear 63 are not meshed, and the driving force is small. Therefore, manual rotation of the gear, which is a slack removing operation, can be easily performed.
In order to complete the developing device, the seal member 160, the frame body 170, the second conveying screw 142, the first conveying screw 143, the gears 61 and 62, and the like are assembled, the developing roller 141, What is necessary is just to fix the 1st housing 144A of the state which assembled | attached the roller drive gear 63 grade | etc., With an assembly screw etc. so that a gear may mesh.

次に実施形態の第２の例について説明する。本例は、ガイド部としてシール部材１６０の延設部１６０Ｃの延設方向に対して傾斜した稜線を備えるガイド部材１９０を配置したものである。図１０は第２の実施形態例における現像装置のガイド部を示す拡大斜視図、図１１は図１０に示したガイド部を示す拡大斜視図である。本例では、枠体１７０は、枠体１７０の平板部１７３に設置される。また、ガイド部材１９０は、合成樹脂で一体に構成され、二枚の直角２等辺三角形状の下側板材部１９１、上側板材部１９２をシール部材１６０が通る隙間部１９３を開けて略平行に配置し、スクリュー軸１４２ａ側の短辺部１９４側で接合した形状をなしたものである。これにより、ガイド部材１９０の上側板材部１９２の斜辺１９５はシール部材の長手方向に対して４５度の角度を有する稜線部をなし、前記シール部材を斜めに折り返すように摺動させ案内することができる。
ガイド部材１９０を使用してシール部材１６０を配置するには、シール部材１６０を前記開口１５５側から隙間部１９３に差し込み、シール部材１６０を斜辺１９５で折返辺部１６０Ｄを形成して折返延設部１６０Ｅを引き出し、先端部１６０Ｆをスクリュー軸１４２ａに固定する。なお、ガイド部材１９０と平板部１７３との固定は例えば両面テープ１９６で行われる。
本例によっても、前記第１の例と同様に、装置のコンパクト化と、剥がした際のシール部材に付着したトナーが駆動ギア等への飛散を防止できる。また、前記第１の例と同様に現像装置の組立を行うことができる。 Next, a second example of the embodiment will be described. In this example, a guide member 190 having a ridge line inclined with respect to the extending direction of the extending portion 160C of the seal member 160 is arranged as a guide portion. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a guide portion of the developing device in the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the guide portion shown in FIG. In this example, the frame 170 is installed on the flat plate portion 173 of the frame 170. Further, the guide member 190 is integrally formed of synthetic resin, and is arranged substantially in parallel by opening a gap portion 193 through which the seal member 160 passes through the lower plate member portion 191 and the upper plate member portion 192 having two right-angled isosceles triangles. In addition, a shape joined on the short side 194 side on the screw shaft 142a side is formed. Accordingly, the hypotenuse 195 of the upper plate portion 192 of the guide member 190 forms a ridge line portion having an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the seal member, and the seal member is slid and guided so as to be folded back. it can.
In order to arrange the seal member 160 using the guide member 190, the seal member 160 is inserted into the gap 193 from the opening 155 side, and the seal member 160 is formed with the hypotenuse 195 to form the folding side 160D. 160E is pulled out, and the tip 160F is fixed to the screw shaft 142a. The guide member 190 and the flat plate portion 173 are fixed by, for example, a double-sided tape 196.
Also in this example, as in the first example, the apparatus can be made compact, and the toner adhering to the seal member when peeled off can be prevented from scattering to the drive gear or the like. Further, as in the first example, the developing device can be assembled.

１４１現像ローラ、１４２第２搬送スクリュー、１４２ａスクリュー軸、１４３第１搬送スクリュー、１６０シール部材、１７０枠体、１８０ガイド部 141 Developing roller, 142 Second conveying screw, 142a Screw shaft, 143 First conveying screw, 160 Seal member, 170 Frame body, 180 Guide portion

特開２００１−０７５３４６公報JP 2001-075346 A 特開２００６−００３７３６公報JP 2006-003736 A 特開２００３−２１５８９５公報JP 2003-215895 A

Claims

現像剤を担持する現像ローラと、
前記現像ローラを支持する第１ハウジングと、
予めに現像剤が配置される第２ハウジングと、
前記第２ハウジング内の現像剤を該第２ハウジングの軸方向に沿って搬送し、且つ前記現像ローラに現像剤を搬送する回転式の第１現像剤搬送部材と、
前記第１現像剤搬送部材が該第１現像剤搬送部材の軸方向の一端側近傍まで搬送した現像剤を受け取り、前記第１現像剤搬送部材の他端部側近傍まで搬送することで第１現像剤搬送部材とで現像剤循環搬送経路を前記第２ハウジング内に形成する第２現像剤搬送部材と、
前記現像ローラと前記第１現像剤搬送部材の間に配置され、前記現像ローラ側と前記第２現像剤搬送部材側とを連通する開口部を備える枠体と、
前記枠体に貼り付けられ、前記開口部を遮断する短冊状のシール部材と、を備え、
前記シール部材は該シール部材の貼り付け面の一端部から折り返す余剰部を備え、前記余剰部の一部は前記第２ハウジング内の前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転に伴って前記枠体から前記シール部材が剥がされて巻き取られるように前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に固定されており、
前記枠体は、前記シール部材に当接し、前記余剰部を前記シール部材の長手方向に対して斜めに折り返す角度を有する稜線部を備えた平板状部材を備えることを特徴とする現像装置。 A developing roller carrying a developer;
A first housing that supports the developing roller;
A second housing in which a developer is disposed in advance;
A rotary first developer conveying member that conveys the developer in the second housing along the axial direction of the second housing and conveys the developer to the developing roller;
The first developer transport member receives the developer transported to the vicinity of one end side in the axial direction of the first developer transport member, and transports it to the vicinity of the other end portion side of the first developer transport member. A second developer conveying member that forms a developer circulation conveying path in the second housing with the developer conveying member;
Wherein is placed between the developing roller first developer conveying member, a frame body having an opening communicating with the developing roller side and the second developer conveying member,
A strip-shaped seal member that is affixed to the frame and blocks the opening ,
The seal member includes a surplus portion that is folded back from one end portion of a sticking surface of the seal member, and a part of the surplus portion is separated from the frame body with the rotation of the second developer conveying member in the second housing. wherein is fixed to the rotation shaft of the second developer conveying member so that the seal member is wound is peeled,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a flat plate member having a ridge line portion that abuts the seal member and has an angle at which the surplus portion is folded back with respect to the longitudinal direction of the seal member .

前記第２現像剤搬送部材は、現像剤を搬送する搬送部と、前記シール部材を巻き取る巻取部とを備え、
前記第１ハウジングは前記搬送部と前記巻取部とを仕切る仕切部を備えることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の現像装置。 The second developer conveying member includes a conveying unit that conveys the developer, and a winding unit that winds the seal member,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a partition unit that partitions the transport unit and the winding unit.

前記平板状部材は、前記余剰部を折り返して前記第２現像剤搬送部材へと案内するガイド部材であることを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の現像装置。 The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the flat plate member is a guide member that folds the surplus portion and guides the surplus portion to the second developer conveying member.

前記ガイド部材は、前記余剰部を折り返して前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に対して略直交する方向から巻き付けるように案内することを特徴とする請求項３に記載の現像装置。 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the guide member guides the excess portion to be folded back and wound from a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second developer transport member.

請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置と、感光体と、前記感光体を回転可能に保持した感光体ハウジングとを一体に構成したことを特徴とするプロセスカートリッジ。 5. A process cartridge comprising: the developing device according to claim 1; a photosensitive member; and a photosensitive housing that rotatably holds the photosensitive member.

請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置又は請求項５に記載のプロセスカートリッジを備えたことを特徴とする画像形成装置。 An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1 or the process cartridge according to claim 5.

請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の現像装置の組立方法であって、  A developing device assembling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
前記シール部材を前記枠体に接着し、接着した前記シール部材の余剰部を前記枠体の前記平板状部材で折り返して前記シール部材を前記枠体に配置し、  The seal member is bonded to the frame, the surplus portion of the bonded seal member is folded back by the flat plate member of the frame, and the seal member is disposed on the frame.
該シール部材を取り付けた前記枠体を予め前記第１現像剤搬送部材及び前記第２現像剤搬送部材を組み付けた前記第２ハウジングに組み付け、  The frame body to which the seal member is attached is assembled to the second housing in which the first developer conveyance member and the second developer conveyance member are assembled in advance.
前記平板状部材によって折り返した前記シール部材の余剰部を前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸に取り付け、  Attach the surplus portion of the seal member folded back by the flat plate member to the rotation shaft of the second developer transport member,
前記シール部材のたるみを除去するよう前記第２現像剤搬送部材の回転軸を回転して前記シール部材を巻き取ることを特徴とする現像装置の組立方法。  A developing device assembling method, wherein the seal member is wound up by rotating a rotation shaft of the second developer conveying member so as to remove slack of the seal member.

前記枠体を配置した前記第２ハウジングに予め前記現像ローラを組み付けた前記第１ハウジングを組み付けることを特徴とする請求項７に記載の現像装置の組立方法。 8. The developing device assembling method according to claim 7, wherein the first housing in which the developing roller is assembled in advance is assembled to the second housing in which the frame is disposed.